The Watchtower, December 15, 1917

Download: PDF — The Watchtower, December 15, 1917

Vol. XXXVIII

BROOKLYN, N. Y,, DECEMBER 15, 1917

No. 24

1917— ANNUAL REPORT— 1917

When the earnest laborers in the Lord's harvest field have

carefully considered this report, we believe it will bring them

joy and encouragement. It has been truly said that "Nothing

succeeds like success." To succeed in the Lord's work means

to have the blessing of the Lord; and "The blessing of the

Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it" (Proverbs

10:22} Therefore the trials which he permits to come

to us, if properly received, bring a blessing; and hence we

rejoice in tribulation, thankful in our hearts for all the way

he leads us.

The year 1917 has been a strenuous one. The nations of

earth are in great distress and perplexity as to what course

shall be taken, and the hearts of men are failing them for

what they see must be the inevitable result. Those who have

no faith in prophecy cannot see the rapid weakening of the

governments. Revolution merging into anarchy is now the

order in Russia, a condition which is certain to follow in

the other European nations. The public press quotes Mr.

Gerard as saying, "When the revolution starts in Germany

it will be so terrible that it will make the French Revolution

look like a picnic." Earthquakes, disasters, famine, pestilence,

etc., are all taking their place in the time of trouble, in fulfilment

of the prophetic words of the Lord Jesus. Such great

sorrow, suffering and distress in the world would discourage

even the Christian, were it not for the assuring words of the

Master, saying, "When these things begin to come to pass,

then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption

draweth nigh."— Luke 21:28.

THE MASTER THE CHIEF BE APE E

It is the tendency of almost everyone to lean upon some

other person. Recognizing Brother Russell as the Lord's

messenger to the Laodicean church and a3 the Lord's chosen

servant for the period of the harvest, coupled with his strong

personality, his kind and loving manner, all of the Lord's

people of the present time who knew him were led to more

or less lean upon him. He was a wonderful man, and wonderfully

used of the Lord. It pleased the Lord to take him

away from the field of earthly activities, and his passing was

a great shock to others in the harvest field. It was the thought

of many that his entering the kingdom marked the end of the

work.

The year 1917 opened with rather a discouraging outlook.

Necessarily there were some misgivings, some doubts and

fears. The trials came thick and fast; but with each trial

came increased blessing as a further evidence that the Lord

is still the Chief Reaper, and that the harvest is not the work

of man, but the Lord's work. True to his promise, he "turned

his hand upon his little ones," and has "opened the windows

of heaven and poured out a blessing" upon his people beyond

their greatest expectations or hopes. More and more his people

began to realize that the work of the harvest does not

depend upon any person or persons, but that the Lord is amply

capable of performing his own sovereign will and accomplishing

his purposes in his own due time.

THE WORK AT BROOKLYN

Shortly before the death of Brother Russell he had determined

upon a reorganization of the office force; and to this

end he made several changes and gave directions concerning

others. These were carried out; and the Lord's guiding hand

and overruling providences in this behalf .are plainly to he seen.

The reorganization of the office force upon a strictly business

and economic basis was completed and is now moving with a

[6181]

(371-372)

THE WATCH TOWER

BuooxirYW, N. Y.

smoothness and efficiency that should characterize any wellmanaged

institution, accomplishing more work with less effort.

The members of the office force realize that it is a privilege and

not a right to be in the office; and each one vies with the

other to do his or her part of the work in an efficient manner

;tnd to the glory of the Lord. The same may be said of the

management of" the Bethel Home. Everyone in both the

home and the office is happy; and "the peace of God which

passeth all human understanding" is enjoyed by all.

It took some time, of course, to become accustomed to

the home and the office without the presence of Brother Russell

, but those having and manifesting the spirit of the Lord

have learned to lean more and more upon the Lord and to

strive to be a blessing to others. That Brother Russell on

the other side the veil has had much to do with the management

of the office, the home and the work of the harvest on

this side the veil, we verily believe. These things were dearest

to hi? heart of all things on earth. He had devoted his life

to this special work. He had established the Bethel Home

and the office arrangement. Who would be more interested

in having these used to the glory of the Lord than Brother

Russell? It was his interpretation of Revelation 14:13 that

the saints in glory beyond the veil still participate in the

work this side the veil during the period of the harvest. Commenting

upon that Scripture, he said:

"One by one the 'feet' class will pass from the present

condition, in which, though often weary and wounded,

they are always rejoicing, to the other side of the veil —

'changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye/ from

mortality to immortality, from weakness to power, from

dishonor to glory, from human to heavenly conditions,

from animal to spirit bodies. Instead of the kingdom

waiting for the living members to finish their course, the

kingdom work began at once; and the living ones on

this side the veil are privileged to know 'the mysteries

of the kingdom* and to engage in kingdom work before

their 'change 5 ; and as they die will not fall 'asleep/

but will be 'changed' in the moment of death, resurrected

as part of the blessed and holy first resurrection.

"Their work will not cease with this change; for all

those who will be counted worthy of that change to glory

will be already enlisted in the service of the kingdom on

this side the veil: only the weariness, the labor feature,

will cease with the change. We may not be able to judge

accurately as to what features of the great work are now

being carried on by the Lord and his glorified saints

beyond the veil; but we may be sure that they are active

participants in the work assigned to the members of the

same kingdom class whose course and service are not

yet ended on this side the veil — the harvest work."

THE FINISHED MTSTEET

For years Brother Russell held and taught that the church

nominal^ Catholic and Protestant, would federate; that they

would be recognized more or less by the civil powers; that the

church nominal constitutes "Babylon"; that the association

of the ecclesiastical with the civil powers is an abomination

in the sight of the Lord; that the members of the church this

side the veil, particularly during the latter part of the'harvest,

were typed by John the Baptist; that the "John" class would

probably give a strong rebuke to "Babylon"; that the rebuke

would consist of a plain proclamation of the truth, exposing

the error; and that this work would just precede the settling

down of the "dark night when no man can work" in the harvest

field; and that "Babylon" must fall. He was fully convinced

that such work must be done. At a question meeting held at

one of the conventions in 1916 by Brother Russell, in answering

a question concerning the judgment and the binding of kings

and nobles, he said:

"The two-edged sword means the Word of God. That

must mean here [this side the veil], for no one will be

smiting anything with a two-edged sword over there.

This two-edged sword in the hands of the saints means

that while they are resting in their faith, they have the

Word of God, sharp and powerful, and with it are able

to oppose everything opposed to the truth. All this

belongs to this side of the veil. These are the saints who

are to execute the judgments written. How? I cannot

give all the details. Undoubtedly there will be a great

many details when we reach that time. We should be

ready to take any part which the Lord may give us. He

will 'give all of his people a share. We shall see what

this judging may mean a little later on. The river Jordan

means a judgment, and the smiting of this judgment may

mean to put the truth in such a way as to do the judging.

The EHijah will handle this sword."

Up to the very day of his change Brother Russell was

bending every effort to prepare for the smiting of "Babylon."

It should be carefully marked that the message of truth in

due time constitutes the sharp, two-edged sword; and that

the an ti typical Elijah class, otherwise designated as the antitypical

"John" class, would be used of the Lord to send forth

this message of truth far and wide, that it might accomplish

the divine purposes.

Following Brother Russell's "change," an Executive Committee

, composed of Brothers Ritchie, Van Amburgh and Rutherford

, was appointed to manage the affairs of the Society

until the annual election in January, 1917. Within a short

time after the creation of this committee, it was brought to

the attention of its members that Brothers Woodworth and

Fisher had some understanding and interpretations of Revelation

and Ezekiel that might be helpful; and since Brother

Russell had stated that some one else would write the Seventh

Volume, and since he had stated that the Seventh Volume

would come to the church, and since the Scriptures clearly

?ot forth that there must be seven volumes of Studies in the

Scriptures, the Committee carefully considered the matter

amd decided to have the two brethren named write manuscript

and compile what had been written by Brother Russell upon

the prophecies of Ezekiel and Revelation. No promise whatsoever

was made by the committee to these brethren as to

whether the manuscript would be used.

Early in the summer of 1917 the manuscript was completed

; and after a careful and prayerful consideration, it

was believed to be the Lord's will that it should be published

and given out to the church. The readers of Tiil

Watch Tower are familiar with the fact that it was published

, and about the middle of July was sent to all Watch

Tower subscribers, and on the 17th of July was delivered to

the Bethel family. It was prepared under the direction of the

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, as will be seen by

reference to the preface. The name of the Society likewise

appears on the outside of the cover. Upon the title page

appears the name of the International Bible Students

Association, which has likewise appeared on the title pages

of the other volumes for several years; and the copyright

was put in the name of the Peoples Pulpit Association.

Thus it is seen that all three of the corporations, which jointly

are used to carry on the harvest work, participated in the

putting out of the hook; and its publication was fully accomplished

by "the messenger" of Revelation 14:18 — the Watch

Tower Bible and Tract Society, which is maintained by

the sacrifice of the saints of God.

In harmony with the expectation of the Lord's "little

ones," who had been engaged in the harvest work, this, The

Finished Mystery, the seventh of the series of Studies in

the Scriptures, contains a clear exposition of the prophecies

of Ezekiel and Revelation. Never has there been any publication

which so clearly defines "Babylon," outlines her wrongful

course, and exposes her fraudulent practices, as the Seventh

Volume. This book is designated "the Point of the Sword,"

which is set against the Babylonish systems, and which, cutting

away the mask, exposes the true nature and foretells the

imminent fall of Babylon. (Ezekiel 21 :15) The "Point of the

Sword" is sharp on both sides. It truly represents the testimony

of the two great prophetic books "of the Bible — Revelation

and Ezekiel. Can there be a reasonable doubt that the

message of the Seventh Volume is the instrument in the

hands of the Lord's consecrated, the antitypical Elijah class,

with which the smiting is to be done? And since Brother

Russell stated, "The Elijah class will handle this sword; he

will give all of his people a share," is it at all unreasonable

to expect that in due time the truly consecrated and earnest

workers in the harvest field will grasp the sword, and go

forth with joyful hearts to the performance of the duties and

privileges placed in their hands by the Lord?

ITS PHENOMENAL SUCCESS

When the book was first published, it was thought that

less than 100,000 volumes would be required, and a contract

was made by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

with the printers for the manufacture of less than 100,000

volumes. This number was soon exhausted, and more were

ordered. Near the close of our fiscal year the demand became

so great — colporteurs everywhere reporting so much interest

manifested by the public, the orders coming in with such

rapidity — that up to this time we have found it necessary to

give orders for the 850,000 edition. Many of the classes, following

the suggestions of The Watch Tower of October 1st,

have organized for the sale of the Seventh Volume j and

hundreds of the friends who have heretofore had no active

part in the colporteur service are now placing many volumes

in the hands of the people. Many order-loving people, heretofore

entire strangers to the harvest message, are receiving

[6182]

Dbckubkr 15, 1917

THE WATCH TOWER

(373-374)

the message of Volume Seven with gladness of heart. If space would be especially pleasing to the Lord that his people

would permit we could insert many statements similar to assemble in convention in 1917.

the following; The Society put forth a strenuous effort to have one

"It is the most wonderful book 1 have ever read. It has general convention at a central point in the United States,

shown me clearly what is wrong with the churches and the with a view to having all the friends assemble there who

clergy; and I don't want to go there any more." could possibly come. So many things interfered with arAnother

said, "It has cleared all the mists away. No rangements for the holding of such a convention that we came

wonder 1 could get no satisfaction from the churches!" to the conclusion that it was not the Lord's will to attempt

Another wrote, "I always realized there was something to have it. We wondered if we could have a convention at

wrong with the systems, but never could define the trouble all without Brother Russell being present in the flesh, ana 1 yet

until I got this book. I want to get out of Babylon while we felt sure it would be pleasing to the Lord that his people

the getting is good." come together. About the time our efforts for this general

The sale of the Seventh Volume is unparallelled by the convention failed, requests began to pour into the office from

sale of any other book known, in the same length of time, all parts of the country, asking for conventions to be held,

excepting the Bible. The classes that are using it as a Bercan Arrangements were made to hold a few conventions. These

study report wonderful blessings. It is not claimed that the were attended with such manifest approval of the Lord, and

book is perfect, nor was this claim made for the preceding such a wonderful blessing to his people, that it was determined

six volumes. No imperfect creature could produce any perfect to respond to the call of the church in so far as possiblo;

thing. A number of typographical errors have been corrected and consequently the Society responded, arranging the routes

in the second edition. Others will be corrected as found. It of the traveling pilgrim brethren and others of the office force

is not claimed that all interpretations are perfect, nor would so that small conventions might be held in various parts of

such claim be made for any of the series of the seven volumes; the United States.

but that the hand of the Lord has supervised its publication Since August the first up to this time, twenty-one of these

and distribution must be evident to all who have been watch- conventions have been held, not one of which was held except

ing the Lord's direction of the harvest, and who have joy- upon the earnest request of the local classes. Those who have

fully participated in that portion that has come to them. attended can testify to the wonderful blessings coming to them.

We are pleased to announce that the translation of the Everywhere the spirit of the Lord has been manifest, and it

Seventh Volume into Swedish and French has already been is our belief that Brother Russell beyond the veil has been

accomplished, and both are to be off the press this month, in permitted to have some part in these conventions. Those who

Europe. As soon as we can fill orders in these or other are privileged to manage the work of the Society claim no

languages, announcement will be made in these columns. It credit whatsoever, but numbly and joyfully acknowledge the

is being translated and published by instalments in the Ger- Lord's favor in having any part in these assemblies which

man, Polish and Greek Watch Towers. It is being translated have strengthened his people in the hour of greatest stress

into four other foreign languages, and doubtless will be trans* that has yet come upon the world or upon the church. These

lated into many more soon. conventions have not only strengthened the faith of the many

"THIS HOVOR HAVE ALL HIS SAINTS" attending, but have enthused many to lay aside earthly weights

Brother Russell long ago stated in The Watch Toweb and joyfully enter the harvest field. The requests for such

that the "penny" of Matthew 20:2-17 constitutes "kingdom conventions continue to pour in, and we take this as an inhonors

," From the quotation above made, he mentions the dication from the Lord that it is his will that the Society

honor that will come to the kingdom class in binding the kings continue to arrange for them.

and nobles and in executing the judgments by the sword. He THE PBI0&IM SERVICE

further stated that the giving of the "penny" surely means j^ has always pleased the Lord to have the message of the

something that will occur in this present life this side the kingdom proclaimed by word of mouth. The pilgrim service

veil, and that it would take place at the end of the age; that k a8 been greatly blessed by the Lord since the Society inaugthose

coming into the harvest field recently have an equal urated it. The meetings held by the various pilgrim brethren

opportunity with those who have been long in the service in have brought many blessings to the consecrated and to the

wielding the sword according to the Lord's appointed pur- public. The greatest number of pilgrims engaged in the work

poses. Further commenting Upon the "penny," Brother Rus- m 191 6 was 69. Conditions became such that some of these

sell said: are no longer engaged in the pilgrim service, but the Lord

"We can think of only one way, and that is to apply seemingly has been pleased to raise up others to perform this

the parable entirely to present life experiences of the part of his work. At this time there is a total of 93 brethren

kingdom class, especially those who will be living at the engaged in this branch of the service, which we believe has

close of the Gospel age, and a3 greater knowledge of not been exceeded during any year of the harvest. Below is

present truth is now coming as a reward to all who will a brief summary of the pilgrim work for this year:

labor at all in the vineyard of the Lord, let us not be sur- Engaged in pilgrim service 93

prised if this should be equally distributed to those who Miles traveled 617,186

have come in recently with those who have been a long Towns visited 6,672

time in the Master's service," — Z '14, 171-172. Public meetings 1,956

It is with sincere joy that we are privileged to report Semi-public meetings 3,287

that amongst the activities of the Watch Tower Bible and Total attendance 850,734

Tract Society for 1917 the Seventh Volume of Studies in VOLTOTEER service

thb Scriptures has been published, and is now going forth, __ * 1.1. T j v j i. i i.

We count this as another one of the strong proofs t&at the . £** arm f °« the L ?F d ha3 do ™ * *"** volunteer service

harvest is nearing the end, and that in all probability the > n thls f™^*™**?** *?* B £ thls T m&an th * LP ubhca "

Spring of 1918 will mark the beginning of the closing up of tian and free distribution of the Bible Students Monthly.

all activities of the kingdom class on this side the veil Truly J™ ^ onS h * Ve bee " P ubl ^h d ™& districted, aggregating

the message of Volume Seven has caused a great light to ?^6o,000 copies. The third edition of approximately

shine upon the pathway of the Elijah class, and with joy they 10.000,000 is now enroute to the classes to be distributed on

sinsr* December 30th of this year, and the first of January of next

"And heaven shines clearer ?*- Yl^t had many responses to these papers, testifyAnd

rest comes nearer in S that thev have * r ° u g h * blessings to many hearts.

At each step of the way." OTHEB BRANCHES OF THE WOBK

OONVEOTIOHS OF HIS PEOPLE The PHOTO-DRAMA of Cbeation has been shown during the

For a number of years it has been the custom of the year at various places, and interest in it still continues, the

Watch Tower BrBLE and Tract Society to hold one or more total attendance for the year being 292,338. The number of

general conventions, at which all believers in the ransom sac- productions was 678. The Eureka Drama productions were

riflce are welcome. It has always been recognized that these 901 and the total attendance €2,483.

conventions are stimulating, building up those who attend in Since it is contrary to the terms of the Charter of our

the "most holy faith" and keeping their minds fixed upon Association for the Society to engage in the manufacture

that great convention of the "general assembly of the church and sale of Angelophone machines, it became necessary to

of the first borns" to which we have all been looking forward. put this branch of work in other hands, and it is still

Having in mind that we were nearing the end of the way, continuing. It being entirely in harmony, however, for the

and desiring to heed the words of the Apostle, "Not forsaking Society to still manufacture and sell the records for tla

the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some Angelophone. arrangements were made with the brother who

is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye took over the Angelophone Company, whereby the Society

see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25), we felt that it finances the reproduction of the records. These new records

[6183]

(3N-J7S)

THE WATCH TOWER

Brookitx, N. Y.

have nroven ver y satisfactory, and furnish another means

that the Lord is using to give the message of glad tidings to

those having hearing ears.

The pastoral work has been greatly blessed during the

year. For the year 1916 there were 350 classes engaged m

the pastoral work. During the first part of the year 1917 there

was a slight increase, but later in the year more classes engaged

in it, and the total number engaged in pastoral work

tor 1917 was 924. The results have been very gratifying,

many hearing the truth and making full consecration and

symbolizing this consecration; a number of new Berean .Bible

classes have been established.

THE COLPORTEUR WORK

Many of the dear brethren who heretofore have been engaged

in the colporteur work were compelled to engage in

secular business in order to provide themselves with the

necessities of life. Consequently during the year 1916 there

were only 372 colporteurs. During the year 1917 this number

has been increased to 461, regularly engaged in colporteur

service. Added to this, 355 classes have duly organized and

are carrying on the special colporteur work. By this means

the county where the class is located is divided into smaller

sections, and everyone of the consecrated who desires to have

a part in this work is assigned to a small district until he has

finished, and then assigned to another district until the territory

is entirely covered. Some of the classes have as many as

100 engaged in the colporteur work, many of whom have

never before had any experience; but they report some very

splendid results and many blessings of the Lord. If we count

10 members as the average of a class doing the ^ colporteur

work, we have 3550 special colporteurs and 461 regular colporteurs

, which at this time would aggregate 4011 engaged in

the colporteur work; and from the daily reports coming to

the office we anticipate this number will more than double

very shortly. We give below a comparative summary of the

output of the various publications for the years 1915, 1916

and 1917:

1915 1916 1917

Studies (English and foreign) 362,344 265,495 574,838

Drama Scenarios (hound books) 55,630 70,000 87,567

Mannas and other books 53,355 42,000 95,898

Booklets (English and foreign) 88,447 110,000 191,719

the watch toweb {24 issues) 1,272,000 1,128,000 1,211,000

German watch toweb (12 issues) 24,000 24,000 25,000

Polish watch toweb (12 issues) 24,000 17,000 19,000

Our correspondence for this year has been unusually heavy.

We have endeavored with the well-organized office force to

handle this as rapidly as possible.

Number of letters received during the fiscal year, 203,686

*' " " sent out during the fiscal year, 167,154

ATOITORS' REPORT

At various times heretofore the books of the Society have

been audited by a committee selected by Brother Russell for

that purpose. At a recent meeting of the Board of Directors

an auditing committee was selected and notified to come to

the office and make thorough examination and audit of the

books and accounts of the Society, The report of this auditing

committee appears below and speaks for itself:

The undersigned committee, upon request of the President

and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Watch Toweb

Bible and Tbaot Society, submit the following report t

On the 8th day of December, 1917, an examination of

the books of the Society was made at the office in the

Brooklyn Tabernacle, 13-17 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, N. Y„

said examination covering the period of the fiscal year,

Nov. 1, 1916 to the close of business, Oct. 31, 1917.

The books were found in excellent condition, accurately

kept, with the accounts stated fully and clearly.

The Society's cash was found to be properly deposited

in banks, trust companies and safety deposit vaults.

The system of accounting used in the office seems admirably

adapted for the purpose of the Society. The

office has been organized on an excellent efficiency basis,

the space, material and personnel being used in a manner

that commands our highest commendation.

With our knowledge of corporations doing large business

, we doubt whether it would be possible to find elsewhere

the same amount of business transacted with the

same number of employes.

Every feature of the office work, the forma used, and

the methods employed, bespeak the utmost economy in

time and money.

The committee finds the stock of books and other literature

kept in an orderly manner, and that the amount

of stock is kept at the lowest point consistent with good

management, and that the movement of the stock is expedited

by every known means.

The transportation of large shipments to various parts

of the country is made expeditious and economical, whereever

possible, by forwarding direct from the factory.

The record of voting shares kept hy the SecretaryTreasurer

we find to be complete and accurate.

Eliot H. Thomson,

General Bookkeeper, Washington Loan & Trust

Company, .Washington, D. C.

Hakry J. Aldbich,

Efficiency Engineer, Spencer Kellogg 3 Sons,

Incorporated, Buffalo, N. V.

Clayton J. Woodwobth,

Vice-President and Auditor, Foster Correspondence

Schools, Scranton, Pa.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Never during the harvest has the Lord's approval and

loving kindness been made more manifest in his provision

for the carrying on of his work than during this year. At

the beginning of the fiscal year the contributions came rather

slowly. For the first four months they were about like the

first part of 1915; but in the latter part of the fiscal year,

particularly from August until the close of the year on

October 31st, 1917, contributions to the Tract Fund greatly

increased, and by comparing this with the previous reports

published in The Watch Tower it will be seen that for the

fiscal year 1917 the contributions exceeded any yet in the history

of the Society, with the exception of the two phenomenal

years of 1913 and 1914. The zeal and earnestness manifested

by the friends in sending in their sacrifices has been an inspiration

to those who have read their communications. We

append hereto a copy of the financial statement issued by the

auditing committee, which is self-explanatory:

The audit of the books of the WAtch Toweb Bible

and Tract Society for the fiscal year ending October 31,

1917, is in detail as follows:

Receipts

Good Hopes and Tract Fund

Donations $219,545.41

^ , . Expenditures

Pilgrim Service $27,700.63

Free Literature, Books, etc 54,544.20

Sent to Foreign Fields 24,512.20

Pastoral Work 282.24

Various Conventions 2,866.00

Repayment of advances made in

1916 (See Z. '15-373 and '16-389.

$100,713.09 minus $20,000.00) 80,713.09

Balance on hand 28,927.05

$219,545.41

[Signed] Eliot H. Thomson

Habby J. Aldbich

Clayton J. Woodwobth

It is proper that we mention the fact that by reference

to the report for 1915 it will be seen that the Society borrowed

a large sum. It will be observed on the financial sheet of

1917 that after repaying this amount there is still a balance

of the approximate sum of $28,000 to the credit of the Good

Hopes fund. It should be observed, however, that the needs

of the foreign branches are such that it has been necessary

for us to remit to them a goodly amount since the close of

the fiscal year. It is also necessary for us to carry a large

stock of paper in order that we may have our books and

tracts promptly manufactured. During the month of November

alone it was necessary for us to order 18 carloads of paper

at an average cost of $2,000.00 per car. Paper this year is

much higher than it has been in previous years. It will thus

be seen by reference to the financial report that the Society

is in a healthy financial condition, but as it has always been

the policv of the Society to use the money as it came in, the

preparation for the work in the near future will quickly

absorb the balance to the credit of the Good Hopes fund. Our

future operations will be governed as the Lord may indicate

by providing the means.

We are pleased to announce that the Brooklyn Tabernacle

and the Bethel Home are free from all debt or encumbrance,

and since the disposition of the New York City Temple, which

was heavily mortgaged, the Society has no debts upon which

it i« required to pay interest.

For all the Lord's leadings and blessings in this behalf we

are indeed grateful, and to him we give all the credit and

praise for every feature of the service.

REFERENDUM VOTE

As heretofore announced in Thr Watch Toweb, upon the

[6184]

December 15, 1917

THE WATCH TOWER

(375-376)

suggestion of others the classes were asked to meet at their

respective places of assembly on the 21st day of November,

and cast a referendum vote as to who should constitute the

servants of the Society in the capacity of Directors and

officers for the ensuing year. The following well known

brethren; namely, K. H. Thomson, Gen. W. P. Hall, and J. T.

D. Pyles, of Washington, D. C, consented to act as a committee

to receive and tabulate the vote, and report, Some

of the classes laboring under a misapprehension, as we are

advised, neglected to take that vote; but the classes voting

and thus far reported to the committee, show returns as

given below :

Washington, D. C, Dec. 13, 1917.

To the Officers and Directors of the

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society,

Brooklyn, New York.

Dear Brethren :

We report herewith the returns from 813 ecclesias

who have sent to this committee the results of the advisory

election for Directors and Oihjcers of the Society,

as suggested in The Watch Tower of November 1, 1917.

_ _ Sec'yCandidate

Director

J. F. Kutnerford 10,990

W. E. Van Amburgh 10,909

G. H. Fisher 10,333

J. A, Bohnet 10 323

10,204

9,880

8,888

1,776

A. H. Macmillan

W. E. Spill

A. N. Pierson

C J. Woodworth

M. Sttirgeon

A. I. Ritchie

R. H. Hirsh

I. H. Hoskins

J. I>. Wright

H. O. Rockwell

R. J. Martin

W. F. Hudgings

A. E. Burgess

P. S. li. Johnson. . . .

E. W. Brenneisen . . .

89 others receiving

than 100 votes . . .

less

1,036

Pres.

Vice-Pres.

Treas.

10,869

10,700

1,856

5,722

X

TOTAL. VOTES CAST 11,421 9,680 11,802

Fifty-live classes reported that they were unable or

unwilling to vote.

A final report, to include belated returns from foreign

points, will be submitted at the annual meeting in January

next.

[Signed] J. T. D. Ptles

W. P. Haix

Eliot H. Thomson.

FOREIGN WORK

The harvest work in the foreign field still has the Lord's

blessing, notwithstanding the great stress. In Germany the

pilgrim service, colporteur^ work and the harvest work in

general are still progressing. The Bible House is maintained,

but its management from the headquarters is conducted

through a representative of the Society in a neutral country.

The work in general is in very good condition, we are pleased

to report

The first public meeting held in Holland was in the summer

of 1913. Considerable interest was then manifested, and

now we have two representatives in Holland and much interest

in the Lord's cause is being aroused.

The condition of the work in other foreign fields will oppear

from the reports, some of which are published below, and

others will be published in subsequent issues.

BEFOET OF BRITISH BBANOH

Dear Bbotheb Ruthebfqbd: —

I have pleasure in enclosing a summary of the output of

books and tracts in the British Harvest Field during the year

which ended with us on October 31st last, the memorial to

us of our dear Brother Russell's death. 1 have also the

pleasure of giving you herewith a brief review of the year's

work. The year has been in some ways the strangest of

years for us. We have had our trials and difficulties; and

these have come in unexpected ways, and from unexpected

quarters. But the year has been one of the best that we have

had in the whole of our experience in the harvest work, and

we have very much for which to .thank the Lord. Looking

at the figures which we are enabled to report, we are surprised

that during the third year of the great European war

we are able to show so good a report. The pressure of the

Military Service Act began to be felt at the opening of our

financial year, and it has continued. Our young men, those

who made in almost every ecclesia the dynamic force of the

class, have been taken away from us. The Chief Reaper has

seen fit to take them out of the harvest field, and he has

placed them in strange situations. Many of them are together

in various settlements in the country, and they are

enabled to look back over their experiences, and in many

cases they are enabled to "try" one another. Also they have

the privilege of gladly helping each other toward that rounding

out of the character which the Master desires to have.

It seems as if the general experience of the. harvest work this

year has emphasized this latter feature: probably the harvesters

have more than at any time felt that the benefit of

the work was for themselves rather than those for whom they

seemed to labor.

I will now give you a brief account of the various branches

of the work, beginning with the

Pilgrim Service

In this branch of the work we report with pleasure, and

with thankfulness of heart to our heavenly Father, a considerable

increase of activity, . We were, by the favour of

the Lord, able to use the time and talents of good, loyal

brethren who had, if not the whole time, at least a considerable

portion of their time free for thi3 service. The result

is that there has been more visitation of the British classes

than at any time in the history of the harvest work. The

letters from all the classes are full of gratitude and appreciation

of the labour and ministry of our pilgrim brethren

; and it is abundantly evident that the blessing of the

Lord has been with us in this branch of the service. There

is a very close bond of union between the brethren in this

country at this time; and we believe the Lord will bless us

even more abundantly.

Colporteur Work

The colporteur work has not been so brisk as last year,

nor indeed as brisk, we think, as it might have been. We give

all honour to the dear brethren who have continued in that

work, and who have wrought so hard and so well. Our output

of books is 62,685, which is only 9,000 less than last year.

Most of these books have, of course, been put out by the

colporteurs, and a fair proportion of them have been sold

in the Drama follow-up work.

Volunteer Work

Our output of volunteer literature has fallen considerably.

There are two main factors in this decline: the fact that our

workers are depleted — many active young men who engaged

in this work having been taken away from us — and the shortage

of paper. In the early part of the year it was almost

impossible to buy paper, and the price asked was very heavy.

Then we did not receive our copy from America for quite

a while, and thus we thought it might not be the Lord's will

for us to force open a door. However, as soon as the Lord

gave liberty, we hurried the work forward; and our brethren

speedily got out a good edition of the "World on Fire,"

B. S. M. No. 91. Altogether a total of 3,300,000 ha-s been

distributed during the year. Our output of tracts, including

those to advertise the Drama, is 4,100,000, which may be said

to be about one- third of a late average good year.

PHOTO-DRAMA

The Drama has done well, though we must use that w T ord

in a comparative sense. It seemed as if it3 days here were

numbered. There was nothing doing. But in late Spring,

the Lord opened the way. One of our dear brethren who

had conditional exemption from the Military Service wrought

hard and long, and we have been able, by his and other willing

service, to run one exhibition, as might be said, almost continuously

; that is, we have taken one exhibition to a town,

evening only, for four days, concluding with the finale on

Sundays. The results have been very gratifying, almost as

good as if we had h«d an eight days show with two exhibitions

per day. Even in this limited way we have had

over 9,000 names for colporteur calls; and very good results

have, on the whole, been obtained. It seems as if the Lord

were about to open the Drama door a little wider, and there

is a possibility of a good witness yet being given by this

means. The Photo-Drama is very acceptable everywhere. Any

town would take it regularly; and it would be a continuous

attraction, though of course we seek to do that which is best

in the general interests of the harvest field.

Fa*tor*l Work

The pastoral work is new to us this year, and we on this

side were late in starting. For several reasons it seemed impossible

to begin until the year was well advanced. The

number of classes which have taken up this work is seventyeight

; and though our reports are not all that we can desire

in showing results, yet we know that the Lord has blessed

the work very much. There are many today who are fully

consecrated to the Lord but who, before they were visited by

the pastoral workers, did not know the way of consecration,

even though their hearts were leaning towards the Lord, and

[6186]

(376-377)

THE WATCH TOWER

Brooklyn, N. Y.

who did not know the joy of his glorious plan. Our hearts keep the Lord's people busy in the harvest field, so that all

are made glad as we think of the blessings which have come their spare time is devoted to this work. Whenever a new

through this work. The sisters are rejoicing in their oppor- B. S. M. is issued, the friends hold special prayer meetings,

tunities of service, and the Lord is blessing them very much. and then on the same day they distribute the good tidings in

Finance every part of the French harvest field. Thus the work is

The financial side of the work has been easy; for there supported by the continued prayers of the saints, and the

ha3 been no difficulty whatever here. The contributions ot blessing has been much greater than ever before. We do the

the Lord's people to the work have not stopped; and the same f or photo-Drama showings and for public lectures,

brethren generally have expressed their confidence that the During the year the French work has made much progress,

office still represented the Lord's work, and\ that the Lord especially in the unity of spirit amongst the brethren. The

would take care of that which was committed to him. This distribution of free literature is much larger than that of last

has been shown by an increase of over £1000 compared with year — the ou tput this year having been 210,000 tracts more

last year, and we have been very thankful for these indica- t h an j aat vear> ^ ie attendance at public leeturee has been

tions of the Lord's good pleasure. excellent — about 5,000 more than last year. The increase in

Seventh Volume t* le number of volumes sold was 1,300. This year we are

There is one feature of the work which remains to be publishing Vol. 3, and Vol. 7 is now on the press. Early in

mentioned— the Seventh Volume. We should have been very the incoming year we hope to publish Vol. 4 We shall then

pleased if we could have reported to you that the brethren have all the Studies in the Scriptures in irench. tor this

had this in hand, and that its message was being spread. As great blessing we are very thankful to the Lord.

you know we could not get this circulated here because of General Eeport for the Year

lack of the necessary plates. At the time of writing the Letters and Cards received 3,230

plates are not yet in hand, and it may be that there will be Letters and Card dispatched 2,147

difficulties in getting them through the importation burrage. Packages and Parcels dispatched 2,121

However, this matter is in the Lord's hands, and we quite Scripture Studies sold 2,735

understand that it is of his providence that the plates are on Booklets sold 3,715

this side and so near to us. Paper also is a difficulty. We Tracts distributed 418,217

ordered paper many months ago, but we have not yet got a Total attendance at pilgrim meetings arid at

delivery of it. However, no doubt the paper will be ready Photo-Drama showings 56,550

just about the time when the plates are ready; and then ****** Eeport

when we are through with the printing and other litle dim- p^^ah^^o

culties— and the printers and binders are very busy with the Receipts bxptn&xturea

trashy books which fill our book-stalls— we shall hope to put Donations re- * or b o ok s,

the Seventh Volume in circulation in time to get it into the ceived and tracts, etc. . 30,450.02 Fr.

hearts of the brethren and into the hands of those to whom stock on Balance 69.86

the Lord would send it. ha * d • 30,519.88 Fr. « ft «,QB«u-7

We would urge the dear British brethren who read this oa-i«qqtj. JU,dih.*s *r.

report, and who have ability to serve in the colporteur work, J?"'?"!-* 58 t r * T

to consider very specially in the sight of the Lord the privi- With much Christian love I am, -__

lege of this work before the hours of service are ended. Those Your Brother and servant m the Lord, A. Feettag.

who cannot enter into that work directly may still do so by AUSTRALASIAN BBANOH REPOBT

praying the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his £>eab Bbethrkn in Uhbist: —

service; for still it is true the harvest is great, but the j us t one year has passed since we became bereft of our

laborers are few. dear Brother Russell; and while we still have his beautiful

The general condition of the country is one of prosperity; words of comfort, revealment of the Scripture and guidance,

and certainly it is true that there are weary hearts to com- ve t even though so far away from the centre of the work,

fort, hungry souls to be fed as never before. The devastating h ow greatly have we missed his influence! Yet we realize

effects of this terrible war are making many long for some- that the Lord has been with us and that while we have not

thing they feel ought to be there, but which they do not get. p U t 0U £ so man y volumes as previously, yet there has really

They have asked for bread; they got a stone. We are thank- been mor e interest discovered through the various methods

ful for signs of a movement towards an increase of work in f WO rk in vogue.

the colporteur field, and we believe that there will yet be We bave j oa t S( > m e colporteurs through sickness, death

a good work done. and other circumstances. This accounts for the small output;

The Watch Toweb continues to be welcomed as always; f 0T BOme f t he wor ]t ers have done better this year than

and the brethren receive it as they have been accustomed to ever before. At times local conditions have made it difficult

do, as the channel conveying to them the Lord's blessing. ^ p] ace the volumes in the homes. But generally the people

We regularly pray that the Lord will bless this channel to have mor e money now than ever, and it is usually easier to

His people, that they may .be fed and led. The spiritual g e t a hearing and stir interest. We are glad that there is

health of the brethren continues good. The Tabernacle con- ^m a p r0 spect of more laborers entering the field, and trust

gregation continues with one heart and mind, waiting upon that much may yet be done in sending out the Tiuth.

the Lord; and the congregations in the larger centres — Tn e shipping difficulties which interfered with the colGlasgow

, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, porteur work also interfered with the volunteer work, so that

Oldham and Bristol — are continuing in the way of the Lord we bave f a u en below the million mark. What has been dene,

in faith and patient Jabor. The many other classes are labor- however, has been done well. Our work of sending through

ing as faithfully and patiently, and we should be glad to the post to ajl out-lying towns and districts has resulted in

mention them all to you. It is a pleasure to us to think that interest being found in parts which could never have been

you know so many of the British friends, and that you are reached by hand distribution or by colporteurs,

familiar with British conditions. Classes have been gradually increasing and numbers atIt

has been a pleasure to me as I have visited the British tending the old established classes have also been added to.

friends to find them loyal to* r the Society and to yourself as The great distances make it very difficult to operate any f reits

President elected by the brethren to that high privilege q Uen t pilgrim service, but we have done what we could. The

of service. Whenever you can find in the Lord's providence ma i n c i asse s have been visited ; and this has meant the travelam

opportunity of Coming over here, you will he heartily - m g by land and sea of several thousands of miles. We hope,

welcomed by us all. The London Bethel family send warm however, that this service may be extended if the Lord wills, as

love to you, and to their brethren in the Brooklyn Bethel; classes are now gathering up a little better to make calls en

so would all the British friends if they had the opportunity. route t0 tne distant ones.

Believing that the Lord has much work to be done, I count q uf experience seems to have been in line with yours in

it a great privilege from the Lord to be enabled to report re gard to the. increase in donations to the Tract Fund, so

thus to you, and with warm love and loyalty, I am, that you will notice we have been enabled to substantially

Yours in the Master's grace and service, J. Hesieby, reduce our debt to Brooklyn. This we are sure will be pleasEEPOET

OP FBBNOH AND SWISS BRANCH ing for many of our friends to know, as there is a general

Deab Brother Rutherford: — feeling that we should he able to not only pay our own way

It is a blessed privilege to give here a full report of the but to reimburse Brooklyn for first expenditure, if possible.

French work — Nov. 1, 1916, to Oct. 31, 1917. Not only have The pastoral work progresses. So far away, we are some

the ecclesias increased in number during thi3 year, but the months behind in anything started at Brooklyn; and even

dear friends understand better than ever before the deep yet all the classes have not organized for this work. Melthings

of consecration to the Lord. It is our endeavor to bourne and Adelaide are the only ones that have sent a

[6186]

DecsifBKR 15, 1917

THE WATCH TOWER

(377-378)

general report, though Brisbane is active in the work and

Sydney ias just commenced. The reports of Adelaide and

Melbourne indicate that though the work needs great patience

and plodding-perseverance on the part of the sisters, yet in

the long run the results are good and well worth the efforts

of weary feet and patience-tried hearts.

The Adelaide Friends called on about 1,100 names and

had 16 chart talks, with average attendance of about 20. Four

new classes have been started with an average weekly attendance

of about 35. They had about 29 workers. Many

of these workers could only give very little time. The Melbourne

figures are very similar: — 1,200 visited, 18 talks with

average attendance of about 32. In both cases there are many

who are now reading the volumes though not able to attend

the classes.

The Photo-Drama of Creation has been fairly operative

in S. A. and Victoria, having been shown at 16 places to

about 116 audiences, with total attendance of about 37,640.

We find that some good comes wherever it goes. We have

been short-handed since Brother Lea left us; but Brother

Michelmore has managed the whole thing in a most creditable

manner. The Eureka Drama has also been operated very

successfully in New Zealand by Brother and Sister Nelson in

co-operation with the New Zealand classes, who jointly own

the outfit. Then Brisbane, as well as West Australia, South

Australia, and Tasmania, have all done good work in the way.

I have not particulars from all, and time and space prevent

going into too much detail.

up to now we have not received our shipment of the Seventh

Volume and all are anxiously awaiting its arrival.

Yours in the service of Christ, Australian Branch.

Annual Statement 1916-1917

Literature circulated: —

Studies in Scripture*, Bound Volume* 11,185

Studies in Scripture, Paper Edition 1/795

Booklets, and "Hell" Watch Tower*.

Photo-Drama of Creation Books . . .

Photo-Drama of Creation Booklets.

1,149

12,980

3,880

16.860

Free Literature: —

"P. P." and "B. S. M."

Watch Tower' '

Free Scenarios

Correspondence: —

Letters received

Letters out

Tract Fund Expenditure

£ s d

Donations 1,846 4

Subscriptions ' ' P .

P."

Donations to Drama

Subscriptions to Sermons

in Newspapers

1,594

18,454

723,500

6,190

6,800

4,859

4,859

£

.1,852

124 16

29 5

28 16 1

Deficiency "".".*.". '. '.', 1,223 10 8

3,252 12

Deficiency, 1916

Purchase Printing

Paper 472

Pilgrim service, including

Advertising

: Rent Hall,

Fares and Personal

expense

Postage, Freights ,etc.

Postage on "P. P.'*

Printing "P. P."..

Photo-Drama Work.

Expense re Sermons*

publications 119 18

Proportion General

Expense, Gas,

Rent, &c 75 . .

3.252 12

91 15

67 3

24 9

871 11

177 12

WALKING TO THE LORD UPON THE WAVES

"O thou of little faith, wherefore

Jesus and his apostles had been across the Sea of Galilee.

A multitude had gathered there; and Jesus was loth to send

them to their homes; for it was toward evening and they had

had no food for some time. Therefore he performed a great

miracle and fed all the people. After this Jesus hade his

disciples to get into a ship and cross again to the other side

of the sea. But he himself remained to go into the mountain

alone to pray. That night the sea became very boisterous and

stormy. While the boat was rolling about upon the troubled

sea, the apostles saw Jesus coming toward them, walking upon

the billows. Some of them cried out in fear, thinking that

they saw a phantom.' But St. Peter recognized that it was

the Lord. Suddenly the thought came to him that he might

also walk upon the water and go to meet the Master. He

called to Jesus, asking permission. Jesus answered, "Come";

and St. Peter stepped out boldly upon the great heaving

billows.

This was a sudden spurt of faith, apparently, on the part

of St. Peter — a wonderful faith it would seem. We wonder

whether any of us would have thought of venturing out

upon those waters! If Jesus had said to any of us that we

might come to him walking upon the sea, would we have done

so? When St. Peter had gone a little distance from the boat,

he looked at the boisterous billows and his faith wavered.

Immediately he began to sink. But he did the right thing to

call, "Lord, save, or I perish!" It must have been quite a

severe storm, as the context indicates. Poor Peter was helped

by the Master, and then he and the Lord were received into

the ship.

The disciples had been out for some time tossing about, and

doubtless were some distance from the shore. But immediately

they were at the land, as St. John tells us. (John 6:21) Perhaps

the Master worked a miracle in the boat's coming so

quickly to land — but no matter.

Why should the Lord speak of St Peter as having little

faith ? He showed far more faith than most Christiana would

exercise. We are inclined to think of the Master's words as

encouraging the Apostle — "You had a little faith; why did

you not hold to it? Why did you doubt? If you had continued

to exercise the faith with which you started out, it

would have carried you safely over to me."

didst thou doubt ?"— Matt. 14:31.

Our admiration for St. Peter is greatly augmented by the

narration of this incident on the Sea of Galilee. He was ever

impulsive, but his faith was genuine, and the Lord loved him

therefor. The Apostle did not sit on the side of the boat and

wonder if the Lord really meant it when he had invited him

to come. On the contrary we find that he immediately believed

the Master's voice and straightway be climbed over the ship's

side and placed his feet upon the water. He did not question;

he did not hesitate nor falter. The Master had beckoned to

him, and it was for him to obey. And he did! Truly he

possessed faith, real faith, great faith — though "little" in

comparison to the faith of Jesus himself. Had St. Peter,

after recognizing the Lord's presence, hesitated or refused

to heed his invitation, preferring to remain with his companions

in the sinking ship, the results might have been disastrous.

We think that we may learn a lesson from this incident.

More than eighteen centuries ago the Lord left his church.

Then she started out upon the stormy sea of her experiences

and has toiled on throughout the night of this Gospel age.

And now we have about reached the dawning of the Millennial

morning; and we perceive the presence of Jesus. We see him

walking on the billows of the world's stormy sea. It is no

phantom. Our Lord is really with us, and has bidden us to

come to him over the boisterous waves. It is a time for the

exercise of faith; it is a time of special testing.

The storm is now greater than it has been for many years.

But he calls his faithful to come out to meet him, and thus

be separated from the majority of people — from the majority

of those who have named hi'* name, many of whom are merely

nominal Christians. He has called us to come out of Babylon.

We are to manifest our faith in kim by prompt obedience. We

would surely get into trouble if we should lose our faith \ we

might sink in the storm, The Lord appreciates even the little

faith we have. He does not reprove us for not having greater

faith, hut would encourage it and cheer us on to an increase

and strengthening of it. So we have stepped out upon the

billows and have met our Lord; we are to be received into

the ship. The vessel will soon be at the shore. The Master

is here with us ; and we shall soon reach the glorious kingdom

— very soon!

FULFILLED BEFORE OUR EYES

By God's favor to the living members of the church, the

time is past when the prophecies of Jehovah have had to wait

for centuries or millenniums for fulfilment. No longer can

there be delay, as spake the Lord through the Prophet concerning

"that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel [the

whole world], saying, The days are prolonged," — Ezekiel 12:22.

Noav by his grace, it is not a "time for waiting, but for

fruition, and for the divine utterance; "Thus saith Jehovah

God: I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no

more use it as a proverb in Israel [throughout the world] ;

but say unto them, The days ftre at hand, and the effect

[fulfilment], of every vision. For I am Jehovah; I will speak,

and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall

be no more prolonged; for in your days will I say the word,

[6187]

(379-23$)

THE WATCH TOWER

BttOOKLVK, N. Y.

and will perform it, saith Jehovah God. There shall none of

my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have

spoken shall be done, saith Jehovah God." — Ezekiel 12:23,

25, 28.

It is something marvelous to us, and a mighty confirmation

of faith to see the God-given interpretation of Revelation and

Ezekiel in the Seventh Volume of Studies in the Hcbiptixres

already in process of fulfilment before our very eyes.

Concerning the world war, just as the conflict began in

July, 1914, with only two nations at war, and progressed in

August and later with many nations involved, so did our

heavenly Father evidently purpose that the titanic conflict

should close — not miraculously, all nations at once, but in the

natural way that Alini^htv God almost invariably does or permits

things.

In Volume Seven, page 268, paragraph 3, is written, "The

close of the war about October 1st, 1917."

To be fighting h war; to stop righting is peace. The

fighting actually ceased with the largest nation, Russia, in

October, 1917; for since October 21st Russia has had peace

along her entire western front. So far as international conflict

is concerned Russia ceased her war and passed into peace,

and now we see the state of peace legally progressing by

official armistice or treaty. Simultaneously, and overlapping

the ending of her war, Russia passes into the second divinely

appointed stage of her trouble — revolution.

As to other nations, the end of war is not yet. For them

there is and will be much heavy fighting; but just as some

were late in getting into the war, some will be late in getting

into peace. However, peace, the ending of war, began on time,

according to the divine Word — in the very month indicated

by our heavenly Father.

Still another divinely appointed prophecy in Volume Seven

has seen its fulfilment already. On page 530, in connection

with Ezekiel 33:21-22, it was written three-quarters of a year

ago that Ezekiel's dumbness for a year, five months and

twenty-six days, might be a time feature, to be fulfilled in the

dumbness of Pastor Russell in death. It was only reasonable

to make this application, because the Prophet in so many

respects pictured God's great messenger to the clcsing age

of the church. Pastor Russell died October 31, 1916, and the

period indicated will end about April 27, 1918. From the

language of Ezekiel thi3 is designated as the time of the coming

of the dread tidings that "the city is smitten"; thit is, that

Christendom, or ecclesiasticism, is seen to be in desperate

danger from revolution, if the existing forms oon the

Tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and

what answer I shall make to them that oppose me." — Hab. 2:1.

•W

&=? >^7S?==

r^SV : --. fc S

Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring: men's hearts failing them for fear

and for looking forward to the things coming upon the earth (society); for the powers of th e heavens (ecclesiasticism) shall be shaken

When ye see these things come to pass, then know that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Look up, lift up your heads, rejoice, for your redemption

draweth nigh, — Luke 21:25-28-31.

VII— 24

[6189]

THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SA CRED MISSION

This Journal is one of the prime factors or instruments m the system of Bible Instruction, or "Seminary Extension," now

being presented in all parts of the civilized world by the Watch Toweb Bible & Tkact Society, chartered A. &t 1881, "For the

Promotion of Christian Knowledge." It not only serves as a class room where Bible Students may meet in the study of the Divine

Word, hufc also as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society's

Conventions and of the coming of its traveling representatives styled "Pilgrims," and refreshed with, reports of its Conventions.

Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews orf our Society's published Studies, most entertainingly arranged,

…