1951 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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1951 YEARBOOK of Jehovahs’s Witnesses containing report for the service year ok 1950 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 2, N.Y., U.S.A.
Branch offices appear on last page
Copyright, 1950, by Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society
Made in the United States of America
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
OFFICERS
N. H. KNORR President
F. W. FRANZ Vice-President
GRANT SUITER Secretary and Treasurer
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, INC.
OFFICERS
N. H. KNORR President
F. W. FRANZ Vice-President
GRANT SUITER Secretary and Treasurer
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS
N. H. KNORR President
A. PRYCE HUGHES Vice-President
E. C. CHITTY Secretary
GRANT SUITER
Ass't Secretary and Treasurer
Alaska
Angola
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Azores
Bahamas
Basutoland
Bechuanaland
Belgian Congo .............................
Belgium...................................
Bermuda .................................
Bolivia ...............................
Brazil ...................................
British Guiana..........................
British Honduras ..........................
British Isles.............................
British West Indies ........................
225 96 71
101 103 106 108 110 116
Bulgaria
Burma
Cameroun
Canada
Ceylon
Chile
China
Colombia ............................. 130
Costa Rica ................................. 132
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechoslovakia
Dahomey
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt ................................
155 220
90 158 160
164 167
Eire ......................................
El Salvador ................................
Fernando Po ..............................
Fiji ......................................
Finland ...............................
France . . .........................
French Equatorial Africa ..................
French Guiana .........................
Gambia ............................
Germany .................................
Gold Coast .............................
Greece
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Haiti
Hawaii
Honduras ................................. 178
Hungary
Iceland
India ...................................... 184
Iran
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Korea ..................
Latvia
Lebanon ...................................
Liberia ....................................
Libya ......................................
Luxembourg ...............................
Malta ......................................
Martinique ................................
Mexico ....................................
Netherlands ...............................
Netherlands West Indies...................
197 77
Newfoundland
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Nigeria
North Borneo
Northern Rhodesia
Norway
Nyasaland
Pakistan
Palestine
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippine Republic
Poland
Portugal
Portuguese East Africa
Puerto Rico
Republic of Indonesia
Romania
Saar ....................................... 162
St. Helena ................................. 252
Sierra Leone ............................... 82
92 247
Singapore and Malaya ...................
South Africa ...............................
Southern Rhodesia ........................
South-West Africa .......................
Spain ....................................
Sudan ....................................
Surinam ...................................
255 253
83 155 257
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tanganyika Territory
Thailand
Togo
Turkey
Uganda
United States of America
Uruguay
Venezuela
Virgin Islands
Yugoslavia
YEARBOOK
of Jehovah’s Witnesses
H JEHOVAH knows those who belong to him.” I (2 Tim. 2:19, NW) His creatures, then, should try to know Jehovah. The majority of men have failed in gaining knowledge of Jehovah because of their indifference toward his Word. It is through his Word, the Bible, that Jehovah has revealed himself to men; yet very few persons have taken time to read this collection of letters to us or even to listen to those who have read and are familiar with the Bible. The many letters and books contained within the Bible were written under inspiration for our learning and admonition. However, by far the greater number of the human race have chosen a god to their own liking or have set themselves above God and outside his authority. They do not see how he shows loving-kindness and protection under any and all conditions to those who belong to him. At the same time, men of the world do not fear Jehovah, the one who is able to destroy those opposing him.
When Paul wrote to Timothy the words, “Jehovah knows those who belong to him,” he had in mind a situation that existed many centuries earlier. It was an occasion that happened in the wilderness near Sinai where Moses had led the children of Israel when they left the land of Egypt. This was what happened: Ko-rah, Dathan and Abiram became arrogant and, along with two hundred and fifty of the Israelites who were leaders in the community, gathered together and protested against Moses and Aaron. They said they had had enough of Moses and Aaron and that they needed their services no longer. They claimed these two men 5 had exalted themselves above the Lord’s assembly. (Num. 16:1-3) God’s Word shows us that it was Jehovah who chose and used Moses as his mediator and special servant to express his will, not only before kings as he did before Pharaoh, but also before the children of Israel. Even though the Israelites had been brought through the Red sea and protected by the hand of Almighty God, and although he had used Moses to lead them all the way, still these Jews were against Moses. So Moses told this wicked group and the whole community of Israel, “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him and who is holy, that he may have him come near him; and whomsoever he chooses he will have come near him.” (Num. 16:5, AT) Readers of God’s Word know the results of the next day’s happenings.
The account informs us that Moses directed the children of Israel to withdraw from the neighborhood of the dwellings of these obstreperous persons. He told them, “Move away from the tents of these wicked men, and do not touch anything at all that belongs to them, lest you be swept away with all their sins.” (Num.
16: 26, AT) So those who did not want to be contaminated -with unrighteous deeds moved away from the neighborhood of the dwellings where Korah, Dathan and Abiram were. When Dathan and Abiram came out of their tents and stood in the doorways with their wives, sons and their little ones, then Moses spoke to the entire congregation. “Hereby shall you know that the Lord has sent me to do all these deeds, and that it has not been of my own choice: if these men die as all men die, and suffer the fate of all men, it is not the Lord who has sent me; but if the Lord does something new, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up, with all that belongs to them, and they descend into Sheol alive, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord.” (Num. 16:2830, AT) That is just what happened: the ground moved away from under their feet and the men disappeared, swallowed up alive in the crevice that was made. They descended into Sheol, the grave, and then the earth closed over them and they perished from among the children of Israel. Yes, it is true that “Jehovah knows those who belong to him”, and he is able to remove and take away forever the unrighteous ones and those who speak evil, separating them from “those who belong to him”.
Therefore, it is quite evident from the Lord’s Word that those who renounce unrighteousness can gain the favor of Jehovah God. That is why Paul said to Timothy, “For all that, the solid foundation of God stays standing, having this seal, ‘Jehovah knows those who belong to him,’ and, ‘Let everyone mentioning the name of Jehovah renounce unrighteousness.’ ” (2 Tim. 2:19, NW) It is necessary, then, for every creature who loves life to “do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright”. (2 Tim. 2:15, NW) This is the time to shun the empty speeches of those who have so much to say but who do not have God’s backing, much like Korah and the 250 older men of influence of the Israelites, all of whom were fighting against God’s servants. Individually, everyone must see to it that he understands the Lord’s Word, studies it well and keeps presenting himself before God in service so as to be an approved person. Doing the work that is assigned to you to do is what counts. If you do that which is proper in the Lord’s sight, he will bless you richly and you will find that you have an abundance. Service in God’s organization anywhere satisfies! One must truly be interested in the work of God and want to know him well. “Jehovah knows those who belong to him,” and we, his creatures, should certainly want to know him. To do so means life everlasting.
THEOCRACY’S INCREASE
The prophet Zechariah, an individual used by Jehovah, had a vision of a man with a measuring line. The account, according to the second chapter of Zechariah, tells us that this young man with a measuring line in his hand went out to measure Jerusalem and to see how broad and how long it was. Just as the angel who was talking to the young man was going away, another angel came forth to meet him and said, “ 'Kun, speak to that young man yonder, saying, “Jerusalem shall be inhabited like unwalled villages, because of the mass of men and beasts within her.” And I will be unto her,’ is the oracle of the Lord, ‘a wall of fire round about her, and I will be the splendor within her.’ ” (Zech. 2:4, 5, AT) This young man was certainly interested in Jerusalem or he would not have taken time to find out how broad or how long it was.
Today we find in the earth a group of Christian men and women who, like this young man, are sincerely interested in the Jerusalem which is above and which is the mother of us all. (Gal. 4: 26, NW) They are really interested in God’s organization and in its expansion. Walls are not its boundaries. No, it is an expanding city like an unwalled village. It would be hard to take accurate measurements, because of its constant growth due to incoming crowds. The class of faithful Christians prefigured by this young man was quite a small organization during the years from 1914 to 1918, for then there was only a remnant of God’s faithful people who were truly examining the prophecies and trying to ascertain their meaning in order to find out what their work would be in this great organization of Jerusalem. They wanted its measure and they wanted to know more about God’s work.
The world had gone to war. Nation had risen against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There was sickness and sorrow and pain, scattered from one end of the earth to the other, as foretold in Matthew, chapter 24. The nations and peoples of the earth were extremely selfish and interested only in getting the things they wanted. They had no time for God nor were they endeavoring to measure up to God’s principles of truth and righteousness. Even the religionists of the great Protestant and Catholic organizations, the Jewish and pagan religious orders, were involved in the affairs of the world, afterward devoting their attention to the League of Nations and the problems of this old, dying system of things. Forgotten was the statement in the Word of God: “Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” (Jas. 4:4, NW) No, the nations of the earth had no time to seek the kingdom of God as the only hope for mankind. This seeking was left to a remnant of God’s people, just a few faithful followers pictured by this young man in the vision of Zechariah. They were willing to use the measuring line in God’s organization.
This city of Jerusalem was not to be like a walled city, having limited boundaries so no one could get in or out if the gates were closed; but it would be like an unwalled village without limits. It was to be a growing city because of the mass of men and of beasts that would come to inhabit it. It would continue to spread and reach out into new fields. This is just what is now happening to God’s organization. From 1918 onward this little remnant of God’s people persistently continued to proclaim the kingdom of God as at hand. The nations were not interested in that kingdom. They were opposed to it. But, on the other hand, thousands of persons of good will from all these nations hearkened to the message of God’s anointed and they came to God’s organization, Jerusalem, this expanding city, and sought advice and instruction within it. According to the Society’s own reports, back in the year 1918 there were only 3,868 persons who were proclaiming the message of the Kingdom to the peoples of the world, inviting them to seek refuge, comfort and consolation within Jerusalem. The Lord’s spirit was upon this little band of faithful servants as they steadily preached and reached out to the ends of the earth with this good news. It was not long until many people who were listening and studying with Jehovah’s witnesses in order to learn of Jehovah took their stand on his side. The city continued to grow.
As the nations of the world went into their second world war and brought about greater regimentation and totalitarian rule among the people, still this remnant with the people of good will kept right on preaching the Word. Today we see gathered into this unwalled city even greater numbers of those who Jehovah knows belong to him. Is it not now as it was stated by Isaiah the prophet centuries ago in chapter 54, verses 2, 3, “Enlarge the site of your tent, and stretch without limit the curtains of your home; lengthen your cords, and make fast your pegs! For to right and to left shall you spread abroad, and your descendants shall take over the heritage of the nations, and shall people the desolate cities”? (AT) Jehovah’s witnesses see this expansion work going on. They live in the growing city.
With this great “mass of men” there is a multitude of cattle, and this may fitly represent the wealth of God’s organization. Christ Jesus said, ‘Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; these also I must gather so that there will be one floek, one shepherd.’ Christ Jesus is the Good Shepherd of this great organization which he gathers together in its completion just before the battle of the great day of God Almighty, which is Armageddon.
Today, in 1951, we find the remnant of God’s people working alongside the great crowd who have been marked in their foreheads by the anointed class. The prophet Ezekiel (9:1-11) gave us a picture of the man with the writer’s inkliorn who went through the city and marked in the forehead those who were sighing and crying because of the abominations that existed in their city or organization. Certainly there are thousands, and it may yet run into the millions, of people who are sighing and crying because of the terrible conditions that exist in Christendom and throughout the whole world and who are seeking consolation, truth and comfort. These will be found; there is no doubt of that, because, as Paul said, “Jehovah knows those who belong to him.”
Jehovah God’s Good Shepherd, Christ Jesus, is doing the gathering work today, and he has assigned to his people in the earth the work of preaching the good news of the incoming new world. This good news attracts the meek to God’s Word, and that draws them closer to Jehovah. Having come to this unwalled village, trusting in God and having confidence in his Word, they are not afraid of what might happen to them. They are sure of protection. Was not God able to protect the congregation of Israel from being engulfed in the landslide that covered up the unfaithful opposition? Was not God able to preserve Noah and his family through the flood? So, then, is Jehovah God not able to preserve those who have come into this unwalled village? He certainly is! For according to the vision of Zechariah, “I will be ... a wall of fire round about her, and I will be the splendor within her.” So, then, those who have come to the Lord’s organization, Jerusalem, recognize Jehovah as their God and Jerusalem as his organization and feel safe because God is their protector. They need not depend on the walls or bulwarks that nations of this world set up to protect themselves, because “Jehovah knows those who belong to him”.
The glory of this entire organization, the Jerusalem which is above, his woman, is Jehovah himself; for he said, “I will be the glory in the midst of her.” In these last days of the old world, it is Jehovah God who has built up this organization and brought about Theocracy’s increase. Its growth and splendor are not due to any man or earthly organization. It is he who through his Son is gathering together the “other sheep” by the hundreds of thousands, making a great city. Jehovah gives it his blessing and protection. These people in the great city are not idle, but they continue to spread out and preach the message of God’s kingdom unto the ends of the earth so that all shall know that Jehovah is the Supreme One of the universe and that the vindication of his name and word is near at hand.
FLIGHT FROM GREAT BABYLON
The call goes forth in the sixth verse of this prophecy of Zechariah, “Ho, ho! flee from the land of the north.” This is an oracle of the Lord or a direct command from him: “For as the four winds of the heavens have I spread you abroad . . . Ho! Zion, deliver thyself,—thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. . . . For his own honour hath he sent me unto the nations that are spoiling you,—Surely he that toucheth you toucheth the pupil of mine eye.”—Zech. 2: 6-8, Ro.
It is due to God’s mercy and loving-kindness that he has gathered together the remnant from the nation of the north, which is Babylon. lie elsewhere stated, ‘Come out of her, my people, and be not partakers of her plagues, and do not be contaminated with her sins.’ (Rev. 18: 4) He has seen to it that the remnant of his people, Zion, escape from this wicked Devil-ruled world to a place of safety in his city, along with his “other sheep” who are now coming out. The rulers of the world have tried to regiment all peoples of the nations and make them keep in line with their selfish dictates. However, God commands that they shall escape from Babylon and become a free people— if not in body, then in conscience; and they do! They come out from under its oppression and servitude and sinful way of life. No longer are they slaves to that wicked organization. They will render to Caesar the things that are his, but not what belongs to God! Their eyes are opened to a new world and a New World society. “For such freedom Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery.”-—Gal. 5:1, NW.
Those who have already been freed from the opres-sion of Babylon, even though in some cases they are still in jails, work camps or concentration camps, are not satisfied just to hold this freedom to themselves. At every opportunity they will talk to strangers, even though physically still captive in Babylon. They will help strangers to see clearly the way of life by directing them away from this old system and into a new which leads to life eternal. Paul said, at Hebrews 13:1: “Let your brotherly love continue. Do not forget kindness to strangers.”—NW.
Those who renounce unrighteousness and take their stand wholly on Jehovah’s side, he will look after as his very own because “Jehovah knows those who belong to him”. If anyone touches these that he has chosen and blessed, it is like touching the pupil of his eye. Jehovah’s organization, the free Jerusalem, is our mother and is the closest thing to the Lord. He has created it and made it for his praise. It will be just too bad for the individuals or the nations that fight against God or his witnesses. These belong to him and in due time he will execute judgment against opposers. This does not mean that Jehovah will not allow individuals or part of his organization to suffer hurt. He will; in order that the individuals involved therein may prove their integrity and faithfulness. However, he will take cognizance of the offenders, and at the same time advises us, “If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says Jehovah.’ ”—Rom. 12:18,19, NW.
Jehovah is watching what is going on throughout his entire organization. He knows how his people will be treated. “Moreover, you will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be objects of hatred by all persons because of my name. And yet not a hair of your heads will by any means perish.” (Luke 21:16-18, ATW) Even so, a greater witness than ever in vindication of Jehovah’s name will be given. We are in the last days of this old world and we must expect these things. Now is the time to gather together a great crowd for his name’s sake, and this crowd is being gathered together from the ends of the earth with haste. So a sharp call and a loud one goes out unto the ends of the earth to all the inhabiters of Babylon who are sighing and crying to flee from her and escape from her oppressive acts now and her complete destruction later. If you love the Lord, then seek his protection and come to his city, the unwalled village, for Jehovah is a wall of fire round about it. Those in it he loves, and to touch one of his faithful servants is like touching the pupil of his eye.
The time is not very far distant when Jehovah God will plunder the nations and destroy them. When Jesus was asked what the sign of the end of this world would be, he gave his apostles many things that they could watch for, and these we see in fulfillment today. It will not be a long time, therefore, until Armageddon. Those who have come to know the Lord can do as commanded: “ ‘Shout with joy, and rejoice, 0 daughter of Zion! For lo, I am coming to dwell in the midst of you,’ is the oracle of the Lord. Many nations will attach themselves to the Lord on that day; and they will become his people, and he will dwell in the midst of you; and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me unto you. And the Lord will take possession of Judah.” (Zech. 2:10-12, AT) Do you believe it? Will you tell others what you know? Will you show patience and endurance while telling them?
It is a hard thing for an individual to make up his mind as to what he wants to do: stay with this old, dying world with its wealth, pleasures and present popularity; or, as he puts it, “take a chance” on the new world. Will you who know God and who are acquainted with his Word show your faith by good works? When one studies and knows the Word of God and believes that Word, it is not a matter of taking a chance. It is a matter of being sure what the outcome will be. If you are sure, you will try to convince others who are ready to pull away from Babylon. If one flees from the old world and from the nations that are spoiling him, just what will the outcome be? Primarily it means the individual will be in line to receive everlasting life. He will have the opportunity of worshiping the Most High God, his Creator, for eternity. But in order to receive the blessings of this life he must accept the Son Christ Jesus; for the scripture says whosoever believes on Him will be able to get everlasting life. Are you, as a Christian, going to help him learn these things? It will not be easy; it will take patience and time on the part of both.
All of us must remember we are living in an old world, the world that is opposed to the establishment of God’s kingdom. It has been opposed to the Kingdom for centuries. Even when the King Christ Jesus was upon the earth and did his wonderful preaching, the nations of the world saw to it that he was put to death and destroyed by being staked. He died as a condemned sinner, as a seditionist, a man against the Roman rule of Caesar and a man hated by the very religious Jews who were seeking the Messiah. He was one who went through great persecution. It was not easy for the King Christ Jesus to live in this old world. He knew they were out to kill him, and they finally did, but that did not scare him. He had his work to do and he did it to become the greatest witness of all time in favor of the name and word of Almighty God.
The faithful followers of Christ Jesus must take a similar course. There are no two ways about it. They must be for Jehovah’s kingdom. They no longer want to be spoiled by the nations and come under their subjection; so they flee this old world of Babylon with its devilish rule and place themselves under the rulership of the King of heaven, Christ Jesus, who they know now rules in the heavens. He was placed upon his throne by Jehovah God and made ruler in 1914.
A GREAT CROWD ANNOUNCING THE KINGDOM
What a marvelous thing has happened! Today we find a great crowd of people who have listened to the message of the Kingdom and who are saying, “Praise Jah, you people, because Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king.” (Rev. 19:6, NW) Yes, the time has eome for the vindication of Jehovah’s name, and those who have fled from the Babylonish organization recognize that Jehovah has become king by placing his Son upon the throne to rule in the midst of his enemies. This is a day in which to rejoice.
In the early days of the church Jehovah God through his holy spirit or active force gave power to the apostles to perform miracles, and this attracted many people to the message and to what the apostles were saying. However, these special or miraculous gifts came to an end with the death of the apostles, and we do not see them in operation at the present time.
You will remember the account in Acts 14 where the apostles Paul and Barnabas -were preaching the good news and they had performed a miracle. After seeing the marvels done by these men, the people wanted to make them gods; for they thought that the gods of heaven had eome down to the earth and had become men. “However, when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they ripped their outer garments and leaped out into the crowd, crying out and saying: ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are human creatures having the same infirmities as you do, and are declaring the good news to you, for you to turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them.” (Acts 14:14,15, NW) Paul and Barnabas did not take credit for doing this miracle themselves. They knew it was done by the power of God, so they gave all the honor to him. They told those surrounding them that the one who backed them up in doing this miracle was the Creator of heaven and earth, and as for themselves they were just mere ordinary human creatures. Their whole purpose in preaching and performing the miracle was to turn the people toward the only true God and for nothing else. They wanted to show the people that their heathen gods in the temples where the Gentiles offered sacrifices were not living gods worthy of worship. It was the truth from God’s Word that they were contrasting with false religion. Even though sincere and honest and trying to do the people good, they were greatly persecuted and hounded by them at other places on their travels because of miracles they performed and especially because of the message they preached. Nevertheless, the truth found a sure foothold in those early days.
So it is today with the ministers of the gospel. The good news is still being preached, and while they do not have the power to perform miracles, they do have from God the power and the commission to preach this gospel unto the ends of the world. The Lord’s people have been delivered from the Babylonish organization and from the nations that spoiled them. Because they fled from these organizations they are tormented by Babylonians. Oh, yes, they are still in the world, but they are no longer a part of it. They have come to the unwalled city under Jehovah’s protection and they know that “Jehovah knows those who belong to him”. The faithful followers of Christ Jesus, regardless of oppression, will pursue righteousness and godly devotion. They will stand up against all the opposition that is brought to bear against them, because they know that even as Christ and the apostles were persecuted and were permitted to go through many trials and tribulations; so even today they must do likewise, and it is only by endurance that they will be able to gain the victory. It is the aim of Jehovah's witnesses to help the people, therefore they eannot give up.
When Paul wrote to Timothy, he pointed out that we must have faith, love and endurance and must continue in our preaching work with mildness of temper. We are not to get angry and rant and rave as the peoples of the nations of this old world do. We are not to act as their chief representatives do in the conferences of the United Nations. The loud, abusive talk at election time is typical of their lack of love for one another. Christians cannot share in that kind of speech. It is unbecoming. Rather, with a steady, faithful love and devotion they must show their endurance with a mild temper. This kind of disposition they will be able to use when talking to the people in the world, and they will be able to persuade all kinds of people to listen to the message that they have. They may not be proud or haughty, nor do they feel that they are better than anyone else. In order to contend for the victory in this contest of faith, they must preach the Word in a manner pleasing to God and in a manner that will attract the people who are seeking after truth and righteousness. Is it not the desire of God to see all kinds of men saved? and do not Jehovah’s witnesses feel that way about it, too?
Paul said, “Contend for victory in the right contest of the faith, get a firm hold on the everlasting life for which you were called and you declared the right confession publicly before many witnesses.” (1 Tim. 6:12, NW) So then, in order for a Christian to contend for the victory in the right contest of the faith, he must make a public confession and tell all kinds of people what he believes. Jehovah’s witnesses world-wide are doing just that, and the results in the past six years show the great blessing of Jehovah. Below is set out the number of Kingdom publishers or ministers who have been proclaiming the message of the Kingdom every month throughout the years men-
tioned. The last figure shows the increase in number of publishers over the previous year.
Publishers 1945, Publishers 1946, Publishers 1947, Publishers 1948, Publishers 1949, Publishers 1950,
127,478; increase 158,034; increase 181,071; increase
230,532; increase
279,421; Increase 328,572; increase
over 1944, 16,973 over 1945, 30,556 over 1946, 23,037 over 1947, 49,461 over 1948, 48,889 over 1949, 49,151
It is noted that during the last three years there has been an increase of approximately 49,000 ministers preaching the Word every year. In other words, 49,000 persons have been coming out of the old world each year, taking a definite stand for God’s kingdom and making proclamation of this stand publicly before many witnesses. In this way they are contending for the victory. While they have had many trials and difficulties, “Jehovah knows those who belong to him,” and he who touches one of these witnesses touches the pupil of his eye. Jehovah loves their faithfulness, and he gives the increase! Are you having a share in it?
MEASURING THE VISIBLE PART OF THE RESTORED CITY
The big question that comes up in the mind of many people is, Just how long will it be until the battle of Armageddon? and when will the accomplished end come? How long must I keep on working? The Lord Jesus answers the question in the 24th chapter of Matthew, wherein he says, “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come.” (Matt. 24:14, AW) Then, as long as this witness must be preached to the nations, the end will not come. It is quite evident that there are thousands upon thousands of people who have not yet been given ample opportunity to take their stand on the side of the Kingdom. What shall be done? With thousands of people of good will coming to the Lord’s organization and becoming ministers of the gospel after a period of study, and this at the rate of 49,000 a year, one would think that the Theocracy’s increase would be even greater. Could it be greater each year? Is each one consecrated to God getting a firm hold on everlasting life by declaring the right confession publicly ? It is good for every one of Jehovah’s witnesses to carefully analyze his work in line with these questions. What would your answer be in view of what follows?
Reports have come in from 115 countries, islands, provinces and different territorial divisions of the nations, and we find that there are 328,572 of Jehovah’s witnesses scattered even to the ends of the earth who have been proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom every month throughout the year. That is splendid. They devoted a lot of time to seeing to it that this message was preached. The Society keeps a record of the hours that are spent in preaching the message, and we find that 54,707,445 hours were used during the 1950 service year to preach the Word. This good work of preaching the Word of God has ascended to heaven as a sweet savor in the nostrils of the Lord, and to his servants on the earth it brings satisfaction because we know we have been able for another year to preach that Jehovah is King.
The Lord’s people are not interested in just talking to everyone and everybody, although they will; but they are primarily interested in talking to those who have an ear to hear. They go from door to door to find such and then they arrange to call back on those persons who have shown interest. Perhaps someone of the many persons spoken to has obtained a book or a magazine or a booklet, so this interest is followed up. During the year the many thousands of Jehovah’s witnesses made 18,782,972 back-calls on persons interested in God’s Word. As you read the report in the Yearbook you will note that many miles were traveled in order to reach these eighteen million people and then these ministers would spend perhaps an hour or more with them, answering their questions on the Bible and bringing the good news from God’s Word to their attention. In addition to making these back-calls it has been found advisable to study regularly with people who really want to learn. So these publishers of the good news have been making 234,952 calls on persons every week, conducting Bible studies in their homes. But is this enough? No. We must help them to get a firm hold on everlasting life and help them to declare the right kind of confession publicly. We want them to know God so well that they will be able to preach to others also, doing so because they want to, not from coercion, but rather because of love for the truth and a desire to see. Theocracy’s increase.
It is observed that in the over-all picture among these 115 nations there has been an 18 per cent increase; or, there were 49,151 more people proclaiming the message of the Kingdom this past year, 1950, than during the year of 1949. That is excellent progress and it shows that many more people have come to renounce unrighteousness, having taken to themselves the name of Jehovah, and being blessed by him in their service toward him. But what can we do in 1951 to improve that activity? If the general trend is to increase, then our individual results must also take an upswing. As we go over the report for last year, we find that sometime during the year each country had a peak in publishers. In other words, a greater number of all those associated with the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses world-wide were out in the work in one particular month than in any other month. Adding all these peaks of publishers who were witnesses for the Kingdom, we note that there was a total of 373,430 persons doing ministerial work. If these 373,430 persons engaged in the field service every month, the witness would be tremendous, and the shout that would go forth to the Lord’s praise would be as the voice of a great crowd and the sound of many waters. So it should be.
In Revelation 19:6 (NW) it is stated, “And I heard what was as a voice of a great crowd and as a sound of many waters and as a sound of heavy thunders. They said: ‘Praise Jah, you people, because Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king. Let us rejoice and be overjoyed, and let us give him the glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has arrived and his wife has prepared herself. Yes, it has been granted to her to be arrayed in bright, clean, fine linen, for the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the holy ones.’ ” It is time now for this great crowd to shout forth the praises of the Most High and declare Jehovah as king, and this sound must be so great that it will appear to be the sound of many waters and as heavy thunder. The questions might be asked by all of Jehovah’s witnesses, Is the sound that is going forth that strong? and, Shall we, by the Lord’s grace, make it that strong ?
It cannot be denied that the great multitude of men and cattle are being gathered to this unwalled city. It cannot be denied that we see Theocracy’s increase. It cannot be denied that Jehovah God is protecting his people as though we were under the shadow of his hand. It cannot be denied that this gospel of the Kingdom is being preached world-wide. But, being servants of the Lord, we ask ourselves the questions, Can we do better? Can we do more? Are we finding all of the “other sheep” and aiding them properly? Look over the chart as it is published and observe that 28 countries had a 50 per cent or more increase in publishers. Are we to say that these countries have more “sheep” in them than can be found now in other countries? Or are we to assume that those working in these countries are working more diligently as far as back-calls, Bible studies and house-to-house work are concerned? Are the efforts that they are puting forth in their homelands reaping greater results because of better efficiency, using the time to greater value ? Are they right in the homes with the people, talking to them and studying with them? or are they just standing on the street comer holding the magazines and saying nothing? Are they going from door to door enthusiastically and continually talking to those who have an ear to hear? Is our work efficient? These are questions that we can all propound to ourselves. Then again as we look over all of these countries, we find that 45 countries out of the 115 report at least a 34 per cent or more increase in their publishers in the field on the average every month as compared with last year. We wonder, How can they have such a marvelous increase? Again the same questions might be asked.
INDIVIDUAL ACTION TOWARD INCREASE
When we look at our task and the results thus far, the 18 per cent increase for all nations on the average is splendid; but if we are going to see Theocracy’s increase as we have never seen it before, what must we do during the year 1951? Individually, we cannot bring in a half a publisher or a third of a publisher, but we can, as publishers of the new world, aid another creature to understand God’s purposes, help him in going out in the work, grounding him well in the truth, and letting him see his privilege of being a minister of the Most High to join in this great shout like that of thunder and sing praises that Jehovah is King. By Jehovah’s undeserved kindness a far greater crowd will sing these praises before Armageddon, and Jehovah’s witnesses will share in gathering them. Would it not be well, then, for every one of Jehovah’s witnesses today to try to help at least one person to gain sufficient knowledge of the truth during the coming year so as to aid him to become a regular publisher? We may have to conduct many studies to gain one for the Lord; but if we are able to do this and every-
1950 SERVICE
YEAR
REPORT OF
1950 %Inc.
Peak
Av.
No.
Av.
Av.
over
Pubs.
Pio.
Public
Country
Pubs.
Pubs.
Pubs.
Meet’gs
U. S. of America
82 958
98,468
108,144
5,273
71,964
Alaska
Azores
5 New
Bahamas
Bermuda
Fr. Equ. Africa
Gambia, B.W A.
Guadeloupe
Iceland
Korea
Liberia
Martinique
6 New
Palestine
Portugal
Sierra Leone
Spain
Argentina
1,135
1,292
1,416
Australia
3,774
4,502
5,163
5,288
Fiji
North Borneo
2 New
Republic of Indonesia 13
Singapore
Austria
1,615
2,162
2,377
1,939
Belgium
1,617
2,150
2,462
1,069
Luxembourg
Bolivia
Brazil
1,775
2,858
3,873
1,734
British Guiana
British Honduras
British Isles
17,239
20,842
22,678
1,126
26,107
Eire
Malta
British W. Ind
1,057
1,520
1,701
2,053
Burma
Canada
14,305
16,013
18,709
9,691
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
1,139
1,345
Cuba
5,485
6,619
7,505
3,216
Cyprus
Czechoslovakia
1,290
2,403
2,882
Denmark
3,774
4,552
4,936
2,786
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
1 New
Libya
3 New
El Salvador
Finland
3,293
3,985
4,354
6,209
France
3,236
4,526
5,441
2,562
Saar
Germany
38,897
47,853
52,473
1,765
17,413
Gold Coast
1,412
2.120
2,856
2,211
Ivory Coast
2 New
Greece
2,299
2,676
3,441
1,139
Turkey
Guatemala
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLD-WIDE
No. of Comp’s
Total Literature
Total Hours
New Subs.
Individual Magazines
Av. Bible Back-Calls Studies
2,941
7,362,431
15,796,063
322,805
9,028,995
5,631,903
76,377
5,607
11,213
7,282
4,570
5,335
16,934
12,914
7,779
4,180
3,633
1,083
2,405
1,426
1,240
8,590
1,857
2,528
8,901
4,197
2,921
1,495
14,690
15,911
5,979
7,411
15,147
5,107
8,830
1,630
5,655
2,063
2,255
2,270
7,105
1,418
2,895
5,976
2,820
4,786
10,026
2,427
4.328
2,615
9,300
4,326
60,870
247,150
3,495
153,320
112,693
211,326
673,008
8,852
413,044
254,100
3,015
1,354
3,016
1,876
1,850
17,052
6,805
2,872
9,202
14,767
4,422
8,607
206,464
378,829
3,347
333,745
176,038
1,406
135.661
341,551
2,737
70,201
111,728
1,446
3,472
17,173
9,364
6,766
7,257
22,496
5,535
9,110
403,456
534,219
6,625
88,122
159,624
1,924
18,332
53,966
22,910
19,312
1,767
12,259
5,993
5,062
1,819,284
3,314,965
73,683
510,246
1,438,414
11,757
13,168
61,465
5,272
19,811
56,094
310,321
2,590
88,369
116,618
1,996
23,539
18,123
4,741
8,028
470,814
2,079,891
34,456
1,410,539
596,504
7,833
46,973
97,662
1,194
27,277
40,827
7,173
15,297
1,554
6,454
26,561
38,577
8,175
16,110
18,506
161,049
25,457
50,913
1,061
109,838
899,099
3,761
127,278
249,496
4,184
4,751
31,291
3,540
8,492
14,360
220,792
1,089
91,456
1,599
182,957
573,832
8,440
376,105
205,669
1,966
14,309
73,451
15,831
31,474
13,006
29,891
9,243
13,867
6,134
34,590
9,182
11,161
8,136
32,596
7,466
14,221
204,999
607,013
9,124
173,163
185,312
2,319
332,833
641,451
10,146
158,861
244,584
2,295
37,236
77,755
1,166
17,720
42,836
1,652
1,472,495
9,154,166
26,877
1,752,285
4,605,783
39,084
51,921
443,735
37,004
64,381
1,350
55,332
230,943
2,818
48,802
83,560
3,948
8,738
1,439
2,805
17,804
38,820
8,511
18,578
Country
1949 Av. Pubs.
1950 %Inc.
Peak Pubs. 1950
Av. Pio. Pubs.
No.
Public Meet’gs
Av. । Pubs.
over 1949
Haiti
Hawaii
Honduras
Hungary
1,410
1,910
2,307
India
Ceylon
Iran
Pakistan
Italy
1,005
1,211
Jamaica
1,773
2,120
2,380
1,256
Japan
1061,078
Latvia
6 New
Lebanon
123)
Syria
)
Mexico
5,547
6,669
8,052
Netherlands
4,691
5,365
5,716
2,639
Netherlands W. Ind.
Newfoundland
New Zealand
1,038
1,213
Nicaragua
Nigeria
6,711
7,549
8,370
9,356
Cameroun
Dahomey
Fernando Po
3 New
French Togoland
1 New
Northern Rhodesia
12,857
13,560
15,837
Belgian Congo
Kenya
2 New
Tanganyika
Uganda
2 New
Norway
1,226
1,465
1,647
Nyasaland
6,833
8,310
10,336
16,065
Portuguese E. Afr.
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippine Republic
5,763
8,648
10,055
2,850
Poland
12,162
14,900
!£i
18,116
9,070
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands
Romania
2,612
2,832
4,361
South Africa
5,506
7.074
7,658
5,223
Angola
9 New
Basutoland
Bechuanaland
St. Helena
South-West Africa
7 New
Swaziland
Southern Rhodesia
4,786
5,773
7,060
5,193
Surinam
French Guiana
Sweden
3,702
4,244
4,460
3,894
Switzerland
1,933
2,247
2,394
1,959
Thailand
Uruguay
Venezuela
Yugoslavia
Miscellaneous
8,004
Grand Totals:
279,421
328,572
373,430
14,093
223,941
No. of Comp's
Total Literature
Total Hours
New Subs.
Individual
Magazines I
Av. Bible Jack-Calls Studies
10,451
26,174
4,844
10,283
37,460
64,452
2,192
26,033
29,030
6,923
31,805
5,224
12,838
19,797
307,643
115,504
1,990
31,117
87,446
1,283
25,353
26,618
6,141
12,705
7,965
5,194
8,104
10,005
4,245
3,876
90,283
157,107
1,116
12,581
60,309
36,251
364,206
1,357
61,825
114,235
2,264
36,345
50,148
2,626
16,889
13,484
35,768
4,238
8,323
5,276
220,660
983,218
7,727
164,664
231,538
4,541
78,822
822,195
3,285
141,766
237,956
2,532
16,614
18,465
18,273
9,066
11,704
33,992
16,910
10,910
79,019
159,630
3,834
119,738
57,774
6,461
27,245
6,548
9,875
84,320
1,441,451
1,983
103,378
211,747
2,685
2,492
35,887
1,744
6,355
50,488
6,745
1,053
77,808
2,627,315
1,021
8,590
389,721
6,315
3,236
21,730
5,248
158,172
181,610
3,816
129,127
70,613
47,195
1,984,843
8,030
429,347
6,841
53,702
13,634
24,769
97,678
1,114
35,618
46,155
5,036
20,822
5,829
6,696
26,300
53,811
8,307
22,715
264,928
1,155,139
5,267
39,659
184,375
2,582
106,682
1,523,124
14,622
139,053
350,049
6,874
39,639
79,713
1,851
31,192
35,215
5,839
11,244
4,316
5,319
237,274
121,476
6,855
350,604
1,848,838
13,821
281,268
453,341
6,182
1,681
9,263
2,114
12,589
2,045
4,896
3,756
1,527
1,724
21,094
4,689
97,437
1,499.070
1,443
44,470
276,113
6,227
2,821
16,360
4,240
7,679
197,624
603,128
12,786
527,762
237,884
2,167
140,600
305,485
4,281
335,061
136,455
1,675
31,007
21,564
3,908
6,803
21,300
89,872
19,394
38,842
35,560
64,730
15,129
24,770
3,940
15,611
2,761
13,238 15,954,418 54,707,445 622,094 17,376,611 18,782,972 234,952
one made it his goal, regardless of in what land, territory, city, village or countryside he lives, the number of publishers would be doubled by the end of the service year.
Every company will continue to strive for the quota of a 10 per cent increase as it has in previous years, but it should not stop at that. Why not, in addition, have every company, by the Lord’s grace, strive for at least a 34 per cent increase on its peak number of publishers? In other words, let every company take the peak of publishers that it had during last year and add 34 per cent to that and make that your quota for your peak to be reached during your 1951 service year. If every organization, company, country or branch, can accomplish this, it will mean that by the end of 1951 we will have over a half million ministers interested in preaching this good news of the Kingdom. That will mean 500,396 persons, to be exact; surely a great crowd whose voice will sound like many waters and like heavy thunder, proclaiming that “Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king”.
Can we expect such things to happen as we draw nearer to the battle of Armageddon? There is no reason why we should not, if all the good-will people are to be gathered into God’s organization. Take last year’s Memorial figures for example. There were 511,203 persons who assembled to celebrate the Lord’s death. Why not aid one and all to proclaim him as King? When the prophet Zechariah said, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Tn those days, ten men, from nations of every language, shall lay hold of him who is a Jew, saying “Let us go with you; for we have heard that God is with you!” ’ ” what did he mean? (Zech. 8 : 23, AT) He meant a greater crowd would manifest themselves. Ten men would take hold of the skirt of a spiritual Israelite or Jew, a witness for Jehovah, one who is diligent in service and wholly devoted to the Lord, because they will hear “that God is with you”. Will we not then let them hear that God is with us and show them the evidence of it ? It is very essential for us to make proclamation of the Kingdom so that all who will may share in our blessing and rejoice in Theocracy’s increase.
The company organizations world-wide will be supported by the 14,093 pioneers serving full time in all parts of the world. In this group are found 779 missionaries situated in 79 countries outside the United States of America. With their aid the 34 per cent increase over last year’s peak will be made easier, especially since we have 511,203 persons coming to our Memorial service. The Society is sending out more graduates from its school of Gilead and will continue to do so as long as the Lord provides the funds to support them in their mission fields. They have been trained as are all of God’s servants to help in this great gathering work now going on.
To accomplish the increase the message of the Kingdom must be taken directly to the people, in the form either of the Bible or of the other publications as we print them. Good work has been done along these lines, for in the year 1950 there were 15,954,418 bound books and booklets distributed along with 17,376,611 magazines (Watchtower and Awake!), in addition to the 622,094 year’s subscriptions that were taken. This is feeding the people well with literature, but the question is, Has the proper follow-through been made to bring about Theocracy’s increase? We cannot stop with placing literature, but we must continually and regularly call on the people and study with them. Millions of tracts and handbills were distributed throughout the world. In fact, the Society in all of its printing plants shows a combined total of Bibles, books and booklets printed in the number of 12,650,267. As to the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, this total for the year reached to 46,084,937. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is in position to print more if the demand comes from the field, and nothing would make the members of the branch offices happier than for that to happen. In addition to all this printing there were 242,215,027 other pieces of literature run off the presses, such as handbills, placards used for advertising public meetings, as well as the Informant, letters, letterheads, etc. The literature is available, and as far as the people of the world are concerned the majority of them can be reached with the good news. The responsibility to bring it to them rests with the Lord’s people as they preach the Word, and, by Jehovah’s grace, that they will do.
HOLDING ON FAITHFULLY
Jehovah’s witnesses know that long ago the Supreme One of the universe spoke to the faithful men of old, and that he spoke to them by means of the prophets. But now, at the end of this old system of things, he speaks to us by means of his Son, who is his appointed heir of all things. (Heb. 1:1,2) We have a record of what he said and we can study it. Not only that, the greatest event in history has occurred, namely, Christ Jesus has been placed upon his throne and is ruling as Jehovah’s king! He is God’s reflected glory and the exact representation of his being. He is much better than the angels because he has inherited a name more excellent than any of these. If what the angels said happened, more surely will the sayings of the Son of God take place. Certainly we must listen to his commands and do them.
It is because of the instruction of the Son of God that Jehovah’s witnesses go out and proclaim the message of the Kingdom. Paul said to us, as God’s spokesman, at Hebrews 2:1 (NW): “That is why it is necessary for us to pay more than the usual attention to the things heard by us, that we may never drift away.” We must keep in mind that the one speaking and giving directions is the only-begotten Son of God. We are to walk in his steps and follow his example, preaching the Word. This is not the time to become lax and indifferent and to think that the battle of Armageddon is far away. “The time left is reduced.” (1 Cor. 7:29, AW) He revealed to the apostles the sign of the end of this world and of his second presence, and we have proof that he is invisibly here. One of the marks of his presence is the great preaching work. Therefore, it is necessary for Jehovah’s servants on the earth to be more diligent than ever concerning Theocracy’s increase. “Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright.”—2 Tim. 2:15, NW.
Jesus said, ‘Seek you first the kingdom of heaven, and all these things will be added unto you’; so then, we must have this one principal idea of seeking first the Kingdom, and then follow it through to the finish. That is why Paul said to Timothy, “For this very cause I remind you to stir up like a fire the gift of God which is in you through the laying of my hands upon you. For God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but that of power and of love and of soundness of mind. Therefore do not become ashamed of the witness about our Lord, neither of me a prisoner for his sake, but take your part in suffering evil for the good news according to the power of God.” (2 Tim. 1: 6-8, NW) We must expect persecution; we may expect imprisonment, even as Paul, who spent time in prison. We may expect to find many faithful even though behind totalitarian iron curtains, forced out of communication with the rest of God’s people. We may expect to find some when we are in concentration camps or scourged by mob violence. This one thing we know for sure: we cannot expect favor from this wicked world, for this old world is not for God’s kingdom. Jesus said, “My kingdom is no part of this world.” (John 18: 36, NW) And we know this, too. We have been warned concerning these conditions, and despite them all we will interest ourselves only in the assembly of the “other sheep”, for this is in vindication of Jehovah’s name.
If we are to gather persons of good will into the unwalled city now because it is Jehovah’s time, and that at a rate of 34 per cent increase over the previous year’s peak, Jehovah’s witnesses want to be prepared to take care of them. By the kindness of God his servants have been faithful in the work entrusted to them, and we remember Jesus’ words at Luke 16:10 (NW) : “The person faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and the person unrighteous in what is least is unrighteous also in much.” Those who have taken up the faithful service of the Most High must be faithful in all their work, large or small. The little details relative to house-to-house witnessing are just as essential to faithfulness as the looking after a large company. We have greater work ahead of us, the gathering of a big crowd of the “other sheep”; for they are coming in now in greater numbers than ever before and we must be in position to receive them. Should we cringe back and say it is too much for us when ten people take hold of our garments and demand our time to tell them the truth because they have heard about our God and that he is with us? No! We will be glad they have joined in the song, “Praise Jah, you people, because Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king.”—Rev. 19:6, NW.
When these thousands, yes, maybe millions, someday come into Jehovah’s unwalled city before Armageddon, he will protect them no matter where they may be on the face of the earth. When the opposers of Jehovah’s kingdom harm one of these his little ones it is like touching the pupil of his eye, for “Jehovah knows those who belong to him”. With this assurance Jehovah’s witnesses press on in the grand work of preaching the good news of Jehovah’s kingdom, all to his honor and in true worship of our Sovereign Lord.
SOCIETY MOVES INTO NEW HEADQUARTERS
It is a truthful statement that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. But words are so inadequate and so short-lived that it certainly requires something more than words for one to express his full appreciation to Jehovah God for the blessings and gifts He has bestowed upon the Bethel family in Brooklyn, New York. It was in the service year of 1950 that the new Bethel home and new printing plant were opened and members of the Bethel family moved into these new quarters to push ahead with Theocracy's increase.
While words of gratitude were said, the only way that we of the Bethel family feel we can make real expression of our appreciation for these two fine structures is by sticking to our work, and that is just what the Bethel family is doing. It is our joy to serve our brethren continually, throughout all the world; and by thus continuing in service to the honor and praise of the Most High God the members of the Bethel family are able to express their gratefulness to their God in heaven for all the wonderful gifts they have received.
It was on Monday, January 30, 1950, that the dedication exercises of the new Bethel home took place, and this new building was devoted to the service of the Most High God. What was said that night by the various speakers was heart-cheering and warming. It marked the start of a new way of life in the Bethel home for many, because it brought the Bethel family together again as one group. Many of the members were living in other quarters, but from this time forward they began moving over into the new structure to enjoy the new living rooms that had been built for their comfort.
Just two months later another outstanding event occurred in our process of moving and arranging things so the home would operate smoothly. It was at that time that we occupied our new Bethel dining room. It certainly was a pleasant occasion for all the members of the family to be able to sit down at the tables in the dining room and discuss the Scriptures and talk to one another about the good things the Lord had done for us. On April 3, 1950, we used these facilities for the first time.
This day was marked also by the opening of our new factory, another crowning moment in the 1950 service year. It was only a matter of a few months until this fine, new building was equipped with some new machinery, the departments were better organized, and greater production was effected. For the Bethel family, it was the start of grander and better things. We had moved in and were using these buildings.
By this time the offices of the president were occupied; the offices of the secretary-treasurer were being used; the legal department had moved from 117 Adams Street to 124 Columbia Heights; and radio station WBBR had been transferred from Staten Island to fine new studios in the Columbia Heights building. The editorial offices were also established on the 8th floor of the new Bethel building where they adjoined the lovely library. The library’s being nearby makes reference work convenient for the writing staff, as well as being valuable to the brethren of the Bethel family in preparing their discourses and doing their regular study.
Both the factory and the home were in process of being painted inside and out, and as the rooms were completed the brethren occupied their new quarters. So, by the close of the year everything was in finished shape and being used. Many new pieces of machinery were installed in the factory; while in the home, additional equipment was purchased for the Bethel laundry, hospital, kitchen, tailor and shoe-repair shops. For all of these things we are grateful, and, as stated, it is out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. We do speak words of gratefulness, but we pray that henceforth our works and good deeds to the honor and glory of Jehovah God will be even louder and farther-reaching than our words of appreciation. It is here at the Bethel home at 124 Columbia Heights that brothers and sisters, all consecrated to God’s service, devote themselves without hindrance to the great work of proclaiming the message of the Kingdom. The brethren who are occupants of this home are glad to be the servants of their coworkers world-wide.
More so than ever the members of the family in Brooklyn feel closely tied in with all of the branch organizations, for it was during this year that the branch servants and representatives from 67 different nations were able to live, talk and work with members of the Bethel family. We feel close to the Lord’s people everywhere, and we know of their great love for this place. Their love is not for a structure, a building or a monument. It is their love for the work which is being done at this place and their love for the brethren who are doing it that has created such wonderful unity and co-operation among the peoples of every nation, kindred and tongue. We are as a new nation without separating boundaries. The New World society knows no divisive force or hindrance.
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