BROOKLYN, N.Y., FEBRUARY 17TH, 1937
BROOKLYN, N.Y., FEBRUARY 17TH, 1937
Beloved Brother, — I duly received your letter of December 14th, ult. and read it with interest. As far as I can gather I am in agreement with your general thought as to service Godward in the assembly. The danger in this matter, as in others, is to be too rigid and to bring what is entirely spiritual down to the compass of the natural mind. There is also the danger of dividing service in the assembly too much into sections, as it were. Whereas there should be full scope for divine activity, bearing on actual conditions existing.
If the state of the brethren is normal, they should proceed at once to the breaking of bread, for that is what they have come together to do. A song of praise to the Lord at the outset is very appropriate and acceptable to Him. The Supper in its two parts is required for the full thought of memorial, which was in the Lord’s mind in its institution. And this should lead to the recognition of the Lord in the midst, and His own affections for the assembly, in answer to which He looks for suitable response from those gathered. There should certainly [p. 70] be full scope for this, for in the future He presents the assembly to Himself glorious. In connection with this, there is the thought of His mediatorship and He will bring God in as presented in the cup. Thus, free and with Him intelligently, He will lead us on to the family and eternal thoughts.
If, however, the state of the meeting is low, the Lord would have, perhaps, to reprove us through a word given. We see in Luke 24 how His presence caused dismay in the meeting, and so He had to adjust the saints. In principle, there is nothing to hinder a word of ministry at any part of the assembly service; normally it would stimulate, but it requires wisdom on the part of one who ministers so that what he presents would help rather than interfere with the service.
As regards hymns, I observe that these are now used too sparingly, and many excellent hymns for the assembly are becoming obsolete, brethren fearing to give them out as unsuitable. The Lord, however, will correct all this in time and make room for the free use of what is provided in our hymnbook for the service of God. But there are very few hymns which convey the idea of the covenant.
As regards prayer meetings, the apostolic usage shows that “God”, “God and Father” and “Lord Jesus Christ”, may be used in addressing divine Persons. In general, Scripture would encourage our addressing God the Father. But, of course, it also requires that we should address the Lord Jesus directly.
I hope what I have written may be of service to you.
With love in Christ, I am,
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.