November 1, 1927

TAKE THE LORD AS YOUR PARTNER

At this time practically everybody in the truth is in the service work; and as service workers for the Lord they can well take a lesson from the note book of Nehemiah, who learned early in life to make the Lord his partner in all his enterprises on behalf of God and his people.

The bool; of Nehemiah opens with a prayer. Eight out of the eleven verses of the first chapter record Nehemiah’s prayer for the blessing of God upon the work he had in mind to do for his king. The fourth verse of the second chapter makes reference to another prayer; the ninth chapter contains a prayer thirty-four verses long; and the concluding words of the last chapter are, “Remember me, 0 my God, for good.”

Nehemiah was all for the Lord’s business which, at that time, was the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, stone by stone, in the face of his enemies, who were also the enemies of his God and of ours. His work was somewhat like ours. We also are rebuilding the wall of the true Christian faith, and we are doing it in the presence of enemies. The text, “Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies,” has its application now. The Lord is doing the ruling; but we are doing the work of the kingdom, and delighted to have that joy and that honor.

Let us learn a lesson from Nehemiah, farsighted. industrious, fearless, skilful, successful. He was all of these because he was prayerful. He made the Lord his comrade, his friend, his manager, his tutor, his guide. The same Lord is still rich in mercies, able and willing to bestow them superabundantly upon all those who really wish them and will use them.

The happiest people in the service work are those who have learned to keep in constant contact with the Lord, before, during and after their canvassing work. Is it hard to find time to get out in the work ? Tell the Lord about it, and ask him to show you how it can be accomplished.

Are you successful in the work? You lose not a second of time if after each sale, as you are on your way to the next call, you tell the Lord how thankful and happy you are to have left one more message behind you that tells of his kingdom. Are you unsuccessful ? Remember that the Lord himself has said, “If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”—James 1: 5.

Follow Nehemiah’s example. Start out with a prayer, be instant in prayer and thankfulness as you go along from door to door; maize it your business to see to it that you are backing up your prayers by the use of the best judgment and the greatest industry iu your power; and then, at the close of another happy day, you can even follow Nehemiah’s example again and go humbly into the presence of your God and say, “Remember me, 0 my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, . . . Remember me, 0 my God, for good” (Nehemiah 13: 14, 31) ; and that prayer will be answered to your everlasting joy of heart, the same as all the others.

METHODS OP WORK

The coming winter reminds us that even with all the handicaps, it is one of the most effective times of the year for work in the field, when people are probably better situated to read and listen to workers that call at their homes. We have, therefore, in our letter to directors outlined the procedure for work during the winter months. Directors have been asked to prepare territory for canvassing that will permit the workers during the winter months to reach people who are already acquainted with I. B. S. A. publications. Such homes are particularly those that have purchased booklets, those who have purchased the Harp and the Deliverance and homes in which there are radios. Workers calling at homes that are already sympathetic toward the truth are more certain of an invitation to come in. and talk over the books.

A New Combination

We believe that a combination that would serve them for reference purposes would more nearly meet the requirement. Therefore we recommend that workers offer during the winter months the seven volumes of Studies in the Scriptures, Deliverance and “Judge Rutherford’s latest book, Creation,” at $3.00. Creation will be released to the public December 1, and is to retail at 45 cents. The book is illustrated with colored pictures representing a selection of pictures that hang in the national galleries of Europe. They represent paintings of different artists, many of which have not been reproduced in any publications that have been circulated in America. The cover and binding of the book are also done with a new process which will not be found in any other publication up to the present time. Therefore from the standpoint of book value alone, Creation represents additions that other publications do not have and at a much more reasonable rate. We merely mention the art feature and the binding as additional talking points to be mentioned in connec--tion with the canvass.

Creation is to be offered in combination with other books; and since winter work docs not generally permit the same number of homes to be called upon, the work is being planned with a view of placing substantial combinations of books in the hands of the people.

Limited Offer

For some time Studies to the Scriptures and Deliverance have been offered at $3.78 for the eight books. As a special offer during the next six months, ot until June 1, Creation will be added to this eight-volume combination, and will be offered to the people at $3.00. Canvassing for the nine-volume combination for $3.00 is the principal feature of winter work. In the event you are unable to place the nine volumes, then we recommend that you offer Deliverance and Creation at 78 cents. In homes that have not purchased The Harp of God we recommend that you offer Deliverance and The Harp and Creation at $1.18.

The records that have been kept will indicate what has been sold in the homes that you call upon; and if booklet combinations only have been sold then the nine-volume offer is the logical offer, dropping to the three-volume combination at $1.18 or the two-volume combination at 78 cents.

A Gift Suggestion

December finds many people busy and anxious for suggestions for Christmas gifts. Workers should emphasize that they are malting the first offer of “Judge Rutherford’s latest book, Creation” that they can call on only a limited number of homes before Christmas, and that consequently people that use Creation as Christmas remembrances can be pretty well assured that Creation will not be used by others as a gift to their friends. Again, the nine-volume combination should be offered as an excellent Christmas gift, especially since it is accompanied by the Society’s latest publication, Creation. In homes that have the eight volumes, Creation can be offered at 45 cents.

Winter work has its peculiarities and its obstacles. We hope that the plans will get workers into the homes and will have the hearty cooperation of the workers so that the winter work of 1927-1928 will see an increase like the past year’s work has been over previous year’s activities.

Creation is being forwarded to each class on consignment. A prerun consignment contains the first copies printed and forwarded to the friends so that they can have them well in advance of the public. We trust that you will be able to make good use of your advance copy and become acquainted with the contents of the book, so that you can present its main features to the people upon whom you call.

Emphasize New Book

We believe that one of the best talking points is that Creation is “Judge Rutherford’s latest book”, released for circulation, December 1. People arc anxious to be up to date and anything that is new appeals to them. Therefore, in undertaking the work with Creation, we trust that workers will adopt in some way the suggestion contained in this Bulletin of emphasizing the advantage to homes of a comprehensive work covering all Bible questions; a work which includes “Judge Rutherford’s latest book, Creation”. Endeavor to point out the advantages of getting the eight volumes and the new book at the reduced rate, and that this is made possible because of the reduced rate at which Creation is offered to the people when it is sold in combination with the other books. Workers can be assured that by offering eight volumes they will never hinder or defeat the sale of a smaller cambination, and should also recognize that by offering merely a small combination, many homes are missed that would purchase the larger combination if they knew about it. Present all publications and let the people decide what is in their means to purchase. The result will be a great increase in the sale of the nine-volume combinations.

Trusting that the coming winter work will effect the wide distribution of the nine-volume combination that the field is really prepared for, and assuring you of our interest in the efforts you are putting forth to realize the full advantage of the work already done, we are

With Christian greetings, your brethren in the service of the King of kings,

Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society.