MELBOURNE, MAY 28TH, 1925
MELBOURNE, MAY 28TH, 1925
Mr. E. McCrea.
Beloved Brother, — It was a pleasure to hear from you and we trust that Mrs. McCrea and yourself continue to keep well, through God’s mercy.
I have been unable to lay my hands on March number of Believer’s Friend, but when I do, I will try to write you. I will also try to look up the letter you mention.
We ever think with pleasure of the happy times spent at your house and in our travels and we are assured that all was of God and had His gracious support and that the links formed will remain. We were distressed to hear of Mrs. A. Suckling’s illness, but we gather she is improving. Dear Mr. House is improving slowly, but steadily, but an operation will be necessary, and of course this is a serious matter, especially in view of his general weakness, but the Lord will help in this as in all else.
The meetings in Australia so far were supported of the Lord.
[p. 209] They were generally large, but the halls were good and generally all heard. This was a signal mercy. The grace of the Lord was specially upon us in Sydney. The personal links formed there are sweet as in New Zealand.
We leave tonight for Adelaide, remaining there until June 2nd and then to Perth. We sail, D.V., on the 8th from Fremantle.
My wife joins in warm love to Mrs. McCrea and yourself and to all the brethren. Please tell Mr. Rowden I will be writing him later.
Affectionately in Christ,
James Taylor.
PS — Since writing this morning I have had opportunity of looking at the papers you mentioned. J.N.D.’s letter (Volume 2, p. 237) is a sober setting forth of the principles that should govern us, I am sure, in regard of the matter in question. Generally, I believe, it is wise to leave all cases of a personal nature in the hands of each meeting. If there is anything flagrant (shown to be such) it must be refused, but this is rare. In the Whangarei case more harm than good has come out of the indirect interference that has taken place. The peace of Auckland has been seriously threatened by it, according to what I hear. The Lord will always come in for adjustment in uncertain cases, and it is infinitely better to leave them in His hand, in connection with those responsible in their localities, than to jeopardise general peace by interference.
The Park Street reading is suggestive — on pages 82, 83 there is a reference to ‘country meetings’ which savours a little of metropolitanism. — J.T.