BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 26TH, 1940
BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 26TH, 1940
Mr. L. H. B. Pratt.
Beloved Brother, — My wife and I were thankful to receive your letter of the 29th ult. It was good of you to write so fully, affording us a very descriptive account of the happenings in London and district, and in Great Britain generally that are causing our dear brethren, and men and women generally, so much sorrow.
But your letter and many others which we have received, while drawing out our deepest sympathy, cheer and stimulate us, for we see in them the evidence of God’s work in His people. We thank Him for this, and see in it somewhat of the explanation of what He is allowing, for the endurance manifest in the brethren has been gauged by Him before the enemy was let loose. It corresponds with what the book of Job sets before us. From the outset God, as the blood of Abel testifies, allowed or ordered sufferings in His people. It develops and purifies the gold that He knows is in them. He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver in the process. And the result will be for His glory and our eternal gain. But He is the God of measure and will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.
It is indeed remarkable that the area in which God has furnished in these last days the greatest light and in which, perhaps, there has been the greatest response to it, that He has [p. 204] allowed all this pressure and sorrow. Surely it is no accident, but rather the affliction has fallen where it can be borne to the glory of God. He who has allowed it according to love’s measure can stop it, and He will do so, “when ye have suffered for a little while himself shall make perfect, stablish, strengthen, ground”. That God may support and protect and cause relief to come to our suffering brethren is and will be our constant prayer. In the scourge God has wider thoughts than those covering His people, but they are specially in His mind and He yearns over them and will bring them through to His glory, and at the same time accomplish His wider designs.
The occasions of bereavement touch us much and those mourning have our deepest sympathy. They and we all will not overlook that the loved ones taken are safely housed with their Saviour with whom they all, and we all, shall soon appear in glory in bodies like His.
In the ordering of God the British people — men, women and children — are enduring the hardships of this war and they are causing the world to marvel. Surely many are turning to Him as a Saviour God. In a letter I heard read today I rejoiced to observe that special gospel meetings are being held in Croydon — one of the most dangerous spots. Thank God for the devotedness!
My wife unites in love in Christ to you and your dear wife and children, your father and mother, and to all in Watford.
Affectionately yours in Him,
James Taylor.