INFORMANT

MARCH 3956 “Prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the BROOKLYN N Y ’     __________windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing.”—Malachi 3: 10, AS.               ^J >

MARCH STARTS THE BIG 1956 GATHERING

Special Magazine Distribution Begins March 21; Memorial March 26

House-to-house work with subscription offer. Do not forget to offer magazines when the regular offer is not taken. (4) Monday, March 26: Special Memorial Magazine Day, with emphasis on working business establishments. In most communities business is usually slow on Monday, so this will be a good time to present magazines to business people and storekeepers. The more mature publishers can work the business sections, while others share in house-to-house magazine work. Utilize every opportunity from March 21 on to place copies of the special magazine.

(Continued on page 2, col. 1) formant? Excellent results are being reported by those using them. One publisher wrote: “Results of using sermon in the Informant—14 subs the first week!” Spend a few minutes on the service meeting program hearing local experiences. If all right kind of ministers use these or other effective sermons and work from house to house at least two hours each Sunday in March, there is little reason why their personal goals cannot be reached.

⁴ When persons turn down the offer of the subscription and the three booklets for $1, drop down to (Continued on page 2, col. 3)

Around the World

with Jehovah’s Witnesses

Right Kind of Ministers

Wherein lie the proofs of our ministry? One of them is in our continuing to preach and tell people of good will of God’s kingdom, whether conditions are favorable or unfavorable. This Jehovah’s witnesses do, as shown in the 1956 “Yearbook.”

Nineteen centuries ago in Palestine there were many Christians. Today in Israel very few people will listen. (76) But the right kind of ministers do not give up. Whether people hear or do not want to hear, the Kingdom message is being proclaimed.

For three years a lady in Chile had been a nun of the most sacrificial order, but left with an empty heart. For fourteen years more she served with the "Evangelical Army of Chile.” Thereafter she learned the truth and is now serving as a happy right kind of minister. (113)

Does persecution, opposition or anything else stop right kind of ministers? No! And by faithfully ministering good fruitage results, as shown in the fine experience from Colombia. (117)

With the comforting yeartext in mind brothers in Costa Rica did not let an invasion by armed forces deter them from serving as right kind of ministers and ended the month with a new peak of publishers. (119)

While the stand that right kind of ministers take to hold fast to their neutrality is not always understood by the old world, it is respected and commented on. Consider the remarks by a noted playwright and author in Denmark. (127)

One of the proofs of our ministry is that of continuing to preach regardless of prevailing circumstances. As right kind of ministers let us faithfully minister to the needs of the sheep and of one another in our assigned territory.

Ministry of New Publishers(Cont’d} Memorial

³ Good-will persons should be given personal invitations to the Memorial service and assisted, where necessary, to attend. Take the January 15, 1956, issue of The Watchtower w-ith you and discuss briefly the meaning of Memorial. Show them particularly paragraph 19, on page 60, regarding the importance of good-will persons’ attending.

• ⁴ Congregation servants should double check to see that all arrangements for the Memorial service itself are taken care of. The hall should be clean and well arranged for the evening; it should be open early and brothers should be on hand to welcome strangers and persons of good will. Make them feel at home and invite them to attend our meetings regularly. At the close of the talk invite all to obtain a supply of the special April 1 Watchtower and to share in field service, especially during the coming week end.

• ⁵ With special activity and Memorial scheduled for March, an all-out effort should be made to help irregular' publishers and new persons to join in service during this time, which will prepare the way for the 20 percent increase to be reached by

  
  
  

Magazine Presentations

• ¹ As soon as you have read the April I Watchtower you will realize how vitally important it is to bring its message home to the public. It expresses clearly how the Creator will shortly unite mankind. Also, it tells why Communist leaders fear Bible truth. Everyone should read it. It is our job to see that they do. What will you say? When will you place it? The brief presentations below will help you. Use them-

• ² Engaging in prestudy service, you might say: ’'Good evening. I’ve come by to tell you briefly about this new issue of The Watchtower. When I read here that shortly all mankind will be united in peace, under the Creator, I wanted to be sure other persons read it also. This copy, with its companion Awake! is yours on a small contribution of 10c.”

• ³ On Magazine Day, after introducing yourself, say: “I’ve stopped by to bring you the latest copies of The Watchtower and Awake! I feel sure you will want to read them, particularly this amazing true story in The Watchtower about Russia. It tells of at least fifty slave labor cities in that country, some containing as many as 120,000 to 400,000 slaves. The only crime that many of these persons committed was to possess and read the Bible. In spite of inhuman treatment by the Communists, these Christians are maintaining their faith in their God. You will find their story heart-stirring

Citizenship for Foreigners

Brothers who are citizens of other countries frequently write in for advice as to whether to apply for United States citizenship. A memorandum has been written by Hayden C. Covington that covers the question. Write to Hayden C. Covington, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn 1, New York, for this printed memorandum on United States citizenship, sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Green River Ordinance Memorandum

With this Informant a copy of this memorandum is being sent to each congregation. It should be considered at a service meeting.

the end of April. Maybe March will have a new high peak because of this special campaign I and unforgettable. Here are your copies, for which you may contribute 10c.”

• ⁴ In calling on professional people or storekeepers, we might say: “We read so much today about communism’s taking over the minds and thinking of many people and how-fearful the free nations are of its power. I feel that you will want to read that Communist leaders fear Bible truth. There is a splendid article on that subject in this copy of The Watchtower. I know you will be glad to have it along with this copy of Awake! for a 10c contribution.”

• ⁵ When working with the regular offer and a subscription is not obtained, you could say: “I am certain you will at least want to read this particular issue of The Watchtower. It has two especially absorbing articles in it that everyone should read. The main article on ‘Making All Mankind One Under Their Creator’ is an exceptional message, while the true story of life in Russian slave labor camps is heart-rending. Here is your copy with its companion magazine Awake! for only a 10c contribution.”

• ⁶ Beginning March 21, go all out to get this specially prepared issue of The Watchtower into the hands of the people. Use these or your own presentations, but prove you are the right kind of ministers by helping others into the service and by letting your light shine in March and April.

“Make Sure of AU Things” 2d Week:

Hell (From Luke 16: 22, 23 on page 161 to page 164)

Witness and householder continue discussion. The subjects Gehenna, “lake of fire,” abyss and Tartarus are Scripturally explained. Householder is amazed at correct explanation and that God does not punish beyond annihilation. In conclusion witness starts study in "Let God Be True”, Chapter VIII, second edition.

4th Week:

Holidays (Pages 165 to 171)

Fifteen- or twenty-minute talk by well-qualified brother. Emphasis may be placed on “Easter”-Me-morial information.

“How Are We Doing ?” (Cont’d) two copies of the magazines. Many are happy to take two magazines for 10c, even though they do not wish to subscribe.

^s How many new persons are you planning to take out in the field service with you when using the April 1 issue of The Watchtower?

Service Center Organization

SCENE I (5 min.) Having’ particularly in mind the all-out activity In March and April, the chairman directs two questions to the audience: (1) How can we help new and irregular publishers at our service centers to engage in the service during March, April and all other months? (2) What are the duties of a congregation book study conductor? (See “Preaching Together in Unity,” paragraphs 21, 131, 132 and 142.) Audience answers questions, then chairman invites them to listen to the discussion and note its application.

SCENE II (7 min.) Assistant congregation servant and study conductor are discussing problems of aiding publishers, new and old, with study group. It is apparent that conductor wants to do his best, but negative thinking and poor organization hamper him. He is worried about what to do to help all working from his service center to publish during March and April. Servant explains that training program will care for some (“theocratic companions" work regularly together), and. all others can effectively be assisted by those at the service center. How? Servant asks what he does with publisher list received the 1st and the 15th of each month. Conductor tries to call on each one himself, but is just not able to get around to see them all. Servant suggests; (1) Assign other mature brothers to share. (2) Arrange midweek service, for many are free mornings or afternoons to work and this is an excellent time to assist others. (3) Make exact announcements of service activity at group study and organize service so that all get in field on time. (4) Make definite arrangements with individual publishers to call on and assist ones needing help. (5) Set example in promptness, organization and zeal; lead, do not drive. Conductor appreciates counsel, but asks: “How can all this be done? There is hardly time after the study to make such arrangements." Servant invites him to observe a model study group closely, to see how all this can be done in five minutes or less.

SCENE III (5 min.) On concluding congregation study, conductor makes announcements of field service and meetings, stressing punctualness, tells where and when midweek contacts will be held and who will care for them, invites all for back-call night and then concludes with prayer. After prayer he asks to talk with several individual publishers briefly: (1) On basis of list from assistant congregation servant, he asks brother to call on two of the publishers living near him and to help them in field service before week is up. (2) He personally arranges to take irregular publisher with him in Saturday magazine service. (3) He talks with sister who will oversee midweek contact and asks her to call on and take in service publisher who cannot go out Sunday morning because of husband’s opposition. (4) He inquires of brother he talked to last week of progress made to assist new publisher. SCENE IV (2 min.) Chairman shows that bearing our own responsibilities and helping others will not only aid us to reach new peaks in March and April, but will build up regularity and maturity if maintained. Well-organized service activities and proper lead by conductor bring increase.

Coming Literature Offer

May and June: One bound book and one booklet on a contribution of 50c.

Placing the April 1 ‘‘Watchtower” Chairman (3 min.) Be conscious of and take advantage of every opportunity to place the April 1 “Watchtower.” As outlined in the president’s letter, each one of us should place at least twenty copies of it. All will be able to do so by putting into practice the following suggestions:

SCENE I (4 min.) Publisher makes regular subscription offer, which is taken by householder. Publisher leaves the April 1 issue with new subscriber. What if householder had turned down subscription? Illustrate publisher’s using Presenting the Good News suggestion in placing the special issue under these circumstances.

SCENE II (3 min.) Brother reads April 1 issue during lunch hour. He savs to fellow worker: “Here is something that I did not know,” and comments on interesting point he is reading. Brother places copy with fellow employee.

SCENE III (4 min.) For visiting friends and others who call at your door have a supply of magazines available for use. While the sister and a visiting friend are talking, an insurance man calls. The sister places a copy with him just before he leaves and after he leaves she continues discussion of it with the visiting friend, placing a copy with her also

SCENE IV (3 min.) At conclusion of home Bible study publisher enthusiastically talks about the April 1 “Watchtower” and its value to honest-hearted persons. He tells of the ease and joy in placing copies and invites person of good will to share in its distribution To the good-will person’s “What could I say?” publisher supplies fifteen- to thirty-second presentation that may be used and makes definite arrangements for time and day to work together.

SCENE V (3 min.) Study conductor calls on irregular publisher and enthusiastically talks about special distribution of the April 1 “Watchtower ” He offers publisher some copies he can use among friends and relatives and makes definite arrangements to do prestudy service together.

Chairman (3 min.) Concludes by encouraging all to place at least twenty copies of the April 1 “Watchtower” and to make notations of placements, so that back-calls can be made in accord with information in the president’s letter.

Publications Now Available

Booklets

After Armageddon—God’s Neto IPorlef •—Tagalog, Yoruba

Basis for Belief in a New World        —-Tagalog

Christendom or Christianity—Which One

Is “the Light of the World” ?—Arabic, Armenian, Burmese, Cebu-Vlsayan, IJocano, Indonesian, Tagalog Songs to Jehovah’s Praise             —Japanese

“This Good News of the Kingdom” —Afrikaans, Croatian, Fijian, Greek, Greenlanclic, Ibo, Polish, Russian, Samoan. Slovak, Ukrainian, Yoruba

Tracts

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe? (TD —Am-hark, Hillgaynon-Visayan

Hope for the Dead (T5)—Hillgaynon-Visayan,

Pampango

Life in a New H’orltf (T8) —Hiligajnon-Visayan, Pampango

The Sign of Christ’s Presence (T9)      —French

A/cpi’b Only Hope for Peace (TIO)      —French

Wftwrft Is the Right Religion? (TH) —French,

Hillgaynon-Visayan Do You Believe in Evolution or the Bible? (T12) —French ¹

Literature Check Sheet

¹ The Literature Check Sheet provides an easy way to keep record of literature placed with publishers and pioneers. Literature servants should use this new form (which replaces the Publisher’s Order Blank) to simplify their work and record keeping, as well as that of the accounts servant. The Publisher’s Credit Slip (formerly Publisher’s Order Blank) should not he used unless credit is requested. See Paragraph 111 of Preaching Together in Unity.

- Separate Literature Check Sheets should always be kept for pioneers and congregation publishers. They should be made out in duplicate and at least once each week a copy turned over to the accounts servant with corresponding money to cover literature placed. The original will lie retained by the literature servant for posting the Progressive Inventory of Literature at the end of each month.

³ The Literature Check Sheet is very easy to use. Each time a book, booklet, etc., is placed a tally mark is made, or where several of the same publications are obtained at one time, the number itself can be written down. Use care to fill it out accurately as literature is placed. Circuit servants will make a point to check and see that this sheet is being properly used. When the literature servant and his assistant(s) become accustomed to using the Literature Check Sheet, they will find it a real timesaver.

New Circuit Assembly Program

¹ Starting the middle of February a completely new circuit assembly program goes into effect. It follows the theme from start to finish “Be Rich in Right Works.”

³ You will not want to miss any of the assembly program, which starts Friday evening at 7 p.m. In place of the service meeting Friday evening following the ministry school, there will be two very special talks. One will be given by the circuit servant and the other by the district servant. Both talks are very important and deal with subjects of vital concern to every publisher, servant, pioneer and person of good will in the circuit.

³ Be sure to arrange your affairs so that, when you are notified of the time and location of your circuit assembly, you will be able to attend all three days. Also invite and assist good-will persons to attend with you. Your blessings and expressions of appreciation at the end of the three days will be many, and, to be sure, you will be better equipped to “be rich in right works.”

Peak Month in April

• ¹ Like beacon lights that prominently flash their guidance and warning through the darkness, Jehovah's name-people reflect light rays from Jehovah that show the one road leading to permanent safety and life. As the world goes deeper into darkness, we shall endeavor to shine even brighter by increasing our candle power with greater zeal and devotion to Jehovah.—Matt. 5:14, 16, iVW.

• ² In April, 1955, we obtained 90,889 new subscriptions. This April, with many more active reflectors of light than ever before and with service enthusiasm running high, this last month of the Watchtower campaign, with Jehovah’s blessings, may be the best yet.

• ³ To report “We Made It I” at the end of April we shall need 196,660 publishers. With 172,612 publishers reporting in December, our goal is in sight, and with hard work it can be reached. It will mean, though, every

  CONGREGATION ORGANIZATION

  
  

Schedule for Publishers to Work with Circuit Servant

• ¹ “Let all things take place decently and by arrangement.” (1 Cor. 14: 40, A IV) To aid congregations co follow this Scriptural rule during the circuit servant’s visit, a new form has been provided. It is designed to assist the circuit servant and congregation to get a clearer picture of the training program and to schedule service activities throughout his visit. For the circuit servant to be of the greatest help to publishers in the training program and to make adjustments where necessary, he must work with them in the field. The form outlines field activity for the week, starting Wednesday morning with house-to-house work scheduled for the morning. House-to-house witnessing or back-call and home Bible study work will be done afternoons. Evenings, before the scheduled service center study, house-to-house magazine or back-call activity will be scheduled, with the circuit servant working with the study conductor.

• ² Two copies of this form will be sent to the congregation servant with the first notice regarding the visit. He will then determine the three service centers with which the circuit servant will work and then list all publishers associated with the dedicated person’s getting out into the field and each one’s taking his Bible study attenders along.

⁴ During April continue using the special April 1 Watchtower, until the complete supply is exhausted. Participate in magazine distribution regularly and help new ones share in this and other service. Publishers not reporting by April 8 should be given help to let their light shine before mankind to the glory and praise of our Father, Jehovah. We feel we can make April a peak month in publishers if we start March 21 with the use of the special magazine and by aiding new publishers.

Memorial Report

With this Informant a Memorial report card is being sent to each congregation. The congregation servant will see that it is promptly filled out right after Memorial, March 26, and put in the mail.

respective centers. From these the congregation servant, with the assistance of the book study conductor, should select those who will work with the circuit servant. Those selected should be from the group that will be served that day and should be those who are in the training program, or should be those next in line to be helped. If there are not sufficient publishers available with the study group being served to fill all appointments, then publishers from other service centers may be used to complete the schedule. All publishers in the congregation should be invited and encouraged to attend these contact points throughout the week.

• ³ Three publishers in the morning and three in the afternoon should be scheduled to work with the circuit servant. Publishers selected should be talked to personally and the arrangement explained to them, especially the date, day and hour of appointment. Making these arrangements in advance will generally enable publishers and study conductors to get that day off from secular work or to make other adjustments to be present for the appointment.

• ⁴ On Wednesday and Sunday mornings the servants or publishers selected to work with the circuit servant need not be confined to any

1956 Public Meeting Talks

The titles for public talks in the 1956 series are:

• 1. Heaven Wars—Peace on Earth Follows

• 2. Is the Religious Revival Genuine?

• 3. Can You Talk with the Dead?

• 4. Choosing Life with the New World Society

• 5. Which Church Did Christ Establish ?

• 6. Good News for Perplexed Humanity

• 7. The Book with Life’s Answers

• 8. Materialism Crowds Out the Real Joys

These talks may be started on March 25. As of March 15 handbills will be printed for only the 1954, 1955 and 1956 series.

UNITED STATES QUOTA FOR 1956 180,263 Publishers

Monthly Field Service Report

Total Pubs. 165,536

Public Meetings Held; 11,935

particular group. On Saturday he will work in the magazine activity with the group he visited on Friday night.

• ⁵ After the form has been neatly filled out, typed if possible, the original will be sent to the circuit servant at the address given. He will acknowledge receipt of it to the congregation servant, who will again check with each publisher assigned regarding his appointment and post the schedule on the information board two weeks prior to the circuit servant’s visit.

• ⁶ At the conclusion of the visit, the circuit servant will fill out the “Report on Service Center Activity” on the back of the original form, giving a summary of the counsel he gave to each service center group and the conductor, as well as the training program assignments made by him at each service center. The report should be carefully read by the congregation servant and conductors concerned and then filed with the “Report on Congregation.” It should be made available to the circuit servant on his next visit so that he can check on the progress made.

• ⁷ With the proper use of this new form and the diligence of the congregation servant in making proper arrangements beforehand, the circuit servant’s visit will provide vital assistance to many. All publishers should take full advantage of this orderly arrangement.

■k Add to Your Regular House-to-House Preaching Back-Call and Bible Study Service *

4