BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 1ST, 1923

BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 1ST, 1923

My Dear Brother, — — Pardon my delay in acknowledging yours, as I have been much pressed.

I am very interested in the enquiry you raise, that of service to the young. There can be no doubt that God was in the effectual protest made some years ago against the extremes to which it had been carried by some; a regular system, corresponding with what was current in the ‘nations’ around, had developed. This was of a piece with the so-called evangelical activity, which at that period had taken the form of a ‘special interest’ with certain ones; the tendency of all being to becloud or ignore the assembly and what Christ was ministering to it. But God came in for His people and brought about deliverance. Since then the truth of the house of God has been much before us, and in connection with this the truth governing the believer’s household. There is scarcely a brother in fellowship now who does not recognise the obligation to the Lord to baptise his household, and correspondingly, the proportion of the children of the saints who turn to the Lord and accept the fellowship of His death is, I believe, much larger than it was in earlier years. Thus we can see that God is helping His people on lines in accordance with His truth and I am sure you will agree that we all should be strenuously on our guard lest we should be diverted or tend to divert others in any way. As for myself, I am wary lest I should say anything that would lead anyone to build again what he once destroyed as not according to God.

But at the same time Scripture remains as our infallible guide, and as we meditate upon it, in dependence on God, ready for adjustment, which we always need, we shall be adjusted, for movement in a rut is always to be avoided, and I do not see why any brother who has ability and exercise to serve the young, should not do so, in subjection to the Lord and his brethren.

The Lord took little children in His arms, and laying His hands on them, blessed them (Mark 10: 13 - 16). He treated them as a class in ordinary growth or development, and He was indignant with those who sought to prevent them coming to Him. Then in raising the son of the widow of Nain and Jairus’ daughter, He used terms denoting that He took account of their age, as young persons. The apostle John wrote to the several grades of the family, as children, young men and fathers. Other scriptures too would show that gradations in age may be recognised in ministry, such as Ecclesiastes 12, and as a matter of fact, every brother who ministers assumes this, for we continually hear the young appealed to, in addresses given by Christians. From what I have written, you can easily decide what my exercises are as to your enquiry and I trust my remarks may be of service to you.

With love in the Lord, I am,

Affectionately yours in Him,

James Taylor.