Maintaining the Truth of the Assembly.

I am old enough to have known those dear men of God who began to meet as "brethren" (so called) some 93 years ago — a privilege, which next to my conversion. I unfeignedly thank the God of all grace for. What struck me as a young Christian was, not only the full Gospel light that was with them, but the maintenance of the holiness, that became an assembly of saints gathered to the Lord's Name, in which they sought to act; and this separation from evil enabled them to be recipients of further light from the Lord. Now I cannot ignore this light as to the assembly which they received; and what I would point out to my brethren if they will listen to me, is that seeking to "withdraw" from a wicked person, instead of acting in obedience to the command of 1 Cor. 5:13, is a distinct giving up of Church or assembly position: by that I mean the gathering together of two or three to the Lord's Name which ensures His presence in their midst. It may be said, Where is the church of God now? I reply in Mr Darby's words: Ruin is found in this, that the church such as God formed and fashioned it, does not exist at all, save as He sanctions two or three meeting in the Name of Jesus." But there certainly is a church or assembly which Christ loves upon this earth now, and which He cannot cease to nourish and cherish. … T. H. Reynolds, 1920.