BROOKLYN, N.Y., AUGUST 22ND, 1906

BROOKLYN, N.Y., AUGUST 22ND, 1906

My Dear Brother, — I duly received your letter of the 25th ult. and was interested in its contents. I can quite understand the exercise you and others who are concerned as to the Lord’s things must have on account of current events, and I am very desirous of helping in whatever I may be able in the relief of the minds and consciences of the saints. There can be no doubt that the Lord is acting in the assertion of His rights as Son over the house of God, and for the maintenance of the ^[p. 51] truth among His people, and if each one turns with purpose of heart to Him, the path in which He wishes us to walk will be made plain and simple to all — “the Lord will give thee understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2: 7).

Being near Him our souls are sustained, so that we do not need to lean on man as such on the one hand, and on the other we are able to form a true judgment as to what is passing around us, being under His influence. Hence as knowing the Lord for ourselves we are not dependent on any servants however gifted or divinely fitted to help the saints. As to myself, I may say that I have never been free to regard myself even as a servant in any special way, although, of course, accepting the obligation to serve, and seeking to fulfil it. Hence you can understand that I would feel very awkward in attempting to prove to my brethren that I have a special ministry from the Lord.

As opportunity offers I do what I can to help the Lord’s people in the way of giving out the truth, and if those who hear say that what I say bears a distinctive character, I would be slow to object, for they — the saints — are the ‘judges’.

But I do not take this ground. I prefer to pursue a simple path, and if there are those who regard me as a servant of the Lord, they shall have to be guided by my “doctrine and manner of life”.

What I gave out at the different meetings of which reports were made was the outcome of lengthened exercise as to the popular mode of presenting the gospel. I had observed that to a very large extent the necessity for a witness to it was entirely ignored, and it was because of this that the line of thought turned so much on what was down here. There was not the faintest notion of disregarding or beclouding the heavenly side of the truth, but it was not felt that the need for pressing it existed at that time, nor was there the least intention to detract from the glory of Christ as the blessed One through whom alone every blessing comes, the general thought being to set forth (if possible) the conditions under which the gospel was announced at the beginning. And I had much exercise as to the current view of heaven, feeling that human imagination had a good deal to do in the formation of it. I have never had the least doubt that the church’s calling is heavenly, that its place is in heaven, but my exercise has been to make it clear that it is ever seen in relation to the earth in the future, though not on it. It is not spoken of in Scripture as being in some ^[p. 52] other sphere different from that designated as “the heavens and the earth”. As to a personal link with Christ, this is the initial step in the believer’s history, and I never questioned, either in thought or word, the necessity of it. The gospel enlightens a man as to Christ in heaven, and man believes on Him; this is the link of faith which is ever to be maintained while we are down here. I would say in conclusion that I am convinced that it is of the Lord that the side of the truth that has been brought into prominence should be before the saints, and I believe if we turn to Him as to it, surrendering selfish interests, and recognising the truth of the church in a practical way, great blessing will result to us.

Affectionately yours in the Lord,

James Taylor.

PS — You may use this as you deem needful.