BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 16TH, 1931

BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 16TH, 1931

Mr. Alfred J. Gardiner.

Beloved Brother, — I much appreciate your kind letter. All the news you give is most interesting and indeed cheering.

The incoming of Eltham to the London circle of meetings was anticipated, but that it has actually come about is additional cheer. Poor Forest Hill! Its position is due to the determination of one brother. His responsibility is serious. My prayers for him and all there go up. As the brethren are firm and patient, waiting on Him, the Lord will give deliverance.

In this country and Canada we have had an anxious time, as you know, but God has definitely come in and a great change has occurred. The Chicago brethren withdrew the letter that was the immediate cause of the trouble and now the meetings near to Columbus have extended hearty fellowship to the brethren there to begin breaking bread. They are, D.V., to do so on the 29th inst.

Mr. G——— has written Chicago making full acknowledgement of his part in the objectionable meetings and has sent copies of his letter to the meetings which had been represented at Chicago. Others who took more or less of a lead at the meetings have done the same. Mr.———, who at an early date had withdrawn the ‘counsel’ he gave at the meetings as wrong, still holds that the meetings themselves were scriptural, although it has been unmistakably shown that they were not — being practically like that held at Glanton. His attitude is the outstanding remaining difficulty, but hardly anyone sees with him, as far as I know.

^[p. 318] You will thus see that God has given His people in this country and Canada a great deliverance, and I need not say that we thank Him and take courage.

I am thinking prayerfully of the dear brethren in Great Britain in view of the many purposed meetings during the coming holidays. You did not say where you hoped to be. I trust the Lord will support you wherever you may be. I did not think it right before the Lord to leave New York while the Western matter remained open and now it is urged that I should remain for the usual meetings at Rochester at the end of May. At any rate, I am assured I shall get over in time for the purposed meetings at Bristol.

I shall gladly visit you at Streatham if I can, but I must leave this open until I am on your side of the ocean. We appreciate the wish of Mrs. Gardiner and you to have us under your roof again.

Thanks for your interest in our grandchildren. They are still very ill, but making some progress, thank God.

My wife unites in love in Christ to you all.

Affectionately in Him,

James Taylor.