Meet The Authors

This page presents a brief, biographical sketch of all of the brethren writers who have been presented on this site. Many of these godly men wrote in the late 1800's and preferred anonymity, using abbreviations for their names to avoid undue recognition. It is with great respect and thankfulness to the Lord that the lives of these men of God are here presented. One can without hesitation say these men were mightily used of God.

Charles Henry Mackintosh

Charles Henry Mackintosh, whose initials "C.H.M." are known world wide, was born in Glenmalure Barracks, County Wicklow, Ireland, in October 1820. His father was a Captain in the Highlanders' Regiment, and had served in Ireland during the Rebellion. His mother was a daughter of Lady Weldon and of a family long settled in Ireland. At the age of eighteen the young man experienced a spiritual awakening through letters received from his sister after her conversion, and obtained peace through the perusal of J.N. Darby's "Operations of the Spirit," being specially helped by words to the effect that "it is Christ's work for us, not His work in us, that gives us peace."

Entering a business house in Limerick, the young Christian "gave attention to reading," and diligently applied his mind to various studies. In 1844 he opened a school at Westport, throwing himself with much enthusiasm into educational work. His spiritual attitude at this time may be inferred from the fact that he aimed at keeping Christ enshrined in the citadel of his life and making Christ's work his chief concern. At length, in 1853, he feared that his school was becoming his primary interest and accordingly he gave it up.

In the meantime his pen had been busy with expository notes on the books of the Pentateuch. At intervals over a period of forty years the volumes of "Notes by C.H.M." were issued, one each upon Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and two upon Deuteronomy. These works, which are characterized by a deep-toned evangelical spirit, have been published in large, successive editions. The preface was signed by his friend Andrew Miller, who helped to finance their issue, and who correctly says of the teaching: "Man's complete ruin in sin, and God's perfect remedy in Christ, are fully, clearly, and often strikingly presented."

As an expositor, "C.H.M." had a perspicuous style and presented his views with stimulating strength, loyalty to God's Word, and unswerving trust in Christ.

After ceasing scholastic work, "C.H.M." went to Dublin, where he began speaking in public. For many years he boldly stood forth in defense of the gospel and to proclaim the truth, and God owned his labors in a remarkable degree. When the revival swept over Ireland in 1859-60, he was very active, and some account of his labors may be found in the early volumes of "Things New and Old." He was a man of great faith, and was ever ready to testify that though God had often tried him He had never allowed him to suffer want in the matter of life's necessities while engaged in gospel work and without material employment.

During the last four years of his life he resided at Cheltenham, and when unable through the weakness of advancing years to do much on the platform, he still continued to write. His last series of tractates was entitled "Handfuls of Pasture." The influence of his writings cannot be estimated. He was continually receiving letters from all parts of the world acknowledging the satisfying character of his teaching of the books of Moses.

His first tract in 1843 was on "The Peace of God." When in 1896 he dispatched a manuscript to his publishers on "The God of Peace," his hand was stayed and a few months later he entered into rest. His "Miscellaneous Writings" have been published in several formats.

He peacefully fell asleep on November 2nd, 1896, and devout men carried him to his burial in Cheltenham Cemetery. His remains were laid by the side of those of his beloved wife in the presence of a company gathered from many quarters. Dr. Woltson, of Edinburgh, discoursed on the burial of Abraham, from Genesis 25:8-10 and Hebrews 8:10. Before dispersing, the company sang J.N. Darby's beautiful hymn:

O bright and blessed scenes,
Where sin can never come
Whose sight our longing spirit weans
From earth where yet we roam. 

H. A. Ironside

Henry Allan Ironside has been called "America's most popular expositor" and "the archbishop of fundamentalism." He could make "the deep things of God as clear as crystal" and "transcendent truths of the Bible understood by the average reader."

But Harry Ironside wasn't one for titles and fame. His consuming passion was to preach the gospel - which he did for over 60 years, 18 of them as Pastor of Chicago's famous Moody Memorial Church. During his lifetime he was constantly on the go - to conferences, missions, meetings - anywhere he could share the wonderful news of salvation. He traveled so much, and spoke so often, that he was widely known and greatly loved.

Providentally, he was a prolific writer, whose books captured the spark of his preaching. Thus his ministry goes on in even wider circles than when he was alive.

Donald Munro

Donald Munro was the first of the Scots evangelists to preach in North America. He labored at the beginning with Donald Ross, both of whom broke from the Scottish Presbyterian Church because they believed it was largely full of unsaved persons who cared little for the cause of Christ. They resigned in early 1870 and formed their own independent fellowship of evangelists. Donald Munro was part of this group and came to North America to preach the gospel abroad. While in North America, he searched the Scriptures diligently and came into contact with believers who broke from all denominational ties, preferring simply to gather in the Lord's Name alone. Upon joining the assemblies, he helped establish many assemblies in North America in addition to his evangelization work. He settled in Toronto for a time, where he met H.A. Ironside as a boy. It was his influence in Ironside's life that played a part in Ironside's later conversion.

Alfred P. Gibbs

Alfred P. Gibbs was born in Birmingham, England in 1890 and was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was led to a saving knowledge of Christ by his twin brother, Edwin. During World War I, Gibbs served as military chaplain, preaching to soldiers in training camps. In 1919 he set off for Moody Bible School in Chicago, Illinois. There he soon became involved in an assembly operated Rescue Mission. Gibbs worked alongside Harold Harper, T.B. Gilbert, James G. Humphrey, and other men destined to become well known in assembly circles of ministry. Gibbs became close friends with George Landis, who at that time pastored a small denominational church.

Alfred P. Gibbs never married. Like J. N. Darby, he lived out of a suit-case. Most of his writings were devoted to teaching young believers. He served part time for many years with, the then Emmaus Bible School. In1931 he published a songbook with music and words of his own composition. He also contributed several hymns to "Choice Hymns Of The Faith", and "Hymns of Worship and Remembrance." One of his most memorable hymns was "A Thousand Thousand Thanksgivings", and also "Sweet Is The Story."

Although an earnest preacher of the gospel, he was best known for his work with children. Gibbs was called home to glory through an automobile accident in 1967. Following the accident, an entire issue of Letters Of Interest was devoted to him. Reminiscences of him were written by several well known brethren including his brother Edwin, Bill McCartney, Elliot Van Ryn, T.B. Gilbert, Lester Wilson, William MacDonald, and Lloyd Walterick. A.P. Gibbs will be remembered as a great preacher of the gospel, and a loving friend to all children he met in his entire lifetime.

The following books written by A. P. Gibbs are available from Gospel Folio Press and may be ordered through Uplook Ministries.

1. The Lord's Supper
2. The Preacher and His Preaching
3. Scriptural Principles of Gathering
4. Worship, The Christian's Highest Occupation 

Harold Mackay

Harold G. Mackay was born on May 7, 1907 in Galt, Ontario Canada. Coming from Scottish ancestry, Harold's grandparents emigrated from Scotland to Canada in the nineteenth century, settling in southern Ontario. Harold was the second child, being preceded by one older sister of seven years. Harold's salvation came on May 24, 1926 at the age of nineteen. The place was the Galt Gospel Hall in Galt, Ontario, Canada. From this same assembly he was later commended to full time service. The next step was a visit to North Carolina. He was accompanied by the man who led him to Christ, a kindly man named William Gillespie Sr., a wise and successful soul winner. The year was 1928, and the journey was to Asheville in the North Carolina mountains. 

Through the winter months there was a definite moving of the Spirit of God. Several preachers from the assemblies were already laboring there. Harold and William took up residence in a house, with two of them. A wooden sided tent, complete with coal stove, was secured and preaching got underway in an area known as Canton. God graciously honored the preaching of His Word. Souls were saved and the work continued through the winter months.

Returning to Ontario in the spring, Harold ministered in assembly halls and tent meetings,accompanied this time by William Gillespie Jr. The labors there for the Lord continued for the next two years. Next was pioneering work in West Virginia, then back to Galt Ontario where Harold met Gertrude Marjory Eckert, known as "Gertie." They met at a Bible Conference in the nearby city of Hamilton. They were to see each other frequently, and Harold was invited to the Eckert home.Interest in each other soon led to affection and then true love. Harold continued preaching in West Virginia from a gospel tent in West Hamlin and Salt Rock. Soon he proposed marriage by way of a letter to Gertie on August 30,1931. On November 25'th. in a private ceremony attended by the two families and a few friends, they were united in marriage. The marriage took place in the home of Gertie's parents in Kitchener, Ontario. 

A little more than two years later, God gave a firstborn son. On March 30,1934 a nine pound son named John was born. Three years later, another son named Stanley followed. Another several years following, when by now living in Greensboro, a third son named Ronald George was given. The permanent move to North Carolina had come in 1939. Here was to follow a lifetime of service. This included the work at Forest Avenue Tabernacle and ministry in other areas. In the year 1943, radio work began from the station W.P.T.F. in Raleigh. The Lord continued to bless in ways mighty to behold. The later 1940's and early 1950's were busy with work in and around Greensboro. Another radio broadcast followed from there, being aired on station WBIG.

The Christian life is one of hills and valleys. In 1950, Gertie's mother went to be with the Lord, followed by her father two years later. Harold's mother was called home to heaven in 1953, and followed later by his father in 1963. In 1964 the Lord permitted Harold to be led into "the valley of the shadow of death," where he underwent brain surgery. Partial facial paralysis ensued and was thereafter a part of life for Harold. The paralysis hindered his ministry substantially at first, but by 1966 he was able to resume a full schedule of services.

Soon, plans for a new assembly in Greensboro were proposed. The ground breaking ceremony took place on March 27, 1966. The Shannon Hills Chapel was underway. The first use of the new building was for a wedding on June 3, 1967. The assembly was purposefully built large. Because this was unusual, an article written by Harold was presented in the August 1967 issue of Interest magazine.

Another high point came in1972. A much desired and long awaited trip to Israel was made. Oh what joy to see the Pool Of Bethesda, Mount Moriah, the Temple area, the Wailing Wall, the Jericho Road, Masada, the Sea of Galilee, seaport of Acre on the Mediterranean, Mount Carmel, Caesarae, Shechem and Jacob's Well. There was to be another trip also, this one in 1978 and celebrating fifty years of service for the Lord.

So much more continued to center around Harold's ministries in North Carolina.Meetings were held, the gospel preached, and several trips were made to Park Of The Palms in Keystone Heights, Florida. Other Bible Conferences continued also, such as the well known Skyland Conferences. The minor facial paralysis continued to plague his ministry, and over the years general health gradually began to decline. Finally the decision was made for the Mackays to move to the Pittsboro Christian Village in nearby Pittsboro, North Carolina. The move came on March 2,1992. It was a comfort to have available this beautiful home with twenty-four hour nursing care and an adjoining chapel. It was only a forty-five minute drive from their former location in Greensboro. Their room was airy and attractive, already decorated with family pictures and scripture text plaques they had chosen to take.

Harold G.Mackay's home-call to Glory came on a sunny Sunday morning in April 1993. A Presence unseen by others, approached a frail form in a hospital bed and whispered "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." At the long awaited beckoning, Harold G. Mackay arose eagerly from that form and ascended with rising worship into the presence of his Savior. The funeral was conducted on April 21,1993 at the Shannon Hills Chapel, and the body lain to rest in a quiet corner of a cemetery near the Mackay home of forty years.
A wonderful book detailing the life and ministry of this giant for God, has been written by his daughter in law, Helen Mackay. The book is available from Gospel Folio Press and is currently listed on the Uplook Ministries web site. Other books by H. G. Mackay are also available.

1. Assembly Distinctives
2. The Story of Your Bible
3. The Study of Your Bible 

Samuel Ridout
Samuel Ridout, often referred to as a gracious "Southern gentleman," was graduated from St. John's College in Annapolis at the age of 18. After spending three years in the United States Naval Service, and teaching school in Maryland, he became interested in Christian work, and attended Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1880. A pastorate in Baltimore was followed by a widespread teaching and preaching ministry throughout the United States. He was the author of more than a dozen volumes of Bible exposition before his death in 1930.

W. E. Vine
William Ewdry Vine was known in his day (1873-1949) as a classical scholar, a skilled expositor, and an acute theologian. Recognized internationally for his outstanding Greek scholarship, his Expository Notes of New Testament Words, first published in 1939, represents the fruit of his lifetime labors and is an unsurpassed classic in its field. F. F. Bruce said of W E. Vine, "Mr. Vine shows how great a service can be rendered to the Church by well-balanced, all-round scholarship when it is combined with reverent submission to the Word of God and spiritual insight into its meaning.

Other Writers
The information for the writers listed below is currently being assembled or is not available at this time. If you have any biographical information for these brethren that you would be willing to submit, please send me e-mail. In the meantime, check back frequently as more profiles are added.