BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 6TH, 1943
BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 6TH, 1943
Mr. Alfred J. Gardiner.
Beloved Brother, — I was indeed cheered by your letter of June 16th accompanying the circular letter relative to the fund administrated by yourself and others.
All you wrote as to the work of God was, I need not say, interesting and cheering. Later letters, especially one from dear Mr. Spiller, afford further encouragement, for which the brethren generally and myself are most thankful.
In this country the brethren are, under God, held in steady interest in the truth and in the enjoyment of much edifying fellowship. There has been, however, much illness, especially in some active in the Lord’s service. Among these are A.
[p. 326] Robertson who has had a mild stroke. He is steadily improving, however. Dr. Stollery is affected nervously, but he is better. A. B. Parker is also physically weakened, but is now able to be about and he attends meetings, etc. Mrs. L. E. Samuels, as you may soon hear from others, the Lord has taken. She was a valued sister and served the Lord and His people well. Her husband is well sustained and no doubt will be blessed through his affliction. All these and other similar sorrows have had a sobering effect on the saints. Our brother Roy Hibbert of Calgary has been under a severe operation lately and we are awaiting tidings of the result, assured that he will be raised up through the mercy of God.
My wife and I visited western Canada and certain places in the United States, especially to attend Labour Day meetings in Vancouver. Much ground had to be covered, but we had much mercy from the Lord throughout and gain in every way.
The Vancouver meetings were well supported indeed. We considered the book of Esther at the readings. There was much happy fellowship and a good number of saints attended. The Spirit helped us at the readings. There was much that bears on present exercises. We returned to New York about the middle of September.
Tonight I am leaving for similar meetings at Toronto. The school in which the meetings were to be held has suddenly become unavailable, and hence the brethren are obliged to restrict the readings to brothers, and this is causing inconvenience and disadvantage otherwise; but I am assured the Lord will overrule. A.E.M. is to be at Winnipeg at the same time. He was at Detroit at the time of the meetings at Vancouver, where the Lord helped.
About the 22nd inst. there will be meetings at Council Bluffs, where I hope to be. And late in November I hope to attend the usual meetings at Indianapolis. There was a lapse in these meetings for a good many years, but lately they were revived and the Lord has blessed them. A good few have been added there during the last two years — much needed as numbers had been reduced, largely through government requirements.
The brethren in these parts think much of those in London and in Great Britain generally and our prayers are steady. Since your letter was received we have not heard of the fund and I am sure the brethren will be thankful for tidings. We [p. 327] have gathered that need is not so extensive as it was earlier. Colonel Hoare was with us last evening and we hope to meet him at Toronto. His visits to the United States are much fewer than they have been. We regret his wife’s health is not too satisfactory. We trust Mrs. Gardiner and you all keep well in the mercy of God. With our united love in Christ to you all and to the brethren, I am,
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.