James Boyd
– A Reminiscence

INTRODUCTION

The documents I have entitled No. 11 in The Memorabilia Series are two papers written by James Boyd – New Birth and Eternal Life and The Incarnation of the Son.

The first paper is of peculiar personal interest.

• After my conversion in 1946, and until 1950, I was connected with an open meeting (of "Grant" origin).

• A brother there – R. Gordon Mitchell, who baptized me – had a book store which I regularly scoured for early publications.

• Rummaging among some discarded pamphlets, I came upon a tattered copy of New Birth and Eternal Life.
  • Published by The Central Bible Truth Depot, 12, Paternoster Row, London, E.C. - 1913.

• The next Saturday, a close friend and I spent the day going over Mr. Boyd's booklet.

• Having only heard the Grant version of these teachings – which is similar to those of opens and evangelicals – the booklet opened my eyes.

• Despite its now obvious considerable flaws, I believe the Lord used it to prepare me for the reception of the opening up of the truth through JND, JBS, FER, CAC, JT and others. [See Biography.]
  • At that time, I was unaware that Mr. Boyd's views were similar to those of JND and FER In fact, I had not even heard of FER and I did not know anything about JB or his connections either.

The Glanton division took place in 1908. Within a few years the Glanton and Grant meetings in North America had merged.

• This 1913 pamphlet of Mr. Boyd is an obvious rebuttal of Mr. F. W. Grant's novel teachings on new birth and eternal life.

Those who know of JB's opposition to JT – see the Index of Names in Letters of J. Taylor – and his association with Glanton, and thus with the Mr. Grant's followers, may be critical of my preservation of his ministry.

• Though I owe no explanations, my defence is simple. Besides my own personal interest, both papers are of historical value,
  • the first referring to errors in FWG's teaching

  • and the second to later errors of some of his followers regarding the Lord's Manhood.

G.A.R.

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NEW  BIRTH  AND  ETERNAL  LIFE

The careful reader would no doubt note numerous erroneous or questionable statements in both papers – which, apart from Mr. Boyd's sober opening remarks, are not included here.

• Many matters could be more clearly expressed and there are others on which clearer light has been received.

• In particular, Mr. Boyd adheres to the common misconception as to 'eternal Sonship' and related thoughts.

• Curiously, the truth of the Lord's Sonship became clarified about the same time in meetings with J.T.
  • See The Divine Standard of Service, Barnet, England, June, 1929, in Ministry by J. Taylor, 29: 330-489, published by Kingston Bible Trust.

Following are Mr. Boyd's opening remarks:

Few subjects have been the occasion of more controversy than that of new birth and eternal life,

• and yet I venture to think that if we closely adhere to the Holy Scriptures, we will find very little room for diversity of opinion;
  • that is, supposing we have no desire to be wise above that which is written.

• There is nothing more foolish and contemptible in divine things than the dogmatisms of the human mind,
  • for things that are revealed are matters of faith, not of opinion, and they lie outside the circle in which the mind of man revolves, and in which it exercises its powers.

• Regarding spiritual subjects no one can know the truth if there is no revelation; if there is, one has only to bow to what is revealed.

• Creeds invented by the wisest natural minds are, in the light of God's revelation, seen to be miserable ignorance, contradictory and unreasonable.
  • It may seem strange that it should be so, for they are generally invented by men of intellect and learning;

  • but so it is, and the very fact that there is so much disagreement reveals the discontent with that which is written lurking in the human mind.

• Our wisdom is to keep close to the written word, hold dearer than life all we find therein,
  • and refuse to theorize upon spiritual things which are unrevealed, and of which we know nothing.

Pride of heart would have us pose as those who know everything; and regarding spiritual things very few are willing to admit that they have yet something to learn.

• And yet, as to things earthly or heavenly, human or divine, we know nothing perfectly. Perfection has not yet come to pass for us. At present "we see through a glass darkly", not yet "face to face", 1 Cor. 13: 12.

• In the pursuit of knowledge there is a point where the gloom becomes altogether impenetrable, and where a voice may be heard, saying, 'Thus far thou shalt come, but no farther'; and there the quest has to be abandoned.

• Let us be grateful for the revelation given to us from Himself, in which He so clearly brings before our minds and hearts all He would have us to know concerning Himself and His dealings with Adam's fallen race;
  • and let us take it just as He has given it to us, neither adding to it nor diminishing from it.

J.B.

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THE  INCARNATION  OF  THE  SON

The second booklet has no date but the cover states "Copies can be had from the writer free". It was apparently printed privately and shows the address "713 Loraine Avenue, Ardmore, Pa."

Following are Mr. Boyd's opening remarks:

It is not without a deep sense of the danger to which one is exposed who ventures upon such a profound and mysterious subject as the incarnation of the Son of God, that I take up my pen to show, God helping me, the way in which it appears on the page of inspiration.

• My reason for putting these few thoughts concerning the subject before my brethren is to help those who have been met with error degrading to the Person of our Lord,
  • and to lead them to consider the exact words in which the truth is presented in the inspired volume. In these only can the truth be found.

• I am certain that when God permits any question to be raised regarding His things, His purpose in it is the blessing of His own,
  • and we do well to turn our attention to it in a humble and prayerful manner,

  • asking light from Himself who is ever ready and willing to give it abundantly, not bewailing the exercise involved by it.

• We are here to maintain the truth as given us, and in the conflict we are assured of the help of God. He will give us all the light and all the power we require, so we have nothing to fear nor to dread.

• We have no resources of our own, but we can well glory in weakness, seeing that His strength is assured to us.

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