Consolation, November 2, 1938

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Contents

FASCISM OR FREEDOM By J. F. Rutherford 3

Totalitarian Rule Begins 4

Conquest of America 7

What Are Jehovah's witnesses? 10

Keller's Reply to a Poor, Misguided Tool of the Hierarchy 13

Bethel Publisher Aboard Ship (II) 16

Kingdom Privileges in Near East (III) 17

Radio Feeding "Other Sheep" 18

Railroads 19

"Fascism Comes to Quebec" 20

Bloodstained Warriors 20

Hijacking Souls in "Purgatory" 21

Communion Breakfast Diet 22

A Stranger 23

Seattle Convention Echoes 24

New Jersey 25

The Press

A Curse to Its Community 26

"Build Up an Anti-Fascist Press" 26

Surgery

Chevalier Jackson, Bronchoscopist 27

Brain Surgery Restores Speech 27

The Political Situation 28

Mussolini's British Friends 28

The British Broadcasting Corporation 29

"Protestants" 29

The Proposed Super-Highways 31

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Hudson View —

Cover Design for This Number

WHILE the cover illustration presents a view in the Hudson valley by no means the most striking, yet it pictures an attractive part of the varied scenery through which this important river flows. Of the Hudson itself The Encyclopædia Britannica tells us:

"It is not a river in the truest sense of the word, but a river valley into which the ocean water has been admitted by subsidence of the land, transforming a large part of the valley into an inlet . . .

"The width of the tidal river varies somewhat, being about 300 yards at Albany and thence to the Highlands varying from 300 yards to 900 yards.

"The river enters the northern portals of the Highlands between a series of hills whose frequently precipitous sides rise often abruptly from the water's edge. For about sixteen miles the river is bordered by steeply rising hills, giving picturesque and striking views of great variety. . . . The views in this part of the river, often compared with those along the Rhine, are of a character in some respects unparalleled, and at several points they have an impressiveness and surprising grandeur rarely equaled. About ten miles after the Highlands are entered West Point is reached, a favorite landing-place of tourists and the seat of the United States Military Academy, from whose grounds fine views of the river may be had. This point is historically interesting as the seat of Fort Putnam, now in ruins, built during the American War of Independence, at which time a chain was stretched across the river to prevent the passage of British ships. . . .

"Just below Peekskill the river broadens out to form Haverstraw Bay, at the extremity of which is the headland of Croton Point. Below this is the wider expanse of Tappan Bay, which has a length of twelve miles and a breadth of from four to five miles, while below this the river narrows to a breadth between one and two miles. . . . At Piermont, where the bay ends, the range named the Palisades rises picturesquely from the water's edge to the height of between 300 and 500 feet, extending along the west bank for about twenty miles, the opposite shore being level . . . " (See also cover design, and description, for Consolation No. 487.) CONSOLATION

"And in His name shall the nations hope." — Matthew 12:21, A. R. V.

Volume XX Brooklyn, N. Y., Wednesday, November 2, 1938 Number 499

Fascism or Freedom

[Judge Rutherford's courageous speech delivered at New York city, Sunday, October 2, 1938, and broadcast over a transcontinental radio-chain]

Three weeks after delivery of the speech "FACE THE FACTS" came its companion piece, "FASCISM OR FREEDOM." In response to many requests for a rebuke to the unholy Roman Catholic Hierarchy for their gangster methods and interference with peaceable assembly in the United States and Canada and committed in an effort to prevent the people from hearing his London broadcast "FACE THE FACTS", Judge Rutherford arranged to address the American continent from Mecca Temple, New York City, October 2, 1938, on the subject "FASCISM OR FREEDOM". A visible audience of 7,000 people filled aisles, seats, and standing room of the main and overflow auditoriums, with hundreds turned away; again relay auditoriums in the United States and Canada were connected by direct wire and 60 radio stations spread exposure and disgrace for the most criminal organization on earth. Thus while the enemy were busy repairing their shattered breastwork of lies another explosion threw them into turmoil, and, caught thus unprepared, they were not able to muster the least opposition. Another victory of Jehovah heard by millions!

BEFORE all peoples there is today a great issue or question for final determination. Stated in brief, that issue is this: Shall the world be ruled in righteousness by Christ the enthroned King of Jehovah? or shall it be ruled by selfish, arbitrary dictators? To be sure, men cannot settle that issue; but soon the Lord will settle it, and every person must choose to take one side or the other and to receive the consequences. The issue involves life and death, and therefore the welfare of the people requires that they be told the facts.

Today I speak to the American people, who for more than a century have taken the lead as defenders of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of worship of Almighty God. All of these rights of men are now in grave jeopardy. The people need to hear and to give calm consideration to all the facts relating to the issue, and for that reason an assembly such as this is of great importance. Those who object to or oppose such assembly and a full discussion of the facts are the ones who advocate rule by cruel dictators, and their opposition is because of their desire to keep the people in ignorance until the people are deprived of all liberty and are under the complete control of dictators. The press and the radio are means of easy and quick communication of the facts to the people, but it is well known that, because of fear, many of these agencies are in the control of selfish interests and therefore refuse publication of the facts. This in itself increases the peril of the people. Certain radio stations, desiring to serve the public, are now broadcasting this speech, but before it ends there will be strenuous efforts to stop the broadcast and to deny the people the privilege of hearing. Such conduct is entirely un-American and very wrong. The American people are capable of hearing and considering the facts and are able to decide for themselves what they should do. I therefore earnestly urge upon the radio stations and all listeners to hear me through.

The totalitarian or dictatorial rule is fully supported by ambitious politicians, entrenched predatory wealth, and extremely selfish religious leaders. Totalitarian rule is the product of Satan.

God's kingdom is fully supported by all persons who love righteousness, and this is true without regard to race, color or previous faith. Jehovah's witnesses, for whom I speak, are wholly devoted to Jehovah God and Christ Jesus and therefore give their unqualified support to God's kingdom.

Newspapers of the religious element falsely charge that Jehovah’s witnesses are engaged in a campaign of hate, but that charge is entirely without foundation in truth. Jehovah’s witnesses are lovers of peace and righteousness. They do not hate men and are not fighting against men. As witnesses for the Lord their sole mission is to inform the people and aid them to see what is for their best interest. They do hate wickedness and wicked schemes which bring upon the people oppression and sorrow and which defame God’s name. In this they follow exactly in the steps of Christ Jesus, whom Jehovah has made the rightful ruler of the whole world, and concerning whom it is written in God’s Word (Hebrews 1:8, 9; Psalm 45:7): “A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom; thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

Jehovah’s witnesses are true Christians, that is, followers of Christ Jesus, and God’s command to all such true Christians is that they must tell the truth, that the people of good will may learn the way to righteousness and life. (John 18:37) No human agency can rightfully interfere therewith. Those who object to the full publication of truth of God’s Word and the facts in support thereof thereby declare themselves against Jehovah God and Christ Jesus His King. Honest men will lay aside all prejudice and calmly consider the facts.

Totalitarian Rule Begins

The issue now before the people is not new, but the time has come when that issue must be finally settled, and God has announced it shall be settled once and for all. Totalitarian rule raised its blighting head and began to exercise its destructive power five thousand years ago. Such rule originated with Satan the Devil, the foe of God and of honest men. As Christians we must and do accept the Bible as God’s Word of truth given to man for his sure guide. (Psalm 119:105) Therein we find the truth recorded that the Devil used Nimrod as the first dictator. Nimrod set up religion contrary to God’s command; introduced traffic to control the products of men’s labor, and employed politics to rule the people arbitrarily. From that time till now every dictatorial government has employed religion, and combined religion with commercial traffic and politics to arbitrarily rule the people and to turn them against Jehovah God and His kingdom. Jehovah God organized the people of Israel into a nation for himself and gave to that people His covenant and His law for their guidance, that they might be a model nation. To them God gave the express command that they must hold themselves entirely aloof from religion and that they must obey God’s law. (Exodus 20:1-5) In time selfish men, as leaders of the Israelites, adopted a form of religion and employed it, together with commerce and politics, to control the people and turn them away from God. The Pharisees and the doctors of the law became religious leaders, ruled the people arbitrarily, and persecuted every one of God’s true witnesses. (Matthew 23:33-35; 21:43) Jesus denounced religion and religionists, declaring the same to be instruments of the Devil. (Matthew 15:1-9; John 8:42-44) Then the Jews fell under the arbitrary dictatorial rule of Rome, and the religious clergy took the side of the dictator of Rome as against Jesus, the Son of God. When those religious clergymen were demanding the lifeblood of Jesus the Roman governor said to them (John 19:15): “Shall I crucify your King?” Those religionists in answer cried out: “We have no king but Caesar”; thus rejecting Jesus, whom God had sent to them.

The people of Israel were ruled by the iron hand of a Roman dictator, and Israel’s religious clergymen gave the allegiance to and supported the dictator, abandoned God and His Word, and took away the freedom of the people. In the presence and hearing of those clergymen Jesus said to the people (John 8:31, 32, 36): “If ye continue in my word, . . . ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” and, “if I make you free, then you shall be free indeed.” Thus it is settled that true freedom comes by full obedience to Christ Jesus.

Exactly a similar condition obtains today. Christ Jesus, the world’s rightful Ruler, has come again, and Jehovah has enthroned Him. His rule has begun while the Devil still operates through his agencies on earth. (Psalm 110:2) In “Christendom” the leaders have turned from God and have become entirely religious and are against God and His kingdom. In every country where dictatorial rule obtains religious leaders support the dictator, and dictators declare their violent opposition to Jehovah God and His King, Christ Jesus. Now the Lord has sent forth His witnesses to tell the truth of and concerning His kingdom and of His purpose, to the end that the people may learn that their only means of freedom is by serving Christ the King of Jehovah. Therefore all dictators and their allies bitterly oppose those who serve God and who advertise His King and kingdom.

Theocracy

Satan the Devil caused the downfall of man and brought sickness and death upon the human race. That was the beginning of religion. Then God gave His word of promise that in due time He would redeem man and would set up a righteous government for the rule of the world and that all men who would choose to serve Him and His King should receive life everlasting and dwell for ever in peace. That government is a theocracy because everything thereof is done in harmony with the will of Jehovah. Psalm 19:7-9: 'All of His laws and ways are righteous and true.'

In opposition to Jehovah God and in direct contrast to His righteous kingdom, the Devil brings forth an arbitrary, a dictatorial, totalitarian rule of the people, which is unrighteous and desperately wicked and which denies the people the right of peaceable assembly, freedom of worship, and freedom of speech. The Devil is the mimic god, and his dictatorial rule in the earth is a mockery of Jehovah God and a blasphemy of God's holy name, and is set up for that purpose and to turn the people against God and His kingdom, and to plunge the whole race into everlasting destruction. All people that now willingly give their allegiance to the Devil's totalitarian rule are certain to be destroyed at Armageddon, because God has so decreed. The only place of safety and freedom and of life for the people is by turning to and giving their entire allegiance to the kingdom under Christ. Knowing this, the Devil desperately attempts to keep the people in ignorance of these vital truths, because it is only by knowing the truth that the people may learn the way to freedom and to life. The issue, therefore, is of life and death.

Facts

For the benefit of all persons who desire righteousness I now submit the indisputable facts. In doing so I am not moved by hatred of any man, but am moved by loving obedience to Almighty God and by an unselfish desire to do good unto all men. Therefore I ask the radio managers of stations broadcasting this speech to permit the entire speech to be heard without interruption, because your life is involved and the life and liberty of each listener is involved. If it appears that the facts, when spoken, may shock the susceptibilities of some religious leaders, ask yourselves this question: Which are more important, the feelings of a few selfish men or the liberties and lives of countless millions? The loss of liberty means ultimately the loss of everything.

Italy

What already obtains in continental Europe is moving stealthily and with rapidity against America, and for this reason I cite as apt examples the European condition. Italy set up a Fascist government with Mussolini, an avowed atheist, as dictator, and he has excluded from that land every witness of Jehovah God and supporter of Christ's kingdom. Shortly after Mussolini became dictator he entered into an agreement with the pope, the leading religionist on earth, by which temporal power was granted to the Vatican, and Mussolini became a supporter of the Catholic organization and of Catholic Action; hence he is a religionist and against God and Christ.

The Italian dictator prosecuted a cruel war of conquest against and destroyed the helpless people of Abyssinia, and that unwarranted action of the dictator the pope fully supported. Now Mussolini persecutes the Jews, who have made their homes in Italy, and in that wrongful act he is supported by the Hierarchy. For more than a year a bloody and unrighteous war has been prosecuted in Spain by rebels against the government, and that war of rebellion, which has brought cruel death to many innocents, both Mussolini and the pope have fully supported. Japan is now carrying on a wicked war against China, and in that war Japan has the support of the pope and at his instance Japan has excluded or has denied Jehovah's witnesses the privilege of bearing testimony to His kingdom.

Fascism, Nazism, and Communism all mean the same thing, because all are for totalitarian rule and all are against God and Christ His King and all persecute the faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. This evidence is cited to show the deadly conflict between Fascism and freedom.

Germany

In Germany the common people are peace-loving. The Devil has put his representative Hitler in control, a man who is of unsound mind, cruel, malicious and ruthless, and who acts in utter disregard of the liberties of the people. Together with his backers, he rules with an iron hand. He cruelly persecutes the Jews because they were once Jehovah's covenant people and bore the name of Jehovah, and because Christ Jesus was a Jew. Hitler has imprisoned thousands of Jehovah's witnesses, the true followers of Christ Jesus, who have been guilty of nothing but advertising the kingdom of Christ. Many of those witnesses have been foully murdered while in Hitler prisons. In the persecution of Jews and of Christians, and in his arbitrary rule, Hitler has had the unqualified support of the Catholic Hierarchy. I here read into the record an article over the signature of a Catholic priest of Berlin, and which was published in the newspaper The German on May 29, 1938, which, amongst other things, says: "There is now one country on earth where the so-called . . . Bible Students [Jehovah's witnesses] are forbidden. That is Germany! . . . The Catholic Church in Brüning's time urged to have [that sect suppressed]. . . . When Adolph Hitler came to power, and the German Catholic Episcopate repeated their request, Hitler said: 'These so-called Earnest Bible Students [Jehovah's witnesses] are troublemakers; . . . I consider them quacks; I do not tolerate that the German Catholics shall be besmirched in such a manner by this American Judge Rutherford; I dissolve [Jehovah's witnesses] in Germany; their property I dedicate to the people's welfare; I will have all their literature confiscated.' [The priest adds,] Bravo! However, in the American Episcopate, even Cardinal Mundelein is not able to have Rutherford's books . . . taken away."

Hitler and the pope entered into a contract for mutual operations and have worked together in Germany. When the Nazis marched into and seized Austria and destroyed the freedom of the people, there the Vatican betrayed the Austrians and fully supported Hitler in his ruthless act.

Today Hitler and Mussolini, the arbitrary dictators, threaten the peace of the whole world, and they are fully supported in their destruction of freedom by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, which fact is shown by the Catholic press today.

The Communistic dictator arbitrarily rules Russia, and that country has put up a wall against all witnesses for the kingdom of God. The Catholic press of America tries to induce the people to believe that the Vatican is against Communism. But the facts show that the Hierarchy is willing to make an arrangement with any dictatorial or totalitarian power that will permit the Vatican to act as a kind of super-spiritual government and have the political element do its bidding. Note this, which appears in the New York Times July 26, 1938: "Mr. Forbes, executive secretary of the Communist party, proposed mutual co-operation between Communism and the Roman Catholic Hierarchy in state affairs. In answer thereto the pope, acting through his cardinal and authoritative representative (Verdier) at Paris, made reply to the Communist party in these words: 'If this gesture of the outstretched hand from your side expresses the wish to become better acquainted with your Catholic brothers in order to give better respect to the religion which inspires them to their convictions, their feelings, their works, then the church will not refuse to carry out this work of enlightenment and you will recognize that this can contribute greatly to the happiness of all.' To such generous offer from the pope the Communist party responded in these words: 'The outstretched hand of the Communist party to the Catholic people remains outstretched.'" This further was supported by Communistic leaflets distributed in New York yesterday.

These are not lying statements, as the Catholic press of America generally declares concerning all statements I make, but are plain truths which cannot be successfully contradicted. They are stated, not because of hate, but in order that the honest people, Catholics and non-Catholics, may see that the kingdom of God under Christ is violently opposed by the greatest religious institution on earth, which falsely and blasphemously claims to represent God and Christ, and which now works desperately against the Kingdom of God and against the interest of the people.

America

That it is the purpose of the religious organization named to destroy American freedom, I shall now prove, and in support thereof I quote from a letter of a Catholic priest, O'Brien of Syracuse, New York, published in L'Aurora, as follows: "This land belongs to us by every right. Long enough have we compromised on every important question. Now we demand what is really ours and we are going to have it; . . . peacefully, honestly, if we may; if necessary we are ready to fight and die for it. . . . We want as cabinet members children of the holy mother church holding important positions in the entire structure of our government. . . . From now on the Protestant heresies will receive the treatment ascribed to the Protestant heretics . . . by our Canon laws. . . . We are ready prepared for 1940. . . . All . . . institutions . . . must be wiped out or placed under the protection of our Hierarchy . . . " "All loyal children of the [Catholic] church [are] to assist our worthy President with all [our] strength to see that the individuals comprising the United States Supreme Court shall obey the President's injunctions and if necessary we will change, amend or blot out the present Constitution so that the president may enforce . . . our humanitarian program on all phases of human rights as laid down by our saintly popes and the holy mother the church." That traitorous statement has never been repudiated by the Hierarchy, and therefore has the Hierarchy's approval.

Conquest of America

No one has ever tried to interfere with Catholics' practicing their religion. The official Hierarchy has taken advantage of the liberty granted by the Constitution of the United States to use their religious organization as a political machine to gain control of the nation and to destroy the liberties of the people. Many honest and enlightened Catholics, seeing that the Vatican is bent on political conquest of America, have forsaken that religious organization and have taken their stand on the side of the Lord and righteousness. An ex-Jesuit priest of New York, Doctor E. Boyd Barrett, recently published his book entitled "Rome Stoops to Conquer", and from that book I quote the following:

"Pope Pius XI . . . has given the best of his singular ability to the supervision and direction of the Catholic campaign in America. . . . [War is being waged in] the greatest struggle of the Church's history. The conquest of America is the supreme objective at which he aims. . . . Pius is well aware that the Catholic church can never hope again to dominate the civilized world until America kneels, beaten and penitent, at her feet. . . . Characteristic of [his] strategy in guiding American Catholics [in Catholic Action] . . . he has taught them to enlarge and remodel the Catholic press. . . . Catholic Action partakes of politics, and is a political penetration, an infiltration into the political world of a new force and agency. . . . Cardinal Pacelli, on behalf of His Holiness, . . . urged on the Knights [of Columbus] to . . . rally . . . Catholic manhood as necessary for the 'practical solution of those problems of social and civil life . . .'"

In 1930 Alfred E. Smith announced his belief "in the American doctrine of the absolute separation of Church and State". "Pius XI . . . definitely repudiated the 'absolute separation' heresy of . . . Smith and enlarged upon the desirability of 'union and association' between Church and State." The pope said: "Governments can assist the church greatly in the execution of its important office if in laying down their ordinances they take account of what is prescribed by divine and ecclesiastical law, and if penalties are fixed for offenders. . . ."

"A phase of present-day Catholic Action is the urging of Catholics to throw themselves into politics. . . . Catholic leaders . . . do not advocate . . . a separate Catholic party. . . . The church prefers to control legislators rather than parties, and to avoid the odium and expense of running a distinct organization. But the church wants plenty of high offices for her children. . . . The most sensational use of political power to force a Church issue was that of Archbishop Curley when he threatened the present administration, and President Roosevelt in particular. . . . When he took it upon himself to tell the President what he should do, and to threaten him with political extinction if he did otherwise, then Archbishop Curley was acting not merely as an ordinary politician but as a political dictator. . . . It seems to be the policy of the church here to maintain intimate relations with politicians, and with State employees. As regards the latter, the police are first in favor with the Church . . . and that having them in their thousands in her tow she can all the more easily command politicians. . . ."

"Who can place a limit to the Catholic objective in this country? Re-open diplomatic relations with Rome? Though gratified by such a concession, why should Catholics be content with that? Accord to them the right of exclusive censorship over books, plays, amusements and the Press. The church would accept such office without giving thanks for it, for she would regard it as her exclusive right to enjoy it. Amend the Constitution so as to allow State Legislatures to apportion public moneys to the support of Catholic schools and institutions. The Church would grudgingly admit that a long-delayed obligation was being met by the country. Go further, and amend the Constitution so as to recognize the jurisdiction of her Ecclesiastical Courts and establish the Catholic Church as the official Church of America. At this point the Church would begin to relax and smile with content. But still she would demand more and more of us. . . . She would not ask for any measures to be taken against Protestant denominations as long as they did not criticize her or cross her path or encourage Freemasonry . . . Protestant sects would be tolerated and treated in a kindly way subject to what she would consider necessary and reasonable restrictions. . . . Never was the Catholic Church in any country in the world since Christendom began so rich, so highly organized, so influential, so loyally soldiered by her subjects as she is today in the United States."

That is plain language and strong proof that the Hierarchy in America is working hand in glove with the Fascists to grab control of the nation and to take away all the liberties of the people.

Further Action

I now submit the proof showing the Hierarchy putting into practice what Doctor Barrett says they intend to do. On September 11 last I delivered an address at London, which was broadcast to many countries. More than 100 radio stations in America broadcast that speech "FACE THE FACTS". To prevent the people from hearing the facts Catholic Action flooded many radio stations with threatening letters, and some stations, because of fear, yielded to their demands. In many places in the United States, Christians rented public halls, installed wireless equipment, and there peaceably assembled to hear the speech and to worship God in spirit and in truth. Catholic Action tried to prevent such assemblies, and succeeded in a few instances.

At Chicago, where most of the public officials are Catholic and dominated by a cardinal, the Navy Pier auditorium was leased for the convention of Jehovah's witnesses, and everything was in readiness, when Cardinal Mundelein's representative demanded the cancellation of the lease and the prevention of this Christian assembly. Public officials yielded to that demand.

At Rochester, New York, Commissioner McFarlin rented to Jehovah's witnesses the city hall for their convention. Two days before the convention opened the Catholic priest, John Randall, acting under command of the bishop, demanded that the city cancel the lease, shut out Jehovah's witnesses, and prevent their peaceable assembly, and the cancellation was made, and for one day this hall was closed against that Christian body. Then on application Justice Voorhis issued an Order of Court requiring the hall to be opened, and it was done.

At Ottawa, Canada, the Coliseum was engaged for this convention of Christians. Ten days later notice was served on Jehovah's witnesses by the Board of Control that the use of the Coliseum "is granted subject to there being no utterances made . . . against any church or religious denomination or those connected with churches or religious denominations".

At Little Rock, Arkansas, the city council, at the instance of the Catholic bishop Morris and his organization of Knights of Columbus, prevented the peaceable assembly of Jehovah's witnesses in the public park for worship and to listen to the London lecture.

At Colorado Springs the Catholic clergy and other politicians signed a petition, falsely charging "that Rutherford is against Christianity and all it stands for, and the American flag, and the ideals it stands for", and thereby induced the radio station to cancel its broadcast contract and the press to publish the libelous statement.

Many other radio stations in the chain were bullied and threatened. As to the effect thereof I quote a letter of a radio manager, which is a sample of many others, addressed to the Watch Tower agency: "We regret to advise that due to the prevalence of Catholicism in this territory we must refrain from taking the broadcast." Many radio stations were threatened by Catholic priests if they broadcast the lecture.

New Orleans

At New Orleans the Coliseum arena was leased for the assembly in convention of these Christian people to worship God and to hear the London speech. At the instance of the Catholic Hierarchy the doors of the Arena were locked and the literature of Jehovah's witnesses withheld from them and they were prevented from assembling. Another hall was then engaged, and Catholic Action succeeded in having that hall closed to Jehovah's witnesses. A third hall was taken, and while a local speaker was delivering a Bible lecture the audience was intimidated by a squad of police under the command of one McNamara. The fourth hall was rented, and a Catholic police squad stopped the installation of telephone wires in that building, and thus prevented the assembly of Jehovah's witnesses there to receive the London speech. Then the Jockey Club, outside the city limits, was leased for the peaceable assembly and worship by these Christians. Under pressure from the Catholic Hierarchy the parish sheriff prevented the installation of the telephone wires and the use of that place of assembly. Then, as a last resort, a private open-air lot was taken, and there on Sunday, September the 11th, a body of Christian people assembled peaceably and to worship God and to hear the London address. Electrical equipment had been installed. A squad of police, under command of McNamara was on the ground before the audience arrived. McNamara, under the direction of the Catholic Hierarchy, stepped forward and excitedly cried out to the audience assembled: "Stand back"; and then, turning to his police squad, he gave this command: "Men, when the lecture starts stop it, even if you have to break the electrical equipment; and the first man who interferes, shoot to kill." When the lecture began at London, McNamara himself cut the telephone wires, disabled the electrical equipment, and, while he was doing so, the police squad stood with their hands on their guns, and thus the people again were forcibly prevented to peaceably assemble, freely worship and exercise freedom of speech.

Immediately following this highhanded and unlawful action the Catholic newspaper known as Catholic Action of the South, edited by the "Right Reverend" Wynhoven, published the following: "It is indeed a source of deep gratification that notwithstanding the persistent efforts of the witnesses of Jehovah, their three-day convention in New Orleans was frustrated. . . . Practically every large hall in the city was denied them. . . . The chief of police's office and the sheriff of Jefferson Parish unhesitatingly stepped in to stop effectively this insult to New Orleans." The Federal Court is preventing a repetition today of such unlawful acts, but Wynhoven won't publish that.

The proof is therefore conclusive that the Catholic Hierarchy was back of the unlawful action in breaking up a peaceable assembly of Christians gathered together for worship of Almighty God. This is further and conclusive proof that the Hierarchy is against God and against His kingdom under Christ and is working in league with Fascism to destroy the liberties of the people. The Hierarchy has bullied and bluffed and threatened and put fear into the public press and the owners of many radio stations, to prevent the people from hearing the truth. Honest, sincere Catholics do not endorse such highhanded and unlawful action, and they, seeing that the Hierarchy has turned the organization into a political machine and is robbing the people and using the money to destroy their liberties, these honest Catholics are forsaking the Hierarchy and turning themselves to God and to His kingdom. This action of honest Catholics greatly angers the Hierarchy. And their priests and press howl.

Advance in America

Calmly now consider the length to which Fascist-Hierarchy rule has advanced in America: Catholic priests boldly declare that the government of the United States shall be seized in 1940; threaten to compel the United States Supreme Court to obey the demands of the Hierarchy; threaten to amend or destroy the Constitution as best suits the convenience of the Hierarchy; threaten Protestants with violence who dare oppose the Hierarchy.

The Hierarchy, as stated by Doctor Barrett, has been turned into a political machine which prefers to control legislators rather than have a separate party, and to have many important offices in the government; a Catholic bishop arrogantly threatens the president of the United States unless he conforms to the will of the Hierarchy. The public press and many radio stations are browbeaten into silence as against the Hierarchy's crooked work; Protestant clergy have been induced to remain silent; the Jews are frightened into submission and silence; and now the only class of men on earth who have faith and courage to tell the truth are persecuted, imprisoned, threatened, their peaceable assemblies broken up, and their freedom of worship and freedom of speech denied! Does it not appear that liberties of the American people are about all gone?

When the people are told the facts about a crowd that is operating under a religious cloak to steal their rights, the Hierarchy howls and says: "Lies! Put a gag in the mouths of those and do not permit them to speak." Honest Catholics and honest men of all faiths are against such highhanded action.

Is it wrong to publish the truth concerning a bunch of hijackers that are robbing the people? No! Then is it wrong to publish the truth concerning a religious organization, operating hypocritically and doing the same thing? Americans have heretofore been at liberty to express themselves freely on public matters. No sane man in America would desire to do the president any personal harm, but many sincere and honest Americans properly criticize the policy of the president, and the newspapers and the radio stations are not forbidden to publish such criticism. Is the Hierarchy so sacred that it has greater privileges than the president of the United States? What right has Rome to tell the Americans that they cannot publish the truth about the despoilers of the people? Shall honest men be gagged and compelled to remain silent while this bunch of hijackers destroy the liberties of the people? Above all, shall the people be denied their God-given privileges of peaceable assembly and freedom of worship of Almighty God, and freedom of speech concerning His kingdom and those who oppose it?

What Are Jehovah's witnesses?

Jehovah's witnesses are not a sect and are not religionists. They are Christians. They are made up of those who have come from Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and those outside of all religious organizations. They are men and women who love righteousness and truth and hate wickedness. They are not politicians. They are not kingdom builders, because God builds His kingdom. As John the Baptist was, so are Jehovah's witnesses, "a voice in the wilderness crying out" to the people and warning them that their only means of escape, safety and salvation is by placing themselves under Jehovah's King, Christ Jesus.

It is written in the Word of God: "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." (Proverbs 29:25) Protestants, Jews, many radio station owners and others, by reason of fear of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, have been led into the snare of Satan, gagged, and are bound hand and foot. Jehovah's witnesses, and all others who love righteousness and who love God, now serve notice on the Fascist-Hierarchy combine that they will not, because of fear, yield to that totalitarian rule and will not remain silent and refrain from testifying to God's kingdom. They believe and trust wholly in the Lord God, and Him they will obey.

Since the appearing of that hideous monstrosity, the totalitarian rule, the liberties of the people have rapidly vanished, and ever-increasing woes have come upon the nations. Among such woes and crimes are these, to wit: The rape of Abyssinia; the wanton slaughter of innocents in Spain; the cruel persecution of Jews and Christians in Germany and Italy; and now the unwarranted assault upon Czechoslovakia; and the malicious attempt to destroy the liberties of the people of Britain and America. When the storm of insanity and tribulation has passed, the true history of the world will be written under sane conditions. It will then fully appear that the men more reprehensible and therefore chiefly responsible for such crimes and woes are the men who compose the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, headed by the present pope, who inaugurated "Catholic Action".

The head of the Hierarchy appears to be an adept in getting in line with his political allies. Within an hour after the fate of Czechoslovakia had been fixed with the consent of the pope's allies, and in order to magnify the importance of the religious element of the alliance, the pope calls upon the faithful Catholics to pray for peace. It did not seem to him advisable to pray for peace when Italy was murdering the Abyssinians, when the rebel Franco and other Fascists were slaying and continuing to slay thousands of innocents in Spain, nor when his friend Hitler grabbed Austria and drove out defenseless Jews and Christians. Now he prays that Hitler may not be disturbed while stealing Czechoslovakia.

For centuries it has been the desire of the head of the Catholic Hierarchy to rule the world as a spiritual overlord. That unsatisfied ambition has led the Vatican to stoop to the worst kind of politics to accomplish their wrongful and blasphemous purpose. When such conscienceless men, while carrying on their nefarious work, hypocritically claim to be the representatives of Jehovah God and Christ, they are guilty of the greatest blasphemy against God's name that has ever been uttered under the sun. Honest Catholics will now give heed to God's warning, flee from that religious makeshift, and find rest, liberty and life under Christ the King.

The Last Days

Christians fully realize that these are the last days and hence the time of great peril. In the Scriptures it is written (2 Timothy 3:1-5): "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, . . . traitors, . . . having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away."

These words exactly describe the Hierarchy combine. If the men of the Hierarchy really loved God and His kingdom, they would not try to control the politics of the world and to destroy the liberties of the people. By trying to rule the world the Hierarchy denies the power of God to set up His kingdom as He has promised. The fact that they do practice a form of religion, claiming to serve God and at the same time opposing His kingdom and joining with others to arbitrarily rule mankind, is proof conclusive that they are the enemies of man and of God; and the Lord admonishes the people to turn away from such.

The fact that the Fascist Hierarchy claims the right to rule the world in the place of God's King, Christ Jesus, is also proof that such combination constitutes the "abomination of desolation", which God by His prophet named and foretold would arise in these days. (Daniel 11:31; 12:11) To the honest people the Lord says: "When ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, . . . then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains [that is, to the kingdom of God under Christ]." "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." --Mark 13:14; Matthew 24:15-21.

Seeing, then, that the liberties of the people are being taken away by that religious-Fascist combine, which stands where it ought not to stand, claiming the right to rule the nations of the world, then all who would live must take heed to this admonition of the Lord and flee to God's kingdom.

Men cannot stop the onward march of the Hierarchy-Fascists now. It has gone too far! The Lord is permitting it to come to a climax to serve His own purposes. Now the only possible place of safety is under the protection of Christ's kingdom, because God has declared His purpose to soon act and to completely destroy everything that opposes His kingdom. The Fascist Hierarchy presume that they shall now gain and for ever control the world; and when they think that they have silenced completely the people that are for God's kingdom, then, as it is written in the Scriptures, they will felicitate each other and say: "We are at peace and in safety." Note, then, what the Lord's Word says about this, at 1 Thessalonians 5:3: "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." Such disaster will befall them at Armageddon.

Write Radio Stations

In view of these facts and for the encouragement of the radio stations that do broadcast this speech in the public interest, I earnestly urge upon all listeners, Jehovah's witnesses and all others who love liberty and righteousness, to immediately send letters to the radio station to which you are listening, expressing your hearty approval of their broadcasting this speech. Let the radio stations know that there are yet many Americans who love the principles of freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of worship, which are guaranteed by the American Constitution and commanded by the Most High God. Furthermore, I invite the radio stations that stand for American principles, and who are against Fascism, to advise me by wire or letter that they are willing to again broadcast the truth for the benefit of the people.

Let the Fascist-Catholic Hierarchy know that this is the land of America, and not Rome; that they may freely practice their religion here amongst those who like it; but that they cannot use their religious institution as a political machine to turn over to the fanatical dictators the American government and take away all the liberties of the people. The Catholic press persist in lying about me and saying that I am engaged in a campaign of hate. But, together with others of Jehovah's witnesses, we are fighting for the principles of righteousness which are loved by all honest people regardless of previous faith. What Jehovah God has commanded us to do, that we will do regardless of opposition.

We are certain that the will of God is that a hypocritical, religious organization shall not destroy freedom of worship and freedom of speech.

Foreknowing this day of great crisis, when dictators would destroy peoples' rights, Jesus addressed himself to cruel religious leaders of all time. His words, thereby announcing with the greatest force fixed principles of Jehovah, now apply to the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and to all others who use religion to further their selfish interests. He says to those religious leaders who are against God's kingdom under Christ: 'Woe unto you, Catholic clergy, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. . . . Fill up ye then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? . . . Upon you shall come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth.'— Matthew 23: 13-35.

Fanatical Fascists and Nazi dictators, with the aid and co-operation of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy at Vatican City, are now wrecking continental Europe. They may for a brief period of time gain control of the British Empire and of America, and then, God declares, He will act and through Christ Jesus, His great Executive Officer and Executioner, will completely destroy all such organizations.

Then the people who obey God and Christ shall survive and live for ever in peace and happiness and will fill the earth with a righteous people, all to the praise of Jehovah. Choose ye, therefore, whom ye will serve! Shall we have Fascistic Catholicism, slavery and death? OR shall we embrace Christ and His kingdom and receive true freedom and everlasting life? It is not within your power to stop the onward march of the wicked, but it is your privilege to flee to God and to His kingdom under Christ and thus find security, refuge and salvation; and let this warning be sounded now again in the language of God's prophet Jeremiah (21: 8, 9; 38: 2), that all who do not flee to and obey His King, Christ Jesus, shall suffer destruction at the battle of Armageddon, which is near at hand.

The Kingdom

Consider now briefly what God's kingdom means for the people. When Satan defied God to put men on earth who would remain faithful and true, Jehovah said to the Devil: 'Instead of destroying you now, I will permit you to remain for a time, that I may have my name declared amongst all the nations, and then I will show you my power.' (Exodus 9: 16) God then declared His purpose that in His due time He would redeem man and send Christ Jesus to set up His kingdom. God's purpose cannot fail! He has said: 'I have purposed it, I will also do it.' (Isaiah 46: 11) Jehovah proceeds according to His own sovereign will. He sent Jesus to earth, who gave His life as a redemptive price for those human creatures who do prove their integrity toward Jehovah. Jesus instructed His followers that in God's due time He would return and set up His kingdom of righteousness. Knowing that the kingdom is God's means for the blessing of the people, Jesus taught His followers to pray to Jehovah this prayer: 'Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.' That means that God's will shall be done on earth in His due time, and His will is always righteous. Christians and religionists still utter this prayer, but only true Christians sincerely desire the fulfillment of the prayer. They rely solely upon God and His King and kingdom.

It was in 1914 that Jehovah enthroned Christ as the invisible Ruler of the world. (Psalm 110: 2) Before destroying Satan, Jehovah, according to His Word, causes His name to be proclaimed throughout the earth in order that all persons of good will toward Him may hear and learn the truth and flee from religious organizations and find refuge and safety under the Lord's kingdom. That testimony is now being given. Only the Devil could so violently oppose that testimony, and hence he uses his religious representatives to oppose it and to persecute God's witnesses.

You people of good will have had all the sorrow you want to have. You desire to see righteousness rule in the earth, that you may dwell in peace with your children and your neighbors. You hate strife, war, and oppression. The Lord's kingdom will bring to pass the desire of all honest hearts for peace and prosperity. You believe that the Bible is God's Word. Then hear what He says to you about His kingdom and His King. "Unto [you] a son [King] is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace; of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." (Isa. 9: 6, 7) "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah 2: 4) "Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment."—Isaiah 32: 1.

The Roman Catholic Hierarchy have kept you in ignorance of these precious promises recorded in the Bible, because they want to rule and to exploit you. When one calls attention to God's warning against hypocrisy, deceit and oppression practiced in the religious systems and to God's good promises to the obedient ones of mankind, then the Hierarchy, having no reasonable or Scriptural answer thereto, howl these words: ‘Those things are all lies. The people should not read the Bible, but hear only what the Catholic priests say.’ These religious leaders rob you of your money, your freedom of thought, and freedom of action, and greatly oppress you, and Christ alone can and will relieve you, as it is written: “He shall judge the poor of the people, . . . and shall break in pieces the oppressor.” (Psalm 72: 4) Furthermore God says to the obedient ones: “Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.”—Psalm 85: 9-12.

Which, then, will you choose, the Devil's rule of Fascist Hierarchy OR freedom under the righteous reign of Christ? Let those who want to see righteousness in the earth make this their Declaration:

Declaration

We give thanks to Almighty God that He has brought to our attention His Word of truth. We love righteousness and choose to serve Jehovah God and His King, Christ Jesus. In obedience to His commandment we do now forsake hypocritical, religious institutions, turn to God and Christ His King, and henceforth we will seek righteousness and meekness as God has commanded, that we may receive protection, peace and life everlasting, and that we may share in the vindication of God's name. We recognize that God's kingdom is a theocracy, which is holy, righteous and true, and we delight to put ourselves under the Lord and gladly obey His righteous rule.

Let all who endorse this Declaration say Aye.

Keller's Reply to a Poor, Misguided Tool of the Hierarchy *

October 4, 1938

Walter T. Dolan

Peatt Park

Ridgefield, Conn.

Sir:

Your letter of the 3rd† addressed to Judge Rutherford has been received in this office. You say, “I stumbled onto station WFAS which was broadcasting your rotten tirade of lies and hatred”. That is a sample of how you reach almost everything: as it appears from your letter, you just stumble on to them, but it seems that you never fall near the truth. You accuse Judge Rutherford of broadcasting asinine, ridiculous, childish and malicious lies and yet you do not cite a single statement that he made that is untrue. Manifestly you are a very ignorant man and your own letter will show on careful examination that you never reach a conclusion after mature deliberation, as you will see further on as shown up in this letter. Referring to Judge Rutherford's speech Sunday, he cited the Concordat entered into between the Pope and Mussolini, also the Concordat entered into between the Pope and Hitler, also the agreement of Hitler and the Pope about Hitler entering and grabbing Austria, all of which are historic facts well known to every man who is informed about what is printed. He cited the endorsement of the Pope that was given to Mussolini in destroying Abyssinia; he cited the Pope's approval of the war of rebellion by Franco in Spain and of the Pope's

* Ed Keller is an assistant secretary to Judge Rutherford.

† See cut on page 14.

approval of the war being carried on by Japan against China. These are also historic facts well known by every man of any common sense who is informed on current history.

Judge Rutherford stated further facts from Dr. E. Boyd Barrett's book, who for many years has been a Catholic and knows the inside of that organization, and he quoted from the book literally. Evidently Dr. Boyd knows more about the Hierarchy than you do. He quoted "The German" newspaper which published a Catholic priest's letter in which Hitler says, "I will not tolerate the German Catholics' being besmirched in this country by Jehovah's witnesses." He quoted a letter from the Catholic priest O'Brien of Syracuse published in "L'Aurora"; he also quoted "The New York Times" of July 26, 1938, which published the statement of Mr. Forbes, Executive Secretary of the Communist Party, and the response thereto by the Pope's Cardinal Verdier. These surely cannot all be lies and rot or else all these newspapers and cardinals and priests and writers of books are liars. He then submitted evidence showing that officials of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy in Chicago, Rochester, New York, Ottawa, Canada, Little Rock, Arkansas, Colorado Springs, New Orleans, attempted to break up the peaceable assembly of Christian people on the 11th day of September last. He cited the Court Injunction issued by Judge Van Voorhis of Rochester which compelled the opposition to release the hall which they had taken away from Jehovah's witnesses there. He quoted the order of the United States Court at New Orleans which compelled the Catholic Hierarchy officials there to cease their opposition to holding a meeting of Jehovah's witnesses. These are matters of public record and not merely opinion, and when you call a man like Judge Rutherford a liar you ought to be well fortified because he doesn't tell lies and doesn't have to tell them but relies wholly on the truth.

You conclude your letter with a postscript saying, "What is your answer to the letter in the New York Times?" referring to the clipping which you enclosed. This same clipping I am returning to you and this proves conclusively that you "stumble" on to things and stumble over them and don't look at the real facts. The letter you refer to is one written by the bishops taking issue with the German god and setting forth the Catholic view of religion; but note again that that letter was issued and published on the 19th day of August, 1933, that it was sent out and published by the National Catholic Welfare Conference News Bureau and printed in The Catholic News. Now, doesn't it seem rather peculiar to a reasonable man that this would appear in "The New York Times" first on Monday, October the 3rd? "The New York Times" reporters had heard Judge Rutherford's speech and a Catholic reporter was there. There is no possible answer to the truth of Judge Rutherford's speech; so as an attempt to offset it and befuddle such ignoramuses as yourself that appeared in "The New York Times", and you read the headlines and jumped at a conclusion.

If you have looked at "The New York

Pratt Park,

Ridgefield, Conn.

October 3 1938

Judge Rutherford,

Bethel Tower,

Brooklyn New York.

Dear Sir:

Yesterday, I stumbled onto to station W.P.A.B., which was broadcasting your rotten tirade of lies and hatred. I have never heard of any thing so asinine, ridiculous or as childish as the malicious, untruthful package of bunk you were bleating upon the air waves. For any man, supposed talking of God, to use the line of swill that you do, is desecrating the air that God gave you.

◆ Your whole broadcast was a lie, as you said you were not talking hate, yet you hate the Roman Catholic Clergy and any other clergy who have forced you to use some obsolete radio station for your broadcasts. You made many statements in regard to the Catholics being in accord with the Nazis especially the Clergy. I am enclosing a tear sheet from today's New York Times, containing a letter from the Bishops of Germany, DENOUNCING THE NAZI CREED AND PERSECUTION OF THE CATHOLICS. Now, how do you account for the lies you broadcast in regard to the Catholic Clergy and the Pope being in league with the Nazis?

◆ You bleated that the Catholic Clergy was hand in hand with the Communists. Well, if you had any common sense at all you would know and should know that the Communists do not believe in God and have no type of worship, nor will they allow it. They have closed all churches in Russia. You took the quotations from the papers, in regard to the Communists plea to the Catholics to join with them, and distorted it to please your own bigoted mind.

◆ For your further enlightenment, if you will note what is going on today, the Nazis have closed all Catholic Schools in Austria, does that look like Catholic favoring Nazism? Why in God's name don't you use some sense?

◆ Also, you stated that the Pope was praying for peace in Europe, but stated that He should not do it until after the four power alliance. For your information, the Pope offered his prayers BEFORE the four power alliance was formed.

◆ You are preaching a form of religion, yet you state that Jehovah was against religion and religionists. Therefore, you are wasting your time as Jehovah is also against you and your religion. Why not preaching the teachings of God, and you are making a mess of doing it, should remember the Commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself". Yet you, who does try to preach religion, condemns every one not agreeing with you.

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