"The Aberdeen Incident" July, 1970

Background

These pages detail specific events involving James Taylor, Junior (JT Jnr), undisputed leader of the Exclusive Brethren from 1959 to 1970. This period marked a significant change in the community of Exclusive Brethren. It was a decade of ever-increasing regulation and control. Almost every aspect of EB life became subject to rules and the level of minutae that the directives covered is astonishing to those who were not part of the system.

It was during this time that the words of the EB Leader became recognized as being of equal and in some cases, of greater import than biblical scripture. It was held that the EB held the only Truth in a fallen world and that the mantle of authority had passed to the EB as a church (The Church) and to JT Jnr as the 'Elect Vessel' to whom all must be in submission.

Not to speak in support of the 'Man of God' was the ultimate dissent. To speak of Jesus Christ was even viewed as a sign of deflecting deserved support! Even though EB meetings became daily events and Attendance Officers were empowered to monitor member attendance at all meetings, the content of these daily prayer and bible study assemblings started subtly to shift focus away from orthodox Christian teachings, to a form of Leader adulation where fear of falling below an accepted level of demonstrable verbal support of 'Our Beloved' became a test of fellowship. A naturally quick-witted man, JT Jnr provided sparkling repartee with occasional devastating impact.

A fear-based structure persisted throughout the 1960's and into 1970. The sight of JT Jnr with a large tumbler of amber-colored liquid under his seat was a sight seen by all during his later ministry. Alcohol played a distinctive role in the latter part of the JT Jnr era. Not only was alcohol consumption encouraged, it became apparent that the Leader had a drinking problem. He has been described by a close relative as "a shy man" and that "alcohol helped him through the meetings". EB were urged to partake themselves and ordered to ensure that whisky was available when offering hospitality - especially when any member of the EB elite was visiting. Obviously this was an important facility for an alcoholic who would need alcohol on a regular basis while traveling. The travel itself was never a problem - the 'Man of God' always traveled first class where champagne corks would pop before the plane even reached the runway. It was not long before JT Jnr began to drink quite openly during meetings:

"I remember going to the Nostrand Avenue meetings in Brooklyn and watching JT Jr. enter the sanctuary with his pants all wet. Gross!"

"JTJr was drinking heavily during and between the meetings. He demanded to be given whisky on pain of withdrawing from the brethren if they did not comply. Even at the foot of his chair while supposedly serving in the meetings was a glass of neat scotch."

The extent of the drink problem that JT Jnr suffered from was carefully masked. A hospital stay in 1965 was reported as being for an unspecified medical problem, but in fact the hospital stay involved a blood transfusion in an attempt to halt the liver damage that had already occurred from his heavy drinking. For about three years JT Jnr seemed to control his alcoholism, but as of 1968, he began drinking heavily once more.

Meetings increasingly became times of entertainment as verbal wit and repartee became considered as signs of 'freedom' and for those who excelled in drawing laughter it became indicative of being a member of the 'Approved'. To be classified as Approved indicated that an EB member was considered as fully supporting the ministry of 'Our Beloved Brother' / 'Our Paul' - referring of course to the universal EB leadership of JT Jnr Applause, laughter, cheering and foot-stomping became normal events during mainline EB meetings and although the weekly and monthly printed ministry could not convey background noise, to be present at a JT Jnr-led meeting in the late 60's often necessitated deciphering the slurred voice of a man obviously 'under the influence'. This is never more apparent than in the original sound recording of the July 25th, 1970 Saturday afternoon 'Bible Reading' in Aberdeen.

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