BIOGRAPHY
THE last prominent survivor of the first generation of
"Brethren" fell asleep on the 27th March, 1906. Mr. 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 the Rev. Mr.
Cachemaille, Rector of Sark, when, in 1840, he made the Christian confession,
and he shortly afterwards embraced the view of the church characteristic of
"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 186o, a critical edition of the Revelation of John, which Professor Heinrich
Ewald, of Göttingen, 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, which latterly was
carried on by Mr. Kelly to the time of his death as The Bible Treasury,
a paper that, as taken by various prominent clergy in academical circles,
brought the editor 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
pre-millennial 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. 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 have appeared during the last fifteen
years. 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, &c., recommended by Professor
Sanday. Since 1860 he has put forth "In the Beginning" (Gen. i, 2), commended
by Archbishop Benson an 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
6oo 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 of the "Secret Rapture"; this had been impugned by an American
writer.
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." At the interment was read Acts 20: 25-38, and amongst hymns sung
that commencing "For ever with the Lord." 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.