May 5, 1905
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KILSYTH CHRONICLE
9 Market Chambers
Kilsyth G65 OAZ Scotland
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BAPTISMS IN BANTON LOCH
On Sabbath afternoon curiosity tempted several hundreds of people to face the
cold easterly breeze and showers on a pilgrimage to Banton Loch where a number
of adults, converts to Edward Cooney, who styles himself ‘the tramp
preacher,’ were immersed. For several weeks, Cooney, a native of Enniskillen
in the North of Ireland, has been conducting in Kilsyth a mission in connection
with the evangelistic body occupying the Wooden Hall, in West Burnside Street.
The scene of Sunday’s proceedings was on the North side of the Loch where at
the water side a canvas structure had been erected as disrobing room. The spot
selected, whether advisedly or merely coincidentally, was at the spot from which
it will be remembered a boy named Wilson, about two years ago, went in to bathe
and was drowned. A goodly number sought vantage spots on the rubbish bing from
the old Riskend Pit, while numerous others lined the West Bank and also the
North bank, in the immediate vicinity of where the tent was erected. Prior to
the immersion proceedings, a religious service was held, and thereafter, females
were the first brave to the cold water. They were conducted down the bank by one
man and led out to where another (Mr. W. Abercrombie, Queenzieburn) was standing
waist deep, who received them and dipped them beneath the water. The varying
expressions on the faces of the immersed as each came to the surface, in some
cases gasping and to all appearances chilled with the experience, gave room for
much caustic comment and humourous remark from the spectators. The crowd was,
however, of the most tolerant nature and beyond giving audible expression pretty
freely to their opinions, in no way interfered with the ceremony. While the
males were preparing for the baptism, Cooney held forth upon the rite of
baptism, avowing himself a believer in adult baptism and giving an account of
the rite as performed by the ancients and in the various religious bodies of the
world. Afterwards, the men were dipped and interest in the proceedings, so far
as the crowd was concerned, was at the end. While the ceremony was going on the
Hall followers sang hymns. In all, eleven women and eight men underwent
immersion.
There are no accurate records of the actual size of the movement, but
most seem to place its numbers between 40,000 to 600,000 members worldwide.
These are estimates based on convention attendance throughout the past
years. The following are some
calculations done on the attendance figures.
"(The Institute for the Study of American Religion) has a list of
conventions held by the group in 1986. This includes 95 annual conventions
at 85 locations in the U.S. with a typical attendance of 250 to over 1,000
members each. Total membership might total 40,000 in North America and
perhaps 40,000 elsewhere...The greatest concentration of members is in the
Northwestern U.S."
Photo shows Irvine in his retirement, in a simple lodging in Jerusalem
"(They are) global. Claim to have preached in every country. Members
estimated to number up to 600,000 worldwide. In 1988, Canada listed 226
"Workers" and the U.S. listed 845 (of which 63% were female. 37%
male)."
The 2x2's trace their roots back to founder William Irvine,
born in
Kilsyth, Scotland in 1863 and converted to Christianity at age 30. In 1895
Irvine joined the Faith Mission, in which he traveled throughout Ireland and
Scotland as a lay-evangelist. Throughout this time, Irvine became increasingly
critical of organized religious institutions. Therefore, in 1897 Irvine took
measures toward leading his own religious movement, basing it on the idea that
Matthew 10:5-42 and Luke 9:1-5 should still apply to Christian life. However,
Irvine did not formally break ties with the Faith Mission until 1901, at which
time he took with him George Walker, Edward Cooney, Jack Carroll, and Irvine
Weir.
(Photo shows Robert Chambers (left) and Irvine)
The movement expanded rapidly during the first few years after its
founding. Believers were adamant in their faith, calling it "The
Truth" and proclaiming Irvine the "Alpha Prophet" spoken of in
Deuteronomy and Acts.
In 1904 William Irvine announced the "Living Witness Doctrine".
He believed that salvation is only gained through hearing the preaching of a
2X2 worker.
In 1908 William Irvine became enraged at converts who did not heed the call
of Matthew 10:8-10. He then authorized the distinction between workers and
members. Members did not travel, but led settled lives and used the profits of
their employment to support the workers, or itinerant preachers within the
group. At this point he chose from this pool of workers certain men, whom he
deemed "overseers" to handle the affairs of workers in specific
geographical areas. This second division was told to the workers and to very
few, long-standing members. A third decision was made by Irvine concerning the
movement's finances and was shared only with those directly involved. In order
to pool the money donated by members to the workers, bank accounts in the name
of Irvine and certain individual overseers were established.
In 1912 Irvine began to announce a series of new, unsettling ideas at the
conventions he attended. He taught members that it might be possible to act as
saviors to the stars in the same way that Jesus was a savior to those on
Earth. He also referred to his movement as the 144,000 from the book of
Revelation.
In 1914 these new ideas had become threatening to the existence of the
movement as Irvine began to preach of an "Omega Gospel." He stated
that it had been revealed to him that the Age of Grace would end in August of
that year and following this time no additional salvation would be granted.
After August 1914 the 2X2's, according to Irvine were to cease their
missionary activities and wait with him for the coming end of time. At this
point a theological split occurred between Irvine and the workers. The workers
declared that William Irvine had "lost the Lord's anointing" and
forbade followers to associate with him either in person, or through letters.
About 400 followers remained loyal to Irvine and were excommunicated along
with him in 1914. They formed a new sect of the 2X2's known as the
"Little Ones" "Friends" or "Message people."
Believing that Irvine was correct regarding the conclusion of the Age of
Grace, they witness as individuals when chance allows. As with the 2X2's they
condemn all things institutional, citing Revelation 18:13 as doctrinal proof.
After the excommunication of Irvine, the overseers attempted to increase
the secrecy Irvine had installed within the group. Their first step was to
cover Irvine's role as founder of the movement. They then encouraged the
members to keep a much lower public profile, contrary to their earlier
approach and Irvine's boisterous and condemning manner. Neat and conservative
dress replaced prior shabbiness and conventions became calm, private affairs
of little interest to the outside world.
There was, however, one man who threatened the authority of the overseers.
Edward Cooney, a follower of Irvine since the time of his departure from the
faith mission, saw himself as Irvine's rightful successor and denounced the
overseer's goals of conforming the group to a more conventional lifestyle. As
flamboyant as Irvine, he publicly attacked the overseers desires at
conventions he attended and called for a reaffirmation of the instructions of
Matthew 10. In addition to his support of the following of Matthew 10 by every
individual within the group he also believed that a grave mistake had occurred
with the adoption of the Living Witness Doctrine in 1903-04. He stated as his
reason that he was not converted through Irvine and that he and Irvine both
had committed to Christ prior to the birth of the movement.
Cooney also faced inner tension over the overseer's allotment of preachers
to specific regions and his belief in individual dependence on God for
spiritual guidance. He wished to abolish the two tiered structure and called
for the ending of conventions, believing they were unnecessary and
unscriptural, instead wishing that all members give up material possessions to
preach where the Lord saw fit.
Throughout World War I Cooney preached his message throughout Britain,
posing a direct
threat to the overseers in charge there. In 1921 the British
overseers, hoping to silence Cooney, persuaded him to travel abroad.
However, he lost most of his support when he called attention to the little
regarded message of Matthew 10 and Luke 9 to "Heal the sick, raise the
dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out devils."
Workers in New Zealand found this meeting intolerable and banned from their
house meetings any member who associated with Cooney. Upon Cooney's arrival to
North America, Jack Carroll, the overseer there, decided that Cooney was not
to be heard in his territory and advised his members not to attend Cooney's
Seattle mission. A complete ban was then placed on him throughout the United
States and Canada. At this point William Irvine once again stepped in,
summoning Cooney to Ireland. When Cooney chose to heed the request of the
fallen leader he was promptly excommunicated from the movement.
On October 12, 1928 a meeting was held in Lurgen Ireland to finalize justification for Cooney's dismissal. An agreement was drawn up to make the actions of the workers more uniform. It stated the following:
Edward Cooney refused to abide by these rules and Jack Carroll, American
overseer and the most outspoken advocate of this agreement declared he would
not have further fellowship with him. The other overseers soon followed
Carroll's lead and Cooney was banned from the movement.
Edward Cooney deemed himself a "Tramp preacher" after giving up
his secular employment to follow William Irvine in 1901. Thus, the small sect
that branched off the 2X2's to follow Cooney following his excommunication has
been called "Tramp Preachers" or "Cooneyites"
After the excommunication of Cooney, the movement sank into obscurity.
Still, it has
persisted under the guidance of the overseers for over
sixty-five years. Their lack of a name, church building, or printed material
allows them to exist with anonymity. They evangelize mainly in rural areas to
an audience of mostly evangelical Protestants.
Photo: Irvine, aged 75 years
The 2X2's do not have a systematic theology and doctrine is rarely
discussed. Because there is nothing officially written by the group
themselves, there is much haziness and controversy as to the actual beliefs of
the group. The following is what appears most accurate regarding the beliefs
and practices of the 2X2's.
The 2X2's do not have any official statement of belief but profess that the
Bible is their only Doctrine. They rely heavily on the King James version of
the New Testament, especially Matthew 10 and Luke 9. They believe that God is
a solitary entity and do not adhere to the concept of the Trinity. Instead
they believe that Jesus is God's son, separate from the Father, who lived a
perfect life to establish a ministry pattern to be followed from that day
forward. After establishing this pattern Jesus was crucified, died and then
rose again in body before ascending to Heaven. They see the Holy Spirit as a
power separate from both God and Jesus given as a feeling from them to a
believer.
Members of the group firmly believe that theirs is the only path to
salvation and that an individual can only be saved through hearing the Truth
from a worker. (Living Witness Doctrine). From this belief stems their strong
sense of missionary duty. To maintain its anonymity the group funds no
hospitals, schools, or other charity operations.
Two ordinances are practiced by the 2x2's, baptism and communion. Baptism
is done by complete immersion rather than by the sprinkling or water,
following the example set forth by Jesus. Because a member must conform to the
standards set by the workers before baptism, it is practiced only in
adulthood. The group does not acknowledge any baptism done by a different
religious institution. The second ordinance, communion is given only to those
members who have been baptized. It is celebrated each week at the Sunday
meeting, during which eligible members partake of bread and grape juice shared
in a common cup.
The 2x2's do not believe that Jesus' death on the cross will wash away the
sins of all who accept him as savior. Instead they believe that salvation
comes through a life of sacrificial obedience to the instructions and examples
of Jesus.
Services in the 2x2 movement consist of Sunday and Midweek Services, Union
Fellowship Meetings, Gospel Meetings, Conventions, and Special Meetings. The
2x2's do not own their own church buildings as they are opposed to any form of
institutionalized religion. Depending on the type of service, members will
meet either in the home or a rented hall.
Sunday/Midweek Meeting: Service is held in the homes of members
and led by the "presiding member" or the man of the house where
the meeting is held. Hymns are sung unaccompanied from their hymnal Hymns
Old and New. Testimonies of private Bible study are shared and prayer is
offered by individual members with none referring to individual needs,
problems or events. Toward the end of the service Communion is given to
those members who have been baptized and approved by the group's local
workers. Following communion the presiding member says a final prayer and
the group is dismissed.
Union Fellowship Meetings: These meetings are the same as the
Sunday or midweek meetings but occur on a much larger scale than the twenty
members groups present in the first. Both types of meetings occur ONLY in
the home, as the 2x2's take literally Acts 7:48 and 17:24: "God
dwells not in temples made with hands."
Gospel Meetings: There is no regulations on where a gospel meeting
can be held. They usually take place in a rented facility and are for the
purpose of recruiting and teaching new members. Existing members are also
expected to attend as they are need to help educated the converts, allowing
them to gain salvation through the Living Witness Doctrine. Testimonies,
hymns with piano accompaniment, preaching of workers and prayer are all
performed.
Conventions: The first convention was held a few years after the
movement's founding in 1903 and since it has become prevalent. Members are
encouraged to attend at least one convention per year. The convention itself
usually lasts for four days with three meetings per day. They are held on
the private property of members within the group, usually in rural areas in
buildings constructed and maintained for this purpose through the donations
of members. Believers spend the days in fellowship with each other,
listening to the preaching of workers, and giving their own testimonies. Special
Meetings are one day versions of conventions held throughout the year.
The 2x2's have condensed much of these beliefs into the phrase "The
ministers without a home, and the church in the home."
The 2x2's rely on secrecy both within the movement and throughout relations
with secular society for their survival. On the whole, the group has managed
to avoid any kind of public detection. The movement does not have a name, and
if an individual is asked what church he belongs to the most frequent answer
is that he worships privately among friends.
Counter-cult groups find the 2x2s a heretical Christian movement because of
their view against the trinity and salvation through grace. The see the
movement's disdain for religious institutions as a threat to their
interpretation of the Truth and believe the movement's secrecy to be a direct
attempt to mislead potential converts, especially those who feel mainstream
churches have become to liberal or materialistic into believing the group holds
to the same doctrine as other Christian institutions.
A second threat to the movement is the number of apostates willing to speak out against it. Upon leaving, many members see the strict guidelines and constant accountability as a way of controlling their lives and are quick to denounce the validity of the movements, saying it offers a sense of guilt more than a promise of salvation. The creation of the internet opened the door for both counter cultists and apostates to spread their message across the world while the 2x2s, whose lifestyle does not permit the use of a computer, do little in defense.
No mention of the movement's founding in 1897 by William Irvine is allowed
within the group. Instead, members adamantly insist their mission dates back
to the first century, was founded by Jesus and that all other religious
institutions have gone astray from this Truth.
A third controversy is present in the life the movement's founder, William
Irvine. Though the group calls to a strict code of morality, including the
celibacy of its workers, Irvine carried with him the burden of an illegitimate
son, Archibald Irvine, born to an unknown woman when Irvine was around
twenty-three years old. Archie was approximately eleven at the time of the
movement's founding and sources that Irvine supported his son until Archibald
decided to go off on his own.
Religious Tolerance
Page on No Name Church
This site is an excellent resource for unbiased information about the 2X2's
and other religious movements. It provides a brief history of the group and
it's beliefs as well as controversy the movements has faced. It also includes
links to a variety of other sources and bibliography of books and articles
written.
"Christians
in Hiding: The No Name Sect"
This essay by Benton Johnson, also appearing in the book Sex, Lies and
Sanctity: Religion and Deviance in Contemporary North America, is an
unbiased sociological paper on the history, doctrine, and underlying ideas
behind the movement.
Biography of
WilliamIrvine
The book The Life and Ministry of William Irvine by Cherie Kropp is
posted here on a chapter by chapter basis. It details the life of William
Irvine and his role in the founding of the 2X2's.
Biography of
Edward Cooney
This Chapter from The Life and Ministry of William Irvine (see link
above) is dedicated solely to Edward Cooney, self appointed successor to
Irvine following his excommunication.
In Defense of Truth
This site, maintained by Lynn Cooper, author of The Church with No Name
contains a great overview of the 2x2's as well as some interesting links and
passages from the book itself.
Friends of Truth
The site is maintained by a group of people claiming membership to the 2x2
movement in order to inform people about the movement. It offers various
articles and editorials on both the group and topics such as love, suicide,
and sin.
Telling the Truth: The No Name
Cult
This counter-cult site is biased in its approach to explaining the 2x2's.
However, it does have a fairly complete fact sheet and a vast listing of links
along with chat rooms and message boards of interest.
Who are the Two-by-Twos?
This counter-cult site is run by Research and Information Services (RIS). In
addition to a basic outline of beliefs and practices of the group, it also
includes articles on Cult Mind Control and disputes over 2x2 doctrine.
The Cooneyites or
"Go-Preachers and their doctrines
This counter-cult site is a refutation of the beliefs of the followers of
Edward Cooney, one of two sects of the 2x2's. It is run by the Central Bible
Truth Depot and is based in Sydney, Australia, where the sect is most popular.
Workers,
Friends, and the Church without a Name
This site is run by apostates of the 2x2 movement. Calling themselves Veterans
of Truth (VOT) they offer biblical arguments against the group's doctrine and
testimonies of ex-members.
Send an Email to LISTSERV@HOME>EASE>LSOFT>COM and enter in the body of the message:
SUBSCRIBE 2X2 CHURCH and your name. If you wish to remain anonymous, then add the word anonymous between CHURCH and your name. Otherwise your email address will appear on any message posted.
Crow, Keith. 1964. "The Invisible Church." Unpublished Master's Thesis. University of Oregon
Who are the Two by Two's? http://www.workersect.org/2x201.html
Institute for the Study of American Religion, Santa Barbata, CA., J.G.
Melton, Director
Who are the Two by Two's? http://www.workersect.org/2x201.html
The Church with No Name http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htm
The Church with No Name http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htm
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
The Cooneyites or "Go-Preachers" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-1-5Rule.htm
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
The Church with No Name http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htm
The Church with No Name http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htm
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect Page 73
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect Page 73
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect Page 74
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect Page 75
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect Page 75
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect Page 76
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect Page 76
The Cooneyites or "Go-Preachers" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-1-5Rule.htm
An Overview of the Church Without A Name http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/2x2info_namelesshousesect/overview.htm
An Overview of the Church Without A Name http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/2x2info_namelesshousesect/overview.htm
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
The Church with No Name http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htm
Who are the Two by Two's?
http://www.workersect.org/2x201.html
"Fact Sheet for The Church Without a Name" http://home.earthlink.net/~truth/sec2-2FactSht.htm
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
"Fact Sheet for The Church Without a Name" http://home.earthlink.net/~truth/sec2-2FactSht.htm
The Church with No Name http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htm
"Fact Sheet for The Church Without a Name" http://home.earthlink.net/~truth/sec2-2FactSht.htm
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect Page 100
Who are the Two by Two's? http://www.workersect.org/2x201.html
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
Who are the Two by Two's? http://www.workersect.org/2x201.html
Who are the Two by Two's? http://www.workersect.org/2x201.html
"Fact Sheet for The Church Without a Name" http://home.earthlink.net/~truth/sec2-2FactSht.htm
The Church with No Name http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htm
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
Fortt, Loyd, A Search for "the Truth" Page vii
The Church with No Name http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htm
"Christians in Hiding, The No Name Sect" http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG1-3-1BJohnson.htm
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect Page 86
Life and Times of William Irvine http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG4Wmi-Index.htm
Parker, Doug & Helen, The Secret Sect
Created by Shannon Leigh
Vivian
For Soc 257: New Religious Movements
Fall Term, 2000
University of Virginia