Golden Age, March 26, 1924
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Contents of the Golden Age
Political—Domestic and Foreign
P Brief Summary or World News
| , Prohibition
U Great Britain
I France-
.... Germany, Austria. Hungary, Spain
The League of Nations
..... Russia, Zionism, Syria, Australia
Java
IPXNN ASO THE INDIANS
Homz and Health The Fires or Emotion
. - Natural Activity Disturbed
. .. Alun a Complex Mechanism............ . . 4<»5
Pouring Water upon the Fire
World Fire—Extinguished
■ TjU-TEL and Miscellant . The Trailing Ahoutvs (Poi-m >
T1:i:ii:ct Music
I ’ Watching the Smokers
Religion and Phit.o^oitit
■ BlUMDl ASTtNG the Tcutii.................3ST
Radio nr.d Divine Pruphv. y
Cornhiiion in Hit-'ii l‘hi<<-s
■ World’s Distre-'S
■ Dedication of Stutb.ii WBUR
Letters ot’ Appreciation
Wnu-H Is the True Church?
Cntechisni on Head of the t’hiirch
St. Peter Gives Instruction................•::i*i
True Church Nbt Iluuiun Institution............
Reply to Ingersoll (Part JI)
Pulpit Infidelity of Today
Tse Kino in Thorns ( Poem)
Studies in “The Hamp or God"
Published every other VVe<lneoday et IS Concord Street, Brooklyn, N. T.. U. S. A, by WOODWORT.t, HUDiilNCS A MARTIN
Cet-x terri and Preprirtort Id^Kic II Coneord Strict, Hraaktpn. .V. r„ f. S. A CLAYTON J. WOODWOItTlt . . . Il'lltor ROBERT J. MARTIN . Buslt.oai Maniuter • C. E. STI.’WAHT .... A"Sinnt Editor . W.M. L'. HUDGINGS . . Scc'y aod Trrna. Five CKsre a Corr—St.00 a Imao Maki IUMittascm to TUB GOhTiXX AGt Torsion Oritcti: Bntnh.....34 Craves Terrace. Lnucnsier Gate. London W. 2
Cun'i.'i'in........."s-40 Irwin Avenue. Toronto. On'ario
Avtlrc.o. tan.......SOS Coillne Street. Meltwnrsr, Auvtrnlla
South African......tt Latle Street, Cape Town. South Africa
Catered aa Bacvad-claae oiaiter at Brooklyn, N. I, aadar the Act ot March A 1*78
Golden Age i
Volnnra V
Brooklyn, N.Y., Wednesday, March 26, 1924
Nub* US
Broadcasting the Truth
"D A D10 Station WB BE, “Watchtower,” AV broadcast its initial program on Sunday evening, February 24. The program was as follows^
Plano Solo* Pmf I* W. Jackson
(a) Minuet In G (Paderewski)
(b) “Soaring'' (Schumann)
Duet____.______Mr. F. \V. Franz and Mrs. Cora 0. Wellman.
“Hold Thou ily Hund" (Briggs)
Solos------------------------Mrs. Cora C. Wellman
(a) “The Ninety and Nine" (Edward Campion)
(b) “The Lord is My Shepherd" (Helen Hopekirk)
(c) “Just as I Am" (E. Cutter, Jr.)
Solo______Prof. John T. Read
"How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings" (Liddle)
Soto__Miss Dorothy Cooke
“Hear Ie, Israel” (Mendelssohn)
Solo_____________Mr. F. W. Frans
“The Penitent" (Van de Water)
Congregational Song “Blessed Bible"
Lecture________ Judge J. F. Rutherford
“Radio and Divine Prophecy”
L B. S. A. Hawaiian Trio______Messrs. M. A. Howlett,
Eric Howlett and R. F. Knight
(a; “KIUma”
(b) Selection
Solo________________________________Miss Dorothy Cooke
“Oh, Dry Those Tears” (Teresa Del Rigo)
Solos________________________________Prof. John T. Read
(a) “Jehovah Guide Us” (Mozart)
(b) “Jesus Lover of My Soul” (Tours)
Solo Mrs. Cora C. Wellman
“How Beautiful Upon the Mountains" (Harker)
Congregational Song
“All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name”
Every one on the program is a real artist. The entire program was an unusual one of high-class entertainment and instruction.
This radio station is located on Staten Island, at 1111 Woodrow Road.
The Bible Students Association have built a beautiful residence in connection with the station in which the studio is located. The place is known as “Watchtower,” that being the English for the Hebrew word Mizpeli, which really means a place from which the truth is sent forth.
This station will be devoted to educational purposes, particularly along the line of Biblical instruction, and broadcasting high-class sacred music. The Golden Age will carry in each issue an outline of the programs broadcast from this station and at a least a portion of the lectures given by Judge Rutherford and other members of the Association.
The opening address of Judge Rutherford, at the time above mentioned, we publish in full aa follows:
Radio and Divine Prophecy
Broadcasting the voice by means of radio is one of the marvels of the age. It is a fulfilment of divine prophecy.
It is exceedingly interesting to recall that lose than sixty years ago man began to sand wire* less messages. About that time Mr. Mahlon Lewis made some experiments in the mountain section of Virginia by sending up kites twenty miles apart and transmitting messages between them. He applied to Congress for financial aid with which to develop his invention. Congress treated the matter as a great joke. In 1886 Mr. -Lewis died, unrewarded for his efforts and practically unknown.
Less than thirty years ago Mr. Marconi, on bis father's farm in Italy, sent his first wireless signal a distance of one hundred yards. Five years later his signals crossed the Atlantic.
It is less than ten years now since the Bell Telephone system transmitted the human voice by wireless from Arlington, Virginia, to Paris and to Honolulu.
The first broadcasting of any consequence was done by the Westinghouse Company of Newark, N. J., in the Fall of 1920. Less than four years later, in the United States alone, it is estimated that there ore from three million to five million homes equipped with apparatus to
M8
receive messages by radio. Today it is not at all unusual for one man to speak to an audience of one million persons and be heard by them alL
In these wonderful achievements man has received much praise and glory. While this is proper, in a sense, it is eminently morfe proper that we give honor and credit to the Great First Cause, who made radio possible.
He who made the sun as man’s great central power station, which produces the power to make the wheels of commerce go round, and which causes light by day and transmits life to the vegetable and animal kingdom; He who hung the moon and the stars in the heavens to reflect the light at night, who made the mountains and the valleys, the broad fields and the rivers that drain them, foreknew and foretold the wonderful radio which we are now enjoying.
The great Creator knew when He created the universe that man would some day use the radio broadcasting apparatus. This He knew long before He created man. When He surrounded the earth with ether, which carries the waves induced by the sound of the human voice, He knew that it would be employed to transmit messages around the earth. Ta Him is all honor and glory due.
In 1886 Edward Bellamy wrote a book in which the suggestion was made that within 125 years' thereafter man could sit at home and hear a sermon preached or enjoy a musical concert produced at some distant place. He based his calculation then upon his knowledge of the telephone by wire. His was hardly a prophecy, but a deduction based upon tangible things.
Jehovah, through His prophet Job, more than 3,000 years before that time, foretold the transmission of messages without wires. In that prophecy he said:
“Const thou send the lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are!”— Job 38:35.
How could Job know so long in advance that the radio was a future possibility 1 Was it because of his superior wisdom! Indeed, not so. In fact he did not understand what he wrote. From the beginning Jehovah provided that the radio should be an integral part of His plan. He caused His prophet to write of it in dark sayings, and in His own due time He causes man to bring it to light for His own good purpose.
BaooBn. W. I '
Prophecy
"D ROPHECY means the foretelling of events long prior to the happening of those events.
Such power is beyond the human mind. Only the infinite, the divine mind, could know and does know what the future holds. Therefore, divine prophecy means Jehovah foretelling future events.
But why should Jehovah, 3,000 years ago, foretell the radio! And why should man know of its use and power only in recent years!
The answer is this: Jehovah foretold it for the instruction of man at the proper and important time. He permitted it to be brought to light in His due time to be used.
While prophecies of the Bible were written by men, they were written only as God used men as His instruments to write. The prophets understood not what they wrote. God di^aot permit them to understand. He did tell them, however, that when the due time comW'for these prophecies to be revealed those whe are wise will mark the fulfilment and understand the meaning thereof. The wise, within- die . meaning of that term, are those who honor the Lord by seeking to know and to do His holy will The wise are they who seek to apply their knowledge and information according to the divine standard.
Through a number of His prophets Jehovah foretold the prominent events that would occur during the time of the end. It will be found that almost all of the prophecies apply to the time of the end. By this term is not meant the end of time; for time goes on eternally. The time of the end means that period of time during which there is a change of conditions relating to society. The history of the world is divided into ages, or dispensations: The first, from Eden to the Flood; the second, from the * Flood to the coming of the Messianic kingdom. The prophecies relate to the closing days of the latter period. This time of the end is not sudden ; it embraces a period of more than one hun- * dred years. The facts show that the time of * the end began in 1799 and has progressed from that date. From then till now the most momentous events of man’s history have taken place. There has been a tremendous increase of knowledge, not due to the wisdom of man, but to the fact that it is God’s due time for man to know.
< Other Prophecies
THROUGH the prophet Daniel Jehovah said: “In the time of the end many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased.”
Today people travel by rail at a rate of " upwards of sixty miles per hour. This rapid transit is further evidence of the fulfilment of divine prophecy as marking the timebf the end.
The first locomotive engine was invented in 1831, less than one hundred years ago. Man* marvelled when the first locomotive pulled a train of cars. Many think that the railway means of transit is the result of man’s inventive genius; but not so. God permitted man, in His own duo time, to bring it to light Through His prophet Nahum Jehovah gave a description of a rapidly moving vehicle, which is readily rec> ognized now, as a railway train, Nahum had a vision and described it, not knowing its meaning; and 2,500 years later God permitted another man to put that vision into operation. Nahum wrote:
“The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet; the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings. He shall recount his worthies; they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared. The gates of ths rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved."—Nahum 2:3-6.
A quarter of a century ago it was thought impossible for mah to fiy through the air. Now great fleets of ships ply the air, carrying their living burdens. While this is regarded by man as a modem invention and the result of his own mental acumen, the 'Scriptures show that God foretold the airships many centuries ago. When Isaiah was given by the Lord a vision of the airplane he said:
“Who are these that fly as a cloud and as the doves to their windows !’* [Isaiah 60:8]
For His own good purpose God foretold the airship, and in His own due time permitted man to put together the machine by which he can fly.
Corruption in High Placet ~
CORRUPTION amongst the ruling factors of | the world is now made clearly manifest to : the people. This is also a fulfilment of divine : prophecy.
Mr. Frank A. Vander lip, a noted financier, a few days ago publicly said: ,
“Corruption has attacked the government at its heart. It has been attacked by something, far more dangerous than a military invasion by a foreign foe. The vhole* ■ale dishonesty is a matter of official record.”
But why should the Teapot Dome oil scandal and like fraudulent acts be brought so prominently to light at this timet The answer is: It is the Lord’s due time [as He said] when that which is covered up shall be revealed. [Matthew 10:26]
In recent years there has been a great falling away from the faith of the Lord and the apostles. In more recent times a great controversy has arisen in ecclesiastical realms in which Modernists war against Fundamentalists, denying the Lord and the great redemptive sacrifice.
The following prophecies are particularly applicable to such at this time, which prophecies were written by the Lord’s faithful ones nearly 2,000 years ago:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, de-spisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highmindad, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, bui denying ths power thereof.” [2 Timothy 3:1-5]
The same great prophetic writer said of this time that there would be great wickedness in high places. It is even so. t
World’s Distress
LL sober-minded men know that the world is in a sad condition. Fear has taken hold of men in every walk of life. Both the ruled and the rulers are in distress and in perplexity. The great statesmen of the world agree that they know of no adequate remedy to meet the distressed conditions. The thinking man reverently asks: If the great Jehovah God, through His holy prophets, has foretold inventions fol
the use of man, is it not reasonable that the same God may have foretold, through His prophets, something concerning the present deplorable condition of man and also what the future holds f
Such is exactly the case. The purpose of revealed prophecy during this time of the end is to inform the wise and thinking people that God has a complete remedy for the ills of humankind and that this remedy is set forth in His Word. Hence the vital importance of understanding divine prophecy at this time. But how shall the people understand unless they
are taught!
Dedication
THIS radio station is dedicated to the interests of the kingdom of the Messiah. It is .. ior the welfare of the common people. It was the love of God that provided the plan for man’s redemption and blessing. Love must be the motive prompting the teaching of man con-' cerning the divine plan.
Since the Lord has permitted the radio to come to light at this time, it surely is Uis good pleasure that it should he used to tench the people concerning the fulfilment of His great prophecies, and that ’this teaching- should be without money and without price. This radio station was builded with money consecrated to the Lord. Its purpose is not controversial, but to enable the people to understand in the light of the Bible, regardless of creed or denomination, the meaning of the times in which we are living.
Jehovah has a well-defined plan which lie is causing to be worked out in His own sovereign way for the benefit of man.
Knowing from the beginning that a time would come when man would desire some definite information Jehovah caused His prophets to write, foretelling the happening of events; and these events stand as silent and potent witnesses, testifying as to where we are. The railway train, telegraph, airship, radio, and other like inventions, with the great increase of knowledge, are testifying today in powerful terms to those who think, that we are in the great dispensational change, passing from the bld into a new and different order. We have leached the end of the world. By that I mean the end of a dispensation wherein selfishness kas predominated. We have come to a time in ' khich selfishness has gone to seed.
Understanding and obeying the truth is now. absolutely essential to the welfare of mankind.
The Truth
fpH-E greatest teacher that has lived on earth was Jesus of Nazareth. He spoke as no other man ever spoke. It was He who said: “Thy word [as stated in the Bible] is truth.*
That which Jesus held before His hearers as paramount to man’s welfare teas and is the kingdom of God. Nearly all His parables re- , lated to the kingdom. His discourses related to the kingdom, and time and again He emphasized its importance. He told His disciples that when they prayed they should ask God for ths coming of His kingdom, that God’s.will might be done on earth as in heaven. J
Jesus informed His disciples that during tha time of the end heretofore mentioned the old order would pass away, to be succeeded by the new and better order of human society? that the passing away of the old order would meaa the end of the world, and that the kingdom o£ God for the blessing of man would shortly follow.
All honest men are interested in that which will better the race in general. Naturally Jesus’ disciples were keenly interested in the coming , of the change of dispensation that meant the fulfilment of the promises which God had made to their forefathers. Hence they propounded to our Lord this question:
“Tell us, when shall these things be! and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?” [Matthew 24:3]
The answer that Jesus gave to this question could not be fully understood and appreciated by them at that time. The facts show that His answer was intended especially for the benefit of the peoples living on earth at the time of the fulfilment of His prophetic utterances; and that those who are wise according to the divine standard would be watching for the fulfilment of these prophecies. The understanding of their fulfilment will enable man also to approximate closely what the immediate future holds.
The physical facts show that the prophecy contained in the Lord’s answer to this all-im-portant question began to have its fulfilment in 1914, and is still in course of fulfilment. progressing toward a climax. The answer of Jesus to the disciples was:
"Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” [Matthew 24:7,8]
By this we understand that these things just mentioned would mark the beginning of the sorrows upon the peoples of earth, evidencing the fact of the end of the old order; and that from that time forward the old order of things would continue to disintegrate until it reached a climax, to be followed quickly by great blessings to the people.
The World War came in 1914, involving the principal nations of earth. Such slaughter of men was never before known. It weakened the nations involved, and they are still weak and even growing weaker. When the war ended and the representatives of the nations assembled in Paris, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Lloyd George, and other distinguished men stated in plain terms:
"The old world is ended. A new order has begun. We must proceed in a new way.”
But there was still more disappointment in store for the people, for the reason that men of the world were looking at the problems entirely from the human standpoint. The war furnished • an opportunity for profiteering, and after the war those who had tasted of profiteering continued the practice. No human power has been adequate to cope with the conditions of the world today.
The Lord foretold that He plainly stated that following the war there would be such a / condition on earth that would bring distress
• and perplexity and cause men’s hearts to fail
them for fear; and such is exactly the condition that has prevailed and now prevails throughout Europe and other parts of the earth. [Luke 21:26]
The present condition of world distress is not tile final end. Immediately ahead there are many things about which the people should be informed.
Jesus declared that when these things just mentioned have taken place then this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world for a witness to all nations and that then the end shall come. [Matthew 24:14] Gospel means good news. If it is good news, it must mean that there is something good to follow; and that being true, it becomes the duty of every Christian throughout the earth topro.'J claim this good news to his fellow creature.-;
Four thousand years ago God made a prom-f ise, which promise He bound with His oath,-? that through His kingdom all the families of the earth should have a blessing. [Genesis 12:3] ;• For this reason His kingdom is of greatest im-^ portance to men. It is the desire of every sane i person to enjoy life, liberty, and happiness. It -js manifest that these blessings are not enjoyed '■ now. Every one recognizes that the present is an unsatisfactory condition of human society. ' Selfishness, greed, and dishonesty prevail The people are groaning under burdens, and they ' know not how to relieve themselves. The Lord has the remedy and of this the people should -know. That remedy is God’s kingdom.
The purpose, therefore, of this radio station ■ is to proclaim the message of the kingdom. By lectures given from this place week by week, ■ explanation, in the light of divine prophecy, will be given of the events daily reported in the press. While the calamities increase and the burdens of men are made more grievous to be borne, the purpose of this radio will be, and is, to point man to a brighter and better day : just ahead.
If it is important to amuse and entertain the people, it is of far greater importance to enlighten them concerning the present distressing conditions and to point them to the divine provision for man’s relief from these conditions and to the blessings that shall follow.
If we find that divine prophecies today are being fulfilled, and that these evidence a great dispensations! change, and that this change will better man’s condition, with gladness, then, should we hail the good news.
Too little heed has been given to the study of the Bible. We need to recognize that it is God's Word given to man for his instruction in righteousness, that he might know the way that leads to peace and endless happiness. •
The Lord declared that the time would come when His message should bo poured out upon the air. This prophecy must have a fulfilment The radio seems to have met this requirement Now the time is due, beyond question, that the gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed to the people, that it should be said to them: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This kingdom, when fully established and in operation, will bring the desire of all the nations.
The Metropolitan press is too much absorbed with worldly, selfish matters to be interested in the kingdom of Messiah, hence will not carry in their columns that message. The Golden Age magazine and some of the country papers have promised to carry that message.
Beginning today it is the purpose of this station to broadcast each Sunday and Thursday evenings lectures for the instruction of the people in the Bible. It will be my privilege and pleasure to give these lectures for the next few weeks, which will embrace the following subjects:
(1) The creation of man.
(2) Why men have suffered and died.
(3) The great promise to bless mankind.
(4) Redemption and deliverance provided.
(5) The preparation for a desirable government.
(6) The passing away of the old and selfish order.
(7) The establishment of a new and desirable condition of society.
' (8) Who will constitute the righteous rulers.
(9) The blessings of life, liberty, and happiness granted to man.
(10) Edenic paradise established in the earth.
My hope is to revive in the minds of the people a keener interest in the Scriptures and to plant within their hearts courage to withstand the storms now beating against them, enabling them to wait patiently on the Lord for the establishment of conditions that will fulfil the desire of every honest heart
On each Friday evening will be given over this radio instruction on the International Sunday School lesson; each Saturday evening will be devoted to answering questions on the Bible. All are invited to write out their questions and send them in.
All who love the Lord and who have hope for better conditions for mankind under the Lord’s righteous reign I greet in His name. To His saints I send this greeting of love and best wishes. The blessings of the Lord be with you one and alL Goodnight!
The station has received many complimentary responses from people in various parts of the country, a few of which we publish:
"Bayonne, N. J., Feb. 25, 1924.
“Your programs are sensible; the first of its kind I have heard.”—Samuel 17. Osias,
"State of Nev York, State Engineer and Surveyor, Albany, N. Y., Feb. 25. 1924.
"Just before retiring last evening I happened to tuna . in on your station, and heard clearly and well the last two vocal numbers. I understood your announcer to say that it was the.initial broadcast from your station, which made it more interesting and occasions this letter."—<7. B. D.
"Newark, N. J., Feb. 25, 1924.
"Congratulations on the wonderful broadcasting of 'glad tidings of great joy to all.’
W B B B
What Bountiful Blessings Revealed
"Judge Rutherford’s voice was very distinct; and all' as clear as a bell, and as loud as any station in the air. Indeed, it is the voice of the Lord, to whom be all the honor and glory.
W B B R
With Bountiful Blessings Rejoice
"And indeed I did, feasting on the wonderful present truth via the radio at home. Rejoice!
W B B R
Wailed Bitterly Because Reproved
—surely must have been the effect upon ecclesiasticism and the press, coming co unexpectedly "as a thief in the night”—W. H. 8.
"Auburn, Maine, Feb. 25, 1924.
"It is with much pleasure we can write you that we had the privilege of hearing your lecture Sunday evening. We look forward to the succeeding lectures, and thank our heavenly Father that we can hear your message of good news to the world.”—B. C. C.
"Niagara Falls, N. Y., Feb. 24, 1924.
"I saw the notice in the New Era Enterprise that you would broadcast tonight, and tuned in a few minutes after nine. I heard all of Judge Rutherford’s lecture on Tiadio in Prophecy,’ and enjoyed every word. The music was excellent—Brother Franz and Brother Read of Chicago. I greatly enjoyed the piece, 'How Beautiful Upon the Mountains.’ ’’—Mrs. J. B. B. ■
"Wadsworth, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1924.
"After coming home from class meeting last evening, we tuned in at 10: 30 and received the last two numbers on your program. The solos were clear and distinct, as was also the announcer’s voice, but not very loud. Wo are using a three-tube Wisard Miloplex circuit Wo were bothered somewhat by interferen.ee.”—H. I. L.
"Warsaw. Ind., Feb. 25, 1924.
"Your first announcement came in fairly clear about 7:30 Central time.”-—H. P.
< : ■:
• "Bahway, N. J., Feb. 25, 1924.
"Just a line to let you know that I picked up your station about 8j 40 o’clock Sunday evening, and listened to the musical features and the talk by J. F. Rutherford, and enjoyed it very much. The reception wu very clear and distinct The talk by J. F. Rutherford was very clear and loud, not amplified. I have a one-tube, three tuner circuit, a home make. Keep the good work up; we will be looking for more in the future.”— IF. H. B.
"Morrisville, Vermont, Feb. 20, 1924.
“Responding to they request of your announcer at Station WBBR, I am pleased to report reception at this point. There was no interference whatsoever from other broadcasters, but from 10:30 to the close there was more or less disturbance from amateur stations. During the same period WJZ program was well chopped with code. Reception through entire period was absolutely continuous, but clarity and tone varied widely. The piano at times was the best we have ever heard, and at other times it was exceedingly rough. Judge Rutherford’s voice was particularly fine; although not uniform, not a syllable was missed from 8: 30 to 11: 01. Conditions here tonight were not favorable. Volume of allstations was above par, but there was much atmospheric disturbance. One noticeable feature of your program which I predict will be applauded vigorously was the prompt announcements. This lack of usual delay, I believe, is more important than is appreciated at the transmitter. Where any extended delay occurs we have listeners-in operating unstable outfits who start tuning; thinking they have lost their station. This creates a condition worse than atmospheric or code.”—F. T.
"Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 20,1924.
"W« had the extreme pleasure last evening of ing in on our radio to your station WBBR, and it came in as clear as a bell on our loud speaker. It was a great treat, as it stormed Sunday so hard that wo could not attend service. While I was tuning in, I accidentally brought in your station and heard all the services. Your bass solo was great, and Miss Cooke also was fine, as well as Judge Rutherford. We would go a long way to hear him. Will you please send us your schedule . broadcasting ? What night and what time can we listen in? We are devoted Bible Students, and don’t want to miss one of your entertainments."—W. (?. B.
"Albany, Ga., Feb. 20, 1924.
"We tuned in WBBR last night, but had no success on account of interferences with, several stations using the same wave length. We used a Westinghouse R 0 old model, W D 11 dry cell tubes, and were aUe to get you on the detector alone. I also had an acquaiatsnc* at Monticello, Florida, to tune you in; and he add he got you very well, using a General Electric ast."—JLF. 0.
"Irvington, N. J^ Feb. 20, 1924.
“I received your station on Monday, February 24, 1924, at about 9:00 p. m., when the editor at Gommr Aon was broadcasting news of the world, and listened to your program till you signed off. Your piano selections were fine. Please send me a card or telling when you are again on the air and at what meter you are broadcasting. Hoping to hear your program again and hoping that you gain as much popularity as the larger stations in New York, as I understand you are a new station, I remain,"—C. W.
Brief Notice of World News
(Broadcast from Watchtower WBBR, wave length 244 meters, February 25, 1924, by the Editor)
P ONE of his editorials about three years ago Dr. Frank Crane made the statement that everybody in the United States ought to I-be interested in wanting a better government.
A glance into the Teapot Dome at this time would seem to suggest that he is about right. There is a suspicion in the minds of many true Americans that certain large business interests have too much to say as to what shall be done at Washingb-n.
Some of these Americans were surprised four years ago this month when a gentleman who had at one time or other represented in a large way the American Tobacco Company, J. P. Morgan and Company, and the Beil Telephone
Company, predicted that Warren G. Harding would be the next president of the United States, and that he himself would be one of the fifteen men who would put that gentleman into that position. •
They were astonished four months later when these predictions turned out to be true to the letter. And when the gentleman in question was made Attorney General of the United States, the most important office within the bestowal of the president, they were dismayed. Just now they are paralyzed. See any daily paper for particulars.
One thing seems certain: The Republican and Democratic parties, which have been funo-
tioning for two generations, are showing ail the signs of dissolution.
No one need be surprised if two or three new parties enter the political field this year. If the ArnwriruLn people really desire an honest-to-goodness house-cleaning they probably will concentrate their forces and get behind one snch party; but the astute leaders of the old parties may Ke depended upon to sow discord within the ranks of the political reformers, so that if there is a new party it will be either twins or triplets.
One new party might prove dangerous to them, but more than one will make the sledding good for the old managers. As the matter now stands it is immaterial to the business interests which of the old parties is victorious next Fall
Already a third party has gotten under way. It has been christened the “People’s Progressive Party." Its nominee is Robert R, Pointer of Dearborn, Mich.; and, as might be supposed, it has a following among the men who were interested in the candidacy of Mr. Ford. But Mr. Ford has declared for President Coolidge and put himself out of the running.
The platform of the new party calls for the abolition of the Federal Reserve banking system, which they stigmatize as “the most titanic legalized parasite ever fastened on human industry." They would also do away with the electoral college and elect by popular ballot; they would pay the soldiers a bonus.
Prohibition
PUTTING liquor out of business takes money. President Coolidge has approved the proposal of an appropriation of $14,000,000 for dealing with rum smuggling. New, swiftrunning boats will be built and life-saving stations will be opened, if the plan is put into operation.
While it is true that much may be said against prohibition, there is much in its favor. The rum-running and bootlegging activities are demoralizing, and certain localities are injured by them. Prohibition is not the true method to get rid of any evil. The proper way is by .wholesome education, getting the people interested in life’s problems, so that the desire for booze and all other evils, gradually diminishing, would eventually be entirely assuaged.
But in order to get a person so interested in She problems of life that ha will take a delight in the better things, it is first necessary for him to be inspired with the real hope that the Bible holds out for suffering humanity. That hope lies in the fact that the present unsatisfactory social, religious, financial, and commercial conditions are but temporary; that the wisdom of this world is fast becoming very foolish; that a knowledge of the truth will bring about the complete ^mancipation of the race. This knowledge is near to its realization. We are in the throes of the birth-pangs of a new era.
The tima is ever more certainly nearing when judgment shall be laid to the line and righteousness to the plummet. By means of the radio, and by other means, the truth on every subject shall ultimately fill the earth with the Lord’s' glory as the waters cover the sea. Then there shall not be a single place in all the earth where a liar, or a thief, or a profiteer, or a proud or ; vain person, or a teapot-oil-dome politician will > feel at home.
Prohibition is having its effects in heathendom. American missionaries no longer have to explain that liquor is not a Christian product A press report says: .
“Until prohibition came to America, Christian missionaries found themselves handicapped by the fact that the native people in the missionary fields believed that liquor was the exclusive product of white Christians; for it was brought into those lands by white men, and the natives naturally came to the conclusion that liquor was a thing for which the Christian stood sponsor."
Great Britain
OUR day is a day of feverishness for kings.
One by one the rulers are having their scepters removed, and their diadems pawned. An item of considerable significance comes from England. It says:
"Miss Minni* Fillister, who was election agent to Premier Ramsay MacDonald in Aberavon in the recent general election, in speaking at a Sunday meeting in Bradford expressed doubt as to whether the Prince of Wales would ever ascend to the throne, because the ‘country [is] growing up and seeing the old institutions sloughing off? She voiced the view that the sloughing-off process might carry with it the monarchy of Great Britain at no distant date."
Great Britain has a three-cornered political situation: Unionist, Liberal, and Labor. The Labor Party, at present in power, cannot continue in office without the support of the Lib-
•uttils. Cooperation of the best minds in these - two parties should give Britain as good a gov> ernment as is possible at this time. All lovers • of their fellow men will hope that the Liberals will not withdraw their support from the present Labor government and thus throw Britain into the confusion of another general election.
. For the first time in its history a government reception was held at the aristocratic Hyde Park Hotel in London, at which only ten percent of the guests were dressed in the swallowtail coats which in Britain are part of the usual raiment of gentlemen at the evening meal. This innovation was a good thing for London, for Britain, and for the world. The idea that men or women must be robed in some peculiar way . before they can partake of their evening meal is nonsense.
Mr. MacDonald, the new Premier, began his administration by introducing a program of carrying to completion bills already introduced by the former Premier. This is a sensible idea. Mr. MacDonald calls attention to the fact that Britain has only fifty percent of the men in the building trade that it had before the war. This is a great loss to the empire. Many of these British workers are now employed in America. Mr. MacDonald states that his government has no intention of making a capital levy if it can be avoided. It proposes to reestablish wage boards for agricultural workers so that the wages may not fall below twenty-five shillings or about $5.75 weekly. How would you like to try to support your loved ones on $5.75 per ' week! Mr. MacDonald hopes that the United States will enter the League of Nations. It may be truthfully said that this hope is shared by millions of Americans, and is not shared by a majority of many millions more.
Mr. MacDonald made a visit to Palestine jariy in 1922, and was greatly impressed with what the Jews are accomplishing there. In his book, entitled “The Awakening of Palestine,” he says of the new Jewish immigrants into that country:
“They were young, buoyant, confident. JIauy of them had keen intellectual interests, and a state rich in such citizens is to be envied. They took their hard work, their blisters, their rough fare in good part. They were proving to themselves that manual labor and culture are really good companions when one gets away from artificial ways of life, and they were educating and inspiring their fellows.
“One goes through Palestine now with the Tereee ef many a prophecy on one’s lips. One hears them aa though the hills whispered them. The camp* on the seashore, by the waysides, on the hills, seem to have come to the command ol the Ancient of Days, seem to have been arranged long, long ago, when it was promised that He ‘will assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.’ Tima has brought forth events, and, the land of Israel again receives her children."
Early in February Mr. MacDonald was credited with having expressed the wish for a gesture from Washington for the calling of another conference to reduce still further the huge standing armies, fleets, airplanes, poison gas, and other accessories of our present civilization. Apparently he did not get the gesture which he sought After the lapse of two weeks, with the help of the Unionists, sometimes called the Tories, the Labor government came to the inconsistent decision to build five new cruisers and two new destroyers. In building these ships the immediate objective is to provide employment for some of the large number of skilled workmen now idle in Britain. There are expert mechanics in Britain who have done no w.ork in three years.
Ever since the war, house rents have been controlled in the British Isles. A bill has been introduced to extend this control until 1928. In justification of the bill it is argued that in Scotland there are 125,000 homes which contain but one room, and that in some of these one-room homes as many as a dozen people exist. Surely any person with a heart must wish that such a condition may be changed.
Franct
THE whole world is uneasy about France. It does not know why the French have prepared such great air-fleets. As a result of numerous warlike moves French credit has been so injured that the franc is rapidly following the path of the German mark. Meantime, the same phenomena are witnessed in France which were witnessed in Germany during the same period. French citizens are hiding their money abroad. There is a feverish prosperity caused by the fall of the franc; but it will come to as sudden a stop as it did in Germany, if the French people suddenly discover that their paper money has lost its value.
France demands that Germany must pay. in full the damages which were caused by the war; but France herself claims that she cannot pay the United States anything on the vast sum borrowed from this country, despite the fact that she has seized and now controls four-fifths of the richest coal and ore deposits of Germany.
Independent statesmen of other countries claim that it is the .subtle policy of the present French government to foment insurrections in various parts of Germany until what once was the German Empire is broken up into a halfdozen small countries like the present Balkan States.
France now has an air-fleet that.could probably contend successfully with the combined airfleets of all possible antagonists. It is claimed also that its standing army is equal in efficiency to the armies of any three other European oountriec.
German?
HORRIBLE scenes have been enacted in
Bavaria recently, where, as in other places in Germany, efforts have been made to split the country. At one town where forty men who were interested in one of these Separatist movements had seized a city hall, a mob who resented their activities sprinkled the building with gasoline, set fire to it; and when the Separatists undertook to escape from the building, offering to surrender and begging for their lives, they were literally torn in pieces with axes, pitchforks, and rusty sabres as they emerged from the building. Some, indeed, were seized alive and thrown back into the flames. In this conflict twenty-one of the attackers were themselves slain.
Despatches show that in districts controlled by the French those who undertake to form Separatist governments are protected, while all who attack them are arrested. In some districts any quiet, respectable, peace-loving citizen is liable to be arrested and held as a hostage if any attack is made in his town upon those who are engaged in organizing rebellions against Germany.
It is estimated that sixty percent of the Ger-taan people are suffering acutely from want of food and clothing, and that ninety percent of hem lack many of the actual necessities of life.
Austria j
PRESENT reports from Austria are not so ■’< favorable as those of a few months ago. ■ It is claimed that the morale of the Austrian people has been considerably injured by the recent revival of prosperity in their country; and that instead of putting forth efforts to live modestly and accumulate something, the people have fallen into a habit of spending their money as fast as they get it The Austrian,: chancellor of the exchequer has recently warned . the Austrian people in an official way against! their extravagance and recklessness.
Hungary
MB. W. P. G. Harding, former Governor o£ the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States, has been appointed financial dictator of Hungary. This appointment was made by flfe i League of Nations. Since the annotiipeemMfr was made that Air. Harding has acceptodth* appointment there comes news from Dbdspfcot, the capital of Hungary, that the Hdhganaa crown is in a state of collapse somewhat similar to the collapse which has come to the piper money of Russia and Germany, and which, seems to be impending in France.
Spain
lATHEN Primo de Rivera, military dictator ■V of Spain, seized the Spanish government, and established there another dictatorship like that of Mussolini, he stated his expectation of maintaining the dictatorship only ninety days. Now he says it will take six or seven yean.
It is claimed as a consequence that the Republican movement is growing rapidly and that it is not impossible that before long King Alfonso will be compelled to abdicate and a republic will take the place of the present monarchy.
The League of Nation*
THE League of Nations has been holding a iNaval Disarmament Conference at Rome, in the effort to extend to all other countries the agreements reached at the Washington Disarmament Conference. After weeks of discus* aion no present solution of the problem seems to be in sight. The Spanish government has with* drawn from official participation, because the Conference refused to agree to the Spanish de-, maud as to what should be the size of their fleet.7
£ Hussia
URIOUSLY enough, among the nations rep-;. Presented at the League of Nations Disarma-ment Conference one of those which declined to have its fleet reduced was Russia. One would . have supposed that Russia has such great problems at home as to be comparatively indifferent on the subject of naval armament; but the plea has been put forward by the Soviet representatives that Russia has four different seas to guard, and that these are geographically so widely separated as to require a separate fleet on each coast.
The widow of the late premier of Russia, Nicolai Lenin, has made an appeal to the public not to waste money erecting monuments to the memory of her husband. This is sensible. The Russian people apparently loved Lenin and wished to honor his memory by a monument, an idea, of course, borrowed from the customs of the past
Lenin himself was out of sympathy with such vain show; so the widow suggested that if money is to be spent let it go for orphanages, hospitals, and the care of the young.
The Russian government is considering the formation of a self-governing Jewish state in the Crimea and the adjacent district on the Black Sea. It is claimed that in this district one million Jews are already residing, and that there is room for at least two million more. However, the Bible shows that the place which God has especially selected for the Jewish people is Palestine.
Dr. L. Wood Mead, a professor in the University of California, who has just returned from Palestine, reports that the Holy Land is now the scene of all manner of new enterprises, and that Palestine and Mesopotamia give promise of again becoming parts of one of the l world’s great highways of trade and travel. He reports that work is progressing on the waterpower project of the Jordan River, which is to provide electric lights and electric power for the cities of Tiberias, Haifa, Jaffa, and. Jerusalem. In Palestine at present there are forty flourishing Jewish colonies. Marshes are being drained; hillsides are being reforested; adequate police forces protect the settlers against interference. An interesting part of his story is that near the city of Jerusalem, in the place where David and Goliath had their duel, a dozen handsome new homes arc being constructed.
Zionism
AN IMPORTANT conference has just been held at the Hotel Astor, New York, at which after an all-day session some of the most influential Jews in the United States, not previously connected with the Zionist movement, voted unanimously to cooperate with the World Zionist Organization in the development of Palestine. The committee expects to appropriate for this purpose a considerable sum of money, i not yet definitely agreed upon, but perhaps amounting to $5,000,000. Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the President of the Zionist Organization, expresses the belief that the Jews in Palestine can afford to borrow this large sum on a strictly business basis and to pay six percent interest on it It would seem to us that there should be in this great city a sufficient number of wealthy Jews, interested in the fulfilment of the prophecies, to let these Zionist patriots have the use of this money for the development of a Jewish homeland without charging them any interest at all. The Mosaic Law forbids a Jew to collect interest from his Jewish brethren.—Lev. 25 *.35,36. -
The New York American reports that we have a Zion on a small scale near to New York. In the town of Woodbine, New Jersey, established by the Baron Hirsch fund in 1891, there was not until recently a single Gentile. There are in the town six well-established factories and three hundred homes, fitted with every modern elec* trie appliance and labor-saving device. The colony was established for refugees from Rus* sia, and shows what can be accomplished by < resolute and industrious people in America is twenty years' time.
Syria
THE traditional policy of the United States Government has always been for the principle of the open door of equal opportunity for American traders with the traders of other nations. After protracted negotiations such an agreement has recently been made respecting those areas of Syria which are under French control. There are large numbers of Syrians in America, or persons of Syrian parentage, te whom this will be good news.
Australia
Wl I (LE Dr. Mead was away, he also visited Australia. His report is that it costs the English and Australian Governments $5,000 fox
• -i
»« , n. GOLDEN AGE **«*»• ’
every Englishman placed on Australian land, and that each such settler is likely to fail unless he personally has $1,500 more to invest in the scheme. The opportunities in Amaris are infinitely better.
In Australia at the present time horses are being sold for prices ranging from one cent to fifty cents a head. This is because there is very little demand for horses anywhere, because of the widespread use of motor vehicles, and also because the horsea eat the food which is needed for the sheep. On one ranch the Australian cattle king, Sydney Kidman, has just had 800 horses shot because they were not worth keeping.
Java
TRAVELER who has lately returned from Java reports that on that island, which is the size of New York state, he found 30,000,000 persons living in comfort. Witness ing the efficiency of the Dutch Government in Java, he came to the conclusion that under proper management the tropical regions of the world are due for a vast development. It is only recently that the northern white races have found out how to live properly even in the temperate zones. Hence it is no wonder that they have not learned how to live in the tropics.
If you wish to keep well in the tropics, or out of them, eat bread made from whole wheat flour, with none of the valuable minerals or other elements sifted out. The bread may not look so white, but your health will be better. Which do you prefer, white bread on the table or health in your body?
Which is the True Church? (By a Former Roman Catholic)
rpHIS article is written in the hope that it will A be read by Roman Catholics, and that seeing thereby the unreasonableness, the unfairness to themselves and to their Creator and to the Word of God, in* taking a stand-offish, indifferent attitude, they will at least respond to the divine exhortation, "Come now, and let us reason together.” Arriving at that condition of mind and heart where they are willing to listen, . not to the commandments and precepts of men, but to hearken to the Divine Word, they may profit thereby, to the end that they, with that which is true, may prosper, and that which is false may be destroyed.
The Catholic Church takes this stand: That while the Bible is the inspired Word of God, she does not rely thereon for "a reason for the hope" that is in her. Rather she puts her faith in tradition and in the various teachings as expounded in Bulls and Encyclicals, disseminated from time to time by a Pope, who she professes to believe is infallible.
For the purpose of this article it is not my Intention to deny the infallibility of the head of the Catholic Church. Rather I prefer to agree kith my friends and quondam fellow members >f the Catholic Church, for the purpose of showing them wherein they are unreasonable.
The Catholic claims that he does not read the
Bible, because, the Pope being infallible, all truths ore made known through him; and that it is therefore unnecessary to “search the Scriptures."
It must be borne in mind that in make-up the Bible is no different from any other book or set of books. If a Catholic desires to know what a certain Pope, of say the fifteenth century, had to say on a given subject, he must of necessity go to his library, or to the archives of the Church, and hunt up the “bible,” or book, containing the pronouncements made during that period. Having read, and keeping in mind the idea that the Pope cannot err, he goes away satisfied that what he has learned is “just and true.”
Catechism on Head of the Church'
ASSUMING that Catholics are in agreement with me thus far, let us take the Catholic (Butler’s) Catechism, and turn to the chapter on “The Church,” Chapter XI-A, Question 8: “To* whom does the Pope succeed as visible head of the Church?”
Answer: “To St. Peter, who was: (1) The chief of the Apostles; (2) Christ's Vicar on( earth; (3) First Pope and Bishop of Rome.”
Now, let us admit the infallibility of this-Pope, who succeeds Peter; and let ns recall the, preceding paragraph, viz., that we must search
a '• /
?‘the library for this Pope's teachings. Where ' ’ now do we stand with regard to the Bible !
■ {. The Catholic is, perforce, ready to accept the
truth of his own statement that St. Peter, the first Pope, was infallible, or to admit that Peter possessed less power than his successors. Admitting that he can know nothing concerning the succeeding Pope’s statements without referring to his writings, the Catholic is unreasonable if he will not go to the Bible to learn what Peter, the first Pope, taught concerning the
I Fplan of salvation. '
While seemingly I have stressed this point, I claim that from a logical standpoint it is simplicity itself, and can be grasped by any school child, to say nothing of an adult who sincerely desires to know the truth. .
For the benefit of those Catholic readers who are willing to proceed with me further, let us see some of the things which Peter, “the first Pope,” has taught. In the foregoing I used the words "a reason for the hope.” These are Peter’s own words, not mine. In his first Epistle, or Encyclical, if you -will, third chapter, verse fifteen, he says: “Be ye ready always to satisfy everyone that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you.”
This is good advice; and if my Catholic friends are always ready to satisfy everyone that asketh them for a reason they are not far off from knowing the truth. Otherwise they are suffering from that blindness, that darkness which covereth the earth, and that gross darkness which covereth the people.
St Peter Gives Instruction
NOW, my Catholic friends, let us turn back to the Acts of the Apostles. The title of this book is self-explanatory. Here we learn that the apostles were altogether in one place; and that they, including “the first Pope,” Peter,
1 I “were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2: 4) (I quote from the Douay Version, the Catholic Bible.) And the multitudes coming to hear these marvelous men, Peter addressed them. And when they had heard him, they asked Peter, “What shall we do!” And in Acts 3:19-25 "the first Pope" told them, in plain, easily understood language:
“Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. That when the times of refreshments shall come from the presence of the Lord [the heavenly Father], and he shall send him who hath been preached unto you [Jesus Christ], whom the heavens must receive, until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets, from the beginning of the world. For Moses said: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: Him you shall hear according to all things whatsoever he shall speak to you. And it shall be that every soul which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. And all the prophets, who have spoken, have told of these days [days of restitution of all things]. You are the children of the prophets, and of the testament [covenant, promise] which God made to our fathers, saying to Abraham: 'And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth blessed'."
Surely, having just previously been filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter was inspired, by God when he spoke these words. Surely, if any human being is infallible it was Peter at that moment. Then, too, consider that he had talked and walked with Jesus. Can any Catholic doubt * what Peter told us on that memorable occasion f
These are the first words spoken by Peter after the Holy Spirit came upon him. We are compelled to pay particular attention to them; for it is only natural to suppose that God desired that Peter's first inspired words should contain the key to the Truth. '
Catholics agree that the Church was founded on Peter: That Peter was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven. ,
I suggest that the words of Peter, here quoted, are the key with which he has opened to us the truth concerning that kingdom. And herein we prove conclusively that the Popes and Bishops of the Boman Catholic Church do not succeed Peter and the apostles as members of the True Church, because these Popes and Bishops do not teach what Peter- taught, and because the Catholic Church denies the doctrine of Peter, that there shall be a day or days of restitution of all things, as contained in God’s promise to Abraham: ‘Tn thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed."
True Church Not Human Institution
WIIAT then is the True Church! First, what is not the True Church! My answer is that the True Chureh is not any human insti-
tution, a* such, on the face of this earth. Dur-_ fag the Gospel age, the Head of the True ' Church, Jesus Christ, has been choosing a people for His name from among the Gentiles. These when complete will constitute the body member*; and together with Jesus, the Head, u- they are the True Church. These are the seed
of Abraham, through whom the residue of men, . all the kindreds of the earth, will be blessed.
Any earthly institution, however commendable its social works, which sets itself up as being The Church, is a counterfeit; and the Truth is not in it
I have written this as briefly as possible, I have not referred to the sayings of the prophets, I have not quoted the words of the apostles other than Peter. I have confined my remarks t^what Peter taught, because Catholics claim
Peter for their first Pope. They must believeJ him or condemn their own beliefs. There is ne5 middle course. They must cither accept him or1 reject him. If they reject him they must reject his alleged successors. If they accept him they must likewise reject the teachings of the Catholic Church.
I admit that this places them on the horns of a dilemma; but I trust that finding themselves in tills predicament they will obey that voice which, crying from heaven, said: "Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her| sins, and that you receive not of her plagues." Having taken this step in the right direction,, they will then be willing to accept God’s HolyWord, and prepare themselves to receive, not < plagues, but those blessings which are held in : reserve for those who love righteousness aa£g hate iniquity.
Penn and the Indians
MONTHS ago, on an occasion when the Editor was in Philadelphia, a reputable gentleman of that city gave him the data regarding the so-called Walking Purchase, details of which are recorded in The Golden Age, No. 92, page 390. It now appears that our informant was not accurately posted on some of these details. In a recent letter on the subject he says:
"Perhaps I did not make the division clear between the making of that treaty by William. Penn, and the tarrying of it out by his ions when it was reopened by ths Indians because of dissatisfaction on their part The stigma attached to whatever sharp or questionable practice that may have occurred must be placed on the sons et Penn, according to history.”
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