DECEMBER 8TH, 1937
DECEMBER 8TH, 1937
Mr. F. Ide.
Beloved Brother, — It is a good while since I heard from you, but a letter from Mrs. Ide to my wife has just come and we are glad to have it. We follow with much interest all the news of your recent movements and thank God for the liberty given you in the service you are able to render to His people. We trust He will give you grace and strength to continue.
Mr. Elliott wrote lately of the Depot and I rejoice with you all in the manifest blessing of God on the service you are engaged in, and pray that it may increase “more and more”. The new premises are evidently suitable in every way and will, I have no doubt, greatly facilitate the work.
Lately there has been much cheer in these parts. The usual ‘Thanksgiving Day’ meetings at Plainfield — one of which you helpfully attended — were extended irregularly to six days. That is, Plainfield, Cranford, the city, Flemington, the last being our usual monthly reading at Brooklyn. Devenish and Pittman (Toronto) were here and helped much. At Council Bluffs with P.L., Dean and others were able to help. The usual meetings were held at the same period and we have cheering reports.
My wife and I hope to sail for Jamaica on the 15th inst., returning, please God, late in January. Our new room is proving useful in every way, especially for our monthly readings. It accommodates about 400 and has good facilities in every way. It is heated with oil. In spite of real difficulties with the brother who superintended the work, God has given His people what they need.
[p. 106] There is no change in Westfield, only we learned lately that Mr. S——— and his family have joined the Presbyterians. ———’s daughters and others attend our meetings, but in the attitude of ill-treated ones. ——— wrote me lately in a critical spirit — no sign whatever of repentance for wrong in himself. The meeting there is markedly sustained of the Lord.
My wife and I are booked to sail for England on the Queen Mary, April 6th. The Lord permitting, our thought is, as arriving at Southampton on Monday the 11th to go to Bournemouth for the Tuesday, then go to you on the Wednesday, with a view to motoring — if this is convenient to Mrs. Ide and you — to Coniston for meetings on Good Friday and then go to Belfast on the Saturday. We have suggested to Mr. Malpas to motor us to Teddington on April 13th, so as to save you going south.
As regards Ireland, our thought is to visit Londonderry, Sligo, Ratharney, Dublin, and Annalong. I had a most cheering letter from Mr. W. Wyatt, urging a visit, also letters from Londonderry and Annalong.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. Ide and you and all yours, also to the brethren.
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.