The Watchtower, June 15, 1917
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Vol. XXXVIII
BROOKLYN, N. Y., JUNE 15, 1917
No. 12
FAITH AND ITS REWARD
'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life."— Revelations 2:10.
At this momentous hour the truly consecrated this side the
\eil await the completion of the church, looking eagerly for
evidence as to the consummation of their hopes. All these
faithful ones fully realize that the church is now in a time
of crucial trial and testing. And many such are asking, "How
long will it be until the trials are ended, and we may see our
Lord face to face?" Some having a greater degree of imagination
than others state with positiveness that the completion
of the church in glory will be at a certain date, which they
proceed to set forth; and their opinion thus expressed is accepted
by some as absolute truth. Others, however, require
a greater degree of evidence, and confidently wait upon the
Lord to give the desired information in his own "due time."
What is the cause of this difference in the attitude of Christian
brethren seeing that all such are consecrated unto the
Lord? We answer that some of the dear friends have a
greater degree of faith or something like unto it than others,
and that we are now in a time of special trial of faith. In
this connection we are reminded of two texts; viz., "That the
trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, might be found
unto praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus
Christ"; and "according to your faith be it unto you." — 1
Peter 1:7; Matthew 9:29.
These texts suggest a testing of the faith of all Christians,
and imply that according to faith exercised will be the degrees
of reward. In order to appreciate the importance of this
test upon the church, it is necessary to mark the distinction
between credulity and faith. Some Christians have much
credulity and little faith, while others have little credulity and
much faith. From the foregoing texts and many others it is
evident that the faith of all must be tried, and that the trial
will be severe.
THE CHURCH NEARING THE HAVE* OF BEST
When a mariner is nearing what he believes to be the en*
trance of a haven and finds the fog so thick that he is unable
to tell definitely his location, he applies the mariner's test.
Carefully referring to his log, charts and compass, he determines
approximately his location, and then moves cautiously
on, keeping cool and sober, and watching with great carefulness
The evidence is strong and clear that the church is now
nearing the entrance to the haven of her eternal rest; but
having no positive knowledge as to the exact date, we might
properly say that the fog obscures our getting a clear view.
It is, therefore, a time for solemn and sober consideration.
While it' does not please the Lord to show us the exact day
of the church's complete glorification, we can confidently wait
upon him and joyfully sing:
"I know not what awaits me;
God kindly veils mine eyes;
And o'er each step of mine onward way
He makes new scenes to rise.
"One step I see before me —
'Tis all I need to Bee;
The light of heaven more brightly shines
When earth's illusions flee;
And sweetly through the silence comes
His loving ^Follow me.'"
Having referred to the divine Word and helps which the
Lord has provided and which constitute our log, chart and
compass, and having determined that we are on the right
course, then we are encouraged to move on with reasonable
speed. Relying upon the exceeding great and precious promises
of God's Word, the burden of the Christian beconjes
lighter, his journey easier, and joy fills his heart.
CREDULITY AND FAITH DISTINGUISHED
As we have said, some have mistaken credulity for faith.
What is the difference? Credulity is a disposition to believe
something upon slight or no legal evidence. It i3 a conclusion
reached oy relying upon opinion-evidence, upon supposed
proof, which does not come from an absolutely reliable source.
Faith is a positive or definite conclusion reached by relying
upon competent evidence, which comes from a reliable
and truthful source.
A small amount of information suffices for credulity; but
accurate knowledge is essential to faith. Credulity is usually
based upon the mere opinion of a finite mind. Faith results
from reliance upon the testimony of the infinite God.
Credulity has a poor foundation; faith has a sure foundation
. The stronger our faith, the greater is our ability to
withstand the storms which beat upon us and the fiery trials
through which we must pass.
PROGRESSIVE STEPS OF FAITH
A strong faith is not acquired instantaneously, but is a
matter of gradual growth. As a man of intelligence looks
about him, beholding the wonders of creation, he marks the
myriads of stars, the moon, the sun, alJ moving noiselessly
in their orbits without jar or disturbance, .Then he reasons,
"Surely there is a great First Cause, who created these countless
worlds and holds them in their places!" He beholds the
wonders of the earthly creation, apd observes man, the highest
of earth's creatures, "fearfully and wonderfully made."
The reverential mind, meditating upon the beauty and order
of nature, says: "If there is a great Creator should not
we expect to find that he has given us some revelation concerning
his purposes toward man?" He finds that the Bible
claims to be just such a revelation. A careful examination
reveals the fact that **holy men of old spake as they were
moved by the holy Spirit" of God — that the Bible came from
a reliable source, from Jehovah, through his spokesman —
and sets forth a plan so wonderful and so beautiful that
nothing short of the divine mind could have arranged it.
Believing it to be God's Word, given to man for his instruction
in righteousness, the reasoning mind who examines its
contents begins to have faith. As his knowledge of the W T ord
and his appreciation thereof increase, he finds that he has a
sure foundation upon which to build.
Defining faith the Apostle says: "Faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews
11:1) The word "substance" may be properly rendered,
standing under — understanding. The word 'evidence" means
proof. Then, analyzing the Apostle's words, we would say,
"Faith is the* understanding of things for which we hope, and
the proof of things which our natural eyes do not see."
What is the desire of all sane men ? We answer, To
live everlastingly in a state of happiness and peace. But do
mankind generally have a hope of such a life and such conditions
! They do not, for the reason that they have nothing
upon which to base that hope. What is the desire and hope
of the Christian? We answer, To have life everlasting on the
divine plane, associated forever with the King of kings, and
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serving to the glory of Jehovah in ruling the world for its
blessing and uplift. How could any imperfect being dare to
entertain such a hope? We answer. The basis of such hope
is faith in God's Word.
FAITH'S SORE FOUNDATION
Every intelligent man realizes that he is imperfect. Evolutionists
tell us that this imperfection is due to the fact that
we have not been progressing for a sufficient length of time;
that man was once of a much lower order, but that by processes
of evolution he is gradually rising and will some day
reach perfection. Whoever believes this has a vast amount
of credulity, but absolutely no faith; for there is no real evidence
that man has evolved from the lower creation. From
God's Word, we learn that human imperfection is the result
of Adam's disobedience to God's law; that mankind as descendants
of Adam have inherited the penalty of sin, death;
and that for this reason the whole human race is in a dying
condition. We further learn that God graciously provided
an atonement for this sin of Adam, through the death and
resurrection of his beloved Son ; that "Whosoever believeth
on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Believing
thpse statements, hope begins to spring up in our minds that
we may live, and this hope is based upon faith.
Faith has two component elements: first, an intellectual
understanding and appreciation of the Word of God; and
second, a confident reliance upon that Word, Both elements
are necessary to constitute a faith that is pleasing to God.
One might have an intellectual understanding of the Bible
and might appreciate it in a sense as the Word of God; but
unless he relied upon it he would have no faith. He could
not rely upon it, however, unless he had the knowledge.
Hence the necessity for both intellectual understanding and
confident reliance.
From the Bible we learn that to share with Jesus in his
glory one must deny himself, take up his cross and follow
the Master. He must become a footstep follower of Jesus.
(Matthew 16:24; 1 Peter 2:21) Having this knowledge, and
relying upon it, we make a full consecration to do the will of
God, before entering upon the course of following in the
footsteps of the Master.
NEW CREATURES NOW
Our consecration being accepted, we are begotten of the
holy Spirit and are now new creatures in Christ Jesus. How
do we know that we are new creatures! We know it because
of our faith in the exceeding great and precious promises
of God set forth in his Word, and through his manner
of dealing with us* "His Spirit beareth witness with our spirit
that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, if so be that
we suffer with him." (Romans 8:16, 17) He assures us
through his Word that we are begotten to a hope of life on
the highest plane. "If any man be in Christ he is a new
creature." — 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Having the witness that the Lord gives us, we may now
hope to live with Christ. (Colossians 3:3, 4) This hope is
not based upon works. Our justification did not come to us
through works. Jesus did all the work for us, and our justification
was the result of his merit imputed to us when we
fully surrendered ourselves to God, and he counted us righteous
by reason of this imputed merit of Jesus.
THE WORKS OF THE HEW CREATURE
But now, as new creatures, we must perform some works
before we can gain the crown of life. By these works we
must demonstrate that we have a real hope of life, that we
appreciate the prize of immortality set before us, and that
we are willing to give everything that we have for it. "Faith
without works is dead." (James 2:20) By our works we
prove our faith.
One enters a school to be trained in physical culture. His
teacher provides him with books of instruction, teaches him
how to understand these books and shows him what exercises
he must perform in order to develop physical strength. Suppose
the pupil sits quietly by and says, "Yes; I believe &H
that you say and all that the books say; and I approve of
what I see you do"; but he does no work. It is manifest that
he will not develop at all.
As new creatures in Christ we enter the school of Christ,
to be trained for the position of kings and priests for his
kingdom. If we really believe that so great a prize is set
before us, we will prove our faith by our works. God's Word
is our book of instruction, and Christ Jesus is our great
Teacher. If we would progress as new creatures we must
acquire a knowledge of the Word, confidently rely upon that
Word, and prove our reliance by doing what the Word tells
us to do. For this reason the Lord permits to come to us
various experiences. He is seeking for those who are willing
and anxious to have their faith developed. !He permits
discouragements, discomforts, trials and tribulations to come
to his children begotten to the divine nature, in order that
full faith may be developed and that they may grow up into
the full stature of men in Christ. It is therefore apparent
that the faith of such an one must be tried, and that according
to our faith shall the trial result unto us.
TIME OP SEVEREST TRIAL
Written aforetime for our learning are the words: *The
Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."
(Deuteronomy 13:3) Again, the Apostle Paul enjoins, "Examine
yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your
own selves. Know ye not your own selves how that t/esus
Christ is in you, except ye are without proof?" — 2 Cor. 13:5.
Is there any reason to believe that the trial would be
more severe at one period of the church's history than another
? We answer, Yes. It is clear that the crucial test
will be during the time of the presence of the Lord at his
second coming. In Daniel 12:10 the Prophet, speaking of
the time of the end, says: "Many shall be purified and made
white and tried." The purification comes by the washing of
the Word. They are made white by reason of the robe of
Christs righteousness; and then comes the trial. In Malachi
3:2, 3, the Prophet says, "Who may abide the day of his
coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he
is like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap; and he shall sit
as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the
sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver; that they
may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."
In 1 Corinthians 3:13 we read, "Every man's work shall
be made manifest, for the day shall declare it, because it shall
be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work
df what sort it is." As we have observed, works are built
upon faith; and it is manifest, therefore, that that which is
put to the crucial test is our faith, though the superstructure
of many will be "burned." The Apostle Peter corroborates
this, saying, "That the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by
fire, may be found unto praise and honor and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ." — 1 Peter 1:7.
HOW FAITH IS TRIED
There being two component elements of faith, as we have
observed, it follows that we shall be tried respecting both of
these; namely, our intellectual understanding and appreciation
of the Word of God, and our confident reliance upon that
Word. This trial fully tests our loyalty to God, and it Is reasonable
to conclude that this trial would be more severe near
the end of our journey than when we first believed. Even as it
would be impossible to destroy a house by fire before the
house was built, so it is impossible to try tne character of a
Christian built upon faith .until after that character is developed
. If we should become negligent in the study of God's
Word, the knowledge thereof would gradually slip away. If
we had that knowledge and failed to rely upon it, our faith
would grow weaker. If our faith is strong, our hope of
entering into the kingdom will be proportionately strong; and
if we have this good hope within us we will strive to know
the rules governing such entrance into the kingdom and seek
to conform ourselves to those rules. This we will do in proportion
as we have strength of faith. Every trial that comes
to a Christian is a trial of his faith; and in the results of
these trials his loyalty to the Lord is demonstrated.
ABIDING IN THE DOCTRINE
Jehovah, through Christ Jesus, has provided the spiritual
food for the household of faith. Concerning such the Apostle
Paul declares, "If any man teach otherwise and consent not
to wholesome words, even the words of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and to the doctrine which is according to holiness, he is
proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes
of words whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of
the truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw
thyself." — 1 Timothy 6:3-5.
Our Lord Jesus promised that during his second presence
he would gird himself and make his followers to sit down
to meat, and that he would come forth and serve them. (Luke
12:37) Furthermore, he promised that he would provide a
"faithful and wise servant," whom he would make ruler over
all his household, to give them meat in due season. (Matthew
24:45) The Scriptural proof is abundant that the Lord
is now present in his second advent, and has been present
for more than forty years; that he has during that time had
one faithful and wise servant, through whom he has provided
meat in due season for the household; that all who
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have a knowledge of present truth received it through this
channel and from no other source.
If the food upon the table provided by the Master through
his servant was essential to bring us to a knowledge of the
truth and establish us in the faith, then it is manifest that to
abide in the faith wo must adhere to that doctrine which was
taught us through his chosen channel. Any one departing
therefrom would prove his la-ck of faith in the Scriptural declaration
above quoted.
If the Berean Bible Studies have been needful for the
household to develop strength and faith in the Lord, they
are still necessary to maintain strength and faith in the Lord.
A departure therefrom would show lack of faith and would
mean a consequent loss of strength.
FMDE THE CHRISTIAN'S ENEMY
Pride is a great enemy of the new creature. It results
from a failure to have a proper appreciation of one's Belf. and
a proper appreciation of the Lord. If one who has been some
time in the narrow way, and has made progress in the knowledge
of the Lord's Word, should reach the point of believing
that the Lord really needs him, that his wisdom far exceeds
that of many others in the body, that without his aid it
would be difficult for the class to make progress, that his
ability to teach is such that it should have recognition — such
an one would be developing pride. This condition would show
that his faith was on trial, and that the trial was going against
him. The Scriptures declare, " Pride goeth before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall"; "God resisteth the proud,
but giveth grace to the humble." — Proverbs 16:18; 1 Peter 5:5.
If such an one knew that these admonitions were contained
in the Bible and did not rely upon them, this test of faith
would manifest his weakness. If he did not know they were
there, it would show a deficiency in the knowledge of the
Lord's Word, and therefore a lack of faith. He must see
tbat pride would lead to the destruction of the new creature,
and if his hope is strong of gaining the kingdom, he will
war against pride as a deadly enemy. How shall he do this?
The Apostle answers, "Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of .God, that he may exalt you in due time."
JUDGING THE BRETHREN
It is not an unusual thing to find some brother or sister
judging another by calling in question his motives. Such a
course demonstrates that the one who is judging another is
having his faith tested, and that the trial is resulting adversely
to his own interest; for the Scriptures advise, "Judge nothing
before the time." (1 Corinthians 4:5) "Who shall lay anything
to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justineth."
(Romans 8:33) We have no authority to appear as judges
against our brethren. There is only one Judge who has access
to Jehovah's court — the Great Master, who appears for us
and not against us. Appreciating this fact and relying upon
these Scriptures, one would refrain from judging another.
SELFISHNESS VS. LOVE
The natural tendency of man is selfish; he is inclined to
do many things from a motive of self-interest. When he becomes
a new creature in Christ he finds this natural tendency
warring against the new mind. If we find ourselves inclined
to yield to selfish desires and to have our own way, unmindful
of the rights and privileges of others ,we may know that
our faith is being severely tested; and according as we govern
ourselves shall we come forth from the fiery test. The antithesis
of selfishness is love, which is an unselfish desire to do
good to others. Selfishness is the fruit of the mind of the
flesh, while love is the fruit of the Spirit.
If we are not developing in love, then our faith is not increasing
. W 7 e base this conclusion upon the Word of the
Lord, which says: "Though I speak with the tongues of men
and of angels, and though I have the gift of prophecy and
unde/stand all mysteries; and though I have all knowledge,
and have faith sufficient to remove mountains; and though I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and give my body to
be burned, and have no love, it profiteth me nothing." (1
Corinthians 13:1-4) "And besides all these things, put on
love, which is the bond of completeness." (Coloasians 3:14,
Diaglott) Seeing that we must both know these Scriptures
and confidently rely upon them in order to have faith, then it
follows that our faith is weak or strong in proportion as we
know and confidently rely thereupon.
WOBBT VS. PEACE
Sometimes we are incl ined to worry, to become much
exercised about our business affairs or about the harvest
work or the manner in which it is being conducted by others;
etc. Worry drives away the peace of mind; and when we
find ourselves in this disturbed condition of mind we may
know that our faith is being tried; and in proportion as our
faith is strong shall we be able to overcome the disposition to
worry and to leave all in the Lord's hands. The opposite of
worry is peace, repose and tranquility. As proof that worn
indicates a trial of faith, we note the following: "Be careful
(over-anxious, unduly exercised) for nothing; but in even -
thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known unto God; and [as a result] the peacr
of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:6, 7.
If, after having done all that we can do, we have full confidence
in the promises of the Lord and rely thereupon, our
minds should be at rest; we should have a" rest of faith an
God. The Lord has given us many precious promises in lu
and fears undermine the faith of the Christian and cause hi*
hope to grow faint. At times the thought may arise in the
Christian's mind as to whether or not he belongs to the Lord
and whether or not the Lord loves him. He realizes that he
has been trying to serve the Lord, but, being displeased with
himself, he doubts that the Lord could be pleased with him.
INCENTIVES TO HOFBFTONESS
Because of the seeming delay in the establishment of Messiah
's kingdom, some have feared that "the door is shut" and
the opportunity for them to enter the kingdom forever closed.
All of this results from weakness of fiuth. The trial of faith
has come; the Lord is permitting us to be tested as to
whether or not we will rely fully upon him. Nowhere in
his Word has he told us the hour when we shall enter into
the kingdom. He has positively told us through the words
of the Apostle, however, "that of the times and seasons ye
have no need that I write unto you; for yourselves know
perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the
night; .... but ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that
day should overtake you as a thief." — 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4.
All about us we see the fulfillment of prophecy in that the
kingdoms of this earth are passing away ; and the Lord Jesu«
says to us, "When ye see these things begin to come to pass,
then look up, lift up your heads, for your deliverance draweth
nigh." (Luke 21:28) He has given us numerous promises
in his W 7 ord by which we can determine upon examination
whether or not we are his children. If we find that we
have the zeal which is peculiar to the house of the Lord
(Psalm 69:9); that we understand and appreciate the mystery
of God (Colossians 1:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 2:14, 9, 10;
Romans 8:16, 17) ; that we love the brethren (1 John 3:14) ;
that we have opportunities for service, which the Lord is still
permitting us to use (John 4:36) ; and that we are keeping
his commandments with a joyful heart — these, together with
the clear fulfillment of prophecy daily being manifested, should
make our faith strong, and all doubts and fears should vanish.
TWO COMMON BESETMENTS OF THE NEW OBEATUSE
It has been truly said that one/ of our most crucial tests
is patient endurance of the hardships, tribulations and trials
that daily come to the child of God. Upon examination how
do we find that we are receiving these trying experiences —
patiently or impatiently? If we are chafing under the trial,
murmuring under the hardships, or complaining that our lot
is harder than that of some one else; if we are discontented,
it means that our faith is on trial and that we are failing
under the test. On the other hand, if these hardships and
trials are calmly received and are permitted to work out in
us a sweet and submissive disposition, with the realization
that they are all being permitted by the Lord for our good,
then our faith is increasing and the trial is resulting beneficially
to us. If we have in mind the precious words of the
Master and the Apostles and are relying upon these words,
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then we must have faith. It was our Lord Jed as who said,
"Jn your patience possess ye your souK" In harmony with
this, the Apostle Paul writes: "Cast not away your confidence
, which hath great recompense of reward; for ye have
need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye
might receive the promise."
In tears some of the Lord's deaT children are fighting the
good fight of faith, often expressing disappointments because
of their own fleshly weaknesses; many times having failures,
until despair overtakes them and they are inclined to say,
"What is the use of my trying further? 1 might as well give
up the fight.' 1 Here again" is a severe test to their faith; for
the words of the Lord spoken to St. Paul apply to each of
iid, "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made
perfect in weakness."- — 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Again, many of the consecrated have spent practically all
their earthly substance; their homes and lands are gone, and
family responsibilities still devolve upon them; they had hoped
that ere this they would need no earthly substance; they become
fearful for the future and almost reach the point of
despair. This is a severe test of faith; but God's Word gives
full assurance to his children through our Lord and the
Apostles, saying, "Be content with such things a3 ye have;
for .... I 'will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews
13:5); "Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for
you" {1 Peter 5:7); "He that endureth unto the end, the
name shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13) ; "Let us not be weary
in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not" (Galatians 6:9) ; "Hold that fast which thou hast, that
no man take thy crown." — Revelation 3:11.
FIERY TESTS UPON GOD'S PEOPLE
As thpse tests grow in severity we can understand why
the Apostle said that the trial of our faith is a fiery one. The
fires are now burning; and everyone that is being hurt by the
fire has something of the mind of the flesh — the dross which
the Lord desires to be burned away, that the character of the
new creature may stand fully approved before him. This
trial is precious in his sight; for he desires to see his children
win the victory.
Viewing ourselves in the light of God's Word, we see that
it is impossible for us to live perfect lives. We cannot be perfect
, in the absolute sense, in the expression of love, perfect
in loving actions towards others. Nor can our words or even
our thoughts be perfect. But we can have a perfect purpose
and a perfect faith. The true sentiment of our heart should
find expression in the words of the Prophet Job: "Though
lie slay me, yet will I trust in him." (Job 13:15) This is
the kind of faith we desire; this is the faith that is pleasing
to the Lord.
"Oh, for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe;
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!"
We observe, then, from these examples, that all the trials that
tome to the Christian test his knowledge and appreciation of
God and his confident reliance upon God, and are therefore
tests of his faith,
PRECIOUS IN GOD'S SIGHT
Why is this trial of faith spoken of as being more precious
than gold? It is because gold and silver cannot purchase such
faith. God has been developing this new creation for many
centuries. He foreordained it long before the beginning of
its development. These sons are precious in his sight; for
they will be recipients of his choicest blessings. The church
is the bride of Christ. The Bridegroom has watched her for
nearly nineteen centuries as she has journeyed through "the
valley of the shadow of death," undergoing many trials and
hardships and much suffering, all. of which have been designed
to develop a faith that is pleasing to the Father.
The trial of this faith is very precious in his sight. It is
precious in the sight of the intelligent hosts of heaven who
have remained in harmony with God, These have beheld the
development of those Christians who have had promise of
being exalted, if faithful, to a high position with the Lord in
glory, and they have ministered to this end. It is precious to
those who are running for the prize and that faith if held
firmly will result in the greatest riches that God has at
his disposal for any of his creatures. For this cause it is a
wonderful privilege to undergo the trial of faith.
HOW SCAT FAITH BE INCREASED?
How, then, shall we be able to hold on to these precious
things with which God has provided us? Let us always keep
t>efore our minds the foundation of our faith — God's Word.
It was necessary to acquire a knowledge of that Word before
we could have faith. Manifestly, then, it follows that if our
faith is to be increased and kept strong we must constantly
feed our minds upon the Word and confidently rely upon its
precious promises. Nothing could give us greater strength
than to go often to that Word, and find it reassuring us of
the interest which the Lord manifests in our behalf. When
depressed, when undergoing a trial, let us go to the Bible
and the helps which have been divinely provided to understand
that Bible, and fill our minds therewith and rely upon
their statements and then mark the joy that will fill our heart.
Music tends to soothe the passions and fears of earthly
creatures. Jesus has likened the Word of God to a harp
strung for harmonious inu*>it\ {Revelation 15:2, tf) That
Harp of God is perfectly attuned — the Law and the Prophets,
the Gospels and Epistles constitute its many strings, ^y
God's grace we are able to use that harp and produce harmony
. The Spirit of the Lord is jn its strings; and when
these are swept by the fingers of one who is devoted to the
Lord and who searches for his truth and relies thereupon,
it yields the sweetest music that ever fell on mortal ear. Praise
God, then, for this wonderful melody that enables U3 to sing
and to appreciate the "Song of Moses and the Lamb"!
Those who have brushed away the cobwebs of the dark
ages, who have gained the victory over the beast and it3
image, who have destroyed credulity and established a sound
faith, by permitting the glorious truth of God's Word to
shine daily into their hearts, are now, amidst the great confusion
of the nations of earth, standing, as it were, upon "a
sea of glass," and beholding the melting of the elements; and
they are striking their harps in unison in one grand anthem
to the praise of the present Bridegroom, and are confidently
and trustfully waiting until their full union with him is consummated
in the first resurrection.
WHEN SHALL OTJB GLORIFICATION COME7
How long shall we continue to fight this good fight ot
faith? When may we expect to end the journey and enter into
the glory of the Lord? By reading the 11th chapter of Hebrews
we draw the conclusion as to how long. St. Paul there
set forth a long list of faithful ones whom God approved.
Be it noted that each, of these died faithful. God's Word
abounds with promises of reward to the faithful overcomer.
To tho^e ancient worthies were given good promise?; but
to the Christian arc given "Exceeding great and precious
promises." The ancient worthies had to die in faith and
wait for the coming of tneir reward. All faithful Christians
now living will receive their reward at the death of their
humanity. Therefore Jesus promised, "Be thou faithful unto
death, and I will give thee the crown of life." Our faithfulness
and loyalty must continue until the end in order to
receive the glorious reward. Mark, the text says, "until death,"
which means that each one who has entered into a covenant
with the Lord by sacrifice must be faithful and loyal to his
part of the covenant, or contract, until his sacrifice is fully
consumed in the complete death of the human being. It means
constant holding fast the beginning of our confidence and rejoicing
even unto the end.
THE NATUKE OF THE ItEWABD
Since Jesus has promised that all who continue faithful
unto death shall reiceive the crown of life, this means lifton
the very highest plane — the divine nature, like unto our
glorious Lord and Master. But St. Paul points out that there
will be different degrees of glory even in the kingdom — "as
star differeth from star in glory." (1 Corinthians 15:41)
The Master in the parable of the pounds holds forth the
same thought. (Luke 19:17-19) The degree of faithfulness
will mark the degree of shining forth in the kingdom. "According
to your faith be it unto you."
Those who have been faithful in all that has been committed
to them — faithful in the performance of their covenant.
faithful to God, faithful to his Word, faithful to the brethren,
faithful in the performance of the little things — if they permit
all the trials that come to them to properly exercise them concerning
God's will, such will be more like the Lord and nearer
to him in the kingdom. It is not the one who is most
favored this side the veil with service or honors or plaudits,
but the one who grows most in the likeness of the Master,
who will shine the brightest in his kingdom.
The evidence is clear, cogent and convincing that the
kingdom of the Lord i3 near at hand. Believing this to be
true, let us do that which will bring us the approval of the
Lord, that we may have an abundant entrance therein. If
there is anything we are not doing that will help us on this
way to glory, let us do it now. If we are striving to enter in.
putting forth our best efforts, then may we at the close of each
day be able to say with St. Paul, 'T have fought a good
fight, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for
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THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn, N. Y.
me a. crown ox righteousness, v>luch the Lord, the righteous
Judge, will give to me at that day, and not to me only, but
unto all them who love his appearing."
Surely we have not fought a losing fight' if we have been
fighting faithfully! Ours has been a good fight, even though
we have been ever so weak in ourselves and unable to meet
the onslaughts of our enemies. No matter what the trials
may he surrounding us — the mists may be thick, the storms
raging and the billows roaring with great fierceness— now
is the time for us to heed the words of the Apostle and to
"gird up the loins of our mind and be sober and hope to the
end." {1 Peter 1:13) A little while and the fight, will be
over and our journey ended; a little while and we shall see
our glorious Bridegroom face to face; and then, when we
have proven our loyalty to the last and our faith has successfully
withstood the fiery trials, the result will be to the
praise and honor and glory of him who bought us with his
own precious blood.
"Beyond the river's brink we'll lay
The cross that here is given,
And bear the crown of life away
And praise the King of heaven."
THE PURPOSE OF JOHN'S GOSPEL
[This article was a reprint of that entitled "Lovest Thou Me More Than These?' ' published in issue of June 1, 1908, which please
see.]
"Haste thou on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer
Heaven's eternal day before thee,
God's own hand shall guide thee there.
"Soon shall close thine earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days;
Hope shall change to' glad fruition,
Faith to sight and prayer to praise."
ISAIAH'S CALL TO HEROIC SERVICE
[This article was a reprint of that entitled "The Prophet Isaiah's Vision, " published in issue of October 15, 189S, which please
see.]
*HE CARETH FOR THEE'
"No anxious thought upon thy brow
The watching world should see;
No carefulness! O child of God,
For nothing care- full be!
But cast thou all thy care on him
Who always cares for thee.
"It is thy Word, it is thy will —
That is enough for me!
Henceforth no care shall dim my trust,
For all is cast on thee;
Henceforth my inmost heart shall praise
The grace that set me free.
"I want to praise, with life renewed,
As I never praised before;
With voice and pen, with song and speech,
To praise thee more and more,
And the gladness and the gratitude
Rejoicingly outpour!"
AHAZ, THE FAITHLESS KING
jult 8. — II Chronicles 2S.
AHAZ BEGINS HIS REIGN — HB REIGNS IN JERUSALEM FOE SIXTEEN YEARS — HE DOES EVIL IN THE LORD 'S SIGHT — THEREFORE SMITTEN
BY SYRIA AND ISRAEL — ALSO BY EDOMITES AND PHILISTINES — JUDAH BROUGHT LOW — ALLIANCE WITH ASSYRIA — AHAZ DISTRESSED,
INCREASES TRANSGRESSION — RUINED— BURIED IN DISGRACE — OUR LESSON — HOW TO DISPLEASE THE LORD — THE RESULT? — HOW TO
PLEASE THE LORD— THE RESULT— GOD *S OVER-RULING PROVIDENCE — SUN-DIAL OF AHAZ AN ILLUSTRATION.
" Without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him." — Hebrews 11: ft
God of his father David, nor seek to do his will, as was maniSaul
, the first king over Israel, reigned 40 years in Jerusalem
. He was succeeded by David, who also reigned
40 years, seven in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem.
Solomon succeeded in Jerusalem. Then came the division of
Israel into two parts. Because of Rehoboam's harsh answer
to the children of Israel the ten tribes revolted and chose
Jeroboam for their king, who reigned at Samaria. Rehobgam,
as king of Judah, reigned at Jerusalem. This division continued
until both kingdoms were taken into captivity. David's
line continued through or in Judah, the eleventh king from
Rehoboam being Ahaz, who reigned in Jerusalem 16 years
and was succeeded by his son, the good King Hezekiah.
THE FAITHLESS KINO
The name Ahaz means possessor or grasper. It is quite
evident from our lesson today that Ahaz was a self-server.
It was not necessary for him to do anything to become king,
for the reason that he was of the royal line of David and
succeeded to the throne at the death of his father Jotham.
But while the record does not indicate any action on his part
to achieve this object, yet the quality of covetousness was
there, as evidenced by what he did after he came into office.
Covetousness. is idolatry — the idolatry of self. It is the opposite
of faith in God and his plans, which makes God and
his will first.
Ahaz was quite young when his father died — only twenty
— consequently his covetous disposition had not had time to
ripen into unlawful acts to attain his desires. However, the
sixteen years during which he was in office were sufficient to
manifest that his name was not a misnomer. He was a
grasper— a possessor — and a holder of what he possessed at
all odds. At no time did he ever display any real faith in the
fested in the life and the work of the sweet singer of Israel.
Read 2 Kings 16.
AHAZ' 3 ACCESSION TO THE THRONE
The country of the two-tribe kingdom was prosperous and
conditions were favorable for a glorious reign. His grandfather
, the good King Uzziah, had reigned well for fifty- two
years — ruling in the fear of God, although near the close of
his life he made a sad blunder — that of failing to observe
the proper limitations of his kingly office. Over-stepping for
a moment into the priestly office, he burned incense unto the
Lord, for which he was smitten with leprosy in the forehead,
indicating a leprosy of the mind, resulting from a single act
of exceeding his authority. Otherwise, however, he was a
wise, prosperous, God-fearing ruler. He had subdued Edom
on the south and Philistia on the west, and had done much
for the kingdom inwardly. He had taken Elath on the northern
shore of the gulf of Akaba— -an arm of the Red sea — and
had populated it with Jews.
King Uzziah was succeeded by his son Jotham, who did
what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord. Therefore the
land was prosperous for another sixteen years — making a period
of about 70 years of prosperity — when Ahaz, the grasper,
came into power. It is true, Rezin and Pekah were assuming
a threatening attitude; nevertheless the kingdom of Judah
was in a good and prosperous condition, so that there was
nothing to fear, providing that the nation would walk in the
way of David. But, alas, while Alias; had ascended to the
throne of Judah, he had not enthroned God as the ruler of
his heart! Trouble was therefore ahead, and a great opportunity
for doing good was missed. How often is this the case
among both rich and poor, high and low, saint and sinner!
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Juw* IS, 1917
THE WATCH TOWER
(187-188)
CHARACTERISTICS OF HIS REIGN
Faith is a tender plant and cannot thrive in an idolatrous,
selfish heart. The experience of his predecessors should have
led him to have faith in God, but the cruel king of selfishness
strangled the promptings to trust in and obey the God of his
fathers* Unbelief is a plant that finds congenial soil in such
a heart, and when the dictates of unbelief are obeyed, it inevitably
leads rapidly down tho broad way. Such was the
case with this faithless king of Judah, Ahaz.
"He did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord
like David his father." (V. 1) Faith is the eye of the soul
and enables one to walk before the Lord with the thought,
"Thou, God, seeest me." But unbelief is blind and darkens the
soul by saying, "God has forsaken us; he cares not for us,
neither does he sec u 6 *."
"He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel," (V. 2)
The kings of Israel, beginning with Jeroboam at Samaria,
had a rebellious spirit. Instead of walking according to the
words of God, as spoken by the Prophet Isaiah, the seventh
to the twelfth chapters of whose prophecy were given to
guide and encourage King Ahaz, he walked in the ways of
his own worldly wisdom. Thus he walked contrary to the
Lord, as did the kings of the ten tribes. The Lord was represented
by David and those in harmony with him. When
therefore Ahaz failed to follow the example and advice of
David and went the way that he chose, he thereby rebelled
against the Lord, as did the kings of Israel.
This led him to follow the ways of the more idolatrous
nations surrounding Israel and Judah. There was a valley to
the south and east of Jerusalem called "the Valley of the
Son of Hinnom"; and this valley wa3 so given over to heathen
practices and idolatrous worship that in time it became a
place of abomination. It was used later on as a place of fire
into which dead animaU, refuse from the city, and, at times
the bodies of dead criminals, were cast. Consequently, it was
used by New Testament writers to illustrate hell-fire (Gehenna
), the second death, "everlasting destruction," under
the symbolic term, "the lake of fire with brimstone." This
faithless king was therefore typically pointing out by his
example the way into the second death, by sinning against
light — against the holy Spirit.
He even had molten images of Baalim made and set up
in Judah. Baal was the supreme male deity of the Phoenicians
and Canaanites. The name Baal means lord, in the
sense of possessor, so that the position ascribed to this god
by the idolators of that time, among the gods — that is, demons,
fallen spirits — was the same spirit that Ahaz had, as supreme
ruler in Judah. A true worshipper of Jehovah has the spirit
of Jehovah, the same as a true Christian has the spirit of
Christ — the spirit of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, etc., as
contrasted with the spirit of the adversary, which prevails
in the world — the spirit of malice, hatred, war, murder, etc.
Even worse, King Ahaz "burnt his children in the fire,
after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had
cast out before the children of Israel/' (V. 3) So an early
evangelist in this country used the expression, "There are
thousands of children a span long in hell," which is the
modern way of burning little children in the fire unto the god
Satan. It was the king's unbelief which caused him to set
such a terrible example before the people of Judah, and which
caused them to do many things that were an abomination in
the sight of the Lord.
THE RESULT 07 HIS FAITHLESSNESS
Because of his rebelliousness, God delivered him, (1) to
Rezin, the king of Syria. Rezin reigned over Syria at Damascus
; and because of the unfaithfulness of King Ahaz God
permitted the Syrians to carry a great multitude of the people
of Judah captive to Damascus. In a similar manner, disloyalty
to Christ leads his followers to be taken captive by
the world, the flesh and the adversary.
Again, because of King Ahaz's rebelliousness, God delivered
him (2) to Pekah, king of Israel. Pekah reigned at
Samaria, and came with Rezin against Ahaz. In one day
their combined armies Blew 120,000 valiant men of Judah,
because they had forsaken the Lord. Among the slain were
the one next to the king, the governor of his house and his
own son. Besides this, 200,000 men, women and children
with much spoil were taken to Samaria. What terrible results
follow the path of unbelief, faithlessness, rebelliousness,
disloyalty! It is far better to follow the Lord.
BEEPER TRANSGRESSION OK THE PABT OF THE KOTO
Not having Jehovah as his friend and helper, therefore in
his time of greatest need, he leaned on an arm of flesh, in the
person of Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria, with whom he
made an alliance, He made thr «amo mistake that manv of
the kings and rulers of the earth are making today. In their
hour of need, they are allying themselves one with another,
instead of looking to God and his Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord
and King. Ahaz, not having profited by the chastisements
which Jehovah had sent him through Syria and Israel, was
further punished through the Edomites and Philistines.
Having been smitten in the north and the east, he was next
smitten in the south and the west. Thus from every quarter
Jehovah would teach him the foolishness and wickedness of
rebellion and unbelief.
But instead of growing better and profiting by these increased
judgments, King Ahaz even took money from the
city treasury, and also consecrated money from the Temple,
and gave it to the Assyrian king as his paTt of this unholy
alliance. Any highly favored country that will take both the
people's money and the money that should be devoted to God
in the way of Christian service, and will use it to seal an alliance
with nations that have forsaken the Lord, must, like
Ahaz, be plunged into a great time of trouble! Ahaz went so
far as to close the Lord's house, and to sacrifice to the
heathen god3 on the altar at Damascus. In fact, there was
nothing too extreme for him to do to further his own selfish
ends and promote his unholy purposes.
OBEATEB CONSEQUENCES OF HIS DISLOYAL COURSE
Since the kings of Judah were representatives of Jehovah,
it is no wonder that our lesson tells us that the Lord was
angered with King Ahaz. Judah was consequently brought
low, financially, politically and religiously, so much so that
the Scriptures say it became naked. Thus we see Ahaz
ruined the country over which he reigned, reduced the people
to great straits, caused many thousands to be slain, and many
more to be taken captive. Moreover, by his course of unbelief
and faithlessness, he ruined his own family as well as
himself. Finally he was buried in Jerusalem in disgrace,
LESSONS FOB OUB DAY
The course of unbelief is ever downward, leading one
further and further away from God and from Christ. Its influence
is bad, not only upon ourselves, but upon our own loved
ones in our homes, and upon our companions and friends.
"If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established!"
Faith in God leads upward. The first step in turning
away from sin to faith in Christ is an upward one and leads
towards peace. Faith in him as the ransom-3acrifice brings
one out of the condition of condemnation to a condition of
peace with respect to sin. Progress in the life of faith leads
one to put away defilements of the flesh and of the spirit.
It will further lead to a consecrated life, a justified life, a
spirit-begotten life when one becomes a new creature in
Christ. It will lead one to put on Christ more and more
and to grow up in him as the Head of all things. This course
will terminate in heavenly glory. "Be thou faithful unto
death; and I will give thee the crown of life."
King Ahaz was moved like the trees of the wood, through
the blowing of the winds of the confederacy of Syria and
Israel against him; still he refused to believe the word of
safety spoken to him by the Lord through the Prophet Isaiah;
nor would he ask the Lord for a sign for professedly religious
reasons; yet the Lord overruled all this unbelief and
self-will, and used it to give the church two important truths:
( 1 ) The Lord gave the sign of the virgin with child in
the form of a prophecy, which has greatly assisted the eye of
faith to identify Jesus as the Messiah.
(2) The inclination of King Ahaz to make friends with
Damascus and Samaria and to ally himself with Assyria
through unbelief in the promises of Jehovah became the
means whereby the Prophet Isaiah lias pointed out to the
church of the present time that it should not join the Confederacy
of the churches in close alliance with the Governments
of the world, but rather to remain loyal to Christ as
the only Head of the church and the one King over all kings.
believing his promise that "if we suffer (.with Mm] we shall
also reign with him." The federated churches of America
and the world are closely allied with the governments of
earth and constitute the greatest power of the present time.
Consequently they will win the allegiance of any and all except
"the very elect," who refuse to bow the knee to Baal,
and receive not "the mark of the, beast," because they will
-worship God only and prize above all things the "sealing of
the saint3 in their foreheads."
SUN-DIAL OF AHAZ— AN ILLUSTRATION— ISAIAH 38:8
The sun shining upon the face of the dial indicates the
time of the day by means of the shadow cast. The sun now
shines upon the pages of Holy Writ, and by means of certain
marked-off periods, indicates to an illuminated mind the, time
of the day — "the great day of God Almighty" — in which we
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T HE WA T C H T O W E R
Brooklyn, N. Y.
now live. This 13 one of the great blessings which the eye
of faith now brings to the consecrated children of God and
which enables them to walk in the light of the presence of
God's dear Son. Shortly The Christ — Head and body— will
arise as the Sun, with healing in his beams for the blessing
of the troubled nations of earth. The times of the Gentiles
have closed. The kings of earth have had their day; and
soon Immanuel will take possession and bring peace and gladness
everywhere. "The night is far spent; the day is at hand.'*
After the war, which, according to present signs and "the
sure word of prophecy," will be followed by revolution and
anarchy, the Prince of Peace, now present but unseen, will
take possession of earth's affairs, and then the prayer, "Thy
kingdom come," shall be answered.
"The 'Gentile times' are closing, for their kings have had
their day;
And with them sin and sorrow will forever pass away;
For the tribe of Judah's Lion now comes to hold the sway;
Our Kixg is Marching On!"
BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC— JUNE 3
The first public meeting held in Brooklyn under the
auspices of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society since
the death of our dear Pastor, was the afternoon of Sunday,
June 3, in the Academy of Music, in which Brother Russell
spoke once a month prior to the completion of the Temple in
New York City. Brother Russell always spoke to large
audiences in the Academy, and many have been the requests
for another series of discourses there. The meeting proved
to be such a success that at its conclusion announcement was
made for another discourse the following Sunday. The
auditorium was crowded to the roof, about 2,500 being present
Excellent attention was given throughout the discourse, and
many favorable expressions were heard among outsiders respecting
the beautiful tribute paid to the man who for 40
years stood as a beacon light proclaiming a time of trouble
at this time, preparatory to the inauguration of Messiah's
Millennial kingdom for the blessing of all mankind. Practically
all the Brooklyn newspapers, including The Brooklyn
Daily Eagle^ spoke favorably of the service. Following is
one of the published reports:
*\J. F. Rutherford, addressing an audience which crowded
the Academy of Music yesterday afternoon, arraigned Billy
Sunday with having appropriated to his own use Pastor Russell
's published views on the second coming of Christ. The
speaker charged the evangelist with preaching questionable
theology, declaring it wholly inconsistent.
"'Are we at the End of the World? 1 was the subject of
Mr. Rutherford's address This was his first public appearance
in Brooklyn since the death of Pastor Russell.
** 'Criticism of a man is hardly the proper course for a
Christian,* he said, 'but criticism of a man's teachings is always
proper. A man who addresses the heavenly Father and
our Redeemer in familiar terms, silch as Old Pal, is irreverent
toward God and the Lord Jesus. Such conduct and such
word3 lead to irreverence on the part of the people.'
"The present world- war, the threatening famine and pestilence
, the fomenting revolution in various parts of the world,
all are evidences of the passing away of the present un
righteous order."
"To follow where an unseen Captain leads,
To heed commands unheard by mortal ear,
To battle with a known, yet unseen foe —
Ah! This is faith.
'To choose the right when others think you wrong,
To stand for Truth while Error laughs in scorn,
To tread the lonely way unto the end — ■
Yes! This takes faith.
FAITH
l *To wear a smile where you receive but frowns,
To kiss the hand that wounds your poor heart so,
And pray for those who fain your life would take —
Ah! This is faith.
"To fix your eyes on 'that within the veil/
Your heart's devotion set on things above,
To wait with patience till God calls you home —
Faith's victory won!"
SOME LETTERS OF INTEREST
STJFTEBING FOB RI0HTEOttSHBSS' SAKE
Dear Bbethben: —
You will perhaps know that the address which I give you
is actually another name for the famous Prison. There
are about 900 Conscientious Objectors here, mostly working
on the land. At present there are nearly 70 of our brothers;
and we have very helpful times together, both at work
and in fellowship at our studies. We have elected elders
and deacons, and have a series of meetings, just like an
ordinary ecclesia. It is a remarkable fact that quite a large
number of the brothers have served the Lord in their local
classes in the capacity of elders and deacons.
You may be sure that the Lord's blessing is with us, in
spite of certain restrictions of onr liberty, in that we are
mostly hundreds of miles away from our loved ones and allowed
to visit home only twice a year, We are fed, clothed,
and paid 4/s per week. However, we who realize the Lord's
guiding hand in all of our affairs are quite content and glad
to submit to these things for conscience' sake. At present
the local and the London papers are making violent attacks
upon us, in many instances misrepresenting our position, probably
to further prejudice public opinion against us, which is
already very bitter. Fellows who have ventured to enter
nearby towns have been mobbed and attacked several times,
and others have had narrow escapes from being "ducked" in
a river, etc. There is no clear distinction at present between
the truth Friends and other C. O.'s who have received service
here for a variety of reasons, many merely socialistic
and anarchistic. But when the Lord's due time comes for
us to suffer especially for the truth's sake, then and not before
, the dividing line will be manifest.
You will perhaps like to know a little about one's experience
in prison. As this letter will be censored, I cannot tell
you all details. It will suffice to say that having the truth
makes all the difference in the world. By the inspiration, by
the 'spirit of power" which the truth gives, one is enabled
to bear patiently and unmurmuringly things which are much
harder for others to bear, and which often have the effect of
making them bitter and anarchistic. We, however, who have
learned to trust in the precious promises, we who cast our
burden on the Lord, can rejoice in our privilege of suffering
a little for his dear name's sake, and can indeed be content.
We seek contentment, and have it, by his favor. The prison
diet weakens one physically, of course; but an outdoor openair
life is healthful; and one can thus pull up his strength
when he leaves prison and comes here or wherever the home
office sends him.
One of the greatest blessings obtained from these recent
trials is the privilege of having a fair amount of quiet for
prayer, meditation and study; and the London office has
placed the volumes in the prison library now. I had such
a delightful feast on Vol. V and VI, and continually lifted
up my heart for all God's blessings. Truly, our dear heavenly
Father is never limited in his ability to cause all things 10
work together for our good, as long as we love him su
premely, which is ever the desire of our hearts! So we can
all say, "Bless the Lord, my soul; and all that is within me.
bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, my sou., and forget
not all his benefits."— Psalm 103:1, 2.
It is such a privilege to be permitted to suffer a little for
his dear name's sake, and to prove his faithfulness all the
way along. Surely we can trust hhn firmly to the end, ever
trusting, not in self, but in the Lord! As far as the brothers
of military age are concerned, harvest work seems to be at a
standstill, and our chief lesson seems to be to learn to love
one another. The final polishing is the test of whether or not
we truly love the brethren. Fellowship is very sweet ; and
we can live above the various circumstances of life which nmj
be unpleasant to us.
Ever your loving brother, by his grace,
Stanley W. Willis, — Bug.
CLAD IK THE BLOOM OF IMMOETAL GLOEY
Dear Brethren: —
Greetings from the church at Dublin, Ireland! We desire
to convey to the members of the Bethel Family at Brooklyn
our sincerest Christian love. We deeply sympathize with you
in the great loss you have sustained, as a result of our dear
Pastor's death.
[6104]
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THE WATCH TOWER
(189 190)
We rejoice to realize that his sufferings are all over, and
that he is now a partaker of the divine nature — the highest
spirit nature in the universe. He now knows in the very
fullest sense of the word all that it means to be "made like
him," the dazzling brilliance of whose glory outshone the
sun in its meridian splendor.
How supremely happy he is now is beyond our power to
comprehend) He has long ere this come into direct personal
contact with the Lord Jesus and all the apostles, besides an
innumerable company of the glorified saints.
What a sublime experience it must have been for our
dear Pastor when he entered the presence of our Lord clad
in the bloom of immortal youth! What a noble example our
dear brother left us! He was surely a pattern worthy of
imitation! He was truly the greatest man of our day — great
not merely mentally, but also morally and spiritually!
May it be our great joy to soon meet him again, under
grander and far happier conditions, at the supremely grandest
of all gatherings — the general assembly of the church of the
first-borns, whose names are written in heaven!
With warmest Christian love, and assuring you of our
loyal support, we are
Yours in the Master's service,
Dublin Church. — Ireland.
FBOM OLD-TIME FRIEND OF BROTHER RUSSELX
Dear Friends: —
I read the newspaper story of Mr. Russell's death. I had
known him forty years, and had followed his most remarkable
career with esteem and affection. I had seen him but twice
in many years, but I have a keen recollection of our cordial
relations in the long ago. I would like to know more of his
recent years and about his most lamentable departure. He
seems to have died on the battle line. The newspaper accounts
were all too brief for such a life as his.
Perhaps you have some more complete account that you
can give me. A memoir of him should be an inspiration to
those, of whom there must be many, who desire anxiously to
know the truth as to our Father's purposes toward his children
. I had been feeling my way, more or less blindly, through
…