1. OPEN ASSEMBLIES IN NORTH AMERICA # 3 Their Roots and Development

2. ROOTS  Open Brethren are not historically linked with the original open assemblies in England! . Open Brethren in North America have their roots in Scottish Brethren and not directly with assemblies in Dublin and Bristol.

3. Donald Ross - Key Figure . Chalmers starts a work among the slums of Edinburgh. Donald Ross is put in charge of a mission. . Ross gives full time and starts working with North East Coast Mission working among sailors and fisherman. . Ross moves to Aberdeen and starts having problems with the ministers in the Church of Scotland.

4. Ross (cont.) . Ross concludes there is little good left in the organized Church. . In early 1870 he resigns from the North East Coastal Mission and forms an independent group of evangelists who called themselves “The Northern Evangelistic Mission.” . Ross is approached by the Exclusive Brethren but he refused to associate with them because they drew a circle around themselves and considered all others wrong.

5. Ross (cont.) . Ross starts preaching in an unused church building in Aberdeen. He meets up with John Ritchie who was saved under one of the evangelist’s Donald Munroe. . It was some of these evangelists associated with Donald Ross that came across to North America. (1871 – 1880) . In 1876 Donald Ross moved to Boston and three years later to Chicago.

6. Donald Ross Photo

7. Development in N.A. . These Scottish evangelists settled in different areas in North America. Many assemblies were started and itinerant preachers helped unify these assemblies. . There was rapid growth between 1876 and the early 1900’s. There were gatherings from coast to coast. . Interfacing with the Grant Brethren, a division of the Exclusives. 1892

8. Development (cont.) . Between early 1900’s and 1916 very few assemblies were established but the existing meetings grew in numbers some 25%.  The years of 1920 – 1960 has been called “The Golden Years of the Brethren.”

9. Some Practices of “Independent Brethren . No professional preachers. . Influence of itinerant preachers. . Assemblies called “Gospel Halls” or “Christians Gathered to the Name of the Lord Jesus.” . The Lord’s Supper the most important meeting. (Every week.) . Elements placed in the middle of a circle.

10. Practices (Cont.) . Kept a section for the unsaved, uncommitted children (12 and older) and for those not received into fellowship. . Unknown persons met at the door and questioned about their faith and doctrine. . If a letter of introduction was brought then would be allowed to break bread. . Sang from the “Believer’s Hymn Book” or the “Little Flock Hymnal.”

11. Practices (Cont.) . Always had Gospel meetings every Sunday evening. . Believers should separate from the denominations. (Ross took same view as Darby.) . Believers were not to attend other churches unless to preach the gospel. . Preachers should not be salaried.

12. Practices (Cont.) . Baptism only for believers. . Should have elders and deacons.

13. Present Day Situation . Still Exclusive meetings around . Gospel Halls . Open Brethren

14. Present Day Situation (Cont.)  From 1960 to the present there has been a noticeable decline. Numbers have declined, some have closed and many young people have left. . Reasons Given: (1) Lack of positive leadership (2) Lack of Vitality (3) Dissatisfaction with ministry (4) Dissatisfaction with quality of worship (5) Parochialism (narrowmindness.)

15. Present Day Situation (Cont.) . Other Personal Views: . Can become too formal. . Loss of intimacy of the Lord Jesus. . Loss of Evangelistic Spirit. . Materialism.

16. Conclusion . We have a great legacy despite our difficulties.. Recognize the autonomy of each local church.. Personal commitment to the Lord Jesus.. Personal Evangelism. “The greatest joy in life is to make Jesus Christ known.”