SYDNEY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 1936
SYDNEY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 1936
Dr. R. W. Stollery.
My Dear Bob, — Your letter was very welcome, interesting not only to us but to several others, including Mr. Myles. We have just come from Brisbane where we saw A.E.M. I cabled of his health to New York, but during the last few days he has had somewhat of a set-back, the stitches not healing as expected. His kidneys, too, seemed affected. But [p. 48] the doctor was sanguine. I quite believe he will be out of the hospital soon.
I have been sending word by cable of the work in Australia and no doubt you will have heard of them. Relatively the result of the testimony in this country is as great as in any, much greater than in most. Recently we were at Brisbane, as said above and found much cheer. I am now beginning a fortnight at Sydney — it will be the heaviest, I believe, I have had, but I am assured of the Lord’s help, and the brethren are most sympathetic. On the 14th proximo we hope to sail for New Zealand. There is to be a ‘brother’s conference’ at Wellington toward the end of October. About 50 are attending, God willing, from Australia. A.E.M. wished to be there but is unable to undertake the journey. He will probably return to England from Australia next spring.
I note all your remarks as to Summit and am most thankful for the progress there. We are sorry Mr. B——— is so poorly. I am crying to God that the present widespread exercise in New Jersey and New York may lead to better relations among the dear brethren. The harbouring of personal feelings has been baneful throughout the district. If the principles governing the fellowship are honestly recognised there will be steady deliverance from the sorrowful conditions that have existed.
Recent information indicates that some headway has been made toward adjustment in the special meetings in New York. I pointed out the two serious charges made in the New York letter to Westfield to Mr. S——— , Mr. B——— , Mr. L——— and many others, and it is extraordinary that they were not withdrawn at the time. ——— acknowledged that proof was not furnished, yet they were allowed to remain in the letter, instead of being returned for proof. I had hoped, however, that the Lord would overrule all and that there would be a gradual acknowledgement of the wrong done, and so did not press the matter, although as resident in New York I was immediately responsible. But the course taken at Westfield last winter, supported by some in New York, led me to despair of this and so I gave the address on Priesthood on February 22nd, which bore on the whole position, hoping the brethren would begin to review what had been done and what indeed continued. ——— assured me later that there would be a settlement before I sailed, but this did not prove true, and the Montreal correspondence showed that conditions were becoming worse instead [p. 49] of better; and when I learned that some in New York felt something should be done there in regard to the charges in the letter to Westfield I was thankful, believing the Lord was asserting His rights and would lead to the clearing of His name of the harm done. The charges were solemnly made “in assembly”. Being responsible and being fairly accurately informed as to the whole matter I wrote freely to one and another setting out my exercises and the light — as far as I had it — governing the position. I am somewhat assured in my soul that the Lord is helping and that love of the truth will eventually prevail.
I was most interested in the news of the baptism and W.J.H.’s services generally around New York. Since then I have seen our brother. He was much cheered by his visit to America.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Florence and you and the children; also to all the brethren.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.