The Watchtower, November 1, 1917
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Vol. XXXVIII
BROOKLYN, N. Y., NOVEMBER 1, 1917
No. 21
A TRIBUTE TO THE SEVENTH MESSENGER
"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand ... the seven stars are the angels [messengers] of the
seven churches." — Rev. 1:20.
Since the days of the Apostles of Jesus no man on earth
has held a dearer place in the hearts of consecrated Christians
than has PASTOR CHARLES T. RUSSELL. He was
known the world around, and loved most by those who knew
him best. For thirty-six years he -was the sole editor of The
Watch Tower. It seems fitting, therefore, that we should in
these columns at this time take notice of the first anniversary
of his glorification, which occurred on the last day of October
, 1916.
Pastor Russell was a great man. This fact is more fully
recognized today than it was a year ago. Appreciation of
him by the people will necessarily increase as they come
to a fuller realization of the position he occupied as a servant
of the Lord. Some men are born great, while others attain
greatness by reason of their faithfulness to duty. Pastor
Russell was a great man from both of these viewpoints. The
Scriptures indicate that he was chosen of the Lord from his
birth. His mother was a consecrated Christian. She taught
her son in the way of the Lord, and he early gave evidence of
his loving devotion to the great Master.
God used the Prophet Ezekiel to foretell the events that
were to come to pass upon Christendom. He used Pastor
Russell as an antitype of Ezekiel to make clear to Bible students
the real meaning of these events as they came to pass.
The great Master, speaking to the church through John the
Revelator, foretold that the church would be developed during
a time of stress, and that the entire Gospel age would be divided
into seven distinct epochs or periods of time. He also
clearly indicated that each of these periods or epochs of lime
would be blessed by a special messenger representing him.
The great drama of the Gospel age opened with the Apostle
Paul as the chief messenger, or angel, to the church. It
closes with Pastor Russell as the seventh, and last, messenger
to the church militant. For the other ^ve epochs*of> the
church the Lord provided messengers in the order named: St.
John, Arius, Waldo, Wycliffe and Luther. Each in his turn
bore the message due to be understood during the epoch he
represented. The two most prominent messengers, however,
are the first and last — St. Paul'and Pastor Russell.
4 'THAT WISE AND FAITHFUL SERVANT"
The Lord Jesus, in his great prophetic statement in Matthew
24:45-47, made known the fact that at the end of the
age he would be present and would have a special servant
whom he would "make ruler over all his house to give meat
in due season to the household." For many years Christian
people of all denominations have been looking for the manifestation
of that promised servant. For several years some
have recognized, and now many more are recognizing, that
Pastor Russell is that servant. Forty ^years ago he noted that
the Scriptures held forth the undoubted testimony that the
age would end with a great time of trouble, which would begin
with international war; that the war would he followed
by revolution j and that revolution would in turn be followed
by anarchy, which would wreck all the ecclesiastical and civil
institutions of the world, and thus make way for the establishment
of Messiah's kingdom of righteousness, for which
Christians have long hoped and prayed. He proved by Bible
chronology the presence of the Lord from 1874 on, and demonstrated
that 1914 would mark the end of the Gentile period and
the beginning of the great international conflict. Time and
events have proven the correctness of his deductions from
the Scriptures, showing he possessed heavenly wisdom.
Contrary to the rule of ecclesiasticism, Pastor % Russell
never lifted a collection. He spent his own private fortune
in making known the "glad tidings." His writings and publications
have reached a larger circulation than those of any
man or class of men on earth, the Bible alone excepted. He
long ago showed from the Scriptures that there would be a
federation of churches nominal and a departure by them from
the "faith once delivered to the saints," and that the true
saints would be gathered together into the garner of the Lord.
All of these things are practically accomplished facts, all of
which testify that Pastor Russell is the servant promised to
the church in the closing days of its earthly pilgrimage. Many
are perceiving more and more each day that he was chosen of
the Lord to perform a great work.
HIS OBDINATION
There are two ordinations of the servants of God, One is
the divine ordination; the other, an ordination by the church.
Ordination means authority to act as a representative of another
. Ordination of a minister of the Gospel means authority
to preach the Gospel. Comparatively few ministers of our
day have the real ordination. Pastor Russell had both the
divine ordination and the ordination from the church. The
ordination that comes from Jehovah is received by' all who
are begotten and anointed of the holy Spirit, as set forth
in Isaiah 61:1-3, The ordination that comes from the church
is authority granted by an assembly of Christian people to a
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THE WATCH TOWER
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
certain one to represent them in delivering the Gospel of the
kingdom. When quite a young man Charles Taze Russell
received the divine ordination. Shortly thereafter he received
the ordination from the church by being authorized to preach
the Gospel. A faithful representative or the Lord he was. For
many years he proclaimed the sweet message of the kingdom.
The gracious words which the Lord poured upon his lips and
caused his pen to write have thrilled the hearts of many
Christian people for years past, and in the years to come
thousands will feed upon these words with gladness of heart.
The great Master, through the Revelator, foretold that
his voice should be heard through his messenger instructing
his people to prepare the way of the Lord. He used Pastor
Russell to be that voice, ami a beautiful and faithful voice
it was. Another has well said of him:
"Beautiful voice of the Lord: strong, humble, wise,
loving, gentle, just, merciful, faithful, self-sacrificing;
one of the noblest, grandest characters of all history."
Although he has passed forever from activities in the flesh,
yet his voice is still heard in 2ion, both theoretically and
actually — theoretically in the printed message he has left as a
heritage to the Israel of God, and actually in the phonographic
records of his speeches, which are yet spoken for the encouragement
of those who love the Lord and his cause of righteousness
Shortly after the Apostles fell asleep there began a period
of great injustice to the people. Ambitious men entered the
sacred precincts of the church, and human theories were substituted
for the faith of Jesus and the apostles. The clergy
as a class now came into existence, and by their actions indicated
, and have since indicated, that their chief prerogative was
and is to look after self, to fleece the poor sheep; and to accomplish
this they have kept the people in ignorance. The
result is that darkness prevailed on the earth, and gross
darkness was upon the people. This continued for more than
1200 years; and then the great Reformation movement began,
which has progressed amidst adverse conditions even to this
day,
HIS MISSION
Pastor Russell, as we have observed, is the messenger to the
Laodicean epoch of the church. The word Laodicea literally
means "Justice to the people." Well does the record of Pastor
Russell show that he was a man chosen of the Lord for this
period of the church, his work being always unselfishly in the
interests of the people. With malice toward none and love
for all, he kindly removed the garb of deception that covered
the self-constituted, arrogant clergy, and exposed them and
their fallacious doctrines to the gaze of mankind. He turned
on the great searchlight of divine truth and drove error away
from the minds of many. He showed that for centuries the
clergy, and the systems they represent, have defamed God'a
holy name by teaching that he is a fiend who takes pleasure
in the torture eternally, in a hell of fire and brimstone, of the
masses of his creatures; that they had used such God-defamatory
doctrines to deceive the people and keep them in subjection
. His voice was heard throughout the earth proclaiming
, "The doctrine of eternal torture is a foul stain upon the
name of Jehovah, driving from his loving care innumerable
companies of people who would otherwise have gladly sought
his face."
In the interests of the people Pastor Russell tore down
the false and fraudulent walls of the doctrines that have held
multitudes in Babylon; and many poor, emaciated saints have
escaped therefrom, giving glory to God for their deliverance.
He made clear to the Christian peoples of the earth the philosophy
of the great ransom-sacrifice. The doctrinal walls of
predestination and foreordination — the salvation of the few
in heaven, and the eternal-torture of all others in the lake of
fire and brimstone — fell with a great crash before the onslaught
of this man of God, who earnestly and faithfully smote them
with the mighty slaughter-weapon with which God armed
him for the fight. As a result, many have been able to see
that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for
every man," and that in God's due time every man shall be
brought to an accurate knowledge of the truth; for "there
is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus, who gave his life a ransom for all, to be testified
in due time," — 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
It was the fight of this Laodicean messenger in behalf of
the people that enabled students of the Lord's Word to see that
the mystery of God is The Chbist, Head and body; that The
Messiah or mystery class is developed during the Gospel
age; and that thereafter "times of refreshing shall come,"
when the great restitution blessing for mankind will be put in
operation. What a glorious message of comfort is restitution
for the groaning creatures of earth! As Christian people have
been delivered from the captivity of nominal Zion (Babylonish
systems), and have learned of the coming blessings of
restitution to all of mankind that would be obedient, their
hearts have found expression in the words of the Psalmist:
"Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue
with singing, . . . the Lord has done great things for the
people."— Psalm 126:2.
God caused certain plagues to come upon Egypt, which
illustrated and foretold the plagues coming upon Babylonish
Christendom in the end of the Gospel age. Pastor Russell was,
and is, "the great voice [instrument of the Lord] out of the
temple saying, Go your ways and pour out of the seven vials
of the wrath of God- upon the earth." (Revelation 16:1) The
seven vials of wrath represent the seven volumes of Studies
in the Scriptures, which the Lord used Pastor Russell to
prepare and publish to the world, six of which were published
while he was with us, the seventh being a posthumous
publication. And thus, "Though he be dead, he yet speaketh."
The message contained in these seven volumes of Studies in
the Scbiptubes, sets forth the great loving plan of Jehovah
for the false, fraudulent and God-dishonoring systems that
encumber the earth, and shows how that the wrath of God
coming upon them shall destroy them all. These are indeed
plagues upon Christendom. Many years ago Pastor Russell
pointed out from the Scriptures that such would come; and
now, beholding the fulfilment of these prophetic statements,
Christian people who understand what they mean, are looking
up and lifting up their heads because, as Jesus testified, such
would be evidence that the deliverance of the last of the saints
is at hand.
Years ago the Pastor published far and wide the evidence
that the Reign of the Lord would begin with a great woe or
trouble upon the unrighteous systems of the earth, and that
such is necessary to prepare the way for the full establishment
of the kingdom of righteousness. Such woe is visited, as he
foretold, upon those interested in maintaining indefinitely
the present oppressive order of society to the personal advantage
of a few. Pastor Russell said concerning such woe that
"The battle of this great day of God Almighty will be the
greatest revolution the world has ever seen. Behold how even
now the searchlight of general intelligence is discovering the
secret springs of political intrigue, financial policies, religious
claims, etc.; and how all are brought to the oar of judgment,
and by man as well as by God declared right or wrong, as
judged by the teachings or the Word of God!"
THE WORK ENDTTBES
Only a year ago Pastor Russell passed from the earth.
Those who felt keenly the lash of truth as he laid it on, and
who preferred darkness to light, exultantly said. "Now the
work that Russell began will soon die, and his name will be
forgotten/' But not so! Millions of people today find themselves
free from the burden of fear, imposed upon them by the
teachings of hell fire and other false doctrines, and are therefore
supporting Brother Russell, in some measure, even
though they take little or no active part in spreading the
glad tidings of great joy which soon shall come to all. The tide
of truth, which began more than forty years ago, is still
steadily rising and will continue to rise until it fills the
whole earth; and its opponents might as well try to sweep
back with an ordinary broom the waves of a mighty ocean as
to prevent the truth from spreading throughout the earth.
Zealous Christians are greatly rejoicing as their privileges of
service and suffering continue. God promised to turn his
hand upon his little ones; and indeed the proof shows that
he has done so. During the past year every branch of the
work of the harvest has increased. This work is conducted by
the Watch Toweb Bible and Tbact Society, a corporation
organized for that purpose by Pastor Russell years ago, and
which, without doubt, was organized under the Lord's direction
, and which was managed and directed by Pastor Russell
until his death.
A comparison of the work of 1916 with that of 1917 discloses
the fact that the amount of volunteer literature distributed
during 1917 is far in excess of 1916. At this time
there are over 200 more colporteurs in the field than there
were ten months ago. More pilgrims are upon the road today
than there were in 1916, bearing the message to those who have
hearing ears. The voluntary contributions to the funds of the
Society for carrying on this work are, for the first ten months
of 1917, far in excess of what they were during the entire year
of 1916. Today 954 classes are pushing vigorously the pastoral
work, which work has 'more than doubled during the
past six months.
The year 1917 chronicles the publication of the Seventh
Volume of Studies in the Scbtptubes, the last of a series
produced by Pastor Russell. The first edition of 75,000 in
cloth and 10,000 in karatol is fully exhausted. The second
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Novbubkk 1, 1917
THE WATCH TOWER
(325-327)
edition of 100,000 is going rapidly, as orders are daily being
received at the office in large numbers. Letters from
hundreds of the friends throughout the country show an increasing
zeal for and activity in the work. Thus we see that
in many ways the Lord is manifesting his blessing upon the
work of the harvest, greatly to the joy of those who are able
to participate therein, either by actual labor or otherwise.
JESUS THE GREAT CHIEF BE APE B
Why, we are asked, is the work still progressing? We answer
, Because it is the Lord's work and not man's! Brother
Russell always recognized that the work of the harvest is directed
by the great Master of the harvest — Christ Jesus; and
that all of those who labor therein are greatly privileged
above all other creatures on earth. Furthermore, the Scriptures
show that those who died since 1878 have been changed
instantly, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye," and have
entered into their eternal reward. "The Scriptures declare that
while such have ceased from their laborious efforts, their works
do follow them. (Revelation 14:13) Hence our dear Pastor,
now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest
in the harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise
some strong influence thereupon. (Revelation 14:17) It is
not unreasonable to conclude that he has been privileged to do,
in connection with the harvest work, things which he could not
do while with us. Although we recognize that the Lord is the
great Master and Director of the harvest, yet we recognize that
he would privilege the saints beyond the veil to have a part
in the work on this side; and thus all the saints, both in
heaven and upon earth, are now given the honor of concluding
the work on this side, preparatory to the full establishment of
the kingdom of glory.
"SCATTERING COALS OF FIBE"
Pastor Russell organized the Watch Toweb Bible and
Tract Society, under the Lord's direction, to carry on this
work. This corporate body clearly seems to he designated in
Revelation 14:18. It is the only organization on earth that
is maintained by the sacrifice of the saints — the little voluntary
sacrifices or the Lord's dear people throughout the world,
who love him and his cause better than this life, and who
joyfully make sacrifices in order that they may have a part
in the work of setting the ecclesiastical heavens on fire, and
announcing "the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Thus the
Society is granted power and authority to scatter coals of
fire (truths destructive of error), particularly as contained
in Volumes IV. and VII. of Studies in the Scriptures.
Pastor Russell was a prodigious worker. He labored
early and late to make known the precious message of the
kingdom. The welfare of the church was always dear to his
heart. Like the great Apostle Paul, he ceased not day and
night to warn the flock of God, if not with literal tears, yet
often with weariness of body and sadness of heart. One of the
last messages which he delivered to the church was that after
his departure great trials would come upon the Lord's flock;
and we witness the fulfilment of this prophetic statement.
While fiery experiences bring sadness for the time, yet all
who are properly exercised thereby rejoice to be partakers of
these sufferings as a further evidence of discipline from the
Lord.
For years he was the head of the Bethel family and director
of a large corps of workers, both in America and abroad.
Notwithstandng his arduous duties, he was never too busy
to hear the troubles of others; and like a loving father and
shepherd he sympathized with, comforted and directed the
Lord's dear children. At the weekly meetings addressed by
him, and at the many conventions which he attended, he always
devoted a portion of the time to private counsel and aid
to "the Lord's dear flock, over whch the Chief Reaper and
Shepherd had made him overseer. Truly he was a Barnabas
to the consecrated scattered throughout the earth.
When the great adversary came in like a flood, threatening
to overwhelm the saints, Pastor Russell, the Lord's chosen
servant, raised up a standard against him (Is*. 59:19), bring*
ing forth the "vow" of faithfulness, which has proved a protection
and blessing to many in these evil days. The "Morning
Resolve", another product of his fertile brain, has been
a great comfort and help to many in time of need.
HIS DEVOTION TO THE LORD
His firmness wa3 a distinct part of his character. Once
sure that he had the mind of the Lord upon a subject, he
permitted nothing to stand in his way or to prevent him
from carrying out what he considered to be the Lord's will.
Indeed, the Lord foretold that his servant would possess this
attribute of character, saying through his prototype:
"Behold, I have made thy face strong against their
faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.
As an adamant, harder than flint, have I made thy forehead
."— Ezekiel 3:8, 9.
Whatever trying situation Pastor Russell faced, the Lord
made him equal to it, and gave him the strength to prevail
according to God's holy will. His life motto, in fact the
very keynote of his wonderful career, was, "God first" ; and
this motto he kept faithfully, at whatever cost to himself
or others dear to his heart. His loving devotion to Jehovah
and to the Lord Jesus was an inspiration to all with whom
he came in contact and served. Though firm, yet he possessed
a gentleness like unto that of a woman. Benevolence was a
marked attitude of Pastor Russell, which manifested itself in
his liberality of sentiment and his untiring efforts to bring the
"glad tidings" of the kingdom of peace to those who sit in
darkness. He suffered much, yet was able to steel his mind
against difficulty and attack/ and by the Lord's grace was
enabled to stand firm and steadfast while others would grow
weary and discouraged. He was endowed with keen perceptive
powers, thereby rendering his range of observation extraordinary
; while his memory and ability to analyze, and to
reach rapid and accurate conclusions, continued to be a marvel
to all who were associated with him closely. He had an
exalted sense of duty as a servant of the Lord, and the conviction
that each moment is precious and must be utilized
to the Master's praise seemed to pervade his entire being.
This was a source of inspiration to the brethren generally.
He faithfully and untiringly administered the affairs of the
church, the members of which he loved devotedly. It was said
of the Apostle John that when he was too old and feeble to
walk to the meeting of the early Church, he was carried into
the house and placed upon a couch, where he delivered his
exhortation and message of love to the flock of God, always
admonishing them to love one another. With a like loving
spirit Pastor Russell faithfully looked after the interests of
the Lord's little ones, until his dying hour. When almost too
feeble to walk and too feeble to stand for any length of time,
he was assisted to the platform of the hall where the church
at Los Angeles, California, was assembled; and there sitting
with bowed head, he delivered to them the last loving message
that he ever spoke. When he had finished this last message
he quoted and asked the congregation to sing:
"Abide, sweet Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With light and comfort from above,
Be thou our guardian, thou our guide;
O'er every thought and step preside.
f Teach us in watchfulness and prayer
To wait for thine appointed hour,
And fit us by thy grace to share
The triumphs of thy conquering power*"
Great men are not fully appreciated while they are
among us. Such is true with reference to Pastor Russell.
Like the great Master whom he devotedly loved and faithfully
served, he was misunderstood and persecuted, all of
which he bore in patience. He finished the work given
him here to do, and iB now forever with the Lord, where
there is fulness of joy and pleasures for ever more.
THE HISTORY AND OPERATIONS OF OUR SOCIETY
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of the Shareholders of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract
Society will be held at Carnegie Hall, in the City of Pittsburgh (North Side), County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania
, on the 5th day of January, 19.18, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, for the purpose of electing Directors and
Officers and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before said meeting.
W. E. Van Amburgh, Secretary.
Because of the unusual interest in the ensuing Annual
Meeting of the Watch Toweb Bible and Tbact Society, as
per the foregoing notice, it is deemed proper that we here give
[6161]
The Watch Toweb readers a brief resume of the organization
and operations of the Society.
As is well known, Pastor Russell began his religious
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THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn, N. Y.
activities about 1875. In 1884, together with six others, he
formed a corporation under the name and style of Zion's
Watch Tower Tract Society, incorporating it under the laws
of the State of Pennsylvania. In the Lord's providence a
body corporate is essential to the work of the harvest until it
is completed. We have no doubt that the Lord directed the
organization of this Corporation for the purpose of carrying
on his harvest work. Brother Russell was the Servant of
the Laodicean period of the church, and organized the work
under the Lord's direction. In 1896 a petition was presented
to the Court of Common Pleas, at Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
, and the corporate name was changed to Watch Tower
Bible and Tbact Society, by which name it has ever since
been known. The Articles of Incorporation are as follows:
ARTICLES OF INOOBPOBATION
"Be it known that the subscribers, having associated
themselves together for the purpose of the dissemination of
Bible Truths in various languages, and being desirous of
becoming incorporated agreeably to the provisions of the
Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, entitled 'An Act to provide for the Incorporation
and Regulations of certain Corporations/ approved the
twenty-ninth day of April, Anno Domini, One Thousand Eight
Hundred and Seventy Four, and its supplements, do hereby
declare, set forth arid certify that the following are the purposes
, objects, articles and conditions of their said association
for and upon which they desire to be incorporated:
"I, The name of the Corporation shall be Zion's Watch
Tower Tract Society.
"II. The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is,
the dissemination of Bible Truths in various languages by
means of the publication of tracts, pamphlets, papers and
other religious documents, and by the use of all other lawful
means which its Board of Directors, duly constituted, shall
deem expedient for the furtherance of the purpose stated.
"III. The place where the business of the said Corporation
is to be transacted, is the City of Allegheny, in the
County of Allegheny, and State of Pennsylvania.
"IV. The Corporation is to exist perpetually.
"V. The Corporation has no capital stock. Bach donation
of Ten Dollars to the funds of said Corporation shall
entitle the contributor, or his assigns, to one non -forfeitable
non-assessable, and non-dividend-bearing share, and to one
vote for every such share in said Corporation. Certificates
o| membership so acquired shall be issued by the Secretary,
countersigned by the President, to the persona entitled thereto
"VI, The Corporation is to be managed by a Board of
Directors consisting of seven members, and the names of
those already chosen Directors are as follows: —
President, Charles T. Russell, Wm. C. MacMillan,
Vice President, Wm. I. Mann, Simon O. Blunden,
Secy, and Treas., Maria F. Russell, J. B. Adamson,
Joseph F, Smith.
"VII. The said Corporation by its Board of Directors, a
majority of whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of, business, shall have full power and authority to
make and enaot by-laws, rules, and ordinances, which shall
be deemed and taken to be the law of said Corporation, and
do any and everything useful for the good government and
support of the affairs of the said Corporation; provided that
the said by-laws, rules and ordinances, or any of them, shall
not be repugnant to this Charter, to the constitution and laws
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Constitution
of the United States.
"VIII. The said Corporation shall have as officers a
President, who shall preside at the meetings of the Board of
Directors; a Vice-President, who shall preside in the absence
of the President; and a Secretary, who shall also be Treasurer
; and these officers shall be chosen from among the members
of the Board of Directors annually, on the first Saturday
of each year, by an election by ballot, to be held at the principal
office of the Corporation m Allegheny City, Pennsylvania.
"The members of the Board of Directors shall hold their
respective offices for life, unless removed by a two-thirds vote
of the Shareholders; and vacancies in the Board occasioned
by death, resignation or removal, shall be filled by vote of a
majority of the remaining members of the Board, who shall
meet for the purpose within twenty days from the time when
such vacancy or vacancies shall occur, and in the event of
failure to fill such vanacy or vacancies in the- manner aforesai
4 within thirty days from the time when such vacancy or
vacancies shall occur, then the said vacancy or vacancies shall
be filled by the appointment of the President, and the person
or persons so appointed shall hold his or their office or offices
until the next annual election of officers of the Corporation,
when such vacancy or vacancies Bhall be filled by election, in
the same manner as the President, Vice-President and Secretary
and Treasurer are elected. The persons entitled to vote
at annual elections of the* Corporation shall be those who
hold certificates of membership acquired in the manner aforesaid
"IX, The said Corporation, under the name, style and
title aforesaid, shall have full power and authority to make,
have and use a common seal, with such device and inscription
as they may deem proper, and the same to alter and renew at
their pleasure; and by the name, style and title aforesaid,
shall be able in law and equity to sue and be sued, plead and
be impleaded in any Court or Courts, before and Judge or
Justice of the Peace, in all manner of suits and complaints,
pleas, causes, matters and demands whatsoever, and alt and
every matter or thing therein to do in as full and ample a
manner, and as effectually, as any other person or persons,
bodies politic or corporate, within the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, may or can do.
"X. The said corporation, by the name, style and title
aforesaid, shall have the right, power and authority to take,
receive and hold in fee simple, or any less estate, all such message
, lots, lands, buildings, tenements, rents, annuities, franchise
and hereditaments as may be necessary and proper for its
purpose; and to sell, lease, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of
the same or any part thereof; and it shall have the same right,
power and authority to take, receive and hold, and to sell,
lease or dispose of any and all kinds of personal property
and money."
OTHEE COBFOBATIONS 1EGAXLY NECESSARY
In 1909, the chief point of activity in the Harvest work
was removed from Allegheny, Ta., to Brooklyn, New York.
It became necessary to have a New York corporation to carry
on the work in a legal manner in the State of New York ;
hence the Peoples Pulpit Association was organized under
the Membership Corporation Law of New York State.
For a number of years the work has been generally known
as the International Bible Students Association, and in
1914, the same identical work was incorporated under the
laws of Great Britain, under the name and style of International
Bible Students Association. All three of these
Corporations were organized for purposes identical, and work
together harmoniously.
The officers of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
must be elected annually. At present the officers are as
follows: —
President, J. F, Rutherford.
Vice-President, A. N. Pierson,
Secy, and Treas., W. E. Van Amburgh,
The officers of the Peoples Pulpit Association are as follows
: —
President, J. F. Rutherford,
Vice-President, A. H. Macmillan,
Secretary, W. F. Hudgings,
Treasurer, W. E. Van Amburgh.
The President of this Corporation, according to the terms
of the Charter, holds his office for life, the other officers being
elected by the Board of Directors annually.
The officers of the International Bible Students Association
, are
President, J. F. Rutherford,
Vice-President, J, Hemery,
Secretary, H. J. Shearn.
Treasurer, Wm. Crawford.
Each one of these Corporations has a separate and distinct
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Watch
Tower Bible and Tract Society, is, at present, as follows: —
J. F. Rutherford, A. H. Macmillan
A. N. Pierson, W. E. Spill,
W. E. Van Amburgh, J. A. Bohnet,
George H. Fisher.
The law requires that the Board of Directors be elected annually
at £he Shareholders* meeting.
The Board of Directors of the Peoples Pulpit Association
, as at present constituted, are: —
J. F. Rutherford, W. F. Hudgings,
At H. Macmillan, A. E. Burgess,
W. E. Van Amburgh, J. A. Baeuerlein,
R, J. Martin,
Members of this Board are elected at the annual meeting of
the members of the Corporation, held in Brooklyn, New York.
The controlling body of the International Bible Students
Association is designated as a Council. The original
Council was composed of Charles T. Russell, J. F. Rutherford
. J. Hemery, H. J. Shearn, W. Crawford. This Council,
by the terms of the Act of Incorporation, elect their successors
as well as the officers of the Corporation.
All three of these Corporations are religious associations
[6162]
November 1, 1917
THE WATCH TOWER
(328-329)
or institutions, incorporated, as provided by the terms of their
respective Charters, for the purpose of dissemination of Bible
Truths. The creed or belief of each, is the same; namely, the
teachings of Jesus ami the Apostles.
SOCIETY'S CHARTER ANALYZED
There seemingly has been some misunderstanding about
the Charter of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society;
hence we here give a brief analysis thereof.
The purpose of the corporation is set forth in plain terms
in paragraph II. The domicile of the corporation is designated
in paragraph III as Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
It is strictly a Pennsylvania corporation. Paragraph V of the
Charter expressly provides that the Society has no capital
stock. It has, however, voting shares which grant merely a
personal right to each person to cast one vote for every ten
dollars contributed at any one time by such person.
Paragraph VI states that the corporation is to be managed
by a Board of Directors consisting of seven members, and
specifically names the first Board of Directors as follows,
to wit:
President, Charles T. Russell, Win. C. MacMillan,
Vice-President, Win. I. Mann, Simon O. Blunden,
Secy, and Treas., Maria F. Russell, J. B. Adamson,
Joseph F. Smith.
Thus it will be seen that the persons elected to the respective
offices of President, Vice -President, Secretary and
Treasurer, were, and are, by virtue of the terms of the
Charter and their election, members of the Board of Directors,
and any person elected as successor to such, offices, would
thereby become members of the Board of Directors. Instead
of the shareholders first electing Brother Russell each year
as a Director and then electing him as President, they voted
for him but once, and his election as President constituted
him a member of the Board of Directors. And so it would
be with his successor in office or with the other officers. There
would seem to be no necessity for taking the two votes, although
technically that would be the proper course.
Strictly speaking, there has never been a legal election of
a complete Board of Directors since 1885, for the reason that
the law requires the Directors to be elected annually. At each
annual election only the three officers were elected ; hence they
alone constituted the legal members of the Board of Directors.
Paragraph VIII of the Charter provides that the Board
of Directors shall hold their respective offices for life, unless
removed by a two-thirds vote of the Shareholders. This provision
of the Charter, however, is directly contrary to the
law of the State of Pennsylvania under which the Society was
incorporated and hence that provision of the Charter is null
and void. The law provides that the Board of Directors shall
be elected annually by the shareholders. The Charter of a
corporation cannot grant greater powers than the law under
which it is created; hence this provision of the Charter must
yield to the provision of the law. Where a vacancy occurs
in the Board of Directors, the Charter provides that such
vacancy may be filled by the remaining members of the Board
of Directors, provided such vacancy is filled within thirty
days; and if not so filled within that time then the President
shall appoint a proper person, or persons to fill such vacancy
or vacancies. (Art. VIII.) The Charter expressly provides
that those selected or appointed to fijl such vacancies shall
hold office only until the next annual election of officers of the
corporation, at which time a full and complete Board must
be elected by the shareholders. This provision of the Charter,
however, was never complied with in the selection of the successors
of any of the original seven Directors, except in the
case of the three officers, who have been elected annually.
Hence, according to the terms of the Charter itself, as well
as the laws of Pennsylvania, four vacancies have existed in the
Board of Directors until in July of this year, at which time the
President appointed four members to hold office until January,
1 DIB. in harmony with Paragraph VIII of the Charter.
The persons named in the Charter as the original Board of
Directors would hold office until their successors were elected.
This rule applied to Brother Russell, and he was therefore
always a legal member of the Board for this reason, and for
the additional reason that he was elected annually to the
office of President. The six others named in the Charter as
members of the Board of Directors severed their connection
with the Society by resignation or otherwise, at the dates
named below: —
W. I. Mann — April 11, 1&92
J. F. Smith — April 11, 1892
J. B. Adamson — Jan. 6, 1895
W. C. MacMillan — May 13, 1898
Mrs. M. F. Russell — Feb. 12, 1900
S. O. Blunden — Jan. 6, 1908
Successors to- these six original Directors were never elected by
the shareholders, as the law expressly requires; hence for
more than twenty years there was not a full and complete
legal Board of Directors. Since Brother Russell, as President
, and two others as Vice-President and Secretary -Treasurer
, were legal Directors by virtue of their annual election
as officers, and since Brother Russell controlled the Society by
reason of having a majority of the voting shares, the fact
that there was not a complete and legal Board worked no
injury to the Society.
Prior to 1908 Brother Russell held a majority of the voting
shares by reason of the fact that he had contributed the
major portion of the money to the Tract Fund. Thereafter
the donations increased until within a short time Brother
Russell held approximately one-third, and by 1916 he held
only about one-fifth of the voting shares. The law requires
the annual election to be held in Pennsylvania, hence after
1908, when the headquarters were located in Brooklyn, most of
the voting was done at Pittsburgh by proxy. Brother Russell
always received all the votes that were cast. For the years
1914 to 1916 inclusive, his shares were not voted at all. Fot
the election of January, 1917, the proxies were sent out according
to the custom that had been in vogue since 1909;
hence most of the voting at the 1917 election was done at
Pittsburgh by proxy.
The provision of the law requiring the Directors to he
elected annually by the shareholders is a wise one. If the
Directors were permitted to hold office for life and to elect
their successors, then it would be possible for seven men to
absolutely and perpetually control the affairs of the Society
in utter disregard of the wishes of the shareholders. This
the law will not permit.
WHO ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE
The shareholders, in fact, constitute tjic corporation, or the
constituent body. The shareholders are those who have contributed
money to carry on the work of the Society. Every
ten dollars contributed at one time, counts for one vote. Paragraph
V of the Charter provides for issuing certificates of
membership covering such contributions. This certificate of
membership is purely a personal right to vote and cannot be
transferred. When a person holding a certificate dies, the
value of such certificates likewise dies. No one else could
vote such certificates of shares. Many of the brethren have
donated money to the Society, and have never received any
certificates and are wondering why this is so. In 1894 Brother
Russell issued this statement concerning these certificates: —
"We have regularly printed certificates which for a time
were sent out to those who contributed $10.00 or multiples
thereof; but they made trouble and extra letter-writing
because many of the Lord's sheep have little knowledge of
business. Some supposed that the certificates were appeals
for money; others could not tell what to make of them, and
wrote for full particulars as to how they should vote, etc.;
others feared that the owning of the certificates brought them
into liability for any debts which the Society might contract
. It required patience and took time from more important
work to answer scores of such letters; and we concluded
that we had made a mistake, as far as the certificates were
concerned. However, a full record is kept of all donations and
of voting-shares."
It has been difficult to keep track of the contributors because
of the frequent change of address and many times
change of name, as where a sister, having donated money,
subsequently marries. At annual elections the Society has
faithfully endeavored to locate more than a majority of the
Shareholders*and send them notice by mail of Buch meeting.
This year, the notice of election being published in The
Watch Toweb, all who have contributed will have the opportunity
of taking advantage o£ the voting privilege. The
By-law of the Society now in force governing certificates of
voting shares and the voting of same, is as follows, to wit:
"1. Certificates of membership may he issued to any one
entitled thereto, and shall be signed by the President and the
Secretary and sealed with the corporate seal. Every person
contributing ten dollars or more at any one time to the
funds of the said Society shall be entitled to one vote, at
any annual or special election held by the corporation, for
every ten dollars so contributed. And the following words
endorsed upon the Proxy when signed and sealed by the Secretary
shall constitute a certificate of authority to vote the
number of shares named therein, to wit :
"I hereby certify that of
is entitled to cast votes at the annual election of the
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, to be held on the
day of January, A. D., 191 . ..
"2. Certificates of stock are not subject to transfer, the
[6163]
(329-330)
THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyk, N. Y.
right to vote being a personal right, which ceases with the
death of the party having such right, or when such person
becomes opposed to the work or policy of this Society. Any
person making contributions to the funds of the Society may
at the time of making such contribution request that the voting
share be granted to some other person or persons named at
the time."
Pursuant to the above notice the next annual election will
be held at Pittsburgh, January 5th, 1918, in Carnegie Hall, at
which time and place any shareholder may appear in person
and cast his vote, or he may appoint some one else as his
proxy to vote in his place and stead.
Ilie legal form of proxy for such an election is as follows:
FORM OF PROXY
I, > of
(Your came)
, do hereby make,
(Your address)
constitute a-nd appoint of
(Name of proxy)
my lawful proxy and at-
( Address)
torney for me and in my name, place and stead to appear at
the meeting of the Shareholders of the Watch Tower Bible
and Tract Society to be held at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County,
State of Pennsylvania, on the 5th day of January, 1918, at
ten o'clock in the forenoon, and at any adjourned or subsequent
session of said annual meeting, and then and there to
cast the number of votes to which I shall be entitled, in the
election of Directors and Officers of said Society, and for
the transaction of any other business that may require the votes
of Shareholders; and my proxy shall have and exercise all the
powers that I have or could exercise if personally present.
WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL this dav
of 191..
( Sign Here)
ENDORSEMENT:
I hereby certify that of
is entitled to cast
votes at the annual election of the Watch Tower Bible anp
Tract Society to be held on the 5th day of January, A. D.
1918.
(SIGNED)
[Seal.] Secretary.
The foregoing endorsement is a form of certificate. When
the proxy is duly signed and presented to the Secretary, he
will ascertain from the hooks the number of votes the person
signing the proxy is entitled to vote and will endorse the authority
of the shareholder or his proxy to cast such number
of votes at the election.
Every proxy with the certificate endorsed thereon must
be presented to the Secretary and signed and sealed by him
before it will constitute an authority to vote at the election.
A proxy is a general power of attorney, whereby the shareholder
delegates to another the power and authority to vote
in his name, place and stead. Hence, it is not proper to
write on the proxy the name of the person or persons for
whom votes shall be cast. However, the one holding the
proxy would desire to respect the wish of the shareholder;
and that he might know that wish, it would be proper that
the shareholder attach to his proxy a letter of instruction,
advising his proxy or substitute as to the person or persons
for whom he may desire such votes cast — provided, of course,
such person or persons .are nominated. It would not be reasonable
to expect that every one who holds such instruction
would be required to nominate any such person named— for
this reason: Brother A may hold proxies from a dozen different
persons, each of whom instructs him to vote those proxies
for as many different persons, and it would be inconsistent
for him to nominate opposing candidates. The obligation of
the one holding a proxy is to. vote for those who are placed
before the convention.
We are inserting a loose leaf, which is an exact replica
of the above proxy, and which each person may use to fill
out, sign and return to Brother W. E. Van Amburgh, Secretary
, 13-17 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, New York. He will place
the proper endorsement thereon and deliver the same either
to the shareholder or to his proxy in ample time to vote at
the election.
OKDBB OP BISECTION
At the ensuing annual election, a Board of Directors of
seven members will first be elected. The present members of
the Board are: —
J. F. Rutherford, A. H. Ma cm il Ian,
A. N. Pierson, W. E. Spill,
W. E. Van Amburgh, J, A. Bohnet,
Geo. H. Fisher.
The following persons also claim to be members of the
Board: —
A. I. Ritchie, I. F. Hoskins,
R. H. Hirsh, J. D. Wright.
The shareholders may vote for any of these or none of them,
as they choose; they may vote for any shareholder they desire.
After the Board of Directors is elected, then from amongst
their number the officers of the corporation will be elected,
It is the desire that all shareholders attend in person it
possible; but since many of them live at a long distance, it
will probably be necessary for many to send their proxies
to other persons. Proxies, of course, should be given only
to those who are fully consecrated, who are in harmony with
the Society, and who also hold voting shares and have the
best interests of the work at heart. A shareholder can give
his or her proxy to any person who possesses the above qualifications
. (A proxy should be given only to one who i3 expected
to attend the meeting in person.) In addition to the
officers and members of the Board of Directors of the Society
who will be personally present at the annual meeting,
we are advised of the following persons who expect to be
there, to wit: C. H. Anderson, Baltimore, Md., C. H. Ward,
Cumberland, Md., A. M. Zimmerman, Lancaster, Pa,, B. 0.
Rutledge, New Brighton, Pa., and E. 0. Chambers, Butler,
Pa. We merely name these for the convenience of any who
might not know to whom they could give a proxy.
It is desirable that all of these proxies be in the hands of
the Secretary on or before the tenth day of December, in
order to afford ample time for him to ascertain from the
books the number of votes each person is entitled to cast,
and to endorse the same upon the certificate attached to the
proxy, and thus to have it ready for the annual election,
VOICE OF THE CHURCH— THE WILL OF GOD
It has been suggested that only a small portion of the consecrated
of the International Bible Students Association
are in fact shareholders of the Watch Tower Bible and
Tract Society. Many of the Lord's dear children are poor in
this world's goods, yet they have given all their time for
several yaars to faithful service in the harvest field. Unless
one is a contributor to the Tract Fund he is not entitled to
a vote. The following letter very well expresses the situation :
"Dear Brethren in Christ: —
"Pardon me if I am obtruding, but I feel constrained to
offer the following thoughts and suggestions which have been
upon my mind of late:
"Don't you think that, with the present mode of electing
officers and servants of our Society, there is a possibility of
a few of the large shareholders controlling the election and
the Society against the approval of the large majority of its
members? Would this not be Lucre speaking for the Lord?
Might it not be the manifested will of the adversary instead
of the manifested will of God? In my opinion, some change
should be made, throwing the election of officers in the hands
of all its members as it now prevails in our ecclesias, giving
each one an equal voice, and imposing equal responsibility upon
all. As it now is, some brother possessing the money talent
could have 5,000 votes, while many others have none. While
it was right for THAT SERVANT, who was the largest contributor
, organizer, and charterer, to control in his lifetime,
it doesn't seem right for any one, or for a minority, to control
after his death. And again, we must remember that his
votes were always on the side of the majority.
"As our dear Brother Russell advocated that the largest
MAJORITY should be accepted as the expressed will of the
Lord, I would suggest your advocacy of all the classes throughout
the land indicating their choice for officers and servants
of the Society by vote, and the result be sent to some designated
brother, and a committee be appointed to act with him
to carefully canvass the votes and make a report to the
annual meeting, thereby showing the sentiment of the friends
throughout the land.
"Surely all faithful, voting children of God would wish
all other members of the body to have an equal voice in the
selection of its official members, and would be thankful for
just such an opportunity to properly use their money talent
in casting their votes for the majority's preference; thereby
relieving themselves of the great responsibility that now rests
upon them. The spirit of the faithful is an acquiescing one
to the majority's opinion, a submission of personal preference,
will, judgment, etc., to the manifested choice of the Lord;
while the refusing to do so indicates a self-opinionated, selffilled
, self-judgment condition.
"I make these suggestions because I recognize the majority
rule to be the expressed will of the Lord in such matters,
and think that we should be submissive to the results even
though the Lord may see fit to permit the adversary to con-
[6164]
Nov*MBMt 1, 1917
THE WATCH TOWER
(330-333)
trol for the time, which would evidently be for the purpose
of testing and trying our hearts and wills, to see whether or
not our hearts are right, and our wills submissive. It does
seem that our final trials will NOT be along doctrinal lines
as in the past, but will be along the line of the WILL, the
foundation of our consecration.
"Hoping you will not think me presumptuous in expressing
the above thoughts, and assuring you of my heartiest cooperation
, I remain,
"Yours in the love and service of our Redeemer."
"A. B. Dabney."
A SUGGESTED METHOD
The Board of Directors and officers of the Society desire
to have a full and fair expression of the church as to who
shall constitute their servants in an official capacity. The
sentiment expressed in the above letter seems to be very
just. We therefore make the following suggestions: that
every Ecclesia of the International Bible Students Association
to whom this notice goes, hold a general congregational
meeting for the purpose of voting upon their choice for members
of the Board of Directors and Officers of the Society.
Tn order that this might be carried out in a uniform manner,
we outline the following method of procedure, to wit:
That on Wednesday, November 21st, at 7:30 p. m., all the
ecclesias assemble at their usual meeting place; that every
member of the class that is known to be fully consecrated be
permitted to cast one vote in the class, of which he or she
is a member; that the vote be first taken as to who shall
constitute the members of the Board of Directors for the ensuing
year, and then that another vote be taken as to who
should constitute the officers ; and that full report of the result
of this vote be made to a person designated to receive the
same. That such person may be entirely removed from the
influence of the officers of the Society, we name Brother
Eliot H. Thomson, 1357 Oak Street, N. W., Washington,
D. G., as the one to whom all reports or results of class votes
shall be made, and Brothers General W. P. Hall and J. T. D.
Pyles, of Washington, D. C, as two other members of a
committee who, together with Brother Thomson, shall carefully
canvass the vote and report the result to the Secretary
of the Society, which report shall be read by the Secretary
before the annual meeting for the information of the shareholders
prior to the casting of the legal vote.
Of course, we all understand that this vote taken by the
classes will not constitute a legal election, but may be considered
as advisory, or in the nature of instructions to the
Shareholders as to what is the will of the church at large.
We believe that this would be the better way of ascertaining
the Lord's will; and since all the Shareholders will desire
to do the Lord's will, they would doubtless desire to be governed
by the expressed wish of a majority of the members
of the Ecclesias. We cannot see that any one could have
an objection to this method of ascertaining the Lord's will
and it would be entirely fair to all.
We submit the following form of report which can be
made out and signed by the Chairman and the Secretary
of each congregation and mailed to Brother Thomson, Washington
, D. C, as above suggested, to wit:
CHURCH'S REPORT
At a meeting of the Ecclesia at
held on the 21st day of November, 1917, at 7:30 p. m., at
the usual meeting place, for the purpose of ascertaining and
expressing the will of the members as to who shall constitute
the officers and servants of the Watch Tower Bible and
Tract Society, we report the following result:
We first voted upon who shall constitute members of the
Board of Directors, and the vote stood as follows:
Name Votes received
The vote for Officers was as follows:
For President Votes received .
Vice-President
Secy. & Treas.
We hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true
and accurate record of the vote of said ecclesia as taken at
the time and place above mentioned:
SIGNED
Chairman of meeting.
Secretary of meeting.
EXPLANATORY
The purpose of the above arrangement is that every consecrated
Bible Student may have an opportunity to express
his or her choice for members of the Board of Directors and
also for the officers. Therefore at each meeting each and
every one should be privileged to vote for whomsoever they
desire and the record should be made; for instance, if John
Doe Receives one vote, his name should be put down and his
vote recorded, and if Richard Roe receives 100 votes, his
name should be recorded and the number of votes he received.
The names of the present Board of Directors, also four who
claim to be Directors, and the names of the present officers
of the Society are given above. No one is bound to vote
for either of the persons named; he may vote for whom he
desires, the purpose of this arrangement being to ascertain
the will of the Lord through the expression of his people.
At each ecclesia it should be well noted that no one is
permitted to participate in the voting unless he is both fully
consecrated and a member or regular attendant of that particular
ecclesia. It is therefore decidedly important that each
ecclesia meet and cast their votes the same day; hence, we
have named Wednesday, November 2 1st, at 7:30 p. m.
The Secretary of the ecclesia should mail the report to
Brother E. H. Thomson, 1357 Oak St., N. W., Washington,
D. C. immediately after the vote is taken.
NEHEMIAH'S PRAYER ANSWERED
[The first and ninth paragraphs of this article were reprinted from article entitled "Colaborers with God," published in issue
of November 1, 1911. The remainder was reprinted from article entitled "Nehemiah's Faith and Works,"
published in issue of November 1, 1899. Please see the articles named. 1
while seeking to restrain this quality of our being as respects
evil doing and injury to others, learn to exercise it kindly,
lovingly, in opposing wrong, in "earnestly contending for
the faith once delivered to the saints." And so with all the
so-called baser organs of our fallen, unbalanced humanity.
They may all be turned to usefulness and helpfulness if but
rightly directed by our wills and by the spirit of a sound
mind — "the mind of the Lord."
In our experience in character building, the same lesson of
turning everything to good account mav be profitably applied.
For instance, if by nature we are quick and impulsive, let
U3 seek not only to restrain such impulsiveness from speaking
evil and wrong, but to exercise it in the speaking of that
which is good and profitable for edifying, gradually accustoming
ourselves to use this talent in a favorable manner, not in
an unfavorable one. Have we large combativeness, let us,
A PSALM OF THANKSGIVING
[ Excepting the paragraph below, this article was a reprint of that entitled ' ' Praise Ye the Lord, ' f published in issue of May
1, 1892, which please see.]
Gratitude is one of the divinely implanted instincts of a
soul bearing the image of God, and one which therefore should
be carefully cultivated. It is this element of character in man
which makes fellowship and communion with God possible.
If the goodness of God could awaken in us no sense of grateful
appreciation, if we were wholly dead to such sentiments,
there could be no pleasure on God's part in manifesting his
goodness to us, and there, would be nothing in ua to call out
his love or to inspire love in us. But since it is for the
divine pleasure that we are and were created, God has endowed
his intelligent creatures with this element of character which,
being responsive to his own goodness, institutes a lively and
delightful fellowship with himself; and this fellowship is
the chief end of existence, both on the aide of the creature
and on that of the Creator. — Revelation 4:11.
Viewed from this standpoint, thankfulness of heart is a
[6165]
(333-326)
THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn, N. Y.
very sure sign of the character which God is seeking, especially
in matters pertaining to our great salvation. Yet
amongst all those who have been justified by faith — cleansed
from their iniquities and covered with the robe of Christ's
righteousness-^how few, comparatively, there are who carry
out in full their consecration of themselves to God — their
reasonable service. Only the truly thankful are constrained
to do so — only the truly appreciative. Let us each and all
seek to cultivate more and more the spirit of thankfulness,
the "reasonable" spirit or disposition. Thankfulness will
make every trial and sacrifice on our part seem small and
proportionately easy to be offered; and it will make all of
God's mercies and favors toward us proportionately grand,
great and inspiring.
Today's study expresses the heart sentiment of every truly
consecrated child of God. The more we come into possession
of the spiritual blessings which the Lord has promised us, and
which we have accepted by faith, the more need shall we
have of humility; and our humility will be proportionate to
our appreciation of divine goodness and our thankfulness
therefor. The grateful, thankful heart may go on from grace
to grace, from strength to strength, from knowledge to
knowledge, from attainment to attainment; but if gratitude
begins to wane and if our advantages are accepted either as
matters of our own attainment or of good luck, in that same
proportion we shall find ourselves growing cold spiritually.
Moreover, with unthankfulness will come unholiness, spiritual
pride and self-conceit; and all of this will lead to spiritual
dearth and, if persisted in, to spiritual death.
FRIOE DEPOSITED WITH DIVINE JUSTICE
Ever since Jesus died, the ransom-price has been in the
…