BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 12TH, 1941
[p. 216] BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 12TH, 1941
Mr. George Spiller.
Beloved Brother, — Your letter of January 31st came in due course — mail takes about a month — and interested my wife and me and all the brethren most deeply. I also received your cable telling of Mr. Ball’s departure to be with Christ. Thanks for all this good service.
Mr. Ball will indeed be missed. He had developed into ripe manhood and was a marked helper in the service of God. But all is well with him; he shall go out no more. Poor Mr. W——— ! But all is well with him also. I am so thankful to hear of some movement in his brother. We read of those who wash their robes and make them white. I trust our brother will go the whole way in this sense, so that he may be holily and happily with his brethren.
I understand considerable sums through the bounty of the brethren in Great Britain, Australasia, South Africa are available for the help of brethren rendered needy by the raids. The brethren in this country and Canada are responding well to this call and I am sure God is glorified in it. As the actual needs are indicated, there will, I am sure, be a steady stream of supply. The gatherings in this country are sending through New York — our brother Mr. Pfingst — to save cable rates, and those in Canada are sending direct, as funds cannot be sent through New York. I visited Somerville, Massachusetts, last weekend and was touched to note their special collection on Lord’s Day for brethren in Great Britain was over £50 (over $200). Those breaking bread are less than 40 and only one or two families earning above the ordinary. They had sent a smaller amount earlier. I believe God is working peculiarly in His people, reviving in a little way early conditions. How blessed to have the testimony that we please God!
We have been comforted in noting that during this year raids have been lighter, but we were grieved today by hearing of another bad one on Portsmouth. That the wonderful protection of God that you all have hitherto proved was again vouchsafed is our earnest hope, and our fervent prayers go up in view of possible further attacks. I have steady assurance that God is helping the British government and I believe the remarkable support the government of this country is obtaining [p. 217] from the people is a sign of God’s hand, too. In looking over the history of government as among the nations I have been struck with the much favourable contact there has been between it and God’s people. It is remarkable that God told one ruler that one of His people in his kingdom was a prophet and would pray for him.
Interest in the truth in this country and Canada is steadily cheering. The brethren are constantly arranging special meetings and attending them. There are many in prospect now — Knoxville, London, Ontario, Winnipeg, Rochester, three days each, between the end of this month and the end of May. My wife and I hope to set out for New Zealand in August, attending special meetings in Vancouver and other places en route to Los Angeles, where we are to sail for Auckland on September 16th. We are urgently looking to God as to this extended undertaking.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.