Souvenir Notes — Bible Students Conventions (1913)

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KEEP THIS FOR REFERENCE

The I.B.S.A. "Limited"

Things Worth Remembering

INTERNATIONAL

BIBLE STUDENTS

Trans-Continental Special

KEEP THIS FOR REFERENCE

SOUVENIR

NOTES

BIBLE STUDENTS' CONVENTIONS INTERNATIONAL

BIBLE STUDENTS

SOUVENIR

CONVENTION

REPORT

To the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

IN THE INTEREST OF

HIS CONSECRATED SAINTS. WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION.

This Work is Dedicated

"To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God."

"Wherein He hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself; that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things, under Christ." Eph. 3:4,5,9:1:8-10.

"If the Bible does teach that ETERNAL TORTURE is the fate of all except the Saints, it should be preached; yea. thundered weekly, daily, hourly. If it does not so teach, THE FACT SHOULD BE MADE KNOWN, and the foul stain dishonoring God's name removed."-PASTOR RUSSELL.

PASTOR CHARLES T. RUSSELL (DEFENDER OF THE BIBLE) IN THE CRITICS' DEN

(TEXT FOUND ON PREVIOUS PAGE.)

PASTOR CHARLES T. RUSSELL (DEFENDER OF THE BIBLE) IN THE CRITICS' DEN

GREAT (?) BOOKS MAN MADE SYSTEMS OF THEOLOGY

CREED OF BABYLON

The dead are not dead -- more alive after death.

Eternal torment is the wages of sin.

There is no resurrection of the dead because no one is dead.

The trinity - 3 X 1 = 1, 1 X 3 = 1.

Christian Science - No sin, sickness or death - a delusion.

Theosophy - Transmigration of soul.

Spiritism - Dead people commune with living.

Evolution - Our grandfathers were monkeys

Daniel never wrote his book.

Never was a Daniel.

Jesus and Apostles were mistaken.

We are Higher Critics, we know, ask us.

"The Bible is the most wonderful book in the whole world."

"I prefer to stand by Jesus and the Apostles and all who are in harmony with them. I stand for what the Bible calls the 'Church of the First-born,' and for whatever the Bible teaches. And when I thus take my stand, I find that the Bible teaches something beautiful, that God is indeed preparing a Church to be associated with Jesus in His Kingdom; and I find that nobody is to be roasted eternally -- quite to the contrary, they are all to be blessed with an opportunity to live forever."

"If the bible does teach that ETERNAL TORTURE is the fate of all except the Saints, it should be preached; yea, thundered weekly, daily, hourly. If it does not so teach, THE FACT SHOULD BE MADE KNOWN, and the foul stain dishonoring God's name removed." -- PASTOR RUSSELL Introduction

DEAR FRIENDS: As the years roll past and the time draws nigh for our "glorification" and for the consummation of the work of the Gospel Age, preparatory to the great work of blessing all families of earth during the Millennial Age, we wonder each year that we prepare one of these Souvenir Reports of the I. B. S. A. Conventions if it will be the last time we will be privileged to serve the friends in this capacity -- just as we wonder at each convention we attend if it will be the last time we will meet the friends in convention's session this side the vail.

However, it seems the Lord's will that we should send out this, the THIRTEENTH SOUVENIR REPORT of notes from the International Bible Students' Conventions, and we do so with a prayer that it may be a real blessing, as we have abundant evidence that the others have been. We have received many letters from those who, for various reasons, are unable to attend these grand convention feasts -- some because they are too poor financially, others who are too aged, others who are invalids, some who are too deaf, and others because of inharmony in their homes and whose family affairs interfere -- all of which have seemed to us to be indications from the Lord that we who are permitted to attend these conventions, which we believe the Lord himself is arranging, through his servant and channel, should gather as many crumbs as possible and take or send to the dear "stay-at-homes."

We wish to urge, however, that none remain at home, thinking they will get it all in the Convention Report. While we do all we can to gather crumbs upon which to feast our minds, it is impossible to bring to you the blessings of fellowship, which come only to those who can attend in person. These are real experiences and all we can do is to tell you about them, but cannot experience them for you. You must "taste and see."

We are unable to visit you in person to tell you individually of all the good things we have heard, the bright eyes and glad faces we saw, and the hearty hand-shakes we experienced, but we are glad to use the printing press, the railway trains, mail and express systems, etc., which the Lord has provided for the harvest period in which we are now living. This we are endeavoring to do to his glory and to the edification and blessing of his people.

We feel that Brother Russell expressed our sentiments exactly, when he said, in a Farewell Address: Introduction

"I will trust then. dear friends, that you have made progress, and as you go from here to your homes, that you will carry blessings with you to the other dear friends there, many of them just as sincere as ourselves, and their hearts' sympathies and prayers have been with us I know, and many letters tell us so. As you go back to your homes I wish you would carry, among other things, my love to the dear ones at home. Tell them they were remembered here every day; that we were of those who were favored with the opportunity and means to come, and we thought of the others who were not thus highly favored not thus highly privileged; and that while we were drinking at the fountain of grace and truth we were hoping and praying that some blessing would extend out to them; and then, in harmony with those prayers and those desires, that you go to your homes and try to unfold to others some of the blessings that you have received. As your cup has been filled, may it continue to overflow, like the widow's cruse of oil, you remember. They brought vessels and poured the oil into them until they were filled, and then more were filled, and they kept bringing more vessels and they were filled; and so it is with God's holy Spirit: If we shall as vessels of the Lord go from here full of the Spirit of the Lord, may his blessings he with us so that these shall overflow upon all the dear ones with whom we come in contact, that they may have a share of these blessings. God, who is rich in grace, is able thus to provide for those afar off as well as for those who are near."

This Report is in no sense of the word a publication or write-up of our own sayings, but it is a report of the utterances of "that servant," and his "fellow servants" to the "household of faith." Therefore, as this Report goes forth, it is with the prayer that it may he blessed of the Lord, without whom no work shall progress.

Other conventions have been held this year than those reported herein, but we were unable to be present at them all. We had some hopes of securing notes through others of those conventions, but our hopes were not realized. While we realize that this work is far from perfect, yet we trust it is sufficiently full to enable us to keep these things before our minds.

We wish to express our thanks and appreciation of the services of any who have assisted in making this report possible, especially George M. Huntsinger and E.F. Crist

Finally, we trust it may be used of the Lord to stimulate its readers to a more careful and faithful reading of the Bible. Dawns and Towers, more frequent attendance at class meetings, and conventions. "assembling together;" and that all may be encouraged to greater activity and zeal in this glorious "harvest work." Yours In HIS service,

The image depicts a man in a dark robe, holding a pen and writing on a sheet of paper. He has a long white beard and is looking down at the paper. The background is a dark, blurred setting with a decorative element that appears to be a mirror or a wall with intricate designs.

MANY small conventions have been held (luring the year 1913, but we were not permitted to attend all, and as interest especially centers around those in connection with the "Transcontinental Tour," and the General Conventions at Madison, Wis.; Springfield, Mass.; Asheville, N.C.: Toronto, Can.; London, Eng., and Glasgow, Scotland, we therefore make a partial, yet quite extensive, report of only those conventions.

We regret that we could not report every discourse, symposium, etc., that took place at those conventions, but many things combined to prevent doing so, such as lack of space, absence from some of the conventions, for there were usually two or more going on at the same time, and it is extremely difficult to find stenographers who understand this particular work. However, we have been able to report at least one discourse from nearly all of the regular pilgrims, and some from some of the others -- all together they will show to the future generations that the "I. B. S. A." did not do things "in a corner."

Early in the year Pastor Russell laid out a route that would take him to many of the principal cities in the United States and Canada on an eight-thousand mile tour, where he would he the principal speaker at those places, under the auspices of the INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION.

Upon learning of the proposed tour, we asked Pastor Russell if he would have any objection to our getting up a party with a special train to accompany him, and invited him to travel with us. He replied that he would have no objection, but that such an arrangement would enhance his pleasure, and that he would he pleased to travel with the party, especially as the drawing-room which we proposed placing at his service would not only he conducive to rest at night, but additionally, would greatly facilitate his literary work, which he would of necessity he compelled to do en route, during his absence from the Home Office at Brooklyn, for a month. Arrangements were accordingly made for such a trip, which is now a matter of history, the succeeding pages being a report of interesting incidents, and the special sermons of admonition to the friends by Pastor Russell.

Some people might be inclined to inquire as to why any such desire to accompany Pastor Russell more than some other man on such a trip? Our reason is, because we have FAITH that the Lord has returned, that HE is the CHIEF REAPER in this "harvest." that HE has been supervising the work, for now about thirty-nine years, and that HE has placed Pastor Russell in charge of that work this side of the wail. We are glad, therefore, to recognize him. Pastor Russell, as "that servant," spoken of by our Lord: glad to recognize that the work he is doing is the work the Lord has anointed for him to do, and we are glad to co-operate with him and he associated with him as much as possible.

Many have thought, what a grand thing it would have been to make one of those convention tours with the Apostle Paul! Well this was considered an opportunity of traveling with "a Paul" -- the one

who is doing a work in the end of this Gospel Age, similar to the work the Apostle Paul did at the beginning of this age.

There was still another reason for making the trip, and that was: to receive the pleasure and profit from being associated with so many of "like precious faith" for an entire month, and also the privilege and pleasure of fellowship with friends alone,the way,giving and receiving blessings. It was considered that the fellowship would be a rich inheritance for all the coming years.

There was still another reason: Such a large company, traveling on a specially chartered train, for such a long distance, and not as paid delegates, gave a wonderful opportunity to witness through the public press the grand "harvest" message.

USE OF MODERN CONVENIENCES

Some of the dear friends, because of not taking a sufficiently comprehensive view of the matter, and possibly not having had much experience in meeting the ways of the world, with which those who are out in the forefront of the battle must contend -- some have been inclined to criticize others for making use of the conveniences and appliances which the Lord has caused to be prepared for this very "harvest work." We therefore reprint herewith the reply of Pastor Russell to one such criticism, as follows:

"It is true that there were no fine hotels in our Lord's day, true that there were no railroads, and that His locomotion was accomplished partly by little ships, partly on foot and partly on an ass. Were we to follow the Master's footsteps literally, the possibilities of the present Harvest work would he much decreased. It is our thought that the Harvest of the Jewish Age was merely confined to the little country of Palestine; whereas the Harvest of this Age, worldwide, is to be accomplished in a similar length of time -- forty years.

"We believe that the wonderful conveniences of our day are preparations for the Millennium, and that the Lord is not displeased with us for using these in connection with His service. Quite to the contrary, it is rather our thought that God is providing these wonderful conveniences for the very purpose of facilitating the Harvest work.

"In this connection, we remember the Apostle's words which assure us that all things were given unto us richly to enjoy -- to use, but not to abuse. We have an illustration of this in conjunction with our visit to India. The chief interest there appears to be in the western part, which has almost no railroad facilities. We were debating how we could procure some kind of conveyance to permit such a visit as we thought would be in the interests of the Lord's cause and not require too much time. Our queries were answered when we learned that just about ten days before our arrival, an automobile omnibus line had been established instead of a railroad.

"As respects hotels: In the present instance I had no real need for a hotel because I could have stopped quite comfortably on the train, but the newspaper people handling my sermons are interested in making these somewhat of a spectacle, so that they can draw that much more attention to the sermons which they publish. In the world's estimation. a public man who is great or well thought of would be treated to the best that his friends possessed. From their standpoint, a very humble entertainment would he a low appreciation; and if his friends have a low estimation of him, the newspapers, representing the public, would size him up proportionately small, and his sermons would not be published.

"The newspaper people surely deserve some consideration from me. It is estimated that my sermons weekly, through 2,000 papers, reach 15.000,000 readers. To accomplish these results by advertising would cost millions of dollars yearly. For the privilege of preaching the glorious Gospel of the Love of God in Christ, I am not only willing to please the newspapers by going to good hotels and by long journeys to Panama, around the world, etc., but I am willing, also, to endure slanders and misrepresentations of jealous ministers who seek to prevent the publication of my sermons and the gathering of large audiences by slanderous misrepresentations of my character. Looking beyond the present, I am hoping and I am waiting for the Master's approval -- "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of thy Lord; thou hast been faithful over a few things."

"We see no wrong in thus allowing the newspaper interest to have a say in respect to our earthly conditions when principle is not compromised. If they demanded that we should violate our conscience in respect to the publishing of the sermons, the case would be different. Conscience is not to be sold at any price, but when they arrange to give us additional comforts, we see no sin connected therewith. Rather, we remember that our Lord did not hesitate to wear a 'seamless robe' in a time when such a garment was considered extravagant, far beyond the means of the common people with whom he usually companied.

"We remember, also, that while Jesus had no definite home of His own, one of His disciples, St. John, did have a home. So did St. Peter. We remember, also, that our Lord had a home whenever convenient at Bethany with Lazarus. Martha and Mary. We remember that they honored Him with a sumptuous feast and with an alabaster box of ointment, very costly. We remember that when Judas found fault with the extravagance, our Lord released him and justified Mary. We remember that our Lord, on one occasion, at least, attended a wedding, and on another occasion was the guest of a rich Pharisee in one of the best homes of that time.

"Respecting the luxurious train, with cooks, or chefs, attending to the food supplies: It is customary for newspaper people to use considerable latitude of language in their descriptions. It is not "wrong that they call the cooks by the French name 'chef,' and if anybody gets the thought that these cooks get fabulous sums for their services, as we hear that the chefs of the Vanderbilts, Goulds, etc., receive, he would be mistaken. The chefs, or cooks, on this train were brethren who availed themselves of the opportunity of a month's vacation, a convention tour, and meanwhile of the opportunity of serving the brethren on the train.

"The train was described by the newspaper artist as 'deluxe,' and yet it was just such a train as everybody uses when traveling. Some of the cars were of the ordinary standard Pullman, and some of them Tourist, or cheaper sleeping cars. Of course, as your letter suggests, these friends might have gotten the use of a common box car cheaper, or they could have traveled by foot still cheaper. If they had gotten box cars and fitted them up for their use ever so crudely, with plain, wooden hunks and straw, the expense would have been nearly as great, if not quite as great, and the inconvenience much greater.

"However, dear sister, I had nothing whatever to do with the making up of the train. I arranged for visits to the Bible Students of the Far West, whom I rarely have opportunity to see. My visit was in response to requests that I would come and hold public meetings. It was my intention to take the usual train service; but Brother Dr. Jones, learning of the tour, asked whether I would like to have company. I assured him that I would be glad of this.

"Brother Dr. Jones then got into communication with the brethren, with the result that a train-load of friends journeyed with me. Some of them took the opportunity of meeting friends on the Western coast. All had the opportunity of fellowship with each other on the train, and at the various meetings served. They participated in the work, too. Two of them served as stenographers; Prof. Read freely gave of his professional ability in connection with the singing; and others served as ushers; while all did their best to cheer and encourage the local Bible Students in the various cities visited. Additionally, considerable volunteering with free literature was done.

"We are in danger, dear sister, of getting a wrong view of what is meant by suffering with Christ. If we merely think of the Master's sufferings as those of weariness of the flesh, wearing sandals instead of shoes, and walking instead of riding, we shall be gradually led up to the same extremes of error which prevailed during the Dark Ages, and which to some extent still prevail amongst our Catholic brethren. Some of these attempt to have greater sufferings than Jesus had by going barefooted, or by whipping themselves torturously and then wearing hair-cloth jackets to increase the pain, as the hair jags the sore flesh, causing it to fester. These, they think, are sufferings of Christ.

"Gradually both Catholics and Protestants are seeing to the contrary. Jesus used the best roads and the best means of His time. His sufferings were especially through the opposition of His foes in that He was despised and rejected of men. He was slandered, and 'when He was reviled, reviled not again.' He endured these things patiently for the Truth's sake, and thus set us an example to walk in His steps, similarly enduring worldly contradictions, oppositions, slanders, for the sake of the brethren.

"I trust, dear sister, that you will not stumble over the means which the Lord is using in this Harvest time to promulgate the Message of the hour, one to awaken His people and to guide them to better methods of Bible study, but even if you cannot see eye to eye with us, do not stumble yourself, but remember that to his own Master each servant stands or falls. Take all the blessings from our ministry that you can get, and leave the remainder of the matters which you cannot understand to God. In other words, let us more and more realize that God Himself is guiding His own work; and that whatever blessing we may obtain we should be thankful to Him for the same."

The thought of being a blessing, as well as receiving a blessing, seemed to be uppermost in the minds of all who were permitted to enjoy either or both the Transcontinental Tour or the General Conventions for the year.

PASTOR RVSSELL REDEEMING TIME by THE USE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

I.

B. S. A.

THIS Report will doubtless find its way into the hands of some to whom these things appear new and strange, and they will be inclined to ask:

What is the International Bible Students' Association?

This Association sprang up spontaneously and gradually during the past thirty years, but particularly during the past ten years. It is composed of thinking Christian people of various ages who are studying the Bible reverently and profitably. There are no limitations as to membership, except such as could be properly applied to any true Christian: (1) Faith in God as the great Creator and Heavenly Father; (2) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the world's Redeemer; (3) Faith in the Bible -- that it is the inspired I Message of God, respecting His will and purposes in connection with mankind; (4) A clean and honorable life.

Our Association finds this platform broad enough for all true Christians, regardless of all denominational lines, quirks and frills. We have no bondage, and anyone is as free to leave the classes as to enter them. Indeed, following the example of the early Church in this, as well as in other matters, we avoid any special enrollment, or any special commitment as to faith and practice other than the broad principles already mentioned.

The International Bible Students' Association has classes in nearly every city in many countries, and you may also desire to know about these and their relationship to each other and to the Association.

Each class of the International Bible Students' Association is independent, manages its own affairs, conducts its own meetings, and provides its own expenses. The Association provides public instructors and ministers to lecture on the Bible, and to give suggestions as to the methods of the primitive Church, and as to the best means of conducting Berean Bible Classes. No class is obliged to have these lectures, nor to have the literature which the Association publishes for their assistance. They all do, however, find it very convenient to avail themselves of these helps to Bible study; and when requested, the Association provides the assistance to the extent of their ability subject to the limitations and the accessibility of the classes, and the condition of its treasury funds.

As for the personnel of the classes, they are from all walks of life -- laborers and physicians, pupils and teachers, housewives and society people. They are mostly thoughtful, but have been dissatisfied for years, and have been feeling after God, and seeking to satisfy their hungry souls. They are from all denominations -- Baptists, Presbyterians, Catholics, Episcopalians, Jews; and a large percentage were once agnostics. These include all nationalities, also: English, Scotch, Irish, French, Italians, Chinese, Japanese, etc. Indeed, we find that all over the world there is an intelligent class who hunger after God, righteousness and Truth, and who have nothing satisfactory in any of the creeds, but are now finding a soul-satisfying portion in the Bible itself.

Here, as elsewhere, we are asked if these classes are confined to America. We say, "No, indeed!"

Throughout Great Britain, France, Germany, Ire-land, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Denmark India, China, Japan, Australia, South Africa, these classes are to be found, as well as in Canada and the United States. Indeed, the original charter of the Association was a British one, the office being in London. The international character of the work is the reason for that feature of the Association's name.

It is well understood that many of these Bible students were unsatisfied when they studied the Bible from various denominational standpoints, and that they are now satisfied, and we are asked how we account for this. Do we use the same Bible? or how comes it that Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, etc., can gain a clearer light in the International Bible Students' Association studies than in their own denominational lines and classes?

There is a difference. Each denomination seeks to uphold its own traditions of the past, some of which are true and some false, but in our methods all denominational predilections are ignored. We pause not to inquire what Brother Calvin or Brother Wesley taught, nor what others taught before them or since. We go back to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles and Prophets, and ignore every other teaching. True, all denominations claim more or less to do this, but they are more or less handicapped by their traditions and creeds. We ignore all these, and strive to view the Words of Inspiration in the light of the context only, or in the reflected light from other passages of Scripture.

There is another reason why our position is blessed of God -- the time mentioned in the Scriptures when the wise ones of God's people are to understand is here. The Scriptures show what all people are beginning to realize clearly -- that we are in the dawn of the new dispensation. All the wonderful inventions of the last eighty years corroborate the testimony that these are the foregleams of a New Dispensation; and that now, when these earthly blessings are increasing, is the time when God promised that He would give special enlightenment respecting His Word and Plan, which He declares He purposely kept under a veil, a partial mystery. The Mystery of God is to be finished, completed, and the full Plan of God is to be revealed in this New Dispensation already dawning.

We are also asked. "Is the International Bible Students' Association affiliated with any of the regular organizations or creeds?"

It is not. We purposely avoid all such trammels of thought.Nevertheless, we are sympathetic with all Christian people of every creed. We are realizing that the various denominations were organized, not for the purpose of dividing and distracting the Lord's Flock, but each with an endeavor to find the light and Truth. We urge Christians to ignore all sectarian fetters and fancies, and point out that there is but one Church and that there is but one Head of the Church.

Our public meetings are preferably held in large auditoriums, opera houses, etc., for these prove to be common meeting places for people of all faiths, and those without any denominational bias -- all who are Truth seekers, not satisfied with the husks upon which they have been endeavoring for some time to feed.

We are often told that considerable interest and comment attaches to the fact that our Association uniformly advertises its meetings with "Seats free and no collections." This has become quite a trademark with our Association, because it is so different from the usual practice; and an explanation was requested as to the object of this, and as to how we get along without money, or how money is raised to meet the expenses, which are often quite large.

As thinking people, we have for years noticed that the money question has been the burning question in nearly all religious meetings. The Church members are usually assessed up to the extent of their willingness, or more, and the public collections are specially taken to "milk the goats" -- to get money from the worldly. We do not find this method to have Scriptural sanction, and we are seeking to follow the teachings and example of Jesus and the Apostles.

The work started along the lines of these examples thirty years ago seems to commend itself to all Bible students. They received help freely; they are glad to extend assistance to others without money, without price, without collections. Nor are collections found to be necessary. The Association receives whatever contributions are sent to it for the carrying on of the work. Such moneys are not put up as Foundation Funds, nor consumed in expensive buildings, but are used promptly, freely, in the dissemination of free literature and in providing free public buildings. The Association is content to spend what the Lord thus sends to it, and does not go into debt, nor make appeals for more money.

Each local class, in arranging for public meetings, follow the same course. Nevertheless, in the case of the new classes, or those financially weak, the general Association helps with the expenses. All meetings conducted by the Association's representative speakers, and tinder its auspices, are strictly free.

"Since you are not gathering people into different denominations and since your International Bible Students' Association has no creed but the Bible, what would you say that your Association aims to gather the people into, and what reply would you make if one should charge you with trying to build up a new denomination at the expense of others?"

Our Association endeavors to bring all Christian people into relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, as His members. We recognize that the different denominations contain true people of God, and we are in full sympathy with such, and are glad to cooperate with them in any manner, for the furtherance of the Lord's work in harmony with the Scriptures. Our only opposition to sectarianism is that it attempts to divide God's people, insists upon the theories of the Dark Ages, and refuses to recognize the Bible as paramount in authority. We urge Christian people to stand for the Divine Character, Plan and Word, even though this should mean opposition and persecution from those of the sectarian spirit.

The International Bible Students' Association labors specially for Christian unity, on the Bible basis, in harmony with the words of the Apostle, that "By one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body."

1913 Transcontinental Tour OF PASTOR RUSSELL AND SPECIAL TRAIN OF INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS

DR. L. W. JONES, Conductor in Charge JUNE 2 - JULY 2,1913

NEVER in the history of the world has anything taken place similar to the wonderful Trans- Continental Tour of 1913 by Pastor Russell and over two hundred International Bible Students. While in 1911 a tour was made covering some of the same territory, yet in many respects the 1913 tour eclipsed all others, and it is now a matter of history. Having gathered together many interesting facts connected therewith, as well as reporting numerous sermons, we will endeavor to lay the same, by means of this Convention's Report, before those interested.

Occasionally we hear of some minister or evangelist undertaking some trip with, perhaps, a quartet of singers or some other assistants, but never has a body of over two hundred Bible Students accompanied a minister on an eight thousand mile tour. This, however, is what really occurred on this Transcontinental Tour. They came from all walks of life -- physicians, lawyers, mechanics, clerks, farmers, etc., and from various parts of the United States and Canada, and one from England. Neither did they travel as paid delegates, nor were their expenses paid by any society.

The tour, so far as Pastor Russell was concerned, began when he left New York, making one day stops at Kalamazoo, Mich.; Toledo, Ohio; Jackson, Mich.; Kansas City, Mo.; Oklahoma City, Okla., and Pertle Springs, Mo, joining the touring party at Hot Springs.

The larger part of the party, however, joined the movement at Chicago, where the special train was made up. Others joined us at St. Louis, Mo.; Hot Springs, Ark.; Dallas, Texas, and San Antonio, Texas, by which time the party was practically complete, although a few others joined the company at various points en route for a portion of the journey.

COMPARATIVE VIEW OE THE UNITED STATES AND THE OLD TESTAMENT WORLD. OUR LORD'S PERSONAL WORK. WAS CONFINED TO THE SMALL COUNTRY OF PALESTINE. BROTHER RUSSEL'S PARISH IS THE WHOLE WORLD

A PALACE ON WHEELS.

As many will be interested to know something of the details of such an arrangement, whereby over two hundred people could live -- travel, eat and sleep -- on a moving train for thirty days, we give herewith a brief description and some of the details. Experience in connection with previous tours was of much assistance in handling this large movement.

Arrangements were made to charter an entire vestibuled train for a period of thirty days. The entire train was therefore ours for the entire trip and the cars at our disposal at all times for eating and sleeping. When the trip was brought to the attention of the friends, many thought they would not be able to stand it; they thought they were too old; that the train would be uncomfortable, etc. Others expected to see the party return all worn out and looking like a lot of walking skeletons, but the reverse was the case, and many actually put on flesh, which was doubtless due to the modern comforts of travel, plenty of good wholesome food and freedom from ordinary cares of life.

The image shows a detailed interior view of a building with a high ceiling and intricate architectural features. The ceiling is adorned with ribbed vaults and decorative moldings, while the walls are decorated with ornate moldings and architectural details. The space appears to be a grand hall or a large room, possibly used for ceremonies or gatherings.

EQVIPMENT OF THE SPECIAL

The image shows a group of people seated in a train carriage, engaged in conversation. The interior of the train carriage is well-lit, with wooden beams and a high ceiling. The passengers appear to be enjoying their time, possibly discussing travel plans or sharing stories. The train carriage is empty, suggesting it might be a special occasion or a moment of quiet reflection.

The image shows a detailed interior view of a room with a high ceiling. The space is well-lit, featuring large windows that allow natural light to fill the room. The walls are adorned with intricate patterns and decorative elements, including a large mirror and a set of elegant chairs. The floor is covered with a patterned rug, and there are several tables with ornate designs. The room appears to be a luxurious living space, possibly part of a hotel or a high-end residential building.

We are living in a wonderful day and age, the many conveniences of which are but foregleams of the great blessings the Lord has in store for the whole world of mankind.

Many of the friends have never traveled on such a train in this country, and as our trains are also quite different from those used in other countries, we herewith give a brief description:

Our Lord's personal work was confined to the small country of Palestine, which He covered with the use of a donkey or by walking. Not so with the "Servant" whom the Lord has appointed for the work in the harvest of the Gospel Age; his parish is the world, covering thousands upon thousands of miles, necessitating the use of the most rapid means of travel, and the

necessitating the use of the most rapid means of travel, and the comforts necessary to such a strenuous life.

It is because of the magnitude and scope of the work now being done, in this "harvest" period, that the Lord has permitted men's minds to be illuminated and enlightened to invent and manufacture the wonderful

contrivances of our day which limit space -- railway trains, ocean steamships, the telephone, telegraph wireless, mail, express

PROGRESS OF INVENTION.

An Old Stage-Coach. 4. A Parlor Car. 5. First Locomotive.

Modern Locomotive. 7. Fulton's Steamboat. 8. Ocean Steamship.

and freight systems, etc. There is much work to he done, vast territories to be covered and all within a comparatively short space of time -- forty years from 1874 -- therefore the inventions, etc., of our time.

THE EQUIPMENT.

THE equipment consisted of: One compartment parlor observation car, two other compartment cars, two standard Pullman sleeping cars, three tourist Pullman sleeping cars, one kitchen car, one commissary car and one baggage car, making a total of eleven cars, all vestibuled, electric lighted and provided with electric fans.

Our cars are different from those used in other countries, in that the cars in this country are entered from either end -- no entrances along the sides of the cars.

The train was therefore like a long house, one room after another, and with the doors all open between. Thus the friends could pass forward and backward from one end of the train to the other, which made fellowshipping and communication with one another very easy, and the friends were not slow to avail themselves of the privilege, for in every part of the train one might go there would be seen groups discussing some Scripture questions, or singing hymns, or listening to a discourse, either from a chart or otherwise. Thus the fellowship and love enkindled from the very start grew to a flame of love by the time we were obliged to part from one another, and as they parted, many a tear was shed. We will describe the train, beginning with the rear car and going forward toward the engine:

Observation, Parlor and Compartment Car: This car is a standard Pullman sleeping car, with a different interior arrangement, having several compartments occupying about two-thirds of the car. Each compartment is a private room, with running water and private toilet in each compartment. Each compartment has also in it a double seat, same as the section in a regular standard sleeper, which at night is converted into two double berths, upper and lower. The remaining third of the car is arranged as a parlor, having easy chairs instead of the ordinary seats. The windows in this car are also larger, giving one a better view of the scenery. The platform of this car is much larger than that on other cars, and is provided with chairs so that those so desiring may sit out in the open and enjoy the passing sights. This type of car is always attached to the rear of a train, thus permitting the largest view possible.

Compartment Cars: There were three of these cars, having compartments, as per the description above, but without any parlor, each car being composed entirely of private rooms, usually nine or ten rooms to a car, some cars having larger rooms than others.

The cost of these compartments is, of course, more than for other accommodations, but they are especially desirable for those who may not be strong physically. Their compartment being a private room, they can retire at any time they please, be quiet and by themselves, and if sensitive to draughts, they can regulate the air to suit their own needs, while in the other cars the ventilation must be arranged to accommodate all in the car.

Standard Pullman Sleeping Cars: These are the kind of cars used on most trains for first-class travel, and are so well known that little description is necessary. While in some respects being similar to the tourist cars, yet they differ materially in other respects, being heavier built and much more elaborately finished. The upholstering is usually in heavy plush, while the woodwork is of various kinds of beautiful wood, highly finished and embellished with graceful carvings. The washrooms in the standard sleepers are much more commodious, and for this reason are very convenient when a number of people occupy a car. Their appointments are of excellent quality. Many prefer to pay the difference in price and use these cars for a long trip.

The Pullman Company's rates for these cars are double their rates for tourist cars. However, by chartering these cars for the trip, we were enabled to make rates to the friends considerably lower than what double the tourist rate would be.

Tourist Sleeping Cars: These cars are what would be termed in other countries "second-class." They are Pullman sixteen section cars (each section containing a lower and upper berth for sleeping purposes at night), having two seats facing for use during the day. These are very comfortable, of the latest pattern and very suitable for tourists who desire to make long trips at moderate rates.

They are wide vestibuled and mounted on Pullman standard four-wheeled trucks, and are lighted with electric lights and provided with electric fans. The interior woodwork is highly polished birch. Their carpets, curtains and bedding are of good quality. These cars will be found to be clean and comfortable for a journey across the continent. Each car has a porter in attendance, with all the linen necessary for making tip the berths at night, and this linen is the same as that provided for the same purpose on the standard sleepers. Each car is provided with an adjustable table for each section, which can be used for various purposes, reading, writing, and from which meals may be eaten. The cars are comfortably upholstered, the seats and backs being of rattan supported by easy springs. Mattresses are provided for each berth; sections are properly curtained, assuring the strictest privacy at night, and in addition the car is provided with all necessary toilet facilities. It should be remembered that two people can occupy a double berth, when such an arrangement is desired, as the berths are ample in size, especially the lower berths.

Kitchen Car: This is a Pullman tourist car, with two sections removed, and having installed in their place a fully equipped kitchen, with range, kitchen appliance, dishes, etc. The kitchen was in charge of an experienced dining-car chef, and an assistant cook, whose business it was to prepare the meals for this large company, and they proved themselves to be men of ability, for only such could have properly handled such a proposition

Commissary Car: This was a large sixty-five-foot baggage car, specially fitted up for our purposes. In it were refrigerators sufficiently large to hold a large quantity of fresh meats, butter, milk, cream, etc. There were also large racks for the various kinds of china and crockery dishes for the tables, lockers to hold fresh fruit and many other supplies, and long tables on which to work. One of these tables, twelve feet long, was covered with galvanized tin and equipped with three sinks, in which to wash and rinse the dishes. It was surely a busy time around those sinks. Underneath the tables were stored quantities of potatoes, cases of tinned or canned goods and many other supplies. We laid in a large supply of goods before we left Chicago, but of course replenished the stock at nearly every place we stopped. (See actual photograph while loading the car in Chicago.)

From Actual Photograph

Dining Cars: For dining cars we used the kitchen car and one of the tourist cars.

By putting a little table in each section we could seat four people in the section (see picture in "Equipment"), and with the two cars could serve at one sitting 104 people. When you realize that the large dining cars can seat only thirty people at a time, you will readily see that to serve one of our sittings of 104 was no small task, especially when the train was going fast, rounding the curves, etc. The friends who served, however, learned to be quite acrobatic as they carried the coffee and other hot dishes. With the waiters, train crew, porters, etc., it was necessary to have about two and a half sittings at each meal, requiring about two hours to serve a meal.

To prepare for a meal meant to spread twenty-eight tables with linen, glasses plates, cups, saucers, side dishes, butter plates, knives, forks, spoons, peppers, salts, sugars, etc. Then when a sitting was through and the people had passed out into the other cars, it was necessary to carry out to the commissary car all the dirty dishes left by those 104 people who had just eaten, and wash the dishes, reset the tables and put back the dishes as quickly as possible so as to take care of the rest of the hungry ones who were waiting, not having teen able to be accommodated at the first sitting.

The Meals: The meals served, while not elaborate, were wholesome, in abundance and served in family style -- that is, all were served alike. We endeavored to vary the menu as much as possible. For breakfast we served first some fruit, then a breakfast food, then meat, potato, and sometimes eggs, tread, hot biscuits and hot corn bread and coffee. For dinner we would serve some kind of roast meat, potatoes, some side dish, pickles and olives, bread, tea or coffee, and pudding. For supper, some cold meat, potatoes, bread or biscuits, pickles, tea, sauce, cake. Thus you see we did not starve.

For a meal it would require half a bushel of potatoes, tight pounds of coffee,the same of butter,five gallons of milk, two of cream, for a side dish of spinach about thirty-eight cans; of meat, about one hundred pounds of beef,a whole calf or two sheep, etc.; and of ice water, about half a barrel.

Sleeping Cars: The same cars used during the daytime are converted into sleeping cars at night. This is done by making a lower berth of the two seats facing each other, and the tipper berth is made by letting down a certain portion of the car above the scats. Both berths are fitted with springs and mattresses and the beds are made up of nice clean linen. In front of the berths are hung heavy curtains, and between each section is a solid board partition, thus making each berth strictly private.

Where one or two people use a section, if they desired' they could use only the lower berth, leaving the upper closed up, thus making it almost like a little room and giving more space and permitting of more air and better ventilation. Such an arrangement is possible only when chartering the cars because on the regular trains the upper berth is let down at night, even if no one has rented it. Take it altogether, we were very comfortable. After about the first night we could. go to bed and pay no attention to the moving of the train or the noise of other trains passing. In fact, our "house on wheels" came to be very much like home to us.

PROPHECY FULFILLED

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the wards and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be greatly increased." (Daniel, 12:1)

WE WERE surely fulfilling prophecy on this trip of eight thousand miles of running to and fro. In days of old, when travel across the prairies and over the mountains was by ox-team, day-light was the only time in which men and women could travel across the continent, and weary weeks were spent in making the trip.

Now, however, in the dawn of the twentieth century, night has been changed into day, and a large amount of travel is done at night. The ox-trail has been transformed into two twin ribbons of steel; slowly plodding oxen have given place to hundred-ton locomotives, the ox-goad has been hammered into the throttle, and what was a journey of months has become one of two days and a night.

From the windows of the flying train we gazed on shifting panoramas of mountain and valley, fertile field and thriving town, deserts, agricultural village and rich mining camps -- all in the brief space that steam takes to link the sister cities of the West.

The above picture graphically illustrates the great advances that have been made in railway motive power within the memory of people now living. The De Witt Clinton, the first locomotive run in the State of New York, with its

The above picture graphically illustrates the great advances that have been made in railway motive power within the memory of people now living. The De Witt Clinton, the first locomotive run in the State of New York, with its three primitive coaches, made its first trip between Albany and Schenectady on what is now a part of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad, August 9, 1831, is here compared with one of the Pacific Type passenger locomotives now in service. It will be observed that the entire length of the first hail) just equals that of one of the present locomotives The Clinton attained a maximum speed of fifteen miles an hour. The Pacific Type is the most powerful high-speed locomotive ever built and will haul at a sustained speed of sixty miles an hour a train of ten to fourteen heavy Pull-man cars.

Behind the ox-team on the old trail came the lumbering prairie schooner, guarded before and behind, and on both sides by riflemen: hearing beneath its curtains the precious freight of wives and children who followed the hardy pioneers to the West.

PRAIRIE SCHOONER

Next came the old stage coach.

Before the railroad came into use in 1830, the stage-coach was the principle means of land travel. This coach was a clumsy, heavy and uncomfortable box-like affair. It had no glass windows, but was supplied with leather curtains to be drawn in stormy weather. These rude coaches, drawn by bony horses, in harness made of rope, lumbered along at the rate of forty miles a day in summer and twenty-five in winter.

TRAVELING IN THE DAYS OF THE STAGE-COACH

The day, however, began at three o'clock in the morning and lasted until ten o'clock at night.

In many cases the passengers were obliged to get out and push in order to get the coach out of the mud. Miry spots of quicksand were marked by stakes to warn travelers to avoid them, and sometimes it was necessary to take a circuit through the fields over an entirely new course.

There were no bridges over the large rivers. The stage-coach crossed on the ice in winter and on rude ferry-boats or rafts in summer. When the ice was breaking up in the spring, and when it was thin in the early winter, the crossing of the rivers was often a very dangerous undertaking. Taking it all in all, land travel in the United States before the building of railroads was an exceedingly tiresome and expensive process.

INDIANS ATTACKING PIONEERS.

Today, over almost the same trail, roll the well-lighted, comfortable-cushioned cars -- "hotels on wheels" -- bearing the wanderer in comfort through a land the like of which exists nowhere else on earth.

An air of quiet luxury pervades every over-land train, yet nothing is at the expense of safety, displaying feats of engineering which once had been deemed impossible. Roadbed and signal stations are so combined as to provide the greatest efficiency of which the human mind is capable in caring for the thousands who ride behind the iron horses.

While the world rides behind these same steel racers, and thinks it has all come about be-cause of their own special enlightenment, we recognize that it is all because God's due time has come for those to travel who are to carry the message of the Kingdom, as the Prophet says in Isaiah 52:7.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of hint that bringeth the good tidings of good, that publisheth the salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth."

THE START

THIS memorable tour was scheduled to leave about noon Monday. June 2,1913, from the Dearborn Station, Chicago, via the Wabash Railroad. This railroad was the initial line of about ten railroads over which we were to travel. Through them all the details had been worked out and when this date arrived everything was in readiness. The long train was backed into the train shed, but it was so long that it extended way out beyond the long train shed. One of the Wabash's largest engines was attached, and altogether made a sight not soon forgotten. To get an idea of how long an eleven-car train with a large engine is, just count the cars on some passing trains, and you will see many that you will think are long trains yet do not have eleven Pullman cars.

Well, by ten o'clock the friends began to assemble at the station to receive their tickets and assignments on the train and to put their baggage on board. It was a happy and exciting time. With some it was an occasion of reunion, because of having met before: whereas, with others it was a time for making fresh acquaintances. It did not take long to realize that we were of one family, one faith, one baptism that we had the one Savior and the one God, notwithstanding they came from all directions and from all walks of life.

When the great train pulled out of the station, it was a glad, sad time -- glad because so many could start on the tour, but sad because we had to leave any behind -- yet amidst the waving of handkerchiefs, umbrellas and hats, and to the sound of "God be with you till we meet again," and "Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love," we were soon lost to the view of those at the. station, and as the train rounded a curve they were lost from our sight; they to return to their duties at home -- "remaining with the stuff," yet ever bearing us to the Throne of Grace in their prayers; while we went forth to the unknown duties before us, yet remembering them in our prayers.

After a ride of about six hours through the beautiful farming district of Illinois we arrived at St. Louis, Mo. While there was no Convention at this point, we remained for about an hour to take on a number of the friends who were to join the touring party at this point. They came from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois and Indiana. We left St. Louis about eight o'clock for a night's ride through Missouri and Arkansas, arriving about ten o'clock the next morning at Hot Springs, Ark.

Pastor Russell had not yet joined the touring party, having preceded us and going on to Kansas City for the Sunday One-Day Convention. At three o'clock in the afternoon he addressed a gathering of the public of about twelve hundred, delivering his famous discourse on "Beyond the Grave." The morning service was for the interested, which we. report as follows: KANSAS CITY, MO.

Discourse by Pastor Russell Subject: "GOD'S OBJECT IN CALLING THE CHURCH."

I AM very glad to be with you today. I recognize many of your faces; some seem to be new, and we are glad for the old faces and also for the new ones. More and more we are realizing that there is only one family of God, and that all of God's saintly ones belong to that one family.

I am reminded of the statement made respecting Gideon and his band. You remember the story of Gideon, of course, and that Gideon and his brethren were very loyal to God, and how the Lord used them in overthrowing the enemy. But the item that comes to my mind declares that Gideon, and all the members of the family of Gideon, all his brethren, had faces as though they were the sons of a King. It seems to me that is true of the Lord Jesus Christ, the greater Gideon, and all His brethren, that they necessarily all have faces of a King. So I look into your faces this morning and see them happy and rejoicing, and I know the reason -- "Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free." "Sanctify them through Thy Truth; Thy Word is Truth." This explains to us the blessing that has come to all our hearts as we more and more come to know God and to know His wonderful plan. "Still increasing light, and still increasing joy," is what the Lord promised to those who are faithful. As we continue to walk in the narrow way, the path continues to shine more and more as we near the Eternal City.

I do not know to what extent your hearts are rejoicing in the Truth, except as I see it in your faces, and your being here implies that you have an interest in the things that belong to the glorious Kingdom of the Father. It seems to me as though the whole plan of God continues to grow brighter and clearer every day we live. Every increased ray of light seems to bring an increase of harmony, and so I am glad to meet the friends here in Kansas City -- and I presume some are from surrounding places -- and to know that your hearts are swelling with joy and loyalty to God.

I was thinking of the motive and object that God has in dealing with us. I am not hoping to say anything especially new on this subject, for I always tell you about everything I know in the Watch Tower and Scripture Studies. I can not tell you anything more than I have already -- it will merely come in a little different phraseology. But I was thinking of the object of God in calling us to be His children, heirs with His Son. He is thinking that thus He might show forth His own praises -- not in any selfish way, for our Heavenly Father has plenty of glory and honor entirely aside from you and I, or anything we could do for him; He has the honor of all the Angelic Hosts and He has the perfection of Himself, and there is no reason that He should need you or me to show forth His praises. But there are features of the Divine character that never were known before. God had these qualities of character, but He never had the opportunity of showing them, because there never was an occasion. The permission of sin, and the need to do something to eradicate sin, gives an opportunity for God to develop His great plan which you and I are sharers in. Without the permission of sin everything might have been going on in glory and harmony. If Satan had had a rebellious thought God could have promptly either destroyed him or in some other way preserved the harmony of the glorious condition before Satan was permitted to bring in the trouble and sin.

God did not, however, exercise His power to restrain Satan, but allowed him to take his course because He saw the glorious end to be accomplished eventually.

And then God did not stop our first parents from committing sin, but allowed them to take their own way, because He knew how He would work it out in the end.

Then He allowed the children of Adam and Eve to be born into the world in an imperfect and sinful condition -- not because He could not have hindered it, but because He saw how eventually He could in that way make it all work out for still more glorious purposes than by hindering it. And it is in connection with this that you and I come in. God could have used Jesus, or could have associated with Jesus some of the Angelic Hosts, and Jesus and the angels could have blessed mankind during the thousand years. But this other feature came in. God said, I will select from among mankind some to be the associates with My Son and sharers with Him in the great work of blessing the world and uplifting them out of sin and degradation and death. And that is the reason this Gospel Age came in, you see. That is the reason a call went forth for a church class, for those who would separate themselves from the world, take up their cross and follow Jesus. Why follow Jesus?

Well, says one, follow Him in order to be saved.

Oh, no! God has provided a salvation for the world in the next age. But this call of the Gospel Age is something unique, separate and distinct. God said, I will gather out of the world some of those who have a hearing of faith and a response of heart, and they shall be my peculiar treasure: that is, like jewels. If you had some diamonds and rubies and sapphires, etc., you would say, Would you like to see some of these peculiar treasures I have. I will show you my jewel box; these are my peculiar treasures. You have other things, of course, but these are your peculiar treasures. So the Lord says that the Church is His peculiar treasure. You remember our Manna text about two weeks ago, which said that the Church shall be a Royal Diadem in the hand of thy God -- not a diadem that He is going to wear on His head, as though he needed any glory to be added to Him, but it is a diadem that he is going to have in His hand, and represents power you see -- in His power He will show the Church forth; and by showing forth the character of the Church and what He has been able to do with the Church, it will be a glorious thing for those who will be the jewels and reflect the glory on the one who designed this great diadem and all of this great plan in which we will be associated.

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