PLYMOUTH BRETHRENISM UNVEILED AND REFUTED. BY THE REV. WILLIAM REID, D.D., LOTHIAN ROAD UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, EDINBurgh. SECOND EDITION. EDINBURGH: WILLIAM OLIPHANT & COMPANY. 1876. BX 8800 ·R36 1876 EDINBURGH : PRINTED BY M'FARLANE AND ERSKINE (late Schenck & M'Farlane), ST JAMES SQUARE. HE rapid sale of the first edition of this work, indicates the interest which is abroad respecting the subject of which it treats. To meet still further T this interest, a new, cheaper, and revised edition is now issued. The chief alterations in the present issue, consist in the exclusion of such extracts from Brethren writings, as do not seem essential to a fair representation of the views therein propounded; and the addition of two new chapters-one on the "Attractions of Brethrenism," and another on 'Perfectionism," which constitutes, I apprehend, its chief attraction. This chapter also may be called new; for although I had in the former edition adverted to the subject, subsequent study of it, has enabled me to present it with a fulness, more in accordance with its importance. The issue of the first edition, has brought me many communications from those who have suffered through the doings of the Brethren-chiefly from ministers of the Irish and English Episcopal Churches-several of them accompanied by valuable suggestions, which I have readily 277233 adopted. Nor have I been without communications from Brethren themselves-some of an abusive and others of a perfectly respectful character. In several instances, the writers of these have promised me reviews of the work; but although I have invariably replied, that I would give their criticisms a fair consideration, none of the promised reviews have been forthcoming. The Rev. Wm. Reid, however, a namesake of mine-formerly of the English Presbyterian Church, but who has now gone over to the Brethren, to whom he regularly ministers in Edinburgh-fearing apparently lest the book might be regarded by some as a recantation of views he was suspected of holding, published a disclaimer, and an apology for Brethrenism, which has been circulated gratuitously far and wide. A special reply to this tractate is not here required, as almost every page which follows, furnishes extracts from the writings of its leaders, which refute the most of Mr Reid's assertions; and as for those which they do not refute, it is sufficient to remark, I have never called them in question. MERCHISTON PARK, NORTH MERCHISTON PLACE, |