Golden Age, June 2, 1937
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The Golden Age
A JOURNAL OF FACT HOPE AND COURAGE
in this issue
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES—
AMBASSADORS FOR GOD
AND HIS KING
CHRISTIANITY NOT FREE
IN AMERICA
EXPOSED
(F)
FROM A GERMAN
CONCENTRATION CAMP
JEHOVAH'S KING—AND OURS
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Vol. XVIII - No. 462
June 2, 1937 CONTENTS
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES—AMBASSADORS FOR GOD AND HIS KING 547
Witnessing to School Authorities 547
A Six-Year-Old’s Stand for God 549
Real Manhood and Womanhood 549
CHRISTIANITY IS NOT FREE IN AMERICA 550
Inquisition Through Color of Legal Procedure 550
A Multiple Law Inquisition 550
The Crime of Being One of Jehovah’s witnesses 551
Lawless Courts and Police 552
Catholic Inquisition’s Rebirth in This Country 554
MEET CHARLES BRANDIS, BRAZORIA 555
JEHOVAH’S BLESSINGS IN THE NEAR EAST 556
Kingdom Privileges on Shipboard 556
Beyrouth—Tripoli—Rahba Akkar 557
Seeking the Great Shepherd’s “Other Sheep” 557
Kingdom Opportunities in Northern Syria 558
Hungry People and Hypocritical Priests 558
Out of the Hierarchy into the Light 559
Haifa—Jerusalem—Ramallah 559
50,000 Pieces of Arabic Literature 560
Huge Phonograph Work in Sight 560
EXPOSED (F) 561
A BIBLE STUDY ON OATHS 562
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES IN NEW YORK AND CANADA 563
Seventh-day Adventists Take Their Stand 563
FALSEHOODS SENT OUT FROM BERLIN 564
Germany Even Worse than Pennsylvania 566
“Capitalism and the Church” 566
FROM A GERMAN CONCENTRATION CAMP 567
A Warning Example 567
“Get Jehovah to Help You!” 568
Inhuman, Beastly Cruelty 568
“Shot While Trying to Escape” 569
A Day of Joy 569
Guerrilla Warfare in Ethiopia 570
Cox Wants Roosevelt Made Dictator 570
JEHOVAH’S KING—AND OURS 571
Jehovah’s Anointed 571
King of Righteousness 572
King of Peace 572
The Prince of Peace at War 573
Keep on Marching 573
King of Truth 574
King of Love 574
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The Golden Age
Volume XVIII Brooklyn, N.Y., Wednesday, June 2, 1937 Number 462
Jehovah’s witnesses—Ambassadors for God and His King—Process Servers of the Great Judge—Announcing that Jehovah’s Kingdom Is Here
(Part 2)
(A brief account of some experiences of true Christians in various parts of the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Rumania, South Africa, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and other lands in [and as a consequence of] their fearless and thrilling denunciations of the clergy of the Devil, the politicians of the Devil, and the financiers of the Devil, beginning with the great Keystone State of Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)
Witnessing to School Authorities
By August Russ, Jr.
I AM a student at Belleville High School, Belleville, N.J., where, on March 25, 1937, I was suspended from school because I refused to salute the flag.
I reached the age of sixteen on July 10, 1936, and am completing my fourth and last year of school. I am an active worker in the Newark company of Jehovah’s witnesses and I was immersed at the Newark convention in October, 1936. Since then the issue has been pending until the present date.
In October, 1936, I was asked to lead in the morning exercises in my schoolroom. I explained to the teacher that I would gladly lead the Lord’s prayer and read the Bible, but I refused to salute the flag or lead in this part of the exercises, and explained why I wouldn’t. The teacher told me (in a very pleasant manner) that he would have to report this to the principal. This he did. From that time on there has been nothing said by the authorities in the school, but a few students have had considerable discussion on the issue.
“When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”—Luke 18: 8.
On March 24, 1937, I was called down to the principal’s office in the afternoon. He told me that he had the understanding that I had refused to salute the flag last fall, but since then I had saluted the flag. I corrected him on this point, stating that since last fall I have not saluted the flag, and explained to him why I did not. I told him that I had consecrated myself to do the will of Jehovah. If I pledged allegiance to the flag, I would be bowing down to man-made emblems and going contrary to God’s law, which is supreme. I stated also that I, by saluting the flag, would be pledging my life to this country, and this I could not do, because I had completely consecrated my life to Jehovah. He asked if I would be willing to say the same to the Board of Education. I replied that I would.
March 25, at about 9 a.m. I was called down to the principal’s office and introduced to the superintendent of schools in Belleville, Mr. Parmer, and a member of the Board of Education, Mr. Daniels. The principal, Mr. Kittle, asked me to repeat what I said the day before to him. This I did. Then the questioning began. I was asked what pledging allegiance to the flag meant to me. I explained saying that by saluting the flag it meant laying down my life, if necessary, for this country, and I could not do this, because I had already consecrated my life to Jehovah. I respected the flag and the country and obeyed the laws of the land until they come into conflict with God’s law, which is supreme. They tried to break down my explanation by saying that saluting the flag was just showing respect to it and the country. Many other questions followed:
How long was I connected with Jehovah’s witnesses?
I told them about two years, but it was not until last fall that I really received a full understanding of God’s Word and had taken my stand accordingly.
If my mother were about to be shot, would I do something to protect her?
Seeing that they were getting around to the point of protecting this country, I replied that I would leave the matter in the Lord’s hands and rely upon Him.
What does the name “Jehovah” mean?
I explained the meaning to them, telling them that it means God’s sure purposes toward His creatures and that it is a Hebrew word used many times in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament.
What attitude would I take if a foreign country invaded this country? I would go on as I do every day, leaving my safety in the Lord’s hands. I was not interested in this country’s or any other country’s affairs, anyway.
Was this all brought up for publicity on my part?
No. Any publicity I received was not intentional. I was not interested in making a public show of myself.
Is Satan a spirit creature?
He is, and we cannot see him. Satan was created a perfect spirit creature by God in the beginning. He turned against God and has set up an organization, trying to imitate God’s. This organization has three distinctive parts, namely, the political, the commercial, and the religious divisions. Further explanation was stopped by seemingly unnecessary interruptions by the superintendent of schools and the member of the Board.
Was I created by Jehovah?
No. I am an offspring of Adam, born under the Adamic sin. Jehovah creates nothing that is imperfect.
Did I sit back and expect the Lord to hand everything down to me?
Here, I stated that I didn’t. I told them that the Lord expects us to use a little common sense in obtaining the things we need to keep on living.
What did I intend to do when I was suspended? Did I realize that every employer would turn me down because I was suspended from school for not saluting the flag and showing respect to this country?
I would rely on the Lord when the time came. Even if I didn’t find work, I had a work—the Lord’s work—to do and I would find this very enjoyable. The gentlemen informed me at this point just how much it would cost me to go to another school to complete my education, for tuition, etc., and the principal informed them very nicely that I was sixteen and did not have to go to school any more, thus avoiding any extra cost.
After being informed that I was very stubborn and conceited, did I intend to change my mind in regard to saluting the flag?
I still refused to salute the flag and did not intend to change my mind at any time whatsoever.
Did I realize that if I were in a foreign country (for instance, Spain) I would be taken out and shot? Did I realize that I would be suspended?
Many people who refused to bow down to foreign governments in Europe were shot. I expect this to happen here in time. In Germany people, incidentally Jehovah’s witnesses, are killed because they refuse to attribute their salvation as coming from Hitler by saying “Heil Hitler”.
These questions above are the main ones asked me in the course of the conversation. A few scriptures were quoted and applied but in the wrong way. I corrected the gentlemen on these and explained what the scriptures really meant. They didn't take this so well. There were other very minor details discussed, of such slight importance that it is not worth taking up your time relating them to you.
The two gentlemen from the Board became slightly angry and proceeded to tell me what they thought of me and my opinions. I told them that they were not my opinions, but the Word of Jehovah, the Supreme One, and He could not be wrong. The principal was very nice and stated that he was sorry that this had to happen and, since it was not in his hands, he could do nothing about it. We shook hands, I turned in my books, bade him good-bye, stating that there were no hard feelings, and left.
I give thanks to Jehovah for giving me the privilege of bringing His message to these gentlemen so that they could take their stand for or against it, on God's side or on the Devil's side.
I omitted to say that the Mr. Strand in Trenton was called upon by telephone for advice in this matter. He expressed his opinion, after reading the law over the telephone, that we be suspended immediately. All this went on before we were called down to the principal's office.
A Six-Year-Old's Stand for God
PANSY B. MILLER, arrested for the "crime" of preaching the gospel in Jersey City, wrote the following, of interest to many:
Believing that you will appreciate the account of a very interesting incident that was brought to my attention last night, I am taking the liberty of relating it, calling to mind Matthew 21:16, that out of the mouth of babes Jehovah's praise may be perfected. It relates to a dear little girl just six and a half years old, Dorothy Romaine. Her mother and father have both taken their stand on the Lord's side within the last two years, and, unlike some who have seen and known the goodness of our Father for many years, as soon as the matter of Christmas was brought to their attention they joyfully fell in line, and took a consistent course of action accordingly.
At this season there were the usual Christmas celebrations in the school which Dorothy attended, and among the festivities planned was a trip for the whole class in a school bus to Bamberger's in Newark, to see Santa Claus and get a present from him for 25c.
Of course, Dorothy thought that would be lots of fun and wanted to go; so her mother explained to her in the following manner:
Dorothy, you may go, if you want to. I will not forbid you to go, but if you do go it will mean you are not on the Lord's side; so now, dear, you go back to school and think it over and tell mother what you have decided to do when you come home.
Now, as I complete the account, it is with eyes filled with tears, for that precious child came home from school with a sweet, happy smile, and an inward joy that could not be mistaken, to tell mother this:
I want to be on the Lord's side, Mother, and I am not going to go.
Of course her mother had explained, too, that the Santa Claus was only a man dressed up, to fool the children; and if it were not so, why would he take the 25c from them? When the mother told me about Dorothy's happy spirit after making her decision, I could not help but think of the wonderful joy of heart and peace of mind which was our portion recently in the Hudson County jail. Could one ask for more? Surely Jehovah is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
Real Manhood and Womanhood in Texas
A TEXAS mother writes of the joy that came to her when she went to see the principal of a school from which her eleven-year-old son was about to be expelled because unwilling to violate the command in Exodus 20:3-5. The principal was not in; so the mother talked with his wife, kindly, and at length. The wife, at first hostile, finally saw the point and promised to take it up with her husband. That same evening the principal drove up to the home of the boy's mother, came in and apologized, and asked for advice as to what to do. Now the flag at the schoolyard is raised at high mast as usual, and the pupils march out and sing "My country, 'tis of thee", and that is all. The flag-worship feature is ended.
Doctor Dafoe Not a Roman Catholic
TWO subscribers have written that Dr. Allen R. Dafoe, Callander, Ont., famous for his association with the Dionne quintuplets, is not a Roman Catholic.
Christianity Is Not Free in America
ON March 1 an astounding statement of facts bearing the above title was delivered to the United States Congress. Each member received a copy. It unfolded to the members of that august body the amazing details of the rebirth and operation of the Roman Catholic Inquisition in the United States of America. Many of the facts have heretofore been presented in The Golden Age, and therefore only a portion of the statement is here presented.
Under the operation of this Inquisition during the past year 1,149 Christian people have been placed under arrest. They were arrested, not for violating the law, but because they were conveying to the people the life-giving message of truth from God’s Word, the Bible. The wrongful and illegal arrests were accompanied by other cruel and unusual punishments such as:
Assaults and beatings;
Convictions without evidence;
Confinement in filthy prison cells;
Denial of right to put in a defense;
Denial of food while incarcerated;
Severe sentences;
Sentences without trial;
Trumped-up charges;
Confiscation of property;
Denial of right of petition;
Assaults by mobs;
Legislation specifically enacted and enforced against Jehovah’s witnesses;
Denial of freedom of worship, conscience and speech;
Confinement in dungeons on bread and water;
Intimidation of counsel by courts.
INQUISITION THROUGH COLOR OF LEGAL PROCEDURE
Centuries ago the Waldenses worshiped God and preached the gospel under adverse conditions. They called from place to place and house to house; talked with the people, and, if the time and place were propitious, cautiously produced from secret hiding-places in their garments copies of the Holy Scriptures for the edification of the householders. Their religious opponents, the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, searched them out and subjected thousands of them to severe persecution.
A similar situation exists today in some parts of the United States. Jehovah’s witnesses call from place to place and from house to house for the sole purpose of bringing to people the comforting message of the gospel of Almighty God. In sections of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and other benighted areas of this land of liberty, it would be necessary for them to work with caution and secretiveness to avoid arrest and imprisonment and severe punishment.
There is some difference, however, between the inquisition of today and that of the time of the Waldenses. In those days the fact, or even suspicion of heresy, was sufficient to sustain incarceration and persecution. The Catholic Church was superior to the state and its laws were obeyed by the secular authorities. Its power was wielded openly and intolerantly. Today religious freedom is part of the fundamental law. All creeds, doctrines and religious organizations in theory stand equal before the law. The state will not openly lend its aid to the suppression of one in favor of the other. Therefore the religious organization that would wield power and suppress the preaching of the truth of God’s Word must of necessity use duplicity and cunning strategy to accomplish its nefarious purposes. A smoke screen must be thrown out. Existing laws and ordinances have to be applied and construed in subtle manner. New legislation must be passed, couched in cunning and artful verbiage presenting an ostensible purpose far different from the actual reason for enactment. For your edification and instruction a few samples of the modern style of using the secular power to stamp out “heresy” are listed.
A MULTIPLE LAW INQUISITION
Any law that can be distorted, misapplied, misconstrued or enforced against Jehovah’s witnesses is used under the modern union of church and state. Note the kinds and varieties:
(a) PEDDLING AND CANVASSING ORDINANCES.
Practically all municipalities have ordinances designed to regulate the commercial business of hawking or peddling, and soliciting. In the great majority of the cities of this country there would be no thought of applying these commercial ordinances to the preaching of the gospel. But where the ecclesiastical powers can dictate to the secular authorities, these ordinances are used and Jehovah’s witnesses are charged with engaging in the business of peddling or canvassing for the sale of goods, wares and merchandise from door to door.
(b) CIRCULAR DISTRIBUTION ORDINANCES.
In Jersey City, Secaucus, Orange, and a few other towns of New Jersey, are ordinances under which you could be penalized for handing to your neighbor a copy of the Declaration of Independence, or if you passed out a few New Year cards to your friends at their homes you could be subjected to ninety days in the county penitentiary. Such ordinances are enforced usually at the discretion of the police authorities, and they are conveniently used as a means of suppressing the activities of Jehovah’s witnesses. Secaucus, New Jersey, at the time of adoption of such law, made announcement through its mayor that the ordinance would not be enforced against businessmen or politicians. It was publicly stated that the ordinance was designed to stop the work of Jehovah's witnesses.
(c) TRESPASS ORDINANCES.
Some towns have ordinances which make it a trespass to ring the doorbell of a citizen unless previously invited to do so. Of course, these ordinances are not used against the bill collector, the meter reader, or the neighborly caller, but are very useful in cracking down on Jehovah's witnesses.
(d) DISORDERLY CONDUCT LAWS.
Used when no other is convenient. Going to the door and politely asking a householder to read a card is defined as disorderly conduct by those who do the bidding of the clerics.
(e) LAWS REGULATING THE SOLICITING OF CONTRIBUTIONS.
(f) SALES TAX LICENSING LAWS.
(g) ORDINANCES PROHIBITING "BEGGING".
(h) VAGRANCY LAWS.
Like disorderly conduct statutes, vagrancy laws are used when no other is convenient. Calling on people from house to house for the purpose of informing and enlightening them on the Word of God has brought charges of vagrancy and prosecutions thereunder.
(i) GAG LAWS. SOMETIMES CALLED "ANTI-NAZI LAWS".
New Jersey has a sample of this. It is a law making it a misdemeanor to publish or have in one's possession any printed matter or photograph, or even to state anything publicly, that might tend to cause hatred or opposition to any religious group. The owner of any hall can be prosecuted under such law if he permits a licensee to say anything in his hall that might shock the susceptibilities of a religious organization. At the time this measure became a law it was charged that it was aimed at Jehovah's witnesses. Exact duplicates of the law were introduced in the New York and Massachusetts legislatures a year ago but did not pass.
(j) FLAG SALUTE LAWS.
Jehovah's witnesses conscientiously believe it to be a violation of the law of Almighty God to salute any flag. As a consequence children have been expelled from schools; beaten, choked and tortured; sentenced to public institutions; and their parents prosecuted under truancy laws.
(k) CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF MINORS.
Members of Congress will be interested to know that in New Jersey if parents teach their children to love God and serve Him by taking the gospel in printed form to the people they may be charged with contributing to the delinquency of minors. Two cases are pending under such charge in that Fascistic area.
(l) LOUD AND UNUSUAL NOISES.
Using "Fourth of July ordinances" against sound equipment of Jehovah's witnesses while sound equipment of commercial concerns operates freely without interference. This happened in Orange, New Jersey.
(m) FRAUD. PRETENDING TO PREACH THE GOSPEL.
Because Jehovah's witnesses presented the facts to the people concerning the injustices inflicted upon them some of them were charged with perpetrating a fraud and merely pretending to preach the gospel. They were sentenced to thirty days in jail under such charge in Weehawken, New Jersey.
(n) TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
Great diligence is manifested by police authorities in the darkened areas of the inquisition to fasten some violation of traffic laws upon Jehovah's witnesses. False charges are filed, and if one of them actually violates some traffic ordinance special attention is given to it. Bail requirements are made steep, and heavy sentences given.
Charges have been filed against Jehovah's witnesses, and arrests made, under every one of the many kinds of laws and ordinances above mentioned. It is not done for great zeal for law, order and justice. There is a common source for the action, which is the hatred of a great and powerful religious organization against those who publish the truth of God's Word. It cannot make and enforce its own unrighteous decrees as in the Dark Ages, but does try to suppress "heresy" through the multitudinous laws as herein stated.
THE CRIME OF BEING ONE OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
When the clerics and the principal of their flocks get the police all heated up for a pontifical investigation, it is not safe for one of Jehovah's witnesses to be in town. The police department broadcasts the order: "Jehovah's witnesses are in town. Bring them in." The squad cars go forth. Policemen on the beat are notified and a wholesale garnering-in of Christian people begins. Regardless of what Jehovah's witnesses are doing, they are locked up. Then the law department is called in. The magistrate and the corporation counsel get down the law books and busy themselves in the endeavor to find some law to justify the arrests and continue the persecution.
Is this a fanciful story? Do such things really happen in this country? We cite a few specific cases.
PEORIA, ILLINOIS. On October 25, 1936, a large number of Jehovah's witnesses called upon the residents of Peoria county. In order that the sheriff and other law-enforcing officials would have no reason to misunderstand the purpose of their visit, representatives called on them and left with them letters stating why they were calling on the people. At the instigation of one Charles Harrison, a priest of the Roman Catholic Church of Brimfield, Illinois (near Peoria), the sheriff and police officials arrested and threw into prison 111 of Jehovah’s witnesses. They were arrested on identification, regardless of what they were doing. Literature in their cars was sufficient cause and evidence for arrest. If they were standing on the street corner, or walking on the streets, or sitting in their automobiles, they were arrested and thrown into filthy prison cells. They were jammed in cells like cattle, and were denied all civil rights. They were abused by officers; called names; threatened with violence; taunted and sneered at; denied food; denied the right to telephone counsel; and treated worse than criminals. Other prisoners were incited to treat them roughly. They were held up by the prisoners in the jail and forced to give them money for their convenience. They were not permitted to lock their cars, and their belongings were stolen therefrom. The Peoria Journal of October 26 describes the efforts of the legal department to find some law to support the illegal proceedings as follows:
Police Magistrate Winn was busy thumbing the statutes in an effort to find some clause under which those arrested could legally be arraigned before him.
No law could be found on which to hold them. The city attorney, J. B. Wolfenberger, of Peoria, was then delegated to dismiss the innocent people and warn them not to come to this town again. He told them their presence was undesirable and that they should not return to town. They were thereupon dismissed, after being held in jail twenty-four hours without cause and without charge.
MAYWOOD, NEW JERSEY. On December 8, 1935, twenty-nine of Jehovah’s witnesses were rounded up and thrust into the city dungeon. They were brought up for trial before the Borough recorder and charged with distributing circulars in town without a permit. There was no evidence that any of the defendants had distributed circulars, but there was evidence that all the defendants were Jehovah’s witnesses. We quote from the testimony of Waldo J. Schmidt, police officer of Maywood, in the case of Lena Zandstra:
Question: Why did you arrest her, Officer?
Answer: I asked her if she was one of Jehovah’s witnesses, and she said “Yes”.
Question: The moment she made known to you the fact that she was one of Jehovah’s witnesses, that was your signal, or order, to bring her to headquarters? That’s correct?
Answer: Yes.
And that was the reason why twenty-nine Christian men and women were arrested in Maywood. They were Jehovah’s witnesses and were in town ‘without permission of the police department’.
Many other communities present similar disgraceful and un-American records. Two young men on October 18, 1936, made the mistake of driving through Jersey City, New Jersey, with some books and booklets in their car containing Biblical treatises. They spent ten days in the county jail for the “offense”. On February 16, 1936, two of Jehovah’s witnesses drove into the city of Irvington, New Jersey, to deliver a parcel to a specific person. Their car contained an advertisement of a lecture by Judge Rutherford. That was sufficient to identify them as Jehovah’s witnesses. They spent three days in jail waiting for trial, and were fined twenty-five dollars each. Hoboken, New Jersey, Plainfield, New Jersey, Griffin, Georgia, Lagrange, Georgia, have each had their part in this brand of religious persecution. The Constitution, with its Bill of Rights, is not regarded with high favor in such communities.
LAWLESS COURTS AND POLICE
If officials were honestly convinced that some local ordinance prevented preaching the gospel from house to house, and desired to have the matter adjudicated through due and orderly process of law, there could be no objection to that. In a duly constituted court, with a competent and unbiased judge, and with opportunity to present facts and law to the court, Jehovah’s witnesses are willing to contest the matter without complaint. But when courts become lawless, when they disregard orderly procedure, and when they allow passion and prejudice to control their decisions, justice cannot be secured. When, as one New Jersey magistrate vehemently expressed it, they proceed to “stab Jehovah’s witnesses in the back at every opportunity” some other form of redress must be secured.
Kindly give careful consideration to some of the following records of “trials”, so called, in portions of these United States, where constitutional guarantees are a thing of the past.
HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY. On October 19, 1936, thirty-six of Jehovah’s witnesses were tried before the Recorder’s Court of Hoboken. They were charged with violating an ordinance regulating the business of peddling and other occupations. The thirty-six cases were all tried in one day. All thirty-six defendants were “found guilty”. They received sentences ranging from twenty to sixty days. Under the charge as filed against the defendants it would be necessary to prove: That they called from house to house; that they sold goods, wares or merchandise at such houses; that they did it as a business; and that they did not have any license from the city. Here is a copy of the record of the case of Mabel Cook, one of the thirty-six defendants: MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOBOKEN
Complainant.
MABEL COOK,
Defendant.
JOHN P. BERONIO, sworn.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. GOTTLIED, CITY ATTORNEY:
Question: Did you see the defendant Mabel Cook, October 17, 1936?
Answer: I did.
Question: Where at?
Answer: I saw her in the basement of 161 Eighth Street. I called her. She came up. Asked her what she was doing. She said, "Preaching the gospel." I asked if she had a permit for those pamphlets and things. She said "No". Told her 'All right; she was under arrest'. Asked her why she didn't have a permit. She said she didn't need one.
Question: Did she say anything else?
Answer: She said: "Am I under arrest?" I said "Yes", and she came along.
CROSS EXAMINATION BY MR. MOYLE, ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT:
Question: Where did you see her?
Answer: 161 Eighth Street.
Question: You saw her at that house?
Answer: Yes.
Question: That is the only place you saw her?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Of course you did not hear the conversation?
Answer: No.
Question: Did she talk to anyone in the house? What did she say?
Answer: What she said I don't know.
MR. MOYLE: That's all. I move for dismissal. There is no proof here of any violation of the ordinance whatsoever.
THE COURT: Motion denied. Does the defendant care to take the stand?
MR. MOYLE: The defendant rests.
THE COURT: I find the defendant guilty of violating the city ordinance. $25.00 or 30 days in the county jail.
There was no proof of sale of goods or merchandise; no proof of any attempt to sell goods; no proof that defendant went from house to house for that purpose. But the Court knew that the defendant was one of Jehovah's witnesses, and therefore she got thirty days in the county jail.
Among the thirty-six defendants at Hoboken on this occasion were some who declined to talk to the officers unless their counsel were present. For this "offense" an extra charge of disorderly conduct was placed against them, and two such who declined to go on the witness stand and give testimony against themselves were given sixty days in jail in place of the customary thirty.
Thus is justice (?) administered in the dark and sombrous depths of that fount of democracy called Hoboken.
NEW PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. In this town Catholic priests have instructed the people and the law-enforcement officials to run Jehovah's witnesses out of town at any time they appear. On July 12, 1936, while a group of Jehovah's witnesses were calling on the people a mob appeared, assaulted the witnesses, damaged their cars, and tore up their literature. The police of the city co-operated with the mob by throwing forty-four of Jehovah's witnesses into jail. Eight were held and charged with disorderly conduct, in spite of the fact that priests, police officials and local residents were the ones guilty of disorderly conduct. Seven of the eight were 'found guilty' of disorderly conduct although there was not any evidence that they had been guilty of anything but peaceably calling on the people.
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY. On Sunday, October 18, 1936, four of Jehovah's witnesses were sitting in a car in this community of medieval practices. They had literature in their car but had not called on anyone in town. They were arrested and charged with distributing circulars. The police admitted to the court that they had not distributed any circulars. The court held that they probably would have done so if they had opportunity, found them "guilty", and sentenced them to ten days in jail.
LAGRANGE, GEORGIA. 178 were arrested on May 17, 1936. They were charged with peddling contrary to an invalid ordinance. Seventy-two of them were convicted and sentenced to thirty days on the chain gang. The case of T. G. Boggs is a sample of all. In the course of his work of ministry he called at the home of one Rev. Guy T. Pittman, a Methodist preacher. The preacher was informed that Mr. Boggs was preaching the gospel from door to door and had Biblical literature which would be of value for him to have. The preacher called the police, and Boggs was arrested. There was no evidence that he was engaged in peddling, but, nevertheless, he was sentenced to thirty days on the chain gang.
In his zeal to serve the clergy and priests of the town of Lagrange the chief of police, J. E. Matthews, made the following statement to a group of Jehovah's witnesses: "If you ever come here with that bunch again, we'll leave town and turn you over to a mob." A short time later Jehovah's witnesses came to town for the purpose of calling upon the people with a petition for redress of grievances. A mob was organized and led by J. T. Thomason, the city attorney, which assaulted and beat up many of them and drove all of them out of town.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA. Roy Goodrich, one of Jehovah's witnesses, was arrested, assaulted and beaten by the police. He was beaten so severely that he has been in poor health ever since. No charge was ever filed against him, and he had violated no law. Just happened to be one of Jehovah's witnesses, and that was sufficient for this form of brutality.
We respectfully submit and can present to you proofs that it is of no avail to appeal to the courts for relief from this intolerable condition of affairs. Judges have stated their hatred and prejudice against Jehovah's witnesses in words such as the following:
Judge Thomas J. Holleran, of Irvington, New Jersey: "I will stab you [Jehovah's witnesses] in the back every time I get a chance."
Judge Wm. G. DeMeza, of Plainfield, New Jersey: "No consideration will be shown these Jehovah's witnesses in this court." This was followed by: "They are a bad bunch"; "a nuisance"; "fanatics"; "snakes in the grass"; "hoodlums"; etc.
Judge Anthony Botti, of Jersey City, New Jersey: "The constitution doesn't apply here." "If you want to preach the gospel, preach it somewhere else. This city is 75- to 80-percent Catholic." "This is just a racket."
Judge Frank Romano, of Hoboken, New Jersey: "Why don't you people stay away from here? You know we don't want you around." "We have told Jehovah's witnesses to keep out of town." This same judge, when convicting one of Jehovah's witnesses, called a local political boss to the desk and said, "This is one of Jehovah's witnesses. I'm going to fine her $25.00. Will that be all right?" The "big shot" consented, and the fine was entered accordingly.
Hostility, prejudice and lawlessness on the part of the courts have been further shown in acts such as the following: Making unusual and exorbitant bail restrictions especially for Jehovah's witnesses. Evasion on the part of officials, thus making impossible the arranging of bail. Suppression of trial records. Jailing of defendants because of their refusal to take the stand in behalf of the prosecution. Needless postponement of trials, subjecting defendants to great inconvenience and much unnecessary expense. Refusal to consider evidence or law in behalf of defendants, and in place thereof a blind and senseless penalizing of innocent people.
TIMID GOVERNORS JUST CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT
Petitions and statements have been presented to the governors of the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia, protesting over the outrageous and unjust tactics of the pontifical inquisitors in their states. They have been requested to investigate and use their influence to prevent the complete destruction of religious liberty. It takes a brave man, however, to speak out against the ruthless operations of the sacerdotal politicians who wield great power, and no state executive has yet dared lift his voice in protest over the eviction of freedom of worship from this state.
CATHOLIC INQUISITION'S REBIRTH IN THIS COUNTRY
There is one central source of all this religious intolerance, judicial oppression, legislative chicanery, and lawlessness. That source is the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. By Roman Catholic Hierarchy we do not mean the millions of honest Catholic population, and which are designated by the organization the "children of the church". They are not a part of the Hierarchy. The Hierarchy is the group of high officials which rule and direct the policies of the Catholic Church. That organization is political and religious. It is a foreign power, and has its tentacles out seeking to secure control of all nations, including the United States. The Catholic press has been exceedingly vehement against the work of Jehovah's witnesses. A few samples which relate to radio lectures and illustrate the general attitude of the organization are presented:
STOP THESE INSULTS NOW
A strong protest should be lodged immediately—this week—by Catholic people with one or several radio stations in their respective vicinities on which the anti-Catholic speech of Judge Rutherford is scheduled to be broadcast Sunday. Wherever possible this protest should be made in person by individuals as well as by delegations representative of Catholic societies.
This is real Catholic action in practice and there is no time to lose.
Where the station owners object to the financial loss incurred by breaking the contract, they should be made to understand that they stand to lose a great deal more by putting this speech on the air.
—Catholic Register of Kansas City, June 22, 1933.
The Catholic Transcript of December 12, 1935, breaks forth as follows:
Catholics in various localities succeeded in persuading their home stations to suppress this menace to good will. More recently Rutherford's followers under the name of Jehovah's witnesses have got into the news for refusing to allow their children to salute the flag. Catholics have always held that this man should not be tolerated.
Defender of the Faith, Catholic paper of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in its issue of June 15, 1936, unburdens itself of the following:
If they [Jehovah's witnesses] are witnesses they are false like those used by the Jews the night Jesus was tried. They should not only be persecuted but prosecuted for perjury . . .
The prelates in general have kept themselves out of sight in court proceedings or mob action against Jehovah's witnesses. However, in a few cases they became careless and disclosed themselves as the instigators of the lawlessness which followed. In New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Catholic priests of the community instigated a riot by telling the chief burgess and the people of the community to run Jehovah's witnesses out of town. At Brimfield, Illinois, a Catholic priest inspired the sheriff of the county to institute a brutal campaign against Jehovah's witnesses which resulted in assaults on some and the unlawful arrests of 111. A Catholic priest instigated the arrest of two of Jehovah's witnesses in Kansas City, but lost his courage and failed to appear when the matter came up for trial in the higher court. In Bayonne, New Jersey, the police arrested one of Jehovah's witnesses and took him to a Catholic priest to find out what they should do with him.
No member of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy suffers persecution for practicing his religion anywhere in the United States. But that powerful organization, under the direction of a foreign ruler, would gather this entire country into its fold, if possible, and suppress all freedom and rights of the people.
To put the people in fear, that dictators may rule unhindered, is the scheme and ultimate purpose of that monstrous religious organization. A striking example is Germany, where only the Catholic organization is given a free hand. Hitler and the Vatican, as is well known, work hand in hand. Arriving at a just conclusion, based upon the infallible Word of Almighty God as recorded in His prophecies, it is certain that the Roman Catholic Hierarchy organization is now subtly attempting to gain full temporal power among the nations. One of the means to accomplish that subtle purpose is to put to silence every person or organization that tells the truth to the people of and concerning God's Word and His kingdom. The Roman Catholic organization is today fulfilling prophecy wherein God foretold that that organization would attempt to seize control of the lands called "Christendom"; that God would permit it to go to a certain limit and that then that organization, and all who support or uphold it, will be completely destroyed by the power of Almighty God. This warning is set forth in the prophecies, and God commands those who love Him to give this and other information concerning His kingdom to the people. The kingdom of God under Christ is the only remedy for the ills of humankind. All those who refuse to know and to serve Christ Jesus the King, and all those who oppose His kingdom, will suffer destruction. The people are entitled to hear the facts, that each one may pursue the course that he desires and that the responsibility may rest upon each one individually.
The Catholic organization should be permitted to practice its religion as it pleases, but the question is: Do the representatives of the people of the United States elected and sworn to obey and uphold the Constitution wish to be used to further the interests of a selfish institution, ambitious to rule or ruin; or will the American Congress take the necessary steps to see that the Constitution is upheld and that a free people shall exercise their God-given rights of freedom of worship of Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience and as the fundamental law of the land guarantees? Surely the members of Congress regard their own eternal destiny and their proper standing before Almighty God as superior to the political support of a religious organization which has as its final objective the political rule of the world. Surely the right of American people to worship Almighty God, without being persecuted for so doing, is more important than to permit a foreign power operating from Vatican City, Italy, to carry out its selfish purpose in this land of supposed freedom.
The statement was signed by Judge Rutherford, as president of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, and presented to the Congress in behalf of Jehovah's witnesses. In its concluding paragraph the offer is made to Congress to produce evidence proving that the worship of Almighty God in accordance with the dictates of conscience is no longer free in all parts of America. Recommendation was made that a complete and thorough investigation should be made, with open hearings thereon, in order that the destructive influences which would destroy all liberty may be brought to light, and necessary legislation be passed to protect the rights of all the people.
Meet Charles Brandis, Brazoria, Texas
MEET Charles Brandis, Brazoria (Tex.) brave man; you might like to write him a nice letter. On March 8, 1937, as ringleader of a mob in that city, he attacked S. A. Keith, pioneer, for the sole reason that Keith loves Jehovah God and is one of His witnesses. No other charge whatever rested against him. Keith is a cripple. Claiming that he is dictator in Brazoria, Brandis tried to force Keith to leave town, abused him, struck him on the nose, knocked off his glasses, and made his nose bloody. There were 30 or 31 men in the mob at one time; unmanly men, cowards all.
In the same mob with Brandis was a Brazoria gentleman who claims the name of Ogburn. He also was ready to fight a cripple, and eager to do so; he can no doubt be reached in care of Mr. Brandis. Another member of the mob was Mr. Britton; address in care of Mr. Brandis.
Mr. Britton bravely hit the crippled man three times, and kicked him on the left hip, aggravating a serious trouble in that member. Keith, a crippled sufferer anyway, was not able to sleep that night on account of the pain in his hip. Britton is a peach of a citizen; a pippin sure enough. If Brazoria wants to keep him, all O.K. He also broke the glass in the door of Keith's car. Not sure if he is a deacon in some church, but he probably is.
Mr. Johnson, sheriff of the county, lives at Brazoria. He was not in the mob. You might ask Mr. Johnson what he intends to do with Brandis, Ogburn and Britton for striking, kicking and abusing a cripple whose only offense is that he loves the Creator and is trying to serve Him. It would be interesting to know what he says; you might send in here the replies to your letters.
Jehovah's Blessings in the Near East By Joseph E. Rahal (Ohio)
(From a report to Judge Rutherford)
I WANT to take this opportunity of giving you a general report of my trip to Syria, as well as to tell you of the conditions which I found there.
I sailed from New York on the S.S. Normandy September 2, carrying with me nine cartons of Arabic publications and two cartons of Angels booklets. After I had boarded the steamer witness Abood advised me that the Angels booklets were banned in Syria and Mt. Lebanon. Of course, it was too late to take them off, and I said the Lord's will be done and if it was necessary I could leave them in France.
While on the steamer I used all my time in the witness work and by Jehovah's grace I was able to place several hundred of these booklets as well as bound volumes. I reached a class of people that could not be reached in any other way, first calling on the tourist and first class and then on the third class.
Reaching France, by redeeming the time I became acquainted with a lot of Syrians from all over the world and by Jehovah's grace I was able to place about sixty-some odd bound books and 128 booklets. After a few days in France I decided to take all the publications along with me. I sailed from Marseilles on the S.S. Providence and I discovered that seventy percent of the passengers were either Syrians or Egyptians and, thanks be to the Most High God, I used the entire voyage of seven days in carrying this message to every quarter of the ship. In the first-class bracket there were ambassadors, consuls, and men who represent and hold high offices in various governments. Of course, on the ship they couldn't say that they did not have time, and there wasn't anywhere else for them to go.
Kingdom Privileges on Shipboard
Besides giving a good testimony and placing 300 pieces of literature I persuaded the purser of the Messageries Maritimes that since the bulk of his business depended solely on Arabic-speaking people it would be to his advantage to secure a good quantity of books and booklets and use them in his libraries, namely, for the first, second and third class. After much effort I succeeded in placing almost a half carton of books and booklets, and he distributed same to the three different classes.
On this same steamer there must have been about a hundred nuns and an equal number of Jesuit priests. By the grace of Jehovah I was able to give these men and women a witness in the light of which they never would be able to say that they knew nothing about the impending trouble, and I was successful in placing some literature with some of them, but it was strange to see some of the nuns and priests steal their way into the libraries and to the tables and pick some of the literature, read it, and return it almost in a subtle manner.
Laughing at the Devil's organization
Finally we reached Alexandria, and I was thankful that I had the opportunity to spend two days in the land of Pharaoh. I still had several hundred Angels booklets; so I worked in the government buildings, from the post office to the customs houses, and just as I was ready to go to the city proper I was held by several policemen, who reminded me that that was a Mohammedan country. Of course I inquired if all the population was Mohammedan, and their answer was no; and then I said that 'the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof'; and when the man heard me he said, 'I can do nothing else than let you go through.' I worked that entire day and was able to place a large number of Angels booklets, as I was determined to put them to use.
Beyrouth—Tripoli—Rahba Akkar
I finally sailed for Beyrouth; and after we went ashore the customs authorities examined all my baggage, and when he came to the Angels booklets he wanted to know what they were. I gave him an exact testimony relating the contents of the booklets. He was so carried away by the wonderful news he said, “That’s all; take them away!” After spending a week or so in Beyrouth with the friends I endeavored, by the grace of Jehovah, to organize them into a service unit after meeting with them for five consecutive nights and lead them into the field service during the day. Finally the weak sisters did not attend the meetings any more.
Then I made numerous trips to Tripoli, and I found the company there in excellent condition. I organized them for service and spent several weeks with them, leading them every day in the field service, and finally was successful in encouraging two brothers to sign up for pioneer work. The company there today is in the care of witness Attia, who is a very capable brother meek and teachable and speaks excellent English and has a clear knowledge of the truth and can see the issue. He is employed by the I.P.C., viz., the Iraq Petroleum Corporation. In his spare hours he translates the Watchtower articles into Arabic and writes them by hand and distributes them among the friends.
There was a young witness there in his twenties who joined me in my trip to Syria and Palestine. He was, and is, very zealous and, like witness Attia, is blind to everything but Jehovah’s service. He, together with witness Attia, assisted me in organizing a company in Amion Kora, a distance of 38 kilometers from Tripoli, and now they are rejoicing in going out in the service and making a general report monthly.
I also organized a company in Rahba Akkar, Liban. The first week in October I took a little company with me, namely, witness Attia, his two sons and two others, for a week’s trip into the rural section, south of Homes, Syria. We worked in towns and villages. After working one town we came across one man who, after hearing the message, was so overtaken that tears started to run down his cheeks and he asked us to break bread with him, and was very persistent in so doing. We complied with his wishes and, of course, when we got to the house there were no chairs and we had to sit on the floor, crossing our legs, and you can imagine what happened to my trousers!
While there the man of the house invited us to spend the evening with the mayor of the town. Of course, the ancient custom is that all the heads of the families gather into the mayor’s mansion, where he treats them to coffee, and, by Jehovah’s grace, we redeemed the time by giving testimony to over 100 men. Some were crying, some sighing, and some were shouting.
While we were in this place the three priests of the town sent word to the mayor demanding of him to leave the house and come to see them, and on three different occasions he rebuked the messenger, and finally told him to tell the priests that he had company in the house and if they wished to see him they should come there and hear something that would put sense into their heads. Of course, they did not come; and we were able to leave over 50 pieces of literature in the house, with 12 different people. So you can readily see that nothing under the sun can stop this most important message.
Seeking the Great Shepherd’s “Other Sheep”
We worked one entire week in dusty towns and alley roads and placed hundreds of pieces of literature, taking in exchange oats and some other articles if they had no money to offer. Really the people there are in distress and are poverty-stricken, but they do need Jehovah’s kingdom, and, above all, they do need this life-giving message which will gladden their hearts and lighten their burdens. In one other town witness Attia happened to know the minister, and we were invited to his home, where he extended hospitality to us and was very gracious and accepted the literature and offered to let us use his church.
Finally we went into another town and had the opportunity of sleeping and partaking of their hospitality. He and his entire family rejoiced and took every piece of literature that we had in Arabic, and asked for more, and said, ‘Truly there is famine in the land,’ and clearly stated that in recent meetings of ministers in that part of the country over eighty percent of the clergy expressed disbelief in the Bible; and that grieved the man, so that the message we had and what we had to say gladdened his heart and he could clearly see that this is the truth. He invited us to stay longer, and said that he would assist us in calling on the people and placing the literature.
On another occasion, in the mountains, where we had to scale mountains by foot, in one town a deaf man came. He could read and write but could not hear, and the first day he kept on firing questions at me, and by Jehovah’s grace I answered them to his satisfaction. The next day he was not content to come alone, but brought another deaf person with him. Of course, I had to talk to him through a tube to get him to understand me. I clearly told the old man that if he wanted to live now was his opportunity to take a stand unequivocally on the side of Jehovah. Now I understand that he has joined and is leading the band in the mightiest work that the Lord ever caused to be done on this earth.
Kingdom Opportunities in Northern Syria
Then I made a trip to northern Syria, namely, Aleppo, and this city has a population of about 150,000 Armenians, 150,000 Syrians (“Christians”) and about 300,000 Mohammedans. There is one pioneer there, an Armenian, an elderly man. He does not seem to have the proper precepts and does not clearly see the issue. I tried my best for two weeks to get them organized, but failed in my efforts, as none of them are wholly devoted to Jehovah. They have been given the literature free or for next to nothing, but they have never worked the city systematically from house to house, and they raised the alibi that it could not be done.
Finally witness Salim, of Tripoli, and I worked with them for practically two weeks and showed them that it was possible to place literature and to receive the proper amount of contribution, regardless of their opinion, and even though the people were poverty-stricken. It is true that the economic conditions in that part of the country are really pitiful. They refused to meet with me so that I could assist them in being organized. During our stay of two weeks in that city witness Salim and I were able to place over 150 pieces of literature and receive contribution on same.
I then returned to Mt. Lebanon, where I was constantly in touch with the organized service units and joined them every day in the service.
At Beyrouth we have a new pioneer, namely, a Syrian brother, and two Greek pioneers. The Greek brothers are handicapped by reason of their inability to speak the English language, but they are doing their very best.
While in Aleppo I came across six Mohammedans who were lawyers and four judges who had read some of the literature and who really can be called Jonadabs, and they are about to take their stand on the side of Jehovah and His anointed King.
While in Mt. Lebanon one day we worked three little villages of about 200 homes each and came across several Catholic priests. That country is really eighty percent Catholic. Some of them took the literature gladly and made contribution, while others opposed the message.
Hungry People and Hypocritical Priests
We had one more village to work, and the only way that we could get to it was to walk a distance of five miles, scaling the mountains when we reached there. On this occasion there were eight persons in our party, and everyone took his position and we worked the town systematically. One man was so hungry for the message that he said to me that all the money he possessed in the world was seven cents and that he would be willing to contribute that for three booklets. He talked to me with tears in his eyes as he rejoiced in this wonderful message, and I was glad to be able to leave the three booklets with him on this small contribution.
I had only six more houses to do, and in one of these houses happened to be a priest. Upon inquiring at the door his daughter replied that he was not at home, and when this priest saw me he ducked. I searched the three homes for him in the hope that he would not commit some mischief, and I finally caught up with him with thirty-five people in the house. I gave him the testimony as well as these people, and at the same time I kept an eye on him, and when he refused to take any of the literature he openly said that he did not believe in the Bible, did not believe in its teachings, and opposed this message with every ounce of his being, and further said that he did not want to see Jehovah’s kingdom set up. Even with this opposition I was able to leave some literature in his house, and finally told him that his blood was upon his own head, and walked away.
After finishing this town we walked seven miles to get back to where we had started; and while it rained, that did not hinder us. While walking on the highway I met a young man walking from town and stopped him and gave him the testimony. He said that he had no money, and that all he possessed was a donkey, but that he would be willing to trade. Of course, I had no use for the beast, and finally traded him six booklets for a needle-worked handkerchief that his sweetheart had given to him, and he was glad to part with it in exchange for the life-giving message.
We went back to town and thirty-five of the brethren who had attended that special campaign placed more literature than ever before, and were themselves really amazed at the reception which they received at the hands of the people who are absolutely disgusted with the formalism in church organizations.
Out of the Hierarchy into the Light
I then made an extensive trip to Palestine and helped to organize the friends there, and while I was there the Tripoli company received a letter from a former professor in a Jesuit college in Jerusalem who had read some of the publications and was really hungry for some more.
After reaching Haifa, Palestine, witness Salim and I located some friends who were having some meetings but knew nothing about the service. The first night we had a meeting of about 35. The next morning we led them out in the service and more than half of the above number participated in the actual house-to-house witnessing and were able to place some literature and found the people really hungry and waiting for the message. Then we organized a little band and hired a special automobile and traveled a distance of 94 miles in answer to the request that this professor had made. We reached his home and spent some little time with him in giving him the testimony, and before we knew it there was a houseful. We were able to place in his household practically 30 pieces of literature. He is really hungering and thirsting after righteousness—happily he may find the Lord. He clearly stated that he is disgusted with that devilish and most satanic organization, namely, the Catholic Hierarchy, and that now he is rejoicing in the finding of that for which he has been searching for thirty years or more. All at once he sent a messenger after the priest, and straightway the priest wanted to shake hands with me by calling me a brother. Of course I objected, and he said in the presence of all these people, "I am really your brother in Christ." Then I said, "If you really love Jehovah and His Christ, take off that maternity gown you are wearing." He immediately cast his robe to the ground and said, "I am for Jehovah and His King."
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