Vol. XXXVIII
BROOKLYN, N. Y., FEBRUARY 1, 1917
No. 3
HOW THE CHURCH RENDER JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT
'To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." —
Proverbs 21:3.
Justice and judgment are two words which are very closely
allied in meaning. Justice represents that principle of right*
eousness, truth, honesty, which is the basis of the divine law;
and judgment seems to mean the enforcing of the principle ot
justice and the giving of rewards or punishments in proportion
as justice would be obeyed or infracted.
All of God's people should, to the best of their ability,
live justly. Justice — the Golden Rule — should be the standard
of life. All those who desire to be pleasing to God should
measure with the Golden Rule every act, every word, every
thought.
Nothing is said in our text about doing more than justice
; it states simply what is just, what is right. Judgment
might come in respecting the punishing of ourselves or respecting
our dealings with any one else over whom we properly
have control; as, for instance, the parent with the child. If
you are a parent, you render judgment to the child for WTongdoing
and commend him for well-doing. It is the duty of the
parent so to do. A magistrate, also, might have the right to
punish for wrong-doing. God would expect these to render
judgment — the proper reward or punishment for the well-doing
or evil-doing — because that is in their province, in their control
.
It is not for each individual to mete out judgment to other
individuals; for this would make a kind of anarchy throughout
the world, quite out of harmony with the divine law. In society
we have laws to which, if any one does another an injustice
, the injured one would have the right to appeal for pro-
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THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn, N. Y.
tection, or to stop the injustice. But we are not to take the
law into our own hands. There is this difference, then, between
the position of a parent toward his child or a magistrate
who represents justice, and other individuals,
Each person, however, may in his own case exercise judgment
, for as the Apostle says, "If we judge ourselves, we shall
not be judged of the Lord. 1 * (
1 Corinthians 11:31, 32) In
other words, if we have the principle of justice well defined
before our minds and find that we have come short of its requirements
in act, word or thought, then we should render
judgment upon ourselves, should punish ourselves, and require
some kind of compensation to be made, so as to impress the
matter upon our mind3 and to accomplish some rectification
to the person to whom the injustice has been done, whether
intentionally or unintentionally.
WE CANNOT ENRICH THE LORD BY SACRIFICE
Such a course of life is more acceptable to the Lord Jehovah
, than sacrifice. The sacrifices which were in the mind of
the Wise Man in connection with this proverb were those
which were made at that time according to the Mosaic law.
Some of them were offerings to the Lord from the flocks or the
herds. There were sin offerings, burnt offerings, peace offerings
, thank offerings, etc. Now the declaration here is that if
any man would live according to these principles of justice
and judgment, he would be more pleasing to God, more acceptable
to him, than if he should make many of these offerings
from his herds and from his flocks.
This declaration might perhaps have been a surprise to
some, until they would think of it, when the correctness of the
thought could be readily seen. God's love for righteousness is
the foundation, the establishment of his throne; and sacrifices
without justice preceding and accompanying them are
unacceptable in his sight. God has plenty; he needs nothing
from us; the giving of a sacrifice on our part would be the
doing of something that would neither advantage the Lord nor
increase his wealth. It would merely be an expression on our
part of our appreciation of his goodness and our desire to show
this appreciation.
JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT FIRST— THEN SACRIFICE
We are here shown that God in his greatness and perfection
of character appreciates those who exercise the principles of
righteousness, the Golden Rule, who seek to have these principles
in their heart, mind and conduct and to carry them
out in all of life's affairs. Nothing in this text, however,
contains^ the thought that God did not especially appreciate
the sacrifice of Jesus or that he does not especially appreciate
the sacrifices of those who are walking in the footsteps of
Jesus. God did not command these sacrifices of Jesus and his
followers, but he intimated that he wished to have a very
special class for a very special purpose — to reign over the
earth to bless all the families of the earth in due time; and
that the persons who would be accounted worthy of this great
honor of being God's servants to bless mankind would be those
who would not only love and exercise the principle of justice,
but have also a large degree of the spirit of sacrifice. The
Lord commands justice and judgment; for nothing short of this
would be right. But he does not command the sacrificing, for
a sacrifice must be a voluntary offering.
The intimation of the text, then, is that in order to offer
a sacrifice which would be acceptable to God, pleasing to him,
the Bacrificer must first of all have the principles of justice
and of sound judgment well in mind, and should exemplify
them in order that he might become a sacrificer who would
be doubly acceptable to God. Thus it is with our Lord and
the church, The principle of righteousness, or justice, is
paramount. Our Lord Jesus, according to the divine arrangement
, was first of all required to demonstrate that he could
keep the law. His sacrifice would not be acceptable otherwise.
That is exactly what is Bhown in this text — justice and
judgment first — then sacrifice.
Herein we see that God's arrangement is working out
grandly and beautifully; for our Lord Jesus actually kept
the law. "He was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from
sinners." and in every way he fulfilled all the requirements of
God's Law; and his having done this made him an acceptable
sacrificer. Then he offered the greatest sacrifice imaginable —
his own life. He did not offer this sacrifice to men. He did
not offer it to Satan, in order to rescue men from his dominion
and power. He offered up his life in sacrifice to God, as an
expression to the heavenly Father of his full trust in him, and
his eamest desire to do the Father's will in everything and
at any cost. We Tead of him, "I came not to do mine own
will, but the will of my Father which sent me."
The sacrifice, then, that Jesus laid down was the sacrifice
of his will; his human rights, his human life. This influenced
him to the extent that he offered no resistance to those who
took from him his rights and finally took away hi3 life at Galvary
. He submitted to these indignities. He did not sacrifice
himself to the Jews, and his submitting to the Jews did not
mean that he was compelled to serve them. All the while the
unswerving thought before his mind was, "This is the Father's
will, that I should testify my love, loyalty and obedience to
him in respect to this matter, and I will submit to everything
that he permits, in order to be pleasing to my Father, in order
to be what he would desire."
Thus the Father's highest wishes and ideals in respect to the
future Governor of the world were fully met in our Lord
Jesus when he showed his obedience to God's will unto death,
even to the death of the cross; "wherefore also God hath highly
exalted him, and hath given him a name [Immanuel or Messiah
] which is above every name." And the Father arranged
that at Jesus' name and in obedience to him, every knee should
bow, both in heaven and on earth.—
Eph. 1:20-23; Phil.
2:9-11.
OUR EXTREMITY IS GOD'S OPPORTUNITY
As respects ourselves, the Apostle assures us that our Lord's
course is a grand example for us. He hath set us an example
that we should walk in his steps. (
1 Peter 2:21) This
means that as Jesus did, so we should seek to do. Here we
meet a great difficulty. Our Lord could do perfectly the things
that he wished; hut, as the Apostle says, f, We cannot do the
things that we would." We inquire for the difference, and
find that it is this: Our Lord was born in a special manner;
he had a special, unblemished life, transferred from the
heavenly estate; we are members of Adam's fallen race, and
therefore are contaminated with the evil environments of sin
and death which have come down upon the human family for
six thousand years. Because of the influence and the effect of
sin and death working in our mortal bodies, we cannot do the
things that we would prefer to do. We find it impossible.
We would keep God's law perfectly.
We have learned that God's law is that we should do justice
; and that law we approve. We admire God's justice.
We wish to do justice and judgment. We should rejoice to see
justice and judgment exercised everywhere. We are in full
sympathy with, and rejoice in the great arrangement which
God has made. We love his law, even that portion of it which
punishes unrighteousness. We see that his commands are wise.
loving and good. We appreciate our God and all his ways and
we desire to do perfectly those things which are pleasing in
his sight. But we are unable to do these things perfectly; we
are unable to keep the Law, therefore we are unable of ourselves
to offer any sacrifice that would be acceptable to God;
for he enjoins justice and judgment in preference to sacrifice.
They must come in first; and being unable to render these
perfectly, what shall we do?
We find that God has made a merciful arrangement for us;
and this arrangement is made through Jesus and his sacrifice,
the benefits of which are also designed to be for the whole
world of mankind eventually. When the last member of the
Spirit-begotten class shall have passed into death, Jesus will
then make application of the merit of his ransom-sacrifice for
the whole world. The merit of Jesus, now in the hands of
justice, he has already embargoed, or mortgaged, as it were,
in the interest of the church. So, then, his merit is imputed
now to all those who wish to come up to the requirements of
God's law; and who wish additionally to follow Jesus in sacrifice
. To these, according to the Father's plan, Jesus becomes
the great High Priest and Advocate, their Representative; and
to these comes the merit of hia sacrifice, already laid down.
We therefore are directed to the Lord Jesu3 as the one through
whom we can come into this blessed relationship with the
Father which Jesus had; and he brings us into this relationship
by making up what we lack in respect to justice and
judgment.
Jesus would not make this up to us without our cooperation
; but since we desire his assistance, since this is the sentiment
of our hearts, we are accepted on the profession of full
consecration to God, to seek to the best of our ability to do his
will, to love and practise justice and to exercise judgment in
our lives. We are accepted in the Beloved. All of our imperfections
are covered through the work of Jesus, by an imputation
of his merit. Thus we are enabled to join with Jesus
our Lord in sacrifice, laying down with him our little all upon
God's holy altar of sacrifice.
HOW THE OHXTROH KEEPS GOD'S LAW
This is not merely a matter of consecration at the beginning
of our Christian lives, but is something that is to progress
and continue so long as we have life. We are more and
more to learn to let justice and judgment have control in
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FltBKUARY 1, 1917
THE WATCH TOWER
(37-38)
our lives, and more and more we are to bring ourselves into
full accord with the Lord, daily presenting our bodies living
sacrifices, and realizing that these continue to be acceptable
only through Jesus. Thus, as the Apostle says, "The righteousness
of the law is fulfilled in us who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit" —
Romans 8:4.
What does St. Paul mean? How can we fulfil God's law?
The Apostle evidently refers to us as new creatures. When we
presented ourselves to God through Christ Jesus, consecrating
our hearts and lives and agreeing to keep the law to the
best of our ability, it was the Father's arrangement that Jesus'
merit should complete for us all that we were lacking. We
were then begotten to a new nature, a new life. This is the
start of an entirely new being. In God's sight the flesh is now
reckoned dead- — and in our own sight also. We start as new
creatures in Christ, to walk in this new and heavenly way. So
then, as the Apostle says, in us as new creatures the righteousness
of the law is fulfilled. Every one of us who is a new creature
is thinking justly, speaking justly and acting justly
to the very best of his ability. This is the will of the new
creature.
As for the flesh, the new creature controls the flesh so far
as he is able; and the merit of Jesus, the merit of the sacrifice
of Jesus imputed on behalf of these, covers all the
blemishes and shortcomings of the flesh that are unintentional.
The Father encourages these to come to the throne of heavenly
grace to obtain mercy for all such imperfections and blemishes.
If any of the transgressions of a child of God should have a
measure of wilfulness, he must suffer "stripes" as an expiation,
to the extent of the wilfulness; but upon application to the
Lord, he will be forgiven all that was not wilful, and be fully
reinstated in the Lord's favor. The child of God should earnestly
strive, however, to keep so close to the Lord that there
will be no measure of wilfulness in his trespass.
This is a class that is offering sacrifice acceptable to God,
as well as serving him acceptably. It is not that we do the
sacrificing ourselves; for that is the work of the great High
Priest. We present ourselves, he receives us, and day by day
the sacrificing is under his supervision and is acceptable to the
Father through his merit. And so the church of Christ, the
body of Christ, is going grandly on in the footsteps of our
Lord, reckoned as absolute in justice and judgment, and sacrificing
additionally. Eventually, she will be completed
through the grace of God and by this arrangement which he
has made. Then will come the time for dispensing God's
blessings to all mankind, and this class, so especially called, so
especially favored, will be highly exalted and honored to this
great office with their Lord, next to the Father.
CHRIST JESUS— OUR ILLUSTRIOUS EXAMPLE
"Consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." — Hebrews
12:3.
The Apostle's argument in our text is that the Lord's people
need to be of good courage, need to remember that they
have enlisted in a war on the side of righteousness and against
sin, and that the enlistment is for life. The condition of their
acceptance by the Lord was to this effect: "Be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." — Revelation
2:10.
In the Apostle's day, as in our day, there was a tendency
on the part of some to espouse the cause of the Lord and to
run faithfully for a while, and then to become discouraged, disheartened
, and turn away to something else. In a previous
chapter the Apostle has pointed out that some of those whom
he was addressing had been faithful and courageous for a
time, l^ad "endured a great fight of afflictions," and then had
become as babes, requiring milk, and needed to be taught again
by others what were the first principles of the doctrines of
Christ. They seemed to have lost their zeal to a large extent,
and to have become discouraged in some way. They were
not alert as servants of the truth, and as servants of the
Lord, as at first. They had permitted the opposition to wear
down greatly their zeal and energy.
In Chapter 11 of this epistle, the Apostle calls attention
to the fact that all through the past there had been noble
witnesses to God and his cause, to whom the church might
well look as patterns of faithful endurance of opposition, and
from whose course they might take encouragement. He cites
the case of Abraham and his faith in God's promises. He recounts
many of those who had endured great sufferings and
privations, and were exiles from home — some of whom were
even stoned to death or sawn asunder, etc., "of whom the
world was not worthy." These were to be considered by the
church of Christ as glorious examples of faithfulness. And
now, in our text, the Apostle brings us down to the grandest
example of faithfulness to God ever known- — our Lord Jesus
Christ — and says that we should all especially consider him
who endured so much.
The word "consider" is here used in the sense of study, appreciate
, take knowledge of. The more we study our Lord's
course in life and realize what it cost him to be faithful to
the Father, to the principles of righteousness and truth, the
more we see the exaltation of his character. He loved not Ms
life. He withheld nothing, in order that he might do the will
of the Father. He made no effort to be sensational, that thus
he might attract attention to himself; but humbly, quietly,
went about his Father's business.
RELIGIOUS TEACHERS CHRIST'S OHIEP OPFOJtEKTS
Our Lord Jesus was loyal to the principles of righteousness
as expressed in the law and the prophets. "In his mouth
was found no guile" — no deception. No one found in him an
attempt to curry favor with the multitude by saying something
that would please the ear, and yet not be true. We find
that he was absolutely faithful to God's law. When the
matter came up as to how this law should be interpreted,
he would give full, plain instruction respecting it, holding
nothing back. He was loyal to the heavenly Father in that
he never claimed that anything he said or did was of himself
, but declared that it all came from the "Father who sent
him." He was loyal to the Father and to the truth in everything
. This loyalty brought him much of opposition; for
when he said that he was the Son of God, of "the Father
who sent him," the Jews were angry, "If you, a mere man,
make yourself the Son of God," they said, "you are putting
yourself on an equality with God. We never claim anything
of this kind. We are the children of Abraham." Then they
charged that he was fraudulent; whereas he was speaking
the plain truth.—
John 10:31-39; 8:59.
Thus the opposition to our Lord began — contradiction, as it
is called in our text. There was opposition to him in proportion
as he presented the truth. As the Jewish leaders began
to see that the message Jesus proclaimed was contrary to the
one that they had given, or that they had received, antagonism
sprang us. He did not make as many disciples as might have
been expected, considering that "never man spake like thi3
man." ' There were only something over five hundred of his
followers altogether in the three and one-half years of hi&
ministry. Five hundred seemed a small number amongst the
one nation that had been expecting Messiah for over sixteen
hundred years, !
We inquire, How did the Master receive the opposition, the
contradiction of sinners, and who were the sinners? The
answer is, he received the contradiction with meekness and
self-possession. The sinners were those of the Jewish people
who, having a measure of light, were not obedient to that
light. The Apostle "does not wish us to consider how the
Gentiles failed to receive the Lord, for he did not come to the
Gentiles. His preaching was simply to the one nation to whom
God had especially manifested himself, and for whom were the
promises and the first opportunity to become heirs to those
promises.
We note that these sinners were chiefly found amongst the
learned Jews — the scribes, chief priests, Pharisees and Doctors
of the Law. These, having knowledge, having experience,
knowing the law, failed to appreciate the spirit of the law,
and were out of accord with it. Therefore to that extent they
were sinners, The teachings of Jesus manifested this fact and
led them to take their side with positiveness. In- taking sides
against him they were taking sides against much that they
recognized and knew to be right.
We perceive that the Master met the attacks of his enemies
with gentleness, kindriess, yet with logic — not sentencing
them to eternal torment — no suggestion of the kind. ^ He
knew that they were largely blinded. He said to his disciples,
"Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they
hear," thus intimating that the great majority of the nation
were blind and dull of hearing. They were not in a condition
to receive his message, and Jesus know that they would need
more experiences before they would be ready. We see that
they got these experiences afterwards, in the great time of
trouble, which doubtless made many of them think more
seriously of what Jesus had said.
The numbers who came to the Lord on the day of Pentecost
are to be accounted for by the fact that at this par-
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THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn, N. Y.
ticular feast, the Feast of Harvest, the most religious Jews,
the most honest Jews from all over the world gathered at
Jerusalem. On this occasion when the Apostle Peter preached
the Gospel, many of these Jews for the first time, perhaps,
heard about Jesus in any definite way.
NO COMPROMISE WITH EEROB
The Apostle urges us that as Jesus endured all these things
and they did not change his course or purpose, so should we
endure steadfastly. He remained loyal to the principles of
righteousness; he did not swerve; he 'did not attempt to come
down to meet the demands of the Pharisees and say, "I will
put on phylacteries. I will be a Pharisee; and if you will
support me, we will get along nicely together. " No. He endured
their opposition. Let them oppose as much as they
would, he would not alter his course from that which was
right, loyal to God, loyal to the truth. He would even denounce
the Pharisees as a class when necessary, to show them
how much in them was hypocrisy, thereby to awaken some to
a realization of what they were doing, in order that they
might be benefited thereby, and also to show the people that
they should not be bound to leaders who were hypocritical.
This was Jesus' course. The Apostle urge's us that we
should consider him and his course, his patience in dealing
with opposition. The opposition that he dealt with led him to
death. St. Paul adds, "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,
striving against sin." Jesus did resist unto blood — unto death.
As we consider our Lord, then, and see how faithful he
was to every principle of righteousness, even unto death,
although his faithfulness cost him his life, it should make
us very appreciative, very courageous; for we have no such
great opposition of sinners as Jesus had. We have indeed some
opposition — sometimes jn the family, in the home, in the
church — wherein we need to stand up for principle, for truth;
but our enemies have not the power to give us the persecution
that Jesus endured. They have not the power at this
time to take our lives for our faithfulness to God.
Considering all this, we may feel that, comparatively
speaking, "our lines have fallen to us in pleasant places." We
have comparatively little to suffer for righteousness* sake;
and we should all the more gladly appreciate our every
opportunity for showing forth "the praises of him who hath
called us out of darkness into his marvelous tight." No matter
whether it does or does not bring opposition, we should, indeed
, while not courting opposition and persecution, be very
ready to receive these and to appreciate them as an indication
that we are on God's side; for these we are to expect. The
Apostle Paul assures us that "whosoever will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (
2 Timothy 3:12) ; and
the Master intimates that this persecution will come largely
from those who profess to be God's people. If we have more
of this to meet later on than we have yet received, let us be
strong and courageous, "speaking the truth in love," looking
ever to him who is our great Exemplar.
REVERENCE OF JESUS FOR HIS FATHER'S HOUSE
[This article was a reprint of that entitled "Cleansing the Temple," published in issue of January 15, 1908, which please see.]
JESUS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD
[This article was a reprint of that entitled
'Regeneration and fche Kingdom,'
please see.]
published in issue of January 15, 1908, which
JESUS AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA
[This article was a reprint of that entitled "Give Me to Drink/' published in issue of February 1, 1908, which please see.l
OUR BELOVED DEAD
Beloved Pastor, Charles Taze Russell.]
"It told of sweet, unselfish, patient service,
Of two hands full upon the altar laid;
A pouring out of life itself for others,
In loving, loyal service to his Head.
The way grows steeper, and the 1 feet grow weaker,
He struggles on, the end is just at hand ;
The song has changed into a burst of triumph,
He stands a victor on that summit grand!
"The music ceased ; and then I saw in vision
The Master standing by the silent dead —
Not weeping, as before the tomb of Lazarus,
But wearing such a look of joy! He said,
'Thy sacrifice was very sweet, beloved,
And very precious in the Father's eyes;
This dear, devoted -flesh was freely given,
And thou hast won the grand, immortal prize.'
"Beside Him stood our own beloved Pastor,
In all the splendor of his spirit birth,
Surrounded by those glorious heavenly beings
Who with our Lord had walked upon the earth.
And still they came; it seemed the hosts of heaven
Had met with us beside that silent bier,
And oh, our hearts went out with such a longing,
To greet our own beloved, they seemed so near !
"The vision fades away, and standing o'er him
Those who had toiled beside him long, sweet years,
And gladly shared in all the fiery trials,
Poured out their love for him, mid sobs and tears.
There we, with them, renewed our consecration
To carry on the work he had begun,
To herald forth the Gospel of the kingdom,
Till we should hear the Master's sweet 'Well done!'
[In loving memory of our
"They laid him there so cold, so still, so silent,
There in the place where oft in days of yore
He loved to speak the message of the kingdom;
To tell the same sweet story o'er and o'er.
That voice is silent, those dear hands are folded,
Dear, restless hands that never would stay still j
The work was pressing, 'twas no time for slackness;
Those hands must be about his Father's will.
"Dear, willing feet — though faltering in their weakness,
Though bruised and bleeding, yet they still held on
Unto the very end, and only halted
When every step of that rough way was done!
Those loving eyes; oh, what an inspiration
To those who fainted 'neath life's heavy load !
So quick to see the likeness of the Master
In each dear saint he met along the road!
"They laid him down among the fragrant flowers;
Ah, who can paint the beauty of that scene!
Death had no victim here; death had no triumph;
This was the coronation of a king.
Around him hung the garlands of his vict'ry,
Beside him was the cross he had laid down,
The dove of peace was brooding softly o'er him,
And at his head was placed the victor's crown.
"It seemed the earth had brought her choicest treasures
And poured them at that faithful servant's feet;
For everywhere the eye could look, were blossoms
Of glorious hues, of fragrance rare and sweet.
The palms waved softly in the scented breezes,
The rose and lily shed their perfume there,
A silent tribute to the power and beauty
Of that rich life, poured out as incense rare.
,c Now on the air came softest music stealing,
Like heaven's benediction on that throng;
It seemed to hush the sounds of quiet weeping,
It lifted hearts and carried them along.
It told of thorny paths his feet had traveled,
Of battles fierce with foes on every hand;
Of meek acceptance of the bitter hatred
Brought on him by proclaiming God's great plan.
"One more fond look on those beloved features,
And then the slow, sad journey was begun;
We thought of all the journeys he had taken,
And now had come the last, the final one!
The setting sun had left a ray of glory,
The evening star was shining overhead,
As in the silent tomb we gently laid him,
And left him there, our own beloved dead."
[6040]
THE PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION
The following letter is one of many inquiries now coming
to the Society in regard to the Mena Film Co. We publish
it, together with our reply thereto, that the friends of the
truth may know our position with respect to the matter in
question :
Dear : —
Last evening our Secretary read a letter from the Brethren
who have purchased the Photo-Dbama rights. I would like to
get straight on this for my own good, and for the* good of
the many who will be certain to ask my advice respecting it*
Already we have been asked regarding it. I do not wish to always
seem unduly careful, and am trying to watch my heart
very closely, so that no wrong suspicions creep in. On the
other hand, I am deeply impressed with the necessity of being
very careful to be identified with only those things which are
"simon pure," and which have the unqualified approval of
those into whose hands the Lord has now placed the direction
of the present efforts and work of the saints.
The thought that any feature of the work is to have increased
activity brings a blessing. It did seem strange, however
, that the various classes should be thus approached to
assist in financing a project which has admittedly been thoroughly
commercialized. To the consecrated, the possible dividends
on a commercial proposition would be a small inducement
, indeed, when all that they have is held as a stewardship
from the Lord to be used in whatever way the Lord directs
. It seems to me that the better way would be to turn
over any money, that could be spared, to the Society to be
used by them. If the Society wished to assist in financing
this matter, then we would understand that to be what the
Lord would seem to direct.
You can readily see my perplexity. I am not sure if this
reasoning is sound. I am very well acquainted with some of
these Brethren, and do esteem them highly for their work's
sake, and \o\e them very dearly as fellow-pilarrims in the
narrow way. I could see no objection to their securing
financial assistance for an attractive dividend-paying project
from those who are looking for dividends of this sort, but
it was the matter of using the influence of their connection
with the work of the harvest as an inducement to influence
classes, and as to what should be my attitude in the matter,
that has perplexed me. I have noted the wording and construction
of their letter very carefully. Does the Society,
without restriction, approve of this letter? Will you please
give me a little hint? With fervent Christian love I am
Your Brother by His Grace, .
Our Reply.
During the year 1014 the Photo-Dbama of Creation was
shown free of charge in practically all of the cities of the
United States. The expense was a heavy tax on the Society
and on the local friends. Later Brother Russell undertook
other methods of exhibiting it, that it might be self-sustaining
. These were not successful. The available cash has not
since been sufficient to exhibit it free, as was done during
1914.
In the latter months of Brother Russell's service he was
perplexed as to just what to do with the Drama. After his
death all these questions came up for determination by the
Board of Directors. On taking inventory of the Dbama parts
and on examination of the same the fact was disclosed that
a large amount of money would be required to repair and
put the Drama in proper condition to be used. The Board
was perplexed as to what to do.
While thus considering the matter the Board was approached
by some brethren who stated that arrangements liad
been made by them to stage an all-film production showing
the divine plan of the ages from creation to restitution,
which they expected to put upon a commercial basis. An
offer was made to purchase the Drama for a money consideration
, with the understanding that the Drama should be
used by the Society until the 31st day of March, and that one
outfit should be kept always at The Temple. The Board considered
this proposition as a provision the Lord had made for
a disposition of the Photo-Drama and a relief from the perplexing
questions.
The Mena Film Company was formed and a contract was
made with the Society for the purchase of the Drama, the
purchase to be completed February 1, the said Mena Film
Company thereby absorbing the Drama. At the time of the
execution of this contract it was represented to the Board
that the Mena Film Company could be financed without difficulty
. There was no intimation that money would be solicited
from the friends. It is the expressed wish of the
brethren named to do nothing that would in any manner interfere
with the policy and work of the Society.
That the friends may know the exact position of the Society
, we here state that the Society is in no wise interested
financially in the Mena Film Company. As all readers of
The Watch Towjeb know, it has at all times been contrary to
the policy of the Society to solicit money from any one,
either directly or indirectly. We therefore advise the friends
everywhere that no one in the service of the Society is authorized
to solicit money from the friends or from any one else
for the Mena Film Company or for any thing. No one
in the employ of the Film Company has any authority from
us to call a meeting of any Ecclesia at any place for the purpose
of discussing the investment of the Mena Film Company;
nor has any Pilgrim brother or anyone else in the sirvice of
the Society been authorized to encourage any one, either
directly or indirectly, to subscribe money for stock in any
company. The Society's position in this matter is entirely
neutral. Our thought ib tnat each one should be left to exercise
his own will with reference to what he should do with his
money. We make this statement in view of the numerous
inquiries coming to us as to whether or not the Society is
backing the Film Company.
SOME LETTERS OF INTEREST
"WILL TTON MINE HAND UPON THE LITTLE ONES"
To the Dear Ones in Christ: —
We were so dazed, and our hearts so riven with sorrow
at the death of our dear Pastor that it seemed impossible to
write sooner. Nevertheless our prayers have been daily ascending
to the heavenly Father to give you wisdom, courage
and grace in abundance to continue the glorious harvest
work.
How we miss that dear one of whom it can truly be said
that his very presence radiated peace and comfort and joy!
There were none like him. He lived for others, and has left
behind him a "monument of virtue which the storms of time
can never destroy." His name and his deeds shine as the
stars of heaven!
We picture him now free from all pain, all care, all sorrow
, free from the fiery darts of the evil one, resting at last
from his labors, with our blessed Lord and like him, a glorious
being, immortal, divine! Blessed indeed is the memory of our
beloved Pastor!
One of the most precious promises now to be fulfilled
we see in
Zech. 13:7: "I will turn mine hand upon the little
ones." "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away; blessed
be the name of the Lord!" What a precious gift our dear
Pastor was to the church! and now that the Lord has taken
him from our midst, we know we shall be especially cared for
because of our loss; and that the time is near when, if
faithful, we shall see him face to face again in the presence
of our blessed Master.
We take this occasion to assure you of our continued
prayers for you and cooperation with you in spreading the
Gospel of the kingdom. Stirling Ecclesia. — Ont.
ACCEPT THOSE APPOINTED BT HIM
Dear Brethren in Christ: —
The Watch Tower of November 15, having confirmed
the news of the death of our Pastor, dear Brother Russell,
we are embracing this our first opportunity of sending you
our token of sympathy in the loss of our faithful leader.
But our sorrow must give place to an eternity of praise
and thanksgiving, to the Great Jehovah and our Lord Jesus
Christ, for having enabled our Pastor to finish his course
with joy, to come off more than a conqueror, in the good
fight of faith, against the powers of darkness, to enter into
his Master's glory and to partake of the divine nature.
We note with pleasure the assurance that the publication
of The Watch Tower will continue, and thus bring us "meat
in due season." We pledged to accept the Committee appointed
by him, as his personal representatives, and shall endeavor
to cooperate with them as though he were still present
.
It is still our privilege to remember you at the throne of
heavenly grace, and we shall be mindful of the severe tests
of loyalty, humility and love for the brethren, to which the
church is likely to be subjected between now and the time
of its glorification.
That it may he our mutual endeavor to watch and pray
and hope unto the end for the promised reward is the earnest
prayer of your yoke-fellows in the school of Christ.
The Bridgetown Class. — B. W. /.
[6041]
(45-46)
(46-47)
THE WATCH TOWER
Brooklyn j N. Y,
NOBLE EXAMPLE OP CHRISTIAN FOROOTUDE
Dear Brethren: —
While we grieve in the flesh for the loss of our dear
Pastor, counselor and friend, our last earthly court of appeal
in all of our difficulties, nevertheless we rejoice in the spirit
that he has at last reaped the reward of his labors, and is
now with our dear Lord, High-Priest and King, in glory.
Hence we desire to place upon record our deep appreciation
of his disinterested, devoted labor in behalf of the brethren
literally laying down his life in sacrifice for them.
We thank God continually that he provided "that faithful
servant" to dispense the meat in due season to "the household
of faith"; and that through his ministrations, the eyes
of our understanding were opened to a knowledge of Jehovah
's glorious character and plan, "calling us with an heavenly
calling," not according to our works, but according to
his own good pleasure and grace that was given us in Christ
Jesus before the world began. We glorify his name, that
our beloved Pastor was to us so noble an example of Christian
fortitude and loyalty — exemplifying indeed all of the
Christian graces and that he is a worthy pattern for us to
follow, even as he followed Jesus.
Our sincere prayer is that the saint3 will continue to grow
in grace and love and will be knit more firmly together by
the bonds of faith, hope and love.
Yours in the one calling, Cincinnati Ecclesia. — Ohio.
god's stone witness helped heb
Deab Brethren : —
Feeling impelled to write you of an experience of mine,
I trust you will pardon my taking a few minutes of your
valuable time.
A few months ago I consecrated my all to the Lord, as I
understood it then, but my real joy and blessing have tarried
until now. While I had the assurance of being in the right
path, I did not have the sweet peace and joy that I had seen
possessed by the friends, in walks of life, both above and
humbler than my own.
It was while reading about the Pyramid that the picture
of our consecration given there showed me in just what position
I stood. I had renounced my own will, pictured by the
low entrance passage to the Ante-Chamber; "dared not trust
the sweetest frame'* if I wished to advance, pictured by the
small space of the Ante-Chamber before passing the Granite
Leaf, but had not bowed entirely to the will of God. In
other words, I had not submitted to the heavenly will in
everything. I had not passed the Granite Leaf and my feet
were not on the solid granite.
But having to pass through a severe trial at that time, and
being drawn to the feet of our 'heavenly Father perhaps by
necessity, as well as the desire to be submissive in all things,
I have learned something of the joy that comes with complete
submission, and sweet communion through the Spirit.
i( sacred union with the Perfect Mind
Transcendent bless, which thou alone canst give;
How blest are they this Pearl of price who find,
And, dead to earth, have learned in thee to live!"
I desire to thank our heavenly Father for the many,
many stepping-stones which by divine grace The Watch
Tower publications hare placed in my path to assist me
heavenward.
By His grace, G. S.
LOVE AND COOPERATION IN EVERY WAT
To the "Stewards of the ' Mysteries of God": —
You know of our daily prayers in your behalf, but this is
to assure you of our continued loyalty to the cause, and of
our love for you and cooperation with you in every possible
way, since the death of our beloved Pastor has caused the
responsibility to fall upon your shoulders.
It is indeed a joy to know that our dear Pastor was "faithful
unto death," and as we now look upon God's plan as being
reasonable, the uncertainty of spiritual birth has been removed
; therefore we see, with the eye of faith, the reception
accorded our pastor, by the "Alpha and Omega," together with
all those who have had a part in the first resurrection !
We ask a continued interest in your prayers, that we may
be "strong in faith," and that we also may come off "more
than conquerors," to meet our Pastor again in the presence
of the King. Bristol Ecclesia. — Tenn.
WILL COOPERATE AS HERETOFORE
Dear Brethren and Fellow-servants in Christ: —
We, the undersigned, desire to convey to the members of
the Bethel family, our fervent Christian love and heartfelt
sympathy in the loss of our dearly beloved Pastor, Brother
Russell. We desire also to assure you of our determination to
cooperate with you, as heretofore, in the completion of the
harvest work. We will continue to remember you at the
throne of grace, and desire your prayers also.
Marietta Ecclesia. — Ohio.
BOW TO A FAULTLESS FATHER'S WILL
Whereas, The sad intelligence has reached us of the passing
under the veil of our dearly Beloved Pastor, Charles
T. Russell, we meekly how in submission to a faultless
Father's will, and okdge Tmr prayers and cooperation in the
harvest work, knowing that the night when no man can work
is fast settling over us.
We also wish to assure you of our confidence, believing
that the work entrusted to you will be done in perfect accord
with the teachings and wishes of our dear Brother Russell
as well as with those of our heavenly Father and our Elder
Brother Jesus. Emerson Church., — Neb.
UNQTJALIFIEI) SUPPORT
Dear Brethren: —
We took a vote on a resolution of loyalty to the Watch
Tower Bible and Tract Society and it had our unanimous
and unqualified support, respecting the great work which
was begun long ago.
Those at Brooklyn will be in the lime light, as it were,
so we pray for you wisdom from on high. Think of the
stars in our Pastor's crown! Think of the many he turned
to righteousness! Abnett Church. — Okla.
EDITOR THOS. E. WATSON'S TRIBUTE TO PASTOR RUSSELL
My Dear Mr. : —
Your letter was read with deep appreciation. I thank you
very much for the friendly expression it contains.
The editorial on Pastor Russell was an unstudied tribute
to a man who must have possessed much goodness and greatness
to have won so high a place in the hearts of so many
estimable people; and the fact that so many grateful letters
have been written me about it makes me doubly thankful for
the impulse which prompted me to write.
Very truly yours,
Thos. E. Watson. — Editor Jeffersonian. — Ga.
LIKES THEM BEYOND EXPECTATION
Dear Sirs: —
I received my books in good condition, and am much
pleased with them; in fact, they are better than I expected
them to be.
If you would care to send me about 100 tracts, "Our Lord's
Return," I would like to place one in every home in this
town. There are no Bible Students here.
Yours tTuly, Mrs. Addie Edwards.
CALLING HIS CHILDREN HOME
Dear Brethren in Christ: —
One by one God is calling his children home, and since
he has seen fit to call our beloved Pastor to the glories
which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath the
heart of man conceived, we humbly bow in submission.
Assuring you of our loyalty to the cause, our fidelity to
the truth and our continued cooperation, we are
Evans ville Ecclesia. — Ind.
WILL REMEMBER THE WORK AS BEFORE
Dear Brethren in Christ: —
Our ecclesia expressed a hearty cooperation with you,
that the cause of the truth may continue to be advanced
throughout the world; and that the work which yet remains
to be accomplished may be fully carried out. To
this end we will daily remember you at the throne of
grace, as we have done in the past.
New Albany Class. — Ind.
DESIRE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL
Dear Brethren in the Lord: —
We desire to notify you that the class here held services
in memory of our dearly beloved Pastor Russell, which included
the reading of the sermon which he was to have delivered
on that day. We wish to cooperate fully with you
in the remaining work of the harvest. We desire a pilgrim
whenever convenient for you to send one as per enclosed card,
and to remain faithful to the end.
Tarpon Springs Ecclesia. — Fla.
WILL COOPERATE MORE FULLY THAN EVER
Dear Brethren in Christ: —
The Muskegon class join in assuring you of our mutual
sympathy and Christian love. We are determined also to continue
in the service of the glad tidings, and assure you that
we will continue to pray for you and to cooperate as in the
past, or more than we have. God bless you!
Your brethren in the Lord, Muskegon Class. — Mich.
[6042]
F*B*UA*Y 1, 1917
THE WATCH TOWER
(34-52)
PBAYIira WISDOM FOB PROSECUTING THE WORK
Dear Beethben: —
We wish to assure you of our continued love and loyalty
in the Lord; and that you will have our support, our prayers
and material things as we have ability to give them.
We pray that the wisdom from above may be yours to
prosecute the work of the Lord that remains to be done.
Aztec Ecclesia. — New Mex.
LOYAL AS IV THE PAST
Beloved in the Anointed: —
We wish to convey to you our deep Christian love, with
mingled sorrow. We rejoice to know that the loss of our
beloved Pastor is his gam; and with renewed determination
we wish to assure you that we shall be loyal to the Society
as in the past The Denison Class. — Texas.
Deab Bbethren: —
Kindly send me 10 copies of The Watch Tower Memorial
Number. H. E. Spear. — Mass.
ONE MILLION ALREADY ORDERED
During the past month we have received orders from Ecclesias
for the 1917 Volunteer Literature — "The World on
Fire" — amounting to over one million copies. This number is
very large; but many classes have not yet been heard from.
This is the second mention we have made that the classes
should take prompt action in advising us of the number they
can use judiciously for Volunteer purposes. When ordering
please mention B. S. M., Vol. 9, No. 1. Volunteer numbers of
B, S. M. are supplied free, transportation charges collect.
While the presses are running we need to know how many
to print. Orders from individuals will be received where
there are no classes. In estimating do not figure on more
than one copy to each English-speaking home.
The friends will better realize the importance of care in
the distribution of the Literature this year when we inform
them that at the present cost of paper each million of the
B. S. M. amounts to about $3,000.