Informant, March 1954

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INFORMANT

MARCH, 1954

“Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever.’’—Psalm 145:2, CB.

BROOKLYN, N. Y.

Taking Teaching from Jehovah Campaign Half Over—Are You Meeting Your Quota?

Plan for 20 Per Cent Peak

1 Jehovah accurately teaches his children. (John 6; 45, NW) Obedient to his instructions, the New World society diligently works to praise his name and carry his teaching to the other sheep yet to be gathered. As individuals in that society each of us must share the responsibility of teaching.

2 During the past two months, thousands, by subscribing for The Watchtower, have begun learning of the teaching that can mean life to them. In January alone we obtained 94,339 new subscriptions In the United States. Joyfully, through the next two months, we will continue to offer the Watchtower subscription and three booklets for $1. At the halfway mark in our 16th annual campaign it Is time to take stock of our progress. As a congregation have you obtained half your quota of new subscriptions? As a congregation pub

Preparing Talks for the Ministry School

1 It is important to remember the necessity of an appropriate theme in preparing assignments for the theocratic ministry school. The introduction and conclusion of both reading assignments should accentuate a theme that is germane to the material to be read. The third talk, a discourse based on the material read previously, should likewise have a theme that can be used appropriately in tying together the various points discussed. Careful consideration of the material will make it possible for students to select an appropriate theme, even though at times incidents and points discussed in chapters assigned may seem to be only slightly related.

2 On completing a reading assignment, make comparisons showing the superiority of the Neio World Translation over other translations.

(Continued on page 3, col. 3) lisher have you obtained at least one? As a pioneer have you obtained at least eight? In the final two months let us put forth even greater efforts to reach our united goal of 400,000.

3 Endeavoring to take the right teaching to those hungering for knowledge, in the house-to-house work let us try to cover all congregation territory with the offer. Call back on all who have taken single copies of the magazine. Show them the advantage of having it come regularly. Remember, the new special subscription slip for insertion in distributors’ copies does not relieve us of the obligation to call back on those who receive single copies. Return calls should increase their interest. See that everyone is given the opportunity to subscribe for The Watchtower.

Teach Others

4 A most important way of helping others to learn of our Teacher Je

More and Better Public Meetings

Each One Has a Part

1 In addition to regular house-to-house preaching Jehovah's witnesses arrange to speak the good’ news effectively from the public platform. Public meetings have been the medium of arousing and assisting many persons to direct their paths so they too can bless Jehovah every day.’ Keeping abreast of other theocratic increase, this means of gospelpreaching has been increasing. Last year there were 97,607 public talks in the United States, to compare with 79,509 the previous year. This is a 22.8 per cent increase! Think of the benefits numerous persons of good will and publishers derived from those 97,607 talks!

2 Frequently it is at public meetings that newly interested persons become acquainted with Jehovah’s witnesses. If they and the brothers hovah is to continue the training program. All should be trained to present a three- to eight-minute sermon at the door. That all may become regular house-to-house preachers, servants and mature publishers will assist less mature publishers by taking them in the house-to-house work, on back-calls, when calling on subscribers, or by starting and turning studies over to them as they progress. Throughout March begin encouraging those you study with to join you in carrying the message to others. Ry training new publishers and assisting Irregular ones to get into the service we shall not only reach more people, but we shall be laying the groundwork to reach our 20 per cent increase goal for April.

5 So onward, children of Jehovah ! Continue your teaching even as you are being taught through his Word, by means of his spirit and his organization. Be assured, Jehovah’s dedicated New World society, that “all thy children shall be taught of Jehovah; and great shall be the peace of thy children” as you march on worshiping him in peace and unity.—Isa. 54:13, AS.

attending are to be edified the public speaker must do his part. He should treasure each assignment, spending sufficient time gathering appropriate material to make his talk instructive, up to date and alive. A variety of scriptures, rather than the same ones time and again, series after series, should be used. Jehovah has provided such an abundant storehouse to draw from that it is not necessary or advisable to overuse a few familiar scriptures. “Make Sure of All Things” will be a ready reference in selecting scriptures that are to the point.

3 Before considering himself ready to mount the platform after preparing his talk, the speaker should rehearse his material. The giving of a talk is to be kept within an hour and should be delivered (Continued on page 2, col. 2)

Around the World

•with Jehovah’s Witnesses

Taught Ones Teach Others

Upon being taught the truth appreciative persons delight to share with others the good things they have been taught. (Gal. 6: 6, NW) This is taking place world-wide as more and more take teaching from Jehovah and in turn teach others.

A group of publishers in Colombia was surprised on witnessing in a small village to be greeted with: ‘'Oh, you talk just like our neighbor,” appreciating the truth ‘the neighbor’ was teaching others. In another area while a witness called at the front door preaching the new-world hope, a Pentecostal was going to the back door telling householders not to listen. In time the Pentecostal took teaching from Jehovah and is now privileged to teach others the truth. (127)

“I shall remain Catholic,” declared a woman who took a publication. Through a home Bible study she learned the truth and now is a publisher of the new world. (260, 261) And how long does it take to become a teacher? Not long, if you apply yourself. (90)

Having a burning desire to tell others what he had learned, a young man studying to become a priest met a witness and asked: “Do you know what you are doing?” The witness knew what he was doing and convinced him. Now the young man is a pioneer. (137, 138)

“It’s a mystery, my son,” was the priest’s reply to a businessman’s inquiry about the trinity. One of Jehovah’s witnesses explained the “mystery” and now the businessman looks forward to teaching others as a missionary. (105) Are you teaching others?

Jehovah's Provision

Of all magazines published today, “The Watchtower” stands in a class by itself. Why so? Because it is Jehovah’s provision to guide those who love him to understand and keep informed of his glorious kingdom. No wonder then all of Jehovah’s witnesses delight to take part in the 16th annual “Watchtower” campaign.

By our utilizing three- to eight-minute sermons householders are assisted to know the value of “The Watchtower.” However, some householders need no introduction to it, as was true of one in North Borneo. He asked if he could subscribe for “the best magazine he had ever read,” without the witness’ even having a chance to present the offer. (244, 245)

In a remote part of Finnmark two missionaries were greeted by an old man: “Do you really belong to my people?” He had read issues of “The Watchtower” a neighbor subscribed for, understood the truth and shared the provision with others. (220, 221)

To discourage parishioners from listening to Jehovah’s witnesses a priest in Egypt hung a copy of “The Watchtower” on the door of the church. Did it discourage them? Not at all! In fact, it made some so curious they hunted up the congregation servant and are now having home Bible studies. (144)

Magazine Day activity is devoted primarily to house-to-house and store-to-store work. However, occasionally street witnessing is done and interesting experiences result. A man walked up to a publisher in Switzerland saying: “I must have ‘The Watchtower.’ ” The man had been a Catholic monk but, thanks to Jehovah’s provisions, learned the truth and now shares it with others. (261)

To Those Who Know of The Watchtower

During the last two months many favorably disposed persons have wisely subscribed for The Watchtower on our invitation. Others, just passively interested at the time, took single copies. These will be somewhat acquainted with the magazine and when approached later some will say : “Oh, yes, I know about The Watchtower.”

This opens an excellent opportunity to respond something like this: “I’m happy to hear you know about The Watchtower. Undoubtedly you, like so many other people, enjoy the Scriptural comfort it offers. Its pages are filled with heart-cheering information of a new world of God’s making now so close at hand. Jesus centered many illustrations around the new world for which he taught us to pray. One of them is found at Mark 4:14-20. There the Master said the word or truth was likened to seed that fell upon different types of soil. Some fell alongside the road where it could not grow; some upon rocky places where roots could not penetrate; some among the thorns only to be choked out by the cares of this world: and, most important, some fell upon soil that was right, took root, grew and bore fruit. We want to be of this last type of ‘soil’ and with this in view much

Public Meetings (Cont’d)

with conviction and enthusiasm. There is no short cut in doing this. It requires practice.

4 The primary purpose of a public talk is to edify the hearers with the truth. While a portion of the talk may expose and show the falsity of the old system, the greater portion of it should be constructive, highlighting Kingdom truths on the theme assigned. It is the truth that will help those attending to make their minds over for new-world living. Make the truth stand out by a clear, logical presentation. This will enhance the desire on the part of the audience to hear more.

5 Since these meetings are an integral part of the ministerial activity of a congregation, all associated should always be present and ever be alert to assist others to attend. Public meetings are profitable. Something can be gained from each talk. So, attend and profit from the many depends upon our study of God's Word, for Jesus said at John 17:3: [Quote or read.] Inasmuch as this journal has aided so many to a clearer knowledge of the new world, I’m sure you would enjoy getting it regularly and benefiting too. For just one dollar you may have a year’s subscription and these three booklets.”

With our current offer we meet some who say, “I’ve subscribed for The Watchtower before.” The good news may be presented to these individuals several ways. The new Watchtower features may be pointed out, doctrinal or other questions cleared up, emphasis placed on the need for Bible knowledge, things of interest in the current magazine highlighted, etc. You might say : “It certainly is a pleasure to talk to you. So many people today have little or no respect for God’s teachings, neglecting almost completely his counsel to be an approved workman, as 2 Timothy 2:15 calls to our attention. [Read or quote.] Having received The Watchtower before. I’m sure you appreciate its value as a Bible study aid. The subscription is still only $1, and, as you know, it will come to you twice a month. I’ll be glad to serve you by taking your subscription now and leaving this issue with you. Soon the issues will be coming regularly to you through the mail.” hours of research each speaker spends in preparing his material. With each congregation having public meetings regularly, with each speaker fulfilling the serious responsibility placed upon him and with each publisher supporting these meetings to the full, we can look forward to even greater results from public meetings in 1954.

UNITED STATES QUOTA FOR 1954 153,962 Publishers

Monthly Field Service Report

January Report

Pubs.

Av. Hrs.

Av. B-C

Av.

Bi. St.

Sp’l Pios.

144.6

59.4

7.2

Pioneers

5,874

92.0

32.7

4.2

Cong. Pubs.

145,054

9.6

3.6

.5

Total Pubs. 151,102 Public Meetings Held: 9,468 Total Subscriptions: 94,339

YOUR SERVICE MEETING

Preparing Three- to Eight-Minute Sermons

SCENE I (3 min.) After a morning of witnessing two brothers discuss their activity. Brother Alert enthusiastically relates to Brother Willing how much more effective his witnessing is by using three- to eight-minute sermons. It is like doing a new work. 'Willing quietly listens and then says he has not been giving a sermon, not knowing how it is to be done and does not feel capable. Alert suggests they spend a few minutes to see just how easy it is to develop a talk.

SCENE 11 (12 min.) Alert explains first that a theme is to be selected. Various themes may be used, such as “The New World,’’ “The Importance of Bible Study,” “The Kingdom, Man’s Real Hope,” “Christ’s Purpose in Coming to Earth,” etc. Then material is selected to support the theme and to ’give a witness. Willing interrupts to ask how this is done. Selecting “The New World” theme, Alert counsels that to be effective witness should have introduction, body and conclusion. In the introduction of your witness establish who you are and the purpose of your call. Then move to the body, mentioning troubled world conditions and need for a new world. Basic points could be: (1) old world cannot satisfy desire of man, (2) basis for hope in new world, (3) what is necessary to enter new world, and (4) need for “The Watchtower” in attaining hope. A supporting scripture or two woven into talk will increase effectiveness and add authority to witness. Matthew 24: 37 show’s old-world conditions will pass away; John 3: 16 gives basis for new world; and Romans 12: 2 shows need for study. These simple basic points are noted and a mental outline formed to ensure directness at the door. In concluding witness restate the “Watchtower” offer. The various features of “The Watchtower” and its value in giving Scriptural help to understand God’s purposes can be highlighted. Brother Willing now understands just what should be done, likes the idea and will try it himself. It is not as difficult as he had thought. He will develop several sermons for variety. In summary Alert reiterates need for thorough preparation to give a good witness, hold attention of householder, and arouse interest even though offer may not always be placed.

Take Teaching

SCENE I (4 min.) Congregation servant, “Watchtow’er” study conductor and school servant discuss need of taking teaching from Jehovah. Do all associated with the congregation regularly attend meetings? Each one compares number attending meeting he oversees with number associated and adds appropriate comments. Why do some who could attend regularly fail to do so? Or prefer one meeting over another? At this time Brother Fair and congregation book study conductor enter Kingdom Hall. They decide to discuss the matter with Brother Fair, w’ho does not attend regularly.

SCENE II (12 min.) Tactfully the matter of meeting attendance is approached. Fair replies he feels tired after work and needs some relaxation, so he cannot always get to ministry school regularly. School servant relates that teaching received directly from Bible is needed source of refreshment and prepares us to talk truth more fully to persons of good will. Congregation servant tactfully brings up matter of Fair sometimes leaving after school. Fair explains he does not al-W’ays stay since he always reads the “Informant” and likes to be home and retire early. On questioning him the congregation servant ascertains Fair does not retire very early even when leaving the meeting. He then points out that the service meeting is especially prepared to improve our ministry. House-to-house work must increase and we must more effectively minister to people desirous of fleeing to safety with the New World society.

Book study conductor then asks about attendance at his study. “Too busy these days,” is Fair’s reply. Conductor stresses advantage of group study and service. “Watchtower” conductor relates it is nice to have Fair attend “Watchtower” study after public talk. Fair says he does not always attend these meetings because he wants some time w’ith his family and it is about the only chance he gets. Conductor reasons on importance of all in family attending lectures and “Watchtower” studies where chief instrument of “faithful and discreet slave” in ministering food is considered. “Watchtower” campaign demands that we know and appreciate its lifesaving message to help others. Fair is encouraged and expresses appreciation for counsel.

SCENE III (4 min.) After Fair leaves servants analyze and discuss: (1) Old-world system keeps publishers busy trying to make ends meet. (2) AI] must realize that while attending meetings and .service keeps one busy, yet it is practical and best for Kingdom interests. (3) Meetings are for good of all, being God's provision to bless his people. (4) New-world discussion and association is relaxing as well as uplifting and should be enjoyed by all family members. (5) Servants must do their part by planning and conducting good, lively and instructive meetings, and publishers must do their part by regularly attending and encouraging others to do so.

Publications Now Available

T racts

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe? (Tl)—Cebu-Visayan, Chinese, Greek, Icelandic, Ilocano, Korean, Papiamento

Hell-Fire (T2)—Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Ilocano

Jehovah’s Witnesses, Communists or Christians? (T3)— Chinese, Greek, Ilocano

“Awake from Sleep!” (T4)—Chinese, Greek, Ilocano, Korean

Hope for the Dead (T5)—Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Papiamento

The Trinity—Divine Mystery or Pa-pan Myth? (T6)—Arabic, Chinese, Italian

How Valuable Is the Bible? (T7)

—Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Korean

Life in a A’eto World (T8)—Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Korean

Booklets

After Armageddon—God's New

World —-Spanish

Can You Live Forever in Happiness on Earth? —Greek

God’s Way Is Love—Cebu-Visayan, Ilocano, Papiamento, Tagalog

Preparing Talks . . . (Coat’d) Then in concluding the talk, rather than referring to the superiority of the New World Translation, revert to and tie in the theme of the assignment. The amount of time used in reading the material will dictate the number of analytical points that can be considered before an appropriate conclusion is given within the six to eight minutes. If only two speakers are assigned during an evening, one should cover the material assigned to the first and second student speakers on the schedule. The second speaker should then handle the third assignment according to instructions.

3 In the third student talk the student should give much thought to the material in order to select the most important points that will be discussed. He will deal with the interpretative meaning of important texts and events described in the assignment. The student should be careful to give the correct explanation from the Watchtower magazine and other publications of the Society. Do not spend much time on one or two points and thus slight others of importance.

4 Principles of good speaking should be kept in mind in caring for the reading assignment. The reading should be natural and expressive so it will not sound as though the material is being read. Audience contact should also be maintained as much as possible. The material should be read aloud many times beforehand in order to achieve proper sense stress, pausing, correct pronunciation and fluency. Preparation is the key to successful and edifying student talks.

Coming Literature Offers

May and June: The book “New Heavens and a New Earth” and the booklet After Armageddon— God's New World, for 50 cents.

“Make Sure of All Things”

Apostolic Succession. Two separate back-calls on interested Catholic couple.

2nd week:

Page 16 to Acts 17: 31, page 21 Develop*. Catholic teaching, who the “Rock” is, Peter’s position, apostles have no successors, Christ is head of church, use of the keys.

4th week:

Page 21, starting with Gal. 2:9, to page 24

Develop: Peter did not rule congregation, was not infallible, Christ holds and will use keys, Peter not in Rome, was married, gifts of holy spirit, position of 144,000.

Engage in Pastoral Work with the Shepherd-Prince

Start Organizing April Activity Now

1 April will be a full, happy, busy month of theocratic activity for all who “engage in pastoral work with the Shepherd-Prince.” (Ezek. 34:23, 24) Memorial falls on Saturday the 17th, the new public talks start the 18th, all publishers should have engaged in house-to-house witnessing by the 18th. It is the final month of the Watchtower campaign and each congregation will want to be able to say “We made it!” for the 20 per cent increase. Briefly, that is our activity for April.

Subscription Renewals

1 More subscription renewals are being received now than ever before. Chiefly, this is due to subscribers' being called upon and given an opportunity to renew their subscription before it expires. To promptly and efficiently handle these renewals and to take care of the thousands of new subscriptions pouring in daily, the Society’s office will appreciate it if all comply with the following suggestions.

- Eakly renewals : When submitting a renewal for a subscription that has not yet expired, flu out the subscription slip exactly as shown on the address label appearing on the magazine or wrapper. Mark the slip clearly as a “renewal.”

3 Renewal notice : The Society inserts a renewal notice in the magazine when a subscription is about to expire. This slip should be used whenever possible. Attaching the address label from the magazine or the wrapper will be a help to the office.

4 New subscriptions : ‘Insufficient Address,’ ‘No Such Post Office,’ and ‘Subscriber Unknown at This Address,’ etc., are reasons magazines are returned, with great inconvenience to subscribers and added expense to the Society. So carefully fill in each subscription slip. Make certain the city or town in the subscriber’s address is the post office town from which mail is received. Never abbreviate the name of the street or city and in larger cities always include zone numbers.

5 If these suggestions are carefully followed, the net result will be time saved in handling renewal subscriptions, a minimum of complaints, and uninterrupted service assured to subscribers.

2 Jehovah’s people will arrange to attend and will invite persons of good will to attend the Memorial on Saturday and the public talk on Sunday. Additionally, special group witnessing will be arranged the 17th and 18th and encouragement will be given to all publishers and good-will persons to join in the activities. Between April 1 and 18 all should engage in house-to-house preaching. The total number who do is to be reported to the Society on the Memorial card. Congregation servants will plan a stimulating service meeting just before Memorial and outline local arrangements for one and all to

CONGREGATION

Service Meeting Preparation

1 To unitedly “preach the word” and continually Improve ministerial activities, Jehovah’s witnesses look forward to regularly attending and being edified from well-prepared service meetings. A great deal of thought, time, effort and co-operation are required for wholesome, instructive meetings to result.

2 The congregation servant is responsible for planning instructive, well-balanced and interesting meetings. Upon receiving the Informant he will study it thoroughly and then plan meetings for the entire month. The article dealing with ministerial work for the current month will be considered at the first meeting of the month, if at all possible, while the article dealing with the next month’s activity will be considered at the last service meeting of the month. The Yearbook and “Make Sure of All Things” will be considered in accord with instructions appearing in the January, 1954, Informant. Other Informant articles and local ministerial matters to be considered may be worked into different weeks’ programs where desired.

3 To ensure coherence each meeting should be developed around a theme. Brothers preparing parts will have the theme in mind and work it into their part. The first meeting should highlight the current month’s theme as outlined in the Informant, while succeeding program themes may be based upon the daily text or an appropriate Scriptural theme.

4 Demonstrations, pantomimes, interviews, round-table discussions, quizzes, forums, dialogues, question-enjoy a grand week end of service.

3 April brings to a close the Watch-toicer campaign. By the end of the month will we in the United States have obtained 400,000 new subscriptions? It will be determined by preaching activity during the month. And during April assist all publishers to share in Kingdom service. With study conductors and ones privileged to train others diligently doing their part, and an invitation given to new ones to join, April will see a 20 per cent increase as all congregations will be able to write “We made it!” on their report.

4 By carrying out the above suggestions during April, it will be a full, happy, busy and blessed month for all.

ORGANIZATION

and-answer discussions, service talks (using secondary Watchtower articles, etc. 1 and other methods to present the material may be used. Generally a meeting will have three or four different parts, handled various ways for variety. Other servants may be consulted for program suggestions.

5 It is a privilege to impart instructions to a congregation. Brothers will wisely accept each assignment and spend sufficient time preparing so proper edification will result. Every part should be rehearsed before It is presented and each should stay within his allotted time so the service meeting does not exceed one hour in length. While demonstrations, etc., may be lively, it should always be kept in mind that the purpose of a service meeting is to impart ministry instructions, not to entertain.

6 Since everyone will want to contribute to meetings as opportunity affords, the next week’s program should be announced at the end of each service meeting. Articles to be considered by discussion or other ways calling for congregation participation can thus be studied before the next meeting. Many will then be able to join in the discussion and contribute toward an instructive meeting.

7 With the congregation servant planning instructive meetings, those assigned parts preparing properly and all associated attending regularly, the service meeting will provide instruction for all to more effectively “preach the word” as Jehovah's ministers.

★ Every Publisher a Regular House-to-House Preacher of Good News! *