BROOKLYN, N.Y., JULY 27TH, 1942
[p. 273] BROOKLYN, N.Y., JULY 27TH, 1942
Mr. E. W. Cracknell.
Beloved Brother, — It is a long time since your letter of January 15th reached me but my delay in replying in no way indicates that I did not value it. I have been travelling much and so have been unable to keep up with correspondence. Your letters are always interesting, especially as furnishing news of Portsmouth and the south coast generally.
We are grieved to note that there has been a renewal of bombings in Great Britain, but we fervently hope that the enemy will be unable to attack on any great scale. The dear brethren have suffered much and we earnestly pray that God will spare you all from any further serious sufferings.
The reports we hear from your side recently are quite cheering and we thank God for them. We heard of the large numbers of brethren gathered at Park Street to hear the report of the Tract Depot. One can understand that the brethren around London would attend such a meeting, but that they came from all parts of the country is remarkable, and this shows unmistakably the interest there is in the things of God.
Reports of the Tract Depot and the desire to have it brought back to London causes one uneasiness, especially as it seems that some wish it to be a centre to which they may go to enquire or seek counsel in regard to current matters or emergencies. This is a metropolitan idea that has long since been judged as damaging. The Tract Depot is intended to spread the truth universally through writing and not as a central place of instruction or information. The latter, if taking form, could only interfere with the truth of the temple of God as available in local gatherings. Of course, there is the idea of the wisdom, the gift of government, among the saints, but these should not be centred in any particular place. I earnestly hope the Lord will save the brethren from being diverted from right principles in these matters.
We have had much cheer here and the work of God goes on generally throughout the United States and Canada. Meetings are few as compared with those in Great Britain, but there is remarkable interest manifest, particularly in special meetings. We have had several of these special meetings lately and the Lord has blessed them. My wife and I have been as far as the Pacific coast in the last month, and we found much encouragement of the Lord in trying to serve His people. The [p. 274] Lord has raised up several besides Mr. Myles and Mr. Dean and others known to you, who can take a lead in such meetings. As many as four were held at the same time lately and the Lord blessed His people at all of them.
My wife unites with me in love in Christ to you and yours, and to all the brethren in Portsmouth.
Affectionately yours in Him,
James Taylor.