BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 21ST, 1926
[p. 220] BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 21ST, 1926
Mr. Francis Willy.
Beloved Brother, — Your letter of June 22nd was duly received. I was most interested in all the items of news of the dear brethren in Australia. I am very thankful that your ‘calling’ enables you to visit so many gatherings. This is of the Lord, I am sure, and I trust you will find constant help from Him in your service. The need is great, I need not say. I fear you have found ‘business’ difficult, for the demand for linens does not seem to have improved in Australia; indeed all textile lines are depressed. There is some indication of improvement in this country. Scripture shows that commerce plays a large part in the apostasy, and so it is no doubt a mercy that the Lord’s people are saved, or checked from entering deeply into it at the present time. I can thank God, at any rate, for the exercise caused by the depression to my boys and myself.
I note your remarks as to the Sydney ‘Saturday night’ meeting, which are interesting. As I said in our conversation on the steamer, I believe all matters of administration, discipline, etc., come within the range of that meeting. Of course, general confidence underlies every thing and wisdom would leave matters relative to any subdivision of the ‘assembly’ in Sydney with them as much as possible (except, of course, that all critical matters should come immediately to the care meeting) — for one reason so that the care meeting should not be unduly pressed. “Elders” were appointed for cities as well as for assemblies, and so all matters relative to the government of the assembly in Sydney should come before them; at least this is the principle governing the position — how it should be worked out in detail is a matter of wisdom. The saints in all the meetings thus get the benefit of the wisdom and experience of the elders. Acts 4, Acts 6, and Acts 15 show that this principle obtained at Jerusalem. We have found help from God in observing all this in New York for over 25 years. Greater New York was then incorporated.
We have been blessed and helped generally through several visitors from New Zealand and Australia this year. Mr. and Mrs. House, Dr. and Mrs. Van Someren, Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, Mr. Dartnell, Mr. Bond and others. We are looking for Dr. Van Someren and Mr. Henderson to visit us soon. The former was helped, we hear, at the special meetings [p. 221] at Detroit. There is general encouragement throughout this country and Canada, thank God.
I trust Mrs. Willy and the children keep well — my wife’s foot still troubles her, but we are well otherwise, thank God. The brethren remember with pleasure your visit here and your address is fresh in our minds.
Our united love in Christ to you both and all,
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.