BELFAST, MARCH 24TH, 1932

BELFAST, MARCH 24TH, 1932

Mr. E. McCrea.

Beloved Brother, — I was thankful to receive your letter. The report of the meetings in the Nelson district is most cheering and I thank God for it.

As to Dunedin, I hear some fifteen have withdrawn from the others. This, I hope, may imply something for God — what the Lord may be free to own. From facts available it would appear that old unjudged roots remain in the primary meeting. It will be a question for those immediately responsible to decide as before the Lord how long they can wait before proceeding without those who have not judged themselves. The Lord would encourage long patience, but not indefinite waiting. In dealing with evil in a gathering, such as Dunedin, it seems to me that those immediately (that is, those nearest) should be taken into account in any action taken. A meeting at a distance acting to protect itself is doubtful procedure, and tends to independency. There is no doubt that Deuteronomy 21 affords the principle and this plainly points to the “nearest meeting” being directly responsible. A person presenting a letter of commendation in a distant place from the suspected meeting might be requested to refrain from breaking bread as a precautionary measure, but certainly no final action should be taken; this should be left with those nearby. The Lord has definitely owned this recognition of local responsibility.

The Chicago affair lately came to the front again. Dr. McA——— wrote me asking for my difficulties, which I immediately conveyed to him; but what I wrote was just a repetition of what I had laid before him a year before. They have not (as the others who had part in them have) owned their part in the unscriptural procedure in the council held there, and they have allowed certain false principles and statements written by my brother to remain unjudged. In his final reply Dr. McA——— indicated that no effort whatever was being made to meet these matters. A.M.H. is also in correspondence with them and Mr. G———. The latter, however, has receded from the apparently honest judgment he reached as to the whole matter last year. While all this causes serious concern, there is no likelihood of a situation like that of last year arising.

I am assuming the usual Easter meetings are being held at Wellington and we are praying for you all.

There is a good interest in the New York area. A new meeting began in Flatbush lately and another is in prospect in the Plainfield area.

You will see that I am in Europe again — looking forward to the usual meetings here.

My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. McCrea and you and the brethren.

Affectionately in Him,

James Taylor.