Publication date
6/1/06
Volume
27
Number
11
The WatchTower
Views from the Watch Tower
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1906/11/1906-11-2.html
 
 
JUNE 
I, 
1906 
ZIONJS 
WATCH 
TOWER 
would 
add 
permanent 
strength 
to 
the 
League 
and 
nat 
give 
the 
impression 
that 
religion 
i$ 
secondary 
to 
membership.' 
,­ 
Literary 
Digest. 
RELIGIOUS 
STRIFE 
IN 
GERMANY 
Berlin, 
May 
15.-The 
question 
of 
the 
divinity 
of 
Christ 
now 
threatens 
to 
rend 
German 
Protestantism 
into 
two 
great 
parties, 
the 
liberal 
and 
the 
orthodox. 
The 
revolt 
in 
libAral 
churches 
against 
the 
narrow 
limits 
of 
orthodoxy 
has 
been 
fanned 
into 
a 
flame 
by 
the 
refusal 
of 
the 
State 
Church 
Consistory 
and 
the 
Pru.esian 
Supreme 
Court 
to 
sanction 
the 
selection 
of 
Rev. 
Rowen 
as 
pastor 
of 
the 
church 
at 
Rhemscheid 
in 
Westphalia. 
Ris 
offense 
was 
that 
he 
preached 
sermons 
in 
which 
he 
repudiated 
the 
divine 
parentage 
of 
Christ, 
characterizing 
it 
as 
a 
myth 
inspired 
by 
Grmco- 
Pagan 
influence.s. 
, 
FLOCK 
IS 
OBDURATE 
The 
church 
at 
Rhemscheid 
refused 
to 
select 
another 
pas­ 
tor, 
and 
its 
pulpit 
remains 
unoccupied. 
Mare 
than 
1,300 
mass 
meetings 
have 
been 
held 
to 
dis­ 
cuss 
the 
religious 
situation. 
Taken 
together 
they 
form 
an 
a.stonishing 
revelation 
of 
the 
enormous 
extent 
of 
the 
growth 
of 
the 
so-called 
higher 
criticism 
doctrines. 
The 
ferment 
is 
increasing, 
daily, 
hourly. 
The 
liberal 
pastors 
and 
their 
congregations 
threaten 
secession 
unless 
the 
bounds 
of 
the 
creed 
are 
widened 
by 
the 
elimination 
of 
what 
they 
caU 
the 
Supernatural 
Articles. 
The 
correspondent, 
in 
conver.sation 
with 
a 
leading 
theo­ 
logian 
who 
occupies 
a 
university 
chair, 
was 
advised 
that 
out 
of 
8,000 
German 
Protestant 
pastors 
in 
active 
service 
at 
the 
present 
time 
not 
over 
one-quarter 
are 
believers 
in 
the 
literal 
text 
of 
the 
Apostles' 
Creed, 
and 
only 
one-tenth 
hold 
to 
the 
inspiration 
of 
the 
Bible. 
LEADERS 
OF 
THE 
MOVEMENT 
Men 
like 
Prof. 
Harnack 
and 
Prof. 
Delitzsch, 
author 
of 
"Babel 
and 
Bible," 
lights 
of 
the 
liberal 
.school 
of 
theology, 
propose 
that 
the 
Kaiser, 
as 
head 
of 
the 
church, 
call 
a 
gen· 
eral 
council 
of 
the 
adherents 
of 
all 
theological 
schools 
to 
recast 
the 
creed 
and 
formulate 
some 
neutral 
body 
of 
doctrine 
which 
men 
of 
all 
opinions 
can 
subscribe 
to. 
Should 
the 
Kaiser 
do 
this, 
the 
cataclysm 
may 
be 
pre­ 
vented. 
Otherwise 
it 
i$ 
predicted 
on 
all 
sides 
the 
Reformed 
church 
of 
Germany 
will 
soon 
be 
split 
upon 
warring 
factions. 
* 
* 
* 
Only 
those 
who 
have 
some 
knowledge 
of 
the 
"divine 
plan 
of 
the 
ages" 
can 
comprehend 
such 
difficulties 
anll 
ap­ 
preciate 
the 
outcome. 
This 
is 
not 
a 
strife 
between 
the 
true 
church 
and 
the 
false 
one; 
but 
between 
two 
sections 
of 
the 
false 
or 
nominal 
.system. 
Money 
is 
at 
the 
bottom 
of 
it. 
The 
German 
Government 
pays 
the 
preachers 
of 
all 
denominations; 
so 
nOw 
when 
one 
is 
pushed 
away 
from 
the 
public 
teat 
there 
is 
a 
howl 
of 
rage, 
not 
only 
from 
the 
ousted 
one, 
but 
also 
from 
others 
in 
sympathy 
with 
him, 
who 
foresee 
that 
their 
turn 
may 
come 
next. 
It 
is 
nat 
time 
yet 
to 
judge 
the 
hearts 
to 
determine 
which 
are 
honest 
and 
which 
dishonest, 
but 
there 
is 
no 
mistake 
about 
it 
that 
if 
neither 
honor 
of 
men 
nor 
financial 
consid­ 
erations 
played 
a 
part 
there 
would 
be 
few 
to 
contend 
ear­ 
nestly 
for 
the 
faith 
once 
delivered 
to 
the 
saints. 
But 
those 
few 
would 
be 
the 
honest 
and 
true 
on 
both 
sides 
of 
the 
dis­ 
cussions. 
The 
Lord's 
people, 
who 
have 
renounced 
worldly 
and 
political 
methods, 
and 
who 
are 
.seeking 
chiefly, 
solely 
the 
kingdom 
of 
heaven, 
will 
do 
well 
to 
possess 
their 
souls 
in 
peace 
and 
go 
right 
along 
proclaiming 
the 
"good 
tidings 
of 
great 
joy 
which 
shall 
be 
unto 
all 
people." 
They 
need 
not 
look 
for 
worldly 
help, 
but, 
as 
in 
our 
Lord's 
time, 
should 
persevere, 
self-sacrificingly 
preaching 
without 
money 
and 
without 
price, 
seeking 
out 
the 
few 
who 
"have 
an 
ear 
to 
11Oar," 
even 
as 
many 
as 
the 
Father 
shall 
draw 
to 
the 
truth. 
BEREAN 
BIBLE 
STUDY 
FOR 
JUNE 
FOR 
EXPLANATION 
SEE 
PREFACE 
OJ' 
WATCH 
TOWER 
BIBLES, 
AND 
WATCH 
TOWER, 
MARCH 
1, 
1905. 
EVIL 
SPEAKING 
AND 
EVIL 
SURMISING 
20. 
Might 
telling 
the 
truth 
be 
evil 
speaking' 
Z. 
'99-70 
(1st 
col. 
11 
3 
to 
2nd 
col. 
~ 
2). 
21. 
Is 
it 
always 
necessary 
to 
tell 
all 
we 
know 
about 
every 
affair' 
Z. 
'00-71 
(2nd 
col. 
11 
3). 
22. 
Is 
an 
uncomplimentary 
remark 
evil 
speaking' 
Z. 
'02-188 
(2nd 
col. 
11 
3); 
F. 
406, 
11 
1. 
23. 
Would 
it 
be 
evil 
speaking 
to 
criticize 
doctrines 
publicly 
uttered' 
Z. 
'02-219 
(2nd 
col. 
11 
2). 
24. 
What 
is 
a 
slanderer' 
Z. 
'05-215 
(2nd 
col. 
'Ill); 
Z. 
'99-70 
(2nd 
col. 
11 
1 
to 
3). 
25. 
What 
is 
"false 
witness," 
and 
is 
it 
possible 
to 
bear 
false 
witness 
without 
uttp.ring 
a 
word' 
Z. 
'02-219 
(1st 
col. 
11 
2, 
3). 
26. 
How 
should 
we 
deal 
with 
a 
brother 
or 
sister 
who 
begins 
to 
relate 
an 
evil 
reporU 
Z. 
'05-215 
(1st 
col. 
11 
4, 
5). 
27. 
How 
should 
we 
deal 
with 
persons 
of 
the 
world 
who 
do 
evil 
speaking' 
Eph. 
5:11, 
12; 
Z. 
'99-70 
(1st 
col. 
'If 
1, 
2); 
Z. 
'02-74 
(1st 
col. 
11 
1); 
Z. 
'98-368 
(1st 
col. 
'If 
1). 
28. 
Is 
evil 
speaking 
against 
a 
brother 
in 
Christ 
more 
culpable 
than 
against 
one 
of 
the 
world' 
T. 
S. 
62, 
11 
3; 
Z. 
'03­ 
426 
(1st 
col. 
11 
1, 
2). 
29. 
In 
order 
to 
avoid 
gossip, 
slander 
and 
evil 
speaking, 
what 
is 
the 
only 
proper 
and 
Scriptural 
way 
of 
redress 
for 
grievances, 
actual 
or 
imaginary' 
Matt. 
18:15-17. 
Z. 
'05-214 
(1st 
col. 
~ 
4) 
to 
215 
(1st 
col. 
11 
3); 
F. 
414-417. 
:10. 
How 
should 
we 
deal 
in 
a 
matter 
of 
evil 
speaking 
against 
an 
Elder' 
1 
Tim. 
5:19. 
F. 
293, 
294, 
418 
(11 
1, 
2). 
31. 
Why 
is 
"a 
bridled 
tongue" 
a 
chief 
essential 
in 
an 
Elder' 
Jas. 
3 
:2. 
Z. 
'99-75 
(2nd 
col. 
11 
2); 
Z. 
'97-156 
(2nd 
col. 
11 
2); 
F. 
249, 
11 
2. 
32. 
How 
may 
we 
ask 
advice 
and 
not 
do 
evil 
speaking' 
F. 
292, 
top 
of 
page. 
33. 
What 
is 
the 
relation 
between 
"busybodying" 
and 
evil 
speaking' 
F. 
583,111, 
to 
586; 
F. 
408,11 
1 
to 
3. 
34. 
How 
should 
the 
Gold'm 
Rule 
help 
us 
to 
overcome 
evil 
speaking 
and 
evil 
surmising' 
F. 
407; 
Z. 
'02-188 
(2nrl 
('01.) 
to 
189 
(1st 
col. 
11 
2); 
Z. 
'00-262 
(1st 
col. 
'I[ 
1,2). 
35. 
What 
is 
the 
sole 
exception 
to 
this 
rule, 
"Speak 
evil 
of 
no 
man'" 
Z. 
'99-71 
(2nd 
col. 
,r 
2). 
36. 
What 
inspiration 
should 
we 
receive 
from 
Jesus' 
example' 
1 
Pet. 
2:23. 
Z. 
'01·298 
(1st 
col. 
11 
1, 
2); 
Manna, 
Dec. 
7; 
Z. 
'02-310 
(2nd 
col. 
11 
1). 
37. 
How 
can 
we 
overcome 
evil 
surmisings 
and 
evil 
speaking' 
(a) 
By 
pnrifying 
the 
heart. 
Provo 
4:23. 
F. 
409, 
11 
2. 
(b) 
By 
prayer. 
Psa.141:3. 
Psa.19:12-14. 
Z. 
'98­ 
23 
(2nd 
col. 
11 
1). 
(c) 
By 
keeping 
the 
mind 
fillrd 
with 
pure 
and 
holy 
thoughts. 
Phil. 
4:8. 
Z. 
'01-324 
(1st 
col.). 
Z. 
'03-8 
(2nd 
col. 
'If 
3) 
to 
9 
(1st 
col. 
'If 
3) 
; 
Z. 
'05­ 
216 
(1st 
col. 
'If 
3 
and 
2nd 
col. 
11 
3); 
Z. 
'00-72 
(1st 
col. 
11 
1, 
2). 
38. 
What 
additional 
thoughts 
are 
found 
in 
index 
of 
HCllvevnly 
Manna 
under 
"Evil'" 
39. 
What 
special 
experiences 
and 
praetices 
have 
helped 
you 
to 
overcome 
evil 
surmisings 
to 
some 
extent' 
40. 
As 
we 
realize 
how 
insidious 
this 
foe 
of 
the 
"l1('W 
creat­ 
ure," 
what 
shou1J 
be 
our 
daily 
prayer' 
Psa. 
19: 
12-14. 
IN 
DUE 
TIME 
Time 
is 
one 
of 
the 
most 
important 
factors 
in 
God's 
plan. 
upon 
mankind, 
and 
during 
all 
that 
time 
he 
has 
permitted 
gen- 
The 
days 
of 
creation 
were 
long 
periods 
of 
time; 
the 
time 
of 
eration 
after 
generation 
to 
go 
down 
into 
the 
grave 
in 
the 
midst 
man's 
experience 
with 
evil 
has 
been 
six 
days 
of 
a 
thousand 
of 
agony, 
blood 
and 
tears. 
And 
though 
he 
loved 
men 
so, 
even 
years 
each; 
the 
day 
of 
redemption 
and 
of 
the 
development 
of 
"1\ 
hile 
they 
were 
yet 
sinners, 
that 
he 
spared 
not 
his 
own 
Son, 
the 
church 
has 
been 
nearly 
two 
thousand 
years. 
Time 
has 
been 
but 
freely 
gave 
him 
up 
for 
us 
all, 
yet 
he 
has 
never 
for 
a 
necessary 
for 
the 
accomplishment 
of 
God's 
great 
work; 
and 
it 
moment 
relented 
so 
as 
to 
interpose 
his 
power 
for 
the 
relief 
or 
has 
also 
been 
necessary 
in 
proving 
to 
man 
the 
righteousness 
of 
release 
of 
the 
groaning 
creation: 
nor 
will 
he 
do 
so 
until 
his 
God's 
character. 
Only 
time 
could 
J>rove 
to 
men 
his 
invincible 
"due 
time' 
'-the 
time 
which 
his 
wisdom 
appointed, 
which 
will 
justice. 
Six 
thousand 
years 
ago 
hIS 
sentence 
of 
death 
'Passed 
be 
the 
very 
best 
time 
for 
the 
securing 
of 
the 
largest 
possible 
[3783] 
JUNE 1, 1906 would add permanent strength to the League and not give the impression that religion is secondary to membership. ’’— Literary Digest. RELIGIOUS STRIFE IN GERMANY Berlin, May 15.—The question of the divinity of Christ now threatens to rend German Protestantism into two great parties, the liberal and the orthodox. The revolt in liberal churches against the narrow limits of orthodoxy has been fanned into a flame by the refusal of the State Church Consistory and the Prussian Supreme Court to sanction the selection of Rev. Rowen as pastor of the church at Rhemscheid in Westphalia. His offense was that he preached sermons in which he repudiated the divine parentage of Christ, characterizing it ag a myth inspired by Greco-Pagan influences. ‘ FLOCK IS OBDURATE The church at Rhemscheid refused to select another pastor, and its pulpit remains unoccupied. More than 1,300 mass meetings have been held to discuss the religious situation. Taken together they form an astonishing revelation of the enormous extent of the growth of the so-called higher criticism doctrines. The ferment is increasing, daily, hourly. The liberal pastors and their congregations threaten secession unless the bounds of the creed are widened by the elimination of what they call the Supernatural Articles, The correspondent, in conversation with a leading theologian who occupies a university chair, was advised that out of 8,000 German Protestant pastors in active service at the present time not over one-quarter are believers in the literal text of the Apostles’ Creed, and only one-tenth hold to the inspiration of the Bible. LEADERS OF THE MOVEMENT Men like Prof. Harnack and Prof. Delitzsch, author of ‘*Babel and Bible,’’ lights of the liberal school of theology, ZION’S WATCH TOWER (164-165) propose that the Kaiser, as head of the church, call a general council of the adherents of all theological schools to recast the creed and formulate some neutral body of doctrine which men of all opinions can subscribe to. Should the Kaiser do this, the cataclysm may be prevented. Otherwise it is predicted on all sides the Reformed ehurch of Germany will soon be split upon warring factions. + * Only those who have some knowledge of the ‘‘divine plan of the ages’’ can comprehend such difficulties and appreciate the outcome. This is not a strife between the true church and the false one; but between two sections of the false or nominal system. Money is at the bottom of it. The German Government pays the preachers of all denominations; so now when one is pushed away from the public teat there is a howl of rage, not only from the ousted one, but also from others in sympathy with him, who foresee that their turn may come next. It is not time yet to judge the hearts to determine which are honest and which dishonest, but there is no mistake about it that if neither honor of men nor financial considerations played a part there would be few to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. But those few would be the honest and true on both sides of the discussions. The Lord’s people, who have renounced worldly and political methods, and who are seeking chiefly, solely the kingdom of heaven, will do well to possess their souls in peace and go right along proclaiming the ‘‘good tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people.’’ They need not look for worldly help, but, as in our Lord’s time, should persevere, self-sacrificingly preaching without money and without price, seeking out the few who ‘‘have an ear to hear,’’ even a8 many as the Father shall draw to the truth. BEREAN BIBLE STUDY FOR JUNE FOR EXPLANATION SEE PREFACE OF WATCH TOWER BIBLES, AND WATCH TOWER, MARCH 1, 1905. EVIL SPEAKING AND EVIL SURMISING 20. Might telling the truth be evil speaking? Z. ’99-70 (1st col. { 3 to 2nd col. § 2). 21. Is it always necessary to tell all we know about every affair? Z. ’00-71 (2nd col. 3). 22. Ts an uncomplimentary remark evil speaking? Z. ’02-188 (2nd col. 7 3); F. 406, 7 1. 23. Would it be evil speaking to criticize doctrines publicly uttered? Z. ’02-219 (2nd col. J 2). 24. What is a slanderer? Z, ’05-215 (2nd col. $1); Z. ’99-70 (2nd col. § 1 to 3). 25. What is ‘‘false witness,’’ and is it possible to bear false witness without uttering a word? Z. 702-219 (Ast col. J 2, 3). 26. How should we deal with a brother or sister who begins to relate an evil report? Z. 05-215 (1st col. § 4, 5). 27. How should we deal with persons of the world who do evil speaking? Eph. 5:11, 12; Z. ’99-70 (1st col. i 1, 2); Z. ’02-74 (1st col. $ 1); Z. ’98-368 (1st col. 1). 28. Is evil speaking against a brother in Christ more culpable than against one of the world? T. 8. 62, { 3; Z. ’03426 (1st col. J 1, 2). 29. In order to avoid gossip, slander and evil speaking, what is the only proper and Scriptural way of redress for grievances, actual or imaginary? Matt. 18:15-17. Z. '05-214 (Ist col. J 4) to 215 (1st col. | 3); F. 414-417, 30. How should we deal in a matter of evil speaking against an Elder? 1 Tim. 5:19. F. 293, 294, 418 (4 1, 2). 31. Why is ‘‘a bridled tongue’’ a chief essential in an Elder? Jas, 3:2. Z. ’99-75 (2nd col. { 2); Z. ’97-156 (2nd col. J 2); F. 249, 7 2. 32. How may we ask advice and not do evil speaking? F. 292, top of page. 33. What is the relation between ‘‘busybodying’’ and evil speaking? F. 583, 7 1, to 586; F. 408, { 1 to 3. 34. How should the Golden Rule help us to overcome evil speaking and evil surmising? FF. 407; Z. 702-188 (2nd col.) to 189 (ist col. | 2); Z. '00-262 (1st col. 1,2). 35. What is the sole exception to this rule, ‘‘Speak evil of no man’’? Z, ’99-71 (2nd col. { 2). 36. What inspiration should we receive from Jesus’ example? 1 Pet. 2:23. Z. ’01-298 (1st col. J 1, 2); Manna, Dee. 7; Z. 702-310 (2nd col. J 1). 37. How can we overcome evil surmisings and evil speaking? (a) e purifying the heart. Prov. 4:23. F, 409, 2 (6) By prayer. Psa. 141:3. Psa. 19:12-14, Z. ’9823 (2nd col. § 1). (c) By keeping the mind filled with pure and holy thoughts. Phil. 4:8. Z. ’01-324 (1st col.). 4. 703-8 (2nd col. 1 3) to 9 (1st col. J 3); Z. ’05216 (1st col. J 3 and 2nd col. § 3); Z. 700-72 (1st col. J 1, 2). 38. What additional thoughts are found in index of Heavenly Manna under ‘‘Evil’’? 39, What special experiences and practices have helped you to overcome evil surmisings to some extent? 40. As we realize how insidious this foe of the ‘‘new creature,’’ what should be our daily prayer? Psa. 19: 12-14, IN DUE TIME Time is one of the most important factors in God’s plan. The days of creation were long periods of time; the time of man’s experience with evil has been six days of a thousand years each; the day of redemption and of the development of the church has been nearly two thousand years. Time has been necessary for the accomplishment of God’s great work; and it has also been necessary in proving to man the righteousness of God’s character. Only time could prove to men his invincible justice. Six thousand years ago his sentence of death passed upon mankind, and during all that time he has permitted generation after generation to go down into the grave in the midst of agony, blood and tears. And though he loved men so, even while they were yet sinners, that he spared not his own Son, but freely gave him up for us all, yet he has never for a moment relented so as to interpose his power for the relief or release of the groaning creation: nor will he do so until his ‘¢due time’’—the time which his wisdom appointed, which will be the very best time for the securing of the largest possible [3783]

This website uses cookies to improve the website and your experience. By continuing to browse this website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you require further information or do not wish to accept cookies when using this website, please visit our Privacy Policy    Terms of Use    .