HWGA 5
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Section 5 – Mr. Darby’s fourth visit to the Americas (December 1868 to June 1869 in West Indies; July and August 1870 in Canada)
Mr. Darby writes on November 20, 1868, “I do not know whether I shall be able to be in Canada this year. But I am rather stronger than heretofore, though I grow old… now in my sixty-ninth year… I am greatly attached to America now, and the work there; if I have strength shall rejoice to visit them again… I am happy in going to the West Indies; anything but pleasant to the flesh, but due to the brethren there, and the Lord’s will, so that I am very happy in doing it.
It is not a field of labor exactly. Still there are those who have labored faithfully there, and we must gather up the fragments that nothing may be lost… In Germany and Holland there is much progress, and Spain is now open. We get happy account of New York. The Lord is working certainly, and I bless Him for it. Something discouraged at Boston, but what is there is very solid.”
In Demarara (in British Guiana) in December 1868, and Georgetown (Guyana) in February 1869. Say the brethren are going on well… the most about 350 in the colony. Barbados on March 9, 1869. From Jamaica on April 19, and May 26, 1869 he writes, “Says we want laborers. Oh! That the Lord would raise up single-eyed, devoted workmen, coming direct from Christ to those around.”
Back in London on June 5, 1869 so was unable to return by way of the United States and Canada as he had hoped to. From Guelph in July 1870 he writes, “The evangelists had brought so many younger converts, that the beginning of the conference gave less communion than earlier ones, but met the need of the moment. Questions, though reading Ephesians, on how to preach the Gospel, Christ dying for all, how to put bearing sins, and the import of the blood on the mercy-seat and the scape-goat, etc., … after Sunday when we broke bread, I suppose some four hundred, a very good time, many had to go away, and there was more study and following out the subject… many came from different parts of the States, and all our evangelists were there, some under tents.
(Possibly C.C. Crain, E. Acomb, W.G. Heney, F.W. Grant, R.T. Grant, J.B. Dunlop among them…
Mr. P.J. Loizeaux was present for the first time by invitation). The happiest spirit reigned throughout. A few left for England before we had finished.
Some of the converts in the Ottawa valley are dispersed, but a very real work has been done. The evangelists had in some places shut the doors against themselves somewhat, by preaching against the denominations and baptism, which alienated the minds of some.”
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