BROOKLYN, N.Y., AUGUST 25TH, 1933
BROOKLYN, N.Y., AUGUST 25TH, 1933
Mr. P. Lyon.
Beloved Brother, — Many thanks for your letter and telegram. The latter is, of course, most serious. Nee is out of town, spending the week-end with Dr. S———, whom he knew in China, and will not return until Monday, so that I cannot take the matter up with him immediately. His going to a place where there is no breaking of bread and not indicating any exercise as to this, is causing us concern. I spoke strongly to him as to this, and found afterwards that he partly promised to go to S. Manchester to break bread — so we are awaiting word as to this, as two brothers offered to motor him to S. Manchester on Lord’s Day morning.
We got on well on the steamer, Nee was very free, making much enquiry, and communicating much as to the work in China which helps us to grasp more clearly the nature and extent of it. He gave me a list of the meetings, also a list of the more useful brothers. He also spoke much of local [p. 406] conditions — needs, etc. We could not get him through the immigration department the day we arrived, as he had no U.S.A. visa.
Beyond what I said above there is no change as to Nee from the position known on your side as we sailed. The views he holds on prophecy are quite wrong — unscriptural. This does not refer to one part merely, such as the rapture but to the whole field. He says the apocalypse is all literal, even the gold in the heavenly city! I spoke freely with him, and he with me, but I cannot speak of any change in his mind. The same in part refers to Plymouth — Bethesda. I questioned him, but he made no reply.
Of course Nee has been received here with open arms and had a very large (for N.Y.) audience to hear him on Tuesday. Considering all things the address was fair — generally thought ‘wonderful’. At Westfield he gave an address on deliverance, which by most was also thought wonderful, but in my judgment very defective doctrinally. I pointed out the defects as I saw them to Nee and he listened, but that is all.
Nee is sailing from Vancouver on September 8th, and hopes to attend the special meetings there. They are in raptures there, as you may understand, at the prospect of having him. I have written to H.G. something of the facts and I hope he will act wisely. One or two brothers will, please God, see Nee on his return as to your cable and it is on my mind to speak seriously to him as to the whole Chinese position as it now stands.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.