History of the Gospel Room
By Leonard Layne
The following is a brief History, albeit sketchy, of the Christians gathered to the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ in Cambridge, Massachusetts meeting at the Gospel Room at 69 Norfolk Street Cambridge, MA 02139. It has been culled from correspondence, letters and records. It is an on-going study. However, the evidence of the hand of God moving among a few of His own is clear and humbling to those who continue to bear testimony to His Name at the present hour. It is hoped that this History might be an encouragement to the Saints in the present day as we wait for our soon coming Lord from heaven to meet Him in the air.
19th Century
The "Brethren", who originally came from Ireland in the 1820's, had an immense influence on the evangelical world in the nineteenth century. Their strong doctrinal influence was felt in the United Kingdom as well as in North America. The Biblically orthodox doctrines of the brethren became the doctrines of Moody, Dallas, Philadelphia and a host of dispensational schools and churches all over North America. As the gospel was preached, assemblies spread across Canada, the US and the Caribbean.
John Nelson Darby made seven visits to Boston in 1872, 1873, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876 and 1877. During these years he taught the Scriptures and strengthened the assemblies which flourished in Toronto, New York and Boston. Several of his letters describe his service for the Lord at that time. The letters of J.N.D. reveal the growth of Christian testimony in 1875.
The following letters, taken from The Letters of J. N. Darby, reveal his work in the Boston area in the 1870s.
1. "DEAREST, ____,____.....I have just published another tract on [against] perfectionism at Boston. The brethren are getting on happily here, and with blessing, and I hope roused up and cheered, with some nice persons added in Boston. There has been some blessing outside too...."- New York, April 8th, 1875.
2. "Dear-----,----You will be glad to hear that at Boston the readings ended in acting on not a small number of souls, and some eight or ten are come into communion, and some doors, small as yet, but real, opened for work.-------, who I named, is in Ohio with an uncle, where there are souls inquiring. The said uncle, being blessed through the tracts, has sent five hundred dollars (nearly a hundred pounds) for free distribution tracts....----Affectionayely yours in the Lord, Philadelphia, April, 1875.
3. "Beloved----,----The Lord is working in the States, blessed be his name! That is evident. ...Now the Lord is working in the States--now evidently, all feel it--awakening souls to seek something better, and to feel that there are those who soberly seek, and in some respects have found in the word and sought in their walk something real. I am as anxious as can be that the brethren should walk faithfully...Here I have felt it has been a good time. There is a little gathering, many loose from all, but pretty loose with it- one of the difficulties in the States. Affectionately yours Concord, 1873
4. To the same "... The Work of God is going on in the United States; the conviction is extending that we possess something that they do not posses. Preachers, elders, etc. have come to Boston for the daily Bible readings. They acknowledge also that we understand the scriptures better than they do; they often oppose, but often defend, so that in some aspects brethren are entering one new phase of work. Our whole work remains always the same, to present Christ and the truth, accomplished salvation, and His coming; but t this makes the responsibility of brethren work upon hearts, to make them walk with Christ, and give up the way of this world. But the movement in every way is remarkable. The Lord is about to come. New York, April, 1873
5. "MY DEAR BROTHER, ---...Here at Boston ministers and all sorts come, and the great truths of Christianity have been fully out in daily readings. The effect the Lord knows...Your affectionate brother in Christ". Boston, February, 1875.
JND
In the 1873 Dr. Mackern came to
Boston and Cambridge.His letters provide insights into the state of Christianity
as he found it in the United States at that time.
150 DR. MACKERN'S* LETTERS
Boston, Massachusetts, 4th July 1873.
MY DEAR________
If God will that I do so, I loop to return on the 26th from Quebec. I am staying here with Mr. B___at C___**, outside the City, where I have had, before, a good time with some who are now with the Lord. On the 7th I expect to go on to Canada, through Niagara. At Toronto I hope to find letters.
Do
not press ? on this matter of the Table. Mr.K__will, I believe, meet him truly,
and understand his case. Pray with him, read with him, commend him to the
Lord. Do not urge him one jot. With the young, this is, at the present time,
I believe, necessary, that the responsibility may be felt as on themselves
to act, and not on the faith of others. The difficulty of really standing
in this place is great, and increasing, I think; and many are discouraged,
having acted hastily.____ 's is such a case in measure; but the Lord watches
over her.
Yours affectionately in Christ,
T. M.
**Cambridge?
DR.
MACKERN'S* LETTERS 151
Cambridge, Boston, 5th July, 1873.
MY DEAR_____
Your letter, with enclosures, just reached me today, as yesterday was the great American anniversary of freedom, when all the people are crazy, and no public place open. I am staying in this place, with old friends, at --, until the 7th, when I am to make for Canada, and so, on, God willing, to England on the 26th. I shall be very thankful to meet --, and pray indeed it may be for real blessing.
Nothing can be more sad and dishonouring to the Lord than the spirit of compromise among the Christians all through America ; and the same thing exists, no doubt, in Buenos Aires The thought of separation from what God has judged by the Cross, seems never to enter their minds; and the position of the " children of light and of the day," they seem wholly to ignore or deny. I have seen thus all through the country, and bear of things which seem well nigh incredible. God is patient, long suffering; nevertheless our place is to witness for the truth, in separation from evil.
I cannot say much here, and need not repeat what I may leave written to others. I was glad to get ---'s letters, and accept them as also written to me. I hope she has got the time of rest she was needing . . . I was interested in many persons and things you named, and trust to speak of such to you, by-and-by . . . . The case of the children in the household at - is most peculiar, and a difficult one to touch or advise in. To those who love them, it is but to watch and wait on GOD to guide them through circumstances which seem full of peril and temptation to those young and susceptible of the allurement around. It is a case when the faithful, loving heart of the mother will rule more now than in her time in their midst. Her decided action for the Lord, He owned, and will own it. I have faith for the children, now that lie has taken her to Himself. She has done her day's work ; done it lovingly and well; and sloe rests in the presence of perfect love. Her memory is often with me?of the time when these children were springing up, and the activities of her heart of love over them day and night
* "the sweetest preacher that ever left the shores of Ireland" traveled
circa 600,000 miles in his service [according to Charles Stanley].
T. M.
We also discover a little about Christian testimony in Boston and Cambridge among Brethren in 1873.
Beginnings
Were the converts and brethren meeting in Boston and Cambridge, or even Concord still alive? Did they form the foundations for the work in Cambridge? Was there an assembly in Boston, Cambridge and Concord Mass? What became of the them and their descendents? Research is ongoing. It is not yet known who planted the assembly in Cambridge or the exact date when they first met to "break bread". It has been helpful to trace a few statements made to the "Boston" (probably Cambridge) assembly made in the booklet, "Kelly Brethren in New York City". Cambridge and New York were areas known for a sizeable immigration from the Island of Barbados in the British West Indies after the turn of the last century (1900). There were Assemblies gathered to the Lord’s Name in Barbados since the 1800’s. The New York and Cambridge assemblies were planted by brethren from Barbados.
1913
The earliest written correspondence indicates that there was a "Fellowship of the Saints" meeting in Cambridge in 1913, one year before the hostilities broke out which became known as the first world war. There is no mention of a Hall. Maybe the Christian met in a home or a rented room. However, there was correspondence between and the Welch’s Assembly in Christ Church from August 14, 1913. It was addressed to "The Brethren Gathered to the Name of the Lord at Cambridge Meeting Room." Two brothers, Walton Evans and FitzGerald Springer signed a notice of fellowship on behalf of a sister in Christ on November 23, 1913.
1918-1920
There was a conference in New York City in 1918. The following statement is from "Kelly Brethren in New York City" by H. Johnson; "Among the brethren from Boston were: C. Mullins, R. Ince, F. Evans and A. Mullins. A report of the testimony there indicated that there were 33 saints in fellowship. Most of them had been converted in or through the meeting. Twelve saints had been baptized in the Charles River just one month before. The assembly held three weekly meetings and a Sunday School which had an average attendance of 43 children. At the next annual conference, July 4, 1919, Bros. R. Mullins and F. Springer from the Cambridge Assembly reported an increase of 7 saints in fellowship, and that the Sunday School had grown to 67 children. It was noted that Brother Sullivan was superintendent. In correspondence between the assembly meeting at 324 W. 59th Street in New York City dated April 8, 1920, the saints in Cambridge were meeting at 871 Main Street in Cambridge.
1923-1928
The correspondence shows that the saints began meeting at 32 Brookline Street in Cambridge during these years. Other Correspondence suggests that the meeting at 32 Brookline Street was called the Gospel Room. One letter from a brother in Barbados demonstrated that the Cambridge assembly was very generous in its giving toward the needs of the assemblies back in Barbados. Another letter from 1924 reveals a correspondence between the Cambridge assembly and the Carrington Assembly, St Thomas Barbados. It demonstrated the confidence that those in the "old country" had placed in those who had come to this land of abundance. In 1928 a letter from the assembly meeting at 213 West 62th Street, New York demonstrated the close ties between the assemblies. He wrote, " I may say to you that I was much cheered by my recent visit to you and to see the numbers that have been restored to the fellowship of saints. When we are scattered it is the work of the enemy so we do well to rejoice when the Lord restores.
1929
1929 was a momentous year for the nation as well as for the world, which was plunged into a deep financial recession, which lasted almost till the Second World War circa 1941. However, there is evidence that the faithfulness of the saints, their generosity but above all the Lord’s kindness provided for the purchase of a "permanent" permanent meeting hall on Norfolk Street. In 1929 the saints were able to acquire the present property at 69 Norfolk Street in Cambridge.
2000
The year 2000 has marked a milestone for man. Another millennium has dawned. The world in its sin and rejection of God and his Christ ripens for judgment. The Lord Jesus is still with patience waiting for the last saint who will make up His body, His bride, His Church. The living saints who remain are still waiting as did those for centuries for that summoning shout and the sound of the trumpet signaling the Lord’s coming to the air. The assembly, meeting at the Gospel Room in Cambridge is among that blessed number awaiting the Lord’s coming. Just 6 years ago the numbers of the saints had fallen very low in the Gospel Room. There were only three old brothers and a couple of sisters. There was only one meeting of the assembly. Today there are 5 families plus single brothers in the assembly. This does not compare with the 100 gathered at Norfolk Street (40 saints breaking bread and the 67 young people gathered together for the Sunday School) in the early days of the testimony. However, in much weakness and dependency upon God, those who are now meeting together have a vision for today. Our desire is that the Lord would come. "Even so, come Lord Jesus." However, till he comes, there is much work to do, much territory to claim, much ground to cover. A Thursday night prayer meeting and Bible was added 2 years ago. A little Sunday school with children of believers is held every Sunday. 7 Children sing with the adults in an open Sunday School session. They recite verses and hear messages of God’s love. Recently a Sunday evening Gospel meeting was added to the meetings of the assembly. These three meetings are blessed by God and cheer the saints. Visitors come in at times. Some stay, some depart. Nevertheless there is a sense of God’s blessing among us. With all present, there are 22 who meet together on Sundays for the breaking of bread meeting, Sunday School and Bible reading which follows. There has been some interest shown by neighbor visitors and others who are invited out. We can only look to Him, who at the first added to the Church daily such are were being saved.
2003
This past year has seen some departing, still others have had to move because of the economy. One is reminded of the movements of the saints in the early days of the church and the fact that conditions often necessitated the movements of the saints e.g. Acts 18.2. Yet, others have been added. Last summer (2002), a baptism of two adults and seeing them received in fellowship has cheered the local saints greatly. How good to see them grow in faithfulness and in their walk with the risen Lord. Another blessing this past year has been the renovation of the back room and the establishment of a Sunday School class. There are 5 regular Sunday School students. They go to their class after an open singing session with the assembly. Truly, “how good is the God we adore”. There has been some failure in the gospel work and the meetings have been cancelled. However, there is a growing burden and need to evangelize the lost which weighs heavily on the hearts of some. There are still five families and others who meet in our little hall for worship in the breaking of bread and prayers. We continue to look to the Lord of the harvest with regard to gospel work and the means to spread the gospel. God grant further strength to carry out that which is pleasing in His sight in further obedience to all His will for us till He comes.
This is our little history of the saints gathered together unto the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ in Cambridge, Massachusetts. To God be the glory great things he has done.