The Messenger—1938

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READING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND DOWN

1. The Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, where thousands heard. »

2. Sjdney, Australia. This great crowd braved winter weather with mufflers and overcoats and got up at 3: 30 a.m. to hear a speaker 12,000 miles away.

' . 3. Maple Leaf Gardens. Ten thousand Canadians assembled at Toronto to hear*

. the voice from across the sea.

Everybody must “face the facts”. In Hartford, Connecticut, the people were invited to do so, among other ways, in this manner.

■ 5. Ivanhoe Masonic Temple, Kansas City, Kansas. All halls in this building were

— . filled to overflow.

6. “Sandwich” paraders advertising “Face the Facts”, to be heard at the Lyceum, Minneapolis. A fine crowd turned out.

• 7. Royal Albert Hall, London : Key auditorium of the more than fifty others encircling the globe. From here Judge Rutherford, on September the 10th and

■ ’ the 11th, addressed the English-speaking world; 200,000 were assembled in more than fifty convention cities with relay connections, while unnumbered millions heard by radio. Ten thousand jammed the Royal Albert Hall and \ thousands were turned away.

* • : 8. Oakland, California. Beautiful float used to advertise the lecture on the .V west coast,

. 9. A sailboat on Lake Ontario advertising the Toronto convention.

• 10. Glasgow. The “sandwich” paraders in Scotland. This means of advertising

. ' took Britain by storm.

. -li. Fellowship Hall in Tacoma, Washington, crowded to overflowing.

7 . 12. Pittsburgh. The Syria Mosque could not hold all the audience.

... '/■'' < 13. Omaha, Nebraska. Sound equipment goes into action.

: Published by Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society

' 117 Adams St., Brooklyn, N.Y.

■ ; Printed in the United States of America—November, 1938

The MESSENGER

Brooklyn, N. Y., November, 1938

; CONVENTION REPORT

JEHOVAH GOD has devoted more than five thousand years to the preparation of the Kingdom. Near the end of this period of preparation He appointed a time for His “strange work”. As this time has now arrived, all devoted to Jehovah are privileged to see and have a share in this work. It appears strange, astonishing and fearful to the organization the work exposes-—those who have made lies their refuge, who have trafficked in_the God-given quality of man’s need to worship, and who, to impress the credulous, have tacked the name of God to that unholy organization. It has sought in this manner to overawe the superstitious and. by thus blasphemously claiming to represent the Lord on earth, rearing up its ugly head bedecked with fraudulent titles, to gain further power that might be. needed over and above its armies, navies, and inquisitioners!

In fulfillment of God’s promise to expose them in His “strange work”, before He should execute them in His “strange act”, that organization has just been dealt a blow that ripped them to the core. They are inwardly seething! Naturally the great newspapers of the world, reduced under their gag rule to mere propaganda machines, contain little comment upon the greatest convention ever held in the earth, and gave little space to the; gigantic broadcast heard, simultaneously by at least three million people, that rocked the foundation of the Devil’s dominion. However, this magazine, devoted to the kingdom of God under Christ, will furnish the people the facts of the Devil’s stricken earthly empire.

In ancient times when God fought for the Israelites and Judeans, blessings and spoil fell to the lot of His, people after the enemy had been destroyed. (2 Chronicles 20: 25, 26; Esther 9:18,19) At the same convention in which approximately 150,000 people, assembled in fifty cities throughout the earth, heard God’s .decree that the opponents of His kingdom would shortly be annihilated, the Lord graciously informed the righteous that' great blessings would follow the wiping out of the wicked! From the most degraded hireling of the Devil’s religious institutions up to Satan, whom Jesus described as a liar and a murderer from the beginning, the message cut like the sword which is to follow. After the announcement that God would clean up the world in this great battle of Armageddon, His promise to bring rejoicing to the obedient survivors was repeated. Thus the enemy’s downfall was seen to precede blessings to those on God’s side, just as the valley of Jehoshaphat, wherein God caused the complete destruction of the Moabites, Ammonites, and Seirites, was later named “Berachah”, meaning blessings, a place where God blessed His people. With this foretaste concerning Jehovah’s unchangeable ultimatums and His promise of riches to the obedient, all who serve God or are seeking Him are commended to read this report.

British Isles

London

, Months of preparation, naturally, went into perfecting the final arrangements for the worldwide convention and broadcast which should reach the ends of the earth. Speaking of this hookup or relay many English newspapers used these words in description: “This will.be made possible by national, international and transcontinental telephone lines connecting the Royal Albert Hall with ten of the largest halls and cinemas in the United Kingdom and with auditoriums in 2'3 of the principal cities of the United States. Other countries to be linked with London in this remarkable week-end convention include Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.” (At this time no information had been released concerning the assemblies that would pick up the broadcast by shortwave, such as India, Trinidad, Singapore, and continental Europe, to mention only a few that reported later; nor the fact that 118 American stations

would rebroadcast the speeches in the United States.) Substantially the same account was . ■= carried by the Kent Herald, the Evening Sen

tinel (Stoke), City Times (Stoke), the Kentish ., Independent, the Mossley Hill, Allerton & Wool

ton Advertiser (Liverpool), the Edinburgh Evening News, the Scottish Daily Express (Glas. gow), the Southwick Telephone (Birmingham), . the Belfast News Letter, the Belfast Telegraph, /The Morning Advertiser (London), and many others .between the dates of August 23 and September 11. Others spoke of the “unparalleled telephonic broadcast”, “a telephonic achievement without parallel in this country”; another stated “the arrangements for this remarkable effort ■ represent the last word in technical skill and

- efficiency”. “British technicians look forward confidently to its complete success.”

- Reference will be made later to the newspapers of the British Isles, but in passing it is ': ' reiterated that these comparatively favorable • first notices were later replaced by silence and • venomous, attacks when the Roman Catholic '■ Hierarchy tightened the gag and, inadvertently , correct for once, gave the British editors to un?' ' ■ derstand that this was not one of the many sects of which Britain is both full and unafraid, and that fhe^,“big moguls” of Rome, speaking for ' “Big-shot” Ratti of Vatican City, would have ' , " none of it. True to form and type of editors the . world over, they acceded to this demand from the representative of a foreign power and thus treacherously betrayed the interests of their country and countrymen. Note later the truthful facts of “interest and convenience” to the - English people, which facts were furnished to editors and which they refused to publish. Then ; render your own verdict as to whether you ' think their acts treasonable to the British Commonwealth of Nations I Some, perhaps, wished

■ to be fair, but the pressure was too great. But ' for most it is doubtless true that until Arma-. ,.. ■ geddon strikes, ending them and their work, they ' . will never know that, because of villainy or fear, they passed up an opportunity to advertise the . ' kingdom of God which should bless the world,

'; .. and thus to render a real service to their fellow ’ citizens!

'■ London, the key position for the international convention and radiocast, was teeming with the . activity of Jehovah’s witnesses for many weeks

• ahead. London, with its irregular street loca-:■■■*' tions, its great, overcrowding population, spread

' ing its tremendous numbers of humanity up -y" ahd down the Thames, and taking over more and more of the surrounding countryside like a growing plant, together with its historic towers, grimly memorial of deeds of valor and despite, was a fitting and inspiring place for this great announcement that Gpd would make the people free. No honest American can fail to be reminded of the struggles for libe.rty that have racked the English-speaking world for centuries as he contemplates the largest city of that people and of the earth; nor can he fail to,have a keen regret that these achievements, bought by the blood of brave men, making England the most liberally governed nation under the sun, are crumpling under grip of the most predatory power, for fifteen centuries the avowed enemy of any sort of liberty, the inquisitorial Hierarchy of,the Roman Catholic Church. In this place, the last bulwark for free expression, it was in order that the message of Jehovah should flash to all “Christendom” and to those nations" that “come unto” “Christendom” even as Jeremiah caused the cup of the Lord’s fury to be presented to representatives of all the nations then connected to Jerusalem, foreshadowing that the Lord will first warn and then destroy all who falsely claim Christ’s name, such as “Christendom”, and also all the countries that traffic with “Christendom”!

Unique were the methods used to bring to the attention of the people this great announce- • ment, to advertise the great provision and warning from Jehovah which would be delivered by Judge Rutherford under the title “Face the Facts”. The very title was appropriate both for the subject matter and for the occasion and . also for the “perilous times” in Europe and elsewhere when England and the continent were trembling in the Czechoslovakian-Hitler crisis. The world then and now pretty well knows that it has to face the facts. Thus on billboards, tramcars, cinema flashes, car streamers, neighborhood bulletin boards, buses, unused shop windows, sound cars, leaflets, and on the backs of people in the famous “sandwich parades”, sprang to the eyes of all the population of the United Kingdom the arresting words “Face the Facts”. In London, where the British headquarters of the Watch Tower is located, the office force and brethren in for the convention were busy every day with details of housing, cafeteria arrangements for the gathering multitude, the manifold duties connected with territory distribution for the workers to cover;, and each night for weeks ahead they staged “sandwich parades”.

A word more about these "sandwich parades”. Undoubtedly this was the most effective of the many forms of advertising utilized. It is not a new method nor original to Jehovah’s witnesses. But the number of the people who wore plac-; ards on their backs, and the smiling enthusiasm displayed, with children in pushcarts and in arms or marching behind sweet-faced mothers added to the line; together with the obvious . high standing, culture, and good will of these armies of the King, held the people watching in enthralled interest. And throughout it is to be recorded that they were received with almost the same spirit of kindness and benevolence in which they did the work. .

In entire co-operation with English traffic regulations they lined the thoroughfares fifteen feet apart, and in every town the friendliest treatment on the part of the police was observed. At street crossings, especially in London, the officers held up traffic while the divisions passed; one section of about 100 paraders was followed by a bobby on its entire route through the Strand in heavy London traffic and back to its point of origin at Kingsway Hall, where some of the London convention sessions were held. He said at the conclusion that he desired to make sure that the whole party were kept safely.

Perhaps the largest number that engaged in "sandwich” parades at one time was in the neighborhood of one thousand, who marched both Saturday and Sunday of the convention days. Divided in groups of about 50 each they cov-" ered the heavy shopping areas of the English metropolis. Besides the placards on front and back advertising the lecture "Face the Facts”, some carried posters with the startling words "Religion- is a snare and a racket”. To offset the efforts of the enemy who tried to associate the work with an Atheistic Congress then also in session in London, others of Jehovah’s , witnesses carried, banners showing "Serve God a Christ the King”. Thus the people saw , an army of fine-faced, smiling people coming down the streets close to the sidewalks, marchers who had the arresting banners "Face the Facts”, "Serve God and Christ the King” and "Religion is a. snare and a racket” alternating in a long line. Intrigued by such a novel display the people of London and elsewhere delayed their walking or shopping long enough to request more information and to each receive a leaflet invitation to hear "Face the Facts”.

the judge has a smile for the .Tonadabs right after “Fill the Earth” speech. '

Interesting Incidents Reported by ..........“Sandwich” Paraders . ,

Scene: In front of saloon in poorer section of London?

A somewhat tipsy bystander cried out to anybody that might listen: "Who’s gonna be at that lecture ?”

A pretty girl among the paraders answered, "lam.” .

"Then I’ll be there, too,” he vociferated. At this moment the barkeeper stepped out to the young lady and asked for a handful of leaflets to distribute in the bar to his customers, as they needed, he said, more talks like this one.

Scene: Pall Mall and Haymarket shopping area.

A man walked up to one publisher bearing a sign "Religion is a snare and a Racket”, and, looking at the witness with genuine approval but as if the fact were nothing new, he asked: “Buddy, are you just finding that out?”

In a similar place another party stepped up to the parade, asked for a leaflet invitation to the speech, and as he stepped away he was heard * muttering to himself: “ ‘Religion is a snare and a racket/ That sure is the truth.”

Preparing for a big parade in London

Scene: London cab stand.

Taximan: What do you people mean by those .. two placards ?—“Religion is a snare and a racket.” “Serve God and Christ the King.” I can understand one by itself, or the other by itself; but I’m blessed if I can understand the two together. .

Witness: Who killed Jesus Christ?

' Taximan: Why, the scribes and Pharisees.

' Witness: That’s right — the religionists. Now who persecuted the disciples who preached Christ’s resurrection ?

Taximan: The same party.

.Witness: Right. And who did the persecut-- ing during the Dark Ages?

' ' Taximan: Why, the religious folk again.

-Witness: That’s right. Now who is behind ■ tlie Spanish affair ?

; Taximan: Why — oh, now I see what you ’ mean. Good luck! ,

' Scene : Piccadilly.

■,<A woman coming up to the parade said: > “I have read some of Judge Rutherford’s books and they tell the whole truth. Please give me a a banner so I can join with you.”

' : ->In nearly every case the people accepted the leaflets proffered them with thanks in that man.. per of English courtesy that is so pleasant to eficdunter. Many publishers reported’ that the people grasped their hands as well as the leaflets and assured them that they were coming. Few incidents of unpleasantness .occurred, and these, as was to be expected, came at the instigation of religionists. Several little boys, who were stopped from molesting paraders at whom they had been shooting with pea-shooters, admitted on questioning that they were told to do this (probably with the enforcement of threats of “purgktory” if they refused) by their Roman Catholic priest. In another case a “Protestant” clergyman told one of the- marchers that he would like to take a gun and shoot every one of those advertising the Kingdom of God that he, could. Thus the religionists showed the same spirit as their father the Devil.—John 8:44.

In all of this publicity work the newspapers were used scarcely at all, except, in a few cases where free write-ups would be given and advertisements accepted for a small fee. In view of this fact the enormous turn-out for the speech Sunday is quite a commentary on the small real usefulness of these agencies to the public, and the lack of importance that most thinking people assign to such perverters of the truth. It is also at once apparent from the tremendous audience that actually came to hear the lecture in London and al] over the world (besides the near 11,000 people that packed Royal Albert Hall and Kingdom Hall many more thousands were turned away in London alone) that Jehovah was not hampered by the lack of support of the newspapers. It seems appropriate at this point to furnish the copy that was given all

These bus signs could be seen all over London.

reporters who came to Judge Rutherford for information, and which facts their papers one and all refused to publish. After reading how these same papers, supposedly the people’s chosen organ for giving them the truth, muffed this grand chance to render their subscribers a real service because they were led into a snare by the fear of man (the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, as they practically admitted) let each reader decide as to whom these “mighty” press agencies support. Is it God? Not unless you mean the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4) The facts offered to all agencies who applied follow:

" The ' democracies of earth, and particularly Great Britain and America, are in great danger of Totalitarian rule. The Roman Catholic Hierarchy of Authority, the Fascists and Nazis, are conspiring together to gain control and rule all the nations by dictators. Although the newspapers know this fact they refuse to publish the truth concerning the same and so far as the press is concerned the people are kept in ignorance. The newspapers, therefore, indirectly support the conspiracy and are unfaithful to the people.

Centuries ago the Almighty God gave His word that in His due time and amidst great distress and perplexity in the world, exactly what we now

The covered wagon. These Jonadabs did their part.

ADVERTISE was the slogan. Anything that could be moved and would attract attention was used.

see, He would set up His righteous government with. Christ as King, and which will imle the nations in righteousness. That kingdom is now at hand and is the only hope of the nations and the people. It is of greatest importance to the people that they know about it, but the ■ newspapers refuse to publish anything about the Kingdom for fear of shocking the religious susceptibilities of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and their allies. Such publication would interfere withsth'e religious racket. For centuries both Christians and religionists have prayed as Jesus taught, for the coming of God’s kingdom on earth, but only, the Christians have desired that kingdom. Religionists have an ambitious desire to rule the world in the place and stead of God and Christ. Religion is therefore a snare and a racket, and the Lord’s kingdom will do away with religion and all fraudulent schemes. The religio-political combine is against' the kingdom of God. t

It is the business of Jehovah’s witnesses to make known to the people God’s kingdom under Christ as their only hope. Because they do so those Christians are opposed and cruelly persecuted by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and their Fascist and Nazi allies. Although the true facts have repeatedly been brought to the attention of the press the

newspapers decline to publish the truth and thus place themselves against God and His kingdom. Why should I waste time in giving interviews which would not be published? The public press has become at least a silent tool of the religious combine afore-mentioned. All are against God and against Christ and His kingdom and therefore against the interests of the people who desire to live. Having been warned they have taken their stand, against the Lord’s kingdom and must bear the consequences. ■

People in the streets of London just had to look at this.

. Besides other forms of advertising promoted as above, American brethren were sent to.most of the population centers of the British Isles to encourage the publishers to put forth a strenuous; effort to widely circulate the news of the coining stupendous event. There was a wonderful'response to this exhortation to the witnesses to exert themselves to the full, and more details of the matter will be taken up in individual descriptions of the conventions in the relay cities. In London, by September 9, on which date the convention officially opened, the workers had reached a feverish degree of activity. It became plainer than ever before that the two broadcasts of Saturday and Sunday would be like nothing else that had ever been on earth. On the evening of the 9th, one day before the first of the broadcasts, the London convention was opened by the British Branch servant with an attendance at the first session of 1,140. The assembly then listened, with that rapt attention that only English audiences seem the most courteous in giving, to several Americans who brought greetings and encouragement, discoursing on the prophetic drama entitled “His War”. (See Watchtower magazine, issues of July 1 to August 15.)

After service announcements customary at conventions a “sandwich” parade was staged and then all went home to get to the night’s sleep early in order to engage in the house-to-house service the next day with the new bpoklet. Warning, just off the press and for the first time released to the public. The next day was a strenuous one. Phonographs, sound cars, witnesses in autos and on foot, plied the streets and homes and business houses of London, giving more and more advertising and literature and word-of-mouth testimony to this very much interested English metropolis. In this area alone more than 400,000 leaflets were distributed up to the time of the delivery of “Face the Facts”, at eight p.m. Sunday. The number of publishers reached a peak on Sunday, when more than 1,200 were in the field. In the two days more than 30,000 pieces of literature were placed in the hands of the people. (For a detailed report of the work of this assembly, see the final page of this issue.of The Messenger.}

Then, almost before they realized it, all of Jehovah’s witnesses in London, were seated in that most famous of all English auditoriums, Royal Albert Hall, waiting in hushed, enthralled silence for that epochal broadcast of Saturday, September 10, which is now history. The music was over and. Judge Rutherford was up and at the microphone! God has granted the judge the finest speaking voice in the. world for clarity and emphasis; and was that audience grateful to Jehovah for this provision! ‘What would be the great message that the Lord would deliver to the people this time through His chosen servant?’ .was the thought in every mind. Then in tones of the utmost harmony came that message more portentous than any other in modern times for the benefit of righteous creatures. To whom was this great message chiefly directed ? To the “great multitude” _ .described in the Bible as those “which no man could .number, . . ..clothed with white robes, and palms [of praise to the King Christ Jesus]. in their hands” (Revelation 7:9), those “other sheep” that Jesus described as having befriended His temple company (Matthew 25 : 3-2-40) and otherwise known as the “Jonadab” class (see Vindication, Book Three, page 7 7 on, for explanation of this title) ; the chief message was to this group, which composed more than half the audience! What was the breath-taking'message which they received? Briefly stated (and this statement should be taken as merely an appetizer, as there is no space in this description for that wealth of Scriptural proof so ably deduced by the Lord’s servant), they were told of God’s mandate to give them the responsibility, after the great destruction of the enemy at Armageddon, to marry and fill the earth with a righteous race. What a ftiandatej What an enthusing command from the Giver of all perfect gifts! This great reve-latipn has now been published, in the October 15 and November 1 issues of The 'Watchtower, and you may now read it and see the wonderful mandate is as true and sure as the mercies of J ehovah!

' The blessings of the righteous follow the destruction of all opposers, according to the divine purpose. In Saturday’s speech those blessings were detailed. For Sunday was reserved the great radiocast that the1 millions waited for with straining attention. Probably the demons and Satan, who has long known that he has but a short time, all listened in. Thus we may

it is in order to take the testimony of an eye witness. .

For the writer the.scene was indescribable! Here was the culmination of weeks of labor and preparation. Connected to the microphone on the brilliantly lighted platform from which Judge Rutherford would speak were wires and phones and ■ ether waves leading to other millions of people expectant to hear, and just as . tensely excited as those people in front who uttered no sound, only waited! Royal Albert Hall was honored to be the first by the fraction of a second to receive the message, from the King of Eternity! That vast audience it contained was equally honored, and they appreciated it. A scant three feet below the roses and

ferns of the speaker’s stage stretched out the solid phalanx of stall seats, with a quiet army of listeners; while above, circling like a colorful wall of humanity, the galleries on three succes-

have a limited comprehension of the invisible setting. For one to obtain a small conception of the" drama presented to the visible audience of 11,000 people jamming the Royal Albert Hall |

Three views oi the Royal Albert Hall. It was packed out and several thousand had to be turned ( away from this thrilling meeting.

i®®

sive levels, and finally the uppermost corridor, spread before the eyes like an immense panorama. Along the top rail which surrounded the auditorium, topping the oval tiers like a crown, thousands thronged in the upper corridor, fortunate if they could see the arena from the guardrail. Here, almost-from the very eaves of the building, just below the roof, with every seat filled below, jutting heads peered down with fixed attention. on the platform below. A packed house, with thousands turned away! ’ . •

Then like the waves breaking on the shore came a roar of applause from that multitude for a real fighter! Then quiet. Judge Rutherford’s voice thundered in pleasing melody and no one wished to miss a syllable. What a stu-

pendous moment in the history of man! The Lord God, who is above all and over all, was telling the people through His chosen vessel that soon the oppressors of men would be annihilated by His mighty arm. Did the great Jehovah in this message specify who are His enemies, and the enemies of the righteous men on earth ? This was made absolutely plain. The Bible proof deduced was abundant that the chief among these enemies arb Satan and his invisible hordes whom God sentenced to death six thousand years ago. And who the visible enemies on earth? To learn the answer let each reader ask: Who is that adversary of God’s faithful witnesses that has maltreated, persecuted, imprisoned, and killed His servants in JSFew Jersey, Quebec, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Rhodesia, to mention only a few of the places where their heinous acts have violated His covenant people? What is that organization parading under the name of Christ, whose chief representative, residing at Vatican City, claims to be the vicegerent of Christ, which organization, exactly contrary to God’s law, traffics and plays harlot with the commerce and politics of this world? of whom He says, "For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by’’.my name”? What is the organization, abysmal haters of liberty, which, though once claiming God to be supreme, have now allied themselves to the Fascist-Nazi-radical group of Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain; and thus as spiritual supergovernment over these totalitarian monstrosities to elevate the state above God, defaming His holy name and entrapping His witnesses who refuse to "heil” men or bow down to the. idols of men? What political power, masking its operations under a religious name, claims as its excuse for supporting the bloodj Franco in Spain that they ‘are fighting against Communism’, which is but another lie to camouflage the murder of their innocent followers in war-ravaged Spain; while^to ride every horse at once they secretly hold out their hands to Communism? What double-dealing criminals, whose record through the centuries is one of such unspeakable depravity that honest men must needs turn their eyes away from these bloody pages of torture of human creatures and of martyrs for Christ’s sake, now at this very day presume to tell the world through their Nazi-Fascist monstrosity what everyone shall say and publish, and how they, shall worship? Does anyone fail to identify the only organization under the sun capable of qualifying for such an inconceivable scope of vice, and which at the same time claims the name of God and Christ ? There is but one contender for this title of wickedness ; let the Roman Catholic Hierarchy have it all; no lesser criminal can make the grade.

Did Judge Rutherford make it plain as to what the Lord would do to the Roman Catholic Hierarchy who have blasphemed His name and.persecuted His people? He did. Blow by blow, proof by proof, the case against them was presented with so many Bible corroborations that, no doubt could remain even in the mind of the pope, if he believed in God, that destruction of the whole gang was imminent. This bunch'of religionists, whom the Lord hates, are to be destroyed by their erstwhile allies, namely, the radical element represented by the Nazi-Fascist-Communist combine, because God has decreed it so, even as Mount Seir (picturing the Catholic Hierarchy and other modernday religionists) was destroyed by her former allies, Ammon and Moab. In ringing denunciation of such infamous hypocrisy the judge, at direction of Jehovah, who caused all Bible prophecy to be written for the comfort, and direction of His people on earth today, employed the tw,enty-third chapter of Matthew to identify the Hierarchy of Authority. What Jesus said of the Jewish clergy was to be applied by God with greater force against the Roman Catholic prelates. These words came like the death warrant which they' were in fact: ‘Woe unto you, Catholic Hierarchy, hypocrites! ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but within are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Wherefore be ye witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers! how can ye escape the damnation of hell?’1 One could not help thinking, as these words came from the mouth of the speaker, that the Lord Jesus, who is now directing the attack against the enemy, was repeating His blistering invective of 1900

, - , years ago, upon the Hierarchy, the modern coun-\ terpart of the scribes and Pharisees. '

’ . * Throughout the speech was interjected by

> vehement applause and many a “Hear! Hear I”, -*• ‘ that British expression of approbation. Two resolutions were proposed by the speaker in de’ " ’ nuneiation of the practices of the Hierarchy,

and of their allies, the Nazi-Fascist-Communist - ■ • group, and exhorting all lovers of righteousness

■ j to firmly declare themselves on the side of the King Christ Jesus, whose kingdom is the only hope of the world. To the first the audience - unanimously (as far as could be determined) shouted “Aye”, and to the second went up a mighty roar of “Amen”. When the judge had finished almost an hour of the greatest words of doom to the Devil, his Hierarchy, and the Nazi gang; and of the greatest words of abundant, comfort to God’s people and to those who were seeking Him, the speaker finished, and , the whole house rocked in applause. One could almost hear the echoes from the audiences all over the earth, too. Then announcement was made by an English representative that by writing in to the English or American branch of the Watch Tower a copy of the speech could be obtained. All was not completely over, however. >

Several weeks before the judge’s departure • for Europe word had come to him that the Roman Catholic Hierarchy was mobilizing its forces throughout the earth to break up the entire international convention by having disturbances at the Royal Albert Hall and also : at each of the fifty-odd relay cities. This infor

mation was transmitted to him by an employee of an American corporation. On the 11th of „ . August, at a conference held in a department ‘ of this establishment, all the conferees were stated to be Catholics; one present was a Jesuit priest. He gave the others present the informa. tion that the Catholics were keeping" tab on Rutherford. The language of the Jesuit priest as reported'follows:

That ‘Rutherford was going to have conventions all over the earth in September and that ' Jesuit priests were going to cover these conven-' tions together with police officers in civilian ' clothes, that there were to be speakers each day

- of the convention and that as soonjas one of

- them made just one word which was in any wfiy against the government then they would be arrested and tried on the charge of sedition and fomenting sedition. And that they were going to put the conventions into confusion and expose the Rutherford racket’.

These facts were presented in writing to. the commissioner of police, New Scotland Yard, London. The commissioner not only promised but actually gave very able protection which can but be remarked as in outstanding contrast to what might be expected from Australian, American, or Canadian officers of law and order. A facsimile of the letter in reply is here reproduced.

Address any reply to .

THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE OF THE METROPOLIS, NEW SCOTLAND YARD, S.'W. 1 quoting:— 22/Unc/158 (A-2).

POSTAGE MUST BE PREPAID

. ' New Scotland Yard

London,

. S.W. 1

TELEPHONE WHITEHALL 1212

9th September, 1938.

Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 29th August, I am directed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to inform you that the necessary police arrangements will be made on Sunday, 11th September, in connection with the meeting to be held by your Society in the Royal Albert Hall.

. I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Assistant Commissioner.

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society,

34, Craven Terrace,

A day or two before the speech one witness had an unusual experience. A garage attendant, while washing up one of the cars on which was a banner advertising the lecture “Face the Facts”, asked the witness if he were going to attend. When the answer was received in the affirmative the garage man volunteered: “I’m not. I’m afraid to.” He further explained: “It is being whispered about London that the Black-1 shirts [British Fascists led by Oswald Mosley and now organized as British Union] will be there.. They have got the word around by their underground system that they are going to bust up the meeting.’! Tfie witness took this information to the office.

Scotland Yard was told of this further development. The officer in charge was evidently not afraid of the Hierarchy; for his reply was prompt and to tfiis effect: “Don’t worry. I already know some of those Blackshirters.' But

wre’ll take care of them no matter what kind of shirts they wear.”

With this explanation let us now return to the Albert Hall, where Judge Rutherford has returned to the microphone although the hour’s broadcast is completed. As might have been expected, some of the Devil’s and Hierarchy’s Nazi element were present, though afraid to make much of a stir on account of the. Yard; and a few rather faint "Boos” came from several places in the upper galleries. The judge asked them why they didn’t get out if they did not like the speech; they hadn’t rented the hall. Then the crowd cheered and drowned out, the radicals. Meanwhile a woman had wandered, down to the end of the center aisle only three feet below and perhaps a half-dozen feet in front of the judge. Those of us who were on the platform had observed her before, noticing that her eyes were blurred and bloodshot like a person drunk, drugged, or demonized; also an usher had seen her and already requested her to leave. Suddenly as if by signal she raised her hand and said something that sounded like "I want to speak”. At this time, though a minute or so after nine, some of the stations had not cut off in America and elsewhere and many listeners heard the judge say, "Take that woman out.” Two ushers took the woman by the arm, and the police at the door assisted in her ejection. A few "Boos”, shouts, and calls came from some of the pope’s hirelings as she was removed, and the woman, in a manner" which is not good cricket, tried to hit the ushers, but that was all there was to it. And out she went. Ten witnesses were not more than ten feet away from her when she tried to speak to the judge, but not one of us heard what a correspondent of the London Daily Herald next day reported her as saying: "What good is it preaching about Christ to me. I haven’t enough to eat.” But if she did say that it was no doubt at the instigation of some of the Devil’s agencies. There was no prospect of food on the platfomt After hearing this great broadcast all that was suggested to the density of the same reporter’s skull was: "If I wanted “to phone America it would cost £3 for three minutes.” Is it any wonder that the Lord will destroy all such, ilk?

The garbled misrepresentation that appeared in the Evening Standard (London) manifested similar illicit relationship, or, to use the Scriptural metaphor, "fornication,” with the Hierarchy. But to return to the above report by the Daily Herald: The letter of one outraged subscriber, who heard the judge on this occasion for the first time, is here reproduced, together, with two paragraphs to the same editor by an eminent journalist.

Letter by a New Jonadab

To the Editor of the "Daily Herald”.

Sir, • . -

Your distorted account of the meeting of 10,000 people at the Albert Hall to hear Judge Rutherford last night has filled me with disgust. I wonder how many of the 10,000 and of the great number in the "ten halls in different parts of this country” read the Daily Herald this morning? How many, like myself, were shocked to see that the Daily Herald had failed to keep its promise and boast to tell the truth, "seeking neither to ignore what is cheerful nor to hide what is unpleasant,” thereby keeping confidence with its readers? (Daily Herald July 14, 1938)

' You admit that yours is a serious responsibility, that you are the eyes and ears of your readers, that it is your duty to see truly and report faith

. FULLY,— ,

Then why have you failed to do so today upon a matter of vital importance to those readers who were not at the Albert Hall to see with their own eyes, and hear with their own ears? '

Please prove that Judge Rutherford "prophesied the same thing about the Great War” as you state, and also that he "is still forecasting the end of the world”. Shall those 10,000 who were at the Albert Hall, knowing the truth, keep silent? Not likely!—we value the truth too highly for that.

Until this week-end I had never seen Judge . Rutherford, but I had read his books (which you do not appear to have done) and I know him to be the bravest and most God-fearing man on earth today.

You have not given an honest account of the greatest convention of Jehovah God’s witnesses and their companions ever held—rather you have sought to belittle it. •

Shall we accept your report of the world’s affairs in general, the true information of which we really need in these days?

Daily Herald, you have betrayed your readers’ confidence! Maybe you have done yourself serious injury, as did the snake in the blacksmith’s shop.

From today I shall cease to be a regular reader of the Daily Herald.

[Signed] O. S. M. Brown

Since a disparaging reference is made in the report to the financing of the Judge’s broadcast, it may interest you to know the facts. The cost of ■ that great effort has been defrayed by the free-will contributions of those, who appreciate Judge Ruth-erf ord’s work in pointing out to the people the only way of safety now open to them before Armageddon, and who, like the Judge, count everything, even earthly life itself, of secondary importance to their obedience to Almighty God in giving warning to the people of the impending “Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty.”

As a sample of garbled newspaper journalism, the account you publish ranks high, but as a statement of fact it is discreditable to straightforward English journalism, and I make that observation as a London journalist of. many years’ experience.

One other untoward incident was observed and reported later by one of the press bureau of the London division of Jehovah’s witnesses. After recounting several incidents of people at the hall who were overjoyed at the wonderful lecture, which items will be presented to the reader later, his story relates: “And now for an incident of another kind. A Roman Catholic interloper in the gallery at the Royal Albert Hall, when restrained, exclaimed, ‘Why can’t I oppose ?’ He was told that he lived in a democratic country and that if he behaved like a British citizen and stopped his ill-mannered shouts he would save himself being locked up in a prison cell. He did not cease. Consequently, though still struggling violently even in the hands of stewards, who took the pressure off one seat in the auditorium, and uttering oaths, such as only the dupes and tools of the Hierarchy can, he was carried away bodily and deposited on the pavement outside. Here he was' severely cautioned by one of the . Albert Hall official stewards who act as police officers.” . Completing his impromptu remarks the judge stated simply: “My only purpose in addressing you is to give warning. If you choose to stand with the Devil’s crowd, then you die. If you choose to stand on the side of Jehovah and His King, you will live.” Then the meeting was' over, without any how of further trouble, and the police were on duty at the judge’s car, and also a Black Maria, or patrol wagon, was seen to be ready to carry away any disturbers. How different from the manner in which the American police have upheld such unsavory gangsters as Al Capone and a certain Catholic mayor of Jersey City, while at the same time they set upon, beat, imprisoned, and tormented Christian men and women, as witnessed in Lagrange and Griffin, Georgia, and many parts of Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, and many other places. During the writer’s stay in England he found much commendable in the English and Scottish police.

As has been observed above, due, no doubt, in part to' the fine co-operation, of Scotland Yard, the big threat of the Jesuits failed in the British Isles. But this very conspiracy of the Hierarchy’s secret police was, very likely, responsible for the widespread disturbances which occurred in the United States. When reading the descriptions of the fights the “old whore” (Scriptural name for the Roman Catholic Hierarchy) put up in America to stop the exposure of her racket in that country, bear in mind the plot which was disclosed by a witness, to the cabal in the American corporation plant above mentioned.

How were these great broadcasts received throughout the world? Space does "not permit the printing of the hundreds of cables received in London. But some from all parts of the world are reproduced to show the universally splendid reception:

America. Pittsburgh: “Engineers state best overseas reception ever. Audience 1800 thrilled Jehovah’s mandate. Keenly anticipating tomorrow. Love.”

Philadelphia : “Crystal clear. Sixty-eight hundred thundered ‘Aye’ and ‘Amen’, Twelve hundred booklets.”

Omaha: “One thousand thrilled. Reception excellent. Jehovah bless you.” ■

Oakland: “Reception excellent. 3600 heard fearless expose. Shouted ‘Amen’. Joyfully stand with you all the way.” '

Brooklyn Office: “Magnificent service all auditoriums.”

Cleveland: “Jehovah’s word and name magnified. Convention and local radio reception excellent. Seven thousand attending heard swift kick SOTB. Emerods painful.”

Canada. Ottawa: “Saturday reception perfect. All thrilled with message. Many French Jonadabs present who. were Catholics a year ago. Interpreter busy translating for French brethren. We rejoice at the glorious prospects for Jonadabs. Anticipating a grand witness Sunday.” / . • .

Toronto: “Jehovah’s witnesses and companions at the close of the international convention at Toronto say we are with you wholeheartedly in the fight. We express our love for you. To all you have said we say Amen.”

Winnipeg: “Inspiring message. ‘Face the Facts’ perfectly clear and enthusiastically endorsed. Four thousand -present.” ' '

Calgary: “One thousand thrilled. Good reception. It shall go forth. God’s power manifested. Deadliest wallop ever delivered.”

Vancouver: “Auditorium packed; reception perfect; Jehovah buildeth the house.”

Cablegrams and telegrams to London show that the cities and towns in nearly every part of North America heard Jehovah’s warning, either by radio or in the many relay auditoriums. Even Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, in South America, reported hundreds of listeners. Continuing this check-up around the earth, what do we hear from the great continent of Australia, south of the equator? At this time, when England and America 'were enjoying Indian summer, on the other side of the earth, Australia’s spring was just commencing; but neither dis- . tance nor climate marred the crystal resonance of that message; it was as if the judge were speaking to them in person as he did six months ago. Listen to this typical message from one of the eight great cities that reported: “To fearless exposure Devil’s religio-political-Roman Catholic - Total itarian - Fascist - combine racket crowded hall say Amen. Perfect reception.” (Melbourne)

Close to, the antipodes of Britain lies New Zealand, named by the Dutch explorer Tasman, who might have been homesick for the Zuider Zee. With a climate much like England’s, and a population ninety percent descendants of Scotch and English, this country so famous for woolens, native Maoris, tree x ferns, South Polar expeditions, and magnificence of forests and mountain scenery, received Sunday’s broadcast early Monday morning in spring. Reports both of clarion distinctness in reception and of unparalleled enthusiasm came in from large audiences at Auckland and Wellington.

What of the islands of the sea? Tasmania, green and fertile island of the Southern Hemisphere, south even of Australia and separated from the smallest continent by the tempestuous Tasman sea, cabled through the Launceston assembly: “Tasmanian witnesses send greetings. Speeches heard clearly. Wholehearted support your exposure of enemy.” .

Traveling with the sun in this survey of the earth’s listeners we have next selected a cable from the Orient, from Singapore, once port of call of pirates of all nations, and even now a name suggestive of salty villainy and tropic adventure. Only about five degrees north of the equator, the hot sun did not deflect the radiocast: “Thrilling message perfectly received.”

India, whose teeming millions have long been used to the exploitation of “Christen-,dom”; whose idolatry at least does not claim to be sponsored by the Prince of Peace; land of cashmere, elephants, mountain passes, poisonous jungles, and of those twin specters, poverty and oppression; of this vast British colony, Bombay and Lahore cabled: “Perfect transmission.” .

Jehovah commanded and used the ether waves' to carry His great utterance. Nor could the Totalitarian monstrosities in Italy and Germany interfere one whit. So it may be said that thousands heard in these wretched, despotic coum tries; but the gag on free use of all methods of communication makes the number difficult to calculate. As has been remarked before, it is certain that Vatican City heard Jehovah’s sentence. Other cables came from Switzerland, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Continental Europe was undoubtedly deluged with - the great announcement of the purpqses of the

Lord. And so back to the British Isles. An ac-~ count of the events in the various convention cities there will be considered separately.

Before passing from the London convention it should be remarked that there were many other interesting events on the program for the Lord’s people. There was immersion of 125, whose ages' ranged from nine to seventy. Of great interest also were the discourses by the servants of the Central European, Northern European and South African branches and by several English brethren. One of these speakers summed up the German situation in these words: “The testimony of these faithful German brethren written before God in tears, sweat and blood, means more than ink.”

Worthy of observation are a few more incidents that occurred at Royal Albert Hall and at other places in connection with the great witness work. It is well to remember that this great hall is situated in the center of London’s fashion mart, the core of much of its tradition, while it overlooks the two great lungs of London, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. It is also remarkable that superb weather continued for several weeks before and after the broadcast. When the weather is fine in England it is indeed exhilarating.

At the lecture: Two parsons and a colored gentleman, who had just listened to “Face the Facts”, called an usher and asked for a copy, of the new booklet Warning. They contributed 6d each for the publication and said they were

in full harmony with what the judge had just said: “Ne are against this religious racket; we are on the side of Christ.” The usher who had been eyeing their clerical garb responded: “You are not; the clothes you are wearing identify you as religionists.” They then asked: “How do we get out of it ?” To which the usher quickly answered: “You can’t traffic with the Devil’s organized religion and serve the Lord at the same time. You have got to clear out of this before you can receive the Lord’s protection under His organization. Serve God and'live, or remain. with Satan, and die.” Their final words were: “Then we will get out of Satan’s organization.”

An Austrian, who had lost all his possessions as a result of the Nazi misrule in that unfortunate land, and had seen the wicked tortures to which the freedom-lovers there are subjected, corroborated the words in the speech as he de-parted'from the hall: “Judge Rutherford is absolutely true in what he says. It is a great pity there are not more public men like him to proclaim the truth about these wicked totalitarian governments. Public men today are so seldom interested, in public weal.”

' In a park outside the Albert Hall a police officer approached some pioneers and asked them: “Why don’t you broadcast these lectures over radio ?” Reply: “Because the British Broadcasting Company have cold feet.” The policeman added, “We chaps never get a chance to hear about these things”; whereupon the pioneers informed him that, on application to the Watch Tower office in London, arrangements would be made to play the records of these speeches on a phonograph in his own home. He took the address and went away rejoicing that he could get the good news in this way.

Three ladies from Singapore found the Albert Hall packed out and no seats available. Determined to hear, they had someone direct them to Kingdom Hall, where an overflow audience was supplied with a loudspeaker from the Albert Hall; their persistence was rewarded by the Lord, «as they not only heard the great message but discovered that this location was only a few steps from their own hotel.

During the lecture a representative of the * London Bethel felt a punch in .the back and an importunate whisper, “What’s a Jonadab? I have to go home at once to my baby, but what’s a Jonadab?” The witness was trying to hear every word of the talk, and briefly advised the woman to hear on. After fifteen minutes of silence came the same punch and whisper, “What’s a Jonadab? It’s feeding time for my baby and I’ve got to go. But I can’t wait to find out what is a Jonadab.” She took away a partial answer that it was a person of good will, one of the “sheep” described by Jesus in Matthew 25:32-40. (For full explanation see Vindication, Book Three, page 77 on. ‘The Jonadab class’ is a term synonymous with ‘the great multitude’ of Revelation 7:9.)

My First Convention; a London Jonadab

“My introduction to Jehovah’s witnesses came about a month ago, when a young man called at my home with a phonograph and an invitation to a lecture entitled ‘Face the Facts’. I was ready for him. By that I mean I was in a frantic state of perplexity. For a good many years I had been worrying about the woes and wickedness of the world. I could not find in the wisdom of men any vestige of satisfactory explanation of the present, or hope of the future. At times I was acutely wretched.

“Then a few days ago I read some of the Watch Tower publications. I was amazed! How simple they made the Scriptures appear! The witness of Jehovah who called on me was in convention mood. I caught the spirit and was in the field the next day. The peace of mind, the joy of service;—in the streets with the bills I went, door to door with an eagerness that leaves me spellbound as I look back on it! . . . ”

‘“Face the Facts’ is my first milestone. How many I shall travel I know not, but if they be greater than this, they will pass human understanding.”

Advertising the Kingdom

A keeper of a butcher shop had observed a “sandwich” parade in his neighborhood, and as it broke up he singled out one parader with her sign rolled up under her arm and asked for more information. When this was explained he cried, “Oh, I have heard of Judge Rutherford and I should like a share in this work. Give me the bill,” pointing to the placard under her arm, “and I’ll hang it in my shop window.”

One local cinema manager, who was approached to show a slide advertising the convention, asked, “Are you associated with this street advertising?” When he received the reply in the affirmative he stated: “Well, I thought I was a Christian, but when I see the zeal of

The donkey barrow. The little girl’s advertising, too.

all you people it shames me. I feel I should like to do something for Jehovah, an'd I will show a slide every day until the lecture, free of charge.” Hundreds of theaters in the British Isles did likewise, and one who accorded this courtesy commented: “It is about time somebody showed up the hypocrisy in the churches.”

We are glad to repeat that the bobbies are not like the lawbreakers who wear brass buttons in America.^A party of pioneers in Northeast London was about to distribute leaflets advertising the Albert Hall meeting, when a police officer appeared on the. scene and volunteered to point out to them the best positions in the neighborhood in which to pass out the invitations. He approved the work and assured the group that he intended to hear Judge Rutherford at all costs. Due in part to his assistance an enormous number of announcements wero "given out in about an hour.

A sound car was busy heralding the lecture “Face the Facts”. A pedestrian approached and questioned the driver, “What is all this about?”.He was briefly informed, and, like many in Jesus’ day, stood astonished at the doctrine. “I am going to hear Judge Rutherford,” he said, “and if you will give me a handful of those bills I will distribute them.” . _

An amazing spectacle was to be seen coming along the edge of the street. About sixty of Jehovah’s witnesses strung out in line, interspersed with three sound cars, were exhibiting banners and posters of “Face v the Facts”. Suddenly a man detached himself from the crowd of onlookers, and, buttonholing one of the paraders, asked in bated breath, “Is Judge Rutherford personally in London?” The reply being “Yes”, he continued, “I’ve heard him twice in America, and I’ll hear him this time. Count on my being there.”

Not all Catholics want to kill everybody who does not agree with them. A discussion took place in a large London business house between one of Jehovah’s witnesses and the manager, a Catholic. In answering the witness’ request the manager responded, “So you want to get away early tonight, Mr.------“Yes, we have

a big convention ip London, using the Kings-way and the Royal Albert Hall for three days.” Manager, reflectively: “Well, I am glad to hear

' it. It’s a great pity there are not more with the same spirit as you people. The world needs ' these conventions. Imagine a country like England allowing the Godless League here.” Wit" ’nes’s: “Yes, that is so. They seem to get more ’ ' . virulent, too.” Manager, thoughtfully: “It’s very , ■,alarming! Well, I wish you a happy time, Mr.

' . ■. '. . . .

“The Lord gave the word; great was the . ,' ^company of those that published it.” “And the

Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him . '.'.that heareth say, Come. And. let him that is ■ ' ■ athirst come: and whosoever will, let him take -. , the water of life freely.”—Psalm 68:11; Rev’ elation 22:17. i

< \A • .-,S • / -- ■ Belfast ■.

. Belfast, chief commercial and manufacturing city of Ireland, and Irish linen center of the ' 'world, though built partly on the low banks ; of the river Lagan, is surrounded by beautiful . hills, which overlook the expansive arm of the / -sea 'called the Belfast Lough. Its population . is considerably more than half a million and - composed of a mixture of Protestants of the ’ '■ “Orangemen” order and Roman Catholics, vio

lently. opposed to each other. This antipathy, . which has had expression in throwing bombs ' - at political statues and burning. churches, at , - present’ is rather quiet because of the activity . bf the Royal Ulster Police; to whom are often delegated extraordinary power by the minister ’ of home affairs by virtue of the authority of the Emergency Powers Act. The people can . thus be regimented at will by a few men at the top. • ■

■ • , This gives a little background of the con-•vention of Jehovah’s witnesses there. RepreSentatives came from such towns of Irish name . as Coleraine, Cookstown, Enniskillen, Dublin - -.(Eire), Fivemiletown, Lisburn, Newtownards,

' King’s Hall, Belfast. 2,500 heard the lecture here.

Portadown, Portstewart, Poyntzpass, and Tempo, all joyously ready to advertise the King.. The Society booked the largest and best-appointed theater in the city for the public meeting, but permission had to be granted by the police to open the building on Sunday, and although the owner asked also, this “could not be acceded to”. Religious opposition was likely at the back of this, but the enemies should realize that they cannot successfully fight against the Lord; a day later the Society engaged the largest auditorium in North Ireland, the new and finely' constructed King’s Hall.

In the two weeks before the convention the band of witnesses spread 88,000 leaflet invitations tp hear “Face the Facts” ; 400 placards were, exhibited in shop windows or by householder's;'65 banners wefe put on hous'es and hoardings, including some displays as large as 27 feet long; 20 cinemas exhibited slides; while 25 “sandwich” parades were held through the principal streets of the city. Part of this work was done during Civic Week in Belfast, when crowds thronged the sidewalks. Besides this, advertisements were carried by the Belfast Telegraph (with circulation of 100,000), including many free news items. They advertised the immersion so well that many of the public attended and asked permission to witness the event. At the Belfast Waterworks pool 22 were immersed, among- whom were a clergyman’s wife and a former Dublin Catholic.

…