FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

APRIL 1969

"Lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near."—Luke 21:28.

VOL. XII NO. 4

REJOICE! Yes, rejoice because of all the blessings of Jehovah on the work of our hands, yours and ours! Is it not wonderful what he is accomplishing in these days, even using imperfect human worshipers? And it is so clear that he purposes that a mighty witness be given in all the earth within a very short period.

Here at Bethel, with the help of our night shift, we have been blessed with a tremendous production of literature during the first ten weeks of 1969. Think of it! 5,637,901 bound hooks, a total of 82 publications, in 35 languages! Of the Paradise book alone, 632,251 in 31 languages! And laboring right along with us, operating a night shift too, the brothers in the German branch have produced over a million additional books. Can you see wiry we are all thrilled? Why, in one day here, March 6, we hit an all-time high in book production—123,600 !

Another cause for joy! Over 1,200,000 pounds of the foreign-language production is already on its way by boat to the ends of the earth, now that the dock strike has ended. So our brothers in many lands will soon be better equipped for their ministry. And we, too, can now have a generous supply, especially of the Truth and Evolution books. In fact, all congregations are urged to order now a sufficient supply for May and June. Check your records to see how many books you have placed in past months, and order sufficient to make May and June two of the best bound hook months we have ever had. We will be offering the Truth book in May and the Bible in June. Don't you agree that those should be months, not only of greatly increased bound book placements, but also of intensified home Bible study activity? Every placement a potential Bible study—let that be our aim.

It was a real happy occasion on March 9 for an audience of 2,155 to witness the graduation of Gilead’s 47th Class—97 students equipped and eager to get off to their missionary assignments. However, many of

¹ "Go from door to door preaching? Not me, I could never do that.” Sound familiar? Undoubtedly so, for many of us felt that way when we were first invited to share in making public declaration. (Rom. 10:10) But what changed our minds? Our love for God and our desire for salvation for ourselves and for others.

- Is this your first month in witnessing to God’s name and purposes? If so, we welcome you to the rapidly growing ranks of Jehovah’s praisers. (Rom. 6:17) There is plenty of work for all to do.

³ We know that a great many of you who will be sharing in making public declaration during April are of school age. Likely you will have some time free from school during the month. If so, what are your plans for using this time? Will you use it wisely? If you are dedicated you may have arranged to vacation pioneer sometime during the month. Fine! This is making excellent use of your time. Even if you are not yet dedicated you can work along them will continue with us until after the New York assembly, and we shall have their help in maintaining a high level of production.

Between now and the summer assemblies there is surely much to be done. During May the Gilead School facilities will be used for a special refresher course for all circuit and district servants, one group each week. In June there will be special meetings here for branch servants who will be coming in from all parts of the world. So you see, our next Gilead class will not get started until the fall.

Meantime, how busy we shall all be in the field, giving a witness worthy of the Kingdom ! Oui- special meeting of March 30 will have launched us into April’s many-featured ministry: vacation pioneering for many; the Memorial celebration ; the final month of our Watchtower campaign; distribution of two spewith your parents, or others who may be pioneering, spending full days with them in the service.

⁴ Whether newly associated, young in years, or long-time workers, all of us wiil want to take advantage of opportunities to place the splendid April 15 Watchtower and the April 22 Awake! Could each of us arrange our affairs to spend a little more time in magazine activity during the month? The days are milder and getting longer, so it may be possible to spend some afternoons or evenings doing street magazine work or calling from door to door on the way to the book study.

⁵ The subscription department in the factory has been glad to work extra time handling ail the thousands of subscriptions coming in from congregations all over the country. How have you personally done in the campaign? Have you been able to obtain two or more subscriptions yet? If not, have you followed up al! the subscription promises? Why not check again (Continued on page 2, col. 3) cial magazine issues, the April 15 Watchtower on the theme “Why Almighty God Laughs at the Nations,” ami the April 22 Awake! on “Are the Churches Nearing Their End?" Wouldn’t it be fine for all of us to have an increased share in the witness during April? What a shout of praise, worthy of Jehovah’s kingdom I

By April, too, many students of tile Truth book should be maturing to the point of participation with us iti the Kingdom witness. Let us do all we can to help them grasp this responsibility—this opportunity to show their appreciation, their love for the One who is opening to them the road to eternal life. Let us all attain to a rich measure of happiness during April, the happiness that conies with being satisfyingly busy in the great witness to God’s kingdom.

Your fellow witnesses, Brooklyn Branch Office

Giving a witness worthy of the Kingdom.

WEEK STARTING APRIL 6

Theme: Making Public Declaration for Salvation. (Rom. 10:10) Song 17.

5 min: Introduction, text and comments.

18 min: “Making Public Declaration.” Questions and answers. When discussing paragraph 3 briefly interview some who are vacation pioneering or were in the past, letting them explain how they have scheduled their time and tell of blessings from putting forth extra effort. They can invite others in the congregation to join them in the service. On paragraph 5 have competent publisher, perhaps pioneer, demonstrate calling on person who said he would consider subscribing. Discuss additional ways of getting subscriptions before end of month, besides following up subscription promises.

12 min: Presenting the Good News— “Drawing Them Closer.” Talk and demonstration. Use local figures on Memorial, highlighting number attending, in comparison to number of publishers, Include demonstration of call made on Memorial attender who came in response to invitation. Describe significance of Memorial and value of Bible study todqy in view of the times. Arrange for Bible study.

2 min: Accounts report.

10 min: Discuss with audience the question “What Convinced You That Jehovah’s Witnesses Have the Truth?” Allow for various ones to reply, giving answers from personal experiences.

13 min: Concluding comments. Include “How Did We Do in February?” and local report for March. Give progress report on subscriptions obtained during campaign. Outline special field service arrangements for April, including arrangements for vacation pioneers. Song 62.

WEEK STARTING APRIL 13

Theme: Following in the Footsteps of Christ. (1 Pet. 2:21) Song 118.

15 min; Introduction, text and comments. This could be handled by having a group of publishers and pioneers, young and old, gathered before meeting for field service discussing text and Branch Letter.

25 min: Distributing special magazines.

(5 min.) Highlights from special magazines. Have publishers of various age groups prepared in advance. Give points from magazines they will use in field service. Highlight fact that time is running out for false religions and it is urgent to contact all sincere religious persons to help them get out before it is too late.

(10 min.) Demonstrate various avenues of placing April 15 “Watchtower” with different presentations. Give only presentation. Chairman can describe setting. For example, “Publisher is speaking to man at door,” “Publisher has stopped person on street and is presenting magazines,” etc. Include sermon using theme “Religion That God Approves” and subscription . offer. See February “Kingdom Ministry,” page 2.

(10 min.) Demonstrate placing April 22 “Awake!” using different settings than for “Watchtower.”

10 min: Audience discussion on the question “What Scriptures Show We Should All Have a Share in the Service?” Commentors may wish to include experiences on how they have helped new ones start in service. See “Make Sure” pages 277-280, 384-390. 10 min: Concluding comments. Include any appropriate Announcements. Theocratic News. If time allows, have brief experiences from vacation pioneers and report on number out in service in April to date. Song 84.

WEEK STARTING APRIL 20

Theme: Cultivating the Fruit of Love. (1 Cor. 13) Song 45.

5 mtn: Introduction, text and comments.

12 min: Talk on “Let Your Reasonableness Become Known.” (Phil. 4:5) Have mature brother talk on need for reasonableness in all things we do, including weddings. Use material in January 15,  1969, “Watchtower,”

pages 57-61. Also, "Question Box.” 15 min: Making New Ones Feel Welcome.

(3 min.) Chairman: Meeting attendance increasing throughout the world. As one overseer wrote the Society, “People are popping in like popcorn in a skillet.” Six-month Bible study program has likely played its part in large influx of new ones. Some, though, hesitate to come because of not knowing anyone, (See “Yearbook,” page 120.) Make them feel welcome. Are we ready in our congregation ?

(5 min.) Demonstration of new one being brought to Kingdom Hall and introduced to others. Mature brother arranges to single out publisher who formerly belonged to same religion as new one and mentions this to him, asking publisher: “You formerly attended the --- church, didn’t you?

What caused you to associate with Jehovah’s witnesses?” In reply the publisher tells of looking for identifying mark of true religion and when he found it he could no longer continue In the former religion. (See “Truth” book, chapter 14.) Newcomer appreciates discussion and is happy he has been made to feel at home.

(2 min.) Show brief scene at home after interested ones return; they discuss the warmth and friendliness of Witnesses at Kingdom Hall.

(5 min.) Chairman discusses with audience other things that could be done to make new ones feel welcome, such as showing them around Kingdom Hall. Let them see how literature and magazines are handled; introducing them to others of same language or background, etc. (“Yearbook,” pages 260, 261) Aid them to become acquainted with various publishers and let them choose the ones with whom they wish to associate. Servants can make them feel at home by making note of their names so as to call them by name when they come again.

8 min: Discussion between overseer and new publisher reporting for first time. Overseer commends for progress made, highlights Jehovah’s righteous requirements and provisions for developing spiritual strength. (See “Lamp” book, page 129.)

10 min: Audience discussion of Scriptural proof that our work today closely parallels that of early Christianity. (See “Make Sure,” pages 270281.) Brother handling this part may wish to ask some brothers to look up material on this before the meeting.

10 min: Concluding comments. Discuss how to make the most effective use of the special issues of the magazines in your territory. Give up-to-date progress report on activity in the month and total subscriptions to date in campaign. Song 15.

WEEK STARTING APRIL 27

Theme: Keeping Faith Growing by God’s Word. (2 Thess. 1:3) Song 100. 15 min: Introduction, text and comments on “Convention Time Ahead.” Family discusses together what assembly they will attend and the preparations that will be necessary. May also use points from February 15 “Watchtower” on “Assemblies Are for Children Too’”

10 min: Talk on theme for month. See May 1 “Watchtower."

15 min; “Regularity and Progress.” Questions and answers. On paragraph 4 may have local experiences on how scheduling time regularly, on daily or weekly basis, has helped individuals make progress.

10 min: Discuss with audience activity for May. Have sermon demonstrated with offer of “Truth” book, (Use whatever sermon works best in your territory. May want to use one based on Psalm 37. See the November 1968 “Kingdom Ministry,” page 5. Or, do as some do, open to picture on page 4 and discuss scripture at Revelation 21:3, 4 and what its fulfillment can mean to mankind. Only God's kingdom can bring this. Refer to chapter 12. Make arrangements for Bible study.)

10 min: Concluding comments. If time allows, have local experiences with special magazines. Song 112.

FEBRUARY SERVICE REPORT

Av     Av    Av Av

Pubs. Hrs.    B-C 81. St. Mags.

Sp'l Pios.     942 145.6 66.2  8,1

Pios.       13,040  95.7 43.5  5.2

Vac. Pios. 3,079   84.1  31.8  2.6

Pubs. 324,156    9.6   5.1   .7

TOTAL 341,217

Public Meetings Held: 20,936

UNITED STATES GOAL FOR 1969 356,057 Publishers

HOW DID WE DO IN FEBRUARY?

We had an excellent month! There were 341,217 publishers taking part in the field service, 19,085 more than last February, and just 1,255 less than our October peak. What a joy it was to see so many zealous praisers of Jehovah brave the rigorous winter weather to preach the good news’ More and more Bible studies are being started. * We reached another high, conducting 322,374 studies, or 8,526 more than in our previous best month, January. Though the month was short, the zeal 'was not and we have received a blessing as a result. It is with keen anticipation that we look to see what growth the months ahead will bring.

Public Declaration              (Cont’d)

through your house-to-house records and see if there are any persons upon whom you promised to call back. You may find there are a number who took the magazines during the month 'and said they would consider the possibility of subscribing. Calling on all of these may yield additional subscriptions.

« As we look back over the joyful time we have spent thus far in the ministry, how glad we all are that we accepted the invitation to preach.

. ¹ '‘Basic to any real progress is regularity in participation,” says the “Lamp” book in commenting on those who receive special privileges of service. (Page 189) How true that is! It is those who have developed a consistent pattern of ministerial service who have not only increased their joys in the ministry, hut also moved forward, to special privileges within the organization.

• ² No doubt our progress in the truth was due to some brother’s regularity in service. It was because he called to conduct a study regularly each week that we first began to realize the seriousness of the Kingdom message. You may have thought, “It must be important or he wouldn’t come without fail each week no matter what the weather conditions are.” Because of taking in spiritual food systematically at a given time each week you learned quickly and were soon able to express the truth to others.

• ³ To become a spiritually sound, mature Christian calls for regular meeting attendance, as well as personal study of God’s Word. Joshua was counseled by Jehovah God that he needed regular personal study of the Scriptures to succeed as His servant. (Josh. 1:8) The same is true of us today. We may not be able to study everything we would like, or perhaps to learn as quickly as others, but having a pattern of daily or weekly study will assure us of making progress and of growth in spiritual strength.

• ⁴ Do you have a share in the field service regularly each week? It is something that we all should endeavor to do. In our secular work our everyday activity helps us to develop skill and proficiency. Likewise, when we are able to engage in the ministry often, daily if possible or at least weekly, we make more rapid progress. Those in the full-time service who have developed a good schedule tell us that when something such as sickness or other assignments interrupts their schedule they find they become somewhat rusty in their use of the “sword of the spirit.” If this is true of such ones, how important it is that congregation publishers maintain a schedule of at least weekly service to keep progressing in their ministry and to keep their faith strong. Jesus set a model example for us by his daily service to Jehovah.—Luke 19: 47.                                          .

• ⁵ It is a pleasure to help others maintain regular activity, and we want to take advantage of our opportunities to do this. For example, some may be ill or elderly and unable to get out for extended periods. We could stop by and bring them a few magazines, which they could mail out to others, or perhaps we could help them write some letters. Later we could see that the reports of their activity are submitted to the congregation. Sometimes, too, a sister who has children may be ill or the children themselves may be ill and a whole month may go by without either the sister or the children being able to get into the field ministry. How much it is appreciated when an arrangement is made for someone to stop by and care for the children so the sister is able to get into the service or to take some of the children along in the ministry. In this way their progress continues and they do not miss a month of activity.

• ⁶ There is one other aspect of regularity we do well to remember. A publisher would not qualify for appointment as a servant or a vacation or regular pioneer unless he had reported field service during each of the previous six months. (“Lamp" book, pages 118, 193, 199) How much better it is then to maintain a regular schedule of activity so we do not lose out on the blessings of sharing in such privileges of service.—-Gal. 6:9; Rev. 3 :14-19.

• ⁷ Young or old, all can show Jehovah their love for him by sharing regularly in the ministry in good weather or bad, in favorable season or troublesome season, in health or sickness. Our worship and praise will continue ascending daily to Jehovah in the new system of things, so now is the time to start showing our wholehearted devotion to him by regularity in service.

Announcements

♦ Have you applied for vacation pioneer service in April or May? There is still time to do so. Avail yourself of this fine opportunity to establish new home Bible studies.

•^■Accounts servant: Please keep in mind that all renewal subscriptions are for the full rate of $1 for a year. There is no publisher or pioneer rate on renewals. Publishers may subscribe for The Watchtower and Awake! for longer than one year. Some subscribe for five or more years and thus avoid the possibility of missing issues.

O The offer for May will be the Truth book on a 25c contribution. In addition to English, it is. now available in Afrikaans, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

O During June the offer will be the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures for $1. Some may wish to place the Truth book along with the Bible, or if the Bible is not available, then use the Truth book or one of the other late publications available.

^New publications available:

The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life —Afrikaans, Japanese, Chinese

¹ Now is the time for us to make our plans to attend one of the international assemblies beginning in July. The dates for the eight convention cities for the United States and Canada are listed below.

CITY            DATE

Atlanta, Ga.*             July

Buffalo, N.Y.             July

New York, N.Y.*       July

Pomona, Calif.t         July

Vancouver, B.C.         July

Los Angeles, Calif.      July

Kansas City, Mo.        July

Chicago, III.*             July

* Spanish also

t Spanish only

• ² You.will notice that the Pomona assembly is in the Spanish language only. There will be Spanish programs in conjunction with the assemblies held in New York, Chicago and Atlanta.

• ³ In most cases it will probably be your intention to attend the assembly nearest you as it will be most convenient. However, .we would like to ask all of the Michigan circuits to please attend at Chicago. We realize that the metropolitan Detroit area may be a few miles closer to Buffalo, but because of the size of the city and the limited convention facilities it will be to the advantage of you brothers in the Detroit area to attend the Chicago assembly. While the majority of publishers in circuits in western Ohio, by reason of distance, will no doubt attend at Chicago, we would also like to invite Ohio Circuits 8 and 11 to attend the Chicago assembly, even though Buffalo may be slightly closer.. We have your comfort and the comfort of others in mind in asking you to arrange your plans in this way.

• ⁴ You will notice that some of the conventions are for seven days;

(Continued on page 4, col. 1)

“Your Word Is a Lamp to My Foot”

—Korean

“Let Your Name Be Sanctified"

—Sesotho “This Good News of the Kingdom”

—Siamese

T1—What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?               —Turkish

♦ Available again in U.S.A.:

From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained               —English

“Your Will Be Done on Earth”

—French ♦ Out of stock in U.S.A.:

1969 Yearbook —English, Spanish 1969 Calendar —English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish

1968 Watchtower bound volume

—English, Spanish

1968 Awake! bound volume

—English, Spanish ♦ Beginning the first Sunday in May, circuit servants will give the public talk “The Meaning of the Parables.”

Drawing Them Closer

¹ How many will attend the Memorial in your congregation on April 1? Quite likely it will be “the best crowd ever.” Last year in the United States there were 680,773 in attendance, compared to 333,672 who published in April. This means one interested person for every brother and sister, young arid old. If we have the same ratio this year, you can see that a tremendous potential for growth exists. The question is, What can we do to help draw these new ones closer to Jehovah?—Isa. 55:6; Jas. 4 : 8.

’ Some who attend the Memorial for the first time need only to hear the invitation to attend other meetings and they do so, as was the case with an interested woman in Anguilla. (Yearbook, page 180) However, as you know, most people require additional calls in order to be drawn closer to Jehovah through the meetings. It would be good for each of us to keep in mind whom he meets at Memorial who does not now attend meetings or have a study. We get acquainted there, so it would seem that while the special event is fresh in mind would be the time to make a friendly visit and encourage them to study, or at least to attend other meetings.

³ It is also true that many who attend are ones with whom studies are being conducted, but a great many may be only subscribers to the magazines, inactive ones or perhaps ones who respond to the invitation in the March 15 Watchtower or the March 22 Awake! Surely Bible stud-

Convenlion Time Ahead (Cont’d) however, they will have the same program as the eight-day assemblies. In other'words, the sessions that will be held on the first day of an eight-day assembly will be worked into the forenoons during the first few days of a seven-day convention. Consequently you will not miss any of the program by attending a seven-day convention.

⁵ We are certainly all looking forward to ‘assembling together’ in accordance with God’s commands. (Heb. 10; 24, 25) None of us want to miss any of the good things that Jehovah is providing for us through these conventions. Will you be there? ies would help such ones. You know the ones you personally invite and where they live, so you can call back on these and see their reaction to what they hear and see at the Memorial. (.Yearbook, page 68) Perhaps now they will accept your invitation to study. Even you young ministers can help by referring to your house-to-house records to see the ones who took the March 15 Watchtower and the March 22 Awake! and call back on them. Whether they attended or not you will have the opportunity to give a further witness and let them know they are welcome at other meetings at the Kingdom Hall.

⁴The servants can help a great deal by setting the example in calling back on Interested ones and reminding others to build on the interest generated by the Memorial. We believe you will agree that calling while the interest is still warm is a help on all of our back-calls, especially so at Memorial time.

⁵ Jesus showed his loving concern for sheeplike ones by directing them into one fold. We want to follow his example and his command to shepherd the “sheep,” making sure that there are no strays, none who lack a shepherd or the helping care of a Kingdom publisher. (John 21: 15-17) We look to Jehovah to bless us as we endeavor to help all interested ones who attend the Memorial to draw closer to Jehovah.

Convention Rooming

Those brothers who are not on the Society’s tours or charter flights but who are arranging their own travel to Europe, Hawaii or the Far East, may write to the Society’s branch offices in these places for assistance on rooming if they wish. Use the room request form that will soon be available through the local congregation. Those traveling to Mexico for the Mexico City assembly December 24-28 could also send room request forms to the office in Mexico City if they desire assistance with rooming there.

Those who are on the Society’s tours and charter flights will be supplied a special room request form to use in arranging accommodations in Europe, Hawaii or the Far East.

THEOCRATIC NEWS

+ A sister in New York in the Terrace Unit witnessed io fellow employees and in one week obtained 23 subscriptions in English. Using the “Preach the Word" booklet, she obtained 11 more in other languages.

♦ Europe: Italy enjoyed its fifth new peak of publishers in January, and 22,381 books were placed. Despite wintry weather and Hong Kong flu, Sweden had its fourth consecutive peak. Switzerland too reported a new publisher peak.

♦ Africa: Ghana and Ivory Coast saw new peaks of publishers in January. The 2,838 publishers reporting in Mozambique represent an 81-percent increase over last year’s average. Despite persecution in parts of Zambia, a fine new peak of publishers was reached there.

Asia: A fifth new peak of publishers reported in India. Korea reports its fifteenth consecutive peak, while Japan had its eighteenth. Okinawa too reports a new peak.

Pacific Islands: Fiji enjoyed its fourth new peak of praisers this year. The Philippines and Solomon Islands reached new peaks of publishers too. Philippines enjoyed new peak in regular pioneers for sixth month in a row.

Central and South America: Panama, El Salvador, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela all report new publisher peaks, ♦ Lebanon reports new all-time high in publishers in January.

yo^ueition aS ox

* Is it proper to solicit business among the brothers or use theocratic associations to arrange for parties for selling commercial goods?

The type of secular work that an individual does to support himself or his family is a personal matter. If a brother works at selling, then he should ask himself, “Am I takingadvantage of my theocratic associations for commercial gain?” Never would a brother want to do this. It is also well to consider the effect his sales work may have on others, being careful not to stumble them. —Phil. 1:9, 10; 2 Cor, 6:3.

If he wants to work for a commercial company that sells its products at home gatherings it is for him to decide. If some brothers wish to patronize a brother in business or invite him to come to their home to demonstrate his products, then this is their business. If others do not wish to purchase the products or attend parties where they are demonstrated, then they should never be made to feel obligated to do so.

Even if some commercial products are sold in homes, it is not proper to solicit the sale of products at the Kingdom Hall, book studies or at assemblies. This includes even those items that might be helpful in the ministry such as book bags and book covers.

-k             Let’s read and place the special magazines.             *

Published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 117 Adams St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201 Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn, N.Y. Printed in U.S.A.

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