December 15th
Other foundation can
no man lay
A RANSOM FOR ALL
| VOL. XXXVII | DECEMBER 1 | No. 23 |
'I will stand upon my watch, and set my foot upon the Tower, and will watch to see what He shall say unto me, and what answer I shall make to them that oppose me.' Hab. 2:1
Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity: the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring: men's hearts failing them for fear and for looking forward to the things coming upon the earth (society): for the powers of the heavens (ecclestiasticism) shall be shaken. . . .When ye see these things come to pass, then know that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Look up, lift up your heads, rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh. – Luke 21:25-28, 32.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society's published "Studies," most entertainingly arranged, and very helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V.D.M.), which translated into English is, Minister of the Divine Word. Our treatment of the International S.S. Lessons is specially for the older Bible Students and Teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This Journal stands firmly for the defence of the only true foundation of the Christian's hope now being so generally repudiated, – Redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for all." (I Pet. 1:19; I Tim. 2:6.) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (I Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Pet. 1:5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to – "Make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has been hid in God,...to the intent that now might be made known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God" – "which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed." – Eph. 3:5-9,10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the Holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord hath spoken; – according to the divine wisdom granted unto us, to understand. Its attitude is not dogmatical, but confident; for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his service; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of his good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made, to facilitate such testing.
Foreign Agencies: – British Branch: LONDON TABERNACLE, Lancaster Gate, London, W. German Branch: Unterdorner Str., 76, Barmen. Australasian Branch: Flinders Building, Flinders St., Melbourne. Please address the SOCIETY in every case.
The Watch Tower Editorial Committee:
This journal is published under the supervision of an Editorial Committee, at least three of whom must have read and have approved as Truth each and every article appearing in these columns. The names of the Editorial Committee now serving are:
W.E. VAN AMBURGH, J.F. RUTHERFORD, H.C. ROCKWELL, F.H. ROBISON, R.H. HIRSH.
Terms to the Lord's Poor as Follows: – All Bible Students who, by reason of old age, or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this Journal, will be supplied Free if they send a Postal Card each May stating their case and requesting its continuance. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and in touch with the STUDIES, etc.
ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER AT THE POSTOFFICE DEPT., OTTAWA, CANADA.
SCRIPTURE STUDIES AND SCENARIOS – VARIOUS
For the information of our readers we give below a list of the languages into which the various volumes of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES have been translated. Most of these can be supplied from the head office at Brooklyn.
Volume I. In English, German, Swedish, Dano-Norwegian, Italian, French, Greek, Hungarian, Spanish, Polish, Hollandish, Finnish, Arabic, Slovak, Rumanian, Armenian, Lettish, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. We have also the English Braille, American Braille and New York Point.
Volume II. In English, German, Swedish, Finnish and Dano-Norwegian.
Volume III. In English, German, Swedish, Finnish and Dano-Norwegian.
Volume IV. In English, German, Swedish, Finnish and Dano-Norwegian.
Volume V. In English, German, Swedish, Finnish and Dano-Norwegian.
Volume VI. English, German, Swedish, Finnish, Greek.
THE PHOTO-DRAMA SCENARIO is supplied in Spanish, Italian, Greek, Polish, Armenian, German, Finnish, Swedish and English, in one or more styles of binding. See WATCH TOWER, October 1, 1915, for prices and styles of binding.
The Angelophone Company request us to advise that they are now prepared to fill all orders promptly, as per announcement in previous TOWER. ADDRESS ALL LETTERS and make REMITTANCES to the ANGELICO, 182-184 Fulton St., Brooklyn, N.Y.
A Memorial issue of THE WATCH TOWER is being prepared in the German language and another in the Polish language; extra copies, 5c each.
BETHEL HYMNS FOR JANUARY |
|---|
After the close of the hymn the Bethel family listens to the reading of "My Vow Unto the Lord," then joins in prayer. At the breakfast table the MANNA text is considered. Hymns for January follow: (1) 14; (2) 189; (3) 259; (4) 222; (5) 324; (6) 230; (7) 92; (8) 197; (9) 224; (10) 265; (11) 165; (12) 130; (13) 291; (14) 78; (15) 105; (16) 272; (17) 1; (18) 221; (19) 65; (20) 264; (21) 228; (22) 273; (23) 25; (24) 313; (25) 134; (26) 393; (27) 289; (28) 145; (29) 22; (30) 203; (31) 32. |
THESE STUDIES ARE RECOMMENDED TO STUDENTS AS VERITABLE "BIBLE KEYS." PRICES ARE NET AND BARELY COVER COST OF PRODUCTION.
SERIES I., "The Divine Plan of the Ages," gives an outline of the Divine Plan revealed in the Bible, relating to man's redemption and restitution: 416 pages, in embossed cloth, 50c. (2s. 1d.) Full Morocco, India paper edition, $1.50 (6s. 3d.)
SERIES II., "The Time is at Hand," treats of the manner and time of the Lord's Second Coming, considering the Bible Testimony on this subject: 432 pages, in embossed cloth, 50c. (2s. 1d.) Full Morocco, India paper edition, $1.50 (6s. 3d.)
SERIES III., "Thy Kingdom Come," considers the "Time of the End," glorification of the Church and establishment of the Kingdom; it also contains a chapter on the Great Pyramid, showing its corroboration of the dates and other teachings of the Bible: 432 pages, in embossed cloth, 50c. (2s. 1d.) Full Morocco, India paper edition, $1.50 (6s. 3d.)
SERIES IV., "The Battle of Armageddon," shows that the dissolution of the present order of things is in progress, and that all the panaceas offered are valueless to avert the predicted end. It notes specially Our Lord's Great Prophecy of Matt. 24 and also Zech. 14:1-9: 720 pages, embossed cloth, 60c. (2s. 6d.) Full Morocco, India paper, $1.75 (7s. 3d.)
SERIES V., "The Atonement Between God and Man," treats an all-important subject – the hub, the center around which all the features of Divine grace revolve: 596 pages in embossed cloth, 60c. (2s. 6d.) Full Morocco, India paper, $1.75 (7s. 3d.)
SERIES VI., "The New Creation," deals with the Creative Week (Genesis 1, 2), and with the Church, God's "New Creation." It examines the personnel, organization, rites, ceremonies, obligations and hopes appertaining to these: 816 pages, embossed cloth, 60c. (2s. 6d.) Full Morocco, India paper, $1.75 (7s. 3d.)
IN MAROON KARATOL BINDING, pocket edition, red edges, same price as regular cloth edition.
IN FULL LEATHER BINDING, stiff covers, same size as cloth edition, gilt edges, the set (6 vols.), $6.00 (1? 5s.).
The above prices include carriage charges.
Prices on the above to Colporteurs and to I.B.S.A. Classes, in lots of 50 volumes or more, charges collect, one-half the above prices.
Also published in foreign languages as follows: German, Swedish, Finnish and Dano-Norwegian, six vols.; French, Hollandish, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Arabic, Roumanian, Greek, Lettish, Slovak, Armenian, Ukrainian, Korean, Chinese and Japanese, one vol. each; bound in cloth, uniform with English edition, prices the same.
For the Blind, in American Braille, English Braille and N.Y. Point.
He was married in 1879 to Maria Frances Ackley. No children blessed this union. Seventeen years later they disagreed about the management of his journal and a separation followed.
Reared under the influence of Christian parents, at an early age he became interested in theology, uniting himself with the Congregational Church, and became active in local mission work. The doctrine of eternal torment of all mankind except the few elect became so abhorrent to him that at the age of seventeen he was a skeptic. He said, "A God that would use His power to create human beings whom He foreknew and predestinated should be eternally tormented, could be neither wise, just nor loving; His standard would be lower than that of many men." He continued to believe, however, in the existence of God, but was not willing to accept the commonly understood teachings as God's revelation of Himself to man. He turned his attention to the investigation of heathen religions, only to find all of these unsatisfactory.
Naturally of a reverential mind, desiring to worship and serve the true God, he reasoned, "All the creeds of Christendom claim to be founded on the Bible, and these are conflicting. Is it possible that the Bible has been misrepresented? It may not teach the terrible doctrine of eternal torment." Turning again to the Bible he determined to make a careful, systematic study of it without reference to creeds of men. As a result the remainder of his life was wholly devoted to teaching the Bible, writing and publishing religious books and papers, lecturing and proclaiming the message of Messiah's Kingdom. He was the greatest religious teacher since St. Paul, and did more than any other man of modern times to establish the faith of the people in the Scriptures.
He was not the founder of a new religion, and never made such claim. He revived the great truths taught by Jesus and the Apostles, and turned the light of the twentieth century upon these. He made no claim of a special revelation from God, but held that it was God's due time for the Bible to be understood; and that, being fully consecrated to the Lord and to His service, he was permitted to understand it. Because he devoted himself to the development of the fruits and graces of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Lord was fulfilled in him: "For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." – 2 Peter 1:5-8.
He clearly taught and proved his teachings by the citation of Scriptural authority – that man does not possess an immortal soul, that he is a soul and is mortal; that the wages of sin is death – not eternal torment; that death came upon man as the just penalty for the violation of God's Law; that death means the destruction of man; that God, in His goodness, has provided the great Ransom-price whereby man may be delivered from the bondage of Sin and Death; that God's beloved Son, Jesus, became a man and grew to manhood's estate, was put to death as a man and raised again from the dead a spirit-being, possessing the Divine nature; that by His death and resurrection Christ Jesus provided and produced the Ransom-price for man's deliverance and restoration; that Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man; that every man in God's due time must, therefore, have a fair trial for life, and to this end there shall be a resurrection of all the dead; that Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven and must come the second time; that the period of time elapsing between the First and the Second Coming of the Lord is devoted to the election of the members of the Body of Christ, taken from amongst men; that the requirements for election to that exalted position are, full faith in the shed blood of Jesus as the Ransom-price, a full consecration to do the Father's will, and a faithful continuance in obedience to the Father's will even unto death; that all who thus are consecrated and begotten of the Holy Spirit and are overcomers shall have part in the Chief Resurrection, and be exalted to positions in the Heavenly Kingdom of God and participate with Christ Jesus in His Millennial Reign for the blessing of all the families of the earth; that during the thousand-year reign of Christ all of the dead shall be awakened, and given a fair and impartial trial for life or death; that under said Reign the wilfully disobedient shall be everlastingly destroyed, while those obedient to the righteous rule of Christ shall be fully restored to human perfection of body, mind and character; that during this Millennial Reign the earth shall be brought to a state of Edenic [R5998 : page 357] Paradise and made fit as a place habitable for perfect man; that man, fully restored to perfection, will inhabit the beautiful earth in all the ages to come.
Seeing that God has such a wonderful Plan for the blessing of mankind, Pastor Russell gave all of his power and energy to making known these great truths to the world. He never took a vacation; he worked until the day of his death.
Like other Christians he was looking for the Second Coming of Christ. Between 1872-6 he discovered that the Scriptures clearly teach that the Lord would not return in a body of flesh, but would return as a spirit being, invisible to human eyes, and that His second presence was due in the autumn of 1874. This led to the publishing of a booklet entitled, "The Object and Manner of Our Lord's Return," which had a phenomenal circulation.
Many students of the Bible throughout the United States and Canada responded to the information derived from that book, and his correspondence became voluminous. Realizing the necessity of keeping the Truth before the minds of those who had begun to investigate, in 1879 he began the publication of THE WATCH TOWER AND HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE, and was its sole Editor to the time of his death. This journal is issued semi-monthly; it never publishes advertisements, but is devoted exclusively to religious topics. Among the English speaking people in the United States, Canada and Great Britain, its semi-monthly circulation is 45,000 copies. It is also published in German, French, Swedish, Dano-Norwegian and Polish, reaching a large number of subscribers in America and Europe.
He was President of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY from its organization in 1884 until his death. He was also President of the PEOPLES PULPIT ASSOCIATION, organized in 1909, and the INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, incorporated in London, in 1913, both of the latter corporations being adjuncts to the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY. Through these religious corporations, as well as by word of mouth, he promulgated the Gospel of Messiah's Kingdom. He was the author of the following publications, issued between the years 1881 and 1914, each having phenomenal circulation, as given below:
| FOOD FOR THINKING CHRISTIANS | 1,450,000 | |
| TABERNACLE SHADOWS | 1,000,000 | |
| DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES | 4,817,000 | |
| THE TIME IS AT HAND | 1,657,000 | |
| THY KINGDOM COME | 1,578,000 | |
| BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON | 464,000 | |
| THE ATONEMENT | 445,000 | |
| THE NEW CREATION | 423,000 | |
| WHAT SAY THE SCRIPTURES ABOUT HELL | 3,000,000 |
He was also the author of WHAT SAY THE SCRIPTURES ABOUT SPIRITISM, OLD THEOLOGY TRACTS, et cetera, et cetera. He was the author of the PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION, which had been exhibited prior to his death to more than nine million persons. He wrote and published the SCENARIO of the PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION, which has had a very wide circulation. His publications were translated into thirty-five different languages. At the same time he was Pastor of more than 1,200 congregations of Bible Students, in different parts of the world. These he visited and taught as often as possible.
He organized and conducted a Lecture Bureau which constantly employed seventy Bible lecturers, who traveled and delivered lectures on the Scriptures. He organized and managed an auxiliary lecture bureau of seven hundred men who gave a portion of their time to lecturing on Bible teachings. Each year he wrote practically all of the copy for the BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY, the annual distribution of which amounted to approximately fifty million copies.
His weekly sermons were handled by a newspaper syndicate. More than 2,000 newspapers, with a combined circulation of fifteen million readers, at one time published his discourses. All told, more than 4,000 newspapers published these sermons.
The Continent, a publication whose editor often opposed Pastor Russell, once published the following significant statement concerning him:
"His writings are said to have greater newspaper circulation every week than those of any other living man; a greater, doubtless, than the combined circulation of the writings of all the priests and preachers in North America; greater even than the work of Arthur Brisbane, Norman Hapgood, George Horace Lorimer, Dr. Frank Crane, Frederick Haskins, and a dozen other of the best known editors and syndicate writers put together."
Pastor Russell adhered closely to the teachings of the Scriptures. He believed and taught that we are living in the time of the second presence of our Lord, and that His presence dates from 1874; that since that time we have been living in the "time of the end" – the "end of the Age," during which the Lord has been conducting His great Harvest work; that, in harmony with the Lord's own statement, this Harvest work is separating true Christians designated as "wheat," from merely professing Christians, designated as "tares," and gathering the true saints into the Kingdom of the Lord. It is here interesting to note that Jesus said, "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over His Household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when He cometh, shall find so doing! Verily I say unto you that He shall make him ruler over all His goods." Thousands of the readers of Pastor Russell's writings believe that he filled the office of "that faithful and wise servant," and that his great work was giving to the Household of Faith meat in due season. His modesty and humility precluded him from openly claiming this title, but he admitted as much in private conversation. For a more detailed account of his work, reference is made to THE WATCH TOWER of June 1st, 1916.
In 1910 Pastor Russell visited Palestine and Russia. He there orally delivered lectures to thousands of orthodox Jews on the regathering of Jews to Palestine. In 1911 he was one of a committee of seven who made a journey around the world and especially examined into the conditions of missionary work in Japan, China, Korea and India. On the same occasion he again visited the Jews in Palestine and Galatia, explaining to them that the prophecies teach that the Jews at an early date will again be established in Palestine. On his return to America he was given a great ovation at the New York City Hippodrome by thousands of Jews, his discourse on this occasion being published by Hebrew papers both in America and in Europe.
During the 42 years of Pastor Russell's Christian work he never directly or indirectly solicited money. No collection was ever taken at any meeting addressed by him or by any of his associates. He had faith that the Lord would supply sufficient money to carry on His work; that the work was the Lord's, and not man's. The fact that voluntary contributions were liberally made by many persons throughout the world proved that his conclusions were correct.
He devoted his private fortune entirely to the cause to which he gave his life. He received the nominal sum of $11.00 per month for his personal expenses. He died, leaving no estate whatsoever.
Thus closed the career of a most remarkable man. He was loved most by those who knew him best.
Having at various times during past years donated to the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY all of my personal possessions except a small personal bank account of approximately two hundred dollars, in the Exchange National Bank of Pittsburgh, which will properly be paid over to my wife if she survives me, I have merely love and Christian good wishes to leave to all of the dear members of the Bible House Family – and all other dear colaborers in the Harvest work – yea, for all of the household of faith in every place who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus as their Redeemer.
However, in view of the fact that in donating the journal, ZION'S WATCH TOWER, the OLD THEOLOGY QUARTERLY and the copyrights of the MILLENNIAL DAWN SCRIPTURE STUDIES Books and various other booklets, hymn-books, etc., to the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, I did so with the explicit understanding that I should have full control of all the interests of these publications during my life time, and that after my decease they should be conducted according to my wishes. I now herewith set forth the said wishes – my will respecting the same – as follows:
I direct that the entire editorial charge of ZION'S WATCH TOWER shall be in the hands of a committee of five brethren, whom I exhort to great carefulness and fidelity to the Truth. All articles appearing in the columns of ZION'S WATCH TOWER shall have the unqualified approval of at least three of the committee of five, and I urge that if any matter approved by three be known or supposed to be contrary to the views of one or both of the other members of the committee, such articles shall be held over for thought, prayer and discussion for three months before being published – that so far as possible the unity of the faith and the bonds of peace may be maintained in the Editorial management of the journal.
The names of the Editorial Committee (with such changes as may from time to time occur) shall all be published in each number of the journal – but it shall not in any manner be indicated by whom the various articles appearing in the journal are written. It will be sufficient that the fact be recognized that the articles are approved by the majority of the committee.
As the Society is already pledged to me that it will publish no other periodicals, it shall also be required that the Editorial Committee shall write for or be connected with no other publications in any manner or degree. My object in these requirements is to safeguard the committee and the journal from any spirit of ambition or pride or headship, and that the Truth may be recognized and appreciated for its own worth, and that the Lord may more particularly be recognized as the Head of the Church and the Fountain of Truth.
Copies of my Sunday discourses published in the daily newspapers covering a period of several years have been preserved and may be used as editorial matter for The WATCH TOWER or not, as the committee may think best, but my name shall not be attached nor any indication whatever given respecting the authorship.
Those named below as members of the Editorial Committee (subject to their acceptance) are supposed by me to be thoroughly loyal to the doctrines of the Scriptures – especially so to the doctrine of the Ransom – that there is no acceptance with God and no salvation to eternal life except through faith in Christ and obedience to His Word and its spirit. If any of the designated ones shall at any time find themselves out of harmony with this provision they will be violating their consciences and hence committing sin if they continue to remain members of this Editorial Committee – knowing that so to do would be contrary to the spirit and intention of this provision.
The Editorial Committee is self-perpetuating, in that should one of these members die or resign, it will be the duty of the remainder to elect his successor, that the journal may never have an issue without a full Editorial Committee of five. I enjoin upon the committee named great caution in respect to the election of others to their number – that purity of life, clearness in the Truth, zeal for God, love for the brethren and faithfulness to the Redeemer shall be prominent characteristics of the one elected. In addition to the five named for the committee I have named five others from whom I prefer that selection should be made for any vacancies in the Editorial Committee, before going outside for a general selection – unless in the interim, between the making of this Will and the time of my death, something should occur which would seem to indicate these as less desirable or others more desirable for filling the vacancies mentioned. The names of the Editorial Committee are as follows:
WILLIAM E. VAN AMBURGH,
HENRY CLAY ROCKWELL,
E. W. BRENNEISEN,
F. H. ROBISON.
The names of the five whom I suggest as possibly amongst the most suitable from which to fill vacancies in the Editorial Committee are as follows: A. E. Burgess, Robert Hirsh, Isaac Hoskins, Geo. H. Fisher (Scranton), J. F. Rutherford, Dr. John Edgar.
The following announcement shall appear in each issue of THE WATCH TOWER, followed by the names of the Editorial Committee:
This journal is published under the supervision of an Editorial Committee, at least three of whom must have read and have approved as TRUTH each and every article appearing in these columns. The names of the Committee now serving are: (names to follow.)
As for compensation, I think it wise to maintain the Society's course of the past in respect to salaries – that none be paid; that merely reasonable expenses be allowed to those who serve the Society or its work in any manner. In harmony with the course of the Society, I suggest that the provision for the Editorial Committee, or the three that shall be actively engaged, shall consist of not more than a provision for their food and shelter and ten dollars per month, with such a moderate allowance for wife or children or others dependent upon them for support as the Society's Board of Directors shall consider proper, just, reasonable – that no provision be made for the laying up of money.
I desire that the OLD THEOLOGY QUARTERLY continue to appear as at present, so far as the opportunities for distribution and the laws of the land will permit, and that its issues shall consist of reprints from the old issues of THE WATCH TOWER or extracts from my discourses, but that no name shall appear in connection with the matter unless the same is required by law.
It is my wish that the same rules apply to the German, the French, the Italian, the Danish and the Swedish or any other foreign publications controlled or supported by the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY.
I will that a copy of this paper be sent to each one whose name has appeared above as of the Editorial Committee or the list from whom others of that committee may be chosen to fill vacancies and also to each member of the Board of Directors of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY. This shall be done immediately on my death being reported, so that within a week, if possible, the persons named as of the Editorial Committee may be heard from, their communications being addressed to the Vice-President of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY – whoever may be holding that office at that time. The answers of those appointed shall be to the point, indicating their acceptance or rejection of the provisions and terms specified. A reasonable time shall be allowed for any one mentioned who may be absent from the city or from the country. Meantime the remainder of the committee of at least three shall proceed to act in their capacity as editors. It shall be the duty of the officers of the Society to provide the necessary arrangements for these members of the Editorial Committee and to assist them in their duties in every possible manner, in compliance with the engagements made with me bearing on this matter.
I have already donated to the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY all my voting shares therein, putting the same in the hands of five Trustees, as follows: Sr. E. Louise Hamilton, Sr. Almeta M. Nation Robison, Sr. J. G. Herr, Sr. C. Tomlins, Sr. Alice G. James. [R5999 : page 359]
These Trustees shall serve for life. In event of deaths or resignations successors shall be chosen by the WATCH TOWER SOCIETY Directors and Editorial Committee and the remaining Trustees after prayer for Divine guidance.
I now provide for the impeachment and dismissal from the Editorial Committee of any member thereof found to be unworthy the position by reason of either doctrinal or moral laches, as follows:
At least three of the Board must unite in bringing the impeachment charges, and the Board of Judgment in the matter shall consist of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY'S trustees and the five trustees controlling my voting shares and the Editorial Committee, excepting the accused. Of these sixteen members at least thirteen must favor the impeachment and dismissal in order to effect the same. [R6000 : page 359]
I desire to be buried in the plot of ground owned by our Society, in the Rosemont United Cemetery, and all the details of arrangements respecting the funeral service I leave in the care of my sister, Mrs. M. M. Land, and her daughters, Alice and May, or such of them as may survive me, with the assistance and advice and cooperation of the brethren, as they may request the same. Instead of an ordinary funeral discourse, I request that they arrange to have a number of the brethren, accustomed to public speaking, make a few remarks each, that the service be very simple and inexpensive and that it be conducted in the Bible House Chapel or any other place that may be considered equally appropriate or more so.
To the dear "Bethel" family collectively and individually I leave my best wishes, in hoping for them of the Lord His blessing, which maketh rich and addeth no sorrow. The same I extend in a still broader sweep to all the family of the Lord in every place – especially to those rejoicing in the Harvest Truth. I entreat you all that you continue to progress and to grow in grace, in knowledge, and above all in love, the great fruit of the Spirit in its various diversified forms. I exhort to meekness, not only with the world, but with one another; to patience with one another and with all men, to gentleness with all, to brotherly kindness, to godliness, to purity. I remind you that all these things are necessary for us, necessary that we may attain the promised Kingdom, and that the Apostle has assured us that if we do these things we shall never fail, but that "so an entrance shall be ministered unto us abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
It is my wish that this my last Will and Testament be published in the issue of THE WATCH TOWER following my death.
My hope for myself, as for all the dear Israel of God, is that soon we shall meet to part no more, in the First Resurrection, in the Master's presence, where there is fulness of joy forevermore. We shall be satisfied when we awake in His likeness –
"Changed from glory unto glory."
PUBLISHED AND DECLARED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE WITNESSES
WHOSE NAMES ARE ATTACHED:
MAE F. LAND,DONE AT ALLEGHENY, PA., JUNE TWENTY-NINE, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND SEVEN.
M. ALMETA NATION,
LAURA M. WHITEHOUSE.
The remains of Pastor Russell – announcement of whose death was published in the last issue of THE WATCH TOWER – arrived in New York from the West on Friday morning, November 3, accompanied by his traveling secretary, Menta Sturgeon.
When the body reached Chicago, a large number of friends had assembled at the station, and as it was necessary to transfer the casket from one depot to another, a long procession of automobiles bearing the sorrowing friends formed and followed through the city. The casket was opened during the delay here, and many took the last look at him whom they knew so well and loved so much. From Chicago the body was accompanied by a delegation, delegations from other cities joining en route to New York.
The remains reached the Bethel Home on Saturday, where they were viewed by the Family and by members of the Congregation. On Sunday morning they were removed to The Temple and lay in state until 10 o'clock in the evening. Thousands saw them here for the last time.
All day Saturday and Sunday representatives of congregations in many of the cities east of the Mississippi and in Canada arrived on almost every incoming train. The Temple was inadequate to accommodate them all. The lecture room below was opened for the overflow. Every inch of available space was occupied from the basement to and including the second balcony.
Two services had been announced for The Temple – one to be held in the afternoon for the friends, the other for the public in the evening. But in view of the rapidly increasing numbers, the Committee of Arrangements provided an additional service, to be held on Sunday morning. The speaker was Brother Macmillan, whose remarks will be found elsewhere.
The afternoon service, which had been especially announced for the friends, was opened with a solo, "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death." These words were especially impressive, because one of the most beautiful floral designs surrounding the casket bore a broad white ribbon on which were the words of this beautiful hymn. The other hymns were 23, "Blest be the tie that binds," so frequently used by the classes and by conventions when welcoming Brother Russell in their midst; and No. 273, "Sun of my soul, my Father dear," one of Brother Russell's favorite hymns.
Each speaker, when he had completed his remarks at the side of the casket in the main Auditorium, proceeded to the lecture room below and repeated the same address to the friends crowding the smaller Auditorium. All of the addresses – seventeen in number – appear in this issue of THE WATCH TOWER.
Elsewhere in THE WATCH TOWER will be found a full-page view of the floral display on the rostrum. It was the finest we have ever seen on such an occasion. The scene surpassed description. The rostrum of The Temple was so completely occupied by plants, ferns, flowers and a most wonderful collection of appropriate floral designs as to leave barely room enough for the speakers and the remains of our beloved Pastor. Moreover, the entire facing of every balcony and box was artistically decorated with a great variety of ferns and flowers.
At the foot of the casket was placed a broken pillar of flowers, fittingly representing that dear body which, like the Lord's body, had been broken in the service of the brethren; while at the head was a magnificent floral cross and crown, the cross symbolizing his share in the death of Christ, and the crown symbolizing the Crown of Glory, which we believe he now wears with our dear Lord in Heaven.
The rostrum was not large enough to contain all the floral designs, nor was there space available in the interior of The Temple to display all the floral contributions. But however beautiful and numerous all these were, they [R6000 : page 360] but very imperfectly represented the degree of love and esteem in which our departed Pastor was held by all who knew him well.
The Committee of Arrangements were of course desirous of following Brother Russell's suggestion in his Will, and to this end requested several brethren to speak at the services. Among these were A.H. MacMillan, Menta Sturgeon, W.E. Van Amburgh, P.S.L. Johnson, E.W.V. Kuehn, Toledo, O.; C.A. Wise, Indianapolis, Ind.; J.T.D. Pyles, Washington, D.C.; I.I. Margeson, Boston, Mass.; F.W. Manton, Toronto, Canada; C.B. Shull, Columbus, Ohio; G.C. Driscoll, Dayton, Ohio; Dr. L.W. Jones, Chicago, Ill.; D. Kihlgren, Springfield, Mass.; Dr. A.E. McCosh, Detroit, Mich.; C.J. Woodworth, Scranton, Pa.; George Draper, Wichita, Kansas; C.H. Anderson, Baltimore, Md.; W.L. Abbott, St. Paul, Minn.; and J.D. Ross, Truro, N.S. But to have carried out the program in its entirety would have consumed considerable more time, and as The Temple was so crowded that many were obliged to stand for hours, it was deemed wise to reduce the number of speakers. The addresses of those at the three services follow in regular order:
I am satisfied that I am expressing the sentiments of all present when I say that if the English language contains words capable of describing our feelings at the present time, we have not learned them yet. We are happy and sad, confused and perplexed; yet the way is clear – and we are glad! Death invariably causes a gloom wherever its clammy hand appears; yet, as the Apostle Paul expresses it, "We sorrow not as those that have no hope." Our glorious hope buoys us up in this trial hour, and we are happy because we know our Beloved Pastor is even now with the Lord. Numerous questions crowd themselves into our minds: We wonder if the work will continue in the future as it has in the past; whether the waters of Jordan will be "smitten"; who will write the Seventh Volume; to whom shall we go with our perplexing trials and difficulties as individuals and as ecclesias? It is my purpose to attempt to answer briefly some of these questions by relating to you the arrangements made by our dear Pastor before his death.
Following the Newport Convention in July, Brother Russell had a serious sick spell, during which illness he called me to the Study and spent three and a half hours outlining the work that he felt was yet to be done, and endeavoring to make plans to carry it on. He asked me then if I would [R6001 : page 360] like to come back to Brooklyn and help in the work of the Home and Tabernacle. I gave him my reply later, offering my services to do what I could to help him and the other friends there. He told me at that time that he realized his strength was rapidly ebbing away and that he would not be with us much longer.
From that time on it seemed to be Brother Russell's purpose to place much more responsibility on the heads of the various departments in the Tabernacle and Bethel work. Just before he departed upon his last trip he did something he was never known to do before; viz., to write letters to the different friends in charge of the various departments of the work, outlining their duties to them. Upon his departure he asked me to ride with him in the taxi to the depot. On this ride he affectionately placed his hand on my knee and said, "What do you think of those letters I have written?" I replied that I considered superhuman wisdom directed him in writing them and that to my understanding the organization for the work here was complete. He said, "I am glad, Brother; for no one can work without an organization. Now that you have my plans before you, proceed and do your best." Later on he wrote a letter home numbering the tables in the dining room, and designating who would serve at the head of each table. Thus you see that everything that he thought could be done to organize matters, to the end that they might run smoothly, was done.
Respecting the continuance of THE WATCH TOWER: An Editorial Staff of five brethren has been appointed, and sufficient matter prepared to last for an indefinite period, so that we can continue to read the Lord's message through our Pastor as published in THE WATCH TOWER, even though he is not present with us in the flesh. It appears clear now that the Lord left our Beloved Pastor with us to the end that he might, as did St. Paul in his day, "bear the Church in birth until Christ would be formed" in us; and now that we should be able to stand without an earthly leader, the Lord has removed the faithful one He placed over us.
The work before us is great, but the Lord will give us the necessary grace and strength to perform it. The Prophet Zechariah clearly indicated this course when he said that the Lord would smite the man that was His fellow, even as He smote the Shepherd. As Jesus quoted a portion of this text and applied it to His own experiences, we believe the remainder of the text is being fulfilled now. When Jesus, the Shepherd, was smitten, the sheep were scattered abroad and were rent, torn and greatly perplexed until they were gathered at Pentecost and endued with power to go on with the work. We notice in this connection, however, that following the smiting of the Lord's "fellow," there would be no scattering of the sheep, but the reverse – the "Hand" or power of the great Jehovah God would rest upon the little ones left over. – Zech. 13:7.
And now, dear friends, what are we to think about this matter? The Lord has taken away our earthly leader; and some faint-hearted workers may think the time has come to lay down our harvesting instruments and wait until the Lord calls us home. This is not the time for slackers to be heard. This is a time for action – more determined action than ever before! Let us, by God's grace, resolve that we will take up the work where our Beloved Pastor left it, and with determined purpose keep high aloft the banner of Truth, until the waters of Jordan have been smitten and divided asunder, and the last member of the Elijah class has been taken to Heavenly glory. May the Lord help us all as we endeavor to serve Him!
On Monday afternoon, October 16th, at five o'clock, Brother Russell left the Bethel Home for the last time. At the noon hour he informed the dearest family (to him) on earth that he expected to be absent from them for a short time, and expressed for them the hope that during his absence they might be happy and prosperous under the blessings of the Lord. He also said that he expected that he and the one accompanying him would enjoy themselves in the Lord's service. Then, while he and the family stood at their places, he offered a solemn prayer, beginning with the words:
When the Lehigh Valley train pulled out of Jersey City at six o'clock p. m., it carried away our precious Brother on his last pilgrim journey, which was to end in Heaven. Having held public meetings at Providence and Fall River the day previous, he was tired to start with, and consequently did not dictate on the train that evening, as was his custom. In fact, he retired earlier than usual, saying "Good-night" as he did so. In the morning, in answer to the question as to how he rested, he gave his usual answer [R6001 : page 361] during his recent trips, "On both sides," meaning, of course, that he changed sides frequently during the night.
He often told us of late that he scarcely slept at all, was awake every hour of the night, and thought pretty much day and night. He had the care of all the churches upon his heart, and his physical ailments would not permit much rest. He always ate sparingly, and would carefully note the effect of everything he ate or drank. Frequently would he divide his portion with his companion, in order to economize. It was his invariable custom to return thanks before all meals, whether in hotels, on trains, or where not. He had a beautiful way of making the one who traveled with him feel at ease, and not consider himself merely as a servant, by handing him enough money at the beginning of the journey to cover all his incidental expenses during the trip. He would then arrange that we pay each other's expenses alternately; he paying all expenses for both one day, and his companion paying all expenses for both the next day, and so on during the entire trip.
On Tuesday morning we passed over the line into Canada; and he wittily inquired, "Did you not feel the bridge bulge in the center as we crossed over?" Respecting Canada he said, "They will not molest us so long as we are just passing through; and as to visiting Canada, I have no desire to do so if they do not want me." On two previous occasions he had had severe trials in Hamilton, Ontario; but on this occasion he did not even recognize Hamilton as we passed through. We changed trains, and also our watches, at London; and ere long made our first stop, Detroit, on Tuesday afternoon. It was at this point that Brother Russell's trials began; and they grew steadily deeper and severer until the end of the way. He was physically weak and weary, yet listened patiently to a brother's grievances as he recited them, and then did what he could to reconcile two brethren. The chauffeur took us to the wrong place and consumed valuable time. Our street car connections were poorly made. A matter of the greatest importance in connection with the Harvest work fell flat. He was much disappointed and perplexed.
Aboard the Pere Marquette en route for Lansing, Mich., he remarked, "We did not expect that we would be traveling together to Lansing when first we met"; and the listener was surprised to find that he well remembered our first meeting together years ago, in Allegheny. This was his way of showing his interest in and love for the one whom he had taken with him from Bethel to accompany him on this last journey. The public meeting at Lansing was well attended; but, for some reason, the interest waned and many left; so much so, that Brother Russell spoke of it afterwards, and seemed puzzled. At the railroad station he conversed with a dear brother on business matters until midnight, when he remarked that he would have to retire.
The next morning, Wednesday, at seven o'clock we expected to be in Chicago, but found ourselves instead side-tracked at Kalamazoo, without any reliable information as to what to expect. The wreckage of a freight train during the night had caused the delay, we were informed, and a detour of fifty miles would be necessary to enable us to reach our destination. There was no dining car on the train, and neither could we secure anything to eat on account of uncertainties. It was at this point that a box of peanut butter sandwiches, which had been given to us by a thoughtful friend in Brooklyn, came in just right. It made our breakfast, and afterwards our lunch. Reaching Chicago some six and a half hours late, we found that we had missed our connections for Springfield and would consequently be unable to make the appointment for that place, even though we figured every possible way. It was at Chicago that his physical endurance was taxed to the limit. Circumstances made it necessary for us to walk several miles, until the writer was growing weary and was sure that Brother Russell must be worn out also, although no remarks of the kind passed between us. All of this occurred after a few hours' rest during the previous night and with but little to eat.
It was in the Union Station at Chicago, while making preparations for leaving on the Wednesday evening train [R6002 : page 361] for Kansas City via Springfield, that a lady from the South, who had been visiting with her daughter and her son in Chicago for some time, came up to Brother Russell, introduced herself as the daughter of a certain lady who had formerly lived in Allegheny, who was a believer in the Truth, and whose funeral Brother Russell had conducted. She explained that, while she was not "one of us" in the fullest sense, yet she believed, and was especially interested in the PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION – so much so that she was writing a book on it, calling it The Golden Age; and she desired to have a copy of the SCENARIO. This SCENARIO was both promised and sent. Brother Russell, as usual, inquired respecting the consecration of herself and daughter, and they expressed themselves as seriously considering the matter.
How many times have I heard him ask people on the trains, in the stations, hotels, everywhere, "Are you consecrated?" He nearly always brought this in. He had many opportunities; for people recognized him everywhere and desired to speak or have a few words with him. People on the train knew him – brakemen, porters, conductors and passengers. In the stations, hotels, on the streets, everywhere, he was recognized. Many a time people came to me on the train and inquired, "Is that not Pastor Russell? and would say, "I knew him by his picture in the paper," or "I heard him lecture at such and such a place." Sometimes they would inquire just after he had walked through the train, "Who is that distinguished gentleman with you?" In this way we were able to send out many First Volumes and other printed matter of the Society.
It was toward midnight when we reached Springfield, where tickets would have to be procured. Brother Russell sat up late and intended to stay up until we reached Springfield; but, responding to gentle persuasion, he left the matters to be attended to in my hands, and retired. It was a rainy, cold night; but still there were faithful friends waiting at the station in order to give him his mail and have a few words with him. They were satisfied when we explained the conditions to them, gave the writer Brother Russell's mail and sent much Christian love to him, which he much appreciated. The brother who substituted for Brother Russell at Springfield said that the friends had encountered less objection in preparing for the public lecture than at any previous time; and he attributed this to the good and thorough work done on a previous visit, when Brother Russell spoke at the State Fair.
At Kansas City on Thursday morning we encountered so many difficulties in purchasing tickets for the West that it became necessary that I make a trip up into the city through the rain, and with such delay that Brother Russell did here what we had never before known him to do; viz., run to catch a train. We are saying these things to show how different this trip was from anything that had ever preceded it, and how his trials increased as he proceeded on his journey. We reached Wichita Thursday afternoon in time for an afternoon meeting; but it, with other work in Wichita, was more or less interfered with by the loss of Brother Russell's valise. The dear brother who took it in charge, in getting his auto ready, placed the valise on the foot-board, and in starting off, forgot to take it in with him, with the result that it fell off somewhere between the station and the place of meeting. This caused the writer to leave off taking notes of the discourse, and go back with the brother in an effort to locate the lost article. We did everything we could, to no avail, and finally inserted a notice in the newspaper offering a reward to anyone who would return the grip.
We remained over the next day in the hope of getting it, and in the meantime made some necessary purchases of articles that Brother Russell would need on the journey. The public meeting was held at night, after which he was quite tired. The next morning he was later than usual in coming from his room; but after breakfast we worked together until noon on some documents and letters that he had previously dictated. It was here that a traveling salesman of fine appearance introduced himself to Brother [R6002 : page 362] Russell as interested in his writings. He proved to be the son of a prominent minister in Allegheny who, at one time, bitterly opposed Brother Russell and the work he was doing. This gentleman's wife was also interested; and we afterwards met her at the public meeting in Dallas, Texas. Having done everything we could to locate the missing valise, we finally gave up the search, and were shortly on the train en route for the Dallas Convention.
As we arrived at Fort Worth at an early hour, it was not convenient for the friends to meet us, and we took the Electric for Dallas. The State Fair at Dallas was in progress, and every hotel was crowded. On account of Brother Russell's physical condition we were obliged to leave the car before reaching Dallas; so that when we came in by foot, after walking some seven blocks through crowded streets, all connections with the brethren were broken. After some difficulty they found us. The hotels were all over-crowded; we were consequently taken to a private rooming house, where several of the brethren attending the Convention were located. There we remained Saturday and Sunday, until our departure for his next appointment.
Brother Russell closed the Dallas Convention with a Love Feast and was much impressed with the earnestness and evident sincerity of the friends there. That night he spoke to the public for two and a half hours, during the course of which talk there was no little confusion on the rear of the stage by the coming and going of a theatrical troupe that was to play in the theater that night. One of the members of this troop recognized Pastor Russell as the speaker and asked permission to join in the closing song. He had a strong, mellow voice, and joined heartily in singing, "All hail the power of Jesus' name!" After a little rest at the nearest hotel, several of us walked to the station, and there had to work our way slowly through the jam as best we could, it taking us fully a half-hour to reach our train after arriving at the station. Boarding the train at Dallas that night, October 22d, Brother Russell was tired, and his head was aching. Some medicine was taken, and he retired.
Upon arriving in Galveston the next morning, he was not well by any means; but the brethren having arranged for a morning meeting, he consented to speak to the friends at 11:30, following a discourse by Brother Sturgeon. It was at this meeting that he did something we never knew him to do before. He wrote on a piece of paper his text and one verse of a song, and told the friends that he had done so that he might make no mistake. This paper is now before us and reads:
"WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS begin to come to pass, then lift up your heads and rejoice, knowing that your deliverance draweth nigh."
This discourse was taken down, and will be printed in due time. The last letters Brother Russell dictated were just before going to this meeting. After it was over the brethren gave him a drive down the Sea Wall Boulevard; and he seemed to enjoy the balmy sea breeze and the beautiful, rolling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. During the little outing on the Boulevard, a dear brother laid before Brother Russell his troubles and received advice. There were nine brethren who took dinner with us that day at the Hotel Galvez; and he answered their questions, and seemed to enjoy the fellowship and the meal. This proved to be the last meal that Brother Russell ate. Hereafter it was to be a little fruit juice, a swallow or two of a soft-boiled egg, or something like that.
We were presently off for the public meeting in Galveston, which was held in a capacious, beautiful auditorium; but, it being Monday afternoon, not more than 500 were present. However, he had to work just as hard, and even harder, and was very tired at the close. Going by auto to the Post Office and then to the train, the friends were there to talk and ask questions until time for leaving, he, in the meantime, eating nothing. At 7:45 we were at Houston, and there were eager, earnest friends waiting for him, who accompanied him to a well-filled auditorium containing some 1,200 people, to whom he spoke for about two and a half hours, making a total of six hours talking on Monday, Oct. 23d. Was he tired? Was he worn and weary?
Traveling all night then and reaching the home of Sister Frost Tuesday morning, it was not surprising to find him in much physical pain. His labors were telling on him more than ever. His overworked body began to break at its weakest point. Cystitis was becoming acute. We secured various things for him that morning – in fact, everything he wished, and he seemed to know exactly what to get and do. He worked faithfully on his case all morning; and although we had gone to see a doctor who was somewhat interested in the Truth and who would gladly have called to see him, yet it was not his wish. He appreciated the kind offer, but indicated that he would not need a physician's services. He had himself the best knowledge of the case to be had, was most skilful in its treatment, and had a servant at hand who would do readily and gladly anything he desired. This was all he wished. The choicest of fruit was placed just outside his door, but he did not touch it. [R6003 : page 362]
Conditions were getting serious. Brother Russell signed a few letters we had written, gave us to understand that we were doing a more important work than we realized and then had us substitute for him at the 11 o'clock meeting at the Hall. Sister Frost generously placed her auto at our disposal, so that we could easily and quickly go to and fro. He went to dinner with us, talked pleasantly to everyone, and was as humorous as usual; but he ate nothing, although the dinner was excellent. After the meal we went upstairs together arm in arm to his room; and after talking for awhile, he asked us to take the consecration service at the Hall at 3 o'clock. This we did and returned immediately to his room.
I then went to every telegraph office in town in search for a telegram which he felt sure would be here from Chicago, since we had not received it at Dallas. His valise had, however, been received at Dallas. A little girl, having found it in Wichita, had held it until she learned what to do with it, through the notice we had inserted in the newspaper. She received her reward, and was glad. Brother Russell was disappointed again and again at not receiving certain telegrams. Returning, we remained close to him the rest of the day, and in fact, was very close to him for the next week. One week thence he would be in glory.
The night was drawing on. I was seated on the low window sill close by his side, my hands rested upon his knee and my face was turned up toward his. Love like electricity was flowing from face to face and heart to heart. We talked in whispered tones; and he said during the quiet, lovely conversation, "Dear brother, please remain close tonight and be ready to pick up the thread of thought where I drop it." All this seemed very unusual, and yet was spoken in such a way as not to be disquieting. His companion was being deeply impressed, and watched his face, eyes and words as with an under-sight. He was meditative. He was responsive without saying a word.
The evening lecture was given in the largest and best theater in San Antonio. It is indeed a beautiful structure. The dress circle below and the three balconies above were filled with earnest, intelligent faces. We have never seen a meeting more beautiful. The lecture on the subject of "The World on Fire" was begun under the most favorable conditions. You can picture it at your best, and you will not miss it far.
When all was in readiness at 8:10, Brother Russell stepped to the front of the platform and began his last public discourse. The scene was most beautiful and impressive. I was seated at his right, behind the screen, and could see every motion he made. All went well for about forty-five minutes, when I thought I could see that he was going to leave the platform. Without any sign of suffering, with perfect self-poise, quietly did he walk off the rostrum, while I endeavored [R6003 : page 363] to walk on just as orderly and quietly, and, without a word of explanation, "picked up the thread where he had dropped it." I continued for about five minutes, when he returned, at which time it became my privilege to retire as quietly as did he, and resume my seat behind the curtain. My eyes were riveted upon him for another half hour, when he left again and I came on, endeavoring to clinch what he had taught them by the use of Elijah as a type.
He returned the second time, after an absence of seven minutes, and proceeded with his discourse. He was telling the audience about the formation of the first creed at Nicaea, by the Bishops under the direction of the Roman Emperor Constantine, when he left again. The thread of history was easily gathered up and carried forward for about ten minutes, when the thought began to run through my mind, "I wonder if he wishes me to close the discourse?" Then in our dear teacher came, just in time to bring the whole discourse to a fitting close. It was a wonderful climax to all his public lectures. He seemed to me to stand in a halo of glory. Leading the great audience in singing, "All hail the power of Jesus' name," he prayed most impressively, and found me waiting for him as he came from the platform. He sat in the chair which I had been using; and while resting, a friend took several kodak pictures of him. They being the last, we hope they may be the best.
We were escorted to the train by the one who had entertained us in her home and supplied our every need, of whom it may be truly said, "She hath done what she could." She said that she was glad to break the alabaster box, and handed me money enough to secure a Pullman drawing-room from San Antonio to our western destination. Brother Russell at first refused this, thinking it was too much, but was afterwards induced to accept the kind offer, and well he did; for that night he was up thirty-six times in seven hours!
It was just after leaving San Antonio that I had the privilege and pleasure of untying and removing his shoes for the first time. Hitherto he would not permit this, although I had several times made the offer; but now he acquiesced readily, and said, in his gracious manner, "Thank you!" The next morning he was a sick man, although he was not ready to admit it. He kept to his bed all day Wednesday. While he lay there in his berth, I took a seat on the couch, near him. I watched every move he made, stroked his head, and thought what a stupendous amount of work that brain had done! Taking his soft, gentle right hand and letting it rest in the palm of my left hand, I gently stroked it with my right; and thinking of his lecture at San Antonio the previous night and of the many times I had seen him use that hand so graciously when exposing the errors of the creeds of men as contrasted with the Word of God, I said to him, "That is the greatest creed-smashing hand I ever saw!" He replied that he did not think it would smash any more creeds.
This led me to inquire, "Who will smite the River Jordan?" To this he responded, "Some one else can do that." "But how about the payment of the penny?" I asked. He hesitated for a moment and said, "I don't know." Brother Russell was evidently perplexed. We then talked about his physical condition. What he said about his sufferings was this: "I always thought I should have some severe sufferings before I finished my course, but thought when I had the trouble in Pittsburgh, that was it. But if the Lord wants to add this also, it is all right."
During the course of this conversation he said, "What shall we do?" Prayerfully considering the matter, I said, "Well, Brother Russell, you seem to know your case better than anyone else could know, and you have thought of everything that can be done. Have I done everything that you can think of that I ought to do?" His answer will never be forgotten. His words were laden with comfort ocean-deep, when in a still, small voice he said, "Yes, you have; I do not know what I would do without you."
Every move he made and every word he uttered only made me think the deeper, and yet I could hardly think of Brother Russell's life coming to a close. My thought was his thought, and the thought of all the friends, that he would probably be here until the last, and would be translated after the work is over. Having this in mind, I answered his question by saying, "Since we have done everything we know, and you are getting weaker all the time – your vitality is being drained while you are eating nothing to replenish it – I think that if we return to Brooklyn, you will find something there that will put you on your feet again." His reply to this suggestion was, "The Lord permitted us to make out this route." From this I inferred that he meant: The route that we had laid out, and according to which our whole schedule had been arranged, represented the will of the Lord for us; and we must therefore do our utmost in carrying it out. The writer's original thought about this route was, that after Brother Russell had had such a heavy, strenuous summer season on account of the many Conventions attended, it would be better to take the Mallory Line Steamer at New York and go all the way to Galveston by water; but his objection was that it was too round-about and would take too much time.
We were moving rapidly through southern Texas on the Southern Pacific and were approaching Del Rio when we learned that a bridge ahead of us had been burned during the night and that we would likely be held up for some time. Our train halted at Del Rio; and we found ourselves in the midst of an encampment of border soldiers. The soldiers were marching through the streets, the bands were playing, and much noise was made in every direction. In addition to this, three train loads of troopers were pulled in on the siding near us; and these men, not being permitted to leave the trains, were continually yelling and engaging in all kinds of frivolities and jokes. This continued all through that day and night. Besides, the weather was hot down there. But never one word of complaint did Brother Russell make. He did not even make mention of the soldiers and the noise.
Del Rio being a town of some 10,000 inhabitants, we were able to get a few needful things there. At one time we suggested to Brother Russell that he let us go up into the town – get the leading doctor, and ascertain his idea of what would be the best thing to do in a case similar to his without letting him know for whom we were seeking the information; but this did not appeal to him to be the proper thing. The steward on the dining car knew Brother Russell, came in to see him, showed us many kindnesses, and offered to do anything he could. The diner was three Pullmans ahead [R6004 : page 363] of us. Consequently we had to walk that distance for every little thing needed. After one full day's delay we pulled out of Del Rio on Thursday morning, and were the first ones to pass over the rebuilt bridge.
When our train began to go over the bridge, we hastened in to tell Brother Russell. We reached the drawing-room just as our car had come to the middle of the bridge. Upon our mentioning it to him, he sat up in bed and looked out the window. By that time we were over, whereupon we remarked, "Brother Russell, we have often heard you speak about the time when we shall pass over the river; and now, at last, we are over." A sweet smile came over his face, but he said not a word. We began to think that he might pass over, but surely not very soon. It was October, and it occurred to us that as we were delayed one day before passing over the river in southern Texas, so he might tarry with us one prophetic day and pass over by October, 1917. With these thoughts running through our mind, we were doing our best to serve our dear, patient, uncomplaining, appreciative Brother Russell in every way we could. It was difficult to give him a drink of water without spilling it except we first raised him. There was plenty to do night and day, and we esteemed it a great privilege. We often thought to be all the more faithful because of the dear friends at home.
On Friday night, when we reached a junction point in California where we had to change trains, Brother Russell arose and dressed as usual, although, of course, he was [R6004 : page 364] very weak. This is just what we thought he would do when it came time for his next meeting; for he had often done so before. All day Saturday, under severe pain, in great weakness, with obstructions piling up before him every moment, he struggled with business propositions like a giant. We have never seen or heard of anything to equal his heroism. Friends had disappointed him, and he wondered if the Lord were not against him in some things. His trials thickened and deepened. Not a murmur or complaint did he utter. He had promised the Lord that he would not, and he kept his promise. He was so great that I nearly always hesitated about drawing near to him.
Our train was an hour or more late in arriving in Los Angeles on Sunday morning, October 29th, and we had had nothing to eat. The brethren were rejoiced to see us, but their countenances changed when they saw our dear Brother Russell. They saw that he was weak, but they knew not how sick he was. Besides, he would not yet admit that he was really sick. By ten o'clock we had reached the hotel, and I asked him if I could not get him something to eat. He said he was not hungry and asked me to suggest something. This I did. He consented to my getting something, but only tasted a little of it. Upon bringing it to him, he asked if I had had my breakfast; and when I answered, no, he wanted to know why. I told him that it was because I wanted him to have his first. He said he would not eat his until I had first had my breakfast.
This was just like Brother Russell. He was always so considerate of others. Whenever he would ask me to do anything for him, he would say "Please"; and when it was done he would invariably say, "Thank you." He was a wonder! Brother Homer Lee did what he could for Brother Russell while we were there and, upon our departure, gave me his best remedies, and hoped they would do him good. The brethren in Los Angeles were kind in every way.
When the time came for the meeting with the friends in the afternoon, Brother Russell arose and made ready to go, the brethren having come for him in their auto. It was 4:30 Sunday afternoon when we left the hotel for the meeting, which was held in the same auditorium in which the Los Angeles Convention was held during the first part of September. It is a quiet and suitable hall. We do not know of any better or more appropriate place in which Brother Russell could have given his last message to the Church. He cautioned the brethren against exposing his physical condition by saying, "Don't give me away, Brethren."
You know that our dear Brother was so considerate of the feelings of others that he never drew much on the sympathy of the friends – so considerate was he, that but few knew that he had been a physical sufferer for thirty years. On one occasion recently he sent word to the Bethel Family that he would not be down to breakfast; and afterwards he told me that it was on account of the family that he did not come – that they had such deep sympathy for him that he did not like to draw on their vitality. He had learned to lean on the Strong Arm alone! He did not need us particularly, but we needed him.
We were on the alert to comply with his every wish; and therefore no one called attention to his condition, and in that sense did not "give him away." However, he gave himself away. To a keen observer his very presence spoke volumes. But more than that, when he stepped to the front of the platform to begin to speak, out of consideration for the splendid audience before him (for every seat was occupied) he said, "I regret that I am not able to speak with force or power," and then beckoned to the Chairman to remove the stand and bring a chair. As he sat down, he said, "Pardon me for sitting down, please." In deep humility, in great suffering and in the most solemn manner, he spoke for about forty-five minutes, and then answered questions for a short period.
Finally he said, "I must say goodby to you all, and give you a text for your remembrance – Numbers 6:24-26: 'The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.' May the Lord's blessing be with you richly; He has blessed the Los Angeles Class a great deal. Each one should desire to do his own share. No matter what others may do, each one do his share. Now sing Number One:
Continuing, he said, "Isn't this a beautiful thought? Preserve this spirit in your midst. Have perfect confidence in the Lord, and you will be led aright. We were not brought into the Truth by any human catch-word, but by the Word of the Lord. We know that the Lord will bring out everything all right. I bid you all good by." Thus, at 6:05 p. m. Sunday, October 29th, when he left that platform, he had delivered his last address to the Church on this side of the veil, forever. Our hearts are bowed low! We humbly worship God, our Heavenly Father, at the feet of Jesus. We would prefer to keep silent; but for the Church's sake we will proceed:
Several tried to speak to Brother Russell in the auto as we rode away, but they were too late. We were presently at the station; and when we stepped out, we left one behind. It was the privilege of Brother Sherman to be with us at the station and to do us many kindnesses. When Brother Russell signed his name to the railroad ticket at Kansas City, it was his last. It was now our privilege to sign his name for him. We went to the train while Brother Sherman went to the nearest drug store to make a purchase for him. He returned at 6:30 and we said goodby. Santa Fe train No. 10 pulled out; we entered the drawing-room of car Roseisle; and in shutting to and locking the door, we shut him in and shut others out forever. Thenceforth Gethsemane! Victory! Glory!
He had me place various articles that he would need during the night in convenient places – under the covers, under his pillows, on the window-sills, so that he could reach them without disturbing me. We did everything just as he directed, were glad to do so, and told him so. He said, "Thank you; I have you do some things because you are so willing." It was my pleasure to be the nurse while he was both physician and patient; and when the patient – how true the name! – no longer needed the services of either the physician or the nurse, the nurse became the undertaker and did those last sad and solemn rites which he had seen others do before. I was careful to inquire, "Is everything all right, Brother Russell?" He assured me that it was, thanked me, asked me to take my rest, indicated how he would call in case he needed me, bade me good night, and turned on his left side with his face toward the window.
We do not know how long it was afterwards when we were aroused from slumber by his knocking and calling us by name – it was probably a couple of hours. But we went to him quickly, did what was required, heard him say again "Thank you," and again lay down. This time, however, we did so with the thought that we would not sleep so soundly. In another hour he knocked and called again; and we were at his side, and soon discovered that another chill was coming on. He had had his first one two nights before. We put five Pullman blankets upon him and tucked them in close on every side; but still he shook. We gave him what was required, and was glad when the rigors ceased. We remained by his side, lying down at times on the couch beside him.
Toward morning he had me make a robe for convenience sake by pinning a sheet inside of a blanket, wrapping him in it like a robe and fastening it under his chin. He stood up on the floor for this purpose, and then lay down on the couch instead of returning to his berth. I therefore sat on his bed while he lay before me. After several hours his robe proved to be rather inconvenient, because the sheet [R6005 : page 365] and blanket could not be kept together. It was then that he stood again and said, "Please make me a Roman toga."
I did not understand what he meant, but did not like to have him repeat, because he was so weak. His voice had become so weak that he had to repeat nearly everything he said. I had said to him at several times, "Dear Brother Russell, I do not like to ask you to repeat anything (It had always been my custom to listen to him so closely in all his dictation as not to require any repetition); but your voice is so weak that one can scarcely hear you." He would always repeat until at last the repetition would do no good, after which he made signs. Finally the signs failed.
I said, "Brother Russell, I do not understand what you mean." He said, "I will show you." He had me take a clean sheet and turn it down twelve inches from the top; and then a second one the same. Placing his left hand on his right shoulder, he said, "Fasten them together here." Having in my pocket a paper of safety-pins which I had recently purchased, it was easy for me to hold the sheets together on his right shoulder and at the same time reach into my pocket and get a safety-pin. The sheets being fastened with the pin, as he had directed, he said, "Now fasten them together on the other shoulder." This I did. There he stood, one sheet extending from his neck to his feet in front and the other in the back, fastened together on his two shoulders, and folded together at the edges. He stood erect before me for a moment without saying a word, then lay down on the couch on his back, closed his eyes, and lay there before me as in a shroud, a perfect picture of death.
I sat on the side of the bed watching him, beholding him, and the thought of death went through my mind. It was difficult for me to get the thought into my head that Brother Russell was going to die. I could not exactly believe it, even now. It all seemed so foreign to what we had expected. However, I know now that the Lord was gradually teaching us both from the time we had left San Antonio until now that Brother Russell's end was drawing on apace. How much Brother Russell may have understood or meant by these movements we may not surely know. They were at least the wisest things that could be done in his case; but to us they mean far more, and we believe that the Lord so arranged. The toga was worn by Roman officials and sometimes by priests, and sometimes symbolized victory and peace, and at other times that the one wearing it had fulfilled his vows. To the writer's mind all these things are meant. He had fulfilled his vows! he had gained the victory! he was at peace! Thenceforth there was laid up for him a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord would shortly place upon his noble brow.
With those scenes before me and with thoughts of the end running through my mind, it was only natural for me to say to myself, Had you not better ask Brother Russell concerning some things? It was in this mood and in this connection that we inquired respecting the Seventh Volume, and received his answer, "Some one else can write that." We were satisfied. He had spoken concerning the smiting of the Jordan, the payment of the Penny and the writing of the Seventh Volume; and this was enough. There was nothing left to doubt or fear. We believe that he said everything that he desired to say, and that the Lord gave through him all that He wished the Church to have respecting these great, vital and important matters. Brother Russell seemed to have no desire, neither did there seem to be any need, to say and do a lot of little things at the close of his life that had been left undone. He had finished his course. His labors were o'er. He was ready to be offered.
We were solemnly busy throughout the day (Monday), so much so that we had no time for either dinner or supper. When night drew on, he was in his berth; and I lay down on the couch, with clothes on, to rest awhile. I was just about to sink into sleep when I thought I heard the words, "Brother Sturgeon." As I came to, the experiences of Samuel came into my mind. I leaned over him and said, "Brother Russell, did you call me?" He answered "Yes," and gave me some little thing to do, after which I lay down the second time. Ere long I thought I heard my name called again. I inquired as before, bent over close to him and heard him whisper, "I am trying to find something for you to do." From this I inferred, "Brother Russell wants me to stay awake tonight"; and it proved to be even so.
I kept doing many little, necessary things in harmony with his words or signs until another chill (the third one) came on. I folded blanket after blanket over him, tucked them in close to him; but still he shook. I therefore lay on him and pressed my face to his until I felt the warmth returning to his body. The fact that this was the third chill in four nights deepened the impression in my mind that the end was drawing near.
About midnight a great change came over him. He no longer cared for any of his medicine, and did not even seem to thirst for water as heretofore. Some things almost ceased. His pain settled deeper in. He could no longer lie straight in bed as formerly. He must sit up; and when he would lie down, he would double together, and his head would rest straight toward the window and free from the pillows. In this posture he would be quiet for awhile until his mouth would fill from his stomach, and he would signal to be raised. Being relieved of this, he would request to be lowered for comfort, until, to prevent strangulation, he would be raised again. This prevented it, and proper attention given, he would lie down again to get relief from pain.
This continued for seven hours with increased frequency and weakness. When he could no longer make his wishes known by words, he would do so by signs. When lying across the bed and desiring to be raised, he would lift his right hand and arm in such a way that my head would fit in the curvature of his arm and he could cling to my neck, while my left arm could fit around his neck, and thus elevate him to a sitting posture. This continued until the thought arose in my mind as to who would become exhausted first. I thought of the friends at home, of the many interested friends everywhere. I looked to the Lord, and steeled myself, saying, "I will stay with him to the finish."
In the early morning he surrendered. He was exhausted; and I could now lay him straight in bed with his head on the pillow in its accustomed place, and he could at last rest. The calm after the storm had come. He was now to die gradually, regularly, peacefully; and I was to stand by watching him, loving him, and expressing my affection for him by gently stroking his hair and his beard and rubbing his head, his face, his hands, and his feet. I did not seem to be able to do enough for him, now that he had passed beyond a certain line.
Several times on Monday I raised him up in bed, sat behind him so as to brace him; and his head would lean against mine. Once he whispered, "Have you anything to suggest?" I had; for I wished him to return direct to Galveston and take the steamer for New York, or else go through by train without stopping at Topeka, Tulsa or Lincoln. He answered, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," by which I understood him to mean that Topeka and other places would take care of themselves when we got to them, and that we need not consider them as yet. It was then that I asked him respecting the Seventh Volume, and afterwards sat meditating what to suggest. After a period of perfect silence I thought I would say something to him about dying and certain matters connected therewith, but I hesitated and hardly knew how to begin. He was sitting up in bed and I put my arm around his neck and said, "Brother Russell, you are a very sick man." His lip quivered; we lowered him, and turned away to weep. I had gone far enough in that direction. I knew not to attempt that again. It was evident that neither he nor I could stand it, and that nothing more could be done.
The most wonderful thing about this most wonderful man was that, during all his sufferings, trials, inconveniences and perplexities, he spoke not a word of complaint; [R6005 : page 366] he heaved not a sigh; he uttered not a moan; he shed not a tear. He had resolved that he would not murmur nor complain, and he kept his resolution to the end. He literally died in doing the Father's will, and thus fulfilled his vow. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth."
We watched by his side all Tuesday morning with but little to do except to watch and pray. Noticing that this was the last day of October, we concluded that he would die before midnight, and consequently wrote out the following telegram to the friends in Brooklyn: "Before October closes our dearly Beloved Brother Russell will be with the Lord in glory. We are alone in Car Roseisle on Santa Fe train No. 10, due in Kansas City 7:35 Wednesday morning, and he is dying like a hero. After embalming will come home with his remains, or else go direct to Pittsburgh." We called in the Pullman conductor and also the porter and said, "We want you to see how a great man of God can die." The sight deeply impressed them, especially the porter. [R6006 : page 366] I called in the regular conductor, and telegraphed for a physician to board the train at Panhandle; and he did. He saw the condition, recognized the correctness of the diagnosis and conclusion, gave me his name, and was off before the train got under headway.
At one o'clock all were dismissed from the room, the door was locked, and we quietly watched over him until he breathed his last. We had observed the approaching signs of death before calling in the trainmen. These continued until the finger nails became discolored, the cold perspiration settled upon that noble forehead, his hands and feet grew cold, his face indicated a break, he drew his feet up in the bed like Jacob of old, his quiet breathing became less frequent, his drooping eyelids opened like the petals of a flower and disclosed those eyes – those wonderful eyes! in all their magnificence – that we will never forget. Presently he breathed no more; we pressed our lips upon his noble brow, and knew that he had gone to be forever with and like the Lord, whom he loved so well. "Dear Lord, oh, use me as the Angel in Gethsemane! Oh, fill me with Thy Holy Spirit of Divinest love! Oh, make me sympathetic, wise, that every anguished heart May come, nor seek in vain for consolation from Thy Word, And strengthened, comforted, go forth to prison or to death, To suffer patiently the cruel mockings of the tongue; To bear the cross unto the bitter end, and then to calmly say, 'Tis finished,' and with faith unwavering pass beneath 'the veil!'"
The pages of history record many of mankind who have left conspicuous footprints upon the sands of time. Some have been great within the boundaries of their local communities. Some have reached out to the national borders. Others have leaped all national bounds and exerted a world-wide influence. Some have gained greatness because of positions of influence; others by their ability to command conquering armies or otherwise sway the destinies of nations; some by noble deeds; others by their ability to inspire their fellowmen to nobler lives and ambitions. Some have been born to great positions; and some have seemingly been forced into greatness by the exigencies of time or conditions; others, inspired by love and zeal for God, have laid down their lives willing sacrifices upon the altar of devotion.
The world is quick to applaud the conquering hero and the prince of finance, but slow to recognize the true worth of the daily smouldering sacrifices of those who heed the Master's admonition, "Be thou faithful unto death." It is left to other generations to enshrine the real heroes; as in the case of our Lord and His disciples; and we believe the same will be true of Pastor Russell. Contemporaries too often misunderstand, misjudge, severely criticize and persecute. How true this has been of all of God's noblemen of the past! But God promises that all such as worship Him in the beauty of holiness in the midst of persecutions shall shine as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father – when their true greatness shall be revealed. How glad we are that God is taking cognizance of all sacrifices of love in His behalf!
Today we are paying our last loving tribute to the memory of one of God's noblest men. His life will speak for itself, when fully understood by succeeding generations.
I desire to add a brief personal testimony. For over twenty years, I was personally acquainted with our beloved Pastor, and for over fifteen years closely associated with him in business and otherwise; so I speak from personal knowledge and close observation. I first learned of him through his writings, and was drawn closer to the Lord by his logical exegesis of the Scriptures. It may seem strange, but 'tis true I scarcely noticed the writer. He was hidden behind the message. Later I became acquainted with him personally, and was closely drawn to him when I perceived the spirit that actuated him – the loving, loyal, consecrated heart, seeking to follow his God, seeking daily to do good unto his fellowmen, to the best of his ability, and seeking to assist them to a clearer perception of the true character of our God.
That he was misunderstood by many of his fellowmen mattered little to him, so long as he kept his heart right with God and had His approval. I never met a man who in my estimation endeavored more earnestly to live close to God, or fought harder to keep his body under. His influence upon others has been written in the hearts and lives of thousands all over the world whom he has assisted to a closer walk with God and a fuller consecration to the Lord and His Word. His SCRIPTURE STUDIES and his other expositions led me to see more of the Wisdom, the Justice, the Love and the Power of God than I had ever recognized before, and helped me to serve Him more intelligently than I had been able to do previously, although since childhood I had earnestly sought to do God's will to the best of my ability. As I saw with increasing clearness the Prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus, I was led to consecrate to my Savior every ability I possessed and to seek further understanding. This consecration was made intelligently to my Lord, and I have ever endeavored to carry it out faithfully.
I would like now, as a further expression of my appreciation, to renew that consecration publicly. There may be others here also who have been assisted to a far better understanding of God's great Plan and His love for mankind through the ministries of our dear Pastor. (Thousands have so indicated.) Would you also like to make this an occasion for renewal of your consecration? My consecration was to no one but the Lord. I recognized our beloved Brother as a servant of God – and a highly honored one. But my consecration was to God. This great world-wide work is not the work of one person. It is far too great for that. It is God's work and it changes not. God has used many servants in the past and He will doubtless use many in the future. Our consecration is not to a man, or to a man's work, but to do the will of God, as He shall reveal it unto us through His Word and providential leadings. God is still at the helm, and His work will continue in harmony with His Plan. Arrangements have been made for the carrying on of this work more earnestly than ever. It will be conducted along the same lines of full loyalty to the Word of God and love for the brethren, and it is for us to determine whether we shall be among its supporters and beneficiaries.
The speaker then asked, "How many would like here to renew their consecration to God, and to indicate it by rising?" Almost the entire audience, which packed the building, rose to their feet. A most impressive moment followed. The speaker's face was raised to Heaven; and silently the audience followed the words:
"Our Father, which art in Heaven, who canst look into the inner recesses of our hearts, Thou who dost not need the expression of our lips, to Thee, at this time, [R6006 : page 367] we desire to renew our Covenant made with Thee by Sacrifice.
"We consecrate afresh to Thee and to Thy service our every ability – our talents, and our opportunities – to be used as Thou in Thy wisdom mayst grant us understanding through Thy Holy Word and Thy daily leadings.
"May we realize more and more the great privilege of being considered by Thee an acceptable sacrifice, through the atoning merit of Thy well-beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"And may the inspiration of the love of God, which constraineth us, and the Prize of the High Calling of God, in Christ Jesus, spur us to greater devotion to Thy cause and assist us to endure more faithfully than ever before, and to reflect in our every thought, word and deed Thy glorious character!"
I am now standing at the bier of one whom, since the days of the Apostle Paul, God has more widely used in His service than He has any other person. I am standing at the bier of one who has been to me a brother and a friend, having done me more good than all other people that have ever come into touch with me. I am standing at the bier of one whom I have loved more than I ever loved any other human being. I am standing at the bier of one of whom I have the assurance of faith that he is now in glory with our adorable Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One can realize, therefore, how hard it is to control one's feelings under circumstances like these.
I have been asked to speak of the relation of Pastor Russell to the Pilgrims. He had two relations to them – an official and a personal relation. His official relation to the Pilgrims can be understood when we recognize the office to which the Lord was pleased to call him, i.e., to be the special channel for giving the "meat in due season," as well as for arranging and directing the work of the [R6007 : page 367] Household of Faith. The Pilgrims, therefore, were related to him as fellow-servants of the same God. Therefore as God's representatives, and also in a sense as Brother Russell's representatives, they traveled throughout the world preaching the "Glad Tidings." Just as Moses was given as his colaborers the Seventy to whom God gave the Spirit that he had put upon Moses, because the work was too much for Moses to perform alone, so our Heavenly Father was pleased to give to this devoted servant of His colaborers to assist him in the labor of dispensing meat to the whole Church; for this work was too great for him alone to perform. Therefore the Pilgrims were to bear part of the burden and toil that were his. They, therefore, in a certain sense represent him. In writing to them he at times reminded them that he loved to think and speak of them as being in a certain sense his representatives, though recognizing them primarily as the Lord's representatives.
It was this office, therefore, that gave him a close and directing relation to the Pilgrims. He was eminently fitted by nature, by grace, and by experience to fill the demands of this place. He had a giant intellect with marvelous perceptive faculties, remarkable memory and clear, deep and true reasoning powers, combined with an exceptional knowledge of human nature and with tactful aggressiveness. These gave him great executive ability, which, of course, eminently fitted him to direct the work of the Pilgrims. Our Heavenly Father endowed him with a natural disposition, especially in his religious capacities, that very few of the fallen human race have had. Under careful cultivation of the Holy Spirit these natural capacities were developed in a most remarkable degree into a character that had and combined all the qualities necessary to discharge the duties, responsibilities and privileges of his official relation to the Pilgrims.
His experience as a Pilgrim fitted him all the better to exercise properly and profitably the functions of this part of his office. Therefore his relation to the Pilgrims officially was that of directing their work. It was God's will that he should be the human agent whom God would use to select the Pilgrims. In the selection of these servants no arbitrariness nor partiality was used. His will was fully submitted to the Father's will as to how their selection should be conducted. He subjected the Pilgrims to the three tests demanded by God's Word as proper to be placed upon public servants of God. First of all he required of them that, in addition to a full consecration, they have a large degree of loving zeal, deep humility, exemplary meekness and an accurate knowledge of God's Word. He further required that they have in a large degree the talents necessary for teaching and preaching the Word of God clearly, acceptably and winsomely to responsive hearts. Lastly he required their providential situation to be such as would enable them in harmony with the Word to assume the duties, responsibilities and privileges of the Pilgrim service. When these three things met in an individual, Brother Russell was very glad to arrange for his having a part in the Pilgrim service. His methods in selecting such were quite unique; e.g., unobserved, he listened to a Brother, whom he did not know, explain the chart to several of the friends. The explanation was so clear that he inquired who that Brother was. Finding out his name he entered into correspondence with him, inviting him to enter the Pilgrim service. Those who were to be given the privilege of this office were subjected by him to certain tests that would demonstrate the possession or lack of meekness, humility, zeal, clearness in presenting the Truth, and a large measure of love and self-control.
His instructions to the Pilgrims were very simple. He believed that few instructions were better than many. A Pilgrim, on starting out asked him, "Brother, have you some word of instruction, encouragement or caution to give to me that will prove helpful to me in the service?" He answered, "No; Brother." Then thinking a while he said, "Yes; Brother, I have. Be full of loving zeal and deep humility, and everything will be well." He was wont to say, 'If you are in any difficulty or if you have a problem which you cannot solve, remember you always have an open ear and a willing hand here."
He allowed as much liberty to the Pilgrims as the good of the Cause and themselves warranted. He allowed them to choose their subjects and to use their way of presenting the message, not wishing to interfere with their individuality, believing the Lord was directing with respect to each one. Only such restrictions were made as were necessary for the profit of the Cause and its participants. Whenever correction was necessary it was given in a remarkably sweet form. One of the Pilgrims asked for too frequent vacations, alleging that he needed more time for study. Brother Russell, feeling that the Brother should have had more zeal, suggested that the Brother take a year's time off from the Pilgrim service for study. The Brother, catching the Pastor's meaning, immediately declared, "Brother, that would be a loss of too much time. I will go right on."
He was always on the alert to encourage others; and no Pilgrim left his presence without being encouraged, if he was in an encourageable condition of heart and mind. When correction was needed, it was given with the greatest tact and leniency, allowances being made for good intentions. Whenever he had any changes to make, promotions or demotions in the service, they were made not from personal reasons, but because of the principles in the Heavenly Father's Word. His course was that of completely sinking his will into the Lord's will and of searching to find out what that will was in relation to each Pilgrim, that he might be able the better to help him in the good work. Whenever a dismissal from the work had been arranged for, it was done in the most tactful and quiet way, that others would not need to realize the reason, nor the Pilgrim experience unnecessary pain. The person was in a [R6007 : page 368] very gentle and loving way invited to enter some other field of activity, to the glory of God and his own profit.
His attitude toward the Pilgrim work was one full of encouragement to the Pilgrims. One of his greatest services to them was his example of faithful service. This influenced them in many ways, even in tone and gesture. Undoubtedly the Pilgrims will remember with joy the thought that as his first Harvest work was that of a Pilgrim, so his last Harvest labor was Pilgrim work.
But we are not to think that his official relation to the Pilgrims was all there was in his relation to them. He was not an official simply, nor one that no one could approach. He was a most lovable and considerate person, always inviting confidence. In addition to his official relation he sustained a many-sided personal relation to the Pilgrims. First of all, he was like a faithful father to them. Not having natural children, he was blessed by the Lord in begetting many spiritual children with the Truth; even as the Apostle Paul said he did in the case of many. Brother Russell introduced many people into the Lord's family, and not a few of the Pilgrims were among these. A Pilgrim recently remarked, "I never consciously had a father, until I entered the Pilgrim service and came in direct contact with Brother Russell."
He was not only a father, but also an elder Brother to the Pilgrims, always ready to stand side by side with them. Therefore he was not regarded solely with the feeling that people should have for a father. As elder Brother, he inspired the Pilgrims with confidence in, together with respect for, himself. He was, furthermore, a true friend. He did not whimfully take one up today and drop him tomorrow. He was faithful to his friends with a loyalty based upon the good Word of God. Every Pilgrim recognized that he could depend upon the friendship of this beloved servant. He was an affectionate companion.
Our dear Brother Sturgeon told us a little while ago how he showed his comradeship to the last. He was also a most sympathetic comforter. Any one in distress, especially spiritual distress, seeking comfort, would find in him an attentive ear, a sympathizing heart, a cheering word and an encouraging thought. By nature he was very richly endowed with sympathy and by grace this was more highly developed than the majority of his other qualities. This enabled him to enter into the feelings of so many when they came to him with the things that pressed them sorely. This made him a sympathizing comforter.
Furthermore, this good servant of God was an optimistic well-wisher. He always put the best construction on everything. He gave each one credit for good intentions. His desires and expectations were that these beloved colaborers of his might have a glorious entrance into the blessed Kingdom into which we feel sure that he has entered, who was called by the Lord not only "wise," but also "faithful." He was a cheerful helper. Nothing pleased him more than to serve others. He was continually thinking and planning how he could help by counsel, by example, and by deeds. Every rightly disposed person who came in contact with him was refreshed and encouraged. He was always thinking, not of himself, but of others. That is why his death was so glorious. He had thought that he would probably pass away as a martyr. In many respects his death has been more glorious than a martyr's; for to him was given the privilege not to allow a large measure of his life to be taken from him by violence, but to use up every ounce of his strength in service, for he died in the harness. Such a death was best for him. God will decide what kind of a death is best for each.
[Addressing the remains, the speaker said: O servant of the Lord, in prophetic type God called thee Eldad, beloved [R6008 : page 368] of God. Beloved of God wast thou while in the flesh, art now in the spirit, and to all eternity shalt be. Thou hast been also beloved of God's people, art now and shall forever be. Therefore we name thee Ameldad, Beloved of God's people.]
We can no longer pray for our Brother, as we have, day by day, "God bless our beloved Pastor." But, Beloved, we can pray with respect to him that God bless his memory. He is beyond the need of our prayers; but oh, Beloved, let us not leave a vacancy in our prayers where we were wont to pray, "God bless our beloved Pastor." Let us, in that place, pray "God bless the memory of our beloved Brother Russell." Who among us will join with the speaker in the resolution daily to pray with respect to him, God bless the memory of our beloved Brother? Oh, let the Israel of God everywhere daily pray GOD BLESS HIS MEMORY!
No greater honor could come to me than to stand here as the delegate of the Dayton, Ohio, Ecclesia, who have elected our dear Brother annually for many years as their beloved Pastor, whom we recognized as a special servant of God. He was doing a special work at this time, and we certainly learned to love him. For years I have been intimately associated with our dear Pastor as his publicity representative and for the Society. It has been my special privilege to arrange with newspapers in various countries for the publication of his sermons, and also to interview editors throughout the world in respect to his personal work; and, dear friends, as one who knew him intimately, I am glad to be here to say that he was nothing if not a thorough-going, conscientious, sincere Christian, whose greatest endeavor was to serve the Lord, the Truth and the brethren.
I know that he has been assailed many times unjustly; and it was my special privilege often for at least seven years to defend his character. When his sermons were first syndicated, Brother Russell refused to permit his portrait to be used in connection with them. He was very modest in that respect. He felt that he was entitled to the privacy of his own picture; that it should not be paraded before the public. But the newspaper editors, who were glad to get his sermons, could not be ignored; and the demand was uniform that they should have it, that they should be privileged to publish it in connection with his sermon. Brother Russell finally gave his consent; for he came to the conclusion that by the publication of his picture, he would get a wider reading for his Message, the Message of God, the Message regarding the Kingdom. For this reason, and this alone, he gave his consent.
As for the picture, there has been no man in this age to equal our dear Brother. He was an outstanding figure in a crowd. No matter whether he was seated in a train or in a street car or was walking on the street, people would stop and turn around to get a second look. Many a time I have heard people say that he looked like the Lord, if ever a man did. His very appearance widened his influence for the glory of God. As his influence grew, the opposition also grew, and they learned to hate that picture because he stood for something different from what they did. I remember one preacher stating that he could not pick up a paper to read the news without having Pastor Russell stare him in the face.
Now, my friends, this was all distasteful to our dear Brother. But the Message of the Kingdom was thus brought before the people, and he had evidences day by day, many times over, that the people were receiving a blessing. In that way he received a blessing also; and the use of his portrait gave the Message of the Love of God wider use in various ways.
Now that this noble face is soon to be covered to be seen no more, we can confidently say, "This mortal has put on immortality." This wonderful character was sown in weakness, but we are sure that it was raised in power. He has served us in many ways. His picture has also served us in many ways in the past; and I am sure if we give the cooperation which we now shall have the opportunity to give, by the Lord's grace, we can still use his personality and his picture possibly more than in the past.
Unexpectedly I have the honor of representing the Toronto, Ont., Ecclesia here this afternoon in paying the last tribute of esteem to the memory of our Beloved Pastor. Three hundred or more of the Toronto Ecclesia, together with many sympathizers, are rejoicing today in the fact that our Beloved has triumphantly finished his course.
But we have no apologies to make for sadness. We remind you of our Lord, when at Bethany at the tomb of Lazarus; we read that even "Jesus wept."
Under the circumstances you will pardon a personal reference. About nine years ago I was brought into contact with the Truth, and accepted it in a measure, as most of us do at first, reservedly. I was prepared to meet our Beloved Pastor on his first visit to Toronto after my contact with the Truth with some degree of prejudice. We had heard so much about "Brother Russell" that we had considered it in a large measure a form of hero worship; and not being a hero-worshiper, I received him with these thoughts in view.
Being invited to dine with him at the hotel with other friends, I was on the alert to find, if possible, some flaw; but, to my great surprise, I never met a character in every way so beyond reproach.
Immediately after dinner, having to take the car for the public meeting, I endeavored to carry his hand-bag, but he was too quick for me. Before that day was over my prejudice had melted as the hoar frost before the morning sun.
Another incident which impressed me happened some years ago. Sitting at my desk one day, I received a telegram: "Will you serve as Chairman at my Ottawa meeting?" I thought, Now I have found him in a mistake! He had never heard me speak in public, because I had never attempted to do so. I did not reply to the telegram for several days, meantime counseling with my wife.
I overcame my hesitation and wired back, "Yes." After the telegram had gone and the end of the week had come, and it was time for me to go, my wife pointed out that there was something in Brother Russell's telegram that I had overlooked. I tried to ignore that fact, but after the discourse in Ottawa, when our Beloved Pastor was bowing himself off the platform, he lifted his hands and said, "Mr. F.W. Manton, of Toronto, will lecture in the Family Theater here next Sunday afternoon."
Dear friends, I was not an Elder, I had never spoken in public, and I thought, I have him now; he has again made a mistake! I struggled with my feelings during the following week – almost struggled myself out of the Truth. Dear friends, he did not make a mistake in the Lord's sight, I am sure; I am striving to do my best in His service, and if it had not been for our dear Pastor's keen insight, I might never have had this privilege.
The third and most vivid impression was made upon me by our Pastor recently. You were all moved to indignation, no doubt, when you learned that the gates of Canada were unjustly closed to our dear Pastor. I had the honor of standing with him in the Toronto Union Depot when word was received that he would not be allowed to address further public meetings in Canada.
The righteous indignation of those present there was stirred; we wanted to demand what right the authorities had to shut out a Christian gentleman who had in no way dishonored himself or his cause, and who had every right to speak. He merely said, "I will not go where I am not wanted. If they want me, I will come." There was not the least note of resentment in his words. We were rebuked, by his example, for our resentment. We had been tempted to reclaim the life-rights which we had laid down in sacrifice; we were not citizens of that country, but of the Heavenly one!
Especially would I bring to the notice of the Elders of the various Ecclesias at this time the beautiful picture of [R6009 : page 370] "The Sheep in the Storm" – how they are huddled together, head to head, for safety and protection. Let us keep this in mind. It was the first thought that came to me when I fully realized that our Beloved Brother had passed beyond the Veil. The next thought was of joy, born of the assurance that he is now part of the glorified Body of The Christ, and beyond the reach of his enemies!
"Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven."
In the city of Washington, whence I came, there are many sad hearts today, on account of the loss sustained in the death of our Beloved Pastor. Not only several hundred Bible Students, who diligently search the Scriptures, aided by his writings, but many thousands of others, recognizing the grandeur of his character, mingle their tears together. Sorrow and joy are mixed; for we are mindful that he has finished his course, that he was faithful, and therefore must now have the promised reward.
I have known Brother Russell intimately for twenty years. He has many times been a guest at my home, and I have also been a guest at his home. I was privileged to be associated with him for four months in a tour around the world; I lived with him, day and night, under varied circumstances; he was a gentleman, aye, more, a Christian, a highly developed Christian; in fact the most highly developed Christian I ever knew, a noble representative of our Lord. I loved him in life, I honor him now in death, and pay tribute to his memory.
His STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES will continue to make luminous the Bible. The Associated Bible Students throughout the earth will continue to look to Brooklyn as heretofore, thankful to our Lord for the wise provision our Beloved Pastor has made for the perpetuation of the work. Confidence and loyalty will be manifested by all true children of God; for the Truth is just as precious to us today as ever it was. It came from our Heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus, and was made plain by his servant, our dear Brother Russell, whom we all highly esteemed in love for his works' sake.
We bring to you on this momentous occasion, the love and sympathy of the Church at Indianapolis, many of whom have known and loved our Beloved Pastor, and for years have been loyal to him – their teacher and friend. Now that he has been taken away, we have resolved to stand shoulder to shoulder and to hold high the banner of our King, whom our Pastor so dearly loved.
Twenty-five years ago it was my privilege to meet for the first time the few Bible Students who met yearly in Allegheny at the Memorial season. There at the home of our Brother we were privileged to meet him who has now sacrificed his life for the Truth he so dearly loved.
As years passed, we became more closely associated with him, and as we were enabled to see in him that wonderful, Christ-like character which has been a source of great blessing to many, our love and respect for him increased. We have never been disappointed in him.
As our studies in the Word of God progressed, perplexing questions continually arose. These we were privileged to take to him; and like the disciples of old our own hearts burned within us as we listened to his clear and beautiful unfolding of the Word of God. We thus learned that we were sitting at the feet of a man of God, and also the greatest Bible scholar since the days of the Apostles.
His kind, loving words and noble deeds will live on; and "he, being dead, yet speaketh."
No greater honor could be accorded me at the present time than to be here to speak a few words of tribute to the memory of our dear Brother. My relationship to him has been different in some respects, perhaps, from that of any other individual; for I have been closely associated with him for a great while. Many a time I have stood on the platform and introduced him to various audiences in this country and abroad. I am glad to be here at this time to say a few words.
For ten years my work in connection with the Convention Reports has brought me in close contact with Brother Russell and the work of the Society in general. Our understanding has been thorough on this matter. Then, too, I have traveled extensively with him as his secretary on various trips, particularly in connection with the world tour in 1912, when for nearly four months we were closely associated. Many times Brother Russell discussed with me his personal and private affairs, as well as the work in hand; and I desire to say that his one aim was to seek to do the will of God, and in it all he recognized that the work he was doing was not his, but Jehovah's.
When the friends in Chicago learned through the newspaper reports that Brother Russell's death had taken place, they could not believe their ears and eyes, and repeatedly called me up to verify the reports. As soon as we told them, "Yes, it is true that our dear Pastor has gone beyond," immediately they would say, "Brother, now we must keep close together. We must put our shoulders to the wheel. We must loyally cooperate." It did me much good to see the faith of the brethren and know that they would stand loyal to the Truth. Therefore at this time I voice the sentiments not only of the Chicago Church as a whole, but of the various Classes in the vicinity of Chicago, numbering about twelve or fifteen. Their determination is to stand loyal and faithful to the new organization and to cooperate with it in every possible way. They realize that our dear Pastor has opened before us the Scriptures, and has made them so plain that everything necessary for the making of our calling and election sure, has been laid before the faithful and loyal, that we may press on to a glorious consummation, even unto death, as he did. It is our determination to be more loyal, more faithful, that we may promulgate this glorious Gospel – "glad tidings of joy" – in this Harvest work which he so grandly started, which he so faithfully carried on until the great God whom he served said, "Enough, come up higher!"
The Boston Class of Bible Students were greatly shocked when the news came over the wire telling of our beloved Pastor's death, or home-going. We felt such a sadness and loneliness; yet our hearts rejoiced to know that our dearly beloved Brother had been changed from the human to the Divine nature; that his has been the blessed privilege of entering into the presence of the King of Kings, even into Heaven itself. Yes; how blessed! He has gone to be forever with the Lord. We keenly feel our loss. He whom God had been pleased to use as our light-bringer and comforter can no longer give personal words of comfort and advice. Yet, by Divine Providence, so much has come to us from his pen we feel the store-house has been left filled with food; and our desire is to partake of this provision, doing our part in telling out the Gospel message, which is good tidings of great joy, and which [R6010 : page 371] shall, thank God, in due time be known by all people.
A special meeting of the Boston Church was called almost immediately, and from four to five hundred quickly came together. Resolutions were unanimously passed, expressing our sincere Christian love and sympathy for all the bereaved ones throughout the world, and in a special way to the dear Bethel Family and Tabernacle workers. All were commended to God for His special care and blessing. The words of the Apostle comfort us: "My God shall supply all of your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
As a personal testimony, I wish to state that it has been my privilege to travel with our dear Brother Russell for days, weeks and months at a time, both in America and during his journey around the world. My greatest impressions were, how implicitly he trusted the Lord in everything! Whether on train, steamboat or at hotel, before taking up the day's work, he would kneel and ask God's blessing and help. We shall never forget his ceaseless and untiring love for all the Church, ever trying to enlighten and comfort them, even laying down his life for the brethren when his body was worn and racked with pain. He would never murmur nor complain, but would say, "We have it so much easier than did the Apostles and our dear Lord." WHAT AN EXAMPLE HE HAS LEFT US! Truly he has earned the victor's Crown!
Our Pastor was very dear to the Bethel Family. He was a loving, yet just head over the Home, and all the members of the Family had ready access to him with their perplexities and troubles. It was interesting to notice how almost all went away from these interviews smiling, as if all difficulties had been cleared up. He seemed almost intuitively to understand; and was always sympathetic and tender, even when he himself was suffering great pain.
When I read his DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES in 1888, it answered all my questions; and as I continued to read my love and admiration for him increased, though I never met him until 1905. My later years of close association with him were a constant inspiration to me. The better I knew him, the better I loved him. He was the best man I ever saw, and I never expect to see his equal. There is none like him.
He entered so fully into our lives that there might be a danger of thinking of him as belonging peculiarly to the Bethel Family, or to the New York Ecclesia, or at least to the Bible Students of America. But he was broader than all these; he was loved and respected by Bible Students and Truth seekers the world over. He was also respected and loved by devout Jews in almost every part of the world, and helped much to revive their faith in their Bible promises.
Besides all this I am convinced that he did more to mould public thought – especially in the religious world – than all other contemporary religious leaders. Very few now believe the doctrine of eternal torment; thanks to his efforts! He brought many other religious truths to light.
Our dear Redeemer taught us that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." The words that our Redeemer Himself spoke were especially precious to our Brother, so that the Lord's slightest word or act spoke volumes to him. One little point he explained in reference to the man whose eyes the Lord opened. The Lord spat upon the ground; and out of the clay and the spittle He made an ointment, with which He anointed the eyes of the blind man. Then the man washed in the pool of Siloam, and returned seeing.
Brother Russell calls our attention to the fact that this illustrates how the Spirit of the Lord, coming out of His mouth, comes down and mixes with the clay of earth; and thus that clay, if plastic enough, can be applied for the opening of the spiritual eyes of those that were born blind. [R6010 : page 372] And so today, all over the world, throughout the countless ages of eternity, men and women can rejoice that Jesus our Savior and Redeemer used this clay lying before us here to bring us out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of God's dear Son. Praise His name for the blessings brought to us through our dear Pastor!
The Ecclesia at Springfield, Easthampton and Holyoke, Mass., wish me to express to you their heartfelt sympathy and Christian love.
Our beloved Pastor's death has aroused in our hearts all that is noblest, holiest, best. We rejoice unselfishly that his labors are over, and that he has entered into his rest and reward. We sorrow as we feel keenly the loss of his faithful ministry. We sympathize with one another in our bereavement, and especially with those closest to him in his labors. We feel an increased concern for the continuance of the work he was God's instrument in carrying forward. We are resolved that by God's grace we shall be inspired by our Beloved Brother's life and teachings to greater faithfulness.
It was my privilege to know our Pastor upwards of twenty years, and his personal example was perhaps even more inspiring than his teachings. He never worried, was never impatient. His peace of mind was wonderful.
Our Beloved Pastor took a genuine, personal interest in all of the Lord's people. He rejoiced in their progress, and treasured their interesting experiences in his wonderful memory. To illustrate: When on the way home from a one-day convention he asked one of our number: "Is old Brother K—— living yet?" "Yes." "Kindly give him my Christian greetings and tell him that I remember the testimony he gave in Allegheny some twenty years ago."
Brethren, our beloved brother has left us a noble example. Shall we not follow him, as he followed Christ? Shall we not lay down our lives for the brethren, as he did? By God's grace we will! May our end be as his!
I esteem it an honor to be here on this occasion. I wish to convey to you from the Detroit Church their greeting and their desire to let you know that they will be loyal to the memory of our dear Pastor.
It was my privilege to know our dear Brother personally; and I wish to state one thing with regard to him that possibly not all know. For years he suffered with a peculiar ailment, which rendered him very, very weak at times; and he could hardly go on with his discourses for pain. We can better appreciate the wonderful character of our beloved Pastor when we know that he was usually under stress and pain. I prescribed for him at one time; but when two years after, I asked him if he had taken the medicine, he remarked, "Dear Brother, I have not had time."
If our beloved Pastor, now glorified, has shown us such a wonderful example of cheerfulness and long suffering it behooves us to follow faithfully in his steps. The action of the Detroit Class, taken at the testimony meeting Wednesday, [R6011 : page 372] was in the nature of a renewal of their consecration, and they determined to renew it daily to the cause for which our loving Pastor so loyally laid down his life.
We wish to assure those whom the Pastor has left in charge of the Society's affairs of our loyalty and of our resolution to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ at all times. When a vacancy comes to the ranks, let us press together the harder, shoulder to shoulder, and close it up as best we can. Let us crystallize our character, so that we may be able to endure all things, for God will cause the wrath of man to praise Him and will prepare us for His presence by means of reproaches and persecutions, which probably await us.
As a representative of the Columbus, Ohio, Ecclesia, I bring you their fervent Christian love and an expression of mutual joy and sorrow. We rejoice in thinking of the transcendent happiness our Beloved Pastor is now realizing in its fullness, because of his faithfulness even unto death; and we resolve by God's grace to bury our sorrow in the service of those who are yet hungering and thirsting for His true Message.
I feel that I am voicing the sentiment of the Columbus Class when I assure you that we are determined, with Divine help, to carry on the work which our Beloved Pastor has left with us, and we wish to cooperate to the fullest extent with Headquarters in the further smiting of Jordan.
How glad I shall be to tell the dear friends at home of the wonderful manifestation of the Spirit of Christ which I have witnessed here – how well you have all learned your lessons in this most wonderful School in the world, with a real, kingly priest as teacher!
What an exemplar of our Lord Jesus Christ we had in our Beloved Pastor! But God has called him Home; and it now remains for each of us to demonstrate to the Lord how well we have learned our lessons.
On one occasion our Beloved Pastor was telling me of the order and system at Bethel. He said, "Business men were glad to employ clerks who received their training in my stores years ago, and I am now wondering, Will others be asking for our help because of the wonderful privileges enjoyed in this training School?"
May God help us to respond heartily to the call and be faithful even unto death!
I deem it a privilege and an honor on this occasion to offer a tribute of love and esteem in memory of our departed Brother and Pastor. The grandest, noblest character of our day, whose life has been, and ever will continue to be, an inspiration for us to follow him, as he followed Christ.
To have known and understood him, as was my privilege for twenty-seven years, and of late years most intimately, was to love and respect him for his noble Christian qualities.
Like the Apostle Paul's, the laying down of his life in the Master's service must have sent up a very rich perfume, and his sacrifice a sweet odor to God.
Eminently chosen of the Lord (Matthew 24:45) to serve the "Household of Faith with meat in due season," and elsewhere (Ezekiel 9:2,11) described as the "man in linen with the writer's ink horn at his side," HE HAS DONE AS HE WAS COMMANDED, finished the work given him to do, and has entered upon his reward, leaving us who remain a noble legacy of privilege in continuing the Society's work.
In this connection I voice the sentiment of the Toledo (Ohio) Class as expressed in a telegram forwarded to the Society on November 1st, as follows: "Greetings! Scriptural consolation; sympathy. We loved our dear Pastor, and keenly feel our loss, but realize our Father doeth all things well. We rejoice in our dear Pastor's victory. His faithful loyalty is an inspiration; and we are determined to cooperate with you in the Kingdom Work with renewed energy."
Charles Taze Russell was loyal to God, loyal to Christ Jesus, loyal to the cause of Messiah's Kingdom. He was loyal to the core – yea, loyal even unto death. God has declared in His Word that loving loyalty to Him is the price of greatest riches. Pastor Russell has received his great reward. It is a wonderful thing to receive the approval of God, the great and mighty Creator of the Universe, the all-wise, all-powerful and all-loving One. In His Book, the Bible, God has made favorable mention of certain men; and in every instance that favorable mention has been because of their loving loyalty to Him and His cause of righteousness. When God's record concerning the Church is fully written, the people will find that Charles Taze Russell not only has received favorable mention from God, but has been born in Zion – a member of the Royal Family of Heaven. (Psalm 87:6.) The Psalmist has assured us that this is especially true of those who are faithful unto death. What a wonderful privilege it will be for the world to have the real truth concerning martyrs to the cause of righteousness!
We who have come into closer contact with Pastor Russell, and who knew him as he was, are privileged by the Lord to know these things in advance of the world. Happy is our lot to thus be favored of God.
Lives of great men stand as monuments in the earth. Silently they beckon to those who are hurrying on in the mad rush of human affairs, and say, "Stop and learn wisdom."
The greatest man that has lived since the Apostle Paul has passed from the earth. We have come aside this evening from the busy rush of this great city to pay tribute to the memory of Pastor Russell. Let us in calmness and sobriety seek to know why this man was great, why we say with such assurance that he had the approval of God.
God's laws are fixed and unchangeable. To all of His intelligent creatures he says, "Obey My Laws, and receive My approval and blessing. Take a different course, and you will fail to receive My blessing." Pastor Russell walked with the Lord in harmony with His law.
Nearly 65 years ago, a child was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His parents christened him Charles Taze Russell. His parents loved God and sought to obey Him. The parental influence was good for Charles. They trained the small twig; and it grew in the direction of the Lord. Early he became a Christian.
But like other good, honest, conscientious Christian men and women, his parents had been taught the man-made creeds of the Church Nominal. Young Charles was taught that God is great and good, yet that He had made all men inherently immortal, and had provided a lake of fire and brimstone in which he would eternally torment all except a few whom He had predestinated should be saved. The honest heart of the lad revolted against such a horrible thing; and he in substance said, "I cannot believe that there is a just and wise God who would do such a thing to a poor, unfortunate human being." Forthwith he forsook the religion of the creeds; but while he was investigating other religions, his mind was turning to the Lord in an inquiring manner. Then he said, "I will study the Bible, and see whether or not it teaches that God has such an arrangement."
True to his inborn character, he honestly and prayerfully searched the Scriptures. To his astonishment and joy he found that the Bible is God's great Word of Truth; that God has a great Plan of Salvation, provided by Him before the foundation of the world, which shall ultimately result in the blessing of human-kind. From the Bible he learned that God created the father of the human race – Adam, the first man – a perfect being, gave unto him a perfect wife, placed him in a perfect home under perfect conditions, and advised him that obedience to the Divine law would enable man to maintain this condition of perfection; that Adam violated the law of God and was sentenced to death; that he was then driven from his perfect home into the unfinished earth; that God permitted him to live for 930 years after he had been sentenced to death; that while undergoing this sentence, Adam for the first time exercised his power and authority to beget children; that by the law of heredity all of his children were born in sin and shapen in iniquity, and hence all came under the effects of the just penalty that had come upon the father – "that as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death has passed upon all men, for all are sinners"; that ultimately the whole human race [R6012 : page 373] would perish from the earth (death meaning destruction;) that man is a soul; that he does not possess one; that the soul consists of the body and the breath of life – the life principle – and these being separated, the soul is dead.
Then he learned that God had lovingly provided a Plan of Redemption of man from this condition of death – that God so loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him should not perish, but have life everlasting – that Jesus, having a pre-human existence as a spirit being, was made human and grew to manhood's estate, in order that He, by the grace of God, might give His own perfect life whereby the purchase price would be provided for the redemption of Adam and all his race – that He died upon the cross and provided this price – that He was raised from the dead, no longer a man, but now Divine, and that He ascended into Heaven, there to use the merit of His human sacrifice according to the will of God – for the blessing of mankind.
Furthermore, he learned from the Scriptures that the Lord Jesus would return and establish a Kingdom for the blessing of mankind; that in the interim between His resurrection and His Second Coming, God has been and is holding an election for the purpose of selecting from amongst men those who shall be associated with Christ Jesus as members of the Royal Family, and who, together with their Head and Master, will be the instrument through which Jehovah will bless all human-kind with the privileges of life, health and happiness; that the terms of this election are that everyone who desires to run for such a Prize must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and consecrate his life – his all – to the service of the Lord; that those who would prove faithful, true and loyal unto death would participate in the First or Chief Resurrection, and be made kings and priests unto God and unto Christ and reign with Christ for the blessing of mankind.
This wonderful story of the love of God thrilled the heart of young Russell. He readily and joyfully consecrated his all to the service of the Lord, and continued faithful in that service even unto death.
Charles Taze Russell loved his fellow-men. Seeing the great truths contained in the Bible, he said, "I must preach these to my fellow-creatures; I must use all my power to lead the people out of darkness, that they may see the love of God." Vehemently he declared, "If the Bible does teach that eternal torture is the fate of all except the saints, it should be preached – yea, thundered from the house-tops weekly, daily, hourly; if it does not so teach, the fact should be made known, and the foul stain dishonoring God's holy name removed."
With a strong physique, a fertile brain, and a brave heart, wholly devoted to the Lord, he consecrated and used all of his power to teach man the great Message of Messiah's Kingdom and the blessings which it will bring to the world.
Early in his manhood he possessed a fortune of no mean size. He spent it all that the minds of men might be enlightened and their hearts made glad. Early in his battle for righteousness he spent, out of his own private fortune, forty thousand dollars in this great city of New York for the publication and free distribution of a booklet setting forth clearly the Truth concerning the doctrine of the Hell of the Bible, that all might learn that Jehovah is a God of Love.
Other Christian people, sadly aware of the fact that they were not receiving spiritual food in the various churches to which they had attached themselves, had the eyes of their understanding opened by reading their Bibles in the light of the explanation thereof given by Charles Taze Russell. Gladly they began to support him and the righteous work in which he was engaged. Without solicitation or invitation, they joyfully brought forth their money and said, "What can we [R6012 : page 374] do to have part in this glorious work which you have begun?"
More than thirty years ago, a congregation of Christian people formed at Pittsburgh, Pa., selected Charles Taze Russell as their Pastor; and he served that congregation continuously as Pastor to the end, being able, however, to visit them only occasionally since the removal of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY headquarters to Brooklyn several years ago. He wrote and published a series of books – STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES – in six volumes, which turned a great flood of light upon God's Word. Millions of these have gone into the homes of men throughout the earth, bringing gladness to their hearts. For more than thirty years he edited and published a semi-monthly journal, THE WATCH TOWER AND HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE, wholly devoted to the cause of Messiah's Kingdom. Be it known that this is the only publication on earth that has ever announced the presence of our Lord. The Lord Jesus promised that at His Second Coming, which should be invisible to human eyes, He would have one wise and faithful servant whom He would make ruler over all His goods to give meat to the Household of Faith in due season. Christians throughout the world who are familiar with the work of Pastor Russell readily recognize that he has long been that wise and faithful servant of the Lord.
The work grew to great proportions; and desiring that it might be conducted in a systematic manner and perpetuated after his death, he organized the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY – a corporation, the charter of which was written by his own hand and is admitted, by men who know, to be a most remarkable document. Through this channel he has promulgated the message of Messiah's Kingdom to all the nations of the earth. Branches of this Society have been established and are maintained in the countries of Great Britain, Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, France, South Africa, Australia, and in many other parts of the world. His publications have been translated into 34 different languages, and millions of copies have been supplied free to the people by means of money joyfully contributed by those with him who love the Lord and His cause of righteousness and who are looking with joy to the establishment of His Kingdom.
Pastor Russell traveled and preached to the people throughout the world. He was elected Pastor of the Congregation at this Temple, and of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, of the London Tabernacle, of the Temple Congregation at Washington, D.C., the Congregation at Pittsburgh, the Auditorium Congregation at Chicago, the Congregation at St. Louis, Los Angeles, and those in many other parts of the world. These he visited at regular intervals, to encourage and comfort and help them. During the past few years his sermons have not only been heard from the platform, but have been published in approximately four thousand papers; and in practically every home of the United States and Canada Pastor Russell is known. He did a greater work for the cause of Messiah's Kingdom than did any other man that ever lived on the earth.
A few weeks ago he started on a trip to the Pacific Coast, preaching every evening, and traveling throughout the remainder of the night and of the day. His last sermon he preached to the Congregation at Los Angeles; and being too weak to stand, he sat throughout the discourse. He left Los Angeles Sunday evening on his return to Brooklyn, and rapidly grew weaker. Seven hours before his death, addressing his traveling companion, Brother Menta Sturgeon, he said, "Make me a Roman toga." Using the bed sheets, Brother Sturgeon made a toga, which Brother Russell put on himself. He stood erect for a moment, and then lying down on the couch in his Pullman drawing room, closed his eyes, thus in symbolic language speaking of death. A great deal of the Bible is written in symbolic language, and it was quite appropriate that he should speak his last message in symbols. It is interesting here to know what a Roman toga symbolizes: Augustus' Poet Laureate, said, "It is by the toga that the royal nation is recognized." The word toga means a covering garment (white robe). It was the official robe of higher magistrates, priests and of persons discharging vows, and was worn on special occasions, such as celebrating a triumph.
We are reminded of the last experiences of the Apostle Paul, who traveled with his beloved companion Timothy, whom he called his son – not a natural son, but, as St. Paul stated, he had begotten this young man in the spirit. Likewise Pastor Russell begot Brother Sturgeon in the spirit, in that he brought Brother Sturgeon to a knowledge of the Divine Plan. Shortly before St. Paul's death he wrote, "I am now ready to be offered up, and the time of my departure is at hand; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8.) Our dear Brother Russell not only loved the appearing of the Lord Jesus, but above all men on the earth he declared the presence of the Master. Brother Russell was a very modest man and never exalted himself. It was exceedingly difficult to get him to speak of himself. He chose, therefore, a symbol which we could afterwards interpret to speak practically the same thing spoken by the Apostle Paul. By wearing the toga Brother Russell in effect said, "I have fought the good fight; I have triumphed and shall be received as a member of the Royal Family of Heaven."
What a wonderful example and inspiration for the other members of the Body of Christ this side the veil to earnestly strive to receive the approval of the Lord!
This evening we see here lying, silent in death, the body [R6013 : page 374] which he so faithfully used to the last. But he is not dead! St. Paul wrote, "Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." (1 Cor. 15:51,52.) God's Word points out that the resurrection of the saints would take place at the presence of the Lord and before the inauguration of His Kingdom; and the Scriptures clearly teach that this resurrection is now in progress; that our dear Brother and Pastor sleeps not in death, but was instantaneously changed from the human to the Divine nature, and is now forever with the Lord – glorious reward for a true and faithful servant.
It has been announced that he was to speak in this Temple tonight. God had directed otherwise! Brother Russell had prepared a sermon to preach to you, and I am sure you will be glad to hear it. The lips of the body he used on earth are silent, but his words yet are spoken. By God's grace it is my privilege here to be used, and to speak forth to you the message which he left. My friends, give heed, if you please, while I read this message to the Church and to the world. Behold, how appropriate the subject:
"Watchman, what of the night?...The morning cometh, and a night also." – Isaiah 21:11,12.
"The literature of the world shows that intelligent men have refused to believe that the Divine Purpose in the creation of our earth has yet been attained. Continually we find references to 'the Morning of the New Day,' to the 'Golden Age,' etc., etc. Yet not to the longings of men's hearts, but to the promises of our God, do we look for real instruction on this subject. The Bible most emphatically declares that the entire period of human history thus far has been a night time.
"The Prophet David explains, 'Weeping may endure for a Night, but joy cometh in the Morning.' (Psalm 30:5.) Thus prophetically we are assured that there will be a Morning whose glory, brightness and blessings will fully compensate for all the dark shadows of the Night time past. Our text is another prophecy along the same line. The message of the Lord is, 'The Morning cometh.' St. Paul writes that up to his time the world had been under a reign of Sin and Death, not under a Reign [R6013 : page 375] of Righteousness and Life. (Romans 5:21.) He points out also that the Day of the Lord will come, and will come gradually, stealthily, taking the world unawares – 'as a thief in the night.' – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.
"All of the Apostles assure us that it is not God's purpose to permit the reign of Sin and Death to continue forever. They tell us that the Divine Program is that Messiah, in the Father's appointed time, will take to Himself His great power and reign King of kings and Lord of lords – putting down sin and every evil thing, uplifting humanity and granting a Divine blessing where for six thousand years there has been a Divine curse. The Bible writers explain that this does not signify a change in the Divine Purpose, but that God had planned this thing in Himself from before the foundation of the world; and that although He had permitted Sin to enter and Death to reign, He had made fullest provision for the Redeemer to die for our sins and eventually to become the Restorer and Life-giver to Adam and his race – to as many of them as will accept everlasting life on the Divine terms.
"The Apostles tell us that during the 'night time,' since Jesus' death, God has been doing a special work – selecting from mankind a special class, a saintly few – 'the Church of the First-borns, whose names are written in Heaven.' These are not taken from any one nation or denomination. This 'little flock,' to whom it is the Father's good pleasure to give the Kingdom (Luke 12:32), is composed of all the saintly followers of Jesus, who walk in His steps in the narrow way during this Gospel Age. Their experiences are to qualify them for association with their Redeemer in His Messianic Kingdom. Their trials, their obedience and their sufferings for righteousness' sake are to work out for these a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Suffering with the Master for the Truth's sake in the present life, they are to share His glory, honor and immortality in the life to come. They are to be His joint-heirs in His Kingdom. – Galatians 3:29; 2 Timothy 2:11,12.
"Amongst the Lord's people even, few yet understand that Jesus distinctly teaches that the 'Sun of Righteousness,' which will arise with healing in His beams and whose light will constitute the New Day, will be composed of the Church of Christ glorified – changed from human to Divine nature by participation in the First Resurrection. Our Lord Jesus tells this in the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. He declares that in the end of this Gospel Age all of the wheat class will be gathered into the Heavenly Garner, and that 'then shall the righteous shine forth as the SUN in the Kingdom of their Father.' (Matthew 13:43.) We must not think, however that this signifies the Church without the Redeemer, but must remember that Jesus is 'the Head over the Church which is His Body.' – Ephesians 1:22,23.
"How wonderful, how beautiful, how appropriate are the word-pictures of the Bible! No one but the Lord knew of the great Divine Plan. No one but Him, therefore, could give these pictures of its development. In various terms and figures of speech the Bible attempts to give us a little glimpse of the glorious conditions of that Day. The New Day and the Kingdom will be 'the desire of all people.' In that Day the righteous will flourish, and evil-doers will be cut off from life. During that thousand-year Day of Messiah's Kingdom, Satan is to be bound, 'that he may deceive the nations no more.' (Revelation 20:2,3.) Landlordism will come to an end; for 'they shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat the fruit thereof,' but 'shall long enjoy the work of their hands.' – Isaiah 65:22.
"The earth is to yield her increase. (Psalm 67:6.) Streams are to come forth in the desert; the solitary places are to be made glad. The entire earth is to become like the Garden of Eden. It is God's footstool, and He declares that He will make it glorious. It is not to be burned up with literal fire, as once we supposed. It is to 'abide forever.' (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Psalm 104:5.) 'He formed it not in vain; He formed it to be inhabited.' – Isaiah 45:18; 66:1; 60:13; 35:1,7.
"The most wonderful thing that the Bible tells us respecting that New Day is that it will bring great intelligence and enlightenment to every creature. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God shall fill the whole earth as the waters cover the face of the great deep. (Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14.) 'And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest, saith the Lord.' (Jeremiah 31:34.) Ultimately every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess, to the glory of God. – Philippians 2:11; Isaiah 45:23.
"What an enthusing prospect the Bible holds out before the Church and before as many of the world as can exercise a measure of faith to believe! The world indeed sees to some extent that great blessings are coming; but just what these are and how they are to come mankind know not; for 'the world by wisdom knows not God.' (1 Corinthians 1:21.) The worldly wise have rejected the Bible, and do not trust it as a Revelation from God. Thus the wise are caught in their own craftiness. (1 Corinthians 3:19.) Their boasted wisdom ensnares them and blinds them to the Divine Revelation.
"Nevertheless, some of our greatest thinkers – Mr. Edison and others – are rapidly seeing that the world is just on the verge of the most wonderful inventions and knowledge, which will transform the face of the earth and the people thereof. They are corroborating the Bible unwittingly; for they believe it not and know not the character of its messages.
"Let us not stop now to discuss the darkness of the Night and its weeping. Let us awake, and take note of the fact that the dawning of the New Age is already here. For the past forty-two years we have been in it and enjoying many of its blessings. But those blessings came so stealthily – 'like a thief in the night' – that few recognize their import. Some few have been calling attention to the fact that we have been in the Millennial dawn ever since 1874.
"Bible chronology quite clearly teaches that the six thousand years since Adam's creation have ended – six great Days of a thousand years each, mentioned by St. Peter – 'a Day with the Lord is as a thousand years.' (2 Peter 3:8.) Now the great Seventh Day, also a thousand years long, has commenced. We have been enjoying its dawning. It is to be a grand Day! What wonder if the dawning be remarkable!
"It may surprise some to be told that the past forty-two [R6014 : page 375] years mean more to the world in increase of education, increase of wealth, increase of all manner of labor-saving inventions and conveniences, increase of safeguards and protections for human life, than did all the six thousand years which preceded them – many times over. The world has probably created a thousand times as much wealth during these forty-two years as during the entire six thousand years preceding. Yet these changes have come so gradually that few have noticed them.
"Forty-two years ago man labored from sun to sun; today we are rapidly approaching an eight-hour day. Forty-two years ago nearly all the labor of the world was done with sweat of face; today it is nearly all accomplished by machinery. Forty-two years ago the sewing-machine was just reaching perfection; today it is everywhere indispensable. So with the thousand household conveniences. So with nearly all of our sanitary and plumbing arrangements. So with farming implements. Reapers and binders, mowers, automobiles, gas engines, etc., etc., all belong to these forty-two years. In our cities the modern conveniences are wonderful. Solomon in all his glory never even dreamed of such things as the poorest human being in America may enjoy!
"Prophecies respecting streams in the desert and the wilderness blossoming as the rose are having fulfilment – not miraculously, but in harmony with the Divine order of an increased intelligence amongst men. Artesian wells are being drilled, irrigating canals constructed, not only in the Western part of the United States and Canada, but also in far-off Mesopotamia. The results are marvelous. Land previously not worth fencing is valued at $500 per acre today. The increase of knowledge has been supplemented by governmental arrangements for the distribution of that knowledge amongst the people. The soils of various localities are being analyzed at public expense; and the tillers of the soil are given knowledge as respects what kind of fertilizers are required to bring satisfactory results. [R6014 : page 376]
"Under these conditions it does not surprise us to know that as much as 156 bushels of corn have been raised to one acre, and that 600 bushels of potatoes and over are not an uncommon record. Is not the Bible being fulfilled? Who can dispute these facts? What do they signify? We answer that they exactly corroborate the Divine declaration which describes our day: Many shall run to and fro; knowledge shall be increased; the wise of God's people shall understand; and 'there shall be a Time of Trouble such as never was since there was a nation.' – Daniel 12:4,10,1; Matthew 24:21.
"We are in the Morning of our text. Ah, what a glorious Morning! How changed the human conditions from those of our grandfathers! How thankful the whole world should be! Paeans of praise should be rising from all the people of the favored lands of civilization; and helping hands should be outstretched to carry the same blessings to heathen lands. But is it so? Are the people happy and rejoicing? Are they appreciative of the New Day? – of the gifts of Divine Providence?
"No! In proportion as the blessings of God have come, the discontent of humanity has increased; and unbelief, not only in respect to the Bible as the Divine Revelation, but in many instances in respect to the very existence of an intelligent Creator. Notwithstanding the great increase in the world's wealth, and the fact that there are some noble souls who are using their share of the wealth in a praiseworthy manner, nevertheless the general operation of the law of selfishness prevails; and all the legislation which has been enacted, or can be enacted, fails to restrain the giant institutions – corporations – of our day, fails to hinder them from exploiting the masses in the interests of the comparatively few.
"Did God know all these things? What will He do about them? Will He bring in the Millennial blessings, and risk that men shall take for granted that they have won the secrets of nature by their own wisdom and perseverance, and forget God entirely? Will they become more discontented? Would a Millennium of discontent be advantageous? What will God do about it?
"According to the Bible, God foreknew the conditions of our day as we are now reviewing them; and in our text He gives a key to the situation – elsewhere in the Scriptures made very plain. Through the Prophet, God tells of the dark Night coming – after the Morning Dawn had been well ushered in – a dark storm-cloud just at sunrise. This dark hour is described in the prophecy of Daniel, and also in that of our Lord Jesus, to be 'a Time of Trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.'
"Bible students see this great Time of Trouble already beginning in the letting loose of the winds of strife in Europe. In the light of the Bible they perceive that the result of this present war will be the great weakening of the nations – of the governments of the earth – and increased knowledge and discontent amongst the people.
"The next phase of the Trouble, according to the Bible, is to be the 'great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.' (Revelation 16:18.) This is not a literal earthquake, but a symbolic one – revolution. Then the third phase of the calamity – the darkest of all – will be the symbolic fire of anarchy, which will utterly destroy our present civilization. Then, in the midst of that most awful Time of Trouble, Messiah, the great King, will take His great power and will exercise it, with the result that the raging waves of the sea of human passion will all be quieted, the fires of anarchy will all be extinguished, and the Reign of Righteousness and Peace will begin.
"Cannot we see the wisdom of the great Creator's Program? He has determined to permit mankind to convince themselves of their own impotency, of their need of a God, and of the fact that there is a God, and that His glorious purposes for humanity are revealed in His Word. Ah, it is no wonder that the Bible speaks of that revelation of the Lord as the 'still small voice of God,' speaking to mankind through Messiah's Kingdom! No wonder the Lord declares that 'then He will turn to the people a pure Message, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent'!
"St. Peter gives us a vivid picture of the New Order of things in Messiah's Kingdom. He says, 'The Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up;...the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved....Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.' – 2 Peter 3:10,12,13.
"The 'new heavens' will be the glorified Church, consisting of Jesus the Head and His Bride class, selected from the world during the past eighteen centuries. The 'new earth' will be the new social order under the control of the new heavens. There will be no patching of present institutions, but a clean sweep of them by the fire of Divine wrath preceding the establishment of the New Order, wherein only that which is righteous, just, equitable, true, will be recognized.
"We rejoice that such glorious things are coming – even though the world must necessarily reach them through the tribulation of the Time of Trouble. Happy are those whose eyes and ears of understanding are open now, and who are in such heart relationship with the Lord that He can make known to them in advance something of the riches of His grace, and show them how the coming troubles will work out blessings for the human family."
In this dark hour upon the nations let the peoples of the earth hear this message and heed it as one from the Lord. For forty years Pastor Russell has set forth in his writings that this dark hour would come soon. He reached this conclusion based upon the Word of the Lord. Behold, it is fully confirmed by the events we see. Let the Christian people of the earth, therefore, awake to the importance of the hour and heed the message – "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!"
Enemies? Yes; he had some – God pity them! Jesus had enemies who relentlessly persecuted Him. I would not mar this occasion by reference to the enemies of Pastor Russell, but I know that he would be glad for me to speak anything that would help to open the eyes of understanding of those who are blinded to God's purposes. Blind prejudice, based upon false accusations of enemies, has tended to keep some in the dark.
Truly it can be said that Pastor Russell's character was and is without blemish. He was the cleanest, purest and best man I ever knew. His enemies sought to make him of no reputation. By insinuation – the most cruel of weapons – they sought to destroy his power and influence, and hence his work. They utterly failed. I feel constrained, under the circumstances, to read to you a paper signed by Pastor Russell.
In the year 1911 he was starting on a trip around the world. At that time the fiery darts from the enemy were coming thick and fast. He wrote out this instrument, made oath to it, and placed it in my hands, saying, "You may [R6015 : page 376] make it as public as your judgment dictates." It reads:
"In view of my soon departure for a foreign shore, and in view of the increasing virulence and threats of my enemies, and under the assumption that they may await my absence to make a fresh attack, by advice of my counsel I make under oath the following sweeping statement; namely,
"THAT I never was guilty of immorality toward any person.
"FURTHERMORE, I never cohabited with any person at any time and,
"FURTHER, I have never desired so to do.
"WITNESS my hand and seal to this declaration this Twenty-Eighth day of Sept., 1911, at Brooklyn, N.Y.
(Signed)
"Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3d day of October, 1911.
"Commissioner of deeds for the City of New York."
But persecutions only stirred him to greater efforts in the cause of the King of kings, knowing, as he did, that such persecutions are evidences that the night is drawing on when no man can work. Without murmur or complaint, early and late, in winter and in summer, in heat and in cold, in season and out of season, amidst storms and in sunshine, as a mighty giant he fought on to the goal, never faltering or looking back. Truly, he died a hero, and died in the harness! "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Truly at the close of his earthly career, as such a hero, he could say:
Silently listening we hear the response from the Throne of the Lord and Master:
Is his work finished? Ah, no indeed! Of such faithful ones who die during the presence of the Lord the Great Master said, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." – Revelation 14:13.
The work that Pastor Russell did was not his work alone, but it was and is the Lord's work. It was Jesus who said that at His coming He would gird Himself and cause His servants to sit down at meat; and that He would come forth and serve them. – Luke 12:37.
For forty years the Lord has been present, feeding those who have been hungering and thirsting for righteousness. For forty years Pastor Russell – that faithful servant of the Lord – has set forth clear and unmistakable evidence of the presence of the Master. He nailed the banner of Christ's presence on the title page of THE WATCH TOWER; and it shall never come down until the Kingdom is known in the earth. The flood of Present Truth has been rising for more than forty years, and it is rising higher and higher. As well might the enemies of the Truth seek with a common broom to sweep back the waves of the mighty Atlantic as to try to suppress the flood of Truth that is rising now. In spite of all the opposition that can be brought to bear, it will continue to rise until, as the Prophet declares, "the knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall fill the whole earth as the waters fill the deep"; until such time as it will not be necessary for any man to teach his neighbor, saying, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him, from the least unto the greatest." – Isa. 11:9; Jer. 31:34.
The thousands of Christian men and women in the earth today who have fought by the side of Pastor Russell have not been blindly following him. They have followed the Lord; they have followed Pastor Russell only as he followed the Lord. Recognizing him as the special servant of the Lord, they have fought by his side as his brethren, looking to Jesus, the Captain of their salvation; and having thus started in the fight, they will fight on until every one of the Kingdom class has gained the victory.
I cannot pass this moment without paying a personal tribute to Pastor Russell. He was my friend, and a true friend indeed. It is written, "A true friend loves you all the time." I loved him; I know he loved me. Long before I knew Pastor Russell, he had done much for me. While I was engaged in the law practice in the Middle West, there came into my office one day a lady, bearing some books in her arms. She was modest, gentle and kind. I thought she was poor, and that it was my privilege and duty to help her. I found that she was rich in faith in God. I bought the books and afterwards read them. Up to that time I knew nothing about the Bible; I had never heard of Pastor Russell. I did not even know that he was the author of the books at the time I read them; but I know that the wonderfully sweet, harmonious explanation of the Plan of God thrilled my heart and changed the course of my life from doubt to joy.
Why should not I love him? I know that he loved me. A little incident illustrates this: Several years ago he requested me to go on a mission of importance. After talking with him I said, "Brother Russell, I feel that I cannot do it." He answered, "Yes you can, by the Lord's grace." I said, "I am willing to try." "Go on," he replied, "and I will pray God to give you the wisdom." "I went"; and having succeeded far beyond my expectations I returned and gave him a report. Seated in his study, as I went over the report in detail, his face lighted up with joy; and like a loving father he rose and put his arms around me, drew me to him and kissed me, saying, "Brother, I love you very much." I have walked with him; I have talked with him; I have eaten with him; I have slept with him; I have been with him through trials and triumphs; I have seen him in storm and in sunshine. Amidst all of these I have marked his complete joy in the Lord, his magnanimous heart, and his absolute loyalty and devotion to the Lord and to His cause. Gentle, kind, fearless and affectionate, magnanimous, sincere and filled with the spirit of the Lord, he was a giant of power in the world. I count it the greatest honor that I have known to have had Pastor Russell for my true and loyal friend, and that I have been privileged to be associated with him.
I will relate to you an incident that throws some light on his sweet relationship with the Lord. For more than a year prior to his death he suffered a great deal of physical pain, yet never did he murmur. His great desire was to have the approval of the Lord and Master. He spoke the Master's name in loving terms, and his face lighted when he mentioned the Lord. A few weeks prior to this last illness, speaking to one whom he loved very dearly and in whom he had great confidence, he said, "I have had such a longing desire to be embraced by the Lord Jesus, to think of myself as the woman, or bride, and to have the Master press me to His bosom. I have prayed earnestly to the Lord that I might experience this sweet relationship, and He has given me this assurance that I do enjoy that sweet relationship." Truly the Lord loved him much! Truly for him to live was for Christ to live!
God's Book is written for those who are loyal to Him. His promises are to such. Among these sweet promises are the words of the Master: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the Crown of Life." "These shall be kings and priests unto God and unto Christ and shall reign with Him." Long ago God caused the Sweet Singer to record in His holy Book, concerning the faithful and loyal followers of Christ Jesus, these sweet words:
"The king shall joy in Thy strength, O Lord: and in Thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice. Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. For Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness; Thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest it him, even length of days forever and ever. His glory is great in Thy salvation; honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him, for Thou hast made him most blessed forever; Thou hast made him exceeding glad with Thy countenance." – Psalm 21:1-6. Truly these words fittingly apply to our beloved Brother and Pastor!
Charles Taze Russell, thou hast, by the Lord, been crowned a king; and through the everlasting ages thy name shall be known amongst the people, and thy enemies shall come and worship at thy feet.
We take the last view of this piece of clay that so faithfully bore the banner of the King. He has been a true, loyal, faithful ambassador of Christ. Thanks be to God, he has entered into his everlasting reward. The greatest desire of our lives is that we, together with him, may soon be forever with the Lord and participate in blessing all the families of the earth. God help us, as we here renew our consecration, to keep it faithfully to the end.
We sorrow not for him who has gone, because we know he has entered into his everlasting joy. For him we rejoice; but we sorrow for ourselves. Yet trusting in the Lord we will continue to fight the good fight of faith. [R6016 : page 378]
My beloved brethren – we who are here, and all who are in the earth – what shall we do? Shall we slacken our zeal for the cause of our Lord and King? No! By His grace we will increase our zeal and energy, to finish our course with joy. We will not fear nor falter, but will stand shoulder to shoulder, contending for the faith, rejoicing in our privilege of proclaiming the Message of His Kingdom. He has promised, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." "Faithful is He that calleth, who also will do it." Then why should we for one moment doubt the outcome of His work and His cause! True, the enemy of death has taken from us at a time when we did not expect it, our beloved Brother; and for this cause we are bowed down. Yet we are not dismayed, we are not discouraged. Let us lift up our heads and rejoice, for surely our deliverance draweth nigh! "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!"
Today we are beholding the death throes of the nations of earth; we are standing at the portals of the Golden Age. Everyone who has accepted the Truth of God's Plan, in the love of the Truth, and who holds fast in that spirit, will win. Let everyone look well to his Armor. Let us gird up the loins of our minds, be sober and hope to the end. He who has led us thus far will lead us on. Remember, he who is faithful unto death shall receive the Crown of Life.
United in the sacred and holy bonds of Heavenly love, as we journey the remainder of this race course, may we in sincerity and with understanding sing:
The evening oration, the reading of Brother Russell's sermon which he himself had prepared to deliver in the Temple that evening, and the sweet strains of several hymns were still fresh in the minds of the vast audience when the pall-bearers carried forth from The Temple the casket containing the remains of our dear Brother Russell. Accompanying the body to Pittsburgh were two Pullman cars loaded with devoted and faithful friends, who were met by hundreds of loved ones at that place.
The large auditorium of the Carnegie Library in Allegheny was packed at two o'clock the following afternoon, when the fourth part of the funeral services began under the direction of Dr. W.E. Spill, representing the Pittsburgh congregation. Love and deep interest were written upon every face in this vast audience also. Every available space on the platform was used to display the rich floral offerings of every description sent by Bible Students and friends from various sections of the country.
The blending of the voices composing the double quartette in their rendition of sweet Christian hymns was the means of conveying blessings of comfort and encouragement to many sorrowing hearts. After the reading of the Holy Scriptures by Brother R.E. Bricker, also of the Pittsburgh Ecclesia, Dr. W.E. Spill delivered an address. He was followed by Brother Sturgeon, after which, while the congregation was taking its final view of the face of that noble Christian lying before them, the choir sang the last song given out by Brother Russell during his recent visit to Los Angeles:
The funeral cortege consisted of 101 automobiles and a train of several trolley cars. The beautiful Rosemont Cemetery was reached at dusk, where a company of five hundred friends were gathered on the hillside to witness the last sad rites in connection with the placing of our loved one in the grave. An avenue lined with flowers was formed, through which came the mourners with bared heads, bearing solemnly the casket containing the remains of our Pastor. The walls of the grave were lined with ferns and white chrysanthemums. At the foot of the grave was a floral design inlaid with colors of gold, which silently expressed the belief that the victorious Christian soldier, whose body lay before us, had gone home, and was now a partaker of the Divine nature.
While the bier rested upon the supports over the open grave, prayer was offered, and the casket was lowered to its last resting place, during which the choir impressively sang the beautiful words of Hymn No. 98.
It was fitting that while our Beloved had gone to be forever with the Lord and like Him, his remains should rest near the scenes of his earlier days, where the Harvest work began, and where the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, which contributed much to his fame, were written and first circulated.
[The Harvest Work, of which Pastor Russell was the leading spirit in the world for more than forty years, was and is the Lord's work. The friends everywhere recognize this. The great number of letters daily received from all parts of the land, since Brother Russell's death, clearly manifest the loyalty of the dear brethren to the cause of Messiah's Kingdom and evidence their determination to press forward along the mark for the Prize of the High Calling. The Society greatly appreciates these assurances of full cooperation in the Lord's work. What a great incentive to renewed zeal, courage and faithfulness! We give a few samples of these letters below. Others will be published from time to time in THE WATCH TOWER as space will permit:]
Upon a hillside, sloping towards the south, we gathered round about upon that hallowed ground to pay our last sad tribute to the one we loved, the greatest man on earth in these last days – and great because he was approved of God! How ineffable the beauty of the scene! So peaceful and so still! The gently rolling hills, far as the eye can reach, reminding us that, "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth, even forever." A violet mist creeps softly through the valleys at our feet, and faintly dims the City's distant lights.
The sacred silence is broken only by the singing of our choir, like angel voices floating out upon the evening air:
Above the purple haze, and low within the western sky, the last faint, crimson glow of sunset slowly pales into the silvery whiteness that precedes the night. And lo! the evening star! How like a star was our beloved! And how he shed the rays of Truth divine into the darkness of our minds and changed that darkness to "His marvelous light!"
How exquisitely expressive of all about us! The withered grass beneath our feet, the fading flowers upon the upturned earth, and here and there the bare, brown trees, a few crisp leaves still faintly fluttering on their boughs. Their fruit has all been gathered, and they speak to us of harvest soon to end. "In this is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." Did our beloved Pastor bear much fruit? Ah, yes! How much, he now may know as he hath never fully known before!
And standing there, our hearts rejoiced with joy unspeakable that in His infinite love and mercy the Lord had not permitted that most precious clay to suffer violence, but, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him," and He saved us from the anguish which might have been greater than we could bear! Yet he suffered – how greatly God only knows, for he never murmured or complained; but he suffered not by hands of wicked men, and so we rendered thanks to God!
With eyelids closed, and sorrowing hearts, we bowed our heads in final prayer with one who also loved and labored with him to the end. [R6017 : page 379]
And then in silent little groups the friends departed from the scene, and as we climbed the hill to reach the road, the moon shone full upon us. Ah, yes! The full moon of God's favor, and our hearts cried out, "How long, O God, until the night shall come, that night wherein no man can work!"
One last and lingering look upon the scene recalled to mind that wonderful picture, "The Return from Calvary," with its three crosses faintly outlined on the evening sky, and the sorrowful women wending their way towards Jerusalem.
And now it had grown strangely dark, no object was discernible on either side the road, as we, the Lord's still faithful followers of these later days, were swiftly borne towards the city of our beloved leader's birth.
How wondrously appropriate all had been! The suggestion of the Harvest soon to end, the ingathering of the ripened fruits, the softly falling twilight, like a curtain dropped upon the scene, and now the darkness and loneliness of the flock of sheep whose faithful shepherd had been "smitten!"
How necessary now to walk still more "by faith" in the Great Shepherd of us all, the One who is "too wise to err, too good to be unkind;" "who doeth all things well." Be brave, be strong, weep not, have faith in God!
"It is the LORD, let Him do what seemeth Him good!"
Thus,
We, the Pittsburgh Congregation of Associated Bible Students, deeply mourn the death of our Beloved Pastor, who has lovingly and faithfully served us for so many years. In loving consideration of his high honor and noble Christian character, his untiring labors on behalf of the Lord's people both here and elsewhere, his many noble sacrifices and patient endurance of much persecution on behalf of the Lord's Truth, his devoted faithfulness to the Lord and to the Lord's Word under every condition of trial; therefore, be it resolved,
That this Congregation bear witness to Christians everywhere of our deep appreciation of the patient watchcare, the wise counsel, and the helpful and loving guidance of his thirty-four years as the regularly elected Pastor of this Congregation, both in the Word and work of the Lord. We have full confidence of faith that, his work finished, he has now entered into that blessed "rest that remaineth for the people of God." "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." Be it further
Resolved, That these resolutions be printed in the Pittsburgh newspapers, and that a copy be sent, with fraternal love in Christ, to the New York City Temple Congregation, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Congregation, the London Tabernacle Congregation and through them to all members of the International Bible Students Association, as an expression of our sympathy in our mutual loss, and of our prayer that the Lord's continued blessing be with them.
We, the undersigned Chairman and Secretary of the Congregation herein named, do hereby certify that the foregoing was unanimously adopted by the Pittsburgh Congregation of Associated Bible Students, at a meeting held November 19, 1916, at the Bible Students Auditorium, 305 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.
R.H. BRICKER, Secretary.
DEAR BRETHREN: –
I have received and read with interest and care your valued letter of the 9th inst., and thoroughly appreciate the spirit of fellowship and consideration manifested.
I am in full harmony with the judgment of the Editorial Committee and the Board of Directors that all the Editorial Staff should be in close personal touch, and not being situated so that I can take up my residence in Brooklyn, I hereby tender my resignation from the Editorial Staff to be effective at once.
It is a matter of great satisfaction to me that there are able brethren on the ground, and nominated by our dear Pastor, who are probably more fully equipped than I to carry on the work outlined in the Will.
I know it is unnecessary for me to say that I am in the closest and warmest head and heart sympathy and fellowship with all the work delegated to the various departments of the Society, and shall hold myself in readiness to respond to every opportunity for service that I can discern or you can designate. Yours in our Redeemer,
To A. I. RITCHIE, Vice-President W.T.B. & T. Society, Brooklyn, N.Y. DEAR BROTHER RITCHIE: –
In harmony with the Will of our dear Brother Russell, a copy of which I received, together with your letter of the 3rd inst., I am addressing you and through you the other members of the Editorial Staff of THE WATCH TOWER.
While I love the Lord and His people devotedly, and while I would greatly appreciate the privilege of serving as a member of the Editorial staff of THE WATCH TOWER, I am compelled because of conditions to decline to accept such place. As you know I was a member of the Bethel Family at the time Brother Russell added my name in his Will to the Editorial staff; that for more than a year past I have not been a member of the Bethel Family and am not now, because it became necessary for me to take a position in the world to earn a living for my family. After prayer and due consideration, I believe it to be in harmony with the Lord's will that I decline to accept the position assigned to me by the Will of our dear Brother Russell, and I therefore decline to accept the same.
I offer my resignation, humbly awaiting the Lord's leading. Should you at a later time, by reason of vacancy in the Editorial staff, understand it to be the Lord's will and in harmony with the provisions of Brother Russell's last Will that I serve, I hope and pray, by the Lord's grace, that I will be ready to respond fully and promptly. Again craving an interest in your prayers,
Your brother and servant by the Lord's grace,
At a meeting of our Church this evening, I was requested by a unanimous vote to express to you as best I can the sorrow of heart under which we are laboring, because of the death of our faithful and Beloved Pastor; and to assure you of our desire and determination to cooperate heartily, in our feeble way, with those who shall have the privilege and responsibility of supervising and directing the Harvest Work during what we believe will be but a brief period before the coming storm shall burst upon us in all its fierceness and fury.
As to our deep sorrow, let us say that it is not an unmixed sorrow; for while we shall no more see his dear face, and no more hear his wise and loving words of godly instruction, his exhortations to holiness of life, and his fatherly counsel, yet we rejoice that his sufferings are forever past, that his unremitting toils are over, and that the scorpion-tongue of vituperation, slander and vilification can never again reach and give pain to his great, loving, tender heart.
His example of self-sacrificing loyalty to God, the Truth and the Church, his patience, perseverance and indefatigable zeal, the sweetness of his spirit, his freedom from animosity and resentment under the most cruel and malignant persecution, will ever remain an incentive to us to emulate him in the attainment of these fruits of the Spirit.
Truly the memory of him is most precious, and redolent of the richest perfume. Truly may we, without irreverence, apply the words of the poet to him:
Your brethren and sisters in our dear Redeemer,
We are glad, dear Brethren, that through the providential leading of our dear Heavenly Father, in the affairs of His Church, an opportunity of service has been placed in our hands, respecting which we desire to take full advantage.
Realizing the added responsibility which the Lord of the Harvest has seen wise to place in your hands at this time, through the removal of our dear Pastor from our midst, and anticipating your mingled feelings of loneliness and sorrow, and the loss which you, possibly more than any others of the Church still this side the veil have sustained, we hasten to extend to you our sincere, fervent love, and warmest sympathy in this your hour of special and peculiar trial.
We wish to assure you, dear Brethren, of our full confidence in the wisdom of the Lord's arrangement, in that He now desires that the great work so faithfully and wisely [R6018 : page 380] introduced and carried on until the present time through the supervision of our Beloved Pastor, shall be continued without interruption through you as His chosen servants.
We wish also to state that our earnest desire is to continue to cooperate with you in every possible way, in whatever work our dear Heavenly Father may yet have for His Church who still remain in the flesh.
We pray for you, dear Brethren, that the Lord may pour out upon you very richly the spirit of wisdom and understanding in the knowledge and favor of the Lord, that you may be granted a knowledge of His will, together with the grace and strength which He has so graciously promised to all His faithful children.
"The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace."
Our hearts join yours in sympathy at the taking away of our beloved Brother and Pastor Russell. How sorrowful it is to be separated from the one we love so dearly! Our hearts cannot help being filled with sorrow for the loss of this faithful servant of the Lord, who so much loved us as to lay down his life in our behalf.
But we "sorrow not as others that have no hope." When we think of his many years of toil and suffering patiently endured for the sake of his Master, when we think of the bitter persecution by relentless foes inside and outside of the Church, the befouling of his good name, and the besmirching of his good reputation, we rejoice greatly to know that his great tribulation has forever ended.
In fact, our sorrow is displaced by joy when we contemplate the glorious exaltation that is his. We know that he is not "asleep" in death, but "changed" and "raised incorruptible" – "caught up" "to meet the Lord," and so shall he ever be with the Lord. Yes, we acclaim, "Blessed" are you, dear Brother; you are at rest from your labors and your work follows with you." – 1 Cor. 15:51,52; 1 Thes. 4:17; Rev. 14:13.
How we all the more long for the time when we shall similarly have finished our course with joy and been ushered into the presence of our adorable Lord together with His saints! Meantime it is ours to press on with renewed zeal until the work be done and we at last receive the crown.
We anticipate your increased responsibilities, dear brethren, and we pray the necessary increase of the Lord's Spirit upon you in carrying on the work of the ministry.
WHEREAS it has pleased our dear Heavenly Father to call our Beloved Pastor home, and inasmuch as our hearts have been made sad because we may no longer hear his kindly voice nor behold his dear face in the flesh, we nevertheless rejoice in the spirit, being confident that he has experienced his glorious resurrection change, having heard the sweet "Well Done," and is now counted worthy to see our Lord as He is;
Resolved, That in the death of our Beloved Pastor, Charles T. Russell, we have sustained the sorrowful loss of a wise and efficient Pastor, a true and noble Christian character, a kind and loving friend, a safe adviser and counselor, a masterful preacher and author, a true and faithful interpreter of the Scriptures and an ambassador of Christ appointed of God the Father to bring forth things new and old from the Storehouse of knowledge for the enlightening of the people and for the perfecting of the saints in this, the Laodicean stage of the Church; and
Resolved, That inasmuch as the work of this loyal man of God has been completed on this side of the veil and as a result he has inherited glory, honor and immortality as a reward of faithful self-sacrifice even unto death, we, the members of the Richmond Class, having been influenced by his noble life and Christian character, and appreciating the perfume exhaled therefrom, feel constrained to renew our efforts to press on with vigor toward the Heavenly goal; and be it further.
Resolved, That we will cooperate with our brethren at the Bethel Home, and others of like precious faith elsewhere in harmony with the W.T.B. & T. Soc'y and its various auxiliaries, in the promulgation of the gems of Truth so precious to our dear Pastor; and we solicit Pilgrim visits in the future as in the past.
Again, we further resolve, that having profited by his life of self-sacrifice, which has brought to us untold blessings and growth in Christian character, we will continue to raise our voices in heartfelt gratitude and thanksgiving to our dear Heavenly Father and blessed Redeemer for the privileges and favors which have been ours through his untiring zeal and loving ministry.
Praying that the Lord's abounding grace may continue to abide with, and the influence of the Holy Spirit may over-shadow and guide in love and humility all those in charge of the work at the Bethel Home and elsewhere, and trusting to be remembered at the Throne of Heavenly Grace by all who have passed from death unto life, and especially those upon whom the mantle of our Beloved Pastor has fallen,
With fervent Christian love,
With the passing of our dearly Beloved Pastor beyond the veil, and with the realization of all that this means to us, comes the thought of our dear Brethren at Brooklyn, who were so closely associated with him in the work, and on whom will now fall the heavier responsibility. We hasten to extend to you our loving sympathy, and to assure you of our confidence in you as you attempt to carry on the work to its completion, praying for you the Lord's special guidance and direction as you seek to know and to do His will.
What a comfort we find in our Heavenly Father's Word! How doubly precious are the Promises, and with what special force they come to us in this hour, as though written especially for us at this time. It is written, "The Lord will not forsake His people," and we know "He is faithful who promised." Therefore "let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering." (Heb. 10:23,24.) How fitting is our text for the year: "Be Strong in Faith" – faith that will trust Him where it cannot trace Him!
And while the sense of our great loss comes to us with crushing force, yet how we do rejoice for him that he has gone to his reward and has entered into that glorious rest promised to the faithful ones. Surely he was faithful in all that the Lord gave him to do; and we can lift up our heads and rejoice, knowing our deliverance must be drawing very near! How this thought, together with his loving example, should spur us on with doubled zeal to make our own calling and election sure. Brethren, let us all strive more earnestly to be faithful – even unto death!
Your Brethren in Christ,
Whereas it has, in the determination of our great, all-wise and loving Father, pleased Him to suddenly take from our midst our Beloved Brother and Pastor, C.T. Russell, and, as we believe, give him a share of joy and service in the spiritual phase of the Kingdom, we hereby humbly bow before His unerring decision in taking from us that "faithful servant," and render thanks for the many blessings received through his ministrations; for the light upon God's Word that has come to us, and the joy of life and hope for the future that has been brought to us through his services.
We realize and appreciate the great responsibility that has so suddenly been cast upon those who are directly associated with the central executive part of the work still remaining while we are here in the flesh. In the midst of these conditions we turn to our loving Father, to whom we can come courageously through our blessed Lord and Savior, asking [R6018 : page 381] that wisdom may be granted you to continue the work as would be most pleasing to our dear Lord.
We will daily continue to pray for God's blessings to go with the members of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and Bethel, and every member of our Father's family.
It was with mingled sorrow and rejoicing that we learned of the decease of our dearly Beloved Pastor. We sorrow because of our great loss, but rejoice as well because of his abundant gain.
How we shall miss his wise counsel and helpful admonitions, the benediction of his radiant countenance, and the sympathetic touch of his hand! Yet our Heavenly Father has seen fit to remove him in the midst of his work to the place prepared for the saints beyond the veil, and we would bow humbly before that decree. Surely to be with Christ is far better! He had fought a good fight, he had kept the faith, his course was finished, and in obedience to the summons he is now with his Lord. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
We would express our confidence and harmony with the Society's representatives at Headquarters, and our undivided sympathy and cooperation with those brethren and colaborers of the Bethel and Tabernacle who have stood so loyally and faithfully by our dear Brother. [R6019 : page 381]
We would unite our prayers with those of other Ecclesias for the Heavenly Father's guidance in every phase of the Harvest work.
We desire to convey to you our deep Christian love and sympathy in the loss which all have sustained in the death of our Beloved Pastor, C.T. Russell. While we "sorrow not as do others," nevertheless we believe the dear family at Brooklyn will in a special sense miss our beloved Brother. We greatly rejoice on his behalf, believing that he has passed beyond the veil, has experienced his resurrection "change," and with the others of the faithful will henceforth be forever with the Lord.
This Ecclesia, by a unanimous vote, pledges their loyal support in every way possible to those who shall continue to direct the affairs of the Society. We assure you, dear brethren, of our hearty cooperation so long as the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom shall be advanced in the same manner and spirit as during the life of our beloved Pastor. To this end you have our prayers.
With mutual sympathy and Christian love,
WHEREAS, The news that our dearly Beloved Pastor, C.T. Russell, has been suddenly taken from us, has filled us with deep emotion, which we know is shared by all who have received the benefit of his faithful teachings of Present Truth, and, although our hearts are filled with sorrow for our loss, yet we rejoice for him that he has gone to be forever with the Lord.
We are thankful for the untiring faithfulness of his service for us, to build us up in the most holy Faith and for his example of personal purity. We realize that his loss will be sadly felt by the brethren left in charge of the work and upon whom great responsibility will fall.
RESOLVED, That we extend to our dear brethren at the Bible House our heart-felt sympathy and condolences, assuring them that our earnest prayers will be for them, that they may be given the needed wisdom, courage and grace to continue the work which Brother Russell has left in their hands, until the due time comes for closing it up.
We desire further to express our confidence that their service in the work will be actuated by the same loving spirit of self-sacrifice, which has been so beautifully expressed in the life and labors of our dearly Beloved Pastor and Brother.
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."
May the Lord greatly strengthen and bless the hearts of every one of you in this hour of great bereavement! Surely the Lord has sent a thunderbolt through the very soul of the Church! His hand is as visible in dear Brother Russell's death as it has been in his life. Our very nature is shaken and we think it will surely be blessed to the good of us all, in keeping with the Lord's promise.
Be assured, dear brethren, you have our prayers, our sympathy, and our love as never before; and we shall esteem it our highest privilege as well as pleasure to cooperate with you to the fullest extent of our ability.
May God bless you all in your loneliness! We feel lonely; but it must fall much heavier upon you than upon us. May we all be aroused by his noble example, and may we meet where partings are no more!
It was not our privilege to be with you in person, but we were fully with you in spirit.
On Sunday, Nov. 5th, we held a Pastor Russell Memorial service at Millville, N.J. The forenoon was given to praise and testimonies, using this subject: "The effect that Pastor Russell's life, and now His death, has had upon me." In the afternoon I addressed them upon this subject: "The Truth as applied to the Life and Character of Pastor Russell." We enjoyed blessed fellowship and hope good was done.
Greetings in the name of our dear Lord and Redeemer! Whereas the death of our dearly Beloved Pastor has caused grief and sadness to come into our hearts; and realizing our great loss in that we are now deprived of his loving counsel and personal supervision over the Harvest Work, nevertheless we rejoice in the assurance that he is now with our glorified Lord and Master, and like Him.
We desire to express to the Bethel Family, and to all of the Bible House associates of our dear Pastor, our loving sympathy and assurance of implicit confidence and hearty cooperation in carrying on, if such be the Father's will, the great work in which our Beloved Pastor so faithfully sacrificed his all, even unto death.
Our prayer is that the Father of all mercies will bless your efforts in behalf of His cause; and that His grace may sustain and comfort you in this hour of sorrow, and be found sufficient for the added responsibility which now rests upon you.
Your Brethren of the
Needless to say, the announcement of our Pastor's passing beyond came to us with a measure of surprise. We are, nevertheless, rejoicing in the thought of his having entered abundantly into the reward promised to the "more than overcomers," and that he has received the "Well done, good and faithful servant." "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord." We are glad that, by His grace, we are enabled to bow our hearts and minds in humble submission to the will of God, and to wait His good pleasure toward us in His own time and way. "It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good."
We would like to take this opportunity of expressing to you our earnest and willing cooperation and unqualified support in carrying on that which remains of the Harvest work, in whatever manner the Lord would seem to indicate as being His will for us all. Should you require at any time our services in Western Canada, we would esteem it a great privilege to assume any responsibility entrusted to our care. Our desire in this is to express our continued loyalty toward, and willingness to serve the Lord, the Truth and the Brethren.
We desire to convey to you our sincere Christian love and sympathy in this dark hour of bereavement. Seldom have joy and sorrow been so sharply intermingled; for while we truly rejoice with you in the fact of the deliverance of our dear Pastor in the First Resurrection, and in the further evidence of the end being near, we as truly and sincerely share with you the natural sorrow so keenly felt in this trying hour. Language cannot express the love of our hearts for our dear Brother.
Yet, dear Brethren, in humble and loving submission we say, "Thy will be done"; and as we stand beside that open grave, let us resolve that, come what will, we, too, will be found ready and willing at all times to lay down our [R6019 : page 382] lives as meekly and as unselfishly as did he in defense of the Cause we all love so well. We assure you of our continued support and cooperation in the spreading of the Glad Tidings, and may we also hear the loving Father's "Well Done."
At a special meeting called for the purpose of taking action on the death of our dearly Beloved Pastor, Charles Taze Russell, the following resolution was passed and unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, That inasmuch as it has pleased our Heavenly Father in His infinite wisdom to take from our midst "that Servant," our Beloved Pastor and Brother, we desire to convey to you, the dear ones of the Bethel Home and Brooklyn Tabernacle, a full assurance of our loyalty, our confidence, our love and our prayers, and a hearty desire to cooperate with you in the faithful continuance of the defense of the Truth and of the Harvest Work so nobly and loyally carried forward by our dear Brother Russell.
We were shocked and grieved to learn of our dear Pastor's death! For a time we were so shaken and unsettled that we did not know which way to turn, but that feeling has worn off, and faith has reasserted itself.
We rejoice that our Beloved Pastor has gained "the Crown of Life," and we would not wish to have him back to endure pain and weariness. We have faith that the Lord of the Harvest, who raised him up to do such a wonderful work, is still able to carry forward that work, through other agencies, to its completion. We extend to you our love and sympathy [R6020 : page 382] in this hour of trial, and assure you of our fervent prayers in your behalf – that the Lord's will be done and His name glorified, no matter what new conditions may arise.
We pledge you our hearty support in any way we can render it, and assure you that it is our aim to follow you, as you follow Christ.
We pray that no divisions may arise to distress and separate the Lord's flock, but that we may all be drawn into a more complete oneness in Him. Above all, we pray that the Lord's Spirit may rest richly upon those who shall in any measure take the place of our dear Pastor.
Your brethren, by grace Divine,
We desire to convey to you all an expression of our love and sympathy, as was expressed unanimously by us in the following resolution:
"That we convey to the Bethel Family and those so closely associated in the Society's work, our sincere sympathy and Christian love, assuring you of our renewed determination to hold fast the profession of our faith to the end, and to be loyal to the Truth, the Brethren and the Society, esteeming it, as the Lord's servant, in carrying on the work so nobly and faithfully conducted by our dear Brother Russell; and that with our Heavenly Father's help and guidance, we will remain loyal to the memory of him who laid down his life on behalf of the Brethren and in the Lord's service."
Yours in the best of bonds,
We decided unanimously to continue our relationship as in the past with the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY. By the Lord's grace we will cooperate with you to the best of our ability until we shall have finished our course, when by the power of our God through our Lord and Savior, we shall enter beyond the veil, where our labors shall cease.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy in this hour of special trial which is upon you. As the dear brethren carried the silent form of our Beloved Pastor past us at the Carnegie Hall (Allegheny), yesterday, he seemed to say to us in hushed silence, "What more can I say than to you I have said?"
We pray the Lord's continued guidance over you as you endeavor to finish the work. We ask an interest in your prayers.
DEAR BRETHREN: –
The death of our dear Pastor, Charles T. Russell, created in us a state of gloom and sorrow that will long linger with us.
We are unable to express our sorrow and the loss we feel in the death of our dear Brother Russell.
We thank the Lord for this servant and for the message of Truth he has brought to us; and further do we thank Him that we were in that condition of heart and mind to receive that message.
Dear Brethren, we desire to extend our sympathies to all who are engaged at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, and to express our appreciation of your resolution to continue in the service of the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom. We assure you of our cooperation. We will therefore continue to look to the Lord, to cast our cares upon Him and to pray for you, as we have for our Beloved Pastor.
We are sorry that no one here could attend, in person, the funeral of our dear Pastor, but we can assure you, all of us were with you in spirit, and remembered you continually at the Throne of Heavenly Grace.
We are indeed glad to know that our dear Pastor had so arranged the affairs of the W.T.B. & T. Society that in the event of his death, the work would be carried on without interruption.
Our hearts indeed go out to each and every one of you, and we can assure you that we will cooperate with you in the future as we have in the past. We shall also continue to remember you in our prayers daily. We pray that you will also continue to remember us daily in your prayers. We also hope we may be served from time to time by the dear Pilgrim brethren, and that we may continue to share in the Harvest work under your direction.
Last Wednesday evening the Class by unanimous vote decided that in the future all Elders and Deacons should answer the V.D.M. Questions, and their answers should be passed upon by the Committee appointed by Brother Russell.
The Elders here have been slow in sending their answers to these questions, not because of not being in harmony with them, but because some have not had the time; others did not have the questions, and others were timid about asking for them, until the class expressed their wish in the matter. All expect to have their answers mailed to you within the next two weeks.
At our prayer meeting last evening, with crushed hearts and tear-dimmed eyes, all gave expression as to the high esteem and loving appreciation for the many instructive and helpful truths enjoyed through our Beloved Pastor, now entered into his reward. He has stood as a finger-board at the cross-roads of confusion, pointing us the true way as he for many years endured the chilling blasts of persecution from a cold, unthinking clergy and their following. Thank God for his ministrations of love and for the privilege of being associated with him!
To the dear Bethel family, so closely associated with our dear Brother in the forefront of the battle, we send our love, and assure you that we will always remember you at the Throne of Heavenly grace.
Though your loss and ours as well is very painful, yet how we can rejoice to know our dearly beloved Pastor, "That Servant," has finished his course in joy and has heard that "Well Done." A new man has been born in Zion, and the Highest Himself has established him. "It is the Lord; let Him do what seemeth good." Questioning not the wisdom, the love and the power of Him with whom we have to do, we need not weep for the departed, but for ourselves. How kind and loving our Heavenly Father has been to him, by permitting him to pass beyond the veil ere this dark night grows darker, ere the fiery furnace has been heated with sevenfold heat! How thankful we feel! Praise His holy name! How much greater will be the need "for the tie that binds"!
The Associated Bible Students here desire to express their Christian love and sympathy, especially to the dear Bethel Family, in this dark hour of bereavement.
Beloved Brethren, we will, indeed, 'continue to look to the Lord, and be of good courage!" We are most thankful for the great privilege of cooperating with you as in the past, and assure you of our prayers, and also of "our resolution to continue in the service of the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom, by the Lord's grace, even unto death."
We are so thankful our dear Pastor so arranged the affairs of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, and we have full confidence that the Lord will continue to direct the Harvest Work till it shall be fully completed. Oh, what an example we have in our dear Pastor to lay down our lives "in the work of the Lord"!
We express our thankfulness to God for the gift of the help and fellowship of our beloved Brother, Charles Taze Russell. We thank our Father for the blessed example of true Christian fellowship manifested in the wise and faithful steward now passed beyond the veil into the eternal blessedness of the Heavenly courts. We thank God for the love of a true brother in Christ, for the spiritual and material aid rendered without thought of self, for the wonderful privilege of being enlightened to know the riches of the inheritance in Christ, to appreciate the hope of the High Calling, to gain a heart knowledge of the love of Christ in its lengths, breadths, heights and depths. We sorrow as over the passing of our best earthly friend and benefactor, but we rejoice with joy unspeakable as we celebrate in our hearts the first Heavenly birthday of our beloved Pastor Russell. And now to God be the glory, the honor and the praise for all that He hath wrought in us all through this much beloved one whose face we all hope soon to see, shining in the light of immortality. In Jesus' name, Amen.
We wish to express to you in this dark hour of bereavement our sincere, heartfelt sympathy, and to assure you that we are praying for you and will continue until the end.
We are very grateful for all the assistance given us and ask the Lord's richest blessing ever to be upon you. We will gladly stand by you; and if there be anything we can do in any way, we will thank God for the privilege of serving. [R6021 : page 383]
We are still firm in the Faith, and our eyes wait upon the Lord our God. – Psalm 123:1,2.
"Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian Love." Push on, dear brethren; fight the good fight of Faith, and let nothing come between us, no matter how severe, that will even scratch the link that binds us together!
To you we desire to make known our deep heart sympathy in this hour of mutual grief. We shall miss our Beloved Pastor greatly; nevertheless we also greatly rejoice on his behalf, believing that he has passed beyond the veil, has experienced his resurrection change, and will be henceforth forever with the Lord. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
We realize, dear Brethren, now more than ever, the need of clinging closer to one another, yet leaning fully on our precious Redeemer.
We assure you, not only of the great bond of sympathy, but our prayers shall ascend daily on your behalf, that our loving Father may guide and direct all those on whom the mantle of responsibility must necessarily fall the heaviest.
Last night at our Praise and Testimony meeting a resolution was presented to the Class and unanimously adopted, to the intent that we will, as in the past, cooperate with you in every way we possibly can in the Harvest Work and toward the establishment of our dear Redeemer's Kingdom. In spirit we are with you during your sore trial. It is our determination to press with vigor on, and we surely will remember all of God's children, especially those at Brooklyn, at the Throne of Heavenly Grace.
Hoping that we shall shortly be with our Lord and Master on the other side the veil, we remain,
Your brethren by His grace,
Just a line to assure you of our warmest love and sympathy. We did not write sooner, as we knew you must be overwhelmed with letters. Our hearts are sore; but we are determined to press on and finish the work our beloved Pastor so nobly began and carried on to the end of his career. His example is an inspiration to us; his death makes us long still more for the Kingdom. We trust by the Lord's grace to be faithful, so that we may have the privilege of meeting our dear Brother again, in the presence of the King. Be assured of our prayers and cooperation.
In the death of Pastor Russell we recognize the departure of the greatest Bible Student of our day, the channel through which God is speaking to His Church and to the world. We recognize in his books and literature an outline of God's Plan of Redemption, and we are determined to stand steadfast in the faith and to bind about us more firmly than ever that wonderful chain of faith in God's Plan of Redemption. We shall go forth in the world in the confidence of that Plan to spread the Good Tidings of great joy which shall be to all people – Resurrection and Restitution – and to do it with diligence to the end that we may make our calling and election sure.
We deeply sympathize with you in the great affliction which has come upon you through the death of Pastor Russell, a man whose noble and exalted work in the ministry of Christ has set a shining example to the world, and whose memory will be a lasting spiritual stimulus to his many followers.
Pastor Russell's good work must be kept alive, and the Overland Monthly offers its pages to you for the publication of such articles as may help to this end.
In sincere and deep sympathy with your bereavement, we remain
Yours to command in our line of help,
We wish to give you the assurance that we will stand shoulder to shoulder in this dark hour, and gladly cooperate with you in carrying on the work to whatever extent it is possible for us to lend a hand. Quite a few of the friends have already expressed their determination to be more faithful and some have openly and publicly renewed their consecration before a huge audience in New York City Temple Sunday afternoon, Nov. 5.
We therefore pray that the memory of our dear Pastor may never fade, and that with this in mind you may, with the Lord's grace and assistance, terminate the work which yet remains for the Church this side the Veil.
There comes a time to some of us when we realize that we are utterly unable to put into words the expressions we desire to convey, and this is just such an occasion.
The Providence Class desire to express to you their deep Christian love and hearty appreciation for the many blessings they have received through the ministrations of our dear, departed Pastor and colaborers at Brooklyn, and to further state that it is their desire and purpose to cooperate with you in every possible way in the continuance of spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom.
May the Lord's richest blessing be with you as you continue to serve His cause and His brethren, is our prayer.
page 385
December 1st
Other foundation can
no man lay
A RANSOM FOR ALL
| VOL. XXXVII. | DECEMBER 15 | No. 24 |
'I will stand upon my watch, and set my foot upon the Tower, and will watch to see what He shall say unto me, and what answer I shall make to them that oppose me.' Hab. 2:1
Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity: the sea and the waves (the restless, discontented) roaring: men's hearts failing them for fear and for looking forward to the things coming upon the earth (society): for the powers of the heavens (ecclestiasticism) shall be shaken. . . .When ye see these things come to pass, then know that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Look up, lift up your heads, rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh. – Luke 21:25-28, 32.
Our "Berean Lessons" are topical rehearsals or reviews of our Society's published "Studies," most entertainingly arranged, and very helpful to all who would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V.D.M.), which translated into English is, Minister of the Divine Word. Our treatment of the International S.S. Lessons is specially for the older Bible Students and Teachers. By some this feature is considered indispensable.
This Journal stands firmly for the defence of the only true foundation of the Christian's hope now being so generally repudiated, – Redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for all." (I Pet. 1:19; I Tim. 2:6.) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (I Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Pet. 1:5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to – "Make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has been hid in God,...to the intent that now might be made known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God" – "which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed." – Eph. 3:5-9,10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the Holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord hath spoken; – according to the divine wisdom granted unto us, to understand. Its attitude is not dogmatical, but confident; for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his service; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of his good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made, to facilitate such testing.
Foreign Agencies: – British Branch: LONDON TABERNACLE, Lancaster Gate, London, W. German Branch: Unterdorner Str., 76, Barmen. Australasian Branch: Flinders Building, Flinders St., Melbourne. Please address the SOCIETY in every case.
This journal is published under the supervision of an
Editorial Committee, at least three of whom have read
and approved each and every article appearing in these
columns. The names of the Editorial Committee are: W.E.
VAN AMBURGH, J.F. RUTHERFORD, H.C. ROCKWELL, F.H.
ROBISON, R.H. HIRSH.
Terms to the Lord's Poor as Follows: – All Bible Students who, by reason of old age, or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this journal, will be supplied Free if they send a Postal Card each May stating their case and requesting its continuance. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and in touch with the STUDIES, etc.
ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER AT THE POSTOFFICE DEPT., OTTAWA, CANADA.
BROTHER RUSSELL'S CHRISTMASTIDE GREETINGS
Shortly before his death Brother Russell gave instructions for the publication of a beautiful little card conveying his Christian greetings and best wishes to the New Creation, together with references to five recent WATCH TOWER articles which he considered particularly timely and helpful, also announcing the Year Text for 1917, over his signature. On the other side of this card is a rotogravure reproduction of the famous painting, "Christ Stilling the Storm on the Sea," as selected by our Pastor. According to his request, these cards are now being enclosed in all regular mail sent out from this office in acknowledgment of orders, etc. By this means practically all of our interested readers will receive one. Any who fail to receive a copy, may have one upon request.
Anticipating a continued demand for this picture, he ordered an edition in regular post-card form, with space for message, which may be had at 10c per doz., postpaid. We have also a quantity of the same picture in post-card size, printed on heavy coated paper, with "Our Morning Resolve" on the reverse side. These may be had for 6c per doz., postpaid.
THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY is arranging for a Convention at Pittsburgh, Pa., to be held Saturday and Sunday, January 6th and 7th, 1917. Several of the brethren from the Brooklyn Tabernacle will be present and address the Convention. The Saturday sessions will be held in CARNEGIE HALL in Allegheny, and those on Sunday at the Lyceum Theatre, in Pittsburgh.
Any one desiring to make reservations for accommodation will please address Dr. W.E. Spill, 2509 Perrysville Ave., N.S., Pittsburgh, Pa.
EXAMINATION OF ANSWERS TO V.D.M. QUESTIONS
The Examining Board expects to complete its work before the end of the present month; but if for any reason its work should be delayed a little, we would advise that the election of any to represent your Class as either Elders or Deacons could be done on the same condition as that of the New York Congregation – subject to a successful examination of the answers to the questions.
The Society is contemplating the publication, in book form, of Memoirs of Brother Russell, together with a number of his sermons. Further announcement will be made in due time.
[CONTINUED ON PAGE 396.]
"What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the name of the Lord [for grace to help]. I will pay my Vows unto the Most High." – Psa. 116:12-14.
Remembering the Divine call, "Gather My saints together unto Me, those that have made a Covenant with Me by sacrifice" (Psa. 50:5), I resolve that by the Lord's assisting grace I will today, as a saint of God, fulfil my Vows, continuing the work of sacrificing the flesh and its interests, that I may attain unto the Heavenly inheritance in joint-heirship with my Redeemer.
I will strive to be simple and sincere toward all.
I will seek not to please and honor self, but the Lord.
I will be careful to honor the Lord with my lips, that my words may be unctuous and blessed to all.
I will seek to be faithful to the Lord, the Truth, the brethren and all with whom I have to do, not only in great matters, but also in the little things of life.
Trusting myself to Divine care and the Providential overruling of all my interests for my highest welfare, I will seek not only to be pure in heart, but to repel all anxiety, all discontent, all discouragement.
I will neither murmur nor repine at what the Lord's providence may permit, because
In the heat and excitement of battle one cannot take much time to look about or to inquire what others may be doing or who may possibly be falling. Each soldier is on the alert to carry out the commands given by the great Captain of our Salvation; but the Lord loves all the true soldiers, and occasionally calls them aside for a little breathing spell and refreshment, thus preparing them for the next and more vigorous campaign. The Lord's people will greatly rejoice over the progress made during the year – Nov. 1, 1915, to Nov. 1, 1916.
Our Covenant with the Lord calls for a walk by faith. We are therefore not to expect to see the full results of our labors while on this side the veil, but our Lord is so loving and considerate that He frequently draws the curtain aside a little, that we may have a glimpse of the results following some of our labors of love. How such views rejoice our hearts!
The year 1916 has been a very eventful one in many ways. We need not mention here those events particularly connected with the falling of the "kingdoms of this world." They are written by the world's historians. Our interests are centered in the establishment of "the Kingdom of God," for which the Church has so long been praying. At the beginning of the year we were in a more or less expectant attitude, not knowing what new experiences the Lord might have in store. We were certain that He would supply us with the waters of Truth and lead us to certain victories, if we but followed closely. There was much polishing and buckling on of the Armor of God, and preparing for whatever might be ahead. No one thought of faltering – the prize appeared brighter, and the goal nearer. Those inclined to criticize us had prophesied that, as 1914 had passed, and as their interpretation of our understanding of the Scriptures had failed to come to pass, the work would soon come to naught. How little do they realize the power of the Spirit of God in the hearts of the consecrated! And how far short of the reality is their knowledge of our glorious hopes and prospects! Considering the conditions – the comparatively small army of thoroughly consecrated and the great tension under which the whole world is straining – the results seem but little short of miraculous. But very few have become discouraged or have returned to their former pursuits.
Every well-equipped army is composed of several branches. The main branch is always the Infantry. It is the heavy fighting body, and the main reliance of every commander. So we might think of the Colporteurs. They are the soldiers who do the hard fighting at the front. Though each year since war-conditions prevail notices a change in the numbers, yet these noble soldiers of the Cross "close up ranks" and move on steadily and unfalteringly. We doubt not that the Lord will greatly reward this noble band. They have stormed many a redoubt of the enemy, and have been mighty in the Lord's hand to the pulling down of strongholds of evil and prejudice and planting the good Seed of the Kingdom.
Owing to the fact that financial conditions were greatly strained in many localities, and that labor difficulties and local disturbances existed in others, the number of those who were able to devote most of their time to the work has been considerably less than in 1915. However, those who have remained have done better work on the average. For 1915, the average sale per Colporteur was a trifle over 406 STUDIES and 23 SCENARIOS. For 1916, the average sale per Colporteur was a little over 430 STUDIES, and 166 SCENARIOS. An average of 372 Colporteurs were in the field for the year.
The general advance in prices on all commodities hit this branch of the work very hard in some respects. During a number of months we were greatly hindered by not being able to secure sufficient cloth STUDIES to fill the Colporteurs' orders. Then the DE LUXE SCENARIOS ran short, and also the supply of Karatol volumes. The printers were unable to obtain delivery of the materials necessary to their manufacture. The paper shortage has greatly hindered the printers. Many of the Colporteurs made a specialty of the SCENARIO in territory which had already been canvassed a number of times for the STUDIES.
Total output of STUDIES for year........... 265,495
Total output of SCENARIOS.................. 70,000
Total output of Booklets................... 110,000
-------
Total ................................ 445,495
Moreover, these faithful workers were careful to encourage the reading of the STUDIES, where they found them already in the homes. A number were thus awakened to the import of present conditions, and some to active co-operation.
[R6021 : page 388]
Who can say what the yield may be when the Master of the Harvest shall show forth all the increase? May the Lord richly bless the dear Colporteurs!
We might liken the Pilgrim force in some respects to the Cavalry division of the army. It is much smaller than the Colporteur list, and covers more territory, and the force must be moved more quickly. Its work for the past year compares very favorably with any other year of the entire Harvest campaign. Note the following figures:
Number of Pilgrims...................... 69
Miles traveled.......................... 552,498
Towns visited........................... 6,575
Public meetings held.................... 1,507
Semi-public meetings held............... 3,124
Parlor meetings held.................... 9,221
Total attendance........................ 809,393
We might term this the Grenadier Department of the army. It seeks out the hiding places of the enemy, and endeavors to leave little "bombs" in every available place. The output for 1916 has not quite equaled that of 1915. We cautioned the friends to be much more careful that each "bomb" be properly placed, so that no waste be made. The amount of free literature thus distributed is almost beyond our comprehension. The total output for the year was 22,158,000 BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLIES. To print these took over 598,000 pounds of paper, or 16 carloads. Who can estimate the number of strongholds of error which these "bombs" may have overthrown? But that is only an incidental feature of the work. The principal thing was the reflex action upon our own hearts. How we have rejoiced as we sought to carry the Message of Good Tidings to others and to free them from the shackles of error, even as we ourselves have been freed!
The friends will be glad to know that we have some very excellent Volunteer matter for 1917, prepared by Brother Russell. On page 396 of this WATCH TOWER will be found an item especially upon this subject. We desire to make a word of explanation here: It is not so much a question of how many shots are fired as of how many are hits. Note the cost of this year's output in the financial report. The paper for next year will cost us more than twice as much as formerly. In other words, we were fortunately able to purchase paper last year at 3¾c per pound. Next year it will cost us over 8c. This means that a dollar will not go so far now as fifty cents have gone heretofore. Therefore, it behooves us to be very careful to make every shot count and not to waste any. Better fire only five shots and make three hits than to fire twenty shots for the same number of hits. Noise or number does not count. The shots only are effective. Therefore judge cautiously as to your needs, and be sure to use all that you order. We shall be pleased to have your orders as quickly as possible. The matter will be ready Jan. 1. "The World on Fire" is the leading article.
This had become greatly curtailed, owing to our dropping from the list many papers of small circulation, and further, to our policy of retrenchment necessitated by [R6022 : page 388] conditions produced by the war. Now that Brother Russell has passed beyond, the sermon feature will be discontinued entirely. The blessing of the Lord has rested upon this work far beyond our highest expectations. We remember when we thought if we could secure fifty newspapers to publish the sermons it would be a wonderful witness. About twenty years ago Brother Russell saw the great advantage of reaching the people by means of the public press. At that time the large sum of nearly half a million dollars seemed within his reach. He planned to use this for having the Truth spread broadcast through the magazines. Just as he expected to receive the money, the death of one man blocked the way. It was a great disappointment for awhile, but he knew that the Lord was still at the head of the Harvest work. Later, with an astonishingly small sum, the Lord opened another way, and at one time about 2,000 papers were publishing the sermons simultaneously and altogether over 4,000 papers published weekly reports. We asked for showers, and the Lord gave us rainfalls almost amounting to floods. What an evidence of His might and power to open doors whenever it may please Him and best serve His cause!
Now that part of the work is past. Has He anything else to take its place? We think so. We believe that even a greater work is just at our doors, and that it will prove to be a richer blessing to the Church itself. The way is opening for thousands to enter into the work "while it is yet day," and they are hastening before the "night cometh when no man can work." The Colporteur work, the Pilgrim work, the Volunteer work, the PHOTO-DRAMA, and the "lightnings" of the Lord now observed on every hand have prepared the soil of the hearts of men. Each loyal soldier not already enlisted in some branch will be asking for the privilege to be a participant in the great battle of victory for the overthrow of Babylon. Already Babylon is gathering her hosts. We can hear the rumbling of the companies and the divisions as they are being assembled; and we think that it will not be long before she will have her army in full battle array. Hence we, like David of old, wish to have our slings loaded with pebbles from the Brook of Truth and to hurl them while Babylon is preparing for the battle. Let each remember that before one can enlist under the lead of our glorious and victorious Captain, it is well to take the oath of full allegiance to Him – to make a whole-hearted consecration and take up the cross and follow Him, else we cannot expect to share the glories of the Kingdom, soon to be established. We refer to
This seems to us to be another great forward movement against the embattlements of the Adversary. The campaign is opening up so rapidly that it is difficult to keep up with the rush. We can almost hear the noise of the gathering of the companies all over the country. Letters are pouring in from all sides asking for information, and many are already in the thick of the battle. We have been hindered by not being able to secure the needed "ammunition" to equip all the companies. The "munition factories" – our printers – have been greatly delayed in filling our orders; but we have promise now of speedy delivery, and soon we hope to see the battle being waged along the entire front.
We wish we could tell you many of the interesting and encouraging incidents taking place in this service. We give one: In one of the larger cities the sisters had loaned a book to a gentleman. He read it, became very much interested, and said that he would be glad to pay for as many books as the Class could loan. When informed that they could use 700, he promptly gave his check for the needed amount. A letter now going out to the Pastoral workers gives other interesting and helpful information to these dear colaborers.
The PHOTO-DRAMA and the EUREKA DRAMA are still a valuable means of reaching many. The country districts are glad to have the opportunity of seeing the beautiful [R6022 : page 389] slide-pictures, even though they may not see the "movies." As a result we are receiving many inquiries from rural districts, which show a considerable interest. We are able to furnish the PHOTO-DRAMA to Classes in the following foreign languages: Armenian, Dano-Norwegian, French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Swedish.
There are twenty-one DRAMAS in active service, exhibiting mostly on Sundays; very few working during the week. These twenty-one are being operated mostly by the Classes of the larger cities, even where the DRAMA has been previously exhibited with success. We are receiving some glowing reports. One of these, from Toronto, Canada, informs us that in a hall seating 1,000, frequently hundreds are turned away at a single exhibition. Those attending are showing marked interest and are leaving many cards of inquiry. The PHOTO-DRAMA has also been shown upon several of the large American battleships, and many have manifested marked interest. It was also shown to the soldiers down upon the Mexican border, and good reports are coming from there. We have two more DRAMAS ready for use. If any of the large Classes are so situated that they could handle the PHOTO-DRAMA for a season, the Society will be pleased to hear from them; and if they do not have local operators arrangements could probably be made to supply them on short notice. Our latest information is that the DRAMA has witnessed to about twelve millions. Many classes have in this way been doubled, and prejudice against the Truth has been dispelled as perhaps could not otherwise have been accomplished.
We are not printing so many extra copies for samples and for supplying back numbers as formerly, but we are printing about 47,000 each issue, except in the case of the Memorial Number, for which we are expecting a wide circulation. Orders for large numbers of these continue to come from Classes and friends. We do not know of a better issue to allay prejudice against Present Truth. It is very cheap at 5c. for 32 pages. THE WATCH TOWER is also published in the German, Polish, Swedish, Dano-Norwegian and French languages, but the Memorial Number in only English, German and Polish.
We have long considered THE WATCH TOWER list the best criterion in regard to the general interests of the Harvest work, but there is still good reason to believe that the list does not include more than half the names it should. We are dependent upon the brethren to make known to others the merits of this publication and to urge all to send in their subscriptions. We remind them again of our willingness to cancel the debt of any receiving THE WATCH TOWER on credit who will advise us of their inability to pay.
It must be gratifying to all to observe in THE WATCH TOWER columns the letters of sympathy and expressions of continued loyalty to the Society and to the Harvest work. These letters cover every section of the country, and incoming mails from foreign lands show the same spirit of sympathy and confidence – that He who began the good work is both able and willing to complete it.
The foreign branch of the service has been to some extent hindered, especially in Germany and France. The work in England has gone on without much change, and we have good reports from the dear brethren there. We hope to publish some very interesting letters soon.
As this is the report for the last year our dear Brother Russell was connected with the work, we feel sure that all have an added interest in it.
Our mail for the past year has been very encouraging:
Letters received........................ 134,849
Letters and cards sent out.............. 152,944
You will observe that last year's report closed with a loan to balance the account. Therefore the report for the year just closed commenced with no balance on hand:
RECEIPTS
donations
EXPENDITURES
| Pilgrim service | 30,967.71 | |
| Free literature, Lecture Bureau, etc | 60,596.74 | |
| For the Blind | 845.00 | |
| For the various Conventions | 1,985.36 | |
| Pastoral work | 269.60 | |
| For the Foreign Fields | 32,850.23 | |
| Paid on loan | 20,000.00 | |
| Leaving a balance on hand to commence the year | 2,211.57 |
As we see the vast possibilities opening up before us for the incoming year, we trust that each will carefully consider what share he or she may have in the work. As has been customary for a number of years, in order that the Society might outline its work with as much definiteness as possible – lay plans and make contracts – we give the friends an opportunity of advising us as soon as possible how much they estimate they will be able to give to the work for the coming year. Please remember that this is in no sense a solicitation. We know that all are glad to give to the best of their ability; that many have local expenses for Class and other needs; and yet that all desire to assist the general work as much as possible – as the Lord hath prospered them.
We are glad to show a safe balance on hand and to report that the receipts during the past month are encouraging. [R6023 : page 389] We are governing ourselves accordingly – making preparations for the wisest and most judicious use of our stewardship. We doubt not the Lord's continued interest in the Cause which we all love so much, and His intention to carry to completion that which we believe He began. Continue to pray for us, as we always do for you.
Finally, as expressed in the motto text of Brother Russell's selection for 1917: "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." – Numbers 6:24-26.
We feel sure that all will be greatly interested in a quotation from the first published report – extending from 1886 to 1891 – published in THE WATCH TOWER in the latter year. We append the part as follows:
"The handful of Harvest laborers and the money at our disposal seem insignificant in contrast with the hundreds of missionaries and the millions of dollars spent by Catholic and Protestant societies in their support and in publishing abroad the doctrinal errors handed down from the Dark Ages, which tend to pervert and subvert the teachings of the Scriptures. But such is the zeal which the 'present truth' inspires, that 'a little one is able to chase a thousand, and two to put ten thousand to flight.' (Deut. 32:30.) Although few and untitled, and generally without great worldly learning – in these respects resembling those sent out by our Lord with the Kingdom Message at the First Advent – the faithful band of Harvest workers is busily engaged (some giving all their time and others able to give only a portion of it) in seeking out the 'wheat' class – the sickle of Truth which they bear separating 'the wheat' from the 'tares.'
"Few know these Colporteurs as the Lord's real representatives, or recognize that dignity which the Lord sees in [R6023 : page 390] their humility and self-sacrifice. Missionaries? No, say the world and the nominal Church, ours are the missionaries, who go to foreign lands. Yes, says the Lord, these are My missionaries, charged with a grand mission – to 'gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a Covenant with Me by sacrifice.' They shall be Mine, saith the Lord, in the day when I come to make up My jewels.'
"Ministers? No, say the world and the nominal Church, only ours who wear clerical garments and preach from our pulpits are God's ministers. Yes, says the Lord, My servants (ministers) they are because they serve Me, dispensing Present Truth to My household. I have sent forth the Message which they bear. He that despiseth them despiseth Me, and he that receiveth the sealing in the forehead which I send by them will know the doctrine, that it is of Me. 'My sheep know My voice.'
"During the past six years, annual reports of the work have not been made, for the reason that the reports would not have shown so well as we would have liked, and might have been discouraging rather than encouraging, some years. But the past year has been so favorable, and the responses already received to the suggestion in a recent TOWER have been so encouraging, that we have concluded to report each year hereafter, good or bad. We accordingly report now the TOWER MISSIONARY WORK in spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom for the six years past:
"Paid balance, debt, owing January 1, 1886. $516.17
"Expended in publishing and circulating
Tracts and sample copies of WATCH
TOWER and in sending TOWER to the
Lord's poor ............................ 8,625.03
---------- $9,141.20
"From Old Theology Tract subscriptions..... $1,113.63
"From Tract Fund Donations................. 8,027.57
---------- $9,141.20
"It will thus be seen that we started Dec. 1st, 1891, with an evenly balanced ledger. But since figures are not apt to come out so exactly, it may be proper to remark that we had expended considerably more than our receipts, which would have shown a debt owing; but five friends of the Cause subscribed the balance so as to permit us to start the new fiscal year, beginning Dec. 1st, free from debt.
"Tracts published and distributed.......... 841,095"
"Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a Covenant with Me by sacrifice." – Psalm 50:5.
Since "that Servant" has been gathered into the Garner of the Lord, should we expect the work of the Harvest to cease immediately? Surely not! We should expect it to continue until every member of the Kingdom class is fully gathered unto the Lord! The Harvest work consists of two distinct parts: (1) The promulgation of the Kingdom Message, which serves as a trumpet to call the people of God out from Babylon and to draw them closer to the Lord; and (2) the ripening and perfecting of the saints in character-likeness to the Master, and their entrance finally into the Heavenly Home.
"That Servant" means a special messenger to the Church as this time. "Meat in due season" means the Message of the Kingdom to the Church, given at the time the Lord intended it should be given. The fact that the messenger has been gathered into the Kingdom should in no wise affect the Message, which remains with the Church as food and to be handed out to other hungry ones, until every one of the Lord's little ones has been gathered into the Kingdom.
Who, then, will proclaim the Message? We answer, Every truly consecrated child of God who appreciates his or her privilege. All who are begotten and anointed of the Holy Spirit are commissioned to do this work. (Isaiah 61:1-3.) The Message of the Kingdom has been put in such form that everyone who possesses the Master's Spirit may use it for his own blessing and for the blessing of others. Our full consecration to the Lord means that all of our money, our time, strength, influence, everything, is devoted to His Cause. Whatever natural qualifications we thus have for serving the Lord provide an opportunity for us to serve in whatever place we are best situated for service.
The Volunteers will continue to hand out the precious "meat in due season" which the Lord has furnished through His chosen Servant, that thereby some of His people yet in Babylon may be awakened.
The Colporteurs will continue to bear to the hungering ones the precious Food contained in the Six Volumes of SCRIPTURE STUDIES. Evidently such food is all-sufficient for anyone to make his calling and election sure.
The Pilgrim brethren will continue to make their usual visits to the Classes to aid, to teach and comfort them, and to serve the public as opportunity affords.
Pastoral Workers will find much to do in searching out those who have heard the Truth at some public meeting and who may be needing further assistance in the way of getting out of Babylon before her downfall.
The Elders of the various Classes who have the Spirit of the Lord will earnestly cooperate with the members of their respective Classes and in helping them to better understand the Berean lessons. Serving in humility and love and walking circumspectly, they will contribute much to the development in others of the character-likeness of the Master.
The PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION will continue to perform the portion of the work the Lord intends it to do.
Every truly consecrated child of God will, by his or her ability and opportunity, daily preach the Message. The world cannot intelligently read and understand the Bible, but can read and understand the daily life of Christians with whom they come in contact. "Actions speak louder than words." As the Lord continues to provide the money, so shall the Society continue to use it for the promulgation of the Gospel, looking for and expecting Divine wisdom and guidance in the proper use of it.
It is recognized that everything must be done decently and in order; that there must be a regular organization to properly carry on any work. How, then, may the Harvest work be thus conducted since Brother Russell is no longer in our midst? Many of the friends throughout the country are asking this and other questions, and we take pleasure in answering: [R6024 : page 390]
THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY was organized in the year 1884 as a means of putting forth the Message of the Kingdom in an orderly and systematic manner. The Corporation is controlled and managed by its Board of Directors and officers. The Board of Directors is composed of seven members. The Charter of the Corporation provides that the Board of Directors shall be self-perpetuating; that is to say, when a vacancy occurs by death or resignation the surviving members are empowered to fill such vacancy. Brother Russell was a member of the Board of Directors. Two [R6024 : page 391] days after his death the Board met and elected Brother A.N. Pierson as a member of the Board to fill the vacancy caused by Brother Russell's change. The seven members of the Board as now constituted are A.I. Ritchie, W.E. Van Amburgh, H.C. Rockwell, J.D. Wright, I.F. Hoskins, A.N. Pierson and J.F. Rutherford.
The Board of Directors thereupon provided for an Executive Committee of three, and elected as that Committee Brothers A.I. Ritchie, W.E. Van Amburgh and J.F. Rutherford. This Executive Committee has general supervision of all the work of the Society, both in America and abroad, subject to the control of the Board of Directors of the Society.
The Charter of THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY provides that the officers shall be elected annually by those who have contributed to the funds of the Society, and that those officers must be elected from among the Board of Directors. Brother Russell was the President of THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY from its organization until his death. The next annual election, as provided by the Charter, will be held Saturday, January 6th, 1917, at Pittsburgh, at which time officers will be elected; viz., a President, Vice President, and Secretary and Treasurer.
THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY is the most wonderful and unusual Corporation on earth. It is the strongest corporation, not financially, but strong because it has been, and still is, used of the Lord for the carrying on of His work. It is unusual in this: that all who are in any wise connected with it gladly render their services without salary; those giving all of their time taking only the bare necessities of life. It will continue in the same manner as in the past to spread the Gospel, so long as the Lord indicates this as His will.
This publication is the medium through which the Kingdom Message is brought regularly to the members of the "Household." "That Servant" used this medium to give out the "meat in due season." By his last Will and Testament he provided for the continuance of THE WATCH TOWER by a duly constituted Editorial Committee. The names of the members of this Editorial Committee appear upon the title page of each issue of THE WATCH TOWER. It is the province of this Committee to put in proper form and publish, twice each month, that which goes to the Church. THE WATCH TOWER is not the organ of the Editorial Committee. It is the official organ of the Church. It is the only publication in the world declaring the presence of the King and announcing the nearness of His Kingdom. Therefore, dear brethren, THE WATCH TOWER is your journal. It is the journal of every one in harmony with Present Truth, and its publication is for the benefit of all such. It will continue to publish only that which is in harmony with what "that Servant" has heretofore given to the "Household of Faith."
Shall we, then, continue to recognize in our Class-studies the Berean Bible lessons prepared by Brother Russell? Shall we continue to speak in our Class-studies of Brother Russell as the Lord's Servant who brought "meat in due season to the household of faith." Yes, indeed! Why not? If the Lord was pleased to use him for many years to give the "meat in due season" to the Church, then it is still "meat in due season," and the Berean lessons are essential for the development of those who shall be made partakers of the Kingdom. Should we now disregard the food contained in the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES and other publications of THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, it would mean that we were repudiating or disregarding that which the Lord has graciously provided for our benefit. We must make the distinction between Brother Russell as a creature and his official capacity as "that servant" of the Master to give out the "meat in due season." To disregard the Message would mean to disregard the Lord.
Let us be courageous and faithful, dear brethren. Let us remember that in unity there is strength. The Lord will continue His work until it is finished. He will gather all of His true children into the Garner in due time. Shall we be of those thus gathered? That will depend upon whether or not we hold fast to that which we have; whether or not we remain loyal to the Lord and to His Message of the Kingdom.
The Lord's "faithful and wise servant" finished his work and left with us his message. His last words to the Church, as set forth in his Will and Testament, show how essential it is for every one who would enter the Kingdom to continue loyal, and faithfully develop the fruits and graces of the Spirit. He said, "I entreat you all that you continue to progress and to grow in grace, in knowledge, and above all in Love, the great fruit of the Spirit, in its various diversified forms. I exhort to meekness, not only with the world, but with one another; to patience with one another and with all men, to gentleness with all, to brotherly-kindness, to godliness, to purity. I remind you that all these things are necessary for us – necessary that we may attain the promised Kingdom; and that the Apostle has assured us that if we do these things we shall never fail, but that 'so an entrance shall be ministered unto us abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'"
THE NEW JERUSALEM – THE NEW SPIRITUAL GOVERNMENT OF THE MILLENNIAL AGE – THE NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH SYMBOLIC EXPRESSIONS INDICATIVE OF NEW CONDITIONS TO PREVAIL UNDER MESSIAH'S RULE – THE NEW SPIRITUAL GOVERNMENT TO BE INVISIBLE – IN ANOTHER FIGURE CALLED THE TEMPLE OF GOD – THE EARTHLY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM – THOSE WHO WILL CONSTITUTE THE HEAVENLY PHASE.
"Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His peoples." – Verse 3. R.V.
It was to this Paradise that the Apostle Paul was in vision "caught away" when given a glimpse of various features of the Divine Plan, not then due to be understood by the Church in general – "things not lawful to be uttered." (2 Corinthians 12:4.) The Apostle St. John was similarly caught away in vision, and shown some of the wonders of the Paradise epoch. But these were only in symbols, which he was permitted to report, and which have been comparatively misapprehended, until now, in the Lord's due time, the Holy Spirit is guiding His people into the Truth of this subject, as well as upon others; for "the time is at hand," and the information is "meat in due season" for the Household of Faith.
Elsewhere this Paradise of the future is referred to by the Apostles as "the third heaven," and as "a new heavens and a new earth." (2 Corinthians 12:2; 2 Peter 3:13.) They are not referring to new planets, nor to heavens ranged one above another, as many have supposed, but to the third of three great periods of time, beginning with man's creation and extending into the illimitable future. The first of these periods, termed the first heavens and earth – the old order of things – passed away with the Deluge of Noah's day. The second period, "the heavens and the earth which are now," the present order of things, are reserved of God to pass away with a great symbolic fire of trouble – revolution, etc. – which will utterly destroy the present spiritual powers and the present social arrangements. – 2 Peter 3:6,7; Galatians 1:4; Zephaniah 3:8,9.
The third great period is to be a "world without end," under Divine administration. This will be the third heavens and the third earth, or the new heavens and the new earth, which will differ from the present condition of things in that they will be righteous! whereas the present arrangement is imperfect, unrighteous. The "new heavens" will consist of the new spiritual ruling powers of the future – Christ the Head, and the Church His Body. The present heavens consist of the nominal religious systems which, while claiming Christ for their Head, nevertheless bow in a very large degree to Antichrist, "the god of this world," "the prince of this world," "who now worketh in the children of disobedience," and who is captivating and blinding the whole world, with the exception of the few whose eyes of understanding have been opened, who are under special blessing and leading, who are taught of God – the Little Flock, "heirs of the Kingdom." – Ephesians 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:4.
It is to this new heavens and new earth condition, this Paradise of God, that today's Study introduces us. As the "new heavens" do not mean a new place for God's Throne, so the "new earth" does not mean another planet. The "new heavens" are a new condition, the spiritual power and control of Christ and His glorified Church; so the "new earth" means a new social order on this planet – "the new heavens and earth" – constituting the world to come – "wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Peter 3:10-13.) The declaration of our lesson is that the former heavens and the former earth – which are now – will then have passed away and will be no more. All present institutions are to perish utterly in the great Time of Trouble with which this Age is very shortly to end.
"And there shall be no more sea." As we have already seen, the sea is a symbol for the masses of people in a restless and unstable, anarchistic condition – just as the land represents the social order, and as the mountains represent the kingdoms of the present time. As there is no reference to the physical earth and the physical heavens being destroyed, so there is no reference to the physical sea being obliterated. The symbol signifies that under the new arrangement, under the control of the new Heaven – spiritual powers – the reconstructed social order will be so satisfactory, so complete, so thorough, that there will be no more sea class – no more restless people, no more dissatisfied masses, no more anarchists. Everything will be reduced to law and order; and under the new regime law and order will secure justice to every creature, obliterating the differences of wealth and power as they now exist. – Isaiah 2:12-22.
In the symbolism of Scripture a city represents a government; as, for instance, symbolic Babylon is denominated "that great city [government] which ruleth over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:18.) The New Jerusalem symbolizes the new spiritual Government of the Millennial Age. It is not earth-born; it is not reared by men; but, as pictured in today's Study, it descends from God out of Heaven. That is, it is spiritual in every sense of the word – of God and not of men. It is for this Kingdom, this Government, that our Lord taught His disciples to pray, "Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in Heaven."
The declaration that the City is adorned as a bride for her husband implies its beauty, grandeur and perfection, as a bride's adornment on such an occasion is particular and elaborate to the last degree. Additionally, the statement reminds us that in the government of the future the world's judges are to be the saints selected throughout the Gospel Age and qualified through faithfulness in trial and tribulation. (1 Cor. 6:2.) In the Scriptures these are frequently called "the Bride, the Lamb's Wife" and Joint-heir in the Kingdom.
We are not to think of this Holy City as being composed of literal stones, coming down through the air. On the contrary, we are to remember that the saints of the Gospel Age are "living stones," as the Apostles explain. (1 Peter 2:4-7; Ephesians 2:19-22.) This glorious City will not be visible to the natural eye. Neither Christ nor the saints in glory can be seen of men. Only those who are changed from human to spiritual nature will see these matters in full. But the whole world will quickly be made aware of the fact that a new Government has been instituted – a government of righteousness and all power – and that thereafter whosoever doeth righteousness shall be blessed, but that whosoever doeth evil shall be punished proportionately. [R6024 : page 393]
The entire Gospel Age has been devoted to the preparation of this New Jerusalem. As a whole, it comprises all of the saints, from our Lord Jesus Christ down to the last member of the Church. Not until all of the members of the Body of Christ have been chosen, found faithful, fitted and prepared for their places will this City of God descend to earth in power and come into possession or control of the earth. The coming of the New Jerusalem to the earth is the symbolic representation of the establishment of God's Kingdom in the earth; for a city is a well-known symbol representing government, control. Thus Washington City represents the United States government; Petrograd, the Russian government; Paris, the French government; Rome, the Italian; Berlin, the German; London, the British; etc.
The third verse of today's Study associates this City with the other figure of a symbolic Temple which the Lord is now preparing, and of which the saints will constitute the "living stones" and "pillars." It is declared that the Tabernacle of God [His Dwelling] shall be with men in this City [Government or Kingdom]. It will be His Temple; and the world of mankind will approach God in it, to receive the Divine blessings, just as Israel approached the typical Tabernacle and the Temple in their typical religious services. Thus God, represented in His Church – The Christ, Head and Body – will dwell with the world of mankind during the Millennial Age, and they shall be His people; that is to say, all mankind will be treated from the standpoint of reconciliation. The Propitiation-price for the sins of the whole world having been paid, and the due time having come for the manifestation of Divine favor, all peoples shall be treated as the Lord's people. None of them shall be treated as aliens, strangers, foreigners from God and His promises.
While the Millennial Kingdom will be the Kingdom of God's dear Son, it will also be the Kingdom of God; for God's dear Son and His Joint-heir, the Church, will be in absolute accord with the Father; and all that shall be done under their control will fully and completely represent the Divine will respecting men. Nevertheless, it will be a Kingdom separate from the remainder of the Universe, as the Apostle Paul indicates. (1 Cor. 15:24,25,28.) "He must reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet....And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also be subject to Him that did put all things under Him....Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father" – at the close of the Millennial Reign.
Since God is the Author of all the blessings of Redemption and Restitution, and since every good and every perfect gift cometh down from Him, the record appropriately declares that "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" – the eyes of mankind. Though Christ and the Church will do it, nevertheless the Heavenly Father will be recognized as the First Cause, the Fountain of Blessings. The wiping away of tears implies a gradual work, such as we see shall be the process of that glorious time. At the beginning of the Messianic Reign mankind will not be exempt from weakness, trial and difficulty; but as they conform to the laws of the Kingdom all cause for distress will gradually pass away; and the Restitution blessings will gradually lift them out of death into perfect life. – Acts 3:19-23.
In verse 4 the work of the whole Millennial Age is summed up in a few words. What a glorious sunburst of blessing is in these words! What a grand fulfilment of St. Peter's declaration respecting the Times of Restitution! This declaration, however, applies to the very end of the Millennial Age rather than to any previous part of that Age; for other accounts show us unmistakably that there will be imperfections, chastisements and stripes throughout that Age, while mankind are being lifted up As our Lord expressed it, the raising up of mankind throughout the Millennium will be a "resurrection by judgment" – chastisements, disciplines. – John 5:28,29. R.V.
Even at the close of that Age, as we are shown in another pen-picture of that time, there will be a severe trial and testing to demonstrate to what extent the enforced obedience of the Messianic Reign shall have rightly affected the hearts of those who experience its blessings, so that they shall love righteousness and hate iniquity. (Revelation 20:7,8.) In that final test any who shall manifest that his heart contains anything aside from loyalty to God and to the principles of righteousness shall have his part in the Second Death.
Verse 5 comprehends the entire Millennial Age. Our Lord Jesus Christ, then in the Throne of earth's dominion, declares, "Behold, I make all things new." This expression does not relate merely to rocks, trees, etc., but to the great work which our Lord undertook; namely, the regeneration of humanity – of as many of Adam's race as will, under favorable conditions of knowledge, develop characters in full accordance with the Divine will. The end of the Millennial Age will see the work completed. All of the wicked – all who will not hear the voice of that Prophet, Teacher, King – will be cut off from amongst the people in the Second Death. But all the willing and obedient will be made new, brought to the complete perfection contemplated in the original Divine Plan.
Here our Study turns to a consideration of the City, the glorified Church, the Kingdom class, those who during the Millennial Age will be "Kings and priests unto God, and reign upon the earth" for "a thousand years." (Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:4,6.) This City class, the glorified Church, it is declared will have need of neither sun nor moon. Nothing in this statement indicates that the world will not both need and have sunlight and moonlight during the Millennial Age and subsequently. – Psalm 72:5.
While it will be true that the Church, as spirit beings, will not need the literal sunlight and moonlight, nevertheless this is not the thought of Verse 23. Both sun and moon here are symbolical, as in Revelation 12:1. The sun signifies the light of this Gospel Age. The moon signifies the typically reflected light of the Gospel in the Law and the Prophets of the Jewish Dispensation. The glorified Church will have no need of the light which in the present time she so much enjoys through the Word and the Spirit. Instead, she will have a much more excellent glory. To this St. Paul refers when he says, "Now [with all the light, privileges and opportunities which we enjoy, as respects the representations of God through the Law and the Prophets and through the instructions and leadings of the Spirit in the present Age] we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; now we know in part; then we shall know even as we are known." – 1 Corinthians 13:12.
The Church, the Temple of God, will be so filled with all the fulness of God, when made like her glorious Lord (1 John 3:2), that nothing could add to her blessings of knowledge and Divine favor. She will be so filled with the glory of God that from her, as from her Lord and Head, shall proceed the light of the glory of God, which shall heal and bless the world during the Millennial Age. This is the Sun of Righteousness to which our Lord referred in Matthew 13:43: "Then shall the righteous [R6024 : page 394] shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father" – our Lord Jesus, the Head of the Church, of course being included. The Prophet mentions the same Sun of Righteousness, saying, "The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His beams." (Malachi 4:2.) Nevertheless we are not to lose sight of the fact that Christ is the Head of the Church, even as the Father is the Head of Christ Jesus. (1 Cor. 11:3.) Hence the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb will always be an inner Temple in this great Temple which God has provided for the world's blessing during Restitution Times. – Verse 22.
When this Sun of Righteousness shall shine forth, its blessings of healing, refreshment and life – mental, moral and physical – shall fall upon all mankind; and the nations shall walk in the light therefrom. Old MSS. do not contain the words "of them that are saved" (Verse 24). Indeed, it is because the nations are NOT SAVED that they need this special light during the Millennial Age, in order to their enlightenment, their salvation, their Restitution. Nor do the words "and honor" occur in old MSS. "And the kings of the earth do bring their glory into it."
The expressions, "nations" and "kings," are not to be understood as signifying that during the Millennial Age the world of mankind will be divided into nationalities and kingdoms as at present. The word "nations" here signifies peoples, and is intended to show that all peoples, not merely the Israelites, will be thus favored under God's Kingdom. The word "kings" represents those princes, or chief ones, who during the Millennial Age will be the representatives of the Heavenly, spiritual, invisible Kingdom of Christ.
These princes, as we have already seen, will be Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the faithful Prophets of the previous Ages, who loved God before the Call to the Kingdom and to the Bride class went forth. Therefore they cannot be of the Bride class; but because of their faithfulness they will be the princes whom the Lord will establish in all the earth. First, however, He will make them perfect human beings and will qualify them for their office, as a reward for their faithfulness to God in the dark times in which they lived – their manifestation of love for righteousness and their trust in the Omnipotent One. – Psalm 45:16; Hebrews 11:39,40; Luke 13:28.
The bringing of their glory into the City, the Kingdom, signifies their acknowledgment of this Heavenly Kingdom, their rendering of tributes of praise, thanksgiving, worship and obedience to it as God's Agency. This rendering of glory to the Kingdom will continue throughout the entire Millennial Age; for the princes throughout the earth will make known to the peoples that not in their own name or authority do they rule and execute judgment and establish righteousness, but in the name of the glorified Christ, Head and Body, whose representatives they are. The result will be that all peoples will ascribe honor, praise, majesty and glory to the Lord's Anointed, through whom Redemption and Restitution is being accomplished. – Verse 26.
Then, in consideration of the fact that this book of symbols, while relating to the future, is addressed to God's consecrated Church of the present time – The Elect – and in view of the fact that this message would be more or less understood by those who would seek to make their calling and election sure to a part in the glorious New Jerusalem, Verse 27 is added, declaring that "in nowise shall there enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination nor maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."
The Lamb's Book of Life we must understand to include only those who attain to the position of joint-heirship with Christ, those whose names are written in Heaven during this Gospel Age and who are faithful to their Covenant. (Psalm 50:5.) What an incentive we have here to faithfulness! What a warning against the slightest sympathy with anything unclean, untrue, or in anywise contrary to the Divine standard of holiness! If we appreciate the glorious Divine provision for the Church and for the world, these promises will have their influence upon us; and under that influence we shall strive to keep our garments unspotted from the world, to be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that thus we may abide in our Lord's love, and in the due time be "meet for the inheritance of the saints." – Col. 1:12-14; Heb. 4:14-16.
A PICTURE OF MESSIAH AND HIS MILLENNIAL KINGDOM – DARKNESS STILL MEASURABLY COVERS THE WORLD – THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD SHINING FROM CHRIST AND HIS FOLLOWERS – THE RISING OF THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO SCATTER THE DARKNESS – THE WORLD TO BE CLEANSED FROM ALL OPPOSITION TO THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT – MESSIAH TO BE THE AGENCY THROUGH WHICH EARTH'S CLEANSING AND LIGHTING WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the Government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." – Verse 6.
Verse 2. After the Hebrew idiom this statement pertaining to the future reads as if it related to something in the past – just as in Verse 6 we read, "Unto us a Child is born," whereas Jesus was not born at that time nor until several centuries later. The promised great Light is not yet shining upon the people. Mankind still dwell in the land of the Shadow of Death. The shadows of the demoralized, sinful, dying condition of Adam's race affect all of life's interests for the whole world of mankind. As the Apostle explains subsequently, "The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." – Romans 8:22.
We are still in the time when "darkness covers the earth [civilized society], and gross darkness the people [the heathen]." True, there is a measure of light in the world. True, also, that light emanated from our dear Redeemer, His words and His works; and it still shines forth from all who are truly His, all whose hearts are illuminated by His promises and His Spirit. But this is not the light which is to scatter all of earth's darkness and to cause all mankind to appreciate the glory of God. It is merely "the light that is in you" – in believers. It is a light of faith, a light of hope, a light of love ignited in the hearts of the Little Flock, who shine as lighted candles in the world and who are admonished to shine brightly.
Our Lord's light shone into a little corner of the world called Palestine: and from His lamp many followers have [R6024 : page 395] lighted their lamps. To these the Master's instruction is, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven"; "Put not your light under a bushel, but upon a lampstand, that it may give light unto all in the House." But He adds, "Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds be reproved." – Matthew 5:15,16; John 3:20; 2 Cor. 4:4.
That the True Light is not now shining, that the Sun of Righteousness has not yet arisen with healing in His beams, is fully evidenced by the gross darkness of heathendom and by the lesser darkness of Christendom. In proportion as Jesus' true followers have kept their lights trimmed and burning, in that proportion a measure of light has spread throughout the world. But all this is merely the shining of light in the midst of darkness and at the present time and under present conditions a light wholly inadequate to dispel the night and to bring in the glorious Day for which the whole creation groans and waits. That glorious Day cannot come until the Lord shall first have found the members of His Body, who together with Himself shall constitute the Sun of Righteousness. – Malachi 4:2; Matthew 13:43.
The glorious prospect is that very soon the Church of Christ will be completed, that soon the Sun of Righteousness will shine. Soon its rays will light the uttermost parts of the earth. Then ultimately every child of Adam, sharer in his curse, shall be a sharer in Messiah's great work of blessing by being brought under the influence of that great Light which will constitute the Millennial Age a Day of glory and of knowledge of the Lord – the Golden Age of prophecy.
The prophecy of Verse 2 of our Study goes beyond the living of that time and assures us that the Light will shine to those who are in the shadow of death – those who are in Hades, in darkness. Upon every member of Adam's race the light must shine; for Christ hath tasted death for all. As all of Adam's children were condemned before their birth, so Christ died for all, and the majority before their birth. As surely as they shared in the curse that came upon Father Adam, so surely will they receive a blessing from the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:17,18.
Verse 3. "Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy; they joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil." This, the Revised Version rendering, is evidently the correct one. This pictures the world of mankind during the Millennial Age, brought forth from the bondage of death, released from the Adamic curse, rejoicing as those who are dividing a spoil – sharing in something which is not theirs, something which has fallen to them. It will be just so. The blessings of the Millennium will be distributed as Divine bounty; the curse will be rolled away; the Sun of Righteousness will shine for all with healing in His beams, bringing Restitution to all; and none will forfeit the blessings except those who wilfully refuse them and who do despite to God's favor.
The same is true now to those who receive Divine mercy. It is a gift; they can do nothing for it; they are merely assured that they are forgiven. The difference is that now only a very few have the eye to see, the ear to hear and the heart to appreciate God's mercy as it is told us in the Good Tidings which can be understood only by the hearing of faith. By and by, after the selection of the elect class, the Church, sight and knowledge will largely take the place of faith. The world will then realize the grace of God in Christ Jesus, forgiving their sins and providing them with life everlasting if they will accept it; and they will rejoice to divide the great spoil, the great gift of God. – Romans 6:23.
Verse 4 delineates the cause for this rejoicing. It will be because the great oppressor, Satan, will no longer have control. His yoke of sin, sorrow, pain and death, his rod and his staff of affliction and slavery, will be broken forever, as the Lord explains. (Revelation 20:1-3.) The victory over the Adversary is not to be a slow and gradual one, not to be accomplished by missions or any human power; but the Lord Himself will interpose His Power, "as in the day of Midian."
The day of Midian was the day when Gideon and his little band of Israelites met the hosts of Midian. (Judges 7:15-22.) Suddenly, at the breaking of the pitchers and the blowing of the rams' horns, the Lord overwhelmed the powerful enemies of His people and granted them a miraculous deliverance. Gideon evidently prefigured our Lord Jesus; and his little band prefigured the Little Flock of Christ – the saints, the Very Elect. It was after the testing, the sifting, of Gideon's little band that the Lord granted the great deliverance. Thus will it be at the end of this Age. As soon as the antitypical Gideon's Band, the Royal Priesthood under the captaincy of their Lord Jesus Christ, shall have given their Message and shall have let their feeble lights shine out, the Lord will grant the great victory for truth and righteousness through a Time of Trouble which will eventuate in the binding of Satan and the release of all the oppressed.
We read of the grand consummation, the end of sin and trouble, in Verse 5, which Leeser translates thus: "For all the weapons of the fighters in the battle's tumult and the garments rolled in blood shall be burned, become fuel for the fire." The interpretation of this figurative statement is that all of the weapons of Satan, all the accessories of sin and death, everything that pertained to this great conflict between righteousness and unrighteousness which has prevailed in the world for centuries, shall be utterly destroyed. The picture shows us the world cleansed from every evidence of opposition to the Divine Government and the Law of Righteousness, and accords well with the statement in Revelation 5:13.
Verse 6 gives us the explanation of the process by which the foregoing prophecy of blessing and release from the oppressor shall be accomplished. The Lord would draw the attention of all having the hearing ear to the fact that no such blessing and enlightenment could be possible until first Messiah should come. He would also show that Messiah would be born after the manner of mankind, but would nevertheless be the Son of the Living God.
How beautiful, how simple, is the entire statement from the standpoint of faith! Yet how possible it is for the wisdom of this world to stumble over even such simple statements as these, and to claim, as Higher Critics do, that this prophecy was wholly to the Israelites of Isaiah's day, and that the promised one was King Hezekiah! Blessed are our eyes if they see, and our ears if they hear, the true meaning of this prophecy and thus permit us to recognize in it the Messiah, the Sent of God, Immanuel – "God with us" – to be the great Deliverer and to accomplish for us all the wonderful things which God hath promised by all the holy Prophets since the world began, confirming His Promise made to Abraham: "In thy Seed [R6024 : page 396] shall all the families of the earth be blessed." – Acts 3:19-21; Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8,16,29.
Continuing, the prophecy pictures the Child grown to manhood, and the government placed upon His shoulders – the responsibility falling upon Him as a royal mantle from the Heavenly Emperor, Jehovah. The prophecy steps over the earthly trials and sufferings of our Redeemer, the Head, and of the Church, His Body, throughout this Gospel Age. It ignores the names Beelzebub, Prince of devils, Man of Sorrows, etc.; and it points us to the complete and glorified Messiah at His Second Advent, as viewed from the standpoint of Jehovah and from the standpoint from which ultimately the whole world shall recognize Him, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess to Him, to the glory of the Father.
A name stands for or represents the character, disposition, qualities or powers of an individual. Thus all these names, these titles, given to our Lord in Verse 6, represent His majesty, dignity, power and glory. Our Lord is already recognized by His true followers, who know Him as the most wonderful Counselor. No other counsel, no other teaching is like His. The world in general has yet to learn this fact respecting Him; but before the close of the Millennium it will be generally known. If after mankind shall have confessed Him as the wonderful, wise Counselor, Guide, Teacher, any of them shall then wilfully and deliberately ignore and reject His teachings, and shall sin wilfully and intentionally, such must die the Second Death.
Our Lord Jesus is recognized now by His true followers as the Mighty Lord, the Mighty God, but not as the Father. (1 Cor. 8:6.) He is the Father's Representative, Voice, Mouthpiece, the well-beloved Son whom the Father has clothed with glory, honor and immortality, and given all power in Heaven and in earth necessary to the accomplishment of the great work entrusted to Him, His fitness for which He demonstrated by His love and His loyalty even unto the death of the Cross.
Our Lord Jesus will be the Everlasting Father of the human race in the sense that Adam, their father, failed to give them life, and that our Lord redeemed Adam and all his posterity, thus becoming the Author of everlasting life to all who will obey Him. This will include all of the human family that will attain to everlasting life, except the Church class of this Gospel Age, who are chosen from out the world and begotten of the Heavenly Father to a new, spiritual nature. (1 Peter 1:3.) These spirit-begotten ones are separate and distinct from the world, and are Scripturally designated the New Creation. They are spoken of as the brethren of Christ in one figure, and as His Bride and Joint-heirs in another, but never as His children. To the world, however, He will be the Everlasting Father, or Life-giver through whom they may have everlasting life – life to all eternity – if they will become obedient to Jehovah's arrangements.
Another of our Lord's titles shall be that of the Prince of Peace. While His Kingdom will be introduced by the great Time of Trouble such as never before was, the trouble will not be of His producing. It will be the legitimate result of the wrong course of sin and selfishness fostered by the great oppressor, Satan. The Prince of Peace will subdue all enemies, all sin, all unrighteousness, all insubordination to the Divine will. He will neither fail nor be discouraged. Nothing shall hinder the accomplishment of this great mission entrusted to Him by the Father. His love of peace shall not hinder Him from dashing the nations to pieces as a potter's vessel, in order that righteousness shall be established upon a firm and sure foundation. – Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:26,27.
Verse 7. The word David signifies beloved; and the kingdom entrusted to King David was God's Kingdom in a typical form, which was never to pass away. (1 Chronicles 29:23; 2 Samuel 7:16.) It was maintained by the Lord down to the time of Zedekiah, when we are told that the crown and the scepter of authority and power were removed to be overturned until He should come whose RIGHT it is. – Ezekiel 21:27.
Our Lord in the flesh, as a descendant of King David, was the legitimate Heir to that Kingdom of David which was to have no end. But instead of establishing His Kingdom at His First Advent, He declared, "My Kingdom is not of this world" – not of this Age, not of this Dispensation – and began the selection of the Little Flock who in the world to come – the Millennial Age – will be His joint-heirs and associates in the Millennial Kingdom. This work of selecting the Church – the kings, rulers, priests – has since been in progress; and we have the assurance of God's Word that it will reach a final and glorious consummation worthy of our God.
When Christ and the glorified Church shall reign over the earth, their Rule will be the continuation or exaltation of the Kingdom of God which was begun in King David and Natural Israel. This greater David, this greater Beloved of the Father, full of grace and truth, will establish righteousness in the earth with judgment – with punishments for wrong-doing and rewards for right-doing. "The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this."
The Society will have this ready for shipment about January 1. It was prepared by Brother Russell, and is specially appropriate for the times in which we are living. The leading article is: "The World on Fire." When ordering please mention B.S.M., Vol. 9, No. 1.
Classes are requested to place their orders as soon as possible that the Society may be able to estimate the quantity to be printed. In ordering do not figure on more than one copy for each English-speaking home. Where there are no Ecclesias, individual orders will be received. Volunteer numbers are supplied free of charge, transportation charges collect.
We now have the MILLENNIAL DAWN HYMNAL (with music) bound in black karatol, round corners, red edges, embossed in oriental gold leaf: price 50c; postpaid. We also have a good supply of the regular cloth-bound Hymnals, on which the price has not been advanced; 35c postpaid. Small flexible edition, without music, 10c each.
As our Year Text Brother Russell chose these words, "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:24-26.) Price, postpaid, 60c per dozen; 10c each.
Owing to the very high price of paper the BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY will not hereafter be used to advertise public meetings for Pilgrims and others. We would suggest the use of cards and newspaper columns instead. We will be glad to furnish cuts of the speakers as usual.
The friends are now so accustomed to looking at their WATCH TOWER wrapper for acknowledgment of receipt of renewal of subscription that we will not longer send post-card acknowledgment as heretofore. When a dollar is sent for renewal of your subscription the date on the outside of your wrapper will be advanced one year.
Many of the friends are not aware that since the first edition of "Poems of Dawn," a second has been issued containing two indexes – alphabetical and topical – and twenty-one additional poems – Karatol, 50c; Leather, 75c, postpaid.
The publishers advise us that there will be no more of these at prices on our former list. We are able, however, to secure a larger Leeser Bible, 7x10, at $2.25, cloth, postpaid. page 397
[The plan here proposed we designate "GOOD HOPES," because nothing is actually promised – only your generous hopes expressed, based upon your future prospects as they now appear to you. The plan has proved not only so beneficial to the cause of Truth but also so blessed to the hopers, for some years past, that we again commend it to all as Scriptural and good. Those who desire to make use of this plan can fill out both of these memoranda. One should be kept for the refreshment of your memory; the other mail to us.]
"WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY."
Dear Friends: – I have read with interest of the openings for the STUDIES and Tract work in foreign lands and here at home. I need not tell you that I am deeply interested in the spread of the Glad Tidings of the lengths and breadths, the heights and depths of redeeming love expressed for us in God's great Plan of the Ages.
I am anxious to use myself – every power, every talent, voice, time, money, influence, all – to give to others this knowledge, which has so greatly blessed, cheered and comforted my own heart and placed my feet firmly upon the Rock of Ages.
I have been considering carefully, and praying to be instructed, how to use my various talents more to my Redeemer's glory and for the service of His people – those blinded by human tradition who are, nevertheless, hungering for "the good Word of God," and those also who are naked, not having on the wedding garment of Christ's imputed righteousness, the unjustified, who stand, at best, in the filthy rags of their own righteousness. I have decided that so far as my "money talent" goes, I will follow the rule so clearly laid down for us by the great Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 16:2), and will lay aside on the first day of each week, according to my thankful appreciation of the Lord's blessings during the preceding week. Out of this fund I wish to contribute to the several parts of the Lord's work carried on by our Tract Society. Of course, I cannot in advance judge or state particularly what the Lord's bounty may enable me to set apart weekly, and hence you will understand the sum indicated to be merely my conjecture or hope, based upon present prospects. I will endeavor to contribute more than I here specify; and should I not succeed in doing as well, the Lord will know my heart and you, also, will know of my endeavors.
My only object in specifying in advance what I hope to be able to do in this cause is to enable those in charge of the work of publishing and circulating the Tracts, etc., to form estimates, lay plans, make contracts, etc., with some idea of what I will at least try to do in the exercise of this, my highly appreciated privilege.
My present judgment is that during the coming year, by self-denial and cross-bearing, I shall be able to lay aside on the first day of each week for Home and Foreign Mission Work (to assist in circulating SCRIPTURE STUDIES in foreign languages, and in publishing the BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY in various languages, and in supplying these gratuitously to brethren who have the heart and opportunity to circulate them widely, and in meeting the expenses of brethren sent out as Lecturers to preach the Divine Plan of Salvation, and in general to be expended as the officers of the Society may deem best), the amount of........................per week.
To comply with United States Postal Laws, all or any portion of my donation may be applied as subscription price for WATCH TOWER sent to the Lord's poor or others, as the Society's officers may deem advisable.
That the work be not hindered, I will endeavor to send you what I shall have laid aside for this cause at the close of each quarter. I will secure a Bank Draft, Express Order or Postal Money Order as I may find most convenient, and will address the letter to
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
BROOKLYN TABERNACLE, 13-17 HICKS ST., BROOKLYN, N.Y. or, London Tabernacle, Lancaster Gate W., England; or,
Flinders Building, Flinders St., Melbourne, Australia.
(Name)................................................... (Post Office)....................... (State).............page 398
The friends who contribute to the "Good Hopes" (described on the reverse of this sheet) at times desire to send THE WATCH TOWER to friends who are not yet interested enough to subscribe for themselves, or to deeply interested friends who are too poor to subscribe and backward about accepting our Lord's Poor offer. They are invited to give us such addresses below – the expense to be deducted from their donations. Give full name and address, and write very plainly, please, mentioning the length of the subscriptions:
Most of our subscriptions end with the year, so we take this opportunity to remark that we shall be glad to hear promptly from such as desire the visits of THE WATCH TOWER continued. The Lord's Poor friends have been requested to send their applications in May. When names are dropped and afterward renewed it makes us unnecessary trouble. When desiring to know date of expiration look on your TOWER wrapper. Date is given in lower left-hand corner.
We are convinced that THE WATCH TOWER lists do not contain the names of many of those deeply interested in its teachings. The total is small enough surely, and we are not content that the name of any should be missing. We believe that all such will be stimulated and encouraged on the "narrow way" by its semi-monthly appearance on their table, reminding them afresh of spiritual matters which the world, the flesh and the Devil continually tend to crowd out of mind and heart.
We have at times required that all desiring THE WATCH TOWER on credit, or free, as "the Lord's Poor," should make personal application; now we request every subscriber to inquire among those whom he knows to be interested in Present Truth, and to obtain the consent of all such to send in their subscriptions either on credit or free, as their circumstances may necessitate. Any getting it on credit may at any future time request that the debt be canceled, and we will cheerfully comply. We desire that as nearly as possible THE WATCH TOWER lists shall represent all deeply interested in its message.
Our object is not the gain of "filthy lucre," but "the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministry" – present and to come. (Eph. 4:12.) We offer no premiums, desiring the cooperation of such only as appreciate the privilege of being coworkers with us in this ministry.
This is a condensed statement of the Divine Plan of the Ages – profusely illustrated – much information in little space. The ninety-six short, pithy lectures of the CREATION DRAMA can be supplied in print as follows:
De Luxe, gold edges, embossed, 400
illustrations ........................... $1.00 postpaid
Cloth, burnished edges, embossed, 400
illustrations ........................... .65 "
Paper in three booklets, complete, per set.. .25 "
A Newspaper edition in 4 Parts................ .05 "
IN GERMAN, SPANISH, ITALIAN, GREEK, POLISH,
ARMENIAN:
Cloth bound, complete....................... .65 "
Paper " " ....................... .25 "
Newspaper edition, 3 Parts, 2c ea.; per set. .05 "
IN SWEDISH: Cloth bound....................... .65 "
Newspaper edition, 2c ea.; per set.......... .05 "
We have, as usual, very choice sorts. These cards are made in Europe, hence subject to heavy expenses for freight and duty, especially since the war began. Nevertheless, we can supply them in the United States and Canada at less than retail European prices, because we supply them at about cost price – that is to say, about one-half the usual American prices. Besides this, we prepay postage or express charges. Our object is to encourage the embellishment of the homes of the Lord's people with faith-stimulating and courage-inspiring texts tastefully prepared. To facilitate the handling of these motto cards we assort them in packets, carefully packed, at the following prepaid rates:
Packet Ma – Twelve mottoes, small and medium, 50c.
Number Mb – Fourteen medium and small cards, $1.
Number Mc – Thirteen large, medium and small cards, $1.
Number Md – Four large and medium cards, $1.
Where $5 worth of these are sent to one address the saving in packing and expressage would be 50c., making the price $4.50. Order by number only.
Those who use this book as we recommend are surely being blessed. Thousands testify to the help thus received. Its daily text should be read and commented on freely by all. Then the MANNA comment should be read. This book contains the same texts and comments as all former editions. Every alternate leaf is blank-ruled for use as an autograph and birthday record. Its value increases as additional autographs of friends are secured. It is printed on bond paper.
The following wholesale rates postpaid are granted to all WATCH TOWER subscribers:
Purple cloth, gold embossed, gilt edges; English and Polish............................................ $0.60 Dark blue cloth, silver embossed, German............ .60 Leatherette, blue edges, Swedish and Norwegian...... .60 Leatherette, genuine gold edges, Swedish and Norwegian......................................... 1.10 Genuine Morocco, gold edges, English, Polish and Norwegian......................................... 2.00
We hope this little book will find a place at every breakfast table, that spiritual refreshment may thus be enjoyed with the natural food.
MISCELLANEOUS
Hymns of Dawn, with music (Karatol)................. $ .50 Hymns of Dawn, with music (cloth)................... .35 Hymns of Dawn, without music (flexible)............. .10 Poems of Dawn (Karatol)............................. .50 Poems of Dawn (Leather)............................. .75 Bible Talks in Simple Language (half leather)....... 1.25 Memorizing Text-Cards (100 in pkg. – assortments, No. 1 and 2), per pkg................................. .30 Scriptural Post Cards (assorted), doz. 15c; per 100. 1.00 CHARTS (Blue Prints, soft cloth): Plan of the Ages, 5 ft. $1.85; 8 ft............... 2.50 Chronology of the Bible, 7½ ft.................... 2.00 Tabernacle of the Wilderness, 7½ ft............... 2.00 BINDERS for THE WATCH TOWER: Spring Back (holds 1 yr.)......................... .60 CROSS & CROWN PINS (Gold, with red enamel): ⅝" – No. 1 Ladies' Style, No. 2 Gents', each...... 1.15 ½" – No. 3 Gents' Style, No. 4 Ladies', each...... 1.00 ⅝" celluloid, per doz., 25: each................. .03 Missionary Envelopes, per 100 .30: per 1000......... 3.00 Vow Bookmarks (paper) per 100 .25; (silk) each...... .05 *Booklets (on Hell, Spiritism, Evolution, Tabernacle Shadows, Our Lord's Return)....................... .10 *Question Booklets on each Vol. of SCRIPTURE STUDIES and on THE TABERNACLE, each .07; per doz.......... .84 Report on Foreign Missions, each.................... .05 THE WATCH TOWER (semi-monthly), per year............ 1.00 The Divine Plan of the Ages (Za), WATCH TOWER form, ea.......................................... .10 What Say the Scriptures about Hell (Hz.), WATCH TOWER form, ea.................................... .05 Judge Rutherford's Defense of Pastor Russell, each 10c, per 100........................................... 8.00 THE BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY, per year................ .12 Tracts in all languages............................. FREE