MOUNT LAWLEY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUGUST 12TH, 1936
MOUNT LAWLEY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUGUST 12TH, 1936
Mr. E. McCrea.
Beloved Brother, — It is rather late to answer yours of February 15th, but there was nothing specific to reply to, especially as in the meantime there has been cable correspondence with Mr. C. Smith and no doubt you are aware of the programme that has been arranged for me while in New Zealand. I am now looking forward to the fulfilment of this — by the Lord’s help. And not the least to the Wellington part, including the stay with Mrs. McCrea and you. My wife and I appreciate your wish to have us.
We arrived here on the 10th inst. after a somewhat rough voyage from Cape Town. The time in South Africa was most cheering. I found there more than I had expected and our hearts have been going up to God accordingly. There were extended meetings at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Johannesburg and shorter periods at East London and Durban. The Lord wrought in a good few young hearts who have [p. 43] signified their wish to break bread, especially at Cape Town.
Here, Perth, we find an excellent interest and count on the Lord to bless the work to His people.
We leave for Adelaide on the 18th inst., please God. Several are here from the East, including Mr. and Mrs. Joyce and Mr. Ellis.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. McCrea and you and to the brethren.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.
Melbourne, September 8th, 1936 Mr. Arthur P. Taylor.
My Dear Arthur, — I duly received your cable, for which many thanks. I deplore that the brothers you named were ‘adamant’. This will not please God, for impressionableness is imperative, especially when His truth and principles are concerned. I have had no news since your cable arrived and hence assume that no satisfactory result has been reached, so I have had recourse to prayer; and I am assured as in it that God will continue to insist on His truth and rights, and that as the waters wear the stones, He will have His way. This will occasion time and sorrow, and patience must have its perfect work. I am thinking of you all in view of the monthly reading in Brooklyn and earnestly trust there will be help from God. A.F.M. spoke of ‘Peace’ as a subject. If this is adopted I hope righteousness, as the only true basis of it, will be kept well to the front.
The work of God in Australia is most cheering. I cabled to Mr. Elliott of Cranleigh as to Western Australia and requested him to mail copy to New York. I hope he did this. Since then we have been to Southern Australia where we also had a remarkably good time. The effect of the ministry was more apparent in the older ones there and, of course, this is what is especially aimed at; although the interest and results in the young in the west were most touching.
Here (Melbourne) we are in the midst of numbers of saints. Twelve to fourteen hundred attend the meetings, and only the work of the Spirit of God accounts for the interest. His support is also felt throughout. The services of Mr. Hayward [p. 44] and Mr. Lyon were much used here, especially in solving certain difficulties that had long existed; and this excellent result made way for us and hence the much happy participation and large attendance at the meetings. The difficulties I have referred to are not wholly overcome and, of course, they come up from time to time. I have to go softly as to them in view of New York sorrows. I feel it right to tell the brethren something of them and that I am not speaking to them as if I am wholly clear myself. Indeed I say sometimes that I could wish I had opportunity to say in New York with the same force some of the things the Lord has enabled me to say here. The work of God in Melbourne including some fifteen meetings or more is relatively one of the most important I know of, and constantly calls forth thanksgivings to Him. There are visitors here from all parts of the Commonwealth, some also from New Zealand and elsewhere and I am assured the results for good will be widespread. The readings here are in connection with the Living God; the addresses, of course, are varied, largely bearing on local conditions.
This week-end we go to Tasmania, then next Thursday week to Newcastle, then Brisbane, then Sydney, then New Zealand, October 12th, God willing. Mr. Myles has had another operation in Brisbane and is getting on satisfactorily although as yet we have not had details.
I must stop as we are about to start for Harcourt — 80 miles away — for a meeting tonight.
Mother unites in love to Ruth and the children and all.
Affectionately,
Father.