BROOKLYN, N.Y., FEBRUARY 26TH, 1935

BROOKLYN, N.Y., FEBRUARY 26TH, 1935

Mr. Robert MacIntyre.

My Dear Brother, — I have your letter, and in reply would say that I have no recollection of saying at the meetings in London that the judgment of the assembly of a wicked person should be announced otherwise than to the assembly as such.

What was stressed in the reading you refer to, is that the wicked person was dealt with according to God, and that any exercised persons could become acquainted with this fact by inquiry. The saints were enjoined to remove the wicked person from among themselves. His position in relation to the assembly would thus be defined, and this would be noticed by any interested persons who attended the meetings of the saints. The notes show that the subject was fairly well covered, and I have no recollection of saying anything contrary to what was in the notes.

My belief for a long time has been that disciplinary matters should be dealt with in a special assembly meeting, and not at a meeting for the breaking of bread and for assembly privileges generally. I believe that 1 Corinthians 5 contemplates this, and when the saints act in this way the Lord is present according to the power needed to act against evil. I hope what I have written will be of service to you.

^[p. 455] With love in the Lord Jesus to you and the brethren, I am,

Yours affectionately in Him,

James Taylor.

PS — If discipline is executed in an assembly meeting for the purpose, as suggested above, there would be no need for further announcement of it — all would (or should) be present. — J.T.