BROOKLYN, N.Y., JUNE 7TH, 1941
BROOKLYN, N.Y., JUNE 7TH, 1941
Mr. N. B. Stewart.
Beloved Brother, — Your letter of February 18th was duly received and I regret it has remained so long unanswered. I overlooked that you sent it by air mail, indicating some urgency. I have been much away from home and my correspondence is correspondingly behind.
As to city boundaries, I hardly know what to say in addition to what has been current amongst the brethren for many years — as to Sydney, London and many other cities; more recently Adelaide and Auckland. What you mention as observed by you in Scripture is important, affording a good basis for enquiry: population, building, name, history. Formal boundaries, by whomsoever set, are also, of course, most important.
What a city is as before God is to be uppermost in the mind, for the testimony He has rendered to it has this in view. In judgment day this will come out, as we learn in Matthew 11. This involves its beginning and the object in the minds of its [p. 225] founders. God pursues its history, and those who would continue the testimony must observe it; communities absorbed from time to time must share its responsibility before God. The same is true of kingdoms. Revelation 17 shows how Rome from its beginning to its end is regarded by God. Local brethren, as observing divine principles, should be the most competent to determine the limits of a city as before God.
As to ‘mixed marriages’ it is quite true that each has to be considered according to the facts governing it. “In the Lord” must be the test; as soon as the formation of links with a view to marriage begins this test should be applied. As with God, the brethren will soon observe whether disregard of divine authority is at work, and as this is continued, discipline should be resorted to. A formal engagement would be definite ground of action. On the other hand, if the person not in fellowship is manifesting exercises in that direction divine over-ruling would be recognised and no discipline needed. This would be a matter for the brethren to decide. The Lord helps His people as caring for His interests, especially where discernment is needed.
The work of God in America affords much cheer. Several special meetings have been held since late March and there has been distinct blessing from the Lord. The assembly as in the book of Revelation was profitably before us at one, and the assembly connected with the Spirit as seen in the types at another.
The proposed meetings at Auckland and my attendance at them are matters of much concern to me; I am waiting on God as to them.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. Stewart, you and your family, also to the brethren.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.