MARCH 1970

FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

"Go therefore and make disciples . . . baptizing them."—Matt. 28:19.

VOL. XIII NO. 3

Building on a Right Foundation

¹ "Therefore everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rockmass.” (Matt. 7:24) Did you notice what makes a man truly discreet? It is not simply hearing, but includes

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The December reports came in from 200 countries, and I thought you would like to know what’s happening. Well, December showed a new peak in publishers of 1,345,111. This increase of 88,327 publishers over last year’s average makes all of us very happy! Here was something else that was most revealing: In the first four months of this 1970 service year, 55,754 persons symbolized their dedication by immersion. If this is any criterion of what we might expect during the next eight months, then upward of 150,000 persons will be baptized by the end of August. Can that be true? Yes, if it be Jehovah’s will.

No doubt about it, Jehovah is blessing our efforts in tills marvelous ingathering work. If this projection of maybe 150,000 newly baptized Wit’ passes proves to l>e true, then, including those baptized in 19(>9, the two .. ears' total will be more than one-quarter of a million Christian witnesses. Do you feel the responsibility of seeing to it that these newly dedicated ones are feeding on the Word of God regularly?

What, are you doing about it personally? Well, in harmony with the theme for March we certainly want to help to build everyone on Christ Jesus as the foundation and to appreciate what Jehovah God. is doing for us through him. The Memorial celebration will implant deeper in our minds this truth, and by loving personal attention we will surely want to help these new ones in this regard, too, won’t we?

These are perilous times! Individually each one of us must stay inside the congregation of God. We must study the Word of God together. This is truly essential to our staying on "The Road Back to Peace in Paradise."

During April we always try to put forth an extra effort to help newly interested ones to appreciate the privilege of field service. Very likely you will bring many persons to the congregation’s Memorial celebration, and likely you can aid some of them to join in praising God during April. If they are going to get Jehovah’s goodwill they will have to get busy in preaching the good news of the Kingdom, like you are doing. It is urgent.

The activities of March and April will no doubt start many interested ones thinking about attending one of the fine conventions this summer. We certainly will want to help them to get to a convention. Many of them undoubtedly are going to be baptized at that time. What a privilege you have to help these people to prepare for that. And what happiness we all are having in these “last days” helping so many people to get onto Jehovah’s side. Without hesitation we can "go therefore and make disciples . . . baptizing them.” Making disciples is a lot of work. But we enjoy it and, too, we appreciate so much God’s help in doing it

May Jehovah’s rich blessing continue with you as you seek to accomplish liis purpose. Be assured of my warm love for all of you.

Your brother,

Building other ministers on a right foundation.            *

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WEEK STARTING MARCH 8

Theme: Building on a Right Foundation. (Matt. 7:24) Song 97.

5 min: Introduction, text and comments. Cover appropriate Theocratic News items.

13 min: “Building on a Right Foundation.” Questions and answers.

12 min: Starting New Ones in Field Service. Talk. Member of committee discusses effort that will be made to get new ones who qualify out in March and April. Maybe we can have peak of publishers in March and another one in April. Must plan now. If publisher has question, then before inviting new one into the service, good to talk about it with overseer. Include thoughts from paragraph 27, page 149 of March 1, 1969, “Watchtower." Maybe read portions or entire paragraph. Refer to “Lamp” book pages 108, 129, 130. Mention, too, tile joy all will have in sharing in Held service this Memorial month, possibly sharing in establishing a peak in publishers. Be sure none are Irregular in March and April.

12 min: "Your Invitation to the Lord’s livening Meal.” Two servants discuss article in March 15, 1970, "Watchtower.” Their comments show how points in article can be used in inviting interested persons to Memorial. Mention is also made of how publisher and interested one can sit down and just read entire article together. Demonstrate use of Memorial invitation.

8 min: Accounts servant's report. Explain arrangement for calling on all subscribers with invitation to Memorial and special talk. Halfway through "Watchtower” campaign, so comment on progress to date in obtaining subscriptions.

10 min: Concluding comments. Congregation report and "How Did We Do in January?" Talking points on current magazines. Invite those who can vacation pioneer in April to get applications now. Song 83.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 15

Theme: Relying on Jehovah’s Spirit. (Luke 11:13) Song 80.

5 min: Introduction, text and comments.

17 min: “Relying on Jehovah’s Spirit." Questions and answers. Include experiences, local or otherwise, if time allows.

10 min: Letter from Brother Knorr, on page 1. Read and discuss.

16 min: Getting Interested Ones to the Kingdom Hall. Talk based on following 1970 “Yearbook” experiences: p. 105, par. 1, to p. 106, par. 2; p. 177, par. 1; p. 185, par. 2: p. 201, par. 3; p. 257, par. 2. and p. 284, par. 4. Note, we are talking not only about "inviting” them to Kingdom Hall but “getting” them there. Have brief introduction and conclusion so as much time as possible can be spent on experiences themselves. Be sure to apply main point in each experience so it stands out. Applies also to getting them to Memorial and special talk. 12 min: Concluding comments. Make final comments regarding Memorial on Sunday. Mention article "A Memorial Invitation." in March 22 “Awake!” Use it in final invitations to Memorial. If time permits, can demonstrate welcoming new ones to meeting. Progress to date on subscription campaign. Still time to vacation pioneer in April. Appropriate Announcements. Song 87.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 22

Theme: Become Intensely Occupied with the Word. (Acts 18:5) Song 90.

5 min: Introduction, text and comments.

17 min: Presenting the Good News— "Become 'Intensely Occupied with the Word.’ ” Discuss with audience. Chairman can comment on some paragraphs and ask questions on others. Be sure to emphasize the point that we need to make good use of our time. If studies are not progressing, then publishers should engage in the house-to-house work. Magazine-territory servant might be called on to give brief, up-to-date report on territory coverage. If covered often, stress need for thorough coverage. Can interview congregation publisher or pioneer who obviously enjoys house-to-house work and is effective therein.

8 min: Question Box. Possibly congregation servant can discuss this with others on committee.

18 min: “What Are You Doing About What .You Have Learned?” This material, in March 1, 1970, “Watchtower,” will be helpful to those with whom we are conducting home Bible studies. Encourage brothers to bring "Watchtower” with them to this meeting. Present as talk, but draw brothers into discussion occasionally. Demonstrate briefly how material might be used to get student to appreciate what he is learning.

Make this positive and upbuilding, not negative. Use It to get students to progress and act; although, if no progress results, we will spend time more profitably in house-to-house work. Paul became intensely occupied with the word, meaning preaching and teaching. They should be progressing toward that end too. Maybe if we get them to meetings in March, the study need not be discontinued. 12 min: Concluding comments. Should have outstanding attendance at special talk jjext_^unday. All publishers and interested" persons should be there. If some were at Memorial, then they are already acquainted with many. If not an excellent time to invite interested ones for first time. Progress to date on subscription campaign. Song 46.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 29

Theme: Succeeding by Faithfulness in the Ministry. (1 Chron. 22:13) Song 88.

5 min: Introduction, text and comments.

7 min: Talk on theme for April. See April 1, 1970, "Watchtower.”

18 min: “What Do You Want Out of Life?” Discuss article in February 1, 1970, "Watchtower.” Best if young publishers can handle this. Mature brother can be assigned to help and rehearse however. He must study material well and be acquainted with it. Young brother might introduce discussion with 3- or 4-minute talk. Other young publishers on platform can be quizzed on part of material, have round-table discussion on part, or just discuss how they feel points helped them to get solid view of proper goals for future. Important thing is for young publishers to see value of points made and how it applies to them.

8 min: Youthful Publishers Succeed by Faithfulness in the Ministry. 1970 "Yearbook" experiences, p. 128, par 1; p. 178. par. 1. Have very brief introduction and conclusion. Spend time relating or reading experiences and highlighting thought that young publishers have shown they can shoulder responsibility, witness to others effectively, maintain integrity.

12 min: “Do You Make Yourself Available?” Material from February 1, 1970, "Watchtower.” Be sure to tie this in with the two assignments above. Possibly can be handled by father disepssing article with family at Monday-night family study. Different members of family voluntarily comment on how certain points apply to them.

• 10 min: Concluding comments. Song

Building on Right Foundation (Cont'd)

• ¹ We have reached the halfway mark in the Watchtower campaign. We will all want to cooperate with the magazine-territory servant in getting the territory completely and thoroughly worked with the subscription offer if at all possible. Besides offering subscriptions in the house-to-house work, have you offered them to those with whom you do business, to workmates and relatives?

⁵ It has been a pleasure for us to process so many applications for the vacation pioneer work for March and April. Could it be that these will be the best months yet for vacation pioneering? There is still time to share if you act quickly, \ Your congregation servant has the ' application you need.

⁰ Many blessings are in store for us during the month of March. Of course, really to make these blessings our own it will be necessary to hear, but, more so, to be busy doing what needs to be done. Then we will be building other ministers on a right foundation.

JANUARY SERVICE REPORT

Av Av Av Av

Pubs. Hrs. B-C Bi.St. Mags. Sp’l Pios.     930 145.4 67.8  7.2

Pios.       14,983  98.1  43.8  4.3

Vac. Pios.  4,710  82.6 31.8  2.2

Pubs. 345,421    9.5  5.3   .7

TOTAL 366,044

Public Meetings Held: 21,860

UNITED STATES GOAL FOR 1970

378,040 Publishers

HOW DID WE DO IN JANUARY?

Jehovah has again richly blessed our work. Last November's peak of 364,320 was bettered when 366,044 reported! Regular pioneers increased to 14,983 for another new peak! Obviously Jehovah’s servants want to have a share in the work yet to be done.

And how are we doing in the subscription campaign? We obtained 191,242 subscriptions—the best January ever, by 44,605.

Did you notice $ the Bible study i average? We are back up to .7 again, and this is the best since last May. Keep up that fine building work.

• ¹ Jehovah’s people are becoming more and more effective in preaching the good news. Personal and family study, attending and parti--•cipating in congregation meetings, along with experience in various features of the ministry, have made it possible for them to speak the truth with boldness and clarity.

• ² But there are some who do not participate as fully as they could in the house-to-house work and other features of the service, apparently because they do not feel as capable as others. In some congregations about one-fourth of the publishers are irregular and quite a number put in less than five hours a month. Why is this so? Possibly their secular education was limited. Or, meeting people is not easy for them. There might be other reasons for their holding back.

• ³ Should these things cause one to draw back from fully participating In the ministry? Not really! Today, of all days, we should appreciate the part Jehovah’s spirit plays and how it will help us in the witness work that is being done. Jesus said to some of his disciples, “If you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!” (Luke 41:18) Jehovah is capable of making up for any lack that we might have.—Mark 13:11.

• ⁴ The Bible makes clear that the ingathering work being done world wide today is under angelic supervision. Jesus said, “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, ... he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matt. 25:31, 32) Haven’t we heard and read of many experiences of publishers recently who “called on just one more house” and found someone waiting for a Witness to call? Or of a publisher who was persistent in making a back-call or a not-at-home call and found someone Just waiting for the truth? Later they said it was as though an angel was guiding them to be sure that particular call was made. The angels can guide less-experienced publishers just as they can guide experienced ones.

• ⁶ In fact, the very capable and experienced publishers should also be sure to keep this in mind. Each of us should rely fully on Jehovah. One should not feel that what he is accomplishing is being done in Uis own strength. It has been ob-seitod that some publishers who might be thought to be less effective really have excellent results in the ministry. Often their joy Is greater than that of others because of the evidence that God’s spirit was with them in accomplishing something.

⁸ A circuit servant says that when he works with publishers in the field ministry, instead of just standing there waiting for the householder to come to the door, he will offer a silent prayer in behalf of the publisher, praying that God’s spirit will assist the publisher in presenting the message well and also make the householder more receptive. It is good to ask Jehovah for his spirit before, during and after field service.

⁷ Another circuit servant says he can tell that publishers who rely heavily on Jehovah’s spirit are happier in their work. Thus, at a meeting for service, while he encourages the publishers to greater effectiveness in the ministry, offering suggestions for improvement, he also encourages them to look to Jehovah to bless their efforts. When the publishers approach the ministry from this standpoint they thank Jehovah appreciatively for the successes they experience and do not feel downhearted or discouraged if there is little or no response in the territory.

(Continued on paffe 4, col. 3)

Announcements

♦ Regular pioneers serving since February 1, 1970, will be sent a cafeteria ticket with the March 15 pioneer letter, for use at a district assembly during this service year.

♦ Congregation servants and pioneers: It will help us considerably if all pioneer reports are sent no later than the third day of the month and if the pioneer’s name (as listed with the Society) and address appear legibly. ♦ Offer for May: "Then Is Finished the Mystery of God” with one booklet, for 50c. In making up orders for this book, congregation servants and literature servants can check movement of other 50c publications used in recent campaigns so that they will have enough for the publishers but not be overstocked.

♦ If overseers act immediately, there will still be time to order an increased supply of the special April 15 Watchtower and the special April 22 Awake! ♦ There is still time for the overseer, it he feels it is appropriate, to arrange for those interested in vacation pioneer service during April to get together at a convenient time to discuss their plans. This will afford them an opportunity to work out arrangements among themselves and for the overseer to schedule group witnessing, if necessary, and otherwise offer assistance.

♦ Overseer should promptly mail Memorial report card after special public talk on March 29.

♦ In addition to the bound volumes of The Watchtower and Awake! in English, they are also available in Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch French and German. The Society has also produced The Watchtower bound volume in Hungarian.

♦ The Society still has a good supply of the 1970 Yearbook and calendar. Determine your immediate needs and

(Question ($ox

• How can service meetings end on time when additional concluding comments must be made?

Service meetings should end on time. We should endeavor to begin the closing song by 9:30 p.m. if the opening song for the ministry school begins at 7:25 p.m. But at times the congregation servant must handle additional unexpected items in the concluding comments. Letters from the Society addressed to the congregation must be read and some letters from the circuit servant must be considered. Kingdom Hall repairs, remodeling or other matters may need to be handled. Deaths or illnesses of brothers in the congregation or certain disciplinary matters may need to be announced. Where will he get the additional time required to handle these things?

It may be necessary for the congregation servant to make adjustments in the timing of other parts on the service meeting occasionally. Other brothers can be asked to condense the material in their assignments so as to present them in less time. These brothers, of course, should be notified as far in advance as possible in order to avoid last-minute adjustments on their part. On rare occasions an entire assignment can be eliminated and included in a later service meeting. There might also be times when the congregation servant can condense some of his comments or even eliminate some things that are not especially applicable to the congregation. Of course, for the overseer to have enough time the other brothers preceding him on the program will have to stay within their allotted time. When matters are handled in this way, the brothers are not deprived of information they should have and yet the meetings do not run overtime.

order right away. They are an excellent means by which to acquaint Bible students with Jehovah’s organization. ♦ New publications available:

The Truth That Leads to Eternal

Life     —Arabic, Croatian, Motu,

Papiamento, Sesotho Is the Bible Really the Word of

God?                 —Korean

“Your Word Is a Lamp to Mu

Foot”         —Chinese, Swedish

Rescuing a Great Crowd of Mankind

Out of Armageddon —Chishona,

Cinyanja Man’s Rule About to Give Way to God's Rule —Chishona, Ewe, Ga, Twi The Approaching Peace of 1000 Years                 —Korean

♦ Available again in U.S.A.:

What Has Religion Done for Mankind?          —French, Spanish

♦ Out of stock in U.S.A.:

When All Nations Unite Under God's

Kingdom              —English

“Your Will Be Done on Earth” —Spanish Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine

Purpose               —Spanish

♦ Congregation servants should report at the bottom of the congregation’s monthly field service report the total number of radio stations located in their assigned territory that are carrying the series "All Scripture Is Beneficial,’’ also the total number of programs broadcast that month. Only the congregation holding the territory where the station is located should make the report.

♦ The Bethel Home and Factory will be closed on Saturday. April 18, 1970, for spring cleaning. It will not be possible to take tours, or to pick up or to place literature and magazine orders that day.

Become “Intensely Occupied with the Word”

• ¹ After tile apostle Paul had done some tentmaking in Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla, the Bible account tells us at Acts 18:5, “when, now, both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to be intensely occupied with the word, witnessing to the Jews to prove that Jesus is the Christ.” Was there good reason for Paul to become "intensely occupied with the word”! Apparently so, for verses 9 and 10 go on to say, “Moreover, by night the Lord said to Paul through a vision: ‘Have no fear, but keep on speaking and do not keep silent . . . for I have many people in this city.’ ”

• ² Do we today have similar reasons for becoming intensely occupied with the word! Yes, because undoubtedly Jehovah still has “many people” in our territories that must be found and taught We should remind ourselves repeatedly of the urgency of the times in which we live and the need to share as fully as possible in the preaching and teaching work.

• ³ When one has all day in which to do a job, the tendency often is to take all day. But when one has a great task to perform with only a limited amount of time in which to do it, the situation is different Then we look for more effective methods of doing the work and we put forth greater effort.

• ⁴ A little over a year ago we were introduced to the six-month home Bible-study program. We immediately grasped that this would be an additional effective method to help get the work done in the short time remaining.

• ⁵ Now reports from the field show that Bible studies are being discontinued as publishers realize that the student is not making progress. This is entirely proper. There Is no reason to spend our time with those who obviously are not really interested in doing something about the truths they are learning. Some publishers still ask, “How can I know whether to discontinue the study when they appear to be interested and still are glad to have me come?” The answer is that we discontinue studies when it is apparent that there is not the appreciation for the truth that there should be. There might be interest in continuing to take in knowledge. But is there appreciation for the knowledge already taken in? Appreciation for Jehovah and the truth is demonstrated by deeds.

• ⁶ There are three separate occasions each week for attending meetings or a total of seventy-eight in six months. If the student has not attended one of these meetings, when this is circumstantially possible, can it be said that there is appreciation? Or, if he has not, of his own initiative, or with your encouragement, done additional reading, can it be said that there is appreciation? Or, if he has not felt the urge to tell one of his friends or relatives about the good things he is learning, can it be said that there is appreciation? Each publisher will have to consider the matter carefully and then decide, but these thoughts will help in making that decision. Apparently the matter is being taken seriously by the brothers, because circuit servant reports show that many publishers unhesitatingly discontinue studies when the time comes to do so.

• ⁷ Then what takes place? The time set aside for field service is now used in the house-to-house work. Jesus said, “Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving.” (Matt. 10:11) There are many territories in this country that are worked less than once in six months. Additionally, many of these are not worked thoroughly. Surely we can do a great deal more in the ‘searching’ work.

⁶ What, then, is it that appears to be especially needed now in order to become “intensely occupied with the word”? Very likely it is a good balance between the Bible-study work and the house-to-house work.

⁹ There are a number of different approaches one can take in the house-to-house work with the starting of Bible studies in view. Note what one district servant writes concerning starting studies on the initial call: “Regarding starting Bible studies I have been having some very fine experiences offering the study first thing in speaking to

THEOCRATIC NEWS

♦ Three "Peace on Earth" assemblies in South Africa attended by an amazing 45,821, with 1,294 baptized. The "Truth" book was released in three local languages.

• ♦ An 11 -percent increase in publishers for Lebanon with 1,189 reporting in December. Syria reports 157 publishers, a 25-percent increase.

t Belgium reports a new peak of 12,360 publishers, which is 1 O-percent above last December's report.

• ♦ For the first time in Canada's history 45,134 reported activity in December.

• ♦ Another new peak in publishers for Ecuador: 2,621. This is 26 percent over last December.

• ♦ Hawaii's new peak of 3,122 publishers mokes a rotio of 1 for every 259 of the population.

• ♦ India's 3,147 publishers represent a 1 7-percent increase over last year's average. Three assemblies attended by 3,200, with 154 persons baptized.

Relying on Jehovah's Spirit (Cont'd)

⁸ With this proper view, both the less-experienced and experienced publishers are happy in the service. So, if occasionally you feel somewhat inadequate, prepare to the extent of your ability and then schedule your affairs to have a good share in the work. Success will not come in your own strength. God is the one who causes growth.—1 Cor. 3: 6, 7.' people at their doors. As I am work ing mostly with brothers I havq had to arrange for a sister to return and in some cases have been able to take them back with me later in the week. I have had more joy in the field as a result, as I feel it has provided a more meaningful ministry for me.”

• ¹⁰ Having this view of the house-to-house work and its place in starting home Bible studies has made it possible for a number of publishers to have more than one study with the public going at one time and thus they are not left without a study when it comes time to discontinue one. Then, too, they keep in touch with those whose study was discontinued to see if appreciation has been built up by the loss of the study or for other reasons.

• ¹¹ Excellent work has been done recently. What has been accomplished has unquestionably been pleasing to Jehovah. But is it possible for some of us to become even more “intensely occupied with the word,” just as Paul was? This is really what we desire, isn’t it?

*            Help others get to Memorial and special talk.

Published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society ot 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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