1927 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses
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INTRODUCION
The Kingdom
Teachings
Annual Report for 1926
Annual Meeting
Annual Report
Brooklyn Headquarters
Organization
Office and Factory Organization
Means Employed
The Watch Tower
The Golden Age
The Radio
Public Meetings
Free Literature
Correspondence
Books
Production
Increased Facilities
Pilgrims
Colporteurs
Class Workers
Bethel Family Field Work
I. B. S. A. Week
Financial
Conventions
Local Foreign Work
Foreign Countries
British
Canada
Germany
Central European Office
Northern European Office
Africa—South
Africa—West
Albania
Argentine
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Blind
Brazil
British Guiana
Bulgaria
Canal Zone
Colored
Czecho-Slovakia
Denmark
Esperanto
Esthonia
Finland
France
Belgium
Greece
Holland
Hungary
India
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jugo-Slavia
Korea
Latvia
Lithuania
Norway
Palestine
Poland
Polish Work—In Northern France
Portugal
Roumania
Russia
Spain
Spanish Work—In America
Spanish Work—In Mexico
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Trinidad
Conclusion
YEAR BOOK
of the
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
with
Daily Texts and Comments
(Copyright 1926)
Publishers:
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION Brooklyn, New York, U. S, A.
Also: London, Toronto, Melbourne, Cape Town, Magdeburg, Berne, etc.
(Made in U. S. A.)
International Bible Students Association
OFFICERS
Joseph F. Rutherford
President
Jesse Hemery Vice-President
H. C. Thackway Secretary
W. E. Van Amburgh Ass’t Secretary & Treasurer
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY.
OFFICERS
Joseph F, Rutherford President
C. A. Wise Vice-President
W. E. Van Amburgh Secretary & Treasurer
Peoples Pulpit Association
OFFICERS
Joseph F. Rutherford President
H. H. Riemer Vice-President A. R. Goux Secretary and Treasurer
International Bible Students Association
INTRODUCION
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek:he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn." — Isaiah 61:1, 2.
THE enemy has attempted to induce the people to believe that the International Bible Students Association is another religious sect operated for selfish purposes. If this representation is not true, then what is the International Bible Students Association? The representation is not true. The International Bible Students Association is an aggregation or association of Christian people who are performing their part of the divinely-given commission as set forth by the prophet of God in the above text. A more detailed explanation seems proper at this time; hence it is given.
When Jesus was on earth he began to fulfill the commission above mentioned by the Prophet Isaiah. He specifically applied it to himself. When he had finished his earthly course, he sent forth his disciples and told them that they must carry on the work which he had begun, and that he would be with them to the end. The apostles did as they were commanded. They told the good news of God’s great provision for the redemption and deliverance of the peoples of earth. By and through Christ Jesus and his apostles God planted his church “a noble vine, wholly a right seed”. (Jeremiah 2: 21) Then within a short time thereafter Satan the enemy planted the false seed amongst the true. — Matthew 13:28,39.
Diplomatically and hypocritically selfish men entered the church and used that organization for their own personal aggrandizement. Posing as representatives of the Lord, and calling themselves by the name of the Lord, they became and were the representatives of the world, which is the Devil’s organization. The apostles had warned the church against this very subtle course of the enemy. “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God ? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”—James 4: 4.
The proof of the fulfilment of these prophetic utterances is found in the records of secular history, a part of which is quoted, to wit: The clergy, ambitious and worldly, sought rank and distinction. They even thronged the courts of princes and aspired to temporal honors. They were no longer supported by the voluntary contributions of the faithful, but by revenues supplied by government, or property inherited from the old [pagan] temples. Great legacies were made to the Church by the rich, and these the clergy controlled. These bequests became sources of inexhaustible wealth. As wealth increased and was intrusted to the clergy, they became indifferent to the wants of the people—no longer supported by them. They became lazy, arrogant and independent. The people were shut out of the government of the Church. The bishop became a grand personage who controlled and appointed his clergy. The Church was allied with the State, and religious dogmas were enforced by the sword of the magistrate.
AN IMPOSING HIERARCHY WAS ESTABLISHED, OF VARIOUS GRADES, WHICH CULMINATED IN THE BISHOP OF ROME.
The Emperor decided points of faith, and the clergy were exempted from the burdens of the state. There was a great flocking to the priestly offices when the clergy wielded so much power and became so rich; and men were elevated to great sees [bishoprics], not because of their piety or talents, but their influence with the great. The mission of the Church was lost sight of in a degrading alliance with the State. Christianity was a pageant, a ritualism, an arm of the State, a vain philosophy, a superstition, a formula.
The Catholic system, organized in the name of the Lord, soon became a mighty component part of the Devil’s organization. The true worship of God was forgotten, and there was substituted formalism instead, and the Devil’s organization paraded in the name of the Lord.
In the course of time the Reformation was started. Luther made a bold stroke for religious freedom. Much good was done toward turning the minds of the people back to the true worship of God. But soon the Lutheran organization was captured by the enemy and made a part of the earthly organization. Many good, honest Christians were held in bondage both to the Catholic and to the Lutheran organizations, not knowing a better place to go.
In due course the Calvinistic system was organized with many good Christians within its ranks ; and it also contained many hypocrites. This organization in turn was overreached by the enemy and became a part of Satan’s organization.
Added to this list is the Episcopalian, or Church of England; then came the Wesleyan, the Baptists, the Methodists, the Camphellites and many other organizations. Every one of these contained some true Christians and a greater number of diplomatic agents of Satan the enemy. All of these so-called church organizations combined and affiliated with the political part of Satan’s organization, and there properly applies to them the name of Babylon.
During all the period of 1500 years and more errors and ceremonial forms crowded out the truth. Many of the great fundamental truths taught by Jesus and the disciples were hidden under the debris and traditions of false teachers. Many of these truths were never known by truly consecrated ones, because they were hidden before many Christians had heard of the Lord. During all that period of time some true Christians walked along in the same way and in the same organization with the false ones. The true Christians were not happy with the course taken by the organizations. They were at all times looking and praying for the second coming of Christ when he, according to his promise, would completely deliver them.
Even these true Christians had become so blinded to the truth that they understood that the only means of salvation for man was to join some church organization and in due time go to heaven. From time to time the Lord used some good and faithful ones to hold up what truth was understood and to earnestly contend for the faith as far as they did understand it. Jesus had stated that the true and the false should walk side by side until God’s due time to separate them in the harvest and that this would be done at the end of the age. (Matthew 13:30) Uppermost in the mind of each truly consecrated child of the Lord was the second coming of Christ, and his kingdom.
Amongst those who were looking forward and hoping for the coming of the Lord was Charles Taze Russell, a young man residing in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, who had fully consecrated himself to the Lord. While studying the Lord’s Word, and it being due time for it to begin to be understood, the Lord opened his mind to a clearer understanding; and about 1878 he began to preach these truths to a small congregation of Christians at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. The Lord continued to feed his mind; and from time to time the light upon the Scriptures increased, even as the Lord had promised it should to those who honestly walked before him. — Proverbs 4:18.
Among some of the great truths that the Lord made clear to this consecrated man was that Adam the first man was created perfect, fell because of sin, died and went to hell but not to eternal torment; that hell means the grave or condition of death; that the great ransom sacrifice provided by the death and resurrection of our Lord shall in due time result beneficially to all mankind ; that the church, the body of Christ, must be first taken out from amongst men, and that then the peoples of earth will all have an opportunity to know of and believe upon the Lord, obey him and receive life; that the promise God made to Abraham, “In thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed," means what it says and means that the seed according to the promise is Christ Jesus and the faithful members of his body; that when the church is completed, the Lord’s kingdom then being put into full operation, all men shall be brought, to a knowledge of the truth and the obedient ones restored to human perfection.
These great truths now brought to light thrilled with joy the hearts of the Christians that understood them, particularly the restoration hope that God held out for the millions that are dead and for the other millions still alive. The joy of these Christians now brought out of Babylon is expressed by the prophet in these words: “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the nations, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”—Psalm 126:1-3.
These true saints of God’s organization were in captivity to the false church systems, to which the name of Babylon properly applies. As they began to see these great truths they broke away from Babylon. The Lord turned their captivity into freedom, and they rejoiced in the knowledge that he had given them and delighted to spread this good news to others.
In all the denominations, Catholic and Protestant, there were some truly consecrated Christians; and now the Lord began to gather these together who were his. By the Lord’s grace the young man, Charles Taze Russell, took the lead in proclaiming the message of truth. He preached to others; and the consecrated ones in various denominations heard with gladness the message of truth. God now began to gather together his saints even as he had foretold through the words of the prophet.
Through his holy prophet God had foretold that he would have a day of preparation and that then the Messenger of the covenant (Christ) would suddenly come to his temple. (Malachi 3:1) He otherwise identified this day of preparation by bringing to light great inventions. (Nahum 2:3; Daniel 12:4) Real activity of consecrated Christians “in the day of God’s preparation” seems to date particularly from about 1878. The year following, publication of Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, was begun. It was edited and published by Charles Taze Russell. Later the name of the publication was changed to The Watch Tower, and it is published to this day. It has been the means of publication used to convey to earnest workers in the Lord’s harvest field meat in due season provided for them from the Lord’s table.
It is believed by Christians that the work which the Lord has carried on during his “day of preparation” was foreshadowed by the experiences of Elijah the prophet, which experiences are recorded in the Scriptures. Jesus said: “Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things.” (Matthew 17: 11) During the period of “God’s preparation” through his beloved Son God did restore to the church the great fundamental truths which had been given to the early church and which for a long time had been taken away by false teachers, influenced and controlled by Satan’s organization. The man whom the Lord used above all others to bring these truths to light and to the attention of other consecrated ones was Charles Taze Russell.
The truth concerning the creation and fall of man, the state of the dead, concerning hell, spiritism, the great ransom sacrifice, the mystery, the resurrection and the restoration of the human race, were restored to God’s people during that period of "the day of preparation”. Charles Taze Russell then was elected as pastor of many congregations of Christians, and came to be known gen- erally amongst Christian people throughout the earth as Pastor Russell. Other sincere ones joined him in the work. That which was made prominent during the day of the Lord’s preparation was the fact of the Lord’s second presence and the gathering together of God’s people who had made a covenant with the Lord. Seldom did Pastor Russell preach a discourse to the interested without using the words of the prophet: "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”—Psalm 50: 5.
In order that the work might be carried on in an orderly way, and that title to property necessary to be had and held in the carrying on of the work, and that the work might continue without interruption, a corporation was formed in 1884 under the name and style of Zion’s Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The original incorporators were Charles Taze Russell and others. In 1896, at the instance of Brother Russell, a petition was filed in the court of common pleas or Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and an order of court obtained, changing the corporate name to that of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Brother Russell was elected president of the Society at the time of its organization and held that office until his death.
The work of the consecrated continued with zeal peculiar to the Lord’s house. By means of tracts, papers, booklets and books, and oral proclamation the message of truth was spread far and wide. Many consecrated Christians came from different denominations and gathered themselves together for mutual fellowship and study of the Word of the Lord. As the truth spread to countries aside from America it became apparent that a more suitable location should be had for the general headquarters of the Society and its work.
In the year 1909 the Society, at the instance of Brother Russell, moved its offices to Brooklyn, New York. It became necessary, under the law of the State of New York, for a corporation to be formed in that state to hold title to property and to conduct the work; and Brother Russell caused to be organized the Peoples Pulpit Association, which is a membership corporation created and organized under the Membership Corporation Law of the State of New York. Of course the organization of this corporation in no wise changed or affected the work of spreading the gospel message. The Peoples Pulpit Association, a coordinate corporation with The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, merely acts as a local agent in the State of New York for the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society to meet the necessary demands and to conduct the work. Brother Russell was elected president of that corporation, which office he held until his death.
It seemed necessary to have a corporation in England in order that the work might be handled there more efficiently and with less difficulty. At the instance of Brother Russell a corporation was created and organized under the laws of England in the year 1914 under the name and title of International Bible Students Association. Brother Russell was elected president of that corporation, and held that office as long as he was on earth. That corporation in no wise changed the work begun with the “day of God’s preparation”, but was merely an added means of carrying it on. The three corporations above named have always been practically one and each was organized for the purpose hereinbefore stated. The name International Bible Students Association had been applied to the Society or Association of Bible Students long before the above corporation under that name was created and organized.
This brief history of the corporations and the reason for their organization is here given in order that no one may have occasion to misunderstand why there are three corporations and why the work has been thus carried on.
The body of associated Christians supporting and carrying on the work through the above organizations is generally spoken of under the title The Society. The thought intended to be conveyed by those who understand the truth of the matter is this: That the Society, or The International Bible Students Association, consists of all of those truly consecrated Christians who believe the present truth and who are loyally and faithfully supporting the work of carrying the message of Gods kingdom to the people in obedience to his command.
The officers of all three of these corporations are practically the same. These men are not the Society. They are members of the Society and servants thereof. Their duties are defined, and the obligation upon them is to carry on the work of spreading the message of the kingdom under the Lord’s supervision and direction.
The Bible Students believe that it is now the will of God that the gospel of his kingdom shall be preached to all the nations as a witness before the final end, and that it is the duty and privilege of every truly consecrated Christian to participate therein. All who are earnestly and zealously and harmoniously working together to accomplish this end and purpose are counted as a part of the Society, or part of the International Bible Students Association. Election of officers in the various corporations is provided for by law and as set forth in the terms of the charter and the bylaw.
On October 31st, 1916, Brother Russell finished his earthly course. It can truly be said that he was faithful unto death. He literally laid down his life in the Lord’s service, and without a doubt the Lord took him to his everlasting reward. His faithfulness to the Lord stands as an everlasting monument. There could be no greater monument erected to man than that of faithfulness to God.
The charter of the Peoples Pulpit Association provides that the president shall hold office for life. The other corporations of the Society make provision for the election of officers at stated intervals. In January, 1917, election was held as provided by the charters of these corporations respectively, and officers were chosen. In November, 1917, the consecrated throughout the land voted their choice of the officers of the Society and by an overwhelming vote confirmed the votes that had been cast by the shareholders of the corporation and as is provided by the terms of the charter. The work of the Lord proceeded. Without a corporation organized there might have been much difficulty. It seems clear that the organization of these corporations for the handling of the work was done under the supervision and according to the will of the Lord. We therefore conclude that it has pleased the Lord to have the organization which we commonly call The Society, as his instrument for the carrying on of his work and that all who earnestly, zealously, loyally and faithfully support that work constitute The Society.
During his ministry Pastor Russell had written and published six volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. In 1917 the Society published the Seventh Volume of that series. The World War was then on, and the United States had entered the war. The Bible Students continued faithfully to represent the Lord as best they could. The war furnished the occasion for the enemy, through his earthly representatives, to bring persecution upon the faithful Christians. The publication of the Seventh Volume above mentioned, with other things, furnished a pretext for the indictment against the officers of the Society, which was returned in the spring of the year 1918, charging a violation of the Espionage Act.
A trial, under the indictment, was had in the southern district of the United States Court at Brooklyn in the spring of 1918. It hardly seems appropriate to dignify the proceeding as an orderly, judicial hearing. It was largely a farce, notwithstanding it served the purpose. Excitement was running high on account of the war.
While the case was in progress, and while the jury was considering it, with brass bands playing martial music shouting mobs marched through the streets near the court house and within hearing of those inside. The judge of the court instructed the jury to convict. A verdict accordingly followed.
The conviction was on four counts and the sentence of the court was that the officers of the Society be required to serve a term of imprisonment for eighty years. Bail was denied, and these convicted Bible Students were hurried away to prison; and for nine months they lingered behind prison bars, in utter violation of the Constitution of the United States. At the end of that time they were admitted to bail, the case was heard by the Court of Appeals, the judgment of the lower court reversed, and the case remanded. The government then dismissed the case and fully released the prisoners. Thus the Bible Students stood vindicated before the law of Satan's organization, which had unrighteously sought to imprison and destroy them. The Lord had graciously delivered them.
During the period of time from the spring of 1918 until the latter part of 1919 there was very little done in spreading the gospel of God’s kingdom. In fact little could be done. The home office at Brooklyn had been dismantled and removed to Pittsburgh, the branch offices in the foreign countries were completely severed from the home office, and there was practically a cessation of the work. The persecution of Bible Students had spread to almost all of the nations engaged in the war, and many were intimidated and prevented from telling anything about the Lord’s kingdom. Then after the war had ended there was great difficulty for a time in starting the work afresh.
In 1919 the proclamation of the message of the kingdom began to take on renewed activity. It was about that time that the Lord permitted his people to see that the work of the church during the “day of his preparation” had been foreshadowed by the experiences of Elijah; and that now the work of the church, and from that time forward, was foreshadowed by the Prophet Elisha. They saw that the Lord was dealing with the church collectively as members of the body of Christ; that Elijah had foreshadowed the work up until the great trouble came in 1918; that the period of inactivity from 1918 to 1919 was well pictured by the period of waiting of Elisha by the river Jordan; and that Elisha’s activity, when it did begin, represented the activity of the church from 1919 forward.
Some time later the Lord made it known to the faithful students of his Word that “the day of his preparation” ended and the Lord came to his temple in 1918. Even as the Lord had promised, now greater light began to shine upon the Word of Truth and the minds of the consecrated began to be more clearly illuminated. (Revelation 11:19) Not that the fundamental doctrines were changed; not that there were new doctrines advanced nor that some one had discovered new light, but the truth became clearer and the Lord gave his people a clearer vision of his plan.
This increased light quickened the brethren and increased their zeal and devotion. Since then the truly consecrated have appreciated the fact that no man is responsible for this increased light; that the truth is not man’s truth but the Lord’s; that the Lord has not invited anyone to follow man but to follow Christ; and that it is the privilege of the consecrated to earnestly seek for the will of the Lord God and to do that will. The truth is the Lord God’s, the light is his, and he causes it to shine on his truth in his own due time, and all of the consecrated who are in proper condition of mind and heart to receive it do receive and rejoice in the light.
Bible Students have come to see that the prophecies of the Lord can be understood when fulfilled or while in the course of fulfilment, and that the Lord himself makes known these truths to his people in his own due time. As the truth is unfolded more and more, as the church advances toward the perfect day, greater has been the joy of the consecrated. These have entered into the joy of the Lord; and with zeal and devotion to his cause they have advanced to the proclamation of the truth in obedience to his command.
The Kingdom
Aside from the great ransom sacrifice provided for man’s redemption that which is set forth most prominently in the Bible is the kingdom of God. That kingdom will undo all the evil that has been done and place the name of Jehovah where it belongs, far above all creation. When the work thereof is completed toward man every creature in heaven and on earth, yea, everything that has breath, will praise God.
When Adam was expelled from Eden he lost his right to the kingdom on earth arid peace and life everlasting. From that time forward man has sought to work out some device or scheme by which he can have a desirable government. Satan the enemy has at all times overreached man and controlled and dominated his organizations and his attempts at government. This, however, has not destroyed the desire of man for a government for his betterment.
At all times in all ages there have been a few men who have been able to see that the only hope of a satisfactory government for man is the establishment and control of a government by Jehovah God. Such men have had faith that some day God will set up a righteous government, and that then the people will return to him and become his people and he will be their God. These men of faith began with Abel, and ever and anon there came upon the stage of earth’s activity a man with like faith in God and by his words and his course of action declared that he desired the civic affairs of man to be controlled by the great Jehovah.
God began to give some vague promises concerning his establishment of such a government, and these men had absolute faith in such promises. By their course of action they confessed themselves to be strangers amidst a wicked organization of men dominated by the enemy Satan. They steadfastly refused to make common cause with any part of Satan’s organization. Casting their all on the side of God they firmly withstood every attempt to dislodge them from their position of confidence and faith. They were subjected to cruel and wicked treatment. They suffered imprisonment; they were tortured, stoned, sawn asunder, enticed, tempted, ostracized, starved, afflicted and tormented, that they might be turned away from God. When offered places of ease and comfort, a position of honor and trust in the organization of men under the supervision of Satan, they refused all such offers. They preferred to dwell in tents and in caves and to wander in the desert that they might remain true and faithful to the great Jehovah.
Why did not these men join with others to try to reform the world and establish a better government? The answer is that they had faith in God, and they knew that there was no other way aside from his way to bring their heart’s desire. Their course of action bears eloquent testimony to their faith in the establishment of the kingdom of righteousness in God’s due time. The Apostle Paul bears testimony to their faithfulness when he says: “For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned: but now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11: 14-16) They desired a government ruled by the God of heaven; and because of their faith and steadfastness God has made provision that in due time the civic affairs of earth shall be ministered by him and that these faithful men shall have a part therein.
The promise that God made to Abraham implied his purpose to some day establish a righteous government for the benefit of man. Abraham believed that promise. Then the Lord caused his prophets to declare his purpose and intention at some future time to raise up a mighty ruler, and that unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Not many of the people believed what the prophets said, but some did believe. Those of the Jewish nation who had faith in the promises were confidently looking for the coming of a king. The last of the faithful prophets to bear testimony thereof was John, who came announcing that the day of the anointed of God had arrived.
Then came Jesus, and some believed him to be the One sent of God. His disciples followed him. They knew nothing about heaven and were not induced by a hope of heaven to follow him. They hoped that Jesus, as the representative of Jehovah, would establish the kingdom about which the prophets of God had written and the Psalmist had sung. They looked forward to the time when this kingdom would deliver Israel and through Israel bless all the peoples of earth.
Jesus began his ministry by announcing, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He did not teach his disciples to pray that they might develop a character in order that they might have a comfortable place in heaven but he taught them to pray: “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as in heaven.” Throughout his entire ministry he emphasized the importance of the kingdom. He made the kingdom paramount to everything else and taught his disciples that faithfulness to his Father was absolutely essential in order to have a part in that kingdom. By many parables and dark sayings he taught them concerning the kingdom that they might understand in God’s due time. After they had endured hardships with him for three and one-half years and had proved their faith and confidence in him, he said to his disciples: “My Father has covenanted with me for a kingdom, and now I covenant with you for a kingdom.” When about to take his departure from earth he told them to continue faithfully serving his Father; that in due time he would return and receive them to himself.
Having learned the words of the prophets concerning God’s kingdom, having heard the words of Jesus for three and one-half years magnifying the importance of the kingdom, understanding that he was the one who would be at the head of that kingdom and that that kingdom would be established only at the end of Satan’s rule, it is most reasonable to expect these disciples to propound the question which they did propound. Their question was propounded and the answer recorded, not so much for their benefit but for the benefit of the Christians who should be on the earth at the time of the coming of the kingdom. Only five days before his crucifixion they asked this question of the Lord: “What will be the evidence of these things, and of thy presence and of the end of the world?” He then told them of the conditions that would obtain when that great event should come to pass.
Bible Students for a long time had been watching for the fulfilment of the prophetic utterances of the Lord given in that answer. They expected something to be manifested in 1914 because Bible chronology shows that the Gentile Times ended in that year. True to the prophecy there began the World War, followed by famine, pestilence, the regathering of Israel, and other things mentioned by the Lord.
It is true that some of the Bible Students expected 1914 to end the earthly pilgrimage of the church and that the faithful would then go to heaven. But the Lord had something else to be done. Now Christians are beginning to realize that the Lord God has not called men out of darkness into his marvelous light merely to get them into heaven, but that he has been training men to faithfulness in their devotion to him that he might put them into positions of honor and trust in the ages to come to carry out his purposes, and that some of these positions of trust are in connection with the kingdom. Such Christians are realizing the great importance of faithfulness to God, which course was blazed for them by the faithful men of old.
It was about 1922 that the Lord permitted his light to shine more clearly upon his Word, and the Bible Students there began to understand more fully the words of Jesus. To these Bible Students the war, famine, pestilence, return of Israel and the persecution of Christians, marked the time for the incoming of the kingdom and was therefore to them good news. They also saw that in due time this must be good news to all peoples of good will. Jesus had commanded: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness; . . . and then shall the end come.”—Matthew 24:14.
Bible Students now began to see that this command directed them as the witnesses of the Lord to carry this good news to the peoples of earth. It then became apparent to them that God had set his anointed King upon his throne, that the Lord was in his holy temple, and that now it had become the privilege of the Christians to advertise the King and his kingdom. They saw the time had come for them to heed the words of Jesus to look up and lift up their heads. This they did and have continued to do.
No organization on earth, aside from the Bible Students, was then giving or since then has been giving witness to the name of Jehovah. Bible Students now understood that God referred to his consecrated people when he said: “Ye are my witnesses, that I am God.” They also saw that Zion is God’s organization and that as consecrated and anointed followers of Christ Jesus they constitute a part of that organization. They began to appreciate that the words of the prophet applied to such consecrated ones wherein it is written: “Thy watchmen 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.”—Isaiah 52: 8.
Consequently from 1922 in particular and forward the truly consecrated, moved by an unselfish devotion to the Lord, have rejoiced to know not only that the day had come for the establishment of the long-promised kingdom of God but that it is their privilege to proclaim this good news to mankind. All of the truly consecrated who have appreciated this great fact have delighted to put forth their best endeavors to spread the good news concerning the day of the Lord.
In the past few years these consecrated ones have seen more clearly the hideous organization of the Devil. It is God’s due time for them to see. They have also obtained a clearer vision of God’s wonderful organization. They now see and appreciate, in some measure at least, that in attempting to perfect his organization and to use it for his purposes the Devil has compelled obedience by force; that by the military and police power he has coerced men to obey his orders, and that when men fail to carry out his orders he enforces his rule by severe and cruel punishment.
Contrasted with this wicked rule the Christian sees that God’s organization is controlled by love, which means an unselfish devotion to his cause. They see that the motive prompting the faithful heroes of old was love, and that these set an example for the Christian. They appreciate the fact that God has set the members on earth in his organization as it pleases him, and that it is a great privilege for each one wherever placed to perform with joy his duty. Tor this reason the organization of the Lord on earth today is stronger and doing more effective work than in the past. While no one is compelled to obey, all who because of unselfish devotion to the Lord do participate in his service have the joy of the Lord and receive his favor.
It seems evident that the Lord limits the supply of money for the carrying on of his work in order that man might not think that he is doing the work but will recognize that it is God's work. It is a noticeable fact that those who have much use little in the service of the Lord, and that those who do the most have the least in the way of this world's goods. But these are strong in faith and rich in joy. The Lord always makes the necessary provision for his work, and we may be sure that he will have his purposes accomplished in his own due time.
To further his work the Lord has graciously permitted his people to build printing and book-making establishments in America and in Europe. It is thereby possible to prepare a message concerning the kingdom to place in the hands of the people at a nominal cost. He has also permitted them to erect radio stations to broadcast the message of truth far and wide that it may reach the prisoners that are held in the denominational prison-houses and others who could not and would not otherwise hear the good news.
Elisha was given a double portion of the spirit of the Lord; and it is quite manifest that since 1919 there has been a far greater manifestation of the spirit of the Lord in carrying on his work. Prior to that time the thought in the minds of Christians seemed to be generally that of going to heaven. That was largely selfish. In more recent years the Christians have seen that it is their great privilege to represent the Lord and declare his goodness and that he will reward them in his own due time. They are therefore prompted more by unselfishness, which is a greater manifestation of the spirit of the Lord. With a burning zeal and devotion to him they unite in doing the work the Lord has committed into their hands. To these faithful ones the Lord has committed the interest of his kingdom on earth at this time. By his grace they are striving to perform their commission. This will explain why there has been a steady increase of the work since 1919. As to the present status of the Lord’s work on earth reference may be had to the annual report of 1926 published herein.
The foregoing statement concerning the Lord’s work is made to establish the fact that the International Bible Students Association, together with its associated corporations, does not constitute a denominational system or systems and is not teaching a new religion. On the contrary the Society is an association of truly consecrated followers of Jesus Christ to whom the Lord Jesus has restored the doctrines of truth taught by him and his apostles and the holy prophets. They now see their great privilege to be witnesses to the name of God.
Throughout the earth there are ecclesias or local organizations duly constituted and organized in harmony with the directions given by the apostles. Each one of these ecclesias has its local servants. There is no membership roll, and there are no earthly books upon which the names of the Bible Students are inscribed. The Society has no selfish purpose or cause to serve. Those who constitute this company of Christians are fully consecrated to do the will of God. They are pleased to welcome into their midst any and all who believe in the great truths taught in the Scriptures and who honestly, earnestly and zealously engage in the proclamation of the kingdom.
Teachings
As an evidence that the Society is strictly adhering to proclaiming the message of God’s Word as taught by Jesus, the holy prophets, and the apostles, there is set forth herein an epitome of the truths so taught, to wit:
That Jehovah is the only true God; that his name has been pushed aside by so-called Christians for many centuries; that the Devil has blinded even Christians to the truth concerning him; that the world is totally blind; that the time has now come for God to make for himself a name in the earth and he commands his people, as his witnesses, to proclaim his truth.
That the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that it contains a statement of the divine plan for man’s salvation and blessing.
That the great fundamental truths prominently set forth in the Bible are these: Adam, the first man, was created perfect in organism and endowed with the faculties of wisdom, justice, love and power; that he wilfully violated God’s law in order to join his wife Eve in the transgression which Satan had induced her to commit; that the Lord God justly sentenced to death and expelled him from Eden; that all of his children were thereafter begotten and born, and that hence they were begotten in sin and brought forth in iniquity.
That God made promise that through the seed of Abraham he would bless all the families of the earth, and that in due time he would redeem man from death and ransom him from the power of the grave; that he would raise up a mighty ruler unto whom the people shall be gathered; that in due time he sent to earth his beloved Son who died upon the cross, whom God raised up from the dead and who by his death and resurrection provided the great redemptive price for mankind.
That since the death and resurrection of our Lord, beginning with Pentecost the Lord has been selecting the members of the body of Christ; and that these, Jesus the Head and his body members, constitute the “Seed of Promise” according to the promise which God made to Abraham.
That Christ Jesus taught his followers to pray for the coming of God’s kingdom that God’s will might be done on earth as in heaven, and he promised that he would return in due time and set up his kingdom; that the great hope of the church from Pentecost forward has been the second coming of the Lord, the completion of the church and the inauguration of God’s kingdom.
That God’s provision for one becoming a member of the church, which is the body of Christ, is this, to wit: Belief in Christ Jesus as the great Redeemer of mankind; a full consecration to do God’s holy will; justification of the one consecrating, which justification is obtained by the act of Jehovah in justifying or determining that one is right with him.
That justification by faith during the Gospel Age is for just one purpose and that is that the one justified may be a part of the sacrifice of the Lord, hence such have made a covenant with the Lord by sacrifice; that then God begets such an one by his spirit to the divine nature and inducts him into the body of Christ and anoints him; that thereafter such Christian must perform his part of the covenant faithfully unto death and that thus doing he will receive full membership in the body of Christ and an abundant entrance into the heavenly kingdom.
That when Jesus was on earth his disciples propounded to him the question as to what would be the proof of his presence and the end of the world; that his answer was couched in prophetic phrase; that he gave a statement of conditions that would exist at the time of the end of the age and the setting up of his kingdom, to wit, the World War, famines, pestilences, revolutions, return of the Jews to Palestine, the persecution of Christians, and then a period in which the gospel of the kingdom must be proclaimed to all the nations as a witness.
That the proof shows that the Gentile Times ended in 1914; that there God, according to his promise, set his anointed King, Christ Jesus, upon his throne (Psalm 2:6); that there followed a great conflict in heaven between Christ on one side and Satan on the other, in which Satan was east out of heaven; that since then the Lord has come to his temple and is now strengthening his people for the final experiences on earth.
That soon will come the great time of trouble foretold by God through his prophets, and specifically mentioned by the Lord, which shall result, in the complete destruction of Satan’s empire and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth; that then unrighteous men shall cease to rule the world, and the world shall be established in righteousness that it shall never be moved. — Psalm 96:10.
That the reign of Christ will be for the purpose of granting to every one of the human race, both dead and living, an opportunity for life, and that to this end all those who have died in ignorance of God shall be awakened and given a knowledge of the truth; that the church alone participates in the first resurrection; that all the families of the earth shall have an opportunity to know the Lord and to obey him, and that those obeying shall be granted the blessings of life everlasting in peace and happiness upon the earth for ever.
The Bible Students believe that the only reason for their being on earth at this time, and the only excuse for the existence of their organization, is that they might be witnesses that Jehovah is God and that his kingdom is at hand. The Devil for so long a time has blinded the people to God’s truth that now the time has come for God to make for himself a name. He will have his people bear testimony of him to the world, and then will follow the great conflict which shall mark the final end of earth’s wicked organizations; that such trouble is not a fight in which the Christian shall participate, but it is a fight of God Almighty against the Devil’s organization; and that the part to be performed by the Christians on earth is to faithfully represent the Lord by telling others of God’s purposes, and thereby to show forth his praises. The Bible Students are earnestly attempting to do this.
The International Bible Students Association is not seeking membership and has no membership roll. All who believe in the truths taught by Jesus and the apostles, and who now believe in the presence of the Lord and that the time has come for him to set up his kingdom, and who desire to participate, and to the best of their ability and opportunity do participate in giving the witness to the name of Jehovah, are counted in as members of the Association or Society. All such, in obedience to the admonition of the Apostle Paul, are standing shoulder to shoulder, fighting for the gospel of Jesus Christ and never quailing before the enemy. These have entered into the joy of the Lord; namely, seeing that the time has come for the establishment of the kingdom, and the vindication of Jehovah’s name, it gives them great joy and delight to tell this good news to others.
The Bible Students, in the performance of what they understand to be their covenant and in diligently trying to be witnesses for Jehovah, are now doing their part to hold up the standard of the Lord to the people, to remove the false doctrines that have stumbled the people and point the people to God’s great way of returning to him, and thereby are bringing consolation to all those who desire to be free. Believing that the time has come when a witness must be given to the kings and rulers of the earth, as well as to the peoples, they are earnestly putting forth their best efforts, gladly spending what little money they have and also spending their time and energy in spreading amongst mankind the good news that Jehovah is God, that Christ Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, that God has set him upon his throne and that he bids all the peoples of earth to give heed to his message and to render obedience to his rule. It is now the privilege and joy of the Bible Students to make known to Christian peoples and to all peoples of good will that the kingdom, for which Jesus taught his followers to pray, is here; and therefore with gladness they are declaring that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Annual Report for 1926
"Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lard, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me ... Therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God." — Isaiah 43:10, 12
THE words of the above text are prophetic. The prophecy must have its fulfilment sometime, and some creatures must fulfil the prophecy as God’s witnesses. The context and other Scriptures show that now is the time for its fulfilment. Whom is God using as his witnesses and servants to fulfil this prophecy? The answer is, That organization of Christians on the earth which we term “The Society”.
There must be a reason for the existence of any organized movement. The Prophet Isaiah definitely locates that which constitutes the servant of the Lord, when he says, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.” (Isaiah 42:1) We know that this scripture refers to Christ and the members of his body, whether operating on earth or in heaven.
The church of God, consisting of Jesus and his faithful followers, was planted by Jehovah in purity. (Jeremiah 2: 21) The enemy Satan by the exercise of his wicked influence corrupted men who had become a part of the earthly organization, but he has not corrupted the true church. In the parable concerning the development of the church, Jesus stated that the “wheat and tares” must grow together until the time of the harvest, and that then the unapproved ones would be gathered out that the approved ones might be left.
This parable clearly shows that there would be two classes of Christians, one class approved and one disapproved. It follows then that the approved ones would constitute the class mentioned as the servant of the Lord and the members thereof would constitute the ones who are his witnesses. These prophecies do not refer to individuals but to the compact members of the body of Christ, harmoniously working together with the Head in obedience to Jehovah’s commands.
An organization is properly defined as a company of persons or individuals working together systematically and orderly to accomplish some given purpose. If such an organization has the Lord’s approval it follows that it must function harmoniously. There could be no division in that organization. Individuals making it up might from time to time drop out and others fill the vacant places, but the organization will keep on in the even tenor of its way just as the Lord intended it. We believe that which we generally call the Society is such an organization.
One or more corporations may be formed and used in conjunction with the work done by an organization. Such corporations do not constitute the organization. They are organized for the purpose of meeting the demands of the law of the country or countries wherein the work is carried on. Such is exactly the case with reference to the Society.
When the expression “The Society” is used it is not intended to convey the thought that the corporation is God’s visible organization, but the thought intended to be conveyed is, to wit: The company of individuals working orderly, systematically and harmoniously together in obedience to God’s commands in doing his work does constitute God’s visible organization on earthy. The corporation or corporations used in connection therewith are merely servants of the organization. Who can gainsay this statement? If anyone is wholly devoted to the Lord and puts forth his best efforts in obedience to God’s commands to serve him, then he will work harmoniously together with his brethren; and he and his brethren as followers of Christ will constitute the Lord’s representatives on earth.
Is it at all reasonable or consistent that God has two or more organizations to accomplish his purposes ? What would be the necessity for more than one? Is it at all reasonable that he would have more than one organization on earth bearing his name as his authorized representative to fulfil the prophecy above mentioned? It is neither reasonable nor consistent. The only reasonable conclusion in harmony with the Scriptures is that Christ is one, and that all the members of his body who are on the earth and who are standing together and harmoniously working together to accomplish the work assigned to the members of the body constitute God’s organization on earth.
Clearly this is the thought expressed by the Prophet Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reign- eth! Thy watchmen 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.” (Isaiah 52: 7, 8) The “feet of him” means the members of the Lord on the earth.
These are one compact body, not two or more. As the Lord’s representatives they jointly constitute the watchmen. They see eye to eye what is to be done, and together they lift up the voice. The human voice produces the most harmonious sound known to man. Symbolically therefore the voice represents the harmonious message which the feet members of Christ must deliver. These feet members deliver this message as God’s witnesses, and they are the only ones who do bear witness to him and his kingdom.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14) These words of the Master constitute a positive commandment which the context and the facts show must be fulfilled after 1914. It is not to be expected that anyone will obey this commandment and give this testimony except those who are in harmony with the Lord and therefore in harmony with one another.
St. Paul, writing to the church, said, “Only let the lives you live be worthy of the Good News of the Christ, in order that, whether I come and see you or, being absent, only hear of you, I may know that you are standing fast in one spirit and with one mind, fighting shoulder to shoulder for the faith of the Good News. Never for a moment quail before your antagonists. Your fearlessness will be to them a sure token of impending destruction, but to you it will be a sure token of your salvation—a token coming from God.” (Philippians 1: 27, 28, Weymouth) With greater force do his words apply now than when written. All of the Lord’s people must now stand shoulder to shoulder, fighting for the gospel of the kingdom.
In harmony with this it is written, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 6:3, Diaglott) All who are keeping his commandments in harmony with this text must of necessity be in harmony with the Lord and with each other. Thus they constitute one company, working together systematically and orderly for the accomplishment of God’s purposes. Such constitute “the remnant”, within the meaning of the Scriptures, against which the Devil is now making war. .—’Revelation 12:17.
What company of individuals on earth is meeting these Scriptural requirements? The only company that is even attempting so to do is that association of Christians known by the generic term International Bible Students Association, otherwise spoken of as “The Society". It therefore follows that such an organized body of true followers of Jesus are the ones meant when the Lord says: “Ye are my witnesses that I am God.” Meeting these requirements then shows the only reason for the existence of such an organization.
The Scriptures show that Satan the enemy would war against those who keep the commandments of God. The facts show that he does war against those few composing the organization who are giving testimony concerning God’s kingdom. The facts also show that some individuals have yielded to his evil influences and have fallen. When they fell they ceased to be a part of the organization and usually became opposers. Some may stumble for a time, then be recovered and again enter the ranks. The organization, however, is always intact, even though the personnel is not always the same. Those who do stand to the very end will constitute “the remnant” and will receive the final approval of Jehovah.
It does not seem that anyone who is really a Christian can find any objection whatsoever to this definition of the Society. All who are in harmony with the Lord and who are obeying his commandments constitute the Society. The Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society is the servant of such and merely an instrument which the Lord’s people use in the performance of their Divinely given duties.
Those who are faithfully and joyfully obeying the commands of the Lord are subjected to all manner of assaults from the enemy. This is to be expected. They are learning that God is not trying to get some into heaven, but that he is giving some an opportunity to prove their loyalty and faithfulness and loving devotion to him, to thereby demonstrate their fitness for the heavenly kingdom. He is permitting all of the professed ones to be hindered by conditions that would put them to the test. All who can be shaken will be shaken. Only those who by the Lord’s grace stand firmly to the end, joyfully obeying his commandments, are the ones that cannot be shaken. — Hebrew 12: 27.
Instead of trying to get all into heaven God is shaking out all that can be shaken. He preserves those and those only who love him and who are faithful. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.” (Isaiah 31:23) It follows then that anyone who receives the Lord’s approval must obey his commandments; and since his commandment now is to give a witness concerning his kingdom this must be done, joyfully.
As to God’s channel on earth for the dispensing of his message of Truth, is that even an open question? It is not an open question. A channel means that through which anything flows or passes. Who on the earth is God using through which to pass or cause to flow his message of truth ? His anointed ones, of course, in a collective capacity, acting as his servant class. No individual is the Lord’s channel, but individuals collectively constitute his channel through which the Truth does pass. The Truth is God’s Truth, and those whom he has anointed as members of the body of his beloved Son are the ones whom he uses as his channel and his witnesses.
Therefore that company of Christian people begotten and anointed of the holy spirit, working together systematically, orderly and harmoniously, constitute God’s channel, otherwise called the Society, to give the witness concerning him and his kingdom, in obedience to his commandments. God’s promises are given to such in a collective sense. The promises cannot be claimed by individuals unless these individuals are members of the body of Christ. When one puts himself outside of the pale of the church then he puts himself outside of the promise of the Lord.
These statements are here made for the purpose of clearly defining what constitutes the Society and the reason for the existence thereof, and the reason why each member thereof should urge every other member to participate in the service of the Lord in obedience to his commandments.
Annual Meeting
A copy of the minutes of the last annual meeting of the Society follows:
Pursuant to notice duly given as provided by law and by the charter and by-laws of the Society the annual meeting of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society was held at Memorial Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa. at ten o’clock Monday, November 1st, 1926. The time for the regular annual meeting is October 31st, but this date being Sunday the meeting was held according to law on the day following.
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