Thomas Neatby

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Thomas Neatby was born at Worsborough, near Barnsley, August 1, 1835 to William (1807-1880) and Anne Mossforth (1795-1858) Neatby, named after his father's brother (1804-1876). He had five brothers, two of which died in infancy: Joseph M. Neatby (1830-1900), James M. Neatby (1832-1832), John M. Neatby (1833-1834), and Samuel M. Neatby (1837-1910). Curiously, according to Ancestry.com his brothers all had a middle name of Mossforth, but Thomas either did not, or it's not recorded. The furthest ancestor back is William Neatby (or Nateby) born prior to 1626 in Barlborough, Derbyshire, England.

His parents were fervent Methodist Christians.  Thomas came to Christ at the age of nine, along with his elder brother, during a revival held in a local Wesleyan chapel.  About 1846, the family moved to Barnsley where his father had taken over a timber merchant's business.  There, Thomas was introduced to Hudson Taylor and Benjamin Broomhall, founders of China Inland Mission.  

At the age of seventeen, Thomas began to preach in the Wesleyan Reform before being introduced to the Brethren (presumably thru Taylor and Broomhall). He began to study medicine with the intent of joining them in China. He was apprenticed to doctors in Hull and Banbury, and afterwards studied at Edinburgh University and St. Bartholomew's Hospital. He graduated M.D. at St. Andrews University about 1861.

Marriage and Family Life

Shortly after graduating medical school, Thomas married Marion Jean Miller (1844-1928) from Islington, London, England, daughter of Andrew (1810-1883) and Janet Blair (1809-1864) Miller. Thomas and Marion proceeded to have twelve children while living in Pancras, London, England.

Children:

  • Andrew Mossforth Neatby (1863-1932)
  • William Blair Neatby (1864-1938) who wrote A History of the Plymouth Brethren in 1901, published by Hodder & Stoughton, and reprinted in 2015 and may be purchased here, and the 1901 edition is available at the above link. It was also transcribed in 2001 by Andrew Norman here.
  • Thomas Miller Neatby (1866-1944)
  • Janet Blair Neatby Dobson (1867-
  • Albert Augustine Neatby (1869-1949)
  • Francis Alexander Neatby (1871-1884)
  • Marion Jean Neatby Carter (1872-1911)
  • John Hamilton Neatby (1873-1931)
  • Anne Mossforth Neatby (1877-1960)
  • George Wigram Neatby (1879-1958)
  • Alfred Edward Neatby (1881-1882)
  • Mary Elizabeth Neatby (1883-1974)

Exclusive Ministry

By the time he had graduated from medical school, he had become closely associated with "Exclusive Brethren" in London, and he gradually abandoned his plans for China. He setup his practice initially in Camden Road, moving in 1866 to Hampstead until retiring in 1894 after thirty-three years "most enthusiastic pursuit of it". Even during his work years, half his energies were given to ministry, and remained within the EB's (Darby) until 1881, then was with William Kelly until January of 1887 when he found the entire "Exclusive" discipline a burden to his conscience.

Open Ministry

From then on, for 24 more years of his life his "services were freely at the disposal of all Christians, and he took part in many an undenominational convention; the bulk of his ministry, however, was happily exercised among the believers commonly known as "Open Brethren".

For the last 26 years of his life (including his last two among Kelly Brethren), he was "partially crippled by a paralytic seizure, and the extent and vigour of his labours in itinerant evangelisation and Bible teaching were very remarkable indeed in the circumstances. His spirit was never flagged, and his zeal for the work was keen at the last."

The end came peacefully after a few days illness on Sunday morning, November 12, 1911.

Hudson Taylor connection

Dr. Neatby was present at Hudson Taylor's memorial service held at Mildmay Conference Hall in London on June 13, 1905.  A memorial letter written by Dr. Neatby to Marshall Broomhall (Benjamin's son?) was included in a memorial volume dedicated to Dr. Taylor, the whole of which (including the rest of the volume) may be found here, pp. 80-82. As stated before, he had known Hudson and Broomhall since a teenager.

Books written

Other notable mentions

  • "From Glory To Glory" which includes, according to W.B.N., "some of his choicest addresses"
  • Letter from John Nelson Darby to Dr. Neatby on October 1st, 1879 can be found at this Stem Publishing link.  Interesting that this takes place two years before Dr. Neatby parted ways with Darby for the Kelly brethren.  
  • Feb 2003 Berea Baptist Banner:

Dr. Thomas Neatby, Author of “Our Lord’s Coming Again,” a devout student and speaker.. “‘I will come again.’ Simple word, sure word, upon which the heart stands in triumph and waits for Christ! Circumstances around may be trying; the path may be difficult; the Saviour’s absence may be felt—- ought to be felt; it is night whilst He is away; but He has said in faithful love, ‘I will come again.’ He has not said when, but He has bidden us to watch.

He has said that it might be ‘at even, or a midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning.’ He has left room for a delay; but He has encouraged and bidden the heart of His beloved disciples to wait for Him from the moment He left them. And this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. He would have our hearts ever waiting for Him to come again in the same love which brought Him down to die for us.”

  • September 1904: China's Millions' mention of Dr. Neatby's tribute to Mrs. Howard Taylor]
  • Dr. Thomas Neatby's articles in "That Blessed Hope"
    • No. 50: Vol. V, No. 2: August 1893: “The Things Concerning Himself” [Luke 24:26,27] (At the Liverpool Conference, November, 1895)
    • No. 56: Vol. V, No. 8: February 1899: Looking for the Lord (At the Gloucester Conference, 13th December, 1894)

Sources

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