GOTHENBURG, NEBRASKA, SEPTEMBER 24TH, 1941
GOTHENBURG, NEBRASKA, SEPTEMBER 24TH, 1941
Mr. Alfred J. Gardiner.
Beloved Brother, — Your letter of July 23rd was much valued.
I am thankful for your remarks as to Auckland meetings, they being confirmatory of my decision. The brethren there have placed them on the basis of postponement, until God makes the way clear. I am accepting this, but I rather think their thought is that if Japan becomes quieted this would remove the obstacle. To my mind the termination of the war and sufficient time for brethren in distant countries to find their way to attend would be necessary, and by that time one would hope that under the ordering of God, a visit to Great Britain would demand consideration.
My wife and I have been moving about in the west since August 16th. We have found much cheer. There can be no doubt that the pressure abroad, under God, has increased interest in the things of God, and this appears generally. The work of God is especially to be noted in men from 30 to 45 with ability to help in the ministry. These I observed in many places. We visited Chicago area, Winnipeg, St. James, Regina, Maple Creek, Calgary, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria, Seattle, Berkeley, Oakland, and Los Angeles; and now we are [p. 241] here, on our return journey, hoping to stop for meetings at Detroit and Rochester. Mr. H. Hardwick arrived here today and we hope to have a season with him before resuming our journey. His brother Walter in Oakland is quite ill, but recovering.
At Vancouver we had special meetings for three days. They were well attended and the Lord helped throughout. At the readings we looked at Job — five readings. As you will understand, the unusualness of such a book for readings occasioned added interest and the Holy Spirit, I am sure, took advantage of this. If the Notes taken turn out fairly good I shall, God willing, try to revise them quickly and send them to Stow Hill.
There were also especially good seasons at Berkeley and Oakland (one place, I may say) and Los Angeles. We had almost a week in each area. Although the latter city is famed for “swine” food, it really is not worse than other large American cities, and God is working there. There are three meetings.
I visited Nanaimo and stayed with the J. Deans. The time was happy. J.D.’s poor son of 45 was almost killed at his work in a mine. There is some recovery, but I cannot say anything of his acknowledgement of God.
We hope to be back in New York in time for the first monthly meeting. A subject has not yet been decided upon.
We are thinking steadily of you all, thankful indeed for the respite God has mercifully granted His people. Our prayers are unremitting.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. Gardiner, your daughters and yourself, also to the brethren.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.