Souvenir Notes — Bible Students Convention, Seattle (1916)

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SOUVENIR

I. B. S. A.

GENERALCONVENTION SEATTLE Sept.14th to 17th 1916

Spokane Washington September 18,1916

Spokane Washington

September 18, 1916

M. H. B. B.

Dayton Ohio Left Brooklyn October 16 for his final journey

"Pastor Russell's

— Last Photo. —

Taken 0ct. 7th, 1916."

Dayton Ohio

Left Brooklyn October 16 for his final journey

SOUVENIR

I. B. S. A.

GENERALCONVENTION SEATTLE Sept.14th to 17th 1916

JUST A WORD

This Souvenir of the Seattle Convention is issued with the thought of satisfying at nominal cost the desire of the hundreds who attended.

The universal expression of the friends as they left was, "If I only had capacity to retain half of the good things that I heard." While the proceedings as herein published come far short of recording all that was said and done, yet sufficient has been secured which, we trust, will not only help to refresh the minds of all, but will stimulate to renewed zeal and activity those who read.

Those who took stenographic notes were unable to get them as complete as they desired because of unfavorable position as to the speaker, yet they succeeded in getting the thought in each instance, if not all the words.

Altogether it will be a constant reminder of the most remarkable I. B. S. A.convention ever held in the Northwest, and is a foretaste of what will be furnished by Bro.Jones of Chicago in his general report of the various conventions of the year.

J. M. SIMPSON, 312 EPLER BLOCK, SEATTLE I am satisfied with Jesus, But the question comes to me, As I ponder on His goodness, Is He satisfied with me?

CHORUS:

Is my Master satisfied with me?

Is He satisfied with me?

I am satisfied with Jesus,

Is He satisfied with me?

Am I kind in word and action? Am I all I ought to be? Am I always His defender; Is He satisfied with me?

Do I tell the blessed story Of the Christ on Calvary? How he left His home in glory; Is He satisfied with me?

Grant me, Lord, Thy rich favor, To be more and more like Thee, Till I shall reflect Thy likeness And Thou art satisfied with me.

CHORUS:

Till my Master's satisfied with me; Till He's satisfied with me; Till I shall reflect His likeness And He's satisfied with me.

INTRODUCTION

The Seattle Ecclesia has been congratulating itself on the success of the four-day convention, September 14th to 17th, and feels repaid for every effort put forth, in view of the many congratulations from all quarters, and from the Pilgrim brothers, and also from Pastor Russell himself, and because of the opportunity afforded us of meeting most of the members of practically every ecclesia in the Pacific Northwest—of looking into their smiling faces, and hearing their testimonies as to the goodness of our Heavenly Father.

The attendance was even larger than anticipated, though the hopes of the Seattle friends had been raised high as letters of inquiry were received from the various ecclesias. On the first day nearly eight hundred were present, and on Saturday and Sunday, when our pastor was with us, it is stated that more than a thousand were in attendance.

It was remarkable in many ways. One of the Pilgrim brothers, who has attended nearly all conventions of any note, stated that he had never been present at one where everything moved with such clocklike precision, and where the interest was so manifest from beginning to end.

Provision for the comfort of all and for every possible contingency had been made in advance, and there seemed to be no occasion or opportunity for complaint.

The central location of the hall made sleeping and eating arrangements unusual—dozens of moderate-priced hotels, cafeterias and restaurants within a few blocks.

The arrangement for the baptismal service was unique. All efforts to secure the use of a place within walking distance (Bible House suggestion) had failed. The two or three natatoriums had refused for business reasons, and the Y. M. C. A. because the churches from whom they get their main support were out of harmony with us, and they did not care to encourage by lending assistance. But the Lord's work doesn't stop because of the unfriendly acts of Christian (?) people. The Tivoli Theatre, which had been secured for eight days for presenting the photo drama each evening, was not being used during the day time. So the committee in charge had a large tank made and placed on the stage, so curtained and concealed as to make it appear a permanent fixture. And when the hour for the baptismal service arrived everything was in readiness, in a place which could not have been more suitable or convenient—only four blocks from the convention hall.

The attendance at the photo drama was highly satisfactory—many being turned away at first, and the house comfortably filled the last four evenings. A goodly number of cards were handed in and the follow-up work has indicated that many have been benefitted as a result of the pictures.

It is estimated that 4,500 attended the public lecture by Pastor Russell at the Arena.

I. B. S. A. SEATTLE CONVENTION

THURSDAY, SEPT. 14th----FELLOWSHIP DAY

The four-day General Convention of the I. B. S. A. for the Pacific Northwest opened exactly on time-at 9 o'clock a.m. Thursday, September 14, in the spacious rooms of the Seattle Commercial Club, with about 800 in attendance, and with Bro. C. E. Heard, of Vancouver, B. C., as chairman.

A short Prayer, Praise and Testimony Meeting was led by Bro. W. A. Baker, of Portland.

The singing was led by Bro. Donald Abernethy, of Tacoma.

"Friends: On behalf of our organization, and through our organization, on behalf of the city, I desire to extend to you the cordial hand of greeting. The Commercial Club stands for all that which is best in the development and uplifting of the city from its various standpoints. We are very glad indeed when the Rose Show comes to us and asks for our accommodation. We are glad when the commercial associations come to us, and feel they have a right to expect our accommodation. We are glad to have an organization like this, and therefore we sincerely hope that you will feel you are welcome in the Commercial Club, and again I greet you."

Testimonies were heard from Vancouver, Victoria, Prince Rupert, New Westminster, Calgary, Edmonton, Colorado, Los Angeles, Texas and the nearby classes, and from a brother who had no permanent abiding place-yet.

F. W. Bert, past president of the Seattle Commercial Club, extended a word of greeting. He said:

The address of welcome was given by Bro. F. A. Acheson, of Seattle, who said:

"We know that our Saviour said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,' and therefore it is for each of us as God's children to realize that as we are the recipients of his mercy, it is for us to manifest this spirit—it is what it is given to us for. The world knows nothing of God's character really, except that which they see reflected in God's children. We trust you have come here today having asked our Heavenly Father to enable you to impart a rich blessing on each one with whom we come in contact. Cant. 2:4 we read: 'He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was Love.'

It is for us to let love be manifested in our every action. Dear friends, we welcome you here today in the name of our Heavenly Father and Jesus our Saviour, and the Associated Bible Students of Seattle."

In response Chairman C. E. Heard spoke as follows:

"One of the surprises of my life was when we received the program for the Seattle Convention and I found myself marked down as chairman. I do not known who to blame for it; if I did, there would be something doing. Well, I appreciate this privilege of being chairman of this convention very, very much, yet I feel there were so many others that could have been chosen, who were far ahead of me. I feel totally unworthy of this magnificent privilege to stand before you as chairman for these four days; nevertheless we understand that it is our Heavenly Father who is ruling this, and that he can bring good out of everything, and we hope, dear friends, that he will bring good out of this. We believe he can. It may be that he can bring good out of it because he can do a little polishing. I will do my level best along that line.

"Jesus said to his disciples at one time after he had been in very strenuous work, recognizing the fact that he needed a rest: 'Come, ye yourselves apart and rest awhile.' We believe that there are times when we need to come apart. We believe there are times when we need a little extra food. When we get tired of our bill of fare at home we go to restaurants—not that our wives are lazy, but we want a change. We feel that the time has come when we need a little special spiritual food. Dear Bro. Acheson was giving us a welcome—we do not need that—we just put him up here for fun. We are always welcome everywhere—it's the Lord's table. Seven years ago last month I came the first time for my spiritual food to a Seattle convention. It seems like old times. If you were to hear of some of the things that have taken place to open doors to people to enable them to come to this convention, you would realize God had been governing it. One brother couldn't get excused from his work—too busy—so the Lord put a carbuncle on his wrist. And he's here today. Our Heavenly Father has been demonstrating more than ever before the possibilities of prayer. Some of the friends have told us recently that they are only now beginning to thoroughly appreciate and indulge in the blessed privilege of prayer to the full extent. Many prayers have been offered for the success of this convention. The bible says 'Knock and it shall be opened unto you.' Surely the Heavenly Father intends to pour out blessings upon us.

"We of Vancouver started our convention on the boat at 10 o'clock yesterday morning. We had fifty when we started from Vancouver and had 100 here. We could not help talking about the Manna Text—the 133rd Psalm. 'Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.' It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments.' There can be no friction when there is plenty of oil. Bro. Van Amburgh made the statement that there was only one of all the conventions that he could remember that there had not been one single complaint placed in the Bureau of Complaints all through the convention.

That is beautiful. I was thinking, when coming down, that surely we could be able to say the same after Sunday evening is over, that not one single complaint has been lodged in the Bureau of Complaints during the whole four days. If we have perfect love, one to another, and the determination to keep things as they are, then we are going to have a glorious time. We feel that we should watch to see that nothing creeps in to mar peace and fellowship."

There's a way we have of telling whether a guest appreciates the invitation we give him to come and dine with us--it's a patent way—but I'll give it to you, free. When he sits down and eats heartily—not nibbles—we know he enjoys it. This is the way we are going to demonstrate our appreciation of the invitation from the Seattle class.

The Bethel Hymn for the day—No. 139—was sung.

The Manna text and comment was read by Bro. Chandler, of Portland, the vow by Bro. Roberts, of Victoria, the morning resolve by Bro. Bubolz, of Calgary.

This part of the service was closed with prayer by Pilgrim Bro. R. O. Hadley.

Chairman Heard read the poem, "Sweet Harmony at Last," which was followed by a short praise meeting.

The program indicated that Bro. J. F. Rutherford would deliver a discourse on "Christian Fellowship," but he being unavoidably absent, Pilgrim Bro. Walter Bundy appeared in his stead, and spoke, in substance, as follows:

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP.

Following conventions come seasons of testings and trials. So let us be strengthened and prepared for whatever may follow. There are one or two things particularly that were interesting in the Los Angeles Convention. One was in regard to an unusual opportunity for presentation of the Truth given to our Pastor last Friday in one of the Christian Churches in Los Angeles. The Pastor of the Park Avenue Christian Church had taken hold of the Truth and for the matter of several months had been carefully presenting the truth. When it came time for him to take his vacation he sent for a dear brother to fill his pulpit. This pastor who has been presenting the Truth induced Bro. Russell to go down last Friday night to speak to the congregation. I had the privilege of being present. The church was well filled—very few of the students were there, mostly members of the church, and it would have done your hearts good to hear the Pastor. At the close of the service you would almost have thought it was a love feast, to see the members of the congregation shaking hands with Pastor Russell.

The indications are that the majority of the congregation are in such harmony with the Truth that it will become a congregation of Bible students.

At the time of this convention we think our hearts go out to the ones who are isolated—to those in Honolulu—for the Lord has blessed the effort put forth there.

We had an experience in Honolulu last summer. When we came back there after a vacation Bro. Fox said: "We are having our Sunday night meetings during the summer in the Christian Church." I was surprised and I soon found out that the Lord had been directing it. The pastor of the Christian Church had gone to the coast and had placed in charge of the Sunday night meeting a member by the name of Schneider. The first Sunday night Bro. Schneider called on Bro. Fox to lead and he selected "What the Scriptures Say About Hell" for his subject. The result was that they invited us to come again, which we did. And Bible study under the leadership of a Bible student continued for several Sunday nights, until one Sunday evening Mr. Schneider, the member who had been left in charge, announced: "I am sorry that we will not have any more Bible studies in our church, as our pastor comes home this week."

My text for "Christian Fellowship" is found in 1st Cor. 1:9. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship with his son Jesus Christ our Lord."

The keynote of this convention might well be the first three words of this text. "God is faithful." We know that, and we profess to believe it, but we are afraid we do not live it. If we become discouraged, it is because we do not remember that God is faithful. It is because we fail to realize that it is God who is to complete the work. It is our Heavenly Father's providence that has arranged for such fellowship as this. No matter what trials, what difficulties come into our lives and hearts if we can be imbued with this spirit, that faithfulness can be realized in our lives until we can hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." You cannot lose faith in yourself, as you have no business to have faith in yourself in the first place. It is what God will do in us. If we become sad because of our weaknesses, just sit down for a few moments and think of the loving and tender way in which the Lord has led us. Think of the past, and realize that just as surely as he has been with you up to the present time, he will be with you to the end. "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." "God is faithful by whom we were called to fellowship with his son." Consider what you thought was fellowship before you came to the Harvest Truth. You review for a moment what fellowship you had with your friends and associates, and compare it with the fellowship we have here. It is wonderful the heart fellowship that God's people are enjoying.

In thinking of fellowship there are many illustrations. We think of one from the viewpoint of the unity there is in an army. If you see a well drilled army there is one thing that will impress you at once. If they are thoroughly drilled you think of them as an army and not as individuals. The only individual that you can possibly single out is one that was not sufficiently drilled—that did not keep step with the rest. Up to the time of the Lord's coming to earth, there were no Christians.

The Jews did not have fellowship. Abraham did not have fellowship. He was the only one called at that time; also in the case of Isaac and Jacob. It was when Jesus began to suggest to his disciples the thought of fellowship with him in his sufferings—as the apostle says, "being made conformable to his death."

There is nothing in the world that will bring two hearts so close together as a mutual danger. If they are threatened with death, how much they work together. By "sacrifice even unto death," we know we are going down even unto death which should unite us. Some one says, "Don't you think that Christians in general have fellowship?" Yes, they have; but I am inclined to think that they endure fellowship rather than enjoy it. It was wonderful fellowship that was enjoyed by the early Church. I think that the experience of the Bible students is more like the experience of the early Church than of the other churches. There were some who were severely tried in the Christian Age, but they did not see God's plan and purpose as we see it. The churches begin to look more to what they hope to do than what they hope to be.

"Oh, to be nothing, nothing." That is what the hymn says. Once a young man went to the university and his father said: "Well, son, what did they teach you first?" He replied: "They taught me that I did not know anything." We can accomplish nothing, except it can be done by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. It is by forgetting self and thinking of the Lord that we really enjoy the blessings and opportunities of fellowship.

In England if someone should learn that the Crown Prince of England wished to see him, and would grant him an interview, he would not think of having real fellowship with him. He would be on a different plane. Think of the Crown Prince of the Universe, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, calling us by the grace of God to fellowing with him, the Crown Prince. The call for us is to become members of his Bride Elect. I wonder if we really appreciate that as we should?—to be really called to be a member of Christ's Bride. When we first heard it, it was so marvelous that it seemed almost impossible. Then, by faith, we grasped the fact that it was true. Let us not forget to praise and thank God for such a call as this. In Revelation the Apostle states how it is brought to the attention of the feet members. John represents the feet members. It is only the last ones living who really appreciate it.

The High Calling of the Church and Restitution of the world were not brought to our attention till 1881. It was wonderfully portrayed in "Food for thinking Christians,"—1,000,000 copies were circulated to all parts of the world. It is likened to a steel magnet. We must watch our hearts to see that they are not so influenced by the world that the drawing influence would be lost. God forbid that we should lose the drawing influence of his Holy Spirit, and by God's grace, lay aside everything that would draw us from the Lord.

Eph. 5:11. "Have no fellowship with works of darkness." We cannot have fellowship with doctrines that are not in harmony with the Light of Truth. Supposing there are those who enjoy the Light of the present Truth, who have been associated with the Lord's people, and who have turned against them, can we have fellowship with them?

No, not as new creatures. Can we have fellowship with them as Christians? No. Treat them kindly, but do not have fellowship.

We must be secure in our appreciation of the ransom. It is only through the shedding of his blood and the application of that that anyone can have the blessing of eternal life. That was brought home to me in Honolulu about ten years ago. I was living in one of the houses there, and the lady who had charge of the house was a Theosophist. She saw there were tracts in the room, and she came to me one day and said: "I feel I could not argue and discuss with you along these lines, but the leader of the Society would like to talk to you, and I have invited her to meet you." I will never foregt the experience I had in meeting with the woman. She was an elderly lady, and one of the first things she said was: "There was a time when I had all confidence in the Bible, and I believed just as thoroughly as you in the sacrifice, but I do not believe these things any longer." I said: "My dear friend, do you really tell me that you do not recognize the bible as infallible as a guide—you do not recognize that the Lord Jesus died for you?" "No, no," she said. "Lines of progression and evolution differ." I said: "I am sorry and I am obliged to tell you that I have not a minute more to spare, because if you have no confidence in the bible and Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you have no confidence in the things that are nearest and dearest to me, and I could not waste God's time in talking to you." She was satisfied that hers was the best, and we could not dishonour God's name and have any fellowship with works of darkness. We must have sympathy for them.

On one occasion, one who has seen the blessings of the Truth to a considerable extent and got side-tracked, came to me, and in mentioning some things I said: "If you are satisfied that the Bible Students are wrong after having investigated and once enjoyed these things, then I refuse to discuss scriptural things with you. Read the sixth volume over again." It is because they have not read it that they have drifted away. I have been trying to read all the volumes once a year. I read them the first thing in the morning and I find it a great help. I was asked to speak on a subject one day, and I sat down to study with the bible, but I could not think of the subject that I wanted to speak about. I said: "I believe I know the trouble; I have not read my twelve pages today." Those twelve pages treated on the very thing I wanted to speak about the next day. The best way to have fellowship with the Lord's people would be to read a few pages of the Scripture Studies every day.

We must participate in the sin-offering, and suffering in Christ is part of the sin-offering.

Stand secure on the ransom and appreciate the fellowship of the Lords' people, and have an appreciation of the fact that God has wonderfully chosen a servant to dispense the meat in due season to the Household of Faith. How wonderfully God has used and blessed this servant and we know how we are all looking forward to seeing him. Every time I see him, he looks a little whiter—a little paler and worn out in the flesh.

His heart shows thoroughly more and more the love of the Lord. How we rejoice in helping him to carry out the instructions God has given him.

Have no fellowship with unrighteousness. 2nd Cor. 6:14. Have no fellowship with fallen angels. 1st Cor. 10:20.

We realize in taking the vow that it would help us to have no sympathy with spiritism.

"For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." Phil. 1:5.

In thinking of the first convention I attended, I did not know anything about the dear friends up to that time. I went to this convention, and I suppose the Episcopalian Church was sticking out all over me. I did not understand what it was going to be. All those who have been associated with the Church of England know it is very much like the Roman Catholic. We have images, also. I met the Lord's people at the convention, and saw the spirit of love and harmony there, and by and by a brother came up and sat beside me. Pretty soon Pastor Russell came also and sat there. There was quite a number who did not know him then and they had not seen a photograph of him, so this brother said to Brother Russell: "Do you think Brother Russell will be here today?" He replied, "I expect him, brother."

I remember one thing I said at the time to those dear friends: "I am glad that where I get the pure air of the White Mountains, the Truth has reached it also." For six months I was the only one in the White Mountains in New Hampshire who knew the Truth. I came and consecrated and testified. At first I could not think of getting up on my feet to testify, but now I want to do it all the time.

Phil. 2:1. "Fellowship of the Spirit."

The Apostle says, "Although I have all knowledge and have not love, it profiteth me nothing." It is only in proportion that love is in our hearts that we have the spirit of the Truth.

Love for God. Love for the principles of Righteousness, and love for the brethren. Even though something creeps up in enmity, love them as new creatures. Remember that the robe of Christ's righteousness is covering us. The greatest enemy is our own flesh and we have to crucify that. We should be charitable towards others.

1st John, 1:3. Fellowship with Christ.

1st John, 1:7. Fellowship with one another.

Something happened in California—a test that a brother and sister had, living in the valley. The Lord saw fit to bring an affliction upon them. Early in the Spring, a severe storm came, and some trees blew down and the house was impaired. It cost a great deal to repair it. But these people took that with patience. A short time after, their old horse died and they took that patiently. A little after that, they bought a Ford, and they took that patiently. About three weeks after that, their house burned to the ground, and everything, even their money and their clothes, were lost. They said, "The devil had something to do with that, and we are going to put up another house." But the particular lesson was this: There was a brother living in that city whose house was very large, but who had never offered his home for meetings, but as soon as that house was burned to the ground, he said, "My house is open now."

That was what the Lord wanted. The Lord knew that the people were strong enough to bear all this, but he wanted to bring more fellowship into the heart and mind of the one who had not consecrated.

Eph. 3:9. "The fellowship of the mystery."

In order to appreciate this properly, we want to say certain things we must remember and not forget. We need to remember, "It is not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord." Whatever is accomplished in your life, any fellowship and suffering, is by his spirit permeating your life. I told you, my brother, that we have to fight against the world, the flesh, and the atmosphere (evil spirits, instead of the adversary). We must forget completely the things that are behind and reach forward unto the things that are before, forgetting the worries that disturb our peace of mind.

Fourteen years ago when I was in the Bible House, I had charge of the Mailing Department, and when they were mailing the Tabernacle Shadows. I was responsible, and I made some mistake. I went to Bro. Russell and said I was sorry for what I had done and wanted to ask forgiveness. He went on to show how a little care would have helped, but he said, "I will forgive you." He went away after that for a short trip, and he came back two weeks later. I was in his room again and felt constrained to say, "I feel very sorry, Bro. Russell, for what happened a little while ago." He said, "What was that?" "I said. "It was a blunder in the mailing of the Tabernacle Shadows." He replied, "Didn't you tell me about that a few weeks ago, and asked my forgiveness?" I said, "Yes." "Well," he replied, "I am ashamed of you, Bro. Bundy, that you should mention it again."

Forget and go forward with his grace, that we may be faithful unto death.

Intermission from 11:30 till 2:00 for luncheon and fellowship.

At 2:00 p. m. the meeting was called to order by Bro. Fleetwood, of Tacoma, who led a praise and testimony meeting for forty minutes.

The friends were favored by a solo by Bro. Bundy, "Savior, Thy Dying Love."

Then came the symposium on "Christian Unity," by seven brothers, with Eph. 4:1-6 as a text.

The sister who took these notes was handicapped by being so situated in the hall that she could not hear distinctly. An effort was made to get the references and follow the thought. She was compelled to leave before Bro. Hadley spoke on "Our God."

"ONE BODY"—BRO. ZINK.

Eph. 4:4, "There is one body and one spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling."

1st Cor. 6:15, "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ."

1st Cor. 1:13, "For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body."

27 vr., "Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular."

Jesus came from the manger to the throne, but the bride he found in the pit. He washed her and made her clean, and therefore St. Paul says if God sets every member in the body God must know each member now in the Church on the earth. If we are faithful God will take us from this position and place us in the temple when we shall shine forth.

1st Cor. 12:13-14, "For the body is not one member but many."

Those who are baptized into Christ are meek—we allow Christ to abide in us.

45th Psa., "Thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."

After John was baptized he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

There will be no division of members. If one member suffers all the members suffer.

Col. 1:18, Christ was the firstborn from the dead.

Eph. 4:13, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man."

Acts 17:31, "He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained."

"ONE SPIRIT"—BRO. McPHERSON.

I am sure, friends, that we will all agree that the one Spirit refers to the oneness of mind. When you were in the denominational churches they did not have the Divine Plan of the Ages. It did not have any well defined understanding about the Spirit of God, and we could not dwell in the one Spirit. That unity might prevail along that line it is absolutely essential first to recognize that the Lord is using a servant to dispense the meat in due season. We are all united in the faith of the Ransom. We must have absolute faith and clear understanding of the Church's participation in the sin offering.

Col. 2:18, "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind."

I am free to say I am following Pastor Russell, as I do not thing I can catch up to him.

Humble, but presenting other doctrines.

Strong with the one mind, one spirit for the faith of the Gospel. We know it is salvation.

"ONE HOPE"—BRO. WM. A. BAKER, PORTLAND, ORE.

Our theme this afternoon is an important one. Hope is essential if we must make our calling and election sure.

This hope is an attainment. We believe what is a necessary matter is a careful study of God's word. It is a necessary matter in the development of this one hope.

Romans 15:4, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

Psa. 119:49, "Remember the word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope."

God's word is the foundation of our hope.

"ONE LORD"-BRO. YATES.

You have just had called to your attention that there is one body. The body is animated by the one spirit and they are all called in the one hope of their calling. If we all come under that one Lord, that one spirit, that one hope, we recognize that the Heavenly Father has placed Him over all things, the Church which is his body. We realize that the same hope which actuated our Head must be the same hope that will actuate the body members. We must all be in unity and fellowship together in that one body. We recognize how difficult it is to dissect these different topics without trespassing on the following one. We clearly recognize that there must be only one Lord, one hope. We recognize that God has placed the members in the body as it has pleased him, and they come under that one head, not a division of Clergy and Laity.

"Ye are all brethren and one is your master, even Christ." We realize that this body can only be governed by the one Head, Jesus Christ.

The world has no use for the Bible. It says, "With all thy getting, get understanding," but the people say, "With all thy getting, get rich." We are counted fools. The world has no use for sacrifice. When in the Methodist Church, at the Testimony meeting they said, "I laid my card playing, my dancing and all my bad habits on the altar of sacrifice." No one has a right to these things and God would not want that stench—that is only getting yourself clean. It is the legitimate things which you have a right to, that you must give up. You must fill up the sufferings of Christ that he left behind. Our sufferings are counted as the sufferings of the Head because he feels the pain. In case of Saul, the pain was felt in Heaven as Saul was persecuting the body.

Bro. Russell was asked the secret of his happiness. He is one of the happiest men alive. When travelling on the train Bro. Hersey saw Bro. Russell was sound asleep almost at once. Bro. Hersey dozed around for about an hour and he said in the morning, "Bro. Russell, how is it you go to sleep so quickly?" He said, "It is because I have not anything on my mind." I said, "Just think of all the letters you get and all the troubles and questions, and yet you say you have not a thing on your mind." Bro. Russell said, "I take all my troubles to the Lord, to the Head, and I leave them there; I do not load them on my back and bring them away again." We are beheaded and have no head, but Christ is the head.

Your trials are special and peculiar to you, because you recognize God as fitting you for a special place in that body.

When these trials come, take them to the Lord and let him bear them.

"ONE FAITH"—BRO. E. S. BAKER, OF TACOMA, WASH.

THERE IS ONLY ONE LORD.

Here is a bunch of grapes. They are very close together but they do not hurt each other. There was a time when those grapes were far apart. If you had seen this bunch two months ago, you would not have seen a cluster like that, but as each one received the nutriment, each grew a little and then they grew closer and closer together, just as the Lord intends his people to do. When we came into the Truth we had none of the fruits or the graces of the spirit, but as soon as any one of these grapes became a grape it was in the cluster. The most extraordinary thing about it is, that while they all belong to the cluster, and every one is a member of this cluster, yet not one of these is joined to another grape. How did they get the development? Every one is attached to a stem and the stem is joined to the vine. When we come to consider it, it is the same amongst the Christians. Christ is the head of the body, the Church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead that in all things he might have pre-eminence. Christ the vine—the Christians a cluster of grapes.

Col. 2:19. "And not holding the head from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." We want to consider faith in relationship to Christian fellowship. We have all thought how love draws us closer and closer together. Faith is a very vital matter in this way. When we were first begotten of the Holy Spirit when we became new creatures, we came into this cluster of grapes. The Heavenly Father, you will notice in our experiences, led us to recognize that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. Our faith took hold of this matter, then, realizing the wonderful character of God. In his wisdom we knew that his arrangement with the Church was the very best that could be made. When we came to see Christ's supreme love for the Church, it strengthened our faith, that nothing could happen to us as a body, without our dear Lord's permission, and we are bound to the Lord each one of us, by faith. Each one of us are striving to hold the head, but sometimes the Lord will bring us to a stand like this. We will come face to face with a matter of principle, then we will come to the decision in this matter and we will hold the Head. We are going to stand for righteousness, no matter what it costs, and perhaps the Heavenly Father makes us think that we are alone in this matter, however we find something rubbing us on the arm—there is another brother just alongside us. We ask, "How did you come there?" "I am holding the head, I am going to hold for righteousness, even though I am alone," he said. We then agree together as members of the body of Christ, if we stand together and hold the Head. The one faith comes in as we recognize the wisdom of God's arrangement in placing the members in the body as he has. When we recognize that everything that happens to us, whether it be personal, or whether it be as an Ecclesia, it has behind it the loving wisdom and foresight of Jesus Christ.

"ONE BAPTISM"-BRO. BUNDY.

The story Bro. Van Amburgh told, about the Norfolk Convention, about the man who said the fourth day, "I am going home. No, I am not sick." Bro. Van Amburgh said, "Well, have you received bad news?" "No." "Well, why must you return?" "I am just full, I have got all that I can possibly carry, and I must go home." Bro. Van Amburgh said, "Oh stay, you will stretch." This applies to those here today.

It is a strange thing, before we came to realize the Truth, God's plan and purposes, all our various discussions were not along the line of the scriptures, and we did not preach what the real scripture of Baptism was. The picture is not the thought of being baptized with the water. It was more of a discussion as to the symbol whereby we might get into the Church. We are not considering that. That is not the thought, but it is the thought of getting into the church, being baptized into Christ. The Apostle says, "As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ," and the scriptures allude to it as a beautiful symbol of being baptized into Christ. I think it becomes more beautiful as we understand it, and it becomes still more beautiful as we participate in the symbol. Each one who claims the privilege of God's favor, of water immersion, his heart becomes open still more to appreciate the symbol. On one occasion, as a brother symbolized his consecration, some one said. "Oh, my brother, I am so glad to see the step you have taken." That is not the thought. Water baptism is not simply a step that we have taken, water baptism symbolizes a step we are taking.

Our water baptism is not a momentary work of ours; it is of life and death. It symbolizes a work that is not completed, but must continue. That we might appreciate this, let us notice the symbol. When our Lord came to Jordan, he placed himself in the hands of John, to be baptized,—a picture that he surrendered himself. John immersed him right down and covered him, representing three and one-half years of experience. He let him down until he was covered, representing the surrender of his will even unto death and the carrying out of his sacrifice. It was the going down even unto death and the raising again to newness of life, begotten to the heavenly nature, and that new life began which continued, and culminated in the glorious blessing of the resurrection. The consecration covenant of sacrifice carries us down, then we are begotten to newness of life. If we were lying prostrate we could not see any object clearly, but as we would begin to rise up, we could see the object a little more distinctly. By and by when we are raised to full stature, we see the object comparatively clear. Our baptism is into Christ being made members of his body. This does not come through water baptism, it comes through the surrender of our will by the word of Truth.

In Texas. I went down to a little town and I learned on this Sunday there was to be an immersion service in the river.

It was swollen and very dangerous, so much so that a great many buildings had been swept away and floating timber was coming down. There were five to be immersed. I said, "Brother, do you think it is safe?" He said, "We have been waiting for months for this service and we do not want to be disappointed." We all went to the water and there was one at one side and I at the other, both holding on, so that we would not be swept away. I immersed him and when I brought him out from the water, that water was so muddy that he was smeared all over his face and clothes, and after we talked about the matter, I said that certainly was acceptable as a symbol of your real consecration, the water at that time was so muddy it appeared to me like the muddy waters of Babylon. The Lord said to the disciples, "Are ye willing to be baptized with the baptism I am baptised with?" and they said "Yes, Lord, we are willing." When the Lord presented himself at Jordan, he not only consecrated himself, but in God's plan and purpose he consecrated all of us, and he has been carrying out his own consecration ever since. Then he sacrifices still through us. Our wills must be fully submerged into Him. Be sure our hearts are obedient to Him, so that he may continue the work in us, until the last member shall have participated in the Lord's baptism. We are baptized, so that we may bless all the families of the earth.

"ONE GOD"-BRO. HADLEY.

Eph. 4:6, "One God, and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Psa. 83:18, "That men may know that thou whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."

Self-existing one—uncreated, immortal one. All other things had a beginning.

So long as any were in harmony with God, they were the sons of God.

The first presentation of the Photo Drama was given in the evening at the Tivoli Theatre. The house was packed, and several hundred turned away.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH

TRANSFORMATION DAY

The meeting was called to order at 9 o'clock. A half-hour Praise and Testimony meeting was led by Bro. Young, of Victoria. The subject was "I. H. S.," and many speculated as to what it might mean. Some said, "In His Strength," "In His Steps," "I Have Seen," and finally concluded it was, "I Have Suffered."

The Manna, the Vow and Morning Resolve were read and prayer was offered by Bro. Baker, of Tacoma.

Discourses by Bro. Yates and Bro. Heard followed, on "When He Shall Appear We Shall Be Like Him."

The first half, by Bro. Yates, was in substance as follows:

"WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR."—BRO. YATES.

Now, dear friends, the spirit of the Lord is prevailing amongst us all. "Believe in God, believe also in me." "In my Father's house are many mansions." We realize we must look for a personal coming. We are taught that when the Lord did come, that would be the end of all hope. If they were not saved then, they would not be. We can sum up the nominal churches in three words, "Bliss or Blister." We realize that He would become known to the world, known only to a few, and we also realize that the Lord was present for nearly two years before his presence was known.

The Harvest work could not commence until the harvest of the grain. You know when a farmer is going to cut his grain and gets the binder ready, that is not harvest work—that is preparatory work, but when he cuts the grain, he has started to do harvest work. In 1874, he came as a spiritual being, but did not reveal his presence until 1876, and then not until 1878 did he do any harvest work at all. He then raised the sleeping saints and that will continue until the spring of 1918. This work is going on, and when He returned, those that were alive could not precede those which were asleep, so that it was necessary for the sleeping saints to be raised, and then they were changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

Today is Transformation Day, and the Lord has left us here in order that there might be a transformation in us, in order that we may have a place in the Kingdom. This is a gradual work--it is not the work of a moment.

Rom. 12:1. "I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice." "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." This should call forth in your hearts and minds a desire to offer your body a living sacrifice.

Being justified by faith, we pass from death unto life. Then the Heavenly Father can recognize us. Why doesn't he say, "Present your will and present your mind?" Your will must die, and your natural mind God cannot see.

Rom. 8:7. "The carnal mind is at enmity against God." Present your body, as the new mind must have a body in which to develop. There is a difference between the will and the mind.

In 1912 the article in the Watch Tower reads: "The will governs the mind and the mind actuates the body. The will must die, but the old mind will always remain with you, and you must reform this."

Illustration: He likened the mind to the members of the senate, and the will to the speaker. The new speaker is the Bible. The Apostle tells us that this new will we have taken must perform this transforming work in us. Psychologically there is the begetting and the quickening and the birth. Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed. Renewing means "Making over of your mind." The human brain is capable of very high development. The higher organs are not quite developed, and the lower ones are abnormally developed. The higher the organ, the greater the control. The gray matter is drawn away—that is why we look so happy. You can only be governed by God's will. The bible is the only revelation of God's will in the world. You must bring that body more and more into subjection with the new mind. All of the Lord's children find their answer in the bible. That is why you love less the former things you loved. It is not so hard for you to give up. You have learned more about character. You have more love in your heart. The whole thing bears upon your transforming, renewing your mind. That is what you have got this body for. It is left us here to develop this new mind in. The Lord has permitted us to stay here so that we can develop the new mind. When this new mind is fully developed you get your bodies. Transformed is the same Greek word that we get our English word "Metamorphose" from as used in the case of caterpillars being transformed into butterflies. I used to go out and gather these old caterpillars, put them in a glass jar and watch them gradually change into butterflies, the new creature. This butterfly is developing, but you cannot see the wings yet. We are developing the higher organs of the brain. It is necessary that we learn to be more loving, kind, gentle and sympathetic. You never can sympathize with people unless you suffer the same way. Before I got present truth, I did not know what headache was in my life, but since I have studied I have got several headaches. The Lord does not want us to have all suffering and no joy. The Lord gives us some suffering and then some joyful experiences. We are changed from glory into glory. If we got all the glory, we fear we would die. The more glimpses of glory you get, the more trials you get, as the Lord wants to perfect you, and he has made the way hard for you. He has made the way so hard that as many as get the prize will have shown determination to win it. If you have offered yourself in consecration to the Lord and then you keep looking steadfastly at the prize which is so wonderful, you will become determined to get it.

It is a lifelong work, but if we are going to share with the Lord, we must be changed. There is a great work for us to do. The old man of the flesh requires a lot of effort to put aside the old thoughts. I have found out that I have a wicked old goat to deal with. We have got all we can do to deal with the portion that dwells under our hat. This is what it means to transform from the old condition to the new. You have a couple of photographs. The Apostle took two pictures one of the outside and one of the inside, and you choose the one that looks the least like you.

3rd Col. 1:5. "If ye then be risen with Christ, mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth."

Fornication—Uncleanness; inside picture.

"But now yet also put off all these, anger, wrath," etc.—A strong picture.

Anger—Put off unkind thoughts which lead to anger.

Wrath—A disturbed condition of the mind.

Malice—To speak unkindly with malicious intent.

Blasphemy—To offer indignities to God.

If you make vows to the Lord you have no right to do it, unless you intend to pay the vows unto the Lord.

Filthy Language—Do not indulge in hurtful conversation. The Truth hurts, but speak the Truth in love.

Slander—To speak with intent to cause the hearer to have a bad opinion. Go and tell him alone, but do not take somebody with you. It is a hard thing. The usual course is to go and tell someone else. Do not tell lies one to another.

Lie-An intention to deceive, whether by word or action. Actions speak louder than words, therefore you can tell a louder lie by your actions than you can with words.

Transformation Work. 2nd Pet.1.

He says. "Put on these, add them to your faith."

Virtue (fortitude)—Strength of character, or as American people say, "backbone." Be an individual, do not lean on someone else. "Add to virtue knowledge."—Knowledge of your brethren.

Temperance (self-control)—Do not try to control someone else.

Patience—Considerable endurance under affliction.

If you pray for patience, the Lord sends you trouble to test you out.

Then add godliness, brotherly kindness.

Brotherly Love-When the Lord gave me present Truth, I just had to tell all my relatives. I wanted them to come into the Truth. When I went to tell them, they said: "I am sorry for you; you are losing your reason, and you are going crazy on religion." If the Lord had permitted all the nice people to come in, to love them would have been as easy as falling off a log. One brother said, "I was so crooked I could have slept in a French horn." Some are like a piece of sandpaper against you; another like a piece of velvet. One would freeze you, and another would melt you. They are peculiar on the top of the flesh, but you must look below it.

The friends were here favored with a duet by Bro. and Sr. Fraser, of Everett, who sang "Face to Face."

Then Bro. Heard spoke, in part, as follows:

"WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM."—Bro. Heard.

I am going to tell you a joke. We invited a friend to dinner one night, and my wife made a most delicious pudding. After the friend went away I said, "What a delicious pudding that was, what was in it?" She said, "That was the cake you wouldn't eat, so I just made a sauce and poured over it." Bro. Yates has taken up my time and said mostly what I was going to say, so I will just serve a sauce for it now.

On the boat going down to Los Angeles there was a most miserable looking auto on board—a steel color—not a single redeeming feature about it. I wondered why they should be taking such a shabby looking thing and paying freight on it, when some men came up and I listened. (I am as curious as a woman sometimes.) I found out that that auto had the best engine in it, and that it had won the best prizes at the races at Tacoma. Therefore we must not judge by the exterior of a thing.

This transformation that is taking place in our character is the only method that our Heavenly Father knows anything about, to get us ready for a certain position. The Lord Jesus went through the exact process in order to make the Kingdom himself. He gave himself—he chose to do it. When Jesus Christ was immersed, he became a dual being. Until 1913, I was as misty with regard to this question of the new creature as a man could possibly be and be in the Truth. I knew I was a new creature. When 1913 came along, I saw two carpenters sawing wood one day, and as the one sawed, he kept covering up the line with dust, and the other kept blowing it off. So with Bro. Russell. When the Watch Tower comes in he just blows the fog off the new creature. In the September 1st Watch Tower Bro. Russell gave us Truths that he did not know himself before.

Luke 12:37. "Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching."

Isa. 52:7. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him (Jesus) that bringeth good tidings of good that publisheth salvation."

The good tidings that shall be to Zion, "Thy God reigneth. Thy watchman shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion." Numbers are turning their backs on the light of Truth and following their own selfish desires.

In Colorado a new pamphlet was issued, supposed to give more light. I was in a doctor's office there one day and a man came in. After he had gone, the doctor said to me: "Listen, do not say a word about Truth to that man." I said: "Why? Because that man has been in the Truth for years, has preached all over the country, and now he has gone out of it, and the very mention of any Truth sets him in a rage." That man went partly insane. The fact is, they have stopped transforming and are on the downward road. Retrogression has started—they are going backward.

The Apostle Paul gives us a recipe. (Titus 3rd.) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy hath he saved us, by the washing of (justification) and renewing of the Holy Ghost," which he has showered upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our saviour, and being justified by his grace, we might be heirs of the Kingdom. (8th Verse.) "This is a faithful saying." Paul knew there would be difficulty with this. Consecration follows and then sanctification. Sanctification is a carrying out of the consecration. It is transformation.

Rom. 8:29. He foreknew you as a class and predestinated you should be copies of Jesus in the flesh.

2 Cor. 4:16. "Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."

We must study if we want to proceed and be like Him. If we do not fill our minds with Truth, the devil wlil fill it. Paul says: "Whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are true, lovely and of good report, put them in as seeds."

Intermission from 11:30 till 2:00.

From 2 to 2:30 a Praise Service was led by Bro. Fraser, of Everett.

The symposium on "The Quickening of the Holy Spirit" followed, by Bro. MacPherson, Bro. Yates, Bro. Heard and Bro. Bundy.

"IN THE VOLUNTEER WORK."—BRO. MacPHERSON.

I am sure everyone has had experience in the Volunteer Work. The more we hand out the literature the more the Holy Spirit seems to shine forth. When we speak of Volunteers, we do not talk about those who are forced into an army. When traveling in Canada I was very much impressed by those who had volunteered to join the army. They seemed to have a desire to get into that conflict as quickly as possible. We are sure it is the same with those who have joined the Lord's army. The Lord desires those who will volunteer their services, and those people who will gladly and willingly give the Lord their all; these are the ones God will use in his service. One of the brethren said yesterday, in connection with the symposium, "It is not our bad habits that the Lord desires, it is the things of our heart"—the things we might enjoy—the things that justice does not want you to give up. We are glad to give him our best, our heart sentiments. The Lord accepts him because he gladly and willingly volunteers all he has to the Lord. We sometimes wonder what we could volunteer that the Lord could accept; but it has become clear as we walk in the narrow way. What he wants is, all that is pure and holy and good. When I was in the Colporteur service a lady said, "Do you give many of these books away?" I said, "Yes." "The first thing you know," she said, "will be that you are a broken-down old cripple, and then have to go to the poorhouse." I said, "Now, I understand that you mean, that when we have good health we should keep it, and other good things, to ourselves, and then give our broken-down natures afterwards to the Lord."

The Lord wants us to gladly and willingly volunteer and when we volunteer all we have, it is acceptable in the Lord's sight.

To be begotten of the Holy Spirit is one thing, but if we did not go any further, then we could not attain the place that God has for us. After we have volunteered our life to the Lord, there is certain work we have the privilege to do when we follow the Lord's footsteps. The Bible House has arranged the ammunition for the Lord's army. We must know what this is, or we could not have the desire to be willing to pass out that which has so refreshed the hearts of the people. We must have an earnest heart desire to pass out the literature. I think there is more harm done by the well meaning friends of the Truth than the enemies of the Truth. Sometimes we act unwisely. Bro. Russell tells us that there was a party of sisters visiting some friends. One of the sisters, during the conversation on the Truth, remained very silent, saying nothing. Afterwards one of the friends said, "Evidently you are not so deeply impressed as they, or so interested." The sister said, "The bible says we must not cast pearls before swine." We could not volunteer this way and be successful.

A brother came home one evening and said, "I put out 2,000 tracts today." Preceding him, a sister said, "I had the privilege of putting out 100 tracts." "That is nothing," he said; "I put out 2,000 tracts." It all depends upon the spirit in which these tracts are put out. I know one dear brother who will take the tracts and drive out many miles and scatter them abroad and then boast of how many he put out.

First of all we realize that this volunteer matter contains the Truth. We realize that it has refreshed our own hearts. We believe then that if we give out only ten tracts a day and give them out wisely and well, we get a great blessing. It is more acceptable in the Lord's sight than throwing hundreds of tracts away. It is always hard to put out Tracts in a train. I have been inclined to wait and reason like this. If one person in the coach refuses, everyone will do so. Perhaps the conductor will stop you and the brakeman will stop you, and you have the indignity of walking to your seat. I know one class, when the bible house asked them how many tracts they had on hand, they said they had 100,000 pieces of literature that had never been touched. There was no organization there. A captain must outline the territory and the matter must be done in a systematic way. Organization in volunteer work is as essential as in the Berean study or testimony meeting. Then we will avail ourselves of the opportunity of passing out the literature to gladden the hearts of the people. I remember I did not like to go out in my own town, and a great many people had the same experience. A sister said, "When I consecrated my services, I went into the volunteer service, and the volunteer captain gave me my own territory. It was the hardest of tasks, as I had gone to their clubs, so I was determined I would go out at night, so that no one would see me." She went to about the third house and met a dog that scared her so badly that she thought she had better go out in the daylight.

Today she has a character very pleasing and a far stronger character than when she started first in the Lord's army. These are the thoughts that should be uppermost in the mind. It is the spirit of how things are put out. We should appreciate this opportunity and the uppermost thought should be the same as if we were going to give them a 5 or a 10 bill—nothing but joy in our heart, and what joy this piece of literature would bring to individuals if they could see the Truth as we see it. One brother gave out one piece of literature to a certain man. That man and wife and eight children now are all rejoicing in the Light of Truth through that one tract that was given out. The results may not be visible to our eyes on this side of the veil, not until the Kingdom is established, and then we will appreciate our work. All the humble parts in God's army are the best parts, and the angels would gladly pass out that literature.

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