BROOKLYN, N.Y., FEBRUARY 5TH, 1945
BROOKLYN, N.Y., FEBRUARY 5TH, 1945
Mr. Harold J. Hutchings.
Beloved Brother, — I am in receipt of your letters of February 6th and 17th and enclosures and I thank you for sending information of the occasion of sorrow which has come upon the dear brethren in Argentina. I had earlier heard of it through Mr. John Holder.
The idea of addition being somewhat stressed in Acts 2 implies that it is a principle entering into the formation of assemblies. It necessitates history — as to what was added to and what was added. Clearly the former has a certain precedence, morally and historically. To make application of the principle one would need to know something of the history of the work of God in Argentina, particularly the gatherings in Buenos Aires and Rosario. This should include the present moral condition of each in spiritual intelligence and weight generally. The knowledge of these facts would enable one to judge as before the Lord of the importance of the letters written by the brethren at Buenos Aires to the brethren at Don Bosco and the letter written by the brethren at Rosario to the brethren at Don Bosco.
According to the principle of addition, it is clear that Buenos Aires has the first consideration. The brethren there are bound to seek to determine as before God whether those at Don Bosco, to whom they are nearest, are morally fit to be added to them and to all the assembly. Normally, their judgment as to this should be accepted by all the gatherings, for fellowship is general as well as local.
The fact, however, that some of those who should be included [p. 364] in the gathering at Don Bosco object to being linked with them raises an issue and this must be considered by brethren further off. That is, we must revert to the principle of adding, and whether Buenos Aires has moral weight to judge as to whether Don Bosco is in a fit state to be added to Buenos Aires. As they have decided that it is not, and as others who ought to be heard believe it is, there is danger of cleavage, and hence scattering. Thus it is clear there ought to be patience and waiting; for we cannot afford to lose any of our brethren.
This is what is advocated in the letter from Rosario, and the question is thus raised whether their advice is worthy of being bowed to. As I said, I cannot warrant this on account of ignorance of the history of the work in Argentina, but from what I do know, I believe it is. I deduce this from the generally known facts that there are three meetings in Rosario and that at least one of the brothers who signed the letter to Don Bosco is one of the first-fruits of Argentina — Mr. A. E. Holder. I am assured that I am not mistaken as to this. I understand he is Mr. Holder, Snr., with whom I became acquainted in England in earlier days and I greet him in the Lord through you, as you may see him.
Having written above basically, I would now remark on the attitude of Mr. C——— , the brother and his wife and another sister, standing apart from the group in Don Bosco. According to the facts furnished, they give no valid reasons for their aloofness. Can they not see their way to change their minds and seek their brethren, joining with them in the professed fellowship of Christ’s death? This obviously would go a long way in the adjustment all round that is so urgent.
As regards your ‘immediate exercises’, what I have said covers some of them, especially ‘the necessary elements for a local gathering’. Conditions at Pentecost are intended to furnish these. It is true that a metropolitan assembly is in mind rather than many, but the main general assembly features are there, although further features were added by Paul. The epistles to Corinth indicate the characteristic features of the assemblies set up through Paul’s ministry. They do not, however, provide for elders, but these are seen in the epistles to Timothy, Titus and elsewhere. Although there are no elders formally established now, care of the assemblies is an essential provision, and hence the setting up of one requires it to some extent. It is not a question of gift, but the spirit of care, which, as you suggest, ‘should become manifest as the saints go forward in dependence on the Lord’.
As to enquiry No. 2, the usual and wise procedure is to acquaint nearby meetings of the intention to begin and await their reply. This is obviously right, according to the instruction of Acts 2, as pointed out above. Inquiries Nos. 3 and 4 contemplate rare occurrences. I should not attempt to answer them in the abstract. You do not furnish concrete cases.
In conclusion I would say that the situation in Argentina is not marked by wicked acts or attitudes and hence all concerned should wait — Jacob says, “I wait for thy salvation, O Jehovah” — and this will afford opportunity for counsel, visiting each other, etc., etc. Grace is on the throne and love added will find a way out of the difficulty. It never fails.
With love in the Lord to you and your house and to the brethren, as you have opportunity to convey it.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.