Informant, May 1938
Download: PDF — Informant, May 1938
INFORMANT
MAY, 1938 ‘Be not afraid: the battle Is God’s.’—2 Chron. 20:15. BROOKLYN, N.Y.
Jehovah Blesses “Companions” Campaign
All Expectations Exceeded
Countries Report Excellent Results
British Isles Show Tremendous Increase
United States on Its Way to 30,000 Publishers
The greatest campaign ever arranged for the Lord’s people throughout the world is well under way. It began on April 9, and has received his rich blessing.
In the opening of this grand campaign our brethren in Australia had the blessed privilege of having with them Brother Rutherford. A tremendous witness was given, and word received by the Society states that at Brother Rutherford’s public meeting on Sunday April 24 there were 25,000 in the visible audience. These heard Brother Rutherford set out in no uncertain terms “Wabn-ing”, the subject of his lecture. The radiogram also stated, “Catholic Fascist opposition squelched.” We shall be glad to hear more about this as news reaches us by mail.
What is happening in the United States? Out of the 20 companies that sent in early reports concerning the testimony period it is gratifying to report that these 20 companies made their quota of 15-percent increase over their peak of publishers in the field this year. The quota for these 20 companies is 3,503 publishers, whereas there were actually 3,650 in the field during “Companions” Testimony Period. An astonishing tiling about the report is that there were 1,165 more publishers in the field this year than during the same period last year.
Distribution of bound books and booklets far exceeds anything to date. These 3,650 publishers alone distributed 6,873 bound books and 107,394 booklets, and took subscriptions to the number of 1,361.
As one reason for the big increase, most of these companies attribute it to the constant back-call work which they have carried on during the past year, and in this report we find a splendid effort put forth by the publishers in making back calls: in these nine days 1,835 were made.
The report set out is, we believe, representative of the entire United States, and we look with keen interest to the final report. We feel sure that all the thermometers which each local company has fixed up stand well above the May 1 mark by this time. We cannot rest, however, now that the campaign has begun, but must press hard during all of May. We should be able to make our quota in May, because we have five Sundays, and then prepare diligently for the “Boldness” Testimony Period early in June.
Viewed from every angle, this campaign is going forward with the greatest enthusiasm, and if all the companies, pioneers, auxiliaries and other brethren in the United States and our brethren elsewhere throughout the world maintain a proportionate increase, there is no question that we shall reach the world-wide quota of 10,000,000 booklets, 1,000,-000 bound books and 100,000 Consolation subscriptions. Jehovah has led us into this battle, and we rejoice that we can have a share in the vindication of His name. Keep in mind our quota for the United States, of 30,000 publishers, and this can be reached if in this campaign every organization presses on with the zeal peculiar to the Lord’s house.
Activities of Forty Average Companies in Three
Countries for “Companions” Testimony Period
UNITED STATES New York, N. Y. Philadelphia, Pa. Detroit, Mich. Mlnneapolls-
St. Paul, Minn. Washington, D.C. Reading, Pa. Toledo, Ohio Tulsa, Okla. Kansas City, Mo. Baltimore, Md. Louisville, Ky. Worcester, Mass. Flint, Mich. Wilmington, Del. Elizabeth, N. J. Lowell, Mass. Allentown, Pa. High Point, N. C. Dallas, Tex. Attleboro, Mass.
Total
BRITISH ISLES
Greater London Liverpool Birmingham Manchester Hull Stoke Newcastle Belfast Glasgow Cardiff-Clydach
Totals
CANADA Toronto Winnipeg Windsor London Fort Erie Welland Niagara Falls New Llskeard Kingston Kirkland Lake
Total
Books Jump from 371 to 3,325
Our brethren in the British Isles have pressed on with this battle as have others of the Lord’s organization throughout the world. Reports from ten cities were rushed through so that some Indication of the advance of the Kingdom interests might be set out in this Informant.
It rejoices our hearts to see that the 1,622 publishers reporting have increased the hours in the field by approximately 60 percent, putting in 16,498 hours this year, to compare with 10,153 last year. It is expected that the entire British Isles will show a like Increase in hours. There were 255 more publishers in the field, which is a splendid increase over the same testimony period last year. An outstanding feature in the report from these companies is the great increase in bound books. Last year they put out 371 in the spring period; and this year, 3,325. What a witness this is against the enemy I Then, when we look at the distribution of the Cure booklet, compared with last year’s booklet distribution, we find that this is more than doubled. These ten companies put out 98,296 booklets.
Back
Publishers
Books
Booklets
Subs.
Calls
Increase
3,154
42,781
1,114
1,181
10,773
7,669
8,637
3,778
5,872
3,893
2,766
1,702
2,265
2,159
1,589
2,001
2,069
2,643
1,275
2,171
1,195
1,301
6,873
107,294
1,361
1,835
3,650
2,485
1,165
Back
Publishers
Books
Booklets
Subs.
Calls
Increase
1,960
55,361
5,551
6,082
5,009
5,950
4,864
4,418
1,515
7,560
1,986
3,325
98,296
1,622
1,367
Back
Publishers
Books Booklets
Subs.
Calls
Increase
16,194
4,727
1,056
25,577
The subscriptions are coming in well: 346 were obtained in these companies alone, and many more subscriptions have been sent to this office from the British Isles since the above report was compiled.
England did well In its back-call work, which is another Important feature of this campaign, there being 889 back calls made during the campaign for these companies reporting. Back calls cannot be stressed too much, and, as has been proved in many places, the back calls aid the people of good will to take their stand on the side of the Kingdom and they soon become Kingdom publishers. The British Isles are on the way to their 6,000 publishers, which is their quota for April.
Canada Doing Well Early Reports Show Splendid Increase in Publishers
The increase in publishers In the ten companies reporting is most remarkable. The ten companies report a total of 1,056 of the book Enemies and 25,287 Cure booklets placed, and 254 subscriptions obtained.
The religionists of Canada are feeling the effect of this tremendous effort, and already the Toronto office has received telephone calls and letters making threats and expressing indignation against the activities of the Lord’s people. On the other hand, many people of good will are receiving the message gladly, and some of them are already joining in the world-wide proclamation. The campaign has truly been a companions testimony period; for the anointed and Jonadabs have gone forward in this offensive fight, and have fought shoulder to shoulder against the enemy. With the work accomplished during “Companions” Testimony Period as a standard, the brethren are now gathering strength for the further work to be done during the whole three months.
What is true of Canada we believe is true of all parts of the world, that is, that the three month campaign began with the greatest enthusiasm of any period to this date. Undoubtedly the brethren are pressing the battle to the gate. We must ‘arise against her in battle’, as stated by our text a year ago, and now, as the Lord commands, we must not be afraid, because the battle is his.
Convention of Jehovah’s witnesses for the Northwest, June 2-5
Splendid Time of Year for Assembly
Expect 5,000 Publishers
Good Start
to “Boldness” Period
Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions in the western part of the United States and Canada will be richly blessed in the forthcoming convention, which will be held at Seattle, Washington, June 2-5, 1938. The greater portion of the brethren in Washington, Oregon, California and other near-by western states, as well as the entire southwestern part of Canada, will make every effort to attend this assembly.
Brother Rutherford will have just returned from the Australian convention, and It will be of real interest to learn of the blessings poured out on the Australian brethren as well as be recipients of the blessings that will be yours in attending the convention in Seattle.
The general assembly will be in the Civic Auditorium, in Seattle, and it is expected it will require both the auditorium and the arena to hold the crowd for the public address. We feel sure Brother Rutherford will pack out these two auditoriums seating upward of 15,000 persons when he addresses the audience on the subject “Violence”, Sunday afternoon, June 5. An intense witness will have been carried on throughout all of this area with Enemies, Cure and Consolation, and there will be thousands of people who have recently become interested in the message of truth and will want to hear for the first time Brother Rutherford personally in a lecture of such vital importance. So it is urged that the brethren in and about the state of Washington and western Canada put forth an intense effort in the way of advertising this meeting.
Come Prepared to Work
Everyone who attends conventions these days realizes the importance of the witness work and wants to be a publisher. Therefore, when you come to this convention, you will find adequate preparations for witnessing; so come prepared to work. Bring along your phonograph, records and regular equipment for this campaign. You know what it is—Enemies, Cure and Consolation. There will be a supply of all this literature on hand in the book room to replenish your stock; but if you desire to bring some with you, that will be the thing to do. On your arrival at the convention you will want to get your territory assignment for the field work. These will be sufficiently large for five publishers to work all four days. Arrange your vacations now, or at least arrange for a short “holiday” from your secular work so that you can be at this convention at Seattle, enjoying field work each of the four mornings and the other blessings of the convention every afternoon and evening.
The pioneers In the western part of the United States will make an effort to attend tills convention also, and they can travel in their trailers and house cars, because ample provision will be made in a trailer camp for their comfort. Other brethren may also use this means of travel. In order to assist the pioneers to get to this convention, an allowance will be made on their book account if they have been actively and regularly in the service full time from January 1, 1938. Credit will be granted in this manner : Your traveling expenses to and from the con- [ vention will be paid by allowing a credit on your book account at the Watch Tower office, the allowance not to exceed $15.00. For example, if you spend $10.00 to and from the convention, that will be the allowance on your book account; If you spend $20.00, you will, however, be given an allowance of only $15.00. All pioneers will register at the pioneer registration booth, and the credit will be applied on your book account after the convention.
Arrangements are being made for a cafeteria. The Society is planning to operate its own, so that the brethren will be able to get good food at a very reasonable price.
Your Accommodations
All persons attending the convention will want to make arrangements now for rooming accommodations. Be explicit in setting out your requirements. Please state the following in your letter to the Watch Tower Convention Committee, 800 Broadway, Seattle, Washington: Your name, street, city, state or province, nationality, white or colored, date you expect to arrive in Seattle, date you will leave Seattle. Be specific as to the accommodations you desire, residential Grade A or Grade B, hotel Grade A or Grade B, number of rooms required, number of persons in your party, number of married couples, number of single men, number of single women, and the amount you want to pay per person. Notification of your accommodations will be mailed to you If you send in your request immediately, and then it will not be necessary for you to report to the rooming assignment booth at your arrival, but you can go direct to your accommodations. The hotel or the people with whom you are to stay will be notified by the Convention Committee that you are coming, and of when you expect to arrive and how long you expect to stay. Special request is here made to all persons attending the convention. Will you please obtain your accommodations TIIROVG1I THE ROOMING COMMITTEE, rather than to hunt up your own rooms. Your co-operation in this matter will greatly aid the committee. Those who come in house-cars or trailers or have tents will be assigned parking space at Woodland Park, near Aurora and 60th streets. You need not write about this in advance.
There are a few other details that the convention will take care of, such as a hospital. Those who are doctors or nurses should apply at the Administration office if they wish to volunteer their services. An Immersion will be held on Sunday. All those attending the convention who desire to symbolize their consecration should bring with them their bathing suits and towels. An orchestra will be arranged at the convention.
What to Do Now
The thing to do now is to work hard and, if possible, get out your quota of Cure booklets during April and May; also your quota of Enemies books and Consolation subscriptions. Of course, if you don’t get them all out before June 2 you still have the “Boldness” Testimony Period and all of June to do It. Let’s get into the campaign in our own territory, which also needs the witness, and look forward with joy to the coming convention, and pray Jehovah’s blessing upon it. Slake arrangements to go there and serve the Lord in whatever capacity assigned you.
Brother Rutherford to Speak over Pacific Coast Chain
Lecture “Violence” to Be Widely Advertised
Order Signs
The Convention of Jehovah’s witnesses for the Northwest we feel sure will be a great blessing to all those living in the western part of the United States and Canada. The big feature of the convention, of course, is the witness given for the Kingdom. Not only does the "Boldness” Testimony Period begin during this convention, but on its second day the public lecture to be delivered by Brother Rutherford on the subject “Violence” will be heard by thousands in the Civic Auditorium and Arena. Additionally, this lecture of great importance will be broadcast over a Pacific Coast network covering the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, and western Montana. Radio folders are being printed, listing the sta
Newspaper Report
Subscribe Through Company Servant
An agreement has been made with the Seattle Star, a dally newspaper of Seattle, to publish at least three-quarters of a page of news Items and pictures of the convention in each day’s edition for four days, June 2, 3, 4, and 6. This page will be written by brethren attending the convention, and will be the only detailed and complete report of the convention published.
We feel sure that many brethren throughout the country, especially those who are unable to attend the convention, will be anxious to get these newspaper reports, and therefore the following arrangement has been made. The newspaper will not be mailed to Individual subscribers, but will be mailed in bulk to each company ordering, and distributed to the brethren through the local company organization. A special price has been obtained of 15e for
Subscriptions Flood Office
At this time more than 20,000 new subscriptions for Consolation have been received at the office in Brooklyn, and these are being entered as rapidly as possible. The workers in the subscription department had to be increased, and we look forward to receiving many thousands more within the next few weeks, until it hits the 100,000 mark for which we are striving.
Special Offer Does Not Apply on Six-Month Subscriptions
In order to take advantage of the special offer and get a bound book free, a person must subscribe for Consolation for a year. Where persons subscribe for only six months, the booklet Cure should be left, but not a bound book, and the rate is 50c.
Foreign CONSOLATION Subscriptions
in cases where Consolation in a foreign language is only 75c a year, the special offer is, Cure and one bound book free with a year’s subscription. The amount to be sent to the Brooklyn office in this case is 50c for a new subscription, the difference being applied to the bound book which is left with the subscriber by the publisher. Please note the language on the subscription blank. tions in the chain, and these will be consigned to the various company organizations for distribution before and no later than June 4.
The Society is also making some large silk screen signs advertising the meeting, as well as car bumper signs. These should be ordered through the company servant immediately. The large-size signs, 17 inches by 52 inches, are 40c each. The bumper signs, 6 inches by 52 inches, are 25c each, or 5 or more to one address 20c each. Please send remittance with order. Send orders to 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Handbills are being prepared to be distributed in every home in Seattle and every country home round about, as well as other large cities in Washington. We want the people to know of this great meeting and be given the opportunity to hear. You will want to have a share in the publicizing of this lecture, “Violence.” the four issues. Those desiring these reports should turn In 15c to the company servant, who will keep the name of each person subscribing, and send an order to the Society, 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, for the total number required, with a remittance to cover. The quantity ordered will then be mailed each day from Seattle to one address, this address to be the address of the company servant, or whatever address is most convenient for the company. When the bulk copies arrive, whoever is assigned to it will see that they are distributed to those subscribing.
In order to make this clear to the brethren, we suggest that you announce it several times within the next week, stating plainly that the four issues of the Seattle Star containing the convention reports can be had for 15c, and that those who order it will receive it at the company hall as soon as it comes in. We will not mail the newspaper to the individual homes as was done from Columbus. Take the names of all turning in 15e, and have your order in to the Society’s office not later than May 9.
Traveling to Seattle
Some brethren In the east and middle west have inquired about railroad rates to the Seattle Convention. We suggest that you make inquiry of your local railroad. In the west there are three classes of travel: the standard sleeper, the tourist sleeper, and coach. Many railroads advertise vacation trips at reasonable rates, with round trips going by one route and returning by another. Those considering bus travel may also inquire locally. These details the Society does not have at hand.
Please Mark Slip Properly
It Is very important to have the NEW subscriptions marked as such. Otherwise much time is wasted here at the office in checking over the files, to ascertain whether new or renewal. Many of the friends have overlooked this. Please see that the NEW subscriptions are marked NEW. Print or write plainly the name and address. Some slips sent in we cannot read, but must guess the name and address.
Please remember to send in your subscriptions promptly, as this will cut down complaints.