Freedom or Romanism (1938)

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FREEDOM

ROMANISM DANGER !!

HONEST PERSONS MUST WAKE UP QUICKLY. A DEADLY PERIL IS UPON THE NATIONS. THIS BOOK- LET SOUNDS THE TIMELY WARNING. IT TELLS OF THE ONLY MEANS OF ESCAPE AND PLACE OF SAFETY. READ IT CAREFULLY. WILL YOU DO YOUR PART TO INFORM OTHERS? HURRY!

Copyright, 1938. And Published by WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY International Bible Students Association Strathfield, N.S.W. Made in Australia.

OTHER OFFICES:

London, Buenos Aires Paris, Toronto, Brooklyn Cape Town, Berne, Copenhagen, Shanghai, and other cities.

JUDGE RUTHERFORD.

Freedom or Romanism?

THE LIBERTY-LOVING PEOPLE of Australia, as well as of other parts of the earth, are confronted with a situation that cannot be ignored. Shall the people be permitted to enjoy freedom of thought and speech and freedom to know and to worship Almighty God or must they submit to the arbitrary and dictatorial rule of the Fascist-Roman Catholic Hierarchy combine? That is the question at issue. Will public officials yield to the wrongful influence of the above combine or will they represent the interest of the common people? That also must be determined.

Every human creature is a servant of God or of the Devil, as it is written in the Scriptures: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey; his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness." (Romans 6:16). The Roman Catholic Hierarchy arbitrarily rules the "Catholic population" or common people that support their church organisation. The Hierarchy claims to serve God but in fact serves the Devil, as the undisputed facts show. Fascism is the instrument of Satan the Devil, fatally bent on arbitrarily ruling or ruining the nations, and the Roman Catholic Hierarchy fully supports the Fascists. The honest Catholic people, known as the "Catholic population", are kept in ignorance of the truth and the Hierarchy uses its power to hold them in ignorance.

Most of the so-called Protestants have either been put in fear and caused to remain silent or have been lulled to sleep and show indifference to what is going on. Seldom is there a protest raised by those who call themselves Protestants, against the arbitrary action of the Roman Catholics. There seems to be some exception in Australia. If a man or company of men devote themselves to informing the people of the truth the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and Fascist allies use all their cunning and power to prevent the people from hearing the truth.

Jehovah's witnesses are those Christian people who have devoted themselves to God and his kingdom and hence to proclaiming the truth as set forth in Jehovah God's Word, the Bible, as He has commanded. Among these witnesses that proclaim God's Word of truth is Judge Rutherford, President of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Announcement was made that he was coming to Australia to speak to the people, warning them of the great and impending danger to the nations. The Roman Catholic Hierarchy and the Fascists immediately busied themselves to prevent his landing in Australia; and if he landed to prevent him from having halls for the assembly of the people to hear his lecture, and also to prevent the radio stations from broadcasting his speech for the benefit of the public.

The Roman Catholic Hierarchy and the Fascist combine, determined to grab control of all the nations of the earth, have subtly and slyly pushed their men or representatives into many public official places in every land of "Christendom".

They have put fear into the mind of such public officials and compel them to act according to the will of the unholy combine. By employing boycott methods and threats of dire violence they have caused the public press to refrain from publishing the truth and demand that the press shall publish only that which is complimentary to the Hierarchy and the Fascists. For this reason the public seldom learn the truth by reading the newspapers because the newspapers fail to publish the truth. Satan is the author of lies, as Jesus stated (John 8:44) and those who deliberately lie or withhold facts in order to deceive show clearly that they are the servants of Satan the Devil.

Why has there been such a great effort to prevent the people from hearing the public lecture on the Bible to be delivered by Judge Rutherford? That the people may know the reason why and that they may see that the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and Fascists are trying to prevent the truth from being told, this publication is issued.

While on the ship journeying to this country, Judge Rutherford received from the Sydney Telegraph, a wireless message, to which he replied and both of these are set forth as follows:—

AUTHORITIES REFUSE MAKE AVAILABLE SYDNEY TOWN HALL AND OTHER HALLS FOR YOUR CONVENTION NATIONAL BROADCAST PREVENTED BY POSTMASTER'S REFUSAL SUPPLY LAND LINES. WHAT IS YOUR REPLY TO THIS.

WILL YOU SPEAK OPEN AIR AS LAST RESORT.

(SIGNED) DAILY TELEGRAPH, SYDNEY.

FASCISTS AND HOMAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY COMBINE TO SEIZE CONTROL AND RULE ALL NATIONS BY DICTATORS. THEY SUBTLY AND WRONGFULLY INFLUENCE PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO AID THEM IN KEEPING THE PEOPLE IN IGNORANCE OF FACTS. THIS GREATEST CRISIS OF ALL TIME AND THE RESULT PLAINLY FORETOLD IN GOD'S BIBLE PROPHECY. VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE HEAR THE TRUTH NOW. PERSONS OF GOOD WILL ARE ANXIOUS TO HEAR TRUTH. I WILL GLADLY SPEAK OPEN AIR TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE. ENEMIES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS CANNOT PREVENT JEHOVAH'S MESSAGE REACHING THE PEOPLE. YOUR PAPER RENDERING SPLENDID SERVICE AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS.

(SIGNED) RUTHERFORD.

The newspapers, under the control of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and Fascists, had published many falsehoods concerning Judge Rutherford and upon his arrival representatives of the Sydney press propounded to him certain questions and requested his answer, and both the questions and the answers are here set out:—

(1) What is your mission to Australia?

Answer: To speak to the people, calling their attention to the distressing facts now well known to all and to point out that Jehovah God, by His prophecies written in the Bible more than two thousand years ago, foretold such distressing conditions, states the cause for the same, and who is responsible, and tells what will be the certain result, and warns the people of good will of this great and impending danger, and points out to them the only way to find protection and safety. This is not my message, but is taken from the Bible, which is God's Word of truth. As an illustration of this: It is well known that Fascists and Nazis, which mean the same thing, threaten to overrun the world and rule all nations by cruel dictators and take away from the people all of their freedom of speech and action; that Italy and Germany and the Vatican, meaning the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, are working together to accomplish this wrongfully; that Mussolini, although an infidel, joined the Catholic organization and at the same time made an agreement with the Vatican and then launched his murderous attack upon the Abyssinians and destroyed their nation and in this he was fully supported and backed up by the Vatican; that Fascists are attempting to destroy the organized government of Spain and the Vatican fully supports the Fascists in that effort; that Hitler rules Germany arbitrarily and has imprisoned thousands of true Christians merely because they have in their possession and study the Bible and do not support the Catholic movement; that this violent persecution of true Christians in Germany is done with the full acquiescence and support of the Vatican at Rome; that Hitler seized Austria and before doing so he had a complete understanding with the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and is fully supported by those religious rulers in compelling Austria to come under arbitrary rule; that an attempt is now being made to get control of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and the United States, by the Fascists and the aforesaid religious organization.

The Bible prophecy long ago foretold these distressing conditions, and which could not be understood until the effort was made to thus rule the world; and the Lord in the Scriptures warns the people of the great disaster that soon shall befall the nations because of the wrongful effort to rule them by dictators, who defame the name of Almighty God, and in his prophecy points out to the people that their only place of safety and protection is to seek righteousness and meekness by rendering themselves in obedience unto the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, God commands the true followers of Christ Jesus to give such warning to the people. Sincere persons are glad to have this warning. Many Protestants, because of fear, do not give the warning that the Lord commands them to give. The people are entitled to know the truth now.

(2) The postmaster general has denied you the use of land wires for your national broadcast and the authorities have denied you the use of the Town Hall.

What is your answer to that?

Answer: The Roman Catholic Hierarchy that arbitrarily rules the Catholic organization, and the Fascists, are desperately attempting to keep the people in ignorance while they seize control of the nations to rule them by dictators and their only means of doing so is to prevent anyone and everyone from disclosing to the people the truth, as set forth in the Scriptures, and that is their reason for denying me the use of the facilities you mention. The clergy have no answer to the Bible prophecies now being plainly revealed and they can only defend themselves by a mere denial, and then by keeping everyone silent who wishes to speak, and thus keep the people in ignorance of the truth. They are not at all afraid of me but they are afraid for the people to hear what is written in the Bible, and which truth I speak.

(3) Is your speech likely to produce violence?

Answer: Certainly not. There is no occasion for violence. To warn the people of an approaching storm would not cause them to take violent action against the one bringing the warning. The cry of danger of violence comes only from religious opponents and their allies above mentioned, and is employed as a means to induce public officials to deny the people the opportunity to hear the truth.

(4) Are you fighting Catholics generally?

Answer: No, I certainly am not. I have no fight against any person because of his religion or other reason. There are millions of sincere Catholics who are being kept in ignorance of what is in the Bible. They desire to know the truth and the Hierarchy that rules them arbitrarily wishes to prevent them from hearing the truth. "The Hierarchy of Authority", as it calls itself, attempts to do all the thinking for the "Catholic population" and thus it destroys the freedom of thought, belief and action of the common people. If what I am telling the people is not true then some one amongst the millions of Catholic clergymen should explain to the people wherein the same is untrue. Why not let the people hear both sides and then decide for themselves?

A knowledge of the truth is the only means that will enable the millions of honest Catholics to find the way to safety.

(5) Are the returned soldiers against you?

Answer: Certainly they are not. There is no controversy between Jehovah's witnesses and the returned soldiers. A number of returned army officers are, in fact, Jehovah's witnesses. Men who fought for democracy, and did not get it, but got arbitrary rule instead, certainly aro not against any man who contends for freedom of speech and freedom of thought.

(6) Have you attacked the British Empire?

Answer: I have not. There is no occasion to do so. The Bible speaks of all nations under the symbol of a beast. It is a well-known fact that nations have adopted some beast as their symbol. For instance, the British Empire uses the lion as a symbol of the Empire; Russia, a bear; and other nations likewise have some beast to represent their emblem in symbol. I have merely called attention to these symbols foretold in prophecy, and supported by the facts well known to all. The British Empire has been the most liberal of all nations on earth in granting full freedom of speech. Now the Fascists and the Catholic Hierarchy are attempting to get control of the official part of the Empire and to put to silence everyone who speaks the truth.

(7) Do you support the Communists?

Answer: No, most emphatically I do not. I am as much against the Communists as I am against the Fascists because all such defame God's Name and are against God and against Christ Jesus. I have no interest in political organizations. I am wholly devoted to Jehovah God and to his righteous King, Christ Jesus, and my sole purpose is to inform the people of the truth as set forth in the Scriptures.

(8) Some religious newspapers charge that you are an ex-convict. Is that true?

Answer: That charge is wholly false and the papers making the charge should know that it is false. Briefly, I set forth the facts concerning this matter, based upon the official records of the United States Senate, upon the records of the United States Courts, and upon the testimony of Brigadier-General Bell, late of the United States army, to wit: In 1917 a body of clergymen met together at Philadelphia and appointed and sent to Washington a committee that engaged John Lord O'Brien, Assistant Attorney General, and had him prepare and caused to be introduced in the United States Senate a Bill providing for the trial of all espionage cases before a military court and the penalty inflicted to be death.

The Bill failed of passage. General Bril declared that the purpose of this movement was to bring about the destruction of Jehovah's witnesses, and particularly myself, and then added: "But they are going to get you any how." A short time thereafter I together with other officials of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, was indicted and tried under the espionage act. The indictment being based upon a paragraph in a book that I did not write and which paragraph was not against the war, but was construed so to be. One, Judge Howe, highly prejudiced, was brought from Vermont to try the case. He boldly declared in the presence of counsel for both sides that he proposed to see that these men (meaning the defendants) got what was coming to them. He wrongfully and arbitrarily instructed the jury to return a verdict of guilty, after having committed many errors by admitting testimony in violation of every rule of proper trial in court. Then he sentenced each defendant to eighty years in prison, and denied bail pending appeal. Application was made to the United States District Court before Judge Manton, a rock-ribbed representative of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, who also denied bail. Finally a writ of habeas corpus was obtained in behalf of the defendants from the United States Supreme Court and the case was assigned to Mr. Justice Holmes. Upon hearing the facts in support of the writ he immediately granted bail and ordered the appeal to proceed. The record contained more than 125 errors. The case was heard on appeal and the judgment reversed and the cause remedied, and then the government voluntarily dismissed the charge, thus fully exonerating myself and my fellows who were wrongfully charged. In other words the religionists, led by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, framed us and railroaded us into prison, and now attempt to take advantage of their own wrongful acts in a further attempt to destroy all witnesses who proclaim the truth of and concerning God's Word and which truth exposes that religious system as carrying on the worst racket that has ever afflicted the human race.

(9) Is the organization of Jehovah's witnesses attempting to build up a power or organization in opposition to others?

Answer: Most emphatically. No. Jehovah's witnesses have but one thing to do, and that is to inform the people of the truth contained in God's Word and which shows that more than 6,000 years ago God promised to establish a kingdom with Christ Jesus as the invisible Ruler and that this is the hope and salvation of the human race and which will bring to them lasting peace, prosperity, happiness and joy.

Although the Town Hall had been let to Jehovah's witnesses under contract, to which the public was invited to come and hear Judge Rutherford's lecture, the Hierarchy and the Fascists exercised such subtle influence over the mayor of Sydney that he cancelled the contract and thus prevented Australiàn citizens from assembling there. That raised a storm of protest and quickly 120,000 Australian citizens signed a protest to the Government demanding that arrangements be made for them to hear the lecture of Judge Rutherford and which protest is set forth as follows:—

"Attempts are now being made to deprive the people of the Commonwealth of their rights as citizens to hear a lecture by Judge Rutherford to be delivered at Sydney Town Hall, April 24th, at 4.00 p.m., and relayed by radio to all parts of the Commonwealth. Expense to be borne by the Watch Tower Society. We, the undersigned, emphatically protest against any action being taken by the authorities which savours of Fascism or Dictatorship and we petition the Commonwealth Government to make arrangements immediately for the broadcasting of this speech so that we may hear the Word of God discussed by Judge J.

F. Rutherford, an outstanding visitor to our shores."

RADIO.

God has provided the radio as a means of reaching the people but He does not prevent the Devil from interfering with its use, therefore giving the Devil and his agents an opportunity to show their colors before He deals with them as He has promised. For the accommodation of the people, twenty-two radio stations of Australia had been engaged to broadcast the lecture of Judge Rutherford. That so frightened the Fascists and the Roman Catholic Hierarchy that they began to put forth a desperate effort to stop such broadcast. In the usual course application was made by Jehovah's witnesses for the land wires to transmit the speech over the key station to the other radio stations. The postmaster general was then induced to demand that the script or copy of the lecture must be first approved by him before the use of the wires would be granted. The postmaster general was informed that the copy of the speech would be lodged with him gladly for his files, but not to be censored, for the reason that the speech is devoted exclusively to the Bible, the Word of Almighty God, and that no man has any authority to censor the same. The script with copy of the proposed speech was filed with the postmaster general as shown by the acknowledgment of his representative as appears below:

"I hereby acknowledge receipt of the above copy of the script of said speech therein described.

(Sgd.) H. G. Dicker,

for Deputy Director, 22/4/'38."

The Constitution of Australia contains this provision:

"The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth."

This is the fundamental law that the people made. Although the postmaster general well knew that the broadcast was devoted to the Bible exclusively, and was clearly within the provisions of the Constitution, and could not be discriminated against or interfered with and that he had no authority to discriminate against Jehovah's witnesses and to censor such speech, and although he had a copy of the speech in his possession, yet he arbitrarily refused the use of the land wires for the reason that the speaker would not consent that the postmaster should censor the speech. Thereby the postmaster general prevented millions of Australian citizens from hearing what they were entitled to hear. This is an example of arbitrary rule where one man takes away the liberties of millions of people, and this is done at the instance of selfish interests abovementioned.

Certain newspapers, acting together with the unholy and unrighteous combine, the Fasciists and the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, have deliberately withheld from the people the facts and have made it appear that there was an absolute refusal to file the copy of the speech. This shows which side those newspapers serve and clearly shows that they are against the interest of the common people. That the facts may be known by the people the letters and telegrams passing between the officials and those interested in the speech are published below. Read them carefully and you will see how the people have been discriminated against.

April 19, 1988.

To the Honorable H. P. Brown,

Director General of Posts and Telegraphs.

"Sir,—Application has been made to you for the use of telephone lines to broadcast my speech on the 24th inst. I am advised that you decline to grant the use of the same unless the script of the lecture be filed with you in advance and approved by you. If the sole purpose of requiring filing of advance script is that the same may be made a part of your files, then I shall gladly comply and file the copy with you. If, however, you must first approve the lecture before the use of the wires is granted, and that your disagreement or disapproval means the refusal of the use of the wires, then I find it impossible to furnish the script for the following reason:

"For the past ten years I have been broadcasting in many countries, including Australia. My lectures deal solely with the Bible, which is the Word of God and this fact is well known. The only persons who raise objection to my lectures are certain religionists, who have presumptuously assumed to determine what the people must think or believe. Such religionists now fear to have the people learn the truth as contained in the Word of God, which truth discloses that the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, ambitious to rule the world, and operating in conjunction with Fascists, have done and are doing great injury to the people. The same class of religionists tried to prevent the people from hearing the Lord Jesus and his apostles and they suffered the consequences at God's hand. No creature has a right to interfere with what God has commanded. For me to consent to have censored, approved or disapproved what is written in the Bible, and which God has commanded that the people shall hear, would be an insult to God and a gross sin before the Almighty.

"Freedom of worship and freedom to preach the Word of God as set forth in the Bible is the inherent right of every man. No human creature can interfere with, hinder or abridge the use and proclamation of God's Word. The Bible and the well-known physical facts now disclose that the world is facing the greatest crisis of all time and God has commanded, as set forth in His Word, that the people must be told about it.

That is what I am trying to do in obedience to his commandment. The people of Australia, including thousands of honest Catholics, as well as Protestants, are entitled to hear and it is not the right of any man to interfere with their hearing. If you deprive the people of the opportunity to hear, because upon the advice of certain religionists you do not approve what is to be said, then you must bear the full responsibility before God, who according to His promise will July recompense all who hinder the free proclamation of His Word. Until the Roman Catholic Hierarchy presumptuously assumed to tell the "Catholic population" and other people what they may or may not hear, no man in Australia has attempted to interfere with the freedom of speech concerning what God has commanded shall be spoken. I cannot consent to the withholding of any truth from the people, which God has commanded them to know, merely because the telling of that trust may shock the religious susceptibilities of certain selfish men who bring great reproach upon Jehovah God's name.

Very respectfully,

(Sgd.) J. F. Rutherford."

Copy to V. E. Butler,

Acting Deputy Director.

20th April, 1938.

J. F. Rutherford, Esq.,

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 7 Beresford Road, Strathfield, N.S.W.

"Dear Sir, I am obliged for your letter of the 19th of April and I note your decision concerning the script of the speech which you desire to be broadcast on Sunday, the 24th of April, 1938.

The purpose in asking for the script is, as I explained to Mr. McGillivray, to satisfy the Department in the carrying out of its obligations that there is no intention to make use of expressions or indulge in comment which could be seriously resented by any fair minded and impartial person.

"Mr. MacGillivray is aware of the nature of the comment to which this Department has found it necessary to take exception in the past, and I am sure he understands the Department's reasons for pursuing the unusual course it is now taking in regard to your projected lecture.

"I would like you to accept my assurance that the Department's attitude is not the result of representations made by any religious bodies, but is dictated by experiences of former lectures broadcast from recordings of your own spoken word.

"The Department does not wish to exercise the slightest influence or discrimination in relation to the religious beliefs of any section of the community but, on the other hand, it cannot allow the broadcasting services to be used for abusive or objectionable comment on any section or individuals of the community.

"I hope you will find it possible to appreciate and respect this attitude, and place the Department in a position to establish the service which you are anxious to use with the conviction that no comment of the nature in question will be indulged in.

Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) H. P. Brown Director-General"

April 21st, 1938.

Honorable H. P. Brown Director-General Melbourne.

"Dear Sir, Thank you for yours of the 20th inst. I now understand that your purpose in asking for the script of my speech is "That the Department might be satisfied that there is no intention to make use of expressions or indulge in comment which could be seriously resented by any fair-minded and impartial person." I can readily give you that assurance.

"I hope you will agree with me as to what might be seriously resented by any fair-minded and impartial person. The only expression I shall use that will even approach the point of objection is this: That the Fascists, Nazis and 'Roman Catholic Hierarchy of Authority' of Vatican City are in agreement to seize control of the democratic nations and rule the people thereof by dictators.

"Surely it cannot be denied that there is such an effort being made to destroy the democracies of the earth and to erect in their stead dictatorial governments. Certainly no fair minded and impartial person in Australia could seriously resent such statement being publicly made and broadcast.

"With this assurance may we now have the land wires to broadcast my speech on the 24th inst.?

Very sincerely, (Sgd.) J. F. Rutherford."

TELEGBAM

MELBOURNE, APRIL 22nd, 1938.

"J. P. RUTHERFORD CARE WATCHTOWER STRATH FIELD.

OBLIGED FOR YOUR LETTER 21st APRIL STOP THE DEPARTMENT UNDERTAKES PROVISION OF LAND LINES AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE TO EXTENT COVERED BY APPLICATION RECEIVED FROM AIR SALES BROADCASTING COMPANY WHICH IS UNDERSTOOD TO BE THE COMPANY ACTING ON YOUR BEHALF STOP THE DEPARTMENT REGRETS HOWEVER THAT IN ABSENCE OF SCRIPT WHICH YOU APPARENTLY DECLINED TO SUPPLY IT MUST INSTRUCT ALL BROADCASTING STATIONS TO WITHHOLD THE TRANSMISSION OF YOUR SPEECH.

BROWN POSTAL, MELBOURNE."

SYDNEY, APRIL 22nd, 1938. "TO BROWN POSTAL MELBOURNE.

ANSWERING YOUR TELEGRAM I AM READY TO HAND YOU COPY OF MY SPEECH IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR FILES BUT NOT FOR CENSORING. I SHALL OFFER TO YOUR DEPUTY HERE IMMEDIATELY ON THAT CONDITION. PLEASE ANSWER.

FROM JUDGE RUTHERFORD.

WATCHTOWER STRATHFIELD."

April 22nd,1938.

Honorable H. P. Brown Director General of Posts and Telegraphs Melbourne.

"Dear Sir,—Complying with the request of your department for a copy of the script of my speech to be delivered on the 24th inst., I hereby hand you a copy of the same for your files only, but not to be censored.

At the same time I hereby renew my request for the use of land lines for the broadcasting of the same.

Respectfully,

(Sgd.) J. F. RUTHERFORD".

"I hereby acknowledge receipt of the above copy of the script of said speech therein described.

(Sgd.) H. G. Dicker,

for Deputy Director, 22/4/'38."

MELBOURNE, APRIL 22nd, 1938.

*TO J. F. RUTHERFORD CARE WATCHTOWER, STRATHFIELD.

REGRET YOUR DECISION CONVEYED IN TO-DAY'S TELEGRAM THAT COPY OF YOUR SPEECH WILL NOT BE SUBMITTED FOR CENSORSHIP STOP ALL BROADCASTING STATIONS HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION OF YOUR SPEECH IS TO BE WITHHELD.

BROWN POSTAL, MELBOURNE."

The foregoing undisputed facts show beyond all doubt that the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and the Fascists have exercised such a powerful influence over public officials that they have taken away from the people liberty of thought and speech and the freedom of worship of Almighty God, which rights are guaranteed by the Constitution of the nation, and above all which is commanded by Almighty God.

The speech of Judge Rutherford was delivered to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience of 25,000 or more Christian people assembled at Sports Ground, Sydney. Catholic Fascists had some of their henchmen on the ground who tried to interrupt the speaker, but signally failed.

A resolution was presented by a returned soldier and unanimously adopted amidst great applause and shouts of Aye. Read the speech of Judge Rutherford and the Resolution and then you will see why ambitious racketeers and malicious Fascists desire to prevent honest people from hearing the truth.

The Sydney Morning Herald had contracted to publish the full text of the speech in its Monday morning edition. The copy was delivered and full price paid to the Herald. When the newspaper official in charge read the copy of the speech he said to several witnesses: "Every word of that speech is true and other officials of the Herald knew it was true." Further, he said, that he would be glad to see some newspaper in Australia with courage enough to publish that speech and that personally he would be glad to be associated with such a paper. But because of the Hierarchy's violent opposition the Herald would not publish the speech.

Now the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is getting this speech to you. Will you do your part to help spread the truth amongst the good people of Australia? A great peril threatens the nations. Honest Catholics, Protestants and all other sincere persons should awake.

For further information address WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, Strathfield, N.S.W.

FREEDOM OR ROMANISM?

On the 24th of April,1938,at a mass assembly of Christians at the Sports Ground, Sydney, Judge Rutherford delivered his lecture. At the conclusion thereof the following Resolution was introduced and when it was read that great audience with a shout of "Aye" unanimously adopted it.

RESOLUTION.

IMMEDIATELY following the lecture of JUDGE RUTHERFORD, an Australian returned solder, said: "Mr. Chairman, as a returned soldier, who did military service in the British army for several years, I desire to propose to this vast and representative audience of Australia a resolution. I ask the chairman to read it and move its adoption."

RESOLUTION: (1) This body of Christian people, numbering upwards of 25,000, assembled this day at Sydney, Australia, do hereby declare that we are in favor of freedom of speech and unhindered worship of Almighty God, which have been the well recognized principles of this nation since the time of its birth. We heartily join with the 120,000 persons and more of Australia, who recently signed the following protest:—

"Attempts are now being made to deprive the people of the Commonwealth of their rights as citizens to hear a lecture by Judge Rutherford to be delivered at Sydney Town Hall, April 24th, at 4 p.m., and relayed by radio to all parts of the Commonwealth. Expense to be borne by the Watch Tower Society.

"We, the undersigned, emphatically protest against any action being taken by the authorities which savours of Fascism or Dictatorship and we petition the Commonwealth Government to make arrangements immediately for the broadcasting of this speech so that we may hear the Word of God discussed by Judge J. F. Rutherford, an outstanding visitor to our shores."

(2) We declare ourselves unalterably opposed to Fascism, Nazism and religious dictators known as the "Roman Catholic Hierarchy of Authority", which combine attempts to regiment all people, arbitrarily rule them by dictators, and to deprive them of freedom of thought, speech and of worship.

We are not against the Catholic people, designated by their clergy as the "Catholic population". But we are against the tactics of the "Catholic Hierarchy of Authority", which operates from Vatican City, supports wars of cruel conquest, resulting in great suffering and death of many harmless persons, and which carries on other subversive schemes. We believe and hold that there are millions of honest Catholic people who are deceived and held in ignorance by the hypocritical practices and wrongful influence of the "Roman Catholic Hierarchy of Authority", and we insist that such honest persons of the "Catholic population", as well as others, have the right to freely hear the truth publicly proclaimed.

We protest against the action of said unholy combine in their endeavors to induce public officials to prevent the people of this country from hearing Judge Rutherford speak on Bible prophecy. We hold that it is the right of the people to hear what they please and then to exercise freely their own will.

(3) We vigorously protect against the action of public officials in refusing the use of public halls where the people might assemble and peaceably listen to the speech of Judge Rutherford. Such officials manifestly have yielded to the seductive influence of the aforementioned politico-religious combine and have thereby deprived the people of this country of their just rights to listen to a public lecture.

(4) We vigorously protest against the action of public officials of the Fiji Islands, and of other possessions of the British Commonwealth of Nations, in preventing the people from obtaining possession of and reading books and other literature dealing solely with Bible prophecy now in course of fulfilment, and which prophecy and facts the people are in great need of hearing and understanding.

(5) Fascists and Nazis, in utter disregard of the rights of others, have destroyed the nation of Abyssinia, seized control of Austria, imprisoned thousands of Christian people in Germany, for having in possession the Bible, and are prosecuting rebellious war against the Government of Spain, all of which the Roman Catholic Hierarchy fully endorses; and now that same unholy combine attempts to force dictatorial rule upon all nations, and against all of which we vigorously protest.

(6) We further protest against the action and practice of steamship companies operating vessels upon the high seas in co-operating with said politico-religious combine, by permitting the "Roman Catholic Hierarchy of Authority" and their representatives to force their practices upon a defenceless travelling public, by daily using public places on such vessels for the purpose of advertising themselves and carrying on their God-dishonoring racket.

(7) We declare that it is man's inalienable right and privilege to enjoy freedom of thought, speech and worship of Almighty God and that without let or hindrance from any political, religious or other selfish organization and we call upon public officials to see to it that the people of this country henceforth have and enjoy such full freedom.

WARNING.

Judge Rutherford said:

The Mayor of Sydney has said that you cannot assemble in the public hall of this city to hear this speech. The postmaster general has said the radio stations cannot broadcast this speech unless he first censors and approves it. Freedom of speech has therefore been denied and the freedom to worship Almighty God by proclaiming His Word has also been denied and discriminated against, both of which is in violation of your Constitution which the people made. This speech is of most vital importance to all persons because it is taken exclusively from the Word of Jehovah, the Almighty God.

Please give careful attention to what is said and then determine whether or not you wish to be ruled arbitrarily by Fascists and Romanists or whether you desire to enjoy the freedom with which God has endowed you.

The greatest crisis of all time now confronts the world. Thoughtful persons not only sense this fact, but they are anxious to know the cause and what will be the result. How may they find out?

The only great one ever on the earth is Jesus Christ. All other men are by inheritance imperfect and must be taught. They are given the opportunity to learn and to walk in the way of righteousness. Jesus came to earth to tell the truth, and he told the truth, and thus he blazed the way for those who desire to live.

Man is not the result of evolution. He is the creature of the Almighty God and is endowed with intelligence, which makes him responsible for the course he takes. God informs man as to the right way and therefore affords him the opportunity to choose his own destiny. The Bible contains the truth and is provided as a true guide for man. To this end all men who have walked in the right way have appreciated the statement of God's Word, the Bible, to wit: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119: 105) Light results when the lamp is properly equipped and burning, and without the equipment for light the lamp is of no value. Jesus is the light of the world because he always reflects God's truth and instructs the people to walk in the light of God's law.

Religionists claim to believe and to teach the Bible. Their course of action denies that claim. They have no light equipment and therefore they have no understanding of the Bible. They teach that forms and ceremonies employed in the name of a deity are all sufficient to assure salvation of men, but, in fact, all such forms and ceremonies originate with man's worst enemy and are contrary to God's Word. (2 Pet. 3:5).

Because Jesus always loved righteousness and hated iniquity God placed him at the head of his capital organization and clothed him with all power and authority. Men who follow in his footsteps devote themselves entirely to God and his cause of righteousness and thereby demonstrate that they love righteousness and hate iniquity and upon them God bestows his light. Men are not righteous by virtue of their own attainments but by virtue of their full devotion to God and God's resulting favor to them. Therefore, it is written in the Scriptures: "Light is sown for the righteous." (Ps. 97:11) God's promise is made to everyone who diligently seeks righteousness, that such shall receive the light and learn the way to safety during the great crisis now confronting the world. Therefore, this message is published in obedience to God's commandment, that those who desire and who seek righteousness may learn the way of escape.

THE CRISIS.

What is the great crisis that is now impending and about to fall?

It is a time of trouble that will completely wreck every state and institution of the world, destroy religion and religious institutions, wipe out commercial and political organizations and all persons who refuse to put themselves under the protection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the world's righteous Ruler. That great trouble is just ahead and Jesus describes it in these words: "Great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time", and it shall be the last. (Matthew 24:21)

That great tribulation will not be merely a war among men and nations such as the world war of 1914, but it is the battle of Jehovah God and of all his forces now unseen by human eyes, which forces led by the Lord Jesus Christ will sweep into destruction all of the enemies of God and man. On the opposing side are Satan the Devil and all his host of wicked angels, the religious institutions, the armies and navies, land and air forces of all the nations of earth, and all filled with and moved by the spirit of the Devil, fully bent upon destruction.

Jehovah God by his prophets has caused to be recorded a brief description of that great battle. The prophet Habakkuk spoke thereof as though he stood on the other side of the fight and observed its finish. As the great battle begins he observes that the sun and moon fail to give their light and thick darkness envelops the whole earth, and that the flashes of liquid fire and other deadly missiles will be the only light that men of the world will observe.

He makes known that the wild beast of the forest and those confined in the zoos shall be let loose to make war upon the peoples of the earth. He tells that the mountains will be literally split and floods shall deluge the land; that storms and fire shall do their great destructive work, while the waves of the sea lashed into fury will sweep everything in their path; and that the enemies of God will seek in vain for shelter or refuge. That prophet employs amongst other things these words: "Thou [God] didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh [the nations] in anger". (Habakkuk 3:10-12) The power of Almighty God cannot be resisted and all who attempt to resist it go down to destruction. An example is given in the war of Joshua against the combined enemies at the battle of Gibeon, concerning which it is written that Jehovah God fought for Joshua and that he caused 'the sun and the moon, to stand still' and that he opened the heavens and threw down great chunks of ice which killed multitudes of people. (Joshua 10:11-13)

The result of the battle of Armageddon will be so terrible that human language cannot adequately describe it. It will involve all nations and not one nation shall be permitted to escape. Through his prophet Jehovah says concerning the result of that great battle: "And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground".

(Jeremiah 25:33)

The attention of the people is directed to that great impending war and this alarm is now sounded as a warning because God has commanded that it shall be done. It is not the first, but it will be the worst trouble with which the world has ever been afflicted. The Lord speaks of Noah as the man of righteousness because he obeyed God in proclaiming his message. For years Jehovah caused Noah to sound a warning of the approaching disaster of the flood and all who refused to give heed to that warning were destroyed. In like manner Jeremiah, the servant of Jehovah, warned Israel of her approaching doom. Jesus warned Jerusalem of its near destruction and the apostle Peter under command of the Lord said concerning the impending battle of Armageddon: "The heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:7)

The warnings given by Noah, Jeremiah, Jesus and Peter and the destruction that followed were typical, foretelling the great and final tribulation at the battle of Armageddon. The Scriptures clearly show that such is not our fight but it is the battle of the Almighty God. There must be a good reason why Jehovah God has declared his purpose to bring such a terrible disaster upon the world. There is a reason.

THE REASON.

Jehovah God is supreme, besides whom there is none other. All creatures who live everlastingly must be obedient to the Almighty God. He created the earth and he created man for the earth and declared that in his own due time the earth shall be filled with a righteous people. He made Lucifer, a spirit creature, to be overseer of man and other things of the world.

Lucifer coveted the praise which Jehovah justly received from all creation and Lucifer sought to make himself equal to God. To accomplish that selfish desire he rebelled against Jehovah and resorted to lies to turn man away and to cause him to violate God's law. God sentenced Lucifer to death and changed his name to Satan the Devil, but deferred the execution of that judgment of death until his own due time. God also sentenced Adam, the first man, to death and permitted him to live long enough to bring children into the world. Then the Devil defiantly challenged God declaring that God could not put any man on earth who would remain true and faithful to him under the test, the Devil claiming that he could cause all men to curse God. In order to settle that question of supremacy in the minds of all creatures and to prove who is all-powerful, God said to the Devil: "For this cause have I allowed thee to remain. In order to show thee my power and in order that they [my faithful witnesses] may proclaim my name throughout all the earth".

(Exod. 9:16, Leaser). Thus God announced his purpose to give the Devil full opportunity to make good his challenge and the Devil's failure to do so will fully exonerate Jehovah and vindicate his name. In order for the test to be fair God has permitted every man to make his own choice as to whether he will serve God or serve the Devil, declaring to man that if he desired everlasting life he must obey God and his refusal to obey would result in his death. Therefore, it is written in God's law: "I have set before you life and death." Choose whom you will serve. Only those who love God can get life and Satan claims that he can make all men curse God. The unchangeable law of Jehovah God is this: "The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy". (Ps. 145:20) The contest began and must continue until God's due time to bring the matter to a final conclusion. That due time is at hand and therefore God commands that the final warning must be given by his witnesses before he executes his judgment upon Satan and all of his followers.

In order for anyone to truly love God and serve him he must know God and his means of salvation, and therefore it is written: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent". (John 17:3) The Devil's course of procedure has always been to keep the people in ignorance of God and his provision for man and therefore the Devil has placed before men every possible thing that would blind men to the truth of God's Word, RELIGION.

Jehovah's loyal and faithful creatures worship him in spirit and in truth. By nature there is in the mind of every man a desire to worship some real or fancied higher power. Knowing this innermost desire of man and to carry out his purpose of turning men away from God, the Devil long ago introduced religion by setting before the people the man called Nimrod, who was a mighty hunter. The Devil induced the people to believe that Nimrod was superior to Jehovah God and so the people bowed down to Nimrod and worshipped him, as it is written: "Nimrod the mighty hunter before [superior to and greater than God] the Lord." The man Nimrod became the object of worship by the people and he was the absolute dictator of the people, just as Hitler attempts to compel the people to "heil" him as the savior of the people. Nimrod was therefore the Devil's means of introducing to the people religion and religious practices. Then Nimrod set up himself as king and thus introduced politics amongst the people. He brought the people together and builted a city and there introduced commerce or traffic amongst the people. Immediately there began and ever thereafter have been three things which are joined together in ruling the world and turning faithless creatures away from God, to wit, politics, commerce and religion. By this means the people have been kept in ignorance of Jehovah God and his purpose.

Religion is any form of worship practiced by creatures in recognition of some real or supposed "higher power" and which practice finds support or authority only in the teachings of men handed down by tradition from one generation to another.

With Nimrod there began organized religion. For centuries thereafter every nation that was organized adopted some kind of Devil religion and the people were caused to worship creatures instead of the Creator, and thus it seemed that the Devil was on his way to accomplish his defiant and boastful challenge.

Prior to the time of Abraham a very few men remained true to Jehovah God. With the faithful descendants of Abraham God organized the nation of Israel, gave to that nation his covenant and code of laws to govern them and which laws specifically prohibited them from worshiping any creature or thing, and this God did in order to protect the Israelites from the Devil religion. To the Israelites Jehovah God said through Moses: "If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me." 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me, nor make any image thereof, nor shalt thou bow down to or serve them'. (Exod. 19:5; 20:1-5) It is written in God's Word, which Jesus repeated: 'Man liveth by the word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God'. (Matt. 4:4) Therefore all must get life everlasting, if at all, by obeying the Almighty God, and all persons that practice the Devil religion shall die because such is God's decree. The Devil worked upon the Israelites and their leaders to turn them to the Devil religion.

He introduced religion amongst them and turned that nation away from God and to the worship of objects and things which they did in violation of their covenant made with Jehovah. Because thereof, God said to that nation: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities". (Amos 3:2) The iniquities of Israel consisted of repeatedly turning away to and practicing religion. God sent to the Israelites his prophets to give warning, that unless they forsook religion, repented and turned to Jehovah, he would destroy the nation. Failing to give heed to that warning the nation of Israel fell, multitudes thereof being slaughtered and the survivors carried away into captivity. Later a remnant of the Israelites returned and rebuffed the wall and the temple of Jerusalem and for a time engaged in the true worship of the Almighty God. Again religion was introduced by the Devil and came to the fore and the leaders of the Israelites adopted formalism and the practice of religion based solely upon the tradition of men. Thus Israel was turned away from God by the Devil.

Then came Jesus the Son of Jehovah God. At that time the Israelites were under the leadership of the clergy called the Pharisees who taught and practiced religion but claimed to be serving God. Jesus began his ministry by using these words to the Israelites giving them warning: 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' For more than three years he continued to proclaim the truth and to warn the people against the practice of religion.

That religion is a defamation of God's name and, that it originated with the Devil to turn men away from God, hear now the testimony of Christ Jesus recorded at Matthew 15:1-9: "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? . . . But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? . . . Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Jesus always taught the truth of God's Word but the religious leaders did not give heed to his words. Then Jesus said to them: "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8:43, 44) This is proo conclusive that religion is of the Devil, employed by that wicked and deceptive foe for the purpose of deceiving men and leading them into destruction and thus to carry out his challenge to Jehovah. Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ, was once a religionist until the Lord enlightened him and then he became a Christian.

(Acts 9:1-19) When Paul was a religionist he persecuted Christians viciously. When he became a Christian Paul received great persecution at the hands of religionists and this is further corroborative proof that religion is of the Devil and is used to oppose and oppress the true servants of Almighty God.

Christianity means the worship of Almighty God in spirit and in truth in accord with the commands of God and teachings of Jesus Christ. Therefore those who follow Christ Jesus the Leader, and thus worship God in spirit and in truth, are Christians. None other are Christians. There is no such a thing in existence as the "Christian religion", because religion and Christianity are exactly opposite and diametrically opposed one to the other. Religion dishonors and reproaches the name of Jehovah God. Christianity honors and vindicates the name of Almighty God and this is why true Christians are always persecuted by religionists.

Christianity progressed during the days of the apostles, but after their death the enemy Satan used selfish men, covetous for influence and power, to bring in religious practices and which men wrongfully labelled the "Christian religion". The Roman Catholic Hierarchy came into power and that organization claims to be the mother and beginner of what is called the "Christian religion". The so-called Protestants came out of the Catholic organization and formed other religious organizations and those also are wrongfully labelled "Christian religion".

Now it is well known by every person who tries to learn the truth that all religion is based upon the traditions of men, that is, upon the teachings of men handed down by tradition, and is not based upon the Bible. The great religious organizations participate in the political affairs of the nations and in the commercial and financial schemes to control and rule the people even as Nimrod did in his day. Thus it is seen that from the time of Nimrod until now the world has been controlled by Satan, who uses three elements, to wit, religion, politics and commerce, all operating for a selfish purpose, religion being the greatest and worst racket of all. The leading religious organization of the world engages in all manner of political and commercial schemes to control the wealth of the land. Unlike Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, who had not where to lay his head, that religious organization has become the richest in material wealth of any organization under the sun. It is a part of and craves to rule the world. With great pomp and glory that organization parades its wealth before the people and boasts of its power and in this day exalts itself by outwardly displaying its worldly riches and glory. Such ought to be convincing evidence to the people that religious organizations have not the favor of God and his Christ but that they are God's enemies, as it is written: "Ye adulterers and adultresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God". (James 4:4)

Why did God cause to be recorded in the Bible so much about religion and the Jews and the dealing of the Jews with other people and what came then to pass? The Scriptures answer that question in these words: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [types]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Cor. 10:11) We have now come to the end of the world and it is God's command that a warning shall be given from his Word of the great and final disaster that soon shall befall the world, and the things that came to pass upon Israel He uses as striking examples.

Because Israel under the leadership of her clergy turned away from God's commandments and turned to religious practices Jesus not only told them that they were of the Devil but he warned Jerusalem in these words: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt. 23:37, 38) A few years thereafter Jerusalem was completely destroyed and the Jews never again shall control it. Did Jesus hold any malice against the practitioners of religion, the clergy in particular, and did he speak against them in order to induce the people to destroy them?

Certainly not, for the reason that it was in his power to bring about their destruction without saying anything about it to the people beforehand. Did Jesus hold any malice against the Jewish people? Most certainly not. They were his own people and it is written that he came to his own that he might do them great good and that the leaders not only refused to hear his speech, but hindered the people from hearing, but as many of the people as did receive him, to them he gave the power to become the sons of God. (John 1:12) He sounded the warning that those who were of the right mind might seek the Lord and find life.

Jehovah's witnesses now represent the Lord Jesus and Jehovah because they are wholly and unqualifiedly devoted to God, his King and kingdom. They are commanded to tell the truth to the people even as Jesus told the truth. Religionists charge that Jehovah's witnesses are maliciously trying to destroy the bulwark of the nations by attacking the clergy and religion. That charge is wholly without foundation. Do Jehovah's witnesses hold any malice against Catholics or Protestants because they are Catholics or Protestants? No, certainly not. There are multitudes of honest and sincere Catholics and Protestants who have been deceived by the doctrines taught by their leaders and now God commands that his truth shall be told in order that all persons may receive the warning and that those who give heed may flee from the Devil's religious organization and find refuge and safety under Christ Jesus.

Are Jehovah's witnesses attempting to destroy religion or religious leaders? They are not because the Lord alone will do the destroying and commands his witnesses to inform the people of his purpose. Jehovah's witnesses must tell the truth as commanded and if they fail or refuse to do so they shall suffer destruction. (Acts 3:23) They are commanded to go and to proclaim these truths to the world as a witness and for this reason they will do so and for no other reason.

Let all persons take warning now that God has decreed that all who hold to and practice religion after having been warned shall die at Armageddon; that all those who flee to God and take their stand firmly on the side of Jehovah and his King Christ Jesus shall live. Having been warned, therefore, everyone must make his own choice.

Every thoughtful person senses some great trouble coming upon the world and that it is impending and about to fall. The people and the rulers are in distress and perplexity fearing what they sense is coming, even though they understand it not. What is the impending trouble? The Word of Almighty God plainly shows, and the physical facts corroborate that divine testimony, that the world is sick unto death and is going to be destroyed and that everyone who does not give support to the King Christ Jesus is going to die. And why this disaster? Because it is the day of Jehovah's vindication when he will forever settle the question of who is supreme.

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