The Watchtower, May 15, 1918

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Vol, XXXIX

BROOKLYN, N. Y., MAY 15, 1918

No. 10

FAULTLESS BEFORE HIS PRESENCE

"But ye, beloved j building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit , keep yourselves in the love of

God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." — Jude 20, 21.

HTTMHJTY OF FIRST IMPORTANCE

The first essential to serving God in an acceptable manner

is to have a proper appreciation of one's own self, and to have

in mind always that Jehovah is the great first cause, with

whom none can be compared. It is he who measures the waters

of the deep in the hollow of his hand, and metes out the heavens

with a span; who comprehends the dust of the earth and

weighs the mountains in scales and the hills in the balance;

with whom the nations of earth are counted as the small dust

of the balance — he who is the author of the great plan of the

ages that is working out in an orderly progressive manner,

each attribute acting in its proper time and in exact harmony

with the other attributes. His love was bo wonderfully

manifested by Bending his only-Begotten Son to die, that man,

the very worm of the dust of the earth, might have life and

partake of the riches of glory. — Isaiah 40:12-17.

Such contemplations enabled Brother Jude to have a

proper appreciation of his position. He was a preacher of

God's Word ; yet he applied to himself no high-sounding titles,

such as Right Reverend, Doctor of Divinity, Bishop or Cardinal

, but delighted to designate himself a slave of Jesus Christ.

To be the Lord's slave is much to be preferred to all the titles,

honors and emoluments that can be conferred upon one man.

From this example of humility manifested by Jude we learn a

lesson of much value. As our knowledge of the character of

our loving Master increases, the more we rejoice to be his

slaves. That such an attitude of mind is pleasing to the

Father, we are assured by St. Peter's words; * God resisteth the

proud, and giveth grace to the humble." Pride and ambition

, the very opposite of humility, have been the cause of

many falling away from the love of God. With confidence,

then, we can say that humility is of first importance to keep

While the storm against God's little ones increases in fury,

those who are anxious to see the heavenly Father's face are setting

the things of their house in order, that in due time they

may be presented faultless before the presence of his glory.

That will be the climax of all Christian experience. The child

of God. loves to contemplate that blessed time. At the moment

of awakening in the morning, the first thought is: "Dear

Father, keep me this day so near to thee that, if this be my

last on eartn, it may please thee to permit thy child to see thy

glorious countenance." And when the day's tasks are done,

when we have squared our accounts with the Lord and know

that all is well, then, as we are folded in the embrace of sweet

rest, our last thought is: "As for me, I will behold thy face

in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy

likeness."

Seeing by *f aith this glorious prospect before us, ,what can

we do to make sure of attaining that prize? The above Scripture

answers :. "Keep yourselves in the love of God." The importance

of being kept in the love of God cannot be overstated.

St. Jude emphasizes this by pointing out certain stumbling

stones or pitfalls that will take God's children out of hia love,

and announces certain rules which, if followed, will keep one

in the love of God. The writings of all the apostles are for the

building up of the church on the foundation of holy faith. They

wrote aforetime for the benefit of those upon whom the end of

the age has come. Jude was not an apostle of the Lord, but

one of his brethren, and his epistle contains a message of great

value to the church. How like the loving Father to make provision

for his dear children, that they might be sustained in

the hour of greatest test upon them! With ea^er mind and

thankful heart should each consecrated one avail himself of

such provisions.

VII— 28

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T 11 E W A T C 11 TO W E R

Brooklyn, N. Y.

ourselves in the love of God. The more wo realize our dependency

upon the Lord, (he safer is our position. — 1 Peter 5:5.

"Keep thou my way, O Lord ;

Myself I cannot guide;

Nor dare I trust my falt'ring steps

One moment from thy side."

MERCY, PEACE AND LOVE

Jude, the loving slave of Jesus Christ, addresses his words

not to the world, nor to those who have merely named the name

of Christ, but "to them that are sanctified by God the Father,

and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. Thus we are sure

that the entire epistle applies to those who claim, at least, to

be in the Lord. Sweetly to the brethren, he says, "Mercy unto

you, and peace, and love, be .multiplied." Clearly, then, this

shows that one who would be kept in the love of God must be

merciful to his brethren, not magnifying the faults of his

brother and holding him up to the ridicule of others ; but looking

with loving compassion upon his brother's shortcomings

and weaknesses, and having always a keen desire to render

him aid as a new creature in Christ Jesus. "Blessed are the

merciful ; for they shall obtain mercy." St. Jude makes it

clear that mercy is one of the essential rules to observe, saying

, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy

of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life/*

The degree of one's consecration is often determined by the

sincere effort made to keep the commandments of the Lord,

The servant of God is enjoined that he shall not strive with

his brethren. Strife indulged in would ultimately exclude one

from entering the kingdom. (Galatians 5:21) Sad it is to

note that some of those who profess full consecration to the

Lord seem given to strife and contention. After having been

long in the narrow way, after the brethren have traveled together

in harmony for a long time, suddenly strife arises

amongst them. This is one of the means the adversary seizes

upon to keep the Lord's little ones away from him and to keep

them out of God's love. St, Peter wrote: "Follow peace with

all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the

Lord." Would that the dear friends, who have desired to see

the Lord, would keep this admonition ever before their minds!

We offer the suggestion that whenever strife arises in the

class those engaged in it at once meditate upon the question:

Will this help me or prevent me from being presented faultless

before the presence ol his glory with exceeding joy? "Let

nothing be done through strife or Vainglory; but in lowliness

of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." Following

this rule, peace would prevail amongst the brethren. God

has made it clear that he will grant life everlasting to none

except those who grow in love. Those who will be granted the

privilege of seeing his face must develop the highest degree of

love — a love that leads one to sacrifice his own rights, privileges

and comforts, yea, even life itself, that others may be

blessed. Such is the kind of love manifested by Jesus, who

died for us. To those who will be the members of his body

and whom he will present faultless before the Father, he says:

"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another

even as T have loved you," With these Scriptures before

us it is easy to see why St. Jude says that mercy, peace and

love should be multiplied unto those who are following in the

Master's footsteps.

FAITH OF THE SAINTS

Only the faithful unto death will be present ed faultless before

the presence of his glory with joy unspeakable. The positive

promise is that such shall see the Lord In his beauty and

glory. (Hosea 2:10, 20; "Revelation 2:10) Then the author

of the epistle emphasizes the necessity of continuing faithful:

"Beloved, when T gave all diligence to write unto you of the

common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you

and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith

which was once delivered unto the saints."

The common salvation here mentioned is not an ordinary

one, but is that salvation which is common to all the saints.

"Ye are all called in one hope of your calling" to membership

in the royal family of heaven. None is called to any other

position. Our hope of attaining to that exalted place is based

upon faith in God's arrangements, all of which radiate from

the great ransom sacrifice. The faith once delivered to the

paints thp Apostle Paul specifically mentions in 1 Corinthians

ln:3-5. To contend for this faith does not mean that one

should indulge in strife or manifest a bitterness of spirit; but

it means steadfastly holding to the great doctines of ^truth

which the Lord has graciously given to us. Every doctrine or

theory offered can be measured and its truth or falsehood definitely

determined by the ransom. If out of harmony with the

philosophy of the ransom, then we may always know that it is

false. Holding fast to these fundamental truths is absolutely

vital to keeping ourselves in* the love of God. Abiding in him

faithfully to the end will assure us of being presented faultless

before the glory of his presence.

ENEMIES OF THE TEUTH

Satan has seized upon every means to destroy the seed of

promise; and one of the methods he has employed has been to

corrupt the faith once delivered to the saints. Jude mentions

this in verse 4 of his epistle. First there came into the church,

at tfre instance of Satan, heathen philosophers, who embraced

the name of Christ for a purpose, but who denied the

merit of his sacrifice. Such men substitute their own theories,

acquired from Satan, for those of Christ Jesus and the apostles.

Stealthily they caane in, until they acquired power; and then

they boldly proclaimed their God-dishonoring doctrines before

the world. Satan's original lie — the doctrine of inherent immortality

of man — came prominently to the front; and then

his kindred doctrines — the mass and the trinity — followed

quickly after, these denying the wonderful and beautiful plan

of God, and indirectly, if not directly, denying the value of the

great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It has ever been the policy of Satan to thrust in amongst

good men some ungodly men, against whom St. Jude in this

epistle warns the church at all times. He describes them as

"ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness

." Lasciviousness means looseness; and therefore the

words mean a loose handling of the Word of God, or wresting

the Scriptures for a selfish purpose. It seems that the Adversary

has at all stages of the church succeeded in getting some

such men amongst the true sheep. How may we know them 7

"BY their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:16-20)

Such manifest the fruit of the flesh and not the fruit of the

spirit. (Galatians 5 : 19, 20) Only those who accept and

serve the truth in the love of it and who continue in the faith

unto the end are safe from this snare of the Adversary; and

such only will ultimately receive the approval of the Lord.

FOEEWAEKED OF PITFALLS

Jude then enumerates a number of things which will take

the Christian out of the love of God and that will make it impossible

for him ever to be presented faultless before the presence

of his glory. Verses 5-16, inclusive, give examples of

these things* Unfaithfulness and disloyalty lead certainly to

disaster. The experiences of Israel foreshadowed such results

. The people of Israel in Egypt typed, or illustrated the

church in the worid. The Christian is here reminded that after

God had miraculously delivered the Israelites out of Egypt,

he destroyed them because they believed not; that is to say,

because they failed to continue faithful to the Lord. The child

of God has been translated from the kingdom of darkness (of

this world) to the kingdom of God's dear Son; he by faith

dwells in the light of heavenly things. To fall into the pit of

unfaithfulness means certain destruction. All the trying experiences

through which the Christian passes are permitted to

test his faith and loyalty. "This is the victory that overcometh

the world, even your faith."

DEMONS AS EXAMPLES

"The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their

own habitation, he 'hath reserved in everlasting chains, under

darkness, unto the judgment of the great day.'* ' It seems clear

that this fact concerning the demons is here recorded to teach

a valuable lesson to the new creatures in Christ Jesus. These

angels at one time were creatures of glory and beauty. The

first estate of such was that of usefulness, in which Jehovah

placed them. Having assumed human bodies, they yielded to

the baneful influence of Satan, debauched the daughters of men

and filled the earth with violence. So great was their wickedness

that God imprisoned them in tartarus until their judgment

time, at which time those continuing in wickedness will

be forever destroyed. The Lord Jesus, through the Revel ator,

foretold the loosing of these angels and intimated that such

loosing would take place after the saints of the living God were

sealed. It seems clear that the sealing is now completed and

that the demons are loose. The evidence of this is daily increasing

. Without a doubt the judgment of these evil ones

is now in progress. — 1 Corinthians 0:3.

The first estate of the Christian is that of blessedness, as by

faith he rests in the finished work of Christ Jesus and looks

forward to the time when he may possess his glorious body and

he faultless. From the time he is begotten and anointed

he may be said to be a spirit being. "If any man be in

Christ Jesu=ring to the

attention of the President for remedy, if any be needed,

sentences and judgments found at variance with the provisions

hereof.

[Signed] Woodbow Wilson.

Local Boards composed of men of different temperaments

have not ruled uniformly in cases where application has been

made for deferred classification on account of religious belief.

President Wilson, however, has provided for such contingency

in tho aforementioned Executive Order, as follows:

"Persons ordered to report for military service under

the above Act . . . who object to participating in war

because of conscientious scruples but have failed to receive

certificates as members of a religious sect or organization

from their Local Board, will ibe assigned to non-combatant

military service as defined in paragraph 1 to the extent

that such persons are able to accept service as aforesaid

without violation of the religious, or other conscientious

scruples by them in good faith entertained."

It is not the province of The Watch T^web to tell any one

what he should or should not do; but we can and do say that

every Christian should be obedient to the law. The order of

the President is a part of the Selective Draft Law. Where

one in good faith has applied to the Local Board for classification

and the Board has not issued to him a certificate granting

non-combatant service, then when called he should readily respond

to the call by going to the cantonment and presenting

himself to the commanding officer, who, under the President's

order, has the power and authority to issue to him a certificate

assigning him to non-combatant service.

The President further provides that it is the privilege of

such conscientious objectors to request assignment to some

branch of non-combatant service aside from the Medical Department

INTERESTING LETTERS

WRESTLING NOT WITH FLESH AND BLOOD

Dear Brother; —

Acting on advice I am writing to you of my experience with

the fallen angels.

For seven years my brain has been in a vise, my head

feeling like a rock weighing thousands of pounds — a dull intense

, drawing sensation much worse than pain. My mind

seems full of colors — green, yellow, blue, pink, and then suddenly

the whole head will seem to turn blood-red, producing

hysteria, intense fear, and my mind becomes flooded with

thoughts vile beyond description, with a total absence of faith

in God. On page 127 in Vol. 7 this same condition is described

precisely.

Will give you a brief synopsis of my life. At twelve I

consecrated and joined the Methodist church, but becoming

disgusted T backslid. Living in a lonely, desolate country town,

nothing to think of besides eternal torment, very easily I fell

prey to Spiritism. First it seemed a light frivolity, a mysterious

truth, but I became deeper involved to the extent of

developing into a clairaudient, clairvoyant, writing and trance

medium, giving complete will to the good ( ?) spirits. In four

years time I read extensively the Progressive ( ? ) Thinker ,

studied deeply "Occult Life of Jesus," — what a deadly insult

to our dear Lord — and many books written by the "departed" ;

at eighteen I found I was being made a dupe, because these

people became weak, degenerate and immoral. My life was

ahead of me. I dropped Spiritism like a hot cake but too late.

An indefinite something began bothering me, affecting my

mind. I next looked into Evolution, Reincarnation, New

Thought, Palmistry, Phrenology, to drop them all as empty.

[6262]

May IS, 1913

THE WATCH TOWER

U5*-M6)

Walking streets and fighting insanity, eventually in a public

library I picked up "Science and Health." I read it — ah,

here is the truth at last, I thought — was healed ( ?) almost

instantly, laid off glasses and was transformed into another

girl. I lived in the clouds for two years, joined the church

and got along lovely with occasional trials which "Science"

always met. Then I became wise to the fact that again I was

duped. Two-thirds of these people made jackasses of themselves

, became silly, dishonest, and off their balance, and

usually got some ailment, finally, which "Science" couldn't

meet. Then one day suddenly my head went off. I fought

desperately for thro* 1 years, was insane; tried thirtren different

"Science" practitioners, all told me I waa "making something

of it." Asking what "it" means, was told "it" was an

illusion, a belief in another power opposed to God, principle.

That left me in the dark, and I continued having violent raving

spells. Next I tried medical doctors, chiropractors, etc.,

and finally went back to Christian Science but it was empty

as a gourd and had a "missing link" which no one could explain

. Now I know this missing link to be found in Isaiah

14th chapter, 12th to 14th verses, which clarifies the whole

thing.

After five years of thi3 misery and no solution anywhere,

desperation followed and suicide was attempted different times.

One Sunday at dinner table I suddenly felt myself taken hold

of and pushed out. Like a flash I thought, "This is no illusion

, something having power and intelligence is possessing

me"; but I knew not what it was and wont into a violent

spell. But in that spell came a confession beginning with the

words, "She has caught me. I have been here twenty years."

Will not go into details. I had three spells in which this

"thing" talked. It was vicious, evil-loving, sexless, nameless

, said it was thousands of years old and hated God; but

"it" couldn't use me to do the worst of evils, which it cursed

about. I was too high-minded.

We all thought this was just delirium. A few weeks after

a colporteur sister called with Volume I Scripture Studies.

J was pacing the floor, putting down my hair, fighting this

demon (as I now know). She pulled out the chart in front

of "The Divine Plan of the Ages." Here was something I

never looked into. I sat down, mother went out, and I fired

questions at the sister, which she answered satisfactorily. She

took up my case, read the volumes to me, and instructed me

orally. Although the booklet on Spiritism was read, the

friends did not credit the demon confession, but thought it

was merely physical trouble. I again grew worse, felt abandoned

and made a desperate effort at suicide, but failed. Then

I said, "Lord, whoever thou art, I'll give myself to thee"; and

I fully consecrated. A Seventh Volume, with page 127 marked

was sent me through the mail. I was astounded at that page

describing minutely my case.

Some friends in this city who had experience with fallen

angels heard of my case and tried to reach me to help. Events

transpired that led me to come here to stay with them. I

have been here five weeks studying, praying, making special

study of Volume 7 and "Spiritism" booklet, but so far my

"head" condition cannot be helped nor will the demon let me

alone. It threatens, torments me and I have been thrown into

several spells, which are less violent in the presence of God's

people. Brother Bohnet was here and made my case a matter

of special prayer.

These demons seem in appearance to be beautiful, fascinating

, but their character is vile. They do not desire to return

to their "first estate" and say they will do more and worse

evils now, so many minds being open. Well, they are having

their trial now, and if I must endure them foT a time what a

help I may be, in the coming age, to the poor mental and moral

wrecks that have been made by them! My prayer is for grace

to endure if God doesn't see fit to remove this torture. It may

be valuable some day, otherwise I would destroy myself. Please

excuse mistakes. A presence at elbow, is being fought with to

get this written — badly, I know, but will send it on. Too

nervous to rewrite.

May the dear Lord bless you and the dear Seventh Volume

that is so misunderstood. I didn't accept it at first, but now

it is the biggest comfort I ever had.

Your sister in Christ, L. M. W. — Iowa.

PERSECUTED BY GERMAN CLERGY

Dear Brethren:

You will be pleased, dear brethren, to know that the Lord's

work is progressing here, notwithstanding the pressure of prevailing

conditions. In Germany, however, the brethren report

great difficulties, owing to the opposition of. the clergy, who are

making their influence felt in a greater measure than ever

before. But the truth is gaining headway nevertheless; the

"atone" of Daniel's vision is rolling in upon and smashing one

stronghold of the adversary after the other; and all who are

truly the Lord's rejoice.

Wishing you the Master's grace and continued blessing and

praying that we may all be counted worthy of a share in the

kingdom soon, I remain with much Christian love to you all,

Your fellow servant in the Lord,

C. C. Binkele, — Switzerland.

STRENGTH FOB THE LAST STAND

Dear Co-Laborers :

I cannot refrain from asking a precious moment or two

to express my appreciation of the recent Towers.

After reading the greater portion of the last one (Apr.

15th) aloud to Mother, whose eyes prevent her from reading

much for herself, I exclaimed; "How can any one read that

Tower and not read the spirit of Brother Russell and the

spirit of Christ in every word of it? How can one help

recognizing that God is using it to feed, strengthen, encourage,

advise and sustain his little ones for their last, strong stand!"

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by

all means. The Lord be with you all. — 2 Thess. 3:16.

Yours "hid with Christ in God," B. S. L.— N. Y.

HOPES STILL BRIGHT IN FRANCE

(Translation)

Dear Brother Rutherford and Bethel Friends:

Yesterday we, 21 brethren and sisters, had the blessed privilege

of commemorating the death of our beloved Savior, our

own participation in the experiences of his body and in the

oup of suffering, while still waiting for the real participation

in the kingdom. It is a sweet thing to think that under such

circumstances as these we can remember the dear people of

God scattered here and there over all the earth, and meditate

upon the grand drama which has 'been in process of enaction

for nineteen centuries.

The friends at this place and in various other parts request

me to advise you that we no longer receive the French

Watch Tower, or other literature, from Geneva, on account

of the restrictions on matter coming from Switzerland. Brother

Freytagf informs us that he has taken the situation up with

the military authorities, but we feel dubious about his success

. But we do thank the Lord for this much, that everything

sent us from Brooklyn or from London has come to hand

regularly.

The Lord bless you and guard you and the other members

of the Editorial Committee — such is our daily prayer.

With much love, your brother in Christ, our Hope.

Lequime Samuel. — France.

WILFUL SINS OF THE WORLD

Question: — Do you understand that the only sins which ttie

sufferings of the great company will expiate on behalf of the

world will be deliberate sins against the Lord's people?

Answer: — Yes.

Question: — Is it your opinion, then, that all other sins of

the world will be ignored ; i. e., will be atoned for by the merit

of Christ?

Anstcer: — Yes; except that each man, as we have said,

keeps an account in his own mind and his own body. Whoever

violates the laws of nature brings the penalty upon himself, as

a result of his course or his action. It ifl just as when one

eats too much food at a meal, or eats what does not agree

with him; he will have some distress, Borne impairment of

health, whether he is a saint or a sinner. His discomfort will

be the natural result of a lack of the exercise of proper judgment

or of the necessary knowledge. It is a matter of judgment

on God's part, an automatic penalty.

We understand, however, that in the great time of trouble

now coming upon the World, God is judging the nations as nations

; and, of course, this will mean much suffering to the

individuals of the world. God's time has now come to supplant

&\\ these earthly arrangements and institutions, based upon

selfishness, and establish his own righteous government for the

blessing of all mankind — the living and the dead. This procedure

will be something unique, never before known. God will

here judge down, judge to destruction, everything that is not

in perfect harmony with his righteous laws. But it will be for

man's good, even though involving much suffering and trouble,

mm

"BE INSTANT IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON*

Recently the Society addressed a letter to all the classes

suggesting that they put forth a special effort to advertise a

large public meeting, on the topic "THE WORLD HAS ENDED

—MILLIONS NOW LIVING- WILL NEVER DIE." Some

of the classes got the impression from the letter that we would

send a Pilgrim to them for a Sunday appointment in the near

future, and on the strength of this secured halls and wired us

they were ready. The thought suggested in our letter, however,

was that when a Pilgrim comes, whether on a Sunday or on a

week day, each class should put forth a special effort for one

public meeting on the above topic if possible. We find many

people are anxious to hear this subject discussed. It was not

our thought to send any special speakers Ipng distances to address

merely Sunday meetings, but rather a special effort for

public witness should be made in connection with all regular

traveling and visiting Pilgrims' appointments, regardless of the

day of the week on which their visits occur. lit us "preach

the Word; be instant in season, out of season. " (2 Tim. 4:2)

The time is short, the opportunities precious, the rewurd great

and glorious!

CANADIAN BRANCH OFFICE

In a recent issue we announced the purpose of opening a

braneh office in Canada. The office is now established. Please

address all communications to Watch Toweb Bible and Tract

Society, 143 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The duties of this branch office will be limited. Exchange

is so excessive that we find it better to have an office in Canada

to handle all financial matters pertaining to the work in

that country. The Canadian branch will receive remittances

for subscriptions to The Watch Tower, "Good Hopes*' and

Tract Fund donations, orders for supplies, books, etc. Orders

will be filled from there so far as possible.

All Pilgrims will be routed from the Brooklyn office, a

copy of the routing being furnished to the office in Canada.

All requests for Pilgrims should be sent to the headquarters at

Brooklyn. Arrangements for specially advertised public meetings

will be made through the Canadian branch office.