Later, after Irvine's ouster, Cooney began to criticise the development of hierarchy within the Two by Twos, its taking of a name for official purposes, and abandonment of other of its original tenets.

This reportedly prompted Edward to re-examine his own life, and he felt drawn to a closer relationship with God at this time.

In 1897, Irvine had begun preaching independently, and began gathering the nucleus of what would become a notable sect, the only religious movement known to have originated in Ireland.

[5][7] As one of its most noteworthy speakers throughout the British Isles, some began calling the nameless sect "Cooneyism", a name by which it is still known in some quarters.

He bequeathed a small annual income to Edward on condition that he give up preaching and return to the Church of Ireland.

In the following years, Cooney continued as a true itinerant, and preached in countries around the globe as he felt led, with little regard to the spheres of influence being carved out by various Overseers.

[14] But as time progressed, there was no return to what Cooney saw as the original simplicity within the movement, and he began publicly expressing himself with regards to what he saw as being unscriptural additions and growing organisation.

[5][15] These included the growing hierarchy entailing a division of territory between senior workers, finances, annual conventions, the so-called "Living Witness" doctrine, the taking of denominational names during the first World War, and other matters.

That Edward Cooney was free to preach wherever he felt led, and did not believe that he had to submit his messages to be approved by the regional Overseers became a situation the latter would no longer tolerate after having attempted to persuade him to operate within their new framework.

[16] Edward Cooney's excommunication was finalised during an extraordinary meeting held on 12 October 1928 at the home of Andrew Knox in Lurgan, Northern Ireland.

[18] A group of people who agreed with his position followed him out (or were expelled for keeping contact with him), and eventually formed their own independent fellowship.

[21] Those who adhered to Mr. Cooney's views today form an independent group, having dispensed with the office of "Worker" and other vestiges of clericalism which they saw as having crept in over the years.