MAY 5TH, 1936
MAY 5TH, 1936
Mr. R. Peart.
Beloved Brother, — Having seen a copy of the letter written by brethren at Jarrow to those-at Wallsend dated February 25th, I send a line to say that I am thankful that you could thus write. Your comments on Deuteronomy 21 are according to truth and I am assured that our brethren generally will in time own this; indeed the position in Newcastle is much clearer in the minds of the saints than it was nine months ago, which shows unmistakably that God is working towards the solution of this sorrowful matter.
The fact that the brethren at Wallsend are not practically according to those at Wesley Street which is due, does not at all minimise the responsibility of the rest of us to recognise it: this is obvious. Thus Israel’s elders and judges are still in the attitude of having of having gone forth and that of the priests as having “come near”. Wallsend having failed to act as priests and speak thus for all Israel does not imply that the principle of the nearest city cannot be operative. The priests have already drawn near and spiritually this is how it works out. It may be immediately through those at Jarrow or other nearby meetings, but it is the obligation of the saints generally to recognise — not only in word but in practice — the rights of the saints in Wesley Street, also the Lord’s rights in them.
At the meeting of brothers in the district in September, Wesley Street’s rights were verbally owned and any further [p. 33] enquiry should start with this fact. If brothers come to see that failure to own practically the manifest rights of their brethren is unrighteous, the seriousness of our position will be apparent. It is important to keep clearly in mind that brothers in the Newcastle district coming together to make enquiry or take counsel is a priestly matter, not an ecclesiastical one, and it owns the principle of proximity. Some, I understand, have quoted me as saying that a district meeting is unscriptural but this — whatever the quotation-could refer only to assembly status; brothers in a district coming together as spiritual — as priests — to enquire or take counsel, is scriptural.
I have in mind to visit your district, God willing, after the meetings at Glasgow, but only for a day or so — for want of time.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.