BROOKLYN, N.Y., JANUARY 26TH, 1934

BROOKLYN, N.Y., JANUARY 26TH, 1934

Mr. F. Ide.

Beloved Brother, — For weeks it has been on my mind to write, and now your letter has just come. I have been laid up with influenza for a fortnight or more, but thank God, I am steadily improving. I think I got cold when in the West and Canada, for the thermometer was at times ‘15° below’.

We are very glad to hear from you and of Mrs. Ide and all, and most thankful for the generally cheering news. I heard lately from Mr. Elliott of the Depot and your letter confirms his as to the progress made. There can be no doubt that God is helping you all. The Depot has a great place in my prayers. The increase of the circulation of wholesome ministry is most gratifying. Efforts are made here in that direction with considerable success. The three brothers who will now oversee the Tract Depot — dear Mr Fawcett having gone to be with the Lord — will, I am sure, do what they can to make it more useful. I have no doubt they can arrange to have all their business go through Stow Hill.

I note that you wish the Birmingham Notes. I received these only this week, but I shall endeavour to revise them fairly early. In the meantime, besides the New York Notes, I am working on material for the book on the assembly, which H.F.N. has suggested. It requires much work. Revising is tedious work, reduction and accuracy being needed, and of ^[p. 423] course, there is much besides to be attended to. Correspondence is very heavy. I have the Notes on the Covenant, but considerable changes have to be made. One’s thoughts are clearer on some points. I shall, please God, take them with me and see what I can do on the steamer. I think the Birmingham Notes, being fresh, should be prepared after those on the assembly.

We hope to sail on the Aurania on March 15th landing a Plymouth. There will be no need of you going to Plymouth as we purpose spending a few days with Mr. Coates, going from Devon to Belfast.

We are grieved by the news of Mr. Collins’ death. We really know our dear brother but little, but his hymn-tunes have caused him to be widely known among the saints and much valued.

The Lord helped us in the West during the holiday season. We visited Chicago, Detroit, Hamilton Ontario, and Galt. There is a great change in Chicago for the better, although we fear old roots remain with some and they may bear fruit again. But we count on God, whose strong hand is always against evil. A large number came together at Hamilton on New Year’s Day. A very large number came together here, Brooklyn, on Christmas Day and we hear the Lord helped them.

The brethren are thankful to have copy of the Stow Hill instrument, which I understand is yours — it will be adopted almost verbally for the New York Depot.

I am very sorry indeed that Sydney has cancelled New York Notes. This surely cannot be because the Notes are regarded as unprofitable. Incidents of this kind cropping up from time to time in Australia cause great uneasiness. Of course, there has been criticism of some publications in Australia, but the errors in them made this imperative. I am constantly receiving expressions of thankfulness for the New York Notes. It seems to me they have a place of their own. Our united love to you all.

Affectionately,

James Taylor.