BROOKLYN, N.Y., JANUARY 4TH, 1934
BROOKLYN, N.Y., JANUARY 4TH, 1934
Mr. Charles Hammond.
Beloved Brother, — Pardon my delay in acknowledging your very interesting letter. I have been much away from New York since it arrived. It was good of you to write so fully and I thank you for the service rendered.
I am sorry to know of any weakening as to the boundary principle (which the Lord has made so clear during recent years) in West Hampstead. If, as children of wisdom, we think it necessary to disregard in detail a general scriptural principle, it is due to God that we should own the principle in itself. But I earnestly trust the Spirit of Christ and love of the truth will prevail among the dear brethren in that section. God watches over His ordinances and gives those who respect them a sense of His approval, while those who disregard them fail of the sap and general blessing that go with His favour (Isaiah 56: 1 - 8; 1 Corinthians 11: 1, 2).
As regards 1 Corinthians 11: 18 and 14: 23, what you quote conveys my mind. “Together in assembly” and “the whole assembly come together in one place” are not the same thing. The former is properly for the Lord’s supper and would apply even in sub-divisions of the assembly. Romans 16: 4, 5 and 1 Corinthians 16: 19 and Philemon 2 seem to refer to such divisions and the word “assembly” is used in each case. “If the whole assembly” (1 Corinthians 14: 23) is rather to show that all may be thus together than that they should be. It is a question of ministry and not strictly the assembly in function. Still there is public testimony in a collective way, for God is owned as “amongst you”. This, however, is said to be by prophecy, not by divine order nor the testimony of Christ’s death nor His Supper.
I have found much cheer lately in visiting the saints in the Middle West of this country and in Ontario. I am assured the Lord has helped the dear brethren in Great Britain as together at special meetings during the recent holidays.
With love in Christ, I am,
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.