BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 17TH, 1938
BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 17TH, 1938
Mr. A. Angus.
Beloved Brother, — Your letter of the 20th ult. was duly received and it has remained longer unanswered than I wished, but special meetings have been on and I attended those in Detroit, occupying me nearly a week. Besides, I have been using all available time to complete the revision of notes of the late meetings in Ireland.
The matter you write about is familiar to me as there has been much enquiry as to the kind of service you mention during recent years.
[p. 129] I have habitually distinguished between meetings composed of children whose parents are ‘in the world’ and of those whose parents are in fellowship. The former come under the head of gospel testimony. Even if we cannot interest the parents surely the attendance of the children is important, for seed sown in their hearts will under God become fruitful.
The real difficulty that has arisen as to meetings for children is that in segregating those belonging to the saints for spiritual teaching they are deprived of the influence and example obtainable in the ordinary meetings of the saints. The general principle and example afforded in Scripture is that children should learn with their parents. Children’s meetings or ‘Sunday-schools’ are an outgrowth of current worldly religion and are damaging.
A brother wrote me last spring as to meetings for ‘outside’ children and I told him I had no difficulty, but I found afterwards that what was actually conducted was a system of teaching like a Sunday-school. In such a case there will be certain results, but the method used is Philistine — like the “cart” on which the Ark was placed.
And even if the ‘system’ is not prominent, the meetings may draw in the children of the saints and these neglect the regular meetings where, as I said, there is spiritual influence and example not ordinarily found in children’s meetings.
But I am assured that the dear brethren in Donaghadee will consider for the Lord in what they do, and make more of Him and His authority and the truth generally than outward results.
Lately there have been three special meetings held in this country and Canada, covering three days, and the Lord graciously gave blessing. I attended those held in Detroit, A.M.H. those at Manchester, Connecticut, J. Dean those held at Vancouver.
My wife unites in love in Christ to you and your house and to all the brethren.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.
PS — My wife had a bad fall lately, from which she has suffered much. No bones were broken, thank God, but bad wounds. They are healing steadily through God’s mercy.