The name of John Gifford Bellett will always be reverenced
and his memory ever cherished by those knowing the unction of his ministry from
the products of his pen.
Born in Dublin in the year 1795, he was of an
Anglo-Irish family connected with the Irish established Church, which lost its
status in 1869. He was educated at the Grammer School, Exeter, where he had as
a school-fellow William Follett, who afterwards as an eloquent advocate
distinguished himself at the English Bar and from there Bellett proceeded to
Trinity College, Dublin, now making the acquaintance - ripening into life-long
friendship - of John Nelson Darby. Both were strong in classical scholarship,
both read for the Bar - Bellett in London, and Darby in Dublin. Each was
"called" in Dublin, and practised but for a short time, Darby relinquishing
that profession when he "took Orders," whilst Bellett, who had become a decided
Christian during his teens, devoted himself as a layman not only to increased
spiritual self-culture, but to participation in whatever religious service in
those days presented itself to him as a "layman." By the year 1827 each of
these two earnest souls was attending the meetings for the study of prophecy at
Powerscourt House, in Co. Wicklow, and becoming detached from the conventional
religion of Protestants around them as they advanced in know-ledge of spiritual
truth. In 1828 we find Bellett "breaking bread" with some friends like-minded -
Francis Hutchinson and Edward Cronin, besides J. N. Darby and, it would seem,
Anthony Norris Groves, who had brought with him from England similar, yet
independent, convictions. To the end of 1829 their meeting-place was a private
house in Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, but in the year following a public
meeting-room was engaged in Aungier Street of that city. John Vesey Parrell
(afterwards Lord Congleton) is now found in their company. As between the
various names mentioned, the actual priority in giving effect to their common
belief is of small importance.
When others were called away for active
promulgation of their views elsewhere, Bellett remained in Ireland, and Dublin
in particular, where his residence was fixed for some fifteen years
longer.
In 1846-1848 we find him residing at Bath, and he was not again
settled at Dublin until about the year 1854, but thence-forth retained his home
there to the time of his passing away in 1864. In 1859 he interested himself in
the Revival which took place in the North of Ireland. During all these years he
exhibited a notable example of lovable Christian tenderness, ofttimes assuaging
the bitterness of conflict in ecclesiastical matters by his counsel and
attitude.
Bellett's public ministry, as described by one who had the
privilege of enjoying it during his residence at Bath, was that of one who
"talked poetry;" so sweet and chaste were the sentiment and expression. The
late R. Govett, of Norwich, a very good judge, who had read all the published
writings of time leaders of the movement, gave as his opinion that Bellett was
the most spiritual. His best known books are those on the "Patriarchs," the
"Evangelists," the "Son of God," and the "Moral Glory of the Lord
Jesus."
His name is dear to those who now experience exercise over the
continuance of strained relations between brethren confessing common truth. J.
G. Bellett's influence was all exerted in the direction of minimising
alienation, and fulfilling the injunction, "be at peace among yourselves."
Happy is the memory of any with such a reputation as his, of whom it can be
said that, so far as is known, nothing said or left behind has been productive
of or has aided dissension, but that all has tended towards removal of man-made
barriers and the restoration of fellowship of heart in the fear of the Lord. E.
E. W.