Historical Sketch Of The Brethren Movement

H. A. Ironside’s history of the so-called “Plymouth Brethren” stands today as one of the best and probably most readable histories of the movement ever written. Not only is it readable, but it is honest, and fair. This is a warts-and-all account written by a man who had a deep love for the movement he believed so strongly was a movement of God, and for the people who were involved in it. H. A. Ironside was involved in the movement for many years, and even after he took up the head pastorate of Moody Church, during those years he must have always kept a close eye on her, sharing in her joys as well as her sorrows. Ironside is one of the most well-known Evangelical authors of the 20th century and was affectionately known in his time as the Archbishop of Fundamentalism. In relation to the text itself it must be said that we have found a number of defective texts circulating online at the time of this printing, some charging a no small price for a butchered and mangled edition of this important history. We have endeavoured to present a text that is faithful to the original while being accessible in a modern format. We have found some editions with only 13 chapters, chapter 11 “The Open Brethren” being completely omitted, with the second half of chapter 10 missing also. These edition, even some of the better ones are missing key footnotes, italics and subdivision headers that Ironside had included in his original. You will find all 14 chapters in this edition. You will also find the original 5 appendixes here, which is another conspicuously absent feature in some defective editions. That’s 6 whole chapters plus notes and formatting. Almost one third of the book! So rest assured you are not only getting one of the best written histories of the movement, but also the best modern reprint available today. And don’t forget we publish all of H. A. Ironside’s books in modern editions. Many of which are listed at the end of this book and can all be found through your favourite online booksellers. Just search for CrossReach Publications! The image on the front cover is a photograph of Powerscourt House where the early Brethren assembled to have their prophecy conferences for a number of years. That there was a very definite action of the Holy Spirit in exercising many widely separated believers simultaneously along similar lines, eventually bringing them into one outward fellowship, a careful study of the origin of the movement makes plain. As early as between 1812 and 1820, it is proven that letters passed between a group of Christians in New York City, seeking after a simpler and more Scriptural fellowship than they were enjoying, and another group of believers in Great Britain who were also dissatisfied with existing conditions. Some from among these companies were eventually identified with the Brethren, but the true beginning of the movement seems to have been in Ireland in the year 1825. The preparation of these papers, in their original form as a series of articles in a periodical no longer published, Serving and Waiting, and in re-editing and adding more and later material for book publication, has been to me a definite labor of love. That the movement some of whose history I have endeavored to trace out has been, and still is, a very definite work of the Spirit of God, though like all other testimonies committed to man, seriously marred by the failing human element, is my sincere conviction. I have been importuned by many persons to put these papers in permanent form, but for a number of years have refrained from doing this for I was not clear as to whether the doing so would be for the glory of God and the blessing of souls or not. But after much exercise of heart, considerable prayer for guidance, and consultation with leading men among the assemblies of brethren who have encouraged me to accede to this request, I have gone over the original papers, endeavored to correct any inaccuracies, and added much additional material.