BROOKLYN, N.Y, JANUARY 29TH, 1937

BROOKLYN, N.Y, JANUARY 29TH, 1937

Mr. Alfred J. Gardiner.

Beloved Brother, — I have to thank you for two letters — September 23rd and January 9th. Both were thankfully received as conveying so much relating to the service and testimony of God.

As to Park Street enlargement, what I heard at Kennington did not quite carry me as to the proposal, but, of course, the local brethren and those in London generally would be more likely to have the Lord’s mind. I am sure He will help you all.

What you say as to prayer to God in our meetings helps me, being confirmatory of what I have for a good while thought. I have noted the comparatively few prayers addressed to the Lord; and yet, of course, the scriptures afford abundant evidence that He should be addressed. Indeed the way the apostles address and speak of both God the Father and Christ at the same time shows how the Persons stood in their minds as co-equal and yet Their respective positions in the economy are owned. In Acts 12 we have the assembly praying to God.

I need not again say how sympathetic I am with Miss Gresswell and the London brethren as to her and your loss in the removal from your midst of Mr. Oliver Gresswell. You will probably know, too, of my special share in the loss, for Mr. Gresswell was always considerate of me, especially as to my bodily needs.

The wish of the London brethren to have a day’s meetings with me is valued, and I shall gladly be with you all as mutual arrangements can be made. For the moment I am unable to ^[p. 61] suggest a date for reasons which I shall later explain, but as soon as the horizon clears I shall let you know.

The facts are that an unsettled condition exists in these parts — particularly the New Jersey district. At Westfield last Monday night three brothers, Messrs. ——— , ——— and ——— ,

were withdrawn from, also those in the meeting who sympathise with them — about twenty in all, the major part of those breaking bread. This is the result of a sad history — and yet remarkable because of the way the Lord turned the battle to the gate, according to what you said at Glasgow — extending back twenty months or more.

Disciplinary proceedings were entered on in June, 1935, against ——— in relation to his visit to Knoxville and Miami sometime previously. The New York brethren — I was in England at the time — wrote to Westfield an indictment of ——— in which were several charges unsupported by proof (New York has since withdrawn their letter owning with sorrow the false charges and other errors) and Westfield received this without protest and read it ‘in assembly’, and proceeded to adjudicate on it, without giving the accused an opportunity to state his side of the matter. The deliberations extended over seven weeks, but ——— was debarred throughout. Then after the case was concluded, ——— being set free formally ‘in assembly’ a group of the brothers at Westfield began to restrict him in his service, locally and generally, saying they were not free, although they fully owned that his status in the meeting was the same as theirs. I had to say to this side of the matter, pointing out to those brothers that they were interfering with the Lord’s right in His service.

Thus matters stood until last summer, when the Lord began to work and New York withdrew their letters as wrong, but Westfield refused to own their part in the evil, while professing to be thankful for New York’s action. Then some brothers at Westfield got light and owned openly their part in the wrong-doings, so that a good proportion of the meeting came round to what is right, but ——— and two other leading brothers persistently refused to acknowledge any wrong, and last week issued a long written statement intended to justify their whole course in the matter — there is not one acknowledgement in it. The few who are with God in the matter saw there was nothing left but to clear the Lord’s name of such a course and attitude of self-will and so they came together ‘in assembly’ and formally withdrew from Messrs. ——— , ——— and ——— , and those who sympathise with them. The Lord supported them undoubtedly and the ‘gate’ was in evidence. They stated at the meeting of withdrawal that usual meetings would, the Lord permitting, be held and they have been allowed to go on in peace so far; indeed under the Lord’s good hand, it does not seem that those withdrawn from will start another meeting immediately. No doubt they will be governed by what may develop. While there is much feeling favourable to them there is no attempt to take open sides with them. The righteousness of the action of withdrawal is so clear that single-eyed persons will not fail to see it. The Lord seems to say to us, “as captain of the army of Jehovah am I now come” (Joshua 5: 14).

From above you will see why I hesitate to make any dates as to my movements. I have booked to sail on the Britannic, May 1st, and the Lord permitting, we shall sail then, but how long we can remain in Great Britain after the Croydon meetings is uncertain. I am assured before the Lord, however, that the position will be clear enough to enable us to remain until August. We value the kind invitation of Mrs. Gardiner and you and shall gladly take advantage of it, God willing. I shall let you know in due course.

My wife unites in love to you all and to all the brethren.

Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.