APRIL 12TH, 1940

APRIL 12TH, 1940

Beloved Brother, — Before answering E.R.’s enquiry, I had seen the Military Service Act (I have a copy of it) and also considerable correspondence as to it between brothers on your side of the Atlantic. Mr. Wilding had written to enquire also, and lately Mr. Diffey of Salisbury and a brother in Gloucester.

Like yourself, the last two made no specific reference to what I wrote, but simply remarked on the subject in a general way.

In the light of Romans 13 and similar scriptures, including Daniel and Zechariah 6, government in the hands of the powers above us, should not be regarded simply as the world. They are ordained of God and an instructed, exercised believer will be a ‘conscientious objector’ to anything contrary to this (Romans 13: 5). On the other hand, he will object to what interferes with the rights of God, and, knowing the Scriptures, he can name it.

Thus as before the tribunal he will avow his subjection In principle to the government, with the exception that, as a Christian, a follower of Jesus, he cannot disregard His teaching and example — that he must obey God rather than men (Acts 5: 29).

^[p. 176] My exercise is that the young brothers, as before the tribunals should bear testimony to the truth. They are not doing so if they ignore the place God has given to those who rule — the King, his ministers, parliament, etc.; if they object to work required by the government, which they would ordinarily undertake if they needed to do so to earn a living.

I am very sympathetic with the young men, but the ‘present necessity’ is affecting all of us, and God’s hand is surely in it, so that we might be gainers and prove the reality of what He has taught us. The Lord witnessed before Pontius Pilate a good confession and He owned that the Roman governor had power from above. As brothers take this attitude before the tribunals, stating their exercises as governed by the truth, the Lord will stand by them, and there will be testimony. If the chairman, discerning their sincerity, grants them total exemption they can thank God and accept; but this is very different from asking for or claiming total exemption. The latter is not fair, nor the demand of a good conscience before God.

Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.