BROOKLYN, N.Y., AUGUST 29TH, 1933
BROOKLYN, N.Y., AUGUST 29TH, 1933
Beloved Brother, — Watchman Nee left New York yesterday and I send a few lines as to our experience together.
Last week I heard from Mr. Percy Lyon that Nee had broken bread with an independent company of Christians in London, which he admits. Then he went to the country last Thursday, to spend a few days with Dr. S——— and his family. These are the people among others that Nee came to this country specially to see. I urged Nee to break bread in some of our meetings on the Lord’s Day, but on his return yesterday, he [p. 407] told me, as I enquired from him, that he broke bread with the S——— family, and some others.
Some of the brothers in New York, myself included, entered into this sad development with Nee. He said finally that he regretted what he had done, that he should have told the brethren beforehand, but he made no admission of violation of principles. He said the brothers who visited China last year had agreed that the Chinese brethren should be free to receive such Christians as Dr. S———, as Christians.
We, the brothers who met Nee yesterday, said we could understand this, but that we were assured that no such situation as his action in London, and New Haven, where he broke bread last Lord’s Day, could have been contemplated. He admitted this.
His view on prophecy came into our conversation. We had spoken much of this on the steamer. He thinks some of the saints will not be taken to Himself, by the Lord, at the rapture, that they will go through ‘tribulation’. He also said on the steamer that the language of the book of Revelation was literal, not symbolical, for instance, the “gold” in the heavenly city is literal. The city thus has a corruptible element in it. I pointed this glaring error out to Nee, but he did not seem to take any note of it. What makes his erroneous prophetic views seem more serious is that the person through whom he was converted, a woman, taught him, as he told me yesterday, something on prophecy, according to what is generally accepted by the saints, so that he has given up truth for error.
You can understand my sorrow, because of what has come to light, especially as Nee and ourselves got on very well on the boat. He was free, and made much general inquiry. He was received here with the greatest affection. He addressed one of the largest meetings held here. Considering everything the address was good, but the next night at Westfield, an address on deliverance, disclosed much that was misleading in the way of doctrine. This, however, was not noticed by many. His personality and ability eclipsed all else.
The attitude we take up here, having talked matters over with Nee, is to assume that the whole Chinese position is still in the tentative or learning stage, and that it should be left for the moment entirely in the Lord’s hands.
It is so extraordinary, and so many Christians being involved, that if issue were taken in a formal way the enemy would get [p. 408] an advantage. The Lord heard our prayers, and will not fail us, as we wait upon Him.
Nee said he would take counsel with his brethren in China, before saying anything definite as to what has been placed before him.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.