BROOKLYN, N.Y., DECEMBER 11TH, 1942
BROOKLYN, N.Y., DECEMBER 11TH, 1942
Mr. W. S. Spence.
Beloved Brother, — I am sorry your letter has been so long unanswered but it took a long time to come and since it arrived I have been away from New York visiting meetings in the West and Canada.
My wife and I were very glad to hear from you and Mrs. Spence and we could easily follow all your references to brothers and places and it was cheering to hear of so much blessing and encouragement generally observed in your travels. The Lord has blessed His people much, especially in the United States and Canada in extended special meetings, of which about eighteen or nineteen have been held or are about to be held during the current year. During the fall period good seasons were had in Detroit, Vancouver, Hamilton, Toronto, Council Bluffs, and Indianapolis. During the coming holidays there will be, God willing, meetings of this character at Chicago, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver, and Los Angeles. Quite a few of the younger brothers are now enabled of the Lord to take a lead at such meetings, which, as you know, is encouraging to all, especially those who are older. This important fact, connected with the many in Great Britain and Australasia who are serving, indicates that the Lord intends to continue the precious testimony involved in the present dispensation. This work is in a relatively small way outwardly, but nevertheless of immense importance in a moral sense, especially as showing how He is overcoming, and causing His saints to overcome in spite of difficulties in these last days. May the awakening continue and may we all be heartily available to our Master as He is pleased to leave us down here!
Our brother, Mr. Myles, is finding much liberty in ministry [p. 296] and is blessed of the Lord in it. He spent last weekend with us here and left Wednesday for Montreal. We enjoyed his ministry, and also the ministry of Mr. Joseph Dean who had been with us about a fortnight. He left two days before Mr. Myles arrived. Mr. Dean attended special meetings at Plainfield on Thanksgiving Day where about 600 came together. I was at Indianapolis where the Lord encouraged us much. We had ‘The Anointing’ as our subject at the readings. The Lord is blessing His people in Indianapolis. About nine remarkably good sisters have come into fellowship there during the last year or two and a family of about nine was recently happily restored after a long period of separation from the brethren. There were, however, two recently withdrawn from there causing sorrow.
A good many of our younger brethren in the United States and Canada are now in Service. They are generally bearing a good testimony, but some are under much pressure because of conscience. The military laws of Canada do not provide for conscientious objectors and one of our brothers, I am sorry to say, is at present in prison. On account of this we are all cast upon the Lord and looking to Him to enable the Canadian authorities to follow the example of Great Britain and the United States in this respect. It should be added that the Canadian government allows labour employment in camps for persons who have consciences against taking life, but the tribunals but rarely accept the evidences given of such consciences, so that comparatively few are exempted from military combat. There seems to be no appeal from the decision of the local tribunals. Mr. Myles has been communicating with the authorities and we are looking to God to help so that there may be relief for our young brethren in camps, many of whom have families.
In these parts we constantly remember our brethren in Great Britain in prayer and we feel assured that God is coming in against the awful uprising that has existed for years now, and will grant relief to the nations and especially to His people.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. Spence and yourself and also to all the brethren in your district.
Affectionately yours in Him,
James Taylor.