MAY 5TH, 1941
MAY 5TH, 1941
Mr. F. Ide.
Beloved Brother, — I have been wishing to write you since receiving Mr. Helen’s letter telling of your illness. We are very grieved, but greatly relieved that your health was again normal before Mr. Helen wrote. Our prayers have ascended for you and Mrs. Ide in a special way, and we trust there has [p. 222] been no relapse, so that you are quite well now — through the mercy of God. Mr. Helen’s letters were read with deepest interest, as giving so much detail of the experiences of you all. I do not think we shall be called to pass this way again and hence the great educational experiences which our God is causing us to pass through. In a sense, I am ashamed to say ‘we’ for literally we in this country are far beyond the reach of the actual cause of the suffering, but really we are in the suffering, for we — my wife and I at least — are so bound up with our dear brethren in Great Britain in a personal sense that we feel we are part of you all in it. Of course, all here have the same sympathetic feelings, but ours are peculiarly so.
But looking at the whole position constantly — I trust as before God and making room for His Spirit — I can see His hand and that He will make way for His people and for further testimony through them. If, however, the man of sin is manifested, all will soon be over, he and the false prophet being cast alive into the lake of fire — we having been translated to heaven: glorious prospect! It is “ordered every way and sure” but I have the feeling that there will be restraint and so a further space for testimony.
There is remarkable interest in America. Special meetings have been recently held in Knoxville, London, Calgary, Victoria and the Lord opened His hand in blessing. Now we are looking forward to Winnipeg and Rochester, this month; and in July — Montreal, Minneapolis, Berkeley, etc., besides many afternoon and evening meetings. The Lord is blessing these meetings and there are quite a few brethren now who can take a lead in them. The same is true on your side. We have been obtaining information through Mr. Wells and others; Mr. Wells seems a provision for the saints. His letters are cheering peculiarly in this respect. He has been under much pressure in business matters, but his letters are always full of care for the saints and the things of God generally. They are peculiarly stimulating, for which we thank God.
The pressure and suffering of the moment have brought out what is of God in His people and this is peculiarly pleasing to Him. Letters from your side are full of testimony to this and cheered our hearts much. It is a painful, but truly wonderful time, and it is imperative that we should not miss the gain there is in it for us. It is a momentary light affliction which works for us an eternal weight of glory.
[p. 223] We are much exercised as to New Zealand and cast on God to make our way plain. It looks now as if the Pacific may remain quiet, but those who may cause trouble are so dark that a change may come at any moment. However, I am of the feeling that Japan will keep clear of war with the United States, and if nothing to the opposite occurs during the next two or three months my wife and I purpose being with them in Auckland in October. But it seems the meetings will not take on a general character, such as Sydney, so if the horizon becomes dark our absence will not cause any serious difficulty. P.L., A.M.H., and several others able to help will be there.
I am preparing some MSS. to be printed in New York — for the sake of haste. There is demand for ministry and instead of sending out typed copies on a larger scale it is thought as well to print — perhaps 3,000 copies. Stow Hill will be notified and no doubt some can be used. Price will be high, no doubt.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. Ide and you and to all the family; also to the brethren.
Affectionately yours in Him,
James Taylor.
PS — God’s hand is manifest in the way the leading men of this country are moving as to Great Britain. The same, I think, is to be seen in the African and Eastern areas. — J.T.