BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 1ST, 1939
BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 1ST, 1939
Mr. Hugh Ross.
My Dear Hugh, — Your good letter of January 25th has remained unacknowledged longer than intended, but from pressure of work I am much behind in my correspondence.
I feel indebted to you for such an excellent account of the sorrows you all have experienced. All our own circle and others of the brethren read it with great interest. You could give first-hand information of all, but especially of dear Mr. Hamilton’s departure to be with Christ, for you were with him and served him as his end in the testimony here came.
All that you wrote of him is most assuring that the Lord ordered all for him and Mrs. Hamilton and indeed for you all. Phil, Aunts Minnie and Beccie and all of us were comforted indeed that such mercy was experienced. We are thankful, too, for the arrangement enabling Harold and Anna to reside at Elmwood Avenue, and we trust God will bless them together. The house has always been open to the brethren and hence an advantage to the testimony and I hope strength may be given to all to continue this great service.
What you wrote as to the other sorrow — so very different — enabled me to see the position quite clearly. The sin exposed had the character of the betrayal of a trust in addition to the common stamp on it — that of moral uncleanness — for Mr. H——— had a leading position among the saints, making the offence more serious.
The facts you mention hardly give assurance that the root of the sin was reached. Where two or more are involved sin has more power, for Satan fills their hearts — attacking the testimony. Acts 5 shows the working of sin when collusion [p. 147] exists. In the present case sin worked against the Lord, against another husband and wife and against the assembly. The fact that at first there was denial of sin and that confession came only when undeniable testimony came forward causes serious doubt as to whether the whole truth is admitted. But by this time God may have worked so that roots have been reached. I earnestly trust so, and my prayers go up.
Aunt Gena and I feel much the illness of Arthur Hamilton and we earnestly hope he is steadily improving. We sympathise much with him and Hilda and Mrs. Hamilton, also Mr. and Mrs. McBride. Please convey this to them. The most recent news — through a letter from Mrs. Lyons to her son Arthur — is good, but we fear recovery was still a good way off. But there is much prayer which God hears.
The work of God in America it quite cheering, especially in this district. There is much too to cause exercise and special prayer, for the enemy ever harasses the saints, but the Lord gives victory and the truth gains.
We trust Sadie and the children are well, also all at Elmwood Avenue. No doubt you hear from your dear father and mother. We trust they keep well.
We unite in love to all.
Affectionately,
Uncle James.
PS — The gaps made in the ranks in Belfast need filling: we are thinking of you in this respect. As we see the need and seek to meet it, God is with us. — U.J.