The Watchtower, January 1, 1918
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[6190]
AND HEPALD OF CHRISTS" PRESENCE
Vol. XXXIX
BROOKLYN, N. Y., JANUARY 1, 1918
No. 1
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
"The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer, and above all things have fervent love
amongst yourselves." — 1 Peter 4:7, 8.
What will the year 1918 bring forth? This question is
upon the lips of every class of men. The world looks and
hopes for those things which constitute its highest ideals —
peace, plenty, health and happiness. The Christian looks for
the year to bring the full consummation of the church's hopes.
The world says, "How may we attain to our ideals of earthly
blessing?" The Christian asks, "When shall we enter the
Temple of our God, and see our Lord face to face and be
assured of his everlasting approval? And when shall we be
permitted by his grace to participate in reconstruction and
blessing the human race?" For that blessed time, St. Paul
tells us, the whole creation groans and travails in pain; yet
the creatures know not how their deliverance shall come. Only
the children of the Lord know by faith in his Word.
History is making at such break-neck speed that men of
the world go breathless in pursuit. They behold the current
events, but understand not why they are so. Christians, watching
the transpiring of these events, by the Lord's grace understand
them and rejoice to see their hopes about to be realized
. The truths of the present day, earthly and spiritual,
stimulate the child of God to greater activity in the Master's
service
THE COAL FAMINE
During the severest winter weather the world's metropolis
and many other cities face a coal famine. For many days,
coal has not been obtainable regardless of the price. Even the
wealthy have found their money of no avail. Many such have
driven in their expensive limousines to the coal-distributing
points and begged the deliverers to load their fine cars with
coal, that they might have some comfort in their homes; but
they fail to get it. The public press announces that 300,000
families in Greater New York were without fire to warm by
for several days. The worldly-minded wonder why such conditions
are permitted to exist. The students of God's Word
see why and know that these conditions will grow worse as
we near the end. Twenty-five hundred years ago, God through
his Prophet, referring to the time in which we now are, said,
"There shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before."
(Isaiah 47:14) Conditions leading up to the fulfilment of this
prophecy are mentioned by Dr. Bromley in "The New York
Times." October 17, as follows:
"There is plenty of coal in the ground, yet most of Europe
is dark and cold. Both Americas are much alarmed over the
situation as it confronts them. The present fuel crisis is here
because we did not realize soon enough how vital a factor is
fuel, when whole nations and not armies alone must become
war weapons.
"The cry that there is no coal shortage is dangerous deception
. True 500,098.175 tone in lfllfi as against 531,619,487
tons in 1915 was the production. But these figures are misleading
if one forgets that the world's consumption of coal is
greater than ever before/'
Thousands of producers have been removed from channels
of production and put into channels of destruction. Such
conditions will grow worse.
THE THIOKENIKG TURMOIL
Asked what would be proof of the end of the world, the
great Master said: "Upon the earth, distress of nations with
perplexity; men's hearts failing them for fear." (Luke 21:24,
26) Today we see the fulfilment of this prophecy. "The
Commercial and Financial Chronicle," one of the^ most conservative
amongst financial and business journals, in a recent
editorial says:
"A retrospect of the week discloses a series of events, a
status of conditions, more momentous and depressing perhaps
than any other week of this agonizing war. The grey skies of
February grow dark with gloom; and hoping almost against
hope, one tries to see some signs of the coming of the end.
But a wall of murky, steely cloud, in which pale glimmers of
peace flame, only to fade, shuts down upon the world, lighted
remi
by the terrible fires of battle, and seething with the turmoil
of man's perverted endeavor. And for that phrase bandied
about in a sort of light-hearted contempt, 'Whither are we
drifting?' the serious-minded must substitute another, *To
what further and final cataclysm are we drifting?'
"As the search-light of all-seeing Press sweeps the world
what do we behold? A new revolution in Russia — sinister
with socialism and eloquent of the anarchy which must prevail
over wide stretches of that unhappy land far removed from its
populace centers — civil blood in the streets of Moscow and
Petrograd. the fate of the new attempt to rule hanging in
the balance — it may be a matter of days, mayhap presage
other feuds to come— a Russia practically out of the war as
far as early aid to the Allies is concerned, a fact which may
yet prove of gigantic proportions.
"And in our own country, a week of refrnarkable events and
of growing apprehension. Stocks reaching their lowest point
in ten years, recording billions of dollars of losses in market
values since the beginning of the conflict, showing few Bigns
of any permanent recuperation. Strikes, arbitrations and compromises
by and between employes and employers throughout
the country in numbers and for demands never before approached
in the history of the country. Looming up suddenly
is an impending demand and a possible strike for its enforcement
, having an estimated 109 million dollars increase in
wages, to meet an alleged increase in the cost of living by
certain bodies of railway employes in the face of the showing
of net losses by the roads upon an increased business or in
spite of it.
"Yet, again, a meeting of the National Foundries Association
in New York City, which sends a telegram to the President
in which it is unanimously declared that:
'Autocracy of labor is fully as disturbing to the welfare
of mankind as an autocracy of government/
"These are a few of the leading events and conditions
confronting our people. The insupportable pressure of war isat
work, and the turmoil thickens. The time calls for serious
thought, closer devotion to every task in hand, and solemn
study. Our hope is that we may now be in that darkness which
almost precedes dawn."
LABOR SEEKS OONTBOL
"The sea and the waves roaring." (Luke 21:25) In every
land of earth is observed the fulfilment of this prophetic statement
. The discontented, restless element of humanity is fomenting
more trouble. Organized labor is roaring out it's discontent
, and seeking to put its grip upon the reins of power.
And the time draws closer when the warring classes feel that
they must have it out with the growing aggression of the
workers. The annual report of the American Federation of
Laboe says:
"Working people have**never been properly represented in
diplomatic affairs. We insist that this Government provide
adequate and direct representation of wage earners among the
plenipotentiaries sent to the Peace Congress."
Th& Chronicle, the spokesman of finance and business, on
the above statement comments:
"Here it is again; labor arrogantly setting itself up as a
separate factor, an entity to be dealt with; as a class, physically
within, but not of the country; as a sort of power which
can make terms and conditions on which it will stand more
or less distantly behind the Government in the great struggle
for national life.
"We have yielded and yielded to organized labor, until the
final clinch cannot be longer delayed. We cannot avoid or
divert that clinch by the Government undertaking to take
over the roads and operate them as military instruments. Such
they have been for three years, and the men owning them are
virtually soldiers in the ranks. The country must now, in an
emergency which brooks no delay and no feebleness, undertake
and accomplish the subverting of any organization within it,
(3-4)
(4-S)
THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn, N. *.
or else surrender to this one which defies it the more boldly
because of having been suffered to grow by a long series of
compromises."
A DEFERRED HOPE ABOUT REALIZED
The Gentile times have ended, and the kings of earth have
had their day* The autocratic kingdoms are destroying each
other, and their existence is but a matter of days merely.
Concerning the Jews, Christ Jesus said: "They shall be trodden
down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be
fulfilled/' (Luke 21:24) Zionism, organized in 1896, has all
along had for its prime objective the establishment of a home
government in Palestine for the Jews. Through his prophets,
God promised to restore Palestine to the Jew; and the great
Master said that the beginning of such restoration would be
proof that we are at the end of the world. The English have
wrested from the hand of the Turk the city of Jerusalem.
Commenting editorially, the New York American says:
"The conquest of Jerusalem is the final triumph of Zionism
. For the first time in nearly two thousand years, not only
one, but three great powers stand ready to publicly recognize
the Jewish nationality and its right to a land and a homo.
Zionism means the rebuilding of Palestine by the Jews. Millions
of Jews in every land are organized, active and intense
in their enthusiasm for the rebuilding of Zion. It is an agelong
dream. It is also a practical business movement of today.
The English Rothschilds are leading it in London. The French
Rothschilds are a part of it in Paris. In New York Nathan
Straus, Jacob Sdhiff, Henry Morgenth&u, Max Norjiaoi and
Schullman are in its ranks. Justice Brandeis is its apostle in
Boston, and in Chicago the large influence and the mighty for*
tune of Julius Bosenwald is generously behind the movement.
Fortunately for the new home-land of the Jews, the people
behind them include the greatest financiers in the world and
there will be no difficulties in this line which will not be
smoothly weathered for the Jewish state."
Max Nordau, scientist and leader of Zionism, says :
"We are at the turning point of the world's history. The
gigantic war which is dissoluting humanity has inflicted more
tortures on us than on any other people. We know our losses,
our sufferings and our tears; but we are sustained in the trials
of these disasters by the certainty that we are approaching the
culmination of our national destiny."
The London Christian World published a manifesto issued
by some of the English clergymen to the effect that the return
of the Jews to Palestine indicates the near establishment of
the Lord's kingdom. The Chicago Herald interviewed a number
of American clergymen upon this question who generally
scoff at tine nearness of Christ's kingdom. The consensus of
opinion by them is expressed in the words of the Rev. Oscar
C. Helming:
"My personal impression is that the historical interpretation
ot the Apocalypse is a mistaken interpretation, of Jewish
origin. I feel that the present war condition has no more
bearing on the second coming of Christ than other wars and
revolutions have had."
"THAT INTERNATIONAL NUISANCE"
The Lord's Word shows his disapproval of the alliance
between the church systems, which claim to represent him on
earth, and the civil and political powers. Such an unholy union
he designates in his Word as harlotry. Even worldly men recognize
that the mixture of politics and religion is obnoxious.
The Wall Street Jowmal, read by the banking interest of
Greater^ New York, speaking of the Papacy, refers to it as
'^that ihtamaiional nuisance, the church-state." In Italy the
Roman Catholic church is well known to be willing to sacrifice
Italian nationality to promote its awn temporal power. It is
claimed that not all of the weakening of the morale of the
Italian troops was due to Teutonic influences. The Paris correspondent
of the New York Times says:
"No one who has not been recently in Italy would realize
the harm done by a propaganda whose theme is America's
abstention from war with Austria which, says the Propagandist,
proves the justness of the Vatican's pacifism by showing that
America also is not in sympathy with the war Italy is waging
to complete her national unity. How far that unity is in line
with the Vatican's dream of temporal power may be judged
by the fact that its heart and center is Borne — the city which
the popes regard equally as the home pivot of theiA rule on
earth."
The declaration of war by the United States against Austria
was a blow to Papacy's hopes.
The thought that the Papacy is scheming to profit through
the present world disaster is nothing surprising to Bible Students
; for they are well aware that the word of prophecy
points to the part, to be played by the "beast" in helping to
establish peace and so ingratiating itself with the world as to
make possible again the stealthy riveting of the fetters of intolerance
upon all true freedom of religion, of the press, of
speech and of thought. But however well such craftiness may
succeed and induce the nations of Christendom to give their
power and strength unto the "beast" (Rev. 17:12, 13), it will
be but transitory; for shortly the "ten horns [nations transformed
by revolution] shall hate the whore, and shall make
her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn 'her
with fire" [anarchy and revolution]. — Revelation 17:10.
THE SUN DARKENED
As a further evidence of the end of the age and the bringing
in of Messiah's kingdom of righteousness, Jesus said,
"The sun shall be darkened." (Matthew 24:29) The sun is
a symbol of the Gospel of Messiah's kingdom. On November
12, 1917, two thousand representatives of all creeds and denominational
systems assembled at Carnegie Hall, New York.
Participating in this conference were Catholic cardinals, Protestant
Doctors of Divinity and Jewish rabbis. The purpose of
the meeting was to formulate a scheme or plan of Biblical education
. The New York American quotes Dr. John H. Finley,
one of the speakers:
"Here are three steps which we may take : First, the preparation
of a book of selections from the Bible by an interdenominational
commission appointed by the legislature or by
the Board of Regents for use in the schools; second, the formulation
of a plan for non-proselyting end cooperation between
the schools and various denominations; third, the granting
of regents credits for serious work in Bible study outside
of the schools. The time has come for Protestants, Catholics,
Jews and Gentiles to co-operate to the end that every child may
have an intimation at least of his moral and religious inheritance
."
Dr. George Albert Coe said:.
"We religious people must join with organized labor to
compel teaching in the schools which makes for happiness and
not for wealth."
The noticeable feature here is that the name of Jesus
Christ, his redemptive sacrifice and his kingdom for restitution
blessings, are absolutely ignored. Truly this is a fulfilment
of the prophecy of the darkening of the sun.
CHURCH FEDERATION
From time to time there has appeared in The Watch
Tower much proof from the Scriptures that before the end of
the age there would be a federation of the nominal church
systems. Such is now practically an accomplished fact. The
"beast" of Revelation 13:1 is the Papal system. The "other
beast" of Revelation 13:11 is the church of England and Ireland
. The United States has entered into an alliance with
Great Britain. Thus there is a tacit alliance between civil
and ecclesiastical elements, The temporary cessation of the
war between the nations with the force of revolution and
anarchy becoming more apparent will draw closer together the
civil and ecclesiastical powers. Practically all of the church
systems with one mind and with one accord are "dancing" before
the civil powers. (Mark 6:22) This federation and alliance
is "Mystic Babylon" in a most complete sense. In the
type the great feast of Belshazzar which preceded the fall of
ancient Babylon would seem to represent the rejoicing of the
federated systems, particularly wflien they haw gained federal
recognition, either directly of indirectly. It seems quite reasonable
to conclude that the experiences of John the Baptist
with Herod were also typical. Commenting upon this, Brother
Russell said:
"Herod would represent civil government and the unlawful
wife would represent the nominal church which throughout
the symbolic Scriptures is represented as a woman — 'Jezebel',
etc. Should it prove to be a type by its fulfilment, in antitype
the fulfilment will probably be on something like the
following lines:
"(1) A partial reunion of church and state.
"(2) In such ease it would become ttfie dutv of the true
church, the forerunners and announcers of tJie Messianic kingdom
, to reprove the civil powers as well as the nominal church
systems and to declare their union unlawful, contrary to the
Word of God.
"(3) The effect of this would pretty surely be to awaken
the animosity of both civil and religious powers; but it would
draw out especially the animosity and venom of the latter.
"(4) The church nominal in her false position would be
anxious to stop the reproof and to destroy the reprovers; and
the effect would be that the civil power would be induced to
pass such legislation as to restrain the liberty of the faithful
ones and hinder them from public witness — as John was hin*
dered by imprisonment.
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January 1, 1918
THE WATCH TOWER
(S-6)
"(5) Jezebel's personal influence being insufficient it may
subsequently be gained by the influence of her daughter (United
Protestantism). Who will be so fully in sympathy with her as
to become her tool in the destruction of the most loyal servants
of God."— Z. '98, p. 95.
THE WOEK BEFOEE THE CHURCH
We cannot with certainty know what is just before us, but
we feel sure that the Lord is pleased to have us be on the alert
and prepared to do with our might what he may put in out
hands to do. When the Lord speaks to his church through his
chosen servant, then it is reasonable to conclude that he expects
the members to be governed by the terms of that message
. There have been seven messengers to the church. It
seems certain that the Lord purposed their messages as a
guide for the church. We believe that we are within the
bounds of propriety and taking the position which the Lord
is pleased to have us take when we say that in the examination
of these important questions due consideration should be given
to what Brother Russell as the messenger to the Laodicean
ehurch wrote on the subject. Such a position is not deifying
the man, but giving due consideration to the Lord for the message
which he sends us. That Brother Russell was not infallible
all will admit; but he being the messenger to the Laodicean
church and being a profound student of the Scriptures has
express-ions should be very closely scrutinized and given careful
consideration at this time.
The tangible evidence that the present order is passing
away, and that soon the kingdom of God will be fully established
, is overwhelming. Such proof causes the true saints to
look up and lift up their heads, with rejoicing. At the same
time it behooves them to watch and pray. Before the completion
of the kingdom class it seems reasonable to conclude from
the numerous evidences that we have, that a strong, vigorous,
decisive proclamation of the kingdom message must be given;
and that this must be given by the Lord's people, the antitypical
"John" class, otherwise designated as "the Elijah
class." Then surely it behooves every truly consecrated Christian
to view the situation calmly and inquire. What is my duty
and privilege at this timet
In 1916 Brother Russell said:
"Until now we have never thought much about Elijah coming
down to the Jordan and the important work he did there as
having any special significance. But now we see that we went
to the Jordan in 1914, and that Elijah and Elisha stood there
talking, as we are doing now. After they had talked a while
Elijah wrapped up his mantle, evidently referring to some
special power coming to the Elijah class; and then he smote
the waters. Everything led up to that smiting, and everything
went before to prepare for this. Now we see that what
preceded has only been' preparing the way for this. I am
daily looking for what the folding up of the mantle may signify
. It looks like as if it may mean a great deal of money.
We are trying to wrap up whatever mantle comes. The smiting
will probably affect the whole civilized world. They are
going to feel the influence of this smiting. Let us be ready."
If this conclusion is correct, then it follows that the wrapping
up of the mantle and the smiting of the waters must
take place after 1914. It is likewise clear that such work
must be done before all the members of the body pass into
glory beyond the veil; for it is the members of the Elijah
class this side of the veil who must do the Smiting. In the
above quotation it is stated that the mantle evidently refers
to some special power given to the Elijah class, who after
receiving that power will smite the waters (the people).
Brother Russell suggested that the folding of the mantle might
mean a great deal of money. The only purpose of having
money would be to get the message widely distributed. If the
Lord, has provided a reasonable amount of money and other
means to distribute the message, it would be just as reasonable
to say that such is represented by the wrapped-up mantle.
The mantle, in addition to representing power as above
stated, sometimes symbolizes authority or dignity, also indentification
. (1 Sam. 28:14) The message contained in The Finished
Mystery — the Seventh Volume of Studies in the
Scriptures — definitely and clearly identifies Pastor Russell
as "that servant/' the messenger to the Laodicean church, and
shows the dignity of his office and his authority to speak as
the Lord's mouthpiece. Hence his interpretation of Scriptures
bearing upon the question should receive profound consideration
. Further commenting upon this same matter, Brother
Russell in 1916 said:
"The 149th Psalm evidently pictures a time when the
Lord's people on this side the veil would in some way be prominent
before the world. It says, *Let the saints be joyful in
glory.' Onee we thought this meant joyful in heaven j but now
we see that to be joyful in glory need not be on the other
side, but on this side the veil. The Psalmist proceeds to say,
'Let them sing aloud upon their beds.' He declares that the
saints upon their beds have a two-edged sword in their hands.
The bed signifies a condition of ease, so far as the faith is
concerned. We shall, of course, be at ease on the other side,
but this evidently means an ease of faith on this side the veil.
The two-edged sword means the Word of God. That must
mean here; for no one will be smiting anything with a twoedged
sword over there. It will surely Jbe here. This twoedged
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 can oppose everything opposed to
the truth,
"These are the saints who 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 Bhall see what this
judging may mean a little later on. The River Jordan meanti
a judgment and the smiting of this Jordan may mean to put
the truth in such a way as to do the judging; and Elijah will
handle this sword."
The Lord has permitted the compilers of Volume Seven to
bring together all the gems of truth upon the Scriptures from
Brother Russell's pen as these relate to Babylon. From these
gems of truth written by the one having authority and making
clear the Scriptural testimony we see:
(1) That just preceding the inauguration of the kingdom
there would be a church Federation, that there would he a
closer relationship established between church and state, and
that the felicitations of the ecclesiastical systems would constitute
the antitypical feast which preceded the fall of ancient
Babylon ;
(2) That such federation and alliance is an abomination
unto God, and that it would be the duty of the truly consecrated
then on earth to rebuke such arrangement by plainly
declaring God's message of truth;
(3) That the Prophets Elijah and John typed the same
class, that the class typed by them would administer the rebuke
, and that such proclamation of the message of truth would
turn the people away from the Babylonian systems, thus constituting
a division represented by the division of the waters
of the River Jordan;
(4) That everything in the harvest leads up to this climax,
and that since 1914 everything has been making for this work;
(5) That the smiting of the Jordan and the ubo of the
two-edged sword are two pictures of the same thing, that the
two-edged sword means the Word of God, that Jordan may
mean to put /the truth in such a way as to do the judging,
that the wrapping up of the mantle evidently refers to some
special power given to the Elijah class; that the Elijah class
will handle the sword with which the smiting is done;
(6) That the smiting of the Jordan represents the dividing
of the people and the turning of them away from Babylon,
that Babylon will fall, and that this smiting will probably
affect the whole world;
(7) That the Lord's people this side the veil will in some
way be brought prominently before the world.
Examining these points Ve see that the federation is practically
an accomplished fact; and since the end seems to be so
near at hand, the time for the performance of the work above
mentioned must likewise be near at hand. When Brother
Russell says that the two-edged sword is the Word of God or
message of truth, and that the truth may be put in such a way
as to do the judging, and that the Elijah class will handle the
sword, then it follows that there must be sotme clear explanation
of the prophecies of Ezekiel and Revelation which exposes
Babylon, and that this message must be given public witness.
We find in the Seventh Volume of Studies in the Scriptures
this identical message. One of two things is absolutely certain
— that this is the long promised Seventh Volume with
which the smiting is to be done or else there must be another
one written; and since this one contains all Brother Russell
has written upon the subject it would seem unseasonable to
conclude that another is to be written, since the Scriptures do
not identify another messenger having authority. to write.
If the Seventh Volume is the sword of the truth put in
such a way as to do the judging, and if the Elijah class is to
do it, then it follows that everyone who fails or refuses to
grasp this sword and go forth in obedience to the Lord's direction
repudiates the provision made for him and could not be
designated as of the Elijah class.
A DAT OF DECISION
Some are having difficulty in seeing their privileges of
taking a part in the proclamation of the Seventh Volume message
. We suggest to all such that they take the matter to the
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THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn, N« Y.
Lord in prayer, and then being guided by fthe principles of his
Word, ask themselves these questions:
Is the Lord still the Chief Reaper, directing his harvest
workt If so, would he permit the church to be engaged in
such a world-wide activity on a line contrary to his way?
Would he grant his blessing upon the work unless it is right?
Was Brother Eussell, as the Master's servant, right when he
said that the "two-edged sword is the Word of God, the message
of truth, and that the truth may be put in such a way as
to do the judging"? Js it true that the Lord describes Babylon
, the false systems, in the Books of Bevelation and Ezekiel;
and is it true that Volume Seven gives an explanation of these
books in harmony with the truth revealed by the Lord to the
church through his messenger of the Laodicean period*
The point of the sword is sharp on both sides, therefore a
two-edged sword. The Psalmist describes the saints with the
two-edged sword in their hands. Is it true that the Books of
Ezekiel and John constitute the point — the two-edged sword
with which Babylon is to be smitten? — Ezekiel 21:14-15;
G- 464, 466.
Brother BusBell said: "The Elijah class will use this sword.
We should be ready to take any part which the Lord may give
us. He will give all of his people a share." Was Brother
Russell right when he uttered these words? If so, am I of
the Elijah class if I neglect or refuse to participate in the use
of the sword? Do I believe that the words of Revelation 14:
18, 1«J constitute a command from the Lord? (G 227) And if
this is a command can I show forth my love to the Lord unless
I keep this commandment f (John 14:15) Is not Babylon
the product of Satan f Who would be pleased to have me use
the point of the sword against Babylon — Satan or our Lord!
PEOSPEOTS BEFORE US
Will not a vigorous witness of the truth as set forth in
Volume Seven bring persecution? Yes; such is quite probable.
If I remain aloof and have nothing to do with the message
against Babylon, may T not preserve myself from sudh persecution
? Yes, possibly; but can you afford to take that position
?
Long ago thei« was recorded by "that servant," in Volume
III, these words:
"It will probably be in an effort at self-preservation on
the part of great Babylon — Christendom — when she sees her
power in politics, priestcraft and superstition waning, that the
work of truth spreading will be stopped as detrimental to her
system; and probably at this juncture the Elijah class, persisting
in declaring the truth to the last, will suffer violence
and pass into glory and escape from the severest features of
the great time of trouble coming — just in the crisis of affairs,
when men begin io feel that desperate measures must be resorted
to, to sustain the tottering structures of Christendom.
Although the exact time of the deliverance or change of the
last members of the body of Christ is not stated, the approximate
time is nevertheless clearly manifest as shortly after the
door is shut."— C 231.
"The door of opportunity to engage with Christ our Lord
in the work of the Gospel age will be closed when the night
cometh wherein no man can work; and all who have not previously
, by faithful service, developed the necessary character
and proved their sympathy, devotion, love and zeal for the
Lord and his truth will then be too late to do so." — C 210.
The prospects for the year 1918 are" thrilling — yea, wonderful
! It seems that for us to be indifferent to them by
failing or refusing to participate in the proclamation of the
truth now due would be nothing short of disloyalty and unfaithfulness
to the Lord. Beloved, let us gird on our armor
and calmly, fearlessly and joyfully meet the task that he has
set before us. "The Lord bless thee and keep thee and cause
his face to shine upon thee"— as you go forth to battle.
BROUGHT INTO PROMINENCE
Again we quote that servant: ''This smiting will probably
affect the whole civilized world. They are going to feel the
influence of this smiting. The Lord's people this side the veil
may in a way be brought prominently before the wprld." How
could this be possible? By turning the people away from
Babylon and while so doing "sounding out the high praises of
God," thereby clearing his holy name from the dishonor at
tached to it by false teachings of Babylon's Bystem. Such
would surely affect the civilized world. But how would the
Lord's people come into prominence? Evidently not by becoming
popular. One might be brought into great prominence
and yet be very unpopular. Such has always been the result
of faithful witnessing to the truth. (Hebrews, Chapter 11)
Elijah was prominently known far and wide in the realm of
Ahab and Jezebel, but was far from being popular and approved
by that kingdom and its subjects.
THE SOCIETY THE MESSENGER
In Revelation 14:18 we read: "And another angel c.ime
out from the altar which had power over fire and cried witl^ a
loud voice to him that had the sharp sickle [the message of
present truth] saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle and gather
the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully
ripe."
Since its organization the Lord has used the Watch Tower
Bible and Tract Society as the messenger to bear the kingdom
message to his people. The "altar" is the place of sacrifice
. How aptly the description fits the Society! It is the
only institution on earth maintained by the sacrifice of the
Lord's saints. Never yet has a plan or scheme succeeded
which had for its avowed purpose the gathering or accumulating
of a large sum of money to be used in the harvest work.
Clearly the Lord desires his work to be done by the sacrifice
of his people. He is rich in all tilings, and needs no one to
devise ways and means for him. All of his people need the
opportunity of sacrificing to show forth their love and zeal
for him. The financial report of the Society for the year
1917 shows how his faithful ones have sacrificed in order thaf
the money might be provided for the proclamation of his message
. The money the Lord has graciously provided, and with
the message of truth which he has also provided, and with the
organization for his work which he is directing, the time seems
ripe to obey the "voice" of the messenger which **had power
over fire." Power over fire means authority to send out the
message of truth that is destructive of error. The clear exposition
of Ezekiel's and John's prophecies set forth in Volume
Seven fills this requirement, and it is being sent out far and
wide by the Society. Evoryone who truly appreciates th
privilege is participating in this work according to their several
abilities.
YEAB TEXT IMPORTANT
Surely the child of God can plainly see that the end of all
things of the present order is at hand. The world is in a state
of great excitement. Statesmen, politicians, business men,
clergy, labor leader etc., all are at high nervous tension.
Everyone feels it. Soon the "four winds" [evil spirits] will
be loosened (Revelation 7:1-3); and what a fertile field they
will find in the excited minds and high strung nerves of the
peoples of earth. Nervous excitement, anger and lack of
sobriety will make it much easier for the evil spirits to possess
the mind. One who is in such condition is not fit to give attention
to important matters. Never before has it been so im
portant for us to remember the admonition of the Apostle —
the words of our year text — "The end of all things is at hand ;
be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer. And above all
things have fervent love among yourselves." Let us. remember
that the victory in the battle is not with the strong alone, but
with those who have full faith and confidence in the Lord.
"My help cometh from the Lord." In ourselves there is no
strength, but he who is our captain is strong. Let us be strong
in faith, giving glory to him. Let us be calm, sober-minded,
watchful and prayerful, using the Sword of the Spirit to his
Glory, and he will bring us off more than conquerors — yea,
overcomersf
OUR KING IS MARCHING ON
Mine eyes can see the glory of the presence of the Lord :
He's trampling out the wine-press where his grapes of wrath
are stored;
I see the flaming tempest of his swift descending sword,
Our King is marching on.
I see his coming judgments, as they circle all the earth,
The signs and groanings promised to precede a second birth;
I read his righteous sentence in the crumbling thrones of earth :
Our King is marching on.
The "Gentile times" are closing, for their kings have had their
day;
And with them sin and sorrow will forever pass away ;
The tribe of Judah's Lion now has come to hold the sway:
Our King. is marching on.
The "Seventh Trump" i^ .sounding and our King know-; mi
defeat,
He will sift out the hearts of men before his judgment seat,
Be swift, my soul, to welcome him; be jubilant, my feet:
Our King is marching on.
f6194]
JESUS LORD OF THE SABBATH
[This article, excepting the paragraph below, was a reprint of article entitled, "Which Day is Sabbath," published in issue
of March 15, 1912, which please see.]
February 3. — Mark 2:23-3:5.
"The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" — Verse 28.
Few seem to get the proper thought respecting the Sabbath
. Some consider themselves as Jews under the Mosaic
Law. Others go to an opposite extreme and, declaring that
we aj-e not under the Law but under grace, repudiate the Sabbath
entirely, What we believe to be the correct view is the
intermediate one between these two extremes, as we shall endeavor
to set forth.
God adopted the nation of Israel, all children of Al*raham
through Jacob, as hi a special possession in the world. With
them he made the Law Covenant through Moses at Mount
Sinai; to them he sent his messengers, the Prophets, and
finally his Son. W 7 ith them, and with no other nation, it was
his agreement that by the keeping of the Law they would
abide in his favor and would have divine blessing upon flocks
and herds, lands and people, instead of sickness, pain, drouth
and dearth. To no other nation was the Law of Sinai given;
with no other nation was that Covenant made. As it is written
: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth."
JESUS FORGIVETH SIN
[Paragraph 3, 4, 7 and 13 of this article were reprinted from article entitled, "The Forgiveness of Sins," published in issue
of February' 15, 1906. The remainder was reprinted from article entitled, "Sin Forgiveness and Healing," published in issue of
February 15, 1912. Please see the articles named.]
JESUS CHOOSES THE TWELVE
[This article, excepting the paragraph below, was a reprint of article entitled, "Apostolic Succession Unscriptural," published
in issue of April 1, 1912, which, please see.]
Sts. Paul and John were not only Apostles, but also special
messengers to the early Church. The special messenger in the
harvest of the Jewish age was the Apostle Paul, who wrote
about one-third of the Now Testament, carried the Gospel
into Europe, suffered almost unbelievable hardships of every
description, and died a martyr in A. 1). (10, when he was beheaded
by the Emperor Nero. The Lord's mouthpiece to the
second stage of the church was St. John, the beloved disciple.
He wrote more of the New Testament than did any other,
except St. Paul. The Apostle John died at Ephesus at the
age of 100, about four years after writing the Apocalypse.
REPORT OF SOUTH AFRICAN BRANCH
Dear Brethren: —
Enclosed herewith you will find a report of harvest work
in South Africa during the last eighteen months. We have
not been able to put out so many volumes as in 1914-1915;
but this is in line, I think, with the work in other parts of
the world. Recently, however, the colporteur work in South
Africa received a decided impetus by the accession of a dear
Dutch Brother to the ranks. In the last three months this
dear Brother has put out over 2,000 volumes, averaging about
40 per working day. This unprecedented activity, added to
our usual output, has made a great inroad in our stock.
Now, dear Brethren, I will give you a brief outline of the
harvest work in South* Africa. The number of white brethren
— other than natives — we estimate at between two hundred
and three hundred. The larger portion of these are divided
among four churches — Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria and
Cape Town, all towns of considerable size. This may seem
a very small proportion of the people; but when we remember
that the white population numbers only about one and a
quarter million, scattered over 500,000 square miles, an area
equal to one-sixth of the United States, but with only one
sixtieth of 'your means of transportation — it will be understood
that the difficulty of getting at the people is considerable
. Many of our dear brethren are isolated and alone, with
no fellowship but the Lord's; yet their letters and their occasional
presence at conventions testify low abundantly he
is able to compensate for the lack of human fellowship.
Then to these are to be added our dear native brethren.
At Ndwedwe we have a flourishing class of about 80 fullbloodied
Zulus. At Bank Location a class of. Bisutos'moet,
numbering about 24; and a smaller class of Makosas meet
in the East London Location. Despite the fact that we have
no literature in the native languages, the grasp of present
truth which these native brethren have is phenomenal. We
can only say, "It is the Lord's doing, and marvelous in our
eyes." Entertaining, as they all do, a profound respect for
the Bible as the Word of God, they have listened eagerly
to the truth imparted to them by native teachers able to read
the volumes in English and to translate what they read into
the vernacular. Having practically nothing to unlearn, they
have readily embraced the Lord's message when presented.
The intelligence and the sincerity of their consecra'tion ha\e
been attested by their sufferings for conscience's sake. Nearly
all of these dear native brethren have been solemnly and pub*
licly excommunicated from Babylon — turned out of the Mission
reserves in which they were born, and branded as dangerous
persons in their Locations, which are their world. Yet
none of these things move them; and they count it all joy that
they are permitted to suffer for Christ's sake.
In the Nyassaland Protectorate, the truth has a larger
and older following. Nyassaland is much further away — beyond
all possibility of visiting unless on a special tour which
would take about three months of time and about £150 in
money, so that our control of the work in that country is not
so substantial. Owing to the lack of white control there, reports
from that country are Mp.i«modie used in accordance with my
understanding, viz., to satisfy inquiring friends.
Following the circulation of this resolution my friendly
attitude toward all the brethren concerned was called in question
. Immediately the unwisdom of my course became apparent
, and I saw that, if my efforts as a peacemaker were to
have further weight, it would be necessary to undo what I
seemingly had done in signing the resolution. This I attempted
in the letter written July 26th, afterward published. But stepping
from one "side" back to neutral ground was a difficult
matter; in fact, I now realize that I overstepped to the other
"side." It was in this position that, out of sympathy for those
who I believed had been made the objects of undeserved publicity
^ I signed an open letter to the friends attending the Boston
convention. When I discerned, after convention, that this
action made me equally as incapable of restoring harmony as
T had been after signing the resolution, I quietly withdrew,
deeming it best to make no further statement at that time.
1'he u.-^e of my mime in any publications concerning the controversy
issued since the Boston convention has been entirely
without my previous knowledge and consent.
In the early part of August, the final endeavor to establish
peace proved of no avail. My heart ached to think that
brethren, respected and loved for their work's sake, •should
have been held up before the friends all over the world in
a way which to them seemed unwarranted. I pleaded with
tihem to follow the course of our Master and suffer glaoly
whatever bitter experiences the heavenly leather permitted,
not even desiring to retaliate or justify themselves; but to
commit their cause to him that judgeth righteously. What
an opportunity to exhibit the spirit which we all have been
striving to cultivate — the spirit of forbearance with one another
, the spirit of brotherly ^ovel Preferring not to submit
to what they called an injustice, the four brethren chose
to leave the home. Here I rested the case with the Lord.
Meantime I have watched developments. Looking back,
it is now quite evident that the Lord was pleased to permit
the very condition which many of us tried earnestly to avert.
But why should our loving Father take pleasure in that which
has caused such widespread perplexity and sorrow? Surely
he has no desire to injure those who are truly his. Bearing
in mind that we are in the closing hours of our trial
time, the reason for such treatment at the hands of the
Judge of all the earth is obvious: "The Lord your God doth
prove you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with
all your heart." If we love our God supremely, we will love
every one who is begotten of him — every one who is a partaker
of his Spirit. Moved by the spirit of love, we will devote
all our energies to provoking one another to love and good
works. Remembering that "the Lord will judge his. people/' we
will be content to wait for the expression of his approval or
disapproval.
According to all indications, the blessing of the Lord continues
increasingly, with those who are striving to "show
forth his praises,"" in eluding the brethren at Brooklyn who are
endeavoring to direct the activities of the Society. Believing
that they have been faithful to the divine commission, "to
proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance
of our God," I am glad to cooperate heartily with.
them. Our opportunities for service may be limited or great
in number. Let us be faithful even in the least; for this will
determine our worthiness of greater responsibility "in that
day."
Some have asked whether I would be a candidate for any
office in connection with the Society's work during the coming
year,. Recognizing that the Lord himself is interested
in the appointment of those who shall help in the "perfecting
of the saints for the work of the ministry," I hesitate to place
myself as one eligible. The desire of my heart is to do his
bidding, whatever that may be.
Your brother in Christ, Andrew N. Ptebson.
APPRECIATES THE "POINT" OF THE SWOED
Editorial Committee,
The Watch Tower.
Dear Brethren: —
Inadvertently and without due thought and consideration I
affixed my name to the circular letter which 1 understood was
circulated quite widely amongst the friends and sent out with
one of the publications of the opposition.
I desire now to go on record as repudiating absolutely, and
having no sympathy with, the proposition contained in circular
letter referred to on page 367 of Dec. 1st Watch Tower.
I arn not in opposition to the Lord, the Society, nor Brother
Rutherford, and do not wish to be. On the contrary, I Ibelieve
the voice of the Lord was* expressed in the election last January
. I believe it was expressed in the voice of the church in
the vote taken Nov. 21st, last, and that it will be expressed in
the election of the Shareholders of the SoceetTY this January.
I am fully in harmony with the "Point of the Sword"—
Volume VII — and I believe it to be "meat in due season" furnished
by the Lord to his hungry sheep during the present
time. May it prove as much of a blessing to all as it has been
to me!
May the Lord continue to bless your efforts, dear brethren.
to serve the interests of his people and give you a due reward
is the prayer of
Your brother in the One Hope, A. E. Burgess.
OVERWHELMED IK READING IT
Dear Fellow Servants: —
I am sending you sixty cents for the Seventh Volume of
Scripture Studies, Please pardon me for not sending it