Consolation, April 15, 1942
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Contents
Acts of The Theocracy in New York State (1) 3
Boldness in the Day of Judgment 3
Evil Influence of a Vicious Press 4
Persecutions of Big and Little 6
Rectification of an Injustice 7
Witnessing for the Kingdom 8
A Modern-Day Gamaliel 8
What of Jehovah's witnesses? 8
The New Government
The Complaints (?) That Failed 13
"Profane Language" in Belleville 15
"Thy Word Is Truth"
Signs in Heaven 16
Rights of Jehovah's witnesses Must Be Protected by the Police Officers 18
Dwellers in the Waters 22
Canadian Protestant League 23
Under the Totalitarian Flag
Demoniac Founding of Montreal 24
Presenting "This Gospel of the Kingdom" 25
Empire State Brevities 26
"The New Order" No Order at All 28
British Comment
Spain Fighting Alongside Germany 29
Churchill's Denunciation of Hitler 29
"Branch of Catholic Action" 30
Says London Cavalcade 30
Requiescat in Pace 31
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Notanda
From a Sermon of a Modern-Day Gamaliel
◆ John Haynes Holmes, in the Christian Century article previously referred to, has made an extensive study of the cases of mob violence against Jehovah's witnesses for a period of a few weeks early last summer. This showed a list of 39 mob attacks in twenty states, from Wyoming in the west to Maine in the east, and from Wisconsin and New York in the north to Texas in the south. Some of these attacks were savage to a degree. Men and women of various ages and conditions have been raided in their homes and meeting places, set upon by organized mobs, had their halls stoned and burned, their property destroyed, and have been held in jail often without bail or access to legal counsel.
In one instance, a group of nearly 100 witnesses, including children and one old woman 78 years of age, were lashed like cattle for ten miles down a railroad track in the blazing heat of midday, and left beyond the county line to fend for themselves as best they could. In Kennebunk, Maine, it was rumored that the witnesses had in their possession maps marking the location of bridges, public buildings, and other places, with a view to marching on Washington and starting a revolution. All the map really was was a map showing the houses one of the witnesses aimed to visit in his evangelistic work for distribution of tracts and gospels. A mob of hundreds of men and boys attacked the witnesses, looted and set fire to their building, and threatened a lynching. In the ensuing riot the witnesses appealed to the police for protection, which was not granted, and so, thoroughly alarmed, the witnesses forgot their own peace-loving convictions, got some firearms, and fired at the mob that was advancing upon them. Two boys were wounded. This was unforgivable, and a black eye against the witnesses' own non-resistant faith, but it can be readily understood when we remember the fright that must have been theirs as they saw a mob advancing to lynch them. [Extract from sermon of Dr. Dahlberg, of Syracuse, New York, quoted on pages 8 to 12.]
CONSOLATION
"And in His name shall the nations hope."—Matthew 12:21, A. R. V.
Volume XXIII Brooklyn, N. Y., Wednesday, April 15, 1942 Number 589
Acts of The Theocracy in New York State
(In Three Parts, Part 1)
IN RECORDING these "Acts of The Theocracy" a similarity between them and "The Acts of the Apostles" is noted. As the apostles were God's witnesses and publishers of God's kingdom, or THE THEOCRACY, so Jehovah's witnesses today, while not apostles such as the twelve, are nevertheless witnesses and Theocratic publishers. A comparison of the activities of Jehovah's witnesses on earth at the present time, the methods employed in preaching the gospel, their reception and treatment by the people, shows that all bear a marked similarity to the acts and experiences of the apostles. The apostles and early disciples met with great opposition everywhere and endured much persecution at the hands of the clergy and priests of their day, who were the backers of a false theocracy in league with the powers of this world. An examination of a few of the physical facts in New York state alone relating to the work of Jehovah's witnesses will clearly show them as standing in a position paralleling that of faithful Christians 1900 years ago, and additionally will identify a like class of persecutors of Jehovah's servants now running rampant in the earth.
It was the acts of the apostles that distinguished them as servants of the Lord. It is the actions of His servants now on the earth that identify them as such; not words or empty claims. Unlike the religionists, Jehovah's witnesses have real faith in the Lord's Word and are 'doers of it, not being hearers only'. They do not follow a course set down by tradition, but adhere closely to the Lord and take as an example the course of approved servants of the Lord who have preceded them.
The apostles, like Jesus, taught by visiting the people in their homes and in public places. Acts 20:20 shows the apostle Paul's course: "I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house."
Jehovah's witnesses conscientiously visit the people at their homes to "comfort all that mourn", and, so doing, experience a joy which is unsurpassed and beyond the comprehension of the "goats". Some, having been ill-advised by their false shepherds, and being of a lawless disposition, commit violent assaults upon such Theocratic ministers. These assaulters have been so misinformed and blinded by their spiritual guardians that they think they do God service.—John 16:2.
Boldness in the Day of Judgment
J. Lendin writes of an experience which he had in Brooklyn, New York. He says:
I had just started a doorstep setup on the second floor of a two-story home when the man said he knew the message, and butted in so continually that I began closing my phonograph, at the same time asking him if he knew religion was a snare and a racket, with the Hierarchy in the lead. Immediately he flew into a rage, grabbing an ax handle which he had hanging behind the door, apparently for that very purpose. I saw it coming down on my head. I grabbed his arm and held it, cautioning him. A slight tussle followed and he was pulled back by women folk. As I continued assembling my phonograph he again charged at me with the ax handle, madder than before. Determined to protect the Kingdom interests, I struggled with him for possession of the weapon. The struggle drew me partly into his home, where I noticed at least two husky men, apparently scared out of their wits. In a moment I had the man helpless and boldly stood in the doorway watching. Seeing no further attempts at an attack I picked up my property and continued out into the street. I continued witnessing in the same block, watched out of the windows of the home I had just so gladly left. In that block I made placements and received two promises of subscriptions if I would return the next week. I am sure I was protected by the holy angels.
Mrs. Robert M. Sherman, of New York state, narrates another incident:
One of Jehovah's witnesses, a student of Nehemiah's method of working with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other, calls on a clergyman. Says the clergyman: "You take this Theocracy back to the WATCHTOWER with my compliments. And tell me, if I should slap you in the face, what would you do?" Student of Nehemiah: "I'd turn the other side to you so you could slap it, and then I'd sock you between the eyes, as I didn't serve under the United States flag four years for nothing! At least I learned the art of self-defense."
That is most typical of the fighting spirit of the clergy. If it had been a youngster or a woman who confronted him he might have taken some action. As it was, he put out a 'feeler', and, getting the foreboding answer above cited, 'remained in his hole as a woman.' It was just an idea, anyway. Jehovah's witnesses are warriors for THE THEOCRACY and will fight for their God-given and constitutionally-guaranteed rights to carry on the ministerial work committed to their care.
Evil Influence of a Vicious Press
◆ Newspapers have vied with each other in wholehearted co-operation with the clergy in misrepresenting the position and work of Jehovah's witnesses. Reasonable persons, however, hear both sides of a case. Many are the instances where Jehovah's servants have met with a chilly reception due to such misrepresentation, but upon explanation are welcomed and invited to return. A case in point is that of S. Petruszak, of New York, who writes:
A woman came to the door and, when she found out whom I represented, started to loudly denounce Jehovah's witnesses for not saluting the flag; she had recently read in the papers about them; she would not give me a chance to explain. I offered her a Loyalty booklet to read, but she said, "I would not even want to look at it." I asked her to show me the article in the paper. She then let me in and I helped hunt for it, but it could not be found. So I visited with the lady for an hour and she then let me explain why the witnesses do not salute the flag but have every respect for it. I told her that it had never been compulsory, but the enemy, looking for an issue, had seized on this to make trouble for the witnesses and that the newspapers had assisted in the misrepresentation. The lady said she now saw things in a different light, and took Salvation and three booklets, and I arranged for a back-call.
Back-Calls, Hunting for Sheep
It will be noted that arrangements were made for a back-call. That is merely a return visit upon those who manifest interest in the message proclaimed by the witnesses, and is for the purpose of further instructing the people concerning the Scriptures. The apostles did likewise. "And some days after, Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do." "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter."—Acts 15:36; 17:32.
Such return visits are a source of numerous surprises and unique experiences for the witnesses. Take for example the following incident reported by one of Jehovah's witnesses:
Back-calls bring up strange memories. A number of years ago my mother attended a convention of the Good Templar's lodge at Ballston Spa, New York. A lively youngster of a few years flitted up and down the aisle, quietly and unnoticed by most of the folks until suddenly the hall echoed with cries of "A little girl swallowed a penny!" The excitement was very great, what with doctors called in and helpless to do anything, advising this and that, and everyone afraid the child would die. The incident completely broke up the convention.
Last week my mother, who has since left worldly organizations and is in the service of the King, made a back-call on a lady who is partially deaf and partially blind. She seems very interested in the truth of God's Word. During the course of the conversation she mentioned having been a Good Templar, and, upon hearing that my mother had likewise been a member, said to herself, "No, that was too long ago"; then to mother excitedly, "You couldn't have been at that convention in Ballston Spa, where the little girl swallowed the penny, could you?" "Certainly I was," answered mother. "Well," she said, "I was that little girl!"
While Jehovah's witnesses are not pacifists, and will defend themselves, their brethren, and the goods used in performing the Kingdom service, their real warfare, and that in which they delight, is wielding "the sword of the spirit"—the truth they so earnestly proclaim. A publisher reports just such a duel with a "reverend" at a back-call. It was a pleasant surprise for the publisher; a surprise for the "minister". It follows:
I made a back-call on an interested family, and while there the new minister called. He asked me if I was a Catholic or a Protestant; and when I stated that I was neither, he said I must be one or the other. I asked him if the Protestants teach that all the good go to heaven and all the bad to hell; and he said that was correct; if Jesus opened the way to heaven, and he said "Yes". When I asked him where Abraham was, he said "In heaven". Then I reminded him that he had just said Jesus was the first to go to heaven; and the reply was that it was a great mystery; furthermore he had not come to discuss the Bible, but to meet Mr. and Mrs. C.
I invited him to enjoy a Bible study with Mr. and Mrs. C and myself. He had no time. I asked him if there were ever any perfect creatures on earth; and when he had no answer, I named two: Adam and Jesus. He was surprised to hear it said that Adam was perfect; and said that God had created him (the preacher) and he was not perfect, and that Jesus as a man was not perfect. I explained to him something of the doctrine of the ransom, and he said at once, "Oh, you are one of those Jehovah's witnesses." After a few remarks about the books he had read and the books he had written, he arose and left. Mrs. C said to me, "My! How confused he was, and such a highly educated man, too!" She thought that the Lord had so arranged matters that we were brought face to face in her home. I feel the same way about it.
Why would a true minister call in his ministerial capacity if it were not for the purpose of discussing the Bible? Just to meet Mr. and Mrs. C? Certainly not to meet Mr. Witness! No dueling today, thank you! Why would he even call socially, if he was so busy and had no time? It's little wonder the religion business is waning, what with such poor management. And it has so many mysteries! It is noteworthy that after a few test skirmishes, in which they were confounded and greatly embarrassed, the religious leaders of Jesus' day would not discuss the Scriptures with Him. They adopted other tactics with Him. They use other tactics with His followers.
Opposition
“Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the [holy spirit], whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart [their susceptibilities were shocked!], and took counsel to slay them."—Acts 5: 25-33.
The acts of the apostles were thus opposed. So likewise are the acts of the Theocratic publishers opposed at this end of the world, and such individuals have suffered persecutions which are unbelievable in this day of enlightenment. Their houses have been burned, halls ransacked, cars and other property destroyed; they have been tarred and feathered, castrated, and have suffered many other severe physical injuries. Courts have even ordered their children taken from them! Commenting on such widespread conditions in the United States in 1940 the American Civil Liberties Union said:
Popular hysteria was directed primarily not against them [totalitarian fifth columnists] but against the members of Jehovah’s witnesses, engaged in evangelical crusading on the streets and house-to-house all over the country. Beginning in May with the success of the Nazi armies in Europe, and running on into September, members of this religious sect were the victims of unprecedented mob violence in 335 communities in forty-four States. Over 1,600 members of the organization were forcibly interfered with, mobbed, tarred and feathered, or assaulted, with comparatively little restraint by local authorities. Most of these incidents were due to the popular assumption that Jehovah’s witnesses are somehow Nazi agents in disguise because they refuse on religious grounds to salute the flag.
Persecutions of Big and Little
An account of some of these atrocities perpetrated upon Jehovah’s witnesses appears in a booklet published last year by the American Civil Liberties Union entitled “The Persecutions of Jehovah’s Witnesses”, and as you read therein it is difficult to remember the twentieth century is under discussion, not the Dark Ages when the Roman Catholic Hierarchy’s Inquisition was flourishing! The American Civil Liberties Union has befriended the witnesses many times in legal matters and rendered much service to the nation by its constant battling for the cause of freedom. Just as real Christians prove their love for Jehovah God, not by words but by obedience to His commands, so real Americans demonstrate their devotion to the flag by defending the principles for which it stands. Lawless anarchists who mob Jehovah’s witnesses, please take note! The contrast between real Americans and blustering professional flag-wavers is just as striking as that between true Christians and religious hypocrites.
Why do Jehovah’s witnesses continue on joyfully in this work regardless of persecutions? For the same reason the apostles continued and rejoiced: because they were “counted worthy to suffer shame for His name”. As shown by the two following experiences, they ‘seek first the Kingdom’ and let the results rest in Jehovah’s hands.
From near Watertown, New York, two of Jehovah’s witnesses, Myron and Minnie Van Linder, submit the following report:
Three of our children, Lee (ten years of age), Merlyn (nine), and Nancy (seven), determined to obey God rather than man, and refused to take part in the flag ceremony at the beginning of the school year. The children presented the Loyalty booklet to the teacher, but she refused to read it. Then the trustee of District 8, Town of G. F., N. Y., called to inform us that there was agitation concerning their disobedience to the teacher in this matter, and that he was obligated to take some action at the request of the district.
The latter part of September the school superintendent, Mr. Gardener, called to inquire whether or not we compel the children to take this stand, and if they would be punished at home for saluting the flag. We assured him that we would not punish the children for saluting the flag, but we would not ask them to do something we ourselves could not conscientiously do.
The first of October the children were suspended from school with the provision that they could return in a week if they had decided to salute the flag. The children then attended a Kingdom School at the Syracuse Center for Jehovah's witnesses until the 17th of November, when that school was moved to Watertown. Then we arranged for them to go to a neighboring district; but it was impractical to get them to and from school, and further difficulty arose concerning participating in Christmas exercises; so we determined to keep the children at home and do the best we could towards teaching them.
The truant officer called twice during January. He listened to the "Flag Salute" record and accepted the Loyalty booklet.
February second, Mr. Gardener, the school superintendent, and an official from the Department of Education at Albany, called. The official said that we were depriving our children of the privilege of education to which they were entitled, and that if we persisted it would be necessary to place them in foster homes where they would not be so deprived. We made it clear to him that we would remain firm for THE THEOCRACY and that we could not teach our children to take a course that we believed to be a violation of the commandment of Almighty God. Then the official admitted that the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling was at the discretion of the community, in this instance the responsibility of the trustee, Mr. Ives. The official inferred that some action would be taken immediately, and advised us to reconsider our position.
We made it clear to Mr. Ives that persecution or court action would not change our belief or our determination to be obedient to God; that if the District caused the children to be taken away from us, then the District must assume the responsibility before God and that the children would rely upon God to guide and protect them. Mr. Ives admitted that the District was not anxious to bring action, and finally agreed for the children to return to school Monday morning, February 10, 1941, with the provision that they were to leave the room during the flag ceremony.
The children are now getting along well in school, and we thank God for their stand and the strength to remain firm for THE THEOCRACY.
Rectification of an Injustice
Another experience showing faith in and unswerving devotion to THE THEOCRACY comes from a publisher in Astoria, New York:
In order to support my family I am employed as superintendent of two apartment house buildings. I had this position for six years. On February 15, when I was delivering my rent collect receipts to my employers I was told my services were no longer required, due to many complaints about me. In reply I said, "I know the reason why this is taking place; it is because I am a Christian, and not because I have not done my work properly." However, I told them I knew who the religionists were, and since they had arrived at that decision I decided to let them have some literature so that they could personally investigate what I believe. The next day I went out to look for a position, and obtained one in a hospital, and let my wife take care of the superintendent job until the end of the month.
During the time I held this position I witnessed to many of the tenants as the opportunity arose, and my son, who is about seven years of age, obtained a subscription for The Watchtower from one of the tenants. Three years ago, three of the tenants approached me and told me I was no good because I refused to salute the American flag, and said I should be taken out in a boat and dropped in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. I replied, “I suppose you would like to be the captain of the boat.”
From the time of February 14 to the 25th, the following took place: One morning I found three or four of the books at the bottom of the dumb waiter shaft, and I thought someone has taken their stand. Some of the tenants heard I was leaving, and immediately got up a petition protesting against my dismissal to my employer. One of these tenants takes all of the WATCHTOWER literature as fast as it comes out. Another one of the tenants who was taking around the petition is the one who told me three years ago that I ought to be taken out in the ocean and drowned. While all this was going on my two portable phonographs and radio were stolen out of the back of my car which I parked behind the apartment. In the meantime I received a letter from my employers asking me to come and see them on the 25th of the month. To my surprise on my arrival there, my employers told me my case had been reconsidered and I was to stay on the job and continue as always.
During all this time I trusted in the Lord and knew He would work the matter out for my good. So I am still aiming at my sixty hours, and my wife and child and myself are determined more than ever before to witness on every occasion.
Witnessing for the Kingdom
This shows how persecution of the Lord's servants causes others of good-will to manifest themselves. It was so in the days of the apostles.
“Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man, rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”—Acts 5: 34-39.
At this time THE THEOCRACY is passing through experiences somewhat similar to those of the early church, as set forth in The Acts of the Apostles, and it is of interest that in New York state, which is the subject of attention, there has arisen
A Modern-Day Gamaliel
The following noteworthy sermon was delivered by Edwin T. Dahlberg, D.D., pastor of the First Baptist church, Syracuse, New York, to his congregation in that city on Sunday evening, September 29, 1940. Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions will receive real joy in reading this sermon and with one accord appreciate these kind and courageous words.
WHAT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES?
Daniel 3: 18, “. . . be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
A strange people have arisen in the world, known as Jehovah’s witnesses. Once they were known as Russellites. More recently they went under the name of the International Bible Students Association. But they have come more spectacularly into the public eye during the past four or five years under the vivid name, Jehovah’s witnesses.
You have probably met them. It is quite a common experience to have them come to your door, particularly on Sunday morning, if you are not at church, and to find them handing you a tract or a book with the slogan, “Millions now living will never die.” Sometimes they will park a sound-truck outside your house, with a sermon issuing therefrom that can be heard all up and down the block. Then again they will have a small Victrola, and will ask you if you would like to have them play a record for you, which record is usually a sermon by Judge Rutherford, head of the movement and successor to Dr. Russell. There is probably no religious movement in the world today which sends out so many millions of books, and carries on such a successful propaganda both by radio broadcasts and printing. I recall a year ago last spring, when I was in Los Angeles for the Northern Baptist Convention, seeing probably a couple hundred young people who were Jehovah's witnesses, and who walked rapidly in twos, about a hundred feet between each pair and the next pair, all through the downtown district with big printed signs on their backs, advertising an auditorium meeting at which people were to hear Judge Rutherford broadcast from London. And this summer on our way west we saw any number of old Fords and jalopies, loaded with men, women, and children, on their way to the Jehovah's witnesses convention in Detroit. You could tell who they were by the fact that they had Watchtower signs in their car windows, advertising one of their religious papers.
Who are these people, and what do they stand for?
Theologically, they declare themselves to be New Testament Christians, and so they are. They preach exactly what the early Christians preached eighteen hundred years ago: that the end of the world is at hand, that Jesus is speedily coming back to earth, and that He will set up His Kingdom on earth and judge between the good and the bad. That is why they advertise so widely, "Millions now living will never die." As John Haynes Holmes said in an article about them last July in The Christian Century, "There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. Jehovah's witnesses read the New Testament text as infallible Scripture, believe it, and obey it." The difference between them and us is that they take their religion seriously. It is not something just for the preacher to talk about on Sunday. It is something for every man, woman, and child to talk about on Sunday and the six days of the week in between. They talk to people on the streets, at the back door, the front door, and everywhere they can get anybody to listen. That is one reason they are spreading so rapidly. If any one of us took his religion as much to heart as the witnesses do, we would have a world revival over night. We've got a lot to learn from them.
There are two things about Jehovah's witnesses that have made them particularly obnoxious to a lot of people.
First of all, because they preach against religion. Now we think to be religious is one of the finest things we could do. Jehovah's witnesses, on the contrary, hold religion to be the chief curse of the age. When they speak of religion they think of what they call religionists—Protestants, Catholics, anybody who goes through a system of ecclesiasticism and ceremony to find Christ. They believe priesthoods, great church buildings and organizations, masses, confessions, and what not, are anathema. That is why they are particularly hard on the Catholic church. They are terribly bitter against Catholicism. That is one of the main reasons they are persecuted as much as they are. Sift down the newspaper accounts as to the many riots in which Jehovah's witnesses have been beaten up, and you will usually find somebody at the bottom of it by the name of Riley or Murphy or O'Connor. The witnesses preach relentlessly against the whole Roman Catholic hierarchy, and know no limit in their attack upon the Catholic clergy. But we Protestants come in for our share, too.
I remember a little old lady nearly eighty years old who used to come into my study in St. Paul with her satchel of books and pamphlets, which I often used to buy and read with great profit. She was the brightest little body. It made no difference how cold the weather, or how rainy and dreary the day. She would come in and sit down, open her Bible, explain a chapter or two for my benefit, and after we had kneeled and had prayer together, she would appeal to me earnestly, "Why don't you leave the ministry? Why do you want to be a Pharisee, heading up a a great organized church like this when you ought to be out on the street, going' from door to door with the gospel as did the Seventy of old?'" I must say in all honesty that there have been few great convention gatherings, and few preachers, however eloquent, who ever smote my conscience like that little old lady could do, and I trust I am at least a little more humble as a follower of Jesus Christ because of her testimony. We do need less of ecclesiasticism, robes, cutaway coats, round collars, and tax-exempt church property, and more free, voluntary Christianity that goes from house to house with the blazing earnestness of the gospel.
What has brought Jehovah's witnesses more violently into public attention in recent years, however, has been their stand on war and peace. They are absolute pacifists, and refuse to bear arms even in self-defense. Not only so, but they refuse to salute the flag, and teach their children in school to make the same refusal. One such case has been on trial in Syracuse during the past week, where an eight-year-old boy from Auburn, whose father is a former war veteran now turned Jehovah's witness, has consistently refused to salute the flag when the other children have pledged their allegiance. The reason they do not salute the flag is not because they do not love their country. The father in this particular instance was wounded at the battle of Soissons in the World War, and has amply proved his devotion to the flag. The reason they refuse to salute the flag is because they believe it is only a symbol, and that to salute a symbol is the same as worshiping an image, which the Bible forbids us to do.
It is not simply the American flag that they will not salute. In Russia they will not salute the Communist flag. In Germany they will not salute the Nazi flag. In Italy they will not salute the Fascist flag. In short, they will not salute any flag of any country, because they believe it is the worship of imagery, and thus a prolific cause of idolatry and war. There are Jehovah's witnesses in exile in Russia and in concentration camps in Germany, all because of this one issue, the refusal to engage in idolatry in any shape or form. It is important to get this clear, in order that we may not think of them as traitors, aliens, or subversive elements. Their position is inspired not at all by disloyalty to their country, but by what they believe to be loyalty to the Word of God, and to Jehovah, who said, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image."
The position of these people, whom most of their neighbors acknowledge to be sincere, godly people of the most upright and industrious character, is a particularly difficult one before the law. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the public schools have a right to demand the salute to the flag, and that anyone refusing so to do is subject to penalty. Whatever the local penalty, therefore, and however conscientious the judge or the prisoner, both are bound by the law. Because this means such a conflict between church and state, and such a perplexing problem for earnest Christian people who believe in the freedom of conscience, we need to re-think our whole position on some of these matters. What are the limitations of religious freedom?
Personally, I believe Jehovah's witnesses take an unduly strict view on the flag situation, and are making a big issue out of something that does not fall within the classification of idolatry or image-worship. On the other hand, we must remember that any number of great religious movements have started out with an objection to some very simple things. The Quakers, for instance, in their early days in England, refused to take off their hats in the presence of the king. They contended that their hats could be removed only in the presence of God, their one and only sovereign.
The early Christians, in the days of the Roman Empire, refused to put a pinch of salt upon the altars of the Roman Emperor. That was all the Roman authorities demanded, just a little pinch of salt as an evidence of loyalty to their country. But the Christians insisted that the pinch of salt was a matter not of patriotism but of religion. If they made even this gesture they would be denying their sole allegiance, on earth as in heaven, to God and to His Christ. They went to their death rather than make this compromise. And so with Jehovah's witnesses. They declare that their homage must be to God alone, and that to make an act of obeisance even to the flag of their native land is to compromise their religion.
What shall be our attitude toward these people who are fellow Christians, and who love the same Christ we do, even though their ideas are different? As Baptists we have a particularly great responsibility to answer this question, because historically we have stood for separation of church and state, and have done more than any other people to put into the constituted law of the land the guarantees of religious liberty and a free conscience. Our battle cry has always been, “We must obey God rather than men.”
In the first place, we should insist that all proceedings against Jehovah's witnesses should be in accordance with American law and the processes of democracy, rather than by riot and mob rule. Our record as a nation in connection with the treatment of Jehovah's witnesses is one that ought to make us truly ashamed. [Here read Notanda, page 2.]
It is this kind of mob rule, which has happened within a hundred miles of Syracuse, which we must firmly and patriotically withstand as inconsistent with the democratic processes of American law. We will be faithful to our commission as Baptists if we defend the historic rights of liberty and freedom in such a case, and invoke the duly constituted processes of government, as has been done in Syracuse.
But we may well do more. We need to reconsider the whole subject of religion and patriotism, and what are the weightier matters of the law. One of the speakers at our Onondaga Baptist Association, speaking of the Pharisees' criticism of Jesus for healing a lame man on the Sabbath, used a striking phrase. He said the Pharisees were experts in the trivial—the minutiae of the law—the mint, anise, and cummin of religion—at the same time that they missed the big things of God. There is a great danger that in our patriotism we become experts in the trivial, rather than concerned about the great and tremendous aspects of our country. I don't think our government stands or falls with the question of saluting the flag. When I was a boy we had no flag salutes in the schools, and I never heard of a pledge of allegiance, or taking our hats off when the flag went by in a parade. But we loved the flag profoundly, and loved our country with all eagerness. I think the proudest moment of my life was when my father gave me a McKinley button in 1898, when I was six years old—a button spangled with the stars and stripes of the American flag draped around the head of the president.
I don't think we guarantee the safety of our country by one iota by demanding particular details of ritual, any more than we make people more religious by compelling them to kiss the cross, or kneeling before the Virgin Mary, or being baptized. Catholics are not one whit more loyal to Christ and the church because they go through all these outward motions. Neither are Americans one whit more patriotic because they go through the outward motions of devotion. In fact, we may lessen patriotism by it. I always have loved to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner”. But my enthusiasm for it was dimmed somewhat when during the World War we had to stand up about every five minutes at the movies, or at some public meeting where some loud-mouthed super-patriot who had made most of his big pile in munitions while somebody else's son was off to war, wrapped the flag around himself, and made everybody stand up while he bellowed apoplectically, “Oh, say, can you see by the dawn's early light?”
We don't make people love their country by marching them up to flag poles, jamming their hats down over their ears, and driving their children out of the public schools, any more than we make people Christians by waving the Bible around, thumping the pulpit, and sprinkling holy water on them. That's the best way I know of to make infidels and public enemies. The reason my grandparents and parents left Sweden was because the government compelled them by law to baptize their babies, which was contrary to their faith and which they refused to do.
They that worship must worship Him in spirit and in truth. They that love their country must likewise do that in spirit and in truth. It will be a happy day for the world when all nations recognize that, and accept the spirit rather than the letter. If I were a teacher in the public schools, and there was one brave Christian boy or girl who believed that his first duty was to God and that therefore he could not bow to any outward sign, I would take a quiet, sensible view of it. I would say, "All right, son, you stand at attention while the rest are making the salute, or else go out into the hall for a moment, and kneel in prayer to God while we make the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Then you can come back when I call you, and work on your fractions."
We can ill afford to lose from America the uncompromising little Daniels, who remain standing when all the rest of their countrymen are bowing down at the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music. In a totalitarian world, where more and more we see people bowing to the state and to the state alone, let us rejoice that in America we still have some people who bow to God and to God alone. In a world of swastikas, hammers and sickles, and fasces, we are going to need that kind of people before our lives are done.
Truly this is a cup of cold water to the Lord's little ones at this crucial time, and the Lord will not pass unrewarded this act of kindness. Let it be hoped that Dr. Dahlberg will see more than the injustices wrought against this group of sincere Christians, but also discern the issues involved. He speaks of them at the beginning saying, "A strange people have arisen in the world." May he eventually see they are of the same body of people who served the Lord amidst great persecution in the days of the apostles and who are referred to as "a peculiar people", called for the very purpose of showing forth the praises of the Almighty God.—1 Peter 2: 9.
Other Protestant ministers have from time to time defended the rights of Jehovah's witnesses in the interests of freedom. This is not enough. They should go from the class of Gamaliels to that of witnesses, as were the apostles, in whose defense they speak. Be it noted that no Catholic, Protestant, or other religious organization suffers at the hands of mobs and lawless "law" officials; neither are they harassed, violently assaulted and otherwise persecuted "for His name's sake". The issue of WORLD DOMINATION must be recognized—demon rule versus God's rule. To champion freedom and religious tolerance is important; THE THEOCRACY, all-important!
Not All Are Gamaliels
Just as the "Acts of The Theocracy" cause modern-day Gamaliels to manifest themselves, so others prominent in society are identified as opposers. Who are they? Why do they fight against God and His work? They oppose Jehovah's witnesses' assembling in halls to worship; they object to their going from house to house. They don't like the message, or the manner of proclaiming it. What would they have such witnesses of the Lord do? What do they do? What are some of the acts of the opposers of THE THEOCRACY in New York state?
(To be continued)
The Long Beach Tax Levy
◆ Long Beach, Long Island, had its tax rate raised from $2.51 to $2.66, and all because it had a poor old adding machine that would add only six figures instead of at least eight, as it should. And so Louise and Adelina lost their jobs. It seems that Louise carried the millions of dollars in her head, while the hundreds of thousands of dollars were carefully and expertly added on the machine. And then Adelina carefully checked over the figures on the machine, and thought she had checked over the figures in Louise's head, but she hadn't. And the city fathers, being men, blamed the women. This wasn't manly; it was masculine. There is a difference between being manly and being masculine. There are many persons strutting around who think they are men, but who are merely males.
RIGHTEOUS RULER
THE NEW GOVERNMENT
The Complaints (?) That Failed
◆ While working our territory at Cohoes, N. Y., I witnessed at a home to a young woman who seemed friendly and listened to the record "Children". The husband appeared in the doorway and said I had no right to do that work and he would have me arrested. I told him we were still in a free country and that it was my constitutional as well as my God-given right to do this work. He said he would call up the station and have me arrested. I said that was his privilege. As I was going out his wife informed me that he was an officer. But one who has the Lord's spirit doesn't scare so easily. I left a booklet Comfort All That Mourn on the table, so that they could look at it when I had gone. I kept on working down the block and across the street, and met a fine young Catholic woman who took the book Children.
Soon thereafter a car containing officers halted me, and the spokesman said he had so many complaints that he would have to take me to the precinct. I said, "No, you have just one complaint," and pointed out the house from which I knew it had come. I asked him whether I was under arrest, to which he replied that I was not, but would have to come to the station for questioning. At the station the lieutenant was ready for me, shouting that I could not do that work there and would have to get out of town. They had enough churches in the town, said he. I informed him that I could not stop the work, but must obey God rather than man. I asked him to listen to the recording; but he had heard that before, he said, and then, after raving some more, told the officers to take me back to where they found me and see that I got out of town. I told him I was staying in town that night, and he said, of course, he could not stop me from staying overnight.
Theocracy publishers, New Orleans, La.
They took me back to the territory and I started right in working where I left off, though the officers said I would have to go back to headquarters if I did. After working a whole block with no answers, except one at the last call, they had me get into the car again and took me back to headquarters, although they were very apologetic about it. Then, at the police quarters I had a session with the chief and with a judge, both madly pacing back and forth and shouting at me, but evidently very nervous.
The judge said I ought not to be breaking the city ordinance, and that I was making it inconvenient for them. I said, "It is not my fault that I am here. You are also making it inconvenient for me. I was merely exercising my constitutional and God-given right, and the work would go on by others if not by me." Finally they all left me, and I settled down to read. When they returned after about an hour they wondered at my composure, and an officer came to me all apologetic, saying he was sorry to have kept me, but that he could not find the man who had made the complaint. He thereby showed he had lied when he said there were many complaints.
He took me back to the territory and left me there. After a few minutes I met with the witnesses who were working another part of the town. They had seen me picked up and had not expected me to get out of the clutches of that Roman stronghold so quickly. It was the Lord's doing, and "marvellous in our eyes". Such experiences strengthen one. —Helen Schieman, New York.
Joe, John, Ruth, Naomi, Esther, Samuel, Delight, Daniel, Christina, Charity, and Mercy, children of Armando and Josefa De La O, of Michigan (all THEOCRACY publishers), all drove in one car and a handmade trailer to the convention in St. Louis.
Jehovah's Kingdom publishers, Nogales, Arizona
Putting the Screws on India
◆ Following standard political practice, the Roman Hierarchy puts the screws on the outside politicians, one after another, meantime really aiming at the center. The Catholic papers gleefully boast that (wholly as a result of their own pressure on the politicians) the books and papers of Jehovah's witnesses have been banned in one country after another (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and now India), "on the ground that they are subversive and contain sentiments prejudicial to the successful prosecution of the war." Meanwhile, in England, Jehovah's witnesses continue to carry on their work, simply because the Roman Hierarchy is not so successful there in hoodwinking the government with regard to them. But the Catholic press forever screams, "Subversive."
A witness in the wilds of Kentucky (mother of nine little ones)
"Profane Language" in Belleville
◆ Several Sundays ago I was out in the field working with the phonograph, going from door to door. I stopped at a place, a little way out of the city of Belleville, Illinois, which appeared to be the office of a coal mine. I played a record for a gentleman, and after it was finished he asked me if we were the people who were arrested in Belleville with this literature. I replied that we were. He then said he wanted a copy of our literature with profane language in it and that was not fit to be sold on the streets. I told him that we did not have that kind of literature, that what we have is all taken out of the Bible and shows the fulfillment of God's Word.
He then said that he had read in the newspaper where we have that kind of literature, but did not believe it, because he had read our literature previously, and he thought we were doing a fine work. He then contributed for a Watchtower and Consolation, showing that there are still some people of good-will in Belleville who do not do everything that the demons in control of Belleville tell them to do.—Elmer Miller, Illinois.
Dirty Dig by Leicester Mail
◆ Geographical location does not make a man decent and honorable, and a yellow newspaperman is as yellow in England as in America or Australia. There is always a way of stating a truth so as to convey an evil impression. Note the effort made in the following squib in the Leicester, England, Mail (September 10, 1941) to arouse resentment instead of gratitude for a kindly and generous act:
LEFT BY WITNESSES
Jehovah's Witnesses, who have just concluded a five days' convention, had too much food. On Monday, when the Convention broke up, 150 4-lb. loaves were handed over to the Leicester Royal Infirmary.
One of the outdoor Model Study classes of the Grove, Oklahoma, company of 24 Kingdom publishers, which company was of that size in less than one year after its formation
(To be continued)
THE WORD “IS TRUTH” – John 17:17
Signs in Heaven
THE book of The Revelation was written in sign or symbolic language, which was one means of concealing its meaning until God’s due time for it to be understood. The time for understanding has now come, and this is indicated by the words of chapter eleven, which read: “Thou, O Lord God Almighty, hast taken thy power and reigned; and the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come.” In A.D. 1914 the events came to pass marking the beginning of fulfillment of this prophecy.
The twelfth chapter of Revelation opens with the statement: “And there appeared a great wonder [sign] in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; and she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder [sign] in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.”
The two wonders or signs here mentioned are two great organizations, to wit, Jehovah God’s organization, pictured by the woman that gives birth to the man child; and Satan’s organization, pictured under the symbol of a great red dragon. The statement that these signs appeared “in heaven” means that those persons on earth who are earnestly and faithfully serving God are permitted to have an understanding of these things pertaining to the heavenly kingdom, or Theocracy.
The great truth that has held the attention of Christians for nineteen centuries has been the second coming of Christ and the setting up of His kingdom. That great event is pictured by the pure woman, representing God’s organization, and her giving birth to the man child, which is symbolic of the kingdom under Christ, which kingdom shall rule all the nations of the earth. God’s great organization embraces the righteous heavenly creatures and also those in the earth who are wholly devoted to Jehovah God. Note that the woman, which is God’s organization, is clothed and shod with the light of the sun, moon and stars. As these heavenly bodies give light to man on earth, even so the light of God shines upon those who love and serve Him; and this assures them of an understanding of divine prophecy, when it is fulfilled.
Christ Jesus was given the right to the Kingdom 1900 years ago; but, as stated to Him by Jehovah, at Psalm 110:1, He must wait until God’s due time for Him to begin His reign. The cries of the woman in the prophecy picture the prayers and supplications of those in harmony with God that His kingdom should be established on earth. The fact that God long ago promised He would bring forth a “seed” or offspring that would rule the world is conclusive proof that in His due time that Seed must be born. The birth means the beginning of the THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT under Christ, pictured by the birth of the man child. The statement of the prophecy that the man child was born and caught up unto God and unto His throne shows that Jehovah acknowledges as His the kingdom which is under Christ and which shall rule and bless the earth.
Satan is also named the “old dragon”. That name signifies “devourer”. He has attempted to devour every one who honestly serves God. He has a mighty organization composed of invisible creatures called ‘principalities, powers and wicked angels’; and the nations of this “present evil world” are under his influence and control, and therefore a part of his organization. (Luke 4: 5, 6) When Jesus was on earth Satan repeatedly tried to kill Him. At all times Satan has opposed God’s kingdom under Christ, and his agents or representatives have likewise opposed. Satan’s entire organization is against God and His kingdom, and hence his organization is pictured under the symbol of a great red or bloody dragon. The Scriptures show that Satan would be watching the time that the kingdom under Christ would begin to function, in order that he might destroy it. Therefore, says the prophecy of Revelation, Satan the Dragon stood before the woman to devour the man child as soon as it should be born.
Psalm 110 and other prophecies show that when God would send forth Christ to begin His reign the nations would become angry, because Satan would stir up a great war for world domination. These prophecies, together with the facts that came to pass, fixed the time as 1914, with the beginning of the World War.
Up to that time Satan had his place in the realms of heaven, but with the beginning of the THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT under Christ Satan must be ousted from heaven. A great war in heaven followed. In proof of this it is written, in Revelation 12: 7: “And there was war in heaven: Michael [official name of Christ Jesus] and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” In that fight the Devil was cast out of heaven. The two great signs in heaven, therefore, picture the two mighty opposing organizations gathering into action for war, and the result of that war for UNIVERSAL DOMINATION.
To be sure, there was much wickedness and crime before the world war of 1914. But since that time crime has been steadily on the increase. Why is this so? The war in heaven between Christ and Satan resulted in Satan and his angels’ being cast down from heaven to the earth; and since then he has been confining his operations to the vicinity of the earth. Even though Satan is invisible to human eyes, his works are seen by all men. He is the very embodiment of wickedness, and his purpose is to plunge all creation into wickedness. It is to be expected, therefore, that Satan the Devil would cause as much trouble in earth as possible. In proof of this, Revelation 12: 12 says: “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
Satan and his organization must be ousted from the earth, and until that is done there cannot be peace and righteousness on earth. The next great act of Jesus Christ is to destroy Satan’s organization and his power. That means another great war between Satan and his cohorts on one side and Christ and His holy angels on the other side. That great war is described in Revelation chapter sixteen as “the battle of that great day of God Almighty”, or battle of “Armageddon”.
Satan knows there is but a short time before that battle is fought; hence he is bending every effort to turn creation against God, and to do this he attempts to drive them all into wickedness and then charge God with the responsibility for the sufferings on earth, as when the pope said that Almighty God had let loose this hurricane of the World War.
Armageddon, which will soon be fought, will completely wreck every wicked organization, invisible and visible. That battle will not be fought by communists and anarchists on one side against the established governments on the other side. It will be fought by Christ Jesus with His organization against all of Satan’s organization. The true followers of Christ on earth will have nothing to do with the fighting, but they do have a work to accomplish just before that great battle, which work of witnessing is now being done. The wise persons of good-will toward God are taking heed thereto and fleeing to God’s organization for refuge before Armageddon breaks.
Rights of Jehovah’s witnesses Must Be Protected by the Police Officers
THE Department of Justice knows that the Roman Catholic Hierarchy has, by its dupes, attempted to annihilate Jehovah's witnesses by nation-wide violence.
Failing in this, the Hierarchy has placed great political pressure and foul boycott methods upon the “peace” officers in all the States, by misrepresentation of Jehovah’s witnesses, causing the officers to act as a “gestapo” by repeated arrests of Jehovah’s witnesses for preaching THE THEOCRACY. The Hierarchy misrepresents and persecutes the true patriots, Jehovah’s witnesses, to detract attention from the Catholic priests who carry on their nation-wide secret fifth-column activity in America under the direction of the Nazis, so as to destroy America from the inside and the outside.
To arouse the duped police from the snare into which they have been led by the demons in the state of Texas, that reasonable, fair and liberty-loving American public official Attorney General Biddle directed United States Attorney Clyde Eastus, of Texas, to deliver a speech by radio, constituting a warning to the police officers of Texas. The pertinent parts of the speech appear below:
My Friends:
I have been directed by the Honorable Francis Biddle, the attorney general of the United States, to deliver a series of radio speeches to the people of my district--the Northern District of Texas. My district is composed of 100 counties in the northern and northwestern part of Texas. There are approximately two million people in the Northern District of Texas.
The subjects on which I have been directed to speak are the rights and liberties and protection of the Jehovah’s witnesses. . .
My friends, the Constitution of the United States, the greatest document ever written by the hand of man, states in substance that the people in this nation shall have the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience; that they shall have the right to use the streets, highways, byways, and public buildings to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have many denominations in this land. We have the Methodists, the Baptists, the Presbyterians, the Campbellites, the Lutherans, the Catholics, the Jews, and Jehovah's witnesses, all of which are recognized legal religions. The Supreme Court of the United States has held that Jehovah's witnesses is a legal religion, and they have a right to preach their religion anywhere in this land. Since that is true, they are entitled to preach it and teach it unmolested.
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