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Vol. XXXIX PITTSBURGH, PA., DECEMBER 15, 1918 No. 24 WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR— 1918 Although we cannot report as great activities in the pro- oate this; and the reports of the Pilgrim brethren agree with mulgation of the truth during the past year as in previous this. It is apparent that those classes which are /^-operating years, we are neither dismayed nor discouraged; and we do most heartily with the Society in its work are in the best not feel that any of the Lord's people have reason to be thus spiritual condition, and show a larger degree of spiritual growth. cast down. On the contrary, we are happy and are rejoicing in The evidences of divine favor upon our work are too the Lord. We rejoice in the privileges and opportunities which numerous and too positive to admit of the thought that the have been ours. We rejoice in the trials and hard experiences Lord is no longer recognizing or using the Watch Tower Biwhich have fallen to our lot. We remember the Apostle's ble & Tract Society, A few, taking this view of the matter, words that a "good soldier will endure hardness." (2 Timothy are not cooperating with us. It is not our mission to judge 2:3) We rejoice yet more because we realize that in all these or condemn them; but it is our mission to continue our endeaexperiences and trials we are able to recognize the Lord's vor to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees, hand, meting out to his faithul ones needed experiences, to and to say to them of a fearful heart: "Look up!" Instead teach them necessary lessons. of separating ourselves from the Lord's people and from the We rejoice still further because we have seen fulfilled work, we should heed the Apostle's exhortation not to neglect before our eyes the various things which "many prophets and to assemble ourselves together, but thus to do more and more righteous men" have foretold and have "desired to see" ful- as we see the day approaching. — Hebrews 10:25. filled, and which the "angels have desired to look into." (Mat- We remember that the service of the six messengers to the thew 13:17; 1 Peter 1:12) Again, we rejoice because we are church continued for long periods after they had finished their one year's march nearer to "Mount Zion, the city of the living earthly course. Undoubtedly this is true also of the work of God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company the seventh and last messenger. We are convinced that the of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first- Laodicean messenger will finish the Laodicean work, which we born, which are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge are aware is a judgment work upon all who profess the name of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to of Christ. The Apostle assures us that the judgment begins at Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood the house of God (1 Peter 4:17) ; and it will not end until all of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of the "judgments written" are executed. The Psalmist tells us Abel." — Hebrews 12:18-24. that the honor of executing these judgments will be given to THE PBET MEMBERS OP CHRIST all the saints. (Psalm 149:5-9) The Seventh Messenger inIt is a grand privilege to be in this army which has terpreted this to include the living and the resurrected saints, been marching upward to Zion for nearly thirteen hundred WHAT THE WATCHES SEE years; and although we are in the rear guard of this great Surely the most interesting year of the harvest period army, we are not to assume that we are less necessary and our is the year just past. It is almost exciting to watch the work any less essential than those who have gone before. On the fulfilments of prophecy as they crowd one upon another, contrary, ours is a glorious part. Hear the prophet of the Lord, and to realize that we are witnessing the setting up of Mesin beautiful, poetic language, portray the part which these last siah's kingdom in the earth. Many wonderful events are faithful marchers have in the service ot their King: "How yet to occur ere this kingdom is fully set up; and so we look beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bring- forward to other and grander fulfillments of prophecy in the eth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good year to come. We are indeed grateful for the share which our tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto heavenly Father has given us in. the work of the year just Zion, Thy God reigneth!" — Isaiah 52:7, 8. finished; and we gladly hold ourselves ready to do whatever Poor/ tired feet! Long have they marched! Long have he will permit us to do in the year to come, they waited for this home-coming! Long have they watched Below we append a brief summary of the year's work. For for the evidences that the kingdom is at hand ! And now, as several reasons it is not possible to report accurately on some they near their journey's end, the Watchers are rewarded with things; as for instance, the number of letters sent out will a vision of the glory of the King and his kingdom. The pro- exceed the number reported, because the new executive did phet describes their joy in these words: "Thy watchmen shall no t realize the necessity of keeping a record of the corresponlift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for dence. Again, the number of Studies ix the Scriptures sold they shall see eye to eye when the Lord returns to Zion." include only those sold by Colporteurs, and not those sent out The burden of the song is: "Thy God reigneth!" to classes and individuals by our Shipping Department. It But there is a still further reason for rejoicing; namely, j 8 also impossible even to approximate the amount of volunteer that we continue to love these truths and this work, and that work done. On the other hand, the friends seem to have apprethe Lord continues to count us worthy of his favor and to give ciated the convention privileges to a wonderful degree. Over us a part in the singing of this glad song. How grateful we forty conventions of a general character have been held during ought to be for these privileges! the year, besides probably as many more of a local character. The unparalleled conditions in the world during the past Glowing reports have been received from all these conventions, year have greatly curtailed our work, especially for the pub- Formerly all conventions were held during the late summer lie; and we suggest that possibly this may be the fulfillment or the early fall; but now every month in the year has its of our Lord's words in John 9:4: "The night cometh when conventions. Several large conventions are announced for the no man can work"; and that this text may have no reference near future. The annual report follows: to the work of comforting and encouraging one another, a CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT work which is still possible for all to do. Letters received 130,754 VARIED EXPERIENCES A BUBSSlNa Letters sent out 100,000 We should remember, however, that ours is not the only ^ GOIdPORTETTR DEPARTMENT work which has been curtailed; for many other business and Colporteurs in active service 225 religious enterprises have been thus affected. We believe that Output of Scripture Studies 275,000 this was all of divine arrangement, and therefore we have no , . PILGRIM DEPARTMENT complaint to make. We are glad to submit to what our heaven- Pilgrims in the service 101 Jy Father permits; for, while our public activities have been Cltie ? &"<* towns visited 7,809 much restricted, we believe that the Lord permitted this re- Public meetings held . * 2,131 straint in order that we might have more time for study and Tota } attendance at puMjc meetings ,' ,X for learning lessons which we could not otherwise learn. The Semi-public meetings held 3,110 Lord gives his people a variety of experiences so that they may Total attendance at semi-public meetings . . . 291,341 learn to "stand" in them all. As the eagle stirs up the nest Parlor meetings held ^ ™>™ and pushes the young eaglets out so that they may learn to T