Publication date
7/15/04
Volume
25
Number
14
The WatchTower
Views from the Watch Tower
The Watchtower Magazines
/../literature/watchtower/1904/14/1904-14-1.html
 
 
 
JUI,Y 
1, 
1904 
ZION'S 
WATCH 
TOWER 
(207-211) 
in 
the 
event 
of 
a 
murder-to 
determine, 
as 
we 
do 
today, 
whether 
or 
not 
the 
death 
were 
manslaughter, 
accidental 
killing, 
or 
in 
the 
second 
degree-murder 
unpremeditated 
or 
incited 
by 
anger 
or 
fear-or, 
third, 
if 
it 
were 
murder 
in 
the 
first 
degree, 
intended, 
premeditated. 
Similarly 
they 
were 
to 
discern 
which 
offences 
were 
against 
the 
common 
law, 
which 
against 
the 
divine 
law, 
and 
which 
against 
the 
usages 
of 
society, 
and 
were 
to 
see 
tha..t 
justice 
would 
be 
meted 
out 
to 
all. 
As 
we 
think 
over 
those 
conditions 
of 
olden 
time, 
we 
wonder 
how 
such 
matters 
as 
these 
-such 
evidences 
that 
people 
of 
thousands 
of 
years 
ago 
were 
just, 
noble, 
thoughtful, 
reverential-are 
regarded 
by 
our 
evolu­ 
tionist 
friends. 
They 
seem 
inclined 
to 
think 
that 
at 
that 
time 
mankind 
must 
have 
been 
near 
the 
monkey 
scale 
of 
intelligence, 
but 
the 
facts 
are 
against 
them. 
Here 
was 
a 
king 
in 
whose 
em­ 
pire 
justice 
was 
no 
doubt 
dispensed 
equally 
as 
well 
as 
it 
is 
with 
us 
today 
in 
this 
most 
favored 
land 
at 
this 
most 
favored 
period. 
The 
closing 
words 
of 
the 
lesson 
constitute 
our 
Golden 
Text 
-"Deal 
courageously, 
and 
the 
Lord 
shall 
be 
with 
the 
good." 
We 
commend 
these 
words 
to 
the 
Lord's 
faithful 
people. 
Who­ 
ever 
has 
a 
duty 
to 
perform 
let 
him 
not 
fear, 
and 
while 
seek­ 
ing 
to 
do 
unpleasant 
tasks 
in 
a 
kindly 
manner, 
both 
justly 
and 
lovingly, 
let 
us 
fear 
not 
man, 
but 
rather 
fear 
the 
Lord 
and 
be 
intent 
on 
pleasing 
him. 
May 
the 
words 
of 
our 
mouths 
as 
well 
as 
the 
meditations 
of 
our 
hearts 
be 
acceptable 
in 
thy 
sight, 
0 
Lord, 
our 
strength 
and 
our 
redeemer! 
REPORT 
OF 
THE 
BRITISH 
CONVENTION 
DEAR 
BROTHER 
RUSSELL:- 
Our 
first 
British 
General 
Convention 
has 
come 
and 
gone! 
It 
brought 
us 
much 
joy 
in 
the 
Lord, 
and 
left 
us 
with 
a 
greater 
desire 
to 
"spend 
and 
be 
spent" 
in 
the 
Master's 
service. 
With 
general 
consent 
it 
is 
acknowledged 
that 
the 
meetings 
have 
been 
the 
best 
we 
have 
had 
in 
this 
country. 
But 
this 
was 
according 
to 
expectation, 
for 
the 
convention 
brought 
together 
a 
larger 
number 
of 
friends 
than 
has 
hitherto 
been 
the 
case, 
and 
because 
all 
should 
have 
more 
of 
the 
holy 
Spirit 
now 
than 
ever 
before. 
The 
predominant 
feeling 
was 
the 
love 
of 
the 
brethren 
for 
each 
and 
all, 
and 
with 
it 
was 
the 
appreciation 
of 
the 
grace 
of 
God 
whirh 
product'd 
such 
a 
grand 
result. 
Each 
of 
the 
meetings 
addell 
Its 
quota 
to 
the 
good 
derived 
from 
the 
convention: 
the 
Praise 
and 
Testimony, 
and 
the 
Colporteurs' 
and 
Workers' 
meet­ 
ing~ 
being 
specially 
helpful. 
Already 
we 
have 
heard 
of 
fresh 
or 
renewed 
t'fforts 
as 
a 
result 
of 
these 
talks 
with 
each 
other. 
On 
the 
~fonday 
morning 
forty-three 
brothers 
and 
sisters 
signi. 
fit'd 
by 
immersion 
their 
consecration 
to 
the 
Lord, 
and 
their 
de­ 
sIre 
to 
be 
accounted 
worthy 
to 
suffer 
with 
him. 
It 
was 
a 
most 
impreQsiw 
time 
as 
we 
reviewed 
with 
each 
other 
our 
privilege 
of 
suffering 
with 
the 
Lord, 
as 
well 
as 
believing 
on 
him. 
And 
we 
rejoiced 
in 
anticipation 
of 
the 
"glory 
to 
follow." 
All 
the 
meetings 
were 
well 
attended, 
and 
there 
was 
the 
usual 
eagerness 
to 
get 
as 
much 
as 
possible 
of 
the 
food 
the 
Lord 
provided. 
The 
largest 
contingent 
of 
friends 
came 
from 
Glas­ 
gow, 
the 
most 
distant 
place 
represented. 
Ireland 
was 
repre­ 
sented 
by 
Bro. 
Walker, 
while 
England 
was 
repre­ 
sented 
by 
friends 
from 
all 
parts. 
We 
were 
glad 
to 
have 
Bro. 
Koetitz 
with 
us. 
It 
was 
hard 
to 
part, 
but 
we 
all 
realized 
that 
the 
Lord 
had 
given 
a 
work 
to 
our 
charge, 
and 
that 
the 
King's 
message 
demanded 
haste. 
A 
good 
proportion 
of 
the 
colporteurs 
were 
with 
us 
also, 
and 
to 
these 
we 
bade 
"God-speed," 
com· 
mending 
them 
to 
the 
grace 
of 
God. 
We 
felt 
the 
shortness 
of 
the 
time, 
and 
the 
coming 
of 
the 
kingdom 
for 
which 
we 
work 
and 
wait, 
and 
there 
was 
a 
greater 
determination 
to 
do 
all 
pos­ 
sible 
for 
the 
accomplishment 
of 
the 
work 
committed 
to 
the 
hands 
of 
those 
who 
know 
the 
Lord. 
You 
and 
your 
work 
were 
specially 
remembered. 
We 
would 
have 
been 
glad 
to 
have 
had 
you 
with 
us, 
but 
we 
shall 
hope 
that, 
in 
the 
Lord's 
providence, 
you 
may 
be 
permitted 
and 
we 
may 
be 
privileged 
to 
have 
you 
with 
us 
in 
our 
next 
convention. 
The 
friends 
desired 
me 
to 
e.'{press 
on 
their 
behalf 
the 
gratitude 
they 
felt 
towards 
the 
Society. 
Your 
brother 
in 
the 
Lord, 
J. 
HEMERY. 
YOLo 
XXV 
ALLEGHENY, 
PA., 
JULY 
15, 
1904 
No. 
14 
VIEWS 
FROM 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
JAPAN 
A 
CHRISTIAN 
NATION 
The 
.Japanese 
are 
such 
valiant 
fighters 
on 
sea 
and 
land 
Shintoism 
and 
Buddhism 
which 
exist 
are 
secular 
rather 
than 
that 
few 
any 
longer 
doubt 
that 
they 
must 
be 
"Christians" 
( 
1). 
sacred. 
Hence 
it 
is 
that 
the 
Christian 
missionaries, 
although 
They 
are 
very 
desirous 
of 
ranking 
with 
Europeans 
and 
Ameri. 
the 
Government 
and 
the 
people 
are 
tolerant, 
have 
made 
little 
-:-ans, 
ami 
feel 
that 
to 
the 
prowess 
they 
have 
shown 
in 
war 
they 
progress, 
the 
number 
of 
converts 
being 
pitifully 
small. 
Hence 
now 
merely 
need 
to 
avow 
themselves 
a 
"Christian 
nation" 
in 
it 
also 
is 
(religion 
being 
deemed 
a 
public 
rather 
than 
a 
private 
ordt'r 
to 
be 
all 
that 
any 
"Christian 
nation" 
could 
be 
expected 
thing 
and 
one 
form 
being 
thought 
about 
as 
good 
aR 
another) 
to 
be. 
that 
the 
m,!,jority 
of 
the 
population 
would 
probably 
loyally 
The 
.Taps 
are 
a 
very 
practical 
people 
in 
this 
as 
in 
other 
re- 
obey 
the 
edIct 
if 
the 
Empl'rol', 
tor 
"('('ullr 
or 
otl\('r 
rpa.,OIH, 
spect'!. 
They 
are 
quite 
right; 
they 
are 
a 
"Christian 
nation" 
should 
proclaim 
Christhnity 
as 
the 
state 
r('ligion. 
The 
clew 
as 
truly 
as 
is 
any 
other 
nation, 
for 
there 
are 
no 
"Christian 
na· 
to 
the 
Japanese 
character 
is 
patriotism. 
To 
the 
demands, 
or 
tions" 
in 
the 
proper 
use 
of 
that 
term. 
The 
"holy 
nation" 
is 
supposed 
demands, 
of 
this 
everything- 
eIRe 
iR 
Qubordinate." 
only 
in 
embryo, 
only 
being 
formed, 
and 
will 
not 
aSSUme 
its 
The 
Boston 
Watchman 
(Baptist) 
says 
cditorially:- 
pOll 
er 
and 
place 
as 
God's 
kingdom 
under 
the 
whole 
heavens 
un- 
"Of 
course, 
there 
is 
no 
spiritual 
element 
in 
thiR 
movement. 
til 
the 
number 
of 
the 
"very 
elect" 
is 
completed 
and 
glorified. 
It 
does 
not 
indicate 
an 
adoption 
of 
the 
Chri~tian 
life, 
or 
even 
The 
best 
of 
earthly 
kingdoms 
are 
only 
"kingdoms 
of 
this 
~n 
intellectual 
acceptance 
of 
the 
truth"! 
of 
ChriRtianity. 
Wbat 
world," 
as 
the 
Scriptures 
designate 
them. 
II' 
propoRed 
iQ 
merely 
a 
formal 
atloption 
of 
the 
Christian 
name, 
The 
Emperor 
of 
Japan 
is 
expected 
to 
make 
his 
nation 
Chris- 
1'0 
that 
.Japan 
may 
be 
ealled 
a 
Christian 
nation 
an(1 
rank 
with 
tian 
by 
proclamation, 
and 
as 
a 
preparation 
to 
this 
end 
public 
England, 
Germany 
and 
the 
United 
States. 
Thl' 
Japanese 
hate 
meetings 
have 
been 
held 
in 
Japan 
to 
arouse 
public 
sentiment 
the 
name 
pagan; 
they 
have 
now 
no 
national 
religion, 
and 
on 
the 
subject, 
and 
in 
these 
great 
enthusiasm 
was 
developed. 
ther.e 
.would 
be 
nothing 
s~rallge 
in 
their 
ad0l'ting- 
the 
name 
'VI' 
must 
not 
sneer 
at 
the 
Japanese 
misconception 
of 
the 
sub· 
ChnstJan; 
but 
how 
much 
It 
would 
really 
advance 
the 
interests 
ject: 
rather 
we 
must 
remember 
that 
some 
very 
prominent 
of 
pure 
and 
personal 
faith 
in 
Christ 
is 
doubtful." 
people 
in 
these 
United 
States 
have 
for 
years 
been 
petitioning- 
TOWARD 
CHURCH 
UNITY 
Congress 
that 
the 
constitution 
be 
changed 
so 
as 
to 
have 
in 
it 
"With 
the 
Methodist 
Protestant 
church 
conference 
enthusi. 
~ome,~ow 
.th~ 
name 
.of 
?,od, 
and 
thus 
to 
imply 
at 
least 
that 
th~s 
~stic 
for 
union 
with 
the 
United 
Brethren 
and 
Congregational. 
IS 
a 
~hnshan 
nahon. 
The 
whole 
matte! 
~~ows 
how 
gross 
IS 
IRt 
denominations 
and 
gravely 
eonsidering 
amalgamation 
with 
the 
blmdness 
prevalent. 
even 
among 
the 
CIVIlIzed. 
thE' 
Methodist 
Episcopal; 
with 
the 
Methodist 
Episcopal, 
~et 
no 
one 
get 
the 
Idea 
that 
the 
J~panese 
are 
converted 
to 
south, 
disrussing 
consolidation 
with 
the 
same 
denomination, 
Chnst:. 
they 
are 
me~el:r 
bel'}t 
on 
ge~tm~ 
a 
.g?Od"name 
among 
north; 
w~th 
the 
Presbyterian 
assembly 
con"lidering 
absorption 
the 
!1ahons:. 
!or 
pll;tnohsm 
IS 
the 
chIef 
.relIgIOn 
of 
t.he 
J~ps. 
of 
the 
Ulllted 
and 
Cumberland 
Presbyterians, 
and 
with 
a 
moVe­ 
Vanous 
reh:glOus 
Journals 
are 
commenhl'}g 
on 
the 
SItuatIon. 
ment 
toward 
the 
adoption 
of 
rituals, 
one 
may 
weH 
believe 
the 
The. 
l\fethodls~ 
Protestant 
Conf~rence. 
re.celved 
a. 
repor.t 
o~, 
the 
churches 
have 
caught 
the 
spirit 
of 
combination 
RO 
marked 
in 
subJect 
from 
ItS 
Board 
of 
ForeIgn 
MISSions, 
which 
saId: 
The 
the 
industrial 
world. 
It 
iR 
no 
less 
true 
of 
the 
churches 
than 
opini?n 
held 
by 
some 
that 
Japan 
has 
beco~e. 
a 
Ohristian 
.na. 
of 
the 
commercial 
corporations 
that 
in 
lmion 
there 
is 
strength 
hon 
IS 
far 
f~om 
correct. 
Idolatry, 
superstItJo~ 
and 
atheIsm 
and 
in 
combination 
there 
is 
economy 
of 
operation 
. 
. 
. 
. 
largely 
prevail. 
T~e 
I!rea~ 
~ass 
of 
t~e 
p,~pulatlOn 
has 
not 
be- 
"UniverRal 
church 
union 
has 
been 
broached 
by 
bold 
theolo- 
come 
Impressed 
With 
ChristIan 
teach 
mg. 
/?ians. 
The 
ti.me 
is 
not 
ripe 
for 
that. 
It 
may 
never 
come. 
But 
'!'.he 
Globe, 
~e~ 
York, 
says::- 
. 
. 
. 
. 
the 
tendenc:l; 
IS 
yearly 
towar~ 
greater 
tolerancE' 
and 
closer 
fra- 
Travelers, 
bstmg 
the 
pecuhanbes 
of 
the 
Sunnse 
KlI~g. 
t~rn.a.l 
~elatIons. 
The 
.ti.me 
IS 
favora.ble 
for 
wiping 
out 
minor 
d0J!l,. 
have 
often 
no~e~ 
that 
the 
Jap~nese 
were 
not 
so 
m~ch 
11" 
dlstmctIOns 
and 
orgalllzmg 
upon 
broader 
lines. 
The 
signs 
a.re 
rehgIOus 
as 
non-rehgIOus. 
The 
habit 
of 
personal 
devotIon. 
as 
altogether 
favorable 
for 
larger 
conceptions 
of 
religious 
duty 
we 
understand 
that 
state, 
seems 
almost 
altogether 
absent. 
The 
and 
for 
more 
concentrated 
effort 
in 
spreading 
the 
gospel. 
The 
[3395] 
Jury 1, 1904 in the event of a murder—to determine, as we do today, whether or not the death were manslaughter, accidental killing, or in the second degree—murder unpremeditated or incited by anger or fear—or, third, if it were murder in the first degree, intended, premeditated. Similarly they were to discern which offences were against the common law, which against the divine law, and which against the usages of society, and were to see that justice would be meted out to all. As we think over those conditions of olden time, we wonder how such matters as these ~—such evidences that people of thousands of years ago were just, noble, thoughtful, reverential—are regarded by our evolutionist friends. They seem inclined to think that at that time mankind must have been near the monkey scale of intelligence, REPORT OF THE Dear BrotTiER RUSSELL :— Our first British General Convention has come and gone! It brought us much joy in the Lord, and left us with a greater desire to “spend and be spent” in the Master’s service. With general consent it is acknowledged that the meetings have been the best we have had in this country. But this was according to expectation, for the convention brought together a larger number of friends than has hitherto been the case, and because all should have more of the holy Spirit now than ever before. The predominant feeling was the love of the brethren for each and all, and with it was the appreciation of the grace of God which produced such a grand result. Each of the meetings added its quota to the good derived from the convention: the Praise and Testimony, and the Colporteurs’ and Workers’ meetings being specially helpful. Already we have heard of fresh or renewed efforts as a result of these talks with each other. On the Monday morning forty-three brothers and sisters signified by immersion their consecration to the Lord, and their desire to be accounted worthy to suffer with him. It was a most impressive time as we reviewed with each other our privilege of suffering with the Lord, as well as believing on him. And we ZION’S WATCH TOWER (207-211) but the facts are against them. Here was a king in whose empire justice was no doubt dispensed equally as well as it is with us today in this most favored land at this most favored period. The closing words of the lesson constitute our Golden Text —“Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.” We commend these words to the Lord’s faithful people. Whoever has a duty to perform let him not fear, and while seeking to do unpleasant tasks in a kindly manner, both justly and lovingly, let us fear not man, but rather fear the Lord and be intent on pleasing him. May the words of our mouths as well as the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer! BRITISH CONVENTION All the meetings were well attended, and there was the usual eagerness to get as much as possible of the food the Lord provided. The largest contingent of friends came from Glasgow, the most distant place represented. Ireland was represented by Bro. Walker, while England was _ represented by friends from all parts. We were glad to have Bro. Koetitz with us. It was hard to part, but we all realized that the Lord had given a work to our charge, and that the King’s message demanded haste. A good proportion of the colporteurs were with us also, and to these we bade “God-speed,” commending them to the grace of God. We felt the shortness of the time, and the coming of the kingdom for which we work and wait, and there was a greater determination to do all possible for the accomplishment of the work committed to the hands of those who know the Lord. You and your work were specially remembered. We would have been glad to have had you with us, but we shall hope that, in the Lord’s providence, you may be permitted and we may be privileged to have you with us in our next convention. The friends desired me to express on their behalf the gratitude they felt towards the Society. rejoiced in anticipation of the “glory to follow.” Your brother in the Lord, J. HEMERY. Vou. XXV ALLEGHENY, PA., JULY 15, 1904 No. 14 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER JAPAN A CHRISTIAN NATION The Japanese are such valiant fighters on sea and land that few any longer doubt that they must be “Christians” (?). Phey are very desirous of ranking with Europeans and Ameri eans, and feel that to the prowess they have shown in war they now merely need to avow themselves a “Christian nation” in order to be all that any “Christian nation” could be expected to be. The Japs are a very practical people in this as in other respects. They are quite right; they are a “Christian nation” as truly as is any other nation, for there are no “Christian nations” in the proper use of that term. The “holy nation” is only in embryo, only being formed, and will not assume its power and place as God’s kingdom under the whole heavens until the number of the “very elect” is completed and glorified. The best of earthly kingdoms are only “kingdoms of this world,” as the Scriptures designate them. The Emperor of Japan is expected to make his nation Christian by proclamation, and as a preparation to this end public meetings have been held in Japan to arouse public sentiment on the subject, and in these great enthusiasm was developed. We must not sneer at the Japanese misconception of the subject: rather we must remember that some very prominent people in these United States have for years been petitioning Congress that the constitution be changed so as to have in it somehow the name of God, and thus to imply at least that this is a “Christian nation.” The whole matter shows how gross is the blindness prevalent even among the civilized. Let no one get the idea that the Japanese are converted to Christ: they are merely bent on getting a good name among the nations: for patriotism is the chief “religion” of the Japs. Various religious journals are commenting on the situation. The Methodist Protestant Conference received a report on the subject from its Board of Foreign Missions, which said: “The opinion held by some that Japan has become a Christian nation is far from correct. Idolatry, superstition and atheism largely prevail. The great mass of the population has not become impressed with Christian teaching.” The Globe, New York, says:— “Travelers, listing the peculiarities of the Sunrise Kingdom, have often noted that the Japanese were not so much irreligious as non-religious. The habit of personal devotion. as we understand that state, seems almost altogether absent. The Shintoism and Buddhism which exist are secular rather than sacred. Hence it is that the Christian missionaries, although the Government and the people are tolerant, have made little progress, the number of converts being pitifully small. Hence it also is (religion being deemed a public rather than a private thing and one form being thought about as good as another) that the majority of the population would probably loyally obey the edict if the Imperor, tor scculir or other reasons, should proclaim Christianity as the state religion. The clew to the Japanese character is patriotism. To the demands, or supposed demands, of this everything else is subordinate.” The Boston Watchman (Baptist) says editorially :— “Of course, there is no spiritual element in this movement. It does not indicate an adoption of the Christian life, or even an intellectual acceptance of the truths of Christianity. What is proposed is merely a formal adoption of the Christian name, so that Japan may be called a Christian nation and rank with England, Germany and the United States. The Japanese hate the name pagan; they have now no national religion, and there would be nothing strange in their adopting the name Christian; but how much it would really advance the interests of pure and personal faith in Christ is doubtful.” TOWARD CHURCH UNITY “With the Methodist Protestant church conference enthusiastic for union with the United Brethren and Congregationalist denominations and gravely considering amalgamation with the Methodist Episcopal; with the Methodist Episcopal, south, discussing consolidation with the same denomination, north; with the Presbyterian assembly considering absorption of the United and Cumberland Presbyterians, and with a movement toward the adoption of rituals, one may well believe the churches have caught the spirit of combination so marked in the industria] world. It is no less true of the churches than of the commercial corporations that in union there is strength and in combination there is economy of operation. . . . “Universal church union has been broached by bold theologians. The time is not ripe for that. It may never come. But the tendency is yearly toward greater tolerance and closer fraternal relations. The time is favorable for wiping out minor distinctions and organizing upon broader lines. The si are altogether favorable for larger conceptions of religious duty and for more concentrated effort in spreading the gospel. The [3395]

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