MARCH 18TH, 1948
MARCH 18TH, 1948
I am sorry my letter has been interrupted as my health has been unsatisfactory and I have been trying to keep up with the meetings, and so I had to leave off the completion of my letter to you until now. I note that you are now in South Africa and that you hope to remain there until June. When you wrote to me I gather you had in mind that the meetings in London would be held as anticipated, but you will now be aware that I feel unable to undertake them as my health does not admit of this, but I have accepted an invitation for next year. This, however, will be entirely dependent on the state of my health at that time.
Resuming the subject of the Spirit, I would add that Numbers 21: 16 - 18 is of prime importance, as already alluded to, and what the Lord says in John 10: 34 - 36 applies also to the reference to the Spirit in Numbers 21: 16 - 18 — “the scripture cannot be broken”. What is said in the Notes as to Ezekiel and Genesis 24 is also important in the development of the truth in the service of God. We should not ignore what Scripture states on any subject, especially when it speaks of divine Persons.
It was said at Newcastle that speaking to the Spirit is very rare in Scripture; but it is there, as said above, and this should be honoured, not feared. John 16: 13 shows how lowly the blessed Spirit is, but if Scripture shows, as it does, as we have seen, that He is spoken to, brethren should observe this, and the Spirit Himself will not fail to instruct them as to how to use what is said to Him.
The Lord, I believe, will help us all to look into the matter of the Spirit more carefully in the full light of what Scripture [p. 401] says. Scripture, as I intimated, requires that there should be speaking to the Spirit, but our minds have generally been adverse to this, and as the Lord may give further light as to it, the Spirit will help us to treat the matter accordingly. But from what I said, I believe you will agree that the language used in Newcastle is intelligible and admissible. It will become, however, a question of brethren being governed by the liberty they may have in their souls in the service of God, and this may require patience on the part of all of us and yet not forget what the Lord says in John 10. In the meantime I should be thankful if you are free to write more fully. Our prayers will be going up for you in your service in South Africa. My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. Gardiner and yourself, Dr. Elliott and all the brethren.
Affectionately yours in Him,
James Taylor.
PS — I have agreed, God willing, to attend the special meetings at Rochester in May; this being so near I feel the Lord will help me to take some of the readings at least, and perhaps one of the addresses. — J.T.