BROOKLYN, N.Y., MAY 1ST, 1942
BROOKLYN, N.Y., MAY 1ST, 1942
Mr. Francis Willy.
Beloved Brother, — Your letter of December 1st came, having been a long time en route. I was glad to hear from you. Since then there has been much cause for distress, especially in your part of the earth — in our part, too, but more immediately serious in yours. Our prayers have gone up much for our brethren in Australasia and still go up. There is good reason to believe that they with those of all of you and others are being answered.
[p. 264] As regards the delinquencies you mention, the question is how they can be dealt with with actual conscientious feeling and power which assembly action requires, seeing those who would take part hardly know the persons, and can hardly possess accurate information as to the facts. The apostle says, “being such” or ‘such a one’, not having been such, 1 Corinthians 5: 5. What you suggest is a sort of a ‘spring cleaning’ and in the types this is implied, as in 2 Chronicles 29. Also the High Priest cleansed the sanctuary on the day of atonement. But I am doubtful of anything being effective, a long period of time being involved, save by those immediately responsible, i.e., as present in the locality at the time of the sin, for in this dispensation the person is dealt with, not simply the sin abstractly; and he should be seen if possible before a judgment is rendered by the assembly. Leviticus 4, of course, has force, but the above remarks apply — there must be enquiry as to persons directly involved — what is their state now?
I am only remarking on what enters into any particular case, and whether, as taking all into consideration, a judgment can be reached acceptable to heaven.
The case of J.S.G. was dealt with in London, his locality; a judgment was reached there, which was almost universally accepted. I do not think each meeting needed to publicly express a judgment as to it, as if it were a local case. The person was judged and refused as failing to judge himself, and other gatherings kept the unity of the Spirit in identifying themselves with London’s action. The same principle governed Glanton and the other evil uprisings.
The case you mention in Tasmania seems in order (I mean the confession there). The sin was flagrant and the nearest meeting in Victoria to the sinfulness should have sought to reach him. This is always to be observed. God is ever with His people as their exercises are upright and will own and honour their efforts to maintain the order and holiness of His house.
2 Samuel 20 is in keeping with what I have said above — the man was pursued — and slain. In Deuteronomy 21 the dead man is in the field — present evidence of guilt. The murderer is unknown, but the murder is evidenced in the body of the dead man, who is in the field, and the guilt is expiated in the heifer. It is a helpful passage as to local responsibility; but persons are involved — the slain man, the elders of the city,
[p. 265] the heifer too — all bearing on the local position; and then Israel’s elders and judges and the priests representing the universal position.
We are very thankful for a cable from W.J.H. to say that places of meetings were unharmed; also for a cable from Mr. Hills of Tasmania conveying a cheering note — thank God for all.
A cable today from London says brethren all preserved — alluding to recent raids on Bath, Exeter, Norwich and York. Some of the property of the brethren is lost.
We have much cheer from the Lord in these parts — remarkable interest in special meetings, of which there are many.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. Willy, yourself and all yours, also to the dear brethren.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.
PS — Referring to Mark 13: 32 and Revelation 1, I think the former stands. “That day or that hour” is not disclosed in Revelation. Taken with Daniel 9 it helps as to approximation — events following each other, but the day or the hour is not stated, any more than in Daniel and the gospels. It is events which depend as to time on each other: they will be the means of determining the end — this will be by those who are in them. Revelation 11 is plain, but where will the 7th angel sound? — J.T.