BROOKLYN, N.Y., DECEMBER 19TH, 1933
BROOKLYN, N.Y., DECEMBER 19TH, 1933
Mr. Alfred J. Gardiner.
Beloved Brother, — It is remarkable that I was about to write you when your letter arrived. I thank you for it, being pleased to hear from you and to have the interesting information you kindly sent. Of all the cities in which God has wrought in these last days London, next to New York, has the chief place with me, so I am always peculiarly interested in tidings of it.
So far no answer has come to our letter written to Shanghai. Recently the following came from W. Nee, which shows that, at least, the letter reached the brethren and that they were considering it: —
‘Dear Mr. Taylor,
Brother Luke is (not) a Shanghai brother. Your letter to him care of me has been forwarded to him in Hinghwa.
Your enclosed letter to the brethren here has been handed to them. As they are dealing with me, so I do not think it right to ask anything about it.
As for myself, I still do not know how (what) to say. I am waiting for light. With Christian regards,
Yours in the Lord,
W. Nee’.
Words in brackets are not in original, but I believe, give the meaning.
This letter indicates no change in Nee’s mind as to the serious matters in question since he left New York, but ‘dealing with me’ holds out hope that the brethren in Shanghai are taking our letter seriously. I shall let the brethren in London know as soon as an answer is received, and no doubt we shall hear of any reply to the London letter.
[p. 420] As regards 2 Timothy 2, I have not hitherto heard of “vessels to dishonour” being limited to unconverted persons. Any person in the Christian profession holding bad doctrine or principles would be a vessel to dishonour. The excommunicated man at Corinth was a believer, but he is called a “wicked person”. Such a person today, whatever the wickedness, would have to be separated from. Hymenaeus had been treated similarly by Paul (1 Timothy 1: 20), being evidently regarded by the apostle as a christian, for, like the man at Corinth, he had been delivered to Satan for “discipline”. 2 Timothy says he had “gone astray” as to the truth, which indicates that the discipline had not been effective, but we cannot say he was an apostate nor unconverted. How far may a believer not go if he come under the influence (through his own will) of Satan! While 2 Timothy touches on the apostasy, those to be separated from may include persons who earlier gave evidence of genuine faith in the Lord Jesus. Jude and 2 Peter go further and deal more definitely with apostates.
We shall be thinking of you as serving the saints in the three places mentioned during the holidays, especially Glasgow as a position of great importance, but where precarious conditions have existed for a long time.
I have found more encouragement from the Lord during recent months than in any like period in this country and Canada — especially at ‘general’ meetings. This week I hope to visit Chicago for three days’ special meetings — the first since the ‘trouble’ there a few years back. Then I purpose seeing the brethren in Ontario during meetings at Hamilton at New Year time.
Mr. Murchie’s visit to this district was blessed of God. He has remarkable ability in the gospel. During recent months there has been a nice work of God in progress. During the past two, ten have been received into fellowship in the city and others are coming on. I need not say that occasion for concern also exists!
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. Gardiner, yourself, Marjorie and all the household, also to all the brethren at Streatham.
Affectionately in Him.
James Taylor.