BROOKLYN, N.Y., NOVEMBER 8TH, 1910

^[p. 96] BROOKLYN, N.Y., NOVEMBER 8TH, 1910

Dear Brother, — -I am in receipt of your letter of October 19th, and I am glad to send a line in reply. As to the wilderness, there are two ways as I understand, in which it has to be taken account of. First, it is the sphere in which the believer carries out the will of God and where he learns what is in his own heart, etc., and it sets forth the progress he makes from Egypt to Canaan. Secondly, the wilderness is the scene in which God’s testimony (as the tabernacle represents it) is set forth. This is seen in the book of Numbers; in the antitype this involves the saints collectively and 1 Corinthians corresponds.

In this epistle the saints are viewed as God’s assembly in Corinth — not in heavenly places, or as risen with Christ but as called out of the world morally but actually still in it. It is God’s assembly as distinct from Jew and Gentile. The Supper stands in this relation and hence I understand it is celebrated in the wilderness. The Supper is a remembrance and hence has no force where Christ is — it refers to His absence. Normally the saints came together to break bread because they loved Christ. They felt His absence and the Supper reminded them of Him. If He is present we do not need a symbol to remind us of Him. He is made known in the breaking of bread.

The land I understand to represent what is entirely spiritual and is entered into only in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is an out-of-the-world or heavenly order of things. It is where Christ is known in His Own sphere. It will but lead to an unreal state in the saints to lead them to believe they are in a spiritual state when in truth they are not. Besides the breaking of bread contemplates us in flesh and blood, a condition which Jordan terminates. How then can it be Canaan?

I think John 20 and Ephesians correspond. The latter presents the conflict side, which the former does not.

I hope you will consider the above an answer to your letter in some sort.

Affectionately yours in Christ,

James Taylor.