HWGA 4

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Section 4 – Mr. Darby’s third visit to America (Aug. 6, 1866 to April 3, 1868)

Mr. Darby left England about June 23, 1866 to be in time for the Guelph meeting early in July. He writes on August 6, “We have had our meeting at Guelph. The heat was excessive, which I mention because on the one hand it was a little depressing to all, and on the other hand proved the interest, for there was no sleepiness… many fresh brethren from all parts of the U.S. and some not in communion in Canada… we had from eastern states and from western, and even one from George (Dr. Lawrence).

We had a good many Indians and there is decided progress both in numbers and in spiritual apprehension. We were very numerous. I passed two nights in a tent on the lawn to leave room in the house for some unexpected Americans. My present direction is west to Milwaukee and to Michigan gatherings or settlements."

At Detroit on September 18, 1866, he writes of being west of the Mississippi stopping at St. Louis. At Toronto on September 25th he writes: “I have been in journeys on wagons and cars thru south Illinois besides some 1800 miles by rail, and labor in the Word wherever I went… The doors are opening in the west, and gatherings forming and a measure of conversion…

I am now going east… Tracts and books of brethren go out very freely, the vast majority of what go out, go to the States, though they become just double in price. I think some steps will have to be taken to print in the States.” On the 15th of October from Toronto again he writes, “Boston and New York will now occupy me, the Lord willing, laborers are wanting here as elsewhere… there are now in Canada and the West as near 700 as possible whom I have visited, save two small gatherings.”

Then to Quebec and the eastern townships. On November 21, 1866 and January 2, 1867 in New York. On February 13th and 17th in Boston. On April 4th and 23rd again in New York. At Cambridge in April and Boston in May 1867. On May 27th from Boston writes, “We have our meetings at Guelph on June 27th which will itself run into July and then I have some unfinished work at present and the voyage to boot.” Stopped at New York in May 1867 en route to Guelph. Wrote “Man of Sorrows” while ill in Canada.

From Guelph he writes, “We are at our Guelph meeting. I am a great deal better, though weak… we had many from the States in different degrees of progress… they all broke bread together though some had been close Baptists… Some, one Baptist minister in particular, have left their systems and are just out.” (Perhaps this was Acomb of Minneapolis.) From Toronto he writes that “many felt it was the happiest we had ever had”. He then went west and writes from Milwaukee on August 6th. Then in Toronto again on September 18th, then Ottawa and Montreal on his way to New York.

From New York in February 1868 he writes, “Still the Lord helps one here, and as to American work, more in the west, still there is testimony, many are getting fully to understand their position and dependence on the Lord. Mr. ________ is in the west in Illinois, very happy and blessing God for the light and grace he has got, and a comfort to the saints there… one or two meetings have been formed there… at… there have been many conversions. One a Roman Catholic man and wife have drawn much attention. At Montreal in March and April 1868. When leaving promised to come to West Indies about November and return to England by way of the U.S. and Canada.

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