The Watchtower, February 15, 1921
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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 to the things Mining upon the earth (society); for the powers of the heavens (ecclesiasticsm) shall be shaken. . . When ye see these things begin to come to pass, then Know that the Kingdom of Uod is at hand, Look up, lift up your heads, rejoice, for your redemption draweth nign.—Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 2125-31.
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Anno Mundi 6049—February 15, 1921
CONTENTS
Views from the Watch Tower.___________________
Some Perspicacious Clergymen.—-................
Journalistic Shortcomings________________________________
Pyramids of Wealth..........................................
Spiritual Food......................................................
European Tour.......................—-—..................
Jerusalem to Jaffa...........................................
The Vale of Sharon...........................................
Back to Egypt.............................................-.....
France and Switzerland...................................
Jesus on the Cross........................................
Ignominy, Pain, Death.................—..................
The Finished Work............................................
The Living Christ..............-.............................
The Sentinels’ False Witness...........................
“Go Disciple All Nations”...............................
.51 .52 .53
.54 .55 .56
.56 .57
.58 .59 .60
.60 .61 .62
.62 .63
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“I will stand upon my watch and will act my foot upon the Tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what answer I shall make to them that oppose me."—Habakkuk B; 1.
___AKS
THIS JOURNAL AND ITS SACRED MISSION
THIS journal is one of the prime factors or instruments in the system of Bible instruction, or “Seminary Extension”, now being presented in all pails of the civilized world by the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, chartered A. D. 18S4, “For the Bro-aiotion of Christian Knowledge”. II not only serves as a class room where Bible students may meet in the study of the divine Word but ibo as a channel of communication through which they may be reached with announcements of the Society’s conventions and of the ••oniinu of its traveling representatives, styled “Pilgrims’, and refreshed with reports of its comentions.
our “Berean Lessons” are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society's published Stlpies most entertainingly arranged, and very lelplnl to ail who would mein the onlj honoraiy degree which the Society accords, viz. Tobi Dei Minister (V. D. M.), which translated nt<> l.ii_Jisb is l/um/zi <>} Cod's Wotd. Our treatment of the International Sunday School Lessons is specially for the older Bible midenrs and teachers. By some this leature is considered indispensable.
rhK journal stands firmly for the defense of the only true foundation of the Christian’s hope now* being so generally repudiated --redempt uni through the precious blood oj ‘'the man Christ Jesus, who gave* himself a hihmhii [a corresponding price, a substitute] for •ill”. 1 1 Pct er J : 1 9 , 1 Timothy 2 : G i Building upon this sure foundation 1 he gold, sih or and precious stones i 1 Corinthians 3 : 1115: 2 Peter 1 .5-11) of the Word of Bod, its further mission is to “make all see what is the fellow ship of the mvstery which. . .has ■>een hid m God. ... to the intent that now might bo made known by the church the inanilold wisdom of God”—“which in other ages *;i-- m»t made known umo 1lie sons of men as il is now revealed”.—Ephesians 3:5 9,10.
It s’nnds tiee trom all parties, sects ami creeds of mon. while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest •ub’ertion io the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the holy Scriptures. It is thus tree 1o declare boldly whatsoever the Lord iiili .polmn - a« cording to the divine wisdom granted unto us 1o understand his utterances. Its altitude is not dogmatic, but confident; •or we know whoieoi we athrm, treading with implieit faith upon tin1 sure promises <»t God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his •leiv !(■<•: hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns num be according to our judgment of his *<>od pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the iipbuild-mg of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our readers io prove all ns utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
That the church is “the temple of the living God”, peculiarly “his workmanship”; that its construction has been in progress throughout the gospel age—ever since Christ becanio the world's Redeemer and the Chief Corner Stone of his temple, through which, when finished, God’s blessing shall come “to all people”, and they find access to him.—1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; Ephesians 2:20-22; Genesis 28 ; 14 ; Galatians 3 : 29.
Chat meantime the chiseling, shaping, and polishing of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses; and when the last of these “living stones”, “elect and precious,” shall have been made ready, the great Master Workman will bring all together tn the firsi resurrection ; and the temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout the Millennium. — Revelation 15 : 5-8.
(’hat the basis of hope, for the church and the world, lies in the fact that “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man,” “a ransom for all,” and will be “the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world”, “in due time”.— Hebrews 2:9: John 1 : 9 ; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
I’h.it the hope of the church is that she may be like her Lord, “see him as he is,” be “partakers of the divine nature’,’ and share his glory as bis joint-heir.—1 John 3:2; John 17:24; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4.
Hint the present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service: to develop in herself every m ace; to be God’s witness to the world ; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.—Ephesians 4 :12 ; Matthew 24 : 1 I ; Revelation 1:6; 20 : 6.
That the hope for the world lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ’s Millennial kingdom, the restitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands their Redeemer and his glorified church, when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.—Acts 3:19-23; Isaiah 35.
pUBLlSHE.D By
WATCH TOWER. BIBLE 6-TRACT SOCIETY
124 COLUMBIA HEIQHTS □ O BROOKLYN, NY,U S A
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(Foreign translations of this journal appear in several languages)
Editorial Committea: This journal is published under the supervision of an editorial committee, at least three of whom have read and approved as truth each and everv article appearing in these columns. The names of the editorial committee are: J. F. Rutherford, W. E. Van Amburgh, F. II. Robison, G. H. Fisher, E. W. Brenisen. TtoflU to th* Lord's Poor: AH Bible students who, by reason of old age or other Infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this journal, will be supplied free if they send a postal eard each Nay stating their case and requesting such provision. Weare not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and in touch with the Berean studies.
JWafiM tn SiAonrihm* We do not, es a rule, send a card of acknowledgment for a renewal or nvuev tv iJUV9cnoerv9 #or B new eibeeripUon. Receipt and entry of renewal are indicated wftMaameatfa by ehange In expiration date, as shown on wrapper Label.
Altered as Sseoad CZaee Matter at Brooklyn, N. K, Poetojlee trader Me Act of Marek 3rd, 1879,
BROOKLYN CONVENTION
Arrangements are being made for a four-day convention to be held in Brooklyn May 19-22, inclusive. An auditorium with a capacity of 2,500 w’ill be used for the entire convention. It is expected that many will attend from different parts of the United States, but it will particularly furnisn an opportunity tor friends in the Eastern and New England States to have a season of fellowshipping together and of the study of God’s Word. We make this brief announcement now so that the friends may be making their plans to attend. A more detailed statement will appear later.
HYMNS FOR APRIL
Sunday ...........
... 3 289
10 229
17 279
24 6
Monday ..........
... 4 277
11 150
18 299
25 331
Tuesday ..........
... 5 181
12 2
19 174
26 250
Wednesday ...
... 6 13
13 122
20 136
27 198
Thursday ........
... 7 145
14 209
21 146
28 300
Friday ...........
... 1 183 8 180
15 18G
22 95
29 112
Saturday .......
... 2 257 9 134
16 25
23 160
30 8
STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES
These Studies are recommended to students as veritable Bible keys, discussing topically every vital doctrine of the Bible. Moie than eleven million copies are in circulation, in nineteen languages. Two sizes are issued (in English only) : the regular maroon cloth, gold stamped edition on dull finish paper (size 5"x7j|"), and the maroon cloth pocket edition on thin paper (size 4"x6j’") ; both sizes are printed from the same plates, the difference being in the margins; both sizes arc provided with an appendix of catechistic questions for convenient class use. Both editions uniform in price.
Series I, “The Divine Plan of the Ages,” giving outline of the divine plan revealed in the Bible, relating to man’s redemption and restitution : 350 pages, plus indexes and appendixes, 75c. Magazine edition 20c Also procurable in Arabic, Armenian. Dario-Norwegian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hollandish, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Roumanian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, and Ukrainian; regular cloth style, price uniform with English.
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Series III, “Thy Kingdom Come,” considers prophecies which mark events connected unh ' the time ol me end”, the glorification of the church and the establishment of the Millennial kingdom; it also contains a chapter on the Gieat Pyramid of Egypt, showing its corroboration of certain Bible teachings : 380 pages, 75c. Furnished also in Dano-Norwegian, Finnish, German, Polish, and Swedish.
Series TV, “The Battle of Armageddon,” shows that the dissolution of the present order of things is in progress and that all of the human panaceas offered are valueless to avert the end predicted in the Bible. It contains a special and extended treatise on our Lord's great prophecy of Matthew 24 and also that of Zechariah 14:1 - 9: 656 pages, 85c. Also in Dano-Norwegian, Finnish, Greek, German, and Swedish.
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Series VI, “The New Creation,” deals with the creative week (Genesis 1, 2), and with the church, God's new creation. It examines the personnel, organization, rites, ceremonies, obligations, and hopes appertaining to those called and accepted as members of the body of Christ : 730 pages, 85c. Supplied also in Dano-Norwegian, Finnish, German, and Swedish.
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Vm XI.TI
!''1 r.i:r \1:Y 15. TJ'_’l
Xo 4
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
PERSONS who are constantly observing the crowds of our large cities arc familiar with the fact that drunkenness is more prevalent than it was prior to the enactment of the so-called dry laws. Many of those who were responsible for lobbying through this law or who supported it doubtless did so on conscientious grounds. It is reasonable to suppose that many of those who labored for the prohibition amendment did so because they thought it would work for the general benefit of the people as a whole. No doubt it has had some good effect in spots, but such good effect is very negligible in large cities. A man whose name and face are familiar to many millions of American people said only a few days ago in New York that while one experiences certain restrictions in Great Britain in the buying of intoxicants there seem to be no restrictions at all in New York.
This whole subject of reforming people by laws is one which has many elaborate by-passages. For instance, it is commonly reported and believed in New York state that the stringent law against the possessing and carrying of weapons was framed with a view to extorting from arms manufacturers a large '‘ransom”. The arms manufacturers were willing to produce only half the amount demanded, and, consequently, the bill was allowed to go through and become a law. Unscrupulous politicians sometimes find it quite profitable to frame threatening bills and have them bought off. None of these stringent laws have any perceptible effect upon the real conduct of those who desire to engage in illegitimate activities. The above mentioned weapons law only makes it difficult for individuals who may have real use for arms to procure them. It has no deterring effect whatever upon the professionally criminal class. The public continues to be shot in exactly the same manner as before the law existed. The same is true of the narcotics laws. They have almost no effect on the distribution and sale of narcotics to habitual users.
ONE EFFECT OF DRY LAWS
An item from the New York Herald touching on the effect of the “dry” laws on the populace reads as follows: “Cases of insanity from alcoholism have increased in the Cook County Psychopathic Hospital [Chicago] since prohibition went into effect, according to the quarterly report of Dr. James Whitney Hall.
“Dr. Hall reported an increase of .33 percent in alcoholic cases in December, l!i?O, over the last officially ‘wet’ December, and of 1G percent in November. A slight increase was noted in October over previous Octobers, while in September the increase was 30 percent."
It is not. for the Lord's people to discourage any honest effort on the part of tin? vorld to better its conditions. But sympathy for any proper degree of right desire or right doing cannot blind them to the fact that much of these activities are inappropriately conducted by men who claim to be followers of Christ Jesus. Neither can it blind them to the fact that all human remedies are sure to fail, because Christ is not supreme. Those who name the name of Christ should know better than to expect God’s blessing upon unauthorized and unanointed activities. The time for real reform with real power lies just ahead of us, beyond the time of trouble. “Without me ye can do nothing.”—John 15: 5.
Newspapers are constantly reporting that the Lord’s Day Alliance, cooperating with the International Reform Bureau, which is said to serve as a connecting link between the Alliance and the Anti-Saloon League, is going to great lengths to force Congress to enact legislation intended to bring about a return of a strict observance of the Puritan Sabbath. This purpose has been very boldly proclaimed and it has a well organized lobby with which to swoop down upon Congress and browbeat it into doing its will, very much as the AntiSaloon League browbeat that legislative body into passing the eighteenth amendment, and, later, the adoption of the Volstead Enforcement Act.
PROMINENT ANTI-SABBATARIANS
No small amount of antagonism is observable against this proposed move to legislate holiness onto people. Some individual writing in the New York Globe remarks:
“In view of the Sunday question being brought up prominently again, I thought some might like to know how bygone authorities on religion and others viewed this question.
“St. Paul: ‘One man esteemeth one day above another. Another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Let no man, therefore, Judge you in meat or drink or in respect of a holy day or of the new moon or of Sabbath days.’
“St. Cyril: ‘Jesus Christ hath redeemed thee—henceforth reject all observance of Sabbaths.’
“Luther: ‘As regards the Sabbath or Sunday, there is no necessity for keeping it. St. Paul and the apostles after the gospel began to lie preached and spread over the world, clearly relieved the people from the observance of the Sabbath.’
“Melanchthon : ‘The Scriptures allow that the observance of the Sabbath has now become void, for it teaches that the Mosaic ceremonies are not needful after the revelation of the gospel. The observance neither of the Sabbath nor of any other day is necessary.’
“Erasmus: ‘It is meet, therefore, that the keeping of the Sabbath day give place to the community and profit of man.’
“Archbishop Cranmer: ‘The Jews were commanded to __ep the Sabbath day, but we Christians are not bound to such commandments of Moses's law.’
“Justin Martyr: ‘You, because you are idle for one day, suppose you are pious. Our God is not pleased with such observances. You see the heavens are not idle nor do they observe the Sabbath.’
“Bishop Warburton: ‘The observance of the Sabbath is no more a natural duty than circumcision.’
“Cardinal Gibbons: ‘Read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday as a Sabbath.’
“The Rev. James Freeman Clarke: ‘Scholars are now generally agreed that the Sabbath obligation was not transferred by Christ or his apostles to the first day ; that there is not in the Christian Scriptures a single command to keep the Sabbath in any form or on any day.’
“Alexander Campbell: ‘There is no precept or command in the New Testament to compel by civil law any man who is not a Christian to pay regard to the Lord’s Day. It is without authority of Christian religion.’
“I wonder where our shining reformers get their authority from—certainly not from the above. Lack of space keeps me from quoting lots of others in the same strain.”
SOME PERSPICACIOUS CLERGYMEN
The ministers of Columbus, Ohio, seem to have a faculty for seeing clearly upon this question, as they did also upon the League of Nations question. One paper reports them as follows:
“Columbus ministers not only are not in sympathy with the agitation for the passing of a set of rigorous Sunday blue laws in America, but on the other hand, are generally firmly opposed to the proposition, [as] a symposium of opinions gathered from local pastors of various denominations shops. Statements obtained from different ministers here Wednesday are marked by the practically unanimous declaration Unit clergymen and church-goers have nothing to do pith the scheme and that an organization of non-chureh-going propagandists is behind the project, the purpose of which is branded by some as ‘a sinister one’.
“‘This agitation is started by a company of propagandists who intend to put through the various state legislatures laws to weaken the existing set of statutes in the various states,’ said Rev. W. M. Hindman, pastor of Northminister Presbyterian church. ‘The movement is not on the part of church people at all. We have in Ohio a Lord’s Day Alliance, the board of directors of which is composed of such men as Bishop Anderson of Cincinnati, President W. O. Thompson of Ohio State University, Bishop Theodore Irving Reese, and others. I have investigated the matter myself and know that no action has even been considered by this society for the etmcfing of any so-called blue laws. Ir will come out that no church people are behind the scheme, but a crowd of agitators whose identity is yet to be disclosed, and pilose purpose must be to reflect upon the religious organizations to which the project Ims been attributed.’
“Praelic.tlly reiterating Dr. Hindman's beliefs. Rev. Joseph Tav lor Britan, pastor of Central Presbyterian church, declared tli.it a sinister motive inspired the organization responsible for the recent propaganda. ‘The real source of I he thing has not yet been exposed in the press.’ lie declared, ‘but the truth will show' that ministers and churchmen have nothing to do with the idea.’
“Other ministers who were questioned, while not emphasizing the work of the body of propagandists so strongly, invariably announced themselves as opposed to the ideas involved in the blue law plans. ‘It would be a violation of the first amendment of the constitution,’ stated Rev. E. I,. Rexford, pastor of All Souls church, ‘to enact such laws.
Congress and state legislatures have not the power to make laws regulating religious matters and such a set of statutes would violate the civil rights granted citizens by the constitution. I do not believe in it at all, and am glad to find it so generally rejected by the clergy.’ ”
“PRESENT DAY VIEWS”
The Rev. Frank E. R. Miller, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Chicago, recently created a furore in church circles when he tendered his resignation on account of the faultiness of churchdom. Just after resignation he was reported by the Chicago Herald and Examiner as saying:
“It is with me a firm conviction that the present generation of churchdom is almost comparable to hypocrisy. I have taken pains to prove that in the series of articles I have written for The Herald and Examiner.
“One special point that has attracted my attention is the shortage of $7,1X10,000 this year on the collections of the $150,000,000 world work program that had been subscribed. Why is this laxness?
“Fifteen of our most prominent ministers wrote on the interchurch world movement. Already five of them have resigned from the ministry.
"Even the Rev. Philip Yarrow, one of the most prominent of Chicago ministers, has seen the light and resigned. Churchdom has undergone a terrible change. When I learned the present day view was different from mine I decided to quit.”
‘’The present day view” with which Mr. Miller finds himself at variance is very well headed up in a new system of church management which is reported by the New York Evening Journal:
“A business manager for the church is the next step in the evolution of religious institutions, in the opinion of several Chicago preachers.
“This will be no experiment. One Chicago church has had a business manager two years and has gained 500 percent in membership during that time.
“Now churchmen say this is the solution for the ‘slipping church.’ Soul saving will be a business enterprise in the future. The business director will pilot all the activities, with the exception of preparing and delivering sermons under the new plan.
“Business methods will swing the church into the club house category, and it will be open every day in the week, instead of one. The occasional bean supper and the semiannual bazaar will be converted into year-around activities, wit li dancing and singing and athletics. There will be libraries and reading rooms and gymnasiums and swimming pools and class rooms in the church of the future that has a business manager.”
“‘That is the solution to Ilie city church problem,’ said Bishop Samuel Follows, of the Reformed Episcopalian ('liureh. 'The church must keep pace witli the community and must sene the wants of that community or it has no excuse for exist ing.
“‘The church must become a place to which people will turn for social activities and recreation. The business manager reliexes the pastor of everything excepting preparing and delivering sermons, and there will be no excuse under this plan for poor sermons.’
“Bishop Thomas B. Nicholson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, said he is much interested in the plan.”
HOMES AND MOVING PICTURES
Ono publication, after giving some trenchant words concerning the condition of the churches, offers the following comments on homes :
“Our homes have ceased to be our social centers: we look to amiable women's clubs to supply these. Children go out o'night to the companionship of 'upl i tiers', foster mothers who are too busy to have children of their own. Instead of the family sitting room being the hub of the children's life, it is a mere adjunct to the home eating and lodging rooms. (Ini' reason why our houses are being built smaller is that we use them less. They are, so Io speak, our domestic lockers. We keep our spare clothing there, and do our diessm-g there, but ill reality millions li\e at the show ami the clmp siiey joints. There are n at 11 i i 11< les of people in the United Slates who see moling pictures e\er.\ day; hundreds ami limuIreds of working girls and school children who see moling pictures eieri noon and night. There ar.' literally millions of children in our great ceuiers who know nothing of line, work, home life, business, politics, nature. or indeed anything else, save what the nun ies bale to tell llii'iu: and eii'li hi this boastful age there will no one arise to say that the nun te is a sate or eien a decent teacher."
The craze for moving pictures fins doubtless swept the large majority of the inhabitants of Christendom, particularly of this country and of Great Britain, from their moorings, 'this craze is educating the young of these two powerful countries in crime and conjugal infidelity. .Mrs. I'lllen A. O'Grady, fifth deputy police commissioner of New York City, recently gate testimony on this point, saying:
“Since moving pictures were introduced juvenile delinquency has increased to an alarming extent."
"Seventeen years ago. when I first came into lids work, it was the exceptional tiling to see a little girl, say from twelve to sixteen years old, ruined. Now it is the rule.
"I>o you want to know the reason? It is Ilie moving picture. Children are thinking lust all the time, and they get it from the pictures. If you do not believe me. listen to this list of pictiires w Inch are being show n in the t heat res of tin' city tonight and which children are attending and— absorbing."
We hesifale to publish the list of motion picture plays referred to, because it seems out of place in those columns and also because anyone who is out of doors is already abundantly familiar with them from seeing the bill-boards.
JOURNALISTIC SHORTCOMINGS
After showing that the people of Christendom have been taught to delight in the artificial things, that they talk and write in syncopated style, that they eat out of tins and depend on bakers’ shelves, that their hospitality is made at delicatessen stores, etc., the review proceeds with a word concerning the newspapers:
“Our newspapers have degenerated into printed movies instead of the public forums they used to be. The editor is now a judge of scenarios instead of a thoughtful publicist. News is measured by its ‘peps' and not by its informative value. Reporters are fiction artists with a tine disregard for the usual responsibilities. Many serious-minded critics are deprecating (lie colored comic supplements with their asinine brutality and drivel; let them lx1 patient. Ilie daily issues of the newspapers will soon render the comic supplements tame and they will die of neglect. In the past five years we have seen our inland newspapers abdicate their journalistic positions altogether and become Haring signboards for a volume of advertising that has become a burden on the merchant and the public, causing the death of the editorial side of journalism by fatty degeneration of the business office coffers. Thousands of acres of trees are daily slaughtered that flaring advertising sheets, with a modicum of telegraphic news, may be littered about the streets of hundreds of cities. And the newspaper, once a real necessity and now surviving mainly as a habit, has come to a place where it is all but universally distrusted. Newspaper num agree themselies that one of the outstanding characteristics of the tunes is the people's distrust of News. News is now a manufactured product and the quality lias steadili deteriorated. I lore loo, in this formerly most potent Held, the warning Hand has been raised —'Tinis I 'ar, and No I'arl her 1' "
Professor Ward, in the I’nioii Theological Seminary, was in■(a■ i; 1 iy ri ported as telling the chnri-li league that "to his pi't'.-onal knowledge" the niotieied powers are making tut oiganized eli'oit to control the churches of the coinitpi. lie >a\> the campaign started after the 1 iiterclmrcli World .Movement had published a report criticizing the conduct of the steel magnates at the time of the steel strike. Possibly the steel interests think it vise to take stops to forestall a repetition of such an awkward occurrence.
Professor Ward is of the opinion that “the financial gentlemen have succeeded splendidly in controlling the newspapers", and are now trying to control the pulpit. If a preacher shows any degree of outspokenness or disposition to independence he is formally warned. Professor Ward says, by some purse potentate in his congregation or in his community.
Tin' truth of these observations cannot be honestly denied. But there is some compensation in extreme measures. 'The public has come to the point of general belief, if not of absolute coiniction, that the newspapers are independable as purievors of fact. This impression of itself weakens the elicit of any statement made by the pro,--. It is like the Inn who shouted. “Wolf, wolf,-’ when there was no wolf, and who was unable to stimulate cri'deiii'c in his mes-age when he had a genuine one to tell. Tin* same thing holds good of the pulpit. If ministers are subsidized by plutocracy, or to the extent that they are subsidized or influenced, their power for good declines. Is anyone so blind that he cannot see the decline of this power ?
SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND GOVERNMENT
Some careful observer, seeing this decline of church and Sunday school power for good, sounds a note of warning. Such is a statement by the Philadelphia Norih American. which frankly advocates the support of Sunday schools and Bible classes as an insurance of safe and .-table government:
"Religion i- e-seiitial tn sound popular government, and this is notably true of the ('bristI,-in religion, for Ulirist stands out against the background of history as the foremost of all teachers of popular rule. Tin* Sunday School is the most powerful organized agency for the cultivation and dissemination of religion. It therefore follows that (he relation between this institution and the institution of government is one which cannot be allowed to sag unless we are willing to base .-ill experiments in freedom on a new platform.
“In dealing with this subject we do not pretend to approach it from the standpoint of theology, but simply from the human side, as involving the moral duties and responsibilities of the average person.”
“The fact remains, after all criticism is exhausted, that the spiritual development of the individual is our strongest line of defense, and that whatever contributes to this upbuilding is to be regarded as fundamentally necessary.”
“Morality is morality, whatever the banner under which it be taught. And it stands to reason that those millions who fail to receive such moral guidance as is given in the Sunday school suffer a lack which not only imperils their own personal development and welfare, but at the same time militates against the welfare of the nation as a whole.”
PYRAMIDS OF WEALTH
The editor vlio penned that article knew that it would be acceptable to the financial interests before whom as God, most people bow. 'The grip which wealth has upon this country in particular, and upon Christendom in general, is shown by a recent report of vast fiducm interests controlled by American families. We quote from the New York .-I merican :
“Fifty families in the United Slates control more than $1(MI,(HI(i,(MMi each, one hundred families control over S50, OOO.OOtl each, and live hundred families control more than $10,000,000 each.
“John I>. Rockefeller’s estate is now up to S3.000,000,000.
“Five billion dollars of wealth in the United States has been handed down to heirs, many of whom were incompetents, in the last fifteen years.
“Two hundred persons in the United States control $15.000,000.000; in France the same amount is controlled by four hundred and eighty times that number of persons, or 96,000.
“Industrially, the United States is becoming dynastic. There is a veritable dynasty in each important industrial structure, some of which are:
“Sixty percent of the Tobacco Trust wealth is in the hands of ton families.
“Twelve families, with the Rockefeller family away in the lead, control 50 percent of the oil industry.
“The railroads of the country are controlled by one-third of the stockholders.
“One and five-tenths of the stockholders in the Steel Trust possess 51 percent of the stock.
“Two families control 51 percent of the stocks in the Harvester interests.
“These startling figures on the concentration of wealth in the United States were obtained from Henry JI. Klein, Deputy Commissioner of Accounts of New York City, a deep student of economic affairs. He has spent ten years collecting concrete facts on the pyramiding of American wealth.
“Klein had read the recent statement of George P. Hamilton, managing director of the Farmers’ National Council, that thirty-three individuals own 2 percent of the entire American national wealth. He estimated this 2 percent at about $ 1.837,000,000. Hampton gave no names, but the following lists of individuals and estates and their vast holdings, checked up to a recent date, was given last night by Mr. Klein:
“.I. D. and William Rockefeller, $3,000,000,000 to $5,000,000,000; Pratt family, $400,000,000; Harkness family, $400, 000,000; Carnegie family, $300,000,000; Weyerhauser estate, $300,000,000.
“'Die Vanderbilts, $300,000,000; the Astors, $300,000,000.
“Payne Whitney family, $200,000,000; Frick estate, $150,-(MM).OOO; the Goelets, $100,000,000.
"J. .1. Hill estate. $100,000,000: Hetty Green estate, $100,000,000; Field estate, $100,000,000; Harrimans, $100,000,000; Morgans, $ 150,01 Hl.Ol Ml to $200,000,000.
“Flagler estate. St00.000.000 : Anthony Brady estate. $100.000,000; Goulds, $100,000,000; Wideners, $80,000,000 ;George Farr Baker. $80,000,000.
"Stillmans. $60,0011,000; Isaac Stevenson, $70,000,000; Kennedv-Todd group, $75,000,000.
"Sage estate. $60,000,000; Blair estate, $50,000,000; Rhinelanders. $50,000,000; Rogers family, $50,000,000; Archbold i‘-Hili'. 850.0011,1 MIO.
"Mills CM ale, S50,0oo.(H)o; Daniel Reid estate, $50,000,000; Plant estale. $50,000,000; Searle's estate. $40,000,000.
“Armours, $100,000,000; Swifts. $100,000,000; Morrises, .850 000,000; I. U. .lames family. $60,000,000; Cleveland l odge. S60.000.lMI0 ; Pullman estate, S50.000.000.”
"Klein's list, which is several pages long, does not go below the ten million dollar class.
"Ue lias compiled these figures and data on those ‘who own America’ to point out the danger of the concentration of wealth in the United States and the evils of tax exempt securities, which are heavily held by the big estates, and in advocacy of a Constitutional amendment for the limitation of private fortunes.
“Klein pointed out that most of the Rockefeller institutions are supported by wealth invested in tax exempt securities.
“ ‘And.’ lie added, ‘they haven't spent what they have saved in taxation’.”
“KEPT US OUT OF THE LEAGUE”
Is it any wonder in the face of these facts that financial interests can and do control the policies of nations, can force them into war, or into leagues which yield no advantage but to the commercial princes? The present chief executive of this country was elected on the sole issue, “He kept us out of war”. Hardly had the words of his oath of office died until this country was plunged into the world conflict. The present president-elect was chosen on the sole issue, “He kept us out of the League”. And experience shows with what ease the international oligarchy can bring this country into the League, under whatever name, as soon as the new president is in office. The newspapers are already propagandizing the public with specious suggestions concerning the unavoidability of such a course and with tearful remarks as to their resignedness to such a “fate”. One old-time politician, with mingled honesty and wit, explained: “A political platform, like the platform of a railway station, is to got in on, and not to ride on”.
“Now Adam, dazzled, ill at ease, Inspects the copper-colored skies ;
Kinged with the roar of strange machineries, He thinks of Paradise.
“Yes, this is better. Here, at least, Is speed and vigor, not the old
Languor of Eden and the lukewarm beast— Here life is hot and cold
“Released for action, Adam is
God in these swift complexities ;
He laughs and leaps from cliff to precipice, Lurches through toppling seas.
“New grain is always his to thresh, Through him all energy is hurled ;
He rides triumphant on the tides of flesh, Pride of a gaping world.
“Yet Adam, hero of all he sees, Remains untamed, unreconciled
And, in the midst of swaggering victories, Turns like a wayward child.
“Hungers for all he spurned, and shrinks From clamor and the applauding cries;
Lost in a storm of dreams, he sinks, Remembering Paradise.’’
IT IS just as essential for the new creature while in course of development to have food as it is for a human being to have food. The food for the new creature is the Word of God; and to grow, one must have both the Word and the spirit of the Word. The Lord himself is the interpreter and makes it plain in his own due time.
It pleased the Lord Jesus at his second appearing, in harmony with the divine arrangement, to appoint one as a wise and faithful sen ant to provide meat for the household of faith in due season. This provision was made by the publication of the Studies in the Scriptures and The Watch Tower. The classes of Bible students that have adhered to the Bureau studies have profited more than those who have pursued the course of independent Bible study. It is true that they have found some mistakes in each and every one of the volumes. This should lie expected, because the writer was iiot perfect. It is likewise true that there are mistakes in the Bible which men have discovered from time to time, because the agencies which have been used for its publication were imperfect.
The new creation must be walking in the light, and as they walk in the light they should expect to have fulfilled to them the promise of the Lord: “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day”. (Proverbs 4:18) But such an one will be able, with his increased vision of the divine plan, to have a deeper appreciation of what is written in the Studies in the Scriptures and to digest more fully that which is there written. There is no one in present truth but will find it profitable to read and reread the volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. Likewise we believe that the church will find it profitable to study carefully each issue of The Watch Tower.
The editors of The Watch Tower do not claim to be perfect, of course; but if the work in which we are engaged is the Lord's work—and we feel sure it is—■ then we should expect the Lord to direct; and if some mistakes are made, which of course will be the case, he will overrule these to the good of all who have the right condition of heart. Remembering that the battle ground of the new creature is in the mind, that it is the mind which must be transformed and sanctified, and that this sanctification comes by the word of truth, we urge the dear brethren everywhere to apply themselves with diligence to the study of God’s Word in the light of the explanation that he has given to the church through the publications above mentioned.
HEAVENLY MANNA
It has come to our attention that some of the dear friends have a misconception of the purpose of the Daily Heavenly Manna, how it came into existence and its use. For the benefit of such we here say that Brother Russell did not compile this book, nor did he select the texts. By reference to the title page it will be seen that these texts were selected by another and that the comments placed under each text were culled from the writings of Brother Russell. Furthermore, the Manna was not published by Brother Russell with the view of using it for the prayer meetings. That was an afterthought. Several years after the Manna had been m use it was suggested that the text for each Thursday morning be used for the week text and as the text for the prayer meeting on the Wednesday night following. This was done.
Some of the dear friends have conceived the thought that because other texts have been suggested for the prayer meetings this is an abandonment of the Manna. However, such is not the fact. At the Bethel Home the Heavenly AI anna text and comment arc used every morning, as formerly, and we strongly urge the brethren everywhere that in their homes, with their families or privately, they daily use the Heavenly Manna, and keep in mind the text and the comment.
It was thought that some other texts in the Bible might be considered with profit. It has been the custom lor many years to have a year text; and since the text for 1921 has particular reference to Jehovah and the v. ork of his hands, it was thought well to have prayer meeting texts each week that would especially magnify Jehovah. If one will take the calendar for 1921 and go through it carefully, he will see that the texts selected keep in the forefront Jehovah, the great God of the universe. What could be more helpful to the church than to keep in mind that he is the great God, that he is the perfect One who is working in us to will and to do his good pleasure, and who is transforming the members of the body that they may be made meet for his use in his kingdom! How is this process of transforming carried on ? The Apostle gives us the thought when he says: “We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord”. (2 Corinthians 3: 18) In commenting upon this text, The Watch Tower in 1905 explained that the church now is beholding in God’s Word his character and that of the Ix>rd Jesus, and that this Word reflects as a mirror the glory and grandeur of Jehovah’s character. In proportion as we, the church, appreciate and copy this character, in that same proportion the transforming process continues and we grow more and more like our Lord. What greater benefit, then, could result to us than being transformed into his likeness; and what better thing could we do than to behold his glory as mirrored in his Word; and what part of his Word could have a more sanctifying influence than a study of the character of Jehovah?
Having in mind that we must triumph by his grace and power and not of our own strength, it seems that no study could be more beneficial than the study of Jehovah’s character. Thus studying, we ascertain his will concerning us; and as we strive to keep and do that will our Lord strengthens us.
It is not obligatory upon any one to use the calendar texts for the prayer meeting who docs not wish to do so,
but many of the friends expressed a desire to consider some other texts aside from those set forth in the Manna, for the reason that those texts had been gone over time and time again and that those friends believed that they would be pleased to feed upon some other portion of the precious Word of God. It is our opinion that if the dear friends will study the text and at the testimony meetings strive in their testimonies to magnify the greatness of Jehovah, they will thereby keep their own minds fixed upon the Lord and enable others who associate with them to keep their minds upon the Lord; and he who keeps his mind filled with the precious things of God, particularly concerning the holiness of Jehovah, the beauty and grandeur of his character, will be better enabled to withstand the assaults of the enemy and will keep himself more nearly in tlit' proper attitude to be a coworker with God in the trans forming process that is going on within.
EUROPEAN TOUR
[concluded]
AVIEW of the hills of Judea, particularly those surrounding Jerusalem, gives one a keener ap-
L prcciation of the words of the Psalmist. David was surrounded by enemies who were continuously making war against him and often, of course, attacked him when least expected. He was a valiant warrior and won many victories; but for all of his victories he gave glory to the Lord. It has been said that Judea is impregnable, but such is hardly true, because it has been taken on many occasions. This hilly country, however, furnishes a great barrier to an invading army; but when the defenders were negligent, Judea was quickly penetrated. Is not that exactly the state in which the Christian finds himself? He must be on the alert, active and vigilant, to ward off the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the adversary.
The Psalmist says: “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever”. (Psalm 125: 2) As the mountains round about Jerusalem furnished a sure shield of defense against invaders, provided the defenders were always on the alert and vigilant, trusting in the Lord, so the Lord is round about his people, shielding and protecting them, as long as they look to him for strength. This suggests that a time would come when the light of truth would shine so brightly that God would be a special protection to his people who would heed his plain teaching, from that time forward. If one be in Christ Jesus and dwell there and the Word dwell in him, he therefore dwells in the impregnable fortress, because Jehovah is surrounding him with his strength. But should he become negligent, an attack might prove disastrous to him.
JERUSALEM TO JAFFA
The journey from Jerusalem to Jaffa was made by automobile. Immediately after leaving Jerusalem we were in the hills of Judea, the sides of which are very steep and often precipitous. In recent years the road leading to the west has been cut out of the mountain side, many places overlooking a deep canyon. There are many sharp curves in the road and one gets a good view of these narrow valleys below. While the Scriptures indicate that at one time these hills were fruitful, they have long been stripped of their forests. Occasionally, however, on a hillside and in the valleys are found olive and pomegranate trees and small vineyards, affording very pleasant scenes.
Naturally this country is one of ambush, where a small army is easily concealed and where a large army has no room for operations. For this reason a small army could often repulse one of greater numbers. The defenders of the Holy City had a splendid opportunity to withstand the assault of enemies from the west; but the conditions required them to be nimble, quick, sure and swift of foot, with ability to leap over the rocks and natural fortresses, which means they evidently employed in making a defense.
David fought many battles in these hills. In the eighteenth Psalm he seems to refer to some of these, saying: “By thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.... It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”—Psalm 18: 29 - 35.
Thus we have a picture of the warfare of the new creature. If quick to hear and swift to act, then God who guards us with his strength will make our ways perfect and set our feet on the solid foundation and not permit them to slip.
NATURAL FORTRESSES OF JUDEA
These hills of Judea furnished a natural fortress for the defenders and David used these natural places to picture the condition of those who rely upon the Lord, saying: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (Psalm 18:2,3) From the natural viewpoint Judea was not impregnable, except when her people relied absolutely upon the Lord. The church is impregnable only because she is in charge of the invincible Jehovah and is led by her Captain, the great King of kings and Lord of lords.
Flocks of sheep and. goats feed along these narrow valleys; but it is to be observed that the shepherd always goes before them. When they come to a watering place the flocks are mixed and one might wonder how they uould be properly divided later. But it is easily seen when the shepherds take different positions on the hillsides and utter their own peculiar calls. Their flocks obey and are gathered to the proper place. Evidently this has been the habit and custom for many centuries, and was in all probability used as an illustration In the Good Shepherd when he said: “When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice, and a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” —John 10:4,5,14.
The flocks are not numerous now, because the pasturage' is scarce. There must have been a time when the hills and valleys swarmed with flocks; and the Lord has promised that that time shall return. It is interesting to note, then, that we have reached that period in the development of the Lord’s plan which marks the beginning of his returning favor to Israel, and ere long his promise shall be fulfilled even unto this land that is now desolate. “Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God. and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord. Turn, 0 backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”—Jeremiah 3:12-14.
As we sped rapidly down the western slope of the higher mountainous country, we were soon in the foothills, marking the place where Samson lived and operated. It was in this vicinity of Judea that he caught the three hundred foxes, tied to their tails certain combustible materials, set them on fire and sent them into the standing wheatfields of the Philistines and thus destroyed them. A great deal of the history of Palestine was made in the hills of Judea, and therefore they hold much interest to Bible students and furnish many apt illustrations for the benefit of the Christian.
THE VALE OF SHARON
Emerging from the hill country, there lay before us a beautiful plain, sometimes called a valley. This land is chiefly level, but diversified in places by low hills. It is the southern portion of the plain or valley of Sharon, extending from a point about seven miles south of Jaffa along the Mediterranean coast northward to the region of Mount Carmel. It is an open country, about fifty miler long and on an average of ten or twelve miles in width. The soil is rich and gives evidence of being very productive. Here are grown grain and fruits, besides furnishing good pasture for live stock. The land produces wonderful oranges, lemons, pomegranates, and grapes.
During the World War the military authorities built a standard gauge railway from the southern border of Egypt along the Mediterranean northward to Haifa; and this road is intersected at the town of Ludd by another line built from Jaffa to Jerusalem on the bed of the old narrow gauge road. Ludd is situated in a ■\ery historic spot in the very vicinity of the ancient city of Lod, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 8: 12 and Nehemiah 11: 35. the region then having been known as “the valley of craftsmen”. In this particular vicinity are large groves of olive trees.
In the days of the apostles this place was called Lydda, where dwelt some Christians. St. Peter found a man there by the name of JEncas, who had been eight years sick with the palsy. He healed him. “And all that dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord.” 'The fame of this man’s restoration shortly reached Jaffa, only a few miles away, where dwelt Dorcas, who was a good woman. Dorcas died. Other Christians sent at once for Peter, who came down and found many standing by weeping, because Dorcas was no more with them. Then Peter raised Dorcas from the dead.—Acts 9:33- 13.
In this fertile land arc located a number of Jewish colonies, including Riehon-le-Zion, which is said to support one of the largest wine cellars in the world, the wine being made from the vineyards thereabout.
THE CITY OF JAFFA
After many mishaps with our Ford car and much delay incident thereto, we arrived in the night time at Jaffa, a seaport town situated at the edge of the plain of Sharon. This is one of the ancient towns of Palestine. It is beautifully located; although the streets are not very inviting. At one time it was a very important port, but at present it has no landing pier. In the time of Solomon it is understood that a harbor was here constructed and here Hiram, king of Tyre, brought the cedars of Lebanon which were used in building the temple at Jerusalem. It was at this point where Jonah took ship when he was sent by the Lord to Nineveh; and, as “explained” by our Arabian guide, “near this place is where Jonah swallowed the whale”. It was here also, resting on the roof of the house of Simon the tanner, that St. Peter received a vision directing him to take the message to Cornelius, marking the beginning of the proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles.
There is much evidence about Jaffa testifying to the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Jews’ return to Palestine to rebuild the land. As an example of this we noted the colony named Tell Aviv, situated at the border of Jaffa. The construction of the houses here is modern; the streets are wide; the people are enterprising and look after the welfare of those who become members of the colony. They have schools and gymnasiums; and at the time of our visit were constructing a public bath-house. The builders of this bath-house included both men and girls, who were carrying stones and mortar for that purpose. A number of houses were in course of construction in this colony. They are being built of first-class material — stone, cement, cement blocks, with tile roofs. Most of these houses are being constructed on the apartment plan, with four rooms and a private bath for each apartment, tile floors on the porches, airy and light, well ventilated, and in every respect inviting and pleasing to the eye.
THRIVING AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES
It was our privilege one day vhile in Jaffa to attend an agricultural fair. The Jewish farmers took great delight in exhibiting their products—various kinds of fine oranges, lemons, sugar cane, honey, wines and other grape products, cheese, chickens and other farm fowls— all giving evidence of the sincere earnestness with which the Jews are taking hold of rebuilding Palestine.
In the vicinity of Jaffa are some thriving agricultural colonies, among which is Petah Tikweh. This colony is well organized and operated in a systematic manner, and contains some of the most flourishing orange groves, which produce wonderful fruit. The officers in charge of this colony took pleasure in showing us about and explaining the operation of the colony, and desired to have their greetings sent to their American countrymen, assuring them that they are building up Palestine. This colony is situated in the beautiful plain of Sharon. The climate here is the most delightful in the world. It is indeed a pleasant place in which to dwell. God’s prophet, Isaiah, used this beautiful land to illustrate the times of restoration, which are now just beginning. Looking down to the time when God’s blessings will be upon the whole world, the prophet wrote in this happy strain: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.”—Isaiah 35: 1, 2.
CARMEL AND HAIFA
Mount Carmel is well known as a beautiful, inviting promontory, stretching from Samaria toward the sea. Its glory is extolled in the Scriptures and Bible students for many centuries have viewed it with the keenest interest. The north side of the mountain contains some very magnificent orange groves, producing splendid fruit; and at its base near the sea are date groves. Nearby is Haifa, which bids fair to become the leading seaport of Palestine because of its deep water near the shore. Many Jews are now in Haifa and are rebuilding it. It is the terminus of the railway running from the southern border northward. From Haifa to Tiberias, by way of Nazareth, there is a splendid military road in course of construction and now about completed. Two hundred fifty men and girls are employed in the construction of this road. They are enthusiastic in their work and seem to appreciate the fact that they are building up their own country.
The most flourishing colonies in Palestine are those near the sea of Galilee and the upper Jordan, which is a very fertile country. There is a greater number of Jews in this vicinity than in any other part of Palestine. This country is of peculiar interest to the Christian, because it is the place where the Lord Jesus spent the greater portion of his earthly existence. The means employed for irrigating the land in this vicinity is wells. At almost any point water may be had by drilling from twenty to eighty feet in depth. Wind mills and also a few gasoline engines are employed for pumping the water and distributing it over the fields.
Great flocks and herds of sheep, goats and cattle are to be seen in this part of the land. Here also many houses are in course of construction and a great number of trees are being planted. These include the olive, eucalyptus, orange and lemon. This part of Palestine also produces splendid wheat ; and with more intensive cultivation a great quantity will be raised. The employment of modern farm machinery is needed; and doubtless some will be installed shortly. So much has been written about Galilee and the towns in its vicinity that description here would be superfluous. Suffice it to say that this reconstruction in that locality is substantially progressing and the work is being done by Jews who have come from Bussia and various parts of Europe and America; and as the prophets foretold, they have come back to build their homeland, where they shall dwell in peace and happiness and none shall prevent them. As the visitor looks about he is more thoroughly convinced that we are in the time of fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the return of the Jews to Palestine, corroborating the prophetic words of the great Master that we are at the end of the world, that the times of restitution are here, and that, therefore, millions now living will never die.
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