IN the winter of 1827-28, four Christian men, who had for some time been exercised as to the condition of the entire professing church, agreed, after much conference and prayer, to come together on Lord's day morning for the breaking of bread, as the early Christians did, counting on the Lord to be with them, namely, Mr. Darby, Mr. (afterward Dr.) Cronin, Mr. Bellett, and Mr. Hutchinson. Their first meeting was held in the house of Mr. Hutchinson, No. 9, Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin. They had for a considerable time-along with others who attended their reading meetings-been studying the scriptures, and comparing what they found in the word of God with the existing state of things around them; but they could find no expression of the nature and character of the church of God, either in the National Establishment, or in the various forms of dissenting bodies. This brought them into the place of separation from all these ecclesiastical systems, and led them to come together in the name of the Lord Jesus, owning the presence and sovereign action of the Holy Spirit in their midst, and thus endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Matthew 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20); Ephesians 4:3, 43Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:3‑4).
The Brethren continued to meet for some time in Fitzwilliam Square, and others were gradually added to their number.
The circumstances which led these earnest men to read the scriptures and come to the decision above described were evidently of the Lord. One of the four, a clergyman from the county Wicklow, having met with an accident which injured his foot, came to Dublin for care and treatment. Before this happened, however, he had passed through much exercise of conscience as to his position in the establishment, and had determined to leave it. Some of his friends in town, like himself in the country, had been similarly exercised, and feeling the absence of spiritual life and Christian fellowship in the denominations, were really thirsting for something which could not be found there. Thus the Spirit of God was working in many minds, and in an especial way, at that time. He had created a felt need in the heart which grace and truth alone could satisfy. In this state of mind they agreed to study the word together, and look to the Lord for light and direction as to their future path.
Interested friends, and the survivors of those who were early connected with this movement, have raised the question as to whose heart the Spirit of God first visited and moved on the important subject of the unity of the church, and separation from existing religious systems. But without attempting to answer such a question, we would simply reply that the thought was God's thought as it was His truth, and the leader in the work was His chosen instrument. History has to do not with theories, but with facts, in so far as they are known.