BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 1940
BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 1940
Mr. Alfred Helen.
Beloved Brother, — We are all most cheered for we can see that our God is helping His people, the heavy pressure upon them bringing out the fragrance which His work in them affords. He knew it was there and hence causes or allows this terrible north wind that it might blow forth.
Since you wrote, of course, the worst has been happening, especially in the London area, and our hearts have been torn because of it, and our prayers bear you up incessantly. We have tidings from different parts up to September 15th, and our souls are comforted and stimulated by the evidence the letters contain of the spirit of Christ in His own as “killed all the day long”. Spiritual history is being made and formation for eternity taking place — all in view of the great presentation above.
There is a dual conflict; that of the nature of flesh and blood, concerning which we may pray steadily, that God’s will may be done; and the war with principalities and powers in the heavenlies, in which the people of God have direct part. They act on each other and in the latter God is giving victory — it is conquering through Him that has loved us. As to the physical side, since the evacuation from Belgium I have been assured that God was helping the British Government, and my prayer is steadily on this line in view of the testimony.
That some of our brethren have been killed in the north of Scotland, as we hear, and that some have sustained severe property loss is sorrowful indeed, and our prayers go up, but in a broad view, this will not cause undue distress. The terribleness of the attack and the inscrutability of God’s ways will be owned. Besides the general preservation of the saints from bodily harm is such as to cause profound thanksgiving. As we take the attitude of suffering we shall not be surprised as it comes and we have victory in it. The closing verses of Romans 8 are most comforting. Death is working in our [p. 200] brethren in Great Britain and I have no doubt life, as a consequence, is working in our brethren elsewhere. You all are in the front of the conflict and the whole assembly is gaining.
We have thought and spoken much of Mr. and Mrs. Ide and you all and the shelter, assuming that under God it is serving well. It is godliness for brethren to take all possible precaution against damage.
There is much encouragement in America. The saints are much together. We hope to leave tomorrow for Montreal and Toronto for special meetings. Then we hope to be at Council Bluffs in November and Chicago in December.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.