BROOKLYN, N.Y., JANUARY 15TH, 1929

BROOKLYN, N.Y., JANUARY 15TH, 1929

Mr. Francis Willy.

Beloved Brother, — Your letter of September 15th was duly received and I was very glad to get it.

I need not say that I am most thankful to hear that the brethren in Sydney have been helped of the Lord in reaching a more scriptural and practical way of maintaining order and unity in their administrative procedure, also that Adelaide and Perth are moving on the same lines. One is reminded of the word, “Thus I ordain in all the assemblies” (1 Corinthians 7: 17). The exercise and communications on the subject of city administration are remarkable, but no doubt God is in all this, so that saints may be more intelligent in what they are doing.——— wrote a paper on ‘City Boundaries’ which tends to darken and confuse. The errors of it have been pointed out to him, but ^[p. 257] he is trying to struggle through the tide of opposition to his views without making any withdrawals or admissions.

I was grieved by many wrong statements appearing in the last Melbourne notes, such as the stoppage by God of eternal life and that the heavenlies (Ephesians) are certain things sent down here. I wrote Mr. McB——— and Mr. Y——— briefly and later I sent the former a detailed statement. I have not heard from him as to the latter.

What has weighed on me lately is the need of observing the Spirit of truth. For instance, Mr. W——— condones Mr. McB———’s errors by saying that he was seeking to press the heavenly side of the truth! And referring to ———’s ‘Memo’ on ‘City Boundaries’ Mr. W——— said the subject should be viewed from ‘all sides’ — right ones and wrong ones, I suppose! This attitude can but lead to latitudinarianism.

We were thinking of you all in view of the recent holiday meetings. I have no doubt there was help from God. I am sure you would enjoy Dr. Elliott. I hear good tidings of meetings held in Great Britain.

In this country and Canada the Lord helped. I was in Chicago. The meetings were not large but the Lord was distinctly with us. There was present a Baptist ‘minister’ and his wife — very nice people. Since the meetings Mr. W——— n wrote to say that they had ‘decided to leave denominations’. This, I need not say, was good news. He is an acquaintance of Mr. H———, the free Methodist minister who came into fellowship about three years ago in Gerry, New York. Mr. McGowan had been in touch with Mr. W——— n and I also.

I visited the meetings in Ontario in November and I never found more encouragement there. Since that time five have come into fellowship or are on the way at Tillsonburg. Mr. McGowan was there lately. The meetings in the ‘middle-west’ of the U.S.A. are not quite so bright — some troubles existing — but I believe God is coming in for them.

Yes, we were grieved to hear of Mr. Brown of Chatswood. There is much pressure generally of this kind. In this district there is much cheer.

My wife joins in love in Christ to you and Mrs. Willy and your family.

Affectionately in Him,

James Taylor.