BROOKLYN, N.Y., FEBRUARY 1ST, 1934
[p. 432] BROOKLYN, N.Y., FEBRUARY 1ST, 1934
Beloved Brother, — Mr. Biggs sent me your letter to him of the 16th ult. As he says he sent it with your permission I take the liberty of making a few comments to you direct.
First, I may say that I am no advocate of big meetings, but the opposite; 300 - 400 suit me best. But of course what suits me or anyone else determines nothing; what Scripture warrants must govern us.
Thus, if dear brethren at Barnet, Bristol (Worcester no one could complain of) Birmingham or Edinburgh invite saints from all parts to a conference, and they come and insist on coming so that the total is far beyond what was intended, who has the moral right to forbid brethren in these localities to receive them? Primarily the matter is theirs respectively; indeed all administrative matters must work out locally. You or I may suggest or advise local brethren, but if no divine principles are openly violated we shall be wise in leaving local matters in local hands and if one feels before the Lord that something more is needed He will not fail us as we unburden our hearts to Him.
You have mentioned your burden to Dr. Hewer, which was right, as he is a London brother, and no doubt he has passed your thought on at Kennington; there, it seems to me, you must leave it, or you will not be regarded as a “son of peace” in this respect.
The London brothers may point out to you that the Lord ministered the word to all that came to Him — sometimes they blocked even the door — although He addressed His own as “Little flock;” that while He appeared after He rose from the dead to Peter and James severally, He also “appeared to above 500 brethren at once” — an important point, as referring to what is specially spiritual, which you would limit to twenty or so apparently; and you say, ‘No note taking:’ This does not seem fair. Notes of Edinburgh meetings circulate to the extent of 8,000 - 10,000 — does this not indicate that they contain some food for the household, which the Lord values? What right has anyone to say nay to it? Also that Paul contemplates all the saints at Corinth coming together in one place for ministry: These latter two facts being specially important as appearing in an epistle that treats of outward order; then [p. 433] we read of Paul and Barnabas teaching “a large crowd” at Antioch, this teaching being not merely ‘addresses’ evidently, but in the assembly, and a multitude is spoken of as listening to Paul and Barnabas at Jerusalem. Then, coming to our own, or remnant, times, it is well known that large meetings for ministry have been held from time to time during the last 100 years. J.N.D., J.B.S. and F.E.R. attended these — indeed a brother told me of a meeting even for the breaking of bread, J.N.D. present, where five loaves and five or more full glasses of wine were needed; you have seen meetings of a thousand to fifteen hundred in and around London, and I have many times attended such meetings elsewhere in the Kingdom during the past 25 years, also in Australia. The London brethren may remind you of these facts — what are you going to reply? I am sure — knowing you as I do — that you will not assume to be wiser than Scripture nor even wiser than the least of your brethren.
As regards your suggestion that recent conferences have ‘diminished in quality’, I must respectfully entirely disagree. Of course I may be somewhat disqualified to judge as having so much to do with them, but in searching my heart before the Lord, I do not think I am prejudiced, and I can say in His fear that I have not found such support from Him in ministry elsewhere as I have found in the conferences held in Great Britain in 1929 and since — not one excepted. I have heard of comparisons and criticisms, but they seemed to me to ignore the grace and goodness of the Lord in giving something distinctive on each occasion. The criticisms I have heard of were wanting in the recognition of this and of corresponding thankfulness, and this the Lord would feel.
If the London brethren decide to have meetings at Park Street such as were held in 1922 I shall be thankful, but if they decide otherwise I shall make no complaint, although I fear I shall be somewhat hampered in such a hall as in view — I have not seen it. But I know something of the Lord’s gracious consideration of His people and that He will minister to them even in a conspicuous hall. He says, Gather the people together — no restriction imposed — and I will give them water. I have the assurance that He will fulfil His promise even in Westminster Hall! And I believe that you also, my dear brother, will have this assurance. The Assembly Hall in Edinburgh is comparatively more noted — for the King’s [p. 434] representative is there every year — and it has been used by us for many years, the Lord blessing His people in it.
As said already, there is nothing unusual nor very inconvenient in 700 - 800 brothers meeting together over the word; generally there has been no complaint, but the opposite, as far as I know. Considering the large number of saints in and around London — a great proportion of whom wishing to I attend — it does not seem to me that there should be any complaint if the brethren decide on this number. But I shall be thankful for every bit of pressure brought soberly against outward show.
With unabated love in Christ to you and your family in which my wife joins, I am,
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.