BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 17TH, 1940
BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 17TH, 1940
Beloved Brother, — I wish to thank you for your letter of the 17th ult., with money order for £10 enclosed. I am touched that the dear brethren in London should think of me in this way, and I am sure you will convey my hearty thanks to them. That you all continue to maintain circulation in this practical sense in relation to the other features of the service of God notwithstanding the heavy pressure upon you is cause of deep thanksgiving to us all here.
On receipt of your letter the hearts of us all were moved in sympathy with Mrs. Evershed and her family, and I cabled you to convey this to our sister. We have had several other reports of the departure to be with Christ of our beloved brother, all expressing peculiar sorrow. My wife and I well remember being entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Evershed. It would seem that the shock of the explosion overcame our brother. What a sudden sorrow for his dear wife! We all feel it intensely.
It is difficult, dear brother, to convey what is in my heart as to you all in London, but uninterrupted pain is experienced and I am crying to our God continually for you. The circumstances are so extraordinary that God has a great end in them. My comfort this week has been that if a sparrow falls not without Him, what is happening to you all is fully measured by Him and it will not go beyond the bounds He has set. We also have been comforted in looking at Genesis 31 and 32 — God’s care of Jacob, guarding him from threatened damage.
Letters received today, including one from Mr. Gardiner and one from Mr. Spiller, are most cheering as showing how God is protecting and helping you all. It is to us truly wonderful, and our hearts go up in praise to God. Surely He is bringing out what He knows to be in His people. That the meetings in the city and district go on as you mention is a further cause of thanksgiving.
As to the general position, of course Great Britain is at war and the government is determined to go through with it, knowing what is involved, and the damage to London will be a relatively small cost if it prevents a German victory. People here marvel at what Britain is doing, but I humbly believe God has a hand in it, and have liberty to pray and give thanks accordingly. If His testimony is to continue a little longer there will certainly be restraint of the terrible uprising, which I look for; but if not, the Lord will come for the assembly — glorious prospect!
We have just returned from Toronto where the Lord gave a good time. A very good number attended from meetings in Canada and the U.S.A. and we looked at Acts 1: 21, 22, as exemplified in Matthew’s gospel. A cable was sent to Stow Hill Depot by the brethren who came together expressing our sympathy with our suffering brethren.
Generally in these countries the Lord is helping the saints. They are much together in heart, the pressure upon us promoting sympathy and affection for one another. This applies in this district. The sorrow in Westfield remains, I grieve to say.
As well as visiting Toronto we saw the brethren at Montreal and on our way from Toronto had two meetings at Rochester, cheered by the work of God in both places. Toward the end of November I hope to attend meetings at Council Bluffs, and in December at Chicago. I have also committed myself to attend the special meetings in Auckland in October — 1941 — God willing, and last week I had a cable from Sydney suggesting that I visit Australia before New Zealand, starting at Easter. I do not see my way to undertake this. Were the way open my desire would be to visit Great Britain. All is in God’s hands.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. ——— and you and your children, and to all the brethren.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.