The Watchtower, October 1, 1919
Download: PDF — The Watchtower, October 1, 1919
Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity: the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring, men ® hearts tSeame t2?na*R
to the things coming upon, the earth (.society ’. tor the powers of the heavens (ecelesiasticisui) shall be shaken . xitK n- ’O^lAike^U^S i
tben know that the Kingdom of God is ax hand. Look up, lift up jour heads, rejoice, lor your redemption draweth nigh-—Matthew 24.33, Mark 13..9. Guae .1.20 x
Gfcfforrifog ^stb,M»day3i$l^al9o!’k».zi:iw
VOL. XL
OCTOBER 1
No. 1»
ROCK'Of ACES -rC Other foundation can ■ : no man lay - .< ,, A RANSOM. FOR ALL^Z
SEMI-MONTHLY
A. D. 1919—A.M. 0048
CONTENTS
Report of General Convention .....
Convention Program .............
Wednesday’s Discourses .........
Faith: Morale of the Christian .. Wonders of Creation ............
The World Not Converted .......
Many Baptized .................
Co-laborers’ Day................
The Golden Age ................
Jeremiah Commends the Rechabites Priests Resentful at God’s Word Jeremiah Still Unloved .........
What Power At Bottom Of It? ....
Peter's Great Confession ..........
Peter A Useful Stone...........
The Doors of the Kingdom......
■ 291 . 292 ■ 293 ■ 294 ■ 295 . 296 • 297 • 298 • 299 . 300 . 3OO . 3°I
. 301
. 302 . 302 • 303
"7 will stand upon nv watch. and will set mt foot upon the Tower. and 'anil watih to see what He will say unto me. and what answer 1 shall make to them that oppose me."—Hab. si.
.B.fTS.
THIS JOURNAL AND ITS 6AGRED MISSION
THIS Journal t» one of the prime factors or Instruments in the system of Bible Instruction, or "Seminary Extension," now betel’ presented in all parts of the civilised world by the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, chartered A. D. 1881, “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 bat also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society's Conventions and o‘ 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 of the Divine Word. Our treatment of the International S. S. 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 Pet. 1:19; 1 Tim. 2:6.) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Pet 1:0-11) of the Word of God, Its further mission is to—"Make all see what is the fellowship of the Mystery which . . . has beers 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.”—Eph. 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 oath spoken—according to the Divine wisdom granted unto us, to understand. Its attitude is not dogmatical, but confident; for we anew 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 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
Chat the Church is “the Temple of the Living God”—peculiarly “His workmanshipthat 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 Cor. 3:16, 17 : Eph. 2 :20-22: Gen. 28:14; Gal. 3:29.
That meantime thg 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 Millennium.—Rev. 15 ;5-8.
That the Basis of Hope, for the Church and the World, Ues In the fact that “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for eeerg man,” “a Ransom for all," and will be “the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," “in due time.”— Heb. 2 :9; John 1:9:1 Tim. 2 :5, 6.
Chat 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 Hla glory as His joint-heir.—1 John 3 :2 ; John 17 :24 ; Rom. 8 :17; 2 Pet. 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.—Eph. 4 :12; Matt. 24 :14 ; Rev. 1:6; 20 A 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 glorified* Church—when all the wlHully wicked will be destroyed.—Acts 3 :19-23; Isa. 35.
etTBLISHSO b;
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
11D FEDERAL ST., PITTSBURGH, PA., U. S. A._________
The WaLch Towet Editorial Committee:
This Journal is published under the supervision of an Editorial Committee at least three of whom have read and approved as truth each and every article appearing in these columns. The names of the Editorial Committee are: J. F. Rutherford, W. E. Van Amburgh, F. H. Robison, Geo. H. Fisher, W. E. Page._______________________________________________
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $1.00 IN ADVANCE.
SEND MONEY BY EXPRESS. BANK DRAFT, POSTAL ORDER, OR REGISTERED
Terms te the herd’s Peer as follows—All Bible Students who, by reason of old age or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this journal, will be supplied Free if they send a Postal Card each May stating their case and requesting its continuance. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and in touch with the Studies, etc.__________
NOTICE TO ALL TOWER SUBSCRIBERS—Please remember that M a role we no longer send a card of acknowledgment for a re-□owal or for a new subscription. Receipt and entry of renewal are ndieatad within a month by change in date of expiration of the »nb* scription on the TOWER wrapper.
When requesting change of address, please give old address ss wall as new. This is very important, saving as much t me end an-ecessary correspondence.
ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER AT PITTSBURGH. PA.. POSTOFFICE UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3RD. 1879.
SOCIETY’S REMOVAL—CHANGE OF ADDRESS
As per more extended notice in our September 15th issue, the headquarters of the Society will be entirely removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., by or before October I, the date of this issue. All correspondents addressing us will therefore please remember to send all communications, remittances, etc., to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. 124 Columbia Heights. Brooklyn, N. Y., from the time this issue is received. This request applies to all of the Society's activities.
CONVENTION AT BALTIMORE
A two-day convention will be held in Baltimore, Md., on October II and 12. The sessions on the 11 th will be held in the Florists' Exchange Hall, corner Franklin and St. Paul Streets. The Sunday meetings are to be held in the Academy of Music, Howard Street, near Franklin. It is expected that Brother Rutherford will serve on October 12. For local information write Louis F. Hildebrandt, 806 North Carey Street, Bahimore, Md.
YOUB OWN OBITUABY
In most of the funeral services which the Society’s travelling representatives have been called upon to conduct there seems to have been a dearth of direct relationship between the words spoken and the life of the deceased. This has not been the fault of the brother officiating, because in the majority of cases the dead was unknown to him. His remarks must, therefore, be somewhat impersonal in their nature. This is often disappointing to the bereaved relatives and friends, for they have assembled to pay respect to the life and character of the one whose association they have lost.
On such occasions those most capable of giving vital statistics and personal information regarding the deceased are usually too preoccupied with their grief and with extraordinary obligations to be able to give even that information which is familiar to them. Once in a while if the speaker arrives in time he can find a more distant relative or capable neighbor who can tell something about the dead; but this does not happen very often.
Our suggestion therefore is, that each of the Lord’s people gradually, and as opportunity offers, write down such items in connection with his life as would be interesting from the standpoint of the Lord's Word—something of how and when he or she was led to the Lord, some words of appreciation of the Lord's goodness and providences, in short, whatever the Lord has meant to the testifier individually. Such remarks need not exceed a thousand words (shorter would do just as well) and they could be kept in an envelope marked “Personal. To be Used at My Funeral”, or some such wording, and kept with one's personal effects, so that it could be easily found. At the time of one’s demise and funeral such a testimony could be handed to the officiating brother and he would thus be able to make the service a fitting climax to a course of faithfulness, a sort of period to the living testimony just ended. Friends would listen who would not have listened before, while the speaker elaborated on this point of the statement, or gave Scripture substantiation for that.
It is not expected that the Lord's people should become literary artists—nothing could be further from our thought. A few simple, plain statements of the facts would serve the purpose better than any attempt at sermonizing, or dissertation on different Scripture passages, except as some particular Scripture, perhaps, had been of special help and comfort to the writer. We believe that if these suggestions are followed the funeral services of friend; in the truth will become less like a public lecture and more like a personal testimony to the bereaved family and friends. Do not, of course, send such items to us, but keep them against the day of possible use.
s<»vM'CH TOWER
AND HERALD OF CHRISTS PRESENCE
Vol. xl October 1, 1919 19
REPORT OF GENERAL CONVENTION
ATCHING and waiting, in an attitude of prayer, this has been the condition of the International Bible Students for the year or more last past;—watching the Lord’s leading, and waiting for a wider publication of the message of the kingdom; praying at all times for the Father’s guidance and blessing. Nothing in this world brings such happiness to the heart of the
Christian as the privilege of glorifying the heavenly Father’s name by telling others of the blessedness that shall come to mankind when Messiah’s kingdom is in full operation.
Since Brother Russell passed into glory there have been no general conventions until this year. But in July of this year the thought was conceived that we should have a general convention of our brethren where, for a season, we could come aside from the world and devote a number of days to sweet fellowship and study of the Word of God. It was believed that this would stimulate the brethren to greater zeal and confidence in all the Lord’s arrangements.
Cedar Point, Ohio, was selected as the place, and it indeed proved to be an ideal spot. Situated as it is upon a narrow peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie, and being less than half a mile wide, the waves of the beautiful lake can be seen on either side while one walks amid the trees that cover the ground. Sometimes the waters are storm driven and the waves run high, dashing with fury the slender strip of land, ev?n as turbulent conditions surround God’s people everywhere ; and then again the lake is placid and calm, suggesting the calmness that will invade the hearts of men when the Savior of man stands up and says to the troubled, restless sea of humanity: “Peace, be still!” Through the middle of the outer Point lies a quiet lagoon, on whose tranquil surface are mirrored the giant cottonwoods, the stately elms, the slender ash which grow long the grassy banks. Even so the Lord's children, in the midst of earthly society, mirror the beauties of his handiwork in proportion as the peace of God, which passes human knowledge, keeps guard in their hearts and minds.
The public season at Cedar Point closed this year on September 1. And arrangements were made for our Society to have full possession of the hotels and auditoriums, beginning in the afternoon of that day. The week previous to our visit there was a stormy one; the lake was turbulent; there was much rainfall: the week our convention was there the weather was well-nigh perfect, there being but one rain, which came at night and did not at all disturb or interfere with those attending the convention or the meetings. Monday forenoon the hotel was being vacated, according to the previous arrangement of the management, and many who had been there for a time reluctantly withdrew, because of the pleasant conditions surrounding.
The hotels at Cedar Point accomodate approximately 3,000 people, and we had not anticipated more than that number. Just across the bay is the beautiful little city of Sandusky, with a number of hotels and private rooming houses, and in addition to these a large number of private homes willing to entertain the Bible Students.
THE FRIENDS ARRIVE
On Monday morning, September i, the friends began to arrive, smiling and happy, as are always those who walk in the footsteps of the Master. At first they came slowly, and when the convention opened at three o’clock in the afternoon less than 1,000 persons were in attendance. Later in the day, however, came special trains from Pittsburgh, New York, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, and many other places, and special cars from numerous points; also steamboats and automobiles of every description laden with the brethren. By midnight 3,000 persons or more were on the ground. The assignment of the friends at the hotel was no small task, and the local hotel authorities were overwhelmed with the work. They expected, of course, that our brethren would be fretful and complaining because they had to stand in line and wait long for assignments; but on the contrary the brethren manifested a degree of cheerful endurance beyond the understanding of the ordinary man. Brother Macmillan’s previous experience as a hotel clerk, and Brother Martin’s wide experience, were used to good purpose. They volunteered their services to the hotel management, which gladly accepted them. These two brethren stood behind the counter till after midnight, assigning the friends to rooms, while Brother Rutherford and many of the others acted as bell boys to carry the baggage and help the friends get to their rooms. It was a happy throng, rejoicing that they could come together again.
Tuesday morning the convention was in full swing, and it was soon discovered that the auditorium, seating 2,500, was far too small to accomodate those in attendance. Another hall was requisitioned, and still another, and the large foyer of the hotel, until four meetings were running at the same time; and still these four halls were inadequate to accomodate the people. The weather being so fair, a spot was found amid the trees in the open where thousands of people could be seated and hear the speaker without difficulty. There, beneath that leafy dome, where the glory of heaven shone through and cast a lacy fretwork of sunshine and shadow on the ground, were held the remaining forenoon and afternoon sessions of the Convention.
Still the brethren continued to arrive. The hotels at Cedar Point were filled, the hotels at Sandusky, and hundreds of private homes were well filled; and by Friday fully 6,000 of the Bible Students were in attendance or had been in attendance on the grounds. The attendance on Sunday was augmented still more, and it is estimated that fully 7,000 people attended the public lecture delivered by Brother Rutherford in the grove Sunday afternoon. The local ticket agents informed one of our office force that during the convention they sold 7,500 extra tickets returning from Sandusky, thus giving a good indication of the number that attended.
OPENING THE CONVENTION
The convention opened promptly at three o’clock Monday afternoon by an address of welcome delivered by Dr. McCosh of Detroit, which was responded to by the President of our Society, who then, in turn, introduced Brother Van Amburgh as the permanent chairman of the convention. After a few timely remarks Brother Van Amburgh conducted a praise and testimony meeting for the rest of the afternoon. Brother C. J. Woodworth was assistant chairman of the convention, and for the purpose of conducting other meetings it was necessary to have Brother Martin chairman of an additional meeting, and Brother Fisher of still another. It was remarkable to watch the interest manifested by the friends. Cedar Point claims to have one of the finest bathing beaches in the world. It has long been a great resort for bathers. But with several thousand people at Cedar Point every day, seldom any of the truth friends were seen bathing in the lake.
It had been arranged to have the Bethel service in the dining room at the breakfast hour, but since the dining hall had places for only about 1,100 at one sitting, it was soon discovered that such an arrangement was not practicable. Consequently the friends assembled on the beach each morning at seven o’clock, and as the sun’s rays fell gently upon the waters of Lake Erie, there morning Bethel service was conducted, and the day was begun with joy of heart and thankfulness for each progressive step of the convention. At nine o’clock the regular meetings opened, strictly in accordance with the program previously published. That we may preserve a record of the program of this convention we here insert it as published :
(Ennunttinn program
HBmtiiag, &rptrmbrr 1st
8:00
7:30
p. m.
p. m.
Grand opening rally Address of Welcome
Brother McCosh
President of Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society
Testimony Service
Salutation
Praise, Prayer
Praise Service
and
<00
p. m.
Discourse
Brother
Van Amburgh
10:30 a. m. Praise and Testimony Service
Brother
Hazlett
11 :00 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Fisher
2:00 p. m. Praise and Testimony
Brother
Dockey
2:30 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Thorn
3:30 p. m. Praise Service
Brother
Roberta
3:45 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Rutherford
7:00 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Perrin
8:00 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Toole
Sbitraiiag, &rptrmbrr 4ffi
9:00 a. m. Praise and Prayer Service
9:30 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Williams
10:30 a. m. Praise and Testimony
11:00 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Robiaoa
2:00 p. m. Praise and Testimony Service
2:30 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Pickering
3:30 p. m. Praise Service
3:45 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Macmillan
7:30 p. m. Praise Service
<00 p. in. Discourse
Brother
Graham
JFrtbay. ©rptrmbrr 5tb - Glo-iCaborrrs’ Sag
9:00 a. m. Praise and Prayer Service
Brother
Zook
9:30 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Magnuson
10:30 a. m. Praise and Testimony Service
Brother
Rice
11:00 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Salter
2:00 p. m. Colporteur Testimony Meeting
Brother
Van Hymng
3:00 p. m. Address to Go-laborers
Brother
Rutherford
4:00 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Marti*
7:30 p. m. Praise Service
8:00 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Thornton
Baturbag, Brptrmbrr fitly
9:00 a. m. Praise and Prayer Meeting
9:30 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Baker
10:30 a. m. Praise and Testimony
11:00 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Wood worth
2:00 p. m. Praise Service
2:15 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Bohnet
3:15 p. m. Discourse: “Baptism and Its Import”; followed by water immersion.
Brother
Wise
7:30 p. m. Praise Service
Brother
Cohea
8:00 p. m. Discourse
Brother
Herr
&txni>ag, £rptrmbrr 7th
9:00 a. m. Praise and Prayer Service
9:30 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Morton
10:30 a. m. Praise and Testimony 11:00 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Whelpton
2:00 p. m. *Praise and Testimony
3:00 p. m. Discourse: “The Hope for Distressed Humanity”
Brother
Rutherford
7:00 p. m. Praise and Testimony
7:30 p. m. Symposium: “Fruits atiu Graces of the Spirit”
Brother
Rice
9:00 p. m. Love Feast
fihnbag, Brptmbrr 0th
9:00 a. m. Discourse
Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother
Brother
Robie Baeuerlein Riemer Hudgings Zink
Thrutchley
10:00 a. m. Discourse
Brother
Boyd
10’45 a. m. Farewell Praise and Testimony Meetin
® nr shag, Brptembrr 2nb
J -00
a.
m.
Praise and
Prayer
Meeting
9 :30
a.
m.
Discourse
Brother Barker
10:30
a.
m.
Praise and
Testimony Service
11 00
a.
m.
Discourse
Brother Barber
2 :00
P-
m.
Praise and
Prayer
Service
2.30
P-
m.
Discourse
Brother Sexton
3 :30
P-
m.
Praise Service
3:45
P-
m.
Discourse
Brother Rutherford
7:30
P-
m.
Praise and
Prayer
Meeting
b :00
P.
m.
Discourse
Brother Sullivan
®rhnrsbag, Srptrmbrr 3rd
9:00 a. m. Praise and Prayer Service
9’30 a. m. Discourse
Brother Bowin
Brother Howlett
The Sandusky Register each day carried a lengthy report of the proceedings of the convention, and quoting from it we append hereto a brief outline of the speakers and what was said. Their Tuesday issue announced:
CONSECRATION THE KEYNOTE
■‘The Bible Students’ convention at Cedar Point is now in full swing. One and all seem to be very devout, and yet extremely cheerful and jovial people. Meetings and more meetings seem to be the order of the day—and of the evening also. These people apparently never tire of meetings, sing lustily their anthems, which are of the old-time devotional character, and carry with them even into the large dining rooms and eating places the spirit of worship. Nevertheless, peculiar as it may seem, they do not appear to be of the over-sanctimonious kind of persons, and do not carry with them the 'hetter-than-thou' attitude.
“Nothing seems stranger than to observe the general mutual acquaintanceship of almost all of the 4000 and more delegates now. convened. They address each other by name, and the air is full of ‘Brother So-and-So’ and ‘Sister So-and-So’, as though each and every one was a life-long friend of the other, although, upon inquiry', it is learned that they are from most distant parts of the country.
“Although it was close onto midnight Monday before all the room assignments had been made and the arriving con-ventioners were all finally allocated, the announced early-morning praise service at 7 o’clock was overflowingly attended in the large breakfast room. At The Breakers it takes three complete relays to accomodate the over 2,200 delegates assigned to that hotel alone.
“Beginning Wednesday morning, the propitious weather continuing and permitting, a sunrise, open-air prayer and praise service will be conducted on the beach in the front of The Breakers hotel.
“The main auditorium was filled to capacity, and many standing, for the Monday evening meeting.
"Consecration seemed to be the keynote of the Bible Students’ convention on Tuesday. The speakers, without premeditated intent or knowledge of each other's talks, made stirring appeals to the large audiences, which gave rapt attention, for a continuation of their complete consecration to do ‘the Lord’s will', as they expressed it.
“Although the main auditorium's capacity was increased by additional chairs to 2,200 and it was originally contemplated to have at least five different one to two-hour Bible lectures during the day, at the very first session it was demonstrated that this would be entirely inadequate. Accordingly, the Agricultural Hall, seating 600, was arranged for an overflow meeting, as well as the capacious Breakers hotel lobby, and larger parlors were similarly converted into halls for overflow meetings.”
THE CHURCH AN UNKNOWN QUANTITY
The Sandusky Register of Wednesday says:
"The gist of President Rutherford’s speech was the encouragement to Christians that we are living in a time of great stress, when all the world is disturbed, when men’s hearts are failing them for fear of what they see coming upon the earth; that the Christian, instead of fearing as the world fears, should have an abiding confidence in the Lord and therefore be of a sober mind, and watchful unto prayer. He said:
" 'The world does not and cannot understand the position of a truly consecrated child of God. The Apostle Paul gives us the correct key note when he addresses his words to the Christian, saying: ‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh!' The new creature in Christ Jesus consists of a new will that is wholly surrendered to do Jehovah's will; a new mind that is in course of development from the time of consecration unto death; the new heart, which means the seat of affections—affections being set on heavenly things.
" ‘And having this newness of life begun, it must have an organism, and therefore the Apostle says: ‘We have this treasure in earthen vessels.’ To the world in general a Christian looks like any other man, but from God’s standpoint he is a new creature, and in order to win the prize that is set before him he must deport himself in accordance with the divine rules.
" ‘The divine rule prohibits, then, the followers of the Lord Jesus from taking human life, because he has not power to restore it, and the right to take it belongs only to Jehovah. He is commanded to do good unto all as he has opportunity, and wrong unto none. This rule applies to a Christian only, and has no application to the man of the world who has not fully consecrated himself to do God's will.
“ ‘It takes a great deal of courage to be a soldier upon the battlefield, and men who go over the top manifest this courage as the world knows courage and bravery; but it takes a vast deal more courage to be a faithful soldier of the cross, who is without fear of man; who fears not anything that man might do to him; who fears not death; who fears nothing except Jehovah; who desires to do the will of the Lord and receive his approval above all things else, because the approval of Jehovah means to such life everlasting on a higher plane. A repudiation of his covenant with Jehovah would mean his loss of everything—his eternal existence, every future hope of happiness, peace, or joy, and even life itself. So when a Christian truly recognizes his position before Jehovah he realizes that he must be obedient to the Lord's arrangement, and cannot be moved by fear of anything else.
THE CHRISTIAN'S MISSION
“ ‘Every Christian recognizes his obligation to the government wherein he lives, and cannot willfully be a law-breaker. No true Christian, therefore, could be willfully a seditionist We are taught to pray for the governments and kings of this world, and thus we do.
“ ‘A Christian’s mission on earth, however, is to proclaim the message of the Lord's kingdom of righteousness, which will bring blessings to the whole groaning creation.
‘‘‘And just as a man who is being trained for a physician could not devote his time to the trade of a blacksmith, just so one who is being trained under the great Teacher to be an assistant physician for the Word's blessing could not devote himself to something in this world that would be inimical to his interests and the interests of the Lord's Kingdom. For this reason Christians have never been understood by the world. Jesus was misunderstood and was persecuted; St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was persecuted to death for the same reason; the Apostle Paul was imprisoned four years because he was misunderstood; Martin Luther suffered great persecution at the hands of the people for his conscientious adherence to the principles of Christianity; and the Lord Jesus said to his followers: ‘If the world hate you, be not surprised, because it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world the world would love its own, but because I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.’ (John 15:18, 19) A part of the Christian’s sacrifice is to be misunderstood, but the happy part of it is when the mists clear away and he is understood, having proven his loyalty and faithfulness even unto death;—then he has the promise of life on the highest plane. Jesus said to such: ‘Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life’; ‘Fear not, little flock; it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’—Luke 12:32; Revelation 2:io.”'
WEDNESDAY’S DISCOURSES
We quote from Thursday’s issue of the Register as follows:
“Pastor M. A. Howlett, in speaking took as his text Matthew 22:35-40, particularly the 37th and 39th verses: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’
“He stated that this was the epitome, as the Master stated, of all the law and the prophets, and therefore represented the love of justice, or the love that would lead its possessor to render justice to all.
“He referred to Jesus' statement in John 13:34, 35: 'A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you.' This represents, he averred, the love that leads to self-sacrifice, that really goes beyond the line of justice. _
“The speaker then went on to describe the scope of the love of simple justice, showing that this quality of character is the first thing that one who becomes a Christian must attain and develop; that this would lead the follower of the Lord to be ‘just before he is generous’. _
“Then, taking up the various parts of this quality, he showed that to love the Lord God ‘with all one's soul' means that one’s whole being must be consecrated to serve the Lord and no matter what the work in hand may be, the true Christian must ‘do all to the glory of God’ (1 Corinthians 10:21), whether this be housework, business, or preaching the gospel. To love God ‘with all one’s mind’ means to see that the mind is kept full of pure, loving, wholesome thoughts, that so the words and actions may be acceptable to God,
“Then, to ‘love one’s neighbor as one’s self’ implies that a true Christian should have a heart-development of 25,000 miles; in other words, should have a heart big enough to love the whole world, even his enemies.
"Finally the speaker enumerated three rights, or prerogatives. that belong to the heavenly Father: (1) the right of headship; (2) the right to reward; and (3) the right to punish.
"He said that anyone who is a Christian and causes false reports to be circulated about another person, is violating these prerogatives in that he is causing that person to be judged and to suffer. Many, he went on to explain, try to be information bureaus, and are really ‘inflammation bureaus,’ in that they give forth tales that cause friction and inflammation.
IS IT TRUE, KIND, NECESSARY?
“The speaker closed with the explanation of a simple rule which will, if put into practise, prevent the Christian from violating the law of justice and brotherly love in his words. This rule is that every statement be made to pass through three requirements before it is allowed to have utterance, namely, ‘Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?' He said that with this rule there would be far less talking done in the world and far less trouble would prevail.
"Pastor O. L. Sullivan spoke on ‘Pulling Down Strongholds of Error,’ choosing as his text 2 Corinthians 10:3, 4. He declared that the proclamation of the truth would result in the overthrow of everything founded upon selfishness, injustice, or graft of any kind, stating that it was manifest that this overthrow of all unrighteousness began in 1014 and was increasing in momentum. He added that it was a remarkable fact that Christians who know and believe that the present world-confusion means the dawning of a better day are confident and undisturbed amid the turmoil, being confident that God is at the helm. _ _
“The great need of cooperation among true Christians in forwarding the message of truth was emphasized by the speaker, contentment amidst reconstruction difficulties was strongly recommended. He stated that a great responsibility rested upon each one entrusted with the knowledge of God’s plan of the ages to proclaim Messiah’s Kingdom come! The speaker then took up the prophecy of Jeremiah 50:41-46, and interpreted the phrase ‘people from the north’ to mean bolshevism, which he characterized as ‘mental influenza’ and the greatest menace that has ever threatened organized government.
“Taking up 1 Kings the 19th chapter, the speaker applied the experiences of Elijah and Elisha to the present time. He showed that these were typical of the experiences of true Christians, and commented upon the fearlessness of Elisha. He stated that Elisha carried on the work of Elijah and both represented one class—the true, fearless followers of Christ
“Pastor Sullivan then explained the meaning of the word Elisha to be ‘Great Deliverer’. He applied this to Christians, and said that their mission is to preach deliverance to mankind—to tell mankind that Christ’s Kingdom of peace and justice is now at hand, when all shall be delivered from oppression, persecution, disease, pain, and death.
FAITH: MORALE OF THE CHRISTIAN
"J. F. Rutherford, president of the Watch Tower Bible 4 Tract Society, Wednesday afternoon before a great crowd of 5,000 students attending the convention at Cedar Point, said that Bible prophecy is fulfilled and the reconstruction period for blessing humankind is at hand. He said:
“ ‘We are living today in a most important period of the world’s history. The consecrated Christian whose mind is illuminated by the holy Spirit can understand prophecy when it is fulfilled or in course of fulfillment. The non-Christian does not understand prophecy. It indeed appears as foolishness to him. He witnesses the events that are transpiring and takes it for granted that these merely happen by chance.
“ ‘The reason for this is because the non-Christian has no faith. Faith means an intellectual understanding and appreciation of the Word of God, and a confident reliance upon that word. The Scriptures declare, ‘The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’. (1 Corinthians 2:14) It is not astonishing, then, that the unbeliever scoffs at the interpretation of prophecy.
“ ‘God’s dealing with the Jewish people was not only for their benefit, but for the special purpose of making types and shadows of greater events to transpire. Hence prophecy is properly defined as history written in advance. That which pertains to the world is a record of the world’s history in advance, foreknown and foretold by Jehovah through holy men of old who wrote under inspiration. That which pertains to the church is a history of the church in advance, written under the direction of Jehovah and intended to be understood only by the spiritually minded.
“ ‘The experiences of Elijah, as clearly set forth in the Scriptures, represented in type the experiences of the followers of Jesus and the work they should do on the earth. The experiences of the Prophet Elisha, who was anointed in the stead of Elijah, picture another part of the work of the same class of Christian people. Ahab, the king of Israel, was a type of the civil powers, while Jezebel, his unrighteous queen, typified the unholy systems that operate under the name of Christ. Both Elijah and Elisha were very unpopular with Ahab and Jezebel and persecuted by them. The church has found its experiences to correspond with this. Hence, when the Christian has such experiences, instead of being astonished he regards it as an evidence that the Lord is dealing with him as one of the class whom he is selecting for a special purpose. The lesson the Lord intends to teach his people, then, is this: that they should have full faith and confidence in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ; that they should serve the truth in righteousness, without fear of man or man-made institutions; and this was particularly pictured in the experiences of Elijah and Elisha.
'‘AFORETIME FOR OUR LEARNING”
" ‘It may be asked, How do we know that the Lord caused these things in olden times to be recorded for the benefit of the church? The Scriptures answer: ‘Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope’. (Romans 15:4) And again, ‘All these things happened unto them for ensamples [types], and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world [ages] are come'. (1 Corinthians 10:11) We have reached the end of the world, as clearly shown by Biblical testimony. Even wise men of the world recognize this fact. The term world means order of things. We are witnessing the passing away of the old order and the coming in of the new. Therefore, we have the additional proof that the unfolding of the prophecies would be at this time for the benefit of that class of Christian people whose hearts are wholly devoted to the Lord’s cause.
“ ‘In the light of these prophecies, Bible students can plainly understand why so much persecution came upon them during the recent war. It was not limited to one country, but took place in many countries. Instead, therefore, of being discouraged or downcast by these experiences, they rejoice to know that they are counted worthy to be partakers of the sufferings of Christ. The five thousand people that have come to this convention from every part of the United States and Canada witness by their presence, by their beaming countenances, that they are rejoicing in all the experiences through which they have been privileged to pass up to this time. St. Paul says, ‘For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but as a privilege also to suffer for his sake’. (Philippians 1:2q) ‘If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him.’ (2 Timothy 2:12) We may be assured, then, that unless we have some experiences like unto the Lord and the Apostles we could not have the witness that we are his. The Lord caused St. Peter to say. ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fire that is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of God that leadeth to glory rests upon you: on their part [the nonChristians] he is evil spoken of. but on your part he is glorified. If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this behalf.’ (1 Peter 4:12-16) The world cannot understand why the Christian is happy amidst trials and tribulations. The men of the world reason that when one becomes a Christian he ought to expect to have more natural blessings than before, but the consecrated Christian sees that it is his privilege to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and suffer in the same character of suffering that Jesus and the Apostles experienced, in order that he might be qualified to associate with Jesus in the great work that is to follow in uplifting and blessing mankind. St. Peter makes this clear, saying, ‘For hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in his steps’.—1 Peter 2:29.
OFFENCES MUST COME
"The history of the footstep followers of Jesus from the days of the Apostles until now shows that all who are willing to live a sacrificial life and be true, faithful and loyal to the Lord and his cause have suffered persecution at the hands of those who have misunderstood them. As an example, John Bunyan spent twelve years in prison because of his faithful adherence to the principles of Christ It will ever be so until the church is finished. Then those who have engaged in the persecution will be sorry. The Scriptures indicate that they will weep tears of bitterness. Many of such have thought that they would be the chief ones in heaven, not understanding what heaven is. Yet, after all their tears are wiped away and they see that God has a gracious provision for all mankind and that through Christ, head and body, he will offer restitution blessings to all the world, then they will be glad. During this period of reconstruction under the Christ, all those of the world, learning obedience and humbly walking before the Lord, shall be lifted up and blessed with life, liberty and happiness. We confidently believe that the end of the journey of the church is at hand and that within a short time all its members will be removed from the earth; that the time of trouble now on the world will then cease and the Sun of Righteousness, rising with healing in its beams, will bring comfort and peace and blessings to the people. The faithful, however, the ones who cheerfully endure trials and tribulations for the truth's sake, for righteousness' sake, even unto the end—these shall be privileged to be associated with Christ in extending the blessings to the groaning creation. Seeing this coming to pass, the Christian has every reason to rejoice and he can appreciate the Apostle’s words, when he said: ‘Rejoice in the Lord; and again I say, Rejoice!’”
We quote from Friday’s issue of the Register-.
“Describing creation from the beginning until the present day, Pastor J. B. Alford. Texas, told the 5.000 Bible students assembled at Cedar Point yesterday, that God was bringing about his wonderful creation of a perfect earth in a perfectly natural way, in harmony with his own natural laws.
“The address created a profound impression, as did one by Prof. F. H. Robison, Pittsburgh, formerly of Cleveland, serving as foreign secretary of the International Bible Students Association. He spoke of the epi-ode of the Lord with His disciples after the woman of Samaria had been greeted by him at the well. A. H. Macmillan, Xova Scotia, also talked.
THE WONDERS OF CREATION
“Pastor Alford spoke on the topic: ‘The Wonders of Creadon’. He stated that Bible students had often heard and studied of the times of restitution of all things in respect to mankind, but that he intended to bring before their minds the material side of this restitution, as it will relate to the atmosphere, plant and animal life, and cosmogony in general.
“He said in part: ‘Man was created perfect in mind, body, and morals, an earthly image of his Creator, and to him was given the blessing of Jehovah and the commission: ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion’. (Genesis 1:28) Evidently the purpose of the Lord was that if man remained in his pristine purity and perfection, that he would not only take care of the especially prepared Garden of Eden, where everything was perfect, but would extend that Garden until it took in the whole remainder of the earth, which was not brought up to the same standard of perfection as Eden.
“ ‘However, we must not think that the remainder of the earth was in the condition in which it is now. In spite of all the progress during the last century along agricultural lines, the earth outside the Garden of Eden was far in advance of the best cultivated parts of the earth today. This is proven by the discovery of buried fossil remains of many varieties of luscious fruits now extinct; such a discovery was reported as having taken place in the state of Pennsylvania on July 3d of this year, the report being in the ‘Saturday Blade’ published in Chicago, July 5th, 1919.
“ ‘This condition of luxuriance was sustained as long as the earth was surrounded by the canopy of vapor, called by scientists ‘the last ring', which caused the whole earth to be one vast greenhouse, because the sun s rays could not strike the earth directly, but gave a diffused, equable light and temperature.
“ ‘A tremendous change took place when the ring broke and precipitated itself upon the earth, causing the Biblical flood, the ‘Ice Age' of the scientists. Our seasons began at that time, with the extreme heat and extreme cold; and from that time began the present condition of the earth, when the curse began to operate fully: ‘Thorns and thistles shall the ground bring forth’. (Genesis 3 :t8) A whole earthfull of exuberant life was destroyed, both animal and vegetable.
ECONOMY OF GOD’S ARRANGEMENTS
“ ‘This is evidenced by the present atmosphere surrounding the earth. Scientists tell us that 77 percent of the atmosphere is nitrogen, an inert gas which undergoes no change when it is breathed by animal and plant life. This, we are informed by those who have made it a study, is a gas composed of organic substances decomposed and changed to gaseous form; in other words, the element called nitrogen is the direct result of decomposition of organic matter, at the time of the flood.
“ ‘The Lord promised that in the time of the end of the present evil order of things, when the time has come, not to destroy the earth, which ‘abideth forever’, (Ecclesiastes 1:4) but to usher in a new order of things, that then ‘knowledge shall be increased, and the wise shall understand’. (Daniel 12 4. 10) Hence, even the scientists and evolutionists are learning more and more about the earth. In fact, everybody is learning something except the modern theologian.
“'Now that the time is near when man will regain his lost dominion he is learning how to ‘subdue the earth’, to harness the elements to do his bidding. For instance, by growing certain leguminous plants, which have the power to extract the nitrogen from the air by a process of osmosis, through nodules on their roots caused by certain microbes, the nitrogen is returned to the soil, oftentimes increasing the value of the land $25.00 per acre. Also, in the culture of pecans in Texas, where previously in the wild state it took forty years for a pecan tree to come to full bearing, now it begins to bear fruit eight times the size of the wild pecan on the third year after planting, and is in full bearing in eight years, producing $350.00 worth of fruit per acre.
“ ‘The wonderful economy of God is evidenced by the fact that when the resurrection takes place, and ‘all that are in their graves shall come forth’, by the end of the thousand years of the Millennium, all the nitrogen will have been used from the air for the creation of the twenty billions of human bodies, and for the enriching of the soil of the earth, so that the restored human race will find the atmosphere composed of oxygen and carbon-dioxide, the oxygen for the human race and the animals, and the carbon-dioxide for the plant life, and as in the process of respiration animal life gives out carbon-dioxide and takes in oxygen, and plant life the opposite, each would harmonize and cooperate with the other.
“ 'This gives a faint idea of how the Lord God Almighty will bring about his wonderful creation of a perfect earth, in a perfectly natural way, in harmony with his own laws of nature. If the world of mankind could only catch a glimpse of God’s wonderful plans, it would bring them on their knees before him in heartfelt praise and adoration for such a wonderful plan and such a wonderful God.’
THE NEW CREATURE’S FOOD
"Professor Robison selected as his topic John 4:32-36, describing the episode of the Lord and his disciples after he had spoken with the woman of Samaria at the well. His disciples urged the Lord to eat, as it was time, and he replied: ‘I have meat to eat that ye know not of’. The speaker explained that at this time the Lord had been anointed with the holy Spirit, and thus had been begotten as a new creature, but he was speaking to those who had not yet been thus begotten; hence his words, ‘meat to eat that ye know not of’. And what this meat or food was, the Master explained, saying: ‘My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work*.
“ ‘What was the comparison the Lord used here ? The Lord was here telling them that his food (the word translated ‘meat’ meaning ‘food’ in a general sense) was to do what God wished him to do. Food is what we take into the system, to nourish it, keep it active, and to sustain it. So the Master, as a spirit-begotten new creature, was simply stating that to do the will of God was what was nourishing this new creature, keeping it active, and sustaining it Of course, the disciples could not understand him, even as no one not begotten of the Spirit can understand this at the present.
“ ‘At Pentecost, however, the followers of the Lord were also anointed with the holy Spirit, thus also begotten as new creatures, and from thenceforth the church, composed of the true followers of the Lamb, wherever they might be, can an£ do appreciate the Lord's words. Also, they themselves are of the same mind, and their food as new creatures is to do the will of the Father in heaven.
“ ‘But was not our Lord always doing the Father’s will, even before he came to earth? He tells us he came to do God’s will. (Hebrews 10:7) The distinction is that now for the first time he was doing God’s will when it meant the suffering of persecution, ignominy and shame. Yet, even in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was able to say: 'Not my will, but thine be done,’ that is, ‘Although I would that this cup pass from me! that it it be possible, I be not crucified as a blasphemer against God, nevertheless, notwithstanding, irrespective of my own will, choice, or preference, not my will, but thine be done'.
“ ‘Think what this meant! The one in all the universe most faithful to the Father would have to die an ignominious death, as a malefactor and a blasphemer. Not only at the end of his ministry, but from beginning to end of his three and one-half years of trial time, the Lord Jesus showed the same spirit, manifested that his meat was indeed to do the will of him that had sent him.
“ ‘He had left the courts of heavenly glory, had come into a rebellious and sinful world to die as the ransom price for mankind, a willing sacrifice. After two years of the proclamation of his coming kingdom, and the performing of many miracles, we read in the sixth chapter of John how he fed five thousand in the wilderness, and how the multitude would have taken him by force and made him king. (John 6:15) We can see why they did this. The Jews had a scheme of their own for the carrying out of God’s plans, They wished to rebel against Rome, set up their own kingdom, and thus bring about the blessing of all the peoples of the earth. Doubtless they chose Jesus as being the most popular leader, who would be able to lead them against Rome, and although they thought him a little too modest, they hoped that if they used force, he might capitulate to their wishes.
“TO FINISH HIS WOBK”
“ ‘The psychological moment was at hand, if he wished to take another course than that of self-sacrifice. But he wavered not at all, for in the same verse we read: ‘He departed again into a mountain himself alone’.
“ ‘From that time on, it seems that his popularity with the people was more or less on the wane. When, at the Feast of Tabernacles, which was one of the two great feasts of the Jews, he stood in the temple and cried: ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink’ (John 7:37). He was offering them the very thing they needed, yet none came to him to ask him how he proposed to give them the living water of life, although fully 30,000 people must have been within the range of his voice, for this feast was attended by Jews from all parts of the earth.
“ ‘At the close of his ministry, even Peter, the oldest of the disciples, older than our Lord in the flesh, gave way under the pressure of the time, and turned against the Master. The Lord might have said: ‘Here he has been with me for three and a half years, and should certainly have imbibed something of the truth; yet he, the oldest of my disciples, has had the most advantages among the twelve apostles, who have had the most advantages among the nation of Israel, which has had the most advantage of all the races of earth—if Peter would turn against me and deny me thus, what would not the rest of them do?’ But no, the Lord knew the will of God was for him to die as a sacrifice, and he remained faithful to the very end.
“A. H. Macmillan, of Nova Scotia, said:
“ ‘To this end was I born, and for this purpose came I into the world, to bear witness to the truth.’ These words of our Lord Jesus to Pilate at the time of his trial set forth one of the main objects of Christ's life. The Master here showed with clearness that one of the main objects of his advent into the world was not to delve into Jewish politics, not to spend his time in various moralistic and humanitarian works, great and admirable though such works would be, but to bear testimony to the truth concerning God's plans and purposes for the blessing of mankind. It is true there were other objects in his leaving the heavenly glory which he had with the Father before the world was: he came to ‘seek and to save that which was lost’; he came to ‘give himself a ransom for many’; but his bearing witness to the truth was almost inseparably bound up with those exalted missions.
“THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS"
“ "That kingdom, the true testimony of which the Lord bore and which true testimony he passed on to the Apostles and through them to his faithful followers of this Gospel age, will prove to be the very thing which man has wanted and needed all along. It will be the ‘desire of all nations’. For the privilege of testifying to that message our Lord and all his faithful followers have counted shame, ignominy, imprisonment, persecution and death as nothing. If they called the Master of the house Beelzebub for his faithfulness in declaring the Messianic kingdom and for the things necessarily associated with that declaration, it need not be surprising if they apply similar epithets to his followers who are, of course, imperfect and much more likely to call forth the criticism of the enemies of truth.’ ”
The Sandusky Register of Saturday, the 6th, gives a lengthy report of Brother Rutherford’s discourse to the colaborers. We do not quote it here, however, for the reason that it appears in substance in the former issue of The Watch Tower under the subject “Announcing the Kingdom.” Brother A. M. Graham’s discourse we quote from the Register as follows:
“Evangelist A. M. Graham, of Boston, Mass., selected as his text, Isaiah 60:1-3, reading as follows: ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.’
“He said in part: ‘The Bible pictures this in a remarkable way in the experiences of Elijah the prophet of God, and the priests of Baal, which was an idol worshiped by the apostate children of Israel during the reign of the wicked King Ahab.
“‘1 Kings 18: Elijah and the prophets or priests of Baal went up on Mt. Carmel to see by a test as to whether Jehovah or Baal was the true God. The test was one of fire: both Elijah and the Baal prophets were to offer a sacrifice to their respective gods, and the god that would answer by fire which would consume the sacrifice would be proved to be the true god.
“PEBADVENTUBE HE SLEEPETH”
“ ‘All day, from morning to night, the priests of Baal shouted and yelled to their god, Baal; they cried aloud and cut themselves with knives and lancets and leaped up and down upon the altar, but no fire came down upon their sacrifice. Elijah mocked them, saying: ‘Cry aloud! either Baal is having a conversation, or is on a hunting trip, or has gone on a journey, or perhaps is taking a nap and must be awakened’.
“‘But beyond these remarks, Elijah had nothing to say during the whole of that day; the priests of Baal had the floor, so to speak. It was only when evening came that Elijah got busy and prepared his altar and his sacrifice, and then Jehovah answered by fire, as we know from the Scriptures.
“ ‘I believe this illustrates in type, pictures very well the conditions during the Gospel age. From the death of the Apostles until 1874 the false religious systems have had full control, and have done the yelling, howling and shouting, and have failed to accomplish that which they have been howling for—the conversion of the world. They are well represented by the 450 priests of Baal there on Mt. Carmel. Elijah, on the other hand, represents the true Christians during the Gospel age, in this picture, who, though very small in number when compared to the false systems, have been fearlessly declaring and showing up the false claims of the false church organizations. This has been one of the principal themes of all the great reformers from the Apostles’ time to this—Arius, Waldo, Wycliffe, Martin Luther, and Pastor Russell, with all their co-workers.
“ ‘Elijah had his chance at the close of the day, picturing well the fact that at the close of the ‘day of salvation’ of the Gospel age the Elijah class, or true saints, are having their chance; the evening of this age being the harvest period, beginning in 1874. Since 1874 Christians have been permitted to preach the Gospel that Jesus proclaimed, and to place it before the people, pic ured by Elijah building up again the altar of the Lord, which had fallen down.
THE WORLD NOT CONVERTED
“ ‘Keeping in mind that the 450 priests of Baal represented the preachers of our day, we can see how appropriate the application is. Anyone who has attended an old-fashioned Methodist camp meeting will have no doubt that the picture of the yelling and shouting of the priests well applies. Some thirty years ago Methodists said: ‘If we only had a man big enough to do the job!’ So the Lord gave them—Billy Sunday! He certainly qualifies as a fulfillment of the priests-of-Baal illustration. He jumps up and down, yells, shouts, cries aloud, and does various gymnastic stunts on the platform.
“ ‘Also he is a big man, because he always manages to get the biggest salary, and this is the standard of bigness in vogue in the world today. But still the world remains unconverted— their god seems to refuse to answer.
" But now the time has come for the Elijah class to demonstrate. It has been reported that in 1914 the Baptist people in their annual gathering discussed the question of how they could ‘get that man Russell’. Finally they said: ‘He has been preaching that the world will end in October, 1914. When that time comes and the world does not end, we will brand him as a false prophet and an imposter.’ They overlooked the fact that our teaching was and is that it is not the physical earth that will end, but the governmental, social, religious, political world—in ether words, the entire present order of things must give way to a new order of things. However, when in July 1914 the world war began, and by October, 1914, all newspaper correspondents and great statesmen of the world were freely predicting that unless something happened to stop the war, civilization and Christianity would go down into revolution and anarchy, this shut up the mouths of these Baptist preachers so completely and so thoroughly that they have never dared to open their yoppers since! What had happened? The tire had come down! And just as the fire in the type of Elijah burned up not only the sacrifice, but the stones of the altar as well, so this fire will not stop until the whole of every unjust and autocratic institution is burned up and destroyed.
…