The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-13
WORSHIP WITHOUT CREED.
GATHERING OF THE "PLYMoUTH
BRBTHREN,S Nv PEAIHFIELD.

They Meet I'm n BiG TENT on Mr.. Boiseaux,s
lawn, Discuss Passages from the Bibie,
and Sing hymns -Dcprecate Religious Or
Enniration ana Meet ~ Individuals
PLANFIELD, N. j., July 12.-Under q big, airy
tent on tho lawn In front of Paul J. L~oizeaux's
house on Brook avenue this afternoon was q
gathering Of persons who are commonly known
TO tho outside world as Plymouth Brethren.
There were one hundred men and women in tho
gathering, which Is an annual affair. 1t was as
| quiet az any Quaker meeting, and only those
who sat around the circle in the tent could hear
tho discussion of the Scriptural teachings which
was the business Of tho gathering yesterday
afternoon. The persons who composed the
| gathering will not accept tho title Of Plymouth
Brethren. They recognize nothing In the shape Of
organization, crcod, sect, or race, prcferring to
remain simple Christian students Of the Scrip
lures. Mr.. Loizeaux Is q publisher doing bust.
ness In New York city, and he publishes all the
literature sent out by the brethren. Tho gather
Ing was held ut his place last year and was so
emincntly satisfactory that the brethren de-
cided to assemble there this year. Each acts
according to his or her own individual ~inspira-
ton and there Ia no rule Of any sort. They are
called Plymouth Brethren because the study OF
tho Bible in an Independent manner was first
started In Plymouth, England.
This is not what might DO called q distinctly
representative gathering" said Samuel Ridout
Of Baltimore, who was ono of those In tho assem-
blege, "although we have persons here from all
over the United States who attend local gather
ings when at home and believe as We do. We
have no stated time for holding our gather
ings, and thore is nothing about them
which savors of of1cialism in any partic-
ular. In tho cities and towns where We
have sympathizers, gatherings nre held in
| hnlla mr. priyata houaea md ovap an tho at roaf
but We avoid all attempt at ecclesiastical dis
play. We don't believe In On official or salaried
ministry. We do recognize ministerial gifts,
but not to tho extent that We pay for the sup
port Of those who give up their entire timo to
ministerial work. We arc represented among
the heather, also, though there e. no Board of
the diligent Study OF the Scriptures BY ali the
Lords people, recognizing no theology, and be.
lh,SfSgli s !. ts Gittea oy spS fEso T ,6 m S,asiss W Shs
practise. what is known as tho evan
gelioal doctrine, our main belief being in the
the eataelysmic DAYS. We also belieye in justi.
ofChrist Upon tho cross; in regeneration through
the Holy Spirit by the Word OF God. in = holy life
that whiie the believer has the old sinful nature
still In him. he should walk in freedom from II
and will DO m II n he a fol no, sd the W o. a Of GGd AT At
monty known as qualification, or higher life.
We believe in the absolute, perfect inspiration
OF tho Scriptures, both verbal and literal. from
Genesis to Revelations"
Mr.. Ridout and F.. w. Grant of Plainf cid
were conspicuous at the gathering as being es-
pecially gifted in explaining the Word. When
the gathering began on Thursday last 1t took up
the Gospel of st. John. and the brethren ana.
lyzed, discussed, and commented on the various
chapters in that book until yesterday, when
they took up the Epistle OF Paul to The Hebrews.
Besides tho big assembly tent there are two
other spacious tents on tho grounds around the
house. one OF which is used as a kitchen and the
other as a dining tent. The brethren are lodged
In various farmhouses near Mr.. Loizeaux's
house, but they take oil their meals together in
the tent The daily routine. though not official
by any means, Is: Prayer, z to g A. NJ; Bible
reading. 10 to IL and 8 to 5, and preaching from
7:3O to 8. On Sundays the brethren break bread
in the morning and devote the rest of the day To
preaching to tho unsaved.
Tho last timo the Plymouth Brethren were
conspicuous in this vicinity was on the occasion
OF the funeral OF Mrs. Theodore Tilton, whcr
they held services. Mrs. Tilton was a believer
in their mode OF worship. and Malachi Taylor
preached at her funeral services. 1t was rumored
that she left some OF her estate to conspicuous
persons among the brethren, but this was moi
brethren will disperse on Wednesday night. On
Sunday afternoon William Buchanan OF Detroit
preached. and in the evening Mr.. Loizeaux gave
a discourse on Biblical teachings. Three hun
dred and fifty persons attended the gathering
on Sunday. F.. S. Lyman OF Montreal and Mr.
Gall OF Smiths Falls, Canada, are among the
conspicuous brethren present. After tho Bible
readings and discussions the brethren join IL
singing hymns.