James Taylor, Jr. (Exclusive Brethren)

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James Taylor, Jr. (1899-1970), was the religious leader of the Exclusive Brethren. He has become notorious in Brethren circles because of the "Aberdeen incident".

Contents 1 Family 2 Literary output 3 Influence 4 The Aberdeen incident 5 Successors 6 References

[edit] Family

Taylor was the son of Irish linen merchant, James Taylor Sr, (1870-1953), leader of the Raven Exclusive Brethren from 1908 until his death when Taylor Jr took over. J.T.jr. lived in New York and was married with several children.

[edit] Literary output

James Taylor junior has had 5 volumes of his letters published. Much of of his oral preaching and Bible studies has been transcribed and is published in an extended series green books. One feature of his conversational Bible studies is the frequency with which he answers a matter by suggesting he must 'enquire' or 'enquire in the temple' to secure an answer. His books were published by Gospel and Tract depot, now continuing at Greenford, Middlesex. At the present this publishing house only sells these books to its members and not to the general public.

[edit] Influence

Jim Taylor junior exaggerated biblical teachings on separation from the world to an extreme. He decreed members could not eat or associate in any way with non-members. Membership of professional bodies was also forbidden. Under his teaching the Raven-Taylor Exclusives commenced breaking bread on Lord's-day at 6am. Meeting rooms, though ostensibly public places of religious worship, were closed to the general public, unless the individual desiring to visit first be interviewed by two men from the group. His teachings and conduct were the source of much public interest in the UK and the national press occupied itself with 'Big Jim.' This resulted in several things. (1) The consolidation of his position among a large section of his followers, (2) the secession of most of his Scottish assemblies and numerous elsewhere in Britain and beyond and, (3) the weakening of other Plymouth Brethren groups both Open, Glanton and Kelly brethren, as they moved away from any appearance of the extreme features of Taylorism. His extreme separatist pronouncements were maintained by his successors and followers.

[edit] The Aberdeen incident

Under the influence of alcohol, Taylor began to exhibit increasingly erratic behaviour which came to a head in meetings at Aberdeen in Scotland, where he was heard using strong language, including calling other members "bums" and "bastards". Following one meeting, Taylor was also caught with a naked married woman in his bedroom.^[1] Taylor rejected both accusations but the incident divided the Brethren membership worldwide. 8000 members left the movement as a result. Those members who were most closely involved and were witnesses or heard firsthand the testimony of the hundreds present at the Aberdeen meetings left the sect. Those members at a greater distance from the epicentre of the 'incident', such as South African, Australian and New Zealand members generally stayed in the sect.

James Taylor Jr died shortly afterwards the same year, generally considered to be through advanced alcoholism.^[2]

[edit] Successors

Big Jim as he was called by many was succeeded as leader of the Exclusive Brethren by James H Symington a Nebraska pig-farmer, who in turn was followed by John S Hales, an Australian accountant. On his death in 2002 the Taylor mantle fell upon his son Bruce Hales and the title 'Elect Vessel of God' became his.

[edit] References

• Coad, Frederick Roy (1968). A History of the Brethren Movement. Paternoster. 
• The "Brethren" Since 1870 by W. R. Dronsfield.