BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 24TH, 1922

BROOKLYN, N.Y., OCTOBER 24TH, 1922

Mr. W. G. Hardwick.

My Dear Brother, — I am glad to have your letter of the 16th. First I wish to say that I am very sorry to know that Mrs. Hardwick is in poor health and I earnestly hope she is steadily recovering and that she will soon, through God’s mercy, be able to resume her place in, your house again. The people of God have been much afflicted during the past year through ^[p. 193] sickness and evidently you are coming in for your share. I trust Mrs. Hardwick and you all may gain through the exercise. I have been laid up myself for a while, but I am better, thank God. My wife also keeps well.

As regards J.D. I can understand your exercises, but I think he should not be in any way hindered in his ministry. As you will remember, I had considerable intercourse with our brother last year. We talked over matters of difference freely and he told me that he saw where he had given occasion for complaint and that he was willing to submit to the judgment of his brethren and was ready to profit by their counsel. In view of all this I saw that our brother could be left in the Lord’s hands. I have not heard anything from him directly since, but I know of nothing to change my view. My fear throughout has been that certain ones in his vicinity would make J.D. more than he wished to be, and this, to say the most, can but hinder and becloud both themselves and him. But undue severity as to a brother is not far removed from undue admiration.

I hear nothing of W. Edwards now. Just this week, however, I saw a letter from our brother Coulson (if I spell his name correctly) saying that about ten sympathise with him and that some of the younger ones are drifting into the sects, and that he (C.) was standing alone. There was no evidence of any sorrow. Thus the enemy’s advantage through W. Edwards’ error. May the Lord deliver them all!

My wife joins in love in the Lord to you and your family and the brethren.

Affectionately in Him,

James Taylor.