BROOKLYN, N.Y., APRIL 14TH, 1953
[p. 418] BROOKLYN, N.Y., APRIL 14TH, 1953
Mr. P. Lyon.
Beloved Brother, — You will be interested, as well as the brethren generally, to hear a little as to my father’s last days amongst us.
Quite recently he took part four times at the Lord’s supper and twice on another occasion. The last time he broke the bread was on February 15th. He went to Westfield on March 15th and took part at the Supper and also at the reading (Romans 12). He returned home before the gospel. At the reading on Lord’s Day, March 22nd, we had Genesis 45, and he repeated “Joseph is yet alive” several times with a strong voice. He was out to the prayer meeting on March 23rd, taking part, and on Tuesday the 24th at the address by Mr. Andrew Robertson at the 125th Street Room (twenty miles away), and at the reading on Thursday the 25th (Psalm 11 and Psalm 12), taking part freely, and on Saturday the 28th at the care meeting, at which he was most anxious to hear everything. The week, the last one for him, was finished, and he in full vigour as to the Lord’s interests, closing the meeting for care with prayer. Then the Lord took him on the Lord’s Day (March 29th), the first day of the week. How like the Lord to honour His servant in this way!
The brethren in the city and district feel the loss keenly, as we know all the brethren do, but are thankful the Lord granted him such a glorious finish in the assembly, taking him to Himself on the Lord’s day following.
With our united love to you both, and to all the beloved brethren.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor, Jr.
Account of the Departure to be with Christ and the Burial Service of Mr. James Taylor Our beloved brother fell asleep through Jesus at about 6.10 p.m. on Lord’s day, March 29th, 1953, at his home in Brooklyn, New York. He was 83 years old. He had been happily free among the brethren during the preceding week, especially so at the care meeting on Saturday evening. During Saturday night, however, he complained of pain and on Lord’s [p. 419] day morning was noticeably unwell. The doctor was called and he indicated that Mr. Taylor’s condition was serious. During the day his condition worsened and breathing became difficult. In the afternoon he seemed more comfortable, and lapsed into sleep at times. It was while asleep that the Lord took him to Himself. Mrs. Taylor and members of the immediate family were present at the time.
The burial service was held in the Nostrand Avenue meeting room at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1st. By noon all seats were filled. There were probably about 750 present, many standing round the perimeter of the room, while others stood in the vestibule or were seated in the basement. Many were present from distant meetings.
The meeting commenced with the singing of hymn 229: ‘When peace like a river attendeth my way’, given out by Mr. E. A. Lyons; Mr. V. C. Lock, of Summit, followed in prayer; Mr. S. McCallum, of Detroit, then spoke, followed by Mr. E. E. Hoyte, a local brother. Mr. A. N. Walker then gave out Mr. Taylor’s hymn — number 350 — and the meeting closed with prayer by Dr. Stollery, of Summit.
About 75 cars proceeded to the cemetery. The number assembled at the graveside was quite large. (Mr. Taylor’s grave is in the Bethany section of Evergreen Cemetery in the plot purchased by him in 1901). A number of brothers were privileged to participate in carrying the body of our beloved brother to its resting place. The service at the grave commenced with the singing of verses 1 - 3 and 8 - 10 of hymn 160, given out by Mr. R. H. Smith, of Cranford. Mr. C. A. Markham, of Cranford, then prayed; Mr. C. H. Howell, of Boston, gave out hymn 113; Mr. A. Robertson gave out hymn 105 next and then Mr. Wragge, of Victoria, gave out hymn 311. Mr. E. A. Lyons then spoke from Genesis 18: 17 - 19; Genesis 49: 33; Genesis 50: 1 - 10. Verses 4 and 5 of hymn 294 were then sung, being given out by Mr. M. Coulter and Mr. L. Wilkinson; then Mr. A. Robertson read John 11: 38; Mr. James Taylor Jr., committed the precious remains to the Lord’s keeping, in prayer and the occasion was concluded by singing verses 4 - 6 of hymn 179, given out by Mr. P. Case, of Flemington. The service at the grave was more extensive than is usual but the brethren seemed loth to leave, being deeply affected by all that had taken place.
A.B.P.