Souvenir Notes — Bible Students Convention, Toronto (1927)
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INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION BIBLE STUDENTS
JULY 18th to 26th 1927
"Toronto" is a Huron-Iroquois word meaning "Place of Meeting"
TORONTO
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
BIBLE STUDENTS
July 18th to 26th 1927
“Toronto” is a Huron-Iroquois word meaning “Place of Meeting”
TO-DAY
175 YEARS AGO
International Convention of Bible Students
Toronto Ideal Convention City
Hospitality and Welcome of City Most Genuine
24+h 1997
THE Huron-Iroquois Indians, of whom there are numerous representatives living in Ontario and in the adjoining State of New York, had a wonderful sense of the fitness of things when they named the queen city of Ontario, Toronto, Place of Meeting. The citizens of Toronto did well when they changed the name back from York to its ancient appellation.
The Indians were as fond of conventions as are whites; and with all the vast and lovely areas of Ontario, New York and Pennsylvania to choose from, embracing grandest scenery, and ideally beautiful spots, they chose Toronto as their Place of Meeting.
When the Indians came to Canada's most beautiful summer city they did not travel over either of the two largest railway systems in the world, which converge here; nor did they come in palatial automobiles over what are claimed to be the finest highways in America, wide and smooth as a house floor.
There were then no beautiful buildings of the University of Toronto, Parliament, Government House, Royal Museum, Art Gallery or City Hall, with their magnificent floral settings; and there was no King Edward or other high class hotel at which to stop.
They found here no city of forty square miles and 750,000 population, stretching eight miles along the lake, the most brilliantly lighted, and housing the finest street railway system in America. For them there were no 69 parks, containing 2,000 acres, and no 20 golf courses, the finest in America.
There were for them no baseball stadium accommodating 25,000 persons; no Coliseum for seating 16.000; and no National Exhibition grounds, worth $12,000,000 and accommodating each year 1,500,000 guests, and exhibits from every corner of the earth.
They found in this immense garden, which is now Toronto, no heated swimming pool, the largest on the continent, no boardwalk, 2 1⁄2 miles long, along the shores of Lake Ontario, no Old Mill on the Humber River, no deer within enclosures at High Park, and no carefully laid out bridle paths there.
But the Indians did find at Toronto the most uniformly delightful climate in Canada; they found the Toronto Islands, a mile south of the city, which now constitute the largest public playground in the world; they found Sunnyside Beach and Kew Beach; and though the former was not then the scene of the most elaborate water front boulevard development in the world, it was nevertheless a beauty spot, and one which the Indians loved.
They loved the circular Toronto Bay, and the Don and Humber rivers, which run into it; and they loved what is now Toronto Harbor, 5 miles long and 1 1⁄2 miles wide, destined, with the improvement of the St. Lawrence, to become one of the world's most prominent ports; but above all, Toronto was for them an ideal place for fishing and canoeing, as it is this day. Toronto is pre-eminently The Place of Meeting, the Convention City of Canada's wealthiest province.
By airplane Toronto is but 60 miles from Buffalo; and a popular route between the two cities, via Niagara Falls, Lewiston and the Lake, comes nearly within those limits. Around by the head of the lake, by the finest automobile road in the country, it is 118 miles: from Detroit, by automobile 240 miles; from Pittsburg, 345; from Columbus, 456; from Baltimore, 490. Chicago, Cincinnati, Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Boston are each about 550 miles away, two days of easy driving. Some may be surprised to learn that Harrisburg is 33 miles nearer to Toronto by automobile than is Montreal.
Conventions in Toronto always bring record crowds. The Oddfellows, Kiwanians, Railway Brotherods and Rotarians have all been here, with as many as ten thousand delegates in attendance. But Bible Students have them all beat, when it comes to size. There are Bible Students everywhere. e cannot stay for the whole convention. They come and go, but it is estimated that for the big ing on Sunday at least 20,000 will be present.
Toronto People Make Conventioners Feel Welcome.
Interest Manifest in Bible Students' Books and Literature
A BIBLE Student is a man with an idea that the Bible is the Word of God, and therefore the biggest and best book in the world. He believes that it is a book for adults not babies:
believes that it is a book for adults, not babies; and that it needs to be studied, not merely read. He believes that the Lord has His own times and ways of opening up here and there passages which have lain for ages in obscurity and for giving new light on passages which, once partially understood, are now shining resplendent.
The Bible Student believes that he has new light. He knows that he has it; and he wants everybody else to have it, and to see for themselves just how great, how wise, how good, how loving and how powerful is our God, and the provision He has made for all, and the how and the why of it; and he has the books that tell him and tell others all about it. The Toronto people are catching the enthusiasm of these Bible lovers and book lovers. They are taking the books that the Bible Students talk about; and a great blessing is sure for all Toronto as they read them; at least, that's the way the Bible Students feel about it.
THERE is an abundance of truest hospitality in both England and the United States, but the forms differ. The Canadian's hospitality has
the best points of both. A Briton will ride for hours in the same compartment with a fellow-man and never utter a word to break the silence. Thought by the uninformed to be unsociable and inhospitable, his reason for silence is that he fears to say anything lest he give offense. If asked a question, he is all attention, eager to render any assistance in his power.
In America, particularly in the West, but to a large extent also in the East, fellow-travellers often engage in animated conversation with each other when they have been in each other's presence less than an hour. The Canadian is sociable, like the American. The methods of travel and the sunny climate make him so; but he also has the Britisher's desire to be helpful without being ostentatious.
In Britain the host will polish his guest's shoes; and if he fails to warm the guest's bed with a hot water bottle, he will apologize for it the next morning! The American would not do that for anybody. He either polishes his own shoes or gets it done at a shoe stand, and expects others to do the same. The Canadian is much the same, but with a lingering wistfulness to serve his guest which an American might copy to advantage.
The Toronto people who are entertaining the Bible Students are making them feel that they are as much at home in their homes as though they were members of the family. There is warmth, a kindliness, a wholeheartedness about their hospitality that makes the Canadians, in the eyes of residents of the United States, the most admirable of hosts.
TORONTO A CITY OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES
Courtesies of Toronto Officials
The officials of Ontario and Toronto have vied with one another in extending courtesies and messages of good will to the Bible Students.
The Premier of Ontario, Howard Ferguson, expresses the attitude of official Ontario toward these Bible Students, who come from all parts of the Dominion of Canada, and from all parts of the United States in his letter which appears at the bottom of this page.
G. HOWARD FERGUSON Prime Minister of Ontario
States, in his letter which appears at the bottom of this page.
In a letter which concluded the negotiations for the use of the magnificent grounds used by the Bible Students, Mr. E. R. Powell, Secretary-Treasurer of The Toronto Convention and Tourist Association, Inc., said to Judge Rutherford:
"We surely appreciate the attitude you have taken and we have booked the dates July 18th to 26th for your Association and wired you to that effect. You are going to have a wonderful convention here and I am sure one that will long be remembered in a very pleasant way."
In a letter to Judge Rutherford from Wilfrid C. Kettlewell, President of the Rotary Club of Toronto, Mr. Kettlewell said in part:
"As President of the Rotary Club I warmly endorse the suggestion that you select Toronto as your place of meeting. Toronto is a great convention city. Rotary International met here two years ago with 9,000 registered delegates and all were loud in Toronto's praise. A warm-hearted people, a beautiful City and an excellent climate guarantee your choice of this City as a very happy one."
Arrangements for the admission of Americans into Canada are simplicity itself. The Inspectors get you to make out a little form that takes you only a minute or two, and that is all there is to it. There is almost no delay at the border, and that is why conventioners like to come here.
THE PRIME MINISTER & PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL ONTARIO
Dear Sir:
It affords me pleasure to welcome to this Province the delegates to the annual convention of the International Bible Students.
There are two features of the gathering which make it specially interesting and important. One of these is its international character which serves to bring together under the most elevating influences people of kindred interests irrespective of national considerations. The other feature, namely, the study of the Bible, is a noble pursuit in which we all have a common interest. There is nothing that can do more to develop good citizenship and promote human progress than knowledge of the sacred writings revealing the Divine Purpose during the ages, and pointing the way to the realization of the highest aspirations of the race in the future. For these reasons your convention is specially welcome in this Province, and I earnestly hope that it will prove a source of help and blessing to all who participate in
of help and blessing to all who participate in the gathering.
Yours sincerely.
Judge J. F. Rutherford, President, International Bible Students Association, Toronto, Ont.
The Mayor's Message of Good Will
THOMAS FOSTER Mayor of the City of Toronto
The Mayor of the City of Toronto, Thomas Foster, whose picture adorns this page, and whose letter of welcome is found below, in a letter of invitation to Judge Rutherford, dated last October, said:
"This City is the capital of the most rich and populous Province of the Dominion of Canada and has a population of upwards of five hundred and fifty thousand with approximately another one hundred thousand population in the immediately adjoining municipalities. It is an educational, commercial, financial and railway centre.
"I can assure you that the delegates to your Convention will be made to feel perfectly at home during their stay in our City. The receiving of visitors from the United States is a pleasure which is very much looked forward to by our citizens, and it is hard to say whether the visitors or the visited are the more pleased.
"Our people have friendly intercourse with the people of the United States in business, travel, sports, fraternal and social lines, and a very warm feeling of friendship exists between the peoples of the two Countries.
"Toronto is very desirable as a convention City, being easy of access to all that part of the United States containing the greater proportion of the population. It is also on the main motor highway running through the Province from the border cities.
of our municipally owned Transportation Commission are very popular.
"Niagara Falls is less than one hundred miles distant and side trips by boat, by train or by the luxurious motor busses
"Ample hotel accommodation is readily available and I do not anticipate any difficulty in finding a meeting hall suitable for the very large number of delegates who will be in attendance at your convention.
"Will you kindly lay this invitation before your members at a convenient time and advise me of their decision in due course?"
THOMAS FOSTER
Mayor
Mayor's Office
TORONTO
TO OUR VISITORS:
It is with keenest pleasure that I extend, on behalf of the Corporation of the City of Toronto, a hearty welcome to visitors through this valuable publication. I hope that you will enjoy to the fullest your stay among us.
Be it on pleasure or business, Toronto has much to attract and interest you. You may spend days and days sightseeing and enjoy every minute of it.
Toronto is recognized as the chief educational centre of the Dominion. Has the finest Street Railway System, as well as being the best lighted City on the Continent. Is the home of the Canadian National Exhibition, the largest Annual Fair in the world, and holds annually the Royal Winter Fair, the largest livestock and horsehow on the Continent.
I am proud to subscribe myself,
Mayor of the City of Toronto.
Toronto Headquarters of Watch Tower.
Local Offices Taxed to Care for Visitors
All Night Arrangements Necessary
OW William Tyndale's righteous heart would rejoice if he could look in at the Toronto plant of the International Bible Students Association, at 38-40 Irwin Avenue, this city! It is just as well that we do a little thinking about Tyndale at this time.
Tyndale was first a student and then an instructor in Oxford University, was educated for the priesthood, and in 1508 entered a monastery at Greenwich as a friar. But there was always in his heart a desire that the people should have the truth, and he early made the boast that if he lived he should see to it that the ploughboys of England should have the Word of God in their native tongue. Fourteen years later he had begun his translation of the New Testament.
38-40 IRWIN AVE., TORONTO
There was nothing that the clergy of that day so little desired; and the interest that Tyndale showed in the work which Luther was at that time doing in Germany, and the sympathy which he openly expressed, soon made him realize that there was no place in London, nor indeed in all England, where he could finish the task he had begun.
At length Alderman Humphrey Monmouth, becoming familiar with his ideas, and sharing his enthusiasm, settled upon him an income sufficient to enable him to go abroad and put them into effect. During the year 1524 he was at Hamburg, quietly engaged in the work of translation of portions of Holy Writ.
Early in 1525 he began to print parts of the Bible at Cologne; but the local clergy learned of it, and he was obliged to flee from the city to Worms, where, under Luther's protection, he was able to finish printing two editions, and succeeded in getting them smuggled into England.
In a little while all England was reading the books, and the clergy of the time were thirsting for Tyndale's blood. They sent an emissary, named Philips, who, pretending to be his friend, betrayed him. When he had been seized, the University of Louvain (whose vast library was destroyed by
A CORNER IN TORONTO I.B.S.A. OFFICE
shot and shell during the World War) demanded his death, and he was first strangled and then burned; but his work constituted the basis of what is now. the Authorized Version of the Bible. The persecutions he received only helped to popularize the work to which he had set his hand. His last words were, "Lord, open the eyes of the King of England." These words were uttered just shortly before Henry VIII broke with the papacy.
Something like this has been going on in connection with the Toronto branch of the International Bible Students' Association. The work that is there done is not that of translating and printing the Bible itself. That work is no longer necessary. But a task is there under way which at this time is much more important, namely, the publishing of literature which will help to make the Bible an open book. All of the work throughout Canada is directed from here.
The Toronto printing plant of the I. B. S. A. has an output of many millions of pieces of literature each year.
In the conduct of its work in Quebec and parts of Manitoba, the I.B.S.A. have come into contact and into collision with the same forces that undertook the destruction of Tyndale's work. But times have changed.
In Tyndale's day, Henry VIII had not yet broken with the papacy, and the governmental powers were all under the thumb of those whose job it was to see that the people learned nothing. But that day has passed, and in Canada today the Government stands for religious liberty and no man nor set of men can prevent the bright light of truth from passing on to the people.
H rejoice if he could look in at the Toronto plant of the International Bible Students Association, at 38-40 Irwin Avenue, this city!
It is just as well that we do a little thinking about Tyndale at this time.
Tyndale was first a student and then an instructor in Oxford University, was educated for the priesthood, and in 1508 entered a monastery at Greenwich as a friar. But there was always in his heart a desire that the people should have the truth, and he early made the boast that if he lived he should see to it that the ploughboys of England should have the Word of God in their native tongue. Fourteen years later he had begun his translation of the New Testament.
38-40 IRWIN AVE., TORONTO
A CORNER IN TORONTO I.B.S.A. OFFICE
shot and shell during the World War) demanded his death, and he was first strangled and then burned; but his work constituted the basis of what is now the Authorized Version of the Bible. The persecutions he received only helped to popularize the work to which he had set his hand. His last words were, "Lord, open the eyes of the King of England." These words were uttered just shortly before Henry VIII broke with the papacy.
Something like this has been going on in connection with the Toronto branch of the International Bible Students' Association. The work that is there done is not that of translating and printing the Bible itself. That work is no longer necessary. But a task is there under way which at this time
Spacious Grounds of Convention
Comfortable Meeting Halls at Fair Grounds
Sessions Daily
FOR the whole of Canada, and for large parts of the United States adjacent to the Canadian border, the Toronto Fair, as it is generally called, is one of the standard attractions of the whole year.
In the erection of these structures it has been taken for granted that Toronto would house conventions of different sizes, from time to time, and that, in the case of a polyglot convention, such as that of the Bible Students, it would be an excellent idea that the Greeks should have a place to meet by themselves, the Poles another place, the Germans another, and so on.
The right name of this enterprise is The Canadian National Exhibition, which is a good description of just what the Fair really is. It is more than a Fair; it is an exhibition or exposition, well worthy of the place it occupies in the great city which lies in the heart of the Canadian Empire.
The Canadian National Exhibition has a set time for functioning as a Fair. Those who have attended it one year know when to look for it in the next. It is always held for a period of two weeks, beginning with the second Saturday before Labor Day. Labor Day in Canada and in the United States always falls on the same date.
The Canadian National Exhibition is a permanent institution. The grounds, which lie directly on the beach of Lake Ontario, cover over three hundred acres and represent, including the buildings, twelve
ROOM FOR ALL IN THE COLISEUM
Hence, it comes about that the Canadian National Exhibition grounds have small convention halls that will seat up to 600 persons, larger ones which will seat up to 1,500, the Transportation Building which will seat up to 8,000 and the Royal Coliseum which will seat up to 16,000. The Bible Students are making use of all these halls.
When the grounds were selected the city was still in its infancy; now it has grown around these exposition grounds and they are worth many times their original cost. The location, for such a purpose, could not have been improved upon.
The Royal Consedum is the home of the Royal Winter Fair, nine acres of exhibits under one roof with seating capacity for 16,000 people. It is worth coming hundreds of miles to see.
It takes a big place to properly house an annual convention of the International Bible Students As-
TORONTO'S BEAUTIFUL SHOW PLACE
The grounds themselves are attractive, even if there were not a building upon them, but a series of structures have been erected which are a credit to any exposition, and as they are of a permanent nature they have become one of Toronto's main attractions.
sociation, and especially an international convention, such as is the one which is being held this year in Toronto. But the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition are ample not only for the I.B.S.A. but for practically any demands that may ever be made upon them.
sunday, July 24th will be the peak day of the International convention of Bible Students now in session at Toronto.
3 P.M.
THE LECTURE
3 P.M.
WILL BE DELIVERED BY
JUDGE RUTHERFORD
PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION
ON
FREEDOM for the PEOPLES
For centuries the peoples have suffered from oppression, strife, war, famine, pestilence, sorrow, sickness and death. Centuries ago JEHOVAH GOD made promise, and bound that promise by His oath, that He would give to the peoples complete freedom from those and other burdens. That promise is certain to be faithfully fulfilled in due time. That the time is due for the beginning of the fulfilment of that promise Judge Rutherford will prove from the Bible and other competent evidence now observable by all.
Judge Rutherford is well known throughout the nations of Christendom. Upwards of thirty millions of his books are in the hands of the people. The truths they contain have brought comfort to multitudes. Sunday's lecture will be of special interest to all the peoples of the nations.
The National Broadcasting Company of America has provided wires over which the lecture will be transmitted to New York City and from there broadcast throughout the land over its chains of radio stations. In these chains are several super-power stations that will readily carry the message to Europe. England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Scandinavia, Switzerland, France, and Germany will be listening in.
Elaborate preparations have been made throughout America for the people to assemble in halls and there receive the lecture by radio. Toronto will be favored by hearing the speaker direct. The Auditorium has a seating capacity of 15,000, and by means of voice amplifiers installed thousands more will be able to hear while standing on the grounds.
The lecture begins promptly at three o'clock daylight saving time.
CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION COLISEUM
Bible Students Have a Message
Convention Will Tell What Bible Students Stand For
BOOKS AT COST MEETINGS FREE
BEWARE of the man of one book,' is an old saying and a good one. Whoever wrote that must have had the Bible in mind when he wrote it; for there is no other book that can make a mere ordinary citizen so powerful as can the Bible.
What is so effective in clinching an argument as a text from the Bible? What language can equal its terse, simple, heart-searching sentences? Who can fathom the depth of some of its best-known texts, which, turned again in the brighter light that shines from some other newly unfolded passage, suddenly take on new force, and an almost entirely new aspect?
INTERIOR OF THE COLISEUM-ROOM FOR ALL
The Bible Students are men and women of the Book. They do not claim to know it all. That would be too great a claim for anybody to make. But they know The Plan, God's Plan. Ask one of them, and see for yourself if this is not so.
And what a power this knowledge of God's Plan gives to these folks, most of them from the middle walks of life! They have a Message to give. They know that they have it; and they want others to have it, so that these too may rejoice.
This Message that has so cheered their hearts is in their books, of which many, many thousands will be left behind when they leave Toronto. The Bible Students will not be any the richer for this. They have not come to Toronto to make money. They have come here, as they express it, to give a great witness for the truth.
And hence it will come about that when they go about with their books from door to door of Toronto and its suburbs, and when they present the books to the attention of the vast throng that will be at the Sunday meeting, they will not be seeking money, but merely to place their Message in the hands of the people, at cost.
When the citizenry of Toronto comes out to the big Sunday meeting, they will find the Bible Students are men and women of refinement, with a fair sense of hospitality. The best places in the big auditorium will be reserved for the public. The Bible Students themselves will either stand up or take the back seats. They want the public to hear Judge Rutherford. They know that he has something to say that is worth saying, and that it is worth hearing by all who will hear.
The seats will all be free, and no collections are ever taken up at any I.B.S.A. meetings. The idea that religion and the collection basket go hand in hand is a mistake. Not all that would pass the divine scrutiny solemnly passes the collection basket, and not all the funds that go into collection baskets go toward the spread of truth in the earth and the making of it into a better place in which to live.
There is nothing to show that our Lord Jesus Christ ever took up a collection. The one that was most interested in what was voluntarily put into the little bag out of which the expenses of the party were paid was Judas, who stole what was put therein.
Radio Important Part of Bible Students' Work Stations Throughout World Tell Bible Students' Message
THE International Bible Students were among the first to see the hand of God in the development of the radio method of communication, and have given this subject much attention, both from the standpoint of the prophecies which relate to the radio and, as far as their means would permit, in a practical way, making use of their own and other stations.
The words of Jesus are having a literal fulfilment today that "that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed on the housetops." Every broadcasting studio is in effect a closet; the microphone is a scientifically constructed ear; the aerials which pick up the radio messages are located on the housetops, and they do proclaim to the people below just what was spoken in the ear in the closet of the studio.
The Prophet Job was asked a question by Almighty God which we now see that God is answering. Job was asked, "Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?" A few years ago that expression was unintelligible. Now we see that the radio wave is but one form of electricity, of which lightning is another; and the radio wave, by the power of God, is able to do and does do the very thing implied in the Lord's question.
CKCX ONE OF TORONTO'S MOST POPULAR STATIONS
We can go even farther. In the Psalms we read, "His lightnings enlightened the world," and in the same Psalm that "the heavens declare his righteousness." Bible Students, as they use the radio in proclaiming the truth, believe that they are fulfilling these prophecies. Through the very skies goes the message of truth; the heavens ring with it.
The stations employed by the Bible Students to broadcast the message of the Lord's kingdom are: In Canada, CKCX, Toronto; CHCY, Edmonton; CHUC, Saskatoon, and CFYC. Vancouver; and, in the United States, WBBR. New York; WHK, Cleveland; WORD. Chicago: KFWM. Oakland; WCAH, Columbus: WNBF, Endicott: WLSI. Providence; WBAX, Wilkesbarre; WCBM, Baltimore; WBT,
BROADCASTING STATION AT EDMONTON USED BY BIBLE STUDENTS
Charlotte; WSAZ, Huntington; WBRL, Tilton; WTAL, Toledo; KFJF, Oklahoma City; KFEQ, St. Joseph; KLZ, Denver; KWTC, Tustin, Calif.; WRHM, Minneapolis, and WREC, Memphis. WBBR and WORD are devoted entirely to broadcasting the truth.
In the providence of God; on Sunday, July 24th, Judge Rutherford's voice will be conveyed direct from the platform of the Coliseum, Toronto, by telephone wire to New York City. Entering at that point upon the network of interconnected radio stations, it will be broadcast simultaneously from WEAF, New York; WJZ, New York; WBZA, Boston; WCSH. Portland; WTAG, Worcester; WBZ, Springfield; WJAR, Providence; WGR, Buffalo; WGY, Schenectady; WRC, Washington; WCAE, Pittsburgh; KDKA, Pittsburgh;WTAM,Cleveland; WHAS, Louisville; WSM, Nashville; WMC, Memphis; KSD, St. Louis; WMAQ, Chicago; KYW, Chicago; WOC. Davenport; WCCO, Minneapolis; KOA, Denver; KSL, Salt Lake City; KGO, Oakland; KOMO, Seattle; KHQ, Spokane, with other stations not yet listed.
This program, which it is expected will be audible in the British Isles, Australia, South America, Africa and Europe, on the short wave circuits of KDKA and WGY, will be broadcast Sunday afternoon, July 24th. beginning promptly at 3 o'clock Eastern Daylight Saving Time and continuing until 4.30.
STATION AT SASKATOON USED BY BIBLE STUDENTS
Headquarters of I.B.S.A.
Enlarged Quarters to Render People Service
New Building Entirely Occupied
(Reprinted from "Oil Engine Power" magazine.)
A STRIKING example of an oil engine power plant installed under virtually ideal conditions is afforded by the recent equipment of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Brooklyn with two oil engine units, rendering their establishment entirely independent of any outside source of power. The careful planning which has justified the description of this installation as a "model plant" is not only reflected in the engine room, but also in the entire layout of the new building erected by these internationally known publishers of religious literature.
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, affiliated with the International Bible Students Association, has had a long and distinguished history and the broad scope of its present activities is rendered
MILLION DOLLAR PRINTING PLANT OF BIBLE STUDENTS AT BROOKLYN, N.Y.
doubly impressive by the fact that the institution is operated entirely without profit to its sponsors or its members.
BIBLE STUDENTS' OWN STATION IN NEW YORK
All of the workers in the Society's press are Bible Students who have volunteered their services; in return they receive a nominal monthly salary and are housed by the Society in a dormitory which is situated a few blocks from the plant. With such altruistic conditions prevailing, the entire staff seems to be imbued with an unusual spirit of progressiveness and devotion to high quality of workmanship.
The output of the Society ranges from 10,000 to 18,000 bound volumes per day, in addition to a monthly magazine which has a circulation of over 100,000. Bibles and tracts are printed in twenty-seven different languages and are distributed to branch headquarters throughout the United States and Europe, from which they are sold by house-to-house canvassers who also work on a gratuitous basis. All of the publications are sold at a price which barely covers the cost of production and distribution.
The most modern refinements in printing and bookbinding machinery have been adapted to the production of this immense output of printed matter, the majority of the operations being performed by automatic machinery.
The engine room is located on the ground floor at the front of the building.
The clean-cut appearance of the Watch Tower plant has been obtained without any sacrifice of accessibility or efficiency
Judge Rutherford's Books
Thirty Millions Sold Since 1920
DELIVERANCE, Judge Rutherford's latest book, contains a message of good news. It enables the people to have before them positive evidence from which they may determine who is their worst enemy and who their greatest friend. It shows why the people have been subjected to so much affliction and suffering and how they may and will be delivered from all their foes.
The names of the three great beings made conspicuous in Deliverance are: Jehovah the Father, and the Logos and Lucifer His sons. The son Lucifer organizes and carries on a wicked rebellion, which Jehovah does not hinder until His own due time, when He intervenes and puts down the rebellion and the rebels. By and through His loyal Son, the Logos, He completely delivers the people and then showers upon them His gracious blessings.
Deliverance contains a statement of the outworking of the Divine Program. It establishes faith, creates hope, and makes glad the soul. In due time all peoples of earth must have an opportunity to know the message this book contains. The time is now due when they must begin to hear it. Let every one who reads it tell it to his neighbor. The day of deliverance is at hand.
The editor regards the chapter on The Deliverer as the finest thing he ever read.
Already Translated into Twenty Languages
THE HARP OF GOD is an orderly presentation of the ten most important doctrines in the Bible from Creation to the times of Restoration. Originally written as a textbook for beginners in Bible study, it has come to fill a greater place than its author expected, and now, by thousands of the most advanced Bible Students in the world is considered the best, most condensed, clearest exposition of Bible truth ever written.
An unique feature of this book is that the paragraphs are numbered, and at the conclusion of each chapter there is such a host of numbered questions, referring to those paragraphs, that the book really constitutes a compendium of more than fifteen hundred questions and answers, but without interfering in any way with its readableness by those who read it at one sitting.
This book is of the same length as Deliverance, 384 pages, an even number of 32-page forms. There is a reason for this. The construction of books on this basis makes possible economies in manufacture which allow of the highest class literature being put into the hands of the people at a fraction of the price usually charged for such books. The books of the I.B.S.A. are only a third to a fourth as expensive as other books of like size covering cognate subjects.
Radio Message Recently Broadcast by Judge Rutherford over
40 Stations.
MUCH misunderstanding among the people exists concerning the development of God's kingdom which shall bless the nations of the earth. Such misunderstanding is due to the deceit practiced upon them by Satan and his emissaries.
There is but one church and that is the body of Christ. Those who come into Christ by adoption will ultimately be of the great empire upon condition that they prove faithful to God unto the end. To such Jesus said: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life". . . and you "shall sit with me on my throne."—Revelation 2:10; 3:21.
In order to corrupt the church Satan set about to turn the mind of Christians away from these and similar promises, and prepared various religious systems into which to draw the order loving people who desire to serve God and which systems call themselves by the name of Christ. It must be apparent to all thinking persons that the Lord would not have many organizations when there is but one Christ. It is well known that there are hundreds of denominational systems claiming to be Christian, the doctrines taught by each being in conflict and resulting in confusion. It should be easily seen that God is not the author of such confusion, but that these systems have been organized and used by the enemy for his purposes. The real purpose of a Christian on the earth is to be a witness to the name of God and His kingdom and by being faithful in this respect to prepare himself for the kingdom. The leaders of denominational systems have an entirely different idea about the purpose of a Christian.
These various denominations have deemed it their business and commission to convert the world, and therefore think it necessary to bring into their denominations the rich and the influential. They have opened the doors to such and have made them the principal ones of their flocks. They have organized the clergy, as distinguished from the laity; and these clergy meet in councils and synods and control the system or denomination, and use it for political purposes. They make themselves a part of the world and claim that their denominations constitute God's kingdom on earth.
Speaking to such James says: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4). The word adulterer here used does not refer to a lack of chastity between the sexes, but it means an illicit relationship between church and state. It means that these ecclesiastical systems have made friendship with the world and have entered into an alliance with the commercial and political powers of the world; and altogether they constitute the
visible part of Satan's organization, which is designated in the Scriptures under the title and symbol of "beast."
And now in more modern times these ecclesiastical systems, claiming to represent the Lord, are presided over by a class of clergymen who call themselves Modernists. It is admitted that the Modernists are in the majority in numbers among the clergymen. A Modernist is one who denies the Biblical account of man's creation, denies man's deflection and sentence to death, denies the great ransom sacrifice and, of necessity, denies the Lord's kingdom.
Temptation
The term "ecclesiasticism" applies to all denominations, which have united with the financial and political elements of the earth to form the governing or controlling factors to rule the world. To these ecclesiastics the Devil presented the three great temptations. These temptations he also presented to Eve. She yielded and fell. The same three temptations were presented to Jesus by the Devil, and He resisted all of them and gained the victory. And now mark how they were presented to the ecclesiastical systems and how these have fallen to the wiles of the Devil and have become a part of his organization. (2 Cor. 4:3, 4; James 4:4) The Scriptures describe these temptations as the lust of the flesh, of the eyes, and the pride of life.—1 John 2:15-17.
(1) Lust of the flesh: The power gained by the ecclesiastics in the church, by reason of their position, they have used for their own selfish purposes. They have fed themselves and let the flock of God go without attention. (Ezekiel 34:8) Selfishly they have advanced their own private interests, permitted the people to go without spiritual food, and thereby have caused a famine in the land for the hearing of the Word of God. Yielding to the temptation to use their powers for selfish purposes, they fell.—Amos. 8:11.
(2) Lust of the eyes: Desiring to possess the seductive things of this world, and to be admired by men rather than to be approved of God, the clergy have yielded to the lust of the eyes; they have clothed themselves in scarlet and long flowing robes, decked themselves with jewels, and have arrogantly assumed a form of godliness while denying the power thereof. They fell ready victims to this temptation.
(3) Pride of life: Jesus instructed His representatives to preach the gospel of His kingdom and to await patiently IIis second coming, when He would establish the kingdom. He admonished them to keep themselves separate from the world. The ecclesiastics, or clergy, have boldly assumed to represent the Lord on the earth. Satan held before them the temptation that, as the Lord's representatives, they could establish the kingdom of God on earth without waiting for the second coming of Christ; the conditions RADIO MESSAGE RECENTLY BROADCAST (Continued)
being that they should join hands with the commercial and political powers of earth, which were already under the control of Satan. This appealed to their pride of life. To them it was a wonderful thing to bring the capitalists and the politicians into the church. They yielded to this seductive temptation; they set about immediately to obtain control and rulership of the world, without the aid of the Lord and contrary to His Word.
Claiming for themselves the exclusive authority to interpret the Scriptures, for a long time the ecclesiastics kept the people in ignorance of the text of the Bible by discouraging them in studying it; but now in this day of greater education, when the people might read and understand the Scriptures, these ecclesiastical leaders boldly and flippantly deny the inspiration of the Word of God. Foreknowing that they would take this course, God caused His prophet Jeremiah to write concerning them: "They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters (source of life and truth), and hewed them out eisterns (manmade systems and doctrines), broken eisterns, that can hold no water (really contain no life-giving truth)."—Jeremiah 2:13.
For the purpose of turning the minds of the people away from the true God and blinding them the ecclesiastics have taught false doctrines, of which the following are a few and which are set out here in contrast with the truth for the purpose of comparison, to wit:
The Bible teaches that man was created perfect, and that because of sin he was sentenced to death, thereby losing perfection of organism and the right to life.
Modern ecclesiastics teach that man is a creature of evolution; that he never fell, and never lost the right to life by reason of sin.
The Bible plainly states that man is mortal, and that because of Adam's sin all are born sinners subject to death.
Ecclesiastics teach that all men have immortal souls, which cannot die, which doctrine is supported only by Satan's great lie.—Genesis 3:4; John 8:44.
The Bible plainly teaches that the wages of sin is death, and that death and destruction is the punishment of the wilfully wicked.
Ecclesiastics teach that there is no real death, and that the punishment of the selfish and wicked is conscious torment eternal in duration; and that to escape such terrible punishment the people must join their church denominations.
The Scriptures plainly teach that Jehovah is God, the great First Cause; and that Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, is the Redeemer of mankind.
Ecclesiastics teach the unscriptural, God-dishonoring doctrine of the trinity.
The inspired Word of God declares that Jesus Christ is the ransomer of all; and that all members of the human race, in due time, shall have an opportunity to know about the ransom and receive its benefits.
Ecclesiastical teachings of evolution, human immortality, eternal torment and the trinity are denials
of the ransom by implication; and now the chiefest among them deny that Jesus was any more than an ordinary man, deny that there is any value in His sacrifice, deny the only Lord God and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ by which mankind is redeemed.
The Scriptures teach that Christ Jesus is King, the only One who has the right and authority to rule the earth in God's due time.
Ecclesiastics teach the divine right of earthly kings, who are made by big business, to rule the people; and the ecclesiastics have joined hands with big business and big politicians to enforce this rule and to control the peoples of earth because, they say, it is the divine arrangement for them to rule.
Jesus constituted His apostles as the foundation of the kingdom, and the Scriptures teach that the apostles have no successors.
Ecclesiastics have fraudulently claimed to be successors of the apostles, and thereby have arrogated to themselves great authority and have attempted to deceive, and have deceived, the people.
The Bible teaches and emphasizes the second coming of Christ, the great Prince of Peace, that He will take unto himself His power to reign; it admonishes all the followers of the Lord to faithfully proclaim this message of His coming kingdom, and to advocate and follow peace with all men.
The ecclesiastics teach and advocate war; they have sanctified war and wrest the Scriptures to justify their conclusion; they have repeatedly had their portraits made with, and exhibited with, great warriors of the world; they have turned their church edifices into recruiting stations; they have received and accepted filthy lucre in consideration of rendering service for recruiting young men for the war, and have wilfully preached them into the trenches. And now when the evidence is plain and conclusive that the old world has ended, that the Lord for the second time is present and that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, the ecclesiastics ignore the proof, and scorn, ridicule and persecute those who dare to tell the truth to the people. Instead of bidding them to welcome the King of glory, and telling the people of His kingdom and the blessings it will bring, they openly unite with the Devil in his scheme to control the peoples of the earth, in a compact designated as the League of Nations; and piously and fraudulently they declare it to be the "political expression of God's kingdom on earth."
The Prophet Daniel prophesied concerning "the time of the end": that is, the time or period in which the evil world will be ending or reaching a climax. Prophecy can be understood only when it is fulfilled or in course of fulfilment. It is recorded in this prophecy: "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." (Daniel 12:9, 19) The wise here mentioned are those who have been watching and waiting for the coming of the Lord and His kingdom. These now understand.
The Beautiful Grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto. Judge Rutherford will lecture in the Coliseum here at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, July 24th, 1927.
REPORT OF THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES ASSEMBLY
(Held at St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., August 6-10, 1941)
THE greatest convention of all record has now become a matter of history. Never before were so many Christians assembled as at the Theocratic Assembly of Jehovah's witnesses held at St. Louis, August 6-10, 1941. On the last day of the convention the attendance reached a peak of 115,000 persons, who endured heat and dust to hear two of the most powerful messages from Jehovah ever delivered to men. Of this great audience 15,000 were children, whose smiling faces and cheering applause betokened their joyful reception of Judge Rutherford's climactic lecture, "Children of The King." At its conclusion there was a delightful surprise for these 15,000 ecstatic youngsters! Each received a copy of the blue-and-gold book, Children, as a lovely gift from its author, Judge Rutherford. The children were the first to receive this sparkling new volume, never even seen until its release on this occasion. As little hands clutched this treasure to their hearts, many were the voices that were choked and the eyes that were wet!
This was "Children's Day", shared by a hundred thousand parents and friends! Those of us who saw the sight of them will never forget it. By twos they came in orderly procession, the floor of The Arena emptying first, some to the sides, some to the rear, some to the back of the platform—great armies of enthusiasm marching obediently to the proper exit; and on the way out receiving each a copy of Children. Boys and girls, their ages ranged from five to eighteen; most were white Americans, but every race and state was represented. Their clothes and deportment indicated Godly rearing. But no parents were in the center and sides of The Arena to guide them; for this had
been reserved exclusively for this young contingent of the "children of the King".
On and out they went waving the new book. Some passed the beloved author, greeting him with smiles and thanks; and the lines seemed interminable; applause burst out here and there from little groups, young voices shouted "Thanks for the book", etc. There was no confusion nor undue noise, which was remarkable in an audience of children which alone would almost have filled Madison Square Garden. Parents waited happily at appointed places for the youngsters so favored by Christ, the King. That day will live in the memory of countless thousands. It was a day the Lord had made to bring joy to the hearts of His people!
This was the climax of months of preparation. It was a sight to be for ever graven on the memory. For ever? Most of those who witnessed that sight will live forever in the Kingdom, and they will forever praise the Almighty God, who was pleased to enlighten and instruct them by, among other means, the book Children, designed for children and adults as well, to assist them to follow the Lord's way, and hence the only way to life. It is said in simple truth that this day will live forever in the minds of many.
Children the Outstanding Feature
There have been thousands of children at other WATCHOWER assemblies, but never before were 15,000, who had been previously registered, seated entirely by themselves in the main portion of one of earth's greatest auditoriums: Never before were more than 1,300 children immersed at one time. Never before was each child given a new book (here the book Children)a scene unique in all history.
An artist described it thus:
It is pretty hard to explain just how it feels to come upon 15,000 children and young men and women all sitting in one place, expectant orderly, and radiating that intense interest and vitality characteristic of youth. One might say that the word "charming" would describe the scene, or "fascinating", or "beautiful", or "lovely", or "hearteningly exuberant"; but words are weak in this instance. Dressed in their colorful summer apparel, the entire Arena looked like a flower bed—even more delightingly colorful than any flower bed—a flower bed that scintillated and vibrated with movement and constant vitality.
But now a tall, handsome figure in gray-green steps upon the platform, and at once the whole Arena—as one child—gives forth a cheer and claps hands—30,000 hands—and it is as though the entire place were an electric storm of gladness and heartfelt greetings. The tall figure is Judge Rutherford. He waves with his handkerchief and 15,000 hands wave back children, young girls and boys, maidens and youths—and you sense at once that there is an unseen bond of fellowship between these young folk and the man on the platform whose air seems to be no older than his audience. Presently the stir and greeting subsides and in a few minutes the man begins to talk; and if the place was orderly before, it is quiet as peace itself now as all present give eager and rapt attention to what is being said.
This audience is vitally alive to all that is said and needs no prompting to laugh or clap hands of approval as the case demands, denoting an awareness that is amazing even to one who would expect it to be so. They quickly grasp the tenor of the talk and eagerly accept that which is offered to them. Scanning the crowd, searching their faces, only a heart of stone would not be moved at the spectacle of youth seeking righteousness and facing the world and its horrors with complete trust and faith in their Jehovah God. And though the speech is over an hour in length, no impatience or weariness is observable, save in the youngest—and only a few of them—and these all come to greater animation when the man on the platform presents the book Children and
tells them they shall each have a copy free then and there.
And when they all shouted "Aye" to the man's question, it was something thrilling to hear, and rousing to the spirit.
When they filed to the platform to receive their book, the tall man in gray-green is completely surrounded by youth from 5 to 18 years of age and you recognize at once that they belong to each other, and you don't know which is the most appealing—the deep-felt joy of the man, which is strikingly apparent in his voice when he speaks, or the enthusiastic response of the children. As the seats empty in an orderly manner you wonder at the entire scene, the flower bed has come to life and all is movement and color.
Some who received the gift
But now the man has gone, and you still look on—and are surprised to note that the 15,000 children are on the blond side—brown hair, yellow hair, light-brown heads—only a very few really black ones, and you don't quite understand why this is so, but it is. And you come away feeling refreshed as though you had seen something exceedingly rare in this evil day—something clean and honest and pure; something unforgettable—a promise of that sweetness and harmony which will be in God's kingdom.
(1) Children fill Arena, boxes and first balcony. 11 a.m., "Children's Day."
(2) As adults sing the children march out orderly to receive a "gracious gift".
The Children Scene at Arena Retold
One writer sees a thing one way, and another another, yet both are right. The Scriptures themselves recognize this principle in the correlative writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and in the writings of all the prophets. Hence, those who have enjoyed the foregoing by the pen of the artist will also enjoy the following story which comes through the kind offices of a much appreciated witness living three thousand miles away from the one last named:
August 10 was set aside as "Children's Day". What took place at The Arena at 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is hard to describe in words; many eyes were filled with tears of joy-joy that could not be contained, and an hour which will never be forgotten.
Picture before you The Arena, which seats some 25,000, and all the ground seats, and half of all the seats on the sides—15,000 filled with children, 5 to 18 years of age! Never have we seen such a beautiful sight, who are on their way into the Kingdom and prospective children of the King.
Tremendous applause when the chairman said, "This is 'Children's Day' at the Theocratic convention of Jehovah's witnesses at St. Louis, Missouri. The total attendance yesterday [9th] was 105,000 [great applause], and today it is much more." (More applause) Judge Rutherford was introduced, and gave the most thrilling talk ever given, and under circumstances never before seen—"Children of The King"—impossible to convey in words the reception of this message by the thousands of children and also all on the grounds—at least twelve times The Arena and other buildings resounded with joy and applause. Again the speaker referred to the return of the prophets and how all these boys and girls should follow their advice. After concluding his talk he said to the children: "All of you who have agreed to do the will of God and have taken your stand on the side of The Theocracy, and have agreed to obey God and His King, STAND UP!" It was a heart-thrilling, joyful sight to see 15,000 children rise up as one man before Jehovah; and what applause filled The Arena! Their big brother on the
platform shouted: "Behold, more than 15,000 witnesses to the King!" (Long applause) Again he said: "All of you that will do what you agreed to do, say Aye!" Then came a thunder of "Aye" from 15,000 children on their feet (and more applause). Again he asked: "If you had an instrument in your hand which you could use to the honor of Jehovah's name, would you be diligent to use it?" "Yes!" came like the sound of many waters. (And more thunderous applause from 100,000) Then he said to the children, "Be seated, and I will tell you about that instrument," and immediately held up one of the most beautiful books ever printed, and he then shouted with joy: "The name of the book is 'Children'." (And what a tremendous applause ensued!) Then he said that as a gracious gift from the Lord each of the children would receive, free, one of these books! (And imagine, if you can, the joy and clapping of 15,000 who are marching into the Kingdom!)
Then we witnessed a most beautiful sight, the platform was so constructed that it has two stairways in front of it, one coming up on each side—palms adorn the platform. Many children have been wanting to see Judge Rutherford at close range, and he himself evidently wanted to see some of them. Therefore the ushers were instructed to direct the children up the steps from both sides, have them get their books, and pass on down the steps in back of the platform; and while their big brother was happily looking on, these consecrated children who shall soon be the real workers under the direction of the "princes", Daniel and others, and will fulfill the divine mandate to multiply and fill the earth, in their thousands, were going up the steps amidst the "palms" (Revelation 7:9) while the orchestra played some songs of joy, and provided a picture of the entrance of the "great multitude" into the everlasting Kingdom of Jeho- vah God.
The same writer, after another had drawn attention to the fact that on the first day alone 7,000 children had been registered, earlier made the following statement, which is also of interest and value: There are many thousands of children that have had the privilege of coming to this convention, and parents are lined up by the thousands registering themselves and their children—something that has never occurred in history since the convention called by King Hezekiah in days of old, and recorded for our comfort.
That convention was called to clean out religion which had been adopted by Ahaz. It was an important convention—a time of reform and reorganization. To make that convention a success, 'letters went from the hand of the king' inviting them to that passover convention. It is written, 'some came,' and 'many laughed the messengers to scorn'; but in spite of this opposition "much people" came to Jerusalem, even as to this St. Louis Theocratic gathering—"an exceeding large" convention.
Prior to the St. Louis gathering, letters went from Jehovah's organization calling the people, old and young and children, and as in days of old, 'even to the registering of all the little ones . . . their sons and daughters.' 2 Chronicles 31:14-18.
St. Louisans Generally Fair
The great audience which heard the words of consolation contained in the lecture "Children of The King", and later returned to their homes in a caravan of countless cars, on train and plane, to carry the message to others, presents just one section of the great event which was the Theocratic Assembly at St. Louis. As it was a forward move in the advance of The Theocracy, it was to be expected that enemy opposition would be manifest. Satanic opposition particularly made itself felt through the religious St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and Convention Bureau.
Such, however, were vastly in the minority. A few business firms and householders listened to their false reports, and were the losers. But St. Louisans, for the most part, demonstrated their love for the American principle of free worship. To these the efforts of the press and officialdom to belittle this vast assemblage of those who love Jehovah and
study His Word served only to expose such enemies and to inspire more friendliness for His humble servants. Opposition to the Lord always rebounds upon the heads of the opposers. It can be said, then, that St. Louis, with the few exceptions noted, who were no doubt influenced by "Father O'Hooligan's" crowd, greeted Jehovah's witnesses with open arms. Many were the loving expressions of kindnesses, which will be quoted later.
Months after preparations had been under way, the mayor wired the Brooklyn office of the Watchtower to ask the number of delegates that were expected. When he was wired back that 75,000 was the estimate, he expressed amazement. No doubt his eyes were opened when the convention began, on Wednesday, with 64,000; and had 105,000 by Saturday, and more than 115,000 on Sunday. St. Louis has seen conventions and conventions, including one of The American Legion, but nothing that approached this one either in numbers, in orderliness, or in value to the city. The merchants profited in what the newspapers described as a "customer blitz". The householders who rented rooms or kept Jehovah's witnesses had as guests lovely people who are rich in the love of their Father. There was not a loser among those who had dealings with or had befriended His servants.
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