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OCTOB£R
1.
1902
ZION'S
WATCH
TOvVER
(303-307)
obey
God,
rather
than
man.
Ought
I
to
obey
my
husband
in
this,
seeing
that
Christ
is
my
Head?
I
feel
like
a
coward
in
this.
OUR
REPLY
Dear
Sister:
y
our
favor
of
the
22nd
is
before
me.
I
am
glad
that
you
have
expressed
yourself
freely,
and
am
glad
to
note
that
you
have
the
spirit
of
a
sound
mind
on
this
important
sub
ject.
Your
husband,
probably
a
strong-minded
man,
has
not
fully
recognized
to
what
extent
his
attitude
toward
you
on
this
subject
is
unreasonable
and
tyranmcaJ.
Weare
fully
in
sympathy
with
the
~criptural
injunction
that
wIves
should
obey
their
husbands;
but
this
does
not,
as
you
have
per
ceived,
imply
that
the
wife
should
obey
her
husband
in
mat
ters
contrary
to
the
admonitions
of
the
heavenly
BrIdegroom.
Ko
reasonable
earthly
husband
will
make
such
requirements,
and
we
will
trust
that
vours
will
consider
the
matter
differ
ently
ere
long.
He
will
be
helped,
however,
in
seeing
the
fight
way
by
your
kind
and
loving
treatment
of
him,
and
,vOll!
eaI
nest
endeavor
to
please
lum
In
all
legItimate
and
proper
ways,
but
by
your
positiveness,
your
firm
Uecision
ami
resolute
conduct
in
the
matters
whIch
appertain
to
your
proper
liberties
of
conscience.
I
would
readily
agree
to
keep
my
books
and
papers
out
of
sight
during
my
husband's
pres
ence
in
the
home;
but
I
would
neither
agrpe
not
to
think
nor
to
read,
nor
would
I
agree
to
abscnt
myself
from
the
meetings
of
those
of
like
precious
faith.
I
would
tell
my
husband
plainly
that
it
is
our
duty
to
obey
the
heavenly
Bridegroom
tir~t,
and
that
when
he
says
"Forget
not
the
assembling
of
yourselvcs
together,"
I
con
sidered
it
duty
to
follow
that
admonition
at
any
cost;
that
1
hoped
this
would
appeal
to
him
as
a
reasonable
and
correct
course;
that
I
had
no
thought
of
neglecting
legitimate,
proper,
home
obligations
and
duties
toward
him,
and
the
othpr
members
of
my
family,
but
would
be
as
faithful
or
more
faithful,
than
if
under
the
influence
of
any
other
than
1lI~'
present
convICtions.
I
would
tell
him
that
this
much
lihprty
at
least
was
thoroughly
understood
by
me
when
enter
ing
the
marriage
relationship;
that
if
in
his
marriage
vows
he
did
not
intend
to
accord
liberties
of
conscience
he
had
mislpd
and
deceived
mt',
and
that
in
any
event
I
would
not
~ubmit
to
that
kind
of
bondagp.
alltl
that
the
quicker
th!.'
lllattpr
was
decided
the
better;
that
under
no
circumstances
Dr
conditions
would
I
move
one
iota
from
this
pOSItion,
so
long
as
I
considered
that
my
position
was
according
to
the
will
of
the
Lord;
that
If
this
led
to
any
breach
between
us
the
fault
and
the
change
were
certamly
on
his
side,
as
I
had
never
given
away
my
liberty
of
conscience
and
never
mtended
to
do
so,
and
would
not
ask
him
to
violate
his;
that
1
be
lieved
that
my
view
of
this
would
not
only
stand
the
test
of
the
Scriptures
but
also
of
all
men
and
women
possessed
of
sound
common
sense.
In
harmony
with
this
I
would
assure
my
lllu,bal\(l
that
the
truth,
so
far
from
making
me
less
careful
of
his
interest!:!
and
my
obligation
as
a
WIfe,
should.
make
me
more
caretul;
and
that
I
believed
that
if
he
took
a
right
view
and
stand
upon
the
subject,
as
I
was
determined
to
do,
it
would
mean
an
increase
of
blessing
to
us
both
and
to
the
household.
If
after
a
reasonable
season
of
patient,
loving
remon
stranee
against
such
attempts
to
fetter
my
conseience
there
was
no
change
for
the
better,
I
would
consider
that
I
had
been
deserted
by
my
husband
;-that
he
had
ceased
to
be
a
husband
and
become
an
oppressor
and
was
not
treating
me
as
even
a
slave
might
hope
to
be
treated
in
respect
to
hi!:!
or
her
conscientious
convictions.
Taking
the
matter
to
the
Lord
I
should
look
for
relief-for
the
liberty
wherewith
Christ
makes
free.
~ot
lIberty
to
remany,
however.
Indeed
<'\'eu
aside
from
the
divine
law
making
marriage
perpetual
(ex
<,ept
upon
one
condition-Matt.
1!:l:
9)
such
an
experience
should
be
sufficient
for
anybody.
I
will
remember
you
at
the
throne
of
grace,
that
the
Lord
will
guide
in
your
affairs.
"THE
GREAT
COMPANY"
Questwn.-\Vhen
and
how
did
the
class
that
fails
to
keep
its
consecration
get
"before
the
throne"?
I
understand
that
this
class
is
to
pass
through
the
tribulation
and
"wash
its
robes
and
make
them
white
in
the
blood
of
the
lamb."
Answer.-This
class
seem"
to
be
located
most
particu
larly
at
the
present
time--altho
there
may
have
been
some
throughout
tIllS
age,
who,
becaul:le
of
failure
\
oluntanly
to
suffer,
have
been
forced
to
f'uffer
either
with
ChrJ~t
in
tnh
ulation
experiences,
or
to
deny
him
and
thus
be
condemned
to
the
second
death.
In
the
t.ribulation
time
which
will
fol
low
the
church's
glorificatIOn
we
antiCIpate
crucial
tests
upon
all
the
Lord's
true
people,
and
faithfulness
then
will
mean
"great
tribulation"
ending
in
death,
which
to
these
will
sig
nify
change
to
spiritual
conditions.
On
the
other
hand
fail
ure
to
meet
the
trials
devotedly
will
mean
full,
intelligent
reJection
of
Christ,
and
will
brmg
the
full
penalty
of
~ueh
a
course:
viz.,
se<'ond
death.
YOLo
XXIII
ALLEGHENY,
PA.,
OCTOBER
15,
lflO:~
THOUGH
YE
BE
ESTABLISHED
No.
~O
"I
1cill
not
be
negligent
to
put
you
always
in
remembrance
of
these
things,
though
you
1,now
them,
and
be
established
in
the
present
truth."-2
Peter
1:
12.
\Vhat
things
are
here
referred
to?
Af'f'uredly
the
necessity
fight
of
faith,"
remembering,
too,
that
"the
weapons
of
our
of
giving
all
diligence
to
add
to
our
bith
virtue
[fortitude];
warfare
ale
not
carnal,
but
[God's
truth
is]
mighty
to
the
and
to
virtue,
knowledge;
and
to
knowledge,
temperance
[self-
pulling
down
of
the
stronghold""
of
error
and
supcrf'tibon
control];
and
to
temperance,
patience;
and
to
patience,
god-
and
of
inbred
sin;
and
remembering,
also,
that
"we
wrestle
not
linpss:
and
to
godliness,
brotherly
kindness;
and
to
br?therly
with
flesh
and
blood,
but
against
principalities,
against
powers,
kindness,
charity
[love].
.
.
..
For
if
ye
do
these
tillngs
ye
against
the
rulers
of
the
darkness
of
this
world.
againf't
spir-
shall
never
fall;
for
so
an
entrance
shall
be
ministered
unto
you
itual
wickedness
in
high
places."-2
Cor.
10:
4;
Eph.
G:
12.
abundantly
into
the
everlasting
kingdom
of
our
Lord
and
Savior
It
is
in
view
of
these
facts-<>f
the
warfare
before
us,
of
Jesus
Christ.-Verses
5-11.
the
subtlety
of
our
temptations
and
of
the
weakness
of
the
To
be
establIshed
in
the
truth
signifies
that
we
have
care-
Hesh-that
the
faithful
Apostle
Peter
urges
all
diligence
in
fullv
"tmli('d
and
thoroughl,\'
proved
it
by
"the
law
and
the
tes-
the
cultivation
of
the
Christian
gracps
amI
a
contulllal
calling"
timony"
(Isa.
8
:20),
and
that
as
a
consequence
we
are
con-
to
remembrance
of
the
prpcious
truthf'
we
have
learned,
that
\
inced
of
itf'
verity,
so
that
our
faith
is
steadfast
and
immova-
we
nJa~'
be
f'trpngthened
thelpb,\,
to
makt'
our
callIng
and
clec'-
ble
we
know
whom
\,
e
have
believed;
we
have
tasted
and
seen
tion
sure.
Faith
is
a
goorl
thing':
but
faith
\\
ithout
virtuous
i
hn
t
the
LOI
,]
is
goorl:
we
h,t
ve
partaken
of
the
sweets
of
fellow-
\\'orks
is
dpad;
and
to
hold
the
truth
in
unrighteousness
is
,Ilip
"ith
him.
"e
ha
VI'
partaken
of
his
spirit.
of
me,:kness,
fait~
worse
than
never
to
have
rpceived.
it.
The
truth
is
givrn
to
us
.HIlI
gorllJlH'~S
tn
such
an
extpnt
a~
to
be
led
IlltO
a
Joyful
reah-
for
ii~
sanctifying
pffect
upon
our
IlPaIts
allli
lives.
Therefore
/.atton
of
tllr
fulne~l:l
of
his
f!l'acp
as
manifested
in
the
wonderful
1pt
it
haxe
hee
eour,e
amI
he
glOIified.
Let
its
precious
fruit"
dn'lllr
plan
of
Utr
ages;
and
we
have
been
permitted
to
s~e,
appear
mOl
e
and
more
f!Om
day
to
rlay.
"'\rl,l
to
your
fatth
lIot
on
Iv
tIl('
Y:llious
features
of
that
plan,
but
:d~o
the
necessIty
Hriue--true
excellence
of
character,
such
rxeellence
of
ehar
:lll,]
IP~sonableness
of
all
its
valious
measures
in
order
to
the
nctel
as
will
m:llk
~'ou
as
spparatB
hom
the
woIld
and
its
full
appompli,hnlPnt
of
its
glorious
outcome
in
th!'
fulnes"
of
SPIrit.
In
all
such
the
world
will
sec
tho~e
moral
qualities
the
appointerl
times.
TillS
is
what
it
if'
to
ht'
"estn,blished
in
which
they
must
approve,
however
they
may
oppose
our
faith.
the
present
truth."
It
is
inrler<!
a
most
blessed
eondlti?n,
bri~g-
Ar],l
r-,terling
hone~tv.
truth
and
fair
dealing-
in
all
business
ing
with
it
such
peace
n,nd
joy
as
the
world
can
neIther
gIve
relations:
1I10rnl
integrity,
in
all
sOPial
rplations;
manifestly
nOI
take
n,way,
('lean
hands
anrl
a
pure
hp[ll
t,
and
a
bridled
tongue
that
works
TIut
thoug-h
we
be
thus
e,tabJished
in
tllP
presrnt
truth,
we
no
ill
to
a
neIghbor.
All
of
thest'
the
worlrl
has
a
right
to
nre,l
to
bear
in
mind
that
OUI
e]c~tioll
to
thr
11Igh
position
to
p"pert
from
tho,e
who
call
themselves
Chrif'tians:
anrl
all
of
whlrh
"e
are
called
is
not
vet
madc
sure.
The
race
for
the
the's('
al
e
indi,prnsable
tpatures
of
that
virtuous
character
pIize
of
our
high
calling
is
'still
before
us,
and
we
are
yet
in
"hipll
must
be
added
to
our
faith.
The
clean
hands
will
not
the
enemv's
country,
surrounded
by
many
subUt'
a1';']
powerful
dabble
in
anything
that
is
not
virtuous:
they
will
have
nothing
fors,
so
that
if
we
would
be
successful
we
must
"fight
the
good
to
uo
with
unrighteous
schemes
or
projects
in
business.
The
[3089]
Octoeer 1, 1902 obey God, rather than man. Ought I to obey my husband in this, seeing that Christ is my Head? I feel like a coward in this. OUR REPLY Dear Sister: Your favor of the 22nd is before me. I am glad that you have expressed yourself freely, and am glad to note that you have the spirit of a sound mind on this important subject. Your husband, probably a strong-minded man, has not fully recognized to what extent his attitude toward you on this subject is unreasonable and tyrannical. We are fully in sympathy with the Scriptural injunction that wives should obey their husbands; but this does not, as you have perceived, imply that the wife should obey her husband in matters contrary to the admonitions of the heavenly Bridegroom. No reasonable earthly husband will make such requirements, and we will trust that yours will consider the matter differently ere long. He will be helped, however, in seeing the right way by your kind and loving treatment of him, and your earnest endeavor to please him in all legitimate and proper ways, but by your positiveness, your firm decision and resolute conduct in the matters which appertain to your proper liberties of conscience. I would readily agree to keep my books and papers out of sight during my husband's presence in the home; but I would neither agree not to think nor to read, nor would I agree to absent myself from the meetings of those of like precious faith. I would tell my husband plainly that it is our duty to obey the heavenly Bridegroom first, and that when he says “Forget not the assembling of yourselves together,” I considered it duty to follow that admonition at any cost; that 1 hoped this would appeal to him as a reasonable and correct course; that I had no thought of neglecting legitimate, proper, home obligations and duties toward him, and the other members of my family, but would be as faithful or more faithful, than if under the influence of any other than my present convictions. I would tell him that this much liberty at least was thoroughly understood by me when entering the marriage relationship; that if in his marriage vows he did not intend to accord liberties of conscience he had misled and deceived me, and that in any event I would not submit to that kind of bondage. and that the quicker the matter was decided the better; that under no circumstances or conditions would I move one iota from this position, so long as I considered that my position was according to the ZION’S WATCH TOWER (303-307) will of the Lord; that if this led to any breach between us the fault and the change were certainly on his side, as I had never given away my liberty of conscience and never intended to do so, and would not ask him to violate his; that 1 believed that my view of this would not only stand the test of the Scriptures but also of all men and women possessed of sound common sense. In harmony with this I would assure my husband that the truth, so far from making me less careful of his interests and my obligation as a wife, should make me more caretul; and that I believed that if he took a right view and stand upon the subject, as I was determined to do, it would mean an increase of blessing to us both and to the household. If after a reasonable season of patient, loving remonstrance against such attempts to fetter my conscience there was no change for the better, I would consider that I had been deserted by my husband;—that he had ceased to be a husband and become an oppressor and was not treating me as even a slave might hope to be treated in respect to his or her conscientious convictions. Taking the matter to the Lord I should look for relief-—for the liberty wherewith Christ makes free. Not liberty to remarty, however, indeed even aside from the divine law making marriage perpetual (except upon one condition—Matt. 19:9) such an experience should be sufficient for anybody. I will remember you at the throne of grace, that the Lord will guide in your affairs. ‘“‘THE GREAT COMPANY’’ Question—When and how did the class that fails to keep its consecration get “before the throne’? I understand that this class is to pass through the tribulation and “wash its robes and make them white in the blood of the lamb.” Answer.—This class seems to be located most particularly at the present time—altho there may have been some throughout this age, who, because of failure .oluntarily to suffer, have been forced to suffer either with Christ in tribulation experiences, or to deny him and thus be condemned to the second death. In the tribulation time which will follow the churech’s glorification we anticipate crucial tests upon all the Lord’s true people, and faithfulness then will mean “great tribulation” ending in death, which to these will signify change to spiritual conditions. On the other hand failure to meet the trials devotedly will mean full, intelligent rejection of Christ, and will bring the full penalty of such a course: viz., second death. Vou. NXIIT ALLEGHENY, PA., OCTOBER 15, 1902 No. 20 THOUGH YE BE ESTABLISHED “I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth.’—2 Peter 1:12. What things are here referred to? Assuredly the necessity of giving all diligence to add to our faith virtue [fortitude] ; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance [selfcontrol]; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godJiness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity [love]... .. For if ye do these things ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.—Verses 5-11. To be established in the truth signifies that we have carefully studied and thoroughly proved it by “the law and the testimony” (Isa. 8:20), and that as a consequence we are convinced of its verity, so that our faith is steadfast and immovable we know whom we have believed; we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good; we have partaken of the sweets of fellowship with him. we have partaken of his spirit of meckness, faith and godliness to such an extent as to be led into a joyful realization of the fulness of his grace as manifested in the wonderful divine plan of the ages; and we have been permitted to sce, not only the various features of that plan, but also the necessity and reasonableness of all its various measures in order to the full accomplishment of its glorious outcome in the fulness of the appointed times. This is what it is to be “established in the present truth.” It is indeed a most blessed condition, bringing with it such peace and joy as the world can neither give noi take away, But though we be thus established in the present truth, we need to bear in mind that oui elestion to the gh position to which we are called is not yet made sure. The race for the prize of our high calling is still before us, and we are yet in the enemv’s country, surrounded by many subtle and powerful foes, so that if we would be successful we must “figkt the good fight of faith,’ remembering, too, that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but [God’s truth is] mighty to the pulling down of the strongholds” of error and superstition and of inbred sin; and remembering, also, that “we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. against spiritual wickedness in high places.”—-2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:12. It is in view of these facts—of the warfare before us, of the subtlety of our temptations and of the weakness of the flesh—that the faithful Apostle Peter urges all diligence in the cultivation of the Christian graces and a continual calling to remembrance of the precious truths we have learned, that we may be strengthened thereby to make our calling and eleetion sure. Faith is a good thing: but faith without virtuous works is dead; and to hold the truth in unrighteousness is worse than never to have received it. The truth is given to us for ils sanetifying effect upon our hearts and lives. Therefore let it have fiee course and be glorified. Let its precious fruits appear moie and more fiom day to day. Add to your faith yirtue—true excellence of character, such excellence of characte: as will mark you as separate from the world and its spirit. In all such the world will see those moral qualities which they must approve, however they may oppose our faith. Add sterling honesty. truth and fair dealing in all business relations; moral integrity, in all social relations; manifestly clean hands and a pure heart, and a bridled tongue that works no ill to a newghbor. All of these the world has a right to expect from those who call themselves Christians; and all of these are indispensable teatures of that virtuous character which must be added to our faith. The clean hands will not dabble in anything that is not virtuous: they will have nothing to do with unrighteous schemes or projects in business. The [8089]
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