The Christadelphian, December 1936, C. C. Walker

“Christendom Astray”

(Concluded, from page 483).

An Old Brother’s Letter—Dr. Thomas’ “View of Prophecy”—Robert Roberts’ Testimony

Looking back upon John Thomas’ comments on his son’s (Dr. Thomas’) religious views and work, we have felt that a few words more might profitably be said before dismissing the subject.

And this conviction was further confirmed by the following letter recently received from an octogenarian brother who deeply appreciates Dr. Thomas’ testimony.

The Letter

Dear Brother Walker,

The Resurrection of the Witnesses:—The articles under this heading are very interesting and instructive, and particularly the story of Dr. Thomas as to how he arrived at the knowledge of “The Hope of Israel,” which led to the production of Elpis Israel in London in 1849, the first edition of which I possess.

I have also in my possession the second edition of the Twelve Lectures by Brother Roberts, published in Huddersfield in 1863. As you are well aware, Dr. Thomas reposed in Brother Roberts the greatest confidence, and he carried on faithfully the doctor’s work until his death in 1898, when he was providentially laid to rest beside Dr. Thomas in the soil on which the Gospel of the Kingdom had been revived.

I would therefore suggest that you publish the story in Brother Roberts’ own words as to how he came to a knowledge of “The One Faith,” which I am certain would be of interest and profit to the present-day readers of The Christadelphian, who “knew not Joseph,” as you recently remarked.

If Dr. Thomas and Brother Roberts were alive to-day they would no doubt be overjoyed to see Britain in Palestine, and would point to the fact that it was the greatest and most tangible sign that the Kingdom of God was nigh at hand. We must all deplore the present trouble between Arabs and Jews in the Holy Land and Jerusalem, which is only temporary. They were the scene of Christ’s suffering and death, but they are destined to be the scene of his future Glory, for “The Man of Sorrows,” who was arrayed in mock royalty and crowned with a crown of thorns, is coming back again to wear not only the crown of the Throne and Kingdom of David, but also the Crown of Universal Dominion when there shall be “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men.”

With warmest love in the Truth to yourself and to brother Carter and brother Ladson, your fellow labourers, neither of whom I have seen in the flesh, but whose writings and work I greatly appreciate.

I am your brother in Christ,

Wm. Robertson.

Dr. Thomas’ Views on Prophecy

Returning now to John Thomas’ comments on his son’s faith and works:—

As recorded in our November issue, p. 483, he said:—“I am decidedly of opinion that he materialises the Gospel, and that his sneers at Spiritualism betray his ignorance. His views on prophecy amount to conjectural probability, beyond which no man can reach. Still I wish him success in his endeavours to awaken public attention to the Second Advent.”

This last remark of the father is rather wistful, and somewhat at variance with the preceding words. We will say nothing here and now about the charges of “materialising the Gospel,” and “sneering at Spiritualism”; but we cannot refrain from a comment on “his views on prophecy.”

We are deeply indebted to Dr. Thomas for these “views on prophecy,” because they are the views of Christ and his apostles. Peter ought to know, for he was the subject of a special revelation from the Father in heaven concerning “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16, 17). This is the testimony of Jesus himself.

Referring later to this notable occasion (the Transfiguration), Peter says:—“I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. And we have the word of prophecy made more sure (R.V.) whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark (squalid) place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts—knowing this first that no prophecy of scripture is of private (special) interpretation (is of one’s own disclosure). For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:15–21).

Now if an apostle could thus speak of prophecy as a divine lamp shining in the darkness and squalor of the human heart, can we truthfully say that “no man can reach beyond conjectural probability”? Had not Christ gone up to Jerusalem and suffered many things, and been killed, and raised from the dead the third day? And was not the word of prophecy thus made more sure?

It is when the thing comes to pass, that you know whether it was the Word of the Lord, or whether “the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously” (Deut. 18:21, 22).

Now it so happens that our last issue (Nov., pp. 503–505) contains a very striking proof of the correctness of Dr. Thomas’, “views on prophecy.” The late Robert Roberts, speaking in 1891, alluded to Dr. Thomas’ expressed opinions of about thirty years earlier; and our own footnote of two lines alludes to the “coming to pass” in yet another thirty years onward of the “things” thus foreseen. Every well-informed Christadelphian knows that this line of thought could be very strongly extended by quotations from Elpis Israel and Eureka; but for the present we must forbear.

Robert Roberts’ Testimony

When our well-beloved brother W.R. writes: “I suggest that you publish the story in brother Roberts’ own words as to how he came to a knowledge of ‘the one faith,’” he gives us what some of our candid young friends call, “a tall order.”

In 1917 we published Robert Roberts, born 1839—died 1898—An Autobiography. It consisted of two parts: the Autobiography proper (327 pages, crown 8vo) and An Appendix by the present writer (59 pages), altogether 386 pages. (It has been out of print for several years).

The space at our disposal here and now is only a page or two. How are we going to tell the story in “his own words” within that compass? Well, of course W.R. does not expect impossibilities, so let us make some sort of attempt, with encyclopædic brevity.

Robert Roberts was born on 8th April, 1839, when Dr. Thomas (at the age of 34 years) was in the midst of controversy with Campbellism (as appears from our October issue). “Robert” was baptized in 1853, at the early age of 14 years. He had previously been “converted,” as it was called, but in 1852 came across a copy of Dr. Thomas’ Herald of the Kingdom (the magazine mentioned by John Thomas, the elder, in last month’s issue (p. 483). From this source came real conversion to “the Gospel of the Kingdom of God” which Jesus preached; and the resultant baptism above recorded. About four years previously “Robert” had heard Dr. Thomas in a Baptist chapel in Aberdeen, but was too young to be impressed.

He presently heard of Elpis Israel, and having with difficulty procured a copy, was “overjoyed,” and, with the constant reading of the Bible, became thoroughly enlightened in the Word of God.

As a mere youth he compiled The Bible Companion (Tables for Daily Reading) which has gone round the world in hundreds of thousands of copies. In 1856 (in which year the present writer was born) he wrote to Dr. Thomas an enthusiastic letter of appreciation of his testimony. And this letter was published by Dr. Thomas in the Herald for 1857, p. 43, and appears in the aforesaid Autobiography (pp. 23–28).

This was the first providential link in this chain of “the witnesses,” though it seemed but a trifle at the time. He had learned Pitman’s shorthand, became a reporter, had various experiences and migrated from Scotland to England—Huddersfield and Halifax. He was now working with Dr. Thomas, and in 1858, in conjunction with the few brethren in the locality, sent a modest contribution “To help in the good work.”

Dr. Thomas acknowledged this in the Herald in his usual excellent and Scriptural style.

After various experiences of reporting in the service of Fowler and Wells, the phrenologists, our “witness” returned to Huddersfield, where in or about 1861–2 originated “Twelve Lectures” on the true teaching of the Bible, years afterwards (and to this day) known as “Christendom Astray.” It became a testimony on a scale undreamt of by the faithful young author, and has gone round the world in many scores of thousands of copies. It “converted” the present writer in 1881.

Dr. Thomas visited Britain again in 1862 as has previously been recorded in these notes, and co-operation became closer. But there were presently “strained relations” on questions of fellowship with certain who were very latitudinarian in their faith and practice. “Mercenary motives” were attributed to brother Roberts for his hesitation to break with these friends, and Dr. Thomas was for a while suspicious of him. But the cloud passed when the junior “witness” loyally broke away from error and errorists.

Dr. Thomas with very sound judgment advised Birmingham as a suitable location; and a press opening was found there, and in 1864 brother and sister Roberts settled there. The Ambassador, a little monthly magazine, was founded in 1864, and its name soon afterwards changed to The Christadelphian, now completing its 73rd year; a very small concern for so long an allotted span.

There was plenty of controversy, and ceaseless exhibition of the Truth as revealed in the Bible. But this is not an “Autobiography,” or even a biography, but only an outline epitome. Suffice it to say that for about forty years brother Roberts faithfully continued and applied the work of Dr. Thomas, and died suddenly in San Francisco in 1898, and was brought right across the continent and buried beside Dr. Thomas in Brooklyn Cemetery, New York, in October of that year.

And now we wait “the resurrection of the witnesses” in the literal and individual sense. How apposite does the exhortation of the apostle appear, when he speaks of “the excellent of the earth” from “righteous Abel” downwards:—“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).—Ed.