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DecemseR 1, 1905 worth all it costs. And “tribulation worketh patience,” one of the necessities in the Christian character spectrum. I see more and more how the adversary’s deceptions cater to human impatience as well as self-esteem, love of ease, avarice, ete. It requires patience to think of our buried relatives and friends as “sleeping” till the Millennial morning: that is why Spiritism has such a mighty hold on the world, even unconsciously, I pray the Lord for patience, and for self-possession in Christ. And I will have them (D.V.). I praise his name for this WarcH Tower and enclose a list of 15 names and addresses to which I would like copies sent. Would that these could see with me the Almighty Arm beating back the hosts of the foe from Christ’s little fiock. “Thus far and no farther!” I praise God for his salvation. Resp’y. A. L. D. Dear Bro, RUSSELL :— I believe that you will rejoice with us to know that the truth is doing its work over the head of all opposition. While we know that the truth will prevail, yet it gladdens our hearts to see some outward manifestations. So I write to tell you about two Lutheran ministers that I have met recently in this city, who are very much interested in the truth. They are both still preaching in Babylon. One of them I have talked with but little. The other has told his people that if they did not want him to preach the truth he would give up his position. So we know it will only be a short time until he will have to look for other opportunities; but he is rejoicing. He said before he got the truth he was like a man with a pocket full of nuts and nothing to crack them with; but Brother Russell furnished the nut-cracker and he was now feasting. So we praise the Lord for the assurance that they who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled. Yours in the Redeemer, H. W. Dickerson,—Colporteur. GENTLEMEN :— Some little time ago, on opening my mail, I came across a curious looking envelope, advertising MILLENNIAL DAWN, or “The Plan of the Ages,” a beautiful and remarkable book, explaining the Bible, and especially interesting to Bible students. I would not have noticed this envelope, had it not been for the unusual amount of reading matter on it. I enclose 50 cents herewith, in payment of this wonderful took, bound in cloth. If this is not sufficient, please advise at your earliest convenience. I am a Bible student, and will be glad to get such a book as this, as it will explain many things which I have read in the Bible and did not understand. ZION’S WATCH TOWER (367-371) Please reply as soon as possible, and oblige, Very truly yours, Eprror oF Z1ion’s WatcH TOWER:— On page 85 of March 15th you speak of Noah’s Ark and its dimensions. So far as the proportions go the Danish naval architect is correct, 300x50x30, but these are not feet, as would appear from the reading, but cubits. The cubit was the measure from the point of a man’s elbow to the point of his middle finger. This was never less than eighteen inches, while the Jewish sacred cubit was an handbreadth more, amounting to 21.88 inches. Thus reckoning the smaller cubit in Noah’s Ark, we have a vessel of the following dimensions: 547.3 feet long, 91.2 feet wide, 54.72 feet high, and of a cubic capacity of 2,730,782 feet, tonnage 81.052. A shipbuilder in Holland built a large mode! of the ark in 1670 or 1760, and found its proportions eminently fitted for carrying an enormous Joad with great safety through rough waters. What else should we expect when we know that its plan came direct to Noah from God? Ropert RaNnson,—Florida, C. B.— Mich. Deak FRIENDS :— I would like to express my feeling of deep gratitude for what food I have received in reading the Dawn and TowER. Four years ago I commenced to read these publications and have read them over at least twice during that time, but my eyesight failing me I have not been able to read at all for the last eighteen months. I am so thankful to my dear heavenly Father that my sight was spared to me long enough to learn of the great plan of salvation. It has been such a comfort and blessing to me that words fail to express my deep sense of gratitude to my heavenly Father for opening the eyes of my understanding to some of the deep things as revealed in his Word. May God’s blessing rest upon you in your efforts to spread the Truth among his people. Yours in Christ, C. C. Strone.—Cal, A dear brother less than two years old in the truth writes :— “Paul tells us plainly in Galatians 5:20-22 that those who practice, among other things, ‘enmities, quarrels, jealousies, resentments, altercations, factions, sects, envyings,’ cannot inherit the kingdom of God. This brings us one and all face to face with a most serious question, Are we—am I—practicing any of these things?’ Evidently the dear brother’s mind is being “exercised by use.” Would that we all might keep his question well in mind and see that we learn to answer it correctly, as the Lord would approve: Yes. Vou. XXVI ALLEGHENY, PA., DECEMBER 15, 1905 No. 24 TAMPA CONVENTION AND EN ROUTE We had a most auspicious start: About twenty-five of the Allegheny friends surprised us by appearing at the station and, as our train departed, singing “God be with you till we meet again.” Their zeal cheered us greatly. En route to Richmond, Va., we accepted an invitation to speak at the funeral of a dear brother in the Truth at Lonaconing, Md., where the Methodist chapel was placed at our disposal. An audience of about 250 gave closest attention to our review of Death and its cause, and our hope of a resurrection of the dead by virtue of our Lord’s great sacrifice, “the Just for the unjust”—“a ransom for all.” Richmond, Va., was reached on time, Washington brethren joining us en route. The One Day Convention was pronounced quite a success. It drew friends of the Truth to the number of about sixty for the afternoon session, and afforded us sweet privileges in public and private communion with these in things concerning the Kingdom and its ransom-founded hopes. The evening session for the public had been well advertised by the dear friends, with the result that the large Masonic Temple was crowded, about 900 being present. Our discourse on “To Hell and Back” was listened to with deep attention, and we hope some day to learn of good impressions and some fruitage to our Master’s praise. Columbia, 8. C., was our next stop. We had a prolonged visit and private talk of several hours with interested friends of Columbia and vicinity—mainly a question meeting; and in the evening a public session with about 225 present—excellent for the size of the city and the fact that it waa on a week night. Jacksonville, Florida, was our fourth stop. The “Christian Church” edifice was placed at our disposal and we had an enjoyable time with a good attendance for a week-day afternoon, about 200 being present, The evening session was informal and brief at the home of one of the brethren. A goodly number saw us to the depot—some of them likewise bound for THE TAMPA CONVENTION At Tampa, Florida, the city officials secured for us free the principal auditorium of the city—The Casino. The dear friends had put forth every effort and the Convention was a great success—although, as we had anticipated the attendance of friends was much smaller than we usually have at our General Conventions. That district is but sparsely settled, and thus far has comparatively few of “this way.” In the sessions of the three days Brothers Owens, Moffatt, Bundy and the Editor were the speakers, Our largest meeting, the one publicly advertised, was held on Sunday afternoon when about 500 to 600 were present. Some good was done, we feel sure, especially to the household of faith —the lack of numbers being made up for by the zeal of those in attendance. The wind-up was a Love-Feast. St. Petersburg, the health resort, lies just acrors the Tampa Bay, and although it was not on our list we yielded to the requests of friends from there and spent Monday with them—a conference of the interested, from the time of the boat’s arrival until its departure—from 10:30 to 4:30, with a half-hour’s intermission for a luncheon served in the G, A. R. Hall, in which our session was held. We pray that love and zeal and fruits of the Spirit in us all may result. Atlanta, Ga., was our next appointment, but unfortunately our train was nearly two hours late at Jacksonville and missed connections there. We greatly regretted the misfortune, and trust that in some manner, as yet unknown to us, the disappointment of our dear friends at Atlanta may be overruled of the Lord to their profit. Birmingham, Ala., was reached in the due season. Friends [3679]