BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 31ST, 1939

BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 31ST, 1939

Mrs. H. P. Wells.

My Dear Mrs. Wells, — As we know how heavily you have been pressed on account of your great sorrow, my wife and I waited a little before writing to express our deepest sympathy with you all. Perhaps you will kindly convey it specially to Mr. Wells.

I cabled Stuart to convey our feelings to him and both families. Joan had a large place in our hearts and hence we were specially grieved when the sad news came; and we were grieved on Stuart’s account particularly as knowing how suitable to each other they were, and how attached, and hence how terrible the wrench must have been to him.

No doubt the Lord has come definitely to his side, pouring in grace and comfort so that he is steadied and able to survey the new ground on which he has entered; that his faith is not shaken, but rather stronger than before; knowing that his loved one is safely housed with Him whom she loved and served here, that she is with Christ which exceeds even her happy lot on earth.

The shock to you, Mr. Wells, and all your family must have been very great; the suddenness of dear Joan’s departure to be with the Lord and the circumstances of it made the sorrow peculiarly keen. But your answer “in the secret place of thunder” has come and will come. In drinking these bitter waters you all will in time enjoy all the more how death has been changed by Christ’s entrance into it. The type says the wood was cast into the waters, it was at the will of Another ^[p. 150] and that to taste death. In the language of Scripture your beloved daughter has “died”, but in this experience she has not seen nor tasted death, for she is “asleep through” — instrumental — “Jesus”.

We trust the dear babes are doing well through God’s mercy. We are not sure as to whether they are with you in Leamington.

My wife unites in warm love in Christ to you, Mr. Wells, Stuart and all.

Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.