BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 27TH, 1935

BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 27TH, 1935

Mr. W. S. Spence.

Beloved Brother, — While visiting the brethren on the Pacific Coast, I learned of your great sorrow, and now that I have returned to New York I send a line to express to you and your dear children the deep sympathy of my wife and myself. We were distressed when we heard that your beloved wife was taken from you and now seek, as before God, that your sorrow may be turned into joy. He will work for you three in this way, but in the meantime His thought is that the sorrow may be felt.

As you will be aware, I know something of your present feelings and I know too, how the Lord comes in in such circumstances. There will be the pressure of loneliness and a void, which seems impossible to fill; but He who causes it intends to fill it, and will do so as His adjusting process is permitted to proceed. John 11 shows this both in Martha and Mary. Christ came into the vision of the former as He had not been hitherto apprehended before Lazarus was raised. She came into the light of “the Christ, the Son of God, who should come into the world”. Adjustment is constantly needed by us and the sorrow of bereavement effects excellent soil for this.

^[p. 6] At a funeral last week, in Los Angeles — sister-in-law of Mr. Fleming of Coniston — I was impressed with the thought that Sarah died at Hebron — the purpose of God is sure and the burial place has this in mind. Then stress is laid on the years of the life of Sarah. You will now be reverting to the life of your dear one.

May the Lord bless you all in this sowing time!

With much warm love and sympathy from us both,

Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.