BROOKLYN, N.Y., DECEMBER 13TH, 1932

^[p. 376] BROOKLYN, N.Y., DECEMBER 13TH, 1932

Mr. P. Lyon.

Beloved Brother, — I have been wishing to write you, but much pressure hindered, especially my visit to the West.

Your letter from Zurich was very welcome and many have seen it. The news was generally most cheering, although Novi is distressing; another local eruption. Our prayers go up for recovery. This marks the enemy’s efforts as the Lord mercifully prevents an extended scattering.

You would have returned to London last week and I trust you found all well and general cheer among the brethren. You will be glad to have H.H. back. He was much enjoyed here.

There is general encouragement in America, although some dark spots appear in the horizon — bright in the main. The meetings at Council Bluffs were good. We considered at the readings the Holy Spirit in 1 and 2 Corinthians. The subject yielded well through the Lord’s help. H.G. was freer than I have seen him and so helped greatly. He laid himself out for this. Samuels also helped. He gave a good address on one of the evenings. H.G. spoke on ‘Silver and Gold’ and I spoke on ‘Treasuries’. The expressed affections of the dear brethren were most touching. The number present would be about as usual, I think, besides the nearby meetings brethren came from several places in Canada, Knoxville, Rochester, Minneapolis, Ashland. None from Chicago, which somewhat distressed me.

The Lord is definitely working in Chicago, however. I spent two days there — with Dr. McA———. I gave an address and attended their care meeting. They wished to get my views as to the present relations with Columbus. As far as outward facts show, all support the letter sent out in July condemning the whole proceedings two years ago, except ———. While ——— made some admissions, his attitude was generally distressing, indicating darkness in his soul, no doubt through not habituating himself to self-judgment. The most serious side to his attitude is that his refusal to judge what is seen by nearly all his brethren to be a violation of right principles, is considered by him of little consequence, so that he takes his usual place and part among the saints. This is felt by the rest of the brethren and I am assured the Lord will help them to face it.

I found a happier state of things at Indianapolis. I also saw them at Columbus, where there is remarkable interest. There were 31 outsiders at the Gospel meeting, and two ^[p. 377] requested to be allowed to break bread the Lord’s Day I was there. These will make 8 or 9 received since the meeting began.

Mr.———’s position in Westfield is unchanged. There was a long session with him last week, but no satisfactory result I heard. In his relations with his local brethren he betrays a poor sense of the dignity of the assembly.

The news from China is affecting and leaves us in no doubt that the work is of God. But the responsibility attaching to it is grave and calls for the most serious consideration by all, so that the Lord may stand by it and shield it from the enemy. If the Lord graciously raises up a brother or two spiritually qualified for such service with linguistic ability to acquire a knowledge of Chinese one would be most thankful.

With love in Christ to you all in which my wife would join,

Affectionately in Him,

James Taylor.

PS — I should much like to attend meetings at Valence and Leipzig as you suggest, but it seems that the Edinburgh dates will interfere.