INFORMANT

"Prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing."—Malachi 3: 10, AS.

New Book Offer

• ¹ We may say we Jove our neighbors, but would it really be so if we were to let them perish at Armageddon, without a word of how they might have survived? Or if we should forget all about them, after having placed literature with them and promised to return? Or if we should leave them to stand alone after having helped them to get started in field service? This would not be real love, but only professed love. For love to be beneficial we must express it in deed as well as in word. —1 John 3:18, ,VW.

• ² Let us, then, be diligent in our use of the new' book You Muy Survive Armageddon into God's Yew World, since we know’ its contents are a guide to Armageddon survival. Love moves us to take this important book to the people, along w'ith the booklet "This Good Yews of the Kingdom’’, offering both publications to them on a contribution of 50c. And since our love is not limited to

We’re Going! Are You?

• ¹ ‘‘We're going to the assembly, are you?” This will be a prevalent question around all Kingdom Halls throughout the country. Why so? Because all are familiar with the abundant provisions for our spiritual needs that Jehovah pours out so generously for his people w'hen ‘assembled together.’ What will be your answer? Affirmative, of course! Not for a part of the assembly only, but for the entire foub days. Do not be satisfied w'ith a portion of the riches of Jehovah. Carefully make plans to share in the entire ‘meal.’

• ² When food is so plentiful you want others to share it. In making up your car groups do not forget your brothers and sisters as well as newdy interested ones. Include them.

• ³ While all may attend the assembly of their choice, suggestions are offered by the Society to aid in governing the attendance for the various cities to accommodate the

(Continued on page 2, col. 1) a few, we shall make a concerted effort during the months of May and June to cover our territory completely with this offer. A fine sermon that you may use is found under Your Service Meeting. (If your congregation runs out of You May Survive Armageddon into God’s Yew World, use any of the other books.)

Return Calls

• ³ Also, let us not forget those with w'hom literature is placed. We spoke words of love w’hen w^re promised to return. We should show' works of love by returning. During the special campaign in March and April millions of the special April 1 issue of The Watchtower were placed. Call back on these people. By our using the back-call sermon outlined in the April Informant many new Bible studies will be started. Most persons called back on will readily take the book-and-booklet offer. When you

(Continued on page 2, col. 2)

Unassigned Territory Reminder

Will you he sharing in the missionary work in unassigned territory during July, August and September? Although applications should have been submitted by May I, if you have overlooked sending yours in, then submit it immediately and it will he considered. Applications are being handled according to the date they are received. Arrange for the work you will do as soon as you receive your assignment. Plan public meetings. order handbills, see that you have sufficient literature, map out the territory and contact any isolated publishers so that they mayplan to assist you in working the territory.

Servants should encourage publishers to arrange their affairs to work in unassigned territory. This summer all publishers wishing to he vacation pioneers in this territory should send for their applications now'.

Progress on the Watchtower Building

• ¹ The greatest of production lines is rapidly increasing to Jehovah's praise. The finished product: believers in Jehovah's Word. (Acts 13:47, 48) The principal material used: magazines—The Watchtower and Awake! Because of the excellent activity of all you workers on the production line in distributing magazines, the increase has been astounding, as the following table of magazine production at the Brooklyn factory, which was compiled preceding the special April 1 issue, shows:

November December January February

Total

• ² An increase of 5,838,180 magazines in four months over the same period one year ago! In preparation to answer this world-wide call for more magazines the Society is happy to report that the new Watchtower building inBrooklyn has now climbed to its full height of thirteen stories. The exterior is being enclosed by brick work, which is up to the last floor, and the window sash is up to the eleventh floor. Installation of utilities, such as plumbing, heating, electrical equipment and elevators, is progressing well and the builders' schedule calls for turning the fully completed new factory over to the Society on June 15.

• ³ With Jehovah's provision of this greatly expanded printing section of the production line, may we all, by His undeserved kindness, expand our individual part by distributing more and more magazines and follow up the interest they arouse, seeking thereby to develop a finished product of a believer in Jehovah’s Word.

Our March Magazine Report

March was rhe greatest magazine month to date! The grand total of 3,112,761 magazines was placed. That is 713,734 more than any other month on record. Congregation publishers averaged 14.8, pioneers 118.5 and specials 152.2. Let us all keep up the excellent magazine work.

A round the World with Jehovah’s Witnesses

Ministering in Deed as Well as in Word

The truth is the most precious possession anyone can possibly have. It must be appreciated and displayed to receive and keep Jehovah’s love, which leads to life. (Alatt. 7:21) This Jehovah’s witnesses and trood-will persons do, as shown in the ‘’Yearbook."

When a person learns the truth after years of searching for an understanding of the Bible, it is cause for rejoicing. On pages 100 and 101 enjoy the experience of a man eighty-three years of age in British Honduras who learned the truth and now applies it in deed as well as in word as a zealous minister.

Realizing the need of putting Kingdom interests first in these critical days, a detective sergeant of Scotland Yard (103) resigned and took up the pioneer work.

Among Jehovah's faithful servants who minister in deed as well as in word are circuit and district servants These brothers continuously expend themselves, under all kinds of circumstances, to serve their brothers and to care for good-will interest. (Mexico, 210, 211)

After being a nun for thirty-three years a Catholic sister learned the truth. Could she love in word and not in deed? She thought so, for a while But on learning more truth she realized that this could not be and she made necessary adjustments in order to minister in deed as well as in word. (France, 146, 147)

We’re Going!...            ( Con t'd)

facilities rented for the assembly, as well as to assist in accomplishing the proper witness in each place. These suggestions are included in detail in the enclosed letter to all congregations. Consider it on a service meeting this month.

• ⁴ Also with this Informant are the Room Request and Volunteer Service forms. Rooming instructions are attached to each Room Request form for each publisher’s assistance. Read it carefully. Mail your Room Request form (filled out completely and correctly) to the city you cjrpect to attend about four to six weeks before the dates of the convention. Please refer to the hack of tiie Room Request form for dates and correct address of each convention city headquarters.

Badges

•"> You not only may but you will want to have a part in advertising the New World society en route to and at the convention city as well as on your way home. An attractive card for 1956 convention use has been prepared to fit the holder used last year. Cards and additional celluloid holders should be ordered by the congregation servant, who is requested to ascertain the congregation needs and submit a cash item order. The cards will cost one cent each and celluloid holders five cents each.

Witnessing Effectively to Catholics

¹ How many times have you said: “1 wish there were some way to make Catholic people listen long enough at the door so the truth could be gotten to them." If Catholic people heed the information published in answer to a question in one of their magazines (February. 1956, issue, 1/c.ww/mr of the Kacred Heart), the doors of more Catholic homes may open to us. In answer to the question. "Is it wrong to refuse to argue with Jehovah’s witnesses?” the magazine said that while it is wrong to argue with Jehovah’s witnesses because of the lack of knowledge of the ordinary Catholic, still they may listen to us with ‘‘an assumed air of empty-headed politeness” and "not seem to be offended, but only uninterested.” Further, they are told (hat they might try to frustrate the witness by asking for further proofs and then, finally, "offer him a cup of tea and a piece of cake."

• ³ We should be quick to take advantage of this lapse in the “prison regulations" by speaking the (ruth to these imprisoned ones, if they will listen, we must try to make them think. Our sermons should be thought arousing and should offer them much proof of the hope the Scriptures hold forth. What wight we say to c^tch and hold the attention of householders who say; “I’m Catholic and wouldn’t be interested” ?

• ³ We might say. “Suppose the

Car or Bumper Signs

• ⁶ The Society is not providing such signs this year.

Spanish Meetings

• ⁷ The Spanish-speaking publishers will be interested in learning that there will be Spanish programs at Waco and Lubbock, Texas : Phoenix, Arizona: and Long Beach, Califor-nia.___________________________________

Loving in Deed ...        (Coat’d)

finish studying the main article in the special Watchtower, continue the study in “Thix Good Xeirn of the Kingdom''.

¹ And let us not deprive new publishers of needed assistance. Many published for the first time in April. Help and encourage them to serve again this month. In 1955 we had a peak of 187,120 publishers in April, but this number dropped to 173.310 apostle Peter were standing on your doorstep this morning, you would want to listen to him, wouldn't you?" Then point out how Teter wrote two letters to us to remind us of God's wonderful promises. Read 2 E’eter 1:12, 15, 19, The promise for the future, 2 I’eter .‘1: 13, all Catholics pray for when they pray, “Thy Kingdom come.Thy will be done on earth.” Thus, in prayer we talk to God, but when we read the Scriptures. God talks to us. The study of the Bible, then, is essential to have instruction from God. Present literature as an aid to that end.

¹ Also, when you are told “1 am a Catholic" you might say that you have noted most Catholics are sincerely devoted to their religion, and the Holy Scriptures speak highly of these virtues, sincerity and devotion. To add to these virtues, Acts 17:11 recommends daily study of the Scriptures to become “noble-minded." Also, Pope Plus XII, in the foreword of the Douay Bible, agrees with Jerome that “to ignore the Scriptures is to ignore Christ.” so Bible study is necessary. The apostle Peter said we should be able to give an answer of the hope in us (1 Pet. 3: 15), but we have to be informed about it to do so. Peter’s hope was a new heavens and a new earth (2 Pet. 3:13). where justice would dwell and sickness, sorrow and death would be ended. (Rev. 21:1-4) For us to know more about it and to help others know, we must study the Bible. Illustrate the helpfulness of the literature and make the offer in May and to 160.187 in June. Thus, one out of every seven that published in zVpril did not continue! Let us en-: deavor to avoid such a decrease this year. Did love prompt you to help a new one to publish in April? Then let love prompt you to help that one to continue publishing. If he started in the magazine work by distributing the special issue of The Watchtower, encourage him to get a few magazines every month and distribute them in house-to-house work, in street work and among his friends. Then help him to branch out into other features of the service.

⁵ There is a warning message to sound, an instructing work to do and a training program to support These will be accomplished only* by love. To keep talking of love is not enough. We must he walking in love. We must love in deed as well as in word.

| Increasing Meeting Attendance

' Congregation Servant (10 min.) Discusses local congregation attendance, comparing it with that of nation as outlined in October, 1955, “Informant” and pointing out seriousness of all regularly attending. What can be done and a hat definite program can be put into action to improve attendance? The following: (1 > Warm, friendly spirit should prevail at all meetings. <2i All should he meeting-attendance < onscious and observe those who miss in order to aid them; (3) Bneourage and assist one another in conversation, stopping to bring them etc.; (4) When contacting irregular and new publishers (who miss meetings) regarding service privileges, help them to realize the importance of attending: (5) Have something definite in mind to say: 16) Servants and conductors will call on any needing special attention and point out seriousness of attending. (Heb 10 25) Understandingly help irregular attenders to see. without unduly prying into personal affairs, how their problems and difficulties can be adjusted so they can attend Many times it is just a matter of getting into the habit of not attending: i7i Goodwill persons should be invited and made welcome. For good results to be forthcoming stress that the whole congregation must encourage and aid one another. Note how servant or conductor makes special call on Brother Seldom Attend.

SCENE I (6 min.) He sits down with Seldom, makes brief comment about back-calls he just made and begins talking about the many blessings received at meetings. Being neither apologetic nor demanding, he tells Seldom his presence at meetings has been missed, and tactfully goes on, saying, “It is true we all have our problems of one kind or another We’re tired when we come home at night and it takes extra effort to get ready and to attend, but when we make excuses for ourselves we fool no one but ourselves. We feel much better if we attend, even though a bit tired, rather than fight with our conscience and wear ourselves out mentally and spiritually that way All of us together want to face facts and live now so we might live in new world ” (Phil 3. 13-16: 1 Pet. 1: 13-16. NW) Seldom agrees that he has just let family matters, negligence and unimportant things take his time. He knows that he should attend, that he has slipped into a bad habit, but wants I to do better, and expresses appreciation for the friendly call and brotherly encouragement.

Congregation Servant (1 min.) Persons with whom studies are held should be encouraged to go to the congregation book study and Kingdom Hall. The following has worked well.

SCENE II (6 min.) Conductor (using list provided by Bible study servant in accordance with April demonstration “Help New Ones to Preach”) talks to sister who has conducted study six months or more without much success in getting the person to meetings. They arrange to go to study together. On closing with prayer he invites the person to go to the meetings. He points out the benefits, drawing heavily upon Jehovah’s Word to show why attendance is necessary. We do not want to be like the Hebrews referred to at Hebrews 5: 11-14 and 6: 1-3 (tactfully use these texts): show importance of always moving forward in knowledge and service. Fxtend invitation to next meeting, as reference is made to Hebrews 10: 25 Person expresses desire to a ttend

Consider the Pioneer Service

¹ “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” was the thought that filled the mind at the time of dedication. It was a delight to know Jehovah's will and to be in position to carry it out by preaching about his new world and warning of Armageddon's approaching storm. To keep the first joyful delight of dedication there must be constant, untiring service Work? Yes, but pleasant work gladly accepted at dedication.-—Ps. 40: 8.

-’ How can I increase my original delight in doing Jehovah's will, you might ask? Increased service brings more joy and increased delight. Why not. then, pioneer?

• ³ Prayerfully consider your position. Are you able to engage in the ministry for 100 hours a month? Do you qualify for this grand service? Can you change your schedule of life to fit pioneer requirements? If so, do not wait. Start pioneering now.

• ⁴ Are one or more members of your family pioneering? Many families have planned their affairs so that one or more can pioneer. It requires effort and close co-operation, it is true, but it results in added blessings for the entire family. Has your family considered such an arrangement? Along with others, graduates from school are encouraged to delight in doing Jehovah's will by making the pioneer service their life work.

• ⁵ Vacation pioneer service has been arranged for those who cannot be regular pioneers. Seasonal and part-time workers, as well as housewives and young ministers of school age, are encouraged to vacation pioneer. It is a joy to see right now hundreds of vacation pioneer applications streaming in from zealous young ministers who wish to use their summer vacation period praising Jehovah. If you do not have an application and want to enjoy this service, send for an application right away.

Was This Your Placement?

Today the following letter was received at the office: “A few weeks ago a young man rang my bell, preached a fine sermon and sold me a year's subscription for The Watchtower. Since then I read the April 1st issue and most of the April 15th, which arrived yesterday. The reading of Jehovah's witnesses’ publications has made me eager to become one of the army of witnesses. How do I go about it, getting baptized, preaching, etc.?”

Are you following up your placements ?

Congregation Servant (2 min.) Stress the need for all to be meeting-attendance conscious and to co-operate in the program of aiding all brothers and good-will persons to attend. It will take patience and time, but the results will be blessings for all

Wielding the Spiritual Sword

Book Offer Continues

• ¹ Be on guard, theocratic soldiers I Be ever alert to use ‘‘the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word,” in the figlit. we have, “not against blood and flesh, but . . . against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12. 17. A’W) To win we must become expert in the art of fighting with the spiritual sword, God’s Word, the Bible, our greatest weapon for salvation.

• ² Practice leads to expertness of handling. An excellent way of becoming an expert wielder of this sword is to use it without letup in private study and at congregation meetings, and then in the field, ministering to others. That others need help is evident from reading Revelation 16:14-16. Are you using the special sermon in this Informant on Armageddon in your house-to-house work to explain and warn

New Catalogue

Enclosed with this Informant is a sample copy of the new catalogue now available for use in the field. Congregations and isolated pioneers may order the new catalogue at the rate of 200 for 25c; 500 for 40c; 1,000 for 75c.

Bequests to the Society

A new revised Memorandum on Gifts and Wills has Im prepared by Society’s counsel. Brothers wishing a copy may obtain one by writing to Hayden C. Covington, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn 1, New York, and requesting it.

UNITED STATES QUOTA FOR 1956 180,263 Publishers

Monthly Field Service Report

March Report

Av. Av. Av.

Pubs. Hrs. B-C Bi. St.

Sp’l Pios. 251  147.3  56.3

Pioneers 4,793   95.1  32.1

Vac. Pios. 437   91.3  27.1

Cong. Pubs. 166,022   10.5   3.2

Total Pubs. 171,503

Public Meetings Held: 12,500

1956 MEMORIAL REPORT

Total Memorial Attendance 260,703 Number of Partakers

Public Meetings

Attendance at Public Meetings 150,748

Memorial attendance increased 15,844 over last year. This indicates a vast number of interested persons and a tremendous potential for increase in the United States. May Jehovah bless the efforts of all the brothers as they feed and care for these sheep.

Against Wicked Spirit Forces

good-will persons of the activity of wicked spirit forces today? Many publishers are, with good results. With our June offer being the same as that for May, namely. You May Survive Armageddon into God's Yew World. and a booklet for 50c, the sermon may well be used throughout this month with telling effect.

• ³ In addition to placing the offer with good-will persons, remember to make notations and call back. Return visits will enable you to teach others how to triumph over the wicked spirit forces through use of the spiritual sword, the Bible.

  CONGREGATION ORGANIZATION

  
  

The Congregation and Disfellowshiping Committees

• ¹ A question has come up in regard to the propriety of sisters who serve on the congregation committee serving on a committee that judges and acts in disfellowshiping cases. The following is to clarify the matter and to set forth the Society’s policy, which is in keeping with the Scriptures.

• ² First of all, it should be understood that the congregation committee (made up of the congregation servant, assistant congregation servant and Bible study servant) is not always the same as a disfellowshiping committee. The function of each of the two committees follows.

• ³ Congregation Committee: Where there are not sufficient brothers to care for all servant positions of the congregation committee, sisters may be appointed to serve as assistant congregation servant or Bible study servant. Where no qualified,brothers are available and no brothers are already appointed as servants, a sister may be appointed to serve as congregation servant. As brothers qualify for servant appointments, according to paragraph 1)2 of Preaching Together in Unity, they should be recommended. As part of the congregation committee sisters may handle matters along with the brothers on the committee, as such matters pertain to the organization of the congregation and the getting of the Kingdom message preached.

• ⁴ Disfellowshiping Committee: If all on the congregation committee are brothers and qualify, then the congregation committee becomes at once the disfellowshiping committee.

Publications Now Available

“Let God Be True'* (2d ed.)       —-Portuguese

“Thts Means Everlasting I/ife*’—Cinyanja, Sesotlio H'hat Has Religion Done for Mankind —Afrikaans After Armageddon—God’s Neto World—[bo, Xlios«i Christendom or Christianity—Which. One Is "tht Light of the World"?—Cinyanja, Hiligajnim-Visaj -in Preaching Together in Unity—Cinvanja, Japanoi Sonas to Jehovah’s Praise      —Greek, Ilocanu

“Make Sure of All Things" 2d Week:

Idolatry (from 1 Cor. 8: 4, 7-10, 13 on page 175 to page 178) Discussion of each subtopic by congregation, under direction of competent chairman. Appropriate questions to stimulate thought should be prepared by the chairman.

4th Week:

Incarnation (pages 179 to 181) Discourse by mature brother.

However, sisters appointed to serve as part of the congregation committee will not serve on a disfellowshiping committee. Where conditions exist requiring the attention of this special committee, sisters will step aside and the qualified male brother (s) on the committee will select other qualified brothers associated with the congregation to replace them or will call upon some nearby congregation for mature brothers to fill out the committee, or. under these circumstances, the circuit servant can be called upon to serve on the committee, if it is convenient for him. Appeal can also be made to the Society to appoint some brothers to handle the case and resolve the difficulty, especially where the congregation committee is all sisters. This procedure is necessary, since it appears Scripturally not to be the proper function of a sister to participate in a disfellowshiping procedure and render decisions in connection therewith. A disfellowshiping requires first trial and study of the evidence and decision, and this is the proper responsibility of males. —1 Cor. 6:1-f5, .VW.

• ⁵ Therefore, while sisters may serve on the congregation committee where qualified brothers are lacking, at no time will a sister serve on a committee considering a case involving possible disfellowshiping or other action because of misconduct on the part of one in the congregation.

^fi If charges are made against one of the committee, then the other two members of the committee should select a third one, a mature brother fully qualified spiritually, so the matter may bo handled by a committee of three.

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

i