Brethren Archive

William Kelly

Born: May 1821
Died: 27th March 1906






Intro, Biographical Information, Notes etc:
 


  • Books & Pamphlets:
  • History Items:
  • Manuscripts:
    • Letter of Emily Kelly (1st Nov 1867) [Transcript Incomplete - Needs help!]
    • Postcard (7th May 1877) [Transcript Incomplete - Needs help!] 7
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (11th Oct 1886)
      "If he still brings a musical instrument into a meeting, I shall be ashamed of his obstinacy. It is opposed to the whole spirit of the New Testament, and an offence to every spiritual mind"
    • Letter to John Cox   (Login Required)  (15th Jan 1887) [Transcript Incomplete - Needs help!]
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (2nd May 1889)
      Mainly about a local problem in Guernsey and Jersey with a brother in the meetings also preaching elsewhere
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (31st Oct 1889)
      " .. I was more sorry than surprised at the letter enclosed. ... "
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (23rd Dec 1889)
      "J. N. D’s library fetched 900, I hear. I bought nothing, but I have enquired about an interleaved Greek Testament in fourteen volumes which was not sold."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (31st Mar 1890)
      "The new doctrine of Raven (Stoney, and Turpin, and Oliphant. abetting) disturbs our old friends. Some avoid certain meetings and go to others. Some (as Framlingham, Hounslow, &c.) have left and seek our fellowship. Let us pray that grace may use it widely for good."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (2nd Jul 1890)
      "You need not doubt the seriousness of the Park Street shake. At Ealing L., and some 50 have left with the strongest rejection of the Raven doctrine. Others have, I hear, at Park Street itself. Mr. H. will act decidedly."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (2nd Oct 1890)
      "Heyman Wreford is dropping “Message” at December, and meditates a new penny Magazine for young Christians and Gospel from January at C’s. I hope our best men may contribute and thus make a good journal."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (24th Oct 1890)
      "Things travel rapidly now. Heyman Wreford is urgent that I risk the B. T. at a penny!!! believing that it is deeply needed by Christians within and without, and that a large circulation will result."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (11th Nov 1890)
      "I do not wonder that you should have taken alarm at dear Heyman Wreford's efforts to gain a larger audience for the Bible Treasury But you knew me well enough to be nowise disposed to emasculate it. "
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (2nd Sep 1891)
      Advice regarding ecclesiastical matters.
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (23rd Nov 1891)
      "I have no reason to believe that there is any wrong at Swindon. Mr. C. is an old gossip and could easily fill a bushel of such reports equally empty. You can judge by his account of Ramsgate. We were most severe on their failures, and did not recognise them as an assembly for about two years after the Division."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (5th Dec 1891)
      "If half a dozen discreet brothers knew, she could not escape the detection of all."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (8th Jan 1892)
      "No doubt he took in Heyman Wreford who was married last Saturday at Woking. He is gone on a tour of six months round the world."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (29th Jul 1892)
      Incidental matters about various travelling brothers and touching comment about his eldest son dying in Aukland.
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (3rd Oct 1892)
      About someone who appears to have been causing trouble.
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (8th Dec 1892)
      "The Doctor has lately debarred me from my favourite apples."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (15th Jun 1893)
      "G. M. now avows himself a reader and admirer of B. W. N.!!!"
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (17th Aug 1893)
      "Just returned from a flying visit to Plympton for the funeral of Mr. R. S., the last of the first eight who broke bread at Plymouth."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (8th Nov 1893)
      Letter touching on various matters, including talk of reunion between the 'Kelly' and 'Lowe' groups
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (23rd Aug 1894)
      "But the Lord looks for more than this that out ways be with our convictions, and that we go forth to Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. Happy too if we abide thus waiting for Him."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (2nd Oct 1894)
      "The hymn book goes forward satisfactorily, some that objected helping now. I hope to send you the first sheet as a sample, which you can show to others. There will be a fair proportion of fresh ones; and others not in our book but good; not a few to the Father, which is now a lack."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (17th Oct 1894)
      Letter mainly discussing the wording of a few hymns
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (6th Feb 1896)
      Encouraging his friend, and interesting reference to China Inland Mission
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (6th Mar 1896)
      "Roses have their thorns in this world, but we lean on One Who is above it."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (31st Jul 1896)
      Short note regarding book on Issaiah, encouragement to gospel work in Jersey and Guernsey, and a planned visit in September
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (28th Sep 1896)
      About an upcoming trip to Guernsey as well as a meeting in Blackheath to commend Miss Von Poseck
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (29th Jun 1897)
      "Nobody that I know has an idea of the assailant of the Hymn Book. Nor does this matter. It is one apparently so ignorant as not to be aware of many hymns by sisters in all hymn books; so that the advocate of no change would here make a great change. It is otherwise beneath notice. Anybody can find fault. The last hymn book introduced great change and made large omissions."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (17th Sep 1897)
      Thank-you for a parcel, remonstrance against "The Clapham Sect", and exhortation to the islands
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (8th Oct 1897)
      The “All-day-ministry” as they call it, took place in defiance of protests. It is a struggle for retrogradism in the shape of loose ministerialism, and W. W. F. puts himself forward ...
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (20th Dec 1897)
      "I fear too that he may have been influenced by a shameless meeting at Clapham where G. K. of Birmingham poured out his vials on my head. "
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (7th Jan 1898)
      Short note about a meeting to happen with a brother S.F.R. (regarding the 'Clapham' problem)
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (21st Jan 1898)
      Mostly about a dispute between two brothers
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (28th Jan 1898)
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (10th Feb 1898)
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (18th Feb 1898)
      Mr K unwilling to put W.W.F's contributions in the B.T.
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (24th Feb 1898)
      Many small points ... including request for a few old numbers from the Bible Treasury, a note on the 'Clapham Independents' and ohers
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (3rd Mar 1898)
      "You need not scruple, if F. were to propose a visit now, to decline till he gives up his O. B. ministerialism. He persists, and thus corrupts brethren and makes division. Such we are to avoid though not outside; but the end will be their getting outside somehow."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (5th Apr 1898)
      Written from Southampton mainly about the 'Clapham', 'All Day Ministry' problem.
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (29th Apr 1898)
      Exposition of John, upcoming Whitsuntide conference to be held in Blackheath, and sundry matters
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (5th May 1898)
      Mainly related to the 'Fereday' trouble
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (20th May 1898)
      "Outwardly the Concert Hall admits of a larger space than we are likely to need, and the joint meals of the day, under the same roof with other conveniences for both sexes we could never before command"
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (5th Aug 1898)
      Short item about a few personal matters - visiting an ill brother
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (6th Apr 1899)
      "D. confronted F. with going to W(alter). S(cott). (one of the worst of the Stuartites) along with K. and M. He boldly justified, though obliged to own that we regard him as heterodox. “He would look into it when he got home”!!!"
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (15th Jun 1899)
      Relating to matters with W.W. Fereday
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (10th Jan 1900) 1
      Note about a meeting coming with WW Fereday at Bennett Park Hall, as well as other matters, and a comment on the Boer War!
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (1st Feb 1900)
      "We have still to wait for a scriptural judgment to be carried out, though the guilty one is declared so. This is sadly weak; but so it is."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (9th Jul 1900)
      "It is my hope to cross the Channel on Friday at midnight from Southampton, due on Saturday morning in your Island", and other matters including a young man from West Green who is described as a "violent opposer of order"
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (3rd Aug 1900)
      "I confess that it is with trembling that I rejoice at Altofts, because their first thought is not shame and self judgment at their own wrong, ... "
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (18th Oct 1900)
      "Last Monday morning W. W. F. came into my compartment of the train at Lewisham for London Bridge! He is staying with F. (at Charlton) who gave out six weeks ago that he had nothing to do with him!! He is going about preying on silly sheep."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (27th Nov 1900)
      Written from Manchester, " .. Hocking. drops Believer’s Monthly Magazine and begins on the 1st January, “Gospel Gleanings” as a penny monthly. We want a good and sound journal of this kind; "
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (11th Dec 1900)
      Letter about a number of personal circumstances
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (30th Jan 1901)
      Letter on various things, including the matter of the ownership of the book depot at 53 Paternoster Square, London
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (14th Feb 1901)
      Very interesting remarks on the book depot and the rarity of early volumes of the Bible Treasury
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (18th Mar 1901)
      "I have written lovingly but with decision to Whitstable for their evil effort by vague words to fuse together those “without” with those “within” in a hugger-mugger love in a tub. They are far gone. Four will not agree there, and refuse to break bread, as they have been receiving young C. more than once, and a sister from Clapham. How much corruption the young man has spread!"
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (9th May 1901)
      Written from Exeter on many matters, including the passing of Mr Weston
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (16th May 1901)
      Personal matters, a visit to Exeter and a planned visit to Guernsey
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (27th Sep 1901) 2
      Upcoming visit to North West, note of review of Raven's "Life Eternal", some poetry?, and note on Newport meeting that "has not yet cleared itself of sheer independency"
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (5th Oct 1901)
      "You may look for a calm summary of the Scriptural teaching on “Life Eternal” in the November B. T. as I trust; then in December the Raven denial fully proved; and perhaps in January its entire contradiction by J. N. D. This by grace should awaken some consciences."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (22nd Nov 1901)
      "I trust you find “Life Eternal” a satisfactory paper on an important theme where even J.N.D. left much to be desired. It is expressly uncontroversial as for general edification where most are vague, and to be a basis for the exposure of Raven on this subject in the B. T. for months, and a separate large pamphlet, beside this separate tract. Nobody will say that I spare the fatal error, though they may falsely impute acrimony. This I disclaim."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (28th Nov 1901) 2
      "You will see that I do not spare R's "Fatal Error" as even J. N. D. called it when only germ."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (11th Dec 1901)
      "This morning I had a letter from one of Mr. Raven's relatives, complaining of my bad spirit, but not a word as to the evil and dangerous heterodoxy, which I presume he does not hold. Well, if they are only saved from “Fatal error” as J. N. D. called it when only in the germ, or from making light of it, I do not mind what he said of me. But I have a good deal more to say before having done; and all will reappear in a pamphlet, I hope."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (20th Dec 1901)
      "We must be content, like our Lord, and thankful for one cast of the seed, out of four, ..."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (27th Dec 1901)
      "I trust you may find “Life Eternal Denied” good in January B. T., and I continue. I have just heard of an excellent person among the Ravens decided by it already. Let us be zealous in using it to help souls."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (24th Apr 1902)
      Long card, many items touched .. Ends: "I am glad of the purchase of the J.N.D. volumes. May they be used to deliver from Sabellianism. “One Body and One Spirit” revised and re-issued. Is it not deeply needed? So is the final paper on Christ’s Person in next B. T. And F. E. R.’s apollinarianism. He is utterly heterodox."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (17th Jun 1902)
      "It is my hope, D. V., to see you on the morning of 28th June by the early packet from Southampton. This, I trust, may not clash with our brother R. K. who is said to be now in Guernsey after a visit to Jersey."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (20th Jun 1902)
      "All is excitement here. The apparent loyalty of the Boer surrender adds much to it; as nobody seems to have expected it so soon and so warm"
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (10th Jul 1902)
      Report of a journey across the channel, a meeting at Southampton and a proposed conference at Exeter
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (6th Dec 1902)
      Written from Southsea while giving a course of lectures on Mat 24,25. .. "I gave F. E. Race your nice copy of the nasty book; as I already had one, which was enough. Was not this agreeable to you? I return on Tuesday for a discourse that evening, D. V. at Pembroke Hall. (A. M.’s old Chapel)." ..
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (23rd Jan 1903)
      "As you know, I have been baptised and baptise confessors now and then, never their children, though believing them special objects of the Lord’s care, because I have not seen real evidence for dipping them. But the Baptist theory and practice I reject as unintelligent;"
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (13th Mar 1903)
      A few matters touched on including a hint of financial difficulties for the Bible Treasury
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (27th Aug 1903)
      "Here I came yesterday (Bournemouth) from Plymouth, after a nice little while. You will be interested to hear that through Exchange and Mart, J. A. T. got a set of The Christian Witness moderately" !!
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (22nd Sep 1903)
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (21st Oct 1903)
      About the printing of a tract, a series speaking on Job, and comments on a few periodicals (including Mr Hocking's) and the lack of gospel material
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (26th Oct 1903)
      Short note mainly to do with printing matters.
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (30th Oct 1903)
      Mainly concerned with the price of printing a tract and a few other matters
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (5th Nov 1903)
      "Think of letting in brothers, who are withdrawn to break bread and preach! "
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (17th Dec 1903)
      Interesting about the Gospel Gleamings periodical, and an 'open' meeting in Hastings that desired to come into fellowship with the 'Kelly' brethren
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (25th Jan 1904)
      About quite a few personal matters, and the inclusion of certain pieces in a periodical
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (15th Mar 1904)
      Interesting covering many things; an article for the Bible Treasury, a brother connected with the Stuart fellowship who 'mixes himself with a man so loose as W. S.' (Walter Scott), details of upcoming meetings n Kent, books to be published, and more
    • Postcard to Mr Charles Cox   (Login Required)  (12th Apr 1904)
      Short item
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (20th Apr 1904)
      Personal matters, upcoming books, conferences and travelling. "And it is a pleasure to me that you found the paper none the worse for my editing; for many are ungrateful and prefer their own uncorrected work."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (17th May 1904)
      An article Mr Cox had written for Gospel Gleamings on 'Sin & Sins' and briefly mentioned the interest of the 'Jewish Chronicle' in some of Mr Kelly's writings
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (20th May 1904)
      "They say that a great book is a great evil; and certainly a little one if good, well packed, and to the point, is not bad for most in this day of hurry, and neither time nor taste for study."
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (26th Jun 1904)
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (8th Jul 1904)
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (11th Sep 1904) 1
      Written from Middlesbrough; a few interesting remarks on 2 Cor V and a few other things
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (19th Oct 1904)
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (27th Apr 1905)
      Mr K in Exter and details various lectures he is giving, as well as upcoming books
    • William Kelly's Annotations on "A History of the Plymouth Brethren" by Neatby (Nov 1905, 361 pp) 7
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (17th Nov 1905)
      Mainly about providing books for contacts in Japan
    • Postcard to Mr John Cox   (Login Required)  (10th Mar 1906)
      Illnesses
  • Hymns:
  • Other Links:



Chief Men Among the Brethren Biography

WILLIAM. KELLY — the title-pages of whose writings generally bear only the initials "W. K. "—was born in the North of Ireland, in 1820. Being early left fatherless, he was already supporting himself by tuition to the family of Mr. Cachemaille, Rector of Sark, when, in 1840, he made the Christian confession, and he shortly afterwards embraced the views of the church characteristic to "brethren," with whom he then at once united. He retained a close connection with the Channel Islands for thirty years, residing chiefly in Guernsey, but for the latter half of his Christian career his home was at Blackheath.

He was a graduate, in classical honours, of Trinity College, Dublin, and was recognised as not merely a sound, erudite scholar, but a controversialist of formidable calibre. Besides aiding Dr. S. P. Tregelles in his investigations as a Biblical textual critic, Mr. Kelly himself published, in 1860, a critical edition of the Revelation of John, which Professor Heinrich Ewald, of Gottingen, declared was the best piece of English work of the kind that he had seen.

Such studies were carried on concurrently with the editing of a periodical entitled The Prospect. He took up the editorship of The Bible Treasury in 1857, and continued till his death, 50 years after. As editor of the B. T. he was brought into correspondence with such men as Dean Alford, Dr. Scott the lexicographer (whom he convinced of the true force of the word unhappily rendered in the Authorised Version of 2 Thessalonians 2. 2, as "is at hand"), Principal Edwards (who confessed to Mr. Kelly his conversion to the premillennial standpoint), with Professor Sanday, of Oxford, and other living theologians.

After the capitulation of younger ecclesiastical associates to the Higher Criticism, Archdeacon Denison spoke of Mr. Kelly's periodical as the only religious magazine any longer worth reading—so steadfast was the editor in his rejection of what he believed to be Christ-dishonouring views of the Bible.

His simplicity and self-suppression may be illustrated by the reply he made to a Dublin professor who had expressed an opinion that, if Mr. Kelly did but settle there as a teacher, he would make a fortune— "For which world?"

His supreme delight was in ministering in things spiritual to those whom he described as the "few despised ones of Christ's flock." To such service he gave untiring energy, put forth to within two months of his decease. He identified himself whole-heartedly with the body of doctrine developed by the late John Nelson Darby, whose right-hand man he was for many years, till he severed his connection, and formed a party which for long bore his name.

The "Collected Writings" of J.N.D. were edited by Mr. Kelly, who has done much by his own expositions to give currency to the views enshrined in them. His own merits were manifest alike in oral and written ministry. Mr. C. H. Spurgeon, judging by the latter, has applied to Mr. Kelly, in the "Guide to Commentaries," the words of Pope, "born for the universe... " In the list of his writings will be found Lectures or Notes on all the Books of the Bible.

How long he retained his clearness and vigour of intellect comes out in the fact that several of his best expositions appeared during the last fifteen years of his life. Within the lifetime of J.N.D. (1800-1882), Mr. Kelly was already well known to outsiders by his lectures on the Pentateuch, the Gospel of Matthew, the Revelation of John, the Church of God, and the New Testament Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, besides Notes on Romans, etc., recommended by Professor Sandy. Since 1890 he has put forth "In the Beginning" (Gen. 1, 2), commended by Archbishop Benson; and Exposition of the Prophecies of Isaiah, of the Gospel of John, of the Epistle to the Hebrews, of the Epistles of John; a volume of 600 pages on "God's Inspiration of the Scriptures;" and his last words on "Christ's Coming Again, " in which he vindicates the originality of J.N.D. in regard to the "Secret Rapture;" this had been impugned by an American writer.

The last prominent survivor of the first generation of "brethren" fell asleep on the 27th March, 1906.

Shortly before he passed away, W. K. said to one by his bedside: "There are three things real—the Cross, the enmity of the world, the love of God." An aged clergyman, who had long resorted to him for counsel, on hearing of his decease, wrote: "He was pre-eminently 'a faithful man, and feared God above many' (Neh. 7. 2)."

E.E.W.





Comments:
Michael Schneider said ...

For those who know German, here is Heinrich Ewald's review of Kelly's critical edition of Revelation mentioned in Chief Men above. While it is true that the review is generally positive, the reviewer never says that Kelly's book was "the best piece of English work of the kind that he had seen" …

From: Jahrbücher der Biblischen Wissenschaft 11 (1860/61), pp. 247-8

Saturday, May 8, 2021 : 07:01
Rick Ogletree said ...
I am interested in knowing the members of the Brethren, such as Darby and Kelly, and those of similar sentiments. The teaching of dispensationalism is of key interest to me. Thank you, Rici
Saturday, Jan 27, 2024 : 03:08
Shaun said ...
Hi. My. Site. Ministrytosouls.co.uk can. I. Help
Friday, Mar 1, 2024 : 05:06


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