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VoL. XL1V SEMI-MoNTHLY NO. ]

Anno Mundi 6051 -- January 1, I923

CONTENTS
OU~L00KFOR:N’INETEEN-T~’ENTY-T~P,EE ................ 3
World Conditions ..................... 3
Church and IIacvest ................ 5
Our Duty ...................................... 5
Year Text ......................................... ¢;
Divine Attributes ................................... 7
Text for First ;Veek .................................. ~q
Text for Second Week .................................. 9
JESUS ]:IEALINO ON THE SABBATH..................... ] )
Corruption of Kingdom Truths ....................... 11
Danger of Being Shut Out. ............................. 1!
ffESUS TEACHING HUI~IILITY............................... I 2,
God’s Sabbath-Day Work ........................ 12
BIissing Opportunities .................................. ! 3
LETTERSFROM ~.FIELD .................................. 14

"’1 will stand upon my *catch and will set my foot

vpoa the Tower, ann will watch to see what tie w~li
say it**to the, and what answe~ 1 shall make $o them
that o,P2)ose ~,+e."--llabakkuk ~,. I.

"~ .=:-~’~.... :=_..-f

Opca the earth dletrese of natlo~ with perplexlt$; the sea and the wa~es (tho rest, less, dl~conttntcd} roaring; men’s ,eart~ f.d’lllg them fo~ fear and for looklllg to t/ha
Ih~ ~mlng upotl the ealtll (soclet,v); for the vo~m of the heavens (eedesta~tieism) shall be shaken... When ye see these things begin to come to pastl.
then know that the Kingdom of God Is at hand. Look up, lift up your hend~, rejoice, for your redemption draweth ni~h.--Matk 24;33; Mark 13:29~ Luke 21:26-$Jk
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACRED MISSIOI~
T HISpresented
Journal is one of the prime factors
in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by tile WATCH
or "~emlnary Extension". now be~n£
TOWEUBIBLE ~ TRACTSOCIETY, chartered A.D. 18.~,4, "~’or the P~
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s coDventions and of th6
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, vlz., l-elbi Dei 3hni.~ter (V. D. St.), whicil translated
into English is Minister of God’s Word. Our trcatnlent of the International Sunday School Lessons Js specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now beinz so generally repudiated
----redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ~ansum [a corresl,ondmu price, a suhstliute] fo~’
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : G) Building up on ~llis sure foundatmn the gold, siher and precmus stones ll (’or:i:l.,!,,l:s 3 :
15; 2 Peter 1:5-11) of the Word of God, its furthermi~sion is to "make all see what is the felloxx~tnp of tile m~stei’y ~ilich...has
been hid in God, . , . to the intent that now might be made knoxxn by the church the lnanifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of inea as it is now re~eMeil".--Ephesians 3:5-9, 10.
It stands free from sit parties, sects anF creeds of men. ~xlVle it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest.
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed ill lile holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare bol’iiy ~bat~oever the Lorff
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdola granted unto us to understund his utterances, lts atlllthle is not dognlallc, but conlident;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promi~es of (;.d. ]t i~ )u_ld ,~ o lrusI, ~o be uued only Ill ills
service; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columnu mu~ be .~tordmg to our jud;~ment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for lbe uplmihldng of his people in grace and kh(,x~le(lee. And ~c lmt only in~ lie but urge ou~
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facHKate such telling.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH

’l~hat the church is "the temple of the living (led", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its censtrucHon has been in progress throughout
the gospel age--ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his lemple, tb:’f*,l,.h wh,eh, when
finished, God’s blessing shall come "to ,’ill people", and they find access to him.--1 Cortmhmns 3:16, 17; l:pae~iaus 2:20-22;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
~hat meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated beiievers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses; and when the
last of these" "living stones", "elect and precious," shltll llave b~,ell made ready, tfie great 5,,: ~Tcr Woikmanx~,ll bring all together
in the tirol resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meenng t,i.u e between God and men throughout
the hhllennium.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
fl~hat the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, ta~ted death for everl/
man," "a ransola for all," and will be "the true light which bglltcth every mal~ that eometh Into tile worla", "in due tlme".~
Hebrews 2:9; John l :9; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
flThat the hope of the ctmrcil is that she ulay be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’ partaker of the divine nature,’ and share hi~
glory as his joint-heir.--1 John 3.-’; John 17:24; Romans .~ :i7; 2 Peter 1:4.
’That the pre~ent mi.~sion of the church is the perfecting of the stunts for the future work of service: to develop in herself every
grace; to I,e God’s witness to the world; and to prepare to be kings and i)nests ~n the next age.--l;phesla¯S 4:12; Matthew 2~
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the hope for the world lies in tl~e blessings of knowledge and opportumty to be brou=ht to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, that
restitulion of all that ~as lost iu Adam, to all the wflhng and ol)edlcnt, at tlae hands ot their Redeemer and his glorified ehurcha
when all the wilfully wicked will be dc~troyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23 ; i,~a:ah 35.

STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES

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¥0L.XLIV JANUARY
1, 1923
OUTLOOK FOR NINETEEN-TWENTY-THREE
WORLD CONDITIONS--TIlE CIqURCI[ANDTltE ]KARVEST--OUR
"Weall, with open face behoIdiny as in a gla.<~ the glory of the Lord, are changedinto the same image from glory
to glory, ecen as by the spb’it of the Lord."--2 Corinthians 3: 18.
NTERING upon the duties of a,,~other year, we do
E well to view the s~tuati,m bef,.)r{, ,>. As (’hr>tians
our faith is being put tothe test Somewill {lonbt-
less be overreached by the seductne inlluenees of this
world, even though it is }}a,.-incr away. Against such
temptations we should fo]’tifv curselv{’~-. Ifwe view tlm
conditions about us in the hght of the Scriptures and
confidently rely upon the Wordof God as to the >,ason
and the remedyfor present ills, we stroll be strong in
faith and hence more determined to press on during
the year.
WORLD CONDITIONS
August 1, 1914, marked the end of the gentile times.
It also markedthe legal ending of the old worhl. There
the ouster proceedings began, when he whose right it is
took unto himself his power. Christians vieuing the
development of affairs in the light of the Scriptures
can see the conclusion of the ouster proceedings near at
hand. Satan’s empire is tottering to the fall. The right-
£ul King is here. His kingly powers are bSng exercised
and the old order is rapidly disintegrating flint the way
may be dear for the reion of righteousness and the
establishment of evprlasting peace.
The World War did not make democracy safe; that is
to say, a rule of the peoph,, by the people amt for the
people. Conditions show that it eame far short and,
instead of bettering matters, made them worse. None
except those who are ea,-ilv deeened ever did believe
that the war would betler conditions for the world
in general. Those who coined the phrase "make’ the
world safe for democracy" did not believe sueh would
be the result. They had a selfish motive in using such a
phrase. Nowwe see that the World War left a great
gaping woundwhich is far from being healed. More
than four years have passed since the signing of the
armistice. On that day the peoples of the world were
wild with delight, believing that there would immedi-
ately follow peace and prosperity. Nowin every land
the people are in distress, the rulers are in Berplexity,
and men’shearts are failing themfor fear. Pestilenee,
famine, and revolutions have followed quickly upon the
heels of the war ; and no humanremedyhas been offered
iNO.
I
DUTY--YEAR TEXT.
or can be offered that will removedistres.-ing eo]l{htions.
llu, sia, once th.? mighty enlpire of tile (’zars, with
h{,P great weallh, l{.arning, and power, is a wreck. ()ver
the greater part ot’ that country whatis ter]m’d {,ix iliza-
tie:/ has practi{’ally dl>al)l)eared and the people l’a-;e
]’{ t.’cgra{h,{l to the. eouddiono£ tmrl}ari,-mand ealm,1;:ll-
i ]’~. T}:e f, ur y{ars followingthe war have }}z,{,lt the
w(}r.-I of all for lluss]a. Whensome doubt that (he
t]]~J:’r, foretold in the proI)heeies could happenw;ttun
the hc-d three or four years, their attention is in~Jted
to Rus.ia. 0nee the greatest wheat-producing eountry
in the world, it suddenh" becamebarren andndlli,;m- of
l}eol)h, starved to death. This condition drove th? )we, pie
to cannibalism, and in the valley of the Yolga and
the Caucasus great numbers of humanbeings ate other
humanbeings. As an illustration, in one town reeeqtlr
there were two hundred prisoners awaiting trial on the
charge, of cannibalism. One manwas charged with ],,av-
ing devoured fifteen perseus. He protested, saying, that
he had eaten but seven, and confessed that the first one
was his own ~ife.
On November 1, 1922, a writer on conditions in
Europe said m the publie press:
"~Vhile I was in Pragnm last summertwo ears of (*zoeh
refugees arrived from the Cnut’asus. Theywere l)rmu-ht by
the CzechgovernmentThe original l)arty was (’omposed
morethan five hundredI)ersons. Sixty-four only arrived at
Prugtie. Theyreported to their rescuers th’tt their (.om-
rades, Inostly womenand children, had been killed or had
succumbedto Imnger and privation, and that their bodies
had been devouredby the cannibal hordes in the (’au(,asus."
The public press recently gave wide puhlieation to
the fact that great hordes of Russians were crossing the
river into Bulgaria and, being driven back to their own
side, were immediately shot down by armed foree.s on
the Russianside.
Private information recently received from Poland is
to the effect that two brethren whoxx:ere sent into Russia
to do eolporteur work eame back practically physical
wreeks, terrorized by the terrible things which they wit-
nessed. Amongstother things reported was that what
railway trains are operated are so crowdedthat manyof
the poor people ride on top of the trains. While a train
 ¯ WATCH TOWER
was making~ueh a journey a womanmissed her pocket- mayput somebodyelse in and charge a large sumthere-
book. A lad sitting- nearby x~as accused of taking it. A for, of whichthe landlord gets not a p.enny. Andwhile
court was at once constituted on top of the movingtrain. this is a technical violation of the law, the law officers
This eou,’t went through a mocktrial and convicted the wink at it. Property owners tire discouraged. The peo-
boy; and a big, burly soldier in the party twisted off his ple are in distress; manyof them are starving. The
head and threw the body between the moving cars. same property conditions prevail in Germanyand Aus-
Within a short time the womanfound her pocketbook. tria.
The same. court tried her, and she met a like fate. Au,-h’ia. seethi~ with unrest, is on the ~-erge of an-
Tl:e>e hordes of malcontents are knockingat the door, other revolution. I[er finances are a \week; her busi-
of all the nations of Europe. while their propagan?a ness is practically gone. In G(,rmanv the people areiu
agents a,’e actively promnlg’ating their theories. Neces- des]-)a~r because of their economicaml t’ood con(hi ions.
sarily all Europe is disturbed with this condition. A A cohl winter is on, with star\ation staring milltol~s in
writer in the ,metropolitan press recently said: the face.
"The b;ll’b;lrians of tim Norlh who overrun and destroyed
the Ibm,an (.ivilizali,m have l’tqill’llOft
Kngland has recently bad a change of govermn(’nt,
|0 their ancient
hauIfl’~; aml iml)elh’d by hllIl’zer ulld at Ilosil’o which was nothing sh<)tt of a rcxolution; and the man
fop plumh,r,
who for several ~ear- ha- uielded the f)ower of the
they are }lOllill SUl’ailla ll21lillst tilt’ 11}11’1"io1",4 ilIII)ON(’d lKqv<eon
’"
theln lind tile sun-lds~cd valless of lho )I’ i,~Ol’l’Hnt~Hll. nation nownm-t lakea hack>(’at. The l,al)or party has
Fromthe Scriptul’ul etandl,)il,t l’al,, lira, i,- the point b-,m a(hancedt() an ~£.k’lal l)o>ilion, \’,ilh morea(Ih(’r-
from which directions are named: ]wn(’e the "’norlh (’.~t- 1’ ~lll 5h’. Asqullhal.d MI’.l,h;\(I (:,,)l’~(, eomhilwd.
eountry" would be that of Rus.-ia. Th,- prophet Jeremiah Ahea(Ivha\’i]~’ h).-t 1’>3pt aml lrela,.I, llritaia fears
foretohl the con(litton,, nowobservedin lIus.-ia. "|tut of the loss ~d ]mha.which~xouhlm~,anthe rapid di.-int~’-
the norlh an ex-il >ball break forth upon all the inhah- ~ration of lhe empire.
itapts el the land." (Jeremiah 1:14) "For I will brin: l{~’centh" thm’e a~embh’d in l{mnel,mh’rs of the Mos-
evil from the north, and a great destruction." (,leremiah lem nations, who canoe for a (,onfqrenc(, as to wa)-s
4: 6) Efl!lpt, as used in tho Scriptures, ~s a type of the meansfor overthro\~ bag the I),ritish Oral)ire. The tronl)lc
world. The sann, prophet savs: "Egypt i< like a very with the Turk iu the Near Iqa,-t and tb,, l~alkans threat-
fair lwil’m’, but de>truetion eometh;~_t comethout of the ens to plunge the whole world into m,.other war. All
north .... The daughter of Fgypt shall b(, confoumled the nations a few months ago were agreeing" to disarm,
she shall be deliv.ered into the hand of tbe people of the and now every nation is making feverish prei.,aration
north.’" (Jeremiah 46:20.24) Waters are a symbol for war. A short tram ago there came to Ammicaa dts-
peoph,. (lh,vdatam lt: 15) In .~ymbolie phrase the tingui>hed citizen of France, with the exidm~t purpose
proplM s~.mns to refer to eonditmns now beginning: of indueing Americato prepare for another conflict and
"Thus saith the Lord: Behold, waters rise up out of to take the side of France.
the ~m,’th, and shall be an overflowing tlood, and shall In the Untied States the recent elections have demon-
overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and strafed the dis>al>factmn ext,,tint amongstthe people.
them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and Twoyears ago the country with an overwhehnina’ ma-
~11 the inhabitants of the land shall howl."- Zer. 47: 2. jority of 7,000,000 turned downthe officers in power.
Those l~ropheeies seem to refer to a moxement,de- In the recent eh’elion the pendnlumswungto the other
~trn(’tive in its nature, that begins in the north co~t.ntry. extreme. Is it any wonder that the statesmen are in
Whih, Christians must not participate in this or any perplexity and the pe(,ple in distress
other trouble, it becomesthe duty of the child of the Kw,nthe financier.- are nowtrembling. According to
Lordto (.all the people’sattention to these t,’rrible things Mr. B. C. Forbes, ~ho writes for the daily press and
as a fulfillment of divine prophccy, evidencing where who speaks with authority from a ~orhllv stm~dpoint,
we ar(, on the stream of time. it is feared that tlw incoming Conoress will enact laws
To(lay Europe is undrrgoing its greatest crisis since eliminating the guarantee of a fair return to railway
the l)eglnningof theWorld War. France is on the verge capital, a bonus law adding’ extra Mrdensto taxpayers,
of a lim~l,(,ial collapse. She faces a great deficit with no a law interfering with the Federal Reserve Act, a tax
resour(’es of revenue in sight. Her people are reslles< (lesioned to bear chiefly on <~pital. Mr. Forbes ,-avs:
Ital3"s e(m>titutional go\ernlqont has fallen: and Italy "These financiers are following closely political and so-
is ]low in the hands of a dictator, which o’overmnent real developments in Europe, and they do not like the
mayprevail for a while, but will be of brief duration. way things are going."
Condit ions in Poland are far worse than those describe,l Withoutdout)t the United States is in far hetter con-
by the public pre~s. Practically every one has tin’ned dillon, economically speaking, than any country in the
profile,re’. Under their law the owner of property has world; and it is reasonable to expect a .-lmrt period of
nothm~zto say as to whoshall occupy it and the amount prosperity in this country, and partieu]arlv iq eo,’tain
of 1,’,~1 t()lie paid. This i,q determined bv the state portions of it. This period of pros~or;tv ~ ill fm’nish a
authorit:es. The tenant, however, placed in the property test for someof the Lord’s people. Not pm’milting their
 WATCH TOWER
vision to extend beyondthe bordersof the UnitedStates,
somewill be inclined to think that our calculations with
reference to what may transpire within the next few
years are entirely wrong and that we had better slow
up m our proclamation or’ tl~e mes~-ageof the l,ord’s
kingdom.This will be a great mistake. Let us see to it
that we do not permit anvlhing to prevent us from pro-
claiming the me.-,-age ot the presence of our Lord and
the kingdom at hand.
THE CHURCH AND THE HARVEST
Looking over the field from the standpoint of the
consecrated Chri._,tian we have every reason to be grate-
ful and to rejoice. The church generally is in good con-
dition. While there is a tendency amongst some to be
overreached by the conditions of this world and to have
their ardor for the Lord’s kingdomsomewhatdampened,
such is the exceplion and not the rule. Generally speak-
ing, the consecrated e\erywhere are alert and aehw, in
the proclamation of the kingdom. They realize that the
King is here; that his kin~(lom has begun. In the (’onn-
tries suffering the greater amount of trouble there is
greater activRv ou the part of the truly consecrated. In
Germanyduring the pa.,t year there has been a tremen-
dous witness of the truth; and the peoples whos,e hearts
are sad and who~iew mlsatisfactory conditions are in-
quiring the reason why, and many have turned their
minds to reading (lod’s Word.
The CedarPoint lh,,-olutioll, calling attention to the
fact that the remedyfor the ills of the present order is
the Mes,-ianie kingdomand ])earing a messageof ~oo,l
tidings, peace, salvation, and hope to the people, has had
a wide circulation; and as the people study the condi-
tions in the hght of what is there set forth ninny more
turn to the Lord’s Wordfor consolation.
In Austria the truth is having a wider circulation
than ever. It was reported in these columnssome, months
ago how an attempt was made to break up a nweting in
¥ienna, which in part succeeded after the lecture was
well-nigh finished. Our readers will be interested to
knowthat a notice published in the paper the next day
to the effect that the cause for such disturbances is set
forth in the Wordof God and explained in our litera-
ture, resulted in more than five thousand orders for the
"Millions" book in less than three weeks; and nowthe
Society’s representative in Central Europe reports that
a class of Bible Students attending regularly the meet-
ings in Vielma numbers more than two hundred, and
that thirty-seven have recently consecrated and symbol-
ized their eonsecr~tion. Thus the Lord makes the wrath
of manto praise him, overruling Satan’s interference.
From Scandinavia comes the report of an increased
interest in the truth there and greater activity on the
part of the bretlm’n; and this is gratifying incieed.
The million or more copies of books contracted for by
the Society for continental Europe during the past year
have been oomph,ted and are going rapidly into the
hands of the people.
FromSwitzerland comereports of an increased inter-
est in the truth and greater zeal on the part of the
brethren in tmblishing the messageof glad tidings.
Recently Glasgow,Scotland, had a general convention.
A report from the chairman of that convention among’st
other things says: "This was not only the best conven-
tion, but the largest we have had here yet. Wedo not
knowexactly what Cedar Point was, but if it was better
than the Glasgow eonvenlion it must have been more
than sublime." The condition of the church in Great
Britain has never l)een better, and the brethren are
z(’alous amt carne.-t in the l)roelamation of the message.
From Ih’other George Young, who for the past 3ear
has b:’en in lhe West Indws, and British and Dutch
Guiana, eome.~lhe report of a greatly increased interest
in the truth in that sccium of the world, a larger at-
ten(lance at all the publw meetings, with houses packed
out, an(t w~tha eor~:esl)onding increase of zeal and devo-
tion on the part of the brethren.
FromCanadathe Society’s representative likewise re-
ports inerea.~,d i~terest and zeal in the proclamation
of th,, me>~a.a(’.
From Au.-t~’alm comes the report from Brother W. W.
a(,h.ston of a gv(,atly increased interest in the work
there t/lid ()f a (’o~respon(hn~ zeal manifested on
par1 of the brclhr,m and a growth in grace.
I. the l’l~tt:’d ,qtates the classes generally are in
sl)t,-n(lid coml~tion; and while here and there somemay
be fotmd who.-e faith grows weak, this is not the rule.
Oc(.asionallv a class is found that says : "Whyshould we
contimte to l)rcach "milhons nowliving x~ill never die?’
Whycan we not have something else?" These shouhl
have in mind that the walls of Jericho were compassed
about thirteen times before they fell. Doubtless those
who walked aroumt them, blowing their horns, had sim-
ilar tests to what someof the brethren noware having.
Probably they said : ~Joshua must be very foolish to
have this done.’ But in due time the Lord rewarded
faith. Weshould remember that the Lord caused Moses
to appear several times before Pharaoh and undergo
some trying exl)erienees with that ruler before he was
penmttedto lead the children of Israel out of captivity.
Doubtless the Lord pernfits these things in order to test
our faith and love and devotion to him.
OUR DUTY
The outlook for the year 1923 is indeed encouraging.
As we view the disintegration of the old order as so much
evidence bearing upon fulfilled prophecy, provin~ con-
elusively the presence of the King and the kingdom,
every one of th(! Lord’s eon-eerated should gird up the
loins of his mind aml b~’ >ober, pre.-smp on, knowin~
that ~wtorv awaits every one who thus continues faith-
fully’to the end.
The apostle Peter had a vision of the time which we
nowsee actually. Ch,arlv it appears to all the conse-
crated that the present order is being dissolved and the

WATCH
neworder comingin. "Seeing then that all these things
shall be dissolved, what mannerof persons ought ye to be
in all holy conversation and godliness ?"--2 Peter 3:11.
There are two primary things we can now do and
v’hieh devotee upon us to do: (1) To faithfully witness
to tile t~’uth as opportunity offers; and (2) to he ~-o exor-
cised by lhe experiences that come to us that v~. may
develop character plca,,dng to the Father. thus a:st.rh.g
our x’ietory and the winningof flu’ pmz~.’i’n’.sv tx~o
things are so closely allied that they are ms~,parable. As
mnbassadors of the King of kings amt l~ord of lords we
must nowbe faithful to o11r covenant, and to do so ~e
must continue faithfully to testify the meaning of the
things that are seen by all and to point the l~:’,:ple to the
better things that are soon to come. Our effort< will be
misunderstood by some; whih, others, under the inltu-
ence of the adxersary, will ddibz’rately misrepresent us.
They will even aecuse us of b’.’ing in league u ith the
radieal element, seeking to overthrow the govermnent.
The Lord himself was likewise falsely accused.
As Chri~,tians w.e have no part in the troubles that
a~tict mankind. Our part is to stand aloof from all,
taking sides with none and pointing out to others that
the hope and salvation of the world lws not in interna-
tional conferences or politwal h.a::u,,< or schemc~-, hut
that the only hope is the 3le<<iall,. kil/e’donu Some
will nn~,under~-tand us here and say ~imt we are advo-
cating a rule by the Jews,meaningthe profit’.’cring Jew.
Of course we have no such thought in m,ml. What we
do hold and teach is that the Lord will take charge of
the government and will run it in righteousness, and
that his representatives will be the faithful menof old,
Abraham,Isaac, Jacob, and others of the approved ones
or Godresurrected to perfected humaneondition.
It is a blessed privilege we have thus to testify to the
sin-sick and oppressed world, showingthe people that a
bdl,,r day is at hand. As Christians we are ~ot pessi-
misls. Weare anything but pessimist . ’,*e. are really
the only optimists on earth; for we view the present sit-
..... vamcalmness, knowingthat theLord will bring it
out on the right side and that soon he will establish a
condition of righteousness and lasting peace in the earth.
YEAR TEXT
Th(’ text for the year 1923 relates to the transforma-
tion of the Christian into the likeness of our Lord and
]taster Christ Jesus. The complete transformation into
his characterlikeness is the earnest desire of every one
of his faithful followers. It shouldbe their daily effort
to accomplishthis insofar as it lies within them. While
we are giving testimony eoneerning the presence of the
King and his kingdom, this must be promptedby one
motive: namely, love for Godand the Lord Jesus and a
love for the bettermentof our fellow creatures. Andwe
muststrive to be so exerciseg by the experiences whieh
cometo us that they will develop in us the character
likeness of our Lord. St. Paul declares: "Whom he
BROOKLYN, ~. Y.
TOWER
[God] did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be co~-
fro’reed to the image of his Son." (l~omans 8:29)
Again he says: "’Workout 3our own sahation with fea~’
and trcmbhng; for it is God who worketh in you boll,
to will and to do of ins good pleasure." (Philippians
2:1:2.13) The body mcmb:rs must be made like unto
the Ileal,t. and tlie body L:_nfl0crs must be coworker
togdhcr v, iih Godto accomplL-hll,is end.
Seeing then that we arc enteri~g upon another year,
hence a ~car nearer the eonsmmnat~onof our hopes,
howappropriah’ the w’ar text: "\re. all, with open face
beholdinga.- in a gla-s the glory of the Lord, are changed
u,lo the same hna::’e from glory to glory, even as by the
spirit of the Lord["
"ll’e all" meansall the membersof the bodyof Christ
this side the va~l. All whoin fact are in the raee for the
pmzeof the h~gh calling must be inchtded in this class;
for those to whomthe t~xt does not apply could not be
of the ciass tlmt is being transformed. The text does
not seem to admit of any exception.
"’With open face" means those who have their vision
illuminated hy reason of the begetting and anointing of
the holy spirit; those who have put away prejudice,
super~-tition and fear and whoare trusting implicitly in
in the Wordof God..]t means those who have but a
single purpose; and that ],urpose, to knowand to do the
~fll of God. To this end such are applying their minds
to ascertain the good and acceptable amt perfect will of
God. It means those who are hohling to the truth for
the love of the truth, and not hohling to it or abandon-
ing it because someone else is doing l~kewise. It means
one whoseheart is set fully upon the Lord with a defer-
ruination to he faithful, regardless of ~ho else mayor
maynot he faithfnl.
"Beholdi~l9 a.~ in a #,irror’" meanstl~ose whoare fixing
their miml upon the Wordof Cod and relying upon his
promis,.>. Whenwe look into a mirrm’ we see the reflec-
tion of our countcnauee; and evidmlCeSof character or
lack of character are ~ritten upon that eountenanee.
The mirror \~ithin the meaningof this text, however,is
the Wordof God, which reflects the character of the
Father and of his beloxed Son. our Savior. The spirit
of the l,ord is in his Word;and those ~ho have his spirit
are specially attracted to his Word. Fixing the mind
upon the Wordof God, studying it and meditating upon
it, on.e there hehohlstel!coted the attributes of the divine
eharacter : to wit, wisdom,justice, love and power.
The transformation which guax’~mtees one’s abundant
entrance into the kingdom will not be accomplished by
viewing the del’cets in others, nor by meditating upon
one’s owndefects ; nor will it be aeeomplishedby finding
fault with the efforts of others in the proclamation of
God’s Word. A mere knowledge of the Wordof the Lord
will not prepare one for the ldngdom.It is not sufl~eient
that we merdy understand the divine plan and rejoice
in the fact that Godhas made gracious provisions for
mankind. We must do something more. We must
 ,rh WATCH TOWER
view with joy the WOlld,q’ful character of our Father
and our Lord, and strive daily to copy that character.
Wemust with ~hnhw:,- of h~art tell the message to
others; and if we really love the I~ord, we calmer refrain
from telling it. lfcnrc ~xc see that the two things,
service prompted by love am[ an honest effort to grow
in the likencs~ of the Lord, are essential to every one
who would gala the prize.
"’l,’rom glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the
Lord." Glory means a position of honor in the presence
of the l,ord. The Lord is nowlm’.-’,nt. Each one of his
¯ llllhn->adol’s ]>his all honorabh,po>ltioll becauseof rcp-
resc~lting the l.ord. The{r,iH.-l;~rJ:,i~:g powerand in[lu-
once is the spirit of the l~ord: aml ~l< one is prompted
by the Lord’s spirit fa~lhful~y to perform his covenant
in the position hc nox~ occupies, {here is at Rradualtrans-
formationfromore, ,h,~.r(’e o1" glory t,) a hi,:her degree,
nltlmah,ly rca(hing lhc p().iti~m x~ith the Lord in
l¢mgdom,where th(’re will bc fulncss of jr))" and ph,as-
ures for evermore.
As we look into this divinely provided mirror what
do we see?
DIVINEATTRIBUTES
In the Wordof (’,od we ~-(’c the divine attributes
reih’cted wis(h)m, ju,tico, lo\e and power. The divine
~.ttril)uh,s, in equaland (,,-act I)alance. wetOl’lUcharacter.
The compl(’h’ >an(.tlli(.aliol~ of ihc body members
Chr>t i- lhe will of (;od: t~~t is to .-av. their setting
asid(. ~or his n,(. and for grm~ihinto his hkcncss is his
purpo-e (.om.(q’nill~ lhem.
W(’ r, ad: "’Kl~o~l~ unto Godare all his win’ks from
th, ~ be~ailmina ~)1’ lhe worh/." (Acts 15:18) tIenc(;
comq,(l(’ lhat th(, (It\ me attribute of wisdomcompletely
formulaled the (lix ine plan concerning man before the
l)eglnnnlg of tit(’ ex(,(.ution ofany part of it. Divine
])ow,’r put inh) el,oration created man. Thereafter divine
ju.-tiee became active concerning man. ",lu,-tice and
.iudum(’nt arc 1he toundatlon of thv throne." (Psalm
:’!) :11) Jehoxahin the exercise of his divine attributes,
v i-dora, justice. Icy(’, and power, decides what must be
(lone. and his d:’ci,iou is designated his will; or other-
wi,-_c stated, his law. (:od’s will expressedtowardmanis
his law concerning man. 32oman he expressed his law:
"The :on| that simwih it shall die." The infraction of
tiff, law mu~tr,,-nlt in the penalty prescribed; hence
the (>iii(.(, ,)fj/1.-twc is to see that the law is enforced
in h,~t,q’ and mspl,’it. The nnchangeahlenessof Jcho-
x~lh i, illu-traied by his justie(’. ,Jehovahncver changes.
He m,\vr lUadqcs a mistake aml never does a wrong. If
(;o,[ ~’~’~’ m;ju>t, w(’ should haveno basis f()r our ah~d-
ll~g ,’,)t~li(hq~c,.’ al~d faith in him;’out hei~ just wetony
be ~-m’~’that h,., will never fail us nor forsake us. Justice
and truth go haml in hand. Justice mav 1)e properly
used as a svnommo~t~term for righteousness.
As we behold &vine justice reflected from hi~ Word
we are to strive to copy that quahty o!2 character, austme
is the first thi~g necessoa’y in ~e building of out" own
character. This does not meanthat we are to demand
justice of every one. It does mean, however, that we
are to render justice to all men. Wenmst first be jus~
before we can manifest love; and where one resorts to
inju~-tice it is an evi&,ncethat he has ceased to exercise
the quality of love for the time being at least. This is
one of the tests that are nowopen th.e church. Jesus,
referring to this time, said: "Because iniquity shall
abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matthew
24:12) I~iquit5 means inequity, unrighteousness, or
injustice, the very m~tithesis of justice. Weshould not
lo,-e confidence in any person without a just cause
or r~,a,ou. Weshould not indulge in evil surmising or
evil q)(’ak,,g of another. Such a course is unjust. Just-
ice knows no compromise and no deviation from the
fixed rule of action. No one ~s entitled to thanks for
doing"ju,~ly. \Virile it is the privil,,ge of a Christian to
receive jn.-tice from every one, yet if he suffers injustice
it is likewise hi, privilege to bear it. NoChristian will
be authorized, however, under any circumstances to deal
unjustly with anothcr.
Love is the quality of character that prompts one to
do good unto another even at a sacrifice to himself.
"Godso loved the world that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoeverbelieveth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) It was love
that made provision for the redemption of man. In
God’s due time he began to manifest his love toward
mankind, and this manifestation i:c made particularly
in the sending of Jesus to be our Redeemer. "Hereiu
is love, not that we loved God,but that hc laved us, and
sent his Sou to be the propitiation for our sins. In tln~
was manifested tl~e love of Godtoward us, bccau,c that
Godsent his only begotten Son into the world, that we
might live through him." (1John 4:10, 9) Thus
see that the love of Godbeing nmnifc>ted to mancaused
him to sufl’er a great sacrifice. As we behold his charac-
ter thus rellccted from his Wordwe are taught that true
love upon our part can be manifested only bv sacrifice.
Our adoratmn of Jehovah and our joyful submission to
his will lifts us up to the point of loving him supremely
because of his true worth. It becomes our privilege,
then. to sacrifice our time, strength, energy, money,in-
fluop(,~,, and whatsoever we have, to glorify the Lord
,I(,hoxah and our Lord Jesus in telling forth the quali-
tie~ of d~aracter possessed and manifested by them.
IIencc tlw onh" pleasing motive for service is that of
h)ve; and wher~, love promptsthe action of the Christian
ther(, is no fear ,ithcr of manor of other adversary.
True love for th(. l~ord Jehovah is the result of an
abn[i~g confidence in him. Trusting in his absolute
1)ow(,r and love toward us, m~din his justice and his
wi;dom~,xercised for us. we love him with all our mind,
strength, heart, and being. I-Ience we joyfully sacrifice
what_-ocxer we hav~~, that his namemight be glorified.
It is the holy spirit, the spirit of Godoperating in us,
that leads us to this developmenl: of ckaxacter; and
 WATCH
thus by this power or spirit are we transformed into
his character likeness.
I.o~ e for tb.:’ brethren meansan unselfish desire to do
good to flwm, and doing good, even though it costs us
much.]{eeogtfizil~g a brother as a fellow meml~"rjour-
neying toward the kingdom,ore" honest heart’s desire is
to ,-co him pr,~or,,,-s. ,lu-tlce wouldforbid us trying to
do injmT to lmn. Love would impel ns to make a saeri-
flee that he might he lmihled up on the most holy faith.
Love for the p,"oph,s of the worh/ does not mean a
desire to have tlwJr a:~proval or to a/tee with them;
but it n>ansa d"~ ir~, cn our part to lwlp lhe pcol3h’s of
the world by poil~t~i~ lhenl to the only m,,’ans of salva-
tion and blessin/. Amlsince we see that {;od loved us
while we were sinners, developing that Godlike attribute
we shall have a pity for the poor groanin/ m’eahonand
a sincere, bent,st &,,-~re to see tlmmbenefited by a better
condition. And this loxe leads us joyfully to tell to
themthe nlcs,,a,,, of th.,, Me.--;anie king’dom.The ma-
jority of tt> 1)’~ ?to,, cf lhe wochl,vsv’cial]y the leaders,
are arrayed aga~>t(;, d’, l~eoph’ ; lwncetermedenemies.
But we are conm,:aml,’,d to love ore’ cnemwsas Godloves
his. This do-,s n, t meanto syml’alhiz, wiH~their course;
but it does re(an to ha~e an honeM.,.mcere desn’e to see
them lifted out of the mire and degradation and given
a position of blessing.
Weview the terrible conditions of the world as herein-
before briefly described; and while we are not at all in
sympathywith any of the wickedncs.-, crime, and wrong-
doing carried on by any class or any people, yet the
heart’s sincere desire of the Chm:,tmnis, prompted by
the spirit of the Lord, to see all classes of menlifted
out of the mire of degradation and to see them enjoy the
sunlight and blessing of the Mes.-_ianie kingdom now
coming into power.
l:rom the divine mirror we see the wisdomof Jehovah
relh,ctcd. Wisdompermitted justice to act first. Wisdom
held back love until the due time for its manifestation;
and wisdom in due time will operate the power of God
to the general good of all manldnd.
Wisdomis knowledge applied in such a mann or that
will result in the greah,st amount of good. Weacquire
knowledge from the Word of God. Westudy the Word
of God that we maytherel)v ascertain his good and ae-
c.cptable and perfect will. Webecomewise, then, in pro-
portion as we imbibe and follow the, Word of God.
ttence as we l>hohl the perfect wisdom of Jehovah and
strive to copy it we are transformed into this attribute
of character likeness.
The tin>. has comefor the Lord to exercise his power
eoneerning the kingdoms of this world. Jehmah is ex-
ercising this through his great and beloved Son Christ
Jesus, the King of kings and Lordof lords. In Revela-
tion we behold a picture of our Lord, "called Faithful
and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make
war." tie comes forth nowto exercise divine power
against the unrighteousness of Satan’s empire. The
TOWER
members of the bodythis sid.,’ the vail possess little or
no power, and whatsoever they have they are admon~’hed
to use but for one, purpose. ’i hey are specially admon-
ished never to use what littb pox~er they have as the
world uses it. "For th,m.,,.h we walk in the flesh, we do
not war after the, flesh; for the weaponsof our warfare
m’e not car~ml, but lmghly through Godto the pulling
downof strong hohls." (2 Corinthians 10 : 3, 4) In pro-
portion as we have the spirit of the l,ord, in that pro-
portion we will use what faculties we possess to the
1,ord’s glory. It is ore’ privilege, then. to exercise the
little powerwith xvludl we are endowedon this side the
xail in advertising the King and his kingdom.
Gazing into the mirror of the Lord, we see nowhis
power being made manifest for good; and as we imbibe
that spirit there is a grad,la[ transfornmtlon of ourseh’cs
more and more rote his hkeness, appreciating the fact
that it is our privilege to use all of our faculties to his
praise and glory. The more we study the matter, the
more we see the ab>,"lute necessity of<n~,l,~ln,, in th,2
Lord’s service as his true ropresel~tatwes aml proxing
ourselves faithful and true ~llm,sses in order that we
may develop the charaetor iikem,ss of our Lord aml
King. Let us see to ~t, then, that all of our acts are
based upon ju-tiee: that they are all premiered by the
spirit of love; that we act wisely and m harmol~v~lth
the. divine Word; and that we use our powers aml facul-
ties to the glory of the I~ord. Thus as we continue to
gaze upon the perfect character of our Father and upon
that of his beh>xedSon, x~h,) is the expre,-s imageof tim
l"ather ; and as we dllig(,ntly strive to copythis character
likeness, movedal~avs by the spirit of loving devotion
to him, we are changed into his image from one degree
of glory to anothcr~ even by the spirit of the Lord.
leach week we will have a text in harmonywith this
general thought. Taking the wccldytext, then, as a basis
of thought and study, we shall find manycorresponding
texts that will enabh, us to obtain a clearer understand-
ing of the vcar text and to profit bv it. It will be the
purpose el ’[’lie Wamctt TOWEl{ to publish in advance a
brwf statement of each one of the weeklyt~’xts, as sug-
ge.-ting ralher a line of thought: aml our readers pos-
ses,-ing the STUDIES IN THE NCI/II’TURES, rl’ttF ~VATcIt
’l’owEl~, and the other helps can follow this up :further
each ~eek. Thus doing, ~e shall all during the entire
year be studying the same general subject matter; and
it is to be hoped each will be growing more and more
into the likeness of our Lord and IIead.
FIRST WEEK
The text for the first w,oek of the year is: "’Thou
se,ndest forth thy spirit, they are created.’" (Psahn 104:
30) Spirit means the invisible power or holy inflm’nce
of God. The words of the Psalmist are to the effect that
God’s invisible poweris exercised and his creation tel-
lows. Quoting from Volume 5 of STVDIESIX z~rE
Sc~u~,s: "The power of God, his vehicle of energy,
JANUARY
1, 1923
fecundated waters, or renderedthem fruitful, prolific.
Similarly, ’holy men of oht spoke and ~rote as the.v
were ~o~.’ed 1)y the holy spnu{,’ the hoh- miluence or
power of God fecundated their mi.(Is, ca..-mg them to
brir.,g forth thoughts such as God wished to have ex-
pressed. (2 Pete,’ 1:21) Similarly, the skilh,d xxorkmen
whomMosesselected to l)repare the l)ara/)herr, al.a
the Tal)enmele were brought m.ler the mlluence of the
divine power, to the energizing or quwk,,ning of their
natural faeulf>s, without affecting them in any moral
sense, even as the waters of the great dez’p were not
affected in a moral sense .... l,fl(ewise, we are in-
formed that Jehovah Godput upo’l Mosesand the elders
of Israel his spirit, with special pow,r for j,daing in
Israel’s affairs, preserving order, elf.’" E125, 116.
Our study this year, houever. (I’alswith the new
creatmn, of which Jesus is the II ad, lhe Fro-thorn.
"lte is the beg’tram%the firstborn Ih’omthe dead : t!’at
in all things he might have the preenfinenee." ((~,’los-
stuns 1:18) The Lo?,os was the beginning of all God’s
er(’atio,. The S(’rlt)tures then in~ro(luee us to a
erealio, of tim divine nat,re (2 Peter I : 4), a creation
far above other powers and prin(’ll)ahties, of whwh
Christ Je>us ix ll~e preeminent l>a<l over all. (Philip-
plans 2: 9-11) In preparing this new creation, ~hich
will have preeminenceabove all others, Godfollowed the
rule of’ fir,.t puil i,~g the membersthrough trying expe-
rmnces, lhus affording thenl an ()l)l)ortmfity prove
their loyalty and devotion to the Creator and his prin-
eif)les of rL’,hleoa>p, ess. Christ Jesus, the /Iced of this
new creation, "though he were a Son, yet learned he
obedience by the firings which he suffered." "For if
b,’came him, for whomare all thin,~s, and by whomare
all firings, in brin?ing manysons unto glory, to make
the cal)tain of their salvation perfect through suffer-
ing." Ilehrews 5: 8; 2:10.
]t is the spirit of God,his invisible powersent forth,
that results in all of hit creel,ms, including the new
creation. Each of these must be developed in the school
provide(l for that purpose. It will be profitable, then,
for each one of us in tile school of (’hrist during this
year to behold in the mirror of fled his character like-
ness and that of the Itead of the new creation, that we
maybe by his spirit transformed into the likeness of
our Lord and Kin~.
SECOND WEEK
"’Hehathbe:,)tten us to a ho/)e of life.’" (1 Peter 1 : 3)
Jesus, the Head of the new er(at.m, was begotten to
the divine nature at the ,Jordan. Beg(’iting means be-
ginning; hence this was the beginning of the newerea-
THE ENDURING
"I opened the old, old Bible
And looked at a page of Psalms,
Till the wintry sea of my troubles
Was soothed by its summer calms ;
lion. For three and a half years he taught his disciples.
They were fully consecrated followers, h,arning of the
Lord. Before, howe~er, they could be begotten to the
divine nature tile great ransom/)rice must be presented
to divine justice as a sin-offering. WhenJesus ascended
on high Mlis was thus presented, and evidence of this
was given whenat Pe,t~’ec, t the holy Sl)trig was mani-
fe,.-ted uI~o, the disciples in the form of tonguesof fire.
Before tl’at time they were consecrated, but now they
werejn,-lltied, a(’cepted as a part of tile sa(,rifiee of our
Lord. and begotten to the divine nature; hence it was
their lwginning.
This be~etting is likened unto a contract. A eontraet
requires two parties, whose min(ts must racer. There
mu,-t be som(,thi~ done on each side. Whenwe come to
the l,or(I and fully surrender ore’selves in eonsecralion,
that act is e(tuhalent to agreeing that the Lord shall
take us and use us in whatsoever manner he sees best
amt g’ra,t unto us just such blessings as his love and
w~:’(h:mdi(,tate. It is a promise to do the will of God.
Th(’ Lor(I ,lesus, then imputing his merit, presents such
an one to th(, heavenlyl:ather. "It is Godthat ju,-titictlu"
B(qng.jt~;titic(I. we have peace with C,o(l lhr,)u:dl
l~or(I a.d SaxJot ,I(,: u,-(’hri,-t andaretim.- mmh, ac(’ept-
able a.- a l)art of his ..acrifiee; and b’,qngtim. ae(’el)h’d,
we are h(’~oile. 1o lh,’ (lixi.e nature, and thi~ i- (lone
by tile l~ord ,Jehovah?.wing to us his e\e,’~’(lit,,:: -real
and precmnspromises. IIe promises that we shall 1)., of
the divine llt~ttu’e, provided we fulfil our part of the
covenant. "()f his (ran will begat he us with the word
of truth, that we shouhl be a kind of firdfruits of his
creatures." (James 1:18) "His dixine power hath given
unto us all things that pertain unto hie and ~.odliness,
. . . whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
preei<>us promises, that by these ye might be I>artakers
of the <livine nature." (’2 Peter 1 : ,3, 4) "God. . . hath
begotten us unto a hope of life by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from lhe (lead, to an inlwritauce hmor-
ruptiblc."--I Peter 1 : 3, 4.
An(l when tbe time (.ame for tlle ~athermg unto tile
present Ki.gr the nlenll)ers Of his body, this Scmpture
applies : "Gather mysaints together unto me, lhoselhat
hay(’, madea covenant [contract] with me by sacrifice."
- Psalm 50: 5.
()themlse stale(l, wesacrifice our all I)yfull surren-
der to the l,or(I, and he g’ives us the exeeeding great
and preciou~ promises; and this is the beginning. Then
we have new hopes, newaml);t,)ns, new prospects, and
new (h’sires ; and as newcreatures we b(,~in to be trans-
formed into tile likeness of the Head,Christ Jesus.
WORD
"For the words that have helped so many,
And that ages have made so dear,
Seemed new in their power to (,omfori
AS they brought me a word of elmer."
 JESUS HEALING ON THE SABBATH
JA~uAnY 7--L~’I~E
SATANTRIES TO "~£AKEJESUSAFRAID----THBSABBXTI-IA TIMEFORnESTITUTION--JESUS
OF ][(INGD03£ TRI2TIIS~rttE DANGER OF BEINGSHUTOUTIq{O.~i TIIE LASTSERVICE.
’~lt is la~r]ul to do good on the sabbath day."--Matthcw 12:12.
I T SEEMScertain that the events narrah,d ill the thir-
teenth chapter of Luke’s gospel took place ~ hen our Lord
was making his last.journey t’ronl Galilee to Jerusalem.
He traveled on tlle east side of Jordan, in the dis! l’l(.t known
as Perea, thus avoiding the road through Samaria, and vis-
iting some districts where he had not previously ministered.
Luke tells us that at this time there were seine xx he came
to Jesus to tell hilu of a terrible thine dom~ by Pilate. That
cruel. ]’Llhless lilan had slain yOllle (hlhle;In~, \x he wel’e visit-
ing ,h,ru. < .elU, and who, probaltly, were \xor-hiping ill the
-tenll)h’ eo’.,_rts; and to show hi< utter (.onlenq)t for the Je~.v
ish worship and sacrifices, he had nlinah’d their blood with
that of the saerilices they offe:.,i
L(lke does not state why Ih ~b~ j~oph’ lohl Je,qlS of this,
but the w’ty in which lie narrates the itmitlenl in<li(’ates that
Jesus did not receive them as friends but l’alher ;is pnennes.
In all probahility lheir object was to frighlen lhe Lord: for,
txcept Judas who betrayed him, he and his cOmlhmy were
all Galileans. Perhaps they thought that the l,ord would
hesitate, and not continue his journey to Jerll~;llelu. Wlmt-
vet their laotive, without doubt i[ was Sahln who 1)rompted
their going to the Master. He had tried to -e, lu(’e our Lord
from the narrow patbway by makin~ him speeml offers of
advancement in the world; lie had tried him lhrou~h Peter’s
/oving s3 mpathy when l’eter said qbout .h,su~’ death: "Lord,
let it not be; pity thyself" (Matthew 16:2", margin) ; and
now he was nmking an attempt to tm.u the Lord aside
through fear of consequences to him and his lilile company.
He failed; the Lord refused to be intimidated.
SATAN TRIES TO MAKE JESUS AFRAID
Unexl)eetedly lie questioned them. "Snppose ye," he sqid,
"that these (tel(leans were sinliers abo~e all lh( ¯ Gel(leans
because they suflet~d such things’."’ Then :mbw(,ring ills
own question, he said: "I tell you. Nay: ])lit, except 5e
repent, ye shall all likewise perish." They presumed that
these lnen wore not under the care of God, as others were;
else Pilate wouhl not have been ’able to sbty them; and
there was an assumption that Galihqms were sinners more
than others. Jesus also reminded lhem that some time
before, the tower of Siloam in Jel’u>aleni had fallen and
slain eighteen persons. Jesus said: "Think ye th’tt the~e
were simwrs above all other lnen tiler dwelt in Jerus~-
lenVY’ By putting these questions lo them he showed that
ace(dents could happen to those of Jerusalem as ~xell
[,s eahmdties to sinllel’s of Galilee. The way he put the
question shows that to him all the lnen of Jerusalem, as
well as all in Galihm, were shiners. Said Jesus : "Unless ye
repenl ye shall all likewise perish."
Whether or l|O[ (hear were Pllarisees who (.anle to billl
we do not know: but tl(e Lord shows that they and !ho
one~ ~ he died, as well as all other~ of Jerusaleln and Galilee
--in olher word~, all the house of Israel--were sinners in
the siaht of (h,[l: and unless they repented and aeknowl-
edg-ed hinl ~l,~ the one sent of the Father, they would all
perish, an ih~,~e llllfortlulf’.~_es had done. To emphasize his
nwamna- our l.m’d -,poke the parable of the figqree planted
ill ii "~-inej:lrd. lie told that the owner came lo find fruit for
three .~ears and found none, and then told the vine-dresser
lo (,ul it down, saying, "Why eumbereth it the ground?"
The vine-dresser pleaded that it should have one niore
year’s trial. IIe said: "Lord, let it alone this year also,
till I shall dig about it and dung it: and if it boat" fruit,
well: mid if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."--
Luke13 : 8, 9.
13-
INDIGNANT
AT HYPOCRISY--CORRt
I’TION
It is clear that the fig-tree repr("sents the .lewish people,
and tile o~ner of the vinesard Jehovah their (~od. The
three yeal~ represent tile labor of Jesus ah’eady ImSt, and
without show of fruit. God could very properly have eon-
eluded the ~ork of Jesus at that time: for all elas~es of
people had re.jet.ted Idm; but in his nlercy they v~’ore still
Lollav(, Ill(, furl]lel" l)emod of trial until the hill lime
Jesa<’ rain(nit5 should have expired. Six month~ laler he
was (-ru(.ilied at (he hands of that fickle, cruel 1)eolde,
full el’ l~ro:ession of loyalty to God, but so empty of devo-
thin. AFter l’entecosl many of them rt’t)~litetl and turned to
the Lord. "rod emered into the blessings whiel~ God titan
had for his people, but as a people the,~ rejected hllH and
were roj¢,(.ted by him, and Imssed on h) their lalnishmenl.
As a nation they l~el’islwd, as a people they entered inh) (l,e
direst troul)le lhat any people has ever had inlli(.(ed llpOll
them by the prmidence of God.
The time of trolll)h’ now on the worhl eorresl)(mds to that
which came upon lhe Jews after they had re.h ~.tet[ tilt, I,ol ,I.
In the 1)l’esent worldtl~)uble sonic llflliOll,~ [h!V,’ il]l’(’;HI), ,,,ll[-
fered heavily, but we need not think that th( :, are .,,miters
above the re.-t el tile nations of earth, lhou::h it ilia} well
be that God will mark out for special tribulation lhose who
have dealt hardly with his people, tim Jews. We call how-
ever, be certain of this--that all the peoples of the earlh
are sinners in the sight of God; for they neither aelmowle(lae
him nor his (2hri,~l, and they reject the truth "~i(h s(.orli,
even as lhe Jews rejected Jesus. Also as then, so now Sat:m
seeks to frighten the l,ord’s people lro’.n their work, throllgh
fear of evil eOllSe(lllenees ; but the true (lis(’il/le goes forward
as his Master did. All Cbristendom is im o1\ ed in Ihe world’s
trouble; and it is the church’s lm~..ness 1o tell Io all that
unless there is quick rel)entanee all, .h~(lean or (hal(lean,
Christeudom or in heathendom, "will likewi-,, l)erish." We
thank God that we kuow that the time of Ii’ollbh, is nol lira’
end of all things. God’s mercy with all it~ ble~qngs of resti-
tution lies beyond it.
S ~,BBA’I’H A TI31E FOR RESTITUTION
At’ter Ibis ]Al]<O i’elales lilt ine,dcl|t which Iorlhg lhe l)H’g:s
O17today’s lesson, and ai\-es lhe tlmuahl for tilt, hqdc : ’Lh"ql’S
Healing on lhe S,dflmth." Ill on1’ Lord’s lllUli--lr.~ lhcl’e wore
many inshu,ves of he;ilin~ on S:tlflmth days. Dllrin¢ ;t part
ot" his (htlilean lllini.qr b .Jesus lllUSt lulve daily spent many
hours in lhe mil~islry of he, ilia-’; but the Gospels, ~by hrin,.-
hit into l~l’Onlint’lwe (’~,rlahl notable illehlenls of healing Ill)on
Sal)hath dax~,, emph,l~ize the fact tlmt Jesus’ lnhdstry awl
healiug, and the S;Ihlmlh (hty are in-el)arahly lild,:ed. With-
oul d,~llht Israel’s Sald):tlh was a fi~ure of the linle when
God’s 11’ne l’est would be entered into in full el@~51m,nt of
his oHa’ln,tl lfles~htas as in Eden. But Jesus shows llmt the
true Sabbath. whi% a lhne of rest, is also a time of restitu-
tion and of bit,sings of healing.
On this Sabbalh day in the synagogue where Jesus was
teaching, there was a woman preseut who had "a stnrit of
iufil’nlity." Jesus saw her amongst the eOlllpall 5. She Was
bowed down, bent double, Its it would be expressed ill homely
phr’/se; and it may be that her head raised up showed her
eyes appealing to him; or it may be purely bet.Just he
desired to show his lrue ministry that he spoke to her. We
do not know. BBI \re do know that he said to her: "Woman,
thou art loosed from thine intirlnity." Moving from his
place, he laid his hands upon her; and immediately she was
made straight, and glorified God.
19
 WATCH TOWER
JESUS INDIGNANT AT HYPOCRISY
The ruler of the synagog’ue was indignant and voiced his
anger that Jesus should heal on the Sabbath day. He said
to the congregation: "There are six days ill which men
ought t*) work [Tills was a rebuke to tile Lord]: in them
therefore come and be healed, and not on tile sabbath day."
This was a relmlce to lhe people. This ;itlitude and the
hardness of heart he disclosed cqnsed our I,ord to turn
upon trim imme(lialely. "lift)col’lie," he said, "doth l.’o: e;tch
one of you on tile sabbalh h)ose his ox or Isis ass from the
stall, and h ml hinl away to waWrina? "llld ought not this
V¢Olnall, boiil~ a (lallghter Of’ .~l)l’ah;lln, wholll Salall hath
bound, lo. l]:e-u,, (i’:h|eell yeas’% be loosed ]’toni this born[ on
tile sabbath day’,"
This ruler "~\;/-~ (,vidently gl)~’:ll,-ii~a For ,ithers in the sylla-
~q)glle xx]lo ~,VOl’e o~’ lhe s, lnle (’alh)lls ([i.i)o>ition as lie, and
our Lord slloke l(i them \V[len lie ~l)oke I() l/re I’llleP. Here
an exhibition of ~x hat a tlharisai(.al nliml x~ill lead a manto.
It wolsl(l prefer I1,I :1 ~.()o,l ;letio~ shollhl 11oi be’ done Sl:lloss
il (’(ulld be dolw a,,(.ol’ding lo the rule-; laid downby ortho-
doxy. The way .h-ms Dills his (lneMioll shows that he took
lhe Salflmlh (t;13 as a (lay Sl)(’(’i;fily sel al);Irt for healing,
and lb:ll lhey ollzh[ to have un(]er~,lood il Ihus.
Here was {he l,osi[hm: A (tail,stiler o[: .~bl’ahitnl tlound
for ei.ahteen y(,al’,4 I)y Snl:m. and filek;on of .~l)l’la]l’Sln pres-
ent who could loose the hoild, aml the day, (;od’s OWll day
of rest, a Sabbath to enjoy: 3 et tl~eso hard-heas’ted, fornsal-
ily-obser~in/ reliKionist~ l)l’cfcrrcd lh:ll one ~)1’ God’s (.hil-
dren sholshI rtqll:lin in bonda".’e of the dexi[ ral]ler lhan be
released t.~cause they had certain i(leas of whal was proper
to be done on that d’ty. There is no cruelty like that (ff tile
creed-bound heart. The nmnner iu which our Lord put this
made these nlen ashamed of themselves, but it made the
people glad mid they rejoiced in all that was done by him.
q~’he ease of this \vonl’ln SCelllS to lie Of a selni-denloniacal
trouble. Luke, who was a physician, says shp was bomH1 by
a spirit of infirlnity, as if she were possessed by a spirit
which caused her to believe that she could not straighten
herself. The touch of the Lord healed her, caused her to
exert tier will, giving her permanent cure. Here is an exam-
pie for the consecrated. They are sons of Abraham, hohlers
of the promises (Galatians 3 : 29) ; and it is their privilege,
whenever hrought face to face with those bound of the
devil, at least to tell out the gl"leious mess.age which, if
received, will loosen every bend or’ Satan.
CORRUPTION OF KINGDOM TRUTHS
Luke then tells us that oar Lord spoke two parables--
ttmt of tim Mustard Seed and that of the Leaven. The
mustard seed, which we are told is the smallest of all seeds,
grew into a great tree, and the fowls of tile air lodged in its
brunches. The leaven hidden in three measures 9f meal
worked its w~y into tlle mass until the whole was leavened.
Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to both these growths.
What is the point of tim illustration? We know the common
inlml)retation--that tile truth as proclqimed by .lesus, sown
by him as a small seed, would grow antil it would be a tree
that could shelter the nations; and that tile little leaven of
truth which he placed wouhl work its way inlo the mass of
humanity until all m’mkind shall be permealed with it.
We do not accept these interpretations, however.
Probably our Lord had in mind that which had ah-eady
happened in Israel. God trod given them tile Law and com-
mandments at Sinai. But false professors had enlarged upon
the Law with their own vain suggestions and, as Jesus said,
had by their traditions made the word of God of none effect.
Our Lord indicates that much the same thing would happen
to his teaching. There would be those who would lay hold
Upon it, and fasten upon it vain traditions of men making
it of none effect. It is a clear matter of history that the
church of God so called has grown into a huge establish-
ment of an entirely abnormal growth; has been fosters~l by
kings, pc:curates, and politicians; has been enriched by
merehams and I)y those who have exploited men on behalf
of organized religion ; and that the great tree of Chrislian-
ity has ha,l, and slill has, its branches full of "birds of the
air," the agents of the evil one. Later, ill I~evelati(m 18:2,
our I.ord sa3s lhat lkll).~hm has become tile hold of every
hate!ul an(l sm(’lean bird.
1{( si~,+cting the other ligure, leaven, we know that leaven
is elY, ,13"~ t;se(l ill S:’l’il)l Isre as a symbolof evil or corruption.
The x\om;m, the !at.,’ (’hurt’h, unfaithful to God, has placed
leaven into thal. whwh was the true food of the church of
God; and lhe corrssl)tion worked until truth (’ould hardly
found. We thank (fed that the Lord in timse days of his
pres,,m.e has on(’c again given his people elcals food free
from defilement, tile corruption of leaven, of Satan’s lies, of
1] ~- i-!:oP.~hts of evil men, and Of tile doctrines of demons.
DANGER OF BEING SHUT OUT
".,~ :~, renlal’kS of onr Lord caused one to raise the qUes-
tion, "Lord, are there few that be saved?" Tile Lord told
him tlle main question was the person,fl one. lie said:
"Strive to enter in at tim strait gate: for many, I say unto
you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." The point
of iml)Ortanee is not knowledge as to how many will be
saved, but "am I getting inside the door of the house?"
Personal resllonsibihty is involved, and must be aceouuted
for. The l.ord speaks of tile time when the door will be
closed. It is as if he had referred to his ministry, then con-
tinned more than three years in Israel, and was making
reference to lhe few wile had listened to him. Perhaps our
Lord meant lo tell tile speaker that there was a time com-
ing very quickly when ttm house of Israel would find the
door of God’s favor shut.
But the Scripture certainly has reference to the end of
tile g~ospel age; that is, to our own day. The Lord says
plainly that there wiP. be a time when the 5Tn~tor o¢ the
bonse will rise nil and shot the door: ;rod he indicates that
ihure will be some who will then knock, quite expecting lhe
Lord to olsen it to them. They speak to ldm familb~rly:
"Lord, Lord, open unto us." Then the Lord dee’.ares that
be will say that he does not know them or from whence
they are. "P, ut," say they, "we have eaten and drunk in
thy presence, and then hast taught in our streets." But the
Lord will say: "I cell you, I know not whence ye are;
depart frola me, all ye workers of iniquity." These should
have known the Lord’s will, and they would not have mis-
used their opporlunily. They are bidden to depart from
him, and art, (.;~lled "workers of iniquity."
The Scriptures :~ re. very definite that when the Lord enters
into judgment--wbi¢.h time is now on--that all not fml.7d Jn
harmony with him are treated as workers of iniquity. The
Lord x~ HI not own them, even though they have "eaten ar, d
drunk in his presence." He indicates that there wtil be
many surprises, iNot only will many come from unexpected
places and gain a place in the kingdom of God, bu: some
lo~t-oomof stroll enter into the highest places; sore, ~ of the
last will be frst, and some oi the nrst will be last.
We suggest that our Lord here does not refer only to the
shutting of the door of the high calling, nor to entrance
into heaven ; but that he has special and direct re~ereJ,ce lo
the last phases of the work and experiences of the church.
There comes a moment when the door of Opportunity tor
the enjoyment of the presence o£ the Lord wills all its
favors of service under his special direction is closed. Those
who have for any rea~u. ~u~ beeu so watchful as they ought
 v,, WATCH TOWER
to lmve been, find themselves "outside" the privileges of intimated that he expected to complete his work in Jerusa-
service. They want to do something, but the5 ha’,e no lem, and there, and in the same way, to share with the
guidance from the Lord. The leaders ask those who are led many servants of God who had (.ompleted their service,
where they should lead them next; the shepherds ask the slain by those to whomtile3" had sought to convey the word
sheep for direction! They are surprised about this: they or God. The l)rol)hets of God are still slain, or murderously
tell tile Lord that they have worked and eaten with him. atla(.ked l) 5 those who are the resl)onsible leaders of (’hris-
But he refuses to have any relationship with them; they tendoln. Thanks he to God, even these shall yet see the
must take their place with all other Ol)l)osers of the king- truth in the kingdom, and will say, "Blessed be he that
dom--in the trouble and distress of the outer darkness in eometh in the name of lhe Lord."
which Christendom is involved.
As our Lord was speaking some Pharisees eanle to tell
him to get out of the country, because IIerod intended to
kill him. This was another atlempt on the part of the
enelny to get our Lord to turn back, lo allow himself to he
*intilnidaled; lint neither those who lold him about th,
Galihmns, nor’ lhese Pharisees, nor tile devil himself, eouhl
instill a spirit of fear into our Lord. On a former oec’l~ion,
in the exercise of his judgment, when he hoard that Herod
had killed John the Baptist Jesus had ]efl the ~outhern
part of the country to go north. But when the lilne cnnle
lhat he should turn his fact. towards .]orllsah’lu. nolhin~
wouhl deter him from his purp,~e of carrying out Isis
Father’s will, and he had no hc.qlaliol] ill "-p:’.ll~_h~ plain
words to those who came to him. "Go .re, and toll that fox,
1}ehohl, I east out devils, and I do eure-~ loday and Ioutorrow,
and the third day I shall be perfevted." Our Lord then

JESUS TEACHING HUMILITY

--.l.’,xlr_,,_nY 14--I,t’~: 14---
OOD DOING SABBATII DAY WOI,’I{--NE(’EssrI’Y OF III’MIIA’I Y--511,~,NING IIPPORTUN1Tll’S--(’OST OF DISCIPLESHIP.
"God ~esistcth the p~oluh ,ml gil;eth grace lo the humble."--1 I’(,ter 5: 5.

I N TIlE Ih’st verses of this chapter Luke ;:ires

in(.ilhmt of Jesus’ teaching respe(qing the Sabbath.
went inlu the house of one of the (’hJef l’harisees to eat
another their own property was in (hmger their cupidity would lead
them to keep the law in its spirit
stri(.l;eli wolmm()l’ a si(’k in,ill,
as well as letter.
h,*we~el’, excited neither
2x

bl’ea(I on tile Sahhath day. There was t)renent "t mantlllli(,ted (.Onll)a.-~ion nor love. Their ox or lheir a>s lnight be bound,
with drol)sy. Je*us saw that the law.vm’, and lho Ph:trisees and the3 x~ouhl loose it ~(~ ~rive it water; hut a son or
present were watt.hind hinl, evidentl3 m -~’e wllal lie would da~l;~hler of Al*l’;Ih,llll 1)ollnd l~y Satan did not concern them.
fie. Jesus inlnlediately rai.~ed lhe ti|lt’~,ll(lli. "i’~ it hlwrul to If Ih~,y reall3 lind cared for the healing of the man alllieted
heal o12 the sahhalh day?" The3 hold |heir peace: none with dropsy, it~,*iea(1 of w:tt(’hing Jesus wilh "t eriti(.al
could answer him. Then. \xhile th% xxcl’e -ileal, lw brought the3 \Vollhl h:l’ ,’ broll~hl the nlHll lo Jesus and besought foe
the. sick mall hefore all the eompan3 and healed hhn. healing. ~\ hal they wanled was to entrap the I,ord lille
Whether or not this situation was devised we emmet cer- solne|hing ~x h~ h x~ollhl s(q,lll contrary to 1he Sahbath la,v,
tainly say, but we are inclined to believe that lhese people in order to inc~|e lh~ ~ people IL’.t’aiust him.
had set a trap for the Lord. In the Ih’.~l xerse Luke says
that the3 watched Jesus; and it iq imlu’ob.d)le lhat a nmn GOD DOING SABBATH-DAY WORK
broil3 alllieled with dropsy wouhl be 1)resent ill that (.om- Perhap~ this im’idt.nt was used of the 1,erd ill ;t special
pan v exceptby tirrallgelllent. ’.l_’ll(.s,e -111~’11 "~vel’o a]x\llys see]~, xxay: I,~l" 11o o|hcr inslan(’e of he.titaN on the Nabl)ath
ing Io set a trail for the Lord, that lhey mi.~ht raise an other i!]~isl v:llion seem,, .]tlqt so explicit as Io the real nlettn-
accusation agMnst him or prejndi(.e him in the minds 9f ill;~" ()i lho Sttl~lulI]l. [ly il .lt’>tl~ <ho;vs (h)d’s lovinR at,i:’~de
tile lU,ople :is one "WhO h,td no re~peet for tile ll’aditions, towa~d~hi,~ l’al}el~ (’l’e;tlures and his plallq ]’or 1licit l’eqlor&-
which were held in such high esteem. These righleoun nlen, tion. God el’(;ttt’d lllHlt l)erfeet, but he was heotlles~ an(]
so (.areful for the smmtity of the Sal)lmth, xxouht have fooli>h. Man x\~t~ lhe ~tss which fell into lhc pil of sin ahd
hesitation in arranging an exil device on that day. Satan s 1)ondaae, and that very early on God’s N,ibl,ulh day.
Bill ae.us, ever the master in every sitll-ltion, (’aught But his owner, his gracious Creator, did not h,axe hin~ there
lhenl in thou. own trap. They were not exl)e(’ting lo to waste awa3 ttnd pori,ql, but arranged lo rc<(’ue hiln fronl
questioned, and lhey were t)ut ’to silen(.e; for lhe teaching the pit. The Falher beaan to nl;tl{e arl’anaelnents for the
of their rabhis had nntde no provision for such work as rescue, lind \~orked on l)rcparing tile eovelntnt arrltngenlelltS
.leMl’~ W;Iq doing, sin(’e never hefore in the ldstory of Israel until he sent .Testis 10 e:lrl]l. Then .Jesus began lo lake up
lind there been such a healer as he. ’I’lmu .lesus said to the work, as he said: "My Father workelh hilherto, and
them : "Which of you shall have ;Ill llss or an oK fallen into [now] I work."--John 5:17.
a pit, and will not strai,ahtway lmll him out on the sabbath The work of getting the ass out o17 the pit will continue
day’."’ A~ain they were sdent: for they knew that if ordi- throughout the seventh day nf God’s rest. Ver.v soon the
nary eOlllpa,dsion for au unfortunate allitllltl \vould not cause church will be engaged in the work; and the last period of
them to deliver it from the pit their greed would do so. this great Sabhath day will be a very husy lillle while lnan
These men were great sti(.klers for their own interpreta- is heing delivered from the l~ond,ae of the pil, and his
lions of the law, but were greedy and avaricious; and wheu goings established in the paths o£ righteousness and peace,
 WATCH TOWER 18

and he brought back to that mental and moral image of God Lord here intimates that those who are kindly disposed
in which he was originally created. towards the poor have something to come to them from God
in the day of judgment.
NECESSITY OF HUMILITY There will surely be a reward for all those noble-hearted
After this incident tile Lord might very properly have left melt and womenwho often at great cost to tllemselves have
the company, but he stayed on. As he marked how those genuinely labored f~)r the poor of the world, seeking to
that were bidden chose out the eMef 1)laces, he took the ameliorate their hard condition. There is nothing here
opportunity to continue his instrnetion. They required les- spoken against social gatherings of friends, but only against
sons in ordinary decency, and he Sl)oke plainly to them. In set -rod ostentatious gatherings to "show off" or GO get some
the form of a 1)arable he showed them tile loolishness of favors ill return. Danger lurks in such feltsts. Let the
choosing the chief rooms when bidden to a ]louse or of Lord’s people renlenther that true reeolnpence collies from
choosing the chief seats when bidden to a wedding feast. God ill his own time.
The desire for honor caused thenl to lose sight of the simple
rules of eondu(,t, so ttntt when they were invited to ea(.h MISSING OPPORTUNITIES
olhel"S house lh%x had not the ordinltry decency to wait Ol11,’ who sat at meat with him said in a Sll(hlen burst of
nnlit thty xxere 1)lnm’d by their llo,>t, nov llle courtesy to feeling: "Blessed is he tlmt shall eat bread in the kingdonl
give each other tile preference, but look for lhemsel~es tile of lied." The Pharisees eel’tail~13 expected to be invited to
nlost honoratlle seats; and even thOllffh llOW and again one any feast God shouhl prell,lre. Then ,lesns gave lhe paruble
had to be put hack to a lower place this did not teach thenl Of tilt, llHIn vcho hla(le a grtqi[ .’,uII1)er--]lis l)llrpose being
lhe Ilet’(a4SHl’y lesson. show Illal lllese Vel’3 l~eOldo 1o x~h()lll 111’ Vcas speaking were
,lesu4 lulqher said: "Whosoever ex:llleth himself shall he then tieing in\ ileal by liim GO a feast lhat God had spread,
ahd*e(l: Hlld he that hllnlbleth hinlself shall be exalted." and llmt they were, refusin:z the invitation,
He lifts this mailer from the ordinary allah’s of life and IIow easy it is for the human mind, filled with its own
declares it to bca prineiph, neon which God acts; so that lhonghts, to t~liss tile lhings Ilult God is speaking by means
fairing a seat at a host’s fable may ]nean somelhhlR" whi(.h ol! lhe very eiretnnstant.es of the ot.(.asion! Jesus told that
ailee~s one’s eternal desliny, llulnilily is not slated to be it man made n great SUl)per and invited his £riends; and
one of the graces of the Slurit, but il is a very neee,,,,~al*y that lhey all with one consent began to make excuses; that;
condition of heart. God gives grace to lhe bumble (1Peter lhen the invilation wus seni out to others, and that still
7~: 7)}: IHld no one llllly exl)c¢’t to nlake progress ill tile nmn3 refu~e(l: that it was slill further sent out into the
heavenly way or to xvh3 lhe prize of lhe hich calling of God highways anll hedges, und tlntt it was only ill this way tlntt
ill t:hri~t Jesuswhoapesnottrot on the Rilrluont of hundliry, the sellls at the fea< were lilled with ~uests. Onr Lord in
Huntility is of tile heart, and the garmen! of immillly shouhl th~s wa3 Iold the,,,e t’hilri~t’es and lawyers that they had
110 worn near it as an und(q’-gilrlltent l’alhel’ lh;in an ovel"- I)eel~ treah,d by (h)d as his friends; and that he (Jesus)
garment, l;vidently the I,ord has am’ana’ed Ih~lt we lnust had Iwou~hl Ihem itn inxilation Ioa feast prepared, but
hunlble oursehes, and certainly lhis is a nmc.l~ pleasanter |hill "~ I[/1 ¢)111’ t,onsent tho 3 t.onlt,nq)l II()llS/y spurnedthe nles-
vlay tball learning hunlilily [i 3- being hmnl)led. s;I,’.a’(’, ( ;t(’h Imvin=someex(.llse [o nlake ~lS to whyhe should
The Lord’s people nmst be careful to get tl~e prope/’ ad- liP| H(’(’Opl. Tbeir own pleasures alld interests were more
jn.-lluent in this nmller. Ostentatiously takin,~ a hack seal to |hem tllan~he llleasure of sittingdown at meat at God’s
lnlly reveal as nlut’h pride as seekin~ a pl,Olllinellt one; anll table (if lruth.
there maybe }is nllleh el’hie ill the he111"l of II wovkinRIll;lit "~Ve -ee how lhe llleSsilo’e of love, which, received intoa
or Wonlan as in that of a prince. Hunlili{y is of lilt, heart, ]o3itl.Im ll~ heart.WOllh|transfornl oneintothe likeness of
gtnd that melnber nlllS[ be kept ill Iowline~,s. h~ o111" ~,Ol’Vio,., ~’hrist,was .*lmrnedI,3 Israel,and was then carriedinto
for tile Lord we should not seek phlces \~hel’elll We C~tll the pe~tilt,\~orhlby the apos~tesand the earlychurch.It
shine ill the si~hl of othm’s, or find self-sq:i> acti()n, but passedon into Christendom:but, conlparatively, only few
rather do thal whi(.ll ]it.s ~t1 our hand. and xxhi(.l~ in the of "that great ell3" heeded the invitation to walk ill the
i)ro~idenee of (;(itl is vel’y pl’ol)ably jllsl the I’ight service fools{~’ps of ,IeSllS. Only a few reltlly eared for the truth.
holh for tile {*allSe and t’of ollr tlovo!Olllnelll. If we ~in([ Sin(’e tile reje(’lion of (’lu’isten(h)m in 1881 the message
Olll.-41,]xes VlHt(.hJll~ to See liP** ~e :’,lHl~l ,., ~ilt a eye-4 of love Ires ~,)ne into the highways and byways, and its gra-
olllpl’S, or W11lt.}liliX for our l~OSilTion, or in 11113" xv1|y lbl’us[- (’iOIISllC’~,, ]111"~ (.onll)elle(I nl’lny I() (.onlo ill to th.e There
ii11£ OUl’-;e:v( s ’,Ol’Xv11r(I, we al’e llOl hulllblln:£ olll’,~p]ve-;. ])11[ will b, lm empty ~eil|~ when the Lord sits down with his
al’e 1-aiber feedin,d Oil1" prhle: and gee ill’(’ (’el"lailJ to hurt gtle,,Is. Tlu, Lord ~et}s what is to happen to those who
()lll"~Ol\C’,. .\Z.IIII~ S()llle Will lille 1Hke ser\ice |)(’(’HII’~(’ spurn lhe he;ixenly invilalion. Matthew’s account tells us
"I)l’e~el ¯ ~() lh’ ]llll)ll)]e." The-e ll~tlally (leveh) I) it spil’it of lhe Lor(1 s~lbl that lhe city wmlhl be destroyed; and this
erlln.[~lll Hltd .illd~lllelll o1’, ill other wet(l% of prhle. Tmle wqs |me holh of Ihe .lewish people, and of the great city
hlnllilil of sl)irit, of (?hrislmnlom--organized religion. The Lord will not per-
3 ,~el’VOS in qun,lness and like (hM’s peace
it ix illwilys at’live inils o\~11 silent x\’lly. mit his invitation to be spurned without taking notice of
,le’~llS eontJnlle(I his h,,-ons in lllllnilil3. Spo:tklllg Id)out the rebellitm of heurt which underlies the rejection.
,’/nolh(q’ (’u<~’Olll ()r lhe Phari>tes \xho, xxlten they nlH(]e
l’ea,t. (.Mled their friend~ aim the<, ’l..ui wl,ml they might COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
exlu,(.t sonlelhillg ill 1’el111’n, lip said : "X\ }lel] Ibo/I ]IHiI{ost il Aft.,r th~s .hsus went on his journey, makin~ his way to
tlhlt,el’ or a slipper, call llot 1by fl’hqld-z nor 11/3 bl’elhl’en, Jerl~;ll,qn, aml nlanv followed him. I[e Wa¢~ not ll’aVe]ing
neirllor thy kinsnien, nor thy rit’h lloiahl)onl.,~: ]t.-r they ul-o hurriedl3, hut from villqge to village: and the people
bid thee again, and it reconq)enee be nmdo thee, But when crowded around hinl. Some were so -lttrlteted by his teach-
thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, in~z as to want to follow Mm, but the Lord told thenl |hat no
the blind: and thou slmlt be blesqed : for lhoy eamlot re(’om- nmn could he his disoiple who was not willing to ai\-e up
Densethee: for tholl S[IIIII he l’e(.Olltl)e:l~t,l[ 111 lhe l’eSul’re(’ everythiug ordinnrily considered precious in life. All human
tion of the jtlsl.’" Sllrely Illese words rove II l(t us so/netldn~:" lit~s must be snapped; yea, a man must hate his own life,
of God’s graciousness. We know ~hat he is Sl)eeially watclifuI nmst eollnt all natural se]f de~ire,,’ as his epemy, if he would
towards his own, and that those who aive a cop of cold he .le~u~’ di~(.iple. So he said: "[’punt the eost"--do a~ a.
water to a disciple are to be rewarded by him; but our man does when thinPdng to build a tower, or as a kl~g dotal
 eWATCH TOWER BROOKLYN,N. ~.

when he thinks to make war. If the cost is not counted a
man camlot complete his work, and people mock hiin; or if
a king has not a sufficient army to overcome his enemy
whomhe attacks, instead of gnin he himself is taken cap-
tive, his army is lost, and all his possessions are gone. No
man can enter into tile life of conseer.ttion and retain what
he has. If one will lose all for Christ’s sake, he gains all
that ChE’ist has to give. But if his consecration is not true,
he still loses all, but gains nothing.
Jesus then uses a stnmge expression : "Salt is good: but
if the salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it he seasoned?
It is neither tit for tile land, nor yet for the dunghill; but
men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
l~luch of the salt of the East is inorganic matter impregnated
with saltness, and under certain conditions it loses its savor.
When it does so it is absolulely worthless; and being hurt-
~ul to vegetation, it can only be east out upon the roadway,
to be trampled mulet foot.
The thought is this: A man who has been led to the Lord
by gr’tce divine, who has received thai. grace and been
quickened of the spirit, has s,dt witllin himself (Mark
9:50); but if he does not use what he has in conlinuance
of his consecration, he loses the saltness which nlakes him
of v’due to the Lord: he becolnes like the eastern salt
which has lost its savor, and will be cast out.
Here are ]PSSOEIS for us concerning our consecration and
our usefulness lo the Lord. There is ~)nly one thing for us
after we have been brought into relalionship with Jesus;
and that is to keep on the way, to make straight paths for
our feet, to watch our heart and our life, that we grow
in the knowledge and the D’ace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The grace of humility is a great preserver of that salmess
which the follower of Jesus must have. "Ye are the salt
of the earth."--Matthew 5:13.
BEREAN QUESTIONS
What question did Jesus propound to the l’haris,,es? ¶1.
Whydid the Pharises,s seek to entrap the Lm.d? ¶ 2.
Vghy did the Pharisees refuse to answer Ihe second question? ¶3.
Why
)Howdid the Jewish lenders ovellook the spirll o[ lhe law? ’[ 4.
9Howdid Jesus picture lhe restoranon o{ llw hlllllall lace’.
will file church soon engage iu lhe l’eStol;llLou work ¶ 6.
¶ 5.
~¥hat simple rules of conduct did the MaMcrlay dou n ? ¶ 7.
~’hy is humility a necessary condition el the henri ? ¶ S.
Howdoes the self-seeklug disposition dewqoppride? ¶ 9.
Howdoes the thought of recompence destroy the spiral of giving?
¶ 10.
How does ostentation develop pride? 11.
~Vhatfeast prepared by Godha, l tile l’hari~ee~ merlnoke(l? ¶ 12.
To whomwas the invitation given alter lhe l’hatlsees had refused
the offer? ¶13.
Vi’hat great privilege have those whohear 1he invitatinn? ° ¶ 15.¶ 14.
~V]lat are some reqnirelueats Of a di~( l"le of (’]lrlst’.
Vv’hywas the savor of salt u~e(l to tea,.h a h.~on’, ¶ 16.
Whatwill result by quenching the spiril ? ~[ 17.
Whatsafe course can tile newcreature follou "~ ¶ lS.
Hewdoes the grace of hulmlity assist the Christian? ¶ 19.

LETTERS FROM AFIELD

LETTER FROM BROTtIER HEMERY 5"our a(hlress, and which was put forth in the form of
~[Y DEARI~I~OTHER RUTIIER~’01II) resolution.
I promised to send you a letter after the Glasgow Con- On a suggestion that the convention should take the
vention, and now have the pleasure of redeeming my prom- matter up, lhcre was an imlnediate response. The I~esolu-
ire. Altogether there were nearly fifty brethren who went lion was read, mMa proposition immediately made that it
from London to the convention. A nmnber traveled with should be aceeI)le(1 by the convention. It was evident that
the Bethel family, and the journey down to Gl’Esgow was the brethren were heartily at one in this lnatter. The con-
very pleasurable. The convention was a happy time of vention literally rose to the occasion, and slood to declare
refreshment of spirit, and of renewing of the spiritual their endorsement and acceptance of the same. Everybody
energy and consecration vows. It was one of those limes seemed to be warmed to the heart, and it was quite appar-
which, when concluded, cause those who have been present ent th’tt the Lord’s blessing was being mani’.’esied upon his
and have enjoyed the spirit to say that it was the "best yet." people, and that they were ready to go forward witl~ the
As you know, the time of the convention was deferred to work which the Lord has given into their trends.
enable me and whomever you might send back with me, to The convention sent their love to you; and probably
meet with the friends in convention; and I believe that Brother Mackenzie, chairman of the convention, will have
nrrangenmnt was of the Lord. To the surprise of the local reported this. It was a good time and, like Cedar Point,
friends, there were twice as many visitors there as usual. to its own measure, was one of those times which help to
Though the convention was not held at holiday time, all make history.
the sessions were well attended; and (it must be reported) The Bethel family nmch enjoyed the trip, as well as the
that though so many of the Glasgow friends have of late convention. On the day following the meetings we had an
chosen to leave the meeting ~ take their own way in excursion to Itothesay; and, guided by Brother Cochran,
serving the Lord, their absence was not noticed. It was who seems to know something of those parts, we spent a
tett, however, because of the sorrow that one cannot but happy day there.
leel, that tlmse who have run with us for so long a time, Brothet~ Woodworth and Pickering are well, and both
would at last leave the work they have been engaged in. report that they are enjoying the meetings and the British
All the addresses seemed to be appreciated, and the breth- friends.
ren were very glad to have Brothers Woodworth and Pick- Your brolher and servant, J. HEMERY.
ering with us. As P, rother Woodworth’s name has been so
lon,a before the brethren, and as tee was known to have had A LETTER FROM GREECE
considerable to do with Volume Seven, there was quite a ~)E.kR BItETIIREN
littlE, pleasurable anticipation in meeting and hearing him. Ilcjoiee! I wish that the Lord’s stdrit may dwell in you
And the friends were very plea~ed to have Brother Piekerin¢, richly, gmiding you to do his will ahvays.
also. On the Monday night, the closing meeting of the con- By the grace of the Lord I am healthy physically and
vention, I gave some account of the meetings al (’:~(lar spiritually, fighting the good fight of faitl,.
Point. i told the convention of your address on the Friday, I also de.sire to let you know about the public lecture
"The Day" of the convention, and of the pleasure which the held in Athens on ,June 25th, which I had the privilege to
brethren lead in hearing so clear a setting forth of the truth attend. I went to Athens three days before the lecture,
and the work, and of my own joy in being associated with and found the brethren full of zeal and love for the Lord’s
you and the other dear brethren in the work of the Lord. work.
Then the congregation was told of the great meeting on The brethren issued 3,000 handbills for advertising, and
Sunday afternoon, and of the challenge which you issued in we distributed them on Sunday morning. The brethren
 WATCH TOWER
also advertised the lecture in all the newspapers. This District. My business is a shoemaker. I came here alone
made Babylon angry; and the "Evangelists" published an and do this business for three 3ears. As far as I call [
arlicle ill lheir mag’lzine, "The Star," advising the union have preached the ~ospeI to the peol,le here and organized
of all denominations against lhe Bible Students and calling a class, and worship the Lord. The be3 of the l/o.,,l office
US .,.educers alld false Chrisls. is a believer. A lew days ago lie brought me a eolly of your
Another magazine, entitled "Life", an instrmnent of the handbill, maybe, when the secret service man exandned tim
Orlhodox, lml/lish(,d thous’mds of tracts, which they dis- mail. I have read it yew caretully and wanted to know
trilmled in the streets to tile end that they might hinder more of it. I have told that boy that when any one comes
tlw l)eolde from comin~ and bearing tile lecture. These for the p:treels to come quickly and tell Ill(’ about it. Today
tl’a(.ls "~;(,l’e l)l’il,te<l aml distributed on 8at/u’day, June 24th; tile boy eame and told me; so I went to the post ollice and
and OIl Nlllt(la.v t~’~t,lllllg at aboul (~.00 P.M. four men were waited for you. Now I am very glad for I see you." He
still~(lill~ Oil the side,s;Ilk l}ear the entran,.e of lhe .MJlnit’il)al bought a copy of our booklet. Also he urged me to say some-
The;iD,l’. o,le of l lw ’dl’~lHdo’~t;Hid largest I)ulhlin~.Is in AI hens, thing to his people on that Wednesday night. After meal
distribuliiiz tho~(. Ii~wt.~ 11) lhe i,aol)h, (*()nl[llI2. ill tO hear I went to him and found that there were more than tell
lecture, ,llld lr3i!lP lnllll lhe I.!.,l mOllWntto hJmler [Iwln from peol)le; SO I addressed them for about au hour. I have
lleal’ill;a. The l!hhH’~,lll;lio tirOl)it! The3 (hd l~llt klltP,\ lhat rc(,,,i~ed lmwhal~l)re(.iation from him.
they were ldcking the lh~(’k, and that the battle v, as the The /~eople out here in the country places are in a great
Lal,lb’S, whois alwa’~s vh’li)riotlS. f(.ar: for they couhl not have rain for a very long time,
From 6.00 P.M. tlnq’e begmt to come in a chosen and sp,.cially at a time of a great need of it.
~4 illldieI,(*o
Ilun,t’!’on pith.ors of the arlny a,ld navy+ lawyers,
and o,llors of a R(~(,(I t.lass of tieoph’, and :also s,x elerKylnen. DEAR I~ROTIII,:R :
At aboll~ 7.00 P.M. Ihe hall. haxing a capacity of about I lhmk .~ou have received my letter from TaMmn. I
~50{i ()r Ill(),(’ sellls, W;IS il]lllo.~,t filled. Whenthe time c’,llnc~ haxc sold tire (’el/los of the booklets yesterday (Saturday),
our (b,,~l’ brother I{;ll’;lllil>~,OS ])e~2Hll tile Ie(’lllre. The spvak- an(1 a,d,,,,l ~ helher there is any good pla(’e near by, and to!l
or, hmmliw.: with all, Ill3 the sxxor(l of our Father JehovMb that there is a Me/hodisl (.hur(.h ahoul one mile off.
was Mrikm~ Bal).~hm falally, showing the errors of eternal went lhcl’e and discovered lhat there are three preachers.
t0rll,elllS, etc., stalilU2 1lie t)[lrpoqe of fl (’]lPis{ia,, alld illS,) 1 c:,lh,!l tbent s~-,t);irat(’ly and found lhal riley had been
pointing out the sians or the thnes and lhe chronoh,aical visihM by Brolher l(iln. They wanted to hear nmre about
i°eallll.o% ,a] ()XV]llZ file ll(,;irn(~.-,,4 of the esl;lI,Hslllllellt of the I i’tllh by diseussin.’.’ on certain slll)j(,cts: but I refused
blessed kingdom in our da.~. and that millions now living to lm\e ;l h,nRihy lalk x~itll the,n, /of I had to go round
will never die; and en(lillg wilh a beaulifui statement of mid st,i] the }n~()k~,q,~ lls qui(.kly lls l)ossiltle. Then
the l)urpose of lhe IUI)le Stud(,nls. A elalll)ing of hands three llrt,acht,rs nllHIlilllOllSl ~, ~aid" "Please come to 118 to-
all lwesent follox~e,I the la’,l ~or, ls of the speaker. But at lllOl’l-o\v arid delix(,r ;t le(’ltlr(, al ,till’ limp of x~orshil). ’~ So
the end a D.D. rose Ul, "rod began to say : "The<e people are I a2A’o(,d willl thrill thfll l W(nllli (1o
l)rOl)agundisls p,q’~evlin~" tile Scrip!ures and deceiving tile Andloda5 ill lhe lllOrllillK 1 went lo lh(’lll after nly meal.
t)eople." Ile had not tbdshed his words when the whole I fouiM thai Ihe lhree, l)rea(’hers were present and that
audien,e rose up logelher "lgainsl him and eried, "Down! th,q’,, wcr(,.lwa,’15 1,1{t peolde ill lhe (’lass. I think th
Down’. Do not tell lhese thin,.:,s to us. Go elsewhere to church i~ tile 1)c.,.! ~l!e in Naipo. Afler the introduetio:)
tell ihenl ! You are tellin;z us lie-< VVedo not want to hear by a In’oacher I bt.gal, to Sl)cak on lhe .-.uhjeet of our
you anSmore." I-Ie left, eO~ereJl with shame. booklet l’rom 11 A.M. They heard me carefully. I haxe
011, how many blessings we enjoyed in this meeting! exlllamed earneslly all ahout tile time of our Lord’s pres-
"Let tile Lord’s name be blessed !" As the people were going ence, ]~ibli(.al (’hr(mology, and the signs of times. Then
out we offered them tracts, "Refrain your Voice from Weep- I fomnl llmt lhe hour was 12:30; so I said to them:
ing." They reeeived these gla(lly. A few volmnes were "I haxe lnany lIH,l’e lhin~s It) say. but I will stop now, for
soht. and some "Millions." Brolher Karanassios is now I think you would be overtired because I took much time "
g0il~g to Larissa mMother lowns of Thessaly to witness But ’ill lhe au(lienee mmnimouslysaid: "Weare never tired !
for lhe truth. The Lord is opening the door wider and Please tell ns something moreP’ Therefore I have told
wider for witnessing his truth here. "L then, more on ll,e snhject of "The Aim of our Lord’s Return"
Yore’ brother in tile Lord, Lov~s DORZIOTIS. with lhe three subheadhl;as : (1) Harvest, the reeeiving of the
bride." {:2) "]Hnllina of Salan," (3) "Restoration of all
Crealm’es." I re(.t,ived llnllly expressions of appreeiatio:l
FROM KOREA
from lhem all. The meeling wa~ closed with my prayer.
lh,h)w ~(, gixe extl’aets frolll lwo h~tiol>. I’(’c(’i\ed by I spilt [hi’re Imok/t,tsa at the close of thai meeting. WhenI
So,,iety’s rein’e-eLl,live in Ko,’ea, which xxill 1., rvad xxith was re~urnin~ Io my lodging-honse the three preachers for
k,’(.n mWrest by the, friends.] lowed melo lh*, loWll. ’1"1,,’3 led n,e to a (’]lill(’Se i’estaurallt
t IEAR BROTHER : and m’dcred li/l}n for me. AIld when we were waiting they
Let n,e day just one thin~ more. WI~,,~ [ ~s iu asked many (l~n,slions on what tlmy wanle(l to know fronl
~0ll(’llllll [ X~ altled to transfer uly parcel po.’,I~ to l~oll{djll: lol~a sin(.(,. ;~nd (m what the.v heard from nle today. I
but I llis(’overed llmt one of the lmrcels ~xas opened for plat,w(1 all wlml lhey asked as well as I can. The th]’(,e
examin’ltion and the slrings were loo.,ened. So I packed tile preuchera askt,d :rod heard me with true lmmility. And
l)areel "lgain and asked tile l,,,s! othcers to transfer tile they spent I1,1.1(’}1 l illle ill .~a.~ ing. "Yes Y’ "That lnusl he No ’."
sflIne. And then I wllnled to ,qtll’l fop lily collmrteur work, [t is lr(lly wo,lllcrful tO st’(-, lh()s(, Imply3 faces of the thr(,e
SO I (’alllO OUt of the post ollJ(.e ;lll(I lo,iil(I ;I v()Ull~ prea(.Imr¢ ~ he are receivin~ the Glad Tidings, which "ire new
whostood at the g;l|l’~vay and asked lilt, Ii) (.o,l,e after hilll. to l]l(’l/I. Tho (’hine~e restanl’;lllt ehan~,d into a preaching
Then, without doubt, l thought that he was a secret service plaee; for the nlli,.ials who came tlmre to spend their Sunday
mall. Ih, led me lo a shoemal.:er’s shop. IIe greeted nle came near to us and heard what we were diseussing. The
very kindly, but I tbm~ht thnt his way of intercourse was tiffin was over fit 3 P. M. and I started for my journey; for
very skilful. But he is a man quite different from wh’tt I wanted to make hurry for another district. Then the
I thought of. He said: "I am a man from Chunam three preachers came far off to bid me good-by!
 InternationalBible StudentsA sociation Classe
hccturc~and5~udlC~
b~jTravclin~5rcthrca

BROTHER R. H. BARBER BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK

Eureka Center, Minn.. . ,Tan. 12 Plynlooth, WIs................ Jan. 22 Fern!e, B. C .................... Feb. 5 Moose Jaw, Sask ....... Feb. 13,14
Ro. heslo" Minn .... " 14 Man~,eld, Ohio .............. "" 23 Lethbridge, Alia .......... ’" 7 Mazeno4, 8ask ..... 17, b. 1.5
Whalem "dmn ......... " 15 Imquesne, Pa .............. " 24 Bow Island, Altm 9 Assiniboin, Sask .... 16
TUlllltq (’I15. \Vis ..... " 17 Cmnberlanu, M .......... " 25 Medicine Hat, A,t,t. ii .i i ’" 1-~ Lueiia, 8ask ....... 18
WaukeMm, Wis ......... " 19 Washil~gt~m,D .............. " 26 Chaplin,Sask................... " 12 Jeer!tie, Sask................... " 19
Milwaukee, Wis ........ " 21 PhiladelpL’i~Pa ............... " 28

BROTHER B. M. RICE
BROTHER J. A. BOHNV~T
~Vaeo,rI’ox~Ls ............. T ..,. ] 6 Roxto,2, Texas .............. Jan. 24
Pleasant Hill, Me........... Jan. 18 WebbCii., Me................ Jan. 26 /.’eFSll’;tlla. Texa .... 17 Celeste, Te\as .. Ja,, " 26
Freeman,.X:o..................... " 19 JolAin, Me ............. " 28 Atla’ll,,,, Texas ..... ] "4 l)ennl<on, ".’,.~xas .,i 2S
Kansa~(h%’, Me............. " 21 l’av:~on-, Kans................ ’" 29 Tyler, Texas .... ]9 Sherman. Te’cas " 29
P:tohl 1,:a ................... " 22 l’l~m’,(&i:t ....................... " 30 Big Sandy, Texa. 21 MeKinney, Texas " 30
I"ort Nl’oll, Kans............. " 2;/ Cl,~re:nore. Okla .............. Fib. 1 Bogota, Texas ....... :. ~3 LOneCalf, Texas .............. " 3"1
Carthage, Me................... " 25 Nowata,Okla ................... " 2

BROTIq}~,R V. C. RICE

BROTHER B. H. B0X if" John, Karts .............. Jan. ~9 Coffey~ille, Kans ........ Feb. 7
Hutchinson, Kall~ ........ ~0 lnclependenee, K; .... 8
r4Ienburg, Wash............. Jan I :~ Pendleton, Ore ......... Jan. 23 Wichita, Karts ..... Jan. 3J. 1,k b I: Neodebhea,Nan8............. " 9
Yakima, Wash........... Jan 1L15 llermlMo U Ore ........ 24 Leon, Kans ............... o. 1, 2 Ioht, l(ans ................ " 11
-Meb~],"~Vash................... VI. 1G N1 ~l’:al:e. ~Va~h..... JiIP ’!5, 28 Winlield, Kans .... 5 Bronsou, Ka]m........... " 12
Walla Walla. Wash._ Jan. 17,1,~ Aih’li I~,aho .................... ta. 26 Arkansas City, Ka,~ ...... " tl Ft. Scott, Karts .......... 13
Dayton, W~h........... Jan. 19, 2 l Latah, \~ ash ..................... " 29
tP 30
Weston,Ore ..................... Jan. 22 Collax, ]Vash...................

BROTHER Oo L. SULLIVAN
BROTIIER A. $. ESHLEMAN
Birmingham, Ala. ..Jan. 21 Piedmont,Ala.................. Jan. 28
Milton,’renn ................... Jan. ] 9 lloekln~.~t, Ga.......... Jan. 29, 30 Pell CHy, Ala ...... ~’2 Boaz, Ala ..................... ’ 30
Mnrfreesboro, Tenn ......... " 22 lh01as, ~;a ................... Inn. 31 Sedden, Ata .......... 3 Albany, Ala ............. !’vb. 1
Doyle,Term..................... " ’23 A~htuta. Ga............... Feb. 1,4 Riverside, Ala ................ " 24 Culimaa, Ala. "
Chatlanoog,,t, Term......... " 2I ’l’nllal~Ot sa, Ga.............. Feb. 2 Lincoln, Ala ........ " ~5 Chatlanooga,
RockSin’|ngs, (]a ............. " 25 All.lOll, ’~ln ................ " 5 Anniston,Ala .................. " 26 Knoxville, Ten.,... 5
Rome,Ga................... Jan. 26, 2b I’niou Point, Ga............... " 6

BROTHEl{ W.J. THORN

BROTHER M. L. ~,ERR
Parkersburg, W. VS .... Jan 11 Shawnee, 0 .......... Jam 18
Driscoll, Texas................ 3"an. 21 Snyder Texas ........ Feb. 5, 6 Marietta, 0 ........... ’~ 12 he,,vark, 0 ............ " 19
El l’aso, Texas .......... Jan. 23, 28 L1 bhoC, Texas ....... " 7, 8 Nelsonvflle, 0 ....... 14 Zane,.~ l!le, 0 ............. 21
Cl,md(’rofl, N. M....... Jan. 24. 25 Plainv~ew, Texa ........ " 9, 11 Lancaster,O................... " 15 Dre.~den, O ................ " 22
Ala"mgordo, N. M........... Jan. 26 Fh)yd~la, Texas .... " 12, 1;~ Crooksville,0 .................. ’ 16 Columbus,0 ................... " 22
Barstow, Texas ....Jan. 29, Feb. 4 AmarD~o..
~ , Texas.......... 14 White Cottage, 0 ............. " 17 Delaware,0 .................... "’ 24
Roswell, Texas .... ’ 31, " I Trlmdad,Cole ............. 15,16

BROTHER T. H. THORNTON

BROTHER W. M. HERSEE Jaeksonville, Fla ............. Jan. 21 Bronwood, Ca ............. ’L 28

Qlll|lllall, Ga.................. " 22 A~IIPI-I(’llN. Ga .......... "’I)
Dunnville, Ont ................. Feb. 5 Milton West, Out ............. Feb. 14 Cairo, Ga.............. 22 FitzRerahl, G,: ..... "’ 30
Welland,Ont ................... " 6 Guol[tt, Out..................... " 15 Thomasville, Ga... 24 Helena, (In ..... Jail. 31 l~eb. 1
Niauflra Falls, Ont ....... Feb 7, 8 l’rt~st.-n. Out..................... " 16 Allmny,~.;’t ............. 2,5 Sav~,nnah, Ga ..... 1." I,. 2.4
St. Catherine.s, Ont ..... Feb. 9, ll (;:fit, "D~t........................... " 18 Dawson,Oa ........... 26 Dublin, Ga ................ " 6
lieam~ville, Oat ............... Feb. 12 Klt¢’l,oner, Out ................ " 19
Hamilton,Oat ................. " 13 L’nv.,od, On, ............. Feb. 20, 21

PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR FEBRUARY

BROTHER H. IIOWLETT FEnRIAR)~ 7: "The Spirit beareth witness with our spirit.’~Ro-
nlall~l N : lC. 17
lligh River, Alta ........... Jan. 15 Gnl,~aad, Alts. .Tan. 23 I,’Ei~RVARY 14: "Our gospel [~ven us] in the holy Spirit and in
(’:tlgar3". Alta................... " 16 Allmnee, Alia . 24 much asma’am’(’ "- 1 Thessalonians 1 : 4, 5.
P, eiseker. Alta................... " 17 Stony I’lain..’ 26 10E1UWARY21: "lie... shall ago quicken your mortal bodie~ by
S’valwell, Alta ............... " 18 Edmonton, AI ... 28 hi,~ Spwit."- Romans 8:11.
Camrose,Alta ............. 10eb. 19, 21 WeM!aek. Alt~ 29
Rosalind, Alta ................. Jan. 22 Ledue, Alta ......... 30 I"EIH{t’ARI 28 : "Grieve nm lhe holy Spirit."~EpheSians 4" 30.

BETHEL HYMNS FOR FEBRUARY

BERE’AN
I.B.S’A. BIBLE
STUDIES Monday Sumlay ............
. ..........
4 108
5 244
11
12
322
202
18
11} 233
286 25
26
146
247
3yMeansoF "The Plan of the Ages" Tuesday ....... 6 227 13 267 20 290 2"[ 40
Chapter XlI: Chart of the Plan of the Ages Wednesday ........... 7 27 14 36 21 205 I~$ 225
Weekof Feb. 4 .......... Q. 22-28 Weekof Feb. 18 .......... Q. 85-39 Thursday 1 200 8 197 15 256 ~z2 50

l Weekof Feb. 11 .......... Q. 29-34 Weekof Feb. 25 ..........

Questionbooka on "TheDivine Plan", 15e postpaid.
Q. 40-45 Fi-iday
Saturday
2 192
8 14
9
lO 198
98 16 273
11.~" 284
~ 242
~4 29~
 VOL. XLIV SEMI-MONT~L’X" No 2
Anno Mundi 6051 -- January 15, 1923

COYTENTS
VIEWS FROM TIIE WATCH TOWER ............ 1~
NewInvention Excels Phonogr~ph .................. 19
Assistant Air Chief Sets NewI.’hghI Mark........ :20
Lessonfor the UnitodState~......................... "0
WorldPeace Mo~eby Reh<iom~t,~ .................... 2(1
Dr. CallliOn aml lli~ "Iloly V(ar". ........... 20
Ilighly Cololl,d (’.ira ,,tlgl] Literatu"e ....... 21
Christian:Iv ,l;ld , o (’e .................. "1
(’IIANGEI) INIO lID, IMA(;E ............................. ’d’J
~VORII)-~VII)E ~VI’I NESS................................. ") I
I’IIE I~RO!)IGAL SON .............................. ’~5
lIlcIl MAN AND LAZARUS ....................... 27
Purilied by Fire~ of tlade~ .... ’.2’,;
T|IE GRACE OF (]RkI’iI’UDE ........... ~O
HOW
tile Kingdom Collies In ............................ 31

"’1 ?till stand llpo$t lily Icat(h and WlH .~et my loot
f’1)¢111 tllc TOll’ffl , (lllfl re’Ill lt’att h to ,ure tel, at lie ’,tll
, . u.lo me, a..I t,’I,¢tl "’l,a..."
y , ! ’ II ~hall ma/,e to the,."
, It/ t.,.lO)(" m,’ "’- l]¢lh

~ .... ~±~=-7.::...........
Upon the e,hth (I~1 ~ ~. ll~l~dl~ I~IL[1 perplexity; the ~ and the waves (the le~, dl~tonteoted) loafing, men’s hearL~ failing them foe fear ,.,i I l,~., g to [no
things coining upon the earth (society); for the po~rs of the heavens (eecleslas~ietsm) ~hall be shaken When ~e see the~e things b ii t , ,, Lo l:a~,
then know that the Kingdom of God Ill at hand. Look up. UfI ~ ¥oar head$, rejoice, for loaf redemptioa dmweth nigh.--Matt. 24:33; Mark 13.2. ~,¢ ~:1:25-31
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACRED MISSION
THISpresenled
Journal Is one of the prime factors or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
in all parts of the civilized world by the WATCHTOWERBIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
or "Seminary Extension", now betn~
A.D. 1884, "For the Pro+
motion of Chrmttan Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word bull
also as a channel of coImuunicatiou through which they may be reached with announeenlents of the Society’s conventions and of thl
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Serene Lessons" are topical rePearsals or reviews of our Society’s puhlished STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
hell/ful to all ,aha would merit the only honorary deglee which the Sparely accords, vm., Vet bi 1)el Milt~ster IV. I).M.), which translated
into English is Minister of God’s Word. Our treahueut of tile International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s tiope now being so generally repudiated
---redemption through the precious blood of "lhe nmu Christ Jesus, who gave Inmself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] folY
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foumlation lhe gold, silver and precious stones (1 Cormthinns 3 :
15; 2 Peter 1:5-11) of the Word of God, its fllrlller mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the Inv~tery which...ha~
been hid m God, . . o to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects anf creeds of men, willie it seeks more and more to ])ring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in lhe lmiy Scrll)turc~. It is tllu~ lree to de(’hlre boldly ~llatsoever the 1.oral
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdolll granted unto us 1o nll,ler.~taud hi~ lI?teran(’e% Its attl;mle is not dogrnatw, but conhdetll;;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure lU’Olui-e,~ of (;od. It is held as a II’U~t, to be used only m hi~
service; hence our decisions relative to what may aml wilat may not appear in ItS colmu’,~s I]I[I~E be accordnlg to our jH,i~:illent of his
good pleasure, tile teacbinq of ]liu Word, for tile nplmiPl-ing of his papule lh gr:we and km)wlcd.~e. And we not only invite but urge oulg
readers to prove all it~ -t+Cl’anccs by the infallil/le Word to v, hicll referent e is eonstaully made to facllltttte huch testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH

rl’hat the church is "tI,~ ..... i~le of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; lhat its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age---ever since’Christ became the world’s ltedeemer and tile Chwf Corner STone of his Temple, through which, when
:finished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Cornuhians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2:20-22;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonelaent for sin, progresses ; and when tho
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," sh,tll have been nlade lea,ly, flie great .Master Wol’,,m.ln WIll bring all together
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be The meeuu~. place i)et~een God and men throughoull
the Millennium.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
flPhat the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies iu the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, t,,~ted death for everg
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which ilghteth every ma~t that comcth *nto the leorla", "iIl due time".--
Hebrews 2 : 9 ; John 1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 5, 6.
~rhat the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as lie is" be partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his joint-heir.--I John 3:2; Jolln 17"24; Romans ~:17; 2 Peter ~:4.
~£hat the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the fmure work of service ; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests m the, next age.--Ephesmns 4 : 12 ; 51atthew 2~ $
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That file hope for the world lies in the blessiEgs of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, tb~
restitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the wllling and obedlem, at the hamls of their Redeemer and his glorined ehurci=a
when all the wilfully wicked will be dcstroyed.--Acts 3 : :1/)-23 ; lsalah 35.

’~D UB LI S H ED~Y STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES

l,e.x.~ dlSCUS~ilIg tOplcalh (’xery xital doctrine of the Bible. More
WATCFITOWER.B I 5 LE 6- TRACTSOCl ET~ than elexeI1 million c~q~lC~ ale in circulati(m, ill nineleeu languages.
Two sizes are issued Iln ]’.nah~h only) : the regular lnaroon cloth,
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SERU..S III, Thy Kingdom Come, considers prophecies which
(Foreign translations of Ibis lore’hal app"ar in several long,rages) mark (,x ants connected ~ 1111 *’the time of tile end", the glorification
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 VOL XLIV ,IA~uARY15, 1923 :No. 2

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

HEprophet Daniel had a vision of the standing chine in his laboratory In the General Electric Workshere
T up of Michael, the great Prince to whomwould
be given "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom,
today ....
There were two other outstanding features in Edison’s
visit to the General Electric plant. IIc saw the IIoxie voice
that all t)eople, 11ations,andlanguagesshouldservehim," film machine,whichl’e(’ords :t person’s x oiee oil a lilni nluch
and connectedwith it a great increase of knowledgeand the s’tme as the modelilm i’oeol’tls the picture. Whenlight
muchrunning to and fro. The worldly-wise are now rays are thrown onto /his lihn, the voice is reproduced in
well derful eleqrness.
boasting of tim recent great increase of knowledgeand This memos, Edison was told, that the talking movie is
of the marvelousspeed attained by harnessing the pow- now possible, that voice can be synchronized with the pie-
ers of nature. Tothemthis is proof of the "evolutionof ture, that both voice uml picture can be made on one fiha.
man"; and by their feeding upon such "wisdom"the A eentrql studio eouhl he sel up in New York, where
gas of egotismis generated in their mental stomachs. great urtists could sink or could play musical instruments,
the sounds photogr:tl)hed on the film, and this seal io San
As a result they swell up like a balloon, and expect the Francisco or any other city in the world, or rep~,oduced
reverenceof peoplein proportionto their inflated size. into a radio station tnmsmittor, with the exact quality of
The ehiht of Godbeholds the same general increase the original sounds.
of knowledgeand the running to and fro; but, directed It was pointed out tbat the reproduced voice in the Hoxie
machine is a great improvement over lhe phonograpl~ be-
by the Wordof Godandby the spirit of a sound mind, cause of the emire qbsenee of the scratching SOllnd (’lad the
he is impelledto lift up his headandlook; for these are all-around better reprodllcthnl o~ the soullds, rl’]lC machine
the foretold heralds of his redemption,andwith grateful has been tried at radio bromle~<lmg station ~VGY, the
joy he joins in the hallelujah chorus, "Wegive thee General Electric stulion in flAs cil~, m~d h’ts worked so well
that none of the lhousun,ls of lisleners ]mxe known but
thanks, 0 Lord GodAlmighty,. . . because thou hast that the actual voice or sounds were being produeed in the
taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned."-- studio directly into the ll’almlnlltor of the radio apparatus.
Revelation11: 17. The other OUlSt;lll(ling eh’(qri(’;/] developnwnt shown
The past fifty years might well be called "The Age Edison was tim mercury boiler turbine, which is rated
of Miracles"becauseof the increase of knowledge along much more efficient titan lhe pres(,nt day steam turbine.

all scientific lines, andbecauseof the thousandsof use- If Godhas provided such powersfor the service and
ful and convenientinventions whichare liberating man convenienceof his earthly creahu’(’s, whocan imagine
more and more from the slavery of physical labor. We the powersand methodswhichhe maybe using for his
often hear the expression, "Will wondersnever cease l" ownconvenience! The Psalmist deelarcd: "Thou un-
Telegraph, telephone, and radio---each in turn called derstandest mythoughts afar off"; and our Lord said:
forth exclamationsof wonder,and each later washar- "Are not five sparrowssold for two %rthings, and not
nessed for the service of man. Photographyopenedthe one of themis forgotten before (;od ?" and "Thyloather
way for the moving pictures and the recording of whichseeth in secret shall reward lhee openly." The
actions, some,even, of those too rapid for the eye to skeptic laughedat dmcredulity of the Christian, cbfim-
catch. Nowcomesthe photographingof the voice upon ing to be too "wise"to be caughtbv a~n: sueh no~,sense.
the samefilm with the movingpicture, thus reproduc- But wecan begin to see boweasy it x~ouhlb,~, for (lad
ing and recording not only the actions but also the to arrange some method by which he can record not
words and the tone of the actors. Wequote from a only the acts, words,andtonesof an individual,1,’:t also
recent news item, under date of October 18. Even Mr. evend,ou~,,h (! "ath
the thoughts, character, and nwmory,
Edison exclaims : "Whatnext !" mayhavedestroyedthe body.Godis well able to fulfill
his promiseto bring all forth from lhe xrave and also
A NEWINVENTION EXCELS PHONOGRAPH to cause them to remembertheir former ways. thus
SCHENECTADY, ~. Y., Oct. 18.--"What next!" Such was fully reproducingthe individual.
the exclamation of Thomas A. Edison, famous electrical Voltaire, the skeptic, laughedat Sir Isnae Nev. ton,
wizard, after he had watched Dr. Charles P. Steinmetz,
chief consulting engineer of the General Electric Company, whobelieved the Bible, becausethe latter had pr ~:etq
hurl thunderbolts from his artificial lightning-making rea- that manwouldsometimebe able to travel at the rate
l9
 WATCH TOWER
of fifty miles per hour. Wewonderwhat Voltaire will was something infinitely more important to him than tl~e
freedom of the Bosphocus and the Dardallelh,s. We nu~zht
think whenhe first reads somethinglike the following:
by force keep the Strait,, el)ca for our bl,~l*S of (.o:.~::~,q’,’e
ASSISTANT AIR CHIEF SETS NEW FLIGHT MARK and otlr nlen o’ war, but b3 ltatiolnl] sacl’itice alld (’il,lhti;lll
gra(’e Britain might keep open tile whole of two continents
MT. CLE~IENS,~IIcII., Oct. ]8.--Brigadier General \Vtlliam to international friendship. [Italics ours.]
Mitchell, assistant chief of tile United States arm5 air
service, today set a new ollichtl worhFs speed n,eord over DR. CANNON AND HIS "HOLY WAR"
a one-kilon,eter course at Selfridge Field at an average
speed of 224.tt5 miles an hour in fern" ln,ats. ’l’h~ ¯ t,,st was The modern Jezebel is as murderous as was her type.
timed by the Federation Acronantique Inlel’nalhhmie. thus Recently Dr. James Cannon, junior bishop of the M. g.
making it ofllchll. IAi~nt,,llant It. J. .~[aughall’s .,,pot,d of ChurchSouth, sent a cable nws;agc to Secretary o£ State
248.5 miles an hour last week was unoliicial. Hughes in which he is reported to have sald:
"Ahni~hty God will hold our go\-ernment responsible for
"For when they shall say, Pc:we aml salt’(Iv: then its inaction in not intervening ill tile Near Fast situation
sudden destruction COnleth upon them. as travail ~,pon last July, when the American church bodies ’tlrged tim state
a womanwith chiht; aim they shall not (,.-cape." (1 department to take what steps were ileet,~,.,,;lry to protect
The~salonians 5: 3) Xote the followm/ pertinent re- eastern Christianity.’... I know what I advocate lniaht
mean war, but ff necessary it would be justifiable. And it
marks by Arthur Bri.-_bane, the most widely-read editor
would not be so nmch of a war."
today :
Of course, some American soldiers might die, and
A LESSON FOR THE UNITED STATES according to the published creed of his church might go
A new lim~up in l.]uropo, with t,’za,,’,’., the friend of to eternal torment for fighting; but what of that! His
Tulkey. Poland and Rus-,ia, against 1.’m’:.:~,~(t. The next god needs some help to save his church. The editor of
step, naturally, v, lll be a llrit,sh S{el, |o\\,ll’.l |’,el’lllally~
Austria and ltaly. Then l.,’urope xxill be all r~ad3 Iora new the Detroit Free Press remarks sarcastically upon the
start and a new war. Russia, as usual, will be the uncer- Bishop’s message. Wequote in part as follows:
tainly-she reserves the right to ehaT~ge her mind and The burden of Dr. Cannon’s demand on the American
change sides at any moment. That is tile revolutionary state department does not seem to be primarily in behalf of
method. suffering and outraged hunmnity in general, but exclusively
A while ago war ended with France and England in each in behalf of suffering and outraged Cln’islian humanity.
other’s arms, vowing eternal frieml.~hip, IlaI3 di-~gusted, as His contention is this: "Millions of church people in the
she well might be, with her tllhes’ trealn|enl, tlel’nlany and United States for the past century worked to better the lot
Austria nowhere, Russi.i boycotted by all, and Turkey ap- of the people who lived in Turkey, the Armenians in parti-
parently a thing of the past. cular. We worked and toiled to this end ; and now on behalf
Thell France sent wealIOliS and lnoney to the Turks to of the churches of the United States I want to know if we
fight the Greeks; back came Turkey, with the Allies hewing intend to allow tile Turks with impunity, as far as we are
and 5ieh/lng politely to tile "unspt,akable" one. And now concerned, to eontim~e ti~eir mq~sa(’res until all those Chris-
evertthing is changed. tians are wil)ed out and our good work with them?"
aust one lesson for Uncle Sam in all that. Let him attend What at botlom is Dr. (’anllon demanding? Is he asking
to his own business, keep away from Europe’s complications, that the United States intervene to save non-comtmla:~ls
and let our friends over there fight and borrow from EACH ~
from nlurder and Otll I’:lge’. (It is lie asl,:illg lh;tI the [ l~llt,d
OTHER. States intervene to sqve "the work?" Is he urging America
WORLDPEACE MOVE BY RELIGIONISTS to a humanitarian war or to a religious war?
We believe the question is worth asking, particularly in
The arehbMmps,bishops, and ministers. D. D.’s, all view of the plain words used a day el’ two ago by Vis(.mmt
"holy menof God"(?), are very anxmusto herald their St. Davids while nmking a report in London on the Near
loyalty to the governmentsand t<, ttw/od of this world. East relief committee. The viscount ch-lrgcd that the Greeks
They thus publicly acknowledge the identification of in their retreat through Asia Minor burned every Turkish
village, and looted and killed out of sheer malice, lie re-
:Revelation 17:2. Note the followin~r -pedal cable to
marked that Constantine and his servants were ver.~ bad
the NewYork Times. under date of October 5: at fighting but first-class in robbery and arson, that it was
Lo_xno.~-, Oct. 5.--Tomorrow a little company of men will absurd ever to have given them Smyrna, ttmt it was fortu-
mect at Lambeth Palace under the Presidency of the Arch- nate they could not hold it, and that the Grt~ks deserved
bishop of Canterbury to consider the whole question of all they got and more.
international peace. This announcement was made by Dr. Perhaps on his side also, Lord St. Davids is a litlle ex-
Jowett yesterday at the Autumnal assembly of the Congre- treme, nevertheless he provides a point. This is, that as fqr
gational Union at Hull, avd is a sequel to his appeal of the as outrages and murder and robbery go, the Christian Greeks
churches since his return fronl the Copenhagen conference. are as barbarous in their war laethods as are the Molmm-
He hoped they might meet with (.ourage and understand- medan Turks. If America lind heeded the church bodies
lng and that they might be able to find agreement and some last July and had intervened in Asia Minor, pertmps gone
mode of expression by which the united church of Christ to war as Dr. Cannon calmly suggests--and It is wonderful
would be able to register its judgme~t o/ the late war and how enthusiastic for war repre<entatives of tile Prince of
PLEDGEITSELF to place its mor¢d a~zd spiritual resources Peace can be when a question of the welfare of their mis-
in s?~pport of the League of Nations and in the cause of sion work is involved--it would have been to assist a people
international peace. whose troops in the course of a year of operqtions have
Dr. Jowett ,,aid that ther~ nmst be nothing qbove the murdered in cold blood about 100,tD0 llOn-Conlbalaltl% and
League--no Stll)l’~qllO t’Ouncil, nO Reparation Commission in retreat were guilty of conduct for which the Smyrna
lind no Council of Ambassadors. It must be supreme. There horror was unhappily merely retaliation in kind.
 ,m WATCH TOWER
The helpless victims on both sides were doubtless for the at work among the populations of the world. Expanding
most part guiltless of wrong, and their blood cries from the ideals, expanding nations, expanding races! Christ is the
ground against their ravishers and murderers. Nevertheless, power at work in all these enlarging movements ....
quite apart from the fact that this is a mess for England It is evident, likewise, in the Church ~)f Christ. The new
atnd Fram.e, who (’reated it, to (.ivan up, we cannot see ministry is a ministry with its face toward tomorrow, and
where the United States has L~,e,~ or i, under any obligation tim vital follower of Jesus Christ is the man or tile woman
to tight to prevent Christians l’ro::J being massacred by who ean behold him alive and at work in the world ....
Molmmmedans when the net resuh uould be the exposure The one problem of tin; industrial problems, the ra(.ial
of Molnlmmedans to no less barb:~rm~s abuse by Christians, problems, the illterlnltinnal problenls of tile world lo(bly is
particularly as in the Greek-Turldsh war the Christians to see the unifying power of this Living Christ among us.
were originally the aggressors. I alll convinced that lhe lm’sent financial emergency wld(,h
ts upon our own ch~n’eli and others is simply the result of
HIGHLY COLORED CAMPAIGN LITERATURE the failure to behohl this IA~ing Christ and to follow him.
The following extracts from a lengthy address of the An attitude of pessimism and of dis(.ouragement has crept
into our religious life. We lm~e wondered whether our
Methodist Bishop, Fred B. Fisher, in the "I Will Main- investments wouhl really pay. If we can only llehoM this
*ain" fund campaig~b indicate the wdlingness of church Christ at work we slmll (’dine to see that the investment of
leaders to color highly the picture of their denomina- one dollar during the n,~xt year will do more titan the
tional work in India, in a frantm effort to secure the inxestment of one hundred dolhtrs twenty-five years hence
funds necessary to repair their crumbling edifices. He in lnissionary endva:or. We must give not only the tithe of
our income but in many cases we will be called upon to give
quotes the eritieism of a Socialist, but fails to be warned our sons and daughters.
by it. tie says: There was never a time in the world’s history when
The living Christ is at work in tile world today.
investment of life and money will count so much. I am s~)
He is larger than our old (’oncel~lioI~s of him.
satislie(I that the heart of our (.hurelms is right tlmt
Many theoh)gical systems lmve compressed him into the exI)ect :, complete turning of the tide. I am convinced that
thirty-three years during which he li,e(l upon earth. our offering of money and time during the next year will
Tills really makes of him a human Christ .... be so great tlmt we stroll see a rising "tide which will lift
W]mt is now happening is that Jesus has become tim all tile spiritual boats of the world.
reco!ln~’~ed and umversal ideal of m-mkind. He has been
taken down from that niche in heaven and is seen as the
personal leader of the social movements of the world. CHRISTIANITY AND PEACE
I met a young Socialist in Paris. IIis eyes blazed with the Someof the "benighte(t heathen"do not seemto care
light of spiritual abandon and discipleship. He excoriated for the pseudo "Clmstianity," more properly named
our churches. He declared that re’my of our cathedrals
oughl lo be torn down and the stones used to build slmlters "churchianity," i)ut forth by zealous denominational
for tim poor, and then taunted me, when I said that the ministers and missionaries. The following from Ross
(.hurch was the oMy answer to the prol)lems of the present W. Sanderson in the Wichita Eagle, of September 16,
day, by declaring t]mt Jesus is till" Answer, not the church is to the point:
as an organism. With eyes blazing this youth cried: Fred B. Smith is home from a trip around tile world, lie
"Tile Christ I love is far diviner than you know. He is found that our notion of Christianity was not shared by
at tim very head of this whole modern social, industrial re’my orientals. The average Mohamnmdan regards Chris-
uprising, and I am not sure but that He is happier to lead tianity, he says. as a religion of war and bl¢)odshed. The
us tllatl He is to lead you." Moslems, who freel.~ advocate tile sword, accuse Christians
of insincerity in professing a love of peace while waging
THE VISION THE PEOPLE HAVE CAUGItT tim bloodiest wars il, all ldstory.
In India a distinguished native Christian advised him
From this point of ,-Jew, it is tim Living Christ who stirs
not to use the word (’hristianity in Ills addresses in that
up a great deal of the unrest in the world today. Tim people
have caught lhe vision of tim Christ who came to give country. "You can preach (’hrist," said tills oriental, "but
liberty to the captives, to give sight to the blind, and to you cannot prem.h (’hristianily. It is here regarded as tim
name of a western r#qigion which has failed."
heal the broken-hearted.
During recent years I have been called into wards of "I could multiply similar illustrations," says Mr. Smith,
towns with the request to baptize every man, woman and "from China and ,l~q)ai~, Ilindns, Moh’mnnedans, and Bud-
child. We began with the hea(l nmn and baptized the ward dhists ~lre filling lhe Fast with descriptions of western
council and then all of the citiz~,ns. This was brought about t’hrisli:mity as a war-lovirlg ;lad war-promoting organiza-
by a strange social, economic, and religious awakening, which tion. The East says: ’(’hrisli:mity, a cannon-ball, a subma-
is called tile Mass Movement toward Christianity. The rine, and a gas bonlb go logelher.’ "
mayors of neighboring towns are (.ailed together in summer Su(.h reporls from :, man \vim has actually been or, the
schools, where they are taught Chrislian principles, the life grouIM ought lo wake us Ill). \Vt ¯ do not believe that Chris-
of Christ, and Christian hymns. They are sent back to tinnily is it religion which has failed. But how mueb lmve
their villages to tell the stories they have learned. Timy we done to make it SllCe(,ed on a world-scale?
first call the town council together and report the "good Fred B. Smith goes on to say: "Tile Christian church is
news." Then the members of the council scatter themselves tim only organization with the world contacts which make
among the families and inform all tbeir people. At the end possible a common binder for preserving peace. If the
of a number of months a Christian worker and a missionary church fails in its new opportmdty more and worse wars
will bring their spirit to bear upon this village life. What ,t are coming. Tile new stage setting is perfect for more out-
privilege to baptize them all inlo the kingdom of Christ ! . . . breaks. ()~ly Che Christian gospel of brotherhood can fur-
In my travels during the last eighteen years, it has seemed nish /he moral and spiritual foundation that will mak~
to me that more and more I have beheld this Living Christ peace really possible."
 CHANGED INTO HIS IMAGE
"Weall, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are chanted into the same~magefrom glory
to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord."I2 Corinthians 8: 18.
i NOTE : ASheretofore announcedin these columns,we will publish in advancea brief comment on the weeklyprayer-
~ne,’ling text for the considerationof the brethren. In ~)rder that there maybe no confusion,and that the friends mayunder-
~taml the weekfor whichthe text is used, this is the rule to follow: The te$t $or the ~ccekwill be the text that appears
o’~ the sheet of the calendarfor that week; that is to say, the prayer-meetingtext to be consideredon the eveningof Jalmary
3 is that whichaI~pears on the first sheet ~)f the calendar : namely,"Thousendcst forth thy spirit, they are created." On
lh. morningof January 4 (Thursday), the friends slmuld begin to consider tile text that will be used on the following
~Vedn(sday night : namely, January 10. EachThursdaymorningthere should be read and then considered during the week
the text that is to be used on the Wednesday following. The text, therefore, for eonsider:,lion Wednesday evening, Jmmary
:17, is, "TheLordGodhath anointedm,, "" This text shnMd be nwdita|(,d rp*r~"rod ..".,! ~ ,re 1 bv the friends f’.’omThm’sday,
,January 1], to the 17th.]
ANOINTING OF THEHOLYSPIRIT ambassadors for Chrtet. (2 Corinthians 5: 20) An am-
OINTING means a divine designation to a posi-
A tion of service or authority. Aaronthe high priest
was anointed with the holy oil. The kings of
bassador is supposed to represent faithfully his King,
his Lord and Head. The more he grows in the likeness
of his Itead, the better is he enabled to be a representa-
God’s holy nation were anointed. The anointing of Aaron tive of the Lord and to showforth his praises.
the high priest foreshadowedthe anointing of the great Let us rememberthat the mind is the battleground;
priesthood of which Jesus is the head. The ceremony in that the {ran~fornmtiontakes place chiefly in the mind,
connection w~h Aaron’s anointing was performed by the as St. Paul puts it: "Be xe transformed by the renewing
ointment being poured upon the head, and it ran down of your mind, t}mt ye mayprove what is that good, and
upon the beard, downto the sldrts of his garments.-- acceptable, and perfect, ~ill of God."It is fitting, then,
:Psalm133 : 2. that the ambassador of Christ should have his mind
At the time Jesus was at the Jordan, he was begotten centered upon things pertaining to the duties and obli-
and anointed of the holy spirit. Both took place at gations of his office. These duties and obligations may
practically the same time. lie therefore becameChrist, be summedup in a few words: (1) To reprcsent the
the anointed one, the .Messiah. Thereafter each one who l~ord faithfully by h,,ing his true and faithful witness;
is inducted into the bodv of Christ by spirit-begeitiHg and (2) by thus doing, to CCSl)erate in being transformed
and adoption I’eeeives the anointing. The begetting is into the likeness of his Lord and Master and being made
an individua[ matter. The anointing is a collective mat- meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. ]"aeh
ter. As tile anointing oil was poured only upon the one of the anointed ones, then, will have a de.-ire to
head of Aaron the high priest, and not upon the under- serve the Lord faithfully. If he finds this do<ire is
priests, it thus foreshadowed that flle anointing that somewhat dimmed, then he should pray the Lord to
came upon the Lord Jesus is directly upon him alone give him a clearer vision of his will and a greater desire
and through him descends upon the members of the to serve him to his glory. He should then find in his
body, whoare inducted into the body of Christ. heart that zeal peculiar to the Lord’s house, the zeal
It is one and the same spirit that begets and anoints; promptedby unselfish love. Having the desire to repre-
but somewhatdifferent in process of operation. All who sent the Lord and his kingdom faithfully, he will be
are called, justified, and accepted as a part of the sacri- watching for opportunities, and seizing these opportuni-
fice are called in one hope of their calling, are begotten ties when they come to him, to give the witness. Thus
to the divine nature, and are set aside and designated indulging in the performance of the obligations laid
to a position in the body of Christ. Godhas placed the upon him, his mind will be centered upon sueh things,
membersthere as it pleases him. Those whowill finally his heart devoted thereto; and the transforming influ-
end in the great companyclass will lose the anointing, ence will continue, and the end of the year will find
because they will lose their position in the body of him happy in his situation because he has been striving
Christ. Those whomaintain the anointing unto the end to please his Lord and Master.
will be born on the divine plane. All whohave received the anointing are delegated to
The anointing carries with it a commissionto do cer- preach the glad tidings in proportion as thy have oppof
tain things; and this eonn:/ission is set forth by the tunity. That is what is designated the divine commis-
Prophet in these words: "The spirit of the Lord Godis sion. No man on earth ever held a higher commission.
upon me: because the Lordhath anointed me to ]preach Blessed is our pri~ ilege, then, if we have been commis-
good tidings m~tothe meek ; he hath sent me to bind up sioned as the Lord’s representatives to tell the message
the br,)ken-heartcd, to proelainl liberty to the captives, of glad tidings to others. Nowrecognizing the presenee
and the opening of the prison to them that are hen’,d; of the King and his kingdom taking its place in the
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and ~’ (la,? great divine drama, it becomes the privilege of each
of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that n,,ou,’n." anointed one to herald the glad tidings as occasion is
(Isaiah 61: 1, ~) All such anointed ones, then, become afforded him by the Lord.
 WATCH TOWER
GIFT OF GOD
[Text for January 24]
"’Godhath given unto us his holy spirit.’" (1 Thessalo-
nians 4: 8) The spirit of Jehovah is love, because God
is love. His disposition is to do good unto all. Every-
thing our Father and our I,ord do is prompted by love.
Whenb%otten and anointed of the holy spirit we receive
the spirit of the l,ord; hence we receive the holy spirit
as a gift from him. It is the will of Godthat we should
develop the disposition and character likeness of our
Lord and Head. It is the spirit of God working in us
to will and to do his good pleasure whmhby his grace
accomplishes the end desired. Wenmst possess a sincere
desire to do good unto all and evil unto none. In line
with this, the Apostle under inspiration writes: "As we
have therefore opportunity, let us do goodunto all, espe-
cially unto them whoarc of the household of faith."
God exercises a family love toward each memberof
the house of sons; and those who have his spirit will
likewise exercise the spirit of love toward each member
of the house. The Apostle in connection with the text
under consideration says: "But as touching brotherly
love ye need not that I write unto you; for ye yourselves
are taught of Godto love one another." Then he advises
us to increase in this spirit or disposition more and
more; and to do this we are admonished to study to be
quiet and to do our ownbusiness, whieh means that no
one will have the disposition to interfere with the duties
and obligations of another, but will study to remain
quiet and not be meddlesome, and to ascertain God’s
will and do it.
WhatGod really wishes his p.eople to possess is his
holy spirit. Because of the imperfections of the flesh
none of us ean be filled with the spirit all at once, as
vas our perfect Master. Wefirst have the desire to be
in harmonywith God. This desire inereases, to be filled
with his spirit and to grow in the likeness of our Lord
a~MMaster. By seeking the Lord’s way we find it; and
knoeldng at the door of opportunity, it is opened unto
ns. Praying to the Lord for more of his spirit, we have
the assurance of our prayer being heard; for God is
more willing to give us this than we are to give good
gifts unto our ehihtren. Each eonseerated child of God
should come confidently to the throne of grace and, in
the spirit of the Lord, ask for an increased measure of
hls spirit. Our heavenly Father is muchmore consider-
ate, kind, just and loving than any earthly parent; and
he delights to give to the membersof his house of sons
moreand moreof his spirit as they are able to receive it.
The spirit of the Lord given to us develops in us
wisdom. Wisdomis the proper applieation of knowledge
a(.quired from God’s Word. That wisdom which eomes
from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to
be ,ntreated, full of mercyand goodfruits, without par-
tiality, and without hypocrisy. The more we increase in
visdom, the more disposed we shall be to dwell in peace
with all insofar as it is possible. Weshall be moredis-
l~osed to be gentle, kind and considerate to all, even
to the unthankful. Weshall be more easily entreated by
others to be considerate with them. Weshall increase in
mercy, exercising compassion toward those who err and
illy treat us. Weshall be developing and manifesting
more good fruits. Weshall not be disposed to be partial
towardsome. but shall strive to treat all kindly and in a
considerate way. Weshall shun hypocrisy and be open
and frank, deahng honestlv and justly.
All these thll~gs are a gift from God. By developing
these graces of the spirit, we are more and nmre being
transformed into the image and likeness of our Lord
and Ma.-ter. To this end have our eves of understanding
been opened; and as we behohl the wonderfully beautiful
character of our Lord, as reflected by the Wordof God,
and strive to copy that image, the more we are trans-
formed into his likem,ss, being changed from one degree
of ~]ory into a gr(’a.ter degree of glory, evenby the spirit
of the Lord Jesus.
As we come in contact with those of the worht and
present to them the gospel of the kingdom, we may be
rebuffed. Sl)urned, ill-treated, slandered, and abused.
But remembering that we have received from God his
spirit, we ~,hall pity those who persecute us and shall
watch for opportunities to do them good. In this way
we shall develop the unselfish love for the world that Go~
has already manifested toward the worhl. There can be
no complete transformation of character withoul devel-
oping that higher, unselfish love, every~here shed forth
from the Wordof God, which reflects the character of
Jehovah and Jesus Christ his beloved Son.
REVELATION FROM GOD
[Text for January 31I
"’Eye hath not seen, nor ear hea, rd, neither Itave entered
into the heart of man, the thbngs which Godhath pre-
pared for them that love him. llut God hath revealed
them unto us by his spirit." (1 Corinthians 2: 9, 10)
During the gospel age Godreveals his deep things only
to the membersof his family. This family relationship
is attained by exercising faith in the shed blood of Jesus,
by full consecration, justification, spirit-begetting and
anointing. Then the new creature begins to have the
eyes of his understanding opened; and as he gazes into
the perfect mirror (God’s Wordof truth) and sees there
reflected the character of the Father and the Lord Jesus
and strives to conform himself thereto, the revelation
grows brighter and brighter. The promise is: "The
path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth
more and more unto the perfect day."--Proverbs 4: 18.
But be it noted that this revelation of the deeper
things of God’s Wordis by his spirit. As we saw in our
]ast lesson, Godgives us his spirit. 0nly those whomain-
rain the spirit of the Lord can remain in and advance
with the increased light. One of the things that would
take a Christian out of the light is hitterness of heart.
Concerning this St. Paul writes: "Follow peace with
all, and holiness, without which no manshall see the
Lord," The disposition to find fault, to criticize harshly~
slander, and backbite, creates bitterness in the heart.
Cm~tinuing. the Apostle says: "Looking diligently lest
any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many
be defiled."--]Iebrews 12: 1-1, 15.
The very opposite of the spirit of bitterness is the
spirit of love, whichis the spirit of the Lord, and which
is the meansof revelation to us. St. Paul, again writb~g
to the consecrated, says that it is neeessary for God’s
people to have their hearts %nited in love, and in all
the wealth of the full assurance of the understanding,
in order to an exact knowledgeof the secret of god, in
which are stored all the trea,,ures of wisdomand knowl-
edge." (Colossians 2:2, 3, l)iu:77ott) It follows, then,
that in order to eontimwin the li:,qlt and have the in-
creased revelation of God’s great plan and character to
us we must dwell tog~lher in peace" and love nqust so
predominate that our heart, s will be united together.
This explains why, then, one whomanifests the spirit of
WORLD -WIDE WITNESS
RO~[every part of the field in Europeand America.,
F Asia and Africa, come reports of the world-wide
witness on October 29. These reports are indeed
gratifying. They testify to the increased zeal of the
brethren and to the joy had in making known the mes-
sage of the kingdom. There is a steadily increasing
interest of the people in this messageof the hour. Many
more people are inquiring concerning the messageof the
Lord today than at any time during the harvest period.
Reports of the world-wide witness for December10
are just beginning to arrive; and these likewise give
every cause for encouragement. The reports thus far
showincreased attendance and likewise increased inter-
est. Here and there some of the friends have become
discouraged and think we should no longer use the sub-
ject "Millions NowLiving Will Never Die." Their ar-
gumentis that the people will think we knowof nothing
else about which to talk. Wesuggest that such friends
forget that our duty is to place before the people the
message advertising the presence of the King and his
kingdom. It matters not if the people think of us as
being unable to speak on anything else. Somewill ridi-
cule, but thereby they will preach the glad tidings
themselves.
The Lord would not need to have the message an-
nounced by us at all, but he has always chosen to act
through humanagencies. ~Ioses was required to appear
several times before Pharaoh and present his petition
before the Lord wouhl arrange for him to lead the chil-
dren of Israel out o[ Egypt. Joshua and his army
marchedaround Jericho thirteen times before the walls
fell. Whydid not God permit the same result to happen
at the first time? Evidently because he desired to test
the faith of his people and to have the witness so thor-
oughly given to his opponentsthat they would knowthat
bitterness, fault-finding, criticism and strife, soon finds
himself drifting into the darkness. To walk in the liy.ht
and enjoy the blessings of that light we must have his
spirit, which is love for gcd supremely and for the
brethren as membersof his household.
Those whotoday are ~alking after the spirit are hav-
ing the eyes of their understanding opened wider and
wider. Daily they witness the fulfillment of prophecy
testifying to the presence of the K>::, and that he is
dashing to pieces Satan’s empire and puttin~ int<} power
his kingdomwhich shall bless all the families of the
earth. Seeing these g]orions thinzs nowdue to be seen
and appreciated by the dliht of (led, he takes ~.r~ at joy
in announcing to others the Kin~;" and his kingdom.
His mind and heart bei~g set upon these precious things
there is a gradual tra~>formation into the likeness of
the glorious Lord and l(il,’g. Truly at this time to the
Christian it maybe said: "Blessed are your ej-cs, for
they see; and your ears, for they hear."
the power came from Jehovah and not from man. lqow
the Lord is calling upon his people to be faithful and
true witnesses. Let us not be weary in well doing. In
God’s due time we shall reap if we do not relax.
The meeting for December10 at Cleveland, Ohio, is
entitled to special mentionbecause of the zeal and effort
put forth by the brethren there and the results accom-
plished. It is a strong refutation of the argumentthat
we should cease 11sing "Millions NowLiving Will Never
Die." On two former occasions Brother Rutherford had
spoken at Cleveland, using that subject. In addition to
this, manymeetings had been addressed by other breth-
ren on the same subject. For December10 the Cleveland
ecclesia engagedthe largest hall in that city, and prob-
ably the largest hall of its kind in the world. It is said
to have a seating capacity of 13,000. Zealous brethren
went about the city, advertising the meeting by making
personal calls and extending personal invitations to the
people to come and hear on Sunday afternoon. The
result was that at the meeting the great hall was filled
to its utmost capacity ; several hundredstanding ; two to
three thousand were turned away. An overflow meeting
was addressed by Brother Matthewsat Engineers’ Hall.
Let us remember,dear brethren, that it is our privi-
lege to constantly keep before the people the messageof
the hour. "This gospel of the kingdomshall be preached
in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then
shall the end come." The Lord did not say how many
times we should preach it. But the time has come, we
must continue to preach it until he says that it is enough.
Another world-widewitness is exnected in April next.
The exact date we are not able just now to announce.
It will be announced in due time. Let the brethren
everywhere be preparing for that time. Let us prove
om’~eivestrue andfaitKful witnesses to ou~present King.
 THE PRODIGAL SON
JANUARY21 LUKE15-----
THELOSTPIECEOF ]%f0NEY---TYIELOSTSON--REPENTANCE ANDRETURN--RESTORATI01~---THE ~VE][.COMEI:IOAIE---’r}/E CLEIIOYAI
THEELDERBROTHER.
"There is joy in the prese~lce o/ the angels of God over o~c sinner that repentcth."--L~dce 15: 10.

T ODAY’Slesson gathers around the parahh’ of tile Prod-

igal Soil, perhaps the best known of our Lord’s para-
bles. It is easy to und(,rstnml why this parahle should
love of God, his tender mercy, and tile gla(hle:;s \~ h:,eh ~ o:.lt’~t
to him through the return of his rcpenmnl sons. Our l,ord
said: "There is joy in the presence of tim angels el (fed."
be such a favol’ile: There is l~one like it to set forth the Ill other words, God the Shepherd of Isr’/el, and .Jesus, the
love of God for his lost so,is. ~o other story elsewhere in great Shepherd of his sheep, lmve joy togeth~,r whe,,:",er a
hmmmhistory sels forth the love ’rod sympathy and for- repentanl sinner is restored; and tl~e angels see it. aml
giveness of God as it is set fortl~ by this parable. The surely rejoice with them.
parable is preceded hy two others almost as well known--tim
parables of the Lost Nheep. and of the Lost I’ieee of Money, TItE LOST SON
gems which would shine anywhere. The parable of the The two parables show God’s loss from a laaterial point o¢
Prodigal is a picture beautifully framed, nnolher example view, as when an owner loses a sheep out of his lloek or
of the excellence of Luke’s setting of the wonderful truths wlmn something of material value is lost. But !here is
he had to tell. another viewpoint, a more tender one, by which Jesus illus-
The parables arise out of the incidents recorded in the trates God’s love and his sense of loss. It is that of a
previous chapter. Jesus had shown that very lmmy who father who has lost a son--a loss entirely different from
had opportunities ~)f service for God -rod advancement for one of material things. Whatever there is of real value ,,n
themselves would fail to gain what wus near to their hand earth--whatever enriches the life of man--has come f,’om
through lack of humility. Their opportunities would slip the heart of God. We may very truly say that as the loss
past tlmm. Luke tells that there gathered to Jesus publi- which a parent feels when a loved child is lost tllrouzh
cans aml sinners to hear him. Evidently they had hear4 of waywardness--a loss as if a room in his heart is ela~,~(l,
Jesus’ attitude towards the ostentatious and sell-righteouS not to be occupied until the child shall return--so God was
rich; and, spum,ed by all these, and frequently so by the deprived of love to give and to receive when his humm~s,,~:s
pe~ple, they gathered to him, feeling llmt lie was their were lost in the far country of sin.
friend. Jesus must have taken some meals with them; for Jesus wished to show these Pharisees how precious the
Lul.:e s~lys: "And the Pharisees and scribes nlllrlnured, say- publicans and sinners of Israel were to his Father. al~(1
ing, Tlds man receivelh sinhers, all(] eateth with them." should be to them. He told how the younger of two .~o,~s
Jesus heard their murmuring, and spoke to them in the asked of his father the portion of the est’tte which woMd
words of the p~lrable of the Lost Sheep Undouhiedly this fall to him on his father’s death. According to the law of
beautiful parable fs intended to show that the publicans Israel the elder son received tw~)-thirds, and the youn.~er
and sinners were lost sheep. The l’harisees and scribes the one-third remaining; but there was no claim on lhe
represented the righteous who thought that they tmeded father for realization and division of his property before
no ,.epentance. The main points of the parable are these: death, though this was sometimes done tn Israel. Whether
(1) The lost sheep is very precious to the good shepherd, it was convenient for the father so to realize on some of
who seeks it ~l! great cost to himself; and (2) that which his property, and thus divide with his son we do not know;
lost brings, when restored, a joy that is otherwise impos- but he agreed to the request, and the thoughtless, wilful
sible of realization. Tlds is very important. young man got what he desired.
Apparently, without any consideration for his father, this
THE LOST PIECE OF MONEY son left home for a far country to enjoy himself. He began
To emphasize these tiHngs, the Lord spoke tile parable of to squander the money for which his father had labored,
the Lost Piece of Money. This shouhl not be understood as and which should have been his portion to start him iu
meaning merely that a woman had lost a coin as one might life. Soon he sank very low, and was left without a friend.
lose a shilling or a dime. It is said, and we believe cor- A mighty famine came in the land; and, forced by hard
rectly, that the coin was one of a number strung together circumstances, he became a swineherd, to a Jew a detest-
which nmrried women wore on their foreheads, and for the able occupation. He would gladly have tried to satisfy his
care of which ttley were very particular. For a woman to hunger with the fo~d given to the swine. Apparently he
be careless in lhese matters meant some lack for considera- got just enough to keep himself alive, but never sufficient
tion for her respectability. It was not greed that caused to satisfy his hunger; and none of his new friends, nor
the woman to sweep so carefully; her honor was in ques- indeed anyone else, had any compassion for him.
tion. Itcnee the rejoicing when the lost piece was found.
Here again our Lord’s mess-lge is pointed. If we take the REPENTANCE AND RETURN
parables in the wider sense, they surely tell us that the The young man’s terrible condition brought him to his
love of God is involved in the loss of his straying sheep, the senses. His true self had, as it were, been absent; and now
hmn’m family; and that to some extent the ironer or bright- he began to think. His mind tunmd to his comfortable home.
ness of his glory would be dimmed if he had no plan for He thought of the many hired servants his father had, who
sa~ing tile sin-smitten world. The Pharisees and scribes, had always plenty to eat, and always sometMng to spare,
who considered themselves righteous, ought to have rejoiced whilst he never had sufficient. Thoughts of home and of a
with Jesus that some publicans and sinners were being satislied appetite led him to think of his father; and per-
brought near to him; they ought to have had compassion imps a thought crossed his mind of his father’s hunger fur
uIlon tt~ese, and to have desired to help them; they ought him. He determined to go to his father, to acknowledge his
to have been helping him to find the lost piece of money in sin both against heaven and before his father, and to beg
order th’~t God’s goodness might be magnified. But they to be made as one of his father’s hired servanta He was so
stood aloof an(1 even murmured at his attempts to help. broken in spirit that he would not presume to ask to be
After our Lord had spoken these things, there comes the taken back as a son; he felt that he had forfeited that
Incomparable parable, which also Is intended to show the favored position.
U
 ,rh WATCHTOW’ ER BIIOOKI,YNj
N. ~,

Having made up hts mlnd to go to his father, he went on clans lllat exactly correspond to those of Jesus’ day. The
the way. A. great surprise awaited him. Probably he had clergy, who have had all the privile;zes of knowledge, are
thought to go up to his father’s house at night-time, and not tit all Iih<:lsod tlmt the poor lille the ao~pel of the king-
perhaps find shelter "uld some food from some of tile set’- do(n prea(:lled Io tllen!, no(’ plen<t~l that they "ire tohl
rants who had been under his care in days gone past. But, the love of God for the world and of his litlrlioSe to restore
happening to lift ut) his eyes as lie was gohlg along the his prodigal sons by tile trouble ~ hich brings them to their
road, he saw ltis father renting towards hinl ; more wonder- SelIS~S, {O a i’eilliz~llnln of their need of llinl~ and to an
ful still, that his fatller 1logan to rml to hiln : and still more undoi’-lali(lin.~ of the h)ve to be lllai/lfest~,d thrm(gh Christ.
vl~ontlerflll whenlhcy nloL llis f,tther, without a word of TheilllltI(tl(’ (if lifts c]:i~* towards tile lnessage of truth
reproach, fell on his neck aim kissed hinl. The prodlgal s(,elli~ to showoon(,lu-ivtqy that they w(tuld rather tile inlll-
began to tell his tale to his father, ntakhi~ his coltfosMon, tilmh,,~ of e:ll’tlfs ..llllS, }Hll’den(,d with Sill and hard¢ir(,unl-
but tlle father waixed ii to Clio side: for the [’;i(.I (ll’ lhe StlIII(’I’S, shollhl li:i%o tile otor(utl {ornlent do(’trine iiro;i(’hed
return I/lid IIlo t[(qneanorof tile SOilx\-ei’( ¯ ".,l[!i:’iellt [’or hilll. to lholn titan l}le n(e~%l~Oof love and hope. They niake no
TherewouldIll\(, beensonielliiill- lm’i:i l<_’ if tit(, olY!¢(’,-,~i[)li pl’oto,~t ;l~’alliSt those, Stlcli as the Salvation Army a(id
hadnot beenspo](Oil, bat beiiitt- ~[t~lipll it needediio Jttl’lht’l" ollil,l.<.. ,~ll() Mill I~lil,~plleliit. the it;line of (l()d by llre~l(’hillg
expression. Thl, slol-y is so b,;lUli,ul, -4o lt’lldt.i’, ~lii(I llin. the lOillll,!ll doellqn~’: b{lt tho.v hintl~r the (lleSs~tgeo[’ lrllth
faflwr’s liclif)n so ~l’;leiOl(S lh;it Its we see hint einl~:.te il,:g hi i,\(,l’,,, po~.ililo W:ty. Theyprefer tile holler of lhonlselv(’q
llis long-lost see, ]li~ heart be;ilh ,.., x~ltli gladnes,~, and tears niort, lh<in Iho jo3 i)f lll~- l:a{tier, or the saha{ion of the
of joy stroanihl~ down his face, we cannot help emorhla hlinian fanliI3. .\nd j(lst as surely as the older soil could
into his hnllllint’,~s. The relurned prodi~tll was weh.olne/l liol eliter inlo hi< father’s lionse nor into llis hltppiileSS,
ilonie wilh ~lii effusion of ~htdno*s. ltlbl his ]ie:lrt would lhroii’.th lho hai’dne-~ of his heart, so surely will these find
hlive heenof .-relic it" by till this i~ h:itl iltil lt(’t*ll lU(’I~odnlu) tlleni~oltes olll-ldo the joy of the Lord wllen lie receives
a right attitude. In tiffs way God. throll~ll his d(,al’ Son his prodigals home.
whomlie sent Io represent llinl, and by wllonl he rev(,ah, These three beautiful pictures show us God’s love for tile
hiniself to us, hqls us of his gladliess wtlen a prodigal lost, whether hell)le.-sly lost as was the sheep, carelessly
comes back to hinl. lost :l~ was the piece of money, or lost by wilful wandering
TIlE WELCOME tlOME as was the prodigal. Can anyone doubt the final triumph of
The father was so glad to hqve his son ba~,k that he t.he love of God when this parable is seen in its true setting !
arranged a party tllat .ill his household couhl ~ll:lre his Alas’. tlmt sonic seem .*o to do. But whoever loses the joy
pleasure. But tim elder son was absent. On eolnina near to in God’s salvation will not prevent that joy; hut it is easy
the house, and hearing the music and dmleing, lit, c.tlled one for us who know the plau of God to get a mental vision of
of lhe servliiits aMdo and asked what these things meant. the heavenly l’ojoicing when the prodigals come home.
On being told th’tt his brother liad (.ome back, and that his In taking this wide view of the purpose of God, we must
father had killed the fatted calf because he had received clot niiss lhe imlividual lesson. Let us remember that the
him sufe and sound, he was angry, and would not go in. loving Father’s care is over us; and that "if any nmn sin
The father, hearing of this. came out and entreftted hinl. [any of th(, amy creation] we have an Advocate with tile
Then (’onies one of tho~e lmrvm’sions of truth which only an Father," place(l there by the Father himself to bring us
Ilngratefnl heart and a l)~rvei’led niind can produce. He bacl,: to hinl.
told his father that lie lind served hinl for lnalo" years and
]~eeause {here is no mention here of all atonen(ent for Sill,
had never transgressed, but that such a night of lnerriment SO(lie have (.l~liilied that only roi)erltalioe is necessaryfor
and joy had never been nmde for hinl. nor such pleasure sJnner’s :icvopimwe with God. It is tl’lle that ,leslls said
shown in him as for this son who had d(,voured his sub-
little ;ll)out .~in atonement: bnt that was not because he
stance in riolous lixing. Tile father pleaded with the elder
ignored tllat fact, hut because he hhnself was the "lamb"
son, npparcntl.~ without avail. Iiut tile la-t word was with
for sacrifice, and the "bu]lock" for atonelnent: and tile time
tile father. I:lc said: "it was meet ill:it we should muke to set for(h the trutlt was not until lle lind completed his
merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is sacrifice and was raised fronl the (lead. God forgives tile
alive agMn; and was lost, and is found." sinlmr becan~e a r~leelner tn/s beelt provided; for "without
Jesus ]iere shows not only the gladness of God ill getting
slledding el blood is no remission."--Hebrews 9: 22.
his children I)aek to him, but the detestable meanness of the
minll which was in the Pharisees and lawyers who despised QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
the publi(,ans and sinners. The eider son of this parable is IIow does this parable show the love of God? ¶ 1.
us objection<’tble <<l man as the father is lovable, and the In Whilt way doe~ want of hunfihty prevent one fronl serving God?
younger son forgivable. ¶2.
What does the I,o~t SheoD1)ioture ~ ¶3.
What was the sin of the prodigal son? Clearly tie was ~\+hllt ]o~SOllIS lllOIO i!l i}le Lo~I’ioco of 5[onev’~¶4.
selfish, very self-indulgent, lacking those corn(non restraints l lowis l~od’s hot/ill’ ullhl,hl in his 1)lan of salv,l{iml’~ ¶ ,5.
\Vh~ >hould a l’elmntin~ .-inner brin~a joy to out’ hearts? ¶ 13.
whi(.h iI n(an should put upon hims(qf, and entirely without XVhy xxill Godr¢lllll,o 111~}lt, l’O{llrll of the hulrtall ru(’o? ¶ 7.
consideration for his father. Though he was a waster, a ~,V|lat blWof ]Sl’:lo| did .]Oqll-I use Ill tilt,’, parable?¶ 8.
~Vhnt did the 3ounger son do? ¶ 9.
foolish, careh,ss son, who nlust h;ive given his father ll(nC]l V(h~lt (’ir(.unlstanees call,ell the9youn°cr soil to return? ¶
p’lin, lhere is lie word in the par:lille to tell lhis; bu( the llllu did lhe fut|ler 1.oOl.lve ]liln ¶ l].
.~[i"tl| xxOexpect a decided change of heart as the race returns to
fulness of tel,ling wllich tile father exhibit.d whenhis son .hqi,i~:ill "~~r12.
r(,tllrned di~ohmodit. q_’ho p:irable showsthllt Godlets llis "¢, Ihat ~a~ the attihlde of the elder son toward his brother’s return?
|:i
wayw’lrd chihh’en go fheh" own way. In order to :ive lheni \V|i,~in did .lO~ll¢, Im’tiil’e ill tile oMer<on
~ ¶ 14.
the nl’(’ess;iry eXl)erien(,es, lie lets some tiave what they \\’|iv |ui, ~, (god l)orUll{tel-t {]10l’,tf’e {+l h,ixo lheir ownway?118.
~.\’ht Ilo the (’loi’~y Opl)o~etile trllth all thI~ {inlo"a ¶ 16
want, l/lid olht,rs lie tests by his own joy in receiving tile \Vhx ~hould God’s triumphant l,)ve nl,lfire loyalty in our hearts¶
prodig’ils back to llinlself. 117.
Whatlildl~idlinl lo~son ha~ thl~ parable for us? ¶18.
There are cider soils. Pharisees and serib~s,’in our day. a 1~.’|/~, "hell ll] WC~ X cr be mindfulof the sacrifice of Jesus? ~[ 19.

"[le "~;i.’.ht,ll liw (.]rail hi sweet obhviolt’s river. "I will abide, where, by his grace I am,
And in the elean~ing fountain of the Lamb. Within his house fore\er and ~orever."
 THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
,JANUARY 28 -LUKE 16--
’][’~E ~,VISD0),[ OF THE WORLD----SAINTS PROVED BY SMALL TII[NGS--~£HE CLERGY AS UNJUST STEWARDS----THE RIC/:T MAN P’URIFIED l~"
THE I,[RES OF I[ADES TilE GULF BRInGED.
"Charge them that arc rich in this present worhl, that Ihcy be not highminded, ~or have their hope set on the uneel tainty
of riches, but oll (led, who givcth us richly aU Ihings to enjoy."--i Timothy 6:17, R. V.

O UR Gohlen Text directs attention to the uncertainties

of the rwtms of thi~ world, -rod 1o the fact that d’m-
gers sm’r(mnd those who hold them. Quite e~ idently
the ’tstuteness, which the deposed steward lind slmwn and
used. SharI) practices, as sell as sharp dealings,
mired by tile worhl; "rod if.,
are ad-
man who gains an advantage
the desire of those who chose the topic for study was to over his n~i,-hl)or by ~lny metho(l, even when ttniounting
call attention to the necessity for ~\al(.htnlness which fr:md, is thought well of.
upon those hohling any such riches, whether of money and E~idently our Lord inlen(led to pl’tce on record for the
prol)erty or of those positions of authority which often benelit of the children of light lhose disciples who should
accompany riches, in order tlmt they be used to tim hohler’s lollow hhn--the thought that even they might get some
best interests. That is, these advanlages must not be held lessons from the chihh’en of this world. It is very fre-
in a sellish way, but with a wide charitable attitude towards quently the case tlmt the chil(h’en of light are not as merci-
those less fa~orab:5" placed. ful witih or ns careful for, e:wh other as they might be.
The~e lessons are good to learn; for he who boasts in True, there are kindness and mercy, and compassion and
riches, acquired either hY inheritance or l’~bor, or in any h)ve expended by brettwen upon their brethren ; but ttmre is
position of authorily in which he amy he I)laced, has no :llx~;l,~,~ lhe need to 1,e~are of allowing eritieisin to hold too
true appreciation of hia rcl;,tious towqr(l, (;od, the giver large :, l)la(’e in the miHd; ’rod it umst be admitted that the
every uood and perfect Riit: nnd he uho t,,ues these lhings Master’s uords are sfill trt, e; /’or the children of this world
for lmrvly selfish purposes is no ~riend to God or to alan. ([I) le(~f (’ i!i ,i<,, (,:It’ll (H]t(,r <o l’Ogt|ilv. ~-hl, : "1<0 p~llon~o*st
AndIbis iu true of all, whether l)rofess.’d Christians or not. file (*llll([l*ell 0]’ II’~’tll. llllLl tile ~, l,, i ,~[l([:~ ];I’(C UlOFOfor-
l~ul; the lwo l);irqbles we have for our study ’H’e not intended ,,~’,tl’;ll|( t ~ Wl[h eauli O[ll(’r.
merely to be a guide as to eondu(’t; nor were the lmr:d)les
given as lessons in proper use of nmlerial a(lvantam, s. They SAINTS PROVED BY SMALL THINGS
are on much higher ground, and quite (,vidently are intended ¯ h,sns continued his instruction lo his disciples, and io the
to give instru(’tion to those who as true follow¢.~rs of Jesus church through them. IIe said: "I say unto you, Make to
were to be made the stewards of God’s Word, and also to yourselves friends of [by nleans of] the nmmmon of un-
give instruction concerning his phm. righteousness, that when it fails (Diaglott) they may receive
There are live parables in this immediate connection: you into everlasting habitations." The Lord is telling his
namely, the three in Luke 15, and the two now before us. disciples that they were to be put into a position of trust, a
Throuzhout, Jesus (.ontinues Iris teaching on humility (Imke stew,trdship. The things which would be under their c’tre
14:8), showing that he that exalteth himself shall be would be those things of this worhl, some conneeled with
abased, while he that lmml)leth himself stroll be exalted ; and the tnallllUOll Of unrighteousness, whi(.l~ they had consecrated
that lmbli(’:ms, sinners, and prodigal sons are those from to God, whether of money, or time, or ability, and which are
whom, by means of their restor.ttion, God gets some of his by hiln given back in trust to lds consecrated to be held in
first and ehiefest joys. stew-~rdship for him, and lo be used wholly for him. A
The Plml’isees, scribes, lawyers, chief priests, and elders disciple of Ctwist may possibly have a consid,’r,nble amount
wcre leo proud and too comfortable in their circumstances of momw, ,;-.. ~ruly a sylnbol of this world. IIe can use
to realize either their need of the. help of God or their own tim, lnone5 1,) i. ’ll) hH~i’ his sI)iritual life, or in such
deliciency. Therefore they neither had the joy of God, nor way as to .urt him. If he uses it aright, he makes by means
did they give joy to God. The parable of the Unjust Stew- of it a friend of God, to whomhe is consecrated ; if he uses
ard, which our I,ord now spoke, was intended to let these it wrongly--for himself--he loses everything. Some day all
people know that a time of judgment h-td come upon them; things connected wilh lhe nulnlnlon of unrighteousness nlust
that they were in a dangerous posiiiou; and it was also fail ; but if the friendship of God has been gained by means
intemled as instruction for the disciples of Jesus. The of a good use of earthly things, then they, the Father and
parqble is one of the most important which our Lord gave the Son, who have the cverlasling mansions, will receive the
to the church. failhful steward to (luell there forever with them.
THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD Very few rich, or greal, or noble have been called to dis-
Turning from speaking to the Pharisees, our Lord spoke cipleship; but all who lmve been (.alled, and have walked in
to his diaeiples. He told them of a weqlthy man whose the footsteps of Christ, haw’ had something to do with the
steward was accused to his master of wasting his goods, unrighteous mammon, and are to be judged according to
aud whom the re,star called to at’comet and from whom he their use of it. If they have been unfaithful in the use of
took the stewardship: and of how the steward, before ren- these things, "who," says ,Jesus, "will commit to your trust
dering his a(’eounts, contrive(1 "~ schen]e in his owninterest. the true riches," those of the kingdom of heaven? And "if
IIe said to himself, "I cannot dig, :rod to beg I am ashamed." ye tmvc not been failhful in that which is another man’s,
tlut not too proud to enter on a course of fraud, he went who shall give you that which is [to be held as] your own?"
among Iris master’s debtors and arr’mged witl~ them that Sellishness will cause "t man who is wqsteful in his use of
they should settle their accounts at a much lower figure than other people’s property or material to be careful of his own ;
had heen demanded of them. Ills scheme was to get the but no man is really to be trusted with things of value
goodwill of the debtors, and probably t)y lhis means also to unless he has proved himself careful respecting thlng’s which
obtain their silence. His master hcard of his action and do not belong to him, but which may for a timc I~e m~(ler
commended him. his care. It is by the little things of daily life our Father
We must not interpret this parable to mean that Jesus is proving our worth as stewards of the great things of the
commended these nnjust trans-mtions. It must be remembered kingdom.
ttmt the master and the steward were two men of the world, Jesus continued his lesson. He had already made "t dis.
and that the master could not but commend the craftiness, tinction between the children of this world, and the children
2.
28 BROOKLYN,
No~Jr.
WATCH TOWER
of light, belween the mammonof unrighteousness and the everyone riot living just right? Well, write that off; it viii
| l’rle rMws. Nowhe nlalces clear that there fire two masters not be charged against you at any rate." "Did you under-
who may be served, God and lllalunlon ; and he said that no stand that you nmst be converted to be a church member?
nlal[ can be true to both. Yet nnm.~ (liseiples of Jesus have E’lse 5our’~elf of that mistake; for conversion is really not
tried to hohl on to some of lhe things of this world--to the ne(’e,-~ary. .... I~id you understand that you inust come to
malmnon of mn’Edhtcousness. The only way which one can (.lmreli quite reguhlrly twi(,e a Sllt~(lay? Ease 5"ourseLf
safely hold tho.>e tt)ings is by using exersthing qccordmg to tha~ bln’den." And so on, anylhing, everything almost, so
his cons~u’ation vow ; Ihat i.-, lo tile glory of God. And then tim! lhey carl keel) their place of favor and keep friends
those s.’, mhols of lifts world are aceet)ialfle Io God as part of with lhe people. By lhese men religion is being reduced to
otlr (’O,lse(’rated life, and even he(’ome )tallowed instrunlelltS ¯ t mere lnorality; and they will yet write off other things
of s(,rx ice. amdnst those whomthey have (’laimed to be debtors to God,
The l’hari~ees ]i~lenina to Jesus hoard all tie said, "and r;~lh(’r Ihan lose their own places.
the3 del’ide(I iii:n." Luke a(hlq that the3 were (.oveloils; alld
PURII’IED RY FIRES OF HADES
eonsequenily Jesus’ words wouhl lmrt them. Tllo doctrine
The Lord eolnpleted lhis series of parables by giving the
he wa.~ 1)reaehina re*l~ ,(.{ in;; li,.hes was (llnte contrary
tl)eirs: they \~ere eonlideni that they could ]mid riclws and oln’ ~o familiurl5 known as tile Rich Man arid Lazarus. This
parubie is of so unnsual a chart)tier as to cause it to be the
yet i.~ righteous. ~Vc do m)t know what ihey uttered, but
Jesusinrned to timm and s:lid: "Y(nl do ju,-.tify yourselxes most debated of all the lmrahh’s. Indeed, now and again ils
in these thing~ in the (,yes of men, hut llot before Cod; for genuinenes.- has been calh’(t into question; but surely with-
tlmt which is higldy esleelned nntontt men i~ an el)ore)na- out ;my good reason; for though the story enters abruplly
ilito IAll~.c’s acoonl~t, an(]. thoilp.h it is of unusual charaelel’,
tion in lhesi’zht of God." Tim 1’-i nfi,r’ ,!la ;,Re--aid’ "Men
will praise thee, when tlmu (’o .I \~eh Io lhy-el~." (l’~alln tbe-e are not ~ulli: lent .arounds for questionil)g it. Those
xx he ]m!d tile helI-lire elernal-torment doctrine deny that tim
49:18) .’~[el) d(t plaise limse \\h,) a(.culrlll]atc riehe~, arnl
s~ory i~ u parable. They say that it is fin account of aetual
there is little cmtw; :m of the rnalll,or in which tile ac(.UlilU-
lation is nmde but. in lhe sight of God, this worhlly view- lmplu,ning% and they count tile story ns one of their chief
point is an al)olnination. trea-ures. The parable is full of antitheses. It tells oi’ a
rich man faring sumI)tUously every day, living in ahno.>t
THE CLERGY AS UNJUST STEWARDS royal e~tate; and of a poor man at his gate, covered wilh
The l’harisees evidently pert’cited thai though Jesus was sorcs, and wait)no day b5 day to be fed with erumbs wbieh
ins)curling hi~ disciples how lo be aood .~teward.~ of thlludS f,qI from the ri(’h man’s table, his lnisery made worse by the
to t)e committed into lheir care, lie was l~ever~hele~,s ad- does, those bca.~ts which are often the city’s scavengers,
dressing lholn indireetl.v, and ~tating that they wePe unlaith- lickma ills sores.
ful stewards, as indeed they were; for they had "the key of The poor nlan died, and was carried by angels to Abra-
knowledge," and "sat in Mo.~es seal," but misused their ham’s be.-on). The rich man a].-o died, but was buried. In
privileges. They could have directcd the people aright: and hades, while tormented with 1Iames, he lifted up his eyes
had they been faithful to their stewardship (1o(1 would have Hn([ -;t~V .~_hraharll afar’ off, aml Lazarus resting ill ]liq
honor(,d arid blessed them with a (-h,ar unders, t:lnding of the bosom. He called to Abrah’m], asking that Lazarus might
truth which Jesus reveale(1, and they would have been be sent to him, miaht lhp lho tip of his finger in water to
amongst his first and most hh,s~od diet.)pies. They had faih,d (~)ol his tongue. Apparently the rich man’s chief suffering
because the5 had used lheir olli(.e and their privilege for was lhat he wqs hot and thirsty. AI)ralmm said that it
their own selfish interests. Tll~y were now I)eing called to could not he done ; fro’ there was an ilnl)assal)le gulf between
account. They had overchar:ded rile people, and put heavy theln. "Then," cried the rich man, "I pray thee, therefore,
burdens upon them which couhl not be borne. (Ma|thew father, that thou wouldst send him to my father’s house<"
23: 4; Luke 11: 46) They robhed widows that they them- IIe wished tlmt his tire brothers should be testified unto lest
selves might live in altluenee; they were living on the prod- they also should come into this place of torluent. Abratm,n
uets of their ill-gotten gains. Nox~ lhese leaders of tl)e peo- an~-wered lhat his brothers had Moses and tile prophets, "L,’,_
ple were about to be d.,po,cd from 1heir high place of favor, them hear tlieln," and in further reply stated: "If they
and the disciples of Jesus were to become "stewards of tim hear ~,,,( Mo.-es and the prol)hets, neither will they be per-
mysteries of God."--1 Corintl)ians. 4: 1. suaded thoua’h one rose fl’om the dead."
In the church in later days there spran¢ up a class of If lhi~ ~[ory is taken liter,ally, as an aeeouht of an aetu tl
peoplo who had the spirit of the Pharisees, a class who hal)penina’, and not as tile use of ima:gery on Jesus’ part,
sougllt their own advancement hy means of the things lhey )hell liw sUPlmrters of that sulagesiioll have some very "twk-
had under their care. This (,h’rlay (,ht~s has fallen into the ward things to exphdn. Abrahan)’s reply that a gulf stopped
same low place as that occupied 1);, these men of Jesus’ d~k, some fronl pas,~illg from where Lazarus was to whore tile
These {ire those who have been stewards oi’ the truths (,on- rich man was, is "t puzzling slatelnent for those who WOlild
eerning the Mnadomof heaven. The lime has now come that luako out that Abl’ah~tnl and L;izarll,~ were in lleaven, ahd
they must give an a(,(,ounl of lheh’ slewardship: qnd, like the l’i~’h nlaD in bell. Nor (lee- ’hrahanl seem SllP])r~ed
the unjust steward of ohh riley are n~lahle to do thi,q They that lhe lol.lllellled rich nran slmul, suddenly become soli(.i-
are afraid tO 1]leer their Lord: llw3 realize tile end hlt’4 IOrl~ ,~bolrt [he fllture welfare of his brothers. Thos9 who ’.~o
eorlle: and nowtlley are bll,~5 ile;i~illa ,~i.h(,nle,~ for their’ Io the orthodox hell al’e ~nplmsed not ouly to be shnt up Io
future. Like the ste~ ard, lh~’3 c:lnnot die. They al’o ill,able t]/eil’ lol’nl~,lll Ill’ hell. hrll to growworsesinner’s (.lily I)y dqy.
to earn their living in any reauldr oecutmtion: lml, unlik,_’ tIlll lhi~ lllltll "~\i1~ iml)roxin;:, was being purified frolll his
him, lhey lmve not yet come to the eonehl,,ioll llmi llloy selli.~hne-~ 1)v the fires of his torment; son]ethiI]g altoaet])~r
eannol beg. ineompalible with the do<.lrine of llell-fire! But thonkhtful
This elass find that their slewardship is bein, ~ taken .may people, a,~ well as the servants of God, have n]uch cause for
from them; people are pnssill~ tlmm hy, anti God does not tlmnkfulne~s that lhe lerril)le doctrine o1’ eternal torment
~elll to held therll. T]iey are do)mr just what the unjubt has of late been ~o (’h,arl.~ shown to he a doctrine of d~il~.
s|eward did. They haw, ache Io )he people, e’tsing theul of So fast was this doctrine embodied in the "Christian" creeds,
SOlnO of the things wrillell attains) tllem. "Did you," say that the reveiation of its falsity has been almost sufficient
they, "understand that there was a hell of torment for to destroy the creeds themselves.
 WATCH TOWER
THE GULF BRIDGED easily discerned sequence of thought In the parables of the
On the return of our Lord there came the light of present lost sheel), the lost piece of nioney, and the lost son; it is
truth with its comforting, healing message; but our htte seen continued in the deposing of the unjust Pharisees from
beloved Brother Russell, to wlmmtile lnessilge of pl’tsent their stewardMlip, which stewar/lship was to be occupied by
trulh \~as entrusted, found that a great part of his wol’K the 1.ovd’s lowly disciples; and now in our toduy’s parable
must be that of elearing the character of God Ironl lhls it is .~een in the picture of tile JewiMl peollle as a whole
blasl)hemy. During *oily years of il~eessant labor in setting losing lheir lllaee of fax or, wlHch is occupied by those whom
forth the truth of God, lie uexer ceased to hit hard at the the)’ so heartily despised.
doelrine of eternal torment. But the removal of error ~s In these p;lvables there are lessons lor everyone, I)ut espe-
Dot sullMent to place truth in its true position, and the cially l(ir those xxho lmve favors from God: (1) Any Laver
work remains to be eoml/leted. Tim glorious lness,lge now frit,n (;od is to lie considered as a stewardship, and is to be
going forth, telliilg that tile kingdonl of lile, peace, and hap- used ira" him. (’21 If this eout’sc is followed, pride of phtce
piness is being established, is COlupleting the messa.ge of will lind ml hld’4"mcnt in tim heart, and there will be no need
loxe, and soon tile inhabitants of earth will know their gra- toy the Ma~.ltg’ Io depose the sleward from his ollice. (3)
cious Creator’s good purposes. The~e i,alal~h’~ shiny that if there is a refusal to see plain
evidet,(.ts oF i’,,l’s desire, even a nlii’ae]e would not con-
We do not deal in detail wilh the parable; for it is ex-
vince. (4) llulHllily alld a lo3al heart are specially accept-
haustively dealt with in our "Hell" pamphlet, and Tn~;
able lo God.
WATClITOWErspecial issue (supplied free on request), and
because every Bible student knows the meaning of this par- QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
able--that God’s people, lhe Jews, represented by lhe rich ~Vhaiare tlle dangevnl~l tile 1,ossession of egtrthly riches? ¶ 1.
man, had many favors from him, but misused them, and Ogel*x,i ]IHI i> Ihe IleWcreation tna(le stewar(i ? ¶
Wh.~does .lello~ all tent tile hunlllity of Ills children ? ¶ 3.
have been east down to hades. The poor man represents ’~
Ilo~ doo~ [~rlIle ](ql(| tO fl|lu~ellll’llt ¶ 4.
those of the gentiles who have heard the word of grace, and Whatllar.llHe did .lesus reach on fills (icca.xlon? ¶ 5.
\Vh3 .MIOlll(l ~ e reluse to employthe fl’gtn(hllellt business tactics
have followed the Lord. The Jews considered the gentiles tile worhi? ¶ 6.
as dogs, but these oat~asts through the favor of God ia Wllat les-on, h(me~er, might we oDlaln frma the children of thia
x~orhl"~ " 7.
Christ have obtained a place as soils of Abraham (Galatians HOW Mmuld~x(’ ~etain the friendship of God? ¶8.
3: 29); and have entered into the eoInfort of Abraham’s lhm i,~ I;od i*rel~,lllng ilS for steward.qtlp in the kingdom?¶ 9.
Ill ~\liall ~a3 ate tile possessions of tilt new creation acceptable to
covenant. God? ¶1 I0.
The picture as a whole represents the outcasts being llow does (:od’s approval differ from lhat of the world? ¶ 11.
What misuse had tile Piiarisees made of their privileges? ¶ 12.
brought near to God. Tile whole plan of God is, of course, liow have lhe clergy ueglected tllo~r (qqml’tunil,( ’~" f
not shown; but we know the Abrahamie covenant is specially \\ hat ,’mnl~rl,l,i’,e~. have the eieegyn]~(h, ~ ]th tile ~ol’id? ¶
~Vhy ha~e lhe vh’rRa interpreted the palaille of Dives and Lazarn~
arranged to "bless all tile fanlilies of the earth." (Genesis ]llel~tl] " ’, 15.
12 : 3) Soon the gulf will disappear, the lost will be re-tol’ed lVll3 h,td 3[-vael lulled to hear tile prophets? ¶ 16.
V~lla! ~lH,lt’;ldll’llOllS result frmn a literal interpretation of tlli~l
for he who was raised froiu tile dead will brilig (~od’s ban- I).ll’able" ’ 17.
ished back to him. It is our pleasure and privilege to see IlOWhas lhe |.Girl’s return brought a better appreciation of the
trtllh’~ ¶ IS
the exl)lanation given by Brother Russell conlimned by the ~V|lat Is Ihe ~.;llislaetory interpretation of Ibis parable~ ¶ 19.
Setting of tile parable; for there can be no question of the \\’hal (’lrelllll>l;lln’(,s indicate this to be tim correct interpretationl
¶ 2o.
COntinuity Of our Lord’s teaching. To reiterate, there is an What lessons may we glean from the parable? ¶ 21.

THE GRACE OF GRATITUDE

--I~’EI~UARY 4 LUKE 17-
THE POWER IN FAITH----THE GRACE OF GRATITUDE--HOW TIIE ],:INGDOM COMES---IIOXV THEKING CO:MES--TESTS OF THE LAST DAY~.
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into h~s courls ~ctth pr(.se: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."
~Psalm 100: ~.

N ’O IMMEDIATEconnection is shown between the par-

ables of the last chapter, and the sayings of today’s
study; but it is probable that Jesus continued his
plaeed there mostly by tl, ose who would eall thenlselves
fellow-pilgiqInS. God permits tests to come to us, and the
devil to tempt us; but the offences, those things whh.h
instruction to his disciples; in which case we must suppose xxould hinder us from making progress along the heavenly
that, for the time being, lie was alone with thein. He spoke pathway, arise chiefly through false or carnal brethren.
about offences and offenders in the church. He said: "It is Our Lord’s word is very strong. He says: ’Woe to them
impossible but that offences will come; but woe unto him wlm cause offences, who place stmnbling stones in the path-
through whom they come! It were better for him that a way of God’s little ones.’ He who deliberately follows a
millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the selfish course when he knows it may possibly be a stuinbling
sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." It stone to others, or he who raises trouble out of a spirit of
is very probable that our Lord had Judas in mind; for the strife, has the spirit of Satan.
time was hastening on when, through the betrayal of Judas, The Lord does not say that woe comes only on those who
he must suffer at the hands of wicked men. Whether that wilfully wrong their brethren. This warning must be taken
be so or not, we are quite safe in concluding that he here by all; each has a responsibility in this matter. Evidently
gave a word of warning which, if taken by Judas, would with these thoughts in mind, Jesus says: "Take heed to
have saved him from his terrible act of betrayal, and from yourselves," and speaks about trespasses among brethren ;
its awful consequences. for these like offences will surely come. The trespasser is
Our Lord lind also in nlllld sins against his followers in apt to lint an offence in his brother’s way; but here the
tim days of waiting when tie would be away frotn lhenL wql’.’_lin~" is fllr lhe one who is trespassed against. What
He knew ttmt there would be many stumbling stones and course mu~f I>e taken when a b,’otlu,r tresl)asses? Many say
rocks of offence in their pathway, and that these would be that trespasses must be passed over; the offender must ha
 fhe WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. ~°

~dg~d according to the spirit, and not according to the THE GRACE OF GRATITUDE
flesh. The Lord decides the matter for us by saying that Luke now relates the iueident which gives us the topic for
the offender must be rebuked (if necessary according to the today. While Jesus was journeying in the border land be-
Instruction in Matthew 18: 15-17). If there is repentance, tween Galilee and Sam,lria, a company of ten lep-,rs met
forgiveness must immediately follow; even if there is tres- him as lie vfas about to enter a village. These poor men
pass und repentance seven times in a day. He who is tres- could not approach him because of tile terrible disease they
passed against must endeavor to set his brother right, to had; they must dwell aparl, outcasts from the village. They
gain his brother; and the grace necessary for this is to be called out to him, and their cry must have touched his
gained only by obedience to the Lord’s words. readily compassionate heart; for it is said that h,prosy
affects tile throat, and it is hardly possible that they could
THE POWER IN FAITH cry without pain. They said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy
Here is a test of faith, patience, and forbearance; but on us"; and he imlnediately responded. In this case, lie did
God’s attitude of grace towards an erring child must be not touch tile lepers as he had touched one on a former
maintained by his sons. It is hardly to be wondered at that occasion, but told them to go and show themselves to the
the apostles said : "Increase our faith." It is not clear from priests. As it was through showing themselves to the priests
the "w(’ount whether or not it was because they felt that that they had been commanded to dwell apart, the only
their Master had given them a hard task that they asked meaning in our Lord’s words is that they shouhl show
for an increase of faith that they might live up to lhis high themselves to the priests as those cleansed from leprosy.
standard; llut that was probably the reason, for to learn to The lepers immediately went on their way. Soon one of
have and to hold a truly forgiving spir,’: is one of the most them relurned. He had found as he was going th’lt strength
difficult things in life. I~ut whatever the reason for their had come back to him, and the signs of leprosy were passed
cry, the Lord replied : "If ye had faith as a grain of mustard away. The others went on; but tie came back, and with a
seed, ye might say unto this syeamine tree, Be thou plucked loud voice glorified God, and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet,
up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea ; and it should giving him thanks; and, says Luke, he was a Samaritan.
obey you." It is as if he had said: ’Increase of faith is not Jesus could not but remark about lhis. I-Ie was not expect-
so much a matter of prayer as of the use of that which you ant of thanks in his ministry of healing and blessing; but he
have already.’ well knew that anyone who would take the blessings he
It is apparent that our Lord’s word is not to be taken gave, and not express thanks, was not really worthy.
literally; for no disciple of Christ would expect so literal a Our Lord’s exclamation shows that he considered tile non-
fulfillment. The point to note is the mighty power which is return of tlLe nine as strawing a lack of gratitude lowards
conlainod in a grain of true faith. Our Lord means us to God. It is very probable that as the Samaritan expressed
understand that those things which seem impossil)ilities, and his thanks towards g~)d, he also declared his faith in Jesus
which are altogether out of course of nature, are not impos- as the One sent of God; and that this was the cause lot the
sibilities to faith; that is, to God. This symbolic statement BIaster’s remark, "Thy faith hath made thee whole," which
does not mean that every obstacle to one’s progress can be prolmbly indicates that the Sam’tritan received a fuller
removed, but that no obstacle need be a stumbling stone, an measure of healing than that received by the others. It is
"offence." Whatever offending things may be found in the almost certain that the nine who did not come back looked
Christian’s pathway, there Is none that he cannot overcome. upon Jesus merely as a miracle worker--a very different
Tlle grace of God working in the heart can turn stumbling thing. The Samaritan took his gift as from God, while the
stones into stepping stones, or into points of elevation from nine Jews considered themselves as having a right to any-
whi(.h to get a higher view of the grace of God. thing which G*)d might send to his people, and sharers in
the blessings this wonderful healer had.
"Faith laughs at impossibilities, The Samaritan’s gratitude has a permanent place in the
And cries: It shall be done!" records of God, as indeed the thoughtlessness of the nine
There are "trees" deep-rooted as the sycamine in our has also. Gratitude is not a scriptural word, but it expresses
Christian experience which we would like to have taken out the thought so often found there, namely, that of thankful-
of our life, difficult and trying circumstances which we hess; it is the word more frequently used in connection with
would gladly have removed; yet our faith can lift us so service, or benefactions received, from one’s fellow men,
high above all difficulties that, in effect, the hindrances are while thankfulness is the term used respecting benefits and
removed out of our lifo---the bitterness, the pain, the con- blessings received from God. Jesus spoke of the Samaritan
stant irritation are gone. Whoever lives in faith before the as giving praise to God for what he had received; but it
Lord thus finds falth’s power and victory. But such a was right that all who receive benefits through Jesus should
powerful agent given into the hands of any man must be express their thanks to him. Jesus might quite reasonably
used only in the interests of the Giver, God; so Jesus have tested tile lepers first, and perhaps have declined their
reminds his disciples, who were to hold this power, that request for healing; he was not bound to grant it.
they must ever consider themselves as servants, and must Many receive benefits from a brother in Christ who say
take the place of the servant who, though working all day that they give thanks to God for the benefits received, but
in tlm field, must when he reaches home still attend to his who are very particular not to express any thanks to the
master’s needs before he attends to his own. So must brother who m’ly be the means of God’s blessing, "for fear
Christ’s disciples remember that whatever authority or they puff him up." The pride is probably in the one who
power they have they must always consider their Mas.~er’s re(’eives the blessing rather than tile one who is the means
interests paramount. Thus does Jesus always provide lhat of it; for lhe heart which cannot say "Thank you" is often
his followers may live in humility ; and thus in simple words full of p~’ide. He who lacks in the grace of gr:ititude has
does tie give those principles of conduct which carr:: them lilth, ~’ound in his heart’s garden where God can plant the
safely through life, and surely along the heavcldy pathway. graces of lhe spirit. The lack of gratitude is not merely a
No one serving Jesus does more than he shouhl do; no one los’;; it is q calalnity; for God himsel~ can do little with a
when ho has finished his course will be able to say tlmt he ti~ankless, ungrateful heart. Many deceive themselves in
has been anything but a servant with whom his Master this as in other matters. When questioned, they will admit
~uld have dispensed. their obligation to God, but they forget to give him the
 WATCH TOWER
expression of thanks. Probably many of those who have
enjoyed some of the blessings of present truth, and who no
longer go to the work or walk with us, are outside because
they will not acknowledge tile source from which the l rulh
came. And some are probably ashamed to be associated
with this "sect which is ever,wvhere Sl)oken againsi." (Acts
28: 22) Whoever is ashamed of, or airaid to be asso(.ialed
with, the channel by which he h’ts been blessed of Go(I, is
not worthy of the bles.bings which God .*ends, and in one
way or another he loses them. It is no! uHhoul m~anin~
that Paul says: "In e~erything b5 lLr;ot’r aml .~tq)phcati(Ln
with thanlcsgici~g let your requesls I)e nmde klloun unto
God." (PhililLpians 4:6) Who~werforgets Io tlmnk (;oil
past mercies, may not properly make furlher rcqne.qs. And
this grace, or the lack of it, affects our lives more than is
commonly thought.
There are two attitudes taken: One which counts what
"niighl- be," and is nmsl; busily engaged in countin~ tile
Ihillzs Wlli(.h are lacking: and lira other, uhich carrot> lhe
bh’s-,ings ILIld l|aDle~ [heal OlH’ I) 3 oil(,, and Iin(ls so inilny
that the he;ll’t is ex-er gl’~lhqtil. ’l’h~, one leads lo SOill’!l~"-;s
¯ rod acidity of hfe: the other Io a .io3 lul, helplul disl)osilion.
The reason why tile pl’oduaal son Re{ so near to his falher’s
hearl, wh,~ lho 1)nl)lica;~s and shmer,~ ;u~(l harlots got so near
to J,,,sns, ~lild i~tlo the l(illadoln 1),,’.’o1’(. tile Pliarisoes and
sembes, and why the 1L00r get the blessings of (htd, is that
they have gratitude to God for the mercies he gives; and it
x~;is he(’ause of tim lack of this that ihose who hail hehl lhe
favor~ mmsed the then present blessings of God.
HOW THE KINGDOM COMES
About Ihis time the Pharisees demande(1 of Jesus \~ h~’n the
kin;adonl uhi(.h he preached wouhl conic, anh,l had p,’o-
elammd tile aptn’oa(:h of the kii~mlom, and lie him’,elf had
done so for nearly three years; and lo them there s.,,eme(l lo
be llO signs of such a king/loni, lie replied: ’The kinmdom
of lLeaven does not Come as )eLi e\peel ; it does hal ,rune
with outward show; it is not sotnethiIig yOUcan see wiih Ihe
nalaral eye. No one will be al)h, lo say it is being sel Ul)
here or there,’ and he added: "Behohl, tile kingdom of God
is among you."
Christians who do not know God’s plan, lea(.ber-~ of all
kinds of strange doctrines, have tried Io make .h.stl’,’ words
mean that the kingdom of heaven is present in every man,
and that it only needs discovering lhere for a man to be
able to become a child of that kin~(lom. If that idea were
true, it would mean that Jesus told the Plmrisees, who were
the enemies of the kingdom of God, that they had it in
themselves! Our Lord meant that when the kingdmn was
being set up, it would not be any more discernible to the
natural eye or to the natural man than the kingdom of
heaven in him could be discerned I)y the Pharisees.
Tbe Pharisees of today say of Geneva and of tile League
of N’ltions, "Here is the kingdom"; for they have said of
the l.eague of Nations: "This is the polilieal expression of
the kingdom of heaven." Soon they will become uncertain
about that League, and will l)rohahly say of London or ~f
Rome: "There it is." But lhe kingdonl will be present,
undiseerned by them. Jesus was lhe representative of the
kingdom of heaven, and he couhl truly say that the royal
majetty of /lie heavens had appeqred. (Luke 11 : 20, Dia.q.)
But the Pharisees saw in him nolhing hut the carpenter of
Nazareth, an intruder into their (hnnains, even as lhey see
in his messengers of today only nlen sad women who fool-
Ishly are talking about things linty do not understand.
Jesus turned to his disciples, prohahly out of a feeling of
sympathy for them; for they also were "mxious to know
when the kingdom should come. Speaking of the future, he
said: "The days will corn% when ace shall de~ire to see one
of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it [when
you will long for him, and your desire cannot be granted]."
lie referred to the time of his absence and of the long and
trying experiences of his faithful followers. That lie did
not know how long a period would elapse before lie should
come tim second time in clear; but he knew that tlmre would
be a period of waiting, when his folh)’,~ers would be hard
pressed, lie referred to those (has of waiting and to tile
elld, lo lhe lime when his second I)res:’nce might be extlected,
and saM: "They shall say 1o 5ou, See here; or See there:
Ilmll ;aa not after them, nor follow thenf’-~do not believe
Ihenl, wasle no tinLo upon lhenl, tie went on to exphlin that
Ills coming wonhl be like ihe suu’s shining forth, lighting up
lhe heaxen from one end to lh(, olher: it would he as mani-
l’est as tile sunlight.
HOW THE KING COMES
Wil hour doubt ,)ur Lord meant his dis~’ii)les to understand
lh;ll lie xxould return a areal and glorious spirit being "in
lhe glory of his Father." exercising a spiritual power over
all, as the sun exer.,.~s,,,s hi:, power over all the earth. But
il seeins equally clear Iliat our Lord meant his disciples to
nndersland that all of his followers would know of his
earning jtist as one l(nows when the sun has risen and
nJ(,w day has come. And as tlm truth comes to the Lord’s
l.,ople, they do know lhat the day of the Son of Man lias
come just so gurely. To the Pharisees the question was of
lhe kingdom; to the disciples it is the King. There are
lhose who are more particularly concerned about facts of
lhe kingdom. There are others who find their sweetest jo s
in the realization that tile loved Master, now the King, is
nn(.e qgain with his disciples, and about to enter into the
alories of the kingdom.
TESTS OF THE LAST DAYS
liut Ihe Lord reminded tile apostles that "first he mvst
suff(u’ many things nnd be rejeeh,d (<’ that generation." A
Ihen he went on to say that wheu lit, returnS, in those da~s
whiei~ he calls "the days of the Son of man," similar condi-
tions will recur, similar tbings will happen. Whenlie retur s
men will be as they were in the days of Noah; that gene~a-
lion will be caught with destruction as Noah’s generation
u:,s. It will he tile same as when Sodom was destroy(, l;
v, hen sadden destruction came upon the cities of tim plain.
l’rolmbly, too, our Lord meant to say that temptations would
come to his dis(.iples intended to (h’(’eive "Lll save the faith-
ful. Ile warned his (,]lnr(*]l against false Cbrists, or ang
claims of it personnl rel)r~’senl~lion of him. 1)astor Russell
in lhe STVnIEsIN THEN(’llll"l’l !:LS, Volume4, pages 563-614,
deals with these passaaes exha~lslixely, "lad we refer the
reader to those pages for 1)arli(qlhir exposition.
QUE3TIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
What warmngdid .Ie-ms here give to hi~ (liseiples’a ¶ 1.
]low (10 effolldel’s hiltder (’hPiMl~tllln’offre,,~,? ¶
~Vl.b Js it well ft~r all to npll]3 I}le le~son to thems, he~>’: ’,, d.
I[oxv iloo< fgtll}l Stl’enff{holl |lip lle’A" crealu|’o v ¢ 4.
~l,’h;ll lose, ell 1~. lhel’e ill the m,zMard seed" ¶5.
~.Vlly *hollld i-he MaMer’~ illl(woM ~, be llar~ln/Ollllt 111 OtlP lives’, ¶ (J.
tlow (hd the lepers show failh in lhe Lord’; ¶
In what illanner did one of the lepers expres,, lus gratitmh,? ¶ 8.
Whyis lhankfutness on our part appreeiatc~l by our Father? ¶9.
Was .leho~ah obligated to favor us? ¶ 10.
"Wha|shouhl be our alHtt]de of gra|iiulle toward lhe brolhren ? ¶ 11.
Why (hd lhe publicans and sinners gmn the favor of God before
lh(, l’hari,~ees? ¶ 12
Whycould not tile l’harisee~ under,|anti John the Baptist? ¶ 13.
\\ Ira! error has Chri,~tendomtaught about the presence of the king-
dam? ¶ 14.
lh)w Ira’, Chli,tondom advocated n counterfeit kinff(lom? ¶15.
How,hd Jesu,~ indicate a tame of waiting for the kingdom? ¶ 16.
Did lhe Lord In(hcate that ]11~ dus(.iples would kllOWof his second
a(hel~l? ¶ 17.
What l(,,’,ts (lid Jesus say would be upon the church ia the 1~
days? ¶ 18.
 International Bible StudentsA soeiation aasses
I~cc~urc~
~ad~tudie~s
1~Tracclinq
Brethren
BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK

Fernio,B. C. ................... Feb. 5 Mazenod,Sask .............. Feb. 15

Pryor,Okla....................... Jan. 30 Muskogee, Okla ........... Feb. 7 " Assiniboia, Sask ............... " 18
Claremore"Okla ............... Feb. 1 Tamnha,Okla ................... " 8, 9 Lethbriffge" Alta ............... 7
" " 11 BowIsland, Alia ............. " 9 Luella, Sask .................. " 18
Nowata,Okla ................... 2 Fort Smith, Ark................. Medicine Hat, A1ta ........... " 11 JoeviHe"Sask ................. " 19
Tlll~:t, OI,:]~!....................... )’ 4 M(:(’urtain. Okla .............. " 12 ]Aarptree, Sask................. " 20
Sal)ull):t,( ) kl,q. .................. " ,5 Qi~il~Inn, Okla................. " 13 Chaplin,Sask ................... " 12
" 15 MooseJaw, Sask ......... Feb. 13, 14 Regm’a, ~ask ............... 21
Okmul’:co ()hla ............. )’ 6 1HcAlcs(cr,Okla ...............

BROTHER B. M. RICE
BROTHER B. H. BOYD
Birthright, Texas ............ Feb. 1 Rusk,Texas.................... Feb. 9
]batah, Wash................... Jan. 29 Colvillc, Wash............ Feb. [i, 6 Winnsboro, Texas ....... " 2 Alto, Texas........................ " 10
Colfax, Wash................... " 30 l)anville, Wash............. " 7, 8 Dallas, Texas ........... " 4 Clawson,Texas ................ " 11
Rosalia, Wash.................. " 31 S) ,m)’(’p, Wash............. " 11 Teague, Texas ........... " 5 Trevat, Texas .................. " 12
Oakesdale, Wash............ Feb. 1 Wcnat(’hec, Wash......... " 12 Normangee, Texas ......... " 6 Hehnic,Texas .................. " 13
Moscow,Ida ................... " 2 Spokane, Wash.......... " 14, 15 Palestine, Texas .............. " 7, 8 Center, Texas................... " 14
Cceur d’Alene, Ida ............ " 4 Pomeroy, Wash ......... " 16

BROTHER Y. C. RICE
BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN
Leon, Kans.................. Feb. 1, 2 Iola, Kans ................... Feb. 11
Roekmart, Oa. .... Jan. 29, ,20 A~l~on~, Ga................... Feb. 7 Winnifred, Kans ......... " 5 Bronson,Karts ................. " 12
Dallas, Ga .... " 31 I:ll)Nla~ham, AIR......... " 9, 10 Arkansas City, Karts ....... " 6 Fort Scott, Kans............... " 13
Atlanta, Ga ............ Feb. 1, 4 (~ohm)l)ll,~,Ga............... " 11 Coffeyville" Kans.......... " 7 Arcadia,Kans................... " 14
Tallapoosa, Gn. ....... " 2 Amcrwu~.Ga ............... " 12 Independence, Kans ...... " 8 Pittsburg, Karts ............... " 15
Alnmn,Ga..................... " 5 0glcthovpe"Ga ............. " 13, 14 Neodesha, Kans ............ " 9 Parsons, Kans ................. " 18
UnionPoint, Ga............... " 6 Thompson, Ga ....... " 16

BROTHER R. L. ROBIE
BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM
Plymouth,Mass ............... Jan. 29 Framin~zham, Mass ........ Feb. 6 Feb. 2 Dennison, Tex ............. Feb. 11
Marlboro, Mass .............. " 7 Gadsden,Tenn..................
Plympton,Mass ............... " 30 Memphis, Tenn ............ 4 McKinney, Tex ............. " 12
North Duxbury, Mass ....... " 31 Worcester, Mass ............. " 8 " 5 Iqam),Tex........................ " 13
L(,omii~to)’, Mass........... " 9 Forrest City, Ark ...........
Quincy,Mass................... Feb. 1 Little Rock, Ark ............. " 6 Dallas, Tex..................... " 14
Franklin, Mass................. " 4 Orange, Mass ................. "" 11 " 7 Ft. Worth, Tex .............. " 15
" 5 Greenlield, Mass .............. " 12 Donaldson, Ark ...........
Milfo)d. )Ias¢ ............. Sherman,Tex .................... " 9 Weatherford, Tex ............. " 16

BROTHER M. L. HERR BROTHER O. L SULLIVAN

Driscoll, Texas.............. Jan. 21 Snyder. Texas ............ INsb. 5, 6
E1 Paso Texas ........... " 23, 28 Lnbl)ock, Texas .......... " 7, 8 Boaz, Aim..................... Jan. 30 lV~orristown, Tenn. ..... Feb. T, 5
Cloudcroft, N. M......... " 24, 25 Plainvicw. Texas ....... " 9, 11 Albany, Ga.................... Feb. 1 Bristol, Tenn................. " 9, 11
Alamogordo,N. M ......... " 26 Floydada, Texas .......... " 12)18 £~llman, AIa. ............... " 2 Sands,N. C .................. 12, 18
Barstow, Texas_..__.lan. 29, Feb. 4 Amarillo, Texas .......... 14 Chattanooga, Te~n. .......... " 4 Wytheville, Va. ............ " 14
Roswell, Texas ...... " 31 " l Trinidad, Colo ............ " 15, 18 Knoxville, Tenn ........... " 5 E. Radford,Vs. .............. 15
NewTazewell, Tenn. ........ " 3 Honaker,Vs. ............... " le

BROTHER W. M. HERSEE
BROTHER W.J. THORN
Dunnville" Ont .............. Feb. 5 West Milton, Ont. ............ Feb. 14
~Velland,Ont................... " 6 Guelph,0nt. ................... " 15
Nia,’,ara Falls, N. Y......... " 7, 8 Proton, 0nt. ................... " 16 Lima, Ohio ................. Feb. 4 Tlfl~n, Ohio.................. Feb. II
St. (’athorines, 0nt ........ " 9, 11 Gait, Ont......................... " 18 Marion, Ohio ........... " {f Finley, Ohio ..... " 12
Bcamsville, 0nt .......... " 12 Kitchener,Ont................... " 19 Crestline,,0hio ..... 6 Fostoria, Ohio .... " IS
Hamilton, Ont ............... " 13 Linwood, Ont ........... Feb. 20, 21 Mansfiela, Ohio .. 7 Defiance, Ohio .. . " 14
Shelby, Ohio .... 8 Bryan, Ohio ............ " 15
Attica, Ohio ........ 9 t~tgerton, Ohio ..... " 18

BROTHER H. HOWLETT
Calmar. Alta .................. Jan. 31 Nanaimo,B. C-- ............. Feb. 13
Buford,Alia ..................... Feb. 1~ Courtenay,B. C ................ " 14 BROTHER T. H. THORNTON
PrinceGeorge"C.
-.-. ~.. O.....::-.-.-.: 3,6 Port Aibernl, B. C. .......... 15
Vandcrhoof, B. Malahat, B. C .................. 16 Americus, Ga ................ Jan. 29 Elko,S. C ....................... Feb. 7
Prince Rupert, B. C ......... " 7, 8 Victoria,B. C ..................... " 18 Fitzgerald, Ga................ " 30 Sumter, S. C .............. " 9, 12
vn,,~.m~wr,B. C ................ " 11 Vnncouver. B. C ............ " 19 McRae,Ga ........... Jan. 31, Feb. 1 Florence, S. C .......... " 11
Lady~mi~l~. B C ............ " 12 Matsqui, B. C ........ 20 Savannah,Ga................. Feb. 2, 4 Kershaw, S. C ....... " 13, 14
Ridgeland,Ga ................. " 5 Rock Hill, S. C . 15
Charleston, S. C .............. " 6 Greer, S. C ........... " 16

BROTHER O. MAGNUSON
CONVENTIONS
TO BE ADDRESSED
BY BROTHER
RUTHERFORD
Worcester, Mass ....... ;Yam 28 Lowell, Mass.................. Feb. 5
Framingham, Mass. ..... " 29 Lawre~lce" Mass.. " 6 NEWBRUNSWICK,i~. J.,
January 14;
Marlboro,Mass................. " 30 Haverhill, ?lass ...... 7 Mrs. J. H. Gourley, 260 Townsend St.
Concord Junction, Mass... " 31 Byfield, Ma,,~ .......... ,~
NORWALK,
CONN.,January 21 ................ Hanford Avery, 22 Center St.
Waltham, Mass. ....... F~b. 1 Newburyport, Mass ....... " 9
Wmt Cb~lmsfoa~ Mum.- ° 2,4 Beverly, Mass ............ " 11 ~LA., ][~rnary 9-11 ..... _ _~/~. W. ~[ill~r, 1515 19th Bt.
BIRMINGHAM,
:o ..

\ eL. XLIV S~:Mr-51ON-THL¥

Anne Mundi 6051 -- February 1, 1923

CONTENTS
AR~ Yov UsINo His POUND? ................................. 35
An Ulustraliou ................................................. 35
Brethren. Arouse Yourselves [ .............................. 38
Heart Devotion.................................................... 39
Present Rewards................................................. 39
Slaym~IIi~ I,hlemie~ ............................................ 39
Entering lhe Kingdom......................................... 39
I)RAYEII-3[EET1N(; TEXT(~O3[MENTS........................ 40
I/ERE AM1, Sl:~t) MI;" (poem) ............................ 42
THESPIRITOF PRAYI2R.. 43
7 .........................................
The Prayer ~xlth Answer l-)el~yed ..................... 42
JESUSANDZACCIIEUS .......................................... 45
GOspels Given 1ruder ]loly Spirit ........................ 45
Sudden Conver,mns........................................... 46
INTERESTING LETTERS....................................... 47

"I ~cill stand upon nly watch and will set my loot
.port the Tower, altrl 11111 ttateh to see ~(hat lie ~,~/I
:, ,~! lotto me, and ithal a~l~.~r~’t [ shall make tO lb.
lll~*~ cg~.oo.c ~ne" Ilabal, l,l¢k 2 1
 THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
or "Seminary Extension",
THIspresented
J~urnal is one of the prime factors
in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCHTOWERBIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
now ~

motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of th0
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. hi.), which translated
Into English is Minister o/ God’s lVord. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
~redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 :
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God, . . . to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other agU
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects anal creeds of men. while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullesi~
gubjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spokea--according to lhe divine wisdola granted unto us ~o understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with imp]felt faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service ; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns muse be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for ~he upbuild4ng of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge 01111
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference Is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
That the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughou|
the gospel age--ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer end the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s bl~.~ing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2:20-22;
Genesis 23 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "lh.ing stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great i~laster Workman will bring all togetheF
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeung place between God and men throughout
the ~lillennium.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
"That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lles in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for ever~
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true Light which ligh~c~h every man that cometh into the world", "in due timo".~
Hebrews 2 : 9 ; John 1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 5, 6.
"that the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’ partaker of the divine nature ,’ and share hill
glory as his joint-heir.--1 John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:]7; 2 l’cter 1:4.
"]:hat the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and prles~ in the next ag~--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; ]~latthew 24~
14 ; Revelation 1 : 6 ; 20 : 6.
That the hope for the world lies In the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, th@
restitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at tl~e hands of their Redeemer and his glorified churcI~
when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23 ; lsaiah 35.

e
~) U BL,I S H ~.DB~ BIRMINGHAM CONVENTION

WATCHTOWER. 131BLE ~ TRACT SOCIETY A three-day convention of the International Bible Students
Association will be held at Birmingham, Alabama, February
18 CONCORD
STREETa ~ BR.OOKLVN,
N.Y.U.S-A" 9-11. A number of the Pilgrim brethren will be present and
address the convention, as will also the President of the
FORETaNO~FICES : British: 34 Craven Terrace, Lancaster Gate,
London W. 2 ; Canadian: 270 Dundas St., W., Toronto, Ontario’. Society. For further information write to Mr. T. W. Miller,
Australasian: 495 Collins St., Melbourne, Australia ; Eouth A]rt~ ~515 19th Street, Birmingham, Alabama.
0art : 6 Lelie St., Cape Town, South Africa.
PLEASm ADDRESS THE SOCIETY IN ~VERY CASE.
JACKSONVILLE CONVENTION
YEARLY8UBSCRIFI~ONPRICE: UNITED STATES, $1.00 ; CANADAANn
]~ISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN, $1.50 ; GREAT BRITAIN, AUSTRALASIA~ The International Bible Students Association will hold a
AND SOUTHAFRICAj 83. American remittances should be made general convention at Jacksonville, Florida, February 16-18.
by Express or Postal Money Orders, or by Bank Draft. Canadian,
British, South African, and Australasian remittances should be This convention will furnish an opportunity for the friends
made to branch o~ces snell. Remittances from scattered foreign of Florida, Geor:;ia, and other adjoining states, to have a
territory may be made to the Brooklyn since, but by International
Postal Money Orders only. season of personal fellowship. It is expected that this will
(Foreign ~ransl~gttofls o~ tht~ ~ournaZ a~ear in severa~ languages) be well attended, as it is the only convention held in the
Editorial Committ~: This ~ournal is published under the supervision Southeastern section during the winter. Several Pilgrim
of an editorial committee, at least three of whom have read and brethren will be present, and also Brother Rutherford. For
approved as truth each and every article appearing in these columns. local accommodations and other information address Mr.
The names of the editorial committee are: J. F. RUTHERFORD,
~V. E. VANAMBURGH~ ~o ~qEMERY, G. ]~. I~ISHER. E. L. Riddick, 2030 Liberty Street, Jacksonville, Florida.
Ter~ to theEprd’e Poor: All BII~ etede~ts who, by re.on of old ~ or ether in*
fi .r:n~yor advers~ty~at~
u nab.leto p.ayfor this journal,.willbe suppl.kKI.free if they$*na HOUSTON CONVENTION
a post.~.,.eard each Maystating thetr ease and requ.esting.such.pro~mon. We~ not
on~y"~r~lllng~ but g~lTto~l~ that ~n ~ ~ ~ ~i1. li&t ~an~U~~nd ~a tg~¢h ~;la the
Bereanstudies. A general convention of the International Bible Students
Association will be held at Houston, Texas, February 23-25,
~thln a monthb~ ehan~eia expirationd~a, as ahc~amewra~trlabel. affording three days of fellowship of the brethren in Texas,
~t~reda~ ~ocmelCla~Igatt~r ~ ~eklWa,N. Y.. Poa~f~~dawtIm Azt of Mare2t~, Z~e. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and other adjoining states.
Brother Rutherford expects to serve at this convention, and
MEMORIAL DATE---1923
a number of the Pilgrim brethren will also participate. For
The date for celebrating the Memorial in 1923 is Friday, further information address Mr. Joseph Isaac, Jr., 905
March 30. The time is calculated from the new moon near- Thompson Street, Houston, Texas.
est to the Spring equinox. The Spring equinox this year is
March 2L There is a new moon March 17, which marks the
beginning of the nmnth Nisan. The fourteenth of Nisan then CONVENTIONS TO liE ADDRESSED BY BROTHER RUTHERFORD
would be Mnrch 31. The day begins at six o’clock on the BROOKLYN,
N. Y.. February4 ...................................... (No convention)
evenin~ previous; therefore Friday evening, March 30, after BZRMINGHAM,ALA., February 11 .............. T. W. Miller, 1515 19th St.
J$CwSONVII,LS, I1%~., February 18......E.L. Riddick, 2030 Liberty St.
six o’clock, is the proper time for celebrating the MemoriaL Hous~OX, ~tAa, February 25....Joseph Isaac, Jr., 905 Thompson St.
VoL. XLIV FEBRUA]~Y
1, 1923 NO.3

ARE YOU USING HIS POUND ?

t’And he called his ten servants, and delirered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come."
--Lul~e 19: 13.
HE Lord has come unto his temple. The day of some one here to look after myinterests faithfully. I
T reckoning is here. Some have grown weary in expect to be elected to office; and whenI am elected, I
well-doing. Someothers are inclined to do so. ]t will have somerewards to give to those who have faith-
is a severe testing time. fully represented me. Now may I count on you to
Just at this time we should expect the Lord to turn undertake to safeguard myinterests in this part of ths
more light upon his Word; for he promised that the field ?’
pathwayof the just shall shine with increased brilliancy And you replied: ’Yes, my friend. I am for you; I
as we comenear to the end of the way. Indeed, to those will faithfully guard your interests to the end. Tell me
whoreally love the Lord and ills presence the waygrows what you want me to do and I will do it ; and I will
brighter and the days happier. Blessed will be that day encourage others to do the same thing.’
when we have roached the full consummation of our The election day comes on. The excitement runs high.
hopes. You have labored hard. Your friend wins. tie comes
Someare inclined to become doubtful about 1925; back to see you and to ascertain how you have looked
hence they are growing lukewarm. But, beloved of the after his interests. If you madea good report, he smiled
Lord. what difference does it make whether the things and, clapping his hand on your back, said: ’Good l
expected to transpire in 1925 do transpire or not ? God Comenow and occupy a lucrative position under my
will not change his plans. IIe madeh~s plans long ago. administration.’ If you had neglected his intercsts, he
lie has madeno mistakes, lie will carry them out, and would say something different.
bring to pass exactly what he has p.earranged, liave Nmv, dear b~ethren, take your Bibles and read con-
we not long ago agreed to do his will ? Then we should cerning the parable of the pounds, as set forth in the
say to him now, joyfully: ’I will acquiesce in whatso- gospel by Luke (19 : 11-27). This parable was put here
ever is thy will, and bide flfine o~mgood time to bring for a purpose, to be understood in due time. Whatso-
it to pass.’ ever may have heretofore been written or said concern-
But suppose 1925 finds the bride class all beyond the ing this parable, we shall not now stop to quibble or
vail. If you have held fast to the faith in the spirit qnarrel about. What now may be said is no criticism of
and have not relaxed, your zeal for the King" and the what has heretofore been said or written. It is easier
kingdom, then your joys will be full and complete. It understand a parable after it has been fulfilled, or is in
is safer not to take any chances nowby becoming weary course of fulfillment, than before. That muchall must
in well-doing. Love for the Lord, and a full and devoted admit. The Lord is his own interpreter, lie will make
interest in his kingdom, must be the moving cause for it plain. The Scriptures are not of private interpreta-
all of our activities, in order that the Lord may be tion. He has promised to make plain these things iu
pleased to say: ’Enter thou into myjoys.’ due time. His interpretation comes to his church from
him, not from man.
AN ILLUSTRATION Now note the record reads: "He added and spake a
Before you were consecrated to the Lord, whcn you parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and becaus8
were a part of this old world organization that is now they thought that the kingdom of God should imme-
dying, were you ever deeply interested in some great dmtely appear." The time and the place seem to be
political compaign? The candidates were all selected; important here, as well as the classes to whomthe words
the campaign was on. One of the leading candidates were addressed and about whomthe parable speaks.
came to you and said: ’You can prove an important This indicates that the parable would be understood just
factor in this community. I have need of some one before the last membersof the kingdomclass enter into
here to whomI can commit myinterests in this cam- the new Jerusalem and when they think the kingdom is
10aign. I have to be in another part of the field. I want immediately at hand. The disciples with the Lord con-
8
 WATCH TOWER
stituted the very beginning of the class that forms the
members of the kingdom, together with the Lord, the
:Head. The very last membersof that kingdomclass are
now, we believe, on earth. Where are they going just
now? To the heavenly Jerusalem, to be sure. Should
we not expect the Lord just now, as the church is ap-
proaching the heavenly Jerusalem, to make plain this
parable? At the momentthe parable was uttered Jesus
and the disciples were approaching Mount Zion in the
city of Jerusalem, which is a type of the kingdom of
God. Concerning this very same thing St. Paul wrote:
"Ye are come unto MountSiGn, and unto the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumer-
able company of angels, to the general assembly and
church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven."--
Hebrews12 : 22, 23.
A parable represents a reality. It is like a picture
thrown on the screen, indicating the existence of a real
cbject. "A certain nobleman went into a far country to
receive for himself a kingdom, and to return." The
picture says that Jesus Christ is that nobleman, who
went into heaven itself, there to receive at the hands of
Jehovah full and complete authority to set up God’s
kingdom in due time. (Daniel 2: 44; Hebrews 9:24)
Jesus said that he would come again and receive his
bride unto himself. (John 14: 3) In 1874 he returned.
In 1914 he took unto himself his great power and began
to reign. (Revelation 11: 18) In 1918 he came unto his
temple. (See Z’22-334, colum~ 2.) The record shows
that the accounting by his servants was required "when
he was returned, having receded the kingdom."
Before the nobleman departed for the far country ha
called his servants. And why did he do that? Hc was
going away and wished to leave in their hands whatso-
ever interests he had to leave behind him. His servants
here represent the class of Christians who have fully
consecrated themselves to follow the Lord whithersoever
he leads them. Howmany servants did he call ? "And
he called his ten servants." Ten is a symbolic number
representing all on earth ; that is to say, the entire num-
ber of the called ones. He "delivered unto them ten
pom~ds." Here again ten is symbolic and represents all
the pounds. Represents all of what? All the interests
of his kingdom. "And he said unto them, Occupytill I
come."
Weparaphrase Jesus’ words thus: ’As you have here-
tofore heard me say, the kingdomof heaven is at hand.
I am the King. Mychief vocation is to establish my
kingdom, that will bless mankind and undo all that
Satan has evilly done. For this cause came I into the
world. But it is necessary for me to go away; otherwise
you could not be of my kingdom. Mydesire is that you
shall be with me and be one with me and share with me
in that kingdom. Hence I go away to open the way for
you. Since I am going, I will leave some one in charge
of myinterests, relative to mykingdom on earth. Will
you undertake to look after the interests of mykingdom
BROOKLYN,
N. T.
while I am away ? I am the light of the world. WhenI
go away, yon will be the light of the world. Youwill
be myrepresentatives. ]~y you I mean you whoare now
myfaithful disciples and all those whoshall believe on
me through your teaching of mydoctrines. To all these
] will commit all the interests of mykingdom. And I
will expect each one of you, according to the measure
of faith committedunto you, to look well to the inter-
ests of mykingdom while I am away.’
The Scriptures show that such were the thoughts in
the mind of Jesus, for the reason that a little while
later he prayed to the Father thus: "All mine are
thine, and thine are mine ; and I am glorified in them.
And now I am no more in the world, but these are iu
the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep
+,hrough thine own name those whomthou hast given
me, that they maybe one, as we are." (John 17: 10, 11)
"I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath
appointed unto me."--Luke 22: 29.
Briefly stated, then, the ten pounds may be defined
as all the interests on earth of the lcingdom of Christ.
These interests are valuable things pictured in the para-
ble by money, committed into the hands of the Lord’s
servants during his absence. The parable distinctly
shows that ten (all) of the pounds (interests)
,mmmitted unto ten (all of his) servants. The pounds
do not belong to the servants, but belong to the Lord.
Nowthe pounds could not be said to represent the
justification of each Christian, for the following good
and sufficient rc;.sons: (1) Justification is granted
each individual by Jehovah (Romans8 : 33), and is an
~nstantaneous thir, g whichis received before one really
becomes a servant of the Lord; and (2) justification
means made right with God, hence justification cannot
be increased by use or otherwise; and (3)--which
even a more potent reason--justification is that which
is had and enjoyed by .each individual servant of God;
whereasin this parable, be it noted, the pounds are not
the property of the servant, but remain the property of
the Lord himself. The servant also recognizes that the
pound is not his own, but that it belongs to the King,
as the record reads: "Then camethe first, saying, Lord,
thy pound has gained ten pounds." Otherwise stated:
’Thine interests concerning thy kingdom with me have
increased ten times, beeaus~ of the manner in which I
have used thine interests or pounds.’
The King having committed unto the servant clasm
the interests of his kingdom,and this servant class hav-
ing undertaken to look after his interests, there are
thereby furnished to such servants opportunities faith-
fully to represent the Lord. Hence we repeat, that the
lJounds represent the interests of Christ’s }ingdorn com-
mitted to his servants, which ~nterests thus committed
furnish the secvants opportunities to prove their faith"
fulness unto the Lord, which faithfulness would warrant
him in advancing them to a position of honor and
responsibility in his kingdom.
 WATCH TOWER
In a kingdom there are two separate and distinct There can be no doubt about the fact that there will
classes: First, the royal line or ruling class, composed be degrees in the kingdomglory; and these degrees will
in this instalme of Jesus Christ and his servants who be determined by the faithfulness of those whorepresent
prove faithful unto death, and to whomis promised a the Lord. Concerning this the Apostle says: "There is
share in his kingdom; and second, the subjects of that one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon,and
kingdom, called citizens. The parable shows these two another glory of tile stars; and one star differeth from
different divisions. It reads: "But his citizens hated another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the
him, and sent a message after him, saying, Wewill not dead." (1 Corinthians 15: 41, 42) Some have been
have this manto reign over us." faithful to the last degree of their ability. Others have
tIow true to the facts! ~hort]v after Jesus had gone beenless faithful.
into heaven and the early church was organized and The Lord then calls the second class, evidently repre-
began its operations, ambitious men crept into it; and senting that class of servants whohave loved the Lord,
soon the message went forth from "Christendom" so- loved his cause and his interests, and have been faithful
called. ’We will not have Christ Jesus to reign over us. to a degree, but whomight have been even more faitMuL
Wewill set up a hierarchy of our ownon earth and will These come with their report. "And the second came,
not wait for him but begin the rule now.’ For centuries saying, Lord, thy pound [not my pound] hath gained
the RomanCatholic church did this very thing. Then five pounds." ’The interests of your kingdomcommitted
the Protestants were organized and followed in the same unto us we have looked after. This has furnished us
course. And today, throughout the entire world called opportunities, and we have performed them with glad-
"Clmstendom,"the ruling class--big business, big poli- r~ess of heart ; hence your interests with us have gained
ticians and big preachers--claim by their words, ’We fivefold.’ Markthat Jesus does not speak to them as to
arc Christian nations.’ Yet they utterly ignore the King, the first, "Well, thou good servant"; but "he said like-
now present. They persecute the representatives of his wise to him, Be thou also over five cities." He rewards
kingdom, and say: ’We will rule the world through a them for their faithfulness, but not to the extent of the
combination which we call a league or compact.’ The others whohave been faithful to the last degree.
Lord proceeds, however, with the setting up of his king- Then comes another class of servants, to whomwas
dom. committed the interests of the kingdombut whodid not
"And it came to pass, that when he [the Lord] was look after these interests, and whodid not take advan-
returned, having received the kingdom, then he com- tage of the opportunity that the interests furnished.
manded these servants to be called unto him, to whom These say to the Lord: ’We feared you, because you are
he had given the money[his valuable interests], that austere; and so we have brought back to you all that
he might know how much every man had gained by you gave us.’ Paraphrasing Jesus’ reply to then,, he
trading [by faithfully using his opportunities in look- says: ’You knew that the dearest objects on earth to
ing after the interests of his kingdom]." It will be me were the interests of my kingdom. You knew that I
noted that he returns and then takes his kingdom. It wouldreward faithfulness in looking after myinterests.
was after his return to wit, in 1914, that the King took Youknew that I would require a strict accounting for
unto himself his power and began his reign. And then the opportunities committed unto you. You have done
in 1918 he came unto his temple and began to reckon nothing. If you did not do anything, then why did you
with his servants, whohad undertaken to look after his not commit this interest to some one else, that at my
interests. coming there might have been some gain to them ? Yon
He calls the first, evidently meaningthe first class are a wicked servant ; for you have wasted the time and
who have been zealous and faithful and devoted repre- have been unfaithful in looking after what I committed
sentatives of the Lord. Those of this class responded: to you. My Father justified you and begot you and
"Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds." They do anointed you, and I appointed you my representative
not say: ’Lord, ~ny pound has gained ten other pounds’; to guard well myinterests. You became indifferent to
but they do say, "’Tky pound hath gained." Otherwise the message of mykingdom ; and even though you have
stated, ’The interests of your kingdomcommitted to us knownabout it you have kept it to yourself, and you
furnished us opportunities for using the faculties with have gone about lending your influence to the opposer.
which you endowedus; and having put forth our efforts, Youhave been unfaithful in what you have and it shall
by your grace, to serve you and to look after the interests be taken awayfrom you and given to the faithful class.’
of your kingdom,this interest with us has increased ten One way to know that we have the proper under-
times and to your glory. Weare happy that we have standing of a dark saying or parable of the Lord is,
had this blessed opportunity of serving you, and give that the facts which have transpired fit the picture. How
you the glory.’ The King is pleased with this report and true to the facts thus indicated is the parable! All
commends this first class for their faithfulness, saying, along there have been some who have known the truhh
aWell, thou good servant; because thou hast been faith- and who have chosen to keep it to themselves and not
~ul in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." to use it to the Lord’s glory. In 1918 there was a
 WATCH TOWER
marked change in the work. The work of the church
pictured by Elijah’s experiences ceased, and a little later
the Elisha work began. The Lord coming to his temple
about that time, the reckoning began, especially with
his servants on earth. There was then a class whosaid:
’The work is all done. What more can we do ? Wewill
do nothing. Wewill have nothing to do with those who
are working, and we will even persecute and misrepre-
sent those who are doing it. Wewill find fault with
them.’ Somesuch turned away from the truth and even
denied it, after having received it.
Then the Lord revealed to his church that the time
had come to proclaim boldly his presence and to an-
nounce his kingdom and to declare that the day of
jubilee is at hand; hence float millions nowliving will
never die. Not only did some of his servants balk at
this and refuse to labor, but they turned against their
fellow servants and even denied the presence of the Lord.
Nowtile presence of the Lord may be denied in two
ways: (1) By the direct statement that the Lord, the
King, has not come; and (2) indirectly, by niter indif-
ference to the interests of the kingdom,and a failure or
refusal to use opportunities that cometo one to proclaim
the King and his kingdom. It seems quite clear that
those whorecognize the presence of the Lord, and who
love his appearing, would delight to makethe best show-
ing possible of having looked after the interests com-
mitted to them and having done all they could to aid
others in accomplishing the same thing.
Then the King comma~dsthat the pound shall b~.
taken away from the wicked servant and given to him
that has ten pomlds. Seemingly some object by calling
to the attention of the Lord that this servant already
has ten pounds. But the Lord waives this objection aside
and says: "Unto every one which hath shall be given ;
and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be
taken away from him." In other words, those who have
loved the interests of the Lord’s kingdomand looked for
it by faithfully serving him, shall have more committed
unto them; while those who have had something and
have not used it shall have it taken away from them.
From time to time we have complaints and murmurs
from some who object to the work of the Society being
put on an efficiency basis, and who say that there is
always something being said to the friends about ser-
vice. To use their language: "It is always service,
service, service, and we are tired of it." To such we
would say, Brethren, stop and ask yourselves these ques-
tions: Is the King of glory present? Are we at the
end of the world? Is it the due time to tell forth the
glad tidings that the kingdomis here? Is it true that
the new kingdomis taking its place in the divine plan
and that this should be announced? AmI a conse-
crated child of God ? Have I agreed to obey the King,
whatsoever he commands?
If these questions are answered in the affirmative,
~en auk: Whatii the proper attitude of one who ex-
peers to be in that kingdomclass and to share with the
King in his glory ? Does not the Psalmist answer that
we must have the zeal peculiar to his house? (Psalm
69 : 8, 9) Is not the business of the King our business?
Then what shall we do? St. Paul answers: Be "not
slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."
(Romans12 : 11) Again "As yeabound in every thi ng,
in faith, and utterance, and knowledge,and in all dili-
gence, and in your love to us, see that ye aboundin this
grace also." (2 Corinthians 8: 7) And again: "We de-
sire that every one of you do showthe same diligence to
the full assurance of hope unto the end." (Hebrews
6: 11) And St. Peter adds: "Wherefore the rather,
brethren, give diligence to makeyour calling and elec-
tion sure: for if you do these things, ye shall never fall;
for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abma-
dantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Ohrist." (2 Peter 1: 10, 11) The converse
of this must be true. If one is negligent, indifferent,
then he is liable to fall.
Everywhere the Scriptures condemn slothfulness.
Everywhere they exhort Christians to diligence. Does
not the King’s business require our best endeavors?
This parable shows that those who are diligent and
faithful are the ones who receive the Lord’s approval.
Experience showsthat those classes throughout the coun-
try that give heed to the words of the Lord, who art
diligent in their Berean studies, diligent in engaging in
the service work weekafter week, calling from house to
house, placing the books, and holding meetings, have the
least trouble armngst themselves and have tt~e greatest
joy. Our only reason for urging the brethren to greater
diligence and activity is, that they might be better
equipped to withstand the assaults of the adversary and
to win the prize that God has set before them that love
him supremely.
BRETHREN, AROUSE YOURSELVES!
Let us have in mind that the Lord’s reckoning with
his servants does not take place in the small space of
twenty-four hours. Probably he may permit some to see
their opportunities slipping away from them and their
zeol for his interests waning, and then give them a
chance to regain that zeal and go forward and grasp
the opportunities. Each one, then, whofeels a disposi-
tion to grow lukewarmor indifferent at this hour should
arouse himself and examine himself and the Lord’s
Word, and look about him for opportunities of glorify-
ing the Lord. Weare now in a dangerous hour. Espe-
cially are the elders and other more prominent servants
of the church in danger. Someof these have about come
to the conclusion that no real or actual service is
expected of them, because of their importance in the
church; that all that is needed is for them to make a
speech once a week before the class or the public. They
have forgotten the interests of the Lord’s kingdom, and
are looking moreto self or to things about them. ]~ea~
 WATCH TOWER
the danger of being lulled to sleep in this very critical selves as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto the Lord~
and important hour. as their reasonable service.--Romans 12:1.
Those who shine the brightest in the kingdom will There is a class of Christian servants who not onh,
not be the ones who hold the most prominent positions grasp opportunities of service as they cometo them, but
on this side the vail, necessarily. It is faithfulness that are always on the alert, looking for opportunities. There
the Lord rewards. Someisolated ones whohave attracted is another class, whoare to a degree faithful, yet not
httle or no attention, but who have been faithful and fully so. Whenthe one pound is taken away from the
true to the Lord under all circumstances and grasped wickedservant it is not given to the one whohas gained
what few opportunities of service came to them, will five, but to the one who has gained ten; therefore the
doubtless be of the first class. class which has been zealous and faithful to the greater
Greater responsibility, however, rests upon those who degree, which has not only been active, but which has
are more prominent in the classes. Let us remember, had more loving devotion to the Lord’s kingdom, which
dear brethren, that the Lord has committedthe interests has been striving to help others along the ~arrow way--
of his kingdom to his servants and has particularly to this class is the greater reward. The Lord loves faith-
made the elders overseers of the church; that these fulness. The Lord rewards faithfulness. And when one
should be examplesto the flock in zeal, in earnestness, really loves the Lord and his kingdomabove everything
in service, in loving devotion, in action, in conduct, and else he will not permit anything to interfere with his
in exhibition of the fruits and graces of the spirit. It service, but will be anxious to do what he can to the
will not do merely to ask the brethren to go forward, glory of his kingdom.
and then to hold our hands and do nothing, nor to con- SLAYING HIS ENEMIES
tent ourselves by doing a little of what seems the more
honorable work. Let each one rememberthat his faith- Not(~that the first workof the Kingis to take aecoun~
with his servants, and then comes the slaying of his
fulness to the Lord will be proven by his loving devotion
in doing with his might whatsoever his hands ~nd to enemies. The same process is going on just now. "Those
mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over
do. There is muchto do now.
them, bring hither, and slay them before me." Godha~
HEARTDEVOTION withdrawn his favor from nominal Christendom. No
more is the voice of the Bridegroom and of the bride
Th(r,, can be no real, faithful service without love. heard in her. She has aliied herself with the devil’s
Unselfish devotion to the Lord and his kingdom must organization in a combination to rule the world, ignor-
be the movingcause. It must be that lo~ e which brings ing Christ as the great King of kings and Lord of lords.
to ripeness the fruits and graces of the spirit. The ser- Andso nowthe Lord is slaying them with the brightness
vants possessing such love will have such a keen desire to of his presence and the force of his message of truth.
look after the King’s interests that they cannot remain He is destroying their influence with the people. He
~ilent and inactive. It indeed will be like a fire in their has comeforth to judge and to makewar, and is making
bones, impelling them to go and not to refrain their it. The time of conflict is on. The King is grandly
tongue from speaking and their hands from doing. The marching to victory.~Revelation 19: 11-16.
more keenly we appreciate the fact that it is our privi-
lege to represent the Lord ~nd his interests on earth, ENTERINGTHE KINGDOM
the greater will be our desire to represent him faithfully. Another thing about this parable seems to possess a
The facts show that this parable is being fulfilled time feature. "And when he had thus spoken, he went
furthermore in this, that those whohave had the inter- before, ascending up to Jerusalem." Since Jerusalem
ests of the kingdom committed to them by knowing the represents the heavenly kingdom, the thought is here
truth, and have failed to use the opportunities, are haw suggesLedthat with the reckoning of the servants comes
ing such opportunities removedfrom them and are gcing the slaying, with the messageof truth and his presence.
into inactivity and then into darkness; while others who of those whorefuse to hear him, and then the ascension
have been faithful in what has been committed to them into Jerusalem, indicating that this is the last work for
are having increased opportunities. The Lord will have the church to do on this side of the vail. The last mere-
his work done. No one can hinder it. l~o amount of bers of the church are now, we believe, before the holy
criticism or opposition can for a momentretard the city, on this side of the vail, approaching the newJeru-
work. The kingdom is majestically taking its place. salem, the general assembly of the church of the first-
Wouldthat every consecrat(’(! (’}’~ld ,,f (;,’,(l m~ffht born. Accordingto their degree of faithfulness and lov-
appreeiat~ this fact. ing devotion they are putting their hands and their feet
and their voices, and everything they have, into service
PRESEN’: REWARDS to the Lord’s glory, and doing it joyfully. They have
NoolJe ever loses anything by ~aithful~y serving the the song of gladness upon their lips and are crying out:
Lord. St. Paul, fully appreciating the value of faithfitl ’Behold the King of glory; the kingdomof heaven is at
ua’vice, earnestly beseechesthe brethren to present them- hand l’--whieh is another way of saying, "Behold the

WATCH
Bridegroom I" Those who really appreciate the hour in
~hich we are living cannot refrain from telling forth
the message.
Brethren, we beseech you to forget your petty differ-
ences now. Let every disposition to faultfinding and
sullenness be dispelled by you. Let each one ask himself
the question now: How am I using his (the King’s)
pound? AmI faithfully representing my King? AmI
giving a good report ? Let love and zeal and devotion to
the Lord and his cause be the moving factor now for
whatsoever is done. Gird up tile loins of your mind and
go forward, looking well to the interests of the King.
Slack not your hand now. The words of St. John,
$peaking for the Lord Jesus, should ring now in the
ears of each consecrated one, like the clarion notes on
the morning air: "Look to yourselves, that we lose not
those things which we have wrought, but that we receive
a full reward."--2 John 8.
"Behold, behold the Bridegroom,
Andall mayenter in
Whoselamps are trimmed and burnil~.
Whoserobes are white and clean."
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Wily 1~ lifts a severe testing thne? ~ ~.
Why should we expect increased enlightenment from the Lord? ~ 2.
Should unfulfilled expectations shake our determination to serve
the Lord? ~ 3.
Why is it dangerous now to become weary in well-doing? | 4.
PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
"The spirit bearcth witne~:, with our spirit,
HIS text is addressed and aprlies to the saints.
T The word saints means purified ones. Such puri-
fication results from the imputed merit of Christ
Jesus. These are the steps: Full consecration, imputa-
tion of Christ’s merit, presentation to the Father, justi-
]]cation, spirit-begetting and spirit-anointing. "If any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are
°passed away; behold, all things are becomenew."--~,
Co,’iN,hians5 : 17.
V(b.ell undergoing a severe or trying experience often
~hp (’hristian begins to doubt whether he is a child of
God. Doubt is the result of a weak faith. Faith means
to know God’s Wordand confidently rely upon it. The
text for this week, therefore, is very important; for the
Christian is thereby enabled to determine whether or
not he is a child of God.
God’s spirit testifies to the mind or spirit of the
Christian that he (the Christian) is God’s son. A wit-
ness is one who gives testimony to prove a question of
fact at issue. By the monthof two or more witnesses all
questions of fact were settled according to the law given
to Israel. The question of fact here is, AmI a child of
God, that I may be transformed into mySavior’s like-
ness ?
Godhas given two separate and distinct lines of testi-
monyto the Christian to prove this fact: (1) By and
BaooxLY1¢, N.
TOWER
Why is faithfulness appreciated even in worldly organizations? | Q*
How does our faitllfulness encourage others? ¶ 6.
I-Iow is faithfulness sometimes rewarded after a successful worldly
election? ~ 7.
Why is it safe to wait upon the Lord in Scriptural interpr(,tatn)ns?
~8.
Why is it important to consider the circumstances of this parable?
~9.
What is a parable? ~ 10.
Why did lbe nobleman call his servants to himself before depart°
lug? ~ 11.
What commission did Jesus give to his disciples before leaving ? ¶ 12.
Howdid Jesus show his concern for the welfare of his disciples ? ~ 13.
What do the ten pounds represent? J114.
Why does the pound not represent justification? ~1 15.
How does the use of the pound provide a tent of faithfulness? I 16.
Who are the two elm~ses in this parable? ~[ 17,
How have lhe servants of the Lord been persectfled? ~ 18.
When did the Lord begin to reckon with his servants? I 19.
ltow does the King reward the faithful servant? ~ 20.
Upon ~h,qt will the rank of a servant in the kingdom of glory
depeml? ~ 21.
Why does the second class receive a less reward than the first?
¶ 22.
Why was the pound taken from the third servant? ~ 23.
What test can we apply to determine the correct interpretation 0f
a parable? ][ 24.
Jn what two ways may one deny the presence of the Lord ? l[ 25.
Does an increase in opportunities to serve the Lord indicate faitll-
fulness~ ~ 2(;.
Why ~ ill self examination prove helpful to one who murmurs and
complains? ¶ 27.
Quote some s(’riptures indicating that we should be z~lons In serTo
ing the Lord. ¶28.
Why should we seek the Lord’s approval at all times? lI 29.
Seeing an opportunity of service, why should we seize it immedio
ateiy ~ ~ 20.
Does prominent position this side the vail necessarily entitle one to
an exalted place in the kingdom? ~31.
Why should the elders be exampl~ of service in the church? I 32.
Why slmuld love be the impelling motive in our service? ~ 33.
Can criticism or opposition retard the Lord’s work? ]T 34.
What does the expression "living sacrifice" mean? ~ 25.
Why is alertness a great asset to the Christian? ~ 36.
How has 1he tm]th perfornmd a slaying work? ~ 37.
What other time-feature is in this parable? ~l ,2~.
Why shonld each determine to prove his zeal for the Lord? | 39,
taat we are the chvdren of God."~Romans
8: 16.
through his Word of truth; and (2) by his dealing
with the one who is his child. To remove doubt from
the nrilld each one should examine himself according
to tt~e wiinesses.
One of the first testimonies given to prove our son-
ship is, that we ea~ understand and appreciate the deep
things of God’s Word. Only the new ereatnre in Chris~
can thus understand. (1 Corinthians 2 : 14, 9, 10) This
precious relationship was pictured by the light in the
l:[oly of the tabernacle, to which only the priest was
admitted. The children of Godbeloc.,,~r to the priesthood.
Another testimony is that we are not asba~ned of the
gospel of Jesus Christ, but find it to be the power of
God unto salvation to ns who believe. (Romans 1:16)
One whoreally appreciates the love of the Lord and his
messageof glad tidings is not ashamedto declare.it to
others and to ownthat he is a Christian.
Another and most convincing testimony is love for
the brethren. ’qNe knowthat we have passed from death
unto life, because we love the brethren." (1 John 3 : 14)
Only the new creation have passed into the life condi-
tion, because they are begotten to a new hope of life.~
1 Peter 1 : 3.
Another Scriptural testimony is zeal for the Lord and
his cause, which leads one to perform his reasonable
service. "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."
 WATCH TOWER
(Psalm 69 : 9 ; Romans12 : 1) Zeal is the result of love
for God and the Lord Jesus. If we appreciate what our
Father and our Master have done for us, we shall really
have
; an anxious desire to do something to their glory
and we shall be watching for opportunities to prove this
love and loyalty to the Lord. This will lead to activity
in the Lord’s service and to a careful watchfulness, that
we maydevelop the fruits and graces of the spirit, to the
end that we maybe transformed into the character like-
ness of our Lord and Master.
HIS DEALINGS,
:His spirit also testifies to us by his mannerof dealing
with us. In bringing many sons to the glory of his
kingdom it has pleased him to perfect them through
sufferings. (Itebrews 2: 10) If we bear these trying
and fiery experiences patiently, i. e., cheerfully, we thus
receive the testimony that our Father is dealing with
us as sons.--ttebrcws 12: 5-8.
If because of our zeal for the Lord we are reproached
either by the world or bv those whoclaim to be Chris-
tians, this is another testimony that we are the children
of God. Jesus was thus reproached. The servant must
have experiences like unto his Lord’s. (John 15 : 18-20)
If we find that in the midst of these fiery experiences
and persecutions our love for Godand for Christ Jesus
is increased, that our love for the brethren is also grow-
ing, and that we can even have a kindly feeling toward
our enemies, desiring to do them good, this is a testi-
monyof the Lord that we are his and that he is dealing
with us as his children. 7It is his spirit bearing witness
with our spirit. "And if ctdldren, tb n heirs; heirs of
God,and joint-heirs with Christ; if so’be that we suffer
with him, that we maybe also glorified together."
Love for and loyalty and devotion to the Lord and
his service will bring persecution. If persecution is cheer-
fully borne for Christ’s sake, it yields the peaceable
fruits of righteousness, brightens our hope, shapes our
character into the likeness of our Lord, and leads to
everlasting glory.
TEXT FOR FEBRUARY 14
"’Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
For our gospel cache not unto you in word only, but also
in power, and in the holy spirit, and in muchassurance."
~1 Thessalonians1 : ~, 5.
This text is another testimony given to us by the
spirit of Godthat we are his children. It is positively
and emphatically stated by the Apostle that we know
our election or selection by the Lord. Why?Because
the glad tidings of the divine plan, that the Lord is
selecting the seed of promise and that through that seed
he will bless all the families of the earth, comesto us
not merely in word, but also in powerand in the spirit
and in muchassurance. Wehave received this message
not merely in a formal way, nor do we treat it indiffer-
ently, but to the Christian it is a messageoi life, hope,
energy, and power.
Call to mind when we were in the nominal church and
believed our God to be a fiend that would torture his
creatures in a lake of fire forever. It was difficult for us
to love such a God. We were then afraid. Wehad no
assurance. Wewere wea]dings. But when the eyes of
our understanding were opened and we began to see
some of the lengths and breadths and heights and depths
of God’s love, the glad tidings of the kingdombecame
unto us a power. That power resulted because of the
operation of the holy spirit. Fromthat time forward we
had assurance that Jehovah is God: that he is a God of
love ; and that no good thing will he withhold from those
who walk uprightly before him. These glad tidings be~
came to us such a power that we wcre not abashed in
the presence of the mighty ones of earth, nor proud and
boasting in the presence of the weakest ones. But having
his spirit, we becamewilling, yea, glad, to tell one and
all, meekly and gently, of the blessings of the Lord’s
kingdom. And as we have told this precious message,
each one thus telling it has grown s~ronger. In propor-
tion to our faithfulness to the Lord, in that proportion
has our powerincreased, because of the glad tidings and
his spirit operating in us. 0nly those who have the
spirit of the Lord have such power and such blessed
assurance from the Lord.
Sometimesit is ,~sked : Whyis it that persons of slight
education in the ordinary walks of life, who have no
particular influence amongst men, would even pretend
to present the message of truth? And why is it, that
wh,a they do, it is clearly and lucidly presented and
puts to flight r,~d ÷~ shame the cler, yman who is a
professed follo,,~r of the Lord? The answer is: As a
rule the professed clergymanhas not received the spirit
of the Lord; whereas this holy spirit, operating on the
minds of the meek and teachable ones, those of little
wisdomof this world, has madethem bold and strong in
the Lord, with the ability to make clear the messageof
the truth now revealed. The Christian who has this
testimony of the spirit and whoappreciates his privi-
leges, joyfully and boldly goes forth in the strength of
the Lord to put forth the message of his kingdom; and
as he continues faithful he grows stronger.
The Apostle admonishes all Christians, saying, "Fi-
nally, mybrethren, be strong in the Lord and in the
power of his might." It is not our power, but the power
that comesto us by the operation of his spirit; and thus
his spirit operating in the mind of the Christian is
transforming him into the image and likeness of his
Lord and Master.
TEXT FOR FEBRUARY 21
"If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus frarn the
dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead
shal; also quicken your mortal bodies by his spgrit that
dwelleth in you."---Romans 8: 11.
This text can apply to no one except the new creatur~
in Christ. If, upon examination of self in "the light of
the Scriptures hereinbefore considered, we have the wit-
 WATCH
ness of the spirit that we are the children of God, then
we should expect to find that the text under considera-
tion applies to us. The word quicken as used in this
week’s text meansto vitalize; to energize; to enliven ;
to cause to move with rapidity. It means to do some-
thing to the Lord’s glory, and not to remain inactive.
It means to glorify God with the body, which is his.M
1 Corinthians 6 : 20.
The new creature in Christ consists of the will, de-
voted to the Lord; the mind, which is searching God’s
~rord that it may be in harmonywith his will; and the
heart, which is the seat of affections and from which
emanates the motive for action. And since a creature
cannot exist without an organism, the body of flesh,
called the mortal body, is for the time being the organ-
ism of the new creature. With this body and upon it
the Lord has arranged for the new creature to practise
until such time as he develops a character pleasing unto
the Lord, and which will warrant the Lord in clothing
him with a new and glorious body.
The transformation of the new creature takes place
chiefly in the mind. "Be ye transformed by the renewing
of your mind," says the Apostle. (Romans 12: 2) The
mind is really the battleground. "Gird up the loins of
your mind, be sober, and hope to the end." (1 Peter
1 : 13) The mind searches out God’s Wordto ascertain
his will; and the will of the new creature directs and
controls the mortal body as to what it shall do. "Nowif
any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of
his." (Romans8 : 9) But if one has the spirit of Christ
dwelling in him, he belongs to Christ; and the spirit of
Christ wilI makehis body alive to action, to the Lord’s
glory. Therefore says the Apostle: "To be carnally
minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life
and peace."
The holy spirit, the spirit of Jehovah, is so mighty
that it raised up Jesus from the dead. It is able to make
alive, energize, the humanbody to activity in service for
righteousness, even though that body was once given
over to sin. The Lord therefore urges all whohave the
"HERE AM I, SEND ME, SEND ME"
Hark l the voice of Jesus crying,
"Who will go and work today?
Fields are white and harvest waiting;
Who will bear the sheaves away?"
Loud and strong the Master calleth,
Rich reward he offers thee;
Who will answer, gladly saying:
¯ ’Here am I, send me, send me?"
If you cannot cross the oceans
And the heathen lands explore,
You ~ul find the heathen nearer:
You can help him at your door.
If you cannot speak like angels,
If you cannot preach llke Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus;
You can say he died for all
TOWER
spirit or mindofChrist notonly to be dead to sin but to
permit the spirit of Christ dwelling in them to make
them alive to holiness and to God’s service. One who
thus has the spirit of the Lord is the son of God,and h~
must bear fruit unto holiness. The holy spirit dwelling
in one, therefore, causes such a one to study (consider)
to show himself approved unto God, a workman that
needs not to be ashamed;that is to say, he tries dili-
gently to ascertain from God’s Wordwhat is the will of
God concerning himself, and then faithfully endeavors
to bring himscqfwithin the scope of the divi~mwill, that
by so doing lie maybe transformed into the likeness of
his Lord and l~[aster, Christ Jesus.
The new creature now is responsible for the mortal
body. Hence the spirit of Christ dwelling in him will
lead him to use his streuzth, energy, time, influence,
money,and everything he has, to the Lord’s glory. This
spirit will lead him to give all diligence to increase his
faith by studying and relying upon God’s Word; to in-
crease his fortitude or steadfastness in the Lord and in
his service; to grow in knowledge; to bring himself
under the proper control; to endure trials cheerfully; to
grow more Godlike; and b exercise kindness toward the
brethren and love toward all, doing good unto all as he
has opportunity, especially to the householdof faith. So,
says the Apostle: "Brethren, give diligence to make
your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be minis-
tered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This admonition
of the Apostle to diligence, bgether with our weektext,
showsthe necessity of activity in the Lord’s service. Of
course we must give the time to provide things needful
for ourselves and dependent ones. This is our avocation.
Our real vocation or business is to prepare ourselves for
the kingdom; and in order to do this we must use our
bodies, as well as our minds, to the glory of the Lord.
The transformation into the likeness of the Lord is a
gradual growth. The reward comes to one whocontin-
ues faithftflly unto the end.
If you cannot be the watchman
Standing high on Zion’s wall,
Pointing out the path to heaven,
Offering life and peace to all,
With your l)rayers and with your bounties
You can do what heaven demands---
You can be like faithful Aaron,
Holding up the prophet’s hands.
Let none hear you idly saying,
"There is nothing I can do";
When the hearts-of men are failing
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task he gives you gladly;
Let his work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when he calleth:
"Here am I, send me, send me."
 THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER
FEBRUARY 11 LUKE18
T~E PRAYERWITHANSWER DET~AYED---THEPRAYER~0%VANSWERED---THE TRUEHEARTATTITUDEFORPRATER~-HUIfILTI~
ALWAYS
AN ESSENTIAIz---THE DANGER OF RICHES--URGENT DESIREIN pRAYER.
"The sacrifices oi God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise."
--Psalm 51:17.

J ESUS continued his instruction

through them to the church.
to his disciples,
Now he speaks to them
about prayer. The Authorized Version reads as if our
and
Lord said: "Men ought always to pray"; but he did not
say that. Our Lord never urged all men to pray ; for prayer
is a privilege given to God’s people. He knew that during
the interval between his departure and his return to them
from heaven, much trial would come upon his follower*~
When, sometime previously, the disciples had asked their
Master for instruction how to pray, and in response he had
given the prayer known as the Lord’s pr’~yer, he also gave
tlmm an illustration of the power of persistency, and led
them to understand that there must be eonsi(ter~lble impor-
tunity for a prayer to gain its end. (Luke 11:1-9) When
now our Lord reverts to tim snhject of prayer, be said that
his disciples ought to pray continually, and not grow weary.
To illustrate he spoke a parable. IIe told of a judge who
neither feared God nor regarded man, In his city was a
widow who went to the judge, asking for justice and deliv-
erance from an oppressor. The judge cared nothing for the
Justice of the case, nor for the suffering of the widow; but
he said: "Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet
because tiffs widow troubleth me I will avenge her, lest by
ber continual coming she weary me." Jesus takes this para-
ble and uses it in two ways: (1) by comparison, and (2)
by contrast. We are to suppose that our Lord intended his
disciples to understand that importunity is necessary; and
therefore that the woman’s persistency must be an example
for those who go to God in prayer. But we must also take
it by contrast; for we could not think other than that he is
compassionate towards those who go to l]im, and especially
so towards his own elect who cry to i,im day and nighr*
Jesus said: "I tell you that he will avenge them speedily."
But questions arise: Why must there be a trial of faith
and patience in prayer? Why the need of tbe injunction
not to faint in prayer if God answers speedily? And what
is the meaning of Jesus’ words, "Though he bear long with
them?" And why the query raised by Jesus, "Nevertheless
when tl~e Son of man cometh, shall he find this faith on the
earth?" (v. 8, Diaglott) as if there would have been so
much trial of faith and patience that hardly anyone would
be found expecting a response.
mind ; for he knew that his church would be oppressed, and
his people caused to cry for deliverance from their oppress-
ors. Like Israel in Egypt, their tj-pe, they needed deliverance
from S:~tan’s injustice. They cry for tile avenging of their
blood, "llow long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not
judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the
earth ?" (Revelation 6: 10) God could not answer this prayer
before the due time; and the time was long, and Satan
tried to wear out the saints of the Most High.--Daniel 7 : 25.
But immediately the hour came, speedily God sent deliv-
erance. The Psalmist speaking of this says: "In the morn-
ing shall my prayer come before thee." (Psalm 88:13)
Imnn,diatcly the nmrning of the Millennial day came, early,
and before his people realized it had come, God sent the
answer. The Rcdeelner returned to save and bless his people.
Without doubt this parable was given to cheer G~d’s people
in those long, dark days of waiting, and to nullify any
temptation to believe he was negligent to their cry.
The one prayer of the church, "Thy kingdom come," has
long been delayed, but now approaches the hour for the
answer. Although the kingdom has not fully come, the King
himself has returned. The I~ord came exactly on time; and
since then he has delivered his people from the Egyptian
darkness, and the terrible bondage of error; and they know
that the prayer of the church has been answered. Now they
proclaim, "The Lord has come, his kingdom is here, and
will soon be revealed, and tile will of God done on earth as
it is done in heaven."
Ti~e time of waiting has had the effect on ninny timt Jesus
foresaw. This belief that Jesus would return, bringing delivo
eranee to his pc,..,)le, was hardly existent upon e’trth ; it had
almost died out. Outside those who know the truth through
the Lord’s instm~mentality for its dissemination, there is
hardly any of this faith in God, or even any faith in him
as a controller of earth’s affairs, and as tile gracious Creator
and Benefactor of his human children, and even those who
have prof(~sed their faith in a personal return show but
little confidence in their belief. The true church now no
longer sends up the piteous cry for the manifestation of
God’s favor to it; but, realizing the Lord’s presence, it lifts
up its voice with singing, declaring to all the advent of the
King, and the establishment of the kingdom.

THE PRAYER WITH ANSWER DELAYED THE TRUE HEART ATTITUDE FOR PRAYER
From these two parables many have thought that Jesus Jesus continued his instruction about prayer. He spoke a
meant his disciples 1o understand that the only way to get parable "unto certain which trusted in themselves that they
answers to prayer is by a persistent and even noisy impor- were righteous, and despised others." Two men went up
tunity. We believe this is a serious mistake, and contrary into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a publican.
to the Master’s intention. However, the fact remains that The Pharisee stood by himself and addressed God, saying,
God does not answer all prayers quickly, and that often he "I thank thee timt I am not as other men are, extortioners,
keeps his cifiidren suppliant at the throne of grace. Yet it unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in
is as often the case that God’s answers to prayers are re- the week, I give tithes of all that I possess." The publican
markably quick, as the prophet Isaiah has it: "Before they standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes to
call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful
bear."--Isaiah 65 : 24. to me a sinner."
There is one prayer, however, which has been offered more It is easy to see these two men as they prayed--the one
frequently and more fervently than any other--the first and standing out from his fellows quite prominently, as the
the last gre’l! pr’lyer of the church, for the answer to which Greek word indicates; and the other shrinking away out of
God has therefore kept his people waiting longest and with sight. The Pharisee can be seen looking around at others in
greatest desire, :ll]d whose non-answer has Worn out the the temple courts and comparing himself with thenl. Then
faitl] of marw--tl]e prayer, "Tt~y kingdom come." And there he prays expressing his thanks to God--not for merciem
!$ little doubt that this was the prayer which Jesus had In received, nor for his privilege of knowing and worshiging
a
 WATCH TOWER
God, but because he ts better than others, especially the
publican some distance away beating his breast. The Phari-
see prob’lbly thought that the publican had good cause for
repenl:lnee as he came-before God. His feeling of righteous-
ness increased as lie meditated upon it. The other, the pub-
lican, was just the opposite in the opinion of himself. He
realized his unworthiness, and cried to God to be merciful
towards tlim; for he saw himself a sinner. Jesus did not
express a definite pronouncement about the standing of this
man before God, but he did definitely say that one was
more acceptable than lhe other.
Here is further instruction about prayer, some g,.fidaneo
as to the spirit in which God must be approached. Boastful-
ness, self-confidence, a confident review of oneself, and sill-
lsfaction therefrom are poor things with which to go to
God. Many a man who prays publicly would be shocked to
have anyone suggest that he carried to God any of these
things; and yet they may be in the heart unuttered. We
have heard some pray in public to God as if they were head-
ing a depulation to him. Acknowledgment of need of mercy
is pleasing to God. It dethrones self and exalts him. (Psalm
51: 15; Isaiah 57: 15) The faithful servant of God may go
to the throne of grace with his eyes lifted to his Father,
and can rejoice in his presence; for he has something that
the publican could not then have: he has the standing of
son through Christ. But even he must retain the attitude
ef heart represented by the publican. No man can long stand
in the presence of God in the attitude of the Pharisee. Self-
exaltation is part of the great sin of presumption.--Psalm
19: 13, 14.
Prayers to be acceptable to God are not required to be
lengthy either when they are on behalf of one’s personal
interests, or when an individual is leading others in prayer,
either at study meetings or at any other time. It is a mis-
take to think that God needs to be told everything that the
mind can for the moment think of. It is better to remember
that God knows all, tban to think that we have to tell him
everything. We might almost venture to say that it is pos-
sible God is wearied with some of the long prayers which
are mnde to him.--MalaehI 2:17.
HUMILITY ALWAYS AN ESSENTIAL
As if to continue the lessons in humility and the proper
attitude to bear before God, Luke tells of some Infants being
brought to Jesus in order that he might touch them, and of
the disciples interfering and rebuking the parent~ But
Jesus was very much displeased, and had the children
brought to him: and he took them in his arms and blessed
them. (Mark 10: 13-16) Then in those beautiful and won-
drous words which have come with so kindly a message
through the centuries, he said: "Suffer little children to
come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the king-
dom of God." He also added: "Verily I say unto you, Who-
soever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child
shall in no wise enter therein." The kingdom of heaven ts
for those who accept its rule and authority as children
accept these from their parents. It and its blessings are for
those only who are willing to obey, to learn ; those who are
guileless and meek as are young children.
It was about this time that the rich young ruler came to
~Iesus, asking him the way to life. Jesus referred him to the
law and to the commandments; for the keeping of the law
was the only way to life then open. The law provided that
the man who kept It should live by it. (Leviticus 18 : 5) The
young man innocently answered: "All these have I kept
from my youth up." It is plain that the young man made a
mistake; for had he kept the commandments,he would not
have been asking Jesus the way to life, but would have felt
life working within him. The Lord told him that the one
thing he needed to do, was to sell all, distribute to the poor,
and come and follow him. But this counsel was too hard
for hlm; "for he was very rich." He went away very sor-
rowful, Jesus too was sorrowful; for, as Mark says, "Jesus
loved him."
Here again are comparison and contrast--these two men,
both of whomwere righteous in their own estimation--but
how different. Jesus loved ti~e rich young ruler, while the
Pharisee must have been painful to him. The one was self-
righteous and self-satisfied; the other was satisfied that he
had kept the law, but was hungering for something. "One
thing thou lackest." He needed the companionship of the
Master, and that poverty of outward things which would
enable him to become a good disciple. The riches of self-
satisfaction such as those possessed by the Pharisee had
evidently stopped their possessor from getting the kingdom,
while those held by the rich young ruler made it almost
impossible for him to get the kingdom.
Tim Lord was a teacher who was turning things up-side-
down; he was stripping the false life of the Jews of every-
thing they held worth their attention, thought, and endeavor.
Simplicity of life, of heart, and of purpose, sincerity towards
C~d and man, are the desirable things. Lowlines.~ of mind
and meekness of spirit are pleasing to God; and he who is
in the will of God lives the richest, fullest life. To gain all
this, and this is God’s desire, one must be a disciple of Jesus.
"Come, follow me," he said. To those who follow him timre
are rewards in this life manifold, and life everlasting in the
world to come.
Today’s clmpter concludes with an account of a stirring
incident. When Jesus was near Jericho, and as he was pass-
ing along the road, great crowds accompanied him; for it
was approaching Passover season, and many travelers were
going up to the feast, that feast for which he was to be
God’s Lamb for sacrifice. Two blind men hearing the com-
motion, asked the reason, and they were told: "Jesus of
Nazareth passeth by." They cried out: "Have mercy on us,
0 Lord, thou son of David." They were rebuked and told to
hold their peace; but here was perhaps the only chance they
might ever get of hearing his healing word, or feeling his
healing touch, and they cried out the more. When Jesus
came up, lie stood and commanded that they be brought
near to him. He asked: "What will ye that I should do
unto you?" And they said unto him, "Lord, that our eyes
may be opened."--Matthew 20 : 32, 34.
Jesus must have known what they wanted. Then why ask
the question? Probably he wanted a definite request, and
here is a further lesson in prayer which we may take to
ourselves. It is much better to be particular in prayer than
general. God desires for our own sake that we state what
we want, and the heart is brought into a better condition to
receive when we make our requests known to God than If
we content ourselves with general expressions asking the
Lord to bless us. "Let us come boldly unto the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help In
time of need.’--Hebrews 4:16.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN ~TUDY
For whomwere the words of this lesson intended? ~] 1.
What lesson did Jesus t~ach in the parable of the widow?| 2.
Whyis prayer a t~t of faith? I[ 3.
What serious mistake is sometimes made in prayer? ~4.
Whyhave the saints earnestly desired the kingdom? I[ 5.
Howhas the dawning Millennial day strengthened our faith? | 6.
Whyshould we in particular now praise the Lord? 1I 7.
Whyhas the faith of manygrown cold ~ ~] g.
Whyare the prayers of the proud not tmard? ~ 9.
What is commendablein the prayer of the publican? ~ 10.
What special favor have we which the publican did not have? | 1114
Whyshmfld prayers be short and marked by simplicity? t[ 12.
Howdid Jesus encourage a childlike faith in his disciples? I 13.
Howdid the rich young ruler entrap himself in his answer? ~ 14.
Whyis the companionship of the Master more desirable than riches?
115.
Howhad the Jews deceived themselves? ~] 16.
Whomdid J’~us meet near .Tericho? I17.
Whyshould we be definite in our requests~ | 18.
 JESUS AND ZACCHEUS
---FEBRUARY 18 LUKE 19:1-10 -
THE PUBLICAN A SON OF ABRAHA~I-----THE GOSPELS GIVEN UNDER HOLY SPIRIT GUIDANCE--SUDDEN CON~’ERSIONS ~[AVE PREDISPOSINQ
CAUSES--JESUS SAVES THAT ~VHICH WAS LOST--SOME LESSONS FOR US.
"The Son o/ man is come to seek and to save that which wa~ lost."--Luke 19 : 10.

E VERYBODYknows nbout the man of short

climb a tree in order lo see Jesus of Nazareth as tie

stature,
the liublican of Jericho, wile ran ahead of a crowd to
before ilis company, he said unto the Lord: "Behold, Lord,
the half of niy goods I give to the poor: and if I have taken
anything from any man by false accusal{on, I restore him
passed along the m~(1. But not everyone knows how the fourfold." This was a most unexpected tiling for a tax
story is sc~ for lhe lrulhs of the gospel. At this period of gatherer to say. It has been suggested that here was a
our Lord’s minisLry, ~Js in former day in Galilee, he was troubled conscience seeking to clear itself from a burden;
nearly always the center of a crowd; but now because the but tilere is no good reason for that conclusion. Zaechetm
feast of the l’assover was near at iland, tile nunlbers were was so evidently sincere that he certainly would have spoken
Increased by the many travelers going through Jericho up directly of any known acts of injustice or fraud. Instead of
to Jerusalem. Movement would be slow; for the crowd was saying, "If I imve taken anything from any man by false
not marching like an army, but going with comparative accus:ttion," he would lmve said: ’To all whom I have
leisure, under no leader, but impl, lled by a commondesire--- defrauded I will restore fourfold.’ And if he were making
an orderly crowd of peoph, well disposed towards each other. a disposition of half his goods for the poor, he could not
They lind approached Jericho, which lies in the Jordan valley have been expecting to pay many fourfold sums out of the
about seventeen miles from Jerusalem. They moved on half remaining to him. Probably he was a fairly honest
through the little city’s narrow streets, and began to emerge man, especially for a tax gatherer. It is probable that the
into the sulmrbs on the Jerusalem road; and it was then false accusations he had in mind were overcharges which
that the incident occurred. were made by those subservient to him, and which he had
Zaceheus, who in his relationship to tlle Lord provides not been particular about inquiring into.
our study for today, was a tax gatherer, called in the That it was not merely emotion which caused Zaccheus
Authorized Version, a publican. Jericho was well situated to speak thus is certain ; for our Lord, who knew what was
for collecting those taxes which the Ronmns imposed upon in m-m and who would certainly understand, said: "This
the Jews; for all travelers from the north or from the east day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is
must pass through it. Indeed, Jericho on the east was as a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and
Capernaum on the north--a toll gate, at which the travelers to save ’chat which was lost." To go with Zaecheus, and
must pay to pass. Here in Jericho were many tax gatherers, indeed to invite himself to go to the house of a noted publi-
hated of the people. Zaecheus, the chief, was a rich man; can, was a bold thing on Jesus’ part. He did not stop to
for tax gathering was a profitable occupation. He was very consider that his action would probably cause wonderment
desirous to see this wonderful miracle worker, but Jesus was and some estrangement on the part of many of the crowd,
in the center of the crowd; and Zaccheus being short in and that this association might prejudice his work in Jeru-
stature had but little chance of getting his desire satisfied. salem. He knew what was best, and he did it. He numbered
However, he was a man of resource: He p~reeived that if himself with the transgressors, and took salvation with him.
be went quickly ahead and climbed a tree nearby the road,
he could satisfy his desire. Not being heavily weighted with THE GOSPELS GIVEN UNDER HOLY SPIRIT GUIDANCE
personal dignity, he immediately ran on before and climbed Every incident recorded of our Lord’s life, both of his
the tree. And this would draw Jesus’ attention to him. sayings and doings, should be received as specially chosen
As soon as Jesus was come to the tree, he looked up and for the benefit of his disciples and for the church. As Jesus
saw Zaecheus. Then he stopped and called to him: "Zae- was God’s messenger, and his life under the guidance of the
cheus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide holy spirit, both by the care of his Father in heaven and
at thine house." Zaceheus made haste to come down, and through his own care and desire to do the will of God, it
took Jesus home joyfully. The multitude, when they saw must be understood that the selection made of his sayings
this, murmured; for this man who a little while before had and doings is made according to a purpose. We ought there-
given sight in a miraculous manner to two blind men, and fore to approach every study with these thoughts in mind.
who thus gave evidence of being a messenger of God, and One incident will be seen to have a relation with another,
who was on his way to the Passover feast in Jerusalem, and the whole to be viewed as in the certain setting.
had actually left this company of righteous persons to go That this is the case with each gospel is clearly evidenced
to be the guest of a man, who, being a publican, must be in and by {heir different accounts. The whole of the gospels,
a sinner I the records of our Lord’s life, are four views of hls work as
The Journey to Jerusalem was a difficult one, and it Is our Father would have us see it--four windows into the
almost certain that It would not willingly be begun late In divine revelation of his Word. Luke, in giving us these
the afternoon. It is therefore probable that evening was records of our Lord’s last Journey from the north, seems to
approaching when the incident happened, and Jesus invited do nothing more than to place together, in what seems
himself to the home of Zaecheus to spend the evening and natural sequence, certain incidents of the daily happenings.
night with him. Probably Zaccheus got much more company Yet it is easy to discern a connection between them as if a
than he e.x-pected; for the Master had his disciples to care lesson, or lessons, common to each were to be brought into
for as well as himself. But Zaecheus’ heart was full; and prominence.
u his house would be large, and the needs of the disciples In our present lessons, for instance, we have had three
mnall, the Master would know that he was not putting him men introduced, the (representative) Pharisee who tithed
to any inconvenience when he offered to be his guest. himself over and above that which the law called for; the
rich young ruler who was sure he had kept the law, but
THE PUBLICAN A SON OF ABRAHAM who was utterly void of the Pharisee’s self-confidence; and
It was probably at supper that Zaccheus made a declara- now the rich publican. The Pharisee and the rich young
tion of his purpose. A change had come into his life, one ruler missed the blessing which Jesus had to give, but here
im little dreamed of in the morning of that day. Standing the rich publican received IL Different men need dlffexent
45
 me WATCH TOWER
treatment ; and the Lord, the great Physician, knew how to
treat every heart and mind which came before him. It seems
ahnost certain that here is a connection of purpose as well
as of narrative. Luke under the guidance of the holy spirit
relates these things to show the various methods used by
the Lord in his ministry to the lost sheep of Israel. And
undoubtedly Luke wrote to show Jesus’ desire to help the
publicans and sinners.--Luke 3:12 ; 5 : 29 ; 7 : 29 ; 15:1 ; 18:10.
SUDDEN CONVERSIONS HAVE PREDISPOSING CAUSES
There is nothing on the face of this narrative to indicate
that Zaceheus had any special reason for trying to see Jesus,
but there must have been some reason deeper than appears;
for our Lord would not have given so much time and atten-
tion to Zaceheus merely to satisfy his curiosity. The publl.
can of the temple court and those of our Lord’s recent
audiences reveal much feeling amongst these men. Zaccheus
had surely heard how Matthew, the publican of Capernaum,
had been taken by Jesus to be a disciple, and of Jesus’
sympathy towards them as a class. Perhaps he had heard
what Jesus had said about the publican going down to his
home after prayer justified rather than the Pharisee. Then
the wonderful event of that morning, the healing of the.
blind men, had moved his heart. When Jesus stopped be-
neath the tree, it was not a coarse, sullen, curious face that
he saw, but one of earnest interest.
We need not suppose that Jesus used any miraculous
power in getting the name of Zaeeheus. Probably tie was
told who the man was; perhaps Matthew told him. At once
the Lord took the opportune moment to the blessing of
Zaeeheus. The change in Zaccheus was sudden, and prob-
ably unexpected by all except Jesus. But there must have
been causes which led up to this crisis, and which perhaps
Zaceheus himself would hardly have acknowiedged. A com.
parison may be made with the so-calt~d conversion of Saul
of Tarsus, in whose case also there was a sudden reversioI’
of life. In S~,ul’s ease we know there were predisposi-.
causes (for S,’ml had fount], it hard ~o kick against th
goads), so that when Jesus was revealed and understood.
there was ready acc,,ptance. In both eases it was the reve-
lation of love which turned the heart. Paul always fell its
power, and Zaccheus was melted at the love and compassion
of Jesus in going to his house in the face of the hostile
thought of the multitude and of the people of Israel.
Jericho was a city o~ the priests; and as it was a
"customs" city. it might be said to be a city of priests and
Levites and publicans (and of course) sinners. Jesus’ action
in staying overnight with the foremost publican made his
attitude all the more marked, and was therefore received
by Zaeeheus as a token of love and righteousness; for he
and all others of like mind must have felt that of the
Pharisees and priests to be very unjust. Jesus’ words show
his reason--these were sons of Abraham, though they were
as "lost sheep." By this action Zaeeheus showed that he
was a true son of Abraham. The Pharisees boasted that
they were Abraham’s seed. (John 8: 33) If Zaccheus was
son of Abraham, wlw should salvation not come to him? The
afflicted woman of the synagog’ue (Luke 13) and the rich
publican were both children of Abraham needing a deliverer,
and both were in a condition of heart to receive tim bless-
ings of Jesus.
JESUS SAVES THAT WHICH WAS LOST
What did Jesus mean by salvation? Two thoughts have
always been associated with the use of the word. Some-
times the chief thought has been salvation ]rein something,
sometimes salvation to something. Both ideas are necessary
--salvation from death, and then into favor and life. The
lost sheep was saved by being restored, the lost piece of
money was retrieved, the prodigal some came home. There
is ealvation in each case, but viewed from different aspects.
In the earlier part of the day the blind men had received
sight, but they did not get salvation. IIere in Zaceheus’
case was something which affected the inner life of the
publi(,an, and which was better and greater and more to
be priT~cd than any physical blessing. It was said of Jesus
that he should bring salvatim~ lo Israel and save his people
from their sins. (Matthew 1: 21; Luke 1:77) The horn
salvation, or power, was to be his; and as this wonhl not
be interpreted to mean deliverance from Rome, it must mean
deliverance from the enemies of the inner or moral life.
Zaecheus’ manner of life and disposition of heart had
hitherto kept him away from eonmmnion with God, but now
he experienced a change. Ih,neeforth he would seek to
please God rather than himself. Jesus did not cqll him to be
a diseiple, to leave all and follow him; for Za(.(.heus did not
need that experience as the rich young ruler did. Nor did
Jesus call everyone to follow him qs he called his inunediate
disciples and the Twelve. IIis mission was to t)roelaim the
coming of the kingdom of righteousness and truth, and thus
save God’s people from the bondage of evil "rod i~Ttorance
under which they lived; and some of the earliest accepters
of the message had the privilege of being chosen to be with
him. If Zaeeheus continued to hold the s’tlwlti,),~ which
came to his house that day, he would, after Pentecost, be
found anmngst those who were blessing and praising God,
understanding well that the salvation of God had come to his
people, and would experience the power of the holy spirit.
But such salvation is not all that God has provided
through Jesus. The life ministry of Jesus, the calling and
selection of his disciples and apostles, and later at Pentecost
the diffusion of those blessinR~ to all who wouhl receive
them--all these together form an illustration of the greater
ministry and its results. The long period from the first
advent till now has in God’s purpose been for the selection
of the church Lnembers, represented by the apostles. This
day of grace and special selection is nearly over. Soon there
will be that whL’h corresponds with Pentecost, an outpouring
of the spirit of God upon all mankind; when all oppression
of Satan, of pri@-tcraft, of Phariseeism, of fleshly weakness,
will be banished, and when the whole human family will be
brought to the Lord’s feet. "And the glory of the Lord shall
be revealed, and all flesh shall see it tog(,ther: for the
moulh of the Lord hath spoken it."--Isaiah 40:.5.
SOME LESSONS FOR US
Je~u~ (’ame "to seek and to save that which was lost"~
not only tho~, the publicans and sinners, and the poor sheep
of the family of Israel who were lost to God’s blessings, but
to save their covenant; for the Abrahamie Covenant was
lost to them. And he came to save the whole world of man-
kind, and the original blessing of life which (,~od intended
them to enjoy, and which for a brief moment they had
enjoyed in Eden. Did Jesus succeed in his mission in seek-
ing the lost? The answer must be No, if we stop our inquiry
at the close of his life. His work was continued by those
he chose to be with him--his disciples. Since then, and
until now, they have represented him and his work. Are the
lost persons and things yet found and saved? Again the
anwer is No. But the Savior completed his ~ork on eartht
and was raised to divine nature that he might be the Savior
in power; and his witnesses have nearly completed their
work (or his through them), and are soon to appear with
him. Then the love that broke upon the heart of Zaccheus
and Saul will break upon the world--Israel first--and ’a
nation shall be born in a day’ (Isaiah 66:8); and the
blessing to the world will follow. It will then have its
opportunity of obtaining life in peace and happiness.
There are other encouraging lessons which arise out of
this study: (1) We may be sure that just as in the dayl
long past God knew of Rahab of Jericho and the disposition
 WATCH "I"OWER
of her heart (Joshua 2:9-11), and guided the spies to her
house, and so brougi~t about her salvation through faith and
works, so Jesus found out Zaceheus of Jericho. Thus the
first and the last mention of this city tell of a womanof the
town, a harlot, and a publican, finding salvation of the Lord ;
(2) Jesus passes none who wish to see him, or who make
endeavors to find him; (3) Jesus invites himself if there
a willing heart. How gladly we received the truth which he
brought to us before we really knew that we wanted it!
Tiros this interesting human episode tells us of the heart
of Jesus, its love, its strength, his ready disposition, his
fearlessness. And too, if we want Jesus we must seek him.
Many in lhat crowd cou!d have taken that whieh Jesus
gave to Zaceheus, but there was only one Zaccheus in all
that nmltitude. In the day when the blessinas of .losus are
dispensed, it will still be necessary to seek them nnd him.
Whoever is as ready to put self and self’s possessions on
one side as Zaccheus was, is not far from the place where
he will see Jesus.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
What was the occasion that took the multitudes to Jerusalem? | 1,
What did Zaccheus do to attract lhe attention of Jesus? ~ 2.
Why did the multitude mm~nur?I 3.
Whydid Jesus invite himself to the homeof Zaccheus? | 4.
Howdid Zaccheus show ln~ generosity? I] 5.
What blessing did Jesus bring to the house o[ Zaccheus? ~ 6.
What should be our attllude of mind in every study? ~ 7.
What purpose is served by Luke’s record of our Lord’s journey from
the north? ~ 8.
Whyhad the Pharisee and the rich young ruler missed the blessi~
which Zac(.heus reeetved? ~9.
Why was Zaccheus moxed by more than mere curiosity? ~ 10.
In what ] e~pect are the eon~ er’~lons Of Zaccheus and Saul of Tarsul
>Hnlldr? ~ I 1.
tlow (hd Zaccheus show himself to be a true son of Abraham? ~12o
\\hat is salvatmn? ~ 13.
What incentive Item ~he early disciples have we to be faithful ill
proclaiming the kingdom? ¶ 14.
What will follow after lhe seleelmn of the church class? ~15.
V, ho are included m the "lost" to be saved by Jesus? 11 16.
Why must willingness of heart prompt one who would find tl~
Lord? [ 17.
Howdoes the lesson reveal the love of Jesus? I 18.

INTERESTING LETTERS
TRUTH-HUNGRY IN THE WEST INDIES &od’s grace. The brethren tn Grenada are all poor. They
raised $20.00 to help "tlong the witness; tim balance of the
DEAlt BROTHER I{UTI~IERFORD :
Enclosed please find report covering the Pilgrim visit to funds necessary I used from the funds of the Society.
the Colony of Grenada. I landed in Trinidad the morning of the 14th instant;
I landed in St. Georges, the capital of Gren’tda, on the and as I advised you in my previous letter, I will await
evening of December 7th. The class there is small, number- your definite instructions here as to whether you wish me
ing about seventeen. The brethren, however, are very well to proceed to Jamaica or to go South. There is plenty of
work to keep me busy here for some little time. The truth
grounded in the truth and loyal to the Lord’s arrangements.
is spreading quite rapidly in Trinidad. The brethren hero
I was quite pleased to find such a well-established class here.
are doing a good work. In some respects Trinidad is the
The prejudice against the truth is very marked. Two-thirds
best field in the West Indies for spreading the truth.
of the people are Roman Catholics; the remainder are
Anglicans, with a few Methodists, Presbyterians, etc. For Your brother in Christ, GEOROEYOUNG.
the last eight months a general campaign has been carried A CASKET OF RICH TREASURES
on, vilifying Pastor Russell and misrepresehting the truth.
DEAR ]-~RETHREN ;
Learning the conditions I decided to give as strong a wit-
ness as possible during my visit. I applied for the use of I am enclosing money order for renewal subscriptions to
THE WATCH TOWERand THE GOLDENAOE, the best two papers
the court house at as low a rental as possible. They kept
printed. Truly, the Lord is giving us meat in due season
me waiting until Saturday afternoon before a reply was
given, when they charged me full price. It was then almost which he so graciously promised, through the columns of
too late to advertise. I anticipated, however, that they of those dear little journals. Everything is made so plain
might thus keep me waiting; and accordingly I had the to the consecrated ones.
advertising all prepared. On Sunday evening I delivered The HARPOF GODis indeed a casket of rich treasures,
brought out so clear and convincing tlmt none but the blind°
two addresses; one at 6:30, and the other at 8:30. At
est could fail to understand. Surely the light grows bright-
6:30 less than 100 persons assembled. At 8:30 the hall
er as we near the perfect day.
was nearly full--about 400 were present. The following
evening, Monday, word had gone over the town and the May the Lord continue to bless you all abundantly 11
the prayer of
place (St. Georges has a population of 4,000; the Colony of
Grenada 70,000) was crowded. My boat was scheduled t~ Your sister in Christ, Mrs.W.W. BArnEY, Oreg(ra.
arrive on Tuesday; but at 11:30 Tuesday morning I was
informed that she would be a day late. Accordingly I hired THE JOYS OF THE LORD
the theatre and had my hand-bills printed; and that even- DEAR P~RETHREN :
ing I g-ave an illustrated lecture upon the message of the We enjoy the TOWERSmore and more and wish lo express
hour. Long before the time of service a large number of our appreciation of your service for the household of faith.
people had assembled, and the building was soon crowded The spirit of the Lord is manifested in each article, and it
and the doors closed. The crowd then threatened to push is food for our spiritual life.
open the doors, and it took five policemen to keep them back. This is a small city of about 2,700 inhabitants, but we
Many stood along the side of the building, which was open ; have a nice class of about twenty and we meet twice a week.
and thus they were able to hear, as well as to see the There is such a spirit of peace and harmony in our class
Scriptures upon the screen. The lectures were used of the that we always feel so refreshed after each meeting. It
Lord to break down much prejudice. The common people certainly is helpful for brethren to meet together, and we
hear the message gladly. know that the Lord’s blessing rests upon them. We als0
While in Grenada a well-educated young man came to my have a Sunday school class of about twenty children.
room. He informed he had been interested for some time Amenclosing money order for $5.00 for the Lord’s work.
and could see the Plan of Redemption so clearly he felt We ask the Lord’s rich blessing upon you and your
It was his duty to make a full consecration to serve the service to him daily, and wish to be remembered in your
Lord. There are quite a number of just such people in all prayers.
theae places ready and open to receive the message of Yom~ in his service, DogA A~, Wc~k,
 InternationalBible StudentsA gociation Classe9
Lcc~urc~
and~tudic~btl Travclinq
Brcthrca

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK

%Vilburton, Okla ......... Feb. 16 Denison, Tex ........ Feb. 27 Yorkton,Sask ............. Feb. 22, 25 Wakaw, Sask .................... Mar. 2
Atoka.Gi, la ............... " 18 Sherman,Tex................. " 28 Bredenhury, Sask ....... " 23 Slt.klttoou, Sask............... " 4
Durant, Okla ................ " 19, 20 Madill,Okla..................... Mar. 1 Tuffnell, Sask ............. " 26 l~-umb,)hlt,Sask................. " 5
Arkinda,Okla ............... " 21.22 Ardmore,Okla ................. " 2 Viscount, Sask ........... " 27 QIIIII l,.0,e, Sask............... " 6
Aehllle, 0kla ................. " 23, 26 Leon,Okla........................ " 4: IBaskatoon, Sask ......... " 28 Clair, Sask......................... " Y
Coleman,Okla .............. " 25 Wynnewood,0kla .......... " 5 Prance Albert, Sask ........ Mar. 1 Wadeua,Sask .................. " 8

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTHER B. M. RICE

La Grange, Ore ............. Feb. 18 Nampa,Ida ................. Mar. 1, i Beaumont,Tex ........... Feb. 15, 16 Bastrop, Tex ........... Feb. 26, 27
Joseph, Ore ................. " 19 Melba,Ida ................... " 3 Houston, Tex ............. " lg Taylor, Tex................. " 28
Weiser, Ida .................. " 20, 21 Buhl,hla ..................... " 5 Crosby,Tex................ " 19 Au,~Iin,Tex....................... Mar. I
Ontario, Ore ................. " 22, 23 Twin1,’alls, Ida ............. " 6 Galveston, Tex .......... " 20, 21 ~//rl .’~[flr(’0N, Tex............. " 2
]Boise, Ida ................... " 25, 26 Pocatello, Ida ............. " 7, 8 Alvin, Tex................... " 22 Sail Antonio, Tex .......... " 4
Emmett 1 In " 27.28 Butte, Mont................. " 10, 11 Houston, Tex .......... " 23-25 Comfort, Tex ........... "’ 5

I;ROTHER A. 3. ESHLEMAN BROTHER V. C. RICE

Wayero~,Ga ............... Feb. 15 Bradentown, Fla .......... F~,h 2,. l<ansas City, Me............. Feb. 18 Terre Haute, Ind .......... Feb. 25
JackuonviUe, Fla ......... " 16, 18 Arcadia,Fla .................... " 27 Sedalia,Me....................... " 19 Brazd.Ind ....................... " 26
Waldo, Fla ................ " 19 }’llllla (;or(la, Fla ............. " 28 Jefferson City, Me............. " 20 All(ler~ou, Ind ................. " 27
~Villiston, Fla ............. " 2q Lakehmd,Flu ................... Mar. 1 St. l,oum, Me.................. " 21 Munem, lnd ...................... " 28
/Iomasmusa,Fla ........... " 22, 23 Ohl,~mar, Fla ..................... " 2 E. St. Louis, Ill ............... " 22 Sydney, Ohio................ Mar. 1
~ampa, I,’la ............ " 25 St. Petersburg. Fllt. " 4 Pana, Ill ......................... " 23 Marion, Ohio ....... " 2

BROTHER ~ L. HERR BROTHER R. L. ROBIE

ttatan, N. 3I .............. Feb. 18, 19 Payson,Artz ................. Mar. 7, 8 Wealherford, Tex ......... Feb. ]6 Scaly, Tex........................ Feb. 26
Albuquerque, N. Mex... " 20, 21 Yu,na.Ariz ..................... " 1! (’]ehurne, Tex.............. " iS W;Hler,Tex....................... " 27
Gallut. N. Mex.......... " 22. 2.~ San Bernardino, Calif... " 12 tIillsboro, Tex............. " 19 Cor~wana,Tex................. " 2~
Phoenix, Ariz. ~ " 25, 26 Ilodlands, Calif ............ " 1’~ Teague,Tex.................. " 20 A~hens.Tex..................... Mar. 1
Chandler, Artz ........ ~" 26 Riverside, Calif ............. " 14 Normangee,Tex ........... " 21 Tyler.Tex...................... " 9.
Safford, Ariz ................. Mar. 2, 4 Ontario, Calif ............... ’" 15 Houston, Tex ............... " 23, 25 lhg bandy.Tex ................ " 4

BROTHER W. M. HERSE~ BROTHER O. L. SULLIVAN

Milverton, Ont ............. Feb. 22 Y[arrlston, Ont. ............... Mar. z ( oe’,m’,,, Va ............. Feb. 18 Chatham,Va................... Feb. 27
Stratford, Ont. ............ " 23, 25 l’almerston. Ont ............. " 4 Pennington, Va ............ " 19, 20 Java, Va.......................... " -’28
Seafortb, Oat ............... " 26 Allenford, Ont ................. " 5, 6 Princeton, W. ~,h ......... " 22 Mea(hHie. Va................... I%Iar. 1
Goderich,Ont ............... " 27 H epworth. 0nt ............... " 7 Roanoke, Va ............ " 2.’/ Dry Forks, Va ................. " 2
Wingham,Ont ............. " 28 ~ratrton, Ont ............. " 8, 9 Lynehburg,Va ............. " 25 Danville,Va..................... " 4
Fordwleh,Ont ................ Mar. 1 0wen Sound, Ont. ...... Mar. 11, 12 Hurt, Va....................... " 26 Keyhville,Va................... " 5

BROTHER H. HOWLETT BROTHER W.J. THORN

Chilll~ack, 1~ C ............... Feb.21 Trail, B. C................. Mar. 4 Toh’do,Ohio.................... Feb.l~ Elyria, Ohio............... Feb. 25
laentleton, B. C ................. " 23 Cranbrook,B. C ............. " 5 Fremont,Ohio.................. " 19 Dun(lee.Mich................... " 26
Vernon,B. C .................... " 25 Ferule, B. C ................... " .G Bellevue, Ohio.................. " 20 AnnArbor. Mieh ........... " 27
Oyama, B. C ..................... " 26 Lethbridge, Alia ........... " 8 Sandusky,Ohio................ " 21 ¥1~sflanti, Mich............... " 28
Peachhlnd,B. C ............... " 27 Medicine tIat, Alia ...... " 9, 11 Danville, Ohio.................. " 22 Plymouth,3iieh ............... Mar. 1
Nelson. 1, C .... Mar. 1, 2 Maple Creek, Sask... " 12 Lorain,Ohio.................... " 23 Windsor,0nt ................... " 2, 4

BROTHER O. MAGNUSON BROTHER T. H. THORNTON

Lynn,3hi,s ................... Feb. 12 Kittery, Me.... Feb. lq Sparta’thurg, S. (2 ........... Feb. 18 Kannapolis, N. C. ............ Feb. 24
Clifto=dnh,, MaJs............. " 13 Kennebunk, Me .......... " 20 Greenville, S. C .............. " 19 Salisbury, N. C ................ " 25
Na.~hua,N. H................... " 14 Sanford,Me..................... " 21 Gastonia, N. C ............... " 20 ]lickory, N. ~ ................... " 26
~Iilford, N. H .................. " 15 Saeo,hie .......................... " 22 Charlotte, N. C................ " 21 Skyland, N. C ................. " 27
Pittsfield, N. H................. " 16 South V¢indham, M~........ " 23 Lincoln, N. C .................. " 22 Asheville, N. C.....Feb. 28, Mar. 4
Manchester,N. t=f ............. " 18 Portland, Me................... " 25 Shelby, N. C. ................. " 23 Brasstown, N. C ........... Mar. 1,1

I.BS’A. BEREAN
BIBLESTUDIES PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR MARCH

[~yMeansof "The Plan of the Ages" ~IARCH 7: "Strengthened with might by his spirit."--Ephesian8
3:16.
Chapter XIII: Kingdoms of this World ~IARCtl 14: "He shall give you another Comforter, . . . even tlilll
Weekof March 4 ........ Q. 46-51 Week of March 18 ........ spirit of truth."--John 14:16, 17.
Q. 7-13
Weekof March 11 ........ Q. 1- 6 Week of March 25 ...... Q. 14-9c M~ncH21 : "The spir!t of truth . . . ~ill guide you."--3rohn 16:13.
~uestlon books on "TheDivine Plan", 15¢ postpaid Mancn 28: "That . . . God . . . may give unto you the sl~irit ot
wisdom."--Ephesians 1 : 17.
VOL. XLIV SE~t I-~[ONTHLY ~N~O.
4
A’mo Mundi 6051 ~ February 15, 1923

CONTENTS
~IEMORIAL TILL :HIS KINGDOM....................... 51
Preparing for the Kingdom .................... 51
Why Memorial Was Institm,~,,I .................. 52
The Wine .............................................. 53
Pro. t aratory l:xaminntior . ...................... 54
V~’llO MayI’artake? ...................................... 55
"
"Till IIe (’.ome..................................................... rr.
~o
Good Cheer ...................................... .. 55
J~RAYER-~IEETING TEXT COMME~XTS ................. 5G
CtlUlnT MY ALL (poem) ............................. 58
TIlE I~AIL~.DI I] O1" "IHE ]~Ot ND¢~ ............ ,~,()
The Lord’s Intero~t.~ l’let L’o’l ...................... 59
,]1]~1~ TI]A( IIING IN TIlE r]’l [I’LE ....................... ~1
Superior 1o All Oppositio)~ ................................. 62
AN INTERESTINGLETTICR ............................... (]3

"’I *rill stand upon niy watch and w{l| set roll loot
ttpon the "l’owe~, aml will watch to see what He will
~¢t~l lotto me, a~ld I~’l~at answer [ shall make to them
tl ¢~t (’~).)O.c hi, ’ I[a?)al,[, l~k~2: 1.
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACRED MISSION
THISprcsente(t
journal is one uf the prime factors or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
in all parts of the ci~Jll~.e(1 world by the WATCH TOWER BIBLE~ TRACT
or "Seminary Extols|on’,
8 now bt~fl
SOCIETy, chartered A.D. 1884, "For the Pro,
motion of Chrislmn Knowledge". Jt not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Wordbut
also as a channel of (nmmtlnlcatll)ll thro(1 :h which they may lie reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of
comingof its traveling rcl }~’~atatlves. styled "I’ilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rePcarsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIESmost entertainingly arranged, and very’
helpful to all wh9would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Vcrbi Dei Minister (V. D. hr.), which translated
into English is Minister of God’s tVmd. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bibl0
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
~redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, whogave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter i : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 :
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Wordof God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been llid in God, . . . to the intent that now might be made knownby the church the manifold wisdom of God"~"which in other ageS
was not made knownunto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--l~phesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fulles$
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spokeu--a(.,’ording to tim divine wisdoin granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident;
for we knowwhereof we nffirul, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. ]t is held as a ~rust, ~o be used only in I]i$
service; hence our decisions rclatixe to what may and what may not appear in its columns mus~ be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaclting of his Word, for the uphuild,ing of his people in grace and knowledge. Andwe not only invite but urge oulJ
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Wordto which reference is constantly made tu facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
Timt the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship"; that its construction has been in progress thronghou|
~he gospel age--ever since Christ became Ibe world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
l niMmd,God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2"20-22;
(.enesis 2S : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
’~aat meantime the (hi~ehn~, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," sball have been m~deready, the great Ma.~er Workmanwill bring all ~ogethe]ff
in the first resurrection; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between Godand menthroughouil
the Millennium.--Re~elation 15 : 5-8.
~That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which hghteth every man that comcth sate thv world"~ "in due /;ime".~
IIebrews 2 : 9 ; John 1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy2 : 5, 6.
~rhat the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’ partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his joint-heir.--] John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:]7; 2 Peter 1:4.
~Thatgrace
the present
; to be mission of the to
church is the; 1Derfecling of to
thebesaints
kings for
and the future
in work of service~ to develop
4 : in
12 herself ever]7
God’s witness the world and to prepare priests the next age.--Ephesians ; Matthew 2~:
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
~nat the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledgeand opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s ]~lillennial kingdom, the
resiilutmu oI all that was rest in Adamto all the willing and obedient at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified ¢hurehs
whenall the wllfully w~ckedwill be des’troyed.--Acts 3 : ]9-’23; ]sarah 35.

WORLD-WIDE WITNESS
WATCFI TOWEI~ BI 5LE 5, TRACT SOCIETY The united action of the brethren throughout the world
in pro(.lainfing ~lle message of the kingdom has been greatly
18 CONCORD
STREETO ~ 5ROOKL~/N,
AI.Y.U.S’A" blessed by the Lord. Tim next dates fixed for such united
action and the subjects for use on those dates, respectively,
FOREZQN OFFICES: British: 34 Craven Terrace, Lanc~ster Gate,
London ~V. 2; Canadian: 270 Dundas St., W., Toronto, Ontario; are as follows:
Australasian: 495 Collins St., Melbourne, Australia; Bouth AJr~.
con : 6 Lelie St., Cape Town, South Africa. April 15: "Satan’s Empire Falling--Millions Now Living
PLEASE ADDRESS THE SOCIETY IN ~VERY CASE.
Will Never Die."
YEARLY SUBSCI~IPTION PRICE: I~NITED STATES, $1.00 i CANADA ANn
]~I1SCELLANEOUS FORI.HON, $1.50 ; (]I’~EAT BRITAIN, AUSTRALASIA, May 27: "The New World Begun~Millions Now Living
AND SOUTH AFRICA, ~s. ~mericau remittances should be made Will Never Die."
by Express or Postal Money Orders. or by Bank Draft. Ca~;ndiau,
British, South African, and Australasian remittances should be It is requested that preparation be made by all classes
made to branch offices only. Remittances from scattered foreign
territory mayb~ made to the Brooklyn office, but by I~ternational for this witness, in harmony with the suggestions hereto-
P~stal MoneyOrders only. fore given. Let us unite our petitions to the throne of
(Foreign translations o! this ]earns! appear in severn! ~anguages) heavenly grace fvr God’s blessing upon this united effort
Editorial Committee: This Journal is published under the supervisiou to ,~dvcrtise the King and his kingd~::~..
of an editorial committee, at least three of whomhave read and
approved as truth each and every article appearing in thee columns.
The names of the editorial committee are: J. F. RUTHERFORD,
W. E. VAN AMBURGH~3". ]TEMERY, G. ][~. FISHER.
Termsto t/~e ~ord’$Poor:All B~Iostudentswhoby re~cm of old ageor otherin- EETHEL HYMNS FOR MARCH
~lrmiLy
oradversity,
areunable
to payforthis journal’
will besuppliedfreeif they send
¯ po~talcardeachMaystatingth¢zrcase andrequesting suchprovision.Weare not
onlywilllng~butIm~io~
¯that~11~chbeonourlist enntinual[Y andl~ to~chwithtl~ Sunday . 4 311 11 287 18 ]17 25 56
Bereanstudie~.
Monday ....... 5 22 12 258 19 312 26 314
¯ ¯~Ve
~?oti~tO Subs~i-be~ for de not,
¯ new ~ ¯ r~te.
8u~cr~ ~ad8card
~on. Kocespt gnd of og r~Nwslfor
ae~l~lmeat
en~zl~ gro¯ mcu~04J
r~l
~thin a monthby changeW.explrat~on dat~, as s~ownon wrapl~rlabel. Tuesday .......... 6 331 13 109 20 54 27 257
Wednesday 7 80 14 294 21 71 Z8 74
Thursday 1 220 8 21 15 307 22 103 ~9 68
MEMORIAL DATE---1923
The d~t~, for celebrating the Memorial in 1923 is Friday, Friday 2 296 9 219 16 206 28 ]61 30 156
March 30. The time is calculated from the new moon near- Saturday 3 R9 I0 2¢J 17 85 24 81 31 82
est to the Spring equinox. The Spring equinox this year is
March 2l. There is a new moon March 17, which marks the
beginning of the month Nisan. The fourteenth of Nisan then
CONVENTIONS
TgBEADDRESSED
BY8ROTNEP,
I~UTHE~FOP,
D
would be Mar(’h 3]. The d~y begins at six o’clock on the
evonit~ previous; therefore Friday evening, March 30, after February 18......E.L. Ridd~ck, 20:~0 L,’,~.rty St.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.,
-,ix o’(.lock, is ti~e proper time for celebrating the Memorial. HOUS~0N,
~’~X~S,February 25....Joseph Isaac, Jr., 905 ThompsonSt.
 MEMORIALTILL HIS KINGDOM
"But I say unto you, I will not drinl~ henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day whenI drin]~ it newwith
you in my Father’s ki~gdom.’" Matthew 26:29.
HblSE were the concluding words of Jesus at the
Tu time he instituted the memorial of his death.
ntil he shouhl gather unto himself his faithful
ones and drink with them the cup in the kingdom, his
followers were commandedto keep the feast.
Weare now approaching the season for the annual
celebration of this eventful hour. It is fitting that we
prepare and keep this memorial at the proper time.
To prepare for it means to have an understanding of
its meaningand import and to strive to bring ourselves
into conformity therewith. To keep it means to observe
it according to the divine arrangement.
The time for the celebration of the Memorialfor the
year 1923 is March30, after six o’clock in the evening
of that day. The Memorial was instituted at the time
of the last Jewish Passover. The Jews celebrated the
Passover in conformity to the law. Jesus was born a
Jew, and as a keeper of the law it was incumbent upon
him to observe the Passover. :He did so at the proper
time, and on the same date instituted the memorial of
his fulfilment of the antitype.
The method of calculating the date for the Passover
and the Memorial is this: Israel reckoned the time
according to the moon. The new moon marked the
beginnir~g of the month. The month Nisan must begin
with the new moon appearing nearest to the Spring
equinox. Fourteen days thereafter, or on the fourteenth
day of Nisan, the Passover must be kept, and this is the
proper time also for the keeping of the Memorial; for it
was instituted on that day. This was according to the
law God gave unto Israel.--Exodus 12: 6.
For the year 1923 the new moonnearest the time of
the Spring equinox appears in the morning of March
17. That marks the beginning of the month Nisan.
The proper rule for calculating the time, then, is to
omit the first day and count the last day of the four-
teen. By this method it will be seen that the four-
teenth day of Nisan this year is March 31. Since the
Jewish day always began immediately after six o’clock
in the evening, then the thirty-first day of Marchthis
~’ear begins after six o’clock Friday evening, March30,
and ends at six o’clock Saturday, March 31; hence the
proper time to observe the .~Iemorial is Friday evemng.
The New York Congr~gation, following its usual
custom, will observe the ~[emorial this year at eight
o’clock Friday evening, March30.
PREPARING FOR TItE KINGDOM
Uppermost in the mind of our Lord was the kingdom
of heaven, because through that kingdom God purposes
to deliver the people. Jesus began his ministry by de-
claring, "The kingdomof heaven is at hand"--meaning,
of course, that he as King was then present beginning
his work in behalf of the Father’s kingdom. For three
and a half years he led his disciples, teaching them con-
cerning this kingdom. Whenapproaching the time of
the Passover Jesus talked muchto his disciples about the
Mngdom.He gave t(~ them the parable of the pounds;
also the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, and
other lessons concerning his Father’s kingdom. :He de-
sired to have impressed upon the mind of each one of
his followers the great importance of the kingdom. :He
knew that the time would come when his followers
would understand the significance of the types and
shadows made manifest under the law covenant, and
then they would appreciate how these foreshadowed the
preparation for the kingdomof God. It is our privilege
to be here now in the presence of the King of glory,
who has taken unto himself his great power and is
dashing to pieces the nations, preparatory to the delir-
erance of the people.
Alive to the fact that the kingdomof God is of all
importance, every Christian should observe with glad-
ness the things pertaining to the kingdom. As the time
for the a~mualcelebration of the Memorialapproaches,
it is quite fitting that we review the Bible facts showing
how God long ago foreshadowed preparations for the
kingdomand what shall follow in the near future.
The whole creation is groaning and travailing i~
pain, waiting for that blessed time of deliverance; and
the remaining membersof the kingdom class this sid~
the vail are anxiously awaiting the time when their
deliverance and that of the world shall be completed.
62 WATCH
OPPRESSED IN EGYPT
The children of Abraham, to whomGod made promise
concerning the seed of his kingdom, were domiciled in
Egypt. The Israelites were God’s people; hence under
his guiding hand. They represented the peoples of
earth seeking deliverance from sin and death. Egypt was
a type of Satan’s visible empire. Pharaoh the king of
Egypt was a type of the devil himself, the instigator of
sin, the oppressor of the people, and the one whohas
the power of death.
The Israelites in Egypt were being greatly oppressed
by the king and his subjects; just as nowwe find that
the peoples of the world are being greatly oppressed by
Satan and his willing tools. The people are looking for
deliverance. The church is anxious for the time when
it shall participate in this deliverance.
God’s plan, formulated long years before this present
evil world, looked forward to the deliverance of man-
kind from sin and death through the seed of the woman,
the seed of promise. God’s promise is that the seed of
the woman(Sarah-Abrahamie covenant) must bruise
the serpent’s head and then bring blessings to all the
families of the earth. Before these blessings could come
redemption must be provided. The whole world, plunged
into sin and death by the machinations of Satan, must
be bought back by the precious blood of Jesus.
In order that the people might have a deeper appre-
ciation of the importance of the great divine plan of
redemption, Jehovah has caused manypictures thereof
to be made, and has occupied muchtime in the prepara-
tion for the great day of deliverance.
At the burning bush Moses had heard the words at
the mouth of Jehovah, that he was selected to go to
Egypt, and as their deliverer, to lead God’s people out
of Egypt, deliver them from the hand of their wicked
taskmaster and relieve them of their sorrows. (Exodus
3) Moseswent to Egypt to perform the duties assig-ned
him. Accompanied by Aaron, he went in before Pha-
raoh and asked that the people of the Lord, the Israel-
ites, might be permitted to go. Time and again he
received the promise that they should go; and time and
again that promise Pharaoh broke, until finally the
great plague was inflicted upon Pharaoh’s first-born.
Before Moses could be the deliverer of Israel God
desired to make another picture. This he did by insti-
tuting the Passover. Speaking through Moses, Jehovah
commandedeach household of the Israelites to take
from the flock a lamb without blemish, a male of the
first year; that it should be taken on the tenth day of
the month and kept up until the fourteenth day of the
mouth; and in the evening of that day it should be
killed and the blood sprinkled upon the lintel and the
doorposts. They should roast the lamb that night with
]ire; and the household should cat of it with unleavened
bread and herbs, consuming it all before morning. And
it should be eaten with loins girded, shoes on their feet,
ataff in hand. This ceremonywas to be performed on the
TOWER
night of the fourteenth of Nisan, at which time God’s
death messenger would pass through Egypt and smite
all the first-born in the land, both of manand of beast.
But all the houses of the Israelites upon which the
blood was sprinkled should be spared, and all the first,-
born in those houses saved alive.
In obedience to the commandof the Lord, Moses
directed the elders of Israel in preparation for the
Passover, which was done according to the command.
"And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote
all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the first-
born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne, unto the first-
born of the captive that was in the dungeon." (Exodus
12 : 29) Andthen Pharaoh rose up with the people and
forced the Israelites out of Egypt. The first-born of
Israel, forming a vanguard, marched with Moses to the
Red Sea, were miraculously taken across it in safety
and delivered from the hands of the Egyptians.
Jehovah heard the voice of crying of the people for
deliverance from the great taskmaster and oppressor,
Satan, and his emissaries. He sent his beloved Son,
the antitypical Moses, to deliver them. But before deliv-
erance can fully take place, redemption must be pro-
vided for mankind. Jesus, the beloved Son of Jehovah,
must be the antitype of Mosesand the antitype of the
lamb slain to provide the great redemptive price. God
had promised that the one whoshould thus be the deliv-
erer should be %rought as a lamb to the slaughter."
(Isaiah 53:7) WhenJohn the Baptist announced Jesus
he said: "Behold the Lambof God, which taketh away
the sin of the world." (John 1: 29) Afterwards St.
Peter, writing under inspiration of the holy spirit,
said: "Ye were redeemed . . . with the precious blood
of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot." (1 Peter 1 : 18, 19) St. Paul likewise under in-
spiration wrote concerning Jesus, that he was "holy,
harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners." (Hebrews
7:26) And St. John under inspiration speaks of him
as the worthy Lambthat was slain. (Revelation 5 : 12)
Uponthe strength of these and other scriptures, it is
quite certain that the Passover lamb found its antitype
in Jesus of Nazareth: and this being true, it was essen-
tial to the fulfilment of the divine plan that Jesus
should be slain as the Lambof God in fulfilment of
the Passover type. Furthermore, being a Jew who was
bound to keep the law (which he did keep), he must
eat the typical Passover on the proper date, namely,
the fourteenth of Nisan; and on the same day must die
as the antitypical Lamb.The facts showthat he did.
WHY MEMORIAL INSTITUTED
Jesus knew that his hour had come; that soon he
would die upon the cross. He had already stated many
things to the disciples that they could not understand,
but he knew that with the comin~ of the holy spirit
at Pentecost they would begin to understand. He was
teaching them further now, that they might have appre-
ymmvAir
15,1923
The WATCH TOWER
darien of the purposes of God. He had also stated to
them concerning the kingdom:"I go to prepare a place
for you. Andif I go and prel)are a place for you, I
will come again, and receive you unto myself; that
where I am, there v, may be also." (John 14: 2,3)
tIaving eaten the last Passover, and knowing that he
was about to fulfil tile type, he woulddesire to leave
with them somethn~g by wllich they wotfld renlember
tile importance of his death as concerning the kingdom,
and how that they wou]d be invited to participate in
that kingdom, and that th~,y might understand that
their entrance into the ki1~gdomx~ouhldepend upon
partaking’ with h~mm h~s saemtieial (h.ath before they
couht experience his glory.
"And as thev wm’e eati~g. Jesus took bread, and
blessedit. and brake i1. and ga’,e It to the di,-( il)ies, aml
saul, Take, eat; thl- i- mybod~. And he took the cup,
and gave thanks-, aim g,c~e it to them. saying, Drink 3e
all o£ it; for flu, {: my bh~od of the acw testament,
whichis shed [or man~for tile retail,ion of ,-iu,-. But l
say unto you, I ~ HI not drJtfl~ he’m.t.;orth of this frnlt
of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with
you in myFather’s ldngdonl."---l~iatthcw 26 : 26-29.
It will be noted that while they were eating, he "took
bread, and blessed it, attd b~akeit." It is quite pro!ruble
that he took an entire loaf of bread, prououneed a
blessing upon it, and then broke it into pieces and
pa>ed it to the various rows who were partMpating
with him. St. Pat,l’s words, subs(,quently written con-
cermngthe k~a[’. ,~,’~’nl to warrant this eonclus:on.
brace the time of tile ln-tllutlon of the, I’as~-oxer in
E:rypt tmt;l the ]a-t l’a.-.-over ju.-t oaten by .]esus and
the di-clj,h’s, tile lantb hadrel,n’-<tt¢’d the bodyof J(,,-ua,
slain for the, purl)o~e of becontmgan offering for the
sins of mankind. Nowon this day he was to full31 lhe
type, and hence no more would tile lamb represent him
from that time forward in a typical sense, lie wmlld
impress upon the minds of his disciples that someihing
else represenS’d h~-_" body broken for them. And so,
taking the loaf of bread and breaking it, he said: "TMs
is mybody." ’l"ron! this time forward keep in mind
that this repr,sents nly body broken for you.’ "Take,
eat." By this he m(,a>t that each one whobdieved upon
him was invited by faith to appropriate the value of
Jesus’ humansacrifice.
The apostles did not at that time understand the
meaningof Jesus’ words. But when the holy spirit was
given they were led fully to understand his sayings. On
a previous occasion Jesus had said to them: "I anl the
living bread which came down from heaven: if any
maneat of this bread, he slnall live for ever: and the
breadthat I will give is myflesh, whichI will give for
the life of the world .... Except ye eat the flesh of
the Son of man,and drink his blood, ye have no life in
you." (John 6: 51-53) The invitation by Jesus to his
disciples to take the bread and eat it was in fact an
invitation for them to becomea part of his sacrificial
5a
bodyand to be broken with him. St. Paul clarified this
thought when, writing under inspiration of the holy
spirit, he said: "The bread which we break, is it not
the conmmnion[conmmnunion or partnership] of the
body of Christ ? For we being manyare one bread, and
one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread."
--1 Corinthians 10: 16, 17.
A loaf of bread is made up of manygrains of wheat,
elosc.ly unit.ed together. Andeven so the ~aertficial body
of Christ is made up of many members, whomhe saeri-
iices, l’aeh one ~xho will be a memberin the glorified
body of Christ nln.,t be broken with Christ in sacmfiee.
Whenone is juslilied by Jehovah and aecei)ted as a part
of the ~acrifiee of our Lord, then such a one is a part of
the one loaf, which is broken with the Head, in order
that the memb,rsmight participate in tile joys of his
kingdem. Not one of these is naturally perfect; but all
ate cot,nted t~crf~ ct by Jehovahb.eeause of their faith in
the sacrifice of 3esu~ and because of the imt)utation of
his merit to them. Therefore Jehovah justifies or makes
them Hght ~ ith hinl. During tile gosp,’l age God has
been selecting the members of the kingdom class; and
justification during that period has been for just one
purpose, and that purpose is, that such might be made
partakers of the sacrifice of Jesus.
MUTUAL INTEREST
He whodi-,’orns the body of Christ of necessity will
have an il!t<’~ -tm every other memberof the body. As
St. Patti ~-i,:t,.-, ’%, an, nlemhr’rs one of another."
(El,he>ian~ 4:25) The .\po-ih, in another place says:
".For the be(Iv i~ n,~t olw n/enlber, but many.... Now
ye are tl:o b~;,h ~,f (’hri>t. and membersin particular."
--1 Cormti~ia,as12 : 14, 27.
The Gai, h.l.g closely compactedtogt,ther, thus pic-
ture, ],ow all the men,hers of the hodyhave the privilege
of sustaining one another in love and in fellowship, and
the privilege of bcin~ hrokon t,~g~’ther, as the Headwas
broken. This is the (.la,s which the Lord is preparing
for the kingdom, all of whomhave one Father, all of
whomare brethren, all of whomare admonished to love
one av_other as brethren, bearing one another’s burdens
and .-barilLg each other’s joys.
THE WINE
,h,ho~ah prmid{d ill his plan that t}h, blood of his
beloved One should be she{I in order to provide the var-
ehase price for mankind. Blood when in the body rerre-
seats life. Infa(.t, the very life is in the blood stream.
Whenthe 1)lood is poured out it meansthat the lifo 1 as
been given up or poured out. God had foretohl the
pouring out of the life of Jesus by the mouth of his
Prophet, who wrote: "He hath poured out his soul
unto death."--Isaiah 53 : 12.
Previously to the occasion of the Memorial supper,
Jesus had stated to his disciples : "TheSon of mancame
not to be mini.,tered unto, but to minister, and to give
 q"he WATCH TOWER
his life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20 : 28) Having
come to give his life a ransom, and knowing that the
time had come for the performance of this great act, he
was instituting this Memorial to keep his followers
mindful of the importance of his death. The shedding
of his blood had been foreshadowedin the sacrifice of
animals in the daily sacrifice and on the atonement
day. Jesus was nowabout to give his di.~eiples a pie.lure
which thcy would understand later. Ii~ order that they
might have this impressed upon their minds, "he took
the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
Drink ye all of it; for this is myblood of the newtesta-
ment, which is shed for manyfor the remission of sins."
Whenthe holy spirit was given to the disciples, thus
enlightened they understood the meaning of Jesus’
teaching in substance, as though he had said to them:
’MyFather has arranged that I shall die; hence I shall
pour out mylife-blood. This life-blood is not only fur-
nished for the ransom price for mankind, but it will be
presented as a sin-offering and will be used to seal the
new covenant which my Father will make through me
with the house of Israel when the kingdom is set up;
and then all the families of the earth shall have an
opportunity for the promised blessing through this cov-
enant. The wine in tiffs cup, then, represents mylife-
blood poured out. It is a cup of salvation, because my
blood poured out will provide the purehase price for
man, which will save mankind. I am inviting you to
drink of it for flits reason: In myFather’s kingdomI
will have associated with me 144,000 members of my
body. MyFarther has provided that my body members
shall undergo experiences like unto mymxm.Each one
must submit himself to me, that I as high priest may
offer him up as a part of mysacrifice. It is myFather’s
will and my will that you shall be with me in that
kingdomif you meet the~c conditions; and these condi-
tions arc, that you must participate with me in my
death. This is pictured in this cup. By partaking of it
joyfully you shall share with me in my kingdom.’
Previously to this. Jesus said in the hearing of the
disciples: "Except 3’e eat the flesh of the Son of man,
and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso
eatcth myflesh, and drinkcth my blood, hath eternal
life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my
flesh is meat indeed, and myblood is drink indeed. He
that eateth myflesh, and drinketh myblood, dwelleth
in me, and I in him." (John 6:53-56) This scripture
Ftates the condition of entering into the kingdom; that
one nmst appropriate to himself the value of the sacri-
fice of our Lord, and upon the basis of this be justified
bv Jehovah, and then be offered up by the Lord as a
sacrifice, as a part of the bodyof Christ.
IN PARTNERSHIP
Whenenlightened by the holy spirit, and under its
inspiration, St. Paul plainly laid downthe rule of our
partnership with Christ in his blood and in his body;
,,RooKLY,,,
1,.,.
that we are privileged to be broken with him and to
pour out our lives with him. (1 Corinthians 10: 16, 17)
It is only those whofaithfully pour out their lives with
the Lord, even unto death, whoare promised that they
shall partake with him in the first resurrection. For
this reason he says: "Be thou faithful unto death and
I will give thee a crm~mof life." Dwelling in Christ,
and having ChrL-t dwell in us, is a mystery to all except
those whodiscern the body of Christ; and none discern
it except those who are begotten and anointed of the
holy spirit and who continue, by the Lord’s grace, to
walk ~orthily before the Lord.
PREPARATORY EXAMINATION
As we are approaching the day for the celebration of
the Memorialit is essential that we should make prep-
aration, that we maycelebrate it intelligently and to
our own good. It may be that there is bitterness or
strife amongst some of the herd’s people. It may be
flint some have grown heady, feeling their importance
foe much and belie.ving they should occupy a higher
position this side the vail than they do, or that they
are not receiving the honor that they should have at
the hands of some of the other brethren. Such a condi-
tion existed in Jesus’ day. "Andthere was also a strife
among them, which of them should be accounted the
greatest. Andhe said unto them, . . . He that is great-
est amongyou, let him be as the younger; and he that
is chief, as he that doth serve .... Ye are they which
have continued with me in my temptations. And I
appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath ap-
pointed unto me."--Imke 22:24-29
If upon examination any pride or ambition or headi-
ness is found, this should be put away, because such is
displeasing to the Lord. It is unholy. There may be
controversies amongsomeof the brethren, and a lack of
peace. All such should rememberthe Apostle’s admoni-
tion: "Follow peace with all, and holiness, without
which no man shall see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)
Leaven is a symbol of things unholy, that is, of sin.
~Ialice represents a bad condition of heart ; an improper
heart. Whenwe come to examine ourselves as to whether
or not we are walking worthily before the Lord, we must
make a distinction between searching the heart and
searching the life actions. Because of our imperfect
organism and imperfect mind, it is impossible for us
even to think and speak aright, much less to act per-
feetly. But the Lord is not judging us by outward
appearance. He searches the secret intent of the heart.
He therefore judges us, as to whether or not we are
acceptable to him, with reference to honesty of heart.
The heart means the seat of affections; the motive;
that which induces the action. If we were to examine
our words or our acts and judge ourselves harshly ac-
cording to them, we would often feel much condemned.
But let each one examine his ownheart condition to see
whcther or not he finds therein any pride, ambition,
 WATCH TOWER 5.
hatred, ill-will, or desire to injure by wordor act; and membersof the body of Christ, and none other. It is
see if instead of finding these he finds an unselfish love those who discern the l~ord’s body and who partmi~ate
for his brethren, a love supreme for the Lord, and a with him in being broken and in pouring out tacit
desire to do good unto all as opportunity affords. And lives whomhe desired to remember his death. In re-
then, in humility and submissiveness to the I,ord, ask memberingthis they are to call to mind the death of
him to direct tile way that wo should go, and strive to the 1,oral and their privilege, of being dead with him.
follow in that way. Every one, then, who has entered into a covenant by
The apostle Paul shows us how we should examine sacrifice x~ith the Lord, and who has the witness of
ourselves at this particular time, saying, "Purge out the spirLt that he has been received, will feel it not only
therefore the old leaven, that ye maybe a new lump, as a duty but a great privilege to come together with
ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is others of hke precious froth and celebrate tlns Memorial.
sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast, not Do not remain away becau<e you have had some trials;
with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and but strive to get above these trmls, that you mayenjoy
wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity the peace of (;od that passe> all humanunder.-tanding.
and truth." (1 Corinthians 5: 7, 8) If there should And to do this one must appreciate the fact that he
bitt~.rn,’ss or an?’er or trouble amongstthe brethren, needs to have in mind the. great privilege of being
l~.mepll~(’l’ lhe a&:onition of the Apo.-tle whenhe says: joi:lt -u/,~’m’~,rs withthe LordJesus.
"Let all bltterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor,
and evil speaking, be put away from you, ~th all "TILL HE COME"
nmliee; and be ve kind one to another, tenderhearted, (’ ~ ,,onti_,~g uponthis, St. Paul says: "l’or a- often
f~r~:’ivi~ on.e re:other, even as (;od for Christ’s sake as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye proclaim
hatl~ forgiven you."--Ephesians 4 : 31, 32. the Lord’s death till he come." (1 Corinthmns 11: 26)
There are somewhoare spiritually sick ; someafflicted The Lord would have us remenfl)er the purpose of his
with pride and ambition; someearel<-s in keeping their death and the purpose of permitting us to have a part
eonseeration unto the Lord and their vows unto him; in it, which, if faithful, will culminate in our member-
somefailing to have that imre eondition of heart toward ship in his glorious ldngdom. Wehave in mind, then,
the brethren that they should have, and henee not appre- our eovenaut to be dead xwth Christ, as well as his
elating tl,at they are members of one body, and all death; and this covenant we must faithfully perform
being offcr,’d up for one purpose. Beeanse of these until he come. ’"Pill he come"does not meanhis second
things, says St. Paul, "manyare ~ talc and sickly among appeara~ee, but it does lnean until he receives the last
you, and many sleep. But let a man examine himself, o~,~. , ; 1~, >>mhersof his bodyinto his ki~,_,dor.,..
and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eah.th and drinketh unworthily, eateth and GOOD CHEER
drinketh condemnation to himsdf, not discerning the ’l’h(~ 1Lopeo~ ]’artieipating in the kingdomof oul Lord
body of Christ."--1 Corinthians 11 : 30, 28. 2q. in glory is that which cheers us on the way. Early in
his ministry to his disciples Jesus taught ttwm concern-
WHO MAY PARTAKE? ing the Mngdom,and how faithfulness wotfld bring
Suppos, upon examination we find that wc ha~c n, t suffering upon them. This was another way of stating
been right with the Lord. Then we should confess our the ;act that the way that leads to the kingdomis one
faults. Weshould confess our wrongs to any one we of suffering, bug which suffering should be joyflflly en-
have wronged and strive to make them right. Weshould dured. The devil and his earthly organization hated
confess them to the Lord and ask his forgiveness. Let the I~ord and hate him still. They persecuted him
us rememberthat we have an Advocate with the Father, because Jesus was preparing" then a kingdom that will
Christ Jesus the righteous; and that this Advocatewill, destroy Satan and bring blessings to the peoples of
if we come to him in the appointed way, present us to earth. Having in mind the ultimate result, and the joy
the Father, that we may be cleansed of every spot or it will bring to all righteous creatures, Jesus said:
wrinkle or any such thing; and therefore we should "Blessed are ye, ~hen men shall hate you, and when
come confidently to the throne of grace, that we may they shall separate you from their company, and shall
receive help in time of need.--1 John 1 : 9 ; 2 : 1, 2 ; reproach you, and ea,-t out your name as evil, for the
:Hebrews4 : 16. Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for
If you have been afflicted with bitter trims, then joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven; for
count this all joy, if such trials have come to you in the like rammerdid their fathers unto the prophets."
because of your efforts to be faithful to the Lord. (Luke 6: 9,2, 23) Andagain he said to his disciples:
Remember that it is given unto us as a privilege not "]tejoiee, because your names are written in heaven."
only to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but to suffer (Luke 10: 20) He did not tell them to rejoice merely
with him. because they suffered, but because their suffering woKhl
The ]~Iemorial is to be celebrated by those whoare be the result of faithfulness to him.
 BROOKLYN,N. V.
WATCH TOWER
The apostle Peter, when enlightened by the holy multitude of happy ones with one accord will be heard
spirit, under inspiration gave utterance to the same saying, "lialMujah; for the Lord God omnipotent
thought: "Rejoice, inasmuch as y e are partakers of rcigneth ! Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to
Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shM1be re- him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his
vealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye wife hath made herself ready."--Revelation 19:6, 7.
be reproached for the nameof Christ, happy are ye ; for Then the bride will be beside her beloved Bridegroom,
the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on and therefore with Jehovah, who has showneach one of
their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is them the way to life, and in whose presence is fuluess
glorified."--I Peter 4: 13, 14. of joy and at whose right hand there are pleasures for
It is true that the cup pictures suffering that must evermore. Then our blessed Lord, agreeable to his prom-
come to all who faithfnlly follow in the footsteps of ise, will drink anewthe cup of blessing and good cheer
Jesus, and that the celebration of the Memorial of his with his faithful ones in the kingdom.It is this king-
death is and should be a solemn hour of reflection and dora hope that enables us to battle along the way and
self-examination as we realize what the cup means to bear the sufferings with joy as we go.
those whointelligently partake. But the cup also rep-
resents good cheer--a good cheer of the hope of the QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
kingdom. Anlidst the trials and sufferings there comes What ~ere the words of Jesus when he instituted l’,~ Me,norml?
to the heart of him wllo is properly excreted thereby a What is meant by "prepare" and "keep" ? I1 2.
sense of inward joy and peace that passes all human ~’hen was the Memorial instituted? I] 3.
What is the method by which we get the proper date" [ 4
understanding, lie rejoices in the evidence thus given Give the rule for calculating tile ,late. ~ 5.
from the Lord that lie is privileged to fill up some of The kingdom was what to Jesus, and why? ¶ 7.
l,’or what are the church and worhl wailing? ¶~[ 8, 9.
the sufferings of Christ left behind for the body’s sake. What did Egypt and its king represent? g 10.
~Vhllt ls (lo(rs tllonlise resl)ei’llng 1he rehef of the oppressed?
To him it is a proof that the Lord is dealing with him ¶¶ 11, 12.
Has God been particular in arr,qnginu his plan of redemption? | 13.
and that he has good reason to hope for tile joys of tile Who;~as tile cause of tile death of l]~ypt’s hrst born? 1 14.
kingdom. This is the good cheer which our Lord would Whatw:ts done wllh lhe paschal ~:~l’,~ll’.~ ~-15
Did the dying of the fir~l-Iiorn of E~ypt include the beasts? ¶ 16,
have us also bear in mind while partaking of tile cup. What ~s the evidence to prove Jesus antityped the passover lamb?
I 17.
On that last memorablenight he was giving his disci- When did the disciples understand the import of Jesus’ death?
¶ 1S.
ples muchloving instruction concerning the conditions What emblems did Jesus use in the Memorial? I~ 19, 20.
Specifically, what did the lamb, and subsequently lhe bread, rep-
before them, the trials which would surround them, and resent? II 21,
the sufferings which would come upon them. And in The invitation bv Jesus to est ~ho bread siunified what~ I; ."2.
I:Iow is the oneness of the Christ represented in a loaf of bread1
conclusion he said: "These things I have spoken unto And what is the purpose of justifi(,atlon? I 23.
How does bread-making repre.~ent tile cohesiveness of love 111
you, that in me ve might have peace. ]n the world ye Cllristians? tl 24, 25.
What is represented in the blood, and why poured out? ~[ 26.
shall have tribul~ation; but be of good cheer; I have Explain the nleanlnff of tile wine in tile Clip. ~ 27.
What are the conditions of acceptance as mmnbers of Christ’s
overcome the world." (John 16:33) IIe wished them body? 11 28.
to be cheered by the hope of being with him in his What does it mean to be ’broken’ and ’poured m,t’ with Jesus? ¶ 29,
What is the antidote for headiness and self-importance and bitter-
kingdom. Hence later he said to them: "To him that ness? 11130,31.
What is the difference between searching the heart and the life
overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, actions? g31.
What action on our part sometimes brings self-condonlnation ? ¶ 32.
ev.~l as I also overcame, and am set down with my What preparation should be nmde by Ilu lot this celebration? ¶ 33.
Father in his throne."--Revelation 3:21. What is the sure indication of lack of appreciation of being in
Christ? ¶ 34.
Whet unspeakable joy there will be when the last Should we confe~s our faults, and to whom? ¶ 35.
When are we to take joy out of our afllictioa and bitter trlsls?
membersof the body of Christ reach their glory home! ¶ 36.
Who only can appreciate and who only should participate in tilp
The obedient and blessed angels of heaven will be there. Memorial? ¶ 37.
How leng is the participation in the bread and wine to be kept
And presently they shall be joined by an innumerable up? ~ 38.
When is the Christian privileged to have joy in Christ ~ 11 3q. 40.
company of spirit beings, gathered out from amongst IIow has tile cup a twofold meaning, and is this celellra|ion It
men, aml who will be before the throne. The bride of ~’ solemn feast? ¶41.
Will the last menlbers of the ’body’ be welcomed on th~ otb
Christ, all glorious and leaning upon the arm of her rode, and how? ¶42.
What spurs us along the narrow way with fortitude and de~lg~t
Beloved, will be presented to the Father. Then that 43.

PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS

"Elect . . . through sa~Tctification of the spirit."--1 Peter 1: 2.
TEXT FOR FEBRUARY 28 new creation must be chosen. Elect means to be chosen
EFOREthe foundation of the present evil world, by the Lord for a purpose. Such are not arbitrarily

B which is now passing away, God determined to

have a new creation, of which Jesus Christ is the
chosen; but the divine rules are made, and those who
conformthemselves to those rules are chosen.
Head. He fixed the rules by which the membm’sof this Sanctification has the meaningof setting apart for a
 rhe WATCH TOWER
specific use. It also has the deeper meaningof purifica-
tion, purity, or holiness.
The divine method of choosing is by the operation of
the holy spirit in separating the chosen ones from the
world and in making of them a people for a purpose
(1 Peter 2 : 9) ; by consecration, which meansthe com-
mitting of oneself to the Lord (Psalm 37 : 5 ; Matthew
1l: 29); by the imputation of Christ’s merit (Zecha-
riah 3 : 4; 2 Corinthians 5 : 21) ; justification by Jeho-
vah (Romans8:33) ; by spirit-begetting (James 1:
and spirit-anointing (Isaiah 61 : 1, 2) ; and by sanctifi-
cation.--1 Corinthians 1 : 30.
One proceeding in conformity to these rules, and
being received and justified and begotten by Jehovah,
becomes a new creature in Christ. The new creature
from that time forward, conforming himself to the
rules governing the new creation, is gradually traa~s-
formed into the likeness of the Lord through the
operation of the holy spirit. It is the holy, invisible
power of God, operating through his Wordof truth,
taken into the mind of the new creature, which pro-
duces cleanliness, purification, and sanctification. To
this end Jesus prayed for his followers: "Sanctify
them through thy truth; thy word is truth."--John
17: 17.
No one can be really sanctified without meditating
upon the Word of God. He must study the Word of
God, appropriate the promises to himself, and rely upon
them. The spirit of the Lord is in his Word; and when
we as new creatures feed upon that Wordin the spirit
and strive to conform ourselves to that Word, the holy
spirit works within us and effects the transformation
into the likeness of our Lord and Head.
One reason whythe Berean studies are so helpful is
that membersof the body, those of like precious faith,
drawn together by the one spirit, are mutually striving
to build each other up; and that, feeding upon the
same Word. these enable one another to grow, the neces-
sity for which study and fellowship increases as the
trials of the new creation increase. For this reason St.
Paul wrote admonidflng the church not to forsake the
assembling of themselves together but, assembling, to
exhort one another, especially when we see the end
approaching.
One who is being sanctified by the holy spirit is
being cleansed from all fillhiness of the flesh and of
the mind, and is perfecting, holiness in the reverence
of the Lord. Hence this sanctification is a renovation
of the entire being, mind, heart and body. Those pos-
sessing this spirit and undergoing the transformation
cannot refrain from makingit manifest to others about
them, both by giving the witness and by exhibiting the
fruits and graces resulting from the holy spirit.
The Christian must study the Wordof God. He must
~se his mind to search out the deep things of the Word
and thereby ascertain God’s holy will.--Romans 12:2.
TEXT FOR MARCH 7
"’Strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner
rnan."--Ephesians 8: 16.
IIE words of this text are expressed in tile form
T of a prayer offered to Godby St. Paul in behalf
of the chm’chat Ephesus, and also in behalf of all
of like precious faith. Havil~g a great desire for their
development as new creatures in Christ, because of his
love for them as his brethren, St. Patti wrote: "I bow
myknees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of
whomthe whole family in heaven and earth is named,
that he would grant you, according to the riches of his
glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in
(he inner man."
By the words "inner man" the Apostle meant the
new en ature. He was not pra3ing that the brethren
might be made strong physically, but that they might
be made strong as the members of the body of Christ.
It is the holy spirit of Godoperating upon the mind of
the new creature in Christ that brings stren~h. But
each new creature must be a co-worker together with
God in this; that is, he must do what he can, in har-
monywith (’,od’s Word; and the Lord will do for him
what he cannot do for himself.
The Apostle shows tl’at strength in the Lord is a
necessity; and then in {iris same epb’tle points out how
we mayattain that strength, saying, "Finally, mybreth-
ren, be strong in the Lord, and hi the power of his
might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephcsians
6: 10, 11) Finally here refers to the time when we are
reaching the end of our Christian experience in the
flesh. The church is in that time now; and we appre-
elate that our warfare is not merely with ttesh and
blood, but against wicked influences about us, princi-
palities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world,
and a host of evil spirits ; the devil and all his organiza-
tion being a~.~ainst us. Before such enemies we would
not only quail, but faint and give over the fight. But
by the spirit of the Lord we are strengthened, because
we have in mind that he who is for us is greater than
all that can be against us.
Then the Apostle marks out the steps necessary to
arm ourselves for such warfare, saying, "Wherefore take
unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteous-
ness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewithye shall be able to quench all the fiery dart~
of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, an/l
the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God;
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints."--Ephes~ans 6:13.18.
 ¯ WATCH
Here we have a picture of a soldier clothed with all
the accouterments of war. The purpose is to show the
Christian the necessity of having on all the accouter-
ments o£ spiritual warfare. The girdle suggests that he
must be a servang of the truth; the breastplate, that he
must be of a pure heart; the feet shod suggests that he
must dwell in peace m:(t follow holiness; the shield, that
he must h~lvo a knowledge of the Wordof God and a
confident 1, liance ul)on that Word;the helmet suggests
that he mu-t have an intellectual understanding as well
as a heart appreciation of the Wordof God; and the
sword of the sl)i,’it means that he must not only know
the Word of God but must conform himself thereto,
using this inqrument as one of offense and defense; and
then "praying for all saints" would mean a eor~pF’te
heart harmony with the Lord and all or his p,,o]~]:,,
and a (!ili~ ,at ~atching for opportunities for service in
e’:! ’~ ’:.pro,e oursclves to the Lord’s glory.
TEXT FOR MARCH 14
"/,,, .~/,~/, ,’Ice you anotherComforter,. . . euc n ~ne
s]~u~ of truth."--John 14: 16, 17.
’I’:SUS was about to take his departure and knew
J that hi~ absence wouldbril~% sorrowto his (hsciples;
hence he gave them this comforting promise: "I
will pray the lat’, ~’r. a~,d he shall give you another
Comforter, . . . the spirit of truth; . . . for he dwell-
eth with you, and shall be in you." This promise is
applied to all members of the new creation who have
maintained a dose relationship with the Lord. This
invisible powerof Jehovah is exercised on behalf of the
church as a whole through the Ilead, Christ Jesus, and
also each individual memberof the body experiences
the holy power and influence.
The truth itself is the main channel through which
the spirit of the Lord operates. If one has the truth
and the spirit of the truth, he is comfortedin his heart,
no matter how severe the storms maybeat outside. Each
one whohas the holy spirit, and whoenjoys the comfort
therefrom, radiates that spirit and influence to the help
and comfort of others membersof the body of Christ,
prod to the comfort of the sorrowful ones whoare seeking
reconciliation with the Lord. Such holy influence ena-
bles one to go about bearing the messa~(, of r,,~,~nc.ilia-
~ion to others with gladness.
CHRIST
"What though rude billows round me roll,
lvi~ voice the tempest can control;
They rullle not my tranquil soul:
(’hrist is my peace.
"Wh,qt though dear friends I once caressed
W,thin |he silent grave now rest,
The valley clods above them pressed,
Christ ever livea,
TOWER
This holy power of God is invisible to men, but its
effects are visible and tangible. Onewhois really enjoy-
ing the blessed truth and conforming his life thereto
gives visible evidence to others that he has walked with
Jesus and learned of him. This is what St. Paul evi-
dently had in mind when he wrote: "Ye are our epistle
written in our hearts, knownand read of all men." (2
Corillthians 3 : 2) The peoples of the world, while t, hey
cannot read and understand the deep things of the
Bible, can see that some power or influence operating
upon the Christian is operating to change him to a
better course and condition of life. WhenJesus said:
"Ye are the light of the world," the same thought was
expressed, that those whohave the truth aml the spirit
of it are shedding forth its light unto the peoples of
the world as faithful witnesses to the Lord.
All Christians living up to their privileges can testify
to the fulfilment of this promise to themselves indiwd-
nally, that the holy spirit is the great comforter. God’s
holy spirit operating upon the mind and heart of the
Christian brings help, encouragement, assistance and
str(ngth to go on in the battle. By mad through the
operation of his holy spirit the Lord has at all times
been the present help in time of need for the aid and
comfort of his followers. The Lord has guided and di-
rected his people, and will continue to guide them to
the end of their journey, as long as they maintain his
spirit. "If any manhave not the spirit of Christ, he is
none of his." But if he does have the spirit of Christ
and belongs to the Lord, the holy spirit is operating in
him and makes him so strong and energetic that he
cannot refrain from giving testimony to others concern-
ing the love of God and of Christ Jesus that has pro-
vided for the blessing of all nations and peoples.
In proportion as one has the spirit of the Lord he
will desire to be a faithful witness for the Lord. And
even though this faithful witnessing brings upon him
reproach, accusation and persecution, trials and afflic-
tions, he will regard these as nothing comparedwith the
glory that is to follow. With St. Paul he can say: "Our
light affliction, which is but for a moment,workethfor
us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
(2 Corinthians 4: 17) And this hope does not makeone
ashamed, but makes him strong in the Lord and fills
his heart with comfort and joy.
MY ALL
"Whatthoughperplexing paths appear,
Gvd’sWord,a lamp,makesall things clear;
OnwardI pass, nor evil fear--
Christ is myway.
"Whatthoughthe darknessdeepergrows,
Andfoes moreactive to oppose,
God’struth providesa sweet repose:
Christshall appear."
 THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS
~FEBRUARY 25 LUKE 19: ll-48--
~[ESUS NEARING
JERUSALESf--~IEANING OF THEPARABLE----THE LORD’SINTERESTSPICTURED BY TIlE POUIWDS--ACCOUNTING
WITH~]~
SERV&~TS--SELF-’W1LL
ANDSL(-)TIIEULNESS~FAITHEULNI’:SSBRINGSREWARD---THE MASTER A.N EXAMPLEOF EAtTIIEULNESS.
"He that is faithfug in a very little is faithful also in much."--Lukc 16: 10.

T HE many unusual events of the few weeks of our Lord’s

ministry which preceded his visit to Jericho, and which
include the raising of Lazarus from the dead, had
them, he said: ’Bring 2hem hither,
me.’
and slay them beforq

These lqst words show ttmt Jesus was not speaking only
e:~used much comment among the people, and raised much to l~is disciples, anti that the parable must be viewed not
,.uriosity about tile kingdom of heaven of which he had merely as an instruction to them as to faithfulness, but at
.~poken so much. The Pharisees and elders were also exer- a more general statement concerning the condition of thing~
,is(,d. and indeed were in some concern, even though cynical which woulo obtain during his absence, "rod what would b~
:(bout the kingdom of which the Nazarene spoke. After done on his return. Perhaps the illustration was taken from
recording the story of our Lord’s stay with Zaceheus, Luke the political events of his own times. He nmy have thought
says: "He . . . spake a parable, because lie was nigh to of one of the Hevods going away from l’alestine to Rome In
Jerusalem, nnd because they thought that the kingdom of order to get authority to rule over such portion of tile land
God shouhl immediately appear." It is not clear from Luke’s of Palestine as was allotted to him by the imperial power,
ae(,ount whether the parable was spoken in the home of
Zaeeheus or on the load to Jenlsnlem. While he stayed MEANING OF THE PARABLE
over night in Jericho, the multitude lie had left the pre- But the illustration was true to fact in a way that the
vious (hly moved on toward Jerusalem. But there were still disciples themselves could not then underst’md. Jesus him-
many l;il~rims on the road, and in all probability it was self was the nobleman who had to go to a far country, even
amongst these the discussion arose about the kingdom which heaven, there to receive the power and authority of the
they thought might soon be set up. kingdom, and to return. On going he wouhl leave his disci-
I1 was in order to correct the misapprehension of the ples in ctmrge of his wealth or property. While he was away
people and also of his disciples, that Jesus spoke what is his enemies would make a demonstration agMnst him, and
known as the Paral)le of the Pounds. It is so like that of declare that they would not have his rule; but despite this
the talents, recorded in Matthew 25 : 14-20, that each is often he would return. On his return, instead of immediately
taken In be a different expression of one parable; but while establishing his kingdom, he would first make inquiry
there are similariti(’s, there are differences of su(.h character alnongst his servants as to their fidelity and worth as ser-
as to preclude that being a posMhility. Luke shows that this vants, and even before tim est’~bli~hment of his kingdom the
parM)le was spoken before out’ Lord reached Beth’may and government of that kingdom wDuhl be allotted to those of
Jerusalem. Matthew does not state when the parable of the his servants who had proved worthy. Further, that those
talents was spoken; but lhe eontext leaves no doubt that it who had demonstratedagainsthim should be broughtbefore
formed part of our Lord’s (Iiseourse when, about five days him and slain.
later, seated on the Mount of Olives, he spoke his last great We have here then some guidance from our Lord as to
prophecy concerning things to come. how things would be on his return. Of his going away, we
The parable of the t’tlents is spoken particularly to his kuow. That althou.-h profcssing to be citizens of the king-
servants, and for their insiru(.lion; 1)st that of the pounds dora of God, the people of Christendom have, by their long
appears to have I~een spoken to a mixed multitude, and the continued actions, said that lhey do not want the reign of
Christ upon earth, we also know. Further, we know that
selling is eonsgquently different.
Jesus told of a noblenvm who went into a far c()unlry our Lord has returned a:]d has begun to make inquiry of
his servants as to their lldelily; and we can also see that
receive a kin~dom for himself, and to return. I}efore he
went he ga~ e to each of his ten servants a pound, bidding his Ol~l)onents are I)ein~ destroyed. Those who now, like the
them to trade with the money nntil he returned. The citi- Plmr;~,(,~ of ohl, are opposed to the truth, are being slain.
Eeelesiaslicism is being destroyed; ’rod the leaders are
zens, the people aver whom on his return he expected to
reign, sent ;i messvnger after him saying that they wouht being slain, as suclu
nol have lain as king. P, ut having received the authority o~
TIlE LORD’S INTERESTS PICTURED BY THE POUNDS
tl~e kingdom, he returned. Before establishing his kingdom
he ~,g:~in vailed his servants to him to see how much they It has been suggested thqt the pounds represent such
hqd gained with the money left in their care. One said: favors "~s time, money, or talent for service; or those bless-
"Lord. thy pound hath ~ained ten pounds." Him the noble- ings which are common to all the Lord’s people, as the
man (.ommen(led, and g,tw, him authority over ten cities Word, helps, the holy spirit, fellowship, and other blessilags.
the kingdom to be established. The next came, saying, "Thy ]t has also been said that they represent justification. But
pound hath gained li~e pom~dq." He was made ruler over it seems to us timt they certainly cannot represent the
five cities, but not commended. Another said: "Lord, be- latter; for no one can increase justifieation as the pounds
hold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a were increased. Nor do we think that tim p:lral)le is prop-
napkin; for I feared thee." Ite made pretence that his erly interpreted by taking the pounds as meaning natural
master was hard and austere, and tilat he had been afraid abililies; for the servants received each the same amount
to put the money into trqde lest he should lose it and get of money, and this is not the case with natural abilities for
Into trouhlo for not giving I)a(.k ns much as lie had received. service. We suggest that the Lord intended to set forth (1)
lie told this servant that if he had thought thus he should the fact that when he went away to heaven, he delivered
have let someone else take care of the money, tiv/t at least into the hands of his servants those interests of his kingdom
the interest might have accrued to it. Then he commanded which had hitherto been solely in his cqre; and (2) that
that the pound should be taken from this servant, and be every true disciple has a commonshare in those interests.
given to the man who had ten. Someone remarked that he The question is not so much one of natural ability to
already had ten pounds, and the Lord replied, "Unto every serve as of fidelity in service. To every member of the bod~
one that hath shall be given." Then, speaking of those who of Christ a measure of faith and the gift of the spirit Im
had declared that they would not have him to reign over ~iven by which "to profit withar’ (RoE’mS 12:3; 1Cerise
 WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. ~.

thlans 12: 7), and by which he can serve the Lord his Head. in these last days has raised objection to the methods which
:Everyone begotten of the holy spirit has a ministry for the the church is now using for the increase of the Master’s
body of Christ; but each also has a responsibility to be a interests.
witness concerning the truths of the kingdom which his As soon as the Elisha phase of the harvest work began in
Master came to i)roelaim. He who is faithful 1o this trust, 1918--and of necessity there was then some change in the
who trades with his opportunities of looking after the king- outward phase of ti~e work, though tile work was exactly
dom interests, finds increase for his labor. He who serves the same, and continued on the same lines as before--it has
finds he is more able to serve, and he who by seeking to appeared to some as if the Lord’s servants were being called
serve his Master gains something, always sees further possi- to go out to reap and gather where there had been neither
bilities not previously discerned. Not one of the f~ollowers plowing nor sowing, no preparatory work. Stone servants
of Christ ever found that he lost anything for himself or objected to doing that which is now tile privilege of the
for his Master by trading with what he had. Lord’s people, the going from door to door (.arrying the
The servants had to be put to the test to prove their message of the kingdom of the Lord, and tellil g that it is
worth bet’ore they were. appointed to places of authority now present in the earth, and that he, tile rightful King,
and power in the kingdom. Those who made increase are has returned.
shown as receiving aeknowledgment and promised rewards Those servants who had taken the Master’s pound--that
from tile Master before he establishes his kingdom. At the is, agreed to look after his interests--said to tlmm,~elves and
same lime the unprotitahle servant is deprived of any fur- to others that there was sometlfing not proper about this
ther opportunity of setwice. Surely we are expected ~o phase of the work, and they determined they would not
understand that here is something which happens before take share in it. This attitude, whether cot~s(.iously or not,
the servants of the Lord are removed from their earthly has in turn cr+,ated some resentment towards lhe Lord.
sphere of service. The parable indicates that future privi- These servq~ts have said tlmt their consecration to him (lid
leges of service in the heavenly kingdom are determined by not involve doin~ this work. They have said that they would
the measure of f~lithfuiness while tim time of probation is keep their own hearts right, and present themselves to him
on. Weask: Why is the unprofitable servant called wicke(_], when called bcCorc him to give an account as those who
since he lost nothing for his master? The fact is he did lose ; had at least prayed for his kingdom. In other words, they
for in this case tile servant was employed to make gain for wouhl give the I,ovd h:tek his own. Such forget tlmt they
his nmster, and his failure to do this was a direct loss and are in a servant’s position, honored with that position not
waste of time. We must suppose that he also might have for their pleasure, nor merely for the Master’s, but for
made increase with the one pound, and gained perhaps five profit and increase to him.
or even ten other pounds, and his master would have b(’en
the richer; or, if he would not labor, he ought to have let SELF-WILL AND SLOTHFULNESS
the banker~ hold his money and gain interest. He defrauded The Lord discloses the true condition. He says: "Thou
the master. i~ickcd servant." The explanation which had been gixen
to the Lord is not the true one. The truth is that the heart
ACCOUNTING WITII THE SERVANTS is wrong and that there is slotl~fulness, or in other words
I-Tow are we to understand this? And when is the judg- an unwillingness to lnhor in the work. All such have their
ment on the servants of Jesus? Apparently the parable is opportunities of service taken awa,v from them and, what
intended to apDly to tile present time; for here is somelhing is more, have the mortification vf seeing them given to
whi(.h is shown as lmppening on the Lord’s return, and others; for the work of the Lord must not stop, but must
beSore llm setting up of his kingdom. While it is true that go on. And this is on the principle "that unto every one
all down the age the Lord’s faithful ones have had com- that hath shall be given ; and from him that hath not [made
mitted to their care the interests of the kingdom of heaven, increase], even that which he hath [his opportunities] shall
It is p’trticularly so in these days of our Lord’s presence. be taken away from him." The parable tells that someone
On his return in 1874 he diffused the knowledge of his called the Lord’s attention to the fact that tile man to whom
presence, and those who heard the word of grace fmmd lhat the extra pound was given already had ten. There are
they lind ~pecial interests committed to their care. A time always some who watch with critical eyes the service of
of judgment began in 1878; but there followed a period of those who are busy in the Lord’s field. It is almost certain
forty years whervin the Lord spread abroad the truth in thqt tile one who makes such a remark is not active in the
preparation for the day when he should be more fully service himself. But the Lord does not alter his principle
revealed to his own, and when he would call his servants of action because of such remarks as these; he pursues his
before him. In a general way the Lord Judged the nominal own way, rewarding his servants as it pleases him. It is
church in ]878; but the time when he came "to his temple" worth noting In this connection that those who now go out
for jud-qoent {see WATCHTOWER~ November 1, 1922) was from us do so because they do not care to go into the work.
not until 1918. We leave the judgment with the Lord as to whether or not
We understand that this inquiry into the faithfulness of they are slothful.
his servams, each of whom had received the pound, the A previous lesson has given us the disciple’s portion as a
interests of tile kingdom, was made then ; and in a special steward who, if faithful, will find a permanent home with
way this parable was applied then, though indeed its ,~ppli- his Master. Here is another view of our responsibility. Our
cation is not limited to that particular time. There was future place of service depends upon our fidelity now. There
humility in the answer to the Lord of those who had made are rewards in the kingdom exactly according to our present
increase for him. Neither of them s’~id : "Lord, I have made interests In its welfare. He who cares but little for tt~ese
Increase of th’tt uhieh thou didst commit to my care"; but interests so dear to his Master, will find little chance of
simply and honestly each said: "Lord, thy pound hath made handling them when the kingdom is established. There may
increase." But some who have the knowledge of the plan of be choice by the Master as to which of his servants is able
God have shown that they prefer to keep that knowledge to use ten or five talents, but the lesson shows us there is a
to themselves rather than be witnesses for the Lord and the worthy reception according to the readiness to serve. God’s
kingdom; nnd some who have it refuse to use it either for prizes are not for the brilliant, but for the faithful. Un-
their own 1)rolit. or in tile Master’s interests. We might sparing industry and mastery of detail are the secrets of
trl.,ly illustrate this hy considering the ease of anyone who success in great things.
FEBRUARY
15, 1923 61
WATCH TOWER
THE MASTER’S EXAMPLE OF FAITHFULNESS In the providences of God. It was at this supper that Mary
When the Lord had spoken the parable he "went on be- poured out the precious ointment. If Jesus had asked for a
fore." His disciples f~)llowed, talking over the things which quiet time, perhaps Mary’s gift could not have been given,
he had been speaking. But the crowd dropped off, for their and the church and the world would have been the poorer.
Interest flagged; they would not understand more than that Howsweet that act of humble, lowly deveti,,~ w,d hwe was
the kingdom was not lhen to be set up. To his disciples he to Je~u< none but himself could know.
had previously said that he must be killed, and be raised
again on the third day ; and though they did not understand, QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUD¥
through this parable they would understand that the king- ~ h~ " a. the kingdom the principal topic of Jesus’ parables? ~ 1.
doin of heaven was not to make its appenr~mee immediately. Wh~-,lid Jesus give the Parable of the Pounds? ~2.
Wlmtis 1he dlffermlce betwceal tins parable and that of the talents?
The Master was ever an example of failiffulness: IIe now ¶ a.
pustmd on his way, well knowing what was before him. He What did each of the tlwee servants do with his pound? ¶ 4.
For ~ hemwas this parable inten(l{_~l ? ¶ 5.
walked a lonely man, but full of purpose of spirit, finding What wouhl the nobleman do on h,s return? ¶6.
his strength in eommu’nion with his Father. What slaying wolk is heing accomplished in the worhl? ¶ 7
Whatdo tire 1}ou,lds representV ¶8.
At evening they arrived at Bethany, about two miles from Whyis failhfulne-> of primary troller{anne? ¶9.
Jerusalem. Probahly Jesus spent the we~k-end there. While Whywas lhe unprofitable set\ant e~llled wicked"~ ~{10. 9
\V]lell did the Lur(1 (.elan to hi~ o1"~11 sol’~,alltS for jl1(l~lllCllt ~ 11.
there, a supper was made for him on the Sabbath evening, Nllould ,’lny servant lake the ere(ht f,)r lilt, ,~l)read of tl~e rr,;lh ! r~
and loved ones ministered to him. After the very bus)’ time What work has bae~l on since 191-,’, ~, l’k
Wily ~I(~ >ome now ob.~o¢’t 1o the pre~ent .-erxic(,? 714.
he h-td gone through, quiet would probably have suite0 him \Vhy 1~ heart loyally absolutely m. e~-ary? Y 1
better; but lhe ¢_el’vant of the Lord niust hold his life at the [’pen ~,v]l;ll does a l}bt( e ill tile l, lil~(lol)l det~end ? ]]
]1o\: x,(,l:’ the (liscil)le~ to} ll]ldpl’.~talld that lhe l~.illg~]OIll wouhl not
disposal of his l,’:~her in h~aven, ap.(t the ti’uo servant agrees be eslablished imnR~lmlely? ¶17.
to whatever aI’rang(,lnents are made for him when they are Howdid Jesus shou h~s complete submission to the Father? I 18.

JESUS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE

--MAnCH 4~--Lu::E 20 : 1-21 : 38--
¯ CRISIS IN JESUS’ ~IINISTRY--JESUS SUPERIOR TO ALL OPI’O~tTION--TIIE IEADERS EXPOSED AND DENOUNCED---JESUS SEES T]~I~
TIME OF TROUBLE--TYI1,] SCRIBES AINr} PH kl,~ISFES OF TODAY.
"Render unto C~sar the things that are C~sar’s, and unto God the thi~gs that are God’s."--Luke ~0: ~5, R. V.

T E lwo chapters which give us today’s lesson include

Hso,no of the nmsL troller(ant sayings of Jesus, some ()i
the weightiest words ever uttered. Except on his lirst
and the money-clmnging proliteers,
already d Mol’ganized.
Ttwse opposing foP(.es dld not intimidate
whose business he had

the Lord. II~

visit to Jert,s:flem in the winter following lris lmpli,*m, knew 1Ee~r slrenTth and ih:t/ they were backed by tlt{~
Jesus seems to have gone there only at feast times, and power~ of darkneq~. Bu,~ he knew that he was doing hi~
apparently unobtrusively, and to l,ave spent his days lea(’h- l,’:~ih,,r’s will: and in the (.onseiousness of that knowledge
lng the people and woPking niiracles as in the 1)rovidence and in the (.ontinued strength he received through his ~*Olll-
o£ God seemed good to him. But the time had come x\ hen nluliioii wltil ltle Father in prayer, lie was strong. He knew
he must give lhe city, its leaders and its peol)le~ a definite that his entrance into Jerusaleni, besides being that of a
notification that tim messenger of God was amongst them. king, was also that of a ln’iesL "md a prophet. As king he
IIitherto our Lord’s words and works, quietly spoken and asserted his authority in the cleansing of the temple court;
wrought, had been his only witness to this fact; and little as prophet he was God’s messenger to declare all the truth
effect had been nmde upon the people. Now assuming tim then due; as priest he served in a capacity known only to
character as foretold by the prophet Zechariah, he presented his Father and himself; but he well understood that he was
himself as their king. The climax of his ministry had come : the Passover Lamh, and that as he entered on the tenth day,
the end of his life of sacrifice was upon him. (Zechariah so he must be slain on tire fourteenth clay. The knowled~ma
9:9; Malachi 3:1l He had received a royal welcome from he had of these rehltionshit~8 helped him to do his work,
many of the people. His first act on entering the (.ity and and to be faithful to that wtfich had been entrusted to him.
temple as king was one of hostility. As representing his Though he could not speak outwardly of his priesthood,
Father he ~)verthrew the tables of the money changers who and though his disciples did not understand this relation-
were doing business in tire temple courts; and in doing so ship, yet ttfey must later have perceived, as we do now,
he threw down his challenge. Claiming scriptural authority that the evening hours spent witli them on the eve of his
for his action tie said: "it is written, My house is the crucifixion was a high-priestly service, in which he took
house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves."-- his disciples into the secret place of the Most High, as the
Luke 19 ." 46. beautiful "rod wonderful words of John, chapters 14-17, so
At evening our Lord returned to Bethany, and on the clearly show.
CRISIS IN JESUS’ MINISTRY
morrow went early to the temple, to teach the people. Fie
knew that his days were numbered, and he had much to Our Lord had now come into the center of things, and a
say; for the time had come for him to speak so plainly crisis could not be averted. He had said and done so much
about the iniquity of the hypocritical system in which the that as a result either he or the leaders of that ecclesiasti-
people were held, that all should understand. His action cal system must go; and these holders of the "vested inter-
on the previous day had the double effect of rousing the ests" determined that it should not be they. All who read
interest of the people and of stirring the fury and the anger these things must surely see that though It was specially
of their leaders. Arrayed against him were the Pharisees, against the false, hypocritical people he set himself, and to
Sadducecs, Herodians, lawyers, chief priests, scribes and whom l~e made his protest, our Lord was now face to fae~
elders. (Matthew 22:15, 16, 23, 31, 32; 26:3/ The~e eon- with the world and witi~ the powers of darkness, those evil
¯tltuted a solid phalanx of vested interests, with whom spirits which titan controlled and do still control the leadera
were allied the politicians, represented by Herod and Pilate, of tins world’s policies. The leaders of the people took
 erhe WATCH TOWER
counsel together. They dared not oppose liim because of wallet, if you do not recognize him as the rightful ruler of
the people; but on tile morrow as Jesus was spe’tking, the the country?" Their insincerity was disclosed, and they
(,hief priests and elders, who had recovered a little from the left him.
shock of the previous afternoon, came to him and required
~)f him his aulhority, what it was, and who gave it to him. THE LEADERS EXPOSED AND DENOUNCED
They wanted to know about his ordination: they failed to Then the Sadducees tried to catch the Lord; they raised
see that the truth of God carries its own ordination. their pet question about the resurrection. The Lord dealt
The spiritual descend’rots of these people are today found plainly and shrewdly with them, showing that they knew
in great numbers in the church systems, and are as per- neither the scriptures nor the power of God. (Matthew
verse and blind as their fqthers were. Pastor Russell was 22:29) Then he turned up~)n his questioners, and asked
the represent’trice of tim returned Lord, carrying the mes- them a question: "What think ye of Christ? whose son is
sage of present truth; and they questioned his right to he? They say unto him, Tile son of David." He replied:
speak. They ~sked him who had ordained him; and today "If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?" (Matthew
they say to the Bible Students who carry the Lord’s mes- 22 : 42, 45) This question was one which these learned eccle-
sage: "Who gave you authority to preaeh 1o the pople? siasti(’s ought to have been able to answer; for the coming
What is your ordination?" of Christ wag the nmin theme of the law and the prophets.
But they and their fathers had been so busy asking and
JESUS SUPERIOR TO ALL OPPOSITION answering foolish questions, that this one which, plainly,
Jesus was as alert as were those men. IIe asked llmm a they sl,ould have understood, had not been raised. If they
question of the same kind, not to retaliate, but to make had known tile answer to that one question, they would
1hem realize the shameful condition of heart they were in. have been able to receive him. Their poverty of knowledge,
lie asked them about John’s ordination. "Was it," he said, their inability to guide the people into the truths of God’s
"from heaven, or of men?" If they had said "from heaven," Word, their wickedness of heart had now been fully dis-
he would have replied : "Why then do you not believe what closed.
.lohn said about me?" If they said "of men," they were From that time no man dared ask him a question; the
afraid that the people would stone them; for everybody Lord had silenced his enemies. Jesus then In the audience
believed that John’s baptism was of God. They conferred of all tile people told his disciples to beware of these men
together, and then lied in their answer. They stated that who "devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long
they did not know! Thus they proved their unfitness to be prayers." Our Lord’s final word to these unworthy men
loaders; for(l) they ought to have known, and (2) was: "Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye
proved their utter unworthiness by lying to the Lord. They serpents, ye generation of vipers; how can ye escape the
really did know, but would not confess. But lying is part damnation of hell?"--Matthew 23 : 14, 32, 33.
of the regular policy of all such men as these. Our Lord had concluded his ministry to Israel. No more
Afterwards our Lord spoke the Parable of the Vineyard. would his message of comfort and love be he’n’d. They had
]~e told how the servants beat every messenger sent by the loved darkness rather than light, and were left in tile dark-
owner for the fruits of the vineyard, and how at last he ness. They had gone too far in opposition to him to be able
sent his beloved son, saying, "It may be they will reverence to retrace their steps before the result of their malice
him when they see him." should appear. They refused the truth, light, love, and
But the wicked men devised a scheme to kill tile son, the mercy and blessings which Jesus had, and thus proved
ex~pecting then that the inheritance would become theirs-- themselves to be prospective children of Gehenna.--Mat-
very foolish reasoning; for they might expect that retribu- thew 23 : 15.
lion would be visited upon them. But wicked men blind Here was the great refusal. The only begotten Son of
lhemselves. The Lord asked them the meaning of the scrip- God h’ld ministered for three and a half years to those who
ture, "The stone whi(.h the builders rejected, the same is claimed to be God’s chosen, and who were indeed his cove-
become the head of the corner," and added: "Whosoever nanted people. His wonderful and gracious words had fre-
shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whom- quently been heard, they themselves admitting lhat he was
soever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." They a messenger of God (Jotm 3: 2) ; and now, because they and
(vidently saw that he meant that he was the stone which their institutions were challenged, and his simplicity of
v:as to be tile head of the corner; and they perceived the truth threatened to destroy lhem and their works, they
l;tness of his application of that scripture and of his com- sought how they could kill him. They were so blind lhat
ment upon it. They perceived that he spoke these things they did not perceive that God had spoken to them by him.
against them. His plain words maddened them, and they Evidently tired, Jesus sat down over against the treasury.
began to devise schemes for catching him in his words that (Mark 12: 41) As he watched the rich casting their gifts
they might accuse him to Pilate. They sent spies to him into the treasury, he saw a poor w~)man cast in two mites.
who feigned themselves just men. As if they were men of He called his disciples to him and said she had given more
loyal hearts to God and wanting the best welfare of Israel, than they all, probably meaning that she had given cor-
they raised the question of paying tribute to Cmsar. "Was respondingly more than all of them put together. Her
it right that they should do this?" They hoped be might gift, prompted by devotion, was more v’tluable in the sight
say something to enable them to accuse him as a revolu- of God than all the gifts of the rich; for she had given of
tionist, as dangerous to Roman power; for the Jews were her penury, and they had given only of their riches. This
always inflammatory material and were ready at almost incident is the last thing recorded of that place and of
any time to f,)llow any leader who would attempt to throw Jesus’ ministry there. The poor woman’s gift of two mites
off the Roman yoke. is on record forever. She will have her reward in the day
The Lord asked for a coin, and one was readily produced. when the temple of truth is raised, and when the true
tie asked : "Whose image and superscription hath it?" They ministry has come.
answered: "Cmsar’s." And he said unto them: "Render The Lord had spent about three and a half days in this
therefore unto C~esar the things which be Cmsar’s." In witness in the temple courts. According to Matthew’s ac-
other words our Lord said to them : ’You answer this ques- count, as he left tile temple and the city he said: "Behold
tion yourselves. You are not honest; the question is set as your house is left unto you desolate." (Matthew 23:38)
trap. What are you doing with C~esar’8 money in your a former occasion he had called it his Father’s house; but
 ..... r r~

now on their rejection of him it was no longer his Father’s; who the Son of man is; for the theologian who declares
it was left to them--it was theirs. that Jesus is the only Jehovah and also the second person
of a trinity of Gods has as much ditliculty in answering
JESUS SEES THE TIME OF TROUBLE Jesus’ question as did the Jew who denied that Jesus came
Tile next day as he was seqied on tile Mount of Olives, from heaven. And those who now tell out the gracious
looking over tile city, tile discildes came to ask him when message of tile t)hm ~f Go4 are perseeuted as their Master
tln,se things of which he had spoken--the destruction of tile was; but tile), have the same spirit as he, and are glad to
temple and his return--should be, and what would be the serve even at the cost of all that ls outwardly dear.
sign of his presence. In rvsponse he spoke his greatest According to Matthew our Lord’s last word was: "Ye
prophecy, so fully recorded in Matthew 24. He looked at shall not see am lmneeforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he
the city, and in vision looked beyond it to the great West. tlmt cometh in the Imam of the Lord." (Matthew 23: 39) A
How clearly he saw the great centers of civilization, tile comforting word! Those who rejected him were to see him
great nations which have risen since that day, we do not alva,in and thank God for his return. His servants today
know; but ttmt he saw his truth w~uld go abroad into all ha,,e the .-ame spirit; and, thank God, they halve the same
the earth by Iris diseiples, and ttmt there would arise great llle~,H~’e. To tilose who now reje(’t tilt, returned Lord anti
empires, is certain, tie knew that tile world had to be ira-ted hl~ ll,, q’4tlge of tl’ulh, his serval~ls with tile same spirit
as Israel and ,lerusalem had been tested, :rod thai lhere lod.Lv -,ay: ’You shall see hinl by :lad by and you shall say,
would be on a large scale a rep,iition of Iha! which was "B!~,-s,,d is he ttmt cometh in the name of the Lord.’"
being enacted before his eyes--th’tt Ihe worhl wouhl rciect For early lhose whosill na’ainst positix (. 1 ~1 t--Ibm, sin against
the truth carried by his dis(’iples, as tile Jews wel’e reject- the b()13 s))irit, the umo de:t th--will be d eba rred frol u
ing him; that his disciples, messengers of the tl’u~h, ~ould shafting the blessings which tim Savior will hring. Jesus’
be treated as they were treating him; and that h~po~.risy mil,i<r5, whetherthat done by hin,s,qf ill his lh’st qdvent,
and sham and a world]) H,iri~ wouhl arise and prevail on or tlmt now done by him throilgh his mee, sen,2ers, does not
large s(’a’,e even as then in .lel’il~alenl; slid lh,’,[ nllinnttoly fail. "IIe shall see of lhe trax:ld of hiq <oul. :l:,d ,droll be
the x~l oh, x.orld would be arrayed against him and his, and s,qti~lied."--Isaiah 53 : 11.
the trtll]l of God.
This ,(,(I our Lord to speal: of that whi(.h he clearly QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
--tile lime of troul~h, of which Daniel spoke. He sz~w lhe \v,,, ~qusalem to know definilely that their King was in theil
great nalions ill the grip of selfishness, the earth divided mld~l’, ~l 1.
Whatwa~ ,lesus’ first act on entering Jerusah,m? I[ 2.
a;minst itself, llatiou tlg,ainst nation, "md kinK(lore aTainst Wa~~ho unholy trimly in evidenee in Jemv,’ (lay? ~13.
kingdom. Assuring the dis(ql)les (.oneernmg iho,e (tess In v;h:lt three, yes lOllr. Ual)ects Cotlld .lestls view ]lilnc, elf; and
X~llat qlr(,llf~thel]od hinl ill his work’: ~4.
said : "lie thai endureth to the end shall be -qtved" ; hut he Ill lhis (11-~ ~xith v, holll lllnbt Je.-us meet? ~Tf.
counseled that they watch earnestly, tll,iI I]~,y mi<ht be lie tile (’h’rlc- que-{ion our ordination; and xthy? ~6.
"Were the lenders of Israel in a shameful comhtion of hear( ’* 27
accounted wm’thy to ese:tpe the things that slaouhl come to l:£’l,tte Ihe Pd/’,li)li’ of tile "~lllC};/l’(t ~x. illt })l’l(.l t,.I}l~l:..qlll)ll. ~I]
pass.--Luke 21 : 36. I low (’an the "rejected stone" grind a t)erson to po~ (ler? ¯~]
’~
Weare living ill those days of which the l,ord spok(,. Th ¢,i**e lile lInpOl’[ of .iesas’ words. "Render to (’lt~si[i the thlngl
whivhare Ca,sar’s." ~] 10.
XVorhl War, which in’eke tip the l¢ingdoms, i, now counted llnw ~s De’, l,l’s Son Ills Lord ; and whyis lhis not understood gem
as in tile past; hut the peculiar reMllt;Pal "l),,,t(’e "’ has ils erall5 ’! ~ 11.
Wilh xxi~al severe words did our Lord address hypoeritc~s ~12.
trol:l)les ahnost as gr(~tt, and perlmps l~ore immediately \Vhal’a ~ the destiny of those wholove darkness and renlain lhere-
serious tiuln the war. Tl’Olllfle is bre.~kih~ the wor!d into in { 13.
lio~ was God’s kindness manifested to the Jex~ish people? ,~ 14.
pieees. And lhe le’tders of the worhl, wlwther in polities, llaw d~d God este~m the gift of the widow%two m~tes? ~15.
I|ow was the Jewish "house" made desolate? ¶ 16,
or priestcraft, or prolit(~ring hy nleans of lhe x; ~l’l,l’~ m,eds, Did Je~u~ knowof coming empires and their illlilln/te disintegra,
are exactly the same now as then. Moreover, the roli2ious tion"~ ~l~ 17, 18.
leaders have exactly lhe same attitude towards the me<~en- Whutshouhl be the Christian’s attitude in 1he erlsis~ ~18.
lla~ lll(q[’ I)(*~-;I nluchof a changein the s( LillllolllS Of the peoplq
gers of tile truth as they of Jerusah,m had. Still th,~ Sad- Sln(’e lhe da)~ of Jesus; and are the clergy alhV wiser in till
lhlngs of God’? ~ 19.
ducees, the higher critics, and the unbelievers question the Are ~e not thankful to be associated with Jesus in this mlnistryl
resurrection. Still there are those who canimt answer as to 20.

AN INTERESTING LETTER
A TRANSFORMED HOME depart. So I went into the colporteur work and remained
in it as long as my strength would permit.
DEARBRETHREN :
Satan has tried every way and means to stop me from
Since I wrote you last, I have been to my own earthly proclaiming tile truth, but, like a ball, the harder I am hit,
home for a month, meeting those of my cifildhood days. the more determinedly I rebound, until now I have become
blauy I had not met for twenty or thirty years; and oh like the trulh itself; there is no stopping me; for we
what joy I h’~d telling them of the kingdom soon to be know that tlmse that are with the Lamb shall overcome.
fully set up !
1 am confined to tile use of my left hand, my right hand
I was pretty well known all over the town, as my father having been laid up now for eighteen months.
was in the coal business there, and he also was the chief I was delighted to find a lively little class at my old
speaker in the market-place on atheism; and much ex- home, the very home which I was once urged to leav~
citement was shown when I turned to the Lord and came because of my acceptance of present truth. This homl
out as a Salvation Army officer. has now become "The Pilgrim’s Rest," where all the pil-
And then, seventeen years ago, another big surprise came grims stop when they come this way.
to my friends when I went home with the light of present "He must reign until he hath put all enemies under
truth, the first known of it in these parts at that time. his feet."
I was at home only three months when I was urged to Your Sister, Mrs. G. PoR~zovs~votlan#l
 International Bible StudentsAssociationClasses

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK

Wynnewood,Okla ............ Mar. 6 Ada, Okla .......... Mar. 13 Quill Lake, Sask ......... Mar. 6 Dauphin, Man ........ Mar.15, 18
Elmore,Okla ..................... " 7 Kanawa, Okla ........ " 14 Clair, Sask................... " 7 Ethelbert, Man. .. " 16
Paoli, Okla......................... " 8 Shawnee, Okla .... " 15 Wadena, Sask ............ " 8 I(eluood, Man... " 19
Purcell, Okla..................... " 9 McI,oud. Okla ........ " 16 Kaulsack,Sask ............. " 10, 11 Ral)id City,Man " 20
Stralfo:d, Okla ................. " 11 Tecunl~eh, Okla ...... " 18 Grandview, Man......... " 13 ]3ramlon, Man... 21
Hiekory, Okla ................. " 12 Drumright, Okla ...... " 19 (hlb,,zt Plains, Man....." 14 Souris, Man...... " 22

BROTHER B.H. BOYD BROTHER B. M. RICE

Deer Lodge, Mont ....... Mar. 12 Froid, Mont................... Mar. 25 Comfort,Tex.................. Mar. 5 San Antonio, Tex......... Mar. 14
l~Iissoula. Merit ........... " 13, 16 Avondale,Mont............... " 26 Kervllle, Tex ....... ’ 6 SiulnlOllS, Tex............. " 15
Pablo, Mont................. " 14, 15 Outlook, Moat ............... " 27 Bamlera, Tex ..... " 7 Corl)us Christi, Tex ..... " 16, 18
Great Falls, Moat ....... " ]8 Hart, Sask .................. " 29 Pipe Creek, Tex.. " 8 Driseoll, Tex............... " 19
Virgelle, Moat............. " 19, 20 Assinlbom,Sask ............... Apr. 1 Tarpley, Tex ..... " 11 Browns~llle, Tex ......... " 20, 21
~I’ampieo, Mont............ " 21, 22 Mazenod,Sask ................... " 4 UloDm, Tex ........... " 13 Harlingen, Tex ........... " 22

BROTHER A.J. ESHLEMAN BROTHER V. C. RICE

Avon Park, Fla .............. Mar. 5 Ormond, Fla ..................... Mar. 14 Terre Haute, In,t .......... :Feb. 25 Cr~stline, 0 ........ Mar. 4
Moore Haven, Fla ........ " 6 l’alatka. Fla ................... " 15 Brazil. Ind ........ " 26 Wellington, O.. " [i
Pahoka, Fla ................... " 8 Green Cove Sp’gs, Fla ..... " 15 Andel.~on, Ind. .. " 27 Painesville, O... " 6
Miami,Fla ..................... " 11 Jacksonville, Fla ............. " 18 5’:um’ie, ind. _ " 28 Erie, Pit ............. ’ 7
~Pitusville, Fla ................... " 12 Savannah,Ga................. " 19 Sidney, O ....... ~Mar. 1 Westheld, N. Y.. " 8
NewSmyrna, Fla ............ a! " 9
" 13 McRae,Ga...................... " 20 ~ial’l oil, (I ....... 2 Batavia, N. Y ........

BROTHER M. L. HERR BROTHER C. ROBERTS

Los AngeleS,Calif ........... Mar. 18 West Los Angeles, C,Mif._.Mar. 27 Coshocton, 0 ................. Mar. 2 Massillon, O. ................ Mar. 9
Santa Amt, Calif ...... " 21 ]VIa.~v,’ood,Calif .... " 28 Newsomerstown, 0 ..... " 4 Canlon,0 .................... " 11
Anaheim,Calif ................ " 22 Lon~ l~cach, Calif. ._ " 29 Port Washington, O... " 5 Louisville,0 .................... " 12
Ocean Park, Calif ........ " 23 Alh.:’q),a, Calif ..... " 30 Uhrichsville, 0 ............. " 6 Alliance, 0 ................... " 1’3
San Diego, Calif ............. " 25 Pasadena, Calif... Apr. 1 New Philadelphia, O. _ 7 Salem,0 ......................... " l~i
l:Iawthorne, Calif ............ " 26 Santa Barbara, Ca:.f " 4 Dover,O........................... " 8 Wooster, 0 ................. " 15

BROTHER W. M. HERSEE BROTHER R.L. ROBIE

Wiarton, Ont ............... Mar. 8, 9 Barrie, Ont ................. Mar. 22 lnn(lale,"l-ex ..................... Male. 5 Winusboro, Tex. .......... Mar. 12
Owen Sound, Ont ....... " :ll, 12 Collin~wood. 0nt ......... " 23 13ogota,Tex.................... " 6 Dallas, Tex................... " 13
Oraogeville, Ont ......... " 13, 14 Meaford.Oat ............... " 26 Paris, Tex........................ " Y Electra, Tex................... " 14
Camilla, Ont ............... " ]5, 16 Elmvale.Ont ............... " 27 ROXI0U, Tex..................... " 8 Wicluta Fails, Tex........... " l[i
Brampton, Ont ........... " 18, 19 Midland. Ont ............... " 28, 29 " 9 " 16
~Poronto, Oat .......... " 20 LoneOak, Tex................. Bowie,Tex.......................
Orillia, Ont ......... Mar. 30, Apr. 1 Sull)ilur Springs, ~ex ...... " l:l. Stoueburg, Tex............... " 18

BROTHER H. HOWLETT BROTHER O. L. SULLIVAN

Herbert, Sask ............ Mar. 13 Marigold, Sask ............ Mar. 21 "hatham,V’a ................. Feb. 27 Keysville, Va ............ Mar. li
Chaplin,Sask............... " 14 Luella, Sa~k................. " 22 ,Java,Va........................... " 28 Richmond,Va................ " 6
MooseJaw. Sask ......... " 15, 16 So.ri%Man................. " 25, 26 Meadville, Va................. Mar. 1 Washington,D. C ............. " 7
Assiniboia, Sask ........... " 18 Treherne, .Man............. " 27, 28 Dry Forks, Va................ " 2 Annapolis, Md ................ " 8
Mazenod,Sask ............ " 19, 20 Wlnmpeg, Man.._._Mar. 30, .~pr. I Danville, Va................. " 4 Baltimore, Md................. " 11

BROTHER O. MAGNUSON BROTHER W.J. THORN

Syracuse, N. Y ............... Feb. 26 Toledo.O......................... .Mar. 5 Toledo, 0 ............... Feb. 18 Elyria, O........................ :Feb. 25
Rochester, N. Y............... " 27 South Bend. ind ............... " 6 l’r’,~ ~ont, O ............. " 19 Dundee,Mieh................... " 26
Batavia,N. Y................... " 2,q Chh~r,o, III .................... " 7 ll’:l ~ue, 0 ..................... " 20 AnnArbor. Mieh ............. " 2"/
Erie, Pa ......................... Mar. 1 ~Vank(,~an.[11 .................. " 8 Sa ulusk:~,O..................... " 21 Ypsilanti, Mich............... " 28
Ashtabula, O .............. " 2 Zmn(’lty, Ill ..................... " 9 I)aUvl]l@,0 .................... " 2~ Plymouth,Mich............... Mar. 1
OL~reland, 0 ........ " 4 Kenosha,Wis..................... " 11 Lorain, O..................... " 23 Windsor, Ont. ............. " 2, ¯
 , ,.]

\ oL XLIV S~.MI-Mo~THLy No. 5

Anno Mundi 6051 -- March 1, 1923

CONTENTS
LOYALTY THE~EST................................................... 67
IllsArrangement .................................................. 67
WhatConstitutes the Society? ............................ 6’~
TheSteward .......................................................... 69
Parable of theTalents ......................................... 69
TheAccounting .................................................... 71
Se]f-Examination .................................................. 72
Enter the Service ......................................... 7’2
PRAYER-~IEETING TEXTCOMMENTS .......................... 74
PRAYINGFOR OPPORTUNITIES (Letter) .................... 74
JESUSIN (~ETHSEMANE .............................................. 75
Secret of Jesus’ Victory ........................................ 76
JESUSCRUCIFIED ...................................................... 77
Center of IIuman History .................................... 7.’;
Disciple not above llis Master ............................ 79
 THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
TItI~presented
journal is one of the plume factors or in~-t-tUm~ts in the s~tem elf Bi~te Instruction,
in all parts of the civilized world by the WATCH TOWER BIBLE& TRACT
or "~trflnary Exl:t~ston", nowb~n~
char[ered A.D. 1~$4, "For the Pro*
SOCIETY,
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Wordbut
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
Comingof Its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIESmost entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., I-etbi Dei M~nister (V. D. M.), which translated
into English is Minister o] God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope nowbeing so generally repudiated
--redemption through the precious blood of "the manChrist Jesus, whogave himself a ransora [a corresponding price, a substitute] fol~
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6l Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : 11-
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Wordof God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God, . . . to the intent that now might be made knownby the church the manifold wisdom of God"~"which in other ages
Was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephestans 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men. while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
Subjection to the will of Godin Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken~according to the divine wisdomgranted unto us to understand his utterances, lts attitmle is not dogmatic, but coniulent ;
for we knowwhereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a Irust, to be used only in his
service; hence our decisions relative to what may a~d what maynot appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of hi~
good pleasure, the teaching of hi~ Word, for the npbuild4ng of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge ome
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Wordto which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
¯hat the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship"; that its construction has been in progress thronghouf
the gospel age----ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Slone of his temple, through which, whezl
finished, God’s blessing shall come"to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2 : 20-22 ;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
¯hat meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great ~laster Workmanw~ll bring all together
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between Godand menthroughout
the MiIlennium.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
"I’hat the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which lighteth every man that comets ~nio th~ world", "in due time".~
IIebrews 2:9; John 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
’that the hope of the church is that she maybe like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his joint-helr.--I John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:]7; 2 Peter 1:4.
~l:hat the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.~Ephesians 4 : 12 ; ~latthew 24
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledgeand opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s ]~Illlennial kingdom, thQ
restitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedmnt, at the hands of their Bedeemexand his glo$ifie4 eAll~r¢l~
wren all the wi~ruily wmReuwill be aestroyed.--Aets 3 : 19-23; Isaiah 35.

"puBt.ls H~D B~’

IN RE RADIO BROADCASTING
WATCFI TOWER. BI BLE ~ TRACT SOCIET~ Replying to many requests concerning broadcasting Of
Bible lectures, hereafter when a program is arranged and
18 CONCORD
STREETa D 51LOOKLYN,
AI.V.U.S’A" any of the brethren are to broadcast an effort will be made
to give notice, so that the friends in various places may
FOREIOI¢ OI~ICiGS: British: 34 Craven Terrace, Lancaster Gate, hear. The opportunities are not very great yet, however.
London W. 2 ; Canadian: 270 Dundas St., W., Toronto, Ontario; We are looking for the Lord’s leading in this behalf.
Australazian: 495 Collins St., Melbourne, Australia; ~outh A]r~
ear : 6 Lelie St-, Cape Town, South Africa.
PLEASEADDRESS THESOCIETYIN EVERYCASE. IN RE PILGRIM SERVICE
The Pilgrims should be permitted t~ have one day of
~JFEARLY SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: UNITED STATES, $1.00 ; CANADA AND
~t~ISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN, $1.50 ; GREAT BRITAIN, AUSTRALASIA~ rest and opportunity to attend to their personal matters.
ANDSOUTIIAFRICA,8S- ~merican remittance.~ should be made Hence no mc~tings should be arranged for them for Satur-
by Express or Postal Money Orders, or by Bank Draft. Canadian,
British, South African, and Australasian remittances should be days. If they arrive at the home of a friend, the friend
made to branch officez only. Remittances from scattered foreign will confer a favor upon the Pilgrim and the Society by
territory maybe mad¢~o the Brooklyn office, but by Inttrnationa~
Pustal Money Orders only. arranging for no meetings on Saturday afternoon or eve-
(Foreign translations el Sh~s learns! appear in several languages) ning. The Pilgrim is thus permitted to be in better condition
~aitori~i Committee: This Journal is published under the supervision for a more strenuous day on Sunday and the day~ to follow.
of an editorial committee, at least three of whom have read and
approved as truth each and every article appearing in these columns. 1923 CALENDARS
The names of the editorial committee are: J. E. RUTHERFORD,
W.E.¥’ANAMRURGI-~, J. IIISMI,;I¢Y, (~. l~. FISHER, R. ~t. BARBER We have on hand a limited number of 1923 Calendars,
T erms fo the L.rd’s ~oorr All B~le ~K-udent~ who, by reason of old age or other in-
~:y or a ]ver:~,~y, are nnable to pay for this journal, will be supplied free if they se~d
containing tile year text and the weekly text for study.
THE WATCHTOWERcarries brief comments on these texts
p~tal carJ each 1V.ay sta¢ ng ¢:~clr ea~e and rem~esting suchprovision. We~re r ~t
~ly willln% but anxioua, that all ~uch be on ottr list continually and in touch with the to aid the friends in the study of them each week. This
Dcrean stm.ieSo
supply will last only a short time. In order to get the
~oti~ to Subsc~oers.¯~efordo ..... t., ,.ha
notvubscrmtion.
a new .... dand
Receipt of ~now~.d~,~ent forarea ~,~.~
entry of renewal or
Ju~ea~ed
~thln ~ monthby changeIn expiration date, aa slmwnou wmapl~rlabel. remaining Run,bar illlo the h’mds of the friends quickly,
wimt is left of the stock will be sold at 2.5 cents al,;O,.o. :is
long as they last. Send in your order quickly.
MEMORIALDATE--1923
The dale for celebrating the Memorial in 1923 i~ Fri(iay. HYMNS FOR APRIL
l~iarch 30. The time is calculated from the new moo~ ]~ear- Sunday 1 135 8 145 15 S~ 22 Vow 29 120
est to tile Spring equinox. The Spring equinox this )ear is Monday 2 1-t7 9 183 16 270 23 218 30 45
March 21. There is a new moon March 17, which marks the Tuesday ~ ’-’~!) 10 229 17 27.5 ~4 ~48
beginning of the month Nis’in. The fourteenth of Niqan lhen 5Ve(tue~d,/y 4 ISI 11 172 18 274 25 90
would I)e March ,’{1. The day begins at six o’clo;.k on the Thursday ~ 237 1Z 2 19 ]6G 26 220
evening previous; therefore Friday evening, March 30, after Frid’iy 6 129 13 5 20 126 27 325
Six o’clock, is the proper time for celebrating the Memorial Saturday 7 176 14 259 21 3 25 216
VoL. XLIV MA~CH1, 1923 i~o. 5

LOYALTY THE TEST

"For the kirbgdom of heaven ia as a mantraveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered
u.nto them his goods." Matthew 25:14.
HE desire of T~ WA~OTr TOWER is not to offend
T anxore; but some who read this a~icle will be
off~nded. Others will read it and rejoice. When
organized method of carrying out all his work. Should
some in his organization become disloyal, he would
quickly find others to fill their places. Let us lay it
the saints can see that the Lord is using them to fulfil down as a rule without an exception, that God cannot
prophecy they have reason to rejoice. The truth often be inconsistent; that everything of his plan is in exact
causes a cleavage between those who claim to be Chris- harmonywith every other feature of his plan, and that
tians, even separating the creature from the spirit of the every part is working in exact harmony. If, th(,m we
Lord. (Hebrews 4: 12) But he who really loves the are certain as to the proper understanding of one part
Lord will rejoice whenhe finds that the Wordcorrects of his plan, certainty on that point will furnish a guide
him and enables him to improve his course. (Proverbs to aid us in the examination and proper determination
1:23) He is not offended because he sees or is shown of some other part about which there might be some
the Lord’s purposes. "Great peace have they which love doubt in our minds.
thy law: and nothing shall offend them." (Psalm 119: "To illustrate this: Every part of the divine plan is
i65) The law of Godis his will expressed in the nature in exact harmony,and squares with the ransomsacrifice.
of a commandmentor rule of action, directed to his Weknowthat we have the correct nnder.~tanding of the
people. The manner in which we receive and do his ransom; therefore we have a correct guide or m(’a~ure
commandmentsdetermines the degree of our love for by which we can square other doctrines. The same
him. This proves our love of God, that we keep his principle will apply to every part of his 1)lan when
commandments with a joyful heart. (1 John 5:3) understood.
commandment given specifically to the church is, that HIS SECOND COMING
the brethren love one another even as the Lord loved 5The fact of our Lord’s second conllllg is (hqinJtely
them. (John 13:34) Keeping this commandment settled by the Scriptures. (,John 14: 2, :3; Acts 1 : 11;
mind and doing it, there will be no occasion for one to 2 Timothy 4: 8) The Scriptures show that his second
becomeoffended.--1 John 2: 10. presence was due in 1874. (See C83-127.) Also it
-"The real test that comesto every Christian is loyalty definitely settled by his ownwords, that at tits time of
to the Lord. To be loyal to him means that we must be his second presence he would gird himself, cause his
in heart harmonywith his arrangement, which will also servants to sit downto meat, and wm~ldcome forth and
n~can that we must be loyal to his body members, the serve them. (Luke 12: 37) Hc also firmly establishes
brethren, who possess his spirit and whomhe is nsing. the fact that during his presence he would conduct a
harvest work (Matthew 13: :18-40; 24: 31) ; and with
HIS ARRANGEMENT equal force he states ~hat at that time he wouldappoint
:"The question arises, What, if any, is the Lor(l’s ar- someone to the office of that "faithful and wise servant"
rangement to carry on his work? It must be admitted and make him ruler over all his goods. (Matthew 24:
by all Christians that Godhas an orderly plan; that he 45-47) These points are incontrovertible; therefore nmst
is workingout this plan in every detail according to his be considered by all reasonable and fair-minded Chris-
sovereign will; that he makesno changes in that plan to tians as conclusively settled.
suit the whimsof any creature, tits plan will be ,qccom- 6By proof is meant the physical facts in fulfihnent of
plished as he desires it. "I have spoken it, I will also prophetic utterances by the Lord or someof his inspired
bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it." witnesses. This proof shows that the Lord has been
(Isaiah 46: 11) The outworking of his plan does not present since 1874, and that he has been em~ductin~,.~and
at all depend npon individuals. The Scriptures show is still conducting a harvest work; and that this h.qrvest
that the Lord has an organization; that is to say, an work has gathered together from every creed and dznom-
67
68 q’he WATCH TOWER
treaties, and from the four quarters of the earth, as well
a~ from all the ecclesiastical systems, those who really
love the Lord. It must be conceded, then, that this
work of the Lord is done in an orderly way. He could
do it in no other way except in an orderly way. If it is
conceded that he began his work in an orderly way, the
burden of proof is on the objectors to show that he
would afterward change his course and do that work in
a disorderly way. The presumption must be indulged
that he would continue it in an orderly way, even to a
completion.
7In connection with his pre~ence and the harvest work,
the office of that "faithful and wise servant" is inlpor-
taut, and is made so by the Lord himself. The one who
fills that office is made ruler over all the Lord’s goods
during the time of his incumbency in office. The office
of that "faithful and wise servant" therefore is a part
of the orderly manner in which the Lord carries on his
work during his second presence. The office is of far
greater importance than the individual who fills the
office; for if the officer placed in the office should fail to
fill it properly, the office would still exist, and the Lord
could easily appoint or assign some one else to fill that
office.
8Webelieve that all who are now rejoicing in present
truth will concede that Brother Russell faithfully tilled
the office of special servant of tile Lord; and that he
was made ruler over all the Lord’s goods. Discussing
this question of "that servant" himself in T~E WaTc~r
TOWEa(April 15, 190~). Brother Russell said:
9,,,Who then is the faithful and wise steward whomhis
Lord s!mll set over t~is household, to give them their portion
of food in due season?’ The implication seems to be that
when the right lime should come for understanding the
parable, it wouldbe clearly set forth : that at the time of the
parable’s fulfilment the Lord would appoint a servant in the
household to bring these matters to the attention of all the
servants, and that certain responsibilities would rest upon
such a one respecting the dispatch of his duties. If faithfully
performed, a greqt blessing would be his reward; and if
unfaithful to his charge, severe penalties would be inflicted.
The implication wo~ld be also that if faithful the servant
would be continued in his service, and if unfaithful he
would be dismissed and another take the positi~)n and its
responsibilities.
ae,,... There would be no violation of principle, however,
In supposing that the Lord at the time indicated would
specially use one memberof his church as the channel or
instrument through which he would send the appropriate
messages, spiritual nourishment appropriate at that time;
because at various times in the past lhe Lord has used indl-
vidmtls in such a manner."~WATcHTOWER REPR[NTS~ page~
3355, 3356.
~If Brother Russell filled that office, then it must be
conceded that he did so under the supervision of the
Lord. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the
:Lord." (Psalm 37: 23) Acting under the supervisio.n of
the Lord, Brother Russell organized the Watch Tower
l~ible & Tract Society. In expressing his reason why
the Society was organized, he said:
av’It sector tolerably certain that someof the saints will
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
be In the flesh during a great part at least of the ’time of
trouble’; and if so, there will be need of printed matter,
tra(,ts, etc., as muchthen, perlmps, as now,and possibly will
be more heeded ; for when the judgments of the Lord are ’in
the eartll the iIJlmbitalJts of tim world will learn righteous-
heSS.’ (Isaiah 26:9) Slmuld those at present prominently
identified with the work [undoubtedly referrir~g to himself]
not be the LASTto be ’(.hanged,’ some interruption of the
work mizht result; but this may be obviated by having a
legal standing, granted by a State Charter."--WaTCHTowl.:a
REPR!NTS, page 671.
~In modest phrase Brother Russell here clearly indi-
cated that it was his thought that the Society, as organ-
ized in an orderly manner, would carry on the work
begun by him and finish that which had been committed
to him personally. Often when asked by others, Whois
that faithful and wise servant ?--Brothel" Russell would
reply: "Some say I am; while others say the Society
is." Both statements were true; for Brother Russell
was in fact the Society in a most absolute sense, in this,
that he directed the policy and course of the Society
without regard to any other person on earth. He some-
times sought advice of others connected with the Society,
listened to their suggestions, and then did according to
his own judgment, believing that the Lord would have
him thus do.
~4Since Brother Russell’s "change" some who believe
that he filled the office of "that servant" have said that
the Lord has cast off the Society. Is such a conclusion
either reasonable or Scriptural ? Brother Russell’s own
thought was that the Society would continue to do the
Lord’s work as above indicated. Besides, if the Lord
was pleased to have this organization started originally
for his purposes, why should he cast it off? Why not
continue to direct the servants therein according to his
own will or supply other servants ? Such is the reason-
able conclusion.
*SDo not the facts prove beyond a doubt that the Lord
has been doing some harvest work during the past six
years and since the death of Brother Russell? During
that time have not many been gathered to the Lord,
even out from the world, and have manifested every evi-
dence of acceptance with the Lord? If the Lord, then,
has been doing a work and is still doing it, is it reason-
able to conclude that he is doing it in an orderly manner ?
If the Society is not being used to fulfil the office in
carrying out the work, then who is? Can any of the
murmurers or objectors point to another arrangement
the Lord has in which h6 is carrying out his work? If
any of them know of any other arrangement, let them
come forward and name it. If there is any such other
arrangement that the Lord has, all the saints will want
to be in harmony with it and serve in the Lord’s way,
and not man’s way.
WHATCONSTITUTESTHE SOCIETY."
~*The word Society as used herein is a generic *wrm
applied to the body of consecrated, anoin~.ed Christians
throughout the world engaged in the work of represent-
 WATCH TOWER
hag the King and the King’s interests on earth. It is an as introductory, we nowproceed to the examination of
organization for the purpose of doing the Lord’s work the
PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
in an orderly way. This organization has its officers,
elected in an orderly manner. The officers are not the 2°In a previous issue of THEWATCII TOWER (Z’23
Society, but are servants of the Society. Should every 35-40) will be found a discussion of the parable of the
individual now in the Society prove disloyal, the Lord pounds. There is a close relationship between that para-
could put others into their places, and still the Society ble and the parable of the talents. Jesus gate utterance
would exist and continue his work. Let us be wise to the latter parable two days before his crucifixion, and
enoughto makethe di.-tinction between office and indi- just before entering into Jerusalem. It is reasonable to
vidual. All the individual membersof the Society may conclude that the due time for understanding this para-
make mistakes, beillg imperfect, but that would not ble in a clearer manner would be shortly before the
meanthat the Lord would cast off his organization and church enters into the heavenly Jerusalem. (Hebrews
go about doing his work in a d :-organized manner. 12: ’22) It will be observedthat there is a close relation-
17If it is seen, then, that the Lord is conducting his ship between the o~ce of the "faithful and wise servant"
workthrough his followers organized into a body for that and the parable of the talents. Both were mentioned by
purpose, and doing it in an orderly way, then all saints the Lord about the same time. While the parable of ~he
should wish to abide together in harmony and work talents may have a measure of application throughout
together in harmony, following peace and holiness, hav- the gospel age, it seems to have special reference to the
ing their hearts and minds united together in love; and end of that age.
in no other way could they get on. (Hebrews 12: 14; =1Thedisciples had just propoundedto Jesus a ques-
Colossi~ns 9: 1-3, Diaglott) Each one, then, whorepre- tion as to what would constitute the proof of his second
sents the Lord should be looking out well for the interestspresence and of the end of the world; and after he had
of the King and his kingdom. Each one who possesses given them answer to this question and had told them of
the spirit of the Lord will be glad to leave all judgment the office of the "faithful and wise servant," he pro-
of his brother to the Lord, and to follow the admonition ceeded immediately to tell them about the parable of the
given by the Scriptures to cover the defects of his brother"wise and foolish virgins," beginning in this language:
with the mantle of love. He will keep in mind that "’Then shall the kingdomof heaven be likened unto ten
every servant must make his accounting to the Lord virgins"; and as though that parable were a part of the
end not to any other body member. parable of the talents, he opens the latter with these
words: "’For the kingdomof heaven is as a man travel-
THE STEWARD ing into a far country, whocalled his ownservants, and
18In sp’aking the parable of the vineyard, the Lord delix:ered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave
mentions a steward, whomhe commandsto deliver to tlve talents, to another two, and to another one ; to every
the laborers their hire. (Matthew 20:1-16) The word man according to his several ability; and straightway
steward is another mannerof speaking of an ofl]e "’, and took his journey."--Matthew 25 : 14, 15.
would correspond well to the word servant as used in 22The mantaking the journey here is the Lord Jesus
another p}ace; and since the Lord is using an organized going into heaven itself to receive at the hands of
corporate bodyto carry on his work, it is reasonable then Jehovah a kingdom and to return and ~t it up.
to concludethat this bodyfills the office of steward, and ~I,~ the parable of the pounds the Lord committed
that it is not filled by an individ,mL A eorporat.., body all of his interests concerning his kingdomto all of his
i~ a society bavh~gthe capacity of acting as an individ- servants; while in the parable of the talents he com-
ual, and maybe spoken of as an individual. mitted his interests to his several servants, giving to
~ggomeof tho~e whowere hired murmuredagainst the each one according to his several ability.
steward. Someare murmuring against the Society and
DEFINITIONS
its way of carrying on the work. Any murmuringagainst
~he Lord’s way of doivg a thing is a murmuringagainst 24±~S heretofore stated, the ten ~)O~lll/[N r(,/Jrt, sont all
the Lord. Som~will now object to this and say that the interests of the Lord’s kingdomon earth connnitted
infallibility ¯ ax.~ng claimed for the ~oeiety. To this we into the hands of all his servants.
answer: Such a claim is foolishness. No person exor- 2~7"alents likewise is a term used concerning money;
cising a sound mind would make such a claim. The therefore a measure of value or valuable thing. Both
Lord has alwws used imperfect re,on to carry out his the pounds and the talents belonged to the Lord; hence
purposes. Whenwe recognize the Society as the channel represented his interests in the, kingdom.The talent was
of service, we merely recognize the fact that the Lord is more vahable than the pound. "’His goods" likewise we
carrying on his work by and through an organized effort understand represent the interests of his kingdom. All
put forth by membersof his body and under his super- the pounds, all the talents, and all of his goods were of
vision; and all glory is due to the Lord and should be equal value, because all represented the entire kingdom
given to him, and not to the servants. With these words interests of the Lord on earth,
 WATCH TOWER
"°What, then, is meant by the expression used by our
Lord : "To every manaccording to his several ability" ?
~’Ability meanspower, capacity, efficiency ; the quality
of being able. It will not do to view this matter from
the human standpoint, because human ability means
physical and mental strength, education, money, influ-
ence, ofttimes accompaniedby a great deal of bluff and
self-importance. Surely such is not valuable in the
Lord’s sight. Satan has put that very thought into the
minds of the clergy and madethem believe that they are
about the only ones that should ever expect to shine in
the Lord’s kingdom; and they base their conclusion upon
the fact of their great learning and ability to sway the
people.
=dLet us look at it from the divine viewpoint. Surely
Jesus possessed the greatest ability of any one ever on
earth. :His ability did not consist of physical strength
and a collegiate education; for he did not use his physi-
cal strength particularly, nor did he ever attend a theo-
logical school. Jehovah committed to him all of his
interests. Of what, then, did the ability of Jesus consist ?
Weanswer: His absolute, complete devotion to the
Father’s will; his complete loyalty to God. This finds
expression in his words: "Lo, I come ; in the volume of
the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, 0
myGod; yea, thy law is within myheart." His capacity
was complete; therefore Jehovah filled him with his
spirit in the complete sense, and he proved his loyalty
to Jehovah to the utmost.
=PTheword translated ability is from the same Greek
root word which our Lord used in speaking to his disci-
ples in answer to a request that they have certain posi-
tions in his kingdom:"Are ye able to drintc of the cup
that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with ? They say unto him, Weare
able.’" (Matthew 20: 22) Discussing this text, Brother
Russell wrote :
’SO"That these twonobleapostles werenot inspired by selfish
ambitionsin this request is evidencedby their promptreply
to the Lord’s searching question and later on evidenced by
their faithfulness evenunto de~’lth. Theysaid, ’Weare able’
--that is, ’Weare ~tilling. Godhelping us, we will sacrifice
everythingto follow in your footsteps ; wewill count nothing
dear unto us; we will lay ’~side every weight and every
sinful besetment; we will run with patience the race set
before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of
our faith.’ This we mayassumeto he a larger statement ~)f
their devotion.
a~"OurLord’s love and sympathywent out to them afresh
as he answeredthem, ,~uarunleeing thnt with such willing-
ness of heart they should indeed have the experiencesneces-
sary to fit themfor a pl’we in the kingdom.Whata comfort
this is to eventhe weakestof the IJord’s followers whoare
sincere."--Z’04-139.
’a~Webelieve therefore that the correct definition of the
term "several ability" is this: Completeconsecration to
the Lord and a joyful submission to his holy w{ll; a
loyal devotion to the Lord even unto death. Such ability
or capacity increases the moreone is filled with the spirit
af the Lord. The apostle Paul, in speaking about re-
deemingthe time by faithful service to the Lord, said:
"Be filled with the spirit" (Ephesians 5: 16-18), thtm
increasing one’s ability or capacity. In the proportion
that one has the spirit of the Lord in that proportion he
possesses power or ability for good.~Romans1:16 ; 1
Thessalonians 1: 5.
3aThespirit of the Lord does not consist of sanctimo-
nious piety, nor an outward expression of "more holy
than thou," which is in fact hypocrisy. Havingthe spirit
of Christ means to be absolutely loyal to Godand to the
Lord Jesus; completely devoted to the Lord and his
cause, and doing the Lord’s service according to the
Lord’s way. It meansleaving self entirely out of sight
and looking only to the Lord’s interests. The Pharisees
could not be used by the Lord because they had no such
ability. They wanted to do everything in their own
selfish way.
~4The Lord is training men for future positions of
authority and power. No one is capable of exercising
authority until he has learned to obey authority. Humil-
ity meanssubmissiveness; submissiveness meansto obey ;
to obey means to do the service of the Lord in h/s ap-
pointed way. "Obedienceis better than sacrifice." It is
of vital necessity to learn to be joyfully submissive or
obedient to the Lord’s will. The parable teaches this
very lesson. It is obedience and loyalty that merits and
receives the reward.
~JBrother Russell was not a man of great natural
ability as the world understands that term. He was not
a man of profound cducation, never having graduated
from any college or university. He was, therefore, from
the world’s viewpoint not a learned man. These are
someof the very objections the clergy have laid against
him and still do so. But he was a man of real ability
in the Lord’s sight. Why?Because of his complete
consecration and his absolute, loyal devotion to the Lord
and to the heavenly Father. He often hesitated long, to
ascertain the Lord’s will concerning a matter; but when
he was certain that he knew the will of the Lord, he
permitted nothing to stop him in the performance of
that will. He was loyal to the Lord always and to the
very core. Without doubt he was one to whomthe Lord
committedfive talents.
a~It will be observed that the Lord did not commitor
deliver unto that "faithful and wise servant" all of his
goods, but that he did "make him ruler over all his
goods." A ruler is one to whomis given the authority
to direct, to govern, to have oversight. In the samesense
Jehovah made Daniel ruler over the whole province of
Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of
Babylon. (Daniel 2 : 48) Since ’°nis goods" means king-
dora interests, then we understand that the Lord placed
his "faithful and wise servant" in the position of gen-
eral overseer, director or governor of his work concern-
ing the earthly interests of the kingdom during the
har~est period. The duties of "that servant," then, would
meanthat he must look after the public proclamation o,f
 ¯ WATCH TOWER
the truth and supervise the work of gathering together place on a larger scale after the Lord comes to his
his saints and feeding the proper meat at the proper temple. Hence we should expect that after that time
time, and that he would do so according to the Lord’s the Lord would permit his people in the temple condi-
way during the period of the harvest. Howwonderfully tion to have a clearer understanding of the meaning of
*he parable. The words of the Master indicate his pres-
the facts fit this conclusion! Brother B ussell did exercise
those very duties of office. This is also completely cor- ence some time before the reckoning takes place.
roborated by the duties of the sameoffice pointed out by 42The one to whomwere committed five talents comes
the prophet EzekieL--Ezekiel 9 : 4. forward and reports that he has gained other five talents.
~; i’hc Lord committedto each one of his servants cer-Weparaphrase the report: "Lord, you committed to me
tain interests of his kingdom;and to his "faithful and certain interests of your kingdom. You gave me a
wise servant" direction or rulership over all the interests
measure of your spirit. I have joyfully submitted to
of his kingdom. But each servant must make his ac- your holy will, and you have increased my spirit and
ceuntm~to the l,ord. No fellow servant is relieved of loving devotion to you ; and by reason of your goodness
v,rsonal responsibility because of the office held by the ] have availed myself of these opportunities that have
e’2aithful and wise servant." cometo me; as a result of having 3;our kingdominterests
~l’;vevv fellow servm~t has shownhis ability or capac- committed to me and of myloving devotion to you, I
ity and has increased the same in proportion as he has h~ve then-by had opportunity to prove my loyalty and
~(yfully submitted to the Lord’s will by working in the devotion to you. I have therefore increased mycapacity,
t~cr~(,st held of the Lord in harmonywith the Lord’s I have more of your spirit, and your kingdominterests
u’,//, which way the Lord umdBrother Russell to point have increased toward me a hundredfold."
out, because Brother Russell occupied the office of that 4aThe Lord commendshim, not because of what he has
"faithful and wise servant." He did the Lord’s work gained (because he brings no profit to the Lord--Luke
according to the Lord’s way. If, then, Brother Russell 17: 10), but because by reason of joyful obedience he
did the work in the Lord’s way, any other way of doing has proven his faithfulness and loyalty. "Thou hast
it is contrary to the Lord’s way and therefore could not been faithful over a few things, I will [future] make
be a f~ithful looking after the interests of the Lord’s thee ruler over manythings; enter [now] thou into the
kingdom. joy of thy lord." (Verse 21) It will be observed here that
’~grl’alents (kingdominterests) plus ability (loving the reward of rulership is future, which is granted to
joyful submissionto the Father’s will) results in oppor the saints beyond the vail; while a joy is nowgranted.
t,nities of service; and by performing these opportuni- What joy ? The tremendous joy in the fact that one now
ties of service faithfully, one proves his loyalty to the knows that the Lord is setting up his kingdomand tha~
Lord. Performing service as opportunities come to the he, the servant, has a part in making this known to
one having the talent constitu~s trading with the talent. mankindas the only panacea for the ills of man; joy in
Andin proportion as one faithfully, joyfully and lov- knowingthat the day of deliverance is at hand, that the
ingly shows his obedience mad devotion to the Lord in church will soon el~ter into fulness of joy and the world
the performanceof such service, in that same proportion be relieved of its great burden. Those out of harmony
is the interest of the kingdom (talents) committed with the Lord’s way do not have such joy.
l~im increased, and thereby furnishes him more oppor- 44Similar report is made by the one to whomwere
tunities. committed two talents: and the Lord likewise com-
~°As an illustration: Onefully submissive to the Lord mendedhim for his faithfulness and loyMty, saying, "I
enters the colporteur work. The Lord thereby commits will [fvture] make thee ruler over manythings; enter
t,~ him certain interests of his kingdom.The eolportenr [now] thou into the joy of thy lord."
joJ.’fnlly performs that service; and as he does so his ~STlxoucomesthe one whohad received the one talent,
e;,.,~aeitv increases, and the Lord permits the interests to make his report. It is quite manifest that there was
committed to him to abound or increase by giving him no joy in his heart, nor did the Lord invite him to enter
wider oppmtunities of service in permitting him to ad- into any joy. He reports that he knew the Lord was a
dress public assemblies, organize classes, give instruction,
hard master, and that he was afraid and went and hid
~nd bring more to a knowledgeof the truth. :His per- his talent in the earth, and that nowhe returned it. The
formance of service under such circumstances is trading Lord replies to him : "Thouwickedand slothful servant."
with the talent within the meaningof this parable. W~clced means those who have once been enlightened
and then turned away, not having availed themselves of
THE ACCOUNTING the priwlcges and joys of serving the Lord; slothful
4~"Aftcr a lon~ time the lord of those servants cometh means one to whomsomething has been committed to
and reckoneth with them." This shows that the account- do and perform and who has gone to sleep and done
ing takes place after the second appearing of the Lord nothing. This one had either hid the interests of the
and during the time of his ~:arvest. Other ~eriptures Lord’s kingdomin worldly things or else treated it wffh
clearly indicate that this particular accounting takes indifference, or else was serving self and looking to see
~2
¯ WATCH TOWER
how much glory and honor he might win to himself,
which is of the earth and not of the spirit. Undoubtedly
it will include those whohave commercializedthe truth,
either for moneyor for the plaudits of men, that they
mayshine in the presence of others ; or who, because of
sensual, earthly, selfish propensities have found fault
with and despised the Lord’s way, repudiated that, and
insisted on doing things {heir ownway, and have failed
to learn obedience. Becauseof this unfaithfulness to the
Lord, he says : "Take therefore the talent from him, and
give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every
one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abun-
dance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away
even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable
servant into outer darkness." This would seem to indi-
cate that because of unfaithfulness to the cause of the
Lord the interests of the kingdom which had been com-
mitted to him and the measure of the spirit (indicating
some humility) shall be taken away, and those interests
committed to one who has a greater measure of the
Lord’s spirit. Andthe one whohas been thus unprofit-
able would lose interest in the truth and in the Lord’s
proclamation of the truth.
’6It has been suggested that practically all of the
Lord’s people are of the one talent class. Wethink that
this is a wrongview. The parable shows that no one who
has only one talent at the time of reckoning can be of
the kingdom class. He must increase in the character
likeness of the Lord; and doing so the Lord would
increase to him greater interests of his kingdom and
hence increase to him greater opportunities of service.
*7This does not mean that the one who makes the
greatest outward showof service to the Lord is the one
that is the most highly honored in the kingdom. But
the lesson that is clea~ly taught by {he parable is this:
That when one has committed to him the interests of
the Lord’s kingdom,in proportion as he showshis loyal.
faithful devotion to {he Lord, by complete submission
and obedience to the Lord, so shall be his position of
honor and glory in the kingdom.
SUMMARY
4sit, then, we believe that the Lord is present, con-
ducting his harvest work and the setting up of his
kingdom; if he chose Brother Russell as his "faithful
and wise servant" and madehim ruler or overseer of his
goods; and if Brother Russell, acting under the Lord’."
supervision, organized the Watch Tower Bible & Tract
Society as a vehicle or channel to carry on the proclama-
tion of the message of his kingdom and the feeding of
his sheep (thereby looking after the interests of his
kingdom), then the conclusion must be that this is the
Lord’s way. After a careful and prayerful review of all
the facts in the light of the Scriptures, can any conse-
crated, anointed follower of Jesus say that this is not
the Lord’s way? If this is not the Lord’s way, {hen
what i~ the Lord’s way ? And i~ the Lord has any other
BROOKLYN, N. ~.
way, that way should be made known, and that way all
his followers should go.
4°If the way here pointed out is the Lord’s way of
carrying on his work, then fighting against it or repu-
diating it is fighting against or repudiating the Lord,
because the way is not of man but of the Lord. We
repeat, that failing or refusing to work (trade with
talents) the Lord’s way is disloyalty to the Lord. No
one can justly take any offense at these conclusions,
because it is not arrogating to any man or men any
superiority, but is giving all the glory and honor to the
Lord, whocarries out his purposes in his own good and
orderly way.
SELF-EXAMINATION
~°Since the Lord spoke this parable shortly before en-
%ringJerusalem, before his crucifixion, it is reasonable
~ expect that he wouldgive a clearer understanding of it
to his people shortly before the last membersof his body
enter into the heavenly Jerusalem. Seeing, then, that the
Lord has come to his temple and is taking account with
his servants, mayit not be that he is permitting them to
have a httle better understanding of the privileges of
service ~ust before the end in order to afford further
opportunities to prove their loyalty to him? If upon
examination we find that we have been just a little’lax
in showingforth his praises, that we have slacked some-
what our hands in his service, this will be the opportu-
nity for redeemingthe time. All of us recognize that we
are in the "evil day," whenSatan and all of his forces
are pressing hard in battle against the army of the Lord.
It is no time nowfor slothfulness, idleness, indifference,
or slacking the hand. What shall we do ?
5~St. Paul answers: "See then that ye walk circum-
spectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time,
because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15, 16) The
alluring and seductive influences about the child of God
are many, tending to draw him away from the service
and to cause him to spend time unprofitably. To redeem
the time meansto buy back or out from this evil time ;
to see to it that we give all the time possible to the
service of the Lord in looking after the interests of his
kingdom.Jesus himself was fervent in spirit. The king-
domwas uppermost in his mind and heart, because it is
God’s way for the blessing of mankind. His faithful
followers likewise must be fervent in spirit, and the
kingdom and its interests must be uppermost in the
mind and heart of each one. The work is not all done.
There is muchyet to do, and manyare the opportunities.
ENTERTHESERVICE
52Thosewhohave been somewhatslack in their fervent
devotion to the Lord and his cause should now awake
and arise to the importance of the hour, and the Lord
will give a clearer and better appreciation of the privi-
leges. (Ephesians 5:14) Great is the field; numerous
the opportunities I Buy back, redeem, the time by giving
a little more of your time and energy to the Lord’s work.
 ,m WATCH TOWER 73

Which is greater : the office, or the Lndlvtdual who fills the ot~ce?
Lookwell to your affairs and see if it is possible for you ~7.
Did Brother Russell faithfully fill the office of special servant? ~ 8.
to enter the colporteur work; and if so, do it quickly. What were the responsibilities of the servant selected ? ~l 9.
~Thc publications of the Society contain the message Is there anything strange
deliver his message? ~ 10.
about the Lord using one person to
of the kingdom. This messageis good news to the world. What did Brother Russell do under the supervision of the Lord?
11~ is the will of the Lord that the messageshall go to What was the underlying motive in organizing the Watch Tower
Bible and Tract Society ? 1I 12.
the people. (Matthew 24: 14) The Lord has graciously ~Vhy was Brother Russell so prominent as "that servant"? ~ 13.
arranged that the books containing this messagemaynow Is it reasonable to conclude that the "office" has been abolished
simply because Brother Russell is no longer visibly present ? ~ 1~.
be sold at a greatly reduced price. The importance of Did the Lord stq_l~ all efforts to spread his truth when Brother
Russell died? ~-I5.
getting the messageinto the hands of the people quickly If not, what organization is the Lord manifestly using? I1 15.
What is the meaning of "Society" as applied to consecrated Chris-
is the inducement for the Society to sell at less than tians? Are its officers the Society? If not, what are they? ~ 16.
Would the Lord east off an organization should some of the indi-
cost a large number of books already manufactured; and viduals therein make mistakes? ~ 16.
How can the Lord’s people coSperate to the best advantage in
with the manufacturing plant which the Lord has pro- carrying on the King’s business ? I[ 17.
vided other books will be made cheaper than they have How can a corporate body act as an individual and fill the office
of steward? |18.
been in the past, because consecrated hands are doing Should the Society as a channel of service be considered infallible?
| 19.
the work. What specific reasons are there for believing that the parable of the
talents should now be more clearly understood than formerly?
54Are you doing your part ? If you are energetic you ~ 20, 21.
What seems to be the logical connection in Jesus’ statements in re
can easily make your expenses. Are you looking well to the signs of his second presence, the wise and faithful servant,
the parable of the ten virgins, and this being followed by the
the interests of the King ~nd his kingdom? Are you parable of the talents? 1I 21.
Who is the "man" that went into a far country? ~ 22.
doing what you can to prove your loyalty to him ? A special point of difference in the two parables is what? ~1 23, 24.
5~Todaythe membersof the church this side the vail It is important to know to whom the "pounds" and "talents" be-
longed. To whom? ~1 25.
are, figuratively speaking, standing on Pisgah’s moun- What is meant by "several ability"? What is the viewpoint?
g~ 26,27.
tain, watching the kingdommajestically taking its place What did Jesus’ ability consist of? How was it expressed by him1D
’~ ~28.
in the great plan of God. The King has begun his What is meant by the word "able" in the phrase: "We are able,
and what is its full meaning? ~ 29, 30.
reign. Manyof the faithful ones are already with the This willingness of heart brought forth what assurance? ~ 31.
What is the correct definition of "several ability"’.; tIow can one’s
Lot-d. ]?he few remaining ones this side are having ability and capacity increase? ~ 3’2.
their account taken. As they prove loyal they are enter- What does it mean to have the spirit
it not mean? 1] 33.
of Christ? and what does

ing into the present ~oys of the King. To advertise to What is the Lord doing now with the members of the body of
Christ? I[34.
tile world the King and his kingdom is a great joy, Why is it of vital importance joyfully to obey the Lord’s will?
34.
because the kingdomis the means of solution of all the In what way did Brother Russell have real ability in the Lord’s
sight? I[ 35.
problems that now perplex mankind. It means bringing Did the Lord deliver to "that servant" all I-Iis goods, or did tie
rake him ruler over all llis goods? ~ 3(;.
to suffering humanitypeace, rest, life, liberty and hap- What is meant by "his goods"? and what was done with them?
pilless. ¶ 36.
Were kingdom interests committed to other servants? ~ 37.
5°Nineteen centuries ago the angel of Jehovah said: How was the loyalty of the true fellow servants demonstrated?
?3S.
"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which What two things united result in opportunities for service? ~ 39.
"Trading with the talents" means what? How were the talents
shall be to all people." Anda multitude of the heavenly increased? ~ 39.
Give an illustration. ~ 40.
host then sang: "Glory to God in the highest, and on When does the accounting take place? Should we expect it now?
41.
earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:10, 14) Paraphrasing, how did Brother Russell report? ~ 42.
The faithful servants of the King of kings, whoare now For what did the Lord commend him? 11 43.
When is the rulership? and what is the joy referred to? ~ 43.
doing loyal service unto their Lord, are beginning the ttow were those who had committed unto them two talents com-
mended ? 11 44.
fulfilment of what the angel there foretold. (Isaiah Tell us about the one who has no joy in the kingdom Interests. ~ 45.
In what ways may the talent be hid in the earth? 11 45,
52: 7) And what joy it brings to the hearts of those What is indicated by being cast into outer darkness? ~’45.
Are any of the Lord’s failhful servants of the one talent class? ~[ 46.
whoare so doing! What is the lesson taught by the parable? I1-17.
Why, then, did the Lord supervise in the organization of the So-
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY ciety? ~ 48.
What are those doing who refuse to co6perat.e with the Lord’s
Is one offended when he is corrected of the Lord? If so, why? |1. arrangement? 11 49.
Is it possible to measure our love for the Lord? ~ 1. Is it not just like the Lord to further test and prove his people
What does it mean to be loyal to the Lord? ~2, daily? 11 50.
In what way does the Lord’s arrangement harmonize with his If we have been lax in letting our light shine, what should we do?
Hplan? ~ 3. we differentiate 1150.
ow should between the Individual and an organi- What is meant by "redeeming the time" and by being "fervent in
zation? ~ 3. spirit"? 11 51.
With what doctrine does the plan of God harmonize? | 4. What is the most desirable field of activity? ~ 52, 53, 54.
What three important things was Jesus to do immediately after Figuratively speaking, where is the church standing today? ~ 55.
his second coming? ~ 5. How is the proclamation of the kingdom beg~inning the fulfilment
What have the physical facts to do with this threefold work? | 6. of the angels’ song? ~ 56.

MY ONE TALENT
"In a napkin smooth and white, "Ah ! the gift was only lent,
Hidden from all mortal sight, With the Giver’s known intent
My one talent lies tonight. That it should be wisely spent.
Mine to hoard, or mine to use, And I know he will demand
Mine to keep, or mine to lose; Every farthing at my hand,
May I not do what I choose? When I In his presence stand."
 PRAYER MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR MARCH21
"When. . . the spirit of truth is come, he will guide
you into all truth/’--John 16: 15.
HIS promise of the Lord was fulfilled to the
T apostles at Pentecost, when the holy spirit was
given to them. ’lhen they were enabled, by reason
of receiving the holy spirit, to understand the many
dark sayings Jesus had uttered to them during the three
and a half )’ears that they had walked with him person-
ally. The apostles, being then led by the spirit into the
full truth of God’s plan, under inspiration wrote epistles
for the benefit of others who have since come into the
family of Godthrough consecration, justification, spirit-
begetting, and spirit-anointing.
The spirit of the Lord is in his Word,written by his
holy representatives ; and he whopossesses the holy spirit
may claim this promise to himself: namely, that the
Lord will continue to guide him in the truth as he abides
in Christ and the spirit of Christ abides in him. The
Lord has fulfilled, and continues to fulfil, this promise
to all the members of the body who walk humbly and
obediently before him. In his owndue time he provides
the understanding of his Word, and the membersof his
body rejoice in the ever-increasing light whichhe causes
to shine upon his Word.
Understanding the Wordof God, the members of the
church are enabled to see the will of God and, by his
grace, to render themselves in obedience to that will:
and so doing, are gradually transformed from one degro:
of glory to another, even by the spirit of the Lord Jesus.
The word of truth as a guide in spiritual matters
must be illuminated by the spirit of our God. The mere
word does not sanctify: it is the meaning that that
word is intended to convey. The purification of heart
and mind is done by the truth; thus the transforming
process continues, bringing the loyal disciple nearer and
nearer into the likeness of his Lord and Master.
"Holy Spirit, faithful g.uide,
Ever near the Christian’s side,
Gently lead us by the hand,
l’il7.rims in a desert land.
Weary souls for aye rejoice,
While they hear that sweetest voice,
Whisp’ring softly, Traveler, come;
Follow me, I’ll guide thee home."
PRAYING FOR OPPORTUNITIES
DEARBI~ETHr~EN:
I lmve always bad a great desire to be able to help tell
the glad tidings, and I prayed the dear Father to give me
some opportunities to do so, but having a business that
required nearly all my time, it just seemed that I could
hardly ever find any one to talk to. But one day I received
a little sticker on which was printed "Millions Now Living
Will Never Die," and I pasted it on my office door in such
a way that anyone on coming into the office would have to
l~ead it. Then my opportunities to talk ca.me thick and fast
74
TEXT FOR MARCH28
"’That the Godof our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father"
’’- glory, may give unto you the spirit of ~’i~7,,,~.
of
Ephesians 1:17.
W ISDOM means the application of knowledge in
harmony with the divine rules of action, and
deporting oneself in harmonywith such rules.
It means the use of knowledge in such a manner that
good results to himself and to others. According to the
divine standard, worldly persons are not wise. No one
learns true wisdom except those who have committed
themselves to tile Lord and have received the spirit of
the Lord. "The reverence of the Lord is the begmmng
of wisdom."
The new creature in Christ has an honest and sincere
desire to knowand to do God’s will. St. Paul’s prayer,
as expressed in this text, was that those whohad received
the spirit of the Lord by being begotten and anointed of
the holy spirit nowmight receive from Godthe spirit of
wisdom. This is one of the means of transformation. A
complete heart obedience to the will of God, with aa
honest endeavor to do God’s holy will, is a manifestation
of the spirit of wisdom.Persevering in this course, the
spirit of wisdomincreases, thereby enabling the Chris-
tian actively to cohperate with Godin working out his
salvation. The spirit of wisdomwill cause such a one to
diligently seek opportunity of serving the Lord, that he
might thereby prove to be a faithful and true witne~-s
in behalf of the Lord’s cause and to prepare himself
for
W. the kingdom of glo
It is our privilege, then, to pray that our brethren may
have the spirit of wisdom, and to aid them, when oppor-
tunity arises, to develop this spirit. Havingthe spirit
or disposition to becomewise after the manner of the
Lord. we should pray for wisdom, asking in confidence
that the Lord will reward us. (James 1 : 5, 6) The more
we develop in wisdom, the more we will heed the admon-
ition of the Lord to trust in him with all our hesrt aT~d
acknowledge him in all our ways. Doing this, we shall
experience the blessing of being directed in the way that
we should go. The spirit of wisdom will lead one to
realize that his hopeof life lies in the fact that as a new
creature he strives to do the will of God, having always
a pure heart toward God and all of the Lord’s ways.
and made it possible for me to sell q Lea few books.
One man on leaving the office said,"This has been the best
half hour I have spent in years and I can never thank
you for the good you have done me." So you see that the
dear Father answered my prayer.
Never a day goes by but that we have you in our mind
and pray the dear Father to guide and bless you. With
much Christian love to all of you,
Your brother in the service of our I-4)rd,
 JESUS IN GETHSEMANE
---MARCH 11 L~KZ 22
THE PERFECT CALH OF JESUS---THE AGONY OF GETHSE~[ANE--"RETURN UNTO THY REST, 0 ~Y SOUL’--JESUS CRUELLY TREATED
BY THE PRIESTS--FAITH AND FULL CONSECRATION THE SECRET OF HIS VICTORY.
"GhrisI also suffered 1or sins once, the righteous 1or the unrighteous, thai he might bring us to God."--1 Peter 8:18, R. V.

UR Golden Text draws attention to the suffering of thou doest, do quickly." Before this, but while they were
O Jesus, the righteous for the unrighteous,
has no reference to the sufferings
though It
of our Lord in the
at the table, Jesus had gone round to each of his disciples,
washing their feet as Mary at Bethany had gone to him as
garden of Gethsemane, which give the title to today’s study. he reclined at the table, she washing his feet with her
Geti~semane, and Jesus in an agony of suffering, are forever tears, and wiping them with her hair. Ti~e Lord was giving
associated; but the sufferings our Master bore there were his disciples a lesson in humility, and the need of it in their
not for sins. IIe suffered lhere that he might prove himself service for each other. After Judas had gone he proceeded
an overcomer, and in order that he might complete the to tell them that the time had come when he, the Son of
work his Father had given him to do. These were part of man, should be glorified, and God be gh)rified in him. Then
the experiences laid upon him that he might b~ perfected. he urged them to have love one for another, such as he had
--Hebrews 5 : 8, 9. for them, and said: "By this shall all men know that ye
-~The last day of our Lord’s earthly ministry was spent are my disciples."--John 13 : 31-35.
with his disciples. It is probable that he spent the forenoon cIt was at this time, too, that the disciples began to dispute
of that day, Thursday, in giving them that instruction and amongst themselves which should be the greatest in the
warning which is detailed in Matthew 24 and 25. The kingdom; but even then thvugh this self-interest in the
afternoon was probably spent quietly in meditation. As the disciples seemed sutticient cause to defer any favors, be
day wore on, two of the disciples went to Jesus to ask him spoke to them, and through them to his church, these gra-
where they shouId make ready the Passover, that they might cious words: "Ye are they which have continued with me
eat it together; for thougll they were a large company, and in my temptations. And I covenant for you a kingdom as
the city was crowded with visitors, apparently no provision my Father hath covenanted for me; that ye may eat and
had been made. Jesus sent Peter and John, telling them drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones
how they should be directed to the place where he would judging the twelve tribes of Israel." {Luke 22:28-30; see
eat the Passover with them. They went and made ready. Diaglott.) Jesus there received them, and all the church
~Sometime during those days, perhaps after Jesus had whom they represented, into the covenant of grace which
concluded his ministry in the temple on the late afternoon the Father had made with him; that he and they should
of the previous day, Judas finally succumbed to the evil of stand together before the Father, he their Advocate and
his heart and to Satan, who was urging him on, and whom Representative to cover their shortcomings; they to be
he allowed to enter into him. He went out from the little joint-heirs with him in his kingdom. Addressing Peter he
company to tim enemies of Jesus to arrange for them to said: "Simon, Satan hath desired to have you [as well as
seize his Master. The chief priests and captains were de- Judas]." He had prayed for them, and he knew his Father
lighted with this turn of affairs; and they agreed to pay would keep them. (Luke 22:31; John 17: 11) Judas had
him, he making a bargain for thirty pieces of silver. He put himself outside; he was past praying for. The Lord
was to seek for a suitable opportunity when the dastardly then proceeded to speak those wondrous words recorded in
act could be done apart from the crowd; for these men as John 14-17, the greatest expression of truth ever spoken.
yet feared the people. As the hour drew nigh wtmn the
Passover should be eaten, Jesus went into the city with THE AGONY OF GETHSEMANE
the Twelve. rAil this was in the upper room, and some hours must
THE PERFECT CALM OF JESUS have been spent in that fellowship. When at last he had
4When they were reclining at the table, he told them of emptied himself of all that he had to say, and had thus
the great desire he had had to share that meal and the concluded his earthly ministry, he took his disciples out of
the city and over the brook Kedron to the garden of Geth-
occasion with them. He knew that it was his last Passover,
senmne, a garden in the valley, but where the Mount o[
and that it meant much to him and to them; and he had so
much yet to say to them. He knew, too, that the hand of Olives begins to rise. Eight of the disciples he told to stay
the betrayer was ~)n the table with him; but neither that in a certain place, but took with him further into the garden
knowledge, nor the fact that within a few hours his enemies Peter, James, and John. As they were walking he said to
would seize him, disturbed him. Carefully, point by point, them: "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."
be gave forth timse truths which have meant so much to h’ow bidding timm to stay and watch with him awhile, he
his church. The highest and greatest and best he had to went still further into the garden. IIe began to be in agony ;
giw, were given out under the stress of the greatest trial, for this was the hour and power of darkness. The pains
and when the darkest clouds were looming over him. First and power ~)f death faced him, and death meant so much to
there was the true meaning vf the Passover to make clear, him. Buffeted by Satan, he sought comfort from his Father.
and the Memorial of his death to give to the church in the IIe desired to have some assurance from God that his work,
symbols ~)f bread and wine; and to show how he and his and he himself, were aeeeptable; for the least failure or
disciples were to be one loaf, he and they to be broken in defect in anytlfing that he had done or thought would have
order to bear the sufferings of G~)d’s Anointed. Then the vitiated his life’s work, would have prevented his own
New Covenant blood, symbolized by the cup, was introduced, resurrection and would have meant the failure of the
to show that he and they should share together in the blood world’s sahation.
which ratifies it, that its blessings may come to the house SThe heigi~t of spiritual glory which our Lord had Just
of Israel and to the world. experienced in the upper room in establishing the church
5Apparently it was as soon as supper was over, and before in its inheritance of faith served but to emphasize tthe
they had risen from the table, that Judas, having received terror of death and that severance from God which d~th
the sop from the Lord, was seized by Satan. Both he and meant. And Jesus must have thought that perhaps his
his ]~Iaster understood; and Jesus said unto him: "That Father had yet another way possible. Perhaps he thought
7§
 WATCH
of how Abraham’s hand was stayed as the knife was ready
to phmge into Isaac’s bosom. He said: "Father, if it be
possible let this cup pass from me" ; but he was very care-
ful to state his full submission and obedience to his Father’s
will, "Nevertheless, not my will lint thine be d~)ne." The
Father kept him waiting. Jesus rose from his knees aml
sought fellowship with his beloved three; but they were
asleep, "heavy with sorrow." Ile returned and, being in
agony, again prayed, more fervently. Once more be sought
the consolation of his disciples’ companionsl~ip; they were
still asleep.
"RETURN UNTO TltY REST, 0 MY SOUL"
OAg’lin Jesus went to his Father, and he received the
Father’s assurance. An angel comforted him; surely by
bringing to his memory those passages in the Scripture
which clearly foretold the suffering of the servant of (]od,
and of the glory which should follow. (Psalm 102:23-28;
Isaiah 49:4-8) His Father’s will was fully revealed to
him, and his soul found rest. Now the mental strain
gone. lie had been tested to the full, and was faithful
The physical pain which was yet to come he would bear
with fortitude. He said: "I will take the cup of salvation
and call upon the name of the I,ord, I will pay my vows
unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people." (Psalm
116: 13, 14) The cup of death he saw was his cup of salva-
tion, both for himself and for those for whomhe should die.
¯ONo one can measure the sufferings of Jesus in Geth-
semane, either by imagination or by repetition; for the
circumstances c~)uld never be repeated, and no other ever
stood in the same relationship to God as he. Jeremiah’s
words calling attention to his sorrow are very fitting f,-r
this experience of the Lord, and, very probably, were in-
tended to express our Lord’s emotion and feeling in Geth-
semane. "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? beheld,
and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow."--
Lamentations 1 : 12.
~Come, see if there ever was sorrow like his. The vi.’-
tory was won. In the upper room Jesus had been on tlis
greatest elevation, and had finished his earthly ministry by
bidding his disciples to fear not evea though they were to
have great tribulation; for, said he, "I have overcome tim
world." (John 16:33) There remained this conflict at the
midnight hour with the powers of darkness, and Satan was
defeated; for Jesus’ obedience and faith brought him out
victorious. Satan won his victory over Adam and Eve in
the garden of Eden in the glory of the day; but he who
was the Savior to redeem the race and save it from the
power and bondage of death and from Satan met his sharp-
est trial in the valley garden at midnight--and Satan f’~ile’].
CRUELLY TREATED BY THE PRIESTS
~:V¢l’.en the Master was assured and had found rest, he
came back to his disciples. Just then his betrayer came
leading a band of chief priests and captains accompanied
by a rabble. Judas stepped forward and kissed Jesus, who
said: ’Is this how you betray the Son of man, Jud,~?’
Jesus was then seized and bmmd. (John 18:12) Pet(,r,
now awake, began to use his sword ; he cut off tile right e;tr
of *)he of tile servants of tile high priest. Jesus perhaps
asked permission in the words, "Suffer ye thus far" (Luke
22: 51), and repl’lced it. lie was taken to the high priest’s
house, where an infornml court was held, and they tried to
get witnesses to speak a~/inst him ; but each disagreed with
the other. At last false witnesses perverting his words were
found. They said: "Tlds fellow said, I am able to destroy
the temple of God, and to build it in three days." ffesns
would not answer. At last the high priest said: "I adjm~e
thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be
TOWER
the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus agreed that he was:
"Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter
shall ye see the Son of man sitting on tile right hand of
power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high
priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy;
what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye
have heard his blasphemy."
~aThen tim men who held him mocked him, and some
smote him, and they blindfolded him and strm’k him on the
face and said: "ProlIhesy unto us, thou Christ, Who Is he
that smote thee?" Apparently stone of these who were his
judges forgot themselves to such an extent that even they
spat on hiin, and buffeted him.--Matthew 26:61-68.
~41t was during these night scenes that Pcter denied the
Lord. When the rabble took Jesus away all the disciples
fled. Peter followed the Lord afar off, and went into the
high priest’s house or yard; and there thrice he denied, at
last with bitterness and cursing, that he had anything to
do with Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, not far away, turned
wns and, with his face bearing tile inarks of the cruel treatment
he had received, and revealing his intense suffering and
great restraint, looked on Peter. That look smote Peter’s
heart. He went out weeping bitterly. As soon as It was day,
that is, six o’clock, when it was legal to have a meeting of
the Sanhedrin, that body met; and there they asked Jesus:
"Art thou then the Son of God?" When he admitted that
he was, they said that that was sufficient proof of his blas-
phemy. They had all the evidence they wanted to Justify
their action. They led him away to Pilate.
~SThese things are so great, so deep, so high, that any med-
itation upon them is almost an act of worship. Our hearts
are inevitably drawn out to the dear Master who suffered
so much in his lmmiliation, and in following out that will of
God which was undertaken on our behalf, and on behalf of
the whole world of sinful men.
SECRET OF JESUS’ VICTORY
~aNo true heart can meditate upon these things without its
doors being opened wider to the influences of that grace of
God which brought salvation, and which kept Jesus in this
darkest and sharpest trial. The equanimity of spirit which
Jesus manifested in all these scenes until the hour of his
agony in the garden is tile standard set for us, his followers.
There was the str’tin at the Menmrial supper; for one of his
own intimate friends who had broken bre;~d with him had
prepared to sell him ; and the lack of understanding amon~°~st
the eleven respecting the solemnity of the occasion must
have been a trial to him. We are but poor copyists at the
best, but that which he had and which gave him balance is
at our disposal. A consciousness that he was doing the
Father’s will, an absolute trust in God, and tile power of
the spirit of God dwelling in him richly, kept him in integ-
rity of heart, and in such balance of mind that he could
con|inue his service.
~Zllere is the groat example for us of the "rest" of faith.
None of these ~)utward things moved him. But wlmn his
ministry was in the past, his last words having been given
to the people and to his disciples, he went into the solitude
el the garden to ills Vather; and his Father tested him. The
strain of his labor must have been peculiarly great, and his
body would be weakened by the stress of the pas* few d’lys.
~Natural expectation would have been f~)r a lmil~ fre’~n his
Father; but, as we have seen, God kept a~m wait.~g. The
test was severe. This tells us that even the most faithful of
the servants of God may not at all times expect to receive
the Father’s smile; for the faith of Ills servants must be
tested. Those honorable places which are awaiting the saints
can be given only to lhose whomGod has tried to the ulmast,
and who have proved faithful to him even to saying, with
 77
WATCH TOWER
God’s servant of old, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
in him." (,lob 13: 15) A tried faith is in God’s sight the most Wasthe suffering of Jesus in Gethsmnanefor sin? 1I 1.
preeio~ts thing. (1 Peter 1:7) It seems to be God’s design l-low did Jesus spend the last day of his earthly ministry? ~2.
How and why was the spirit of the adversary manifested in
to have every servant have an experience of loneliness of .ludas? l] 3.
spirit, chiefly in or(h,r that he may learn to depend upon his Under stress, was Jesus calm and hi~ Instruction sublime’a ~ 4.
IA hat e~n,n,,]o of lltull lit) did Jean- set before hi~ diu~uplo<"~l 5.
God. Even loved ones may be dull to a situation, however What encouraging words were spoken at this time, and what did
they imply? ~ 6.
good their hearts may be. Of what importance was the death of Jesus to himself and to
lSAlso, the blessing of the Father upon his dear Son by the the world ~ 1] 7.
I-low did Jesus in this trying hour show his full submission to
angel tells us that God will let no trial crush us; for Satan God? ~ R.
What results from receiving evidences of the Father’s approval?
has not the power of death over God’s own. Further, from 19.
our Lord’s attitude of fortitude, trust, and victory during Why is fallen man unable to comprehend the sufferings of Jesus
in Gethsemane? II 10.
that terrible night, we learn of the height of dignity of What tra~ts o! character especially enabled Jesus to be victorious?
character which is possible to those who have rested their In what way did Jesus show a kindness of heart to that rabble?
soul in God. "When he was reviled, he reviled not ~gain"; ¶12.
What admission on Jesus’ part finally "condemned" him in the
but, as Peter said, he "committed himself to llim that judg- eyes of the chief priests? ~ 12.
]-Iow was Jesus treated by his accusers? ~ 13.
eth righteously." (1 Peter 2: 23) Jesus never raised a com- ~.Vhal must ba~e b(’~m lhe feeling of Peter as he recognized his
plaint about the disciples’ forgetfulness of his need when denial of the Master? ~ 14.
Whai are some of the things by which God draws us to him?
in his sorrow, nor even against Peter for his denial. These ~l[ 15,16.
things he bore; for he knew the weakness and the good In wlmt respeeta was Jesus a pattern for us to follow? ~l 16.
Is it necessary for Godto test his elnhlren tO tim utmost : and why?
intention of their hearts. Our Father knows our frame,
The reward of faith and confidence in the providences of God
and remembers that we are dust, brm:s what? ~ 18.

JESUS CRUCIFIED
MARES18-----L~JKE 23--~
pILATE’S WEA]~NESSANDBRUTALITY~SIMON OF CYRENESHARESTHECROSS--JESUS FA1TI4FUL T3NTODEATH-"-THECROSSTHI
CENTEROF HUMAN HISTORY----THE DISCIPLE IS N(yr ABOVEHIS MASTER.
~lfe was wounded ]or our transgressions, he was bruised /or our iniquities: the chastisement o~ our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are hcaled."--lsaiah 53:5.

S SOONas the Sanhedrin had Jesus’ acknowledgment

A that he was the Son of God, they immediately
cluded their examination; for now they could formu-
con-
again before him, and the conversation
recorded in John 18:33-38.
ensued which is

late a charge against him. They wanted him put to death; PILATE’S WEAKNESS AND BRUTALITY
but the power of death was not in their hands, so they zPilate was convinced of Jesus’ innocency, and was willing
tmund him and hurried him away to Pilate. They laid tlmit to release him; but when all the people clamored for his
accusation against trim in a deliberate lie. They said: ’This death, nnd were insistent, "the voices of them and of the
fellow perverts the nation, forbidding to pay tribute to chief priests prevailed, and Pilate gave sentence that it
Cmsar, saying that he himself is an anointed king.’ They should be as they required." He ordered Jesus to be
knew very well that Jesus had told them to render to Cmsar scourged, and Jesus was immediately handed over to the
the things that were Cmsar’s; but, suppressing tlmt infornla- soldiers. Then the meek and gentle Son of man was at the
tion, they perverted his admission that he was the Messiah mercy o~ these brutal men. They robed him, plaited a crown
to mean that he was of necessity opposed to every gentile of thorns and put it on his bead, mocked him, and smote
power, and, of course, particularly so to the Roman power him on |he bead. Pilate took him from the soldiers and
which held Israel in subjection. Pilate asked our Lord once again brought him before the multitude, and said:
whether he was king of the Jews, al~d our Lord admitted it. "Beh,,Id the man !" Perhaps he thought the pitiable exhibi-
Pilate lind sense enough, however, to k’tow that Jesus did lion :rod the sight of the degradation and suffering to which
not mean what his aceuse~ meant, and declared that he Jesus had been subjected would have assuaged their pas-
:found no fault in him. But these malicious men accused sion. But lhe lust of blood was upon them, and the passion
Jesus tim more, and said that throughout all the land, of lmtred was in their hearts, and they cried out the more
Including Galilee, he had been stirring up the people. Ite that he shot~hl 1~.,, crucified. Pilate was afraid of them, and
had indeed, but he bad stirred them to righteousness, not afraid also be( ,us,, Jesus had claimed to be the Son of God.
to rebellion. ~ow, in dumb show, by washing his hands lm declared, his
2The casual mention of Galilee gave Pilate an opening; innoeency. Then they said: Let "his blood be upon us and
for Herod, the ruler of Galilee, ]mppen(,d to be in Jerusalem. lJpon our children" (Matthew 27: 25), and deliberately qsked
Out of a pretended courtesy to IIerod, and to please him, for l;arabbas, a seditious murderer, to be given liberty
and certainly in order to relieve himself of responsibility, rather than Jesus. Pilate’s weakness of nature, his fear that
Pilate sent Jesus to him. lterod was gl.t(l to see lhis man of the Jews migi~t accuse tlim, and his desire to stand well
whom he had heard so much. He asked many questions, with them overcame any scruples he had, and he sent Jesus
and hoped that Jesus would work a miracle for him. AS to be crucified.
Jesus answered not a word, and as the chief priests and ¯While this was going on, Judas had gone out of the t~ty
scribes vehemently accused him, Herod and his men of war to hang himself. In his misery when he saw the horror of
scoffed at him, moc.k,,d him, arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, the situation, he had asked the priests to take the mopey
and sent him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod. who had back; he had said thqt he had sinned in that he had
been at enmity with each other, were reconcilcnl over their betrayed innocent blood. The depth of malice and iniquity
mutual ill-treatment of the Son of God. Pilate had Jesus in these men’s hearts Is revealed in their reply: "What
 BROOKLYN, N. Yo
WATCH TOWER
that to us?"--that is your affair. (Matthew 27:4) They sought the Lord to remember him when he should come into
had *heir victim, bought at the cost of thirty pieces of silver his kingdom. To this Jesus agreed, saying, "Today I say
and of tneir honor. (hod’s purposes were being worked out. unto thee, Thou shall be with me in the Paradise" (Luke
5It surely is not without meaning that the first three 23:43, Diaglott)~an assurance that when Paradise is re-
verses of Luke 22 bring into relation three things which stored the thief shall enter into its joys. And, without
have to do with Jesus’ death: First, it was the Passover doubt, he will have some personal attention from the King
season; second, "the chief priests and scribes sought how alongside of whomhe suffered. The soldiers callously sat
they might kill him"; and third, "Satan entered into Judas at the foot of the cross, casting lots for his garments. Once
surnamed Iscariot," to betray him. The time had come when Jesus spoke to his mother, who was there with her sister
Jesus must suffer. There are four names brought into and Mary Magdalene and some of the uther women wbo had
prominence in connection with our Lord’s death, each of accompanied him in Galilee ; and once to John, bidding hi I
them being execrable to all humanity: Judas, who betrayed care for his mother. With the exception of John we do not
him; Herod, callously indifferent, who enjoyed Jesus’ dis- know that any of the disciples were there; for they were
tress; Pilate, wlmse weakness and cruelty delivered Jesus to afraid.
shame and to death; and Satan, the instigator of the whole JESUS FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
wicked business. These names are covered with shame until 1OAt noon the sky became dark; the brilliant sunshiLe of
such time as in the purpose of God all records of shame the spring day gave place to darkness, which continued until
shall be obliterated. three o’clock. It was a time of silence; we have no record
CBut this combination of evil could not have brought about of anything happening during those hours. Apparently just
the death of Jesus unless God had permitted it. It was before three o’clock the silence was broken; Jesus said: "I
because Jesus knew his Father’s purpose for him that he thirst"; and drink was given to him on a sponge. At the
gave no answer to the accusations brought against him. He hour of three Jesus cried with a loud voice: "My God, my
would not say a word in self-defense; when he did speak, it God, why hast thou forsaken meT’ (Matthew 27:46; Psalm
was in furtherance of his mission, and as a witness to the 22 : 1) ; and then once again, in full loyalty, confidence and
kingdom. He knew that his Father had given him up to be assurance of faith and hope and love, with a loud expiring
a lamb for sacrifice; and in order that the purpose could be cry he called to his Father: "Father, into thy hands I
consummated, and for fear lest any argmnent should arise commend my spirit." Having said thus, he gave up his
that would defer the hour of his death, he opened not his spirit. Jesus was dead. The terrible strain would have
mouth. He treated himself as God’s lamb. He knew that he b,’ought tile end very soon, but apparently our Lord had the
~ a~ as innocent as a lamb: he would be silent as a lanlh. privilege of yielding up his life just at that nmment ; for he
dmd at the ninth hour, the time of the evening sacrifice, jus
SIMON OF CYRENE SHARES THE C2OSS when the priests were ministering in the tempi(;; and just
:l?lm cross was laid upon Jesus, and he was led a~x.’.3 to then "the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top
be crucified. But the journey was uphill; and, enf(ebled to the bottom." (Matthew 27: 51) The temple service could
with the strain of the week, and the specially heavy strain not be carried ola .without the vail dividing the holy place
of the wearying night lie had had, and the brutality to which from the Most Holy; therefore when the vail was torn the
he had been subjected, he was too weak to carry it far. For temple service was destroyed. In this way God indicated
three and a half years he had given his strength to the that the last aeceI,lable sacrifice according to the law of
people in the service of his Father; "virtue [strength] had Sin’li and the priesthood of Aaron had been offered.
gone out of him" as a living stream, and there was little ~The end had (.ome. All things written that Christ must
left. One, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the suffer had been fulfilled. (Acts 3 : 18) Joseph of Arinmthea
country, and who pertmps expressed sympathy with Jesus nowwent to Pilate to beg the body, offering to inter it in l~is
and horror at the cruel lreatment, was made to help with own tomb, wherein no body had lain. Nicodemus joined
the cross. This was blessed help, a type for the church, and Joseph, the women were there also, and ,Jesus was buried
probably the means of himself and his sons Rufus and in the tomb in the garden. It was a hurried burial, because
Alexander becoming members of the symbolic body of Christ, the Sabbath was coming on, and tile Passover was being
and thus of sharing in the sufferings of Christ and the kept.
glory which is to follow. (See Romans 16:13. These men ¯ =It had been a great and terrible day. The city was all
would hardly have been mentioned were they not known to excitement, and the distress of the disciples can only be
the early church.) imagined; for the Scripture makes no attempt to describe
sA great company of people accompanied the soldiers and it. But it is easy to think that when their beloved Master
the priests and scribes. Amongst them were many women had died their hopes failed; for there would be little to
whose hearts were touched, and who bewailed and lamented. hope for. It was in this way that God’s Passover Lamb wus
Jesus, turning to them, spoke kindly, and told them not to slain, that his true Israelites might keep the true feast of
weep for him, but for themselves; for terrible times were I’assover. And in this way also death came to the "bullo:’k
coming, when these lea(lm~ and all such as they would cry for atonement" that the sins of God’s people wouhl be
to the very mountains to fall on them and cover them. Two atoned for. He bore our sins, says Peter, bore them on tile
thieves were led out with him to be crucified. When they tree. (1 Peter 2 : 24) All these sufferings led to the cuhnina-
had arrived at Golgotha the crosses were laid down and the tion at Calvary, where he died the just for the unjust that
victims fastened to them; the thieves with thongs, but Jesus he might bring us to God (1 Peter 3: 18), and for the sinn
was nailed to his by his hands and feet so that when the of the world that he might in due time save it. Treated by
cross was lifted up and was jolted into position the pain nlen {is "/ nmlefactor, as a dangerous and bad man, he was
would be excruciating. made a curse for Israel (G’tlatians 3: 13); also it was l!y
YOur Lord was crucified at nine o’clock. During the three the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God ttmt lie
hours of the forenoon the people railed at him, and the waS delivered up to the powers of evil men.~Aets 2 : 23.
cruelty of the priests and scribes followed him on the cross;
for they mocked him and bade him come down if he were THE CENTER OF HUMAN HISTORY
the savior he claimed to be. The two thieves also joined in ~aThe death of Jesus is the central point of human history,
(Matthew 27:44)~ though vne speedily repented, and be- and it has affected men more than any other event, But

WATCH
though millions have had their lives affected by its power
as the center of tile story of God’s love, according as faith
has been piaced in it, it is apparent to everybody that the
world as such is not affected by it ae(.ording to tile expressed
pu~l).~e of God. Today, with more people in the earth, and
a tinle when there is nmch more light and knowh-dge, and
therefore nm(.h l)rofesse(l worship of God, the peoples of
earth, even of those (-omposing (2hrislendon~ are pagan rather
than Chrislian. The governments are frankly pagan; no
government, nor indeed any one of the great ehureiies, really
acknowledges tile Sermon on lhe Mount as its rule of conduct.
~qt is plain that Jesus was sent of God ; Judas and Pilate
were at one in saying that he was an innocent man. Though
many accusations were made by his enemies, none could be
laid upon him. And God had foretold that these things
should happen, even to his betrayer selling him for thirty
pieces of silver, which money should afterwards purchase
the potter’s field. But the dying of Jesus (lid not effect the
~.orld’s salvation : and God did not seek a victim upon whom
his wrath could be laid that all men might go free. Jesus
was God’s "eorrespondi~g price," corresponding to Adam,
that a perfect man should be a ransomer for all men. In
his exaltation he was made Priest to use the value of his
ransom-price and to make full atonement for sins, and bring
in the ble~ings which come from an atonement effected,
which blessings will come with his kingdom.
~One by one the prophecies concerning him were fulfilled.
When Jesus stood before Pilate a few still waited their ful-
filment; but each one was met until at last when on the
cross the exhibition of his emaciated body (Psalm 22: 17),
his thirst and giving him vinegar to drink (Psalm 69: 21),
the cry to God as of a broken heart (Psalm 22: 1), and
all the personal scriptures, were fulfilled. The others, those
beyond his control, were God’s charge. God had said that
darkness should come at no~lnday (Amos S: 9) ; and it did.
(:(;* had said that he should be numbered with the trans-
.... s; and he was so numbered. (Isaiah 53: 12) God
,hat he should make "his grave with the wicked, and
Wl~Al the rich in his death" (Isaiah 53: 9); and it was so.
His last cry was that of a faithful servant and son: he
said: "It is finished." There was kindness in the darkness,
even though it did mark God’s displeasure; for imd the sun
continued to blaze upon Jesus through those hottest hours
of the day, from twelve to three, his sufferings must have
been greatly intensified, and it seems hardly possible that
he could have lived to the time when he was appointed to
die.
DISCIPLE NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER
16It w~ls in this way men treated the Messenger of God.
I-le was the only man who could challenge conviction of sin
~"Which of you," he said, "c~nvinceth me of Sill ?" Some
one has said that if virtue came to earth men would admire
it so much they wonhl reverence it and contorm to it.
Another said that virtue did come, in the person of Jesus
Christ, ~md men crucified it. Earth has seen no tragedy so
great "~s this. Men would say it can never be repeated. It
cnnnot be exactly rep~*aled, but the terrible thing is th’tt it
is about to be repeated. Priests, polilicians, and profiteer~
are being brought together ready to cruuh trnlh and its
repr(,se~;~,atives m,l of the enrlh. The disciple is not to be
abe(, 1:1,, l,o!’(I: he will not he (.,:lh,d to su!ler in the s.line
way, nor to the same extent; but the wih~( ss ,’~s he follows
his 51:~ster will (’[),:t him all he h’lu, and will prove him
the nllermost, a~,<,u fulfilled :ill that was written of him;
but there were snl’t’t’l’iIIgS of Christ which wet(. left behind,
to br filleft up by his body members, his ¢ootstep followers.
(Colos~-;ians 1:24) When these are completed the great day
of Atonement will conclude with blessings for all, and the
79
TOWER
time of the application of the merit of Jesus will have coma
for the world.
~TThe Jew wanted a reigning Messiah, not one of grace
only, but one of power who sbould restore his kingdom.
But Christendom is as blind to the plan of God as the Jew,
and has been as perverse as he. It persists in seeing in the
first advent the only coming of the Messiah, except ~ he
may "come" at conversion or at death. The Jew refuses the
cross; he wants a Messiah with a kingdom, and still looks
forward; while the Christian ignores the kingdom glory of
the Messiah, and looks back to Calvary. Both will soon see
the two advents in full beauty of relationship: the Christian
will see the King coming in an unexpected manner; and the
Jew will see in the King the despised Nazarene, and will
look with gx~teful acceptance upon him whomthey pierced.
But neither will see tile King with the natural eye; for
Jesus since his resurrection is a glorious spirit being. The
dea.th of Jesus was the necessary preliminary to the restora-
tion of the race, which is God’s avowed purpose, as he has
testified by all his prophets. (Acls 3:21) His return
necessary If the race is to be restored, and if the promise~
of God are to be made good. He comes to deliver his pu~
chased possession.--Ephesians 1 : 14.
~SCllristendom has blame<l the Jews for their ill-treatment
of Jesus of Naz~lretll, and for being so blind as to be unable
to see in him their premised Messiah. The Jew wanted, and
still wants, more than Jesus brought him--he wants the
Abrahamic promises fulfilled. No doubt he wants these ful-
filled in his own way. He faiIed to see that God was in
Jesus laying a necessary foundation for the future blesslngm,
’tHere’s love end grief beyond degree :
The Lord of glory dies for man l
But lo! what sudden joys we see,
Jesus, the dead, revives again!
* * * * *
Oh, live forever, wondrous King!
Born to redeem, and strong to save."
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
What did Jesus do to stir up the anuer of the chief priests? ~ 1.
What was the outcome of the subterfuge Pilate used to get rid el
Jesus? 11 2.
What object had Pilate in scourging Jesus, and was he sneeessfult
~a.
In what way did those priests show lhe condition of their heartsl
~4.
What three things were connected with Jesus’ death, and in what
~ay? ~ 5.
What event marked the time f()r the death of Jesus, and how? |
~’i~’]ly "tV-’i~ J’~<~.!S IllI:I|~!C tO i). r ~- ~v00(len t-ross? ~
What probable reason wa~ |here for selecting Simon to assist
Jesus? ~ 7.
Were the two thieves nailed to ~he cross as was Jesus? ~f 8.
What is the true meani~< ~f the word, :.poken to the thief? ~ 9.
What were the last wor(ls of Jr~u~, ,and Inert’ meaning? ~10.
Whatis the significance of Jesus dylnK at the lllUtll |lOUt, and |lOW
did Godindicah, that /he t.~pi(’nl sacrifices were at an end? ¶ 10,
Wllat marvelous lhing has resulled from tim death of the Passover
Lamb?"¶~ ]1, 12.
Whyis the greatcCt evevt of hi,dory so little appreciated? ¶ 13.
Whatis the ra~lsonl-price, and howdoes Jesus inake use of it? 1] 14.
Namesome of the scriptures which were rapidly having fulfihnent.
¶~5.
Could the tragedy of Calvary be repeated, and in what way? 1] 16.
Whenthe "sufferings of Christ" are tinished, what is bound to
follow? ~16.
What is the expectation of the Jew? Of the Christian? And shall
thc~e expectations ever be realized, and how?¶ 17.
Are the Jews alone in their blindness of seeing Jesus as he wul
U~S.
 International Bible StudentsAssociationClasses
I.~cc~ur~and~udie8~ Trdvclin~5rc~-cn
BROTHER To E. BARKER BROTHER S. MORTON

Tork,Pa........................... Mar. 18 Boyertown,Pa ................ Mar. 26 Bellmont,Ill ................ Mar. 20 Anna,.111......................... Mar 2~
" " Dix, Ill ....................... " 21 ixi,)~,--lds.Ill ..................... ’"
Hanover,Pa..................... 20 Linfiehi, Pa ..................... 27 " 22 Tht, bes,Ill ....................... " 30
Lancaster, Pa ............. " 21 Norristown, Pa ............... " 28 Metropolis,Ill .................
Rheems,Pa .................... " 22 Coshocton,Pa ................. " 29 Marion,Ill ...................... 25 Valier, Ill ....................... Apr.
Plainfield, Pa .................. " 23 Lansdale,Pa ................... " 30 WhiteAsh, I1| .............. " 26 Jaeksojnville,Ill ............... "
Pottstown, Pa ................ "’ 25 Downington, Pa ............. " 31 Carbondaie, 111 ............. " 27 Springfield, IlL : ........... " 3, 4

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER G. IL POLLOCK

McLoud,Okla ............. Mar. 16 Norman,Okla ................. Mar. 25 Gilbert Plains, Man.....Mar. 14 Souris, 3tan ..................... Mar. 22
Teeumseh,Okla ........... " 18 Minco,Okla..................... " 27 Dauphin, Man............ " 15, 18 Treherne,Man................. " 23
Drumright, Okla ......... " 19 Chickasha, Okla ............. " 28 Ethelbert, Man........... " 16 Portage La Prairie, Man. " 25
Chandler, Okla ........... " 20 Cruce,Okla ..................... " 29 Kelwood, Man............ " 19 Ne~eton,Man................. " 27
Luther, Okla ............... " 22 Comanci~e,Okla ............. " 30 Rapid City, Man........ " 20 Transcona, iXian ............ " 29
Oklahoma City, Okla... " 23, 26 Terrel, Okla..................... " 31 Brandon, Man............. 21 Winnipeg, Man.....Mar. 30, Apr. 1

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTHER B. M. RICE

Deer Lodge, Mont .......
MLusoula,Mont...........
Pablo. Mont.................
Great Falls, Mont.......
Virgelle, Mont.............
Tampico, Mont ...........
Mar. 12 Froid, Mont.................... Mar. 25 Simmons, Tex .......... Mar. 15 SamFordyce,Tex ............. Mar. 2~
" 13, 16 Avondale, Mont.............. " 26 Corpus Christi, Tex. . " 16, 1S Alide,Tex....................... " 2B
" 14, 15 Outlook. Mont................. " 27 Driscoll, Tex.......... ’" 19 Prenmnt, Tex ................ " 2.7
" 18 Hart, Sask...................... " 29 "-3rownville, Tex........... " 20, 21 Haltettsville, Tex ........... " 28
" 19, 20 AssHtd~oia,Sask ............. Apr. 1 Harlingen, Tex ......... " 22 Houston,Tex................... " 29
" 21, 22 Mazenod,Sask ................. " 4 McAllen,Tex............... " 23 Beaumont,Tex ............... " 30

BROTHER A. J. ESIILEMAN BROTHER C. ROBERTS

Jacksonville, Fia ............. Mar. 18 Bronwood,Ga ................ Mar. 24 Hudson,O ................... Mar. 19 Ashtabuta.0 ................... Mar. 27
Savannah, Ga ............... " 19 Americus,Ga.................. " 25 NowCastle, l’a ........... " 20 Pmnesville,O................. " 28
McRae,Ga ...................... " 20 Eastman,Ga ................... " 2i" West Middlesex, Pa ..... " 21 SanduMiy,0 .................. " 2~
Fitzgerald, Ga................. " 21 Bentz,Ga........................ " 28 Sharon, Pa ................. " 22, 25 l)aubury, 0 ..................... " 3,0
Albany,Ga...................... 22 Dublin,Ga....................... " 29 Farrell, Pa .................. " 23 Toledo,O ....................... ~pr. 1
Dawson,Ga..................... " 23 IrWinton,Ga................... " 30 Cortland, O................ " 26 Fremont, O .................. " 2

BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM BROTHER R. L. ROBIE

-qarnia, Ont. ........... ~.*ar. 12, 13 Simcoe,Ont ................ Mar. 22 Bowie,Tex....................... Mar. 16 San Angelo, Tex ............. Mar. 25
Windsor, Ont ........... " 14, 15 Woodstock, Ont. ......... ’ 23, 25 Stoneburg, Tex ............... " 18 Bronwood,Tcx ............... " 2B
Chatham, Out ......... 18 Galt, Ont .................... " 2~ Ranger, Tex.................. " 20 Brooksmith,Tex ............. " 27
Ridgeton, Ont ......... " 19 Kitchelmr, Ont ......... " 2~ Eastland, T~x ......... " 21 Dublin.Tex..................... " 28
St, Thomas, Ont ...... "~9 1"rant fortl, Ont. ......... " 2~ Merkel,Tex................... " 22 Desdemona,Tex ............ " 29
Aylmer. Ont ........... " ~1 Niagara F’lls, Ont. Mar.30, Apr.l Abeline, Tex.................. " 23 Gustine, Tex .......... 30

BROTHER M. L. HERR BROTHEl{ W. J. THORN

LosAngeles, Cal ............... Mar. 18 West Los Angeles, Cal.._.Mar. 27 Gait, Ont ....................... Mar. 13 North Bay, Ont ........... Mar. 2O
Santa Ana, Cai ................ " 21 Maywood,Cal .............. " 28 Kitchener, Ont .............. " 14 Warren, Ont ............... " 2I
Anaheim,Cai ................ 22 Long Beach, Cai ............ " 29 Guelph,Out..................... " 15 Maclennan,Out ........... ".22,,23
OceanPark, Cai ............... " 23 Alhambra,Cal ................. " 30 Barrle, Ont ............. " 16 Sault Ste¢ Marie, Ont. " 25, 2fi
San Diego, Cai ................ " 25 Pasadena,Cal ................. Apr. 1 Orillla, Ont. ..................... " 18 Searchmont, Ont ......... " 27
Hawthorne,Cai ............... " 26 Santa Barbara, Cal ......... " 4 Bracebridge, Ont ............. " 19 Winnipeg, Man........... " 30

BROTHER W° M. HERSEE BROTHER T. H° THORNTON

Elmvale,Ont................. Mar. 27 Baldwin, Out ............... Apr. 6 Coeburn,Va.................... Mar. 20 Petersburg, Va ............... Mar. 27
Midland, Ont ............. " 2.~, 29 Bracebridge, Ont. ........ " 8, 9 Bristol, Tenn................... " 21 Richmond,Va................. " 28
Orillia, Ont. ........ Mar. 30, Apr. 1 North Bay, Out .......... " 10, 11 ~Vytheville, Va ............... " 22 Washington, D. C ........... " 29
Lindsay,Ont....................... " 2 Mattawa, Ont ........ " 12 E. Radford, Va .............. " 23 Baltimore, Md................ " 30
Cameron,Ont ................. Apr. 3, 4 New Liskeard, Ont .... " 13, 15 Roanoke,Va.................... " 25 Philadelphia, Pa .......... Apr. 1
Stouffville, Ont ............. " 5 Timmins,Ont ............... " 16, 17 Lynchburg,Va................ " 26 Trenton, N. J ........... " 2

BROTHER O. MAGNUSON BROTHER L. F. ZINK

Appleton,Wis................. Mar. 16 GreenBay, Wis ............... Mar. 23 Kingston, Out .......... Mar. I 1, 12 O~h~,,,, Out ............. Mar. 21, 22
Wausaw,Wis ................... " 18 Marinette, Wis ............... " 25 Belleville, Ont ........... " 13, 14 Stouft~nlle, Out ...... " 23, 25
!Marion,Wis..................... " 19 Vulcan,Micl~................... " 26 Sterling, Ont............. " 15, 18 MarldmlU.Ont ........... " 26
Clintonville, Wis ............. " 20 Manistique, Mich ............. " 28 Frankford, Ont ......... " 16 Toronto, Ont ............. " 27
Seymour,Wis ................. " 22 Sault Ste. Marie, Mich... " 29 Trenton, Ont ........... " 19 Brampton, Ont ......... " 2~
Black Creek, Wis............. " 21 Sault St. Marie, Out ....... Apr. 1 Orono,Ont................. " 20 Bridgewater, N. S ..... Apr. 1, 2

PRAYER-MEETING TOPICS FOR APRIL, 1923

I.B.S’A.BEEAN
BIBLE II
,STUDIES
ByN~eansoF"The Plan of the Ages"
APRH, 4 : "Ye have received the spirit of adoption."--Romans 8:15.
Chapter XIII: Kingdoms of this World
I
AI, RIL 11 : "Ye are sanctified . . . by the spirit of God."--I Cor- l]
inthians (;:11. Weekof April 1 .......... Q. 21-27 Week of April 15 ........ Q. 35-41’[
Weekof April 8 .......... Q. 2S 34 Week of April 22 ........ Q. 42-47 ’
APRIL18: "Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities."~ Weekof April 29 .......... Q. 4S-53 []
Romans 8 : 26. Question b~oks vn The D,wne Plan" 15c postpaid |l
A#~.IL 25 : "The spirit of God dwelleth in you."--1 Corinthians 3:16. J[
V~)l,. XLIV SE~U-MO~TttL~" NO. 6
Anno Mundi 6051 -- March 15, 1923

CONTENTS
VIE~.VS FRO3,f THEWATCI[TOWER ........................... ,~/:]
]2ombardment of Babylon Continues .................. £3
Crusade Planned against War . .......................... ,~4
Preaches for MoneyOnly .................................... ~
Taking Blame for Way . .............................. ,~
]).ible Offensive to Sight aml Smoll ............. ~5
Turning against the "God of This World" ...... ~5
Young Chinese Becoming Arou,~ed ............ ,~5
Church of England Imperiled .................. ~6
Wave of Dishonesty Gripping World ................. 86
Church of England Struck wltll Liuhlning ........ $7
PRAYEII-~[EETINGTEXTCOMMENTS .......................... ~9
JEst s TItE ~VORLD’S SAVIOR ...................................... 90
]’HE~VAL]£TOEMMAUS .............................................. 91
ABRAIIAM, TIlE ]IEROOF ]"AITH ................................ 93
[NTERESTING LETTERS ................................................ 9,5

"’1 will Stand ~tport my watch and will set my foot

upon the Tower, and wall watch to see what He will
.~’ay unto me, and what a~,xwe~ 1 shall make to them
that o~imse llle~--H(tba~.kl¢l~ 2"1
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACRED MISSION
THISpresented
Journal |s one of the prime factors
in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCE’.~OWER BII~LE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
or "Seminary Ex%0~sion", now b~ng
A.D. ]S84, "For the Pro°
motion of Ct~ristian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in tile study of ~lle divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s copventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our ’ffterean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES]n0~t entertainingly arranged, and very
helpiul to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, ~lz., lcrbi Dei Minister IV. D. AL), which translated
into l.’n~h.~h is Minister of God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
Etudents arid teactlers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
--redemption througlt the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] fo~
all". (1 Peter 1 ; J9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building np on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...ha~l
been liid iu God .... to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--I~phesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It slands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of Cod in Christ, as exprosued in lhe holy Scriptures. It is ~hus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdola granted unto us lo un~lel.~land his utterances, lts attitude is not dogmatic, but confident;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith EOOa die sure promises of Cod. It is held as a Irust, to be used only in his
service; hence our decisions relative to what may ned what may not appear in its columns mus~ be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for tile xg)haild.ing of his peDalS in grsce and l, nowled~e. And we not only invite but Urge oal~
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURESCLEARLY
TEACH
That the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughou~
tile gospel age--ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, whe~
fimshed, God’s ble~,dn;~" shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Comnthians 3 : 16, 17 ; J:3phesians 2 : 20-22 ;
Genesis 28 : 1,1 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
~hat lneantime the ctdseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "living ,ntonc~", "elect and pro( lou%" .~hall have been made remly, tile great 51a~or Worknmn~lll llring all ~ogether
in the first resurrection ; and tile temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the mceling place between God and men throughout
"clue Millennium.--Re~elation 15 : 5-8.
That the basis of impe, for the church and the world, lie~ in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and ~u!I be "the true light which lighteth every rna~ that eometh ~nto the world", "in due time".~
Ilebrews 2:9; John 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
"That tile hope of the church is that she mav be like her Lord, "see him mu he is," be ’ partaker of the divine nature,’ and shar0 hlS
glory as his jomt-helr.~l John 3.2 ; Jo’hn 17 "24 ; Romans 8 : 17 ; 2 Peter 1:4.
.That the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for tile future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and pmests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24~
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s .Millennial k ngdom, the
restitution of all that ~:ts lost ill Adam, to all the willing and obedmnt, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glor, lae4 chureh$
when all the wilfully wicked will lm destroyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23; lsamh 35.

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 VoL.XI,IV MAncix
15, 1923
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
"And Babylon, the glory of the lcil~yoms, the bca~dy of tile Chaldees" excelM~cy, shall be as when Godocerthrew
£’odom and Gomorrah."--Isaiah 13: 19.
BOMBARDMENT OF BABYLON CONTINUES
B ]’WILDERING indeed to the people is the commo-
tion throughout the world today, caused by the
political turning el "’the world upside down."The
old world crumbles undcr the contimtous bombardment
of foes from wit hour and revolutions on the part of many
within. The Greater Cyrus is at the gates. It is time
to lay the fom’dations for the new x~orld. Only the
student of the. Wordof Godcan correctly read the signs
oi the times. To him it is a cause of rejoicing, while to
MI others it is a cause of tePror. Babylonhas long been
the prid.e of the world, decorated and embellished by
magmficcntedifices and temples dedicated to their re-
spective gods. With con.-ternation do the devotees behold
one tenq)lc after another crumbleand fall to ult?r ruin.
They rush to protect and save one part of the city, only
to learn that trouble has broken out in manv places.
They have sacrificed their time and means to erect ’the
costly tenlples, and have lif%d up holy hands to Godin
supplication for blessings upon their sacriiiccs. They
are asking: "iIave we not prophesied in thy name ? and
in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done
many wonderful works?" God’s answer was long since
given in lus Word; but they have no faith in that and
so he proceeds to "do his work, his strange work; and
bring to pass his act, his strange aet."--Isaiah 28: 21.
St. John foretold that "great Babylon came into re-
membrancebefore God, to give unto her the cup of the
wine of the fierceness of his wrath."- Revelation 16 : 19.
All Bible Stnden% are familiar with the fact that
Bal}v]on o£ old typified "Babylonthe great," gen.~rally
called Christendom.Jeremmh50 : 14:-16, 29, 30 describes
the preparations made for her overthrow. The papers
lhese days are filled with reports of the difficulties of the
leaders of Babvle-;_ in their efforts to de,on4 the "city."
There are. controversies about creeds, doetrines, man-
ag’ement,men~bershil} , loss of prestige, replying to criti-
cisms, etc. Often one element of the ecclesiastics seeks
freedom from the time-worn traditions which they rec-
ognize are not Biblical; odwrs seek reform in their own
ranks; still ethers, dyed in tlle wool, endeavor to defend
and justify those tradiIio]is and to uphold the honor
and power of the system, which Jesus shows St. John
No.8
has "become the habitation of devils, and the hold of
every foul spirit, and a cage of every uneh, an and hate-
£ul bird."--Revelation 18: 2.
Wequote excerpts from the secular press. A whole
page in the Sentinel of Toronto, Callada, gives a d-,serip-
lion of some of Babylon’s tronbh~s, and shows that her
troubles are many.Amongother things it ta!c{,s ul} what
it calls "Ilussellisn]," and in dPlinmgit gal’bles, ntis-
colors, and misrepresents it. What a wonderful world
this wouldbe if the preachers themselves wouhlnot lie!
Werethey to tell the truth about the International Bible
Students Association, what a large and good a(lvePtising
agency we would have ! One of their stock argmnents is
that we deny the resurrection o£ Jesus. Howabsurd;
for with what consistency could a person prof"ss to be a
Christiar~ and at the same time exercise failh in a dead
Christ !
That the arrows of the truth are wounding many is
evidenced by the cries of the wounded. Mini.-t,rs from
various parts of the emmtry are warning their flocks
against touching our literature. It often proves to be a
bomb which may explode and do immense dan]age to
their previous theological imaginMruns. ]~eports of such
sermons come from lIiami, Fla., Wimfipeg. Man., De-
troit, Mich., Itamilton, Ont., and manyother p]ac’s.
Leighton I’arke, D.D., has recently wrilh,n a book
enti’tled, "The Crisis of the Churches." There is no
question about the crisis being here, and the i]mninent
collapse of Babylonis certain.
llev. a. Clover Monsmaheads an "organization of all
Christian forecs in the United ~qlales into a (’hPlstian
voters’ league," to "get a maninto the presidential chair
who places principles above poIilh:s and who will not
hesitate to stand decidedly for the application of Chris-
tian principles." Why,then, do preachers play pol;ties ?
The Ilight l{everend EdmundA. Knox, of Man,ches-
ter, England. heads a movementto have "all British
churches unite to put business on a Christian ba.-is,"
we presunw, after the American plan--to give it the
¢¢nlOllOy test."
The Ei)is(.,}palians think they should have a new
prayer 1}col( revise svme of the chl 1}rayer,-. and add
sollle new ones. "The new prayers are reeonmmndecl
84 ,rh. WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN.N. ~J~,

by tile ~ol,mnssion on revision of the Book of Common lished book that "Christ is a myth," "that the gospel is
Prayer, ~luch l~as been at work several years. They incredible on account of its contradictions and discrep-
suggest a prayer "For a State Legislature," "For Our andes." He describes the "Acts of the Apo,,th,s" as "an
Country," "For All Nations," and a revised "General anonymoustract," mnl expresses the belief that many
Intereesston," submitting outlines of forms for each. Christians are not disturbed by the discovery that the
They ex ideally wish to carry out literally, "Pray without "whole historie fabric of the Old Testament is a pious
ceasing" lip serxiee in a heartlesb religmn. forgery." Regarding miracles he said: "I believe the
Dr. (,tinge B. ’i’aubn’an, of l,ong" Beach,Calif., before reeord to be incredible in the strictest meaning of the
the men, bers of "The NewTvstament Congress" urged word. I have been convinced that miracles do not hap-
the ama!~amation of the two Testaments, and proposed pen, never have happened, and ought not to happen."
the follm~ing articles of belief as necessary to world In respect to the Jew he said: "Having become pos-
religion, th,, first and the last of whichshowthe dense- sessed with its fantastic eoneeit of being a ’chosen peo-
ness of the cceles;a.-lical mind: ple,’ it drew apart and perished in its oxnl shell. Its
The incarnation--A miraculous manifestation of Godin prophets prophesied in vain; even in their most exalt.,d
the liesh.
The instnlhtlion--A miraculousreeognition of the Messiah. momentsthere is a strain of abnormality if not mad-
IIis dcnlh--Anlir’,cuhmsrehearsal of eternal ]il’v ness." Dr. 5{cConnell is the author of "SermonNotes,"
His r(,surrection--A miracle of light. used by many clergymen throu~hout the United S~ates
His as(’ension--Amivnt.le of hope. as a preaching manual, fie once believed the church a
IIis glorit~eati(m---Alnil’acle Of manon God’stim) divine institution; but he has been reluctantly led to
The "incarnation" idea is that Godhimself abrogated the conclusion that this is not true. I-Ie of course sees
his throne and lost himself for a time, and that his only the nominalorganization, which the Bible calls the
eternal existence was dependent on whether Mary should "synagogue of Satan"; but the dear man, looking for
bring him to the bi~4h; that Jesus as a boy and ymmg his bread and butter, says: "I hope that after I have
man was God; that when Jesus died God died; that had mysay, the church maydecide that I and such as I
really, what Jesus said on the cross instead of "MyGod, still have a place in its ministry."
myGod, wily hast thou forsaken me ?" should have been,
"Myself, myself, why have I forsaken myself !" The TAKINGBLAMEFOR WAR
eeelesiasties are boundto the foolishness of the incarna-
The IL,. D. Joseph Silverman thinks tlmt "the
tion as long as they hold to another inexplieable and Churches can save the world, but disunity must first be
incomprehensible doctrine--tha~ of the trinity. overcome. Religion failed to prevent the great war, yet
Whydo these ’%’ise" men hold to the thought of a it still holds the power to redeemall peoples," as re-
"man on god’s throne" in the face of hundreds of texts
which imply differently? Jesus was man, human, from_ ported in the Denver Post.
Rev. Ernest L. Copley, pastor of Decatur Street
birth to the cross, but not such as we are, whoare im-
Methodist Church, has a long article in the Richmond
perfect. He was perfect, tie experieneed a change of
nature from humanto divine in his resurrection. "2¢o (Va.) l’4mes-Di~’patch, in which he says: "The present
world chaos can rightly be laid upon the steps of the
man hath seen God at any time" (1 John 4: 12) ; and
church as a child of its colossal blunder--the permit-
Jesus since his resurrection is ’the express image of ±be
ling of x~odd war."
Father’s person.’ (Hebrews 1: 3) Nothing is more rea-
sonal)le than the thought that Jesus is nowa spirit being. Aeeordmg to a report from Columbus, Ohio, llev.
B. D. Exans, of the Franldin Par]< M. E. Church, ad-
CRUSADE PLANNEDAGAINSTWAR visc~ ihat the church needs to adopt evolution, and to
ditch the (;arden of Edenas a "fairy tale." lie also said
"The NewCrusade" is planning a ten-v, ar ~,at’ there wa<’"insufficient eridenee to support the teaching
against war. It will be along educational lines enli-tmg of the virgin birth of Chri-t."
millions of "Chr>tians" in securing a warless worht.
They should have, heeded that "wise and faithful ser- The following is from the Baltimore American, as
vant" of Godten )ears ago and met the lion in his lair. pal~ of a report of the Methodist Episeopal Board of
The Boston Herald gives a pMure of one Roman Bi-hops :
"If lhe chnrc.h(,q of Americaira,1 oDpoqe(tthe draft
Catholic priest, one Episcopalian, two Baptist and three 4,000.00tt menduring the war in 1I)17 and 1018the draft
M. E. ministers training under an officer of the U. S. COllld not have been lint over. The church of Americain-
Army,and calls it a picture of the "Fighting l’ar*ons dorsed tim draft, belie, ing that thal warwas a holy crusade
of CampDevens." See 2 Corinthians 10:4. to en(1 all \vary. ]t \v~ls l] 10r1"1|1]9 di~alq’~oilllnlelH.
"An(t now, wilh all Europeon n precipice, the one push
needed to send civilization over the edge is armamentnnd
PREACHES FOR MONEY ONLY force. If that push is given, we will have anarchy and
Rev. >:amuel D. MeConnell, former rector of Trimly disaster."
Church in Brooklyn, all(l S~. Stel)hens in Philadelphia, Thus we have the frank admission of a body r~,pre-
after fifty years in the minMryannounces in a pub- senting the "Church o£ America," that they take the
 WATCH TOWER
blame for America’s participation in a war which has
been pro~n very unholy.
Rev. Robert Forman Horton, one of England’s most
noted non-conformist ministers, suggests that a fine be
assessed against all who do not go to church, "as a
xn,.an of raising sufficient revenue to run the country
without plunging it into bankrul~tcy." Such legislation,
he declares, would net £80,000,000 a )’ear.
That’s hard on the siimers; but howis this for Amer-
ica? Magistrate Jolm Kochendoffer in the Ridgcwood
police Court, NewYork, recently sentenced nine young
men convicted of disorderly conduct to attend church
~,ery Sunday morning for twenty-six weeks and to read
good, useful hooks from the library.
BIBLE OFFENSIVE TO SIGHT AND SMELL
The Brooklyn Earle, one of the stannehest supporters ciently awake to realize the true situation. A news item
of the dyiug apostate churches, repex~s Rev. Dr. Samuel front Moscowamy a~on be trne of other localities. How
C. Bensonof Brooklyn as saying, on the occasion of his cha~’ined they will be whenfully awaketo rite fact that
~signation as a secretary of the AmericanBible Society: the "god" tit,?" wer,; worshiping was really the devil.
"My ]x=sigamtlon from the American Bible Society, which
Is to take effect today, Is the unt.,sc:tpable rt, snltant of...
two outstanding and shocking facts In the religious world of gross error:
the present hour.
" . . . That the Bible Is not accepted as God’s full author-
lttttlve word by the Church and clergy today. This state-
meat, I think, would scarce be challenged by any re:motmbly
informed person. On account of tiffs repudiation of the
Bible by Church and clergy as being the oracle of Divine
truth the masses of the whole world ate turning away and
almost despairingly sefirching and grophtg for sonic other
power. They are like lost and shlpwrtcktM s:fflors tn a
tempestuous sea, and even the Church Itself. having gotten
off Its base, Is floundering In agitation nml ,h’slmh’. In the
sense of being God’s Book of Revelation. the Church as a
whole turns up its nose and lifts its eyebrows at the Bible."
Yes; "groping for some other pow,,r." If the power
of Christ’s spirit has been in the "dmrches." why grope
for another? People grope when in the dark. God has
rejected the dishonoring and hlasphemous systems, and
all people will knowit ,~oon.
But why multiply testimony out of their own mouths ?
Theyhave no rise for God, the Bible, Christ or the spirit
of God. Wall did the Prophet descrihe them: "And in
that day seven women[all the ehm’eh denominations
professing to belong to Christ] shall take hold of one
mau[Christ], saying, Wewill eat our o~a~ bread [sup-
ply our own doctrines and take our o~m counsels] and
wear our own apparel [stand in our own righteousness,
we have no net.d of any other] ; only let us be called hy
thy name, to take away our reproach [do let us call
ourselves Christians, otherwise the people will think we
are ]wathen]."--Isaiah 4:1. See also 3Iatthew 11:20-24.
It is refreshing to hear a manonce in a while speak
fran-ldy his sentint,,nts. ]]eeontly llev. Dr. I. W.Bagley,
motion-picture censor for Camdencounty, ~N’ewJersey,
tmid:
"Let the ministers turn the thought of the people away
from sin and toward God. We have a number of wooden
men in our pulpits who have no message. If they ever
Imeeae tbe7 will fill their churches with tmwdtmt.
"If there is a idace where red-blooded men rre needed, It
is In the Aanerlcan pulpits. I am a lllilkislcr t)f tht ~ gt,.~i~’l,
yet I often remain at heine on Sul,tlay ttltd re:,d the Bible
rather than go re church nnd ht,ltr .’l tn’m without a mes-
sage."
TUR.~’INGAGAINST THE "GOt~ OF "rms WORLD"
"Woeunto them that call evil good, and good e t’il;
that put darkness for light, and light [or darkness; that
put bitter [or sweet, aradsweet for bitter."---Isaiah 5: ~0.
The Apostle said that in his day manysacrificed to
devils, supposing them to be gods. The rising Sun of
Righteousness is shedding his beams of light upon many
truths aside from Bil,h, study. The people are rubbing
their eyes and awakb~ff to the fact that something mu,t
be radically wrong. Tht.y arc frightened by the horrible
nightnmre of the past .tight of kin, but not yet suffi-
2qxe truth will be doubly precious by contrast with rite
"The IiCWSltlll.~Ol’.’~ in Mo~t:owk, enerally devote pal,,tm to
nnti-rcligiotts fealul’~S, sollle of them hl colors, In connection
with the Busslan Christnnm festivities which began ffanuary
6th. conthmiag two days.
"Meellng8 have |~2en held for the purpose of working up
enthusiasm :tmong the Communists and urging anti-religlotm
demonstratt
io11.%
"5’he Workhlgmen’s Gazette give8 over Its entire front
Imge to :m illu.~tration showing young Communists, rein-
foi’c~M by the Red Army, attacking the gates of Heaven.
Christ and Abraham and MohammL~l and other qmaglnary
gods’ are caricatured at the top of tile page, with young
Communists mid armt~l soldiers clinlbiag parapets to launch
an atlack on Ill.avon.
"Tile dclnonstr;llion included parades dnriag which mil-
lions of anti-religiou.~ p’ttnldflets were distributed. ’l’he pro-
cessioliS ended with life btlrnil|g of effigies of holy personages
In prominent 8qll’lres in Vlll’ion.q p’trts of the city."
Thusis seen a rising ti,h, against everything religious.
The "Christiania" taught, reaUy heathenism labeled
"Christian," has undermine,I the morals and warped the
consciencesof all people.~. Whata reck,ruing day this is !
Preachers are in the dark. Their Greek. Ilcbrew, Latin,
and college education will not save them. Manyof them
recognizethe ineonsisteneyof their positions ; and f.’tiling
to see that their doctrines are not Biblical, they turn
from the Bible and relmdiate the very source of light.
They have said so much flu:t to accept the truth is
surely a bitter pill.
YOUNG CHINESE BECOMING AROUSEI)
Even the ’~heathen Chinee" can .-.’ee the wolf hehin.I
the sheep’s ma.~k. The folkming from Bill Maxwell,
Federated Press Staff Correspondent, under date o!
Janua~T 10th, is wm~thyof note:
"Singling out the (’hrJ~lJnn church as the enemyof hu-
m,nattyand of prob.-reds In China, the Non-(’hristian Students’
Ft,h,r:diolt has be~n orgn~fizcd In Olqm.~ilion to the Worhl’l,
Chri::tlnn Students’ Federation. A lq~eclal pretest Is made
86
these Chinese students abainst the holding of tile Christian
Federation Conference in Pekin.
"Tile text of tile manifesto against the Chrislian church
readsin itart :
" ’We oppose tile World’s Christian Students’ Federation
because we want to protee~ tile lml)piness and welfare of
humanily. ~\’e now \~i~h to publish our real attitude
that the public can knowil.
" ’We knowthat Chr].~llanity anti the Christian ehnreh
have creeled Ini/lly evils and COlllnlitted nlally Sills ill tile
history of mankind. This we are not concerned with for
the present, but they m’e now still creating evils anti com-
mitting sins and will dc~ so.
’" ’Weknowpresent society is a capitalistic organization.
(In the one hand tile l)rot)erly-hol(ling classes whowith -
out work, on tile other han(l tile ln’opertyqess ehtsses \~ho
work lint cannot eat. Present day ChriMianily ’tad the
Chriqtian (’hurch is the evil dexil who hell)s tile former
rob the hitter (’la, s. This devil, nam(ly, the present day
Christianity lind the (’hristian elmr(’h, is our enemy.
emmetbut liaht a ,h,cisive trod deadly battle against it.
"’The capitalists of all nations, no mqtter xxllether they
are l.]nglish, or .~tlneri(,:lll. or Jll])llllCSe.
steps, one followillg lhe other, to ru-h into (’hind to carry
()lit llleir ])l;ins Of (’cOllolllb.’ exploilalion.
Christianily and file Christian ehureh
this exploilation. The v:lrious capitalist
est,lblishinK Christian churches in China have as their ob-
ject nolhing more than Io tempt lhe Chinese people to wel-
come capilahsm. Tlmse nations who intve established the
Y. M. C. A. in Chin;t lmve as llleir object to suck the blood
and fat of the Chinese people. Therefore, we oppose capi-
talism and at the same time we have lo oppose the present
day Chrislianity and the Christinn church xxllich supports
eal)itaiisln and which cheats the commonpeople.
" The World’s Clu’islian Students’ l#ederalion is the t)rog-
eny of present day Christhmity and tile Cln’istian church.
They are preparing to call together Christians from all over
the world and hold a conference here. They are going to
discuss how to uphold world capitalism and liow to extend
capitalism to China. Webrand this conference to be a con-
ference of robbers, hmniliating and polluting our youth,
clmating our people and robbing our economic resources.
Therefore, following our inner impulses we are organizing
this federation to declare upon tile conference.
" ’Students, young men, workers! We must oppose them
when we see these blood hounds of the capitalists holding
eemference to discuss our fate ’.--The Non-(’hristian Sin-
dents’ Federation.’ "
CHURCHOF ENGLANDIMPERILED
A report from London, England, by David E(h~ards,
in a nearly three-column article in a metropolitan daily
is headed, "Church of England Attacked by Its Own
Leaders in Assembly." tie starts the article with, "Out
of the months of its very foremost leaders the Church
of England has just been utterly condemned. Naturally,
as a consequence, England is aghast. Note some of the
devastating bombs dropped by the great ecclesiastical
warriors." Then follows a synopsis of the speeches of a
number who attended. One archbishop said: "Religion
attracts; but the Church of England repels." "I have
no use for a theology which teaches too much humility,"
thundered a canon--Canon Bell. The Bishop of Ch,~hus-
ford cried out "that the modern clergy dare not ,-tend
¯ WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. ~,
before their congregations, from a text in Corinthians,
that some among them are ’revilers, drunkards and
adulterers,’ although they well knew this to be true,"
plainly implying that men in glass houses should not
throw stones.
A foremost churchman, Dean late, said that conver-
sion is not p.cce~>arilv a part of a man’s r,,1U:am_- expe-
rience. The claim u as made that not three percent of
the male polmlation i~ the chm’(.h was eonverte(l in any
way whatsor\er, either suddenly or slowly. The Arch-
bishop of York said that every vonversiou was a passing
from the natural to the spnqtual life; hut that the
method, time, and way by which it was dane were "infin-
itely s’arn,d," thus letting ns knowthat he knew nothing
about how or when or where it was done. tte said fur-
ther: "i am afraid that many. elcro-ymcn allow the
spiritual sense of their minim-try to becomeso low-leveled
and so eohl that ~e have ahnosl, ceas:’d to expect spirit-
OF ][rl’ell(’h, 1/1’0 iakillg ual conversions," thus admitting a fact, that many con-
versions are not spiritual at all.
Alld present The modern clergy were attacked for their strong
is the vanguard o£
psychologieal proeli~ ~t ies. The general trend of the Con-
nations who are
gress was one of somdhing closely akin to fright with
regard to what was called a ’%odern tendency toward
paganism" ; and in this argument as well (it was led by
Bishop Chandler). there was an implied attack on va-
rious "new" relig,ons and eult.~, especially those which
link themselves with the psychologists. There was a ter-
rific smash at denominationally, m, calling it a narrowness
of church life and lhought and effort.
One big Dean touched the funny bone of his colleagues
by piously saying, "We have all known men and women
whose ebarqe{ers were beautiful in childhood, and only
more beautiful, not different, in after years; sometimes
we think it hardly fair that tim devil has obviously for-
gotten them." This confirms the Bible teaching, and
the Bible Students’ contention, that the devil is "god of
this vorld," and that the present crisis in the world is
caused bv~ the long-looked-for King of Glory the Lord
Jesus, taking unto himself his great power and begin-
ning his reigm, by first dislodging Satan and overturn-
ing the churches which have supported Satan’s organi-
zation, making way for the era of peace and happiness
in the joyous time just over the horizon of 1925, when
God’s will shall be done on earth as it is done in heaven.
WAVEOF DISHONESTYGRIPPING WORLD
Mr. B. C. Forbes, writer on Business and Finance for
the New York American, says:
"tins every last one of us become dishonest? Recent
developments certainly have been depressing. Rankdishon-
esty lms not been confined to one class or a few classes, but
has been revealed amongall ranks and on every side. We
have had financial dishonesty, industrial dishonesty, l’tbor
dishonesty, official dishonesty. Business dishonesty has been
perlmps the most widespreadand the most lamentable of all.
Tim courts are swampedwith broken contracts as never
before. Signed, sealed, solemn agreements have been dis-
 , ,Rc.15.1923 rhe WATCH TOWER
honor(,d right "rod leet. t3,usilless, been not die downuntil all the tinder, tinsel, andtintinnabu-
n.areemenls have
trolllod as mere Ncl’il]P4 ()f paper to be tossed into tilt’ waste
paper lntsket." Thenfollows over a eohunngivinKinslunees lation shall have eeas.ed. Well do our readers knowthat
wc b(lieve Babylonfell in 1878, not used of the Lordin
of diqloneslyin nil lines of bu..iness, publicand private.
an3 specific seuse since 1881, and forsaken entirely in
Nearly 1900years ago the apo.-.tle Paul ,~ r(m, to Tin>
1918; so we lmve been waiting for the fire to consume
othy, and in the llqh,l’ hc .-axe: "This knm~also, that
her. The knowh,dge of her ’ffall" was a matter of faith
in the ]a~-t days perdous tunes shall come. For menshall
for a time, but not so any more. The whole fabric of
bc lo~ers of their ownselves, coretous, b, taqcrs, proud,
churchianitv is a blasphemous, devilish, disheartening
blasphcnlers, &sobedientto part,Ms, nllthankl’ul, unholy,
connteffe~t of Chri,,tmnity, and demoralizing in the ex-
withottt [even] natural af[ectitm, truc(.brealcer<, false treme because it perverts the doctrines of Christ, devel-
accu,-,rs, incontinent, fierce, dc-pi>ers of tho>o that are
ops pride, dc,-trovs faith and hope, and leads on to the
good. traitors, heady, ]/igh-ndmhxl, lovers of l)leasure
htll fruitage of the age--pm’plexity and despair. The
more than lovers of God; haxing a form of godliness
[posing as Christians--see 2 Corinthmns 11: 1:3, 14], Church of England is a very important part of the
myshe Babylon of Revelation.
but &,Hyingthe power thereof."--2 Timolhv 3: 1-a.
In "ChrMendonl," so-called, church and state have
at. l’au[ certainly wrote the "news" ahead of the re-
be-n so Itmted and their intere.-ts so linked and inter-
porh’r. Iiowever, we are all witnc,-_~-es of the truth of
twined that we find the expression "heaven and earth"
tlw ,,H mttion. Weare "in the last days" of "Babylon’s"
joined in the Scriptures. "IIeaven" in such instances
existence.
nwans the spir~ttml ruling power~the ehureh systems
\Vhen there is swkness in the family there is mueh org,~ized under Satan (Ephesians 6:12) ; and "earth"
worry and anxiety, and K the patient shows no signs of the physical l,OW(’r in pohtws and society used in sup-
recovery anxiety deepens into despair. The poor old port of the rc.l~gmu, ,,\Morns. Both of these constitute
world xs sink, and ack nnto death. The left%h, disease Satan’s empire, at. Pet0,’ says: "The heavens and the
of selfishness has broken out in very nmligmmtform, earlh ... are reserved unto fire .... The heavens
and there is no hope for recovery even by its b~-t h’iends. shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
][urrwd consultations of the mternati,mal d,~clors have .-hall melt vilh fervent heat; the earth also and the
been held, and various prescriptions su~’,~w~h’d;but *he works that are thm’ein shall be burned up .... The
patim~t either r,.fn,cs to take the niedlcinc or el>v, its hear,as, being on fire shall be dissolved, and the ele-
stomachcannot r,,t~in it. II a doctor is sM<,he is mno m,,~ts shall melt with fervent heat." (2 Peter 3 : 7, 10,
eoluhNon to pre~cril,o for himself; nor should , sick ]2) The Diaxlolt ~ranslation of "great noise" is "rush-
doctor be called to pre,-cribe for another. What.-hall wc i~la sonnd," a* though it were one of friction caused by
say of the n~ternal,mal doctors ~ho are ])rescr~b,n,a" for
the world? Arc they also sick with the sam’,’ disease, of heated argumenis of men wdh inflamed minds. There
has been a smohlering of the flames around the edze of
selfishness? Wequote from a Jmlnary, 1923. Mm}rial Babylon foryears: butnow there is an internal com-
of the NewYork .lmc~’ican: bustion fo which flu., "fire department"is denied aece,s
"Mostof this lhin~ called dqdom;icxi- pine I,Imk. nud - her de.-truction comesfrom within and h(q’ ehq’;~’/ are
that is iiI the lli/llll’le of {hethiug ~l<elt: b,,’,~d-e1,, bee.me
I1 ’sttth’SlUalt’ II nlIi(I IlIID.[ first be a lud~lwl;lll :Hid pohli- nowon fire.
chins must all, moreor less, cultivale lhe art of Iqn(co. I~ The l{everend Doctor Percy Stickney (;rind. rector
the premiersof ]Cn’-’l:tnd, Francenndlhlly did not haveto of the Church of the Ascensimb NewYork C~tv. started
keel} :m ese on homepolities /hey c, mhlsellle the questions the commotion by unburdening his mind on some of the
that ll’~b[ll)lo ]{llFiq/e ill six llonl’.~ Of slF;li’illl lallc and OOlll-
IllOll,¢.OllSl a i.{rgUlllCll{’n. IIllt J{OIHtI’ I.ll\V, l}OlltCillO, ;tll(l )~lll~.~(}- f(’lld< of his church ; it rocks her to her fonndatl,m.s and
lint tll’O all in the -.role bout. l::wh one lhhlks l~r,t of his th,, i’ltmhlin~ are ]ward afar. Someof hi~ ollt,-poken
own l)oliti(’;/l po’aill,,lt it{ ]lOllle, llllll O[’ ’~xh:t{ ¢,llo(’[ his ltcliollS ox])l’,,.>long wel’e :
will haveuponhiq {.]l;lllet*s of hohlil~;," his job. Thati~ the "Nh:tll \,’e collst,(.(’3{e elini’chi,s’.;
real l’t~itson lh:l[ lh~’ -.1;ltO¢lllO]/ llH\o Ii{,tql ~..¢~ fHlilo. It was
the Sillllp with(’hmu,m
cau.x~ilh I.],,y,l ( h’ol’ae,wilh ( ll’lal~- "l"ll"q, tho Meai~ illhul’iD,l[ fl’tllU file H:.t’o of \\ iIi-hcl’i/ff.
do, lind it will be the, -HIIlC v<ilh a:’3 ollC (q~o who lak~’~ ]t~]tl II|IIKiC :tlltl taboo. ~VIIaE \v(’ ltl(’ :lI]0r lodtly is lllt, l[li(l enltlll-
under the St(lilt’ t’~N~hIlollS .... [| is lml~O’--d,h~ lhal mat- Cilml loll
tel’s trill go Oll ill l’fur-pc ns they hllvo t)oell ’.’Oill’A oll J’ol’ lhe o "Slu’ol!(l, (’(H/qC(’I’MIion l inlits lhe uqOfllIIloS;N Of the ehul’eh
o" 5OlilC tl’(qlltq/dOllS elo lhe (.Olllnlllility.
past five ~’OHI’N \vl[h~,ll[ (’l’,,:llill lllIhl’;lV~ll It is a Ol’o’lt o(~HlOllliC \vlts~te. .~c¢ordillK
of popular wrath a:~l ,!,’~l}air \vhi.h \viii Mmke
Ihe whole to reli:ll(le Malfsties the \\:,ste ill the (’ailed States
struCtlll’e of go’<el’(Inlenl- dltd sochq3 1o its f.ll]--l,~ ils tre- NI2.5()~)~II()~III(ID II 3"O;11’. TO l~mit the usel’ulnes~ of th÷
mendous, bloody,fea~rful fall." chllrcll~’- 1< r~ add to lhi< ill(’dh/lh(bh’ waste.
"There are 234,000 (’hutches, sylllt’:O~lleS, elo., in lhe United
CHURCHOF ENGLAND STRUCKWFI’HLIGHTNING Slales. They represent ~hree billioll dollars in tax-exempt
The Church of E~fgland, once g’rcea and s i~orous, property.
has for sometime been drying up because of formali,~tie "In return for suchn l’01tl]’<qiOIl of taxes Oll lhreo billion
d,~llnrs worthof pl’ol~or[yHm23 t,000 churches:ll’P expected
pie±y and sanctimonious reserve. The lightnin 2’ has 1,) 1,e (,f:is muchu~easpossihleto tile community. Ill ninny
struck the church; and it is aflame, and the flame will vllhtgcs the elmrchis the only public building or meeti~,g
88 ’the WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. Y.

lflace. In ninny places there is no town hall, no movie appears that you have not only given up belief in thls or
li:cater, no lirenmn’s hall. that less important doctrine, but that you have lost your
"TheClmr,.h(~f tlle Ascension for nearly100 yearshad belief in the Savior lfimself as he is presented to us in the
formula that said ill effect tlmt nothing eonnnon or unhal- four Gospels and in the Apostles’ Creed."
lowed conhl lake place in it..\ little speech by a working "I call upon you to correct unmistakably the iinpressiou
man is considered by the authorities common and unhal- which you have publicly given of your disbelief in our I,ord
lowed, so he cmmotbe allowedto speak. Jesus Christ as God and Savior, or if it is not possible for
"Take the matterof marriage,baptism,the sacramentof you to do so, then to withdraw from the ministry of this
the Lard’s Sulqa’r, extreme unction, etc .... Priests have church."
no power to make marriage more than it is; its sacredness. The flYe cardinal points that Dr. Grant is a.-ked to
we perceive, comes not from a priest but from its essentml recant are :
characteristics, x\hieh have to do with lhe attitudes and "1. That Jesus Christ was a superlatixely good man but
lives of the people involved, and cannot be preserved as did not have the power of God.
something independent of their feeling, will anti behavior .... "2. Ttmt there has not been an unbroken line of holy in-
"If the ministry is a mechanical service of the sacraments, spiration direct from Jesus Christ to tile modern clergy.
¯ .. any i)lox~l)oy call take tile job. In fact, that is lhe "3. That consecration of clmrches exclusively for ritual
som’ce from which to recruit the ininiMer, for their ignor- religion Is narrow and econommally unsound.
ance and credulily wouhl easily persuade them to the mirac- "4. That the marriage state is made no more holy by a
ulous character of tile millislry, religious ceremony than it is intrinsically.
"The trouble with the ministry is not to be attributed to "5. That belief in all Bihlieal miracles is a relic ()f ’super-
their scholarship .... The l l’olll)le is the repression of their stilton, witchcraft and taboo.’ "
best thought and Stully by volnfori-loving congregations, who Some salient features in Dr. Granffs retort follow:
do not want to be stirred tip by the problems of the (lay; "We must sweep the cobwebs from our minds .... There
also the trouble with the clefs5 is the rtpression by officials The
must be an awakening of the spirit of tolerance ....
in eeclesiasiieal nuthorily who call a halt upon freedom of Christianity of Christ’s day was typilied by a simple lima
thought ill the lmll)it. walking about the countryside preaching wherever followers
"The qpostolic succession claimed by tim /{Groan Catholic might gather to listen. One of his greatest sermons was de-
Clmreh and high churchnum of the El)is(.opal Chm’ch is
livm’ed--wbere? From a mountainside--the Serm,m on tile
longer accepted by tile educated classes, and it is through Mount .... Christianily in the early days was the hol)e,
thai so-called suceessio:l, (’,)n.qd~red unbroken from Christ the refuge of the poor and tile don ntrodden. But I fear the
to Bish(q) M:mning, tlmt priests are supposed to be gifted poor are sort of out of it now .... Christ was a xx ondorful
with mil"lculous powers .... man, a beautiful character. He was the superlative of any-
"Some man’s ]lan(/s npon a i)erson’s heml, even thougil thing you may choose to eall him. But to say tllal a man
the5" are a lIisln)l)’S, have put nothing into tile head which born upon this earth, created by the power of God, lu,1 the
was not there before .... power lequality] of this God of creati(m, is SUl)erstiti()n.
"Very few clergymen today, who have heen educated in We may n(.eept the spiritual teachings of Christ as the I)aMs
the large universities, accept the idea tlnll Jesus had the of our religion, but we need not believe that Ite ascended
power of God," meaning, no doubt, that Jesus wqs not and is st ated upon the right hand of God."
co-equal wilh God.
Thus we behold a man brealdng away from the shack-
The above, of course, aroused a storm of protest--
les of superstition and theological nonsense, and trying
from the hizher ecclesiastics: hut .some of the rank and
to free his eccl’.,siasiieal mind from bigotry and cant.
file of the clergy covertly believe much the same as Dr.
But he is not going to come free--yet. A man who
(irant. Bishop William T. Manning, head of the Epi>
denies the resurrection of Jesus Christ, denies that he
eopal Church in America, issued a letter containing
was put to death in the flesh and raised a spirit being,
what appears to be ml ultimatum. Some of the state-
and denies his aseension as a spirit being into heaven
ments follow :
itself, there to appear in the presence of God for as--to
"The impression which you have given the church and
the public is that you deny the miraculous elements of the lay dowa the ransom-price for the sin of the world~
gospel and that you no longer believe lhe statement of the cannot be a free man in Christ. St. Paul says: Stand
Christian fltith as contained in the Al)ostles’ (’reed. The fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made
Apostles’ Creed is the statement of the Christian faith which us free"; but this applies only to those who have made
not only every minister but every member of this church is
full consecration to do the Lord’s will, and have been
required to accept. As a minister of this church you are
obliged constantly and publicly to declare your belief ill It." aecepted and begotten of the holy spirit. Not to know
"If yOU cannot now conscientiously accept and teach tim that Jesus is now, in his resurrected glory, the express
Christian faith as contained in the Apostles’ Creed it is image of the Father’s person--though not God, but God’s
plain that you carmel consistently continue to hold your Son--such a man cannot possibly have the holy spirit
commission as a minister and teacher in tile Protestant
Episcopal ( ’hureh. as his guide into all truth, and therefore could not be a
true teacher of God’s Word nor direct men to "the Lamb
"In my judgment, therefore, you are called upon to follow
one of two courses. You should at once publicly eorrect the of God, which takeih away the sin of the world."
Impression given by your recent sermon and state clearly An editorial comment on the controversy follows:
that you do accept lhe fatth of the church as set forth in "If Percy Stickney Grant had challenged one important
the creed, el" if you do not qccept this faith you should article ill the creed of capitalism instead of a number of
voluntarily resign from the ministry of this church." articles of faith he would now be out of a job. Disloyalty
"Tile question here involved is not one of theology, lint of 1o dollars is a greater offense than 1o question current views
honor and good faith. According to your own staiel.~ent it of I)eity,"
 PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR APRIL 4 the kingdomof God; and then speeifieally names s,.,me
"’Ye have received the spirit of adoptierv, wherebywe of these things and characters that are unrighteous.
cry, Abba, $’ather."--Romans 8: 15. Then he tells the (’ormthmns that some amongst them
]0 r ~ . .
/~DO "-lION means that one vdnntarfly reemves
into his family the child of another and makes
*- "~ such child his own. As human beings we all
descended from Adam,and are therefore tile children of
Adam. l~earning that Christ ~as our Redeenwr, when
we came to him and submitted oursehes in full conse-
cration, Godju.-tflied us and accepted us as a part o~
the savrltiee of ,lesus; and Godbegetting us by his own
sire’it, we were thereby adopted into the bodyof Christ;
that is fo say, those adopted were received voluntarily
by the Lord according to his own will into his family.
Being adopted into the family of God, he becomes our
Father and we nowenjoy the relationship of sons of tim
most high God. Hence we have the spirit of sonship
and can truly address him as "our Father in heaven."
Only those whoenjoy the blessed privilege of such rela-
tionship with God come within the purview of our year
text; amt only such can 1)e (’hanged from one degree
glory to another degree Of glory by the spirit of the l~ord.
In proportion a: we appreciate the ble.-sed relationship
of being sons of ’God, in that same proportmn will we
strive to conformourselv,~s to the rules of the house of
sons, to the end that we may be transformed into the
likeness of Jesus, the Itead of that house. Whenthe
transforming work this Ade the vail is completed, then
the promise to us is that we slmll be elothed upon with
a body of glory, and enjoy actual and tangible member-
ship in the honse of God. where there are pleasures for
evermore.
The prospect of this blessed inheritance is an ineentive
to the Christian to give diligenee to learn and to do tile
will of our Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ. As
our appreciation of the Father and the Head of the
house increases, there will be a corresponding inerease
of desir, ~ to rise everything within our powerto further
his cause and to glorify his name, and to inform others
of his wonderfulprovision for the blessing of ttle groan-
in~ creation with peaee, joy, and life everlasting.
TEXT FOR APRIL 11
"’But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified .... in Ule
nameof the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit . . . of God."
--I CorintMans6: 11.
N this text and its context the Apostle is discussing
I the proper use of the Christian’s bodyand faculties,
and the proper deportment of him, <elf toxa’d"~ i h’si
brethren, lie states that no nnrighteonsnessshall inherit
AFAR FROM SALEM
’Tis sorrow, O King, of the heart,
Not anguish of body or limb,
That causes lhe hue from my cheek to depart,
And mine eye to grow rayless and dim.
$9
originally were of Ibis baser elemel~l ; but no\~ God imv-
ing received them. lhe~ have been ~,anctiiied or set a~ide
for his use. ’l’hi~, st’it i)l,g asi(h. ,)l’ ,-am’~itieatim:
wasdone
in the nameand throl@l the met’tt ()f Christ J(’sus
by the sl)irlt of ,l(’hoxah, his invisible powerol)erating
towar(l such. Ea(,h on(,, then, in Chr>t, who has
Slmutof Chrl.-_t dxx,,llll~-" mhim, shouhl direct the use
of his body and other £aeullies in harmony with the
spirit of the Lord, to the end that tim, transformation
might be complete and that in (’,od’s due time he might
be wholly devoted to the l~ord in his kingdom, being
madenw, l for the inheritance of the smuts in lig’hl.
TEXT FOR APRIL 18
"Li/ccwi~ethe spirit also helpeth our "m/t~J,:~.’ic’,’."’~
Romans 8: 26.
OMETIMES a Christian is overtaken in a fault or
S entrapped by the adver.-ary through some ~eak-
hess ofhis fallen llesh. Whenhe discovers his error
or mistake, he is sometimesdi.-heartened and hesitat,,s to
to approach the throne of heave, Iv ~raee in prayer. He
becomesgreatly diseouraged. \,l>n he attempts to pray
he can find no words of tltterancl," ])tit being burdened,
Ins spirit groans within him. The t,’xt here under con-
sideration, then, is a precious one. The, heavenly Father
does not insist thai the Christian must formulate a peti-
tion in exaet and proper language, lhlt instead, he
graciously an~,wers the mwxpressedsincere desire of the
heart of a Christian ~ he honestly desires to be forgiven.
The Lord judges not according to the outward appear-
anee or aeeording to the ~ ords, but aeeording to the real
intent and sincere purpose of the Christian.
It is the spirit of the Lord, then, in us that aids our
infirmities. Let no Christian become disemu’aged. If
he makes a mistake, lot him go quieldy to lhe lhrone of
heavenlygrace, afh,r havingt l’,"d to rectify his mistake.
Let his heart cry unto the Lord. knowingthat the Lord
will grant help in every time of need. Then see to it
that the mind is occupied w;lh ibing~ pertainin~ to the
Lord and his cause: and to this end it i~ lwofitable ~hat
the hands likewise be exercised in laboring in the Lord’s
cause. The more we see of the di\me arrangement and
of our situation, the more we will appreciate the neces-
sity of activity, both in mind and in body, in the Lord’s
service, in order that we might be transformed inte the
image and likeness of our Head and King.
’Tis the memor5 of Salem afar,
(If Salem th(, (’il 3 of God,
In
t d’trkness now wrnpped like the moon aml the ~lar
When the tempests of mghl are abroad.
 JESUS THE WORLD’S SAVIOR
- MARCH25 QUARTERLYREVIEW
"~Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to cave sinners."
--1 Timothy 1:15, R. V.
T HE studies in our Lord’s life and ministry
foi’erunm,r John to the cross (appointed
months’ course) are now concluded.
from his
for a six
Today’s study is
a review of the quarter’s lessons. The lessons have been
drawn from our l.ord’s last ministry, sometimes called his
Perean ndnistry. They relate to the last six months of our
Lord’s life on earth, lo lhe period which has been called
that of opposition, becallse during it .h ~us was subjected to
much more opposition than iwevioasiy, when lie had nlinls-
tcred either m Jerusalem and Judea or ill Galilee. Hilherto
l~.e had not visited the towns and villages east el .hird:m,
nor those populous centers south of the Lake of Galilee.
:Now lea~in~ tile northern parts, and eonling south, lie took
thtse places in hi~ ministry while making his way up to
Jeruua/cln. Lnke says el lhis journey :"IIe . . . set hi< face
to ~.-o lo .lerus:llem" (Luke 9: 51); and without doubt this
ministry was sharpened by the fact that the end of his
hnnmn life was in view.
:The h’..~:ons have proved very helpful fls a course of
studw~; lot this nlildbll’y is given in more (lel’fil lhan is
the (~alilean. 3lore personal in(.idents "u’e recorded, and our
Lord’b tt’a(.hnlg is l/lore lully disclosed in these incidents.
Jesus’ ministry at this time was not so crowded with labor
and wilh (.:ills upon him as when in G’dilee. It was, how-
e~er. a busy time, as is evident from tile reeords; and we
know th’tt our Lord would let no opportunity of service go
past hini unused. As if to help Jesus to realize something of
what awaited him in Jerusalein, and by continual experience
to strengthen ldm in hi,~ determination, he was perndtted to
be troubled more and more with the bitterness of the I’hari-
sees’ persecution. These religionists had an ever-growing
hatred and they followe(l him very perMstently. Our studies
showed lhat they set spares for him, and were not at all
a~ ers’. ~ to using human frailty and suffering in their wicked
purp(),:’~’s, as when they exploited the suffering of the man
afflicted with dropsy. But the Lord went on with his minis-
try, healing, blessing, delivering the oppressed lrom tile
bondage of Sat’m, and witnessing to the coming of the
kingdom. The secret of his power to continue with undiinin-
ished zeal and fervor was his constant eommunioi~ with his
Father. P~y prayer and in humility of heart, and in sim-
pheily of desire and pro’pose, he was in such an atiilude of
heart that lie carried no burdens, but continually realized
his oneness with his Father, whomhe represented.
aHere is the secret of true service. No servant can do his
work well when burdened with care, nor unless he actively
s(’eks God’s interests. The servant of Christ must bear the
yoke, but not he weighted with anxious care. I~eal’illg
yoke and carr5 ing care are very different things. The yoke
is the (.onstx~.ration to lhe mill of (hid, which keeps hiIu
tha way of service, as Jesus was kept by his. The ox is not
expected to carry the farmer’s care; the farmer himself
does tlmt. Jesus had a burden, bul Iieeause lie was so true
and so single in pnrl)ose it ~as a light one. We are not t9
be unthinking :is the ox, but we are to be as free from care
as il is. "Castip.g all your care uI)on him; for he eareth
for you."--1 Peter 5 : 7.
4The tender mercy and (,ompassion of God were shown
ver) clearly in {lie gra(.~,,u.~l~(,~ of .lesus to the sinners
the poor of Israel ~/- they (.row(led upon him. No other
Scriptures show in su(.h a telling way the love which God
Ires ha’ his lost ones, or how he "’loves mid seeks his own."
lie seeks ,dot only his elect, but lhose hnnlan sons wile, like
the prodimtl, ha~e gone far away lrom idlu, eatillg only the
husks that this world’s pleasures ultimately yield, but who,
prodigal-like, will eventually come home and find rest in
the Father. Our lessons, too, have shown the responsibility
of service and discipleship.
5The Parable of the Unjust Steward, and that of the
Pounds set these truths forth very clearly and deiinitely.
By the Partible of the Unjust Steward the Lord let tim
Pharisees and leaders know that they were to be deposed
from their office as teachers, and therefore as God’s repre-
sentatives; for ihey sat in 5Ios(~’ seat. (Matthew 23:
It was also used of the Lord to tell his disciples that they
were to have a silnilar l)OSmon o~ responsi/)ility before God,
"rod that there was an absolute need for singleness of pur-
pose. They were to learn from the mistakes of the Phari-
sees that no man could serve God and mammon.Full con-
secration to God through their Master Christ is the ouly
way by which eternal blessings can be gained, and faithful-
ness in the small things of life is the only way whereby one
may tit last be accepted of the Lord. Tile Lord’s people
frequently fail to notice that the tests which determine
accet)tance, and which therefore decide character day by
day, are not generally in tile larger things of life, but are
in doing every small thing in life as in faithfulness to God.
KINGDOM GLORY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
6The Master would have his diseil)les never forget that
they were called to the high honor of sh’tring with him in
the kingdoIn of glory, to be seated with hiiu on his lln~)ne
(Revelation 3:21), joint-heirs with him in his kingdom.
(Romans 8: 17) Nevertheless this hope was lost sight
during the dark ages; mid only now since the Lord’s return
lms it again been made clear to his l/l~ple. Those who
became "Christians" were taught to expect to be saved
from hell and to enter into the jo.~s of heaven on account
of their faith in the death of Jesusj mid in consequence of
joining a church. The true idea of discipleship to wdlk in
the footsteps of the Master and to be saved with his salva-
tion, that in due time they themselves might be saviors
reigning in the power of the kingdom, was rarely discerned.
While showing by his continued acts of mercy and heahng
and by tds words, that tie was colne to seek and to save
that which was lost, Jesus always made (,lear that the lime
for blessing mankind was only after his servants had b,,en
prepared for tile great responsibility of holding the pm~er
of that kingdom.--Obadiah 21.
7The warmth of the ahnost royal welcome which Jesuu
received from so many of the people as tie entered inlo
Jerusalem soon cooled. Why did tim crowd so soon turn
against him? Api)arenlly they were ready to welcome lure
the as king; and ~ery probably if lie had .lllowed himself to be
proclaimed king of the Jews they would have rallied lo him
in force. But he paid no attention to "my such desire on lhe
part of the people. Once before, when in Galilee, the people
would have taken him to make him king. Then he had
spoken plainly to them. IIe told them they sought hiin for
the loaves and fishes he could supply; and he withdrew
from them. So now in Jerusalem lie pllrsned his course,
teaching spiritual things in the temple and, we must infer,
continually disappointing the earthly desires of the people.
SDuring tho-e dqys the disciples must h’~ve w’~t(’hed their
Mqster with wonder. Now there was no l’eliring from tile
crowds pressing upon hinL but on lhc (.ontrary there was
aggression on his part. He was tile celKer of attraction,
and so had but little time to give allenlion to them. But
his deterlnimtlion in purpose, his calmness of spirit, his
fearlessness in face of the (.ombined forces arrayed against
him, must lmve made a great impression upon them. What
i)0
 they saw ill hin] then was just Ihe examl)le they needed for
tho~e (la3s after Pentecost, xxhen they were hehl uI) ill tile
samle place and I)y the sam:~ people. Then without fear Ihey
boldly proclaimed the Master’s message; and (lie Sanhedrin,
who kllew lhal these nleu hud ruu away fronl Jesus ;It the
nlo-q Ir.~ing’ 111i)lllent, saw thut the3" were ne’er bold llll(l (.on-
lident as he had been. The holy spirit Iwought hack to tile
dls:’iltles not only what Jesus hud said, llut what tle had
do:e. and how he did it. And we who lmve tim re(’ords are
able to consider him, that we may folhm" in hi~ steps.
aThe last few days of our Lord’s ministry and his suffer-
ings are delaile(l by all the gospels at length, no doubt
because this period, though short, was tile most imporlant
of his lnini~try, ’rod, we must suppose, specially for the
disciples’ sake; for he who follows in the Master’s footsteps
nlu-t also Miller at the hart(Is of evil men. By eonsi(lering
him tile disciple is able to endure. (Hebrews 12:3) It
lwoper also lo inter that the accounts are full in order to
exl)ose, the awful wickedness of the leaders of the Jews,
lllat God may be justilied in his judgluenls on that people.
t ]hmluns :{ : 4) Never was such hypocrisy lnanifesl~d
never was sut.h bitterness shown, nor such malignity dis-
elo~ed.
l°The (lel)ih of perverseness which was in the he’u’ts of
lhese people is discovered by their cry when Pilate would
have released Jesus--"We have no king but Cmsar." Tlms
they repudiated both Jehovah anll his covenant. Even
Pilate, low down in the scale of feeling and morality, and
therefore presunmbly able lo judge them aright, inet with a
disuPIiointment when he exhillited Jesus in piteous (listress
of body. IIe said: "I~ehohl lhe man," hoping thereby that
tile torment to which Je-u~ had been sub jet.ted would have
aroused some nleasure of piLv. rJ_’hese (’l’llei luen wonld no[
I)e content until Jesus was dead. Thus nnwittin~ly they
killed God’s Passover Lamb, x~hieh ullimalely shall bring
deliverance to tile people of Israel. ,ks for lhese lea(lers,
Jesus himself had just said: "lh)w can ye escupe the con-
demnation of Gehenna?"--Matthew 23 : 33.
THE WALK TO EMMAUS
-APmr, 1 LvK~ 24
JESUSEXPOUNDS TIIE PROPItECIES--PREPARINGDISCIPLES FORSERVICE--PROPER
"Why Seek ye the living among the dead? Hc is not here, but is risen."--Luke 2,~: 5, 6.
B EFOREtile first streaks of dawn lind lit up the sky on
the morning after the Sabbath, the faithful
went to the tomb in Josel)h’s
women
garden. On the previous
evening "ffter the close of lhe Sabl)ath they h’ld pur(.hascd
spices, and now they came to perform for the body of the
Master stone of the usual services given to their beloved
dead. John says that Nicodemlls hvoua’ht one lnmdred
pounds of spices and that these had been wrapped around
the lu)dy. But the women wanled to do something more,
and perhaps they thought llml lhe burial had been hurriedly
perfornmd. It was a loving service they had in mind; they
wanted that emaciated body to have in death all the care
they could beslow upon it. They wouhl preserve it as long as
possible, q’lmy did not nnllerst~md the scriillure which said
that God himself would see that it shonhl not come to cor-
ruption. (Psahn J6: 10) ITow God preserved it from corrup-
tion we may not know; we only know that he removed it.
=When tile women got to the tomb they met with a sur-
prise. The heavy stone at its entrance was rolled back, and
an nnlzel was seated alton it. Peering into tile tomb, they
saw t~o other angels, who said to them, as if with a measure
of relmke: "Why seek ye the living amon~ the dead? lle is
not here, but is risen." They bade the women to go and
~JEven Oll the cross Jesus retained ilis calnl. Neither the
pain, nor the shame, nor the cruel mockings disturbed his
peace. He trusted in God, and it was not a f’tltering trust.
Even then he was not concerned for himself; rather tlis
concern was, as alwajs, for the ministry which was given
into his care; mnl in cahn and majesly of spirit he con-
tinned to the end. The strenglh of his noble, life of faith
ser~ed lo beur him on. A good life does not fail. The
(’hrislian does not lose himself, like a mountain pathway.
~l’here is triumph ill lhe 1)as-inK, even tlamgh outwardly
there is gloom. And in all lhis cruelly and suffering, Jesus
was dying for those who were tormenting him, and for us,
that we might be In’ought to God. The shalne of human
nature was in those malignant eyes lifted up to the cross,
gloating on their v~etim; but the .alory of love was in his
as he looked down oll them with forgiving hearl. IIere is
fhe degradation of human nature raider the control of evil;
and the crowning .~’lol’y of human ilillUl’e, the lmly, peril,el
Son of man controlled by love. They burned with hate; he
their victhn died in love. And love triumphs.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
J’esus’ last ministry is sometimes called what? And where did he
nowtravel? 1[ 1.
Ilow x~os JesllS sll’ellgthene(l along the way for the final scenes in
Joru~:lh,ln? ~ 2.
Virhat is the difference between bearing tile yoke and anxious care?
l:k
IIow did God disclose his love for humanity, and what is our
reslmnsll)lli(3 ? ¶
~Yhat is lhe general leaching of tile Parable of tile Unjust
Slewar(I ? ~ 5.
Our h~valty 1o God is delermined largely by our doing what kind
of d(,¢,d.~? I~5.
What~vent trullls "~xov(, h)st sight of ducina the "dark ages"? g
)’o, us i’(w~,ixeda ioy;li welconle, but lhe i)ooph,’.>.qA’dorsO()ll cooled.
V,.’hy’,’ 7
"~Vh,ll did the holy ~;firlt do for lhe di~ciple~ after Pentecost? .g r.
Why Mlouhl~{Jlo dlsl.lllh, collMdvrthe Ill’In ;11111"~Xol’dsel a~’sus?~l 9.
What dld the Jews really do when lhey said: "Wehave no king
but I’w~ar?" ~ ll).
~Vl|y "4as .Josus able to maintain u 1)oace of inilld in such trying
tmms’~~llJ.
Is he whose acts are always prompled by love the victor? [ 11,
V1EWOF RESURRECTIOn’.
carry a message to the Eleven, to remind them that their
Master when in Galilee had tohl lhem he wouhl rise on the
third day. (Luke 9: 18-22) Tile ~(anen remembered this,
and went to tell the disciples, llul Mary Magdalene either
lingered, or lurned Imek. While ’it the tomb the Lord mani-
fested hilnself to 11(’1’. This tom-hi~" sC(,lle is recorded
length by John, ehal)ler 20: 11-17. There is nothing" written
which transcends in simple 1)(,m,ly and palhos lhe revela-
tion of .lesus to the distresse(1, sorrowing, faithful woman.
Iler lid,,lily to hin~ was rewarded by this favor from the
Lord: sh(., was tile livsl to see hinl. She Wollhl lla~e detained
him; but the Lord did not allow that, and (lisnl)l)earoll
from her sioht.
sit must have been ahnost inlnlediately after this that he
met the other women as they ~m’e still on lheir wuy to tell
the disciples what tile angels ,~aid. (.Matthew :2£:!)l Jesus
spoke lo them snyin’,’, "All llail." AFter "t brief salutation
he added his message to the di~eilde% sa.~ ing that lhoy should
see hin] in G:dilee. On lheir xx;ly to lhe dis(’ilde % lhe \~olaou
were overtaken by Mary .M g( ene, und toge el’ lhey told
the disciples of what had halll~ened. I{llt (heir words *eenled
to the discil)les as idle tales. Peler and .Iohn. however,
immediately set off for the sepulchre: and John outrall
Peter. Either through fear or reverence or uncertainty, he them, showing them that thcy uere not beholding a spirit
stopped at the mouth of tile sepulchre. Peter had no such such as they thought; that he had flesh au(l b(me~-, which
hesihtnCy. When lie arrived he went into the sepulchre, and a spirit does not have. This does not lnean that our Lord
observed tlle linen clothes lying, and tile cloth which ha,l was proving lie was a human being: had lie meant that h,
been wound round the hea(l of Jesus placed apart carefully surely would have said: "See, I am llesh and blood." .\-
folded. They saw neither the Lord nor any angels. they yet wondered and were nndecided, he embed for .~mw,’-
qmter in lhe day two disciples, not of the Eleven, started thitkg to eat; and he ate before them, not because he xxa
out from Jerusalenl to go to Emmaus, nearly eight miles lm ~gry, but to manifest himself to thenl.
distant on the north-west road. Their minds and hearts
were full of the recent events and of what they had heard PREPARING DISCIPLES FOR SERVICE
that (lay; but neither they, nor the Eleven whona they had ’~The l.nrd must have spent a considerable time with h,s
left in Jerusalem, had begun to perceive the meaning of the. disciples on thai first Sunday evening. After eating wilh
empty tomb. them he reminded them of his words spoken "while I u:~,
yet with you," that all things written in the Law. the
JESUS EXPOUNDS THE PROPHECIES Psqhns, and tile l’rophets concerning him must be fnlglled.
~As they were going along, talking earnestly and discuss- IIe proceeded to explain these scriptures, thus opening lheir
ing what lhese things could mean, Jesus drew near and eyes to underslnn(l them, and showing them how tile s(’ril)-
joined himself to them; but they did not recognize him in tures nlade rel’crence to him, not directly only, hut indirectly
tile stranger who addressed them. Their new companion also. This u as a necessary preparation for Pentecost and f(lr
asked them what it was they were so interestc<l in, and their subsequent service. The holy spirit which should come
which apparently was making them sad. They expressed ntll)ll l]lela woal(l not only bring his words 1o their remeln-
surprise: Was he a stranger, that he did not know o£ the brance, but wouhl give them the understanding of thinos
things which had stirred the city? written. Thus l’eter at Pentecost could exphtin that strana-e
STile strnnger assmned ignorance. To them there was phenomenon as the fulfihnent of Joel’s prophecy.
only one thing to talk about--the erueilixion three days ago leThe Lord’s people should mark this=lhat ability to
of Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet of God, who was accepted serve comes through the Word of truth. There have been
by the people as such, but who had been crucified by their ,nan3" who have wanted what they have thought of aa lh,,
priests and rulers. They told of him of the hope they had power of Pentecost, who give no attention to the Word -f
had that he was the Red@met of Israel, but he hall now God. He who would be a good servant, and be filled \vilh
been dead three days. Some of their women hall been at the holy spirit, must have a knowledge of tile Word for th:lt
the tomb that morning, "/nd had returned saying lhat the service.
tomb w’m empty, and that an,gels had spoken to lhenl relli.g ~On that evening the Lord also told them that they were
them that Jesus was risen, and indeed th.tt tile Lord also to be his witnesses among all ntttions. John, referrin~ lo
had appeared to them. They said that some of their number this same time, says: ’Jesus breathed on them and shill,
had gone to the tomb, hut had seen neither angels nor the Ileeeiw, ye tile holy spirit’ (,John 20:°2) ; evidently by this
Lord. Then the stranger said abruptly: "O fools, qnd slow symbol indicating that he conferred upon them some power
of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoke ~ ’. Ought of comprehension of spiritual thin,-s, a fm’ee:~ut of that d:ly
not Christ to have suffered these things, an(l to (’:net into when the holy spirit should be given to the church. It wan
his glory?" He continued speaking to lhem: "And beginning a wonderful evenin.~. Thomas was absent. Probably a set,se
at Moses, and all the pl’Olflmts, he expounded unln ihem in of utter loneliness and perhaps hopelessness kept him away.
all the scriptures tile things concerning himself." Their What a lot he missed!
hearts were warmed, they learned much, but their eyes were ~2On the following first-day, Jesus again appeared in the
held. room in their midst, Thomas now with lhem. The doors
7Arriving at their destination they begged their compan- were locked for fear of the Jews, but neither locks, I~,)l’
ion to stay w’th them. lie accepted ; and then while at meat doors, nor walls made any difference to him; for he w:~s no
the Master took his old familiar position. IIe was no hmger longer a hulnan being. Having been put to death in the
guest; once again lie was the Master, they the disciples. flesh he was raised in sllirit. (1Peter 3:18) lIis appe:n’-
He brnlce the bread, and blessing it gave it to lhem. They ances to his disciples in the form of a hnmnn body, in each
knew then that the Lord had risen, and they re,lets(cod case assunled for tile oecasioll, wel’e tile (lilly raoans wllel’el)y
why tla.ir hearts were moved by the wnmh’nus ~ords he lie could assure them of his resurrection.
had spoken on the journey. But as they knew him he van- XaThe (liseiples now went to Galilee. They ought to lmve
ished from their sight. gone earlier; but as they would not receive tile tesfim., y
SThcy returned to J’erusalem immedialely, their .~teps of the u onlen who carried hoth tlle angel’s inessage and tile
quickened by tile wondrou~thin..:s lhey v, anted to tell. ~Vhen Lord’s command, they (lid not obey. In Galih,e tile Eleven
they arrived they were ~l’eeted by lhe apostles and the met lhe Lord in a Inountain, a l)lu(’e ’,pll(n!tled by him.
olh~ rs with the news, "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath was then they received the commi- ,1 to teach all n:/tinns.
alll)eared to Simon." The company could accept Peter’s (Matthew 28: 18,19) It was evident, however, that the
statement that lie had seen the Lord, though in the morning Lor(l (lid not intend them to begin their miusion at onee;
they had declined to believe tile wonlen. In turn lhe two and so because of uncertainty, and lack of direct guidance,
told their experience. The apostles mumlmve ~omhn’ed why Peter, so near hi~ native place and the sea of Galilee. and
the Lord appeared to the women lira(, aml why later he w’mting to do snmething, said: "I go a fishing"; and some
appeared to two disciples before showing himself to them. u eat with him. Next morning came the incident of the Lord
Probably it was to ,~’ive them a genlle ren]in(ler tim{ lhey all appearing on the shore, and Peter’s full reconciliation to
h’/d run away from him in tile lmur of danRer. Then while the I,(n’d.--John 21 : 15-19.
they were all together, in the room with fastened doors, the WAfter this Jesus appeared to James; to 500 bretl~ren at
Lord appeared amongst them. He stnod in their mi(ls[, an(l once: to all the el)ostler, uhen he led thenl from Jerusalem
said unto them: "Peace be unto you." Instead (if receiving Io l;ethany and was received up into heaven: an(l la-t of
him gladly they were terrilied; for they thought they -:tw a all to l’nul. (1 Corinthians 15: 6-8) Tile lack of umIer,tan(l-
~0irit, an apparition. But Jesus revealed hilu~elf l’tnly to ing oil the part of his devoted followers, their doubt and
 "the WATCH TOWER
uncertainty, Thomas’ positive unbelief, and lben at last .le~us was not ral~,(1. It further l’olh~ws (3) lhat ,lesu~
their full fissurance, settled with tlleir loving sacriliee even lv[~uhl not have the preihninence in this re’tiler; ft,w the
luito dealh for their risen I,ord, ltrlltluee /he best outx\~trd i’e.~Ul’let’lioll of Ltlzilrus. ",Ill() \\’its ~’o111’ days ill the :at’tire,
evidences 0/7 the resurreeiion of a,,~us whlelt the clmrch of was ii <areater miruele |hull lhis; and also (4) lhnt he eouhl
(’,od (’ould desire. But since l’cnteco,,t Ihe true disciple, not lit, "the first Ihllt shotlld be raised from the delld." {Acts
begotten o£ the holy spirit, has lcll()x~n that lhe Lord lives; 26: :2;I) The Bible ne~er speaks o£ lhe rostlrreell(til (,~ tile
f:~r lie has seen :lull felt the 1lower (ff salxalbm. The out- body of eilher Jesus ill’ lilly Olle else. Thai is It tl(~gniu o£ the
ward evidences were necesqary both for the ehm’(’h and for (’l’t’ol]’4. Illtl H fact ill God’s lilall. "Chllrcldanily" was fodnlled
nil men, but the lilt, of Chri,t through the 1,o~xvr of ({oil is ilpOli lui>-ialeUlelllS of ti’lil.ll. 1{~ o~l’ller stolie behlg Slitali’S
munifeMed to =Ill hi. saillts. oriainal lie that death is not death. Orthodoxy COlleCt’lied
"I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-gixint~ >{reltlil; itscil with Calvary, and \villi the symbol of the cross, ulld
.My lhirsI: was qlienche(l, lny soul revived, m~d now i live wilii lho olni)tY tomb, insh.ad of will1 the l)urpose of Cal-
ill ]li lit." vary mid tlie glory of tile risen Lord.
~r’l’lle lendeneies of the present thne indicate ttiilt the
PROPER VIEW OF RESURRECTION lcmlers of Christeildonl. particuhir]y the ecclesiastics, will
15It ix to be n,,lt,! that i,i no insl;tnce did imy one see seek Io il,~ for tile trlllh /ihat their l/r(itotylteS did to Jesus.
aosu- till lie nl:,llih,-ted Itimseli’ (Aei~ 1(1:-t0,41) . and it If lhey elm, they will kill and bury it. If /’or a time they
l)hlin that thouall lie =lie wilh lh,, (li-(’il)les, lie (h(1 lint are :~lhmed to prosper, we may expect that they will get
tlllS to prove lll;ll lie w~is hlllliltH, I)ll{ I(l delliOllS|l’Al~, as .a-rcal "l surprise and disappoiutmel~t as tim Pharisees
I"(lii ill a V,=ty {]l~y \~wl’e able lo illHlOl’~iHIlll th:tl he ~\~s ;mr, x/he for fenr the disciples should steal lhe Lord’s body
Iheir beht\e,1 5hlsler. ’t’h~, l’(,surl’e(,llOll t)f .lesliS is, j.it~hlly look a ’,,mlrd- and some sealing" wax--to make sure the
(,Olisi(lered 1o lie the (,(~rnt,r sloue of (]hi’is|hill e%idellce. tonlb should not be dislurbe(1. Put "vain the stone, the
(Ill(, by olle lhl. ,’,e, reat truths for xxhieh the ch/lreho.~ stood l\;Ih’h, lhe seal." q’lle liilrpose Of God will prosper iu his
lm\e g(me, ~i\-(ql lip ttefore lhe =t-~.alllls of higher criticism. halid. Triilh will he eshiblished i11 the earth, and bring
The SerJl)ltil’eS al’e lie lollgel’ i’ecoi\ell "is the i’e\elHtioi] forlh ilq fruits.--Isaiah 61 : 11.
tie/l, but llierely its llle el)’ol’l’~ (if Uleli, lilillly of x%li(llli
considered as having had no Sl)eeial scruples ns hi honesty QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
of sttltenleut--a fine presunlldi(tn eli the part of lhose who Ibm x~ :1~ i Ira love of lhe \vonlon shown in the bringing of spices ? II 1.
1Vhvitnl Mnl v 5inadalenerot’rive lhe linnet of seeing Jasus iil.st ? II 2.
lhemselvos hn\e- noue =is to l’eltqllioll Of tlwir p,)sili0n %Vlivdill lho lilt>’~s~-i.ge of JesilS’ lesurreetionse%~lllso str.’tlig’e? ~l ~t.
(’hri~tian lllinls[ei’s, oveIi thouah Iliey are Itraetically uiibe- ] )i,I flit, Ix\ o ill} lhe wayfo lgniniallS rocoarlizeJeSllS? "tVhvin/t ? ~[114,
1 lid lho "~4tr~llla(#I"’ relieve their perplexity of nlind ’; ~" ’a
limers. Belief lit the virgin birlh of .lesll~ li~lS lilinos{- ,~olie, Ibm did ,losu-~ reveal his b’ienlity to his familiar frionll,~ 1~ 7.
and lhe nlil’a(q(,s of .Jenli’~ ;ire lltl ]o11;91" l)ehevell in. lIllt, Ill ’AilHI llllllllli,r did Jc~sus miter the dosed tel)ill flow did lie llluI~l-
fo-I hiul~elf? ~ S.
the3 ,-ay. the Igi(’[ of the re..l!iT,,OliOil 1’~ l/laiii% This i~ lit(, Ibm did .IoMis 1,repare his disciples ior ihe I)ente(’ostal blessing? II
lltsl (hl(.h xxhi(,h OlillilOt lie (’i’os’q’(l; tile last ft)rt Tim 111, hlv to serve and have l.:Ilowledge of God COllies fronl what
.our~<," 1110.
cannot be tuken. hl "~\]hll ~aay (lid Jesus confer on Ills dis(’iple~ It foretaste of the
s~.tu(l yet i)rlhodoxy has gotten it "tll wrong! For holy sl)irH ? {J 11.
IIow could ,IOSllS prove his resurrection to his woilderin~ disciples?
thrill {lie i’l>lil’l’l~(’[i()ll (if ,h,siD4 is llolhillg lilOl’e thuii ~.
l’oUllb,n of the spirit with llie (h,:ld I)~.ly. 13ellevhi~ flint lie \\’liar i~ lhe inllmrt of tile POlilllllSSlon given ill lhe illOllnlaiIl 9 ~] 13.
\\hlll I~ lho I)(’~,f olltward exi(hm(’e, and the bc~t inward evidence,
\vus Go(l. therefore ininiortill, alld fllrlhor ttelioving \hat of .lo,,,us’ re,,urrection? I" 14
e/’en ln~qli lilts till iminortnl sph’it, lht,y ei/lill(il allow lhut \V]mt Is eon.’,ldered the corner stone of Christian evidenee? And
V,ll\ ? {i 15.
¯ Je>il~ died. To thenl, tbercfol’e, tlio only li(l>~lble I’eMllTOe- In wlmt ~\ay has "orthodoxy" praetically nlade void the entlr~
thin of ,I(,sli~ is thut of his body. If sueli tVI’I’I’ lhe 1.OMll’ree- |hll]o? ~ ltl.
I-)OO’~ Ill(’ l;ible speak of llle resurrection of lbe body? II 16.
tioll (if Jeslls Ihoii (1) tie did lilt/ pour out his slitll unto Ill ’lv]l;It ~.Vll 3’ has "(’hnrchianlly" lost lhe purpose of Calvli.ry and
denth (Isaiah .-~:I:12), he did not die. ns lhe Soril)iures lho ’.’lorv of the ris011 Lord’* IJ 16.
The h,ndoncies of our day indh’alo what? Is it possible to crush
nlally times St;lie; :llttl (2) it t’olh~\l~ lhat the ]Jot’soil of the Iruth or thwart God’s plan of the age~-? II17.

ABRAHAM, THE HERO OF FAITH

- .\l’l:ll ’q -- ~ll,,Xl’sis ]2’ 1 :27,.S;: IIEI:I:EWS 11:8-19--
TIlE \V /Y (tF I’AI’I It---MEt.( III/I ’ll I( ilia N~I]’~ .\IH~%I[A\[~ -.\BRAT1AM~S
SI’I’IIEME
~Abr(,ham 7. li, ~ cd God, ..d ~l ’~ its ~ co/< ),~ ,! ..to I,,tm lot rq/htcollwtcss."---l~.ontanS /~: 8.

O {51{ le-solt i-; O[ .\ln’alidl/1.

,~
i~ that. alll nlllch lill~rt.
liim "ilie ]’illher of {helli
Ihc hortl of f, liih. ~klJi’:lhanl
;11-(~. Tile Bibl. de~.i~ii;ite
lh:it boheve"; he i.~ tlio
->The ea/l of Abralianl,
led it, are stlitc"~l
,~erililtlre
mid the ooveriant whieli a(.(.ompnn-
in (lenosi~ 12:]-3. Tlds shorl lla..--a~e
is the hiThhuld out of which flow tlie slreanis of
+)£

lieml of tlie llou-~ hold of faith. I l~l)illilll..4 4" 1].) Al,,l. l:]noeh, l l’lll]i. The previous eleven (,lialffcrs of the Bible, which ~ive
liil(l X’ol~ll before him had e\oi’(,l~ed faith iu (Ill(t; the ~lCCOllnt of the erelition illi(l the beginuings of the lllliilUll
Altl’a]lAnl WaS llie Ill’st to l’,,c~,~ve =lilt[ respoud to U dh’eet fanlily, liiay bo sah| to I)o itrelmratory to what is staled
rail. aud to conft~rln ull hi~ lile to it. tie expected no lhore. Th<tt which follows to the close of revebition is the
iliilli.,(liate ro\/:li.(l for ]}is faith; he lived ,rod died believilig hi~tory of A1)rnh:tni Itiitl his seed, witll whioh ‘<tl’o ineor-
the promis,,~ of God wolihl be fu[hlle, l. l[is was ~t failh l)(~rtiled n 1)rophetic view of humnn hi~hu’y and prophetic
whiell could receive ils frill re\\ard only utter (lo:llb :th~l slal~,lllOlll.4 i’oneerP.in~ the ultimute blesshig of tlie hum,qu
restlrreetion, 11 faith (lilfe!’il/g ill eir(,uili,,t=lnees =lilll i~llilo(ik family, re~ulting in i1~ full restorntion to divine favor and
frolll that ~xereised Ily :/!:y of the lhl.ce lielore lUellli.luell. lo ils oriainlil 1)erfe0tioli.
lndeell, there three ml.n of f;~ilh are 1o receive tlieir reward :,i’lio call l~:is 9.0,<:I yo~lr. ~lftor the ero<qtion of Adamor,
Ull(]er Abl’Idmm; for "they ~re heirs of the rP_d~telnl~nes,~ probal)ly, ’.2t,Nl 3-eal.-~ aller Iho I’atl. ~o(1 permitted so ion~
which is by faitll," a favor lh’sL given to Abl’ah:im.--tle- a period (-~f time to I)ilq4 belween the tiule when he first
",’ews 11 : 7. Sl,,dw .1 a ,.-ovd to deh\er alld \llien next he referred to that
94
WATCH
promise. Abraham was now chosen as the one throt~gh whom
the seed should come.
qlere is the beginning of election. If God purposes to
bless and restore the family of mankind by one or nmre
members of that family there must of necessity be selection,
or election. God’s elect are chosen for the blessing of the
non-elect, those blasphemously declared by creedal teaching
to be reprobate to God. It must follow that the elect will
be the special care of God, and the covenant of Genesis
12:1-3 discloses that it is a contributing factor to human
history. The nations or powers which have come in contact
with the seed of Abraham, either that according to the
flesh or that according to the spirit, have been, or shall be,
blessed or cursed according to their treatment of God’s
chosen; as witness Egypt, Edom, Assyria, Babyh),,, ]tome,
Rom’tnism, and Protestantism.
THE WAY OF FAITH
5,kbrabain v. as in Ur in Chaldea when God spoke to him.
The covenant call meant leaving there and going to a land
unknown, "into a land of which I will tell thee." The father
of the faithful was to have the same ex.perience as his
children; he had lo start out in f’fith and get his instruc-
tions when on lhe road. "He went out, not knowing whither
he went." (llebrews 11:8) God lind a place for him. When
the earth was divided amon,~st the nations after the flood
God reserved the land of Palestine for himself (l)mlteron-
omy 32: 8, 9); and the streams of nation’tl life and move-
meat have been according to this purpose of God. It is
worth noting that Abraham in his journey out of Babylon
retraced the migratory steps of those who, seeking an inher-
it’race for themselves, had in e’lrlier days left the highland-
of Mesopotamia for the plains of Shinar. He was, qs it
were, called to go contrary to the course of this world.--
Genesis 11 : 2, margin.
CTerah, Abraham’s father, accompanied him out of Ur;
and Lot his nephew also went with him, choosing to go with
his uncle rather than stay in Babylonia. After a stay in
Mesopotamia, where Terah died, Abraham, then seveaty~
five years old, guided by God, went forward to Canaan
(Acts 7: 4); and then the covenant came into force.
met no opposition; for the unoccupied land of the country
was free, as such land ought to be. Near Shechem he set np
an altar ; then he removed later to Bethel, where also he built
an altar. Later on lie went still further south. At this time.
there was a fanfinc in the land, and he determined to go on
to Egypt. This was his first real test, and we must conclude
that he failed; surely lie ought to have stayed in the land
of proraise and have trusted God to preserve him. This is
an instance typical of human reasoning when dealing with
divine things.
qn Egypt he found deliverance from the famine, but
speedily got into other trouble, tie requested his wife to
say that she was his sister: he wanted to protect himself
from death. But this course did not protect Sarah’s honor,
and it was only the interference of God on their behalf that
saved both. Returning from Egypt he settled near Bethel.
Here his herdsmen and Lot’s quarreled; there was not room
enough for both! Abraham made a very generous offer to
his nephew. IIe said that Lot could choose to go either to
right or to left, and he (Abraham) would take the opposite
direction. With erring judgment, perverted by self-interest,
Lot chose the plain of the Jordan in the vicinity of Sodom,
because it was well watered. He had an eye to prosperity.
The separation was in harmony with the will of God; for
Immediately after God confirmed his promise to Abraham,
assuring him that all the land should be his. (Genesis 15:
l&21 Abraham again moved south to the plains of Mature,
~ROOKLYN, -’~. Y.
TOWER
near Hebron, and there he built an altar; and henceforth
Abralmm and Hebron are forever associated.
SSodom and tim nei.~hboring cities were at that time under
the dominion o£ the kings of tim east. They rebelled, but
the rebellion was crushed, and Lot with others was carried
away cqptive. Abraham was told, and he at once armed
318 of his servants and, accompanied by three friendly
sheiks, pursued the kings. In a sudden assault he defeated
them; Lot and the captives were rescued, and all the goods
were retrieved. An incident on the return south made this
event important to Abraham, and to us. When near Jerusa-
lem he was met by two persons, first by the king of Sodom,
fit representative of the prince of evil ; then by Melelfizedek,
king of Salem and prince of righteousness. Melchizedek
blessed Abraham and gave him bread and wine. It was then
that Abraham got a further revelation of his God, now as
the Most High. Abraham thereon made a vow to the Most
IIigh, and paid tlthes to his priest Melchizedek. (Genesis
14:20) Then the king of Sodom, instigated by Satan, of-
fered to give Abraham all the goods saved from the raiding
kings. Abraham said that he would not take even a shoe
lace. IIad he accepted, Satan would have said that he had
helped to make Abraham rich. Abraham was helped to this
clean, sharp decision through the blessing he received by
Melchizedek. He chose rather to have the bread and wine
from Melchizedek than all the riches of Sodom.
VThe decision had a marked effect upon him. God hon-
ored it; for it was almost immediately after thi~ God
revealed himself still more fully to Abraham, and assured
him that lie would be his reward. (Genesis 15: 1) He called
Abralmm to look abroad at the stars, and decl’~red that his
seed should be as numberless as these. Abr’|hanl b-qieved
God; and that night God gave hinl the blessing of justifi~t-
lion. (Romans 4: 3) Tl~enceforth Abrab’un had a more
delinite standing with God. But he was kept waiting for the
lu’omised seed; for Sarah x~as barren. Together they came
to the (’mmlusiou that perhaps God wanted them to arrange
this mntler. Abraham took the Egyptian re{lid IIagar as
his wife, her son to be counted as Sai"~h’s ; a purely human
way of fulfilling divine promises, an arrangement which
Godi’elanli,~ted.
~°When Sarah was past the time for bearing, and Abra-
ham’s body was as good as dead (Romans 4: 19) God prom-
ised Sarah a son. Before the birth of the child, Abraham
went to dwell in the region of the Philistines, and again he
ari’m~aed with Sarah to say that she was his sister. As a
result she was taken to the house of Abimelech. IIere was
an attempt on Satan’s part to interfere with God’s pl,m;
for Sar’~h was soon to be the mother of the promised seed,
and was now, apparently, in the power of the enemy. God
preserved her inviolate; and in due time Is’m(’, the chihl ~f
promise was born, a figare of the spiritual seed x~bich
should be born, not of the will of man, but of God by the
holy spirit. (Galatians 4: 28; John 1: 13) Ishmael, Hagar’s
son, had a warm place in Abraham’s heart; but 1)eing
child of the flesh, not the seed of promise, he had now to be
repudiated as such. The wrench was very painful to Abr:>
ham (Genesis 21: 11), an experience all his seed have fmmd
who have followed human reasonings when they onghl to
have waited on God in faith.
ABRAHAM’S SUPREME TEST
~When Isaac was grown into a young man, and A1)raham
was matured in faith, God put the supreme test upon lfim.
I-te said: "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom
thou lovest, into the land of Moriah; and offer him there
for a burnt offering." (Genesis 22:2) What Abrahqm
thought of this strange command is not revealed. He must
have been tempted to rebellion. But he had learned so much
galletl 15, 1923 92
~ WATCH TOWER

of Ilotl, and loved him so much, that he trnMed him abqo-
lutely. Besides tile whole matter was God’s business, not
his. It would readily appear to him that this was a test of
his obedience and faith; and he qu(’sliolted not, hill ob(’3c
withoul hesitation. In /ilial ol)edienee t,anc was hit(1 on the
altar, was bound; and lhe knife was already in Abraham’s
hand when the angel of God intervelmd. Abrahanl had nlet
tile sulJreme test. lie had believed that God would give
back his son; for the l)romi.,,ed .,,red inust come through
hnu. lie believed that l,aac would be raised again, and in
a hglu’e lie received hini /tom lhe dead. (IIebrews 11: 19)
r1’hu>, Aln’ahnlli dclnonstrated tli~ faith in the love, wisdom,
riglite,USlWSS mid liower of God.
12There are lwo outstan(ling acts of faith in the tlistory
of God’s people. The greatest is that of Jesus when in
Gethsemaue face to face wilh death. Called hy his eonse-
cralion 10 give hilnself even Ulil(, <lealll, lie obeyed, lie was
not called iipon merely to have llJs body dic and be revivi-
fied; he hiniself had restored bt’ealh to h,,(lie~ on three
OCClIsiollS. lie was to pour oat his solll nllio dealh, an(l
none h-id previously traveled tlmt dark lml}l. Ills fallll well
the victory. Coinmittin.a" his life into hi.~ 1,’athel"S care, he
faced death willingly, believing in llis 1.’alller’s power to
raise hinl. The second act is tllis of Abraham, which in
some llleaSlll’e was the prototype of that of oar Lord. ,]PSUS,
the princely Leader of our faith ( IIebrews 12 : 2), and Abra-
haul, the falher of them that helievt,, are ;alorious exanH)les
for us. God never calls for an act of faith aptirt from
"failh’s foundation strong"; but it is frt’quently only after
obedience that a reason for the test is seen. Faith does nee
ask for reasons; it obeys.
~ahmnediately after this incident God eonlh’med his cove-
nant by his oath, assuring both Abraham and his seed of
his inuuutahle Word. (Itebrews 6: 17) No doubt Abraham
afterwards had many experiences which called for faith,
but lie had now got to that place in life’s jonrney where he
was at one with God in the fullrest of £aith.The outstnnd-
ins qualities of Aln’ahaln’slifewerefaitk,loyalobedience,
lind courage. In these lie stands pre~ininent.It seems
slrangeto s~iyof this greatman that his mistakesin going
down to EaTpt, and twice (oncerning Sarati. were through
lack of faith. Yet such is pl dnly the case. The root of the
Irotlble is found at the heginMng of his life of faith. ~Vhell
lie obe3ed the call to go out o; Ur, he made an arrangement
with Sarah which showed his ’ear and his lack of full faith.
(Gelio-~ 20: 13) Ile (lid not g~ve all his care into the h-tnds
of his Benefactor, bat reservc,l some for hunself; and his
lit’o’s urrol’S sprang from this source, and his life’s lessons
u ere l)artly God’s endeavors to make him realize this.
~*IItit Abraham was the friend of God (2Cln’onieles
°Ill 7) ; i_tnd God mak,,s use of Iris friends. Abraham went
[hrough some of these trials Ihat the children of faith
nught walk more surely. Thr(mali :ill the long t)erio(l of
years ()f sojonrn in tenls, he h)oke(l heyond his time in full-
lle~s (,1" lailh to Iho day wheu G,)d would establish hiin
lus illhet’ilanee, t.h}tln S: 56) He has a great reward; for
whih, in lhe Bible lhere are many types of Christ, there is
ollly one el (J-od. lind A1)l’l/]iHln, the grand, noble character
(le~eloped lhrollgh faltli, is that one.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Ill ,~/ll.ll ,ix :ly i,~ AIHHIIIHlllhe headof tile householdof faith? ~ 1.
~Vllal roni,lrkable thing did God(Io ~,x ltii Abrallllm?~ 2.
’rile \lll’(l]lHllll(’ COtCliO-Ill~411s]lO%V l()ll~ llftay tile fall of A(iatn?
~Vlial IS Ill,’ ptlrlloue ot clloosingAbrahanl alld his seed? ~l 4.
i11 xxllat ~ay htlve the III(IIt)IIN b(,en b]esse(l (tF (’Llrse(l ill cOIllin~
~(nlta.t ~xHli lh0 ~,eed ol pl’oml.~t~lleqlly and spirilual? 114.
ls the road ol faith Olle hard lo lravel "* I] 5.
In u hal r~’*p.,vr (lid Abrahamfad, and this is typieaI of what? II 6.
"%%,]1~11 ~+\}1~ lhe (~\l)orient’e o[ .+tbl’ll]l~illl and Lot, gild %vastile fOl*lner
~ellOl.lill. i 7,
4 AI)raham ,how his ,~allantry? and
1lid whomdid he meet? I[8.
]n uhal u:l~ maythe (’hildren of faith unwittingly justify the evil?
~’,’IDI1%\*ils ’lie l’OWal’d of Abl’}th,qlll’S Iili{}l I, 9.
hi Xi]liit sliOtl;ll way l"¢aS laall(’ a tl’l)O of tile spiritual seed.? 10.
\Vhat ~lllil ontolc,M talkie to lllo faithful Allri/hgtln? ~ 11.
Whatellablod .leStl., to moot(ieal]l with stleh Iortittlde? 11 12.
\\h,lI is the O/ll-l;llldlllg clullavlet’lstle el faith? ~[ 12.
Slaw the lhree pre~,mnlmlt qualities of Abraham’slife. f/13.
In ,i~hat re,-pect is the hfe of Abrahama benefit to us? ~l 14.

INTERESTING LETTERS
SI’READING THE FRAGRANCEOF LOVE Enclosed sheet with rlai)lo~ of ttio<e who wished in tltisl
~)i: \I{ l~R(t’I III:R ][LTHEIII’OIID : manner also to express their love. Love to Sisler l{utller-
ford, too.
i ;llll "~x ritiw-" yon ut this time by special request of the
\\’~ib liqie love, yolir hrothreli Ill Christ,
class Ill e\lil’e.,-.~ their love to you.
While it ix Irue every Chrislian has to fight a good Signod by S~tx Jose ECCLESIA.
:tic’ill, we realize a].,,o that the one upon whomdevolves tim
Sl)o(,ial dtlties as the Lord’s instrunlenl in condtlcting lhe (Ol~IA) NOT GET ALONG WITHOUTTIlE TOWER
all’airs of his t)eople fit liiis thne is one iipon whomIhe
devil /md his (lelllOll’-4 direet lheir ller(’e alid erlle/ attacks I)EAI:l{IIi;’rilllEN
in order to break down, discredit, and thus iiiterrupl Iho I aln poor, old and dependent. Have no way of earning
, but lhe de:If lto:l\(’nI3
work, doing much liarin to the hrellirei) in general. Con- iln31]iill~- Father SUplqies all nly
set*ms of this and knowing of your own labor of love wliile needs. I (,ould ilOt g’et a]ollg x~illiout the T()~VIHt, and I
~.vr(,,qlillg in the gl’ef/l conflict, with truth fig your b,im/er lliank ",’Oll for sendilig iI lo lilt.
¯ lad love {is 5"our lnotive, to serve our present King and I llmnk God every day for ,~m.h llrccious reading (food),
hell) llS. Vl)lll’ hrethren, let us say once nmre we all hive illld I lool{ for, and l,n.}oy exory ls.,,llt,. T also li.tvo Ill(’ (].
5"oil -3es, wilh ;i warmth and affo(qion that only ttie couse- whh,h is all the l"ellow*hll) i lla\e e\ceIlt the need letters
el’ab,(l lllily lll}(l(,rstlllld. winch I roeeiw, from lho dear Clio.,,. 11 is a little hard to
A~ long, tle~lr brother, as we find you lmnorin~ our I,ovd be i-ot,lled but what st hh,<*ing 1o have the. lru{ll aIid elljoy
J-esliS by l)r()ehiiiniliK Iris ldng(loni find his reian t,eaun, it \~ilh lhe friends. [ lo~o il and olily de~ii’o lo {till it to
helping tile l)relhren by elucidalina tile truth, its )ou lilt\(’ oihprs, ~ hieh I do :il ,!II {lilies ~A hcii l havelhe loaM- chance,
doll(’, 1)ohiliu~4 ollt the elnqll[l]~ Of the doi)ioii.a alid wih’s of ()h, if lily O\Vll hoas~qiold wouhl olily listen and loarll !
the devil ]iiniself, our love is yOlll’S, ollr pl’ayel’s, out" s3ill- I c, ln only helle, LlIid I ib) pray lllat lheir eves ilia)’
pathy, our Sllpport, even Unto do;Ith. ()lloned.
~[:ly Godhiniself abund-mtIy bless you. Pnrdon ll~(, }(-,nat]i =NOW i)rt/3 iilg God’s l>h,.-,ings ori your lahors of love, I am,
of this letter. ~Ve only want llO~V |o hreak the t~hilmqtor Yotlr si-ter for frnil~ and rightcousi~ess,
box--now lo .aive our flowers when your heart needs the
sweet fnigrance of love’s sweet balm. Mrs. M. E. LEo.\-.t..~o, Mainl
 ImemafionalBible Students
Ausociation
Classes
BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER W. H. PICKERING
Philadelphia, Pa ............... kpr. 1 Brooklyn, N. Y ............. Apr. 8 Gran%lle, N. Y ............ Apr. 1 Fort Johnson, N. Y ......... Apr. 9
Bridgehm, N. J ................ " 2 Wilmington,Del ............... " 10 Ticonderoga, N. Y ...... " 2,3 Johnstown, N. Y ............ ’ 10
Mlllvdle, N. J ................. 3 Haw’e De Grace, Md.. . " 11 Ft. l’hh~ard, N.Y ......... " 4 Gloversville, N. Y............. " 11
Vinehmd,N. J ................... " 4 Baltimore, Md................. " 12 (liens Falls,N. Y.. ......... 5 Rome,N. Y ...................... " 12
Cape MayCt., N. J ........... " 5 Annapohs, Md .......... ’ 13 Saratoga Springs, N.Y. " 6 Oneida,N. Y..................... " 13
Tremon,~N.J ..................... " 6 WaMnngtou, D. C ...... " 15 S(henectady, N. Y .......... " 8 Utica, N. Y ...................... ’ 16

BROTHER J. A, BOIINET BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK

I,a~\’,,’ ()’ Apr.1 Thomas, Okla .... \p,.8 Northcote, Minn ....... ~,pr. 3 Princeton. Minn. At,,, ,1
Binger, Okla ................ " 3 CantolL ()kla ..... ’ 10 Mclntosh, 3Iinn .......... " 5 Pease, Mlnl} ....... 12
Iloba}-t, Okla .......... " 4 i~]nld, O’-’a. " 12 Fer~us Fall~, 3hu}l .... 6 OgHvic, 3hnn ..... 13
Boosevelt, Okla ...... 5 Woodxxa,’d, Oi:la/" .~]~...... " 14 St. l’aul, 5111}11
................. " 8 Duluth, Mmn....... " 15, 17
Olustce. Okla..................... " 6 Shattuck. OKla.. II) Minneapolis, Minn............. " 9 Superior, Wis......... " 15, 17
Willow.Okla .................... " 7 Alva, Okla .......... Is Cambridge,Mmn............... " 10 Two Itarbors, Minn.. 16

BROTItER B. H. BOYD BROTHER B. M. RICE

As.qmbom,SaM~......... Aj)r. 1 \V3ndlnore, N. \pr. 10
~Iazenotl, Sask .......... ’ 4 Fredoltia. N. D. ’ 1l l,ake (’harles, La ........... kpr. 1 Mayfield, Ky .......... Apr. 10
]~Ioosejaw,Sask ............ ’ 5 BeI’[III. N. D.... " 12 2 Paducah. Ky ............... " 11
Surrey, N. D................... " 6 Mellette. N. D. " 13 (’~ m~Icy, La ............... " 3 Cairo, Ill ........... 12
Fargo, N. D ...................... " 8 Cowle, S. D .... .. ." 15 lk~ton Rouge. La ........... " 4, 5 Anna, 111 .............. 13
Enderlin, N. D ................ 9 Ips~leh, S. D. _ 16 }ck,~bul’g, 511SS............ " 8 Carbondalo, 111 .......... 15
Memphis,Tenn ................ " 9 Decatur, 111 ............... 16

BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN
Willow, Ga ................. \hr. 1 lli(I;zeland, S. (’. Al>r. 9 BROTHER V. C. RICE
Thompson, Ga ............... " 2 CharlesfolL S. ~ ’ 10, 11 SH)il~flle, N. Y .... \piLl Ea~ton, l’,t ...... %l}r, 10
Augusta,Ga..................... ,t, 8 Florence, S. C ..... 12 King,~bm..N’. Y. ... " ’2 Trenton. N. J .... " 11
Avera,Ga......................... 5 Sumter, S. C ....... 13 1’o }ahkoel)sie, N. ~ ....... " 3 l’hflw.lell)lua, l’a. .. " 12
Elko,S. C ......................... " 6 Kershaw, S. C ........ " 15 Ne’c,’lm,:;. N. Y.............. " ’~ Downiu.a to.a. Pa. 13
]°:llterson, N. J ............ " S I~al}(’,lster, I~It ............ " 15
Dover, N. J ............... " 9 Ilarr}sbnrg. Pa ...... 10
BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM
Niagara Falls, Ont. M}.r. 30 %.pr. J Tol,,nto, Ont ............. Apr. c
St. Catherines, Ont ......... Apr. 3 Colhn~wood,Ont ......... " 1O, ,,* BROTHER C. ROBERTS
Beamsville, Ont .............. " 4 1Heal’(u’d,t)nt .............. " I:’ Bellevue, 0 .... Apr. 3 Shelb3, ~..- \pr. 10
Dunnville, Ont ................ " 5 Barrie, Ont .................. " 13, 1,, Attica, O ............ " 4 (3al}o;~() ....... " 17b
tlamilton, Ont ................. " 6, 8 Braeebridge, Ont ......... " 16 Marion, 0 ................. " 5 Crosthne, O ........... 12
Delaware, 0 ........ 6 3IanM~eht, O ........ 13
Columbus, O ........... " 8
" 9
’r,mu, o .....................’,: l,-a
Newark, 0 ........................... I,’ostorm, 0 ................ 16
BROTHER M. L. HERR
Santa Bal barn, Cal .......... Apr. 4 SanJose, Cal ................... Apr. 10
Saa Luis Obispo, Cal ......... " 5 San Francisco, Cal ......... " 1;
Atascadero,Cal ................. " 6 San Rafa’el, Cal ............... " 12 BROTHER R. L. ROBIE
Paso Robles, Cal ............... " 8 Richmond,Cal ................. " 13 kpr. 1
Santu Cruz, Cal ................. " 9 Oakland,Cal .................... " 15 a’urmela, Tex ............... Austin, Tex.......... Apr. 8
Waco,Tex .................. " 2 Taylor, Tex .............. " 9
Terable, Tex ................. " 3 Ih/strop, Tex ........ 10, 11
~l}}l)llor, Tex............... " 4 San Mareos, Tex ...... " 12, 13
Lampasas,Tex ................. " 5, 6 San Antonio, Tex .... " 15
BROTHER W. M. HERSEE
Orilha, Onl ......... Mar. 30, Apr. 1 BracebridF.e, Ont ......... Apr. S, 9
Lin(lsay, Ont .................. ~-pr. 2 North IIay. Ont ............. " 10,11
Cameron,Ont ................... " 3, 4 1Hattawa,Ont ............... " BROTHER W. J. THORN
12
Stouffville, Ont. .............. 5 New Liskeard, Ont ..... " t3, 15 Winnipeg, Man.....Mar. 30, Apt’. 1 Minnedosa, Mau ..... k~,r. II
Baldwin,0nt ................... " 6 Timmins,Ont .............. " 16, 17 l~ortage La Prairie, Man. Apr. 2, 3 l¢(,lwood, Mau ..... ’ 1~
Souris, Man............. " 4, 5 Dauphin, .Mall ...... " 13, 15
Brandon, Man............. " 6, 8 Gill)grt i’lalns, Man. " 16, 17
Rapid City, Man........... " 9, 10 Venhtw, 3Jan ...... 18
BROTHER H. HOWLETT
Dominion City, Man....... Apr. 6 Fort Wilham, Ont ....... Apr. 15
Winml)eg, Man......... ’ 8 Searehmont, Ont ......... " 17, 1S BROTHER T. H. THORNTON
Kenora, Ont ................. " 9, 10 Sault Ste. Marie, Ont... 20, 22 Trenton, N, J ....... ~pr. 2 Boston, Mass ...........
Oxdrift, Ont................... 11 Maclennan, Out ........... " 23, 24 %~pr.10
Newl~runswick, N. J ...... " 3 Portland, hie. - " 1i
Port Arthur, Ont. ........ " 15 Warren,Ont................. " 25, 26 NewHaven, Conn ........... " 6 lhdlowell. Me............. " 12
Frovidence, R. I ............. " 7, 8 Bangor,Me....................... " 13
l’awtucket, R. I ............. " 8, 9 St. John, N. B ............ " 15
BROTHER O. MAGNUSON
Sanll Ste. Marie, Ont Apr. 1 Ma(h,~on, V/is .................. Apr. 9
Marquette, Mich. ......... " 2 Chicago,Ill ........................ " 10
Bruce’s Crossing, Mich ..... " 3 Ft. Wayne,Ind ................. PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION
" 11
Superior,Wis..................... " 5 Canton,0 ........................... 12
Imluth, Minn. 6 NewIh’ighton, Pa ............. " 13 The International Bible Students Association will hold a conven-
Minneapolis, Mtnn............. " 8 Altoona, Pa ..................... " 14 tion at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 13-15, inclusive. A nambei"
of Pilgrim brethren wilt be present, and the President of the Society
will address the public on Sunday afternoon. For further lnformatioll
address Mr. G. G. Calhoon, 6019 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
BROTHER S. MORTON
&nna,Ill ........... Mar. 30, A,p,r. 1 Kane,Ill ............................. Apr. 9
Yaller,Ill ......................... ’ 2 Jerseyville, Ill ................... " 10 CONVENTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BROTHER RUTHERFORD
Jacksoaville, Ill ............... " 3 Godfrey.Ill ..................... " 11
~prlngflold,Ill ................. " 4, 65 ]¢unker llill, Ill ............... AKRON, O.--March 18 ........ MIss Alberta M. Tewers, 91 Kirkwood Ave.
" ]2
0:ill.pie, Ill ..................... " Granite City, Ill ............... " 13 COLt-~IBUS,O.--Mareh 25 ............ Frank D. White, 147 Winner Ave~
~t St. Louis, III........... " 8 St, Louis, Me..................... " 15 BROOKLYbI# NoY.--April1 ............................................. (No convention)
 ,l.i .-
%,.., ,,i

Yoe. XLIV SEMr-MO.~THLY NO. 7

Anno Mundi 6051 - April 1, 1923

CONTENTS
~LAffKNOTTHINEHANDS
...................................... 0~
Whatis Zion?.................................................... 9:t
~SboamI? ........................................................... 100
"’"lnt Day" ....................................................... 10o
~e:wyin We]l-Doing ..................................... 1El
r ,lmrtt nity for Colporteur~ .......................... 101
.A. 2 housand more Colporteurs ....................... 102
~’o~,)1,’ TIlELORD ...................................................... l():i
Workfoe All ....................................................... 104
3f,mthly Service Day......................................... 104
PRA~ER-~IgETI.N’G TEXTS ...................................... 105
QUESTION ANDANSWER ............................................ 106
JOegPlI THE PRESERVER OF ]~IS PEOP!E ........ 107
~IOSES". LIBERATOR ANDLAWGIVER ........................ 109
:IN’-’~ ,~,:-r, TINGLETTERS ........................................... 111

"I ~ill stand upon ~ y watch and will set my fool

upon the Tower, aria u Ul u ~lr’h to see wha$ He will
say unto me, and what answe~ ! shall make $o ~her~
thai o$1)ose nte."--Habak£uk $:

"-= ~ - ~~L_~:-,.- ~ ~ ---

=. .... : ::~ _-~- ....

~pon the earth distress of natlont~ with perplexltyI the sea and the wave~ (the restless, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts faillng.them for fear and for lookin~tlt
the thin~s com~,t~. ],)on the earth (society) ; for the powers of the heavens (ecclesmst~csm) simll be shaken. , . Whenye see the~ things begin to come to pass,
kuow that the li~agdom of God is at hand. Look up, lift tip }’our heads, rejoice, for }’our r~demptmn draweth mgh.~Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:25-~|
 THIS JOURNALAND I1~ SACREDMISSION
THISpresented
Journal Is one of the prime factors
in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WA~c~r TOWER
or "Seminary Extension", now being
BIBLR & TRACTSOCIF.Ty. chartered A.D. 1SS4, "For the Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
¢n~ning of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Ferbi Dei Minister (V. D. M.), which translated
into English is Minister el God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
etudents and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the onl~" true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
~redemptlon through the precious blood of "the man Chr[,~t Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building Ul) on th.’- sure foundation the gold, sih’er and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 :
15, 2 Peter 1" 5-11) of the Word of God, its furiher nn,-,,~eu ]s to "make all see what is tile fellm~hip of the mystery which...has
been hid ]n God, . . . to the intent that now might be made known by the church the mtmifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephesians 3:5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sccis and creeds of morn ~ll:le it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the ~ill of God in Christ, as exl,re:~sed in Ihe holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoe~er the I,ord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted un~o us to un~]crstan(l his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, bu~ coniideut
for we know ~hercof we affirm, treading with impl._~t ~;’,!~ upon the sure promises of God. It is heht as a trust, to be used only in lu,,
service ; tlence our decisions relative to what re’t5 a!,,1 v.:mt may not appear in its columns must: be according to our judgment of hb
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuild.n~ of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge ou
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reterence is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
That the church is "the temple of the living God", peeuliar!y "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel re:o--ever ~’we Chri.~t became lhe worhl’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, uhea
finished, Cod’u hie. a:v: ,~ha]l eome "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2:20-22 ;
Genesis 2,~:1t; Galafians 3:29.
That meanllmc Ihe chl~’(!hn,~, sl,a[)iug, and polishing of eo.sccrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "hvin~ stones", "elect and l,reI’mm~, ’’ sh:t~l have bccu made ready, the great Master Workraan will bring all together
in the l,l,q re~mu~ lion : aml the, temple shall be filleu with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout
the Millennium.--itevelation ]5 : 5 :q
That the La~s of hope, for the (hureh a"d the world, lieu in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man." "a rausom for all," ned will be "lhe true hght which lighteth every mat~ that comcth into the ~’orld", "ira due tlme".~
Ilebrews 2:9; John 1:9; I Timothy 2:5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that slw may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his 3omt-helr.--1 Johu 3.2; John 17:24; Romans b:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
That the present mirsion of the church is the perfecting of tlle saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s w~tne,s to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and prmsts zn the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24-"
14; Revelanon 1: 6; 20:6.
That the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, the
reslitmnm of all lhat ~:ls lost in Adaln, to all ll~e ~,llhng and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified ehurch~
when all the wdfully wwked will be destroyed.---Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiah 35.

"~)~IB bl S HED~Y AN AID TO COLPORTEURS

WATCHTOWEP,.N 5LE ~TRACT SOCIETY ! II ,.

1,5 CONCORD
STREET
g i:i 51ZOOKLYN,
AI.Y. US’A"
FOREW, N OFF~CES: British: 34 Craven Terrace, Lancaster Gate,
London V¢. 2; Canadian: 270 Dlmd:~s St., W., Toronto, ,).tario;
Australasian: 495 Colhns St., Melbourne, Australia; South Alr~
tan~-" 6 Lelie St., Cape To~n, Soutll Africa.
PI.EksE ADDRESS THE SOCIETY IN EVERY CASE.

YEARLYSUBSCRIPTIONPRICE: UNHm) ,RTATE~, $1.00; CAN~,DA ANn

~[ISCELLANEOUS FOaEIGN, ~1.50 , (~REAT BRITAIN, AL’4’IRkI,ASIA~
ANDSOUTII d~FRICA, SS. ~IlIOViClH1 rendtlanee~ should be umde
by Express or Poshd Money Orders, or by l;ank Draft. Csvadiau,
British, Soufl~ Africall, and AnMrslasinn remittances Mwuld be
Ina(le to b:’an(h of/we.o o~lly. Benlittanees from scattered forelgu
territory may be made to the Brooklyn office, but by lnternationa|
Postal Money Orders only. _ -~n: U . ,-~ .~--..
(Foreign translations o~ tMs journal appear ~n severa~ Mnguagcs)
Editorial Committes: This journal is published under lhe sr.,pcrx i.qon The reduced price of lhe hooks is brinain~ many new col-
of an editorial comnnttee, at least three of x~hem have remt and porteurs inlo tim field; also many additional workers in the
approved as trnth each and every article appearing ill t)~e~e (oltHl]:l%
The names of tile editorial committee are: J. ]~’. RUTIIFAtVORD, chtsscs. The outlook is that Ihis will be lhe best ye’/r thas
W. E. VANAMnunGI-I~J. |l~ .\1 Lit’t, (]. I:L FISHER, R. It. P, XRBER. far for the sale of books. There has for some time been a
Yermsfo f.v.,e Lord’sPoor: All B~hlastudents who,by reasonof old ago or other in* demand for a case in which lhe eolporteurs might carry and
flrm~tyor adver~,~y,ere unable to ~)ay for th~ iournM,will be supplied free If they send exlfil)ik their books. To aid all canvassers in exhil)iling and
II post~ card each ~aF stating their c~e amt re(m,’~ti.g such prov~qlotl. We are not
©~,lywilling, but ~axmusthat all suchbe oa our l,~t continually andIn touch wlOlth$ scllin~ the books, the Socicly iq having manufaclnred a ease
~ereanstucies.
which ordinarily sells for ,~7.00 to $S.00. An illustration of
A1~Ot[~ * WeSo not. as a ,t~le, senda cardof ack.nWle~g~ment
}~ ~**R~,-~-;A~ for a renew:olP
.................
~I~hln f.~.
~ tllonthbychang~ n~w
|rl exp ,~b,o.,,:,o..
~ion ~¢~,~t
date,aa~, o vnon .,,
wrlpperI ,b i., ~o*,~.~w~i~* ,.a~t.a the case apl)ears above. It is made of basswood Sxl]x6 coV-
~ ered with black moroccoline, green silk 1)lush lined, nickel
~redas S~dCIa~A$latt~rat Br~kly~,N,Y.. poaro~Tt~ underthe Act of ~.larch~rd,187~.
~, - 4 irunmed, and large en.u~h to hold the seveu volumes
STUDIES IN T~IE SCR1PTURE~ Rzld TIlE HARP OF GOD.
REDUCED PRICE OF BOOKS
In re reduced price of books, these prices apply to the Price: With Nickeled Corner Trimmings ............ $2.50
United States and Canada alone. Revised price list for With Plain Corners ........................... 2.25
Great Britain and other countries will be announced later. Carriage charges collect.

CONVENTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BROTHER RUTHERFORD This is a specially attractive case; and we believe it will
~E’WAnK,N. J., Apzul S ............ 5ti~s l~,elle Nan~hright, 115 4th St. be a great convenience and help to the colportem’s. It is far
I)IllI I~A., April 15 ........ (;co (1 i’alhoon.
ADELPIIIA, G019 N 10lh St. better lhan n prospectus, enablin~ the colporteur Io keep his
NORFOLK,VA., April °2 ............... G. ~I. l.TilmmIler, 114 West 261h St. books dean and show his customer exactly what they are.
LANCASTEn,PA., April 29 .......... .A. 1~I. Zimmerman, 136 l’]ast ChIy St.
CUICAGO,ILL., May11-13 ................. A_ L. Seeley, 7642 Normal &v{k Order quickly if you wish one, sending remittance with order.
VOL. XLIV APRIL 1, 1923
"SLACK NOT THINE HANDS"
13AI3ORIiRS TO THE FRONT !--GREAT IS THE WORK--ARE ,0U DOING TOUR I’ART?--WI[AT IS ZIONP--WIIO
IT ?-- -W/KAT DOESIT ~[EAN TO BE SJ.AC](P--DUTY OF Till" IIOUR.
"’In that day it shall be said . . . to Zion, Let no~, l],i,e
C OLPORTEURS, pro.-peetwe eolp?rteurs, class
workers, ehhu,-- in fact, all whoare ambassadors
of Christ tlw King--please give earns’st heed. Are
you fully consecrated to the Lord? If so, these words
are addres~,..d to xou. Do you appredate the 2act that
the King has committed into your hands certain inter-
est.* of iris kingdom,which lays uponyou great responsi-
bility ? Are you remlering a good account, that the King
may be pleased? Or do yon find a dL-poAtton to slack
your hands? If so, take a eareful and prayerful survey
of the situation and then determine what is veto’ privi-
lege, and therefore wha+~is your duty.
WIIAT IS ZION?
~Before examining the words of the Prophet in the
light of present-hour eonditions, let us determine from
the evidence wlwther or not we come within the meaning
of the text, in order that all doubt may be removedas
to what we should do.
3Briefly defined, Zion means God’s organization
through which he is doing a certain part of his work.
Satan the devil has an orgamzation invisible and also a
visible organization through which he has long been
doing his work. Satan’s organization is desi~lated as a
"beast." tits empire is under judgment. War is on
between the "beast" and the Lamb, the tIead of Zion,
God’s organization. The lines are now dearly drawn.
It is a fight to a finish.
4Wheneverand wherever a name is applied by Jeho-
vah to his creatures it means much.It wilI aid some to
grasp the force of this text by briefly referring to the
meaning of Zion. Wequote from the words written by
Brother Russell :
~"Thename’Zion’ was anciently applied to a prominent
hill of Jerusalem, generally regarded as the soutbwestern
and highest of those on which the city was built. It
Included the most ancient part of the city with the eHadel;
and, being first occupiedfor a palace, it wascalled ’the
city of David.’ {2 Chronicles5: 2) It was also called the
’holy hill,’ or ’hill of the sanctuary’(Psalm2 : 6), beingthe
original site of the tabernacle, pitched by Davidfor the
receptionof the ark.
NO. 7
COMPOSI~
hands be dacL"--Zet)haniah3:16.
{"By the prophets the name was ellen put for Jel’tlsalem
ilselI, and also for its inhabitant~, som~qinles called sons or
O’.mt.a}m.rs of Zion. It was also used in a wider sense, as
x,;;i; ,i~H’llbalclll also, to signify the entire nation of Israel.
And since fleahly israel was typieM ,}1" spiritual Israel, the
Gosi~el church, the s3mboli*In apt)lies ~ilh still deeper sig-
nilu ,tm.e to the Gospel eh~lreh, which |erm, throughout the
G*~ q.q qge, inehtdod the eiitil’e body of professed Christians,
all of whom are on probatm:~ for full nlemberqhip in the
chuJ, ~ trinmplmnt--the true (.hurt.h, lhe Zion of tile future,
and :l~e trut. Zion Of 1he l~rt’~-e~t a;dt., the elect ’little flock’
to whomit is lho Father’s good pleasure to give the king-
do~lL In the symbolie ;q}t}liealion of lhe term we must
tJ. ,P,q’ore judge lrolll !he .haraeter of the pt’ol)h{ uy ~ bother
the re,’erone,~ i~ to the Ih,Mllv or to ~1,o splritu,,I ll.,tbe of
israel, o. to both; .w, if to the latter, wPether iI PI)i,i:es in
ils b:{,.dest sense to the ~ominal Gospel church, or fo the
’’
eie(’{ little flock, the only true church in God’s eMi m~.tion.
~Z’94-135.
Ut seems manifest from the text and context under
examinationthat Zion here meansthe little tloel,. (;od’s
chosen people, as defined in the above quotation. Zion
when complete beyond the vail is God’s hal@orion,
through which he will deal with the world. The mem-
bers of Zionthi- sidethevail ther{’fore ret}l’e~-{’nt his
orFanization Vl.~lble. "The l~ord hafl~ chosen Za)n; he
hath desired it for his habilation." (Psalm 13:~: 13)
"h; Salem also is his tahenmcle, and his dwdliu2 place
in Z~on." (Psalm 76: 2) It is the house of ~ons
which Jesus is tIead, and of which house are we, pro-
vided we are his and hold fast the confidence and the
rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (tIebrews 3:61
From the day of Pentecost until now, God’s people have
be,-, the light of the worhl, through whomthe Lord has
shone : "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, Godhath
shined."--Psalm 50 : 2.
SThe Lord gives assurance that the time will come
whe’n the people will know who has been born in Zion.
"Glorious things are spoken of thee. 0 city of God. And
of Zion it shall be said, This and that manwas born in
her ; and the highest himself shall estaM]sh her." (Psalm
87 : 3, 5) It will then be the glory of the peoples of the
earth. "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole
earth, is mountZion, on the sides of the north, the city
 loo WATCH TOWER RooKLY,,
,.
of the great King." (Psalm 48 : 2) This is beautiful amprivileged to be a faithful and true witness for him
poetic expression descriptive of God’s organization in this old worht of Satan that is crumbling to pieces?
through which he will bring blessings to the families Do I appreciate the fact that the final battle is on
of the earth. That Zion is constituted of God’s people, between the bea:t and the Immb?Am[ on the l.ord’s
therefore the divine organization, the Prophet makes side unqualifiedly, doing wJlh mymi~:ht what myhands
clear: ’q have put mywords in thy mouth, and I imve find to do? Do 1 apprecmt:, the fa~.t that the, eyes of
covered thee in tim shadow of mine hand. that I may the angels of heavenare looking’ on with keelle~t intere~-t
pla~,t tim heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, as the. battle advam,,.,, and ti:at I have affocdt,d mea
andsay unto Zion. Thouart ,nL~ !,co!;lc."--lsaiah 51 : 16. privilege in that Imtik, that tlle al:,.t-<,ls of heavenn,-.ver
*Tile ano~tle Peter quotes from the propimt Isaiah ha~e had? Ant I willi~:: now to take mypa~’t in that
thus: "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, batih, for the cause of the Lord nnd hold al,,ft the
preeim,.=" ; and then says concerning those whoare with bamwrof mv Kinx? AmI joyfully h~aring the call of
the Lord: "Ye are a cho.~en race. a royal ~m’iesthood, the Lord and responding. "lh,re am 1, send me"? If l
a holy nati,-m, a neeuliar peo!,i,.; flint re should show have been son~(,what negli;:ent in the excrel~e of my
forih iile praises of hnn wile hath called you out of privil(,gc and duty, do I nowfind ill myh,::~t an a~tx-
darkness fin,, his marvelous light." (1 l’cter 2: 6, 9) ious dc:H’e to ha\e a pa~t mlhe worko£ adx(’rt,.-,,,X die
The al)osllc Paul speak~ of Zion as "the temple of the King and his kingdom?Those who can trul 3 ~,,,.v, er
liviw: God." (2 Corinthians 6 : 16) Thus the Serintures these questions in the affirmative are surely of Z,~,l. the
remove all doubt as to who constitute the real Zion of Lord’s organization nowon earth.
3el,drab. both this side and beyondthe vail. ~aThe Scriptures abound with proof that the l.>:e
=°God’s prophet foreshadowed that the time would wouldcomewhenthe Zion cla;s this side the vail weal,1
come when Zion (the true church tiffs side the vail) be permitted to engage in a special work. Wheni* lhat
should be no more deceived: that ti~en the trumpet time ?
"THAT DAY"
would eivc ~’orth no uncertain sound, but that its sound
would bv c]cnr in order that all might prepare for battle ~TheProphet, in the text under consideratio~b ~ays:
and move forward in harmonious action. (Isaiah 52 : 1) "In that day it shall be said to Zion." The text and
When is that time? When the King shall take unto the context show that the time embraced within "thav
himself his great power and rei~; and that time has Oav" is a period durin,., the ~resenee of the Lord. the
come. (]levelation 11: 17; Isaiah 52: 7) ]t is the time King*of kin.~s; and 1,a"tie,,fiarly whenhe ha. tal.:en
when the Bridegroom comes to his people in his temple, unto himsell7 his power, .,as comeunto his temple, and
a time of rejoicing and a time of great re:ling re the is engaged in dashing the nations to pieces in the day
church and of judgment ur)on the nations of the earth of God’s vengeance when his indignatmn and his fierce
anger are being expressed a.aainst Satan’s empire.
(Psalm 11 : 4, 5 : Micah1 : 2), a time of joy because the
Bridegroom as King is here; and his faithful ones, ~From the conditions surrounding ns in the world
going out to meet him and to join with him in his there can surely be no doubt in the mind of a truly
work. are crying out: "Behold the King and his king- consecrated and alert Christian that we are now in
doE,: ~"--a time in which the membersof Zion this side "that day." Russia, whmhseems to be held forth by
the vail will be encouraging one another, working to- the Prophet as an example of what will come to the
gether in harmony, each one performing his or her nations of Christendom,has passed from revoh,t~on i~.{o
as,q,._.ned part. It must be apparent to all consecrated,a worse state, having repudiated all religion, denying
anointed Christians that the churchis nowin that time. Godand ’the Lord Jesus Christ. M:mvother ~mtio,,ts of
Europe are following raptdly in the same way. All of
WHO AM I? Christendom, in fact, is rapidly disinteg’rating; and
~Zion having nowbeen located, the next question is, upon every hand we see the evid,.nees of the presence of
Whoare the ones composingZion, the divine organiza- the King of glory, who is clearing the field that the
tion this side the vail? ]t is expected that whatis here blessing of the world mayfollow.
said will appeal to those whoare consecrated, begotten ~"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will
and anointed of the holy spirit, and who appreciate rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118 : 24) The word,~
present privileges. Thesewordsare not addressedto any of the Prophc~ here seem to apply to the sam(, time.
one else. Eachreader, therefore, mustjudge for himself Why should we now rejmee? The answer is, Peeause
as to whether or not what is here said applies to him. the King of glory is here, exercising his kingly powers;
Let each consecrated Christian, then, ask himself these because the old world has ended and Satan’s empire is
questions: passing away; because it is the time referred to by our
~*WhoamI ? ]=rave I been begotten and anointed of Lord when he said: "Whenthese things be~n to come
the holy spirit? AmI a member of the royal priesthood? to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads ; for your
If so. am I showing that I appreciate the fact of the deliverance draweth nigh" (Luke ~1 : 28) ; because it
presence of the King and his reig-n beg-o_u, and that I the day in which "the stone which the builders refused
 1.,o s WATCH TOWER lol
is becomethe head stone of f, he corner."(Psahn 118 : 22) draw from activity and remain silent In any case, it is
Nominal Zion has rejected the Lord Jesus Chmst and de_ g~’rous. Note howSt. l’aul (mt)haslzes the neeesAty
his kingdom, and has joined hands with the devil’s fvr continued activity, even t,, the (’m[: "Therefore we
organization, thereby rejecting the chief corner stone of should not l!ag mdoing x~<!l: for we shall reap at the
the divine or,’.’amzation. In the days of Satan’s kings /)roper sea~-on if we do m,t r,’lax." (t;alat.ans 6:9,
the Gadof hea~ (,11 is setting up his kingdom,whichshail l)zayott) "For eon.-M,.r h,m who emhm’dsuch contra-
stand forex,’r; and the true Zion, seeing this, is rejoicing diction of sinners agam.-t hm>elf, le~t ye be wearied and
in it.-- l;a>M2: 44. faint in your minds. Ye ha~e not )el re.-.isted unto
~TTheLord has come to his temple and it is a time blood, stnvin~z against sin.’" ( [b brews19 : 3, 4) Resist-
of trial and testing. (Psalm11: l, 5 ; 1 Peter 4 : 17) tug unto blood means rc~->tmg unto lh~, end; and the
is the time whenmen’s souls are being tried, referred to inference here is that ~e. ]ilu:.t eontmuethe tight unto
by ,Jesus when lie said: "lie that shall endure unto Ge the end. "And we de.~re that every one of you do show
end. the same droll be saved." (Matthew 24: la) "In the same dfligvnee to the full assurance o£ hope unto the
)-our patience possess ye your ~,ouls." (Luke 21: 19) end." (HJ.r. u s 6: 11) "Not ,-h;thful lit business [the
is a time of tremendous te,~tmg of the faith and the bu>inessof Zaon.the l(ili?’- I,>..ne,sJ ; fc,’vent in spirit,
cheerful endurance of the ~, epic of God. While rejoie- serx n:g the l.ord."--RmmuJ.1"2 : 11.
filg in the presence of ~be Lord, exery true soldier, :-’In the iGht of th:, ,,, :,~i:’g array of Seril)tural
anxious to win, appreeiat,,s the perils of the hour amt proof, no e(m., ,,J atcd (’]w~,t,a~ufll fa~l to see then(,(,~,s-
the necessity for prayer and watchfulness, and in the sit)" of exlwrt,.,~g one m~otherto continued a(.tivitv aa
language of the Psahmst is saying, "Save now, I the end of tim battle drax~s i:ear. There will 1)e some
beseech thee, 0 Lord;... send now prosperity."-- who will nmrmurand e,)J,~I,laa~ and say: "Again TJ~,~
Psalm 118 : 25. ~VA’rC~Tow1:n is urging to servlee." St. amle fore-
*sWhilebattling valiantly on the.Lord’s side, those of shadowedthis cla~s, t,lud., l(;-:el) l’ut those whodili-
Zion recognize tbat victory is to those only who are gently strive to do the l,ord’s will, whoare guided by
strong in the Lord and in the po;,,’er of his might, who his counsel, whoput selfishness out of ,-igh[, will keep
keep on his armor and stay close to him aml joyfully fl~emselves in the lave of God.
obey his commands.Thc.se ~re -onfideutlv saying, "The
Lord is mystren~:th and soJ’:;, and is becomemysalva- OPI’ORTUNITY FOR COLPO’~,TEURS
tion."--Psalm 118 : 14. =aSomeof the faithful colporteurs for a time have
been £oreed to leave the fieht, because of inability to
WEARY IN WELL-DOING make ne(,,,~ary expenses. The price of the books has
~UTheScriptures eh’arly imiicate that in "that day" had mueh to do with this. Conditions have made every-
there would be a tendeney on the part of some in Zion thing expensn e and high. Wesee the necessity of reduc-
to becomencghgent, indifferent, weary in well-doing, ing the pries of the books, that the messageof the king-
and to refrain from preasing an in the battle. Hence dora maybe put into the hands of the people. The Lord
God caused his prophet to write: "In that day it shall in Ms goodness has made this possible. The price of
be said to Zion, Let not thine hc~nds be slacb." The THE HARP OF GOD has heretofore been reduced, and i%
mere fact that that the Prophet makesthis statement is has been the intention to reduce the pric(, of the STOMPS
proof eonehsive that there would be danger in slackness IN ’~’~ Sc’~:u,r~ u~:s sometin> during the year, as soou
in that day. God’s prophet having spoken these words, as our prinfin~ plant is paid for and the higher-priee,l
they must have fulfilment; and it must be said to Zion: stock moved()If. But nowthe necessity see, ms nrgent;
"Let not thine hands be slack." even by selling the bo&sat a h)wer price than the eo.*~
of production: therefore at a loss. The Soeiotv has an
WHATIT ME.4dqS ha~:d a nmnb(,r of books produced at high eost, which
2°What is the meaning of ’slacking ~he hands’? The will be sold at a loss in order to aid the workers in the
hand is a symbol of active power. The Lord has plaee,t field and to get the messagequickly to the people.
certain powers, duties and obligations in the hands of =*By the efforts of consecrated brethren, whomthe
his people; henee there is a responsibility uponthemto Lord has sent here to operate the machineswhich he has
use the same. Slacking the hands would meana failure provided, we can produce more books to put into the
or refusal to use continuously that power, accordingto hands of the workers at the reduced price. Therefore,
¢he Lord’s appointed way. beginning with l"ebruary 1, the price of the seven vol-
2~Slack means to faint; to becameweary in well- nlHes of STUI)IES IX THE SCRIPTURES, elotll-bound li-
doing; to relax in battle. It meansto becomeslothful, brary edition, together with T~E H.~aP oe GOD, eight
lazy, indifferent, and to abate activity. It meansto books, containing in the aggregate 3,500 pages, will be
becomeidle or tardy, and to withhold the exercising of to the pnhlie the very low sum of 82.85: and tbe price
energy. It meansto becomenegligent by failing to be to the eolportem’s and other workers will be so much
dilig’ent; or it maymeanto becomefearful and with- less than the retail price that the workers will be able
 WATCH z ER
easilyto provide theirexpenses, evengoodwages;and hislove;he willjoyovertheewithsinging."---Zepha
the peopleca¯ ha~ethe advantage of the messageof niah3 : 16,17.
the Idngdom. "!Leteveryoneof theZionclassin theUnited States
~rhocanenterthecolpon~.ur work,or theauxiliary col-
A TIIOUSAN’DMORE l COLPORTEURS porteur work, write thu ~oCZnTX" for pian.~ al:,t d, tails.
!"]’:very col-or!cur whoIia.~ fora tiln.., retrained from Let every one of sucl: iL other eountl’ies writ, tile
servit.e weho,~. toaceiron:!.din!ely rcihltcr theservice.SocxnTx’silcadt!uarters in tile country where he or .,tie
11.illcUnin.dSuu,.sthereare morethana hundred residt.-~.
million peopl... Tile.-,..~huuhl heartht-message of the "~’rhe King’s business i.~ our business ff we are of
kii,.dom. Tiwn..-h,:uh’. a: ka.--one thousandmore Zion. "Say among11,:. ~:ai!,3ns that the Lord rei’_’nefl~:
Ol 1.!Io C’OII-,’CI’:Itt’,I ~’l’t’l.[:i’Cl: elll,.? l]l~ ~ eolponeur SOl’vie- tile world[order of ti-iL,,_’-] also droll b:: .~.sta!,i!-h,_.d,
iln::.cdia: .ly. ];v 1!.’ 1.,’, C.- ..st.’, . 11:,, emis,-.cratc,1hnnds that it shall not i,e n:,~v,.,: : h,. [the KingJ shall jmi:::, the
at ~..~:,h:ll:;rters wi;l i:rh.t :-,:;d -.: ,i iiwlh tim mcs-~age; PeOllle righteously." I I’.-ai~:: 96: 10) The ~,umt-..:: i~,"
al,.:; lht, Jlrpli:l’..ll i;’.- ti,~ iM,l v.-’:.l n,,’,:’.,c"ut; thc neees- tllo ills of hu_naankiml, a:.’l die onl:," onc,i.~ t;:, 3i,., .i:mic
sitr ,,f ,ictixir,."vi]i carrytl,... ],’.~..’.’~.,_,..a,, th:, 1, .ollh.. kin.,_,dom.Let lie on:. i~: Ziounowfail to I.’.I l, rt., ~i.i:,
"’ WI":is it ncee.~.=nr’."t!la~ there shouhib,, such activ- message."Let ~:,’,t thine lmndsbe slack"; f,n" t.’::, l.or,!
ilv" somewill a-k. W., ::;,.we:.: ]locau::. l!~,, war i~ on is leading his army to victol T. Tim day o£ ddi~, van,..:
b,.i r’t.Pn the b,’/!.’t nl!,I 11:, Lain:’,. m~dtim peol,le o£Zion is at hand :
mu.: w’,,.-~ ti~.., li::.’t : al:d Illey that shall :.tam! victor-
i;m~witi: l’im ~il! b..: ll,o.,e not only cull-. [ and cho.~.n. QUE.~TIONSFORBEREAN STUDY
b~:’ hd;i,,,,/ re th.., re.d" itceau,, the ~"~ ,Ji.%.....
11o..,=, is here to nl~.|lll|llp " ~ r .s. ~..
~n whnmnr. lira v’nrti~ r,f Z~:,hnnlnh ,’I, : ]~ nd,irr~e.~.. ". ~ 1.
ju.:.., n::,l to mak.., war: bee:rose the ohi worhl has ended i’~|(~l." .~l.~llJ|l °’’: lill:tl, lilllI t*O WQfind Olir/~eh-t"~ l~’tll llil[lin I~q
au,i .~alan’s cmTn!’-, isunder5ud..rnl,.::~: lloCausc the VChy ,....-it.mhl
;,. ~u glve particular heed tO "tvo~l= ll-~.I by Jthnvnh?

),t.._,mh.. re:" x~l:it.?l the whulr crcatiou ha-_’e,~....u ........

t’tnnd liar." Stifle" 1|:’ Veal" : i.~-., .. I ¯ vn"i0!llSly 111ld@F~ln,.~.. II~tt ~vhh’h |.q
lh," i:l-.l 1: "’~il’|.ll T h~’:l!lll..~ t I,.
travailed inv,ainnutil now.isr.zhmldl llomans e : ~.)")
~-., ]DO*~t,ud I1.~. ¯ 1’1"~ l i.~ih;. "’"":!qil:!ll011 to .~llcd forth 1|;111. IIi1~1 how?
a:,umillion, of!,,.ople willhay,_, olt!,orumity I~,live ,Clh:lli[7.
~.’~nn ill ~’ll" full u" -’-;, , Ilhltzlin.’l~. :l.~d 1)10-.~ all p~.,I ? T ~.
ff:,rt.ver mad1.ordi.’.: ant I becau,~ Jesu, hassaidt(lthe l Jill’." I111 111¢ ~"l’]’*|lI1%’.~ I’ "111’~ U"4 In-’t! ~ioli lL tile roy;,./ l,:..,.Ihot,d,
vi:-!h!, n,;.I ,:,v;Ml,l,.’: r 1,.
peo~lle or Zion:"Thisgospel of thel:inu.m,., shallbe ~%’11:11¯ i" liP., J’-:ll,’ :. I-t ,,f Ilia-- Ih’ill~ when the nlt-hh?~lrOnl:i lllL~l.x
um,1allnations:~’l.p..’..;.11iht,-"elorv. IIi.-- ;:1 i~.. It 111. ;t~ ~, ,,:;ll~,l :o r all.
pi’,at.hell inalltheworld fora witness 1.. lilt" Zltlh t’lIL~.~. :!lid who ~houldanswer Tile qnt.s-
h’ ::’: r 1T.
ala,: ~l~e1: shall thecadconic."---Matthew ".-!: 14. ~’|tH :11:1 1~ 111141. ll.’Jln-" !11~i 1~ ~k.TO the~ vI*-I qnQ.qliOll4 In OUT
:’lt,,sides the E’nited States and Canmln. there are I’)Ot "1-"1 I[.’-~11 oi1|l.;Tlll,,P.l’~ ~. ]".
k,n’:t Jlll~,l’l’xl. i.). nllcl gr-’ttltwl0 tO God eater Into tile l~l~Ae-’lt
nan:’.-. caldereounrrie% in Europe, Asia.andAfrica. ’tillInb,~:’~ -f In%e’; r 1%
Ill:it tin: ..’ IN.~fe1"~ -:~’,’]lleldly TOwhat perind nf Ti!llO? r. 1:1. 1-1.
when.we musthelpto sendthe.message to thepeople Why i~ the Lord nmkhl.." riddance of the "kingdoms of tln~ %~,u’h!"’:
M~ii,thereremainsa shorttimefor proclaiming the Wllmt Tat,. The tl.y IWIIll~.4 fnl" Ihedi~=,,lntinn of the oldnrder.’tad men’s
of the things they ice flllllln~,
n:,.:,’.,,, before thefinalend.Before thedarknight hrnrt.t AI~’ f+lJlil":
WIth! ~llollld I11. :’:i..I
lilrl. I-r I’f’-’lP
c:::.~ tl,,? ¯ It). f
Ft.tti.,., dmnluponAmerica as ithasuponflu!sin, let Should~7.we expect Illi~ t- lit: It unle 0 tl~Ll. Tenting, and vie!cry?
evl.:.v consecrated Christiau. every one whonpm’,ci,~teq. Wlint illTt~ tlline.~ nrc, p-:.nTIt]:11 fnr 11~ tn the prurient erl.~l~’: ? 1%
~V|l.q" Illtl"~ lilt t i.:’!’tl ~1~"111" :".:: ;"l"iliClll. "Lt’T lillT lllllU’ 11.’!.’111-4 lit’
th.. privilege of serving the Lord, put fforti~ his best alnel=." Slid gil’~. ~ it !! .-.>111:.’. 1:j.l,]|l.ll|l!e lop fllll" iJ!lV’: ¯ l’.L
¯
ont,.livers; andleteachonewhois of Zion,as he goes lVih’lt |’4 lilt
ivn d:m"er’: T "’1,.
MI~IlilIU-’UlI’t! *.| lht. WOI’|| "h-’llld:-,’" And wiltl Ii;o11~ nl~

][!1 IIow nlally Wily! Inn.v Mw.im~-- lie dnn.-~rn..~? ~, 21.

forGIto advc=~ise ~heKingandhiskin.~dom, sayto his I’][l~.’i :tJll’: IllllO b)oo*!" t~l’-’lliht’. Itllltt. ~ t.ltiOlt~ eorrobofath-escrip-
br,:hcr iu Zion:l:earnot; be of goodcourage. It is Is lure,, r "’1.
It a God-given privih,~!, to exhort one annther to fnlthfulne.*~?
thcd.’lyof theLord."Letnotthinehand~beslack. The ".,.,.
|.~ Iht.:’e eofilWl’fll|n:l hi Ih’. Zin:l eln-~ to spread the light? ~ 20, 2-1,
LordthyGod in themids~of theeis might¯;he will Why ’-~ Iqll’h Ill’lJl1’r I’~ ’’--:lr.v’." ¯"=#-Pb.
and whosebull-
rove.he willrejoice overtheewi~joy;he willrestin ll’hItl | : Ihe nnly ! ;1"’:.,"’:1
nee! Is the Kiug’.~ bl;...l,-~
f..r th,. Ills of rannblld,
’: ~ "’9.

OUR PASSOVER
"ThL~!~ mybody." the Master said. Mnncouhl not =rnsp ~ls wondrousthought,
"Whichi.~ brokenfor you TIlls day ; .N,ir the m:lt,:hle:-~’i,.ve~"
Ilia! wasShown.
A.,,d this myblood, whtehIs being shed It w:mnn mlfriendlyr~,ce Hetaougl~t;
To 0pep£or yOUthe wily." ~I~ su~eredanddied .tloue.
(m. the pain that the Savior bore. Andnoweome~the cnll to His faithful few:
Andthe grief that the Pure Oneknew’. "Tou mayshnr~ wimt Is left behied
By mendepravedHe wns bruised sore--- Of the grief and suh erlng the LovedOne knew
~oughnot ~or himself, but you. For the ble~tp~ of all mnktnd."
S~omayeach to the table worthily come---
l~or earthly 1o~ bemoan
Till he finally hear that sweet "Welldonel
IUt downIn myFather’s throne."
 JOY OF THE LORD
"Thou hast been faithful over a few things., I u,i[l ma/,’e thee ruZer over manythings: crier thou into the joy ot
thF lord."--.]iatti, ew 25: ~1.
AVEyou entered into the joy of the Lord? This
H ACCOUNTLN’G
is a ~ersonai ouestlon which each new creature ~Wlmnone is begotten to the divine nature and be-
in Cilrist should ask and answer to himself: for comes a servant of the Lord, there are committed into
this is tile day in wi~:cil the Lord is taking aeeoun~with his hands certain interests of the Lord’s kingdom,which
hisservant_< Tile~arable ofthetalent: rc~resents our interests are eMh’dtalents. Theseinterests art. &livered
Lord.the IIcadof theid~gdom class,goingawayinto 1o the servant in proportion to his ability: and his
hc,vt,:~ to prepare to receive themembers of hisroyal ability is determined by the measure of the spirit of the
ia’.~fih andto r~.turr forthem.lieleavesbehind him Lot,! which he has. Abilitv of such means his capacity
hiss,,rvants: andimothehandsof allhJ~servants he joyfully to do the will of the Lord a~d ~aithfullv to
dehv,r.~ the interests of his kingdom,which he calls his look after tt~e Lord’s kingdominterests. ’l’h~. !:ingdom
gt~od,. To each of ti:e~e servants he gives a portion of interests eonsi:t of makingproclamationit, O1}’Ol’S coi1-
his 7,ods, which are of value and which he des/~mtes cernin_~tilat ]:i~,_,dom. instructing tilose wh., i:ave tim
as talent-. "i’o each one he delivers a portion of his hea:’in~ ear. building u~ the prospective n:,,~:~i, ~, of the
good_- or talent/, in proportion to each one’s abili D" or kilmdont, includin~ himself, and !,un’tivz other~ to the
ca~,aci:v. ]’:ad~ senant is expected to make a proper fact ihat th.: Lord’s kil.,~:do~.l l- tile only remedyfor the
use of such talents by faithfully looking out for his ills of humankil~d.The one x~ i,o .i,9’l ulh’ and faithfully
kiv._-dom interests, and to report to the Lord in his due looks after ,neh kingdomimo~~.~. in~reases his ~’apacitv
time upon his rcturL. The absence of tile Lord covers a for service, and his op])crttu.it:.s for service increase;
long period of time. In due time he returns and comes and in thu* doing he increases ti~e kingdominterests.
into tim possession of his oum. r’The Lord rewards his servants net because of what
they have yained, but because of their faithfulness and
HIS JOY loyalty, ltis rewards are twofold; namely, one present
:What constitutes the joy of the Lord mentioned in and one future. The present reward is the joy of the
this narable? The beauty, jot’, and happiness of the Lord. Tim future reward is to be a position of authority
per~(,ct man was deswoyed by the evil one, whocaused under the King in his kingdom.
sin to enter the v.oHd and death by sin. Centuries ago ~The Apodle emphasizes the fact that the Lord has a
Cod ],]anned to re,tore to the obedient ones of mankind crownfor those wholove his appearing. (2 Timothy4 : 8)
all tidal had beenlost by reason of sin. To accomplish The Lord being now present and taking account with
titi~ he arranged that his beloved Son should provide his servants, as he finds one faithful he invites that one
red.n~,l~tion for man, eob~crate in the selection of the to enter into his joy. IIence the importance to every
membersof his reval familyfromamongmen,set up consecrated Christian of the following questions:
his ki~gdom, and through that kingdom bring blessings SDo vou appreciate the fact that the Lord is now
to all manldnd. present and has begun his reign ; and that to him it is a
~Jesus often emphasized the importance of his coming great joy to establish his kingdomand thus to honor his
kingdom. :He began and closed his earthh" ministry Father by enthroning righwousness in the earth, and
withs~eeehpez’taininr to thatkin_odom. Thathis~er- to bring blessings to suffering humanity?
xant.-_ mizht be impres,=cd with the inm,-,rtanc- of tee ~l m you appreciate the fact that the kingdomis the
kin,_-,]o:n, he ta.,’:izt them ever to pray: "Tbv kinzdon~ greate.~t arrangement of all time; and that it really
con:.’: ti;v v:il? i,~ duneon earth as it is done in heaven." means the inauguration of a new heaven and a new
Ile looked tory ard re the establishmcl~t of his kingdom earth. \vherein dwelleth righteousness?
Im. 1 _~reat jo~’. IIe referred to tidal jo
t" wheninstituting ~°Do vou appreciate the fact that the Lord has hon-
."

the 3iemorial of his death. "His inspired anostles looked ored you by giving you a part in makinG known to the
forward to his eomin’: kil~zdom as the greatest of all people in this hour of great stress and suffering that his
events. The joy of the Lord, therefore, is the establish- kingdomis here and that it will relieve them and bring
ment of his kil:gdom, tim honor and glor?" it will confer to themthe lasting blessings of life, liberty, and happi-
u~on Jehovah’s name and the blessings that it will ness ?
~
brin_ to all the humanrace. ~Do you love the Lord and his kingdomabove every-
~The Lord’s seeov.d ~resence dates from 1874. There- thing else ?
after and until 1914 he engaged in a preparatory, worl;. ~-"Every one whocan answer these questions in the
Then he took unto himself his great power and began ,~rmative will surely have muchjoy of heart, which
his reign. Now, in his oa~m lan.~uage, he comes forth joy comes from the Lord. The more keenly one appre-
and "in righteousness he doth judge and make war." ciates what the kingdomreally meansto humanity, the
(Revelation 19: 11) AmonGstthe work of judging now more fully will he enter into the joy of the Lord. and
going on is the taking oi account with his o~mservants. the greater will be hid enthusiasmconcerningthat king-
103
 WATCH TOWER
dora, andthe greater will be his desire to makeit known
to others.
18Back of us we see a period of six thousand years
during which humanity has suffered indescribable ago-
~ies and miseries, depraving man’s character until the
image of God is almost obliterated from mankind. Now
the earth is filled with violence. The spirit of selfish-
ness and wickedness is prevalent in every part of the
earth; every man’s hand is ggainst his neighbor; and
the whole creation groans and travails in pain. Let
the Christian nowlook up and lift up his head.
14Looking forward, we see begimling the reiffn of
Christ, which will cleanse the earth of iniquity, estab-
lish righteousness, restore tile obedient ones to health,
happiness, and life, and fill the earth with a jo;,fnl
people, lh.eause Jesus loved righteousnes, and hated
iniquity Jehovah honored him above all others, l’:ve:y
one of his body members now this side the vail w?,)
hates iniquity and Ioves righteousness must of necessity
rejoice in the fact that the time has comefor the gre-~t
etmngein the affa i~’- of man.All of his faithful servants,
then, will want to do something to further the interests
of the King and his kingdom. Those having this eondl-
tion of heart noware invited to enter into his joy an~
do enter into it.
WORK FOR ALL
~:in man) o2 tl.e cla-~s a dMint~on has bee::mad,~
between workers and nou-,vorkers. 2’his should no
longer be so. That distinction should now be done aw,~y
with by every one of the consecrated b~’comingan active
worker to the extent of his ability. It is the duty laid
upon every elder of every class to feed the flock of God
and to help each memberof that flock to becomeactive
as a representative of the King’s interests. Let every
elder, then, take the lead and invite others to follow in
this activity. Let every service director so organize and
arrange the workof the class that every one in the elsss
can have some part in the service. Let every one of t.he
class whocan do so go out with the booksand lilel:~.tm’e
and get these into the hands of the people, thus making
known the message of the kingdom.
16If you find that you can go only one hour per day,
or even less, go and work during that time. If you c,-n-
not go out at all fromyour home, then watch for an
opportunity to speak to some one who may call at your
door. If there is nothing else that you can do, then pray
earnestly to the Lord for his blessing upon those who
are privileged to be more active in the service, thereby
showing that you are doing what you can to further
the interests of his kingdom.
alas often as there is a meeting, be sure to meet wi~h
the brethren, and by your presence and kind word~
encouragethose whoare moreactive in the service, that
you may prove your loyalty to the Lord. Do joyfully
whatsoever your hands find to do.
~The Lord is judging each one according to the
purity and devotion of his heart. Evidently the Lord
is permitting us to see the clearer application of this
parable and the one concerning the pounds, in order
that we may hasten to demonstrate to him our loyalty
and devotion by more faithfully looking after the inter-
ests of his kingdom. If upon self-examination, you find
that you have not done much, do not become discour-
aged, but seize the opportunity nowand do what is at
hand, and do it with a jo)~ul heart aml thus enter into
the joy of the Lord.
MONTHLY SERVICE DAY
~gThat there may be unity of action of the L(~rd’s
servants everywhere, Tuesday, May1, 1923, is dcsG’~ated
as a general servie(, day. Likewi:e the first Tue:day of
each andevery mo~thther~’a[ter for at least seven -ue-
cessive monthsshall be a service, day. Oneach of these
service days every memberof every class should bare
some part in the work Let each one ask the service
director for something to do; and then let the, service
director assign each one somepart in the work. L~,t all
whocan do so go out and sell the books, if only for a
brief space of time during each day.
~°If you are one that has never e ~::a.,;_~d in selhng
books, aml you feel timid about start,ng, th:’n go out
one or two days with a brother or a si-l.,r whoha< been
a~ndis sueeoss;~:l in lhc, selliu? of the boo’c~. V(alchthe
methodu;e(l. Thehtry it rt,,~,. It al,,,,e, it i-~thedtllg
and privilege of every cue to aid his brother or si:.tor to
get started in the work; and every o~:e who loves hi~
brother will be glad to do so; so do n.t hesitate to a~k
someone to aid you in starting.
2Wet the encouragement of others we take Ibis eeoa-
sion to say that manyof the brethren wholabor dm’n:g
the weekat Bethel take 5::flttrday afternoon (wMehis
given to all for a rest time) to go out and sell the book:,,
Someof these sell as manyas three full sets (2q vol-
umes) on a Saturday afternoon. Almost every one ~,.tra
labors at some worldly occupation is given Satw:day
afternoon off. Can you not take tl’at Saturday after-
noon to prove your loyalty to the Lord, if yon 1,ave no
other time to give? Ilememher, the kingdomis here.
22Those who cannot leave home to ~orlc (because of
circumstances over which they have no control) should
watch for opportunities to speak to those who call at
the home. If you can do nothing else, then pray earn.
estly for the work. Every one in the class should feel
that he or she has a personal int,,rest in the work; there-
fore personally looking after the King’s interests, lie-
memberthat they also serve who only stand aml wait,
if that is all they can do, praying while they wait.
Itemember that this is a tremendous campaign, adver-
tising the King and his kingdom. Let all the elders,
deacons, brothers andsisters--every member of the class
--be knownas a worker actually engaged in looking
after the King’sinteresta.

WATCH
JOINT MEETING
2"On Wednesday, May2, and on the first Wednesday
in each of the seven monthsfollowing, let all the classes
everywhere have a joint prayer-meeting (no other ser-
vice meeting to be held that week). By joint prayer-
meeting is meant that where there is a number of
small prayer-meetings these should be adjourned and
all the friends meet together at one central point. This
meeting should be attended by every one of the class.
Instead of giving one hour, the usual time for prayer-
meeting, let this race.ling (because of its importance)
cmcr an hour and thirty nfinutes. The first half of the
meeting should be devoted to considering the weekly
pi’.’)er-mectlng text and giving testimoums along that
liJ~e ; and the other half of the meetingshonhl be devoted
to tesk],.nonies re]ailing to the service workand eneour-
a,,m,,’
m { he workers.
~dDt:l’illg the ser\ J(.o part ofthemeet,~y"thedirector
should g~xea repolt of *i~e prex ,cos lnO~,~,th’swork, in-
ehl.,ling the general drne or service day held the (lay
preceding this meeting. Let the service director furnis]i
thi~ report in duphcatc, filing one copy with the secre-
tary of the class, and sending the other eopy to the
office at Brooklyn. This report will stimulate the work-
era and increase their enthusiasm concerning the King
and his kingdom.
~qVcl,clrexe that this unit~ of action will draw the
friends c’~,~",’,’ togc.~.cr c.verv,~ here and will help them
to nioie fully apprecialc tt.e wonderful privilege now
enjoyed by them of announcing the kingdom, and will
help all the consecrated to enter more fully into the
present joy of the Lord.
~In unity and in the spirit of the Lord there is
strength. Let each one of the consecrated realize that
he or she is obligated to look out well for the interests
of the kingdom, which means the interests of each one
who is a prospective memberof that kingdom. It is the
duty of each one, then, to encourage and help his
brother to becomemore active in the service.
2H{emember the enthusiasm you used to manifest in a
presidential e]ection for a worldly ruler. Nowas a
Christian and as an ambassador o£ the Lord you enjoy
the great privilege of announcing the King of kings
105
TOWER
and Lord of lords. Whynot be awake to tha~ privilege
and be enthusiastic and energetie? Never before was
such a privilege granted to creatures on earth.
2SLet each one of the class read the "Bulletins"; and
if you have not one, ask the service director to provide
you with one. Get the spirit of the hour, the spirit of
the kingdomI
29After a careful consideration of the matter, and
asking the Lord’s direction, we have coneluded flint the
sale of the sets of seven volumes of STVDIES IX ’r~[z’
SCRIP’runES and TttE ~-[ARP OF GOD,namely, eight
books, shall be limited for the present to the regular
eolpo:~curs; and the class workers everywhere will be
ro:nosi, d to devote their energies to the sale of the
}{..RP Study Course. This will enable the classes to
concentrate dwir efforts on follow-up niectings and the
org’anization of ~la-~,es; and after this is done, later the
%r:’[tory may be gone over with the STUDIES IN T]XIg
ScJ~tPT~:R~s.
a°A complete moon of the p@,dms and the eolpor-
tours, elders and deacons, brothcrs and si<tcrs, in actively
and enthn-m>tivally lookit~g after the interests of the
King will have a great effect for good and bring much
joy to the heart of each one eng,qgod.
a:Remember,then, that beginning with the first Tues-
,lay in May,and on the first Tuesday of each and every
~-,v,~tli thereafter for sevensuccess/v, lnO,n!hsat least,
there will be a ,r,,neral smvic? day, V.Tiil you do your
p.,~rt, then, on tlie.~e days, and each ,~:’,1 every )ther day,
to advertise the King and his kingdom? ~Iay your
hearts be filled with joy as yon do so.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
What is it the Lord delivers to his people, and what are these
called? ~l 1, 5.
What conMitute~ the "joy of the Lord?" When will it come? ~ 2-4.
What is The basis for the Lord’s rewards, and when and how do
theycome~I" (;,7.
Our sppro, iatmn el lhe Lord is manifested along what line~s? 1]" 8-12.
Tl,e fruits of Satan’s domination of the race is manifested in what
};how lhe ,’esuttq or lhe I, crd’~ klnadom in contrast. ~ 14.
, alld I)rotllol’]
5 way of dissolving the "non-
lVhat 1~ tilel’Cll~,Ol,Hblt
worker" (las~? e 15
Dexolhm lo the Lord is lnnnHeslc~.l in what way? ~ 16-18.
5;onlhlv Service lm5 suggcMed,and en(’ouragement
,q 1921.
in starting.
Hm, ~ it possiblefor every one to be knox~n as a "worker?"1122.
CoI,iboringand unilyingenergiesul the interestof the kingdom.
~- ’-’:/26
Worldna op enthusiasm brings joy in serviee, and let each see to It
that he is not beguiled by any influence in losing this joy. ~I 27-31.

PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS

TEXT FOR APRIL 25 that is governed by such tendency searches out and
"The spirit of God dwelleth in you."~l Corinthians meditates upon facts and things pertaining to the grati-
8:16. fication of fleshly tendencies. Those whofeed upon the
milk of simpler things of the Wordof God are desig-
N this text St. Paul addresses himself to the church, nated "babes in Christ," and are more or less carnally
I to the effect that each memberof the body of Christ minded; but it is to be expected that when such have
is the dwelling place of the holy spirit of God. The grown in the knowledge of the divine arrangement the
organism of the new creature is the body of flesh. The mind will follow the course of spiritual things, medi-
natural tendency of the flesh is earthly; and the mind tating upon things pertaining to the new creation,
 WATCH
The Apostle’s argument in this text is, that as new
creatures we must not be carnally minded, because in
the new creature the holy spirit dwells ; hence that we
should cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh
and of the mind, that we might be more and more made
into the likeness of our Lord and Head. Following this
instruction, it is tobe seen that we should keep the body
clean and in as healthy condltmn as posAble, and that
the elofifing whcrev, ~th it is clothed should be always
neat and clean, b" it ever so common. Such things
influence the mind toward cleanhness. An untidy, un-
clean thing has a t.mleney to lead the mind in the
wrong direction.
Unselfish thin:z’s, high and pure thinb*.*, lead *h,~ miHd
in the mgbt dircct:o/. Z~llice, hatred, ill-will, iault-
finding, sensuality, soll:>lmess, corrupt the mind; and if
the mind is permJlt.d to meditate and study upon such
thin~<, the tcndv~ev ~q to overfllrow the will powerto
do right. On the c,mi~ary, ~hen the mimlis filled with
goud firings the will of C, od is more clearly seen, thus
enabling us to fo]lo~ God’s hod will.
The importance of proper thoughts was emphasized
by St. Paul when he said: "Finally, brethren, whatso-
ever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, ~hat-
soever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, what-
soever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any
l~rai.~e, think o~J i]>~e thi!;gs." (PhilJFpi’.~l~s 4: 8) The
new creature, the!{ :ore, grows hy concentrating his rmnd
upon spiritual things, that is to say, by studying and
meditating upon that which relates to God’s character
and to his plans and purposes for the delive,’anee of
humanity into the realm of life and happiness. Thus
using the mind, we ascertain what is the good and accept-
able and perfect will of God concerning ns and our
course as Christians; and as we follow his will, the
transformation pre~’esses from one degree of glory to
another, by the spirit of the Lord.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Question: Did the order go forth eight months ago t,~
the Pilgrims to cease talking about 1925 ? Have we more
reason, or as much,to believe the kingdomwill be estab-
lished in 1925 than Noahhad to believe that there woul6
be a flood?
Answer: It is surprising how reports get abroad.
There was never at any time any intimation to the Pil-
grim brethren that they should cease talking about 192r.
Anyone who has made the statement that such an in-
struction was sent out has madeit without any author-
ity or excuse or cause.
Our thought is, that 1925 is definiteIy settled by the
Scriptures, marking the end of the typical jubilees.
TOWER
TEXT FOR MAY 2
"By one spirit are we all baptized into one body."--
1 Corinthians 12: 13.
AHEbody of Christ is made up of many members.
T s soon as one is begotten of the holy spirit he is
set or placed in the body of Christ by Jehovah,
according to God’s ownpleasure. (1 Corinthians 12: 18)
Each memberof the body, then, has his separate func-
tions to perform. This does not m,,an, however, that
one memberof the bodv is more nnl,m’~ant in its struc-
ture than ofilers, and that somemen~l>,q’smaybe ignored,
as thmGhthere were no need for such m the body.
By one spirit, the holy spirit of God. each memberis
immersed into the bodv o£ Christ; and from tha; mo-
nlent forward it becomesIns prixih’-’e, yea his duty, ko
look well to his ownsi.ritual interests and also to look
out for the interests of other nwmbersof the body.
There mu-t be a real family or rccuwocal love between
the membersof the body; and such love will, and does,
exist in the heart of each one whoapprecm~:,s the fact
that he is a memberof the body of Chm~t. This love
draws them together and holds them together.
Futhermore, there nm.-t be an unsellh-h love of each
memberfor every other memb,,.r, x~hieh leads each to do
good to his brother as Opl~ortunity offers. Thereby J.s
the spirit of the Lord made mamfest. Wherever the
spirit of oneness exists m-m~gstChristians am] each one
nnufifesfs the prm-,er sptf:t towr :’d the other, a division
mthe class is an ~mp,.>smiiity. As the.:e is no division
in the body of Christ, even so all who are diligently
putting aside selfishness and being transformed into the
likeness of our Lord will desire to hold together and
will hold together. Appreciating the proper relationship
existing between the members of the body leads each
one thus appreciating it to be loyal to every other mem-
ber of the body. By one spirit, the spirit of love, each
one is placed in the body; and all are held together,
growing into the likeness of the Head.
Just exactly what will happen at that time no one can
tell to a certainty; but we expect such a el!max in the
affairs of the world that the people will begin to realize
the presence of the Lord and his kingdompower. He is
already present, as we know,and has taken u.to himself
his powerand begun his reign. Ite has cometo his tem-
ple. He is dashing to pieces the nations. Every Chris-
tian ought to be content, then, to do with his might
what his hands find to do, without stopping to quibble
abont what is going to happenon a certain date.
As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon
which to base his faith than Noah had (so far as the
Scriptures reveal) upon which to base his faith ia a
comingdeluge.
 rOSEPH THE PRESERVEROF HIS PEOPLE
-A_~mL15 GENESIS
30 : 22-24 ; 87 : 2 ; 50 : 2e
ff0SlgPtt PUT INTO PRISON--JOSEPIt’S EXPERIENCES RIPEN CEAIIACTER----(10D’S C&.Illg OVER EIS OWl’{.
’j
"Honor thy 1ather and thy mother; that thy days may belong upon the land which Jehovah thy God giveth t,hee.
--Exodus 20: 12.

T HE story of Joseph is the best known of all Bible narra-

tives. All the world loves it, and the reason is not far
to seek. It is because the story is so lmman, so
his unjust imprisonment. But the butler forgot him. Some-
time later God caused Pharaoh to dream strange dreams,
which none of his wise men could interpret. Then tim butler
dramatic in incident, so full of pathos "rod, withal, so pointed remembered .lo~(,ph; aml he was sent for, and, blessed of
in example of nmliee rightly puni.~lwd and virtue rewarded. God, he inlerpreted the dream. He showed that a crisis was
But to the Bible student it is a special treasure; for in his at hand, and I’haraoh determined that Joseph was the man
suffering, his palienee in suffering, in his fidelity to God, required for the unnsu’tl situation; for evidently he had
and in his humiliaiion "rod final exaltation, Joseph is so abiliW, and God was with him. Joseph was raised by
clearly a type of Christ; and every follower of Christ sees l’lmraoh to the next highest place of power and with such
in him aa example set for ltim to follow. It ts in sueit a authority that without his perlnission no one in Egypt lifted
way that God wraps up truth for his people’s instruction a hand, or moved a foot--the first recorded instance of
now. and for the hmnau family in lheir time of restoration. ~mvrgeney legisl’~tion. We are apt to feel resentful towards
The ~m~ount of notice gixen in Scripture to any incident or the buder for the neglect which probably meant the contin-
person is, generally speakin;.L the measure of the importance uance of Jos(ph’s imprisonment. But there are no second
whi(,h (;od’s i)~Ol)le are iniended to place therein. Much causes with God. God knew when lie would want Joseph
said of .loseph ; therefore lhm’e is much to learn. ’o be presented to Phar.mh, and Joseph in the prison was
2Jo.~oph was the elder of Raehel’s sons, and the beloved where he could be found immediately he was required.
son of his father. Owing lo the unusual circumstances of lind Joseph been released when the chance seemed coining,
Jacob’s nlarriage :md to tim fact that for some years Rachel he ndght have been out of the way just when Ph-}raoh
had no children, her son when born could not hold the required him. Experience shows that God sometimes keeps
birthlight. It had f-tllen to Reuben, the eldest sen of Leah. his beloved servants in restraining eireumstanees that they
Joseph was an unusual boy, evidently very failhful to Iris may be ready at hand when required for some service fro"
father, even when at the cost of being misundersiood. (Gen- him. Let such rest in his love.
esis 37: 2) When a youth he lind two singular dreams 6Joseph now became caretaker for Pharaoh : the welfare
which he related to his father and his brothers. IIe dreamed of the realm was in his hands. These were wide int,-rests;
that in the harvest field his brothers’ sheaves bowed down but he immediately disclosed the qualities of a state.-man.
to his; and that the sun, moon, and eleven stars nmde ,4.t once he began to prepare for the storage of tbe sm’plu~
obeb~:tnce to him. IIis father keWthese things in his heart ; corn which the seven plenteous years would yiehl. :;tore-
but Joseph’s brothers, wlo alr,_ady hated him because of hous2s throughout tim land of Egypt were speeiaH5 built.
their father’s favoritism towards him, now envied and hated In accordance with Ptmraoh’s dream th~ famine came on in
him all the more. These dreams were surely given of God: the eighth year. tt extended not only over E~’pt, but to
they (.onld not have arisen out of an ambitious imagination the neighboring countries; and Jacob and his family in the
for the I)oy had none of that. south of Palestine suflered by it. Ilearil~g that there was
sJo~el)h’s bitter experiences began early. But they were corn in Egypt, Jacob sent all his sons except Benjamin to
sharpened to the point of an~mJish when he was yet only buy supplies; and this ultim’ttely led to the reunion of
sevemeen years of age. Everyone knows the story of his ffaeob and his beloved son. The record of the incidents
bretlHen’s inhuman treatment when lie was sent by his ~ hich led up to that union, esi)oeially Judqh’s pleading and
father to enquire about their welfare and the welfare of Joseph’s dramatic revelation, are amongst the great treas-
the flocks; and of their treachery towards him and their ur(’s of hunnm writing. In his conduct toward his brelllren
father. I]ow earm,slly he pleaded with them when they sold Joseph revealed himself as p’trticularly tender-hearted and
him to the Midi:mites is m)t ~t’tted in the narrative; but his emotional; and if for a time he appeared hard to them, il
anguish of soul nmde an impression never to be forgotten. ~ as because he wanted to discover whether or not they had
More ttmn twenty years after in Egypt it came vividly to el::mged. It is clear that in suggesting they were spies he
memory.--Genesis 42 : 21. touched the sore spot; l()r, not realizing that he understood
4Sohl 1o Potil)har, one or Plmraoh’s officers, Joseph’s value them, they began remi,~ding each other of their brother’s
was soon apparent. He was placed in trust of Potiphar’s ph’ading and anguish when they sold hinL lie found that
household, a very responsible position for so young a man they had changed very considerably, and had now a tenderer
and a slave; and God blessed the house of Potiphar for his regard for their father than when they so cruelly lied to
Sake. When grown into manhood, he was handsome and him and deprived him of his dear son. And after they had
well favored ; and there came the temptation from Potiphar’s returned bringing Benjamin with them, and, by his strata-
wife, which he resisted on the high ground that to yield gem, he had tested them about Benjamin to see whether or
would be sin against God. Foiled passion turned to hate; not they would repudiate him, he h:~d no hesitancy in making
and the woman made, with a good show of supporting evi- himself known to them and in freely forgiving them for the
dence, the terribly unjust accusation which caused Potiphar terrible wrong they had done him.
to put Joseph into prison. But God was with him there; 7Joseph was a great genth.Inan as well as a great state, s-
and the governor, soon seeing his worth, gave the care of man, fine-grained and kind to the finger-tips. It is easy to
the prison into his hands.--Genesis 39 : 21-23. get hard under hard circmnstanees; and Joseph could easily
5Apparently by a chance happening, but exactly in the have allowed himself to get soured and bitter either towards
order of God’s providence, Joseph was liberated after at his brethren, or toward his God, who had allowed these
least two years in prison. He had foretold the restoration things to come upon him. But there is not the slightest
to office of Pharaoh’s butler, one of his fellow prisoners trace of anything of the kind. It may be a cause for wonder
under his care ; and he had hoped that when released the that Joseph made no attempt to get into touch with h|S
butler would make some representations to Pharaoh about father. The easy answer is that until he was at the light
 ,,oo=,,,,
10s <the WATCH TOWER
hand of Pharaoh he was a slave, or bound in prison, and hearted servants of God; else God would do them a wrong
afterwards was so busily engaged he lind no time for any in Dlacing tin,hi in po, itions of prominence. Those who
other interests than those which God had given him--the prole~s fear Ira’ and are anxious about the servants of God
intercsls o£ l’haraoh and Egspt. in lmMli()ns of l)lolnillet~(_.e, lesl Ihey be made idols by their
s’l’he title of lod,5"s stn(ty is aosepll the Preserver, and brelhre, h should look into their own hearts lest unnoticed
this lw was. IIe hiniself says that God sent hini inlo Egypt prejudice, ill-u ill, or envy is lodging there.
to preserve life. tlh,Jm.-is 45:7) Ile was the preserver of 1ale, crete Joseph died the birthright of the family, which
Egbpt, lhe preserxer of his father and his brelhl’en, and in had heen hel(l by Ileilllt’n, but long ago forfeited i)y him
his exaltation is 1spiral of the great Preserver, the Christ, (1Chronicles 5:1), w~ls a’tven to ,h)<<(pli, lllo elder son
whoin liis kilikdom silall bring life’s hlesqings lo all lnen. Rachel. aos,,ph therefore bceanie lhe head of tim family, as
DThere are ninny important lessons in ehar.ml~ r buibhng well as its niosl pi’Olilinollt lllelllber.
to be gained 1rein a study of ao,~eph’s life, exert hy so brief ~Ltfter the fanline Joseph slill remained in power, and
a study as is po>sible here. Perhaps the oulshmding lesson conlimmd Io be lhe pre~(,rveP and comforter of his father,
is that of Go(l’s overrulmte care for Iris own. It was God an(l :l[’lei’w;ir(ls Of his bn ihrel~ and lhoh’ i’anlilie~. Although
who took aos(,1)ll lo l.;aS1)t. (Gene-is -15:7) and who be spent nearly all his life in 1.]g3pt, al~d i)rn(.tieally Ij,,¢..mm
served hinl there, gJVll!2~ hiili jtl>~t tho~4~.~ exin’lielv,:cs xxhi’,’h ,’in l’],a:ptmn, lie ever remMneda lrue son of Jacob. IIe died
would prepare him for ins liie’s great work. The lanime de(.l:iring his faith hi lhe pFonu’,"~, requeslin<a" that his
(which was n,)t (.aus~,~l 1)5 lhe faihlre of the Nile, for hones shonl(1 1)o earl’h,(I Ollt o[’ I1, ..1)t v~lion Gocl visited
exten(led over southern lhtle.>line) was of God, in order lhat lhenl lo take th(qu lia(,k Io tlie t.l,l,/ of pronlise. ((;(,i:(,¢is
Joseph and his father and his brethren eouhl I)e re-nnil(,d; 50:24-20)Ili~ 1)o(15 l~;is einb<llnied: ltIl(l ;vl,en the (.h~
and over all Cod’s hillHI is seou laying up 13pical il~.Mrtz,.- of Israel went out of l’;aypt, lile3 (’:/rri(’d his holleq with
lion for biq people. ’l’he linished picture tells its story 1o us. theni; and 1., was btiricd in the h,’,,! o’ ’." ,,,.tl,qn f.lo~hll.1
It is ellsy for US lo s(~t ~ the pllrt,ose unfolding; but it could 24 : .’P-’) Soonlift" :,r;ind lntill "Ail h ehtl,’,t+.l~ r sel for (’,od,
not have been ea%v lot .lospl)h. Well for us i£ in our lr3ing and witli his :tbtii~y Deft’erie(l, wit[ a’ ,tin lie lU’C~ehi in the
eireumslanees we posse~s the rest of faith to believe in tim earth, slmrhm: with lhe olh(,r arand and groat men in the
finiMu.d picture o[ our lives. work of resh)ring tho world. There is a good hope for the
lO.h),:eph w’tq unexpectedly raised to the position of ;l world in the Durpo<e o{’ God.
great ruler, hl(leetl he w’ts like Pharaoh, and his adminis- 15It seemslitliltg Io point out that tile niethod elill)loyed
tration was nmrkedly su(’(’essful. We ask: Where did by Josephin llie I)res,~,rxalio~l of Egypt through ll!e famine
get the neeess:~v,~ experience to en-lble him to rule such a is gin illusti’nlion of the process wliieb will /)e used when
kingCom :is ]¢,v3p{, and to guide it lhrou~h su(,h an nnusu:d the great .Jo’q,llll, tim (qil’i~t. dellls \villi llie world after its
crisis? The nn-uer is: All his previous life \xas n prepqr-i- time of troulqe. The poi!,.y whi:.h do (ph lmrsued requlted
tion: ill As a hey i,e hml l;lken all i>t-q,*-t in 10.’~ ~athei’,s in bring’ins ;ill lhe xw,:tl{!, tlic p;.p,rly, a!~d Ihe p,,r,o:ls in
affairs ((h,n,’:d~ : 7 : 13, 14) : (’-’) in l’otilqnlr’~ holi..-’o lie ]’]g3pt lnl(ler Ilia eol~trol ,~f l’h:lr:toh. \Vlion tim ,<aiilin~
faithtul lo the lrv.~r (~:: ’,l liited to him: iS) in the I)ris,~n pineli (qHlle *Vl. {be l’~,:p’,o ~,’ii\e lh’st all their lil(lil(,V
he m ’,llifesied lilt, slin/(, qu:dities. Boy. youlh, or re’m, lie bl’v~t(1, l_heil llieir e~tli!;, lli, li ltieir l<lnds: lind at i.l,,t tht,y
was (’onsist’,q~lly f~litltful in ally trust. As a youth he llillq~ sohl lll(’inst,ivt,s in OIN}{~i"tO hve. All tim persons lind {i]] the
llll’~e I)t’en self-r~dnu,l ; olherwise his lather would no~ have property in 1"’:ypt beeanie Pharaoll’s. Then Jos,,ph ;Irranged
se, nl him from lira <oath of I’aleqtine to find his brethren m tiu* affairs of Eg3pt ae(’ordiimly, leverytllhig was done for
the nioul;tainon~ (liqtri(q of She(’heni. Loyalty, faithl’lllnt,gs, lhe good of the empire and its p(ople. And so it will I)e
thorouahness, grit, ;rod faith in his father’s God were the ttie 5Iillonnial :i~e. No one will be allow+~d to live in the
things that gitve foundatmn for his character, and enabled hlessodness of the khl~dom nnloss he receives life at the
God to use him. IIis trials were herd ones. hands of the Christ, and is in every way dependent upon
GOD’S CARE OVER IllS OWN the gift of God through Christ.
~l~lisnnders!:lnding and je’/lonsy ;ire lmr(l to bear. To be
QUESTIONS FOR BERgAN STUDY
tll-trealed and lhen sold nnd, later, io be imju,qly h(,hl in
prison for a lo,~ 1)cried must lmve heen hard experit,n(,os. Whyis the life of JO~elqi(if so mu(h ln~erest to file ChriMi~lll ~ ~l
]11 ~\ll{l{ ~:ly \xas Joseph all Ylnll,4/h|l SOil? ~V]ly did liD4 brothers
But i,tith tirml.~ lrusls God, come what may. In the nlatler ll:/tc, hllU? ~" ’)
"What bitter eX’l,erence had Josel,’,l at ~(,x oill(~Oll .%Oal’q Of fldO’a ¶ 3.
of l’otiphar’s wile there is an important Ie~son for the IIow did Jo~,’llll nlainlaln tli~ ill~Ogrlly toward God, and ilo\~ wa~
people of God. The Scriptures give no inlimalion lhat he f~l\olod’, 1[ !.
Joseph’s chara(.ler was ever cleared f~c)m lhe a(,(,ubalion lh)w did I’,od -velrule in Ja~oph’,lU’isol! (,\I’(,ricP, l’oq "a ~ 5.
"~\’]l{/t 1- the lu,,1 ,tcordo(| illsl,i, ,e ill t ~o , ",<\ h,:i~lation? I15.
which put him inlo prisou. God does not alw;lys have ial<e Is it bOlllO{llll0Sbeneficial to be hehl 111 re.’~£1idllllllg circumstances?
accusations mqde against his own eh,aied uI); but lie does IIow far-reaching was the famine, and how was Egypt protected?
give evidence in one wily or anotllor to show wlmre his
favor is. Quile evidently this way is taken in order that Wh,) sought food in Egypt? Whatwas Joseph’s strategy and its
object ? ~ 6.
his people may learn how to use their judglm,nt. Tlm one In ~hat \~ ay do the sterling qualities of J’oseplVs character mani-
suffers that the nnmy amy have an ohje(.t les~on. There fe,~t lhol:l,~eIveq?~ 7.
Why lind J,)~cph made no attempt to get into touch with his
has been in our (hiy a nol;d)]e illuqtration of Ibis prineiph,. lather? l[ 7.
Our beloved Paslor was probably lhe most ~hmdered man in In x\llat re~p(’ct was Joseph the Preserver? II
\Vh:it Is the b’~soUfor ns in the o\lm]’ien(’es Jos eph? ¶9.
this ~eneration, and the Lord did not trove the false nemlsa- Where did .hmoph ~et the wisdomn) enable hllll to rule Ngypt Ito
~
tions nmde against him wholly cleared away. It is easy to Slle(’( Mull\ ’ c 10.
If J3111g:’l, ’1"{1[I()’]- are made:l:a:lillst Gad’speople,doeshe alway,,I
see that this has been a benefit to the church; for, usina li~lxt’ lilt (’ (ledred axx:13]u the crewcut]11o?If not, \vhy~~l
their judgment, they lmve per(,eived that lie w:/s a lnnn of ~V]III~ COllll’Ol’t lllily wetake in the slanderous accu~atlollS agaillSt
llrolll~,, I,’,l~ell ’~ ~ 11.
God, and that the bles~in:’., ~ of the Lord wau wilh him. With- How.,,h(mhl brethren in the church view one another, and them-
out doubt the church has been nmeh slren~thened by lho’<e ~el\c-’, 1112.
~,Vlien I~eul)en luut hiu birthright, ta whomdid it go?~ 1.’I,.
things. Whati~ 3et to be :i fulh,- re\~,u’d 1.i Jo-old~ fro" his illt(,,-l’itv Of
eExallation did not hurt .loseph, because lie w’ls lowly lio:lrt, his lrllqt ill (’,,,’, and his f:ilili ill lhe (hx Ino prOlllls(,>’, 1] 14.
Wh,qt vreat lypic;ll I’ ,,)n laay be drawn £rom God’s dealings ",villi
cart. Nor does exaltation ever hurt the true loyal- Joseph in Egypt? g 15.
 MOSES: LIBERATOR AND LAWGIVER
~APRIL22 EXODUS
2 : 1 - 19 : 25 ; 32 : 1 - 33 : 23 ; DEUTERONOI~y
:]~IEANNESSOF EGYPTIAN IIULERS--GOD’S GREATDELIVERANCE OF 1SRAEIr----MOSESTHEI~IEDIATORTYPIFIESCHRIST.
"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah."--Exodus 14: 18.
O UR lesson is of Moses, liberator and lawgiver. Except-
ing tile Savior, Moses is the outstanding fig-ure o£
hmnan history. IIe stands prei}minent as a great law-
giver; for the best code of laws known to man is associated
with his name, But it is as a faithful, meek servant of God
and as a lover of his pcople, that he has the best record--
that of tile Word of (led. (Hebrews 3:2; Numbers 12:3)
Ills words in the Golden Text: "Fear ye riot, stand still,
and see the salvation of Jehovah," are the true indicator of
his character and his work. When he was engaged ill his
gl,’at life’s work he ]evealed himself as a great adminis-
trator rather than as all originator; as one who himselg
w:ts under direction of the God of Israel, whose honor and
gb)l’y he sought.
’-’After Jl~St’l)h’s death thole had arisen in Egypt a king
"who k;lew not JoscIlh." The Is]’aelites, waiting upon Cod
for tl~, lime when im s!,(~,:M (lirl,(.t them back to lhe l)rom-
ised I.,M, had pros.IIm’e(l ev(.eedingly both in nnnlblq..~ and
in ~ .tlth. A new (lylmSl5 arose, whose kings considered
the numbers and wealth of lhe Israelites to be a menace to
the’ safety of F~ypl. A policy was enforced which look
Is~’:lel away from tile lln~ior, ll life in which they excelled,
al,l l]te.v were madel:~b, lrers in tile building of great cili~.s
and sioreliotlscs, t~nt II:!s policy did not rel)rcss thenl, and
an or(h~r was nmde tha( every new-born lmlle baby was
be cast into tim Nile. Even tllis did not prevent Israel’s
iiwre:~se, and cruel oppression was practised upon them to
breM; ltleir spirit and kelp them in servitude.
aAhout lhis time an imere.~;ting event bapllcned in Egyp*,
|n on. of tile hoilscs of ’he Helq’ews. A child was born,
eve~{n, :y Io be the nol/e s(u, vm~t of God wl,o in God’s due
time sh(mhl meet Pharaoh face to face as the representative
of lhc (led of heaven. By Ille overruling providences of God,
tile chihl 5h-)s:,s was saw,d from tlle destrmqi(m common
thc, bahy be3 s of Israel: and by that same sin t,qflar and par-
ticubtr proxidcnl.e it hnI/l)cm,d that he who was east on tile
nwreies of the Nile, was saved from tile Nile 1)5" I’lmraoh’s
dau:’.-h~cr, and fro’ forty Years lived in l’har:mh’s house
gelling nit the :Mvanlaa-es of a king’s son. lle beeame
"learned in all the wisdom trod knowledge of the Egyptians,"
which mennt that he lind the then knowledge of tile world
at his displ)~al; and he was mighty in WOl’ll~ and (leeds--a
military commander and an orator, if Jewish lradition is
to 1,e belie\ cll.--Acts 7 : 22.
~Wilh his heart faithful to God he believed that God
would use him to deliver Ills people; and when he was
forty years of age he thought the time had come to arouse
his brethren to tile facts of their position. IIe was ready to
associate himself with theln in trying to obtain their free-
dora. Finding that they repelled his advances, and that by
his actions he had put himself out of favor with Pharaoh,
and that his endeavors were immature, he fled from E~’pt,
and for another long period of forty years dwelt In the
laml of 5Ii(linn, tending tim flocks of aethro, the priest of
Midian, whose (1,mghter he married. Whether or n~)t during
this time Moses knew of tile condition of his people we do
not know; for there is no record of any communication
between him and them.
MEANNESS OF EGYPTIAN RULERS
~The condition of Israel was aggravated; for tile tasks of
the people were made harder. When they complained they
were treated as lazy, and their taskmasters were instructed
to hold them down to still greater hardship. This caused
34 : 1-8--
Israel at last to realize their condition.
have forgotten
They seemed to
that they were the etmsen people of God
who had a G~)d to care for them, and a llromised inheritaL’eo
in Ca,man. Apparently they did not cry to God for deliver.
anee from Eg:,l)t, but only for some ease in their sore dis-
tress; but their cry rea(.ht, d to heaven, and tile time had
now come when if God ~ould keep his word (which Israel
seemcd to have for.aotten) he must act. (Genesis 15: 13-17)
This lleavy oppression was part of God’s plan for them: it
produced what he desired. God will always have his people
efill upon him for those mercies which are theirs by promise,
and if 1hey are not ready he brings about such conditions
as pmdu(.e a cry. Tile record is: "God came down to deliver
his people." (Exodus 3: 1-10) But it was to Moses that God
wenl. Moses was still in Midian working for his father-in-
law, aililarently quite without ambition; for he had made
no (’fl’ol’t lo actlnire rietles. In view of his faith on leaving
E::3pl (lIebrews 11: 24-29) we must suppose that he con-
tinucll in this way in order to be ready for any call; and
the luln(ss and activity of his mind soon to be manifested
prmcs lllat he was not careless, nmeh less indolent ill mind.
qtis call came in all unexpected way. While tending tile
flock he saw a near-by bush suddenly burst into llames.
But it was not consumed, and he turned aside to consider
this singul.w thing. As he allproaehed he heard tile voice of
God, througll his "mgel, speaking to him. He was told that
he was to be the deliverer of his people. But he who forty
yeqrs ago was full of mmJly enthusiasm, ready to throw his
whole energy into their deliverance, was now slow, alnlost
to oltstin’tcy, and *x as full of reasons why anotlmr shouId
be chosen.
tOur spaee does not allow us to detail the events which
imnmdialely followed. We soon find Moses again in Egypt,
now ill God’s due time tim chosen agent for tile deliverance
of Israel, matured by his wailing time, and in full nssur’m(.e
of faith, strong to arouse llis t)eoplc, l’,ut tile dullness of
suffering was upon them, as that of waiting llqd seemed t,)
be upon hinl ; and he was not well re(’eivcd. Moses was so:m
in combat with Pharaoh, but with no fear upon ]linl now;
for he realized his mission. He was roused to till’ full
measure of iris powers, fitted to eOullsel with king,, ae.d
well versed in the ways of tlle court. Ag-lin and "/gain he
went as God’s messenger to Pharaoh, until at last in tile
gall of wounded pride Pharaoh told him plainly that be
should see his face no more undt,r pclmlty of death; and
Moses, ill as high a piteh el ~ spirit, toM l’haraoll that his
words were true null that l’haraoll shouhl see his face m)
more. There came immediately that last pll,~ae whh,h finally
broke the spirit of the Egyplians, and by which God libel--
ated his people. The sacred record is that God delivered his
people with a migl~ty hand, "rod with an oulstretched arm.
(Deuteronomy 26:8) The power of Egypt and of E~ypt’s
gods were broken. When the last plague was to clime upon
the Egyptians, Moses h’td caused Israel to be really to ,.’o
out; and that same night they went out of E:,3-pt. As they
went they found the Egyptianu so well pleased to have them
go that Israel had only to ask for payment due to lhem for
labor to find themselves loaded with gifts, especially of
jewelry and gold, easy to carry.
SThe mummified body of Rameses, the Pharaoh of Moseg
day, is now in a museum in Cairo, a poor thing to look at.
It is quite probahle that Moses will see timt form; and
perhaps that hard, wicked man who opposed God and every
instinct of righteousness and mercy, may look upon his own
mummified body, preserved by the devil’s power, as if he
would say: "He that serves me shall not return to the dust
as God has said."--See WATC~TOWER,1920, page 378.
GOD’S GREAT DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL
gOur Golden Text takes us to the miraculous deliverance
of Israel at the Red Sea. They had been led by the cloud
to the shores of tlle sea as if their way led througll it.
There they were held up ; for there was no way to the right
~)r left, and the sea was before them. Phar-~oh had recovered
from the shock of the terrible night, had mobilized his arlny,
and was rapidly drawing up behind to carry them back to
bondage. The people cried to Moses, and Moses in his fait[t
bade them be still and see the salvation o~ God. (Exodus
14: 13) In turn Moses cried to God. But God tunwd lh~
cry back to him and said: "Whert,fore ericst thou unlo me?
Speak unto the children of Isr;lel, tlmt they TO forw~trd : but
lift thou up thy rod, and slr(,t¢.h out thine hand over tl:e
sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on
dry g~:mnd through the midst of the sea." (Exodus 14:
15, 16) Moses had m his h.md his rod, the symbol of power
and authority by wtfich so lllaliy inirach~s in Egypt h’td be.*a
wrought. It is as if God sahl: "What is the sea tlmt it
should hinder the progress of my people? Has not the cloud
led you to the border of the sea? Why not follow it? lJse
your rod." Moses did so, and the waters fled before the rod.
"What "tih,d thee, O thou sea, that thou lleddestT’ is the
Psalmist’s comment.--Psahn 114:5.
~OOur text is often misconstrued. Moses said: "Stand
still"; but God said: "Go forward." Moses was rather
rebuked for pr’tying inste’~d of acting: he ought to hfi~-e
gone forward. Sometimes the Lord’s people set themsclv~’s
to pray for gaid’mc,.: when the Lord lm, clearly marked his
way. As we have bt.fore said, prayer i~ not always in order
Faith and loyal obe’licnce take precedence of prayer if God
has clearly shown his way. To go to God in prayer in su(h
a case is to dishonor him ; it cannot be well pleasing to him.
x~’l_’hcn came the great dcliw,rance, and lhe destruction of
the power of Egypt; for the sea had swallowed it up. Isr,,el
was now free, not only from hard bondage, but from fear
of recapture. God h’td purchased his people. Says I~aiah:
"I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honor-
able, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for
thee, and people for thy life." (Isaiah 43:3,4) The time
had come for Israel to be delivered, and E~’ypt said : "No 1"
But God said: "My people shall go free"; and as Egypt
was perverse God had to break it.
LESSONS FOR SPIRITUAL ISRAEL
l~Pharaoh and EgsnPt well represent Satan and the evil
powers under his control; and again the time has come for
God’s people to be delivered from bondage---that of sin and
Satan and the evil forces of this world. Satan and his
agents are now fghting against God; but all the powers of
evil--whether spiritual, ecclesiastical, political, or financial
~wlll be broken and God’s people freed for the establish-
ment and enjoyment of his kingdom. (Revelation 11: 17, 18;
19:11-16) The Red Sea of anarchy will be the destruction
of these forces of oppression.
aaIsrael was free. It was a morning of glorious liberty, of
freedom of body and mind; but not for every man to do as
he please& They were members one of another, a company
of people under the care of God, represented by Moses,
Indeed, apart from the eare of God they could not live;
for there was no means of sustenance.
~4Moses’ work of liberator was accomplished. Now he
became a father to that great multitude. It was a mighty
task; for the people were weak. Crushed by the bondage in
Eg~’pt, they lacked spirit, and were as petulant as fretful
children. In order that they might get the necessary rest
of body and mind, and the instruction nee(,,sary for rite
communal life in the land to which God was leading them,
they were led into the fastnesses of Mount Sired. There
sheltered from enemies God had his long ill-t,.:ated and
broken people to himself; and there he kept tht~m for nearly
twelve months, feeding them with tlw manna, giving them
water from the rock, and, througl~ 5loses ’is lawgiver and
mediator, that instruction in worship and ri’z-bteou~-ness
which is recorded in the books of l:xodus, L~’\ iticus, Num-
bers, and Deuteronomy, called in Scripture "Tl~e Law of
l~Ioses."
MOSES THE MEDIATORTYPIFIES CIIW.ST
lSThe largcne.~s of heart, the magnilicence of his clmrach,.r,
and the self abnegation of this great man in the set\ice of
God’s people were never better exhibited than in his of~’er
of self-sacrifice in favor of his people and the honor of God.
During Moses’ first foriy days ou Mount Sinai, tl~c peoph,,
not understanding how he could he alive, thought they nmst
undertake to do something for themselves; and \re’tit in
morals and spirit they became easy subjects to thv tempt’l-
lion of the devil. They fell into dr,gradation. It was while
tiwy were in this condition of exposure to their shame lhat
Moses returned from the mount, God having lold ]tim of
the sin, saying that IIe would cut them off and continue tim
promises in Moses. On the strength of this offer Moses
returned to plead wiih God, and as an alternalive offered
himself as the corresponding price for the people, offering
to be blotted out if they might live~the ne’lrest illus’,ration
which the Scriptures provide of the "ransom for all" given
by Jesus, our Lord.
~The law of God revealed in Sinai remains the world’s
standard, though of (.ourse ,.t is eelip~,,d by the law of the
new creation gi\en specially to the thst.iples of Zcs~l~. Moses
has not the credit for that law; i~ is of (h,l. It ix more
correct to speak of Moses as a great admini,trator rather
than a great lawgiver. He himself continually says: "AS
the Lord commanded," and "The Lord said unlo me." Jeho-
vah was tile lawgiver ; Moses acted as its administrator, and
as mediator of the covenant based upon the htw. So great
was he as a prophet in declaring the way of tile Lord and
in manifesting the spirit of the law, that he was m’ule
type of Christ. tie un(lerstood that he was lypical of one
who should be rove.deal. Ile said to Israel: "Tile Lord thv
God will raise up m~lo thee a prophet from the midst of
thee, of thy llrctlm~n, like unto me: unto him ye shall
hearken."--Deuteron()my 18 : 15.
,~5loses was a great man with wide, generous sylnl)alhies
not confined only to the house of Israel; for he saw that
God would in his own due time bless the world of men. No
doubt Moses was much confirmed in this by his contact with
the outside world during his eighty years of separation
front his people, in the house of I’haraoh, and in the home
of Jethro, priest of Midian.
aSMoses humbled himself to be the meekest of men, and
he has the most exalted record of all God’s servants. The
two outstanding motives of his service were to seek the
honor of God and the good of God’s people. Whoever will
in this take Moses for his example cannot go wrong.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Whois the great outstanding figure of humanhistory, next to
;lesus? II 1.
Whathardships cameto Israel tn Egypt? g 2.
Howwas God’s overruling providence manifested in the preserva-
tion of Moses?~] 3.
Whatwas uppermostin the mindof Moses at the age of forty? |
.PRIL 1, 1923 111
WATCH TOWER
Whatgreat h.’s~on was the children of Israel to learn in their ser- What~:lnd of freedom did Israel obtain? Will ~.he freedom of the
~ll;:,Ie in tile taslm,a~I,:’s of I"gypt? ~5. ~xorld be similar? ~/13.
In v h.~t waydnl Goll’,~ xolce COllie to Moses?11 6. Howdid Godfather and care for the children of Israel? I[ 14.
Who. had schooled and prepaled BIo~.~ to enter the presence of In xx’llfll noble way did Mosesdeim)nstrate that he was a go-between
Phara,dl? 1, 7. for l-r:uq as ~\ell as tot God"~l 15.
~x,’l’. .’, : ~ ’~,’ .t~ll’~r o! lho l.:;Spllans’.’ Whyweregold andaewelry
~l\ell ll) iho I-I’.l(qll(’s" Fol x, ha, wn~ .Moses the admnllstrator? Fo* what was he the
lIox~ did S,,~.111 t,ndorl,!,o to thwart the edwt of the Almighty? ~] 8. mediator? lilY.
2~tt ,I 11%111:! IIDH’I,qI~, "~IIH[ did G,)d C0111111Hlld .~lo>~’~ Ill (In ’~ {19. in xlh.iI sl)eL;tlC nay was .~Ioses lll[~dq fecal" ’l 1G
I9o lhe Laid. i,b,ph’ ~oIlleliIllO> illl~’,COh*ll’/le th0 will of tile Lord? X, Vere M~l~es’ l,l~t el~h~v Veal-~" exluq’te:.¢.e> (;f bn(’h :t n.’tture as
i 11, llltOll~ll 5’ hi> ~3nl;,a~hle~, Io:’ lhe X~olhl ttl ],i’ve? ~ 17.
Wllal do l’:zYl)t and Pharaoh rei,reaent, and is another deliverance The l\xo outstalllhilg ’.llotl,cl~ .tc*uatmg 31ose~ to .-errlee wero
at hand ? I1 11, 12. whal": 1T18.

INTERESTING LETTERS
EX-MINISTER NOWSEES THE LIGHT hfe. l)uring our conversation he related to me the experi-
el:ce ,tf ;/ c,),>~eientious objector, which seenlingly had left
[Re’ulers of TIIE WATCH
TO\X I.:R will be interested in the a. deep inll)l’e~,qon on hiln.
" [piler
fO~h)\xtn_ 110111 "Ill ex IHilIIbNH’. "IVe arc plcase(l to say 111 hi- re_re:eat ill
Ihel’e i¢l’anee
xxlis a young mall, a
th,tl :llrtii(ly ill(’ ].ol’d has ln L:/~iJ to bend the lll(,<-;lu’e iqlo ll]t,r(, I)o~ lit) whol’Oftl’a(’d
seenletl, to put on the uniform.
Bohentla ilt~d lhii! by his grd(’e nlll(’h nlore will f;o during lqxt,ry mdi:i~ily that c(ulhl be tholl.ghl of XVIIS heape(I Ul)On
the 3( HI*. ri’loi 1}],* ~4el-Ill -I IO ;l~\ti]ioll lhe people in a gl’ettter
[ll,~l. [,,~,v menial WOl’kwlts ’al’,(,,i lFlnl: bllt he renlained
d(,. o tO klH)\\ :’l~ollt flit’ 1.oi’(1. l|e Wqq’k’, ill lllyS[Prh)tlS
litm. The ~,,.,cel’s learned that he h;ul been ill the faith
Vta3"S his wo!~dor>lo i).q’lol’nt.] <:’x :1 *I~ ,l lime: and so Iho3 :elllel,i’ed him to be shot,
IAEXl~,BP,OTIII:ll: thi,&m.:, lh.l[ of course he would x\eaken.
They did not
Myheart r/,joi(ed \\ben I left tilt, Au(!iloriunl on Sunday, ill/end Io ~!’ool llinl, however, lit* wn,, led oat to tile wall
I)e(.tq~d,.r 1o. :[or I :ml l’e(.~qVlllg inore tllld nlore light ot ;t tl’e~et~. .ted ;he lh’ing >(Ill;lit l(,d:, their l)hlces.
nnder~.tanding tile tl’ue plan of God lind tile glory of .JOSUN officer slepped forward to bandage lhe yonth’s eyes, but
the Christ. was oently imshell aside by tile young man, who said: "I
When I siudied to become a minister I often wondered will face this".... The Iiring squall raised their rifles.
why /he pt,oi)ie in lho ehl!rehes are so cold, having no life The young In’in stood with his head high; and, as the
and no love for Bible Stlldy. But now I understand wily; it olIicer related to me, the sweelest snlile he ever s’tw came
is bo(,:ttI~’e ;here was ilo lizht in tile (,xplanalions, there was over !lie yonll,4" n);tl/’S coH!llcnallee, r]’llell (’;lille the or/ler
no de.>ire to know the truth--hut business "lnd hypocrisy to lox\er the rilles, :m,I lhe firing squad marchell away.
only. As the ollieer conehnlell by saying, "l stooll there while
Oh, how ’-’.]:l,l I :lni that I am not in Babylon, and that it H~ey mal’(:l~cd him :~w:ly. I n(,xer saw hinl again, but
was very ,ao(,l l]lat they took away my license to preach, shall never f.rzet him," how proud I w.ts to tell tlim that
when I told thenl that we must preach the gospel of Christ this was iny bl’,,ther ill the most holy faith. Pray fo,’ me,
and not the doctrines of men. dear brethren, /h:lt like this young hroiher I may go un-
BrothtT ,%l]:,i:l was here on Satur(lay, December 9, and (l:t~tltle, l lhrouah every Irhll, possessed of that "faith that
we talked over the x~(wk among tile CzeehnMov;!kian people will not shrink".
here m Cleveland. There are 12,000 Czechoslovaks in this Yours in lhe Redeenler’s service, MAY."WILSON, Ohio.
city, and only a few are studying the S(’ril)lures, and I see
there is need of a le\Ibool,: lo1’ th(un: for they are begin- THE TRUTH STIRS AND TESTS
eel’S in Bible study, aml lhe most sinlple and precious text- GENTLEMEN :
book is the llAm, m,’ (loJ), which I would like to see trans- You have already received my subserii)tion to tile WATCt{
lated into the l~.,fll(,nlmn l;m.gu:~ge. TOWEIL and if it will not inconvenience you too much, I
I \~ish that th’, Lor/l nliallt give nsa man who, under the would like to have the subscription start, say, June or July
gl’glee of the he,l\cpl 3" Father and led by tile holy spirit, last, and would be pleased to have yol, forward me the
wonhl bring the li’:hl aml truth to the Bohemians also. It is back nunll/ers "it once, or bill lne for the back numbers and
,,el’.,," bad lh.tt, ;litlmuah Ihe llohenll;tl~S had such great re- lel the subscripti,m s!and if you like.
formers as .h)hn lluss, Jerome of Prague, Conrad Wald- This is a wonderfully truthful little magazine, and I am
hausen, Matthew of inner, Thonlas of Sli|lly, and John sorry that I neglected sabscribing for it until now, but then
Amos I(.omensky, they are now Roman Catholic or free- I am one of the thousands who have not worried over so-
thin kers. called religion--just had them all placed in the same boat
There is an oreanization that has studied the Bible since --but 5"our literature hqs stirred me after being without a
13S1 and 144~. They knew that in Rome sits the Beast of church home for the blst sixteen years.
Reveltttion. llut in 1(120-1627 the P, east overcame them, and I took advantage of the club offer of the three books--
the IIohemian brelhren were scattered all over the world. "Finished Mystery, .... Millions," etc., and "Can the Living
~Phey were once strong in spirit and in faith, but today we Talk with the Dead?"--they are wonderful. I fully realize
bear just the name--Moravian Brethren Church. that the truth hurts worse than a lie, and now I see why
Oh give us, Lord, other men that may bring us into thy the book was condemned and why Pastor Russell, the dear
light and truth and love again I old man, was subjected to the abuse he was.
CHGS. E. SCHNEIDER, Ohio. I am placed in a very hard position in my home. No one
will listen to my opinion on the attitude denominational
UNDAUNTED THROUGH EVERY TRIAL churches are taking today, and have taken for many years.
DEAR BIIETItREN : Perhaps, you know, though, that many others are putting up
Greetings in the name of nur Lord. Recently I witnessed with similar trials. The reading and discussing of your
to a returned army officer, nile who had seen active service literature have caused a lot of trouble for me, but I can’t
In France. He is still in the nominal church but seemed give them up.
Very earnest in living, as best he knew how, a Christian Yours sincerely, W.T. Dew.mr.
 International Bible StudentsAssociationClasses
BROTHER J. A. BOIINET BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK
Superior, Wis............. RockIsland, Ill ...............
Apr. 15, 17 Apr. 24,
Woodward, Okla .... Apr. 14 Arkansas City, Karts ....... Apr. 24 " 25
Shallucl.:. Okla ........... " 16 Edmond.Ol,:la .............. " 25 Twotlarbors, Minn ..... " 16
Knoxville,III .....................
" 26
" 26 Joliet, Ill ..................... " 19
Kewanee,Ill .....................
Al~a, O..la .............. " 18 lh,d Rock. Okla ............... " 20
Princeton, Ill .................. " 27
I-Iardu~cr, 1.:~tns ....... "’ 20 Shld~(,r, Okla ................. " 27 LaSalle, Ill ............... " 29
" 29 Moline,Ill ................. " 22
Chicago,III .......................
V¢i¢.lllia, I~allS ...... " 22 A~k:m.~as Cuy, Kans ....... " 23
La forte, lnd .................. " 30
" 23 l’ax~hu~ka,0kla ............... " 80 Davenport, la .........
~’intleld, Kans.................

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTHER V. C. RICE

Apr. 2;) York,Pa .......................... .Apr. 17 Pottstown, i)a .............. .Apr. 24
Conde, S. D ............ Apr. 17 Mitchell, S. D ........... ]3 yertowa,t’a ................. " 25
Hanover,Pa ..................... " I8
II,sxvlch, S. D ............. :: l!) Chnncellor, S. D ......... " $5
l~heenls,Pa ...................... " 19 Li~H~,ht, I’n ............... " 26
thuon, S. D ........ 22 Parker, S. D ............... May 1 Con.qmhockcn, Pa ......... " 27
" 23 Menno,S. D ................... " 2 I’lamllcld, l’a ................... 20
I’eo llel~htn, S. D .... " 22 Norti~n, /’a ............. " 29
White, S I) .......... 24 Yaukton, S. D .............. 4 Lebanon,Pa .................... 30
" 26 " 5 Reading,Pa .................... " 23 Lan~dale,Pa ....................
IlartIord, S. D................. Irene, S. D.......................

BROTIIER A. M. GRAHAM BROTHER C. ROBERTS

Apr. 6, 8 North Bay, 0nt ......... Apr. 1~, !:) Fmdlay,(9 ....................... Apr. 17 W,q,akoneta,O................. Apr. 23
YIanllllon, Ont ......... ~ " I8 Cchna,O........................... " 2-/:
Toronto,()11| ............... 9 NewI,iskcard, Ont .... " 20, 22 Dehance,O......................
" 10,11 Timmin,., (lnt ............ " 23 4 Eryan,O.......................... " 19 Sidpcy,0 ........................ " 25
Collt ~awood,011t ......... 20 lhquaO......................... " 26
l~Ieaford, Oh’t .............. " 12 Hear-t, Ont ............... " 6 Edgerton,0 .................... "
l~arlle, Ont.................. " 13, 15 GI’,IlII, OnE................ " VanV,’eat, 0 .................. " 2! T,l,;,eLanoe City, O ......... " 27
" 16 V,’lmlipeg, Man........... " 29 J0 Lima,O............................. " 22 Dayton,O......................... " 29
Braccbmd4e, Ont .........

BROTtlER bL L. HERR BROTHER R. L. ROBIE

Richm, ,. t’,t,L1" ...... Apr. :13 Vallejo, Calif ............. Apr. ~4 San Anhmio, Tex ......... Apr. 15 Tnrpley,Tex............... Apr 22, 23
Old, hi rid, Callf ........ " ]5 Richmond, Callf ......... " ’15 Comfort. Tex ................. " 16 Ut,qmt,Tex................. " 24,26
Santa Ro~n, Calif ........ " 16, 23 Stockton, Calif ............. " 6 Kerrville, Tex ................ " 17 S:ln Antonio, Tex ....... " 27
Eureka, Calif ........ " 1,g l~ll,dCsl o, Callf ............ " 7 San Anlomo, Tex ......... " 18 Simmons,Tex ............. " 29
~(’IH lit, Cahf................ " 19 Turh)ck, Cahf ............... " 2,8, L3 Bandera,Tex................... " 19 CorpusChristi,Tex. Apr.30, Mayl
Ukiah, Calif ................ " 22 Fresno, Calif. ............. " .50 Pipe Creek, Tex............... " 20 Alice,Tex........................... " 2

BROTHER W. M. HY .,SEll BROTHER W. 1. TtlORN

St~:uff~ :’Io, Ont ........
~a’.dv, hL (;nt ....... , "
]~r,,, ebb H~,£’C, (~nr .....
North Ilay, O~t .....
Mal fawn, Om...........
Ne~, L~skeard, On: ......
\,,r. 5 Trim.in-, ,)nt ............ Atnr. :.,’.lbert "’lains, M~n....Apr. la. t7 CL~.ir,S.qsk................... Apt 24
6 V’enlaw,Mail ............ " 18 (~ull Laxc, ;’,~"~ ......... ’~ 25
" S, ~,\ lnl’,l,(’~-, l(d3 ........ " " ]’J " 26
~ 12 1 9
" Tr a,::.(’mm, )tan ........ "’
C~a,M~i.,~, ),l~n ......
" 20,
1:. P~’.I,IL ’,’ ’. .....
~" -,~:,.’.,an, S,qsi:. ......... " 27, 29
Kain.¢’ack,:,I.~ ........... 2
" 12 ]~911111illln C~ty, ~iatl .. " " 20 Star ,~ty, Sask ........... " 30
" 13, lg Wadena,Sask .............
Neveton, Man....... Ap%27, 29 I~’;

HO~VLETT BROTHER T. H. TIIORNTON

BI¢OTHER H.
Apr. 9, 10 Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Apr, 20, -2 St. John, N. B ........... A,~r. 15, 16 Truro, N. S ................. Apr, 28
Ko.ma, Ont ................ Moncton, N. B ........... 17 Ihdifax, N. S ............... 27, 29
Oxdr,HOnt ................. " 11 Maelenna, Ont ........... " 23, 24 " 18 Brid;:ewater, N. S. Apr. 30, May1
" 15 Wmren.Ont ............... " 25.16 Amherst, N. S ...........
Port Arthur, Ont ......... " 27, ?.9 Charlotletown, P. E. I. " 19-22 Middleton,N. S ................. " 2
Ft. William, Ont. ........ " 15 North Bay, Ont ......... " 24 DeepI;rook, N. S .............. " 8
" 17, 18 Bracebr~dge, Ont. ...... " 30 Atnol, N. S ..............
Searchmont, Ont ......... Springhfll, N. S ......... " 25 Centrewlle, N. S .............. " 4

BROTHER S. MORTON
BROTHER W. M. WISDOM
St. Louis, Mo............... Apr. 15 l=[arviell,i~Io .................... Apr "3
" 16 Neeh’v~tile, 5]o ................. " 24 Chatham,Va ............... Apr. 13 Norfolk, Va, .............. Apr. 21, 22
Flat River, Me............. " ,lava, Va....................... " lfi, 17 I,an~ille, Va............... " 24, 25
:Farmington, Me........... " 17 Chaoma,Me.................... 7(;
" 18 Willow Springs, Me ......... " :; Meadvflle,Va............... " :16 Le,lk~Hlo. >," C ......... " "6
Avert, Mo.................... Gret~m,Va................... " 18 IVInston Sah,la N. C.-- " 27, 29
Dexter, Me................... " :19, 20 Thayer, Me..................... " :=3
" 22, 25 Mountain Grove. Me ....... " 20 Alta Vista, Va ............. " 20 State Road, N. C ......... " 30
Poplar Bluff, Me .........

CONVENTION AT CHICAGO PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR MAY

There will be. a convention held in Chicago, Friday, Sat~ r- MAY2 : "By one spirit are we all baptized into one body."--1 Cor-
inthmns 12 : :13.
day and Sunday, May 11 to 13. Brother Rutherford an~ a MA~"9 : "Mad(, n~ able ministers of the new covenant" by the spirit.
--2 Corinlhians 3 : 6.
number of Pilgrim brethren will be in attendance. For f:.~- M~" 16 : "Ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise."--Ephe-
ther information write A. L. Seeley, 7642 Normal Avenue, sians 1 ’ :13.
MAY23 : Sow to tlm spirit ; of the spirit reap life.--Galatians 6 : 8.
Chic:~g% Illinois. M~30 : "The spirit of glory.. , resteth upon you."--1 Peter 4 : 14.

HYMNS FOR MAY

Sunday 6 179 13 321

111
20
311
4 2~" 212
2%2
II I.BS’A.BEREAN
BIBLE
STUDIES
Monday ............ T 155 14 21 ~8
ByMeansof"The Plan of the Ages"
Tuesday l 90 8 264 15 331 22 152 29 i".8
Chapter XIV: "The Kingdom of God"
Wednesday 2 42 9 211 16 37 23 320 30 243
Weekof May6 .............. Q, 1-7 Weekof May 20 .......... Q. I6-22
Thursd~’iy 3 30 10 324 1T 261 24 85 31 95 Weekof May13 ............. Q. 8-15 Weekof May27 ............ Q. 23-2~
Friday 4 281 11 6 18 93 25 61 ......... question books on "TheDivine Plan" 15e postpaid.
Saturday 125 12 194 19 43 26 221
 ,2 ° " ’ ’,’

J¢’’. ¯ "- ",’:,"".’, ".’’ I’’ ,’ ’ ,

VoL XLIV SE-~fI-Mo~THr,Y NO. 8

Anno Mundi 6051 -- April 15, 1923

CONTENTS
~HE PRINCIPAL TlqINC----LOVE (PartI) ............. "115
"Phileo" and"Agape" ................................ ~1,5
A New Thing in the "World ............. ~ t6
How We Know We Have " Agape............ " 16
Doersof His Word...................................... 117
Lovethe /3ezotten Ones................................. 118
ComprehendingChrist’s Love .................... 119
LovingOne’s1;rolher .................................. ~ 19
Love in the Fan fly . ........................... ~20
Not Loving Jesus Christ ................... 120
I~RAYER-]~IEETING TEXTCI ~ 3[~ N"S . 121
]:~UTH, TIlE FAITHFUL ])AI I,IUIEE .................. ]~2
~AMUEL : JUDGEAND]*ROPIIET....................... ]24
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ................................... ]26
INTERESTINGLETTERS .......................................... 126

"I will stand upon my watch and will set my yoot

upon the Tower, and ~rill watch to see uhat He w~l|
#ay unto me, and what an~u’er l’shall make to them
Shot o$~)ose me."--lIabakkuk ~:1.

.-
:,~,~ . :.~--- .~_ ~:~

Imowtlmt the Kingdomof God i~ a~; hand. Look up, lift up your heads, r~oxce, for yottr redomptioa drawoth mgh.--M~tt. 24:33, r 1 . ; uke 2 . 5-~.
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACRED MISSION
THISpre~enled
Journal is one of the prime factors
in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCHTOWERBIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
or "Seminary Ext~slon", now betnf
A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
motzon of Chrislian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its t]~veling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit tile only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister IV. D. 3f.), which translated
into English is Minister el God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
~redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 ~[qmothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 :
15 ; 2 Peter I : 5-11) of tile Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God .... to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".~I~phesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
sul~joctlou to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hatli spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
for we know whereof we athrm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service ; hence our deci.,mns relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns mus~ be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, tim teaching of his Word, for the upbuild.ing of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our
readers to prove aii its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
’Font the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age---ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s ble.~.~ing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ~ Ephesians 2 : 20-22 ;
Genesis 2S : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses; and when the
last of these "li~ing stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workmanwill bring all together
in the first resurrection : and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout;
the Millennium.---Revelation 15 : 5-8.
That tlle basis of hoI’e, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for svsrif
man," "u ransom for all," and wl!l be "the true light which lighteth every man that eometh into She world", "in due tims".~
IIebrews 2 : 0 ; John I : 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’ partaker of the divine nature ,’ and share his
glory as his joint-hen.--1 John P,:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
That the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of servlcej to develop in herself every
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14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
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when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiah 35.

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Vet. XLIV APIUL
15, 1923
THE PRINCIPAL THING--LOVE(PART I)
WF~HERE
is a eertal~ lhi~g which, beeause of its
I
.i,.
,portanee
to th,, r,,Jl, .hild,,r ( od,
may-- be terlned "the "lWJnNl)al thinG." \Vithont
Ibis thing, though the eonsecrated po&-e,x, es to the ut-
most degree the gifts of persuasive oratory, he nnght
as well beat a tom-tom from a platform, so far as he
himself may profit from his eloquence. Let him be so
disposed as to give all he p~--e.~-es to further the eaw,:e
of the Lord or to do good to the poor and needy, wllhout
havrex also this principal thing, his kindness may be
belwfieial to others, but not to himself. Let him so
burn with zeal for the Lord as to land in prison for
conscience’ sake or to become, a victim of mobfrenzy---
all this does him no good, unless he has tile principal
thing.
-"Though he nnder-la.,ls all that the prophets have
spoken, and discerns the deep things of the divine Word.
if he has none of this thing, he is nothing. He is destined
for the seeonddeath ; and he has no prospect, except that
of one "whosefruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead,
plucked up by the roots . . . to whomis reserved the
blackness of darkness forever." (Jude 12, 13; 1 Corin-
t]mms13 : 1-3) But holding fast to the principal thing,
the consecrated one confidently looks forward to "pleas-
ures forevermore," to "the joy of the Lord," to Christ’s
comm,,~, confession of his name before the Father awl
the l’,olv angels, to joint-heirship in all things in heaven
and on earth, to glory, honor and immortality, to the
praise and worship of menand angels, powers and prin-
cipalities forever.
"PHILEO" AND "AGAPE"
3What is this marvelous thing, the lack of which
marks the once consecrated for everlasting oblivion, or
the possession of whichdc.,Jgnafes the still consecrated
child of God as heir of divine and eternal life? The
Greek New Testament contains two words of allied
meaning. One signifies "to be fond of an individual
or object, to have affection, personal attachment, as a
matter of sentiment or feeling." (Dr. Strong) This
phileo, and is the kind of love which springs up natur-
ally under given eireumstances and eonditions. Persons
of like tastes, for example, are drawn naturally to one
another. Brothers and sisters love each other. Parents
love children. The rich love the rich. Thieves care for
115
No.8
thieves. The learned hke the learned. Eml,],~yers are
drax~nto el~:plo)ers. "~Vorkin-l,’opletakc to persons of
their ownela.-s, lake loves lil,e.
*This line is better than ~to lo~c; but it Js not that
which makesfor everla~ffing lib. on any l)lam~, for it’s
a lower love. It may be evanescent and vary witl~ the
eircumstav.c(.s ~hich bring it forth, l,overs mayquarrel.
and lo~e fades. Paren£s’ and cbddrmds int-~r~.:t, may
clash, and parental and fihal affections die. In the
stress of famine friend ate friend, brother brother, and
mothers their babes. Of two rich friends, one becomes
poor and the wealth-begotten bond is severed. A poor
manachieves success, and forgets those ~o whomhe was
once bound in bonds of friendship. The lower love is
often temporal, subject to manymutations, beeause it
is of the feelings and sentiments.
~Nothing is less naturaI than for the uneongenial to
care for one another; or, in the extreme, for a person to
love his enemies. It is natural to hate enemies, because
hate engenders hatred, not love. WhenJehovah sen-
fenced Adamto death, and justice began to execute the
sentence, love, as it were, inquired of wisdom, "What
can be done?" Wisdom rephed: "If man had known
as much about Satan and sin as his descendants wilt
know a thousand )ears hence, he would have paid no
attention to the tempter." Therefore wisdom devised
the plan of the ages, that, without denying justice,
love worldn~ through power might find for man the
way to eternal life. By wisdomand love "God so loved
the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth on him shouhl not perish, but have
everlasting life."--John 3 : 16.
qf God loved us while we were yet his enemies, how
muchmore should we love all whomGod loves ! (Romans
5:10) What matters it, if for the moment some of
them are our enemies? So we who are Christians love
all men, including our enemies. This love exists, not
because it is natural to love our enemies, but because
~here is a good and sufficient reason for loving them--
that God, to whose will we are devoted, loves them.
This illustrates a kind of love which does not spring
naturally out of circumstances and conditions, but in
spite of them and often contrary to them. A love based
on sentiment is as unstable as the feelings, but this
love is as eternal as the reason or principle on whichit
 BROOKLYN, N. ~.
WATCH TOWER
is founded. So this love "never faileth."--i Cor. 13 : 8. the new thing--not agape, but the command that
~Agape, as the highest love, is defined by Dr. Strong whoever would becomehis disciple should voluntarily
as %vi(lcr than sentimental love, embracing especially manifest agape in the same manner as himself : "A new
the judgment, and the deliberate assent of the will, as a commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another ;
matk.r of principle, duty and propriety." The lower as I have laved you, that ye also love one another."
love is of the heart; the higher is of the heart and the (John 13 : 34) No one is commandedto become a dis-
head. This is "the principal thing." This it is that ciple of Jesus Christ, but upon every one that of a free
makes for life divine. Without it are death and dis- heart takes up discipleship, is lind the command--far
honor; with it are glory, honor, immortality. So great beyond the requirement of the Golden Rule---to love,
is it that on it "hang a]l the law and the prophets.’-- even to the full laying downof life for one another, and
~lafth,,w 22 : 40. in ultimate extent for the world of mankind. This is
the new thing, the new commandment.
A NEW TILING IN THE WORLD nThis commandmentis not definitely taught now in
sit is said that tile word agape is not found, or is any of the nominalchurches, but in the apostolic age of
seen only rarely, in Greek literature. Amongthose the church it was the first principle laid downby the
ancient pagans the highest conception of love was the apostles and those that followed them. "For this is the
doing for another all that justly ought to be done under message," said the apostle John, "that ye heard from
the circumstances. Yet a love based upon consideration the beginning, that we should love one another." (1
of duty or principle, was not unknown; otherwise the John 3: 11) Obedience to the new commandmentwa~
word would not have been in existence when the Savior the magnetic powerthat boundthe early church together
of mankind appeared at Jordan as Messiah. Jesus did and that made primitive Christians, though poor and
not bring agape into the world ; yet he brought in some- persecutcd, rich in faith and favor, and glorious in over-
thing new. In tt’e d trine la w promulgatedthrough Moses comingall the power of the fierce Romanbeast.
to the Jews thos," subject to that law were commanded
HOW WE KNOW WE HAVE ’AGAPE’
to love Godsupr~.n:ely, and neighbor as self. Both loves
are based on ethical l:rinciples. The Golden Rule was 12There hangs the issue of life or death for each of
then the highest formulation of the duty to love. the fully consecrated upon the possession of agape and
9If a person who could not swim were in deep water, its divine manifestation. Everything for him in this
and there were on the bank a man with a rope, the world and in the world to come depends upon this. No
drowning person could justly require--as does even one will be permitted to enter upon the joys of the
humanlaw---the throwing out of the rope. If the man kingdomin its heavenly phase whodoes not have agape.
on the bank had no rope, but was an expert swimmer, At the close of the Millennial age the ones to whomthe
he couhl be required to jump in and save the imperiled dreadful words will be uttered, "Depart from me, ye
life. This is well within the limits of the law and of the cursed, into everlasting fire [annihilation], prepared for
Golden Rule. But if the man on the bank had nothing the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:~1), will
to throw in and eouhl not swim, he could not rightly those whowill not have received the glorious blessings
be asked to drown himself in order that the drox~ming of restitution in s’uch a manner as to make a proper
man might live. There is nothing in ev~’n the great development of agape to the extent required in the
seemed commandment of the Law (Matthew 22: 39) earthly phase of the kingdom.
requirin~ one to give up life and all with life, in order ~aHowimportant then it is to know whether we have
that another may enjoy life and its blessings. Nee even this supreme quality of character--to knowwhether we
God wouhl eommandthis of any being--except under are building a shining structure of gold and sider and
speebfl conditions extemling an outbalancing reward, precious stones, on account of which we shall receive a
and then only on the exercise of voluntary self-dedica- full reward, or whether we are seriously lacking in the
tion and of (ntlr,’. free will on the part of the one manifestation of agape. (1 Corinthians 3 : 1~-1~) Those
ae¢:,/ffin g the terms of the command.This is what the that lack this quality in abundancein its various mani-
mighty ]~ogo~ did. He was rich, but vohntarilv became festations must necessarily be relegated to the phase of
poor far our sakes. He possessed life abundant, supreme servants and Levites, when they might have been kings
amongcreated being:: ; yet he willingly, gladly, changed and priests unto God. Those of the once consecrated
from a higher to a lower plane of life, and then surren- whofinally possess none of it wilI have naught to look
dered life altogether tllat fallen humanity, his enemy, forward to except the devouring fire of divine jealousy
might receive life. This he did for ethical reasons, and which shall destroy them as enemies of righteousness
it was his delight, his privilege, to please the leather of and of God.--Jclebrews 10: 27.
spirits. It was the loftiest exhibition of agape ever to *~It is not necessary to pore over ponderous books oe
be beheld. to possess great learnin z to obtain the desired informa-
~’When Jesus returned from the forty days in the tion howto discern whether one has this necessary thing.
wil& rposs b,.7ond Jordan he brought into the world It does not cost muchto secure this knowledge;for it
can be had for a few cents, or as a gift. The simplest
minds can grasp it. The wise of this world are usually
handicapped, because they are wont to look for abstruse
principles at the bottom of such important matters, aml
overlook the simple and obvious.
15The Lord Jesus Christ has told in plainest possible
words how the consecrated person may know that he
has this vital thing, makingfor eternal life, or the lack
of it which shall end in everlasting oblivion. First, he
must have the commandmentsof Jesus. Membership in
old, established and well-recognized religious systems is
almost a bar to tile having of Jesus’ commandments,
because the ecclesiastics of these organizations have cov-
ered up and nll but buried ttle behests of him they call
"Master," with human philosophy--the traditions of
men, and the filthy refuse of pagan religions. The only
ones likely to have Jesus’ commandments are those that
go directly to the Wordof God,il~stead of to the corrupt-
minded and ambitious among their leaders who have
entombedthe shining precepts of the Lord in the sepul-
chres they have erected to their owndead wisdom.
DOERS OF HIS WORDS
~6"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your ownselves," is the all-important injunc-
tion on which hangs eternal life. This is the rule by
which the consecrated may knowthat he loves his Lord.
--James 1 : 22.
~rln a family of children two may make equally many
expressions of love ; but one seldomdoes what the father
wishes done, and the other is alert constantly to antici-
pate and to do the things pleasing to him. The parent
knowswhich one truly loves him. So the Master plainly
shows how the child of God may certainly know how
much he loves his Savior: "He that hath my command-
ments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveih me." (John
14: 21) The converse is not left to conjecture but stated
in no uncertain words: "He that loveth me not keepeth
not my sayings" (John 14: 24), no matter how many
professions he may make.
~SLet the consecrated occasionally do a little whole-
some heart-searching: "Do I do the words of Jesus?
Howoften when a brother has offended, have I followed
his command as expressed in Matthew 18: 15-17?"
Without carrying introspection too far, a hundred
queries may be made with profit, afterward seeking
with earnestness to correct discrepancies between our
conduct and the words of Jesus.
LOVED BY THE FATHER
~gA few times in life a person mayhave a friend of
very noble character, combinedsometimeswith the priv-
ileges and responsibilities of a lofty place in human
affairs. If one had a mayor, a governor, a senator, a
president, or a king for a friend and patron, one might
well be glad of it. Occasionallyin past centuries one of
the fully consecrated has madegood use, in the Lord’s
name, of some such relationship. The value of sttch an
intimacy would be immeasurably enhanced if the great
one were on such familiar terms as actually to love the
lesser one. Howimmeasurably greaWr would be the
privilege, if the two Greatest Beil~gs in heaven were on
such close terms as to be one’s friends, to be among
those that love us! This is a privilege that is enjoyed
by the fully, faithfully consecrated. The way eo it is
plainly told by the Savior: "He that loveth me shall be
loved of my Father." Such an object of the Father’s
affection is surrounded by the solicitous watch-care of
infinite love, and protected and advanced when need
exists, by all that maybe required of infinite power.-
John 14 : 21 ; Psalm34 : 7.
BECOME LIKE HIM
=°Jesus tel(1 the disciples in effect that there wouhl
be a singular phenomenonin his love for them--that it
would be much the same as though he would meet the
disciples in the midst of non-disciples in such a manner
that the latter could not perceive him, but his manife>
ration would be to the disciples only. The apostles, who
then looked for an earthly kingdomonly, their eyes not
yet being opened, could not comprehend howthis could
be. Accordingly, "Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot,
Lord, how is it that thou wilt mamfestthyself unto us,
and not unto the world?" (John 14: 22) There never
lived another that spake with the depth of wisdom as
did Jesus ; and the *~Iaster gave Judas a reply which did
not appear to answer the question, but which neverthe-
less showed to a nicety how the mysterious phenomenon
wouldtake place--of simuli:moous manifestation to dis-
eiples and non-manifestation to others.
2~It is said by womenthat a man cannot understand
a woman;and vice versa by men. Neither can a horse
understand a cow, nor a cat a dog, nor any being a
creature of even slightly different nature or experience.
The rich cannot understand the poor. nor the poor the
rich. the ignorant the educated, nor the small the great.
Nmther can a being of one mind manifest himself fully
and sympathetically to one of a different mind.
=Thefaithful follc~er takes three steps in the obtain-
ing of a knowledgeof God. lie first loves God heeause
Godloves him and does things for him, muchas a ehil,l
loves an adult that helps him. Then the disciple loves
Godbecause he appreciates something of God’s gloriou.~
character. Finally he loves Jehovah because he has
grown to be like him. The only ones that are like the
Father and the Son are those that love one another as
Jesus loved them--those that do his words. To them
alone do Jehovah and the Only-Begotten fully manifest
themselves. So Jesus answered Judas’ question about
exclusive manifestation to the fully consecrated: "If a
man love me, he wilI keep my words: and my Father
will love him, and we will come unto him, and make
our abode with him." (John 14: 23) Wherever, then,
118 BROOKLYN,1’~. ’~,
WATCH TOWER
there is one of the true disciples, there are also the LOVE THE BEGOTTEN ONES

Father and the Son. This is why, when the Christ, 26To whomare those that have a qape especially
I-L ad and body, "the glory of God," entered the east drawn in the bonds of mutual love? Whenbrothers or
outer gate of the Temple, it was said that Jehovah sisters meet with their children, they manifest particular
passed through: "This gate shall be shut, it shall not love to the nieces and nephews. Brothers especfally love
be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the their ownbrothers and s>iors, because they m’e begotten
LORD,the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, there- and born of the same pard/ts. If the PtomanCatholics.
fore it shall be shut."--Ezekiel 44: 2. as they suppose, were the ones that are begotten of God,
then we whoare be~et h’u oug’ht esi,ceially to love Roman
CONTINUE IN HIS LOVE Catholics. If ~Iethod>Is were th," ones begotten, the
=SHavingonce enjoyed and participated in the love of other beg<~tten ones sbonhl be stren2ly drawnto Metho-
Jesus Christ, and tasted the exceeding sweeh~ess of re- dists. If tl~e begotten ones are scattered fllroughont all
ceiving and giving forth that love d>ine, what can be demm~i>alionsand outside of church limits, we who are
more important to the consecrated than to continue ia 1)e?,oiteu will strongly loxe all of thi~ uidelv scattered
that love? But how may he do thi,? Again the words cla,<. ThL- is on the principle enuncmtcdby" St. John
of Jesus are explicit and so simple that the childlike that those wholove Godalso love all those begotten of
may understand, where the wise and learned miss the God: "Everyone that ]oveth him [God] that begat,
poiat. It is the same rule--the keeping m~ddoing of loveth him also that is begotten of ]am." (1 John 5 : 1)
Jesus’ words; for that is the proof positive of loving If Bible Students as a class are predomi>atiugly begot-
him. "Continue ye in mylove," says the Lord. "How, ten ones, then fl~ey will love one another and be loved
]~Ia~ter?" "Keep my commandments," is the answer, by the other begotten ones thronghour the world.
"even as I have kept my Father’s eon~mandmenis, and 27Is there any te.-t a\ ailable by whichthe consecrated
abide in his love."--John 15 : 9, 10. may knowthat they ]eve .-pecially the right ones the
-°4There is a joy which none can knowbut those that ones begotten of the Father? The test is specifically
love one another as Jesus loved them--those whose love stated and is simple. The apostle John deserib~,s it:
abounds and overflows, not merely toward the church, "By this we know that we love the ehihh’en of God,
but toward all men. None that have tasted the exceed- when we love God and keep his commandments."Again
ing sweetness of that love would forego this delight in the Father points us to the doing oi tlle Word.--1 John
their relations with the new creation and with others; 5:3.
for this embodiesthe fullqess of joy. In them, too, is 2STheconsecrated sometimessay not a little about the
the Master’s joy madefull, just as a true teacher expe- love of God. What is the love of God? Does the Bible
riences a depth of joy in the expression by the pupils of define it? If a thing is undefined, one’s conception of it
the character likeness which he has sought to impress. is necessarily vague and obscure; and if it is a rule of
Aboveall things Jesus Christ desires of his disciples that action, one’s obedience to the rule is unsatisfactory ~n
his character may be formed in them. He says: "These proportion to the vagueness of one’s idea of it. St. John
things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might re- gives a clear-cut, read@ applicable defimtion of this
main in you, and that your joy might be full."--John important thing : "This is the love of God, that we keep
15 : 11. his commandments."--1John 5 : 3.
=~Nothingis more reprehensible in a disciple than to
seek to have temporal greatness amongthe other disci- PROOF OF GOD’S LOVE

ples, and to desire to exercise supremacyover them, as 291n towns and cities one sometimes
maysee liill,,,, bov.~
a lord over a heritage not Ins. It is commendable,how- seeking to keep np with perhaps an ice wagon. They
ever, to seek in the appointed mannerto becomeone of strive hard, but at best trail strapghngly behind it.
the great ones in the kingdom beyond the vail. This Whenflocks of migratory birds cross the sky, there are
desire the Lord te]ls howto gratify. Whenthe disciples ahvavs the weak or the too young, which try as hard as
manife,°ted a spirit of worldly ambition, Jesus tohl them the able-bodied, but only follow after. Has this illustra-
that tb,, greatest among them would be the one that tion something to do uith the divinely-given definitiou
serw’d most. (Matthew 23: 11) It is another way of agape? Yes; the Lord through the beloved Apostle
saying that in the kingdomthe highest places will be comforts those seemingly unable to make substantial
held by those disciples on earth that have exercised the progress: "This is love, that we walk after his
greatest love. "Greater love," says he, "hath no man commandments." (2 John 6) :Prom the beginning
than this, that a manlay dox~.-nhis life for hi.- friends." Christ’s ministry the commandhad gone forth that
The disciple inquires: "Howmay I be sure of being disciples of him should love one another as Jesus loved
among your friends?" Jesus replies: "Ye are my them. "This," points St. John, "is the commandment,
friends, if ye do whatsoever I commandyou." Again That, as ye have heard [of level from the beginning,
it resolves itself into the simple doing of our Lord’s ye should walk in it."--2 John 6.
words.--John15 : 13, 14, 8°ilas God given any proof that he loves us? It is
 15,192a WATCH TOWER
proof of love if one gives up for another that which is
dear to himself. If a great man who supremely loved
his son, loved also a multitude of people who were in a
trouble from which they could escape only through the
supreme sacrifice by some one in their behalf, should
offer his son the privilege, through suffering and an
ignominious death, of saving the people from their
plight, it wouldprove the love of that great one for the
people, because the self-sacrifice of the son wouldsorely
tug at the father’s heart-strings. So, says St. Paul,
"God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while
we were yet sinners, Christ died for ns."--Romans5 : 8.
slSince the Father’s love for us, whomhe has begotten,
is based on the loftiest and most enduring of ethical
principles, it is as strong and as lasting as those princi-
ples. One might think that this love, like some loves,
would be broken by death. No, says the apostle Paul,
by "neither death nor life." Cannot devils and the
powers of the invisible kingdomof darkness break the
bond? "Nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come[in this life or the
next]," nor height of glory, nor depth of hmniliation,
nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate
us from the agape of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord. -Romans8 : 38, 39.
COMPREHENDINGCHRIST’S LOVE
V~l)oes one long to fully comprehend the love of
Christ ? St. Paul shows how this may be accomplished
in Jesus’ disciples, tie prays to the leather that he will
grant this boon "according to the riches of his glory."
(Ephesians 3 : 16) First we must be "strengthened with
might l)y his spirit in the inner man." This implies
entire consecration, a faith able to do and endure what-
ever may come. Then, "that Christ may dwell in your
hearts by faith," which, as we have seen, is a privilege
accorded only to those that do Jesus’ sayi~gs. The
Apostle to the Gentiles unfolds the secret of how to
comprehend Christ’s love. A strong and stm’dy tree
endures the stoma, not because of its visible el,-ments of
strength, but because invisibly, downinto the firm earth.
it has sent forth gnarled and tough roots, which termi-
nate in rootlets and fibres spreading everywhere. From
the earth it draws its sustenance and its substance; for
it is made of the earth in whi(.h it stands. A master-
piece of architecture rises imposinglyinto the sky, with
polished pillars and gleaming dome; but it would not
stand for a moment, were it not foundationed deep in
the earth. So, "ye, being rooted and groundedin agape,
maybe able to comprehend,with all saints, what is the
breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know
~he love of Christ."--Ephesians 3 : 17-19.
33But, says St. Paul, this love "passeth knowledge."
Does this mean that Christ’s love is incomprehensible--
cannot be known? No; but that it cannot be learned by
knowledge. (Ephesians 3 : 19) A great educator has said
that if a teacher thoroughly tmderstands a very difficult
subject and knows how to present it, he can teach it
even to children. A lecturer can stand before a class
and inculcate into their minds all the principles of
chemistry. There is no art nor science which cannot
be learned by a study of principles and practice. But
Christ’s agape cannot be learned by wisdom, by kmlwl-
edge. A speaker may discourse ever so learnedly about
it, may analyze it, take it apart, and put the parts
together before our eyes, may display the principles
underlying it; but it cannot be learned that way, because
it "passeth knowledge." Poor people cannot understand
the rich until they themselves become rich. The well
and healthy cannot comprehend the sickly instil they
have the same misfortune. Neither can one comprehend
the love of Christ until he becomes like Christ, an~
then he knows by sympathetic experience that which
"passeth knowledge."
S4The Savior said that the Father and the Son would
both come to the consecrated one that kept the sayings
of Jesus, and would make their al)ode with him. They
would abide in him as well as with him. Through St.
Paul the promise is made that when one attains the
point where he by character likeness of God compre-
hends and knowsthe love of Christ, such an one will be
further blessed; for he will "be filled with all the ful-
hess of (’.od."--Ephesians 3:19.
LOVING ONE’S BROTHER
a~.\~O manhath seen God at any time. The natural
eye can never perceive the Deity and live. In a sense,
Jehovah, while really and truly a personal and existent
Being, is a conception seen with the eye of faith, not
perceivable with the: natural senses--quite different from
the tangible flesh-and-blood beings about us. The mem-
bers of the new creation see Godwith tlle eye of faith,
but they see their brothers with the eve of flesh. They
hear their brothers speak, feel their hand-ga’asps, and
knowthat in every respect their brothers are like un~o
themselves. The consecrated experieuce hunger and
thirst, loneliness and heart-hunger. They lcaow that
their brothers and sisters have the sameexperience.~_. If
they themselves were hungry, they would 1,or like to be
given a Scripture quotation, however comfor+ing, and
sent on their way with a ~mwingstomach. If they were
1-,all-clad in wintry weather, they wouldlittle appreciate
the loving words of a brother that wishod them God=
speed and sent them freezing into the cold.
a6A consecrated person who would manifest such in-
difference to the material well-being of a brother is in
imminent danger of being in the class that from lack of
agape faces eternal obhvion. For "whosohath this world’s
goo<~, a+ld seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up
his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the
love of God in him?" (1John 3:17) A br,~ther has
little love indeed whodoes not reveal it in his words;
but to the love of words there must be added the love
of deeds. "Mylittle children," says the disciple whom
120 BROOKLYN. N.
WATCH TOWER
Jesus loved, ’qet us not love in word [alone], neither in in the hope of inmlortaHty has been stmnbled or made
tongue [alone], but in deed and in truth." If we do to offend and has fallen short of the m~’asure of the
love in deed and in truth, what then ? "ttereby we know grace of God that she might have enjoyed! Every fully
that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts consecrated husband or wife having a consecrated part-
before him."--i John 3 : 18, 19. her shouhl earnestly seek to so aid, encourage,and a,.>L~t
37It may be said by the consecrated: "We care little the other, not only in natural but in spiritual affairs
for our friends whoare in the world, or for the members that, when they stand before Christ, each mayhave the
of our natural families whoare not in the truth." This happiness of se~.ing the olher in a higher place in th,;
would surely be said without thinking; for the posses- glorious ki~d(,m than if they had not been joined
sion of agape produces an even greater love toward ali t, gether mlh,’. marriage relation this side of the xail.
men, including our worldly relatives and acquaintances. Whatjoy u ill fill the heart of such if in such a measure
Welove them all the more, though the increased affec- as may be 1,ossible--aeeommodathG lhe apostolie words
tion does not lead us to take our former way of bending to the cage--each may sanctify and cleanse the other
our course of action to aceonnnodatetheir worldly ideas. with the water of rite Word, that the other may stand
The better Christian a child of Godis, the better friend before Christ ’all glorious, not havhtg spot or wrinkle,
he will be to every one that permits him to call him or any such thing, but holy and without blcmi.~h.’
friend. If we love not the friends whomwe see, howean (Ephesians 5:26, 27) Consecrated men ought to love
we say that we love the friends whomwe do not see ? their wives as they do their ownbodies; for in my:tical
union of marriage they twain are one flesh, and "he
LOVE IN THE FAMILY
that lovcth his wife loveth himself." Indeed, if men
SSNopersons are seen by the consecrated so nmchor or womenlove not the mate wl’om of all ether per>ons
eo intimately as the membersof his natural family. An they have seen and with whomthey are mystically "one
especial consideration and tender regard is urged by th,~ flesh," howcan they ima~.qne that they love God, whom
apostles, whoseletters we have, toward the children, not they have not seen ?--Ephesians 5 : 28.
to provoke them but to love them; and likewise the con-
secrated children toward their natural parents. In the NOT LOVING JESUS CHRIST

relationship of husband and wife, the one in the truth *~If a person who has, been consecrated does not now
is admonished to manifest a regard for the mate far love the Lord Jesus Christ--what then ? Someenjoy in
morethan before the consecration took place. This was their minds a reverent sense of devotion to the unseen
noted by Pliny the Younger (64-110 A.D.), who Lord or for his service and vainly think this to be love
governor of a Romanprovince made a secret-service for him. This is a remake, because in other respects
report to the EmperorTrajan, in the course of which he they do not do the sayings of Christ the Head, and
exclaimed : ’%¥hatwives these Christians have !" Chris- because they do not manifest a proper and sincere love
tian wives or husbands mated to unbelievers, or as they for their brothers in Christ, the body. St. Paul has a
are now termed, the mmonsecrated, were urged by rite word to say about such. He declares that they are what
apostle Peter to so love their mates that they also with- is expressed in the King James translation of the Bible
out the hearing of the Wordmight be won by the man- by a peculiar word. They are a.J~athema. According to
~aer of life of the the wife or husband.--1 Peter 3 : 1. Dr. Strong anathema is "a (religious) ban, or (con-
aUThereis an especial opportunity and privilege that cretely) excommunicated(thin S or person) :--accursed,
falls to the lot of the married whenboth are consecrated anathema, curse." Another scholar makes these notes on
or, as St. Peter says, "as being heirs together of the anathema: "A Greek word m~,aning, Cut off from God.
grace of life." The Apostle warns such that if they do Accursed, with the curse which the Jews who call Jesus
not take advantage of the privileges given unto them ’accursed,’ bring upon their ownheads. It is as ff the
throughthis relationship, they will suffer a measureof Apostle said: ’So far from sainting him, I bid him be
judgment from God in that their prayers will be hin- accursed’."
dered. (1 Peter 3: 7) St. Paul writes to consecrated ~fThis does not refer to persons outside the pale of
husbands and tells them how they ought to love their the church, but to the once con.~ccrated whohave lost
wives. "As Christ . . . loved the church, and gave him- their anointing and fail to dcvel,;p sufficiently to oe
self for it," so should Christian husbands love their born on the spirit plane--those whohave lost all real
wives, and with like tenderness should Christian wives agape for the brothers. Such do not have {o wait for
love their husbands.~Ephesians5: 25. church trial and visible di~-fellowshiping from the body.
*°Doubtless also Christian husbands who have conse- Christ has ah’eady exeommunicated them; and in his
crated wives-and vice versa--may greatly profit by the holy sight they are accursed, candidates for the second
words of St. Paul which follow. With what lessened death, howevermuchthey maycling to the little honors
confidence will a consecrated husband be able to stand and preferments they have enjoyed in his church. In due
before the ~udgmentseat of Christ, "in that day," if time the Lord deals with such visibly and openly, and
throughhis fault or negligence his consecrated partner removesthemfromthe fellowship in a sifting or through
somehurt of their sensibilities affording the excuse for
withdrawing. This does not mean that all, by any
means, who physically abandon the church of the fully
consecrated are of this unholy class, but merely that
such as are fully apostate will sooner or later be taken
in hand by the great Head and set aside, where they
can no longer do harm to the true sheep and lambs of
the flock of the "Shepherd and Bishop of our souls."
Of some at least, whose agape waxes cool and they
leave the flock of God, the apostle John utters words
which are a comfort to those that remain ; for they show
the divine purpose in permitting or compelling such to
go: "They went out from us, but they were not of us;
for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have
continued with us: but they went out, that they might
be mademanifest that they were not all of us." (1 John
2: 19) Whateverthey maybe of, they are not of us.
[TO BE CONTINL~ED]
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN" STUDY
Does ability alone fit one for service? ~ 1.
VVhat is the pitfall of knowledge? I1 2.
What does "lflfileo" mean? IT 3.
What are the shortcomings of "phileo" love? ~[ 4.
How has love prompted the deliverance of man? ~5.
ttow does primciple enhance the power of love? ~ 6.
What does "agape" mean? I 7.
PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR MAY 9 ing blessings to the people according to the terms of
"Gaol ~ath madeus able ministers of the new covenant that covenant. Hence the importance of being properly
¯ . . by the spirit.’--2 CorMthians3: 6. trained and developed now.
HEnew covenant will be made, sealed and go into
Wg operation whenall the sacrificing performedby the
real high priest is completed. The Messenger, or
able Servant of that new covenant, is Christ Jesus; that
is to say, Godhas appointed him to that high position.
Each memberset in the body is placed there by and
through the spirit of Jehovah for a purpose ; and each
one who is transformed into the likeness of the Head
and occupies a position in the glorified body of Christ
will be an under-servant or able minister of the new
covenant.
Being baptized into the body of Christ, and thereafter
certain interests of the kingdom being committed to
each memberof the body of Christ, such are, by and
through the holy spirit, thereby made able ministers of
the new covenant; that is to say, such as have been
appointed to the position of ministering in connection
with the new covenant under the direction of and with
the Head, Christ Jesus. It is the spirit of the Lord that
places each memberin that position now on this side
the vail; and whether or not such a one finally fills the
office with the Head depends upon whether or not he is
transformed into the likeness of the ]~{aster. Those who
are transformed into his likeness will in due time per-
form with the Head, Christ Jesus, the office of minister-
Was "’agape" love unknown to the ancients? 1[ 8.
What new thing did ,lesus bring into the world? ~9.
What new commandment did Jesus ~ive his disciples2 ~ 10.
How dill the early Christmns overcome the fierce Roman beast? ~ 11.
o.
Who only will enter lho Idugdom’: {" 1
I=Iow ",~fll each characler be tried’] ~ 13.
Why have the wise of the world overlooked the principal thing?
~114.
Why are the commandments of Jesus necessaryto his followers?
~115.
Whattest determinesour love of the Lord?~ 16.
~’hyshouhlwe be on the alert to knowthe Father’s will at all
times?1117.
Why is self examination beneficialto the Christian?113_8.
~Vhnt sl,e( ial ptl~ih,;,"e hasthe childof God~~119.
Why werethe disciples of Jesu,~llerllh,xc~l abouttile kingdom?
II 20.
~Vh3 in there so lll/ll’h nlislll]dersl Hldill~ 111 the "~ot’hl? ~[ 21.
~,\’hat are the th,’ce pol(’nt rca~o>. 5\hy x,e should love God’? 1122o
Wily in eonlintmuce Ill lhe love el (’lzrlst important to US? ~1 23.
Howmay we ,)bl;lin the fulne,~* el 3o5 .a ~ 24.
XVhyis xxorlIlly alllbltlOll rel)rehen-ible m a dieciple? ~25.
l-low are the begotten ones held toeether’: ~,26.
Hr*w may we delernlme that we love the begotten ones? ~27.
What in lhe lave of God? ~ 2<.
V,-hy in prob:ress ill love lle(’e*-l/ry? ~[ 29.
llow did God show his loxe toward us? 11 30.
Why in "nanpe" love so enduring? 11 31.
What is e>.ential in eoml,rehendlng lira love of Christ? ¶ 32.
\Vhy cammt the love el (’fin, t be oblamo,l by knox% ledae? ¶ aa.
How do the Father and tile Son almle in the (’hrislian? ¶ 34.
tlo\x can (’hrl-lmn~ ~’,i.l,athlze v,;:h each other’, ¶35.
Ill what way lnay we tit,man>Irate Clip lo~e for elli’h other? ¶ 36.
What attitude shonhl xxe have toward lhe world? ~I 37
In whal other way nm,~ am’ conduct bear witness to the truth? ¶38.
Ilow does the marllal relationship plcttlre tile unity of the church
and the Lord’* ¶, ;;9.
What worthy adwee does the Apostle give to Christian husbandg
and wives? ¶40.
What end only awaits those who do not appreciate their brethren
in Christ? ¶ 41.
How do the sffUngs protect the loyal children of the Lord? ¶ a.2.
TEXT FOR MaY 16
"I% were sealed with the holy spirit of promise."--
Ephesians 1: 13.
A SEALof one possessing authority is placed upon
a document to authenticate it, and thereby to
give assurance that it is genuine. Legal docu-
ments usually are scaled with either wax or mark or
impression upon the paper.
Each one who is now a Christian was at one time a
sinner. He first heard the Word of truth and then
trusted in that Word; that is to say, he had confidence
in the txutkfulness of the Wordof God. And then he
believed; and this belief was manifested by fully surren-
dering himself to the Lord. Being justified, accepted,
and begotten by the spirit of Jehovah, be became a new
creature ; and Godthen sealed him with the holy spirit
of promise, which is an earnest or guarantee of inheri-
tance, which guarantee holds good until the inheritance
is received. The one who thus receives the holy spirit
and who has the witness of the holy spirit that he is
the son of God, thereby has the anthentivafion of h~|
genuineness as a new creature in Christ Jesus. He t~
not left to doubt nor grope about in the dark ; but he
has the full assurance, given to him by this guarantee.
Being thus sealed, he appreciates the importance of
 BROOKLYN,
iN’. ~’o
WATCH TOWER
working in harmony with God’s rules, that he might be power of God through faith until that inheritance is
transformed into the likeness of the tlead and Master ; received.
for this will guar~mtee him an abundant entrance into As the Christian thus goes through the process of
the kingdom of our Lord and Sovlor Jesus Christ, to transformation, like a mirror he reflects the spirit of
an inheritance incorruptible, that fadcth not away, but the Lord, that others might witness that he is walking
is reserved in heaven for those who are kept by the with his Lord and 3Iaster and learning of him.

RUTH, THE FAITHFUL DAUGHTER

ArRH~ 29 BOOKOF RUT~t
RUTH’S
S~,VEETNESS
AiNDI’~’0BILITY---R0~IA~CEOFRUTI-I ANDIIOAZ--LESSONS
FORTHEDISCIPLES
OFJESUS.
"Thy people shall be my people, and lhy God my God."--Ruth 1: 16.

T ODAY’Slesson is of Ruth, the Moabitess, sweet daugh-

ter of an alien race. The book ~f Judges gives some
records of the life of Israel from the time of settlement
impelled; for Naomi was dear to her heart. Pity, too,
played its part; she felt for the lonely woman deprived of
her husband and sons and their inheritance. She would be
under Joshua until the establishment of the kingdom under inherilam,e for he~unselfish love, indeed. "Entreat me not
Saul. It is by no me’ms a complete history; but on the to leave thee," she said; for Namni had entreated her for
whole it may be said to be a sorrowful one, a record of a love’s sake, be~,,tuse she had Ruth’s welfare at heart, t;ut
deteriorated people. However, if we read carefully we find Ituth vowed, and N’aomi did well to let love conquer.
that not all of the history is of such ehar~eter; and by this
idyll, the book of Ruth, we get a very ph,asant account of SWEETNESS AND NOBILITY OF RUTH
pastoral life in Israel. The story of Ruth is like a gem 4The two women v:ent on together, and arrived at Bethle-
unexpectedly discovered. It is like a shining light in a dark hem just as the barley harvest was beginning. The fields
valley. We cannot but perceive that a wholly eorrl~pt com- which when Naomi left were barren and scorched with
munity could not provide a background for this beautiful fierce heat were now smiling with corn, a gladsome sight.
story. The story belongs in time to the period of the earlier 5The little city was moved by their coming; for Naomi
part of Judges, 8nd by it we get much illumination and had been a woman of some importance there. They said:
instruction respecting the condition of Israel in those days. "is this Naomi?" But she said: "Call me not Naomi
2One of the periodic famines which were allowed to affect [pleasant], call me Mara [bitter]: for the Almighty hath
the land of promise to remind Israel of their neglect of dealt very bitterly with me." (Ruth 1: 20) IIer heart was
Jehovah (Levilieus 26:20), hod been for some time upon heavy. Ruth at once sought to find some means whereby
the neighborhood of Bethlehem; and Elimeleeh sold out and her mother and she could be maintained. Directed by Naomi
took his wife Naomi and their two sons Mahlon and Chillon she took the privilege of gleaning in the harvest field ; and,
to the land of Moab where, he had heard, there was bread. says the account, she happened to go to the fields of lh)az,
As Moab is geographically only a short distance from Beth- a kinsman of Naomi. During the forenoon Boaz e:m~e to
lehcm, it is evident the drought was local, not general. see his laborers, and the mutual greeting between him and
While in Moab the two sons grew to marr:ageable age and them tbrows a pleasant flood of light upon the villag,~ life.
each married a Moabitess; the elder nmrried Orpah, and We quote: "And, hehold, t;oaz came from Bethlehen% ~md
the younger married Ruth. But calamity came upon the said unto the re:~pers, The l~ord be with you. And they
family. Elimeleeh had left lhe land of promise, Bethh,hen~ answered ldm, The Lord bless thee." (I[uth 2: 4) Well
~the "house of bread"--t~ save the lives of himself and his would it be 1or men now if they could and would live under
family; but Moab became lhe land of death to him. He such ideal conditions of labor! We know such is impossible
died, and his two sons died childless; and Naomi was left under the present selfish rule of life; but lIible Students
alone, save that her two daughters-in-law were with her. know that these are pictures of still better days, when
3After ten years residence in Moab Naomi heard there labor will be done in love and ~hen each one will labor for
was again bread in Judah. Longing for the homelar~d she the community as well as for himself, and the gracious
and they started out for Bethlehem. On the road Naomi Lord over all will be honored in everything.
opened her heart to the two younger women; for to her 6Boaz noted the strange maiden and called her to him.
their case seemed hopeless if they continued with her. They lie made her welcome, bidding her share with the young
would be strangers amongst her people, and she said that women; and he told his young men to care for her and to
she herself could not marry again in the hope that she see that she had some extra leavings that her gleaning
might have other sons whom in time they could marry and might be good. She was not merely to glean in the corners
thus raise up seed to the house of Elimelech. Both women of the field, but also amongst the sheaves; and the young
loved her; but Orpah saw the reasonableness of the case as men were told to drop purposely some handfuls for her.
IBtated by Naomi, and with a loving farewell she went back Evidently Boaz was drawn to the young stranger, so modest,
to marry and find a home. Ruth was a different woman; so eager to gather, so ready to serve.
l~aomi’s reasons made no appeal to her, because her 19ve
for ~Naomi was so strong that it was life to her. Self-inter- ROMANCE OF RUTH AND BOAZ
ests were not weighted; she was not blind to them, but her 7When at evening she returned to Naomi, she did not say
reason was touched by love and warmed by faith, and it anything of how hard she had wrought, or that she was
did not calculate as did Orpah’s. Here is a great e_~ample tired, or that she thought that she had done her share; but
of unselfish love between two noble women. Ruth had noth- immediately began to thresh out what she had gathered
Ing to gain, perhaps much to lose by going on. But love that they might eat together. She was maid-servant, her
aPRIL 15, 1923 ¢I’he WATCH TOWER ~.3

loved mother-in-law the mistress. (See Luke 17: 7, 8) Ruth :Naomi, and withou~ doubt, by what she had heard of God
gleaned to tile end of the wheat harvest. Naomi perceived and his goodness to his people Israel.
the situation which had arisen; she saw that Boaz was X’The spirit of service which Ruth disclosed is "lt~ :,dmir-
attracted by Ruth, and she devised a scheme which leo us able exalnple for the disciples of Jesl]s, and surely the fol-
seems hold and dangerous, but which ev,dently was not lower of Jesus can give this to his beloved Lord. Ruth put
resented by Boaz. Boaz was a kinsman of Naomi, and forth no claim to any right to rest: she was out to serve
l~aomi saw that Ire should act as feel or redeemer of tile her loved nmther-in-law. The sweet word of Boaz, "The
estate of Elimelech. Naomi thought Boaz was not so quick Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given ,lice
to act his p:~rt of redeemer as he ought to have bee~, arnl of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art
she showed ]t.ulh how she could bring her claim hefm’e come to trust" (Ruth 2:12), now so often used by the
Boaz. IIer proposal was that at night, when Boaz was Lord’s people as a greeting, surely tells that Ruth was
sleeping in his lhreshing floor, Ruth should Zo to lie "it his much m~)ved by faith when she left Moab for Israel. Roaz
feet. Naomi had every coniidenee in the integrity of her represents the Lord. The modest, earnest, self-sacrificing
daughter-in-law, and also in Boaz, "virgins" (R,}v(.httion 14: 4) call for his care and love.
SWhen ]loaz saw that the claim was put upon him he Ruth’s character was pleasant to Boaz, so is the church to
acted nohly, and undertook to attend to whatever was Christ. As ]3oaz redeemed the estate and thereby bought
net’es..ary. There was a kin<lnan nearer than he who there- ]7{ulh, so Jesus redeems man’s estate and thereby buys his
fore had the right to redvem the inheritance, and Iloaz said church. As Ruth the gleaner became the wife of Boaz and
that he must put tile matter to hiin. This man, whose name joint-owner with Boaz, so the bride of Christ becomes joint-
is unknown, was ehallen.~ed by ]3oaz; and he agreed to heir with him.
take the inheritance. I;ut when Ire heard that Ruth the ~eThe story is so much one of harvest time that we might
Moabitess was involved in the estate he declined. This left ahnost say it was written for the harvesters of this day,
Boaz free to redeem the estate of Eliinelech, and (we cannot those who are gleaning in the Lord’s fields. In any case the
but think) to follow his heart’s desire. Very soon Boaz gleaners of today have a fine example in Ruth. They, like her,
concluded the purchase, mid with it the right to claim Ruth ; have been privileged to come into a great favor; and it Is
and soon their marriage was consummated. Thus it came certain that those who manifest the characteristics of Ruth
about that this sweet Mo’.thitess, with as faithful a heart will get the blessing the Lord can give. Let each see that
as ever beat, and whose loving, loyal hands lind gleaned the the spirit of love and faith and devotion is cultivated, and
ears of corn from the fields, now became mistress over those too let each keep a vision of the promised glory of the
same fiehls and able to dispense to others the blessings of church, even ag Ruth so gently yet boldly put forward her
a gracious heart. In due thne a child was born; and ii was claim to be redeemed by Boaz.
carried to Naomi, who cherished it as if it were her own. ~aThere are three special ~)ictures in the Old Testament
Thus Naomi was made happy in her matured age. Ilere iS of the bride of Christ: Rebecca, Rachel, Ruth. Rebecca IS
more than restitution: the estate was restored, and she had tim bride Sought for by the spirit of God. Rachel is the
all the happiness of restoration with the hlessings of family bride deeply loved and earnestly sought for by the bride-
Joys. The child was named Obed. (Rulh 4: 17) IIe was the groom. Ruth is rather the bride seeking Christ. Loyal,
grandfather of David, and therefore of Judah’s royal line. faithful, and modest, she commends herself to the Bride-
~Why was God so good to Naomi? She had not shown any groom.
great faith, nor has she any special record. That she had ~4The story is given so that we may have a record of
faith is clear; it seems certain that she was held in Moab Jesus’ line through David to Abraham. We might have
only by circumstances. And as Ruth knew of Naomi’s God, been given a bare record of the fact that one of David’s
it is certain she must have taught her concerning the hope progenitors had married a Moabitess; but God gave us It
1)f Israel. We must answer: God was working out his own by means of this delightful story.
purposes. It pleased him to have in the line of Christ some
mothers who were not of Hebrew stock, as Tamar of Ca- QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
naan, and Rahab of Jericho, as well as Ruth of Moab. God What general lesson do we learn from the book of Ruth? ~ 1.
would show his love for, and his purpose to comfort and In what way did a "house of bread" become a house of death, and
bless, those who were not of the specially chosen family. why? I1 2.
Howdid the grandeur of Ruth’s character contrast with 0rpah’s?
~13.
LESSONS FOR THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS I:Iow did Naomirefer to her past experiences? I14, 5.
What did Ruth seek to do, and x~h(u’e (lid she happen to go? 11
~OBut the idyll is symbolic. The word Bethlehem means Are the greetings of Boaz and his "farm hands" duplicated today?
"house of bread"; Ephratah, "fruitful"; Elimeleeh, "my ~15.
:How d~d Boaz treat the stranger who was gleaning unbidden in
God is king"; Naomi, "pleasant"; Ruth, "satisfied." It is his iicld? ]1 6.
comparatively easy to see the history of Israel in this story. What seemingly bold scheme did Naomi suggest to Ruth, and why?
117.
Bethlehem can easily represent the covenant with Israel, Relate the romance by which the gleaner of the fields became the
and Elimeleeh God’s people who lost faith and sought other mistresS..11S.
Whywas God’s goodness to Naomi shown specially in his provi-
gods, and perished. Naomi represents the faithful remnant dences concerning Rutil? [[ 9.
which remains true to God and is restored to the promises What picture may be drawn from this narrative? ~ 10.
I-Iow does the picture intensify its inlm’c~t to the disciples of Jesus|
of Israel. Unquestionably Ruth represents the church, 1Ill.
mainly composed of aliens to the covenant of Israel. The Does the gleaning of Ruth remind us of the white fields of harvest
today? 1T 12.
fine qualities of the character of Ruth admirably express l=low is the bride of Christ pictured in her espousal experience7
those which are necessary to those called to be the bride of 1113.
l~ow were the honesty, purity, nobility and kindness of B~ RI~
Christ. She was attracted by the fine womanly love of Ruth rewarded? ~ 14.

Stay awhile, sweet Ruth, and teach us, Care of elders, love of kindred,
Heroine of our heart’s first poem, All unselfish thought and duty.
 SAMUEL: JUDGE AND PROPHET
~IAY C 1 SAhIUEL
DESTRUCTION
OF OI’IGANIZEDRELIGION--ISRAEL
UNIFIEDINTOCOM~,IUNAL
LIFE--ISRAEL’SEXPERIENCES
TYPICAL
uOnly fear Jehovah, and serve Mmiu truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he heath done /or you."
--1 Samuel 12: 2~.

S AMUEL’Splace and work in the history of God’s people

have probably not been fully understood, and therefore
have not received the attention they rightly claim. He
erected, and therefore it was the first religious
ment in Israel. (Joshua ]8: 1) A priestly
establish-
organization
city had grown there during the hundreds of years in which
and

may be considered as second to Moses as organizer; for Shiloh was the Lord’s center for Israel, the then holy city
besides being prophet and judge he was Israel’s king-maker. to which Israel came at feast times.
At the time of his birth Israel was weak; they were op- hAlter this defeat by the I’hilistines, the condition of
pressed by the Ptfilistines, and were scattered abroad like Israel was deplorable. All that Shiloh represented was
frightened sheep. At the time of his death Israel was rising swept away. The ark was in tl~e hands of the Philistines.
to the highest position it obtained. IIe left them organized The high priest was dead, and no one could immediately
and settled in a kingdom, with a definite system of judica- take his place; for his two sons were slain. The tabernacle
ture and with a system of religious instruction which seems service was disrupted; it seemed as if everything was lost.
to have lasted as long as the kingdom. Just previous to When in later days Jeremiah wished to tell Jerusalem of
Samuel’s time the office of judge in Israel, formerly held the destruction that was then coming upon it, he had no
only by those whom God had rdised up to be deliverers of more forceful word than to say it should be as when God
his people, had been assunmd by Ell, the high priest. But destroyed Shiloh.--Jeremiah 7 : 1-1 ; 26 : 6.
Eli held his responsibility lightly; for his sons were noto- 7In the history of God’s dealings with his people there
riously wicked and prostituted their priestly office to lust have be(,n three great occasions when that wlfich may be
and greed, "and he restrained them not." As a consequence ealhd or:~anized religion has been destroyed: Shiloh first,
the p~ople lost confidence, and religious life fell to a very then the Jerusalem of Jeremiah’s day, and later the Jeru-
low mark. salem of our Lord’s time. Shiloh was destroyed because of
2The story of Samuel’s call is well known. His mother the wicked corruption which obtained; Jerusalem in Jere-
Hannah, wife of Elkanah of Mt. Ephraim, was ehihlless. lnlah’s day, because, of its hypocrisy and idolatry; Jerusalem
She prayed earnestly that her reproaell inight be taken of Jesus’ day, bec’tu:~e of its hypocritical pride. There re-
away, and vowed that if God gave her a son, he shoul, l mains one other destruction--the destruction of that organ-
be dedicated to the service of God. When her child was ized hypocrisy of our d’~y which we know as Christendom,
born she, blessed by God in spirit, raised her voice in a and whi(.l,, was represented in type by these three destrue-
song which became one of the. wells of prophetic declaration. tiers which h::ve ah’eady taken place. The fourth, the most
The triumphant song of Mury the mother of Jesus on the terrili(., is the last; for the kingdom of truth and right-
birth of her son was quite evidently inspired by Itannah’s cousm.ss is at hand.
song of praise. (Cf. 1 Samuel 2:10 with Luke 1:46-53) SThe Philistines held Israel in bondage all the years while
God had kept her waiting that her child might be borl~ Samuel was growing up. When grown to manhood, he ap-
under such conditions as would conduce to a character pears to have gone about in Israel endeavoring to bring
whom God could use for his purpose; for the ehihl was about a revival of true worship, tIis work prospered; and
destined to have a large place in tim history of God’s people. at lqst a national (’all came, and he gathered Israel together
.~’£he boy Sanulel hud been at SMIoh for some years, whe’,l at Mizpeh (the Watch-tower) which he had made his center.
ve,’y early one nlorning ere the lamp of God went out in the Th(re the people acknowledged their wrong, their lack of
temple of the Lord (the tab,.rnuele) he heard a voice calling faith, and they made a covenant with the Lord (1 Samuel
him. He thought it was Eli who ealled, but it proved to be 7: 5, 6) uml God specially manifested himself to them. The
a voice from the Lord. A tel’rihle vision was given him. ll~ Philisti~es. hearing thqt Israel were gathered together, came
w~ls told of ttle downfall of the house of Eli beeuuse of the agqinsi them, but Cod heard the cry of his people and gave
wickedness Of Eli’s sons. l’:li had perceived lhat (h)d had them a si-.-u that he was with them. There was a great
st)el:on to the lad, and (lore:re(led llmt the vision be told him. lhund(’rsim’m; vnd the Philistines were smitten so badly
FAi seemed powerless to stop the terribh, wrong of his sons’ by it, and by I-rael, that they troubled Israel no more all
conduct, and things went on from bad to worse. But all tile days of Sanmel.--1 Samuel 7 : 13.
Israel knew tlmt Samuel was established to be the Lord’s
prophet.--1 Samuel 3 : 20. ISRAEL UNIFIED INTO COMMUNAL LIFE
4Soon after this Israel went to battle with the Philistines 9S’mmel then set about the restoration of Israel into
and were smitten. Then they deeided to fetch the ark of unity of communal life. He traveled from place to place
God to go before them into battle, and they were permitted in regular (.ireuit, acting as judge and adviser in Israel.
to take it out of the tabernacle. The people etreouraged Finally he settled in Ramah near Hebron, and there built
themselves with the presence of the ark, perhaps through a an altar to the l.~lrd, the undoubted foundations of which
false interpretation of Numbers 10:,25. But the ark away were discovered some years ago by Itev. Shaw Caldecott.
fronl its place and under such circumstances was not the Pertmps partly through this unification of the people, but
symbol of God’s presence, and the l’hilistines conquered chielly because there was a tendency in Israel always to
again, and the ark itself was taken captive. On receiving get away from the ideal which God had set before them,
the sad news, and also hearing that his two sons were the people now asked for a king. Samuel was distressed ;
slain, Eli fell down and died. App’trently the tabernacle for he had hoped that the people should recognize God as
structure was lmrriedly taken away; for the Philistines king in Jeshurun. (Deuteronomy 33: 26) Theirs was
came and swept Shiloh from the face of the hill. It was earthly idea which revealed their lack of knowledge of God’s
as though it had not been. purpose in them. They lacked the vision which Samuel had ;
5The significance of the destruction of Shiloh has not and they lacked, too, in devotion to the Lord. They wanted
always been noticed. It was there that the tabernacle was to be like their neighbors, to have a king go before them
 WATCH TOWER
when they went to battle---forgetting the promise of God priest (indeed, a high priest could not minister since there
that one of them should chase a thousand and two put ten was no tabernacle arrangement), Samuel was priest for the
thousand to flight. (Deuteronomy 32:30) Samuel cried people. In him therefore there was the combination of
God; for his life’s work seemed almost lost, and tile people prophet, priest, and king, as closely nmnifested as was
were going astray. God said: "IIearken unto the voice of possible in the history of Israel,
tile people ill all that they say unto time: for they have not
rej(<’ted thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not ISRAEL’S EXPERIENCES TYPICAL
reign over them."--1 Sanmel 8:7. ~It is very probable that the revival of Israel under
~0Alihough God said this was a definite rejection of bin> Samuel from the desolated condition to the time of the
self ns their Mng, he told Samuel to proceed. Samuel first eslablishnmnt of the kingdom is intended to be typical of
set forth beSore the people what they would be called upon the pres(nt experiences (if the church. When God sent the
to do for and 1o pay for their king, and told them that the truth to his people in 1874, tile true-hearted in spiritual
necessary taxation would be a burden which would cause Israel were like Israel in Samuel’s early days--a people
them to cry for deliverance, but to which there would be scattered. Then tlmre came the great restoration of the
no response. (1 Samuel 8: 9-18) Israel had yet to learn how truth, and the united hope; then a united people ready for
eostly kings can be. the establishnmnt of the kingdom. The education of tile
11The choice of a king was not left to Samuel nor to the people which Samuel instituted by the means of the schools
people. The matter was Jehovah’s, who directed Saul of the of the prophets corresponds very well with tile education
tribe of Benjamin to Samuel, and told Samuel that this was wldeh God has been giving his people in these days through
he wh,) should be anointed king. Saul was the tallest nmu in the Berean studies. As we have previously remarked, we
Israel; and when Samuel had gathered the people togethm believe there has been no better system of instruction given
and introduced him as the Lord’s anointed the people accepted to the people of God than ttmt method.
him with the era’, "God save the king," a cry wbieh has ~SThe underlying cause for Samuel’s success was his con-
obtained until Ibis day. Samuel then wrote out the consti- stant aim to glorify God. His declaration of his innocence
tution, and laid it before the Lord.--1 Samuel 10:24, 25. in relation to self-seeking is almost pathetic, probably be-
~sIIow Saul missed his great Ol~portunities, how he finally cause his soils did not follow in his steps. The people wit-
deflected and was rejected of the Lord, and all tllat his nes,~;."d to him that his hands were clean. (1 Samuel 12: 1-5)
history means, is anolher story which cannot be dealt with Sanmel, whos,, nam(, means "asked of God," and who came
here. It is evident that Samuel loved Saul; for the only isle the life of Israel through the prayer of his mother,
rebuke that Samuel got from the Lord was through his was himself a man of prayer. His piercing cry was well
clinging to Saul after the Lord had discarded him. (1 Sam- kqmwn in Israel; and the people realized his power with
uel 16: 1; 15:35) tits clinging to Saul led him into another God, and begged of him to "cease not to cry unto the Lord
danger, that of fear, an emotion not easy to be associated our God for us." (1 Samuel 7: 8) IIis devotion to the cause
with this grund man, and also to a slight tinge of hesitancy of God’s people Israel takes its place with that of all other
in doing the Lord’s will.--1 Samuel 16 : 2. true servants of God. No one can advance with God who
~aAeeording to tile Lord’s instruction Samuel now went to has not the cause of God’s interests at heart. Samuel said
Bethlehem to anoint a king in the place of Saul. He was of himself that to cease to pray for Israel’s welfare would
dire(.led to aes:’e’s family, and tbe yolmg boy David was be a sin against his God ; and Moses and he are coupled by
anoinled. It is ~ i(h, nt that the old Utah’S heart was warmed aeremi’dl as noted pleaders fop Israel.--Jereiniah 15:1.
by lhe young frvsh face and heart of tile boy, and that :l ~gVvhen Hanm/h gave her boy to the service of the taber-
lasling friendship began between them. Both were lovers of nacle, she would think of tile priestly service. He did grow
G(~,I: and so d(.~pite disparity in age, they easily found up to serve Israel as priest during the time when the taber-
eompanio:~ship in their mutual love for the God of Israel. nacle servi(,e was disrupted. But it was as a proplmt that
There is J:othing among men so powerful to reduce differ- Samuel sm’ved God chiefly. Tlle word of the Lord was more
ences of age to a eonlnlon level as love for God. ne(,ess?,ry to Israel then. The prophet was greater th’m the
~Samu( l was the last of tile judges, and the first of the pri~,st. In times of stress the vision is more necessary than
long continued series of proph(qs who were tile recognized saeerdolal service; for where there is no vision the people
mouthpieces of Jehovah--as Peter has it, "all the prophets perish. The priest serves, tile king rules, but tile prophet
from Samuel and those that follow after." (Acts 3:24) carries Ihe Word of Cod and the people are instructed in the
There had been llrophets hefore him ; for Moses was a great divine will. The Kin,,~, of kinas ia named The Word (if God.
prol}het, and a l.~l)e of (’l~.i.;t : and now and again God had 2°~’~’heu S:ttnuel died, all Israel went to R,~llnah to bury
rMsed up a nlqn to speak his ~Vol’d. But flU)Ill SILInuel’s hinl, and Io lament him. Ills death, like his lifo, was power-
time on, there was a regular sequeuee of proI)hets alway.~ ful lo unify tim Lord’s people--a record m~ique in Israel.
assoeiale(l with lhe kingdoin.
~sIt was prolmhly during the period of Samuel’s sett!e- QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Ill what high regard shouhi Salll~lel be hehl llS an organizer In
ment in llamah and his circuit visits to the several illaces Isrn~,l~ g 1.
appointed that tl:e s(.hools of prophels were finally insti- Wllell x’,:~ Israel’s condition when Samuel x~as born? When he
tuted. (1 Samuel 19: 18-24) These bands of young men were (li(.d’) ’- 1.
Wllal ~xcr(~ tile circums÷aneossurround’~n~: Samuel’sbirth? ~ 2.
almost certainly used by Samuel as instructors of tile people Where;ll,iI in ~xhat ~xay did Samuelget Ills hrut vision from tile
in the truths of Scripture. .No doubt "the baud of men l.ord’~l~ ;L
Should or(lor and harmony with God be maintained to be assured
whose b -arts the Lord had touched," who went down with o~ ills pre~ence?~ 4.
Saul flora Mizpeh to Gil)eah, was one of these compnnies. Wherewas the tabernacle erected, and why was Shiloh destroye<l?
¶5,
(1 Samuel 10: 17,26) Many of the Lord’s faithful servants WhywmsIsrael in a deplorable condition, and what did this mean?
have been associated with these companies of the sons of ~6,
Wimt are the three great occasions when organized religion was
the prophets, especially in the days of Elijah and Elisha. d,:u{royed?I[ 7.
XBThus at that time Sanmel was the great leader of God’s Is there 1o be another destruction of organized religion? ~1 7.
Whendld returning favor to Israel become operative? :How were
people. The word of the Lord came through him; for he the lqnhstmes routed? ~S.
was the Lord’s prophet. He was also judge, and virtual Brmfly stale a little t)athetic history in the hie of Samuel. Why
was lm discouraged, and how did God encourage him? ~9.
ruler; and at the same time, although of course not high Was the king businesS a good business for Israel? Whynot~ ! 10.
 WATCH TOWER
Who selected Israel’s first king? And was tt in this way that God When and how did the schools of the prophets originate? Should
would overrule in Israers affairs and bring forth other pictorial they be profitab]e today if conducted along l:ible lines? ~ 15.
feature~ of his plan? ~ Ii. In Wllat sense ~as Samuel a priest of the people? ~ 16.
Does ehn~ing to earthly loved ones always safeguard one’s future
The rex ival in Israel seems to prefigure wlmt event? And why? I1 17.
prospects? ¶ 12.
Who x~as anointed Israel’s second king? What is it that unifies and What was the secret of Saiuurl’s success as a servant of God? ~l lg.
anlalgnnmtes all ages inlo a common brotherhood? ¶ 13. What w,’l,~ lhe special office x~lm,h Sanluel lllled so creditably? ¶ 19.
What other honors wore ~amuel’s besides those mentioned in para- Was Samuel’s dcalh as ,acll :is his lilt made to be a blessing to
graph one? ~14. Israel, and l~ what way? I] 20.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question: Is it wise for those offering prayer at pub- Moreover, a p,’a)er in the prescllee or others should
lic meetings to real,(, lo~g prayers, rehearsing the plan, ah~ays be COllChah d with "AlnCn." ’Fhi>: will avoid con-
or all points to be covered 11~ the &seourse ? fusion, (’on~(,r\-e t}> or&’:’h- arrangcme~t, and permit
Answer: The spirit of a souml mind would h’ad one no (qli] }al’rasMncllt.

to ans~er: Long prayer at pnblic m,,cth~gs ~s in~’xmls-
able. Perhaps a three-n/ilmte prayer is sufficieMly long
to eover any ordinary expediency. Prayer at public gath-
erings may properly cover three points: qJhalfi~:~:~ the
heavenly l:ather fro" his goodness and his provision in
the meeting’s al’rm~:¢,>:ent, asking a blessing upon the
audience that filch’ h ,,,rts migllt be cheered and com-
forted and led taa deeper appreciation of his lo~in~
kilMness, and a ~)rd for the speaker that the holy spirit
might guide him in his utterances.
Even in the class room the prayer shotfld not be lenT,
drawn-out. The brethren eonli~g to~’ether for study, all
’din linle possible should be given to the object of the
comiu:4 together. At prayer meetings a longer prayer is
appropriate, but never to rehearse the divine plan nor
give a discourse on beaded knee.
Qt,’estwn: Would ~l not 1)¢ the &fly of a brother, who
l-a.~ s~ated repeaiedl) that he pr~ i’~.r,’,’d restitutmu to
the high calling, h) decline to serve aiter being eh,cted
as an elder and h’advr?
A?~s~,’er: Weare assuming that the lor,)ther al0ove
mel~t,o,:ed is not con>eerat,-d and does m~t dai:~ l]at he
is begotten of the l~olv sl,irit , because ~i’ h,,g~,tten of the
holy spirit there wouhl be ~o hope for hil/~ to have r~,,,ti-
titution. Under such circumstances he SbOlfld not aet as
elder or deacon of a class. I; he L’ls exudenee of the
bcgeHal of the holy spirit, tlaving oY(., cnnSCCl’aied, and
then ea-lm.,-scs his view that he prctel’S t,) be on earth,
this would show a lack of appreemli,m of the Lord’s
favor; and such a one. should r, ot be cl’,’(ted to a position
in the church to teach others when he him~e]f does not
show a proper appreciation of what he had been taught.

INTERESTING LETTERS
AT TttE SOUTHERN
END OF THE EARTH OPENING THE ALABASTERBOX
DEAR BRE’IIIREN : [The following letter is from a sish,r whotins come into
tim truth within the past year. Althouah she is the only
Lovinggreetings in Jesus’name. ambassador of the truth in the country district where she
Yourletterat handon arriving home:[’rOll2 Christchurchresides, and Is the mother of four little one~ the oldest one
Convention.So am writingto thankyou for answering of whomis but four years of age, she managed to arrange
my questions. for a public witness of the truth in her communityon June
We also appreciate gettingour TOWE}~Sso sharplyon 25th, at which 37 persons heard the glad news that Millions
time.It makesus feelwe are notso far behindAmerica, Now Living Will Never Die.]
althoughfromtbe standpoint of the workwe seemto be. DEAR BROTHER :
We have not quitefinishedour GOLnENAGE work, but Greetings of deepest love In his dear name. All I want
hope soonto be throughwith it and thento take up the to do is to open my alabaster box, which is full; and let its
canvussing for the "Millions" booldet. We believe the contents sweeten some of tim bitter in your cup. I never
Go~m,:_xAa~is being talked a}Iolll, having beard this from heard of you until I received a paper telling of the imprison-
oulsiders, so we can see that lhe Lord is having his witness ment of the seven brethren. There was a card for me to
made. mail at that time; but I never did mail it, though I did pray
Our smallConventionof threedays in Christchurch for your release. Later I got the Seventh Volume; and now
was a most enjo.~able time of spiritual fellowship. Beside I am taking up the cross, to tread the narrow wayin appre-
aboutseventy NewZealand l)l’(qhl’en, we wereprivileged ciation of God’sgreat love.
to have our dear }{re.(Cnplain)Smith,of Liverpool, Tit(, truth found me henrlbroken, but made ine so happy
Epg}and, withus, and hisexhortations and encouragementttlat I could not sleep nights. It has been a son~ in my
were nmst helpful. heart all the time. Feasting~ I’ve been feasting, fe’tsting on
The truth contained in the TOWERS is clearer and clearer; the Wordof God ! I continually feast on the WXTCH TOWERS,
and we thank our dear heavenly Father for this, and pray and feast and feast on all that has been provided for the
for a heart that is toaelmhle and humble to accept all lrnih householdof faith.
as it becomes due. Praying also for his richest blessing The thing that caused me to feel so badly just before I
on all the dear brethren at headquarters. got the truth was that my husbandwould not go to church
Your sister by divine favor, T.M. C~mqr--NewZeala~l. with me. I would not go without hlm, and I was spiritually.
 ,the WATCH TOWER
hungry, oh, so hungry. So one night I just prayed God that them all before, but this was different. They have helped
he would help me to understand Revelation and Ezekiel ; for me to grasp the plan more clearly, helped me to apply my-
I had lmard that there were prophecies in these books that self more to the Word, helped me also to appreciate more
are now being fulfilled. I took my Bible and read a few highly the privilege of prayer, to seek tim Lord’s leadings
moments, and then went to bed. and to know how to discern them. They helped me to see
Early the next morning a brother came with the "Fitfished tlmt I was in the School of Christ, and there for a purpose.
Mystery." I did not know anything about it or what it And so, while I have not nmde all the progTess I could wish,
contained that made it so harmful (?), but when he said yet I have learned how to study and how to nmke use of
lhat it was about things that were even then coming to pass, the SCRIPTI~RE STUIHFS and of our Watch Tower Bibles.
such :Is the troubles on tile earth following the World War, If everybody in the truth would get those questions and
of course I wanted it. But I did not have a cent. He told study them out for themselves, if they never did anything
me that he would be back in a few days, and that if it was else, they would be caused to know God’s plan better and
God’s will I would have the money. I had the nmney and to appreciate him more than ever before ; for those questions
I ate the book, and in my mouth it was and is as sweet as bear on the whole plan of God.
honey. Your brother and fellow-servant by his grace,
I know that you are very busy. I will not detain you W. C. PATTERSON,--New York.
nny longer. This needs no answer, for I realize how many
duties you httve, but please whisper my name at lhe Throne, WEST INDIANS RECEIVING THE TRUTH
and forgive my neglect in imt sooner opening the alabaster DEAR BROTHER RUTHERFORD:
box and letting you know how blessed I have been and how New Year greetings in the name of our dear Redeemer
happy I am in the Lord. and Savior.
With love and prayers, SR. O’DELL, Michigaz~. Enclosed herewith please find report and expense account
to December 31, 1922. In the past two weeks I have given
V. D. M. QUESTIONS AN IMPORTANTHELP five public lectures, attendance 3,290; and twelve class
meetings, including a funeral, and two local conventions. At
I)EAE B~THl~;N :
one baptismal service here lately twenty-three symbolized.
Greetings in the name of our God whomwe serve. I have
Mystic Babylon did not appreciate the Resolution very
felt for a long time that I should write to you and try to much; it stirred her greatly. It is very difficult to obtain
e.x-press my love, and also my appreciation of the WATC~t halls now. An vrdinance has been passed forbidding tbe use
TOW~and of your efforts in behalf of the church. I realized
of government schools for reli~ous purposes, also the court
also, as the December 1st. Towvmsaid, that you have much houses, drill halls, etc. This of course is aimed against tho
to occupy your time and attention, but I know that you Bible Students.
would be comforted and encouraged to understand that I
appreciate your efforts. The people, however, are more anxious to hear the truth.
In Port of Spm~_ the friends hired a theatre for two week
Dear brethren, the TowERhas contained such wonderful
nights. No ad of any kind was put in the papers, but 5,000
and beautiful articles that it seems as though they were the
handifiils were put out. The usual number put out is 10,000.
very instruments with which the bride should adorn her
The place was packed and large numbers were turned away.
wedding garment. "The Court, Type and Antilype," "The The second night the building was thronged with people;
Ransom and Sin-offering," "Walking with God," "The Beauty when the doors were shut they pushed open the side en-
of Holiness," "Love Divine," "Approved Workmen," the 1921 trance in order to stand at the open side of the theater.
Memorial articles, and now the 1922 article, "This Do Ye in The warnings of the priests of Baal are of no avail. The
Remembrance of Me." Oh, what blessings are these that truth is gradually winning its way in Trinidad. The friends
flow from our Father through his appointed channel; bow here are doing a good work. God is blessing their efforts.
they fill our hearts and inspire our thoughts and actions! My heart was much rejoiced at the class meeting last
Words fall to express our love and joy and appreciation night at a place called Union. Passing through the scat-
and thankfulness as we read and reread those articles. tered village of small dwellings and wattled huts, with
Praise God from whomall blessings flow. palm-leaf thatched roofs, we came to the meeting place,
Dear brethren, slack not your band, but "feed the sheep2’ the home of a brother wire once had been a Mohammedan
I tell you of a truth they cannot feed themselves with food of high caste, an East Indian. His wife is in the truth, as
like that. Can we doubt that he has made us to lie down well as three other East Indians of another caste. They
in green pastures and has led us beside the still waters? are sometimes called eo~)lies. The brother’s prayer was
How deep are those still waters! inspiring as he prayed for the unity of the church in the
Dear brethren, great is your responsibility, greater is your bonds of Christ and lmavenly blessings upon yourself and
privilege, and greater stir will be your reward--no doubt the Bible House. One would almost have thought he was
one of those upper front chambers in the Temple. Pray in New York. Other friends to the number of about twenty
that the Lord may give you wisdom to understand his way, attended, some coming for miles. One old man with a fine
and renewed courage to press on ; and I shall pray God con- countenance, a Trinidad Creole, walked seven miles. These
tinually for you and for all the dear Israel of God. scattered brethren have the true spirit of the Anointed.
About a year and a half ago I sent in a request for the They love God and his truth. The visits of THE WATeg
V. D. M. questions. It seemed to me as though it would TOWER are great blessings to them. It binds us all together
be the Lord’s will for me to fill them out. In a few clays as one family, moulding us together in one mind in all parts
they came; I read them over and saw at once that I was of the earth.
not qualified to fill them out, so I set about to inform myself. The friends are paying the entire cost of the witness, as
This it is that caused the long delay in answering them. yvu will note by report of expense account.
But I thank God for them because of what they have done Your circular letter to the classes has been received and
for me. I have known of the truth for several years, have was much appreciated. I had a letter from an elder in
claimed to be in the truth over three years, but I did not Brilish Guiana saying that they had received the letter
]mow the truth, and if I know it now those questions have with nmeh joy.
served no unimportant part. They caused me to search the With much kingdom love, Your brother in Christ,
Bcriptures and to read the volumes thoroughly. I had read GEOaG~.You~o.
 International Bible StudentsMsociationClasses
BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK
Oakland,l~Id ....................... May 1 Madl.~on, Ind ................. May 8 South Bend, Ind ............... May 1 Garrett, Ind ................. l~Iay $
Clarksburg, W. Ya ............. " 2 Sparl,,~llle. Ind ............... " 9 MiMlawaka,Ind .............. " 2 War.-aw,Ind ................. " 9
Parkersburg, W. Va. .......... " 3 Orleans, lml ..................... " 10 Elkhart, lad ................... " 3 "~tlparaiso, Ind ........... " 10
Chillieothe,0 ..................... " 4 French IAck, Ind .............. " 11 Goshen,Ind ................... " 4 Chicago,Ill ................... " 11-13
Clneixmatl,O .................... " 6 l~Iitvhell, Ind ............ " t3 Fort Wayne,Ind ............. " 6 Slumgtleld, Ill ............. " 14
Greensburg,Ind ................. " 7 ]Bedford, Ind ............. May 14, 15 Auburn,Ind ..................... " 6, 7 East St. Louis, Ill ......... " 15

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER B. M. RICE

Slmrrs,Okla.......................May 1 Pari~,ToX................... May 8, 11 Houston, Tex ............... Apr. 30 Mayfield,Ky................. May
Bartlesvflle, Okla ............... " 2 Bogota, Tex................ " 9 LakeCb:trles, La ............ May 1 Padue’HLKy ............ ’
Muskogee,Okla ................. " 3 Roxton, ’Fox ............... " 10 Baton Roug%La .............. " 2 Anna,Ill ...................... " 8
Denison,Tex....................... " 4 Atlanla. Tex................. " 13 Vicksburg,Miss ................. " 3 Deeatuv,Ill ................... " 9
Sherman,Tex..................... " 6 Shreveport, La ............. " 14, 15 Memphis,Tenn.................. " 4 Chicago,Ill .................. " 11-18
Honham,Tex....................... " 7 Center, Tex................... " 16

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTHER V. C. RICE

Parker, S. Dak................. May 1 Alton,Ia ....................... May 9 Bangor,Pa ....................... May 1 Lehighton, Pa .............. May 9
5lenno, S. Dak .......... " 2 Superior, Ia .............. " 10, 11 East Stroud~lmrg, Pa ....... " 2 Tamaqua,Pa ................... " I0
Yankton,S. Dak ............... " 3, 4 Estherville, Ia ............... " 13 PenAr,."yl, I’a ................... " 3 t’oltsville, Pa ................... " 11
Irene, S. Dak................. " 6 Sac City, Ia ................. " 15 Allentown,l’a ................... " 4, 6 Ilnzleton, Pa .................... " 13
~¢ermilion, S. Dak............. " 7 Wall Lake, Ia ............... " 16 Northampton, Pa ............ " 7 Shamokin,Pa ................... " 14
SiouxCity, Ia .................. " 8 Logan, la ................... " 17, 18 Kunkletown, Pa .............. " 8 Northumberland, Pa ......... " 15

BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM BROTHER C. ROBERTS

Dominion City, Man ..... May 1, 2 Ashern, Man............... May 10, 11 West Milton, O ................ l~,y 1 Wilmington,O................. May 8
Transeona, Man............ " 3 \V mnilu’g, Man........... " 13 IIamilton, 0 ...................... ’ 2 Lancaster,O..................... " 9
Oxdrift, Ont .................. " 4 Portage Im Prairie, Mare" 14, 15 Felicity, O.......................... " 3 Shawnee,0 ....................... " 10
Kenora,Ont ................... " 6 Soums,Man................. " 16, 17 Cincinnati, 0 ..................... " 4 NelsonvilIe,O................... " 11
Winnipeg, Man............... " 7 Braudon, Man............. " 18, 20 Chillieothe, O ................. " 6 Marietta, O....................... " 13
Neveton, Man................ " 8, 9 llaI)id City, Man......... " 21 Midland,0 ........................ " 7 Parkersburg, W. Va ........ " 14

BROTIIER ~
M. L. HEllb BROTHER R. L. ROBIE
Selma,Calif ....................... May 1 Tuohtmne,Calif ........... May 8, 9 Alice, Tex.................... May 2 Harlingen, Tex ........ May 11, 13
Tulare, Calif ...................... " 2 Lodi,(’alif .................. " 10 Premont, Tex ............. " 3, 4 Corpus Christi, Tex ......... May 14
Porterville, Calif ............... " 3 Sacramemo,Calif ......... " 11 DriscoI1, Tex................ " 5, 6 Victoria, Tex................... " 16
Orosi, Calif ...................... " 4 Cbico,Calif .................. " 13, la Brownsville, Tex ..... " 7 Hallettsville, Tex............. " 17
Reedley,Calif .................... " 6 Pmadise, Calif ............. " 14 Sam Fordyee, Tex. .... " 8 Houston, Tex.................. " 18
Oakdale,Calif .................. " 7 Sisson, Calif ............... " 16 McAlien, Tex ............ " 9, 10 Galveston, ~rex ............. " 20

BROTHER W. M. HERSEE BROTHER W. J. THORN

Winnipeg, Man ......... May 1 North Portal, N. D ....... May 9 Star City, Sask................. Apr. 30 North Battleford, Sask. May 9
Morm.~,Man................... "’ 2 Khedixo.Sask .............. " 11, 13 Ridgedale, Sask ............... ?Iay 1 Edam,Sask ................. " 10,13
Altona,Man...................... " 3 Viceroy, Sask ............... " 14 Tisdale, Sask .................. " 3 Edmonton,Alta. .......... " I6
Winkler,Man..................... " 4 Har|)tl’(,o Sask............. " 15 Prince Albert, Sask ........... " 4, 6 Boyle, Alta ................. " 17-22
Lariviere, Man................... " 6 Lm,lla, Sa~k................. " 16, 17 Wakaw,Sask ................... " 7, 8 Leduc,Alta .................. " 23
Oxbow,Sask ...................... " 7 MarlgoRl, Sask ............ " 18

BROTHER H. HOWLETT BROTHER T. H. THORNTON

Orillia, Ont....................... May 1 Allenford, Oat ................. May 10 Middleton,N. S ............... May 2 Auburn, N. S ............ May 10
Barrie, Oat ........... " 2 Harmston,Ont ................. " 11 Deep Brook, N. S ............ " 3 KentviHe,N. S ............ " 1I, 13
Toronto, Ont ........... " 4-6 Mount Forest, Oat ........... " 13 Centreville, N. S ............. " 4 Fort Williams, N. S ..... " 14
Bramp~on, Ont ................. " 7 Pahnerston, Oat ............. " 14 Digby,N. S ..................... " 6 East Halls IIarbor, N. S. " 15, 16
Orangeville, Oat .............. " 8 Mflverton, Ont ............ " 15 Yarmouth, N. S .............. " 7, 8 Windsor, N. S ............ " 17
OweuSound, Ont ............ " 9 Stratford, Ont ............... " 16 ffoggin Bridge, N. S ......... " 9 South Rawdon, N. S .... " 18

BROTHER S. MORTON BROTHER W. M. WISDOM

Norwood.Me.................. May 2 Verona,Mo...................... May 10 Winston Salem, N. C ....... May 1 Itenderson, N. C. ...... May 9
Bolivar, Me............... " 3 Monott..Mo ...................... " 11 Greensboro, N. C ............ " 2,6 Lmfisburg, N. C. ......... " 10, 11
Springfield, Me.............. " 4, 6 Republic,Mo..................... " 13 High Point, N. C ............ " 3 Raleigb, N. C ............ " 18
Ash Grove, Me................ 7 Wheaton,Mo................... " 15 Staley, N. C ..................... " 4 Wendell, N. C. ........... " 14
GoldenCity, Me............... " 8 Noel,Mo........................... " 17 Durbam,N. C .................. " 7 Selma, N. C ............. " 15
Stem, N. C ..................... " S Wilson, N. C ........... " 18

BROTHER W. H. PICKERING BROTHER L. F. ZINK

Loekport,N. Y................. May 1 Onoville, N. Y ............ May 8 Welland, 0nt .............. May 6 Cameron, Ont. ........ May 14, 1|
Niagara Falls, N. Y ........... " 2 Salamanca,N. ~[ ............. " 9 Hamilton, Ont ......... " 7 Peterboro, Ont.-~ .... " 16
Westfield, N. Y ............... " 3 Bradford, Pa ................... " 10 Toronto, Ont ............ " 8 Havelock, Ont, .... " I’I
Clymer, N. Y ............. " 4 Bingham, Pa ................. " 1I Stouffville, Ont ....... " 9 Flower Sta., OnLy. " 18, 20
Jamestown, N. Y ............ " 6 Olean, N. Y ............. " 13 Lindsay, Oat .............. " I0 Pembroke, 0nt ..... " 21,
Warren, Pa. " T Frankllnville, N.Y ........... " 14 Haliburton, Oat. ........ " 11,13 Carleton Place, Oat--.. "
 "J , ’.. ’,’ : I ’,f , ’,
/ ¯ ,,., , , ,,

VoL. XLIV SE~,fI-I~TONTHLY 1~0. 9

Anno Mundi 6051 -- May 1, 1923

CONTENTS
~HE PRINCIPAL THING--LovE (Part II) ........ ]31
I~RAYER-]~IEETING TEXT COMMENTS ............. 134
~kNNUALREQUESTFOR PILGRIM VISITS .............. 1.’~5
GOODHOPESFOR 1923 .................................... 135
QUESTION ANDANSWER ......................................... 13e,
]:)AVID,TIIE POET-KING.......................................... 137
Saul’sJealousy
of David
.................................... 13T
David Secures LaRd Promised to Abraham__._138
~]LIJAYI, THE BRAVEREFORMER
....................... 1 .~9
TypicalExperiencesof Elijah ....................... 140
Elisha BecomesElijah’s Successor................ 140
ISAIAH, THE STATESMAN-PROPI:IET
...................... 141
FourGreat Truths to be Proclaimed............. 142
God’s Wordthrough Isaiah Matchless .......... 142
INTERESTING
LETTERS
......................................... 143

"I will stand upon my watch and will set my tool

upon the Tower, and will watch to see what He will
say unto me, and what answer I shall make to them
that o$.,o~o me."--Habakkuk£: 1.

Upon the earth distress o7 n~::ious with perplexity; the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking
tti - thin~ comlu ¯ ~ ~on the e~trtn (socmtv)" for t he powers of t ~’ } *,aveRs (e oclesiastiosrn) sh all be shaken . . V~’h en ye s ee thes e thin gs begi n to c ometo pa s~. t hen
[=now that the I’~m:~’~o-~ of God i~at hand. Look up, lxft up 5o~r headn, rejome, for yoUr rcdemptton draweth n~gh.--Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29~ Luke 21:,’¢3L
 THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
T HIS Journal is one of the prime factors
presented in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCHTOWERBIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
or "Seminary Extension", now being
A. D, 1884, "For the Pro-
nmtioR of Chrislian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s pnblished STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Socmty accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. M.), which trans.’ated
into English is Minister o] God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teaclmrs. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
--redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a tausom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 ::19 ; Z Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stoats (1 Corinthians 3 :
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is tile tel!or, ship of the mv:,tery which...l~a~
been hid in God, . . . to the intent that now might be made known by tile church tile manifold wi.~dom of God"~"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Hphes:,uls 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its ever)" utteram’o into f~flle~t
subtection to the will of God in Christ, as exp:’e~sed in tile holy Scmptures. It is thus free to declare boldly ~tlat.~.,,~,x~.r the Lord
halh spoken--aceorchng to the divine wisdom granted unto ns to umlelutan(1 hi~ utteran(’c*. Its attltnde is not (logmallc, hut eonti,h’Ht
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure prolllL, c~ of (;od. It is hc]d as a trust, to be n~c,l| only lu 111~
service ; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its eo~.ur.~lns must be according to our 3ud-.:’.ient of ill!]
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuildtng of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only inv~e but urge our
readers tO prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such le~Img.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH

That the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress tbroughout
the gospel age---ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and tl~,e Cilief Corner Stone o[ his temple, through xxhich, x~tlen
finished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; I’:phc~mns 2:2(l-22
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
~hat meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Cilrist’s aionenlcnt for sin, progre~.~e~ ; alld when the
last of these "living stones", "elect and precmu’.," shall have been n’.ade rca :., Ills great 5La:ter WorkmanwZl bring itll lo(~ether
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the nmetHlg place between God and men throughouC
the 3iillennium.--Revelatiou ] 5 : 5-8.
5Chat the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "JesEs (~bm~t, hy lh~ grace of God, tasted death for c~’cry
man," "a ransom for all," and ~l’,l be "the true light which lighteth every mal~ that comcth into the wolld", "in d’~:e time".--
]:Iebrews 2"9; John 1:9; 1 Timotl~y 2:5, 6.
¯hat the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as P.e is," be partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his jomt-heir.--Z John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
That the present nnssion of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be k~ngs and priests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24::
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
’~hat the hope for the world lies in th~ blessings of knowledge anti opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, the
restitutton of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands nf tlieir Redeemer and his glorified church,
when all the wdfully wicked will be destroyed.--Acts 3:19-23; lsa~ah 35.

STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES

’~’lle~e SIUD+I "~, .’It’ I(~.ottllnentJetl ~O,~lH]ell[h as verltuJJh + I’,l[)[~
WATCHTOWEE~i 5LE. 5- TRACT SOCIETY keys, discussing topically e~ery vital doctrine of the Bible. More
than eleven million copies are in cirCulRtion, in nineteen languages.
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SERIES V, The Atonement lletween God and Mun, 1rents aa
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Entered~ ~ondCI~~ratt~rag ~roakl~,N.Y, .Pa~toffi~tfnd¢l, tJ~ Act of Ma~k grd X~79.’
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A three-day convention will be held at Richmond, Va, June SERIES VI, The New Creation, deals with the creative week
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The German brethren of New York City will hohl ~heH" anuaal SERIES VII, The Finluhed Mystery, collsJsts of a verse by verse
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VOL.XLIV MAY
1, 1923
THE PRINCIPAL THiNG--LOVE iPART II)
A PROOFoC agrq~c, is mentl(med by the apostle
Paul in otlwr words and in other comwctton. On
account o[ the abuse of the spu’it of liberabty by
nlondicant friar,,, nionk>, and nuns, by begging priests
and clergymen,and by open a~:d in,i~-to~;t colh often and
"drive" method<, it is eon-ld(u’ed by lhe true church
hWXl,cdient to follow such methods as are commonly
lmr~uo(l by the nominal churches. In the prml~live
church the needs of the church and of the necessities
among the friends had only to be mentioned, often
privately, and there was---wherever the spirit of the
friends was right--a private, llnostentllIltats outpouring
of x~hatever was required. P~ather than call upon the
disc,pies for assistance, St. :’aul endured hunger and
nakedness, and worked with his hands, that he might
not be chargeable to them, however muchof this world’s
goods they might possess. However, there were groups
of the consecrated, who not merely wa~ted for sugges-
tions and invitations, but sough.t to do good as they had
opportunity to the householdof faith.
44The churches in Macedonia were composed of poor
people and were despoiled of their goods in persecutions,
but they insisted in sondin£ material aid to the Apostle.
In appreciation, tie has engraved the record of their
kindness imperishably upon the pages o2 the Word of
God. He speaks of their goodness as a manifestation
"of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Mace-
donia." Herecords "howthat, in a great trial of afflic-
tion, the abundanceof their joy and their deep poverty
aboundedunto the riches of their liberality; for to their
power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power, they
were willbag of themselves [without solicitation] ; pray-
ing us with much entreaty that we would receive the
gift, and take uponus the fellowship of the ministering
to the saints." St. Paul points out that this was a con-
sequence of their genuine and whole-hearted consecra-
tion to the will of God, of a free will, and not from any
sense of obligation: They "first gave their ownselves
to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God."--2 Cot
inthians 8 : 1-5.
~SThechurch in the wealthy city of Corinth had for-
merlybeen like the poor churchesin Macedonia in spirit,
but had fallen awaymeasurablyin zeal and in seeking
of opportunities to do good, so that the entire burden
No.9
of sn])!)ol’tll/g the then ehlel~ wmmss
the poorer Macedonian brethrcll,
workhad fallen on
who had ew~n dis-
pal4:,.d a brother to admini.-_ter the fund ior the b,,netit
of the httle companyof the Apostle. St. Paul r,,lated
the c,’cmi~-tai~ce~ to the Corinthmnbrothers. He ~-bowed
all ol)portunity to aid the poorer Macedonian% xv~lh the
kilMIv xxord that "1 mean not that other men be. ca od,
am[ 3e bm’dok~ed:but by an equality, that nowat this
tm~e )oltr abundance may be a supply for their want,
that their abundance also may be a supply for your
want: that there maybe an equality." (2 Cori~’thian~
8 : 13, 1 1) In plain language, the Christians in different
locahth,s were admonished to share their abunda~ce o!
the things of this world with one another, in order tha~
there might not be waut amongthe friends in one local.
it}" and superfluity in another, a practice which waa
carl led out more or less generally throughout the Chris.
tian church for three centuries, until the true ehnreh
was oxerthro~ by Co~stantine and by the an:: :lious
and worhllvecclesiastics as~-ociatedwith that evil .... ’Mus.
4~’St. Paul had formerly boasted of the liberalitv, f the
Corinthian friends, but nowurxed them to resume their
labors of hive, and stated p(,ltively that such a ,pirit
was one cf the tm:gible proofs of an overcoming afape.
"Wherefore shew ye to them and before the churches,
the proof of your love." (2 Corillthians 8: 24) Quite
evidently those that lack in the spirit of liberality and
hospitality--mingled with the spirit of wisdom and
justice lack serio~slv in "the mo~-t hnportant thin£."
and deceive themsehes in an expectation of or h,’p, ~ for
any h@/ place in the ldnodom, or anv share at all in
the l,ord’s great promises in the second and third chap-
ters of llevelation. Sons and brothers in a family ~(,ee
opportunities to do good to one another; but servants
have to be reminded, urged and commanded. This
would indicate that the non-hberal and unhospitable in
spirit amongthe consecrated, unless they change for
the b~tter, are doubtless destined for places "before the
throne."--Revelation 7 : 9.
~In the fully consecrated, divine love is a function of
the new mind, which is exercised the sameas the natural
body automatically exercises ffs functions of breathing
and digestion. Those whohave it love others -in.otine
tively--at least they have the constant spirit ~r aisposi-
 WATCH
lion so to do. If temporarily overcomeby evil, they
quMdyreturn, as does the compass in its pointing
touard the l’ole Star. This disposition will waver in
degree as the flesh wars with the spirit; but the fully
faithful new creature endvavors to keep the spirit of
love at its hrigl,t,o:t, knowingthat those are most pleas-
ing to Christ who~x i,-dx and justly love most in spirit,
and that they ah.~! ,, w(ll reig. with him. The earnest
desire of the apo~th,l’a,iI is ,q. ~l,~’~ely nowas then that
"the i.ord makeyou to ll.crea.e and abound in love one
toward ~mother, and toward all men, even as we do
toward you; to the end he may establish your hearts
unlflamahh, in holin.sq before God, even our Father, at
the comingof our Lord Je~-us Christ with all his saints."
--1 Tho<<alonians 3 : 12, 1 S.
4sSome may suppose that divine love may be with-
drawnfrom an object of love not x~ho]l)- reprobate
who(lees not reciprocate the affection. 3: . : fhi~ hia’he,-t
love shines, hke the goodness of Go,!. ,~ be "m£:olh Iris
sun to rise on the evil and on th, g., ’ and >endeth
rain on the jtt,._g and on the unjust " 1’~? , ,ttlon in love
--au out-sl;rcadlng love like tha~ .f the Father--was
exemi~lE,, d il: the Lord ._Jesus who. while eogmizant of
the perfidy of Juda<, never even to the momentv hen he
asked: "Betravest thou ale with a kiss?" treated the
one that wa<’:’a devil" differently from the other dis-
eiples. Impartiality in the shining forth of love--with
proper differences in expressmnaccording to the recip-
roeathm of the afreclivn or relationship--is one of the
characteristics of di~ lt~e love. "For," says Jesus, whose
words the fully consecrated do, "if ye love them which
love you, what reward have ye ? do not even the publicans
the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what
do ye more than others ? do not even the publicans so ?
Be ye therefore perfect [in the spirit of level, even as
your Father which is in heaven is perfect."--Matthew
5 : 46-48.
*"This high manifestation of love divine gleamedforth
in the daily walk of St. Paul. In wmtingto the relativeIv
rich ecclesia at Corinth, which of all others might have
exercised the privileKe of caring for the Apostle in
material things, and thus promoting the witness work,
that glorious overeomer said: "The third time I am
ready to come to you; and I will not be hurdensometo
you [in respect to the things of this lifo] : . . . for tt~.~
children [the Corinthians were his spiritual children]
ought not to lay up for the lmronts,hut the parents for the
ehihh’en. AndI will very o’ladly spend and be spent for
you." Thus the gentle-hearted chihl of God--all firings
to all men--soughtto help the less faithful Corinthians,
by assuranees appealinKto their selfishness that he would
not expect them to spend any moneyon him while he
was there. In this as in manyother eireumstances he
sought to caleb by harmless guile. The divine impar-
tiality of a love that enduredall things that he might
win others, shone splendidly in the words with whieh
he closed the sentence : "Thoughthe moreabundantlyI
TOWER
love you, the less I be loved."--2 Corinthians12:14 t5.
~°Sometimesdivine love speaks in wordsof reproof,
which may cause grief and sorrow to the beloved but
erring recipient. Such a letter h’onl St. Paul was rare
but was as unavoidable as a surgical operatimt to a
patient. It was designed to stir up a brother doing
wrong to the point whore he wouhl hiws,lf, hv the
Lord’s assistin,~ grac(,, leave off the >mthat m,ght1)r Jug
a loss of the Saxior’s favor, or even lead to d,>tru(tt, m.
Suehan epistle was written by St. l’aul to the brothers
at Corinth; it cut and pained, but ,-aved them front the
consequencesof continuanceman e\ ~l (’ourse. "Tholl/~}l
I made3mr~-ort’y with a letter," ,-av. the Apo.tle. "’I do
not ref)e]/t, though I did repent: for [ perceive that the
same eln.-tle hath madeyou sorry, thou,ah it weft, hut
for a ~-ea,-_on. NowI t’ejoice, not thai ve were made
sorry, but that ~e >olrov, ed to r,’l.’l~l,,t~ce.... \Vl,at
carefulness it xxrou~ht in you, yea what cleariug ~:,[
yore’selves, Yeav, hat 111dloEh{IOl], )-ca xxl;a,l velunlc~ t
dosh’e, yea ~hat zeal, yea ~hat reveal. Ivindicati.n,
pum>ln,,,ut. G,’eeZ’l! In all thlntt’, y,, h,ive appro~r’d
your~ehes to he clear in this matter." -2 Cot..:8-11.
~Love loves to be with a loved one. Whentwo that
love each other are together, their affect:on, unllind,q’¢’,l
bvd>o~t~,:2-t,,,rt:(,:tions andhei,ql,t.~w,l hv !be ox id,’nce
and man]fe-tat~ons of love by one an<h,r, hur~,- the
brighter. Nothing provokes or in(,ttes a s~armer ],~’,e
than the close association of gathering, of the c<’/,-
crated. Anger provokes to anger, hke to hk< love to
love. So St. Paul be,-ec~l~es us of today: "L,’t us con-
sider one another to provoke unto love and t,~ good
works: not forsakin~ the assembling of onr.-eh,’- to-
gether, as the manner of some ix; but exhorti_u- one
another: and so much the more. a~ //, see t/~e ’/Wt
al)Fr~achh~y.’" IIow important it i,- to obey thi< word
of ,It<us through his Ape.-tie, nowat a time whene~e,l
the ]mtural eye discerns the evidences of the fact that
that (lay has dawned!More and more love is called for,
nowthat ~t is hut a few short years until the glorious
Sun of Ligh~ will shine in full brightness for the in-
gathering and reeoneiliation of the wilhng and obe&ent
of the whole, worh].
~%VhenJeq> said: "I am come that they migh~ have
life, and that they might have it more alnmdavth"’
(John 10: 10), the primary ref,’renee wa~to the imm,~r-
tal life beyond the vail in heaven itself, and to the
fully restored life of humanity on the earth. Put we
whoare in him te~-tifv already to the groau,r qbu~danee
of the life of which St. Paul speaks: "The life which I
nowlive in the [hL, h, I live by the faith of the Son of
God."(galatians 2 : 20) While the imperfect flesh, the
instrument and abode of the new creature in Christ
Jesus, retains its imperfections, the new mindpossesses
the character attributes of the divine, ready to be clothed
upon with the house not made with hm~ds, eternal in
the heavens. In it are the potentialities of the more
abundan~life of the intimate family of Jehovah, which

I~I~Y 1, 1923 ¯ the WATCH TOWER
extend the heights and depths and lengths and breadths
of thought, sentiment, outlook, and eternal prospect far
beyondthe linlitatlons of tinle and visible space, making
for a rich and ablmdantlife this side the vail.
5qVhere and when does this begin? At one time we
were in and of the world, doing the deeds and working
out the lmeless purp,~se~- of the evil one. (2 Tinlothy
2: 26) Our horizon then ~as indeed contracted, our
ninds and affect,oils lmrrow, centered upon one indi-
vidual-- self and tile things and persons belonging to
sell But ~lx’n we were admitted into the mystical body
of (’hrL-t, the horizon broadened to include all things
visible and invisible, and our affectior, s began to go
forth to include the whole fam.ily of Godon earth and
inheaven and all that ultilnaV.,ly shall becomemembers
el that holy falnlh. It was when we began to have the
firt n:vtions of &vine love that the new life of the
lra,:fomled mind began. W~th onr begettal began love
and life; for m the kiuGdominto ~hich we were then
ti’an,lated by Jehovah’s dear Son, there is no hfe with-
out love. St. Jotm wr;tc, s to us: "l’:veryone that loveth
is begotten of God."tulle same Apostle exhibits the con-
trast between our former dead comhtmnand our present
hying ~tate: "He that loveth not his In’other abideth in
death. Weknow that we have passed from death unto
life, because welove the brethrcn."--I John 4 : 7 ; 3 : 14.
~tfgal)eseeketh not its own(1 Corlnth,ans la: 5) ;
it looketh upon(regards, looks out for, t/ceel,’) not only
it.- ownthing~ to xvatch and care for, but also the things
of others; it is equally concerned for the welfare of
brother and sister as for its own.To those boundby ties
of the fleshly family, and those knit together bv the bonds
of the fanlilv of God. agape especially manifests itself
and its watch-care. This is particularly so amongthose
that seek most to walk in ayape.--Philippians 2:4.
5SAsmight be expected, the highest manifestation of
agape is not to be found even in these membersof the
divine house of sons who are still on this side of the
vail. They are subject yet to temptations that more or
less draw them from the shining mark of agape; in
them the selfish flesh wars against the unselfish spirit
of divine agape; each of them says with St. Paul:
"That whieh I do I allow not; for what I would, that
do I not; but what i hate, that I do." They knowthat,
until they put on the "house" not made with hands,
they can never escape from the workings of the "law in
my members, warring against the law of my mind, and
bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is
in mymembers." (Romans 7 : 15-23) It is amongthose
membersof the Christ body in heaven itself that the
limitations of the fallen flesh have been fully put off
and the pure fellowship of the spirit exists. There divine
agape shines forth in pure brilliancy and warmth. What
heavenlyoneness exists today amongthe twelve apostles
of the Lamband the seven messengers %0the churches!
56There,too, in its highest possible exemplification,
divine agape is exercised in the person of Jehovah
138
hilnself. Love divine in utmost degree radiates forth
from him in every direction and toward every being,
not reprobate, in the heavens and on the earth. Divinity
awaits the reconcihation of all, amongmen and fallen
angels, whoin the day of their visitation will repen~
with a godly repentance, turn their faces toward the
righteousness that is in Christ Jesus, and learn the
lessons of agape which all will master who are to be
fully restored to tile divinely intended places in the
family of God.
s~Whatwill divine agape do for such ? Thoughsome-
thing is revealed to us by the spirit, even the fully con-
secrated still see as through a glass darldy, and none
can appreciate the blessed future in its fulness. Indeed,
"it doth not yet appear what we shall be," and we can-
not even imagine such hidden, unrexcaled mysteries.
But concerning the preparation by divine a qape for
the beings that love Jehovah it is written, "Eye hath
not seen, nor earheard, neither have entered into the
heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for
them that love him."--1 John 3 : 2 ; 1 Corinthians 2 : 9.
ss For the faithfnl house of sons are reserved the most
superlative blessings. They shall be forever with him
whomthey love, and with the beloved friends in the
body of Christ. At his right hand, where they shall be,
arc pleasures for evermore. And in the ages to come he
will shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kind-
ness toward us through Christ Jesus.- gphesians 2: 7.
S~aThenfrom every part of the infinite ocean of divine
agape, undisturbed longer by the eddy of evil upon the
planet earth, will swell forth the blessed song, of beings
in heaven and on earth: "I heard the voiee of many
angels round about the throne and the beasts and the
ehlers: . . . sayil~g with a loud voice, Worthy is the
Lambthat was slain to receive power, and riches, and
wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and bless-
ing. Andevery ereature which is in heaven, and on the
earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the seG
and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and
honor, and glory, and power, be nnto him that sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lambfor ever and ever."
~Revelation 5 : 11-13.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
ttow did the early disciples supply the needs of their brethren? ¶ 43.
l=Iow did the churches of Macedonia send their gift to the apostle
Paul ? ¶ 44.
~Vhat commendable custom did the early church practise? ¶ 45.
Itow do those who lack liberality deceive themselves ~ ¶ 46.
’Why is the advice of the Apostle timely in the present day? ¶47.
How does divine love show mercy to the unjust? ¶ 48.
How did the apostle Paul manifest divine love? ¶ 49.
In what way did he seek to "catch" the selfishly inclined by guile?
¶ 49.
What end is sought when divine love prompts a reproof? ¶ 50.
How does association among the brethren stimulate this love? ¶ gl,
How are love and life related ? ¶ 52.
When da divine love and life begin to operate in the individual7
¶ 53.
How does "agape" love seek the welfare of others ? ¶ 54.
Why is it impossible for "agape" love to express itself fully this
side the vail? ¶ 55.
~Vhy will God rejoice in the harmonyof all obedient creatures? ¶ 56.
Why cannot we approximate and appreciate the Father’s future
blessings? ¶ 57.
What are some of the blessings beyond the vail? ¶ 58.
ttow will praise be manifest at the end of the Millennium? ¶ 59.
 PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR MAY 23
"Sowto the spirit; of the spirit reap 7ife.’--Gcdatians
q : S.
~EN one becomes a new creature his mind
W will be exercised in one of two ways, either
according to the tendencies of the flesh or
according to the sptrit of tile l,ord. As a creature he
has but one mind. and that mind must be occupied at
something. Sowing to the spa’it m(,~/ns oceulumg the
mind with things ],’rtainmg to l]> spirit of the I~ord,
thereby ascertaining the will of (;od: and then by exer-
cising one’s ownwill. to bring one,elf into confmqmty
to the will of God. This is a real task. It does not
mean to be idle. but it does mean to be diligent. It
means to refuse to permit the mind to entertain things
that are selfishly wicked, such as malice, hatred, ill will,
pride, ambition, etc. Sowingto the tlesh meansto yield
to these fleshly tendencies. In proportion as we resist
the fallen, fleshly tendencies, in proportion as we fix
the mind upon the things pert’lining to the Lord and
his kingdom, in that proportion shall we be sowing to
the spirit.
The mind searching out the will of god by studying
his Word and meditating upon it is working in the
right direction; and then if one exercises his will to do
God’s will and brings himself in conformity to god’s
will, he is thereby sowingto the spirit. HenceSt. Paul
says: "Walkin the spirit, m~dye shall not fulfil the
lust of the flesh."
The importance of having the mind occupied with
things pertaining to the interests of the Lord’s kingdom
cannot be overstated. For this reason activity in the
Lord’s service is vitally essential. This text is really
one of hope and good cheer. A person battling for the
right will make mistakes, and is certain to come short
of even his own conception of the perfect standard.
But ff he is conseious of the fact that he is striving to
do that which is pleasing in the sight of the Lord, that
his heart is right toward the Lord, then he may know
he is sowing to the spirit; and if he persists in this
eourse it will result, aeeording to the promise, in life
everlasting.
god judges us according to our motives; and for this
reason we say that he judges aecording to the heart,
the heart being that which induces action. The proper
course, then, is to have a loving heart toward God and
toward his eause, a loving heart toward Jesus and his
brethren, and then to use the mind to seareh out God’s
Wordand watch his providences and thereby ascertain
the will of God, and then exercise our own will in
"Christ is thy peace;
From penalty and stain he sets thee free;
And in the white robe of hls righteousness,
l~fore tho approving God presenteth thee.
carrying out the will of God. By this means we are
sowing to the spirit. Thus the transformation is going
on from one step to a higher degree of transformation;
and this is being aeeomphshedby the Lord’s spirit. In
due time we shall reap if we faint not, and this reaping
will consist of life everlasting on the divine plane.
This course must be persisted in, not for a time, but
nntil the veU end of our earthly journey. The reward
is not to the swift for a time only, but to those whoare
faithful even unto death.--Revelation 2: 10.
TEXT FOR MAY 30
"The spirit of glory . . . resteth upon you."--1 Peter
4: 14.
HENa Christian suffers because of his faith-
W fulness as a Christian, he has reason to rejoice.
Doeshe rejoice in the fact that he is suffering?
Not at all; but he rejoices because the reproach has
fallen upon him as a result of faithfully representing
the Lord, his Ki~g, and the interests of his kingdom.
No one takes a delight in physical or mental pain. His
delight and joy, howe~,er, is in the testimony afforded
to him by reason of these things, that he has the Lord’s
smiling approval.
The word glory as used in this text means honor. A
Christian pursuing the way to his heavenly 1;cme could
not be more highly honored than to suffer reproach for
Christ’s sake. Satan and his emissaries have reproached
Jehovah from the very beginning of man’s career. When
Jesus came to earth he suffered these same reproaches
because of his loyalty to God. His zeal and loyalty
brought upon him these reproaches. (Psalm 69: 8, 9)
And so St. Peter here, and also St. Paul in another
place (Romans15: 3), point out that the true follower
of Christ must likewise suffer reproach. It is the spirit
of Christ exercised and made manifest that brings this
reproach. And this reproaeh is a testimony of and by
the spirit, that the Christian thus reproached for faith-
fulness occupies a place of glory; that is to say a place
of honor in God’s arrangement. Let every one, then,
engaged in the Lord’s service who is reproached by the
evil ones because of faithfulness, rejoice and be glad,
knowing that the Lord is thus testifying to them that
they are following in his footsteps. Then if this course
is followed until the transformation is complete, such
a one will be granted an abundant entrance into the
everlasting kingdomof our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let no Christian, then, slack his hand at this time;
bu~ persistently and faithfully look well to the interests
of the Lord’s kingdom,being a true and faithful witness
under all circumstances.
"Christ is thy ALr;
Forget thyself, and in him sweetly rest;
And thou shalt enter, whatsoe’er befall,
The everlasting mansions o£ the blest."
 ANNUAL REQUEST FOR PILGRIM VISITS

T HEvisit of the Pilgrim brethren re,-ults in a The friends everywheretake lfleasure in ent,,rlaining
double blessing. It blesses hnn who serves and the l>il~rinl hrethr,m as serxauts o[’ the Lord. Th(- do
bles.-es them that are served. It is in ohedwm.enot expect hlxuriou> enieriammenl, lint only whole,.,m~e
to the Apostle’, admomtion concerning the a--embhng food amt a comfortable room where the nece-arv re.-t
of ourselves together. ~’lle l,ord has ble,--~ed thi- bl’am,h can he had. Thtwtra\el at lhe expeit-.e of the See?ely;
al. The hence are ~ts repre-mntatlve<.
of the work.ther,,l~y -t,lm ’: ,, .’ ,- ~t . ~th hi. aplm~x
class that fails to haxo the.e \l-~t- ml.-e- a hh,.-ln~. Because of ilL, mlportance of the time. there ~ now
The Society route- th’ IMffrim.. however, hi harmony an ~ncrea-ed de>ire on the part o1’ the lulbhe to heai lhe
with the reque,-ts; aml ~lit- request is expecled lo be truth. Th,’rel’ore we urge th,, fnen(ls to arrange ior at
made(}net, ammallv. lea-t one littl)lic nweting (]urin z l}).c vistt of tile l)llj.~rini.
In malting tlwse requeeL-po~tal cards shouhl be tk-ell, To till< ~’nd a good. well-located, reputable hall sh, mld
for .,mx<’mmlce in our files. The questmns herewilh be proxl,l,,d. -i>eial efforts being madefor the lmhlle
sat f,;rth -heuld be an.-wered, numbcrm~your an-wet witne*s Sunday afternoon or e\enin~, as it may be
to torte-pond with the mtmber of the qnestnm. The con\ q. ,t t<~ the ela,--. ~ememIwr, dear brethren, the
que-t’,m it*elf ]~eed not be repeated. Plea,~. ’.~rit<~ the ble.--,’d prix llege we lmveto be c,morkerswith th,’ l.ord
lint’e-dl-tmctlv. in the proclamation o£ the me.saKe now due. Hence
\V.’ ad\use that tilt, cla-, se~-retary be not ella:Godalav we a>k your t,,n~peration with us and with the Pilgrim
oft,mer than nece-.,arv, l;m.h change rcquirea a m,w brethrenin thi~ /}ehalf.
stem il to be c.ut in our office and a ehange in ottr Wea.,k xott to answer tile followinG que,-tion~-, ,hwh
records. But wl>n a c]~a~’-.o i< made,plea-e ]lollfv tlS iniormal~.m ~, needed for our mxmediate guidanee m
]mm~pily.Failure to do lhl- often causes inconvenienee, preparing the Pilgrim routes:
both to It> cIa-~ and to the l>ilg’rm>’, as well as ~o this
office, and thus Era-lets the work. (a) State ram/her of Bible Students in your class who
In givinx the name of the secretary or any otL,r accept the eompl,,te series of STUDIES IN THE
addr,,<s, do not give a po.-l-oiiice-box address, but gtve SCIHPTURES.
the :,tr,’et number.] ~’ele,~rams
; and other mc>>agesCall-
(b) Are weekly meetings hehl?
]act loe delivered when,-eat to a post-office-box addre.-s.
It is al~o very inconxe>ieut for the Pil;rim br,’zhr,,xx (e) Where do you now meet on Sunday? (Give full
to find tlxe ~-ecretal’v ~hea such addrc-.-_ l~ given, al:d -lreet addro-s and name of an&torture, hall, el
sometimesneces-.~iate~ the nlissmg of a n>,,tmg. l~ome. Notify us of ehanges.)
The~ccletv is anxiousto serve all the cla;<,,s, regard- (d) At what hours are the Sundav meetings hold?
less of ,-iz<., insofar as it is possible; and lwl,,wllUt lha’c (e) \\as vote ta ken ontl~ e Pil grim invitation?
a]I the consecrated an.:ionsly desh’c tile xislI. ~,f tb.e (f) If a Sunday appointment is made, will a thor-
Pilgrim brethren we are plea~ed to have lhe reforma- ouRllly advertised public meeting be arranged ?
tion requested in ordm’ to faeihtate our routing el lhe-e (g) Havethe membersof your class chosen leaders in
brethren. Wherethere arc isolated £riemL-. onh" one or acc,mlaiwo with VolumeYI, chapters 5 and 6 ?
two, and you woulddesire a Pilg’rlm vk-lt, plea~-e -eml (live name and address of one memberof class
in your request; and ff possible tile Pilgrim will call on (h)
(otll~,r than Secretary) whomwe may notify in re
youx~ henpassing 3-ouru at.
Pll~rinl v~sits.
Great care is used in selecting brethren for the Pil-
grim service. Illa specml sense theyare repre,entatnes (i) Gn’e the, name of proper railroad statmn at which
of the \Vatch ’rower Bible &Tract Society, as it r,’prc- lo ,-top.
seats the Lord. They therefore repre.-ent the king,hm-~ (j) Howmany miles from station is meeting place?
now so close at hand. Thmrdu*ies are to ,-er~o tl>, (k) If at a distanee from railroad station does some
friends in spiritual matters, to aclvlse, aid and comfort memberof class have a conveyanee to transport
them for their development as new creatures. They the Pilgrim ?
come prepared to hold two meet~l~g’s each day, one in (1) Gi\e full name and addro,-s of Class 8ecrctary
tile afternoon and one in the evening. (always notify us of changes).

GOODHOPES FOR 1923

THE work of the Watch Tower Bible & Tla<t :.,11 al, a~s outlined the workduringthe year in pro-
Society is the preaching of the,~ go~pe] ot Me-- l~ortto-’l a- tile Lord provided the moneythrouoh hi~
siah’s kingdonl. ]’;very consecratedchfl,t of" ~;,>,l con,-ecrated chlhh’en. We continue to follow that
tit tlrivLl.eged ~:o i~artmipate in this work. Brother flu.- example, as appropriate in the church.
136 ¯ WATCH TOWER
Eacll one who has been enlightened by the troth of THEWATCt{ TOWER kindly write two cards, exactly
appreciates the fact that this blessing cameto him as alike. One of these put aside for your exam record of
a gracious gift; and as he ha~ a zeal for the Lord he what you have promised; the other send to us. 0r, if
appreciates his privilege of n~ing time, energy, and you prefer, put it in the form of a letter, keeping a copy
money in telling the message to others. Someare not of the letter for your own convenience. Wesuggest
blessed with endowments for going about and telling that it be brief and that nothing else be written e,:cpt
it to others, while they are blessed with some money the following: "By the Lord’s grace I hope to be d~le
which they desire to use in the Lord’s sere’ice, to the to give to his work for spreading the gospel during the
mid that hungry souls might be fed upon the precious ensuingyear the amountof $ ................. I will renHtin
truths, as we have been fed. such amounts and at such times as I can find eonve-
The custom of settin~ aside each week so muchto be nienf, according as the Lord prospers me. (Signature)
usedmthe Lord’*service has alwaysprovedbeneficial ..................................... " Kindly address this card to the
to the giver. A notice to the Society that you hope to Watch Tower Bible & Tract ~ociety. Financial Depat’t-
give so much enables us to outline the work, based ment, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N. Y.
upon what is expected. Brethren residing outside of the United States may
Since a large portion of such donations are used to write their respective oflic, es in the countries ~hero ~hey
defray the Pilgrim expenses, we have thought it wise reside, and remit their "flood ltopes" to such ()flic(’s,
to let the notice for Pilgrim requests and the "Good thus saving time and work for us.
}topes" notice appear in the same issue of THEWATCt~ Of our own sehes we can do nothing, but we are
TOW~;R. assured that the prayers of the righteous avail mm-h.
Iferetofore if has been our custom to print one page /Ience we ask the brethren to dqllv present us before
in Tl~n WATCJ~ TowE~to be clipped out by the friends tl> throne of hcave~ly grace, that we may be g,~en
and sent to us; but this defaces the issue, and some of wibdoni and ~race to use the moneyto the best advan-
the brethren have complained about this; hence we are tage in spreading the gospel to the Lord’s glory, and
adopting the present method. Uponreceipt of this issue to do the work entrusted unto us.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

SHOULD
AVOIDPRESUMPTION only proper, but essential to developmentand pro~q’o<--.
UESTION: We have a class with five elder~ Someclasses makethe mi>lal, e of lettiv:,~ thqr ~,:j’~ rs

Q and one deacon, and other class memb(’rs, num-

bering in all about twenty-one. We have no
chairman nor business meetings, and the el:-dion of
servants is held only once a year. There is a secretary
and treasurer; but he nmther takes minutes of meetings
~or makes report of how much moneythere is on hand.
-One of lhe elders just takes action on matters i)ertain
ing to the class, without consulting any one else; and
when spoken to about it he becomes very angry. He
takes his chair and sits up in front as though he were
leading the meeting, when another elder is leading.
Would we not be in better position to receive the
Lord’s blessing if we had an election of class servants
twice a year? and an electron of a class chairman, as
well as a secretary who would ’cake minutes of all
business transacted during the month? and a treasurer
who wouht report to the class all money on hand,
rec(ived and paid out, at a regular monthly business
meeting ?
Answer: Answeringyour question directly, the class
makes a great mistake in permitting any one elder to
assume the authority that the one spoken of does as-
sume. Our Lord is orderly in everything, and he is
~urely pleased to have his people act orderly. The
organization of the class in aa orderly manner is not
drag along in a;t indifferent manner. Weshouhl re-
menfl)er, ho~exer, that the l~ord’s business requires tile
striete.~’t ob<ervation and should be conducted in the
most orderly manner tlmt we do anything.
No elder should as<nine to be chairman or try to
act for the class in the ma,merthat you w, el~tlon in
the question. Our advice is that you have an eh,etion
every six months, and at this election some one be
elected to act as chairman for six months. Then let
the class have a business meeting once a month to
transact any and all business that maycome before it;
that you have a secretary whowill keep the minutes of
all the business meetings; a treasurer whowill keep an
account of all monies received and paid out; and that
the work be kept in an orderly way, as a successful
business person would conduct his business. Any other
course is, to say the least of it, neglect and indifference
on the part of the class, and surely could not be pleas-
ing to the Lord.
Should it be necessary to have a special business
meeting, the class should pass a resolution and such
a meeting might be called by the elders; and at this
meeting if no one is chairman a chairman might be
elected for the occasion. By all means conduct your
affairs in an orderly way; and, as the Apostle saya;
"Let everything be done decently and in order."
 DAVID, THE POET-KING
~IAY 18 1 SAdIE’EL, 2 SAMUEL~
8ALrI,’SJEAL012rST
OFDA!PID----DAVID*S
LOVEFORGOD’SSIIFEIX---DAYID SECURESLANDPRO.MINEI} TO ABRAHAM--DESTRUCTION
0:;
GOD’SENE~IIESPREFIGI’RED--*~IITSIC
GOESW]TI[ hi tiE KINGD()M.
"Surely goodness and loving kindness sh(tll follow me all the days of my lifc."--Psalm 23: 6.

O URlesson is of David, the Poet-King, tile sweel singer

of Israel, and a king after God’s own heart.
life of David to Israel is something like the Lake of
The
sharp a pinch tlmt they came near to stoning him, their
beloved leader. (1Samuel 30:6) Here again God saved
him, and brought him out of his distress.
Galilee to the river Jordan. As the lake receives the heqd 5On the death of Saul David’s ~wn tribe Judah made
walers of the Jordan, holds them, and pours then] out in him king. But tlle northern tribes, perhaps SUSlficious
fie-d, so the history of Israel seems to center in David, because of his union with Israel’s enemies, refused to
who receives it, and pours it forth in fresh flow. In 1)avid accept him as the Lord’s anointed, and nmde one of Saul’s
the life of Israel revived; and the hope of Israel and the sons king. This led to civil war in Israel, and to the first
reason for their separation from the nations of the earth real division between the tribe of Judah and the other
were again clearly seen. From David came the pomp and tribes of Israel.
the power, as well as the sweet nmsic of Israel. Like all ’;David reigned in Hebron seven and one-lmlf years. (2
men of God in Israel whose Wol’ks are recorded I)avid is Samuel 5:5) At the end of that time the northern cause
"sign-man"; that is, one used as a type or illustration. See collapsed, and all Israel went to Hebron to make David
Zechariah 3:8, margin. king. Following a wise policy he removed his seat of gov-
eDavid’s call to prominence in Israel was unexl~ecled. ernment from Hebron in Judah to Jerusalem in the tribe
While his father Jesse wqs a man of some imlmrl’mce in of Benjamin. As Jerusalem is built on a hilly formation
Bethlehem. yet there was no expectation of anylhing special which juts into the portion of Judah, David served the two
happening to tim fandly. But Saul had failed: he was a I)Url)oqcs of remaining practically in Judah, while being
self-willed man with much appearance of humility, but of actually in Benjamin.
much pride of heart, and, manifesting considerable hypoc- 7It is at this juncture that one of the most familiar
risy. Saul well represents the human ideals of the people, names of Scripture is first mentioned; that of Zion, the
and the human will operating contrary to God. llecause of name of the highest hill in Jerusalem. It was held by a
his self-will he was not allowed to est’thlish a dynasly: no colony of Jebusites, who derided David’s attempt to dis-
s(m of his must reign upon Israel’s throne. On Saul’s lodge them. The account of its capture is interesting .rod
rejection years before his death, Samuel was sent to Beth- typical. David established himself there. He built a house,
lehem to Jesse’s family to anoint a new king. The family nnd a citadel, and immediately began that series of activi-
of sons came before him; and Samuel’s choice was falling ties which placed his name foremost amongst the kings of
upon one of the fine young men, when God stayed him. Israel, and made him a type of the great King of the king-
Probably Samuel thought that as God had previously se- dora of God. David’s opportunity as king in Israel had
lected a tall man for king, he would want another of the come in due time. The seventeen years or so since as a
same kind. His love for and fear of Saul interfered with boy Samuel had anointed him had been a long time of
his judgment. Even Samuel nmst be reminded that God somewhat bitter experiences. Now, in God’s own time, he
looks upon the heart. God saw in the young lad David one was ripe in experience and ready for his work. He came
whose heart would be true towards him. David’s readiness to the throne well equipped both with experiences in life
to go back to care for his father’s sheep even though and with true ideas of the honor, privilege, and power of
anointed to be king in Israel is an example to all who his position as God’s representative. It ls altogether to
desire to keep a right attitude of heart. The lad was not David’s honor that he had waited God’s time instead of
only lowly of mind and faithful, but healthy, strong, and endeavoring to force the situation. And bec’mse David’s
Industrious; he was also musical, poetic, and devout. heart was h)yal, God saved him from the serious conse-
quences of his error of judgment. God is very gracious to
SAUL’S JEALOUSY OF DAVID the loyal heart.
~Our space does not allow us to tell in detail of the cir-
cumstances which took him away from the sheepfoMs to DAVID’S LOVE FOR GOD’S "SHEEP"
Saul’s court. Some of the experiences there were hard to SAs a boy keeping sheep in the fields at Ephratah, David
bear; for Saul got bitterly jealous of him, and often had thought of x~hat he would do when king in Israel---of
would have slain him. Indeed, David says that he was the house he wouhl build for the ark of God then hidden,
hunted like a partridge in the mountains. (1 Samuel 26 : 20) as it were, in the home of Abinadab in Kirjath-jearim. (1
The true-heartedness of the young man was revealed then; Samuel 7:1; Psahn 132:6) There, too, he had thought of
for during those days David had several opportunities of Israel as God’s sheep, and his warm loving heart wa~
slaying Saul; but to him Saul was the Lord’s anointed, stirred for them. As he tried to be a faithful shepherd el
whom he wouhl not hurt. These trying experiences were all the sheep, so would he as king endeavor to care for God’l
to David’s advantage; for they gave him many OI)l)orluni- sheep. And this ideq remained with him. (1 Chronicles 21:
ties of developing character, and by them he was prel)ared 17) Also his experiences with the courageous yet some-
for his responsibility as king of Israel. what wihl and unruly men who came to him in the moun.
4As the persecution did not cease, David joined himself tains of Judea fitted him for leadership among men. IIa
to one of the Philistine nobles. It was a serious error of had an attractive personality; and those who came in con-
Judgment; for he became so far involved as actually to tact with him became his devoted friends or servants. .ks
Join the Philistine army on the march to Gilbea, where king he was God’s choice; he was the choice of the people;
Saul lost his life. But God intervened (1 Sanmel 29) ; and and God had trained him.
David was saved from the calamitous error of fighting with 9The ideals then before David were: (1) To find a place
the foes of Israel against the Lord’s anointed. His mistake for the ark, that Israel’s worship might be restored: (2)
brought him into trouble with hla followers, even to so to build It representative city; and (3) to erect a noble
 BROOKLYN, N. ~’j
WATCH TOWER
lemple for the Lord, that the ark of God should no longer The battles of truth against error were fonght, and truth
flwell in a tern, liable to all vicissitudes. It was really tile won its victories. For the first time the spiritual Israelite
jealousy of tile ten lribes which caused him to go to Zion, was free to walk through all the land of the promises, the
[)lit lhat mean spirit was used by God for the good of his truth.
Ileople. Without doubt the spirit of God directed David
(hither. After he had eqtablished himself in Zion he imme- DESTRUCTION OF GOD’S ENEMIES PREFIGURED
diately prepared "t lilac(, for lhe ark, and it was brought 13Bll{ llli’~ i~4 not all: There remains ;mother ~el of ene-
from Kh’jaih-jearinl to Zion with shouthlgs and acchuna- mies of the kingdoin who inns( be 1)rough( to noll,Aht befm’e
lions of praise. Prolmllly the Twenty-fourth Psalm eom- it can be established. These \~e know nailer the mma~ of
lilem{d’;ll(.,s this. On lids occasion all Israel were g’athered the hens(, (lie false prophet, bi~ busine~,, mMall Ihose
lo~elhcr and had a happy time of fens(lag; and David now institutions wllich are el)posing the kina(h)m. The lk:ht
the kina in power in Zion fed tim people and blessed them on. Tim Word of God is nmrslmling his hi)sis an(l s,,,~thng
xxi/}t bread and wine. acting in type the part of King th(,m forth into battle. Soon all lhese enemies x\ill
Melchizvdel( ill the greater Zion now soon to be established. reduced, ;m(l the I)avi(1 1)h:l,.e of IS(’ (,sl:ll)li,q!nn,nt
~1 Chronicles 1G : 1-3. l,:i)la(lom of lleav(’n will l)e (’()hi.hi(h,(1. ~iatil’ 4 are
l)rob:ll)ly relwesented in David’s l:l>l eonlIh.is, a liaht aa’ainst
DAVID SECURES LAND PROMISED TO ABRAHAM gianls, Ill(. ]llqt Ol/e 1)eiHVIt nll)nsle(’ l)r:l)l(le(l with "(;,"
nlark of Ihe tlenst; he ]m(l six" toes on (,;It’ll fool. ;/lid <)x7
~0David was a true Bible Stndent. (Psahn 1: 1,2)
fingers on each band. (1 (’hl’onieles 20:(J) Theft, : .’,’¢
saw lhat the l(ing(lom over which he ruled wits only
small lmriion of llle land which Gocl had given to Abraham exlcrlninated tile race of aia)Hs, ,~11~1 ;1’{ lhe ])l’(’>eilt \\,,l’,,~ie
by l)rond~e (Genesis 15:1821), and wllich lind not will exlerluinate till 111(2 llltlll.~|t’l’> xxllich hA\e ,)l)I)rt-,-(’d
hmnani(y.
become lheirs, partly through their lack, alld perhaps be-
cause God’s (lue time had not coinc. But now :is God’s 14\Vlll2nDavidllfl(l (’oll(incl’e(l 111(, ~,(,\ell l)eol)l(,s--l’lnl),~rm,
Edonl, M,)ab, Anlinou, Syria, Z()l):/h, ll:)nmlh--he (le\,,((.(I
king in Zion lie saw the time had come; and he entered
upon a series of wars with the nations that occupied that t:o)lsi(lernl)le time to preparalion for (hi, Imihlit~g ()i"
tenll)le and its service. Becaase he \vas ii lnall el" \\111’ ]1(2
terrilory, and that were the enemies of Israel, with the
was not ,qllowcd to erect file h’ml)le of l)eaee: but a3 hi2
result that all the land which God ll:t(l ,~iven to Abraham
was brought under the rule of Israel. Tllus David, God’s was Go(I’s servant doing his x\ill, lie was "dh)\\ed to l)l(’-
king in Zion, first brought the Abrahamic covenant .~s pare Inalerials for the temple. (l(’hro)lwh’~ ’2L):51 (h>d
relaling 1o Israel’s land into realization; and the kingdom also gave lo lain the minute (letaila (,f ils (’onstruelio:l
was eslal)lished in power. Cln’ouieles 28:19), and David l/rep,lred the lnU~lt’;tl ,,er-
vi(.(’, and arrangements.--1Chroni(’hu 25:1.
Z~But David’s reign in Zion does not represent the rule
of the Prince of Peace; for David was a great li;allter, and
MUSIC GOES WITII TIlE KINGDOM
there are to be no wars when the kingdoln of pence is
established. (Ps-dnl 46: 9) What then does it represent? ~aUntil David’s time nmsic had had little place in Israel’s
We answer: Tllere are two phases in the work of ~tab- worship. Correspondingly it was not until the true kingdom
lishing the kingdom of heaven upon 1he earth; the first a came that the ll/u’p of God could give forth its s\xeetly
comparatively short one, while the wars of the Lord are sohmln sound. Music goes with the kiagdom. Weel)in~
fought, and all opposing forces whether of error or wrong endures for the night of sorrow, but joy and the new s())Jg
are relnlered powerless; the other the long period, during come with the morning. And Davhl not only was musieal,
which the redeemed human family will be blessed with he was poetical. His poems are the fiuest expressions of
those things which God has in reserve---lastil~g life in peace thougllt which the world possesses. There al’e no words
and happiness. The first phase is represen(ed by David’s like his for expressing the emotions and desires of God’s
reign and work; the second, by the reign of Solomon. David people. They are, of course, specially expre.~stve of the
as a boy represents the anointed of tim Lord m((litaling Christ life rather than of human devotion; but exery honest
upon the Lord and seeking to be faithful. Da~i(1 as heart wllo has gone to the Psalms lms found that by which
young nmn hunted by Saul represems the church in the he can draw near to God. That these things were in /lie
bitter experiences in the present evil worhl hunted by Satan, mind of David as a young man before he came to the
but gladly waiting God’s time for exaltation, and in the kingdom is revealed by 1 Chronicles 9: 22. It seems clear
mean/;me learning the lessons which will fit theln for their from this scripture that in those early days when I)a~id
highly exalted position when raised to be joint-heirs with fled from Saul be spent a eonsi(leral)le time at Samuel’s
Christ. But David as king represents the Lord from tim house. There the old man who loved music, and the young
time of his return, until the time when the reign of peace man wire had it in his soul, talked together of what was
shall come, as represented by Solomon. to be when David should come to the lhrone, and ]us
afThe first phase began witll our Lord’s return in 1874. heart’s desire could be accomplishc~l. Every l/base of this
Its marked periods are 1878, 1881, 1914, 1918, 1925. Zion full life provides some lessons for lhe church of God, par-
represents the place of power out of which lig.h,t shines ticularly in this day when courage is so necessary, tiero
(Psalm 50:2; Isaiah 2:3), whether now or in the estab- again shines forth clearly the fact that God ble.~ses tiiose
lished kingdom. Present truth has shone forth clearly from who are loyal to his arangements.
1579, when ZmN’S W*TC~ TOWERand Herald of Christ’s ~6Davi(l as a boy and yotlth is It fine exfllnple for evvl’y
Presence was first published. From the standpoint that youth. After Iris anointing by Samuel lie was its willing to
the King had returned in power, present truth was pro- keep his fal:her’s sheep as before. As :t I)oy lie was indus-
claimed; and God’s messenger, Pastor Russell, led its attack trious; for no man could have a full life such as lie had
against all forms of error until all the truth belonging to who ires not been industrious as a boy. lie was failhful to
Spiritual Israel had been made plain. Then, for the first his trust. Envious arrows were shot at hial, but he kel)t
time in the history of the church of God, tim Abrahamic his honor because he always set God before him. Titan
cOvenant as respects the spiritual l)roInises became the David’s there is no fuller, busier, lllOl’e e~entl’ul life ia
lnheritam.e of (Io(l’s people. Never until then did the church Scriptnre. Ilis life was olle of ceaseless aetivil 5. ilnl)r~)’,;ng
Bee cleal’15 all tlmt God had given them in that covenant. himself, making use of hi8 talents, studying the ~o,’k ut lh~
 WATCH
Lord or, "~ frequently happened, kept busy by his enemies.
17Towards the end his life went somewhat into the shad-
ows. Yet there were bright gleams, and the glory of God
is seen shining on him. His life’s tasks had been accom-
plished ¯ rod everything was ready for the estahli.qmmnt of
the kingdom of peace. In all his desire for the honor of
God, and in his care for God’s people, he was a man after
God’s own heart.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Ilnw maythe hie of llavld be pictured ul il~e lake of Galilee? ¶ 1.
Whatxxere lhe charact~*rlsties of Saul’; Ot I)avld? 72.
~Vhat were ~omeof lhe experiences of David? Whywas Saul jeal-
ou~ el lm,? ¶3.
Wlmtsel iou~ error did David make, and howdid God save him? ¶ 4.
Whatlevi to the first diwamaof Iurael’t ¶ 5.
TOWER
Wh.Lt ~au~ed the reunion of Israel? :How long did David reign !1
llebHm? ¶ 6.
Where dul David next establish his government, and how did he do
it? ~, 7.
In wimt way was David trained for leadership, and did he make
friends? ¶ 8.
~qmt three things were on David’s mind at this time, and why? ¶ 9.
What leads us to think that David had faith in the Abrahamle
land-l~romise? ¶ 10.
What (hd David as a boy represent? As a young man? As klnl~T
¶ 11.
Showsomecorrespondencies betweenDavid’s reign and the "hal’-
v,,’,|" i>eriod. ¶ 12.
Vehal r:reat ~xork is unfinished? ¶ 13.
X\ hv v,,> sol Da~id allowed to build the temple? ¶ 14.
\\hat SldI’ndid lhings did David do for Israel, and for us? ¶ 15.
V~’h:II ~mtstandlng characteristic of David is especially connnend-
able? ¶ 16.
In what way was David a "man after God’s own heart"? I 17.

ELIJAH, THE BRAVE REFORMER

--JIAY 20 1 KINGS 17- 2 KI>-GS 2

]ELIJAH’S LONGPI~EPARATION:FOR SERVICE--ELI JAIl’S WEAKNESS O\EIIRULEDFOR GOOD---TYPICALEXPERIENCES

OF ELIJA]~
--ELISIfA IH:(’OMGSELIJAI4"S SUCCESSOB..
"Choose ye this day whom ye will serve."---Joshua 24: 15.

E LIJAII is the most notable of the prophets,

most remarkable figure of the northern kingdom. His
advent in the history of his people was sudden. After
and the them. At evening time, in faithful, h)yal appeal (1Kingll
18:36, 37), he e:~lled upon Jehovah to vindicate himself and
his prophet. Immediately fire came down, which consumed
the division in I{ehoboam’s days, the northern kingdom the water-drenched sacrifice and even the altar itself; and
traveled a swift downward course. God did not permit thus in quick response to Elij,dt’s prayer God demonstrated
Jeroboam’s house to continue to occupy the throne (1 Kings that he alone is God. Elijah took immediate advantage Of
13:34), and rehellion followed rebellion with much blood- the moment, and all the proptmts of l’,aal were slain.
shed; for eqch king exterminated the family of his prede-
cessor. One of these rebellions, about fifty years after the ELIJAH’S LONG PREPARATION FOR SERVICE
division, was headed by Omri of the army, a bold, evil man qle then prayed earnestly for the rain which God had
with no respect for the God of his fathers. (1 Kings 16: 25) promised to send; and soon heavy showers fell, so th’lt the
On his death, his son Ahab became king. Ahab married land was refreshed and watered, and the famine was ended.
Jezebvl, the dal~gllter of the king of Tyre, a former priest It was a wonderful and courageous thing which Elijah did
of Baal, and he (lid worse than his father. (1 Kings 16: 33) that day. He withstood not only the opposition of the king
Jezebel was a fierce, wilful woman: she dominated her and his court and the prophets of Baal, but also that of
husband, and she therefore became virtual ruler of Israel. the people, who had allowed themselves to be perverted,
She determined to establish the worship of Baal in Israel and who believed that he was the cause of the evil which
and to destroy the worship of Jehovah. A large number of was upon them. Elijah was strong in the power of the
the p,’ophets of Baal. the "lord" of imaven, and of Astarte, Lord. The question at that time in the life of the nation
the "queen" of heaven, were brought, and were kept at was that of the place of Jehovah. Israel had waived Jeho-
the expense of the wicked queen. And this abominable and vah to one side and had taken Baal instead, on the claim
obscene worship was fastened upon Israel. She began that Baal was the god of power. The demonstration at
the first religious persecution; for no one dared openly Carmel settled the question for Israel.
acknowledge fealty to Jehovah. ~IImv came Elijah to take this notable place in Israel’s
2It was under this stress of need that Elijah apl>eared. life? Did God suddenly call him from his home on the
From the east of Jordan he came, apparently unknown to edge of the desert, and tell him what to do? Was that all
Israel. He presented himself to Ahab and said: "As the the preparation Elijah had for his strenuous llfe’s work?
Lord God of Israel liveth, before whomI st:rod, lhere shall If God had so chosen, Elijah wouhl have been given strength
not be dew nor rain the’~e years but /lCCOl’(lin,~ I() my word." and wisdom for his work. But God chooses those for his
(1Kings 17:1) His word began to go into effect at once. The purpose who have directly given themselves to him, and
whole country was thrown into a distress of dron;aht, which who have been under preparation for such work as he sees
lasted for three and one half years. (James 5: 17) When is to be clone. James supplies the answer. (James 5:17, 18)
God’s purpose in the famine was almost accomplished Eli- He tells us that Elijah prayed earnestly that it might not
Jah, who had been specially protected by God, was a,gain rain. We ask: Why did he pray, and what ground had
sent to Ahab. As they met. Ahqh charged him with being he for such a prayer, even to ask that rain and dew might
the troubler of Israel. Elijah retorted that it was not he, be withheld from the land? Elijah was a good man, with
but Ahab and his father’s house who were Israel’s trouhlers, the honor of God ever before him and with the good of his
and challenged Ahab on the fact and tile power of Baal. people on his heart. He saw the wicked woman and the
Ahab was to bring all the four hundred and fifty prophets weak kin.g leading the people astray, and the people willing
of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Astarte, for a to be led, and that the abominable Baal was worshiped
demonstration as re whether Baal or Jehovah was God. instead of the God of Israel. He knew what Moses had
aTwo altars were erected, and offerings were laid upon written, how God had said that if Israel sinned he would
them. The fire was to come in answer to prayer. The withhold the rain of heaven from them. (Deuteronomy 11:
prophets of Baal called all day for their god, but were 17) Elijah believed that his people needed a .sharp lesson;
made foolish; for there was no response. Elijah mocked and he prayed earnestlythat they might get it in orde~
 WATCH TOWER .,,-,.
that they might be saved from this abominable thing, the wicked queen. The symbolic meaning of this peculiar
which was s,) (liMlonoringto God and so demorahzing manifest.ilion ’it Horeb is set forlh fully in the publislmr’s
them and wldch had been fastened upon them. God heard preface to V0hnue ~evel/ of SCRIPTURE ,~f(’DIES.
his prayer and, as is usually the case, made use of tile ~’l’he Lord bade hiln go back and proceed 1() anoint
earnest man who sought the glory of the Lord. God sent I[nzael to be kin~ in Syria, Jelm to be long in Israel. "md
Elijah as his messenger to Atmb and to Israel to carry out "Iqli-h;t 1o be lwoDh(,t m lhy r,)om." l1 l(ing~ 19: 1(;)
his work; and thus this praying, God-fearing man who jah m lhuqn~ had not hon,,r(,d God. Wlml would Israel
lived on the I)ord(’l’S of the desert becomes the eenh,r think of lh(, Prophet of (;~(l who h,M been uo bold
prophetic activity, and he and his work are made typical C(HII’H’A(’(PlI*, ]Jill \\lie had ie;li(’,l ,l(’zeb~ Vs ihl’ea[ and
of some of the grc.ttest things in the history of God’s t)eop],’. lied for llis life? Elijall was >enl 1Lack, lint lo conlinue lhe
6Our slndies in the lives ()f God’s people continually show \V()l’]i h(, ]lad droi)ped, but to an,qhl[ lho lhree :dready
Us that Rod honors those who seek his praise and the good tiom’,l..s if tlt(’3 ul,re to carry Oil the wol’].~ Ill’ ]llnl /)e~|lU.
of his people. ~’-’lIe \\Pn! nq)l’lhxvllrd, })nt he seems Io have been in no
hurl’.’," t() Ox(’~’lll(’ ]li’~ commission.Apl):t~(q~llyl)a~sing x\ ¯
ELIJAH’S WEAKNESS OVERRULED FOR GOOD ]’]li*h:l wau l)l(,\\ ilia’. Elijah c:lst his luanlh’ o\el’ hinl.
7Following this noble witness for God came one of those w;t~ a Sylnlt,llic act \\’hi(,h Eli~ha ulld,,]’.l,.)d, bill x\hl(’]l
strange lmppenings which now and again are recorded in doe’, llot sl’elll lO be ill full hHl’lll()ll~ \\11]1 \\hat had
the history of (;eli’S i)eople. Elijah the brave reformer, bidden Elijah do. lie did nol (.,,,~lmu(, hl~ .i()nrm’y
r)~llllaN(.ns, ;tll(l Ii;Iz~ll’l :llld aohU \\ot’o :(llqdIIl(’t] If) lilt’iF
man who had courage to challenge the whole nqtion, who
stood before the assembled priests o£ Baal aml taunted ofli,’(,s in ]aler days by lgli.h:l, lAltlo ~q he,/rd ,)f him for
theln, suddenly lo.~t his eonra,ge. Jezebel on hearing that tim,,. 1)lit he "ll)pt’;Irs Ul)On tltc v(’l,ll(, ;}2;llll the llla EleF of
the prophels of lhml h’td been slain sent a threalening Ahab and Naboth’s vineyard (1 I,~n/a, "l : 17-"2), mid :l~
message to Elijah. She declared tllat within twenty-four Ine>-e,laer of God to Ahaziah.--2 l(ina. 1: 5-16.
hours he should be like the slain prophets. As he re(’eix(,d
It his courage oozed out. He forgot his faith, forgot the ELISHA BECOMESELIJAH’S SI;CCESSOR
providences of God which had preserved him, and fled for XaThen came the time when this no~able servant of (;,,1
his life. must (.(,a~e hi, hiller-. Whalevm. f,lihlre Elijah made i:l
sWe know that God used this experience as a type for fle(’ina fl’lml ha. w()rk ,}u.t \\hen it st~mletl to l)e brou,_,ht
things to come in later days: but we also know lhat (-~od tO a (:uhnitmll(m. (led gave ]linl lhe ill(Is{- WOll(lerfnl
would not force l.~hjal~ into fear and lack of faith, and we man ever had. The (’irt:um~tances of Elijah’s "Irnnshltlon"
must assume that there was forgetfulness on hi< part. He and of its tyl)ical signilicance lutve been fully dealt wilh in
and his servant fled at once from aezreel. The next we lhese cohmms. (See WXTC,r Towl,:,~ ,,f A,,vvst 15, 1919)
hear of him he is qt 1;(,ersheba, in the south. There he ],;lijah and lu~ fnilhful (,o-worker l.]lislm had gone over
left his servant, while he uent forward, going south into Jordan l,)aelher; no\v they walked llO1 far from whel’e
the wilderness. After a (hty’s jourim£ he sat under a juniper ~[(~s,,~ s{,~(.1 whl,u lie "viewed the landscape o’er," and
tree to rest. lie prayed that he might die. He slel)t but was wh(’le (;,,(l buried Elijah wonhl gixe a parting bh,,~-
awakened, to find q meal prepared for hiln and a cruise of in,g t~) l:lislm ; IuMlqli<ha asl~(’,l for a hard thing, even for
water. The angel of God was about him. He ate, apl)ar- a double 1.,rti()n of IHs master’s spirit. Elijah, as the
ently with no expression of surprise, and again lay d~lwn IU’Old~,’t of G~M,~’_,l’l.,(,([ b, l’~" request on condition that
to sleep. Again he was awakened, aud again told to eat; Eli-ha should see lliul ItS a 110 X ,IS taken ltway.
and in the streng~th of that food he went forty days and aq,~lislla came a\~ay from l’v, nlOlltltahl blest with
nights. IIe went on to Horeb. donl)le porlion of Eli.jah’s 8ldi’ll, to continue the wink
Elijah had begu,L lit, :mainled tl,tz,t(’l of Syria anlt aehu
TYPICAL EXPERIENCES OF ELIJAH to be kills In NiIIllHl’i~l, aim by oneIlliqtllS or another the.
9Elijah went, and soon God spoke to him. There wa.: ;t work of ].ottting ~ml the wor.d~ip of Ihtal started wilh
great wind-storm; pieces of the rocks were hm’le(t qlmut ]’~li.{ah was accoml)h~hetl.
by its force; lhel’e was an earthquake, and then a lire. laIlolh Fhjalt lind lqliMm rel,reuent tile sanle ehlss SOl’V-
Then, at last, came "a still small voice." Tids man of ins umh.r (tilferent e,,IMitions. In the actual clash wilh
somewhat wild, tm’bulent disposition probably expected to ]3aal bolh represent tim church of (;-d at ibis time, during
have the voice of God speak to him out of these convulsions the Lord’s presence, llll(h,l" the two 1)bases; lhe first, from
of nature, as God hqd spoken there to lsrael through the 1874 to 1918, declaring lbe word of truti~: lhe second, (’on-
rolling tlmnders. (Exodus 19: 18, 19) But the Lord was tinuing that work, or ~eltin,.z forces ,t work whi(,h shall
not in the storm nor in the fire nor in the earthquake. The eonlinue it, until that ,tbominal)le thing which lms fastened
still small voice asked Elijah why he was there. ilself UltOn tile life nf Christendom slmll have been do
~OElijah’s answer is a l’evelati(m of the secret of his fears, stro.ved.
and of his weakness. There is a note of complaint in his ~0]lqal worship was worship of the forces of nature. It
answer. All the prollhets of God had been slain, and he corresponds in type to the worship of human reason as
only was left, and he had to flee for his life. (1 Kings 19: opp(l>ed to divine revelation--to higher (’ritieism as Olql~)sed
14) The iml)lieation was that he, the only faithful one left, to humble acceptance of divine .~uidanee; to worship of
had to look out for himself. Self, it seems, was too promi- human skill as evidence of man’s independence of God. It
nent, the truth being that he had taken the care of himself represents all power or combinations of power, whether of
into his own hands instead of letting God care for him. money or force, physical or otherwise, of politics or eeele-
Fear of Jezebel drove out of his mind the fact that he was siasticisin, which could be used or exploited to show to
God’s serwmt and in God’s care. He had not Wen God a men tlmt God is not necessary to man’s happiness or
chance. There is no comfort in God’s response; for Elijah pleasure or that the kingdom of heaven, as declared and
was in the wron~" pl’tee, and not in the best condition of described by the Hebrew prophets, can be brought about
heart. God tohl him that he was mistaken; that there were by human effort as distinct from the direct iuterwmtion of
still 7,(XR) in Israel who had not bowed the knee to IIaal, heaven. Whoever now tries to continue the present m’der
and whom God had protected from the vicious cruelty of of things by bringing about remedial measures, uhether or
 not he professes to serve God, Is really on the side of Baal : What traits of character does God honor in chooMn~his messen-
gers ? ¶ 6.
he is tile enemy of God. (James 4:4) We tlmnk God that What explanation is there that the brave reformer should now floe
the Elijah work, whether that done by him>elf or continued from a woman?¶ 7, 8.
In Elisha, is nearly finished; and that the true WOl’shil) of Whyand howdid GodO~rl’tlle Elijah’s lack of faith? ¶ 8.
Wheredid Elijah go, an(l xxhat dill he next do? ¶I S.
God is soon to be established. What nolable event now took place m the Prophet’s life ~ ¶ 9.
Whywas Elijah in such a predicament, and what x~as the typical
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY si~:nificanee? ¶ 10.
Gi~e a brief outlnm of Israel’s hi~tory In the days of El|jail. ¶ 1. Elijah, seelmngly disgrace(l, was nowdirected to do what~ ¶ 11
tIow xxaa l:[~,ah introduced to King Ahab. and what imnledmtely WasHlijah alert and pronlllt to carry out the Lord’s indlru(’lmnd?
took place’: ~ 2. ¶12.
On flmu" -~,’o:.d meeting, howdid Elijah challenge Ahal)~ ¶2. Whatwere tile closing experiences of Elijah’s life? ¶ 13.
~gllat notable I|llll)~ trall,~plred that caased tile (|t~lltl el tile proph- "~\ ire receiveda double]Jol’tit)ll of l.]lijah’s spirit, and wily?¶ 13, 14.
et- of |’hal" ’ .; A~l.:h,~ah’s sueced~or,~xllltt did l’:liMmdo? ¶ 14.
’~ f 4 Wlmt (I.’~s~ 14 represented by these prophets? What remains to be
~3,’hat did 12lljilll lleXt dl), and why was lie so snc{+(’--ltl[
~Vhat Prel)aratlOn ]l~ld l’:hjnh for Ills life’s work? \\ hy did as- do:le~ ¶ 13.
sume such authorlty’t Aud why was his work tapleal? ¶ 5. What does Baal ~orship represent? Explain fully. ¶ 16.

ISAIAH, THE STATESMAN-PROPHET

--MAY 27 BOOK or ISAIAH----
C0515£1S810.N Ol~" I~XIXII TO ISRXEL--GOD’S PEOPLE SI[OUIAI ’l’lll’Sl" lIlS[--lvO[*R GREAT TRUJ IlS TO BE I~nocLAIB[ED--GOI)’S WORD
TIIROI’(,I[ IhAI ’,ll ~[ArCHLESS.

"Here am I; sc~t,l me."--[saiah 6: 8.

T IlE topic for today draws attention

I<aiah the 1wIq)het \;lib :tl+,() ,, ,t~/to’,Ill:]n. ll
to the fact |lint

prophets of Isr.lei were s,)melimes cllar~ed "+’~ ith nles-

e(+;iIi~o |l it+,
Wage:~![ed to h~,t,r: for he h:l,! h; er)eak very p"tih.~ a’.e’:lil>.t
the ~t,s of l,~- ile,)l~h ’. lie I,,,’,’u;, oy ,elling lh(,ln :’+,t| ttwy
were ~;,olly slcl;, i’tlll of eorrnptin~ sores, and thai it v,tlS
sa~es to Isr;tel’s kings, and their "burden.~" often were (if God’s mercy they ~xere not cut t,fi (]-uiah 1:6-9)
comments upon the pohtical sirra7 on. or because they he told them that (;od wlmhl pnrgo tL’eln with the spirit ,,f
sometinms interv(,ned in :tff.~ir~. the clergy !:ave clailntul burning (Isaiah 4:4), and ultimately would restore Iht+nl
similar rights and resI)onsti)tltttes. Moreover, the Noncon- to llis love and care. Isaiah’s eommis>iut, w~s to 1)rl)clam~
formists have tat|.a’ht lhe l)(,ol)le that every member of judgment and desolation, and that only a remnant xxouid
church shouhl v,,le ns ,’t duly to God. But there is no be ~aved. But beyotM till others Isaiah is m,,,,"thele~s the
parallel. Tile 1)~,:~c]t,s of the ldn.gdmus of earth are based pr+)l)het of re.~hlralio:: lie tells of I.-r:tel’s ~, qtorati+ltl
nl)Otl selfishm, s- and Ia(iverned thereby: certaiply not allen (lsniltit 1:26) ; (t£ the bh’..-ing of the Gentiles (oh 2: 2-’;)
the teachings of Christ. ,Nor is it proposed that the League of the establishment of the ldn;(lom of peace (oh ll| ;
of Ntttioiiq all;ill I)e ~aoverned by his teachings. Israel was the destruction of the pm~er of death (oh. 25); ot the
God’s kingdom; but even there the prophets did not speak highway of reslituti(m ((’h. 35). And, in the latter part
except "tt his eomnmnd. his book, he speaks of tlle restoration of the ideal lsrlml of
eIsaiah’s work was done in Jerusalem, beginning about God to be Jehovah’s servant, to complete the ministry of
seventy years after the death of Elijah. After the turbnlent the elect before the full establishment of the kingdom. The
days of aehu, both the kinglloms of Israel and Judah had remnant wouhl become God’s servant to restore his people
rest for a time. Later the northern kingdom under the Israel that they mkght be an instrument of salvation to the
second Jeroboam. who reigned forty-one years, attained to world according to the original promise.--Isaiah 27:6.
its greatest eminence. But it went further and further into qt is not until "ffter about twenty years that we have
indifference towards God, at last becoming so much like the any other speei’ll link with Isaiah’s times. IIe was then
nations round about that it gave up the worship of Jehovah, told to ,go to King Ahaz, who would be found at the entl
and finally rejected his covenant. (2Kings 17: 15) The of the water conduit (Isaiah 7:3), and to t’tke wiflt him
southern kingdom, Judah, also had a measure of prosperity. his son Sim-tr-jashub. The king was in eonsi(lernble CO:l-
It did not take the course of the northern kingdom; for it cern; for it was reported that the northern kingd<lm,
preservml itself from the idolatry of the surrounding na- Israel, and Syria were confederated against Ju(1.d~ :rod
tion~: but it (leveh*pe(l that formalism which has always about to attack it. As the northern kingdom not hlag
bel,n associated ~ ith Jerusalem, and which became its curse. before had ahnost ruined Judah (2Chronicles 2S: 6-1.5)
I,:ing Uzziah in Jerusalem reigned for fifty-two years; but, there was some reason why the king’s heart would trelnble
towards the last, as was shown in the WATCHTOWEl{ of "as the leaves of a tree when moved by the wind." Ahaz
November ], 1922, he arrogantly took to himself a priestly was living outside the blessings of God’s covenant with his
ollice, an offen<e for x~hich God smote him with leprosy. people, and therefore had not the rest of faith.
Isaiah began prol)Imsying some little time before Uzziah’s ~At this time the Assyrian empire on the north xxas
death, and continued to be the Lord’s messenger during aiming to become the dolninant world power. It had sub-
the following reigns of Jothaln (sixteen years), Ahaz (six- dued all the East, and now sought to bring its great rival
teen years), and probably nil through the reign of Hezekiah Egypt into subjection. But Assyria could not attack Egypt
(twenty-nine years). IIe served a long time, but did not without agreement with the nations of Syria and Palestine
escape the usual fate of God’s prophets. (Luke 13:33) or their conquest. Egypt was a considerable power, and it
Tradition says that he was sawn asunder during the pers~ was a qnestion in faithless Jerusalem as to which of tln,so
Cut|on by Manasseh. two great powers they should choose with whom to mako
sit was in the year King Uzziah died that Isaiah saw the an alliance. While this was the case, Damascus and Sama-
vision which gave him lds Colmnissiou and set the keynote ria, who for mutual safety were confederated against A~
of his ministry. Ile saw the Lord in glory in the temple syria, wanted Jerusalem to join them in the confederacy tn
enquiring for some one to speak for him. Isaiah offered resist the Assyrian power. This Jerusalem declined to do l
himself and was accepted. It was a heavy burden that he hence the attack of Israel and Syria to enforce It, It wal
 WATCH TOWER
at this Juncture that Isaiah was sent to Ahaz aa he was and Assyrian empires represent growing world-powers which
looking to the defenses of Jerusalem, and particularly to are really opposed to one another, and between which
the water supply. Ahaz was not a good man; but because "religion" is crushed.
the time for the disruption of the kingdom of Judah had *°Jerusalem of Ahaz’ day was not a faithful city, but It
not come, he was told that he need not fear the confederacy was not then the Lord’s time to destroy it. It well repre-
of these "two tails of smoking firebrands."--Isaiah 7: 4. sents the state of Christendom at the time when the salva-
tion of the Lord was to be revealed. Isaiah and his chin
GOD’S PEOPLE SIIOULD TRUST HIM dren and a few faithful disciples bind up the testimony.
6Isaiah told khaz to ask for n sign lhat God would be (Isaiah 8: 16) They represent those who are giving forth
with him, but the king in mock humility declined. Tile the witness concerning the disruption which is coming upon
Prophet then gave a sign. IIe tohl that a child should be Christendom.
born, and added that before it should grow to distinguish ~lUnder the guidance of the holy spirit (1 Peter 1:12),
between good and evil, devastation should come upon the Isaiah in prophetic vision wrole in such language as to
two Countries which were then threatening Judah. The make the Assyrian desolation symbolic of the desolating
chihl’s name was to be Immanuel, or "God with us." Be- power of the present day, when God is preparing for the
sides this, there was to be another child born, who was to establishment of the kingdom of l’ighteou~Iless by sweeping
have the name of Maher-shalal-hash-baz--a name which away all idolatrous and hypocvilical x~orship by means of
has a strange significance, upon which translators have world-powers vehieh are 1lOWl’iSill~ onlill~u,.ly.
disagreed, but which apparently indicates thttt there was a ~21n vision he saw beyond lsrael’~ trmfl~le. He saw a
time of distress imminent when prey would be seized as child born in Israel who wouhl be speci:llly under the care
by a ravenous beast. The king and the pe~ple were warned of God, and upon whom ultimately the government of his
against a~ty confederacy either with tim northern kingdom people should be laid; of whose kingdom there shouhl be
or Egypt or Assyria; for the Lord of IIosts would be their no end; who would bring tile wisdom "rod emmsel of God
sanctuary if they would but trust him. (Isaiah 8:11-14) in his rule. lie would be victorious over ~111 lhe enemies of
Isaiah saw that his advice would not be taken, and that Israel, and over all forms of evil ; he wouhl ullimately fight
God would use the Assyrian as a sharp instrument to bring with and destroy every enemy of God and man, and h,’~d
a severe lesson to his people. He saw, too, that the the human family up the highway of holiness to joy and
Assyrian would be presumptuous, defying the God of Israel, gladness, and to mental, moral, and physical perfection.-
and that God would ultimately break him because of his Isaiah 35.
pride.~Isaiah 7 : 20 ; 10 : 12. ~aThe destroying king of Babylon (Assyria) represents
vii was from these events that Isaiah, moved by the holy Lucifer, the world’s devastator. But the great destroyer is
spirit, spoke the prophecies which follow--to chapter 35. himself destroyed in order that the world nmy have peace.
He told of the great Assyrian power coming like an over- (Isaiah 14:12-19) It is now the privilege of an Isaiah
whelming flood, covering the whole of those countries, and class to preach that the Prince of Peace has now entered
almost destroying God’s people. (Isaiah 8:8) But a rem- upon his work. They are also to proclaim the downfall of
nant would be left, and these would be the nucleus out of Satan’s empire; for like Isaiah ll..’y see that great empire
w]lich God would rebuild his Israel. (ell. 8:]6-18) Sen- destroyed and that great evil spirit rendered powerless.
naeherib, the great Assyrian ruler, in his own record says
that the passing of his mighty armies dried up the streams GOD’S WORDTHROUGH ISAIAH MATCHLESS
of Palestine. (Isaiah 37: 25) He devastated the northern ~4Some years later Isaiah is again in personal relation
kingdom, and carried its people away into captivity; and with the king. (Isaiah 36-39) Judah lind been put nnder
all the adjacent countries felt the desolator’s power. But tribute by Assyria; but Hezekiah, then Mug and a true
Isaiah saw that at last that mighty wave would be broken servant of Jehovah, had apparently stopped paying it. Sen-
against the rock of Zion. It would there lose its force and nacherib determined to conquer these peoples and so settle
die away. worhl dominion. On his way to Egypt he was stopped at
STile unusual circumstances under which Isaiah was sent Lachish in the southwest country, a walled city of consid-
to Ahaz, and the consequent incidents and prophecies are erable stv~,ngth. It was from there that he sent Hezekiah a
specially typical of things in the etmreh of God during the threatening letter, which filled him with alarm. Isaiah was
harvest time. Here are treasures store(l for the household sent to lIezekiah to tell him tlmt tile end of his days had
of faith. Isaiah says he and his chihh’en are "for signs come. This was a specially heavy blow; for he had tried
and wonders in Israel from the Lord of Hosts in Mount to do ri.ght. And he had not yet married, amI therefore had
Zion."--lsaiah 8 : 18. no son who could follow him in the kingdom. Hezekiah
"sickened unto death." Plaintively he "repealed to Jehovah.
FOUR GREAT TRUTHS TO BE PROCLAIMED He spread the blasphemous letter of tim Assyrian before the
Vlsaiah means "Salvation of Jehovah," and corresponds Lord, and pleaded for himself. Isaiah was sent to tell him
to the name of Joshua and Jesus. Shear-jashub means that his prayers were answered. Ile would recover, and go
"The remnant shall return"; Immanuel "God with us," and up to the house of the Lord on the third day; and his life
Maher-shalal-hash-baz "Haste to the prey." These four would be prolonged for fifteen years. And tile Lord further
names are signilicant. They exactly cover the phases of comforted him by telling him that the Assyrian should
the truth which have been made prominent since 1878, the hurt neither him nor Jerusalem. On one of those nights the
date when antitypieal Mount Zion was first set up. Brother angel of the Lord passed over the Assyrian host, and as
Russell’s great message was (1) that the salvation of Jeho- with a cold chill from the wing of death the Assyrian army
vah had come; (2) that re mnant, a li ttle fl ock, sh ould was slain. Hezekiah was restored; he married, and a seed
be g’lthered out for the Lord; (3) that in the Lord’s return was born to him. His days were prolonged, and the pleasure
God is with his people, manifesting his power to deliver; of the Lord prospered in his hand.
and (4) that there was coming gr eat ti me of tro uble int o X~As before, these events became in Isaiah’s clear vision
which not only Christendom but all the world would be the basis of an exalted prophecy. His message pours forth
thrown. The confederacy of Syria and Samaria represents In full stream, as from an honored channel of the Lord.
the growing dangers to faith of the last days ; the Egyptian But It is not now one of "burdens"--woes upon the natlons~
 WATCH TOWER
It i~ a glorious prophecy of a restored people. The suffel’ing favored servant of the Lord. But Iris long record speaks
servant of Jehovah. typified by IIezekiah, has passed through volumes. There is no grander ministry than his. and the
the lime of sufferiug, and is now raised to power aud woFld has no writing which reaches so high a standard
blessing, and becomes God’s messenger to spread truth as Isaiah’s.
abroad, first to I~rael, spiritual and earthly, and then to
all the eartll. QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Are the clergy in error in suppoMngthat rehgiom~ts shouhl nllagle
~°The second portion of Isaiah’s book is a song of deliv- in pohtics? ¶ 1.
eranco, of comfort to God’s ancient people: and ilf the Give a brief siatcment (’oncerning the northeru alad southern king-
clmr(’h in the end of it~ hr.,tory, freed from all bonduge of doms. and of lhe hfe of lsamh. ¶ 2.
ttow did Isaiah come to be a prophet of the Lord, and what wag
error, co:ntlh’ti:!:~ its llti’~-ioIl, delqaring the Iruth of God. his conunl’~qon? ¶ 3.
Isniall .’,poke of Jesus the suffcrin? -erxa,.lt ,,f Jehovah and Give two reasons why Ahaz ua~ greatly concerned. ¶ 4.
Give a brief outhne of lhe world’s history at this time, with
how he bore the sins of lnany. "tml received tim reward for Israel’s relation fhereto. ¶ 5.
his lMelity, t Isaiah 53j But th~.,e chapter-, prophetically In what way did God propose to protect Judah fiom their enemies?
¶6.
porll’,ly tile tilne uf his l’etnF;~ :m,l tell of the work of the What was tim result of not obeying God’s voice, through the
anomled from that time onuaFd until God fully sets up Prophet? ¶ 7.
In allot ’’ ? way were Isaiah and his duhlren for "signs and won-
lli.~ kingdom. God’s witnesses arc gathered aud instructed. der~, ¶ ~.
They are bidden "to awake," "to shine." ( Ch. -t3 : 10 ; 52 : I 1Vhat are lhe fern" l)lln-es of trulh nlade prominent since 187~? ¶ 9.
In what way did Jct’usalem prefigure (’hrlstendom ? ¶ 10.
6": 1 ) They know the voice of the Lord, and they recog- Whatdid the holy Still.it tie for Isaiah’s hlnguage?¶ 11.
nize his presence. (Ch. 52: 6, 10) From 1878 (reward these HOW aA :lS ,l(~llN ,~,111)’~\ 11 Ill prolohecy re 1118 com ing andhis big%lUg
all the fannhes of the eal’th ’a ¶ 12.
S(’lq)lllFes al)ply. is fro ln the se clmpters lhf l.t lhe (’hn l’oll ~Vllat l\tofold ille~,~ll~e llll’~ tile Isaiah class for its present proclama-
nowt’e(’eixes Hs clcaFCst vision, alld perceives i1-, i)iu(’e lieu ’ {[ ]:I.
What did Assyria threaten to do, and how was Israel protected?
the mini’~ll’y (if righteousne,,,q and the Ii,~ml ilmpt,se- of ¶it.
Go(I (’on(’(’rnina it. Isaiah’s prophecies tlms speak to V~’hal~as tile lno,qlling of Isaiah’s prophecies being changed from
"burdens" [o "glories"? ¶ 15.
church, guiding it and encouraging it in its last witness Of what special interest are the prophecies of Isaiah to spiritual
for tile L(~i’d. Israel? ¶16.
Hownmywe specifically knowof Isaiah’s character and fidelity to
~The Scriptures say little about the personality of this God? ¶ 17.

INTERESTING LETTERS
MESSAGE TAKEN SERIOUSLY comfort and joy. I also realize wlmt a grand pmvilege it is
DEARl~l~l"l’lIlll,iN IN CIIRIST : to serve the Lord, both by canvassing with tile books and
[ nm in receipt of your lelter to tile GeoFgeh)wn class by participating in tim great world-wide witnesses. So 1
advi,,ing us of the public witness to be given. The class iu pray for God’s blessing on you and your works, and upon
tile SOCIETY.
Geoructown rejoice ia llle great privilege of serving the
Lo:’d and of being qllowed to take part in heralding the With warm love in him, EDW~,aD AKHURST,England.
nlessage of the l;ingdoln and that "Millions Now Living Will
BLEST BE THE TOWER
Never Die." One bFother remarked tlmt he likened these
DEAR BROTttER I{UTIIERFORD:
world-wide proclamations to the Israelites marching around
Jericho. Nothing extraordinary happens mltil the seventh How wonderful it is that the TOWER furnishes us all with
day, and not even tllen mltil the city was eneolnpa.,,,-ed a full scope of affairs from the correct viewpoint and saves
seven film,s. Some seem to think that tile subject "Millions many of us front wasting our time on nmgazines and news-
Now Living Will Never Die" has been used too often, and papers! How often we have all sung together, "Blest be
that it will fail to attract public interest. But our expe- the TIE that binds our hearts in Christian love," and we
rience is just tlle opposite, and more and more interest is really mean, "Blest be the TowEa, tlmt binds one hearts in
being aroused. A year ago it was looked upon as a freak Christmn love!" Surely the higl>sounding praises of our
sul)ject and rMiculed by the people; but now, judged from God are my portion. All of my friends, all of my joys, all
tile ntllnbers that come to hear the lectures, it is being of my hopes, are through my associalmn with in 5" pFesent
taken mm’e sel’i0usly. Lord and his arrangements. I cannot express to you what
The class lwl’e has organized a beginners’ class on Thurs- the Cedar Point Convention meant to me of (’olnforl.
day evenings, lhe stu(ly being from tile H.iRP OF GOD. This I wish to thank you at tile 1)egillllill~ of thi- m,\\ year
meeting is well attended, and great interest is shown. The for the Lord’s faVOFS from ?’our hand and express my desire
to be faitlfful and to "’be jouml in hinl."
strangers (if I may call them so) do all tile answering
tim questions, and vie with each other in making comments. 1Vith Christian love, Vnml_xl.t STEPIIE2, SON, D. 6’.
Brother Young h’ls (lone nlueh to wake us up to our
pmvileges ill seFving lhe l.orll; and I am sure he will be LONG ON TOWER LIST
DEAR [CELLOW ~IEMBERS OF THE .~,NOt~’TED BODY:
missed by more llmn file brelhren when he leaves these
shlIFeS for good. Tile l)eople have learned to love him. I am writing to tell you how lnuch I value the WXTCH
¯ ’O\VER as we tire ne-tring OUl’ hollle. Thel’e iS not motley
I pray daily that the Lord’s blessing will be with you
enough in the worhl to buy ils comforting visits. I am
all, and Give you wisdom to put out the glad tidings to the
seveuty-six years old and thought in BFother l{ussell’s life-
poor groaning creation.
time that I would be beyond tim vail before this time. I
With Christian love, C.M.U. CADY, British GMana. have had the 1VATcHTOWEReVOF since 1886, and it grow.q
deaFer all the time. I tim blessed with the privilege of
ENJOYS THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVICE telling the groaning creation that the kingdom is neat’. Thi.q
DEARBROTtIER: i~ my gl’eatest earthly lml)piness, to make known our dear
Greetings in the precious name of our dear Lord. 5[~t,,tel-’S l~ill~doln. The people say I believe it. With Inuell
I enjoy the "~VATCHTOWERand the Gor.m~.x AGE. They in\,, i~, all at tlw 13rooklyn Bethel and everywhere,
aze indeed precious meat in due season and give me nlugh ]~,-~.t:t E. BIGGERS, Okla~
 InternationalBible StudentsA sociation Classes
BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK
Salem, Ind ................... May 16 Lexington, Ky................. May 23 St. Louis, Mo................... May 16 Omaha,Neb .............. ~Tay 22
~ew Albany, Ind ........ " 17 Shelbyville, Ky................. " 24 Jefferson City, Mo .......... " 17 Kearney, Nob ..... 23
De Pauw, Ind .............. " 18 Jeffersontown, Ky ........... " 25 Sedalia, Me.................... " 18 Denver, Col ............. " 25, 26
Palmyra, Ind ................ " 20 Jeffersonville, Ind ........... " 27 Kansas City, Me .......... " 20 :Pueblo,Col................... 27
Louisville, Ky.................. " 21 Sonora,Ky....................... " 28 lilt~ Joseph,Me................. " 21 Trimdad,Col ............... " 28-31
Frankfort, Ky ................. " 22 Ehzabethtown, Ky ........... " 29
BROTHER V. C. RICE
BROTHER J. A. BOHNET
Benton, Pa ................ ~ay 17 Wilkes-Barre, Pa ....... ~,~ay 24
Center, Tex ....... May 16 Palestine, Tex............. May 24 Nanticoke, Pa ............. 18 Scranton, t’a ........... 25
Clawson, Tex... " " 17,1(q Ih~z Sandy Tex ........... " 25, 27 Carbondale, Pa .......... ’ 20 Nanticoke, Pa... 27
Hehmc, Tex .... 20 Alh(,:s. Tex............... " 2S, 29 l’oyntelle, Pa ......... ’ 21 To~an(la, Pa ........ " 28
Alto. Tex ........ ’" 21, 22 ~ro\vll~boro, Tex ......... " 30 Throop, Pa ....... 22 Alba, Pa .................... "’ 29, 30
Rusk, Tex ...... " 23 Tylel, Tex ................ " 31 Cortez, Pa........................ " 23 Willmmsport, l’a ....... ’" 31

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTIIER C. ROBERTS

Parker, S. Dak ........... May 1l Alton, Ia ...... May 21 Huntington, \V. Va .... "L~y 16 Richmond, Ind .... 71~y25
Menno, S 1)ak ..... 13 Superior, Ia ............. " 22, 23 Ironton, 0 ........ 17,1~ Muncie, Ind ........ 27
Yankton, S Dak.. ]4 l"~l her~ille, Ia ............. " 24 Ashland. Ky ..... 20 Farmland, Ind ...... 28
Irene, S. DM¢.......... ]5 Sac(hly, Ia ................. " 27 Portsmouth, 0 ............. " 21, 22 Elwood, Ind ............ 29
~;’ermilion, S. Dak... ’,6,17 Wall Lake, Ia ............. " 28 Ehn Grove, . ........ 23 Alexandria, Ind ........ " 30
Sioux CKy, Ia ........ iS, 20 Logan,Ia ..................... " 29, 30 Cincinnati, 0 .............. ’ 24 Anderson,Ind ................. " 31

BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM BROTHEl{ R. L. ROBIE

Winnipeg. Man . May 13 Neei)a~a, Man............. May 23 I~arlingen, Tex ........ ~Iay 11, 13 Alvin. Tex .......... ¯ ray 21
Porta,~eLaPlau’ie, Man, " 14,15 l,:elwood, Man...... 24 Corlms Christi, Tex .... 14 Cro~by. Tex .......... 23, 24
Sou) l-. 5!~t’~. . " 1G, 17 lJauph)n Man............ 25, 27 \ictoria, Tex............. " 16 1:eaumont, Tex ...... " 25
Bran(ion, Man ’ i8,20 Gilbert Plains, Man..... " 25, 2;) ttallett~mlle, Tex ...... " 17 Cro~’ .. La ....... 27
Rapid (hty. Man.. 21 (;l’alnlvlev,, Man......... " 30 HouMon,Tex ............. ~’ 18 Je,-Angs, La ............ "" 28
Mmnedo;a, Man .... ’ 22 Kamsack, Sask.....May 31, ffune 1 Galveston, Tex........... " 20 Lake Charles, La ......... " "9, 30

BROTHER M. L. HERR BROTtIER W. J. TIIORN

Sisson, Cal .............. May 16 Eugene, Ore .............. May 25, 29 XVakaw,Sask ............... May 7 Leduc. Alta ....... ~’ay23
A,-llland, Ore.. " 17, 18 Recdsl)ort, Ore ......... " 27 Prince Alber, Bask ....... " 8 Buiurd, Alta ........ 25
Medford. Ore ....... " 20 Mar.~hflcl(l, Ore ........ " 28 North P, attleford, Bask. " 9 I?dmonton. Alla ..... 27
Jacksonville, ()re ....... " 21 Matron, Ore ............... " 30 Edam,Bask ........... " 10-13 V,~.I;) I,l~uL Aita .... ’ 2~
Rogue ltlver, Ore ..... " 22, 23 Salem, Ore ............... " 31 Ednmnton, Alta. _. 15 lm(’onli)e, Alta ...... ’ 29
Roseberg, Ore ......... ’" 24 Dallas, Ore ................ June 1 Boyle, Alta .............. " 17-22 Rmibey,Alta ................ " 30

BE ?THI~R",,V. M. HI ~gEE BRDTHER T. H. TUORNTON

Khedive, Bask ...... May 11, 13 Conihct, Sask ............. May 21, 22 Kentville, N. S ........ May 11, 13 Lon~ Hill. N. B ........ May 22.23
Viceroy, Bask.......... ’ 14 Shaunavon, Bask ....... " 23, 24 Port Williams. N. S.. _ " 14 Sydm’3,N S ............. " 24, 25
Harl)t ree. Bask.......... " 15 Re~l1)a, Bask............. " 27 E. Ilalls Harbor, N. S. " 15, 16 (;laee Bay N S ......... " 27, 28
Lnella. Bask ............. " 16, 1"1 Farl (trey, Bask ........ " 28, 29 Windsor,N. S ............. " t7 North Sv.llley, N. S ..... " 2’.1
Marigold, SaM{.......... " 18 Marldeh, Bask............. " 30 South Rawdon. N. S. " 18 Mahou,N. S ............. " 30
Assiniboia, Bask ........ " 20, 25 C3mric, Bask.............. " 31 Steilarton, N. S ......... " 20, 21 Pelt IIood, N. S ......... " 32

BROTHER H. HOWLETT BROTHER O. L. SULLIVAN

Stratford, Ont ....... May 16 Brantford, Ont ................. May 24 Canonsburg, Pa ........... May 9 l,]l~ood Cily, I’a ....... "’qy 18
Woodstock, Oat ...... 17 llamillon, Oat ................. " 25 Woynesburg,Pa ........... " 10 11 NewBrl,.hton, I’a ..... ~0
St Thomas, Ont... 18 q’oronto,Ont ................... " 27 Pittsburgh. Pa ........... " 13 NewCastle Pa ........ 21
Windsor, Oat ......... 20, 21 Guell)h, Ont .................... " 28 NewKensington, Pa ..... " 14 West Middlesex,Pa .... 22
ChathanL Ont ....... 22 C, alt, Oat........................ " 29 Kittanning, Pa ............. " 15 Favrell, Pa ................. ’ 23
Barnia. Ont ............... " 23 Kitehener, Ont ................ " 30 Butler, Pa ................... " 16, 17 ShA)’ou,Pa ...................... ’ 24

BROTHER W. H. PICKERING BROTHER L. F. ZINK

Cyclone.l’a .................. May 11 Olean, N. Y ................ May 18 Oshawa,Ont ............. Mayl~,20 ottawa. Ont ............... May 25, 27
Olean. N Y. ........ 13 Binghampton, N, Y ..... " 20 Trenton, Oat ............. " 21 \Vnkeflehl, Qne........... " 2S, 29
FrankhnviIlo, N. Y ...... " 14 Oneontn, N. Y............ ’’ 21 Bellewl]e, Ont ........... " 22 Montreal. Que ........... "
Shinglehouse, Pa .......... " [5 30
Cooks Falls, N. Y ....... " 22 Brockville, Oat .......... " 23 Sherlwool{, Qm, . ...... " 31
Bolivar, N. Y ............ " I G Scranton, Pa .............. " 23, 24 Smiths Ealls, Oat ....... " 24 \Voodstoek, N. B .........
Allentown, N. g ...... i7 June 1, 8
N(u’lhnmberland, Pa ..... " 25

PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR JUNE HYMNS FOR JUNE

JUNE 6: "Grieve not the holy sptrit."--Ephesinns 4:6. Sunday .......... 3283 10 323 1"/ 73 24 333
JUNE 13: "Quench not the spirit."--I Thes~alonians 5:19. Monday ............ 4 93 11 226 18 268 25 35
rXE 20: "Live according to God in the spirit."--I Peter 4" 6,
Tuesday ............ 5124 12 224 19 260 26 139
!VXE 27: 1,et ns "walk in the spirit."--Galatians 5:16.
Wednesday ........ 6312 13 25l 20 189 2’/" 256
Thursday ......... 7 20 14 303 ~1 141 28 175
I.BS’A. BEREAN
BIBLESTUDIES Friday
Saturday
1 167
~ 15
8 ]03
~ 9
15
16
178
67
22
23
210
238
29
30
21
245
ByMeansoF"The Plan of the Ages"
CONVENTIONS TO NE ADDRESSED BY BROTHER RUTHERFORD
Chapter XIV: "The Kingdom of God" St. Paul, Minn., May6 ...................... R. B. Morrlson, 987 Laurel Ave.
~’eek of June 3 .......... Q. 80-36 Weekof June 17 .......... Q 44 4£ lhfluth, Minn., May8 ............... N. A. Linderburg, 1426 Jefferson St.
Dubuque,In., May10 ............. Mrs. E. J. Drewelow, 628 W. 14th St.
Weekof June 10 .......... Q. 37-43 "Weekof June 24 ........ Q. 50-58, Chiea<o,Ill., May13 .......................... A. L. Seelej, 7642 Normal AvL
i ~u~tlon books on "TheDivine Plan", 15¢ po~tpalll I)enver, Col()., May27 .................. Lofton G. lland, 3s47 Williams St.
London, On~t., June 3 ...... H. J. Grocer, Spruce St., London Jct., Ont~
Richmond, Va., June 10 ......... W. B. Sutton, 3519 Carolina AvL
 VOL. XLIV SE~[I-~0NTHLY ~0. 10
Anno Mun-li 6{)51 -- May 15, 1923

CONTENTS
VIEWS FROMTHE WATCHTOWER....................... 147
Backsliding Daughters of Babylon_ ................ 14 ;
THE~’EWCI~EATURE.........................................
PRAYER-I~EETINO ~]~EXT COMMENTS ................
14 ; i
15 )
~EREMIAH, T~ PROPHET OF COURAGE................ :[5~ !/:
JeremiahTakesNOPart in Reformation........ ]5[
Has No Friendship for Idolators ...................... 152
God’s Arrangement for Israel’s Regathering 153
THE SO~’GOF SONGS(Poe~n) .............................. 153
NEHEMIAH, TIIE BOLDBUILDER............................ 154
Reform Accomplished by Rigid Means .......... 155
Bold toward Enemies; Itumble toward God 155
ESTHER,TITE PATRIOTQUEEN ................................ 156
Esther’s Tact in Saving Israel ........................ ]56
Loyalty of Mordecai and His Advancement 157
INTERESTINGLETTERS............................................ 158

"I will stand upon my uatch and will set my loot

upon the Tower, and ~wll watch to see what He will
say unto me, and what answer I shall make to them
that o$$ose me."--ltabakkuk ~: ~.

.-."

Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves (the restless discontented) roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking
tb~ tt~in s eomin~ ,~p(*n the earth (society) ; for the powers of th~ tmavvns (eeelesiast~esm) shall be shaken . . When ye see these things begin to come to pa~s,
know that the Kingdom of God ~s at hancl, Look up, lift up your hcads, rejoice, for your redexaptmn draweth mgh.--h~att. 24.33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21.25-3L
 THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
THISpresented
Journal is one of the prime factors
in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCH
or "Seminary Extension",
TOWERBIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
now being
A.D. 1884, "]~’or the Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a cla~s room where Bible students may meet in the ~tudy of the divine Word but
also as a channel of eonmmuicatiou throu~,h which they ioay he reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who ~ould merit the only honorary degree ~llich the Society accords, viz., Vctbi Dei Minister IV. D. M.), which translated
into English is Minister of God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
~tudents and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
--redemption through the preeions blood of "the unto Christ Jesus, who gave ilimself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Buildhlg up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 :
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God, . . . to the intent that now nli~ht be made known by the chui"ell the inanifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now rcvealed".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as exI,ressod in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken--according to the divide wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
for we know ~hereot we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is hchl as a trust, to be used only in his
service; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the npbuild,ing of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our
readers to Drove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURESCLEARLY
TEACH
~hat the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "hls workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age--ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s blessing shall conic "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2 : 20-22 ;
Genesis 2~ : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
~hat meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "living stones", "elect add precious," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workman will bring all together
in the first l’e~urreetion ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place betweeu God and men throughoul:
the iMillennium.--ltevelation 15 : 5-S.
¯ ~hat the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and ~iil be "the true light which lighteth every man that comcth into the world", "in due time".--
IIebr~ws 2:9; John 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
~hat the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’ partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his jointhclr.--1 John "]:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
~hat the present mission of the church is the perfectin~ of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world" and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24"
14; Revelation 1; 6; 20:6.
rL~hat the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, th0
restitution of all that was lost ia Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified church,
when all the wilfully wicked ~ill be dcstroyed.--Acts 3:19-23; Isaiah 35.

STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES

WATCH
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~ERIES V, The Atonement Iletsseen God nnd M¢ln, treats an
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VoL. XLIV MAx"
15, 1923 No.10

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

ERE is a growing demand for a "church," a "Oh, for a real church !" A church of all faiths will
~ eal church where people mayworship God, serve never be found. B(~dlamwould reign if such should be.
heir Creator, nourish the soul, comfort the heart, But a church of one faith will be found, a church
and satisfy the head. So.me noble hearts are longing glorified, containing the called and chosen and faithful;
for such a place to fill what is recognized as an aching and the entrance thereto shall then be forever closed.
void. What incalculable distress has been brought to The happifying message that mankind shall have the
the humanfamily through the erroneous teaching that opportunity of becoming children of the church shall
the church only is to be saved, and that all the salvation then be heard. Then shall "the Spirit and the bride
there ever shall be is limited to the present life! Could say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And
not every one have comfort in the thought that God is let him that is athirst come: and whosoever will, let
makingchoice of a companyto be associated with Jesus him take the water of life frccly."--Revelation 22: 17.
in the spirit realm; that this selection is not made Gradually, as the dark night settles over humanity,
arbitrarily, but according to heart devotion to Godand it will be recognized more and more that the only com-
character development in harmony with him who is fort and consolation to be had from the Wordof God
Love; and that after this companyis rewarded in the is through an understanding of the plan as outlined by
first resurrection with glory and honor and immortal- Pastor Russell in his STUDIESIN TIZE SCRIrTUI~ES.
ity, being made priests and kings unto God to reign These volumes furnish the only interpretation which
with Christ a thousand years, comes the general resur- harmonizes the Bible and demonstrates the truth of
rcction of the whole world to the attaining of everlast- the Book of books.
ing life on this earth, if they will coSperate with the The demand is made for the churches to "meet them
Lord in their ownuplift out of sin and death! half way." The churches have gone all the way to meet
The "church" systems collectively are referred to as mankind. Therein lies the trouble. The standards have
"Babylon"; and our Lord shows that the time would been lowered at such an alarming rate that now there
come when they would be "spewed out," forsaken, when are none--in the "churches." In tM publications of the
his spirit would be taken away, and when as a re,~ult Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society are to be found
the blind and the blind leaders wouldfall into the ditch the standards of righteousness and the banners of love
of despondency and want, and be left to the ravages of unfurled; and many, many are drinking the waters of
mental and moral diseases, the worst the world has truth and are being refreshed. Someof these are rejoic-
ever known. ing in the prospect of the wonderful inheritance of the
The truth alone will save the world from the engulf- divine nature (2 Peter 1: 4), and some are happy
ing perplexity. But the situation has gone so far and the thought of the coming"times of restitution." (Acts
the conditions are so complexthat before the truth can 3: 19-21) What a marvelous truth it is, and what
bring the necessary succor to restore comfort and peace glorious blessing it is, to be favored with a knowledge
of mind and heart the Sun of Righteousness must needs that there are two salvations, one to spirit nature con-
shine forth in all its effulgence and bring the world to fined to the Gospcl age and one to humannature con-
a recognition of the change of dispensation nowbeing fined to the Millennial ,~ge; and that we are nowin the
stealthily brought about by the presence of our glorious transition period.
but unseen King and Savior.
Says Gerald Mygatt in the Delineator: BACKSLIDING DAUGHTERS OF BABYLON
"Several million Americansare looking for a church. That the "churches" have ceased to be Christian is
They want a church that will mean something to them, evident. It must be conceded by every thinking person
not a day a week but seven days a week--a church which
they can belong to without having to believe or disbelieve whois acquainted with the Scriptures that the spirit of
petty creeds--a real churchof all faiths." Christ is no longer to be found there; but that the
Being disgusted with all creeds and craving some- devil’s spirit of piety and holiness and truth--false
thing somewhere to worship, men begin to cry aloud: piety, sanctimonious holiness, and theories based uDm
14"f
 WATCH TOWER
false premises--therein is manifest. Heathendomfrom This was in an Episcopal church in NewYork City ;
the days of Semiramis has worshiped the sun-god under and the rector said that the abject of the service, "in
various names, perhaps the most prominent of which is commonwith our other studies of comparative religion,
that of Baal. Christian missionaries have gone to hea- is to draw uponthe past treasures of spiritual experience
thendom to convert it from sun-god worship and other and arrange them in harmony with our own religion."
forms of idolatry. But now we have sun-god religion It was an effort "to make the people fed the unity of
introduced into the "Christian" churches! For what religion."
purpose? Wesuppose that it is an effort to establish a The Timeslater says, to the shameof the eongregat~on:
religion to meet the demandsof a "ehureh of all faiths." "Tim parlshi,mers seem to have viewed and partimp.~ed
Think of a Paul, a John, a Peter, or any other Christian in the repetition of the old revocations without shock or
bowing down to Osiris! But we think that I[ymeneus [ renl(lr."
and Alexander, Philetus, Judas, and Ananias may wor- The serviees were elaborate, and the decorations and
ship whomthey will. The NewYork Times says in part : lightings were of a nature to awe those present and
"AnEgyptian serviee portraying the worship of Amen-P~a create a profound impression, so lasting in fact a~ to
andAlen as a ’preparation for Christianity’ was hehl . . . makethe simple, childlike, trustful serviee of the real
at St. Mark’s-in-the-Bouwerie[NewYork]. The service was Christianity appear dull, uninteresting and unimpor-
prepared frdm the religious writings of ancient Egypt, and
includingthe re:lding of a eento fromthe ’Gospelof Osiris,’ tant Howthe poor human family have ever sought the
which gives a character portrayal of QueenIsis, whois spectacular and ostentatious to their hurt[
sometimesreferred to as a prototype of the Virgin Mary." The Lord is willing to have the people see they have
" ’tlnil to thee, beautiful godof every day! Beautiful is been trapped by the ndversar55 who has been rul,.,:~
thy at’ishlg in the horizon of the sky.’ read Dr. Guthrie. in the hearts o£ the children of d~sobediencefor major
" ’Beautiful is thine arising, O living Aten, orb of light,
0 firs~ beginning of life,’ replied the people. ’Whenthou centurms, and whose meihods have always centered
arisest in the eastern horizon thou fillest every land with around mythology and astrology. But Satan is to be
thy beauty. Thouart beautiful to behold, great, glistening bound for a thousand years, and the children of men
high abovethe whole earth. Then art Ra, the sun-god; and
thou c’trriest all awaycaptive. Thoubindest them fast liberated in the kingdomwhich is even nowat the door.
withthy love.’ " Then all superstition and ignorance is to be cleared away.

THE NEW CREATURE

uestion: Concerning the new creature at tlie
Q time of begetting, would this be the proper
thought, eorrectly expressed, namely, that at
the time of consecration the one consecrating surren-
ders or sacrifices unto GodM1of his faculties, ineluding
the will, the mind and the heart; and that Jesus then
imputes to such a one his own merit and presents him
to Jehovah, and that Godthen ju.-tlfies and begets tliat
one by his holy spirit, and that then Godgives back to
the new creature there begun all the faculties so sur-
rendered by the old creature, including his will, his
mind and his heart ?
Avswer: No; this wouhl not be the proper thought,
nor is the thought correctly expressed. A practical
illustration nmyaid in understanding this matter. For
this purpose we take an imaginary person, whomwe
call John. He is a man of good organism, posses<ng
what is generally termed a sound mind, a strong will,
and an honest heart. Yet he is following after the
world. What do we mean by these terms--mind, will,
and heart ?
SThe mi~d is that faculty of the being by which one
searches out facts, weighs these facts, and reaches a
conclusion. The will is that faculty of the being by
which one determines to do or not to do a certain thing ;
and whenhe is convincecl in his nfind of what is the
proper course, he wills to act and does act accordingly.
By heart is meant the faculty of the being that imlu-’es
action. Itis the seat of motiveand the s~at of at[ectJm/~.
4John has employedhis mind in searching out seiem e
so-called, following the course of evohdion regar&~g
man. I-Its determination is to try to l~ft himself up
nmt to lift up the humanrace by a proce~-s of eyelet,on.
His real motive is to shine amongst men as a great
benefactor and to make for himself a great name. lie
has no knowledge of God’s arrangement. In eourse of
time he reasons upon his theories and is dlssat~sii~:d
with them. IIe hears of God’s provision for mini’, .-al-
ration through Christ Jesus. Tiffs upsets all ~f his
theories of evolution. He begins to inxestl;:’nt,.. IIe
u.~:es his mind for this purp,~se. He comes to t]> ,:m>
elusion that his exoluhon theory must be wron~. He
reahzes that he is a sinner, born as such; that he needs
a savior, lie has now had a change of mind; and fltis
is properly called repentance, lie determines to chan~e
his course and does change his course and seeks the
Lord. This is properly called conversion. Up to thin
point he has n;ed his mind to ascertain these facts
which have changed his eonelusions, and now he uses
his will and determination to follow a different course.
He is drawn to Jesus. Thus the Father draws him.
(John 6:44~) He is yet unaware of what he must

WATCH
but seeking the Lord he begins a study of tile Bible and
receives someinstruction on it frmn others. :tie learns
that he is alienated fromGodbecause of the sin of his
first parent Adam.He desires to get back into harmony
with God. He learns from Jesus that "no man cometh
unto the Father but by me; I am the way, and the
truth, and the life." (John 14: 6) IIe begins to ascer-
tain the terms of coming to Jehovah. To him Jesus
says: ’Sit downand count the cost.’ John is u~-ing his
mind now to ascertain the cost. He uses his mind by
getting further knowledge; and this knowledge he re-
ecive~ from the words of Jesus: "If any man will come
aft,,r hie, lethim denv himself, and fake up his cross,
and follow me." (_~fatthew 16: 24) This self-denial
means the surrender of oneself; otherwise stated, full
cor.<eeration and uneonditional surrender of self to the
J.o>t.
:.toJM’s ~ill nowacts, and he says: ’I am determined
to do what my Lord would have me do. Hence I give
myself entirely to the Lord2 Here he uses his faculty,
to wit, the will power, in taking the step of an nncon-
&tlonal em~secration, lie did this because he believes
th~,t Jesus is his Savior, whodied to save him from his
s,.ns; and that by believing upon the Lord and obeying
h,’p~ he maybe saved.
"Because of John’s faith nowexercl~ed by this full
and m~co~Jdl~ional surrender of him~elf Jesus impntes
to him his ownmerit. ~[erit means that valuable thing
resulting from the saerilice of our l~ord, to wit, the
value of a perfect humanlife. which lie deposited with
a~,hovah whenlie ascended on high, to be used through-
out the Gospelage as a basis for the justification of all
who come to God through him. ,Jesus now presents
,Jolm to the Father, ha~ing imputed to him his own
n>rit. Bee’.rose of John’s full surrender of himself,
ba-ed upon his i’aith in the merit of Jesus as his
P~edeemer, and because of the merit imputed to him by
the Lord Jesus. Jehovah judieiaily determines that John
is rJaht; therefore justified before him.
~Thethree steps to this point are proven by the fol-
lowingscriptures: The first step is the exercise of faith,
a-. :;t. Paul lays downthe rule in Romans4:20-25 and
5 : 1. The next step is the imputation of Christ’s merit.
The merit is Jn {lie blood, his life poured out. (Ilomans
g : 9) The third step is the act of justification, whichis
performed by Jehmah. "It is God that justifieth."
(IMnans 8: 33) Every creature that is justified, and
therefore righteous before Jehovah, is entitled fo live.
Consequently there resulled to John at the momentof
his jushfleation the right to live as a humanbeing.
That right to live on earth as a humanbeing is what
he really sacri~ces. He agreed to do this before he got
it. g:hen he made an unconditional surrender to Jeho-
vah that was an agreement to do whatsoever Jehovah
would want him to do. The terms and conditions of his
justification are dearly implied by the words of the
~aster: "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and
14fi
TOWER
whosoeverwill lose his life for mysake shall find it."--
Matthew16 : 25.
sOtherwise stated, John was certain to die as a human
being because of inherited imperfection. Nowif he
were to live at all he must have this right granted unto
him by Jehovah; and if he would willingly lose that
right to live as a man after its being granted to him,
by sacrifice, then he wouldfind the right to live on a
higher plane, to wit, the divine plane.
9The justification of John was for the purpose--and
that only--of enabling him to become a part of the
sacrifice of our Lord. That is the only purpose of justi-
fication during the Gospel age. Whyshould he be justi-
fied at all if he is to lose this right to live whichresults
from justification so far as the humanplane is con-
cerned? The answer is, that no sacrifice which is im-
perfect is acceptable unto Jehovah. John is made per-
feet, counted thus before God, through the merit of
Christ Jesns, in order that he might be an acceptable
sacrifice as a part of the bodyof Christ.
~°Jehovah now begets John by his own will, by his
Wordof truth, aml by giving to him his exceeding great
and precious promises, that he shall be a partaker of
the divine nature. (James 1: 18; 2Peter 1:3, 4)
is thereby inducted into the body of Christ. Being in
Christ he is nowa new.creature, "old things are passed
away; behold, all things are becomenew."--2 Corinth-
ians 5: 17.
~In order for John to becomea new creature he must
make a covenant with the Lord Jehovah by sacrifice.
The word covenant means contract. He could not make
a contract himself, because imperfect. God would not
make a contract with an imperfect creature exeept by
the intervention of Jesus, the great Ifigh Priest, as his
advocate. John’s part of the contract was the exercise
of faith in the blood of Jesus and a full and uncond>
tional surrender of himself; and in order that he might
be received by Jehovah, Jesus, as his advocate, stands
sponsor for him by imputing his own merit and pre-
senting him to the Father. The Fathel% part of the
contract now is that tie gives to John his exceeding
great and precious promises, by which he assures him
that he shall be a part of the divine body of Christ,
upon the condition that he (John) perform his part
the contract bv being faithfully obedient unto death.
Whenthe time comes for gatherin~ all the saints unto
the Lord Jehovah he says: "Gather mysaints together
unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by
sacrifice."--Psahn 50 : 5.
*2In this sacrifice John did not sacrifice his will, nor
his mind, nor his heart; for to sacrifice a thing means
to part with it completely, with no hope of recovery.
He retained these faculties of his being, agreeing that
they should be used in whatsoever way Jehovah would
direct. Nowhe begins to exercise his mind, which the
Lord has illuminated by the powerof his holy spirit, in
searching out the deep things of God’s Word, in order
150 ¯ WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN,N. Td

that he might ascertain what is God’s will. (1 Corinth-
ians 2: 10, 11; Romans12: 2) As he searches God’s
Wordand has his mind filled with things pertaining
to the Lord’s plan, the Lord reveals to him his good
and acceptable and perfect will.
13The will of God is his expressed law toward man.
John nowuses his ownwill, or his faculty of deferral-
nation in doing that which he ascertains to be the will
of Godconcerning him. I-Ienceforth his motives are to
glorify the Lord and to do good unto all as he has
opportunity. His affections are set upon things above
and not upon things of the earth; and thus he has a
change of heart. This treasure now he has, as St. PauI
flee, namely, restihltion rightg or the right to live o9
earth as a humanbeing. This he receives at the moment
of justification and receives such right instantly, and
which correspond~ to that which the world will receive
at the end of the thousand years of trial. Nowhe sacri-
rices such right to live and receives from Jehovah the
promiseof life on the divine plane ; and during his trial
time all of his faculties--will, mind, heart, body, every-
thing--must be used in harmony with the divine will ;
and being thus used is a living sacrifice (daily), and
is his reasonableservice.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY

puts it, in an earthen vessel. His organism is the body What is the mind? What is the will? What is the heart? ¶3.
Does one at consecration surrender his mind and will and heart?
of flesh. His will is to compel the flesh to do God’s ¶1,2.
will and not permit the desires of the flesh to get the What is repentance? Conversion? How does John exercise his
mind in the transition process from a false premise to a true
upper hand of him as a new creature. one? ¶ 4.
After John has arrived at a conclusion as to what he should do,
a*In making this covenant with the Lord by sacrifice what faculty is then called into action? ¶ 5.
John does not sacrifice his will, nor his mind, nor his What is Christ’s merit? Is it the human life or the value of it?
How is it made available for justification? ¶ 6.
heart. But his covenant is, that he would use these What are the three steps to this point, and how proven? What is
the result of justification? What does John really sacrifice? ¶ 7,
faculties in harmonywith God’s will. His constant use 14, 15.
of these faculties, according to the terms of his covenant, To have life eternal,
purpose of justification
why is justification imperative? What is the
during tim Gospel age? ¶ 8, 9.
will determine what shall be the result finally. If he is How is John inducted into the body of Christ, and what is the
result? ¶ 10.
faithful in the performanceof his part of the covenant, What is a covenant? As John cannot make the contract himself,
how is it made? What is John’s part? Jesus’ part? Jehovah’s
Godis always faithful to his; and, as St. Peter puts it, part? ¶ 11.
ff he does his part he is certain to have an abundant Did John sacrifice
mind now exercised?
his will, his mind, er his heart? How is the
¶ 12.
entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and What is the will of God, and how is John’s will exercised? What
is the heart, and how and where does it operate? ¶ 13.
Savior Jesus Chri&. What did John covenant to do? ¶ 14.
Does justification mean the right to human life upon the earth?
~JWhat John really sacrifices, then, is that which Does the sacrifice of John then mean the surrender of this? ¶ 15.
results to him by reason of the merit of Christ’s sacri- The faithful performance of his covenant, consmnmated in death,
results in what great inheritance? ¶ 15, 14.

PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS

TEXT FOR JUNE 6 always reproached Jehovah and his cause of righteous-
"Gr~,eve not the hoZy spirit."--Ephesians 4: 80. ness. Weshould see to it, then, that we serve our Lord
and our Godand lend none of our faculties to the devil,
RIEVEmeans to cause distress; 4m make sad;
G by which he could reproach the truth and thereby cause
the power invisible that begets, anoints, and our Father to be sad. If we do take a wrongful course,
to cause heaviness. The holy spirit of God is it brings sadness to our own mind and heart ; and we
seals us. Since Godis love, his holy spirit or invisible are in grief.
power is always used in love. Since we have become Wemay avoid grieving the holy spirit by carefully
children of his he loves us as membersof his household. and prayerfnlly watching for opportunities to glorify
Dutiful chi]dren desire to please and strive to please our Lord and joyfully to represent him, striving always
their father. As membersof the house of sons we should to please him; and thus doing, we shall be happy and
always strive to please both our heavenly Father and comeconfidently to the throne of heavenly grace, know-
the Head of that house, Christ Jesus. ing that the Lord will grant our every need as members
If an earthly parent had committedcertain interests of his holy family. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive
to his son, and that son should becomeindifferent, care- of him, because we keep his commandments, and do
less, negligmst, and even speak disrespectfully of the
cause for which his father stands, would that not bring those things that are pleasing in his sight." (1 John
3: 22) Weshall be happy in trying to please the Lord;
grief to the father’s heart? Our heavenly Father,
through his beloved Son, has committed to each one of and thus the transformation into the likeness of his
his children who are membersof the house of sons cer- beloved Son will progress. It was he who said: "I
tain interests concerning his kingdom.Itis is the cause delight to do thy will, 0 my God; yea, thy law ia
of righteousness. Satan and his representatives have within my heart."--Psalm 40: $.
 ’he WATCH TOWER
TEXT FOR JUNE 15
"’Quenchnot the spirit."--1 The~safonians5: 19.
’ESUSsaid to his followers: "Ye are the light of
J the world .... Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5: 14, 16)
it is the holy spirit of the Lord shining forth in our
hearts that leads us to be faithful representatives of his,
and thus makes us the light of this dark world. The
people can see the difference between one whohonestly
and faithfully represents the Lord and the one whodoes
not; and the day is not far distant when even those of
the world will give glory to God that he has had some
faithful witnesses in the world.
Our privilege nowis to be such witnesses or repre-
sentatives of our Lord. The more we are transformed
flAo the likeness of our Head and King, the more
bri!tiantly will our light shine.
@eenchmeans to extinguish the light. If we fail or
refuse faithfully to represent our Lord, and on the con-
trary give ourselves o’,er to things pertaining to {he
"Welch 1/c, sta)zd fast in the faith, qutt you hke men, be 6t~ o;~y."--I
J I-:ItE3IIAIt was called to serve the Lord as his prophet
m \~hat were 1)erhaps the m~)st difficult cil’cumslaaces
()f any in which such serwmts were called to minister;
a~d for at least forty years he was a faithful mouthpiece
for .lehovab. lie was called in the thirteenth year o£
.lo.~ah’s reign, and continued through the reign of Jehoia-
kim and until the destruction of Jerusalem in the eleventh
year of Zedekiah. Ilis period of ministry therefore coin-
(’ides with the last forty years of the kingdom of Judah.
x~lmn its iniquity was being visited upon it and it was
lmste~ing to destruction. (2 Chronicles 36: 16) Every well-
ivblructed Bible student knows that the fall of Jeruaalem
at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, with the consequent trans-
fore.re of the crown of Israel into gentile powers, be-:ides
being the point which mqrks the commencement of the
’l’Hne.; of the Gentiles, is typical of the downfall of organ-
ized religion at the hands of dark world-forces of this
In’O~ont day. The overthrow of Jerusalem well represe~,t~
the overthrow of organized religion now due. This being
the case, it is clear that Jeremiah’s forty years of service
which synchronized with Israel’s last forty years as a
kingdom must have special meaning for us.
-"Jeremiah was called when very young; indeed, he him-
self says: "1 am a child" (Jerelniah 1:6), thereby prob-
ably re/erring to his youth as well as to a felt immaturity.
The work tie was called to do needed an extraordinary
character; and Jeremiah came to perceive that God had
specially prepared him for his work, even as he said. (Jere-
miah 1:5) Jeremiah reveals much of himself. He was of
a nervous and highly-strung temperament, with much self-
disesteem; but it is apparent he was just the man for the
work which God required to be done.
devil’s organization, our light will go out. Therebywe
shall quenchthe holy spirit. To have our light shining
we must keep it trimmedand burning. A sour disposi-
tion whichindulges in fault-finding, evil-surmising, and
evil-speaking will soon find bitterness in the heart. The
Apostle warnsagainst such a root of bitterness spring-
ing up in the heart. (Hebrews12 : 15) If that bitterness
develops, love will disappear and darkness will ensue.
(Colossians 2: 1-3, DiagTott) Followingthis course, the
truth will soon lose its attraction. "If therefore the
lig’h~ that is in thee be darkness, how great is that
darkness !"--Matthew 6 : 23.
To safeguard ourselves against such a disaster we
must keep our Lord’s conmmndments with a joyful
heart, doing with our might what our hands find to do;
and ~ee to it that our action in this regard is prompted
always by love. A joyful activity in lhe Lord’s service
will feed the flame of sacred love and cause our light
to shine with increased brillianey; and the transforma-
ticm into the likeness of the Lord will be the ultimate
result.
Corinthians lg: 18.
s Jeremiah was instructed in his office and work by two
vision~. IIe was made to see a rod of an almond tree, the
tree which hastens to flower out of the winter’s sleep; God
indicating by Otis that he intended hastening his word to
perform it. (Jeremiah 1:11,12) He also saw a seething
pot with its face turned as from the north; and the word
of the Lord (’ame to say this represented a great evil which
was about Io lwe-~k forth from the north upon all the inhab-
itants of the 1.rod. and against Jerusalem and all the cities
of Judah ; for ll~e judgments of the Lord were coming upon
all lhese be(:au~e of their wickedness and idolatry. (Jere-
miah 1:13-1G) The Lord touched his mouth, bade him be
dismayed by none----else God would confound him before
theln : told him he .~hould be a defenced city ; that the kin~s,
¯ rod lhe 1)rinees, and the priests, and the people would fight
againsl: him but should not prevail.--aeremiah 1:17-19.
JEREMIAH TAKES NO PART IN REFORMATION
¯ At lhe time of .leremiph’s call Josiah was king, and was
ende’tvoring to bring about a revival of true worship. Sub-
sequent events show that the revival did not "tffect the
people’s hearts, and that it resulted in little more than a
deeper step into formalism. The reformation w’ls but on
the surface, and Jerusalem became in its hypocrisy an0
pride worse in the sight of God than idolatrous and wicked
Samaria. (Jeremiah 3:11) Truth seekers were few: Jere-
miah searched Jerusalem and failed to find one.~Jeremiah
5 : 1, 31.
5There is no record of Jeremiah’s taking any part in the
reformation under Josiah, though he could not fail to have
been sympathetic with every good work. It is in this con-
nection that the value and meaning of the two visions which
 ,m WATCH TOWER BP.oonr,~x.N. Y.

gave him his call are seen. Knowing what he did, Jeremiah was an ardent lover of his people and n~tion. He was a
could not very well enter into these works of reformation. true patriot, but was treated as an enemy. He was filled
tie knew that nothing that was going to happen would with sorrow because of the iniquity of the people, and his
really alter the hearts of the people, and therefore he could mission was all the more difficult to him because God would
take no part in that reformatory movelnent. Even so now, not permit him to plead for them. (Jeremiah 7:16) lie
the Lord’s people who have been so clearly and definitely wept much (9: 1), and his sorrow was great; not for him-
charged with a mission of heralding a message concerning self, but because of the wrong condition of his people, and
the destruction of Christendom refrain from entering into because of the trouble he saw coming upon them. Men
any schemes which are intended to bring about a revival speak of Jeremiah as the weeping prophet, as if he were
of religion. After the death of Josiah, who was slain in a weak. He wept because he had strength of courage to show
misguided encounter with Pharaoh, Jeremiah was a lonely his sorrow. Not many servants of God rose higher in cour-
man in a wicked, hypocritical city. But the message he had age than did faithful Jeremiah.
from God, and the clear conviction of his call, enabled him ~°So keenly did Jeremiah feel his message that on one
to persist despite the growing opposition. occasion he left Jerusalem to go to Anathoth, his native
6After Josiah died Jeremiah began to declare his message village, three miles northeast from Jerusalem. He intimated
more definitely, and it was not long before everyone was that God had led him into something he did not expect.
against him. (Jeremiah 26: 7-11) None of the people cared But he could not stay; for his message burned in his bones
to have his witness against their wrong-doing and their (Jeremiah 20:7,9), and he came back to Jerusalem
wrong attitude towards God. Jeremiah told them of the continue his witness. At a certain stage in his witness he
desolation which must surely come. The king: of Babylon, was told to go to the temple courts, and there in the pres-
now dominant in the east, would come and carry them away ence of all the people declare his message; as if God would
captive; for the days of Jerusalem were numbered. Both give them a last chance to repent. If they refused, they
city and temple would be destroyed; for this was the pur- were to be told that the desolation which should come upon
pose of Go(l, and if they would save their lives they must Jerusalem and the temple should be like the desolation of
submit. Jeremiah urged the people not to fight against Shiloh--God would sweep it all away. The people refused
Babylon, but to accept the conqueror’s power. He declared to listen, and their leaders sought to have Jeremiah put to
that it was God’s purpose to have the land deso]ate for death. A division took place amongst the crowd. The
seventy years in order that it might fulfil its sabbatbs, priests and those who styled themselves the prophets of
which either the greed of the people had prevented them the Lord were set against Jeremiah, and would have put
him to death for speaking evil against the city and the
from giving the land or else in their carelessness they had
temple, But some of the princes, perhaps sons of Josiah,
neglected. He advised them not to resist deportation, but
to settle in Babylon; and that at the end of the time and many of the people took the part of Jeremiah.~
appointed God would return them from captivity.--aeremiah Jeremiah 26 : 7-11.
27 : 12-22.
HAS NO FRIENDSHIP FOR IDOLATERS
JEREMIAH DISESTEEMED BY ISRAELITES ~That Jeremiah was no friend of Babylon is clear. He
7This "word of Jehovah" was not at all acceptable to saw that dark power would sweep over all the world; for
Jerusalem. Jeremiah was considered an evil adviser. They the nations were away from God. All were transgressors
were God’s people; wt~y should they be directed by a sup- throttgh pride. In words which admirably fit the world
posed word of the Lord to look for residence in Babylon? situation of the present day he spoke against all the sur-
Jeremiah’s task was not the easiest ; for his mess-tge seemed rounding nations, saying that all of them should drink of
contrary to everything which their history led them to the bitter cup of God’s wrath in righteous retribution for
expect. Moreover, Isaiah, Jerenfiah’s great predecessor, all their iniquity. None should escape, but Sheshaeh (Rab-
under somewhat similar circumstances had advised Jerusa- ylon, the instrument who should make them drink) should
lem not to make any compact with any enemy, but to trust not escape; indeed, he should drain the cup.--Jeremiah
in God for deliverance; and God had delivered them from 25 : 15-38.
the Assyrian power. Jeremiah’s message seemed contrary ~2In Jeremiah’s day the world was in a state of unrest
to all this. The reason for this difference is, of course, that comparable only to the unrest of today. There were the
circumstances were different. In Isaiah’s time it was not three great world-powers, EgJq)t, Assyria, and Babylon, in
God’s purpose to give Jerusalem over to the hands of Baby- competition for power. This caused the world to be kept
lon; but in Jeremiah’s time his forbearance had come to an in commotion, so that every country was unsettled; and
end, and then such was his intention. Jerusalem, God’s own city, was filled witl~ corruption, and
SGod’s messages are not always uniform. His servants was being brought to desolation.
are called to present the message he gives them without ~aBesides the mental suffering which Jeremiah’s mission
respect as to whether or not it conforms to something which entailed he had also much physical suffering to endure.
has gone before. There are these who claim that every Pashur, a priest, smote him and put him into the stocks
message of God must be consistent with whatever has been all night. On another occasion he was smitten by the
known of God’s providences. Those who demand such con- princes, and thrust into prison. Very probably both these
sistency really want their own way. God’s servants are smitil~gs were beatings, "forty stripes save one," such aS
called to obey, not to demand uniformity in the providences Paul also suffered. (2Corinthians 11:24) He was publicly
or service of God. Not only were the circumstances differ- rebuked by the priests and the prophets as a depressor of
ent, but it pleased God to use his servants in diffe,’ent the people: indeed they demanded that he be put to death
ways. Isai’~h and his children were for signs in Israel; but because, they said, he "weakened the hands of the people."
Jeremiah was not allowed to marry, nor to have the conso- (Jeremiah 28:4) Jeremiah and his message were as up-
lation of a wife and family and home lift--equally a sign popular, and in the eyes of the people of Jerusalem as
from God, who thereby signified the desolation which was unwholesome and harmful, as the message of truth and its
coming upon Jerusalem.--Jeremiah 16 : 1-4. messengers are today. "Your message is harmful," say the
9Jeremiah’s message in itself was no more pleasurable to leaders of Christendom ; "it depresses the people ; you would
him t hta_ n to Jerusalem; for like all true servants of God he serve the world’s cause better if you would Join with us In
 W A T C H TO ,Y/ R
~mething helpful." But Indeed they have nothing which
promises to be of any more service to the present world
condition than those princes of Jerusalem had as to any
project which would cause the army of Babylon to loosen
its death grip on the city. The Jeremiah class of this day
will continue faithful to its Lord, as he did; and God will
vindicate it, as he did Jeremiah.
l~But Jeremiah was not only a messenger of coming
trouble. He was to plant as well as to pluck up. He
planted the seed of hope: they should return from Babylon
after seventy years of captivity. And to confirm that hope
he purchased from his cousin a piece of land in Anathoth.
He had the transaction duly witnessed; thus expressing his
confidence that Israel would return and again enjoy those
fields and vineyards. (Jeremiah 32: 6-15) But above all
others he was the prophet of the New Covenant, that
gracious provision whereby God will not only restore seat-
tered Israel, but will by them bless all the nations. Jeremiah
saw that the coming desolation was a figure of a greater
trouble: that there would be another captivity, with a dis-
persion of Israel to the ends of the earth; but that in later
days God would regather his people for final settlement.
GOD’S ARRANGEMENTFOR ISRAEL’S REGATtIERING
~Jeremiah foretohl that then God would make a New
Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of
Judah; one which should be. better than that made with
their fathers at Sinai, which because of £heir weakness
they could not keep. God would gather them out of all
countries whence they had been driven, would re~stablish
them in the land that he had given to their fathers,
would write his law in their inward parts, He would then
by the manifestation of his love, and by the operation of his
spirit, give them an innate desire to serve him, and a love
for righteousness which would enable him to bless them
further until they had come to that mental, moral, and
physical perfection which is God’s blessing for the restored
human family. These things Jeremiah set forth in detail
in chapters 31 to 33.
~¢Like all the outer holy prophets Jeremiah tells of the
times of restitution. (Acts 3:19-21) On one occasion
took some of the elders of Israel out of Jerusalem into the
valley to watch a potter busy with his clay. The potter
phwed some clay on the wheel and shaped a vessel;
just as it was coming to perfection of shape, almost ready
to be taken away to the kiln, a flaw was found. The work
was wasted; the vessel In making was destroyed.
instead of casting away the clay the potter gathered it up,
worked it together again, and again put it on the wheel
"He made it again," says Jeremiah ; and by this illustrative
act tells how God will restore his people Israel. By this
beautiful symbolic picture Jeremiah showed that Jacob was
God’s chosen people ; that though they proved to have defec-
tive nmtter in them, and the potter’s plans were apparently
spoiled, and the clay waste, and despite all that had hap-
pened and would happen, God nevertheless would carry his
purpose through, and would re-make them by the New
Covenant which his love had designed. And this as truly
Illustrates God’s dealings with the whole human family.
Moreover, every child of God can comfort himself by it
THE SONG OF SONGS
"Reassurance I can claim
Of our Father’s power
As I sing the Song of Songs
Sweetly, hour by hour.
Since I know that I am his~
:Naught can do me harra !
with the assurance that God can re-make an apparently
waste life if the heart is fully submitted to him.
a~Whenat last the city fell, Jeremiah was specially cared
for by the order of Nebuchadnezzar. His life was preserved,
and he was left in the land with the remnant. But even
these who had been saved from tile Babylonian destroyer
would not listen to the word of the Lord. They were for
going to E~,%.pt for safety. Jeremiah urged them not to do
so; but 1/my persisted and carried him with them. It is
recorded that at last he was slain because he persisted in
declaring that their way was contrary to the will of Jehovah.
~SJeremiah’s is a faithft,1 record of hard service, lovingly
and loyally rendered. He is one of those of whom it is
recorded that time would fail to tell of their services to
Jehovah.
~It would appear as if the Lord’s people of this day could
not have a finer example than Jeremiah. There are powers
in this day which would destroy the message of truth as
Jehoiakim, that evil king, tried to destroy Jeremiah’s mes-
sage when he cut up the roll of the prophecies and cast
them into the fire. Jeremiah went away and was for a
time hidden from the king’s anger. But it was in order
that he might have time to rewrite and add to the things
already written. We believe that the Lord has alrea(ly
wrought out a similar circumstance in the persecution of
1918; for truly out of the sharp experience of some of the
brethren "words have been added" to the former message
which have been as the point of the sword. God will keep
his own and will preserve them until they have completed
their ministry.
and
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
The ministry of Jeremiah coincides with what period of time in
antitype? ¶ 1.
What is the meaning to us of Jerusalem’s overthrow in 60fi B. C.~
¶1.
What did Jeremiah say concerning himself? ¶ 2.
tIow was Jeremiah instructed ?}Iow was the information imparted?
~3.
Whowas king? For what did Jeremiah search wilhout reuult? ¶ 4.
Whycould not Jerenuah enter into tile work of reformation? ¶ 5.
Whydidnot the people receive Jeremiah’s me.~.~age? ~; 6.
Whywas the land to lie desolate seventy years’.~ ¶ 6.
Why was Jeremiah’s task a hard one, and why were the people
loath to accept his messageaa being from Jeln)~ah : ~/ 7.
Are God’s messages always uniform? If not, why not? ¶ 8.
What is pictured by Jeremiah not being privileged to marry? ¶ 8.
Whywas the Prophet tdled with sorrow? Is weeping an indication
but of weakness? ¶ 9.
Was God good to the Israelites in having gere~iah repeat his
message? ¶ 10.
Whowere the chief objectors to the Lord’s men, sage? ¶ 10.
But Whywas not Jeremiah a friend of lhd)ylon? Wouldhe be a friend
today? ¶11.
What causc~l the commotion back there? What causes it today7
Did the priests magnify their office by showing kindness to J’ere-
miah? ¶ 13.
Is there any truth in Chr~stendom’s estimation of "present truth"?
¶ ]3.
In what way did Jeremiah demonstrate he had faith in Israel’s
r~,,~loratmn? ¶ 14.
Umb,r~h:~ttermsshallIsrael’s re~toration takeplace? ¶ 15.
By xxhatsymbolic plcture
didGod showforththetimesof restitu-
tion? ¶ 16.
Whati~ the processby whichGod willre-makethe humanfamily?
¶]] ~;
What h:wpened to Jeremiat= when the city fell, and by whose hands
(hdh,,m(~t death?¶ 17,
Isdore~mi:th yetto be rewarded
forhlsfaithftll sez’vlce? When? ¶ 18.
Whenwas tile"rollof prophecies" in antitype "burned," andhow
weretheyrewritten? ¶ 19,
"He has set me as a seal
Upon his heart and arm.
Waters cannot quench his love,
Many thotlg’h they be:
i’qe~ther can the floods prevail
O’er his love to me,"
 NEHEMIAH, THE BOLD BUILDER
--JUNE 10 BOOK OF NEHEMIAh[-
NEHEMIAH
THE FAITHFUL SERVANT----BOLD PROPHET INSPIRES LIFE IN JERUSALEJ[--REFOR~I ACCOMPLISHED RT RIGID 2~-~N~

"Be not ye aSraid ol the’m: remember the Lord."--Nehemiah 4: 1~.

T IIE destruction
almost absolute.
of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar was
Its walls were broken down, and its
gates burned; tile pal’lces of its princes were de-
1:6) Here is a good example for all God’s people, espe-
cially for those who see and charge themselves with God’s
interests. Each should seize his opportunity to be an inter-
stroyed; and the splendid temple of Jehovah was burned cessor.--1 Timothy2 : 1-4.
to the grouml. An(l for the long period of the seventy years
of captivity, the city of David was little more than a heap NEHE~IIAH, THE FAITtIFUL SERVANT
of ruins. The foxes made their home in it, and now and eNehemiah was a Bible stmh,nt, and was therefore ac-
again tile wandering Arabs would go through its lonely quainted with the word of God through Moses. Day and
~treets. (Lament:ttions 5: 18) The surrounding hills night he pleaded the promises which he saw applied to the
longer resounded with the hal!ehljahs of the temple service, circumstances. (See I,eviticus 26 : 40-46; Deuteronomy 4:
nor wilh the wih] cries of the faithless Jews as they reveled 25-31) ; and a few kindred spirits shared in fellowship with
In their idol worship. For God had determined to waste him. (Nehemiah 1:6-11) Fe(qing within himself the ability
both it aim tile rain’s of Judah and to leave the land deso- to do something, he wished to do what was possible; and
late, wilhm~l "m ip&abimnt.--Jeremiah 4 : 7. so he placed himself in the proper attitude of heart before
2~Vhen t’yl’u’~ Rave the captives freedom to return to their God. Like all other faithful servants of God he said:
homeland and rebuibl the temple, it was not n great number "lIere am I, Lord; if it please thee, send me." Differing
who took advantage of the offer. Those who did so were from Isaiah and Jeremiah, who were specially called of the
led by Zerublmbel of the. royal line, and naturally they Lord, Nehemiah was more like Elijah, who sought the
headed for Jerusalem. On their arrival they rebuilt the lamer of his God "md pr’tyed for it, and whom, because of
altar, and once ;c;Mn offered sacrifices to the Lord. The this, Gad used to his service. There are many who feel that
people immediately separated, "every one unto his own they would like to do something for God, but who get little
city," and doubtless spent about three months cleaning and furlher than the desire; for they neither pray nor try to
repairing their ohl homes. By the seventh month they were prepare themselves for service. These should foIlow Nehe-
sulliciently settled; and then they "gathered llwmselves to- miqh’s example.
gether ns one man to Jerusalem," and rebuilt tbe altar, and rNehemiah continued to serve, saying nothing to his royal
once again offered the regular saerifices. (E::ra 2: 1,70; 3: 1) master of th,lc which was llpon his heart, but waitin~ on
No attempt seems to lmve been made to res{ore eilher lhe God. One day lhe king spoke to him because he noticed
city walls or the gates; and Jerusalem stii1, p:’e~ented u that Nehemiah’s eountenanee was sad. Unknown to him his
seene of desolation to the eye of the traveler, and of re- heart wqs lnaking its plea. This led the king to give Neh~
preach to the faithful of Israel miah a conums~ion [o go to Jerusalem, and at the kin.a’s
3The people, well pleased to be back and to settle in their expense to buihl the walls of the eity. This was a notable
farms and homesteads, appeared to be but little concerned thing; for it discloses a very large measure of liberality of
about the honor of their God. Now and n?ain there appear mind, ’is well as a great trust in Nehenliah. This was no
to have been revivals of religious fervor; but Jerusalem, light thing even in the matter of expense; but it was known
the city of their songs, the city of the great King, beautiful tlmt the Jews were very patriotic, and it might easily have
for situation, remained to outward appearance a desolated been supposed that if Jerusalem we,’ e rebuilt they might
city. It was open to the attacks of any robber bands; aml rebel against Persian rule. But partly because of his confi-
its inhabitanls were not protected from the wihl beasts dence in that matter, partly because of his great coniidence
which sometimes came up from tlm Jordan wdley. in Nehenfiah, and because God’s time had crone, the king
4It was eighty years after the lmle of Cyrus’ ,teere’,’ when gave tile decree. Nehemiah left Persia for i’alestine, and in
Nehemi-xh was brought into immediate eonneclion with the good time he and his iittie company arrived in Jerusalem.
desolation of Jeru.~ah~m. fie was in Persia, exid(ntly b~wn SNehenAah’s energy and boldness, and his wisdom, are
there, and apparently had not had the privilege of lea~ing disclosed in his action on his arriwd in Jerusalem. First
the land of captivity for the homeland of his fathers.. IIe he went around the walls, but at night; for he did ;;or wi.-h
was a trusted per~’onal servant of the king, was one of his to draw attention to his lun’pose. When he saw what was
cupbearers, and evidently was known as a m,qn of :fidl,!y. needed he determined upon his course. 1 le gathered togetl~er
He tells how he came to be assoeiated with tile rehuibling the rulers and ¢ hlers, and tohl thenl of his mission, of his
of Jerusalem. His brother Hanani (Nehemiah 7:1,2) either comlnission from tile king, of his pul’pose to rebuild the city
had visiled Jerusalem and seen its comlitma or had heard walls, lind ~f his 1)h/ns; ;ill(1 he so enthused them with Ills
from some who had recently arrived from there. It was own ard.r that they immediately 1)repared to help hinL It
reported lhat tile inhabitants were in affliction and reproach ; was like a fulIlhuent of Psahn 110:3 (I{otherham) : "Thy
the city walls were still broken down ; the gates were burnt, people shall be volunteers in the day of thy power."
and there was no securily for tile p,~ple. Nehemiah’s heart
was touched as h(, heard this. I,’or some days he wept, and BOLD PROPHET INSPIRES LIFE IN JERUSALEII
fasted, and pr’lyed. 9Froul 1)ein~ a quiet sleepy place, Jertlsalenl suddenly
SOur lesson draws attention to Nehemiah as a bohl buihler. sprang into life and movement. Nehemiah disclosed mueh
tle Certainly proved to be that; he was also a man of deep organizing abdily, lie arranged for all to do solnethiug,
feeling, but his short memoirs reveal him first qs a man or and, as far as possible lo save time and to eucourage zeal,
prayer. Concerned for the honor of God as well Its for his that each of the builder> should work nearest to his own
people, his concern became one for prayer. Ife knew lhat house. It was a great piece of work, one which could be
his people were suffering for sins, but he did not wait to mnlertuken and accomplished only by willing coSperation.
try Io bring about a general confession. He realized that The movement on the wails of Jerusalem quickly aroused
whoever sees should act. He eonfessed for himself. "l;olh tile opllosition of the enemies of Israel. Three persons ia
I and my father’s house have sinned," he said. (Nehemiah particular are mentioned aa opposing Nehemiah: Sanballat~
]~AY15, 1923 ’l’he WATCHTOWER
a Moabite, a man in some authority, probably in Samaria (Nehemiah 5:1-13) Human nature untouched by grace
(Nehemiah 4:1,2); Tobiah, an Ammonite; and Geshem, almost always follows the same course. Like the man in
an Arabian; all persons of some local note, but all enemies the parable, these richer people forgot how much of grati-
of Israel. First these mocked at the work that was being tude they owed to God for their freedom from Babylon.
done, Tobiah being notable in this. With all his boldness Had they remembered, they would not have enslaved their
Nehemiah was a sensitive man, and winced under the scorn poorer brethren. Gratitude towards God is a wonderful
of Tobiah. (Nehemiah 2:20) Then a scheme was formed regulator of conduct.
for a sudden attack to be made on the Jews; but Nehemiah ~sIt seems probable that Nehemiah returned to Persia on
heard of it and frustrated it. (Nehemiah 4:8-15) Then two occasions during the time covered by our record of his
attempts were made to argue with Nehemiah--anylhing to labors. Each time he returned to Jerusalem, he found the
stop the work, Later, an open letter was sent by Sanballat need for reminding his brethren of their obligation towards
to Nehemiah, saying that they charged the Jews with at- God. After a prolonged absence he found that the Levites
tempted rebellion. This was a cunning move. It was the were not being supported (Nehemiah 13: 10) ; the sabbath
same which in Zerubbabel’s days had stopped the rebuilding was nat respected; some trod their winepresses on that day,
of the temple for twenty years. Also, false prophets among some gathered their corn, some their grapes; and much
his own people tried to mislead Nehemiah or to frighten trading was done, chiefly by strangers who brought goods.
him.--Nehemiah 6 : 10-14. Nehemiah settled the latter trouble by threatening to lay
~°But nothing deterred Nehemiah ; for he was sure that he hands on the traders who tempted the Jews on the sabbath
was doing the Lord’s work. So, working early and late, and with their wares.--Nehemiah 13: 15-21.
with long spells during which they had time only to work ~GNehemiah also found a disheartening thing: There were
and eat and snatch a little sleep, they completed the building many mixed marriages, specially with Moab and Ammon;
of the walls In fifty-two days. It was, of course, a rebuild- and all classes were involved. (Ezra 9: 1, 2; Nehemiah 13:
ing; for the material was at hand. The huge stones which 23) Even the chief priest was allied by marriage both to
had been lying there for one hundred and fifty years were Tobiah the Ammonite and to Sanballat. (Nehemiah 13: 4, 2g)
ready to be replaced. The world can produce few records Nehemiah, partly in conjunction with Ezra, brought about
of so much accomplished under so great difficulties in so a complete cleansing of this evil. It was a hard thing to
short a time. How closely all this corresponds to the expe- do; for these two aliens had been the means of bringing
rience of the church today! Satan uses all possible means many women of Moab and Ammon into Israel. Nehemiah
to hinder its work for the Lord. Railing, open opposition, saw that if this thing were condoned God could not bless
suggested discussion as to the work, opposition from those his people; that the evil would eat into the life of his
who profess to speak for the Lord, declaring the work is brethren, and they would again become like the nations
wrong--all this is just a repetition of Nehemiah’s experience. round about. Neither the rebuilding of the temple nor the
nIn all there were forty-two parties of workers, each city walls, nor a resuscitation of national favor could avail
havin.g its. own place of work allotted to it. This is a sym- anything if the people were to mingle in marriage with
bolic number, and may yet be seen ro be v2pzcal of the these idolatrous natio..~. To do this ~as not only a trans-
Lord’s present witnessing arrangement gression of the law, and therefore a violation of their cove-
12On an appointed day the rebuilt wall was dedicated to nant; but it really meant that they repudiated the covenant
the Lord. (Nehemiah 12: 27-43) It was a busy day. Singers and did not want to be a people separated unto God.
with musical instruments, cymbals, psalteries, and harps 17Nehemiah was rough in some of his ways, but evidently
were appointed, chosen from the country round about, as God raised him up for the work. Some Jews he took by
well as out of the city ; for many of the neighboring villages the hair and shook, and caused them to swear they would
had taken a share in the rebuilding. Nehemiah placed them not do this thing; another he chased out from him. (Nehe-
in order, the eiders of the people and the singers, and miah 13: 28) Rough, crude, but effective measures were
divided them into two companies. One company started these, but apparently suited to the occasion. Rough work
one way round the wall, the other went the opposite way; must sometimes be done. The Tobiahs ~ho have their
and when they met, the day was made glad with the rejoic- household stuff in the courts of the Lord’s’ house frequently
ings of the people. "They offered great sacrifices, and need rough measures to clear them out. These are the
rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy; limpets that hold on to whatever good things there may be,
the wives also and the children rejoiced ; so that the joy of but at heart are strangers to the welfare of Israel. Tobiah
Jerusalem was heard even afar off."--Nehemiah 12 : 43. was no friend of the Jews, but he was very well pleased to
live in the courts of the house of God. It is not easy to
REFORM ACCOMPLISHED BY RIGID MEANS remove these; and there are always some who sympathize
~SBesides the work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, with them when God’s Nehemiahs would cleanse the court~
l’qehemiah did much to regulate the social and economic of the Lord’s house.
life of the people. He found that many of the poor people
were in bondage to their rich brethren. Indeed, they were BOLD TOWARD ENEMIES; HUMBLE TOWARD GOD
held as slaves. Nehemiah’s indignation was stirred; it was ~SNehemiah’s artless pleading, "Remember me, my God,
a cruel wrong that those who had been held captive by for good," shows that however bold he was towards the
Babylon should now hold their brethren in slavery. He enemies of his people and his God, he was very meek and
appealed to the hearts of the rich, and they gladly released humble before his God. The lessons we very readily draw
their brethren from bondage and gave them material help. from his faith and his work are: (1) Care for God’s
He took an oath of the priests; for apparently they were inlerests, and (2) for the good of his people. These two
specially to blame. Perhaps he saw they were profiting by things brought him into prominence, and made him one of
the misfortunes of the poor. those who are to be princes in the kingdom of God. Prob-
~aNehemiah shook his lap, and said: "So God shake out ably it is true to say that these have been the two leading
every man from his house, and from his labor, that per- thoughts to occupy the minds of all faithful servants of
formeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and God. It is particularly the case in the Old Testament
emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised records; and it is certain that those of the consecrated
the Lord. And the people did according to this promise." who control their lives, seeking the honor of God and tha
 ’the WATC
H TOWER *"
good of God’s people, will be rewarded by him in being What did Nehemiahdo ell hearing of the broken-downcondition of
placed where they will have the further and greater privi- Jerusalenl "? ¶ 4.
Whatnoble characteristics had Nehemiah? Whyshould we emulate
lege of doing this, not in weakness and by prayer, but ia them? ¶ 5.
the power and glory of the kingdom. In what way was Nehemiah bke Elijah? How did these two d~ff~r
from Isaiah and Jerennuh? ¶ 6.
19The rebuilding of Jerusalem by Nehemiah may properly What led up to Nehemiah’s receiving the commission to rebuild th~
be considered as representing the buihling o£ Zion in thi‘; walls of Jerusalem? ¶ 7.
What did Nehemiahfirst do? Howdid he get the people’s coopera-
day of the Lord’s return. While the whole time o£ rebuiht- tion ’.~ ¶ 8.
ing is a time o~ rejoicing because the Lord, our Nehemiah Itow did Nehemiah display wisdom? Did he have opposition ~ ¶ 9.
In what way do God’s people have similar experiences to Nehe-
(the Comfort of Jehovah), is with us, it is specially true miah’s? ¶ 10.
that since 1918 the church has had a time of rejoicinz. A What were tile procedure and happifying experiences when tile re-
bmlt wall was dedieared? ¶ 12.
great deal of the work necessary to the regstablishment of Wlmt~tlrre(l Nehemmh’sindignation? What did he do to correct
the truth had been done. The church walks rou,d the walls abuses? ¶~3.
of Zion (Psalm 48: 12,13), marks her bulwarks, considers Our conduct toward God and the brethren is largely regulated by
what ~ ¶return
14. from Persia what did Nehemiah find? Howdid he
her palaces, ready to tell to the generation following that I)11 hiq
because Zion is established millions now livina will never rebuke the evil doers ~ ¶ 15.
Whrwas it wrong for Israelites to marry those of other nations?
die. What is the antitype? ¶ 16.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY Did ~tleml~:h SOlllO|ilrlO~ ll~,e strennon~ moa~m’o~ in b~’ refoFiIl
~ork’~ Is it better to be Nehemiahsttmn Tobiahs? ¶ 17.
Are there indmations that Jerusalem lay waste seventy years ~ ¶ 1. What lesson~ is to be drawn from tile faith and work of this bold
What good king pm’mitted the Israelites to return to their honm- Prophet ~ 1,%
land? ¶ 2. Wbyis thi~ in antitype a particular time for the "Israelites indeed"
Did they honor GodLn the privileges they enjoyed in returning? ¶ 3. to rejoice’/ ¶ 19.

ESTHER, THE PATRIOT QUEEN

--JUI’~E 17 BOOK OF ESTHER--

ESTHER’S TACT I1N" SA.VING TFIE JEWS--LOYALTY" OF 2,IORIIECAI AND HIS ADVANCESIENT--ESTIIER MAINTAINS THE IKING’S FAVOR.

"Who k~oweth ~ehether thm~ art not come to the l~b~gdom 1or su.¢,l’~ a tto~e o~ tbi.~?"--Esther .} : 14.

B ECAUSEthe book of Esther does not mention the name

of God, its right to a place in the Bible has been dis-
puted. That fact, however, does not lessen the confi-
dence of the Bible student in respect to its right to be there:
for tlmugh God is not specifically mentioned, yet the book
Is full of his providences. Indeed, in its revelatioq of the
care of God over his people, as well as in its human interest,
it may ahnost be said to be the most interesting book in the
Bible. Its date is about 490-480 B. C., and it relates to a
special experience of the Jews in Persia. Esther, a Jewish
maiden of the tribe of Benjamin, became queen consort of
Ahasuerus (Xerxes), king of Persia, when that kingdom
extended from India in the east to Ethiopia in the west.
The circumstances which brou.ght her into so prominent a
place in the Bible and in the history of her people are
singular.
~The king prepared for all tile princes and servants of his
realm a great feast which lasted for six months. (Esther
1: 1-4) At the end of that time he made a special feast i:]
tile palace gardens. Wine was drunk in abundance from
vessels of gold, and every man drank according to his
pleasure. The queen, Vashti, also made a feast for the
women in the royal house. On the last day, when the king
was merry with wine, he sent his seven chamberlains to
bring Queen Vashti adorned with the royal crown; for he
would show the princes and the people her beauty. Tile
queen refused even at the risk of her life to suffer the
indignity of being exhibited before the people. Tile impe-
rious monarch, not accustomed to have his conlmands dis-
obeyed, became very wroth, and his anger burned. The
great Persian Empire was then the mightiest tile world
had known, but this refusal by the queen to obey her lord’s
demand shook it to its foundations. A state council was
held to consider what should be done. The wise men delib-
erated, and advised the king that an unalterable decree.
should be made that Queen Vashti should be deposed, that
the women everywhere under Persian dominion should give
their husbands honor, and that every man should rule in
his own house. The decree was published in every part of
the king’s dominion; and the empire ceased to rock, and
settled tn peace. Ch qler 2:1 seems to indicate that tile
king was somewhat rea’retful at losiua" V:~shti, I’rob tb!y he
saw that .~he had <qved hi>~ from tile di~ar,’,’e inh) xxhieh
his wine-heated head wouhl 1.ave led him. Then. coltll’qry
to the Uqlhqi custom, but in th~ ¯ providence of (led. ofli,eel’s
were appointed to searci~ tile vasg dominion to lind maidens
from whom one should be cllo-~,m to be queen instead of
Vashti. The choice at lflst fell ripen a young aewea*.
Iladassah, an orph:m brought up as Ill-; own daughter by
her uncle Mordecai. The king loved her: she was named
Esther (a star) ; au,,l when she was made queen, a .u’reat
feast was I)rep’tred and lu’isoners everJwhere were released.
She did not disclose the fact lhat she was a Jewess, how-
ever.--Esther 2 : 10.
ESTHER’S TACT IN SAVING THE JEWS
SSome time afier, Mordecai, 1,s royal service, "at the
king’s gate," heard of a conspiracy against the kin~’s iife
and told Esther, who told it to the king in Mordecai’s name.
The consph’ator~ were hanged; and the record of this was
written in the kina’s book of chronicles. About this time an
Amalekite, Ilaman, got into the king’s favor and was ad-
vanced above all the princes; and the king gave command
that all his servants in the palace gate should bow and
reverence ttaman whenever he passed. But Mordecai "bowed
not nor did him reverence." Tile olhers resented this "~ction,
o~pecially when he told them he was a Jew. Haman was
filled with wrath, but on learning that Mordecai wa~ a Jew
considered him too insignificant to Irouble himself wilh,
but determined on a plan "to destroy all tile Jews that were
throughout the whole kingdom of Ahastterus." (Esther 3 : 6)
IIe tohl the king there was a people scattered abroad in the
kingdom whose laws did not permit them to keep the king’s
laws, and th-lt it was therefore not for the king’s profit to
tolerate them. IIe also su;~gested the5’ should be destroyed
and offered 10.000 talents of silver to meet tile expense.
Without ~p~,eml eonsideragion the king ag’reed. The money
was accepted, and Itaman was told to do as he pleased.
(Esther 3:1l) After lots were east to find a lucky day,
the lot fell upon a day nearly a year ahead (auother provlo
 ,5 ,%ca ,rh. WATCH TOWER
deuce of God, which saved the Jews). Letters sealed with that durst presume In hls heart to do so?" And Esther
the king’s ring were then sent to every part of the king’s said: "The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman."
dominion, commanding that on the thirteenth day of the (Esther 7:5,6) The king rose in wrath and went out
twelfth month "all Jews both young and old, little children the garden. IIe came back to find Haman fallen upon the
and women" were to be destroyed. queen’s couch. The king’s anger rose higher. The attend-
4Wimn Mordecai perceived to what his refusal to bow to ants heard what the king had to say, and they took Haman
Ihiman had led, he put on sackcloth and went out into the and covered his face. One of them told the king of the
midst of the city and cried with a loud and bitter cry; and gallows prepared for Mordecai, and the king said: "Hang
in every province there was great mourning amongst the him thereon." On the same day the kin.g gave the house of
Jews. Esther heard of Mordecai’s mourning, and sent to Haman to Esther. Mordecai was brought in and the king
him. Her messenger was told of the plot. Mordecai sent gaw, him the ring he had taken from Haman. Esther fell
her a copy of tim decree and told tile messenger to charge at the king’s feet and be-ought him to undo the mischief
Esther that she should make supplication before the king which hqd hee,~ devised. Her plea is a model of modest,
for her people. Esther sent word of her difficulty. Mordecai earnest, forceful, womanly pleading. It almost seems as if
returned answer: "Think not with thyself that .thou shalt the account of Vashti’s refusal to obey is intended to show
escape in the king’s house more than all the Jews." (Esther the contrast.
4:13) Esther returned a noble reply: "Go, gather together SThe king’s word could not be revoked; but other letters
all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for were sent granting the Jews to stand up against their
me, and neither eat nor drink for three days. night or day: enemies, and to destroy all who would destroy them. This
I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go method of dealing with the situation disclosed the real
in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if enemies of Israel; for all the peaceably disposed would be
I perish, I perish."--Esther 4:16. glad to know the order for destruction was revoked as far
,~Afler fasting" she adorned herself with her queenly gar- as was possible. When the records of the "lucky" day came
me,dis and ventured unasked into the king’s presence. He in, it was found that of the enemies of the Jews (probably
.graciously received her, and pronHsed to respond to what- not Persians; for they were not specially enemies of the
ever request she made. She asked him and his favorite Jews, and both were worshipers of one God) 75,000 persons
minister to a banquet. During the banquet the king asked endeavoring to destroy the Jews were themselves destroyed,
E~ll,er what her petition was and promised to grant it. But the Jews touched not one bit of spoil. Solomon said:
Perhaps to emphasize the request, mid surely in God’s "The lot is east into tJm lqp; but the whole disposing
providence, she asked that the king and Haman would come thereof is of tlte Lord" (Proverbs J6: 33) ; and here surely
,’tgain on the morrow. This sent Ilaman fnrth with a joy ful is the Scriptural record of the fulfilment of the proverb.
heart; but tlis happiness fled when he saw Mordecai at the In view of Saul’s disobedienee il seems fitting that the
kin;g’s gate and that he moved not for him. He told his Amalekite power was destroyed by Mordecai an(l Esther
v,~fe :,p,d Lqs friends of "all the glory of his riches, and tb,., of the tribe of Benjamin : it is as if the Lord permitted the.
fact that he had advance(1 above the princes; bt~t that all lribe ~o retrieve its for,’._u- failure.--1 ~amnel 9: 1, 2; 15:8:
this availed nothing "so hmg as I see 5Iordecai the Jew Esther 2:5: 3:1; N~:ra~: r.: 24:5,7,20.
sittin,~ at the king’s gate." (Esther 5: la) They advised
him to-make a gallows seventy-five feet high, and on the ESTHER MAINTAINS THE KING’S FAVOR
tam’row to ask the king that Mordecai shouhl be hanged, 9Ahqstterus was nmch more interested at this time thap
and then to go and be merry with the king. when he thoughtlessly sold the Jews. Ile was ready to
grant E~ther any further request; and she, knowing that
LOYALTY OF MORDECAI AND HIS ADVANCEMENT the Jews’ enemies in the capital city were still powerful,
6Thvt night the kin- couhl not sleep, and had his book of then a~ked the right for her people to attqck again on the
chronicles brought. IIe might have called for inany other morrow, al-o that t:Ianmn’s sons killed in the attack should
thin::~, or other passae, es iu the book might have been now he h:tnged. Esther has been blamed for this action;
eh,:st,n: hat his servants read of the occasion when Morde~ but there is no reason for atiribnting low or vindictive
c,li \~,’t,~ the lne;tn,a of .-nvin~ the king’s life. The king asked motives to her. Rather, in view of the facts, we should
~x hat reward had been given to Mordecai. They said: None. think of her .Ls having a desire to fulfil God’s will by the
At 1lint nmmeut Ilaman was come into the outer court to extermination of the Amalekiles. "rod so save her people.
a~l~ lhe king fro’ permis,ion to hang Mordec’ti. IIaman was It i~ proper to assume these enemies were of the same spirit
announced. The Ring said: "Let him come in." IIe came as Iiaman and his sons, even if they were not actually
in The king s;~[: "Wit:it shall lie done unlo lhe man Amelekites. Mor(h cai and Esther (lesi~md to have these
,,xlt.)m lll~ , l¢ii~ d.eli",hleth to honor’.’" Hamanthou,aht only days e()mmemorale(l by the Jews forever. They therefore
of him-elf; so he ~-u,~:ge~ted that the royal apparel bhould sent letters everywhere naming the two days, the 141h and
be 1)u! tip(in lhe in:m, ;~ (town royal be put upon ins head, 15th of Adar, l’urim (or the "lot") ; and Esther contirmed
alld lho ki;~a’~ horse shouhl he Itrouaht for tile man to ride them with a (lecree. The Jews still keep the feast of Purim
on, ;til,l lh:lt ()lie of the king’s llt,i~l notable princes shotlhl unto ’.his day. ~Ior(h’(’;ti was from this time advanced
speci;dly dress lhe man and lead him through the streets, the highest phtce iu tile kingdom, att(l was a means of mueh
prochmnina as they went: "Thus shall it be done to the blessing to his people. It was in the springtime the Jews
man ~hom the king deliahteth to honor." The Mug said to got this deliverance; it was to them therefore a happy new
lIanmn: "Make haste, do ns thou hast said to Mordecai 3"eat" into which they entered, saved from their enemies,
the Jew: let nothing fall Of all that thou hast spoken." and with the blessing of God upon them.
(Esther 6: 6, 9, 10) It was done, and Hanmn’s mortification *OBesides lessons respecting the overruling providences of
was complete. IIe went home and covered his head. Later God, and the wonderful deliverance of his chosen people in
he went to the banquet. a time of great distress, there are many lessons to be drawn
7When the king again asked Esther what her petition from this story. Mordecai’s faithfulness to tile king reminds
was, to the king’s surprise she pleaded for her life and us of the fact that right-minded men give their best, and
that of her people, and told him they were sold to be coutinne t,) do so even though their meritorious actions are
destroyed- The king said: "Who is he, and where is he, not immediately rewarded, Mordecai’s service in advising
 ,rho WATCH TOWER Y.
of the conspiracy was done without seeking reward. Good What great honor was bestowed upon Haman? Who refused him
deeds always tell; they never die. Ahasuerus’ book of obeisance? ¶ 3.
What was Haman’s scheme? What did he offer to do to destroy
chronicles reminds us that God has a similar book in which the Jews? ¶ 3.
are recorded the things done by those who think upon his What did Mordecai then do? What was the instruction to Esther?
94.
name; that is, by those who look after his interests as Was it dangerous to eater the king’s presence unbidden? Was
Mordecai looked after his king’s. (Malachi 3:16) Mordecai Esther brave and tactful? Why was Haman sad? What did his
friends advise? ¶ 5.
is an example; but how much more should we wlm are Wasit in God’s providence that the king could not sleep, and that
begotten of the holy spirit of God, and who have taken the he called for the book of chronicles to be read? ¶ 6.
What took place at the eventful moment when Haman was an-
name of Christ, look after the interests of our King and nounced for admission to the king’s presence? Was Haman
our God I humiliated ? ¶ 6.
What dramatic scene was now enacted wlihin the royal palace?
What great change was taking place for the blessing of the
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY Jewish people? ¶ 7.
What evidence have we that the book of Esther belongs to the As the Persian law was irrevocable, how did the king manage to
Bible? ¶ 1. overcome his former decree of des/ruction? ¶ S.
Who was Esther? About when did she live? Of what empire was Whywas it befitting that the Amalekite power should be destroyed
she a subject? Whowas king? HOW great ~as tile empire? ¶ 1, 2. through the agency of Mordecai and Esther? ¶ 8.
B’hat were the circumstances that led Queen Vashti to refuse the In what way did Ahasuerus manifest his love for his queen? What
Idng’s request to appear befm’e him? How d~d this affect ths was Esther’s further request? ¶ 9.
kingdom, and what did the state council advise? ¶ 2. Should Esther be charged with selfish motives entirely, or was h~
How was Esther chosen? Was the choice a manifestation of God’s display of wisdompart of God’s providence? ¶ 9.
providence? ¶ 2. What is the feast of Purim, and whyis it so called? 99.
Whowas Mordecai? Was he a faithful servant? ¶ 2, 3. What lessons may we draw from this narrative? ¶ 10.

INTERESTING LETTERS
DISTRIBUTING "PROCLAMATIONS"r~:N GERMANY which this would involve, and you know that we have not
the means to undertake this proposition without your assist-
"~EARBROTHF~R RUTHERFORD :
ance. Therefore I am taking the liberty of asking your
With thankful heart and great appreciation I am re-
help, dear brother; and I am sure that you will be :~ble to
minded of your kind help which enabled us to have four arrange matters to the advantage of the Lord’s work.
ard one-half millions of the "Proclamation" printed. The
ted. Note: Two million more ordered printed.]
plain and true witness set forth in the "Proclamation"
I take this opportunity to thank you ,~ain for the remit-
b~ought great joy and happiness to the Lord’s children
tances transferred to us through the Central European
h( re; and it was a pleasure to read the letters of apprecia-
Office in Zurich, which enabled us to purchase the material
ti,m received from all over the country, and to learn how
blcst the friends were in distribt~ting these to rich and for "Proclamations," STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, and other
literatur~ Re assured of my great appreciation for all your
poor, high and low, and thus advertising the King and his assistance in both spiritual and financial welfare, and ac-
kingdom.
cept hearty greetings and best wishes from your brother
Through the "Proclamation" the attention of thousands and colaborer, through God’s grace,
of friends of the truth was called to the importance of PAUL BALZERHE~T--Ger~a~y.
"searching the Scriptures," thus to find the wonderful plan
and the loving dealings of our Lord. Among the worldly
GOD’S HAND
there was great surprise. Both leaders and workers were
astonished at tim steadfast and resolute statements given DEARFRIENDS IN CHRIST :
in this timely publication. I wish to say to you that each day, in the morning, at
.k brother who was formerly a cavalry captain in the noon and in the evening I always remember you at the
German army writes us: "The ’Proclamation’ has fallen throne of heavenly grace. I feel that I can hardly pray
down like grenades of the heaviest sort all over the coun- enough for the dear brothers everywhere, nor do I feel that
try." The same brother sent the Kaiser a copy in a regis- I can thank my heavenly Father enough for this light which
tered letter, and is in receipt of a reply stating that it was he has given me, and for the true friends such as you. I
duly received. From this office we sent a copy to the Presi- hope that all are striving to be as true as I am myself,
dent of the German Empire, Mr. Ebert. and have received although I still have many shortcomings and need your
word that it was delivered to him. We also sent copies to prayers very badly, especially just now.
all the delegates of the Imperial Diet, and are in receipt of I must tell you a few things about myself: I have been
a reply stating that the copies were all distrii)utcd. in the grain business for some twenty years, and as you
We are now preparing to get the names and addresses of perhaps know, it is next to impossible to be strictly straight
all ordained ministers and schoolteachers in this country. and be with a big concern. I have prayed to God for the
As soon as this list is completed we would be glad to send past year and a half to let me see his will in this; and if
eavh on the list a "Proclamation." But, dear Brother it would be better for me to leave this business, all well
Rutherford, we are entirely out of them. Our four and and good.
one-half million were shipped and distributed, and daily we Now this concern has asked me to steal from thirty to
are receiving letters asking for more~ Through the WACHT forty pounds of grain on each load of wheat brought by the
T~’R.~ we have asked that all the classes throughout the farmers to the elevator; and because I could not see my
country let us know whether they have any "Proclama- way clear to do that at all, I am to be let out. I can see
tions" left, in order that we may dispose of them. But God’s hand in this. But, dear brethren, see how badly I
instead of returning any copies, the classes are asking us need your prayers now, I do not want to go back to the
for more. The love and zeal of all the brethren in adver- grain business, but as yet it has not been made clear to me
tising the King and his kingdom now at hand by means of what to go at.
these "Proclamations" convince me that it is the will of Knowing that you will remember me in your prayers, I
the Lord that we should have two millions more printed. remain,
Doubtless you realize the enormous additional expense Yours in the service of our dear Lord, G.A., M~
 rhc WATCH TOWER
"HARP" MELODY different featuresof his clmracterhas provedvery help-
DEAR Blaq[’HREN : ful. that we may the better grow into his likeness.The
doctrinal,tudyat the meetings,and tile practical studyin
The "Ihtrp of God" has been read with intense titqd’cci,t- dailylife.gave evidencethat our Lordis stillleadingand
tion aud tlnlnksgixing to our Father fro" giving ilS such a guidingIris sheep---if we arc willingto be "sheep"indeed.
clear exposition or lliS plan. The arrangement of the The chlSs has, under his guidance,since .hmuary, 1921,
"strings" is different from ally previous showing and is, decided to have each Sunday one hour for ~VATCVI TO~.VER
I believe, correct. The proof of this and also of the fact Bereanstudy and the other hour for consideration of tile
that the production is of God thl’oU:d~ his appointed chan- Iir:lyer-mee~ lug text.
nel, is as follows: In gratitude to the Lord and llis "vc.--els" in tletht,1,
In giving tile picture of lhe llarp it seenls th’lt aa xxh,ml he is still llSiu g to refreah his II,,.k, a resolutiou wa-,
analogy can be drawn, that a l/layer wouhl u,~,, his two o([’,q’c,I lhA[ ah as.~elnl,lod frlelld.-; will ke,,p g ill’lll st;tilt]
hands to brblg out the muqic. ~’,~ils,.qlle;Itly l~x,’ of the for the Lord ;!ud the S~(,tly by earnestly contending for
strings would be played by tile lelt hand, ull,l !i~ ¯ by lhe lhe lililh which was once ihqivered unto the saints. .kbont
right. In the fact that one hand is ./l’,vays nlore dcx[(,l’~12s four Imndred lricnds \\ithont a single (’\cei)tion Rrose
than the other, we see a fittiug ssn/bol of the minor m,d their feet. and ],y ni!HiHiIl!~.lS vale :lglced to adopt tllis
major chords, hntlgnle, then, a harper using his h,ft ]IaIM l’e,q)ln[ion, i ]lave beell a,l;cd to -write yi}ll lllat tile’,- ]lave
to bring out tile minor, and the right hand to real)oral ~m a l)lea-ant nlemol,y of your visit oil May 12, 1922.
the major; or, equally good, suppose the left to u~e llle You will be glad to know tltat the work of the Lord g~ es
treble while the rigllt would sound out the acconll~anyillg on well here. Nhle meetings have been arranged to stu,ly
bass. See how this would apply to our" IIARP, using a string the II ~l,P or GOD.These meetings are especially for inter-
for each linger, quoting the pages for referen<’e: ested ones and for friends not long in the truth. Eight
el,lev~ :lml three deacons are very bll-y helping pe,~ple to
Left or Minor Chords Right or Major Chords the ]iahl lle~ides that the (.oll)ortenrina work is doing the
ClIEATION RESURI~ECTION OF JESUS be~t: ]ll,~rt, thau .,O00 books are soM cvcry month.
First man of the earth, (1 Corinthians 15) Y,,/II’ b],,ttler in lus grace and ~er~ice.
earthy.--I’age 28, par. 30. The I:~verla,lin~ l,’ather.-- H. VON .~.IILFTEN, Gerlnany.
Page 194, par. "1!).
"POUNDS" ARTICLE APPRECIATED
JUSTICE 51XNII, I,:ST IN CON- 5IYS r]:RY REXEA Ll.:n
Justice condOlliU.~.- I’a:ge DE %RI~I:liTtlI:E:’: :
DI M % Vl’lON
Page 40, par. 49, 50. 194, par. 330. I x\ allt to expl’e-,- luy appreciatiou of the helpful articles
ill lilt’ "l’o\; IHi. C-_!,’cmllyI}le ;ll’,qf’le ell "rl’]le I’ounds," in the
I.ORD’S
1) gl".S I¢ X(’I’~
iCcln’ual.y 1st "l’,~x\~:}:. I am impro-sed ~x::h the fact that
AIIF~\t[ \’I1C pROMISE G:/1 hol :.~’_" of T\~,* 5;<,(,ds anl IlO[ ’,, read tht,.e ,..’|lc!C. ;0 kllt,\x \~h:lt lessons apply
G,ving of pv,,ml-e.--Pa:ze t,(;. pron~.-c,/. ~iz, fi,i]lll’~, l)a~(’£
lo i;~’,,~[wr ~o-and-S,). , a ~,) act the le~sons thut apply
l)ar. {IS. 235-240; l"le~’q3 Seed, page myself. I lind that I cltlilllN get the dcplh of lhese lessons
24(.), Regalhetulg of israel. wilhoul rc,lding these artMcs over and over. I believe that
nlRTH OF JESUS tim ln,)sl :~Cel)table service .Icans of Nazareth ever rendered
"A body hast thou prepared GLORII:ICA’IION OF (’lll’llCII to the heavenly Father was while looking afler God’s inter-
me."--Page 300, par. 516. Page {106, par. 531.--The ests lit lhe narrow way of saclqfiee, and I feel that I perhaps
The He’td.--l’;Ige 90, par. feet members. can render more aceeplaltle service now, if faithful to tile
142, 1-13. extent of my ability, thun at any future time. I got the
thought from the TOWERthat I x~allt to be not only a
RA~SO~[ RESTITUTION
recipient of the Fatller’s blessings tlutt bring me joy, but
"To neck and to ~ave that "The redemption of the pur-
also a blc~sing to him and bring joy to lliS great loving heltrt.
wlach was l~t."--l’a/e 141, chased posses-ion."-- Page
321, par. 540, 541; page ;’2G I notice that the hrethrea who have the best-develnped
par. 243, 244.
par. 55:2. characters are those who have been most active in the
house-to-llonse work, and I have gotten a far gl’e’/ter bless-
in;z iu this work than in any other branch of his service.
Surely this eorrespolldency is not accidental!
I know that some elders are nlissing this great blessing;
Praying tllc Lord’s continued guidance, and with much
and tlmt it is essential for tile elders thus to hnnlble them-
love in the Lord, selves is in’oven by the fruits of char:~cter manifested by
Yonrs in his service, GEe. CALCUI"I~--ScoIlaI~d. those who have appreciated this privilege.
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH I feel that God has not given us the STUDIESand TOWER
for .lu’ entertainment, but that we lniaht know what is his
DEAR BROTHEI~. I{UTHEIlFORD: will c(mcernin~ us. Havin~ obliaated myself to do his will,
I have the p, reat privilege to convey unto you tim love and I w,mt to know what his will is, and then faithfully to
greetings of the Ilanlburg ecclesia. SllNdily llflOl’llooH lll(N’l.- fulh! my obligation to him by doing lily bit in lookin/ after
lng, December 3lst, was the most xxonderflll convention of his inlcl.(,sts. I desire lo have a part in tile kingdoln work
1922. In the inol’ning hours eighteen sianilied that they ha,l bey,)nd Ille vail. with a .-.pirKnal body: hut realizin~ that
made a conse(’ratl()n to the Lord, and desired to s5 nlbohze kill.’.z’doul \Xol’l; is L~,)lIlg Oil uOv,’, I \rant Io be aecusloUled
that COllseeralion by water inlnlcr,,ion. ,\ltll~Hl~{]l we ]lave to ,Icing kin’.’doin work xxilll the body I haxe now le..t I be
been blest throughout tile whole 5ear Ily so ninny Berean 11111011X the "’-.errant" class.
studies and prayer-meeting texts, \x}lich the dear I,ord llas Durulg this year I wish to double my efforts in whatever
provhted by tile Society for each Sunday, notwithatanding way the Fatller is pleaae,l to use me to "advertiqe the King
we could observe that these blessings received have in a aud his kingd,)ln."
Certain measure reached their height of enjoylnent.
~2he consideration of our dear Lord and tIead in the With Christia~ love, N.J. BULLOCK,
,V. Y.
 Intemaiional Bible Studenis Association Gasseg
h¢c~urc~
and5tudlc~by TravcUnc]
Brethren
BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK
Cectlla, Ky........... May 31, June 1 Tell City, Ind ................ June 14 Walsenburg,Col ............. June 1 Cheyenne, Wyo........... June 8, 1Q
Rineyville, Ky........... June 3, 4 Owensboro,Ky ............... " 15 Denver,Col ............... 3 ~terling, Cot ........... "’ 11
Brandenburg, Ky ..... " 5, 6 Beech Creek, Ky ......... " ~7 Bouhler,Col .................... 4 Haxtum,Col ............... " l~il
Madison,Ind ............. " ~,-10 Guthrie, Ky.................... " ¯~ Berthoud,Col .................. " 5 Denver, Col .............. " 14
Louisville, Ky ........... " 11 tlopkinsv]llc, Ky............. " 19 Loveland, Col ............ " 1; Cmpl,le Creek, Col .... "’ 15, 17
Magnet,Ind ............. " 12, 13 Paducah,Ky .................. " 21 Greeley,Col...................... " 7 Colorado Springs, Col. ’

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER V. C. RICE

Lone Oak, Tex .......... June3 Dallas, Tex..................... JunQ 10 Gaines,Pa ......................... June 1 Alexandria.Pa ................. June 8
Sulphur Sprihgs, Tcx ..... " 4 Greenville, Tex .............. " 11 Lock Haven, Pa ............... " 3 Bellefonte, Pa .................. " 10
Wlnilsboro,T(,x ................. " 5 Fort Worth, Tex ........... " 12 Williamsport, Pa ............. "’ 4 Altoona. Pa ............. " 11
Dallas, Tex ................... "’ 1; llouie Tex....................... " 1I Sehnsgrove,Pa ................ " 5 Mahaffey,l’a .................. "’ 12
McKinney, Tex ........... " 7 ~tolteL)ul’g, Tex.............. " 1t McClure,I’a ................... " 6 MeGeesmills,I’a ............. " 13
Piano, Tex......................... " S Wichita l.’alls, Tex......... " 15 Lewistown,Pa ................... " 7 Punxutawney,Pa ............. " 14

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTHER ~ ROBERTS

Omaha.Nob................... June 1, 3 CoonRapids, Ia ......... June 10 Shirley, Ind .............. June 1 Greensburg, Ind ........ June 11
Little S.oux, l:t ....... " 4 Cambridge. Ia ........... " 11 Brazil, Ind .................... " 2, 3 Connorsville, Ind ...... " 12
Prescott, ]a ............. 5 Des1~hfines, la ........... " 12 Indmnatmlis, Ind ......... " 4 IKmghtstown. Ind ..... " 13
lied Oak,la ............ 6 Roland,Ia ................... " 13 New Martinsville, Ind... " 5 White Land, lnd ....... "’ 14
Glenwood,Ia ................. " 7 Des Moines, Ia ........... " 15, 17 Nashville, ind .............. " 6 Indianapolis, Ind ......... 15, 17
KH’kman, Ia ................... " 8 Indianola, Ia ............... " 18 Madison, Ind ............... " 8-10 Terre Haute, Ind ....... " 18

BROTHER ~ M. GRAHAM BROTHER R. L. ROBIE

Kamsack, Sask.....May 31, June 1 Prince Albert, Sask. June 10, 11 Shreveport, La ............. June 1, 3 Jackson,Miss ................. Jupe 11
Yorkton,Sask ............... June 3, 4 "Wakaw,Sask ............. " 13 Couchwood, La ........... " 4 Wanilla, Miss ................ " 12
Tuffnell. Sask ............... " 5 Ridgedale, Sask ....... " 15 Sikes, La ................... " 6 IIattle~burg, Miss ........... "’ 13
Malby I’. O., Sask ....... " 6 ~Iumboldt, Sask ........ " 17 Kelly, La ..................... " 8 Picayune, Miss ............... " 14
Visemmt,Sask ............. " 7 Quill Lake, Sask ...... " 18 Vicksburg,ML-s............. " 10 S}idell, L, ....................... " 15
Saskatoon, Sask ......... " 8 Clair Sask................. " 19,20

BROTIIER O. L. SULLIVAN
BROTHER ~ L HERR
Niles, 0 ............................ June 1 Lorain,O..................... June 8
Dallas, Ore ...................... June 1 Pendleton, Ore ........... June 10 Warren,0 ......................... " 3 Elyria, 0 .................... " 10
tM(’Mtnnville, Ore ........... " 3 La Grande, Ore. ........ " 11, 13 Cortland,0 ....................... " 4 Wellington, O............. "’ 11
Portland, Ore ................. " 4 Joseph, Ore ................ " 12 Ashtabula, O.................. " 5 Barberton, 0 ............... " 12
Vancouver, Wash........... " 5 Pendleton, Ore ........... " 14 Pamesvfile, 0 ................. " (; Akron,0 .................... "
Portland, Ore ............... " 6 Weston, Ore. .............. " 13
15 Cleveland,0 ..................... " 7 Freedom Station, 0 ..... " 1-t, 15
ttermiston, Ore. ........... " b Walla Walla, Wash ..... " 17

BROTHER W.~ THORN

BROTHERW. M. HERSEE
Lacombe,Alta ............. June 1 Rosedale. Alta ........... June 12, 13
Viscount, Sask .......... Juno 1 Biggar, Sask ............. June 12, 13 Bed Deer, Alta .......... " 3 Baintree, Alta ......... " 14
Saskatoon, Sask ........ " 3 Milleton. Sask ........... " 15, 17 Knee llill Valley, Alta. " 5 Macleod. Alta ......... " 1.’;. 17
Tuberose, Sask ......... " 4 Edam,Sask ............... " 1.s, 19 Calgary, Alta ............ " 6, 7 Lethbridge. Alta ..... " lb 20
tIughton, Sask ......... " 5, 6 N. Battleford, Sask... " 20 Beiseker. Alta ............ " 8 Taber, Alta .............. " 21
Wiseton, Sask .......... " 7, 8 Prince Albert, Sask... " 22, 24 Swalwell, Alta ........... " 10, 11 BowIsland, Alta ..... " 22
Wilkie, Sask ............ " 10, 11 Wakaw,Sask ............. " 25

BROTHER T. H. THORNTON
BROTHER H. HOWLETT
Stellarton, N. S .......... June 1, 3 Fredericlon, N B .... J’,’-*~-L11, 12
London, Ont. ......... Juno 1, 3 YI.~milcon, Ont .............. June 25 Pietou, N. S ................. " 4 Evandale, N. II ......... " 13, 14
Lindsay, 0nt ............ " 5 Beamsville, Ont ............. " 26 Amherst,N. S ............... "’ 5 St. John, N. B ......... " 15,17
Cameron, Ont ............ " 6, 7 St. Catherines, 0nt ....... ’" 27 Burnt Church, N. B ..... " 7 Rolllngdam N. B ..... " 1~
tlaliburton, Ont ......... " 8, 10 Welland, Ont ................. "’ 28 Sunny Cmner, N. B ..... " 8 Moore~ 3hlls. N. B... " 19
Toronto, Ont ............... " 24 Niagara Falls, Ont. gun. 29, July 1 Nashwaak Bridge, N.B. " 10 Piercemont, N. B ..... 20

BROTHER W. H. PICKERING CONVENTIONS

TO BE ADDRESSED
BY BROTHER
RUTHERFORD
Northumberland, Pa ....... MaY 25 Paterson, N. Y ................. June 1 Denver, Colo., May 25-27 ....... Lofton G. Hand, 3847 Williams St.
Williamsport, Pa. ......... 27 Brooklyn, N. Y................ " 3 London, Ont., June 1-3..._H. J. Grover, Spruce St. London Jet.. Ont.
Shamokin,Pa ................ " 28 Washington, D. C .......... ,. ~ I Richmond,Va., June 8-10 ................ W. B. Sutton, 2519 Carolina Ave.
Reading,Pa ..................... " 29 Cumberland. Md ............. " 1i Trenton, N. J., June 17 ................ Mrs. M. Glover, 33 SanJaican Drive
Allentown,Pa ................. " 30 New Brighton, Pa ......... " 5 Portland, Me., June 29- July 1
Easton, Pa .................. " 31 ~Vlanslield,0 ..................... " 17 Mrs. Wllma H. Smith, 32 Bowers St. South Portland, M~
 ~
t . ~_~_~__ "~ ...... :-:~r, "~.L--z--

Upon tho each dlstres~ of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves (’the re, stless, discontented) roaring; men~s hearts failing them for fear and for looking
the thin~s eomm¢,tpon the earth (~ociety) ; for the powers of the heav~,ns (eeelesmstiesm) shall be shaken... When ye see these things begin to come to pa%,
kaow that the Kingdom oI God i~ at hood. Look up, lift up your he~ds, relo~ce, £ur your redemption draweth nigh.--Matt. 24;g81 Mark 13;29~ L~ke 21:25-31.
 THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
THISpresemed
))urnal is one of the prime factors
in all parts of tile civilized
or instruments in the syntom of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCUTo~xIca B1BLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
or "Seminary Extension", now bein~
A, D. 1884, "For tile Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room ~here Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with annonncements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled ’Tilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., VerM Dci Minister IV. D. 3I.), which trmaslated
into English is Minister of God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. :By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
~redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, sih’er and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : 11-
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which.. Alas
been lad in God, . . . to the inteut that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other age3
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--l~phesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
it stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriplures. It is thus free to declare bohily ~hatsoever the Lord
batll spekeu--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but eoulident ;
Ior we know ~ hereof we aRirm, treading ~iTh |meEt,it fsith upon the sure promi~es of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only ia his
service; hence our decisions relative to wh:’.t ms) and v,:mt may net appear in its colomns must be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, foc the upbulid!ng of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not’only invite but urge our
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to ~vhich reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACIt
"/’hat the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age---ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
tinishcd, God’s blessing shall come "to all people"~ and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2:20-22 ;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
¯hat meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of eonuecrated believers in Christ’s ator.cment for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "li~ing stones", "elect and p:’ec.ous," shall tlave beeu made ready, the great Master Workmanwill bring all together
ill the first resurrection; and the temple stroll be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout
the Millenninm.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
~hat the basis of hope, for the ehnreh and the world, lien in the fact that "Jesus Christ, hy tile grace of God, tasted death for erery
man," "a ransom for all," mid will be "the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world", "in due time".~
tlebrews 2:9; John 1:9; 1 Tnnothy 2:5, 6.
"/’hat the hope of tile church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his joint-heir.--1 John 3:2; Jobn 17:24; Romans 8:17; ’2 Peter 1:4.
¯hat the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; fo develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 ; 12 ; 51altimw 2t :
]4; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
’That tlle hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledge and epportunfty t.o be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kinmlom, the
re:~ututiou of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing nn,l abedim~t, at the hands of thmr Redeemer and his glorified church,
when all the wilfully wicked will be de~,trobcu.---Acts 3 : 19-23 ; ~ ,uaii G5.

’pUBbIS H~D 6~"

IN L,~ K1NEMO KIT
WATCHTOWE~.Bt B LE f..r TRACTSOCIETy Mnny of the friends are writina the Sot ~LTY concerning
the Kinemo Kit movin~ picture machine. Thi~ is 1,) :ulvi,~e
18 CONCORD
STREETo ~ 5ROOKL~]N,
~.Y.U.S’A" all that the SOCIETY ]I;lU uothiug tO ,l’) wilh fUl’niMfi’l~ either
IVOIIEIO~ OFFICES : BmNsh" 34 Craveu ~!m-’ue, Lancaster Gate, the lll;l(’h.iIies or tile lihn. The ~O(’IL’IY has )lOt take|]
London ~,V. 2; Canadmn: 270 Dundl,~ St., \V., Toronto, Ontario;
Au,~tralo,~ian" -i95 Collins St.. Melboulne, Australia; ~outh Af:’wa~; orders for thN t~la(.hin. ~ or filnl ah([ \xil[ DOt do so. ),If/tiN
6 Lehe St,, Cape Towu, Seniti Afrwa. report lhat they have sen~ orders to the Kin, m,t Kit Cor-
~I,E.\Sl,] ,kl)DRI],;S ’1’1[11 SOCIL,;TVIN ]’:VERY(’ASE.
ltoratioll, al~d have reeeive, l ~eHher lllflchille lior fihn, and
are not able to get n response frmn the order. Why this is
so We are li/lflble to say.

CONVENTIONS
1"01’ t Oll’~Clliel~(’~ O~ 011l’ fl’il’hd-~ Weal’e ~lllnollnCil)g no~,v tile oo11-
Editorial Commiftce: Thin journal is pnMiM~edan?or the ,,,uper’,i~ion veuttol>; expected to lie hehl d,h 1;1~ tile ye{ll’, a niece extellddd
O[" ll]l O,|t~OF,,ll ~otll~nitl ,,~. ~l[ ie[l~4t ~hreeOf ~\}loln il~lVO l’c,[d aud
aiHH’o,,ed aq 11 ll|lleltcil :lll [ es-ery article api)earlug ill lhe,,e (.O]lI|’ll/S. holier of whieh will be gi’,m~ laH,,’.
[[~|le ntiiu@-~ 0|" the edttor’ ~i ( iii’,li,l[|tee ftrc " J. F. ~I_TIIL’I.I (q{D,
Portlaud, Me ........ June 29- July 1
~V, 1,1. VAN AMRURGH, J. ]1~512~Y, (1. H. FISHIER, R. I~I. gamma.
Truro, N. S ......... hlh’ |i-~
Terms to lhe Lord’s" Poor: All Bil)le student~ who, by reason of
ohl ate or oti~er in|irmity or adversily, are uln~ble to lmV for this St. John, N. B ............... lulv 8
jourl]:/l, will be supplied free if they send a postal card each May Tel’onto, Oil! ............. .luh 27 -’9
statb, ~ their vase and reqnestin,z sueh provision. We are not only ~Vinnipe:a, 31an .................. \u’,u~l :’
~,~.lllu~. but anxlolls, that all such be on our list continually and
ill IOqI’h with llle ~lel’eltll ~tn(lle~. l,](linea(oll. Alia ............................. Atlff(r,t l|)12
Tm’mua, Wn-h ..................................... Auzust 16 19
Notice to Sltb~f’~flCt’9: "~Ve do not, as a rule, send a eard of aeknowl-
edgnleqt for a renewal m’ for a new subscription. Receipt and Loq An,~ole% Calif .............. Augnst 31- September 3
etdry Ot renewal m’e indicated re|thin 8. month by change in expira-
tion date, as simwn on ~x rnpper h/bel.
E=-ute;ed
as Second(’las, Matterat Broooklyn,N Y. Postoffi .... Act of March 37d zS~

HYMNS FOR JULY I.BS’A. BEREAN

BIBLESTUDIES
Sunday I .~1.5 ~ 281 15 148 ,~o 3~17 29 127 B,jMeansoF "The Plan of the Ages"
Monday "~ lit* 9 12 16 153 2R 196 30 130 C~-Lkr’tER X:[V: The Kingdom af God
Tucsday a 78 10 ]fiT 17 252 ’24:298 31 287 CKAI*I~ER XV: The Day of Jehoeah
),Vednes(l:~y 4 41 11 23 lg 165 25 249 VJaok of .hlly 1 ....... Q. 59-64 Week of July 15 Q, g 14
Thursday 12 156 19 1.68 26 131 \feet el July 8 ..... Q. 1- 7 Week of July 22 .Q, 15-21
5 164 1Veok of July 29 .......... Q, 22 29
l,’ridnv 6 242 ~.3 3"-’8 .’2-0 313 ZT 272 qoestion 15e p~t~ald.
bookson "TheDhinePlala".
Saturday 7 59 14 52 ~1 147 ~g 43
 Vo:.. XLIV JUNE 1,
PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF ELDERS
"Tabe heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the holy spirit hath made you overseers,
to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with the blood of his own.’--Acts qO: 2,%
HEpresumption must be indulged that every new
T creature in Christ desires to render the most
efficient service possible to the cause of our King.
Frequently it is true that not the most emcie~lt scmdce
is rendered, because of carelessness or of lack of con-
sideration of the position one occupies in the body of
Christ.
2Sometimes one thinks more highly of himself than
he ouzht to think; while another mayhave such a small
opinion of himself that he ahnost entirely neglects
opportunities that come to him of rendering unto the
Lord his reaso~mble service. Weshould try to get the
proper view of our relationship to our Lord and to the
work he is now doing. St. Paul desired to impress upon
eaeh one the proper view to take of himself. "For I say,
through the grace given unto me, to every man that is
among you, not to think of himself more highly than
he ought to think; but to think soberly, aecoJding as
God hath dealt ~o every man the measure of faith."~
:Romans12 : 3.
~Onewho thinks of himself soberly and properly will
not be heady, self-centcred, sNf-importaut, or (,~efis-
deal; but he x~ill realize that all he has or hop-s to have
is a gracious gift frmn the Lord. ]f his faith in the
Lord and his arrangement is strong, then he wilt have
a proper appreciation of himself aml of the posltioa he
oeculdes in the body of Christ. Faith means to know
Cod’s will as expressed toward us through his Word
and his dealings with us, and then to rely confidently
upon his promises. If we know that we are new crea-
tures in Christ, then we should rely confidently upon
the Wordof the Lord addressed to the new creation. If
from the evidence we are convinced that the Lord Jesus
is present and has taken unto himsel£ his power and
reigns, and what is his will concerning the newcreation
at this time, then we should eorAdently rely upon his
Wordrelating to this particular time. If in the body of
Christ, we may know that the Lord has something for
us to do now. A sober consideration of our relationship
to the Lord will lead us to ask: What will the Lord
have me, as a memberof his orgamzation, to do?
~Onemay be inclined to reason thus: I am so insig-
1923 ,No. ll
nil]cant, so unimportant that there is nothing that I
can do in the Lord’s arrangement. Another mayreaso>~ :
I am so very important that I can look after ~he Lord%
work; and no one else is really so important as I, nor
can do it so well as I can.
’SNeither one of these is thinking soberly, but both are
thinking in the extreme. Wedo not place ourselves ia
the body of Christ. ’God hath set the members every
one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.’ (1
Corinthians 12: 18) No one memberof the body car,
properly say: I have no need of any other member.
Nor can one properly say: There is nothing for me to
do. The proper thousht is this: Since myF’~ther has
set me in the body and given unto me a mea::urc of
faith to knowand to rely upon his Word, then there is
some reasonable service which I can render unto him ;
and that I must do and will do joyfully, not that I can
bring profit to my Lord, but I can thus prove mylove
and loyalty to him.
Vrhe motive prompti:~g the action of each and every
membermu,t be unselfish love for the Lord, his body
members,a~,.(I his cause: otherwise service rendered will
not be pleasing to Nm2,1aster, llor will such service be
profitable to ourselves. The relative importance of mem-
bers of the body i~ not to be considered by us; for aJl
are important otherwise the Lord would not have ~et
them in the body. Each one in the body of Christ is
clffru~ted with certain tuff-rests of the Lord’s kii)xdom.
The degree of responsibility maydiffer, becalt-e of the
interests committed to one or the othm.. Let each one
settle this onee for all, that as surely as he is a member
of the body of Christ, just so surely the 1,ord has
dNivercd unto him some interests of the kingdom, and
that his final reward will be in proportion to his faith-
fulness in earing for these fl~terests.
OVERSEERS
7The organization of the Lord on earth is his church,
bein x one body composed of many members. Some of
these have positions of honor and some of less honor.
Both St. Paul and St. Peter specifically state that the
elders are madeoverseers of the church. Surely such is
164 WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. Y.

a position of honor, and one so honored should think
soberly concerning himself. An overseer is one who is
appointed to watch and direct tile action of an organi-
zation, in order to make sure that the affairs of that
organization are carried out in confonnity to the an-
lie:raced plan or design. He acts in the capacity of a
guardian or adviser, exercMn~ watchful supervMon.
This office implies that he is per~-onally present, giving
careful personal a~h,ntion to tl~e duties ]aht uponilinl.
SAnelder is therefore in a sense the admip&-trator of
the affa,’s of the ecclesia: hence he has an im’r-a,cd
responsibility, which shouht never make him heady; but
thinking soberly of his position, it should mn!-e hhu
calm and trustful in the Lord.
HOWMADEOVERSEERS
attemptingto influence any brotheror sister to vote for
oragainst a brother fora position in timchurch.
DUTIES
~aOneof the important interests of the Lord%king-
dora which he conrail:ted into the hands of hi~ servants
is thai of safeg-uard{u~"the wdfareof his lh-~cl< wile are
prospective nwmbei’-o[ hi~ ]:ia.--,lom. Suth int~,r,, t-~
are mention,,dby 11> 1.ord in tit,; parahh,, a- his pound,
his tahmt, hi., ;a’,:od<. At the day of accounting, the
re-,,nvd voc,ived hv the ,,errant< will d.<N:,,nd uponlh,qr
fv~thl’,d’,~’:, in c,lreiully attmM,--to th.,>e i:ttere>ts -a
eom-,~ll:t,’,l to them. By virtue of thr, l,O-[lion in ,,vhah
he is placed, the ehter is ma,le, hv the ~Jp,’ration of tile
holy spirit, the oxerseer of the affair, of the eeele<a;
and it hcconles hb <olenm duly to take lhi-’ oxev "’~ ,iv

°No brother can conshtute himself an over,eer o[ lhe amt watch w~th care, and :ub’rx i:e and phm aim dhvt t:
ecclesia. No brother can voluntarily assw.:le to dn’ect tile actions of the eel l,~-ia, to lhe endlhat the workof
the affMrs of the church. How,then, cat: he properly the church nlay be carried out accordin x to the dhqile
undertakethe duties of that position ? St. l’,ml an,-’~,’rs: proja’vant. Tim elder mu>t ~mwreme’mher that he is
"The holy spirit hath n’,ade you overseer.<" Then wouhl clothed with the re@on.ib;litv of lo,~]d,~;; f. l
after the
it not be proper for every one who is begotten of the Lord’s iutere,-:ts and not after hi. own-e!,>a or persomfl
holy spirit to assume the office of an elder and volun- interests. It is nopart of the dutyof h’- ,,1%,.’,. for hi,,,~t
tarily undertake to perform the duties of till: position? to attempt to shine before nmn, that he may have lho
No, rodeo.1. E~erything in the l,ord’s arrangement is plamhts of men;hut it is his duty. to plea,e the Lm’d
orderly. Every ,.:eeiesia is the judge of its ownaffairs. by feedingthe Lor(l’s t!ock. The.it,)el; do~’~:lot l)el,~:,~
It becomesthe duty and privih’ge of the ecclesia to place {o the eider, but it does belong to the Lord. The eider
in the position of teachers such as it maychoose, being does not provide the food that the flock is feeding Ul,m.
The Lord does that. It is the duty of the elder to sh,)v:
gadded bv the Scriptural qualifieation.--1Tinl. 3:1-7.
~°When the eeelesia e(,caes together and sincerely a,-ks God’s flock where to feed, and upon what to food: trod
the Lord bv his holy spirit to direct the action of the to pa-s that foodto the flo.,k in an ordeH.~:,,,~ ...... .
body in the selection of servants, and then a brother is BEREANLESSONS
set before the ecclesia and a vote is taken, the broflmr
:de)no of tile o.’derlv ways xdfich the Lord ha. pie-
receiving the required number of vo%s should be re-
vided for the dispen,-ing of th,. food to his floclc is
garded as the Lord’s choice; a’~d all whohave the spirit
(lu’ou,gh the Bereaa ies:.on~. The ee.le:ia a~ a x~!,;!e
of the Lord will gladly acquiesce in the choice. The
either d-si~.q,mtes the nl.tnlber of Berean~tudies to l:e
holy spw’t operaling in the anointed in this manner
hold ,lu/qn,g the week. or el-.e delegates t,~ a eonrmi(l,,e
constitutes tim brother the overseer of that particular
of the ohlersthb~m lt\’ *’. Ill. any event, il; becomestile
ecclesia.
NOMINATION duty of the elder< to ad\ %’ the ela<~ as to the no n,or
andchar:v’ter el’ ,-tttdies to %eheld.
**Who,then, should exercise the prhulege el; nomi- la\\hm~ an ehler has beeJ~ appointed to lead a [Bere.m
natin,.- or placing before the ecclesia those whoare to lesson, in what order shouht he proo,’,,I? lie should
be vot,’d upon? This is the privilege of any memberof say to himself in ~-q!).tabce: The l.ord has laid up,
the ecclesia, aside ironl the chMrnlan. The brother who methe duty cf directHl:~’ this Berean lesson. ’l’hl> ~s
oeeutfies the chair has the duty of preserving ord,’r, one or the interests of his km,;’dom, delivered i~m) my
reecqving the nomi’,mtions, plaeing the motions bef,,r,, han,,Is. Can I l., faithful to the Lord and at the ~a’qe
the K)dy. and reudeling the decision. It wouhtbe r_,:a::> time n<’:h’vt properly to prepare for and car.:’fulh" to
fe.,tlv improper, then, for tile brother occnpyina the dlrect tlu~ m,~etmg’:
ehalr to make a nomination. If his advice is asked hy lb~lluh consideration would1)e thinking soberly. I[is
the body, tie may give that--as to whether or l~ot a duty. then, is to makecar,.ful preparatv, mbefore the
brother i~ qllalified. [But to attempt to dictate to the date of nleeting. This preparation doe~ not mean tMt
eecleHa who are to be the servants is lording it over he is to prepare a speech to be delivered at the meeting.
God’s heritage, and is condemnedby the Scriptures. But it does meanthat he is to study the los.on carefully.
*2If the Lord’schildren have full faith andconfidence that lie may be able briefly and clearly to state the
in him and believe ttiat he will direct them, then never points at the proper time and to enable others of the
wmfld they resort to electioneering beforehaad, nor cla,-s to graq) them.
 WATCH TOWER
HOW CONDUCTED fruits of the spirit. The leader should kindly and
*TThere is great profit in a Bercaa study properly lovingly, yet firmly, perform his duties, and encourage
conducted. For an eider to make a long .-pooch at the the class to coSperate in helping one another to under-
beginning of the meeting, or at any otlwr ~in’,, during stand and to pre.-_erve the peace and unity of the class.
the meeting, is a serious mGtake, lie nm.-t remember ’-’"’l’he~e are mereh"~uggestions, given by wayof ad-
vice, amt are not arbitrary, of course. But if such order
that he is there to feed the flock, ill order that the tloek
is preserved, better re.-ults will be had.
maybe able to grow; and that one of the be,-t ways for
them to grasp and appreciate the truth is to have PRAYER AND TESTIMONY MEETINGS
opportunity to speak out their ~iews on the que.-.tlons.
Every one in the class should be given such lilt oppor- 2~’l’hese meetings are espeemlly for the spiritual up-
tunity. If the eider should occupy a major port Jot) of buihlinK of the flock. The ehhu" should be there prompt-
the ~cime in spealdng, then he denies the menfl,ers of h" on time. and tim service ~hould op’,n w~th song and
the class this opportunity of being fed and of growing, pra)~’r. More than one may be called upon to offer
and thereby defeats the very purpose of the Berean prayer at the bqaimfing if it is thought best. All
study. Wesu~e,-t the following as a good way to con- eccle<ias are conMdering the same text each week. The
duct a Bereau les~on: leader, then. :houht read the text or call upon someone
~sOpenthe service, with a hynm.followed by pra.ver. to quote, it, and then give a brief commenton the text,
The leader shouhl then briefly state the points covered abou[ the 1-,ngth of that which is given in THEWATCK
in the previous lessmh that the present lesson may be q’ow::~:. This con:ment should never exceed five min-
better appreciated, tie shouh/ be able to make lhis ute,. If the lea,l,,r takes longer than that, he denies
statement in not ]ollg"r than three minute~. The 1,,ader member, ~-,f the class the opportumty of performing
should then read the first question and eall upon .-ome their part. "By love serve one anoth:’r." Should there
memberof the class to answer. If the question is an be a, ma~v as thirty persons in the class (each one
important one, two or three or more maybe called upon presumablyd~’~iring to give a testimony), if the leader
to express their views. Then he should say: Is there occupied a good portion of" the tm~e many of these
awould l~e denied the opportunity. The leader shoM
any one else hohhn~ a different wew?If .-o, let hinl
state it. If not, then let the leader briefly sunl up *he suEnest to the friends to have in mind the text of the
answers to theque<tJan, eo{erin R" not more than a we,,l~ and to -_rrive to have their testimomes in harmony
minute in so dome’. Thenlettheleader calluponsome with the thoughts of the text, and that each one should
memberof thecla-swhocan>,adfluently to readthe w.ake his comment brief, in order that all may have
answeror commeutthati.~set forthin thebookor anoplmrtunity to participate.
volumebeing" .-tn,l’,~’d at the lime. Let this eonmlentof Z-’To grow in the hl;cness of the Lord we must feed
Brother llu>>~’l! be the conclu.-_ion of the di<eu.-qon of upon his Word. IIence the importance of confining the
the question under cm>i,leration. The leader th.,n may te-timonics to the tl/ought expressed in the text. Testi-
ask: Is there any ,:ther que>tiou directly rela1,’d to the monh,~concerning lroubles and unin)poriant expe-
one just discu<,ed, which any one would like to pro- ri,t,,~,, are not lJroiitahh. Son~.ecld(,r:~ havethe thought
pound? Should any one in the e!aqs ask such a related that it is nec(’<sary t,,) makea comment at the end ofeach
questmn, the ]ead-r ~-houl,l call upon one or tvco to teMimonv.\Ve belie\e that notonly is this unnecessary.
express then’ ~ie\~ uponthe que.~tion a:l.:ed, and th,’~t hut that it is not for the he~-t interests ofthe class. Of
open the qtw~tlon for general discus.-ion, pro,.idod it i~ eour-eue canlaydownno fixedrule,butmerelygive
an important que>tion. Then tl> leader should reque~-t a’l~,c,. Letus have in mind that these meetings are
the person propounding the question to e:,pre~ his really iOl’ the pilrpose of feeding the tlock of God,that
views; and followingthis, the leader shouhl hr,,fly ,-tale they maythereby e;’row strong. IIenee it is the duty of
his own ~Jew. Then pass quicldy to the re,x{ printed the leader to direct the thoughts of the class to the food
question. that > set fm-~h in the Word.
rathe lea,ler >honld ne-~er permit trivial que,tions to
NEGLECTING MEETINGS
be diseu,<ed, lh’ ~-hould keel) ~triet order and permit
only one person to speak at a time, and not permit one ’2aNnppose all elder has been assigned to lead a meek-
person to do all the answering. Questions not pertinent ins" and neglects to attend that meeting and neglects to
or germane to the subject under consideration should provide a snt/stitute. Is sueh conduct excusable? Let
not be permitted. The questions should be confined to each ehler pltteed in that position answer the question
the lesson. If a trivial or unimportant question is pro- himself bv asking another question, thus: Oan I look
pounded, the leader should kindly and in a very few myLord in the fate and say: Dear Master, you deliv-
words dispose of it and pass on to the next point. Mneh ered into my hands certain interests of your kingdom
time is often wasted by unprofitable discussion on minor by appointing me to lead a meeting and thereby feed
details. Rememberalway, the importance of practical someof your sheep. T was tired, did not feel like going
xesults; namely, the grouing in knowledge and the to the meeti:’4~; and rcally, 1 was so absorbed in othe~
 me WATCH TOWER
matters that I did not provide a substitute. I took it ing the gospel through the printed page, and of having
for granted that the sheep could take care of themselves. this placed in the hands of the people by going from
Do you think the Lord would say: ’Well done, good door to door and speaking to them. As overseers and
and faithful servant’? Or do you think he would say: advisers of the flock of the Lord, it is part of the duty
’You slothful and negligent servant, if you regard your and privilege of the ehter to take the lead in this work.
responsibility so lightly in feeding myflock, you should A good leader never asks others to do something he
at least have made it knownto me that some one else would not himself do. He should be an example to the
might have fed them.’ flock, go before, as the GoodShepherdleads his sheep,
2~Not even an earthly business man would excuse his and participate in the work that they are asked to par-
servant or employe who neglected the duties imposed ticipate in. tie should go out with others of the class
upon him. May we expect the Lord to approve his and demonstrate to them the great privilege of service
servants who do not take to heart the interests of his by calling upon the people at their doors. He should
sheep and faithfully look after those interests? Think- makeit a point to attend all the service meetings pos-
ing soberly, tlle lender should say: MyLord has as- sible, unless unavoidably prevented, and there to en-
signed me to this duty. I emmetafford to neglect it. courage all the others of the flock to engage in some
]~Iy love for him will not permit me to do so. Mylove part of the work.
for his flock impels meto do what I can for them. SERVICE
2SThe spiritual growth of the flock depends in some
TOO MUCH PREACHING degree at least upon diligence. (2 Peter 1: 10) The
-~SAt times temptation comes to the elder to devote Apostle expresses it, that it is necessary for each one to
all of his time to preaching to the class or the public, have such diligence. (Hebrews 6: 11) This diligence
to the exclusion of Berean lessons. The result is that applies to the performance of reasonable service. The
the class does not prosper. Nothing helps a class to proper oversight of tl~e flock of God, therefore, means
grow so much as giving each one something to do. Let that the eider as overseer will study madplan to keep
us get everybody to work if we want to help each one the various membersof the flock busily engaged in the
grow. A reasonable amount of preaching is cut;rely Lord’s service. Give everybody something to do and
proper and approved of the Lord; but when don:; to e>~ourage him to do it; and the minds of the various
the exclusion of individual participation in study, the n,embers will be fixed upon the Lord’s Word and a
interest of the flock is not properly eared for. Few marked growth will be observed.
persons can sit for an hour and follow the speaker on =sit would be manifestly wrong to discourage the
every point; but if a person is in a Berean class o, nd deacons, but the elders should encourage the deacons in
expecting momentarily to be called upon to g[w, answer their service; and while the deacons are not to partici-
to a question, and participating in the diseus.~ion, he is pate in the elders’ meetings, they should be invited to
on the alert, watchful, and ready to particilmte, and sit in those meetings as observers and thus learn, that
hence grasps every point made. Experience has demon- they nmymake pr,v, rcss and develop, in order that in
strafed that the classes which have manyBerean studies due time they n-ay be advancedto positions of service.
makethe greater progress. Do not keep them back because th,-v happen to be
youthful; but remember flint Timothy was quite a
SERVING OTHER CLASSES
young man when the Lord put him into the service.
=CAnelder’s first duty is to serve the class which has It is especially a part of the duty of the elders to see
elected him as its elder and over which the holy spirit that every one in the ecclesia has something to do and
has thus made him overseer. The Lord has placed upon to encourage each in doing it, to the Lord’s glory.
him the responsibility of looking after the interests of
CONSULTATION
that particular flock. It is his first duty to see that that
flock is properly cared for and looked after. Webelieve a°Where there is a number of ehlers in the ecclesia
that if the elder fully appreciates flits and realizes his there should be regular meetings of the elders, at which
responsibility to the Lord he will hesitate to respond to the spiritual welfare of the class should be discussed
a call to serve another class by preaching to them until and considered, and ways and means pro~idcd for the
he knowsthat some one is going to serve the class that advancementof the spiritual interests of the ecclesia.
he is elected to serve. It is not improper for an elder to The elders, knowingthat the holy spirit has made them
respond to another class and serve them when his time overseers of the flock, well knowthat the Lord, through
is not occupied with the class by which he is elected. the operation of his spirit, will direct them in the way
But let him rememberthat his first duty is to look out that they should go, in looking after tI~e spiritual wel-
for the spiritual welfare of the class that elected him. fare of his flock, provided they are diligent in seeking
~Theelder’s duty is not confined to giving discourses to knowhis way.--Provcrbs 3: 5, 6.
and leading Berean lessons, praise, prayer and testimony a~For eiders to consult together is not only good, but
meetings. The Lord has shown his approval of preach- it is vitally necessary to the peace and progress of tho
ecclesia. Whereeach elder of an ecclesia has the spirit sheep and show that you love th.m by feeding them.
of the Lord aMis trying to develop the fruits and Someof these arm youug and weal;. They need spe.cial
graces of the spirit and to aid others to do so. he will care. They are members of my flock and I love them;
see eve to eye with others of like spirit; and a prol)er and if you really pos<.-,ss that love that is distinctive of
consideration of the affairs of the church being had, mvFalher’s hou-;e, l}>,t you >-ill want to feed myflock.’
these matters will be presented to the eecle.ia in rarity arNt. Peter re,vet iorgot that l~ss,m; and afterward,
and muchtrouble, be thereby avoided. Whorethe spirit writina under ip.spiralion of the holy spirit, he exhort*
of the Lord i.. fllere will he peace. It is almo-t certain his brethren to feed ih’ t!oek of God and to take the
that ff the elders are united in sprat and in a(tion and over~ght of dwmwillin?ty, prompted wholly by uu-
movedby the holy spirit, no serious troubl,, will ever selfi.h love.--1 Peter 5:2.
arise in an ecclesia. a~On another oeea<ion Je.-us :aid: "If ye love me,
a=Oneof the solemnduties of the elders, then. is dill- keeI, my commandments." (gohn.lt:15) One of tile
gently to work for the peace of the ecelesm. To the end eonmmn,lnlentsand ohli:~,atio,m~ specially laid np(mt’,~,
they should be examplesof the flock and to the ilock. elder~, then, i~ to feed the Lor~i’.: th)(,I; : hencewe sl:,m
our hue for the l,or.t in prol),;ll:., ~ a-. ve :how ,,~r
TEST OF LOVE devothmin lookina after th9 :piritual i.’~terests a:,t
I
a~Theposition of an ehh,r i~ >~t ea.~v to /ill aml to welfal> of hi-: !1 ,c:,. cur !)r.~thr,’.n. TheI~ord .~ra’ ’;
fill properly, because the a,!>’rsarv has placed many this priv,~le;ae to the elders for their sp,-eial benefit. !!,-
temptation~ in the way of the l~ord’s servants. All the co,amirs this interest into their hand.’ that they ~,,;:v
membersof the ecele.-ia shouhl have proper r,’~pe,’t for haxe the opportunity of proving their loving aml 1,s\al
their el(l{ rs, ln’ay for them. eneo~.ira?,’e them, aml help de,oti,m to him.
them; and wh,,re the elder ~trive~ to be all e,..vnple to
BLESSED PRIVILEGE
the flock, this is usually the re..ult. Anecclesia sh,~u!d
~ever aid the adversary in deveh, ping in an ehler ambi- aaSonwtm,~e~ a boy, who after~ard become~a C}~ri<-
tion; for satiation oft.’n leads to pride, and pride i~ lien, is reared on a farm where ,.heep are raised. It is
an abondnatiou in the sight o~ tlw Lord. Sometimes his duty to feed his father’s tloek and care for th,m.
aa elder is tempted to devote all ~f hi~ til:w and en,r?’y Somelimes on a cold and stormy day, a litlle lawh is
%public sl~eakm~’,to the neglect of the -pirttual -,>l- foundav,,~.v out fromthe fohl, weakand .-ufl>rino’. ’l’h,’
fare oi the ilocl: of God.Thi, n:av lead to an amlm:cus lad quickly reasons thus: "Th~s is n;v fatl>r’s !it~e
&’sire to receive the plaud:t< of men;hence llh, appr,r, al laml) and I mu~t ha-.ten and brinta ~t in out of !1,,,
of men is courted. ’Fht~ tendenoy .-houht he watched storm, uarm it and feed it, and r,’turu i~c to the J’qd.’
c~,,mfully, and each memberof lhe ih~ek -ho:lhl IMpthe The lad deli~’hts in doing this l)eeausc he has },’a~’~wd
l)-’other safeguardhim<:’lfin thl-~ r’..l" ’ct. to love the lambfor the reason that lie loves l:is h:’h.’~’
S’There are other earthly thin~- that tend to turn the and ",,:-lies to please his father, to whomthe rio: k
cider awayfrom his real dutie* ~I- ov,.:’<e~wof the 1.m’d’* 1)el,):~. ]~ie re~ards his petition as te:tder of fh’. s} ’ ,)
flock; hencehere. i~. a r,’al test of tfi- h;ve f<" the Lord. a h!,.,-.sed on,<and i~ anxtolts to do it faithh,Jlv, the! I,e
This is not said mcritiei~m, but rath.-r a~ a ,-’,~’-e~tmn, mayreeoi,-o, the al;proxal of hi.~ ~atht’r and atthe s~ ,:..,,
to enahle someto avoid these snares of the -tdversarv. time do e.()nle goodto the flock.
eSThete was a time ~h,,n St. Peter thou:.ht more of ~’"fh, church ~ !he flock of (’,od, our heavenlyFath-’.
the approvalof th, :,-orl ! tha,~ ,ff h,- ,]utv to the ].,u’d. [i’h- (’bb-,t .’;heph<’rd i: the l.ord Jesus, whofeeds a .l
whichled tmn to a L .,= al .ff the l.m,!. LaTerhe repm~t- ]~ a,l, h,- ’.h~]c inlo ,..r,’ea pa-tures and preparesth. ,’~_
ed. Aftel the r,.u:,c.,.u,m the :-Ia.-ter repr,)ved hun f<’ h,- l:,,aJ,;:,. The feedu’~.Z of his tlocl:, thereto ;,,
gently by askina inn’,, "’P~,ter, lox e-t thou memorethan constitutes a lar.~, part of h,s l-in,dora interests. *,’(,
these?" Andat. P,-t,,r an-v,m’e,l: "’Y,,a. L,mt. thm~ 7each ,me of his s~,r~auts lw gi-,’.:~ >omethingto do, b
knowestthat I h)’ ,, lhee." Andlh,, Lo;d :.aid unto ]ran: committing to them ~omemr, re..t~ of his kingdom. ~do
"Feed >v lamh.." A ~e,..,-md time the L,n’d propoup.,lod the ,id"rs he sl)ee;ally says: "hUmare overseers of ~:~,
the que.:ti,,n, aml*lie -am~reply v,.,., six ~’ ’ !)v >’t. l’v!-r lh>k. l.ook v:e!! to mylittle lambs; h’cd mysheep. 1
and ao-amthe Lord sat(l: "’F,’o,l my-hc.~’m’" The third commit th~s int,,r~,.t to your hands. You ]nay see one
time Jesus said unto lmn: "1,o, e~,t th,m Pao?" to ,,luch diseoura;;ed, out in the storm, drilled, and its love
St. Peter answere,l: "Lord. thou k::ow.~-t that I love growth;a" cold. It is your privilege to hasten to that one,
thee." And,le>us answeredhim: "’F#.~,d my.-heep." to encourage, to comfort, to warmits heart to feed it,
a6The feeding of the Lord’s ~-l>~,p. tl>n, is clearly and l~ring ~t aaain into the fold. Your love for me will
demonstrated hv these words as a te~-t of our hwo. and b~, ,tom,m-trated by your faithfulness in the perform-
devotion to tt~e Lord. Paraphrasing his languade, the auco of this duty.’
Master said: ’Peter, you say that you love me. The ~Nometmles we see .-ome of the younger brethren
proof of that love is that you will keep ntv command- stiu?ghng, trying to grow ill the knowledgeof the l~ord
meats. My commandmentis that 5"oa shall love my and the fruits and graces of the spirit, mid having &
 ’r e WATC
desire to be advanced, that they might serve more
faithfully and effectually. It is not improper for them
to have such a desire¯ St. Paul says: "This is a true
saying, If a mandesire the office of a bishop [elder] he
desireth a good work." (1 Timothy 3: 1) To discourage
a younger brother who is trying thus to advance would
be very wrong. It would show a lack of love for the
Lord and his sheep, l-lather should the elders encourage
them and set a proper example before them.
~2Whata blessed privilege the ehler as overseer enjoys
in looking out for the spiritual welfare of God’s flock!
Whatcould bring greater joy to file heart of such a one
than to know that he is being direetcd by the Lord in
serving his flock! And where love is always the motive
prompting the action, the elder grows more in the like-
ness of the Lord. He loves the flock more ; and the dear
sheep love him more, even as they should. Jesus loves
him more, because of his faithfulness. The Father him-
self loves him more, because he is showinghis love for
the Father’s flock. Blessed is the privilege of one who
H TOWER
find ourselves somewhatshort, and are inclined to be
discouraged and cast away our confidence, remember
that the Lord brings these things to our attention in
order to give us the opportunity of doing better; and
then resohe to become more diligent and careful and
faithful henceforth in performing these duties. May
we not yet redeem some of the time ?
45God’sorganization is slnall in number, but strong
in the Lord and in the power of his alight. ~atan S ’s
army is pressing hard agaii~st them. But if united in
the spirit of the ],ord¯ they are invincible to anv foe
that maycomeagainst us. Let all the ehlers, thou¯ and
all the metal)ors of the flock of God. be drawn closer
together in the bonds of heavenly, family love, dwelling
together in peace and holiness, ¯and be (t 1ll,_;ent
i . nowin
looking well to the interests of our Kin~. ~o doing we
may now enter into the joy of our Lord. and ere !ong
receive that full reward and that honor ~lii(.h endurcih
forever.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY

is co~mlissionedto feed the flock of the Lord. What will help nq to render more el,q~’ient service ~o the Lar !" *" 1, ’2.
I/elievm~ lhat tile Lord is l)lesonl. ~ hat Is the alt,lude (if faith’; ~
tle,qllZlll~ "~e ape ill lhe body el Christ, what tIIollRht should we
FAITHFULNESS REWARDED bear in p’ind? ~ 4,5.
Since kingdom intereqts ave pla~ed in cur hand~, what is ttle
pronll)lm’." motive of activity? ¶6.
~:ihat which is pleasing to the I~ord is loving, faith- ~,Vhat are lho dillies of an ride, r, and how shollhl ;l!l ehler conduct
ful devotion to the interests of his kingdom. The chief hunqelt ? *; 7. b.
Do ohlel,’s choo~e themselves? If not, why not ? ¶ 9, 10.
interest of that kingdorn is the caring for those who ~Vh,) (loe:~ llle ~oting? What are lhe cllan’nlun’s d’,iie,.? ¶ 11.
V£h,it is the ine, tning of "electioneering." and sl/m~id ~t be indulged
will composethe kingdomclass. To tile elders a goodly in ? ¶ 12.
What is one of the paosi important interests of the lcingdonl, and
portion of the inteiests of the kingdom has been com- D,,w is the obha.ut’..ul met, and by WhOlll’, ¶ l:i.
mitted, because they are made overseers of the flock¯ \Vlu:t is the best method of (li~ilenslng toed to the lloek~ ¶ 1
133 ",~llat nleflllS nla 3 tile chirr be.~t berve tile intere~t~ of tile cla~s?
St. Peter, in the performance of his duty as a bishop or * 15, 16.
Does the tlork prosper be~t if tile elder predigests all lhe f.od d]s-
elder sineerelv desired to help his brethren "to have a pon’.ed ? ¶ 17.
011111110 an orderly way of cl’dn~uellng P, et’oun y’,ul!,o~. ¶ 12;.
proper appreciation of their privilege. Hence he exhorts Is It orderly tel a l/C[~lin to r(~ollell a qu~llOll Hllel" |he h,ader~ ]l:/S
.~,lmllled it ul,, l-’e.MFalol’y 1o l,ilssiiig to tile next (llleGtlOll’. ¶ I,q.
them, sayil~g, ’~[y brother elders, feed the flock of God \Vllo deel(les "~\llolh(’l’ :1 (lllestll)n i-; trivial, ll’l*’ll’~.illll, or llOt
v:hich is among you. Brother Pmll has told you dull lllane? Is tile old-,,; expeoted to assist tilt leade~ in lll’es(2rVlllg
tile peace anti unH3 of the cl,P,s "; ¶ 19, 20.
the holy spirit has made you overseers of God’s flock. What is a splendM lm ~I o,1 at condm ting the prayer ~’~oet~llgS’~ ¶ 21.
What is the object ot Itil’lllshlllg it v,t~qdy text? " 22
Nowtake this ov(’r,~ght willingly and not by con,-lratnt. Is it illoX(’llsable jc~!, rill el,,t,i’ to r,e.!ect to ath’u,I lhe sti!’Xl0S tO
¯ which he is ;~s.~..’ned aml 11ol I~ !.,.vide ,~’tt..1,: e¢ ~2:,24.
Do it not for pecuniary gain, nor for tile approval of XVhirh classes probper most’., Slate lho l)hih~sovh3 ()t *;lie ’nlatter.
men; but do it joyfully, prompted always by that un- ¶25.
"What is tile elder’s first duty? When may he serve oHtcr rlm..e.?
seliish love that characterizes the house of God. Do not ¶ 26.
What is a further duty of the elder, and hew may he be an
lord it over the flock of God, because that would be example to the flock? ¶27.
~,Vh:It thmg~ ale necessary lot spirilual l~rowth? ":2q
showing the wrong spii:it; but be examples to the flock ]dew nlay (leacollS be eneouraoed, ;ill,I ill ,q13 by ~\]u)ul? ¶
In what "¢~ay is it prohtable for oh!ors to hohl nleelings of eOllSul-
in word, in action, in service, in loving devotion; and tat]on ? ¶ 30 32.
whenthe Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive Why should ehlers be prayed for ’~and encouraged? IIow may they
be protected from the a(lver.~ary ¶ 33.
a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Do not seek the In ,ahat way nlay the elders (and till the class members) be kept
in tile lo~e of the Lord? ¶ 34-:L~.
honor of men, but wait for the Lord to bestow that What is the dehght of the lad who finds a lamb strayed from the
fold ? ¶ 39.
honor which shall be everlasting.’ What is the lesson to be drawn? IIow does it apph’? ¶ 40.
4ffI’lle Chief ~4hepherdis nowtalcing acconnt with his What benefits should accrue to the active y(nmger brethren? ¶ 41.
If all the brethren should advanre to ehler~hip won;d this be an
servants, ascertaining how well they have looked after occasion of rejoining on the purl of the elders? ¶42.
Bmsed upon love, what was St. Peter’s admoultion, and why? ¶ 43.
his kingdominicre,-t.-. Let each of us as elders examine What should we (1o if we find ourselves coming short in serving
the kingdom interests? ¶ 44.
ourselves and a,-certain if we have been feeding the What reasons are there for a unil.v of action, a shoulder-to-shoul-
der nlovement among God’s people, especially at this particular
Lord’s flock faithfully, prompted wholly by love. If we time? ¶ 45.

"Not now in colunlned shu(le or flame "Thy light is on our pathway shed,
Our steps, O Lord, thy glory h’ads, Thy counsel on our hearts impressed;
:But signs divine thy will proclaim; And, by thy guiding spirit led,
Thybanner still thy church precedes, Thy watching host move on or re~t."
 PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR JUNE 20
"For this cause was the .qospel preached also to them
that are dead, that they might . . . live according to
Godi1~ the spirit."--I t’eter ~: 6.
E CANNOT live aeeording to God in the flesh,
W but we can live according to God’s rules of
righteousness in the spirit. Our flesh is weak,
and we make mmaymistakes. To live according to God
wouhl meanto live in harmonywith his rules governing
the new creation. But thanks be to God that he does
not judge us according to the flesh, but according to
the sincere desire of the heart. Theheart being that
faculty of the being which induces our action, then, we
see that the motive prompting the action is the real
basis for (;od’s judgmentof us.
Suppose we are in the l~ord’s service that we may
thereby receive the approval of men, and we take pleas-
ure in ha~ing the plaudits of menregardless of whether
we do good or not. That is not living according to the
spirit. Supposewe are in the service of the Lord because
of a sil:cere de, sire in our heart and a purc love for the
Lord and his cause, that we may honor his name and
do g,ood to oth’,rs in his vc’ne. That is living in the
spirit, according to God’s r, les. Weare sure to make
mistakes; but if we are living according to Godin the
spirit, then he covers our mistakes with thc mantle of
loxe, n’mnif(’stinfz his strength in behalf of us, as long
a.::o he said: "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro
throughout the, whole earth, lo showhis strength in the
behalf of th,’m whose heart is perfect toward him."--2
Chronicles 16: 9.
1fence let us not look at our brother’s mistakes or
brood over our ownimperfections or shortco~;fings. Let
the Lord do the judging of our brother; and let us see
to it that we are active and diligent in doing what we
can to the praise of our l~or(1, and that lifts action is
prompted by love, and that we have a pure heart toward
our Lord mid toward all. Thus striving to live in the
spirit according to God’,; holy rules, the transformation
will be c,:,aplete in his due time; and we shall enter
into his prc~,ence, there to behohl his face and to gain
knowledgein his temple forever.
GREAT MEN AND WOMEN OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
-JUNE 24-
This lesson is a review of lessons which lmve appeared in T:tIE WATCH
Is lengthy, "rod a,~ this issue of THE ~VATCII TOWER is SOFII(,\~ hat crow(led, and most of our readers are readers also
of THE GOLdeNAGE, the review will appear in the June 61h is-ue of that journal.
~’actoryto our renders.
"Worthy the Lamb who was slain to redeem us,
Washing our sins in his own precious blood;
Worthy the Lamb who has come to receive us,
Making us meet to be children of God.
Worthy forever the Lamb that was slain.
TEXT FOR JUNE 27
"Walkin the spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of
the flesh."--Galatians 5: 16.
W AI~KINGin the spirit represents the new
creature going forward. He should never go
backward. The desire and hope of the new
creature is, to be compl(.tely transformed into the like-
ness of God’s dear Son, Christ Jesus. To be thus
tra~sformed he must walk in the same general way
that Jesus walked.
The law or rule of action governing the new creation
is summedup in cue word, Love; that is to say, if we
haxe a heart filled with love all of our actions will be
in harmony with God’s law governing the new creation.
The very opposite of love is hatred, q’he flesh tends
toward the latter rule. St. Paul iv. the context points
out the eternal warfare betweenthe flesh and the spirit.
:He enumerates the works of the flesh, that we might
avoid them. Howcan we overcome these evil tendencies
and be coworkers with Godin the transformation work ?
The Apostle answers: "Walkin t]~e spirit, and ye shall
not fulfil the lust of the flesh." That meansto use the
faculties with which we were endowedaccording to the
law of Christ.
There is a tendency in someclasses to indulge in envy
and strife ; and confusion is the result, even as St. James
said: "For where envying and strife is, there is confu-
sion and every evil work." (James 3: 16) To walk
according to the law of Christ governing the new crea-
tion is to apply our knowledgeaccording to the divine
standard--the exercise of heavenly wisdom. Such wis-
dora is first pure. That means pure in thought, word
and action. It is peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated,
full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy. Following in this course, we shall
be walking in the spirit. As we thereby behold the
image of the Lord in his Word, we shall be reflecting
that same image while we are being transformed into
his likeness.
TOWEr’, during lhe last quarter. The review
~\’e 1rust that this will be satis-
"Worthy the Lamb who from every nation,
Out of ea(’h kindred and people and tongue,
Gathered u.~, hwed us, and gave us sah-ation.
Worthy the anthem adoringly sung:
Worthy forever the Lamb that was slain,"
 JOHN THE BAPTIST
~JcLv I 7]~IIE GOSPETS--
$OHN’SPIlI’;pARATiON}’OR HIS .~,£INISTItY--CAST INTOI’ItISON AND~[URDERED---IIEIlALD
DXYXOWHi:RE.
"Bles.sed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he hath visited and ,zcrought redemption 1or Ms pcopIe."--Luke 1:68, It. V.
O UR h, ssons for the next quarter are studies in the
lives of the Great Men and Wolueu of the New
Testameilt. The first is a survey of the life of John
the Baptist. .lohn, though of New Te<tameat days, really
belongs to the Old Covemmt; he is the link between the
ohl ap.d the new, between "the law and the prophets" and
the gospel of Jesus. Our Lord’s testimony eonet,rning him
is: "Among them that ’ire born of \VOlilen lhere hath not
risen a greater than John the g:ll)li~t.*’ 31though John be-
longed to the ohl di.~pensation, he is most cloaely associated
with the new; for God nlltde hinl the foremnmer of Jesus
the Messellger of the Covenant. For more than four hun-
(lre4 years, since the days of Malachi and Nehemiah, God
had not spoken to Israel. Durin~ that period the Jews had
suffered many vicissitudes at the hands of tim Persian~,
the Greeks, the Romans, and lhrougll the ambiti’,m of the
Ilerods. The Maccabees (g. C. 175) had endeavored
bring about such a re-teal of naUonal fervor as once agailt
to estab;ish a Jewish kingdom; but the movement, n0twilh-
st’mding the desires of the leaders to restore the worship
of Jehovah, was not of God.
eWimn the time foretold by Daniel (Daniel 9:25) was
drawing on, and Messiah must make his appearance; and
as God had said the Messenger of the Covenant should
himself have a messenger, a forerunner (Malachi 3: 1),
was necessary that two children shouhl be born in Israel,
one lo be lhe precursor of the other. Exactly on time the
angel Gab,:iel aDpe~red to Zacharias tim priest, as he was
performing his duties in the temple. Calling him by name,
the an.~el told him that a son was to be born to him who
should be .~eparated to God from birth, who should prepare
the way of lhe Lord and make ready a people prepared for
the Lord. (Luke 1:13-17) Zaeharias and his wife Eliza-
beth, both aged, were walkin,g before lheLord blameless. By
faiihfuh~ess to God they had escaped the corruptiml of for-
inalism and hyl)ocrisy which lind eaten into the life of
Israel, particularly into the priesthood. But they were
childless; and since they were keeping their hearts right
before the Lord they must often have wondered why lie
had not give~t them that blessing in Israel, nor heard their
prayer fe,r a son. Now, when tim angel spoke to Zaeharias,
he was slow to believe and wanted confirmation. As a si2n
tlmt the word was from God, lie was told that he should
be dumb until the child was born.
3el the molher sufficient is revealed to show that she
WItS tilt UllnSlnll ~oman, and a sterling character. We have
already rew:irked that it is written of her that she "lived
before the Lord blameless"; and both hmnility and great-
ne~s are shown in her reception of Mary of Nazareth. Also
she lind the wisdom and unders;anding to perceive, and the
largeness of character to acknowledge, that the honor which
w’is given to her young cousin was greater than that which
had been given to her. The child born of Ihese two faithful
souls was tim f()rerunner of God’s only-begotten Son, made
flesh.--John 1 : 1t.
JOHN’S PREPARATIONFOB. ttIS MINISTRY
4Itow long the time during wllieh John was under his
parents’ cure we do not know, but it is to be Inferred from
Luke 1 : 80 that they died while he was young. Perhaps the
young boy would sometimes go up to Jerusalem from the
home in the hill country of Judea, when his father went to
perform his course of service. Zaehartas would instruct hie
boy in the history of his people; but the boy l’.ad no affinity
OFJESUSj ANDpROPHET--TIIE pROPHET[O
with the city. He preferred the solitary places. The dispo-
sition born in Mmwas suited best by the wilderness;
evidently the holy spirit so guided his life that he should
and
get a wilde!’ness experience. As a youth he was ’%trong iu
spirit" (Luke, 1 :S0) and could not be idle; and while th:~re
lie would sm’ely gain a ’true insight into the condition of
things in Jerusalem and Judea.
5Apparently doing nothing, he was being prepared for an
active ministry. As he did not show himself to Israel m~til
he was thirty years of age, it is certain he must have ,,~cr-
come many temptalions to enter into some form of activity.
ltis strengti~ of spirit would make him feel the possibilities
of service : and in the restraint of waiting for the ctun’..n;~,M
lo g(,, something of the greatness of his characler is ~*~’:~.
Joh,~ leam~ed (~bedience by tim suffering of ~aillng. ,~d
that he who obeys best serves best. The true servant is
quick to ?,) when the order is given; but lie as lmti,mtly
waits for hi< orders, lest he should disarrange his ma.-;or’s
phtu for him.
Gin due tram the word of the Lord came to John; ]:,,,v,
we do not know. tle was instructed to go into all ~1~,,
country qbont Jordan (Luke 3: 2) and preach the bai):i
’’’
of ~.repentance for the remission of sins; to declare i
coming of the Lord (Luke 1: 76), and to say lhat he ",.’~
fulfilling the prol)heey of Isaiah. (Isaiah 41):3.4) lh .-:
this, he was given a sign which should designate to ]:n..i
the One for whom he was the herald. (John 1:33) l!c
urged the people to repenlance, and gave instruction to :~:I
elasses as they asked counsel of him what lhey shouhl ,!’,;
he told them of the One mi~-htier than he who shouhl c, mle.
3[nltitudes of people were baptized as they co:flossed lheir
sins; but to the Pharisees and Sadducees who (’am’ l,~
.~’.nid: "O ~.v:u,catio~l of "~iperu, who hath war~ed yt~ll :o
flee from lhe wrath to cw.aeT’ (Matthew 3: 7) After h,,
had immersed Jesus, John boldly dechired li:Itt lh~, One :’,w
whom he was forerunner was present, lte bald: ’"]".~!’e
standeth one among you whom ye know not; lie it is ~,.h,,
coming after me is preferred lii,fol’e me." (,Iohn 1:2 ~} "")
Icroln that time he pointed his disciples to Jesus; and :-,role
of them, particularly Peter and Andrew and James and
John, joined themselves to Jesus.
7Jollu c,,mtinued his work; ior there seemed no imme ~i ~te
re ~on for discontinuing it, even thon,d~ Jesus had l~,,~n
pointed out as lhe l.amb of God. After some months J,)Im’s
disciples r.-!)orled to him: "Ilahbi, he that was w~th ih(,e
beyond ,h)r(h’n, to whonl thou bares~ witness, betiohl. Ihe
stone baptizeth, and all men come to him." (John 3:2(i)
This looked as if Jesus was takin~ up John’s work and, ia
a measure, competing with him. This was also reported !o
Jesus, who immediately left Judea with his disciples and
returned to Galilee. He would not permit the thought of
competition to remain, nor would he interfere with Joh’/’s
ministry. He recognized that John’s work was given of lhe
Fat-tier, and that it must go on or cease under the guidance
of divine providence.
CAgT INTO PRISON AND MURDERED
:John had caused a great commotion amongst all clas.~,-~.
,Not only dld the leader~ of the people go out with lhe
Inultitude~ to hear hlm, but Herod sometimes called for
him, ,Tohn was a~ fearle~ tn tim presence o1~ Herod as :’~
the wllderno~z, and spolto a~ 0lalnly to hhu as to the pu’~.i-
ean~ and soldterz, i~1o told tiered that his marriage w~tla
 1 WATCH
tterodias was illegal. Herod told his wife, and for her sake
had John cast into prison. John was not in absolute loneli-
ness there; for his disciples were permitted to be with him
at least occasionally. They told him of the work of Jesus
in Galilee, and John seems to have been puzzled.
9Conscious of the rightness of his mission, John had
expected that Jesus would early begin to work to establish
the kingdom of God, and lie protmtfly also expected a work
of judgment to begin (Malachi 3: 2, 3); and Jesus seemed
only to be continuing to preach nn(l to work miracles. John
sent two disciples to see Jesus and to ask him whether he
really was tim expected one or whether another was to be
looked for. (Matthew 11:3) The disciples were told
stwld by Jesus, and the same hour Jesus worked many
miracles. John’s disciples were sent back to tell hiln of
these things and to show him tlmt another part of Isaiah’s
prol)hecy (Isaiah 61:1) was due to be fulfilled..lolm had
seen that he himself was the w)ice of I~aiah 40:2,3; but
be had not perceived the further ministry ere the kingdom
of heaven could come. Ile was salisfied.
XOliow long John was in prison we do not know. Evi-
dently IIerod resisted requests by his wife to have him
slain. But on a day when Ilerod had a birthday-supper
party Salome, the daughter of Queen IIerodias, danced
I)efore him; and in his thoughtless, perhaps partly intoxi-
caled excitement he promised her whatever she should ask.
After conferring with her mother she made request for
Jolm lhe Baptist’s head Io he served on a charger. IIerod
was sorry for this hnlq)ening, but his weakness and the
women’s wickedness overct~me his sorrow, and John was
murdered.
~The testimony of Jesus concerning John is that there
had been no man bern who was greater than he. IIe was
not n reed slmken by the wind; neither the favoring wind
of seeming prosperily nor the chilling winds of adversity
moved hiIn. Nor w;is lie a lnan arrnyed in soft raiment,
such as dwell in kings’ palaces and (.Image with every whim
of their master; bul- was sturdy, and bohl, and grand. No
mnn in God’s service rose to a greater height of faith than
John. IIis assurance of his position, and his faith in God
which enabled him to declare that the Messenger of the
Covenanl or’ God was then present nnd was to be found in
his cousin Jesus of Nazareth, were profmmd. He (lid not
wait to see whether or not Jesus would do things which
agrved with his ideas before declaring that Jesus was the
One~lhe Lamb of God. A certain sign was given, and it
was sulli(.ient. Without hesitancy he made his declaration.
Well wouhl it be wilh qll lhe Lord’s servants if they would
act x~hene,:er tl,e I.ord manifests his time lms come. It was
one thing to prochdm the Messenger of (h)d near at hand,
but an altogether different thing lo declare despile all
appearances that the Messenger was present in the despised
Nazarene. In these days there h’tve been many who would
say that the kingdom is at hand, but who fear to declare
that the King is present setting up his kingdom and that it
is so close that millions now living will never die but will
pass into it.
HERALD OF JESUS, AND PROPHET
aJgohn had great courage and bohlness, as well as faith.
Indeed, he needed all these qualities to enable him to stand
alone in his message, to protest against the prevailing
hypocrisy, to declare his mission as forerunner and himself
"the voice" of Isaiah’s prophecy, and also declare the pres-
ence of the Messenger of the Covenant. John always real-
Ized his position. He was a herald, a voice, a preparer, to
make ready a people for the Lord. (Luke 1:17) IIe was
not a reformer in the true sense; he never made profession
that he was sent to reform Israel. Ite dealt with those who
TOWER 171
came to him, but did not attempt to interfere wilh any.
He made no attempt to retain followers, not’ to estahlish a
school--though some persisted in making hiin their te:wber
or head (Acts 19: 3), nor had he special principles nf truth
to set forth and establish. A man of strong charactei" was
necessary to do such a work as this, well knowing tlmt it
must be but short and temporary in ehara(’ler, and then
apparently fail. In doiRg this great thing, our Lord said,
John was greater than a proplwt; for he was also God’s
chosen messenger, preparing the wqy before the Lord. When
his work was finished Gc~l had "/ better end for him than
going into retirement. IIe suffered unto death for his fidel-
ity to God, and thereby won a better resurreetinn.--Ih,ln’ews
11 : 35.
laAeeording to the angel’s declaration Jolm was to do his
work in the power and spirit of Elijah. (Luke 1 : 17) Jesus
said o£ him : ’If ye will receive it, this is Elias who was to
come.’ (M’ttthew 11:14) It is evident lher(,fore lhat
close connection exists belween the work ()f Elijah and
that of John. Both came out of the wilderness h~ v, ilness
against the evil of their day: Elijah. t,) deMroy Baalism;
John, to proclaim tlm adveqt of the Messenger of lhe (’ove-
nant, lo lell .that the axe was laid to the root of the trees
mid that the chaff was to be burned with unquen(.hal)le
fire. Both men made an endea;’or to bring the heart~ nf
the people back Io tim promise<, and to restore them into
the fulness of covenant relalionship with God. John said
plainly that kinship with Abr,qh,’ml wouhl not .tvail, lhat
nothing but harmony with God wouhl sulliee; for God was
able to raise up children of Abraham out of the stones.--
Matthew 3 : 9.
XaJohn only partly fulfilled Malachi’~ proplwcy ; for Elijah
in antitjpe was lo (1(1 Iris ~xork just pre*.-ious to the coming
of "the great and dreadful day of the Lord," which is at
the time of the second advent. Tlmt which John did was
an interveqing type or miniature of llmt whi(.’h the great
Elijah was to do, and serves as an illustration of that work.
:Both lwopheey and type foretell and meet in the present
days of ltm church’s work and experience.
THE PROPHETIC DAY NOW HERE
15The great and terrible day of the l,ord is now 1leon us.
God, as foretold, sent his Elijah to declare the truth "rod to
prepare the way of the Lord. Those ,vhn have received the
word have had their hearts turned lo the promi.~es of (~od.
The way of the truth has heen lev( led for God’s l)e(,ple.
Not a hill o£ doctrinal dilliculty, nor a valley of nneerlai’~ty
as to God’s purposes ol’ l)l;uts now exi-ts; the way or fru:h
is plain and easy. And now God is removing the gre:ll hills
and nmuntains of the killg(lonls of this world; and lhe
valleys of terror and w’mt and poverty are soon to be
filled, so that the redeemed will lind a highxx:ly for 1heir
easy advance to the blessings of Zion. (I>aiah :15) Aml the
declaration of the truth is helping the peolfie to ml(ler.~t:md.
The voice of the herald hqs again been heard, prelmring"
the way of the Lord, and prqmring the hearts of till who
will listen.
~6This work, which was prefigured by Elij’th’s on lhe
great day when the name of Jehovah was exalted ’rod the
prophets of Baal were disgr.we(l and sl’fin, and by a(,!m’s
when lm bohlly declared to the people the presence of llm
Messenger of the Covenant mn(m;st them, and that their
day o£ wrath was fast coming upon them (Matthew 3:7),
is the greatest work that the church of God has been (.ailed
to do. Now also great faith and a loy:d sl)irii are necessary
to hohl the truth, and great clearness of sight required to
be faithful to the Lord. But the truly consecrated, walking
in the light, are today as boldly proclaiming lhe fact that
the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and that the returned
 ’rhe WATC N.*,
H TOWER
aesu3 Is establishing his kingdom as either Elijah and then IIow and x:hv lhd John overcoma many temptations? Ill what did
he (’In,fly suffer? ,1 5.
Elisha or John did their work in their day. And they have Ilow gild \xlle:l lll,] ,lollli start hi~ ntinistry? Whatand to whom
the added joy of knowing that soon all flesh to~flwr shall "W,I- 111"I lilts*at2,’, tllld ]low did It (’uhlIIllAVO? ¶ G.
see tile salvation of God.---Isaiah 40 : 5. In \~hal way did Jo~u~ show loyalty 1o God rebpecdng Johtt’fi
~TApparently a wilderness experience is a neces.ary prep- ;llit,l-tr5"’a¶ 7.
lVila.t classes \\ere ~-tlrred by aohlfs preaching, and why was
aration for this great work. Elijah came out of t;il~ul cast into prison? ~i 8.
when he appeqred to I~rqel; John was in the wilderness What was John’s expectation; why disappointed; how sati~fied?
till the day his ministry b<gan; and the chureh wa~ in 1he "9.
"~V]ltlt \<,’1"0 lhe ch’ellillM&llCO,4 ;tl’Olllid ~ho ]l~ql,Nllhllff of John’." ¶ 10.
wilderm,s~ till lhe time came when she must be prepared \Vlla[ Cl)llllllOlll|~lTloil ,’Id 5o~11~ aig~ Of JOhll ltlld how was John’s
t.lith d*’tqOil-tl’,l%’d : ~ ] #I,
for her withe:--. ~Va,~ .]oIitl a l’(q,)llllOF a teacher? Was lie a roDl’l)~er~ a "voice"?
a horilhl’. ~ \~’it~ lli-; lllinl-[ry a lOIl,~ Olle? "%Vhai llhtde hilll greater
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY limb a prophet ’? ’i 12.
TO what axe doe~ ,Iohn the ]h~pti-t belong, aml ~xhat did Jesus Ilo~v Hl’O lhe ~ol’l<~ el Ehbth and ,]Ohll related’: " 1’%
say ,if lillll" ~ I ’) I11 \vh,ll w.ly do l:llJdtl a|ld ,j.hlI t3plfy tbe oKpotlOllC(2~ of the
~Vllat Iv, o chihh(’tl \\el’{’ I)opII about Illo .~alllt} tllllO, ;itY[ \\lit I[o~v chill ( ]1 " 7 14.
is it shOwll lit’it both t|le:,e (hillh’on were gifts fi,)in (hid ’) ~ 2 tl;l~ l]!l,;,lh hill-hod his work" lImv Is the world belllg ptepared
[low was loyalty to God and lnumhty of healt -.hox;n I)> 12Iiza- t,)r i;w h;ahwav of holum~s? ¶ 15.
belh?’L[ 3. lVh4t hle.ba~,e ml’,.t the ehth’clt l~r,whtinl today, and what 1~ their
ttow were the days of John prior to his mini,-try probably >pent? ,td,lp,I joy? ’ 16
¶4. \\’h,ll -!,n liar expm~eneeshad Elijah, John, and the ehur,.h? ¶ 17.

MARY, THE MOTHEROF JESUS

--JULY 8 .-Tin,: GOSeEI.S---

~..kI~Y EXPOSED TO PUBI~IC G-kZE--JObLP~i aND 5[Anr IIETURN

’10 SAZXRETrt--5[-\RY a GOOD IXSTI:VCrOn--aranv’.~ SUll~:alXa
AT (ALVARY.
"Thm~shall call his }mmcJesus; ]or ~t is he that aha, l[ ,save hi{ p(’ople from their ,si~l&"--JIatthelc 1 : 21, I~. IL

O UR lesson is of Mary the mother ot Jesu>’, the 1)wlv

maiden of Nazarelh nla(le great by l’ea~on of the
bigh honor conferred npon her in lleing ch.sml of
the h,mt)r besto\xed up,in them. I,Hlznl)eth t,)ld Mary
sile r,qoiced with her; ,rod Mary, l:lled with the h,)ly .,pl,’it,
1)rat>pal ~}odfor all he \x,t~ ;ll)Olll IO do for ]It< peel)l,, l,-;r, te, I.
God to I.~, the mother t~f Ins dear Son made fle>h a’,ld i~: 42~[ ll’~’S SOlt2~(IAlke i :4G-TG).c,)ll}iil:}:tly called lhe M:I’.:-
being \vv~rtllv Oi a high l,Ij’O .llili)llg V~olnett U* tl’tle ;llld i, :l II, has l)eel~ [I-~ed ill (’[!41ch \\ol’-i!Ip hl t’ol’lhlOH ,~.lll
noble character. Mary was of Israel’s royal line. l)f her .,,r l,.rd’s l~ra3er. But, like that prdsec, tile >,rag has h,,e.t
parents and immediate progenitors we know nothima, and litT!o under~t()lM.
probably should not have heard o£ her but for lhe fact -’Mary saw herself a* a lowly lllaldc:l explted, and in
that God’s due time for the birth of the prom!veal child thi~ that tl~.l \\l}Ilhl l)l’i~lg do\\n lit<, ll]iLhly iI’IEII tiD’!P
had egme, and that Mary was cllosen to be the mother. .-eats. Guidtd hy the h,,ly spirit, :-I!,’ -p.’,d¢> of the birth of
Because of this she is called blessed among wtnnen. Luke Ler SOIlas l)rillaill2, Allllle of .}lhl~lll,’itt p,,4 \:-el! as oq,, ,
1: 28. t)ie~-sln4. 5lary’s .qllla i- lll~lch lik,* i[.:,~ ,:lit’,-, with x\hich
2~L’he Ih)man Catholic church has elainled ilnnlaculatene-s (OIllp,G’Os. ( beel SallllD [ "~ : 1-11)) Th,m,:hdu,’,:("ll UlldO*’ ::’~
for Mary, of course wholly without warrant. But it must gut,lance o1-" the holy ~l)irit, it re\~,,tl~ ;/ ,h)-¢ K’l<l’.’,lt’ l-P d:’ [
be true th:/t (It)d, worl(in~ out his 1)l’ms, had arran’-,o,l a deep nlt,ler:.lamhn’4" Of the Sc~iptu,’e., ;~n,l eL Ill,, .\h:’&-
have at that lime ill David’s lille a maiden \the wa> v,’,;]’it]y hallli¢ hope for I~rael, gild revc,ds llll~(.!l -,Ill~li,Kl. de\,qh)Ii,
of tim honor (if 1)ring tile lnother of his Son, ao,l x\ he
real15 to do his will. (h),l require(I a good woman rather MARY EXPOSED TO PUBLIC GAZE
thall a clever one, a \iOlllan \\lie had "t loyal filial deVolll: ~Tlh’ fei[owshil) enjo’,ed 1),v th(’~e two holy wotnen,il~ ~I~
heart rather lhan o£ great nalllral nl)iliw, one ~\h,) as the three nlollths ,-peqt hi E!Iz<tl)oth’. hoIlle lllll>t he 1 ,,,io.,l
true daughter of David x~ouhl seek to h,)uor lh,\i,l’s God. ripen ;t> :l gilt [’l’()lll (ted: and as lh),l USeS hilLlltl!l lll.’~ItlS
Excellent qualities :/l’e s(en ill tL’e first records ~\e have, for his pLlrD.~ses ii lnUSL be con.Mdel’ed as llavi~Ig nlllch to
when the angel "ahrivl was sent to her. She h-iem’d with do with the pre-n,aal deve],qmlent of their ehlhh’(,n. ()£ the
wondering fear as tile allgel ;poke to her, q.l,,qtloning what won,le~ful niahl in Bethlehem ~\hen her child x\as born,
was nleaut by the unusual .-alutation. a.~ the ap.ael said: little tb ,-aid at)out ~htry. Howmuchbhe ,-nffere,l thr, m~qt
"iIail, thou that art hiRhly favored, tim Lm’d is w~th ~hee: the ehl’or(,ed nloa>ure of 1)lib!icily--lie doubt 1)al’t ,~1" tile
bh,ssed art thou galena women." (Luke 1: 2,S) S:wh hl, .~e,l- plan cf th)d for her, that the hirth of thi~ oh!hi shmlhl be
hess could only mean motherhood; and immedL~tely lhe at h’a~t partly a l~tll)!ic nlatter--\~e maynot kilo\V, FFOII1 LI.
angel went on to tell her that she ,’-hould hero:he tile hljln’lll poillt ,if \’h’\\" she luiaht ]l;tve expecled .’,Ollle:]liIl~
molher of the one who shouhl be called tile Son of (hid" much better than Mle received; but there is no sign of any
--Luke 1 : go-aa. nlurlntlrllt~£ or coHIl)laillilla.
3The "mgel lohl Mary about lqlizabeth, and ;mswm’e,1 her 7The (.,)]!liIl:~ td’ lho
-hepherds with their wonder£ul ,-tory
que~,.ion, "llow shall this be?" Mary immediately di.cm.ned ,,f the am>,l- and their s,m:~ would be a delight to her, "lad
what this involved; but she was lilt, hamhnaid of lhe Lord, wouldserve inbte,td of ;i fine l’l),~ill ;llltl C(~llvenieiices. She
and gladly accepted the will of God. Her self--,tcrifice and listem,d, and kept all thiu~ she heard, and pondered them
sul):nission and bumility reveal her as great in spirit, great in her heart. She was x\atc!ihig ev(,ry indicati,m (if God’s
through gentleness, great through hunlility. Almost imme- providence concerldng lter child. On the eighth day the
diately she hurried away to Elizabeth in Judea, the only child was taken into the temple at Jerubalem for eireum-
one who she thought could understand; and in this she ei~ion, and to l)re~ent him to the I.ord according to the
shows en~ergy and activity of mind. The greotip,~g of the law. nnd to offer the sacrifice which the law provide,l. As
two women as they met reveal their high apprec,ation of Joseph aud Mary offered only a pair o£ turtle doves, it
seems evident that they were quite poor. It is unthinkable sought earnestly for him. On tile third day they came upon
that they could have been well-to-do, as some have sup- him in the temple courts eahnly sitting in the midst of the
posed, and yet bring only the poorest allowable offering to doctors, hearing, and asking and answering questions. They
the Lord. (Leviticus 12:8; Luke 2:2~t) It was then that were amazed at this ; but his mother chided him for giving
Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God because them troubh: and sorrow. There is a measure of rebuke in
his eyes had seen the sah’ation of God. Simeon blessed the Jesus’ answer; they ought to have understood where he
parents, and said to Mary the mother: "Behohl, this ehihl wouhl be--in his Father’s house.
is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel: and Xe.lesus must lmve told his parents during the previous
for a sign which ~hall be spoken a~ainst ; yea. a s,v,u’d ~’lulll days of the ninny hours he had spent in the only place flint
l,ieree throua’h thy ownsoul also." ( Luke 2 : :14. :-~7~1 Return- mattered to him. But thai Jesus (lid not merely mean that
ing to Bethlehem they lived there for a thne tmtil niter Vhey ottg’ht to have understood they would find him there
tile visit of tile magi from tile Fast, whobrought ofi’eL’ings is shown by their being puzzled t)y his words, fits mother
of ~old, frankincense, and myrrh, xxhieh were accepted. kept these sayings in her heart. Why he had not gone with
~Immediately Joseph was warned by God in a dream to them does nor appear; hut it is certain that at this time
JP~ILS re’Llized some measure of septtration from them, and
take the young child and his lnother and go into Egypt, and
to stay there until he was told to return. The offerings of his words imply that he would have them understand it.
tile wise men were now found of servi(’e. Without d,)ubt They all relurned to Nazareth. and he was subject unto
them. Not until eighteen years had passed is there any-
was the gohl tile wise men gave in their gifts which ehal)led
thing on record of aay further observations on his part.
the little family to travel to Egypt and spend a tilne there.
~Vhen Israel first erme out of E;<vpt they aM~ed "rod re-
MARY A GOOD INSTRUCTOR
eeived from the l’;ayptians gold and silver and clothing in
*aThat .lesus at twelve years of age could take his plata
plenly, in return for labor unpaid and for houses and
lnaieriul left behind, all of which value the Egyptians with the doctors of the Law and hold his own with them
pressed upon Israel to buy their freedom from the lflagues. so much as t,) surlu’ise them is not to be attributed solely
1Vithout doubt il wa< by that wealth tile tabernacle ,)f God to his perfection of nature. )Iu(’h credit Lnusl; be given
doqeph and Mary, but probably it was his mother who
was adorned. And now when the little family nmst go into
1.;;aypi God attain used the riches of tile world for his own helped him m~)*t. The simple record that Jesus was subject
to his parents is intended to show that there was no
l)urpose. Ife has made and will continue to make the
estrangement in the family life after the incident in Jeru-
things of this world serve his purposes. TILe silver and the
gold are his, whoever holds them.--IIaggai 2:8. salem, and also to show that the mother exercised her
parental care over hop unusual son.
JOSEPH AND MARY RETURN TO NAZARETH *~Mary is next seen at tile marriage in Cana of Galilee,
after Jesus had beguu his ministry. Jesus and his few
9We do not know how long Joseph and .Mary stayed in disciples were al<o invited. The wine ran short; and hill
Ezypt: but when the danger from Herod was past, .roseph mother said to him, rather abruptly: "They have no wine."
was told by an angel to return with the young ehihl and Here again Jesus speaks to her with a measure of rebuke,
hi~ nLether to lhe land of I,rael. Ile expected to go back to as if she would interfere in hiq ministry. Her words and
IIetlflehem; but, being somewlmt doubtful, he was guided Jesus’ answer imply a su.ggestion on Mary’s part that Jesus
by God and settled again in Nazareth. that in hirer years should do something. Did she expect a miracle? He had
the young child miaht have the opprobrimn of being called not yet treed any of that special power which later he put
a Nazarene---a despised one.--Matthew 2: 1~.}-23. forth so freely. Mary knew that her son must begin the
~0Little is sabl about tile life in N:tzareth: indeed, with nfinistry for which he had come into the worht, and shs
on’," exception, lhe Nerii)ture is silent "alL, rot the whole period weald expect him to eclipse any wonderful works which
frc~m infancy nnlil Jeans pre-ented him~e!f to Jolm at th~ prophets Elijah or Elisha had done. Probably sha
Jordan when he ",v~s thirty years of age. The exception is lhout;ht of the oil which had been multiplied by Elisha (2
the in(’ident of .le-us’ In’st viqit t,) Zeru~atenu the city of his Ki.,gs 4:1-7), "rod that on her suggestion Jesus would
fathers, where his heavenly I,’alher had pl.tced his name. increase into sullieieney what little wine was left at th~
(Deut,u’onomy 1J,: 23) Tile liaht we jet ,m A[ary’s life after feast, ills motlmr would help him to begin his ministry by
the i.;faney of .]e-u~ is (.hielly refiec!ed fcom that which showimz that he had mil’aeulous powers. But she was nol
N]1!’le’; OIL her s,m. and thi~ viMt t,) .ltq :l~,all ~ at lolls lls lniich nm!er tile guidance of the holy spirit, and could not ael
shout her. She had accompanied .lo~eph there yearly at other than according to the natural mind.
the I’assover sea~ ,m. silowing dexotion ,,n her part, as well >sSqtan conld use Jesus’ mother in tempting him to worh
as some lniPDo~e o1: character; for the-e visits to Jerusalem his first miracle according to the flesh and not aceordin~t
were not ohligatory npou the vconlell ,)f I~rael. to the sl)irit. Ilenee Jesus’ rebuke. His words elearlj
**It was when Je-aus was twehe years of age, and had inq-fly that he would have his mother understand he wa~
then heroine a s,)n of the Lv, v. that he was first taken to no hm:.er under tile relationship which had existed, that
Jerusalem. It is easy to i,m,gim~ the joy and wonder of hi-; she must not now in any way try to regulate his life. Th~
young heart and mind. Many lhinv.s would ,lisal~point him, incident shows that Mary was of an observant and practical
but lie would get the best out nf xxhat there wn-; t,} interest turn of mind and a somewhat commanding disposition, snell
or instruct him. The Ienlple would ex-ite hi~ inlel’e~t; and a one as would guide her family "lright to the best of he!
there, for the lir~t rune. he had o!~pm’~.unily of mee,:ing ability. Oar Lord’s example reveals another new relatiom
with those \vho were educated and x~ h,) pr,~fe*sed to know ship besides marriage of which it is true to say: "For thi~
the things of the Law. The days wouh| pass quickly, l:leing cause shall a man leave his father and mother." Conseera,
an unusual boy he would leave his I)arent~ early and prob- tion to God, following in the footsteps of Jesus, is a reason
ably meet them only at evening: and the city was too small for such separation--not indeed to indifference to earthl3
for a boy to get lo~t. also lie was well able to look after rehttives, even as Jesus showed by his care for his mothe~
himself. So when Joseph and Mary started homeward on at his end: but separation from undue responsibilities aM
the eighth (lay they supposed Jesus was in the company. tutela?e such as parents so often claim and would enforc~
At night they missed him. 2:hey returned to Jerusalem and i.oo long.
11’4 The WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN,
N. T.g

MARY’S SUFFERING AT CALVARY
~SBut though Jesus could not act on his mother’s sugges-
tion, he did nevertheless in his own time miraculously
provide the company with wine. This first miracle is no
doubt symbolic; but it was intended to further his ministry,
to manifest forth his glory, and to help his disciples
believe in him. He could do what his mother desired,
it must not be done from the motive which prompted her-
a human motive. The spiritual motive must rule or there
would be no advantage either to himself or to his Father.
17When next Jesus’ mother is mentioned, she is seen in a
position which calls for some measure of sympathy. Jesus
was so busied by the calls of his ministry he had not time
to eat. llis people thought he was not quite balanced in
mind, and his mother went with her other sons to take
him home to care for him. (Mark 3: 21, 31-35) His brethren
did not believe in him (John 7:5), and his mother was
uncertain "tbout him.
lSMary w:~s qt Calvary when her son was crucified.
ing is s,nid of her agony, but the sword must llave pierced
her soul. (Luke 2:35) There was pain to be snfl’ered
well as joy to b~. , gained in her service for God. Jesus had
consistently shown that spiritual relationship with him
and doing the will of God was greater th’m rely human
rel’ttionship (Luke 11: 27,28; Mark 3: 31-35); but at the
end he showed how he eared for his mother. (John 19:26,
27) After the resurrection Mary was amongst the number
who waited for the holy spirit (Acts 1:14) ; and we may
think of her as the one actual link between the old dispen-
sation ¯ Is represented by those with whom she was early
associated, and the new life nnder the spirit, whe,’ her son
was now made the Lord of glory.
JOin Mary’s life story there is more of motherhood than
in any other Bible story. In her purity and devotion and
in her watchful care she is an example for all upon whom
this responsibility comes.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
to
but Who was the mother of Jesus; where did she live; and of what
tribe was she? ¶ 1.
Was Jesus’ perfection derived from his mother? Why was sho
called "blessed"? ¶ 2.
What are some of the characteristics of Mary’s greatness? ¶ 3.
What is the Magnificat, and is it understood? ¶ 4.
Xghat are the points of comparison between hfary’s and Hannah’s
songs ? ¶ 5.
In what way was Maryfilled with the holy spirit? ¶ 3, 5.
IIow did the Father bless Elizabeth and Mary? Was Mary’s sub-
mission to publicity willing? ¶ 6.
How was Mary repmd for her poor quarters in the stable? Were
Joseph and Mary rich in gold and silver? What was Simeon’s
prophecy? ¶ 7.
After the visit of the magi, what was Joseph warned to do, and
how was God’s providence manifested? ¶ 8.
On returning from Egypt where did Joseph’s family reside, and
why? ¶ 9.
IIow much is known of Jesus as a youth? ¶ 10.
Noth- What did Jesus do at the age of twelve, and what were the family’s
expermnces at flus time? 111.
What was Mary pondering in her heart, and what was she being
taught? ¶ 12.
Where dM some of the learning of Jesus come from, and why was
Jesus subject to his parents? ¶ 13.
Where was Mary next seen? What d~d she do? Was she expecting
Jesus to do something unusual? Was she measurably right?
Why was she mild y rebuked? ¶ 14
Did Mary have executive ability? Is she excusable for seemingly
taking the initiative in respect to suggesting Jesus’ course? ¶ 15.
Did Jesus show supemor wisdom in waiting for the spirit’s guid-
ance, raiher than being movedthrough sentimentality? ¶ 16.
Where is Mary next seen, and is this an occasion of sympathy for
her ? ¶ 17.
Is 1he prophecy of Luke 2:35 sufficient evidence that Mary had
a~onv at Jesus’ crucifixion? Was Mary a member of the early
cili~rob ? ¶ 18.
Wba~is the outstanding characteristic of the life story of Mary~

INTERESTING LETTERS
HEARTY GREETINGS FROM ABROAD GOD’S tlAEMONYIN "TIIE IIARP"
I~ELOVED IN TI~ELORD : ~)EAI~ :BROTHEI~ I[UTIIERFORD:
By the grace of the heavenly Father we were privileged In connection witi~ THE II.~te OF GODI have noticed some-
to attend a spiritual feast, having met together December thing which seems to me to be a remarkable corroboration
24th to 26th, 1922. lVe were abundantly blessed. Thirty-five of your identification of the Ten Strings and which I would
were immersed--thirteen sisters and tvcenty-two brothers. like to submit for your consideration. But first of all, I
Those present related sad experiences which they went would like to teli you how mucl] the brethren in London
through on account of their faithfulness to the Lord. It appreciate THE IIARP and how grateful we feel to tile Lord,
must sadly be admitted that the Roman clergy is one of mnl to you through him, for this wonderful setting forth
the causes. The authorities are mild and tolerant. Jezebel of the truth. Surely the Lord has richly blessed us in these
caused Ahab to be prou,l to the extent of making him cruel, last days !
and it is now evident that the nntitype is here in exact The point of corroboration is this: That the Ten Strings,
detail. Toward the end of the convention all present unani- as named in THE HAm?, are in accordance with the laws of
mously voted that the following resolution be forwarded the musical scale. The first and most important note in the
to you, with the request that it be inserted in the WATCH scale is the key-note. Everything depends upon having that
TOWERin every language: correct. If the key-note is wrong, everything else will be
"We, all partakers in the one calling in Christ Jesus, wrong, too. THE IIARP gives that key-note, string number
gathered here at this spiritual banquet, send to all the one, as Creation--Adam created perfect. On that correct
brethren in the United States, especially to Brother Ruth- key-note the whole scale is built, the whole wonderful
erford and the workers at Bethel, hearty brotherly greet- scheme of salvation is based. If we were to start our scale
ings. We thank God first, and then you, dearly beloved, for with ]nan as climbing up from monkeyhood, or from some
tile assistance that you render. You have an interest in our common ancestor of both, what sort of music would we get
prayers; and we desire that you remember us, who labor from the Restitution string! But no; THE HARP takes its
here under ofttimes difficult conditions. Oh, that we might key-note from the Word of God, and all the other strings
some day all be gathered at that great spiritual feast in fall into their proper places.
heaven! Earnestly we petition God through out- Lord and The next most important note in the scale is the fifth, or
Redeemer Jesus Christ, that it might be so. Amen." dominant, as musicians term it. Similarly, TIIE HARPgives
After singing "God be with you till we meet again," we the fifth string as The Ransom--the most important doc-
parted with the blissful hope in our hearts that the time trine of the Bible. Did that merely happen so?
will come when we shall be forever with the Lord. But now comes in a remarkable consideration: The key-
C. KASP~ZYKOWSKI, .Poland. note and the fifth make perfect harmony, very strong--but
 WATCH
TOWER 17.
very unsatisfactory! For the purpose of illustration, let ns THE Had:e, is Divine .lustier Manifested, the death penalty
take the scale of C, no sharps and no flat‘4. The fifth will in*.licted. Truly earth’s music was turned to mourning:
be G. Sound C and G tc~gether and )u~le the effect. What But tile permission of evil. the memory of earth’s dark
is tile matter? Why. nlu~ically speM¢ing, it needs the addi- night of Sill and sorrow and death, will serve to heighten
tion of the third, E. Nov: play (’. E. and (~ l~e~her, und tile joy when tile morning comes! The sense of expectancy
note the difference. Tile effect is now sali,fa(.l~,ry. THE is hei;zhtened and rendered most intense and inevitable I)y
Italic gives Sll’illg mnaber tl)ree a~ The Ahrahamic Pr,,mi,e. adding the octave of the discord, that is, ,q D. The chord
C and G played by lllem~clves repre-enl the g,~pel of Chris- is now 1 C, 2 D. 4 F, 6 .k. 8 C, 9 D. Play them together,
tendom. They rec~)anize that ae*us (’hrist by tile ;~rm’e and thell we ~.’tlOlU what nlust come. It can no nlore lie
God tasted death £~,r every man: bllt that is tile end of tile aw)ided than nn avalanehe i Here it comes: First 1 C,
matter, as far am they are concerned. If people u’¢**Pt liutm), 2 D, 4 F, ~;A, 8C, 9 D, and then 1 C, 3 E, 5 G, 8 C, :tO E.
they must take tile consequences’, lIiit haw difterenl iu ihe llow alor)(m~ and satisfying is the effect of the contrast!
music when we use the third string ’. So tlmt \vhich tile ninth string represents, tile Glorification
If now we add String 8, The Lord’s Return. aml String of tile Church, mu~t be followed by I:estitution---no power
10. Restitution. we have the same beautiful harlnolly ex.- in the tin)versE e:m prevent it[ "He m~bst rei.gn till 116 hath
lended and intensified. Musically that will corl’e*l,md to put all enemies under his feet." (1Corinthians 15:25)
suunding C, E, G, C, and E together. Try it on y,nu" instru- "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; nnd
ment. there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
.Now we nlli.~t notice another fe’tlure: These ten ~trin~s neither sh’dl there be any more 1lain : for the former things
include lhree "octaves," C (strings X and SI, D (2 and :)1. are passed away." (Itevel,lti,m 21:4) Who put all that into
and E (3 and 101. D. tile strings as aiven in THu II\’u’ the musical scale? Surely it can only be the divine Author
(’~mlply v~ilh lhis law? Let us st,(,. Nmnber ], C, )dun of both lhe Bible and the Book of Nature---who is now
Created Perfect--"Tiw first man A(hlm was made ’t hvi,~g givinc; us lhe key!
soul" (l(’orinthian~ 15: t5); nm)d)er S, C, The l.,)l,l’s One more thought: Sound ill lhe harp, pianoforte, violin.
lleturn--"Tlm see,rod nmn is the laird from he:~ven." I1 alld .-.i)ille other ill-I I’lllnOlll- is pr, n lu(’cd by rile vibration of
Corinthians 15:47) Couhl there possibly be a move perfect the strings; and the~e x ibrations :)re most complicated. Tile
octave? Now let us take nnmber 3, E, The AbrahamiE inn)n, fundamental note is produced by the vibration of the
Promise, and number 10, E, Ilestitntion. That also is au string as a whole--say C. At the same time, the string is
ahs,)hltely perfect octavo. The third no)ace is n,,t quite also vibrating in two equal .>egments, producing the octave
inevitable, bat still good: Numher 2, D, God’s Jubilee 3ran- o~ the fund’mmntal note, C; it is also at the same time
)rested, nmn sentenced to death; nmnber 9, 1), (;l()rirication vibrating in three seam,rots, giving a sound twelve notes
,)1" tile Chm’eh--sonm lnembers of the human race placed above the. fundament,d. G; ~,lso in fm~r, giving tile double
forever beyond the possil)ility of death. octave, C; in tire, gixing 1,~; in nitro, D; in ten, E; the
The scah’ also includes a secondary harmony, 1 C. 4 F, s,nmds rising hi:dher and higher, extending over three and
one-half octaves; F, A, and B being represented still higher
13 A, 8 C. As given in Tin.: IIxtP thut means "’5la)i Created
up. The string is vibr,tting in all these different ways at
1’effect," "llirth of Jesus," "l~esurrection," "The Lord’s once--and in lllany others "Is well, at least seventeen ways
I{eturn." Quite obvh)usly these are all in lmnnany, steps
altogether. Thus all the notes of tile ten-stringed harp are
in tlle great plan. B(lt let Us sotmd on an instrument the
stranding togelher on the lolce~t string.
noles C, 1,’. A, l’, an,1 note the el’feet. It is quite need. but
il)colwltl~i\e; Ihe ear cannot rest on it; sonlelhmg nltlSt The exislence of some of these occrtones may easily be
1ollo,v to ,.’aive full salisfaction. Just so we see that the (lenmn-trnled by any,me, thus: With the left hand hold
IIirlh of .le~us and his Ilesurrection, while beiug important d,)wn a h)w C on the pianoforte, tcithout sounding it. Then
steps in the phm. at,, not ends, but inenns lo all end. Tile with lhe right howl strike tile C and G in the first octave,
birth of .lesus was ill OmbWt0 enable him to give himself above, and the C, E, and G in tile scored and third octaves,
a ransom, a corresp,)n,ling price. "A body hast thou pre- (eiaht notes in all), and lift up that hand, still holding
pared lne .... Then said I, Lo. I conic . . . lq) do thy will, down tile low note with tile left. It will then be found that
() God." (l[el)rowq 10: 5,7) Also ill(, IIu’th (Siring -i) and tile no~es of all tile eiaht keys that were struck are sound-
l{esurrection of our Lord (String61 wore in order to enabh~ i:)< ,m the low striae, having been set in inotion by the
him to carry out lhe Ahrahanlie Prmni-.e (Nlt’in~ 3) and vii)ration of tile upper slring~. To prove that it is really
l{O~-ti[uttl)ll (N~tl’illg ill). "\Vhlllll llle heave,i I/lU-t re,.’t-iv~? tile bottom slrillg th::t is 1)rodm:ing the notes, raise the left
lulliI rile limo-~ ot restitution of all thinas whi,.h 11,.1 l~ath lmnd, alid lhe N,)Ul,~ I-~ \x ill at oiler eea,~e, Let us nowreverse
spoken I)y lhe momh of all his holy prophets since the nmtters by holding d,~wn as nlany of the higher keys am
worhl began." (At.is 3:21) Let ns now *carol the two possible and striking the low note. It will then be found
chin’(is oar after lhe olho)’: flr.qt, l C, 4 F. 6 A. and 8 C, that the upper strings are sounding--set in motion by the
lu)d thou ] 1’. 3 F:. 5 It. and 8 C, und note how tile ear complicated vibrations of tile low string. (Tim correspond-
finds rest and sati-f.)ction iu the hitter chord, as the heart ~na notes with a black key, say F sharp, would respond
does ill the doclrulo< represented by it. still better.)
I;I lnnNic a di-(.,)l’d is of Ion nse,I ill order to prepare fop Thus doe< tile muaieal scale corroborate the words of its
divine Aulhor: "Known nnto (led are all his works from
and h) heighten tile effect of ~lle ~olh~wing ]larlnony, Let us
the begimm~g of the world" (Acts 15:18), or as it
see if TII~; If\liP will t,n’,l)lo 11.4 It) ti..) that. Let 11s take
expressed ill TeE lI,ae OF GO~ (paragraph 11), "Jehovah
introdnctory chord above referred to, 1 C. 4 Iv, 6 A, and
¯ . . is so wise that he knew the end from the beginning,
8 C, and then add to it lhe discordant note 2 D, and notice
how poign:mt is the expe,etaney of the reanlt--1 C, 2 D, and outlined all of his great plan to the vexT minutest
4 F, 6 A, 8 C--sound them all toaethel’. Somelhing must detail."
follow. Yes, and it surely will. Now sound the ()rig)hal Praying the Lord’s continued biessiug on the So( ~.:~a ’s
chord 1_ C, 3 E, 5 G. 8 C, and see the wonderful satisfaction work.
It gives. This discordant note, number 2, D, accordit~g to Your brother in Him, ]. H. EYLES, England.
 International Bible StudentsAssociation Classes
i4Ccturc~andN.udlc~bLj Travctin~Bre~hrert
BROTHERT. E, BARKER BROTIIEB G. R. POLLOCK
Tell City, Ind ............. June 14 Mayfiehl, Ky ............... June 22 Cheyenne, Wyo ....... Jvue s. ~ Coh)rado Springs, Col. June 18
Owensboro,Ky ........... " 15 Evansville, lnd ........ ’ 25, 2(i Sterdng, Col ............... " 11 ]3a.’,alt, Col................. " 20, 21
Beech Creek, Ky. ........ " 17 Boonville, lad ......... ’ 27 ilaxtm,, Col .............. " l- Gr,tud Junction, Col ..... " 24
Guthrie, Ky................. " 1S Montgome, ry, lnd ..... " 2S Denver, Col ............... " 14 ]’armington, N. Mex..... " 27
llopkins~ille, Ky ....... " 19 Washington, Ind. Juae 29, July 1 Cripple (:reek, Col ..... " 15, 17 FarmingtonGlade, N.M. " 28, 29
I.tdmai:, Ky. ............. " 21, 24 Blcknell, Ind ............ " 2

BROTHER B. M. RICE
BROTIIER J. A. BOHNET
Green l~ay, Wis............. June17 Black River Falls, Wis. du.ic24
Bowie, Tex ............ June 13 Lubbock, Tex ............. Juno 22 Seymour,Wis ................. " 18 Osseo, Wis ....... 2,5
~toneburg, Tex ..... " 14 Phtin~mw, Tex .......... " 24, 27 Black Creek, \Vis ........ ’ 19 Mm’sillleh|, \\’is ..... 2t;
V(iclnta Falls, Tex .... " 15 1~’1o3dada, Tex........... " 95 l’lo~er, Wis..................... " 20 V*.llht.(,, Wl, ..... 27
1Aeetr~, Tex ............. " 17 L,acKrLe:,, Tex............. " 26 Stevens Point, Wis ....... " 2i Unity, \\hs .... 28
Abdene, Tex ....... " 19 Sn) de,, Tex................. " 28 Tunnell City, Wis ......... " 22 Junetmn City, \\’is. ’ii~ ""
Meikel, Tex................. " 20, 21 San Angelo, Tex .... " 29

BROTHER V. C. RICE
BROTHER B. H. BOYD Fulls Creek, l’a .......... June 15 Brad ford, Pa ................. JiIlle 2~
]{ol;tnd, Id ....... Jllh~’ t I l*,ili’llllgton, Ia ....... June24 (’laiuon, Pa ................ I i" Salamanca, N. ?t ......... " :25
Des 3loine.~, la ......... "’ i5, tf ),lusealme, Ia ............... " 25 Clarlugton, Pa .............. 1S ()novllle, N. ~--" ........... " 2(J
lndiauola, ia ........... "’ 1,’~ iowa (’it’,’, l,t ............ " 26 ~rocKwayville, Pa ....... " 19 Warren, l’a ................. "" 2l
(’hat|ton, llt ............. " 19, 20 Piai’eilgo, Ia ................... " 27 Dekoung, I~a ................. " 20 Oil City, Pa .............. " :28
Albia, Ia .............. "’ 21 (’/~lhtr ltal)ids, Ia ........ " 28 ~lil~lla.,t ~ l’;t ............... " ’2’2 iMeadville, Fa... 29
Keosauqua,Ja ............. " 22 Oxford Jet., Ia ...... " 29

BROTHER C. ROBERTS
\\hilelaml, Iud ........... June 14 Crawfordsville, in(l .June :22
BROTIIER A. M. GRAHAM Indmnapolis, lad ....... " 15, 17 lM~Bulle, IlL - - :2/c
Tene liaute, lnd ....... " 115 LooallSl)ort, llld ........ ’ :25, :2(J
l’r.nee Albert, Sask, June 10, 1 l Clair, S;lsk ................. June 19, 20 ~NewGoshen, lnd ....... " 19 K~konio, Ind ...... 2~"
~V;tka’,v, SaNk............. " 13 V(a(hula, Sa<k........... " 21 Clinton, lnd ............... " 20 )~’e£u, /nd .............. " 2~
IH,~od;th’, SAM.:...... " 15 I~:,tlils;’~",-:, Sllsk......... " 2,4 Newl[irhnlond, Ind ..... " 21 Wabash, lnd ......
" " 26 2,9
l:o.Aboldl, Stsk ....... 17 5o~l;~,m,~,ts~( ...........
t2uill Lake, S.t,~k ....... " 18 ]3rede:lbury, Sask ..... " ))
2S, 2(,

BROTHER R. L, ROBiE
BROTItER M. L. HERR I’leayune, Miss .......... June 14 Baton Rouge, La .lula_’21, 22
SimeA, La ............. ’ 1.5 Gullpolt, .~R.b ’ :25
V~’alla VValla, "Wash....... June 17 llosnlia, V/ash................. June 24 I"oL~ouLLa ............. ’ 17 Lyman, 3hsb .... " :: ;
I) ylo , \,’a.Mt ..... " lb ].anc.’,,dl, hl,t ................. " :25 1;,,.,Husa, La ....... " Ib \~’eather~by, 31ib ....... " 2{
1’o Icl’ov, \~;i:il ......... "’ 19 ],Itrtl]/, \VtH.}~ .................. " 2(; Zona,La .................... " 1:) ]Dallrcl, .111~ ..... " ’2
(’(P, lax, \(ash ............. " LJ NFI)~,a,R,,’~)z~di............... " 27 NO’*’,IJlleallS, La ....... " 20, :24 T0~burg, .\llbS... "’ 2,~
hh}.~e,~w, h.a. .. 21 Cohulle, Wash............... "" 2~
O,kesdaie, \\’a,~il ........... " ’2"2 l)an~lile, \VaMl. Jmm 29, July

BROTHER O. L. SULLIVAN
BROTHER W. M. HERSBI~ Freedon~ Station, O. June 14, 15 Salem, 0 ...... lw!e 24
Kent, O .......... I~ ]’;,Isl l’a!e..tlne. O. ._ 25
Wilkie, Sa,M~ .... ~.o 1o. 11 Prin(’e Albert, Sask. June22,24 Itu(lsOll, O.. lS CI)I/ulIblHnH, O ..... "’ :2i|
Ilia-a,’, Sask..., 1:1 Wokaw, Sask ...... " 25 Cunton, O. _. 19.21) |,onion|a, O ...... " 2[
Millelon, SaM~ . " I ~, 17 Rid~e(lale, Sask .... " 27
l . lq " lmmsv~lle, O. 21 L|sbon, O .................. " 2,8
l,]dam, Sask ...... Tit lale, Sa~k ...... 2:) AILauee, 0 .............. " 22 ~\ells~ille, 0 ......... " :29
N, Battleford, Sask, ._ " 21) itumboldt, 8ask ............. July l

~:’OTIIER W. J. TIIORN
BROTIIER H. HOWLETT
I,nn(hm, Oii. Ju,m 1-3 llamtlton. Opt ......... June 25 bwahvell, All,/ .Xllll0 |0, 11 Tal)(,r, Alia. .H:1o2[
IJilld.’,:ly, O,II ........ 5 Boai)l~ dlo. ().IL ....... " :2(i }Io~edale, Alla. 1:2, ]3 II~w TM~lu(l, .\ I, :22
I’anlernll. Oat ..... " 6,7 St. f’alherines, Ont .... "" 27 llat!/tlee, Alia 1t ):o~h!’H/,, ll~tT, .’,i|a. -. ’" ’)-t
l lalilutrlon. (Hit ..... 8 \Vellan(I. l)ll[ ........... " 28 ",laclood. AltJ. 15, 1 ; (’,lbri. SAsk ........ :26
Toronto, Ont ............... " 10 Niagara Fall~, Ont. June 29, July i Lethbridge, Alta ...... " 18-20 llor~e 1;till0, bA:4k. :28

BROTIIER W. H. P1CKERING BROTIIER T. II. TI!GI:NTON

ManMield, O ......... Jtu,e17 Omaha, Neb ...... June 24 St. Jnhn~ Nfdhl ..... ?Jab 25 ’~27 Stel]:lrt.,h N. S ........ July 2,3
I’t \Vayno, In(l .... 1’. 7:ebraska C tv, Neb... " 25 S> nev, ?q S ............ ’H,u’:’ ’ ’ ]’ ( t ,,1..\. F, ........ "
"" ~ I 1.im,Hn, Neb ........ " 26, )(
2,) 4
(’hi(’u~o, Ill ................... Whitney Pier, N.S ..... " 25,2(; T~l:V,~. N. ,~ .......... ~" 6-8
~’linton. In ........... " ?~ /;eatrice, Neb ........... " 27 North Sydney, N. S. " :2~,;d Amherst,N. S ............... "
(’edar Rapids, Ia ........... " 91 "Vymore, Neb ......... " 28 9
Glace Bay, N.S. June 29, .luly 1 Si..;.ha, N ]3 ............ " 10
Des Moines, la ........... "’ "2.: Lincoln, Neb................... July 1

PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR JULY CONVENTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED DY BROTHER RUTHERFORD

Riehnlon(t, Va., June 10 ................. Vv’. 1’. Sutton, 3519 Carolina Ave.
Jm,Y 4: "Fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."--Rom’,ns 12:11. Trenton, N. J., June 17 ............... Mrs, M. Glover, ,2.3 Sanhican Driv~
J[’LY 11 : ’ "’,,v ~ lho unity of lllo ,~m;:it."--Ephe~inns .t : 3, Portland, MO., July 1---
JULY18:’"i’~:0 l’Pt "~ Of 1he spiPit in ]ove."--Galatian~ 5:22. Mrs. Wihna tI. Smith, 32 Bower~ St., Seuth Portland, Me.
Truro. N.S., July 6 8 .................................... I,’. 31, (;. Turner, Box 642
JULY25: "The fruit of the spirit is . . . Joy."--Galaiians 5:22. St. John,N. B., July8 ............................. J. II. Emery, 242 Union st.
 ,:,:,’ ,.
, ii,i .,.

.’... ,il.. ’ ’ . ,

VOL. XLIV SEM]-~*IONTHLY NO. 12

Anno Mundi 6~}51 -- June 15, 1923

CONTENTS
"THE~VAYOF THELORD"..................................... 179
TheLord’s
Day................................................... 179
TheVoice
..................................................... 180
TheMarvelous Work ....................................... 181
Who is on the Lord’s Side? ............................. 1,%2
PRAYER-~[EETINGTEXT COMMENTS ...................... 183
SIMON PETER ................................... 185
Peter Discernsthat Jesus is Christ .............. 185
Saeriiiee Life and Cruc, ly F’l~h .......... l~;{;
JOHN THE APOSTLE .......................... 187
John Teaches that Jesus is God~ Son ....... 18S
Christ’s Revelation Given to Jolm ....... lS8
~ATTHEW
THE PUBLICAN................................... 189
JesusMagnifies
the Law.................................. 190
Kingdom
Comesin Embryo ........................... 191
"’I ~cill stand ~pen my watch a~d will set my foot
upon the Tower, an¢l will watch to see what lie will
say unto me, and u hat a~swer [ shall make to them
that o~s$ose me."--Habakkuk ~: 1.

~C?~~©~T.~sT.s. "" ---

~~ "~:- .~--~...
.~~- .-::--:- ~-~-.. ....
-~&:-_:::

~poa {;he earth distress of nations wlth perplexlty; the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented)roaring; men’s hearts faillngthem for fear and for lookia~¢
~he things coming upon the earth (society) ; for the powers of the heavens (eeelcsmst~csm) snal~ ue sna~en.., when ye see these things begin to come to pass,
know ~hat the Kingdom of God ~s at hand. Look up, lift up your heads, rejozee, for your redemptzoa dr~weth aigh.--M~tt. 24:33; ~¢Iark 13:29; Luke 21:25-31.
 THIS JOURNALANDITS SACREDMISSION
TtlelSpresented
~ournal ts e~e of
in all parts
the prime factors
of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCHTOWERBIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
or "Seminary Exten~on", now being
A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible sttldents may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. M.), which translated
into English is Minister el God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
--redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 :
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God, . . . to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns muse be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuild.ing of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge ou~
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH

rffagt the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age---ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2:20-22 ;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
¯ ~hat meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workman will bring all together
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout
the ]~iillennium.~Revelation 15 : 5-8.
That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted deatll for every
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which lighteth every man that eometh into the world", "in due time".~
Hebrews 2 : 9 ; John 1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’ partaker of the divine nature ,’ and share his
glory as his joint-heir.--1 John 3:2 ; John 17:24; Romans 8:17 ; 2 Peter 1 : 4.
That the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to he God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24"
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
¯hat the hope for the world lies in the bleesihgs of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, the
restitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified church)
when all the wilfully wicked bill be destroyed.--Acts 3:19-23; Isaiah 35.

~Du ~LI S H~O ~ STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES

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VOL.XLIV JU~E15, 1923 No.12

"THE WAY OF THE LORD"

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, ma/¢e stra~:Tht in the desert a
highway for our God."--Isaiah 40: 3.

HE campaign of advertising the King and the them. This they have done, as the Prophet foretold.
T kingdom is sweeping on. It is the greatest
campaign of the ages. It will have a glorious
"Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by
me." (Isaiah 54: 15) And now in order to hold their
consummation. The leader, Christ Jesus, is directing place of popularity with their allies, they teach things
the campaign; for it is his kingdom that is being which they ought not to teach, for filthy lucro’s sake.
advertised, and he is King. --Titus 1 : 11.
2At the first advent of our Lord he advertised himself 5The result is that there is a famine in the land for
and his kingdom by performing miracles. Ite is now the hearing of the Word of the Lord. (Amos 8: 11)
advertising his kingdom by doing a miraculous work. Someof the more honest ones connected with Babylon,
It is "a marvelous work and a wonder."--Isaiah 29 : 14. becoming alarmed, cause questionnaires to be distrib-
uted amongst the school children for answer to ques-
WHY31ARVELOUS? tions relating to the Bible; and when these qu:stion-
8Whyshould the Lord do a marvelous work at this naires are filled out and returned it is found that the
time ? Long centuries ago Jehovah, seeing what would children of the land are in total darkness concerning
come to pass, caused his prophet to write the answer the Word of God. The clergy have encouraged false
this question, the substance of which is, that the time doctrines to be taught in the schools, until every college
would come when the clergy and "the principal of the is an incubator for evolution and other forms of infidel-
flock," the leaders in nominal Christendom, would be icy. The clergy as a class have become ashamedof the
intoxicated with false doctrines, and the vision of God’s doctrine of Jesus and the apostles. "They have rejected
plan would be obscured to them; that they wouh] stag- the word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them?"
ger and go blind to tile truth, m/til the Scriptures (,Jeremiah 8: 9) The be.fret ones of Babylon, whohave
would become Co them as a sealed book; that these a greater desire for truth and righteousness, ha-’e ha4
leaders and many of their parishmners would draw their faith dostroved because of the open infidelity of
near to the Lord with the mouth by pretending to be the clergy and the principal men, namely, the leaders.
Christians, while at the same time their love for the Foreknowingthat such would be the ease, God’s prophet
Lord wouldbe dead.--Isaiah 29 : 9-13. wrote concerning them: "My people are destroyed for
4So clearly did the Prophet then describe what is now lack of knowledge."--Hosea 4: 6.
seen to be a condition in nominal Christendom that
comment is scarcely neeessaI 7. The clergy and the THELORD’SDAY
principal menin the church noware avowedpoliticians "lh’.’. tho day of the Lord is here. The King has
and supporters of big business. They have become so taken h:s power and begun his reign. He has come
intoxicated with the devil’s organization and the doc- forth to judge and to make war. lie is clothed with
trines whichit puts forth that they have becomeontirely absolute authority, and the brightness of his presence,
blind to God’s purposes, and are so entangled in Satan’s as a flaming fire, is consumingbefore him. "It is the
nets that the eyes of their understanding are dosed. day of God’s vengeance, and the year of reeompenees
The Wordof God they have rejected. Their wisdom has for the controversy of Zion." (Isaiah 34:8) The clergy,
becomeentirely worldly; hence of the Satanic order. pretending to represent the Lord, but resorting to deceit
Big business and professional politicians, desperately and fraud, abandoning the Wordof the Lord and turn-
fighting to prevent the disintegration of Satan’s empire, ing to the doctrines of devils, have becomewicked. To
have formed a world compact and have called upon the them the Lord says: "What hast thou to do to declare
clergy and the principal of their flock to join with mystatutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant
179
 WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN,
l’ff, "J..

in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and
eastest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a
thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been
partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy month to
evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and
speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own
mothel%son. These things hast thou done, and I kept
silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an
one as thyself; but I will reprove thee, and set them in
order before thine eyos."--Psalm 50: 16-21.
7But the saints of God, having a clear vision of the
unfolding of his plan, in the language of the Psahnist
now say: "This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be .glad in it." (Psalm 118: 24)
Whyrejoice? It is because their great Captain and
Leader is in the camp, and upon his banner is emblaz-
oned "Victory." The day of deliverance is at hand;
hence the time to rejoice. (Luke 21 : 28) But what have
these who are rejoicing to do with the day of Jehovah ?
The prophet of the Lord answers: "I have commanded
my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty
ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my
highness." (Isaiah 13:3) And what is to be done
this day? "The stone which the builders refused is
becomethe head stone of the corner." (Psalm 118: 22)
This fact now must be made known to the world.
"Judgmentalso will I lay to the line, and righteousness
to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the
have permitted the truth to be so obscured that Chris-
tendom has becomea desert place. Therefore fulfilled
prophecy shows that the time has now come when those
who are associated with the Lord must, as his voice,
cry forth in the wilderness the messageof truth that he
has placed in their possession for that purpose.
1°Fromtime to time the Lord has used mento deliver
his message. For this reason John the Baptist was a
voice in the wilderness crying out. John the Baptist
was in a measure an antitype of Elijah. Elisha ~ as
anointed to do the work that Elijah had not finished;
hence Elisha pictured a work that the church must do,
together with their Head and Lord, at the end of the
age and the inauguration of the kingdom. This message
must be put forth in an uncompromising and fearless
spirit. Elisha acted as the mouthpiece of the Lord
fearlessly. The antitypical Elisha class must likewise
without fear have boldness in this day in the proclama-
tion of the truth. The motive directing their action
must be love for God. Referring to this St. John says:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have
boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so
are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17) As Elisha re-
ceived a double portion of the spirit possessed by Elijah,
so must the church now have and manifest a double
portion of zeal in the proclamation of the message of
truth.
THE MESSAGE

refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding nSince the voice means a message, and since it is
place."--Isaiah 28 : 17. ’~his voice," therefore this is his message;and the course
8]t’[anifestly the time has comefor the Lord to do a of the church is made plain, namely, to proclaim his
great work; and in this work he permits to be asso- message. Individuals are entirely excluded from con-
ciated with him the members of his body, those that sideration in this campaign. By that is meant the
are yet on earth, as well as those in heaven. "And the importance of an individual; whether one is honored
armies which are in heaven [heavenly places] follow more than another or whether he shines before the
him upon white horses [pure messages of truth], clothed public or not is wholly immaterial. It is the message
in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth of the Lord and not of menthat is to be sounded forth.
goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the It means that the membersof the church this side the
nations."--Revelation 19 : 14, 15. vail as a whole, the body, as the visible representatives
of the Lord on earth, must give this message as a
THE VOICE witness ; that the feet membersmust now advertise the
9This campaignis not one in which the saints are to King and his kingdom.
use carnal weapons; but as shown in the symbolic ~PThescripture reads: "The voice of him that crieth
language of the text above quoted, they are to partici- in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
pate in the pure message of truth that proceeds out The message is for the people of the earth to prcpare
from the Lord. Their weapons are not carnal, but to receive the King. That means, of course, that Satan’s
mighty in pulling down the strongholds of error. The empire must fall ; and it is falling. It means that the
word voice is a symbol of a message. Whenwe read church must declare to the people that the old world is
that the voice of him cried, we understand that the ended and the new is comingin; that the King is here ;
message from the Lord must be sounded out, and this that his kingdomis being put into operation; that the
in the day of the Lord above described. Whereshall it time of restoration is at hand; hence that millions now
be cried forth ? The Prophet answers: "The voice of living will never die if obedient to the divine way. Lct
him that crieth in the wilderness." Wilderness means no one be fearful that he is speaking too muchabout
a wild or neglected place, a desert. The prophecies the same thing and hence must change his topic or
above cited describe the wild or deserted place of the subject from time to time. Let all remember that the
world; for the clerg T and the principal menof the flock message which must go to the nations is the Lord’s
,l[oKt: 15, 1923
¯ WATCH TOWER
message. This is in harmony with the expressed will as the work progresses many wonder at it and say:
of Jesus when he said: "This gospel of the kingdom ’Surely it is a miracle the way the work is going on.’
shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all And indeed it is so ; for no humanagency could accom-
nations; and then shall the end come."--Matthew24::14. plish anything against the entrenched powm=of dark-
laThe physical facts show that prophecy is now ful- ness. As we see the progress of the message of the
filled, namely, that the clergy class and the principal truth, we can truly exclaim: ’It is the Lord. Blessed
men have denied the Lord and have joined hands with be his holy name!’ All who are participating in it al~
the devil’s organization; that the people of nominal rejoicing, because they "have entered into the joy of
Christendom have been left upon the mountains as the Lord." They can appreciate the fact *.l:at by the
sheep without a shepherd; and that those who should Lord’s grace they are participating in the fulfilment of
be feeding upon the Wordof God are starving because the Prophet’s words as expressed in Psalm 149 : 5-9.
of the famine in the land for the hearing of the Word
of the Lord; and that the time has come for the Lord METHOD OF ACTION
to do a marvelous work amongst this people, even a ~rMore than forty years ago the Lord caused his
marvelous work and a wonder. faithful and wise servant to begin writing the message
of the divine plan, that it might be plainly read. Since
THE MARVELOUS WORK then, the major portion of the time has been occupied
~*What is that marvelous work? Nominal Christen- in gathering together the saints, instructing, drilling
dora numbers her membership by the millions. H(~r and preparing them; and now the time has come for
preachers are multitudinous. Nominal Christendom has more vigorous action on their part as witnesses for the
grown rich in moneyand power because allied with the King. This voice or message is not only expressed by
commercial interests of the world. The political power word of mouth in public proclamation, but in a larger
is enlisted in her behalf; and backof it all is the master way through the printed page.
mind of Satan the devil. This combined power consti- ~SThe message has been put in the form of seven
tutes "the beast," which is making war against the volumes of STUDIES IN THESCRIPTURES and other kin-
Lamb. While making war against the Lamb, this dred publications. It seems, therefore, the appropriate
combined evil power is desperately striving to reform time for this message in the printed form to haw a
Satan’s empire in order to hohl the present civilization wider circulation. The Lord is indicating that such is
together and to keep the people in subjection to the his wish. The fact that he makes provision would indi-
present order. cate that it is his will that the messageshall go forth
~0vcr against this is the Lord Jesus, the Lambof in that form now. Never in all the history of the
God. He has a small number of visible representatives harvest has there been such a demandfor this message
on earth. Their visible poweris so insignificant in the by the suffering countries of Europe, and an increased
eyes of the world that they are counted nothing. But demandis seen practically all over the world.
with this little companyof faithful followers the Lord
Jesus is proceeding to do his marvelous work of enlight- PRAY FOR MORE WORKERS
ening the people concerning the end of Satan’s e:npire r°Jesus said: "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the
and the presence of his kingdom,and is putting Satan’s harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his har-
forces to flight. Concerningthis the apostle Paul said: vest." (Matthew 9:38) These words addressed to his
"Whomthe Lord shall consume with the spirit of his disciples in the time of the Jewish harvest have applied
mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his to the harvest of the Gospel age. Many prayers have
presence."--2 Thessalonians 2 : 8. ascended, and still ascend, to this effect. These have
~’;It is the light of truth that is warring against the been answered, and from time to time more have joy-
forces of darkness. The saints participat~ in this, be- fully entered the service of the Lord, although, as a
cause of them Jesus said: "Ye are the light of the whole, they are small in number. Prior to 1918 the
world." The followers of the Lambare the only ones in greatest number of colporteurs in the service in the
the worhl that are holding forth the light of truth con- United States and Canada was about six hundred. At
eerning the Lord’s kingdom. These participate in the the time we go to press there are now in the United
work by going throughout the world, crying out the States alone, engagedin the colporteur serviee, approxi-
message of the King and his kingdom; and by this mately 850 brethren, to say nothing about the greater
message they are calling upon the people to "prepare number of cla,-s workers. The demand for the message
the way of the Lord." They are telling the people of of truth contained in the books above mentioned is
the King and his kingdom that the world may get their greater than ever.
minds and hearts into the right condition to receive the 2°In Europe, which is rapidly disintegrating, the
King and to conform themselves to his way of bringing people in greater numbers are seeking a knowledge of
the desire of the nations and establishing peace and the truth; and the SOCIETY is diligently endeavoring to
blessings on earth. It is indeed a marvelous work ; and supply them. The SOCIETY’Sown plant at Brooklyn hi
182 BROOKLYN,N. ~°
WATCH TOWER
now manufacturing approximately five th,:u and vol- th!s, not for a selfish reason, but because we knowthat
umesper day. This is not sufficient to meet the demand. his campaignwill result in the full establishment of his
I-Ienee other manufacturers have been employed to make government of righteousness, which shall bring the
books, even if they must be sold at a loss whenmeasured honest desire of all the nations of earth. That glorious
by moneyvalue. It seems to be the Lord’s will that his government shall be upon his shoulder; and of the
little army, now crying ont his message in the wilder- peace and blessings that it shall bestow upon manthere
ness, must be supplied with books; and hence he has shall be no end. He will reign in righteousness, tie
made the provision. will undo all the wickedness that Satan has done. He
=*Weare pleased to announce that beginning with will fill the earth with gladness. It becomesthe privi-
June 15 all the classes in the United States and Canada lege of every truly consecrated child of God at this
and all the eolporteurs will be furnished an ample sup- time to cry out this message of joy to the people---to
ply of the STUDIESIN THESCRIPTURES and T~z :HARP "say among the nations that the Lord reigneth: the
OFGOD,that they may sell these as a combination at world also shall be established that it shall not be moved:
the price heretofore announced, namely, $2.85. he shall judge the people righteously."--Psalm 96:10.
a2Beginning with the 5th day of June the SOCIETY is 26Let each one, then, whoclaims to be consecrated to
shipping to each of the classes on consignment a num- the Lord, ask himself, AmI on the Lord’s side? Am
ber of the seven volumesof STUDIES IN T:IIE SCRIPTURES I participating in this campaignwith a joyful heart?
and T~ElCL~Rr. This is done in order to save time and AmI doing my part to advertise the King aml the
expense. The classes will be billed for these books, and kingdom ?
can pay for them as quickly as they are sold. This BLESSEDRESULTS
will afford opportunity for all the classes in the United =TThemessage of the Lord declares: "Makestraight
States and Canada to become immediately active in in the desert a highway for our God." Over the high-
selling the entire set of STUDIESIN THESCRIPTURESway of holiness he will lead mankindto life. Then the
and THEttnRe. Werecommend that those who have a Lord indicates what will be the happy and joyful resalts
stock of these bookson hand use their present stock first. to the poor groaning creqtion. He tells us that then
every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and
ANOTHER BOOKLET hill ~hall be madelow ; that is to say, that the meekand
2aThere are manypeople who are not so situated that humbleones shall be lifted up, and the haughty, winked
they can buy the eight volumes above mentioned, even kingdoms of this earth and those who compose them
though these are sold at a nominal cost. In order that shall be brought low, and the conditions of society shall
they might get some of the message, the SoCIeTYhas be leveled in the interest of mankind; and "the crooked
prepared and is publishing a booklet of sixty-four pages shall be made straight and the rough places plain."
treating eight separate and distinct subjects concerning The perverse and crooked things of the present evil
the divine plan, handsomelybound in paper cover, gold order shall be straightened out. The errors, inconsist-
ink, which can be placed in the hands of the people for encies, false doctrines and stumbling stones shall be
the very nominal sum of ten cents. Webelieve that taken away. The blessings of salvation, the majesty and
everybody will want this. Thus the witness may be glory of the Lord and his perfect government shall be
given to all who have the hearing ear. revealed to man and all the world of mankind shall
24Weare shipping a quantity of these booklets to come to a knowledge of the Lord and see his glory.
each of the colporteurs and to each of the classes, on And thus the work of blessing will continue until the
consignment, billing you for the same, which can be earth is filled with a happy and joyful people.
paid for as quickly as sold. Our thought is that this 2~Whata precious privilege the Christian now has of
will supply a long-felt want and enable many to get engaging in the Lord’s service and telling the poor
some knowledge of the truth that have not sufficient groaning creation of the blessings that are shortly in
means to get all the STUDIES IS T~. SCRIPTUm~S. store for them I Truly we have come to a time when we
can appreciate the Apostle’s words: "Rejoice in the
WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE? Lord; and again I say, Rejoice 1"
25It is plainly to be seen that the great campaignis
growing in intensity and interest. This should cause "Lord, I would loyal prove to thee,
Let thy reproaches fall on me;
the saints to rejoice. Worldly people become greatly
To spend my days in thine employ
interested in political campaignspertaining to worldly Shall be my chiefest earthly joy.
things. ]~Iany of us whenof the world were interested
in political campaigns because we thought such would "Oh, what are all earth’s gilded toys
result in a better government for the people. Nowwe Compared with heaven’s eternal joys?
see that the Lord is conducting the greatest campaign Or even to the feast now spread,
of all time, and that we are privileged to have part in For pilgrims through the desert ledl"
 Ju~. 15, 1923
WATCH
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
In what way did our Lord advertise his presence at his first ad-
vent? By what method is he advertising his second presence?
¶1,2.
Wily are the leaders in nominal Christendom unable to under-
stand present truth? ¶ 3.
What are the three component parts of Satan’s visible empire?
In what common work are these three sections of the devil’s
organization now engaged? ¶ 4.
What evidences may be cited to show that the Word of God is
practically unknown in the schools of Christendom? What is
taught in its stead? ¶ 5.
How does the Lord view this failure on the part of those (lalm-
ing to be his representatives? ¶ 6.
What cause have the Lord’s people to rejoice at this time? ¶ 7.
Wllat great work is the Lord about to do? Whomis he permitting
to cooperate with him in this work? ¶ 8.
In what sense has busy Christendom be(.ome a desert? What is
symbolized by the "voice" crying in thts desert place? ¶ 9.
Explain how John the Baptist, Elijah and Elisha pictm’(~l the
work o£ the Lord’s people in the close of the Gospel age. ¶ 10.11.
PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR JULY 4 TEXT FOR JULY 11
"Fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."--Romans 12:11.
USED in this text the word spirit has reference
~ to the mind or mental disposition. Mind is an
invisible power. The words of the ~ext are di-
reefed as an admomtion to those who are presumed to
have the mind of Christ. which mind is in process of
transformation more and more into the hkeness of the
Lord. This transformation cannot be accomplished
where a cold, indifferent d~sposition is manifested
toward the Lord and the interests of his kingdom. Nor
can it be accomplished by those who are merely o~ a
lukewarmdisposition. The Lord makes this clear when
addressing himself to tho Laodicean church: "Because
thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spew thee out of mymouth."--Revelation 3: 16.
St. Paul, appreciating the importance of each one’s
being properly exercised and possessing an active and
zealous spirit, urges that all such be not slothful in
business, but fervent in spirit, in the Lord’s service.
The word fervent here means hot. It means that one
appreciates the fact that he is an ambassadorof Christ,
and also appreciates the necessity of being really in
earnest in giving attention to the duties and interests
of Christ’s kingdom. Such will be watching for oppor-
tunities for serving the Lord; and as these are pre-
sented, he will seize them and joyfully and zealouosly
perform them.
Such a mind or disposition is produced by the holy
spirit operating in the Christian’s mind. That person,
however, must be not only willing but anxious that
God’s holy power shall be developed in him. tie must
realize that his business is the King’s business; and
that he must be earnest, zealous and energetic in at-
tending to the interests the King has committed into
his hands.
183
TOWER
Give in detail the message which is now to go to all nations. ¶ 12.
What is the "marvelous work" which the Scriptures declare that
the Lord is about to accomplish? ¶ 13.
Describe the forces enlisted under the banners of the "beast" and
of the Lamb of God. ¶ 14, 15.
For what two great messages are these foree~ contending? In what
way is the warfare carried on? ¶ 16.
In what way has the Lord prepared his army for their part in
this warfare? ¶ 17.
What reasons exist for the belief that the time has come for a
wMe circulation of the Lord’s message? ¶ 18, 19.
What provision has the Lord made for meeting this demand for
the truth? ¶ 20-24.
What is "1he desire of all nations"? By what means will this
desire be satisfied? In what respects doe~, the Lord’s work
resemble a political campaign? ¶25.
What responsibility is now re~ting upon every consecrated child
of God’~ ~l 26.
Glvo an outline of the work to be accomplished by the 5Iessianie
reign. ¶ 27.
What is the heart attitude now of every Christian who is Living
up to his privileges? ¶ 23.
"’Keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."
---.-Epnesians4: 8.
U ’NITY means oneness. The prayer of Jesus was:
"That they all lnay be one; as thou, Father,
art in me, and I in thee, that they also may
be one in us." (John 17 : 21) Such will be the condition
when all the melnbers of the body are transformed into
the likeness of the Head, Christ Jesus. Each one, how-
ever, must do his part looking toward such completed
transformation; and one of the essential parts to bo
performed is dwelling together in peace.
Again the Apostle elnl)hasizes the importance of this
oneness and dwelling in peace, saying, "Follow peace
with all, and holiness, without which none shall see the
Lord." (Hebrews 12: 14) Transformation cannot
accomplished unless these rules are observed. Fault-
finding, controversy, and strife are the very opposites
of peace; and the indulging in these leads to hatred.
tIatred shows a bad condition of heart. It is the very
opposite of love. And where love is about, darkness
quickly ensues and the spirit of the Lord disappears.
Hence in order to be transformed into the likeness of
our Lord it is vitally essential that we whoare begotten
of the holy spirit maintain that unity which is consist-
ent with the spirit of Christ. To do this we must keep
before the mind the loving disposition of Jesus and
copy that disposition insofar as it is possible.
If every memberof every ecclesia woulddiligently try
to do this, putting self in the background,a division in
any class would be an impossibility. All who have the
spirit of the Lord will possess the zeal peculiar to his
house and will hold together, having their hearts united
together in love. And thus doing, the truth to them
will grow brighter day by day and their Christian expe-
riences sweeter, developing them more into the likeness
of the perfect Pattern
184 ’the WA/CH TOWER
TEXT FOR JULY 18
"’The fruit of the spirit is love."--Galatians 5: 22.
HE new creature must grow into or develop the
T character likeness of the Lord, his Head. This
growth is not sudden but gradual. Such develop-
ment the Apostle illustrates by reference to fruit devel-
oping from the vine or tree. Jesus used the same
illustration when he said: "Every good tree bringcth
forth good fruit. Ye shall knowthem by their fruits."
(Matthew 7: 16, 17) The Father and Christ Jesus are
good. None others arc good until they comeinto Christ,
and then they are counted good because of possessing the
robe of his righteousness. No one can bear the fruit of
the spirit unless he remains in Christ. The bringing
forth of fruit brings glory to the Father. The chief
purpose of a Christian is to glorify God. Therefore he
should strive to develop the fruit of the spirit.
The Apostle sums up the Christian character devel-
opment in one word, love. While there are many other
elements involved, as he shows by the context, yet love
is the principal thing. Therefore love is called "the
fruit of the spirit."
God is love. Jesus Christ is the express image of
Jehovah; and the nearer we grow like our Lord, the
greater will be our fruit-bearing. In order that we may
develop the fruit of the spirit we must abide in Christ
and let his words abide in us, which means constantly
feeding upon the Word, and keeping his commandments
as set forth in the Wordof Gad. It further means that
the one thus striving to develop must possess a pure
heart; that his motive in serving the Lord be to glorify
God’s holy name; that he keep the commandmentsof
the Lord joyfully; that he love the brethren unselfishly,
even at a sacrifice to himself; that he have pity for the
groaning creation and a longing desire to do good unto
all. One possessing this condition of heart and main-
taining it may be properly said to have developed the
frui*~ of the spirit. This fruit of the spirit impels him
to be a faithful ambassador of the Lord and to carry
the Lord’s message joyfully to those who are hungering
and thirsting for righteousness. His service is prompted
by love; and thus he shows more and more of the like-
ness of Christ Jesus.
TEXT FOR JULY 25
"The fruit of the spirit is . . . joy."--Galatian~ 5: 22.
’OYmeans a calm, delightful cheerfulness. It means
J gladness of heart; an inward delight. It results
from absolute faith and confidence in the Lord
Jehovah and a cheerful obedience to his will.
WhenJesus entered upon the task of becoming man’s
Redeemer he did so with joy. It was written of him:
~I delight to do thy will, O my God." tIad he kept
BROOKLYN, N. ~e
the commandmentsof Jehovah and had no joy therein,
he would not have been pleasing to the Father. On the
contrary, it was written of him that "for the joy that
was set before him [he] endured the cross, despising
the shame." This disposition was pleasing to Jehovah
and for this reason Godhighly exalted Jesus and he sat
downin the place of authority with his Father.
On the last night he was with his disciples Jesus
gave to them detailed intructions, and then added.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy
might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
(John 15: 11) The inference must be drawn that his
desire was that they should keep his commandments:
and that doing so faithfully, the joy would result.
Fulness of joy will be experienced when the members
of the bride class are united with the Bridegroom.
Before that joy in the superlative degree can be expe-
rienced, the child of God must learn obedience under
adverse conditions and, while learning, rejoice in the
experiences, having in mind the blessing that is to
follow. St. John expresses it in substance, that he must
keep the commandmentsof the Lord and do so with
a joyful heart.
The Scriptures seem to indicate dearly that it will
be impossible for any one to be admitted into the king-
domof our Lord and there experience pleasures for
evermore unless such rejoice in the experiences along
the way, even unto the end. Speaking of the house of
sons, St. Paul adds: "Whosehouse are we, if we hold
fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm
unto the end."
For one to grow in the likeness of our Lord he must
now appreciate that he has the greatest privilege ever
given to any creature, namely, that of suffering with
Christ in order that he might be ultimately glorified
with him. The return of the Bridegroom necessarily
will be hailed with joy by those whoare looking for him.
During the presence of the Lord the follower of Christ
necessarily would have joy in his presence and would
delight to make knownhis presence to others, particu-
larly to those whoare seeking after righteousness. As
he marks the kingdommajestically taking its place, he
will experience a calm delight and gladness of heart
even though there is turmoil and strife uponevery side.
tie will rejoice in the fact that he is on the Lord’s side
and has the full assurance that the Lord will bring him
tovictory and deliver from the hand of the oppressor
all whoseek righteousness. Hence the words of St. Paul
apply especially at the present time: "Rejoice in the
Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice .... The Lord is
at hand." It is love for the Lord that brings this joy;
and where one is filled with love he is filled with the
Lord’s spirit, and joy of necessity must result. It is the
outgrowth of that holy spirit. For this reason it is
observed that the true followers of Christ are the only
really happy persons nowon earth.
 SIMON PETER
- JULY 15 THE ~OSPELSAND ACTS
PETERDISCERNSTHATJESUS IS CHRIST--PETERNOTTHEFIRSTPOPE~--SACRIFICE LIFE ANDCRUCIFY
FLE’Jl:L
knowest that I love thee."--John 21: 27.
"Lord, thou k~nowest all th~ngs; thou

p ETER was the foremost of the twelve apostles

until the council at Jerusalem on the question of cir-
cumcision (Acts 15:6), was the leader of the early
and, PETER DISCERNS THAT JESUS IS CHRIST
5It was Peter who first perceived that Jesus was the
Christ, the Son of the living God; and of this Jesus said:
church. He was an unusual man with considerable executive "Blessed art thou, Simon BarJona: for flesh and blood hath
ability, and, with the exception of Paul, remains the most not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in
notable of the apostles. heaven." (Matthew 16: 17) This incident shows that Peter
2A fisherman of the sea of Galilee by occupation, he toiled was of ready mind, and was one of the quickest of the
with his brother Andrew in partnership with Zebedee and disciples. But Peter’s readiness of perception and impuls-
his sons James and John. Peter was introduced to Jesus iveness sometimes led him into mistakes. He would manage
by Andrew. Both were disciples of John the Baptist, and the Master’s affairs for him, as, when asked whether his
both were looking for the coming Messiah. As soon as Master paid tribute, he answered for Jesus without waiting
Andrew heard John’s declaration about Jesus he went for to enquire Jesus’ wish. Jesus geutly rebuked him for that,
Peter, probably to Bethsaida; and Peter promptly returned and sent him out to catch a fish in order that he might
with Andrew. Jesus and Peter were drawn to each other, have money to pay the tax for them both. And when on a
and the Master gave the disciple-to-be a new name. (John much more serious occasion, Jesus having told his disciples
1:40-42) Jesus’ first acquaintances after his consecration that be must be killed and be raised on Om third day,
were those disciples of John the Baptist who followed after Peter urged him not to allow it. It was then that the Lord
him to learn of him. John was to make ready a people for severely ~ehuked him, called him S~tan, said that he was
the Lord (Luke 1:17); and it was to be expected that an offence (~ hindrance) to him, and that Peter spoke this
Jesus would go so near to John as to enable John to point out of human wisdoui and not of God. (Matthew 16:23)
out Jesus to his disciples. Peter is next seen when Jesus, Peter in his impulsiveness and in his uneducated love
an the lakeside, pressed by a crowd, asked him for the loan wanted to have his Master saved from death, and unwit-
of his boat, out o~ which Jesus would speak to the people. tingly was serving Satan’s purpose. Satan had tried directly
As if to repay Peter for the little kindness our Lord b~lde to get Jesus to leave the narrow way ; now lie was tempting
him launch out for a draught of fishes. Peter doubtfully Jesus to the same end through a beloved apostle.
agreed. The fishes filled the nets until his boat and his 6It may be properly accepted that Jesus used Peter him-
partners’ seemed likely to sink. Peter perceived the Master’s self as he had used Peter’s boat; for much of what Is
greatness and his own littleness; and when Jesus said to recorded of Jesus’ sayings arise through Peter’s acts or
him that they should thenceforth follow him and he would questions. It was Peter who was ready to step out of the
make them fishers of men all four, Peter, Andrew, James, boat onto the water to go to Jesus, and who would say:
anll John, left their fishing to be disciples of Jesus, and to "Declare unto us the parable"; who said: "Thou art the
go with him in his ministry. Christ"; who rebuked the Lord; who said: "Let us make
3When, sometime later, Jesus after much prayer called three tabernacles"; who asked what they, the disciples,
out of the number who followed him twelve to be the were to get because, unlike the rich young man, they had
chtlsen apostles, Peter was the first mentioned; and in every left all to follow him; who asked about the cursed fig-tree,
enumeration of the apostles his name stands first. The and sought explanation about the end of the age. (Matthew
olher three names, those of his partners in labor and in the :14:28; 15:15; 16:16,22; 17:4,26; 19:27) It was through
hope of Israel, always follow; they are always the first Peter that the parable of the penny was spoken, and the
foul’. And this is not without cause; for Peter showed the course of the disciples respecting the forgiveness of sins
most character. He had the readiest mind, and was ever was shown.--Matthew 19 : 27 ; 20 : 1-16.
~uick to catch all that Jesus said. He was an impulsive, 7A consideration of these passages and of the teaching of
curious man, full of resource, and ready at all times to our Lord which rose out of theni reveals that Jesus used
serve his Master, of wlmm he was a warm lover. Our Peter and his personality very considerably, all of which
Golden Text records the declaration of his love, and there is proves that Peter was a learner, a good disciple, one whom
no doubt he spoke both sincerely and truly. Despite his a teacher would be ple’~sed to h’/ve near to him. Our Lord’s
failures, he remained ever the foremost member of the teaching may be said to have arisen out of circumstances
orl.ginal Twelve; and only his love fl)r l~is Master could and out of the questions which Peter’s words and actions
have enabled God to bless him so largely to the church as aroused rather than out lff a set plan to state trutli.
is recorded of him. 8Peter’s great mistake, the denial of his Master, arose out
4Of these four apostles three of them were special to of this same r,lther over-ready disposition. He had not gotten
Jesus. It was Peter, James, and John who were taken with the balance which only spirit-begettal could give, and his
him to the house of Jairus, and who therefore saw the readiness to give expression to the feelings of the moment
young daughter brought back to life; it was they whom he was too much for him in the hour of temptation. He sinned
chose to go with him to see himself transfigured. Peter grievously; but it was the bursting of a highly strung,
missed nothing on these occasions, but profited by them, imllulsive nature, entirely without malice, and was at the
though as a natural man (1Corinthians 2: 14) he couhl opposite pole of sin to that of the disciple who traitorously
not see their purport, nor did he restrain himself from sold his Master. The Lord in his own way and time took
giving expression to his natural tendencies. But on the last Peter back to himself.--John 21: 15-18.
occasion, when he and James and John had the special 9After Jesus’ resurrection Peter took a leading place
privilege of being with the Lord, both he and they missed amongst the waiting disciples; and on the day of Pentecost.
much. Jesus took them into Gethsemane with him; but filled with the holy spirit, he declared the truth respecting
Peter, who had vowed more than all the others, like them the Lord, and thus opened the kingdom of heaven to his
fell asleep; and the Master bore his morrow alone, people. He took the lead in the wonderful miracle of the
 BROOKLYN,
N.~o
WATCH TOWER
healing of the man crippled from birth, through which SACRIFICE LIFE AND CRUCIFY FLESH
miracle we get the first declaration of the times of restitu- ~speter entered deeply into his Master’s teaching. Two
tion which are to bring to men all those blessings foretold things he emphasizes in his firs[ epistle; (1) already noted,
by the prophets of God.--Acts 3:19-21. that the disciple enters with his Master into the sufferings
~°Peter’s natural boldness, now used of the holy st)irit, of the Christ, and (2) that the disciple must crucify the
made him a fine leader for the brethren; he v, as a tower of lusts of the flesh. Here are the two phases of dying which
strength to them, and was exactly suited to the needs of
the Christian must experience : He dies sacrificially, placing
the church, which did not then re~luire doctrine, but a his justified humanity into the high priest’s hands, and his
leader and a spokesman, one who would tell the rulers of
life is consumed in sacrifice (Romans12 : 1 ; 1 Peter 2 : 5)
the people that God must be obeyed rather thnn men, "rod
and be crucifies the flesh, the old man, with the lusts
in so doing show that the rulers did not represent God. thereof. (1Peter 4:1,2; Romans 6:8; Galatians 5:24)
(Acts 5:27) Such boldness and the coinage of faith are
Henceforth the disciple lives a new creature in Christ
always .,..leasing to the Lord Jesus, no longer under Satan’s control nor dominion.
~Peter was used of the l.qrd to open the kingdom to the
gentiles. He was sent to Ca’saree to Cornelius, and his testi- *gThe authenticity of Peter’s second epistle has been
disputed. It is the kind of writing which would be dispmed
mony is that the holy spirit fell on that little company "as
on us at the beginning."--Acts 11 : 15. by a false and hypocritical church. Mere professors of
12The vision on the roof of Simon the tanner’s house at religion, whether in the days of Jesus of Nazareth or in
Joppa, when the Lord showed Peter that the gentiles were these days, or indeed at any time, do not wish to hear of
not common nor unclean, was symbolic as to place as well the disruption of the order of things by which they live,
as in meaning. Peter would look over the great western nor to hm~r of the forcible establishment of a rule of
sea, and his thoughts either then or later wouhl tell him righteousness. Peter’s words (2Peter 3: 3,4) are very ap-
of the great western world out of whose peoples God would propriate to these days, when the Lord’s second presence
gather his church.--Acts 15: 15. is announced. The scoffers know they should expect his
return; for there can be no question that Jesus, whomthey
PETER NOT THE FIRST POPE profess to serve and represent, said that he would return.
But they deny an actual return or an assumption of power
~aAfter the conference in Jerusalem Peter is not in such
by him. And they are willingly ignorant (2Peter 3: 5)
prominence in the church as before that event. Paul now
occupies the attention of the writer of the Acts of the the message given out by the Lord’s faithful servants, and
Apostles, and comes into the place for which he had been of the even ominous signs which tell of the Presence. They
called ; he is the Apostle of the Gentiles, the uncircumcision, are evolutionists, and do not expect a kingdom to come by
while to Peter was given "the apostleship of the circum- a cataclysm. If they are reminded that God did once
cision." (Galatians 2:7,8) It seems evident that Peter destroy a world-order by a flood, they will deny the fact;
traveled considerably, but there are no certain Scriptural or, if they admit the fact, they will deny that the flood was
grounds for thinking that he traveled to Corinth and Rome, intended for any such purpose as the Scriptures say.
as some think, and as Papacy holds. 2OThe Word of God was spoken directly when the heavens
~4There seems no good reason for thinking that the Bab- and earth were formed. In later days the Word came by
ylon from whence the first epistle was sent was other than the holy spirit through holy men of old, and then by the
the city on the Euphrates. (1Peter 5:13) Peter’s two apostles. (2Peter 1:1-3) The present order of things
epistles are general, and are written to the Christians dis- being broken up by the Word of God. (Revelation 19) But
persed throughout the world. They are examples of mod- the Word operates among men by the Lord’s army on earth,
esty. He knew that the Lord had not raised him up to be the faithful body members. These carry the word of truth
the teacher of the church, but he had a practical knowledge in their hearts and in their hands, and great is the need
of the grace of God and his purpose in the church, and he for boldness and courage in the fight. It is not given to
would exhort the brethren. He writes to "stir up your every one to have the qualities of Peter, but all can have
pure minds by way of remembrance" rather than as an his earnestness for the Master’s cause, and only such as
instructor. (2Peter 3:1) He made no attempt to become thus share may expect to share in blessings to come.
a leader of thought nor to shine, but rather to be a true
shepherd of the sheep and to feed the lambs of his Master’s
flock, even as the Lord had bidden him when he restored QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
him to his place.~John 21: 15-18. Whowas the foremost of the original twelve apostles? ¶ 1.
XJBoth epistles are full of loving exhortation such as a Prior to this, what was Peter doing, and whowere his companions?
~Vhat was the curcumstanee of Peter’s meeting Jesus? Whywa~
pastor would have for his flock. He has learned much and his name changed? In what way did Jesus remunerate Peter for
would pass on his experience. Once he thought that Jesus the loan of his boat? ¶ 2.
Why was Peter always named first? What were some of his char-
had fulfilled all the sufferings of the Anointed (Acts 3 : 18) acteristics? ¶ 3.
now he knows that the disciples share with their Master What were some of the notable occasions on which Peter was with
Jesus? ¶ 4.
and fill up that which is lacking of the sufferings of Christ. Whofirst recognized Jesus as Christ? Is "impulsiveness" always
--1 Peter 2 : 20 ; 4 : 13. right? What is meant whenJesus referred to Peter as Satan? ¶ 5.
Howdid Jesus make use of Peter as he did of his boat? ¶ 6.
~°Peter was a great Bible student. It was he who, sum- Did Jesus use the circumstances surrounding Peter to teach the
marizing the messages of Israel’s prophets, gave the church truth, or did he have a set plan of procedure? ¶ 7.
Whatextenuating circumstances are there for Peter’s denial of the
the one clear definite word about the times of restitution Master? What good thing did the Lord do for Peter in the over-
(Acts 3:19-21) ; and tt is Peter who shows so clearly that ruling of the mistake? What trait of character is made to shine
out ? ¶ S.
as the heavens and earth were made and have been pre- What leading role did Peter have after the resurrection of ;Tesust
served by the Word of God, they are now by the same Word ¶9.
Howdid Goduse the boldness of Peter after Pentecost? ¶ 10.
to be replaced by the new heavens and earth.--2 Pet. 3 : 5, 13. Howwas the message brought to the Gentiles? Howwas Peter
~TPeter was a very loving man, and evidently very lovable. prepared for it? ¶ 11, 12.
WasPeter the apostle to the circumcision or uncircumeision? Was
But he had no smooth words for those who had known the Peter the first pope? ¶ 13.
way of life and had turned from it, nor had he any charity Is it likely that Peter went to Babylon rather than Rome?¶ 14.
To ~hom were Peter’s epistles addressed? And what was tho
towards those who lead God’s sheep astray.~2 Pet. 2 : 21, 22. object? ¶ 14gt~i.

¯ WATCH TOWER
Whois the author of Acts 3 : 19-23, and does it show studiousness
on the part of the author? ¶ 16.
Showtwo sides of Peter’s character. Are these consistent? ¶ 17,
Whattwo things did Peter show to he the teachings of Chris-
tianlty? ¶ 18.
18"/
Whyis Peter’s second eplstlo scoffed at? Can evolutionists believe
that a better social order maycome through world disaster? ¶ 19.
What are the agencies used of God in announcing a new heave~l
and a new earth? ¶ 20.

JOHN THE APOSTLE

JULY 22 THE NEW TESTAMENT ’
JOHNSELECTED
BECAUSEOF HIS ZEAL--J OHNTEACIIES THATJESUS IS GOD’S SON--JOHNBANISHEDTO PATMOS*--CH]~IST’S
REVELATIONGIVEN TO JOHN.
"God is love; and he that abi~leth in love abidetk ix God, and God in him."--I John 4:16.

T HOUGHthe apostle John does not shine the brightest

amen.st the company of the apostles, yet it is probably
true that when the Lord’s people speak of the apostles
want to go away from their
develop a formal holiness.
tempt the Lord’s disciples
fellow men that they might
Satan has ever been alert to
to a simulated holiness to be
his name is the one most frequent on the lips. Of many of gained by seclusion and the adoption of a formalism of
the disciples we know very little; of those of whom we deportment. Some who have been brought into touch with the
know more it is not because much is said of them, but holiest things of truth have been deluded by him into think-
because in their association with their Master, and in their ing that all Jesus wanted, or tlmt he now wants, Is that his
service for him after his resurrection, light is reflected disciples be clean in heart, spending their time meditating
upon them. Their delight was to speak and write of him, upon holy things and attuning themselves to the will of
not of themselves. Of that wonderful company of men, our God. These do not cast out the demons of untruth, nor
Lord and his apostles, who traveled about Palestine, next help to break down the kingdom of error. None of the
to the loving union between Jesus and John, John and Peter Lord’s spirit-begotten scrv’mts would desire to stop any
are seen to be the closest in fellowship. It is not specially work done in the Master’s name; but now when the Lord
related that Peter loved John as it is of Jesus; but it is is present leading and directing his people, he who is not
evident that John was truly loved by the warmqmarted, with him is not a harvest gatherer but is a scatterer. (Luke
impulsive Peter, and that a close bond united them. 11:23) And true holiness, which is harmony with the will
2In natural characteristics Peter and John were almost of God, can be developed only in doing God’s work, m~der
opposites. Peter impetuous, impulsive, but always desirous the direction of the King.
of learning, would be drawn to John by the younger nmn’s 5Our Lord shows by his selection of these men that he
gentleness and better education. Their association began wants the meditative mind which yet Is active to see and
on the sea of Galilee. John and James, the two sons of do his will, and which will seize every opportunity of
Zebedee, were fishermen ; and Peter and Andrew were part- advancing the interests of the kingdom of heaven. In the
ners with them. (Luke 5:7) Apparently John had a home company of the apostles, each differed from the other, and
In Jerusalem; perhaps he found it necessary to go there each had a special characteristic prominent. John was bold
frequently because much of the fish they caught was sold when occasion demanded, as all the Lord’s people must be ;
there. He tells us that he was known to the high priest. yet boldness and courage were not notable features of his
(John 18:15) Beyond the fact that he and his brother character. He was not like Peter, who by nature was of a
James were as ready as Peter and Andrew to learn what bold disposition, nor like Paul, who had something of the
God had to say through John the Baptist, and as ready to courage and fortitude of a pioneer.
listen to Jesus, and that later John was as ready to leave 6Whatever disposition John had by nature, it is evident
the fishing business and his father’s home as the others that while retaining decisiveness he developed a deep spirit
were, we know little of his life and training. of love, and an ever deepening devotion to his Master. Of
SJohn is usually considered as being of a very mild and the three specially chosen by Jesus to be with him--James
gentle disposition, and probably when matured he was that; and Peter and John--John was the nearest. At the last
but he had another side of character not generally discerned. supper John sat next to Jesus, and leaned on his bosom.
It was John and James who wanted Jesus to call fire down Taking advantage of this known intimacy Peter, ever curious
from heaven to consume the Samaritans who were unkindly and alert, beckoned to John that he should ask the Master
disposed towards him. (Luke 9: 54) Jesus himself called who it was that should betray him; and Jesus indicated
them Boanerges, or sons of thunder. Gentle John could roar the betrayer by giving Judas the sop. It was to John that
on occasion. The incident just referred to, and the one related Jesus, when dying, committed his mother. Jesus wanted
with it of John’s stopping a man from casting out demons his mother cared for; and it was because of John’s nature
in the Lord’s name (Luke 9:49) because he was not fol- and his love that Jesus thus gave his beloved mother to the
lowing in the company with them, show that John had a care of his loved disciple, in whom she would in some
watchful and careful disposition, and a very definite atti- measure find a son who would take Jesus’ place. John
tude towards those who in any way seemed to go contrary would delight in this service for his beloved leader. Hence-
to his dear Master’s interests. forth Mary lived with John in Jerusalem (John 19: 25-27),
and John would help her "into the truth" about her dear son.
JOHN SELECTED BECAUSE OF HIS ZEAL ~Not n great deal is said in the Acts of the Apostles about
~0ur Lord wanted men such as these. He wanted with John’s labors. IIe was with Peter when the noted cripple
him in his mission those who could face the facts of life was cured at the temple gate, and Peter and he were sent
In Israel, and who after he had gone would take up his by the other apostles to Samaria to confirm some converts.
work and be faithful to it. He was not seeking men of such (Acts 8: 14) But we are certain that such one as he could
mild disposition, and of such trend of thought, as would not be other than active in the service of his risen Lord;
 ,m WATCH TOWER
and thst he was constantly developing wisdom and grace,
those qualities of heart and mind which were to be used
so greatly in the service of the church.
SBesides the afore-mentioned references John is not again
spoken of in the Acts of the Apostles, except incidentally
wimn it is recorded lhat Herod killed James, his brother.
(Acts 12 : 2) It seems certain that John stayed in Jerusalem
all through the early days of the church, lmrtly to look
after the mother of Jesus, and to minister to the saints there.
JOHN TEACHES THAT JESUS IS GOD’S SON
9John’s gospel was the last written, though it might have
been expected that he would have given the church one of
the earliest of the records of his Master’s life and ministry.
The Lord through the holy spirit moved John to write the
necessary complement to the three gospels already written,
in order that the church of God might have all the records
necessary to its life and labors in carrying on the witness
which Jesus lef~ for his followers to give. (Acts 1: 1-8)
Each of the three gospels--Matthew, Mark, and Luke--gives
a partially detailed record of Jesus’ ministry. John’s pur-
pose was to give neither a detailed account nor a summary
of Jesus’ words and teaching, but to set in emphasis certain
miracles, some of which are not mentioned by the other
writers, and certain discourses not otherwise recorded.
~Ogohn’s particular intention was to set forth his Master
as the Son of God, the revelation of the Father, full of
grace and truth (John 1:14), so that it could be said that
he who sees the grace which is in Jesus sees the Father,
the God of all grace who sent him. God had sent his Son
to tell of himself and to manifest him among men. (John
14: 9) The wise men of theology say that John wrote his
gospel to prove that Jesus was God himself, even though
John says he wrote it to tell that Jesus was the Sou of God,
and that in him was life. (John 20: 31) John shows Jesus
not so much as one who has the power of heaven to work
miracles, or who is the one spoken of by the prophets and
who, therefore, in his ministry fulfils the prophecies; but
as the one who is the link between the life of God and
men. He is the life, as well as the way to it; truth is in
him, as well as that he is its declarer. (John 14: 6) He who
receives Jesus receives God, who sent him. The Jews be-
lieved that God was their God, and in a measure they were
right; but they did not receive Jesus, and therefore were
out of harmony with his Father, who had sent him.
n John in his gospel shows more clearly than any of the
ethers why Jesus gathered a little company of apostles.
These were not only ministers of truth; they and the church
which they represented were to be t~,e depository of truth,
holding it for the Lord; and they also were to be joined
witl, him in the ministry which the Father had given to
him. It is therefore in ,John’s gospel we find the most inti-
mate account of what happened in the upper room on the
night the Lord kept the last Passover with his disciples.
Jesus’ talks with them on his going away, of the coming of
the holy spirit, of their entrance with him into the holy
things of God, and of his return--this, tile more meditative
er inner aspect of our Lord’s ministry, seems fittingly found
in the record of John, who earliest entered into the inner
life revealed in Jesus. John was used to complete the New
Testament writings. Paul, the great teacher of the church,
and the setter forth of the doctrines of Christ, was used
most to the edification of the church. Peter and James deal
with what may be called the pr.lctical side of the Christian
life, while John deals particularly with the heart union with
the Master and witl~ the Father in heaven. Manifestly each
of these phases is necessary to a full development of life
and service.
B~oo~n~N,N. Yo
JOHN BANISHED TO PATMOS
~’qt seems evident that John lived to a considerable age.
Of the most noted "lpostles James was the first to go, mur-
(lered by Ilerod; then, considerably later, Paul followed;
and Peter suffered unto death a few years after Paul.
Probably both were slain by Nero. It is recorded that John
removed from Jerusalem to Ephesus and lived there for a
considerable time. serving lhose churches mentioned in the
early chapters of l~(’velalion, the seven churches in Asia.
From there, and because ()f his fidelity to the truth and his
M’lster, he was banished to the Isle of Palmos, where "hy
his servant John" Jesus gave the church the revelation
which had been given to him hy his Father.--Revelation 1 : 1.
~aof the disciples of Jesus none could appreciate lhe
gentleness, and sweetness, and hallowed mellowness of the
Lord’s character so much as he. "We behehl him," he sqys
of his Master, "full of grace and truth" (John 1: 14), the
life that had been with the Father so full of glory mani-
fested in him. In his First Epistle, writing of the manifesta-
tion of Jesus, ,John almost seems "is if he would tell that it
had been a pleasure to him, not only to look upon, but to
put his hands upon and caress his dear Master. (1John
1: 1) That John was gentle all his writings show. He
writes very tenderly to the little children, and to the young
men, and to the fathers’ m:ging them to folh)w their Master.
But he had no love to spare for those who were not wholly
true to the Lord’s message and work.
*qt is John who tells us that Jesus’ mission to men was
because "God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16) But in his
First Epistle, in a passage tile purport of which is often
missed because John is long in introducing it, he bids all,
the young men and the fathers, to "love not the world.
neither the things in the world. If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him." (1John 2:15) This
injunction is as necessary for the church today as then.
~JThe follower of Christ is always tempted by Satan to
wrong views concerning the world and sin. Because God
has manifested his love for the world of men and his pur-
poses of salvation through Christ, Satan tempts the Lord’s
people to love the present evil organization, and to hold no
sentiments but those which are called love, but which so
frequently are but mistaken, and often harmful, sympathy.
John even bids the Lord’s people give no hospitali(y to those
who are not true to the things which have been revealed.
~6It was evidently such a character as John’s that could
best be used by the Lord to convey the last message he had
for the church. Peter was specially set apart to be the
apostle for the circumcision; and Paul to go to the uncir-
cumcislon, preaching tile gospel of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. To Paul to enable him to do his work were
given a number of visions "more than to all the other
apostles." (2Corinthians 12: 7) But John had the special
privilege of seeing in symbol and in vision the things which
were to happen from that day until the Lord’s retrain.
CHRIST’S REVELATION GIVEN TO JOHN
*;To John Jesus gave tile Apocalypse. First he saw the
l,,,rd ~ts a high priest ministering in his church. (Revela-
tion 1 : 13) Then messages were given to him which, as we
now know, concerned the church throughout the age, and
which are on record chiefly to tell the church of this day
of the things that have happened during the age---what
messages of truth have gone forth. These were not given
specially to be understood by the churches which passed
through the various stages of experience but, while serving
a purpose, were intended for us who are living at the end
of the age, that we might the better understand what oug
 1o3 WATCH
Lord has been doing since he was here upon earth, and
that we might be the more positive about our own place.
lSThen John saw many visions of the glory of God, of the
exaltation of the once slain Lamb, of tile rise of a false
church, of the conflict in heaven between evil and righteous-
hess, of the marvelous events which should take place at
the end of the age, of the downfall of evil, and the last
great conflict on earth when the Word of God would come
with the armies of heaven to fight with, slay, and render
powerless, every opponent of ri/hteousness. John saw also
the glorious vision of the heavenly governnlent and all the
earth blessed by it.
19&lthough the Apocalypse was not the last 01~ J(,hn’s
writings, it is evident that the Lord intended it shouhl close
the sacred writings. It is beautifully fitting that the last
chapters of the Bible shouhl show so close a connection
with its first chapters. Once again heaven and earth, and
God, and his human family, are at one. The river of the
water of life again flows; and the tree of life gives its
:rail, with its leaves for lhe healing of the nations. Death
has been rendered powerless, the curse is gone, and the
bitterness of tile past is wiped away.--Itevelation 22:1-5.
~OJohn’s gospel is in some measure paralleled by the light
of today. The truth of the second advent is being seen in a
clearer light than before (Revelation 18: 1), and the Lord
seems again to say to some who have heard tile truth, but
who feel the pinch of its call, Will ye also go away? John
did not answer the Master’s question as readily as Peter
did; but he was as true as Peter was then, and more con-
sistent. Well for all who can answer this second time of
the Lord’s presence: "We know that the Son of God is
MATTHEW THE PUBLICAN
--5~’LY 29-----T~E
I~ATTHEW" ~[AKES A FEAST~XfATTIcr~w ENDEAVORS TO HELP
EMBRYO’--~IATTHEW
I am not come to call the righteous
M ATTHEWhas a place of honor in the New Testament.
Tile Gospel according to Matthew is its first
The writers of the New Testament do not make a
book.
practice of relating personal matters concerning themselves
or of others who were called to the service of Jesus; even
as of Jesus himself only such personal things are related
as are necessary to the holy spirit’s purpose. Little is said
about Matthew, but sufficient is revealed to give him a place
amongst the great men of the New Testament. 5Iatthe~v
was a publican; that is, a tax-gatherer, one of those men
who throughout the empire were hated or despised,
who were specially so in Palestine because the tax repre-
sented the hated Roman yoke. As only those who had
courage or greed would take this detested office, it follows
that any one who held it was a man of character. As the
tax was enforced by the Roman power, there was nothing
wrong in a Jew’s earning his livelihood by collecting
There were indeed many opportunities for extortion,
not every tax-gatherer was an extortioner; Matthew had
no wrongs to put right when Jesus called him. The Phari-
sees derided and despised the publicans, but they themselves
admitted their obligation to C~esar.--Matthew 22 : 17-21.
2Matthew, who is also called Levi (Mark 2:14), was
Stationed at Capernaum, where travelers from the north
were taxed as they entered the dominion of the Herods, and
where the citizens o£ the busy little cities o£ the Galileau
TOWER ls’
come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may
know him that is true : and we are in him that Is true, even
in his Son Jesus Christ."--lJohn 5:20.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Why do we not know more about the apostles? Wlmmdid 3esl~s
love particularly, and ~hy? ¶ l.
Who was John’s companion? Were John and he ready to leave the
fishing busiaes.~? $ 2.
Give someidea of tl~e character of John. Washe always gentle? ¶ 3.
Whydid Jesus select a man of John’s type? Itow do Satan’s art.-
beguile? Howis true holiness developed? ¶ 4.
Howdid John’s disposition ,-lifter from Peter’s? From Paul’s? ¶ 5.
Whichof the apostles was the closest to Jesuu in s.vmpatiletie heart
quality? To whomdid Jesus commit his mother, and why? ¶ 6.
Is a servant of the Lord always in prominent positions? Whore
did John probably stay? What did he dot ¶ 7, S.
Was John’s gospel the first or the last written? What tmportanl
place does John’s gospel fill? ¶ 9.
What specific truth does John’s message convey, which is genera~y
denied? Johu shows there is a link bet~een God and man;
what is it? ¶ 10.
Why did Jesus gather the company of apostles? What did Paul
set forth as his contribution to the church? Peter and James?
John? ¶ 11.
"Whither did J’ohn re,hoVe from Jerusalem, and what did he then
do? Why was he banished to Patrons, and what took place
there? ¶ 12.
Whoundoubtedly appreciated and entere~l into the tenderness el
Jesus more than any other disciple, and why? ¶ 13.
What injunction of John’s is as necc.s.~ary today as when given?
¶ 14.
Howdoes Satan try to induce Christians to love the world and
its ways? ¶ 15.
Was John specially favored in getting a panoramic symbolic view
of the church’s history from his day to now? ¶ 16.
Is the Apocalypse for the chur(.h today? Howdoes it help us to
be more positive in out" ownplace and service? ¶ 17, 18.
What beautlful and satisfactory lesson comes to us in the Boor
of Revelation? ¶ 19.
Dowe confidently beheve that Jesus has come the second time, and
are we enthused over the understanding of his presence? ¶ 20.
GOSPELS--
THE JEWS--JESUS BfAGN[FIES THE LAW--KINGD0~f CO~[ES ]I~
RECORDS A GREAT MESSAGE
but ~inners."~Luke 5: 32.
lake district went to pay their taxes. His call seems sudden.
Jesus saw him s.ltting at the receipt of the custom and said :
"Follow me." Matthew’s response seems as sudden: "He
arose and followed him." (Matthew 9: 9) Probably there
nothing really sudden in the realm of either nature or
grace; always there are previous movements which lead up
to the crisis. This must lie supposed in this case. It is
impossible to thinl; that Jesus was suddenly struck with
Matthew and decided to call him; or that Matthew, know-
ing nothing of Jesus, as suddenly determined to respond to
but the call. We mnst suppose that they had met previously;
that our Lord knew something of Matthew, and knew him
to be worthy of a place amongst the Twelve. Later events
demonstrate that Matthew was a diligent student of the
sacred writings; his mind was well charged with Scripture.
It would not be proi)er to suppose that Matthew rose at
it. once from his seat, leaving his money and records and
but responsibilities just as they were when Jesus spoke, tIad
he done so, it would have proved some unbalance Of mind
and an unfitness to be a companion and apostle of Jesus.
MATTHEW MAKES A FEAST
aBefore leaving, Matthew made a great feast, to which
he invited his friends and acquaintances. He must have had
a large house of his own; for Mark tells that the feast was
in Matthew’s own house. (Mark 2: 15) This brief account
 The WATCH TOWER Y.
reveals much. It shows that Matthew had decision, thought- 7Matthew shows first that Jesus was of the royal line cf
fulness, courage, and energy, and tact also; for to give the David. True, the descent is reckoned as to his reputed
witness through a feast would be the very best way of father Joseph; but Jesus inherited whatever legal rights
getting at the ones whom he wished to know why he took Joseph possessed. Matthew also shows that Jesus is there-
this unusual course. His devotion to God is apparent; he fore of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh. Jesus
preferred to have the privilege of serving the God of Israel was the last member of David’s royal line of whom we
in the comparative hardship of a disciple’s life rather than know: probably it ended in him. Then is shown that this
to accumulate wealth and to continue to live in comfort. messenger of God had a forerunner as promised (Matthew
He was a true son of Israel, even though a tax-gatherer. 3) ; one arranged by God, who spoke before the real mes-
41~Iatthew’s conversion from Judaism, and Zaccheus’ ready senger was known in order to show that there was nothing
acceptance of Jesus when he understood, show why our pre~arranged by man. Both announced the approach of the
Lord gave considerable attention to these men. Considered kingdom of heaven.
by the Pharisees and scribes as very low in the social and SAfter telling of the commencement of the evangel, the
moral scale, they were better in heart than those superior proclamation of the good news of the kingdom, l~Iatthew
persons; and, evidently, many had a good knowledge of records a discourse by Jesus which is known to all his fol-
their Scriptures. "Many of the publicans drew nigh to hear lowers and to others as The Sermon on the Mount.
him," and they heard understandingly. {Luke 15: 1) No
doubt they were made all the readier to listen to the JESUS MAGNIFIES THE LAW
kindly truths of our Lord’s evangel because of the derision 9There are three outstanding features in Matthew’s gos-
and contempt of the Pharisees and the priests. By taking pel: The Sermon on the Mount, in chapters 5 to 7; the
Matthew, a well-known publican, to be with him in his parables of the kingdom collected and given in the 1,gtb
immediate company, Jesus would positively prejudice his chapter; and the record of our Lord’s great prophecy,
case in the eyes of the leaders in Israel. They would given in the 24th and 25th chapters. AS Matthew was
despise him for it, as they despised the publicans. But writing for Jesus, lm desired to show his people that Jesus,
Jesus was not out to please them. He would do that which though e~tablishing a new order, had not come to destroy
he saw was right without regard to their judgment; and it the law, but to magnify it and make it honorable. (Mattbew
is certain that by this action he helped many of Matthew’s 5:17,18; Isaiah 42:21) Whether or not the Lord simke
class to pay attention to hls message. Besides, as our Lord the whole of the matter recorded in chapters 5, 6, ~ on ~:he
foresaw, Matthew was just such a one as he desired upon one occasion, it is evident that the purport of these sayings
whom to build his church. and their records is to lift the minds of men beyond the
~Matthew, the man of affairs, dropped into a quiet place traditions of the Jewish Rabbis to the writings of Moses,
of service in following Jesus; but that he was a ready and even beyond Moses to the will of God as expressed in
learner we know from his gospel. In the enumeration of the original perfection of mankind in Eden.
u~e apostles, he ,s always amorgst the seconu four. The ~OMoses, because of certain weaknesses in the flesh, had
critics have decided that the gospel by Mark was the perforce to legislate on a lower scale than the requirements
earliest written. Obsessed with the idea that a long record of God demanded. (Matthew 29:3-9) Now Jesus raises the
must follow and be an elaboration of a shorter one, they Law to the standard of the will of God. (Matthew 5 : 20, 21,
presume that Matthew took Mark’s gospel and added to it. 27, 28, 43,48) The Law has made no provision for forgive-
But there is no reason why the critics slmuld be taken as ness, but now it is shown that this gracious disposition
guides; they have no exclnsive information, and most of forms a necessary part of a true character; for unless one
them are strangers to the spirit of the Word. Their conclu- forgives he cannot be forgiven by God. (Matthew 6:12-15)
sions are to be received with suspicion; for their ideas of In times past God had promised Israel blessings of food
truth are perverted, while their wisdom, being that of men, and care as they kept his Law; now these are promised to
is out of lmrmony with God. To us it seems probahle that those who seek the interests of the kingdom of God and its
Mark took Matthew’s account rather than the contrary. righteousness. (Matthew 6: 33) The kingdom of heaven,
Mark would act sensibly if he did so; for Matlhew was which was now preached, could not be gained save by seek-
constantly with the Lord as an apostle, and Mark was not. ing the will of God. Natural birth, no matter how pure,
would not give entrance; it would be gained only by the
MATTHEW ENDEAVORS TO HELP THE JEWS true-hearted who followed the teaching of Jesus. This was
6Matthew’s account of the mission of Jesus was evidently entering in at the strait gut,, ; it meant consecration to God.
written to show to his brethren of Israel that Jesus was nThe Sermon on the Mount may be taken as the law of
the one whom they had long expected and hoped for. It is the new creation. Christendom has taken it and has pro-
an appeal to those who looked for the salvation of Israel to fessed to set it as its standard. But while professing to be
consider the life and work of Jesus in the light of the above the Jews Christendom has really been below the
prophecies. Hence Matthew quotes extensively from the standard of Israel, the law of Sinai; and much less has it
Old Testament. There are over sixty quotations in his risen to the standard of the Sermon on the Mount. When
gospel, all with reference to Jesus as fulfilling prophecy. Christendom’s day of judgment came in 1914-1918, it miser-
To the tmle son of Israel those facts would be weighty. ably failed. It acknowledged that it could not love its
But the holy spirit under whose guidance Matthew wrote enemies. In many cases there was an open confession that
n’td a greater purpose than Matthew understood. Matthew’s it could not live up to this law, and some clergy called for
gospel provided, and still provides, food and gnHdance for a recognized moratorium--for the duration of the war. The
the church, the Israel of God. Indeed, largely by Matthew’s leaders of Christendom had not the courage to declare that
gospel the feet members of the body of Christ, the last the sermon was held in suspension while the fires of hatred
members on earth, are being guided into the counsels of could be heated; but in practice they suspended its opera-
God, and are being directed in their labors. "For all things tion. Even now the clergy have not the courage (nor the
are for your sakes," "upon whom the ends of the ages are desire, we fear) to declare that it should be the rule or
come." (2 Corinthians 4 : 15 ; 1 Corinthians 10 : 11) It is standard of Christian living, and to make it so in reality.
who tells that at the end "this gospel of the kingdom shall None but those for whom it was intended, the truly conse-
be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations." crated, can take it as a standard, or desire to do so.
 191
WATCH TOWER
KINGDOM COMES IN EMBRYO has it been a unity), seeks to live altogether under the
12After giving some account of Jesus’ ministry of healing control of its Head. It knows the day of its exaltation to
and of his teaching in Galilee, in a long chapter Matthew power is after its change from mortality to immortality.
brings together seven parables spoken by Jesus concerning --1 Corinthians 15 : 53.
the kingdom of heaven. Taught by his Master, he had 17The last outstanding feature of Matthew’s gospel is the
learned that which had puzzled John the Baptist; namely, great prophecy given on the Mount of Olives, which is
that a preliminary phase of the kingdom was to pass recorded in chapters °-4 and 25, and which concerns the
before it could be set up in regal power. This was a puzzle Lord’s return. Here is set forth the days of tribulation
to Israel, who knew nothing of that phase; the kingdom in which were to come upon all the earth. The truth of the
power and glory was all they knew of, but once seen there gospel was to be preached among men; and a condition
eouhl be no further question about it. The kingdom began would arise in the nations comparable to that then existing
with Jesus, who proved that he lived in a realm of right- in Israel--much profession of religion, and almost none in
eousness, and could resist Satan and all temptation. His reality. The then threatening destruction of Jerusalem was
resurrection with subsequent and consequent ministry in a dreadful thing, but it was small in comparison with that
heaven for his followers was a denmnstration that the which should come on all the earth, and which would be so
kingdom of heaven was exerling itself in power; for his terrible that unless these days of trouble were cut short
consecrated followers were transferred from the power of no flesh could be saved. (Matthew 24: 21, 22) But the King
Satan to the kingdom of God’s dear Son.--Matthew 12:28; wouhl intervene, and the kingdom would come with all its
Colossians 1 : ] a. blessings.
*aThe preliminary phase of the kingdom was to suffer at *sWithout doubt Matthew’s gospel was greatly used of the
the bands of violent men, and only those who proved them- Lord to help his people Israel into the truth about Jesus.
selves worthy were ultimately to share its glory. And the It was a great privilege that Matthew enjoyed; but it
kingdom ilself was to suffer violence (Matthew i1: 12); ~hould be realized that his ability to serve came through
evil shouhl apparently gain the mastery. This was shown diligent study. He combined a careful reading of the
in these seven parables: (1) The sower of truth, our Lord, Scriptures with carefulness in his business; for already
would apparently lose much grain; (2) the field wherein when Jesus called him his mind was well filled with a
truth was sown would be sown over by an enemy and the knowledge of the Scriptures. God uses those who by dili-
crop app~lrently damaged; (3) the small mustard seed gent use of their privileges have prepared themselves for
truth would be developed into "m abnormal growth, into a his service; and many like Matthew have done this without
tree whose branches would harbor the birds of the air, the any thought of being of special service to others, but out
agents of Satan, the prince of the power of the air (Ephe- of a pure desire to know and honor God, who has said:
sians 2: 2); (4) the leaven of error wouhl be inserted "Them that honor me I will honor."--1 Samuel 2:30.
the food of the church; (5) he who would gain the prize
of the kingdom must seek it as Jesus did, by selling all he
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
has; and ((;I as a man seeks pearls; (7) that at
there would be a great gathering with the net of the king- Who wrote the first book of the New Testament? Is there any
dora, but many would be cast out to destruction. evidence that he was a man of character? Is it wrong to be a
tax-gatherer ? ¶ 1.
~4The sons of Israel who saw these things entered into Were Matthew’s call and response sudden? Did he leave his earthly
light even as we, the church of this day, who have been business at once? Is it reasonable to think that Jesus and
privileged to see the plan enter thereby into light--"the Matthew had previously met? ¶ 2.
What are some of Matthew’s characteristics? What was the object
truth." They began to discern what kind of ministry must in making a feast? While Matthew chose the harder part. did
be used to gain the desired end--that it must be a quiet he choose the better part? ¶ 3.
Do derision and contempt spur the true at heart on to further
yet persistent insistence on the fact that God was now zeal? Did Jesus help his cause in the eyes of the leaders by
gathering a spiritual Israel; and that these were to be his clmosing a publican? ¶ 4.
Did Matthew gracefully drop into a quiet place? Was he evidently
Messiah when the time came for the establishment of the a great student? ¶ 5.
kingdom which should rule, not only in the hearts of his How many timc~ does Matthew quote from the Old Testament?
What was the purpose? Has Matthew’s gospel been food for
disciples in the reahn of grace but, under the whole heaven. God’s people throughout the age? ¶ 6.
--Matthew 12 : 18-20 ; Daniel 7 : 27. Was Jesus of the royal line of David? Ho*V did God show that
Jesus’ coming was not pre-arranged by man? ¶ 7.
~aMatthew saw clearly that the church was the place Whatare the three outstanding features of Matthew’sgospel ? ¶ S, 9
wherein the rule of Christ wouhl Iirst be outwardly exer- How did Matthew show that Jesus magnified the Law? Wan there
any provision in the Law for forgiveness? What is meant by
cised; and in his gospel rather than in the others the order "entering in at the strait gate"? ¶ 10.
and discipline of the church is stated.--Matthew 18:15-19. The Sermon on the Mount may be said to be what? How (lid the
leaders of Christendom suspend its operation to themselves? ¶ 11.
In what way" has the kingdom of heaven been in operation? IIas
MATTHEW RECORDS A GREAT MESSAGE the kingdom in regal power come yet? ¶ 12.
What is the sevenfold manner in which the ombryofic kingdom
~GAfalse church lent itself to Satan, who organized it, suffers violence? ¶ 13.
5lust a person have light to discern a spiritual Israel? Where is
simulating the true church. This false church has claimed order and discipline of the church set forth by Jesus? ¶ 14, 15.
to rule over men, and has pretended to be the kingdom of IIas the false church simulated the true; and how? When is the
regal power to be given to the true church? ¶ 16, 11.
heaven on earth. But the true church, able to exercise its What are someof the things set forth in the Lord’s great prophecy
authority only in the early days of purity and in these last of Matthew24? Andis there some comfort set forth therein? ¶ 17.
What is the secret of Matthew’s being used to such a great extent?
days of the Lord’s presence (because only then and now And wan his service one of great honor?

THY WILL BE DONE

Thy will be done. Oh, what a state Thy will be done. Yes, God’s own will,
Of meek submission this implies Without a tlmught of ours that err,
That, disappointed, still can wait That we, though often crossed, can stiU
In patience for the promi’.~ed prize l Give up at once and not demur,
 International Bible StudentsAssociation Oasseg
LCcturc~~ &(udlc~bt] T.ravclingbrcthrcrL
BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROFHER W, H. PICKERING
Bicknell, Ind ..................... July 2 Indianapolis, Ind ........... July 9 Columbus,Neb ................ July 2 Ravenna, Neb ................ July 9
Jasonville, Ind ................. " 3 Logausport, Ind ............. " 10 Norfolk, Neb ................. " 3 Grand Island, Neb ......... " 10
Linton, Ind ....................... " 4 South Bead, Iud ............ " 11 Wins~de,NeJ .................. " 4 lia:tmgs, Neb ................. " 11
Dugger,Ind ....................... " 5 Benton iktrbor, Mich ...... " 12 Clearwater, Neb ............. " 5 I~loommgton, Neb ........... " 12
Sullivan, Ind .................... " fl South l.a~en, M~cll ....... ’ 13 Columbus, Neb ................ " 6 ~Vilsonville, Neb............. " 13
Terre llaute, Ind ............. " 8 Kalamazoo, Mich ...... "" 15 Grand l>land, Neb ........... " 8 Kearney, Neb ............ " 15

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER G. IL POLLOCK

Miles, Tex....................... July 1 Warn, Tex ............. J u~y ’) Aztec’, N. M................. July 1, 2 Rolla, Kan ............. July ].2
Brownwood,Tex ............. " 2, 4 Purmela, Tex ............. " 10, li l’ueblo, Col ................. " 5 Lewis,Kan..................... " 15
Brookesmith, Tex ........... " 3 Gustine, Tex ............ " 12, 13 Holly, Col..................... " 6 St. Johns, Kan ............... " 16
Lampasas, Tex .............. " 5 Dublin, Tex .......... " 15 Syracuse, Kan ............... " 8 Hutclnason, Kan ............. " 17
Kempuer, Tex .............. 6 Desdeiuona, Tex. . 16 Garden City, Kan ......... " 9, 11 Arlington, Kan ............... " 18
Temple, Tex ............ " 8 Ranger, Tex. __ 1; Frmnd,Kan................... " 10 Pratt, Kan....................... " 19

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTHER B, M, RICE

Cedar Rapids, la ........... July 1 Dubuque,Ia ................... July 10 Wausau,Wis ................... July 1 Manistique, Mieh ....... July 10, 11
Shellsburg, Ia ................. " 2 Clinton,Ia ....................... " 11 Merrill, Wis..................... " 2 Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. " 12
Vinton,Ia ....................... " 3, 4 Davenilort, Ia ................ " 12 Clintonville, Wis............. " 3,4 Sauit Ste. Marie, Ont. " 13, 15
Waterloo,Ia ................... " 5 Rock Island, Ill ............. " 13 Green Bay, V:is ............. " 5 Marquette, M~ch ....... " 16, 17
Oehvein,Ia ..................... " 6, 9 Moline,Ill ....................... " 15 Marinette, Wis ............... " 6, 8 Bruce’s Crossing, Mich. " 18
Elma,Ia ........................... " 8 East Moline, Ill ........... " 16 Vulcan, Mich................... " 9 Superior, Wis ......... " 20, 22

BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN BROTHER V. C. RICE

Portland, Me ....... June 29-July i Bo’~t(,n, Mass................ July 8 Frie, Pa .............. July 1 0lean, N. Y ................ .Tlfly 8
Ncwbu YI’O~t. Mass ....... "" 2 O~fin’~’5,5. tss ............... "’ 9 ". ,.*tfiehi, N. Y ......... "’ 2 Ro,’besler, N. Y ........ " .q
~avernlll, .xiass .............. ’ 3 ~ llltoddale, ~[ass ........... ~ 10 2an,~lown. N. Y ........ " Syracuse, N. ~ .......
3 " 10
Byfield, Mass..................... " 4 \(~:tha,a, Mass............... " 11 Shmglehouse, Pa ........ " 4 Oneida, N. ¥ ............ " 11
Beverly, Mass.................. " 5 Co.(ord Jet., Mass ........ " 12 Bolivar, N. Y .............. " 5 Rome,N. Y..................... " 12
Lynn,Mass....................... " 6 Marlboro, Mass ............. " 13 Allentown, N. Y .............. " 6 Utica, N. Y................... " 13

BROTHER C, ROBERTS
BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM
Marion, Ind .............. July 1 C~licago,211..................... July 8
Melville, Sask ............. July 1, 2 Assiniboia, Sask ....... July 13-15 Hartford City, Ind ..... " "2 Jiamnmn(1, Ind ..... "
Qu’Appelle, Sask ......... " 4 Willox~s, ~ask ............. " 17 9
Fort Wnyne, Ind ............ " 3 Gary, lnd ............... " 10
Regina, Sask .............. " 6, 8 Joexllle, Sa~k ........... " 1S. 19 Michigan City, lnd ........ " 11
" 9, Lncila, Sask ......... " Warsaw, Ind ............ 4
Moose Jaw, Sask ....... 10 20, 22 Plymot t , Ind. _ . 5 La l’orte, Ind. . ’ 12
Mazenod, Sask ........... " ll. 12 Viceroy, Sa~k ............ " 23, 24 Valparaiso, hul .... 6 " 13
South Bend, Iud..

BROTHER M. L. HERR BROTIIER R. L. ROB:E

Chesaw, Wash.............. July 2 Stanwood, Wash ......... July 11 Enterprise, .’~II~’~ ...... July 1 West Point, Miss ..... July 9
Wenatchee, Wash .......... " 4, 5 Mr. Vernon, Wash .... " 12 Waynesboro, Miss ........ " 2-4 Okolona, Miss ......... " 10
S-~ohomish, Wa-h .......... " 7 Burlington, Wash ..... " 13, 15 West Point, Miss ............. " 5 Iuka, Miss .............. " 12
E’,-erett, Wash................ " 8 Anacortes, WaM~....... " 16 McCool,MIss..................... " 6 Memphis, Term ....... " 13, 15
Marysville, Wash........... " 10 Sedro Woolley. \V,L.h.. 17 Columbus,Miss ............... " 8 Covington, Tenn ..... " 14

BROTHER W. M. HERLEE BROTHER W.$. THORN

Humboldt, Sask ........... July 1 Mazenod, Sask .......... July 9 Swift Current, Sask ..... July 1 Cariss, Sask ............. July 11
Saskatoon, Sa~k. . . " 2, 3 Vantage, Sask ............. " 11 Vanguard, Sask ........... "’ 2, 3 Assiniboia, Sask ......... " 13, 15
Bladworth, Sask .......... " 4 Assiniboia, Sask ......... " 13, 15 Conflict, Sask .............. " 4, 5 Luella, Sask ................. " 17
Regina, Sask ................. " 5 Marigold, Sask ........ " 16 Shaunavon. Sa~k ........... " 6,8 Vantage, Sask ............. " 18, 19
Mooue Jaw, Sask ....... " 6, 8 Itarptree, Sask ........ " 18 East End, SaM~............. " 9, 10 Mazenod,Sask ............. " 20, 22

BROTItER H. HOWLETT BROTHER T. H. THORNTON

Niagara Falls, N. Y ......... July 2 Rochester, N. Y ............. July 8 Stellarton, N. S ........... July 2. 3 Montreal, Que................. J’uly 15
Lockport. N. Y ............ " 3 Newark. N. Y ................ "’ 9 Pictou, N. S ................... " 4 Ottawa,Ont .................... " 16
Tonawanda, N. Y ............ " 4 Perry. N, Y..................... " 10 Truro, N. S ................... " 6-8 Brockville, Ont ............... " 17
Buffalo,N. ¥ ..................... " 5 Salamanca, N. Y ............. " 11 Amherst,N. S ............... " 9 Kingston, Out. ............. " 18
Batavia, N. Y ............... " 6 Jamestown,N. Y ............. " 12 St. John, N. B .............. " 10 BeLleville, Ont. ............ " 19
Byracuse, N. Y ........ " 8 Westfield, N. Y ............. " 13 Woodstock. N. B ......... " 12 Trenton° Ont. ~ "
 d
¯:;)!’.t....
¯ ,,",’.
.... ,,’J

-.
:-.
::

VOL. XLIV SE_XtI-MOXTHLn" NO.18

A :no Manli ,~3! -- July 1, 1923

CONTENTS
A CLEtR VISION OF (~HRONOLO(IY....................... ]95
l’:xl}hll:ation of Chart SupI)lenient .................. ]9(~
(’tia+i<>’l, and Quotatlonq ............................... 197
Be<::nnill:< of Nebueh,ldnezzar’s Reign ......... 1~.},~
Seventl" Years of Desolation ................................
Apparent Contradictions Explained ................ 2’,tl
Illustralions fl’oin Moder.n Ilistory ................. 20l
Concludin~ Thouahts ..................................... 20:2
PRAYER~[I;E’FING TGXT%oMMF,NTS .................... 20:~
MARY :~[AGIIALENE............................................ 204
Ultimate llolease of All from Denlon,~ ........... 2(i~
MARY ANDh[ti’,’rlTA ............................................... 206
True 1}e~ allan Differently Manifested ............ 206
Love and Avnrlco ill Contrast .......................... 207

"’l o’iU stand l*pon my n’atch and will set my ]oo1

upon the 7’alter, and wUl watch to see what He wfli
say unto me, and what a~L~’wer I shall make $o ihem
that o.v~ose me."---Habakkul~ ~:1.

l~pttn gtle eart"a dlsgre~ of nations with perplexity; Lhe sea an.d the ..... (the restless, dlscoI~it~ntehd21roarinlgl~rl~n:s he~shfa~n~#3~m ~f~ef~ loa~oksf~Thet~
the thingz coming upon the earth (society); for tne pow.e;rs at the neaveils teec,eslasucsm) snac ~_e st~aKe-~.~,o~h-*~.~
~u ~u,--,~.~,~~7~.::~-:)~.:~.~oX~L~
...... , ......... {.~.~9-~ukeV91
, - ¯ 25-3L
know that the Kingdom o£ God is at hand. Look up, iHt up your neao.s, re]olce~ ior yollr retac~up~ .......
 THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
T HIS Journal is one of the prime factors
preseuled in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATC~Tower BIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
or "Seminary Extension", now betng
A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
~notion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of comnmnication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of tho
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topiJal rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
]lelptul to all who would memt the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Ve~ bi Dei Minister IV. D. hi.), which translated
into Enghsh is Minister of God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This Journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
~redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a subst*tute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, sih’er and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 :
:15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God .... to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not nmde known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephcsians 3:5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, whi]e it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as exl)ressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly ~h:Ltsoever the Lord
l:ath spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
lot we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service ; hence our demsions relative to what may and what may not appear in its colunlns must be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACIt

q:hat the church is "the temple of the living God", peenliar]y "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age---ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
fimshed, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, :17; Ephesians 2:20-22 ;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses; and when the
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," stroll have been made ready, the great hiaster Workmanwill bring all together
in the first resurrection; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout
the 5]illenmum.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
~hat the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ranso.’a for all," ~md will be "the true light which lighteth every mat~ that cometh into the world", "in due time".~
Hebrews 2 : 9 ; John :1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 5, 6.
9~hat the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’ partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his jomt-heir.--1 John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
~hat the present mL-:sion of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself ever1
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; 5Iatthew 24 |
14; Revelatmn :1: 6; 20:6.
~hat tlle hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, th@
resntutmn of all that was lost in Adam, to all the wllhng and obedtent, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified ehurcl~
when all the wilfully wicked wtll be destroyed.---Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiah 35.

YOUR VACATION
WATCHTOWER. 1315LE & TRACT SOCIETY Many of tile consecrated brethren in order to earn the necessities
of thts life are employed m o~fices, shops, etc., and a certain period
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stating their case and requesting such provision. We are not only
willing, but anxmus, that all such be on our list continually and a splendid opportunity to advertise the King and the kingdom. We
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CONVENTION
CONVENTIONS
The colored friends of the International Bible Students
A convention at Tacoma, ~Vashmgton, for six days will begi~
Association will have their general convention in New York
August 14, ending August 19. A nine-day convention, beginning
city August 31 to Septenlber 3, inclusive. At this meeting
August 18 and eroding August 26, will be held at Los Angeles. ~k
will be Brott~er Banks, the manager of the Colored Depart- special train will be run from Chicago. Round trip fare, $104.00.
ment, and other able brethren, besides Brother R. H. Barber, Add to this sleeper and all meals on train for the entire trip,
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~’OL. XLIV JULY 1, 1923 NO. 19

A CLEAR VISION OF CHRONOLOGY

I F FULL understanding of all the details of chronology

had been necessary to victory in the race for the high
calling, it would have been supplied all down through
connect up other dates chronologers
They generally
or nineteen years.
differ considerably.
miss the correct dates by about eighteen

the Gvspel age. After the apostles fell asleep chronology aThere need be no difficulty, however, if the Bible rec-
was little noticed until about "the time of the end." As the ords are followed carefully. That all nmy easily see that
time drew near for the setting up of the kingdom, God we have been correct in lhe dates given in the SCRIPTURE
began to arouse some of his servants to the tinle-features STI’I)IES and THE ~VAT(’II r~OWI~R, we herewith present an
of his plan, that the church might not be in darkness, as outline chart, showing the harmony of the referen(.es in
stated by the Apostle.--1Thessalonians 5:1-8. t~]e Scripture, and giving exI)]analions of apparent dillicul-
2We have often noticed travelers who paid little attention ties. By it nlay be located the time when many of the
to their time-tables until nearing their destination; then proi)hetic visions were given, especially those in Jeremiah,
they began to scan the schedules closely to see whether Ezekiel, and Daniel.
their trains were on time. Their knowledge, or lack of it, 7Those who have reliedtoo much upon set, ular hislory
would not affect the arrival of the train, but would have have becomeconfused,and beginto entertaindoubts about
considerable to do with their preparations. So with GOd’s the Bible record, whichis the only "sure foundation"for
consecrated people as they near their destination. God’speople.
3Aside from the Bible record the history of the human sChronology itself is not a vital do(.tl’ine, necessary to sal.
race in its infancy is very uncertain. Family history passed vation: but it is closely related 1o 1he doctrines, and gives
from father to son by word of mouth for centuries. The greal aid ,o a proper understanding of God’s Word at this
rising generations were more or less migratory; and, as time. Let all who are il~terested give it a careful sludy.
families became more numerous and daily affairs were ~The points of difference by historians lie chiefly between
more pressing, it was easy to lose interest in the past and the dates of 536 B. C. and (i30 B. C. The connecled lIih!e
to throw abnut it the halo Of tradition. Occasionally kings history ends with the return of the .lews under Zcrulflmhel
desired to have their exploits recorded that future genera- at the close of the seventy years of "desolation of the hind,"
tions might know of their greatness; thus records of the usually termed the seventy )ears of captivity. Thb~ w’~s
reigning families were kept, and stored in the palaces of 3592 years from the crtation of Adam, and was "the first
the kings. Wars were frequent; and the victor usually year of Cyrus king of Persia." This "iirst year of Cyrus"
cared little or nothing for the history of the vanquished, is very generally accepted as 536 B. C.
and if it were preserved, it might be altered that the ~OAll admit that if the last year of the seventy was 536
importance of the victor should appear the greater. This B.C. the first year must have been 606 B.C. With what
continued more or les~ m~il aboul ~;(}0 to 800 years before event in Jewish history did the seventy years begin’.; It
Christ. Then secular history bvgan to come more into should be noted th’tt the chronological line, as recorded in
vogue, but was not very p(’pular or reliable. the Bible, is given by faithful, holy men, chosen by God as
4The record of the Jews is a no.able exception. his special servants; and that therefore it is rehal)le;
pro~ided tin-in v, ilh ~1 ,’o..,l).elc conrad,.ted histor3 t,,, ’~ lhe wicked, faithless men and heathen nations are referred lo
creation of the first man to their ex(~dus from Egypt. This, only incidentally, as they come in contact with God’s people.
together willl lh(,ir own care[ally l<elll re(.Ol’r|s to D"(~leet
X~That all may con]pare some of the "conclusions" of
the line of succession of their priesthood and kings, con- secular historians we quote from "MeClintoek & Strong’s
tinues until their return from the Babylonian captivity, Cyclopedia": "Nebuchadnezzar pressed forward and had
3592 A.M. At that date secular history becomes reliable, reached Egypt, when news of his father’s death re(.allcd
and from then on Jewish history is disconnected. This of him; and hastily returning to Babylon, he was fol’tn:m(e
itself is remarkable. enough to find himself, without any struggle, acknowledged
5The problem of the historians has been to connect prol)- king, B.C. 604." The list of Babylonian kings is given as
erly the historical events during and prior to the Babylon- follows :
inn captivity. The history of the Jews runs parallel with
that of the Babylonians for nearly ninety years, and they Nabopolassar
................................ (125 to 604 B.C. 21 years
touch at many points. The Bible records of this period Nebuchadnezzar,his son ............ 604 to 561 B.C. 43 years
make frequent mention of Babylonian -kings, and inciden- Illoarudamus, his son
(Evil-Merodach)................... 561 to 559 B.C. 2 years
tally throw considerable light upon that nation. It is for
Nerigassolassarus .................... 559 to 555 B.C. 4 years
this reason that historians generally endeavor to carry the Nabonadius (jointly with his
chronoloNcaI line through the Babylonian and Jewish rec- 555 to 538 B.C. 17 years
son Belshazzar) .................
ords. One date of connection is very generally agreed upon ;
but, not properly reading some of the Jewish prophecies 12This reaches down to 538 B. C., when I)arius and Cyrus,
and the records of their fulfilment, by endeavoring to at the head of the Medes and Persians, took Babylon ; when
191i
 WATCH TOWER B oo L,N,,.
the ~eeond worhl empire arose. Two years later Cyrus references found in tim records remained. Again, if God
became sole ruler, 53(3 B. C. had designed that the wicked should not understand, we
l’The above list states that Nebuchadnezzar did not be- can see another reason for scattering the links, to be readily
come king until 604 B.C. Tile united testilnony of 2 Kings, found when really needed.
2(.~’hrenMes, Ezra, Nehendah, Ezekiel, :m(l l)aniel is lhat ~gNo altempt is here nmde to enter into details of days
Nebuchndnezzar was king of Babylon when lhe seventy-year or months of tim beginning or ending of lhe reigns of the
period of Jewish c~q~:ivity beuan. This is acknowledged to various killgs, aehoahaz and Jehoiaehin euvh reigned three
be 606 B.C. To bl’nl;~e thi, difficulty, it is "assmned" that months, but in the l~ible records lh(";e :Ll’e absorbed in the
he reigned jointly "with his father" for two years. From reigns of pl’ede(.e-sor or sueeessor. This i~ In’eyed by the
the statement in Jerelmah 25 : 1-3 that "lhe fourth year of overhqq)ing periods mentioned m other S(.ril)tm’e references,
.lehoiakinl . . . was the til’>t year of Nchueh,tdnezzar king as will ~q)pear later.
of Babylon." it is furlhet’ "assumed" that the fourth year
of Jehoiakim must lhor,,.,)re be the first year of the cap- EXPLANATION OF TIIE CIlART
tivity, and therefore (;,r) B.C. Ttmt being "settled," all 2°The spaces between the light verfi,.al lines represent
other dates are nmde to harmonize therewith. They "con- one year each. It beaius wilh lhe thirt’oea~th year of Josiah,
elude" that Nebuelmanezzar was eons~(ler(’d as king, thopah 646 B.C., as that was the year in whi-h .lercnliah began
reigning with his father from 606 to 604 B.C. This shows his ~ol’k as a IU’ol)he{; and Jeremi-tll figured prominently
the method vf am’ixing at the dates given in the margin of dul’in~ much of lhe l)oriod under (liseussmn. It closes with
some of the Oxford Bibles, whicll follow the ehronoloz.y of tim third year of t’5 rus, the date of Daniel’s last recorded
Bishol) Usher. Note marginal references opposite Jerenliah vision. Bible rei’erences lo dates following tlmt year are
25 : 1 and 11. This throws the reckoning off at least eighteen not directly cermet’ted with preceding events, hence cannot
years. See marginal reference ~)pposite 2 Chronicles 36:19. be used. The lower line (ff Iigures represent dates known
There is no need of following this further. as Before Christ, usually wrilten ~ith t’,. C. and read from
~dWe now note the clearness of the Scriptural records. right to left, because reading backward from tile date of
Jeremiah 25:1 reads: "The word that eame to Jerenliah Christ’s birth. The slnali letters above this line refer to
concerning all the people of Judah, in the ]ourth year of notes which are given in this explanation. They are placed
gehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, tllat was the at the dates in whMl tile events referred to in tile refer-
frst year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon." Nothing in ences or quotations took place. Space is too limited to write
that verse intinmtes where Nebuchadnezzar was at the them all down on the chart. By reference to the citations,
time Jeremiah had this word from the Lord. The Prophet notes and quotations it will be readily seen which dates
simply gave the date when he received it, the twenty-third synchronize alia thus form a harnlonious whole.
year of his prophecy Iv. 3), by referring to two kings, one =~Tbore is but one event connected wiih and located in
of Judah and one of Babylon. In verses 9 to 12 he prophe- both Jewish and secular history that can be definitely dated
sies that God WILL BRING Nebaehadnezzar against the in each. This is-the "first year of Cymls king of Persia."
land, and that the children of Israel WILL BE TAKENto The Bible date is a592 A.M., and the s(u’ulur date is 536
Babylon for a period of seventy years, during which time B.C. This fact shouhl not be overlooked, and was evidently
there would be a complete desolation of the land. This was arranged by Jehovah that the man of God might be fully
fulfilled nineteen years Inter, commencing in 606 B.C. The convinced. More connections are not necessary.
captivity recorded in 2Kings 24:8-16 took place when =2All dates prior to 536 B.C. should be built upon the
Jehoiaehin had begun his reign (vs. 6, 8) in 617 B.C., Bible record. Secular history is no standard by which to
which time the land was not made desolate Iv. 14). The~e correct supposed errors in the Bihle. Starting, therefore,
two events should not be confused. with "the lirst year of Cyrus" as 536 B.C., we see the sev-
X~Godknew that his children today, at this testing time, enty years of "desohltion of tile land" must have benton
when all manner of deceptions would abound to "deceive if seventy years prior, or 606 B.C. With what event in Jew-
possible the very elect," would need a "thus saith the Lord" ish history did the hind become desolate? Leviticus 26: 34,
as a sure foundation. He therefore overruled that his ser- 35 reads: "Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long
vants the prophets should include in their writings all the as it lieth desolate, ANDye be in your enemies’ land [note
information necessary to form a complete connected line that the two con(litim~s lnust synchronize--the inhabitants
from Adam to the time when secular history became reliable. would be captives and tile hind desohlte] ; even theu shall
laThose who follow the evidence herewith presented will the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lieth
see the accuracy and simplicity of the record. We give DESOLATEIt shall rest ; BECAUSEit did not rest in your
many citations, also quotations from corroborative records sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it." This was a prophecy.
in harmony therewith. The latter are not necessary, for Jeremiah 25:11, 12 reads: "And this whole land shall be
the I’,ihle record is COml)lete in itself; but these additional a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall
testimonies often include interesting details not found else- serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come
where. to pass when seventy years are aeconlplislmd--." tIet~e tile
~rGod told Daniel lhat tie did not purpose that "the length of time is given, as also in Jerenliah 29 : 10. 2 Cllron-
wieked" sllould understand. His infornuttion was only for leles 36:19-21 explains further. After describing the com-
the "wise," those willing to look to God. These wise ones plete destruction of the temple, the city of Jerusalem and
are willing to 1)egin at the beginning with confidence that the captivity of all the people this record says: "To fulfil
God will supply his own wilh all that is needed; £or the the word of the Lord by the m~)uth of Jeremiah, until the
"fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." land ]tad enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay
~God’s servants of old wrote at different tinles and under desolate she kept sabbo.th, to 1ulfil threescore and ter~
greatly var3ing circumstances: therefore we should not years." Surely this is simple enough. The land must be
expe(’l lo field all the (lain a~,~embled ill one place, but "here desolate for seventy years to keep her sabbaths; at the
a little, there a little." Occasionally referent~es were made same time the people of Israel must be captives in aa
to e~ems with which ninny at the time of tile writing were enemy’s land.
familiar, and details were not necessary. As time passed, =a Jeremiah 52:12-15 states that these conditions com-
tim details would become obscured; and only the slight menced in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, and not
$ffLT1, 1.’23 ¯ WATCH TOWER 197

in llis first year. 2Kin~ ’25::_’-S <h,finitely COllne<,|,~ Ihe ,i (/. l)e.lth of K.iug Joslah.--2 Kings 23 : 29, 30; 2
nineteenlh year o~ N,l~.:,+,~,~dm’z..ar with tile elevemh year B. C. G28 Chronwles35 : :.’1}-2 i.
of Zedekidl. Tile overthrow of Jerusalem in the eleventh b. Jehoahaz reigt~s three months.--2 Kings 23 : 31 ;
year of Zedekiah, and the ni~mteenth year o17 Nebuchad- 2 Chronicles 36 : 1-4.
nezzar, must be the event which marked tile beginning of e. ,Tehoiakim begins lus eleven-year reign.--2Kings 23:
tile sexenly years’ desolation, or 60G I;. (’. Froln this it is 34-36 ; 2 Chronicles 36 : 5 8.
easy to fi~ure the date of any of the kings. Zedekiah had d. The date of the death of Josiah, which is the same as
rei,..med eleven years. His reign nmst have begun eleven tile first year of Jehoiakim, is an important date¯ It is also
years prior to 606 B.C., or (;17 B.C. JelmiaMm reigned connected with Egyptnm hiqtory, which in turn is con-
for ehwen years; thus his rei~l began 628 B.C. Josiah necled xxitll lJabylonian histury, which closely touches Jew-
reigned thirty-one years, beginning 659 B. C. ; and so on as ish history; and ineidenl’tlly it refers to a number of (lat~,
tar Imek qs one cares to go. ,lehoiaehin was dethroned, and and these latter definitely locate tile beginning of the reigm
many of the Jews were laken vaplive in 617; trot as long ~
of Nebuchadnezzar. VCe therefore include a number of quo
as there were people in tile land and the city of Jerusalem tations with tim Seripture references.
was inhabited and the sa(+rilb,es sit tile temple continued,
e¯ Pllaraoh-N~<+ho was king of Egypt, and also of .qyria,
the land could not be said lo be "without an inhabitant," a country lying to the northeast of Palestine. (This should
and keeping her sabbaths.
not be confounded witl, Assyria, which lay furthec to the
24There are some passages of Scripture which at casual
east along the Euphrates rover, and of which Bab5 Ion was
readin< seenl to be out of exact harmony: but a little
at that time the capital.) Plmraoh decided to enlarge his
invesligation clears the apparet~t (lisereI)ancy. Jeremiah 52: donnlin by overrunning tmrts of Assyria. tte left E~’pt
28, 29 mentions some eveuts a- taking place in tile seventh with a large, army, follox~mg" the Mediterranean coast line
and eighteenth years of Nelmehadnezzar: whereas 2 Kings past Palestine, en route to t:archemish, aeity on the hanks
24:32 and Jeremiah 52:12 mention tile e~.qhth and n~ne- of lhe Eul)hrates afiout 6O0 miles from Egypt and 500 miles
teenth years as tile dates h)r the same events. Any careful
not¯th llonl Bab31on¯ On his way thither King Josiah
reader can easily see that lhe last seven verses of Jeremiah
athmlpled to binder him at Me~(ldo and was killed. (2
must h.tve been added by some liner writer. (Note Jere-
Kings 23: 29; 2+ Chronicles 85:20-24)[t appears that l’ha-
miah’s own statement in 32:1.) Ezra is usually credited with
raoh proceeded to Car(:heulish, stationed a strong gam isou
this "tddendum, as he is also credited with the compiling
there, and returned to I,:gyl)t, without attempting to invade
of the records of the Chronicles. Ezra was born and reared Ass3 ria at that time. Ou his way back, about three re’oaths
in Babylon, but did not return to Jerusalem until tile
later (:! Kings ’23 : "D-34 ; 2 Chronicles 36 : 1_-3) he deposed
seventh year of Artaxerxes, some sixty-nine years after 536
.lehodhaz, wheal the Jews had chosen as king in place of
B.C. (Ezra 7:7,8) Being- ’m educated scribe, he might
.lost,all, and phteed Jehoiakim on tim throne at gerusalem~
easily bave adopted one of the Assyrian dute~. Babylon
tuk,g Jchoahaz as 1)ristmer to Egypt.
belonged to Assyria at that tilde. The foll,)wing quotalnm
from "Tim Assyrian Canon," by George Smith, will be /. The folb)wing quot,tUon ~s from "Smith’s Bible Dietioll-
interesting here : ary," under the hea(lil~,g of Carchelaish
25"Among the Assyrians the reanal years of the kings y. "Carchemish is not, as llas generally been supposed, the
were not reckoned from the day o," aecessbm, but frolu tile classical Cireesiunl. It lay much higher np the Eui)hi’ate&
Assyrian’s :New Year’s day either before or after tile d,y ¯ . . It seems to have eomnlanded tile or(lin’u’y passage of
of accession. There does not appear lo have been any fixed tile Eul/iu’ates .... anti tails in tile eontenti0ns between
rule as to which New ).ear’s day should be chosen ; but from 1,]gyllt and Assyria it~ du.,,session was of primary conse-
a nmnber of known eases, it appears to have been tile quence. Carehenti.-ll ttpilears to ha,+,+~ been taken by Pharaoh-
general practice to count the re~mal years from t.he New Necho shortly otter the battle of Megiddo, and retaken by
Ye,tr’~ day next after the accession, and to call the period Nel)uclntdnezzar after a battle tbrte years later."
I)mween tim accession day and the first New Year+s day, h. As Josiah was slaiu ill G28 t3. C., three years later
’Tile beginning of the rei¢n’; while Ihe )ear from the New would be 625 B. C.
Year’s day was ealled ’The first year’; and tile following’ ~. Note also the following from "Smith’s Bible Diction-
ones were numbered successively from it¯ Nevertheless, ill ary," under the he ’(ling of Pharaoh-Neeho:
tile dates of several Assyrian mnl Babylonian sovereigns. j. "At the e(m~me, n(:ement of his reign he made war
there are eases of the y~ar of -leeession being considered against the kin~ of .k’.~5 via, and, being encountered on the
as the first year, thus giving llt:o reckonings for tile reigns way I)y Josiah, (lei’eaied and slew the king or Judah
of tile following nmnarehs: Shalnmlmzer, Tiglath Pile,~er, 3leabldo .... ~Neeho sepms to lutve soon returned to Egypt;
Sargon, Sennacherib and Nebuchodlw::ar¯" perlmps he was on his way thither when he deposed ,lehoa-
CITATIONS AND QUOTATIONS haz. The army was probably posted at Carehenfish, and
was there defeated by Nebuchadnezzar in the fourth year
a Thirteenth year of ,lo, i,d~. aml beginning of ot Neeho [this is evidently intended for the fourth year of
B. C. 646 Jeremiah’s work as a tn ophet.--Jer. 1 : 2 ; 25 : 3. Jehoiakun], that king [ Neeho] not being, as it seems, then at
its head. This ballle led to the loss of all Asiatic dominions
a. Eighteenth year of Jo..mll, and the year of ol EgJpt." This xx,/s in 625 B. C., or the beginniug of 624.
b
B. C¯ 641 the great passover of Josiah.--2 Kings 22: 3; 2 k. Jeremiah -t(i: 2 reads: "Against Egypt, against the
Chronicles 34 : S ; 35 : 1-1!). army of l’haraoh-Ne(.ho king of Egypt, which was by tim
b. Probable date of Ezekiel’s birth.--Ezekiel 1 : 1, 2. river lquphrates in Careltemish. whwh Nelmehadnezznr king
of l~al)yloh sntote in llle Jo~.lrlh year or .lelmiakinl, the SOn
c Estimated date of Daniel’s birth. Jerome, one of of J,)shth ldng of Jtldah¯"
B. 0.629 the early church writers (340-430 A.D¯), states
that Daniel was probably about twelve 3oars of a. Foul’tit year of Jehoiakinl.--Jerenlialt 25:1;
age when taken to Babylon¯ It is evident from Daniel 1:3 B.(’.tJ2t 36:1; 45:1; 46:2.
that he was one of the nobility who were taken captive in b. First year of Nebuchadnezzar.--Jeremiah 25:1.
617 B. C., when Nebuchadnezzar carried ninny of the princes e..Ievetniall writes his pr(ipheey Of 36: 1-8.
and chief men to Babylon.--Jeremiah 24 : 1 ; 27 : 20 ; 29 : 2 ; d. Notice that Jerew.iah ’)5:1-3 connects the first year of
2 Kings 24 : 14. Nebuehaduezzar with the fourth year of Jehoiakim, and
 WATCH TOWER
also covers the entire period from the thirteenth year of m. Note an interesling sidelight here. The Reehabites had
Josiah to this twe~ty-third year of Jeremiah’s office as been living in tents to the north of Judea. When Nebuchad-
prophet. This bridges over the three months’ reign of nezzar followed Neeho, taking over Syria and northern
Jehoahaz and shows that it was not counted in the reckon- Palestine, the Rechabites would be in the line of march of
ings of years. the two armies. They became fearful and hurried to
e. It was during this year, seven years before any captives Jerusalem for safety. "Bat it came to pass, when Nebu-
had been taken to Babylon, that Jeremiah first states the chadnezzar king of I;’.~b31on came up into the land, that
length of time as seventy years that would come as a we said, Come, and let us go up to Jerusalem for fear of
punislmmnt for their evil ways. Jeremiah 25:11 reads: tim army of the Chahleans, and for fear of the army of
the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem." (Jeremiah 35: 11)
I. "And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an Jerusalem had not then heen taken by i~ebuehadnezzar, as
astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of
Is easily seen by verse 17, which tells of a punishment yet
Babylon seventy years."
to come.
g. This was also the date of the battle of Car(.hemish.
Josephus makes the following statement, in "Antiquities," f Date of Jeremiah’s prophecy of 36: 1-8, which
Book 10, Chapter 6: B. C. 623 Bamlch read in the temple, and later before King
h. "In the fourth year of Jehoiakim, one whose name was Jehoiakim, who burned Jr.--Jeremiah 36:9-32.
Nebuchadnezzar took the government over the Bqbylonians;
who at the same time went up with a great army to the g a. Jehoiakim begins to pay tribute to Nebuchad-
city of Carehemish which was at the Euphrates; upon a B. C. 620 nezzar, and continues it for three years (until
resolution that he had taken to fight with Neeho king of
Egypt, under whom all Syria then was. [We recall that to618 617 B.C.)--2Kings 24:1; Daniel 1:1.
Neeho had left a large garrison there three years previously. b. It is evident that Jehoiakim c~ould not have
1~’o doubt this was a constant irrilation to Babylon.] When be<.ome tributary to Nebuehadne-zzar in the first year of
iX’echo understood the intention of the king of Babylon, that Jehoiakim. Pharaoh-Necho still controlled Jerusalem to
this expedition was made against him, he did not despise some extent, for he had set Jehoiakim upon his throne;
the attempt; but made haste with a great band of men to and it was not until three years later that he was defeated
the Euphrates, to defend himself from Nebuchadnezzar. by Nebuchadnezzar at Carehemish, in tim fourth year of
And when they had joined battle he was beaten, and lost Jehoiakim. We quote again from Josephus, "Antiquities,"
many thousands of his soldiers. So the king of Babylon
Book 10, Chapter 6:
passed over the Euphrates, and took all Syria as far as
Pelusium, excepting Judea." c. "But when Nebuchadnezzar had already reigned four
years [therefore in his fifth year], which was the eighth
i. Pelusium is at the northeast corner of Egypt, and year of Jehoiakim’s government over the Hebrews [Note
southwest of Judea. Josephus says that Nebuchadnezzar how this harmonizes with Jeremiah 25:1; if Jehoiakim’s
did not touch Jerusalem at this time, but passed it by. fm~rth year were Nebuchadnezzar’s first year, aehoiakim’s
Nebuchadnezzar was not yet really "king of Babylon," but eighth year would be Nebuchadnezzar’s fifth year. See
was acting as general of his father’s army. It was at chart], the king of Babylon made an expedition with mighty
Pelustum that he heard of his father’s death. The follow- forces against the Jews, and required tribute of Jehoiakim ;
ing from "MeClintoek & Strong’s Cyclopedia" is to the point : threatening upon his refusal to make war against him. He
was affrighted at this lhrenlening, and bought his peace
J. "A few years later, he was placed at the head of a with money; and brought the tribute he was ordered three
Babylonian army, and sent by t~is father, who was now years. But on the third .~ear [actually the eleventh ~ear of
old and infirm, to chastise the insolence of Pharaoh-Necho, Jehoiakim’s reign], upon hearing that the king nf Babylon
king of Egypt. This prince had recently invaded Syria, made an expedition againsl the Egyplians, lie did not hring
defeated Josiah, king of Judah, at Megiddo, and reduced his tribute; yet he was disappointed in his hope; for the
the whole tract from Egypt to Car,,hemish on the upper Egyptians durst not fight at that time."
Euphrates, which in the partition of the Assyrian terri-
tories on the destruction of Nineveh had been assigned to a. Eleventh year of Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim refuses
1~
Babylon. :Necho had held possession of these countries for
about three years, when Nebuchadnezzar led an army B. C. 617 to continue to pay tribute to Nebuchadnezzar.--
against him, defeated him at Carchendsh in a great lmllle, 2 Kings 24 : 1.
recovered Ccele-Syria, Phmnicia, and I’ale~tine, took Jerusa- b. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and took it in the
lem [Josephus says he PASSI’:D t~Y .II’T)I.:A on this trip, eighth year of his (Nebuchadnezzar’s) reign. (2 Kings
and to that the Scriptures agree], pressed iorward to Egypt, 11,12) Carried many (.aptives to Babylon, including all
and was engaged in that country or upon its borders when the princes.--Verse 14.
Intelligence arrived which recalled him hastily to Babylon. c. Death of Jehoiakim.--2 Chronicles 36:6; Jeremiah 22 :
l~abopolassar, after reigming twenty-one years, had died, 18, 19 ; 36 : 30.
and the throne was vacant; or, as there is some reason to d. Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah) appointed king
think, Nebuchadnezzar, since he appeared to be the ’king of Nebuchadnezzar, three months later deposed by Nehu(.had-
Babylon’ to the Jews, had really been associated with his
father. In some alarm, however, about the succession, he nezzar, and together with his nmther, wives, and princes of
hurried back to the capital, accompanied only by his light the land, and much treasure and many vessels of the
troops; and crossing the desert, probably by way of Tad- temple, taken to Babylon.--2 Kings 24: 10-16.
mot, or Palmyra, reached Babylon before any disturbance e. Nelmehadnezzar appoints the uncle of Jehoiachin, Mat-
had arisen and entered peaceably on his kingdom." taniah (later known as Zedekiah), as king over Jerusalem.
k. The above authority dates this as 604 B.C., but it is --2 Kings 24 : 17, 20.
easily proved that the correct date must have been 624 f. The captives taken to Babylon at this time included
B.C. all the princes and nobles of the ]and, anmng whom were
1. In the Scripture there is no mention of Nebuchadnez- Ezekiel and probably Daniel and his tln’ee eompanions.~
zar’s taking Jerusalem prior to 617 B.C., when Jehoiakim Ezekiel 1:2; Daniel 1:1-3.
surrendered the city and was himself slain and thrown g. This must have been considered an important date, as
over the walls. Josephus says a threat of Nebuchadnezzar all of Ezekiel’s dates are based upon it.--Ezekiel 1:2;
So frightened Jehoiakim (in 620 B. C.) that he consented 40: 1, etc.
9aY tribute, and continued to do so for three yearu. h. Josephus in the same chapter before quoted says;
 i. "A little time aftemvard, the king of Babylon nmde an j a. Tile fifth year of the captivity of Ezekiel and
exI)edition against Jehoiakim; who received him into the B. C. 612 Jehoiaehin.--Ezekiel 1: 2.
city, ’rod this out of fear of tile foregoing 1)redietions of b. The thirtieth year mentioned in Verse 1 doubt-
Jeremiah, as SUl)l)osing he shoul(l suffer nothing that
terrible; because he neilher shut lhe gates, nor fought less refers to Ezekiel’s age. This would make him twenty-
against hiln. Yet when he was come into tim city, he did five at the time of ills captivity, and thirty at the time he
not ob,erve the covenants he had nntde; but he slew such saw the vision, the age at which a priest might enter upon
as were in tile llower of their a,zc, and such as were of the the priestly work. In Verse 3 he claims to be a priest, and
greatest dignity; together with their king, ,lehoiakiln, whom he could not enter the priesthood under thirty.
he (~/mmanded to be thrown before the walls, with,,ut :my
burial [Colnpare Jeremiah 22:18,19], and made his son k Sixth year of his captivity, date of vision re-
Jehoiaehin king of the country, and of the city; he also B.C. 611 corded in Ezekiel 8.
took tim principal persons in dignity for caplives, three
thousand in number, and led them away to Babylon. Among
wlmm was the prophet Ezekiel, who was then but .young 1 Seventh year of his captivity. Ezekiel received
[though in his twenty-fifth year, Ezekiel 1:1.21. And this B. C. 610 the instructions recorded in chapter 20.
was the end of King Jelmiakim, when he hqd lived thirty-
six years and reigned eleven. But he ~as succeeded in the m a. Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon.--2 Chronl-
kingdom by Jehoiaehin .... He reigq~ed three months and B.C. 608 cles 36:13.
ten days." b. Nebuchadnezzar begins tlm silage of .Terusalem.
j. There is no Scriptural record of any prisoners or temple about November or December.--2 Kings 25 : 1 ; Jeremiah 39 :
vessels being taken to Babylon prior to this date, 617 B. O. 1; 52:4; Ezekiel 24:1,2.
Daniel 1:1 (which refers t~) "the third year of Jehoiakim")
could not refer to the third year after Jehoiakim began to n a. Tenth year of Zedekiah, cightccnth year of
reign, but rather to tlle third year of his vassalage, for it B. C. 607 Neimehadnezzar.--Jeremiah 32 : L 2.
was then he refused to pay tribute; for Nebuchadnezzar b. Tenth year of the captivity of Ezekio], and
was not king of Babylon at that time, as already shown. date of the message from the Lord as recorded in Ezekiel 29.
(See B. C. 624 l; 606 c, d, e; 605 ].)
k. Josephus adds another interesting item, "Antiquities," o a. Eleventh year of Zedekiah, ninet,,enth .ve’tr of
]Book 10, Chapter 7: B.C. 606 Nebuchadnezzar.--2Kings 25:2,8; 3er. 52:5.12.
1. "After the king of Babylon had given the kingdom to b. Jerusalem taken, aml destroyed: ~l~(, wall.~
Jehoiaehin, he repented of what he had done; fearing lest broken down; all the palaces destroyed: the temple burned
he inight excite a revolt, to revenge tile death of his father. --about July, after eighteen months’ siege (,See ~08b).---
[A footnote adds that Nebuchadnezzar heard that Jehoia-
chin had already entered into a confederacy with the king 2 Kings 25 : 4, 9, 10 ; 2 Cl~ronieles 36 : 18, 19 ; ]’sahns 74 : G-S ;
of Eg’ypt, as his successor (Zedekiah) did, and therefore 79 : 1-7 ; Jeremiah 52 : ~.:}.
sent an army against him, in the very beginning of his c. Beginning of the seventy years ~)f "desolation" ,)f the
reign.] He therefore sent an army, and besieged Jehoiuchin land; for the inhabitants were all removed, with the oxcep-
in Jerusalem. Because he was of a gentle an4 just disposi- lion of a few who fled to Egypt some months later. There
tion, he did not desire to see the city endangered on his was nothing left in the land or the cities, "to fulfil the
account; but took his mother, and kindred, and delivered word of the Lord... until the land had enjoyed her
them to the commanders sent by the king of Babylon, and sabbaths .... to fulfil threescore and ten [seventy] years."
accepted of their oaths, that neither should they nor the --2 Chronicles 36 : 21 ; Leviticus 26 : 33-35.
city suffer any harm. This agreement, however, was not
observed for a single year; for the king of Babylon gave d. The renminder of the gold and silver vessels of the
orders to his generals to take all that were in the city cap- temple, and the brass pillars of the court were also taken to
tives; both the youth and the handycraft men, and bring Babylon. Judea became a desert, without an inhabitant.---
them bound to him; their number was 10,832; as also 2 Chronicles 36 : 18 ; 2 Kings 25 : 13-1.7.
Jehoiaehin, and his mother and friends. And when these e. Zedekiah’s sons were slain before his eyes; and then
were brought to him, he kept them in custody, and appoint-
ed Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah, to be king; and made him his own eyes were pat out and he was carried to Babylon,
take an oath that he would certainly keep the kingdom for where he died, but never saw it. Thus a double prophecy
him, and make no innovation, nor lmve any league of was fullilled. See Jeremiah 32 : 4, 5 ; 34 : 3 ; Ezekiel 12 : 13.
friendship with the Egyptians [which (ruth Zedekiah broke ¢. Gedaliah appointed by Nebuchadnezzar as governor
and which the Prophet declared was the direct cause why over the few hundreds left in the land. He was soon mur-
God sent Nebuchadnezzar later to overthrow him.---Ezekiel dered; and the rest fled to Egypt, taking Jeremiah and
17 : 11-21]."
Barueh with them.--Jeremiah 39:7 to 43: 13.
i a. Date of the false prophecy of Hananiah and g. The whole land of Palestine was not desolated, but
B.C. 613 of Jeremiah’s reply, as recorded in Jeremiah that Imrt usually known as Judea, comprising approximately
28 : 1-17. that portion originally given to Judah and Benjamin. The
b. Also the 3"ear that Jeremiah wrote a letter to those Samaritans continued to live in their land during the entire
captives already in Babylon who had been disturbed by seventy years. See later note.
tIananiah’s false prophecy, that they should not expect to h. Eleventh year of the captivity; date of Ezekiel’s proph-
return for fully seventy years.--Jeremiah 29:1-32. ecy of chapter 31.
c. Jeremiah sent this letter by Seraiuh, who doubtless
accompanied Elasah and Gemariah, special messengers of p a. Date of Ezekiei’s prophecy as recorded in
King Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the B.C. 605 chapters 32 and 33. See 3’).:1; 33:21.
fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah. Compare Jeremiah b. Let us here consider a ~v scriptures which
29 : 1-3 with 51: 59-63. apparently contradict each other. 2Kings 24:8 gives the
d. In this letter is the second prophecy of the seventy age of Jehoiaehin as eighteen years, and 2 Chronicles 36:9
years, and this was seven years before the final overthrow gives it as eight. One is evidently an error by some copyist.
of Jerusalem at the beginning of the seventy years of deso- (See note on page 53 of Volume II, ScmPruR~. STUmES.)
lation in 606 B.C. Compare Jeremiah 29 : 10 witil 51 : 59. This is not very importantand do~ not affect chronology
 BROOKLYN,
N. Y.
WATCH TOWER
In the least. There are a few others which have bothered told in Daniel 1: 18. Does this look reasonable? Again, if
historians, though t’hey do not affect the chronological chain Daniel were but twelve years of qge when tie went to
either; for the entire period is other~vise covered. But Babylon, he would be but fourteen at this time. Would a
they are interesting; and as some have been inclined to king of Nebuchadnezzar’s ability pla(’e a boy of fourteen
stumble over them we will notice them briefly. over the affairs of the province of Babylon, and make him
o. Daniel 1:1 reads: "In tlte third year of the reign of chief of all llis wise men? Would tile king fall down and
Jchoiakim king of Judah came ,Nebuchadnezzar king of worship a boy of fourteen? Even if Daniel were twenty
Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it." In the margin years old wllen lie went to Babylon, as sonie suppose, he
of many of the Oxford Bibles the date of this is given as wouhl be hut twenty-two, altogetlmr too young for such a
607 13. C., and the seventy years captivity is supposed to position.
i. We suggest the two following solutions, either of which
have begun the next year, 606 B.C. (See reference opposite
Verse 2) 2Kings 24:1 is often quoted to support this would not be unreasonable, and would not be out of har-
mony with other scriptures:
calculation.
d. A careful reading of 2 Kings 24:1-4 will show that it j. A critical reading of Daniel 1:1-3 does not demand the
does not state thqt Nebuchadnezzar "came up" to ,lerusal~a. conclusion tllat what follows mnst have followed imme-
The Hebrew word here rendered "came up" is rendered diately. It is simply a prelude or introduction. Then fol-
seventy-eight different ways in the King James version. It lows an account of what occurred some time after they
is the word ah~h. The Lord used bands of the Chahlees, reached Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar instructed Ashpenaz to
select some of the well-born children, preferably from
and of the Syrians. of the Moabites, and of tim children of
among the king’s seed and princes, tltat they might be sent
Ammonto harass Jehoiakim, no doubt at tile command of
Nebuchadnezzar; for Jehoiakim paid tribute to Nebuchad- to school for three years. At tile end of that time they
were examined by the king himself, and found to be far
nezzar for relief.
above the average. No mention is made of any honor being
e. Jeremiah 25:1 informs us that the fourth year of
bestowed upon them at that time. They drop out of sigttt
Jehoiakim was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah
for a while. In the meantime Netmciiadnezzar trod t’~ken
46:2 corroborates that statement. All tile connecting dates
and destroyed Jerusalem (606 B.C.) and brought many
between Nebuchadnezzar and Jehoiakiln and Zedekiah fall
more c’tptives to Babylon, and tile remainder of the temple
into line, as already shown. These -ill show timt Nebuchad-
vessels. The treatment of these Hebrew captives by the
nezzar could not have taken Jerusalem in the third year
heathen king of Bahylon llas been a subject of comment.
of Jehoiakim; for lie did not defeat Pharaoh-Neeim until They trod many liberties, dwelt in eomiuunities by them-
the fourth year of Jelloiakim. Therefore some other ex-
selves, and were permitted to have laws of their own; their
planation of the statement of Daniel 1:1 must be found.
religious services ~xere not interfered with particuhlrly;
Possibly some copyist l~.2s m~le a ,n~stake; and as it was
and ’.he men were often exempt from military service.
not a connecting link m tim chron,,;ogical clmin, God t~id
Apparently there must have been some influence at court
not see fit to have it corrected, but leit us sutlieient evidence exerted on their behalf.
to cover the entire period without this. However, Daniel
k. God could as easily arrange for that as he did for the
was writing from Babylon, and being high in official posi- children of Israel through Joseph over 1700 years before.
tion, possibly even copying from the Babylonian records
Again lie used a king by giving i~im a dream. Tile wise
as to dates, might have referred to this as tile third year
men of the king(lore were called Ul)On to tell the dream mid
of Jehoiakim as being under King Nebuchadnezzar, which tim interpretation. F, ec’tuse they could not, orders went
we have found to be the case. This third year of vassalage forth that all tim wise men should be slain. This nmst
was the eleventh year of his reign, and was the date that have e’msed great consternation and wide l)ubli(,ily; just
Daniel 1:2 was fulfilled. tim end desired by Jehovah. Daniel and his (’emil:miens,
I. Another text is Daniel 2 : 1, which reads : "And in the recognized as wise men, were to he sh,n al~o (l)~lniel 1 : 20;
second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar," etc., he had 2:13) Because Daniel was used .~ (h)~l ’,o rexeal
his wonderful drea~a together with some exciting expe- interpret the dreqm, he was inum’d.,,~el5 ho~,ored by the
riences for the wise men of his realm, as related in the king with high ollicial position "m(l ~xould be ah’e to exert
second chapter. Verse 1, if given its usual interpretation a great influence for good on behall el his hrelhr(,n, the
that this was actually the second year that Nebuchadnezzar Hebrew cqptives, as would also Daniel’s thr(,e conlp:~i~ious,
had been king, will not harmonize with Daniel 1:5,18. who held lligil posilions in the kingdom. Ahy su;zgcslion
1~otiee the inconsistency. from Daniel would therefore be given careful emLsid(,ration
g. Suppose the first year of Nebuchadnezzar to tit, the by the king. Thus did God honor his loyal serv.uLls, a,!d
year that Daniel and ills companions reached Babylon, and protect llis covenant people; and also nl;inil’e~t his Sul)er-
ll,at Nebuchadnezzar immediately gave the instructions as vision over the affairs or’ tlle world, and c.use even tile
r,,eorded in Daniel 1:5. If tile king had his dr’earn in his heathen kings to bow to him.
second year, it must have occurred while Daniel and his 1. In what year did all this take place? This dale is not
companions were still at sehooh The latter part of the necessary to establish ciwonologi(,al connection, for that is
chapter says that Nebuchadnezzar was so impressed with fully covered elsewhere; but it is interesting, and should
the interpretation of the dream, and the evident favor of be found in harmony with other scriptures. If 60l; B.C.
God witl~ Daniel, that he "fell upon iris face and worstdped were the nineteentli ye.~r of Nebuchadnezzar, as we have
D’miel .... Then tile king made Daniel a great man, and already found, 605 B.C. would be his twentieth year. Tile
gave him many girts, and made him ruler over tile whole book of Daniel is written partly in tIellrew, partly in Ara-
province of Babylon, and chief of tim governors over all maic. The Aramaic in many respects closely resembles the
the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the Arabic. In the Aral~ie the eyl)her is but a dot, like our
king, and he set Slmdrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. over period. Thus ten would be written with the figure for one
the affairs of tile province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in followed by a dot, twenty by two and the dot; as for
the gate of the king." example, 1. for 10 and 2. for 20. It would be very easy
h. If all this occurred in the second year of Nebueliadnez- for a copyist to overlook the dot, especially if tits original
i Jr, then Daniel and his companions must still llave Imd a were somewhat worn. Not noticing the dot he would write
year to attend school be£ore they had their examination as It as for two instead of twenty.
 ¯ " WATCH TOWER
m. However, tim following appeals to us as the more is in full harmony with all previous dates mentioned. This
reasonable: We note by tile chart that the twentieth year will be easily noticed by reference to the ehart.--Ezek. 40:1.
of Nelmchadnezzar synchronizes with his second year as
world monarch. As long as Jehovah had a representative r The latest date mentioned by Ezekiel. He fore-
on "l throne, in the typical kings of Israel (1 Chronicles B. C. 590 tells that Babylon shall have Egypt I’or wages
29:23), Nebuchadnezzar could not technically be said to for taking Tyre.--Ezekiel 29 : 17 to 30 : 26.
be absolute monarch, as stated in Daniel 2: 37, 38. With
the fall of Zedekiah, the last typical king, Nebuchadnezzar’s s a. The thirty-seventh year of the captivity of
rule would become absolute. Tile book of Daniel was doubt- B. C. 580 aehoiachin.--Jeremiah 52 : 31; 2 Kings 25 : 27-30.
less written long after the occurrence of the events; and b. From the above texts it is easily inferred that
his mind would naturally associate the rule of Nebuchad- this was the first year of Evil-Merodach, son of Nebuchad-
nezzar with the time he 1)ecanm the world monarch, and nezzar, hence that Nebuchadnezzar had died that year or
tile typical kingdom of God was no more. In this sense the year before. This would make the reign of :Nebuchad-
tim expression, "the second year of the reign [molekuth, nezzar about forty-four or forty-five years--625 to 5S0 or
dominion, empire] of Nebuehadnezz~,r," would be altogether 581 B.C. (instead of from 606 B.C. to 563 B.C., as given
proper, and in no way c0ntr:tdict the record of Kings, by most historians).
Chronicles, and Jeremiah. Daniel would be at least twenty-
four years of age, even if taken captive at the age of t If belshazzar reigned for seventeen years before
twelve. This would be young enough for one to occupy so B.C. 555 the fall of Babylon in 538, this would be the
hi:.q~ a position of honor :rod trust, especially if appointed first year of Ylelshazzar, and also the date of
by .lehovah, although throuffll the king. Joseph was thirty Daniel’s vision as recorded in Daniel 7. However, this date
ye,Lrs old, and so was David, when exalted. We would not is not material to the chronological lille.
be surprised to learn later that Daniel was also thirty years
of a~:’e when (,x,tlted. It weald ~eem more in harmony with u On the above basis this would be rile third year
God’s general method. B. C. 553 of Belshazzar, and the date of Daniel’s vision a.~
n. Inslanees in modern history are in line: recorded in chapter 8.
o. William I of Gm~nany became king of Prussia, the
v a. The last year o. ~ Belshazzar; the great feast,
largest state of the German empire, in Janu’~ry, 1861. He
B. C. 538 tile handwritin~ on the wall, and Daniel’s inter-
became the emperor of Gerlnany in January, 1871. Ttms pretation.--Daniel 5.
his first year as emperor would be his eleventh year as
king. The expression, "The second year of the dominion of b. The fall of Babylon to tim Medes and Persians, under
Darius tlle Mede and Cyrus the Persian, and the beginning
Willimu I," would be correct, though it wouhl be actually
his twelfth year as king. The word ,.~sed I>y Dr, t~i,l, of tile second Ullivers;ll .~1 .l~{ue,
m~Hekutlb has more the meaning of empire or dominion, c. It was some time ~l.-ring the "flint year of Darius,"
and is rendered "reign" 21 times, and "kingdom" 49 times; probably 537 B.C., that l,,hiel had the visit of the angelt
whereas lhe word more generally translated "reigJ~" is as recorded in chapter 9.
male~k, meaning "to be a king," and is u~ed 28-i times.
Daniel 2:1 would be more properly rendere(l: "In the w a. First year of Cyrus, king of Persia. Appar-
second year of the empire of l’~’ebuchadnezzar." etc. B.C. 536 ently Darius had died, and Cyrus became solo
monarch o£ th- dual empire.
p. A similar case is that of Vietoria, queen ,>I [.:ngland.
She became queen in 1837, but did not become empress b. Close of the seventy years "desolation of the lain1."
until the year 1877. IIer first year as empress would be c. Return of nearly 50,000 of the more zealous of the
her forty-first ns queen. Jews to Jeml~alem, with permission from Cyrus to rebuild
q. Already acknowledged as a wise man before Nebuchad- tile temple. (This should not be confounded with the per-
mission given to l\’ehcmiah to rebuild the walls of the city.
nezzar’s second eaml)ai~,m~ against gv’l’llSIlleu] ill (~06 B.C.,
l):mml no dout)t knew not only the king, but many promi- That was given in 45i 1¢. C.. eighty-two years later.--DanieI
nent ]ner~ of the kingdom and generals of the army. He 9:25.) The returning .lews ~oun(! their land vacant, their
mu~t ha~e known of the letter Jeremiah had written in houses unoccupied, and their cirle~ slill v¢ithout inhahitant.
613 IL (’. to lhose cqptives who had been taken to Babylon They could move in immediately. The last of the Jews had
in (;17 ];. (’. When Nebuchadnezzar stql’ted for Jerusalem left Judea :~bout our Jul5 :,r AuTo,st, 606 B.C. The return-
Wh;tl would be more reasonable tha:~ for Daniel to tell him ing Jews reache(! Judea .~b,a:~ the fourth month, our July
of .lereminh’s prophecy that he would take the oily? It or August, 536 I~. C. Thus tile land had been desolate the
require> no Sll’eteh of imagination to read between the full seventy 5’ears By the seventh month lhcy had been
lines [re\v, there[ore, Nebuchadnezzar wouhl be lunch inter- able lo get their houses cleaned and sufficiently settled
esled in a pr’,)l}hel xxho had foretoht his victory, and who tlmt they could assemble at the ruins of .lerus’llem to hold
w:ts al.,,o a f,i(,[b(l of l)aniel. What more re;tson::bh~ than the Day of Atonement sara’trices. Thus by October they
th:ll he sh()u d ~:ive special orders that Jerentiah be found "gathered thenlselves toacther a.~ one a)an io Jerusalem
arid ~xell Irealed? Zedel;;.~h had left Jm’mniah in the court [from the various cities where tl’.ey had resettled]--to
el the l)risoi,, and it was II,ere that Nebu(’hadnezzar’s gen- offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of
era .- eound hinl. *~Vll;lt more reasonable ground as a basis Moses." See Leviticus 16:29 and Ezra 3: 1-7. Jerusalem
for tl.e ~olieitude of the victorious king for a poor captive, wouhl be a heap of ruLqs, but it was sacred to every
as re(’or(h.,1 in .leremiah 39: 11-14, arid tile exI)humlion Jewish heart.
the captain in 40: 2-4? d. Another text has been uomewlmt of a puzzle to some.
Jeremiah 52:30 mentions Nebuchadnezzar as taking some
q u. 1,ale of Ezekiel’s vision of the Temple, as more Jews to Babylon in his twenty-tidrd year. Where did
]g. C. 592 re(’ordcd in C]ml)~ers 40 to 48. he find any more Jews. ~e the land had been denuded in
b. l.:zeklel connects tim twetHy-fifth year of his his nineteenth year? Note the following from Josephus,
captivity with the ]ourlvcnth yeetr of the city’s destruction, "Antiquities," Book 10, Chapter 9:
thus showing tile synchronization of the two dates, which ~. "accordingly both the people, and aohmmu, disobeyed
 WATCH TOWER ]~IlO0 KLY N, N,

the counsel of God, which he gave by tile l)rophet, and QUESTIONSFOR BEREANSTUDY
removed into Egypt, and carried Jeremiah and Barueh lfn* a knowledge of chronolo,.ry alway~ beau n,,,’,,~ary to salvation?
along with them. While they were there, God signified Io D,’hy is it now being made plala" ¶ 1. ’2 >,
the prophet that tbe king o~’ Babylon wa.,, ale)tit makim~ IIow were historical
G00 It. C. ~ f 3.
events usually recorded, up lo shout lhe year
an expedition against the Egyptians: und (.olnJnmlded lfim What ex,’epiion is there, and where 1~ that recoil1 fmmd? ¶ 4.
to foretell to the people that ICgypt shouMbe taken, and \\’hat has been lhe 1)robh, m of lH~I,Hmns’! \Vhal lie they try
that the king of Babylon should shty some of lhenl and do 111¢)V,"’~ ~_ro lhe.~ ,/ll[~gotber reil,!l)le’.* ~
v
How may all dilheulty be a~olded ~ 6, 7.
take others captive, and bring them to I{al)ylon: whi(.h Between ~hat dates do ht,>tonan.~ have the great)st difficulty?
things came to pass accordingly. Foe on the li:’lh year ’a
\Vby ¶’ 9, 10,
after the destru(’lion of Jerusalem, which was the twenty- \Vho ~xere the llabylonian km~s flola (125’ 1o 5:1"; IL C. actor(hag
to "McChntock & Strong’s (’y(’lo,~e!tia’ ~ 1 I, 12.
third year of NOm(.hadnezzar, he nmtle "m expedili,m Does tile lhble agree ~xith this ill re-,l,(’~’t to Nebuchadnezzar’s
against Cml~Syria; nml when he trod possessed him.,,elt l’eiali ’~ ¶ ]3.
of it, he lntl(le ~,V~_t12 ~l~alnst lhe An]nmnitesand the M(mb- Vt’hell did Jerelniail lltlor his ill’~t 1)lollhel’y o[’ llw se~ollly yl,Hrs’
desohLtion of lhe land? When thd ~t become (,lle(,ll~(,? \Xhat
ites; and when tie had brou;:ht all these ntGions under IHs other caI)tivLly is recorded? ¶ 14.
subjection, he fell upon EgSpt, in order Io oxcrthYow it. Did God c~ldentlv ha~,, the (hnreh in mind ~hen these things
Andtie slew the king that 1hen reigned, m~dset up another; were retarded ‘~ ¶ 15 19.
\Vii;It peri,M el lime does the* acc(mll)aayin~ (’hart covet’? ¶
and look those Jews that were eaptP.es, and led them away Whatv~,ml is dehmtely located m both Jewish and secular Ins-
to 13ab.~lon. And such was the end of the nation of lhe tory"~ ¶ 21.
tlebrews, it having g’one twice bP},,md Euphrates. For lhe Shouldsecular hi*lory be resorted lo for carter|lag suppo-ed],ible
people of the ten tribes were carried out of S’~mam,tb3 lhe errols*.* \Vlth what event in Jex~l,~lL history
(l¢uohtl,~? ~. 22.
did /he htlld be(’ollle
Assyrians, In the days of King Hoshea. After s~h,eh lhe ~Vhat event 11)(}1( place ill .’x’ebo(.}l~ldnczzar’s llilleteenth year, lllld
people of the two tribes, that remained after .Ieru.,a/em was in Zedekiah’s eleventh year? ~ 2:1.
taken, were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Baby- Ilow are Jcremmh52 : 2%29 and 32 : 1 harmonizedwith Jeremiah
lon and Chaldea. Nowas to Shalmaneser, he removed the 52;12 ami 2Kings 2t:12 ~ ~ -~4.25.
CITATIONS AND QLo3ATIONS
Israelites out .of their country, and placed tlwreiu the flow is the year 646 B.C. marke, l" I;41 lI.C.? 629 B.C.?
nation of the Cuthians; who had formerly belonged to the \Vhat ,,x,,nt~ ’\
took place ]a 6’- IL C.’.’ ¶ ~;2 a. b.
interior of Persia and Media; but were then called Sam’lri- VChea did Josiah die ~ Who ~,ul’~ oeded him’ ~ t;2 ~d.
tans, by taking the name of the country to wh;ch they \Vim was I’haraoh Ne(’ho? Are Syma and A-.~*’la the same? ¶ (;2qe,.
Carehemiuh was "~
eal)turod by whom? Three years later it was
were removed. But the king of Babylon, who brought out taken byx~hom ¶ 628f, g. h.
the two tribes, placed *~o olhgr ~tat~o~ in, thew country. By Whatother proof have we that tlns wasin 625 B. C.? ¶ 628i, ), k.
which means all Judea, and Jerusalem, and the Tenlpte, Namethree ~temsof interest for 624 B.C. ~t 624a, b,c.
continued to be a desert for 70 yvars." Whattook ldaee in the twenty-tlurd year of Jeremiah’s otlice?
¶ 624d,e, ].
Whatdoes Josephus say about Carehemish?¶ 624q, h.
x ttebuilding of the temple begun, though it was In what |~o important statements is "MeChntoek& Strong’s
B. C. 535 not completed for nearly fifteen year~.--Ezra 3: Cyeh)I)ednU’ i~l error ? ¶ 624tlo
Whendid Jeretmah wrLte his propherT of chapter 36:1 8? ¶ 623.
8; 6:15. When(lid Jehoiakimbegin to pay tribnte to Nebuehadnezzar’aDI
what year of Nehnehadnezzar’s reign wasit? ¶ 620a. b, c.
y a. Third year of Cyrus. Whendid Jehoiakint refuse to pay tribute to Nebm.hadnezzar?
¶ 617a,b.
B. C. 534 b. Date of Daniel’s last recorded vision (Daniel Whosucceeded Jehoiakim? Wholndid Nebnehadnezzarappoint
10: 1) He was doubtless at least ninety-five years king of Judah? ¶ 617d, e.
of age at this time. Howmuch longer he lived we have no Whowere taken captive to Babylonat this time? ¶ 617/.
Is this an importantdate from F, zekiel’s standpoint? ¶ 617.q.
present means of knowing. Cyrus reigned for several ),ears Whatdogs Josephus say about the expe(htLon against Jeholakim?
after, and we amy feel certain that he would see that 617h,i.
Are there any scriptures showingthat prisoners or temple vessels
Daniel was well cared for. were taken to Babylonprior to 6147 B.C.? Whatis the evident
meaning of Daniel 1:1? ¶617j.
Whatdoes Josephus record relative to this time? ¶ 617k, l.
CONCLUDINGTHOUGHTS Whatare the items of interest taking place in 613 B.C.? ¶ 613a,
b, c.
When(lid Jeremiahgive his secondprophecyof tile seventy ycmrs’
~sA little study of the chart, ~gether with the Scripture desolalion? ¶ 613d.
citations and the quotations, will show how simple the The "thirtielh 5ear" of Ezekiel 1:1 refers to what? ¶612b.
whole matter Is, when properly located. The date of refer- Whatare the notable eveuts of 611, 610, 608 and 607 B. (L?
Wh(mwa~ Jerusalem destroyed? Whendid the seventy year)
ences given in Jeremiah and Ezekiel may be quickly ascer- desolatmncommence? ¶ 606a to g.
tained by looking at the chart, under the names of the Doesthe eleventh year of the captivity synchronizewith the l~rst
year of the desolation? ¶ 606h.
various persons mentioned. Thus the eighth year of Nebu- Whendid Ezekiel write chapters 32 and 33 of his prophecyl
chadnezzar is seen to be 617 B. C. ; the fifth year of Jehoia- ¶ 605a.
Howmaywe harmonizesome apparently contradictory statement~
chin’s captivity is 612 B.C. Just find the person named, of Scripture? ¶ 605bto q.
the year of his reign, prophecy or captivity;-and follow Whatyear did I~zekiel write his vision of the Temple?¶ 592a.
Is it importantto see that tile twenty-fifth bear of Ezekiel’s rap-
the vertical line downto the lower line of dates. It would tivity (whenlie wasfifty years of age) is the fourtet,nth year
also be interesting to use a Bible atlas in connection with of tile desolation of the land of Judea? ¶ 592b.
Whatare someof the tranbptring events of 590, 580, 555, 553,
the study, and thus locate the various places mentioned. and 53S B.C.?
27We are not called upon to harmonize these with the Whatis the date of the first year of Cyrus? The "desolation of
the land" ended in what year? ¶ 536a, b.
tangled records of secular history. "All Scripture is given What did Cyrus now day About what time in the year did tho
Jews re~tch Jerusalem?~236c.
by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for Whatlight does Josephus throw on Jeremiah 52:30~ ¶ 536d. e.
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; In what year dul the Jews begin rebuihhng the temple? ¶ 5:;5.
In whatYear did Danielwrite his lant recorded ~lsion’) ¶ 53-.~.
that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly funfished A little ntudy of the chart wHIreveal whatlact’: ~] 2(L
nnto all good works."--,° Timothy3: 16, 17. Are we called upon to harmonizethe tangled records of secular
history? ¶27.

Howbeautiful the feet Howbeautiful the feet

Upon the mountains brining Upon the mountains springing,
Good news--glad tidings sweet; In joy our King to greet;
That publish wide salvation O Zion! Thy God reigne0h
To ever)" tongue and nation! And Satan’s kingdom waneth.
 PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR AUGUST 1 should see to it not only that they have the peace wlt],
God, but that they dwell together in peace and enjoy the
"The 1ruit o] the ~pirit is . . . peace."--Galatians 5: $2. peace of God, without which none shall see his face.-
Hebrews 12 : 14.
O NE of the titles

likeness.
given our Lord is the Prince of Peace.
The body members must be transformed
Ttmse must come to the point of possessing
into his TEXT FOR AUGUST 8

the peace of the Master. When Jesus was speaking to his "The 1ru~t ol the spirit is . . . longsuffer~ng and g~J~thc-
disciples shortly before his departure he said: "Peace I ness."--Galatians 5: 2~.
leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the
world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troub-
led, neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 27l Thus he defines
the peace that the Christian must possess.
F RUITS of the spirit are not developed suddenly.
are not of a mushroom growth, but of a gradual deveb
opment. Among the precious fruits of the spirit
They

tha
One has "peace with God" when his complete consecra- Apostle names long-suffering and gentleness. Both of these
tion to the Lord has been accepted and Jehovah has Justi- are really the outgrowth of love, the fruit of the spirit. In
fied him freely. Then there is reeon(,iliation between God analyzing love St. Paul says that it is long-suffering and
and the one thus consecrating, which reconciliation is based kind. To be long-suffering means to be slow to anger,
upon the merit of Christ Jesus’ blood. Begotten now as a cheerfully enduring a wrong or injustice without oomplain.
new creature in Christ, he begins to develop tile "peace of ing against it. Many Christians are misunderstood. In fact,
God, which passeth all understanding." (Philippians 4: 7) being misunderstood is a part of the Christian’s suffering.
This peace is one of the frnits of the spirit. None can Being misunderstood often results in injustice being heaped
possess it save those who are begotten of the holy spirit. upon one. Since the Lord has promised that all things shall
The peace of God me’ms a eahn, restful condition of mind work together for good to those who are cared according
and heart resulting from full confidence in the Lord and to his purpose and who love him, it seems quite reasonabls
his promises. A Christian necessarily must come in contact that many of these trials which bring suffering upon the
with the world and with imperfect brethren, lie must of brethren are for the very purpose of permitting such a ons
necessity be surrounded by trials and tribulations, strife to develop the fruit of the spirit; namely, long-suffering,
and turmoil. But he who really loves God and confidently resulting in fortitude. Only Iove can prompt one to be long-
abides in the love of the Lord will not be disturbed by suffering; hence only the spirit of the Lord can develop
these outward trials. Nothing can shake his faith in the this trait of character.
Lord, nothing can disturb his peace of mind and heart; Gentleness means a quiet and refined manner, the very
for he is trusting in the Lord. opposite of harshness, a tenderness toward others, ’~ peace-
In proportion as one grows in the likeness of the Lord, ful attitude toward those with whom we come in ,.ontaet.
One in tim world may h~..ve an outward manifes’atiou of
In that same proportion will he possess the peace of God
and increase in ttlat peace to the point of absolute rest in gentleness; but when the crucial test comes, the Ve~,tleness
will disappear. True gentleness like unto Christ can be
him. Such peace of God results from the holy spirit oper-
possessed and manifested only by those who have his spirit
ating upon the mind; but iu order for the spirit thus to
operate upon the mind the mind must be kept upon things and who are permitting that spirit of love to dwell in them
richly. This comes by filling the mind with the precious
pertaining to the Lord and his arrangement. "Thou wiIt
promises of the Lord and by striving to copy the character
keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3) It is vitally likeness of the I~ord as manifested in his Word. It is love
essential, therefore, to the Christian that he keep in mind that prompts one to suffer an injustice and yet be kind tO
the exceeding great and precious promises given to him by the wrong-doer. It requires suffering under such conditions
the heavenly Father; and relying upon these, he develops to enable one to grow gentle. It would be absolutely impos-
a trust and confidence and rest in the Lord which bring sible for ~)ne to develop and manifest the fruit of gentleness
to him great peace. With confidence he can know that, without some adversity; hence when adversity comes one
should rejoice, because it leads to the development of this
notwithstanding he is surrounded upon every side by ene-
mies, he shall not be over~vheImed. "For the Lord God attribute of character.
The perfect quality of gentleness is manifested by Jeho-
will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: there-
vah and his beloved Son Christ Jesus. After King David
fore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I
shall not be ashamed."--Isaiah 50: 7. had been delivered out of the hand of his enemles, he
extolled and magnified the Lord Jehovah and reoounted
This fruit or grace of the spirit is the result of growing tile many goodnesses that God had bestowed upon him, and
in the likeness of the Lord, putting on love. Hence the then added: "Thou hast also given me the shield of ~hy
Apostle admonishes: "Above all . . . things put on love, salvation; and thy gentleness hath multiplied me [made
which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God me grc’tt]." (2S:tmuel 22:3(;) Ite who would be like
rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one Lord must permit long-sui[ering to develop in him that
body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:14, 15) Brethren kind a,~d gentle disposition like unto his Head,

"The rich glow spreads. Great Fashioner divine,
Who sparest not, in thy far-seeing plan,
The blows that shape the character of man,
Or fire that m;~kes him yield to touch of thine.
Strike on, then, if thou wilt! For thou alone
Canst rightly test the temper of our will,
Or tell how these I~ase metals may fulfil
Thy putI)ose--making all our life thine own.
"Only we do beseech thee, let the pain
Of fiery ordeals through which we go
Shed all around us such a warmth and glow,
Such cheerful showers of sparks in golden rain,
That hard hearts may be melted, cold hearts fired,
And callous hearts be taught to feel and see
That discipline is more to be desired
Than all the ease that keeps us back from thee."
 MARY MAGDALENE
---AC(~VST ~ .... THE O0bPi:LS--
GRATITUDE
FORDE3~0NDELIVlgRAIgCE--IJLTI3tATE
REY,EASEFORALL I’~osr DESIONS--MARY’S
WAR]~DEVOTION
HONORED.
¯ ’Our soul heath waited ]’or Jehovah: he is ~vr hc.’p a~’~(1 our ddetd."--Psalm 88: 20.

O UR study today is of Mary Magdalene,

prominent of the band of women assocmted wifl~
our Lord’s life m~d ministry.
the most GRATITUDE FOR DEMON DELIVERANCE
5The mini>lry of J(~’]:. iq (’,alihe is usually conceived
Evidently the tmme pictorial repres(’n~atloa det)i~’ts it: Jesus, the Teal’her, lead-
Mary was very common in the Israel of our Lord’s day; ing a companyof twelve men;11)()lit lhe cities and vi’l ’yes.
there are at least five mentioned in the New Testament. But that is lrue on!y in p:~rt, as this record shows. When
There is some nneeriainty as to the origin of the ~alne Luke first mentions Mary MagdMeneit is to tell of her and
M’igdalene by which this notable woman, so faithful to the sonic other women as aceomlmnying Jesus and the apostles
Lord, was distinguished from her sisters in service. Per- when lie l)eg:tll his se(,ond lout in Galilee. Each of th~se
Imps she was from Magdala of G,tlih~e. With the exception women lind been 1)les,~ed of tile Lord by being delivered
of Ju(hts who (-ame fronl .ludea, all the apostles and all from demoniacal influenees, though all had not bee~ so
tile women who ~ere a~socialed with the Lord’s ministry much umler tlmt d~ead power as Mary. They went with
were from (~al;/ee. 5[ar.~ Magdalene is earliest introduced him out of gratitude for what he had done for {hem. Evi-
into the (-’e peb. by Luke, when he relates his account of denlly some of thenl had a measure of wealth; ior "they
Jesus’ mil~istry in Galilee. (Luke 8: 2) When he mentions ministered to him of their substance." One was the wife
lmr name, he at on~’e tells ~hat Jesus had cast seven demons of Herod’s steward. They were re :dy to sh.~re the dillieul-
out of heJ~a s~gnitieance in number which probably indi- ties of such unn~mal service as well as its joys.
cates a v~-ry b,’.d case of demonin(’al possession. 6’l’his no~able service is menl ioned directly o:fly 1)y Luke,
emery Magd~(lene’s ramie has been much misused. Tradi- though Matthew and Mark re;er to it. (Luke 8: 2,3; Mat-
|h)n Ires li:.ed Ler as the wonlan of tile city, of Luke thew 27 : 55, 5(;; Marl{ 15 : 40, 41 ) I)y this means were met
7::’7; and l;omes ’,or l),-ni{ent lallen wolnen lmve long been nlany of the needs of Jesus and the dis:eip!es during that
"tad sl~!l are style’l ".’Ia;z’dale:’e homes," and tile women important and strenuous time. When Jesus sent out the
thelnselves ~n’e desigmtted by Mar.v’s name. There ~s no apostles, and afterx,:.rd~ the seventy, two by two, they were
foumlation lor the ats~umption, however; and, if it really told to make no provisim~ for food ; for, he said, "the laborer
mattered, it wou,d be true to say lhat Mary’s name has in is worthy of his hire." But it was a very different n/alter
this re.~"i)e¢,l been much hurt b:," the sbmder. We nlust not for tl~irteen men to appear in a vilb~ge than for two to do
think of Mary as a sinful wmmmbefore the Lord delivered so. Two nlen might easily be bospitahly entertained, but
hel., but as of a hJg’hl.~-strung temperalnent, one whose our Lord’s company not so easily; and from all we know of
sel:ses \voFe nll.lch keener than oi’ ~hlal’y. Lacking re~qraint him we would judge that he would be much more likely to
she had fallen into a state of mental unbalalme, and had provide for his own than expect the villagers to provide
been ~,,eif:t (l by smae of the ninny demons who in our Lord’s for him.
day roamed abotlt seeking places ~herein they might dwell. 7We know that the c~onlpany had a treasurer, Judas, who
aThose who have this temperament, which is found more carried tim bag’, and who sometimes stole what was in it.
fre~tlJently alnong women ~’han men, are much more subject (John 12:6) It was, then, of God’s providence, that these
to attack by demons and more liable to be brought under (le~ out women thus minislered to Jesus and to the disciples
tlwir i.~iluence than are tlmaJe of a duller mind. When that its far as possible their telni/oral needs could be met,
Sp~l’it ob:~ession is rife. as was the ease at our Lord’s first and that the work of the Lord might go on without hin-
advent, and is now at the time ~f the second advent, all dran(’e. God always did, and always will, provide for his
I)ers’~ns o2 highly-slrlmR temperament are made tim objee- ministry. Jesus never sought his sustenance from those to
tixe of demons, and are ofttimes their sport. Those of the whomhe ministered, lle never took up a eolleclion, either
Loctl’s p.’op,e who are of su(,h temperament should pay during the course of his ministry in a city or wlhtge, or
especial heel1 that tl:ey be not caught in this trap of the when his mission was over. To whatever place he went
de,il. A naturally shai’l) mind receives certain suggesti*)ns; he went to give.
toni if there is lack of 1)Mance, that is, if there is not *If the question be asked: Why did Jesus permit women
sui.,,Aent meditation as to lheir relative values, a measure who had been subject to demoniacal obsession to travel
of ¢o,.~eeit is apt lo obtain a foothold; and this, in turn, about with hinl, we answer that he accepted the serviee for
m lk,,.~ more room for the evil spirit to entrench itself in its value: these women could and would ,aive the best and
the lmntl. VVhen once a person has allowed his miml to be quickest service for the needs of the apostles whomhe took
held at tile disposal of thougtlts which nmy be suggested, witll him. It is the nervous temperament whieh does the
it is xery (liflk, ult to close it to demoniae~,l influence. most work in the world. That temperament acts quickest
4Mary, quick-witted, sharp, and evidently with a good and most frequently, and is tile most serviceable in the
deal of mltural energy, had given place to an evil spirit; interests of the kingdom of heaven. God’s true servants
and at last her nlind hall become the possession of at least are never phlegnmtic nor lethargic. Also, the Lord permit-
seven of them. The unfortunate woman would be distracted ted the service for love’s sake. lie knew that those who
by warring thoughts; for the demons would certainly not saerilice of their substaDce or time or ability are those who
ayree except in the fact of retaining possession of her mind. make nlost progress in the will of God. Happy are those
How Mary came in eontact with Jesus we are not told. who can combine these sacrifices. Also, our Lord accepted
Perhaps it was a pileous appeal made to the Lord which the service of these noble and self-sacrificing women, for-
brought her deliver’race, or it may have been his pitying merly troubled by evil spirits, for the same reason that he
observation of her need. However it happened, after her took Matthew the publican into the company of the apostles :
,;eliverance she was ever his loving devoted follower, faith- He wanted to slmw his compassion and love for these who,
{ul to him in her lice, and to him in his death. like the publicans, had been under the power of sin, but
2O4
 19_., 2o.
WATCH TOWER
had been more directly under the control of Satan than chre. (Matthew 27:61) They were loath to leave even the
they. He came to save his people from their sins, and to body of lheir beloved Master.
deliver them from the bondage of the devil.--Luke 13: 16. ~*To Mary was given the great favor tee be the first *o
SDemoniacal power, particularly in evidence at tile first see Jesus afler his resurrecli,m, lhe first to hear him speak
advent, is without doubt one of the great factors in the or to speak to him. and Ihe lit’st to be charged with "t
present evil condition of tmmanity. There are those who message froln Ililn. ()1/ lhe morning after the ~abbath she
deny that spirit obsession is a cause of lunacy; but ttmre and the olher WOlnen went very early to the tomb, before
is abundant evidence to show that vast numbers of those daylight had broken. They found the total) empty, and
who are unable to control themselves and are unfitted for Mary immediately ran to tell Peter and Jolm. Later when
freedom in human society are the subjects of demoniacal the two apostles had gone away, the angels spoke to tlle
possession. But besides those who are subjects of demon women and ba(le them carry a message to the diseip!es.
power, there are many who appear to he partially so. The other women went away, puzzled by what they s’tw
Satan’s pmt)ose is to fight to retain possession of the mas- and heard; hut Mary lingere(l on. Perhaps she was not so
tery over human affairs, and part of his policy is to get ready to helieve this strange mes.~age as she might have
full control of the human family. In this he is directly been, but her words and actions reveal a wonderful depth
aided by those of the fallen angels who, though not abso- af love and devotion. She believed that her beloved Master
lutely under his control, ever seek to serve evil, and who was dead; yet tile tomb was elnpty. Of that fact she had
with Satan are nmtually pleased with evil to humanity and satisfied herself; for she had gone beyond the others and
with all opposition to God. These do all they can to gain had peered into it. When lhe gardener, as she supposed,
or to pervert the minds of men in order that the truths queslioned her why she was weel)ing, she said: "They
of God may find no lodgqaent there. have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they
~OThe close asso,-ialion with Jesus which these women have laid him." (John 20: 13) She did not understand that
enjoyed in the fellowship which their service afforded proves it was her Lord to wlmm she spoke.
that their deliverance frola denmniaeal bondage was com- ~SThough we are not told why our Lord first manifested
plete. Many wile have been in that bondage are tempted to himself to Mary, we nmy very readily and properly say
believe that they cannot get real freedom. Their former that her favor came its a reward for her devotion. And her
evil controllers s(~,k to return; and Satan uses these at- love for Jesus Inust have arisen out of love for God; for
tempts to make believe tim deliverance is not absolute, even that is the source of all true love. We have already noted
as he tempts the Lord’s people to believe that because they tttat the women who lainistered to Jesus were privileged to
are tempted to old sins they have neither full justification that service not because they were called to it, but because
nor full deliverance from the dolninion of Strum. The their loving devotion caused them to offer it. Those have
power of the Lord is supreme over all that of the enemy, most of the joy of the Lord who are most ready and willing
and he whomChrist makes free is free indeed.--John 8 : 36. to serve, and whose heart’s devotion is in their service. It
**Tim Vow should be taken and kept; but probably direct is by readiness of heart 1hat one most quickly perceives the
service, where it can be undertaken, is one of the best privilege of service. There may be service for the Lord
means of keeping the mastery over the power of evil which has considerable amount of joy in the actual serving;
whether of Satan or of the demons. In the company of but where this is done by a very willing mind and out of
Jesus there is always safety. a loving heart, the joy is greatest, and the firstfmaits of
~2In permitting these women to give their loving service God’s blessings are received.
5esus was not training women to be missionaries. They ~6Jesus’ first act of ministry after his resurrection was
were with him to serve in the material things; but, without that of healing the broken heart of a devoted follower and
doubt, they helped his mission. It was not customary for wiping her tears of sorrow away, a beautiful symbol of the
women and men to go about together. Indeed, it is on ministry of healing of him who is now exalted to be a
record that the disciples were surprised when they saw Prince and a Savior.
Jesus conversing at the well with the woman of Samaria.
(John 4:27) There was no familiarity. Tim women were QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
modest, the men were earnest, and all were very busy in ~rho was Mary Magdalene? For what was Galilee noted? ¶ 1.
their Master’s service. These were brave women, both en- IIow has her name been much misused? Was she evidently a good
~VOlllan ? f" ~.
during a measure of hardship, and certainly sharing in the Wlmtis the suseeptil)ility of high .-trung people? What should be
contempt poured upon Jesus and the apostles by the leaders their Sl,e,’lal lin,.s of l)recautmn? ¶ 3.
Howdid Mary demonstrate her gratitude for Jesus’ kindness to
of Israel. It is almost certain that their good was evilly her? ¶ 4.
spoken of. Such ministry for the Lord could obtain only Were there o~her wmnenobsessed? How are they brought to our
attentiim? ¶ 5.
under the speciai circumstances. But there has been and Ih,w were the needs of Jesus and his disciples evidently eared
is now amongst women devoted to the Lord much of similar for? ¶ 6.
In God’s providence how did he provide? Was Jesus a Giver or a
service. To enable their husbands to give time and care to Receiver? ¶ 7.
the Lord’s work luany noble women make great saeriliees What are tile advantages of a nervous temperament? Are those
who are prompted by love for service the ones who make tile
of what might be properly considered their rights and best progress? ~.[ 8.
claims upon their husbands for time and attention. The Are there evidences of demoniacal possession now, as at the first
Lord is not unmindful of such service of love, and will advent? ¶ 9.
Is it possible to have (.omplete freedom from demon possession
surely reward it. now? How are the people of God discouraged by Satan and
the demons? ¶ 10.
*aMary Magdalene and Jesus’ mother and a few other What are three means which we have of safety from demonpos-
faithful women were on Calvary when Jesus was crucified. session? ¶ 11.
Did these womengive evidence of having noble, self-sacrificing
For a time they stood afar off; then they came near till, characters? Are there womendevoted to the Lord in a simila~
at the end, they were close to the cross and could hear way today? ¶ 12.
Where ~as Mary Magdalene when Jesus was crucified? When ha
Jesus speak. (Matthew 27: 55, 56; John 19: 25-27) When dmd? When buried? ¶ 13.
the body was buried, they watched where it was placed Whowas the lirst to see Jesus after his resurrection? What was
(Mark 15:47) ; and when the great stone was roiled into the special favor bestowed upon Mary? ¶ 14.
Whatis the probable reason that Jesus first manifested himselt
Its place and Joseph had gone away, Mary Magdalene and to Mary? Whydid the womenserve? What class have most el
"the other Mary" stayed oa, sitting over against the sepal- the joy of the Lord? ¶ 15.
Whatwa~ Jesus’ first act of ministry after his resum’ection? $16.
 MARY AND MARTHA
AUGUST12 THE GOSPELS
]~J~T~I TRULY
DEVOTED,
BUTDIFFERENTLY
]~fANIFESTED
IT----LAZARUSRAISEDIrRO~ THEDEAD---LOYE
ANDAVARICE
I~ {39NTRAST.
"Mary hath cho.~cn that good part, which shall not be taken Item her."--Luke 10: ~.

T HE position of Martha and Mary of Bethany among

the great men and women of the New Testament is
assured to them because the)’ have so prominent
dispense, and Mary more ready to feed her mind than her
body, needed someone to look after their material interests.
Neither teacher nor disciple could continue unless each bad
place in the picture of our Lord’s life. Each of fine char- food for the body.
acter, they were made great by God’s great favor. Wher- ~Martha’s initial mistake was in making too much of the
ever the story of our Lord’s life is known, the home in occasion to serve, and in encumbering herself with much
Bethany is always remembered in tender association with preparation. It was through this that she forgot herself;
him. How the sisters and their brother Lazarus came into she rebuked the Lord, and also told him what he should
Jesus’ life we may not know. It may have been that Laza- do about Mary. Thus she intruded upon his ministry; for
rus had heard Jesus teaching in Jerusalem; or perhaps the they themselves received him as a messenger of Jehovah.
sisters themselves had heard the Lord, and Martha had She was concerned with her hospitality more than with
invited him to her house, which was about two miles out trying to discover what the Lord would really wish to have.
of Jerusalem. It is almost certain that Martha’s hospitality Hostesses are often tempted to act as Martha did. Happy
was the immediate link. Both sisters were of those who are they who in their hospitality to the saints can combine
waited for the hope of Israel, o1" Jesus could not have in true proportion both giving and receiving. If it be sug-
become their familiar friend. gested that Mary might have been more thoughtful for
2.Ierusalem had no home for Jesus: for Ni(.odemus and Martha, the reply must be that Jesus gave no indication
Joseph of Arimathea were not bold enough to take him as that Mary had lacked; and he told Martha that Mary
their friend; nor is there any record of that city’s ever should not be deprived of her portion of the feast which he,
providing rest or refreshment for the Son of God. Jesus their guest, was providing. It was more important that an
on his visits to Jerusalem would sleep at night on the earnest disciple should be instructed than that Martha’s
Mount of Olives (Luke 22: 39), or perhaps sometimes elaborate meal should be prepared and eaten.
Bethany. We know of only three occasions when Jesus was 6The second mention of the sisters is when they were in
In the home in Bethany. The first and perhaps best known great distress because their brother, Lazarus, was unex-
Is recorded by Luke (Ch. 10:38-42), when Martha invited pectedly stricken with sickness and death. (John 11:1-44)
Jesus, but through over-anxiety to serve spoke rebukingly Immediately the seriousness of the sickness was discovered,
to him. The other two occasions are recorded by John. the sisters sent a messenger to Jesus, then in Perea. It was
(Chapters 11 to 12:8) But the first suggests an inP.macy an affectionate appeal which they sent: "Lord .... he
already existing; evidently Jesus .~-as "at home" with the whom thou lovest is sick." (John 11: 3) Jesus did not
Bisters and was not merely a guest. once respond. As if in explanation he said to his disciples:
aThese glimpses into our Lord’s life arc very pleasing; "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God,
for we know that there could be but few occasions when that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." (John
he could rest and feel at home as in the bosom of a loved 11:4) After two days he said to tbe disciples: "Let us go
family. And it would be a great pleasure to him ~o have into Judea again." They were doubtful about his going;
the quiet fellowship which now and again the home in for recently the people had attempted to stone him. But it
Bethany afforded. Though it was Marlha’s hospitality was necessary that he should go. He said therefore: "Are
which gave Jesus this advantage, without doubt bolh Mary there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the
and Lazarus were as desirous of having him as she was. day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this
Each would have done what Martha did, hecause they all world" (John 11:9), as if he would tell them: "I must
loved Mm. The faintly lind its reward; for the story of work while the daylight remains"; and, well knowing that
Martha and Mary of Bethany, aml of Lazarus their brolher, no evil couhl befall him until his hour had come, he led
is a part of human history, and has entered into the divine his disciples to Bethany.
plan. ~Lazarus died four da.~ s before Jesus’ arrival. Tim family
was well known, and many of the Jews from Jerusalem
TRUE DEVOTION DIFFERENTLY MANIFESTED were there to comfort the two sisters. Martha heard that
4Without doubt the Lord used his friends for his n finis- Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. (John 11: 30)
try, as well as that he used then] in it. M-trtha and Mary, Mary, apparently unaware of tile Lord’s approach, sh~yed
so different in eharacterislies and temperament, are ~ot in the lmuse. On meeting Jesus 5Iartha said: "Lord, if
brought into Luke’s Gospel narrative to give inlerest, but thou hadst been here, my brother lind not died" (John
for the instruction of the Lord’s people, to show how to 11:21), and added: "But I know, that even now, whatso-
discriminate in the use of the ordinary things of life. Both ever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." (V. 22)
women loved the Lord, but Martha with all her desire to Jesus said: "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said
serve did not so truly apprehend our Lord’s desire as did thqt she knew he would rise in the resurrection at the last
Mary. The event proved that Mary, more meditative, served day. Jesus replied that the power of resurrection was in
him more acceptably; for in a truer perception of the him; and though he did not plainly say so, he intimated
privilege of having the Lord she used tim occasion so as to that he could even then restore the corrupting body and
enable him to teach her and to impart something of his give back her brother. Martha declared her faith that he
spirit. It was such Jesus sought. The service which Martha was the Christ, the Son of God, but left him to tell Mary
gave the Lord was more like that of lhe women who went that the Master had come and was calling for her.
with Jesus and the apostles to minister to them, while s Jesus was still where Martha had met him. l~lary hur-
Mary’s was more like that of the apostles--learning of him ried to him, and falling at his feet, said as Martha had
in order to carry on his work. Both phases of service are done: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not
aeeassary. Jestm~ always ready to serve what he had to died." (V. 32) It was not reproach that they expressed,
206
 WATCH TOWER
but a realization of how different things would have been when Jesus arrived lhere on his last visit to Jerusalem,
had lie been l)resent. Mary was weeping, and those who He had come up with the throng that was making its way
followed her were weeping; and Jesus groaned in spirit, to the Passover feast; and he stayed in Bethany, and
and was troubled. Upon his enquiring where Lazarus was almost certainly at the Bethany home. Martha made a
laid, they led hiin to the tomb. Jesus wept. Agaiu groaning supper and also served. Lazarus sat at tim table with
within himself he approached the grave. He eonlnmnded Jesus. Willie supper was on, the account reads, "then took
that the stone which covered it be taken away. Martha, Mary a petard of ointment of spikenard very costly, and
anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her
now the hesitant, said: "Lord, by this time lie stinketh:
for lie hath been dead four days." iV. 39) Jesus lifted hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the oint-
up his eyes to heaven and said: "Father, I thank thee ment." (John 12:3) This was an act of loving devotion,
that thou hast heard me." (g. 41) lie spoke aloud to his ever to be on record wherever the gospel of the kingdom
Father, and thanked him for hearing him. Then, in that is preached.
eonlidence he (.tied with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come ~aMary’s alabaster box of ointment serves as a text for
forth. At~d he that wn,> dead came forth, bound hand and many a sermon on using present opportunities of service
foot with graveclothes; and his fhee was bound about with rather than waiting till a loved ~)ne has gone: for a flower
a napkin." Jesus said: "Loose him, and let him g~o."-- to cheer in life is better than one on a grave as a token of
Verses 43, 44. fond remembrance. But imre Mary’s loving action cannot
be set in contrast with Martha’s service, as is frequently
9This was the greatest miracle of Jesus’ life. It was
done; for Martha was pouring out her ointment in loving
wrought as with the special coJperation of his Father; and
service attending to the needs of their guest. We must
clearly it was arranged, even as Jesus intiinated when he
said: "This sickness is not unto deatil, but for the glory look elsewhere for the lesson. Jesus said: "She hath done
of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." this for my burial." lie knew that a few days hence he
would be killed, and would thus complete his work and his
iV. 4) On two previous occasions Jesus had resu+seitated
course, lie graciously accepted Mary’s offering as for his
the dead. He had raised the young daughter of aairus, and
body in death--and tlms gave her a part in the last possible
the young man of Nain. But a greater miracle was neces-
service for him.
sary. God foresaw that Satan would corrupt the truths of
tim gospel. He knew that a false church would proclaim X4May we not think that Mary already perceived that
that the resurrection of Jesus was the reunion of "soul" Jesus was approaching a crisis in his life? Perhaps her
and body, for a short time separated. Hence this mi~.~ele, meditative mind discerned something of sadness in his
which as a revivification of a body, is greater than that of manner. It is certain that Jesus had been showing a
the supposed revivification of the body of Jesus. If resur- measure of aloofness; for on the road to Bethany he had
rection is only reunion of the body and the soul, then in no walked apart from the disciples. (Luke 19: 28) Mary de-
way had Jesus the preeminence, nor was he the first to be sired to show her love her admiration, her sense of high
raised from the dead. (Acts 26:23) The record of this appreciation; and so she took her precious little alabaster
miracle ought to have prevented acceptance of the creedal box and poured its fragrant ointment on him. Some of the
teaching concerning Jesus’ resurrection. The Scriptures disciples, probably led by Judas (for John specially men-
never declare a resurrection of the body, either of Jesus tions him), said that the action was wasteful and that the
or of any other. ointment could have been sold and the money given to the
poor. Evidently some of them Sl)oke to Mary of this, as if
~°This miracle therefore was for God’s purposes, for his
glory, and for the manifestation of the power of his Son, to say that her action was an intrusion as well as wasteful.
as well as for the guidance of tim church. Upon whomso- But the Lord rebuked them. He said: "Let her alone:
ever the choice would fall to be the subject of this greatest against the day of my burying hath she kept this."--
of all miracles in the ministry of Jesus, he and his family John 12 : 7.
would of necessity be brought into much prominence. :No QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
outsider could be honored. The favor fell upon the one
family that gave Jesus a home, and Martha and Mary and Why are Martha and Mary among the great women of the Bible|
What is the probable way they with their brother became a~
Lazarus were thus favored to suffer for the glory of God. quainted with our Lord? ¶ 1.
~*There are many instructive features in this wonderful What may be said to the shame of ilerusalem? Was Jesul alwayl
welcomedat Bethany? ¶ 2, 3.
story. It tells in symbol of the glorR)us deliverance from Why are Martha and Mary brought into Luke’s Gospel? What 11
death of those who are therein bound, and who after the the outshining characteristic of Mary’s life? ¶ 4.
stone of the present kingdom of Satan’s dominion is rolled What was Martha’s mistake? Are similar mistakes made today|
Was Mary unmindful of Martha? What is the happy medium
away will, at the word of command, come forth to their whereby both mind and body may be served? ¶ 5.
What was the occasion of the second mention of the Bethany faro.
loved ones, to be loosed into the glorious liberty of the ily? Whywere the disciples concerned about Jesus’ returning1
children of God. (Ilomans 8:21) But one lesson stands What did Jesus mean by saying, "Are there not twelve hour1
out prominently--that not all suffering which comes upon in a day?" ¶ 6.
What was the conversation between Jesus and Martha on his
the friends of Jesus is intended as chastisement, nor of return? What is its meaning? ¶ 7.
necessity as trial out of which lessons are to be gained. Were the words of the sisters reproof to Jesus for not coming
sooner? How was Jesus’ sympathy shown? What was then done
Some sufferings are indeed for our perfecting; but some are to the surprise of the mourning sisters and friends? ¶ 8.
for the benefit of others, and some are specially for God’s What is the full import of this great miracle? Was the raising of
Lazarus a resurrection or a resuscitation? Is a resurrection
purposes. God has tim right to use his own for his glory; merely the reunion of "soul" and body? What should the record
and this he does. Satan often brings the Lord’s people of this miracle have done, concerning the creeds? ¶ 9.
In what way was this miracle for the glory of God? Why wall
into sharp temptation; for either in or after a sharp expe- Lazarus the beneficiary? ¶ 10.
rience there is a sense of not having learned any special What does this narrative tell in a symbolical way? What is tim
outstanding lesson ? ¶ 11.
lesson by it. Let the Lord’s people remember that this What is the third mention of the Bethany family? What did
Bethany experience was not specially for lessons for Laza- Mary do? ¶ 12.
What lesson does Mary’s alabaster box of ointment teach? Should
rus or for his sisters. It was for the glory of God. The the services of Mary and Martha he contrasted, as is usually
chief lesson is that of trust in God. "Faith can firmly trust done? ¶ 13.
Should we think that the fragrance of Mary’s heart was greate~
him, come what may." and more precious than the ointment? What is the probabll
¯ 2The third incident related of the home in Bethany in significance of : "Against the day of myburying hath ,,he kept
this"? ¶ 14, 13.
 International Bible StudentsAssociationClasses
hcc~urc~and~tudlc~~ TravclinqBrethren
BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER W. H. PICKER~VG
Otsego, Mich.............. July 16 Battle Creek, Miell .... July 2t Kearaey,Neb................... July 15 Cheyenne, Wyo............... July 2~
l~iarcelhs, Mich........... "’ 17 Charlotte, Mich.............. " 25 Ilrady, Neb....................... "" 16 Laramie,Wyo................... " 25
Niles, Mieh................... " 18, 19 Lansing. Mich................. " 26 -North Platte, Neb ........... " 17 1Had:foot,I.a ................. " 27
Three Rivers. Mich ..... " 2(I Sunfiehl, Mich .............. " 27 Sidney, Neb ................... " lS l’oeatella, hla ................. " 29
Jackson, Mieh ............. " ’-)2 Woo(llawn, Mwh ....... 2,~ Alliance. Nell ................... " 19 TwiuFalls, ldu ............... " 30
&lbion,Mich................. " ’-’3 Grand Rapids, Mich 23 (’:I’~I~(’P, Wyo ................... " 22 Buhl,Idu ......................... " 31

BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK
BROTHER J. A. BOHNET St Johu~, Kan ............... July 16 Ilardtner, Kan ......... July 23
liutehulson, Wan............. "’ 17 Ah’a, Olda ...... ’ 24
Dublin. Tex................. July 15 Cleburne, Tex ........ July 23 Arlington, Wan............... " 1,~ \,’oodward, Okla ........ " 25, 26
]3esdean(ma, Tex ......... " 16 Egan. Tox ....... " 2~ Pratt, Nan....................... ’" 19 Slut|tuck, Okla .............
Ranger,Tex................. " 17 ’" Cheney,Wan................... " 20 " ’~;, 29
Corswana. Tex ............. 25 l:o~well, N. M............. " 30
Eastland, Tex ............. " 1: Teaau,’, Te\ ................. " :"; \Vichila. Wan................... ’ 22 1;arslow, Tex ............ Aug. 1,2
Weatherford, Tex ....... " 19, 20 Norm,..gee, Tex ......... " 27, 2"}
¥0rt Worth, Tex ......... " ’2"2 ~Valler,Tex................. ’" :,1
BROTHER B. M. RICE
-\larquelle, Mieh .... lul5 I(L 17 Kuaberley, Minn ........... July 26
l~ru(.e’s (.~IOSSlUg,Mich. ]N Aitkin, 5Iinn ................ " 27
BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN Snperiol’, \\’is ........... " 20, 22 Federal l~um, Mim~....... " 29
Woonsocket, R. I ......... July 1,~ North Duxbury. 5Ia~, .Jul.~ 25 Duluth. 5hnn............. " 22. 24 Boy River, Minn............. " 30
Pawtucket, R. I ........... " 10 lqymouth, Muss ....... ’ 2~; TwoIlarbor~. Minn..... " 23 Barlluln, , ,Hid .... ddly 3[, Aug. 1
Attleboro, Mass ............ " 20 (’otuit, Mass ................ ’" 2; Proctor 5111111........... " 25 ()namia, Mum .... " "2
Taunton, Mass .............. " ’,2’1 NewBedford, Mass ......... " 2)
Brockton, Mass ............ " 22 l’ull lOxer, Mus,~.......... " 30
IPlympton. Mass ............ " 24 " BROTHER V. C. RICE
Newport, R. I .............. 3l \Vater~lwt, N.Y. ... July IN Greeuwich, N. Y ..... July25
T’)v, X " 19 Fort Edward, N. Y. ........ " 26
M~(’hanicsville, N. Y.:.:::: 20 (Hens Falls, IN’. Y........... " 27
I’owual, ~, t ........ " 2L Ticonderoga, N. Y ........... " 29
BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM Rutland, ~,’t ............. 23 Ihlrlitlgton, Vt ........... " 30
Assiniboia, Sask......... July 13-15 ][arptrce, S;IM~......... July 25, 2,; Granville, N. ", ......... " 24 Morrlsvilh,, Vt ..... " 31
Willows,Sask ............. " 17 Khedive. SaM~........... "’ 27,2
JoeviBe. Sask............. " 1~. 19 Smwl. Man............. " 31
Luella,Sask................. " 20, 22 I~randon, Man......... Aug. l BROTHER C. ltOBERTS
~feeroy, 8ask ............ " 23, 24 ~Vmnll,eg, 5ldn ......... " 3-5 A.ubarn,ln(l ...................... July IS l,h’ie, l’u ......................... July 25
(;al’, ctt, Ind .................. "" 1J Westfield, N. Y ............... " 26
q’ilhn,I) ........................... " 2,J Jamestown,N. Y ............. " 27
Mansfield. O................... " 22 Buffalo, N. Y.................. " 29
BROTHER M. L. HERR Nharon,i’a ...................... " 23 ’i’Oliawandu, N. Y, .......... " 30
Barungton. WaM~.._ "..ld 13 :~ ~a;~ Wash ........... ],’a/’l eli, l’u ........... U~ Nm~aral"alls, N. Y ....... " 31
l,d," 23
Anacortes, Wash....... " 5: ~’HII" ~xcr, B. L ........ ’ ~..’.-,
Sedro Woolley, Wash. " 37 "V,,,,..-., B. (’. ........... " 26, ’2, BROTIIER O. L. SULLIVAN
Bellingham, Wash ..... " I8, 22 No,t,., . Wash ...... "" o)
Everson, Wash......... "’ 19 Al(h,,~ oodManol’.\Va~h. 30 l’ow,’r l’,)int. O ............. Jul~ 17 l,’airmont. W. VII ......... July 24
Lynden, Wash........... " ~%*ell!~cnvii Ic, I) ............... " lN Clarksbnrg, W. Va ........ " 25
20 Por~ /oxxnseml, \’,’.~’a "’ 51 (’lu,-~er, \V. \a ............ " !") "
"~,’ulbiee, \V. Va............... 26
l~ollaire. O ~ " 20 Mobhw, \~’ \ a .......... " 27
Y,’heeling, W.Va ............. " 22 New Martlns~iile, W. Va. ", 2J
BROTHER W. M. HERSEE llil. ton, ~V. ~’,i .......... " *~,> Clarington, O ................ " 30
]~Iarigohl, Sask ............. July 16 Treherne, ~Iall .......... July 26, 27
}Iarptree, Sask ........... " 3: WinnllM~g, .Man .... ’ 2) BI’O’I II ER W. J. THORN
Khedive, Sask ............. " 20 Ashern. Man ........ " 30, 31 Luolbl, S:,~k .... Iulv 17 Chaphn. Sask. July 26, 27
Bran[Ion, Man............. " 22, 2’I (’umper, Man........... Aug. 1 Yautage. Sauk ..... " I’L 19 ¯ MOOse‘ J:lw, N,t.M; ....
Souris, Man................. " 24, 25 Wimfipeg, Man ........ " 29
35 M:~zenod, Sa~k ....... " 2(’ 22 Ile~ina, Su,q~............. " 30, 31
llo(lgo~ die, Su~ll ........ " 2:’ Melville, SaM(............ Yug. 1’
llerborL SaMi ......... " 24 25 Y~wllt(,n, Sask ........... ’" 3, 5
BROTHER H. HOWLETT
BROTHE,=. T. II. TtIORNTON
Jamestown, N. Y ........... Jnly 12 ()l(.an. N’. Y. .July 1~
Westfield, N. Y ........... " 13 l’rankhnxille, N. Y. .... "’ ’rrenwn, ()nt .................. lul2, ~’~ Tol’ont(L Ollt ......... July 27-29
1D Toroui o. ()Ill ................... ’’ 2] Iloai,ls~ tile, Ont ....... "
Clymer, N. Y .................. " 1-t Shm~l,dlouso l’u ......... " 20, 22 30
Warren,Pa ..................... " 15 ]lohva~. N. Y. .............. ’" (}shaw:l. ()lit .................. " 2"~ St. l’atheriues, Ont. _. " 31
23 Port Perry, Ont ............. " 2~ Niumu’u Falls, Ont. Aug.
Onoville, N. Y................. " 17 AIIouI{.~[I, N. ~" ........ " 24 " 1,2
S~ouff~ illo. Ont ....... 25 Hamilton, Ont ........ " 3,5

PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR AUGU3T CONVENTIONS

l’reparalions are being made el) a large s(,a’,e, for a six-
AUGUST1 : "The fmfit of ~he ~pirit is . . . peace "’--(hllatians 5 : 22.
AUGUST
8 : "Tile fruit of the ~[,lI’it i~, ¯ . ¯ long-Sllfl’orlng and gentle- day (~nvention at Tacoma, Washingto:L iw,:h~rin,~ An’rest
nebs."---Galutt,m~ 5. 22. 14, and ending lhe evoniPg of Au,~ust 19 wilh a wall-adver-
AUGUST15: "The fruit of the ~pirit is . . . goo(lne.~s and faith."-- tised pul)li(" meelin~ in tl e Stmlium. hnnw(liate:y 1)receding
(lalatlau- 5 : 22. this convention will ba a series of (’on~e~tions in Canada,
ArGUST22: "The fruit of the spirit is . . . me,q, ne~s and temper- be~imfing wilh To:’o’~lo, .hlly 27-_°9..; 1Vinnil)eg, August 3-5;
ance."--Galatlan~ 5.22.
Saskatoon, August S-10; and Edmonton, August 10-12.
AIJOUST 29 : "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind."--Eph. 4 : 23.
An eight-day conventioh will 1)e hehl ~t I,os Angeles, Cali-
fornim August 19 to 26, ineiusive. S1)a(,e wii! not permit
HYMNS FOR AUGUST in this issue to give a detailed announ(’(.ment, lint in the
Sunday ............ 5 235 12 290 19 253 26 60 next issue of THE WATCH TOWER We hol)e to give further
Monday ............ 6 57 13 216 20 55 27 38 details concerning these conventions.
Tuesday ............ 7 327 14 81 21 32 25 280 It is contemplated timt a special train will be run from
Wednesday 1 305 8 189 15 2Ol 22 332 29 254 Chicago, taking in practically all of these conventions and
Thursday 2 11 9 137 16 236 23 113 30 72 other lo(.al conventions on the way. We make the announce-
Friday 3 230 10 202 17 267 24 329 31 151 ment now, that friends so desiring may arrange their vac~.
Saturday 4 88 11 266 18 297 25 25 tions so as to avail themselves of these eonventlona.
 "/
, i

CONTENTS
~IE’~V~FI’,OM TIIE WATtH ’!’OV¢I2.I~ ..................... 2l l
l~’undamentahsts and Inhtlols ........................... 211
Pr¢’.~bx it,, Is llI WFnllble. tOO ............. 21l
}~Pl,~C:)i,alialis ~llld tile lPedol.ti1 [~’Olllleil .......... 212
Sunday Schools Collapsing ........................... "I_’~ :~l
[N RE(~ONVI,:\TIONS........................................
At Ta(’Olllll kLIII] LOSAngeles .........................
213
2~5
l;
:,
Special Train .............................................. 215
WorldV(i I ne.~s ............................................. 21~;
I~RAYER-*~IEEFIN(I ~JJExT.q .... . .217 :.
~[EMORIAL ltEPORT ....... . ............ ’2Ib~
SfEPtI.~;N TIiE ~IAIUIYll ....................... ~[~)
.............. 221
~’ A NE/’~" OFFICE OPENED Iao:;{q ) ......
", d , 223
, .
".. *’1 Wgl~ cfalt(~ ftp(t~t lily tVqt(,h (lltrl will ~’t my
~ z~ - upon the ~rO,’’C~, oral will watch to s’e n h,tt tic ibfll
,;’-*,- . . gUJ] "tlnto me, ¢t,qd trhal; o~,s’wc;. I ~]~all make tO thert~
~- ’~
,,~ ...... , ;~.~",.’ that o~pose me."--,HabuL’.:r,& e:~.
",:,
"5 --,.

~.~C~s--~©,,,,~,~Ts .--

- ---.’: <_. .:&-_ .........

~

I~.po= {he c=rth distress of natlon~ with perplexity; the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking
the thin~:s coming upon the earth (society); for the powersof the heavens (ecclesiastiesm) shall be shaken... When ye see these things begin to come to Era%.
kaow that the Kingdom of God ia at hand. Look up, lift up your head~, rejoins, far your redemptma dxawet h aigh.--Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21 z5-31.
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACRED MISSION
T HIS Journal is one of the prime factors
presented in all parts of tile civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction, or "Seminary Extension", now beinff
world by the ~VATell TOWERBIULN & TRACTSOCIETY, ehorh,red A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
motion of Chrislian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible stndents may meet m the stndy of the divine Word but
also as a cha .:el of commuIneation throu:.h which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of tho
coming of its ~raveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Les~ons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIESmost entertainingly arranged, and vet’y
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society nceords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. 5I.), which lransl-"
into Engiisl ~ iu Minister of Gml’s lVord. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older ]3,~lO
students an teaelmrs. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true fouadation ef the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudla’~xl
--redemptio~.l through the 1)reeious blood of "lhe man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substltute~ or
all". (1 Peter I : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on tbis sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : !1-
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its larther mission is to "nmke all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...l:as
b,,eu hid ia God .... to lhe i-~ent that now might be made known by the church lhe manifold wisdom of God"--"whictl in other a.;es
~as not made known unto tl sons of men as it is now revealed".--Itphesians 3 : 5 9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men. while it seeks more and more to bring ils every utterance i’fio fl~"~st
~v_bjeetion to the will of God m Chrl~L as expressed in the ho:Y Scriptm-es. ]t is thus free lo declare boldly ~lmt<oe~er the t a’d
]::,lh spoken--a(e,n’ding to the divine wisdom granted unto us to undersland his nttci’allce~, its at~itlide is lll)t ~]OgiA~ttle,[)d~ (’(YIH<,
f~.r we know whereof we affirm, lreadin< ~ K’: implicit faith upon the sure pronii~:es of Cod. ]t is ]whl ns a lenst, 1o be m :d o ) in .us
~ervice; hence ot:r de( ~ i ons r elative t o wh.A m:ty a nd ~ hat m ay n ot a ppear i n i ts c ohn’.ms mu~ be c.ccordit,g ?o our jt ~.i ’, nt of ’1i$
geed pleasure, the teaciung of hi~ %Vord, for file upbuild.ing of him people in grace and knowledge. And we llot ol]ly invite but urge cur
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facH, tate such testing.
TO US TKE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACIt
’I’hat the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in prozress through~qt
the gospel age--ever sinee Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Cllief Corner Stone of his temple, thFoaLql wtneh, wl a
tmisdmd, God’s i)l(,t:..in’: shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3:16, :[7; Gpilemans...’)" °0-__,"
(’enc’ds 2.3 : 14 ; Galalutns 3 : 29.
ITha .... :a’~:il~=e the ehis’.e!ing, shaping and poliMdn,.~ of conseeratoq believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, p=’ogro¢’.o~; aud when the
].:.,t of H]ese "hx ing .~tones", " "~ct aud premoes," shall h:t,-e been made rea.,!y, lhe g:’z,"t 5,:’~ter Wor]:m.ln wAl brln~ ;l[l lo.:e|} r
].~. lhc. fA’st resurrection : and tl~e temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place bet~veen God and me~ tlu’c~zn~ul:
t..e MHte:mmm.--Itevclation ]5:53.
¯hat ll~e ba.qs of hope, for the church and the worI,I, lies in the fact that "Jesus ChrGt, by the .’-ra,’e of Go’.!. ~-*:cl death P.r erery
] d l." %~ ransom for all," aad w~.l be ’the true hght which lighteth every mat~ that comclll t~tlo the ~co~’,~’. "in due nme".--
J-,q)rev.~ 2:9; John 1.:9; ~ Tunothy 2:5, 6.
That :lie Iu1 ;~ ~,f the vhurch is lhat .M~e 1nay be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’partaker of the divine nature,’ and Mmre h~s
/,cry a~ .... jmnt-Le,r-- I ,lobs 3:2; John 17:2-i; Romans S :17; ’2 Peter 1:4.
"Vhat ~1_~ pre:;c’lH rot.Men (,f tile chureh is the perfecting of the saints for 1he future work of service; ~o O~velop in he, "q" ove-y
grace; to be G,/d’s ~\-ll..ov N ]o tile world ; and h) prepare to !co kllJgS aud priests ,a tile next age.--l,;pim~,a..-~ 4: 12, .V.,,ll,ew 2i
14; l:evelatmn i: (;; :20:6.
~hat 1he hope Ior lhe w(,,’hl lies in tile blessings of knowled.’.’e and opport laity io be brought lo all by Christ’s Millenm~ ’ 1 :~-dam, ".l~tl
re’, ’tl;,O" c" p’l 1lint ~:1~ lost in Adam, to all lho willing and (~[/’dlOdr, at tile llttlldS ot thmr lIedeemer an(: h*s glo~.,ed chulc~
whea all ~. c \ .... : x, ~ !.cd will be destroyed. Aels 3 : 10-23 ; ]:’.:l:lh 35.

SPECIAL COLPOWI EUIRS

2,- i l,o (’h; iqtilm’s 0ppYeclation inerez:’e3 tow:)rd the King

allil his kil~K(~Olll, tlL~ri ’ tq a :.’,l’epleP desh’e ill ]l:,V,O parl ill
gixina lhe wi.nens lr ]~ our (h’s~re to colip,~rate with (,very
one who wiMles to have n lmrt in lhe wo:k in lI,is behalf,
well knowing lhat nothing, ~ is ~t) go,qd ~or one’s spiYitual
heullh as to be busy in tim Lord’s service.
To ell()OUl’age those who wish to spend their van.ilion
c]lnv:L~shig for the books, we Imve arranged to give them
special lerms and territmT wherever suitable for their con-
vent9 :(’e. All conlemplatvl.~ cn’..a::ing in this special eolpor-
tour v,’o]’k dul’il~g. ~ the period of ~ :,<’alien plea¢t~ re<ister with
the (’olporteur I)(lmrtment nn noon its laOs~Jble, requesting
(Fr~r¢lqlg t~an;latons o[ 11~ )o:’*,’ql t,);)cav Ill :.ctctal lallq/.aqc’Q 3’Ollr territory, in ol’der lilHl \x( ~ l V get boo!:.’:, lo you ill
........ ample, time. Be sure to make it plain in year latter that
Eoitorial Commiltee: q’hls iournal is published nndcr lhe supervision you wish to enter the speeiul colilorteur work dul’Jng your
el a i e, hlomIll (oAI’IIItI:~O, lit least lhree of 1vllonl i]~’lve l’Cl.d Rail
UD’)ro’~ eli Its truth each I1,1~[ e\ cry /~l’llc]e ~ppearing in ihoqe cOhlnlns vacation, advising us that you are elnplo~ed the rent of the
rJ’h# names of lhe odllo~ .I1 eoLlhlittee t~.l’(’: J. l". ll~ l’]ll’ni/)nD,
time at some secular w(irk. ThLs will insure you the special
W. E. VANA~I~rrnc~lr, a. IIEM]:r:Y, C._tt. lvlsjlLa, R. 11. lkul::l:n.
Tr~ms to tile Lo;d’,; Poor" All tl~lffe sludenls x\ho I)y le,l.,m , t rate.
oi’l fl’ze or other ili’Irl’!ily or a(lverMty, are lln,ll)]l~ io ]~ IV Jill’ t" We wish for each and i,~ery one of you the Imppiest
jO! IH:It, will be snDnJle(l free if they seild a poMal Cal’(1 each ~l vaeation perle4 tlmt you have spent, and we fcei sure that
~,1 !{ID’~ their case 111;(1 l’e([nostin~" such provision ~Vc ai’e not ~ll,~/
~ l[llll~, lnlt allXiOil~, ~,lat all such be on our list continually ltn(] this will be the result in 5our effort to advertise the King
ill tOll(’ll with 1he IIoPelln siudios. and ills ldngdom.
Notu.e to Subscribers: We do not, as a mile, send u card of ueknowl-
ed~nlent for st renewal or for a new Sllb~Cl’lpll(Hi. I~eceipt and
entry ofasrenewal
i~ntered SecondCIo~,
arex,’indicated
. ~ r : I’
" ~o],l~.n,
"~:illlir~ N Y Posto]fice
a month ,b~A~t
change
of Mmch
in 3rd
expira-
~879~.
tion date, as sllnwn o11 ~v!’ul)])or label. CONVENTION

The colored friends or Ihe Ii~ter’mtional llible SludentS

Association will have their general convention in New York
I.BS’A. BEREAN
BIBLESTUDIES eily August 31 to Sep{clnher 3, inclusive. At this meeting
By/v~eansoF "The Plan of the Ages" will be Brother Banks, the manager of the Colored Depart-
CI{M’T~’:~ XV: The Day of ,lehorah ment, and other able brethren, besides Brother R. I1. 1Ltrl)er,
"Week of August 5 ..... Q. "to 34 Weekof Au,.msr 19 ...... Q. 40 44 of the Editorial Committee of THE WATCH Townr,. For
~Vook of Au~:ust 12 Q. ;’5 39 G’eek of Au-;u,t 2G .... Q. 45-49 further information address communications l o ?.I r. A. Benta,
Questionbooks on "The D!vlue Plal~", 15e postpaid
234 West 63rd St., :New York, hi’. Y.
VOL. XLIV JuLY 15, 1923 lye. ]4

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

"’Neverthdess, whenthe Sor~ of maneometh, shall he find faith on the earthf"--L~Jee 18: 8.

HEevidence is overwhelming plloving the second

T presence of our Lord. ]:Ie has been present since
1874, conducting his harvest work. From time
infidels are educated for the pulpit, was on the program
to speak to the 3,200 delegates. Dr. John l~oaeh Straton,
of NewYork, arose and protested against his appear-
to time since then, students of the Scriptures have ante on the ground that he was substantially an infidel.
observed the fulfilment of his words above quoted. From But the protest was without avail. The majority of the
time to time THE WaTCI~TOWF4{deems it proper to convention was overwhelmingly in favor of the modern
call attention to someof these fulfihnents of prophecy, infidel.
showing how the clergy and the principal men in the The Fundamentalists hold to four principles as essen-
church nominal have departed from the faith once tial; the virgin birth of Christ, the inspiration of the
delivered to the saints. Scriptures, Christ’s vicarious atonement for sin, and
Whenthe Leag-ue of Nations compact was formulated his promise of a second advent. The ]Xiodernists (infi-
in 1919, the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in dels) deny these propositions. The Fundamentalists
America called upon the people of the earth to support had intended asking the convention to make some state-
it and hailed it as the savior of mankind, employing ment of its standing upon these four points, but gave
the statement: "It is the political expression of God’s it up when they saw that they were hopelessly outnum-
kingdom on curtly." The American people repudiated bered. The question that arises is, Whydo Christian
the Leagueof Nations at the polls; but the professional men continue to meet with an infidel organization, and
politicians, big business and big preachers are still try- to give it their support? Whynot obey the Lord and
ing to inveigle the people of this land into the League. comeout ?--Revelation 18 : 4.
A press despatch from Washington under date of May
31, 1923, says: PRESBYTERIANS IN TROUBLE,TOO
"A call to 125,090 congregations The same issue which has ruined the Baptist denomi-
in America to rally to
the support of President Harding’s proposal that the United
nation is destroyi~g Presbyterianism also. In 1910 the
States enter the Pernmnent Court of International Justice
was issued here today by the Federal Presbyterians at their annual assembly agreed that the
Couneit of the
Churehes of Christ in America. literal inspiration of the Scriptures, the virgin birth,
With the Federal Council
are alIiliated thirty communions with an adult the vicarious sacrifice, the resurrection of Jesus, and the
membership
of more than 20,000,000 persons." performance of miracles are essential doctrines of the
This Council wholly ignores the Scriptures and the Presbyterian church.
Lord’s kingdom as remedies for the ills of mankind. Nowit happens that the Reverend Dr. tlarry Emer-
Another evidence of the rapid disintegration of Satan’s son Fosdiek, who is a Baptist and a professor in the
empire! infidel Union Theological Seminary of NewYork, is
also a special preacher in the First Presbyterian church
FUNDAMENTALISTS AND INFIDELS
of NewYork. A year ago he delivered a sermon in New
There are yet a few men of the various nominal York in which he expressed his unbelief in the virgin
church organizations who believe the Bible. These are birth of the Savior, the inspiration of the Scriptures,
nowseeing, all too late, that the waveof higher criti- the atonement, and the second coming of Christ. New
cism and of evolution which has been sweeping over the York was satisfied; but Philadelphia Presbyterians ob-
church for a generation has brought rampant infidelity, jected and took the ease to the Presbyterian Assembly,
modernism, into full control of church affairs. The which met at Indianapolis, l~iay 17.
Baptists have just been having evidence of this in their At the Assembly William Jennings Bryan, through
convention at Atlantic City. the power which he has of swaying audiences, succeeded
President W. tI. P. Faunce, of Brown University, by a vote of 439 to 359 in the attempt to have Dr.
Providence, R. I., one el the institutions where modern Fosdmk reproved; but his own attempt to have tim
212
WATCH
Assembly agree that no part of the educational fund
should to be paid to any school that teaches or permits
to be taught as a proved fact effher Darwinism, or any
other evolutionai T hypothesis that links manin blood
relationship with any other form of ]ire, went down
into defeat. It is apparent that the general sympathy
of this Assembly was with the infidel view, and only
the oratory of a layman prevcnt>d a scene like that at
Atlantic C,~tv. Even as it was, sixty-six of the leaders
at Indianapolis filed a protest against the Assembly’s
action in condemningthe doctrines of Dr. Fosdick. It
is claimed in the newspapers that at Indianapolis there
were two evolutionists to every believer in the Scriptural
origin of man. At the conclusion of the session Will It.
Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and
Distribntors of America, made an eloquent plea that
the preachers should have more money, claiming that
they were paid about the same as garbage collectors.
Our own opinion is that as a choice between garbage
collectors and exponents of Evolutmnversus the Bible,
the garbage collectors are manytimes mere bcnefieml to
mankind. One is collecting garbage, and the other dis-
tributing it.
TOWER
to the church situation whenit boasts, as it has recently
clone, that America is getting more religious because
the last year has witnessed an increase of 1,220,428
membersover the previous year. If the ministers that
serve these church membersare infidels, what are the
church members themselves? And does it surely mean
that the United States is becoming more religious be-
cause it has more people who pretend to believe what
they do not at all believe? The Federal Council claims
a RomanCatholic baptized professio,a of 18.104,804; a
Protestant membershipof 27,45 ~,080, of which about
mghty percent are affiliated with the Council; and then
it makes the whole country over into a eomnmmtvof
saints by saying that in the supreme hours of life or
death the facts will show that there are in the United
SLates:
Protestants.................................................... 78,113,481
Roman Catholics............................................. 1&104 S04
Jews....................................................................... ],G00.000
Mormons ............................................................ 604,082
GreekCatholics................................................. 45(;,05"
SUNDAY SCHOOLS COLLAPSING

The South wakes more slowly than the West. In some Charles A. Selden, in the Ladies Ilome JournaZ fo~
sections it is still at the hell-fire stage, not having May, calls attention to the fact that millions whoare
learned as yet that it is in the effort to escape this veenrolled in the Sundayschools are learning practically
W
dilemma that tl~e denial of the Bible has come about. nothing; that the Sunday school "is a failure as a
Thus on l~fay 19, at Montreal, N. C., the ReverendR. C. feeder of the church, primarily because it iv even more
Reed, of the Colmnbia, S. C., Presbyterian Theological of a failure as a school"; that it "has kept Americain
Seminary, ddivered a red-hot sermon ou the text, "I a state of ignorance so far as religion is concerned, and
am tormented in thzs flame." (Luke 16: 2~) If the has reduced its reli~mus education to a condition far
Reverend ]teed will send to us, we will supply him with worsetitan that of the public secular schools." Ile ea!ls
a clear and convincing explanaUon of this parable, in attention to "the persisting absurdity of the uniform
which he will see that his torment is um~eee,:sary. It lessons, not only giving no reli~ious education worlhy
is the Jew that has been tormented. of the name, but responsible for the indifi’ercl:ee to
religion and the church itself with which millions of
EPISCOPALIANS AND THE FEDERAL COUNCIL young people (lUit the Sunday school"; and that "as
The Protestant. Elnseopa] church ha.~ been in session soon as they possibly can do it after eleven years of
at Garden Cib, and has before it the proposlt~on a’.,~e, three out of every four leave the Sundayschool
whether, at the World Conference on church umon, to and the church for the rest of their days." As far as
be held in Washington in 1925, the pr::::ary question the lini:’h:d product is concerned we get "the >,suit
should be whether the church should have a creed at that for fifty years American church members have
all; and, secondly, whether the Nicene Creed should be grown up in complete ignorance of by far the lar;:er
the expression of its faith. Very evidently the drift of part of the Bfl)le, and of manyof its best parts." When
most clergymen is toward having no creed at. all; for it comes to the teachers, "our teachers are lazy and
the good and sufficient reason that most of them now careless. Four-fifths of them ¯
are young womenof no
knowand are constantly admitting in their discourses trai~fing for the workof teaching,.
cr "

that they have no faith at all, and are not Christians The Omaha Episcopalians have also condemned the
at all. Sundayschool, declaring that it has outlived its useful-
At the Garden City conference it was agreed that heSS, and urging that a plan be adopted by which the
during the next twelve months the clergy will press pupils in the public schools, with the written consent
forward a series of regional conferences whereby lhe of the parents, be dismissed on designated days of the
American public shall becomemore favorable to church week, for an hour a day, and "under proper guidance"
unity; and the Federal Council of Churches of Christ be taken to the church school of their parents’ choice,
-in America is to be approached with a view to co6peca where they will be indoctrinated. Whytake the school
t.ion in the program. children apart to drill infidelity into them in ancth~
The Federal Council adds a touch of the ridiculous building ?
 IN RE CONVENTIONS
NEof the precious things to the (~hnstian is tile
O joy of fellowship with others of hke precious
faith. The meeting together, the exchange of
thoughts upon the Wordof God, the singing of songs
to his praise, the uniting of their petitions to the throne
of heavenly grace, and the hearing some among them
discourse on features of the &ripe p]an, is really meat
and drink for the new creature in Christ Jesus. The
natural manrequires f,~o,l to su<tain his physical body.
Even so food for the n~,w crealure in Christ Jesus is
equally m’eessarv. The transformation of the new crea-
ture rc:ull, i’r.~i:~ the I>ud&~gup of the mind: and
spiritual iced provided tov the ],ord is necessary }’or
th> ~,usW>aneeand ren:,wm~ of the mind.
To enable one ancil>r ,hu< to devel,:p and to encour-
axe each ,lh’q’ to ren’,v,-ed e~crgy and zeal, and to
%er{,ase lheir ,pyv m the l,ord, eonventio~s are held
from tmw to hmc. .ks we come m’aror to the end of
the ,ioutncy of th’,, eh’trch these ~lss"~:HAies~cemto lie
]n<v n, ee> :~".. St. i’~.~.’l ;ore-a\; thai >u{’hwouldbe
ill{’ (’also, a]~d he urge{l uponthe bretln’e~l the necessity
o£ asscl d)ll,.!g themsehes to~ether. (lIeblv’ws 10: 25)
It is not eonvement,or in fact reasonably llo,sihle, to
haxe a co>,, ezfl ’on e,.cry 3-car hke unto flint ot Cedar
Point m19".~e: but to nml:e up for this ~mallc, r c~m-
ventions Jr,- hehl in dlii’erent parts (ff the country, and
the-,, ha\e ah’,avs re-ulted mor,at blessing to th’~
brethr,’n ,,.be attend for 11> i,,~:’,/o<e of rec<ving a
blessi,’,a a~id beinga blessingto oth’,,r...
.\t :,i. l’,ul. Mmm’~-’ota,a e,mxeutlon of the ]hble
Stud’,’~ts xxn,~ held 3lay 4-6. Th<; cem\(niion wana,l-
dre’-,’d by l;rother Boyd,I;r,:th:’r Stewart, and oth rs.
On >;u.~dav mm’ning]}rotht’r ]hflherford was pr,~s,,_t
and aldr,,, ed the eonve;:l,~on. About five hundr, d
friends aft, ’dr’d, and all ,’ ~l",e t"-lll’h)l]\" tO the gl’eaC
streh,:th and ble,,smg dert\cd lr,’a lhe fe!h)v, Afip in
the bti,,c b.:,od of Umelh-v attended the cm~vent~on.
It has alaavs been difficult to gel, a large public atten-
dance at bt. Paul. The city is strongly Catholic, and
has not hetd,,.)xe been much inclined to attt,mt our
mev,l,in,,,s provhled for the public. On tins occasion,
ho\xe\’er, the attcndauee was unusual. The brethren
had taken a large amLi,)rimn with a saeating capamty
of 4,000: and ~,c\eral >inures before the time for the
lecture to befin the house was packed out, and the
u~-ht’rs e>tt,,,u’,ted that bctx~een2,000 and 3,000 people
were turned away. 3fore than 800 volumes of books
were ~,old at this meeting. Brother Boyd addressed
another public meeting in the same auditorium at night
with a splendid attendance. The attention was unusu-
aid good. All the brethren went away muehencour-
aged in their elTorts to advertise the King and the
kingdom.
A convention was held at Chicago May 11-18, This
convention was addressed by Brothers Riee, Polloek,
l-lorth, Nash, and other brother~ of ability. Brother
lhttherford served the convention Saturday evening.
About 900 friends attended. On Sunday m(u’,fiqg
Brother Rutherford conducted a question meeti,~5’, %l-
lowing which there was a consecration of children. .,\
great manychildren were on this occasion publicly
presented by th,.’ir parents to the Lord. it was an
impressive and interesting service. At this service the
speaker said in part:
There is nothil~g dearer on earth than a chiht. The
Lord showed h~s great love for children, and it is
reasonable that his followers would be likexwse much
intere,-tcd in the httle ones. A per>on whodoes not love
a child seems to he quite out of the tt>uah There is
something lacl,:mg in that person ~-omewhere,particu-
larly if he c!atms to be a Christian. If we love chihlren
ge~wrallv,,
s~lihstronger rea,onmg’~-
" should
we lo~ethe
chihlre>, of l,he. consecrated. The apostle Paul speaks
of th,,ur q)ecial rebH~onshipto the Lord beeansc of the
co:>c’erati,m of their parents. Weshould take a special
~t:’~,’:t msuch ehihh’en.
The l(.i~:~;’ is nowpresent, and his kingdomis hegin-
ning. Ma:hvcf lhe ehddr~’n nowli~ing v,-dl new,r die.
What a \,,om!,,~’lul prosi~ect before them! And about
tiff, lh.v shoulll be inlormed, if properly instructed
nnd <larted ,m tlw r~ght course they may readily pass
oxer the highway of holiness. The responsibihty of
l::;pHv l:’ad~,u:, duhh’en emmet be overstated. The
]u’hA ,a~’ cf .-lar{~;~4 a child aright is a blessed one.
"Train up a clnhl in the way he should go; and . . .
h,~, xx~ll nt:t depart from it." (Proverbs 22: 6) There
m,ver was ~uch an nup,,rta, nt time to train children in
the right way as now.
;’,ome ()[ th.’ brdhreu from tmwto time have eriti-
eiz d {hp~:" brelhrvu for bringing children rote the world,
and [rein tilt. e wordsof crxtlctsn ~. somehave been much
discouraged. \\’c believe that this is not the proper
cour,-e. \\’hilt the’ chie£ purpose of each consecrate([
one ~s to :vlorify the Lord and to makehis o~n~ calling
and eleci,m sure, yet the bearing of children by the
consccrat~’d is not an improper thing. The apostle Paul
comntcnds lhe bearing of children by the consecrated.
(1 qhm(thy 5:1Q It should not be the chief purpo:e
of th;’ be:,,c, tten ones to rear large families; but if, m
pur,.u~,g the natural course of the marital relationship,
ehih’.r.,n arc brought into the world, the parents should
noth,’ d~couraged, but rather should rejoice. It means
nowthe starting of a new life which may never go out.
This is really a pnwlcgc, earrying with it of course a
responsib:lity. If the child is properly trained from the
beginning, it mayearly be of muchuse underthe super-
vksion of the princes of the earth in aiding others to be
brought to a knowledge of the truth. Parents of the
worldlook f,,r~, ard to giving their children a reasonable
competence,a good education, and therefore a fair start
in the world. Parents whoare Christians should now
look f,~,r’..,.,’,[ to glvlng their childrena goodedueattoa
=u WATCH
eoneerniw,* the divine plan and therefore an advanta-
geous :tart i~1 the new order of things, that they ma be
useful and {hat their course in life may be a glory to
the King of kings and Lord of lords, l,et not the par-
ents of children at this time be discouraged, 10ut rather
feel keenly their privilege and responsibility concerning
the children and start them on the right course.
At once there is impressed upon the mind of a parent
th’,, responsibility of makingprovision for his children.
Wheuthe Apo<tle states that the one who provides not
for his ownis worse than an unbeliever his statement
is not limi£ed to material provision, but also includes
provision for lhe education aml spiritual welfare, of the
child. One of the most importm~t parts of this educa-
tion is a knowledgeof the divine plan.
The new creature in Christ is a child of God. All
that he possesses belongs to the Lord by reason of his
covenant. The child is a part of the parent. It there-
fore becomes the duty as well as the priv,lege of the
parent to devote the child to the Lord. Of course this
doe~ not mean that the &rid can be taken into the
Church. It merely means that the parent in effect says
to the Lord: You have given me this child. I now
t~re-,’nt it to you and ask that you grant unto it blossinxs
see,-’rdin~ to your perfect wisdom, and to grant unto
me wisdomand graee to properly train it insofar as I
e~m. that it. may be a glory to your name. The parent
then feels a keener responsibility to see that the child
is properly trained and, particularly, properly taught
eon<,rning God’s great plan of salvation.
It is gratifying to see that the consecrated are giving
nlore attention to their children in training them at
l~ome and providing for them class studies wherebythey
may understand the Bible. A grea~ contrast between
these and the children of the nominal church is noted.
Someof the states have recently provided questionnaires
for the school children, requiring them to give answers
to Ihhle questions. This examination has disclosed the
great ignorance of the children generally concerning
the Bible and, in markedcontrast, the dear understand-
ing that manyof the children of the consecrated have
concerning God’s plan. This of itself is a witness to the
truth and has induced parents who are not consecrated
to inquire of brethren in the truth concerning the
lmowledgeof their children on Bible matters; and thus
zomc have been led to investigate the divine plan.
The parents should feel the responsibility now of
training their children and teaching them concerning
the kingdom. The young mind is open to learning these
important things, and they will stay with it forever.
Children should be taught that they were born imper-
fect because of sin; that God provided redemption
through Christ Jesus; that Jesus long ago died to
l~rovide the ransom or redemptive price; that he rose
from the dead; that his resurrection is a guarantee
that all the dead in their graves shall come forth and
have a trial for life; that for manycenturies pa-t God
TOWER T.
has been selecting his church; that this work is Mmost
complete; that the Lord Jesus promised to return for
his church, the reel. hers of his body; that he has
returned; that he is nowpresent and is setting up his
kingdom; that soon the faithful men of old, from Abel
to John the Baptist, will be resurrected and will be
rulers in the earth; that it will be the privilege of the
children to heed the teachings of these holy men, and
without doubt they will have many positions for the
children to occupy in the way of helping others on the
highwayof holi,~ess, as well as passing themselvesthere-
upon; and &at these children will have a special advan-
tage if they have been taught concerning God’s arrange-
meat before the time of restoration really begins.
Those expecting to be of the church ela,ss do not
expect to be long with their children mthe flesh. IIappy,
then, is the thought thai thev can start the ehil(l arl,,,ht
here. The mo.-t reasop.able thing, then, is to eoJlseerate
the child to the Lord.
The Society expects in a short time to have some
lessons prepared for the children in simple language,
particularly- for those who are too young {o study the
I-L~e or Volume I of STUDIES IN THE SCnIPTUBES.
The intention is to have this small book of simple
lessons furnished in connection with some hymns par-
ticularly adapted for the children, the purpo.-e b¢,ing
to enable the parents at home, as well as the juvenile
classes, to make progress in an understanding of the
divine plan. Let us give more attention, then, to train-
ing the children; and doubtless through them other
children will be brought to a knowledge of the truth
and {hrou~:h them their parents, and the .~ood work of
advertbing the King and the kingdom will progress.
For the public meeting at Chicago the brethren had
taken the Auditorium, which is the larges~, in Chiua£o.
The Chicago Class is to be commendedfor its zeal and
love in the advertising for this public meetimr and the
Lord greatly blessed their efforts. In addition {o the
newspaper advertisement, many house-to-house calls
were made and cards presented to the people, besides
advertising with a "preferred seat" ticket. The Lord
greatly rewarded their faithful efforts. For ~,omemin-
utes before the begilming of the meeting, the Auditor-
ium, with an approxinmte capacity- of 4.50U. inelnding
the stage, was packed out, with manyhundreds in the
street vainly strixing to gain admittance. Twooverflow
meetings were provided. It was estimated that full)"
6,500 p,’ople cameto hear the lecture as a result of the
advertising. Upwards of 2,000 volumes of books were
sold to them. This public meeting was a great success
in the proclamation of the message. The audience was
unusually attentive.
The conventmn conehded Sunday night with an ad-
dress by Brother Horth; and from the lips of all the
friends were heard expressions of thanksgiving to the
1,ord for his mamfohl blessings bestowed upon them
during this gathering. Quite a nmuber of visiting
brethren were present, and they together with ~he Chz- tion~ ot otimr mtormatlon relating thereto shouh’, ad-
cage Class went to their homeshappy, rejoicing in the dress the local comm~tte~. All communicationsrelating
manifestation of God’s laver toward them. Weare glad to the TacomaConvention should be addressed to C. F.
to note that the class mChicagois m splendid spmtual W. !mndberg, P. O. Box 1212. Tacoma, Washington;
condition, well organizedfor the Lord’swork,and going an,1 for the Los AngelesConve~,.t,om!,3. D. Sexton, 200
forth with a renewed determination to advertise the Trinity Auditorium, Los Angeles, California.
King and his knagdomand to glorify his ham,..
RAILROAD FARES
OTHER CONVENT~ONfi The raih’oads have granted a fare for fie Tacoma
During the summermonths other conventions will l)e Con\cation for all points in ’5[ontana and west ther,,of
held. There will be a eo~vont~on at Toronto. 0ntamo, on the certificate plan. ~ailroad ticket agents will iur-
July 27-29; one at ~Vlnllipcg, ~lal’,ltoha, August 3%; nish th,, passengers with a ove-v;av lmket to r~Iaeoma,
at Saskatoon, Sa:katcheuam .kugu~t 8-10; and at Ed- gtvi~:u lh..,n,_ a regular form of receipt which will sho~
monton, Alberta, ;\u~u.-t 10-12. These eonventi,ms will the :,win and numberof the ticket i,sued and the price
be attend,q by a mmtberof the lhl~rim brethren:; an’t of ;an,e. These receipts are pre~ented to the validating
it is anticit,ab.’d that (,a?h u dl h, a 1rote of gr.ar reJ-’e.-_h- age~n at ’t ~e,-mm.The return tickets are issued at one-
i1~. x amo%-tth:~ Lord’., chlh[i’cn. Special service ¢l;;v~ half (,f the r<:tfiar ]’are. The railroads have ,~a~xe.i the
will be arrangedfor 8,)m~’t)i l’: ’-,’ eonventiou~,b) l!lllllli!h ll). dl i’,’llddnce requit’ement.
announcedlater, on whwh(lilvs the brethren will ;,~en,t Fc,’ ,!1 ;:(b~l~ts ,~ast of ~Io~l.l"a the rate u ill 134ol)-
at lea t a I:~trt of th,.~ dav ea,x~l-s,~a for the book,~ :)r,~xm.,~[, Iv o,~e and one-t..nth fare for th,. sm’.:r~?:r
l.ur~:r, l.~t.]., t. aud will beeheap,,q’ than the e,,~txention
AT TACOMA rate. ’£hc~,~ .... ttek(,ts are good until ()ctob,m’ 31. In(luh’e
UnttRual efforts are ]\,in V ])ut forth for a convolution of your local t~eket agent for 2urflmr infoin,;tiom
at Tacoma,\Va.~hington. This will he a qx-clav e.)uven-
tion. 1)egmningoil Au~ust1-1, and ~-,-)l~cl/~dt,_g Sunday SPECIAL TRAIN

night, August19, with a art,at l)Ul)L,: m,’,’tmg ill tlle Lenr~l.in,Z of these conventions as ,~bn\e i/li,],)il!l¢, l,
Stadium. This will h~, H~econvcntlon m the Xorthwe~-t; numb,’r of [rtends have il~(tuired COllel~r~l.ill~r d ~-p,,,zial
and the classes in that seehonof the co’~wrrvare m~.tmg t~,’~,~~, fromthe l’:a~t. TheSocIm’Y xvfll lIOt ua,h,;iake
in a spee:al effort to advertise partlouiariy til:. :,radium to -i,’~tte a soecial traia itself, hut ~t \’,ill be phased
~neeting. It is expected that the, ’"~[ at’mug (’onvcl~tlo~l to c,~Ol),u’ate xxuth anyfriends whoarraiLZ-c for ~ueha
x~ill be served by the following ~l).’aq,,.r.,: llrothd’,~ specml tram. Brother Frank T. Horth is arianaing
]’ickerin% Herr, Van Amburgh,\Vi~e. 5;a!ter, Graham, with th,’ ral.h\u\s to operate a sp..,.,,~l train from Chi-
Ilorth, lhttherL,rd, and olher~. ()ll:’ day uull be Xw,’n cs1’,). ]h’otl~or Horth’s letter. ,,.~ :,h ~ h~s,,rt below,is
over to field her\ice. It ~s e_\l)ed(’d that M1all:: ~’l;n self-exl)laimtory.
in the NorthwestDill cc.j)(’r~fl, 1~1lhi~ ~-onxcutto_tan([
I)l.;/l" ]~lN)’l’lllqi ]~.LTHI"HIFOIlD;
we antieu)ate a time of ,~reat rel’re4nn(’nt and hh’~sm~,,. l,’t’,’ l:~’,’ lhat ~1,o friends alight ile~,ll,,, 1o \tail lhe ~,ix-day
(.oi~v(,IH.o,~ :it Td,,oln;i, \Vu,,h, All2USt 1t-19. uln[ lhe
LOS ANGELES
AI~’,,!,~. (’,;llil.. (’ollvenlion, .k[lgllS[ IS-2(I, esI)eci;tlly
Arrangelmmt.~are ~,.o\v l)ract~eaily completed for a ,,,l,t,d ~l ll’:lill \\~/s ilrl’all~ed [o1% I look l[ Ul),m l~l>.;elf
nine-day e,mventionof lhe hit.,rnathmal till)to Student~ 1o,~i~ inl,) lbe lllaltcF alld lind:
1. Tlmt the railroads huve lua(le it are,~tly l’edn(.ed rate
at Los Aug’oh’s, Cal,h)rma. The coil\entlon will IlCgltt --,tb,)ul one ulld olle-tt’nt[l Iil1"~, for 1[1o rotllld trip from
August 18 and eonehtde August 26 witt, a pnl~he mc, vt- all poin!,, Norlh, I,~ust, and SoUtlh
ing in Cahfornia’s new Stadium. This meeting x~fll be 2 ]~,y eh;!rt~’lUll;4 stan(lltrd I’ullman sleel)er~, wM(’h (’ould
widely advertised throughout all Southern Calff,wnia. t)e n-ell :1 ~, .}t41)illg qtlili’~el’S darlllI2. 111~, elllll’t’ JOUl’lli~y Of

and the intention is to g~xe a large wm~essto the trulh. [’WO!II~ 11111~ diijs wllhou[ being o\er(,r,,)\xd(,(], ;~:~(l standard
l’ullm.m (linin~ (.at service for the tYtlfclol!/ lime only, a
All other sessions of the convention rill be held mthe churns, el $114.00 wouhl he nece.~sal’y. Tim railroad ticket
Trinity Auditorium. It is expected that all the ecclesms WOllld b(, un additional charge,. 5ieal~ would n,)t be served
of California will unite in makingthis convention the \~ hih. in Tucoma or Los Angeles, but would be ut all other
besg that has ever been held in that part of the country. stopovers.
The speakers at this convention will include Brothers To determine the Lord’s \\’ill in the matter will require
three lhnlgs :
YahAmburgh,Salter, Wise, l[owlett, Polloek, Horth, (a) That you publish this notice in the WATCH TOWER;
Sexton, Rutherford, and others. (5) that at least 125 friends (the nlinilnunl full-fares
Therewill be one day devoted to service, in whichall lowed by the railroads for a special train) m)lify me be’_’ore
of the visiting brethrenwill bc invited to participate, July 25 of their intention of going; and (c) send me $114.00
in the same waythat the service day was conductedat t~) cover cost of sleeping and dining car service, before
An~u~t 1
CedarPoint last year. ’llw train uouhl leave Chicago August 111, C., It. & Q.
Friends desiring accommodationsat these convon- II. I’,. ,,t ;; i’ :.’-.. and arrive in Tacoma on the umrnlng of
 WATCH TOWER
August 14, stops being made for meetings at Fargo, N. I ~ak., In or(lcr that de/h,ito ~lrratl2-olncnls nlay be porfe(’ted for
a.,)d SI)okmm, Wash. Leaving Tacoma about 10:30 p.m. Pul[Inan sleel,.,rb ~tlld (h,lil ,.: (.lll’S "~ve wouldliketo knowas
August 19, After lhe pul/ie meeting, a stopover of twelve soon as possible the ll/Unber lO pro~ide for. The friends
honrs will be made in Oakland, Calif., leaving there about should let me know as soon as possible if they are going
10:30 p.m., and arriving in Los Angeles the morning of and send me not later lhan Auaust 1 the $114.00 to cover
August 22. Leaving Los Angeles August 31, a day will be the cost of the berth "tnd meals, stating age, sex, and
allowed in Salt Lake City, through the Royal Gorge by nationality of each one in the party.
daylight, and two days at the convention at Pueblo. A l)o not send money for your railroad ticket. Tiff,; can be
brief stop of a few hours will be made in Denver, and sc(’ured at the home Stalion the day before the journey
arriving in Chicago September 7. starts.
[ hope the point is clear that the 8114.00 does not pay The railroad schedule follows:
the railroad fare. Each one should lmr(’hase railroad tivket Leaving Chicago August 10, at 3 p.m., the train goes to
for the entire Pound trip from his home pa~*e~er "}g’",t. St. Paul via the C., B. & Q. 14. 14., arriving at 3 a.m., and
~’o doubt extra caFs wouhl be added at Tacoma :m(l I),d{- leaving immediately over tile Northern I’acifie R. R. ~or
land for Los Ang.,,lcs. Fmends of the Northwest wouht 1)e l.’ar~o, N. Dak., arrivin~ there at 10 a. m. Augmst 11; leave
picked up on tile way to Tacoma. I.’ar~o 10:30 p.m. August 11 via Northern Pacific, arrive
Your co-laborer in the service, FRANKT. H(IRTH. Spokane, Wash., August 1,2, 10 a. m. ; leave Spokane Augu’,t
13, 10:30 p. m., via Northen~ P,mific. arrixe Tacoma Au~ztlst
14, noon ; leave TacomaAugust 1!), 10 : 30 p. m., via NorH~ern
Since receiving the above letter Brother lIorth writes Pacific to Portland and from Porlland via Southmm Pacitie
as follows : to ()akland, arrive 9 a. m. Au~u,t 21; leave Oakland August
21, 10:30 p.m.. via Soulhern Pacific to Los A_ngeles, ar-
]DEAR~IIOTHERRUTIII~RFOlUJ" riving August 22; lea\e Los ADgeles August 31, 10:30 p.
The cost og the Chicago Tacoma-Los AlJgeles convention m.. x i,t Union Pacific to Salt Lake City, arriving 10 a.m.
tour with route schedule is as follows: Septmnber 2; leave Salt Imke City September 2, 4 p.m.,
via Denver & Rio Grande 1L R., arrive Pueblo September
RAILROAD TICKET 3; leave Pueblo September 4 via Denver & Rio Grande,
PurchAse a round-trip summer rate railroad ticket from arrive Denver 7 a. m. September 5 ; leave Denver Septeml)er
your home starting point. The cost you can ascertain from 5, 10:30 p.m., via C., B. & Q, arrive Chicago September
your station agent. Tlds can be over any railroad lo t’hi(.ago. 7, 7 a.m.
I~[PORTANT.--Your ticket froln Chicago must read: .ks this tour is for the purpose of advertising the King
Chicqgo, Burlington & Quincy 14. R. to St. Paul. and the kingdom it wouhl be fine if every class had a repre-
Northern Pacific R, R. to Tacoma. senlati\-o on the train. The representative chosen would
Northct~] Pacific R. R. to Portland, Ore. lose the time and the class would pay the expenses. It
Soutlmrn Pacific R. R. to :Los Angeles. would give each one an Ol)t)ortunity of having a share
Union Pacific It. IL to Salt Lake City. furthering this movement for ~he interests of the King. Just
Denver & Rio Grande R. R. to Denver. a suggestion, however.
Chicago, I3urlington & Quincy R. R. to Chicago. Your brother in the one hope, FRANK T. t:[ORT~2I,
418 Second Ave., Clinton Iowa.
STANDARD SI&EP[NG-CAR BERTH AND PULLMAN
DiNING-CARMEALS The above communications are self-explanatory and
For each full railroad ticket one berth will be assiN~ed. any one contemplating going should let Brother North
The berth can be used for tile entire joummy.
know at once. Address all communications direct to
First-class meals to be served while en route only. Berth
and nleals, SIIt.0[L Brother Itorth that in any way per’cain to the special
Addition’tl charge for drawingq’oom or compartments. train.
Wl.ile at conventions no meals will be served in the WORLD WITNESS
dial,g-car. Smlday, August 26. the (late of the Los AnKel,~s
For example, if one should start tile journey from Chi-
cago the cost would be: public (hseourse in the Stadium, is the day fixed for lhe
next world-wide \~itnes~. Wl>re it is not convenient
Ilaih’oadticket........................................................ $104.00 for all the classes to have n,anv meetings we sngge-~
Berth entire journey, meals en route .................... 114.00 fl~at they eoncentraIe thou’ iorc~, on one meeting, and
then de\-ofe the rest of their energy to the eanvass~:~g
Total $218.00
for the books. Friends from all over the world wr :e
For remsons over whi(-h we have no control railroad that it is a great stimulus to know that all the brethren
passes cannot be honored on the sp?(.ial train. There will
are engaged on the same day in proclaiming the same
be no half fare and babes in arms canPot be taken. No
provision can be re,lie for one to work their passage either message, their prayers and hands united together in the
for all or part of the tour, great cause of the King and his kingdom.

"With lowly hearts we come to thee, our God, "XVith lowly heartu we seek thy constant aid,
ThroughChri.~t our Lord, whoshed for us his blood, That we mayre.st in thee, nor be dismayed :
Earth’s sorrows nowshould bring thy saved ones near, ’5l]cl all the sn], and carole ~ne~s of thee,
Nearerto thee m conscious filial fear. May those redeemed by blood nmro godly be.
"With lowly hearts we comebefore thy throne, "With lowly heart~ nnd minds ~n things above,
Acknowledge thee, and all thy goodn~s own, "~Vowouldadol’l~ all;I l)l’al~,o l|lea for Lily ]~9, e,
Wewould look up, in these our pilgrim days, Vtalk aa our Lord while pilgrims on this enrlh,
’~ seek
And sing to thee our songs of heartfelt praise. And by grace to show our heavenly birth.
 PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXTFORAUGUST 15
"’Tire frldt of the spirit is , . . goodnessand faith.’"
--Galatian,~ 5: 22.
HEcreature transf(n’med by the holy spirit grows
T up il~to (hrist Jesus. The outx~ard gro~th of
character is symbolizedby nee, perfect, luscious
fruit. The Apostle s~tys: "The fruit of the spirit is
love." While statin~ this in the singular: he then adds
other dements ~hich go to make up the character like-
ness of our Lord, and which are a part of tile outgrowth
of one who is growin~ in the likeness of th(, l,ord.
Amongthe other elements mentioned is goodness, winch
is defined as virtue, or beneficence; as the possession of
moral excellence, kindness, benevolence, and mercy.
Another has defined it as "love in action.’"
Whenone reaches the mark of perfect love he sees to
it that his actions are in harmony with love. He is
merciful m~to his i>r-ecutors, kind tn the unthankful
and to those whom>m~der~,tand,and benevolent toward
all, having a sincere de,ire to promote the welfare and
happiness of all of the humanrace uho de.qre right-
eousness, lie specially desires to do good unto those of
like precious faith. Thus in the likel~ess of the l~ord,
he is developh~gthe quality of goodness.
Another element that forms a part of character is
faith, tferc the word as used means constancy in pro-
fession, mr fidelity. It has been described by another as
"love uponthe batllrfie/d.’" The true followers of Christ
Jesus are now upon the battlefield and are engaged in
the fin,~l conflict against the forces of evil before their
change takes place, lie, therefore, whois being trans-
formedby the holy .,pint is constant, loyal, and faithful
to his brethren, lte appreciates the fact that the enemy
is striving to destroy lus brother as well as himself;
and with that tidal,iv peculiar to the Lord he looks out
for the welfare of lus brother as a new creature in
(lhrist. He counts it a joyful privilege to show his
fidelity totus brethr;’n in the conflict and thus prove
his loya]ty a.",d fa~thfuhwss to the Lord, the Head of
the new ereat:on. ’flus h’ads h:m to a fuller apprecia-
tion of the necessity o[ thinking an(1 working together
ruth odicrs of hke precious faith, dwelling in peaee
and unity, looking for that blessed day whenthe trans-
formation will be complete and each member of the
body will enjoy the unspeakable blessings of being for-
ever with the Lord.
TEXTFORAUGUST22
"’The fr~it of the spirit is... meekness, temper-
ance."--O’(datians 5: 22, 28.
ITHIN the meaning of the Scriptures meek- builded. There is but one way for thus renewing tM
W ness is that comhtion of mind which causes mind, and that is by feeding the mind upon the things
one to think of himself soberly, as he ought to which the Lord has provided. It means to think oll
think, and not be exalted in his ownmind. Jesus said:
"I mn meek and lowly in heart." (Matthew 11: 29) gracious provision for mankind. This means that sue.k
To the new creature St. Paul says: "I say, . . . to
every man that is among you, not to think of himself
more highly than he ought to think; 10ut to think
soberly, according as God hath dealt to eYery man the
measure of fa~th."--Romans 12: 3.
To be exalted in one’s own mind is the fruit of the
evil spirit. Lucifer being thus exalted beeame Satan,
the devil. One of his strong weapons against the new
creature is to induce in the mind of that one se~f-
exaltatmn. He, ~ho is transformed into the likeness of
his Master Christ Jesus fully realizes that all he is,
has. or hopes to be is a gracious gift from the Lord.
tie rejmecs to be submissive to the will of God. What-
soever the Lord has provided for him, therewith he is
e.,~nteut. Therefore meekness may be properly defim?d
as "love i,. resig~afio~." The new creature is led to
fins condition of miml by his love for the Lord and by
developing the likeness of the Lord Jesus.
Temperance means self-control or moderation. The
spa-it of the Lord operating upo-~ the mi]~d of the new
creature, and the ne~\ creature eo6perating therewith,
develops in hhn the dtsposition of self-control. He
learns to be moderate in all thil,gs. His trust is in the
l,ord and hem.:, he is not taken off his feet by the
hapi)ening of unusual events. Whenpersecuted, he
remembersthat the l,ord has permitted it for some good
purpose. IIencc he refuses to yield to excessive sorrow
or grief. If exalted, he remembersthat all true promo-
tion eomes from the l,ord; hence he calmly and serenely
rests in the Lord’s love and is not swerved from a right
course by the flattery of men. Iie appreciates that
whatsoever he receives of good is from the Lord. and
shows this appre(’iation by inward joy and thankfulness
of heart and fidehty in action, and not by hilarious
outward demonstration.
The r~pe, complete fruit of the spirit is love, made
up of the elements of joy, peace, long-sulfating, good-
hess, faith, meekness and temperance. These combined
and ripened into perfect love constitute the fruits of
the spirit. Love is the perfect expression of the Lord’s
likeness. Therefore love is the greatest of all things.
TEXTFORAUGUST29
"’Be renewed i~ the spirit of your mind."--Ephesiar~
4: 23.
HEproper tendency of the spirit or disposition
T of the mind of the new creature is toward Chris’~
Jesus, flint tim creature may be made into his
likeness. To be reviewed in the spirit or disposition of
the mind means to be renovated, reformed and up-
those things whieh pertain to the Lord and his
218
a one inns( st,tdy die Wordof God and tile helps
divindy provided. Thinking and reed,rating upon the
things pertaining to the Lord’s Mngdom will lead one
to put forth his hands to (to ~ha~soeverhe finds to do
to further the interests of that kingdom.
The Christia,~ developing character must reach the
point of fortitude. We have come to that time when
we must no longer be bossed aloout by every wind of
doctrine that maybe advanced, but .’,tend firm in tim
Lord and in the things that he has taught us. Having
once been brought to a knowledge of the truth, we
should appreciate God’s provision for us. To become
indifferent to this provision and to push 3t aside would
nmauthe spirit of dls]oya]ty to the lruih which the
7’= WATCH TOWER
],ord has provided for the mind to feed upon. It is
impossible for such a one continuing in this course to
remainin the truth, but he will be quickly taken into
darkness. Godgraciously draws mento Christ Jesus,
and hence to the truth; bu~ by indifference, lack of
appreciation, or disloyalty the creature drawshimself
awayfrom tl~e truth and from the Lord. There is bug
one safe course for the Christian; and that is, to eon-
stantly teed his mindupon the precious things which
the I,ord ]ms provided at his table, and to keep his
hands busy in things pertaining to the King’s business
al:d to do that with haste. ProperthhJdng,which!’:’~o-
rates or renews the spirit of the mind, will lead to
i,~’oper aeimll, in harmo~,vwith theLord’swill.

MEMORIAL REPORT
I N CONFOI~.MITY with our euslom,
March 30, 1’)’-’:3,
lmrtaking oi il,e Memorial on that (late.
we publish
the Memorial of our l~erd’s de{lth,
herewith

.Many (’l:,;:ses
a hst o! Ihe classes
At lhe linle
who have t’eported
el gOlll~" to pless the reI)orls
from diHerent parts have not yet reported.
as eeh,
show upward of 42,91)0
brating

We publish
on

lhe
names of the eet,!esias ret)orting twenty and upwards, as follows:
I~ondon, l~ngland ............... 1,029 ]lull, l~higl;tnd .................... 107 Detroit, Mich. (Colored) ........ 59 l.~alanhqzoo,Mich................... 4 I:
NewYork, N. Y .................. 90(; llea(hll;:, l’a ........................ 107 51aline, Swed~,n..................... 59 Newburgh,N. Y .................... 4~
Los Angeles, Calif ............... 850 i tDa, i~Olllll,q ilia .................. ]05 Soalh P, end, lad .................. 59 Warreu,Ohio....................... li
Chicago, Ill. (Polish) .......... 675 I’ori, Finhlnd........................ 10G Watertown,N. Y ..................... 59 Chain])aiI.~n- Urbg_na, 111........... 43
t~’elsin~to’.>% Finland ............ 5S0 l,oms~dle,i£~ ....................... 103 Atlanla.Ga............................. 58 East~n, l’a ......................... 43
Chicago, III.................... 571 Exeter( Wash.................... lt’2 Auekhtnd, NewZealand .......... 58 Fall l~l~er, l~h~s ............. 43
lBoston, Mn.s ................. 51 l"vle, I’;l ............. ](~() Lynn, Mass ........................ 58 l~Ian(’]le~l(,/-, N 1I (G’ce~)
Glm~gow,Ecolland ............... 501 l’tlffalo. N. Y. (Polish) ......... ,57 Old lhll, l’]ngland ........... -t3
Pittsburgh, Pa ....................... 450 ~d ~[t,I l.OOll. N,, 7, ................. 100 1,’a-I St. I.oui~, Ill ................. 57 Bay C~I,V, Mlch ........ 42
Toronto. Ont ...................... 422 l:wllnmnd, ’,,, ................. ¢.)5 Gmm-bS,Engl,(pd .................. 57 Chicaao, Ill. (Grvok) ....... 42
Cleveland, Ohio.................... 41,9 ]]dill~atoll, ?t]l ,l ................... ()4 ).o,’I elk, V.q.......................... 57 (’h,~el.uul, Ohio (Colored)
Detrmt, Ml(h ................. -10g ,Iaekson~llle, I ~ ~ ................... 94 (’ivdaeh. Wale:~ ................ 56 (-’h n I on, Iowa ........ 12
I~alni)lll ’~:, Gel’lnally............ 395 I ,all(’aStel’. l’,l .................. )[ l)ubuque, hlwa ............... 5(J Llllla, Ohio ................ 42
VaneollXOl’. 1~. C ............. [I~-[ Lineoln, i’]nal,l,14. ................. 04 Fairport llarbo~, O1,~o Oerm(le SIIN, ]lollllta/lla ........ 42
Detroit, Mieh. (PoliMl) ........ :: t [ W()reeMel,I’ll-b, :d ............... 94 (iIulla;11 fan ) ...................... 5(] Pawlueket, R I .................. 42
St. Loul%Me.................... 340 El’iMiani,i, N*)I,,,, ,v _ .............91 ( Flint, l~heh .................... 5~; Pol’tslll011[{I, Oh{0................... 42
Liverp(,ol, L’n~land................ 333 ] liP, [aM, Ii(’bl’ld .............. 90 Fort ViOl’(h, r[~(,\fl. . .............. 5~; .&lhmpa,Pa ......................... -tl
Winliilu’:~,)bin ..................... :;27 It, <’ estoP, N Y. { I ’:alian)..... 90 (~illinRham,lCn’~hu~,l ............. 51; l~elhnaltam \Verb .................. -II
PhiladellJda, l’a ................... 304 St }’111/1 511" ’. ............ SO I[oehester, N. Y.................... 51; P,r tml w, En;alan I ................ 41
~Varsll w, Poland................... 2,q5 N’wmK/leht, RI tSS ........ £9 Altrineham, England ............ 55 Ihverside, (’;ihl .................... 41
C0ltlnlbllS, Ohio ............... 2t;7 13inghamton,N, Y ................... 87 q’erre Ilauto, ]nd ................. 55 IJIoarll, l[o/lI.l.lllla ................ el l
ManeheMer,]Cngla..! ............ 2tJ5 l;l’lllg(’lll’,lll, I’;~lll,:t! iv iI.D,r.l. ~7 Tulsa, ()kht ....................... 55 YOIlUl,1, Itounlanht ................ -Ii
Col}Chilli KOII, Denn:arir. .......... 257 (’it j, ]COlllllalhJ. .............. 87 "tVlhninR,ton, t)el .................. ,55 Vad.l{()tlHl;inl;i .................... 41
l%irnnng’haln, ],]ng htlld ........ 256 tleiroil. Mich. iIIul,,arian).._.85 Longlleaeh, C,qlif . ............. 5~ Akron, ~trio (Po]mh) ........ t0
Baltimore’, Md..................... 25t NewcaMle,l"na!n wl ............. 85 }’ctersburg, Ya ................... 5t ~al’t-~ ill-]"tll’llesb, 1]ngland.. 40
Seattle, ~\’H~h.................... 236 Whmq)e~z, 3lan. (l-krainian) ~k}0n-P(H’sffrHn(t, )~’Ol"way _. Ilrazll, lad ................. I0
~all Fl’anclaeo, (’alil .......... 22(J Orcbro, Sweden ......... S3 Syracuse, N. Y .... 54 Durban, So. Africa ............. 4()
New Yorl,. N V. (~ ,,feted) 221 l~,l(bla Veeile, I’.~Vl l’lll~ ........ ,%-* "~Volverhaln])ton, ]£11’ ’,llid _. 54 Petro~,Olll,]lOlllll~&*I ta ............ 40
Oakland. Cahf ........... 21 q rl’,ll’all 5ltll’eS, ],’o,liil:~llla ........ ~=~ Car,hff, Wales ........... ,5:; lhl{~burgh Pa. (Greek) ........ t0
Cleveland, Ohio tl’oh.h) ...... )2],2 \Vlehita, I.[a n~.a. .............. ,%:I Rodilord, 5:1 Aalbo~,.... Denmark ..................
]lI ............. 39
Cincinnati, (thic~ ............. 20S Pasadena,( ’,lIll .................. ,~’2 Sehonectad.’,, N, Y . ............ 5.1 Aal’llllS, ] ~onlrlark.................. 39
San Antonio, Texas ............. 202 Portunhlulh,1Ll’zl;i,, 1 ............ ~,1 Tampa.1.’I:t .................. ,5" ]’,istt ,ta, l{olnnania................ 3{}
5Iinneapolis. Mnlll ............... 1’.)l( La Salle, ill. Ilq)hqh) ............ S0 Croydell, l’hlglalM ............... 52 Duhllh, Mul:l.......................... 39
Portland, Ore ....................... ]95 Pallalll,i, Catlg/] Z(ltlo .............. SO Lnpeni, Rollnl i1 l/1,| ............... 52 Fort VVa3m’,Ind ................ 39
Dayton,Ohio....................... 19;4 Patel’SOll, N. J ................ ~.) Norrkoping, Sweden............. [,:2 tIamnl(uid. Ind. (}’ohsh) ..... 39
Anlnoas,I. l[Olllllll llla ............ ] ~,)(/ (’OXon( ry, Englau(: .............. 77 Scranton, l’a .................... 52 Severed, ]~OtllllallilL ’)(
!,Vashinghnl, D. C ................. 191 aollilnll,,~l)tlV~, ,qo .~ trice ........ 77 Surrey, England ................ 52 Auburn,Ind ............................ %S
Indianapolis, Ind ................. 186 Port of S1)ahL ’l’rlntda(l, East Livcrl)ool, OIuo............ ,51 Aurora, Ill, No. 2 .................. 38
lJenvcr,(.’olo ......................... IS3 B. W.I .............................. 76 Ila/’noldswiek, l]uul:tud ....... 5d Jl(,waell,*~N’()I’~I ..................... 38
Vulcan,l~.ounlania ................ 1 sa l)alla% Texas........................ 75 tIanley, England.................... 50 l~llr]l Ilg IIIh, ~I,’;{ ~]I ................. 3S
Iluffalo.N.5." ......................... 173 London,On( ....................... 75 1VIanastllrul ling, I{Ollnlania_...St) (~]eveland, Ohm (llungarian)
l~.oseland,Ill ......................... 162 East iiu’kby, ]blgland ............ 73 Ncwa~k,N. .l .................... 50 Cromwell,(’onn...................... 3S
Georgetown,i)OlllCl’;ll’~l, ]~. O. 15N 5’innetll)oli~, Minn. (Polish) St. Pete.rsb,wa. Flu ................. 50 ~Ias,~lhnl, Ohm ........................ 3S
Manor Park, Englnnd ....... 15q Krakow,PolaP’l .................... 69 Sou(head-ca-Sea, I’.’ngland ...... 50 Nashville, T(um....................... 38
Milwaukee,’Wis. (I’oli*h) ...... 150 51OIHI’(~0I, (2,1(q),’e. .................. 69 iNillleaton, ],]na{.q nd ................ 49 Sharon,Pa............................... 3q
l~hlhtdelphm, l’n. (l*ohsh).__.150 SanJose. (’:Nil ..................... (19 Oxford. Enaland .................... 49 Tiffin, Ohm .............................. 38
Edinhurgh, Scotland ............ 148 Turke, l.’ulhind ..................... 69 Wasi,m~ton. D. (% (Colored) 13ayonne,N. J ........................ 37
San Diego, Calif ................... 147 Youngstown. ()hlo .................. 69 Elizai)elh. N. J ....................... 4q Bloomfield,N. a" ..................... 37
Tacoma,Wash....................... 147 tier(ford, Corm................. ¢;S Passaie, N,4 .......................... 4S Crooksville,Ohio.................... 37
Sheffield, Fngland............... 144 Nottinaham,l"n~land .............. 137 StoektoluCalif ....................... 4S tIammond,Ind ....................... 37
Kansas Ctty. 5Io ............... 141 SaniaAlia, (’;ll~f. .................... ,,
(iG ~V. l).rawn~dh Pa ............... 48 Marmn, Ohm .......................... 37
lluffalo, N. Y. (Italian) ....... 140 P, irmina ham,Ale ................... 64 W]weling,\V. Va................... 4S Saer’lmento,Cnlif ................... ,’17
Spokane, "~V~ sll .............. 13N Gloueestcr, lCnMand................ 64 Dtlqtlesne,1’;I .......................... 47 Sault Ste. Marie, On( ........... 37
Stoekh0hn, Sweden.............. 137 Chicago, Ill. (Ukrainian) ........ (;,3 Jaek~on,Mich......................... 47 ~unbridge V¢olls, England........ 37
Allentown,Pa ....................... 133 Fresno, Calif ....................... 6-*I iMattoon,Ill ............................. 47 Alliance,Ohio.......................... 3(I
3Iihvaukce,Wis.................... 133 Gary, Ind. (Polish) ............... 63 Miami,Fla ............................... 47 13rand~n,Man......................... 36
Toledo, Ohio ..................... 128 Tunalmna. Trinidad, 13. ~V. I. 63 Springfiehl,5[o ....................... 47 Brighton, ],]ngland .................. 36
Kingston, Jam;tic,q, n.~v.I. 125 NewBrighton, I’a ................... 62 13rebi, llounmnia .................... 46 ~I1 P~o,Texas ....................... 36
Bristol, l’]naland ................ 124 York.l’a ................................... 62 I~romerton, Wash................... 46 li]skilstuna-Bjorsund, Sweden3(I
Leeds, England .............. 120 "Walhlsey,],]llglalld .................. 61 Capetown, So. Africa ............ 46 Fratautul Vecht, Bucovina ....36
Leicester, Englan’l ............. 119 I~aia Mare, Roumania ............ 60 Des Moines, Iowa ................. 46 l~Iobile,Ale............................... 36
Chicago, II1. (l,ithualJan)....ll6 llirkonhcad, l,hlaland .............. 60 Dundc~e,Scotland.................... 46 Saginaw,Mieh........................ 36
Gothenburg, S,ve(len ........ 116 Ol{lahonmCity, Okla ............. 60 Calgary,Alta......................... 45 Boise, Idaho ................. 35
WilkesBarre, I’a. (P~IDh) 114 Toledo. Ohio (Polish) ............ 60 ,ltmbor, Roumania................ 45 Cehul Silvaniei, Romnania .35
~’ietoria, B. C .................. 107 Topel,a, I(aas ......................... 60 Utica, N. X .......................... 45 (Continued oa Page 223)
 STEPHEN THE MARTYR
AI:GUST 19 -A(’,rs g : 1 - 7 : 60--

8TEPtU’X ~Ect, xut:~ THE TIll IiI IN TIIE S~,’N.~.GOGUE--REITE\RS\I. A.NGERG LEADERS--I’EItSECUTION SCATTERS BKLIEVEI1S AFTEB
STEPIIEN’S MARTYRDOM.

"Who shall .+eparatc us from the lore of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or l(t,~ne, or naked+less,
or peril, or sword?"--Romans 8: 85.

S TEPHEN has the honor of being the first

martyr, the first
Christian
to follow his Master unto death.
Like Iris Master he was slain as a blasphemer of
vice for his Master, and his declaration
reth was the Messiah, brought him int~ conflict
leaders of the synagogue.
that Jesus of Naza-

Probably Saul of Tarsus was

with the

God. Excepting the apostles, Stephen was the most promi- amongst those who worshiped there. These disputed with
nent man in those earliest days of the church. All the Stephen, but "were not able to resist the wisdom and the
references to him show that he was a Hellenist, a Jew of spirit by which he spake." (Acts 6:10) Being unable
the di<persion We do not know how long he had resided refute his arguments, they showed their wickedness of
in .rernq.lem when he saw the truth concen~ing Jesus and heart, and that they were exactly of the same spirit as
ncc(,ple(l it. I’rol)al)ly he had gone up at a feast time those who a little while before bad brought false witnesses
lind heard the np*)sth,s, nnd had become convinced of the against Jesus. They suborned men to state untruths, to
truths they lau.~ht. He was a mnn of ability, of much bear false witness qgainst Stephen. His words were per-
force of eharaeter, a ~ood man seekin~ lhe honor of the verted, were made to convey statemenls apart from their
God of Israel. It was his lilial fear of God whieh enabled meaning. It seem~ as if the leaders of eeelesiastieism when
him to receive the trulh. Indeed, when lhe Word of God assailed with truth very easily lend themselves to Satan.
wag heard, any b<mest man in Israel n~ust have been con- Hypocrisy in profeesed servants of God gives Satan a
vineed; only prejmtice eonld I)revent lhe truth from enter- master-key to every chamber of the heart. Such become
ing the heart. If lhe heart be honest a lnessnge from God Iris ready dupes and agents; and such have ever been num-
will enter as readily as light or air will enter a room even bered amongst the world’s evil men.
if there be only a crevice. 5The Sanhedrin was moved to take action against Stephen,
eStel>hen was Ill’st brought into prominence in the elmrch and apparently was very ready to do so; for the sect of
when its arrangements for the distribution of alms were Jesus of Nazareth was increasing, and the rulers’ position
pro’,ing nns:~lisfactory. The early clmreh lind its ideals. was threatened. The council was set, and Stephen was
The brethren, forced into union by untoward circumstances, brought before it. Tile witnesses came and laid charge.
as well as drawn together by love, devired to help each They said: "This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous
other in every possible way. They realized their separa- words against this holy place, and the law." (Acts 6: 13)
tion from all others; they were a people apart. They did The eyes of all in the council were drawn to Stephen and
not know how long a time would elapse before the Lord held; fur they saw his face as if it had been the face of
would return and bring affairs in Israel (and all the earth) ¯ m angel (v. 15)--a woudrous contrast from theirs. His was
under his control; but they thought the time of wailing radiant with the love of God, the privilege of serving his
w,),fld be short, and that very probably they would do well Master; theirs were malignant with venom because their
ir while waiting they lived together as nmeh as possible. hearts were evil.
II(bw the movement started we do not know; but it came GThe char~:es made against Stephen were: (1) "This
qbout that those who had lands and property sold out, and Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and (2) shall
placed the money to a common fund which was use~l for change the customs [or rites] which Moses delivered us."
the support of the poorer members of the church. Murmur- (Acts 6: 14) Tim indictment presumes that the temple
ings and disl)ulings arose, as they always lmve done when worship was a permanent part of the plan of God for
materials things are in question. Those who were Grecians Israel, and also that the laws "rod ceremonies of Moses
co:.~plained lbat in the daily minislntlion their widows were estal)lished forever. The high priest asked Stephen:
were neglected in favor of the Ilebrews or Jerusalem Jews. "Are these things so?" The question could not be answered
Tl:e apostles, realizing that their special work was inereas- by either Yes or No; for the indictment was based upon
inv., saw that if they were to give personal attention to truth perverted. Stephen entered into an ex-planation not
this matter, their lime wouhl be taken up in "serving intended strictly as a defense; but, while defending him-
tables"; and that they would be hindered in the proclama- self, he set forth the purpose of God, whom they professed
tion of the gospel. to serve. He gave a review of God’s purposes as revealed
in the history of Israel. This was wise; for only in this
STEPHEN DECLARES TRUTH IN SYNAGOGUE way can one get lifted to tim place of understanding, even
~Tbe church was a~sembled and told that they shouhl as no one gets present trutt~ save by a knowledge of the
look out seven men of good report, full of the holy spirit divine plan. He desired to show these men that God was
and wisdom, and that the apostles would appoint them consistently working out a plan of which both the Mosaic
over this business. Seven men were chosen by the church; law and the temple serwiee were merely features which,
and Stephen, "a man full of faith and of the holy spirit," when they had fulfilled their purpose, must be put away
was the first mentioned. The apostles then laid hands on even as a garment that has served its purpose. He reminded
the seven. From thls time the word of God increased, the them of their father Abraham’s call out of Mesopotamia,
number of dlselple~ in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a and that he was brought "into this land wherein ye now
great company of the prlest* became obedient to the faith. dwell"; but was given no inheritance in it, not so much as
{Acts 6:7) Stephen at once came into prominence, not to set iris foot on. The covenant God made with Abraham
because he was a great mlnlstrator, but because he was was one of promise to be entered into fully on a future
"full of faith and power, and did great wonders and mira. date. God had said that Abraham’s seed should dwell in a
eles among the people,’--Aets 6:8. strange land and be evilly treated four hundred years; and
~At that time there was In Jerusalem a synagogue spe- ttmt he would deliver them and bring into Judgment the
cially used by the Jews of the dispersion, the place where nation which held them in bondage; that hi~ seed should
I~tephen had been accustomed to worshlp, His notable ser- then serve God in the land of promise.
22O
WATCH TOWER
VHeviewmg tilese facts, Stephen told of tile bondage in PERSECUTION SCATTERS BELIEVERS
Egypt and of tim hard amivrion which /hero came upon
Israel under tile cruel Pharaoh. Then in a swift review ~0Stephen’s death brougl~t a climax. The !eaders of Israel,
lie told of the b,rth of Mosc.s and of his up-bringing ill their passions nroused, began a great persecution; and the
special eircum,.tanees under the provide/me of God, and church in Jerusalem, with the exception of the apostles,
showed that Most, s, learned in all tim wisdom of the was scattered throughout tile regions of Judea and Samaria.
Egyplians and mighty in word and deed, when he was l~This wicked act and its immediate consequences served
forty years old und(,l’siood itmt God lind raised hinl up to neither their l)m~lose nor that of Satan ils instigator; for
delivel, his people Ih,~ !st:el was (lull in understanding, the word of the Lord increased, and the .~eed of the go.-pel
nnd did not ae(’el)t lhc deliverance whH’h 5Ioses believed truth was spre’ld far and wide. (3-ets 8 : 1 1 Saul of Tarsus
he could have I)Pought liiclu (Acts 7:’2.5) The promi*ed was HlUO:]gst lboRe wllo were at the si~)illlig, and ass~,~e(l
deliverer was re.ice~vii; instead o’/ 1,>qna ready they said: by minding tl~e {qolhes of the false witne~sog, who, as 111(’
"Wile made lhee a rliloP lllHl "l ju(l~:’e over us?" Thus l;tw (len]an(le(l, e;p<t llm lh’...t stone~ at the one they neelL->ed.
Blose~ ihe dell\oPel’ went :lw,~3, and xv.s forty ye:trs Situl, i)~ll~uned ~x ilh passion, re’tile hiulselt" :t leader am(mast
stPanaer in the ]alid of ",Iidinm InHi-,: lhHt time Ihe tile p(TS{’eutoPs; ;rod being exeeedingly nlltd tlgainsi lhe
aflli(.imn of Israel 1)y l’haPaoh so i:~{,,etlsed in se-,erily followers of Jesus, he a’o~ I)ePUli’~>iOUIt) gOeven its fill’ ;~s
tlml Ill last the l)e(ql!e cried out hy r{,,~o~ o: /he lmP(lq!:ps ])anltlS(qlS iI1 tile Oil(~Paver [o el’adi?ate (his ller(’sy. Th{>:l
they were 2()rt)(,d Io bealP. Their cry Pc,t:’h(’(I heaven; the Lord took a hand in Ihe work nnd, as lie often doz’%
the ~meof their (I{.,lixePaIl{’e b(ing full3 ~.()m(’, Cod ~ll}pearcd turned tile works of Salall into his ,)wn service
to Mo~csin lhe },Ill’ill!l,& I)ll"~h in t2~(,’(i) )~ob{’s w~l,; 120W 120111ytO read of Stephen’s fidelity ix ~l:I’ieient {o in!),l]l!<"
sent io his lleoliie, he whomi)revious]y lh(’5 had reje(,ted. the heart of every loyal servant o£ (ted, while a Pmr(’
(V. 3,~) He broualil lhPnl Oil~ of ]]gYllt , Itll(l by him God c,lrefal study strengthens the roots of faitil, al~d the pill’-
delixePed li~s I)eoD e fl’om then’ hard l)ollthlg’O. poses of the eons(,(q’at(,d heart to use every opportunity
service while the l)rixilege remains. >;(ephen’s shol’t but
REIIEARSAL OF GOD’S PP~OVI:)ENCES ANGERS LEADERS lh’illiant life i~ the church reveals the feel that fidelity lo
STile point S’,{’l)hen was drivH)g home was that the deliv- (io{l does not always mean lotlg-continued service. The
erer, whomevery Israelite ho’aor(’d as the nmker of their Master knows how to u~e his instrunlenls. It seems a safe
nation, was Iirs~ of all rel’u.~ed by {]~{,m. Nowhe go,~s on lhiI]:: to bay that StollM,;/s ,-erviee for the church, wrought
to (lechlre how this same Moses sav, t that 11o in reality \,-~ts 111 Jllllli~’,S Of filith ;Illd spirit, and m so shoP~ a time, has
only n t3tIe of One gl’e:~l(’r who ;,hould bring real de~Hcr- don., mope lop the ehuPch of Co,I its a whole than any
anee. :rod who shouhl enter the ehii,lren of Abraham 5ally l{):];,.<,oillinuod service couhl lm’,-o done for the church of
into the (’ovemmt of 1)romise. Tilen lie (()ld ~low :Io.es his (l,ly. The light of his life of f,~it)l and love iu the ful-
re{’eBed the law (’ox(’n;lnt at Si)/M, and how thee,, !sP~l(’l ncss ()I’ {he holy sidril shines brightly even to our (hly.
rejeeiing hinl turned ha(’k in their hearts to 1’2",31)t from sel’\c:| ;ill ll’S{(’d,l or a lew. Thus Slel)llen was in
whe:l{’~, riley ]l;itl be(,n delivered. (V. P,9) They £(,11 lnanner of :aet’x~(’,. ~tnd death more like his Master than
from the worshil) of Jehovah to worship 1he hosts of t~lly of the o ’,.(,r ,..;Hal:. o~ the NewTestament. He died £or
heavell ;111d ~l’aVell i11111gos. Then lie l’ellliI:{l(a] tlt,’121 that the £ailb, aml Lls d,’alh 1)i’ought laany rote the trutii, lie
though 8olon!o:) bn]lt a lenlple for Godlie hil;ls.,[£ 1,1i{l said gave nil lli~ heart to God, withholding nothing, and God
tlutt lie dwelt lice ill Su(’h tenlI)los lllii(le with lmn/ls h(mored him, e~en as I e ~-a:,-s: "Them that honor ale I will
"Ileaven is lily lhl’olle, and (arth i’~ lay loo::<col: what honor." (1 S.lmuci 2: 3,)) St(-phen was 1]le first of the early
house ~xill ye 1)aim ale? s-lith the l.o,’d: or what is tile cilurch to (lie faithful unlo deatll to re(’eix~, the Crown
place of lily rest? ]lalh not my h;lll{~q made all these IAfe. It is bur(el3 M2-nilicant tl,at N:cph,,l’,~ uan]e nlean8
lhings?" (Acts 7:49,50) The temple, \ ilh :ill the 8ysleln
o£ WOl’sh,pit ropl’osellte(i, lliEst pit>.; ;:x/:, 3. A:< {lie ]),qil~ls
of tile argument were poreeixed, the l’a(’t’s of the S;)ni,{’{h’in QUESTIO2,3 FOR BEREAN STUDY
set hard. They sttw that even by their own scl’itlturc.. ;l,i.
Who ~a~ tLe first martyr? Why w~q he killed? Wimt enabled
follower of a~,sus of Nazareth was destroying eVel’y .tegu- this In.~t lnarDr ’~ to accept the truth? What are the advanlages
ment they had; and they {lid not want to know God’s xxill of an honest llcart ~ 1.
IIow was Stepheu brouaht into prominence? DOtrue Christians
nor tile truth. $oo11 roahze llleil M’paratelleSs froi:l the worhl? What did |he
vStephen apparently saw a change coming over the faces early church do HI rP~aPd to the welfare o£ the brethren ? ~\ as
it s:tt~sfactocy in (,~, ’\ ~xa3" ~1
of lhe leaders; itlid without further cont)liuillg ills argu- I¢or x~ilat purp()se did ~the church appoint ~1 committee of seven?.
ment, nnd feOling tile lmposMbility of changing tlnqr lliinds, "Whowas first cho,~en. \’~llaL brought 8trillion immediately inlo
or of llelping them into the way ot tPulh, he broke out lU’Ommenee ? ¶ 3.
What deelal’atloll did SIoBhen /uako ~hu:h was opposed in the
upon them. (Vs. 51-5:D He was cahn, and with the peilee synagogue? To what dnl the argument lead? Why is hypoemsy
of (’hid in his ]mart ; (hey, elderly nlell as they were, ’~
so rei)rehensibie ’,1 4.
gnashed upon hiln with their teeth. 1Ie, lull of tile holy What d~d the Sanhedrin do? What spirit actuated them in their
false charges? ¶ 5.
spirit, tumted his fa(:e lit with tile glory of {lie Lord, to What were the charges? Was the high priest’s question honcdtly
heaven. He declared that lie saw lhe glory of God, and put? In maki~lg his defense, whomdid Stephen try to vindi-
Jesus st~lnding on his right hand. They st(}Ill)od tlleir ears cate? ¶ 6.
What are some of the points of history related by Slcl)hen* ¶ 7.
and, rmming upon hiln, hl]rri’.’~l him out el Ihe city. They What ~e,’e Stephen’s resl points that stirred (he hatred of tile
led him out towards x~h(,re Geths{qll;}lle hly ill the valley, leaders? \Vhy were they specially ungered? ¶ S.
but just outside the city walls they sloned him. Calling to What (h(l Stem.lien do when he saw the leaders’ hea,’ts were set
against the truth ’a IIow did the 8a~flmdrm treat Stephen?
his Lord, he said: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit !" and What was lhe contrast between the messenger of Light and
kneeling as in all attitude of worstnp, he cried in a loud tho~e of Darkness? ¢ 9.
voice: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge, and .... Stephe~Ps death brought what? Did the persecution then cease?
’~ 10.
fell asleep." (Acts 7: 60) What a contrast is revealed! God overruled this wicked act how? Who was amongst the
His persecutors and nmrderers were a yelling, screaming stoners, and wlmt did this young man then do? ¶ II.
mob; but lie failing asleep with Hie light of glory and Doesfidelity to God aL~aysnlealllongservicet ll,)whas th~
enth’e eiltll%h I),<’{’n blessed by Stephen’s experience .~ Wh:tt hoa£~
peace on his face. Thus died the first mart~’r. lia~ Stephen? ¶lg.
 BARNABAS THE GREAT-HEARTED
-AUGUST 26 -’I’H~ BOOK OF AC’TS--
~RNABAS LABORS TO GOD’S GLORY---BA]INABAS A COMPANION TO P&UL---GENEROUS AND LOVING DISPOSITION OF BARNAB&8.

"He was a goad ~nan, anvl lull oJ the holy sptrft and o! ]with."--Avts 11 : ~4.

B ARNABAS,who was a Levite of the island of Cyprus,

was one of the best known men of tile early church.
Our lesson names him the Great-hearted, and eat
BARNABAS LABORS TO GOD’S GLORY

5Aa a result of Barnabas’ labors nlany pvople were added

reetly so : for his record is that of a large-llearted, generous to the church. But I~,arnabas realized lhat a greater and
mini, Ills real name was Joseph; Barnabas, or son of con- deeper work than lie was capable of doing was necessary
solation, was the name given to him by ttle apostles 1)eeau~e for lhe development of the church, tie perceived that a
he was a comforter and exlmrter of the brethren, lie was leacher was n~,eessary if the I,ord’s cause was to be serw, d
one of the first of those who, having lands or tlouses, sold to its best interests; and he thought of Paul who he knew
titeln in order th’tt the poorer nlembers of the newly-fnrnled was capable of teaching, a service greater and more ]ast]llg
comnnnlity migltt be h(,Iped. He was tlle brolher of Mary lh:u/ exhortation. All this time Paul was in Cilicia in Asia
tilt, mother of M’/rk, and it is possible llmt lie nmde her Minor. Barnabas went tbere seekin~ him and, finding hinl.
house in .lerlls:denl his lmme. Of lar~e build of bo(ly ,md persuaded him to return to Antioch. There they labored
O~ ii generous ]wart, he was a lnan who \~Ollid altract togekher; and God blessed their labors.
lltlOllliOa, a11d would 1). ~ op.e to wilonl the In’elhren (.()Hid qn ttle church in Antioch there was a line company of
go ".or guid;m(,e, itlld frOlll \vhoal they eouhl expect i~elp. earnest men whomthe Lord had riehly blessed. During lhe
-’it iu easy to see that Stl(,il a lnan as Barnaba~ lnll~l have time they labored there Paul, remembering Ills M:lster’s
bo,,,n of eollsideralde force in lilt, ehurcll. Nalurally lie words arid tile commission he had received, would be wou-
wol:hl be ol)e o{ those who would at,~end lo any business dering about his life’s work (Acts 9 : 15 ; 22:15 ; 1 Corii~th-
Ill;tllol’q whi(’h luigbt ari..e. :lnd wonidlie on famlli;ir l(q’lns i;lns 9 : 17) ; and as lie was a man of prayer lie would wait
xxith lhe ;~postles. Prolmbly he :l.~sociate¢l with lhenl in oil the Lord, seeking guidance. And, naturally enough,
lolloxx~hip as on e(lual terlll% exeel)[ Ill’it lie wouhl always Barn’tbas would think of CTprus, and Lucius of Cyrene
aelchowledge their posltio:/ ia the church. wouhl think of his home, The holy spirit moved these men,
,;’~\’]!on P;/ul esc’~ped l rOlll D/lmq<cllS Illld returned to and they all prayed together about the work of the Lord.
,lel’us;llelll, it was rather as a fugitive than olherwise. In sonle way, not noted in the Seril)lures, the holy Spirit
When Ihere and endeavoring to obtain fellowship with the said: "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work
brellncil, both they and the apostles were afraid of hilll. whereunto I have ealled tholn." (Aets 13 : 2/ Without delay,
Ti:ey (’(arid not think that this man, who had been so mad and sent as by tile chur(,h, lhey left Antioch tar Cyprus,
t/guh:~’l lhem, wa~ imw in heart one with theul in the filith I;arnabas’ home. They took with them .h)ha Mark to rain-
of .Jesus. Iklrm’,i)as had the faeulty of (hsevrning truth and isler to lheln; that is, to qrrange for h~(lgiiIgS and the
(’imracter. lle yaw tlmt Paul was golluine nnd needed help, various things necessary to the ser\ico. Barnabas would be
gild it Yea;; his ~3~llOrous heart and hand which gave Paul very nmeh pleased to have his nephew go with them, and
el(.oule. Barn.,b:ls uas just llle one to take Paul in band. 8urely the yOUllg nlall would consider the service an honor.
lle became his advocate, and took him in 1o the al)ostlcs, ~After they had labored for a lime in (’.yprus, they httd
lllld as his Sl)okeslllan told them of Paul’s exi)erien(’es , lhus an encounter with a slarit medimn who withstood them.
strawing th(,m that he aeeopted all Paul’s statemcnls. Bar- l’aul, lilh.d with the holy spirit, senlel~ced hinl to blindness
nabas would ha~e no fear of Paul; and being somewhat of for a season. From that tinle I’;/ill look the lead in the
a masterful dlsi)o,ition he would be exactly the one to t;tke work; and the incident re\ealed llml it was he rather than
that awl,:w:tl’(l and difficult sittlation ill hand. Pall[ would B;l~’,’,d)as ~ho had lile resl)Oi~silfilily of proelainling tile
ever be gr;tleftll for flint timely "rod welc()m(~ service. g(>l)el. (.\ets 13:8-11) llitherto the order had been
4After the l)ersc,:utiou which arose ()lit of the death lmb;ts alld Saul: henceforth it v,’;t,, l’anl and Barnabas.
Stephen the church in Antioch grew quickly. A great nunl- "When they arrived on lhe lI/;lilfland and were about to
her bal;e~ed and lurned to tile Lord; lor, thou;:h a very leaxe for lhe inland cities. 3lark declined lo ,aa with thenb
wick, I city, Antm(.h lind ii/ it a great man3 1)cople who~e and refill’lied l~,ol]le. "~\’e do !1(), l(~lOW v,]llii (,;tllqe(l ]lilIl
l.’./:’i, were di~po..ed towards the truth. Owing 1)arll5 1o rO[llrll to .J-erusAlcqll. l’orlmp,, Ix, had an ol~)cction to the
i ; gvogr:lt)hieal siluation, aml 1)eeause it ~xas a cily aposlle Paul’s taking lilt’ lead u~stead of his mwle1;arnal)as
(’o:mn:,rce, the Jews who resided there had a better el)pot or perhaps it \yes that i~l pal’l, al~d ill part f¢:tr of the
t’,: ~i15 of se"ing nlore of tile Gentile world thali was i)os- dilli(.ullies of tile journeI. The t x~o luen went fol’\~ard, gild
s,l~!e to lhe Jews of Jerusalem. They would see lhe lhinf~s their record of labor is /ood to re’td. Ill the variotls ])laces
to ,ld:aire as well as to shun. Because they were less trzilll- tile 5, lnet wittl nluch p,q’~,,*Ciltl()ll, but in each I/lace visited
m.’,cd by the traditio.’lS of lhe priestly class, they exercised they left a little company rejoicu~g in the Lord. At Lystra,
ln,)re liherty of thought, and were more ready to lisj(,n tile inhabitauts at Iirst lhougiil that the .gods had come
the things l)re:whed by /lie disciples than were Ill(, ,ludeans. down to them becanse of a notable miracle which I"lul
The apostles heard of the good work which w.ls going ou wrought. Paul, tim snlaller of lhe ~wo, they n,ulled Mercury
ill Anlio~’h, and they sent Barnabas from ,h,rasalenl 10 becHllSe lie XV&S the chief nlessenger; B;ll.llilh:l~;. lhe laro’er.
exhort the brethren and lead them on. They were surely they mulled Jupiter. But harniI,~ at rhea’ :’~ission through
guided by the spirit of God; for had they sent a brother the OlqtOSltmn of certain Jews, the peol):e turned bitterly
with a less gcneroiis heart, or with a narrow outlook, tile against lhelu; and Paul was stol~ed, (h’a.a.~c(1 out of the
church in Antioch could not have been so well served. eity, and left for dead. lle was raised up as by a miracle.
Barn;lb,ls was exactly suitable both by reason of birth and
educalion; also, because he was a good man with a gift oC Barnabas escaped this trouhle; no reason why is stated.
exhortation and, like Stephen, was full of tile holy spirit After a time they retraced their sleps, going over the seine
and faith. (Acts 11: 24) Not so brilliant as Stephen, ground confirming the churches; and on their retunl to
was one of tilose men who are always useful ia the cllureh Antioch ti~ey were able to give a good aeeotmt to the
e~f Go4. I)reAlrcn wl;o Lad sent them out as apostles.--&ets 14: 21-28.
 9Barnabas is next heard of wlmn with Paul he withstood tion of Mark seemed a necessity, whereas to Paul the wx~"k
those who had come down from Jerusalem to Antioch to of the Lord was tile foremost consideration. The questi(,u
try to redstablish circumcision as a necessary adjunct to was, Is tile restoratiol~ of a person as important as the
faith. These were the Judaizers who, professing to be Lord’s work? Barnabas seems to have thougllt it was, or
members of the church of Christ, were tim agents of the that the work t.(udd be done while carrying tile re:ponsihil-
devil, seeking to bring in false doctrines. On account of it5 of belping Mark. I’aul thought otherwise. In lhe expe-
these things, and because these men were active everywhere, riences of tile classes there conic times when a considerati.n
the church held a council in Jerusalem. Barnabas and Paul of faulty brethren, however dear, must tuke second pla(,e
were delegates to the conference, and they told of what God to the needs 9f the Lord’s work. It seems proper to tea-
had done through them on their missionary journey. Bar- sider that the Lord lms in tluq ruse prox ided tile neeess-wy
nabas spoke first. Evidently the apostles were still some- ex’tmple for the cbureh’s instruction. Bnmmb’ts m,eded not
what reticent towards Paul, though after the conference to fall into a misjud,cnwnt. I{e knew that Paul was sI),’-
ended both men are spoken of in very loving words. "It cially called of the Lord (Actsg:15) ; so thqt if his opinion
seemed ~ood unto us, being assembled with one accord, to did not (’oineide with Paul’s, he ought lo huve submitted to
send chosen l/len unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Pauh IIe ought not to have conshlered llis jmlglaent as
Paul, men that hgtve hazarded their lives for the name of being so good in the Lord’s sight as Paul’s. Standing foe
our Lord .lesus ( hrist."--Aets 15 : 25, 26. what one conceives to be mght is not always tile better
~OAfter some days Paul suggested that they should again course. Indeed, it has led m.~ny a brilliant servant inlo
go over tile gl’olmd of their first journey to visit tile wrong ways; and nlany a useful brother has lost his course
churcbes. Barnabas was ready, but desired tbat his nephew through an assertion of his right to judge as against what
Mark should go with llllun. Paul would not agree to this. ought to he God’s plam prowdcn(,es or arrangements.
:lie had a strong opinion ~ll)otlt Mark’s deflection; and so ~q’robahly many of the Lord’s people have been led
sharp grew the (,ontention helween thmn that these two astray, al leust for a time, by holding out some sympathy
notable and great men severed their speeiaI bond of fellow- towards misguided or mmtaken brethren. Perhaps sym-
ship. Paul ~ouhl not trust Mark; for M’trk had proved pathy is one o;" the most dillicult of the thing,~ of life lo
solnolhill~ I!RO u hrol<en roo(h (Isaiah 31l:6) ~arnabus, use rightly. On that occasion Paul w,s like a rock; nml
with perhat~s a (.leqrer perception and a better understand- by the grace ()t’ the Lor,’l his action saved the church. But-
ing or Ills it, l)hew, wanted to help hun to make good. To naba~ ox eroame )he default, but he Ira(1 l{nown so nlueh thut
Paul the work was leo urgent to try experiments, und he l’aul seems to express surprise at his l’ailnre to I)creeixe
tool< Silus with IHm. Barnabas tool{ Mark, and they went tim truth on t!utt matter. (Galatia, s 2: ]3) The sulety (ff
to C)prus; but that is lhe last we hear of their work or of the Lord’s people lies in their constant watchfulness ill
Barnubus. i’erlmps It is safe to conclude from the silence prayer, in full submission to the will or God as e\I)re>sed ill
of Scrip/urc thai I~arnabas lnnde a mistake in taking his ins provhh,)mes, and in earnest Service seeking the interesls
way. With his perceplion of chamlcter and good judgment, of the ldngdom of heaven. Barnabas, tim son of consola-
be ought to have perceived that even if in his opiqlon his tion, left for tile church a sweet fragrance of loving service,
judgmen~ were as good as Paul’s, yet Paul had a greater and an example of watchfulness over the needs or ethers,
oilier in the sight of the Lord. Barnabas should have wbi(.h -ill the Lord’s people may copy to their advant~ge.
accepted Paul’s decision.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
GENEROUS AND LOVING DISPOSITION OF BARNABAS
Whowus Barnabas, and what were his cllaraetv, i~tlc~. ~, I.
**Tim early church owes much to the large-heurted, gen- Is it likely that he had considerable influence nl lhe church, and
erous disposition of Barnabas. His heartiness and his that he was companionable to the apostles? ¶ 2.
xx urlnth must trove helped and cheered very many in those To whomdid 1;arnabas give needed assistance? 1~q~y and how
eouhl he do thi.~? ¶ 3.
hard duys. As for t’aul, we know he would have developed What church grew qnwkly? What advnntages had Antioch? Why
into the great Apostle ill any ease, for God had culled him wUS]3arnut)as the rl~:ht brother to ~end there? ¶ 4.
"Whut special (lisem’nment bad Barnabas, lacked by many? For
to a work. But God uses human reruns: and, speakln.g ~hom did lie .seek, and why? ¶ 5.
from this point of view, it was Barnabas who helped l’aul What was the result of prayers being made for the Lord’s guid-
into his ministry. A sell-sacrilicing nmn, lie was, like I’aul, ance? ¶ 6.
What ~a~ encountered at Cyprus? What did Paul do? What did
willing to work at a trade in order to support hunself, thin in(’ident reveal? ¶7.
although be might have lixed at comparative ease. lie sold What ¢hd the people of Lystra think about Paul and Barnabas?
his lands for the benefit of others. Why were they called Mercury and Jupiter? Did per*eeutmu
follow them and were they a blessing to the places vislled ? ¶ 8.
~SMark also had much to thank his uncle for. The dis- After returluug to Antioch where were tlley next beard from?
cernment of good in Mark, and the possibilities of his What were the circumstances surrounding the conference at
Jerusalem? What xxas the evident reason why Barnabas pre-
nmklng good after his deflection seemed clear to Barnabas; ceded Paul in speaking? ¶9.
and God blessed his efforts to help his nephew. What was the disa:zreement between Paul and Barnabas? The
silence of the SCluptures regarding Barnabas after he chose to
l:The ability of Burnabas to serve lay chiefly in those lal, e Mark and go to Cyprus seems to indicate what? If Barna-
flu,tittles which m:lde him so well-beloved. His charitable bas ll~l(I boon right regarding his opinion ot Mark, why should
he have accepted the judgment of Paul in this instance? ¶ 10.
disposition, whether in respect of his money or his service :From lhe hnnlan viewpoint, to whomdoes the early church OWe
or his heart, and his ready speech made him specially ser- Inuch for its blessing? Whohelped to bring Paul into the min-
istry? Iu what respect was Barnabas like Paul? ¶ 11.
viceable to tile Lord. His defects naturally arose out of his God blessed Barnabas in assisting what other individual? ¶ 12.
qualities. His leaning towards Mark caused him to miss Barnabas’ ~dulily to serve lay chiefly in what? Did his defects
the great service to Paul and, with him, to the churches. arise out of these noble qualities? Maythe saying, "WhenI am
weak I am strong," be reversed? ¶ 13.
The saints, while saying, "When I am weak I am strong," Whatis the philosophy of the circumstances out of which Barnabas
~ee(I always to consider the reverse---and very many of and Paul becameseparated? Is the question involved sometimes
one which we must face? Should we not always regard what we
limit mistakes arise from a neglect to consider it. They consider to be the Lord’s arrangement as of paramountImpor-
In’ly say: ’ln whatever things I am strong, there I am tance? ¶14.
Should our love for any of the brethren overbalance our duty
liable to weakness.’ Barnabas evidently over-balanced him- toward the Lord? Should our sympathies always I)e the direct-
self in leaning to Mark. ing force? tIow should the Lord’s people safeguard themselves?
To what extent may we follow Barnabas’ example with l~am41it~
*4The point calls for emphasis. TO Barnabas the restora- ¶ 1~.
 MEMORIAL REPORT
(Continued trom Page 218)
Oliatham,Ont ....................... ,’t~I llothorham, England ............. 2!J Gleensboro, N. C ................. 21~ Dublin, Ireland ..................... 22
Derby, l’;ngland .................. 35 South Shields. England ........ 29 lhunilton, Ont. (Polish) ........ 25 Eastwood, England ................ 22
Gable, Sweden ............... 35 Spring \’alle.~, 111. Itarrisburg, Pa .......... 25 Fort Smith, Ark..................... 22
.Mansllehl, l’;ugland ...... :;5 (Lithuanian) ............. ’29 Inwald, Poland ........... 25 Hajduszoboszlo, Hungary ...... 22
New Albany, Ind ...... aa Ticuduhli Cample l{oumania 29 Jac si Unguras, Itoumanm ..... 25 Framingham, Mass ................ 22
Ilanders, l)elunarl( . Tonawanda, N. ~ ............ 29 Linfield, Pa ........................... o5 Iara de Jos, Roumani~.......... 22
Stockton oil Tees, I]ngl,lni[ :/5 California, Trinidad, II \V. I. ~S LongBranch,N. J" ................. 25 Johet, Ill. (Polish) ................ 22
t3rockton, Mass .... 34 (~aracionfalan. I[ 2 unlalna ..... ~8 Lorain,Ohio......................... 25 Latchford. England ............... 22
Cleveland, O. (Czecho.do\ak) 34 (’hel te~nhnnl l,]nffla l’ld .... i) Margate, England ............. 25 Petrid, Ronmania.................. 22
Corjeuli Bessarab:a . .. 34 Klrkcaldy, Bcofland ............. -28 Mazenod, Sask ............... ’-’5 Plttsbul’~h, Pa. (Colored) ...... 22
l~vansville, Ind ............ a-i Lawrence, }class ............ o New York, N.Y. (Ukrauuan) Pontychnl, Wales.................... 22
Ieargo, N. Dak ........ :lt~ 1Attle Rock, Ark .......... 2S Port IAinon, Costa 1/tc:. .... 25 Poatypool,Men....................... 22
Gaj I ,hlgov,’iee. t’ohlnd . :14 Lynchburg, Va ................ 2q Quincy, Mass ............. 25 St. Calherines, 0at ............... 22
Koster, So. Afm(’a .. :14 Moflesto, Cnlif ................ 2s Seguin, Texas (Spanish) ..... 25 Salem,Ore ............................. 22
Ortohc, l~ouinllilla . 3l N. Chehn~lord, Mass ......... 2S Sioux City, Iowa ......... "5 San Antonio, Tex. (Colored) 22
Sail Anionic, Tex. (8’ .,111 It) ~i: Pa~o llobles, Calif. . 2"; Spennynloor, Enghuld ........ 25 San Rafaol, C.tlif ................... 22
tl~lll’(la, Ronalalll,/ :;4 Pnlhnan, 111. (Pohsh) . .. 2’4 Aurora, ill., No.l ........... 24 8ante llarbala (’ahf ............. 22
I~utler, Pa .......... 23 Nannllclaus, I~olnllanla ..... 2"-~ Beverley England ............. 24 Seredei, l~.oi] Ilia 1] la ....... ~........22
(’lleM or, ]’it ............ :;;{ \Vmd~or, Oat .................... 2,, l;exh,y Ilatrh, England ........ 24 ~pauis]l Town. ,lalnalca,
Colmnbo, Ceylon .......... 33 Zanosville, Ohio.................... ,~ IIl:d)y, England ............ 24 I;. W. I ....................... 22
l~;l, hal l, Ind .................... 3:1 Athens, Greece.................... 27 lHackl)ool, Enghuid . .24 ~egnioll, Swodoil...................... ’22
aohnstown, Pa .......... ?,:l lledlord, Jc, ngland.................... 27 Brooklyn, N. Y. (ltahant . 24 Tamworth, 1,.na]a nd ............. 2’2
Man~liehl, Ohio ............. 33 lhldapest, 1 lllngtl.ry ............. 27 l"(~] ([I’U, l~,onlnanl:t ..24 Vaivodum,llotlmania ............ ’2"2
New (’astle, 1’~ .... 33 Cahimr, Alla ..... ~7 Grand Rnl)ids. 5h(h IPoh h) Vannas, Sweden..................... 2"2
Sonlh Bend, 12d (l’,dl~ht :i:l (’levcland, Ohio (IAlillntlllan) t:lt’t’lllie](1, Mass.. 2l ~Vausau, \\’is ........................... ’2’2
Stoltvllle, N. Y ..33 Coh)la(lo Springs, (’olo .... 27 Jitlln~tot111, N. Y .... 24 Aana, Ill .................................. 2t
Yeovil, l’]nfflal~" ...;13 Ehxcod, lnd .......................... o7 l.e(hlc, Alia .......... 24 Baxter, Kans ..................... 21
¥Ol.lllKStoxvn.()11,,i t(]l’(,lq,) .:~,~ llazleton. Pa ...................... 27 5laiiltl co, Fla ..... 2-t I)~a~ illlnO, N, ,[. (Polish) .......... 21
Bnffalo. N. ~ . i 110Flll,tll) .,,"’i ltutclnnson. Kan~................. 27 Michigan (’lly, In(1. I;’,Jll-h) Bcl~i(lere, Ill ......................... 2I
(;lace B:t.~, N. S .... ’~’~,. Jnlesti, Ronnmh~,l................ 27 Molt’a, 1 ]ngland .... 24 Putte, Molltnna .................... 21
lola. Ixan< ................... 32 LaneaMer, ];ngl,md .............. 27 ~ Iollo,~ell> l°a .......... ’-)4 Chehalis. \Vll~h ............. 2I
I< t II’ %tOll, N. Y. .......... :;’2 I,eWlSlOWli,l’a ................... 27 Nasllua. N. ll ............ 24: Dulnth, Mum(PMI~h) .......... 21
Mnrlella, Ohio .................. 32 McEeespor t, iJa ....................... 77 .New()i’h,ans, La ................ 24 l’;nst Palestine, Ohio ............ 2t
Molhw,Ill ...................... :;’2 Preston, l{Ilghuid .................... 27 ~otvlken-S%a i’1 o,>tadiHl. Fall~wk,Scotland .................... 2I
Mt. \ernon, N Y ............. 32 Woodstock,Ont .................... 27 Sweden ...................... 24 F yetteville, Ark..................... 2I
Penarllu Wales...................... W2 Albany, N. Y ............ 26 Opelikn, Ala ................. 24 Gllau, l~omnania.................... 2t
Pn(qdo, (-’(do .......................... 3.) llarberton. Ohio (tiun~tarlan) Port Alltonlo~ .]anhticIl, H]o, S~ eden ...................... 2l
\Vi}lw,l~;Lrre, I’a ............. 3’2 IJed ford, Ind ....... ’26 B. W.I ............................ 24 ttol ill.hllrch, Enalnnd .......... 21
\\’(<),t(>l, ()hie . . ;{2 ]ll’ld~eport, ("l. (lhlll~arltln) Roanoke, Va ...................... 24 Ja(’kson, Mich. I Poh<h) ._. 2I
IhllPl:lilljvaros, Ilu:!.;ary . ... 3t Cal’pen!ul s~ Hie. lli ....... 26 Sar{’lll, ,lu~osla\ ia .............. °4 .]nn(’llOll (’ tv \Vis (l’(llisll)
C~allldPil, N. J. . :~l (’hehn~tord, l’hlalalld ........ 26 Sotil hampton,]~nghllld ........ 24 Ltlton l)nnslable, 1’hlgland .... 21
1)anvll h’, 111 ....... 31 (’mq:.d, l~ Olili/~Hlla ....... ~{; S;n’ln~hl’hl, ill No. ’2 ......... 24 )I[)IIrO\ la, Calif ............ 21
(L’II!IuI~>]~ t ad, Swo<h,n ...3l l)i’irolt, Mich. (l’l.’aln1:lll)_..26 Stral ford, Ont .................... 24 New(’a~lle, I’a. (I>,lli~h) ..... 2i
Ih,g,,u l’~CIl, Ill ti’oh.~h)J ...... 31 i"allIIOllth, ,Ill.lllnli’a, I;. \V. L 9({ Vello, Demnark ............. 24 New Orleans, I~ tColored) 21
Li ntol/, Ind .................... 1/1 f;liell)h, Oat ............... 2(1 Al(,li.~a,uh’mvka, }’ol,lnd ...... 2R llus, ltouniania ................ 21
Ne~IA,.I card, Ont ................. 3t llavno, N. C.._ ’~’ Are (h,I. Norway ........... ’2:’ Stamford, Conn. (Italian) ...... 21
Per( (’llntlm, Ohio.............. 31 .|ohnslo~\ll, N. Y. .......... 2(i ~iclus, Ronmania ........ 23 Trul’o, N. S ............................. 21
Qllinc,, , .Mass ............ ?,l i{olio.~ha,\\’is. (l’li]l.,h) ....... .)6 lIIack track. 5". Y. (l’ohsh).. Wavo,Texas............................ 21
Wartm/, l’a ........... 3I M ariolL lnd ........... 211 l{ucnres|/, I~onnl~lll i a ...... .i.; Ablleno.Kans......................... 20
"¢Ce~t llronmwh, lJ,,,zlaml .:;1 ~l,),’Killllo\vn, \V. \ It ..... 911 (’1 i~onvl]le, Ol’e .... ’2{ Arad, lhmnmnia...................... 20
l~(,plon ]{11I’1)o1". )h~h .... 30 l’etrlln si Lone:l, l~otllhlttll&. .)6 (’]l fl ond~lle, .~il|~ ........ 23 ~\u~u~la,(;:t ............................. 20
13ox cnl, %\ 1.. (Pol,MI) ........ 30 Pl~ar oo’~; It, l’nl,tlld .......... 9#i (~l’altd Jllnctlon, (’)]O ......... 2’; lq ,~er v. 51:l,,s ......................... 20
(~rlllllle CIIV,I11 ................ 20 l’it tslield, Ma-~. ........... 21))" I[ahlax, l’]ngl;1 nd ......... :2:; (?olmoll~;~ille. Pa ................... 2{)
l~.alll-,I ok, S,l .i~ ................ :I() l>h,a,,/nt ]l,}llll,, ):,l,I Liq llbrldae, All.t ....... .):l (~rl~hlbal (’anal Zone............ 20
Kel tc:’m’L i hialan,1 .......... 30 ( I "kraininn) ...... 2G ]Al|dln, l’o]an(l ... .)21 I)O11 l~Ol/. TOXIIS.................... of )
Lodz,l’ohtnd ......................... 3{) Saaiim\v, Mwh. |l’~h-d~)...... :2~; NewPhila hql)lna , Ohio ..... "3 l)onlaczcwo Iq)bllnl .............. 2()
.~hlllCil,, l il(l ............ :I0 Svd ’3". N. S ........ .)l; ]’erlh, Scollaml.................. 2:} Faarvejle, I)cnnlark ............... ’)0
~,
Ne\ [~I’(}i/~.VV1C]{, .~ ,l .... ill} Tlbro, ~ t,ll.,ll ..................... 2{; l~ortlliild, },~a uio .......... 23 Falun, Swedell ....................... el)
N]:lvnra l,’alI% Opt _ 30 \Varv~ick, I,;n:~lalnt ... ............ ’>|)’ San Fernlinilo, Trinidad,
]’eterlml el.all, ]el gh ...... :;0 Asho~Hle, N. C ......... 25 II \%’. I ........................ ’23 Farrell, l’a ....................... 2{)
Pollt~hkeepsle, N. Y .. :{0 Atlnntlc |’ltv. N. J. (Colored} 25 Troy, N. Y .................... 2:1 Iernut fnia, I~ot lin:t!ll a ........... ~{)
~aligre (]randc, Trial iad, IIatli, l"]n~la nd ............ o5 l’tica, N. Y. (POllMI) ........... .);I Independen(,e,"qo ................... 2{)
IL W. I ................. 20 ][}oErnenl(Ul[ll, ]~ll~[.Iil(i . 25 Sl. Lout%Me. (l’oh,qt) ........ 23 Ilichnmml,(’alif . .................. 20)
lTnl|y ~\’ls ............... 30 (’amber~¢,ll, ,lamaica. B. \V. I. Zion, Ill ...................... 23
II, rmlf,,rd. England . 29 St. G(,,)r~o’s, Gronala,
(’ohio, EntNaml............... ’>5 IIar])ert(in, CIhlO ........ "2"2 1~, \VI ............................. 20
Clncin:lali, Ohio (Co!,~:’,. !i ’2!) Darhn~toll. England ........ 25 I h.anl~vlllo, Ont ..... ’2"2
Gall. ()’it ............. 2’1 1;rie. Pa. (Poh~h) ............. 25 Biserica /~ll)a. (’z,~(.h~-h~\ akia Stamford,Corm...................... 20
aol)iin, M,) ........... 29 I]sbjerg, 1 ~euomrl~............ 25 Bwqon, ~Inss t t’,le~’l, ) ..... ’2"2 Ylborg, t tcnlnark .................... 20
~NoC¢]h’dford, ]1:1~4. . 29 Freeport, Ill ........... .)5 (’hariton, Iowa .................. "22 \Vakefiehl, Englnnd................ 20
~Niiningpa Horn, lh)uin,tnl:l .. 29 GMveston, ’l’c \,ts ........ 25 l)over, Ohio....................... 22 Wntford, England ................... 20

A NEW OFFICE OPENED

Some monlll~ aqo V:o learned that on the weRt coast of Africa, sold in the hall ei~lil,~ booklets. The "Talking with the Dead"
in l’m l;rit2,h pos~.o.4ston kilown as ~lorI’a Ix,one, lllote are nlally bookletu are goin~ rapidly ; also "ttell." Many eatl in to see us
i’llc I."on{ peoD]e who llavc ll0VCr III ard lhe kingdon/ lne~saffe. dally and to aet |lie I)ook~. lIow thankful we are for the privilege!
llFol]lUr \V. II. lJrown, of Jalll’cca, w~t,~ x~lllln~ to go. tie has \\’o learn fl’(nn the I)t~ple here that tlie people ill IAberia
opeiivd a lle%v O~00 Ot the ~O(’lL±Y at Free r1’o%%11, Sierra Leone. Nigeria wonhl btiy lhe books. Colporteurs would do well down
Odr readers will lm 1)loa~c’d ll) klloW that the lnqssage of the Icing- there. The I~riti~h government is [Ulll(llng a harbor in Nigeria
dora is being given to the people in West Africa: and quite a lot o£ ".\ol’k[nen are employed.
At the loetnr(,s here sometimes eight ministers attend. Some
]~IY DEAnBnOTKEaRUTIIERFOIID: wisll me well and inform me I have a large field before nm.
We arrived in Sierra Leone on the fourteenth of April, ten days’ \Ve had to l~lnala ill a hotel for six days before we could get
s,’dl from Liverpool. %Vefound Brother Jo.~epii the next day. Fre~ house. Rent for llonses Is very dear here in I~ree Town. We havll
Town Is qlllte a ],~r’,’e town. The natives hel’e are inte]hgent tirol an npper apartaient, three rooms, a hall and a dining room, for
~vh, awake to con(htion~, especially religious, lots of ehureho~ £4 : 10 : 0 a month.
ileal,. The majority of nnnisters sre black men. Many schools are Tile inlport duty here IS twenty-five Dereent, go foodstuffs nnd
here, high schools among them. Beside~, many of the boys hero other thnlgs are pretty high, especially ill the city.
had their schoohng in England. The field is a good one. live gO Sl~l[[ uiqairing fl)r a cheaper llouse and a place where
we can exhibit the books. The heat is great hero. \~’e cannot rush
I started canvassing on the eighteenth of April Today, the it a8 we would like during the days. We found three other iliter-
second of May, I have one set left. I had to cable to the London ested friends. One is a teacher at the model school. I am sending
off~ce for fifty sets more. The booklets are going rapidly. We are financial report by next nlail.
driving the Ha~ps now nntil shipinont ef books arrives.
I delivered four lectures in April. The hail was packed each Could you send me fifty coDies of THE GO1,DENAGE?We believe
we will get a good nlany subscribers, Al~o live copies of ’l’~l~
~tght. The hall has a seating capacity of 500, the larg~t in the \VATCtI TOWERevery two weeks. We are getting a good nlally
town. I will be delivering twe lectures every week in that hall. \VATe~r TOWEasubscribers, too. The proclamation tracts are going
Cmetaker’s~,fee and lights cost nine shillings a night. The peol)la out. They are opening the eyes of many. We are keeping well and
are callin lne to other parts of the eolony to give lectures. Tlle busy. Sifter I~,l’(l~ li joins moin sending nlueh 1o’~ e.
lilt lecture ~o gave on "Milllon~ Now Lh’ing Will Never Die" ~e ~our.~ in the Redeeluex,
¯a2~. W. ~. Baowl.
 ImemationalBible Students A sociation Classes
BROTIIER T. E. BARKER BROTHER H. HOWLETT
Sparta, Mich ............ ]uly 3t Empire, Mich ............. A~lg. 7, ,~ Reading, Pa ..... Aug. 5 Berryville, Va.............. iug. 12
Mu.q,egon, Mlcb ........ kug. 1 Traverse Cily, Mi¢’h. . 9 Harrisburg, Pa ...... " 6 Waynesboro, Va ...... " 13
Harl, 5hch ................. " 2 J,:e~a(iul, Mich ........ " 10 ttagerstown, l~hI .... " 7 (’hfton Forge. Va ..... " 14
~Valhalla, 3lieh ............... " 3 }3~llair, Mwh
............... " 12 Berryville, Va. . " 8 Dlvl(lo, \V. Va ......... " 15, 16
Mamstee,5hch ............... " D Midland. Mich .......... " 13, 14 Rock Enon Springs, \;a~ 9 3It. Lookout. W. Va.. " 17, 1.9
Lake Ann, 5hch ............. " 6 Bay City, 3hch ........... " 15, 17 V¢inchester, Va ......... " 10 Springdale, W. Va ....... " 20, 21

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BRO I HER W. H. PICKERING

Houston, Tex ............. Aug. 2 Runge, Tex ............. Ang. 9, ]0 Nampa, Ida. ......... k!lg. 1, 2 La Grande, Ore ........... Aug. l,~
Galveston, Tex ....... " 3 Corpvs Christi, 2~x .. "’ ]2 Melba, Ida .......... 3 Pendleton, Ore .......... ’" ]’-’
" 4 :Premont, Tox. . " 13 Boise, Ida ............. " 5 3akmm,Wash............. " 1,;
Alvin, Tex ............... ]Ahm~burg, Wash ....... " 14
Houston, Tex .... " 5 Alice. Tex ......... " 14 Emmett, Ida ....... 6
¥1clnria, Tex. . . " 7 Dris,oll, Tex ........ " 15 Ontario, Ore ........ " 7, 8 r£aeoma,Wash............. " 16-19
Hallettsville, Tex ......... " 8 Bro~ n~ville. Tex. " 1(; Weiser, Ida .............. " 9 \ ~ctoria, B. C ............. " 21

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTItER G. R. POLLOCK

\ug. Rochelle, ill ............... Aug. 9 Roswell, N. Mex.......... July 30 Phoenix, Ariz ......... X!]g. 12
Kewanee. 111 ........ Barstow, Tex ...... Au~.1, ’2 Yunm,Ari~ .......... 13
Princeton, 111 ......... " :2 Ashton, Ill ............. " 1o
Peru, I11 ................... " Rockford, Ill ............... " 12 1,21 Paso, Tex ....... "~ 3, 5 San Beruardino, Ca:,I 1
" Safford, Amz ........... " 6,7 ltedlands, Calif ........... " 1.J
8treator, Ill ................ " 5 Freeport, Ill ............ 1,~ ’ 9 lhver,%de, Calif ............. ’ 16
Joliet, Ill ..................... " (5 Belwdere, 111 ................ " 14 Phoenix, Ariz .........
Chandler, Ariz ...... " 10 Ontarm,Calif ................ " 17
Aurora, I11 ................ " 7, ~5 Marengo,Ill ................... " 15

BROTHER J. W. COPE BROTPER B. M. RICE

Avondale, Mont .... July 2, Miles Cxty, Mont ........... ’xug. 12 Boy River, Minn ........ luly 30 Montevideo, Minn. . .Au~. ~, 9
Oullook, Mont ...... " 29, 31 Mel.~tone, Mont.............. " 13 l~arnuiu, Minn.....July 3], Aug. 1 5hnneal)oliS, ~linn. 10, 12
k,ig, 1-3 Miles Cllb, Mont........... " 14 Onumia, Minn .......... " 2 Pea.~e, Minn............ " 13, 14
1,’rein, Moat ........ "’ 3 "’ 15
l’,onetrail, N. D ........ ’ 5, (5 Bel,eid. N. D ................. " 15 Brooteu, Minn................ l’rmccton, Minn ......
5hnoL N. D ............... "’ 7, 8 Jame.,town, N. D ........... " 17 Fergus Fails, Minn ....... " 5 Camhrldge, Minn. ]6
Dote, N. D ................... ’" 9 Fargo, N. D.................... " 19 Fargo, S. Oak................. " 6, 7 St. Paul, Minn ...... 17, 19

BROTIIER V. C. RICE
BROTHER A. ft. ESHLEMAN
St. J’ohnsbury, Vt ..... Aug. 1 Milford, N. H ................... Au~. 8
Providence, R. I ..... \ag. Easthami)ton, Mass ..... Aug. 8 Newport, Vt ......... :2 Lo~ell. Mass.................. " 9
~NewIA~ndon, Coil., ........ " 2 Glcemield, Mabs........... ’ 9, ]:2 Hanover, N. II ........... " 3 West Chelmsford, Muss... " 10
~0. Coventry, Col, ........ " 3 Orange, 51a~s ............... " lO Manchester, N. 11. 5 Leomiuster, Mass ............. " 12
14artford, Conu ...... " 5 llano~er, N. II ............. " 13 Pittsfield, N. H ........... " 6 Concord Jet., Mass ......... " 13
Npring~eld, Mass ........... " 6 ~,e~port, Vt ................. " 14 Nashua, N. H ............... " 7 Lawrence,Mass ............... " 54
klolyoke, Mass ............... " 7 ~t. Johnsbury, gt ....... " 15

BROTHER C. ROBERTS
BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM
Stoekport, 0 .......... kug. I Neweomcrstown, O ......... Aug. 8
Khedive, Sask .... July 2;, 23 ,Saskatoon, ,~ask ......... Aug. 8-9 Marietta, 0 ......... Iuly31,
"’ ;2 Port V,’.lshington, O ....... " q
,~onl’iS, Man.......... " 31 l’k’,mou,o,l, Alta ......... " 10 Calnbrldge~ 0 ...... " ~I l’hrichs~llhL O ............... " l0
]3randon, Man ....... ~.ug. l Cal’;ars, Alia ............ " ll, 1:2 Zunesville, O ........ 5 Nowl’hiladelldfia, O ....... " 12
Win,;.peg, Man. - " 3-5 ~auu~er, l’. C ........... " 14 Dresden, 0 ............ " 6 Do~or,
() ........................... "
Portage La Prairie, M~in. " 6 ~2acoma, Wash........... " 16 1J Coshocton,O .................... " 7 Shevro(lsvflle, O............... " 14

BROTHER M. L. HERR BRO FLIER W. ft. THORN

Oak Ilari)or, Wash. .Aug. 3 Ci~ehahs, Wash........... Aug. 13 Melville, Sask.............. Xug. 1 Red Deer, Alta ........ Aug. 13
Seattle, V, m~h. _. " 5 Aber(~eeu, Wash ...... " 14 Yorkton, Sask............. " 3,5 Laoombe, Alta ............ " 14
Bremcrlon. Wash . . 6, 7 Taeo~m, P.’aM~............. " 1(5-19 Tuffne]l, Sask ........... " (1 Coronatnm, Alta ......... " ]5
Tacoma, Wash ........... " 8 Enm ,c~aW, Wash ....... " 20 Saskutoon, Sask ......... " 8 A]tano, Alta ................. " ]6
Lake Bay, Wash ......... " 9, 10 Ell~m,burg, \Va.sh ....... " 21 Edmonton,Alta ........... " 9 l’ro~ost, Alta ................. " 19
Puyallup, Wash........... " 12 Ya.;ima,~,Vasll ............. " 22 Calgary, Alta ............... " 10-12 Hardlsty, Alia ............... " 20

BROTHER W. M. HERSEE BROTI:’ER T. H. THORNTON

Camper, Man ..... Lug. 1 Macleo(1, Alta .............. Aug. 13 Niagara Fails, Ont.. Aug. 1, 2 OwenSound. Ont ....... Ang. 10 12
Winnipeg. Man. " 3 5 Bellevue. Alta .............. " 14 Hamilton, Ont ........ " 3,5 Wiarton, Out ............. " 13
l’ortuge I,a Prate.e, :,fan: " 6 Fernie, II C. ......... " 16 Milton, Wont, Ont.. _ " 6 Mar, Out ............ It
Saskatoon, Sask ...... " 8 ~Elko, B. C .............. " 17 Barrie, 0nt .................. " 7 llop~orth, Ont ........ " 15
Edmonton, Alta ......... " 50 Cranbrook, B. C .......... " 19 Collingwood, Ont ....... " 8 Allenford, Out ......... " 16
Calgary, Alta ................... " :12 Balfour, l;. C ............ " 21 Meaford, Ont ............ " 9 Puhnerston, Ont ...... " 17, 19

CONVENTIONS
TO BE ADDRESSED
BY BROTHEO
RUTHEOFORD
BROTItER J. H. HOEVELER
Toronto. Ont., July 27 29 . .. W.G. Brown, ]-lq9 Danforth Ave.
Saginaw, Mich. AuV. 1 l,’enton, Mwh. Au’:. S Winmpe :, Man. Aug. 2 5 ......... L. W. Burger,’ 539 Newman ,qt.
Wheeler. Mich. 2 iOuralld, Mich. 9
Alma, Mich ..... :), Port Huron, MwI~ " 10 Saskatoon. Sask., Aug. S-10... (’,~o. P. Naish. 611 Avenne J’., South
Flint, 5hch .... 5 Mt. Clemens, "qi~b II Edmonton, Alta., Aug. 10-12. Geo. A. Waro. 12321 Stony I’?aln Road
Birch Run, Mich ............ " 6 Detroit, Mich ........ ’" ~2 Tacoma, Wash., Aug. :14-:1!) ........ F. L. Cushing, 3922 No. ,~lt~t ~t.
Btlrt, Mieh..................... " 7 Plymouth,~Iicll ............. " 14 Los Angeles, Calif., Aug. 18-26_...Edward G. Lamel, 1494 W. 48th Ii1~
 ~.’OL. XI,IV S~:~l t-Mo.’,THLY NO. 15
Anne Mun:li 61151 -- August 1, 1923

CONTENTS
r~nl:IE (’AI.T,EDOF GOD........................................... 227
No;Irma! Christians Nol Callod ..................... 22?
Ot~!ylhe Sunts AroCalled .............................. 22q
(’A|hll~ I*f (’hri~t ] Ieh~ured ................................
None 31a3 (’omt, Ihlless Called ........................ 229
On(’e (’,lh,d Not Always~ ,tiled" .............
........... 2’2
Vi(’tory for the Faithful ............................ 2:q~
(’~+_lle(l to Felli)wMlip with ........................ "" d~
t~trthly (’ondit~ons Do Not Debar .................. 23t
DRAYI:R-.’~II’;ETINGTIIX~TCOMMENTS ........................ 232
]"AUI+~ Tlll;] ~tI’()STLE.................................................. 2~;~
JO]TN 3[A It b[ .......................................... 235
(’ha~tlcterl~tics at 31ark+s (h)~l>e] ............... 236
LUKE. ’llll] ]~ELOVL’I~ PIIYSI(’I%N ............ ’):~7
l,tlke i]ml)llflSlZeS Gelltllo .kc(’el)tallce ............ 2;~,~
~[NTEREST1N(; LETI’ERS..................................... 239

"’1 will stand upon my watch and wall set my loot

upon the "l’ou’e~, and ~rtll t+ateh to see tibet ~le t,;[l
Say u~to Ill(’, alld lib(it o.~n’¢’~ [ shall mal, e to then~
that oppose, me."--llabakkuk 9: 1.

~ +~5~->~ ©w~.,~rs "" ---

. .. ~~,~_,~--~
~- , .... -~_... ...~
-_~-

~l~on the earth d~tre~ of natlonmwith perplexity; the sea and the waves(the restless, discontented) roaring; men’shearts failing+them for fear and for looking
the things earning uponthe earth (soetety) ; for the powersof the heavens (eeclesmsttesm) snalJ De s .amen... whenye see these thmgsbegs to cometo pass,
imaowtl~at the Kmgdom of Godi~ at hand. Look up, hft up your heads, re~oaee- for your redemptm]ad~aweth nigh.--Matt. PA:33i/dark 13:29; Luke 21:25-3L
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACRED MISSION
~[~HIS Journal ts one of the prime factors or instruments in the system of Bible instruction, or "Seminary Extension", now beir~
.L 1)re~enled in all parts of the eivilized world by the WATCH TOWEUBIBLE ~ TRACTSOCIETY~chartered A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
motion of Chrislian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of coininunication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgriias", and refreshed .with reports of its conventions.
Our "Boreas Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s imblisbed STt ruES most entertainingly arrange(l, and very
helpful to all ~11o would merit the only honorury degree which tile Seemly accords, xlz., l’c~bi Dei M:nister IV. D. M.), which translated
into English is Minister oJ God’s Word. Our treatinent of tile Internahonal Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal siands firmly for the defense of tile only true foundation of tbe Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
--redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, wlIo gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter I : 19 ; 1 Timothy~2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precimm stones (1 Corintllians 3 :
15 ; 2 Peter 1: 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery wliich...has
been hid in God, . . . to the intent that now niight be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ei)hesians 3:5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parlies, sects and creeds of men, wili]e it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
suhjection to the ~dt of God in Christ, as exp,:e~sed iu the holy Scriidures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever tbe Lord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us lo un~.erstnnd his utterunees. Its atlitude is not dogmatic, but conlident ;
for we know wbereo£ ~xe affirm, treading with impli, it faith upon the sure promises of God. it is hehl a~ a tHl~t, to be used only in his
service ; hence our deci,dons relative to what may and what may not a-~pear in its columns nlus~ be uc(’c)rdillg 1o our judtment of Ins
good pleasure, the teaclnng of his Word, for the npbuihl-ing of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our
readers to prove all its utterances by the infalli’;le Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO ITS TItE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEAClt
"£hat the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress tbroughout
the gospel age---ever since Christ became the worhl’s P~edeerner and the Chief Corner Stone of his letup!e, throuch which, ~llen
tinished, God’s hle:Mng shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3" , :L7;Ephesians , .,°"’)0-")__
Genesis 2~ : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime lhe chiseling, shotting, and polishing of consecrate(1 believers in Cbri-;t’s atonement fm ,,_~gresses ; and when the
last el these "living stones", "elect and I)recious," shall have been made ready, the great Master \\,,_ ~man will bring all to~other
in the first resurreetion; and tile temple shall be filled with ills glory, and be tile meeting place I)c:~,-e~n God and men throng!loUt
the l~llllennium.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
That the basis of hope, for the clmrch and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of Cod, tasted death for every
man,", "a ransom for all," and will be "tile true light which lighteth every man that cometh into tire world", "in due time".--
I~ebrews 2:9; John 1:9; 1 Tinlothy 2:5, 6.
That the hope of the church is tlmt sbn nuty be like her Lord, "see bim as he is," be ’ partaker of the divioe nature,’ and share Lis
glory as bis joult-hmr.--1 John 3.’2; John 17:24; Rmnans 8:17; ’2 Peter 1:4.
That the pre~ent mission of the eliurch is tim perfecting of tim saints for the iuture work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to tile world ; and to prepare to be kings and prmsts in tile next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24 ;
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
~hat the hope for the world lies in tim blessings of knowledge and opportnnity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, the
restituhon of all that was lost in Adam, to all tile willing nnd obement, at the hands of their Redeemer aud his glorihed ehurch~
when all the wilfully wicked wlti be dcstroyed.--Acts 3 : 19 23 ; Isaiah 35.

"pu~L.I S HEDe,Y
CONVENTION IN NEW YORK
WATCHTOWER.]315LE 6- TRACTSOCI ET.Y The interlmtional 1Utile Siudenls will hold a five-day
convention in New York City t)t’iober 1S to 22, inclusiw’.
18 CONCORD
STREETa i~ BROOKLYN,
~l.Y.U.S’A" For Sunday, October 21, Madison Square Garden, .\mer-
I~ORE1GI~, ¯ OFFICES: Bt ItlS]l ’ 34 CI’U\ (’11 ~t, 1 ,ILC, L~n(.aster LTa[e, ica’s greatest aSSellllily hall, has been taken. Ill tin, H.tor-
London ~V. 2; Canadian." 2TO Dundas St., ~V., Toronto, Ontario;
Australasian: 495 Colhns St., ~]elbourlle, Austraha; South A]r~ca~: noon the public will be addressed there by Brolher Ru:h-
6 Lelie St., Cape Town, Sooth Africa. erford.
PLI’, \NL AI)I)aE,~S THE ~()CII]TY IN EVERYCASE.
Monday, October 22, will be a serwee davy. All who
~’EARLY ~UB~UI?II’TION PRICE: UNITED STATES, $l.I;(); t’AN ~.l,k atleml tim convention w~ll be given an opI)Ol’ltlldty tO lmr-
AND]%IlSCELLANEOLS~dOaEIGN, $1.50; GREATI~R1TAIN, ~’~l N’I’IL\I ~,NI’%
ANDSOU~L/[ AI~’nlCA, ,~S. Anlt’ricllu relniltiln(’es should I)(. lllado licilmte in actual eanv,t~sina- for the books. All who inlend
Express or PosLul MoneyOrders, or by l~anl;, i)raft. Canadmn. BrillMl. to engage in this serviee ~houlil fib ¯ their llanl(’s with lhe
South African. andfl_ Ilstralasiun renlittant’es ~lloutd be madeto b~ ~tltt h Service I)ir~.lor on or bvfforo t)etober 19, {tnd have l’,:o~r
offll*cs only. llelulttanl’es | toni sl"urlered lol’elgll lerritor5 II1113" lie Iil;ldt.
to the Brooklyn of|ice, bui by lnternat~o~ol l’o>tul Money()ldol u territory a~sianed. Address E. J. l.ue(’k, 241(i Seyntodr
(Foreiql~t~u~t,,shtl_i~?,s of tht,s ]ollyatll (,ppcar la set, c~’ttl hllt(llltl’/t’~)) AvullUe, l~rnnx, New York.
Editorial Committee: This journal is lmbl’.shed under the superx ~Mou Ft’iell(lu in lhe vh,iniiy of New York "ire oalq~cstly re-
of an editorla| (,OlUlnllJOe. at loa21 tllree of ~,vllola ]nl~e read :lit I quested to el.lively ltarlit’ipato in this collVelllll)!l :tlld make
~
approved as tru|h each alld e% ery article alItK’arlng ill lhosc Co]Illnl]
Tile nanles of |he editorial l’OIllIllitlce ure ; J. 1~’. Ill ’±IIIAH I)IID it at great wi!ness fol" !he King .rod his Id~,~dolh.
W. E. VANAMBURGtt, J. HEMERY,(}. T~. FISHER, l{. ~-~. BARnI~:. For il~l’Ol’lllati~tll (’oll(’uFnillg hotel alld roolllillg aCOOlllnlO-
Terms to the Lord’s Poor" All l;Ihle Mtldoll|’; who by l’ea~oll ( f dalions please addves. T. M. lledwm, 8118 95/h Avenue,
old IIge or other infirnlity or advel.~ily, file unable to IAy !()r l|ll~
joormd, will lie ~,UPl)lwd free if |hey ,~elnl a l/o~tal ~ , ,l oA(’h -~1 \Voodhaven, L. I., N~,w York.
slaling tllelr cIiNo and iOl[lte~Ili]~ sueil I)l’0Vl~lOll, V~’(, ,ll’e not ollly
willing, bat an\lolls, |lull ~111 sln’h be oil our list conllnnally alld
in totlch v:itil Ibe ]~,el’o~lll ~tmti(,~ IN RE LOCAL CONVENTIONS
Notice to Subst. iber,~: ~\’e do 1!el, an a l’ille, sl,nd a Cllld or acknowl-
edglnent [or a i’(.llOV~aI or for a llC\V Sld)SCl"ll)iion, l,’eeeipt lind .~ llUllll)or of tile clas-e,~ lll’l’,ll
~t’ [’Ill’ a local (’Olix(~nlion,
en|ry of renewal are in(iit’ated x\il|lin a lnonth by change in expira-
tion (lale, as sho\vu ou ~vl’~li)tlcr label, and then request tile olIi(*e Io ~.’.wl l’il~rim-, ~VhLle we ;ire
En~tered as SecondCla.~ Matterat Brooklyn,N.Y Postot~ce, _Act el March3~rd ~870~_~ anxiolls t(I (.Obl)eraie ulld senti the ..[)(,,lker% this is
always l.)--flde: for l[ is Ill~(’e~-’,;|l’,V lor |hi a office to lllake
the appoillllllen[s se~,(q’al weeks ill ;idxalIl(’e; ;lIl(i this being
tlYMNS FOR SEPTEMBER done it is ellen IIq[e that we are ramble to fun~ish Ihe
Sunday 2 223 9 94 16 2(14 23 2(;q 30 26 Pilgrims when desired for local conventions. The lie|tot
Monday 3 46 10 277 17 123 24 30’) plan would be for any class "mtieipating a local convention
Tuesd’w 4 194 11 134 18 216 25 144 to write fir.-t to the ollice to see whether it will be conve-
’Wednesday 5 -17 12 176 19 85 26 81 nient to Solid speakers for the time desired; and if not,
Thursday 6 199 13 33(i 20 292 27 S3 then another date can be fixed. In this way we shall be
Friday 7 319 14 1’.) 21 284 25 200 able to eoSperate in a better nlanner.
ISaturday 1 10 $ 48 1~ 92 22 286 2{) 69 (Conventions continued on page 239)
VoL XLIV AUGUST
1. 1923
THE CALLED OF GOD
"’J~tdas, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called, beloved in Godthe Father, and
l~ept for Jesus Christ."--Jude 1, R. V.
T HErevised rendering of this passage is a little
better than the King James version; for it shows
more accurately to whomthe epistle is addressed.
It is addressed to the NewCreation.
2Before we eame into file light of the truth now
shining for the people of God, there were probably some
of us who had the thought that everybody is called by
the gospel. Wehad a way of arguing to ourselves that
not only were all people living in so-called Christian
lands called to be followers of Christ, but that even
those who had never heard of Christ were responsible
because they had the light of conscience and that thus,
in_a way, they were called to do the best they could, and
perhaps if they did this they might be saved. All this
is very unscriptural, hence untrue; but it helped us to
bear the thought that most of the heathen must suffer
eternally because of the failure of ourselves and others
to take to them the message of salvation.
3As the eyes of our understanding opened wider we
came to appreciate the full sigmificanee of the state-
ments of the Scriptures that "all have sinned and come
short of the glory of God," and that the only effect of
the law of conscience written in the heart of the heathen
is to make them feel their undone condition, their
alienation from God. Travelers in heathen lands con-
firm this. The heathen instinctively knowthat they are
cut off from God; and hence, as the Apostle declares
in the first ehapter of his epistle to the Romans,they
are given over to idolatry and every form of defilement of
mind and body. They cannot in any sense of the word
be considered as called. Noneare called until they have
heard; and the heathen have never heard. "Whosoever
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
[And he will not be saved otherwise.] Howthen shall
they call on him in whomthey have not believed .9 and
how shall they believe in him of whomthey have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher.9"
---Romans10 : 13, 14.
*The apostle Paul was a real Bible student; and in
his epistle to the Romans he was writing to Bible
students who, like himself, were familiar with the Word
NO.15
of God. After making the statement just quoted from
the tenth chapter of l~omans he corroborates it by two
quotations from the prophecy of Isaiah, to the effect
that the gospel will some day be preached to all men ;
and then he clinches his argument and shows the
unealled condition of the heathen by conchding that
"faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God."--Romans 10 : 17.
5There is not the slightest intimation in the Scrip-
tures that there is salvation to any without faith in the
promises of God’s Word. It is as true of the heathen
as it was of the Jews on the day of Pentecost that
"there is none other name under heaven given among
men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4: 12), but the
¯ ~ameof Jesus only.
°Not only have the heathen not been called during
the Gospel age, but the gospel call was turned away
from them, deliberately and intentionally. St. Paul and
Silas "were forbidden of the holy spirit to preach the
word in Asia"; and it was when they had thought to
go into Bithynia they were also forbidden. (Acts 16:
6, 7) This must seem strange to those who feel that
the most important obligation laid by the Lord upon
his people is to proclaim the gospel amongthe heathen.
NOMINAL CHRISTIANSNOTCALLED
~It is easier to prove that the heathen are not called
than it is to prove that nominal Christians are not
called, but that seems to be the purport of the Scrip-
tures. The Greek words kletos and klesis, translated
called and calling, seem to have the thought of invita-
tion ; and it is quite plain that hosts of nominalChris-
tians have never heard the call to the high calling, for
they do not even knowwhat it is.
SThe Lord is authority for the statement that "many
are called" (Matthew 22: 14), many are invited; but
this is far from saying that all are invited, even all in
Christian lands. The Apostle narrows, or seems to
narrow, the call to a certain class when he says: "Yo
see your calling, brethren, how that not manywise men
after the flesh, not many mighty, not manynoble, are
228 the WATCH TOWER
cMled; but (led hath eho<en [to invite] the foolish
things of th. world, to c,mfoun(l the wise; and God
hath chosen [to invite] the weak things of the world,
to confound the things which are mighty; and base
things of the world, and things vhich are despised,
hath Godehosen [to invite ]. yea. and things wlueh are
not [of consequence] to bring to nought things that
are: that no llesh should glmT in his presence."--1
Corinthians 1 : 26-29.
9It is obvious, then, that if Godhas chosen tOlimit
largely his invitation to tel’tam classes lns ultimate
ehoice will be found in those same classes. Manyof
the class named have been called x~ith the hcax enlv
calling; manv have understood; many have accepted:
and a few of" them--14-t,000 in all--will be chosen to
the high position to which all were called in the one
hope of their calling, the hi ah callinx.--Ephesians 4 : 4:.
~°The apostle Peter also circumscribes the calling of
God when he says: "The promise [of the holy spirit]
is unto you [Jews who are ah’eadv in covenant relation-
ship with God] and to your children [who have the
next best opportunity of being invited], and [after
that] to all that are afar off, even as manyas the Lord
our Godshall call."--Aets 2: 39.
nThe narrowing-down process is eontinued by the
apostle Paul in Romans 8:30, where he shows that
none are really called with the heavenly vailing except
those who are justified; and as WATc~rTowEr, readers
are aware we hold. Scripturally we think, that consecra-
tion precedes justification. "Moreover, whom[as a
class] he did predestinate, them he also called: and
whomhe coiled, them he also [previously] justified."
~Rolnans 8 : 30.
ONLY THE SAINTS ARE CALLED
X2~By a gradual process we have llOW an’ived at
base of the matter; namely, that the only ones to whom
the heavenly Father graciously extends an invitation %o
be of the bride of Christ are his saints, those whoare
wholly devoted to the doing of his will. And this is as
we shouht expect. It will appeal to all as eminently
fitting that an invitation to the highest place in the
universe should be reserved for those alone whosegrati-
tude to the Father for all his blessings so walls up
within their hearts that they can do no less than give
to him their all. And now let us note some Scriptures
that show that God’s ealling is to his saints, and to
them only :
~a"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, a called [invited]
Apostle, separated unto God’s joyful-message ....
amongwhomare ye also, called ones of Je-us Christ:
To all those who are in llome, beloved of God, called
[invited] saints--favor to you, and peace, from God
our Father, and the Lord ,Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:
1, 6, 7, Rotherham’s Translation) Jn this translation
the words in italics are set off in the Greek as requiring
special emphasis. It is apparent that great emphasis is
laid by the Apostle upon the fact that he was invited
to his high station as an apostle, and that he was limit-
ing his epistle to a class similarly invited, a class whom
he designates as saints. In the same translation the
same thought is conveyed in the translation of the
famJhar passage. Romans 8: 28: "But we do know
that to those who lore God, all things arc working
together for good--to those who, according to purpo<e,
are called-ones [invited ones]."
~q~ooking forward to the work of the Milh’nnin"b
and the part thot will then be p]aycd by Zmn. the
heavenly phase of the ldngdom, and Jerusah,m. the
otty of the great King, from which bfltcr the law of
the Lord is to i~sue at the lmnd~of the, ancient wortlues,
the Prophet says: "In mount Zion and in Jerusalem
shall be &’hverance, as the l,crd hath said, and in the
remnant whomthe Lord shall call." (Joel 2: 32) Thus
we have additional evidence of what we know to b:, a
fact, namely, that it was only the saitttly amongthe
tle-hly L-raelites that were really called to be of ~he
bride of Christ The re,t claimed to be the covenant
people of God, but they were really not such. 0nly the
saints, the truly consecrated, were actually in covenant
relationship. And, as we have seen, the same principle
applies in the ease of nomimfl spiritual Israel. The
Apostle reminds us that some of the called were Jews
and some Gentiles whenhe savs: "Whatif God, ~ tllillg
to shew his wrath, and to make his power known,
endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath
fitted to destruction: and that he might make known
the riches of his glory on the vessels of his mercy,
which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom
he hath called, not of the Jews only but also of the
Gentiles ?"--Romans9 : 22-24.
CALLING OF CIIRIST PREFIGURED
the
~Thecalling of our Lord Jesus was a httle different
from the ealhng of any that will go to make up the
members of Ins mystical body. The heavenly Father
knew when Jesus divested himself of the glory which
he had had with him before the foundation of the earth
was laid, that Jesus would be the Christ He knew
that Jesus wouhtbe faithful; and so, in Jesus’ ease, he
was called, in <e,mesense ofthe word, from the momen*~
of his bu’tlu This was illustrated in the tabernacle
arrangements.
~%Vheuthe time came for the building of the taber-
nacle in the wilderness (led called by name, and parttc-
ularlv and specially designated and invited, one imli-
vidual to have charge of the work of preparing the
tabernacle furnishings. This one represented Cn’i~t;
and the spirit or power which came upon him, fllumi-
~mting and fecundating his mind meehanieally, without
affecting him in any moral sense, illustrated the, holy
slnrir v hmhcameuponChrist at the time of his anoint-
ing. The aeeount reads:
t’"and the Lord sl0ake unto lKoses, saying, See, I
 have called l)y name Bezaleel [Shadowof the Almighty
what a beautiful title for the Almighty to give to his
first and best loved son!] the son of Uri [Light--the
hxht of the world], the son of I Iur [Grave--in which
the Son of manlay for three days asleep in death], of
the tribe of Judah [Praised--in his pro-human exist-
enee] : and I have filled him with the spirit of (led,
wisdom, and in understanding, and in knm~l"d,.:’. and
in all mannerof workmanship,to devise eunnin; v, ork~,
to work in gold [symbot of divhmnature], and in silver
[symbol of truth and of spirit nature], and in brass
[copper--perfect humanity], and in cutting of stone;
ljewels--the Lord’s jewelsI to set them. and in carving
of timber [pillars in the IIoly], to work in all nmnuer
of workmanship." (Exodus 31: 1-5) What a calling;
what an invitation!
~’~Andthe call of the churchis not less noble, not less
thrilling. It is madesoftly. It is a call to the heart.
not merely to the ears. It maynot be in the palace, or
the softly carpeted church with its stained glass win-
dows and entrancing music. It may be in the loneliness
of a life which has little of real companionshipiu the
world except that to be found in fellowship with the
Lord. It maybe in some little hall the furnishings of
which are few and simple; it may be when some child
has gone wrong, and the broken heart has turned at
last to the fountain of life and peace. The call ~s so
sweet, so tenderly phrased, that none that have heard it
can ever forget its effect upon their hearts:
~’~"’IIearken, 0 daug’hter, and consider, and incline
throe ear [to the call]; forgetalso thine own people.
[earthly tie~], and thy father’s house I the earthly hopes
of Adam’schildren]; so shall the, King greatly desire
thv beauty; for he is thv [,ord; and worship 1holt him."
(I’salm 45: 10, 11) All that Chri,-t ~as called t,,. the
bride is called to; all that he is to have, tile br~,le is to
h’~ve; in all that tie is to do, lhe bride is to haxe a
share. But he wall always be the Ilead of the body; m~d
she will always wish to have it so, that in all things he
might have tile prebnfinenee, whoseit justly is.
NONE MAY COME UNLESS CALLED
=°0ur Lord.losus didnot invite hin,..-_elf to 1)e man’s
redeemeraltd l’e-iol’l 1’. Theinx itation t,) this o’calted
office came from G.’I, not from man. lCvelt m the
Aaronie l)rie~thood 11> l,ord reserved to hims(,lf the
right to designate who,-hould ser~e him in hoh" things.
"And no man taketh this honor unto hin>{’l[, lint he
that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ
glorified not hilnself to be madean high priest; but he
that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I
be?gotten thee."--Hebrews5 : 4, 5.
~Wecan see an illustration of this principle in the
attempt of the once wise and great King Uzziah. "His
namespread far abroad; rot he was marvelously helped,
till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart
was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed
against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of
the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense. And
Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him
fourscore of the priests of the Lord, that were vahant
men: and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said
unto hinl, It appertameth not unto thee, Uzziah, to
lmrn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons
of .\aron, lhat are con,-eerated to 1)urn ince.n~e: go ,’ut
of fh,~ san(’i uary; for thou ha>t tre>lmssed; neithm’ shall
it De for thine honor from the Lord God. Then Uzziah
~ as wroth, and had a censor in his hand to burn ineen,e ;
and while he was wroth with ltlo l):’Je.-_ts, the leprosy
even rose. up in his ford>ad 1)q’ore the prie>ts in the
house of th,~ l~ord, from beside the incense altar."~
2 Chronieh,s 2~;: 15-19.
=What~(, see illustrated in the ease of King Uzziah
is also an u::dorlyin Z principle of the heel< o£ Eslher.
Muchof the intere~-t m this book centers in the fact
that none could enter the presence of the king with, ut
being ca]led, without being invited. The opening chap-
ter is the account of the beautiful Vashti. X~tlO-purned
the king’s invitation to come 1)crete him, and whose
failure to do so led to her degradation and expulsion
from the rovat palace. The picture of fleshly [srad’s
failure to li.-ten to the heavenly messageseems here in
ewdenez,. Then eonws the beautiful story of the lowly
Esther’s selection and exaltat,on, representing appar-
ently the true church, gathered out from both Jews and
Gentiles.
2aA wicked eonspiraey had be,n made against the
Jews, to put themall to death. Esther. a beautifu, young
Jewess, had been urged to go before the king and l)!ead
for her people. She finally (hd so, and with success, but
pleaded with her Jewish brethren meanwhile to fast
in her behalf, reminding *hemthat "’all tile ldng’s *er-
rants, and the people of the king’s provme.,s, do know,
that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come
unto the king into the inner court, whois not call,,d,
there is one law of his t,) put hinl to death, exC(,l)t ~,ueh
to whomthe king shall hold out the gohh,n soentre,
that he may live2’--Esther 4:11.
ONCE CALLED NOT ALWAYS CALLED
~Xolle need get tlw thought lhat bceau,o they hive
once been called with the one hope of our eall,!~g "th y
are always called. There is a hmlt to God’s favors, lie
is not eallin:e rote the bride class any whohave (,,:c~
knownhim and then have mea:-ural)lv for~’ott(,n ]i,m.
The Scr~l)turcs detine these as x~icked. Tile wJcl,ed al’~
m)t the godle,s whohave never heard; they are (l¢’<tg-
nated as tho-o who have heard and have turned back,
turned away item the truth, turned again to the d,.Jng
of their o~n wills. These the l’sahnist addresses:
’-’~"Whatha.-t thou to do, to declare nly statutes, or
that lhou .-h,)uldest lake nay covenant in thv mouth?
seeing thou hatest instruction, and eastest my words
behind thee. Whenthou sawest a thief [a self-seder,
23O ¯ WATCH TOWER
looldng out for his oval fame and pelf instead of the men for thee and people for thy hfe. Fear not: for I
feeding of the Lord’s flock] thou consentedst with him, am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and
and hast been partaker [engaged in similar work] with gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give
adulterers [Babylon and her sectarian daughters, organ- up; and to the south, Keep not baek: bring my sons
izing additional sects]. Thougivest thy mouth to evil, from far, and mydaughters from the ends of the earth ;
and thy tongue framcth deceit. Thou sittest and speak- even every one that is called by my name; for I have
est agaiust thy brother; thou slanderest thine own created him for my glory; I have formed him; yea~ I
mother’s son. These things hast thou done, and I kept have made him." (Isaiah 43: 1-7) This prophecy ap-
silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an plies to both the houses of Israel, fleshly and spiritual.
one as thyself; but I will reprove thee, and set them in
order before thine eyes. Nowconsider this, ye that CALLED TO FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none 8°Thoughthe passage be a familiar one to the readers
to deliver."--Psalm 50: 16-22. Of THE WA~rCI[ TOWEII, we cannot forbear to quote
again a passage from the pen of Pastor Russell which
VICTORY FOR THE FAITHFUL has led manyto a deeper walk with God because it has
26Those who have been invited to Jehovah’s great helped them ~o better understand the heart of the
feast of love, and whoremain in the heart relationship Infinite One, whoselife is love:
with him in which they were at the time when they ~"Ourrecovery cost the sacrifice of the dearest treas-
heard and responded to his gracious call, will be the ure of his heart, and the subjection of this BelovedOne
ones upon whomthe laurels of victory will ultimately to the most abject humiliation, ignominy, suffering and
rest. Just at this time these called ones have a mighty death. Ah, did the Father let him go on that errand
me~,sage to deliver, a mighty work to perform. It is of mercy without the slightest sensation of sorrowful
their privilege, it is their duty, to proclaim that gentile emotion? Had he no appreciation of the pangs of a
times have ended, that the time of God’s anger is here, father’s love when the arrows of death pierced the hear~
and that earth’s new King, her rightful ruler,, is even of his beloved Son? Whenour dear Lord said: ’My
at the door, nay is even now setting up his kingdom. soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death,’ and again:
Hear the Prophet: ’Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
27"I have commandcdmy sanctified [consecratcd~ nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt,’ did it touch
JR. V.] ones, I have also called mymighty ones [mighty no sympathetic chord in the heart of the Eternal ? Yea,
in the Scriptures, mighty toward God] for mine anger verily."--Z’95-154.
[to declare that the (lay of wrath is here], even them afIt is to fellowship with this infinite heart of Love
that rejoice in my highness." (Isaiah 13:3) It is that the saints are called, fellowship with the One
this class of called ones that rejoice in God’s highness who for thousands of years has been reproached by
at the same time that they are profoundly impressed evil angc’ls and evil men, who have not understood or
with their ownand other men’s littleness that God will who have sought to thwart his benevolent designs and
give the great victory. And so we read that in the thus have caused him sorrow. These sorrows, the,e
Lamb’s hour of victory over the beast and his image reproaches, came upon Jesus and have come upon us.
all those who share the victory with him "are called aaThat one of the conditions of our call is that we
[remain called, continue to appreciate their invitation] must suffer here, is the testimony of manypassages in
and chosen [become God’s final choice for the greatest the Word. And we are even to suffer for doing that
of all high honors], and faithful [rejoicing in God’s which is right. "If whenye do well, and suffer for it,
highness and in their ownlittleness even to the end] 2’ ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For
~Revelation 17 : 14. even hereunto were ye called."--1 Peter 2 : 20, 21.
=sWhile the bride will be with her Lord in the hour a4In this call to suffer we are called unto fellowship
of victory, and while she will participate in the victory, with both our Lord Jesus Christ and our heavenly
yet the real victor in the conflict is Jehovah himself, Father; for so the Scriptures declare: "Godis faithful,
the one whocalled his people to himself. See how this by whomye were called unto the fellowship of his Son
is expressed by the Prophet: Jesus Christ our Lord." And in the’Sinaitie text of
29"Fear not: for I have redeemedthee; I have called Peter 1 : 3 we are told that God"hath called us to his
thee by thy name; thou art mine. Whenthou passest ownglory and virtue," by his very willin~tess to share
through the waters, I will be with thee; and through present reproaches with us that he maythe more abun-
t]le rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou dantly bless us hereafter. If we evade the suffering and
walkest tbrongh the fire, thou shalt not be burned; the reproaches here, we shall also escape the chief bless-
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the ing and glory hereafter.
Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior .... ahNotice how in the Diaglott rendering of Romans
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been 8:17 the thought is borne out that the suffering and
honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give the future inheritance are shared jointly by the Fathe~
Auc~sT 1,1923 ¯ WATCH
and the Sonand the church:"Thespirit itself testifies
together with our spirit, that we are children of God.
Andif children, also heirs, indeed, of God, and joint-
hell’~ with Christ; if indeed, we suffer together, so that
we maybe also glorified together."
EARTHLY CONDITIONS DO NOT DEBAR
a’;The Lord has called, invited, his people from every
con&tion of earthly envlrlmmeld. The Apostle has
discussed this whole subject plainly in 1 Corinthians
7: 17-24: and his language Is so clear *hal we reproduce
it: "But as God hath distributed to e\erv man, as the
Lord hath called every one, so let him ~alk. Amlso
ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being
circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is
any called in uneircumeision? let him not be circum-
cised. Circumcision is nothing and uneircnmcisiou is
nothing, but the keeping of the commaudlnentsof God.
Let every manabide in the same calling }occupation--
if it is honorallle] wherein he was called [in which he
was at the time he was called with the heavenly calling].
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if
thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is
called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s free-
man: likewise also he that is called, being free, is
Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye
[at heart] the servants of men. Brethren, let every
man, wherein [in whatever estate or occupation] he is
called I with the heavenly calling], therein abide with
God."
aTTheLord’s saints are called unto liberty, although
they are to use that hberty not for an occasion to the
flesh, but to serve one another. (Galatians 5: 13) They
are called to peace in their homesif that is obtainable
(1 Corinthians 7: 1,5) ; but if it is not, they are called
*o peace in their hearts anyway. (Colossians 3: 15)
They are called to holiness, as opposed to uncleanness
(1 Thcssalonians 4: 7); they are called to holiness be-
cause they are called to be God’s children, membersof
his fanfily (1 Peter 1: 14-17); they are called to
saints. (1 Corlnlhial> 1: 2) There is an implication in
th~s verse that this particular epistle was addrcs~-ed to
some who were not called, some who were not saints,
but ~ho had failh mthe l,ord and x~ere, associated with
the 1,ord’s people and were ble>.-od thereby. Or it may
be that the refet’ence is to all oth,’r called ones, all
other saints, elsewh:q’ethan at (2orinth.
>The Lord has called his people to such good things.
In tile first place all whohave been called throughout
the Gospel age have beelt called in one hope of their
calling. (Ephesians 4: 4) They have been called
eternal hfe. (1 Timothy 6:12) They have been called
TOWER
to obtain the glory of the LordJesus Chris{. (2 Thessa-
lonimls 2: 14) They have been called to obtain the
glory of the God of all grace. (1 Peter 5: 10) They
have been called to a place in God’s kingdom. (1
Thessalonians 2: 12) They have been called to receive
an eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9: 15) They have
been called to inherit the greatest of blessings, the
privilege of blessing all the families of the earth. (1
Peter 3:9) Hence the Lord’s saints have been called
according to a purpose (2 Timothy 1: 9); they have
been called to be earth’s future kings and priests (1
Peter 2: 9, ])tag/oil); and it is this blessing of the
worhl that is the hope of their calling.--Ephesians 1:18.
::%Vhnt wonder, then, that the apostle Paul besought
the Ephesian church to walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith they were called (Ephesians 4: 1) ; and that
he prayed for the Thessalonian brethren that they too
might be worthy of that same calling l--2 Thess. 1 : 11.
~°What wonder that St. Peter urged the brethren to
give diligence that through their good works they should
make their calling and election sure (2Peter 1: 10,
Sine)tie text); and what wonder that, as our opening
text (Jude 1) declares, such a class of called ones are
beloved in the Father (in his heart) and that he
keeping them, keeping this jewel class for Jesus Christ,
to be his eternal companion,the joy and satisfaction of
his heart I
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Is the "light of conscience" a guide to salvalion? ¶ 1, 2.
Wllal shouhl tim conscience
lu’erequisite 1o sub-alien? ¶ 3.
do for the heathen, and what is a
tIow does tile AImMle¢onchlde that tile healhen are not called ? ¶ 4.
Thloltffh what llallle {)lily Inllst all lie saved? ¶ 5.
What is the slgniheance of tile gospel message traveling west from
Palestine" ¶ tk
Do lhe masses of so called Christians know of the "high calling?"
¶7.
Is tllece a great response to God’s invitation to salvation? ¶ 8.
Does God nlake rhoire from alllOllgslt till, culled {)lieS, titus furthO~
re~t,uetmg the sahation of lhl, Gospel age "~ ¶’ 9.
tI-w ix the narro%vlll,£ (lo\~ i1 process further shown? ¶ 10, 11.
%Vlull class, then, do~ the heavenly J?ather delight to honor? ¶ 12,
13
Wlatt is meant by the "deliverance" being made "in the remnant"?
¶ ]4.
Is lhere any difference
I.uh ’~ ¶ 15.
between the caning of Jesus and of his
Show flow God preliaured the (,olnin~4 of Christ. ¶ 16, 17
Ill x~lutt thrllhn~ phrase does God call the church? ¶ lS, 19.
l)ld Jesus call himself and a.-ptre to be God’s Htah Priest? ¶ 20.
Ifow {lid God show disfavor tox~ard one who aspired to function
in a place where he xxas not called? ¶ 21.
tlow is this principle set forlh in the lP, mk of Esther? ¶ 22, 23.
V~rllell 9elite in grttce, what are tile conditions of rellltlinillg ill
gt’ace ¶ 24, 25.
To whom will lhe laurels of victory finally go? ¶26, 27.
To ~ltom does tile glory go, alld who is the real vlctol. 9 ¶ 2,q, 29.
V(llat gracious "~,ords ll~tve [)etlll ut|ered shOWlllg the lellllerness Of
God? ~l 30, 31.
Whoso sorrows an(1 reproaches do the saints bhare, and is this a
privilege? ¶l :12, 33.
Where aml how is this specially shown? ¶ 34. 35.
Are earthly conditions and environments barriers to God’s ca_Ill
¶ 36
What kind of "liberty" do God’s saints exercise themselves ht, and
ho~ ? ~,[ 37.
To what are lhey caned, and how honorable is this? ¶ 38.
How are the saints admonished by Paul and Peter? ¶ 39, 40.

"To do thy will is more than praise, "Apart from thee all gain is loss,
As words al’e less titan deeds; All labor vainly done;
And simple trust can find thy ways The solemn shadow of thy cross
We miss with chart of creeds, Is better than the sun."
 PRAYER-MEE rING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR SEPTEMBER 5
"’Be filled with the spi,rit.’--Etd~csians 5: 18.
"I"~¥ERYnew creature in Christ must have some
~.~ measureof the holy spirit. "If any man have not
the spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Romans
8: 9) Being filled with the spirit is the result of the
divine power and holy influence working in the crea-
ture. It creates in such the holy influence and disposi-
lion. In order for one to grow up into Christ Jesus
the process of filling with the holy spirit must continue
until transformation into the likeness of the Lord is
complete. One’s ability in the sight of the Lord is
determined by the degree of the holy spirit possessed
by him. If the creature is uncertain as to whether or
not he has the truth, he cannot develop in the spirit or
disposition of the Master. tIaving once settled it in his
mind that he is a child of God, then it behooveshim to
go on zealously to the completion of his course.
The words of the text, "Be filled with the spirit,"
suggest progression from the beginning of the Chris-
lion’s career until the full consummationof his hope.
The process of filling with the holy spirit maybe briefly
summed up thus: Knowing the will of God and con-
tinuously doing his will with a joyful heart. The will
of God is made known to us by the study of his Word
~nd the watching of his providences. "Sanctify them
through thv truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17)
Jiow true thi.~ statement: "It is in yam that we seek
to be filled with the holy spirit if we do not give alter-
lion to the divine arrangement provided for this very
purpose"! (E-245) The Lord has revealed to his people
his provision for their being filled with his holy spirit;
namely, by the study of his Wordand of the Bible helps
provided by him; by prayer and fellowship with the
Lord through the spirit; by assembling together with
others of like precious faith, and toxethcr feeding at
his table and buihting one another up; and by keeping
the mind and the hands engaged in things pertaining
to the Lord’s kingdom.
Wemust reahze that our participation in the work of
looking after the interests of the Lord’s kingdom is a
real thing; and we should be particularly enthused with
the things pertaining to the King’s business. By these
means we are gradually filled with the spirit of the
Lord; and persisting in this course, the ultimate result
will be a complete change into his likeness.
"~iVere half the power [hat fill. the world with terror,
Were hall the wealth bestowed on eanips and courts,
(liven to rcdeeln lln! hulllllll lllliid frolll error,
There were no need for arsenMs or fOl’lS.
The warrior’s name would be ’t name abhorred :
And every ill/lion that should lift again
Its hand against a brother, ~)n its forehead
Would forever wearthe curse of Cain I
TEXT FOR SEPTEMBER 12
"Because ye are sons, Godhath seltt fortD the spirit
of his Son into your hearts, crying, AbbGFatDer."~
G(datians 4: 6.
ATHER means life-giver. The realization that one
F has life brings joy of heart with gratitude and
thankfulness to the Giver. The ideal relationship
between the father, the life-giver, and the son is a
sweet and blessed one. There is a perfect confidence
on both sides. There is true fellm~sht t) between them.
Each one delights in the other. Wehave beeonw sons
of God because Jehovah has freely j..-tified us upon
the basis of the precious blood of Christ Jesus, has
accepted us as a part of his sacrifice, and begotten us
to the same nature of our Lord. lhcrobv adopting us
into the body of Christ, making us members of the
house of sons, if so be that we continue to fulfil our
covenant, rejoicing in the hope even to the end.
Nowwe can tully and joyfully say: ’JelloxMl. thou
art mygather, and thy will I delight to do." Th~s is
the spirit or disposition of his beloved Son; and this
spirit he hath sent forth rote our hearts. Onepossessing
that spirit or did-position loves the Lord. tie whohn-es
the Father joyfully keeps hi.- commandments(1.1ohn
5: 3), and he has the as~-ul~l,lce of the hue of the’ Father
and of Christ Jesus. (,Iohn 14: 21,23) Jt was the
spirit and di,-poslfion of Jesus when on earth tn give
all credit and honor to the Father. takin~ none to him-
self. "I can of mineownself do nothlltg.’" (Jolm 5: 30)
"For I came down from hea~en, not to do n~inc own
will, but the will of him that sent me." (John ~;: :/8)
It was not his spirit or d~.-l,osltion to seek h,s own
glory, but the ~lory of his Father. (John ~: 18) Be-
cause he delighted mthe Falh,,r’s will the Father lined
hmu(John 10:1~) Ttw perfect, Jd’,’al relatiollship
existed, and aluavs will exist, between the Father and
the Son.
The degree of our enjoyment of this sweet fellowship
with our Father in heaven depends upon our Doing
filh’d with the holy spirit. The Christlaa ~boim’roases
in the spirit of the Lord enjoys that eahu, tru.-tful and
a/udmg confidence in the I~ord that bri~gs complete
re.-t and peace, and with joy he cries out: "MyFather,
myFatherF’ This spirit or disposition impels him to
look about earne.-tlv to see what he can do to glorify
the Father’s name.
"I~own the dllii luture, throllgh long generations,
The echoing soHilds grow fqinter and then cease.
And like a bell, with solcnm, sweet vibrations,
I hear once more the voiee of Christ say, ’Peacel’
Peace! and no longer from its brazen portals
The blast of war’s great organ shakes the skies l
;But, beautiful ,as songs of the imlnorlals,
The holy lnelodies Of love arise."
 PAUL THE APOSTLE
~SLPTI’:\Im’:I,’ ACTS 22:3,6-10; PmL. 3:%14
p~/JL BECOMES
HI’bIBLE FOLLOWLR
OF JE~Vb--GO1) nl’STOWS GREAT}tO~NORUPONPAUL--PAULSWEETENSHIS MESSAGES.
"I press on toward the goal unto the prize ol the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."--Philippians 8: 14,

N ’EXT to his Master the apostle Paul is the greatest

figure of the New Testament, His place there cor-
responds to that occupied in tim Old Testament by
student and well versed in Scripture,
must have had weight with him. He came near to sinning
against light, and therefore near to destruction.
Stephen’s arguments

Itis state-
Moses. As Moses was the ehiefest exponent of the will of ment shoat himself is not mere hyperbole. (1 Timothy 1:
God for Israel, so Paul was lhe chiefest exponent of the 13, 15) Thus when the xision came outside Damascus it
doctrine of Jesus, tbe Ileqd of tim church. But these two was timely; he was ready and yiehled himself. He was not
men, who in the providence of God have most influenced merely a clmnged man ready to eeqse persecuting the saints;
the worhl, were very different in character and in bodily he gave himself as an instrument for ltle Master’s use,
presence, even as their work differed. Moses was called to His eonseeralion was absolute. Though he had seemed so
lead Israel like a shepherd, wtmreas Paul was sent abroad hard, the loxe whi(.lt in later tla.~s so wonderfully behl Iris
to find the sheep of his Master’s flock. In Moses Israel colaborers must lmve been in him even then. If the well
had a fine personal presence suited 1o the office; but for did not overflow, its waters were sare. Very soon a com-
the saints who followed the way of tmlth lhere was neither mission was given lo him. He was told he was a chosen
sw,’h need nor ally prcpnration. The truth which came by vessel to the Lord, and that a great work in life awaited
ac~.us was to bc receivc(l in spirit: that whieh made spiri- him. He immediately began to Drench in Danmseus that
tual Israel one flock did not (.all for such le:tdership ’Is was Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah; for the truth had
~)e’..,’sqlry in lh,~hly I~rael. II i~ not w~/hout menning that broken upon his mind and was in his heart.
l’a-I had not nmeh 1)o(lil.v presvnce. Ite was probably small 6No man could he. prepared for such service as awaited
in , tature, and not serf.tally good-looking; his enemies Paul without severe teslings; but he could lmrdly h’tve
Sl)OkV of him as bein:: w( ak 111 bodily presence. (2 Corinth- expected the schooling he was to get. IIe escaped from the
tans 10: 10) Nor was he rolmst; indeed, lie was often ailing Jews of Damascus 1)y being lowered down the wall in
mad needing care. Yet few men have endured more than basket; and his enlranee into Jerusalem was chilling, for
ira: only "m imlomital)le spirit, and an ardent love for God the church was suspicious of bim. The great Apostle to the
trod the Lord could have enabled him to bear the hardsbips Gentiles got no special introduction to the church of God.
of his lninistr.v. Very liltingly lie had the power of atlraet- --Acts 9 : 26, 27.
ing men to himself, and of drawing their love to llinl. In- 7Paul’s decision of clmracter, and his earnest desire tO
deed, he was lov(’d beyond ordinary, both because he himself help those with whom he had associated, sent him to the
ls ’1 lover ’ii|d because he was so devoled. synagogue where he had worshiped, and to those lenders
-~\Vhen I’aul was (’ailed ((-Inlatians 1: 13) the church who were the ,q ,’sots of Stephen. To lhem he Sl,Oke boldly
Je:’usalem was provided \xith h,adcrs and teachers, Peter n the name of the Lord Jesus. (Act~ 9:29) They laid
bein.~ the loremost apostle and the church’s leafier. q]ans to kill him; but the brethren, hearing of this, took
him down to Cmsarea and sent him to Tarsus in Cilicia, his
PAUL BEUO)IES HU51BLE FOLLOWEROF JESUS home. For some years l’aul labored in Cilicia; but the
.:’Fhe apostles were grand lnen; but as a company they Scriptures give no account of those labors, nor make more
wer. ~ nol m~lurnlly filled for the great work which was to than indirect reference lo his work. (Acts 15:41; Galatians
be done amongst tim Genlile~. nor for the special work of J:21 ) t~ut it seems certain that some of tbe ninny bard-
insiructing the church of God. As God uses natural means sidt)s he enumerates must have been experienced during
for his purl)oS(’S whenev:,r possfl)le, lie raised Ul) a that period of hmely service. It was while lhere he was
better fitted to be lhe leacher of the whole ehurch ttnm sought out by Barnalms, and returned x~ilh him to Antioch.
any of the already chosen apostles, and one who should in There he and l~arnalJ,qs were set apart by the holy spirit
a spe(.ial sense be the planier of ehurehes in the regions for nfissionary work. Bul Paul was lmmed second to Bar-
beyond PaleM inc. nabas: the record is, "The hoi~ spirit said, Separate me
4To the apos:les lhc Lord’s choice must have seemed a ]};II’IIIIIJIIS filial Saul for the work wherennto I have called
strange one; l)rolmbly ,ill were in sonic meaSUl’e tested by them." (Acls 13: 2) It is hardly l)ossible that Satan would
iL No one could lmxe thou~aht that Paul, the hltl’(l Pharisee, allow this to pass withoul making it It means of temptation
the l)er.’,e:’ntor of the char(,h, wouhl ix, chosen to be the ~o l’aul, lhil Paul was lowly in mind, ’rod was ready to
greatesl aI)ostlc of the Lamb. thlt "God m()xes in ;t myste- s,. r\e in \xhatcver order his Lord should desire, and to use
ri(n:~ way his wonders to perform." Most things, even in s~l..’; opportulfities "Is his (.iremnslanees "lnd the providences
th’, realm oI~ grace, seem to go in mttur:tl order; but God of (;od pmxided, tits lowliness of mind was not merely
kuo,\s how lo touch the unexpected ;rod the unlikely at the sul)servienee to (’iremnstanees--a condition which is often
ri,.ht moment and to produce hiR desired results. The Lord aet’eI)ted as lmmility. When they were out on the work in
,vpoke lo Panl not a lllOnlell{ too soon nor too late, an(l it CYI)rus, the spirit of God moved him 1o his place; and
eame al)oul in the l)rovidcPee of God tlmt Paul the bias- lmneeforth, with his name changed fronl S-tul 1o Paul, he
|), ,Jlllor lind opponellt of .]esus of N’lZal’eth be(.illlle, tim was the mos( pPolnineht of tile l,ord’s servants.
ehie:esl exi)tment of tile go~pcl Of Jesus Christ.
aThough Patti’s conversion was sudden, there was some GOD BESTOWS GREAT HONOR UPON PAUL
preparation for it. Paul had not been so certain of his sit would not be extravagant to say that no servant of
course as he professed to be; he had fmmd it "hard to Jesus ever got more service out of "t consecrated body than
kick against the goalie." Paul could not forget lhe sweet- did the apostle Paul. His partial account of his sufferings
ness of Stephen’s face before his aeeusers, nor his prayer, causes surprise thqt he could bear so nmeh arid yet keep
nor the superhmnan featurcs of that event; and every fol- up with his labors. (2 Corinthi,ms 11: 23-28) He counted
lower of Jesus who,. he haled to prison was a witness to it a great privilege to spend and be spent for lhe Master
him that he was wrong and they right. ~ld Paul being a he loved, and for the brethren so dear to him, (2 Corinth-
lans 12:15; Philippians 3:8) It pleased lhe Lord to let ~-’The church of God now upon earth cannot fail Io see
this honored servant be nmeh misunderstood. Called to that there is in this day a wonderful, ahnost strange repe-
serve in the hi~’he.~t pla(.e nexl t,) ;:~s Master. like h~s lilion of l’aul’s ministry, whelher of instruction, or doe,-
Master Paul reeeived no ~peeial inlrodu(’tion to his ~(n’k. tri’lo, or service. Our beloved Brother I{ussell was God’s
He lind to IIrove himself 1,y hi~ miFi<rj; bul lib; works grit to us, as Paul was to the early church, lie was used
witnessed to his :qlosth shill, a.,, .le~u," works wore his to .aive again to the Lord’s 1)cot)le those truths which Paul
witness.--1 Corinthians 9 : 1, 2 ; John 10 : 3,~. gaxe, but whieh had been iluried deep under ereedal rub~
9Jesus taught no doctrines. The truths winch wore "in lli...h heaps. Tile doctrine, previon,ly menlioned were ap~ain
him" were to be (leehtred I)y his ap~;-,,te~-, and it plo;isod nl:l/lo ltlain, and llOV¢ .-,el in (’le;IF0r light, l’anl WaSnot
the Lord to h’tve lhe d(i,’lrines s,,t ill order a/hal o:,:lP;luled allowed 1o tell of tim things lie ~aw (2Corinthians 12:4);
by PatH. To thi~ elld t’iiul \vaq ]l/:l(!e ~ r{ ,{ :p i’-:t o; it! slay 1)dl now nl every merlin a of the bl’elhren lhe clmreh speaks
I~ll qily Of thrill, fl.nd it \~,l~, ~ixt~ll to PaMor lIns>ell lucre
visions fllld spe,’ial rt,vel,ltlons. The o;her ill)osiles of h(’ceS-
sity learned of Paul, and sonic Or I]le thinas lie tau:;ht l[l,’y l hlill to any other ln;lll [o serve ill exact nlOAsllre tile

¢ound h’trd to understand. (21’etor :~:l(1) It was from I,r,~-~erll)lion of lhe iuim,tt’y of Christ aiven by Paul wheu
Paul that the apostles and the chur(.h learned of the Irqe do,.rfl)ing his own mlni.~lry.--2Corinlhuu~g 7.
meaning of the breaking of the broad aml the .~imrin.: ,if’ ~"’o,1 (,ould lmrdly have spoken more. plainly h) those
the cup; that not only was lhe l,ord bi,&eil for lhe c]:,u.~.h, who[)l’l):("~q9(1 tO !O[]OW(’hrisl llltlll he lies done by Pastor
but that the church was a slmrer wilh him ns one hmf, i,’tl -aq]’..; il’a(qlllla. ;llld fix well in the nlanner of his sorrier
while the sharing of the cup was as it ~ere his life and as in its effe.t, both in the believer "rod in the eonHnunity
theirs poured out. (1 Corinthians 10: 16) It was from Paul Of s~llnts. Tht,ie ~’:tn |)e IiO qneslll)n that tllese two SI’I’\IIIItS
that tile church learned of the mystic body of {’hrist; that O~ .lo-qlS {’hri;t ,ire the ileilt’es[ (.orre~l)ondeney ill lllllllor~
the Christ was not only .le~us th’.’ir hlessed Master, but was nlHllllOr, dex oiioll, tlhd ill l.e>ult of ,~el’X ice which tile history
composed of all those who were quickened by the holy spirit, of the church If!orals.
at htst found failhfnl. (1 Corinthians 12: 12) It was fn)m ~41-?::ecI)ting his 3la,ter, Paul’s x~:l.s perlmps the most
him that they learned of lhp my.-_’lery hidden from the a~es, lrith.q)imnt spirit of ;~il time. Bat he too had his ioprs.
of the church eolnposed of Gentile’s as well as Jews ((reces- He lolls the (.’orinlhi’tns IImt he served amongsl them with
sions 1:27); that the ehur(.h were the tirstborn who were much lear and tremblma, tlCorh~thians 2:3) If he boast-
specially saved, as were the lirstborn in tile houses of lsrael ed, he was like the P..,;llnlist, he boasted in tile Lord. (2
on the night when the destroying angel went forth. (He- Corinthians 12: 10,11) But he was a man of like passions
brews 12: 2a) That there was a second Adam beinz formed with lh,l~e to whomhe ministered the filings of God, and
Of the Lord and the eimreh (1 Coriutittans 15:45), q.nd tln/t his stre~gth was gained only as he realized his weakncss
the reign of sin and death was to be swallowed up hy the aml his dependence on his Masler. His was a life of hal)py,
power of the grace of God in Christ Jesus. (Romans .5: 21) evetl joyo/is >erviee wrought often under most painful (’ir-
Also it was he who taught the church about baptism into ctlnlst:mees to body and mind. Ever keeping before him ll~e
Christ, and of the life in Christ. ~Romans 6:4) hldeed, he purpose expressed in the Golden Text, he ended his (’mn’se
was the Lord’s channel of truth to the ehureh.--RonL 2 : 16. triumplmnt iu faith. (2Tinmthy 4:8) Ills earthly end was
xopaul’s tenderness and lovableness "rod humility ale lonely; so far as we may know he was beheaded by Nero.
always manifest. Like his Master he was a gra(.ious ser- He is now among.~t the glorious company who are wilh the
vant of God, and he could I)roperly say: "Become imita- Lord, trimnphs o17 his grace.
tors of lne, even as I also atn of Christ." (1 Corinthians
11: 1, Dh~glott) These graces were never more clearly dem- QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
onstrated th.m in tile relationMdll between ldmself and
Onesimus. Between these two, tile foremost Altostle of Whois die greatest figure ill the NewTestnlnent. llOXt to our
Lord? Ills corresponds to x~ho.e phtce in tile Ohl "Fo t,~mont?
Jesus "md "t runaway slave, there was a homl of tender XVhat WaS Paul’s probable pllyslcal aPl)earallC(_,? V, ]ldt iil:tkes
love; for Paul spoke of hint as "mS, son Onesimus, wheal I hun lovable to Christians? ¶ 1.
Whowas foremost amongtile aposlles before Paul ~as called ? ¶ 2.
have hegotten in my bonds." (Phtlelnon 10) This is the Was Paul evidently better qualilied lor the work amen.; llw Gen-
outstanding example of the oneness of spirit which is pos- tiles alld establishing churches beyond 1’air,line lhan tile other
apostles ? ¶ 3.
sible to those in Christ, a oneness not affected by age, Did Paul’s call sec~m strange? Was it a probable test to the
ability, or station in life. others? Why should this be? ~4.
Wasthere a prel)aration for Paul’s Sll(l(len COllVel’-Io!l’a ~’hat is
Ineallt In l)aul’s stfltelaellt that he was (.hle~" of Mluler~ (I Tilll-
PAUL SWEETENS HIS MESSAGES ulhy 1:15)? VVas h~s conversion tiluelJ" UVllat did he m~me-
dlately proceed to do? ¶ 5.
Did the Apostle receive some severe Iestinas? ¶ 6.
l~Paul Is also an example to tim (.hurch in his (,onstant Was i)alll it i)l’}ile broIller? Whole did lie labor for s, oine liine?
prayers for those who were steadfast ill the failh as well What illdueod lille to gl) ll) Allllovh? Who wag llal!led lll%t
tile holy slnr~t? \Vhy xxoulit tlll~ be a test of I’nul’u lluluflity?
as for all the clmrehes. (Philippians x:3-5; ct el.) A true When wa.~ l’aul advanced by llle spirit to his true l)OSllion? ¶ 7.
caretaker and .~hepherd, lie sought I)y prayer tile interests Did Paul get much servwe out el Iris consecrated body? \Vhat
of all the flock. His personal remembrances are in every was it lhat proved Iris apo~ll(~,hH)? ¶
Viq~at is lhe contrast in the type of ministry of ,Tosus and l’.tul?
epistle, and tie loved to dwell upon personal matters >o as From ~]ll)III did the apuMh-~and tile early church learll hbout
to sweeten his messages of love. (See P, omans 16) But doetrine-’? ¶ 9.
What churaelcristics enter into lhe nol)ilily of Paul v In wllat
Paul’s strict care for the church is as his love; it was incident is the onene.ss of Tile body of Chrl.~t beautilully exenlo
definile. IIe would have no eonipromise nor looseness in plified’ lh)w lilly we folluw Paul .~ ¶ 10.
Ill what other ways is llroll~er ]’atll our exanlple? Was he 8.
regard to the truth--"let him be cut off" is his word oon- street caretaker of the churl.lies and of the bretllren? For v, honl
eerning any who would inlroduee false doctrines. (Gala- did he llOt care to waste Ills valuable tlllle? ¶ 11.
tians 1: 9) And he earnestly besought the f’tithful brethren /kS the Go~pol age has special light al botb ends, who servel .is
to avoid those who brought dissension into the church. great ilhlmlnator at the beginning? Whoserves at its (h)se~
Is the Bible heeoming an open Book? ¶ 12.
(Ronmns 16: 17) He would beat" the weak and feehle What noble thing can be teslilied of these loving, hmnble ser~an~
faith as tenderly as "l mother beat’s her child (2 Corinth- of the Lord? ¶ 13.
tans 11: 2); but he had no sympathy to waste on those Who,perllap~, had the tnost triulni)llant spirit of all tinle, nt.x:t to
Jesus? Itow did Paul’s earthly career end? Where is lie now~
who were not true at heart.
 JOHN MARK
--SEPTENIBER~ ACTS12 : 12, 25 - 13 : 13 ; 15 : 36-40 ; 2 T/~r0~Y 4 : 11
~1m. PETER’SENDE~kRINGNA~IE FOR~ARK~kIARKTELLSOF JESUS’ ~[INISTRY~SPECIAL CHARAC’rFA~ISTICS
OF ~IARKgSGosP~r-
"Whatsoever thy hanrl findeth to do, do it with thy might."--Ecclesiastcs 9: 10.

~ THE writer of the second gospel, Marl; has an hon-

ored place in the New Testament;
thus forever associated
for his name is
with that of Jesus our Lord.
the home of Mark’s mother, sharing with the company
gathered there in the prayers which were being offered for
Peter’s release. In later days lhere was a very close con-
God nmde Mark great by using him for the edification of nection between Mark and Peter; for Peter speaks of him
the ~,hurch, and by thus using him as a part of his arrange- as "my son ~Iark" (1Peter 5:13), and probably in the
ments for the establishment of the church. He was not an early days Peter was the means of bringing the young
apostle, but he shares with Matthew and John, who were man Mark into the truth.
apostles. Mark is an honorable example of one who, failing SWhen, later, Barnabas and Paul were separated for the
in his work, afterwards uses the favors of God to his rees- work of the Lord and were to leave on a missionary tour,
tablishment in the Lord’s favor and service; or, to u.se the they took Mark with them to minister to them. (Acts 13 : 5)
expressive term of our own day, Mark was one who made It would be his business to look after the necessities of the
good. He is first introduced in the New Testament in Luke’s journey; probably he would arrange for lodgings and food
account of Peter’s release from prison. When Peter was supplies. Whether or not Mark was disappointed with the
freed and the angel had left him, he was as one dazed; exI~erienees he met with in Cyprus, or felt the work too
for the act of freedom and his deliverance was as a vision heavy for him, or was timid and feared the dangers or
to him. When he came to himself in the city, he went to hardships they would meet in the mountainous countries,
the home of Mary, who is distinguished from the other we do not know. It seems not unreasonable to suggest that
Marys by being styled the mother of Mark. (Acts 12: 12) he did not like the change which had brought Paul into
It is evident therefore that Mark lived in Jerusalem, and prominence and made him the leader of the party; for
it is very probable that he was one of the earliest of those now the order was PauI and Barnabas, not Barnabas and
who in Jerusalem believed on the Lord. As Mark’s mother Sauh Whatever the reason, when the party got to the
was sister to Barnabas (Colossians 4:10) Mark was nephew nminland Mark declined to go forward, and returned to
to that good man, a connection which meant much to Mark ; Jerusalem. Here was Mark’s failure. He came to One of
for it meant that all his tmme influences were good. As no those times in life which try a man out. Mark failed, but
mention is made of his father, we must presume that he not utterly, or we should not have had the "Gospel accord-
was dead. ing to Mark." There is no record of anything said by Paul
2It is thought that Mark’s mother’s house was the one and Barnabas about Mark’s failure to go forward, but it lS
where Jesus kept the Passover, and that Mark was the evident that it must have been a disappointment to them;
man with the pitcher whom the two disciples followed. for even if they were able to look after their own need~
{Mark 14: 13) Further it is suggested, and we think with there must have been a measure of disappointment in the
a good measure of probability, that Mark was the young oss and his detraction, as welt as in having their arrange,
man who was seized by tim rabble which took Jesus from ments broken. Nothing is recorded of anything said, but
Gethsemane, but who escaped naked, leaving his svlitary on Paul’s part thoughts were deep.
linen garment behind him. (Mark 14: 51, 52) It may very ~When next Mark is mentioned it is when in Acts 15 : 36
e’~sily have been the case that Judas took at least some of we are tohl that Paul suggested to Barnabas that they
the leaders of the Pharisees to the house where he had should take another journey and visit the churches which
left his Master with the other disciples and, finding Jesus they had established. Barnabas agreed, but would take
gone, led them to Jesus’ wonted place; and that the young Mark with them. Paul refused to accept Mark; for he
man Mark, who we may suppose would be about twenty felt that the young man was not to be depended upon. The
years of age at the time of our Lord’s crucifixion, followed contention was sharp. Paul would not give way, and
the rabble and thus got into the garden amongst the disci- neither would Barnabas. The dispute ended by Barnabas’
ples. We may think of him as of a sensitive, quick nature, taking Mark with him; and, perhaps rather self-willed, he
timid, yet venturesome; a man who would hardly make a took tim journey Paul would have made, just as if he
leader or a pioneer, but one who would serve best under claimed the work was under his direction. They "sailed
direction, and perhaps in sheltered conditions. unlo Cyprus" (Acts 15: 39) ; and that is the last we hear
3In a previous lesson we suggested that Barnabas may of that missionary enterprise.
have made his home at his sister’s house. Whether that 7Paul chose Silas for his companion; and, with neces-
were the case or not it is certain that he would frequently sarily changed plans, they went forth with the blessing of
be with the one who was sister both in the flesh and in the church at Antioch. "And Paul chose Silas and departed,
the Lord, and Mark therefore would enjoy many advan- being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of (loci."
tages, both of learning and of training in character. We (Acts 15: 40) It is evident that [he church "tgreed with
may properly think of him as having a good ordinary [’aul’s decision in that unfortunate dispute. Whatever lind
education. been Mark’s reason for turning back instet~d of going on
to the work, he could have had no thought at the time
ST. PETER’S ENDEARING NAME FOR MARK that his action would later on result in so great a difference
4Mark is next mentioned when his uncle Barnabas and and a separation between his uncle and Paul. No man
Paul were returning to Antioch from Jerusalem after they lives to himself; his life affects someone else. Nor can a
had carried the ahns which trod been subscribed in Antioch man make a mistake to himself; his mistake affeets others,
for the poor in Jerusalem. They took Mark with them. in some cases very decidedly. We nmst presume that Mark
(Acts 12: 25) It would be a great pIeasure to Barnabas thought he had good reasons for leaving the work, but it
the generous heart to take his nephew for the experience is evident from Pa~ul’s decisive attitude concerning him
which he would get, and to help to develop him. As it was that the Apostle did not think Mark was justified. Mark
just about that time James had been killed by Herod, and (and Barnabas also) should have bowed to the superior
Peter seized and was held ready to be killed, it is not judgment of one who they knew was the chosen of God.
outside probability that both Barnabas and Paul were in ~Mark in later years was in Rome In closest ~.sSOclatlon
 BIIOOKLYN,~N~. ~’~
WATCH TOWER
with Paul, and the great Apostle speaks very kindly of him. SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MARK’S GOSPEL
(Colossians 4:10; Phih’mon 24) Later still, he asks Timo- 12In Mark’s Gospel Jesus is never addressed by the disci-
thy to bring M’trk to him. saying that Mark was useful to ples as Lord (the insertion in eh. 9:24 is an error; see
him (2Tinmthy 4:11 ) Front Peter’s first Epistle it ap- Diaglott); for he is the servant who emptied himself of
pears that Mark al~o traveled with him (1Peler 5:13); the glory he had with tile Father before the world was
and if we take it that Peter wrote his first Epistle from (Philippians 2:7,,q); and servants do not usually carry
Bahylon (not anoth,,r name for Rome, as some think), titles. Nor in this Gospel is ,Jesus emphasized as a teacher;
then we know that 3i,trl¢ traveled far with I’eler. Peter’s not lnany 1),qrables oP discourses are recorded, as in 1he
"word "~]al’eUS nly SOl~’" (lenoles a close pel’<O:tal attaehluent, other GoslleN. And il is Mark who tells that Jesus in lhe
and, as previously su;a;aested, Ihat he was .Mark’s spiri;Iml wiMerness was wilh the wild beasts. (Mark 1: 13) In ~iew
father. These references disclose mucii aetivily on 3l;trl¢’s of tile maiu fact in Mark’s life it is reasonable to snl)pose
part, and that he must have hcen a eonsider~tllle traxeler. that lie was ready to eml)haslze, and was llsed by the holy
If once he had fears they had vnnished; whatever lack in spirit to enlphasize, lhe difference between Marl(’s own
earnestness had been was overeome; and whatever dh,ol’- attitude at the time nf service and his Maslor’s. Prolmbly
enee existed between Paul and hiut had been settled M:~rk it was parIly feat’ which elu’sed Mark to fail tit i’,,r:a;
had surely humbled hhnself, and sought to retrace his /mr whether this were so or not, it is certainly trw., ~h.~t
steps. He found his acceptanee by his aeknowletlg~nent of when lie was recovered by the Lord he was the oht, Io
God’s arrangements. emi)hasize the urn-emitting, ever willing service of Ihe
~Iaster, who never shrank from either hardM:ip or daI~’aer.
MARK TELLS OF JESUS’ MINISTRY ~aSIark had wanted to be the director of his own me; o,1
9]Jut it is tile Gospel which bears Mark’s rmme which of service; but Jesus had aeeepted the leadings of Co l’s
more than these references proves his recovery. This it providences "rod the promptings of his spirit, and not ,is
does not only by the fact that he was privileged to write of compulsion, but as of direction, leading him il,rO Go, Fs
it, but also by its bur(len or purport. To 3Iark Jesus was service. Mark also had the thought of restoration m mind ;
the faithful servant of Jehovah ;mtd more tlmu the Gospels for it is he ntore than any of lhe others who tells of .le’q>~’
written by Matthew, or Luke, or John, Mark’s conveys tim loving touch ; of the imnd put forth to r:li.se tile sick I ?,l irk
thought of Jesus ehgaged in urgent service. So anxious 1: 31), to lead the blind (Mark 8: 231, and raise the ,’,e:M
does he appear to be to tell of this that lie does not slop (Mark 5:41); and it is Mark who tells how .lesu~ t,
to eoneern himself with any statement of the genealogy of tile ehild whomlie used as an illustr’tlion (3lark 9:’~ ;1,
Jesus as Matthew and Luke do; bul. after lhe briefest and the ehihlren whom he blessed, (3Iark 10: 16) into hl~
introduetion telling ~f the work of John the Baptist, he arms. Jesus Io hinl was sl)eeially the irlel:d of lid:e ,’ ~l-
enters upon the story of Jesus’ ministry, and the most dren. It is to the loss of the children of our day lildl I (,y
notable feature in the telling is the urgency of the ministry. are not told the sweet story of old, till’ story of lh ’~ Io",’ ,}f"
lOUnlike Matthew and John, M~lrk had not been a eonl- Jesus for tile children and what he ~ai(1 ahout them. T,.’v
panion of Jesus, and therefore he had not first-hand infor- n]iss tile hapl)iness "rod even tile (~)m’ort whiHl im dr,,.~
nlation. I~ut, as we have seen, lie was a oonlp:lnion of feel in having hinl as lheir friend. There seems to ba a
those who had known the Lord; and the thought which speeial bond hetween hiin and them.
has always obtained in the ehureh that Marl( expresses ~4The lessons gained by Mark in his oven lifo he’l)ed Iron
Peter’s ndnd is probably true. llis Gospel indicates a close nmeh when he was usel~ ot the Lord to write and q.,t his
and perhaps p-rsonal acquaint’race with Jesus, so intinmle Master’s servi(’e in a clear light. The idea of re>~ora,i,m
are its touches in tile aeeount of Jesus’ actions. There are to favor and lo ser~iee lUUS[ have heen ever pl’e’,( i~t \vHh
things in each Gost)el which are distinctive, and are to be him. lie is the only one who letts thai l’(qer was -p,,~,ially
specially noted. The writers were under the guidance of nlentioned in the nle.<,.ago to the (liseHlles on the lllO;’nlllg
the holy spirit; but, as it plea~ed the Lord to give the of the resurrecliou (Mark lt;: 7), a word which intlsl imve
ehureh the four accounts, it is clear lhat each writer was been spechtlly eomfortin/to Pell’r, wile trod -dipped ~o hadly.
used to write those things which were spe(.ially on his mind. ~5Markhas given 11"4 It stiri’h~g and ellel%,lZill~ lli(’tl!l’e o["
~There are several things en~l)ha.-izell in Mark’s Gospel Jesus, of one \xho was gl’eat in his s~,rxice, alwa)4 bu.,y,
and some related.only by him which must be considered as always servina iu h)ve, and ill everything sot*kmq" lo do
part of the Lord’s message by the gospel, l’ut there is one his Father’s will.
thing particu rly prominent: Plainly it was Mark’s pur- QUESTIONS FOR BEF.EAN STUDY
pose to set fOl’lil Jesus its the servant of Jehoxah, and in Who is tile all~ilor Of file second GOal)el? Ill what way /va4 lie
9we fit’.’,t
quick and llrgcnt service. The Greek word uthcos which is used? ~V,’L~ Mark all allo,’.tle? ~¥11t~ll do hear of 111111
~Vllo was his mothel ? ~; 1.
translated forthwith, immediately, straightway, anml, Its Namesome incidents ill tile life of Mark. \Vh:lt knld of i),~on
soon as, occurs no less lhan forty-two /ilues ill Mark’s ’~
",\’ITS tie ¶ 2,
\Vhat advanra~,eg had ~[ill’l ¢. OVOFolhol" yOlllla IlllHI i)f lhaI Illtle ’a ~[ :1.
Gospel, eleven of these being in tile first chapter. Jesus ~VlIh ~xllolll did Mark Iraxl,I for it lllnoe \l’tl:tI had Iterod done?
had a servk.e to perform, a wtJrk to do, for his Father; \Vh.iI is nleant by "lily ~,,1 Mark"’: ’ 4. ~,
and he slacked not even a nloment in his purpose to be Ill %xhat way did ~|al’k lltilliMcr 1,) l’,llll alld ]~larilaba~ ? What
wa~ Mal’l{’,~ falltll’e ’,a ~ 5.
faiihful to hi.’, trust. Often tired, he was ever ready. Did Mark’s dt, feCllon Caller a sOplllAtioll I~etween Patll all(l I{ill’lla-
Mark uses a peculiar expression about .Je~>us after a hard bas? ttow did tim conlention end" { t;.
\Vh:tt did Paul then do’* Why shmtht Mark and Barnabas have
day’s service. Telling of Jesus’ desire to go aeross Galilee bowe,I to l’aul’s decision? ;i 7.
to lind rest on the other side, he says: "They look him Whatdid l’alll lind ]’pler in later )eals have to say about Mark?¶ 8.
Whatis the bu~(len of 31altl:’s t;ospel? ¶9.
even ,is he was." {Mark 4:36) This may mean that he did From whomIIM Mark ~ot lllOSt of his infm’mation? ¶ 10
not get out of the boat from which he had earlier in the \\’hat al’e the lhill~as ~lal’k lnellllOllS not IllOIltlOlle(l ill the oilier
Gospel~? \Vhat (lees .Mark Sl)ocially enlphnslze? "What is lllo
day addressed tile crowds, but more probably it means siglllht’allPe e| SO IlllICh II’gO of lile word lit]leO8 ~ .r 11
~ I[ad
that he was tired ahnost to exhaustion. Jesus fell a~leep; \Vhy doeo not Mark use the ~ord "Lord" ul his (;~-pel
Mark’s exl)(’l’lCll(Pb all)[]llllg to do with fill4 paFtl,’lll.ll’ chaz’gteo
and despite tile raging storm which arose, he continued to teristie of lira Gospel "e ~[ ]2.
sleep. The Servant xxas tired, l~ut lie was not l)ermitted \Vhat olher tllOll:allt ]lIld Mark ill lllllld, 11~1{] ]lO/V "~\.14 117 lllani-
fesled? llow do children suft’of Io.. in our ilay? ’i 13
to rest--even Satan was allowed to disturb him by lhe Howdid _MarR’s(lun recoxery Ilfloct illb after hie? In x~hdt i,/ t.~
fierce storm which arose. deep mll)re~sma shown? ¶ 14, 15.
 LUKE, THE BELOVED PHYSICIAN
SEPTEJIBER16 LUKE1 : 1-4 ; ACTS1 : 1 ; 16 : 9-15 ; COL.4 : 14 ; 2 T~M.4 : 11~
T.T3KE A GIFT OF GOD TO PAUL--LUKE SETS FOP~TH JESUS’ GREAT COMPASSION--LUKE’S GOSPEL EMPHASIZES GENTILE ACCEPTA’NCE.

"A friend lovetk at all times; and a brother is born for adversity."--Proverbs 17: 17.

T tIOUGH Luke’s name is one of the best known of tlle

groat men of tlle New Testament, there is little
of him personally. The Gospel which is known by iris
said
European work which lay before him. Luke may be snld
to be God’s gift to Paul; for he would see to Paul’s bodily
needs, as well as Io help in the proclamation of the gospel.
name has no subscription to tell who wrote it; nor is its When Paul left Philippi for Thessaloni(.a "rod Athens, Luke
writer’s name mentioned or implied. In this it shares with slayed on in Philippi, and apparemly conlirmed to minister
the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. John’s Gospel is the there, helping the little coral)any of believers. That church
only one which indicates its writer (John 21 : 24) and, with ever remained warm in its affection to Paul; indeed, he
the natural perversity of the higher critics, is the one whose sI)eaks of the 1)hilippians as his joy and crown. They were
authentieity is most disputed. Luke’s Gospel is addressed very mindl’ul of" his lemporal needs (Pbilil)l)ians 4: 1, 16),
to Theophili~q, and purl,)r~s to give a careful account of though it is ahnosl (.(u’;aiu that Luke would be the original
certain events in lhe hfe of Jesus and in others related to mover in their thought for l’aul.
it. The same writer, following on his former treatise, also 5Paul must have felt ill(, loss of ]3arnabas very keenly;
gives an aecount of some of the Acts of lhe Apostles. l~ut but lhere was more than compensation in the gain he
azain the writer’s name is not mentioned. These two books found in Luke with his l)raelieal skill, even as the loss of
form a large and very import’rot part of the New Testa- the ministry of Mark w-~s more than made up for in Timo-
ment. Tile church has always held thttt they were written thy. Jn l-lter days Paul, when writing from Philipi)i to
by Luke; and inlernal evhlen(.e leaves no doubt that he, tile Corinthi,ms, and when sending Titus 1o them, both to
the beloved physician and corot)anion of Paul, was the help and to put some matters right, as also to take from
writer. IIe is very lnlobtrusive, and gives no account of the Corinthians their subscription to his fund for the poor
himself; :lnd cerise(Iv.curly there lms been much sI)ecuhltion in Jerusalem, says th’lt he sends with Titus a brother,
arisin~ out of tile fe,v items of personal knowledge whieh whom he does not nanle but, whonl he nlentions as "the
here and there are found in tile Acts of the Apostles and brother whose praise is in all the churches." (2 Corinthhms
in the apostle Paul’s wrilings. 8:18; 12:18) It seems certain that this unnamed brother
2As Luke was a l)hysician, and as in his day the prac- was the well-known and beloved Lift(e, whose presence with
tice of medieine was chiefly eonfincd to slaves or to freed- Titus would be an assurance to the Corinthians of the care
men, it is therefore not unreasonable to suppose that Luke which Paul had in the nmtter of the money. Luke’s per-
may have been a slave. If that were so it follows that he Sonality is prominent in the New Testament, and yet he is
had been very diligent; for his writings show a large so little seen it ahnost appears as if there is purpose in the
measure of R’eneral exeellenee and ability. Whether or not non-mention of his name. He himself never mentions it,
this was the case. Luke had a very synlpathetie disposition and Paul seems to go out of tile w’~y in order to refrain
towards tho~e who might be said to be of the lower strata fconl doing so. x-~ere is not Inere unobtrusiveness, but as
of human life; his Gospel tells more of our Lord’s kind- if the Lord would say that some of the service of his
nesses towards the publicans and sinners than the others ~aithful ones shall be felt rather than seen. And further,
do. lie was a Gentile by birth, as is shown by tlle passage it is very probable that the remained brother whom Paul
when he is named by Paul among those who were not of addresses at Philippi as his "true yokefelh)w" and who was
the cireunleision.--Colossians 4:12-14. thought could, more than anyone else,, help the sisters who
were not of one mind, was none other than Luke, once
LUKE A GIFT OF GOD TO PAUL again serving the church in Philippi.--Philippians 4 : 3.
aLuke’s first introduction in the New Testament is when GWhentraveling with Paul Luke had many opportunities
Paul on his second missionary journey had arrived at Treas. of gathering knowledge of the early work of the at)ostles.
Paul visited tile Galatian churches and had thought to go In the many places visited he would meet with those who
into Bithynia, but had been prevented by illness. He had were in Jerusalem on the dsy of Pentecost, and who had
also thought to go into Asia, probably to Ephesus; but ’the believed on that wonderful day. And also some of those
spirit suffered him not.’ (Acts 16:7) Pushing on to Troas, who were dispersed in the persecution whicl~ arose after
he had a vision of a man from Macedonia beseeching him tile death of Stephen. But probably it was while Luke was
to go there. At this point in tile narrative the first personal companion to Paul when for two years he was in prison
pronoun is used, indicating that the writer there joined in Cmsarea (Acts 23:23; 24:27), that lhe Inaterial was
the party. He says: "After he [Paul] had seen tlle vision gathered for his Gospel. Luke was not a prisoner; -rod a
immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly man of his (.haraeler wouhl (.ertainly visit Jerusalem an(l
gathering that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel other places in order to got lirst-hand information of lhose
unto them." (Acts 16: 10) The familiarity which the writer things which he sets forlh so (,arefully. He reve-tls himself
manifests indicales a previous acquaintance with Paul, and both as a very good and very able num. lie tells that
the confidence of one associated with him in his ministry. though many had ttfl~en hi)on then]selves to wrile of the
It is probable that Luke had labored with Paul in Antioch, things whiOl were common knowledge in the church, he
doing the work of an evangelist. One writer says: "In one had felt that lhere slill was a need for a careful and
of the earliest manuscripts there are two passages which exact account (Luke 1:1-4), and his put-pose was to set
imply the presence of Luke in Antioch. In Acts 11:20 it them forth in order.
is said that the scattered Christians came to Antioch
preaching our Lord Jesus unto the Greeks; and in verse LUKE SETS FORTH JESUS’ GREAT COMPASSION
28, the story says: ’And when we were gathered together, 7Luke’s standpoint is th’ll of a Gentile, and his desire is
Agabus stood up foretelling a famine.’ " to show the relation of Jesus to the human race. Mark
4Luke’s ability to serve in the gospel was augmented by had shown Jesus as the Servant of Jehov-~h; Matthew,
his being a physician. Paul was still weak when he arrived his relation to the hope of israel. But there was a need
ha Troas and, humanly speaking, was hardly fit for the to show him as tlle Savior of men, of tile whole human
 WATCH TOWER
family ; to have an account of his life which would show Gentiles ruled; and who says that when the fig tree (Israel
the Gentiles that they too had a portion in Jesus and in according to the flesh) shall put forth its leaves all the
the love of God. With such a desire in the mind of so good trees will shoot forth (Luke 21: 29, 30) ; an indication that
and kindly a man, and with the gracious Jesus the friend of when the house of Israel again begins its youth the other
sinners as his subject, it is not surprising that under the peoples of the earth will at the same time also spring forth
guidance of the holy spirit Luke has given an account of to abiding life. It would be a joy to Luke when writing his
the life and service of Jesus in what someone has called second treatise (Acts) to tell of the dispersion of the truth
the sweetest book in the world. There is no other writing from Jerusalem to Samaria, and to Antioch; and to relate
which sets forth the loveliness and the graciousness, the the work of the holy spirit in the great cities of the earth.
kindliness and compassion of Jesus, and therefore of his The heart of such a man as he must have been continually
Father, as Luke’s Gospel. Luke had the heart of a physi- happy as he thought of so many getting that which would
cian, for those also who were sin-sick and bruised; he comfort their hearts and heal their sorrows.
would heal the woes of the human family. He could not XZBesides the service which Luke rendered to the Lord
do that, but he could tell of one who was sent of God for for the church by his writings, the only direct mention of
that purpose. The apostle Paul would wish to have such a him is in connection with Paul. His fidelity to his beloved
setting of our Lord’s ministry in order to help his own leader and patient was great. During his last imprisonment
ministry amongst the Gentiles; and very probably he en- Paul had sent his fellow laborers to serve the churches’
couraged and helped Luke in his desire and labor. needs, and only Demas and Luke were left. Demas forSook
SLuke begins his record by telling in detail of the birth him, having loved the world better; and Paul writes ahnost
of John the Baptist, and of the wonderful things which pathetically: "Only Luke is with me." He could not spare
are associated with the earliest hours of Jesus’ life. It is Luke, and Luke was not the kind to leave a service for his
evident he intended to set forth the Master as one who Master. (2Timothy 4: 10, 11) The silence of Scripture
belonged to the human family rather than to the elect; direct reference to Luke is surely intentional. In the provi-
and therefore while showing that Jesus is of the seed of dence of God he has had a large place in the life of the
David according to the flesh, arid the inheritor of the church, but no other so prominent a servant has so little
promises of Israel, he carries his genealogy back through direct mention. He may be said to be an illustration of
the elect to Adam, the son of God. (Luke 3:38) It is the the church of God as a whole. The lowly disciples of Jesus
Gentiles’ outlook; for the babe of Bethlehem was to bring seek to follow in his steps going about doing good, healing
blessing to all people. To Luke also, and in a wider sense those oppressed by the devil’s kingdom by telling them the
than when the word was used by John, Jesus had come truth of the kingdom of Jesus. In due time comes the
"to his own." Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, be reward of that lowly, unobtrusive, but very definite servic~e
came as a lowly member of the human family. Luke never done for God. "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the
forgets this; and he, more than any other, shows the sun in the kingdom of their Father."--Matthew 13:43.
sympathy there was between Jesus and the despised in ~2As Mark is God’s example of one who made a full
Israel, the publicans and sinners and the outcasts. recovery after having lost out on his privileges of sen’ice,
sUnder divine g~idance it is to Luke’s care that we hake so Luke is God’s example of the sezwant who in lowliness
the record of the prophetic sayings and songs of those of mind finds his service in helping others to serve. Luke
worthy men and women who were specially associated with was a true and faithful helper to Paul, who without doubt
the birth of our Lord. He alone records the prophecy of was thus enabled to do more than would otherwise have
Zacharias with its wide outlook of the plan of God (Luke been possible. He was also a true helper in the churches.
1:67-80) ; the triumphant prophetic song of Mary (Luke His almost hidden service was like oil to nmchinery; it
1: 46-55) ; and the prophecy of Simeon, who said that the helped others to serve. He kept himself, and was kept by
child Jesus was to be "a light to lighten the Gentiles," as the Lord, out of sight. He had the spirit of a true servant
well as the glory of God’s Israel. (Luke 2:32) Though of the Lord, and he needed none of the light of publicity
Luke says that he intended to set forth things in order, it to stimulate it.
must not be understood that the incidents he records are
placed in chronological sequence; for it is evident that this QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
was not the case. The order is rather that of similarities
Name one of the best-known men of the New Testament, who was
of thought or incident. Luke brings together things which very unobtrusive, who has very little said of him personally,
according to his purpose are related one to another; and and who wrote a large portion of the sacred book without men-
tioning his name as the author. ¶ 1.
he gives accounts of our Lord’s observations and general Who was the "beloved physician"? For what is the Gospel of
remarks rather than reports his discourses. Luke particularly noted? ¶ 2.
Where is Luke first introduced to us? Howis he identified as
being acquainted with the apostle Paul? ¶ 3.
LUKE’S GOSPEL EMPHASIZES GENTILE ACCEPTANCE How was Luke’s ability to serve augmented? 1Jew did he still
minister to Paul though separated from him? ¶4.
10It is to Luke that we are indebted for the parables of What were two marked instances of God’s overruling providence
the Good Samaritan, the Lost Sheep, and the Prodigal Son, with respect to Paul? Who is likely the unnamed brother?
What odd think may be said of Luke, and what lesson does it
three parables which perhaps more than any others have seem to teach? ¶ 5.
helped the church of God to see that it was of the kindli- Where did Luke get his flood of information? Why was he so
methodical in chronicling it? ¶ 6.
ness of God that Jesus our Savior appeared. And it is Luke Why does Luke’s Gospel abound with sympathies and compassion
who relates the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, for the world at large, taking in a larger view? ¶ 7.
What object had Luke in starting his Gospel with John the Bap-
which, rightly interpreted, shows the favor then coming tist? What particular feature does he mention, omitted by
upon the Gentiles; how those who were as dogs to the others, and why? ¶ 8.
In what other things does the book of Luke excel? What was
Jews were to get the favor of resting in Abraham’s bosom, Luke’s method of recording events? ¶ 9.
of enjoying the Abrahamic hope with all its comforts and What else does Luke’s account contain? In what direction do thee
blessings; the parable which shows that God had mercy lead our minds? The fact that Luke was the only Gentile writer
of the New Testament would lead him to joy in what events?
for the Gentile outcasts, and that he intended to bring ¶1o.
them into favor as he had had favor upon his chosen In what way did Luke prove his true worth to Paul? In what
respect is Luke an illustration of the church as a whole? ¶ 11.
people Israel. It is Luke who speaks of the times of the How are Luke and Mark contrasted ? IIow was Luke like oil to
Gentiles, the 2,520 years (now ended), during which the machiner¥~ | 12.
 INTERESTING LETTERS
HAS JOY IN CONTINUEDSERVICE fled me. But, thank God, I have found it now! Surely thls
~YDE=~R BRO’rlIICl¢,]~u’rItEr, F’ ’I) is peace and joy to tim weary wanderer. I have nothing to
colnplain about; all things to be thankful for. This present
Your good letter of March 2Sth reached me here, having
been forwarded after a dplay of more than a week. It was truth is ~o well lu’epared for us. Nothing left out; all we
have 1o do is h) lake add pitt.
a sm~rce of great joy and comfort to me. Need I tell you
"Thp Finished Mystery" was the first hook I got and read.
tills’: The man who does not love his win’k, who finds no
()h, v, hat a bh,ssiw~’! ~Ve lovp so much to go to meetings.
pleasure in it, who carmel toil at il uniil he dropu, is a
slave. But lo go on with our work, we all need loving We find true fcllowshi]) which we were not .ride to find
bet’ore. Thm’e \~e e:m t’flk ahlmt God and his wondrous
elwonl’a.a-etllCllt, l’l-(’o~llilion. It’s a gl’eat lhillg. Encourage-
\\’t)rk, :1,~ lh’otht,r McChu’esays lo give way to these pent-riD
lllOIl[ "~Xl ~ ;tit lltcd: lop \’~t’ -~ill harp lllllllllli fl’ttnles. \Ve pet
fe’elilm~. 1o ch*rify God and prnise his hlvingkindness. Yes,
the chihl, but lU/l.~l nol l’ot’a~t it xxhen tL is old; for il still il -el,ms hke somelhing nmminral lo he recognized, to be
needs en(’tUll’a.a’ell]elll It) overcolue life’s ,,lorms, h;u’(i,qlips
trealt,I ,t) km(lly. It is a new worM, the ohl is passed
and terrible_ disal)l~Oilltnlents. 1.eve is lhe only thing lhat
:l\xay: all Ihe members shrining the greatest zeal for the
matters, lhe elm lhmg lhflt (’t~u;ds. II is lhe oilly thing that
l,(~l’d"~ \\ ~ pl’[¢.,
tells m the long run. Nothing else el!thlr,.*s to the entl. Of
Ymu"I,rtllher :tad sister by his grace,
course it is God’s design to haxe e\ery Sel’valK have an
experience of hmeliness of spirit, Ihal he may learn to IIlLDA ~IcCLUI~E, Calif.
delamd Ul)On his God. Even loved one.~ may be thdl to such
a MIllalion htlwvver good their hearts may 1)e. The most RECOGNIZES THE TRUE LIGHT
faithful of (h)tl’s Spl’vanls nnly not at all linles expect (II,IN’I’I.E\I EN
receive the l~’;tlher’s smile; for the froth of Ills servants Allmx me to thank you for THE HARPOF GOD, TIIE "~VATCI~
must be tested. Wc remember how God kei)t Jesus waiting TOWERultd THE GOLI)EN AGE, which reached me safely.
whoa his s()(d was sorrowful elite dearth. Y(lur books and tmpers are a revelation; and it may
lA’t nlc s;ly for yollr encouragenmnt how great the l)leas- interest you to know th,tt for years I have not been at all
are and profit the April 1st and 151h Towers have given me. satislie(l ~xilh the leaching I received in the church. For a
My soul warmed and praised the Lord. Ilow true it is that long lime lhat teaching seemed to me to be unreasonable.
there is a tendency to slaoken our hand at this trememhms Mnny lmws I have aske.(1 ministers to explain passages to
moment. Every passage referring parlicularly to this period nle; and the more they tried to do so, the more at sea they
poin/s out the same (hmgerous inclination. Wipe out the seemed to gel. ’Pherefore, as I felt that God had some plan,
line between "workers" and "non-workers"? Certainly ! I beg-m lo h)ok elsewhere for an explanation of his Word
Why not? To he a worker does not mean to do impossible which wtmhl h)ok at least re’tsonable; and I am happy to
things. God is lhe Judge. "Entering into the joy of the say that hy hearing one of your speakers I began to think:
Lord" Clams up a wonderful thought that we are no longer "IIere’s something a real man can live up to."
nppventi(’es |lilt partners in the Lord’s business. I shouhl itm inleresled to get ’tny new books or papers
There is one other thing that must be meotioned; it is you tony from l;mo to time l:ulqiML as I feel I cannot get
the able manner in "which the Sunday S(.hool Lessons "ire loo much light on this greal subjppt. I recenlly 1)urchased
~ set of Pastor Russell’s Wol’ks ; and its [ am slowly reading
being hnndlctl iu the ~VATCll TOWER at present. Those arti-
cles oil "(lelhsenl’lne" aud "The Crucifixion" shouhl lm them, and at lhe same tilne studying them, I feel that at
studied hy every chlss t)n earth: and Dot those alone, but last I am on lhe right path.
all of lhem. It is my thought that not half enough atten- I shall be alad at any time to assisl the local members of
your association in any way I cau; for I feel indebted to
tion is being paid to lhem.
May lhe blessin~ of the dear Lord richly attend you in theln for lminlhlg the way to one who was very uncertain
all yotn’ labm’s of hive, anti ymlr soul be filled with that as to the fulm’e.
pea(.c and joy kllown alone lo Ihe faithful in Christ aequs. Yim,’s nn)st sincerely, JoiIN WHITE, ~as~.

In lois of love and good wishps. I anl

Your 1)rother and fellow servant, O.L. SuLr.w_\x. LOS ANGELES CONVENTION
The Bibh, Slu(lenls’ convpnlion of eight days at Ires
NEW-FOUND TREASURE IS GLORIOUS Angeles will begin Saturday, August 18, to he concluded
~)EAR ]~REI’IIr~EN with the public meeting in the Coliseum Sunday afternoon,
1 h:tve just linishett reading TIIE "~VAgCHTOWER.The tim "(;Ih. The speeial train from Chicago is attracting
loxahle lellm’s jUSl melt my heart; and to show my al)pre- llllUly of the friends, and many others on different routes
ciilii,):t I (’mln(K keel} from writing t~ let lhase dear l)eolde are exp,’cle(1 at Los Angeles. The excursion rate from
knox\ llmt lheir letters are read. I join with lhonl ia asking Chicaatl and other I)oints dire(’t lo Los Angeles is cheaper
Go(l’s guittillg hand over you; amt m.,y (loTs ri(’ho~’I btpss- than lhe (’erlifieate iihut of th,kets. We advise all who are
lug bp 5(ml’S, qs you haxe a great resl)onsihility. I have tr’txt’hn~ a long distance to huy the excursion rqte tickets.
lmwIl: on ill this presenl truth [’()Ul’ lllellth-s. ]! -ive many Inquire. lh’sl of lhe railroad agent as to the In’ices. Where
times llmu."31t of x\t’iting, but I know Ihqt your time is you tirol Ihe rate cheaper by certilicate plan because of
preeitms and did nol want to hurden you. But my heart is short distance, travel this way.
overllowing in thankfulness Io our merciful God, Jehovah, Address all t’olmmlni(.alioi~s relative io the convention to
XV]Io has St!lit ns this blessing through his faithful serwml. E. rL Sexloll, 20II ’l_’riltity Audilorium, Los Angeles, Calif.
It surely is meat. It salisfics my hungry soul. Brother
MeClure and I are now ill the work, the Lord Jesus havin,g
CONVENTIONSTO BE ADDRESSEDBY BROTHERRUTHERFORD
openpd the way. We shall gladly go out and han(l this
\Vnm~pe~,, Man., A.ug. 3 5 .... L. V¢. l’urtwss, 539 Newman St.
blessing to others.
I have sought much for the truth. I went from one Saskatoon, Sa,~k., Aug. 8-10 ...... Gee. P. Naish, 611 Avenue 3., South
Edmanton. Alta., Aug. 10-12....Gee. A. Ware, 12321 Stony Plain Road
church to attother, thinking that I would find what I was Tacoma, WaM~., Aug. 14-19 .............. F. L. Cushing, 3922 No. 31st St.
looking for in one of them; but I found nothing that satis- Los Angeles, Calif., Aug. 18-26 .......... E. D. Sexton, 200 Trinity Bldg.
239
 International Bible StudentsAssociationClasses
i~ccturc~and~0Jdlc~
bcJTravclincj
Brethren
BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER J. H. HOEVELER
Saginaw, Mich ............... Aug. 39 Elint, Mleh..................... Aug. 2(i Ypsilanti, Mich ........ ~ug 15 l)ayton, O....................... Aug. 22
Burt, Mieh..................... " 20 l"enton, Mn.b................. " 27 Aan Arbor, Micll .......... ’" II; [launlLou,O ................... " 23
Bireh Run, Mieh ........... " 21 l)urand, Mirh................. " 2.~ Dundee, Mieh ................ " 17 Cinrnmati, O ................. " 24
Saginaw, hhcb ............... " "22 l’ort ]lul’l)l L Mi(.h ......... " 29 Toledo,O......................... " 19 Jeffersonvllle. Ind ......... " 26
Wheeler, Mich ............... " 23 Mt. Clemon~, Mleh ......... " 30 Lima,O.......................... " 20 Frani~forl, l,:y ............... " 27
Alma,Mich..................... " ’2t Detroit, Mirh .... Aug. 31, Sept. 2 ~Vapakoneta,O............... " "l Lexington, Ky ............... " 2~1

BROTIIER II. HOWLETT

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET Clifton Forge, Va ..... lug 14 (’harleston, W. Va ...Aug. 24, 26
Aug 1(; Aug. 23, 24 Divide, W. \ a .......... ’ 15, 16 Coco, W. ~,t ............. ’ 27
Brownsville, Tex ........... Simmons,Tex ........... Mt. Lookout, W. \a.._ " l,.¯. Nitro, W. ~,a ........... " 28
Sam Fordbce, Tex ......... " 17 San Antonio, Tex.. _ ’ 26
McAllen,Tex ................. ’" 19 l’:errville, Tex......... " 27 Shawver, W. Va ......... " ’)(), Galhpohs, 0 ............. " 29
Harlingen, Tex............... " 2¢) " 2S Wlckhaub W. Ya ....... :2- :26 Huntington, W. Va... " 30, 31
(’omior t, Tex..........
Kingsville, Tex.............. " :21 l’ipe Creek, Tex ....... " 30
Corpus Chri~lL Tex ....... " ’-’2 llandera, Tex ..... Aug. 31, Sept. 2
BROTHEl{ ~. II. I’JC,(ERLNG
Tacoma,~Vash............ X-ug 1(, 1~ Vancouver,IL C ............. Aug. 26
Victoria, B. C ........... "" :2i New Westminster, B.C. 27
Malahat, ~. C ........... "’ ":2 Ch[tliwaek, B. C ............. " 29
BROTHER B. H. BOYD Ladysmlth, B. C ...... " :23 i cutlcton, B. C ............. " 31
]~lgin,Ill ......................... Aug. 1(; lIegewisch, Ill ............... Aug. 24 Nanatmo,B. C ........... "’ :2-I Vernon, B. C ................. Sept. 2
Geneva,Ill ..................... " 17 llammond,]nd ............... " 26
Chicago,ill ..................... " ](J (’hicago, Ileights, Ill ..... " 27
Des Plaines, Ill ............ " 20 l:lue island, Ill ............. " 2S BROTHER B. M. RICE
Park Ridge, Ill .............. " 21 l(aakakee, Ill ................. " 29 Cambridge, Mitre ....... ~ug. 1(; Mankato, Minn ......... Aag. 24
Roseland,I11 ................... " ’2’2 l:loomington, Ill ............. " 30 St. Paul, Minu........... 17 19 Rochester, Minn ......... " 26
Ellsworth, Wise ......... £ L Wluona, Minn ........... " 27
Centurla, Wise .......... "" :22 XVhalen,Mlnn............. " 28
Eureka Centre, 5hm, 2.J Estherville, la ........... " 30,31
BROTHER J. W. COPE
Melstone, Mont.............. kug. 12, l.’ergus Falls, Minn.._..Aug. 20, 21 BROTHER V. C. RICE
MilesCity, Mont ......... ’ 14 Northcote, Minn ....... " 22, 23
Belfield, N. D................ " 15 ]’h’skine. Minn......... " 24, 26 Byfield, Mass................. kug. 16 Portland, hie .......... Al!~. 23, 26
Jamestown, N. D ........... " 17 ltaug, Minn ............ " 28, 29 ~ewburyport, .Ma.~ ....... ’" 17 South Win(lham, Me. 24
Fargo, N. D .................. " 19 Zippel, Minn ..... Aug. 31, Sept. 2 I(ittery, Me..................... "" 19 DryMills, Me........... " 27
]~loultonville, N. li ........ ’" 20 Lewistowu, Me......... " 28
East Wolfboro, N. lI ..... "’ :21 Norway,Me ............. " 29
Santord, Me.................. " -’-’ Auburn,Me............... " 30
BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN
Burlington, Vt ........... " 17 Albany, N. Y .............. " 26 BROTHER O. L. SULLIVAN
Rutland, Vt ............... " 19 Brainard Sta., N. Y .... " 27 MasMllon,0 ................... Aug. 16 Mansfield, O ................. Aag. 23
Granville, N. Y ......... " 21; Troy, N. ¥ ................... )) 28 1)alton, O ...................... "’ 17 .Newark,O....................... " 24
Greenwich, N. Y ....... " 21 Walervliet, N. Y ........... " 29 Wooster,O..................... "’ 19 Columbus,
O ................... ’" :26
Pownal, Vt ................. " 22, 23 Mechanicsville, N. Y .... " 30 Gallon,O......................... " :20 1-iebrou,O....................... " :2i
Pittsfield, Mass............... Aug. 2~ Ft. Edward, N. Y ........ " 31 Cresthne,0 ..................... " :21 White Cottage, O ........... " Z8
Shelby,O....................... " "2"2 Crooksvllle, O ................. " 29

BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM BROTIIER W. J. THORN

Aug. l(i-l!) Coronation, Alta ....... Aug. 15 Galahad, Altu ............. Aug. 22
Tacoma, Wash........... Everett, Wasb........... Aug. 26 " 16 Alliance, Alta ............. "
Seattle, Wash........... " 20 Snolnunish, Wash....... " 27 Altario, Alta ............... 24
Blaine, Wash............. " 2l Wenatchee, Wash ....... Provost, Alta ............. " 19 Viking, Alta ............... " 27, 28
" 28, 29 ttardisty, Alta ........... "’ 20 Camrose, Alta ............. ’’ 30
Bellingham, Wash ..... " 22 Spokane, Wash........... " 30
Burlington, Wash ..... " 23 C~mr(l’Alene, Ida ..... " 31 Sedgewick, Alta......... " 21, 26 Rosedale,Alta.Aug.31, Sept.2
Mt. Y~ernon, Wash ..... " 2t Spokane, Wash........... Sept. 2
BROTHER T. ll. TIIORNTON
Allenford, Ont ............ ~ug. 16 Seaforth, Ont ............. Aug. 24
Pahnerston, Ont ......... "’ 17, 1~ Stratford, Ont ........... " 26, 27
BROTHER M. L. HERR Mount Forest, Ont ..... ’" 20 3hlverton, Oat ........... " 2,S
Enumclaw, Wash ....... Aug. 20 Athol, Ida ................... Aug. 27 ~iarriston, Oat ........... " :2l Linwood,Oat ............. " 29
I,]llensburg, Wash....... " 21 Missouht, Mont ......... " 28, 30 Fordwlch, Ont .......... " 22 Elmira, Ont ............... " St)
Yakima, Wash........... " 22 l)ablo, Moat ............. " 29 Goderich, Ont ............ " 23 Guelph, Ont ....... Aug. 31, Sept. 2
Spokane, Wash ......... " 23, 2(; Deer Lodge, Mont ..... " 31
Coeur d’Alene, Ida ..... " 24 Butte, 51oat ................. Sept. 2 BROTHER L. F. ZINK
Canaan, N. B .............. lug. ,~ Hampstead, N. B ....... kug. 17
Burnt Church, N. B. _. "’ 10 St. John, N. B ........... " 19
Sunny Corner, N. B... " ]2 ltolling(lam, N. B ...... " 20
BROTHER W. M. HERSEE ,Nashwaak Bridge, N.B. " 13, 14 Moore’s Mills, N. B..... ’’ 2[
Fernie, B. C ................. %ug. 16 Nelson, B. C ........... .Aug. 24, 26 Fredericton, N. B ..... " 15 Plereemont, N. B ....... " 23
Elko,B. C ....................... " 17 Trail, B. C ............... " 27 Evan(lale, N. B ......... " 16 Woodstock, N. B ....... " 24, 26
Cranbrook, B. C ............. " 1!) Vernon, B. C ........... " 29
Balfour, B. C ................. " 21 Armstrong, B. C ....... " 30
Lardo,B. C ..................... " 23 I)enticton, B. C. Aug. 31, Sept.
VACATION
This is to advise our readers and friends that from August 18 to
September 1 is the vacation period, during which the office and
factory at Brooklyn will be closed. Colporteurs and o~]101"s who
III BS’A. BEREAN
BIBLESTUDIES desire supplies before September 1 shouhl or(ler imm~liatels,
that the~se orders may be filled before August l&
s~

ByMeansof "The Plan of the Ages"

CHAPTER XV The Day o.f Jehotah PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR SEPTEMBER
CY[APTERiV] : Col?(’llldnl H Thottqhts September 5 : "Be filled with the spirit."--Epheslans 5 : 18.
Weekof Sept. 2 ............ Q. 50 53 Week el Sept 1G ........ Q " 1-4 September 12 : "God bath ~ent forth the spirit of his Son into you~
Weekof Sept. 9 ....... Q. 5-i 57 Week of Sept 23 ......... Q. 5-8 hearts."--Galatiau~ 4 : 6.
September 19 : "We . . . lmxe a(.(.o~s by one spirit unto the Fath-
Week of Sept. 30 ....... Q. 9-12 er."--Ephe.~ians 2 : 18.
Queatlon books on "The Divine Plan" 15¢ postpaid September 26: "Builded together for an halfitalion of God lhrougl~
the spirit."--Ephe~ians 2 : 22,
 .- ..
¯ - .,..
¯ . ,.,

VOL. XLIV ,ql’:.xt t-MO.~TtII,Y NO, 10

Aano Mundi 6951 -- August 15, 1923

CONTENTS
Lo~ ~i ’rY .... ............................................................ o|~
Loy,’ll ty Defined................................................ 243
Exanlples of Loyal Soils .................................... 244
l’urpo.~e in the Test of Loyalty ..................... 244
Our Purpose to Glorify the Lord .................... 2-t6
l[ow to I)e~elop Loyalty .................................. 246
Rewardsof Loyalty. .......................................... 246
I)ol:s ’£tan NI,:w CIIEATLRE DIE? ......................... 247
I*RAYI,;R ~lEETING TEXT (~OMMENTS .................... ’2 t9 ~"
TIlE INCO.UING I¢IN(;DO.X~ (~)O(tttt) ....................... :2t[~
TIMOltIY, A GOOD-’~IINISTER OF JI’]SUS CIIR1ST 250
GIrt]AT ~IEN AND WOMEN01~ TIIE ~N’EW
TESTAMENT ................................................ 252
*" .~- IN’rT;R~;S’rING LET2’ERS ............................................ 254
.-’. TIH.: \VATClI,~tEN’I CRY............................................ 255
"" 2’’ ~¢ ~r IN IrE CONVENTIONS..... ,~4"~
,fi" .: ,: .....................................
.~-~: <:’: ~- "’I war stand upon ,ny watch and wtll set iny foot
upon the Totce~, anet will wrItel{ to s~e ~that He wtD
,~ ~ ,:;’f"--.,:.~., say tt~to ~le, and u bat ,~,,~,,,. 1 ~hctll ~,aLc tO th¢l~
~>"-~ that oppose mc."--Habakkuk ~: I.
-<.

l~..pon the earth diztres~ of natlon~ with perplexity; the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts failing them [or fear and for looking
the things coming upon the earth (society) ; for the powers of the heavens (eeclesmstlesm) shah be shaken... When ye see these things begin to come to pass, tbe~a
know that the I~ngdom of God i~ ~t ha~d, Look up, lift up your heacl~, re$ome, i~ yo~Lr redemptaoad~awethaigh.--Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:25--qL
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACRED MISSION
THISpresented
Journal ls one of the prime factors or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
in all parts of the civilized world by the WATCH TOWER
or "Seminary Extension", now belnlf
BIBLE& TRACTSOCIETY,chartered A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students maymeet in the study of the divine Wordbut
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
comingof its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Bereaa Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIESmost entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all whowould merit the only honorary klegree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister IV. D. M.), which translat(~l
into English is Minister ol God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable,
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
~redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, whogave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : 11-
15 ; 2 Peter I : 6-11} of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God .... to the intent that now might, be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"~"which in 0the. ages
was not made knownunto the sons of men aa it is now revealed".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdomgranted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
for we knowwhereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service; hence our decisions relative to what mayand what may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilddng of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge oug
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Wordto which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US TIlE SERIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
"that the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship"; that its eoustruction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age--ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they llnd access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesiaas 2:20-22 ;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been madeready, the great i~iaster Workmanwill bring all together
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between Godand menthroughout
the Millennium.--Revelatiou 15 : 5-8.
~hat the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world", "in due time".~
ttebrews 2 : 9 ; John 1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy2 : 5, 6.
rPhat the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be partaker of,the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his joint-heir.--1 Joim 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
That the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself everyg
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and prmsts in the next age.---,Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew24
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledgeand opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdomthe
restitution of all that was lost in Adam,to all the willing and o )(.~ lent, at the hands of their Redeemerand his glorilied church,
when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.--Acts 3 : 19-’)3 ; Isaiah 35.

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 VOL.XLIV AUGUST
15, 1923 No.16

LOYALTY
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crownof life."--Revelation 2: 10.

"r 0YALTYin a soldier is tested under adversity. "It is required in stewards, that a man be found faith-
l...d It is not while lie is at ease and faring well in
eampthat devotion to his commanderis erueially
ful." (1Corinthians 4: 1,2) An approved steward
not one who is faithful for a season and then becomcs
fried. The test is on when the bugle sounds and he weary in well doing and lags back. He is one who
goes forth to battle. To think of yielding to the enemy possesses the kifid of faith that endures to the end.
would only lessen his zeal and his strength for the war- St. Paul, himself a faithful and loyal soldier of the
fare and, if seriously entertained, would prove danger- cross to the end, gave testimony of his loyalty whenhe
ous. Therefore he permits no seductive influence to said: "I have fo,~ht the good fight, I have finished my
draw him away from the objective. He fights on to course, I have kept the faith."--2 Timothy 4: 7.
victory. St. Paul used the life and experiences of a ~At the outset we must make a clear distinction
soldier to illustrate the course of a Christian.--2 Timo- between loyalty and the term faith, which is a part of
thy 2 : 3, 4 ; 1 Corinthians16 : 13. loyalty. Loyalty is a kind of faith, but it is not that
kind once found in an individual who later gives up
LOYALTY DEFINED the fight. It is that faith which declares: "Thoughhe
2Loyalty may be defined as constant fidelity to a slay me, yet will I trust him."
superior and to his cause. The word itself sprang into 6The proof is overwhelming that we are now at the
existence in the days of the feudal system. A vassal end of all things pertaining to the end of the old order ;
swore allegiance to his lord, and boundhimself to serve and yet there are manywho are losing faith, even in
and fight in the battles of his chieftain against sur- the strong evidences of this time, as St. Paul said that
rounding enemies or other feudal lords. If in the per- they would. "Nowthe spirit speaketh expressly, that in
formanceof his duty the vassal proved himself faithful the latter times someshall depart from the faith, giving
to his oath, he was said to be a loyal vassal. Thus heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1
worldly men by deeds of valor proved faithful devotion Timothy 4: 1) Can we doubt that faith may at times
to a selfish cause. Honest menlove loyalty above every wane and even die, when again he speaks of some in
other quality. his day "having condemnation, because they have cast
aThe thought of loyalty abounds in the Scriptures. off their first faith. Andwithal they learn to be idle,
No disloyal creature was ever approved by the Lord. wandering about from house to house; and not only
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in describing the battle of the idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things
saints against Satan, the commonenemy, says: "Be- which they ought not .... For some are already turned
hold, the devil shall cast someof you into prison, that aside after Satan." (1 Timothy 5:12-15) Although some
ye maybe tried ; and ye shall have tribulation ten days : had faith at one time, yet by losing that faith they
be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown prove themselves disloyal to the Lord. A loyal spirit
of life." (Revelation 2: 10) Again the Master, refer- manifests a continued and unabated zeal for the Lord
ring to the warfare of the Christian, says: "He that and his work until the very last.
shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." 7Loyalty is dependent upon faith, and is the result
(Matthew 24: 13) 0nly those who endure unto the of the persistent application of God’s expressed will
end will be saved. concerning us. Faith is an intellectual appreciation and
*Membersof the new creation are designated as "rain- a practical application to oneself of Gocl’s expressed
isters of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." will and purposes. Wesee, then, that in order to have
Wehave the privilege of serving the Most High, to faith in an individual or confidence in his purposes it
proclaim his message now due, and to show forth his is necessary that we knowsomething about his character
1)raises in this time of darkness. The Apostle adds: and what he has already done. Says the Apostle:
241 me WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. Y,

"Faith [concerning God’s plans and purposes] cometh betrayed, and brought before Caiaphas amid the hissing
by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." While jeers of the enraged populace. He is mocked, and his
the acquisition of knowledgeis the initial step, yet life is demanded.But, oh, what a witness! A chance is
unless that knowledgeis applied according to the divine given him before Pilate of recanting his kingship, but
rule and has an effect upon our daily conduct it fails this he i~mres. He is the true witness. The final sen-
to bring forth the fruits of faith. One manifests his tenee is pronounced, and he is crucified. Through all
appreciation of the Lord at the outset of his Christian he is faithful; faithful unto deMh,loyaI to the core.
career by makinga full and nnreserved consecration to ~°Christ Jesus our Lord has had a companyof loyal
do the will of Jehovah. The merit of Christ Jesus hav- followers throughout the Gospel age. Even a greater
ing been applied to t~im, and he having been justified mmlber have taken upon themselves the name of the
and begotten by the spirit of tl> Lord, he has a stand- Master and have been faithless in their witness to the
ing before the FMher and is able to comprehend the truth and have disrooarded Jehovah’s arrangements.
Wordof truth as never before. If he continues properly It is the exampleof the loyal that aids us. Is not the
to apply this knowledge,which is the result of diligent heart of the true Christian quickened as he reads of
study of the Word, he grows in strength of character; the faithfulness of Stephen, who with radiant counte-
and unswervingloyalty is the result. nat~ce counted it all joy to lay downhis life as a pledge
of loyalty? He gave a faithful and true witness by.his
EXAMPLES OF LOYAL SONS death, as well as by his devoted life.--Acts 7: 51-60.
SOur Lord Jesus demonstrated a noble spirit of loy- nThe apostle Paul is stoned, then ~dfippcd, and later
alty. After the Master had fasted for forty days and shipwrecked; but through all circumstances he is faith-
forty nights, Satan determined to draw him aside by ful to the cause of his Captain. He also fought valiantly
appealing to the desire of the flesh for food; but Jesus in the Lord’s army until he was assured of victory.--
met this suggestion by pointing to the Father as the Acts 14: 19; 16: 19-24; 27: 39-4-t:; 2 Timothy4: 7.
provider of his food. Whenthe adversary su~estcd *aOur dear Brother ]lussell through storm and vicis-
that he jump from the pimmcle of the temple, the Lord situde loyally represented the Master, leaving the
met these words by .~aying, "Thou slmlt not tempt the example of a victorious Christian. Those who now are
Lord thy God." (Matthew 4: 7) Then the strongest endeavoring to conform their efforts to the Lord’s
temptation was given to Jesus. Satan offered him the arrangements and who are bearing witness to the pres-
dominion of the worht if-he wouht fall down and wor- ence of the King of glory, if persistent, are assured
ship the enemy. 3esus knew that this was not the way of victory. It is the test of faith under adversity that
of the Father; and there was not tK, slightest hesitancy determines the depth of loyalty to the Lord.
in expressing his allegiance. Jesus said: "Get thee
hence, Satan: for it is written, Thoushalt worship the PURPOSEIN THETEST OF LOYALTY
Lord thy God, and hint only shMt thou serve."--Mat- ~The heavenly Father had a definite lnn~ose in per-
thew 4 : 10. mitting his dear Son to demonstrate his loyalty under
9After these temptations the Lord persists in his loy- nmchopposition while here upon earth. The cu[~cring
alty to the Father. He goes to Nazareth and propounds was not required in order to pay the ransom price: for
a portion of Isaiah 61. Although his hfe is threatened Jesus supplicd the means at Jordan, and had he dmd
on this occasion, yet there is not the shghtest indication immediately after his consecration the substitute 2or
of discouragement. Undauntedin spirit, he pres~-es on Adam’s penalty would have been provided. Jehovah
into Galilee, uhlch has been in darkness; and he lets did not say that death and suffering constituted the
his light shine, l’;vcn after hearing of the imprisonment penalty for Adam’sdisobedience, but death_only.
of John the ];apt~st it is written concerning him: ~qhlt Jehovah had designed an exalted position for
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, his Son in which he might be favored to scm-e him in
Ilepent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mat- a particular manner in the future, in even a greater
thew 4: 17) For three years the burden of his conver- capacity and slate than he had thcretofore. In order
sations and discourses is the message of the kingdom. to qualify for this offiee his obedience must be unques-
Then as the night is closing downupon his ministry, tioned; he must demonstrate his loyalty even nnder
an emissary of Salan would swerve him from his on- adversity; and also that other beings operating under
ward march; he is advised not to go up to Jerusalem. the Lord Jesus Christ in the future might have confi-
But heedless to all others except the Father’s voice he dence in their Captain, whowas counted worthy by the
goes up to that city to give the final witness. On Father. Concerning Jesus it is written that he "made
reaching Jerusalem he cdebrates the Passover with his himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form
disciples in eonmlemoration of the deliverance of the of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And
Israelites from Egypt, and then institutes a new thing being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
which pictures his own death and the par[icipation of and becameobedient unto death, even the death of the
hia faith.fnl followers therein, lie is then suddenly cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
 and given him a name which is above every name: that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things
in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."--
Philippians 2: 7-11.
15The heavenly Father has also been testing the heart
loyalty of the followers of the Lord Jesus in order that
they, if faithful unto death, might share his Son’s glory
and be joint-heirs with him in this o~ce. "The spirit
itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
ehildren of God: and if children, then he~rs; heirs of
God, and joint-heirs with Chr, st; if so be that we suffer
with him, that we may be also glorified together."
(Romans8: 16, 17) This privilege of becoming joint-
heirs of Christ Jesus was first granted to the Jews;
and after they had spmqmdthe offer, except for a few,
the opportunity was granted to the Gentiles on an equal
footing with the Jews. (Romans1: 16; Acts 15: 14-17)
tIappy and blessed are they who nowseize every oppor-
tumty to showtheir loyalty to the Father.
~qf we have a dear conception of the purpose of our
present testing, it will act as a great stimulus to our
faith. The prese~.t privileges of service are the means
whereby Jehovah tries our obedience to him while in
the school of praetiee. The real work of the saints lies
in the future, beyond the vail; and we shall have a part
in that great work only as we shall have stood the tests
here below. If we look about us and consider the diffi-
culties of the present circumstances, then discourage-
ment, of course, results. If we contemplatethe blessings
of present service, we are encouraged. If we consider
all things here below as a means of gaining Christ and
serving the Lord in completeness, we have a sure anchor
beyond the vail. (IIcbrews 6:18-20) The joy of serving
the Father in glory was the stmmlus to the faith of
Christ our Captain; and this hope carried him on to
vietoLw.--ltebrews12 : 2.
*TWiththis thought in mind, the capacity or station
in which we now serve the Lord is not of primary
importance. But are we serving faithfully in what has
been assigned for us to do? Are we willingly and joy-
fully doing that work? ]f we answer yes, then we are
learning tim great lesson of submission, of working in
accordance with the Father’s arrangements. This lesson
of willing submission must be learned by all who will
have a part in the service of the future. Weare being
prepared for future work. Our willingness to obey
orders is being tested in the present. Weare not to
complain because somebodyelse is doing what we would
like to do. In all probability the circumstances may
have arisen to test our willingness to yield to the Lord
at the expense of personal preference, tIappy are they
who delight in the Lord’s arrangements; for when
faithful here below, they will serve him in glory.
~Sln developing a cla~s of loyal sons the Father shows
wisdomin using them aov¢ as examples for each oLher.
The unswerving loyalty of the Lord Jesas has been a
stimulus to the faith of each memberof the house of
sons. "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heav-
enly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest eL
our profession, (’hrist Jesus; who was faithful to him
that appointed him." (Hebrews 3: 1,2) We are
weigh carefullv in mind the manner in which our Lord
and Captain. who had a better appreciation of the
Father than we have, endured all things that he might
prove loyal. Andthe Father has made "Christ as a son
over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold faq
the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto
the end." (Hebrews 3: 6) It is tufty as we shall have
proved faithlul tlmt we shall share in the fulfilled hope
in the Lord. And the Apostle warns us that unless we
look ever unto the Lord Jesus for encouragement and
strength of faith we shall faint in the battle. "Consider
him that endured such contradiction of sinners against
himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."
--Hebrews 12 : 3.
’gThe loyal spirit of continued fidelity in the Lord’s
service on the part of an individual in an ecclesia is a
spur to every other one whois led by the spirit of the
Lord. The dear saints are influenced by the power of
suggestion from their brethren to a remarkable degree.
The l~ord knew that the operation of his spirit would
have such an effect, and he has indicated that they
should meet often, relate their experiences, and give
praises to him who has led them. Note tI~e words of
the Apostle on this point: "Let us hold fast the pro-
fession of our faith without wavering (for he is faith-
ful that promised) ; and let us consider one another to
provokeunto love at.(, to good ~vo:ks ; not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the mannerof some.
is; but exhorting one another: and o much the more,
as ye see the day approaching."--Hebrews 10: 23-25.
2°Wecannot doubt the fact that the continued obe-
dience on the part of the Lord’s dear ones has a pleas-
ing effect upon the angels and a good effect upon some
men of the world to a limited degree at present. "We
are madea spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and
to men." (1 Corillthians 4:9) The word translated
spectacle literally memostheater; so that the saints are
an open show observed by men and angels. The angels,
noting the progress of the saints under trial now, must
be encouraged to a greater devotion to the heavenly
Father. The faithful angds rejoice in the progress of
the saint whoserves while beset with muchdifficulty.
Loyalty of the saints now will be an encouragement to
men of the worht in the future. The world notes but
cannot now understand the ~x~al of the Lord’s people.
Whenthe spirit of the Lord is poured out upon all flesh
the people will comprehendthe loyalty of the saints.
Will it be said of you in that day that >’ou fought faith-
fully to the end in the army of the Lord? The people
will then know. (Psalm 87:8, 6) The loyal devotion
 WATCH TOWER
on the part of the saints will then be recalled, and will
be s tremendous influence to bring the world into obe-
dience to the new King.
OUR PURFOSE TO GLORIFY THE LORD
zlOne of the chief purposes in the development of
loyalty in the saints of the Gospel age is that they may
be an everlasting glory to the Lord. Other individuals
can appreciate the Lord as he manifests his character
in his works. Thus an artist or sculptor gains world-
wide recognition not by thinking, although that is nec-
essary as the initial step, but by expression in his works;
and the estimate on {he part of others having the mind
of appreciation is usually in proportion to the accom-
plishment.
22ThePsalmist, in calling forth praises to the Lord,
says: "The heavens declare the glory of God: and the
firmament showeth his handiwork." (Psalm 19:1) "All
thy works shall praise thee, 0 Lord; and thy saints
shall bless thee." (Psalm 145: 10) All beings and
things in the universe will ultimately be a glory and
praise to Jehovah. But the Christ is the masterpiece of
all creation, and joyful is the lot of the saints to bring
praises to the Lord forever.
2aThose whodo most for our lasting benefit are most
worthy of our affection and devotion. The Lord has
demonstrated time and again that he loves us. When
we were yet in sin he provided the ransom in his dear
Son. 0~ course Jehovah could have sent some other
being to earth, but he wished to demonstrate that love
of his by giving in sacrifice the treasure of his heart.
He has taken us into his confidence by revealing to us
his lolans and purposes--a favor entirely unmerited on
our part and granted only to a few; and he has also
called us his sons--sons of the great Jehovah. What a
favor! What should we do to prove to the dear Lord,
then, that we appreciate his loving kindness .9 It is not
by meditation alone and inactivity that we can make an
acceptable offer to him. Wemust render unto him our
reasonable service. (Romans12 : 1) Let us demonstrate
that we have faith in him and that we love him i~ the
same manner in which he loved us. Let us serve him
with a loyal spirit to the extent of our capacity.
HOW TO DEVELOP LOYALTY
24Unswervingcontinuance in the service of the Lord
is the keynote in the development of loyalty. Service
and loyalty are inseparable. Joyfully serving the inter-
ests of his kingdomresults in loyalty. Willing service,
faithfully performed by the Lord’s grace, in whatsoever
place assigned, will prepare one to stand firm in the
hour of trial. The little opportunities as well as the
more favorable develop consistency and constancy in
obedience, steadfastness in purpose, and stability of
character. A person with uncertain or careless disposi-
tion will have great difficulty in branding, and must of
necessity require an abundant measure of grace. Over-
comecarelessness by faithfully safeguarding the Lord’s
kingdominterests.
=~Jehovahcould speak with assurance concerning the
loyalty of his dear Son even before the Logos came to
earth. Before coming here the Logos was undoubtedly
the most active of all creatures in the Father’s service.
The consistency of his service was never questioned over
millenniums of time. The successful test as to loyalty
was the only logical thing that might have been ex-
pected. The Lord at no time yielded to the adversary.
He was persi:tent to the very end in declaring the truth,
in being spent in loving service for others, and in
praising the Father who led him.
=6The Lord has overruled the circumstances for us
that we also might demonstrate our loyalty. Many
avenues of service are provided in proclaiming the
message of the kingdom and of the presence of the
King. By engaging in this witness the brethren must
encounter obstacles and trials; but rejoice if you do,
for these crucial testings when successfully met result
in the transformation into the likeness of our Lord from
one degree of character developmealtto another. It will
require strong characters to stand the final tests.
REWARDS OF LOYALTY
27Thesaints this side the vail are nowhaving their
opportunities increased in proclaiming the message of
the presence of the King and his kingdom, and this
is a test of loyalty. This is a special privilege ; for by
honoring earth’s rightful King we bring praise and
credit to the Lord God, who arranged and approved
this plan. Those who honor the Son, those who are
zealously and continuously proclaiming the kingdom
message, are honoring the Father. (Matthew 10: 3g,
33; t John 4: 15, 16) Happy are they now who amidst
trials and difficulties can speak the Lord’s praises.
28A joyful lot is theirs who now have the Lord’s
approval. Wethcrefore should not seek our personal
gratification, neither the smile of mennor that of angels,
but the Lord’s pleasure and approval. If the Lord indi-
cates that we should proclaim a certain messageand ~vt
joyfully do so, great blessings will undoubtedlyfollow.
If one fails or refuses to seize the opportunities to honor
the King, and growsslothful, the service will be granted
to another more zealous. Weshould, therefore, never
grow wearyin well doing, but be on the alert and active,
that we might ever be found in the sunlight of God’l
favor. Maythe burden of our song ever be,
"With ready hands and loyal heart
I find myLord’s approval."
*~Those who are diligent in serving the Lord here
will have the great privilege of continuing the work in
glory. To each of this class the Lord says: ’qVell done,
thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over maakT
AUGUST15, 1923
WATCH TOWER 247

things : enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matthew Who are stewards, and what is required of them? What Is aeces-
sary to endurance? ¶ 4.
25 : 21) Again he says: "To him that overcometh will IIow are faith and loyany related? What is the difference between
them? ¶ 5.
I grant to sit with me in mythrone, even as I also What does the spirit teach concerning the latter times? Where
overcame, and am set down with sly ]gather in his are x~e now? ¶ t;.
What i~ manifested by unalloyed faith, and slmuhl it be conserved?
throne." (Revelation 3: 21) To them is granted the What is meant hy al)plying knex~le(lge according to the divine
ruh,’~ What is the fruit of failh’a ¶ 7.
kingly privilege of reigning with Christ Jesus to bless Who is our examl)le of h)yalty, and how shown~ ¶ S, 9.
Were lhero opportpnil,es for Jesus to sx~erve from lo)ally? Did he
mankind. They are to scatter the clouds of eonfnsion waver for a inolnen~ ? ¶ 9-
How ]m~e lhe loyal boss of God been hell)fUl to us* ¶10-12.
that have blinded the minds of men and made them Was, sulfering a part of the ransom-price? What is tile penalty for
dupes of tilt; wicked one. They will help the poor to sin ? ¶ 13.
Why did the Father permit his beloved Son tO suffer? Did Jesus’
eonle and joyfully worship at the feet of Jesus. They sufferim: benefit him personallv’~ ¶ 14.
Is the heart-loyally of Jesus’ follox~ers tested and are suffemngs
will be privilezed to aid ill the destrm’tlml of the house permitted with an object in view? If so, what in it? ¶ 15.
What will stimulate our faith? What will weaken il ? fly what
of Satan; and under the leadership of the great King IneallS illay we have ~ sure alfl*hor 1)o 3 ~111(1 1be ~, all "~ ¶ 1 (i
What is necessary lo ]eal’n the great lessou ~Jf sUl)lnissiou to tile
they will say to the prisoners: "Go forlh; and to them Father’s arrangcnlen{? 1)o we thlllk the Father lilts anything
that are in darkness, Showyourselves." ([saiah 49:9) to do with our present circumstances?
Why should we weigh carefully
¶ 17.
the experiences of Jesus? What
They will be llrivilege/l to open the blind eyes and to is Paul’s admonition to us? ¶ lb.
tIow may our brethren be influenced to greater zeal ill the Lord’s
bring out the prisoners h’oln the prison house and to service? ¶ 19.
cnlifhten them.--Isaiah 42:7. Is our continued obedience under (liflieultics a bl{~ssing lo anuel~?
How? Why? When will the worhl come to know this fact? ¶ 2{).
~°ghat a happy tot is ~lOWthat of the saints to serve The crystallizing of lhe Christian’s character through suffering is
for what purpose? ¶ 21, 22.
the Lord and show forth his praises! What a far more How dM Cod specially demonstrate his ]eve for us? What unmer-
exceeding and eternal weight of glory will be theirs as ite(1 la~or has he bhown ns? ~Vlly and how should, we respond?
’]23.
eoworkers with Christ in restoring manto the image of What bye things are inseparable? What Mnd of service results in
loyalty’? Who requires more abundant grace, and should this be
God! tIow transcendently more wonderful will be the striven against? ¶ 24.
glory and bles.,:ings enjoyed by them when in all {lie Was the loyalty
prove it? ¶25.
of Jesus to be expected? Why? IIow did he
endless ages God, ill his kindness, shall showforth nrto Is it a special favor that God demonstrates our loyalty? lIow
does he do it? ¶26.
them his exceeding grace through Christ! The price How may we honor the Son and ~he Fulher? Is it a pleasure to
of all these boundless blessings and glory is loyalty to announce the pre*ence of earth’s new l(lng? Why is this proe*
lamation a test of loyalty? ¶27.
the core. Whose approval should we seek? This is done sometimes at the
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY cost of what? ¶28.
Those who dlhgently and delighh,llly serve the Lord while taber-
Ilow
I is loyalty tested ~ What wouhl lessen the zeal of a soldier? ¶I 1. nacling in {he llcsll will have whal prlwleges in the future? ¶ 29.
I ~w ig loyalty defined ? llow is lovany e.Memm,dby h-:~Pbt hies’* ¶ 2. Is it a hapl)y lot now to seine Ihe l.ord? Will lhe future be
Why does loyalty nbound m the Scmptures? What does ae~us say glorious? Why? What is the l,mce the Lord has placed oa
about endurance? ¶ 3. these boundless blessings? ¶ 30.

DOES THE NEW CREATUREDIE ?

UESTION:After one has been a faithful Chris-
Q tian for sometime he (ties. is it proper to say
th’~t the newcreature dies ?
Answer: Yes. The llerson or creature whomyou
knew, with whomyou walked and talked, and whom
you ulnlerstood to be a failhful Christian, was known
as P, rother John. Washe a new creature? The atlostle
Paul answers: "If any nlan be in Christ, he is a new
creature." (2 Corinthians 5 : 17) "Noware we the sons
of God." (1 John 3:-2) The Psalmist seemed to refer
to the new creation when he wrote: "I have said, Ye
are gods [mighty ones] ; and all of you are the children
of the Most lIigh. But ye shall die like men, and fall
like one of the princes." (Psalm 82: 6, 7) By this
understand that every new creature in Christ dies; and
if he falls in death like Prince Lueifer, because of wilful
sin, there is no resurrection for him. If he falls in
death like Prince Jesus, being faithful unto death, then
a resurrection for him is certain.
~If we say that tim new creature does not die, we get
ourselves into lhe trap set by the devil long ago, when
he induced many to believe that there is no death. A
creature is either dead or alive. If alive, he must be
conscious. A creature is a eonseious, sentient, movii~g,
breathing being, if these quahties are absent cntlrcdy,
then he cmlnot be said to be aliw,. "The living know
that they shall die; but the dead knownot anything."
--Ecclesiastes 9 : 5.
4\Vhen John the Christian walked about in th:’~ earth
his organismwas of flesh and blood; and in this cr?,’an-
ism operated his will, mind, and heart. "Fle>.h a.nd
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." This ~’ame
question seemed to be troubling the early church. St.
Paul addressed an epistle to the Corinthians, in ~hich
he makes it plain that the new creature must (tie. He
says: "That which thou sowest is not quickened [tirade
alive], except it die." The Apostle then proceed: to
show that the resurrection is the hope of the sai~.ts;
and in order to make his proof strong upon this point,
he first establishes beyondquestion that Jesus died an,~
arose from the dead. Jesus was a new creature when
he died. That he was dead there can be no doubt; for
he himself said: "I am he that liveth, and was dead;
and, behold, I am alive for evermore." (Revelation 1:
 WATCH
18) St. Paul then says: "Nowis Christ risen from
the dead, and becomethe firstfruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death, by man came also the
resurrection of the dead. For as in Adamall die, even
so in Christ shall all be madealive."
5A creature that is not dead could not be resurrected.
If the creature is resurrected, then it follows conclu-
sively that the new creature must die. From the time
of Pentecost until the beginning of the resurrection of
the Faints (which we understand began in 1878), many
of the saints ceased to be on earth. Where were they ?
The Scriptures plainly answer that they were dead;
they knewnot anything, were unconscious, out of exis-
tence as completely as was Jesus during the three days
that he was in the tomb, and waiting for the resur-
rection.
GIt is true that the Apostle speaks of death as sleep;
but it is death, nevertheless. The word sleep gives the
thought that they will be awakenedout of death; that
is to say, be resurrected. Resurrection means a restand-
ing to life; and if already alive somewhere,resurrection
would be an impossibility. In his argument in proof of
the resurrection of the dead saints the Apostle says:
"It [meaning the creature, the being] is sown in cor-
ruption; it [the creature, the soul, the being] is raised
in incorruptio~. It is sownin dishonor ; it is raised in
glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
It is sown a natural body [that is to ~y, it goes into
death thus]; it [the erea:t+.~o the being] is raised a
spiritual body." Then says St. Patti: "As we have
borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the
image of the heavenly." Then, in order to show a dis-
tinetion in the length in time of suspended animation
or death between those who died before the coming of
the Lord and those who die after the resurrection
begins, he says: "Behold, I show you a mystery; we
st~all not all sleep, but we shall all be ehange<’l, in a
moment,in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed." Definitely he
states that those who have gone before are dead ; and
the only difference between them and the saints whodie
nowis, that the resurrection change of those dying at
the present time is instantaneous. This is due only to
the fact, however,that the Lord is present, talcing unto
himself the members of his body; and there would be
no reason why any should sleep in death after the I~rd
is present. This d~s not change the matter, however;
for the Christian John, whothis day lives and tomorrow
is not here, had to die in order to be clothed upon with
Thy will be done. And only this,
Whatever else is left undone;
And let obedience and bliss
Through all our lives and natures run.
TOWER
a glorious body, even though that change was instan-
taneous.
’The Apostle speaks of those who were once new
creatures, but who have repudiated the Lord, and who
have sinned wilfully after they received a knowledgeof
the truth, saying that for these "there remaineth no
moresacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for
of judgment and fie Windignation, which shall devour
the adversaries." (IIebrews 10: 26.07) St. Peter speaks
of these as though they were brute beasts, made to be
taken and destroyed. (2 Peter 2: 12) St. John says:
"There is a sin unto death" (1 John 5: lC,); and
this we understand that there is no resnrreetion for
such. These are they that fall like Prince lmcifer;
that is to say, because of wilful and dclihc, rate sin;
and for such there awaits only eternaI de>lruction w Jill-
out resurrection.
8The apostle Paul then makesit clear that he expected
to die, but his great hope was to participate in the
resurrection of Christ. He say~: "I count all things
but loss for the excellency of the knowledgeof Christ
Jesus my Lord; . . . that I may win Christ, and be
found in him, not having mine own righteollsness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the
faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God hv
faith; that I may know him, and the power of h,s
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being
made conformable unto his death; if by any means I
might attah~ unto the resurrection of the dead." (Phil-
ippians 3:8-11) Surely no one can raise the qnestion
successfully that St. Paul was not a new creature; and
it being admitted that he xyas a new creature, that his
great hope was in the resurrection, and that he must
be made eonformaMeto the death of Christ in order
to be partaker of the resurrection, it follows that the
new creature dies. If his death is eonformahle to the
death of Christ, then he shall be like Christ Jesus in
the resurrection. Thus he falls like Prince ,Iesus; and
when he (Christ Jesus) shall appear, then those who
participate with him in his resurrection shall he like
him; for "we knowthat, when he shall appear, we shall
be like him ; for we shall see himas he is."--i John3 : 2.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Is it proper to say lhat the tew creature dies? ¶ 1, 2.
Is it consistent to say that the new creature (l~es not die? ¶ 3.
Give two strong proof texts ~hich allow that the new creature
does die. ¶ 4.
Do Christians iutve a resurrection hope?To experiencea re~nr-
rection one ldllst first do what? ¶ 5.
~That does "sleep" bometimes ~ignify? Is the death of the saintS
real? ¶ 6,
Who are they uho fall like Prince l,ncifer "~ ¶ 7.
Did St. Paul as a new creature expect to die? Did Paul fall like
Prince Jesus? ¶ S.
Thy will be done. And can we say
This sweet acknowledgment of trust
In that sincere and hmnble way
Which every true believer must!
 PRAYER- MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXTFORSEPTEMBER 19
"For through him we-have access by one spirit unto
the Father."--Ephesians 2: 18.
T HASpleased Jehovah to employ many centuries
I and nmchwork in the preparation of his house of
sons, of which Jesus is the Head. This new creation
is likened by the Prophet and the Apostle unto a beau-
tiful building, Christ Jesus being the chief cornerstone,
and all the membersof the house being built upon the
foundation of Christ Jesus, fitted, polished and trans-
formed into his likeness. Each memberof the building
must be fitly framed together, all madeinto conformity
to the Lord and grow up into a holy temple.
Before one can begin to be shaped and prepared
for this glorious temple of God he must have access to
the Father; and there is but one means of access, and
that is by one spirit through Christ Jesus. After one
has been justified, anointed, and begotten ef his holy
spirit, then the work of preparation begins. This work
mtlst be from that tmle forward continuous, unabating;
and unless it is a continuous, progressive movementthe
creature will suffer a retrograde movement.The impor-
tance, therefore, of being occupied with things pertain-
ing to the Lord’s kingdomcannot be overstated. Since
the mind is the chief place of transformation, the mind
must be employed, and therefore the hands, in things
pertaining to the Lord’s kingdom, insofar as it lies
within our power. In fact, everything should be done
as unto the Lord.
There is nothing which can give a person so much
satisfaction and joy of heart as co-laboring with our
Lord in building ourselves into his glorious likeness.
The more fully we can appreciate that the Lord’s
kingdom is here, that this kingdom will relieve man-
kind from suffering and establish the worht that it can-
not be moved, and that we have partnership with the
Lord in this glorious work, the more will our hearts be
movedto joy and action, looking foI~vard to this blessed
result to the human race. This is the spirit of the
Master, and it must be the spirit of each one who is
to be madeinto his likeness.
THE INCOMING KINGDOM
"O(;olden Age, whoselight is of the dawn,
Andnot of sunset, forwnrd,not behind,
Flood the newheavensand earth, andwith thee bring
All the old virtues, whqlsoeverthings
Are pure and honest and of good repute.
But add thereto whateverbard has sung
Orseer has told of whenin heaven-sentdream
Hesaw the HappyIsles of prophecy.
Let Justice hold the scale, andTruthdivide
Betweenthe right and wrong;but give the heart
Thefreedomof its fair inheritance.
$t9
TEXTFORSEPTEMBER 26
"’In whomye also are builded together for an hab~ta.
tion of Godthrough the spirit."---Ephesians 2: 22.
HE temple of God is aptly and beautifully pic-
T tured by the Great Pyramid, the capstone or
chief stone representing our Lord. Until the
buihlers of the Pyramid recognized that stone as a
pattern for the entire structure, necessarily it would
be rejected by them. Even ~o every one who has at,
tempted to come into harmony with God and who has
not understood his way through Christ has rejected
Christ Jesus, not realizing that there is no other way
whereby men can be saved. St. Peter, speaking of the
temple of God, says that Christ ,Iesu~ i~ the chief
cornerstone and that all others are hkewiseliving stones,
"built up a spiritual house, a holy prie~-tbooq, to offer
up sacrifices acceptable to Godby Jesus Chri,,t."
When the Great Pyramid was ebmpleted, it was a
beautiful budding and the joy of all Egypt. Even so,
when this glorious temple of Jehovah is completed it
will be the joy of the whole earth. (P~alm 48: 2)
will constitute a habitation of Godthrough his spirit;
that is to say, his spirit there operating through the
agency of the Christ will minister blessings to M1the
families of the earth. "For the l~ord hath chosen Zion ;
he hath desired it for his ha|)itation." (Psalm 132: 13)
"His dwelling place is in Zion." (Psalm 76 : 2) Through
Zion God will plant the heavens and lay the founda-
tions of the earth, establi,-hing mankindin peace and
happiness. (Isaiah 51: 1(;) It, will be out from this
temple that the waters of life will flow, bringing vital-
ity, refreshment, heahng and restoration of life to t, he
human race. It will be from the Father and by his
Christ, and will result in everlasting blessings to man,
This glorious temple of the Lord will be complete
when the last menlber is fitted and polished and put
into position. Weare 1low nearing the tram of eom-
pleteness ;hcnce it behoovesthe prospective living stones
therein to avail themseh’es of every opportunity and
means the l~ord has provided for this transformation
into the glorious likeness of the Head, and to be made
a part of this holy temple of the Lord.
"Let the poor prisoner, crampedand starved so long,
At nature’s tahle feast his ear and eye
With joy and wonder. Let all harmonies
Of sonud, form, color, n~otiolh wait upon
The princely guest, whether in soft attire
Of leisure elad or in coarse frock of toil;
Andlending life to the dead fm’mof faith,
Give hllnlan Nature reverence for the sake
Of One whobore it, making it divine
With the ineffable tenderness of God....
Andmanmoreprecious than the gold of Ophir."
 TIMOTHY, A GU, GD MINISTER OF CHRIST JESUS
--SEPTEMBER
2;)~ ACTS16 : l-:l ; PIIILIPPIANS 2 : 19-22 ; 2 TIMOTHY
TIMOTHY
ffOINS PAULIN THE:MilNISTRY--TII~fOTtfY ENTERS
RFSPONS]:BLE
SERVICE--FAITHFUL
"Be thou an example to them that behere, m ~cord, i~ m~lJttwr of lile,
--1 Timothe 4: 12, R. V.
T IMOTHYhas a well-merited
men of the New Test’anent,
in the qualities
place anlong the great
though perhaps he hwked
which nmke a man great in the eyes
of his fellow men. He had a fine spirit; and in the king-
dom of grace miracles are wrought. Out of the litlle
man has God nmkes great things. It was, of course, his
association with Paul which God used to mqke Timothy
gre’tt. History has no record of an3thing nmrc baauliful
than Paul’s love and (,are ’rod desire for TiInolhy anti his
adv’meement, both personally and ill the life of the chur(.h.
Paul’s .heart yearned over him as the heart of a falhor
over a beloved child. Writing to him (2 Timothy 1 : 2) Paul
says: "To Timothy, my dearly beloved son," and, "Unto
Tinmthy, my own son in the faith."--i Timothy 1:2.
=Paul first saw Timothy when he and Barnabas were at
Lystra in Galatia. Very probably it was lo tile home of
Tinmthy’s mother that Paul was taken when he was in-
jured by the mob and left for dead. (Acts 14:19) In that
ease the youth would help to nurse Paul, and have the
double privilege of waiting on him and enjoying his com-
pany. Already well versed in the Scriptures (for both his
mother and grandmother had been diligent in training him
~2 Timothy 1 : 5 ; 3 : 15), he would be drawn to the wonder-
ful lmm who could tell him their meaning, and who was
so full of grace, and so free from ill-feeling towards those
who had injured hinL And Paul would find a delight in
explaining the truth about Jesus the Messiah. As Timothy
was not circumcised it is clear that his father was not a
Jew; and as no mention is made og him, it is probable
that he died when Timothy was young. Evidently well
disposed, and while making no objection t~) the training of
Tilnothy in the Jewish Scriptures, he had objected to cir-
cmncision. The Apostle and the youth would see each other
again a few months later, when Paul and Barnabas were
making their return journey to Antioch. After that time,
about five years elapsed before they again met.
TIMOTHYJOINS PAUL IN TttE MINISTRY
aBarnabas and Mark had gone to Cyprus; and Paul and
Silas had crossed the t’iliei.m mountains and again arrived
at L3slra and Timothy’s home. By that time Timothy had
arrived "It early malAmod. Paul needed some one with him
to render sueh service as Mark ndght have given. There
were tim parchments to attend to, and help was necessary
in his hqter writing, as well as in other things; for Paul’s
sight was poor. And beyond these things, he felt the desire
for one who could be as a son to hinl, and the need of one
whom he could trai~l to his mind, and to whmn later might
be delegated some of lhe care of the ehurehes. Paul wanted
a son to be with him and to carry On his work. The pro-
posal to join Paul was m:tde and agreed to.
4But Tiumthy wqs not circumcised; and as Paul’s first
ministry in all the places he visited was to the Jews, he
decided that Timothy should be circumcised; and this was
done. It has heen slid that Paul was inconsistent in this.
There was no inconsistency. Paul was never opposed to
ciremneision in itself. He fought those who claimed that
it was a necessity to acceptance with God, and who thereby
placed it on nn equality with faith, and thus denied that
the deatl~ of Christ was the only means of salvation. This
Paul would not allow /or a moment. In the ease of Time-
1 : 1-6 ; 3 : 14, 15--
SONTO THEEND; DIES A ~IARTYIL
iJ~ locc, in faith, i~ purdy."
thy Paul saw that, if he were to take him as he was, at
every meeting of Jews they would refuse to allow Timothy
to address them or to fellowship with them; and he himself
would be under the necessity of spending a great poriion
a of his time in ar~ming the matter of circumcision, it was
therefore to avoid prejudice and waste of time, and because
there was no Irulh nt stake that he eaused Timothy to be
circumcised. Some have said that Paul put aside his prin-
ciples and took policy instead. IIe did not; he was con-
sistent with tile highest principle, that of doing good to all
by the best means, and of gaining his end without fighling
unnecessqry battles. Probably Timothy was about twenls-
one to twenty-three 5"ears of age when he joined I’aul.
~Leaving Lystra they went forward towards Trois and
then, guided by Patti’s vision, on to Philippi, in Mace(Ionia.
There they had lhe pleasurable experience of fipdin;r a
eompany ready for the tmlth, and Paul and SilLs lind ihe
bitter experience of being beaten and east into pci. on.
Leaving Luke behind in Philippi, they went on to The.-sa-
lonica. There very soon the Jews nmde an uproar; an(l
as danger thre’ttened Paul and Sil’ts, the brethren sent
them by night into Berea. From Berea Paul went on to
Athens, while Silas and Timothy stayed behind and hellled
the Bereans in their studies. Paul soon sent for the Ix~o
brethren to come to Athens; but being disappoinled in
Athens, he went on to Corinth. There he felt his loneliness,
and his inability to nmke an impression upon the Euro-
peans pressed upon his spirit, fie was eneountged by tne
arrival of Silas and Timothy from Berea; and the Lord
also gave him encourageluent by a vision. (Acts 18:9-11)
Paul stayed there a year and six ~nonths.
TIMOTHY ENTERS RESPONSIBLE SERVICE
6Timothy was early put into responsihility. When Paul
had been in Corinth for a time, he was distressed by news
from Thessaloniea. Trouble had arisen in the chm’eh through
false teachers. Paul sent young Timothy to help them.
This was Timothy’s first separate work, though he already
had some experience gained in the churches in Lystra and
Ieonium; for when Paul took him from home he was
already well reported of by the brethren there. (Acts 16:2)
Evidently Tinmthy helped the 1)reihren in Thessalonica and
was suc(.cssful in his mission ; for he brought news to Paul
in Corinih which cheered hilu mu(.h. (1 Thessalonians 3 : 2,
Ite continued to labor with Paul in Corinth (2 Corinthi:ms
1: 19); "rod titan for a time there is no record of him.
This do~*s not mean that he dropped out of the work; for
Paul wouhl see that Timothy was in service; and Tim(~hy
was so ardent a disciple, so wholly given to the Lord, that
as a man with the love of God and the brethren in his
heart, he could not remain idle.
7Later Timothy labored with Paul in Ephesus, but was
sent to Macedonia, and to go on to Corinth, a little tilne
before Alexander the coppersmith stirred the populace in
Ephesus, and the riot occurred which is recorded in Acts
19. In eonunending Timoti~y to the Corinthians, Paul said
that the young man would put them in remembrance of his
own ways in Christ. (1Corinthians 4: 17) This is a great
commendation fronl the Apostle; it reveals much of Timo-
thy’s earnest study, and his desire to fall into Paul’s ways.
He would copy Paul not only because Paul’s ways com-
mended themselves to him, but because he wanted to adjust
 WATCH TOWER
himself to l’aul’s mind so that Paul might find in him such which will guide the church In the many things which
satisfaction as he sought. And Paul’s heart was made glad. affect its life. Here is instruction for the young man to
*Assurediy it was a delight to Paul to be able to com- guide his way through life, that he may help himself to
mence so many of Ills letters to the churches with "Paul the things of God and at the same time that he may know
and Timothy." (2Corinthians 1: 1) These are things spe- how to conduct himself ill the church of God. His exhorta-
cially to be noted In Paul’s references to Timothy. He says tions to Timothy to be brave may have been prompted by a
of him: "I have no man ]ikeminded, who will naturally measure of timidity on Tinmthy’s part; for as we have
care for your state; for all seek their own." (Philippians suggested, being lowly in mind he would be apt to be over-
2:20) This eammt be taken as a general condemnation of borne by loud-spoken and pushful brethren. It does not
all the other faithful helpers who were associated with follow that Timothy was specially lacking any more than
Paul; but it tells Its own truth; for Paul had none with the five injunctions given to Joshua to be strong and of a
him who looked at the Lord’s work just as Timothy did. good courage are intimations that he was too timid for his
He continues: "Ye know the proof of him, that, as the son task. The words in both cases were given to strengthen the
with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel." servant of God.
(Philippians 2:22) Again Paul says of him: "IIe worketh ~sPaul enjoined Timothy to stir up the gift that was In
the work of the Lord, as I also do." (1 Corinthians 16: 10) him (2Timothy 1: 6) and to give himself to reading,
Evidently Tim~)thy well deserved the affectionate word of diligence, gravity, and sobriety of demeanor. These things
Paul--"Timothy, mine own son in the gospel." are those which really help in the Christian life. So many
9But Timothy was timid, not fearful of trials and diffi- seem to want to use the spare moments not specially set
culties, as perhaps Mark had been, but of persons, and also apart for meetings and work as occasions for mirth and
as to his capabilities. This is not surprising; for his ~uth even frivolity. This course, however innocent the mirth
had been spent in the highlands of Galatia, and he had not may seem, does not tend to help the servant of the Lord
been thrown into the company which city life afforded. to make increase; it does not pay. Timothy was somewhat
He was readily abashed, and he felt his youthfulness. inclined to asceticism; and Paul told him not to confine
Paul tells the Corinthians to see’that Timothy has no himself to water to drink, but to take a little wine for his
cause for fear when coming amongst them, and that they stomach’s sake and for his often infirmities.--1 Tim 5:23.
are nor to despise him. (1Corinthians 16: 11) Paul him- ~aTimothy was perhaps rather hardly placed in being
self could stand up to the greatest, whether in Antioch, or made Paul’s special messenger and the repository of his
Ephesus, or Corinth, or Athens. (2Corinthians 10:13,14) thoughts. Probably this relationship had sonmthing to do
But Timothy had neither the education to enable him thus with the lack of warmth which he sometimes felt in the
to emulate his leader, nor that forward disposition of the churche& All the churches could sing the praises of Luke
pioneer which Paul had in so large a measure. or Barnabas; but Timothy represented authority, and the
~OLittle Is said In the Scripture of the work which Timo- Lord’s people seen] to have as much difficulty in this matter
thy did, but his place is a large one. Because in his Epistles as any others, and perhaps even more than some. The llow
to Timothy Paul gives much counsel to him, it has been of love is often unthinkingly restrained.
sug.~ested that Paul was somewhat disappointed in him. ~4There is no direct record of Timothy’s success in ser-
They suppose that Paul wrote to correct mistakes or a vice, but he is mentioned in sixteen places in the New
lack which Timothy manifested. We suggest that these Testament. Six of these tell of the oneness between I’aul
words of counsel are to be looked at from an altogether and himself; in four he is spoken of as Paul’s son ,~nd
different point of view, and that Paul was not disappointed heir, and in six he is associated with Paul in the cpisllo,.
In Timothy. When Paul took Timothy to be with hhn he Of the sere’ice Timothy rendered to Paul, that was not the
knew that tie was not choosing a robust young man, nor least which he gave when he placed himself under Paul’s
one who was of a pushing, determinate character. Paul care; for lie gave that whole-hearted servant of God the
knew temperament well enough to know that while he was opportunity to love and care for a true son in the faith.
taking Timothy to minister to him he himself would need Timothy stayed with Paul in Rome in times of danger, and
to have care over Thnothy. We suggest that Paul chose is said at last to have suffered martyrdom for his faith.
Timothy for the gentle spirit he already manifested, and
because he saw In Timothy the disposition of a caretaker. QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
The exhortations in the two Epistles to Timothy are con-
What brought Timothy to prominence in the Scriptures? How
sistent with this. Paul took the occasion to give instruction does Paul a(ldr~us him? ¶ 1.
to him, and through him to the many, and especially the When did Paul first meet Timothy? What were the probable cir-
young men who would read his words and be guided by cumstances of the acquaintanceship? tIow and by whomwas
Timothy trained? ¶ 2.
them. Timothy provided Paul with an outlet for his heart. After five years, what proposal did Paul make to Timothy? HOw
could Timothy be a "son" to Paul? ¶ 3.
Also he had much to say to the church, and for its galidance Why was Timothy not circumcised? Why was it done later? Was
In general affairs; and to guide the servants of the church Paul inconsistent in this? What was gained by having Timothy
at all times, as well as to guide a young man in his way, circumcised? ¶ 4.
Tell more of the travels of Paul, Timothy, Luke, and Silas.¶ 5.
he gave this specific counsel to Timothy. Was Timothy a promising young man? Where was Timothy sent? ¶ 6.
What is revealed in the loving words of 1 Corinthians 4 : 177 ¶ 7.
What other goc~l tlnngs were said of Timothy? What do these
FAITHFUL SON TO END; DIES MARTYR imply? ¶ 8.
nThese things could not well be given In the epistles to What are some of the finer inslgh~s into the life of Timothy as
compared with Paul? ¶ 9.
the churches; for those were primarily intended to set Was Paul disappointed in Timothy? What is the meaning of the
forth doctrines either directly, as in Romans, or by corree- words of counsel which Paul wrote to him? Was Paul’s relation
to him somewhat akin to that of a father? How was Timothy
lion, as In the Corinthian epistles, or of experience, as in an outlet to Paul’s heart? ¶ 10.
~Iow do Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus ffiffer from hts other
tim captivity epistles--Ephesians, Philippi]us, and Colos- writings? What twofold purpose did they sexwe? ¶ 11,
stuns. Using a familiar illustration, we might say that the Is Paul’s admonition to Timothy to give himself to reaclln~, to
diligence, gravity, and sobriety, profitable to us, also? ¶ 12.
Epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus are to the general Did Timothy have a hard position to fill? Whydid lie sometimes
church what the sixth volume of the SCRIPTURESTUDIESIB feel the coldness in the congregations? ¶ 13.
tlow many times is Timothy referred to in Scripture? Where and
to the church of this day. Here is a fatherly care, advice how did he spaud hi8 last days~ ~ 14.
 GREAT MEN AND WOMEN OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
---SEI’TEMBER 3(~ QUARTERLY
REVIEW
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of w~tnesses, lay aside every weight, and the
sin which cloth so easily beset us, and let its run with patience the race that ta 8el be/ore us."--Hebrews 12:I.

D URING the past three months we have kept company

with lhe lnost noted lnen and women of tile New
Testament, and have entered into their labors. The
men of tile
according
household
to his ea~mstness
of faith. His developnmnt
and love; he was a great
lover and devoted follower of Jesus. IIe is an example of
was

record is a treasure fronl which we are exp,’clod to draw how llle Lord uses not only tile ability of his servanls, but
for our refreshment for heart "rod mind, and get lessons in also lheir personality and eireumsianees. Our study showed
true service; for all these noble men and women served in us lhat very many of those sayings of Jesus intended as
lowliness of mind, and their spirit is contagious, and ener- instruction lo lhe church arose out of Peter’s blunders or
gizes to more earnest service for our Lord and theirs. illdi’~eretions or out of his curiosity or out of his questioning
2JOIIN THE I~.\PT1ST was a nlaa fitted to face a storm. minll. Peter was a nnln of character, bold and venture-
Altlmugli limited in general knowledge, he was well edu- sonic, and wllerl "converted" was well fitted to be the
cated in the requirements of tile l,aw. Blessed by God leader of tlm little band of the qpostles and therefore of
through his father Zaeharias, and knowing that he v, as set the early church. His fear on the night of tile betrayal
apart for God, his kP~owledge of the truth made him more wqs a h M b:’eak which served Io cnlphasize the general
than a match for the proud aud lmughty Plmrisees and boldness of his character. A man’s weak place may be
Saddueees who questioned or opposed Ills ndnistry. God’s looked for where his strength seems to be.
serwmts are not sent out with a meager preparation. His ~Like Peter, the beloved disciple JOHX had been stirred
truth is their buckler and shield (Psahu 91:4) and Iris by John the Baptist. It was not in Jerusalem or in Judea
Word their well-spring. (John 4: 14; Psahn 45: 1, margin) lh:lt John found the waiting hearts; it was in unexpeeled
His servants are at any time nmre than conquerors against Galilee. ( Isaiah 9:1, 2) John was of Galilee, earning his livhlg
all opposing persons or ciremns~:lnees. ()pposed by ally foe, on the lake along with Peter and olhers. Less hoister(ms
they are always in the snl)erior posilion. Character set for than Peter, less quirk also, John whose heart Was more
God is that which nmkes a man gre’tt. In John tile Baptist receptive was just the one who could be used to express
locusts and wild honey and tile wilderness experience, with Jesus’ deeper leaehings. He gives nlore detail of tire i’mer
the truth of God and a desire to serve hitn, produced a life of Jesus, tile life which is in the Word, and which is
greater man than any to be found in the schools of Jerusa- the light of men, than do any of lhe other writers. He
lem. The record of John is that nolle born of woman was shows tlmt the Word of God is life. (John 6:63; 1:4)
greater than he. (Matthew 11:11) His greatness is shown Peter was often as a mountain stream in spate; :John was
in his earnestness in the work given to him, in his ability as a waterbrook, never dry, a sweetly llowing stream of
to wait till God sent him, in the bohlness of faith which life. There is no record of his work during the time of the
enabled hinl to pro:qaim a present Lord, and ill his lowli- Acts; but his epistles, his Gospel, and the Apocalypse tell
ness of lnind in keeping his ldaee as tile friend of the of his maturity and of his fidelity unto the end. Witllout
bridegroom. (John 3:29,30) He was tile last of the noble doubt John’s steadiness and his deep understanding of lhe
band of men who are to be princes in the earthly phase of things of God greatly helped and enriched the early churell.
the killgdoni of heaven. (Psahn 45:16) John was not per- He was always eonfident.--1John 1:1-4.
mitted to get beyond the threshold of the temple of grace, 6~IATTIIEW tile publican was also one-who waited for the
and the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he; hope of Israel. An earnest Jew he lind courage enough to
for according to the Imrpose of God John was of the house earn his living as one of tile nmeh despised publicans. No
of servants, while tile footstep followers of .Jesus are privi- doubt this characteristic enabled him lo leave his work so
leged to be of the sons of the fmnily.--Hebrews 2:10. quieldy when called by Jesus, and also to become openly
aAfter John, canto tim study of that noble woman so associated with the despised Nazarene. It was not a mere
honored among women by being privileged to be the mother imlmlSe nor boldness which moved Matthew; he had tile
of the child Jesus. God always has those who will serve courage of conviction. In writing his account of our Lord’s
him, and the sweet maiden of Nazareth wqs ready for the life he had before Mmthe desire to set lhe words and
call. IIer lmrity and true womanly development fitted her work of Jesus in relation to the hope of Israel, and to show
for the responMllility of having the care of the young child, that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the propimeies which lind
and of the ynuthhood of the only begotten of the Father. gone forth relative to the Messiah. It is in Matthew’s
(aolm 1: 14) But Mary did not perceive tile true place Gospel lhat we find the parables of the kingdom most
her son until after he had gone froln her: a reminder to clearly recorded and fully set forth, both those which have
us that one may live very near to the glory of God and to do with tile embryo phase (Matthew 13) and those
miss its refulgence and warmth. The incidents at Cana concerning its setting up in power.--Matthew 24, 25.
and Cai)erlmlnn reveal that Mary inade a mistake common 7With tile study of M_uc¢ ~IAGDALENE, came a phase in
to lmrellls--that of wanting to dirc~’t and order the life of the service of Jesus not always noticed. It is not given us
their children, even in adult years. (John 2: 4; Mark 3: 31) to know just how much this noble, self-sacrificing woman
Jesus had to restrain his mother on both oeeasions. Parents bellied the work of the Lord, but that she was of service
are tenlpted to claim too nmch time and attention from is plain. Mary Magdalene is a notable example of an able
their grown sons and daughters, who are sonmtinms sorely WOlnan rescued from tile power of demons, thereafter de-
tried to know how far their responsibility should limit their wiling her life to the service of her deliverer. She and
service for tile Lord. Proper obligations, actual need, may some other women ~)f note served Jesus of their substance
be considered a first charge; but tim Lord’s service must during his work in Galilee (Luke 8:3) and, faithful
always have first consideration. the end, were near him at Calvary. (John 19: 25) Besides
4PETEI¢ came early into Jesus’ life, even as soon as he John, we know of no apostle being there. It is not God’s
began his ministry. Full of hmnan nature, and not at all will that women be appointed to .oilier in his church (1
the type of man who might be thought of as a leader of Timothy 2: 12), but it has pleased ]linl to have some rise to
the elect of God, Peter developed into one of the noble heights of character and service wl~ieh have been examples
AUGUST
15, 1923
WATCH TOWER
to all. The service of sisters if not so noticeable is none
the less necessary. And now in these last days there is
work for faithful women as for men; and great is the
company of women who are telling from door to door the
good news of the kingdom. Beside the reward which fol-
lows all righteousness, Mary got the special one of having
the Lord’s first word after his resurrccti~)n. None sought
to live nearer her Lord than did she; and her reward was
according to the measure of her love and service.
SProbably it was through the hospitable disposition
the sisters .~{ARTHAand ~,iAgY that the Lord first went to
Bethany. Where lmspitality is given for the purpose of
display the spirit of the world enters and harm is done,
but where it is given for the refreshment of the saints the
rich blessing of the Lord is thege. The Lord loves a cheer-
ful giver. (2 Corinthians 9: 7) At Bethany the Lord took
occasion to tell how |lmse things should be regulated. First
things should be first, and spiritual portions are better than
many courses and much display. (Luke 10: 42) The death
of Lazarus and the suffering of the sisters remind us that
consecration includes life itself as well as its powers and
abilities.
9To STErm,:N was given the honor of being the first
martyr. A man of character and ability he was, after the
apostles, the first nmn of note in the church. On accepting
tim truth he gave himself wholly to the Lord, and the
Lord blessed him with a full measure of the holy spirit
and of faith. It might have been considered tbat Stephen,
who was a Hellenist and who therefore belonged to the
outer world, would be used of God for the furtherance
the truth in the distant lands; but the Lord had the apostle
Paul in view, and his own appointed place and work for
Stephen. Apparently to help to crystallize the faith of the
church and to publish the truth abroad in the world, there
was a need, for one to witness to the risen Christ and to
suffer for that witness. Stephen was privileged to this
service for his Master. His death wrought more than his
life would have done; for it is a light that has illumined
the whole church. The lesson for God’s people is to remem-
ber that they are his, body and soul; and that their ser-
vice is dependent upon his plan. If God chose to bring for-
ward a great instrunlent and use it but once, he must be
trusted to know why he does so; and if we are sometimes
used specially and not again, that is the Master’s business,
not ours.
~OThe study of BARiN’ABASof tile generous heart is a
delight. The Acts of tile Apostles was, amongst other rea-
sons, written to show how the truth went abroad from
Jerusalem; and therefore it does not tell us more than is
necessary of the work there. We know that great numbers
believed and joined tile church. But the church in Jerusa-
lem was much helped by the Jews from other countries.
Barnabas was one of the earliest to sell his property and
give the money to the Lord’s cause. He was the first
take Paul in hand, an act which shows that he had percep-
tion and was a man of kindly disposition. Also it was he
who sought out Paul when he was laboring alone in
Cilicia, and brought him from there to serve the churOt
in Antioch. Under the band of the Lord it was Barnabas
who started Paul on his work. Barnabas made a mistake
in holding on to his nephew Mark instead of accepting
Paul’s judgment; for the Lord had indicated that when
with Paul he should serve under Paul’s. leadership; and
in this instance Barnabas really declined to do so. (Acts
15: 38, 39) Here is a lesson of importance for tile Lord’s
people at all times; but it is particularly applicqh]e now,
when there are so many temptations to the Lord’s people
to take their own way instead of accepting the guidance
which God so clearly gjve~
=aa
nNext to his Master, PAWis the outstanding figure of
the New Testament. Designed by God to be the Apostle to
the Gentiles (Galatians 1: 15, 16; Ephesians 3: 8), with his
early training in the Scriptures, and a heart capable of
expansion, he needed but to know the truth concerning
Jesus to enter into the fulness of the life of Jesus and to
turn all his learning and training into his Master’s service.
He had wished to serve God, and that desire saved him.
tie honored God the moment he saw the truth. It was to
of Paul that the Lord gave the revelations necessary to the
instruction of the church. He became in a special way the
Lord’s mouthpiece. But the way of the Lord must be noted.
Paul was not set in tile church as its teacher. The truths
came forth as there seemed to be a need for them in its
life. Paul’s greatest work was done, and the deepest truths
were given, like those of his Master, not out of a set phm
but out of a need. Thus does God teach, and thus does he
try both teacher and pupil; for unless restrained by grace
the one would teach out of time, and the scholar would
desire to learn things which are not meat in due season.
~2Any consideration of MARK draws the heart out to him.
A young man sheltered in his mother’s home and care, he
was brought into a prominence which at one time seemed
almost too much for him. That he had a desire to serve
tim Lord Jesus is clear; otherwise he would not have left
Jerusalem for Antioch with his uncle and the apostle Paul.
He failed when at Perga he decided not to go forward with
the work the Lord had given him the privilege to do. (Acts
13: 13) Whatever the reason of the failure Mark made
amends. His Gospel is written with the thought of service
of
in mind, and also with the tlmught of restoration promi-
nent. He sets forth Jesus as the servant of Jehovah urgent
in his Father’s business. Let every heart take courage from
the Lord’s grace toward Mark, and every one take heed to
learn the lesson lm learned.
13LUKE, the beloved physician, was a Gentile. We are
not told any particulars of his early life, nor of his entrance
into the faith; and though he occupies a large space in the
picture of the life of the early church, the outlines of his
association are not marked. A man of deeply sympathetic
nature he proved a helpful companion to the apostle Paul,
and was evidently very useful to the churches. (2 Timothy
4:11) The Lord used this man of ability with tile sympa-
thetic heart to delineate in his Gospel the work of the
Lord as the Son of Man healing and blessing the race, and
to set forth the love of God in parables which are the
delight of the church. Although the writings of Luke
occupy so large a space in tile New Testament, he himself
is mentioned only three times; and even those are but as
passing remarks. Luke leanmd to serve by being instant
to the opportunity, doing all he could without looking for
any outward reward. The Lord has rewarded him greatly.
14TIMOTHY,the beloved son of Paul by the spirit and in
to the faith of Jesus Christ, has a place apart. He seems to
spring out of the heart of the Apostle. There is but little
probability that Timothy would have had a 1)lace in the
New Testament, had not I’aul taken him to himself and
carried him away from home to minister in him and to
train him for a ministry to tile churches. A gentle, faith-
ful character, Paul found in Timothy what he sought, one
who would serve his present needs and, e’~tching his mind
and spirit would, even after Paul was taken away, continue
to serve the ehur(’h as Paul would desire. When nearly at
the end of his life, Paul wrote at length to Timothy, com-
mitting tile things necessary to guide the church of God.
Timothy was as a repository, but actually was a channel.
Under the guidance of the Lord tl)ese precious words are
the inheritance of the church.
254
WATCH TOWER
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
With whomhave we been keeping companyduring the past quar-
ter ? ¶ 1.
Whowas fitted to face a storm, and more than a match for those
who opposed his ministry? John the Baptist was the last of
whatclass ? ¶ 2.
Whendid Jesus’ mother recognize his true worth? Whatcommon
mistake did she make? Why was she chosen of God for the
mothering of his Son? ¶ 3.
Which apostle was used repeatedly by the Lord to give instruc-
tions Io lhe church? Howwas it done? 74.
Which apostle gives more in detail the inner life of Jesus? Why
could he do this? Wasit in fulfilment of Scripture that most
of the apos|les were chosen from Galilee? ¶ 5.
What: moved Matthew to become a disciple of Jesus? Whatplace
did he fill as a writer? ¶ 6.
Whowas rescued from the demons and afterward becamea devoted
BROOKLYN,
~. ~.
servant of the Lord Jesus? Whatwas her special reward? ¶ 7.
Whatshould be tile motive back of all hospitality for it to be
pleasing to the Lord? To whomdid 3esus teach true hospital-
ity "!¶ 8.
Howhas Stephen best served the Lord’s cause---by his life or his
death? Whatare God’s people to remember?¶ 9.
Whatwas the large place Bamaabasfilled in the early church?
Whyshould his mistake be a special lesson to us? ¶ 10.
Whois the outstanding figure of the NewTestament, becomingin
a slmeial sense the Lord’s mouthpiece? Howdid he turn all his
learning and training to the Master’s service? ¶ 11.
Whostarted out as a very young manto serve the Lord, aJad
becameof great service to the whole church?¶ 12.
What Gentile wrote a considerable portion of the Bible, whose
name is scarcely mentioned? Howdid he specially serve? ¶ 13.
Whoalso shares a place of prominence in the NewTestament,
who, without his association with Paul, would hardly have been
mentioned? Howdid Paul train him? ¶ 14.

INTERESTING LETTERS
REJOICES IN SERVICE The very large majority of the friends I meet are heartily
[)EAI~ BROTIIFAI RUTHERFORD approving the SocmwY’s vigor in putting forth this gospel
message. They themselves are active and energetic and
I have never written you a personal letter before, know- seem to feel and realize the shortness of the time and are
lag that you are a busy man, but at the present minute I
earnestly endeavoring to proclaim tim truth. They are not
am compelled to use my pen to do so. satisfied to put out a miserable little handbill to perhai)~
The first article in the April 1st TOWER,"Slack Not Your one-fourth of the homes, but are putting finely gotten-up
liands," is a masterpiece on "Activity." When I read it I bills into every home and office, and having them sent out
felt like jumping up to the roof of my home with joy. into the rural delivery boxes by the regular mail carriers
There is an atmosphere around the words "Activity" and at tim instance of the postmaster with one-cent stamps
"Service" that appeals to me. I chewed every word of that affixed. And the results are gratifying. The friends who
article, so that it would tlmroughly digest in my system; are loyally supporting the SOC~ET~’, and yourself in particu-
and, believe me, I’m happy. lar, are apparently the most spiritually-minded ones and
True, some say: "All we hear is ’Service,’ and we don’t withal the llappiest. And why should this not be so? They
have time to build character." To my mind character feel that they have the Lord’s approval. They are burning
Imihling and service go hnnd in hand. For instance, when with zeal to be in the front ranks of battle and they care
we go to some do,), and the pct,ptc sneer "rod deride our not what worldly men may say or think of them and their
message, then our character is called into play to exercise courso.
lmtience, sympathy, and love toward that one. The more Thousands of peoph~ now believe r.~at we have the truth
l work in the field the more my own character is built and faels, although they do not attend our class meetings.
up. If I stay at home a great deal, I feel that I am They realize that our message is irrefutable by our oppo-
IoMng out in every way. nents, m~d that the clergs, "u’e silenced.
The ,H’licles in the WATCH Towe~n do not offend me. If
More and more does it become a pleasure and satisfaction
some of the chips hit me along any line I am glad that the
l.nrd is vet3" good, through the WATCH TOWER, to call it to serve the Lord and his cause. The co,ninon people are
eager to hear onr (’omforting nlessag(~--millions not need-
Io my attention, so that I can rectify whatever may be
ing ever to die, but to live on an(l on ~mlid pleasant sur-
wrong in me. "Oh, the blessedness of the unoffendedI" I
roundings and comfort. What a joy lhere is in noting the
know that behind every article wrilten in the WATCH
kimlly light in the eyes of the p(,oplc who come to our
TOWERis the loving motive to help the i)eople of the Lord
m(’elin~s, and to note their ca~erm,ss for more light as we
to build character and to m’tke their (.ailing and election heAl forth to them lhe Bible truths bearing upon the rues-
sure.
sag(, of the houri They appreciate m~d like us. They "~re
I love to serve in any capacily; and while I have home
nlld |lllsh;In{l, yet I can find tinm lo~o out in the work. hungry for the truth.
"’Whore there is a will, there is a way." I lrust that this message of millions never dying will be
Now, broth(’r, excuse this long lellm’, hut I just wanted increasingly herahled until the church is called beyond the
to Wl’ile lily appreciation and say lh.tl when you harp on vail, and that oar people will strive to bring to every public
"Service" you have my co6peralion. meetinff, severql times as many people as the meeting room
Your sister by his grace, MRS.~V. ~V. ~IEPFI)ITH, Calif. will accommod’tte. It is the advertisement going into the
hon,es that counts, whether or not the inmates of those
ZEALOUS BRETHREN PUStl THE MESSAGE homes attend the meeting.
DEAlt ]~ROTIIER ~UTHERFORD: I am sure that you have the correct idea in pushing the
Some few of the friends I meet cohsider you are too message with vigor and determination. The zealous ones
strenuous in pushing tim gospel message. But these are are with you. Those who lay down on the Job of Gideon
usually of the slow and indolent ldnd who seem to think were dismissed. The stand-up ones went forward and
tlmt attendance regular]y at (’lass is quite essential to an gained the victory. Surely history repeats in our day.
Inheritance in the heavenly kingdom. They are chiefly what The Lord bless you and your faithful associates. My love
:on might call professional church (class) goers. These are to the family. Pray for me that I may be ever of the
generally l,wking in zeal and service. They are of the
active ones in the battle against the beast.
stand-fast disposition. "Having done all, you can stand,"
lrstead of "Having orcrcomc all, you can stand." Faithfully yours, J.A. BOHNET, Pilgrim~
 ’r’..:e
ENCOURAGING WORDS
DEAR BRETHREN : DEA~ BRETIIREN
Greetings in the Lord. I am enjoying the grand, wonder-
ful and timely contents of THE WATCI[ TOWER. AS I read
each copy, with its loving warnings, help, light and comfort,
full of the true spirit of a sound mind in Christ, I wonder
how any true follower of Christ can find fault, or how any
can fail to see the true gospel course to pursue. But all
those things are permitted for tests and to cause the whole
truth to be made so plain that none need err; neither will
those whose hearts are right with God.
There is no doubt in my mind that THE WATCI~ TOWER
and the channel through which it comes is the only source
of present truth. It is God’s channel through which he is
giving to the church meat in due season, and also enlight-
ening the world as light comes due. Nothing can hinder,
only as he sees best for the accomplishment of his great,
grand and glorious plan. Be of good cheer; be strong in
the Lord and in the power of his might. Ite will be with
you to give you wisdom, knowledge, and grace unto the
con summation.
If you feel weak, as often the faithful do, remember that
he is your strength. If lonely and in sorrow, remember the
Master in his Gethsemane loneliness and sorrow. VCe all
need those experiences and tests; and without them, well
might we fear that we were not of the chosen little flock.
Work, work, and suffer we must, if we would win the
prize set before the overcomers; and if Christ’s spirit dwells
in us we shall want to work and love to do all we can
advertising the King and his kingdom.
God bless all in his service.
SISTER LILLIAN n. JOIINSTON, IV.
THE WATCHMEN’S CRY
IIark! "Millions now living will never die!"
This lmart-cheering message God’s watchmen cry;
For Jesus is present the Scriptures reveal,
Time-prophecies open, their treasures unseal;
lie reigns to bring blessing and life to the race,
and darkness shall llee from the light of his face.
Hark! "Millions now living will never die!"
This message is due for tim watehmen’s cry;
Fierce warfare and famine, and red-flag unfurl’d,
Confusion "md turmoil throughout the wide world,
l’erplexing distress and hearts failing for fear,
Are signs that assure us earth’s true King is here.
IIark! "Millions now livin< will nexer die!"
Awake, scattered Israel, and join the cry;
Thy lig tree, long barren, is sprontil~g once more,
To Zion full favor God soon will r~,st(n’e.
The Times of the Gentiles are ended at last,
The Jews rise a nation, their exile is past.
Ilark! "Millions now living will never (lie !"
This night of God’s vengeance I)ut speeds the cry;
Though savage the conflict at end of this age,
]Not all flesh will perish in Anarehy’s rage;
For Christ with his chosen will bid the s/orm cease,
And stablish in justice his kingdom of peace.
Yet saints on God’s altar devoted lie;
In fervent love serving they daily die.
Rejoicing they suffer, yea, welcome death’s sword,
V/ATCHTOWER
~
"CHIEFLY THE POOR OF THIS WORLD
:
A short time ago a young lady, agent for some of your
books, came around from house to house selling THE HAme
OF GOD, including Bible Students’ cards. My income leaves
me sooner than I receive it; but I paid tim purchase price,
fifty cents; and as I am a great lover of God’s Word, I
have never regretted my act.
As soon as I trod looked the book over, I dropped all
other reading matter, knowing that this little book of God
would do me more good than all the other papers and
magazines I have been taking put together. I am now
reading and studying u ith all my heart, mind, and soul.
I thank you thousands of times that God has given you
the power to circulate this beautiful and wonderful book,
THE HARPOF GOD, throughout the country. I sincerely hope
that all who wish to become true Christians may trove the
opportunity to procure it.
As I look through your literature, I see that you have
other books which will help a Christian beginner. As I am
only a poor sinner and without means, I am sorry to say
that I cannot take advantage of any of the literature which
you offer except THE ~VATCII TOWER, at one dollar per year,
and I have not even the means to pay for that in advance.
But I would be very thankful if you would send me one
copy of ’.[:HE WATClI TOWER,and perhaps I may be able to
remit in a few weeks. If you cannot send it to me I wish
to thank you, anyway, for lhe good you have already done
me through THE IIARP OF GOD. I hope and pray that God
will help you in all your work.
From a sinner who is trying to become a Christian,
Va. ~AUL OTTENBERG, ]Vt~c.
To gain life immortal in heaven with their Lord.
These soon will show’r blessings with Christ from" hi!
throne--
The bliss of dispensing he shares with his own.
Then swiftly the message o’er earth will fly,
"IIark! Come, weary millions, no longer sigh;
Come drink of truth’s fountain, repent of your sin,
Your hearts yield to Jesus, new life from him w~ ~.
lie’s still the same healer whose touch, tender, kind,
Thrilled health to the leper, gave sight to the blind."
When faith wakes resl)onsive, then millions cry,
"Salvation is ours, and we shall not (lie’."
As each yiehls nhe(lien.~e to righteous colnlnan(ls,
Sweet blessings come pourir~g lrnni Love’s laden han(lsl
Joy snn)oths out gmef’s lurroxx s, 3 outh (,hases decay,
And rapture of living makes feslal the day.
Heqrls love-taught enlarge, and wilh yearning cry
For millions to live who in death yet lie;
And lo! the great Lord of the quick and the dead
Calls all from their slumbm~for each soul he bled~
O’er life’s holy highway the willing feet run,
Assistc~ by many, and hindered by none.
Blest millions of millions will never (lie;
For sin’s lethal stream will dwindle and dry
Till
t earth blooms untainted, man’s new Eden :{’all’
Ills home of pure love, of rejoicing and prayer.
For all who attain to perfection’s estate
Will righteousness love and iniquity hat%
 International Bible Students Agsociation Classes
Lcc~urc~and~tudic~ btj TravclinqBrethren

BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER B. HOWLETT

Detroit, Mich................... Sept. 2 Toledo,O....................... Sept. 9 Ashland,Ky................... Sept. 2 Tazewell, Tenn ......... Sept. 11
Plymouth,Mieh ............... " 3 Cleveland,0 ................... " 10 l’ai’ntsville, Ky............. " 3 Knoxville, Tenn ........ " 12, 13
Ypsilanti, Mich ............ " 4 Bultalo, N. Y................. " 11 MeRoberts,Ky .............. " 4 Morristown, Tenn ..... " 14
Ann Arbor, Mich ............. " 5 Syracuse, N. Y ............... " 12 llonaker, Va ............... ’" 5, 6 Barleyton, Tenn ....... " 16
Dundee, Mich ................ " (; Albany, N. Y ................. " 13 (’oeburn, Va ............. " 9 Johnson City, Tenn... " 17
Adrian, Mich................... " 7 Greenneld, Mass............. " 14 Middleboro,Ky .............. " 10 Bristol, Term............. " 18, 19

BROTHER J. A. BO.H NET BROTtIER W. II. PICKERING

Sept. Vernon,B. C .................. Sept. 2 MacLeod,Alto ............... Sept. 11
Bandera, Tex................. Sept. 2 Austin. ’Fex .............. 10 Trail, B. (’. ................ " 4 Lolhbridge, Alta ......... " 13
Tarpley, Tex................... " 3, 4 Taylor, To’, ............... " l l " 14
Utopm,Tex..................... lbtstrop, Tex............... " 1°, 13 Nelson, B. C .......... 5 Dew Island, Alta ......
" 5, 6 Crunbrook. lk C ..... (; Medicine Ilat Alto .... ’" 16
Saa Antomo, Tex ........... " 7 S,,ulv, Te: ................... " 16 ’" 7 Maple Creek. Na-k ......... " 17
San Marcos, Tex ........... " 9 llouston, Tex............. " 17 Elko, D(’. .....................
Fernie, B. C .............. " 9 Swift Current, Sa~k ..... " 18

BROTIIER B. H. BOYD BROTIIER B. M. RICE

Danville,Ill ..................... 8~l~t. ’3 Decatur, Ill .................. Sept. 10 Superior,Ia ................... Sept. 2 Olnaha. Nebr............... Sept. l0
Paris, Ill ........................... " 4 Areola,Ill ....................... " 11 l,ux orne, Minn ........ " 3 Des Moine% Ia ......... " It
MurtinsviIIe, ill ............ " 5 Aimu.Ill ......................... " 12 J a~pe:’, Minn ........... " 4 h)wa C~ly, hi .............. ’ .)
1
l~obinson, III ................. " 6 (’lily (’ily. 111................. " 1"{ ~Viltte. S. I) ............... " 5 Davenport. la .......... " 13
Blattoon, Ill ................ " 7 INnard,III ..................... " 1-t lmko l~ellton, 5111111....... " 6, 7 l’<wk Island, I11 ...... " 14
Mammond, III ................... " 9 l.’iora, Ill ......................... " 16 SIOUXCity, Ia ............... " 9 Moline,Ill ...................... " 16

BROTHER J. W. COPE BROTIIER V. C. RICE

Zippel, 1~Itnn.............. Sept. 2 Superior, Wise............... Sept. 13 Aug. 31
" 4, 5 " 14 Euut Wilton, Me............. Oldtown,5Ie ............ Sopt. 7, 9
Northome, Minn ......... Two Harbors, Miml ....... ~\llton, Me....................... Sept. 2 IHaine, Me............. " 10, 11
Federal Dam, Minn... " 7 Duluth, "Mum................. " 16 " 3 Bangor, Ble .......... ’ 12
" 9 Superior, Wisc ............... " 1~; North Jay, Me. ..............
Boy River, Minn ....... Ilultowell, Me.............. " 4 RocMand,Me............. " 13, 14
l)uluth, Minn ........... " 10 Proctor, Minn................ " ]7 "
" 11, 12 " 18 lqtt<fleld, Me.................. ’" 5 BmStOh Me................ 16
tlibbing, Minn........... ]ronton, Minn................. lIungor, Me....................... " 6 New Harbor, Me ....... " 17

BROTHER A. Jo ESHLEMAN BROTHER R. L. ROBIE

Ticonderoga, N. Y ...........
Glens Fails, N. Y .............
Saratoga Springs, N. Y.-. " 4
Schenectady, N. Y ...........
Johnstown, N. Y .............
Gloversville, N. Y ...........
Sept. 2 Ft. Johnson, N. Y ......... Sept. 9 Oelwein,Ia ............... Aug. 29, 30 OxfordJet., Ia .............. Sept. 7
" 3 Cauajoharie, N. Y ......... " 10 lqlma, Ia ................... " 31 Clinton, Ia ............... " 9
Utica, N. Y..................... " 11 Waterloo, Ia ............. Sept. 2 Davenport, Ia ...... " 10
" 5 Rome,N. Y.................... " 12 \’triton, la ................. " 3 RockIsland, Ill ............ " 11
" t; Oneida,N. Y................... " 13 Shellsburg, Ia ........... " 4 East Moline, Ill ......... " 12
" 7 Oswego,N. Y ................. " 14 Cedar R ddds, Ia ....... " 5, 6 Moline, Ill .................. " 1~

BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM BROTHER O. L. SULLIVAN

Spokane, Wash............. Sept. 2 Virgelle, Mont........... Sept. 10 Slmwneo0 ................... Aug. 30 Portsmouth, 0 .............. Sept. 7
Athol, hla ...................... " 3 Tampico,3lont ........... " 12 Ni’l~ouville, O ............ " 3l Chillieothe, O ......... " 9
Missoula, Mont............. " 4, 5 Dore, N. I) ................. " 13 ¢.allipohs, 0 ................ Sept. 2 Lancaster, 0 ............ " 19
Deer lhod~e. Mont ......... " 6 Avondale, 3[ont ......... " 16 lhllltillgton, "~V. Va....... " 3 Colmnbus, O .............. " 11
Butte, Mont................... " 7 Outlook, Mont ........... " 17, 1~; Aqlland, Ky................... ’ 4 Delaware, O ........... " 12
Great Falls, 1Hont ......... " 9 Froid, Mont............... " 19, 20 lronton,0 ....................... " 5, 6 Marion,0 ...................... " 13

BROTIIER M. L. IlERR BROTIIER W. J. TIIORN

Butte, Mont.................. Sept. 2 ]tel’tin, N,I) ............. Sept. 11, 13 l’,aintree. Alta ................. Sept. 3 (’ranbrook, B. C ....... Sept. 9, 10
~Ielstono+ Mont ............ " 4 Fredonia, N. D ......... " 12 Calgary, Alto ............ " 4 Wycliffe, B. C ........... "
" 5 Condo,S. 1) ............. " 16 11
Miles (’its". Mont........... MaeLeod, Alta ............ " 5 Nelson, B C ............... "’ 13, 16
l;olliold, N I) ............... " 6 Mellette, S. 1) ........... " 17 " 6 "
" 9 " 18 Bellevue. Alto ................... llulfour, IL C ............. 14
Dunn Cenl(’r. N. D ....... II~sxxith, S. D........... Ferule, B. C ..................... " 7 Trail, B. C ................. " IT
Jamestown, N. D ........... " 10 Lebuuon,S. D ........... " 19

BROTHER T. H. TIlORNTON
BROTIIER W. M. HERSEE Preston. Out .................. Sept. 3 XVnid~,r, Ont ............. Sept. 9, 10
iPeachland, It. C ........... Sept. 3 l,adysmith, B. C ....... Sept. 12 Galt, Out......................... " 4 Kin .nville, Ont .......... " 11
Agassiz, IL C ............. " 6 Malahat, B. C ............. " 13 Kitchener, Out ................. " 5 Pelee Island, Ont ....... "’12, 13
~}lll(’¢)tlVOl’,g. (" ............. " 7..9 Victoria, B. C ............. " 14, 16 Sarnia, Out ....................... " 6 Leamington. Out ....... " 14, 18
Nanaimo,B. C ............... " 10 Sidney, B. C ............... " 17 Chatham,Out ................... " 7 Blenheim, Ont ........... " 17
Courtenay, B. C ............. " 11 New Westminster, B.C. " 19

BROTHER L. F. ZINK
BROTHER J. H. HOEVELER Millville, N. B ........... Aug 27 Pembroke,Ont ........... Sept. 5,6
Louisville. Ky Sept. 2 lh’audonburg, Ky ....... Sept. 9 Temple, N. B ............. ’ 2~ North Bay, Ont ......... " 7.9
SOllora, Ky ............ " 3 Magnet, Ind. - ............. " 10, 12 Woodstock, N. B ....... " 29 Gore Bay, Ont ........... " 10-19
Eliznbethtown, Ky ......... " 4 ()wensboro, Ky ........... " 13 Sherbrook, Que ........... " 30, 31 Thessalon, Ont........... " 20
Cecilia, Ky .............. " 5 Beaver Dam, Ky ....... " 14 Montreal, Que............. Sept. 2, 3 Sauit Ste Marie, Ont. " 21, 23
Rineyville, Ky ............. " 6, 7 IIeech Creek, Ky ....... " 16 Ottawa,Out ................. "’ 4 Searchmont, Out ....... " 24,211

GERMAN CONVENTION AT BUFFALO CONVENTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BROTHERRUTHERFORD

Tacoma’,Wash., Aug,14-19 .............. F. L. Cushing, 3922 No, 31st S~
The German friends in Buffalo, N. Y., have arranged for
Los Angeles, Calif., Aug.18-26 .......... N. D. Sexton. 200 Trtntty Bldg.
a German Convention on September 1st, 2nd and 3rd. For Brooklyn,N.Y., Oct. 7 ............................................... No Convenl/oll
particulars address Brother Carl Boje, 53 Goembel Ave., New York, N. Y.. Oct. 21--
Buffalo, N. Y. T. M, Bedwin, 8118 95th Ave., Woodhaven, L, L, N. 1L
 ¯.
% ,%,

.?:’.-..

VOL. XLIV SEMI-.’~IONTHL’~" NO. 17

Anno Mundi 6051--September 1, 1923

CONTENTS
~ETIIODS OF DECEIT...................................... 259
Trickery and Deception in False Doctrine ...... 260
Ret~dinL~ the ~TUDIES a Ne(.esuiCy ................. 2(;1
Safeguarding against Satan’s (~unning ...... 2(;2
~)RAYER-~IEETING TEXT COSIMEN’I S ............. 2(;4
THE CONFLICTOF TIIE ItOUR .......................... 264
t’OIl, Itow I~,EAI’TIFUL THEIR Fnzi’ !" (Poem) 265
~BRAYfA~I, A I~LFSNIN(: TO TIIE ~VIIOLE ~UORI,D 2(;(~
Composite Seed of Abraham a Mystery. 267
ISRAEL, A ~[ISSIONARY NATION .......... 268
Fleshly Israel Unfit for TIEIt Work ..... 269
Error Proclaimed as Trutli Una~ailhig .......... 2~0
:NEWYORK CONVENTION .......................................... 270
INTERESTING LET’I’ERS........................................... 271

"1 ~’ill stand upo~ my watch and ~,il~ ser my ~oo~

upon the Tower, and will watch to s-e what He wil!
s~ty u~*to ~e, and what a~nwe~ I shall ~tako to the:)*
that oppose me."--Habakkuk ~:1.

Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the wa~ ~the restless, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts failing ~hem for fear and for looking to
the tbia~.s c~’ui~z ~ the earth (society) ; for the powers of the heavens (ecclesiasticsm) shall be shaken... When ye see these things begin to come to pass,
know ~hat t_m I;...~7.2o.a of God is at hand. Look up, lift up your head~, rejoice, far your re~tampti~a dxaweth nigh.--Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:25~3L
 THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
THISpresented
Journal is one of the prime factors
in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCH
or "Seminary Extension",
TOWERDIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
now being
A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling repr~entatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports Of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., gerbi Dci Minister (V. D. M.), which translated
into English is Minister of God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students aud teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
~redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : 11-
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God .... to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"~"whlch in other ages
was not ]Bade known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed’.--Ephesians 3:5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men. while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of hie
good pleasure, tile teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge o112
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLYTEACH

’~hat the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age---ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--i Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; t~phesians 2:20-22 ;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses; and when the
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workmanwill bring all together
in the first resurrection; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout
the Millennium.--Revelation 15 ; 5-8.
¯hat the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world", "in due time".--
}Iebrews 2:9; John 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord "see him as he is," be ’partake~ of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his jomt-lleir.--1 John 3:2; John 17:24; Roman’s 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
Irhat the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; l~latthew 24"-
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
~hat the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial Mngdom, the
restitution of all that was lost in Adam to all the willing and obedient at the hands of their Redeemer and his glor~tied church,
when all the wilfully wicked will be des’troyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiah 35.
----

STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES

WATCHTOWER.
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VoL.XI,IV SEPTEMBER
1, 1923 NO.17

METHOD OF DECEIT
"’Be infants no lonyer, tossed a~d u’hirled about with every wh~dof tha~ teachb~y ~vMehis 4~ the triel~ery of meg
by ct,~Tt my craft i~e.~s in systematic deception."--Ephe~ian.~ 4 : 14, Diaglott.

ECEIT means the practice of fraud. A system In this sense they always respect Jesus as their final
D of deeeit is a contrivance to mislead and defraud authority; for he ,aid: "One is your Master, even
and thereby to entrap the simple or careless. A Chri.,t" Their support of any man or men as leaders
svstem of deceit is ba-ed upon a tie. Satan ~as the is in proportion as they discern the Lord’s favor to be
tirst ]mr, and is a pa-tma-ter in the praetiee of fraud wifll such men.
and de<’eil, lit< ,vstem of deceit is a favorite instru- 40n file other haml, babies are the most dependent
ment wilh ~lm.h he attempts to destroy the truth and of creatures. Not able to stand alone, they must be
those whofollow ae~-us Christ. If at any time the words either l>orne or held up by some one stronger. They are
of the Al~oSde in the above text have had a strong wanting in knowledgeas well as lacking in experience.
application, it is now. Feeling controls them rather than principle or rule of
=Theehureh is nearing the end of her earfllly career. action. They m’e drawn to that whieh dazzles the eye
The fulness of the gentiles has practically comein, and and has an attractive appearance. They are ofttimes
the heavenly l>odv of Christ will soon be completed. unaware of the injuriousness of bright objects, such as
The final and supreme tests are nowbeing applied. It the burning fire or the glittering piece of broken glass.
is the time when the ehurch does well to take heed to So with babes in Christ. They lack stability, generally
the Aposlle’s words : "Watchye, stand fast in the faith, going where the stronger in mind and character bears
quit you hke men, be sfrong."--I CorinNdans16 : la. or leads them. Not being full of sufficient faith to step
aThe babyhoodstage of Christian as well as of humm~ out alone on God’s promises, they fear to let go of one
developnwnt is normal and proper in its own time. to whomthey have held on so trustfully. They would
Still, infancy is not the end God has in view on any continue leaning on the judgment and knowledge of
plane in mental, physical, and moral growth. ]lealizing this one. Hence it is that they can be "tossed to and
this fat.i, ve ,-hould seek to reach Chri.-tian manhood fro [as in a cradle] and carried about by every wind
promptly. It behooves us to "be no longer babes." The of doctrine."
graduati,m exp:q’>nees in the school of (’hrist are nigh qn the text above cited the Apostle had in mind the
for fl~e last membersof Christ’s body. "Whoshall be picture of a little sailing vessel, wind-drivenin a wild-
able to stand?" Sttrelv not those in the primary grade waved sea. Being so powerless against forces stronger
of ehara(.ler and heart devdopment, but only "those than itself and not having the powerof self-propulsion,
who by reason of use have their senses exereised to it is unable to keep to its owncourse toward its destina-
discern both good and evil." These latter ones have tion. In fact, it is unable to follow any definite, eertain
been so tutored and disciplined in the vital principles eourse. The troublous waves buffet it about and threaten
as to be able to apply them to ’she problems arising in to break it to splinters or to engulf it. If it withstands
the progress of their lives. Sueh do not stand in other the violence of tim sea, then the shifting winds blow it
men, to stand with them or to fall with them. Sueh around; and it gets nowhere. St. James likens a man
sfaud individually in the Lord, strong in hint and in of little faith to a "wave of the sea, driven with the
the power of his might. They are unaffected in their wind and tossed." And why? Because he is as unstable
fidelity to Godby the unbelieving or disloyal eourse of as a drifting ship or as a wind-driven wave and yields
even their loudest of associates, rIheir recognition and now to one influence and now to another, no matter
aeeeptanee of menas teachers is to the extent that they whether the one influence be exactly in the opposite
see these to po.-.sess the spirit of the Lord, ’co be taught direction from the other. St. Paul defines these winds
of God, and to be faithful to God’s Word. While they or influenees as being doctrines. ])oetrines, like winds,
"despise not prophesyings" (preaehing), yet they first have propulsive power ; they wilI drive one m a certain
"prme all thing., [and] hold fa,g that whieh is good." course.
26O
WATCH
TRICKERY AND DECEPTION IN FALSE DOCTRINES
GHow true the Apostle’s picture to the experiences of
some in this Gospel age harvest! Many there arc who
once accepted Brother Russell as that servant. But
overlooking his faithful and wise ministry and the
Lord’s effective use of him, they later stultified then>
selves by denying that he wad the one chosen of God
to fill the office of "wise and faithful servant." Simi-
larly some who formerly aeeepted A.D. 1914 as mark-
ing the end of the gentile times nowdisregard all the
corroborative physical facts in evidence since that date,
and deny the significance of that date. Driving before
this wind of doctrine, they sweep onwardto a denial of
the aeeuraev of muchor most of our chronological data
as the Lord provided it through Brother Russell. Even-
tually they suffer their faith in the presence of Christ,
the progress of the harvest work, the resurrection of the
dead saints, etc., to be brokenon the reeks.
~It is easy to see how infants in Christ would be
susceptible to such doctrinal influenees. Howis it,
though, that those who have seemedto be and doubtless
were developed characters are found amongthe first to
be driven before these winds and turned aside from the
divinely approved channel or course? gt. Paul replies:
These winds of teaching emanate not from (led but
from men. The adversary needs human instrumentali-
ties to stir up doctrinal storms. He needs some to be
prime movers in raising the wind. Besides, the more
prominent and intluential the leader, the more powerful
the wind upon the unstable and the wider the sweep it
will make. Itenee "every [such] wind of doctrine [ix]
by the sleight of men and emmingcraftiness, whereby
they lie in wait to deceive."
SThe word above translated "sleight of men", prima-
rily means in the Greek dicin 9. Gambling with dice
was very commonin apostolic days. 1)leers try to throw
for a certain grouping of the diee. They will shake the
diee in the hand or a box, and then cast them with
adroitness in the effort to have the desired arrangement
to appear. Sometimes the dice were loaded to give the
professional gambh,r an advantage over the chance fea-
ture of the game. The dexterity of hand displayed and
the frequent unfair loading of the dice caused the fore-
going word to con> to mean trickery, ddght. Similarly
it is with doctrinal matters: Somewith too mucheon-
iidenee in their own abihty seek exhilaration out of
taking a chance, llather than abide in the truth as it
has been Scripturally expounded by God’s instruments,
rather than prove and re-prove the things new andold
brought forth I)3" "that servant," they take themselves
out of the sure providences of the Lord alnl expose
themseh-es to the fortunes of chance.
9In the attempt io be original and to find something
new, they would tempt the Lord, just as Satan tried to
induce Jesus to do by leaping from a pinnacle of the
temple. Outright figurative gambling this is; for ~uch
BROOKLYN,N.
TOWER
think that the Lord will keep and bless them if they
do despite unto his gracious provision such as is made
in the STUDIES IX THESCR~eTt’RES,and hunt new pas-
tures and cribs for food. That Brother Russell was
falhble must be conceded. He was in a natural condi-
tion possible of making a mistake. But the aforemen-
tioned stre.-s this point too nmeh, and do not trust
suffieimltlv to God’s overruling and guiding providence.
They lean to their own understanding. The dice of
Greek lexieons and of books written on the Bible by
Babyhmish men of learning are picked tip. Adroitly
they juggle these about and try to throw a new scheme
of things more to their own liking. On this wise they
enmesh themselves in human theories and are them-
selves overreached by the sleight of men. "Being led
away with the error of the wicked, [these] fall from
[their] steadfa,-tlless." Theirs is an attempt to get in
advance of the light. Alas! it is certain to get them
into darkness. Godis not in this darkness. He "dwell-
eth in the light." Consequently "no man has God who
instead of remaining true to the teaching of Clmsf,
presses ou m advance.’" Whatis the teaching of Christ
today? What is implied by darkeners in adcance ?
~°Throughout this gospel harvest there have arisen
those presuming to be ahead of the light as the Lord
gave it in due season through the one whomhe made
ruler over his house. All observing faithful ones have
marked that the end of these was an entrance into
darkness--a darkness how great! And now with the
death of this devoted servant of the Laodicean church,
the tendency of someself-reliant ones is to fly off at a
tangent and abandon the general outline of the divine
plan of the ages. These, harping on Proverbs 4: 18,
get into a frame of mind where they think that they
are the individual channels for the advancing light.
They advance into a supposed light whk,h contradicts
revealed, proven truth. The logical deduction they draw
front thmr findings is that the Lord dehtded I~rother
Russell in permitting him to believe a lie.
BROTHER RUSSELL A FAITHFUL SERVANT
UWho could believe that in this period of the. church
and world the Lord would permit such a thing in the
case of one who was so fully eollseerated to the Lord
and who loved the truth so intensely? The Scriptures
state that only to those whoreceive not the love of the
truth wouhl God send a strong deIusion, that they
sh(mhl believe a lie. It is true that Brother William
Miller made a mistake in ealeulating the 3"ear of our
l,or(l’s return. The days of Brother Pussell, however,
were the days of "runmng to and fro," ~hen "knowl-
edge shall be increased," and when "’the wise ,~hall
vuderstaud.’" In the day of doctrinal strife he a~eended
the watch tower and looked to the I~ord in faith, noth-
ing wavering, watehing to see what the l,ord would
reveal to him in defense of the faith which was being
attacked.

WATCH TOWER
1-~The prophet Habakkukpiefm’es Brother Russell’s
attitude and action: "I will stand upon mv watch and
set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he
will say unto me and what f shall answer when I am
reproved. And the Lord answered me and said. Write
the vision and make it plain upon tables, that he may
run that readeth it. [The Lord did answer Brother
llussell. Throughthe correct understanding of his plan
Godgave him a vision to write. So plainly did Brother
Russell write it that all can read it fluently and, reading
it, run the race for the prize of the high calling sueeess-
fully. But did not God permit Brother Russell fo make
a mistake just to test the church? Hearken to God’s
assurance against this fl~ar:] For the vision is yet for
an appointed time [in Habakkuk’s day it was not due],
but at the end [the time in which Brother Russell
lived] it shall speak and not lie: though it [seem to]
tarry, wait for it [and Brother Russell waited from
1874 to 18811, because it will surely come, it will not
[actually] tarry."
~3Toclaim, then, that Brother Russell misdrew God’s
plan is to argue in elreet that the vision did he, that it
did tarry, and that Brother Russell got ahead of the
light instead of following its gradual revealment. Do,
then, those who thus argue imagine that the vis~ofl
tarried for them as the specially chosen ones of the
Lord? Such au attitude spells a high degree of pride
and egotism. Surely God cannot deny himself. His
prophetic word will not return unto him void. The
vision appeared at the due time to the right watchman.
~*All the false conclusions mentionedabove follow in
the wakeof "winds of doctrine by the sleight of men."
For this cause such doctrines illustrate the "cunning
craftiness [of Satan] ~n systematic deception." The
literal interlinear translation of this last expression is
"the method of deceit." The method of deeeit’s opera-
tion is the same at all times. Take the first instance of
deception, which occurred over six thousand years ago
in Eden’s garden. The Newrl’esfament refers to the
womanas being deceived. (1 Timothy 2: 14) Let
note the conditions having a bearing on the ease: (1)
Eve was just informed about the forbidden fruit. She
had not the prohibitive commanddm~ct from God, but
had it second-handed. Adam,who had the direct knowl-
edge, was not therefore deceived. (2) l’h’e’s position
being weakon this aeeount, seeds of doubt and distrust
in the information received were easily sown. This
sowing was brought about by the semblance of truth
in the appearance of things presented to her gaze. It
led (3) to an inclination to believe appearances, q’hi~
inclination was made all the more prempifous by the
exciting in her of (4) lust, desire, or appetite. Here
was where Eve was tempted; for she was "drawn away
of [her] own lust and enticed." (James 1: 14) In the
presence of the forbidden fruit she. a child in knowledge
and experience, was like an infant before a gaudy toy
dangling from a Christmas tree. It looked attractive
261
and good. and childishly she craved if. But she having
partaken of the fruit and of the consequence of her
act. the joy she felt she wouht aequire was like the
fabled apples of Sodom. which crumbled to ashes in
the hand. She was disillusioned!
READING THE "STUDIES" A NECESSITY
aSSatan has attempted the same "method of deceit"
all during the period of the l,ord’s second presence, but
nowespecially since the death of the Laodieem~messen-
ger, it seems. Sometoday are slighting the Lord’s
providences in the works that messenger has left behind
him. Instead of reading the S’rt’nI~:S I~" TH~SCl~TP-
TUI~ESand proving these for themselves, they lazily get
their information seeond-handed, and hence are n
established in present truth. 0r, having read t!.e
STCDISS in the past, they feel no special need to reread
them, imagining perhaps that they have digested them
and are sufficiently familiar with them. They overlook
the fact that they have failing memories, the same as
do others, and forget sooner or later the sure proofs
of what they once aeeepted as truth. Others, of devel-
oped intellect, seem to get to the point of feeling on a
par with the man with the writer’s inkhorn and of
having learned all there is to be learned through him.
Thev feel now capable of "pressing on in advance" by
seeking other food-cribs.
~6In all the above instances can be noted (1)
growing disregard or neglect of what that servant has
written. Here is found fertile soil for seeds of (2)
doubt as to the aeeuraey of God’s providential leadings.
A denial or reversal of formerly held truths is naturally
suggested to those having a morbid desire for novelty.
Instead of dispelling the doubt by a re6xamination of
Brother Russell’s writings, an endeavor is made to prove
the r~ew views and ideas to be Scripturally eorreet. (3)
Strong inclination to believe the error is created by tlm
seeming truthfulness of the new views. This is due to
the outward appearance or reputation of the channel of
the new ideas, such as his vast learning, or his beauty
of mind or character, or his impressiveness. As a result
some are taken off guard and are rushed off their feet
for a time. Their minds are gullible and set awry, but
their hearts are right and they may recover in time.
But oft is it the ease that one whodeflects merely uses
the new ideas as a lever for prying himself loose. He
makes it an issue as a camouflage for gratifying some
hidden (4) desire, ambition, grudge, or other item
selfishness. He wants to believe because it will seem-
ingly help him to gra~p the coveted prize which dangles
before his vision or affections. IIis reasoning faculties
are colored and given a bent by the seeret leanings of
the heart. The sage counsel has gone unheeded: "Keep
thy heal4 with all diligence, for out of it are the issues
of hfe." Deeeptmn follows. Unless the heart is hum-
bled and set right there will be no rescue therefrom.
?62 WATCH
SAFEGUARDING AGAINST SATAN’S CUNNING
lrBv thes, wily attacks Satan today aims at breaking
up the umty and solidarity of the Lord’s household.
]s he nun}fie {o do it by the terrors of violent persecu-
tion as m 191~-19187 Then he will try the method of
deceit, o1’ the suhversivc influences of error skillfully
di.-guised as light, or the eniicements to satisfy cher-
ished ambition, or {he creating and pamperingof pride.
Someare cau~-ed to be offended, false prophets arise,
the love of many grows eohl. sehism ensues. All this
is permitted for the purification of the true church,
that those who are approved may be made manifest.
l~ow shall we be able to stand approved?
~*The Lord through his Wordanswers: "Be no more
ehiMren." ’then he proceeds to outline the proper, safe
course, saying, "But lovingly hoh[ to the truth" (II’ey-
~nouth); or, "pursuing truth, may in love grow into
him in all things whois the head, Christ." (Rotherham)
Both thoughts are correct and good. To get the truth
st all now we must have a love for it. This menus a
love for the Bible and a placing of it above ’all reputed
authorities in the worhl. It means a humility of mind
and an honesty of heart that confesses the truth even
though the truth topples over preeoneeived ideas and
is out of harmony with worldly wisdom. ]Likewise, to
retain or hold the truth we must love it and keep our
love for it warm; for "love rejoieeth in the truth."
The spirit of the truth, God’s Word, is love. Just aa
soon as bitterness, envy, jealousy, or ambition begins
{o displace love in the heart, that momentone begins
to diverge from the truth. For truth and the spirit of
the truth are inseparable. From that momentalso one
ceases to grow up into Christ in all things. This love
which acquires and keeps the truth must not be con-
fused with sentimentalism, however. Sentimentalism is
controlled by passion. It is not regulated by truth or
principle, and if misdirected will surely swing one over
to the side of teachers of error.
19While going to the Bible in search of truth, we
should not, however, despise or overlook God’s channels
for the impartation of the truth. To do so would be to
slight the goodness of God through our Lord Jesus
Christ. St. Paul says that these instruments are divinely
provided aids for the uncovering of the truth. For the
very purpose that we might "be no more children,"
Christ "gave gifts unto men .... And he gave some,
apostles; and some, prophets, . . . evangelists, . . .
pastors and teachers."
’-’°The apostles are still with us in their writings.
Additionally, the Lord has raised np prophets (public
expounders), evangelists (bearers of good news), pas-
tors (caretakers and feeders of God’s flock), and teach-
er.-. Someof these have been more prominent than the
majority. The book of Revelation shows that God would
bestowthe gift of seven angels or teachers on the Gospel-
age church. Eaeh such messenger was for a particular
TOWER
stage of the churc, h’s development. The teachings of
these seven messengers were not contradictory. They
(lid not all have tile sameamountof light, but each did
have light sufl]eient for tim period of his ministry.
Either lhey stood in defense of truths then being denied
or being displaced with error, or thev uncovered truths
hidden under tradittomfl errors and dead languages,
or else they evpanded truths already uneovered but not
fully understood.
2*Weare in the Laodicean stage of the church. The
Lord .lesns has returned. As chief servant, he has made
his watching servants to sit down to meat and has
girded himself and come forth and is serving them.
Blessed are those whohave heard the Lord’s knock and
have opened unto him, that he might come in and sup
with them and they w~th him. (Revelation 3: 20) For
all such it has been the appropriate time go receive a
speeial portion of meat for the householdof faith. This
then has been the oppoffcunetime for the office of "wise
and faithful servant" to be filled. Amongstthose that
waited and came to the 1,335 days (1814) the Lord
found Brother Russell. IIe found him responsive {o
the opportunities, quick to grasp and act upon the
truths being served out by his present Lord, even will-
ing to spend aml be spent in behalf of giving out meat
in due season to the brethren. For this reason the Lord
selected him to fill the office. Whocan honestly and
intelligently deny that he did fill it wisely and faith-
fully unto his death?
2=In 1916 Brother Russell, like Ezekiel’s linen-dad
man, went in and reported the matter. The ehureh has
experienced numerousvieissitudes since then. Doctrinal
storms have raged. The use of the weather-vane on the
doctrinal winds that have been blowing shows that
either brazmzly in open terms or inferentially they deny
Brother Russell as that servant. And why? Because
the sources of these winds impute inaccuracy to his
teachings, or else their findings are contradictory to his
and wrest his. As a result, the church has been endan-
gered with the breaking up of its oneness of faith and
with being tossed to and fro, away from the position
held during Brother Russell’s earthly presence to an-
other position now.
2:;Shall we accept the teachings of these latter-day
teaehers as being gifts of the Lord Jesus to the church.9
Howcould we? St. Paul said that the desigm of the
Lord in giving teachers, etc., was that the church might
arrive at a unity of the faith. Surely teaehers given by
the Lord would not cause the tossing and whirling of
the church dizzily around with doctrinal winds in oppo-
sition to proved present truth. "God is not the author
of confusion." Disruptive doctrines smackof the sleight
of men. They tend to bring into bondage to the ele-
ments from which we were freed, the elements of secular
chronologies, Babylonish interpretations of Scripture~
etc.~G alatiaam 4: 9,
 WATCH TOWER 263

"SOCIETY" SHIELDS AGAINST DOCTRINAL STORMS doue for them of my Father which is in heaven."
2~Forekllowing the coming storms and having prom- (Matthew 18: 19) This promise positively insures that
ised to guide the church with his counsel, the Lord the harmonious and united daily prayers of the saints
could not fail her in the hour of need. Ill anticipation will not nliscarrv. Has God not answered St. Paul’s
of thedeparhlre of the seventh messenger, he tool; pre- prayer until today that the Lord preserve the church’s
eautiou for her. Under diviue leading Brother thlssell body, soul, and spirit blameless unto the presence of the
sensed that he might die before the work in which the Lord? He has: and he will continue to answer that
Lord was using him was finished. Again manifesting prayer until the church is entirely glorified and safe
his wisdomas the Lord’s chosen servant, he organized beyond harm in heaven. He will just as surely answer
the Wateh Tower Bible & Tract Society mid had it our accordant and united prayers today. Then what
ineorporated to serve as his successor in earrying for- though Satan employ against us today the selfsame
ward the l,ord’s work after his demise. This has been tactics launched against the early church ! What though
the endeavor of the SOC~I.:TYnow succeeding to him. the same tests are affecting the saints nowas during,"
lts poliey is not to reverse the work begmn by its and following the days of the apostles! By these God
foun(ler, nor to toss the Lord’s people about 1)y pro- is merely "gathering out of his kingdom [class] all
ten(ling to explode th(, truth as brono’ht forth before things ~hieh offend." He is proving the loyalty of his
1916. Its true course is to follow in the same path of people to him and his truth. Whois willing to pay the
the just m which its organizer walked, and to conduct price of loyalty ? It will mean the humbling of oneself
the work ill channels harmonious with and growing under God’s mighty hand. Those who thus do he will
out of and founded upon his past labors. This is in in due time exalt.
accordance with Broth:’r l{usscll’s will. the provisions
of the SOCIETY’S charter, and the providential leadings QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
of the Lord.--Sce TilE W~tTcx¢TOWER, Octol/er 1, 1884. What is a system of deceit? Upon what is it based? Itow does
Satan deceive? ¶ 1.
~SThusthe SocIm’Ywas established to act as a stabil- What is the happifying thought relative to the church? What
facts give rise to grave eonsideh’ation? ¶ 2.
izer, a visible organizatmn in which God’s consecrated How is Christian development pictured? What should be our
ones could have an interest and work as a unit. In Describe standing? What should be our attitude toward teachers? ¶3.
a baby Christian. ¶ 4.
looking to the Lord to use it as a channel for meat in Itow may a Christian be wind-driven? Ilave false doctrines pro-
pulsive power? ¶ 5.
due season, thcv are I)roteeting themselves against fol- What are the dangers incident to being driven by false winds? ¶ 6.
Why are developed Christians sometimes driven by these contrary
lowing self-appointed leaders and hence against being winds? ¶ 7.
What is the meaning of the Greek "dieing," and how did it come
"tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind to mean trickery? Itow does this apply in doctrinal matters? ¶ S.
of doctrine 1)y the sleight of men." By means of the IIow is it possible
enluesh thelllselves
to tempt the Lord?
in innnan theories?
How
¶ 9.
do brethren sometimes
S0Cil,:T¥ also they enjoy the light of advancing truth Why is pressing ahead of the light virtually going into darkness?
What is the tendency of some self-reliant ones? ¶ 10.
m common, and together come to the intended unity Is it not reasonable to believe that the Lord led Brother Russell
always in lhe light as it was due to be understood? ¶ 11.
of the faith. By it also they have been able to eoape r- What was Brother Russell’s attitude, and what was God’s answer?
912.
ate nationally and internationally in doing "this one Into what will a high degree of pride and egotism lead us? ¶ 13.
thing," advertising the King and his kingdom. Ill har- From whence comes the expression "Method of Deceit"? Trace the
four steps in Eve’s deception. ¶ 14.
monywith these good uses the Lord has preserved the What is the only sure way of bein~ established in the present truth,
and keeping established therein? ¶ 15.
S0Cli.:Tr through the fiercest of storms of the church’s What is the deplorable condition of those who neglect tile truth?
Ho’~v ~,tl’e ~ile "lleW ’~ ideas used as a lever, and for what I)ur-
hi~tory, and eolltinues to use it today for the broad- po.~e? ¶ 16.
casting of the message of the hour world-wide. By what means does the adversary attempt to I)reak up the unity
of lhe chureh? V~’hy is it permitted? ¶ 17.
=~Anottler item shouhl not be discounted or omitted IFIow lllfly
from the truth
we st~llld approved? When does one begin to diverge
Itow is sentimentalism controlled? ¶ IS.
here. Thousands of the Lord’s consecrated have made a Ilesides tim Bible, what other helps should be recognize(l? ¶ 19.
What melhod has God employed to ft~t,(1 his chnrch? ¶ 20.
vowto pray for the general interests of his work. While Why is tins the ol)portune time for lira olliee of the "uise and
ta~thful >errant" to be liUed? Who filled 11 ? ¶ 21.
they do pray lot their servants and eolaborers at head- ~)o(’tFIlla] NIoI’III vein(IN Colne froto "Allere and frolu ~VllOnl ? ¶ ~’:’.
qnart(,rs, yet they have not nlade this vow unto the Are these confusing winds gifts of the Lord to the ehur(h? ¶!23.
What is the endeavor of the SOCIETYsince I~rother Russell’s death?
SOC,~:TY.it is "’My Vowvnto the Lord." In this con- ¶ 24.
What is the advantage in accepting the SOCIETY as the Lol.d’$
neetion Jesus saul: "If bye of you shall agree on earth (’hannel? ¶ 25.
What are the means by which the Lord’s people may remain a
as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be united body? What does this require on our part? ¶26.

"I kl)ow not what my life may yield, "I know not what his hollle call give
el’ fruit that wilt not l)erish; To blessed souls who ;qin it;
I klmw Go(I gives both seed a,ld soil, I know God’s goodness it nmst show,
And all lhe gl’owlh must cherish. l,’or earth cannot contain it.
Ilow great his win’k! lh)w small lily patti And if eternity 1)ut l’illgs
I wonder at lily weakness: With h)ve, the same sweet story
And his great palience fills my heart Thal eamh is telling every day,
With gratitude and meeknesa. ’~
Thine, Lord, shall be the glory.
 PRAYER-MEETING
TEXT FOR OCTOBER 3
"There ~s one body ~uul o~e .~l)irit."--Ephesial~s 4: 4.
HEREis but one church, especially beloved of
T God. Jesus is the ]lead; and his f£1ithful, loyal
followers to the. end and who participate in his
resurreetion will constitute the completed body. It nee-
essarily follows that in the eourse of the development
or the church there ean be but one body. There can
be no division in the body of Christ. All are called in
one hope of our calling, justified throngh the precious
blood of Jesus, begotten to the same nature, anointed
with the holy spirit; and each one must take the same
general course of following in the Ma.-ter’s footsteps.
The interest of each member is identical. Each one
looks forward to the time when he might be perfected
in the likeness of our Lord and :Head. Each member
of the body begins his course in new creature infancy.
It is the will of God that each one should grow up to
full maturity unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ.
There is but one spirit that unites all into one body
and holds them together; and that is the holy spirit.
It is this invisible holy power of God working in each
member of the body that gradually transforms that
memberinto the likeness of the perfect Pattern. No
one
T memberof the body could ever willingly do injuI
to another memberand still maintain the spirit of the
Lord. Each one has the privilege of looking well to
the interests of every other member with whomhe
comes in contact. Every one of the body of Christ
should see to it that he dwells together with his brethren
in peace and love. God has plaeed each memberin the
body for a purpose. Eaeh one has some duties and
services to perform toward his brethren, and also in
announcing the message of the King, Christ Jesus.
All the membersof the body are in partnership ,~qth
the Lord Jesus, the Head, to carry out the Father’s
great plan. There is no other relationship in the uni-
verse Eke unto this. ]lefem’ing to this blessed unity,
the prophet of God wrote: "Behold, how good and how
THE CONFLICT OF THE HOUR
"’1 have commandedmy sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even the~ that
rejoice in my highness."--Isaiah 13:3.
HEconsecrated of the Lord, anointed to worl< in
T his name, oeeupy the most wonderful and blessed
position. This position brings with it great re-
sponsibility. It therefore devolved upon each one of
those composingthe l~ord’s army to give careful heed
to his expressed will, that they might acquit themselves
like men. We do well occasionally to take a mental
vision of the conditiona.
TEXT COMMENTS
pleasant it is for hrethren to dwell together in mlity!"
]t is well that each one iu the narrow way ask himself
the que,-tion: AmX doing what I can to preserve this
hle:sed unity to the glory of myFather and myKing,
being actuated at all times bv the spirit of the Lord ?
TEXT FOR OCTOBER 10
"Tal,¯e . . . the swordof the .s’l)irit ....
the word
of dod.."--El)hesiaT~s6: I7.
r’~[ERYtrue follouer of Chri<t ,;-cans must en~’ag’e
m a real warfare. The further he proojres.-es
1-~ along the way toward the end, the more he appre-
ciates the fact that this warlare is strenuou.-, lIi~
weapons arc not carnal, yet mighty through the l~ord
to the pulling downof the strongholds oi error. His
offensive weaponis the sword of the spirit, x~hieh is
the Wordof God. If tempted Jn the way our /~ord was
tempted, he follows the Master’s example, meeting the
assaults of the adversary with the thrnst: "It is Trot-
ten" in the Wordof God. ]f oppre~-~-ed with trial~ and
tribulations, bowed downwith sorrow and gri¢,f, mis-
understood, misrepresented, misjudged and pers~,eute(1,
he, finds solace and consolation in the written words of
the Father; and thus again he meets the attack of the
enemy¯ IIe must learn to use the sword deftly and i~t
a telling rammereach time, in the spirit of the Lord;
that is to say, in the spirit of love¯
The sword of the spirit was long ago prepared by our
Father for the special benefit of his saints, that they
might cheerfully endure the fiery trials incident to the
narrow way, a~ld that they might be eomforted, and
rejoice in the hope of an early triumph in the battle,
as our Lord was triumphant. To his followers Jesus
said: "Ye shall have tribulation, but be of good eheer;
I have overcome the world." The precious promises in
the Wordof God, placed there for the benefit of the
Christian, arc a mighty weapon in the hands of the
Christian, giving him strength for the battle and cour-
age to meet whatever conditions the Lord has prepared
for him.
Babylon in the broader sense meansa part of Satan’s
orga,nization, otherwise termed Christendom, which is
in fact a eount~rfelt of Christ’s kingdom. The chief
instrument used in the building of this unholy system
has been, and i~. big eeelesiastieism, combined with
professional politicians and ;:’rear profiteers whocon-
trol the eommore. ~ of the earth. The master mind con-
trolling all is Satan. lle caused his rel0resentativcs to
 WATCH TOWER
cry: "The great war will make the worhl safe for These are sa:wtified throuoh the blood of Jesus. set
democracy," which was in keeping with other of his a._-]de for God’s holy pdrl)o-e.-, made mighty through
lies. Then came the League of Nations. his offspring, the l~ord because of having on the armor of God. and
which he caused ecclesiastical repre~-entatives to pro- are sohlier~ under a Captain who km)\xs no ,lefeat.
claim as "the political expre~-sion of God’s kingdonl ol, They arc called to be associated with their l-Iead in
earth." The League of Nations is proving a failure. declaring God’s vengeqnec, and to announce the deliv-
Satan’s empire continues to crumble; while Christ, the erance of mankindt-’ore their oppressors.
great 5[essiah, continues to advance in the execution Clearly the eomman,trungs in their ears: "Lift ye
of Jehovah’s judgment. up a banner upon lee high n!ouv-{aiu !"
1)i.,mayed at conditions, the representatives of Chris- This means to lif~ np the message announcing the
tendom jump front one proposed remedy to another, King and his kingdom, the glad tidin£> that the day
tryh> to patch up and reform Satan’s organization. of deliverance is at hand. "Exalt the ~oiee unto them,
Greater and greater is the pressure placed upon the wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the
people, nhtil the peoples and nations of earth groan nobles." Clearly, earnestly, zealously proclaim the mes-
nmter the lead; while frequently there bursts forth a sage of truth unto all that have the hearing ear: First;,
flame of destructive fire. Truly the leaders of Babylon to those of the consecrated of the Lord who have be-
are in perplexity and the inhabitants of the world are come weary in well doing, that they may awake to
in great distress. their privileges and duties; second, to those in Babylon
who love the Lord, and yet for fear are holding back ;
CHRIST THE CONQUEROR and third, fo manldnd in general, that the King of
glory is at the door and his kingdomis comingin, and
Look the other way. We see the great and mighty that all who have the hearing ear may prepare them-
Leader of the new order of things, God’s organization selves for the kingdom.
--tnm whose name is FMthful and True--proclamfing
the true doctrine of righteousness, executing the divine PROCLAIM THEMESSAGE JOYFULLY
judgment trod making war upon Satan’s organization. To which class, then, do you belong? Are you the
Upon his head are many crowns, symboheally repre- consecrated and anointed of the Lord? Are you of the
senting that all power and authority in heaven and in
class of his sanctified ones? If so, then the command
earth is committed to him. The time has come for is to yon--to every one of the called and chosen. These
"him whose right it is" to take possession of earth’s now must prove their faithfulness. It therefore becomes
affairs, and he has assumed eommaml.(ilevelation 19: the privilege, yea the duty, of all such to proclaim the
11-14, Ezekiel 21:24-27) With him are his called and message, advertising the King and his kingdom as the
chosen ones, to whomhe has committed certain inter- only remedy for the ills of humankind. These must do
ests of his kingdom. These now are having opportuni- it, and they will do 1t ~oyfullv.
ties to prove their faithfulness, which meansloyalty to
The message of this king(tom is contained in the
their King. Those who do prove faithful are joyfully publications of the WatchTower Bible & Tract Society.
obeying his command.They rejoice in the righteous- It is to the interest of the l~ord’s kingdomthat this
hess of their King, and gladly tell of his kingdom. message go to the people. This interest has been com-
They have absolute confidence in their Leader. They
knowthat he will win the great conflict nowon. Eager- mitted to you. Slack not yohr hand. Seize the oppof
tunity and faithfully represent your King and his
ly they awaithis command.They hear it. It was ldngdom.
recorded longagoby theProphet. The Lord has so arranged that the seven volumes of
Isaiahtheprophethad a visionof the wonderful STUDIESIN" TIlE SCRIPTURES, together with THEHARP
events nowtranspiring. As themouthpiece he spokethe OF GOD,may be placed in the hands of the people at
messageof the Lord,saying,"I havecommanded my the astoundingly low price of $2.85. This affords an
sanctified ones, I have also called mymighty ones for opportunity. Let every one who can engage in making
mine anger, even them that rejoice in myhighness." known the message of the hour, do so.

OH, HOW BEAUTIFUL THEIR FEET

"Oh, how beautiful their feet, "Joyful tidings we have heard,
Who upon the mountains And with hearts o’erflowing,
Sound abroad the tidings sweet Praise Jehovah for his Word,
Of life’s flowing fountains. His salvation showing.
Mercy, peace, and plenteous grace, So’on his foes he will subdue
Sweet as heavenly manna, By his niighty power;
Now are offered to our race. Noon he will mqke all things new,
Shout, and sing hosanna! Bright as Eden’s bower."
 ABRAHAM, A BLESSING TO THE WHOLE WORLD
--’OcToBER7----GENESIS 12 : 1-4 ; 18 : 17, 18 ; 22 : 15-18
I~NOWLEI)GE OF GOD TO FILL THE ],;ARTH---ABII, AHAM SCHOOLED FOR HIS ]~’UTURE WORK----COMPOSITE SEED OF ABRAttA~ A ~YIEb"
TErrY--_\LL CHRISTIANS HAVE M-1SSIONARY SPIRIT.
"1~ thee .g~lqll all the /am, il~es el the earth be blessed."--Genesis 12: 3.

O UR studies for tile following three months are on tile

Missionary Message of tile Bible. Very fittingly
conunence with Abrahaln and with God’s promise to
they
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD TO FILL TIlE EARTH
~Our Golden Text tells G~I’s purpose. If the teachers and
leaders in Christendom had kept to the Word of God they
him; for it was to Abraham first tlmt God declared his would have known that God has a set time for the enlight-
purpose to bless all men. even as our Golden Text states. enment of the world; and they would not have organized
2The Bible contains the record of the whole period of these great systems which have taken millions of money
human subjeetion under evil. with a prologue telling of for their support, and which through disappointment that
man’s primal beauty ~md happiness in harnmny with his God does not seeul to pay attention to their labors, have
Creator, "rod an epilogue tellinff of that happiness and har- turned many into unbelief. TO the most casual observer
mony restored. But its story of man’s redemption and res- it is plain that the natural increase of population in
toration really begin.~ with the call of Abraham, 2,081 years heathendom absolutely precludes the possibility that the
after the f’~ll of Adam and the consequent sentence of churches will eo~lvert its masses to Christianity.
death. Even in Eden, when the sentence was about to ~o 6Bible Students see that God does purpose to have all
i~to operation, God had given ~l hope (Romans S: 20); men taught concerning himself (1Timothy 2: 4), and that
~or when he said tl|at the seed of the woman should bruise true knowledge shall c~)ver the earth as the waters cover
the serpent’s head, he clearly indicated that the "seed" the great deep. (Isaiah 11:9) But they see that when
would ullimately destroy both him that had brought deatt~ God’s missionary work is done there will be no rival organ-
upon m-u~kind "rod the sin which the serpent represented. izations as at present--organizations which in matters of
But no furtl~er word of hope was given, nor was it again doctrine are in some cases in violent colailict with each
mentioned until God e,llled Abraham and gave this gracious other; but it will be done under the direction of the church
promise, thus indicating also that Abraham’s family was of the living God, then in glory with the Lord. Truth only
the one through wlmm the deliverer should come. wilt be taught; the facts of God’s plan and the purpose of
~The desire of those who arrange the studies whose order the kingdom will be made known to all. Experience shows
we follow is, that they will promote a greater missionary that nearly all those who come to know God love him; and
zeal; for it is a part of orthodox belief that the church is it is certain that when men understand the truth concerning
responsible for the enlightennmnt of the world and for its God the vast majority will turn their hearts to him, and will
conversion to Christianity. Therefore every church organ- submit to the rule of his Anointed, the Prince of Peace.
izes a missionary society, partly also to prove that it is ~If the question is asked, Has Abraham been a blessing
both Cilristian and orthodox. We cannot agree to their to the world? Orthodoxy replies: The promise has been
thought of responsibility respecting the conversion of the fulfilled in the coming of Jesus, the son of Abraham, who
world; for we lmve learned that it is only when God’s has blessed the world. It is true that nmeh blessing has
kingdom is establisl|ed upon earth that he will bless all come to many through God’s sending his Son into the
the families of the earth, even as he Ires promised; but world; but it is also true, and a very plain fact, that the
we can enter into the course of studies knowing that we multitude of n!ankind is still under the power of sin, and
shall get added knowledge and blessing. Eam~est supporters without God and without hope in the world. Jesus has not
of missions have many puzzling questions before them, not yet blessed mankind. Indeed, COluparatively few have he’trd
the least of which being: Why has God not blessed the of him, and those who have beard in most cases have been
missions which have professedly been organized for him wro~gly informed both concerning him and concerning God,
and in his name? ’tad the nec(ssarily related question: Is who sent him. ][gut has the promise of God failed? God
tlmre any prospect that he will bless them in the future never fails. To men his ways are strange; and even the
any more than in the past? It is necessary to remind clergy now have begun to confess that God is not omnipo-
many sincere people that altlmugh the missionary societies tent. By those who oppose the truth Bible Students are
are highly org~mized, and have operated amongst the hea- often accused of forcing a meaning out of Scripture. But
then for more tlmn 100 years (Some for a much longer the simple fact is that the creeds and the works of Chris-
period), the entire result of their efforts, considered as tendom are based upon false and forced interpretations;
serious attempt to turn heathendom to Christ, may be con- and their lack of understanding is because the clergy refuse
sidereal as an almost negligible quantity. The number of the plain statements of the prophets. Our subject tod’ly is
converts compared with the immense numbers not reached an example of a misunderstood passage. For except in the
is very small, while the impression nmde is h’trdly felt or sense above referred to, that God has sent Jesus, who is
noticeable. The failure of Chrstian missions to heathendom the seed of Abraham according to the flesh, no clergyman
is comparable only to the failure of organized religion in or regularly ordained minister will even profess to believe
Christi, adorn. that this prophecy is a true word of God which must even
4Bible Students, freed from the darkening errors of the yet be fulflled.
creeds, and taught of God concerning his plan, know that SThese promises to Abraham referred to the future. They
neither these great systems nor ~lny individuals were ever were only partly fulfilled even in the coming of Jesus.
sent of God to carry the defiling errors of the creeds to (Galatians 3: 29) Even Jesus, while speaking of his then
the heathen or to anyone else. The name and tile character great works, told of the still greater works he would do
of God have been blasphenlcd by the misleading and even in "the last day." That day is the day of Christ, the day
terrible things taught in his name; and to anyone enlight- which Abraham saw and was glad (John 8:56); for
.~ned conceHfing God’s purpose as revealed in his Word, it Abraham discerned nothing of Jesus’ human life. The
Is not a matter of question or even concern that the "last day" then is the time when the Abrahamie promise
expected blessing of God has not followed missionary effort. will be made good.
 ’ WATCH TOWER =67
9The great religions organizations have ignored this, the their pl’omise until this seed is complete. (Hebrews 11:39,
plain teaching el the l~ible, instead they have taught their 40: Matthew 11: 11) IIebrews 6:18 declares that the oath
creed-, the preeept~ of hi;in. (isaiah 29: 13; Mark 7:9) which was given to Abraham (Genesis 22: 16) was really
Their nnsintormed missionaries eouhl not teach the truth given for the seed’s sake, "that ~ve might have a strong
to the heathen; in turn, their errors effectually estopped consolation who.., lay hold upon the hope set before
God’s blessing upon themselves. us"; that is, the hope of entering into the glory which God
has given his own dear Son. As soon as the spiritmtl seed
ABRAHAM SCHOOLED FOR HIS FUTURE. WORK is complete, Abraham will have two seeds: One according
10Our study nalurall~ raises the qm’slion, Why did God to the flesh, the ancient worthies; "rod one according to the
tell AI3gatlmln of his purpose so long behn’e tile time set for spirit, the Christ, the Anointed, tile Messiah. Then the
its fulfihnent; and wh~ uas it necessary that .kbraham promise of our text will be made good, and the blessing of
should leaxe his home and his country? it is lo be noted mankind will begin. The (’hl’ist will direct the work in
that though Aluaham was called from his father’s house power; and the faithful of old, raised to hunnm perfection,
to go into at strange land, it was not as a missionary that will serve under them, directing men to the love of God,
he went. IIe was not charged to tell the people of the land while at the same time every opposing inlluenee will be
o£ the God who had spoken to him. On the contrary God rendered powerless.
called him away front his home in order that he might ~SThe experiences of Abraham in the hind of Canaan,
learn the way of lalth, alld prove himself worthy of the separated from his father’s home, correspond exactly with
favor God had for him--lhat of being a chosen vessel for those of the seed who walk by failh. Christians are called
the service ot God. There is nothing to indicate that Abut- from natural hoI)es and expe(qalions lo live in the world
ham ever mentioned to any of the inhabitants of Canaan as strangers and pilgrims. (1 Peter 2:11) In it, they are
the fact of the terms of the covenant which God had made not o~ it; separated in spirit, they count all natural and
with him. Ite was not called upon to do so; it was private purely hum’m things even as loss and dross that they may
to himself. (ibaiah 41: S) There was no provision made be ac(,ounted worthy to obtain the same resurrection as
for any such purpose, nor is regret ever expressed because Jesus. (Philipl)ians 3:8-10) They are in the school
ot any supposed failure on his part. experience, the school of Christ, that they like A1)raham
~*Abrahams life in Palestine was certainly not that of a may develop faith, loyalty, courage, and patience, and all
missionary; rather, i[ the connection must be made, it the graces of tile spirit. (Galatians 5:22,23; 2Peter 1:
should be considered as that of a student preparing for a 5-7) As a comp.my they are no more set to endeavor to
future work. God’s provision for his work is that of char- convert the worhl to righteousness than Abraham was set
acter building rather than learning, valuable though knowl- to evangelize Canaan.
edge may be. In due time Abraham was to be mm of God’s
fro’ernest men, perhaps the hunmn head of the new order ALL CHRISTIANS HAVE MISSIONARY SPIRIT
of things (Romans 4: 13); and he must be prepared for ~6But every one touched with the love of God wants to
his work. tell his neighbors and his fellows of that love if, perchance,
~-’The things which make character and fit one for minis- they also will throw open their hearts to its influence. So
try for God are (amongst other things) faith, Iwalty, while it is true that the Lord never arranged missionary
courage, patience; and tile experiences of Abraham in the societies as commonly understood, there is in the very spirit
land of Canaan, while waiting on God for the son through of the truth that which seeks expansion and expression,
whmu the promise should come, or by whom it might be and a love which wants to have others join in its happi-
continued, were calculated to increase his faith, to develop ness. Therefore every Christian has a missionary spirit.
his loyalty, courage and patience, and to set himself for Indeed, no one can be accounted worthy of this high calling
righteousness. The lesson which came through the test in of God to be of the spiritual seed of Abrah’un who does
the matter of the saeriliee of isaac was to show to Abraham not prove that he has now the spirit of Christ.
and to his seed that the blessing of the world would come ~TAlthough not called to convert the world, each must
through such a sacrifice, and only after resurre.ction. God have the spirit of a blesser, must have a love for men, and
was teaching that the seed which he would produce would a disposition to bless them. Many who have this hope and
need to suffer and to die, and wouhl be re-united to the who are touched with the love of God in Christ are going
Father in resurrection life. from door to door, telling their neighbors of the glorious
deliverance whieh is coming with tile setting up of the
COMPOSITE SEED OF ABRAHAlV[ A MYSTERY kingdom of heaven. The great systems h’tve, under the
~aWith the coming of Jesus there came a further revela- wrong lead given then] by the errors they have held, mis-
tion concerning the seed of Abraham. Through Paul chiefly, used this desire, and have or.-anized lhemselves for the
our Lord revealed tile secret hitherto hidden from all--that world’s conversion. Those guided lly tile holy spirit have
(led was producing a seed, tile Christ, composed of Jesus followed their Master’s examl)le. IIe was not a missionary
t~. d his footstep followers, to be gathered both out of Israel in the ordinary sense of tile word; for he knew that the
aml from amongst the Gentiles, during the whole period time would come when in the power and glory of the king-
between his /irst advent and his return. (Colossians 1: 27; dom he would make all men see tile riches of the love of
A(.’ls 15:14) This is the secret of the :New Testament. God. (Isaiah 25:6-9; 52:10) His disciples have ~old of
is clearly expressed by Paul in Gahttians 3: 29, where, the grace of God in Christ to any who would hear. (2 Cor-
writing of those who had believed into Christ, he says: inthians 5 : 18) But they have not done this with any hope
"If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs or exlmctation of brinzing the world to tile feet of Jesus.
according to th¢ promise." This revelation at once made They are misunderstood, as he was; but Ibis is a necessary
clear why there had been so great apparent del’~y and also part of the trial which every son of Abraham must endure
why the blessing of the world could not come until this in order to develop the character whieh God requires for
seed of Abraham according to the spirit was f*)rmed. those who are to hold the power and glory of the kingdom
~4This spiritual seed has a greater place than Abraham; of heaven.--Luke 12 : 32.
for it has divine glory. Indeed, even Abraham and all the ~sIt is not the church in tile weqkness of its flesh that
fatthful who followed him unto John the Baptist wait for will convert the world, but the church in glory. As the

268 WATCH
Head of the church must needs be changed from mortality
to immortality, from weakness to power, from human nature
to divine, before he could give the holy spirit to the church,
so must his elmreh be changed in order to gain the power
to bring the world to the knowledge of ttle Lord. When
the spiritual seed is gathered, the time will have fully eome
for the resurrection of Abraham and file faithful worthies
of Israel; and they will come forth from the grave to take
up and use the kingdom blessings which were promised so
long ago, and for which in faith they waited, and in hope
of which they died.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Witll whomdo the les.uons for the present quarter commence?¶ 1.
What is tim Bible record concerning humanity? "What was indi-
cated to Abraham? ¶2.
Is the militant church reslmnsiblc for the conversion of the world?
73.
Whyhave not lhe nlissionaries converted the world? ¶ 4.
What do the words of the Golden Text inlply? ¶ 5.
BROOKLYN,
N. Yj
TOWER
Does the Bible teach that all men are to be taught the truth?
Will there be rival organizalions at that time? ¶ 6.
Has tile Abralmmic promise had fulfihnent yet? Of what are
Bible Students SOnletimes acensed? ¶ 7.
Jesus showed what great blessings would have fulfilment when?
What dM Abraham see? What did he not see.? ¶ 8.
XVhyhave the missionaries been a failure? ¶ 9.
Whywas Abraham tohl of God’s purpose so far in advance? Why
must he leave home? ¶ 10.
Was Abrahanl a missionary? What does God esteem higher |has
learning or knowledge? ¶ 11.
I{ov¢ was Abraham’s faith tested? Howwas Jesus’ sacrifice fore-
shadowed? ¶ 12.
WhenJesus carnie, what wa.u further revealed? ¶ 13
What is the spiritual seed of Abraham? What was file obje(’t in
makingoath Io lhe l)romise? Who|ire excluded from the ,N)i’mt-
ual s~ed? ¶ 14.
Whatare someof tile exl)eriences of the~ spiritual seed (’lass wlnlo
they are in the flesh ~ What is the idea back of these expe-
riences? ¶ 15.
Hownlay a person have tile missionary spirit and not be a mis-
sionary-in tile ordinary way? ¶ 16.
Does tile message of God’s love besloued llpon 118 lnlpel ns to
activity? Howis it manifmted? ¶ 17.
When is the church to convert the world? What change must
necessarily tirst take place? ¶ 18.

ISRAEL, A MISSIONARY NATION

OCTOBER 14 EXODUS19 : 1-6 ; ISAIAH43 : 9-11 ; 45 : 20-22
~’ONE TO PREACHUNLESSSENT--TtIE NATLONSGATHERED BEFORE TIlE LORD--FLESHLY iSRAELIrNFIT FOI{ J~I1SSIONARY
~,VORI¢
--ERRORPROCLAIMED AS TRUTHIS UNAVAILING.
"Ye she, ll be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy natiom"--Exodus 10 : 6.

UR lesson is of Israel as a missionary nation. The from the hard bondage of Egypt his word of promise to
o great covenant of promise God made with Abraham,
that in hinl and his seed all the families of the
Abraham is in mind; and this action shows that as Abra-
ham’s Jarnily was chosen out of all the families of men, so
earth should 1)e blessed, may be (~)inpared with the now Israel as a nation is chosen Out of the na.qons.
of promise whi(’l~ G~)d gave to N(mh. In the rainbow 4Also (as the last lesson showed) the offering up
has a sign, negative in elmracter, that the earth shall never Isaac by his father as a sacrifice was intended to indicate
again be subjected to watery destruction. But here is "1 that tile true seed would suffer and die, and that the
bow of promise stretching across the entire human history blessing through tile "seed" would come only after the
and telling positively that blessing shall come to all. The resurrection of that seed ("AecountiDg that God.was able
eovenant was also giveu to Isaac, and later it was con- to raise him uI), even from tile dead; from whence also he
firme~l to Jacob; for tile covenant was to Abraham and his re~’eived him in a fig-ure"--Hebrews 11: 19). So now in
seed, and both Isaac and Jacob were chosen as sharers in this promise at Sinai we are slmwn by the fact that Israel
that covenant of promise. (Genesis 26:3,4; 28:13,14) wqs called to be a nation of priests the further fact that
God had distingatished between tim sons of Abraham: restitution blessings will (.ome only after sin-atonelnent lms
Isaac only was chosen; and later hetween the sons of been m:,,de; for priests are ordained to offer saerifi(.es and
Isaac; for Jacob was chosen. But God took all the sons to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews
of Jacob, and of them made the nation Israel, whom he 5:1,2; 7:27) If God should ehoose a whole nation to lie
chose for himself (Amos 3 : 2 ; Deuteronomy 7 : 6 ; Exodus priests to him, for whom would they serve but for the
6: 7,8), though they were not included in the Abrahamic nations not chosen?
covenant.
2It was the hard bo~ldage that Israel endured in Egypf NONE TO PREACH UNLESS SENT
which brought lhem inlo close relation with God and caused
him to tell of his purpose in them. Tlmir cry caused him 5The eleef of God serve the non-eleet. ~Ve discern in these
arrangements for lhe world’s blessing in God’s due time
to come forth aa their God and Deliverer, and to speak of
them as his firstborn among tile nations.--Exodus 4:22. the tlmught that God will have the nations seek him rather
than that he will have his chosen go out to tell them about
sour Golden Text takes us to Sinai at the time of Israel’s
arrival there from Egypt. God was waiting for them there himself; for a l)riesthood iml)lies "m allar and a temple
(Exodus 19: 4); and he called Moses up the mountain and a location, and men must go to the priests of God
speak with hhn. The gracious words which form part of rather than tile priesls go to the people. Other scriptures
our study today were then spoken. Moses was instructed show that God purposes to have a highway ¢~tst up upon
to tell Israel of God’s good desire towqrds Israel and to which the peoples may walk to Zion, that is, to restitution
inform then~ that God was ready to make a covenant with blessings; and the troubles through which they have passed
are to bring them to the (,ondition of heart to say one to
th(’m. (Exodus 19: 1-6) With the subject of lhese studies
in mind, which is the missionary te’mhing of the Bible, the anotlmr, "Come. ye, ,’rod let us go up to the house of the
question arises, What was God’s purpose in separating the Lord, and we will learn of his ways." (Isaiah 35; 2:2-4)
nation o~ Israel from the other nations, and tlms making No one Ires a right to eall himself a mi,~ionary for God.
them peculiarly his own? (Amos 3:2) Did he thereby nor’to send others oat as missionaries unl(,ss eommi,sioned
make israel ’l missimmry nation? The answer must be No! so to do; for "how shall they preach, ex(’eI)t they be sent?"
for neilh(r th(,ir selt’(,lion nor the covenant which imme- (Romans 10:15) Israel’s call indicated the purpose
diately lollow,,:l i:nt):ies this. ~ut the continuity of God’s God, and at 1)rivile~e given to them, but ill itself it did not
I)urpose is. apparent. It is clear that ia delivering lsrael curry beaond thoee tliiul~,~,
 WATCH TOWER
6If it be said that everyone wile hears truth has a respo:,- eiently for tllem to know their course Is as displeasing to
Sibility to tell it out to all who will hear, the answer is, Mmas it is hurtful to themselves. He challenges them to
God distinctly refused Israel liberty to mingle with other produce any evidences Io prove that they have any claim
nations. Nor had they any message for the nations; their to be considered as worthy of being entmmted with the
covenant was nmde with them alone (Amos 3: 2); stewardship they have held. Tney have been blind to plain
others could share except under very limited conditions. facts, d(’af to loud calls against their iniquities and their
Indeed, Israel were to keep themselves separate from all injustice. God also will produce his witnes.~es, those who
other peoples because of the dangers of contanfination. know hinl and ;ire Able ti) declare his truth, those who
This is, of course, tile exact reverse of that ~thich is com- understand the Word of God written by the prophets of
monly supposed to be God’s purpose with any wllom lie long ago, and who are Able to show that those things then
chooses to be his representatives. But there can be no written are the things presently being clone by God, even
question of tile purllort of such passages as Deuteronomy this saine witness being an example.
7:1-8; 23:3. :lThis challenge to the nations, and God’s declaration to
7Two other passages are given qs portions for today’s his faithful pe~)I)le that they are his witnesses (Isaiah
study; namely, Isaiah 43:9-11 and 45:20-22. As both of 10), was dealt with At length ill TIIE WATCHTOWERof
these passages d(~.lare that Israel is God’s witness, it is November 1, 192"-’, page 336. There it is shown that the
concluded that these words were a clmrge to Israel to tell declaration applies to our day and to the work of the
the nations about their God. We enquire, IIow are these chureh at the present time. The world situation is such
passag(;.~ to be lnnlerstood, ’rod when (lid they become that the domestic politics of Any nation are of necessity
operative in tile lile of Israel? Do not these words by second in importance to its international relationships. All
Isaiah mean, as many think, that Israel of Isaiah’s day were (lie world is hound together. The newslmpers are scanned
1o go abro:td amol;g~t tile PtOli!es of the earth, and tell daily to see what is ]mi)pening to tile world; the whole
them (,~,’ .le’. o,-ah and cull ill)on the nations of tile earth earth is within tile range of every man’s llolitieal view. It
worshil) him, the true and only God? The allS’wer nlnst be is this condilion which is portrayed by Isaiah. God will
in the he(alive. Surely if lhal had been the intention, (.’ause the world lo hear lhe truth of his plan and kingdom
there wouhl have been instru(.ti(m to Israel to tell tim by his faithful witnesses, and the worhl is arrai~md in
Genlile:; Ihat a change ill God’s plan for them had occurred, court before him, his witP.esses also being present. This
~md that with lhe change his attitude loward the world ]lad indicates that they will be so faithful that the world will
altered. It wouhl be only a partial answer to say that know them as tile5; know tile world.
these passages had an application At the time of our Lord’s ~qt is to lie noted that even here God’s witnesses are
iirst advent when Jesus by the holy spirit through the early not called upon to go abroad; rather it is that God brings
church sent out the truth which he had come to declare. the natious of tile world to~Zether and confronts tlmm with
--AvIs 1: 8. the truth, ltow, then, do God’s witnesses sl)eak for him?
Sl)uring Iris ministry Jesus s~ti(1 that he was not sent The answer is, The worhl situation is apparent to all, and
Any but the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He made God’s witnesses lind all tile opportunities necessary to their
this fa(.t so l)lain lhat the w,)man of Phenicia said that witness at their hand. Nexer was such work done for God
even clogs got crumbs which fell from tile master’s table. AS is being done ram’. l.’rom door to dlmr his witnesses go
(.Marl~ 7:2S) After his death, and because the end of the telling limit me~age of cmnfort h) all tile weary hearts;
time of favor lo Israel had come, Jesus told his disciples at tile stone time by that same message, by the more public
lhat they were ll,)w not to conline themselves to Israel but proclalnation, the leaders of tile worhl and the false
to ao out into all the worhl and make disciples of all prol)hets, the clergy, are hearing tile witness of God’s holy
peoples. (Matthew 28:19, margin) Here was a clear inti- l/rophe~s, whose word given of old is God’s present message
lnlttion of a cll,tnge ill tile l)lan of God. Israel must no to the world. A~.vording to his purl)ose, ill every I)laee where
longer have all the favors God had to give; tile world out- lie will hn~e his witlmss gi\en (led has those who stand
side ~as to get some of them. (Ephesians 3:6-8) But it for hiln against tile kingdonl of Satan and its reI)resen-
to be holed Ihat even thetl there was no thought expressed tatives.
llOf eonlnland eiven that the dis(.iples were to luake ~tu
attempt to bring all the worhl into their covenant of FLESHLY ISRAEL UNFIT FOR MISSIONARY WORK
grace.--John 17 : 22.
~aInsteqd of being able to carry all evangel to others
Israel at’cording Io the ilesh have needed to be evangelized.
THE NATIONS GATHERED BEFORE THE LORD The picture at Mr. Sinai is expressive in this. God prom-
9Thc diseiples were to seek out lhose who were waiting ised to make them a nation of priests; and, agreeing to
for God. They were not expeeted to conquer the world by the proposal, they said that they were ready to a(.eept
gl’;n’e any nlore than Israel was expel.ted lo bring the world God’s coxenant. But ahnost immediately they proved that
into lhe law covenant. Nor were the dismllles to challenge they were unworthy of that high oilier; for when God
the world; lml as wilnes,es of the. power of grace to change manifesled himself in tile lightning, thunder, the earth-
till’ life they were to be living examples of that grace. quake, Israel tied from his llresence. They had not courage
(John 17: 23) Tile fact is lhat these passages in Isaiah to meet their God. No doubt their fear was caused more
are llrOllhetie, and do not refer to anything in the history by an inherent realization of their sinfulness nr their lqek
of Israel under tile law or the prolIhets. Their fulfilnlent towards God lh:m by lhe fearful sights and sounds which
is Inking phn’e now, ill tile tinie of the second advent, when Aeeomt)anied God’s llresenee. They said to 5Ioses: "Speak
the renllmnl of si)iritlntl Israel, the feet members of the thou with us, antl we will hear: but let not God speak
body of Christ, lhe memhers of the church in tile flesh, are with us, lest we (lie." (Exodus 20: 19) Those who (’ould
I)eing g’~thcred toaeflmr ill one body under the headship of not thus meet (hid, lnqng afraid of him, conld not be priests
the relummd l,or([, and are heing m’mifested to the world for others; indeed, lhey proved that they were such its
as God’s Israel according to the spirit. needed sonleone lo meet God lot them. ]3e(’ause of tiffs and
~°The Prophet sees lhe great nations of the earth gath- their sin when 5hrses was nllOlI the mount, God ill his
ered as before Jehovah. They have gone their own way, grace prmidcd "t priesthood for them. Aaron was eheseD
heedless of the fact that God has manifested himself sulli- out from amongst them ilia( he might be their prie~; tu4
 BROOKLYN,
N. TJ
WATCH TOWER
it shouhl ’dwnys be remembered that the Aaronie priest- lonish captivity of error by tile great Cymls, the retummd
hood -er\e,l for Israel only. Lord; arid (2) of the restoralinn of Israel after the flesh
’4Thai priesthood was impotent, and indeed Aaron him- restored as at the first (Isaiah 1 : 26) and prepared to carry
self failed. Both he and his family need a priest to lu’ing on the work of the Lord under the direction of the church
them to God. But the Aaronie priesthood :lad ils Levilieal in glory. The "servant of Jehovah" who enlightens lhe
service met Israel’s immediate need according to the pur- Gentiles and brings salvation to the ends of tile earth is
lm~e of God in his dealings wiih theln. It eouhl not take the returned Lord; and "Israel" are the true-hearted ser-
away sins nor cleanse the eonsei(’nee of a single Israelite; vants of God who, under the Head of tile church, carry out
but it was a t3pe of abetler priesthood to come, and as his will. It is these of whom Isaiah wrote. When the Lord
such it has rendered a greater service lo Slfiritual Israel hqs done his work by his church and that phase of the
than it could possibly give to Israel after lhe ilesh. (He- work is complete, the ancient worthies, restored, will take
brews 7:25) In due time God gave a priest who could it up; and when Israel is restored they as a nation will be
serve both 1o l’ellioxe transzression and the power of sin. ready to serve the world according to the m’iginal promise.
Jesus came, the true Priest with a sacrifice powerful to Then. all the ends of the earth will look UIHOGod and be
save.- llebrews 9 : 9-14. saved, and "in the Lord shall all the se(’d of Israel be
~Soon qfter the resurrection of ,Iesus it was disclosed to justified, and shall glory."--Isaiah 45:22-25.
the church that God purposed to have a spiritual nalion
who should be to God a royal priesthood because they were QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
to ,bare the honors of Jesus’ throne. (1 Peter 2: 5) By him In what way is the Abrahamic covenant a positive bow of prom-
and in him God makes a nation of spiritual priests.--1 i~e? ¶ 1.
Peter 2 : 9. Viqmt brought Israel into close’~relationship with God? ¶2.
V¢a~Israela missionary nation ¶ 3.
Whatwasindicated by tllesacmfice of Isaac?Whatwas shownin
ERROR PROCLAIMED AS TRUTH UNAVAILING theSmaitic promise? ¶ 4.
~6In Israel’sdegeneratedays, even when they were ready 7sin~ it nottruethatthenations willseekGodinstead of Godsee.k-
them,whentiletimecomesfortheirblessing? ¶ 5.
to kill tlle Son of God (Matthew21:38),they yet tlmught Didnnssioned l~rael have a mess,~e for tile oilier nations" "Were flloy com-
to deliver a me;:sage winch they did not ha~e’~ ’i 6.
thai they were fitted to be teachers of the llalions; and What shall we do with the two texts cited as proof that I~rael
they organized missiormry services. But our Lord’s com- xxas a missionary nation? ¶ 7.
ment on their work was, "Ye compass sea and hind to make What positive proof have we that Israel was not a missionary
nation? When did a change come? ¶ S.
one proselyte; and when he is made, ye lu}lke him twofold For whomwere the disciples to seek? Howshould we understaud
the texts in Isaiah? ¶ 9.
more tile child of Gehenna than yourselves." (Matthew 23: What kind of challenge does God make to the nations, including
15) It is the same today. Error plxuel’tinled as truth pro- I~rael after the flesh? ¶ 10.
Wlmt is the condition of the world today? What is indicated by
duces a worse evil than wqs found in those who sowed the the message being given by the Bible Stmh,nts? ¶ 11.
seed; for truth produces righteousness but error can pro- IIow (Io God’s witnesses speak for hinl? ¶ 12.
How did Israel show their unworthiness of being a nation of
duce only evil. In the d’tys when Israel is restored, soon priests? What did God then do? ¶ 13.
now to be, God will show him to be the firstb~n~l of the Could the Aaronic priesthood and Levitical service take away sin?
Did it meet Israel’s immediate need? Whgtt wins God’s purpose
nations to himself, which means that the other nations and concerning it? ¶14.
families of the earth are to be born unto God, and that the What was disclosed after the resurrection of Jesus ? Whomwill the
family in heaven and earth are to be one.--Ephesians 3 : 15. royal priesthood specially serve? ¶ 15.
,What did Jesus say concerning tile missionary efforts of the Jews?
27The second half of the book of Isaiah, from wlfieh two Howdoesthis al)Idy today? ¶ 1(i.
~)f our passages for today are taken, tells of the restoration Are there two Israels? What are they? Whois the "servant of
Jehovah" and the Israel that will co6perate with him in bless-
of God’s Israel: (1) Of the church brought out of Baby- ing all the ends of the earth? ¶ 17.

NEW YORK CONVENTION

N ’EW YORK is the greatest
cosmopolitan population.
city on earth.
Great nunlbers
daily.It has tile best means of transl)ortation
It has a
visit it
of
It is expected to nmke this the greatest public meeting ever
held in tile United States. Both morning and aftm~mon
meetings of Sunday will be held in the Madison Square
any city in the worhl. For some tinm the Bible Students Garden.
of the New York chureil have thought that New York city For Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday following, the
should have a great convention. They have determined, by Scottish Rite Cathedral at 315 West 34th Street, New York
the grace of the Lord, to have such. city (near the Pennsylvania station), has been taken. The
The convention will begin Friday, October 19, and con- morning and afternoon sessions of the meetings here will
tinue for six days, ending Wednesday, October 24 (notice be devoted to the interested. Each evening tlle public will
corrected date). The 19th and 20th will be devoted more be im-ited, at which time a public address will be given.
particularly to discourses "rod praise and testimony meet- As it will require tremendous effort to prepare for this
ings for the interested, a part of the time being given over convention, the Bible Students within a radius of two hun-
to advertising the public meetings to follow. dred miles of New York are cordially invited to participate,
For Sunday, October 21, all day, Madison Square Garden and as ninny others of the brethren who desire to do so
has been leased. It is America’s greatest auditorimn and and who can conveniently. Speei’fl arrangements will be
ordinarily seats 13,500 people. Many more can be crowded made with the railroad companies for convention rates.
in. On Sunday afternoon of that date a public meeting will Arrangements will also be made for housing tim friends
be addressed by tile President of the Society, Brother that come, a committee having already been assigned to
Rutherford. The meeting will be advertised in tim New prepare for this.
York papers and in other papers within a radius of two
The time seems opportune for a great convention. We
hnndred miles, besides 2,0(X),000 tracts that will be distrib-
anticipate that the brethren will respond joyfully and make
uted in announcing the meeting. A specially constructed
electrical loud-speaking system will be installed, so that all it a tremendous success in advertising the King and his
t’,ae people in this great hall can hear clearly and distinctly. kingdom. We invite the brethren everywhere to present this
 1 192S
matter frequently to the throne of heavenly grace, that the
Lord may be pleased to give a wide witness lo the truth
during this convention, to his glory, and to build up his
people in the most holy faith.
WATCH TOWER
For further information concerning the convention, ae-
conunodations, etc., see subsequent issues of THE WATCI{
TOWER,and address all communications to Convention Com-
mittee, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York.

INTERESTING LETTERS
FOUND DEMAND FOR FULL SETS remainder were English, Gernlan, and Italian. Seventy-six
signed their names, desiring further literature in Portu-
DEAR BRETHREN : guese. Some of the leading church people said: "Why was
As I have not written you regarding the work for some this lecture not anounced in our churches?"
tiine I will say that it is going along fine. Those who go Two nights later I delivered an illustrated lecture on
out feel well repaid when they think of the wonderful privi- "Spiritism." The hall was crowded; and many spiritualists
lege that is theirs to be in the Lord’s work; while those attended. The spiritualists in Brazil have the idea that
who do not go do not know wllat they are missing. spiritism is founded on the Scripture. Accordingly as they
The 122 full sets of seven volumes which you sent to ~)ur listened to the lecture and saw the Scripture on the screen
class arrived .just as I was about to have a few days vaca- in Portuguese showing that spiritism is demonism, it was
tion. So I suggested to my wife that we spend our vacation a great shock to many; and there was some nmrmuring.
by starting the work of selling the full sets, including the I do not think that I would have been permitted to finish
HARP--eight volumes. the lecture; but the Scriptures reproduced in their own
~Ve went by auto to territory that is too far to reach lang’uage had a powerful effect.
from here in one day’s drive. My wife’s sister, St. M. B. One old scholar and educator who has turned from
Sehlatter. came with us. We canvassed mostly country Papacy said: "This is what we want, more Bible study."
homes; and in about seven and one-half days we sold forty- At Rezende another professor said: "Much has been writ-
four full sets of eight volumes, seventy-nine HARe BIBLE ten against spiritism; but this is the first explanation that
STUDYCourses, nine "Millions," and four Zg’s. really gives tile Bible answer to this question."
It was the grandest vacation outing we have ever had. A great wave of modernism is sweeping this country.
Since then most of our workers have started with the full Catholicism is waning; but spiritualism is gaining rapidly,
sets and are meeting with good success. almost with incredible rapidity. "Can the Living Talk with
tile Dead" is certainly required here; it will surely be used
With warmest Christian love and prayers, I remain of the Lord 1:o help many.
Your brother in the service of our King, Completing the lectures in Sao Paulo I went to San Jose
BENJ. HERSHEY, Kansa.8. de Rio Pardo, a town in the interior, where I held a number
of meetings. Tile interest was good. Two of the friends,
upon coining to a clearer knowledge of their privilege, made
LIGHT BREAKING THROUGHIN BRAZIL a full consecration. One of them said: "This is what I
have longed for, it is the hapI)iest day of my life." These
DEAR BROTHERRUTHERFORD: friends lmve sold their first consignment of "Millions"
Greetingsin the name of our dear Redeemerand Savior. books and are ready for more. A number of wealthy
Following herewith pleasefindreportof tllefirstadvertised Syrians, hearing of our meetings, sent and invited us to
public lectures given under the auspices of the I. B. S. A. one of their homes, where in a beautiful parlor we deliv-
in Brazil. Finding difficulty in obtaining anyone in Rio de ered an illustrated lecture upon the message of the hour.
J,meiro who would act as an interpreter for a Scriptural Old Brother Sinith, who is now quite deaf, has been
subject, I decided to come to Sao Paulo, a large modem laboring here for years, and his work is bearing fruit. I
city of six hundred thousand inhabitants. In that city a also visited Calnpinas, tile center of Presbyterian activity
highly educated Brazilian gentlenmn, who was moderator in Brazil, and hope to deliver a lecture here later.
of the General Assembly of Presbyterians of Brazil for six- In accordance with your instructions to establish a Bra-
teen years, kindly offered ills services as intertlreter. He zilian branch I am going back to Rio Janeiro next week.
resigned from the Presbyterian Board years ago on account The message is gradually spreading in Rio; over thirty
of predestination, hell-fire, trinity, etc. Since then he has are now interested. The friends are quite zealous, but so
been searching for the truth. He is now reading THE HARP little literature is published in Portuguese that they aie
OF GODand is enjoying its sweet melody. greatly lmndieapped. I am glad to say that Brother Cabr~l
I secured the "Conservatorio Dranmtieo e Musical," the has arrived from PernaInbuco. If you send the multigraph
largest hall in the city, capacity six hundred (hails are we shall be able, D.V., to get out Volume I a chapter at a
not large in Brazil), and advertised two illustrated lec- time, also lessons on the Tal)ernacle a month iu advance.
tures. Being alone I had to depend entirely upon newspaper We shall also be able to publish THE WATCHTOWERin
adveriising; and as the Bible House has to bear all the Portug’uese.
exl)ense of introducing the lnessage into this great country, It is necessary that the friends obtain some help in order
my advertising was of necessity limited. for them to develop. Sister 1,’erg-uson, for )’ears tile only
For a Catholic country which has so far almost entirely sister in the truth in this country, has been a great assist-
escaped the effects of the great war and tile dilI~eulties of ance to me in Sao Panlo; and although she is elderly and
other nations, the response was encour~Jging, about five deaf, her sterling Christian character and her abounding
hundred and eighty-five attending the first lecture. The faith in God bear testimony to how the heavenly Father
interest was good. Tile Scriptures reproduced on the screen can develop his children through the agency of THE WATCH
in English and PortugTmse seemed to make a deep impres- TO\VERand the various SCRII’TURE STUDIES.

sion. One hundred and thirty-three "Millions" books were With kindest kingdom love and greetings,
disposed of. One hundred of these were Portuguese, the Your brother in Christ, GEORt~EYOUNO,Bra~gZ~
 InternationalBible Students Association Classe
Lccturc~
andStudio5btj Travclin~
Brcthrcrl
BROTHER J. A. BOIINET BROTIIER W. H. PICKERING
~ealy, Tex.................... Sept. 1(; I,al:e Charles, La ....... Sept.
23 3Iedieipe ll:~l, Alia ...%epl. l(; 3loose Jaw, Sa~l: ;~o’lt. 21, 23
I-lO/lStOn, Tex................ " 17 GlenmoJe, La ............. " 2[ Maple, (’r(u’,:, Sask .... "’ 17 i~t~Ula, S,lsk. .. 24
Crosby,Tex..................... " 18 Leesvdle, La ............... " 25 Swltt Current, Sask. . _ " 18 llrandon, Maq ..... "’ 26
Beamnont,Tex ............... " 19 Shrevellort, La ........... " 26,
27 lterbert, Susk ................ " 19 I’ortageLa :’ratirle, .’ilHII 27
Crowley, La ................. " 20 (’lbtlclllv)O;I, - 9£ (’haplin, Sask................. " 20 Wmuipeg, 3Ia-~ . "’ 2,% 30
aennmg.% La ................... " 2t Sdce’, l,a.. Sept. 30, Oct 1

BROTItER G. R. POLLOCK
BF~OTIIER B. H. BOYD San Diego, Cahl ...... Sept. 16 Long Beach, (’atif... 8epi. 23
Belmont, 111 .............. Sept. 17 Springheld, Ill .... ~ept. 24 (Weanside, C~l:f ....... "’ 17 l;ag e I~o(’1:. (’alif. "" 21~
Dix,111.......................... " ]; Peoria, I11 ........ " 25 Sanla Ana. Calif ........... "’ 18 West Los Angeles, Calit. "’ 25
Puroka,Ill ..................... " 19 Jacksonville, 111 ... " 2~; Anaheim,Cal,f ............. " 19 Mavwood, Cahf ...... "’ 2(i
Vsn(:.tha. 111................... " 2,) ]lane, 111 ................. " :", i1awthorne, (’ ,hi ........... " 21) Mom’o~ia, (’aht ............. "’ 27
Oconee, Ill .......... " 21 Jerbeyville, 111 ........ "’ ’.2’
; Sit4 Pedro, (’:tnI 21 A11mml)ra, (’alif ............. " 28
Pana,ill ......................... " 23 Godfrey, 111 ................. " 30
BROTItER IL M. RICE
East Moline,111 ............ Sept. 17 i~treaior, 111............... Sept. 23
BROTI;ER J. W. COPE l:nexville, Ill ................. " IS Joliet, Ill ..................... " 24
TwoIIarbors, Minn ..... E,’-~t. !4 Barnum, Minn ..... S,,’~t 2;) Kewanee,I11 ................. " 19 Aurora, i11 ............. " 25, 26
1)uiuth, ~!iUll ............ ’ l (; ( )ilfll;lla, 31inn.... " :)] l’rmeeton, Iil ............. " 20 ~:eneva. Ill ......... " 27
Superior, \, ts ........ "’ 1~; 1,’ergus, Fails, 3L nil ’"2’I, 2 i I’eru, Ill ................. " 21 Rocllelle. I11 ..... Oct 14
Proczor, 3,[liln ......... "’ 17 Wynd,:lere, N. D:lk. . "’ 25:2
lroutoll, 3illl;~ ........ "’ 1’; l]ll(lertill, N. 1)ak. . " 2i, 2;
Aitkin, Mmn .................. "" 19 Berli , N. 1)81: .......... " 30 BROTHER V. C. RICE
Bristol, Me ........... Sept. 1(; (2ifton(lale. Ma,,s ........ Sept 24
Newllarbo, Ate ....... 1J I;osten, 7,::: s . . . 25
BROTHER A. J. ESIILEMAN Portland, Ve ............ " 18, 19 ~.,’altllma, ::ass .... " 2(;
lVaterlown, N. Y ..... Sept. 1(; Erie, Pa ............... Sept 23 ~:enuebunk,31o ........... "’ 20 (2,li.:~y, Mass ..... 27
Syrneuse, N. Y ............... " 17 NewBrighton, Pa ......... " 25 Beverly, M,~us............. 21 1, l’alillh~,llaIII, 2!aSS....... " 28
Cortland, N. Y ............... " ~, 1 Alliance, O..................... " 27 Lynn,Mass................. " 23 ,’..arlboro, 31ab,~.............. " 30
Aul)urn, N. Y................. " 1.’) Mansheld,() ................ " 28
Igew81’k,N. Y ................. " 20 3lun(’:e, Ind .......... " 30
BROTHER R. L. ROBIE
Marengo, l’ . ............. Sept. 14 Rolsnd, Ia ......... So, t 24
BROTIIER A. M. GRAHAM Iowa City , .............. "" 16 Cambridge, In ....... ’ ::5
rl’aml)ico, Pont ........ Sept. 12 Bonetrail, N. I)ak ...... Sept. 2"] "Iuscatine ’t .............. 17 1)÷.~ Moiues. la .... "’ 26
])ore, N. l)al: ............ " 17, Minot, X. Dal: ...... " 24, 25 I~nt’llngioL [a ......... " 19 l~:dlanola, la. . " 27
Avondale, ?&rot ...... " 1(; Wyndnlere, N. l)ak ’" 27 I:eosauqua lu ............. " 20 All)in, Ia .................... " 28
Outlook, "hint ......... " 17,1~ ]’~nderhu, N. l)ak ...... " 2 Des Moines. la ............. " 23 (’hariton, Ia ................... " 30
]Proid, 31(ml ............. " 19, 20 Fargo, N. 1)21( ......... " ;;0

BI’.OT!IER O. L. SULLIVAN
BROTHERM. L. ItE’¢1,’ 1 q I u O q, t. 17 Attica, O....................... S,")! 2t
Conde, S. Dak ..... Sept. 16 Mitchell, S. Dak ....... b-h, 2- Tiffin, O. 1,, Toledo, O .................. " 25
l~lelletze, S. I)ak ...... " 17 llartford, S. Dak .......... " 25 I,’renlont, 0 ................... "’ i9 iK’_:aln’e, 0 ................... ’" 26
II)swich, S. l)ak ......... " 1S Imverno, Minn .............. " 2,q g,lndusky, O ........ "" 20 Ah’o:’(.~ton, 0 ....... " 27
Lel)anon, S, f)ak ....... " 19 (’hanre!lor, S Dak ......... " "-’7 l)an/try, O ......... "" 21 lh’3an, O ....... ’ 2¢
Ree Heights, S. Dak ..... " 20, 21 Mcnno. S. 1)ak ......... " :2 Bellevue, O.................. "’ I2 l]dgertoll, O ............ " 30
Ituron, S. Dak ........... " 23 Parker, S. l)ak ........ 30

BROTHER W. M. HERSEE BROI’IIER W. J. TIIORN

V,’yeliffe, B. C ........ Sept. 11 I’eaehland, B. (" .... N:,’~t 20
Malahat, B. C ..... Se:~t. 13 Clfilliv:a,’k. P,. C. .Se:)t. 23 ",,,lson, B. (’. ......... " 1:1.16 "(ernoll, 1) (’. ......
Vicloria. B. C ............. " 14, 16 Agassiz, B. C. .. " 24 " 21,22
Balfour, B. (’ . ....... " 14 Armstrong. B. (’. .... " 24
Sidney. B. C ............. " 17 I’e’~,ti(’ton, 1~ C ............ " 26 Trail, B. C .............. " 17 Oy:,,ma. B. (’. ..... "
New Westminster, B.C. "’ 19 Nelsoq.B. (? ................... " 2~ 26
l’enlicton, B. C ......... " 19 \ aneouvcr. B. (’. ..... " 30
Matsqui, B. C ............ " 21 Trail, II. C. ............... " 30

BROTHER J. H. HOEVELER BROTII~R T. II. THORNTON

Beech Creek, Ky ..........
Guthrie, 1:3". .................
lIopkin.~’villo, Ky ..........
Evansville, Ind ...............
Tell City, Ind ................
Sent. 1|; J;aonville. Ind ........ Sept. 23 R]dgetown, Ont . . Se;~t. 1<; Nil ’,:~ov’n, Ont. .Se’)t. 25
.’~ylnler, Ont ............ " lq l,l,,e.’~oll, Ont. 26
" lS l)ix<m,I:y .................. " 25 "
" 19 Pad’,e’qLKy. ............. " ’26, P St. Thonuts, Oat ......... 2!} l’ol’t Bur~ell, Ont. _. " 27
20 May’:el,l, I(y. .............. " 27 l,on(lon, Ont ............. "’ 21, 23 (’ourllalnl, Ont ............... " 2R
" 21 Marion,III ................. " 30 Tlmlnesford, Ont ....... " 24 Simcoe, Ont ................. " 30

BRfrrI~r~ It. rt~3]V! ~TT BROTHER L. F. ZINK

Bristol. Tenn............. Sept. 17, 18 Chnrlotteqville, Yh ......... Sept, 25 Norih Bay, Ont ........ Se’)L 7. Portloek, Ont ........... Sept. 27
Wythevillo, V8 ....... " 1(.), Fre’ler;,’b’~ IInll, Va....... " 2,’; (~ore Bay, Ont ........... " 10-19 3Iael,ennan, Ont .... " 2g, 30
~ast Itadford, Va ..... " 21 Riehmoqd,Va ................. " 27 The~alon, ()’it ........... ’" 2’) Warren. Ont ........... Oct. 1, 2
Roanoke,Va ............. " 23 Orchid,Va..................... " 2’; Sault Ste Marie, Ont. " 21.2:~ North Bay, Oat .... " 3, 4
Lynchburg, Va ......... " 24 Rutherglen, Va ............... " 29 Searrhmont, Ont .... " 24, 25 l~ra(’ebridge, Onl. " 5, 7

PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS
October 3 : "There is one 1)o,ly 81](1 one .pirit."-
FOR OCTOBER
-l]t,hesians 4 :
I BS’A BEREAN
BIBLESTUDIES
October 10: "Tak,~ lhe s’,vowl of the sid:ut, which is the word _qy/¢,ean5 oF "TheAt-one-ment"
of (iod."--l~lllle~;ans 6 : 17 CHAI’TER I : TlIl: ]"ACT ANDTIIE PIlll OSOPIIY
October 17 : "Prnviw: ahvavs . . in the spirit .... for all ~alnts.
--1;pho’dnn’~ 6 1S. Weekof Ort, 14 ........... Q. ,£-14 Weekof Oct. 2g ............ Q. 22 2R
October 24: "Stand fs~t in one spirit."--Philippians 1:27. I Weekof Oct. 7 ........... Q. 1- 7 Weekof Oct. 2t ............ Q. 15-21
October 31: "Worsllip God in the spirit, and rejoice."--Pililip- Quo’:tion books on "Tile At-0ne-ment," 15e postpaid
pians 3:3, I
 ".¯. ,. .

:..[

VoL. XI,IV SE~tt-MoN’tHLY NO. L~

AnnoMundi6051- Septeml;er 15, 1923

CONTENTS

(~od’s l,ove for Our Ra(’e .................. 275

God’u l.ove for I~l’llol 27t;
TII~ Witness ~f ~he Prol~hets ...... . 27’;
God’s l,ove for His Vii’st hm’n ..... 277
Go,t’s Lovl, for S,dritual I~rm,l _.27:
Iq’ineiph,.~ of (:,o(l’s Love ... ?7
Present Duties ........ ...... 27’)
lqlAYEIt .~IEE]’ING TEXT (’t)MMENTS 2’~0
[~R3,EL IN TIlE ~[I1)ST OF Till.,’ ~ATII)NS 2~1
~IIsHIONAI/Y TEACIIIN(IS ()I~" TIIE [tlLOI’IIETS "2~-[
Q! E.~TIONS ANDANSV,’ERS............................ 2NG
NEW YORI,: CONVENTION ................... 2N7
I~ASTOII I{I’SSELL’S ~[EMOIIiS .................... 2S7
NI~’I’ICE l)~" ~NNUAL 5IEETINI~ ............ 274
"/ will st~tnd ~tpon nly watoh and will ~’t my foot
~llIOn the Tower, and will watch to see what lie ,,~ ill
Xfl H HlltO ItlC. fl}ld *¢’h(It Itll.’*tll’Pl" [ sholl m,u].e to Ihcm
that oppose me."--lIabakkuk ~:1.

¯ ~....
_ :. ~--- ....-.~
.~.~: ." ....
:::-.._. -: ......
:.: ..
- ~. _ -~_--:- :.-----
--...__ L_-
~tlm earth dHttre~ of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves (the restl .ess, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looki~ct~
tl~ tkln~ coming upon the earth (society); for the powers of the heavens (ecclesmst~csm) shall be shaken... When ye see these thinp begin to come to pimp,
tmowth~t the Kingdom af God is at hand. Look up, lift up yOUr heads, rejoice, for ~our redemption drawoth ~igh.--Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21".25-31.
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACREDMISSION
T HIS Journal is one cf the prime factors or instrumenlz in the _~stem of Bible instruction,
presented in all parts of the civilized world by the WATCH
or "Seminary Extend|on", now being
TowEaBIBLE& TaACTSOCZaTY,chartered A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
motion of Chrisiian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Wordbut
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of ~he Society’s cOnventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUmZS most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all whowould merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., lrerbi Dei Minister (V. D. ~L), which translated
into English is Minister el God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
---redemption through the precious blood Of "the man Christ Jesus, whogave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : 11-
15 ; 2 Peter 1:5-11) of the Wordof God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God .... to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from alI parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of Godin Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdomgranted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
for we knowwhereof we affirm, treading with implieit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service ; hence our decisions relative to what mayand what may not appear in its columns muse be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuild4ng of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our
readers to prove ali its utterances by the infallible Wordto which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
That the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship"; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age--ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2:20-22 ;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when the
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great ]qaster Workmanwill bring all together
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between Godand menthroughout
the ~lillennlum.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," :’a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which lighteth every man that eometh into the world", "in due time".--
Hebrews 2:9; John 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she maybe like her Lord, "see him as be is," be ’ partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as bis joint-heir.--i John 3.2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
That the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew24"-
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the bope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledgeand opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s 5Iillenniai kincdom, the
restitutmn of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorilied church,
when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.---Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiah 35.

~b U BI.AS H ED e,Y
ANNUAL MEETING
vWATCHTOWER.BI BEE ~ TRACTSOCl ETI Notice is hercOcy given that tim annual meeting of tlle.
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Somety, as provided hy law
18 CONCORD
STREET
a ~ BItOOKD/N,
51.Y U.S’A" and the charter of said Society, will be held at the Soldiers
FORm(~OFFICES:British" 34 Cruven Terrace, Lancaster Gate,
London ’W. 2; Canadian: 38-40 Irwin Avenue, Toronto, Ontario; and Sailors Memorial Hall, Fifth Avenue and Bigelow
Australasian: 495 Collins St., Melbourne, Australia; Bouth A]mcan: Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at 10 o’clo(’k a.m.,
6 Lelie St., Cape Town, South Africa.
PI,EANE ADDREI~N THE SOCIETY IN EVERY CASE. We(Inesday, October 31, 1923, to transact any I)usiness that
may properly come before the said convention, including
YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: UNITED STATES, $1.00; CANADA
AND ~[ISCELLA-NI~O/~S ]~oaEIGN, ~].50; (~REAT BRITAIN, AUSTRALASIA, the election of officers. Form of proxy is furnished with
AND SOU’~II ~4~FR[(’A, ~%s. Anlerlcan remittances should be made by this issue of THE ~*VATCHTOWER for all slmreholders. Fur-
Express or Postal MoneyOrders, or by Bank Draft. Canadian, British,
South African, and Australasian remittances should be madeto branch ther copies may be had by addressing lhe Secretary.
offices only. Remittances from scattered foreign territory maybe made (Si~md) W.E. V_~NA.~lm’a(;H, ,s’ccretary.
to the Brooklyn office, but by International Postal MoneyOrders only.
(Fore~qn translations o] this journal appear ~n several lanquagcs) September 15, 1923.
Editorial Committee: Tiffs journal is published under the supervision WORLD-WIDE WITNESS
of an editorial rommittee, at least three of whomhave read and
approved as truth each and every article appearing in these columns. October 21 will be the next world-wide witness. We had
The names of the editorial committee are: J. F. RUTIIERI,’OED,
w. E. VANAMBURGI-I, J. I:~EMERY, G. ~. FISI:IER, R. ~c][. BARBER. first suggested that this be October 14, on at,count of New
Terms to the Lord’s Poor: All Bible students who, by reason of York’s big meeting, which we anticipated at that time, but
old age or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this which ]ms been set for one week latin’. Sul)ject: "All
journal, will be supplied free if they send a postal card each May Nations Marching to Armageddon, But Millions Now Living
stating their case and requesting such provision. Weare not only
willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and WIll Never Die."
in tOllCh with tile Berean studies.
Notice to Subscribers: Wedo not, as a rule, send a card of acknowl- SPECIAL RATES TO THE NEW YORK CONVENTION
edgment for a renewal or for a new subscription. Receipt and
entry ofasrenewal
]gn~ered Second
Class
areMatter
indicated
at Brooklyn,
within
N.Y.
aPosto~c¢.,
month byAct
change
of March
in3rd
expira-
1879.’
- A special rate of one and one-half fares has been granted
tion date, as shownon wrapper label.
by the railroads to the New York Convention on what is
known as the certificate plan. When lmr(’hasing ym~r ticket
PITTSBURGH CONVENTION you pay full /rare from the starting point to NewYork. The
Following the annual meeting there will be a convention agent will give you a certificate upon request, whi(.h will
of the Bible Students at Pittsburgh November 1 to 4, inclu- enable you to pur(.hase a ticket from New York to )our
sirs. at which a number of the Pilgrim brethren will be
starting point at one-half the rate you paid coming to New
present. On Sund~ly, the 4th, a public meeting will be
addressed by Brother Rutherford in the Syria Mosque. York. Certificate must be dopo<ited with tim secretary of
For further information concerning accommodations for the tran.~portation, Brother R. II. Barber, upon arrival. 1;urther
convention please address C. H. Stewart, Secretary, 317 particulars will be announced in tile next issue of TIt~
Grace Street, Mt. Washington Sta., Pittsburgh, Pa. W±’rc~ Tow~.
VOL.XLIV SEPTEMBER
15,]923
THE BELOVED OF GOD
"Juda,s, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brothel" of ,James, to them that are called, belored in (led the Father. and
kept for Jesus Christ."--Jude 1, R. l’.
N HIS letter to the Corinthian brethren (2 Cor-
I inthians 13: 11) the apostle Paul calls our God
"the God of love and peace"; and in his first
Epistle the beloved St. John goes a step further and
nlakes the declaration that "Godis love." ( 1 John 4 : 8)
This is as we should expect. Wefind ourselves in a
universe that abounds with blessings bestowed in profu-
sion upon a million forms of life. Are there a million
forms ? Wedo not know; but if, as is claimed, there
are 15,000 forms of beetles knownand classified, each
one of them rejoicing in his ownpeculiar structure and
environment, then we maybe sure that the total number
of designs of animate beings, visible and invisible, is
large, far into the thousands anyway.
~Naturally, we humanbeings rejoice most in our own
human life. Our eyes are adapted to the discernment
and appreciation of colors, all of them pleasing to the
eye. Mosaic manufacturers make 15,000 colors; and it
is estimated that the trained eye can detect a million
colors. And beyond the border line of human vision
there are the manyshades of ultra-violet rays, all of
them beautiful, too, no doubt, to eyes that are made to
see their riches.
3Thevariety in soundsis as great as in colors, possi-
bly greater. The ear is constructed in the form of a
harp with 2,700 chords of various lengths, attuned to
catch and analyze the vibrations that are coming from
the throats and wings of birds and other creatures, the
movementsof air, water and all the thousand and one
manifestations of activity everywhere about us. These
things all seem to have been designed to interest and
entertain us; and no doubt this is largely true.
~There is another fiehl of odors about which most of
us know but little, because our senses have not been
trained. Weonly knowthat a trained dog will trace a
maninfallibly by the characteristic odor left in the
ground over which he has walked, and that insects will
detect for many miles odors which most human beings
cannot detect at all.
5There are other fields of interest in touch and in
taste, all giving exquisite joy to their happypossessors.
All these gifts camefrom the one source, from the great
No.18
Giver of every good and perfect gift. They arc pro-
visions that the God of love has made for the blessing
of his creatures. Withont doubt there are joys in plant
life, as there are in forms of life above and beyond the
human which we know exist, but of which we have no
clear comprehension. The higher the organism, the
higher the capacity for enjoyment. But the Author of
all joys is the God of love. God has bestowed these
blessings because it is his nature to bless others. Blessed
be his holy name forever and ever.
GOD’S LOVEFOROURRACE
%Vhile it is proper enough and reasonable enough to
conclude that our Creator is happy in the bestowal of
his blessings upon his creatures, yet it wouhl not he
proper nor reasonable to conclude that he would be un-
happy without them. He was happy, perfectly so. when
he was alone. Hence his blessings upon humanity are
all the more remarkable. Here is a race that has spurned
his protective care. It is a fit subject for destruction.
God could be entirely happy if no such race existed;
and yet "God so loved the world that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.’--.lohn 3: 16.
7This great act of love on the part of the Creator
was no ordinary thing. It was the most extraordinary
thing that has ever happened in the universc; and God
wishes us to understand it so, and ~ know that our
whole existence as a race is directly due to his doing
for us what none of us or all of us put together could
in any possible way do for ourselves. Leeser’s transla-
tion of Psalm 49:7-9 puts the matter well: "Of those
that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves of their
riches, no one can in any wise redeenl his brother, nor
can he give to God redemption moneyfor himself ; for
the ransomof their soul is too costly.’"
SThis is the same thought expressed by St. Peter
when he says that we were redeemed not with such cor-
ruptible things as silver and gold but with something
infinitely more precious, even "the precious blood of
Christ, am of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
--1 Peter 1 : 18, 19.
 ,r~ WATCH TOWER
GOD’S LOVE FOR ISRAEL
Tile first direct mentimlof God’s love for his people
].-rael is in the book of Deuteronomy,though it is many
times previously implied. All the fathers, except Moses
aud Caleb and Joshua, had died in the wilderness; and
]~Ioses was encouraging their descendants to obedience
and to the assurance that even if disobedient, and
repentant afterward, the Lord would hear their voice
if they would but turn to him. He reminds them of
the fact that Godis a merciful God, a covenant-keeping
God, a Deliverer of those that trust him; and that
these blesings to them are "because he loved thy fath-
ers." (Deuteronomy 4: 37) He would not have the
living think that the (lead are forgotten, o1" counted as
enemies; for "the Lord had a delight in thv fathers to
love them" (Deuteronomy 10: 15), even though they
had proved disobedient at Kadesh(at the time of send-
ing out the spies) and, like Moses himself, had been
denied the privilege of entering the promised land.
They will enter it in due time, and be blessed by their
chastisements received in the long ago.
*°Alittle later ~[oses tells the people that are then
before him that the Lord loves them, and that the
reason he loves them is that he loves them (What
better reason can anybody give for loving anybody that
he truly loves ?) and because he would keep his promise
to their fathers. The words are: "The Lord did not
set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were
more in number tb,~n any people; for ye were the few-
est of all people [when sojourning in Abrahamalone] :
but beeause the Lord loved you, and because he wouhl
kc~p the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers,
hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand,
aud redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from
tile hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."--Deut. 7 : 7, 8.
~Moses tells us that it was because the Lord loved
Israel that he turned the curse of ]3alaam into a bless-
ing (Deuteronomy23: 5) ; that he loved the tribes as
whole (Deuteronomy 33: 3, Leeser), and that tie spe-
cially loved the tribe of Benjamin (Deuteronomy 33:
12)--probably to be understood in an antitypical sense.
~\\’e find David in the Psalms making frequent ref-
erence to himself as the Lord’s "beloved" (Psalms 60:
5 ; 108: 6) and to God’s love for "~Iount Zion" (Psahns
78: 68; 87: 2) ; and these we are to understand in both
senses, typical and literal. David was a type of Christ
and "beloved" in that sense; but he was beloved oil his
own account also, "% nlan after God’s own heart"
because of a generosity that did not and would not
harbor ill will agai.nst anybody. David also mentions
(;od’s love for Israel as ~ whole.--Psahn 47:4.
THE WITNESSOF THE PROPHETS
~3The prophets had some unpleasant duties to per-
form in their warnings of impending calamities as a
result of disobedience, but they hadpleasant duties, too;
BROOKLYN,N. ~o
and although we are to under,land that their messages
of hope and comfort are the heritage of spiritual Israel,
we need not forget that they belonged to fleshly I,-rael
also.
~*Whentile prophet Isaiah savs: "Since thou wast
precious in mysight, thou ha,-t been honorable, and I
have loved thee" (L-aiah 43: 4): and wbeu he says
again: "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the
angel of his presence saved them: in his loxe and in
his pity he redeemed them, and carried them all the
days of old" (Isaiah 63: 9)--the context in both cases
showsthat fleshly Israel is the one &rcctlv spol<cn of.
~Right at the time when the Lord hv tile moulh of
the prophet Jeremiah is accusm~Israel of R,fin~ after
false o’ods he calls her "mybeloved"(,h’rcmiah11 : 1,~)
and right at the time when he is ~arnlng her of her
iinpendingcaptivity for seventy long yea rs. he corn forts
her with promises of restoration to T..q. ownland and
says: "Yea, I have loved thee with an ew.’r]asting love ;
therefore with loving kindne,-s ha~e I drawn tlwe."--
Jeremiah
at : .3.
*C’Theprophet Hosea,in the wordsof Brotlwr l{u.<,,ll.
"says sonmvery bad things about somevery bad people."
and in the third chapter is caused to nmrrv an unfaith-
ful woman,an adulteress, thus to illustrate (;od’s faith-
fulness toward Israel even in her unfaillffuhw,-s--the
love of the Lord toward the ehildrea of Israel "’who
look to other gods."--Hosea a:l.
~rtlow tender is the messageof Jehovahtoward I~,a,l
in tile later words of the same prophecy. "’Whenl,rael
was a child, then I loved him, and called myson out
of Egypt .... I tauoht Ephraim also to go [as a loving
parmit teaches an infant to walk], taking them by tlwir
arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew
them with cords of a man. with bands of love: and [
was to thenl as they [the kindly caretakers of the dural)
animals] that take off the yoke on their ja~.-, and I
laid meat [food, temporal and Slm’itual ] unto thmn."
--Hosca11 : 1, 3, 4.
~*The Lord through the prophet Malachi is drawing
Israel’s attention to the evil wav mulrich they ha~e
comphedwith the requirements of the law. Their offer-
ings should havebeenof the best of their llock.-, to illu,-
Irate that the best we have is none too good to lay at
the feet of hfin to whomwe owe our all; but they were
hiding away their choice animals and offering polluted
bread and, front their mfimals, the blind and lame and
sick. In these eireunlstances the Prophet says: "’I have
loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast
thou loved us? . . . A son honoreth his father, and a
servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine
honor? and if I be a master, where is myfear? saith
the Lord of hosts unto you, 0 priests, that despise my
name."--~Ialaehi 1 : 2-6.
~gNehemiahtells us that Solomon"was beloved of his
God" but sinned through the folly of what Nehemiah
styles "outlandish women."(Nehemiah 13 : 26) Daniel
~se(.’nts to have been on the very high,,:t l)i:~!!a(’h ’ of "-’-’We(an ,,et a goodidea of the tenderlove of Jeho-
divi~m favor; for three different times the angel of vah for our Lord if we think about Abraham’slove for
the l,ord assured him that he was "greatly beloved." Isaac. Abraham had waited long for Isaac’s birth;
(1)aniel 9: 23: 10: 11.19) Wehave reason to believe .lehovah waited for an eternity before the creation of
that this favor with God was l)aniel’s throughout his the I.ogos. Abrahamhad seen Isaac come to maturity,
~hole life, and will he his in the kingdom. Whenthese blossoming out into magnifieent young" manhood.Jeho-
ancient wm’thies and their comrades come into power vah had witnessed the expanding powers of the Loges,
during the Millennium they will be "beloved for the and had seen the starry heavens, and all the forms of
fathers’ sakes" (Romans11: 28) ; and throughout their life whieh give witness to his capacity. Abrahamhad
whole administration of the earthly phase of the Lord’s always the obedience and love and companionship of
l~Iillennial kingdomtheir separate establishment from Isaac. Jehovah had crone to think of Jesus "as one
that of the rest of mankindwill be "the beloved city," brought up with him." Abraham’s heart was speeially
over which God will jealously watch and which he will touched with love for Isaac when the message eame to
defend whenthe insurrection takes f)laee at the end of him, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom
that age.--ilevelation 20:9. thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and
off(:r him there for a burnt offering upon one of the
GOD’S LOVE FOR HIS FIRST-BORN mountains which 1 will tell thee of." (Genesis 22: 2)
2°There are special reasons why God wonhl have a J(,hovah knew from the beginning that the time would
special love for ins first-born, Jesus our Savior and come when this obe(hent, loving and always faithful
]ledeemer. We have but to think of the ages, t)erhaps companion would have to be offered up for the sins of
millions of years, during which they were bosom com- others. Did not the knowledgeof Jesus’ comingsuffer-
panions, to reahze something of how (lear they were in/s make him more precious in Jehovah’s eyes? As-
to (,ach other. In the sayings of the wise man, under suredly so. What loving human parent, knowing that
the t)ersonifieation of Wisdom, our Lord is made to one of his children nmst die because of the transgres-
declare: "Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his sion of another, would not look with specially tender
wav. before his works of old. I was set up front ever- eves upon that one! This is one of the lessons we may
lasting, from the begimling, or ever the earth was. take from the statement respecting Jacob (who, in
Whenthere, were no depths, I was brought forth; when sonle seuse of the word, was a type of Jehovah), that
there wore no fountains abound(ng with water. Befor,, "Israel loved Joseph [type of Christ] more than all
the mountains were settled, before the hills was l his ehihlren."--Genesis 37:3.
brought forth; while as yet he had not made the earth, ’-’aThe heavenly Father was making no experinlent
nor the fields, nor the highest /)art of the dust of the when he sent the Son to be the savior of the world.
worhl. Whenhe prepared the heavens, I was there: Through the Prophet long before he had said : "Behold,
when he set a compass upon the face of the depth; I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a
when he established the clouds aJmve; whenhe strm~gth- precious corner stone, a sure foundation." (Isaiah 28:
ened the fountains of the deep; when he gave to the 1 ~;) St. Peter quotes these words (1 Peter 2 : 6)
sea his deeree, that the waters should not pass his con> e.pplies them to our Lord. What words of comfort and
man(Iment; when he appointed the foundations of the reassurance these must have been to our Lord Jesus in
earlh : then I was by tam. as one brought up with hint; his dark hours in Gethsemaneand from thence until it
and l ~as (lally his delight, rejoicing ahvays l)efore was all finished at Calvary! Looking back we can now
him: rejoicing in the habitable part oj2 the earth; and see that the same Prophet, when foretelling the over-
my delights were with the sons of men."--Proverbs throw of mystic Babylon a~ the hands of him whom
8: .~-, 1. Cyrus typi~ed, was speaking of Jehovah’s love for Jesus
-’~ttow well this is expre.-sed! ,Jehovah’s delight ~as when he said: "The Lord hath loved him: he will do
with his tir,-t and last ereatton, and Jesus’ delights his pleasure on Babylon. and his arm shall be on the
were with his own creation, and speeifieally with the Chaldeans."--Isaiah 48 : 14.
sons of men. The Father furnished the plans and sl)eci-
tieations for buihting the first man, even to numbering NOT SLOW TO TELL HIS LOVE
Ill(’ hairs necessary to makea perfect creature; and our -"*The heavenly Father was not slow in giving ~esti-
Lord (,arried out the plans to the letter, and has been monvto his love for the Anointed One. No sooner had
intero,-ted in man’s welfare from time momentto this. Jesus becomethe (’hrist. the Anointed, by going down
What a thrilling moment it must have been for him into Jordan and being baptized, than the heavens (the
when that perfect thing, the result of his exquisite deeper things of God’s Word) "’were opened unto him.
workumnship, first breathed, and opened his eyes, and and he saw the ,-pirit of God descending like a dove,
began the exercise of those provers which made him and lighting upon him; and lo, a voice from heaven,
once and will makehim again the ruler of all the earth, saying. This is my beloved Son, in whomI am well
an earthly likeness of the Creator I pleased."--Matthew 3 : 16, 17.
 H TOWER
’~Later the heavenly Father bore this same precious
witness not only to Jesus himself but to three chosen
ones from amongthe disciples, Peter, James and John,
on the mount of transfiguration. What a wonderful
experience, what a stren~hening experience, it must
have been to Jesus as well as to these chosen ones when
’% bright cloud overshadowedthem ; and behold, a voice
out of the cloud, which said, This is mybeloved Son, in
whomI am well pleased; hear ye him." (Matthew
17: 5) To St. Peter this experience was the most con-
vincing of all evidences that Jesus was the Son of God.
~Ie refers to it in 2 Peter 1 : 17.
26Jesus knew that he was the specially loved Son of
the Father. Matthew, Hark and Luke have recorded the
parable of the Vineyard, how the servants were sent,
one alter another, for the fruits, and were turned away
empty and how. "having yet therefore one son, his well-
beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They
will reverence my son" (Mark 12:6); but it is par-
ticularly in John’s Gospel that we find Jesus specially
referring to this love.
:Tin John 3 : 35 it is recorded that "the Father loveth
the Son, and hath given all things into his hand"; in
John 10: 17, "Therefore doth my Father love me"; in
John 15 : 9, 10, "As the Father hath loved me, so have
] loved you: contiune ye in mylove ;... even as I have
kept myFather’s commandments,and abide in his love."
And in John 17 : 26 our Lord prays to the Father "that
the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them,
and I in them."
GOD’SLOVEFORSPIRITUALISRAEL
=sit is easy to comprehendthe reasons for God’s great
love for his well beloved first-born. There are not so
manyreasons for him to love us. But he does love us,
and all the expressions of love to natural Israel come
with peculiar force to apply to those whomnatural
Israel typified. Andthere arc some expressions in the
Old Testament itself which cannot well be taken to
apply to any except the spiritual house.
29For example, when the Psalmist says: "Precious
in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints"
(Psalm 116: 15), it seems evident that he is referring
to the sacrificial death of the house of sons. When
Jeremiah refers ¢o "the precious sons of Zion, compar-
able to fine gold" (Lamentations 4: 2), it is apparent
that the spiritual house is referred to; for we know
that gold is always a symbol of the divine nature. When
it is said of Israel: "He that toucheth you toucheth
the apple of his eye" (Zechariah 2: 8), it seems evident
that this also shows just how Jesus’ brethren appear
in the Father’s eyes.
a°The love of the new creation as such did not begin
actually until there was such a newcreation ; but Jesus.
so to speak, saw that such a new creation was to come
and knew that the Father would have a specM love for
i~ when it did come. Shortly before the end of his rain-
,,. Y.
istry he said to the beloved apostle Judas, the author of
the Epistle from which our text is taken: "’If a man
love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will
love him, and we will come unto him, and make our
abode with him." (John 14:23) And because the
apostles were already, in advance, showing a family
love (phiIeo). the. Father already loved them in kimt
even before the spirit was given. "For the Father him-
self loveth [ph ileo I you, because ye have loved [phileo]
me, and have believed that I came out from God."~
John 16 : 2L
a~The apostle Paul addresses the saints in Romeas
"beloved of God" (Romans 1: 7); he is well assured
that "Godcommendethhis love toward us in that, while
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans5 : 8)
he is "persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angds.
nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God."--Romans8: 38, 39.
a2But as in the case of our heavenly Fatheffs love for
the Lord Jesus, we found the most evidences in the
writings of the apostle John, so we find in the case of
his love for the church. "Behold what manner of love
the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be
called the sons of God." "In this was manifested the,
love of God toward us, because that God sent his only
begotten Son into the world, that we might live through
him. tIerein is love, net that we loved God, but that
he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for
our sins. Beloved, if Godso loved us, we ought also to
love one another." "And we have known and believed
the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he
that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and Godin him."
--1 John 3: 1; 4: 9-11;16.
PRINCIPLES OF GOD’SLOVE
aaAn examination of the Scriptures shows that there
are but three things that Jehovah is said to love. There
surely are other things, but the importance of these
three is so great that they are mentioned while the
other things are passed by. These three things are
justice, mercy, and humility, ttow evidently, then, the
Lord would have his people cultivate these three things
assiduously.--Micah 6 : 8.
3~Six times the Lord tells us that he loves justice
and those that practise it. (Psalms11 : 7 ; 33 : 5 ; 37 : 28
146 : 8 ; Proverbs 15 : 9 ; Isaiah 61 : 8) Sometimesthe
word is rendered "righteousness" and sometimes "judg-
ment," but plain and simple justice is the thought. The
Lord loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9 : 7) Gen-
erosity is a form of mercy. And "God resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace [love, favor] to the humble."
(James 4: 6) Would you have God’s love? Be just
toward all. Would you have God’s love? Be merciful
toward the erring and the needy. Wonldyou have God’s
love? Renmnlber "’when thou wast little" (1 Samuel
 WATC H TOW E R
15:17), and do not take yourself, your words, your
opinions too seriously. Think soberly.
as Jehovah’s love is of the rare sort that does not
hesitate to chastise, to wounddeeply, if thereby the
loved one is to be brought to a proper course. When
about to send fleshly Israel into the seventy years’ cap-
tivity, he does not hesitate to say, "I have given the
dearly beloved of mysoul into the hand of her enemies"
(Jeremiah 12: 7) ; and every Christian knowsfull well
the force of the promise that "whomthe Lord loveth
he correct~th; even as a father the son in whomhe
delighteth."--Proverbs 3 : 12.
a~Jehovah’s love is not the demonstrative, shallow
kind. It is the deep love that fioweth like a river. "The
Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will
save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest
[margin, be silent] in his love, he will joy over thee
with singing." (Zephaniah 3: 17) lie will be silent
while his plans of love are workingout. lie will rejoice
when they come to fruition. Everybody in heaven and
in earth will rejoice then, even including the Father
himself, as this scripture shows. Then God will be "all
in all"--ever)aching to everybody.Then all will be God’s
happy family, united forever in love, with Jesus, the
beloved Prince of Peace, the fairest of ten thousand
and the most beloved, Head over all.
PRESENT DUTIES
=Sixty centuries ago God planned for the new crea-
tion. .Nearly nineteen hundred years ago he actually
began that new creation when his beloved Son Christ
Jesus was begotten to the divine nature. Throughout
the age his little ones have been chosen and developed
and are now being tested for their faithfulness and
love. Their journey has been through a Weof tears;
for it pleased the loving Father to permit them to
suffer, that they might tie nlade perfect in sympathy
and in loving kindness toward all. But amidst all the
trials and tears that have lined their pathway, the Lord
Jehovah has exercised his loving power in their behalf,
turning their sorrow and tears into joy. His love
planned it all, and his beloved Son has executed his
~flan because of his love for the Father.
aSTruly St. John has said: "Behold, what manner
of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
mirror the glory of the Lord,’ and while so doing be
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
by the spirit of the Lord.
4°The study of the character of Jehovah and his
beloved Son Christ Jesus is vitally essential to transfor-
mation into his likeness. As his glorious image is mir-
rored upon our minds, our hearts respond in greater
love to him, and we are moved to put forth our hand
and do with our might whatsoever we find to do, to his
glory. The new creation is God’s organization on earth,
otherwise designated as Zion. Since Pentecost she has
been the light of the world. Nowher King has come
unto his temple, and a voice from heaven is saying
unto her: "Arise and shine, for thy light is come, and
the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." (Isaiah 60:1)
Zion’s love and loyalty can nowbe shownby advertising
to the world the presence of the King and his kingdom.
Then let us say to Zion: "Let not thine hand be slack."
Ye are now the beloved of- God, kept in the hollmv of
his hand for Jesus Christ. Be glad and rejoice in the
joy of thy Lord, whois nowputting in order his king-
dam. "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is
mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;
he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with
singing."---Zephaniah 3 : 17.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Are there possibly a million forms of life enjoying the blessing of
God? ¶ 1.
Tell us something about the trained eye’s capacity for discerning
colors. ¶ 2.
Tell us about tlle struclm’e of the car, and its capacity for dis-
cerning soand waves ¶ 3.
What ubout the .~m~se of smell? Can we detect all odors? ¶4.
Where do aU these gifts (’onle from, am well as touch and taste?
Who is tile author of aU joy, and why? ¶ 5.
Could God be haPi)y if hmnanity did not exist? Why are God’s
ble~Mngs Ul)On humanity remarkable? ¶ 6.
What iv the most extraordinary tiling that has happened in the
universe? ¶ 7.
What was the price of our redemption? ¶ 8.
How is the love of God manifested? I[ow are his mercies made
known? 99-11.
How does David speak of himself as the Lord’s beloved? Why? ¶ 12.
What was the nature of the prophets’
pleasant duties? 9 13.
unpleasant duties? Their
Did God love the Israelitish nation? Where is it so stated? 9 14-16.
Ifow did God show his tenderness for the house of Israel? ¶ 17.
What is tile Lord’s reproof through the l)rophet Malachi? ¶ ls.
tfow many times did God send word to Daniel that he was greatly
beloved, and how? Will Daniel be in great favor in the king-
dora ? 9 19.
Is it manifestly proper that God should lmve a special love for
his first-born Son? ¶ 20.
Why should there be exquisite joy on the part of Jesus (Loges)
at Adam’s creation ’a ¶21.
What is tile correspondency between Jehovah and Jesus, and
Abraham and Isaac? Why? 922.
Why were the words of Isaiah 28:16 comforting
to Jesus in the darkest hours of his experie~ce? 9 23.
and reassuring

should be called the sons of God." To be loved by the Did God tarry in dechtring his love for his obedient Son? ¶ 24.
Did God want witnesses of his love for Jesus for our benefit? ¶ 25.
eternal God, what a blessed privilege! To have the love Did Jesus kn~w the Father loved him? To whom did he declare
it? ¶ 26, 27.
of Jesus all the way, what a precious possession ! Then Why does God love us, the spiritual house? ¶ 28, 29.
By what statenlents do we know tile Fatiler loves the new crea-
what should we do? tion? What should be our atlitude toward God? 930-32.
~gLovebegets love. As the children of God, begotten What three things does God love? ~Vhere are these things found?
¶ 33, 34.
by his spirit of love, we have our minds illmninated Can true love correct and chastise and otherwise render needful
punishment? ¶ 35.
and the eyes o~ our understanding opened, that we might Is true love de3nonstrative? If not, in what way does it manifest
itself? ¶ 36.
learn of and appreciate his character. It is our duty Why has the Christian’s journey been through a vale of tears?
and privilege to grow in his likeness and in the image What was the purpose? 937.
What is the blessed privilege and precious possession of the
of our dear Lord and Master. All his children should Christian? ¶ 38.
What is necessary in order for us to have our minds so illuminated
see to it, then, that they dwell together in peace and that we may know God? 9 39.
How may we be transformed into the divine likene~ What 15
love. Nowall such may ’with open face behold as ia a our present privilege? 1 40.
 PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR OCTOBER 17 knowsthe si.(.ret intent of the heart. If each saint has
"Pracyingalwc~ys. . . i~ the spirit . .. for ~dl ,~lin~s.’"
a pure heart toward his brethren, praying the Father’s
Ephesians 6: 18. blessing upon them. ilion he must consistently be watch-
ing for an opportunity himself to bless them. This
RAYER is a most blessed privilege enjoyed by the unity of purpose, unity of heart, and unity of interest
p Christian. No new creature in Christ call make in each other in the spirit of the Lord will lead ulti-
progress in the narrow way who neglects prayer. mately to the complete tr~msfornmtiou of all such into
If he is beset by many trying circumstances, weighed the image or character likeness of our Lord.
down with many burdens, he finds consolation and
relief by bearing this burden unto the Lord. If per- TEXT FOR OCTOBER 24
plexed in the way he should go, he can ask with confi- "’Standfast ill one Sl-Jrit."--P/lilil~l~kUls 1 : 27.
dence the Lord’s guiding hand; for the Father has
OD having foretohi through his prophet the
promised to direct in the way they should go those
who trust him. If approaching the peHormance of a
duty that is important, such as the presentation of the
G development of the seed of promise Satan the
opposer of God, having had a knowledge of
message of the Lord, hc can go to the Father through this fact from the beginning, has opposed the develop-
the Son with confidence, asldng the Lord to bless the ment of the Christ. The Apostle had in mind this
message according to his wisdom, and can know that opposition when he wrote to the church: "Stand fast."
God will do so to his own glory. If the windows of He knew that the adversary wouhl violently assault the
heaven are opened and the Lord’s blessing poured out Lord’s followers and resort to every possible means to
upon him, he can come to the Father through the Son disrupt their unity. His admonition is to beware of
with great rejoicing and thanksgiving in his heart, and this and prepare for it. /-le assures such that there is
tell his joy to the Lord. no cause to be terrified by the adversary. The followers
Not only is this privilege of prayer individual, but the of Christ should see to it that they never directly or
Lord has graciously privileged each one of the saints indirectly lend any aid to the adversary, but always
to pray for every other saint; and in this text the stand shoulder to shoulder, presenting a solid and
Apostle admonishes each memberof the body to pray united front, battling for the cause which they love
always in the spirit for all saints. This does not mean better than this life.
that one is to be constantly on his kmees ; but each day But how shall they .-tirol fast? St. Paul answers:
and each hour of the day as he goes about his duties "In one spirit, with one mi~dstriving together for the
he can do so in an attitude of prayer to the Lord, asking faith of the gospel." The spirit controlling the body
not only that he be gttided himself, but that Godwill must be the holy spirit, therefore the spirit of lov(,;
guide, direct, and bless all of his saints and keep them and this is the tie that binds firmly together all the
in the unity of the spirit, that they may be an honor body members in Christ. They must have one mind;
and a glory to his name. To thus pray in the spirit namely, the mind of Christ, being entirely submissive
means that he will have the spirit of the Lord, which to the Father’s will, which means a complete devotion
is the spirit of love; and his prayer for the brethren to his cause and a watchfulness for the interests of
will be prompted by an unselfish interest in the spiri- each other. Every one must, as opportunity is afforded,
tual welfare of his brethren. It helps him to keep in faitMully proclaim the gospel of the King enid adver-
mind that blessed unity of the saints--their oneness of tise his kingdom. All doing this with one mind and
purpose and their oneness or hope. It enables him the one spirit experience a gradual transformation into the
more faithfully to look out for the interests of his likeness of the Lord and ttcad. They are bound together
brethren and therefore for the interests of the kingdom. by ties of love, which binds as no other tie can bind.
The prayer circle thus enjoined upon the saints forms
"Blest be the tie that binds
a bulwark against the adversary through which he can- Our hearts in Christian love."
not break; and where all the saints are always praying
in the spirit, the adversary cannot overwhelm them; TEXT FOR OCTOBER 31
for they are dwelling close to the Lord, abiding under "’Worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ
the shadow of his wing. To such the promise is made: Jesus."--Philipl)ians 3: 8.
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty .... R01~I this text and the context we are advised of
There shall no evil befall thee .... For he shall give
his angels charge over thee, to keel) thee in all thy
Fthe true position of the Christian. :His worhlly
ancestors are of no importance and would add
ways."--Psalm 91 : 1, 10, 11. nothing to his chance of gaining the kingdom. The
Prayer has been properly defined as the heart’s sin- fact that tie may have once been held in high esteem
core de~dre, expressed in words or unexpressed. God or occupied a position of honor amongst men of the
28O
SEPTEMBER15, 1925
WATCH
world is of 11o value. That ~lfich is of value is the
spirit of the Lord, which means the absolute and com-
plete devotion to the Lord and his cause. Such a new
creature in Christ Jesus is of the real eiremncision and
worships God in spirit and in truth, rejoicing ahvays in
the Lord Jesus Christ. His heart is honestly and really
devoted to the Lord and his cause. He esteems it a
great privilege to bear the reproaches of them that
reproached ,lesus while ,joyfully delivering the message
of the King, that others might know of the Lord’s plan
of salvation. He re~oices ill the fact of the King’s
presence, and that the kingdom now at haM will bring
relief to the millions of creation, weighed down and
groaning in pain, waiting for the deliverance that shall
come through Christ and him alone. His one purpose
ISRAEL IN THE MIDST OF THE NATIONS
--()CTOREP~
21--JOSHI’_~I : 1-4 ; IsAI.ttr 2 : 2-4 ; 19 : 23-25 ; EZEKIEL
Gon’s SUPERVISION" AND CARE OF ISRAEL--ISICAEL TESTED AND FOUND~VANT1NG--INIIAEL AND THE ~VORLD FINALLY I?~r.CONCILE~.
"Look m~to me and be ye s.vcd, all the eJtds of the earth."~Isaiah 45: 22.
T HE passage from which the Golden Text is taken
declares that God’s purpose is to have all men brought
to a knowledge of the truth conceruing himself, and
that he will invite all the ends of the earth to look to him
:rod be saved. There can be no questi~)l~ of God’s good
purpose towards men; he intends that no evil power shall
sland between him and the expression of his good-will to
them. Continuing out" missionary stndies we have today
L~.rael i.n the n~fdst of the ~latio~.~.
2Our studies have already shown us that God purposes
that his blessings shall go through his chosen people,
Abraham and his seed; and that the seed is composed of
two classes: those after the spirit, gathered out of the
nations between the two advents (Acts 15: 14), and those
according to the flesh, the faithful gathered ahnost exclu-
sively out of Israel in the days previous to the coming of
,Jesus, and including Abraham himself. Thus while it is
true that men nmst look to heaven for salvation, it is no
less true that they must look to Jerusalem; for their
blessi~)g will come in God’s appointed way ttlrough Abnl-
ham and his earthly seed raised to life and nlade princes
in the earth (Psalm 45: 16), with the restored nation
Israel as their servants, who again live in the land of
promise. For that land is forever associated with the
chosen family, as out" lesson today unmistakably shows.
~The passages of Scripture set for today’s study are
amongst others, Deuteronomy 4: 5,6; 8: 7-10: Isaiah 2:
2-4; 19: 23-25. These tell of Israel’s entrance into their
hind under Joshua and, after an interval of 3,500 years,
of the still future gathering of the peoples to Jerusalem to
be taught of Israel. These scriptures continue the thought
already found repeated tlmt God will have the peoples of
the earth seek him for their salvation; and that the true
view of missionary work is not so muct~ that God’s people
must go abroad in the earth to endeavor to bring men into
harmonywith God as that they are to be ready to teach the
people about God whenever tile nations of earth are ready
to be taught, which coincides with the time when God has
cleared the error of false teaching out of the way.
4Tile Lord (Ezekiel 5: 5) says that Israel is set in the
mid.~t of the nations. Apart from any special prophetical
TOWER
is to pr(’.-.- lorward for the i~rize of the high calling,
that he mav re(:elvc the approval of Jehovah and of the
Lord ,Jesus : and to this end he gladly forgets the things
that arc behind. His worship of God in the spirit is
true and sincere, looking forward to that day when he
may stand in the presence of the Lord and receive his
approval.
"Happy object of his grace,
Destined to behold his face."
There is nothing that can separate him from the
love of God and his devotion to his kingdom. Thus
beholding by faith the character of the Father and the
Son, he is transformed int.o the likeness and image of
the tlead of the new creation.
5 : ~---
meaning, Ezekiel probably understood that to De true in
the literal sense; for he would knowof the great countries
Assyria and Babylon, north and east of Palestine (indeed
he wl~)te Ms prophe(.ies while captive in Babylonia);
l~gypt on the south, from wilich land God had a thousand
years before delivered Israel; and of the central position
of tim land of Israel in relation to these. Ezekiel had a
wide knowledge of the then known world and of its trade.
One ires only to read his account of the trade of Tyre (in
chapter 27) to discover his very intimate knowledge of the
movementof the world’s trade as it centered in tlmt port,
the market of the nations. But he could not knowthat the
last word which could be s,~id after the whole land surface
of the world had been explored was still that the land of
Israel is in the midst of the nations.
~Tl~is word is as true now as it was in Ezekiel’s day
though, ns every schoolboy knows, the map of the worhl is
now very different from that which was conceived ttmn.
Piazzi Smyth says that the great Pyramid of Egypt is in
the center of the hind surface of the earth; and when the
great distances of the e’u’th are taken into account, the
hind of Israel is seen to be in comparison only a very
short distance from the l’yrumid.--Vol. III, STUDIES IN
THESCRIPTUm.:S, pages 323-326.
~Our last lesson was of Israel as a missionary nation.
Now we see Israel placed amongst the nations as tlmir
tabernacle was in the center of their camp, in the place
which provided the readiest access for all the tribes. Here
we note the same arrungement ml a grand scale; for as
the tabernacle in the camp or at Shiloh, or the temple at
Jerusalem. w~s tim center to which the tribes might go
rather tlmn a point from which the priests and Levites
might go oul, so Isl’ael amongst the nations is centered
that all the I)eoples of the earth may find them. (Isaiah
2: 2-4: Zechariah 14:16-19) It was, of course, of set pur-
pose that Godthus arranged for his people to be geograpl~i-
cally centered in relation to the n,qtions. It follows that
Israel is not only a special people for Godon behalf of the
nations, but that they are ~peeially set in the midst of the
nations for the convenience of their ~ervice.
282 BROOKLYN,
N. ~.

GOD’S SUPERVISION AND CARE OF ISRAEL it alamo is to be restored, and will become as the garden of
~God had this purpose from the first. When at the ~nd the Lord. (Isaiah 51:3) When in the land Israel was
of the wilderness journey Moses reviewed God’s dealings protected from its enemies; for on evetT side it had
with Israel during the ¢orty years of sojourn and travel natural barriers. On the north were the mountains of
since leaving Egypt, he bids them "remember the days o£ Lebanon; on the soutlb the "waste howling wilderness";
old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy on the west the great sea, with llardly a natural harbor,
father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will thus making it very difficult ~for any sea force to attack the
tell thee. When the Most High divided to the nations their land: while on the e~lst the Jordan with its deep valley
inheritance, when he separated the sons o£ Adam, he set wm-s their protection. And tim (~)untry was self-sustainit~g.
the bounds of the people according to the number of the Israel needed no foreign trade to keep it going. It is as if
children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is his people; God wanted to keep the people to himself. Tile two and a
Jacob is the lot of his inheritanee."--Deuteronomy 32: 7-9. half tribes discounted one natural barrier; for they chose
8After the flood when the nations divided the earth the east-side of tile Jordan and left tltem~elves, and there-
amongst themselves, they thought to go wherever they fore tile other tribes, comparatively exposed to attack. It
would; for all the earth was before them. They look was a choice not to Israel’s advantage, and certainly rattler
their choice; but, all undiscerned by them, the divine ~ill to their own hurt.
controlled their goings. The Most High over all thee earih
is Jehovah tile God of Isl~ael, though then Israel e~i.~[ed ISRAEL TESTED AND FOUND WANTING
only in the mind of God; and he did not permit eith,~r lhe X3Israel entered this wonderful land in a wonderful man-
nations or their rulers to do just as they pleased. ner, as became God’s cllosen people going into God’s laird.
9This name, the 5lost High, by which Moses here speaks The swollen Jordan gave way for them; for as soon as
of Jehovah, is the One used whenever the great au~.l wide the feet of the priests touched its brim the waters reced~d.
pu~t)oses of God aInong the cl~iidren of men are in view. The Psahnist speaks of Jordan as if it turned timid at the
It was the Mx)st Higt~ who gave the nations their illheri- presence of the ark of the covenant. "What ailed thee, . . .
tance. It was the Most High who made Nebue.’ladnezzar thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?" lie says. (Ps~lm
king of Babylon and king over all the earth; and who, by 114:5) When they had settled in the land, there wa~ no
his prophet Daniel, revealed himself to that rem’trkable provision made for national life except that simple ordi-
man and, by the strangest experiences, caused him to s,.~e nance which God had directed; namely, that three times a
that the Most High ruleth amongst the children c).~ men year the males of Israel should go to the place which God
even as he says : "And at the end of the days I .Nebuchad- should choose, that they might keep tile three ordained
nezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine under- feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. They had
standing returned unto me; and I blessed tile Most High; no temple, nor king, nor any center of government. They
and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever, whose were just a company of people living togetl~er in harmony,
dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is having mutual interests and hopes. ~Nor was provision
from generation to generation: and all the inhabitants ~f made for teaching other nations; for their life was to be
the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth accordil,g a witness to tile nations of a happy people with good htws,
to his will in the army of heaven, and among lhe i~habi- living under the beneficence of their God aml enjoying his
rants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto arrangements for them, so that the people migl~t s~y:
him, What doest thou?"--Daniel 4: 34,35. "Surely this great nation is a wise and understandi~g
zO"The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof," .,;ays people" (Deuteronomy 4: 6) They were there as Abrah;~m
the Psalmist (24: 1); but in a very special way the land had been, to learn by experience to prepare themselves ~~,r
of Palestine is God’s. It is a beautiful thought that of the the time for God’s "forward movement."
whole earth which he purposed for mankind (Genesis ]: ~4Tlmir loyalty was tested, and only few t~eld faithful 1,~
26-28), and which ultimately he will give to the children the hope of Israel. The formalities of their worship a~.~d
of men (Psahn 115: 16), and which in the kingdom of peace the necessary ceremonies put their leaders off the true
he gives to his Son for its rt~storati~)n (Psahn 2: 8), that purpose of their calling. Their minds became filled with
there is one portion which he specially reserves for himself. outer things; they forgot both the ideal which God had pro-
--L-eviticus 25 : 23 ; Deuteronomy32 : 43 ; 2 Chronicles 7 : 21 ; posed and the covenant which he had made with them.
Psalm 85:1; Joel 2::18; 3:2. They became self-satisfied in their attempts to keep the
x~Of the families of the earth God reserved one for him- law and in their nmch profession. The people were misled,
self--Abraham and his chosen seed; and in his own time and they perished ~or lack of knowledge. (Hoses 4: 6)
and way he brought his chosen family to dwell in his own They proved that they had neither the faith of Abrat,~m
particular portion of the earth. They and the land are nor his loyalty to God. It could not be said of Israel, nor
especially his and are under his care and protection. The given as a summary of their national life, that they lived
elect, whether of the church, spiritual Israel, or of Abra- or died iu faith; and of all Israel during the whole period
ham’s earthly family Israel, are Jehovah’s (Deuteronomy of God’s ~avor to them only a remnant was gained. The
32:9; Ephesians 1: 18); and the chosen land of promise prophets who were sent from time to time to remind them
is his. When therefore the Son prays for his inheritance, of tlmir waywardness and to denom]ce their sins saw that
the Father says: "Ask of me, and I will give thee the God would ultimately restore them and bring them to their
nations [the non-elect] for thine inheritance, and the utter- desigamd place. (Joel 2:25) Eaci~ propllet proclaimed the
most parts of the earth for thy possession."--Psalm 2:8. times of restoration (Acts 3: 19-21), with tlmir first bless-
X2The ]and which God chose for his people is a goodly ings for Israel and tllen for the nations through Israel.
land, pleasant, and fertile (Deuteronomy 8:7-9), and much (Isaiah 2 : 2-4) Isaiah sees Israel restored (ch. 1: 26)
varied both in its topographical features and in its fauna at tile same time the kingdom of God "established upon tile
and flora. So varied is its climate from north to south, top of the mountains."
and so varied are its natural characteristics and its pro- ~The laws of nature seem to be reversed; for the
duce, tilat it may almost be said to be a miniature of the Prophet speaks of the peoples as great waters flowing up
earth, of which it is the center. The land seems to have to Jerusalem for help. What has happened to the nations
~hared the condemnation which came upon the people; but that tlmy tiles urge eacit other t~ go to tile people they

V/ATCH
have so long despised? The atlswer is, Troltble and ~lcetl;
for nothing but sore need will ever make the haughty
Gentile turn for help to the Jew, aml because they see that
]srael is getting from Cod tlmt whit.h they, tile Gentiles,
need. As they seek they find that the loving God is speak-
ing to them through tim channel he has apl)ointed, and
they will .lccept him as their God and will learn lds ways,
and find life and tmppiness and lasting peace. But it is
only when Israel is restored that the pz~)phecy can be ful-
lilled; and it is only then that the nations will heed Israeh
ISRAEL AND THE WORLDFINALLY RECONCILED
~6Another of tile passages included in our study, Isaiah
19: 23-26, tells of Israel in harmony with its two great
el)pressers, Egypt and A~syria, though except in the out-
slanlling case when Israel was in bondage in Eg%’pt op-
pressed by the cruel Plmraoh, Egypt was never so bitter
~m oppressor of the chosen people as Assyria. Assyria
assumed a different relationship. An arrogant and fierce
people seeking world power, G(xI allowed them to chastise
Israel (Isaiah 7: 20) hecause of unfaithfulness and their
sins of idolatry. The Assyrians conquered Israel and almost
destroyed the lmld; for they came as an overwhelming
flood. (Isaiah 8: 7,8) But lbe l’rephet foresees a time
when these two great empires Assyria and Egs~pt, who
were enemies of each other, and both enemies of Israel,
would live in loving harmony. There would be intercourse
between them, and Israel in tbeir midst would be happy
with both. This can only mean that both Assyria and
Egypt would become worshipers of Jehovah, the God of
Israel.
1Ht is a singular fa(’t, too interesting to pass by, that
after all these years, about 2,700 since I~tiah wrote, these
nations, Egypt, Israel, and Assyria (Mesopotamia) are
linked together, if not with mutual interests yet by reason
of the fact that the British Empire in following out its
general policy has assumed a suzerainty over each. But
Isaiah’s vision looks beyond the lands of Egypt and Assyria
and the peoples of his day. In the symbology of Scripture
these great world-powers represent phases of the whole
world, particularly the world as it is in these days of the
second advent, when the visions of the prophets are being
fulfilled.
aSE-’ypt, as has been so frequently shown, represents the
world of men and their arrangements and institutions
distinct frmu God’s people, who are "not of the world."
(John 17:14) But when E~’D’pt is nlentioned in connection
with other countries, as in this case, it represents the more
material -lspect of hulmm life---men enjoying the earth and
all it will give them, and without any particular respect for
their Creator tbe beneficent Giver of all good. Assyria rep-
resents another phase of human activity; it has more of
the political aspect of men’s relationship to the earth. It
285
TOWER
represents tim grasping for power which has been shown by
such extremes as Kaiserism on the one hand and Bolshevik
rule Oil the other hand, those political schemes which
would bring the earth into subjection and would dominate
mankind. When the judg~nents of the Lord have done their
work {Isaiah 26: 9), and men have learned to know God
they will drop all ideas of empire, of nation ruling over
nation, and of bringing nmsses of men into subjection by
force of arms or by any despotic power; for they will
le’trn war no more. They will also learn to use all the
products of the earth for the benefit of all. The day of
great commercial schemes will be past, and the profiteer
no longer permitted to exploit his fellow men. In other
words, all the energies of the race will be devoted to the
general interests of all.
~SThe God of Israel will be the God of all the earth, and
every phase of human life will be lived under the control
of love for God and love for fellow men. This is what is
meant by Egypt and Assyria being one with Israel. The
world as such, that is, tile world of luankind with all the
interests properly belonging to the children of men, both
its natural and social interests as represented by Egypt,
and its ideals of govenmnce as represented by Assyria,
are to be brought into harmony with the will and plan of
God under the guidance of Israel, wlm then in the midst
of the peoples will teach and guide and bless. There was
another country mentioned In Isaiah’s scheme of prophecy;
namely, Great Babylon. But Babylon is not in the scheme
of restoration; for it represents the great religious systems
which have held men in bondage. Babylon is to be de-
stroyed forever and with a great destruction.--.Teremiah
51 : 62-64 ; Revelation 18 : 21.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
What is the meaning of the Golden Text? ¶ 1.
]Iow are God’s intended blessings for the world to reach it? ¶2.
Shouhl God seek the people, or should the peoide seek God? ¶ 3.
In what sense will Israel be in the midst of the nations in the
Millennium? ¶ 4-6.
God may change his operations ; but does he change his purpose?
97,8.
When does Moses use the name "Most High"? When did Nebu-
chadnezzar extol the Most High? ¶ 9.
Is the earth the Lord’s? Howis Palestine specially his? ¶ 10.
Does God have a chosen family? Ilow are all the families of the
earth ultimately to become his? ¶ 11.
How does Palestine represent the whole earth? How were the
Israelites protected geographically? ¶ 12.
What were the circumstances of Israel’s entering the promised
as land? What provision was made for Israel teaching the oth(r
nations? ¶ 13.
Howdid the Israelites trip themselves? What were they lackinz
in? What do the prophets teach concerning their restoration?
¶ I4.
In what way does tile law of nature seem to be reversed? When
and howwill the Gentile world get its blessing from God’.~ ¶ 15.
What were Israel’s experiences with Egypt and Assyria? Will
they be reconciled to each other? ¶ 16.
What is a singular fact, too interesting to pass by? ¶ 17.
In this connection, what do Egypt and Assyria typify? ¶ IS.
"What is finally to control the world? Whyis not the restoration
of Babylon mentioned? ¶ 19.

ISRAEL’S HOPE OF RETURN

"We have heard tile voiee of trembling, "See! Tim King in beauty eometh,
Voice of fear, but not of peace; He, thy long, long absent King!
’Tim the wailing of tbe captive As the light of dawn he shineth,
As he sigheth for release. And his breath is that of Spring.
Shall the bondage ne’er be broken, From the dream of darkness waking,
]Nor the sob of ages cease? Zion, lift thy voice and sing.
’"Tis the hour of Israel’s travail; "From the dust of ages rising,
’Tis the darkness of her night; Put on all tbine ancient might;
’Tis the time of Jacob’s trouble; For to thee the crown belongeth,
But beyond it beams the light, And to thee the raiment bright,
And the star of Judah’s morning O1 the coming age the glory,
Is arising dear and brighL O," the ransomed world the light."
 SOME MISSIONARY TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHETS
.... OCTOBEr.2c%---I.~ALXH (it): 1-3: JONAIi 4: 10,11: MWAH4:
1-3: ZFI’H.XNLXH3:9--
JLI~ h’ATI0378 DELIVERED "FRO.~[ DEATH--JONAH AND HIS EXI’ERIENCE,S--.IONAtt REPRESENTS A (LASS TODAY--HI’A{REW I’RnPHETS
AllE GOI)’.~. TREASI’RE STI)RE.
"Nation.8 shall come 1o lbl/ light, aml k~.n.q.s to the bri#btncs.~of thy rls~m.l."--]~amh 60: J.

T HE subject for today is the Missionary Teachings of

the Prophets. The passages set for study warm the
heart of every lover of God and of his human but
prodigal family. The Golden Text nmde its allpeal to those
who chose the studies. They say of it: "The picture is a
vision of the world as it will be wlmn Christian missions
have triumphed and the earth is filled with the knowledge
of the Lord."
’-’The Bible student, who knows the divine plan of the
ages, agrees as to the nleaning of the Prophet, but he
knows that the missionary societies cannot possibly convert
the world to God by giving it the light of the gospel of the
kingdom of God. Their varied and ¢<)nflieting creeds and
interests could at ti~e best do no more than nmke lmathen-
dora a part of the Christendom which God is now destroy-
inf. The vision will never be realized by tlmir means. The
church will convert the world, but only after it is glorihed
and nmde one with its Ia)rd. Our Lord indicated the condi-
tion of tilt-, world on his return when he said: "When the
Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
(Luke 18: 8) But when the Son of man has gathered and
taken his church to himself to reign with him, and has
restored Israel to its promised place, then the earth will
soon be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.
.~Tlm vision o1" the Prophet is glorious to the Bible Stu-
dent: and to him the Prophet does not express a fond
hope tlmt in some far-off day the world may be brougllt to
the light, of truth, probably only after 10ng hundreds of
years of persistent labor after the churches lmve "twakeneil
to lheir responsibilities, as seine ~upl)ortws ,,i’ hds>i(,; , are
forced to conclude, lie has a lively hope, based on these
promises of God, that God himself will undertake the
world’s salvation by the means ordained for that purpose,
and will thus bring to it the long-promised joy; and he sees
by the chronology of the plan of God ns revealed in the
Scriptures that tile happy time is now ahnost here.--
Isaiah 25 : 6-9.
437o the missionary societies the words of Isaiah, "Dark-
ness rovers the earth," refer to such dark places as are
still found in the great continents of Africa and Asia; and
they eonsider the gross darkness of the people to be that
utter ignorance as to all things concerning tbeir (’renter
in which at least a thousand millions of earth’s population
are yet to be. found. But that is not what the Prophet has
in nlind. He does not say that sonle of the earth is full of
darkness and some of the peoples are bidden in dense
darkness. To him in prnphetie vision, the whole earth and
all the hmnan family are involved, with the ex(:eption
God’s Israel, upon wliom light shines. He sees a darkness
which ean be compared only to that of Egypt when God was
dealing with that nation preparatory to the deliverance
his people from bondage. (Exodus 10: 21-23) Let Egylit
represent the world, and Israel God’s faithful people now,
and (hat time is typical of the present. Isaiah sees this
present time, when all the world, Christendom as well :is
heathendom, is involved in dense ignorance eoncerning God
an(l his purposes; thick darkness everywhere exeept upon
spiritual Israel.
eAs Egypt represents the world, so Pharaoh represents
Satan, the god of the evil world; and the time has come
for God to deliver his people from the hondage of Satan
and to break that great empire of evil which opposes him.
The last plagues are now upon symbolic Egypt; and the
dense darkness into whi(’h the world Ires I)oen plunged
the event~ of the past years, through the World War and
tile t’olh~wing I)ea(’t, [ronble~, (’ol’respon(ls to the darkness
whi(.h (,mild lie felt. Israel now, as in Egypt of old, ]ms
light. But while there is a similarity between then and
now, anmunting even to lJl)e and ant(type, there is also
difference. The lwopheey, which refers to the conditions
now present, bids Iho Lord’s lWol)le arise and shine 1)eeause
their light has (.rune.
6lt would not be In’Olmr lo say that the prophets of Israel
were nfis~ionaries in lhe sense in which the word is ordi-
narily u.~ed, nor t() say that lhey urged their people
missionary effort. The.-e hol.~ nlen ,if (fill spoke as they
were moved by the holy spirit ("Peter 1: 21); and they
expressed neither lnore nor h~,a-~ than they were given, l~ut
lhey were men of kimlne~s :rod goodwill, who would ghtdly
have served others even a.,~ they endeavored to serve I.>rael;
men wire earnestly desired to -ee the glory of the God of
Israel difftlsed in all the earth. Cod does not make nn,n
serve hiln who nre not. in sympathy with his will; an(1 it
is therefore easy 1o give these noble servant* of God (q’edit
for their desire to see the I)rolnises to Israel made good
that Israel ndght lie a ble*.~ing to the nations of the earth
hehl in nature’s darkness.
7As -l)reviously shown, tim .-econd part of Isaiah’s l)roph
eey ((.haplm.-s 40-6|i) foretells or describes the work Io
done by the servant of the Lord. In lhe Prophet’s eyes lhis
is Israel. his lieople, restort,d. But liis prol)heey contained
nlore tlnlq he uwh,rstood ii Peter 1: 121: for lhe Israel
to whomthe wor(ts are ad(h’e.",sed is sl)iritllal Israel at
time of the Lor(l’s rettll’n, then delivered from lhe darkm,-s
of false lea(,hing and from the captivity of great Babyhm,
and under his leadership. They are delivered because the
Lord has retut~led. At the time of the return all of God’s
people are delivered: the sleeping saints from death, lhe
living saints from :ill error "tad nncertainty; and, as .~oon
as the church is emnplete, the anvient worthies will be
delivered from death that they may enter into their re-
ward, and into. the joy of fallilling the divine purpose aq
expressed iu their covenant q¢ blessing all II,e lalniiw~ of
earth. Then nil for v ,;:~ elitist (lied will be delivered,
every manill Ilia 0"~\’~ !’dell-, ,’ I~rael {11111 then ;11~ 111011,
till {ill lhe ransome,’, ,~k lhe Lord live ngain.--lsaiah 35:
10; 1Timothy 2:6:1 (’orinthinns 15:23.
SOur lesson eall~ attention to the word of aehmah Io
.lea’tit when .J-Ollah coral)In(ned that the aourd whi(.h
of given hinl shelter was so soon lnken nw;ty..lonah wa~ full
of regret because his eonlfort had ~one. but he exl)t’esue(l
no feelings of sympathy for the nlighl:y l]llollgu who wonhl
of have perished had Nineveh not repented. At lirst sight
Jonah seems ns if lie nmst be eonsi(h’rt,d ;is an ex(’el*ti(m
to what was said about the goodwill of lhe prophela
towards all nlen. tfis trouhle was thflt he allowed his selfish
feelings to overe(une hint. Ile lind nlore concern for his
own reputation than for the lmnor of God or for tile :need
of the people of Nineveh. I-Ie knew that the kindness of
God had I)een so often shown to Israel on repentance, and
lie believed that God would lie grneious to Nineveh if lhey
repente(l; nnd then he wonhl appear as if lie were not a
true prophet, lie, of coarse, knew nothing of the terril)le
dognl,t of eternal torment; for that had not then heea
invented, and therefore that feat" was not before him,
 285
WATCH TOWER
9Bible expositors have fom~d considerable difficulty with also for a wider and greater purpose which they were tmahle
the Imok and the story of Jonah. Tile higher critic, who to understand. (1 Peter 1: 12) They spoke words which
has nlnmst frightened the ordinary expositor off tile gromld, were weighted with messages beyond |hose immediately
laugh, at those who believe its story. They deride the idea necessary to their people, words intended to apply to greater
that the story (.an possibly be true; and if they thought lhings, which iho~e of their (lay t)pilied. In that way they
that the Lord believed it when he referred to it, they wouhl served as God’s witness to the world for the days to come,
deride him also. But denying its validity as a record they even for out’ day; and their messages serve to guide the
hasten to claim that .Ionah was perhaps tim most far-seeing Lord’s people at this time.
mul upiritually minded of all prophets; for, say they, he ~qsrnel’s period of favor was a lyl)e and ~t n(easnre of
had a better undershuHling of truth and of the care of God a dispensation lo begin whenever tlmil’s should (.ease. The
lhan any other prophet of Israel; and lately they ate great nations with which lsrael came into contact were
making some baste to s~O" that his book is perhaps the tyl)ieal of great world-powers which should rise; and in
gran(lest of all, and that it approa(,hes tim highest ideal. the various (.ireumslances of lsrael, espe(.ially in their
~°Whatever of missionary truth there may be in his hook, relationship to the greater nations, there were just those
ffonah on his record could not be taken as a sample of a things which made that time a miniature of the world
good missionary; for when God gave him a (.ommission to situation of loday. The word of tile Hebrew prophets is
go to Nineveh he took it, lmt booked a passage to go in the therefore God’s treasure store. It is his Word of Truth,
opposite dire(,tion. His experiences taught ]fin( some wdu- and his witness to hinlself; and lho<e who put it aside do
abh’ le~sons, bat evidently he did not learn sufii(,ient; else the most serious injury 1o themseh’es; for they put away
he would have acted differently than he did when God had the only guide they (.an have.
mercy on thqt greal but wicked city. Tiffs fact is out- ~alt will not In’ until the time of lrouble has broken the
sl~H~din,..,, that God is a God of eonll)a~sion, and that the worhl’s instilnliotls, and the Slfirit of man is also broken
hill, igttOl’ant world is allowed a claim upon it. This is a that Mi(,ah’s 1)ropheey will be fullilled. Those who have
fa(.t which Cbristondonl has ignored. IAke Jonah it has had beard SOlnethin~ o1" what God is on(.e again doing for his
but liltle eo(npassion. Does someone question that fa(’t, ant.lent l)VOl)le will say: "(’one ye, and let us go up to
asl.:illg, Has not (’hristendom had its heart moved to saxC mountain of the Lord, to the house of tile God of Jacob;
healhetldO(ll; find are not its missionaries gone to tile ends and he will tea(.h us of his ways, and we will walk in his
of the earth to tell of that eonlpassion? pathu." (Isaiah 2:3) It will be then also that Zephaniah’s
awe venture to say that however lUU(.’lt sonic good lne(l word will (.on,e lrue. God will turn to the people a pure
bare been moved with compassion Christendom has llot language, lmt only after he h’ts I)oured his indignation upon
been thu~ moved: else it would never have proclaimed that lhe nations lint lmve professed to be of God’s kingdom
heathendonl’s nfillions were worthy of eternal torment, ~.tll([ and able to give light to the world.
that ea(,h of the various organizatiolls has at least beel~ as
~’;The IIel)rew word used for language is "lip." Tills is
nuleh (.oneerned in the establislmlent and upkeep of ils
also the word used when nt Ia;~lbel God eoltlounded the
missionary interests for its own sake ns for the glory of
peol)le ttl~d (lixi(led them alnongst thelnselves. The whole
(;od. There is plenty of evidenbe that (’hristendom even
earth was then of one hmguage or lip. (Genesis 11:1,
~tow would rather have heathendom beliexe its doctrines
margin) After the trouble which is now breaking up great
(whi(.h include eternal torment) than have Bible Students
llal)ylon and the world, "rod which will bring men to want
tell of the love of God to all men and of the present estab-
li~hlnent of the kingdon~ of peace "tnd blessing. God. he will ngnin make them of one lip and will give them
12]~ut .lon~dl well represents ~ class who in a special way 1he pure lnnguage of tile truth. Ilow blessed are these
promises of (led! The trouble will do its work for ever;
h’tve made thenlseh’es enenfies of the truth and, very
novel" again will then need sue]l a lesson as they are getting
]tt(’geIy, of those who lJrea(’h it: ~md who lnanifest lnueh
to(lay. The visi(ms of God as de(.lared 1)5" the prophets
nn~er that lhe people whetimr of l’lH’istendl)lU or healhen-
d0m are told of lhe kingdom and its hope. We refer to will be realized, and all the en(l~ of lhe earth shall know
him and rejoi(’e in him.
tho.~e who uphohl what are called fmldluuental doctrines,
mul who are now the chief supporters of tile eternal tor- QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
ment tea(,ltin~’, whit,h in theh’ eyes is one of the fut~tht-
lnettlal,~ of divine revel+tliott. These, whobttve respe(.t for What is tlle meaning of the Gohh,n Text, as viewed by "ortho-
d,)xy"2 ¶ 1.
Go<l, might have had lhe privilege of sharing in the mes- Shall lleatllendom come lo know God lhrough tile creeds? Wllell
saffe of present truth: for. generally speaking, they belong will the church con~ert tile x~olhl? ¶ 2.
Ibm does tile Dtble Student view lll~, ,v xi~l,}n? ¶ 3.
to a (+lass who early per(.eive(1 truths concerning the estab- "’l ),I rklless (’overs the etlrtb." ++VllOrt" "Ibm" ~tVllell? ¶ 4.
li,hment of the kina(lom of heaven. They believe that the (}f Wllitt are l’Jgypt and Pharaoh types l~ tile light llOW Shilling
for spiritual Israel ahme’! ¶ 5
kingdom of heaxen is soon to be established; hut persisting lhd lhe prol)hets have the nlisM,mary spirit? D,’honl does God
to hold tile do(’lmnes of Babylon they declare that the favor ill serving him? ¶G.
l[ow are tile fullilnlenls of Isaiall’s proph<.q+y to be carried out,
(.olning of the king(Ionl ends all hope for those who "ire and upon whonl’+ ¶ 7.
then found out of imrntony witll God; and they have none Why had Jonah no feelings of ~,yalpatlly for Nineveh when It
repented? ¶ 8.
whatever for the millions of the dead who died outside of What is the opinion of tile higher critic regarding the book of
all knowledge of God. By his servanls the Lord is (tow Jonah? ¶ 9.
Was Jonah a good nlissimlary? What is the outstanding fact re-
showing tlle mercy of his phlu towards all men; and these specting God? ¶ 10.
fundamentalists, like Jonah, are particularly angry that the What inconsistency nlake-, (-Ilristendola appear meanand selfish?
¶~.
mercy of tile truth is being given to those who, even though Whomdoes Jonah type ’~ Describe |Item. ¶ 1.2.
living in Christian lands, are the Ninevltes of today, and In what was Jonah all eht’Pptlon alaotlg tile prophets? ~Vllen are
who, as to knowledge of God, do not know their rigitt hand tile messages ot tile prophets dtle to be understood, and why?
¶ 13.
from their left. How should the message of the prophets be understood? What
relation does tile world of 2,500 years ago bear to the world
to Jonah was tile exception amongst the prophets; for no today? ¶ 14.
other was sent to the Gentiles: their mission was to their Whenwill Micah’s prophecy ha+e fulfilment? And Zephaniah’l~?
brethren. But while their messages were given to serve an ¶ 15.
Whatis the meaning of; God will turn to the people a pure llp~
inuuediate purpose for their own generation, God used them
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q UESTION: What is the best method for overlooking
the faults of brethren,
ings?
especially in business meet-
Answer: Business meetings should be conducted in har-
mony with the Scriptures, Justice and love always prewdl-
Ing. First the divine throne of grace should be implored
for guidance; then all selfishness and ambition for personal
uggrandizelnent should be laid aside and only the Lord’s
glory be sought. Where this course is followed the faults
of the brethren will not be made manifest. But if some do
manifest these faults, they should be dealt with kindly, yet
firmly, in harmony with tile Lord’s Word. Where a brother
has the spirit of the Lord he will listen to reason and be
guided by the Scriptures. An unruly brother, however,
~hould not be permitted by the class to overrule the will
of the class merely to save the necessity of calling atten-
tion to his faults. The class should act firmly, yet kindly,
and do wh’~t is considered for the best interest of all and
in hanuony with the Lord’s will. But the best means of
covering any fault is love. The apostle Peter says: "Above
¯ dl things have fervent [overspreading] love amongst your-
selves : for love covers a multitude of defects."--1 Peter 4 : 8.
Question: Are the juvenile Bible study classes proving
beneficial to parents and children?
Answer: Yes. Of necessity they must prove beneficial
where the desire is to instruct the child concerning the
Lord’s kingdom. Time and effort are given to instruct
children in day schools in order that they may get on in
~orldly matters; and when we see that the kingdom of the
Lord is at hand, what greater heritage could a parent leave
to a child than to give that child a lmowledge concerning
the King and the new order of things that is coming in!
Of necessity it must benefit the parent who is trying to
teach the child and benefit the child who is taught. THE
~AI{P BIBLE STUDY COURSE WaS prepared chiefly for this
purpose, and the reports are very favorable. More attention
should be given to instructing the young people in the way of
the Lord; for this will be of great benefit to them shortly.
Question: Do you consider It good practice to offer prizes
to the children for committing Scripture texts to memory?
Answer: We would not regard that as the best course.
There is but one motive that should prompt any one to
study God’s Word; and that is love for the Lord and his
cause. Point out first to a child what the Lord has done f~)r
it and the blessings that the child may expect to reap by
knowing the Lord and doing his will. This method is far
more beneficial than all the prizes that might be offered.
Question : Would it be proper for a sister to conduct the
study for children if there are consecrated brethren present?
Answer: If the class affords brothers who can teach, and
if they are not otherwise engaged in the service, it would
seem better to have them teach the younger ones; but
there is no real objection to a sister teaching a juvenile
Bible class, provided she is competent; that is to say, well
informed about the subject matter taught. The Apostle’s
"~dmonition, "I suffer not a woman to teach" a man, does
not mean that the woman cannot teach the children. It
wouhl seem preferable to have the brothers lead the juve-
nile (.lass where this is convenient; but if not, there could
be no real re’lson why a sister could not do it.
Q~wstio~ : Should sisters be called vn to offer the open-
ing or closing prayer where brothers are present at the
meetings ?
AJ~swer: It would seem more in keeping with the Lord’s
lirrangement for a brother to open and close a meeting with
prayer. But there could be no objection at a prayer-meeting
to calling on a sister to pray, or asking sisters to volunteer
to lead in prayer. Tlds is not teaching and therefore is in
f~lil lmrmony with the Scriptures.
Questio~r: We are told by one of our elders tlmt the
time had come for more of the affaics of the class to be
put into the hands of one individual. Is this the thought
of tile SOCIETY?
A~swcr: Such is not the proper thought. The affairs
of the class should be in its own h’mds. Where a class
is large it may delegate to a committee certain things to
do, while there are certain duties wldch devolve upon the
elders. But surely there is no reason for putting the affairs
of the class into the hands of one individual where there
are many competent to serve.
Questio~: Would it be proper for th6 Service Director
to assign deacons to address public meetings and by so
doing ignore a number of the ehlers who are just as
capable or even more so?
Answer: It is m)t the prerogative of the Service Director
to assi~m speakers to any meetings, deacons or eiders. It
is for the class to appoint the speakers. A Director assum-
ing to do this without the consent of the class is taking a
wrongful course.
Questio~v: In the event of a class engaging in the giving
of a series of lectures in a number ~)f surrounding towns,
is it the duty of the Service Director to have charge of
all the work attached thereto?
Answer: No; it is not. Tile duties of the Service Direc-
tor are suggested in a Bulleti.~b to the effect that he should
lay out the territory and organize and direct the workers.
Under no circumstances is it his duty to assign speakers to
meetings and to have general charge of the meetings. That
devolves entirely upon the class. As a member of the class
it would be proper for him to eoSperate, of course. We must
not get the mistaken idea that the Service Director has any
authority over tlle class not delegated by the class. The
class should work in harmony with the Service Director,
and the Service Director in harmony with the class, no one
transgressing upon the privileges and duties of the other.
Question: On tile recommendation of the executive com-
mittee our class has voted approving lhe expenditure of a
large sum of money for the purchase of a radio broad-
casting outfit. Is it advisable to go into this method of
giving out the message of truth?
Answer: If the class can reasonably afford to broadcast
the message by radio that would be perfectly proper; but
it would seem to be entirely out of order for an executive
committee to attempt such a thing at any large expense, or
any expense for that matter, to the class, without first
having the authority from the class so to do.
Question: Once a month we have a special prayer-meet-
ing and it is the custom of every one there to offer prayer.
Some of these dear friends have remarked that they get
nervous and seem to be praying more to the class than to
the heavenly Father. Should one offer public prayer under
such circumstances and conditions?
Answer: Such hardly seems to be a proper course. Where
there is a number of brethren attending the prayer-meeting,
it would be proper for the leader to call on several to offer
prayer, or for three, or four to volunteer to offer prayer
one after another; but merely to go through the form of
each one praying one after the other would hardly seem
to be in keeping with good order in the class. Prayer should symbolizes that consecration would have no chance for the
be voluntary, from the he’lrt, a real and sincere expression high calling. It is the heavenly Father who is selecting
of the heart’s desire, and directed always, of course, to the members for the bride class. As long as there is any mem-
throne of heavenly grace; and then it may be offered with ber of the church tMs side the vail there is danger of one
confidence that the Lord will hear and grant tile petition falling out; and whenever one falls out there must be
as he sees for the best interest of those involved. another to take his place, selected by the Lord. It would
not be proper to discourage one from consecrating. It would
Qt~extion : Is there any gleaning work going on, and have be improper for any one to consecrate with the condition
any who are now symbolizing tl~eir consecration a chance attal’hcd that he expected to get a place in the spiritual
for the high calling? phase of the kingdom. Consecration must be an uncondi-
A~.stcer: It wouhl be manifestly improper for any man tional surrender to the Lord, leaving the reward to him. A.
to pl’csunn~ [o say that a person who now consecrates and symnonzmg of that consecration would be manifestly proper.

NEW YORK CONVENTION

N ’EW YORKis tile greatest
cosmol)olitan population.
city on earth. It has a
Great numbers visit
daily. It has the be.st means of transportation
it
of
electrical lou(l-speaking system will be installed, so that all
the peol)le in this great ball can hear clearly and distinctly.
It is expected to m’itke this the greatest public meeting ever
any city in the worM. For some time the Bible Students held in the United States. Both morning and afternoon
of the New York church have thought that New York city meetings of Sunday will be held in tile Madison Square
should have a great convention. They have determined, by Garden.
the grace of the Lord, to have such. For 31on(lay, Tuesday, and Wednesday following, the
The convenlion will begin Friday, October 19, and con- Scottish Rile Cathedral at 315 West 34th Street, New York
tinue for six days, ending Wednesday, October 24 (notice city (near lhe Pennsylvania station), has been taken. The
corrected date). The 19th and ’~0tb will be devoted more morning "rod afternoon sessions of the meetings here will
partieularly to discourses and praise and testiiaony meet- be devoted to lhe interested. Each evening the public will
ings for the interested, a part of the time being given over be inviicd, at which thne a public address will lie given.
to advertising the public meetings to follow.
.ks it will require tremendous effort to prepare for this
For Sunday, October 21, all duy, Madison Square (larden
has been leased. It is America’s greatest auditorimn ;rod eonve~llmn, tile Bible Students within a radius of two hun-
ordinarily seats 13,500 peol)le. Many more can be crowded dred mih,s of NewYork are cordially invited to participate,
in. On Sunday afternoon of that date a public lnoeting will an(1 as ninny others of tile brethren who desire to do so
be addressed by tile President of tile Society, Brother and who cau conveniently.
Rutherford. Tile meeting will be ;idverti~ed in tile New For furlhor inforInation concerning tlle convention, ac-
York papers and in other l);~lwr~ within a radius of tWO commodation% etc., see subsequent issues of THE ~VATcI~
hundred miles, best(los 2,000,01)0 trkiets that will lie distrib- TOWER,;rod address all communications to Convention Com-
uted in announcing the meeting. A SlVecially constructed mittee, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York.

PASTOR RUSSELL’S MEMOIRS

A NY person is 1)riviloged to puMish whatsoever he may
wish, and it is no affair of the SOCIETYor THE~VATCI[
TOWER tO qucslion su(.h l)ublication. This statement,
view of making money, then it should not be published."
The circular being sent out states that the proposed book
will contain three hundred and fifty pages, bound in cloth,
however, is nlade litc(,esSlll’y he(.ause of a circular letter and the selling price will be $1.75 and $2.50 per copy,
that is being sent out by lhc Bible Students Book Store of according to the style of binding. From the description of
(’hicago concornin~ the publi(,ation of Pastor Russell’s the book, its size, qnd the price, it is quite apparent that
Memoirs, which (.ir(.ublr I’ontains the following statement: the book is not being published for the purpose solely of
"The Pre,;idont of the NI)CIFTY]Ills gone on l’ocord by saying, enlightening and tulilding up the church.
’If such a work wouhl be helpful to the friends it ought ri’]l(~ ~0CII’;TY ll[IS never published the memoirs of Pastor
to be written.’ " IIad the circular quoted the entire state- Russell for several reasons, some of which follow:
men( inade by tlle l’re~i(lent there would have been No person has yet been found whom the Editorial Com-
occasion for the lll0)li(.ation of thi~ statement in TItE mittee dconn~l competent to prepare such memoirs.
~VAT(’H TOWER;but be(.ause the quotation is only partial As for Abraham and the future generations having a
and is ealcul’tted to mNlead the friends, it is necessary desire for these memoirs, the Lord has assured us that in
to make this st;itement. his own way, and in his own time, he will write up the
’rile facts are these: Some lUOnlhs ago lit brother who record of his saints, and that all the world will know it.
then waq engaged ill the Pilgrim ~ervice, and who volun- --l’sahn 87 : 5, 6.
tarily quit that service, that, as he said, he might make In place of memoirs, and as a tribute to Pastor Russell,
some lnoney for his personal u,~e, wrote the President of and for the putT)ose of building up the (.hureh, and enabling
the SOCIETg to the effect that he proposed to prepare for the world to have a permanent record of his work, the
publication the memoirs of Pastor Russell, and that if the SOCIETYpublished the seven volumes of Reprints of TI~E
SOCIETYwould publish the same the book could be sold at ~VA’rCt[ TOWER,which we believe is the best testimony to
such a price that would make stone money for the Soeim’Y the memory of our beloved Brother Russell; and we feel
and al~o Drake some money for |he writer, and thus enable eerlMn that the study of these Reprints and the STUDIES
him to hqve some for his llersonal use. To this the Presi- IN TIIE SCRIPTURESwill do far more to build up the church
dent of the SOCH~.TYreplied: "If the book will furnish than will reading about the life of Pastor Russell, the
food for the Lord’s sheep, meat in due se-lson, then we substance of which has heretofore been published by TH~
should publish it. If the book is to be published with a WATCaTowa~ and with which all the friends are familiar.
 International Bible StudentsAg)ciation Classes
Lcc~urc~
rind~tudlc~
b~Travcl|n~
5rcfllrc~

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER W. H. PICKERING

Kelly,La........................... Oet. 3 Weathersby, Miss ....... Oct. 10 l(eix~ ood, Man............... Oct. 1 Lllndal’, Man................... Qct 12
Vieksburg,Miss ............... " 4, 5 ltattiesbur~, Miss ....... " II Dauphin, Man............... ’" 2 Neveton, Malt ................. " 14
Natchez, Miss................. " 7 Vosburg,Miss ............. " 32 Gilbert Plains, Man..... " 3 l’] rb’l~sdnle, Mail............. " 15
Wanilla, Miss................. " 8 Enterprise, Miss ......... " 14 Grandview,. Man........... " 4 Ashern.’Mall ................... ~’ 16
Jackson, Miss................. " 9 Waynesimro, Miss ....... " 15, 16 Kamsaek,Sask ............. " 5, 7 Woodlaads, Man............. " 17
Yorkton. Sask ............... " 9, 10 DomilfiOn I’iiy, Man....... " 18

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK

Alton, Ill ........................ Oct. l East St. Lonis, Ill ....... Oct. 7, ,~ l’a.~adena, Calif. .. Sept. 30 Ataseadero, Cahf. .. . Oct. 7
BunkerHill. I11 ............... " 2 Swanwiek,]11 ............. " ll) Santa Paula, Calif ........ Oet. 1 Paso llobh,% (’alit ........ ’" S
Gillespie, Ill .................... " 3 Valier. Ill ...................... " 11 Santa Barbara. Calif. _ _ " 2 Watsonville. Cahf ........... " 9
Granite City, 111 ............. " 4 Marion,Ill ................... ," 12 Banta Maria. Calif .... " 3 Santa Cruz. ,’alif ........... " t0
Belleville, 111................... " 5 WhiteAslLIll ............... " 14 Orcutt, Calif ............ " 4 Seabright, Calif ............... " 11
St. l,ouis,.Mo ................... " 7, 9 Metropolis, Ill ............... " 15 San Luis Obispo, Calif. " 5 San Jose, Calit ............... " 1"2

BROTHER B. M. RICE
I~,I~THER J. W. COPE Streator, I11 ............... Sept. 23 Ashton.Ill ................. Oct. 15
Joliet, Ill ..................... " 24 Rloomington, Ill ......... " ]6
I~l’edonia, N. Dak. A)ot. 1,2 Ih,e iIeights, S. l)ak....Oct. 10 Aarora,lll ................... " 25, 26 Peoria,Ill ...................... " 17
]~erlin. N. l);tl;, ........... ’" 3 ~lellette, S. I)ak ......... " 11, 14
Ipswich, S. i)al, ........... " " Geneva,III ................. " 27 SI)ringfiehl. Ill ............. " 18, 19
5 Conde. S. I)ak .......... 12 Rochelle, Ill ............... Oct. 14 Jacksonville, 111 .......... " 21
Lebanon, S. l)ak ........... " 7 Mitchell, S. Dak ........ " 15
Huron, S. Dak............... " 9 Yermilion, S. Dak ....... " 16

BROTHER V. C. RICE
Worcester, Mass ............... Oct. 1 Stoughton, Mass ........... Oct. 8
BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN Milford, Mass................... " 2 Plymt)ton, 3Iass .......... " 9
I~arlnlalld. lnd ......... Oet. 1 Andersoa,Ind ................. Oet. 9 Woonsocket, Mass ............. " 3 North Duxbury, ,Xl~ss ..... " 10
I-Iartford City, Ind... :2 " Franklin, Mass................. " 4 Plynmuth, Mass............... " 1[
Ehvoo(I.lml ..................... 10 ’[aaanton. Mass................... ". "
Connersville, Ind ............. " 3 Alexaadria, hid ............... " 11 5 Attleboro, Mass............... 12
Richmond,lnd ............... " 4, 5 Marion,Ind ..................... " 12 ]lroe|i fen. ~|as~ ................. " 7 Providem.e, ILI ............. " 14
Indiaualmli.~, lnd ............ " 7 Kokomo,]nd ................... " 14
Knightstown, Ind ........... " S Peru, ln(t ......................... " 15
BROTHER R. L. ROB1E
Prescott. la ...................... Oct. l Omaha. Neh ..... Oct. S. 11
RedOak, Ia ..................... " 2 IAttle Sioux, la ........... " 9
BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM Nebraska (’ity, Neh ......... ’ 3 Logaa, la .................. " 10
Minneapolis, Minn ........... Oct. 1 Buffalo, N. Y.................. Oct. 7 lleafriee, Neb..................... ’ 4 Kirkman. la... _ "" ,2
St. Paul. Milm................... " 2 Seheneetady, N. Y ........... " Wymore, Neb..................... " 5 Coon Rapids. Ia ......... " 14
Madison,Wis..................... " 3 Boston, Mass................... " 2,~ Lineoln, Neb..................... " 7 Wall Lake, la ............. " l[i
Chicago,Ill ....................... " 4 Albany,N. Y ................... " 29
Cleveland,O ..................... " 5 Roche.~ter, N. Y ............... " 3(}

BROTHER O. L. SULLIVAN
VanWert, O ..................... Oct. 1 Sidney,O .......................... Oct. ,~
BROTHER M. L. HERR lama, () ........................... " 2 Piqua,0 ............................. ;’ ¯ 9
Walmkoneta,O ................. " 3 Ur’oaaa,0 ......................... " 10
Irene, S. Dak................... ()et. I)avenl)ort. la .............. Oct. 10 CelimLO ....................... " 4 ~V. Milton, O ................... " ll
Yankton, S Dak ............. " 2.-t RockIMan(1,Ill ............... " 11 lh)ssl)arg. O...................... " 5 TiPl)ecanoeCil3,, ’~} ........... " 12
Corsi(’a, S. 1-);d ................ " 3 East Molim,. 111 ............. " 12 Dayton,O ......................... " 7 Springfield, O.................... " 14
Vermilion. S. Dak ........... " 5 Moline.II1 ..................... " 14
Sioux City, Ia ................. " 7 Cld(.ago. Ill ................. " ]5
DemMoines, ht ............ " ,~ Ft. WayP.e. lad ............. " 16
BROTHER W. J. THORN
Peavhland. B. (’. .... Sept 20 Nanaimo,II. C ................. Oct. 1
Vernon,B. (’. ............. " 21, 2.’{ (’oar|ella3. )t. (~’. ............ " 2
BROTHER W. M. HEI[~ Armstrong. B. C ......... " 24 l,adysmith. It. ~’. ............ " 3
Oct. 2 I.ethbridge. Alta. Oct. 10 Oyama. B. C ............ " 2|; Malalmt, B. (’. .............. ’" 4
Balfour, ]L C.. Vancouver, B. C ......... "’ 30 Victoria. B. (’. ............... " 5, 7
Cranbrook, B. [’ . 3 Taher. Alta ......... ’" l l
Wy(’liffe. 11. C ...... 4 Bow Island, Alta ..... " 12
Elk(), t . C.. .......... 5 Medicine Hat, Alta. _ . " 14. 15
~ernie, B. C ....................... " 7 Maple Creek, Sask.. " IlL 17
Macleod.Alta ................... " 9 Swift Current, Sask. 1S BROTHER T. H. THORNTON
Illge;’soll, Ont ............ Sept. 26 Caledonia,|)nt .................. Oct. 2
Port Burwell, Ont ...... "’ 27 Hamilton.()lit ................... " 3
(’ourtland. Ont ............. " 2S llemnsville, Ont"................ " 4
Simeoe, Ont ................. " 3|| S|. (’atherines, Oct ........... " 6
BROTHER J. H. HOEVELER Port Dover, Ont ............. Oet. 1 Niagara Falls, ,)nt ........... " "i
Evansville, lnd ........ Sept. 20 Mayfield,Ky................... Sept. 27
’Pell City, hal ............ " 21 Paducah,Ky................... " 2,~
lloonville, lnd ................ " 23 Marlon,Ill ..................... " 30 BROTHER L. F. ZlNK
I)ixon. Ky....................... " 25 Carbondale.Iil ............... Oct. 1 ~,Val’re|L Ont ......... Oct. 1, 2 (’ollin~wood. |)nt ........ Oct. 11
IMdueah,KS’................... " 26 Swanwiek,I11 ................. " 2 Xor|i~ Bay. Ont .......... " 3.4 M~af,a’d. ()n| ............... " 12, 14
l D’acehridge. Ont ........... " 5,7 llel,XXorl|l, ()lit ........... " 16
Orillia, Ont................... " 8 Wiar|on, Oat ............... " 1"/
Barrie, Ont................... " 9, 10 Mm’.Ont.................. " 18
BROTHER B. HOWLETT
Richmond,Va .............. Sept. 30 Keysville, Yla ............... Oct. .q CONVENTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED NY BROTHER
RUTNERFBRO
Newport News, Va ......... Oct. 2 t~olphin, Va................. " 10 l~rooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 7 .......................................... No Convention
Norfolk,Va..................... " 3,4 Emporia. Va .............. " 11 12 New York, N. Y.. Oct. 21
SUffolk. VL.................... " 5 Sonth Hill. Va ...... " 14 T, M. Bedwin. ,~11S 95th Ave,. Woodhaven, L. I., N. Y.
Petersburg, Va ............... " 7 Republican Grove, Va. " 15 }~ttsl)urgh. Pa.. Nov. 4~
n 8 Lynehburg, Va .......... " lfl (L I-L Stewart, 317 Grace St., Mt. Washington 8ta.. Pittsburgh. P~
C~LVII- ..................
 ",’2"
". "., ,

:2=-2.:£...
" "2"-""

VOL. XLIV SEStI-MO,~THLY No. 19

AnnoMundi6t}52--October I, 1923

CONTENTS
!~OTICEOF ANNUALI%IEETING ............................... 090
%’IRGINS
FAIR........................................................ -°91
Definitions and Symbols .................................... -0.92
What Distinguishes the Virgins? .................... 2.93
"The Bridegroom Tarried"_ ......................... 2.94
Separation of the Virgins Begun .................... 2.95
RelationslIip of the l’arable~ ........................... 297
PRAYER-.~IEETINGTEXT COMMENTS ...................... 298
][ KNOW(Poem)...................................................... 29S
NEWYORKCONVENTION ...................................... -099
%VORLI)’STE,MPERANCE LESSON........................... .~00
SO.ME .~IISSIONARY TEACIlINGS OF ’IIIE FS%L,MS 301
A Prophecy Now Being Fulfilled ................. 302
~NTERESTING LETTERS........................................ 303

’q w~ll stand upo~l my n’ateh ond will set my foo!

upon the Tower, .nd .ill worth to see what He will
say unto me, and what answec 1 M~all make to them
that oppose me,"--ltabakkuk $:1.

o,
5

--=_ ~ - ~%~,k~.~----==-~--. _ ,~-:,.:~_~~...--~----

~!,. ":~-~.... ~~: ..-:-::..:~_:- _.. ---~-
2~ -:’-~ ~:z::.’.’2"::£-’--7-~
1 -

....... .... ......

r’-onthe earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking
: ~’. - .~ e~ml~..~on the earth (society) ; for t he powers of the heavens (ecclesiasticsm) shall be shaken... When ~ye see these things begin to come to pass,
k.~ ,~ t ,.: t.,c Kmgdo~ of God is at hand. Look up, lift up your heads, rejoins, for yottr redemptmn draweth mgn.--Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:25-31.
 THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSI01~
T HIS Journal is ono of the prime factors
presenled in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCH
or "Seminary Extension",
TOWERBIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
now belay?
A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
motion of Cllrislian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Bcrean Les::on;~" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to a~i ~xho wm.d~l merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. M.), which translate,i
into :English is M,~,L.’;tcr o] God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bib:e
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
q2his journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’S hope now being so generally repudiatc~
~-redemption lhrough the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] f,~r
nil". (1 Peter 1:19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6} Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : 11-
15; 2 Peter 1:5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to Umake all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...h
been hid in God .... to the intent that now might be m~de known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ag ,.~
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--l~phesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
~[t stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fulle,t
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus tree to declare boldly whatsoever the Lot 1
hath spoken---according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but eonliden’ ;
for we know whereo~ we alhrm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. it is held as a trust, to be used only in h
service ; hence our dem.~mns relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns mast be according to our jadgment of h~s
good pleasure, tlm teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge ou.~
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly nmde to facJitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEAClt
q:hat the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress tbrough~u~
the gospel age--ever since Christ became the worhl’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, wbe,l
linished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephestans 2" °0-’>J" .... ,
Genesis 2"; : 14 ; Galatmns 3 : 29.
2:hat meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when it’1
last of these "living stones", "elect and l,recipEs," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workmanwill bring all togerl, e
in the first resurrection; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throuahout
the Millenmma.--Revelatiou 15 : 5-8.
What the basis of hope, for the clmrch and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for c,:ery
man," "a rar_.~om for all," add will be "the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world", "in due time".--
lIebrews 2:9; John 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his joint-hmr.--1 John 3.2; Jo’bn 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
~hat the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for tile future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; ~o be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and pmests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew : [ -"
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the hope for the world lies in ttm blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millenni,! kingdom, the
reslitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their lh.,lee.::e: a~(: his glortned church,
when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isamh 35.

ANNUAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given ~hat the annual meeting of the
WATCFI TOWE~ BI 5LE & TRACT SOCIETJ Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, ns provided by law
18 CONCORD
STREET
a g 51~OOKL"/N,/~I.Y.U.S-A" and the charter of said Society, will be hehl at the Soldiers
Fo~:Ic~ O~FIeES : Brutish: 34 Craven Terrace, Laneast_r Ga~e, and Sailors Memorial Ilall, I,’ifth A~mme and Biz,Aow
]Gondon ~r. 2; Canodian: 38-40 Irwin Avenue, Toronto, Ontario; Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at 10 o’clock a. in.,
Australas¢an: 495 Collins St., Melbourne. Australia ; ~outh AJrica~: Wednesday, October 31, 1923, to tran-~act any bu~ines~ t’.’at
Lelie St., Cape Town, South Africa.
PLEASEADDRESSTHE SOCIETY IN ~VERYCASE. may properly come before the said convention, including
the election of officers. Form of proxy is furnished with
YEARLY SUB,~CIMPTION PRICE: UNITED STAT~S, $1.00; CAN.~DA
AND~IISCELLANEObS FOREIGN, $1.50; GREATBRITAIN, ~USTRALASIA, the September 151h issue of THE WATCH TOWE~: for all
ANDSOUTll AFRICA, ~S. American remittances should be made by shareholders. Further copies may be had by ad,lressing
Express or Postal MoneyOrders, or by Bank Draft. Canadian, Brili.~ll, the Secretary.
South African, and Australasian remittances should be made to b~ an ~ h
o~ces only. Remittances from scattered fmeign territory may be made (Si~ned) W.E. VaN A.~tm’RC, H, Secretary.
to the Brooklyn offme, but by International Postal MoneyOrders only. September 15, 1923.
(Foreign tra~s~ations of th~s )ournal appcar in several languaqes)
Editorial Committee: This journal is published under the supervision RAILROAD RATES TO PITTSBURGH CONVENTION
of an editorial committee, at least three of whom have read and
approved as truth each and every article appearing in these columns. Special raih’oad rates have l~en granted hy various linen
’Phe names of the editorial committee are : J. F, RUTE[ERFOI:D, to the l’ittsburgh Col/venti~)n to be held November 1 !o 4,
W. E. VAN AMBURGtt, 3. HEMERY,G. ]:[. FISHER, 1~. H. BARBER.
Terms to the Lord’s Poor: All Bible students who, by reason ~)f inchtsive. For full information address C. H. Stewar~,
old age or other infirmity or adversity, are unahle to pay for tins Secretary, 317 Grace Street, hit. Washington, Sta., I’itts-
journal, will be supplied free if they send a postal card each May burgh, Pa.
stating their case and requesting such provision. We are not only
willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR NOVEMBER
in touch with tile Bin-can studio.
November 7: Purify "your souls in olieying the truth through
Notice to l~ubseribers: We do not, as a rule, send a card of ackno~ l- the sl)imt."--i Peter : 22.
edgmenl" for a renewal or for a new subscription. Receipt and
entry of renewal are indicated within a month by change in expira- November 14 : "The ornament of u meek and ilmet spirit."--1
Peter 3 : 4.
tion date, as shown on wrapper label.
November 21 : "Hereby know ye the spirit of Gnd."--I John 4:2.
EnSeredas SecondClass Matter at Brooklyn, N.Y. postoffice., Act of March3rd z879.: ,November 28 : "God . . . hath blessed us with all spiritual bless-
ings."--I:l hc~i:um 1 . 3.

HY~LNS FOR NOVEMBER

I.B.S’A.BEIEAN
BIBLE
STUl:)IES-- Sunday
Monday
4
5
5
174
11 1S2
12 193
18
1~
.~3
287
25 301
26 70
By~V~eans
o~ "The At.one-ment" /j Tuesday 6 211 13 121 20 146 2~" 69
CIIAPTERI " TIfE FACTANDTill.*" PIIII,OSOPI[Y
~Veekof Nov. 4 .......... Q. 29-35 Week of Nov. 18 ..........
Q. 36-42 Week of Nov. 25 .........
Q. 43--19 !
Q. 50-5G
I Wednesday
Thursday 1 Vow
7
8
9
160
-}S
43
14 95
15 215
16 259
21
22
23
100
lq7
317
28

30
H8
29 241
12
Weekof Nov. 11 ......... Friday 2 228
__.- Question book~ on "The At-one-mcnt," 10c poutpaid I Saturday 3 168 10 114 17 294 24 273
 ¥oLXLIV OcTom,n: 1, J’}°8
VIRGINS FAIR
"’Thc, n shall the Z’Mgdom
of heavenbe lil,’ened unto ten virgM.%whichIt} ,.i’/hcir
the bridegroom."--3laL’/~:’w2.5: i.
J{ACIOI;Suor{ls fell from the lips of Je>u-,
G the beloxcd of God, when he sp,,ke eoneer]ti;tg
his return for his bmde. In ptttorml language
he had described his bride as "the fairc.-_t among
women,"and did so because of his love for her. Ills
Father had ordained before the foundation of the world
that he should have a bride; she to be called, chosen,
l)olished, prelmPe{l and madeinto his likeness aud all
glormus in his palace when the union is fully consmn-
mated.
-~It seemsquite certain that one of the joys set before
the Lord (Hebrews 12: 2) was that he might have with
hint his bride, chosen by the heavenly Father. Since
,Jesus himself looked forward ~]ta joy to that day,
then surely the bride would anticipate the day with
nmchjoy. The nucleus of the bride {:lass was his loyal
d~seiples, who walked with him for three and one-half
years. They loved him. He loved them. He was anxious
that they and all who should theft’after become his
followers might be one; and thus he prayed. (John 17:
21) Whenhe spoke the parable o£ the virgins he was
near the hour when he was to be taken away from his
dlseiples; and he was telling them some things" that
they could understand then, and in dark sayings many
more things that they would understand when they
received the holy spirit, lie had said to them: "In
my Father’s house are many mansions: . . . I go to
prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto
myself; that where I am, there ye maybe also." (John
14: 2, 3) Naturally his disciples were anxious to know
more about the details, and their minds would be medi-
tahng upon these things.
Jl’he great goal to which Jesus looked forward was
the kingdom. Time and again he showed how impor-
tant he regarded the kingdom, tIis disciples had caught
1he spirit, and to them the kingdombecamethe greatest
of all things to which they should look forward. They
lmderstood that the kingdom would be set up and the
promise made to Abrahamfulfilled; and that the be-
ginning of this would be at the end of the world, of
which (as Jesus had taught them) Satan was then the
No. 19
lan,[,.~, alld went forth to meet
god or mighty ruler. The fact of the comingend {}f the
worhl and of lhe relurn ok the Loft[ was certain, an,[
delinitely fixed m thmr minds. But how would the:
know ~hml that time would arrive? They determined
amongst themsehes to lind out. A short time before
his crucifixion the record is that these discipl{,~ cameto
3csus privately, saying, ’"Fell us, ~he,l shall these things
be? and what shall be the proof of thy presence, and
of the end of the world?"
4In answer to these questions Jesus delivered that
wonderful discourse, depicting the conditions that would
obtain at the end of the world and during his presence
--conditions which all the truly consecrated recognize
a, ld appreciate at this time. In connection with that
great discourse he told his disciples that he would then
have a faithful and wise servant, whomhe wouhl make
ruler over all his goods (his kingdom interests).
then intimated that there wouldbe an evil servant class
who would smite their fellow-servants and turn back
and join the world.
~But there still remained in the minds of those faith-
ful disciples something that they wanted to know. They
had understood from Jesus that there would be a nnion
between the great King and his faithful followers, who
would with llim make up the kiugdom class. As Jews
they must and did know the text of the Scriptures;
therefore we nm,t indulge the presumption that they
were familiar with the words of the Prophet concerning
the espousal of the bride t,} the brMegroom.
GThe Loges (before he became Jesus) speaking
through the holy Prophet had said: "I will betroth
thee unto me for ever: yea. [ ~ill betroth thee unto me
in righteou,ness, and m judgment, and in ]ovingkind-
hess, and in merems. I will even betroth thee unto ]~e
in faithfulness: aml thou shall know the Lord [Jeho-
vah]." (Hosea 2:19,20) That betrothal meant a fu-
ture union or marriage. We must conclude that the
disciples would look forward to that as a happy time.
Surely they were familiar with the text of the prophet
Isaiah, who wrote: "For as a young man marrieth a
\irgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and e.s the bride-
groom rejoieeth over the bride, so shall thy God
 >YATCN TOWFR
[elo/tzem, mighty one] rejoice over thee." (Isaiah 62: that it was intended as a part or contmaation of his
5) Even though the disciples then understood that discourse relating to the conditions at the e’ad of the
these prophecies related to God’s chosen people after world and had its application after these other events
the flesh, yet when they received the holy spirit they had transpired. IIe opens the parable with these words:
would knowthat these words of the prophets apply to "’Then shall the kingdomof heaven be likelmd unto ten
Israel after the spirit, the newcreation. virgins," etc. The word ther~ means at that t~me--at
7The main question in the minds of the faithful dis- the time when the parable is due to be fulfilled, and
ciples was this: Whenwill that union of the bride and at the -~inle when the evidences that the worhl has
the Bridegroomtake place ? Whenwill the faithful fol- ended are manifes~
lowers of the Lord be umted together with him? (Has ~-’With no di<poqtion or &?sire to erita:,ze what has
not this been the very question that has been uppermost heretofore been ,aid or written about the fulfilment of
in the minds of the consecrated during the time of the this parabl% we here vouture the statement that there
harvest, even until now?) must be a later and even a broader and more distinct
s Jesus -knew that these questibns were in the minds fulfilment since 191~ than there was during the forty
of his followers; and that a similar question wouhl wars preceding that date. The qu,?stion uppermost iu
occupy the nfinds of others, particularly at the end o~ the minds of Chri,-tmns for the past forty-five years,
the age. He therefore, through his Word, drew a pic- a_~td particularly during the past ten years, is and has
ture of the kingdom, comparing the kingdom of heaven been, ’Whenare we going honle? Whenshall we e,,Ae.r
at the time with virgins or pure ones, which is in exact in and be forever with the Lord?’ Has any one been
agreement with the prophets’ utterances relating to the able to give. the true and correct answerto. this question
union of the bride and the bridegroom. ’-
at any time ,-.inee 187,? Will any maqhave the tem~l
ity to say ~iow that he knows the ver.v day and hour
TIME when the last membershall pass beyond the vail, when
~Since the parable Jesus here uttered relates to the all shall be forever with the Lord, and whmtthe door
church going in to the marriage, time becomesof vital will be closed? Surely not.
importance. Jesus stressed the importance of time by ~aNowlet each reader take his Bfl)Ie and carefully
saying to them: "Watch therefore, for ye knowneither read the parable as set forth in Matthew25: 1-13. We
the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man eometK" believe that all will he greatly aided in understanding
Paraphrasing his words, he would say to them: ’You this parable if we realize the m~portanceof the words
must be on the watch at all times; for you know not of the 5Iaster when he said: "Watch therefore, for ye
the day nor the hour whenthe Bridegroomshall receive know neither the day nor the hour." The parablo, of
his bride into his glory home. You must be ready and course, is written in symbolic language. It is like a
willing at all times ; and if you love me, you will keep picture thrown on the screen, suggesting the existonee
my commandmeLL~and will watch.’ The statement of a reality, to be knownill the future. Before exam-
here of our Lord could not relate to his secondpresence : ining the parable in detail, let us ascertain the Scrip-
for he had already given the evidences by which they rural meaning of the words and the symbols used.
could determine the second presence. The question as
to how they would know of his second presence had DEFINITIONS AND SYMBOLS
already been answered. The first question concerning 14KINGDOMOFJd-EAVEN nleau8 the royal family, ment-
his presence and the end of the world related to the bets of the new creation to be associated with Jesus,
times and seasons. St. Paul afterward said: "Of the the tIead or King. Before the final diviston takes place,
times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that as contemplated in the parable, all the spirit-begotten
I write unto you."--1 Thessalonians 5:1. and anointed ones this side the vail will be included in
~°For more than forty years nowit has been apparent the kingdom-of-heavenclass.
that the Lord is present. The question under consid- laVIRGIN means a pure, chaste wonlall, symbolizing
eration in this parable relates to the entry of the church the church of the firstborns. "For I ant jealous over
into the kingdomof the Lord and to the closing of the you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to
door. Whois he today who knows just when that will one husband, that I maypresent you as a chaste virgin
take Dace ? to Christ."--2 Corinthians 11 : 2.
=To aid us in determining the time we must take 16TExVIRGINSsymbolize all the virgins; that is to
into consideration the surrounding circumstances and say, all the consecrated, begotten and anointed Chris-
events; namely, Jesus had just been answering the tians following in the footsteps of Jesus on earth, look-
disciples’ question concerning his second presence and ing for the union with the Bridegroom, the King.
the end of the world. J:[e had just mentionedthe faith- ~rFIv~ means one-hMf of the ten, showing relative
ful and wise servant and the possible development of completeness, and showingthat the division is not arbi-
an evil servant, and immediately began to speak to trarily made by the Lord, but that the virgins are
them the parable of the virgins; thereby showing divided into two classes--dividing themselves; that all
 WATCH TOWER
the~,_’ wire t)roq)ective members ofthe bride class at one
time. The division does not indicate that there would
be an equal number in each class. It merely shows
two classes.
>WISE.A wise person is one who knows God’s plan
and applies this knowledge according to the dlviJ)e
rule; one who trusts in the Lord w,th all his heart
a,M loans not to his o~n understanding; who joyfully
h,mfl)les himself u::derthe mighty hand of God and
d,.,lights in whatsoe~er the Lord provides for him. He
j.,)fully ke-ps the commandments of the Lord; there-
fore he is watchful.
19FooI2s:t-I--the very opposite of wiqe. IIe does not
~,~yfully conformhimself to the expre~-:ed will of god.
1
]te leans to his ownselli~h till ( h,r,-tan~m,g; while claim-
i,ua to follow the Lord, vet he does not possess a loyal
a:’,,l loving spirit--eont’,ntedly and joyfully to abide by
whatsoever the l~ord provides for him.
2°In pr.,)of of the definitions of wise and foolish as
above set forth, we cite the following scriptures:
2~"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean
not unto thine own umterstanding. In all thy ways
a,.knowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."--
lh’overbs3 : 5, 6.
2-~’"[’he ui.~e shall inh-rit glory; but shameshallbe
the promotmnof fools."--Proverbs 3:35.
2a"Awise soil heareth his father’s instruction: but a
scorner heareth not rebuke.’--Proverbs 13: 1.
~"The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright:
1Jut the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."--
l’row, rbs 15 : 2.
"-’~"My son, if thine heart be wise, myheart shall
r:.}oiee, even mine .... Hear thou, my son, and be
w~se, and guide thine heart in the way."--Proverbs
23 : 15, 19.
"-6"He that trusteth in his ownheart is a fool: but
whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered."--Prov-
erbs 28: 26.
="So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was aa a beast
before thee."--l’sahn , ;/: 22.
2SThe La~p i~ a s)unbol of God’s Wordof truth, in
which is h,.s spirit and which lightens the pathway of
the ehfld of God. It is the expressed will of Godtoward
his nowe>,atures.
2a"For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord
will lighten mydarkness."--2 Samuel 22:29.
a°"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto mypath."--Psalm 119 : 105.
~*"There will I make the horn of David to bud: I
have ordaitmd a lamp for mine anointed."--Psalm
1:}:~: 17.
~-’"For the commandmentis a lamp, and the law is
light: and reproofs of instruction are the wayof life."
~Proverbs6 : 23 ; 23 : 9 ; Ezekiel 1 : 13.
aalt must be manifest from the foregoing scriptures
that the Bible would be a lamp {o no one’s feet except
tho~o ~]lo have the spirit of the Lord. Whenwe under-
stand the laanp to picture the ~il! of Godas expressed
toward his children, then we can see that it is his will
obeyed by his children, through the operation of his
st, rit , that brings to them light. All the virgins had
la,n ps.
~*©I5--a symbol of joy and gladness.
a;"llu{ Christ as a son over his own house; whose
house are we, if we hohl fast the confidence and the
rejotcM9 of the hope firm unto the end."--tIebrews 3 : 6.
~C"Thouprepare~-t a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies: thou anointest myhead with oil; my
cup [of joy] runneth over."--Psa]m 23:5.
:;r"Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness:
therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the
oil of g/ad~’~ess above thy fe!lows."--Psalm 45: 7.
~"Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness:
and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil,
which shall not break myhead: for yet myprayer also
-hall be in their ealamities."--Psalm 141: 5.
"’~"Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness ; mid
let thy saints shout for joy .... I will also clothe her
priests wxth salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud
for joy."--Psalm 132 : 9, 16.
*°"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and
not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is mystrength ard
my song; he Msa is b~ome nly salvation. Therefore
wilh joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salva-
tion."--Isaiah 12: 2, 3.
~"Thy matchmel~ [those who are watching--wise
ones] shall lift up the voice; with the voice ~gether
shall they sing [for joy] ; for they shall see eye to eye.
when the Lord shall bring again Zion."--Isaiah 52:8.
~a"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to
give unto them beauty forashes, the oil of joy to:"
mour~ffl~c], the garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteou:-
ness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glori-
fied."--Isaiah 61: 3.
4aVEss~L: The person or being who is tile new
creature.--2 Corinthians 4: 7.
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THE VIRGINS?
%\ll persons concerned in this parable are designated
as virgins, therefore pure ones, justified, begotten and
anointed of the holy spirit. All of them are looking
for the Bridegroonl, that they may go in to the mar-
riage and be forever with the Lord before the door is
shut. This is the one thing for which they are looking.
For this reason they go out to meet the Bridegroom.
They all have lanlps, .-hewing that they have a kmowl-
edge of the expressed will of God concerning them, aa
set forth in the details of the divine plan. They all
continued to walk together until the Bridegroomseemed
to tarry; and then they all slept and slumbered. They
.-2:1 hear the midnight cry; and all of them arise and
t~94 eWATCH
trim lheir !amp~- -begin to examinethe will of (;,;,t as
expressed tox~a>l th,.m in his \Vord. The r~al d,-t.mc-
tion, which marks the division betweenthe two eia -’, s,
is the fact that the x~ise have a supply of oil while the
foolish took no o~l with them.
4aThis parable, ]ike other parables, is a prophecy;
for it foreshadowsfuture events. Prophecycan l)e ~.:ore
dearly understood v,h,n fulfilled or in course of f,flfil-
ment. This is exactly in con%fruity with the ],ord’s
promise that the light shall shine more and more unto
the perfect day. (Proverbs 4: 18) As the Lord fulfils
his promise to his people we should expect to have a
better understanding, provided that we are wise ~ ~thm
the meaning of the Seriptnres. Let us now apply the
physical facts, and see howthey fit the prophetic .-tate-
ments of the parable; and if they both agree, then we
may be reasonably certMn that we have a proper under-
standing of the parable.
PHYSICALFACTS
*~Thesecond presence of the Lord dates from 18,’4.
From that time until 1914 was a period in which the
Lord was gathering together his saints (Psahu 50: 5),
causing his faithful and wise servant to go about among
the people and tell them concerning the great divine
plan. By this means they were drawn together, and the
harves~ work progressed. That faithful and wise ser-
van~ always tamed concerning consecration and prepa-
ration for the kingdom; and he always point(’d to
future date from 1874 forward when the chnrch should
expect to enter in with the Lord and the door wouhl be
closed; when the marriage would be completed. The
Prophet seems clearly to indicate that the "day of
preparation" must be a period of time dati>g from the
beginning of the second presence of the Lord until the
end of the Gentile Times; to wit, from 1874 to 1914.
Before the latter date it would have been ineon,,,stent
for the Lord to have taken possession and begmnhis
reign.--Ezekiel 21: 27; Revelation 11: 17, 18.
47During that period of preparation the harvest work
has progressed, and the church has been looking for
deliverance and union with the Bridegroom. It does
not seem reasonably possible that any one could look
for the union of the bride and the Bridegroom, or the
going in for that purpose, until after the presence of
the Lord. Therefore this expected time must date some-
where after 1874. It would follow, then, that the time
for the fulfilment of the parable, in which the Lord
would seem to tarry and the virgins would sleep and
slumber, must be somewhere after 1874.
4~Writing on this subject, Brother Russell said: "Just
how long after 1914 the last living members of the
body of Christ will be glorified, we are not directly
informed; but it certainly will not be until their work
in the flesh is done; nor can we reasonably presume
that they will long remain after that work is aceom-
lflished."--C228.
TOWER
*~’Durm~th{ year 1914 there was a lremendous effort
put torth hx the P, ible Stud(his throughout the world
to eoJ~,lu.,h, the work of harve>t before the end and
before thedoor would be shut.
"THEBRIDEGROOM TARRIED"
~°Bible Students generally beliexcd that 1914 would
mark the end of all ell~orts of the church this side the
vat] ; and that their change would take ~laee then. S~mm
were so thoroughly eonvmecdof tins that they prepared
to leave everything on the la.-t of Septemberand go Jn
with the f,ord. Somedelivered discourses, saying, ’This
is the ]ast time that I shall speak to the friends. We
are going home tomorrow.
~’But the fall of 1914 came and passed; and mauv
of the saints still this side in th’~ flesh were wonderm.g
when their change would take place. Ginee, then they
have been looking forward and ask,ng, Whenmay we
expect to ~o?
~2In TtH.: W,~¢cI¢ Tower for November 1, 191L
Brother Russell said: "But we cannot be far from c.r
change; and we advise that all of the Lord’s people
live day by dav just as th.ngh this was the last day on
this side of the x ail. and 1hat tonight or torero’row
would usher Its into the gh,rlous things beyond the
vail. Living in this way will surely be at least a good
cxperim~oefor us, bringing blessing and ripening eh-’r-
aeter. Whata l)lessed wayto live !--every day in antici-
pation of seeing our l{edeemer and sharing in his won-
derful work! The things connected with this pro evt
ime seem less and less important to us, on account of
which our names are cast out as evil by those who are
living for all they can get out of the present life."~
WATCtrTOWER Reprints, p. 5569, par. 8.
~VPhevery language here indicates the thought in
the mind of Brother ]~ussell--that the last day mi::ht
be expected momentarily. It is like one waiting for ,~
belated train, expecting it to comeat any time; and it
seems to tarry.
~4It seems quite clear from the parable that 1914aavl
the beginning of 1915 marks that time of which v.e
read: "The bridegroom tarried." Of course he has n(.t
tarried ; but the Lord foreknew, and was foretelling that
the church would expect to go home before the time
arrived.
~In 1916 Brother ]lussell experienced his change,
and the church was in perplexity. In 1917 severe trials
of the church began; and about October, 1917, there
was a great fiery trial among.-_tthe people of the Lord.
That marked, of course, the beginning of 1918--tl-a
time when our Lord was due to come, and when he d~ l
come, to his temple to judge his people. (Psalm 11 : I,
5; 1Peter 4: 17) The "Finished ~Iystery" campaign
was nowon. The trials of the Lord’s people eontinu(tl
to increase in severity; and it was apparent that a tin:e
of darkness, night time, was rapidly approaching. As
we advanced into 1918, the darkness surrounding the
 WATCH
church iucreased, marked by great persecutions. We
r,,fer to TnF, W:,TCt[ TOWEa of May 1, 1918, which
gives an account of manyof the brethren being inear-
¢ rated in prison because of their faithfulness in selling
’" the Iqmshed Mystery." On page 133 of that issue w;ll
be found quotattons front a number of letters written
1,v brethren front various prisons where they were re-
s.rained of their liberty because of their witness to the
truth. It was indeed a dark time.
5~Then, later mthe year, followed the imprisonment
of the servants of the SOCIETY at headquarters; and
looter, in the same year, the work of the Bible Students
was practically stopped, the BotI>I Itome disrupted,
the office moved away, and the relationship between
the home office at Brooklyn and the foreig~l branch
clIices severed. Uponevery hand the faithful were ask-
i ,g one another: Whenwill the Lord take us home?
1~, was a time of enforced idleness. While the duly con-
s~ttated memb,~rsof the Editorial Committee(with one
exception) were lingering behind prison bars, other
&,ar brethrmb acting as ttleir substitutes, in faithfully
t:ymg to do what eouhl be done, expressed through the
C, ,[uIn!ls of TI{E W.4-TC}t- TOWER the real views of the
(:,.arch concerning the conditions then existing: "The
t’ ,;mralleled conditions in the world during the pa:t
, ar have greatly curtailed our work, especially for the
}-~,hc; and we suggest that 1)c,,sibly this meybe the
f .i/ilment of our Lord’s words in John 9:4: ~The
a. ght eometh when no man can work’; and that this
t,’vt may have no reference to the work of comforting
a:’.d encouraging one another, a work which is still
1: ;ssfl)le for all to do." \VATc}rTOWER Reprints, p.
6 ~(;7, par 6.
~TIn discussing the final deliverance of the church,
v :uGhis doubtless the thing contenlplated in the parable
of the viGins, Brother Russell (C231) advances the
thought that the faithful ones of the Lord will be
p~rsistent in declaring the truth to the very last, will
suffer violence and pass rote glory; and that this will
take place when Christendomsees it is necessary to use
h,,r power to suppress the truth. Of course we do not
know exactly what is ahead; but the only proper atti-
tude of a Christina is to be zeal,ms and faithful when-
ever there are opportunities to represent his Lord.
"THEY SLEPT"
5~The text reads: "While the bridegroom tarried,
they all slumbered and slept." By that we would under-
stand tlmt some slumbered and some slept. They were
all doing one or the other. There must be somediffer-
e~me: for two words are here used, translated from two
different Greek roots. Dr. Strong defines them thus:
59Slept: To lie downto rest.
~°Shtmber: To fall asleep; to nod.
6*This indicates that some wouhl lie down to take
their rest and do this deliberately, believing that every-
TOWER
thing was over--nothing more to do; while others,
weary and tired, would nod, and involuntarily fall
asleep for a nmment.Surely they were not all sleeping
soundly. The church members had been driven to this
conditlm by surrounding circumstances which the Lord
had permitted to come upon them, and which the Lord
foreknew; and in this condition of enforced idleness
they waited. Some were wondering, between the nod-
dirg moments, Shall we go home from prison, or will
the Lord yet have somehing for us to do?
MIDNIGHT
%%midnight there was a cry. Midnight does not
necessarily mean the darkest part of the night, but it
does mean a period between the beginning and ending
of a night or dark season. It is evident that the Inn-
garage of the parable intends to conveythe thought that
not all the saints were sleeping and resting; that the
fact that some were nodding showed flint they were
waiting for something else to be done. It was while in
this condition that it was announced that a general
convention of the consecrated would be heId at Cedar
Point, Ohio, on the first of September, 1919. The saints
put forth a remarkable effort to get to that convention.
Gait was just before this that the Lord’s people began
to discover that the work of the thatch pictured by
Elijah had ended in the sprinz of 1918; and that the
time from 1918 forward until the latter part of 1919
represented a period of waiting, pictured by Elisha
standing at the banks of the Jordan before smiting the
waters. It was at the Cedar Point Convention, 1919,
that the shout went forth: "Behold the King! It is
time to bestir ourselves and announce the King and
begin the second smiting of the Jordan." Many will
recall how on that memorableoccasion, when the ser-
vice work in connection with T~E GoLImXAGEwas
announced, and the convention was asked to indicate
its willingness to engage in it, the vast multitude arose
as one man, with a shout of approval.
SEPARATION OF VIRGINS BEGUN
64The parable pictures all the virgins arising and
trimming their larrups ; that is to say, turning again to
the will of Godexpressed concerning them, as set forth
in his Word, to ascertain whether or not the Elijah
work had ended and the Elisha work begun; and
whether now there was something that must be done
or not. During the period of enforced idleness the wise
had been refreshed by their meditation upon the truths
especially set forth in Volume VII; and when they
began to reOxamine these truths, together with other
contained in God’s Word, their hearts responded with
joy. Their zeal was enkindled and they eagerly went
fm~h to the work. They were prepared at any and all
times to meet the Bridegroom at his pleasure. ]~enee
they were determined to perform joyfully such service
 WATCH
as he gave th,,.m and mHil such hour as he wouhl say:
’Enter in, and (,lose the door.’ They have not been so
much concerned about tile exact momentof going into
the door as they have been concerned with their efforts
to please the Lord and show their love and loyalty to
him by joyfully doing whatever he would have them do.
They have recognized that now they must be living
witnesses to the King and the kingdom, and at the
same time prepare themselves to enter in and be ready
to enter at any momentthat he should say. They %ok
with them thmr lamps ; that is to say, the Wordof God,
which is a light unto their ~eet. And they took Qil in
their vessels; that is to say, they possessed a great deal
of joy in themselves. The vessel means the organism of
the new creature; the person or being who is the new
creature. (2 Corinthians 4: 7; Acts 9: 15; 1 Thessa-
lonians 4: 4; ~ Timothy 2: 21) And since joy is repre-
sented by oil, it means that they possessed a great
amount of joy in their own hearts, in themselves, as
they went forth in obedience to the Lord’s will.
Cq3e it noted that the parable does not say that the
wise took an extra suppb" of oil in ~’,, laro;s. The
parable does not say that there was oil in the lamps.
Wemust rememberthat these are symbolic expressions,
using natural things to illustrate spiritual things. The
parable does say that they took their lamps and oil in
their vessels wi~h ~heir lamu~. The pmnt here i.q t.l~vt
the oil represents joy; and the joy is not in the lamp,
but the joy must be in the vessel, in themselves.
o’S’Thecondition of the foolish was the very opposite
of that of the wise. They had their lamps, the expressed
will of God concerning them, but "they took no oil
with them"; that is to say, they found no real joy now
in conforming themselves to the expressed will of God.
G~Thewise have been those virgins who have been
anxious to knowthe Lord’s will and glad to do it, and
finding muchjoy in doing it, whether it overturns all
their previous ideas or not. The whole thing with them
has been and is, Whatis the will of the Lord concerning
me? I delight to do thy will. I take joy in doing it.
~80n the other hand there has been a class, especially
since Brother Russell’s death, who have said: ’Brother
Russell is that servant; and since his death there is
nothing more for us to do; there is no more truth to
be given to the church ; and hence I will not do any-
thing because the request comes through T~E W.~TCI-Z
TowEaor the SOCIET~C that it should be done.’ These
refuse to engage with others in proclaiming the rues-
sage, "The kingdom of heaven is here; millions now
living will never die." They say’: ’We will wait and
see what happens, but do nothing now.’ Whenthey
arose to the shout that was given in 1919 they were
confused; and possessing more self-will than an un-
selfish desire to be guided by the Lord, they neglected
to examine his will concerning them with an open mind
and open heart. The result has heen that they have
been losing the~ joy and their light has been going out;
TOWER
and th’v have been losing their understanding of God’s
will concerning them. They have been foolish in this,
that they have applied their knowledgein a selfish way;
hence they become ~gnorant and unlearned in respect
to the Lord’s will concerning them. They have ne,~qeeted
the Lord’s service. They have no willing or joyful desire
to engage iu it. They have not been able to ~:,’,~ ¢he
truth as it has been due and revealed by the ]~ord to
tus people. Andsince they have been ramble to see it
and are losing their joy, they cometo the wise, virgin
class and say: "Give us of your oil." But the wise
answer: ’We eannot do that; there would not be cnou2h
for us and for yon. This oil of gladness that has eowe
to us has been the result of our wilhng devotion to the
Lord and his service. Go, then, into his ser\ice, where
we bought it, and buy for yourselves.’ The foolish say:
’Let us sit down and think about the nm!ter. Let ~<
pray about it awhile. Wedo not believe that the Lor,l
~s using any particular organization or channel or ar-
rangementto carry, on his work since Brother JRussell’s
death, and we want to think about it.’ They continue
slowly to think ; and their light grows dimmer.
69Someof the Lord’s dear sheep who have been led
in the wrong way by ambitious leaders are now going
to the market to buy for themselves; and they are buy-
ing through bitter experiences. They have heretofore
l’eioof,,,I.÷he l,ord’s way’~f earryn:3" o~ his work,joining
themselves to selfish leaders, even such as the Apostle
said should arise at tlns time. (Ads 20: 30) Th’,v
have found no joy while following these self-eonstituwd
leaders and arrangements, because they are doing noth-
ing to the Lord’s glory. To manyof these it is a bitl ’r
pill to acknowledge that they have been wrong, and
rather difficult to reverse their steps. Yet, thanks be
to God, some are doing this.
7°While these foolish ones are going through bitter
experiences the Bridegroom is majestically marching
on, and the happy throng of wise virgins is hnrrving
to him and joyfully shouting. "Behohl the King! The
kingdomof heaven is at hand 1" These occupy a po.-i-
tion of honor and glory in advertising the King and his
kingdom. Hence to them are fulfilled the precious
promises of the Lord given m the Psalm: "Let the
saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon
their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their
mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; to exe-
eute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments
upon the people; to bind their kings with chains, and
their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them
the judgment written: this honor have all his saints
[the wise virgin class]. Praise ye the Lord."--Psalm
149: 5-9.
7~Later, according to the parable, the foolish virgins
see their mistake. They pass through somebitter exp:’-
rienees before getting the oil of joy that awakensthem
to the fact that the kingdomhas been set up; and they
are shownthen as going to the Lord and saying, "Lord,
 WATCH
TOWER 2or
Lord. l l’,,’re we are,] open to us." B,:i lh,,.v comelate. (,1!i. htDi(l, fil/{] to (lo. ~ Why.then, does ’che Lordbring
Tlv v [a,h~d or refused at the proper time to parttcq)ate lh~,-, things t,) our ln[ll(I nOW?
joyf’ully ill the things that the Lord had for his people ;~IS it not rca,~’)>ahle for us to concludethat the Lord
to do. The Lord does not rebuff them. He does not has permitted these things to be seen by the church,
east them into outer darkness. The parable does not that those who have been somewhatnegligent or indif-
represent them as being thus puni.-hed. But the Lord ferent and have oecn permitting self to stand in file
says to them: "I know you not." In other words, the way maynowreverse their action quickly, put aside all
Lord annomlees that they have not followed his will selfishness and self interest, redeenl the tnne, by quickly
expressed toward them and have failed to partieipate and joyfully entering the Lord’s service, and therol,v
in the marriage. This failure is evidently due to the obtaining that oil winch is so necessary to those wh..)
fact that they are not milling to adjust themselves to enter in with the Lord?
the Lord’s plan. They were faithful to the letter of the rSLet each one of us, then, resolve from this day for-
truth more than to the spirit of it, They insisted on ward to look more carefully after the interests of m~r
doing things their own way and not aeeording to the King and his kingdom, and in so doing, do it gladh ;
Lord’s way. They have not the spirit of wilhngl~ess to and instead of fretting about tile time of the deliver-
watt and to serve the Lord aml obey him ~oyfully. but ance of the ehurotu to say to the Lord: ’Gladly will [
they are overburdened with self-assurance, self-impor- wait thine owngood time, joyfully will I do here what-
tance; hence lose the joy and lose the great blessing. soever thou wouldst have meto do, and as lnng a.~ th.,’a
wouldst have me here remain.’ Then let us all with ope
RELATIONSHIP C.:’ THE PARABLES
accord joyfully press forward, advertising the King act[
72It seemsquite clear t there is a close, relationship his ldngdom. "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
betweenthe office c~ trait "faithful and wise servant," --Nehemiah 8 : 10.
the parable of ~,~e pounds, the parable of the tah,nts,
and the parable of the virgins. Particularly in the par- QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
ahle of the talents, which immediately follows that of In what words of affection (lid .Jesus prophetically speak of his
bride? ¶ 1.
the virgins and is a part of the same great discourse, What was one of the joys set before our Lord by the Father? ¶-2.
the Lord grmits his >wardto the faithful Otis sqle the WI,y were the disciples
?li.q ~’oturn’t ¶ 2.
of Jesus anxious to know of the tune of

vail thus: "Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’" In Wlmt answer did Jesus give to f’d,,
return ? ¶ 4.
queation concerning ibs

the April 1, 1923 issue of TH~ WATC~TOWERwe What prophecies refer to the betrotiml
and the Bridegroom? ¶ 5. C,.
and marriage of the bride
have pointed out what constitutes the joy of the Lord What was the chief question in lhe minds of the disciples? ¶ 7.
into which the church is now invited to enter. Have In answering their question, what picture did Jesus draw? ¶ 8
How did Jesus indicate the purpose of tim union of the bride and
the Bridegroom? ¶ 9.
you, then, entered into this joy of the Lord? If so, When will the last members of the church enter the kingdom and
you are not worrying about the day nor the hour of In the door be closed? ¶ 10,12.
determining the time of the union of the bride and the Bride-
going into the kingdom, but you are more concerned groom, what must be taken into eonsideralim~’, ¶ 11-13.
about doing now and doing joyfully what your hands Define the following terms : Kingdom of heaven, virgin, ten
virgins, five, wise, fo, lish, oil and vessel, used in the parable.
¶ 14-43.
find to do. The year 1925 is set before the church as a Wlmt things are common to all the virgins, and what mark
date; and some are marking that as a date certain when When really distinguishes them? ¶ 44.
may prophecy be understood, and why? ¶ 45.
they will enter into the kingdom. And some, as in A~ related to the Lord’s answer, what particular facts transpired
from 1874 to 19147 ¶46.
1914. are inelined to say: ’If it does not happen then, Could we reasonably expect the union of the bride and the Bride-
] will repudiate the whole thing.’ Such could not be Give groom until after the presence of the LordV ¶ 47.
Brother nussell’s answer relative to the approximate date
lH~’asing to the Lord. The church mayenter into glory Since of the glorification of the church. ¶ 48.
lS74 on what date or dates did Bible Stmlents expect the
bd’ore 1925. But suppose it is later. That shonhl make glorification of the church? What efforts did they put forth Io
finish the harvest work? 749-51.
no difference whatsoever with the consecrated. The wise What opinion was expressed by the WATCII TOWERin 1914 con-
cerning the change of the church? ¶ 52.
virgins will be they who joyfully humble themsdves State some evidence indicating that 1914 was the lime when the
raider the mighty hand of God. that he may exalt them What Bridegroom seemed to tarry. ¶ 53, 54.
fact shows that 1916 to 1918 was a time of darkness?
in his due time, not man’s due time. ¶ 55-57.
What is meant by the words "slumber" and "sleep"? ¶ 58-6l.
7sit is with propriety, we think, that we may ask: What isparticular
What meant in the parable by "midnight"? ¶ 62.
facts mark the convention of tim Bible Students
lThv has the Lord permitted his people at this time to What in 19197 ¶ 63.
is meant by virgins trimming their lamp.% and what proof
have a clear understanding of the parable of the pounds have we that they did so in 1919? Since 1919 what has becu
the chief concern of the zealous followers of Christ Jesus? ¶ 64.
and of the talents, and to perceive that these represent In what way did the wise take their lamps and oil in their vessels ?
¶ 65.
his kingdom interests? Why would he permit us to Describe the condition of the foolish and wise virgins since 191~.
In what manner have the foolish requested oil of the wi.~e
have a clearer understanding of what constitutes the virgins? ¶ 66-68.
In what way have certain ambitious leaders led some of the
jo), of the Lord in which he invites us to participate? Lord’s sheep? ¶ 69.
In what sense are the wise now in glory? ¶ 70
Is not really the joy here mentioned the same as that Describe the attitude of the foolish vigins later. ¶ 71,
What is the proper attitude concerning 19257 q,1 72.
symbolized by the oil in the parable of the virgins-- For what reason might the Lord permit the clmrch to have a
that joy which results from gladly doing whatsoever What better understanding of the parable now? ¶ 73, 74.
is the strength of the Christian now? ¶ 76.
 PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR NOVEMBER 7
"’-Ye have purified your souls in obeygng the truth
thrvugh the spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren.’"
--1 Peter 1 : 22
T HE purification of the Christian can arise only
from ob(,ymg tile truth through tile spirit. He
realizes that the truth is from the Lord and is
that whichis neces.-.ary for his sanctification and trans-
formation into the likeness of the Lord and Head; and
realizing this, he obeys the truth in the spirit of loving
devotion, l~is love for the Lord and his cause is un-
selfish, and his love for the brethren of the Lord is
unfeigned; that is to say, it is sincere and honest, tie
is a real frim~d of hit brother, which means that he
loves his brother at all times, whether in prosperity or
adversity, and gladty looks out for the interests of his
brother. He refuses to lend himself at any time ~ do
injury to his brother; but on the contrary, guards well
the interests of his brethren, doing it as unto the Lord.
This spirit of sincerity and unselfish love is the charac-
teristic of every true follower of Jesus Christ. Such
sincere love, being the moving cause that induces his
action, leads such a one ’co devote himself unselfishly
to the interests of the Lord’s kingdom.
Continuing in this course of unseifish devotion to the
Lord and a faithfttl ser’,iee of his cause and a sincere
love for the brethren, he has assurance of the Lord’s
approval and is invited to enter into ’che joy of the Lord.
]Be strong to love, 0 heart of mine,
Live not for self alone;
But find, in blessing other lives,
Completeness for thine own.
Seek every hungry heart to feed,
Each saddened heart to cheer;
And when stern justice stands aloof,
In mercy draw thou near.
True, loving words and helping hands
Ilave won more souls for heaven
Than all the mixed and various creeds
By priests and sages given.
I KNOW
"I know as my llfe grows older
My eyes have clearer sight;
And under each wrong-doing
There lies the root of rigitt.
"I know each sinful action,
As sure as night brings shade,
Is sometime, somewhere punished,
Though the hour be long delayed.
"23
TEXTFORNOVEMBER
14,
"’The or,vament of a meek and quiet spirit."~2
Peter 3 : 4.
HE word sprat as used here means disposition
T or element of chaa’acter. While St. Peter applies
the text to the women m the church, yet it
announces a principle that applies to all followers of
Clu’ist Jesus. Ite is speaIdng of the developmentof the
new creation toward the likeness of Christ Jesus.
It someth~es happens that the wife in the church
attempts to direct the course of her husband, who at
the time is an elder, insisting that her husband carry
out her will and, failing in tMs, to cause a disturbance.
In this she is wrong. All should remenfl>r that Godhas
not provided for elderesses in the organization of his
church. The woman,therefore, shouhl never attempt to
usurp the position of the man; and ~here such a course
is attempted trouble is sure to result, becauae that is
not the Lord’s way. The womanhas her place i~1 l l,.e
church; and where it is filled in a Scriptural mariner
she is an adormnent and a blessing.
T’hc one of a meek disposition thinks of himself or
herself soberly, as one ought to think, and as the Lord
has dealt to such a measure of his spirit. (Romans
12:3) A meelc and quiet spirit is one which refrains
from Wovokingstrife and confusion, refrains front
babbling and gossip, and which ealnfly and trustfully
relies upon the Lord to guide aright the affairs of his
church. One with such a spirit or disposition wdl
suffer long and stiI1 be kind, wilt not behave unseer@,
will not be easily provoked,will refuse to think evil and
therefore refuse to speak evil of others, and will rejoice
in doing good unto all as opportunity affords, and
especially unto other membersof the body of Christ.
Such a meek and quiet spirit in the sight of Godis of
great price. One possessing and manifesting snd, a
disposition shows that he or she has walked with Jesus
and learned of him; and flint, beholding as in a mirror,
our Lord’s character likeness, is by his spirit being
gradually transformed into his likeness.
"I know there are no errors
In the great eternal plan;
For all things work together
For the final good of man,
"I know as my life speeds onward
In its grand eternal quest,
That soon we shall all look traekwar4
And know God’s way is best,"
 NEW YORK CONVENTION
ltRANGEMENTS are now well un(h.r ~;av for
A the six-day I. B. S. A. Convention to be held in
NewYork city, October 19 to 24. inclusive.
All meetings for the intere~-ted on Friday and Salurday,
October 19 and 20, will be held in the Auditorium of
the Society for Ethical Culture, Central Park W(’*t and
64th Street (opposite Central Park), Manhattan.
f)n Sunday, October 21, all meetings will be held at
Ma(hson Square Garden, Madison :\venue and 20th
Street, Manhattan. Extensive preparations are under
war for the Sunday afternoon p/d)ile meetin G to be
addressed hv the President of the Noeieiv. Aneh’ctrieal
loud-speaker is to be in,,talled so that everybodyin the
great hall ean hear easily.
The m(,etmgs for Monday,q’uesdav and Wed,ms(lay,
Oetol)er 22 to 24, inelusive, will 1)e held at the Seotti,-h
lIite Cath:,dral. 315 West 3tth Street, Manhattan, near
the l’ennsvlvania Railroad Termilml. The present in-
tention is to have a public meeting each evening to be
a(htressed bv the President of the Seth Iv.
It is expectedthat this will be the ~o’reatest and he,-t
eonvenhon of Bible Students ever heht in Greater Xew
York. Vis,ting friends are expected from manyof the
States and from Canada. Ample arrangements are
being made for the accommodationof all who attend.
Those who expect to attend should make arrangements
as early as possible with the Convention Committee,
stating the number in the party, rooms required, and
the length of time you expect to remain at the conven-
tion. The average daily eo.-t for room and board will
h:, $3.50.
RAILWAY FARES
All the trunk line rmhvavs entering NewYork ha~e
made arrangements for excursion rates for those at-
tending the convention, tickets to be purchased on the
certificate plan. A speeial rate of one and one-half
fares for the round trap has been ~ranted bv the rail-
roads to the I. B. S. A. Convention, XewYork city.
Whenpurchasing your ticket, you pay full fare from
the starting point to NewYork. The agent will give
you upon request a eertifieat:’ whMlwill entdle you to
purchase a ticket fro.;,/ NewYork to your starting point
at one-half the rate you paid coming to XewYork.
Certificate must he deposited n’ith the Secretary of
Transportation. Brother 17. ][. Barber. Ul)Onam’ivaL
Tickets will hesold for th~s convention In all parts
of th," Vnit,,d ~’tatos and iu Central and F.astern and
Wet. rn Canada. andalso on th.~ Fall River Steamship
Line. from October 16 to 22, inclusive, except distant
points such as the extreme West and Southwest. In
"The year that is far aboverffbies shall be
Theyear of our lives that is (.I.,est to thee.
Andprecious and sacred our changes Mmllgrow,
If heaven-lighto’er themin tendernessglow,
those sections tickets will be sold as early as Oetober
13. but l~ot later than October 18. Inquire of your
t;(k(t agent. The return limit on these special tickets
is October ~7. In all cases, those atkending the con\en-
rich mu~t be homeby ()etcher 27 in order to get the
beuo!;l of the reduec,,I r,~e.
’I here are a few >herr lines in various seeUonsof the
country that (lo ,lot behmgto the passenger associations.
]f you live on one of those lines you will not be able
to secure a cert,fieate untd you reach the nearest station
issuing throu?h tickets to NewYork city.
VVeurge every one ~ho buys a ticket to the conven-
tion to buy it on the eertificate plan, as it will be
neces::arv for a certain numberto have such tickets in
order to get the return rate.
INFORMATION BUREAU
The "I. B. S. A. CO~-VE~-TIO~" INFORMATIOX BUREAU"
will he maintained at the Pennsylvania Terminal, 33rd
Street and Seventh Avenue, NewYork city, on Wednes-
(lay, Thursday and Friday, October 17 to 19. All room
assignments will be made by the Information Bureau.
It is requested that visiting friends who have not re-
ceived room assignments before coming to NewYork
apply at the Information Bureau immediately upon
arrival. The l)ennsvh’ania Terminal is easily reach.~d
bv subway aud surfaee car lines 1rein the other rail-
road ~tations.
MANY CLASSESCOOPERATING
While this is a convention of Bible Students of
Greater New York, all the classes in NewEngland
and the Eastern States will be privileged to coSperate
to such an extent as they maydesire. There will be a
large quantity of traets to be distributed, advertising
the public meeting. This will require a large company
of workers for Friday and Saturday preceding the pub-
lie meeting on Sunday. All the brethren of outside
classes who desire to participate in this will please
report to the Com’ention Conmfittee. Address ~dl eom-
mtmications: Convention Committee, 124 Cohuubm
Itoights, Brooklyn, N. Y.
The Lord has promised that where two or three agree
on a thing in his nameand ask it of him he will grant
the blessing. Weearnestly request all the brethren who
expect to attend this gathering to earnestly preser,_t the
matter before the throne or’ heavenly graee that the
Lord may g.reatly bless the efforts put forth at this
convention to a&crti<o the King and his kingdom.
"Let the burdens of woeand the conflicts of care,
Alike be relieved by the breathings of prayer;
Andhappy or only l’esiglled let us raise
Eachmorningand evening the songs of our praise.’
 WORLD-WIDE PROHIBITION--WORLD’S TEMPERANCE LESSON

T ODA~ throughout
represented,
the world, wherever Christemh)m is
attention will be called to the evils in
alcoholic liquors and to the advantages of their world-
cw’, v ".ql-vi.)’.~s
ltth’d,
s vsh-n doctrines and id~’as which pervert
trod which dalken the counsels of men concerning
theic God. Sometimes be is a moralist and a reformer.
wlde prohibition. The desire of the Intermttional Committee lie will follow eonlradietory schemes if he can only keep
which sets the lessons is that through the Sunday schools, me:~ from God. But the devil is an enemy of the human
with their opportunities for traini~g the young, ,t ~r,,aF .amily, as he is the enemy of God; and nothing that can
forward step may be made towards the est,tbliMmlent o’. tome fronl him e~}.n be of service to hunlanlty. No good
world-wide prohibition. The world m its (1,.qimnt{e need is fruit ,’ames from that tree. In lhe beginning el hmn:m
slowly getting wiser to some things; and wilhout donbl it history he appealed to the lleshly desire as wrll as to the
is coming to the realization that strong drink is a force t~litld of our tir>t parents; a~vl he suee’.’eded in destroyin:~-
which must be fought. Great p.und)ers have cam’.) to th_~ :heir purity. But when tlh, race was starting again in the
conclusion that liquor is a positive curse which must be little family saved out of the wreck of the first world, hi~
swept away, while a lesser nmnber see that the fintl~eml p!an of atlaek was on a h)wer level. The fall o~ Noah, the
interests whieh eonlrol the drink traffic are a positive first failure re(’orded, was due to drinking to excess. Prob-
danger to any community. ~biy 2~’oah was to all extent caught unaw’tres; for as w:~
2The world has had examples in the United States of suggested in Tin,: W.xmm{Towmc~t(1899, page ’-’51) the fir.
America and in Russia of what ran be aeeompIished by ,v~,e was presmnaldy unavquainled with alcohol. The de~,!
actual prohibition of produetion and sale of alcoholic liq- l:as been the great debaucher of all who have followed hiln.
u*)rs. No doubt the suppression of the liquor traffic, and the He has dragged both angels and men down to degr:ulatioq.
deprivation of tim possibility of indulging in intoxieants, ~h)d would have man in restraint, and in nobility of elmv-
have revealed ahnost demoniacal ingenuity in attempts to v,’ter, in the likeness tn which he was made. Satan h,s
circumvent the laws; and it is no doubt true that ninny endeavored to take from man every barrier which kep:
have been hurt morally, and some physically, by their him from perverted desires, and herein has lain his pow’-’r
indulgence in crude alcohol in more dangerous forms. But ’, hrougll drink.
there can be no question that there has been great gain to aMan is born into a world which has been under the’
tim communities hath socially and physically, and that the vontrol of Satan, and which is still subject to evil. By
losses are small when compared with the positive gain reason of the fall, human nature is corrupted, and tlm
which has accrued to the gmmral interests of the commu- s,.~nse~ are perverted. All througli life a man eonsciou~:y
nity, The grape, eith,:z- the fresh fruit or when dried, is tlad unconsciously accumulates impressions, and fill grow~i[
one of earth’s richest gifts, a food specially valuable. But in value of etmraeter is gained by restraints, and by elinu-
man lms found that out of the vine he could get something hating or repulsing all impressions which tend to evil.
which apparently gave him much strength, which changed When drink has control the barriers are broken down, and
his outlook, and which made him other than Iris normal lhen there is the riot of the evil whieh alcohol lets loose.
self. The fermentation of the grnpe juice produces a pleas- There is a close similarity between the condition of one who
ing stimulant, but taken in any excess it immedialely be- is under the control of alcohol and of one under the power
comes dangerous; for it breaks down every one of those of a demon. In the one ease it is the evil of nature which
barriers which man possesses by which he safeguards hi,n- rules; in the other a personal evil spirit has control. In
self from trespassing on unknown or dangerous territory, eielier case the person is in snl)je(:tion.
and which are his protection against unseen but powerfuI ’;Satan’s kingdom is now very nmeb divided against itself,
foes. and prohibition is one of the outward and visible signs.
aAleohol breaks down the will and therefore the I)arrier East, in the land of the hardest governmental bondage, aml
of restraint, and thus proves itself to be dangerous. It West, in what was the land of liberty, prohibilion has been
takes away the sense of proportion. Both the l)hysieal and established; and all good men are glad of so much restraint
the moral senses are perverted. It also breaks down the of evil. But there is no evidence that the inability to ol)t{fia
sense of propriety; for he who indulges gets careless of intoxicants will turn men to righteousness and to God--
his expression, and lacks restraint in his spirit and m his the objec.tive of every movement impelled by the spirit of
speech; and if he goes on to intoxication, he loses all ability God.
to restrain himself and is at the mercy of the spirit within. ~A house divided against itself cannot stand, and the
Tim w*)rds of Proverbs 23:29-35 well describe the eonditiml end of Satan’s kingdom is in sight. It is due to be brok,m
of the inebriate. Wine and strong drink have long been a down: and there is plenty of evidence that the blows of
danger to men. By reason of the fall of Adam and the truth which it has received have reduced it to a ramshackle
entrance of sin into lhe human family, all tim nature of condition. Wtmt has not been clearly discerned, except by
man is perverted and he becomes readily subject to further a comparative few, is that the Scriptures show that false
temptation. Everyone who has experience of the moral or doctrine and the union of church with state or with the
immoral rendition which results directly through drink, politics of the kingdoms are as wine. These things pervert
and who knows anything of God and the great enemy human faculties as wine does; they pervert the human
Satan, perceives that strong drink has been one of the family us wine does a man; they break down barriers, lot
most potent instruments Satan has used for the prostitu- loose things that ought to be in restraint. The churches,
tion of men in his enmity against God. which are so ready to speak against the evils of intoxicat-
*Satan is sometimes a religionist. When he sees that he ing liquors, are shown by the Scriptures as having I)roke~
can keep men from their G~I by perverting truth and their down their barriers, and having taken the intoxicants of
religious instincts or interests, then lm is an angel of light. the world’s pleasures, and having 1)(.~ome drunk thereby.
(2 Corinthians !1: 14) I-Ie has succeeded in implanting (Isaiah 28: 1-7) They are intoxicated with the joys o~ t~ae
 WATCH
world, and have lost sight of tlle things for which they
stand and the hope beyond. A religionist drunk with the
pleasures of false doctrine is as broken down and as fallen
from tile high standard he ought to have as is a man
under tbe inflnenee of intoxicating liquor brought down
to the level of tile beast.
SFor tile world’s salvation it is as ncc.essary that the
hohiers of false doctrines and those who indulge in illicit
association with the world--those who have etaimed to be
le~,(lers of religious life among men--shouhl become forced
abstainers from these things, and that prohibieion in these
tMngs should be established, as that mankind should refrain
from indulging ill intoxicating liquors or tllat tile use of
such should be prohibited.
0But there is no more evidence that tile religious leaders
of tha world will become voluntary abstainers from false
doctrines and the wine pleasures of their association with
tile world, than tlmt nnmkind will voluntarily leave off the
use of intoxicants. And God purposes to break down all
those systems of evil and to give world-wide proh~ition of
everything that hurts m:mMnd, whether of tile misused
jui(,e of tile grape, or distillation of ardent spirits, or the
intoxicating and degrading wine of ecclesiastical association
with tile political powers of the wortd.--Rev. 17: 2; lS:3.
~°Thc follower of Jesus Christ knows how to restrain
himself, and how to overcome tile evil wMchis in him by
nature. He knows how to train his family to restraint, and
as far as possible to shut them from the things which cor-
rupt, and to train them ill the ways of righteousness. He
is in agreement with all things which help to educate men
to better ways. But what he cannot do is to enter witt~ the
world into its schenles to improve itself, lie knows that
till tile Prince of Peace takes full control all attempts at
be.~terment either are merely hunmn desires te make the
world better or are instigated by Satan.
~The follower of Jesus seeks to be a true disciple; he
sees tt!at he cannot enter into any schemes to amend this
present evil m’ganization any more titan the Master did.
The Lord gave the truth and the spirit of the truth to the
etmreh; and tile power thus given makes the true follower
like his Master, and frees Mmfrmn all fleshly desires, and
from all things that would hurt either body or spirit.
SOME MISSIONARY TEACHINGS OF THE PSALMS
---NOVEMBER
ll--Psan_~[S 47 : 1-9 ; 67 : 1-7 ; 100 : 1-~--
A PROPHECYNOWBEING t~ULFILLED--A GRANDttALLELUJA/c[ CHORUS.
"Let the peoples praise thee, 0 God; let
T HREEpsahns, nunlbers 47, 67 and 100, are given for
our study in "Missioimry Teachings of tlle Psahns";
and they may be considered typical for the purposes
of our lesson. As previously stated, one of the guides fill’
rightly dividing tile word of truth (2Timothy 2: 15)
that wherever ill the psahns or the prophets tile Lord’s
people are called upon to sing, or when the passage speaks
of or indicates a time of rejoicing and exultation, it always
refers either directly or in typical significance to the time
of the Lord’s return.
2Therefore as each of the psalms for today’s study is
clearly one of gladness and of rejoicing in the Lord, we
know that their message applies to the present time, and
on into the establishment of the kingdom. These scripture.s
cover the experiences of the church in the time of trouble,
and often those of earthly Israel restored in the beginning
of the kingdom, when under their ancient worthies they
take up the song of praise to God and become the proclaim-
TOWER
(John 16:3; 2CorintMans 7:1) The disciple knows that
there is a set time for the salvation of the world, and that
his business is not to help hmnanity to attempt to redeem
itself and thus to prolong this present evil order. He real-
izes that he who is a lover of tMs world is not the friend
of God.--James 4:4; 1Jotm 2:15; Matthew 6:24.
~2The 101st Psahn, which is set as a part of the lesson,
is said to he a Psalm of David. It very well comports with
that gl)o(l man’s desires for himself as king in order thai
lie might be a true and faithful helper of his people and a
true representative of God. It is the king determining that
no evil thing shall be before his eyes; that he will reso-
lutely put qway both tile evil and the evil doer. He wiii
also destroy all evil doers out of the land. The Psalm is
one which ewery good man may take to himself in respect
to his condu(:t before his fellow man and before God. But
without doubt the Psalm te]ls el’ the establishment of the
kingdOln of righteousness; and it follows, appropriately,
the 100th which, as we lmve seen, tells of the message of
truth which is to go out to all people as an invitation to
them h) (.dine to the presence of the Lord to receive his
hl-~ssings f~’om his han(ls. The 101st tells of the Prince of
Peace, tim antitype o£ David, putting down every evil
thing, and early destroying all the workers of evil. Wimn-
ever the kingdonl is established there will be prohibition
not el" drink only, but of every form of evil.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Is tlle liquor trallic a curse? Are the financial interests also a
menace? ¶ 1.
Deprivation of indulging in intoxicanf:S has done what? On the
whole has it been beneficial? What is the danger in stimulants?
¶2.
What are the demoralizing effects of alcohol? ¶ 3.
Whyand how does Salen I)ecome 9 religionist? ¶ 4.
What are the conditmns obtaining in the world from man’s begin-
ning? ¶ 5.
What is one of the evidences that Satan’s empire is crumbling?
Are doctrinal drunkards in as bad condition as liquor drunk-
ards? ¶6,7.
IIave the retigionists as muchto restrain themselves from as have
the inebriates? ¶ 8.
Is there hope for the religionists in their own strength? What is
God’s remedy? ¶ 9.
What does the follower of Jesus Christ learn? ¶ 10.
Whatdoes the disciple seek to dq for himself and for others? ¶ 11.
What did David seek to do? When will every form of evil be
prohibited ? ¶ 12.
all the peoples praise thee."--Psalm 67: 3.
ers of the then "present truth."
day’s study are examples of this.
The three psahns of to-
aWhile tile I/sahns are not in either chronological order
or order of interpretation, tile5" are by no means a promis-
cuous collection. Many of them are in an order of related
themes; and this arrangement is seen in regard to each of
these psahns. Psahn 47 is clearly a song of the establishment
of the kingdom, and its setting confirms the interpretation
and fixes it. It Is in the midst of a little cluster of psalms,
all of which tell of the setting up of the kingdom of God.
4The well-known Psalm 45 reveals the church bubbling
over with the joy of the truth, because it has seen the
King equipped for battle. His sword is upon his thigh;
and he is riding prosperously because of truth, and with
arrows that are sharp in the hearts of the king’s enemies.
(See Revelation 19: 11) This Psalm also tells of the queen
as adonled with garments of beauty (cf. Isaiah 61: 10)
wi~h gold of Ophir, the King greatly desiring her beal:tv;
 WATCH TO\YF
also of the virgins her c*)mpanions, that great conll)any who joyful noise to the Lord, and to sound forth the honor of
als9 left thmr father s house, but who were not so faithful his name. It also calls attention (v. 3) to the terrible work.
as to be worthy of the chief favors; and of their children, that the f,ord is doit~g in the time of trouble in ca(lsiug lds
who were once "the fatkers," and who are now to be made enemies to submit themselves unto him. Thus this Psahu
princes in all the earth, those grand men of aneient d’lys also tell~ of the establishment of the kil~gdom.
who died in faith, hoping for a better resurrection (ite- ~0The 67th opens with the prayer: "God be merciful unto
brews 11:35), and who are to be raised to the high h~l~tor us. and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon u.,."
of being the earthly representatives of the Christ in lhe evidently inspired by the high priestly blessing. (Numbers
glory of his kingdom. When the King goes forth to battle, 6: 24-26) This is a pr’tyer which the restored of Israel will
there follows the time of the world’s trouble. The earth soon pray. They will realize that the Day of Atonement
Is moved from its foundati,)ns; and the mountains, the sacrifices have been offered in the heavenly courts, aml
great kingdoms, are carried away into the nlidst of the they will seek the face of God for tile blessings which fol-
sea of anarehy.--Revelation 11: 17, 18; Psahn 82: 5. low. This means that lsrqel after the flesh will have se~ n
~The 46th Psalm is specially written for the comfort of and accepted the saerifiee of the Christ on their behalf,
the Lord’s people at that time. Great desolations are re;ale and will realize that after all, and so different froln wh,:t
in the earth, but his people are blessed wlth peace and con- they had thought, lhe true sacrifices are presented in
Iidenee. They are refreshed by the river of God, the riv,,r heaven, and not ill any earthly temple.
of truth flowing freely. (V. 4) They know that God is with a~But all these scriptures have lheir portion for spiritual
them, and ttmt they will be preserved in the trouble. (;od Israel (Romans 15:2-4); and w~thout doubt these words
is being exalted in the earth, and his war makes wn"s to tell of the Lord’s people at this time praying for the fal-
cease to tile emls of the earth.--V. 9. I~hnent of the promises. The passage corresponds with
Isaiah 62:1. and has the same connection. The blessings
A PROPHECY NOW BEING FULFILLED on the church, now enjoying the Lord’s favor, are in order
~Psalm 47 continues tile theme. The Lord’s people, with a that the saving health of the Lord lnay be known among
message in their mouth and in their hands, bid the people all nations. (V. 2) The chm’ch first, then Israel later, see
of the earth rejoice even though the works of tim Lord are that the Lord has come to judge the people righteously and
terrible. He is the great king over all the earth. (Vs. 1, 2) to govern the nations upon the earth. Then all the peeifle
lie is rei~stablishing the rule of righteousness, which was will prqise God; and with the hearts of the people turned
broken when Adam sinned and was subjected to ~l~e p.wer to God in l’iO~teousness there comes God’s blessing upon
of Satan. They bid all people to praise Jehovah "rod to the earth itself. "Then shall the earth yield her increase;
~hout unto him with the voice of triumph; for he is con- and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless
queror over all the forces of evil and over "111 the earth. us; and all the ends of the e’lrth shall fear him."--Vs. 6, 7.
~The Psahn di~,loses the change m the order of divine ~:The cl,m’ch under the direction of its returned Lord is
government. God, the Creator, had not been specially the now fulfilling this Psalm by declaring this truth; it has
God or protector of any save the chosen people Israel, with long preached both the restitution of man and the lifting of
whom he made a covenant, and to whom he s’fid: "You the curse from the earth (Genesis 3: 17) ; for the times
only have I known of all the families of the earth". (Amos restitution are both for man and for his inheritance. (Gene-
3: 2) As the Most I-Iigh he had regulated the mm’ements sis 1: 26-28) Even now under the curse, wherever nature is
of men as pleased him, but he had not been the God of the kind the earth becomes a beautiful place; and where nature
nations nor their king .tie is king only in Jeshumm. ts hell)ed by the skill of man it reveals some of its hill ’en
(Deuteromony 33:5) But the time has come for the Most resources and produces extravagantly. But when Goq’s
High to become king over all the earth, lie will be the blessing is on the earth, all present beauty and fertility ~ ill
God of all men, not of the Jews only. (Romans 9: 24) All be eclipsed. A glorious picture is presented: The earth
the earth is to praise him: but the nations, the goyi~n, get happy because the sunshine of God’s smile ls upon it; m m
their blessings only through his chosen people. (Psalm 47) h,’~ppy because he is at one with his Creator; and God
God chooses the inheritance of his people, the excellency happy because his banished people are restored to him, and
of Jacob, whom he loved, lie replants them in their own because there is no lo~Lger any need for limiting his grace
land, and subdues the people under them. (Psalm 47: 3,4) towards his human family and their home.--Isaiah 60: 13;
"God is gone up with a slmut." (Psalm 47:5) This is not Jeremiah 9 : 24.
a reference to the ascension of Jesus, as some lmve said. A GRANDIIALLELUJAlt CItORUS
It is the exaltati~)n of God in this the day of his power. a~The setting of the 100th Psalm is similar to that .f
8Hitherto God has not had his rightful place amongst the both the 47th and the 67th. From the 93rd onward the thelne
children of men; but now with the shout of the victor and is the establishment of the kingdom of righteousness. The
with the sound of the trumpet he triumphs Over his foes. judgments of the Lord are being manifested in tile earth;
The name of "the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day." his glory is being revealed to the nations, and day by (lay
(Isaiah 2: 11) "God reigneth over the goyim [the nations] : his people tell forth his salvation. (Psahn 96:2) The faith-
God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness" (Psalm 47:8), ful witnesses of God are now busily engaged in this work,
for the help and salvation of the people. The princes of fulfilling the Psahn. They call all kindreqs of the people to
the peoples of the earth, that is,the stronger minded of the ascribe unto ,lehovah the glory due tmto his name. (Psalm
peoples, gather together with the princes of the God of 96: 8) Soon the earth, which has had its foundations moved,
Abraham. (V. 9) The earthly seed of Abrabam, God’s and which is reeling to and fro like a drunken man, will
princes in the earth, are seen to be those who hohl the be regstablished under the reign of the Prince of Peace,
shields or places of power; and men gather to the Lord’s on the solid rock of God’s promises and of his own gracious
chosen people to get the blessings he so long ago promived purposes.--Psalm 98 : 9.
should come through Abraham; and God is greatly exalted. ~dThe 100th Psalm is as a grand hallelujah chorus to these
--Of. Isaiah 2 : 4. songs of praise. Probably it shouhl be considered as one of
9The next Psalm set for study, the g7th, has a similar the last messages the church will give to men ; and certainly
~etting. The 66th Psalm calls upon all the earth to make a it will be one of the first to be taken up by the aneie;,t

worthies, tlle "princes in all the earth," who will continue
the service of God afler the cimreh has been glorified.
Lord’s people now realize that his time has come to con)fort
the peoples of e’n’th, and bid them rejoi(’e in tlie coming
glory of tim kingdonL (Isaiah 61: 1-3) The 100th Psalm
is (ted’s exlircssion of the message that will start the ran-
som ~,l of the Lord on their walk to Zion. (Is’dah 35) Tile
w,rld has carried on without God; thottsands of nlillions
h~v,’ lived and died in titter ignorance of him. Concerning
his Hmractor and purposes, the millions of (2hristendom have
been mimed into a darkness as dense as that of he;llhendoln.
But soon the message will go forth to all people in all lands,
bidding them be glad in the Lord and rejoice ; to come before
his plesence with singing, and to serve him with glad,loss.
:sTl,e desolations in the earth--the destruction of every
institution tlmt was of the "evil \~,,rhl" raider Satan’s
ruk~the restoration of Israel, and ti~ese things seen to be
the fulIihnent of prol)heey, will convince the world of the
(.han:;e of order, and that the Lord has taken his kingdom
aml is reigning. The Psalmist seems to forecast the con-
c, i’~ which the world has now had for a generation through
t! e teaching of the evolutionists. He bids the people l~ow
that Jehovah is God, and that it "is lie that made us, and
p.ot we ourselves." iV. 3) Man has been led to think that
he evolved and produced himself (STUDIES IX "rH~; SCRIP-
~"rLs, Vol. 6, page 21) and can undertake for himself, pro-
viding for himself out of nature’s stores. But the great
lesson manneeds is to realize his utter helplessness, .lml l lull
he will find sMvation only in ae(.epting the help of God.
That is free ; the gates of the temple are opened wide. iV. 4)
God’s banisbed children may now come back to him with
tlmnksgiving; for the ransom-price has been found for them,
and the way is east up. (Isaiah 62: 10) Coming, they will
find that the Lord i~ need. that his mercy is everlasting and
e:Mures from generation to generalion.--V. 5.
X"The Psahn-~, hke the prol)he,:ies, see Israel as a vine
INTERESTING LETTERS
TASMANIA RECEIVES WITNESS
DEAR I~)RIgTtlRFN
lh’eeting~ in the Lord, Please find enclosed my answers
to the V. I). M. Queslmns, which 1 trust you will lind in
order.
It gives nle ti~e keenestpleasureto assureyou of the
re:myblessingsof knowledacand of opportunities to serve
the Lord, tlmt l,a~e l)eeu mine since beconling interested in
the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society and its work of
di-l)ensing the meatin due seasonto the lmuschold of faith.
The work in Tasmania is gaining impetus, greater num-
ber’s attending the public lectures and much nlore activity
¯ lad interest in the classes. Even tim clergy tmve noticed the
efforts of the friends t,) take the trutll to the people. They
r(,cently persuaded the aldermen of Lamme~ton to refuse
I~ the use of the Albert Hall for a public le(’ture on the
o..casion of Brother It. A. Kinltinmonth’s visit; however,
vi.other hall was available, and many heard the message
g’,adly.
We greatly appreciated Br,,ther M. A. Howlett’s visit to
our liltle island. He will long be renlcmbered for his helpful
eneourageulent. All regretted that tie could not stay with
us longer.
Our prayers for your guidance and strength ascend daily
to the throne of heavenly grace, that you lnay be strength-
ened to withstand the assaults of the adversary, and that
y,ni may continue in the great Jehovah’s favor right down
to the end of the way.
With warmest Christian love, C. tL WEBB, Tasmama.
593
which in God’s due time shall blossom and bud, and fill the
The face of the world with fruit. (Psalm 80; Isaiah 27: 0) Like
other scril)lures, and more plainly than some, the Psahus
tell of the glory of God which is to be upon all the earth and
utxm all peol)les. Many of them express very closely the
experiences of the clmrch during its waiting time. They
have provided songs and hynms for the church, and the
saints have expressed themselve.s in prayer by these means.
B~t in a Sl)ovial way they -ire son~s of the King and the
km~d.m; uml now when the time has come to set up the
l,.,~g,lom, 1hey till the mouth with songs of joy and shouts
,,,’ praise; and the last wor(l of the last I’salm is the grand
culmination of praise, as if it might be the last word the
church will utter, "Let everyihing that Imth breath praise
lhe Lord."
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
VVhensinging, rejoicing, and exultalion are called for in the
Scriptures, to what do these usuany refer? ¶ I.
Our lesson calls for ~xhat, and applms when?¶ 2.
What is the setting of the 47th Psalm? Who~lll be the King’s
representatives in the earth? ¶ 3.
In what way is the earth to be movedfrom its foundations? ¶ 4.
XXhat comfort is found in the 46th Psalm? Does God wage a
war to end war? ¶5.
Do the Lord’s people have a message for the peoples of earth
today? ¶ 6.
l)oes God in a general way regulate the movements of men? Did
he have special care over Israel? Will he yet be the God of all
men?¶ 7, 8.
What is taught in the 67th Psalm? Does it apply today? ¶9.
Will Israel ever see the true sacrifices for sin and accept them?
¶ 10.
In what order will God’s blessings be seen and received? What
will the result be? ¶ 11.
What is the true church now doing? Why will earth, man, and
Godbe happy? ¶ 12.
What is the setting of the 100th ]Psahu? Does it show God’s
witnesses busily engaged? ¶ 13.
Whocontinue the witness after the church is glorified? Is thero
a bright prospect for the world of mankind? ¶ 14.
Howare the evolutionist~ to be reply)red? Why3When? ¶ 15.
.ks a vine, when will Israel blossom and bear fruit? What may be
the last word that the church will give to the world? How
could lhis be true if the 1)assing of the church meant the end
of all trope? ¶ 16.
"WORLD DISTRESS" BOOKLET ENJOYED
DEAR }~}~OTHER I~.UTHLRI"OIID-"
IIaving just read the new booklet, "World Distress--
WtO’? The Remedy," I give you my opinion of it: It is to
THE tIARp OF GO1) what THE HARP is to the STUDIES IN
TIIE SCRIt~rURES. That is, anyone who reads the "World
Distre<s" will ,~o doubt want to read THE HARP, and any-
one who rea(ls THE HARPwill want to read the STUDIES IN
THE S;’rdPTURES. It epitolnizes THE HARp aS THE HAB.p
epitomizes the STUDIES. Its price is SO low that it should
be readily purchased, and its fifty-five pages of solid read-
ing nmtter should induce its ready perusal. Like T~E
IIAnP it is concise and very plain.
It liberally cites the STUDIESIN TIlE SCRIPTURES,and not
merely frequently citing them, but quoting the paragraphs
and giving the pages and volumes. In this respect it should
effectu’tlly close the mouth of all opposers of the SOCIETY
who have wrongly claimed that the NOCIETYis ignoring or
belittling the works of Pastor Russell or is seeking to sub-
stitute other works of a later writing. These later writings
all tmnor and support the Pastor and give him full credit
as being God’s messenger from the Martin Luther period
to the close of the Gospel age--1925.
TIlE IIXRP OF GODhas 2,029 Scripture citations; "World
Distress" has 204. The truth people, seeing the "World
Distress" booklet, will want it in large quantity for selling
to other people. It will prove a rapid seller, Inm hoping.
Faithfully yours, J.A. BOHNET.
 International Bible StudentsA sociation Classes
kCc[um~
dndStudio5
btjTraveling
brcihrca

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER W. H. PICKERING

Wayne.qmro, Miss .......... Oct. 17 NewOrleans, La ......... Oct. 24 Ericksdale, Man........ 0ct. 15 Transcona, Man........... Oct. ":~
Mobile, Ala ............ " 18 Slideli, La ............... " 25 Ashern, Man ........ " ]6 l{en(u’a, Cot ....... " 23, :t
Luce,qale. 3[is.~ ............ " 19 Bogalusa, La ........... " 26 Woodlands, M:. 17 l,’orr \~ illiam, (L, " 25. L~4
I-Iatt~e~lmrg, Mls~........... " 21 Zona,La ...................... " 28 Dominion City, M:nl... " l~ Port Arthm’, Ont ..... : " 26,28
Lyman,.Miss ................. " 22 l,’olsonl, La ............. " 29 Winnipeg, Man......... " 19, 21. Seal’i’hlllOllt, Ont. Oct. 3’L Nov. 1
Gutfp(nt, Mis.~ ................ " 23 Baton Rouge, La ......... " 30, 31

BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK
BROTHER B. H. BOYD Geyserville. Cal .... Oct. 17 Fresno, Cal ................... Oct. 25
Padneah, Ky .............. Oct. 16 Metnphis, Tenn ............... Oct. 25 San Ralael. Ca/ ........ " 18.19 lh’e,lley, Cal ......... " 26
1Maynehl,Ky ............... " 17 Kei.~<,r. Ark ............ " 26 Oakhlnd, (’:fl .... 21 OIo. L (’ai ...... 27
Mound.%111 ................. " ] Jonesboro, Ark ........ " 2S Yallejo, Col .... " 22 l’orle-sxJlle, Cal .... " 2,q
AIIBH, Ill .......... "" ]!) l’ig;~(at, Ark .......... "’ 29 Rwlunond, (’al 2;~ l~nl~ersfiehl, Col............... " 30
Carbondale, Ill ........... " "2"2 Forrcst City, Ark.. " 30 Oakdale, Cal .............. " 24 Tulare,Col....................... " 31
rl’hebes, Ill .................. " 23 Helena, Ark ........... ~ " 31

BROTIIER B. M. RICE
BROTHER J. W. COPE
Blo~umn,~’ton, Ill ....... Oct. 1(; Godfrey, 111 ............ Oct. 24
Vermilion, S. D ......... Oct. 16 Hartford. S D ............ Oct. 24 l’e~rm, lll ....... 17 Alton, I11 ..... 25
Yankton, S. D ............ " 17 Luverne, .~ l) fill ....... " ~5 Sprin.hehl. Ill " lS, 1(.) Granite City, 111 ..... " 26
Irene, S. l~ ....... ]8 Lake Ben~, i, MHm..... " 26 Jack>onwlle, Ill ....... " 21 St. Louts, 31o _. " 2,% 30
Cb~-o-!!or, S. D. . ]9 White. S !~ ......... " 2S Kane.lll .................. ’" 2-’ l’]n.~t St. Louis, Ih ._ " 28, 29
Parker. S. D ............... " 21, 23 Jaspel, 3hn.~. ...... " 29.30 Jerseyville, 111 .......... " 23 Gillespie, 111 ......... " 31
Menno,S. D ................. " 22 ]~hllnPap(iA,% Milm ........ ~OV. 1

BROTHER V. C. RICE
BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN ~.1. 12 l’ill:;feM. Ma~. ..Oct. l.~
Attleboro, Mass ........
Wabasil. Ind ................... Oct. 16 Ne~ li.:nm)nd, Ind ..... Oct. 2"1 Prm’tdence, R. I .... 14 Albany, N. Y .... 19
Ft. ~Vayne,lnd ............ " 17 Clinton, hnl .......... " 24 Pawtucket. R. I. _ 14 Bin;:hampton, N. ~.. " 2~
~,Varsa~, lnd ............... " 18 New(;oMlen, Ind .......... " 25 Ne\v Bedford, Mas~ 15 galama,wa, N. Y. . " 29
Plymoulh, Ind ............... " 19 Terre lIautc, Ind ........... " 26 Fall Pdver, 3lass .... 16 l’unxutawney, I’a. _. 30
Lof.ansport, Ind ............... " 21 ]lrazd. Ind ...................... " 2,~ Sl)ringfiehl, Mass............ " 17 l’utler, I’a ................. " 31
Crawfordsville, Ind ..... " 22 Sullivaa, Ind ................ " 29

BROTHER r. L, I’~OB!E
BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM Oct. 1(; Win.ide. Neb ...........
Wall Lake, Ia ....... Oct. 25
St. Paul, Minn................. Oct. 2 Schenectady, N. Y ....... Oct. 8 Sac Oi*3 la ............ " 17 Clearwater, Nel) ..... " 26
Ma-li~,m,Wi$................... Ne York, N. V ......... 19-24 Snperio~,, i) Stanto Neb .......... "’ 2s
Chicago,Ill ....................... ’ a Bostoa, Mass............... " 2S Estherville, Ia:":.::::::: .: " 2l Norfolk, Neb ............. "’ 29
Cleveland,O..................... " 5 Albany, N. Y ............... " 29 Alton, la ................... " 22, 23 Columbus. Neb. " ~’l{l
Buffalo,N. Y..................... " 7 Rochester, N. Y ........... " 30 Sioux City, Ia ............. " 24 David City, Neb ........... " 31

BROTHER M. L. HERR BROTHER O. L. SULLIVAN

Sioux City, Ia ................. Oct. 7 Moline,Ill ....................... Oct. 14 Indianapolis, Ind ..... Oct. lS Midland. O ......... Oct. 25
Des Moines, Ia ............... " 8 Chicago,Ill ..................... " 15 Anderson, Ind ......... " 19 ~’hHllc)the, 0 .... " 26
Davenport,Ia ................. " 10 Ft. Wayne,Ind ............... " 16 Muncie, Ind ............... "’ 21 Columl,us, O ............. " 2s
RockInland, Ill ............... " 11 Canton,O......................... " 17 Rielunond, Ind ............... " 22 Newark, ¢} ................. " 29
East Moline,Ill ............... " 12 Pittsburgh, Pa ............... Nov. 1-4 Cincinnati, O................... " 23 Steubem Hie. 0 ............ ;10
Felicity, O....................... " 24 Ptttsbnrgh, Pa .............. Nov. 1-4

BROTHER W. M. BEImlB
Bow Island, Alta....... Oct. 12 MooseJaw, Sask ......... Oct. 23 BROTHER W. J. THORN
Medicine Hat,Alta..... " 14, 15 Regina. Sask ............... " 24 Chilliwaek, B. C ......... Oct. 14 Medicine Hat, Alta..._.Oct. 23, 24
MapleCreek,Sask..... " 16, 17 Souris, Man................. " 25 Agassiz. R. C .............. " 15 Malfle Creek. Sask.._ " 25
Swift Current, Sask ..... " 18 Treherne, Man............. " 26 Kamloops. B. C .......... " 16, 17 Swift (’urrent, Sask .. 26, 28
Herbert,Sask ............. " 19, 21 Winnipeg, Man........... " 28 lllieillewaet, B. C ....... " 18 lterbert, Saqk ........... " 29, 30
ChapIin,Sask ............. " 22 Grant, Ont ................... " gO, 3I Calgary,Alta ............... " 21 Chaplin, Sask ............. " 31

BROTHER J. H. HOEVELER BROTHER T. H. THORNTON

Flat River, Me............... Oct. 14 Chaonia.Mo................ Oct. 21 Auburn,N. Y.................. Oct. 10 Ft. Johnson, N. Y ....... oct. 17
]i’armington, Me............. " 15 Willow Springs, Me ..... " 22 Cortland, N. Y ................ " 11 NewYork, N. Y ......... " 19-24
Frederickton, M0........... " 16 Soulh Fork, Me........... " 23, 24 Syracuse, N. Y ............... " 12 (’hestertown, Md ......... " 26
Dexter,Me....................... " 17 Thayer, Me .............. " 25 Watertown, N. Y ............. " 14 Elkton, Md................. " 28
Neeleyville, Me............... " 18 Norwood.Me.............. " 26 Oswego, N. Y ................ " 15 Baltimore, Md............. " 29
Poplar Bluff, Me............. 19 Mountain Grove, Me ....." 28 Canajoharie, N. 5J.. " 16 I h)bbs, Md.................. " 31

BROTHER H. HOWLETT BROTHER L. F. ZINK

Hurt,Va......................... Get. 17 Winston Salem, N. C. Oct. 24, 28 Hepworth, Ont ......... Oct. 16 Palmerston, Ont ......... Oct. 24
Gretna,Va....................... " 18 State Road, N. C ....... " 25 Wiarton, Ont .......... " 17 Mount Forest, Ont ..... " 2~
Java. Va......................... " 19 Siloam, N. C ............. " 27 Mar, Out ................... " 18 Harriston, Cot .......... " 26, 28
Chatham, Ta ...................
~. Ya..................... " 20 Staley, N. C............... " 29 Owen Sound, Ont ....... " 19, 21 Fordwich, Ont ............. " 2@
Dgnvill¢ " 21 Itigh Point, N. C ....... " 30 Allenford, Ont ............. " 22 Wingham,Ont ............. " 31
[.eukmhle, N. C ............. " 23 Greensboro, N. C ....... " 31

BROTHER T. E. BARKER CONVENTIONS TO OE ADOgESSED

BY OROTHER RUTHERFOH9
South Coventry, Conn...Oct. 17 Spartansburg, S. C ..... Oct. 24
\Voodbury, Conn .......... " 18 Greer, S. C ............... " 25 Brooklyn,
N.Y.,Oct.
7 ...............................................
No Conventloll
Philadelphla, Pa ............. " 19 Greenville, S. C .......... " 26 New York, N. Y., Oct. 21--
Baltimore, Md................ " 21 Anderson. S. C ............... " 2~ T. M. Bedwin,8118 95th Ave., Woodhaven,L.I., N.Y.
Charlott~ville, Va ......... " 22 Greenwood, S. C. ...... " 29 Pittsimrgh,Pa.,Nov. 4---
Greensboro, N. C. ............ " 23 NewBrookland, S. C ..... " 30, 31 C. H. Stewart,317 GraceSt.,Mt. WashingtonSta.,Pitt~burgll,PI~
 "°, ,, \’°

~OI,. ~T~IV SEM I-~IONTHLT NO.

Anno Mundi 6052- October 15, 1923

CONTENTS
TI~E PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND THE ~OATS.+..307
MHlennial Application .................................... 307
To Neither Jews nor Nations ...................... 308
Not a Judgment of the Church ........................ 308
To Whom Applied .............................................. 309
Christendom at Judgment ......................... 309
Physica]~ Facts ......................................... 310
Punishn~ent of the Goat Class ........................ 312
Attitude of the Church ................................ 314
INTERESTINC, LETTER..................................... 314
PRAYER-I%IEETING TEXT COMMENTS...................... 315
~ETROSPECTION(Poem) ............................. 315
OURLORDSESUS A MISSIONARY.................... 316
Church,Membership Not Missionary Work_...317
. ?"
C~tRISTIA~S CALLED TO BE MISSIONARIES ...... 318

"1 .’all stand upon my watch and will set my /oat

wpon tt~e Tower, and will wa$ch to see what lie will
say unto me, and what answer I shall make to Shem
Shat oppose me."--Hc, bakkuk £:1.

-- 5
 THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSI01~
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or "Seminary Extension", now beln8
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TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
That the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship"; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age--ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stoue of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2 : 20-22 ;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when thq
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workmanwill bring all together
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and menthroughout
the l~lillennium.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all)" and will be "the true light which lighteth every man that eometh into the world", "in due time".--
Hebrews2 : 9 ; John I : 9 ; 1 Timothy2 : 5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she maybe like her Lord, "see him as he is," be partaker of the divine nature )’ and share his
glory as his joint-heir.--1 John 3:2 ; John 17:2i; Romans 8:17 ; 2 Peter 1:4.
That the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for tim future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew24 :
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledgeand opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kinudom, the
restitution of all that was lost in ’Adamto all the willing and obedient at the bands of their Redeemerand his glorified churcl~
whenall the wilfully wicked will be des’troyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiah 35.

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October 21 will be the next world-wide witness. We had sirs, at which a number of the Pilgrim brethren will be
first suggested that this be October 14, on account of New present. On Sunday, the 4th, a public meeting will be
York’s big meeting, which we anticipated at that time, but addressed by Brother Rutherford in the Syria l~Iosque.
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VoL. XLIV OCTOBER
15, 1923 NO.20

THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS

"And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left." Matthew25: 83.

PARABLE is a word picture; a fictitious nar-

the parable will not be applicable at the final judgment
A rative of something that mayactually occur, by
which a lesson is to be learned. A prophecy is
of the Millennial reign of Christ. Someof the reasons
for this position are as follows:
the foretelling of something that is to occur in the fu- 6(1) The parable relates to the final judgmentinvolv-
ture. Our Lord’s statement concerning the judgment of ing two distinct classes of persons. That final judgment
the sheep and the goats is both a parable and a prophecy.is based upon certain events that transpired while our
2In 1906 Brother Russell wrote: "Nearly all of our Lord was absent in heaven and before ~he restoration
Lord’s parables related to the kingdom,and all of them trial begins. He said: "Whenthe Son of man shah come
therefore are to be understood by the kingdomclass, the in his glory, . . . then shall he sit upon the throne of
his glory." It would therefore seem impossible for the
elect, the consecrated. All of this class should be earnest-
ly desirous of understanding ’every word that proceedeth parable to relate to events that transpire after the be-
out of the mouth of God.’ Their earnestness in desiring ginning of his Millennial reign and judgment.
will be a part of the evidence that they belong to this ~(2) The final judgment of the human race at the
class and that it is proper for them to know.It is to end of the Millennial reign of Christ takes place before
their advantage that it should be hidden, so that they Jehovah, with Jesus Christ as the executioner, and will
may seek and find, and that in seeking and finding be based upon things transpiring during that age; that
they may have a greater blessing than if the entire is to say, during the presence of the Lord as Mediator
matter were strewn upon the surface." and King, and not upon events that transpire before
~In the Lord’s due time, we believe, he will let his that Millennial judgment begins.--Revelation 20:7-10;
consecrated people have an understanding of all his dark E402.
sayings. To understand a parable we must rightly apply a(3) The language of the parable indicates that the
the symbols. To understand a prophecy we must wait judgment there mentioned is based upon what the sheep
until it is fulfilled or is in course of fulfilment. and goat classes either did or neglected to do to the
*All understand the terms "sheep" and "goats" to brethren of Christ Jesus; whereas during the Millennial
apply to two general classes of persons. Heretofore we reign and judgmentall the brethren of Christ Jesus will
have applied the parable to the Millennial reign of be with him in the heavenly kingdom and cannot be
Christ, and the final judgmentof the parable to the end ministered unto or neglected by an earthly class.
of that reign. Such interpretation has been difficult to 9(4) I)uring the Millennial age trial and judgment
harmonize. If we find objections to its application the peoples of earth will not be brethren of the Lord,
during the Millennial age, and if we find the physical but will be the children of the Christ; for they get life
facts nowknownto us to fit the word picture, we would through the Lord’s administration of the new covenant.
be justified in concluding that we mighVnot have here- xo (5) During the Millennial reign of Christ all people
tofore had the proper interpretation. We have our
will be brought to a full knowledgeof the truth before
heavenly Father’s promise that the light shall shine final judgment, whereas in the parable those who are
more and more unto the perfect day. That promise is judged ao not seem to have full and complete knowl-
certain of fulfilment. edge; for the sheep class ask the question: ’Whendid
we minister unto you ?’ Andthe goat class ask the ques-
MILLENNIAL APPLICATION tion: ’Whendid we neglect to minister u~,to you ?’ It
~Withno disposition to criticize whathas heretofore is not reasonable that this condition will obtain at the
beenwritten, we believe it profitable to considerwhether end of the Millennial age.
cr not our former application has been the right one. n(6) The Lord plainly shows that the .j,.Mgment
There seems to be a numberof legitimate reasons why be pronounced at the end of the Millennial reign will
307
 ¯ WATCH TOWER
be because oi an open rebellion resulting from the decep-
tion practised upon the people by Satan after he is
loosed from the pit; whereas the judgment mentioned
in the parable is based upon acts done or neglected to be
done toward the saints, which had already transpired at
the second coming of the Lord, or before the restora-
tion judgment begins.
l~The judgment described in the parable relates to
deeds done or omitted to be done to some of the Lord’s
brethren who had been in prison; whereas during the
Millennial trial and judgment by Christ none oK his
brethren will be in prisor~, for the reason that they will
be with him ; and the peoples of the world will not be
in prison, because none could have a fair and impartial
trial while incarcerated.
NOT TO THE JEWS
18It does not seem at all reasonable to apply the para-
ble to the Jews: (1) Because during the Gospel age the
Jews have not in any sense been the brethren of the Lord
Jesus, but on the contrary have rejected him completely ;
and (2) because the judgment of the parable is bs~od
upon what the sheep do and what the goats neglect to
do to the brethren of Christ, without full knowledge;
whereas the Jews made no pretense of doing anything
for Christ or anything in his name.
NOT TO THE NATIONS
X4Thejudgment of the parable cannot be reasonably
applied to the nations of earth as nowconstituted, such
as France, Britain, the United States, etc; for none
of these nations is composed entirely of sheep or of
goats. The separation does not appear to be that of one
nation from another nation. The great court sits, how-
ever, in public judgment of those people composingthe
nations, some of whomare represented under the symbol
sheep, while others are symbolized by goats.
NOT A JUDGMENT OF THE CHURCH
15It can hardly be said that this paratile has any
reference to the judgment of the church of Christ: (1)
Because the Lord’s spirit-begotten ones are not distin-
guished as sheep and goats, but the Lord speaks of them
all as sheep (John 10: 11-16); and (2) because
judgment of the little flock and the great companydoes
not take place publicly before the nations of earth.
x61:Iaving now eliminated from consideration certain
classes to whomthe parable does not seem to apply, the
question is: To whomdoes it apply ? Whenand where
does the judgment take place, and whois symbolized by
the sheep and whoby the goats ?
THE TIME
XTTimebecomesa vital element in the interpretation
of this parable ; that is to say, the time it was uttered
bears r~latioaship to the time of its fulfilment. The
BROOKLYN, No ’~t
parable was spoken by our Lord in response to the
question propoundedto him by his disciples relative to
his second comingand the inauguration of his kingdom:
"Tell us, whenshall these things be ? and what shall be
the sign of thy presence, and of the end of the world ?"
Respondingto this inquiry, the Master related the facts
as they would appear at the time of his presence and at
the end of the world, tie showed what would be his
attitude towardhis servants, both the true and the false;
the industrious, active ones, and the lazy, indolent and
slothful ones. He distinguished between the wise and
the foolish brethren, and pointed out his accounting
with and judgment of his servants, all of which appears
to be privately rendered~ and not before the nations of
earth. Then immediately he proceeded to state the
parable which relates to another judgment, which judg-
ment takes place before the assembled nations of the
earth, this being the parable of the sheep and the
goats. Thushe indicates that there is a close proximity
between his judgment of his church and the ones men-
tioned in this latter parable.
~S0ur Lord’s throne, or judgment-seat, mentioned in
in the parable does not seemto be that of the Millennial
throne which will deal with the living and the dead
during his reign, but seems clearly to be the throne or
court established to judge the things existing at the
time of or during his second presence and before the
beginning of restoration. He says plalnIy: "Whenthe
Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy
angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of
his glory."
V°Theprophet Isaiah had a vision of the Lord upon1
his throne of judgment, the t~me of which seems to be
located definitely as shortly after he takes his powerto
reign. (For discussion of tlfis point we refer the read’_’r
to T~rE WATCItTOWEa for November1, 1922, pages 334
and 335.) Webelieve the throne described by Isaiah and
that in the parable are one and the same.
2°The parable reads: "Whenthe Son of man shall
come in his glory and all the holy angels with him."
Angels are messengers of the Lord. The prophet Isaiah
describes in vision the holy messengers around the
throne of glory. (See Isaiah 6: 1-11) St. Paul speaks
of the faithful membersof the church as messengers or
angels, and the glory of Christ. (2 Corinthians 8:23)
St. Jude, quoting from the Prophet, said: "Behold,
the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to
execute judgmentupon all, and to convince all that are
ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which
they have ungodly committed." (Jude 14,15) In Reve-
lation we read concerning the Lord Jesus, whois "called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness.., cloth
judge and make war," that "the armies which were in
heaven followed him." (Revelation 19 : 11-14) Weunder-
stand this picture to represent the Lord Jesus and the
saints beyondthe vail as well as the saints this side the
 $O9
WATCH TOWER
vail. This l~icture also clearly harmonizes with our CHRISTENDOM AT JUDGMENT
understanding of Psalm 149, which states that the 25The Lord shows his reckoning with his servants and
saints are joyful in glory and that those on earth are the judgmentof his house. Is it not reasonable, then, to
engaged with the Lord in the execution of judgment, conclude that he would likewise picture some judgment
which "honor have all his saints." of the church nominal; that is to say, those nations and
21Fromthese scriptures it seems that the judgment the peoples composingthe nations claiming to be Chris-
in question takes place while someof the saints are in tian, who make an outward profession of acknowledging
heaven and some on earth; and that this judgment of Christ Jesus ? These draw nigh unto the Lord with their
the unrighteous things spoken of by St. Jude takes mouth and make much pretense of being Christians.
place prior to the beginning of the Millennial age judg- Whyshould they not be judged, and why would we not
ment, which shall be in righteousness.--Acts 17: 31; expect particularly some pointed judgment of this class
Z’03-30. before the individual judgment of the world of man-
THE NATIONS kind begins?
~2Theparable says: "Andbefore him shall be gathered =GThe nomial church claims tkat her membership
all nations." Nations are composedof two general divi- amounts to many n~Jlions. Amongst these surely is a
sions (1) Those who form the governing factor and great multitude of people who do not even claim to be
whoare in the minority; and (2) those whoare govern- consecrated, yet who have some faith in Jesus Christ,
ed, and who make up the majority. The governing fac- as the Savior of mankind. If there is to be a judgment
tors are composedof three elements ; commercial,politi- of the church nominal, then must we not concmde that
cal, and ecclesiastical. Ecdesiastieism is properly divid- the church this side the vail is to have a part in announc-
e,l into two companies: (1) The clergy called "Shep- ing the execution of that judgment?--Psalm 149: 5-9.
hords" and "the principal of the flock" (Jeremiah 25: 2~It seems that the Lord sometimespermits the saints
3t) ; and (2) the aggregate membershipof ecclesiasti- to fulfil prophecy and later permits them to see that
ci.-m makingup the flock. It is often true that the lead- they have been used in connection with its fulfilment;
ing members,called the "principal of the flock," are men and thus he gives another evidence of his leading of his
of great commercialpoweror political influence whouse people and of his using them as they are submissive to
religion as a cloak to conceal their real motivewhile they his holy will. Based upon evidence heretofore set forth
set about to rule the people. These are kings (governing in TI~E WATC~ TowEr%we believe that the Lord came
factors) and nobles (the most highly respected ones) to his temple in 1918 for the purpose of judgment, first
(P~,alm 149: 8), whoare properly designated as hypo- upon his saints, later upon nominal Christendom.--
crites, the counterpart of the Pharisees. ]if any among Psalm11 : 4-7 ; Malachi3 : 1.
the people are blinded by the adversary, and are in
sympathy with the governing factors; while there are SOME FACTS
many others among them who desire righteousness and 2sJl, dgraer~t means the act of determining what is
peace. conformable to the law; and Scripturally it means the
=Jl~he nations of earth are gathered nowand are bound determining of what is conformable to the law of God ;
tog’ether by compacts, various leagues and other arrange- that is to say, his expressed will. God’s judgments
ments, just as the Lord foretold they would be. (Zeph- prophetically are written in his Word. They must be
aniah 3:8; A 317) In this assembly of the nations the performed in his due time and in his own good way.
commercialand political factors are to the fore, while 29In September, 1922, a body of consecrated Chris-
the ecclesiastics join heartily in the assembly,all claim- tians met at Cedar Pcint, Ohio, and acting as the ser-
ing that the nations constitute the kingdomof Godon vants of the King of kings and Lord of lords passed a
earth; and for this reason they designate the same as resolution and issued a proclamation to all the nations
Christendom, or Christ’s kingdom. of earth. That resolution contained this clause: "We
therefore call uponall the nations of earth, their rulers
TO WHOM APPLIED and leaders, and upon all the clergymen of all denomina-
t4To whom, then, do the symbols sheep and goats tional churches of earth, their followers and allies, big
apply ? Weanswer: Sheeprepresent all the peoples of the business and big politicians, to bring forth their proof in
nations, not spirit-begotten but disposed toward right- justification of the position taken by them that they can
eousness, who mentally acknowledgeJesus Christ as the establish peace and prosperity on earth and bring happi-
Lord and who are looking for and hoping for a better ness to the people; and their failing in this, we call
time under his reign. Goats represent all that class who upon them to give ear to the testimony that we offer
claim to be Christians, but who do not acknowledge as witnesses for the Lord, and then let them say whether
Christ as the great Redeemerand King of mankind, but or not our testimony is true."
claim that the present evil order of things on this earth s°Wehave the Lord’s word for it that the humanraoe
constitutes Christ’s kingdom. will never see God’s face. He acts officially through lm
310 ¯ WATCH
church. Is it not reasonable to conclude that this proc-
],qmation of the great principles of God’s Wordsent to
the nations fulfils the prophetic utterance of our Lord
concerning the gathering of the nations before him
for judgment? Upwardsof forty-five million copies of
this resolution were distributed throughout Christen-
dom, particular pains being taken to see that it reached
the ruling class. His words concerning the separating of
one from another do not seem to relate to the separatian
of the nations, but rather to the separation of the +,wo
general classes composing the nations of Christendom,
one symbolized by goats and the other by sheep.
TWOCLASSES
s’Sinee the goat class is to suffer a punishmentsimilm"
to that to be inflicted upon the devil, the presumption
is that this class manifests the devil’s spirit; and we
may be aided in locating the class by observing the
spirit or disposition thereof.
82Asit was in the days of Jeremiah, even so it is ilJ
the close of this age; and his prophecy applies in a
broader sense to Christendom. The prophet describes
"the shepherds" and "the principal of the flock," which
we understand to mean the clergy class and the most
important ones in the ecclesiastical systems who domi-
nate and control the system contrary to the Wordof
God. (Jeremiah 25 : 34-~7) It is a well-kl:-,wn fact that
manythus described in the nominal churches outwardly
claim to be Christians, yet manifest none of the spirit
of Christ, but on the contrary manifest the spirit of the
evil one---a stubborn, self-willed, unscrupulous class of
menwho seek the destruction of all that oppose them.
8~There is in nominal Christendom another class of a
docile temperament. They believe that the Lord Jesus
Christ is the great Redeemer of mankind. They strive
to do right and want to do good. They do not claim to
be consecrated to the Lord, but they have great respect
and love for the Lord and his people. They manifest a
sheep-like disposition. They are looking for the Lord’s
kingdomand the restoration blessings that will cometo
them. Doubtless there are manyin the world that could
not be properly put into either one of these two classes,
but the parable deals with classes that pretend to be
Christian. Webelieve there are millions in the nominal
church who are holding on because of their respect for
the Lord; and they regard the nominal church as in
some sense being used of the Lord. Great numbers of
these do not claim to be consecrated unto the Lord, and
have no heavenly hopes or aspirations. Here we believe
is to be found the class designated by our Lord as the
sheep. (John 10: 16) Our conclusion therefore is that
both the sheep and the goats of the parable claim to be
Christians, forming Christendom, and both are claiming
to do the works in the name of the Lord.--Matthew
7: 21-23.
TOWER
PHYSICAL FACTS
34Wherea prophecy is uttered and later the physical
facts fit the wordsof the prophecy, and are otherwise in
harmonywith God’s revealed plan, we mayconclude that
we have the correct understanding of that prophecy.
Wefirst consider here the goat class. To these the Lord
says : "I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I
w,~ thirsty, and ye gave me no drink." These words are
su!,ject to both a literal and a spiritual interpretation.
The positive commandgiven to those who would assume
to be leaders and teachers of God’s people is: "Feed the
flock of Godwhich is amongyou, taking the oversight
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy
lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over
God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." (1
Peter 5 : 2, 3) The food for the Christian is the Wordof
God. The clergy as a class have repudiated the Wordof
God, and teach the people higher criticism, evolution,
and manyother false things. They ignore the ransom,
the resurrection, the second coming of our Lord and
the restoration blessings, all of whichis sustaining food
to God’s people. The true. followers of Christ Jesus
have been left by these false leaders as sheep without a
shepherd, to roam amongst the ravenous beasts o~ the
earth; and thus these shepherds are chargeable with the
crime of destroying the faith of many. (Jeremiah 23:
1, 2; 50: 6; Ezekiel 3~: 6) Their wrongful course has
produced a famine in the land for the hearing o~ the
Word of the Lord. (Amos 8:11) When some of their
flock were hungry for the truth and asked for it, they
received it not. Whenthey found it elsewhere, they were
maligned, misrepresented, and persecuted and driven
from amongst the ranks of the nominal flock. The Lord
pronounced a denunciation upon these through the
words of his prophets.--Ezekiel 34 : 1-8 ; Jer. 23 : 1, 2.
8~Manyinstances are on record where colporteurs
going about in the Lord’s service have called upon minis-
ters, actually hungering and thirsting for food and
water ; and instead of being invited in and treated kindly
because they were Christians, they were driven away
with words of denunciation, all because they dared to
represent the King of kings and present his mess,~ge
of reconciliation to the world.
8~"I was a stranger, and ye tooJc me not in; naked,
and ye clothed me not." Manyseeking after truth and
righteousness have called upon clergymen to instruct
them and have been turned away empty. The Psalmist
describes those who have thus wandered about in a
solitary way, saying, "They wanderedin the wilderness
in a solitary way; they found no city [organized church]
to dwell in. Hungryand thirsty, their soul fainted in
them. Then they cried unto the Lord."---Psalm 107 : 4-6.
3~Literally this scripture has been fulfilled in this:
Manyeolporteurs as strangers have called at the doors
of clergymen, and announced that they were calling on
Christians to talk to them about God’s plan, and ha~
 WATCHTOWER
been refused admittance and driven away with unkind
words. During the World War, at the instance of the
clergy and "the principal of the flock" of manyof the
denominational systems, a large numberof true followers
of Jesus suffered physical pain because of their naked-
ness and lack of clothing, which had been taken away
from them wrongfully and which wrongful acts were
aided and abetted by clergymen. In manyinstances the
brethren were tarred and feathered, covered with grease,
thrown into cold water, beaten with sticks and otherwise
ill-treated, because they were striving faithfully to re-
present the King of kings.
ad"Sick and in prison." Prison means a condition of
restraint of liberty of thought or liberty of action, either
inside or outside of walls or iron bars. Again we find
these words of the Master both spiritually and tangibly
fulfilled. The Lord, foreknowingthe course these shep-
herds and principal of the flock would take in their
ill-treatment of his little ones, described it through his
prophet thus: "The diseased have ye not strengthened,
neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have
ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye
brought again that which was driven away, neither have
ye sought that which was lost ; but with force and with
cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered,
because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to
all the beasts of the field, whenthey were scattered, l~[y
sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon
every high hill; yea, myflock was scattered upon all
the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after
them."--Ezekiel 34 : 4-6.
aPManyin the nominal church have been restrained
of their liberty of thought in the investigation of the
~rord of Truth, by the clergy openly denouncing those
who did accept the truth, and warning their flocks to
ignore the truth and to burn the STUDIES IN T]tE SCRIP-
~VlteS. Manyhave been spiritually sick because of having
no spiritua! fc, od upon whichto feed; and the clergy and
the principal of the flock not only failed to visit themand
minister to them, but prohibited others from doing so.
~°In a more tangible way this prophetic utterance was
fu]filled in the early church, when the beastly order
under the dominating control of eccesiasticism wicked-
ly persecuted the true followers of Jesus Christ because
of their faith. They made them sick actually and threw
them into prison, and then failed to minister unto them
after imprisoning them.
’~During the World War the beastly order again be-
came particularly active, and no more wicked persecu-
tion of Christiaus has e~er blackened the world’s record
than that instigated and carried on by the clergy and
the principal of the flock against defenseless, harmless
Christian men and womenwho dared to proclaim the
message of Messiah’s kingdom. T~ GOLDE~rAG~. I%.
27, was devoted to an expos4 of a number of these acts
aa tim pa~ of the clergy and the principal of the flock,
m
to which reference is made. In that persecution Cath-
olics, Protestants, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists,
bankers and business menall joined against Christians
who did nothing more than practise the religion of
Jesus Christ. While these denominations differed upon
doctrines and fought each other, yet the apostate clergy
of all and the principal of their flocks joined together
in the persecution of the brethren of Christ. Christians
throughout Christendomwere restrained of their liberty
of action and prohibited the freedom of assembling to-
gether to study God’s Wordand to worship him accord-
ing to the dictates of their ownconscience. Great num-
bers were arrested and imprisoned without warrant.
Manywere arrested and put into jail merely beeanse
they had in their possession hymnbooks and Berean
Bibles. Manywere haled into court, fined, ill-treated,
and imprisoned without a trial and against the law.
4aIn the city of Philadelphia a large company of
clergymen by resolution memorialized Congress to amend
the espionage law by providing for the punishment by
death of alleged violators of that law, upon the judg-
ment of a court martial. The books and papers of Chris-
tians were seized at the instance of "the clergy" and the
"principal of the flock"; while some were imprisoned
illegally for a long term. These persecutors claimed to
be acting patriotically and doing a work in the nameof
Christ for the benefit of the so-called Christian land.
The Lord knowsthe real reason x~hy it was done.
~aThroughoutthe entire age the intolerance exercised
toward humble Christians has been carried on at the
instance of the clergy and the principal of the flock, who
themselves claimed to be representatives of Christ. In
Canada and the United States, in Great Britain and in
Germany, in Switzerland and Roumania; in fact, all
over Christendom this persecution during the World
War was deliberately carried on, while the clergy and
their allies misrepresented the Lord’s Wordand slander-
ed those whodared to believe and teach it. They refused
to accept the kingdommessage themselves and prevented
manyof their own flocks from seeing and accepting the
message of the kingdom.--Matthew23 : 13, 14.
4’It is a well-known fact that during the World War
in particular the apostate clergy and the principal of
their flock indulged in the persecution of Christians up-
on the pretext of patriotically looking after the interests
of the present world for the purpose of keeping the order
going. In other words, their friendship for the world
was an excuse for the persecution of the Lord’s brethren.
St. James says: "Whosoevertherefore will be a friend
of the world is the enemy of God."--James 4:4.
45During the first presence of our Lord the scribes
and Pharisees indulged in the persecution of him and
his disciples. The clergy and the principal of the flock
of moderntimes are .the counterpart of the scribes and
Pharisees ; and these the Lord himself describes as the
progeny of the devil. 14e says: "Whydo ye not under-
312
WATCH TOWER
stand myspeech ? . . . Ye are of your father the devil, the great ransom-sacrifice, and substituting Satanic
and the lusts of your father yc will do." (John 8:43, doctrines instead. This has been done deliberately ; and
44) It should be expected that the progeny of the devil the principal of the flock, the commerciallyand politic-
will suffer the same kind of punishmentthat he receives. ally influential ones, have supported them therein. If
4GThuswe see that the Scriptures definitely locate a the Pharisees were unworthyof a trial for eternal life,
cl,qss made up of apostate clergy and the principal of whywouldnot the samebe true of the modernPharisees ?
their flock, commercialand political menof influence, 52Theapostate clergy, their commercialand political
whoclaim to be representatives of the Lord, whohave allies, under the influence and supervision of Satan,
had reasonable opportunity to knowhis Word, but who organized the beast and the false prophet. The Scrip-
have wilfully and deliberately rejected it, whohave gone tures showthat at the beginning of Christ’s reign the
into the slums and other places and ministered to those beast and the false prophet are cast alive into the lake of
who do not claim to be Christians, who have builded fire. (Revelation 19 : 19, 20) This is the same fate that
hospitals and libraries under the pretext of representing the devil subsequently meets. (Revelation 20 : 10) May
tl~e Lord, but whohave deliberately ignored and perse- not this mean that those who form the beast and the
cuted the true saints. Whenthe truth has been brought false prophet and whohave neglected to feed the Lord’s
to them they have spurned it. They go even further and flock, but who wilfully and knowingly ignored them
deny the Bible, deny the Lord Jesus Christ as the Re- and permitted them to starve, and who persecuted
deemer, and substitute their false doctrines instead. other Christians whoattempted to feed the hungry, and
47Theparable then represents this goat class as sayingwho deliberately misrepresented the Lord and his
to the Lord: ’When did we do these things mentioned? messageof truth, shall suffer a like end? The sons of
Whendid we ~ail to minister unto you ? Or when did the devil of this age seemto correspond with the progeny
we find you a stranger and took you not in, and naked of the evil spirits of Noah’s day (John 8: 44) The
and clothed you not ? Whendid we find you sick and in former perished by water. The latter seem doomedto
prison and visited you not?’ And he answers: "Inas- perish by fire. (2 Peter 3 : 4-7) Concerningthem the Lord
muchas ye did it not to one of the least of these ye did through his prophet says: "Woe be unto the pastors
it not to me." flint destroy and scatter the sheep of mypasture! saith
4SThetrue follow,~r of Chri~.t Jesus is dear to his the L,~rd. Therefore thus saith the Lord Godof Israel
heart. Godhas declared in his Wordthat none shall with against the pastors that feed mypeople: Ye have scat-
impunity touch his anointed. (Psalm 105:15) These tered my flock, and driven them away, and have not
are precious in his sight and he loves them, and he for- visited them; behold, I will visit upon you the evil of
gets not ill-treatment of them. your doings, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah 23 : 1, 2.
5aThese are messengers of the devil and not of the
THEIR PUNISHMENT Lord. The devil is to suffcr destruction. To the goat
4°St. Jude describes a class seeminglythe sameas that class Jesus says : "Depart from me, ye cursed, into ever-
mentioned by our Lord, who claim to represent the Lord, lasting fire, prepared for the devil and his aneels." As
yet unite with the devil’s arrangement. He then points a goat class they will be forever destroyed. As to whether
out that Sodom and Gomorrah are set forth as an or not any of the individuals makingup that elas.~ will
example of how some shall suffer the vengeance of have an opportunity for trial during the Millennial age
eternal fire. He says: "Behold, the Lord cometh with we cannot surely ~dl. If they quickly change their
ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon course they may. The Scriptures seem to indicate that
all that are ungodly." those who have knowingly and wilfully repudiated the
5°The apostle Peter seems to refer to a similar class truth during the l~resence of the Lord, whonave .~bsti-
in his description of those whowilfully spurn the truth. luted Satanic doctrines for the doctrine of the Lord,
(2 Peter 2: 5-22) The Pharisees had an opportunity to whohave neglected the Lord’s flock while claiming to be
learn that Jesus was the ]~Iessiah and yet they refused his representativesa and whohave persecuted his breth-
to hear. Jesus seems to hold that they were unworthy ren, maynot be counted worthy of a trial for life during
of a further opportunity of life when he said to those the Millennial age.
whodeliberately refused to hear: "Howshall ye escape ~4TheLord seems to call the attention of this class
the judgment of gehenna ?"--Matthew 23: 33, R. g. to an opportunity of changing their course and receiving
5*The apostate clergy have had even greater oppor- the blessing. He pictures the ruling factors of the earth
tunities than the Pharisees. They have had the words of taking counsel together against the Lord and against
Jesus and the apostles, the instruction of the prophets ; his anointed. Then he warns them, saying, "Be wise
and these they have ignored. They have gone even nowtherefore, 0 ve kings ; be instructed, ye judges of the
further in playing the hypocrite; for they have openly earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with tremb-
claimed to represent the Lord, at the same time denying ling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from
him and denying his Word, denying the fall of man and the way, whenhis wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed
 ,r o WATCH TOWER
arc all they that put their trust in him."--Psalm 2: 10-
12 ; see also Psalm41 : 1, 2.
A BETTER ~LASS
5’~There are millions of members of the denomina-
tional churches, both Catholic and Protestant, whoare
God-fearing people. They have kind hearts ; they believe
that Jesus Christ is the Savior; they hope for a better
time and are glad to extend kindness toward all whom
they believe to be Christians. Theyhave been fearful of
their leaders and principal menand have been held in
bondage to the Babylonish systems; yet they have never
entered into the persecution of Christians whodiffer
with them on the fundamental principles of the truth.
])uring the past forty-five years and during the presence
of the Lord his representatives as colporteurs have vis-
ited almost every part of Christendom. Their reports
show that in that time they have met great numbers of
good people whobelieve the Bible to be God’s Wordand
who desire the coming of the Lord’s kingdom. Manyof
these have been kind to the colporteurs. Often the Lord’s
little ones, calling as strangers, have been invited into
the homesof these good people, who have ministered to
their needs, whohave found them sick and were glad to
render them aid. Manya time they have offered a cup
of tea or cold water and food, and even raiment, to these
representatives of the Lord because they were represent-
ing the Lord. During the World War, by far the greater
number of the membership of the denominational
churches.were in heart sympathy with the Bible Stu-
dents. They did not participate, as did their leaders,
in the wicked persecution. Because of fear, manyof
these remained silent. Whenthe Bible Students were
imprisoned and unlawfully held without bail, and when
the "clergyV and "the principal of the flock" exercised
every power to keep them there, a petition was circu-
lated amongst the people calling upon the Government
to release these Bible Students ; and within three weeks
700,000 persons in the United States signed that pert-
tion.
~aWhenafter the war had ended, the same goat class
carried awayto prison a sister and several brothers and
incarcerated them because they had at the solicitation of
public officers sold-a copy of "The Finished Mystery,"
a large assembly of order-loving people in San Francisco
by resolution demandedthat the President of the United
S’tates release these prisoners; and because of this ric-
h’and they were released quickly.
’~TWhyhave many people thus been kind to Chris-
tians ? Because,as we believe, they considered it a privi-
1~ ;ge to aid those whowere striving to represent the Lord
and to tell mankindabout the blessings comingto them.
THEIR REWARD
SSJesus sent his disciples into the world to represent
him. Treatment accorded them has been counted as
treatment of himself, tie leaves no doubt about this
whenhe says : "He that receiveth you, reeeiveth me; and
he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me." (Mat-
thew 10 : 40) Stated in commonphrase : His represen-
tatives or ambassadors have been sent forth into the
earth to represent him; and when one of these is re-
ceived and kindly treated because he is a Christian and
because he does represent the Lord, the Lord takes
such treatment as unto himself and will not forget any
such kind acts. lie said: "He that reeeiveth a prophet
in the nameof a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s re-
ward ; and he that receiveth a righteous manin the name
of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man’s re-
ward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of
these little ones a cup of cold water only in the nameof
a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in nowise lose
his reward." (Matthew 10: 41,42) Is not this exactly
the principle Jesus announcedto the thief on the cross ?
One of those thieves railed on the Lord. It maybe that
he pictured the goat class. The other one spoke to the
Lord kindly, making request of him that he might be
rememberedin the kingdom; and for this kindness Jesus
said: "Verily I say unto you today, Thoushalt be with
me in paradise." He did not promise to give this thief
eternal life, but he did promisethat the thief should have
the opportunity for life during his reign. Weventure
the suggestion here that the other thief may represent
that class who during the Millennial age will not be
accorded any further trial for life; for they have wfl-
fully spurned the truth here and have not shown any
disposition that wouldindicate worthiness for life.
~gDuring the past few years the Lord has caused a
wide witness of the truth to be given, lie has made
knownthe fact of his presence, advertising his kingdom.
Throughout the world and in many languages the mes-
sage of the kingdom has been proclaimed. There is a
large number of people in the denominational churches
and outside of them who do not claim consecration, but
who now see enough of the truth to convince them that
the kingdomis at hand and whorejoice in the fact that
the King is here. It is not at all unreasonableto conclude
that there are millions nowhearing about God’s plan of
salvation who will pass through the time of trouble and
never die, being amongstthe first that will have oppor-
tunity for a trial for life everlasting. The Prophet says:
"It shall cometo pass, that in all the land, saith the
Lord, two parts therein [the apostate "clergy," who de-
liberately misrepresent the Lord and his truth, and ’"the
principal of the flock" whooppress the brethren of the
Lord and by coercion rule in the church] shall be cut
off, and die; but the third [the honest-hearted, order-
loving people whobelieve that Jesus is the King] shall
be left therein. AndI will bring the third part through
the fire, and will refine themas silver is refined, and will
try them as gold is tried ; they shall call on myname,
and I will hear them: I will say, It is mypeople; and
 BROOKLYN,N. ¶~
WATCH TOWER
they shall say, The Lord is my Ood."--Zechariah 13: selves from the unclean thing and come apart and rec-
8, 9. ognize and acknowledge allegiance to the King of kings
6°Concerning the goat class the Lord says: "These and Lord of lords. Let every Christian, then, take
shall go away into everlasting punishment." Their un-
courage to press on, declaring the presence of the King,
righteous system without doubt shall perish forever.
advertising his kingdom, and telling the people that
Those making up that system who have proven them-
millions now on earth turning to righteousness and
selves unworthy of a trial for life will doubtless likewise
obeying righteousness shall enter into everlasting life.
suffer the punishment to be inflicted upon the devil and
his angels. Concerning the sheep class he says : "But the
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
righteous into life eternal." The word "’r~ghteous’" here What is a parable? The statement concerning the Judgment of the
clearly implies that they must first prove their righteous- Sheep and the Goats is what? ¶ 1.
Who are 10 understand the parables? ¶ 2-4.
hess. It will be observed that the parable speaks of the Give seven reasons which may properly be considered to prove
that the parable of the Sheep and the Goats does not apply at
sheep and invites them to inherit the kingdom. By this the close of the Millennium. ¶ 5-12.
we understand that these will be the ones who will pass To whom does the parable evidently not apply? ¶ 13-16.
Does the time of utterance of this partible bear a relationship to
through the trouble and who will be the first ones to have its fulhlment? Is it proper for the Lord to recognize a line of
demarcation between certain classes? ¶ 16, ]7.
a trial for restoration ; and proving themselves righteous What throne or judgment-seat seems to be referred to? ¶ 18, 19.
Who are the angels? Is there a special significance in the state-
they shalI be granted life eternal. Thus we see that the meat that Jesus colaes to "judge and make war"? ¶ 20.
When does this judgment take place? ¶ 21.
Lord will count some umvorthv of a trial for life; while What are the subdivisions that make up a nation? ¶ 22.
How are the nations gathered now? Why are they misnamed
others will have the opportunity; and those proving Christendom ? ¶ 23.
themselves righteous will be granted the eternal reward. In this parable, to whomdo the terms sheep and goats apply? ¶ 24.
Is it reasonable that the nominal church should be judged? ¶ 25.
~-Ias the true church been promised a participation in this judg-
ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCH ment? ¶ 26.
What is another evidence that the Lord is leading his people?¶ 27.
elThe Lord having sho~m his people the evidences What does "judgment" mean? ¶ 28.
What momentous thing did Bible Students do at Cedar Point in
proving his presence and the end of the world, having September, 1922, that has an emphatic bearing on this parable?
¶ 29, 30.
clearly located his faithful and wise servant, having What are the characteristics of the goat class? ¶ 31, 32, 56.
D~seribe the sheep ela~s of this parable. Are they consecrated?
made clear the distinction between the foolish and wise ¶ 33.
How were the Lord’s words, "I was hungry, and ye gave me no
virgins, and having marked out in clear di~£inction the m~U.*f~lfllled ? ¶ 34, 35.
slothful and evil servants as distinguished from the How were the Lord’s words, "I was a stranger, and ye took me
not in; naked, and ye clothed me not," fulfilled? ¶ 36, 37.
earnest, zealous and faithful ones, we should surely Howwere the Lord’s words, "Sick and in prison," fulfilled? ¶ 38-46.
What does the goat class then say? Dues their statement help to
expect him to distinguish between those who wilfully locate the time of the fulfilment of this parable? ¶ 47.
reject the truth and reject him and persecute his rep- What is meant by our Lord’s reply? ¶ 47,48, 5~.
What seems to be signified by the statement that "the beast and
resentatives and those who have a desire for righteous- the false prophet are cast alive into a lake of fire"? Does it not
seem that the active agents of the beast and the false prophet
ness. The Lord seems again to describe these two suffer the same fate? ¶ 52, 53.
Does the Lord prove his goodn~us by offering the opportunity for
classes when he mentions the ecclesiastical systems change of course? Does "taking Counsel together against the
Lord and his anointed" seem to imply a measure of wilfulness?
ruled and controlled by an apostate "clergy" and the Does the word "perish" in Psalm 2 : 12 refer to the Adamic con-
"principal of the flock" and others who are in that detonation or to a special judgment? ¶ 54,
Ar~ there many in the nominal churches who are God-fearing
flock, and then says to those who are his people: "Come people, yet not consecrated? How have they shown this? ¶ 55.57.
Has the Lord been keeping a strict account of the treatnmnt accord-
out of her, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and ed his ambassadors? Does Jesus’ dying between two thieves
seem to parallel present-day experiem.e~? ¶ 58.
receive not of her plagues." The church has no war to Is it evidently a part of the Lord’s arrangement that his presence
make against individuals. But it is the duty of the and his kingdom should be advertised world-wide? Is it neces-
sarily a part of that preparatory work of inaugurating the
church, as representing the Lord on earth, to proclaim kingdom? ¶ 59.
What is the Judgment against the goat class? On what conditions
the day of his vengeance against Satan’s unrighteous shall the sheep class inherit everlasting life? ¶ 60.
What is the duty of the true church, and what should be ou~
system and to call upon the people to separate them- individual attitude? ¶ 61.

INTERESTING LETTER
LORD SERVING HIS PEOPLE Surely our dear Lord has now girded himself and Is
~EA]~ ]~RETHREN IN THE ~kNOINTED : serving us with the precious heavenly food from his own
Greetings of love, Joy and peace. table. I count it a great privilege to be associated with
It has often been the desire of my heart to write a few those who desire to tell out the glorious message: "The
lines to you, to express my appreciation, my joy of heart kingdom of heaven is at hand I"
and blessings which I have received from the Word of God By God’s grace I will seek to be loyal to the dear Lord,
made clear to me by the channel which the dear Lord has to his channel of truth and to his Word, that ultimately I
used and is still using for the dissemination of the precious may be found faithful unto death. May we all be gathered
truth as it becomes due to be understood. THE WATCH into our everlasting habitation, evermore to live and reign
TOWER has always been a great impetus to me. Its timely with our beloved Bridegroom, whomhaving not seen we
admonitions, its wonderful and logical expositions of truth love, is my earnest prayer.
have encouraged me to press along the "pilgrim way" that With warmest Christian Love in our dear Redeemer.
winds "home." Yourbrother in the Anointed, Hamix HUI~T~Australia~
 PRAYER- MEETING TEXT COMMENTS
TEXT FOR NOVEMBER 21
"ttere~y knowye the spirit of God."--I John 4: ~.
ATANmakes an attack upon the ransom-sacrifice
S from two opposite positions, both of which are
erroneous. His evident purpose is to cause a fight
over the errors that the truth maynot be seen at all.
Through the modernists he says: ’Jesus was the world’s
greatest ethical teacher, but not the Son of God and
Redeemer’; and thereby plainly the blood of Christ
whereby man must be saved is denied. With the fun-
damentalists he goes to the other extreme, saying that
Jesus when on earth was God himself, being part God
and part man, thereby making it impossible for him to
be an exact corresponding price for the perfect man
Adam; hence denying the ransom.
Grateful each one should be who has cometo a knowl-
edge of the tr,th and has a love and appreciation there-
for. Weknowit is the spirit of God that teaches the
d~etrine of the great ransom-sacrifice and its attending
blessings; and anything that denies this great pivotal
doctrine of truth is promptedby the spirit of the adver-
sary. Each Christian should see to it therefore that he
holds fast to the truth in the love of the truth; that he
not only lays hold of the truth for his own personal
benefit, but that he delights in telling others about it to
the glory of the Lord. If we love the truth and appreci-
ate it and delight to give testimony concc~ing it, then
we may be sure that we knowthe spirit of Godand that
we possess his spirit. The spirit of truth causes the
possessor thereof to rejoice in the hope set before him;
and continuing thus to rejoice in this hope to the end
it is sure to result in an everlasting membershipin the
house of sons of which Jesus is the Head. Happy is
the man who has the truth. The joy of the Lord is his
strength and his salvation.
RETROSPECTION
He was better to me than all my hopes;
lh~ was better than all my fears;
tie made a bridge of my broken works,
And a rainbow of my tears.
The billows that guarded my seagirt path
But carried my Lord on their crest;
When I dwell on the days of my wilderness march
I can lean on his love for the rest.
He emptied my hands of my treasured store,
And his covenant love revealed;
There was not a wound in my aching heart
But the balm of his breath hath healed.
Oh, tender and true was the chastening sore,
In wisdom, that taught and tried,
Till the soul that he sought was trusting in him,
And nothing on earth beside.
$15
TEXT FOR NOVEMBER 21
"’God. . . hath blessed us with ~ll spiritua~ bless-
ings."--Ephesians 1: 3.
S T. PAULthus lovingly writes to his brethren
called saints. Jesus was anointed to the most
exalted position; namely, to be Head over the
church, the new creation of God, and to occupy the
position of honor and glory next to Jehovah through all
eteruity The members of the church constitute the
body of Christ, whoalso are provided for in the divine
plan. These are taken from fallen humanity, justified,
begotten, anointed, and developed to the point of per-
fection in the likeness of the Lord, and given the
divine nature.
Jehovah has appointed Jesus his beloved Son as heir
of all things, and provided that the membersof his body
shall also be his heirs and joint-heirs with Christ Jesus
in all the spiritual riches and blessings of the universe,
all of which blessings the membersof the body receive
through the Head, Christ Jesus. Thus the Apostle
pictures some o~ the glories of the divine arrangement
as pertaining to the church. He holds forth this great
incentive to earnest endeavor on the part of the body
members to be transformed into the likenesss of the
Lord and Master. By God’s spirit we are made his re-
presentatives, and in proportion to our faithfulness in
representing him as his ambassadorswe reflect his light
and glory. Thus continuing faithfully unto the end,
the transformation proceeding from one degree of glory
to another, shall result in making each one in the
likeness of the Lord, thereafter to dwell in the house
of the Lord forever, to behold his beauty and to learn
of bim.--Psalm 27: 4.
He guided by paths that I could not see,
By ways that I have not known;
The crooked was straight and the rough made plain
As I followed the Lord alone.
I praise him still for the pleasan.t palms,
.~_nd the water springs by the way,
For the glowing pillar of flame by night,
And the sheltering cloud by day.
l~ever a watch on the dreariest halt
But some promise of love endears;
I read from the past that my future shall be
Far better than all my fears.
Like the golden pot of the wilderness bread
Laid up with the blossoming rod,
All safe in the ark with the law of the Lord
Is the covenant care of myGod.
 OUR LORD JESUS A MISSIONARY
1N’OVEXCBER
1~ ~IATTHEW
9 : 35-38 ; LUKE8 : 1-3 ; JOHN3 : 16, 17.,
~ X[ISSIONARY
WORK AT JERUSALEM ALMOST FRUITLESS---CHURCtI ME~[BERSHIP I~OT ~I[SSIONARY ~VCRK--JE~US EFFORTS LIMITED.
"God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten San, that whosoever be~ieveth oft him should not per£sh, but halve
eternal life."---Joh~ 3:16, R.V.

I N THE truest and fullest

Jesus was a missionary
sense of the word our Lord
He was sent by the heavenly
in Jesus’ ministry. Our Lord had first turned his attention
to Jerusalem and its leaders. It seemed wise to do this ; for
Father to tell of the lee., and the good purpose of God it and they should have r.roved his best ground. Jerusalem
towards men, and of the establishment of the g;_ngdom of was the city of privileges, and its leaders at least professed
righteousnesss in the day whicll God had appointed. But it to spend their time in studying the law of God. But his
is only as the true relationship of Jesus to his Father is work there was almost fruitless {John 4:44,45), and he
understood that the values of his work can be clearly seen. turned from them to the le~s educated people. He went to
The Golden Text for today states the matter clearly. Ortho- Galilee, and it was there that his greatest and most popular
doxy in its wrong views of God dee[ares that God came ministry occurred. It was to those northern people that
down from heaven in order to reveal himself to men. But most of his parables were spoken, and it was to them also
the Scripture is always clear and always is in exact con- the discourses recorded in John {chapters 6-8) were given.
sonance with our Golden Text; namely, that God sent his ~During this ministry our Lord performed many mirt:e!es
Sort into the world to enlighten it concerning himself and of healing. But it would be wrong to hold that this ministry
his gracious purposes. of healing was only or even mainly one of compassion for the
SThe force of the Apostle’s statement in Hebrews 3:1 is many sick and distressed who appealed to him. That pha~.e
not always discerned: Jesus was God’s Apostle, sent from would be a happy part of his mission even though it cost
heaven, charged with a mission to men. God was not known him much suffering, both by reason of the heavy physical
by men. Even his chosen people, to whom he trod revealed strain, and by the fact that he gave of his life; for virtue
himself as their God, and to whom in special relationship went out of him and healed the/n all. (Luke 6: 1.0) In his
he had given the name Jehovah as the faithful keeper of discourses he always drew attention to the kingdom, and
the promise, "I will be that I will be" (Exodus 3:14, Roth,~r- his miracles were wrought chiefly for the same purpose ; for
ham), he was unknown. Sinai resealed much of his gloat with the coming of the kingdom would come those times of
and power; but his wealth of love and depth of grace ~.re restitution which afterwards were spoken of so definitely by
hidden, partly by the thunders and clouds of Sinai, "rod the apostle Peter, when there would be healing for all, and
partly by the formalities and ceremonies of the law, which for mind and heart as well as body, because the object of
so occupied the minds of Israel that they had not allow~ the kingdom is man’s restoration to Edenic purity and to
themselves to -~editate ’ap~n the gracio.os st,in of his char- lif,: Acts 3:19-21) It is. of course, also ~he case that Jesus
acter. souant by these works to bear witness to the fact that he
8God wanted his human family, banished from him and calm: from God. Even as he implied: ’If ye d~) not believe
held in comparative misery under the power of sin and my words, believe me for the very works’ sake.’--John 14:11.
death, to know him that the knowledge might bring them SThe leaders of the people had a consi~leq’able measare
back to him; for to know the love of God is to love him. of what is commonly called the missionary outlook and
So he sent his Son to declare his character, and to toil of sp!rit. But our Lord said that their missionary work was a
the kingdom of righteousness which he would estab:.ish. positive danger to those who received it. }Ie said: "Ye
The Son was such a loving living witness of the grace and com~)ass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he
graciousness of God, so full of grace and truth (John i :14), is made, ye make him twofold more the child of Gehenn:t
that he perfectly represented llis Father; and when Ph:lip th’m yourselves." (Matthew 23:15) And he who was God’s
sakfl: "Show us the Father and it ~uff~eeth us," he could Missi(mary saw the multitudes of Israel as sheep not having
reply: "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." a shepherd, and was moved with compassion because they
(John 14:9) A false theology has l~ut forth the foolish were distressed and scattered. (Matthew 9: 36) The shep-
claim that Jesus here intended to be understood as saying herds of Israel were pastors such as Ezekiel described.
that the natural eyes that looked upon his human body Instead of tending their flocks witl~ a shepherd’s care, they
actually looked upon the person of God! killed and ate the fattest and clothed themselves with the
4Our lesson calls attention to the healing and preaching wool.--Ezekiel 34 : 3.
works of our Lord; and the passages given (Matthew ~,Th; ¯ situation is repeated today ; similar conditions prevail.
The clergy class, which today corresponds to the pastors of
9.35-38; Mark 1:29-39; Luke 8:1-3; 10:1; Jolm 3:16,
Ezekiel’s day and the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’
17) very aptly draw attention to the gracious healing side
of the work of the Lord Jesus. day, busy themselves with the work of foreign missions. But
the poor sheep at home are ill-fed; for now there is hardly
WORK AT "JERUSALEM ALMOST FRUITLESS any rt~al preaching of the Word of God; and the fat cattle,
the rich or well-to-do amongst the flocks and herds, are
~Our Lord’s ministery was divided mainly into teaching made use of for the upkeep of the church establishments,
aud healing; and it was therefore different from that of and to feed both its dignitaries and the commonclergy. As
John the Baptist, whose ministry was more in the nature then in Judaism, so now a message of truth goes forth and
of reform, accompanied with the warning to "flee from the is rejected; for Christendom corresponds both in fact and
wrath to come". Though our Lord began his work by taking in spirit to the religious world of Jesus’ day. And again the
up exactly John’s message, "Repent: for the kingdom of religious leaders pour scorn upon the gospel of the kingdom,
heaven is at hand" {Matthew 4: 17), yet it Is clear that his and seek by slanders to destroy the messengers of truth.
ministry was rather explanatory than hortatory, and was The Lord’s harvest work in Christendom is again great, and
very greatly one of healing and blessing and comforting the the laborers are f,’w; and those few are no more esteemed
people. than were the little band of Galileans who followed and
6The Imssageschosenfor our studyreferto a timewell on served JesuL
316
 CHURCH MEMBERSHIP NOT MISSIONARY WORK
10God’s missionaries have as hard ground among pro-
lessors of religion as ever Christendom found in heathendom.
Judaism did not care to have the people told of the love of
God. The leaders preferred to put heavy burden~ of cere-
monies and costs of upkeep upon the people, that they might
be kept in subjection. And now in these days of the second
presence, and though Christendom has taken to itself the
wonderful words of our Lord of John 3 : 16, and evangelicals
have inscribed them on their banners, the clergy are angry
because the people are told of the love of God. They prefer
that tile people should be converted to church membership
rather than be instructed about the coming of the kingdom.
l~The grandeur of John 3: 16, which may be taken as
God’s manifesto to mankind by his Son Jesus, cannot be
discerned until the fact of the kingdom and God’s purposes
in it are understood. Then this gracious passage readily
reveals its wealth. God, who is the deep, sweet well of love,
and out of whose heart all grace comes, loved the fallen
world of mankind even to the extent of making on its behalf
the grealest s-~criiice possible to him. He gave his only be-
gotlen Son to men, ~hat he in turn might sacrifice himself
and become an offering for sin, that atonement for men
might be made. And the Son, who was rich, became poor for
man’s sake in order rlmt the world might be made rich in
the gift of God. (2 Corinthians S : 9) The love of God is like
a lake, out of which flows his gift 1o men ; and Jesus is the
river or channel by which the love flows. The act of faith
on the part of the bdiever is the vessel by which he can
partake of the river of water of life. The draught is ever-
la~’.i~z life; for he w!m believes into Jesus shall not perish
but have everlasting life.
12Th(,~l.:h (’ol:lfn’:’.tiivcly few of the world’s millions have
drunk of that iifc-gi~ing stream, its mighty flow is not to
w~.sle ; for soon and in power will go forth, by the bride and
the. Spirit, tim message. "’Let him that is athirst come. And
wlmsoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Reve-
h, tio~ 22: 17) Those who have believed on the Lord, either
tbc.m:vh his own Word or by the preaching of the apostles
or through those who since have heard and in turn become
preaclmrs of tile word of the gospel, have rejoiced in the
conmmmon with God which resulted. They became sons of
C.,.! :~.(.c,rding to the spirit. (John I : 12) Nearly 1,900 years
lmve ~.,me since the death of Jesus ; and still the world does
not km,w of lhe deail~ or of its value or of God’s purpose
ill it. J;ut the Scriptures show that God intends that all men
shall know the truth "in due time."--lTimothy 2:6.
~aChristee_dom, lik(~ Jud~’ism of old, is more concerned in
the upkeep of its es:ablishments than in seeking truth; and
even now, when the kingdom is being announced by tile fore-
told signs, the clergy are busying themselves with discussions
respecting the amendment of the present evil worhh Tlmy
are willingly ignorant of the love of God to be manifested in
the kingdom and the return of the Lord. (2 Peter 3: 3-5)
As in Jesus’ day, when judgment upon the Jewish world was
impending, God sent John the Baptist, so in these corres-
ponding days when the judgments of the Lord are in the
earth God sent his Elijah class to bear witness of the time of
trouble. And as John’s message was followed bY the witness
of Jesus through his healing miracles to the blessings of
the kingdom of heaven, so now God has a similar witness
being given; for the comforting message of the kingdom
heals the hearts of those who listen, and at the same time
tells of the times of healing soon to come to the wearied
earth.
*~rhe declaration of Jesus that faith in God concerning
himself was what God desired, and was the way to life, must
have appeared strange and even foolish tO the Jew& They
were so accustomed to be told of the requirements of the
law, and were so deeply entangled in the traditions of the
fathers, that It must have seemed impossible that there
could be so simple a way to pleasing God. No Jew, however
closely he lived to the law, or however pure in intent, ever
realized the blessedness of an absolved conscience. But the
message which Jesus preached told of acceptance with God
and, though he did not so proclaim the fact, led to the
thought that whoever received Jesus would be justified
before God and counted as if he had never sinned. (Psalm
32: 1, 2; Acts 13: 39) Thus life itself came as a result of
the acceptance of Christ though, as Jesus showed, it could
be realized fully only "at the last day," by which he meant
the day of his kingdom.
JESUS’ MISSIONARY EFFORTS LIMITED
~JJesus continually endeavored to turn the thoughts of the
people to the purpose of God as revealed in him. Even to
his disciples he made no promises of immediate access into
life and full kingdom blessing~ He ever kept before them
the necessity of consecration to the will of God; for he saw
tlmt it was his Father’s purpose that ere the kingdom were
set up in power there should be gathered a company of
footstep followers who, truly meek and lovers of God,
would follow him into the valley of humiliation and suffer-
ing, and who, finally, should be exalted with him in the
power and glory of the kingdom.--Luke 12 : 32.
*6Because our Lord and the apostles paid, as was neces-
sary, considerable attention to this immediate and embryo
phase of the kingdom, orthodoxy claims that this phase,
righteousness on earth among men, is the only one which
will ever be established on earth. It fails to perceive that
the work of grace during this present age is to prepare
those who share with Christ in sufferings, and who are to
be joint-heirs with him in the kingdom.--Romans 8: 17.
*TIf the work of Jesus be viewed from the ordinary mis-
sionary point of view, it must be considered as strange in
its limitation, and even ~s a failure. He did not attempt
any missionary work until he was thirty years of age; and
he lmew that he had only a short time in which to accom-
plish what he had to do; he made~ no attempt to leave the
borders of his people, nor did he expressed any desire to do
so. (Matthew 15: 24) He understood his Father’s plan;
knew that in due time the purpose of God would be accom-
plished in power. IIe knew that if he was faithful to the
end God would exalt him ; and he said : "And I, if I be lifted
up . . . will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32) Hewas
lifted up on the cross ; but today, even after so long a time,
there are very few who are consecrated to God in the faith
of Jesus Christ. A few hundred million persons are tabulated
as Protestant Christians, more are called Roman Catholic
Christians, but there are over a thousand million persons
in the worhl who know nothing of the salvation of God
by Jesus. But he is exalted to’kingdom power; and in his
kingdom, and by the arrangements made for the diffusion
of the truth he will reveal himself, and will draw all men
unto him. "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall
be satisfied."--Isaiah 53 : 11.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Whatis the true view of the Golden Text? Whatis the erroneous
view ? ¶ 1.
Was God knownto the Jewish people? Whywas Jesus sent? ¶2, 3.
Howwas our Lord’s ministry divided? Was it an expression of
love? 1 4, 5.
Whywas Jesus’ work in Jerusalem almost fruitless? Where did
Jesus carry on most of his ministry? ¶ 6.
What was always a part of Jesus’ theme, and why? ¶ |.
Wasthe missionary activity of the Jewish leaders proflta01e? ¶ 8.
Are the "sheep" in the denominational pens well fed today? What
is the hindering cause? ¶ 9.
 WATCH TOWER
Dothe Lord’s people today have easy sailing in trying to instruct What is Christendom concerned in? How has God warned the
the people? ¶ 10. Jews and Christians? ¶ 13.
Whendoes the message of John 3:16 reveal itself? What did it Whydid Jesus’ message to the Jews seem foolish? ~as is possible
cost Jesus to coSperato with the heavenly Father? Give the for themto have an absolved conscience? ¶ 14.
illustration. ¶ 11. What was it that Jesus endeavored to keep before the minds of
Is the life-giving stream wasted ? Whohave already been benefited ? his follpwers? ¶ 15.
Into what deep and blinding error has "orthodoxy" fad^’~ ~ ¶ 16.
¶ 12. What was it that Jesus comprehendedof the Father’s plan? ¶ 17.

CHRISTIANS CALLED TO BE MISSIONARIES

, NOVEMBER 25 JOHN 17 : 18 ; ~IAT’I’HEW 28 : 16-20 ; ACTS 1: 6-8.--

]~IISSIONARY EFFORTS THAT ARE BENEFICIAL~WORLD WITNESS FOR DISCIPLLS ONLY----THREE PHASES OF ~[ISSIO~qARY ACT1VIT~J~o

"Go ye therefore, and make disciples o~ all ne~tions."--M(rithcw 28:19, R. g.

T HE Golden Text for today indicates a change in God’s

dealings with his people Israel, and in his relationship
to the ~orld. It also denotes the end of an age "rod
could not, and his other words show that he did not, expect
his disciples and his church to be more successful than he.

the beginning of another. The covenant made at Sinai,
although styled an "everlasting covenant" (Leviticus 24 : 8
25:13), was intended to last only until it had served its
Imrpose. It was to continue until the seed should come
through whom the promise made to Abraham should be
fulfilled. (Galatians 3: 19) That seed is the Christ, of which
emnpany Jesus was the first and its ehiefest member.--1
Corinthians 12 : 27.
2Jesus had come to Israel as God’s missionary; but after
a short ministry of teaching the things of God and of heal-
ing, he had been cruelly murdered. (John 1: 11) When
Jesus died, the period of God’s favor with Israel, which be-
gan at Jacob’s death, had almost run out; only a half
"week" or three and one-half years remained. In the pur-
pose of God their last "~cuk" of favor was a ~pec~al one:
the first half was to have the witness of Jesus directly;
the second was to be occupied by the ministry of Jesus’
disciples. During the interval between his resurrection and
his ascension Jesus met with the disciples on several occa-
sions. On the one when this command was given they were
In Galilee, where they with him had spent so much time
and labor in his ministry.
SAlmost all Christians) and nearly all the religious organb
zations, have concluded that our Lord meant that his discb
pies were to attempt to convert the world; and the phrase
"the world for Jesus" or "the world for Christ" has for
some generations been a slogan in the churches. That this
is a misconception is clear. Only a few weeks previously
Jesus had given the discourse recorded in Matthew 24th,
which leaves no question that he saw that at the time of his
return the world would be in a very evil condition. He had
then said that this gospel of the kingdom should be preached
In all the earth for a ~citness; and his further statements
clearly show that at the end only a comparatively few well-
tried disciples would be found faithful.
4Previously, looking forward to the same time, he had
said: "When the Son of man eometh, shall he find faith on
the earth?" (Luke 18 : 8) Thus when he said : "Go ye there-
fore, and make disciples of all nations," he is to be under-
stood as meaning that they were no longer to confine their
attention and labors to Israel, but were to go amongst all
the nations, pro’robing the word of the gospel. It is almost
certain that the Lord specially chose Galilee as the place
where he should give this instruction; for the fact Of being
there would more than any other thing bring to their mind
what klnd of ministry he had Intended. There in Galilee
he had preached to the people and ministered to them, but
had set no organization in force with the intent of making
them all diseiple~; and out of all Israel there were l~ut few
who had listened and had become baptized disciples
MISSIONARY EFFORTS THAT ARE BENEFICIAL
~lf it be claimed that the blessing of Pentecost had not
then fallen upon the church, the answer is that Jesus re-
ceived at Jordan that which the church was to get at Pente-
cost. As there is nothing in our Lord’s words to warrant
the thought of any attempt to convert the world but to the
contrary, so there is in the subsequent accounts of the
apostles and their writings an entire absence n£ any such
thought or purpose. If these things had been kept clear,
there would have been a clearer perception of other truths.
Instead of endeavoring to nmke church members out of the
heathen, or gathering adherents to mission stations by the
bait of a handful o£ rice, there would have been among
professing Christians a more serious attempt to conform
to th,~’ will of God; a..,d the high callih~ Uf God in Christ
Jesus would not have been so utterly lost to sight.
6The passage, John 17:18, which is given as part of our
study is in closest harmony. God sent Jesus into the world
to draw to himself the true~hearted of Israel, who waited
for the salvation of Israel, and those of meek and humble
disposition, who were willing to be taught. Even so Jesus
sent his disciples into the world, not to bring it to the foot
of the cross, but to gather out of the Gentiles those who, in
humility of n,ind, would listen to the Word of Truth, and
would give their hearts to God. By this means God visited
the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name.~
Acts 15 : 14.
~Those who were drawn to Christ by the preaching of th0
gospel of the kingdom were to be taught to observe all things
that the Lord had given to the apostles. (Matthew 28:20)
Here is no thought that a mere acceptance of a form of
Christianity, or an acknowledgTnent of Jesus as the Savior
of men is sufficient; or that even a formal and definite
acceptance of Jesus as a personal Savior would suffice.
Nothing less than discipleship up to the standard which
the I~)rd set to the Twelve is acceptable. Everyone who is
acquainted with the present state of the churches knows
that there are very few in them who make profession of
being footstep followers of Jesus of Nazareth; and every
student of history knows that such consecrated ones have
been few in number at any time.
WORLDWITNESS FOR DISCIPLES .ONLY
8The passage, Acts 1:6-8, which is also set as part of
our lesson tells the same things. The disciples, and also
the church, after the holy spirit had come were to be wit-
nesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost parts of the earth. Here again the thought is
quite apparent that the representatives Of Jesus would be
He separated from the world of mankind.
 ,5. WATCH
9The occasion when our Lord spoke these words to his
disciples was when he met them all together for the last
time. Evidently he had visited them in the upper room ; and
once again, he led them towards Gethsemane. But he passed
on over the brow of the Mount of Olives, and on "as far as
Bethany", which place he had chosen for his ascension. It
Was, therefore, when talking with them for the last time
that he gave his disciples the commission to be witnesses
unto him. As our previous lesson showed, Jesus was God’s
witness and was faithful to the end of his ministry. (Reve-
lation 3:14) His work had been limited in time, and was
confined within the borders of Israel. But it was God’s
purpose that the witness he was to give of his Father should
not be to Israel only but should go into all the eartth
though It was the Father’s will that Jesus’ personal minis-
try should be thus limited.
10During our Lord’s ministry, he chose the apostles to be
with him that they might be fitted to carry on his work in
the regions beyond Palestine. The apostles and all who
should believe on him through their word, and who should
be made one with the apostles and with the Lord (John 17:
21), should witness for Jesus exn(.tly Liao~e things that
would witness could he have done the work in person, Tha~
witness, as has ,llready heen shown, was (1) to tile clmraeter
nf God, and (2) to his purnose in the establishment of his
kinmlom. Itowever, in the (.ase of the anostles there is some
difference to be noted; for they were not called to be so
directly witnesses of the Fatlmr as of his Son Jes~ For
the work o~: declaring the truth was his, and must be con-
tinued under his guidance. Hence (turina all tne time of the
Gospel age Jesus has this work under Ilia care.
*~It was in rehtion to this work that Jesus saitb: "All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Sh~tthew
28:18), and "Lo, I am with you alwqy, even mite tim ~,l~d of
the age." (Matthew 28:20) This declaration of our Lord
should not be taken merely as a general statement of his
change to divine authority and power, and that in spirit
he is always with his church, but as a particular statement
made with special reference to the wo~:k of witness which
he would continue to do through his disciI~les. We repeat:
The witness which Jesus woulo lmve his disciples give for
him was a continuation of his own witness on behalf of
his Father.
THREE PHASES OF MISSIONARY ACTIVITY
12The first verse of Acts tells of tile work which Jesus
began to do until the day that he was taken up, a statement
which seems in itself a declar’~tion that all the work that
Jesus did was but a beginning of the work which was given
into his care. In other words, lm was to continue l~is work
by his apostles, and by those who should believe on them
until the last witness had been given. That witness is (1)
to the holiness of God and the fact of righteousness; (2)
the power of the grace of God to renew the human treart In
righteousness; and (3) to tile coming kingdom, when Satan
and all evil powers shall be dethroned, and when Christ
shall reign in righteousness. (1) The witness would come
through the power of the holy spirit, which would witness
that men could live in harmony with God. This same witness
also proves that the world, despite its profession, does not
want to live in harmony with the will of God; and there-
fore that it really loves evil. (See John 16: 9, 10) (2)
knowledge of God and the grace of God through the holy
spirit bring the power of holiness. Whenthe love of God in
Christ is discerned, and an honest and meek heart is drawn
to Jesus, consecration results. The consequent acceptance
by God, and the begettal of the holy spirit, begins a new
TOWER
life, a new creation ; and there is a renewing in holiness Into
the image of God as it is seen in the life of Jesus. (Ephe-
sians 4:24) The grace of God in the heart enables a man
to walk according to the will of God ; and though he cannot
do that will perfectly as Jesus did, he has the heart to do
it. (3) All who are true disciples of Jesus realize that his
kingdom is not according to this world, and they hold
themselves separate from it. They will neither take part
in its policies nor help to keep up its Institutions. They
witness to the kingdom of righteousness which is to be
established in the earth on the return of the King.
*aThese three phases of the witness for Jesus which the
Lord will have his disciples bear were never so necessary
as today ; and, as might he expected, the Lord has his people
who are giving the witness. During the dark ages, when the
consecrated were as a people scattered and were mostly
unknown to each other, such a witness as is here indicated
was not possible, though each individual saint, wherever he
was, certainly let his light shine. History, in this particular
phase, has repeated itself; and the necessity for a definite
general witness is again upon the disciples.
~4The Christian world has lost faith. It does not expect
nor believe in righteousness among men as was exhibited
in the life of Jesus. Within its borders it has no such wit-
ness, and it hardly believes that such exists. But God will
have all men know that even in this evil day he has a people
who have been with Jesus, and who live with him--a people
who witness that Jesus’ kingdom Is not merely individual
righteousness, nor such as the ecclesiastics would have, a
merely decent sort of world, nor such as politicians profess
they would give. In other words, it is not of this world.
The "Christian world" would stand aghast if it were told
it would do the things that the Jews and their high priest
and Herod and Pilate did to Jesus. But God will prove to tt
that it is not one whit better than they. He wtJi have the
disciples of Jesus stand forth in this evil (lay, in meekness
witnessing to the grace In their hearts and to the Word of
God and to the coming of the kingdom ; and t ho Christian
world will treat thorn as the Jews treated the Master.
~aJesus gave a faithful witness (Revelation 3:14), and
the faithful witness of the true disciples brings them a
corresponding reward. Here, then, is the true missionary
work of the church. He who would serve his Master will
seek to further his Master’s interests. He will try to live so
as to honor him; he will have courage to do so, and he
will tell of the coming kingdom, to which only he acknowl-
edges allegiance. The Lord’s witnesses seek every oppor-
tunity to further the Master’s interests ; but unlike Christen-
dom they make no attempt to establish the kingdom of
heaven on present conditions. They wait for the King and
for the kingdom.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
What was the object of the covenant made at Mt. Sinai? ¶ 1.
Did Israel have a special time of trial? Weuwas it? 12.
Were Christians to attempt the conversion of the world? If not,
why not? ¶ 3.
Will the world be converted at the second coming of Jesus7 ~’hat
was Jesus’ ministry, in Galilee? ¶ 4.
Is there an absence of any evidence that either Jesus or the
disciples were to convert the world4)efore the second advent?¶ 5,
Whatwas the object of the message?¶ 6.
What was Intended to be the standard for those who accepted
Christ? ¶ 7.
Whatis implied in tile lasf messageJesus gave his disciples? ¶ 8, 9.
Has Jesus been representatively present throughout the Gospel age?
Of what two things was the witness to consist? ¶ 10
Has the Gospel age work had the special supervision of the Lord
Jesus? ¶ 11.
In what threefold’aspect has the witness been given, and how has
it resulted? I 12.
Is the witn~s still needed? Can the "Christian" world produce
the witness? Thenwho must give it? ¶ 13,14.
What is the true missionary work ot the church? Howdo~ it
result to those whodiscern the Lord’Swill-? ¶ lB.
 InternationalBible StudentsA sociation (:lasses
and ~f.udlc~ b~ Travclin~ 5rcthrca
hCC~UrC~

BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER W. H. PICKERING

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Sumter,S. C ..................... " 2 Thomson,Ga .................. " 9 Sault Ste Marie, Ont... " 2,4 Galt, Ont ....................... " 14
Charleston, S. C ............ " 4 Union Point, Ga .............. " 11 North Bay, 0nt ........... " 6 Preston, 0nt ................... " 15
Elko,S. C ........................ " 5 Athens,Ga ...................... " ~2 Orillta, Ont ............... " 7 Guelph,Ont..................... " 16
Augusta,Ga.................... " 6 Atlanta, Ga...................... "" 13 Barrie, Ont................... " 8 Toronto,Ont ................... " 18
Dearing,Ga..................... " 7 Ahnon,Ga......................... " 14 St. Catherines, 0nt ....... " 10-12 Brampton,Ont ............... " 19

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK

Laurel, Miss ........ -’<~v. 1 Anna,Ill ........................... Nov. 7 Selma, Calif ............. Nov. 1 Quincy,Calif ............... Nov. 8, 9
McCool,Mi.~.~......... ’ 2, 3 Champaign,Ill .............. "’ 8 Turlock,Calif .................. 2 Chico, Calif ............... " 11, 13
Columbus.. Ass ........ 4 Danville, Ill ............ ’ 9 Modesto, Calif ........... ’" 4 Paradise, Calif ....... "’ 12
West Point, Miss ........ " 5 Detroit, Mich ............. " 11 Stockton, Calif ..... 5 Sisson, Calif ............. " 14
Okolona,h~lss ................ " 6 Ann Arbor, Mich ............. " 18 Lodi,Calif ......................... ’" 6 Ashland,Calif ............. " 15, 16
Sacramento, Calif ........... " 7 Medford, Ore ............. " 18

BROTHER 13. H. BOYD

>:ov. 2 Batesville, Ark............... Nov. 11 BROTHER B. M. RICE
Endora,Ark ................... " I2
Pine Bluff, Ark........... 4 Marcella, Ark ............... BunkerHill, Ill ............... Nov. 1 Carbondale~Ill ........... Nov. 8
~horntou, Ark .......... 5 Three Brothers, Ark .... 13 Belleville,Ill ..................... " 2 Thebes,I11 ................ " 9
Little lhwk, Ark ..... " 6, 8 Cotter, Ark. : ................ " 14 Swanwick, Ill .......... 4 Anna,Ill .................... " 11
Scott, Ark..................... " 7 Flippin, Ark .............. " 15 Valier, Ill .................. " 5 MoundCity, I11 ......... " 12
Judsonia, Ark................. " 9 Monett, Me.................... " 16 Marion,Ill ....................... " 6 Metropolis,Ill ............. " 13
WhiteAsh,Ill ................... " 7 IIarrisburg, Ill ........... " 14, 15

BROTHER J. W. COPE
Nov. 12 BROTHER V. C. RICE
Minneapolis, Minn ...... Nov. 1, 4 Centurta, Wis .........
" 2 Ellsworth, Wis ........... " 13 Pittsburgh, Pa ........... Nov. 1 4 Lebanon,Mo................... Nov. 11
St. Paul, Minn............ "’ 5 Monett, Me.................. " 12
Peas~ Minn............... " 5.6 Eureka Center, Minn. " 14, 15 Columbus,O .................
"
" 7, 8 Mankato,~ Minn ....... " 16, 19 Indianapolis, Ind ........... " 6 Claremore, Okla .......... 13
Princeton, Minn ........... " 18 " 7 Nowata, Okla ............... " 14
Cambridge, Minn ......... " 9 Evan, Minn................ St. l,ouis, Mo...............
" 11 Whalen, Minn............. " 20, 21 St. James, Me............... " 8 Coffeyville, Kan............. " 15
St. Paul, Minn............. Rolla,Me....................... " 9 Bartlesville, Okla ........... " 16

BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN
BROTHER C. ROBERTS
Ltnton, Ind .............. av. 4 Bedford,Ind ................... Nov. 13
Jasonville, Ind ............. " 7 Mitchell, Ind ................ " 14 Highland Vtllage~ N. 8. hov. 1 Canaan, N B .............. Nov. 13
Du~ger,xud ..................... Sparksville, Ind ............ " 15 Sprin~hill, N. S ........... 2,4 Nashwaak Bridge, N. B. " 14
Blcknell, Ind ..................... " Washington, In,~ .......... " 16 Athol, N. S ................... " 5 Frederickton, N. B ..... " 15
Martinsville, Ind ............. " 11 Montgomery, Ind .......... " 18 Amherst, N. S ............. " I;, 11 St. John, N. B ......... " 16, 18
Nashville, Ind ................... " 12 Orleans, Ind ................... " 19 Charlottetown, P. E. I. " 7,9 Rollingdam Sta., N. B. " 19
Moncton, N. B ............. " 12 Moore’s Mills, N. B ..... " 20

BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM
Pittsburgh, Pa ............... Nov. 1-4 NewCa~tle, Pa ............... Nov. 11 BROTIlER R. L. ROBIE
Waynesburg. Pa ........... " 5 West Middlesex, Pa ....... " 12 Nov. 1 Kearney, Neb ............... Nov. 12
" 13 Sutton, Neb...................
Washington, Pa ............. " 6 Sharon, Pa .................... Hastings, Neb............... "’ 2, 6 Brady, Neb................... " 13
Canonsburg, Pa ............ " T Farrell, Pa ............... " 14 Bloomington, Neb ......... " 4 North Platte, Neb ....... " 14
NewBrighton, Pa ......... " 8 0tl City, Pa ................... " 15 " 5 Big Spring, Neb ............ " 15
Meadville,Pa ................. " 16 Wilsonville, Neb .........
Elwood City, Pa ........... ’: 9 Grand Island, Neb ....... " 7, 11 Sidney, Neb ................. " 16
Ravenna,Neb ............... " 8, 9 Sterling, Neb................... " 17

BROTHER M. L. HERR
Pittsburgh, Pa ......... Nov. 1-4 Richwood, %r. Va .......... Nov. 16 BROTHER W. J. THORN
Wheeling, W. Va ..... " 11 Clarksburg, W. Va ......... " 18
" 19 Moose Jaw, Sask. -. .’:or. 1 Northcote, Mlnn............. Nov. 12
Burton, W. Va .......... 12 Wallace, W. Va. ............ Regina, Sask ......... 2, 4 Erskine, Minn............... " 14
Fairmont, W. Va ........... " 13 Mobley, W. Va ............... " 20 Minneapolis, Minn ......... " 15
14 21 Qu’Appelle, Sask.. . - 5
Morgantown, ~V. Va ..... " New Martinsville, W. Va. " Brandon, Man ...... " 6, 7 St. Paul, Mtnn............... " 16
Clarksburg, W. Va ....... " 15 Parkersburg, W. Va. ...... " 22 Portage La Prairie, Man. ’ S Milwaukee,Wis ............. " 18
Winnipeg, Man............ " 9, 11 Chicago,Ill ..................... " 19
BROTHER W. M. HERSEE
Oct. 30, 31 St. Catherines, Ont.....Nov. 10-12 BROTHER J. B. WILLIAMS
Grant, Ont ................. Hamilton, Oat ........... " 13
Cochrane,Ont ................. Nov. 1 Earl Grey, Sask ............. Nov. 1 Assiniboia, Sask ......... Nov. 9, 11
Timmins,Oat ................ " 2, 4 Woodstock, 0at ......... " 16, 18 Willows, Sask ............. " 12
Toronto, 0at ............ " 2~ Regina, Sask................... i’. 4, 25
NewLkskeard, 0nt ......... " 5, 6 MooseJ ~w, Sask ........... Marigold, Sask ........... " 13, 14
~tkcebridge, Ont ........... " 7, 8 I~t~ie. On/- ~ ~’ 26
Mazeuo Sask ............... " 6, 7 Joeville, Sask ............. " 115
VantageSask ................. " 8 Luella, Sask ............... " 16, 18

BROTHER J. H. HOEVELER
Nov. 11 BROTHER L. F. ZINK
Lebanon,Me................... Nov. 1 Joplin, Me.......................
Springfield, Me............... " 2, 4 ~VebbCity, Me............... " 12 Goderich,Oat ................. Nov. 1 St. Catherines, Ont...Nov. 10~1~1
5 Carthage, Mo................. "’ 13 Seaforth, Oat ................. " 2 Niagara Falls, Ont ..... " 13
Y’erona,Mo.................... " 14 " 4, 5 Welland, 0at .............. " 14
Monett,Mo..................... " 6 Jasper, Mo..................... Stratford, Oat ...............
" 7 Clinton, Mo..................... " 15 Brantford, Ont ............... " 6, 7 Port Dover, Oat ....... " 29
Wheaton,Mo................. Simcoe, Ont ............... " 30
Baxter Springs, Kan ..... " 9 Coal.Mo......................... " 16 Dunnville, Ont ............... " S

BROTHER H. HOWLETT
Nov. 1 Wendall. N. C: ............ Nov. 9 CONVENTIONS
TO BE ADDRESSED
BY BROTHER
RUTHERFORD
Durham.N. C ...............
Stem,N. C ..................... " 2 XVilson.N. C ............... " 11
" 4 Rocky Mount, N. C ..... " 12 New York, N. Y., Oct. 21--
Henderson, N. C ............. " T. M. Bedwin, 8118 95th Ave., Woodhaven, L. I., N. Yo
Loulsburg, N. C ............. " 5 Whitakers, N. C ......... 13
Raleigh, N. C................. " 6, 8 Enfleld, N. C ............... " 14, 15 Pittsburgh, Pa., Nov. 4----
~elma, N. C. ............ " 7 Scotland Neck, N. C ..... " 16 C. H. Stewart, 317 Grace St., Mt. W~shington Sta., Pittsburgh, Pa.
 ,,’,.
¯ ¯"" \’i’:":"’
,. ",,. , ,.,

. ’ ,,
.’ -,

~EMI-~[O.’~THLT ~O. 21
VoL. XLIV

Anne Mundi 6052- November 1, 1923

CONTENTS
CONVENTIONS ...................................................... 323
Toronto............................................................ 223
Winnipeg........................................................ 32 ~:
Saskatoon ................................................ 32
Edmonton................................................ 325
TaeolRa ................................................ 32,5
~f~os Angeles ................................................ .~26
The Resolution .............................................. 326
Public Lecture ............................................ ,’¢27
".’~IIGI-ITY TO SAVIf’ (Poem) ............... 32S
PRAYER-MEETINGTE.~T CO$[MEN2~................... 329
330
POWER O~ THE E.~L~ CHURCH .......
OUTREACH OF TIIE EARLY CItURCII .............. 332
BIBLES &NDBIBLE STUDY~IELPS ...................... 334
LETTERSFROM
AFIELD...................................... 335

,*, . .-. ~. "’1 will stand upon my watch a~d ~lill .~et my leer
~tpon the Tower, and will watch to uec wltat lie will
Soy unto me, and what answe~ I M.~It make to them
that oppose rtte."--Habakkuk Z: I.

, ~4 . t,

.
7 -=-- ~"
"~ "~’-~ L _~:zz:.’.’-’-.’---:-’--

. ...._

Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity the tma and the waves (the restl .ess, discontented) roaring; mett’a hearts faillng.them for fear and for lookin~
th0. thin~_s c~-ni~,~, ~-~°)~ the earth (society) ; for the powers of t he heaven~ (eeelesmstwsm) shah be shaken... When ye see these thihgs beg~n to come to pa~,
know t¢~at t.m KmgA,~m of God Ls at hand. Look up, hft up your head~, rcjotcc, for your redemption drawcth nigh.--Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:25-3L
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACREDMISSION
THIspresented
J~urnal is one of the prime factors
iu all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCHTOWERBIBLE & TmCETSOCIETY. chartered
or "Seminary Extension", now being
A.D. 1884, "For the Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may mevt in the study of the divine Word hut
also as a chaDnel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements cf the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister IV. D. ZL), which translated
into English is Minister o! God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This Journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
--redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 :
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which. , .has
been hid in God, . . . to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men aa it is now revealcd".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects ~nd creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuild4ng of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge otue
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH

That the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age---ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, wllen
finished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2 : 20-22;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when thq
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workman will bring all togetimr
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout
the Millennium.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world", "in due time".--
Hebrews 2 : 9 ; John 1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be ’partaker of the divine nature,’ and share his
glory as his joint-heir.--1 John 3:2 ; John 17:24; Romans 8 : 17; 2 Peter 1: 4.
That the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service- to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--~phesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24-*
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the lmpe for the world lies in tl~ blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom the
restitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified church,
when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiall 35.
% ..........
~1~{3t~IS ~D SY CHANGE OF ADDRESS
The friends will please take notice of the change in tlte
WATC/4TOWER.BI 5LE ~ TRACTSOCIETY address of the SOCIETY’S Canadian office. The SOCIETY now
18, CONCORD
STREET
Q i:i BP,.OOKLVN,/q.V.U.S’~¢ has a permament olliee at 38-40 Irwin Avenue, Tot(into,
FOREIGN OFFICES: British: 34 Craven Terrace, Lancaster ~..~, Ont-trio, Canada. All communications concerning the (’:ma-
Londoh ~V. 2; Canadian: 38-40 Irwin Avenue, Toronto, Ontario; dian work should be addressed there.
dustralasian: 495 Collins St., l~Icibourne, Australia ; South Atri~an:
6 Lelie St., Cape Town, South Africa.
PLEASE AH)DRE3STHE SOCIETy IN EVERYCASE. CONVENTION AT BOSTON
YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: UNITED STATES, $1.00 ; CANADA A three-day convention will be held in Boston, Mass.,
ANDI~[ISCELLANEOUSFOREIGN, $1.50 ; GREATBRITAIN, AUSTRALASIA, November 9, 10, 11. For further l~articulars address lhe
AND SOUTHAFRICA, ~S. American remittances should be nlade by
Express or Postal Money Orders, or by Bank Draft. Canadian, British, Secretary, Alexander Ogston, 48 Wyllis Ave., Everett, M,~ss.
SouthAfrican, andAustralasian remittances should be made to branch
offices only. Remittances from scattered foreign territory may be made CONVENTIONS
TO BE ADDRESSED
BY BROTHER
RUTHERFORD
to the Brooklyn office, but by International Postal MoneyOrders only.
(Foreig~t translations of this journal appear ~n several laaguage.~) Boston, Mass., Nov. I l-
Alexander Ogston, 48 Wyllis Ave., Everett, Ma~s.
Editorial Committee." This journal is published under the supervision Montreal, Que., No~. l,~
of an editorial committee, at least three of whom have read and Leonard Kent, 297 Ninth Ave., Bosemount, Montreal.
approved as truth each and every article appearing in these column., ~Iansfield, Ohio, Nov. 25--
The names of the editorial committee are: J. F. RUTHERFORD, U. G. Hostetler, (’are of Colonial Printing Co., Mansfield, O.
W. E. VAN A~IBURGH, J. HEMERY,G. ~I. FISHER, R. H. BARBER. Baltimore, Md.. l)ec. 2--
Chas. II. Anderson, 119 S. Cuh’ert St., Baltimore, Md.
Terms to the Lord’s Poor: All Bible students who, by reason of
old age or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR DECEMBER
journal, will be supplied free if they send a postal card each May
stating their case and requesting such provision. We are not only December 5: "Ye, . . . as living stones, are built up a spiritual
willing, but anxious, that all such he on our list continually and house."--I Peter 2 : 5.
in touch with the Berean studies. December 12: "To be spiritually minded is life."--Romans 8:6.
2~otice to ~ubscribers: We do not, as a rule, send a card of acknowl- December 19 : "It is raised a spiritual body."--1 Corinthians 15 : 44.
edgment for a renewal or for a new subscription. Receipt and December 26 : "The Lord is that Spfrit." "We shall be like him."
entry of renewal are indicated within a month by change in expira- --2 Corinthians 3 : 17 ; 1 John 3 : 2.
tion date, as shown on wrapper label.
Enteredas SecondClass Matter at Brooklyn,N.Y. Posto~llce., ~,ct of March3rd x87¢.

HYMNS FOR DECEMBER J.BSA, BE~EAN BIBLE STUDJ~ J

Sumlay 2 42 9 7 16 203 23 173 30 153 ByMeansof’ "The At.one*merit"
Monday 3 202 10 219 17 154 24 141 31 181
CHAPTER1 : THE FACT AND TItE PHILOSOPHY
Tuesday 4 82 11 ]88 18 185 25 16 CHAPTER2 : THE AUTIIOR OF THE ATONEMENT
Q. 57-63 Weekof Dec. 16 ......... Q. 7-13
Wednesday
Thursday
5 58
6 222
12 324
13 212
19 320
ZO 246
26 285
2T 196
Weekof Dec. 2 ...........
Weekof Dec. 9 ............
Week
Q. 1- 6 Week of Dec. 23 ..........
of Dee.30 ........................ Q. 22-28
Q. 14-21 l[
]]
Friday 7 30S 14 291 21 .59 28 157 Question books on "The At-one-meat/’ lOe Postpaid
SfxtllY(l’ty 1 214 8 15 143 22 229 29 70 II
VoL. XLIV Nov~aB~1, 1923
CONVENTIONS
"Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nati~ns."mlsaiah 45: GO.
HOSEwho are now the true followers of Christ
T Jesus were at one time of the world. They have
escaped this world and its corrupting influences
by and through the merit of Christ Jesus our Lord.
(2 Peter 1: 4) They have been translated from the
power of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.
(Colossians 1 : 13) Having been adopted into the house
of sons they have received the spirit of sonship. (I~omans
8: 15) They have been commissioned as ambassadors
for Christ to bear the messageof reconciliation to the
world. (2 Corinthians 5:19, 20) They have been com-
missioned to declare the day of God’s vengeance upon
the present evil world and to bear the messageof peace
and salvation to the peoples of earth and to tell those of
nominal Zion that the Lord has begun his reign.-
Isaiah 61 : 1, 2; 5B: 7.
As membersof the body of Christ these are m~,mbers
of his heavenly army, which under the leadership of their
great Captain, Christ Jesus, nowgoes forth to judge and
to make wan(Revelation 19:11-14; Psalm 149:5-9)
]-Iappy is their lot. Blessed amongthe creatures of
God, they are engaged in the greatest campaignof all
the ages. They are witnessing the old world crumbling
into the dust; and continuing faithful to the end of
their earthly journey they shall, with their Captain,
participate in the establishment of the new world. Love
is the motive that prompts all their actions, and as
members of his house they are devoted to each other
and to the Head of the house. They are commandedto
admonishone another in this day as they press on in the
campaign, saying, "Let not thine hand be slack." (Zeph-
aniah 3 : 16) The Lord has put a sweet song into their
mouths; and in harmonious cadences they sing: "The
kingdom of heaven is at hand." And they are command-
ed to "say amongthe nations that the Lord reigneth ;
the world also shall be established that it shall not be
moved:he shall judge the people righteously."---Psalm
96 : 10.
The prophet Isaiah seems to be speaking to this class
of feet membersof Christ, saying to them, "Assemble
yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are
escaped of the nations .... Tell ye [to the peoples of
Christendom] . . . Look unto me, and be ye saved, all
No. 21
the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none
else." In addition to fulfilling the terms of this great
commission the membersof the body are to build each
other up on their most holy faith. (Jude 20) They are
to encourage and exhort one another to faithfulness as
the end of the journey approaches.--Hebrews 10: 25.
Having, therefore, this commission and exhortation
from the Lord, the consecrated Bible Students ever and
anon assemble themselves together in convention. And
so it has been recently. Rememberingthose who are by
force of circumstances compelled to remain behind with
the stuff, and knowingtheir heart’s desire to share in
the feast spread by the Lord for his people, THEWATCnr
TOWER makes this brief report of a series of conventiona
recently held :
TORONTO
July 27-29, inclusive, a convention of the ~fble
Students was held at Toronto, Canada. The large, t
attendance of the consecrated was about 1,200. Broth(
C. J. Woodworthacted as chairman of the conventiol~.
which was addressed by Brothers Macmillan, Copeland,
and a number of others. Sixty-seven brethren symboL-
ized their consecration at this convention. On Sunday
morning there was a consecration service of the chil-
dren, conducted by Brother Rutherford, a large number
being presented by their parents to the Lord in con-
secration. It is particularly happy that at this time,
when the kingdomis being established, the consecrated
are earnestly looking after the welfare of their children,
presenting them to the Lord and beseeching him to give
them heavenly wisdomin the education and ~lidance of
their little ones. The parents owe an obligation to the
children naturally, but especially do they owe an obli-
gation to them nowto instruct them in things pertaining
to the kingdom.5Togreater heritage could be left a child
by the parent than a knowledge of the divine plan to
enable the child readily to receive the message of the
King, and to go rapidly upon and over the highway of
holiness.
In the afternoon Brother Rutherford addressed the
convention upon the subject of loyalty to the Lord and
to his cause. The hearts of all those present were drawn
near together; and they fully realized and appreciated
|24
WATCH TOWER
the fact that they had escaped from the world, that what this consecration service maymeanto their little
they were separate and apart from earth’s organization, ones.
that their citizenship is in heaven, and that they enjoyed In theafternoon Brother Ruthertord addressed the
the blessed privileges of being the ambassadors of the convention on theprivileges of serving theKingand
King, and the great privileges of proving their fidelity hiskingdom andof faithfully representing hisinterests
and loyalty to him. onearth. TherewereI,.105 oftheconsecrated present,
In harmony with the commission granted to the allof whomgavetestimony by theirsmilingcounte-
church the friends had advertised a public meeting to nances thattheywererejoicing intheLord.
be held at Pantages’ Theatre in the evening, to be ad- The Winnipegecclesia had put forth an unusual effort
flressed by the ]’resident of the SOCIETY. This theatre to advertise the public meeting, which was held in the
has a seating capacity of 4,400 and long before the hour largest auditorium in the city, used as a public skating-
[or opening the service the house was packed out, the rink. Without doubt it was attended by the gr~’atest
floors locked and hundreds turned away. The audience numberthat ever attended a religious meeting in (:ana-
gave rapt attention and showed a great interest in the da. A special sounding-board had been erected thai made
ntbjeet discus~d, namely. "Satan’s Empire Falling-- it possible for all the people to hear. The Wimdpeg
Millions NowLiving Will Never Die.’: It was an oppor- papers next morning announced that 10,000 were pres-
tunity to tell the people, and it was told to them, that ent; but we believe a conservative estimate wouhl !,c a
Jehovah is God, that Christ is King and that the hope little less than 7,000. The people showedgreat interest
and salvation of the world must come through Messiah’s in the fact that Satan’s empire, which has so long
kingdom now at hand. A great number of books were oppressed mankind,is failing; and that there is a better
taken by tile people. This concluded the convention; day just ahead. Blessed is the privilege of the Lord’s
and the friends returned to their homes, happy and con- people assembling together and calling together the
seious of the fact that this had been a blessed season of public to tell them that Jehovah is God, that Christ is
fellowship together. Manywere heard to say, and doubt- King, that the kingdomhas begun and that its blessings
less all said in their hearts: "It was good to be here." are at the door.
On Tuesday, August 7, a one-day convention v as held
WINNIPEG at Moose Jaw; and on Wednesday, the 8th, a one-day
The Winnipeg Convention of the Bible Students was convention at Regina. These conventions were addressed
held from August 3-5, inclusive. Brother C. A. Wise, only by Brother Rutherford. The public meeting at
was chairman of the convention. This convention was each place was well attended; and splendid interest was
also addressed by Brothers Graham,Hersee, Salter, and manifested by those who came, notwithstanding the
others. Space here will not permit giving a synopsis of opposition that had been put forth by the clergy to keep
the discourses of the brethren; but without exception people away.
they were helpful, instructive, and encouraging. The SASKATOON
testimony meetings showedhow greatly the Lord’s little A three-days’ convention was held at Saskatoon, Aug-
ones assembled together are appreciating their privileges ust 8-10, inclusive. About400 of the consecrated attend-
of service. One day was given over to service; and a ed. It was a blessed season of fellowship together.
large numberengagedin activity, with splendid results. Brother Johnson, Service Director, Columbus, 0., at-
This also afforded an opportunity to invite others to the tended this, as well as ’the Winnipeg convention and
public meeting. Brother Rutherford arrived in Winnl- others mentioned herein, and assisted in the organiza-
~ g on Sundaymorning. After meeting the elders of the tion of the drives and the sale of the books. Many
innipeg ecclesia and enjoying with them some sweet friends engagedfor the first time in the service, greatly
lellowship, he conducted a consecration service for the to their own joy. This convention was addressed by
~hildren, at which manyparents presented their children Brothers Wise, Hersee, Salter, Graham,and others.
Irate the Lord. Without doubt these little ones, whocan Brother Rutherford addressed the convention in the
understand, will long rememberthe day when their par- afternoon of the 9th, and the public in the evening. The
tnts presented them to the Lord. Sweet is the thought attendance numbered 1,400. At the conclusion of the
that this will be one of the treasure places in their public discourse an Episcopalian clergyman attempted
memory chamber when their parents are forever with to interfere and discredit what was said. But the audi-
the Lord. The Lord has promised that when the report ence almost unanimously put him to silence, thus indi-
of the people is written up all shall know who were cating that the people are becomingsomewhattired of
born in Zion; and these children will knowwhether or the nominal clergymen, who do not tell them the truth
not their parents are in the heavenly phase of the king- and whowish to interfere with their hearing the truth
dom. Calling ¢o mind the fact that their fathers and from others. Manyof the Lord’s dear saints traveled, a
mothers presented them to the Lord as children, will be long distance to this convention, coming across the
a great blessing to them throughotrt the entire Millennial prairies, at great sacrifice to themselves. It was a happy
age. It is scarcely possible for the parents to realize assembly, however, and all went awayrejoicing.
 WATCH TOWER
EDMONTON
The same brethren who had addressed the conventions
at Winnipeg and Saskatoon, attended and addressed the
convention at ]’]dmonton, August10-12, inelu d~ e. About
300 friends attended this convention, which was presided
over by Brothers Wise and Williams. As at the other
conventions the brethren had arranged for a special
service day; and a large number who attended the con-
vention went out in active field work, greatly to their
own joy and upbuilding in the Lord. More and more
they appreciate the privilege of telling the people con-
cerning the King and his kingdom and of placing in
their hands the food which the Lord has provided upon
his table for those who love him and desire to know
about him.
Brother Rutherford addressed the convention in the
afternoon on Saturday, on the "Christian’s Obligations
unto the Lord." The friends were deeply impressed
concerning their privileges and obligations, and many
remarked that they felt strengthened to go forth again
with renewed energy in the Lord’s service. The public
meeting was attended by about 1,400; they listened to
the proofs concerning the fall of Satan’s Empire and
that millions nowliving will never die.
Without doubt the consecrated of Canada have never
before been in such a happy, healthy spiritual state.
They are zealous, united in heart and in action, eagerly
pressing forward to serve the King and his kingdom.
Yaneouver had no convention because of the conven-
tion that was to be heht at Tacoma;nevertheless Van-
eouver arranged for one meeting addressed by Brother
Rutherford, which was attended by about 550. The
friends enjoyed a brief season of sweet fellowship to-
gether.
TACOMA
Withcmtdoubt the greatest convention of the conse-
crated that has ever been held in the Northwest was that
bold at Tacoma, Washington, August 14-19, inclusive.
Brother Piekering presided over the convention, which
v :is addressed also by Brothers Van Amburgh,Wise,
]tiemer, Herr, Baker, Salter, North, Nash, and others.
The largest attendance of the consecrated was approxi-
mately 2,000. The entire six days were given over to
discourses, praise, prayer and testimony meetings, except
one day, Friday the 17th, which was devoted to service.
A large number of the friends went with their automo-
biles to the country and canvassed the people, placing
a great number of books with them. The report at the
testimony meetings following the service day showed
howgreatly the friends who were engaged in this work
were blessed.
A baptismal service was conducted during the conven-
tion, and forty-eight brethren symborized their conse-
cration. Brother Rutherford addressed the convention
Friday evening on ’ff~oyalty to the Lord and His Cause,"
and on Saturday afternoon on the subject of "The
~¢irgius." A consecration service was conducted for the
children also on Saturday. On Sunday morning a ques-
tion meeting was conducted by Brother Rutherford. in
which much interest was manifested in the que~tnms
propounded and answered. This was indeed a happy
convention, and it seems impossible to have a better one
this side the vail. Everyone was rejoicing, having
special joy in the fact that they are privileged to have
somepart in telling the peoples of earth that the Kfi g
is present and his reign begun.
For the public meeting the TacomaStadium had be~ :~
taken. At an expense of $800 an electrical voice-ampl.-
tier had been installed by the Bell Telephone Compan.-.
This enabled every person within a radius of a mile ,~f
the speaker to hear clearly everything that was sail.
The friends of the Northwest made an extraordina, r
effort to advertise this public meeting. Announeemm.t
was made in seventy-eight different newspapers, includ-
ing most of the newspapers in Washil~gton state, ma>y
in Oregon, and Idaho, and some in British Columbia.
The railroads granted special rates for the occasion.
while street-cars issued passes to the people at a greatly
reduced fare. In the ordinary course of events it wouhl
not be expected that a town so small in population as
Tacomashouht have such a large attendance at a relig-
ious meeting; but this was the exception. The meet-
ing was held at 7:30 p. m., and long before the hour
great streams of people were pouring into the Stadium.
WhenBrother Ilutherford began to address the audi-
ence fully 20,000 people were present in the Stadium.
The, United States war fleet of twelve vessels, earryi lg
5,500 men, had anchored in the harbor on the previous
Friday, and within a short distmlee of the Stadium. In
testing the loud speaker on Saturday, the fleet was asked
to signify whether or not they could hear the spea’.:er ;
and they signaled that they could hear distinctly. On
Sunday evening the audience in the Stadium was auz-
mentedby the menand officers of the fleet, and in addi-
tion to this great numbers were on the hillside and on
the porches of their homes. Everyonewithin a mile could
hear distinctly. It was estimated, therefore, that be-
tween twenty-five and thirty thousand heard the lecture.
Mayor Faueette presided. He is a manof eighty years
of age; and when he learned that the President of the
SOCIEtywas to be present in Tacomaagain he signified
his desire to preside at the meeting and to welcomethe
people, as well as the speaker. A number of prominent
lawyers and judges of the courts from Seattle and Ta-
coma attended, and had seats on the platform. The
audience listened with rapt attention for one hour and a
half to the subject: "All Nations Marching to Arma-
geddon~but Millions NowLiving Will Never Die."
It was a wonderfully impressive meeting. The conse-
crated brethren whoattended this convention rejoiced
specially in the fact that they had been permitted to
have a part in telling the people concerning Jehovah and
the Lord Jesus, the King of kings, and that his kimgdom
is present. Thepress showeda kindly interest in report-
 WATCH TOg/’
ing the discourse; and within less than an hour after the
meeting closed on Sunday night news-boys were scurry-
ing through the streets, crying, "Full report of Judge
Rutherford’s lecture." The weather had been ideal up
until the time of the lecture ; within thirty minutes after
it was concluded a heavy rain began to fall. The Lord
seemed to hold back the showers until this outdoor meet-
ing was concluded, thus manifesting his favor upon it.
This convention and public assembly, we believe, has
made a great impression on the people in the Northwest
concerning the Lord’s kingdom now at hand.
A special car from Tacoma carried Brother Ruther-
ford and party to Los Angeles, a stop of one day being
made at Oaklan(], where a convention was held of the
Bay Cities’ classes addressed by many of the brethren
who were aboard the train making the journey for Los
Angeles.
LOS ANGELES
The convention held at Los Angeles for eight days,
August 18-26, inclusive, it was suggested, is an epoch-
making one. Approximately 2,500 consecrated attended.
Brother Sexton was chairman, Brother Pollock assistant
chairman. The convention was addressed by Brothers
Sexton, Pollock, Taliaferro, ttowlett, Seklemian, ~Ic-
Pherson, Anderson, Van Amburgh, Stark, Wise, Nash,
ttorth, Salter, Ricmer, and others. One day of this
convention was given over specially to service ; aid a
great number of the friends engaged in the canvassing
for the books, with splendid results. Space will not per-
mit us to give a detailed statement of the many interest-
ing experiences had by those who participated in the
work.
Thursday afternoon Brother Rutherford addressed the
convention on the subject of the "Wise and Foolish
Virgins," emphasizing the fact that the distinguishing
point between the two is this: The wise virgins enter
fully into the joy of the Lord, while the foolish virgins
do not possess that joy. We do not here attempt to set
forth even the substance of this discourse; for it appear-
ed in T~F, WATC~TOWERof October 1st. Saturday
afternoon Brother Rutherford addressed the Convention
on the parable of the "Sheep and Goats", a full report
of which appeared in the October 15th WATO~Towv.m
It seemed appropriate that this convention of the
consecrated, as witnesses for the Lord, should give a
dear expression of the proper attitude of a Christian at
this time and aid, if possible, our brethren in Babylon
to see their privileges of withdrawing and taking a firm
and positive stand on behalf of the Lord. At the conclu-
sion of Brother Rutherford’s discourse he read and mov-
ed the adoption of a resolution expressing these views.
The motion being seconded and the resolution discussed,
it was practically unanimously adopted, a standing vote
being taken. Everyone in the great audience stood, ex-
cept two persons, one of these being a nominal preacher,
who had evidently come in for the purpose of hearing
wh~t h~ could, who kept his seat and perspired pr~-
ER
fusely. The other was a secret service man, who was
present taking notes and who of course was not inter-
ested in expressing his views of the resolution. The time
seems to be appropriate to sound the alarm to the peoples
of the earth who love the Lord and his Word, admonish-
ing them to separate themselves from those who pretend
to represent the Lord but who at the same time repudiate
his Word. The resolution adopted is as follows:
RESOLUTION
We,the International Bible Students in general convention
assembled, again declare our absolute faith in and allegiance
to Jehovah God our Father and to his beloved Son, Christ
Jesus, our Redeemer and King, and our absolute confidence
In the Bible as God’s inspired Word of Truth given to man
for his guidance and instruction in righteousness.
As followers of our Lord whoare diligently striving to be
his true and faithful witnesses, we deem it our privilege
and duty to call the attention of all peace and order loving
peoples of all the nations to the deplorable conditions now
existing in the world and to point them to Messiah’s king-
dom as the only remedy for national and individual ills.
We hold and declare that Jesus Christ organized his
church in purity to represent him upon earth; that selfish
and ambitious men, loving earthly honor and glory more
than the approval of God, have brought In false doctrines
destructive of faith in God and his Word; and that as a
result there nowexist in the various denominational church-
es two general classes, to wit:
F]~ST: Those who pretend to be Christians, but do not
believe in the Bible as God’s inspired Word of Truth, who
repudiate the doctrines of the fall of man and his redemp-
tion through the blood of Jesus Christ, which class is made
up of apostate clergymen and "the principal of their flocks,"
who are worldly men of strong financial and political in-
fluence, which class exercises the controlling influence and
power in the denominational organizations ; and
SECONn:That great multitude of peoples who claim to
be Christians and who hold and believe the fundamental
doctrines of Christianity, namely: That the Bible is the
Wordof God written under inspiration of the holy spirit;
that the Lord Jesus came into the world to redeem man from
sin and death; that he gave his life a ransom for mankind;
that he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and
will come again and set up his kingdom, as he promised.
The class first above-mentionedare lovers of self, covetous,
boasters, unthankful, unholy, fierce, despisers of those who
strive to be good, heady, higb-minded, having a form of
godliness but denying the power therof, and who slander,
misrepresent and persecute those who faithfully try to
represent our Lord. (2Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 24:9;
Mark 13:9) While claiming to be representatives of our
Lord, they misrepresent him in this, to wit:
(1) They have forsaken the Word of God, denied the
fall of man and denied the Lord Jesus, by whose blood man
must be redeemed.~Jude 4.
(2) They have used tbe name Christlau and the Christian
religion as a cloak to hide their unrighteousness and to
enable them to deceive the people, and have committed
spiritual fornication by uniting church with political and
financial power.--Jeremiah 2 : 21-24 ; Revelation 18 : 3.
(3) While posing as the representatives of the Prince
Peace, they have prepared war, openly advised, encouraged,
and advocated the same, and by appealing to the patriotism
 1,19=3 .rh WATCHTO\ZrER
of the people have induced them to engage in war; they
have wrongfully preached the men into the trenches, caused
them to fight and die, have filled the land with a host of
widows and orphans, and thereby increased the sorrow and
suffering of mankind.--Romans 13: 9; Matthew 26: 52;
Hebrews12 : 14 ; Galatians 6 : 10 ; Luke 3 : 14.
(4) They have with selfish design invaded the schools,
colleges, seminaries and universities with their God-dishonor-
ing doctrines of higher criticism and evolution, have led the
people into gross error and destroyed the faith of multitudes
in the inspired Wordof God.--Jeremiah 12 : 10, 12 ; 13 : 13,
14; 5:25,30; 8:11; 9:8,9.
(5) They have spurned the true te’~chings of Jesus and
the apostles, have scattered the flock of God, have produced
a famine in the land for the hearing of the Word of the
Lord, and have caused the hungry and thirsty to starve for
spiritual food.--Amos8 : 11 ; Psalm107 : 4, 5 ; Ezekiel 34 : 4-6.
(6) They have hated the light and the bearers of the light
(Matthew 5: 14), refused to give meat to the hungry and
drink to the thirsty Christian, turned away the stranger,
failed to minister to the sick, persecuted and caused to be
imprisoned honest and faithful Christians, resorted to deeds
of violence against peaceable and order loving Christians,
and "on their skirts is found the blood of the souls of poor
innocents."--Jeremiah 2 : 34 ; Matthew25 : 42, 43.
(7) They have wilfully repudiated and rejected the teach-
ings of Jesus and the apostles concerning the Lord’s second
coming and the establishment of God’s kingdomon earth for
the blessing of the people, and have substituted therefor a
man-nmde, Satan-directed League of Nations which they
hail as the savior of mankind and as "the political expres-
sion of God’s "kingdomon earth," thus blaspheming his name
and cause. They have taken counsel together against the
Lord and his kingdom, which counsel Jehovah declares shall
not stand.~Psalm2 : 1-12 ; Isaiah 8 : 9,10.
Furthermore, we hold and declare that of those described
in the second class there is a multitude of the peace and
order loving ones in the denominatinnal churches, both
Catholic and Protestant, who have held and yet hold to their
faith, who have been kind and considerate with and respect-
ed the faith of their fellows regardless of creed or denomina-
tion, have fed the hungry and given drink to the thirsty, have
taken in the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick
and ministered to those wrongfully imprisoned, all in the
name of our Lord ; that these have hope in the kingdom of
our Lord Jesus Christ and its attendant blessings; and that
for such the Lord has declared his love.--Matthew 25 : 34-40.
Wepoint to the fact that God through his Word has de-
clared his vengeanceagainst all unrighteousness and particu-
larly against the present evil order (Isaiah 34: 1-4, 8) that
the Lord Jesus is now invisibly present Judging the nations
of earth; that the end of the world has come and the dash-
ing to pieces of Satan’s empire is in progress (Matthew 24
7-14) ; that all who willingly ally themselves with Satan and
his organization shall suffer terrible punishment; that those
espousing the righteous cause of the Lord and serving him
shall pass through the trouble and receive boundless bless-
Ings (Zephaniah2: 2, 3 ; Zechariah13 : 8, 9 ; Psalm41 : 1, 2)
that the line of demarcation between the two cla~ses of
Christendom is clearly drawn, and that the time has come
for the separation of those who prefer evil from those who
love righteousness and desire the Lord’s kingdom.
We, therefore, In the spirit of love sound the warning to
all such peace and order loving and God-fearing ones who
are associated with the denominational churcheS, and point
them to the fact that they can have no part in nor fellow-
ship with that class of pretending Christians who repudiate
the Wordof God and deny the Lord Jesus Christ and his
kingdom; and we call upon them to heed the Word of God
and separate themselves from the unclean thing (2 Corin-
thians 6: 17), to withdraw themselves from the unrighteous
ecclesiastical systems designated by the Lord as "Babylon",
and to "come out from her, lest they be partakers of her
sins and receive of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4) ; and
Weappeal to all such to recognize Jesus Christ as King of
kings and Lord of lords, and that his kingdom now at hand
is the hope and salvation of the peoples; and that they
individually and collectively declare themselves on the side
of the Lord and in sympathy with his cause, and be ready to
receive the blessings of God’s kingdomwhich he has prepared
for them from the foundation of the world.
This resolution will be used as volunteer matter for
this year, and will be issued shortly and sent to the
classes in such numbers as each ecclesia can well and
judiciously distribute. The purpose is, and will be, to
give a wide witness of the truth through this resolution
and we believe the friends everywhere will Luke hold of
the work zealously.
PUBLIC LECTURE
For several weeks the friends of Los Angeles had put
forth a strenuous effort to advertise the public meeting
to be addressed by Brother Rutherford at the Coliseum.
Banners were placed upon more than two hundred
street-cars; and approximately two hundred automobiles
belonging to the friends had banners on them for several
days in advance. Streamers were stretched across the
streets ; billboards appeared throughout the city; 500,000
handcards were distributed ; in addition to this, the press
was freely used, as many as fifty-five newspapers making
announcements of this meeting. Because no other hall
had been adequate on previous occasions to accommodate
the people who came to hear when Brother Rutherford
lectured at Los Angeles, the recently completed Coliseum
was engaged, witl~ a seating capacity of 75,000. It was
not expected that this immense building would be filled,
of course ; but it was expected that a large number wouhl
attend.
The street-car companies had been advised and had
promised to furnish extra cars to transport the people to
the Coliseum, which is some four miles from the center
of the city. The meeting began at three o’clock. The
Manager of the Coliseum drove through the city a little
before three o’clock, and reported that there were more
than ten thousand people in the streets clamoring for
street-car accommodations, who were unable to gct to
the Coliseum at all. On every side of the Coliseum for
many blocks automobiles were parked; and shortly before
three o’clock there were by actual count 29,000 peoplo
in the Coliseum, with streams pouring in from every
side. When the speaker began to address the audience,
over 30,000 people were inside of the building; and it
was estimated that from three to five thousand people
were in their cars on the outside of the Coliseum.
The electrical voice-amplifier recently installed f~rr
President Harding was used by the speaker. This ampii-
.~28 ¯ WATCH TOWER
fled the voice so well that every person in tile gl’eat
Coliseum,and those on the outside, could hear distinctly
every word. The public address was preceded by a musi-
cal program, which was well received by the audience.
For upwardsof one hour and a half this great multitude
listened with rapt attention to the discourse by the
speaker on the subject, "All Nations Marchingto Arma-
geddon, but Millions NowLiving Will Never Die."
Ever and anon the speaker’s remarks were punctuated
by a tremendous applause that rose from every part of
the Coliseum, the great audience thus indicating its
Lpproval of the telling points made. So clearly was the
voice transmitted over this amplifier that no one had
difficulty in hearing; but the demonstration by the
~udience manifested that it took fully thirty seconds for
the voice to travel from the speaker’s stand to those
farthest away in the Coliseum. Without doubt this was
the greatest religious meeting ever held on the Pacific
Coast, if not the greatest ever held in America. The
Interest was unusual. At the conclusion the speaker
asked all the audience to indicate their respect for the
Lord by silently standing while a prayer was offered.
It was remarkable to see upwards of thirty thousands
people standing in silence, and thus indicating their
respect for the Lord and for his cause. Then they in a
quiet and orderly manner withdrew, manyof them carry-
ing the books with them.
A total sale of books at this meeting and the drives
was 6,563, notwithstanding that Los Angeles and vicin-
|ty have been well canvassed.
In addition to this audience of over 30,000 people who
heard direct, a microphone on the platform connected
with a broadcasting station, broadcasted the lecture,
which was heard by people in manyother states as well
as on ships at sea. It is difficult to estimate the size of
the audience, including those whoheard over the radio.
Wonderfulare the manifestations of the Lord’s blessing
~pon the effort at this time in the closing days of the
~ld order and the comingin of the new, to give witness
|o his kingdom.Blessed is the privilege of those whoare
permitted to assemble and tell out to the people that
"MIGHTY
"Whois this that cemeth from Edom,
Garmentsall dripping and crimsonedwith gore?
Whois this that travels in power,
Tempestsabout him and fire before?
"Whocomeshere with legions of angels,
Cohortsof light, throughthe cloud-riddensky?
Who,this One, before whom the nations
Trembleand falter, and weakenand dle~
"Sing, ye heavens, wlth Jubilant’gladness;
Earth, submit,to your M~)nareh’s
Roar, Osea! Break, ~e waves, in your madness.
Listen, mysoul, for his ’Peace,be still r"
Jehovah is God, that his King has been set upon his
throne and reigns, and that millions of people on earth,
obeying righteousness, shall live and never die. Surely
there never has been a time in which God’s people en-
joyed such privileges of witnessing for the Lord and his
blessed arrangement; and this, together with the fact
that the Kingis here, should fill every consecrated heart
with joy. Truly can everyone say: "How can I keep
from singing I"
This convention and public assembly will go down in
history as one of the happy occasions along the journey,
in which God’s people were permitted to give testimm~y
in his behalf. Someof those present who, not emotion-
ally inclined, viewedthis great multitude listening to the
truth, wept for joy. It was a happy time; yea, indeed a
blessed time. All who were there who participated
either directly or indirectly, gave testimony to the joy in
their o~mhearts.
In no uncertain terms the speaker pointed out the
combineof the commercial,political, and ecclesiastical
powers of the earth for the purpose of controlling the
people. It was to be expected, therefore, that the press
ownedby big business would try to minimize the meet-
ing; and even so it was. The Los Angeles Examiner,
ownedby Mr. Hearst, gave a very reasonable report next
morning; and the Los Angeles Record, which is owned
and edited by menof liberal views, gave a splendid report.
But the other press of the city, ownedand controlled by
big business, had received their instructions from higher-
ups that no report was to be made. Notwithstanding the
fact that this was the greatest religious assembly ever
held on the Pacific Coast, it was treated by them almost
with silence. The consecrated have reason to rejoice in
this. Wedo not expect those who are arrayed against
the Lord and his Anointed to receive with enthusiasm
the kingdom or the announcement of the kingdom. May
each one of the King’s owntake courage and press on,
rejoicing in the fact that we are privileged to represent
the King ; that he who is for us is more powerful than
all that can be against us ; and that notwithstanding
all efforts to retard his kingdomit is majestically march-
ing on to certain and eternal victory.
TO SAVE"
"ICIark ! The rumbling thunder of armies,
Cherub and seraph are urging them on.
See! Theyclash l Theligl~t against darkness,
Clearing the way for the kingdomto come.
"LoI He comeswhose right is to rule.
See I He stoops to rescue his own.
Look! He takes the ’rod’ in his fury,
Hurls the usurperadownfromthe throne,
goodwill;
 PP.AY E R- MEETINGTEXT COM., F.NTo
TEXT FOR DECEMBER 5
"~’e .... os living stones, are built up a spiritual
house."--1 Peter 2: 5, R. F.
EREis another beautiful figure of speech. It
H pictures the Christ as a wonderful building,
the handiwork of Jehovah God. The chief cor-
nerstone of that marvelous spiritual structure is his
beloved Son, Christ Jesus. There are 144,000 smaller
stones, to be erected into the spiritual house. In the be-
ginning these lesser stones were rough, and did not corre-
spond to the chief cornerstone. The Lord graciously and
lovingly provided for the chiseling, polishing, and prep-
aration of the lesser stones, which when prepared will
be noiselessly erected into the glorious building of which
Solomon’s temple was a type. That marvelous spiritual
structure when completed will be the meeting place be-
tween God and man. It is God’s organization and is
spoken of as Zion, which God ’hath chosen for his
habitation.’
As a condition precedent to being placed in this com-
pleted temple, each stone must be made in the likeness
of the chief cornerstone; and this is accomplishedby the
process of transformation through the holy spirit. This
transformation requires the coSperation of each member
with the Lord, and also requires each one to be earnestly
active and energetic, obedient, faithful and loyal. It
requires a joyful performance of duty and obligation as
laid upon one by the Lord as his representative and
ambassador. To such the service of the Lord is a joy
and a strength.
In proportion as each one has the spirit of the Master
and appreciates his privilege, he puts forth an effort to
serve the Lord and coSperate with him in announcing
the kingdom,which will be the expression of God’s will
amongst men, restoring manto his condition of perfec-
tion and filling the earth with a happy, glorious race.
TEXT FOR DECEMBER 12
"’To be spiritually minded is life and peace."--
Romans8: 6.
HE new creature in Christ has had the promise
T of life everlasting upon the divine plane. 0nly
the spirit-begotten anointed ones can have such
a hope. The transformation of the new creature into the
likeness of the Lord Jesus is a gradual process. The
mind is the field of action; hence there is where the
"Thou must be true thyself,
If thou the truth wouldst teach ;
Thy soul must overflow, if thou
Another’s soul wouldst reach !
It needs the overflow of heart
To give the lips full speech.
transformation must take place. To be spiritually mind-
ed means to have a mind that can discern spiritual
things. ~quch is an impossibility with the natural man.
(1 Corinthians 2: 14) At the time when one is begotten
and anointed with the holy spirit, he begins to have an
insight into spiritual things. The promise set before him
then is life uponcondition that he continue to be spiritu-
ally minded;that is to say, that he continue to have his
mind occupied in searching out the precious things of
God’s Wordand in striving to conform his life to the
principles of righteousness announced by that Word.
That which is opposed to spiritual mindedness is the
carnal mind. The latter means to have the mind occu-
pied with things pertaining to the flesh, things that am
selfish. For the new creature to follow in this course
meansspiritual sickness, and to continue therein leads to
death. If the new creature would grow more and more
into the likeness of our Lord, the Head of the new
creation, that creature must occupy his mind with things
that pertain to the kingdom of God, and must fashion
his daily life in harmony with the righteous rules of
God’s kingdom. The business of the new creature is
therefore the King’s business. He must be concerned
with the things that pertain to the Lord’s kingdom. He
will, therefore, occupyhis mind by diligently consider-
ing how he may better qualify himself to represent the
Lord, and will earnestly strive to faithfully represent
the Lord both in word and in action. It therefore
follows that such creature must be active in the Lord’s
service as opportunity is afforded, and that such service
must be prompted by love out of a pure heart and be
joyfully performed.
Love and joy are fruits of the spirit which develop in
one who is spiritually minded and who continues faith-
fully in that course. The promise to him is sure and the
reward is certain. Both the promise and the reward of
glory held before him is aa incentive to spiritual minded-
hess. The more the mind is centered upon the Lord and
his kingdom the more rapid is the growth of the new
creature. The mind thus centered upon the Lord reflects
the Lord’s image, so that others maysee that such a one
is walking with Jesus and learning of him. Spiritual
mindedness, then, becomesa habit; and the growth of the
new creature is steady and healthy. This growth in the
Lord’s due time reaches maturity; and then the Lord is
pleased to grant unto such creature the great reward of
life everlasting upon the divine plane. Precious is the
promise ! Wonderful is the reward I
"Think truly, and thy thoughts
Shall the world’s famine feed;
Speak truly, and each word of thine
Shall be a fruitful seed;
Live truly, and thy life shall be
A great and noble creed."
 THE POWER OF THE EARLY CHURCH
--’DECE~IBER2----Ac’rs 2 : 1--8 : 1 ,
l~ GIFT OF THE IIOLY SPlltl’I~--ONLY ONE I’ENTECOST NEEDED----DECEIVED BY "TONGUES ’~ AND ]tIIRACULOUS ’~GIFTStt--E.kRLY
CIlURCH ACTIVITY ~[ANIFESTED NOW.

"lVhosocccr 6h.~lll c~ll olt the ~tamc of ,,he Lord shall be saucd."--Acts 2: 21.

T HE day of Pentecost was the greatest single day in the

history of the church. From one point of view it may
be said to be the day on which the church was born;
for it was the day on which the faithful followers of Jesus
received together his great gift to the church, the gift of the
holy spirit, which he himself had said was of more impor-
tance ta them than his own human presence. By it the
disciples were united in more than the common bond of
similar experiences and hope. They were made one body,
members of the body of Christ, and thus they became one
in Christ Jesus. (John 17:21) The holy spirit, which Jesus
had received of the Father for them (Acts 2: 33), had many
phases of service. The one mentioned particularly in today’s
lesson is that of power, certainly not the least of the phases
of the life with which the disciples were then enriched.
2The latest hours of the Master’s life had demonstrated
how weak the disciples were when brought face to face with
human authorities and, from a human point of view, how
very unfitted they were for the work that was before them.
But the gift of the holy spirit also demonstrated the power
of that spirit to make weak men strong and fearful men
courageous. Before, when danger threatened they had fled,
each his own way. Now, we see them bound in a holy bond
of faithful and courageous service to God, to their Lord, to
each other, in the service for which they realized they had
been called.
THF GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
aWe inquire : What is the gift of this spirit which came up-
on the church at Pentecost, and which ~o chm~ged the
apostles? Clearly ,t was not merely courage, nor enthusiasm,
nor that the apostles were quickened with a new desire to
be busy with something, or to get something done; nor was
it simply enlightenment, as if they then umlerstood something
which hitherto had been dark to them. All these qualities
are included in the gift of the spirit; but neither any one
nor all of them together is the spirit. The holy spirit is
the power of God which quickens, enlightens, and guides the
church; it is the life itself of which all the aforementioned
are the qualities. The gift of the holy spirit, then, is super-
human, and was a clear addition to the apostles; it was
something which the natural man could not attain unto
under any circumstances whatever.
~Many a man has entered into urgent religious service
or into foreign missionary work, who has been impelled by
motives and by a spirit which have never been above the
human plane. We venture to say that a large proportion of
the work done by those who are highly honored in Christen-
dom for their pioneer work as foreign missionaries has not
been wrought under the power of the spirit of God so much
as in and by the desires of a good and kindly nature with
which has been combined a spirit of adventure. Consecra-
tion to a service, however ardently and devotedly that service
may be followed up, does not prove quickening of the holy
spirit, or that such a one has that which the apostles re-
celved at Pentecost.
5What Pentecost meant most of all to those who received
Its manifestation and its blessings was the significance that
they were now of the anointed class. The first work of the
holy spirit is the begetting to a new nature; it is, aa it were,
the seed of life which at last brings forth a new creation.
Henceforth those who received it were new creatures
Christ Jesus. This is something very different from the
enduing of a comply of men with extra or even extraordi-
nary power for service.
eIt seems very fitting that the gift of the holy spirit should
come to the church on the day of Pentecost; for this day,
the fiftieth after the offering of the wave sheaf of ears
rheads] of corn [wheat], was that upon which two loaves,
made of the newly harvested wheat were waved upon the
high priest’s hands before Jehovah. (Leviticus 23: 15-17)
The loaves were baked with leaven, which made the offering
unusual; for leaven was a symbol of sin, and must not be
associated with the offerings of the people. (Leviticus 23 : 6,
17) The wave offering at Passover on the sixteenth day of
the first month of the newly ripened grain represeoted the
resurrection of our Lord, the first of the ingatherings of
Jehovah’s harvest gathered out from the dead. The offering
fifty days later of the two loaves baked with leaven repre-
sented the church presented to Jehovah, in the individual
members of which was the leaven of corrupt human nature,
although they were acceptable to Jehovah because they were
accepted in his Son. The two loaves also indicate the fact
that ultimately there are two classes disclosed in this one
offering, one less faithful in their sacrificing and covenant
than they might have been.
ONLY ONE PENTECOST NEEDED
Ht is sometimes claimed that there have been many Pente-
costs in the history of the church. Special seasons of reli-
gious revival or excitement are calied Pentecosts ; and there
are some who continually urge that Christians should now
seek another great revival, while some suppose this should
be the regular experience of the church. All this reveals
ignorance of the plan of God. There could be only one Pente-
cost or one occasion of the gift of the holy spirit to the
church; but there were two occasions when the gift was
manifested. Three and one-half years after Pentecost Peter
was sent to Cresarea; and while he was addressing the
assembled little company at the house of Cornelius, the holy
spirit fell on them, said Peter, "as on us at the beginning."~
Acts 11 : 15.
sSince the day of Pentecost no man has received God’s
blessings apart from that gift; there has always been a
link, a teacher, a preacher, even as Peter was the link at
Ccesarea. In the present day no man has received "present
truth apart from the instrument that God used to give it
to the church. It is proper, even necessary, to seek to enter
into the fulness of the blessings given through Christ to the
church. But none may seek another Pentecost or another
outpouring of the spirit of God ; for the spirit could be given
once only. The nominal churches disclose their lack of
spirituality in wanting another Pentecost, and even by talk-
ing publicly about it. But they demonstrate that it is not
enlightenment they want, nor really that the name of God
should be glorified; for they will not take the truth now
given to the people of God to guide them in his counsels and
thus to learn of the Lord. And there is no other channel by
which the power and life of the spirit can be gained.
9While the noted leaders of religion are bemoaning their
lack, faithful believers are receiving the blessings which
come with God’s gift of the spirit. These realize that it is
no part of the Lord’s purpose to have special seasons of out-
in bursts of religious fervor or excitement, nor has it ever been
so ; and that these are in no way outpourings of the spirit of
330
God, but are rather to be looked at as deceptions. They also
know that to be filled with the spirit does not mean filled
with a received enthusiasm so much as with the purpose of
a life wholly given to God and a determination to live out
the life of full consecration.
DECEIVED BY "TONGUES" AND MIRACULOUS "GIFTS"
1Pit is thought by some that the outward manifestations
of the holy spirit, such as the gift of tongues and an ability
to work miracles, should always be found in followers of
Jesus; and that the very apparent present inability of
Christians to speak in tongues is as clear a manifestation of
unfaithfulness as at Pentecost the ability was a proof of
fidelity. Such generally expect also to have, when faithful,
the other miraculous gifts of the spirit as were distributed
to the early church. (1 Corinthians 12 : 28) Some have been
badly misled under this delusion, and have fallen into the
l~,mlq of the devil, who has provided them with tongues,
whi(’h sometimes have been discovered to be filthy expres-
sions of a (to them) foreign language, while much of the
noise nmde carries no human meaning. Much in the same
way many who are associated with what is called evan-
gelicalism seek for some "power " to come upon or into them.
In the belief that the holy spirit is a person, they place
themselves ready for demon obsession, and thus they lay
tlwmselves open to the snares of the devil; for they get
something which carries them from common sense and often
from propriety.
XXl’aul distinctly shows that outward manifestations of a
supernatural power were intended only for the infancy of
the church, given with the double object of convincing out-
siders that the disciples were in touch with the risen Jesus,
as they claimed to be, and for the disciples themselves for
their help and encouragement. But these things belong to
the childhood of the true church, and were to pass with the
necessary infantile period ; then it would develo~ through
exercise in the higher qualities of faith and hope and love
in the written Word through the splrit.--Hebrews 5: 13;
1 Corinthians 13 : 11-13.
~2It is important to inquire : How much of the power of
the holy spirit may the church look for at the present time?
With the dangerous doctrine of the trinity out of the way,
so that he who would be filled with the spirit does not seek
to be obsessed or possessed by a "person" dwelling within
him, there are no people who know so much about the spirit’s
power and its relation to the Father, to the Lord, and to the
life of the church, as those Bible Students who by enemies
of the truth are said to ignore the holy spirit altogether
as a factor in the life of the church. The begetting to a
new nature and the anointing for service are always clearly
discerned; but the church should not lose the value of the
Lord’s words in the lesson : "Ye shall receive power." Though
without doubt this means power to understand, it as truly
means that there is heavenly help for the work of the Lord ;
and it is clear by the experiences of the brethren that the
Lord’s promise of special help for special times will be made
good. See Mark 13: 11.
EARLY CHURCH ACTIVITY MANIFESTED NOW
lSThose early days of the church were full of service for
the Lord; and never were the apostles wanting in wit or
desire to serve. They seemed quick to perceive and to take
every opportunity. It was a very busy time, one indeed
which seems to have its correspondency in the urgency of
the present-day service for the Lord. Sometimes fears are
expressed that the Lord’s people may get so busily engaged
in service as to forget to attend to their "spiritual" needs;
but there need be no fear that those who are moved of the
holy spirit will tack in spiritual development, and In any
case those who are opposed to the work of the Lord are not
safe counselors. Had these heavenly wisdom they also would
be busied in the harvest field, telling the good news of the
kingdom. The outpouring of the spirit and the immediate
results soon brought the disciples into conflict with the
religious authorities, the Sanhedrim The notable miracle
wrought on the lame man, which stirred Jerusalem so much,
compelled the Sanhedrin to take some action. They were
faced with the fact, which could not be explained away;
they were forced to confess that there was a power with
these people that was beyond them.
~dThe apostles were commanded not to preach in the name
of Jesus. Obedience to that mandate meant spiritual death ;
and Peter and John with the confidence of men who knew
that they had a commission from God asked the Sanhedrin
to judge whom they were likely to obey--God or them.
(Acts 4: 19, 20) These experiences caused the church to
to the Lord in prayer to tell him of the situation and to ask
for greater courage and confidence and boldness. And they
were answered immediately. (Acts 4:31) The apostles con-
tinued to witness, and all the church was occupied along
with them, and ninny miracles were wrought. (Acts 5:12)
Again the Sanhedrin had the apostles before them ; for they
were afraid, and rather complainingly said that the apostles
intended to bring the guilt of the blood of Jesus upon them.
Again the noble band said that they must obey God, not the
Sanhedrim ; that he whom the Jews crucified was now exalt-
ed to be a Prince and a Savior; and that they were his wit-
nesses, as was also the holy spirit which God had given to
thent that obey him. (Acts 5: 31, 32) The apostles were beat-
on. probably with rods ; but in spirit they triumphed, and the
be’ttmg gave them ~’eat joy. They saw that they were asso-
ciated with their Master Jesus both by their enemies and by
him; for they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his
name.--Acts 5 : 41.
~JThe earliest days of the church secr~ to have a close
correspo~deney with its last days. It is as if the ends of the
church’s life were welded together, the cycle being completed.
Similar experiences are coming upon the last members of the
church. The true followers of Jesus living in the spirit must
in some measure come into conflict with the rulers of the
present darkness; but whatever experiences come, they are
certain to bring increased happiness and confidence, even
as with the disciples of old.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
What may be said of Pentecost? What did it do for the disciples?
What gift came to the church at Pentecost? ¶ 1.
Whenwere the disciples weak? Howwere they made strong? ¶ 2.
How does the spirit opera, e? What is the specific gift of the
holy spirit? ¶ 3.
What kind of spirit has prompted nearly all foreign missionary
activities? ¶ 4.
What important fact was manifested to the disciples at Pentecost?
What is the first work of the holy spirit, and what may this bQ
called? ~ 5.
Whywas it appropriate that the spirit shouhl be given on Pento.
cost? What did the wave offering represent? What did the two
loaves represent? ¶ 6.
Is every religious revival a Pentecost? Howmany times have there
been visible manifestations of the holy spirit? ¶ 7.
Do people receive the truth independently of the spirit, or must
there be a connection between Pentecost and the recipient of the
spirit? Does this principle hold good in our day? ¶ 8.
What bl~sings do faithful believers enjoy while manynoted relig.
ious leaders bemoan their lack of spiritual perception? ¶9.
Is refusal in our day to speak wtth tongues an evidence of un-
faithfulness? Explain how the power to speak with tousuea
misled many, and whyit is a deception of the devil. ¶ 16.
What were the outward manifestations of a supernatural power
intended to do? What does Paul teach concerning this? ¶ U.
What advantages have the true disciples over the mere professor
of religion? ¶ 12.
Was the early church a busy church? In what direction will the
holy spirit lead the children of God, those who love God above
selfish interests? ¶ 13.
Is it the duty of Cllristians to obey the commandsor precepts
men? Why do~ God permit the world to treat his chtld~R
unjuslly? ~14,15.
 THE OUTREACH OF THE EARLY CHURCH
DECEMBER
9 ACTS8 : 1--15 : 35.--
s~GIFTS ’* A SIGN IN THE EARLY CHURCH--KEEPI.N’G CLOSE TO THE ~VORD OF GOD"--FAVORED
"Ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and iN all Judea, and Samar~a, and u~tto tl~v utte~most part of ~e ee~vth."
--Acts 1: 8. R. V.
O UR study for today tells us of that spreading abroad
of the witness concerning himself of which Jesus had
spoken just previous to his ascension. After the bless-
ing of Pentecost the brethren, who were mainly in Jerusalem,
occupied themselves in prayer and fellowship and doctrine.
In the first joy of their fellowship they endeavored to bring
about a family relationship in ~hicli all the needy should
have a fair share of the wealth of the richer brethren. But
dissatisfaction arose, and some dissension followed. Then
the church, guided by the apostles, set apart seven men to
attend to what might be called the business side of the
church’s life and work, an action which freed the ,~postles
for the direct preaching of the Word. In that company of
seven good men were Stephen and Philip, both of whonl were
io be much used of the Lord. Stephen, a bright and .~hiuing
light, comparatively quickly completed his work for the Lord.
q’he persecution which arose on the death of that faithful
x,itness caused the brethren to be scattered abroad; "tad as
"they . . . went everywhere preaching the word" there was
much increase in the number of those who helieved.--Acts 8:4.
2The dispersion or scatteriHg of the brethren may be taken
as an indication tlmt their ideal of a family arrangement
was not aecordi~g to the will of God. The experience also
reveals that the Lord did not undertake to keep the church
from errors of judgment. Furthermore, it teaches the church
that he uses experiences to fulfil his purposes; for the en-
deavor to adjust their circumstances caused Stephen and
Philip, two of the seven deacons, to be brought into promi-
nence. Here are lessons for the church in these days also.
It may not expect to have forward instruction, a:: if it were
a servant to be particularly directed as one withe,ut respon-
sibility ; but, following the guidance of the spirit, the clmrch
waits upon the Lord, and prays the prayer which seems
specially written for it at this time: "Teach me thy way, O
Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies."
--Psahn 27 : 11.
aE~crywhere, everyday, according to its vow the church
prays for the general interests of the harvest work, and
particularly for the brethren in the watchtower, who are
specially responsible; and in his own way God guides the
work ; for in that center the privileges and the opportunities
of service are seen and arranged for. It does not seem out
of place to remark that the Lord’s work cannot be sectional
or local. In its nature It must be one, and as world-wide in
its operation as the members of the body are in location. A Jews who believed. But the vision enlightened him, and he
local or partial work cannot be the Lord’s harvest, or wit-
nessing work.--Isaiah 21 : 5, 8.
"GIFTS" A SIGN IN THE EARLY CHURCH
4Some of the brethren went down to the city of Samaria;
for they had not the antipathy of the orthodox Jew towards
the Samaritans. Interest was quickened ; and Philip, who like
Stephen was a whole-hearted lover of the Lord and a capable
evangelist, went down; and the notable miracles convinced
the people concerning Jesus. All the city was stirred, and
very many believed and were baptized. Without doubt the
seed which Jesus at the well of Sychar had sown in the
heart of the woman of Samaria, and in the hearts of the
~thers who then listened to him, was now grown, and was
ready to be watered by the preaching of Philip.--John 4 : 5,
8041.
5A~ Philip was not an apostle, and therefore had not the
CITIES SINK II~TO OBLIVION
privilege of conferring the gifts of the spirit, which in the
early days were the outward sign of begettal of the spirit,
Peter and John were sent from Jerusalem. On their arrival
they prayed that the disciples might receive the holy spirit,
and they laid hands on them, and the holy spirit came upon
them. It is suggested by some that Philip lacked in faith and
in earnestness of prayer, and that he might have gained for
the Samaritans those gifts and blessings which came by
means of Peter and John. But there is no evidence that these
gifts of the spirit could be conferred by any save the apostles.
6In the early days of the church it pleased the Lord to
have an outward manifestation of the spirit accompany lhe
begettal and anointing of the spirit. (Acts 19: 1-6; 1 Corin-
thians 12: 7) Later, those outward signs gave place to the
graces of the spirit, which in their development give the out-
ward evidences of the indwelling spirit of Christ.
7Philip was now sent from the busy work in Samaria lute
the desert part between Jerusalem and Gaza. Watching for
the reason why he was sent there, he was ready for any
service. An Ethiopian eunuch, a man of authority, came in
sight, traveling with his company; and Philip under the
guidance of the spirit joined him. With commendable apti-
tude he entered into conversation with the Ethiopian, who
at that moment was exercising his mind on the very things
to make Philip’s ministry quickly effective. Philip preached
to him Jesus. A man of decision, as soon as water was seen
the eunuch asked for immersion; and by the roadside he and
Philip went down into the water, and he was baptized. "He
went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8: 39) Philip was next
heard of at Azotns, whence he went on to C~esarea, preach-
ing in all the cities.
SAbout the same thne Peter went down from Jerusalem
and had gotten as far as Joppa where, by the power of the
Lord, and in answer to his prayer, Dorcas was raised to life.
Peter tarried in Joppa many days with Simon, a tanner.
in C~esarea, where Philip now was, there was Cornelius tl~e
centurion, a devout man who feared God with all his house,
and who was regular in his prayers to God. Guided by a
vision he sent to Joppa to call for Peter ; and as the servants
of Cornelius were approaching Joppa, Peter also had a vision
which prepared him to go to C~esarea. (Acts 10: 17) Until
this time this loving, earnest, devoted, and quick-minded
disciple had not yet discerned that the Gentiles were to be
received into as close communion as God had given to the
gladly but wonderingly went with the messengers. While he
was speaking to Cornelius and his household and telling
them of his own enlightenment and preaching salvation by
Jesus, the holy spirit came upon that little company in the
same manner that it had come upon the church in the upper
room. Peter then knew that the Gentiles were called to be
fellowheirs and sharers in the covenant of grace.--Acts 10:
44 ; Colossians 1 : 27.
KEEPING CLOSE TO THE WORDOF GOD
9In the account of that early ministry, chiefly associated
with Philip, there are seven different phrases used to describe
the preaching. The scattered brethren ’preached the word’ ;
Philip "preached Christ" ; he preached "the things concerning
the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ"; "he
preached the word of God" ; "they [Peter and John] preach-
ed the word of ’the Lord" ; "they preached the gospel" ; and to
 ,. WATCH
the eunuch Philip "preached unto him Jesus". (Acts 8 : 4, 5,
12, 14, 25, 35) Whatever purpose the Lord had in causing
these things to be written, it is certain that here is instruc-
tion for every evangelist. That which the Lord’s people need
is not theory respecting certain phases of truth not clearly
made known to the church, nor exploitation of ideas, nor
fanciful possible interpretations, but direct instructions from
tlte Word of God concerning Jesus, and the Christ, and the
good news of the kingdom; and it may safely be accepted
that this account of Philip’s successful work for the Lord is
given not merely to relate the doings and tim inere~se of tile
church, but for our guidance as to similar su~.cessful service.
lie serves God and his hearers best who keeps close to tile
Word of God.
lOThese passages in the Acts mark the various stages of
tim fulfilment of Jesus’ words. (Acts 1:8) The message
was first preached in Jerusalem and Judea (Acts 1:1 to
7: (}0), then in Samaria (to 8:40), and the Lord had
prepared the way into the wider field.--Acts 10: 1.
nSome of the brethren who settled in Jerusalem later
settled in Antioch in Syria, and it pleased the Lord to gather
there a company of earnest and able men. These devout men,
interesting themselves in the work of the Lord, their circum-
stances and their sympqthies helping themselves to the wider
outlook over the Gentile world, fasted and prayed as they
mtmstered to their brethren and the Lord honored and re-
~,trded them. lie directed that Barnabas and Paul, who
were of their number, should be set apart for the work which
ln, had in mind for them. (Acts 13 : 2) The church at Anti-
och, which was now second in importance, and which came
to occupy a very prominent position in the life and work of
the early church, rose to their privileges ; and the two men
were sent out on what was the first ordered missionary tour.
~2Previous to this Paul had preached the gospel in his
home country, Cilicia; but this definite instruction by the
Lord, through the holy spirit and the church i’a Antioch, is
tht, first of its ~ind for the establishment of churches.
ththerto the word had been proclaimed wherever possible
by earnest men and women; but the diffusion of the truth
had been by providences, or by the persecution which dis-
persed the brethren. It seems singular that this first mission-
ary work should start from Antioch rather than from Jerusa-
lem. The Lord certainly had a purpose in this. Perhaps he
wished to show that this work was particularly under his
care. But more probably it was because the apostles, un-
traveled, and busied with their labors, had not yet perceived
that which had become plain to the leading brethren in
Antioch.
FAVORED CITIES SINK INTO OBLIVION
13The passages for today’s study include all the recotxled
history o1’ the early church up to the time when the gospel
was first preached in Europe. Jerusalem would be the home
TRUTH BRINGS JOY
])EAR BRETHREN
Greetings to the Household of Faith.
I want to thank the dear heavenly Father for the meat
he has provided for us in these last days, and I want to
thank him for the blessing he bestows upon Brother Ruth-
erford for the HAltP and its sweet music. It is a grand
book and I have the self-quiz cards; they are a wonderful
thhlg to me. So praise his dear name for the deep, still
waters of truth. I did not know they were so deep till I Doubt seems to be assailing
began to read these dear books and your publications. I intelligence
cannot tell the joy it brings to my soul, joy unspeakable.
I will always praise his name for these dear brethren at
8ethel, and I will remember them in my prayers.
Yours In the Master’s service, MRS. l~lxy HOLMS,Ark.
TOWER
of a large number of believers, and the church there would
call for much care by the apostles. Nearly all of them prob-
ably, of whose labors we know almost nothing, were used to
guide this large number; and their ability to speak with
personal knowledge og what the Lord had said would be
just that which was required by a people accustomed to be
guided by the word of authority. Jerusalem became the
earthly center of the church. Samaria, the hated city, had
been gt’e~l[ly moved by the truth, and the coast cities had
each its liltle company of disciples. But those cities where
most of the mighty works of Jesus had been wrought, and
out of which the disciples had come, are not heard of; they
sank into oblivion.--Matthew 11: 20-23.
*4A period of about seventeen years is covered by our
lesson. During that time the truth had spread to Antioch
and D’nnascus, and into Cilicia and Cyprus and Galatia.
But this early outreach and increase came about chiefly by
the faithful brethren seizing opportunities of service such as
are recorded in Acts 11:19, and by good men praying for
the interests of the kingdom, as in Acts 13 : 1, 2, and then by
the appointed labors of Paul and Barnabas; for God wouhl
prove that increase is made "not by might, nor by power, but
by my spirit". (Zechariah 4: 6) In those days the brethren
were spread "tbroad with very few means of communication ;
whereas now the Lord is gathering his people together in
order that they may give a united witness to the assembled
nations.--Isaiah 43 : 9, 10.
*~The outslanding feature of this study is that of faithful-
ness to opportunities of service by those who knew and loved
the Lord. Let every follower of the Lord f¢,llow the good
example.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Did the early church undertake to establish community interests?
Did this cause dissatisfaction, and what was the result? What
took place after the martyrdom of S,-ephen? ¶ 1.
What did the scattering of the brethren i~dicate? Does the Lord
k,._i) the church from making mistakes ar does I~ overrule all
t... ,lt~iugs? ¶ 2.
th~v ha~ the church Ioday been drawn l,~gether into ,t oueaes~ of
heart and mind and action? ¶ 3.
What did Philip accomplish at Samaria? What about t.ha seed
sown there by a’esus? ¶ 4.
Whywas it necessary for Peter and John to go to Samaria? Did
Philip lack faith? ¶ 5.
What superseded the outward manifestations of the spirit to the
church’s benefit? ¶ 6.
What were Philip’s experiences after leaving Samaria? ¶ 7.
What are the circumstances in which Cornelius got into touch
with Peter? ¶ 8.
Name the seven phrases used to describe the early preaching.
Who is it that serves the Lord best? ¶9.
How was the message to be heralded as to its scope? ¶ 10.
Name two prominent churches in the apostolic days. How were
the brethren at Antioch honored? ¶ 11, 12.
Does it seem likely that manyChristians lived in Jerusalem, and
that they had the services of the apostles not prominently known
In the Scriptures for their activities, the history of the early
church covering moveparticularly the activities Qf the brethren
whowere ~rpreading the gospel ,abroad? I] 13.
How was the gospel made known then? How is it made known
today? What is the difference and the similarity? ¶ 14, 15.
THE LORD PROVIDES FOR HIS OWN
DEARBRETHREN:
I cannot help expressing my appreciation at thi~ time to
the Lord for T~m WATCHTOWERarticles.
Every issue provides something which seems to me more
and more appropriate as the time goes on, nmre especially
since the heginning of this year. The general tone of them
shows how the Lord would provide in advance against
that which is soon coming to pass.
some, but to my humble
these articles ure right to the point and are
verily meat in due season.
May we all stand and acquit ourselves like men, is the
prayer of one of the least of my Master’s servants.
Your brother in Chrlst, A.a. Brass, ~alil.
 BIBLES AND E. BLE £TUDY HELPS
Retail prices have been revised on a number of our publications. LARGERSIZE, Ionic type, 20 Thou TM wilt Derfornl ~119 trnt~
~Phere are special class rates given for quantity orders, carriage
charges prepaid; these prices may be had on request. Colporteur self-pronouncing, ~ to ~T~tecob, and the merc~ to JJb~ca-
like this
rates may be had by colporteurs or prospective colporteurs on
application to the SOCIETY’S Service Department. Friends residing No. 1939 : price $4.00, postage prepaid. Same binding and con-
in foreign countries where branch offices are maintained will tents as No. 1919, only larger print ; a little larger hook. Size
kindly place their orders with these branches. The SOCIETY’S for- 5t"x7½".
eign offices are given below. No. 1959 : price $5.50, postage prepaid. Same as No. 1939, ~uc-
eept bound in genuine Morocco, calf lined and silk sewed.
WATCH TOWERBIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY, 1S CONCORDSTREET, Order by number ; patent thumb index, 50c extra.
BROOKLYN, N. Y., U. S. A.
FOREIGNAGENCIES: Australasian Branch: 495 Collins St., Mel- STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES
bourne, Australia ; Austrian Branoh: Postfach 8, V~enna 141-XXI.1,
Austria; British Branch: 34 Craven Terrace, Lancaster Gate, Lon- These STUDIES are recommended to students as veritable Bible
don W2, England; British Guiana Branch: Georgetown, DemararR, keys, discussing topically every vital doctrine of the Bible. More
British Guiana, South America; Canadian Branch: 38-40 Irwin than eleven million copies are in circulation, in nineteen languages.
Ave., Toronto, Ont., Canada; Central European Branch: Usterl- Twosizes are issued (in English only) : The regular nniroon cloth,
strasse 19, Zurich 1, Switzerland; Costa Rican Branch: 49| miles, gold stamped edition on dull finish paper (size 5"x7A"), and the
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Czecho-Slovakia, Europe; Danish Branch: Ole Suhrsgade 14, Co- width of the margins. The pocket edition~Volumes I, If, III, 75e
penhagen, Denmark; Dutch Guiana Branch: Nieuw Nickerie, Dutch each; Volumes IV, V, VI, VII, 85c each.
Guiana, South America; Finnish Branch: Temppellkatu 14, Itels- SERIES 1. The Divine Plan of the Ages, giving an outline of
ingfors, Fiuland; French Branch: Allmendstrasse 36. Bern. Switz- the divine plan revealed in the Bible, relating to man’s redemp-
erland; German Branch: Leipziger Strasse 11-12. Madgeburg, Ger- tion and restitution: 350 pages, plus indexes and appendixes, 35c.
many; Greek Branch: Canea, Crete, Greece; Hollandi~h Branch: Magazine edition 20e. Also procurable in Arabic, Armenian, French,
Witte de Wltstraat 111, Amsterdam, Holland ; Hungarian Branch: IIungarian, ltollandish, ltalian, Lithuanian, Roumanian, Russian,
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Box 257, Kingston, Jamaica, B. W. I.; Korean Branch: 35 Ahn- SERIES II, The Time Is at Hand, treats of the manner and
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tiana, Norway ; Palestine Branch: Ramallah, Palestine ; Polish on this subject : 333 pages, 35c. Obtainable in Dane-Norwegian,
Branch: P. O. Box 248, Warsaw, Poland; Roumanian Branch: Finnish, and Swedish, 50c; German, Greek, and Polish, 40c;
Strada N. Filipescu 10, CluJ, Transylvania, Roumania; South Arabic and French, 75c.
Afmcan Branch: 6 Lelte Street, Capetown, Soffth Africa ; Bwedtsh SERIES III, Thy Kingdom Come, considers prophecies which
Branch: Vastra Anggatan 9, Orehro, Sweden; Trinidad Branch: mark events connected with "the time of the end." the glorifica-
P. O. Box 194, Port of Spain, Trinidad, B. W. I.; We~t Alrican tion of the church, and the establishment of the Millennial kEg-
Branch: 16 Garrison St., Free Town, Sierra Leone, West Africa. dam. It also contains a chapter on the Great Pyramid of Egypt,
showing i~s corroboration of certain Bible teachings: 3~0 pa~es,
1. B. S. A. BIBLES 35c. Furnished also in Dane-Norwegian, Finnish, and Swedish,
50e ; German, Greek, and Polish, 40c ; French, 75c.
These Bibles are especially published for the use of the Inter- SERIES IV, The Battle of Armageddon, shows that the dis-
national Bible Students. In each of the five editions listed below solution of the present order of things is in progress, and timt all
there are 7{)0 pages of special Berean helps. Besides the special of the human panaceas offered are valueles~ to avert the end pre-
helps, mentioned above and elaborated below, three of the editions dicted in the Bible. It contains a special and extended treatise
contain Bagster’s Bible Students Helps, including an alphabetical on our Lord’s great prophecy of Matthew 24 and also on that of
list of proper names, aml Bagster’s Concordance and Maps--a Zechariah 14 : 1-9 : 656 pages, 40e. Also in German, Greek, Polish,
total of 180 pages. and Swedish, 50c ; Dane-Norwegian, Finnish, and French, $5c.
SERIES V, The Atonement Between God and Man, treats an
I. B, S. A. Bibles arc all printed with great care on thin rice all-importantsubject, the center around which all features of
paper, commonly called India paper. We not only supply these divine grace revolve. This topic deserves the most careful con-
Bibles at cast price, but because of large quantities ordered at a siderationon the part of all true Christians:618 pages, 40e.
time are enabled to secure a cost price far lower than that of Procurablelikewise in Dane-Norwegian,Finnish, German, Greek,
any other Bible of the same quality and size anywhere on the Polish,and Swedish,50c ; French,85c.
market. So well do these five special editions cover the average SERIES VI, The New Creation, deals with the creative week
requirements of Bible Students that we make no effort to carry (Genesis 1, 2), and with the church, God’s new creation. It exam-
others In stock. ines the personnel, organization, rites, ceremonies, obligations, and
The 700 pages of Berean Bible Teachers’ Manual mentioned hopes appertaining to those called and accepted as members of the
above comprise the following items : body of Christ: 730 pages, 40c. Supplied also in Dane-Norwegian,
Finnish, German, Greek, Polish, and Swedish, 50c; French, 85c.
PART I. WATCHTOWERCOMMENTARY ; Textual comments, from SERIES VII. The Finished Mystery, consists of a verse-by-verse
Genesis to Revelation, with references to THE WATCHTOWER, explanation of the Bible books of Revelation, Song of Solomon,
STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, and others of our publications, and Ezekiel : 608 pages, illustrated, 40c in cloth, 25c in magazine
showing the page where the text is more fully discussed and edition (latter treats Revelation and Ezekiel only). Cloth edition
elaborated. The terse, pithy comments are often sufficient to shed obtainable also in Dane-Norwegian, Finnish, French, German,
the desired light on an obscure text. 481 pages. Greek, Polish, and Swedish, 50c.

PART II. INSTRUCTORS’GUIDE TEXTS : This ts a topical arrange- DALLY HEAVENLY MANNA
ment of Bible subjects specially convenient for those who have
opportunity for teaching others the divine plan of the ages. Its A text is selected for each day of the year, and an appropriate
various topics are arranged under distinct headings, and the texts explanatory comment follows. The book has been designed to keep
appearing upon the subjects are collated. It is in condensed form, before all Christians the standards of right living, Its contents
consisting of 18 pages. being admonitory in nature and encouraging in effect. It is profit-
able when used at the breakfast table as a reminder of the prin-
PART IIL BEREAN TOPICAL INDEX : This index is alphabetically ciples set before mankind by Jesus. Comments are brief and pithy,
arrangedand presentsa largevariety of subjects,showingrefer- averaging approximately fourteen lines each. Opposite each day’s
ences to the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES and others of our publi- text a place is provided for the autographs of relatives and friends,
cationstreatingthese subjects.This featurecovers38 pages. which serves as a reminder of their birthdays. It includes Birth-
date Calendar for ascertaining the day of the week on which one
PART IV. DIFFICULT TEXTS EXPLAINED AND SPURIOUS PASSAGES was born, Topical Index to Scripture citations, Record of Mar-
NOTED:Specially difficult texts are listed, and references given riages. Births, and Deaths, and comments on the chief virtues of
shewing where they are treated in our publications. Following Christian character. Dark blue cloth, gold embossed, 5"x6½#|
this is a full list of various interpolations and passages of the English and Greek, 65c; Dano~Norwegian and Swedish, $1.00|
Scriptures not in the oldest Greek I~ISS. 13 pages. German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, and Roumanian, 85e. Gen-
uine purple Morocco, gold edges: English and Polish, $2.00i
Dane-Norwegian and Swedish, $2.50. Greek Do Luxe edition, 8Oe.
DESCRIPTION AND PRICES
S~IALLER SIZE, Minion ~ 14 Behold, myservants shall sing for CREATION DRAMA SCENARIOS
type, like this joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow
The ninety-six short, pithy lectures of the PHOT0-DRAMA elf
No. 1918 : price $3.00, postage prepaid. It is ~nall and light| CREATIONare supplied in two bindings and three styles: red cloth
size 4~"x6t". Red under gold edges, divinity circuit (l. e., flexible, (red edges), in English, Armenian, Dane-Norwegian, Finnish, Gee-
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No. 1919 : price $3.50, postage prepaid. The same Bible with Swedish, 85c. De Luxe Maroon cloth, embossed in four color~
the addition of Bagstcr’s Helps, Concordances, etc. gold edges, Polish only, $1.25;paper-beund edition in EnglislN
NO. 1928 : price $4.50, postage prepaid. This is the same book Armenian, Dane-Norwegian, Finnish, German, Greek, ~tungarla~
exactly as No. 1918, except bound in genuine Morocco, leather lined. Italian, Polish, Slovak, Spanish, and Swedish, 35c.
834
 THE HARP OF GOD CHARTS:
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This book gives a pointed and compact epitome of the subjects Divine Plan, ~i ft. (English, German, Greek, and Hungarian) 3.00
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the Bible into its ten fundamentals, it supplies the student with a Revelation, 6 ft. blue-print ............................................................ 3.00
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~IOTTOES :
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LETTERS FROM AFIELD

SUPPOSED NEW LIGHT PROVED BAD LIGHT the very midst of the battle between the beast and the Lamb.
The love and prayers of the saints here prevailed exceeding-
DEARBROTHER][UTHEI.’FOlH)
ly; and now I am learning the needful lessons, though pain-
It is with humble heart that I write you these few lines ful the humbling may be.
to acquaint you with {he particulars of a severe testing I hope that by the Lord’s grace I shall soon be restored to
which I, by the Lord’s grace, imve survived. the service of the cause we love, in his own good time, how-
About I~D ’ ’, ~(hs ago I canie in contact with a copy of ever. To this end I ’~sk an interest in your prayers, that I
Brother llobi-,)n’s nlanuscript on Revelation. I read it may be found faithful.
eagerly, along with other articles, and felt at the time that Your brother in Christ, WAY-TEa II. W~SSX~A~, Me.
it was new light. I read the theory of Mr. Knoch on univer-
sal recon(’iliation, which is practically universal salvation,
and the lileory that God is the author of evil, etc. etc. I BLESSEDNESS OF FELLOWSHIP
was swept along by an irresistible desire for knowledge ; and DEA~BRETI-II~EN :
before I reatized it, I was willing and ready to discard
Hark! while I tell you how my whole being is dancing
ninety-five percent of whnt Brother Russell had shown from
for joy. Our heavenly Father sent Brother Hemery to
the Scriptures to be the truth.
minister unto us, and oh, the blessedness of our fellowship
Had I stopped sooner and considered what Brother Russell in the truth!
had written on these very subjects in 1890 I would not have Blest be the tie that binds us specially to all whose
gone so far. After reading the December 1, 1922, WATC~ chief aim is to glorify God and comfort others, even as we
TOWER,I saw clearly the Lord’s ample provision for his little ourselves have been comforted.~Matthew5: 2, 4.
ones at all times, and that I was guilty of the sin of ingrati- By his grace, I amnow and forever :your fellow member
tude. It lost for me my privilege of being a public speaker of the heavenly choir.~Psalm 150.
in the St. Louis Ecclesia, as well as Director of Service, in S~STESIMps.) F_~zA LAND,’~ot~nd.
 International B le Students Association Classes
Iacc~urc~ and ~tudic61~ TravcUn~B~

BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER H. HOWLETT

Willard, Ga................. Nov. 15 Eastman, Ga ............. Nov. 23, 25 Whitakers, N. C ......... Nay. 13 Wilmington, N. C ....... Nov. 23, 25
Irwinton, Ga............... " 16 Atlanta, Ga............... " 26 Enfield, N. C ............. " 14, 15 Hayne, N. C ............. " 26
Davisboro, Ga............. " 18, 20 Douglasville, Ga ....... " 27 Scotland Neck, N. C ..... " 16 Salemburg, N. C ....... "" 27
Avera,Ga................... " 19 Dallas, Ga................. " 28 Vanceboro, N. C ......... " 18, 19 Fayetteville, N. C ..... 28
Dublin,Ga................... " 21 Rockmart, Ga. .......... " 29 Kinston, N. C ............. " 21 Charlotte, N. C.....Nov. 29, Dec.
Reutz, Ga................... " 22 Rome,Ga................... " 30 Mt. Olive, N, C........... " 22 RockHill, S. C ............... Nov. 30

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTHER W. H. PICKERING

Pittsburgh, Pa ....... Nov. 1-4 Detroit, Mich................... Nov. 11 Guelph,Ont ..................... Nov. 16 London,Ont ............... Nov. 23, 25
New Brighton, l’a .... 5 Ann Arbor, Mich ........... " 18 Toronto, Ont .................. " 18 St. Thomas, Ont. ...... " 26
Alliance, 0 ..................... ’" ~; Tiffin,0 ........................... " 25 Brampton, Ont ............... " 19 Aylmer,Ont ............... " 27
Canton, O ................... " 7 Toledo,0 ......................... " 26 Kitchener, Oat .............. " 20 Chatham, Oat ........... " 28
Wooster,0 ..................... " 8 Dundee, Mlch............... " 27 Stratford. Ont. ................ " 21 heamington, Oat ....... " 29
Mansfield,O................... " 9 Alma,Mich....................... Dec. 2 Woodstock, Ont ............. " 22 Windsor, Ont. ...... Nov. 30, Dec. 2

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK

Mareella. Ark N,,~.. 12 Noel, Me................... Nov. 20 Sisson, Calif. .............. Nov. 14 Canyonville, Ore. ..... Nov. 22, 23
Three Brothers, Ark ..... " 13 Siloam, Ark................. " 21 Ashland, Ore. .............. Roseburg, Ore .......... "
" It " 15, 16 25
Cotter, Ark................... Spriugdale, Ark ......... " 22, 23 Medford,Ore ............... " 1~ Eugm,e, Ore ............. ’ 26
Fill)pin , Ark .......... " 13 }’ayetteville, Ark....... " 25 Jacksonville, Ore ....... " 19 Marshfield, Ore ........... " 27, 28
3[olleU, MO ...... I(; ]0~t. Smith, Ark .......... " 26, 2~ Rogue River, Ore ....... " 20 Reedsport, Ore ........... " 29 30
Joplin, Me...................... " 1 Ozark,Ark................. " 30 Wolfe Creek, Ore. ...... " 21 Eugene,Ore ...................... Dec. 2

BROTHER J, W. COPE BROTHER B. M, RICE

Eureka Center, Minn. Nov. 14, 15 Rochester, Minn ......... Nov. 24 Robinson,Ill...~. .......... Nov. 16 Flora, Ill ......................... Nov. 25
Mankato, Mina ......... " 16 Tunnel City, Wis ....... " 25 Lawrenceville, Ill ....... " 18 Alma,Ill ......................... " 26
Evan, Minn............... " 1S ]~laek Rivm" Falls, Wls. " 26, 27 Bellmout,I11 ............... " 19 Patoka,Ill ...................... " 2,7
Mankato, Minn ......... " 19 Osseo,Wis................... " 2~ Dix,Ill ......................... " 20, 21 Vandal!a,Ill ................... " 28
Whalen, Minn .......... " "20, 2t Marshfleld, Wts........... " 29 Clay City, Ill ............. " 22 " 29
" " Oconee, Ill .......................
Winona, Minn ........... 23 Withee,Wis................. 30 Rinard,Ill ................... " 23 Pana,Ill ........................ " 3@

BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN
BROTHER V. C. RICE
"Washington. Intl. . . NO~. IG Bo(meville, Ind .......... Nov. 23 Coffeyville, Kan~............. Nov. 15 Muskogee,Okla ......... Nov. 22, 25
Montgomer.~, Ind .......... " 1~ Evansville, Ind ........... " 25 Bartlesville, O~la ........... " 16 Peggs, Okla............... "
Orleans, lml ................... ’" 19 O~ensboro, Ky ........... " 26 23
Pawhuska, Okla ............. " 17 Sfigler, Okla............. " 26
Saleal, Ind ............ 20 Magnet, Ind ............... " 27, 28 Tulsa, 0kla ................... " 18 Tamaha, Okla ........... "
French hick, Ind ........... " 2l Brandenburg, Ky ....... " 29 27
Sapulpa,Okla ................. " 20 MeCurtain, Okla ....... " 29
Tell City, lad ................ " 2:2 Louisville, Ky............. " 30 Okmulgee,Okla. ............. " 21 "
Waller, Okla ............. 30

BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM
BROTHER C. ROBERTS
Erie, l’a .......................... Nov. 18 Kane,Pa ......................... Nov. 25
Warren, Pa ................... " 19 DeYoung,Pa ................. " 26 Frederieton, N. B ....... Nov. 15 Woodstock, N. B ....... Nov. 23, 25
Onoville, N. Y ................. " 20 Chtrington, Pa ............... " 27 St. John, ~. B ........... " 16, 18 Millville, N. B ........... " 26
Salanlauca, N. Y ............. " :21 Chtrion,Pa ..................... " 2S Itollingdam Sta., N. B. ,t 19 Temple, N. B ............ " 27
Bradford,Pa ................... " 22 Brockwayville, Pa ......... " 29 Moore’s Mills, N. B ..... " 20 Woodstock, N. B ....... " 28
RewCity, Pa ................. ’ 23 Falls Creek, Pa ............... " 30 l’iereemont, N. B ...... " 22 Sherbrook, Que ........ " 30

BROTHER M. L. HERR BROTHER R. L. ROBIE

Clarksburg, W. Va ......... Nov. 18 Oakland, Md................ Nov. 25 Sidney, Nob.................. Nov. 16 Loveland, Cole ........ Nov.
Wallace, W. Va ............. " 19 Lmm,’oning,Md............. " 26 Sterling, Cole ................ " 17 Berthoud, Cole .......... " 22~
Mobley, W. Va ............... " 20 Frosiburg, Md ............. " 27 H’axtum, Cole ............... " 18 Boulder, Cole ............ " 26
New Martinsville, W. Va. " 21 Cumberland, Md............. " 28 Sterling, Cole .............. " 20 Colo/-ado Springs, Colo. " 27
Parkersburg, W. Va ....... " 22 Rerryville, VL................ " 29 Denver, Colo ............ " 21 Cripple Creek, Cole ..... " 28, 29
Mt. Lake Park, Md ....... " 23 Rock Enon Springs, Va. " 30 Greeley, Colo .......... " 22 Trinidad, Cole ..... Nov. 30, Dee. 2

BROTHER W. M. HERSEE BROTHER W. $. THORN

Woodstock, Ont ......... Nov. 16, 1 s Elmvale, Ont ................ Nov. 29 Northcote, Mlnn .... Nov. 13 Chicago, Ill ................
Toronto, Oat ............. " 25 Collhl~wood, Ont. Nov. 30, Dec. 2 Nov. 20
Erskine, Minn ............. " 15 Ft. Wayne, Ind ........ "
Barrie, Ont ............... " 2(; Meaford, Ont ................... " 3 Minneapolis, Mtnn ..... " 16 Mansfield, O. . " 2~
Or!Ilia, Oat ............ " 27 Owen Sound, Ont. ........ "4 5 St. Paul, Minn ........ " 18 Greensburg, Pa.
Midland, Ont ............ " 28 Wiarton, Ont ....... " ’6 28
Milwaukee, Wls .... " 19 Brooklyn, N. Y. ....... " 2~

BROTHER J. H. HOEVELER BROTHER J. B. WILLIAMS

Clinton, Mo................ Nov. 15 Loose Creek, Me ..... Nov. 23 Marigold, Sask ......... Nov. 13, 14 Weyburn, Sask ......... Nov. 25
Coal,Mo...................... " 16 Jefferson City, Me. .... " 25 Joeville, Sask ........... ’ 15 North Portal, Sa~L .~ ,’ 26
Deepwater, Me .......... " 18 Burton, Me............... " 26 Luella, Sask .......... " 16, 18 Oxbow, Sask ..... ,, 2~r
Freeman,Me............... " 19, 20 Macon,Me.................. " 27, 28 Harptree, Sask ....... " 19, 20 Medora, Mml. ,,
Pliant Hill, ]gO ..... " 21 Wheeling, Me............. " 29 V~lceroy, Sask ..... " 21,22 Sour!s, Man. " 29
Sedalia, Me ..... " 22 Chllli~otho, Ma. ...... " 80 Khedive, SUk. ~ " 23 ~eherne, Man. ~ " ~}
 .’.":::.::.

VOL XLIV SEMI-~ONTHLY NO. 22

AnnoMundi6052 - November15, 1923

CONTENTS
’*Kr, PT FORJESUSC~RIST".................................... .~39
What WeAre to Keep ........................................ 339
Keepin~the Truth ............................................. 342
Kept by the Father ............................................ 342
PRAYEIb,~IEETINGTEXT COMMENTS ...................... 344
LETTL’I:SFROMAFIELD.......................................... 345
WORLD-~VIDE
~IISSIONS.......................................... 346
Part of New Testament Written in Prison ...... 3t7
~NIVERSAL REIGNOF CHRIST............................... 348
tIopo of Israel to be Revived .......................... 348
THEWORLD FORCHRIST........................................ ?~,~0
God’.~ Plan "Working Steadily ........................... 350
Pealee~st’s Relation lo God’s Plan .................. 350
Divine Plan Opens Slowly ................................ 351

"1 ~cGl ~lan’l I~po~ m~! watch oad will .*et m~ foot
,~pon the "lower. and wll! aatch to see what He will
~ay ~o~to ~11¢’, al~(I I(’l~(It altst~ef ] ,~hall ~n(tke to them
that oppo~,e me."--Habakkuk 2:1.

~:~=~-~ .÷ 2.~~" ----::- ~=_- .....~.~

.the~ d~trem
o~vstionsw~t.hperplexity;
theseaandthewaves
(the_restl .ess, discontented)
roar|ng;.mmen’s
heartsfailingthemfor fearandfor Iooki~
ghe thin~ eommgupo~ the earth (society) ; for the powers of the heavens (~.l.emast~esm) shall be snagen.. , vc~e.~ ye~seethese things heg~n to ~ome to pa~,
tm0w tlmt the Kingdom of Cod ~s at hand. Look up, hit up your heads, re~mee, for your redemptmn draweth n]gh.~Matt. 24:33: Mark 13:29; Luke 21:2~3L
 THIS JOURNALLN]) ITS SACREDMISSION
THISpresented
Journal is one of the prims factors
in alI parts of the civilized
or Instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCHTOWERBIBLE & ~C~ SOCIETY, chartered
or "SQminary ~xtez~fon", now being
A.D. 1884, ’Tot ~he Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUmZSmost entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. M.), which translated
into English is Minister el God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
--redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all’. (1 Peter 1:19; 1 Timothy 2:6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:
15; 2 Peter 1:5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been ilid in God .... to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stand~ free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hatil spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be use4 only in his
service; hence our deci~ious relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our Judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH

That the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the gospel age---ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s bies~ing shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3: 16, 17 ; Ephesiaus 2:20-22;
Genesis 28 : 14 ; Gatatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when thq
last of these "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great l~iaster Workman:¢¢ill bring all together
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout
the Millennium.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which lighteth every ma~ that cometh into th6 world", "in due time".--
Hebrews 2 : 9 ; John 1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 ~" 5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him aa he is" be ’ partaker of the divine nature ,’ and share his
glory as his joint-heir.--1 John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
That the pr~ent mission of the church is the perfecting of the Saints fox tile future work of service ; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next ag~--Ephesiaus 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24 -"
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the hope for the world lies In the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, the
restitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorihed church,
when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiah 35.

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 VOLXLIV New,BEg15, 1923 NO.22

"KEPT FOR JESUS CHRIST"

"Judas, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to them that are called, beloved of Godthe Father and
kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy unto you, and peace and love be multfplied."--Jude 1, 2, R. V.
N THIS text the word kept means to guard from
I loss or injury by keeping the eye upon. It also
means hohling fast; to keep and to watch. Those
into the body of Christ he becomes a memberof the
"holy priesthood." (1 Peter 2: 5) Hence the rules thai
applied to the priesthood of Israel after the flesh apply
who are kept of God are the membersof his household. with stronger force to the priesthood of Israel after the
Speaking to this same class, St. Jude (verse 21) says: spirit. Concerning such the Lord says: "The priest’s
"Keep yourselves in the love of God." It is evident lips should keep knowledge." (SIalachi 2: 7) The keep-
that there is a close relationship between the keeping ing of such knowledge as here mentioned is not merely
of ourselves and the being kept by Jehovah. Weshall as acquisition of knowledge or understanding of the
find that if we keep ourselves in harmonywith Jehovah divine Word. It is one thing to acquire, and another
he will keep us for Jesus Christ. thing to keep. One may have the ability to acquire the
2Manwas created a free moral agent, with the libertyknowledge, but properly to apply it and keep it as he
of exercising his will. The newcreature in Christ Jesuswoulda sacred treasure often becomesa difficult thing.
is a free moral agent, with the liberty of exercising his 5The best way for one to keep the truth is to use the
will. In order to be kept for Jesus Christ he must truth by telling it to others. The more we give away
exercise that will in harmonywith the divine will. By of the truth, the more we increase in it. This was
acquiring a knowledge of Ood’s Wordthe new creature evidently the thought in the mind of Jesus when he
learns what is the will of the heavenly Father. The said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." If
responsibility of each one is in proportion to his knowl-
we attempt to keep the truth by merely acquiring some
edge. As one grows in knowledge and understanding knowledge and keeping it, as a sponge absorbs water
and never give it out, we shall not be keeping knowledge
of the will of God, the responsibility of keeping himself
in harmonywith that will increases. This is illustrated in the sense that the Lord intends, as expressed by the
by an earthly parent keeping his child from harm. Prophet.
While the child is very small, the father employsmeas- 6Again, the Prophet says: "They [the people] should
ures to keep it from falling out of bed or down the seek the law at his mouth." It was incumbent upon
stairs, or otherwise injuring itself. But the time comes,
the priest to read the law to the people, and the obliga-
as the child grows, that it is expected to look after tion was upon them to hear it. As the new creature, a
those things for itself. Whenone is inducted into the memberof the holy priesthood, proclaims the truth t,)
body of Christ by begettal and anointing of the holy the people of God, he is thereby keeping the knowledge
spirit, he is spokenof as a babe in Christ. (1 Peter 2: 2)
of the truth for himself and enabling himself to keep
tie is expected to develop and grow up into Christ.-- close to the Lord.
Ephesians4 : 15 ; 2 Peter 3 : 18. 7Again, the Apostle, addressing the royal priesthood,
8If there is a willingness toward righteousness and admonishes them to walk worthy of the vocation where-
an effort honestly put forth to serve the Lord, then the
with we are called: "With all lowliness and meekness,
heavenly Father exercises his boundless love and unlim-with longsuffering, forbearing one auothcr in love; en-
ited powerto the end that his child shall be kept in the
deavoringto keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of
hollow of his hand and prepared for membershipin the peace." (Ephesians 4:2, 3) Someof the Lord’s chil-
bride of Christ. dren have difficulty in appreciating the fact that all are
called in one hope of our calling and that all have one
WHATWE ARE TO KEEP great objective, to win Christ and be partakers of his
+It will be of profit for us first to determine what resurrection. Forgetting this, they often indulge in
things we are to keep. One would be a poor keeper or misunderstandings, unkind speech, which lead to strife
watchman who had no knowledge of what things he is and dissension, frequently resulting in the division of a
expected to watch and to keep. Whenone is inducted class of Christians. This is not right. It is incumbent
339
 WATCH TOWER
upon ca(.h one to keep the peace and to be willing to
be lon:;’suffering with his brother and to forbear one
another, always in love looking for some way to care
for the other in ordcr that he may render some aid in
keeping himself and keeping his brother as members
of the bride class.
8Again, some of those who start in the narrow way,
not being satisfied with what others are doing withdraw
and start a class of their own, endeavoring to draw
away followers after themselves. This is not keeping the
nnity of the spirit in the bonds of peace. If we prop-
erly appreciate the fact that the l,ord is the th~ad and
that there is but one body, then we may be sure that
if the Lord is leading one he is not leading an opposing
organization that is trying to do his work. If we are
once convinced that the Lord is carrying on his work
in a certain way, then it should be our pleasure to try
to further that way, even though fiery trials maycome.
Itere is an opportunity of forbearance in love. The fact
that one has ’ability to draw awayfollowers after him
is no evidence of spiritual growth; but on the contrary
it is an evidence of his ownselfishness and of the weak-
ness in others in following such selfish leaders. All of
the Lord’s children must learn to dwell together in
peace and holiness if they would see the Lord, having
their hearts united together in love. (Hebrews12: 14;
Colossians 2: 1-3) This is keeping the unity of the
spirit in the bond of peace.
~Theworld is the devil’s organization. He is the g~d
of it. He influences the minds of those that make up
the earthly organization. It has its allurements and
contaminations. The Christian belongs to the Lord’s
organization, and must see to it that he keeps himself
free from alliances with the world. The Christian is
represented as wearing the wedding garment resulting
from the righteousness of Christ Jesus. To such the
Apostle says: ’Keep yourseLes unspotted from the
world.’--James 1 : 27.
~°There is a natural tendency of humanbeings to fol-
low a leader. Satan lays hold upon one of stronger
mind and puts him in the van, and manyothers follow.
This is the deception of the world. The Christian must
war against such an influence and see to it that he does
not conform hhnself to the world nor mix up with it,
but that he keeps his mind ever fixed upon the Lord
and his kingdom. The Christian, therefore, should
avoid following ambitious men. Ambition was the thing
that caused Lucifer to fall. :He has led manyaway for
a similar reason. To keep ourselves unspotted from the
world, then, means to take a firm stand on the side of
the Lord and refuse to compromise ourselves in any
way whatsoever with Satan’s organization.
XtThe natural manis represented as being clothed in
filthy rags; and when he gives himself to the Lord and
the Lord imputes the merit of his sacrifice, he is pic-
tured as having a change of raiment. (Zechariah 3:
3, 4) This covering of the Christian is the robe of
Christ’s righteousness. To the prospective memberof
the bride of Christ it means this and much more. It
carries with it the expectation of being a memberof the
bride and awaking in the likeness of the great Bride-
groom. Concerning such the Lord caused to be written:
"Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments,
lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." (Revelation
16: 16) In this evil day not manyprofessed Christians
even (.~aim to be saints. Few have any well-founded
opinion of what constitutes the bride of Christ. Many
have discarded the robe of Christ’s righteousness alto-
gether, and yet claim to be Christians. Manyof these
occupying pulpits as teachers and preachers believe and
teach the doctrines of devils, exactly as the Lord fore-
told that it would be at this time.--1 Timothy 4:1, 2.
~2There is no other name given under heaven whereby
men can be saved except the name of Jesus. To keep
ourselves in the love of Godwe must continue to keep
ourselves in full appreciation of the merit of Christ’s
sacrifice and the covering of his robe, which makes us
acceptat)le before the Lord. Every doctrine that is of-
fered may be squared by the ransom-sacrifice; and any-
thing that is out of harmonywith it is not the truth.
And when we find ourselves inclined or tempted to
yield to somedoctrine out of harmonywith the ransom,
let us look well then to our garments, that we do not
walk naked and others see our shame. The robe of
Christ’s righteousness is our protection, our shield.
~aThere, are two senses in which we are to keep our
bodies. Oneis, in the sense that "he that is begotten of
God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth
[seizeth and holdeth] him not" (1 John 5: 18); that
is to say, he guards himself from spiritual loss and
injury by keeping his eye upon himself, upon his
thoughts, words and doings, and sees to it that these
are in harmonywith the divine standard insofar as it
is possible for him to do. He keeps his tongue from
evil and his lips from speaking guile. He remembers
that he occupies the high position of ambassador of
Christ, and as such he is eager to conduct himself in
such a mannerthat will bring honor to his King.
~Another sense in which we are to keep ourselves is,
that we are not to be a burden to our brethren. Con-
cerning this St. Paul wrote: "In all things I have kept
myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I
keep myself."--2 Corinthians 11 : 9.
~SAtrue Christian is governed by love. Love meansa
proper consideration for his brother. Someprofessed
Christians seem to have the idea that they should not
do any work, but that others in the truth who have
some means should take care of them and supply their
needs. Thereby they make themselves burdensome, con-
trary to the Wordof God; and such are not following
the admonition or the example of the Apostle. Our
Lord gives the proper example when on the way to
Emmaushe declined to turn aside and receive the hos-
pitality of the disciples until pressed to do so, thus
 ,m WATCH TOWER
showing that no one is at liberty, because he thinks
he is in the truth, to burdenhis brother by forcing him-
self upon him. Familiarity breeds contempt ; and if we
rush into our brother’s homeand make ourselves famil-
tar with his things it is hardly showing the proper
respect. The people of the Lord should be dignified,
considerate, and respectful. Any one who is showing
forth the true Christian principles will not makehim-
self a burdento his brethren, but will seek to take care
vf himself and to keep himself as S~ Paul did and
taught. There is no excuse for one who claims to be a
Christian to be shiftless, lazy, or what is often called a
"sponger." Everywhere the Scriptures admonish to dil-
igence, and this applies in everything.
~And again the Apostle admonishes: "Keep thyself
pure." (1 Timothy 5: 22) This includes keeping the
body clean and pure, and appearing decent in the pres-
ence of all; but it means nmch more than that. It
means to keep the mind filled with pure and holy
things. This was the same thing the apostle John had
in mind when he wrote: "These things write I unto
you, that ye sin not." (1John 2:1) If the mind
filled with things pertaining to the Lord and his ar-
rangement these are pure and holy things and will
enablc one to walk in purity as a footstep follower of
Jesus. The purity here then means pureness of thought,
of word, and of action. But back of all this is purity
of heart. That means the secret intent or motive that
prompts one’s action. The Christian must see to it
that all deceit, malice, hatred, ill will and everything
in the heart that wouldhave a tendency to do injury to
another is put away from him; otherwise he could not
have a pure heart, and is not keeping himself in the
love of God. Jesus specially commendedthe pure in
heart, saying, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they
shall see God."--Matthew 5:8.
~Theprincipal things that the Lord’s saints are in-
structed to keep are his commandments. A command-
ment is a law or rule of action governing the conduct
of the Christian. Such commandmentsare not for a
part of the body of Christ, but for all; and by these
fixed rules each one must follow if he reaches the plane
of glory. If we keep the commandmentsof the Lord
with a pure heart, this will prove that we love the Lord,
as St. John says: "This is the love of God, that we
keep his commandments: and his commandments are
not grievous." (1 John 5: 3) If thus we do, we may
be ~ure that we are keeping ourselves in the love of
God; for Jesus said: "He that hath my command-
ments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and
he that loveth me ,hall be loved of myFather, and I
will love him, and will manifest myself to him ....
If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my
Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and
make our abode with him .... If ye keep my com-
mandments, ye shall abide in my love: even as I have
nkept myFather’s commandments,and abid~ in hls love.
--John 14 : 21, 23 ; 15 : 10.
~sIt would be impossible for us to know the com-
mandments of the Lord without studying his Word.
This is whyit is so essential to feed constantly upon
the Word of God. With the mind we search oct his
Wordto ascertain his will; and then if with a joyful
heart we do what we conceive to be his will, prompted
by love, we may be sure that we are pleasing to him.
One thus doing has the assurance of fellowship with
God and with the Lord Jesus Christ. This fellowship
really meant partnership. This means jointly working
together for our good and for the good of others and
to the glory of God.
~’Speakingspecifically to the new creatures in Christ,
Jesus said: "A new commandment I give unto you,
That ye love one anothcr, as I have loved you." (John
13:34) This does not mean a selfish love. It means
both a phileo and an agape love. It means that love
which exists among the members of a well-regulated
family, where there is reciprocity to aid one another.
It is the love that binds togeth~,r the membersof the
house of the Lord, and each one has a special int~r:,st
in the other and is willing to makea sacrifice in 1).qmlf
of the other. It means that agape, or unselfish love,
which goes beyond the true family relationship and
still loves a brother with the unselfish desire of building
him up in the most holy faith. One having this love is
willing and glad to make a sacrifice in behalf of his
brethren. Wouldthat all the Lord’s dear children every-
where could see and appreciate this fully. There could
never be a division in the class if such were the case.
Instead of each one contending for what he conceives
to be his ownselfish rights, he wouldbe willing to sur-
render these for the benefit of peace and unity and for
the furtherance of the cause of Christ.
~°The love that the Lord Jesus had for us w,~s such
that it caused him to die for us; and we ought also to
be willing to lay downour lives for the brethren. In
thus keeping the new commandmentgiven to his people
we are keeping ourselves in the love of God, which gives
us more assurance that we are being kept by him and
prepared to be members of the bride of Christ. The
real test of our love for the Lord Jehovah and the Lord
Jesus is, that we are willing to makea sacrifice in order
to keep the commandmentsof the Lord, and that we
do it joyfully.
~After the resurrection of our Lord, in conversation
with Peter, he said to him: "Lovest thou me more
than these ?" And Peter answered : "Yea, Lord; thou
knowest that I love thee." The Lord’s response was:
"Feed my lambs." From this we gather the Lord to
mean: ’Peter, you have expressed your love for me.
[[qae best way for you to prove that you really love me
is to look after mylittle ones, the membersof the flock
that are small. See to it that you feed them Ul~Onthe
 BROOKL?X,
N’. Y.
WATCH TOWER
precious things myFather has provided for their suste- them from loss or injury by keeping the eye upon
nance through my hands.’ them] : for the time is at hand."~Revelation 1 : 3.
22T0 put him to a further test, Jesus again asked: 2’Illustrations multiply that the Lord continues to
"Lovest thou me?" to which Peter replied: "Lord, thou use the book as a test. It was not until a muchloved
knowest that I love thee." Our Lord answered: "Feed and very able but unstable brother was asked to teach
my sheep." Again here was a statement emphasizing a class in Revelation that it was brought to light that
the importance of our serving one another in love, look- he did not believe that the Lord is present, did not
ing after the interests of the flock of Godwillingly and believe in the chronology, did not believe that there has
joyfully; and this proves our love for him. That this been any harvest work in progress, did not believe that
lesson might be thoroughly impressed upon the mind of Pastor Russell was the Lord’s wise and faitMul servant,
St. Peter, and not only upon his mind but upon the did not believe that the nominal church is Babylon,
minds of all the church thereafter, particularly those etc., etc.
~vho should be elders, again Jesus said a third time: =STwicemore, in Revelation 2~:7, 9, the Lord pro-
"Lovest thou me?" to which Peter responded: "Thou nounces a special blessing upon "them which keep the
knowest that I love thee." Again Jesus said: "Feed sayings of this book." Surely there must have been
my sheep." some special reason for this thrice-repeated promise
and admonition, some special reason whythe book would
2aSo thoroughly did this impress St. Peter’s mind
be of value at the end of the age.
that long thereafter he wrote to the elders of the church
29The Lord in the same book also pronounces a special
in particular, saying, "The elders which are amongyou
blessing upon the overcomers--’qle that overcometh,
I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the
and keepeth myworks unto the end." (Revelation 2 : 26)
sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory
This seems to show that the Lord will have works even
that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is
downto the end. Quite likely the accompanying prom-
amongyou, taking the oversight thereof, not by con-
ise---"to him will I give power over the nations"--has
straint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a
a limited fulfilment even on this side of the vail. It
ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage,
cannot be supposed that the circulation of millions of
but being ensamples to the flock." (1 Peter 5: 1-3)
copies of the resolution adopted at Cedar Point would
Thus the Lord has demonstrated that pure, unselfish
be without any effect upon the nations amongwhomit
love for the brethren, such a love as he had and raani-
was circulated.
tested, means that we not only have a desire to do good,
but that we will watch for opportunities to do good to KEPT BY THE FATHER
them, even at a sacrifice, in order that they maybe fed, 8°The bride of Christ is designated in the Wordas
builded up, and grow up into perfect men in Christ. the daughter of the great King. (Psalm 45: 10) It is
to be expected that the great and loving Father will
KEEPING THE TRUTH
keep in safety his daughter, the companion of his be-
~To have the truth is not to have a little thing; it loved Son, depending of course upon her willing obe-
is to have a great thing--the greatest thing in all the dience to the Fathcr. The prayer of the Psalmist is
world. Whothat has a knowledge of God’s plan would that she shall be so kept: "Keep me as the apple of
exchange it for any possible consideration that might the eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings."
be offered? And yet some do exchange it, and for not (Psalm 17 : 8) Jehovah then through his prophet gives
even a mess of pottage. to such the exceeding great and precious promise that
2SOueof the special heritages of our day is an under- they shall be kept, saying, "He that dwelleth in the
standing of the, Revelation of St. John. For nineteen secret place of the most High, shall abide under the
hundred years the book has been closed ; nowit is open. shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is
The opening of it has been at once a blessing and a my refuge, and my fortress: my God; in him will I
test upon God’s people ; a blessing in bringing to light trust."--Psalm 91 : 1, 2.
certain truths reserved for the close of the age, a test S’Again, David voicing the sentiment of the church
of humility and of gratitude. If the book had been expressed great confidence in such keeping when he
explained by an angel from heaven some would not have wrote: "I will love thee, 0 Lord, my strength. The
accepted it if it bore the imprint of the Watch Tower Lord is myrock, and myfortress, and my deliverer;
Bible & Tract Society. To such it has been a stumbling- myGod, mystrength, in whomI will trust; mybuckler,
block. mid the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
~eThe Lord pronounces a special blessing upon those ----Psalm18 : 1, 2.
who understand the book at the end of the age and who 820f course one must first be of the house of sons
hold fast to that understanding. "Blessed is he that and therefore a prospective memberof the bride of
veadeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, Christ, and as such must continue steadfastly in faith
and keel~ those things that are writtau therein [guard to the end, in o~der to be assured of such keeping. The
 ,,o=,,m 1,=3 WATCH TOWER
apostle Peter concerning this says that these are "kept
by the powerof Godthrough faith unto salvation, ready
to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1 : 5) Those
whoare thus kept and who keep themselves in the love
of God by keeping the sayings of Christ have the
precious promise of life everlasting.
3aAfter Judas had withdrawn from the room at the
Lord’s last supper, Jesus gave a wonderful discourse
to the eleven who remained with him. In this discourse
he gave them much instruction as to how they should
deport themselves in keeping the commandmentsof the
Lord and keeping in his love. Then followed in the
same upper room that most marvelous prayer uttered by
the Lord Jesus; and in this prayer he said: "Holy
Father, keep through thine own name those whomthou
hast given me, that they maybe one, as we are." (John
17: 11) The fact that the Lord Jesus would utter such
a petition at such a time would be strong evidence that
the Father will guard the members of Christ’s body
from loss or injury by keeping his eye upon them. In
the same prayer the Lord again said: "I pray not that
thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that
thou shouldest keep them from the evil." (John 17 : 15)
The words of St. Jude (v. 1) are proof that the Lord’s
prayer was answered in the affirmative. There Jude
speaks of them as the beloved church of God, who are
kept for Christ ; and these are kept to be his bride and
joint-heir, his companion through eternity; and this
keeping is by the power of God.
~4St. Paul must have had such a thought of absolute
security in the Lord when he wrote: "Whoshall sepa-
rate us from the love of Christ ? shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or
peril, or sword?" Then he answers his own question:
"I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things pres-
ent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any
other creature, shall be able to separate us from the
love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ro-
marts 8: 35, 38, 39) But it will be noticed here that St.
Paul omits mentioning self. One might withdraw him-
self from the keeping of Jehovah. Thus he emphasizes
the point that those who are kept by the Father for
Jesus Christ must participate in the keeping in this,
that they must be willingly obedient to the Father,
abiding in Christ and his Wordabiding in them, and
keep his commandmentswith a glad heart.
~SThereis a precious promise given to those whothus
strive to keep themselves in the love of God, which
reads: "Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because
we keep his commandments,and do those things that
are pleasing in his sight." (1 John 3: 22) This is
harmony with the words of Jesus, who said: "If ye
abide in me, and mywords abide in you, ye shall ask
what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."---John 15:7.
36In the Old Testament there are words translated
guarded, iJroter, ted, and pr~erved, which have the same
meaning as the word kept here used. In Proverbs $: 8
we read that Jehovah"~oreserveth the wayof his saints."
David, whose name means beloved, and who is therefore
a type of the Christ, prophetically wrote as a mouth-
piece for the Lord’s kept ones: "Preserve me, 0 God:
for in thee do I put my trust." (Psalm 16:1) Fore-
knowingthat his people would be put to severe tests,
that they would suffer reproaches for the truth’s sake
and because of their confidence in him, for the encour-
agement of all those who would keep themselves in his
love Godcaused his prophet to write the prayer of the
sai~ts: "0 keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not
be ashamed; for I put mytrust in thee." (Psalm 25 : 20)
As these little ones of the Lord are the targets of the
wicked one, again the Psalmist writes their prayer:
"Keep me, 0 Lord, from the hands of the wicked."
(Psalm 140: 4) These are encouraged to pray with
faith and confidence, because they are the favored ones
of Jehovah: "Preserve mysoul; for I am holy: 0 thou
my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee."--
Psalm86 : 2.
S~The Lord Jehovah would encourage his children to
trust confidently in him. to keep thcmseh~esin his love
and to hold fast that which they have; and so his
prophet writes this assurance to the saints: "He pre-
serveth [keepeth] the souls of his saints; he delivereth
them out of the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 92 : 10)
It is those whotrust in the Lord that have that peace
and confidence which passes human understanding: not
those who are heady, high-minded, and trust in their
ownability, knowledgeor strength. And this is shown
by the words of the Psalmist: "The Lord preserveth
the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me."
~Psalm 116 : 6.
8sit would be reasonable to look forward to a time
when error would no longer be permitted to blind God’s
people, and that that time would come during the lm,s-
ence of the Lord Jesus, at his appearing to claim hi~
bride. The Psalmist seems to refer to this time in th~
harvcst period when he wrote: "The Lord shall pre-
serve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The
Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in,
from this time forth, and even for evermore." (Psalm
121 : 7, 8) Again the inference here must be drawn that
he preserves those who confidently trust in him and
who abide in the shadow of his wing: "The Lord pre.
serveth all them that love him."--Psalm 145:20.
89Summingup the matter, then, we see that all who
are in Christ Jesus and who diligently strive to keep
themselves in the love of God, whowith all their keeping
keep their hearts pure, who trust in the Lord with all
their heart and lean not to their own understanding,
who in all their ways acknowledge him, these he will
keep; and all the powersof the evil one and his agencies
arrayed against them cannot separate them from the
love of Crod and cannot pluck them out of his hand,
844 "rh, WATCH TOWER
for he who is for us is greater than all they that can Why is it necessary for one to keep htmself in harmony with the
divine will? Does responsibility increase? ¶ 2.
be against us. What is the present reward for every honest effort toward right-
eousness? ¶ 3.
4°The condition upon which this strength is mani- Haw may one become a member of the holy priesthood? Is there
a difference in acquiring and in keeping? ¶ 4.
fested in behalf of the children of the Lord is that they How may we keep the truth and yet g.ve it away? ¶ 5, 6.
What is the great objective of the Christian? How are his inter-
must each keep a pure heart. "The eyes of the Lord ests conserved? ¶ 7.
run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Is starting independent classes keeping the unity of the spirit?
If one can draw away followers does it indicate a growing
himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is spirituality? ¶ 8.
What is the duty of the Christian ? Whomshould he avoid ? ¶ 9, 10.
perfect toward him." (2 Chronicles 16 : 9) What a great ttow is the Christian made clean? Why the necessity for watch-
ing? ¶ 11.
and loving Father we have! What an invulnerable for- How do we keep clean? By what rule or doctrine may all doC-
tress l Here we may dwell in peace, confident that as trines be t~ted? ¶ 12.
What are the two senses in which we keep ourselves? ¶ 13, 14.
long as we strive to do our part in keeping our covenant Is it Seriptural to be burdensome to others? Ilow are fmniliarity
and dignity opposites? ¶ 15.
of sacrifice we are sure of God’s special favor. "Thou To keep ourselves lmre means what? What is the reward for
purity of heart? ¶ 16.
wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on How may we prove to the Lord that we love him? ¶ 17.
How may we know the comnmndments? How may we know that
th,’e: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord we are pleasing to him? ¶ 18.
forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting What kind of love. exists in a well-regulated family? How does
the agape love specially operate? ¶ 19.
stren~h."--Isaiah 26 : 3, 4. What is the real test of our love for God and for Christ? ¶ 20.
ttow may we paraphrase Jesus’ words, "Feed my lambs" and
41Let no one, then, be discouraged whois doing his "Feed my sheep"? ¶21,22.
What admonition did Peter write to the elders? What does it
be: t to please the heavenly Father. The trials maybe mean? ¶ 23.
How valuable is the truth? For less than what is it sometimes
fiery, at times seeming almost to overwhelm us. But exchanged? ¶ 24.
Wlmt is one of the special heritages of our day? tIow does it
keep in mind the words of the Apostle, that these light bless? How test? ¶25,26.
afflictions endure but for a moment, and are working Gi~e an illustration how the Lord uses Revelation as a test. ¶27.
To whomare the blessings promised? ¶ 2~I. 2’4, 2~,).
out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of By what endearing terln is the bride of Christ designated?
propbetic words represent her desire and determination? ;[ 20, 31.
What

glory. With our faces turned heavenward, our hearts
fully set uponthe Lord, let us have in mind that exceed-
ing glory, that eternal glory, which is far greater than
can be imagined or described by word or pen ; and thus
rest in confidence in the love of the Lord 1tutti we shall
have an abundant entrance into his kingdom.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Wtlat Is the meaning of the word "kept" in the text? Is there a
difference between keeping ourselves and being kept by God ? ¶ 1.
What is necessary for such care and relationship is be realized?
llas the heavenly Father a special care over the church, result-
ing from Jesus’ prayer? ¶32, 33.
What does Paul say about having security in the Lord? What is
the significance of Paul’s omitting himself in his answer? ¶ 34.
l~Iention a precious promise to those who keep themselves in the
love of God. ¶ 35.
What words in the Old Testament correspond to this word "kept"?
Give examples. ¶ 36.
Does lhe heavenly Father encourag~ his children to put their trust
in him? ¶ 37.
Is it reasonable that a time should come when God’s children will
no hmger be influenced by blinding error? ¶ 3S.
Summing up the matter, what is necessary on our part in order
to be kept in the love of God? ¶39,40.
If we do our best, is there cause for discouragement? What Is in
store for us at the end of the way? ¶ 41.

PRAYER-MEETING TEXT COMMENTS

TEXT FOR DECEMBER 19 to his resurrection change, when he may be free from
"It ~s ~a~sed a spiritual body."~l Corinthians 15: 44.
all these burdens and be clothed with his new body.
tIonest John must die before he can receive his new
N THIS text St. Paul makes mention of the reward
I and glorious body. His death must be like that of
granted to the one who, as a spirit begotten and Prince Jesus, in order that he may partake of the
anointed new creature in Christ Jesus, faithfully resurrection of Christ Jesus. Necessarily, then, while
performs his covenant of sacrifice even unto death. in the flesh he must follow a course similar to that
Every creature must possess an organism. While in which Jesus followed. "For even hereunto were ye
the state of development the will, the mind, and the called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
heart of the new creature must operate in the body of an example, that ye should follow in his steps." (1 Peter
flesh. Whensuch creature experiences his resurrection 2: 21) Jesus said: "I came to do the will of my
and awakes in the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ, Father." To follow in Jesus’ steps means that Honest
he will be clothed upon with a new body. That will be John must do God’s holy will. This is a condition
a spiritual body, madeglorious in the palace of the King. precedent to participating in our Lord’s glorious resur-
The it here mentioned is the creature, who for con- rection. Each new creature, then, should ascertain from
venience we call Honest John. From the time Honest God’s Wordand his providences what is the will of God
John is adopted into the body of Christ by spirit beget- concerning him an&then joyfully do that will.
ting and anointing, he realizes that he has manyweak- The Lord, the King of glory, is now present. It i~
]aesses which make his burdens grievous to be borne. the expressed will of Godthat Jesus’ true footstep fol-
He longs for the time of deliverance. He-tool~ forward lowers now announce the l~resenee of the K~g amddo

WATCH TOWER
it with joyful hearts. (Isaiah 52 : 7-9) Oneof the titles
nowapplied to the King of glory is the "Faithful and
True." His followers, now with him as membersof his
army, must likewise be faithful and true. In doing so
they will sing in their hearts, delighting to do God’s
will. Theywill appreciate the fact that it is the will of
God that they shall be conformed unto the character
likeness of the Lord Jesus, and will give diligence to
make their election sure. "If ye do these things ye
shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered
unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." What an incentive
to faithfulness in doing the will of God! Wonderfulwill
be the reward to those whocontinue in so doing.
Necessarily the mind must be fixed upon the Lord
in order to do his will. Staying the mind upon the
Lord and doing his holy will result in peace and confi-
dence in the Lord, and gradually transform Honest
John into the Lord’s likeness. While he tries to do the
Lord’s will he realizes howweakhe is, howdishonorable
he appears in the sight of others, howfar he is from
perfection. For his encouragement, however, the Lord
through his inspired witness sweetly speaks to him con-
cerning the glory of his resurrection change: "It [the
creature] is sownin corruption; it is raised in incor-
ruption: it is sownin dishonor; it is raised in glory:
it is sownin weakness;it is raised in power: it is sown
a m~tural body; it is raised a spiritual body."
Thus the victory is with Jehovah. By his holy spirit
he transforms the creature from an imperfect and dis-
oonorakle thing to a perfect and glorious thing. It is
the privilege of the creature to coSperate joyfully with
the Lord in the transforming process. The new creature,
knowing that the Lord by his spirit is changing him
from glory to glory, may always be content while in
the flesh. He can with confidence look forward to the
ol.ssedness of his glory homeand say: "I shall be sat-
isfied, whenI awake in thy likeness."
LETTERS FROM AFIELD
PROCLAIMING KINGDOM MESSAGE
DRAR BRETIIREN:
Greetings in the name of our dear Redeemer. We greet
you from our little cm~er of the kingdom now begun. We
desire to acquaintyou with the knowledgeof our ean}est
Christianlove and our loyaltyto the SOmETY,the channel
of much blessingto thousandsof faithful,honest-hearted
Christians.
Wc enjoyed the immense blessingswhich came to us, and
whichstillremainwithus, throughthe visitof Bro.M. A.
I:Iowlett.We should like to have kept him in Australia
very much.
The first speaker I heard here after I had been in the
truth six months was Brother McPherson, who sounded
here the first time the trumpet message: "Millions Now
Living Will Never Die." Since then I have been privileged
.~oin in that shout.
Our class is a very small one: Three sisters in town, and
ou~ "Teuty miles away, whomwe ofte~ meet. Weare busy
345
TEXT FOR DECEMBER 25
"The Lord is that Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17) "’Ws
shall be like him."---1 John 3: 2.
URINGthe entire year our minds have been
D directed to our perfect pattern, Christ Jesus,
and to the transformation resulting to those
whostrive to copy that perfect pattern. Christ Jesus
our Lord is that spirit being whomthe church when
completed shall be like. Nothing short of power divine
could transform an imperfect thing into the glorious
likeness of the Lord our Master. Whenthe work is
finished, each memberof that body will be a miracle
of God’s grace. Then each member will possess an
inward beauty and glory of character, and will be ar-
rayed in garments of surpassing beauty. "She shall be
all glorious within the palace." They will behold with-
out hindrance the beauty of Jehovah and his blessed
Son, and will continue to gain knowledge and wisdom
while dwelling in that house divine forever.
This glorious hope set before the church has all along
the trial time served as an anchor to the soul of each
member, holding them safe amidst all the raging bil-
lows, trials and persecutions, because Jesus has been at
the heavenly end of the anchor. ~Iany of these faithful
souls have already gone to be forever with the Lord.
Soon the last weary traveler will finish his course with
joy and then shall receive an abundant entrance into
that heavenly abod%where there is lulness of joy and
peace for evermore.
0nly by faith can the mind nowget a glimpse of the
blessings that await the church triumphant. But that
mental vision enables such a one to stay his mind on
the Lord and with patience and contentment await the
completion of the transforming process. Noweach one
holding fast to the Lord and his precious promises can
say:
"Content whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me."
getting out the proclamation message, -JaR futiowiaag
with colporteur work and lectures.
Yours in the Master’s service,
W. J. MOURtT,~. We,~ Australia.
DRINKING DEEPLY KINGDOM JOYS
DEARBROTHERRUTHERFORD :
Since the Seventh Volume was published nothing has
given me greater Joy than the wonderful exposition of the
article, "Virgins Fair," in the October 1 WATCH TOWES..It
iS to me Just as if the Lord himself (and so it truly is)
were today answering our earnest questions as he did his
beloved disciples of old. I have feasted on this precious
truth from the storehouse and drunk deeply of this refresh-
ing and stimulating draught, a foretaste indeed of what
our Lord has premised we shall drink with him in the
kingdom of our Father. It is Joy unspeakable.
Humbt~
~aur sister, ]XtmkO. H. ~.,~;(7olp.
 WORLD-WIDE MISSIONS
I~EOE~BER
16 ACTS16 : 1-28 : 31 ; ROmAnS
15 : 18-21 ; EPHESIANS
3 : 2-9.

BATANtSWITNESSNOTRECEIVED----PAULNOTDEPENDENT
ONOTHERS--PART
OF NEWTESTAMENT
WRI’rr~N IN ][YRISON.
t’l am not aslvamed ol the gospel; tot it is the power ol God unto salvation to ever~ one that bel~vvet~"--Romans 1:16, R. V.

O UR last lesson covered the life and work of the early

church from the time of the death of Stephen to the
time when the gospel began to be proclaimed
in
incident of the earthquake with its evident relationship
Paul’s imprisonment brought the jailer to fear and repent-
ance; and when in those midnight hours Paul preached to
to

Europe. Today’s study tells us of the entrance of the gospel him and his househoht the Word of the Lord, both he and
into Europe in Macedonia, in Greece, and in Italy, and takes they came into the truth. (Acts 16 : 32, 33) Thus in the peace-
Into account all Paul’s labors to his captivity in Rome. In ful quiet of the sabbath morn by the river side, and by the
other words we have before us all the chapters of the Acts violence of the midnight earthquake, and in all the commo-
of the Apostles from Acts 16:1 on. tion of a broken-up prison, the truth was first preached and
2The New Testament tells us of the wider outreach of the est~:blishvd in Europe. Satan made the same kind of effort
r~hurch in the same way that it relates the early increase; to discount the message of the gospel in Europe as he (lid tn
namely, by a series of narratives. There is no set record Israel in the case of our Lord; for when Jesus began his
covering the whole of the activities of the apostles. What- more public ministry Satan set the demons crying out that
ever order or constructional purpose was in operation was Jesus was the Son of God. (Luke 4: 4]) Our Lord repelled
hot arranged or seen or understood by those who were engag- their proffered coSperation, and Paul copied his example.
ed in the service. But to us who live at the end of the age it Later, and with less powerful upholders of the truth, Satan
is easy to see that the Lord’s hand guided the work, and succeeded in getting hold of the foundation truths (Hebrews
caused certain events to be written or to be left unrecorded, 6: 1) and perverting them, so that even good men timught
as pleased him. And it is evident that mffiieient for the they were doing the service of God when actually they were
Service of the church is recorded, just as the things written building up Satan’s empire.
of Jesus’s life are sufficient for its need. 6Paul made no attempt to carry the truth to every village
aWe have already noted that on his second missionary or hamlet. He judged it to be according to the mind of the
|ourney Paul and his companions intended to work in Asia. Lord that he should preach the gospel in the cities, in the
Paul would have gone either to Ephesus, or to Bithynia but centers of learning and commerce, whence the glad message
was prevented. (Acts 16: 6,7) Pushing on to Troas the might more readily be carried abroad in the earth. He en-
"man from Macedonia" in Europe called him, and Paul took deavored to get a hearing in Athens, and by persistence he
this as direction from the Lord. The party immediately at last succeeded. But Athens laughed at the central idea of
sailed for Samothrace, whence they went on to Pt~ilippi, his message. Its wise men, filled with the Platonic teaching
probably because it was an important center. On the first of the immortality of the soul, were too knowing to believe
sabbath they went out of the city gate to go into the field~ by in the resurrection of the dead. And who was this babbler
the river side; for they had heard that a little company met that he should attempt to instruct those who enjoyed the ful-
there for prayer. Says the writer: ’There we sat down ness of the world’s knowledge? (1Corinthians 1:22,23)
and spake unto the women that were come together.’ Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth, where amidst
(Acts 16:13) Amongst the women who met regularly was many trials and sorrows, and with fainting of heart, and
Lydia, "a seller of purple," which means that she was a with tears he labored for a year and a half. But the Lord
business woman. She received the truth ; and as her house- had there some who loved the truth; and a church was
hold were of ODe mind with her, a circumstance which shows formed which, if not very spiritual, was always dear to
her force of character and her good example, they were all Paul’s heart.--2 Corinthians 12 : 15.
baptized. She provided hospitality for the party, which
shows her largeness of heart and that grateful disposition PAUL NOT DEPENDENT ON OTHERS
which God can so easily bless. ~Later, Paul spent three years in Ephesus, the chief city
of Asia Minor, a center of trade, of learning, and of wicked-
SATAN’S WITNESS NOT RECEIVED ness; for the world-noted temple of Diana was there. {Acts
4Paul and his companions stayed there some time preach- 19:35) The Apostle was a wonderful man; for though
ing the truth, but before long Satan started opposition. As charged with the establishment of the gospel among the
God had used the heart of a good woman, so Satan used a Gentiles, as he well understood (1Corinthians 9: 17),
woman, but a poor victim of an evil spirit. Obsessed by a could go into a city like Ephesus prepared to earn his living,
demon the young woman followed Paul and the others cry- and to depend upon using such means to speak of and teach
ing aloud that "these men are the servants of the most high the gospel of the grace of God as spare time and opportu-
God, which shew unto us the way of salvation." (Acts 16: nities afforded, such as his evening hours and the sabbath
17) Her apparent coSperation was calculated to make it days. (Acts 20:34) It was slow work, which none but
appear that Paul’s ministry was from the same source as great man, who was well assured in faith, and who knew
her divination, and Paul cast out the evil spirit. The himself to be in communion with his Lord, could have
mediumistic powers of this woman were being exploited by maintained. But in this case also, as in practically all cases
a number of men, her masters, who made profit out of her where there is faithful service for the Lord, the devil
wretchedness. These, maddened, succeeded in creating an became a lively advertising agent. When the truth is
uproar; and they laid false charges against Paul and his preached Satan cannot keep still; and apparently he has
companions, saying that they were enemies to the state, and not self-controh In Ephesus, when the truth began to spread
were teaching things contrary to the laws of Rome. Philippi abroad, he stirred up the town until the whole city and the
was a Roman colony. country around were made aware of Paul and his mission.
5Paul and Silas were seized and beaten and cast into 8That the church in Ephesus grew in grace and in the
prison; but ~od delivered them by an earthquake. Finally knowledge of the Lord is very evident; for the Epistle to
the local Roman authorities apologized for the wrong which the Ephesians reaches the high-water mark of Christian
had been done to them, and besought them to leave. The experience and declaration. In ~ It is in contrast with the

WATCH TOWER
epistles to the Corinthians. To the Corinthian brethren
Paul had to say, though they were called to be saints, that
he could not write unto them as to spiritual, but as to carnal
brethren. (1 Corinthians 3:1) It would be a moral impossi-
bility for the matter of the Epistle to the Epheslans to be
written to the Corinthian brethren.
9Paul traveled from place to place, building up the breth-
ren in their most holy faith, and establishing the churches.
In this be endm’ed many hard experiences, and much physi-
cal suffering, though apart from the account of the rough
experiences at Philippi, there is nothing recorded in Acts of
those things he enumerates in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.
aOBecause Paul had a love for the Jews in Jerusalem,
amongst whomin his younger days he had lived anti studied,
because tie was anxious to show that though he was cMled
to be a minister to the Gentiles he continued to have a warm
heart tow.trd his people, he had set himself to make a
collection far the sufferers in Jerusalem. Thinking it good
to deliver the collection in person, lie set his face to go
there, though in every place on his Journey there was a
witness to him that sufferings and bon(ls awaited him.
(Romans 15:25-28; Acts 20: 23) His experiences in Jerusa-
lem were bard; he had only part of one day and the next
day in fellowship with the brethren and the elders.
PART OF NEW TESTAMENT WRITTEN IN PRISON
laFollowlng their advice to go into the temple as a faithful
son of Israel, he was soon in danger of his life by the sons
of tho~ men through whom the Lord met his death. The
imme(liate result of the turmoil was a compulsory cessation
of his work for nearly five years: Two years in prison in
Cmsarea, then the long winter experience of the shipwreck
at Malta, and then two years imprisonment in Rome. With-
out doubt this break in his life would be used by Satan as a
temptation to him; and indeed[ this must also have been the
case with the well-known brethren who labored with Paul,
and whose activities in the mission work must likewise have
been curtailed or stopped. But the Lord, who is the Head of
tim church, saw greater results to come from Paul’s imprison-
ment and from his witness preparatory to his confinement
and during it, than could have been gained from his continu-
ed active service. Paul’s life was for the church as a whole,
and not merely for the brethren of his own day or generathm.
Moreover, the imprisonment in Cmsarea almost certainly
pr¢)duced the gospel by Luke, who was with him tlmre;
while the imprisonment in Rome developed that maturity
which Is so manifest in the captivity eplstles--Ephesians,
Colossians and Philippians, which were written at that time.
~2’l’here are points of muchinterest contained in this study,
aml many valuable lessons may be learned from it. One point
which may be considered of first importance Is the fact that
Paul in very considerable measure was left to his judgment
as to where he would work. and how long he would stay.
We noted that he was guided to Europe by providences;
and, of course, in such matters as his imprisonments he was
under divine control. But he makes no mention of prayer
for divine guidance as to the details of his work, where he
"Once to every man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of Truth with Falsehood
For the good or evil side ....
Then it is the brave man chooses,
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue
Of the faith they had denied.
347
should go or what he should do. Such g ention aa there 1$
of prayer is for readiness of utterance and for divine
blessing on his work.---Colossians 4 : 3 ; 2 Thessalonians 3 : 1.
18This course seems still to be God’s way of guiding his
people whether as a church or as individuals. He brings
such providences to bear upon their circumstances and life
as necessit.lte changes. But his way for his children is
rather that of a master dealing with a steward than with
a servant under direction; and their relationship to him is
not even that of super-servant who needs continually to
seek to know whether he should, or should not, do certain
things which present themselves either in ordinary life or
even in the Lord’s service. God’s purpose with his little
flock, his faithful servants, is to develop their judgment
and give them exercise in discretion to bring them to a
maturity which continual instruction cannot possibly develop.
Z4Another point is worthy of mention. Paul had visions
from the Lord; as when the man of Macedonia called him
to Europe, and as when the Lord himself stood by him In
Corinth to tell him that he had much people there. But such
direct tokens of the Lord’s favor and his watchful care and
presence in spirit with his servants are no guarantee that
the servant will have an easy pathway made for him, or that
difficulties will be removed from his work. It was not long
after Paul had the vision in Troas that he was in the
Philippian jail beaten and sore with stripes. The servant of
God may have every reason to believe that the Lord’s
blessing is with him in his work ; but it does not follow that
he will have constant success, or that his difficulties will be
quickly removed. Our life Is one of faith, and our work
must be done in faith.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Of what does today’s lesson teach? Principally whose activities
does it cover? ¶ 1.
Is there a providential overruling in connection with what is writ-
ten in the Acts of the Apostles? If so. what was theobiect? ¶ 2.
What did it mean to Paul to hear the call from Macedonia? What
wa.~ done the first sabbath there? What flid Lydia do? 73.
Contrast the operation of God’s power with that of Satan. What
was Satan’s object in giving t~tlmony to tile truth? What did
God permit to be done when Satan lost his victim? ¶ 4.
Howwas God’s power exercised to accomplish his purpose and at
the same time develop the faith of his obedient sons? Whom
does God want to herahl his truth? ¶ 5.
Where did Paul do his preaching? Why was it hard to get a
hearing in Athens? Where did Paul next labor and under what
difficulties? ¶ 6.
What did Paul do at Ephesus, and were his meetings "seats free
and no collection"? Whohelped advertise his meetings? ¶ 7.
What is the difference, and why is the difference, between th6
epistles to the Ephesians and to the Corinthians? Are we bene-
fited by both, and how? ¶ 8.
Are there often hard experiences and physical suffering connected
with the proclamation of the truth? ¶ 9.
Was Paul’s collection taken up for himself or for a new "church"
buihling or for a parsonage or what? What prompted it? ¶ 10.
T4ow was Paul rewarded for his zeal for tim Jerusalem brethren?
Were Paul’s imprisonments a test to him and to those with
him? ilow did the Lord overrule to his own glory and for the
benefit of all the consecrated brethren from then till now?¶ 11.
What is a special point we shouhi not lose sight of? ¶ 12.
Does God recugnize and have respect for our free nmral agency?
Iiow does Godteach as. and hownmywe coiiperate witll him ? ¶ 13
Why are the persecutions, the imprisonments, the mistreatmeng
and the hard, distressing circumstances permitted of the lord
to come to those whomhe loves? ¶ 14.
"Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet ’tis truth alone is strong;
Though tier portion be the scaffoldt
And upon the throne be wrong~
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And behind the dim unknown
Standeth One within the shadow
Keeping watch above his own."
 THE UNIVERSAL REIGN OF CHRIST
DECEMBER
23 IS~aAH9 : 6, 7 ; 11 : 1-10 ; PSALM
]~kRTH TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND MEN RESTORED---HOPE OF ISRAEL TO BE REVIVEI)-----DU]~IB
--BREAKLNG DOWN OF OPPOSITION
UAsk of me, and I wiU give thee the nations ]or thine i/nher~tanee, and the uttermost
--Psalm $: 8.
T HE subject
CHnIST;
for today is THE UNIVERSAI, :REIGN OF
it also is intended to be a Christmas lesson.
To lhe passages set for the study, we add the words
of the angels’ song so closely associated with the Christ-
mas sentiment, words which give so happy an expression of
God’s gleat gift Io men: "Behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy, which sha]l be to all people." "Glory to God In him from the power of evil, many have thought that this
in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
(Luke 2: 10,14) The Golden Text tells of the fulness
the dominion of Christ, when all nations and all the earth
will be under his rule and care. Bible expositors and the
teachers of Christendom have almost wholly perverted these
and other plain declarations of the prophets which tell of a
time when heaven will bless the earth, and God will make
the place of his feet gloriour~ (Isaiah 60: 13) As a result,
the comfort of God’s Word has been lost to men.
2After the apostles fell asleep, the Word of God began to
be neglected. (Matthew 13: 25) Evilly disposed men got
into the church, and the truths were perverted. Error was
the nmre easily taught because few could read, and very
few copies of the Scriptures were available. So, through
error and Ignorance, the purpose of God towards the human
family as declared by the prophets and confirmed by our
Lord and the apostles was almost completely lost to sight.
Men were taught, and have continued to believe, that life
on the earth was but as a vestibule in which they waited
for a little while, and from which they would be transhated
to heavenly bliss, or be cast down to regions of eternal
darkness and woe; that the kingdom of heaven would come
upon earth when the church should have increased so much
that all men everywhere would recognize Its rightful domin-
Ion, and submit themselves to its guidance.
aAlthough God has never been without some who have
loved his Word and who have discerned his purpose to set
up his kingdom on earth with Jesus as King on his second
advent, it was only at the end of the dark night of the rule
of the anti-christ system (1799, Vol. 3, S.S., page 48) that
the light of the kingdom began to come; and only when ,of our Lord; for though he was anointed with the spirit of
God raised up his beloved servant Pastor Russell and the
truths were restated, that the faithful saw clearly the truth
of the kingdom.
EARTH TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND MAN RESTORED
4The Bible student now understands God’s purpose to have
the earth made glorious, its desert places made fertile, its
wildem~ess made to blossom as a rose, that it may give such
increase as shall honor God (Ps.flm 67:6); also that
whosoever will of the whole human family, being redeemed
according to the purpose of God by the precious blood of
Christ, and brought out of death, shall enjoy blessings of
life everlastingly. He sees that this is the message of all
the prophets, even as St. Peter says: "Whom the heaven
must receive until the times of restitution of all things,
which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy
prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:21) He rejoices
therefore in the reality and certainty of the universal reign
of Christ, and in the fact that the angels’ song shall be hon-
ored. He sees God’s human family on God’s earth happy
under the rule of Christ, being prepared for everlasting
blessings in the ages of glory which are to follow that reign.
348
2 : 1-1".
BRUTES TO BE BLEST AND DOMESTICATED
AS ~ING/;OM CO.~[ES.
parts el the earth lor thy possession."
5Isaiah 9 : 6, 7 tells of the king who shall come, first as a
child, and who in due time shall have the government of
earth laid upon his shoulder, and who~ kingdom shall be
established with justice and judgment forever. Because
Jesus was born as a babe in Bethlehem and later was
proclaimed as the Savior of men to deliver those who, trust
passage w~ls fulfilled by him in his earthly life and exalta-
tion, and that the kingdom Isaiah foretold is the kingdom
of grace in which Christ rules.
eBut this prophecy looks beyond the rule of grace in tim
heart: It sees Israel restored, and the King made an ever-
lasting Father to his people. A false theology has elailned
that it speaks of Jehovah, and it is advanced as a proof text
in support of the teaching that the Son and his Father are
the same. It claims that Isaiah must be understood as
saying that the child which should be born and become
great in Israel is really their own God, Jehovah. The Bible
student knows that Isaiah neither said this nor meant it;
he sees and understands that the man Jesus was exalted to
be a Prince and a Savior; and that he is the second Adam,
and is thus to be a father of life to all those who in his
kingdom wUl accept life at his hand.
HOPE OF ISRAEL TO BE REVIVED
~In the second passage for study, Isaiah 11:1-10, the
Prophet tells of a rod which shall come forth out of the stem
of Jesse, and of a branch which shall grow out of his roots.
In the previous chapter he had told of a great destructi,,n
upon all the cedars of Lebanon and all the forests of Isabel.
(Isaiah 10: 33, 34) The vision portrayed a complete desola-
tion. including apparently even the hope of Israel. But
while all other trees withered, the cut-down stem of Jesse
springs into life l This is undoubtedly a prophecy of the
revival of the hope of Israel and of the kingdom long ago
covenanted to David, a promise which appeared to fail.
sPlainly the prophecy was not fulfilled by the first coming
God, and therefore had the spirit of wisdom and discermnent,
he did not exercise kingly power. It is, however, undoubted-
ly receiving its fulfilment now in the time of the second "td-
~:ent. The passage tells of triumph and of the rule of right-
eousness. It is easy for the church of God of this day, en-
lightened by present truth, to see the prophecy being fulfilled.
The great cedars of Lebanon, which represent the great
empires of earth, are being brought low ; and the forests of
human institutions are being destroyed; and to the onlooker
it seems as if the Christian religion is involved in the general
desolation. The church of God sees, and watches with
wondering interest this development of prophecy.
9The stem of the tree which shoots forth is not just the
same as the root of David of Revelation 22 : 16. The reason
is that after the deflection of Saul, God’s choice for a king
was not so much David as an individual, as David as a
member of Jesse’s family. Samuel was sent to Bethlehem
because God had chosen that family.~l Samuel 16: 1.
~OJesse of Bethlehem, of the tribe of Judah, had a family
of fine sons, out of whom, from Samuel’s point of view,
several could he chosen as king to succeed Saul. David the
youngest unexpectedly proved to be God’s choice, because
 1=, WATCH TOWER s4o
of the inner qualitiesof heart which accompaniedhis mere Zlon and breaking down all opposlr~¢rn thereto. The Psalm
outwardqualifications. Jesse thereforerepresentsthe pro- shows the rulers of the earth set lc opposition to Jehovah
raise of God to Judah as given through Jacob (Genesis 49: and his Anointed. Jehovah laughs at their feeble efforts to
10); nnd David represents the fulfilment of that promise. oppose his "kingdom. He speaks to them in wrath, and
Tile "Branch" of this prophecy is not tho Lord Jesus only ; troubles them in his sore displeasure. He causes the Anoint-
for his faithful followers are Joint-heirs with him in the ed to declare the decree which gives him tile right to rule
kingdom. (Romans 8: 17) Through the grace given unto over all tim earth and over all men everywhere. The decree
them they become partakers of the promises ; and are made is proclaimed by those of tlle anointed class who are faith-
sharers in the hope of Israel. (Ephesians 2: 19) They are fully doing the will of God. The church, which is the
children of the covenant of grace. The name Jesse, signify- mouthpiece of the invisible King, declares his will and
Ins gift, means the gift of God; and they. like David, all purpose; it proclaims that if the kings and rulers of the
unexpectedly both to themselves and to others, find them- earth will make friends with the new kingdom, and ,will
selves called to this grace. cease their evil ways. the time of severest tn,uble will be
softened. Otherwise, they shall be broken to pieces like a
DUMB BRUTES TO BE BLEST AND DOMESTICATED potter’s vessel.
IXWhenGod raised up his servantin 1S7S. corresponding ~Wlth the message to tile peoples goes also the comforting
closelyin point of time with the resurrectionof the dead word: "’Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."
saints (1Thessalonians4: 16,17), the hope of tlle church (Psalm 2: 12) The opposition of the kings and the rulers
was but dimly seen. But God caused the Branch to spring of this world will result in the tonal destruction of this
forth,and now the hope of Israelis a livingpowerin tlle present order of things. But this is all in God’s order: for
hearts and minds of thousandsof consecratedpersons who he will not build his kingdom on any human-laid foundation,
sty, themselvesto be the servantsof God, unifiedwith the nor by anything saved out of the rubbish of this world’s
returnedLord to accomplishthe purposesof God. They see institutions. All these are consumed in order that the king-
the fuhihnentof Isaiah’sword,and proclaimthe fulfilment. dom of righteousness may be wholly of God throuah Christ.
They,like David,realizethat they are not chosendirectly, God’s opposition to the present evil world is to Its order
but because they are sharersthrough Christof the hope of and arrangements and to the opposing spirits, those who
Israel. As David provedhis worth beforehe was settled in destroy the earth (Revelation 11: 18) ; it is not at all to the
the kingdom and the covenant sealed to him (Psalm 89:34- people. These he loves and has provided a Savior for the~
37). so these know that they must prove their worth to be a deliverer, strong to save: one who will break down all
nmde acceptableas joint-heirs with the Lord. evil forces, whether those seen by men or those unseen evil
:2TheI’rophetgoes on to tell that underthis rule nature powers which are described as wicked spirits--the devil and
|tse]fwill be deliveredfrom the bondageof evil: The wolf his angels.--Ephesians 6 : 12.
slmll lie down with the hmb, and the leopardwith the kid, ~TThe reign of Christ will continue till every evil thing
and nothing shall hurt nor destroy,and the earth shall be is destroyed, death being the last enemy of God and man;
full of the knowledgeof the Lord as tile waterscover tlle "for he must rei~,zn till he hath put all enemies under his
sea.Bibleexpositors havedecidedagainsta literalfulfilment feet." (1 Corinthians 15: 25) The Scriptures show that the
of lhi.~ passage. They say that if received at all it must be reign of Christ is triumphant over evil In every ,~ense; for
spilitualized‘ The instructed Bible student enjoys the spirit- It will take hold of the apparently lost past, will give the
ual inslructiou and guidance and eonl~ort which these pas- dead an equal opportunity of obtaining those blessings which
s:v.-e~ give to spiritual Israel, but lie also knows that they come to man through the grace of God in Christ, and for
await their literal fulfilment. Even those who, in opposition which ChriSt died that men might enjoy them; and the evil
to the lltgher critics, proclaim that they hold the funda- suffered will serve to teach lessons and to enhance the joys
mentals of Scripture do not rise to the height of Isaiah’s of life.
~,ord.
XaOne of these, writing of this prophecy, "But with right- QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
eou~ness shall he judge the poor," {Isaiah 11:4) says:
What are the principal things in today’s lesson? What does the
"Isaiah does not look forward to a time, even in Messiah’s GoldenText teach:. /.low are these per~.erted by L~ibie exposi-
reign, when there shall be no more poor"; and in support of tors" ¶ 1.
l:;ow did error get such an early tremendous start, so that it is
his thought he quotes our Lord’s words, "The poor ye have onlynow beginning to be overtaken? ¶ 2.
ahv,’t.vs with you." Apparently all that may be looked for- HasGod beenwithnnt fa|thful witness¢~, an,,lwhy havethesebeen
ward to is a time of amelioration of the hard poverty of the comparatively unknown? ¶ 3.
What!s God’spurposeconcerning tim earth,and for his human
poor of the world!To say this Is to miss the meaningand family? ¶ 4.
the pointof the prophecy. Did The pronhecYof Isaiah 9 : 6, 7 have complete fulfilment at the
first advent? ¶ 5.
~4With the coming of the kingdom of righteousnessand When will It have fulfilment? What false theology is an awful
pen(’e judgmentwill immediatelygo against all those who monstrosity? What will Jesus be to the race at the second
advent? I 6.
have held the world’s riches in unrighteousness. The poor What is the rod that comes out of the stem of Jesse? What is
of the earthare the firstto be delivered the branch
; for theyhavebeen Howis the prophecy that grows out of his roots? ¶ 7.
being fulfilled? Ilow does it appear to the
deprivedof theirpropershare of the earth’sgifts.(Isaiah world ? ¶ ~.
11:4; Psalm 72:2, 4; James 5:1) The rich and the mighty What is the difference between a stem or stock of a tree and Its
root? Wliat do the~e things mean? ]9,10.
are to be dethroned,and the meek of the earth shall get What two very important things occurred in 18787 What is meant
those blessingswhich have long been denied them. In a// by the branch springing forth? ¶ 11.
Should all Scripture be spiritualized, or should we look for a morl
thesethingsthe valleysare to be exaltedas wellas the hills literal fulfilment of manyof the prophecies? I12.
made low. Howis violence often done to prophecy? ¶ 13.
Whatwill take place in the kingdomof righteousness, respeetin8
the rich and the poor, the proud an~ the humble.? ¶ 14.
BREAKING DOWN OF OPPOSITION AS KINGDOM COMES Where upon the stream of time does the serond Pzalm haw its
~SThe Second ]Psalm, also set for our study, gives a pro- setting? Whatdoes it portray? ¶ 15.
phetic picture of the events which take place during the time What lz to be the outcome of the vreee~t world distrees? Will
God utilize any of the material out of the aid order for the
of the Lord’s presence before the reign in glory, and while new kingdom? ¶ 16.
How long is the medlatorlal reiga? What t. its P~T Za~ tl~
the Anointed, like David of old, is asserting the power of blessings sure to come?1 17.
 THE WORLD FOR CHRIST
DECEMBER
30 QUARTERLY
REVIEW
~D’S PLANWORKING
STEADILYTO A COMPLETION~PENTECOSTtS
RELATION
TO GOD’SPI, AN~DIWINE
PI,AN OPENSSI~W’LYAND
ORDERLY.

"They shall utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness."--Psalm. 145 : 7. R. Y.

T HE passage chosen as the Golden Text for our review

of the past quarter’s lessons directs attention
hovah, tile gracious Source of all good. As all things
to Je-
to give you the kingdom."
quarter’s
(Luke 12:32) B~t all our
lesson have revealed the purpose of God to have
tile world enlightened and the human family, given into the
came into being through his will and his power, so also every care of his Son, delivered from those evil powers, sin and
expression of good will towards the fallen human race, death, Satan and his wiCked hosts, and those human agen-
whether in the divine Word or In tile manifestation of cies, controlled by evil, which have held it in bondage.
Jesus, came from him. (.Tames 1:17) The truth concerning GThe testimony of the Scriptures everywlmre is that God
God is gradually becoming known. All well-informed Bible purposes to deliver the human family from the power of
students now know that the old incomprehensible creedal evil, and to restore It to the inheritance which he gave It in
teaching that God is really three persons each equal to the Adam. This is seen in the first lesson of the quarter, the
other, each really the same as the other, yet quite distinct promise made to Abraham, also in all that G.d [lid nnd said
and separate, is pagan and not Christian. Also they know to Israel when he made them his special people. The testi-
that the same teaching which made one person in the mony of all the prophets Is to the same purport. But until
godhead kind towards fallen man, and another vengeful, is tile coming of Jesus there was no direct effort to save men
alto~her a perversity. nor was any people other than Israel enlightened as to hls
~Bible students know the Father whom the Sou revealed: Word.--Amos 3 : 2.
That he is the Elohim of creation, the Almighty of Abraham, 7During the period from the death of Jesus until the time
the Jehovah of Israel, and the Most IIlgh over all tile earth ; of the est’tblishment of the kingdom Df heaven, the mission-
that it was he who by his Son created man, and who when ary work of God has been continued by his church; but,
man sinned condemned him unto tile bondage of sin and enlightened by the holy spirit and udder Its guidance, his
death. But they also know that it Is also he who promised saints have not attempted to convert the worhl. These saw
and provided a Deliverer; and who arranged that the that the holy spirit was given to the church to enable it as
Deliverer should become a ransom-price for all men; that a whole when occasion might serve, and to the members In
it shall be done in the way that he has planned, and in due particular at all times, by walking after the spirit, to be
time that all the human family shall find an opportunity witnesses for Jesus as to the power of the grace of God to
of retracing their downward steps by walking up the high- change the heart and to make it Christlike, and to speak
way of holiness, and thus of entering Into everlasting life forth the Word of Truth.
and happiness on the earth. (Isaiah 35: 8) it is he, the God
of all grace, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, PENTECOST’S RELATION TO GOD’S PLAN
who is the deep sweet well of love. sOur lessons showed how the spirit came upon and guided
sWhen the time came that God would reveal himself, the early church. It was necessary that the church should
he sent his Son from heaven, the first missionary. (Hebrews have the same power as that which Jesus had, both for the
3: 1) As man views things that mission failed; for after maturity of its own life and for its work. ADd as the spirit
only a short time of active service, and when only a few could not be given save to the consecrated and justified, it
disciples had been gathered, evil men, instigated by Satan, was necessary that Jesus should accomplish his work and
slew Jesus. But even this was according to the determinate be received into heaven and present iris sa(.rifice on their be-
counsel and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2: 23) ; for Jesus half. God then gave him the holy spirit of promise, but not
was to be a sin-offering In order that a meritorious covering as it was given to him at Jordan. Nowhe received it to hold,
could be provided when the time came for dealing with the a gift from God to be bestowed upon the various members of
human family, and that was the way in which the sacrifice his body as it pleased him. Pentecost therefore proved our
was appointed to be killed. The death and resurrection of Lord’s acceptance with God, and demonstrated that he had
;lesus make the central point of human history. Round it received gifts for the church --Acts 2 : 33 ; Ephesians 4 : 8.
the ages of human history revolve, though as yet the world 9From Pentecost until now the work which God began to
knows little ot it, nor has felt Its power. And though millions do in Jesus has been continued. The missionary work of God
In Christendom use the name of Jesus, they neither know nor had three phases: The first by Jesus himself, when he was
understand tile value or purpose of his death. the only one who had the power of the spirit ; the second by
the church, from Pentecost until 1878; the third continues
GOD’S PLAN WORKING STEADILY TO A COMPLETION from that date onward to the end of the present life of the
aGo(Us purpose tn sending his Son to reveal himself and his church. The church is now again directly under our Lord’s
purpose was no failure; for in every way tile work and life guidance, and has the happy experience of realizing in a
of Jesus as a man was acceptable to his Father, and he special manner the oneness of the body of Christ. The ques-
was raised to divine glory to be made a Prince and a Savior. tion naturally arises : Is there a further purpose or intention
(Acts 5: 31) The Scriptures clearly show that God has beyond that of giving the apostles and the church power
not purposed, and therefore has not desired, that the human to continue the work of Jesus? Was Pentecost the beginning
family should be Instructed in the things of God or uDder- of a work which should increase until all the world has
stand the way of truth until the due time.--1 Timothy 2 : 5, 6. been brought to a knowledge of the Lord? The answer Is
5The revelation of himself and his Son which God gave both Yes and No.
through Jesus, and which came to the church In power at ~°The gift of the spirit as at Pentecost was for the footstep
Pentecost, has done what God designed that It should do ; followers of Jesus to prepare them for their high calling to
It has gathered the footstep followers of Jesus, the little be his Joint-heirs and to be kings and priests with him, and
flock, to whomhe said: "It is the Father’s good pleasure to give a witness to the world such as he gave at Jerusalem,
850
 If the churches had kept this in mlnd they would not have the kingdom it will be discerned that God in Jesus came very
sought to make heathendom Christian, nor have lowered near to men, that he has visited men and taken out of them
the standard of the Christian life in order to accommodate a family for himself (Acts 15 : 14) : and the world then will
nominal Christians. Now they have both lost their way and thank God that Jesus and those faithful followers who are
been deprived of their privilege of representing God. They then their judges and rulers have been of themselves and
are cast off.--Jeremiah 51:9. therefore know the weakness of human nature, and are
l~Pentecost did involve further blessings; for those who lovingly and kindly disposed towards them, even as Jesus
have been blessed are in turn to be blessers of others. They was to the multitudes of Galilee.
are Abraham’s seed to bless. (Galatians 3:29) It follows, ~hGod’s movements for the salvation of mankind have been
therefore, that God will do something for the world which so sh)wly developed that men have not perceived them. And
will correspond to Pentecost. His grace and help through the Bible is written1 in such a way that it does not readily
Christ will go forth to all flesh. disclose what those movements are. But once discerned, they
~eFor many days after Pentecost Jerusalem was kept are clear as the day and refreshing as sunshine after rain.
lively. The aposth,s wrought many miracles, one, the notable During the first age no movement was discernible, and
miracle of the he’~ling of the forty-year-old cripple. The what there was might be said to be in superhuman realms
priests and the leaders were stirred; and as there were rather than amongst men. Later God called Abraham and
thousands of converts, it is certain that every person in that his natural seed, the Jews. Still later he widened the minis-
walled city knew of the singular happenings. To be a disciple try of truth so that, going among the Gentiles, it would by
meant, of course, confession of faith in Jesus of Naza- his spirit gather out of the world a spiritual Israel And
reth, and therefore meant much decision of character. It now the time has come when the trutb nmst go out to all
also meant much joy of heart to those who realized that in tim world in floods of blessing until the knowledge of the
Jesus God had once again remembered his covenanted people. Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.
Those who were dispersed abroad by the persecution told of ~6When the purpose of God is completed, men will bless
their joy that others might share it, and the telling mani- themselves in his love even as our Golden Text says: "They
fested and helped to fix their loyalty to God. They gave a shall utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall
wimess, whether the people would hear or not. Their hopes sing of thy righteousness" ; and the Son of God, who came tG
had been in a speedy restoration of Israel to its high place be a man that he might redeem them and be their Deliverer,
as God’s chosen people ; but it began to be discerned that God shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied,
lind a people who were nearer to him than natural Israel; (Isaiah 53: 11) And God himself will take his pleasure oul
a spiritual Israel was to be formed who were to be specially of his works "when he has gathered in one all things iq
the people of God "formed to shew forth all his praise." ~
Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth.
(Isaiah 43:21) That Israel is now nearly gathered; the --Ephesians 1 : 10.
names of the last members of that citizenship are being
em’olled in heaven. QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
"Who is the fountain of all grace and truth and goodness? ¶1.
DIVINE PLAN OPENS SLOWLY AND ORDERLY Whois the Elohim of creation and the Most ]=tigh over the earthl
Whoplanned the scheme of redemption? ¶ 2.
13Because the New Testament does not specially carry on When it came time for God to reveal himself what did he do|
the theme of the Old Testament, namely, the coming of the What is the pivotal event of all human history? ¶ 3.
Has God’s plan been a failure? Has he a due time for every
kingdom long-promised to Israel, comparatively few have feature thereof? ¶ 4.
been able to withstand the error which makes out that What has God accomplished thus far? ¶ 5.
Will God restore the lost dominion? Whenshall it be done? ¶ 6~
the teaching of Jesus and the apostles about the kingdom How has the heavenly Father carried on his missionary work
is that it is only a kingdom of grace. With the light of Has it been to convert the world? ¶ 7.
In order for the church to be endued with power from on highj
present truth, the Bible student sees that the kingdom of what was first done? ¶ 8.
grace was a necessary preliminary phase of the kingdom. He What are the three phases of God’~ missionary work? 79.
If the church had understood what the gift of the holy spirit wa4
sees that the kingdom did begin when the grace of God for, would they have lowered the standard to make all he~then,
through the holy spirit became a living power to deliver the dora Christian? 710.
Dothe Scriptures teach tllat Abraham’sseed is to bless others? ¶ 1:1,
believer from the kingdom and bondage of evil into the Was Jerusalem a lively place after Pentecost? Did it mean mucll
kingdom of liberty of the sons of God.--Colossians 1:13. decision of character to be a follower of the lowly Nazarene|
What did the disciples begin to see? ¶ 12.
~4Also he sees that these who through faith received this What is meant by the "kingdom of grace"? Why has not thai
citizenship are to be kings and priests, or honored servants, phrase been fully understood? ¶ 13.
ttow near has God come to the world? How is that nearness
in the highest phase of the kingdom, when it is manifested shown’? ¶ 14.
in power among men ; and that then will come the fulfihnent Is Godin a hurry in the development ~)f his plan? Showthe orde[
of its development. ¶ 15.
of the promise to Israel, and to the world through them. In How will men bless themselves? When shall this be? 716.

BENEFITED SPIRITUALLY BY ACTIVITY given in a small hamlet of twenty or thirty houses. Wq

DEARBRET.HREN : advertised
A few months ago the friends here, ten consecrated,
thought that they could not possibly get out in the canvassing
work. Since May 1, all but two have had part in the canvass-
ing work; and of those two, one is so crippled as to be able
to walk but very little, while the other is old and almost an
invalid. All testify to the personal spiritual benefit derived
from activity in the service From one meeting a week, poorly
attended, we now have grown to three meetings; and all
seem to hate to miss a service.
A canvassing party arranged recently for a lecture to be
through the rural districts with handbills, an4
had an attendance of about one hundred, in spite of thq
fact that two nominal Sunday schools were held at thq
same hour.
Crop conditions in this part of Texas make book sale4
slow. The grain crop was light ; and now the continued dry
weather end the severely hot days are ruining the cotton
All these things help to unsettle this part of Satan’s empire,
but make money scarce ; and so sales are lighter.
Praying the Lord’s rich blessings on your labors, I an~
Your brother and fellow servant, Roy E. H~NnR~x, Teza~
 International Bible StudentsAssociation Classes
h¢c~urc6
and~tudlc~byTr,~vciin~Brethren
BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER W. H. PICKERING
Tallapoosa,Ga................... Dec. 2 Tllomasville, Ga ......... Dec. 10, 11 Detroit, Mich .............. Dec. 3 Newark,O .................... Dee. 10
Raymond,Ga ..................... " 4 Waycross, Ga ............. " 12 Toledo, 0 ................... " 4 NewPhiladelphia, O. ...... " 11
Chipley,Ga ...................... " 5 l~’ltzgeral(l, Ga........... " 13 Watmkoneta,O .................. " 5 Dover,O........................... " 12
Columbus,Ga ................... " 6 McRae,Ga................. " 14 Lima,O ......................... "’ 6 Massillon,O..................... ’" la
Dawson,Ga....................... " 7 Savannah, Ga ........... " 16 Marion,O.......................... "’ 7 Akron,0 ........................... " I4
Albany,Ga......................... " 9 Rtd~cialld, S. C ......... " 17 Colmnbus,0 ..................... "’ 9 Cleveland,O..................... " 16

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET BROTIIER G. R. POLLOCK

Alma,Micb..................... Dec. 2 Birch Run, Mich ............. Dec. 10 Eugene, Ore.. Iwv. 2 Portland, Ore .......... Dec. 9
Wheeler,Mich ................. " 3 Midland,Micll ................. " 11 Albany, Ore... 3 Vanvouvcr, Wash ....... " 10
Saginaw,Mzch................. " 4 Traverse City, Mich ...... ’ 12 ]~iarlon, Ore. . 4 Bend,Ore..................... " 12
Bay City, 3hob ............... " 5, 6 Lake Ann, 3lich .......... "" ]3 Sah,m. Ore .... 5 LaGramle, Ore ....... " 14, 16
Burt, Mich....................... " 7 l’]ahnre, Mivh................ ’ 14 Dulhl% Ore. 0 .lo~cpb, Ore ............... " 15
Flint, Mich..................... ’ 9 hlani~{(~, Mich ............ "’ 16 M(’.\hanville, ~lt-(,. 7 Pendleton, Ore ........... " 18

BROTHER B. H. BOYD BROTIIER B. M. RICE

Lamar,Ark .................... Dec. 2 Dona[ ]soil, Ark .......... Dec. 10 Decatur. Ill... De(,. 2 Champaign,H1 ............. I)ec. 10
Dover,Ark..................... " 3 tlepe, Ark.................... "’ 11,13 Ilal:mmnd, Ill... 3 Kankakee,111 .................. " ll
Russellville, Ark ............. " 4 Ieorcman, Ark ............. " 12 Areola, 111 .... 4 liammond, Ind ............ " 12
]Havana,Ark................... " 5,6 Shre; cport, La ........... " 14 Mattoon, 111 .... " 5 Gary, Ind ............... " 13
Dan~ille, Ark................... " 7 lIattiesburg, Miss ...... " 16 Martinsville, 111 ....... " 6, 7 MachiganCity, lnd ......... ’" 14
Little Rock, Ark ............. " 9 Laurel, Miss ........... ’" 17 Danville, IlL . 9 La Porte, Ind ............. " 10

BROTHER J. W. COPE BROTIIER V. C. RICE

Unity, Wis ................ Dec. 2 ~Vasau, Wis................. l)ec. Quinton, Okla. lwc. 2 Shattuek, Okla .... Dec. 11, 16
Milladore, Wis ............... " 3 Marion, Wis ................. " 10 Guthrie, Okla. 4 Follett, Tex .......... 12, 13
Plover, Wis .................... " 4 (’liulo,lvillo, Wis............ "’ 11 Enid, Okla... 5 Aroctt, Okla ...... 14
Stevens Point, Wis ........... " 5 /Im~due/,Wis..................... " ]2 Aline, (}kin ...... "’ 6 l’ampa, Tcx .... 18
Junction City, Wis ........... " 6 Green Bay, Wis ............... "’ ]3 Ah-a, Okla .......... " 7-9 Amarillo, Tex ........... " 19
Merrill, \Vis ...................... " 7 Marinette, Wis................... " 14 Woodward, Okla. 10 Clinton, Okla ............. " 20

BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN BROTItER C. ROBERTS

NewAlbany, Ind ............... Dec. 2 Wlfiteland, Ind .............. Dec. 10 Northfield Sta., Ont. _. Dec. 3 Flower Sta., Ont ........ Dec. 12
DePauw, Ind ................... " 3 Acton, Ind .................... ’" 11 Iroquois, Ont. _ -t Kingston, Ont .............. "’ 13
Palmyra, Ind .................. " 4 Batesville, Ind ................. " 12 Pre.~cott, Ont. _ . 5 B(,llevillc, Ont .......... 14
Jeffersouvillc, lnd ............. " 5 Greonsburg,Ind ............... " 13 Brock~ille, Ont ........... " 6 Toronto, Ont .............. " 16
Madison,lnd ..................... " 7 Newcastle,lnd ................. " 14 Smiths Falls, Ont .......... " 7, 9 Brampton, Ont ........... " 17
Indianapolis, lnd ............... " 9 Cincinnati, O ................... " 16 Clayton, Ont .......... " 10 Guelph,Ont ..................... " 18

BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM BROTIIER R., L. ROBIE

Mahaffey,Pa ..................... Dec. 2 Duquesne,t’a .................. Dec. 9 Walsenburg, Cole ............ !)e~’. Salt Lake City, .Utah ..... Dec. 12
McGeesMills, Pa ............. " 3 McKeesport, Pa ............. " 10 Pueblo, Cole ................ i Ogden, Utah ............... " I3
Punxutawney, Pa ............. " 4 BnenaVista, Pa ............... " ll Florence, Cole .......... 5 Sacramento, Calif .......... ’ : 14
Kittannlng, Pa .................. " 5 Ehzal)eth, Pa..................... " 12 Basalt, Cole .............. ’ 6 Oakland, Calif ......... 16
New Kensington, Pa ....... " 6 Monongahela,Pa ............... " 13 Grand Junction, Cole ..... 9 San Francisco, Calif ..... " ".-)3
Greensburg,Pa ................. " 7 Monessen,Pa ..................... " 14 Midvale, Utah ....... ’ tl San Jose, Calif .... 30

BROTHER M. L. HERR BROTHEl{ O. L. SULLIVAN.

Winchester, ¥~t ................. Dec. 2 Richmond,Va ............. Dee. 9 Roanoke, Va ........ Nov. 29 Knoxville, Tenn.. Dec. 9
Berryville, Va................... " 3 Orchid,Va................... " 10 Wytheville, Va.. 30 Chattanooga, Tenn... "’ 10, 11
Waynesboro,Va ............... " 4 Ncwport News, Va ..... "’ 11 Bristol, Tenn .... Dec. 2, 3 Beans Creek, Tenn.. "" 12
Charlott~viHe, Va ........... " 5 Norfolk,¥’a ................. " I2,:16 Greenville, Tenn.. 4 Doyle, Term ............. " t3
Fredericks Hall, Va ......... " 6 Currituck, N. C ........... " 13, 14 Knoxville, Tenn ...... 5, 6 Normandy, Term ........ " 4, 16
Rutherglen, Va ................ " 7 Exmore,Va................. " ]7 New Tazewell, Tenn... 7 Murfreesboro, Tenn ..... " i?

BROTHER W. M. HERSEE BROTHER T. H. THORNTON

Meaford,0nt ................. Dec. 3 Motmt Forest, Oat .... Dee. 12 Shawver, W. Va.._ No~. 2L 28 Gallipolis, 0 ......... Dec. ?
Owen Sound, Ont ......... " 4, 5 Harriston, Ont ........ " 13 Mt. Lookout, W. Va. " 2 ’. 30 Huntington, W. Va ..... " 9
Wiarton, Ont ................. " 6 Fordwieh, Ont ............. ’" 14, 16 Wickham, W. Va ...... Dev 2 Paintsville, Ky ........... " 10, 11
~Mar,0nt ....................... " 7 Win~ham,Ont ............. " 17 Charleston, W. Va.. _ q, 4 Ashland,Ky................. " 12, 1~1
Allenford, Ont ............... " 9, 10 Goderich, Ont ............. " 18, 19 Coco,W.Va..................... ’" 5 Ironton, O................... 14,15
Palmerston, Ont ........... " 11 Seaforth, 0nt ............... " 20 Nitro, W. Va .............. "" 6 Portsmouth, 0 ............. " 16
BROTHER J. B. WILLIAMS
BROTHER J. H. HOEVELER
Winnipeg, Man. _. Dec. 2 Sturgis. Sask .......... Dec. 10
St. $oseph, Me................ Dec. 2 Rutledge, Me........... Dec. 9 Porta’.’e La Prairie, Man 3 Pelly, Sask................. "
I:Iopkins, Me................... "’ 3 Medill, Me................... " 10 12
Dauphin, Man ....... 4 Durban, Man............... " ’14,16
Independence, Me........... " 4 Warren, Mo................. " 11, 12 5 "
" Gilbert Plains, Man .... Swan River, Man ....... 17
Kansas City, Me............. " 5, 6 Ilannibal, Mo............... 13 Grandview, Man ......... ’ 6 Minitonas, Man........... " 18
Hale,Me.......................... " 7 St. Louis, Me.............. " 16 Kamsack, Sask ...... " 7, 9 Dauphin, Man............. " lid

BROTHER H. HOWLETT BROTHER L. F. ZINK

Charlotte,N. C................. Dec. 2 Salisbury, N. C ............. Dec, 9 Simcoe, Ont ........... Dex:. 2 Rtdgetown, Ont.. .Dee. I@
Gastonia,N. C .................. " 3 Hickory, N. C ................. " 10 Delhi, 0nt ................. " 3 Blenheim, Ont ............ " |I
Lincolnton,N. C ............... " 4 Asheville,N. C................... " 11 Courtland, Out ............... "’ 4 Leamin~lon, Ont ........ " 12
Cherryville,N. C............... " 5 Canton,N. C ..................... " 12 Port Burwell, Ont ........... " 5 Kingsville, Ont .......... " 13
Shelby,N.[2. ...................... " 6 Craso,N. C....................... " 13 Aylmer,Ont..................... " 6 Windsor, 0nt ............. " 14, 16
Kannapolis,N. C. .............. " 7 Hendersonville, N. C ....... " 14 St. Thomas,Ont ............. " 7, 9 Chatham. Ont ............. " 17, 18

CONVENTION AT BALTIMORE CONVENTIONS TO RE AOORESSEO BY BROTHER RUTHJ~RFORD

A four-day convention will be held in Baltimore, Md., Montreal, Que., Nov. 18--
Leonard Kent, 297 Ninth Ave., Rosemount, Mon~
November 29, 30, December 1, 2. For further particulars Mansfield, Ohio, Nov. 25----
address the Secretary, Chas. It. Anderson, 119-121 S. Cal- U. G. Hostetler, care of Colonial Printing Co., Mansfield, O
Baltimore. Md., Dec. 2---
vel~ St, Baltimore, Maryland. ¯ L As~on, 119 $. Calvert ~., ]Baltimore, M4~
 . , ,:" ,’,

Vow. XLIV S~>MoXT~LY NO, 28

Anno Mundi 6052 Dezember 1, I923

CONTENTS

Op~n the earth diatrvsa of nations with perplexity; the sea and *he waves (1 he i~,st less, discontented) roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looki~b,
the tht~ coming upon the earth (soetety); for the power~ of the heaven~ (eeeles~astlesm) shall be shuke~r.. W’hen ye see these thlnga begin to come ~ pass,
know that the Kingdom of God ~s at hand. Look up, hft uo your heads, reao~ce, for ~our redemptmn aweth mgh,--Matt, 24:33 Mark 1~:29; Luke 21:21i-$I,
 THIS JOURNALAND ITS SACRED MISSION
T~II$presented
Journal Is one of the prime factors
in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCHTOWERBInLS & Ta~CT SOCIRTY, chartered
or "Seminary Extension", now being
A.D. ]884, "For the Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of comiaunication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STumEs most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. :~L), which translated
Into ~nglish is Minister of God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bibls
Itudents and teacbers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
Thi~ journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
~redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1:19; 1 Timothy 2:6) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : 11-
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God, . . . to the intent that now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of Ged"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men. while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into f~:llest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures¯ It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but contident ;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in hill
~erv~ce ; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns mus~ be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilddng of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge oug
readers to prove all its utterances by the Infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
That the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughout
the go~pei see--ever .-lace Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s blessihg shall come "to all people", and they find access to him.--1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2:20-22 ;
Genes,.s 2S : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when thq
last of the~e "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great Blaster Workman will bring all together
in ’h~ first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughoul:
the )lHlenuinm.--Reveladou ] 5 : 5-8.
That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which llghteth every man that comcth into the world", "In due time".--
Hebrews 2 : 9 ; John 1 ; 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be partaker of the divine nature, and share his
glm’y as his joint-heir.--1 John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8 : 17; 2 Peter 1:4.
That the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every
grace ; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--Ephesians 4 : 12 ; ~latthew 24 :
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
That the he,be for the world lies in th~ blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’~ Millennia! kingdom, the
restitunon at all that was rest in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the l~aads of thetr Redeemer ant his glorined church,
when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.--Aets 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiah 35.

DE LUXE EDITION "STUDIES"

WATC/-I TOWER.BI BEEb- TRACTSOCI ET,,Y A De Luxe edition, pocket size, of the Seven Volumes
STUDIES IN THE ~CRIPTI’RES will be ready for delivery about
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London W. 2; Canadian: 38-40 Irwin Avenue, Toronto, Ontario; ceipt by the friends for Christmas. This edition is durably
Australasian: 495 Collins St., Melbourne, Australia ; ~outh ~tfriean:
6 Lelie St., Cape Town, South Africa. bound, semi-flexible, elaborately embossed in five colors,
PLEASE ADDRESSTHE SOCIETY IN EVERYCASE. gold edges, thin Bible paper, and is designed more especially
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The names of the editorial committee are: J. F. RUTHERFORD,
W. E. VAN AMBURGH,J. HEMERY, G. H. FISHER, R. ]~. BARBER.
Terms to the Lord’s Poor: All Bible students who, by reason of pRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR JANUARY, 1924
old age or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this January 2 : "The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom."--Danlel
Journal, will be supplied free if they send a postal card each May 2:44.
stating their case and requesting such provision. We are not only January 9: "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom."--Psalm
willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and 145 : 13.
in touch with the Berean studies. January 16 : "The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens."
Notice to ~ubscribers: We do not, as a rule, send a card of acknowl- --Psalm 103 : 19.
edgmen{" for a renewal or for a new subscription. Receipt and January 23 : "I have set my king upon my holy bilI."~Psalm 2 : 6,
entry of renewal are indicated within a month by change in expira- January 30 : "The government shall be upon his shoulder."--Isalah
tion date, as shown on wrapper label. 9:6.
~nrered ~s SecondClass Matter at Brooklyn. N. Y Posto~ce, Act of March3rd .879:~

HYMNS FOR JANUARY, 1924

l! I.B.S’A. BEREAN
BIBLE
STUDIES
Sunday 6 150 13 290 20 67 27" 198
Monday T ]20 14 200 21 123 28 82
STUDY 2 : AUTHOROF THE ATONEMENT
Tuesday 1 34 8 145 15 177 22 25 29 40

I[ eanso
TheAto
Weekof Jan. 6 .......... Q. 29-35 Weekof Jan. 20 .......... Q. 43-50
Wednesd~y 2 14 9 203 16 35 23 312 30 45 Q. 51-58
Weekof Jan, 13 .......... Q, 36-42 Weekof Jan. 27 .........
Thursday 3 ’-’39 1@ 43 17, 188 24 Vow 31 104
25 305 Question books on "The At o~c-ment," 10c postpaid
Friday 4 110 11 164 18 309
Saturday 5 261 12 295 19 219 26 226
VeT XI, IV DECEMBER
1, 1923
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS RECOGNIZED
T HEAmericanTract Society, through its secretary,
Rev. William Henry Matthews, is sending out an
appeal for financial aid for publishing Christian
literature to offset an attack on our institutions by
anti-Christian literature which is flooding the country.
The first paragraphof this appeal reads :
"We crave your aid in answering a tremendously serious
question. Large groups of foreign-speaking people here and
thousands in Latin America are beseeching the American
Tract Society for Christian literature and especially Gospel
IIymn books in languages they understand; and when,
through lack of adequate funds we cannot meet their re-
quests, they ask: ’Why is it that the churches of America
fail to provide us the literature we so Iml~eratively need
when we are flooded with pamphlets hostile to home, church
nnd state?’ "
Then follows the appeal for money.In a little booklet,
"C, od’s Seal," they ask enoughmoneyto increase their
endowment to $1,000,000. They point out that the hostile
forces have plenty of money;and of course they are not
nowin a condition to meet the issue. They say : "Ameri-
ca is facing a crisis; ultimately it must be Christ or the
ruin of our great Republic." Besides the two Secretaries,
they have an Executive Committeeconsisting of eighteen
members,and a Board of Managersconsisting of thirty-
five members. The American Tract Society boasts of
being in the field for nearly one hundred years, and
boasts also that "its history reads like a romance."
It is strange that such a wonderful institution would
need to beg so hard for funds to carry on a work which
has the appearances of doing good. The fact is that the
"doctrines and precepts of men"which have been passing
for Christianity are nowbeing exposed, and that many
led captive by the enemyare nowable to see the destruc-
tion of the citadel of confusion which they themselves
have erected and dedicated to Christ, but which Christ
neither recognizes nor honors.
The rising tide of discontent in the great conflict
between the Fundamentalists and Modernists, between
truth-lovers and error-lovers, will showwho’swhoin the
realm of Christianity. Whenit becomes necessary to
make such an urgent appeal for money to stem the
tide which is engulfing civilization it would seem as
though they should inquire, Is the God whomwe serve
355
NO. 23
really alive? Can he see ore’ deplorable condition, and
has he the powerto send asst.-lance ere we perish? They
realize not that the crumbling of the present order of
things is the harbinger of Spring. Acts 3:1.q-~1;
Matthew6 : 10.
THE ADVENTISTS’ "BETTER DAY"
The Seventh Day Adventists are looking for a "better"
day. But theirs is a (hsmal day. Their advertising is
headed, "Anticipating tile Coming of a Beth,r Day";
then follows the statement: "Urged on by the belief
that time is ha~-tening to a close, we are compassing
hmdand sea to herald the imminent advent of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ," etc. They must advertise a
better day as an offset to tile Bible Students; for ours
is trul," a better day aud is aitrm ling attention- a day
of blessing, of hope, and of restitution into everla-ting
life conditions.
The Adventists’ day is a day ushered in by a visible
Jesus in humanform, the blowing of literal trumpets,
the ascending into the air of all the good in fleshly
bodies, the dying of all the wicked and remaining as
dung upon the earth for a thousand years, at the end
of which time the wicked dead are to be resurrected.
But on the stren~h of the Bible we can positively say
that their day will never come; that there shall never
be the ushering in of any day by a visible or fleshly
Jesus, nor shall the wicked lie as dung upon the earth.
The prophetic day is one ushered in by the glorified
Christ, an invisible spirit being of the divine nature.
The day is to dawnas sunlight upon the earth, gradually,
stealthily, and at first unrecognized by the world in
general. The glorification of the church takes place,
unrecognized also by the world. The order of society
gradually gives way, disintegrating through wars, pesti-
lences, famines, revolutions, etc. Whenman reaches his
extremity, the Lord uses his power to bring order out
of chaos. His kingdom is then established world-wide;
new constructive work begins with the millions then
living, who will pass through the turmoil and never
experience death nor need an undertaker. The visible
resurrection begins with the bringing forth of the holy
menof old whodied prior to the time for the selection
of the members of the church of Jesus Christ. Then
850 ’n, WATCH TOWER
for s ;hou.-and years will follow the raising up from
death all the families of the earth for the express purpose
of rescuing them from Adamic condemnation, giving
them a knowledgeof the divine truth, assisting them to
perfection of character, mental, moral aaad physical, so
that they may live upon the earth forever and nevec
die; for "the earth abideth forever." The earth is God’s
footstool, and he will makethe place of his feet glorious.
and his will shall be done on earth as it is donein heaven.
The prophetic day is a great day or epoch of blessing,
of restoring to manhis lost estate, and of recovering him
to the original image and likeness of God. It is a
glorious day, a long-prayed-for day. The first rays of
this new day began coming over the horizon of the
spiritual perception of God’s people in 1874. It has
been growing brighter and brighter ; and after 1925 the
light of truth and the blackness of error will be su~]-
eiently manifest to begin to make its impression upon
the irreverent and unbelieving Godless minds, and also
upon those hampered and hindered with "ecclesiastical
minds," those closed with bigotry and cant.
MODERNISTS ARE IN THE QUICKSANDS
Not long ago there was ranch commotionin religious
circles over the controversy between Bishop Manningand
Rev. Percy Stickney (’,rant of the Episcopal church. Dr.
Grant apparently has not backed downfrom his position.
He still pursues the even tenor of his way, and he and
his church have been neither disfranchised nor disfellow-
shiped.
The difference between these two big churchmen
amounts to practically nothing. Perhaps the Bishop’s
main objection was in jumping into print before the
"dear people" were educated up to the point where they
could receive the heresies with complacency.
Bishop Manningbelieves that Christ, being divine,
must of necessity be God himself. Dr. Grant does not
believe that Christ is God himself, and therefore holds
that our Lord is not divine. They are both wrong. Dr.
Grant’s position is a vantage ground from which it is
easier to step over onto the true foundation than is
Bishop Manning’s. These are two learned clergymen who
are blind leaders of the blind !
Bishop Manning delivered a sermon of which it is
said: "ManyEpi :copal dignitaries listened to the sermon
and regarded it as a milestone in the history of the
church." That they did not take vigorous exceptions to
it showsthere are manyblind leaders of the blind.
’~Ve muet make it clear," said Bishop Manning, "that
the truth revealed in Jesus Christ is in no conflict with
any truth or fact made known to us by science or
scholarship." Further on he said: "There is nothing in
the Christian faith which conflicts with the scientific
theory of evolution. To many of us this hypothesis
Y.
seems to make clearer both the glory of the Creator
and the naturalness of His revelation of Himself in
the incarnation."
Whenwill Bishop Manning and two hundred thousand
other clergymen learn that the incarnation idea is a
doctrine of the devil, and has neither part nor lot in the
story of the sacred Scriptures ? All Trinitarians believe
in the incarnation. Is it rational to th~nk that God,
Jehovah God, who says he will not give his glory unto
another, abdicated the throne of the universe, entered
the wombof Mary down here on the earth, was lo~-t
for a season, was born in a manger, had not the power
to stop the wicked designs of Herod, fled into Egypt,
was a carpenter, was baptized in the river Jordan, was
persecuted, was slandered, was maltreated, was arrested
for sedition, had his head crowned with thorns, sank
under the weight of his own cross to which he was
afterward nailed, dying an ignominious death--is it
rational to believe that this was God Almighty! Is it
rational to believe that Jesus in praying, "My God,
v, hv hast thou forsaken me," was praying to himself
as the Ahnighty Eternal One? Howis it possible /or
the Son of Godto be the Father of God,or for the Virgin
-~[arv to be the Motherof God!
Nowonder.there are infidels, agnostics and atheists
in the world! No wonder the world is in trouble! It
has long ago forsaken God, and has for centurie~ 1.,,en
paying out its hard-earned moneyfor instruction from
the devil’s agents, whohave received the moneyin the
name of the Lord and hypocritically pretended that it
was for the glory of the Lord.
That Bishop Manning has straddled the fence in an
effort to please and hoodwinkthe largest number, and
that he is thoroughly out of harmony with God, may
be seen from the following further expression of his
sermon:
"The present controversy in some of the Protestant com-
munions between the Fundamentalists and the Modernists
is confusing and misleading to many. That controversy has
no place among us in this church. This church of which
we are members holds a position which is larger than that
represented by either of these groups, and which includes
that which is true of each of them. Those who calls them-
selves Fundamentalists are unhappily identifying themselves
with a particular theory as to the inspiration of the Scrip-
tures, which is untenable and which has never been a part
of the Christian faith. We who preach the gospel today
must make it clear, and especially to our younger people,
that the Christian faith, belief in our Lord Jesus Christ as
God made man for us, is not a barrier to our thinking nor
a restriction imposed upon our minds."
Whohas told him that such a monstrous belief is a
barrier to thinking and a restriction imposed upon the
mind ! Ah, he then has had warning ! Somebodyhas told
him the truth ; and he refuses to study the Scriptures
in their own light in order to be edified. Whoamong
us wouldrelish his lolace in the judgment~
 NEW YORK CONVENTION
"This ~s the Lord’s doing; it is mart, elo~ls ~t~ our eyes."--P.+al~m118: 23.
I~[’~HE NewYork Conventiou ~s a matter of lu.-tory.
| ~hose who attended and those who partwlpatcl
"" were greatly blessed. That the Lord’s hand was
in the whole matter there cannot be the slightest doubt.
Ite manifested his approval upon the effort in no un-
certain manner.
The convention was held from October 19 to ?,4.
inclusive. For several months prior thereto the New
York Congregation was active in arranging for this
convention. The Convention Committee, composed of
Brothers Lueek, Finken, Woodworth, Brenisen, Wiley,
Bedwinand Gdux, had the matter of arranging for th(~
convention and the public meetings in charge, and e~wh
memberof the committee put forth every effort within
his power to make the convention and the public meet-
ings a great success. The Lord added his blessing.
Brother R. J. Martin was active as chairman of the
convention, with Brother ~I. A. Howlett as assistant
chairman. The convention opened at 10 o’clock Friday,
O<’tober 19, with an address of welcomeby the President
of the SOCIETY. Wequote a part of the address of wel-
come, as follows:
"A convention of God’s people is, as indeed it should
be, a blessed occasion. It is myhappy privilege to greet
you as membersof the royal priesthood. You are joy-
fully looking to that time whenyou shall be forever with
the Lord in indescribable glory.
"All whoare confidently trusting in the merit of the
great ransom sacrifice are welcometo this convention.
But thrice welcomeare all whohave devoted their lives
to the Lord by full consecration and whoare now with
gladness heralding the message of his kingdom. These
are the called and chosen; and having been faithful to
this hour, they by his invitation have entered into the
joy of the Lord.
"Brought here by his grace, there is laid upon eacb
of us an obligation to faithfully represent our Lord. To
this end we must be true witnesses for him, that others
may know that Jehovah is the only true God and that
Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Further-
more, the world must know that God has a people on
earth who have his favor. It is also our privilege a~d
duty to comfort, encourage and strengthen each other.
"By his grace we are engaged in the most momentous
campaignof the ages, witnessing the incoming of a new
government and having some part in making this fact
knownto the world. It is now our privilege to say to
each other and unto nominal Zion : ’Thy Godreigneth !’
and to point the world to the fact that his kingdom
is the complete and only panacea for the ills of human-
kind.
"Honored by the King with active service in his
heavenly army, we can truly say that we are now joy-
fully in glory; and if our loyalty persists to the very
357
end, we shall be granted an abundant entrance into that
heavenly kingdom and be recipients of a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory, honor and immor-
tality.
"Happy nowis our lot. Blessed are our eyes; for we
see the kingdom at hand. Blessed are our ears; for we
hear the jubilee sound proclaiming the day of deliver-
ance. With becoming hmnility and gladness let us greet
each other in the name of our King."
Additional speakers on the program were Brothers
Thornton, Woodworth, Barber, Macmillan, Franz, Ken-
dall, Lueck, Donald, Wise, Hudgings, Stewart, Sexton,
Magnuson, Van Amburgh, Grimes, Brcnis,,xl, Bedwin,
and Lippineott. The maximumattendance ,.~f the con-
secrated during the convention was 3,000. The first two
days’ sessions were held in a hall that was entirely inad-
quate as to stating capacity. The other meetings, aside
from Sunday, were held in the Manhattan Opera House,
with sufficient capacity to accommodate all whoattended.
The discourses delivered by the various brethren were
joyfully received by the friends and without doubt were
very helpful and upbuilding to those who are trusting
in the precious merit of Christ’s sacrifice. The keynote
of the convention was love and joy. All showedthe true
Christian spirit of love for the brethren, manifesting
by both speech and action that they were rejoicing in
the Lord and in the opportunities of showing their love
toward him.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
For the public meeting on Sunday afternoon, October
21, the Madison Square Garden was engaged. The
contract called for seats to the numberof 13,500. Some
were skeptical about filling the place; and of course
merely with man’s effort it could not be done. Two
weeks prior to this meeting the celebrated musician
Sousa, with his band of more than a hundred pieces,
was there, and at the same time the world-renowned
Marine Band of Washington. With this attraction the
place was not nearly filled. A week previous to our
meeting the place was used to exhibit movingpicture and
radio returns of the world’s series baseball games and
even this did not attract audiences nearly sufficient to
fill the place. It is no wonder that the management
of the Madison Square Garden was doubtful about a
religious meeting beginning to fill the auditorium.
The NewYork Ecclesia took hold of the matter with
a real spirit of service. Announcementsto the number
of 1,250,000 advertising the meeting were distributed.
These tracts carried an explanation of the divine plan
which was in itself a splendid witness for the truth.
Posters were placed in alternate stations of the subway
and elevated lines. A large number of window cards
were put out and the committee arranged for and carried
in the leading daily newspapers of NewYork practically
~.~ ’r~e WATCH TOWER
full-page advertisvment~-.I12 addition to thl.- other neu ~--
papers in adjoining towns and cities carried advertise-
ments of the meeting placed by the local classes. Had no
one attended the public meeting at all, there was a
splendid witness for the King and the kingdomby these
advertisements. But the Lord added his blessing.
Additionally the Convention Committee sent a per-
sonal letter of invitation to each one of the clergymen
of Greater New York. Many of these responded by
requesting reserved seat tickets. A special letter was
alto sent to most of the office holders and leading
politicians and bankers of the city. A conference of
Governors of all the States had been called by Presi-
dent Coolidge for October 20 in Washington and the
Committee sent a persofial invitation to each of the
Governors; also a special invitation to the Rt. Hen.
David Lloyd George, former British Premier, visiting
in the United States at the time. Mr. Lloyd George
responded very kindly, expressing regret that engage-
ments to which he was already committed would not
permit his attendance at the meeting. A number of
Englishmen, however, were observed in the audience.
Mr. W. E. Harkness, manager of the Broadcasting
Department of the Bell Telephone System, expressed to
the Convention Committee the company’s desire to
coSperate in any good work and extended an invitation
to some representative of the International Bibh, Stu-
dents Association to speak over their station for ten
minutes and announce the Sunday meeting. Brother
Martin was assigned to this duty and responding to the
kind invitation, he delivered a ten-minute address and
announce the public lecture at the Madison Square
Garden. The estimated listening audience of this station
is two million persons. After giving a brief resum4 of
the great truths nowbeing promulgated by the Interna-
tional Bible Students Association, Brother Martin
concluded with the announcementthat the President of
the Association would deliver the "Armageddon"lecture
Sunday afternoon. TI~ WATO~ TOWER, as the official
organ of the International Bible Students Association,
takes occasion to express its appreciation of the kindness
,,hewn by Mr. tIark-ness of the Bell System in thus
cooperating in this good work. Wecannot help recalling
in this cmm.edion the words of the Master: "He that
receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall
receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a
~tghteous man in the name of a righteous man shall
r,’ceive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall
,~i~e to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of
.~ohl water only in the nameof a disciple, verily I say
unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." (Matthew
10:41, 42) Without doubt the Lord will remember and
properly reward this act of kindness.
Sunday, the 21st, was a beautiful day, which would
of course attract the people to the outside. Notwith-
standing this, before the lecture began practically every
.~,oo,,,,-..,
x.Y.
seat in the great MadisonSquare Garden was taken and
people were still arriving. It was remarked by the
manager that it was the largest crowd that had ever
assembled in the Garden. And the astonishing thing to
strangers was that such a great multitude would come
to a merelyreligious lecture without any other attraction.
The meeting opened promptly at three o’clock by
singing of the familiar hymn, "All Hail the Power of
Jesus’ Name." It was a wonderful inspiration to hear
these words sung by such a great multitude. Then
Brother Martin, the chairman, followed with a brief
speech, pointing out the privilege that the people would
have of purchasing at this meeting T~H.: HARPOr GOD;
and they were asked to sign slips imlieating that they
wished the tinier STVD~"Course. Brother Rutherford
a~-cendedthe platform shortly after three o’clock. There
was no introduction, lie immediately began his address
to an audience that listened with rapt attention through-
out the entire discourse, frequently manifesting approval
by hearty applause. During the discourse the contro-
versy between the Modernists and Fundamentalists was
clearly pointed out and it was shownthat this was to be
expected in the closing days of the old order, as Jesus
had foretold; and the speaker appealed to those who
believed in the Lord and the Bible to separate themselves
from those who deny Jehovah, the Lord Jesus and the
Scriptures. At the conclusion of the lecture the speaker
said in substance: "All here whobelieve in Godand the
].ord Jesus mMin the Bible, and who desire to see a
hvtter condition of affmrs o:tnblished in lhe earth, kindly
s~and and engage in a momentof sihmt prayer." It
was inspiring to watch that tremendous audience arise
and silently stand. Andthen with a brief prayer in eon-
elusion they all began to file out quietly and orderly,
while the brethren were taking their addresses and selling
them the hooks. Whenthose orders wore emmtodit was
found that 1,723 had subscribed to Te~ IIaal, BIBL~
STUmC Course, while a great mauy more had purchased
1,310 other books or in all over 3,000 books.
The Western Electric Cvnll~any, at the instance of
the Convention Committee, installed in the Madison
Square Garden an electrical voice ampifier which made
the voice of the speaker easily heard throughout the
great auditorium. Those behind as well as those in
front could hear equally well.
Reservations were made in the boxes for the clergy
and prominent citizens of NewYork. These boxes were
occupied by officials, officers and others connected with
the United States Army, and many other citizens of
note. The lecture was well received and, it is believed,
has accomplished much good.
A most remarkable thing, however, to the people was
the fact that notwithstanding this was the greatest
religious meeting ever held in NewYork city, with the
largest crowd ever assembled in this great auditorium,
the next morning the newspapers of NewYork, aside
 WATCH TOWER
from the NewYork American, were silent. Tile real say about Israel Zangwill. He is a Jew absolutely In name
only. I did not knowhis views whenI invited him to be
reason of their silence, however, is this: The news- myhouse guest. After the Carnegie Hall meeting I took
papers are m~medby big business. There is a combina- aa apartment for him in the city, wherehe is living now.
tion between big business, big politicians and big As one whois deeply impressedwith the prophecies of the
preachers to have things their own way. To quote a Bible and with the aspirations of my people for their
memberof the official staff of one of the leading New regathering in Palestine and the restoration of their own
York papers concerning the publication of a report of l’md, I hail you as one of the prophets whowill help the
Jews towards the realization of their hopes of two thousand
the meeting: "Weprint only that which is in harmony )ears. Timyare willing to wait and work, without injury
with public opinion, adhering closely to our motto: to the rights of any other people.
’All the news that’s fit to print.’" In other words, the I bring to your attention enclosed pamphlet, which you
public press, controlled by the agencies of the god ~f will surely lind interesting’. Mr. Blaekstonelind this re-
this world, believe that by keeping the truth awayfr.,m printed for me when I met him ninny years after it had
been published.
the people they will help to destroy its vahe. In this
In all admiration of your unselfish efforts, I remain
they are foolish. They do not realize .lint the work now
Very sincerely yours,
in progress is the work of the Lord and he will make it .~’ATHAN STRA.US
kno~n to every one whodesires to lmowit. The course
pursued by the newspapers only awakens the people to On theevening of themeeting Mrs.Straussenther
a realization of the fact that instead of being used in ownilorist to the Manhattan Opera House and decorated
the interest of the people in general the public press isthe stage with a beautiful tloral display, sending with
used for the selfish interests of the few. Thanks be to it a note complimentaryto the speaker of the occasion.
God, however, that the time is not far distant whenall TXqEWATC~ TOWER is pleased to take note of the
shall knowthe Lord from the least to the greatest, and interest our Jewish friends manifested in this meeting.
it shall not be necessary to dependupon newspapersthat This real interest manifested by orthodox Jews whohays
are controlled by selfish interests to publish anything hope in God’s promises to Abrahamand the proph~ ,.; is
concerning the truth. an evidence of their appreciation of what Bible Stu&mts
On the Mondaynight following, Brother Macmillan are trying to do in announcing the King and the king-
addressed a public audience numbering 3,000 at the dom, him who is their Messiah. Wemay reasonably ex-
Manhattan Opera House. The lecture was well received pect that within the next two years there will be a greatly
by all present. increased interest among the Jews in examining and
]~[onday was "Service Day," when 525 friends engaged understanding the prophecies.
in canvassing for the books. This was followed Monday The lecture at the Manhattan Opera House on this
afternoon by a service testimony meeting, which demon- occasion was attended by a large number of Jews, MI
strafed howgreatly the brethren are blessed whoengage of whommanifested their decided approval of the address
in this part of the work. by frequent applause. Wehope that this meeting has
Whenthe count was taken as to the number of books been a great blessing to manyand a real witness of the
sold at the public meeting Sunday afternoon and on truth to some who are seeking to know who is the
"Service Day," the total exceeded 9,000 volumes. This Messiah.
was an unusual record, the like of which has re’vet The convention concluded on Wednesday night with
been attained at any convention of the Lord’s people
an address by Brother Rutherford to the public at the
in such a short time. Manhattan Opera House on "l~Ian’s Duty to the Lord."
It had been announced through the press that on
The friends were loathe to part, lingering long after the
Tuesday evening, the twenty-third, Brother Rutherford eonelusion for personal fellowship and expressions of
would deliver a lecture at the Manhattan Opera House
love one for another. Uponall lips were words of joy
on "The Restoration of Israel." Mr. Nathan Straus, one
and appreciation of what the Lord had done for his
of the most noted Jews in America and a man much
people at this convention. Without doubt it was the
beloved both by Jews and Gentiles, on learning that
best held up to this time, because those whohave been
Brother Rutherford would deliver this lecture, put an
attending conventions and participating in the Lord’s
announcement in two Jewish newspapers at his own
service increase in their joy, as should be expected.
expense. He sent a special messenger with a letter to
Therefore this was one of the most joyful, if not the
Brother Rutherford, which we here set forth: most joyful convention ever held. All the consecrated
"Driftwood"Mamaroneck, N. Y. Oct. 23, 1923. who participated in this convention and attended can
gudge Rutherford, truly say in the languat. ’ of the Psalmist: "This is the
124 ColumbiaHeights, Brooklyn,N. Y. Lord’s doing ; it is marvelous in our eyes." He has mani-
MyDear Judge: fested his loving kindness and his approval; and we are
I only saw the announcementof your meeting tonight in encouraged to press on with increased zeal and earnest-
this morning’sN. Y. American.I fully agree with whatyou ness in advertising the King and his kingdom.
 PITTSBURGH CONVENTION
I MI~IEDIATELY following the annuai meeting of
the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society a conven-
tion of the Bible Students was held at Pittsbur~zh
in ~Iemorial llall tor five days. Brother BaeuerMn was
chairman, about a thousand fmends attended the con-
vention. All were happy and rejoicing in their privi-
leges of service.
The proceedings of the annual meeting are too len~:thy
to insert in this issue of TuE WA’rm~TowE~, but will
appear in the next issue. IIere we give but a brief report
of the convention. Amongst other things done at this
annual meeting and convention was the passing of a
resolution, which we set forth here as follows:
RESOLUTION
\VtlEREAS Pastor Charles T. Russell, as the Laodicean
messengerof the church, faithfully tilled the office of "that
faithful and wise servant" while here on earth, and seven
years ago enjoyed his change, as we believe, to spiritual
glory ; and
~VHEREA~ it IS our desire to perpetuate his memoryin the
minds of the people by some appropriate means, and believing
that the Society should take someofficial action to this end;
~OVV THEREFORE RESOLVED by those attending the annual
meeting and convention of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract
Society at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 31 to November
4, 1923, inclusive, and nowduly in convention assembled, as
follows:
(1) That it is the sen. e of this conw~ntionllmt the life-
work and writings of Pastor Russell constitute the greatest
tribute to his mem,wy,llowever, it wouht not be inal)Dro-
priate to publish a volmnesetting forth the incidents of hi~
life and work aside from and in addition to his personal
writings ;
(2) That such publieqtion to be of value should be care-
fully prepared and edited by those who are familiar with
his life and who are competent to do said w.rk; and ttmt
such a volume should be published, if at all, by the Wateb
Tower Bible & Tract Society, which Society was organized
by Pastor Russell;
(3) That this convention by resolution requesls the Presi-
dent of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society to appoint
a committeeof five brethren whoseduty it shall be to collect
"THE WATCH TOWER" HELPFUL
DEAR BRETHREN 1N THE LORD:
Greetings in the namevf our might5 Lm’dand King! It
is quite a time that I have been wanting to write you,
expressing mytllankfulness to our dear heavenly Father
for the food that he is permitting us to get in these trouble-
some days through the medium of THEWATCH TOWER,
especially in such articles as "ThePrincipal Thing," which
indeed are heart-searching for all professed followers of
the Lamb. Whenone reads such an article, one realizes
more and more how truly "the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
Joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
Intents of the heart."~Hebrews 4:12.
Andnow, last week, I received a pleasant surprise in the
shape of the July 1st WATCH TOWER, with the article entit-
led "A Clear Vision of Chronology,"~ith the m~)st helpful
chart of one of the most difficult periods In Bible chronology.
360
dat’l and prepare and edit mmm~eriptrelating to the life and
work of Pastor ]russell and 1o report the same tt~ t]le
with recommendationof said eommittee as to whether or not
such manuscript should be lmblishc(l by tim SOCIETY; an(l
Sot IETY
tlmt we further request thal lhe SOCIETY,if report of said
committee recommendthe publication of said book or vohune,
publish the same and that notice thereof be given in T~F.
WATCItTOWER; and that said committee so appointed shall
make a report of its a(’tion at the next armual meeting of
the So(’m’~Yto be held in Pittsburgh, October 31, 1924, as to
whal action it lms taken in this behalf.
The committee called for by this resolution has not
yet been appointed, but will be annommed later. The
SocIETYis preparing to publish the entire set of ST~;DIES
I~ ~HE SCI~IeTUnES bouml in very handsome binding as
a memorial to Brother Rus,wll. These will be ready in a
short time and announced in THE WATC~TOWER.
It was generally remarked at the convention ltmt the
friends showed a keener appreciation of the truth and of
their privilege of service and more of the spirit of the
Lord than in the past, thus testifying that they are grow-
ing in grace and in the fruits of the spirit. The addresses
of the brethren were well received, and were helpful to
tho~e who heard.
The Pittsburgh friends had made a splendid effort to
advertise the public meeting. The advertisements were,
carried not only in the Pittsburgh press but in other
papers in the vicinity. The public meeting was held
Sunday afternoon in the Syria :~Iosque. It rained all
d;~v. and many of the friends were doubtful about good
attendance. This hall has 3,850 regular seats, and ab,mt
:~oo extra seats were put in. Every seat was taken, and
<lu,le a number of people were standing. It was esti-
mated that there were 4,100 present. 3’he attention was
splendid. Up to this time we have not the report of {he
number of books sold. The convention was concluded
Sunday night with a symposium. It was good to be
there. The Lord’s spirit was made manifest.
As I amfond of this branch of chronology, whi(.ll gi~cs me
greater undel.’standing of tim wonderful pr.ptmcies of God’s
Word,it is needlcs~ to say that I rejoiced.
Rol~. F. A. PESeHEL,SO. Africa.
HELPED BY TOWERQUESTIONS
l)l, \ll BRETHREN
Loving greetings. I want to open up my heart to you
and tell you how very grateful I am for the Berean Ques-
tions in THE WATCH TOWER.When Brother Rutherford
w.ls here in convention I noticed that he referred to the
Questions, also stating that he thought few present studied
them. I ]or one HADNOT; but from that moment I made
a firm resolve to do so and have tfiken from seven to ten
questions each day and have received gre’~t joy and blessing
as a result. I have encouraged others to do the same; for
they too will find sweet refreshment. They are as dear to
me daily as my Vow, Resolve, Manna Text, and prayers.
Yoursister in Christ, VIOLETISABELJAMES, Canada.
 PRAYER-MEETING
TEXT FOR JANUARY 2
"’The Godof heavc~ .dud/set up a kingdom."--Daniel
2: 4.’.
NLYonce prior to now did the God of hcaven set
O up a kingdom on earth, and that was merely a
typical kingdom foreshadowing the great king-
dmnmentioned in this text. The important factor of a
kingdom is the royal house or reigning family. King
l ~avid and his house pictured the church, ]lead and body,
in a militant condition. Solomonpictured Christ reign-
ing in glory. Solomon’sreign was one of peace and rest.
]t pictured the reign of the Prince of Peace and the rest
whichthat reign will bring to the p,’oldes of cartb.
In due time the nation of Israel fell; and God de-
clared that no more would his kingdom be in authority
on earth until he whose right it is should come. The
(’,futile times ended in 1914. The rightful King was
then present and had been since 187,1, but his first work
u as a preparatory work for the beginning of his reign.
In the last davs c~f these Gentile kings the Godof heaven
has begun to ,.-el up a kingdom; and his kingdomis now
breaking to pieces the kingdoms of this world, as God
foreiohl through his prophet Daniel would be done.
The greater number of those composing the royal
family are in heaven with the King and Prince of Peaee,
while on earth there are yet somemembersof his royal
house, we believe. The latter are t,e ~ isible representa-
tives of the kingdomwhich the Godof heaven is setting
up. No one on earth could exactly point out who these
are. The Lord himself knoweth them that are his. In
the eves of the worht these earthly representatives of the
king are not desirable persons; but when the last mem-
h.q.s of the royal family have been completed and are
forever with the Lord in glory, and when the record is
written up, then all the people will knownwhoare mem-
bers of the kingdomclass. Then all the nati, :; will
come and bowbefore them.
The membersof the kingdom class now on earth oe-
cupy a position of honor that no one else on earth can
oeeupy. They are the honored servants of the Lord, and
a- ,ueh are eommamled to proclaim to the world that the
kill admnof heaven is at hand; that the Godof heaven is
m~a s,tting up his kingdom; that the day for which
(’hri:tians have long waited and prayed is here. These
carthh representatives are the ambassadorsof the king-
dora of (~od, an"~ arc clothed with authority to tell man-
kind of that kingdonl and the bles,,mgs it will bring ~
them. The mission of these ambassadors is one of lox
They are performing a service prompted by love, re:-
selfishly desiring to do good to their fellow man. All
those uho now appreciate the privilege of announcing
this kingdomhaw, an invitation from the Lord to enter
into his joy. Those entering and continuing faithful and
loyal for the remainder of tb.e way, representing the
King, will be granted power, honor, glory, and tremor-
TEXT COMMENTS
tality, in that kingd,mt x~hn.h the Godof heaven is set-
ring up. The angels of hca~c~l have ne~er euj~)cd such
an honor.
TEXT FOIl JANUARY 9
"’Thy kingdom is an everlasting lcingdom."--Psalm
1.~5: 13.
I N THIS text the prophet of God tells of the end-
]essness of the kingdom.In the context he -hews the
duty and privilege of the saints in eonneetlon with
announcing its establishment. The new creation is the
work of Jehovah, and will constitute his greatest work
bccau,,c the membersof it are all to be partakers of the
dl~ ine nature. "All thy worksshall prai.-e thee. O Lord;
and thv saints shall bless thee. Theyshall spt’ak of the
glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; to make
k~ownto the sons of menhis mighty acts, and the, glo-
rious majesty of his kingdom."--- Psalm 145:10-12.
The kingdoms of this earth, established by Satan and
governed by his dupes, have endured for a season only.
They have been oppressive, unrighteous, coercive and
wicked, and have brought sorrow, misery, and death up-
on the race. Thanks be to Godthese are nowfast fading
away[ The kingdom of peace is breaking them like a
potter’s vessel. The kingdom which the God of heaven
is nowestablishing does and shall rest uponthe shoulder
of his beloved Son, Christ Jesus. In a thousand years
that kingdom will undo all th.e wrong that Satan has
accomplishedin six thousand years. It will bring to the
people beauty of health instead of ashes of death; and
instead of sorrow and mourningit will give mankindthe
oil of joy and gladness. Those who love and do thac
~
which is right the King will lead over the highway o,
holiness, and whenthe work of restoration is done every
er, ature that has breath will be fonnd praising Godand
his beloved Son, the King. That kingdom will not end
with the bringing man to hi, perfect estate, however~
The reign of righteousness will endnr.e on earth forever,
standing as an everlasting monumentto the graciousnes~
and to the love of Jehovah, and an endless praise to hla
name.
To know now that the kingdom is here and that its
reign will be endless thrills the hearts of the saints; and
they delight in joining their voices in ~he glad procla-
mation to manldnd :"The kingdomof heaven is at hand."
Their enthusiasm for the King and his ldngdom is tho
joy of the Lord. The benefits it will bring to fellow
creatures is a joy and strength to the heart of every
saint. They cannot keep back the ~-ong, hut in beautiful
eadenees are singing:
"Joy to the world! The Lord has come
O earth, receive thy King.
Let every heart prepare him room,
And grateful tribute bl’ing."
 A CHOSEN LEADER AND A CHOSEN LAND
---JANUARY 6 GENESIS 12:1 TO 25:10
ABRAHA~IICPROMISE
OF BLESSINGSTO CO~E---I~kI~D INCLUDEDIN THE PRO~ISE--GOD’S OATHTO ABRAItA~f--LAND
TO BE RESTORED TO ISRAEL.
"In thee shall alt [amilies ol the earth be blessed."--Genesis 12: 3.

T HE Sunday studies for the first half of 1924 will bring

before us some of the outstanding
dealings with his chosen people.
features of God’s
They begin with
SThose worthies who preceded Abraham exercised
according to the circumstances of their lives; but it is as
faith

heirs of the righteousness which is by faith that they are to

Abraham, and end with the restvration and the reforms
under Ezra and Nehemiah. The Bible student knows that
these records are not mere history, but are God’s treasure-
store laid up for his people, for the guidance of all succeeding
generations, and for the strengthening of men of faith in
every age. He also knows that particularly they are fol"
the instruction of the church of God. (Romans 15:4)
Further, he sees that these scriptures of truth (Daniel 10:
21) are in a very special way intended to instruct
guide the church in these its last days on earth, when under
the headship of the returned Lord it is once more brought
lo a unity.
2The history of Abraham is recorded in Genesis 12:1 to
25: 10. But Abraham and his promise dominate the Bible.
hnleed, the Bible may very properly be described as the
history of the development of the promise, "In thee shall
all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12:3) The
account of Abraham’s call and experiences in the land of
promise (1) reveals God’s purpose towards mankind; (2)
emphasizes the typical significance of Abraham’s life both
as regards God’s plan and his method of carrying out his
purpose; (3) marks the development of Abraham’s charac-
ter, and him as a worthy example to all who are called to
walk according to faith.
3Our lesson speaks of Abraham as a chosen leader,
he was not so ranch a leader as a head. Fie is the father of
all them that believe (Romans 4: 11), whether according
to the flesh or to the spirit. And to be true seed of Abraham
according to the spirit is one of the greatest of favors, even
as Paul stated: "If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s
seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3: 29)
This, of course, does not make Abraham greater than Christ ;
but it does declare the true Scriptural relationship
believers with the Abrahamic promise, and with Abraham
as the holder of the promise of God. It is always necessary
to remember that the spirituul seed of Abraham, the foot-
step followers of Christ, are not the only seed ; and that these of the world’s blessings. Later still,
do not absorb all the promise. The earthly seed, those grand
men and women who were true children in faith prior to
Ct~ris[ are also heirs; and they also were selected by the
test of faithfulness to God according to the hope which had
been given to father Abraham.
ABRAHAMIC PROMISE OF BLESSINGS TO COME
4Abratmm lms this high place (1) because he was chosen
of God as the one through whom the promised seed of the
woman slmuhl come (Genesis 3: 15), (2) bee.rose he walked
worthy of the vocation wherewith he was called. The first
ray of promise or hope that the human family would he
restored to its original purity, and to the enjoyment of the
blessings of God, was of a negative character. The head of
the tempter was to be bruised, indicating that the seed would
break the power of evil. But the promise to Abraham, 2,081
)’ears afterwards, was a positive one of actual blessing:
"In thee and in thy seed shall all families of the earth
be blessed." Although before his day Abel, Enoch, and
Noah had exercised faith in God, Abraham was the first
with whom God entered into a covenant. He was the first
to 1)e called to a lifo of faith.
362
be rewarded (Hebrews J l : 7 ), and that was first made known
to Abraham. After Abr’lham had been called, and God had
thus designated his family and the hope coming through
them, no one could come i~tto harmony with God apart from
association with Abraham and the hope‘ Also, as is shown
in Genesis 12 : 3, the call of Abraham and his family sooner
or later vitally affects everyone.
eThe attitude towards Abraham will mean the salwttion
and or destruction of all others: "’I will bless them that bless
thee, and curse him that curseth thee." (Genesis 12:3)
is evident that God made careful selection as to the one
who should thus represent him. Of Noah’s three sons Ilam
was ruled out of the choice; evidently his character was
of too poor a nature to ,~llow him to be progenitor of the
chosen seed. Japheth was also left aside, probably bec.~use
his seed was too unrestful. Shem’s seed was chosen as
more suited to that calling in life which could develop the
characteristics that God required. This is revealed in
Genesis 18:17-19, where God says to Abraham: "Sh,tll I
hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that
Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation,
and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
For I know him, that he will command his children and his
household after him, and they shall keep the way of the
but Lord, to do justice and Judgment; that the Lord may bring
upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." While
the passage probably means that God foreknew Abraham
in the sense of calling him to himself, it surely means 1hat
God foresaw the development of the character of Abralmm
In his children.
LAND INCLUDED IN THE PROMISE
of TThe covenant made with Abr: ’,am Is variously expressed.
It is stated in its simplest form _. our Golden Text. Later,
the land of Canaan was included in the covenant (Gem’sis
15 : 18-21), thus determining that land as the ultimate center
on the offering up of
Isaac "the seed" was included (C~enesis 22:18), indicaiiag
to Abraham that the honor of he ding this great covenant
should be shared by the seed of promise. There was nothing
to indicate that God would produce a spiritual seed,
"begotten not . . . of the will of the flesh, nor of the will
of man, but of God." (John 1:13) This is the revelation
of the New Testament, a mystery hidden till Christ came,
though the fact was shown in type by two classes of seed
which Abraham was to have---as the stars (spiritual) and
as the dust (earthly). It was also represented in Isaac
and Jacob, both of whom were included with Abraham in
the covenant. Compare Genesis 26: 4, "I will make thy
seed . . . as the stars," and Genesis 28: 14, "Thy seed shall
be as the dust of the earth." God for a time deprived him
of the pleasure of having a son, through Sarah’s barrenness.
8Apparently, considering that God would be pleased for
him to use natural means, Abraham with Sarah’s consent
married Hag~ar, his wife’s handmaiden, by whom Ishmael
was born to him. This human attempt of produce the heaven-
promised seed brought much trial upon Abraham. God repu-
diated Ishmael as the holder of the promises, and kept Abra-
ham still waiting, even until his body was as good as dead.
D~CE~I~ER
1, 1923 ’r e WATCH TOWER
(Romans 4 : 19) Then, and in due time. tile seed according
to proinise ~ as born, a figure of those born according to the
spirit, and not according to the will of the flesh.
GOD’S OATH TO ABRAHAM
OAbraham’s supreme test came when his beloved son Isaac
had grown Into budding manhood, and Abraham was com-
manded of God to offer him as a sacrifice. Abralmin had such
confidence in God that he failed not even under that mighty
test. He knew by his experiences that God could and would
work miracles, and in supreme confidence and loyalty he took
Isaac to offer him as a sacrifice. His confidence was not that
he believed God would give him another son, but that Isaac
should he given back to him even from the dead (tlebrews
11:19---a mighty faith which brought an exceeding great
reward. God then entered into a closer covenant with Abra-
ham. swearing by himself that the promise should be made
good both to Abraham and to his seed.--Genesis 22: 15-18.
~o’t’he many minor tests which came through the vi(.issi-
tu(h,s of life, and through Lot’s association with him, proved
very helpful to Abraham. Like a well-built, well-m~mned ship
riding out a storm, Abraham rode the storms of life almost
majestically. But the strong man of faith failed in what
seemed to be the simpler things of life; for he descended to
subterfuge, where confidence in God should have ruled, owing
to nn initial mistake not corrected until confessed to Abime-
le(’h. (Genesis 20: 13) It could be said of him that he
ten,pted in all points in the life of faith as we, his faith-
(.hihlren are, though the record which is given of his great
son Jesus cannot be giv,)n of him ; for it cannot be said either
of Abraham or of any other of his children that ’he was
t(,mpted yet without sin.’ Yet Abraham walked worthy of
(;()d. nnd in his development of character proved himself
be indeed a noble man.
HThe land which the Canaanites and other descendents of
llam chose was the land which God had in mind for his
ch(,sen people. Moses says (Deuteronomy 32:8) that on
(livisiml of the earth amongst the families of men God "set
the b(~nn(ls of the people according to the number of the
chihh’en of Israel." God knew to what extent the chosen
~amily would multiply and how large they must be for the
accomplishment of his purpose of making them : (1) Blessers
of the world, and (2) servants to Abraham, the faithful
natural seed who with him were to be the holders of the
covenant as it related to the land. As has previously been
stated, the land was greatly varied in its fauna and flora
and in its range of climatic conditions, from the eternal
snows of Lebanon in the north to the tropical heat of the
Jordan valley at Jericho. That land is forever associated
with God’s promise.
LAND TO BE RESTORED TO ISRAEL
a2The seed of Jacob, Israel according to the flesh, are to
be Its inhabitants, not by right of possession, but because
they are children of their fathers. It is to be the everlasting
honm of the chosen people. Because of their waywardness
and unfaithfulness they have been scattered abroad on the
face of the earth amongst "the goyim," the nations. But
when the times of restitution come (Acts 3: 19-21) Israel
will be the first to be restored to their land and to their
God, and to enjoy the blessings covenanted with their fathers,
that they may be servants to those, their 1)rinces, who shall
live in the land as Its God-glven possessors.--Rom. 11 : 26, 27.
"Hail to the brightness of Zion’s glad morning,
Long by the prophets of Israel foretold!
Hall to the millions from bondage returningl
Gentiles and Jews the blest vision behold.
>~While it is ~.m-reet t~ think tlmt lh(, I)l~,s-in~’; ,~hich
God has for all tile hul|lnn family, e~en to delivering the
deatl from the power of death and to bl’il,ging all mm~to a
full knowledge of God, which will radiale from tile land
of Israel and from Abraham and his seed, yet it is partic-
ularly true that the nations must seek God. He says : "Look
unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." (Isaiah
45 : 22) This does not mean look to heaven, but look to the
arrangement which God has made for the diaseminatinn of
his truth and blessings. The nations which will not go up
to Jerusalem to acknowledge God and seek his blessing will
lind the blessings of God withheld from them.--Zech. 14 : 17.
~4The Abrahamie promise, "In ~hee and in thy seed shall
all families of the earth be blessed," or "bless themselves"
as otherwise expressed (Jeremiah 4:2) does not mean that
all nations must become Jews. It does mean that God has
app.ointed a channel by which his blessings shall come, and
none but those who acknowledge that channel can have his
Ide.~sings. Since God called Abraham no one, whether of
~piritual or natural Israel or of the world of mankind, has
bee.i able, or ever will be able, to get God’s blessings apart
fv,,nl Abraham and the Abrahamie covenant. The covenant
is sure; it is sworn to by God himself. (Hebrews 6: 13) The
vhihlren of men shall be delivered, and shall rejoice in the
salvation of God.
~JThis study is a special help to the loyal Bible student.
llere God is seen laying the foundations of the superstructure
of the divine Word of Truth; for Abraham and his three
wives represent the three great covenants through which the
prmnised blessing will go to the human family. The history
of |he children of Israel, and the development of the church
of God, have but disclosed in full that which was shown
in ndniature in ihv life of Abraham; and the blessings ol~
the kingdom of heaven, now almost due, will be the extend-
ing of the New Covenant, as represented by Keturah and
her children. God alone could do this thing; and lhe fact
that he has thus fore-written the developments of his plan
and human history not only strengthens his servants, but is
his own witness to himself.--Isaiah 43 : 9 ; 41: 26.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
In what way is the history of the Old Testament of advantage to
Christians? ¶ 1.
Where do we find the history of Abraham recorded? What three
things are the call and experiences of abraham intended to teach1
¶2.
Of whomIs Abraham the head? Who are the real seed of Abra-
ham? Whoelse share that honor? ¶ 3.
What is the character of the promise that the seed should bruise
the serpent’s head? What ts the character of the promise made
2.081 years afterward? Whowas the first to be called to a life
of faith? ¶4.
How far reaching is the promise made to Abraham? l 5.
Just bow careful was God in selecting Abrahamto represent him?
Whywill the world have to make friends with Abraham? ¶6.
Howis the covenant variously stated? Where is it that we learn
of the development of a spiritual seed? Howwas this stated
symbolically in the promise? ¶ 7.
Was Ishmael a child by promise? Was Isaac? ¶ 8.
When did Abraham’s supreme test come? Was he equal to it?
What did God then do? ¶ 9.
Why say that Abraham "rode the storms of life almost majestic-
ally"? Whoonly was tempted yet without sin? ¶ 10.
Whopossessed th9 land which God intended for his chosen people?
¶ 11.
Wby were the Israelites to possess Canaan? Why and when shall
they possess it forever? ¶ 12.
What advantage will it be for the nations to seek God in the
restoration day? ¶ 13.
Must all the world become Jews in order to be saved? What is
meant by God’s appointing a channel? ¶ 14.
Howis this lesson of special help to B~ble students? I 15.
"See the dead risen from land and from ocean;
Praise to Jehovah ascending on high;
FaWn are the engines of war and commotion;
Shouts of salvation are rending the. sky."
 THE LONG SOJOURN IN EGYPT
---JANUARY 13 GENESIS 37 TO 50--
ABRAHA.~I’S POSTERITY IN A STRANGE LAND--JOSEPt{ RECONSTRUCTS EGYPT--BOnDAGE C.klTSE,S
LOSS OF FAITtI--ISRAEL IN EGYPT A TYPICAL PEOPLE.

"Jehovah shall keep thee ]ron~ all evil; he shall keep thy soul."--Psalm 121:7, R. V.

T IlE land of Egypt is very intimately associated with the

history of God’s chosen people. For a time it provided
a refuge and even a home country for them. But afler
of nature (Genesis 41: 38) ; (3) that famine and its associ-
ate circumstances were intended for types of future world
events; (4) and that its extension to Canaan was for the
their deliverance from it, EgTpt is ever a land of whose purpose of reuniting Jacob and his son Joseph, and t() I)ring
seduclions they musl beware; for Egypt and its people r(’t)- true family reunion, both physically and in heart.
resent the world, careless of God or opposed to him. Tiffs 6When Joseph learned that his father was still alive,
connection of God’s people with Egypt is necessary in the knowing that there were yet five years of famine to (.ome,
plan of God; for the people of God are: (1) Those who, he decided, agreeably to Pharaoh, to bring all the family to
desiring to be in harmony with him, have received a promise Egypt that they might be under his care. Jacob was s()m~
of a better inheritance than could be theirs by nature, and what doubtful about going down to Egypt, perh’ips b~.:mse
who seek to be freed fl-om that bondage of evil which Egypt of what God had said to his father Isaac; but on Jos(’ph’s
represents; or (2) they are that great mass of the hum’m invitation he decided to visit Joseph and return. ((~enesis
filmily, even yet estranged from God, who will be delivered 45:28) When on his journey and at Beer-sheba, lie offered
from the thraldom of Satan’s empire and the bondage of sacrifices unto "the God of Ills father Isaac"; and God as-
corruption by the direct manifestation of the power of (~o,l .~ul’ed him that it w,~s right for him to go to EgJ~l)t. and
in the break-up of that empire, -rod who will learn of God that he shouhl die there witl~ Joseph at his side. He ~aid:
and serve him under the reign of Christ. "Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes"--Joseph .~hould
2God tested Abraham by pernlitting a famine in the land of be the one to draw the eyelids when sight had gone. lie also
promise; and Abraham reasoned that it would be proper f,,,’ indicated that in Egypt there should come that pro.~l)erity
him to seek means to provide for the needs of his dependents which the word of God had declared to his grandfather Abra-
and himself. He therefore decided to leave the promised land ham. (Genesis 46: 1-4) Thus it came about that they took
for a time and to go south to Egypt. It is easy to :my lie their goods and cattle which they had got in Camum. and
ought to have depended upon God, and have remained in the that with Jacob’s sons and grandsons (besides his dan~hters
land; nevertheless it must be said that in this Abr’du,m and his sons’ daughters) the seventy souls went down into
reasoned "according to the flesh." Egypt.--Genesis 46 : 26.
3Under similar circumstances God told Isaac not {o go 7Pharaoh honol’e(l Jacob both in life and in death; and
down to Egypt (Genesis 23:2), a warning which indicates he who feared that his grey hairs would go down to the
that Isaac contemplated going down as his father had done. grave in sorrow had in Egypt seventeen years of an easy
It also indicates, and evidently is intended to illustrate, the and beautiful ending to his much varied life. Very probahly
covering care which God has over his elect. Sometimes he when the Psalmist drew the mental picture of the i)h,.~sing
permits his children to make mistakes of judgment; but of God on a long life, saying, "Thou shalt see thy chihireo’s
sometimes there are providential warnings or circumstances children, and peace upon Israel" (Psalm 128: 6), he lind the
which save them from temptations which would be too strong patriarch Jacob in mind. Jacob died in faith. A little while
for them. (1 Corinthians 10: 13) In character Isaac was not before his death, and when he would give his blessing to
so strong as either his father or his son Jacob. Probably he Joseph’s sons, lie called for his pilgrim staff. He hml ever
would have made serious mistakes under the tests which lived as a pilgrim in faith; and though he was now settled
would have come upon him in Egypt. In Jacob’s day also in Egypt, he would die as a pilgrim, looking for the realiza-
there came a severe famine in the land; and this was the tion of the hope which God had covenanted with his fathers
means God used to take the chosen family out of the land and himself.--Hebrews 11 : 21.
for a time and to cause them to dwell in Egypt.
JOSEPH RECONSTRUCTS EGYPT
ABRAHAM’S POSTERITY IN A STRANGE LAND SDuring these last years of Jacob’s life, Joseph was ex-
4God had said to Abraham that his seed should be strang- tremely busy reconstructing the affairs of the kingdom of
ers in a land not theirs, and should be servants, and come Egypt. Under Pharaoh he took advantage of his position as
into affliction (Genesis 15 : 13) ; but the land of bondage was dictator, and reorganized and partly socialized the resources
not mentioned, and there was nothing to indicate that it was of the kingdom, as the full account of Genesis 47:13-26
Egypt. It pleased God to bring Abraham into Canaan more shows. Jacob was a wise man, and the family of sons were
than 400 years before giving it to Abraham’s seed for an evidently men of ability; and no doubt all of them, then
inheritance. God states one reason for this: "The iniquity living harmoniously together, were giving their best, and
of the Amorites is not yet full." (Genesis 15: 16) He had were helpful to Joseph in his great work. Here, clearly, is
other reasons, some of which appear in our study today. a picture of the chosen people going down to Egypt, wbich
5It was, of course, in the overruling providences of God in Scriptural symbology represents the world, and bNngin~
that Joseph was sold to a company of Midianites who were it to restitution and to full blessings of good government.
goi’ng to Egypt. In mere chance the first buyers to appear on OGeneu!s contains more pictures and illustrations of d)e
the scene might have been a company coming 1rein Egypt, plan of God and its various features than does any other
going northwards or eastwards. This was the first link in book of the Bible. It is the root out of which the n’(.e of
the chain of God’s providences ; the famine which came upon revelation grows. Naturally it begins w~’h human history
Egypt twenty years later was another. That famine served in its golden age; it tells of the desolations; it tells also of
many purposes. It was designed, to teach Egypt: (1) that God’s chosen family, chosen to be the channel of his bless-
their gods were no gods (Exodus 12 : 12) ; (2) that the ings. It ends in showing Egypt, repr~,enting the world, re-
whom Joseph worshiped, the God of the Hebrews, was the stored under the guidance of that chosen family. Genesis
true God, who alone held the secrets of time, and was Master is the story of paradise lost to mankind and of the paradise
86-1
 WATCH
of good and orderly govrenment under the blessing of God
regained.
1e Joseph lived fifty-four years after the death of his fatlmr,
and it is to be presumed that he always’occupied a posi*ion
of authority. But "there arose a new king over Egypt ~ t~i ’h
knew not Joseph" (Exodus 1: 8), and Israel’s experiences
in Egypt rapidly changed from those of a favored people to
the opposite extreme. Under the blessing of God they greatly
increased in numbers as well as in goods. Indeed, their in-
~
crease seemed almost phenomenal in comparison with tha
of the Egyptians, and Eg~cpt began to alarm itself. Tim
Israclitish question became a matter of high policy; for tee
Egyptians feared that these foreigners, now profitnble t,)
them in ease of war would join their enemies and so escape ;
or would increase so much as to become the rulers of the
land. Repression of various kinds were attempted and hard
labor was enforced ; even the murder of all newly born male
children was demanded.
BONDAGE CAUSES LOSS OF FAITH
alThe circumstances of Israel’s going into Egypt had caused
them to settle there, "rod later there had appe’tred no reasm~
why they should remove. Moreover, as their numbers raphlly
increased, a peaceful return to Canaan and occupation of
land there could hardly be hoped for. Now the hard bondage
to which they were subject began to be a test of faith in
the care of God. Apparently there was no thought that thex
should expect removal to Canaan. Indeed, God had giv,,n
no direct promise of that land to Israel. The covenant was
only with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and Israel seems to
ha~:e lost sight of the possibility of a return to Canaan.
Many of Israel would have preferred a betierment of their
Egyptian conditions rather than to be removed from Egypt.
a’-’In this the Israelites became typical of the great number
of orthodox professing Christians. The hope of the church
was set before them by the apostles ; but after the aggressive
spirit of the false clergy began to becloud the doctrines,
"the hope of glory" and the fact of the Lord’s return wore
almost lost sight of. And when the Lord returne~l in 1874,
failh in the fact that he would return and avenge his wait-
ing people (that is, would deliver them from the bondage
of error and would establish the long p,’om~sotl kingdom)
had almost disappeared. (Luke 18: 8) Nomtaal Christen(lore
has been looking for an amendment of present earthly con-
ditions rather than for deliverance from them.
1SOur Gohlen Text is not a Scriptural comment up()n God’s
care over his people when in Egypt, nor does it actually
apply to the circumstances there. Yet in connection with our
lesson it is a sweet reminder of the fact that God does c:~re
for his people and does not forget his covenanted promise.
Israel, except a faitlfful few, had forgotten God. But God
had not forgotten them. He did not deliver them, however,
without bringing them through such experiences as would
serve to emphasize their needs and to be permanent lessons
for them. The testimony of Jacob, written for our sakes,
has been of great serivce to all the household of faith. (Gene-
sis 48 : 15, 16) God never forgets. Even if we forget, he does
TOWER
not; and he always takes mean~ to remind us of our share
of the covenant. It is only when we deliberately break the
coveimnt that God does so. "He is faithful that promised."
--Hebrews ]0 : 23.
ISRAEL IN EGYPT A TYPICAL PEOPLE
~4The long sojourn in Egypt must come to an end; for
Canaan was Israel’s home, and God had a time limit for
their absence. How they were delivered is our next study.
But though we see that Israel’s sojourn in Egypt and de-
liverance from its bondage was specially intended as a type
of tim long sojourn of spiritual Israel under the course of
this present evil world, and of the final revival of the hope
of the church, and of its deliverance, we should miss valu-
able Instruction if we carried the illustration no further.
~SIsrael in Egypt represents the human family under the
bondage of ils enemies--the princes of this world, whether
angelic, as Satan and his hosts, or human, as those evil
institutions which hold the human family in bondage. Once
the outward conditions of the children of men were com-
paratively easy to bear; but as "civilization" has grown in
the Western world, and as the population of the Eastern
hemisphere has greatly increased, the general conditions of
life for the millions are become very hard to bear. The vast
majority live in conditions of poverty or on its border line.
And, like Israel in Egypt, who seemed to have forgotten that
they had a hope of another country, so men have lost sight
of the hope given them by God in "many ways and divers
manners" and specially by i~is Son. However, God does not
forget his promises, and sore, men shall see that their piti-
able condition has moved heaven to their delfverance.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
Howis the land of Egypt intimately associated with God’s chosen
people? ¶ 1.
IIow were the inheritors of the ~romised Land sometimes put under
test? ¶ 2, 3.
WhenGod said that the children of Israel would be strangers in a
land not theirs, was it intimated that that land should be Egypt ?
¶4,
Was it of God’s overruling providence that Joseph was sold and
taken to Egypt? What fourfold lesson do we learn from the
great famine of Egypt and Canaan? ¶ 5.
What (lid Joseph do when he learned of the conditions in his
father’s country? Howdid the Lord indicate to Jacob that he
would die in Egypt? ¶ 6.
Howlong did Jacob live in Egypt? What is signified b¥ Jacob’s
calling for his staff? ¶ 7.
As dictator of Egypt, howdid Joseph conduct himsel[? la it rea-
sonable to suppose that his brethren helped him? ¶ 8.
What book in the Bible contains more pictures o£ the plan of God
than any other? And why? ¶ 9.
Why did Israel’s experiences in Egypt change from favora~ to
unfavorable? What were the contributing causes? ¶ 10.
Were the bondage and hardship of Israel in Egypt a test of faith?
Whyshould the Israelites be in a great dilemma as to the proper
course to pursue? ¶ 11.
What is the sequel to the Egyptian bondage and the diminishing
and dying out of the faith of the Israelites? ¶ 12.
Is God’s leading of his covenanted people always for their highest
good? Does God forget? Under what condition does God break a
covenant? ¶ 13.
Does God have respect to time in wol’king out his beneficent plan
of redemption? ¶ 14.
What are the ~ypical pictures to be drawn from Israel’s sojourn ia
Egypt? ¶ 15.

CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S LEADING encourages me to go on more fully trusting where I cannot

DEAR t)~RETH~EN -" trace him. Trials and difficulties I have. When I tell out
With joy In my heart I am writing you this letter, for the message our dear Redeemer is on the scene to give me
the many messages I’ve received during the past year. Joy in delivering the message.
They have opened my mind more and more. The light has I would ask you to go on as usual. We know our work
been shining brighter and brighter through the power of will not be in vain if we be true and faithful. Our reward
Jehovah’s work. Praise his holy name! The household of is sure through the merit of Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
faith is getting meat in due season. Thank you very much I am yours in the Lord,
for the way I have been helped. "Slack not thy hand" SISTER ELIZABET ~r GoopiNos, British Guiaz~
 MOSES CALLED TO DELIVER ISRAEL
----JANuAI~Y 20 EXODUS1:1 TO 12:3Cr-----
]t40.~S, T’REREPRESENTATIVE
OFJEIIOVAH--~OSES
EQITAL
TO TIIE 0CCASI(}N--SPRIN~LIN(,
OFBLOOD
S ~VE, S ISRAETJ.
**By ta~th Moses, wlte~ he was g~ow’n up, refusvd to be c~ll,, tl~(’ so~ of 1)ha~:aoh’s daughter; choosi~zg rather to sh.are ill
$re~itmo~t wit, l~ the people of Godthan to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a seasan."--llebrcws 11: 2]1, 25, A. S. V.

O NE hundred and eighteen years after

Jacob, when the repressive
the deati~ of
measures of Egypt were
in full operation, a child was born in Israel wire, in
the providence of God, proved to be the instrument of the
salvation of Israel. The edict of Pharaoh that all male
children should be destroyed at birth had just come into
force; but Aaron seems not to have been subject to it, The
story of the birth of Mo~es, of his parents’ faith in God,
of their attempt to keep their son, and of the wonderful way
In which the child was preserved and was brought up by
Pharaoh’s daughter as her son, is one of the treasures
human history.
2All the time Moses was in the house of Pharaoh, the
condition of his people grew worse: for the increase
numbers ~as persistent, and correspondingly the fears of
Pharaoh grew. When Moses was forty years of age he
cam(, to the crisis of his life. Then a man of note and
authority, mighty in words and deeds, learned in all the
wisdom and knowledge of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22),
perhaps a prospective heir of the throne of Egypt, he de~
!iberately severed himself from the court, and took his
place with his own despised people. ’He chose rather
suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the
pleasures of Egypt for a season.’
aHoffman n’llned his picture of the rich young man g,~ing
away from Jesus "The Gr,~.at Refusal"; but that title c ~uhl
be more truly applied to this decision by Moses who "re-
fused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter." (He-
brews 11: 24) Probably no greater truly earthly sacrifice,
was ever made. Moses was disappointed, however; for he
had thought that his brethren would have understood that
God would deliver them by him. They were not yet ready
for deliverance; and as Pharaoh now sought his life,
fled eastward across the Sinaitic peninsula.
4For another forty years Moses was in the land of Midian,
a keeper of sheep. As he made no attempt to get rich, we
must think of him as waiting for God’s leading. But the
long waiting must have tried his faith; for when at last
God spoke to him, telling him that the time for the deliver-
ance of his people had come, and that God would now use
him to that end, he was almost diffident. Yet, as the event
showed, Moses had been developing; and he proved to be
exactly the right instrument for God’s purpose.
~During Moses’ stay in Midian things in Egypt had also
developed. The condition of Israel had grown worse con-
tinuously. Their cries reached heaven, even though Israel did
not direct them there. The Scriptures seem careful not to
say that they cried unto God. Indeed, many of them had lost
faith; and many were idol worshipers, and were rebellious
in heart. (Joshua 24:14; Ezekiel 20:5-9) Moreover, the
generation which had sought Moses’ life had died, and a
Pharaoh had come to the throne in whose elevation God had
been interested. Probably born many years later than Moses,
he developed such a spirit as made him serviceable to God;
for, in the events which were culminating, God had a design
far and away greater than that of delivering Israel from
the bondage of Egypt.
6In all these things God was laying types and shadows
of great things to come, that the men of later days might
have evidence that he alone is God Ahnighty, knowing fu-
ture events as if they were present. But there was a need
that the world of that day should have witness of tbe an-
thority of the God of heaven. The human race was traveling
fast on the downward road; for Satan was extremely busy,
and the knowledge of God and his power was hidden amid
the worship of a multitude of gods.
MOSES, THE REPRESENTATIVE OF JEHOVAH
7As Egypt was the greatest world-power of that time, Its
Pharaohs claiming that they had the rightful I)ower of the
gods to rule among men, God chose the occasion of the bond-
:~ge of his people for the manifestation of his power against
of ;ill gods. Of these marvels in Egypt the Scriptures say that
(~)d went down to Egypt to make himself a name. (2 Sam-
nel 7:23) The conilict which ensued w:ls, therefore, not
in m(,rely the will of Pharaoh pitted against God, but was
conIli(.t of God against tim powers of evil, and a manifesta-
tion of his judgments against all who oppose him. Those
ever,Is provide an illustration of the things God is doing
today when he is delivering the lmma~l family from the
and bondage of Satan and Satan’s empire, mnl is hringing the
ehihh’en of men into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
(l[onlans 8:21) It was for this reason that Pharaoh was
to br(Jugtlt to the throne of Egypt at that time, "And in very
deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in
thee my power ; and that my name may be declared through-
out all the earth."--Exodas 9: 16.
~(ff Moses. the rela’ese~,~ttiv( of God, it is written: "The
man 3loses was very meek. above ’~ll the men which were
upon the face of tim earth." (Numbers 12 : 3) TIw otis.r, the
bohl opposer of God, and the oppressor of all those who
~,uhl worship God was the most arro~mt spirit of all
lime. When Moses said Jehovah had sent him, this man
said: "Who is Jehovah, that I should obey hls voice to let
h~ Israel go? I know not Jehovah, neither will I let Israel
go."--Exodus 5 : 2,
9Moses started from Sinai with Aaron, who had been sent
there to meet him. Accompanied also by his wife and two
sons, he went on his way towards Egypt. But Moses had a
sharp reminder of his neglect. If Israel in Egypt had been
neglectful of the hope that was before them as a people,
lie also had been neglectful of the covenant God had made
wilh the fathers ; for his two sons had not been circumcised.
God smote him with a sickness which seemed unto death-
The situation was realized--apparently his wife had an
objection to circumcision. The children were circumcised,
and Moses was raised up.--Exodus 4: 24-26.
ZOBefore they entered on their work in Egypt Moses was
fortified in his mission by signs; for the children of Israel
were unprepared, and Pharaoh would certainly object to the
call made upon him. At last they stood before Pharaoh,
making request that their people might have freedom to wor-
ship their God. The conflict began. Of the nine plagues
which came upon Egypt, in series of threes, the children of
Israel also suffered in the first three. This tried Israel, and
must have tried Moses also ; for Israel complained that their
condition was made worse by his coming amongst them,-
Exodus 5 : 20-23.
MOSES EQUAL TO THE OCCASION
~But despite lack of support by his own people, and the
opposition of Pharaoh, Moses persisted in his work for the
Lord. His diilideoee and declared lack of ability to speak
seemed to be forgotten. The work God gave him brought
 WATCH TOWER
out the full force of his character. And now was revealed
the benefit of his being brought up in Pharaoh’s house; for,
familiar with the manner of life and the formalities of the
court, he was able to stand in the company of these men as
their equal. He proved to be exactly the right man. And
so God still provides : he always has the right instrument for
his purpose. At first the magicians of Egypt were able to
work the same signs as Moses, as if there was nothing
special in his power. They also turned water to blood, and
caused frogs to come up over the land; but they could not
mitigate the evil they created. Apparently the devil can
make trouble, but lacks power to stop or control it.
12As the severity of the plagues passed away, either as
God chose or on Pharaoh’s petition and promise to a:~ree
to God’s desire, Pharaoh hardened his heart. The Scriplure
says that God hardened Phar~ioh’s heqrt, but that can only
be attributed to the Lord in this way: That the mercy he
showed l’lmraoh had a bad effect upon the king’s arrogant
spirit. A wicked or even an ungrateful heart always takes
mercy to its own hurt.--Isalah 26:10, Looser.
~JThe demands of Moses were persistent, and Pharaoh
Increased his concessions little by little. At last Moses plainly
demanded that every man, woman, and child of Israel, to-
gether with all their cattle, should go out of Egypt. Pharaoh
absolutely declined. Moses said that they should go, and not
a hoof be left behind. (Exodus 10: 26) Pharaoh rose up
a temper and said: "Get thee from me, take heed to thyself,
see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face
thou shalt die." "And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well,
I will see thy face again no more" (Exodus 10: 28, 29) ; but
he added that he would go only when the servants of Pha-
raoh came to him, begging him that he would go and take
all Israel with him.--Exodus 11:8.
*4Here were two mighty spirits in conflict: This most
arrogant of all men, and this meekest of all men, rising in
spirit equal to the occasion. Surely there never was such a
parting. Moses had previously been warned of God to be
ready; for God would send such a plague upon Egypt as
would cause them to want Israel out of their way. God
purposed that his people should go out by night; and prep-
aration was made for the deliverance when next the moon
was at the full, a night wl}ieh was to be a night to be
remembered throughout all the generations of Israel. (Ex-
odus 12 : 42) On that night an angel would pass throughout
the land of Egypt, and would enter every house and slay
the firstborn of every family, and also the firstborn of
beasts,--Exodus 11 : 5.
SPRINKLING OF BLOOD SAVES ISRAEL
15To safeguard Israel’s firstborn, the blood of a lamb was
to be put on the doorposts and the lintels of their houses.
At midnight all Egypt was in distress; in every house the
pride of the family died suddenly. The former plagues had
been general ; but here was a particularity which sought out
the firstborn of every family, and even of cattle. All Egypt
saw that working for the Hebrews was a mighty power which
had such intimate knowledge as to distinguish between child
and child. There was no question now that the Almi:hty
Was for Israel and against Egypt, and that the gods of
Egypt were as nothing compared with this powerful One.
*6The Egyptians’ agony, their consciousness of the losing
battle they were fighting, their feat’ of that mighty power
and of furtimr calamity caused such a cry as made even
Pharaoh call for Israel to go, and to ask Moses and Aaron
to bless him. All Egypt was urgent that Israel should go ; else
they said : "We be all dead men." The Israelites intimated
that they were ready, and would go at once; but they asked
for (and were readily given) jewels and raiment, partly aS
payment for their services and for property left behind.~
Exodus 12 : 33-36.
X~To the Bible student instructed In the way of the Lord
there is no question that here is an illustration of the de-
liverance of God’s people from the thraldom of error and
evil domination and, on a grander scale, of the deliverance
of the human family from the bondage of Satan and of the
evil powers that are associated with him. The human family
under the present conditions of life, particularly in these
days of commercialism, are well represented by Israel under
the hard bondage of Egypt. The faces of the people have
been ground ; and, as they have cried in their bondage, those
who have held the reins of power have in very many cases
done all they could to keep them in their "proper place"-
in servitude. Especially has this been the case in England
and in Europe.
~sSt. James described present conditions when he said:
"The cries of them which have reaped are entered into the
ears of the Lord of Sabaoth." (James 5:4) The human
family have cried out in their pain, and the Lord of Hosts
(armies) hears. He has come down to deliver them; that
is, 3ehovah has again sent his own Son, this time to deliver
from bondage his purchased possession. (Epheslans 1: 14)
Moses and Aaron represent the faithful people of the Lord
who are brought forward to speak for Jehovah, to witness
to the truth before the powers of this present evil world.
~gThe meek of the earth must suffer with the careless of
the world in some of the troubles; but as these get more
severe the Lord keeps from the severity of the trouble his
people and those who draw near to him. The supporters of
Egypt are beginning to feel the plagues; the false clergy
class are already making their pain known. They are being
tormented with the truth in the presence of the Lamb and
his holy angels. (Revelation 14: 10) Let the Lord’s people
keep their boldness before the powers of this evil world;
they will be rewarded by seeing the accomplishing of their
work.
QUESTIONS FOR BEREAN STUDY
What were the date and the conditions surrounding the birth of
Mo~,s? ¶ 1.
Where were the children of Israel, ~mdwhat was their condition?
Whatwas Moses’s.tanding in 1.:~.~ pl ? 7 2.
What noteworthy thnig did Mose.s do? Howwas he disappointed?
¶a.
What ~as Moses’ business for the second forty years of his lifo?
During that period was his faith under a strain? 7 4.
What ~ere the changes in Israel and in Egypt dttring those fort:/
years? 7 5.
Howis God’s overruling providence manifested, especially to us ? ¶ 6.
What did the Pharaohs claim? Why did God permit his chosen
people to be in bondage? 7 7.
What is said of Mosesand of this particular Pharaoh, in contrast?
78.
When Moses entered upon his new duties in Egypt. who was with
him? Howdid God strengthen Moses? 7 9, 10.
Of what particular use was the training Moseshad received in the
Egypt court? To what extent ddi Satan duplicate the power
of God? ¶ 11.
In what way did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? 712.
What was Moses’ final demand? Howdid it affect Pharaoh? 7 13.
What was the conflict between these men? Was Moses equal to the
emergency, and why’/ What happened that night? ¶ 14.
In what manner was Israel’s firstborn safeguarded? What did the
Egyptians now recognize? ¶ 15.
What was the fear of Egypt, and the effrontery of Pharaoh? What
weretheIsraelites concerned about?¶ 16.
Whatlessons do all theseexperiences conveyto theBiblestudent?
¶17.
Thoughthedelivery fromsin anddeathseemslongin coming,has
Godheardthe criesof the groaning creation? Arethe forcesof
libertyandbondage now testing theirstrength? ¶ 18.
Do the meek and good sufferwith the proudand tl~ mUUh @|
earth? ~ there hope for deliverance? | ~.
 ImemationalBible Students Association Classeg
BROTHER T. E. BARKER BROTHER W. H. PICKERING
Rldgeland, S. C ............... Dec. 17 Bridgeport, Corm............ Jan. 7 Toledo,o ....................... Dee. 4 NewPhiladelphia, 0 ...... Dec. 11
Charleston, S. C ............. " 18 Che~ter,Pa....................... " 8 Wapakmmta,O ............... " 5 Dover, O...................... " 12
Florence, S. C ................. " 19 Wachington,D. C ............. " 9 Lifila, O............................. " (i Ma~mllon, O ............ " 13
Petersburg, Va ................. " 20 Ruiherglen,Va ................. " 10 Marion,0 ......................... " 7 .\krml, O .................. " 14
Newl,ondon. (’onn ......... Jan. 6 Fredericks llall, Va ......... " 11 Columbus, 0 ..................... " 9 Cleveland, 0 .............. " 16
New,ark, O....................... " 10 Alloona, Pa ............... " 17

BROTHER J. A. BOHNET
Walballa, Mich ............. Dee. ] 7 Benton Harbor, Mich ....... Dec. 25 BROTHER G. R. POLLOCK
IIart, Mich ................ " 18, 19 Niles. Mirh....................... " 26 Bend,()re ..................... Dec. 12 llerndston, Ore. Dec 21
Mu~kegon,Mivh ........... " 20 Three Ri~ers, Mieh ........... " 27 La (;rande, Ore ........... " 14 Weston, Ore ....... " ".’3
Sparta, Mieil ........... " 21 Otsego.Mirh..................... " 28 Joseph, Ore ................. " 15 \Valla "~\’alln. Wash. " 24
(;rand Rapids, 31,vh ..... " 23 Kalamazoo, Mich ............. " 30 La Grande, Ore ............. " 1(; ~aknna. Wash ....... " 25, 26
Sollth Ilaven, ~l,eil ..... " 24 Battle Creek, Mieh ........... " 31 Pendleton, Ore ............. " IS Eltea~lan’g. ~ash. ’-’7
llel)pner, Ore ............... " 19,20 Everett. Wash Dee.2’.), .intl.

BROTHER B. H. BOYD
BROTHER B. M. RICE
l.aurel, Miss................. Dec. 17 Monticello,Fin ................. Dee. 24
Mobile,Ala .................. " 18 Jaci~somille, Fla ............... " 26 Elkhart, Ind .................. Dec. 18 Plymouth, Ind ........ Dec 25
Ba~ Minelte, Ala ......... " 1!) Wahlo,l.’ia ....................... " 27 Goshen,I~d ..................... " 19 ~Varsa’A, Ind .......... 26
l’ensa(’ola, Fla ............. " 20 21 %\illiston, Fla ................... " 28 Auburn,Ind ................. " 20 Wabash, lnd ............... " 27
De Funiak Spril~gs, Fla. " 22 " g( Garrett, II~d ..................... " 21. Peru, hal ................. " 2,’I
Homassassa,Fla .............. Fort Wayne, Ind ............ " 23 Logansport, Ind .......... " 30
blarianna, Fla ............. " 23 Zephyr Hills, Fla. Dee. 31, Jan. 1
Yalparaiso, Ind ............... " 24 Kokomo, lad .......... " 3l

BROTHER J. W. COPE BROTHER V. C. RICE

Seymour,Wis................... Dec. 17 Kenoshs,Wis................... Dec. 24 Arnett, Okla ................. Dee. 14 Tholea~. t)kla ..... l)ev. 24
Black Creek, Wis ............. " 18 Racine.Wis...................... " 25 Shattuck, Okla ............. " 16 Blair, Okla ....... 25
Appleton,Wis................... " 19 Oconomewoe, Wis ............. " 26 Panlpa, Tex................. " 18 Ilobart, Okla ............. ’" 26
Osilkosh,Wis................... " 20 Waukesha,Wis................. " 27 Amarillo,Tex............... " 19 Roosevelt, Okla ........... " 27
Markeson, Wis................ " 21 Lake Mills, Wis ............. " 28 Clinton. Okla ............... " 20 (’hickaMm,Okla ........... " 28, 30
Milwaukee,Wis ............... " 23 Madison, Wis ....... Dec. 30, finn. 2 Watonga,Okla ............. " 21,23 Mince. Okla ................ " 31

BROTHER A. J. ESHLEMAN BROTttER C. ROBERTS

Louisville, Ky................... Dec. t7 Hot SpriJlgs, Ark......... Dec. 24 Florence, Cole ................. Dec. 5 Ssoramento, Calif Dec. 14
Evansville, Ind ................. " ~ Atlanta,Tex................. " 25 Basalt, Cole..................... "’ (i Oakland, Calif ....... "’ 16
Guthrie, K5 ..................... " 19 Gladewater,Tex ........... " 26 Grand Jm~ction, Cole ..... " 9 ,’hm Francisco, Calif .... " 23
Gadsden,Tt,nn ................. " 20 GrandSaline, Tex ....... " 27, 28 Midvale,Utah.................. "’ 11 ,San Jose, Calif ...... " 30
Memphis.Tenn................. " 21 Big Sandy, Tex............. " 30 Salt Lake City, Utah ...... " 12 Eureka, Calif ........ Jan. 2
Little Rock, Ark............... " 23 Gilmer,Tex................... " 31 Ogden,Utah .................... " 13 Geyserville, Calif. . . " 3, 4

BROTHER A. M. GRAHAM BROTHER R. L. ROBIE

Rice’s Landing, Pa ..... Dee. 17 Conaellsville, Pa ............... Dee. 25 Llndsay, Oat ................... Dec. 9 Guelph, Ont .............. Dec. 18
Morgantown, W. Va ..... " lg Sonlerset,Pit ................... " 26 Port I’crry, Ont ............. " 11 Preston, Ont ............. " 19
Brave, Pa .................... " 19, 20 aohl:~ttmn, Pa ................. " 27 Stouffville, Oat ................. " 12 Gait, tint ..................... " 20
Point Marion, Pa ......... " 21 Alexalah’ia.l’a ................. " 28 Claremont,Ont ................. " ]4 Kilchener, Oat ............. " 21, 23
Leckrone,l’a ................. " 23 Altoolm.[’a ....................... " 30 Toronto,Orlt .................. " 11; Orangeville, Oat ............... Jan. 3
Leisenring, Pa ............ " 24 Bellefonte,Pa ................... " 31 Brampton, Oat ............... " 17 Camilla,Ont ..................... " 4

BROTHER M. L. HERR BIIOTItER O. L, SULLIVAN

Exmore,Xa..................... Dee. ]7 Crewe,Va.................... Dec, 2-~ Normandy, Tenn. .I)e(’. 14, 11opkinsville, Ky ............ Dec. 25
Norfolk,Ya..................... " I S Key,~ville,Va................. " 25 ~hli fl.oi,~lloro. Tonll... " l 7. ~(I l’Inli,l’,lh, Ky ......... " 26
Suffolk, Va....................... " 19 l)olllllin, ga .............. "" 9(1 Mi!t,)p, ’l’tqlu ............. " J’~. l’i 5I y ehl, Ky ......... " 27
South Hill, Va................. " 20 l~el)ubliean Grove,Ya. " 27, 2s I~e.bano ~. Tl’lln ........... " 71 Dix(m,],:y .................. " 29
Emporia,Va................... " 2t Lyncllburg, Ya ........... " 31i NashvilJc, Tenn ......... " 2:1 I,hlms~ille, Ind ................. " 30
Petersburg, Va................. " 23 hart, VR...................... " 3t A(laln.~, Tonn............. " 2t (J~t I’nslioro, Ky.................. iIan.I

BROTHER W. M. HERSEE BROT :ER J. B. WILLIAMS

Wiarton, Oni ....... 1}ec. e, I"ordwieh, Ont ........... Dee. 14, 16 Stur~i,~, Sask .............. Dec. 10 r{ehvood. Man................ Dee. 20
Mar, Ont .................... "" 7 ~Vlnghanl. Ont .......... ’ 17 Pell3 Sask ................... ’" 12 Ilallid City, Man............. " 21
Al]enford, Ont ................ " 9, l I) Goderich,lint ............ " 18, 19 Durb,m,.Man ............... " 14, 16 lll’an(loll, Man................ " 23
Palmerston, Oni ........... " 1l Sesforth, Oat ............. " 20 SwanRiver, 5tan ......... " 17 I’mhlur,Man..................... " 27
Mount Forest, Ont ....... " 12 Stratford, Ont ........... " 21, 23 Minitonns. Man........... " 18 RoseiMc.Man................... " 28
Harriston, Ont ............... " 13 Woodstock, Ont ......... " 30 l ~;Ulllllin, Man ............... " 19 Winnipeg, Man............ " 30

BROTHER J. H. HOEVELER BROTHER L, F. ZINK

Independence, Me ....... Dec. 4 Ilannibal, Me................... Dec. 13 St. Timmas, Ont .......... Dec. 7, 9 Chatham, Ont........... Dee. 17.18
Kansau City, Me ........ " 5, 6 St. Louis, Mo................... " 16 Ri(h’:elown, Oat ............. " 10 Sarrlbt. Ont................. ’" 19, 20
Hale, Me...................... " 7 Anna,li] ........................ Jan. l P, hmhcim,Ont ............... " 11 London,Ont ............... " 21, 23
Rutledge, Me ....... " 9 Memphis,’Penn................... " 3 Loanlingtou. Ont ........... " 12 Beamsville, Ont ............... Jan.
Medill, Me. " 10 Chewalla,Term................... " 4 IZmgs~llle, Ont............... " 13 St. Catherines, Ont ........... " 4
Warren, Me ......... " 11, 12 Ttmeumbia, Ala ................... " 6 Wimlsor,Oat ................. "14, 16 Niagara Falls, Oat ........... " 8

BROTIIER B. HOWLETT CONVENTIONS

TO BE ADDRESSED
BY BROTHER
RUTHERFORO
Asheville, N. C ............... Dec. I1 (;reenvilie. Tenn .... Do. lg
Canton,N. C. .................. " 12 1 ~(lllaoke. Va ......... "" 19 Mansfield, Ohio, Nov. 25---
N.Q .......................
Crnso, " 13 l~evrvville. \’a ..... " 20 U. G. ~ostetler, care of Colonia Printing Co., Mmasfield, O,
Hendersonville, N. C, ...... " 14 (’tn,,bcrland, 51(1 ......... " 21
Asheville, N. C ........ " 16 Buller, Pa ....................... " ’2"2 Baltimore, ~ld., Do,. 2-
Bkyland~ N~ C..~ " 17 BUffalo,N. Y..................... " 23 Chas. 1I, Anderson, 119 S. C~dvert St, Baltimore, Md.
 "..,.,’~:.:.~
%

-~...

VOL. XLIV SE~II-MONTHLY NO. 24

Anno Mundi 6052 December 15, 1923

CONTENTS
~NNUAL ~EPORT ~INETEEN TWENTY-THREE ........ 371
TheSOCIETY....................................................... 371
VariousDepartmentsof Work..................... 372
Financial
Report ............................................... 374
CentralEtPropean Office..................................... 375
New BranchOffices......................................... 377
British Branch ....................................................
~"
~l’
CanadianBranch .............................................. 379
FrenchWork...................................................... 379
RoumaniaandHungary ..................................... 380
Scandinavian Countries .................................... 380
Workin Greece ................................................... 381
BritishWestIndies...................................... 381
l’rog’ress
in Asia....................................... 3S2
, d" Electionof Officers.................................. ’,,~3
¯ ,,:" =.:+_,j" "I will stand upon my watch aml . HI set my 1oo,
"" _:.,..- upon the Tower, and +ct!! watch to see what He will
say unto me, and what attswer I Mtall make to them
that opposv me,"--Habakkuk £:1,
¯ -<.+

_~ ~--~: .; ~~::~t~::-,~- ..~_..,,

%~" ~::." --’ :~
>; ~ L ’+~---=~:----’:::::::-’-’=7
\- ::-::-.~_
-:. . _~ ~ ~ .~ "~.s:::-:: .........
~~ .......
~?~¢ulhe
earth,
di~tre~
ofnationswithperplexity;
theseaandthewaves
(tlie.
restless,
discontented)
roaring;
men’shearts_f~ng.them,
foySear
glad
folPlop/t~tl
lib¢ thin~s
¢omm~
upon
theeart.h
(socmty);
forthepower~
oftheheavens
(eccl.emast+csm)
shall
Desn.azen...
Whenyeseettbdse
tl~ng~
beg~tooo~l~
toptml~
kut~wthattheKingdom
ofGodm at hand.
Lookup,hftupyourheads,re~oxee,
forzzour
redemptmn
drsweth
oJgh.--Mt~tt.
24:33-
MarkI$:29;
Luk~21-,2f~11,
 THIS $0URNAL AND ITS SACRED MLqSION
THISpr~sented
Journal is one of the prime factors
in all parts of the civilized
or instruments in the system of Bible instruction,
world by the WATCHTOWERBIBLE & TRACTSOCIETY, chartered
or "Seminary Extension", now being
A.D. 1884, ’For the Pro-
motion of ClIristian Knowledge". It not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but
also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the
coming of its traveling representatives, styled "Pilgrims", and refreshed with reports of its conventions.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society’s published STUDIES most entertainingly arranged, and very
helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V. D. ~f.), which translated
into English is Minister el God’s Word. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible
students and teacimrs. By some this feature is considered indispensable~
This journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now being so generally repudiated
--redemption through the precioas blood of "the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for
all". (1 Peter 1 : 19 ; 1 Timothy 2 : ~) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3 : 11-
15 ; 2 Peter 1 : 5-11) of the Wor~ gf Cod, its further mission is to "make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has
been hid in God .... to the intent tb-,t now might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages
was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed".--Ephesians 3 : 5-9, 10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men. while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest
subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord
hath spoken--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us to understand his utterances. Its attitude is not dogmatic, but confident ;
for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service ; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of his
good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuild4ng of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge ou~
readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.

TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLYTEACH

That the church is "the temple of the living God", peculiarly "his workmanship" ; that its construction has been in progress throughou¢
the gospel age--ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when
finished, God’s blessing shall come "to all people", and they find access to hlm.~l Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 ; Ephesians 2 : 20-22;
Genesis 2S : 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses ; and when th~
last of tllese "living stones", "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workmanwill bring all together
in the first resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout
the Millennium.--Revelation 15 : 5-8.
That the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every
man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which lighteth every man t~at eometh into $hs world’~ "in due time".--
tIebrews 2 : 9 ; John 1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy 2 : 5, 6.
That the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord "see him as he is " be ’ partaker of the divine nature ,’ and share his
glory as his joint-heir--1 John 3:2; John 17:24; Romu~’.~ 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
I~hat the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service, to develop in herself every
grace ; to I)e God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--~phesians 4 : 12 ; Matthew 24
14; Revelation 1: 6; 20:6.
¯ ~hat the hope for the world lies in tl~e blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, the
r~estitutmit of all that was lost in Adana, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified church.
when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.--Acts 3 : 19-23 ; Isaiah 35.

’~)UBUIS HED BY
CHILDREN’S BOOK
WATCH
TOWER.
BI BLEb- TRACT
SOCIET/V "The Wayto Paradise" is the title of the new book
18 CONCORD
STREETO a BROOKLYN,
hl.V.U.S’A" for children. It was planned ~o have this book ready
FOREIGN OFFICES: I~/’~t~b]~: ~4 Crtt~t’ll r±~tLJL~, ~tncaslc£ L, .... for Christmas,but pen drawingof illustrations selected
:London ~V. 2; Canadian: 38-40 Irwin Aveaue, Toronto, Ontario;
Aust;,alasian: 495 Collins St., Melbourne, Australia ; Eouth ,4tPican: has delayed the publication. It can be announcedthat
6 Lelie St., Cape Town, South Africa.
PLI~ASE ADI)I[EJS TIlE ~OC1ETYIN EVERYCASE. the bookwill be ready about February1st. It will con-
YEARLY SUBSCRII"TION PRICE: UNITED STATES, ~;1.00; CANADa tain 256 pages including40 illustrations, is cloth bound,
AND~IISCELLANEOLS I~’OREIGN, $1.50 ; GREAT]JRITAIN, AI’STRALASIA, gold stamped, about 5x71/~ inches. Price per copy 65
AND SOUTH AI,’I:;f’A, bS. Aruerican remittances shonhl I)e made by
Express or Postal Money Orders, or by Bank Draft. Cal)adian, British, cents ; in quantities of 50 or more,40 cents.
South African, and Australasian remittances should be nmde to branch
offices only. Remittances from scattered fmeign territory may be made
to the Brooklyn otlice, but by lnte~’national Postal MoneyOrders only. 1924 YEAR CALENDAR
(Foreign translatmns of this journal appear ~n several languayc~)
A specially drawn design apropos to tlw -sr text. The
Editorial Committee.. This Journal is published under the supervision
of an editorial committee, at least three of whom have read and card is 10~x183~ inches in size and is :nted in six
approved as truth each and every article appearing in these columns. colors. A weekly calendar pad is attached containing the
The names of the editorial committee are : J. F. RUTHERI,’ORO, year text, also the weekly text for prayer-meeting topic
W. E. VAN AMBUROH, g. HEMERY, G. H. FISHER, R. H. BARBER. together with the Bethel morning hymn. 35 cents each,
Terms to the Lord’s Poor: All Bible students who, by reason ~,f three for $1.00. In quantiti of fifty or more, 25 t~ntS
old age or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this each, charges collect.
journal, will be supplied free if they send a postal card each May
stating ttm~r case and requesting such provision. We are not only
willing, but auxious, that all such he on our list continually and MOTTOES
in touch with the Berean studies.
Notice to Subsctibers: We do not, as a rule, send a card of acknowl- An entirely new line of 22 beautiful designs, 44 texts, of
edgment for a renewal or for a new subscription. Receipt and various sizes, viE., 5x7, 7x10, 10x14, 14x20 inches. The
entry of renewal are indicated within a month by change in expira- designs were made especially for us, and have texts in
tion date, as shown on wrapper label.
keeping with the year text. This line of mottoes may be
~ntered as SecondClass Matterat Brooklyn. N.Y. Postoffice., Act of March"3rd z879.- obtained as follows:

Packet containing 1 of each design and each text--

PRAYER-MEETING TEXTS FOR JANUARY, 1924 44mottoes............................................................................ $14.00
January 2 : "The God of heaven shall set up a klngdom."--Daniel Packet containing 1 of each desi~o~--24 mottoes .......... 7.00
2:44. Packet containing assortment of designs and sizes--
January 9 : "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom."--Psalm 6 mottoes............................................................................ 2.50
145: :[3. Packet containing assortment of designs--6 mottoes 2.00
January 16 : "The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens." Packet containing assortment of designs--5 mottoes
- Psalm :103 : 19. 1.50
January 23 : "I have set my king upon my holy hill."--Psalm 2 : 6. Packet containing assortment of designs--4 mottoes .75
January 30 : "The government shall be upon his shoulder."--Isaiah Single mottoes, per copy, 14x20, 75c; 10x14, 40c; 7x10,
9:6. 20e; 5x7, 10c.
VoI,. XLIV DECEMBER
15, 1923
ANNUAL REPORT NINETEEN TWENTY-THREE
"’0 give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his uame: make known his deeds among the people ....
marvelous works that he hath done."---Psalm 105:1, 5.
OTHER year in the Lord’s service has passed.
~ it has been a blessed year. It is our privilege to
call upon his name and to give thanks unto him
with joy for all he has done for us. His work is mar-
velous, and none other could have done it except the
Lord. To recount to each other what he has done and
to make known his deeds among the people is a happy
privilege.
The work in which the SOCIETY is engaged is unlike
any other work that is being done on earth; for it is
the Lord’s work. Our chief purpose is to glorify God
and to advertise the King and his kingdom. Great
political organizations, at a sacrifice of much time,
money and effort, attempt to form a new government
with a hope of bettering the conditions of society. Such
efforts have usually failed. But the I~rd’s people are
engaged in a campaign looking to the establishment of
a new governmentwhich cannot possibly fail. That new
governmentwill be upon the shoulder of the Lord Jesus
Christ. It will be a government of righteou’sness and
lasting peace. Then the people will call his name Won-
derful, The mighty God, The everlasting Father; and
of his government and peace and righteousness there
shall be no end.
The Lord’s people are not following an illusion, but
knowthat the results are certain, that the kingdomof
Messiah is at hand; and they have the privilege, by his
grace, of making this knownto others. God’s prophet
had a vision of this dawning of the new day, and moved
to do so by the spirit of the Lord wrote: "Howbeauti-
ful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bring-
eth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth
good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that
saith unto Zion, Thy Godreigneth l"--Isaiah 52: 7.
All nations are in distress and perplexity. Men’s
hearts are failing them for fear of what they see occur-
ring and what is about to follow. Divers and numerous
suggestions are offered as solutions of the world’s diffi-
cnlties ; but none of these meet the requirements. There
is nothing in humanstatesmanship, financial power, or
nominal Christianity to comfort the people by giving
them any assurance of good for the future. Therefore
NO.24
Remember hi8
it is God’s opportunity to send his messengersto declare
unto the world the cause of the present distress and
trouble and to show the divine remedy that will bring
the desire of all nations. Hence the work that is being
done by the Lord and his servants in his name is mar-
velous in our eyes. All glory is to the Lord, and in due
time the victory will be his absolutely, and all the
people will recognize it, and everything that lives and
breathes will praise him.
THESOCIETY
The Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society is the name
of the corporation that is transacting the business o.’
matcrial affairs in carrying on the work of a body of
consecrated Christian people whoare engaged in adver-
tising the King and his kingdom. There are certain
conditions that one must comply with, in addition to
being a consecrated Christian, in order to be a member
of the corporate body of the SOCIETY.There are many
consecrated and devoted Christians who are engaged in
the work who are not members of the corporation.
Hence the SOCIETY,whether it be called the Watch
TowerBible & Tract Society or the International Bible
Students Association, in the broad sense means ~ho
body of consecrated people harmoniously working to-
gether in the service of the Lord in proclaiming the
message of his kingdom and striuing to build up each
other in the most holy faith.
Truly consecrated people on earth have been witnesses
for the Lord during the Gospel age, and have been used
by him as his channel and method of conveying his
message to others. That is the sense in which the
SOCIETYis spoken of as the channel of the Lord to
carry on his work. No offense, of course, is meant.
Surely no one truly consecrated to the Lord could
object to the statement that the Lord’s people are his
channel to do his work~ regardless of the name of the
body of Christians. The Scriptures require that those
whoare approved by the Lord must be true and faithful
witnesses to him. There is, as indeed there could be, na
division in the body of Christ; and all whoare in har-
mony with the Lord of necessity must be in harmony
872
WATCH TOWER
with each other; and where a body of Christians in
harmony with the Lord and in harmony with each other
is doing his work, there could be no objection to the
statement that these are the agency or channel of the
Lord for bearing his message.
The corporate body acts as the agent for the entire
number of Christians thus engaged in the Lord’s work.
The Lord does everything orderly ; hence his work neces-
sarily must be done orderly. The corporate body for
convenience is destituted (and properly so) as the
official part of the SOmET~. It is the official or corpor-
ate part that holds the annual meeting to which the
report is made. Not every person who attends th.~,
annual meeting is entitled to cast a vote in the corpora.
tion; but every consecrated child of God in harmony
with the Lord and his cause is entitled to cast a vote iq
the church, and is therefore equally a memberof the
SOCIETY as a whole.
The official body of the SocI~,TYis made up of those
consecrated Christians who have made contributions to
the funds of the SOCIETY to the amount of ten dollars
and more to carry on the work and who are in futl
harmony with that work and with each other. These
are entitled to vote at meetings of the corporation. The
elected officials or servants of the corporation are the
Board of Directors, composed of seven brethren and
the officers, namely, the President, Vice-President, and
Secretary and Treasurer.
While neither the law nor the charter requires an
annual report to be presented or published, it has al-
ways been the custom of the SOCIETYtO do this; and
therefore it becomesthe privilege as well as the pleasure
of the President of the SOCIETY to make this report.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
The Executive Department of the SOCIETY is situated
at 1~4 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York. The
President is the general manager of all the work, both
domestic and foreign. It is his duty to keep in close
touch with the SOCIETY’S work all over the earth and,
by the Lord’s grace and acting on authority conferred
by the charter, to manageand direct the work.
The Secretary and Treasurer is the custodian of th~
books and files of the SOCIETY and of the funds of the
SOCIETY;and it is his duty to receive and pay out
all moneys.
To publish a full and detailed report of the activities
of the SOCIETY would be impossible unless a large vol-
ume were devoted thereto. Wegive herewith a general
outline :
OPERATIVE OFFICES
The operative offices of the SOCIETYare situated at
18 Concord Street, Brooklyn, NewYork, and are di-
rected by an office manager, who in turn is under the
general supervision of the President of the So¢I~a~z.
Th,~ entire operative force is duly organized upon the
BROOKLYN,
1~’. ~’o
theory of efficiency, and the desire and attempt is to do
the workas efficiently as it is humanlypossible for those
engaged in it to do it. There are various departments
with different clerks in charge of each department.
These departments are: Correspondence, Service, Ac-
counting and Cost Accounting, Dispatch and Control,
Purchasing, Stencil, Editorial, and General. At the
Concord Street office, in addition to the English work
there is work carried on in the following languages, to
wit : Arabic, Armenian, Czechoslovakian, German,
Greek, Hungarmn, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Rou-
manian, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
In addition to the general office work there is that
done in the factory and printing department which is
also managed by the office manager under the super-
vision of the President of the SOCIETY.
CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT
The mail or correspondence with the homeoffice at
18 Concord Street, Brooklyn, is conducted by this de-
partment, consisting in the acknowledgmentof letters,
donations, orders, etc., and in the writing of such other
letters in connection with the work as are necessary.
During the past year 185,443 letters have been received
and 169,019 have been dispatched from this office.
Three brethren handle this work.
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
The work of this department is the organization of
colporteurs, auxiliary colporteurs, sharp-shooters, and
class workers, and assigning territory for this work,
keeping accounts, receiving and tabulating reports, di-
recting the shipment of literature, filling orders, dis-
patching "Bulletins," and generally to look after the
service wm’kin the field. Three brethren are employed
in this department. All the colporteur work is directed
from this department.
ACCOUNTING AND COST ACCOUNTING
This department keeps accounts with all the branch
offices and commercialbusiness houses, attends to mat-
ters relating to lost shipments, keeping of stock and the
cost of operating the office and the factory. By this
arrangement the cost of publishing anything can be
ascertained before the work is started, and at any time
in its progress the amount of cost incurred may be
quickly known. Twobrethren handle this department.
DISPATCHANDCONTROL
This department, direeted from the office, manages
and directs the manufacturing of books and booklets
and the printing of magazines, tracts, or any other
printed matter. The entire office and factory is worked
on schedule time; and it is the business of this depart-
ment to see that the orders and things being manufac-
tured are kept up to schedule and that the interruption
 ’rh, WATCHTOWER

of work in one department does not interfere with work During the fiscal year 1923 there were manufactured
in another. One brother has charge of this work. in the SOCIETY’S plant at the above address cloth-bound
and paper-bound books and booklets to the total num-
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT ber of 1,705,512. This was not sufficient to supply the
This department attends to the purchasing of paper, demand during the year, and it became necessary to
ink, cloth, cover stock, machinesupplies, office supplies, have nmnnfactured under contract by other concerns
and, in fact, everything used in connection with the books to the number of 731,375. In addition thereto,
operative offices, and is handled by one brother, known our own factory published 1,820,500 copies of Tt~_~
GOLDEh r AGE; 1,326,975 copies of THE WATC~ TOWER;
as the purchasing agent.
300,000 "Itarp" quiz cards; 13,076,500 tracts for free
STENCIL DEPARTMENT distribution; 710,455 handbills; 235,500 hymnslips;
The name and address of each WATCf~TOWErand makinga grand total of 19,932,957 pieces of literature
GOLDEN AGEsubscriber is kept on a stencil. This de- printed. The above includes printing in English and
partment has charge of these stencils, the changing of other languages.
addresses, writing new addresses, reporting non-delivery,
and maintaining the list in proper order for mailing, CIRCULATION
and enters all new and renewal subscriptions to both During the year the number of colporteurs has been
THE WATCHTOWEaand TItE GOLDENAGE. increased from 489 to 921, and at present there are
889 colpor~cnrs and auxiliary colportcurs in the active
EDITORIALDEPARTMENT service. In addition to the colporteurs there are re-
This department is separate and distinct from the ported to the service department class workers and
Editorial Committee. Manuscript is furnished by the sharpshoefers to the total number of 9,847. During
Editorial Committee and the Editor of THEGOLDEN the year there has been an average of 1,789 workers in
AGE.This department then arranges the copy for com- the field each week.
position, attends to proof-reading, and correcting of During the year books have been sold as follows:
typographical and other errors. It also examines cur- STUDIES IN ’rile SCRIPTURES and SCENARIOS, 711,865;
rent magazines and newspapers for the purpose of keep- "The Harp of God," 529,642; booklets, 985,330; Bi-
ing up with the development of the world’s affairs and bles, 7,588; making a grand total of 2,247,595.
the evidences of the setting up of the kingdom. Five
are employed in this department. RESOLUTIONS

GENERAL DEPARTMENT The resolution passed by the Cedar Point Convention

in 192’2 was distributed from the home office to the
This includes the general work of the office and fac-
tory not embraced in any particular department. It number of 13,076,500; and the total distribution in
also includes activities looking to the encouragementof the various languages in different countries of the earth
was upwards of 45,000,000. The resolution passed by
classes to develop speakers and to start Bercan studies.
the Los Angeles Convention in August of this year is
FACTORY now in course of manufacture, and it is expected tha,*
its circulation will reach even a greater number than
It has heretofore been announced in THE-~VATcH
TOWE~ that the SOCIETY maintains a printing and book that of the former resolution.
binding factory at 18 Concord Street, fully equipped CONVENTIONS
with typesetting machines which set type in twenty-two
different languages, printing presses, folders, sewing During the year sixteen conventions have been held,
machines, mashers, stereotype and electrotype molding chief amongst which were the conventions at Tacoma,
equipment, and binding machinery, for the purpose of Washington; Los Angeles, California; and New York
printing magazines and books and binding the same. city, an account of which has heretofore been given in
This factory was fully installed and started, and is THE WATCZZ TOWV.R.These conventions have been a
now finally paid for, and is now the property of the great uplift to the brethren, stimulated them to activ-
SOCIETY;and the SOCIETY can manufacture its own ity, increased their faith, strengthened their hearts and
books muchcheaper than it could otherwise get them, united them more closely together in the bonds of love
thereby enabling the books to be placed in the hands and sweet fellowship, and enabled them to press on with
of the people to the best advantage. increased zeal in the service of the Lord.
Few realize the work in connection with making a
WORLD-WIDE WITNESS
book; and for the benefit of those whoare interested
we name the processes required to make a book from During the year at regular intervals the world-wide
its inception to delivery. See January 1st WATO~r witness has been carried on. That is to say, on a fixed
Towra~for this information. day in every country where the truth is known, and in
874 BROOKLYN,
N. Y.
WATCH TOWER
every language where the truth is spoken, meetings FINANCIAL
have been held at which the brethren used the same The shepherds and the principal of the flock in nomi-
subject in presenting the divine plan to the public. nal Christendom are often much concerned about the
This subject has always been "Millions NowLiving Will finances of our work. They circulate the report that
Never Die" or, when something else was used, that has the work is supported by Jews, and again by the Soviet
been a subhead. The value of keeping before the minds government or some other similar organization. 01
of the people one messageis that it clearly identifies course there is absolutely no foundation for these con-
the SOCIETY with the Lord’s work. It is our privilege clusions, but they originate in the fertile imagination
and duty to be faithful witnesses to the Lord, testifying of those who are opposed to the truth. We have no
to the people that God has a people on earth who are hesitancy in making known whence our funds have
not ashamedto declare the gospel of Jesus Christ, and crone. Not one penny has at any time been received
who are anxious to testify that Jehovah is God and from Jews, representatives of the Soviet, or any other
that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords person or organization ou*~side of those whoare inter-
and that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. From all ested in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, which
parts of the world reports come that the attendance at was preached by him and his inspired apostles of old.
these public meetings has steadily increased. The inter- Whena man or a womanis thoroughly devoted to the
est of the public is likewise increasing. Lord and appreciates the fact that there is only one
These meetings have been a great stimulus to the means of solving the perplexing problems of mankind,
brethren ; for they afford wide opportunity for service and that is Messiah’s kingdom, love and zeal for the
in xTarious lan~mges. Constantly holding before the Lord prompt such a one to help his fellow man to
people the message of the kingdomis bound to have its understand the Lord’s a~angement so that he may
effect as does the constant dropping of water upon a have hope. The divine commission given to the church
stone. The brethren appreciate the fact that they are (Isaiah 61:1, 2) is to bind up the broken-hearted,
working shoulder to shoulder for a commoncause, and comfort those that mourn, by proclaiming the glad
the Lord has certainly added his blessing everywhere. tidings of great joy concerning God’s plan of redemp-
tion and deliverance. The true Christian appreciates
PILGRIM DEPARTMENT the fact that we are living in a time in which the old
During the year the Pilgrim service in the United order is passing away and the new kingdom is coming
States has given a good account of itself. In the United in. His love for God and for his fellow man impels
States alone there have been engaged in the Pilgrim him to use his facultfes, time, energies and moneyto
service English and foreign speaking brethren to the thus aid and comfort his fellow creatures.
number of 137. These have traveled in the aggregate Nominal Christian organizations spend a great deal
720,328 miles. They have addressed parlor or class of moneyon high-salaried men, boards, committees, etc.
meetings as well as public meetings. The attendance In our S0CIETVno one desires or attempts to make
at class meetings during the year has been 300,107. A private gain. On the contrary, he desires to use what
total of 8,213 public meetings were held, with a total substance he has and to work with his hands as oppor-
attendance of 985,913. In addition to this, great num- tunity affords to gain a livelihood and to spend all
bers heard the truth by means of radio broadcasting. spare time in proclaiming the message of the kingdom.
Hence the cost of carrying on this work is reduced to
NUMBER OF PILGRIMS 1923 a minimum; and the moneyprovided for it comes from
TravelingPilgrims,English................................................ 32 voluntary donations, which we call the "Good Hopes"
BethelPilgrims,English...................................................... 43 fund, and which is donated in small amounts by the
SundayPilgrims, English............................................. 18
various consecrated brethren throughout the world. We
TOTAL 93 append hereto a summaryof the financial statement
GermanPilgrims........................................................... 11 flied by the Treasurer of the SOCIETr,as follows:
PolishPilgrims
................................................................... 11
LithuanianPilgrims ................................................. 5 RECEIPTS:
Greek Pilgrims .............................................. 5 TObalance from1922.................................... $ 19,253.43
Slovak Pilgrims 2 To"GoodHopes"donations............................... 195,402.99
Italian Pilgrims .................................................. 2
UkrainianPilgrims..................................................... $214,656.42
2
EXPENDITURES :
ArmenianPilgrims ................................................. 2 Bygeneralconventions ...................................... $ 9,041.72
Scandinavian Pilgrims ......................................... 1 ByPilgrimwork................................................... 32,764.76
Syrian Pilgrims ....................................... 1
By publicity, free literature, public lectures,
Hungarian Pilgrims .................................... 1 etc....................................................................... 24,943.69
Colored Pilgrims .................................... 1 Byforeignwork................................................ 146,281.78
TOTAL FOREIGN 44 Balance,October1, 1923......................... 1.624.47
TOTALPILGRIMS (ENGLISH AND FOREIGN) :IN7 $214,656.42
 If we had more money we could do more; but the
work is laid out and attempted to be carried on in
proportion as the Lord provides the funds. Werealize
that it is his work and not man’s, and we delight to
accomplish the most that we can with the provision
made. Where service is prompted by love much more
can be accomplished than when prompted by any other
motive. Ere long the world will come to a realization
that love is the only power that will move things in
the right direction, and then profiteers and profiteering
will cease. Whenthe people learn righteousness, then
every one will be striving to do good to every other one.
printing plant. But you will understand, dear Brother,
better than any one else could, that the impoverished
nations of Europe are a poor soil to work upon with what
we have to work. And if it is the Lord’s will that they
shall hear the message of the kingdom and our privilege
to bear it to them, we must sacrifice financially almost
more than any other way; and as there is only little Swit-
zerland that is able to take care of herself, it is always her
big brother American that must be called upon for help
again and again .... The best plan and the only hope of
ever getting cheaper literature and plenty of it for Europe
is to increase our printing plant at Bern. Books cost too
much for the price ’it which we shall be compelled to sell
them; but if we can produce the books cheaply we shall
be able to do more for the poor districts."

THE FOREIGN FIELD The money situation in Europe being so deplorable,

The old world is bleeding to death. Manyare starving and the trouble increasing the people’s desire for the
for want of hearing the Wordof God. They are looking truth, seemed to make it imperative that the Socl~.TY
for something to comfort mind and heart. While the use more money in that land in spreading the glad
philanthropic people of the world are trying to relieve tidings. Aside from Great Britain, Switzerland, and
the material sufferings of the people, it is the privilege Sweden, practically all the European countries as well
and duty of Christians to "bind up the brokemhearted as other parts of the foreign field have required finan-
and comfort those that mourn" who desire to be com- cial help during the year to carry on the work. It
forted. This can be done only through the Word of will be observed by reference to the financial summary
God, pointing them to his great plan of redemption and that the major portion of the money contributed by
deliverance. With the thought of fulfilling this com- the friends to the SOClETX ~ through the "Good Hopes"
mission, the SOCIETY during the year has endeavored fund has been spent to spread the message of the king-
to do what it could to comfort the soul-sick ones of dom amongst foreign peoples. It is a great privilege
foreign countries who are looking for a happier and and blessing, of course, that the American brethren
better day. Weonly wish that we might have done have been permitted by the Lord to feed the soul-hungry
much more, and we pray that the Lord may provide ones of Europe upon his precious Word. If the Lord
the way to do much more during the ensuing year. sees fit to supply us with much larger sums of money
during the ensuing year, then we shall take delight in
CENTRAL EUROPEAN OFFICE using more to carry the message of salvation to those
To the end that the work might be more systemati- countries that have so little ability to help themselves.
cally and efficiently handled in that part of Europe Practically all the free literature distributed in conti-
which is suffering most a central European office of nental Europe during the past year has been paid for
the SociE,rY is maintained at Zurich, Switzerland, in by the Brooklyn office; and great quantities of books
charge of Brother C. C. Binkele as manager. Switzer- have been produced and sold at less than cost. But the
land is about the only country of Europe that has Lord has blessed the efforts, whereof we are glad.
maintained anywherenear her state of equilibrium since At the end of the World War the SOCIETY’Swork in
1914. It has therefore been the most favorable place Switzerland had been so disturbed by false brethren that
from which to operate a central Europeanoffice. there were only a few consecrated left in that land who
All of the foreign work through each of the offices were doing anything to put forth the message of the
is done from Brooklyn under the supervision of the kingdom. During the past two years the Lord has
President of the SOCIETY;but it has been found more brought many to a knowledge of the truth; and now
advantageous to direct the work of Germany, Austria, there are in Switzerland more than three thousand fully
Italy, France, Belgium,and Holland, as well as Switzer- consecrated ones, who are doing their best to spread
land, from the Central European Office. Concerning the glad tidings.
the conditions in these countries we quote from a report
received from the Central European Office: GERMANY

"Conditions in Germany are growing from bad to worse Probably the truth has reached more of the German-
so rapidly that one cannot tell what moment there will be speaking people during the past two years than those
an outbreak that will be fearful indeed, embroiling all of any other country in the world. As an illustration,
Europe and brin#ng quickly the great Armageddon con- prior to the World War there was a city in which there
flict. We therefore ask you to please continue your efforts
to assist us in every possible way in the spreading of the was a class of less than one hundred consecrated, and
Lord’s message on this continent, as far and wide and fast now that class is composedof more than two thousand.
as possible. Thegreatest help in view, of course, is our own Likewise has the class attendance throughout Germany
376
WATCH
increased. The order-loving people of Germany, hard
pressed by the trouble, are turning to {he Lord for con-
solation, just as the Scriptures foretold. The Lord has
been adding his blessing to the efforts of the brethren
to spread the gospel there.
For about fifteen years the SOCIETY’Soffice in Ger-
many was maintained at Barmen, which city is within
the limits of the Ruhr district occupied by the French.
When the French army took possession of the Ruhr
they did not occupy Barmen at first ; while almost every
other city in the district was occupied by them. Our
brethren were advised to find a place and movethe office
as quickly as possible, we believing that the army opera-
tions would greatly hamper our work. Diligent effort
was put forth to find a place and move the office. A
very suitable place was found at Magdeburg on the Elbe
River, which affords water shipment all the way to New
York. One morning the information reached the Brook-
lyn headquarters that the German office had been safely
removed to Magdeburg. The very next morning the
public press announced that the French had taken pos-
session of Barmen. We thanked the dear Lord for his
protection and blessing.
The work in Germany is spreading and is in splendid
condition, in view of the great trouble there. Most of
the money n~(~d in Germany during the past year has
been furnished by the SOCI~,TY from Brooklyn. We
quote front the report of the German manager, Brother
]lalzereit, as follows :
"Because of the increase of distress and perplexity in
wn" country the people begin to ask more and more for
G,)d, visiting in goodly numbers meetings held by the Ger-
man branch and the classes. But by reason of the steadily
decreasing value of money, and because of unemployment,
many people are not able to buy any literature, although
our literature is very cheap. They are not in position to
Imy even the most important necessities of life. Therefore
we exert ourselves to be independent of worldly printing
institutions, which demand enormous gold-mark prices. THE
~VATCI/ TOWER, THE GOLDEN AGE, and all office forms such
as invoices, catalogs, letterheads, post cards, letters of In-
struction, bulletins, handbills, and tracts are being printed
in the German Bible House.
"By means of the help and assistance given us from time
to time by the President of the SOCIETy, we have been
enabled to equip the Bible House with the following nin-
ehinery :
2 large steam presses
2 folding machines
I Tiegel press
1 Tiegel automatic printing press
1 large press for binding plant
"All this and much other small equipment has greatly
helped the German work; but our greatest care until this
hour has been to be independent to the extent that we
should be able to publish the STUDIES, ’The Harp,’ etc.
"Enabled by the president of the SOCIETy,our beloved
Brother Rutherford, we have acquired a property at Magde-
burg (Elbe), having an area of 1,334.229 square yards;
working and lodging rooms with an area of 12,257.677
TOWER
squareyards;and cellarnnd stockroomshavlng an area
of 402.457squareyards.The enlargedBibleHousemakes
it possibleto placeadditional machinery. We have now
bought oneof thelatest ’Heidelberger’
presses,double sheet
form,equipped forsewingandwire-stitching. "Wi~i~this
pressit wouldbe possibleto printthe STUmES;but in
orderto be entirelyindependent in the manufacture of
books,someothermachinery is required,suchas an auto-
maticfoldingmachine,bookbinding machine,casemakin:
machine, andothersmaller things, whichcannotbe boughl
by the Germanworkfor the reasonabovementioned. But
we are thankful to theLordthatwe can hopeto beginto
printVolumeI withinthreeor fourweeks,and to print
’TheHarp’thereafter.
"Themessageof the kingdomspreadsmoreand nIorein
Germany,and the heartsof thosewho hear the message
arefullof desireforthekingdom.
"Wewishto takethisopportunity in behalfof theGer-
manbrethren to renderthanksto thedearAmerican breth-
ren,nnd particularly to the President of the SOCIETY and
to the SOCIETY,for the help given us at all times to per-
form the task of satisfying the hunger for spiritual food
which is so great in our country."
The European countries have not observed our change
in fiscal year until the present year. Therefore the re-
port this year means practically ten months’ activities
instead of twelve; but notwithstanding this it will be
seen that the results have been greater during 1923
than in any other year. Quoting further from the Ger-
man report concerning the ~le of literature in German :
"STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, ’The Harp,’ and other of
the SOCIETY’S books sold during the fiscal year, 932,907;
public meetings held, 4,608; total attendance, 1,243,729;
class meetings held for the newly interested, 7,697, wilh
an attendance of 451,814; meetings of the brethren, 30,379.
with an attendance of 1,195,599; total attendance at meet-
ings, 2,891,142; colporteurs in the field (regular and auxil-
iary), 3,642; Pilgrims giving all their time, 10; copies of
free literature distributed, 8,753,020."
RUSSIA
It has been almost impossible to do anything in
Russia, evidently due to the fact that that people were
so long kept in darkness by the Czar. A letter recently
received from Russia says:
"This letter is written for the purpose of informing you
of what is happening in Russia. Brother Rutherford was
right when he said that tribulation will begin from the
North. This saying is being fulfilled now. The Jews are
being chased out of Russia to Palestine. Verily 1925 will
show in fact the fulfilment of prophecy, in which year
blessings will begin from Abraham. At present we have
the necessary things, food, clothing, etc., for the human
life; but we are in great need of spiritual food.
"The books that were sent to us were confiscated by the
government. So we beg you to send us extracts in letter
form of all literature which you have in the Russian lan-
guage; for we have no food for our spiritual growth, and
as you know, we should not stay in one place, but go for-
ward and show that we are worthy of the Word of God.
"At present many are hungering for the Word of Truth.
Not long ago five persons showed their consecration by
water immersion, and fifteen Baptists have Joined us also."
 The SOCIETY
is making an attempt to get the litera- "The ministers are now silent in the pawrs. Because
ture into Russia and will continue to do so, by the of these answers to our critics in the papers we are
Lord’s grae< receJvmg letters from manyplaces for the books."
NEW BRANCH OFFICES The work has increased so rapidly there that Brother
During the past year the SOCIETYhas opened new Browncalled for an assistant; and Brother C. Brown,
branch offices in Czechoslovakia, British West Africa, of Winnipeg, formerly of the West In&es, is now on
;~nd South America. Our readers will recall that it his way to join in the work at Sierra Leone, and the
~as in Bohemia, nowa part of Czechoslovakia, that the purpose is after the work is well under way there to
zreat reformer John ttuss earnestly contended for the establish an office in Liberia and spread the truth
l’aith once delivered to the saints and for this cause amongst the people there. It was our .Xlaster who
~-uffercd martyrdom, being burned at the stake. Surely said: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached
lhe Lord has some people in that land where the good in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and
,ccd so long ago was sown. The Lord opened the way, then shall the end come."
and the SocIETYis happy to have an opportunity of
-m~ding the truth there. A branch office has been es- BRAZIL
tablished in Most; and during the past few months Brazil, South America, has long been in darkness.
~,ighteen public meetings have been held with a total Darkness covers the land, and gross darkness the people.
altendance of 5,175. There are quite a number there It is reported that about eighty percent of the popula-
~ ho are consecrated; and the class meetings held during tion is illiterate. The prevailing language is Portuguese,
the last six months have numbered 360, with a total while the major portion of the population are Catholics
attendance of 9,000. These class meetings, of course, or spiritists. Early in the year 1923 the SOCIETY sent
a~ re attended by newly interested ones. While the people Brother George Youngto Rio de Janeiro, to look over
are quite poor, books have been sold to the number of the ground and see what might be done to spread the
t;.~9t, and free literature distributed to the number gospel there. For about twenty years there had lived
of 191,500 pieces. The conditions are not so favorable in that vicinity one lone sister, consecrated to the Lord,
for spreading the truth because of governmental inter- patiently waiting upon him and serving him. Brother
fl,rence, but the brethren are zealous and are pressing Youngarrived and called at her residence, sending word
on. From the manager’s report we quote: that an American Pilgrim brother was there to see her.
"We have no regular eolporteurs in the field. Six breth- The sister cameto the parlor, and for a time was speech-
ren made application for permits several months ago, but less. Taking hold of the hand of Brother Young, and
have not received them. Most of the books are sold by looking earnestly into his face, finally she remarked:
class workers. We could do much more if the brethren "Are you a really live Pilgrim ?" She was overjoyed at
w~,re not so scattered. Many of them have not the financial seeing one who was trusting in the Lord and attempting
means to travel from place to place to distribute literature." to serve him.
Brother Young began to hold meetings in Rio de
BRITISH WEST AFRICA
Janeiro and neighboring towns. The interest was good
In the Spring of 1923 information reached the Brook- from the very beginning, and is constantly on the in-
lyn headquarters that there was a brother on the west crease, and now there is quite a number fully conse-
coast of Africa, in Sierra Leone, deeply interested crated. For want of an interpreter the work was greatly
the truth; and the population being quite intelligent, hampered there for a time. Brother Young reports:
it was thought a good field. No witness had been given
there. It seemed to be the Lord’s will that some one "The Interest in the workhere has Increased so rapidly
should be sent. Brother W. R. Brown, of Trinidad, that I was feeling myinability to do it. Additionally, no
one seemedcompetentto help in the workor to translate.
B. W. I., was selected; and, accompanied by Sister Todaymyheart is full of praise to our heavenly Fathor,
Brown, he journeyed to Sierra Leone and established and he has raised up one right here In our midst. A tal-
headquarters at Free Town. Arriving the latter part of ented gentlemanand his wife becameinterested in the first
April, they began on April 28 to hold meetings and sell lectures. He is private secretary to the President of a large
corporation, speaks English, Portuguese, and German,flu-
books. From the very first the halls were packed out; ently. His wife is brilliant, speaks Portuguese and French.
and by the first weekof Mayall the books that Brother They are thoroughly consecrated. A few days ago this
Brown had taken with him were disposed of and he brother wrote me: ’I have already handed in myresigna-
cabled for more. A shipment of 5,000 was immediately tion. I amso happy that I can hardly wait until the end
dispatched, and t]~is was followed by other shipments. of the month; and I will be right over in Rio to do the
greatest work tn mylife for our dear Christ. Mywife
The work continues to increase, and the interest in- shares mysentiments.’"
creases. The clergy have taken up the cudgel and are Brother Young further says:
attacking the truth through the press. Brother Brown "The free literature is creating much interest. Babylon
answered them time and again, the papers publishing is solid against us, Catholic and Protestant; but the wheat
both sides. A letter written from there October 1 says: will hear the message."
 WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, ~. Y.

Whenwe consider that the work there began June 1 which they have looked ta their spiritual leaders in vain."
and that no literature was on hand at the time, it is In Nyasaland many of the natives are interested in
remarkable how the Lord has blessed the work. Since
the truth. The SOClE’~Y’s representative reports:
then the "Millions" book and "Can the Living Talk
with the Dead ?" have been translated and published in "I had a visit recently from Major --, Chief Commis-
Portuguese. "The Harp of God" also is nearly com- sioner of Police. He is a fine man, a modern Gamaliel. IIe
plete in the Portuguese language, besides a large quan- has been investigating our work in Nyasaland. IIe is dis-
gusted at the amazingly wicked lies circulated about us
tity of free literature. and told him by the clergy, tie stated that he had dis-
From June 1 to September 30 Brother Young has guised himself and gone to our meetings amongst the
held 21 public meetings, with a total attendance of natives. He knows individually all the leaders. He tells
3,600; 48 class meetings, with an attendance of 1,100; me that the truth is spreading like wildfire amongst the
distributed free literature in Portuguese to the number natives."
of 5,000 copies ; books sold, 2,138; and nowthere is one Books were sold from this branch during the w’ar to
colporteur in the field. On October 1, publication of the numberof 15,820; colporteurs in the field, 6, with
TI~E WATCH TOWER in Portuguese began in Rio de hope of an early increase. The manager writes:
Janeiro. The "Hell" boo’Idet was also ready at that
"All centers, doubtless stimulated by the stirring articles
time in Portuguese. Brother Youngreporting says:
in recent issues of THE WATCH ~O’WER, can be said to be
"The outlook for the work here is becoming brighter. Our humming with activity. Great interest is shown in the
loving Father seems to be arranging everything in a won- public meetings in this land, but at these meetings the
derful w’ty. Quite a number of the people are consecrating. friends are not permitted to sell books."
When ’The Harp of God’ is published, these people will
have instruction which will help them." BRITISH BRANCH

As soon as the workis on a more solid basis in Brazil, The report of the British branch covers a period of
Brother Youngexpects to move on into Argentina. eleven months, but shows up better than any previous
report. Bookssold during the fiscal year, 225,050 ; pub-
SOUTH AFRICA lic meetings held, 1,819, with a total attendance of
The SocieTY’S work in South Africa is managed 168,419 ; class meetings, 4:,112, with an attendance cf
from Cape Town. The prevailing language there is 139,962; colporteurs and auxiliary colporteurs in the
Dutch, while a large portion of the population speak field, 220; Pilgrims, 11; free literature distributed,
English. The distribution of the Cedar Point resolu- 4,260,802. In addition to the free literature, adver-
tion has had a great effect in South Africa. It is the tisements for meetings carrying the message in tract
custom of the Dutch clergymen to visit their parish- form were printed and distributed to the number of
ioners once a week to gather in the shekels by way of 5,332,300. Letters received 32,422; dispatched, 4:2,535.
a house-to-house collection. Since the distribution of Quoting from the manager’s report:
this resolution these shepherds of the flock have been "The work during the year has been one of steady prog-
much disturbed. Their parishioners meet them at the ress and continues encouraging. When the fact is remem-
door and many of them with a copy of the resolution bered that Britain is suffering a very bitter aftermath of
the war, that trade is very bad and that all the year past
in hand shake it in their face and say: "You ought to there has been an average of a million people on the unem-
road this and you would not come around again to get ployed list, it is wonderful that we can report the past
money from us," and refuse to give them money. And year as the best in the British work. This means that many
thus the waters are being turned away from Babylon. of the class who have some money to spare have been
stirred by the message of the truth, and that many have
The manager for the SocIETYthere reports: bought books out of their scarcity of means because they
"In addition to the distribution of the proclamations in realize that the people who brought them have a message
English and Dutch by colporteurs in the field, Brother to give; and also that the brethren have been earnest in
Scott has recently completed a six months’ tour covering their endeavors to carry the message to the people and have
Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal, and the Orange Free been blessed by the Lord in their work. The people want
State, which was undertaken for the sole purpose of dis- instruction. They are crying out for guidance, and in pro-
tributing proclamations in the Dutch and English, the total portion lo their need they are ready to listen. There are
number given out amounting to approximately 300,000. In great numbers of God-fearing people in Britain and Ireland
addition they have been posted to the clergymen of every who will yet pay attention to the truth.
denomination throughout the Union of South Africa and "There have been amongst the Lord’s people cantinued
lthodesla. There Is not the slightest doubt that the public and special evidences of his purpose to gather his people
are becoming alive to the fact that the clergymen are into unity of the spirit and purpose, such as is seen when
taking their money and giving them very little in exchange; all are in one mind and heart to do his will; and his
and wherever opposition is aroused in the ranks of the people here also are ready for the Master’s service and to
clergy the people compare the attitude of their ministers share with their brethren in every land in the work of
unfavorably with that of the Bible Students. The common advertising the King and the kingdom. Never did they see
people hear with eagerness, realizing that in the strenuous the message so clearly and never was their determination
limv~ in which we live, here at last is the ray of light for to faltllfulnt~,s moredefinite."
 We give below the British financial
t{ECEIPTS
Todonations
............................................
EXPENDITURES "
ByPilgrimservice............................................
By conventions, free literature, postage
andexpense ................................................
By general expense, office and home, dis-
patch
..............................................................
By special witness work and motorcycle
parties..........................................................
Deficit
.............................................................
CANADIANBRANCH
The Canadian branch makes its sixth annual report.
The SOm~TY’Srepresentative says: "While the statis-
tics of the service by no means reflect the fuhmss of the
witness which has taken place, nevertheless to a large
degree it reflects the progress of the work here."
Public meetings held, 1,177, attended by 145,338;
class meetings, 2.027, with an attendance of 83,o13;
Pilgrims mad auxiliary Pilgrims in service, 16; miles
tra~’led, 136,088; letters received, 13,842 ; dispatched,
17,:~19 ; circulars dispatched, 14,653 ; parcels dispatched,
6,7(;; ; books sold, 156,134; free literature distributed,
1,37~,994; colporteurs in the field, 68. We quote from
the report :
"Never was the attendance so large as It has been dur-
Ing the past year, and never was the interest so keen.
During the year nine conventions were held and upon each
occasion a public witness was arranged, and with one or
two exceptions a day given over to special sales. Ti~e
latter has becomea feature at conventions muchappreciated
by the friends.
"Our new quarters are well lighted, comfortable, roomy.
Wehave 5,600 feet of floor space---sufficient for our present
needs with allowance for further expansion.
"The past year has been one in which a very large
shaking has taken place in financial circles. Canada has
always boasted of her strong financial banking arrangement,
but the fallibility of the system has made Itself very mani-
fest this year. The Merchants Bank of Canada, to save
liquidation, was absorbed by the Bank of Montreal. The
deticits of the Union Bank of Canada were so great that
they were required to reduce their reserve fund by four
million dollars. The HomeBank of Canada has closed Its
doors, and it is expected that it will have a shortage of
between eight and nine million dollars.
"Business conditions generally throughout the Domlnton
have been gradually growing quieter; building has to a
considerable degree slackened down, the result being that
there has been a tremendous exodus of skilled labor from
Canada to the States. It is estimated that 30 percent of
the population of the northern portion of the western
provinces have emigrated. Outside of the coal strike in
Cape Breton, there have been few labor troubles, however.
"We were all greatly pleased Indeed to have had the
pleasure of a visit from you during the year. It seemed
to have been very timely, and has resulted in much good
and great encouragement to the friends as a whole. We
statement: think that it has done much to Increase their enthuSla~
for the service of the Lord.
"Everywhere from coast to coast we find the frlendl
..£7,288: 0:4 abounding more and more in the spirit of the Lord, Joy-
fully striving to serve hhn, his cause, and to bear testimony
to the incoming kingdom. Manife.~tly the Lord’s blessing
£ 907: 8:8 is Ul~Ontheir effort."
2,609: 4:6 FRENCH WORK
2,127: 9:9 The SocieTY’s work in the French language embraces
particularly a part of Switzerland, France, and Belgium,
1,790 : 18:4 under the management of the SOCIETY’Srepresentative
at Bern, Switzerland, who in turn is under the super-
£7,435: 1:3
147 : 0:11 vision of the Central European Office. This office reports
the French work during the fiscal year as follows:
£7,288: 0:4 Books sold, 82,280; public meetings held, 2,130, with
an attendance of 173,280 ; class meetings, 5,046, attended
by 51,486; colporteurs in the field, 171; Pilgrims, 8;
free literature and tracts distributed, 5,260,910. In his
report the representative says:
"In tim whole work we mark a real increa,~e of zeal
amongst the friends. We appreciate the great privilege
we now have to proclaim the good tidings of the kingdom.
Generally the friends go out in groups of five or six for
eolporteuring, and they sell on Sunday mornings upwards
of 250 volumes.
"The convention at Denain voted unanimously upon a
motion expressing loyalty to the SOCIETY and its President,
and they manifested their firm resolution to work faith-
fully unto the end and in perfect harmony with the chosen
channel of the Lord. They commissioned me quite specially
to express to you their message of love and loyalty and to
assure you that daily they intercede for you before the
throne of grace.
"I visited also the Polish classes in the North of France
and studied carefully the conditions in this part of the
work; and I am able to tell you, dear Brother Rutherford,
that I never in all my life found such favorable conditions
for the Lord’s work. They do not know French, their
language being Polish; but all of them know German. The
language used amongst them is of course Poli.~h; for the
Frencl~ government does not allow them to use German.
To these people the French government had promised
mountains of gold. They all came to France, believing that
they would have there a very fine position, and they all
were very much deceived. In France they have to work
much harder and under less favorable eondi|ions than in
Silesia, from whence they came. On the other hand, the
whole thing is a matter of policy between Poland and
France. I’vland wants to get rid of the more German
elements and France needs them in her own m~nes, as she
is sending the French miners into the Ruhr and driving the
German miners away. Already there are about 100,000
Poles in Northern France, and dally more are arriving.
I was informed that the French government desires to get
500,000 Poles. All of them are very poor, with large families.
Once they are in France, they have not the means necessary
to go back to Poland; and they are really slaves. On the
other hand, these miners are very much opposed to the
orthodox church of Poland. The friends there told me that
all the Polish miners had been very well organized in their
country, and that the clergy there are the greatest enemies
of these organizations of miners, so that most of the miners
are against the church. On the contrary, the womenare

WATCH TOWER
Itlll under the dominion of the clergy. The Polish priests
have come to Northern France and established themselves.
I was informed that the men do not go to church, but that
only women attend. When our friends ~ve a public
lecture in Polish, however, the halls are filled with men,
and no women are to be seen. I addressed such meetings
of men in German and had opportunity to see these things
personally.
"I organized a service of regular public lectures. There
are now some friends there wtm will carefully prepare
public lectures and go regularly to the Polish parts of the
country to proclaim the kingdom news. Any of these miners
who do not work in the mines are not permitted by the
government to stay in the country. They would be unable
to find lodging, as all houses belong to the mining companies.
So it will be very difficult for a brother to be wholly
engaged in the work. But when the miners have night
service, they have the entire afternoon and evening free
for the Lord’s work."
The SocIETYis sending a Polish brother to Northern
France to organize the Polish work there for the spread-
ing of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Some two years ago, as was reported through TItE
WATCH TOTES, some brethren established a printing
plant at Bern, Switzerland, operating it on economical
terms under contract with the SOCIETY.On July 1 last
the S0ClETY acquired title to the building and this print-
ing plant, increasing the capacity of the plant by adding
more modern equipment, the purpose being to get a
greater quantity of free literature for Europe. This
plant is now operated exclusively for the SociEtY’s
literature. In this printery and bookbinding shop and
the offices forty people m’e employed.It publishes TtIE
WATCJ~TOWERin German and French, and THE
GOLDEN AGEin German and French. Since starting
TI-IE GOLDEN A(~E this year there have been printed
242,532 copies. Mats were sent to Magdeburg, where
the same numbers of T~E GOLDElgAGEare printed for
Germany. Mats are also sent to Roumaniafor printing
in the Germanlanguage there.
ROUMANIA AND HUNGARY
The work for Roumania and Hungary is managed
from the SOClF.T:~’S office at Cluj, Roumania. The
brethren there work under great difficulties. Their zeal
and earnestness for the Lord and his cause is a real
inspiration. The SocIETY’Srepresentativc in reporting
says:
"The government, which has little respect for liberty and
progress, is keeping its continually down by force, imprison-
mcnt, beatings, and all other methods of the dark ages.
Despite all these, 176 public meetings were hehl during
these ten months--not largely advertised public meetings,
which are absolutely impossible in this country. These
meetings in the re:tin were held where we had to bargain
with police to allow the meetings. Meetings were arranged
cautiously; but being in towns of few inhabitants, the
simple news that some one had come to their village was
enough to gather the people to hear the lecture. Many
conventions are held by the brethren, in which they are
much ble~ed. The colporteur work is continually growing,
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
though this is one of the hardest parts of the work here.
l)illi(eulties are with the authorities. They arrest the breth-
ren, take their books, treat them roughly, keep them in
dirty jails for two or three days without food, and then
send them home on foot, under guard, from post to post,
hundreds of miles away. Yet there were during the summer
23 colporteurs constantly in the field, some of whomhave
now developed into first-class fighters on this front. The
number of field workers will grow during the winter months.
"The ’Millions’ book is now entirely forbidden, yet our
colporteurs continue to sell them without our knowledge.
THE GOLDENA(]E iS growing. One eolporteur alone sells
2,000 of each number and now places an order for 3,500.
From time to time we get warnings from the authorities
thai they will suppress THE GOLDEN AGE. I told one of these
over-zcah)us officials that if they stop TEE GOLDEN AGEwe
will start a daily paper. This country is under martial law
because of the university students’ movement against the
Jews and the Faseisti movement, which has taken hold of
all the uncivilized.
"Tim work in Hungary is going very bard. The present
authorities seem to have lost their heads entirely and are
going from bad to worse against the breti~ren. Information
received from there a few days ago states that twenty
brethren are in jail for distributing the proclamation tract.
However, it is our belief that it is the greatest witness
for the truth in these countries; and by the Lord’s grace
and help we shall not lie down until it shall be given."
The SoclE’rv owns its printing plant in Cluj; other-
wise we would be unable to get any literature printed.
While the work is done in these countries under great
difficulties, the friends are developing into real saints,
appreciating the fact that he who endures to the end
shall be saved.
HOLLAND
It has always been difficult to do muchin Holland,
but now even that sleepy land is awakening. The work
there under the direction of the Central EuropeanOffice,
and more particularly under the managementat Amster-
dam, is now spreading the truth throughout Holland
as it has not been heretofore. The interest is increasing
in no uncertain degree.
SWEDEN
The Swedish work, hindered by adverse conditions
during the past year or two, is now making decided
progress and we are happy to report that the Swedish
work seems in a healthier condition than it has been
for quite a while. The brethren have manifested their
zeal for the Lord and his cause and their determination
to spread the message of the kingdom. Books were sold
during the year to the numberof 81,421; 1,684 pul)lic
meetings were held, with an attendance of 81,878;
eolporteurs in the field, 20 ; Pilgrims, 10 ; free literature
distributed during the fiscal year, 533,827.
The work in Sweden is directed from the SOCIETY’S
office at Orebro. ’12ae SOCIETY’S representative for
Sweden recently visited America, and reported t]e
spreading of the truth on the increase and the condition
of the friends good.
DECEMBER
15, 1923
WATCH
DENMARK
The truth in Denmark continues steadily to push
forward, yet not so rapidly. The brethren are earnest
and zealous and continue faithfully to give the witness
for the King and the kingdom. The work is managed
from the SociEtY’s branch at Copenhagen. Only two
brethren have been actively in the Pilgrim service and
nine colporteurs in the field. The classes have likewise
engaged in some colporteur work. The SOm~TY’Srepre-
sentative reports :
"Amongst the working people very many have been out
of work for long periods of time and moneyhas been scarce.
This has nmde it difficult to sell books. Quite a number
of new classes have been formed.. There tins been much
opposition and muchwritten against us, in both the religious
and the secular press, and warning given against us in the
nominal churches, which I think proves that we have been
doing something to let our light shine."
Books were placed in the hands of the people to the
number of 13,007; 265 public meetings were held, with
a total attcntance of 30,500; meetings for the friends,
350, attended by 7,500 ; 198,000 copies of the proclama-
tion were distributed.
NORWAY
The work in Norway is directed from the SOCIETY’S
office at Christiania. The representative in his report
says :
"This year the friends, by the Lord’s grace, have made local manager reports:
good progress, especially when we remember that we are
small in numbers and tile work is more difficult on account all his kind favors bestowed on us through Jesus Christ
of tile long distances to be traveled over the manymountains
and fjords. The friends are happy and the Lord’s spirit
dwells richly amongst us."
Norwegian books sold, 12,202; English and other
books and booklets, 6,594; free literature distributed, of last year, notwithstanding a financial depression. The
200,136; letters and post cards received, 1,1~5; dis-
patched, 3,847. The work here is making healthy and world-wide witness lectures have been the means of arous-
steady progress and the Lord is blessing the efforts of
the brethren to spread the message of the kingdom.
FINLAND
Detailed report from Finland is delayed. From
monthly reports, however, it can be said that the work
in Finland during the year has substantially increased.
GREECE
The SocieTY’S work for Greece is managed from its
branch office in Athens. The Greek friends have been
working under great difficulties during the past year.
The bishops of the state church have great influence,
and succeeded in getting an order directing the Attorney-
General to prosecute brethren engaged in preaching
the truth. This has not deterred the brethren, however,
but rather has worked to a further spreading of the
truth, arousing the’people to a keener desire to know
more about it. A brother from the ][ale of Crete, as-
TOWER
sociated in the work, concerning activities in Greece
writes :
"The editors of the daily paper Anaghennessis, of Thessaly,
have been lately converted to the truth and have invited me
to visit them. The conversion of many school teachers to
the truth, and above, all the editors of this paper, has
aroused a serious opposition on the part of the Greek
ecclesiastics and the Greek government. The teachers are
being denounced as carrying on proselytism. So the Holy
Synod of Greece has issued a long circular against us,
which circular w’~s read in all the churches of the state
and stuck up on the walls. Then the Minister of Justice
addressed another circular to the CrownProsecutors, com-
manding them to proceed legally against us.
"We bare lind several meetings nnd arranged with these
editors to turn their paper gradually from a daily political
one to a weekly and senii-weekly scientific and religious
magazine, "recording to the desire ~)f these brethren. They
are financially independent, their presses, machinery and
shops being their own property. They have been supplied
with articles for publication and will continue to be sup-
plied. Great efforts must be spent now for the spreading
of the truth in Macedonia."
The SOCr~TYis sending many books and other litera-
ture into Greece, and the brethren are manifesting
a great amount of zeal in spreading the message through-
out that land amidst opposition.
JAMAICA
For some time the S0mETYhas maintained a branch
office at Kingston, Jamaica, British West Indies. The
"Words fail me in expressing my gratitude to God for
our Lord. I must also express my gratitude and apprecia-
tion for the kind interest shown to the Jamaica branch by
the SOCIETY through the President and his staff of faithful
workers. I am glad to report that through the method
adopted by the SOCIETY our output of books far exceeded that
service work has been a great impetus to the friends. The
ing much interest among the public and a greater demand
for literature. The colporteurs, though £ew, are doing their
best. All engaged in the service are rejoicing."
Books sold during the year, 2,836 ; magazines, 1,400 ;
free literature distributed, 10,000 ; public meetings held,
122, with an attendance of 13,309; class meetings, 182,
attended by 5,413 ; letters and cards received, 903; dis-
patched, 1,503.
During the past year there has been a great impetus
given to the truth in the Canal Zone, British and Dutch
Guiana, and the brother who recently visited those
parts reports about 1,300 consecrated.
SPANISH
It has been very difficult to do much amongst the
Spanish people, because, we believe, of the influence of
the Papacy. The Spanish people do not take readily
to things that require serious thought. The Spanish
work of the SOCIET~ for the United States and £[exi~
ia managed more particularly from the Los Angeles dialects, and a greater quantity of booksand free litera-
office under the supervision of the Brooklynheadquarters. ture is going out amongst the people. The SOCIETY’8
Books sold, 3,150 ; public meetings, 20, attended by representative at Kottayamin his report says:
1,700 ; class meetings, 142, with an attendance of 3,051. "As the truth is spreading in all directions the clergy are
There are no Spanish colporteurs in the field. THE embittered, misrepresenting us to the people; but the earnest
WiTCI[ TOWER is published in Spanish every other ones who are anxious to know the truth are not deceived.
The Y. M. C. A. and the Church of England are lecturing
month, which is much appreciated by the Spanish against us; but now there is a split in the Church of Eng-
friends. Free literature distributed during the year, land. Requests for literature increase. Owing to the poverty
150,000. Werejoice that the Lord is pleased to continue in India, we are not able to encourage much colporteur
to send the messageto the Latin peoples. work. Public meetings held 134, attendance 26,740. The
work is in good condition and steadily increasing."
AUSTRALASIA
PALESTLNE
The work for Australia and New Zealand is under
the managementof the SocIE~rds office at Melbourne. The SOCIETY’Sbranch office is maintained at Ramal-
A great impetus has been given the work during the kh, near Jerusalem. There are about fifteen consecrated
in this class, mostly Arabians ; two Jews in Jerusalem
past year, much new interest manifested, and many
new ones interested and many brethren developed into also being deeply interested in the truth. These friends
more active and zealous workers. Brother M. A. Howlett are zealous and have distributed muchfree literature
madean extended trip during the year through Australia over Palestine during the year. Morethan 4,000 of the
and NewZeMand. The office reports that this brother "Millions" books have been placed in the hands of the
alone traveled 24,244 miles; addressed 140 meetings, people. Public meetings held, seven, with a total at-
with a total attendance of 23,466. Continuing the report tendance of 350. Conditionsare difficult, yet the friends
says : are zealous, doing what they can by the Lord’s grace.

"The brethren everywhere cooperated loyally and willingly KOREA

and spent their money freely in securing halls and advertis-
ing the meeting% until the ’Millions’ slogan has become
something of a byword and is finding its way into the wit
and humor columns of the Australian and New Zealand
Papers."
At this time a detailed report of this branch has
not yet arrived; hence we cannot give it in full.
POLISH
The Polish work in the United States has daily
increased during the year. This work in the office at
Brooklyn is conducted by three brethren, under the
supervision of the ot~ce manager and under the general
supervision of the President of the SOCIETY.
The headquarters of the Polish work in Europe is
at Warsaw.Great difficulties are encountered there for
places of meeting, storing of books, etc., and great
opposition from the clergy. Nevertheless, the truth has
steadily increased. The number of public meetings held
during the year has been 209, with a total attendance of
57,698; class meetings, 410, attended by 16,298. Two
Pilgrims have been engaged in the service; letters re-
ceivcd, 2,015; dispatched, 3,685; books sold, 49,870.
In Galicia the friends are no longer able to obtain
halls in which to meet and they are meeting in the woods.
Nevertheless the truth attracts more and more. The
work of the American Polish Branch will be reported
in the Polish WATC~TOWER.
INDIA
The work in India during the year has increased.
The literature is new translated into a number of the
In Korea the SOCIETY’S headquarters is at Seoul.
As it is difficult to get the truth printed in the Korean
language, thc SOCI~.TY established a small printing plant
at Seoul ; and now we are able to print the messagein
the pure Korean and Mixed Script, besides being
equipped to print in Japanese and Chinese. There has
been a healthy and steady increase in the truth in Korea,
several ministers having shownmuchinterest, while the
natives have responded more readily.
AUSTRIA
The SOCIETY maintains a branch at Vienna, Austria.
A few years ago there was no one in the truth there;
and now there is a class of more than one hundred
consecrated and many smaller classes throughout the
country. A great amount of literature has been placed
in the hands of the people during the last twelve months.
Like other parts of the continental Europe they have
been hampered for funds, and the homeoffice has been
furnishing them through the Central European Office
what funds have been used.
JUGOSLAVIA
The truth is now beginning to make some progress in
Jugoslavia. In the Belgrade district there is a class of
thirty or more consecrated who are very zealous in
spreading the message. Those who hear the message
are greatly rejoicing and some are disposing of their
property to enable them to enter the colporteur service.
Verily the Lord is sending the gospel of the kingdomto
every country of "Christendom" before the end.
 ’the WATCHTOWER 383

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Of that we are

Althoughthe fiery trims of 1917 and 1918 caused quite quite certain. No greater privilege was ever granted to
a number who had worked in harmony with the SOCIETY men or angels than that of now telling to the world
to turn aside and follow a different course, yet the Lord that the great Messiah is here, has taken unto himself
quickly filled up the ranks with newrecruits and brought his power and will establish a government that will
in even more. Reports of those that commemoratedthe bring the desire of all nations.
Memorial in 1923 were far greater than these of any Let us gird on our armor and with renewed zeal and
previous year during the harvest period. From 1904 to determination press on during the year that is just
1922 the greatest numberof colporteurs in the field at before us, rejoicing as we go; and the God of heaven
any one time was 650; while the greatest number of whomwe serve will fight our battles for us and will
bound volumes sold during any one year was 728,478. bring us through victorious.
In 1923 the largest numberof colporteurs in the service
ELECTION
at any one time was 921; and the total sales of cloth-
bound books by the colporteurs for the past year aggre- Imhledmtely following the report, which was received
gate 1,241,570. This is by far the greatest record ever with unanimous approval, the order of business pro-
made in the United States. The Lord’s hand has surely ceeded to the election of the Board of Directors and
been in the work and "a marvelous work he hath done." Officers of the SOCJETV. Brother Sexton gaining recog-
More and more the brethren appreciate the fact that nition, said: "It was my privilege four years ago to
place in nomination the ottieers of this SOCIETY.The
it is their privilege to announcethe new governmentof
splendid record made during that time and particularly
Christ Jesus the Messiah, that which will bring peace
as shown by the report we have just heard warrants me
and rest and life to mankind. Their love for the Lord
in concluding that the Lord was pleased with that
and his cause has spurred them on to greater efforts
this year. While the contributions to the "GoodHopes" nomil:ation and has been blessing the servants of the
fund have been in excess of what they were a year ago, SOClm’Y.I, therefore, take pleasure in nominating for
the classes throughout the United States in particular, Directors the follouing :
and also many other countries, have expended large
J. F. Rutherford
sums of money in preparing for a public witness and
C. A. Wise
giving the same. It is impossible to estimate the amount
of moneyspent by the friends in this way; but it has W. E. Van Amburgh
A. H. Macmillan
all been spent to a good purpose.
Hugo H. Riemer
During the year the classes have considered each week g. A. Baeuerlein
the prayer-meeting texts relating to the transformation C. tI. Anderson"
of the new creature into the likeness of the Lord and
Master, by keeping the mind fixed upon the Lord and There being no other nominations these were elected
striving to co5perate with him in this transforming work. by unanimous vote. The share-holders then proceeded
The influence has been such that visible effects are to the nomination of the election of officers and the
manifested by the brethren. It is easy to be seen that
following were unanimouslyelected, to wit:
the classes generally throughout the country are in a
good spiritual condition, have entered into the joy of For President, a. F. Rutherford
the Lord, and are doing whatsoever their bands find to For Vice-President, C. A. Wise
do with gladness, looking to that blessed time when all For Secretary-Treasurer, W. E. Van Amburgh
the faithful ones shall enter the habitation of the sair_ts
in glory, there to dwell in the house of the Lord forever, There being no further business the annnal meeting
to behold his beauty and to inquire in his temple. adjourned.

CHRISTMAS
"To give somelittle token of affection’s warmth
To those whoselives are rich in what is best;
To give the hungry food, the tired rest,
Call back the blush of youth to faded cheek;
To bring a glint of joy to eyes grown dim,
Or sing a hymnof praise for those whose cares
Andplodding toil have never yet been sung;
To clasp the stranger’s hand like that of friend
Andfeel his heart beat full with brother’s love;
"To open wide the doors of vision and of thought
For those whosesouls are starvi~:g for the truth,
And bid them welcometo a stronger hope ;
To give our better selves to those most dear ;
To stand alone with God and life among
The quiet hills, beneath a heaven of stars,
Too full of joy for words or song--
All this was taught us in thy birth,
0 Son of God and man 1"
 INDEX TO WATCH TOWER FOR 1923
JANUARY 1 MAY 1 SEPTEMBER 1
Outlook for Nineteen-Twenty-Three .......... 3 The Principal Thing--Love (part 2) ...... 131 Methodsof Deceit ................................ 2N
WorldConditions.................................. 3 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments ........... 134 Trickery in False Doctrines .................. 26@
Churchand HarvesL............................ 5 Annual Request for Pilgrim Visits ........ 135 Reading STUDIES a Necessity .............. 261
YearText............................................. 6 GoodiIopes for 1923................................ 135 Safeguarding against Satan’s Cunning 26~
DivineAttributes.................................. 7 Question and Answer on Class Matters 136 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments................ 264
Prayer-Meeting Text Comments............ 8 David,the Poet-King.................................. 137 The Conflict of the Hour..................... 264
J~us Itealing on the Sabbath .................. 10 David Secures Promised Land .............. 138 "Oh, How Beautiful the Feet!" (poem) 265
Corruption of KingdomTruths ............ 11 Elijah, the Brave Reformer...................... 139 Abraham, a Blessing to the Whole World 266
Juus TeachingHumility............................ 12 Elisha Becomes Elijah’s Successor ...... 140 Israel, a Missionary Nation ..................... 268
God’s Sabbath-DayWork...................... 12 Isaiah, the Statesman-Prophet ................ 141 NewYorkConvention............................... 270
L4K’terefromAfield................................... 14 Interesting Letters ................................ 1#.3 Interesting Letters ................................ -270
JANUARY 15 MAY 15 SEPTEMBER 15
Views from the Watch Tower .................. 19 Views from the WatchTower .................. 147 TheBelovedof God.................................... 275
New Invention Exceeds Phormgraph .... 19 Backsliding Daughters of Babylon ...... 147 God’sLove for OurRace~ .................... 276
World Peace Move by Religionists ...... 20 TheNewCreature...................................... 148 God’s Love for Spiritual Israel ............ 277
Dr. Cannon and His "Holy War"_ ....... 20 Prayer-Meeting Text Cmnments ................ 150 Principles of God’sLove........................ 278
Highly Colored Campaign Literature .... 21 Jeremiah, the Prophet of Courage .......... 151 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments................ 280
Christianity and Peace.......................... 21 Israel’s Regathering ................................ 153 Israel in the Midst of the Nations .......... 281
Changedinto His Image.......................... 22 Nehemiah, the Bold Buihier .......... 154 Missionary Teachings of the Prophets....284
World-Wide Witness................................ 24 Reform by Rigid Means ............ 155 Questions and Answers........................... ,286
TheProdigal Son..................................... 25 Esther, the Patriot Queen.......................... 156 NewYorkConvention ................................ 28-/
Rich Manand Lazarus ........................... 27 Tact in SavingIsrael ............................ 156 Pastor Russell’s Memoirs........................ 28~
The Grace of Gratitude .................. 29 Interesting Letters .................................... 158 First Notice of Annual Meeting .............. 274
FEBRUARY 1 JUNE 1 OCTOBER 1
-are YouUsing Ills Pound? ................... 85 Privileges and Duties of Elders ................ 163 VirginsFair ............................................ 291
Brethren Arouse Yourselves ! .............. 38 Prayer and Testimony Meetings .......... 165 What Distinguishes the Virgins? ........ 293
Present ~ewards .................................... 39 NeglectingMeetings.............................. 165 "The BridegrOomTarried". ................... 294
Slaying His Enemies.............................. 39 Too Much Preaching .............................. 166 Separation of the Virgins Begun ........ 296
Entering the Kingdom ............................ 39 Serving OtherClasses............................ 166 Relationship of the Parables ................ 297
Prayer-Meeting Text Comments................ 40 Testof Love............................................ 167 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments.............. -298
"Here AmI, Send Me"(poem) ................ 42 Faithfulness Rewar(led........................ 168 I Know (poem).......................................... 298
TheSpirit of Prayer................................. 43 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments................ 169 NewYorkConvention................................ 299
Jesus andZaccheus................................... 45 John the Baptist .......................................... 170 World’sTemperanceLesson ...................... 300
SuddenConversions.............................. 46 Mary, the Mother of Jesus ..................... 172 Missionary Teachings of the Psalms._...301
Interesting Letters ................................. 47 Interesting Letters ................................... 174 Interesting Letters .............................. 808
FEBRUARY 15 JUNE 15 OCTOBER 15
Memorial till His Kingdom.................... 51 "The Wayof the Lord" ........................... 179 Parable of Sheep and Goats .................... 30"1
WhyMemorial Was Instituted ............ 52 TheLord’sDay..................................... 179 To Neither Jews nor Nations ............. 308
Preparatory Examination .................... 54 TheVoice................................................ 180 Not a Judgment of the Church ............ 308
WhoMayPartake?................................ 55 TheMarvelousWork.............................. 1,~1 ToWhom Applied.................................. 300
"Till HeCome" ........................................ 55 WhoIs on the Lord’s Side? ................. 1~2 Christendomat Judgment.................... 300
Prayer-Meeting Text Comment~............... 56 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments............... 188 Punishment of the Goat Claes ............ 312
Christ MyAll (poem)................................ 58 Simon Peter................................................ 185 InterestingLetter ..................................... 314
The Parable of the Pounds ...................... 59 Discerns that Jesus Is Christ. ............. 1~5 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments............. 315
The Lord’s Interests Pictured .............. 59 John the Apostle ........................................ 1~;7 Retrospection (pecan) ............... 315
Jesus Teaching in the Temple.................. 61 Christ’s Revelation Given John ............ 188 Our Lord Jesus a Missionary ........... 319
AnInteresting Letter ................................ 63 Matthewthe Publican ............................. 189 Christians Called to be Missionaries ........ 318
MARCH 1 JULY 1 NOVEMBER 1
Loyaltythe Test ......................................... 67 A Clear ~ ision o~ Chronology.................. 195 Conventions ........................................... 323
His Arrangement .................................. 67 Explanation of Chart Supplement ........ 196 Toronto ................................................. 323
What Constitutes the Society? ............ 6’, Beginning of Nebuchad,ezzar’s Reign 198 Tacoma ............................................... 325
TheSteward.......................................... 69 ,~eventy Years of Desolation ................ 199 LosAngeles ............................................ 326
Parable of the Talents .......................... 6:~ Apparent Contradictions Explained ...... 200 TheResolution...................................... 32~1
TheAccounting ...................................... 71 Illustrations from Modern History ...... 20t "Mightyto Save" (poem) ........................ 328
Self-Examination .................................... 72 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments............... 203 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments................ 329
Prayer-Meeting Text Comments............... 74 MaryMagdalene ........................................ 204 Powerof the Early Church........................ 330
Praying for Opportunities (letter) ......... 74 Ultimate Release of All from Demons 205 Outreachof the Early Church.................... 332
Jesus in Gethsemane .................................. 75 MaryandMartha........................................ 206 Bibles and Bible Study IIelps ...................... 334
JesusCrucified............................................ 77 Love and Avarice In Contrast ............. 207 Letters fromAfield.................................... 331I
MARCH 15 JULY 15 NOVEMBER 15
Views from the Watch Tower ............... ~3 Views from the Vtatch Tower ............... 21 i "Keptfor Jesus Christ". ........................... 339
Bombardment of Babylon Continues .... 83 Fundamentalists and Infidels ............. 211 Keeping the Truth.................................. 342
Crusade Planned against War ............ 84 Presbyterians in Trouble, Too ............ 21i Keptby the Father ............................... 34-2
TakingBlamefor War.......................... 84 Episcopalians and Federal Council .212 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments................ 344
Bible Offensive to Sight and Smell ........ 85 Sunday Schools Collapsing ............... 212 Letters fromAfar...................................... 343
Young Chinese Becoming Aroused ....... ,~5 In re Conventions and World Witness 213 World-Wide Missions................................ 346
Church of England Imperilled .............. b6 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments ............... 217 Part of N. T, Written in Prison .......... 34"/
Prayer-Meeting Text Commenls................ 89 Memorial Reports...................................... 218 Universal Reign of Christ ........................ 348
Jesus the World’sSavior. ......................... 90 Stephen the Martyr ............................... 219 TheWorldfor Christ. .............................. 350
The Walkto Emmuus ............................ 91 l’,arnabas the Great-Hearted ........ 221 Divine Plan OpensSlowly.................... 351
Abraham, the Hero of Faith ................ 93 A New Office Opened (letter) ............ 223 Benefited by Service (letter) .................... 361
APRIL 1 AUGUST 1 DECEMBER 1
Slack Not Thine Hands........................ 9:) TheCalled of God.............................. 227 Views from the WatchTower .................. 35§
WhatIs Zion? ......................................... ;}.~) Nominal Christians Not Called. 227 Deplorable Conditions Recognized ........ 353
"ThatDay"............................................ 100 Calling of Christ Prefigured ...... 22 The Adventists’ "Better Day" .............. 355
Opportunity for Colporteurs .................. 101 None May Come Unless Calle,q ......... 229 Modernists in the Qalcksands .............. 356
Joy of the Lord.......................................... 10.~ Once Called Not Always Called .......... 229 NewYorkConvention.............................. 357
Monthly Serv’ee’i~Dhy.............................. l (~ Victoryf~}r the Faithful ........................ 230 Pittsburgh Convention............................ 360
Prayer-Meeting Text Comments............... 105 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments ................ 232 Letters of Appreciation............................ 360
Question and Answer in re 1925 .............. 106 Paul the Apostle........................................ 233 Prayer-Meeting Text Comments................ 361
Joseph, Preserver of His People ............. 107 JohnMark.................................................. 235 A Chosen Leader and a Chosen Land 362
Mose$,Liberator and Lawgiver ................ 109 Luke, the Beloved Physician .................. 237 TheLong Sojourn in Egypt ...................... 364
InterestingLetters .................................... 111 Interesting Letters .................................... 239 MosesCalled to Deliver Israel ................ 3641
APRIL 15 AUGUST 15 DECEMBER 15
The Principal Thing--Love (part 1) ...... 115 Loyalty ....................................................... 243 AnnualReportNineteenTwenty-Three....3"/1
A NewThing in the World .................. 116 Purpose in Test of Loyalty .................. 244 The Society ................................. 3"/I
Doers of Christ’s Word ............. 117 tIow to DevelopLoyalty ........................ 246 Various Departments of Work.............. 373
Comprehending Christ’s Love .....119 Doesthe NewCreature Die? ...................... 247 Financial Report .............................. 374
Loving One’s Brotlmr. ................ 119 I’rayer-Meeting Text Comments................ 249 Central European Ofl}ee ......................... 376
Lovein theFamily ......................... 120 The Incoming Kingdom (poem) .............. 249 NewBranch Offices ............................ 37"/
Prayer-Meeting Text Comments........... 121 Tinmthy, a Good Minister of Christ ........ 250 British Branch ............................... 378
Ruth,the Faithful Daughter ............... I~2 Great Men and Womenof the N. T ......... 252 Canadian Branch ............................. 379
~Samuel, JudgeandProphet.................. 124 Interesting Letters ................................... 254 French Work ................................. 379
Questions andAnswers ............................ 126 The Watchmen’s Cry (poem) ................... 255 Roumania andHungary ....................... 380
Interesting Letters ...... -.- ~126 In re Conventions ........................ 242 Election ofOfficers ..........................