APRIL 22ND, 1940
APRIL 22ND, 1940
Dr. Arthur Morford.
Beloved Brother, — I have been rather long in replying to your letter of February 3rd, but my hands have been very full. I have been pressed to complete the revision of the Sydney and French Notes, meetings of last year. Besides this, the Notes of the readings here on ‘The Lord’s Coming’.
All the items of news you sent were very interesting to us and we thank you for them.
As regards a visit to your side this year, I am still uncertain, but we are waiting on God about it. I have a great desire to share a little with the brethren of the pressure they are experiencing.
I am hoping to visit Winnipeg next month for special meetings beginning on the 24th of that month, and later to attend meetings at Rochester; that is, at the end of the month. I am also committed to the meetings at Detroit in September, God willing, but July and August are open, and I am waiting on the Lord for guidance as to whether I should cross the Atlantic during those months.
Mr. Ide has been labouring in the West, and we hear very good reports of him. We expect him here next week, but he will remain only a short time.
[p. 178] I note your reference to the brethren who are called to serve in the army. There has been much correspondence, and I note a failure in some to recognise the responsibility of brethren called up to do what they can conscientiously for the government. The government, including all its departments, should not be regarded as the world. It may be largely characterised by worldly ways, and influence, but abstractly it is of God; and it is important that Christians should bear testimony to this at the present time. The army is as essential to the government as any other department, and should not be treated with disrespect. It is “the sword” of Romans 13; and government, as provisionally ordained of God in view of the testimony of this dispensation, cannot be maintained without it. The intelligent believer understands how to distinguish as regards himself, that he cannot use violence, especially in the taking of human life, but this does not preclude his serving the government in non-combatant work with a good conscience.
“But and if thou canst become free, use it rather” (1 Corinthians 7: 21) is often quoted, but applied to this matter it would mean that the government releases one on truthful testimony from him. If it does release him from its own side on the testimony he renders as before God, then, of course, he can accept the liberty with thankfulness. Subdivision B of Section 5 seems a reasonable outlet for brethren in view of the moral side, for they would, in taking work contemplated there, undoubtedly come in contact with less that would tend to damage their souls than they would in army surroundings.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.