1943 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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1943 YEARBOOK
THE FIGHT
FAITHFULNESS
MORE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
THE WARNING
ORDAINED
ORDAINED MINISTERS
ORGANIZATION
TRAINING
WATCHTOWER BIBLE COLLEGE OF GILEAD
MANNER OF PREACHING
ORGANIZATION
BETH-SARIM
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION REPORT
NEW MACHINERY
SHIPMENTS
SERVICE IN THE FIELD
UNITED STATES FIELD SERVICE REPORT, 1942
STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
SPECIAL PUBLISHERS
GENERAL PIONEER PUBLISHERS
COMPANY ORGANIZATION
BACK-CALLS AND BOOK STUDIES
OTHER COUNTRIES REPORTING TO BROOKLYN OFFICE
FOREIGN COUNTRIES
ALASKA
CUBA AND PUERTO RICO
BRITISH WEST INDIES
BRITISH HONDURAS, CANAL ZONE, COSTA RICA, PANAMA
EGYPT
LEBANON AND SYRIA
COLOMBIA, DUTCH GUIANA, VENEZUELA
NEWFOUNDLAND AND ICELAND
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALASIA
NEW ZEALAND
THE FAR EAST
WESTERN CHINA
BRAZIL
BRITAIN
BRITISH GUIANA
CANADA
CENTRAL EUROPE
AUSTRIA
BELGIUM
FRANCE
GERMANY
HUNGARY
ITALY
THE NETHERLANDS
POLAND
RUMANIA
SWITZERLAND
YUGOSLAVIA
CHINA
HAWAII
INDIA
CEYLON
JAMAICA
MEXICO
NORTHERN EUROPE
DENMARK
FINLAND
SWEDEN
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
SOUTH AFRICA
TRINIDAD
WEST AFRICA
CONCLUSION
YEARTEXT FOR 1943
Yearbook
Of JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
containing report for the fiscal year of 1942
Also daily texts and comments
Corporate Publishers
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc.
International Bible Students Association
124 Columbia Heights Brooklyn, N. Y., U. S. A.
Branch offices appear on last page
Copyright, 1942, by
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society
Made in the United States of America
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
OFFICERS
N. H. KNORR President
H. C. COVINGTON Vice-President
W. E. VAN AMBURGH Secretary and Treasurer
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, INC.
OFFICERS
N. H. KNORR President
H. C. COVINGTON Vice-President
W. E. VAN AMBURGII Secretary and Treasurer
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS N. H. KNORR President
JESSE HEMERY Vice-President
E. C. CHITTY Secretary
W. E. VAN AMBURGH
Ass’t Secretary and Treasurer
1943 YEARBOOK
of Jehovah’s witnesses
JEHOVAH is the One to whom all praise is due.
Those who recognize this and do praise him will never depart from his organization. The Almighty God is directing the affairs of his covenant people through his Faithful and Wise Servant who is now at His temple. It is manifest to all thinking persons that there are two great organizations: one working in the interests of righteousness and the other in the interests of wickedness. Jehovah is the Righteous Ruler and the Supreme One. The Devil is the wicked ruler and will not recognize nor submit himself to the rule of the Most High. The Devil has questioned the supremacy of Jehovah as the Ruler of the universe. The question of world domination is yet to be settled to the satisfaction of all creatures.
For approximately six thousand years Jehovah has allowed Satan to remain. His reason for allowing him to remain and rule the affairs of this earth is stated at Exodus 9:16. There the record shows Jehovah addressing Pharaoh, Satan’s representative of the first world power, and declaring that he permitted Satan to remain and attack His representatives, or faithful servants, so that Jehovah might show his power over Satan and, further, that Jehovah might have His name and Word proclaimed throughout all the earth. Throughout this long period of time Jehovah has proved that he can place men on earth who will maintain their integrity, even though the Devil, with all his organization, visible and invisible, tries to turn such creaturesaway from the Almighty God. It has been Satan’s claim that creatures serve God only for a selfish purpose. This was his argument in the case of Job. This argument has been proved false so many times, as recorded in the Bible, that now it is no longer a case of argument, but a case of stubborn action on the part of the Devil.
In Revelation 12 it is pointed out that now the Devil knows that his time is short. He has been given sufficient time to prove his side of the argument. Shortly now Jehovah will prove His supremacy by the complete destruction of the entire organization built up by the Devil, both visible and invisible, as well as by casting the Devil himself into the bottomless pit.
THE FIGHT
Ever since Lucifer saw his chance for world domination and rebelled against God he has tried to establish an organization that would bring into subjection to his will every creature. His management of earth’s affairs under his control from the time of Adam up to Noah came to an end when Jehovah, through his mighty power manifested in the Flood, cleaned out all wickedness from the face of the earth. The Scriptures tell us that the “world that then was” was overflowed by water and destroyed. This destruction primarily affected earthly representatives of the Devil’s organization, because every vestige of his rule was wiped out in that disaster.
The Devil’s invisible hosts were immediately reorganized under his direction, he knowing that if he was ever to secure himself as the dictator of the world he would have to have a much more powerful organization than that which he had developed. As we look back through history we see that all peoples have been regimented under the oppressive whip of the rulers. At times some rulers came into power over governments of earth that had principles based on righteousness and justice, but almost all of these nations in due time succumbed to totalitarian rule.
After the Flood, beginning with Babylon the Devil set up his first world empire. This organization, established for world domination, was under the leadership of Nimrod. Many world empires rose and fell, all under the direct supervision of the Devil and his invisible demons. It can be seen that the Devil has been given many a chance and has taken upon himself all the opportunities possible to establish a world-wide government over which he would have world domination. At no time has he ever been able to establish a government that would keep perpetual control. We have seen the fall of the world empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and many other nations out after world conquest. Even though it appeared at times that the Devil had brought into submission all men, there have always been some who would not submit to his regimentation.
Throughout these many generations Jehovah God has had upon the earth His witnesses. Sometimes there were not very many, but there were always some here to hold high the standard of the Lord. Out of all the nations of the earth Jehovah had chosen the Israelites. He did not choose them because they were the greatest of all people, the most intelligent, the greatest warriors, the “purest blood”, but he chose them because he had made a covenant with his friend, Abraham, who was the father of these Israelites. It is only because Jehovah God made a promise that “in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” that he chose the Jewish people to represent him, and through them set up a Theocratic arrangement in the earth. Many of the Israelites recognized the grave responsibility placed upon them and the great honor of being representatives of the Lord and his witnesses. The 11th chapter of Hebrews sets forth the activities of many of these witnesses. The books of the Bible originally written in Hebrew give the detailed account of the faithfulness of the prophets and prophetesses, and judges and kings; and further show how the religious organizations that the Devil had set up round about the Promised Land tried to take into their organizations the Jewish people.
Not until 606 B.C. was the Devil’s totalitarian regime able to take under his control all the peoples of the earth. This did not mean, however, that God did not have witnesses on the earth; even though his servants were enslaved in Babylon. Fearless prophets and faithful men stood up and would not compromise with the totalitarian arrangements. As examples, we have Daniel and the three faithful Hebrew children, and others, who, while working for the government, were not a part of it. Not for one minute would they compromise; for they had made a covenant with God to serve him and honor his name. Satan brought upon them great persecution, distress, perplexity, and that in some instances to the point of death. Though the Devil through his agents has used every form of torture conceivable he has not been able to turn the faithful and true witnesses of the Lord aside.
FAITHFULNESS
At the time that Christ was upon the earth it seemed as though Satan had been making great strides in establishing world control and he had, through the Roman Empire, practically brought under his domination all nations, peoples and tongues. The arrival of Jesus upon the scene brought great anxiety to the Devil, for here appeared something that might interrupt his plans. At the birth of Jesus, through the wicked king Herod, he arranged for the killing of all babes two years old and under at Bethlehem, to be sure to include the babe Jesus. He was fighting against God; but Jehovah had decreed that His Son would come to the age of manhood and there be put on his own as far as integrity is concerned.
At the age of 30, after Jesus was baptized in Jordan, he went up into the wilderness, and there the Devil appeared unto him. Satan offered to the Lord Jesus at that time all the kingdoms of this world. The Devil knew that he was running things in the earth according to his will and without interference or interruption on the part of Jehovah God, and he saw here the Seed of Promise that in due time would interfere with that world rule that he was trying to establish, not only on earth, but eventually in heaven. Jesus would have nothing to do with Satan, but came into the wilderness to meditate upon the Lord’s Word and to be directed in the course that he should follow. The Devil, being very angry, tried time and time again to destroy Jesus, and brought upon Jesus great persecution.
Jesus had always been obedient to his heavenly Father before he took upon himself the form of man, but in this obedience in heaven with his Father there was no persecution, envy, strife, tribulation, wicked machinations, or anything to deter or turn away the Son from the heavenly Father. The Devil’s claim is that creatures serve Jehovah God for what they get out of it, but here Christ Jesus takes upon himself the form of a man and as such proves faithful, true, and loyal to his heavenly Father under stress, under the most severe persecution that was ever brought to bear against any creature; and even with this proved faithful and true, maintained his integrity, and, as the Scriptures say, learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Here again the Devil lost in trying to turn away from God a creature who had made up his mind to serve the Almighty and praise His name. The teachings of Christ Jesus were so powerful, true and just that all persons who heard these truths and who were seeking meekness and righteousness followed him.
It appeared to the religionists of that time that if this one, Jesus, continued to preach the whole nation would be turned to him and the Roman Empire, which was then established in Palestine, would take away their place of honor and power. The religionists have always served the Devil, and the main foundation of all governmental rule has religion as its base and backing. The Devil, through his dupes, finally succeeded in destroying Jesus, as he thought, by putting him to death; but the facts show that Jesus was raised from the dead and received all power in heaven and in earth.
Because of his faithfulness unto his heavenly Father against adverse conditions he was the one chosen to be the King of the righteous Government that God from the very beginning and through all His holy prophets promised would be established upon the earth. Here, then, was the primary arrangement for the kingdom that would ultimately overthrow and clean out the wicked rule of the Devil and in its place establish a glorious rule whose God is Jehovah, the kingdom wherein righteousness will rule and those who love peace and prosperity will have their portion filled to overflowing.
MORE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Shortly after the death of Jesus and his resurrection a great preaching work was begun by the apostles and those who followed Jesus when upon the earth. The holy spirit was poured out, this being the promised comforter to those faithful servants after Jesus left them. The faithful followers of Christ Jesus preached from city to city and from house to house, in villages, in the country, in the temple and synagogues, wherever they had opportunity to talk to the common people; and these heard gladly. In one day three thousand turned away from the religious practices and followed the teachings of Christ Jesus and became Jehovah’s witnesses. This continued until in the early days many thousands associated themselves with the organization that represented Jehovah God and his Son Christ Jesus. The greater this organization grew, the greater became the persecution; for here was something that was opposed to the Devil’s totalitarian world domination. It represented opposition to the Devil’s rule, and if allowed to proceed it might mean the final downfall of the Devil and his organization. The Devil went forth to destroy and has tried to destroy all persons who have loved righteousness and have followed the teachings of Christ Jesus. Despite this “a people for his name” (Acts 15:14) have been gathered out of the Gentiles and remain blameless. The Devil failed, and therefore proved again to be a liar.
The greatest setback to the Devil’s organization since the time of the Flood was in 1914, when the Devil was cast out of heaven and down to the earth. Now the time had come for the final settling of the issue as to who is supreme, Jehovah God or Satan the Devil. Who will be supreme ruler of the world? Jehovah or the Devil? Due to the casting down to the earth of the Devil and all his wicked hosts, great wrath has been brought upon the peoples of the earth. This has continued from 1914 up until the present time, and there has been upon the earth tribulation such as the world has never known, and which will undoubtedly become greater. The Devil knows that the time has come for a final showdown, and therefore he is out to destroy everything opposed to his rule. The ones lie is trying to destroy would be those who are for the rule of Christ Jesus through the kingdom that He said would be established and for which Christians have prayed, ‘Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.’
There is only one thing the Devil can do, and that is what he is doing: trying to establish upon the earth a world-wide empire. Shortly after the first world war ended there was set up a League of Nations, which League it was hoped would bring about a world government under the direction of the League of Nations. This was his first move to again establish totalitarian rule world-wide. This was the “abomination of desolation” spoken of by Daniel that he was trying to set up. It did not succeed in its purpose.
Now the whole world is again engaged in war, a global war, and it is determined by all of the rulers, whether those fighting on the Axis side or those on the side of the United Nations, that when this war ends there will be a united government of all nations. This setup is described in the 17th chapter of Revelation. When this “beast”, as the revelator calls it, reappears it will amaze all the peoples of the earth and cause them to wonder; for it will be a government world-wide, and therefore the rulers who direct the affairs of this worldwide government will say “Peace and safety”. The dominant factor in that rule will be religion. The Devil’s woman, Babylon, or, in other words, his religious organization, is going to ride that great beast which has seven heads and ten horns, according to the Scriptures at Revelation 17; and she will exercise guiding influence over the nations of the earth. This will be the pinnacle of the Devil’s organization scheme to regiment all the people and bring them into his power, either to rule or to ruin. In this he shall fail.
The Devil knows that Christ Jesus is upon His throne and has taken unto himself His great power and has begun to reign, and he further knows that his own time is short. (Rev. 12:12) The Devil is fully cognizant of the fact that Christ Jesus has been enthroned and that now the time has come when Jehovah God will show forth His power. For many centuries the Devil has gone ahead uninterrupted in his rule and has tried to solidify his gains, and now he is making the last desperate effort to bring all peoples into subjection unto his rule, both in heaven and in earth, to make a stand ready for the final battle, the battle of Armageddon. The revelator sets forth a clear picture of this gathering, “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”—Rev. 16:14.
THE WARNING
The followers of Christ Jesus have been commissioned to preach this gospel of the Kingdom and give due warning concerning the impending destruction that is just ahead. Jehovah’s witnesses have done just this. All of Jehovah’s witnesses from the time of Abel down to the present time have had the opportunity of proving true and faithful to their heavenly Father, representing Him in the earth and giving a good report. They have followed Jehovah’s commandments. They have done His will and not their own. Because of remaining blameless in their day and maintaining their integrity, the Devil has always sought to destroy them. These facts are recorded in God’s Word, the Bible, and while they were true in the times of the faithful men of old and in the time of Christ Jesus and in the times of the apostles, even so in this time it is true that the Devil would destroy all those who are proclaiming the message of the Kingdom and are the representatives of the Most High in the earth.
The contest that is waged is not between individuals, but is between worlds, the world of the Devil’s organization, both visible and invisible, and the new world of which Christ Jesus is King with universal power. The showdown is near. Before that time, however, a great witness must be given, so that those persons who love righteousness may have an opportunity to take a stand on the right side. So many have been blinded by the false teachings of the existing wicked organizations and held under the dominating influence of totalitarian rule that they have not had the opportunity to see and to hear the precious promises of the Lord and what his Government will bring to them. Therefore this gospel of the Kingdom has been preached and will continue to be preached until the cities be wasted and the houses are without inhabitants. This is an assignment that is given those who already have the information concerning the full establishment of God’s kingdom.
Those who have taken the course of preaching this gospel of the Kingdom and standing foursquare for the Government of righteousness as against the totalitarian rule of the Devil must expect that the Devil will try to destroy them and interfere in every way possible with the teachings that they are heralding forth at this time. It is no easy task to be a Christian, a witness for Jehovah. It was not an easy task in the time of the apostles, nor is it easy now.
To prove that it is the purpose of the Devil to separate us from the love of God, the account is set out in Romans 8 to this effect, at verse 35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ?” The final answer is, Nothing; for in the 37th verse it is stated, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
As to tribulation separating us from the love of Christ, the apostle, in Acts 14: 22, states that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”. We have assurance that while going through this tribulation we shall be comforted and helped; for we read, in 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble.” At no time will the servant of the Lord be forsaken, but he will be aided so that he can maintain his integrity. Even though a servant of the Lord be in great distress, this would be no cause for him to forsake Christ. The promise is given us by the Lord, “For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.”—Isa. 25: 4.
Persecution will not deter one nor turn him aside. One properly taught in the Scriptures and having studied the Word of God will know that the servant is no better than his master. They can exclaim, “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:12) The 11th chapter of Hebrews shows how they persecuted the prophets and how the prophets endured under stoning, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of lire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
The course the Christians have taken is not an easy one. They follow in the footsteps of the Master and they must do as he stated: “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”—John 15 : 20, 21.
Jehovah’s witnesses have stood up under all kinds of persecution today, not only in the totalitarian lands, but also in the lands governed by democratic rule. The only reason for this persecution is that they state the truth concerning the present conditions of the world and what will be the outcome, showing the people that God’s Kingdom is the only hope of the world. In Germany and totalitarian-dominated countries Jehovah’s witnesses are thrown into concentration camps; they are starved; many have been shot, others jailed; children have been separated from their parents, husbands from their wives. In some countries there have been mob attacks made on Jehovah’s witnesses merely for the preaching of the gospel. In many democratic countries the officials, chiefs of police, policemen, sheriffs, judges, and others, give no assistance to Jehovah’s witnesses nor protect their rights of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom. These conditions exist in supposedly Christian nations. Does this condition of persecution ever separate them from the love of Christ? It does not, but as the apostle Paul stated, “Persecuted, but not forsaken; east down, but not destroyed.” (2 Cor. 4:9) So determined are Jehovah’s witnesses to remain true and steadfast that neither famine, nor nakedness, nor peril, nor the sword, separates them from the love of Christ.—Ps. 71:18-20; Matt. 25: 36; 2 Cor. 11: 23- 26; Acts 12:1, 2.
The apostle Paul goes on with the argument, in Romans 8, “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” It is in defense of Jehovah’s name and Word that the Lord’s people stand up against this adversity and against the Devil and his entire organization and are killed all the day long. The name of the Lord is involved, on this issue: Can Jehovah place on earth people who will maintain their integrity? Jehovah’s witnesses have taken up this challenge of the Lord and will not forsake it. Therefore, for the sake of the name of Jehovah they continue true and steadfast in proclaiming the message of the Kingdom against all opposition.
Knowing that the Devil is out to rule or ruin, and particularly to destroy those who are faithful and true witnesses; the Lord’s people are counted as sheep for the slaughter. We have the sure Word of God, however, that in some instances the Devil might be able to destroy the body; but not the soul. He cannot destroy the endless existence of the follower of Christ Jesus and who is serving for the vindication of Jehovah’s name and Word. The Devil is determined and puts forth every effort to keep the truth away from the people; for he knows that those who have a measure of meekness and righteousness in their hearts will follow the truth when they hear it. It is for fear that he cannot keep all people under his dominant power and prove his part of the false charge that men will not serve God except for a selfish reason that the Devil has brought tribulation, distress, persecution, peril and the sword against the servants of the Most High. However, regardless of all this persecution Jehovah’s witnesses are assured that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us”. There is no question about the final outcome of this matter. The Devil’s organization will go down, no matter how strong he builds it up in these last days. Even though he succeeds in establishing another world power with such strength, the Scriptures plainly state that it will go down. In its stead will be made world-wide the Government of Christ, which has no end.
Jehovah’s witnesses, and especially their Leader, Christ Jesus, are the most valiant, most determined creatures ever to live upon the earth. The apostle Paul says, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Rom. 8: 38, 39.
No matter what is brought to bear against any of the servants of the Lord, no matter in what country they are, no matter what regimentation is established by totalitarian rulers, no matter how harsh the treatment in concentration camps, no matter how unjust the judges, no matter how great the mob violence, persecution will be defeated. Jehovah’s witnesses will not give up the cause. They will stand true and steadfast and continue to preach this gospel of the Kingdom until the very end, even though death be the toll. Jehovah’s witnesses have nothing to fear; they will come off victorious. The Devil and his crowd and all of his agents and nations have everything to fear, because they are bound to lose; and that is why the Devil goes forth now with great wrath, seeking whom he may destroy. The apostle tells us, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15: 57, 58) In the mind of a Christian there is no question as to the outcome. They have the sure word of prophecy, “We are more than conquerors.”
ORDAINED
These followers of the Lord, who have chosen to follow a course the same as he did when he was upon the earth, are ordained ministers of the gospel. A man docs not represent God because some creature says he is God’s representative. The only way anyone could determine who are ordained of God is to judge them by their works. The Lord Jesus said, ‘By their works ye shall know them.’ The apostle James brings to our attention that faith without works is dead, but that James would show persons his faith by his works. Therefore ordination cannot come by man, but the commission to serve the Almighty is received from Him through His Word.
The commission is very definite and clear and is set forth by the prophet Isaiah: “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 brokenhearted, 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.” (Isa. 61:1, 2) It is not necessary for an individual to go to some theological school or seminary in order to be an ordained minister. Surely none of the clergy today fulfill the commission nor do they have the knowledge of God's Word such as Peter and John did, of whom it is stated that they were “unlearned and ignorant men”. (Acts 4:13) Those who have made a covenant with God and consecrated their lives to serve Him must of necessity follow out the commandments laid down by the Lord Jesus. One of these is stated in Luke 9: 60: “Go thou and preaeh the kingdom of God.” It is because of these plain, clear statements that every one of Jehovah’s witnesses, whether man or woman, whether young or old, goes forth and proclaims the message of the Kingdom from house to house. Acts 2:16,18 shows that the spirit of God is poured out upon all flesh, and the sons and daughters shall prophesy, and the young men see visions. It is stated, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” Jehovah’s witnesses appreciate their responsibilities and are grateful to the Lord for the privilege of honoring His name in this day among the distressed peoples of the world.
From among Jehovah’s witnesses the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society appoints special representatives to look after the interests of its work in various lands. These men have proved by their works and by their understanding of the Bible that they are ordained ministers of the gospel and have received the divine ordination and commission of authority to represent Jehovah God. They having received this ordination of Jehovah, the Society recognizes such as ordained ministers and appoints them to preach this gospel of the Kingdom and to look after specific duties assigned them in the United States and other nations of the earth.
There are many other ordained ministers of Jehovah’s witnesses whose names are not listed in this year’s report, but those that are listed are specially equipped to look after their ministerial duties at the headquarters of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society or its branches or as traveling evangelists.
ORDAINED MINISTERS
Abbuhl, David; Abrahamson, Richard R; Akashi, J. L.; Akin, Walter Barton; Allan, Joseph; Alspach, Russell William; Anderson, Bernard A.; Anderson, Fred August; Anderson, Henry Alex; Anderson, John Henry; Anderson, Marvin Ferrol; Anderson, Jr., Richard Melvin; Arnold, Edward; Astle, Robert Leon; Attwood, Anthony Cecil; Avey, Arthur William; Babock, Earl F; Babinski, Joseph; Baecht, Albert E.; Baeuerlein, John Adam; Ballard, Earnest E.; Banks, Thomas E.; Barber, Carey W; Barnes, George Quincy; Barr, James Erskine; Barr, John Edwin; Bausch, Lawrence Richard; Baxter, W. H.; Beasley, Eugene Willis; Becker, Edw. Wm.; Beckett, David A.; Behannan, Harry Caperton; Behm, Leonard T.; Belokon, Nicholas; Bennett, Ernest Solomon; Bennett, Harvey Calvin; Benson, Joe Ricketts; Blackwell, Victor Van Horn; Bloedow, Laverne Wm; Bodnar, Jr., John; Bogart, John; Booth, John C.; Borchert, Paul; Bourgeois, John Louis; Bourne, Reginald Armor; Bradshaw, Raymond; Brame, Earle Ray; Brehmer, John Otto; Broadwater, Lloyd; Brown, Henry Talbert; Brown, Jasper; Brown, Robert Mantell; Brown, W. R.; Buczek, Leo; Buehler, Arthur Victor; Buenger, Philip; Bullock, Wilmer Charles; Burczyk, Benno Oskar; Burkhard, Lloyd Byron; Burmester, Werner; Burtch, Lloyd Byron; Butroe, Peter; Byriel, Andy; Callendar, Lionel Edwin; Cantwell, Henry Albert; Carroll, Nathaniel B.; Cantwell, Russell David; Carroll, Loren Joseph R.; Casola, Peter A; Champagne, Joseph R.; Chapman, Percy; Chen, Frank; Chitty, Ewart Charles; Claus, Arthur L.; Clay, Edgar Allan; Colangelo, Alfred; Collet, Romeo; Colwell, Gordon Percy; Comstock, Eli Hall; Comuntzis, Thomas P.; Connor, Andre Francis; Conover, Albert; Conrow, Harvey Rockwell; Cooke, Harry Hubert; Cornelius, Eric Gustof; Correnti, Joe; Coultrup, Charles Russell; Coup, Carmon Leroy; Covillo, Allan Stanley; Covington, Hayden Cooper; Cox, Donald Maurice; Crabb, Roy; Crabb, Walter H.; Crafton, Thomas Jefferson; Cresswell, Reginald Broady; Culley, Elbert Franklin; Cumming, Albert E.; Cutforth, C. W.; Cutforth, John Ashlin; Davis, Roland E.; Davis, Roland E.; Dawson, John L.; DeBoer, Adrian; DeCecca, Giovanni; DeKer, John T.; Derderian, Dickran F.; Dewer, Carl; Dey, William; Dickey, Henry M. Stanley; Dockey, E. L.; Denley, Earl Henry; Downie, Malcolm Macpherson; Droge, Henry Harold; Dugas, L. M.; Duncan, Harold Billet; Dunham, A. F. E.; Duncan, Heinrich; Eckley, Fred Garfield; Edwardes, James Campbell; Eicher, Charles Emile; Elmore, Peter Lee; Elrod, William A; Emch, Harry S; Eneroth, Carl Tryburga; Eneroth, Johan H.; Erickson, John T; Erendole, George; Fanning, Edward; Feaster, Lenox M; Feist, Charles John; Ferdinand, Edw. Joseph; Ferguson, D J.; Ferrari, Charles L; Ferrari, Joseph; Ferrari, Silvrino; Feuerbacher, Max R.; Fisher, Arthur W.; Fleury, Maurice; Flinn, Edgar Allan; Franz, Fred William; Franske, F J; Friedel, Maxwell G.; Frost, Charles E; Fulton, George Proctor; Fulton, Paul Tower; Gabler, Herbert F.; Gacek, Walter; Gangas, George; Garret, Nicholas Isaac; Genin, Keith W.; Geyer, Benjamin P.; Gill, Harold Edwin; Gillespie, Ray E.; Gillis, John; Gilmer, Charles Mathews; Gilmore, Lewis G.; Glass, Russell E.; Gof, Fred Joseph; Gof, Sid Williams; Goings, Chester; Gonzales, Raymond; Good, Theodore Filmore; Gordon, Thomas G.; Goslin, Ethan; Grant, Arthur; Grant, George Perry; Green, John Arthur; Greenlees, Leo K.; Guiver, Ernest James; Hackenberg, Chalmers F.; Haigh, Joseph Horace; Hall, Paul Marshall; Haltberg, Robert Vincent; Hammer, Paul; Haney, Arthur; Hannan, George Edwin; Harmon, William J.; Harrell, William Keeney; Harron, Stuart Alden; Harteva, Kaarlo; Haslett, Donald; Hatzfeld, Robert Henry; Heath, Jr., William Pratt; Hemery, Jesse; Hemmaway, John Tom; Henschel, Herman George; Henschel, Milton George; Hessler, Charles Russell; Hibbard, Orin I; Hibshman, Carl Harrison; Hibshman, Clarence Leroy; Hibshman, David Elmer; Hildring, Theresa Andrew; Hofmas, Arthur Stanley; Hoffman, David N.; Hofnacki, Emanuel; Hollister, Fred S.; Hollister, George Stevens; Holmes, Calvin Henry; Hoppe, Karl; Houghton, Bernard; Howarth, Joseph; Howlett, Matthew Arnold; Huff, Wayne; Huff, William Daniel; Hughes, Alfred Pryce; Hugin, Friedrich Eugene; Hutley, James E.; Huscock, Charles; Huzzey, Clarence Seward; Ibrik, Elmer Carl; Ilett, Ambrose E.; Insberg, Ans; Isaac, Joseph; Jackson, William Kirk; James, Herbert Willard; Jarvis, William L.; Jensen, Klaus Monrad; Jewdwet, Theodore Geo.; Johnson, D. R. Frank; Johnson, Guy Wilbur; Johnson, James Wilbur; Johnson, Lennart N. S.; Johnson, Maple Elmer; Johnson, Samuel E.; Jones, Carlton Joseph; Jones, C. J.; Jones, Harvey William; Jones, James Tyler; Jones, Ralph Theodore; Jones, Stanley Ernest; Junson, Henry G.; Julian, Frank Anthony; Kallt, Rudolph; Karanassios, Athanasius; Keefer, Nathan Joseph; Kellaris, Alexander Nicholas; Keller, Edwin F.; Kelly, George W.; Kennedy, Edgar Claire; Kershaw, Frederick; Killam, Tully Bernard; Kim, Harold George; Kirkland, Powell Means; Klein, Karl Frederick; Klein, Theophilus Earhart; Knight, Clarence Elmer; Knorr, Nathan Homer; Knowlton, Dale G; Koose, David E.; Koski, John; Kosiek, Vernon John Godfrey; Kurzen, Jr., John Godfrey; Kurzen, Russell W.; Kusiak, Mike; Kutch, John A.; Lagima, Andrew; Lagima, John; Laman, Earl S; Lalik, Albert Sherman; Lancfeldt, Nicholas Martin; Larson, Max Harry; Latch, Jr., Winfield Scott; Laurix, James W; Lazenby, Robert L.; Learned, Alvin E.; Le Clair, Joseph O.; Leffler, Ralph H; Leiwe, Charles Raymond; Lemmons, Paul H.; Lendin, Joe; Lester, Cornelius; Linden, Mark L.; Lindsay, Liddell Moses; Loeadon, G. Howard; Lopp, F. L.; Lovera, Joseph; Lundgren, Alton Reynold; Lundgren, H. B.; Lunstrum, D. A. T.; Lusga, Frederick; Lutz, J.; Lyon, Clayton Hubert; MacAulay, David; MacAulay, Donaldson Hugh; Maggard, Sam Jesse; Manley, David Raymond; Markus, John Frederick; Marsh, Elmer Ceal; Martin, Louis B.; Martinsen, Matthinus; Mason, Benjamin Brock; McClure, Miles A.; McConkey, Charles Wm.; McCormick, Gilbert Yarwood; McCumber, Clarence Lacy; McDaniel, Elmer James; McGowan, John; McLemore, Lester L.; McLunan, Roy O.; McNee, George Edward; McWilliams, Robert Garland; Merrick, Robert; Milford, Donald Jay; Miller, William Roy; Miller, Grant Dallas; Mock, William Henry; Montero, Robert; Morash, Christopher Reynold; Morgan, Robert Enna; Moyer, Ralph Kratz; Moyer, Willard Kratz; Muniz, Jose; Myers, Gordon; Nathan, Jack; Nelson, James; Nester, Ralph Kendall; Oertel, Harvey Carl; Olson, Howard Charles; Oman, Edwin E.; Orrell, Eugene Dallas; Palmer, Robert Edward; Palo, William J; Papadem, George Philip; Papageorge, Demetrius; Papargyropoulos, Aristotles P.; Paschall, Arthur Lee; Pate, Arden; Peach, Arthur Frederick; Perry, John Alver; Peterson, Charles Taze Russell; Peterson, William; Phillips, Fred E; Phillips, George Ross; Phillips, Oscar Woodson; Photinos, Peter; Pierce, Jack R; Pierce, Ronald Earl; Pillars, Oscar Lawrence; Platt, William Gordon; Poloney, Jr., Paul S; Price, Frank William; Price, Modene; Prosser, Frank She-idan; Pudmifer, Michael Philip; Putnam, George Wayne; Quackenbush, Myron Neil; Radosevich, William; Rainbow, John Charles; Rann, George A; Read, George Thomas; Reddish, Kemp Caldwell; Reed, Philip D H; Reid, Walter Alexander; Reusch, Lyle Elvertt; Reynolds, Rudolfo; Rice, Everest J.; Richards, April John; Riemer, Hugo; Riemer, Hugo Henry; Robb, John Birrell; Roberts, Claude; Robinson, Charles; Roper, Lester Lee; Rosenberger, James Alex; Rowltsch, Frederick A.; Rowltsch, Robert Montee; Ruffner, Joel Shrewsbury; Rusk, Thomas Alfred; Ruth, Wilmer B.; Rutherford, David; Ryan, Roy Ansil; Sabo, Lewis A; Sampson, Joseph Ormonde; Santos, Joseph; Schavey, Beryl E.; Scheider, Wilhelm; Schleman, Harold C.; Schmidt, Waldemar; Schnell, William Jacob; Schroeder, Albert Bauer; Seal, Alfred Wayne; Secord, Arthur Henry; Shawver, Caleb Grendoson; Shelton, Joseph Philip; Shoey, Wilson Clement; Short, Clayton; Shuter, Samuel A.; Sillaway, Charles Eugene; Singer, Earl Victor; Sioras, John P; Skinner, Francis Edwin; Slattum, Morris Truman; Slaughter, Fred; Slik, Henry; Smith, Hollis Adrian; Smith, Thomas Erskine; Smoker, Leon Charles; Southworth, Charles Herbert; Spencer, Ethel Shields; Starbuck, Floyd B; Steele, Albert Leroy; Steele, Robert C.; Stewart, Donald M.; Stewart, H Lloyd; Stiefle, Walter R; Stoltz, Merrin M.; Stone, Roscoe Allan; Storer, George William; Strafagos, Peter; Suiter, Grant; Suley, Walter; Sullivan, Thomas J.; Suvak, Andrew; Swayze, Roy A; Swingle, Lyman Alex; Taliarico, Ferley Louis; Talma, Gilbert Louis; Taylor, Walter Benjamin; Teasdale, Sydney James; Tedesco, Angelo B.; Telerak, Michael James; Tellschak, Mike; Tharn, Bill; Thomas, Ralph Chester; Thomson, George F W; Thomson, James; Tomkins, Carroll Kenneth; Toutjian, Samuel H.; Trangott, William; Treeder, William Edwin; Truscott, Paul C.; Ulrich, Clarence; Umlauf, Jacob; Vaile, Charles Mack; Valiotes, Gust Constantinos; Van Amburgh, William Edwin; Vanice, Ernest Ray; Van Sipma, Samuel Martin; Varner, Fred; Vasiliades, Philip; Vogel, August Crist; Voigt, Walter; Wagner, Andrew K.; Wagner, Charles Elmer; Wagurnie, Paul V.; Waikelions, John; Wainwright, F C.; Walters, William Henry; Wargo, J. Michael; Wargo, Paul; Wargo, Pete; Weber, Henry Barrett; Werner, Arnold; West, Albert James; Wheelock, Richard B; White, William Edward; Wiberg, Carl Emil; White, Edmund C.; Wiedenbush, David; Wilde, C. de; Willett, Frank Allan; Williams, Claude Marvin; Williams, Donald Kenneth; Williams, Floyd Wallace; Williams, James A.; Wilson, Ennis Robert; Wilson, Grant C.; Wise, Charles A; Wockburn, James; Woodworth, Clayton J.; Woodworth, Harold; Woodworth, W Eldon; Worsley, Arthur Albert; Yost, Earl A.; Yount, Warren; Yuchniewiez, Stanley; Yuille, Nathaniel Alston; Zakian, Arthur S; Zarysky, Emil; Zelt, Robert; Ziehm, Milton; Zikle, Otto; Zinser, Henry Frederick; Zoek, Aquila B
ORGANIZATION
More than sixty years ago a small group of people in western Pennsylvania, having a knowledge of the Scriptures and not having gone to any theological schools, saw the importance of sharing in the preaching of this gospel of the Kingdom and bringing to the people the truths as explained in the Bible and not by religion. Religion, failing to be abreast of the times and to keep close to the Word of the Lord, but rather following the traditions, has failed. Therefore, in 1884, this little body of Christian people organized a corporation under the name of Zion’s Watchtower Society. A few years later this name was changed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, that now being its corporate name under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania.
In the early years of the twentieth century the principal offices of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, the Pennsylvania corporation, were moved to New York city as a matter of convenience so as to carry on better the world-wide organization that had been developed by that time. In 1908 there was organized for the purpose of carrying on legal business in the State of New York the Peoples Pulpit Association, a corporation organized under the religious membership corporation laws of the State of New York. Later the name of this corporation was changed to Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Incorporated.
Branches of the Society having been established in countries other than the United States and progressing very well, it was thought best to start a corporation in England. In 1914 the International Bible Students Association was created and organized under the laws of Great Britain. The purposes of these three corporate bodies are exactly the same. The purposes of the corporations as announced in their charters are the same. All corporations function as one, and their interests are “the dissemination of Bible truths by means of publication in printed form and other lawful means”.
Jehovah’s witnesses use these instruments, or corporate bodies, to carry on the work of witnessing to God’s kingdom throughout all parts of the earth. These corporations are charitable and benevolent, because the people who use these organizations to carry on the work are moved by love and unselfish devotion to Jehovah God and his Kingdom to carry on such work. These corporations operate offices, from which point the general direction of the activities of Jehovah’s witnesses is handled, as well as printing plants, radio stations, storage depots, schools and institutions for housing those persons working at the above-named establishments. All persons employed at the main offices of the Society, whether it be the head office or some branch, work there voluntarily. No one receives any pecuniary gain, but, for example, at the Brooklyn headquarters, where upward of 200 persons are engaged in work at the printing plant and the home that cares for these people, each one receives an allowance of $10 a month, as well as his board and room. The same arrangement is in operation at all other property operated by the Society.
TRAINING
All ordained ministers of the gospel must study to show themselves approved unto God and therefore must have training in the Word of the Lord. Provision has been made by the Society to give such instruction to those making a covenant to do the Lord’s will. In all cities where there is a group of Jehovah’s witnesses there is organized a company. This group of Jehovah’s witnesses meets regularly several times each week and engages in very careful study of the Scriptures. The Watchtower Society provides these groups with publications for study. Not only are the books and magazines provided for their careful consideration, but question books have been printed to guide the students. Numerous Bible helps are also distributed by the Society to aid these companies in their local studies. Each of these studies is opened with prayer and the study is carried on in an orderly manner under a competent conductor appointed by the Society. Persons attending these studies are real students of the Scriptures and they follow the apostle’s admonition, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim. 2:1, 2) These students appreciate the responsibility of gaining knowledge so that they may be able to tell others also so that they too may take a stand for the Kingdom. These studies are open to all persons of good-will desirous of knowing more about the Scriptures and the teachings of our heavenly Father.
These students of the Scriptures who attend the regular meetings of the Society in the various cities not only study to gain greater knowledge concerning the Word of the Lord, but also conduct studies throughout the cities and rural communities among the people of good-will in their homes. The importance and good work done by these studies will be set out later in the report.
At the Bethel Home, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York, where there are upward of 200 students of the Bible, there is carried on, in addition to the many studies such as all companies throughout the United States conduct, an advanced course in Theocratic ministry. The young men enrolled in this school are given a thorough training in public speaking, all public speaking being on Bible subjects. The course includes the study of various translations of the Bible, and the use of concordances and Bible dictionaries, and takes up a careful study on Bible history and Bible characters, proper diction, pronunciation, and preparation of a talk. Many other subjects are treated in these class studies. All students are given the opportunity to deliver lectures, as well as write treatises on various subjects, all of which are submitted to the instructors of the school. This advanced course in Theocratic ministry has proved most profitable and helpful to all students. All the students in the school are ordained ministers and are regularly conducting Bible studies in homes, and many serve regular congregations in various parts of the country and cities, from New York.
WATCHTOWER BIBLE COLLEGE OF GILEAD
In addition to the school at the Bethel Home, which carries on an advanced course in Theocratic ministry, the Society has arranged to open up a college on its property at South Lansing, New York, where there is operated a Kingdom farm, which Kingdom farm raises foodstuffs principally for the Bethel family, and which provisions are trucked in to New York. Others are canned during the summer for winter use. Recently the Society erected a large building called “Gilead”, meaning “heap of witness”; and arrangements are now nearly completed for the establishment of the Watchtower Bible College there. The purpose of the college will be to prepare men and women for missionary work in all parts of the world as teachers and instructors in the Bible and Bible literature. Those eligible for a course in this school will be ministers who are devoting their whole time to the work, namely, special pioneer publishers or pioneer publishers, with a minimum requirement of at least two years of activity and experience in the field. Those attending this school are selected by the Society from the enrollment list of pioneers. Those ministers of the gospel who seem best qualified for work in foreign lands will be called in to this school, their expenses all being paid, and they will be put through a five-month course of study for five hours a day. Courses of study will be of the Bible, its teachings, and Bible history; a course in public speaking, Theocratic organization instructions, how to organize new companies and direct their worship of Almighty God, taking care of branch work, seeing to the publication and distribution of Bibles and Bible literature; a course in bookkeeping, English grammar, and languages, international law, and the study of the constitutions of various countries to which places the graduates may be sent. During each semester of five months approximately 100 students will take the course outlined and be prepared to go to any place that the Society may wish to send them. Only such ordained ministers as are willing to go anywhere in the world to preach this gospel of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness will be privileged to attend the Watchtower Bible College.
Students, on Sundays, will devote full time to the field-service work in the vicinity of the college. Any extra time the students may have they will spend assisting in the work on the farm which surrounds the college, so as to provide food for themselves and for the Bethel family. It is hoped that, by the Lord’s grace, at least 200 students can be sent forth from this school each year to various parts of the world to carry on the work of proclaiming the message of the Kingdom and advancing its interests in other lands. Those ordained ministers chosen by the Society for this advanced course of study will, we feel sure, greatly appreciate the privilege of attending this school and receive a further assignment of privileges of service wherever the Lord may lead.
MANNER OF PREACHING
The religious form of preaching today is much different from that outlined in the Bible. There have been set up throughout all the countries of the world large cathedrals and so-called “churches”, to which places the preachers ask their congregations to come so that the clergy might talk to them. What a change from the methods used by Christ Jesus and the apostles! They did not build temples of stone, but rather the Lord Jesus went from city to city and from house to house, from village to village, and preached where-ever he had the opportunity. It is true the apostles came together and met in an upper room to study with the Lord Jesus when in Jerusalem. The church formed after Christ’s resurrection came together in halls or some meeting-place or at homes and studied the word of the Lord and the Scriptures. But all of these were commissioned by the Lord Jesus to preach the gospel of the Kingdom, and the manner of preaching is set out in the Scriptures. “And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also.” (Mark 1:38) Again, “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him.”—Luke 8:1.
It is further shown that preaching was done not only in the villages and towns publicly, but from house to house: “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:46,47) This was the method that Jehovah’s witnesses used and still use. While Jehovah’s witnesses have company organizations and halls or homes in which they assemble and invite the people for very careful study of the Scriptures, at the same time each individual claiming to be a servant of the Most High goes from place to place and from house to house, proclaiming the message of the Kingdom, so that those who have not heard may have the opportunity of hearing. Jehovah’s witnesses try to make it convenient for the other person to hear this message of the Kingdom. If they have an ear to hear, the Lord says “Let them hear”.
While Jehovah’s witnesses prepare themselves and fit themselves for preaching the gospel by word of mouth, thus having their schools in the companies and at Bethel and Gilead, they also have provisions to aid in preaching the gospel, such as bound books, magazines, pamphlets, leaflets, Bibles, phonograph records, and phonographs on which to run these records for the benefit of the people hearing the Bible talks contained on the records; Bible studies are arranged and conducted at the homes; and the radio has been used extensively in proclaiming the message of the Kingdom.
In fact, every means that can be used to convey to other persons knowledge and the truths contained in the Bible, these have been used, by the Lord’s grace. None of this activity is carried on for making merchandise of the truth. In fact, millions of pieces of literature are given away free each year, and in general the cost of production and distribution exceeds the total amount of contributions accepted from persons taking the literature and willing to contribute toward publishing and circulating more literature. Hence the work is in no aspect commercial, but is gospel-preaching, and hence is an expression of the worship or service of Almighty God. Against such, no human law is valid. It is because of using every avenue of communication that Jehovah’s witnesses have been persecuted so in the last several years; however, this does not deter them, but they are more determined than ever to move ahead with the proclamation of the Kingdom.
ORGANIZATION
The principal offices of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society are located at 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York. From these offices the work in the United States and throughout all the world is directed. Reports are received regularly from all branches, depots, farms, factories, and all the institutions under the direct supervision of the Society. The work of all three corporations (which are really one in purpose), namely, the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society (Pennsylvania corporation), the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc. (New York corporation), and the International Bible Students Association, of Britain, is the same—that of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness. Therefore the work of all three corporations is managed and directed from the principal offices in Brooklyn, New York.
On January 8, 1942, the former president of the Society, J. F. Rutherford, finished his earthly course; and because of his faithful service, making his calling and election sure, he now has greater privileges of service in association with Christ Jesus, the King, in his heavenly position. It was thought by many, particularly the religionists of today, that when the administration of the Society’s affairs fell into the hands of someone other than J. F. Rutherford the Society and its work would be on the decline.
Religionists can work only on the theories set forth by their tradition. In their organizations everything is based on men and what men have done; and therefore when one man leaves their organization and another takes his place they wonder if he will be better or worse than the former administrator. If the religionists really had faith that their organizations were of God, then they would give God and His Son, Christ Jesus, the credit for directing the affairs of their organizations; but this they fail to do. They put their trust in men; which leads into a snare.
Jehovah’s witnesses recognize Jehovah God and His Son, Christ Jesus, as the Higher Powers, and have full faith that Christ Jesus, now being in his temple, is directing the affairs of the Society. Jehovah’s witnesses therefore expected no change as to progress or operation, but rather believed that the work would continue on without a hitch; and the year’s report proves this point.
Religionists would do well to follow the advice of Gamaliel as recorded at Acts 5:38, 39: “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” It appears, however, that the religionists are aware that this organization is of God, which it is, and therefore they continue to persecute and put forth every effort possible to destroy the organization that has God’s blessing, thus deliberately fighting against God. They think to frighten Jehovah’s witnesses into inactivity to prevent them from entering the Kingdom. (Matt. 23:13) Jehovah’s witnesses, interested only in honoring Jehovah’s name and proclaiming the message of the Kingdom, fear nothing man may do. They know that nothing that is formed against them shall prosper, and nothing can be done that will stop the onward march of Christ’s Kingdom, which began in 1914. The New World, in which dwelleth righteousness, will continue to grow until it fills the whole earth. It is not dependent upon any man or group of men. Those who have the great privilege of looking after the interests of the Kingdom, with joy and gladness follow under the direction of Christ Jesus and none other.
The factory and general offices of the Society are located at 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York. Each one there has his work to do and does it gladly. In order to accomplish the work that was done there during the past year, it required more men than at any time heretofore, there being an average of 161 brethren working regularly throughout the year, to compare with the 154 last year. So great was the volume of work to be turned out that it required much extra time to accomplish it.
In former years it had always been arranged to close the factory and home for a period of two weeks so the brethren could get outside of the city to engage in the field service, and get some rest from their regular routine. While a similar arrangement was made, at no time was the factory closed down, because the vacation period was spread out over a period of two months. Twenty-five percent of the brethren took their vacation at a time, over a four-period duration. This proved very satisfactory; it kept the wheels of the machinery turning constantly. In addition to this, however, it was necessary to work 128 evenings, extra time 2 1/2 hours, as well as 20 Saturday afternoons, 4 hours each. With this schedule of work the report shows that the greatest number of hours ever devoted to manufacturing in the factory, and the taking care of the office work done there, was put in during the last fiscal year.
While an average of 161 persons worked in the factory and office, there was other work to be done by 52 individuals taking care of the Bethel home, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York, and Watchtower (Staten Island) gardens, and radio station. Those working at the Bethel home take care of the rooms occupied by all the brethren living there, provide the meals, can food, operate their own laundry, tailor shop, shoe repair shop, and attend to general maintenance.
At Watchtower (Staten Island), gardens are well taken care of and food grown for the use of the Bethel family only. During the year 3,337 bushels of vegetables were raised. All of this was served on the Bethel tables or canned during the year. The canning report shows that there were 34,913 quarts of food canned for winter use. At Staten Island a small chicken farm is operated along with the farm gardening work, and this department was able to provide 12,231 dozen eggs as well as 7,077 pounds of chicken for the family. In addition to this farm on Staten Island, which also houses the radio station equipment of WBBR, large quantities of food are brought into the Bethel home from Kingdom Farm, located at South Lansing, New York.
Kingdom Farm is merely the name given to the hundreds of acres of farmland that are kept under cultivation. The Society does not operate any other farms throughout the country. At Kingdom Farm, South Lansing, the Watchtower school is also conducted for the benefit of those brethren there, and the same advanced course in Theocratic ministry is taken there by these ordained ministers as at the Bethel home. Since the construction of Gilead (the name of the main building), this farm will provide the location for the Watchtower Bible College, and each year, it is hoped, several hundred students, ministers of the gospel, will be brought into that school to be given further training for their missionary work. It will take large quantities of food to feed all the persons who will be living at Gilead, as well as fill the requirements for the Bethel family of New York.
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