Publication date
10/1/09
Volume
30
Number
19
The WatchTower
The Saratoga Convention
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1909/19/1909-19-1.html
 
 
SIlPTIlMBIlR 
15, 
1909 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
(287-291) 
in 
relation 
to 
the 
Scriptures 
and 
feel 
that 
it 
will 
be 
a 
source 
of 
light 
to 
me 
at 
all 
times, 
as 
the 
books 
have 
and 
will 
be. 
I 
wish 
to 
say 
that 
I 
have 
never 
been 
a 
church 
member 
and 
have 
been 
called 
an 
infidel 
on 
account 
of 
my 
non· 
belief 
in 
a 
Father 
who 
could 
torture 
throughout 
eterpity 
people 
created 
by 
him 
in 
his 
own 
likeness 
when 
they 
were 
born 
in 
sin 
and 
were 
so 
weak. 
The 
first 
glimpse 
of 
the 
"Divine 
Plan" 
made 
me 
feel 
that 
I 
was 
not 
entirely 
alone 
in 
my 
belief 
and 
that 
the 
coming 
of 
the 
Saviur 
could 
be 
looked 
forward 
to 
with 
great 
longings 
and 
happiness 
instead 
of 
misery, 
separation, 
torture, 
etc., 
to 
some 
probably 
who 
were 
dear 
to 
us. 
I 
am 
a 
young 
man, 
a 
deep 
reader 
and 
have 
until 
finding 
your 
books 
been 
unable 
to 
secure 
much 
consideration 
from 
the 
ministers 
of 
the 
(sect) 
churches, 
as 
all 
of 
them 
left 
the 
im­ 
pression 
upon 
me 
that 
one 
must 
be 
a 
member 
of 
some 
church 
to 
be 
saved. 
Will 
you 
please 
forward 
books 
and 
papers 
promptly, 
as 
I 
do 
not 
wish 
to 
miss 
a 
single 
enlightening 
point, 
and 
have 
a 
dear 
wife 
and 
mother 
I 
am 
so 
anxious 
shall 
see 
the 
great 
light 
as 
1 
see 
it. 
Yours 
very 
truly, 
E. 
M. 
VIQUESNEY,-Ga. 
DEAR 
BROTHER 
RusSELL:- 
In 
the 
early 
'90's, 
being 
a 
great 
reader 
of 
all 
kinds 
of 
lit­ 
erature-history, 
Biblical 
and 
profane 
books 
of 
all 
kinds-my 
wife 
thought 
she 
would 
purchase 
me 
an 
unusual 
book, 
and 
bought 
me 
a 
copy 
of 
Millennial 
Dawn, 
Vol. 
1. 
I 
was 
interested 
in 
PI 
of. 
Totten, 
of 
Yale, 
in 
his 
prophecies 
in 
reference 
to 
the 
b60ks 
of 
Daniel 
and 
Revelation, 
and 
subscribed 
for 
the 
"Chris­ 
tian 
Herald" 
to 
read 
what 
he 
had 
to 
say. 
So 
I 
read 
Millennial 
Dawn 
at 
that 
time, 
but 
some 
influence 
was 
against 
me, 
and 
for 
years 
the 
book 
lay 
unopened. 
Last 
summer 
at 
one 
of 
our 
Bap­ 
tist 
meetings 
down 
here, 
I 
heard 
a 
clergyman 
speak 
about 
the 
Russellites 
and 
their 
belief 
as 
being 
damnable 
heresy. 
It 
was 
a 
new 
name 
to 
me. 
I 
asked 
about 
these 
people; 
who 
they 
were, 
and 
tried 
to 
get 
some 
further 
light, 
reasoning 
that 
thele 
must 
be 
something 
extra 
about 
these 
people 
to 
be 
so 
con­ 
demned. 
I 
had 
often 
read 
of 
Gamaliel's 
advice 
to 
the 
high 
priest 
and 
tried 
to 
follow 
it 
by 
granting 
all 
movements 
a 
rea­ 
sonable 
hearmg. 
I 
came 
home 
from 
the 
meeting, 
and 
asked 
my 
wife 
if 
she 
knew 
where 
that 
old 
book 
she 
had 
bought 
for 
me 
years 
ago 
was. 
We 
looked 
it 
up. 
I 
begun 
to 
read 
it. 
1 
waR 
ripe 
for 
it. 
I 
got 
tired 
looking 
up 
your 
references 
to 
the 
Bible 
and 
took 
the 
book 
as 
written. 
Not 
having 
the 
necessary 
money 
to 
buy 
the 
other 
five 
volumes 
at 
that 
time, 
I 
did 
the 
next 
best 
thing. 
I 
went 
right 
into 
the 
Bible 
as 
never 
before. 
I 
would 
to 
God 
I 
had 
not 
wasted 
all 
these 
years, 
but 
had 
done 
so 
at 
first. 
Patiently 
bear 
with 
me, 
as 
I 
am 
full 
of 
this 
good 
news. 
I 
live 
in 
the 
country 
on 
an 
R. 
F. 
D. 
route. 
Some 
one 
threw 
It 
little 
pink 
tract 
in 
the 
box. 
God's 
blessings 
on 
him! 
I 
read 
every 
word; 
then 
it 
was 
up 
to 
me 
to 
find 
out 
who 
put 
it 
there. 
I 
made. 
careful 
inquiry 
and 
found 
a 
fellow 
by 
the 
name 
of 
Mr. 
Nunally, 
living 
about 
four 
miles 
away, 
who 
had 
a 
reputation 
as 
being 
a 
saint; 
just 
the 
fellow 
I 
was 
looking 
for. 
I 
drove 
over 
and 
got 
what 
I 
wanted. 
I 
am 
now 
near 
the 
end 
of 
Vol. 
6, 
which 
has 
stirred 
me 
up 
to 
write 
to 
you. 
I 
must 
have 
the 
monthly 
paper 
as 
soon 
as 
I 
can 
get 
it. 
It 
is 
a 
severe 
trial 
for 
me 
to 
ask 
you 
to 
give 
me 
credit 
for 
the 
same 
until 
I 
can 
pay 
for 
it 
and 
also 
for 
"The 
Tower." 
\YM. 
BENNETT,-Va. 
VOL. 
XXX 
BROOKLYN, 
N. 
Y., 
OCTOBER 
1, 
1909 
THE 
SARATOGA 
CONVENTION 
No. 
19 
As 
we 
had 
expected, 
quite 
a 
number 
of 
the 
dear 
friends 
pro- 
free 
luncheon 
in 
side 
rooms 
of 
the 
Brooklyn 
Academy 
of 
Music. 
nounced 
this 
last 
convention 
"the 
best 
yet!" 
For 
our 
own 
part 
At 
the 
afternoon 
session 
a 
discourse 
was 
delivered 
by 
Broth­ 
they 
are 
all 
so 
enjoyable 
that 
we 
find 
it 
difficult 
to 
express 
a 
er 
Rutherford. 
His 
topic 
was, 
"Preaching 
the 
kingdom 
of 
preference. 
About 
1,500 
to 
1,800 
attended; 
and 
about 
500 
more 
heaven." 
It 
was 
ably 
handled 
!lnd 
well 
received. 
Following 
it 
came 
to 
Brooklyn 
only. 
We 
cannot 
recall 
any 
previous 
conven- 
came 
another 
interval 
for 
supper-served 
as 
at 
noon. 
tion 
at 
which 
such 
absolute 
harmony 
prevailed. 
Saratoga 
is 
in 
In 
the 
evening 
after 
a 
praise 
service 
Brother 
Russell 
ad­ 
many 
respects 
an 
ideal 
city 
for 
such 
a 
gathering; 
it 
is 
quiet, 
dressed 
the 
assembly 
on 
"Baptism 
and 
Its 
Import." 
On 
Mon­ 
healthful, 
has 
hotel 
capacity 
for 
thousands 
and 
a 
splendid 
Audi- 
day 
opportunity 
was 
granted 
for 
symbolic 
immersion 
in 
wakr, 
torium. 
The 
friends 
were 
made 
comfortable 
at 
$1.25 
to 
$1.50 
and 
one 
hundred 
and 
twenty-two 
availed 
themselves 
of 
the 
priv­ 
per 
day 
by 
special 
arrangement. 
Each 
convention 
teaches 
us 
ilege. 
The 
baptistry 
of 
the 
Central 
Baptist 
church 
was 
used. 
something 
along 
these 
lines. 
Monnay 
(Labor 
Day) 
witnessed 
a 
Love 
Feast 
from 
7 
:30 
a. 
But 
our 
special 
feasting 
was 
on 
the 
heavenly 
food 
and 
fel- 
m. 
until 
11 
p. 
m. 
at 
the 
"Bethel" 
(the 
home). 
Coffee, 
sand­ 
lowship 
divine. 
Thirty 
dear 
brethren 
participated 
and 
their 
wiches, 
fruit 
and 
cake 
were 
served 
by 
the 
sisteI 
s 
to 
hundrells 
topics 
were 
timely 
and 
well 
chosen. 
We 
trust 
and 
believe 
that 
who 
inspected 
the 
home. 
The 
large 
parlor, 
in 
which 
President 
no 
hungry 
soul 
went 
away 
unfed. 
Several 
ministers 
of 
various 
Abraham 
Lincoln 
in 
the 
dark 
hours 
of 
tIll.' 
Civil 
\Var 
inter­ 
denominations 
attended 
continuously 
and 
some 
of 
them 
ex- 
viewed 
Rev. 
Henry 
'Vard 
Beecher 
and 
enlisted 
his 
co-opemtion 
pressed 
themselves 
as 
deeply 
interested 
and 
reading 
the 
"SCRIP- 
in 
presenting 
to 
the 
British 
public 
the 
tnlP 
issues 
of 
tht> 
war 
as 
TURE 
STUDIES" 
and 
determmed 
to 
prove 
as 
true 
Bereans 
what 
being 
for 
or 
against 
slavery, 
etc., 
was 
an 
object 
of 
much 
inter­ 
they 
had 
heard. 
est. 
Our 
study 
also 
was 
a 
place 
of 
great 
interest 
to 
all. 
We 
Saturday's 
ride 
down 
the 
Hudson 
River 
on 
the 
steamer 
Hen- 
sat 
at 
our 
desk 
by 
request 
and 
there 
gn'eted 
the 
Brethren 
and 
drick 
Hudson 
was 
a 
unique 
experience. 
Nearly 
four 
thousand 
Sisters 
as 
they 
passed. 
\Ve 
took 
frl'sh 
o('('asion 
to 
apologize 
for 
people 
were 
on 
board; 
about 
one-half 
of 
them 
were 
our 
conven- 
our 
fine 
quarters; 
so 
much 
better 
than 
the 
Lord 
and 
the 
Apos­ 
tion 
people. 
It 
seemed 
the 
Lord's 
providence 
that 
we 
should 
tIes 
enjoyed 
and 
so 
much 
bl'tter 
than 
we 
dt>serve. 
\l\Te 
explained 
thus 
use 
the 
regular 
steamer 
rather 
than 
charter 
a 
smaller 
and 
afresh 
what 
had 
already 
becn 
partieulal 
ized 
iII 
TIm 
WATCH 
less 
palatial 
craft 
for 
our 
exclusive 
use. 
Besides, 
as 
we 
had 
TOWER 
(March 
1, 
page 
(8) 
con('erning 
tlw 
peculiar 
providt>nccs 
surmised, 
the 
opportunities 
for 
presenting 
the 
truth 
to 
others 
which 
put 
us 
in 
possession 
of 
this 
finc 
propcrty 
at 
a 
ll'sS 
cost 
were 
considerable, 
and 
the 
dear 
friends 
improved 
them 
wisely, 
than 
very 
inferior 
ones 
were 
obtainable-at 
about 
one-fourth 
we 
believe. 
what 
our 
large 
family's 
car-fare 
alone 
would 
have 
cost. 
The 
river 
views 
are 
grand; 
but 
the 
dear 
friends 
were 
so 
full 
At 
the 
Brooklyn 
Taberna('le 
thcre 
WC1(' 
busy 
scencs 
all 
day. 
of 
faith-views 
of 
the 
heavenly 
shore 
that 
earthly 
scenes 
were 
Imagine 
two 
thousand 
people 
passing 
bptw<'<'n 
thl' 
Tahernaclt> 
quite 
secondary 
to 
the 
majority. 
The 
time 
was 
spent 
in 
fellow- 
and 
the 
Bethel 
and 
seeing 
both 
from 
top 
to 
bottom. 
No 
wonder 
ship-talks 
along 
truth 
lines, 
and 
in 
singing 
with 
hearts 
and 
lips 
the 
residents 
of 
the 
intervening 
four 
blo('ks 
w<'re 
ama~wd' 
What 
melodies 
to 
our 
Redeemer 
and 
our 
Father. 
could 
so 
greatly 
interest 
those 
happy-looking 
people! 
Ah' 
The 
Sunday 
services 
at 
Brooklyn 
were 
all 
held 
in 
the 
Acad- 
"None 
but 
his 
loved 
ones 
know." 
\Ve 
trnst 
that 
a 
favorable 
IIII­ 
emy 
of 
Music, 
and 
opened 
with 
a 
praise 
and 
testimony 
meeting 
pression 
for 
the 
truth 
was 
made 
upon 
the 
pcoplc 
of 
a 
large 
sec· 
at 
10 
o'clock. 
It 
was 
good 
to 
be 
there, 
but 
difficult 
to 
describe. 
tion 
of 
Brooklyn, 
for 
about 
1,700 
of 
our 
fril'nds 
were 
quartcred 
The 
feelings 
of 
the 
friends 
ran 
deep 
as 
they 
told 
of 
their 
thank- 
amongst 
them. 
Do 
we 
always 
r<'memlJPr, 
dear 
friends. 
that 
we 
fulness 
to 
God 
for 
the 
truth, 
and 
how 
much 
it 
had 
changed 
the 
are 
living 
epistles 
of 
the 
truth. 
known 
and 
read 
of 
many 
who 
current 
of 
their 
entire 
lives. 
The 
vow 
also 
was 
lauded 
as 
a 
will 
not 
read 
our 
printed 
ml'ssages? 
If 
this 
thonght 
could 
he 
blessing 
from 
God 
which 
had 
brought 
more 
of 
blessing 
than 
always 
with 
us, 
how 
careful 
it 
would 
make 
u~ 
he 
of 
our 
words 
words 
could 
tell. 
It 
had 
brought 
them 
nearer 
to 
the 
Lord 
than 
and 
deeds. 
ever 
before, 
and 
had 
given 
them 
a 
realization 
of 
the 
Lord's 
near- 
'Vhile 
we 
were 
giving 
the 
right 
hand 
of 
fellowship 
to 
the 
ness 
and 
special 
watch 
care. 
candidates 
for 
immersion 
at 
the 
Baptist 
('hur('h, 
Brother 
Cole 
At 
11 
o'clock 
Brother 
Russell 
spoke 
on 
"The 
Value 
of 
Toil," 
was 
addressing 
the 
Colporteurs 
in 
Brooklyn 
Tabernacle. 
Later. 
as 
reported 
in 
the 
newspapers. 
Additionally 
he 
made 
some 
spe- 
at 
11 
a. 
m. 
and 
3 
p. 
m. 
and 
at 
8 
p. 
m., 
we 
addressed 
changing 
cial 
reference 
to 
the 
value 
of 
service-the 
value 
of 
toil 
to 
the 
audiences 
in 
the 
Tab('rnacle. 
Of 
('ourse, 
the 
Sunday 
services 
church. 
He 
noted 
that 
the 
Lord 
could 
get 
along 
entirely 
with- 
were 
the 
best 
attended 
(about 
2,500, 
nearly 
all 
friends). 
out 
our 
aid, 
but 
pcrmitted 
us 
to 
serve 
and 
sacrifice 
for 
our 
Rpir- 
although 
no 
special 
advertising 
was 
done. 
Some 
Rssured 
us 
itual 
development. 
He 
noted 
also 
the 
rest 
of 
spirIt 
which 
all 
that 
Monday 
was 
the 
very 
be~t 
day 
of 
all 
amI 
that 
undouhtl'<lly 
laborers 
in 
the 
vineyard 
should 
enjoy 
continually. 
Luncheon 
this 
convl'ntion 
far 
surpassed 
all 
others. 
\Ve 
believe 
we 
also 
followed, 
some 
going 
to 
restaurants 
and 
some 
partaking 
of 
a 
must 
assent 
to 
thi'5 
latter 
expression. 
[4481] 
SEPTEMBER 15, 1909 in relation to the Scriptures and feel that it will be a source of light to me at all times, as the books have and will be. I wish to say that I have never been a church member and have been called an infidel on account of my non-belief in a Father who could torture throughout eternity people created by him in his own likeness when they were born in sin and were so weak. The first glimpse of the “Divine Plan” made me feel that I was not entirely alone in my belief and that the coming of the Savior could be looked forward to with great longings and happiness instead of misery, separation, torture, etc., to some probably who were dear to us. I am a young man, a deep reader and have until finding your books been unable to secure much consideration from the ministers of the (sect) churches, as all of them left the impression upon me that one must be a member of some church to be saved. Will you please forward books and papers promptly, as I do not wish to miss a single enlightening point, and have a dear wife and mother I am so anxious shall see the great light as I see it. Yours very truly, E. M. VIQuEsNEY,—Ga. Dear BROTHER RUSSELL:— In the early ’90’s, being a great reader of all kinds of literature—history, Biblical and profane books of all kinds—my wife thought she would purchase me an unusual book, and bought me a copy of Millennial Dawn, Vol. 1. I was interested in Piof. Totten, of Yale, in his prophecies in reference to the beoks of Daniel and Revelation, and subscribed for the “Christian Herald” to read what he had to say. So I read Millennial THE WATCH TOWER (287-291) Dawn at that time, but some influence was against me, and for years the book lay unopened. Last summer at one of our Baptist meetings down here, I heard a clergyman speak about the Russellites and their belief as being damnable heresy. It was a new name to me. I asked about these people; who they were, and tried to get some further light, reasoning that there must be something extra about these people to be so condemned. I had often read of Gamaliel’s advice to the high priest and tried to follow it by granting all movements a reasonable hearing. I came home from the meeting, and asked my wife if she knew where that old book she had bought for me years ago was. We looked it up. I began to read it. I was ripe for it. I got tired looking up your references to the Bible and took the book as written. Not having the necessary money to buy the other five volumes at that time, I did the next best thing. I went right into the Bible as never before. I would to God I had not wasted all these years, but had done so at first. Patiently bear with me, as I am full of this good news. I live in the country on an R. F. D. route. Some one threw a little pink tract in the box. God’s blessings on him! IJ read every word; then it was up to me to find out who put it there. I made careful inquiry and found a fellow by the name of Mr. Nunally, living about four miles away, who had a reputation as being a saint; just the fellow I was looking for. I drove over and got what I wanted. I am now near the end of Vol. 6, which has stirred me up to write to you. I must have the monthly paper as soon as I can get it. It is a severe trial for me to ask you to give me credit for the same until I can pay for it and also for ‘The Tower.” Wm. BENNETT, Va. Vou. XXX BROOKLYN, N. Y., OCTOBER 1, 1909 No. 19 THE SARATOGA CONVENTION As we had expected, quite a number of the dear friends pronounced this last convention “the best yet!” For our own part they are all so enjoyable that we find it difficult to express a preference. About 1,500 to 1,800 attended; and about 500 more came to Brooklyn only. We cannot recall any previous convention at which such absolute harmony prevailed. Saratoga is in many respects an ideal city for such a gathering; it is quiet, healthful, has hotel capacity for thousands and a splendid Auditorium, The friends were made comfortable at $1.25 to $1.50 per day by special arrangement. Each convention teaches us something along these lines, But our special feasting was on the heavenly food and fellowship divine. Thirty dear brethren participated and their topics were timely and well chosen. We trust and believe that no hungry soul went away unfed. Several ministers of various denominations attended continuously and some of them expressed themselves as deeply interested and reading the “ScrirTURE STUDIES” and determined to prove as true Bereans what they had heard. Saturday’s ride down the Hudson River on the steamer Hendrick Hudson was a unique experience. Nearly four thousand people were on board; about one-half of them were our convention people. It seemed the Lord’s providence that we should thus use the regular steamer rather than charter a smaller and less palatial craft for our exclusive use. Besides, as we had surmised, the opportunities for presenting the truth to others were considerable, and the dear friends improved them wisely, we believe. The river views are grand; but the dear friends were so full of faith-views of the heavenly shore that earthly scenes were quite secondary to the majority. The time was spent in fellowship-talks along truth lines, and in singing with hearts and lips melodies to our Redeemer and our Father. The Sunday services at Brooklyn were all held in the Academy of Music, and opened with a praise and testimony meeting at 10 o’clock. It was good to be there, but difficult to describe. The feelings of the friends ran deep as they told of their thankfulness to God for the truth, and how much it had changed the current of their entire lives. The vow also was lauded as a blessing from God which had brought more of blessing than words could tell. It had brought them nearer to the Lord than ever before, and had given them a realization of the Lord’s nearness and special watch care. At 11 o’clock Brother Russell spoke on “The Value of Toil,” as reported in the newspapers. Additionally he made some special reference to the value of service—the value of toil to the church. He noted that the Lord could get along entirely without our aid, but permitted us to serve and sacrifice for our spiritual development. He noted also the rest of spirit which all laborers in the vineyard should enjoy continually. Luncheon followed, some going to restaurants and some partaking of a free luncheon in side rooms of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. At the afternoon session a discourse was delivered by Brother Rutherford. His topic was, “Preaching the kingdom of heaven.” It was ably handled and well received. Following it came another interval for supper—served as at noon. In the evening after a praise service Brother Russell addressed the assembly on “Baptism and Its Import.” On Monday opportunity was granted for symbolic immersion in water, and one hundred and twenty-two availed themselves of the privilege. The baptistry of the Central Baptist church was used. Monday (Labor Day) witnessed a Love Feast from 7:30 a. m. until 11 p. m. at the “Bethel” (the home). Coffee, sandwiches, fruit and cake were served by the sisters to hundreds who inspected the home. The large parlor, in which President Abraham Lincoln in the dark hours of the Civil War interviewed Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and enlisted his co-operation in presenting to the British public the true issues of the war as being for or against slavery, etc., was an object of much interest. Our study also was a place of great interest to all. We sat at our desk by request and there greeted the Brethren and Sisters as they passed. We took fresh occasion to apologize for our fine quarters; so much better than the Lord and the Apostles enjoyed and so much better than we deserve. We explained afresh what had already been particularized in Tue Watcn TOWER (March 1, page 68) concerning the peculiar providences which put us in possession of this fine property at a less cost than very inferior ones were obtainable—at about one-fourth what our large family’s car-fare alone would have cost. At the Brooklyn Tabernacle there weie busy scenes all day. Imagine two thousand people passing between the Tabernacle and the Bethel and seeing both from top to bottom. No wonder the residents of the intervening four blocks were amazed! What could s0 greatly interest those happy-looking people! Ah! “None but his loved ones know.” We trust that a favorable 1mpression for the truth was made upon the people of a large section of Brooklyn, for about 1,700 of our friends were quartered amongst them, Do we always remember, dear friends, that we are living epistles of the truth, known and read of many who will not read our printed messages? 1f this thought could be always with us, how careful it would make us be of our words and deeds. While we were giving the right hand of fellowship to the candidates for immersion at the Baptist church, Brother Cole was addressing the Colporteurs in Brooklyn Tabernacle. Later, at 11 a. m. and 3 p. m. and at 8 p. m., we addressed changing audiences in the Tabernacle. Of course, the Sunday services were the best attended (about 2,500, nearly all friends), although no special advertising was done. Some assured us that Monday was the very best day of all and that undoubtedly this convention far surpassed all others. We believe we also must assent to this latter expression, [4481]

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