Revival of the truth seems to have been as gradual as the declension. The declension was slow but sure. Error after error crept in until ‘The One Faith’ was swallowed up, and how slowly it emerged till Dr. Thomas rediscovered it for us in its entirety.​

If God had not raised up in this century such a man as Dr. Thomas, our generation would have been stumbling on in the inherited fogs which have entirely hidden the teaching of the Bible from view, while glorifying the Bible itself in a certain sentimental way. It does not appear that the understanding of the Bible has been attained in any other channel. There is a deal of writing about the Bible, and a deal of smattering in connection with separate and scattered points involved in Bible things; but where, outside of his work in our day, is to be found that complete mastery of the whole Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelations, which renders the work of God through Israel from the beginning a consistent, connected, and progressives thing, which not only does not require the help of human philosophy, but which cannot endure the admixture of it without being spoiled? We know not its like in any current system or movement, or in any library treasures, ancient or modern, or in the hands of any teacher or institution of modern life anywhere. If others know of it, we should be delighted to be introduced—with the liberty, however, of thorough independent inspection. We know enough of shams and echoes and abortions to make us very chary.

The Shield, September. We are glad to see the Editorial remarks on Conferences. Fraternal gatherings for edification, exhortation, and comfort are delightful; but fraternal gatherings to discuss bases of faith, or schemes for reunion without unity of mind are the reverse. Dr. Thomas rediscovered the truth fifty years or more ago. It does not want doing again; it wants “keeping”—”the righteous nation that keepeth the truth.” And in this, ecclesias are responsible directly to the Lord, and not to any earthly “committee or delegates,” or other self-constituted authority like the Pope.​

Bro. C. C. Walker, he said, was a man of many gifts—widely travelled, of considerable linguistic attainments, and of wide knowledge. But his greatest gift was his power to use all other gifts as a steward of the grace of God. A noble man, innately courteous, naturally dignified, he was nevertheless a humble disciple of the Lord. As successor to two remarkable men, Dr. John Thomas and bro. Robert Roberts, he maintained with voice and pen the Truth as it had been rediscovered about a hundred years ago.

We have been blessed in the guidance given to us by Dr. Thomas and bro. Robert Roberts. In the Ecclesial Guide is sterling counsel for all succeeding generations of Christadelphians. We recommend its careful study by both young and old. For the young it has historical value in showing the conditions under which the Truth was rediscovered a century ago: problems which do not perplex us in these days were real enough in those days; as for example, What is a solitary man to do who, recognizing the necessity for baptism, is unable to find a Christadelphian near to him to baptize him? In the Guide are discussed at some length the various points associated with the administration of baptism, and it has been to me a cause of interest and fortification to note that the suggestions made by bro. Roberts over sixty years ago are carried out to the very letter in the arrangements for the baptism of candidates at the Birmingham Central Ecclesia.​

There are two kinds of Christadelphians: those who recognize and appreciate the value and soundness and stability afforded by the writings and labors of brethren Thomas and Roberts – and those who do not. Not much can be done to help the latter kind. They are on their way back to the old Apostasy. Resuscitations of the Gospel Truth have run this pattern over and over: a period of soundness; then a drifting of the majority back to the main orthodox stream.

Brother Thomas assembled the total Truth. Admittedly, others had disjointed parts, some this, some that. He revealed a beautiful, harmonious, living whole. His critics and scorners owe what knowledge they have of it to him, squirm as they may under this embarrassing fact. Intelligent men will recognize their debt and dependency, and will be humbly thankful. Intelligent, mature believers will not feel they have to devise anti-brother Thomas theories, to demonstrate their independence, but will be anxious to stand with the sound Truth as he revealed it – and that includes a true conception of the book of Revelation."