HWGA 2

Back to Table of Contents or perhaps Chapter/Section 3?

Section 2 – Darby’s first visit to America in 1862 (Sept. 17, 1862 to Sept. 1863)

A tea meeting was held at the Priory, Islington, London, on August 7, 1862, before leaving the first time for America. Notes of address given appear in Vol. 1 of JND’s Letters, as he writes from Toronto on September 17, 1862, which appears to be his first letter written on this side, “I should have been glad if you could have come to Guelph… if you write for any books or tracts, do not mind the cost, I will send them. They sometimes refresh us in the wilderness and you could have some good gospel ones to distribute. Have you any place you worship at with others besides your preaching?”

From London, Ontario on October 2nd, and Hamilton, Ontario, on December 12th, he writes, “Some new towns are opening too, where our brother Evans who has been greatly blessed had not been. He really (though there were individuals who had come out, but recently got loose and had material things) may be viewing it as a whole considered the founder of the work in Canada. I have followed his footsteps where he had laid the foundation, save here (Hamilton), and in one or two new places and even here the nucleus was indirectly through his means. In general there are very nice brethren here indeed and caring for one another… and of course, ordinary trials, but grace and fellowship.”

On December 24th from Hamilton, “Here and in the United States the church and the world are more mixed than in England so that the testimony of brethren is more definite and important as far as the sphere goes, and things seem to point to an awakening as to this in the States. I have been invited to more than one point, how the Lord will lead I know not… At Toronto I have a larger congregation… At Guelph, where our conference was the growth of the assembly, has been rapid since. I suppose, the Lord willing, I shall go when I take it as my starting point for sleighing on into the bush, and the shores of Lake Huron where I am expected.

The American habit of joining a church for respectability makes the church regularly worldly, but there a good many Christians, but in a dead state. In Canada, there are about 250 brethren and walking intelligently and happily everywhere. The great instrument of this really was Evans, though of course others have labored in detail, all was confusion until he was here.”

Mr. Darby’s description of American life, etc.,, in Volume 1 on pages 410, 421, 428, 429, 431, 445, 559, and 601 are severe, but these were during the Civil War when things were in a shakeup, and his first impressions were worse than those later.

At Guelph in January 1863 he writes, “I had meetings at houses where no one would have dreamed of it (referring to Toronto and Hamilton)… I know not how far I shall reach in the States.” Then on February 10th, from Guelph, “D.V. Monday we start for the bush, 40 miles off, where there are a good many brethren, godly intelligent men; some six or seven years ago a place of bears and wolves.”

Then from Minto, Ontario in February 1863, “The case is still stronger in the United States I believe no doubt if God raises up a testimony and it were content to be nothing, it would be most weighty there.” Then from Guelph, “I cannot help desiring a blessing which will reach America too.” Also speaks of 32 degrees below.

Toronto February 26th starts on a trip (the first in the United States). He writes of it from Toronto May 27th, “I was some 130 miles into New York state, speaking to souls there, and then passing through Canada to Detroit, Chicago, and St. Louis, on the Mississippi and some fifty or sixty miles beyond across the country on the skirts of the war, though not feeling it, beyond soldiers being about, an encampment in sight where Evans distributed tracts, etc., but a sad state of things… My object was to visit the French and Swiss brethren which save in one locality I through mercy affected and was out in the prairies, living among them as in old times and glad indeed to see them as they are. … At Chicago, I was among Americans.”

Then writes of interest at Clinton, Ontario, near Wingham. On July 14, 1863 writes from Toronto, “There is progress too among the Indians, among them dear ____ is working. They have three of them with us in our general meeting. About 100 to 130 attending in Toronto.” Then visited Montreal and Ottawa and among French Canadians. Then he leaves about September for New York “where the Swiss have called me!” then to Philadelphia and to Massachusetts and returning to London about November 1, 1863.

Blanks denote missing or unreadable source data. Please advise.

Back to Table of Contents or perhaps Chapter/Section 3?