Publication date
1/15/09
Volume
30
Number
2
The WatchTower
The Nashville Convention
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1909/2/1909-2-1.html
 
 
 
(15-19) 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
ALLllGHllNY. 
PA. 
service." 
(Rom. 
12: 
1) 
And 
"Make 
straight 
paths 
for 
your 
feet, 
lest 
that 
which 
is 
lame 
be 
turned 
out 
of 
the 
way." 
After 
what 
we 
have 
witnesscd 
of 
the 
power 
of 
evil 
oper­ 
atmg 
in 
the 
mmds 
of 
some 
and 
producing 
characteristics 
whlC'h 
the 
Apo~tle 
dpnomlllates 
"Wor!,s 
of 
the 
flesh 
and 
the 
devil," 
we 
can 
scarcely 
be 
surprisC'd 
at 
anything 
which 
the 
adversary 
mIght 
accomplish 
along 
these 
lines. 
But 
while 
we 
fear 
lest 
we 
should 
come 
under 
any 
such 
influence 
our­ 
selves, 
and 
whIle 
we 
watch 
and 
pray 
lest 
we 
enter 
into 
temptation, 
we 
should 
not 
be 
cast 
down, 
nor 
hindered 
in 
any 
measure 
or 
dpg-ree, 
in 
respect 
to 
the 
service 
of 
our 
King. 
He 
is 
able 
and 
willing 
to 
keep 
in 
perfect 
peace 
those 
who 
are 
trusting 
him, 
those 
who 
are 
follOWIng 
his 
leadings 
and 
com­ 
ing 
close 
to 
him, 
even 
"undcr 
the 
shndow 
of 
the 
Almighty." 
The 
vow 
hns 
helped 
many 
tv 
take 
this 
stand, 
thank 
God! 
And 
in 
proportion 
as 
it 
is 
taken, 
we 
believe 
that 
it 
will 
still 
further 
help, 
not 
only 
those 
who 
have 
taken 
it, 
but 
also 
those 
who 
have 
not 
takcn 
it, 
but 
have 
heard 
and 
apprecIate, 
in 
a 
measure, 
its 
warning 
voice. 
The 
words 
of 
the 
Apostle, 
"Who 
shall 
bc 
able 
to 
stand 
in 
that 
evil 
day," 
never 
seemed 
more 
full 
of 
meaning 
to 
us 
than 
now, 
and 
never 
have 
we 
felt 
more 
than 
now 
our 
need 
of 
every 
piece 
of 
the 
divine 
armor 
and 
of 
every 
cord 
at 
our 
disposal 
to 
bind 
the 
sacrifice 
securely 
to 
the 
altar. 
So 
then, 
while 
still 
expecting 
the 
attacks 
of 
the 
adver­ 
sary 
along 
the 
lines 
of 
materializatIOn, 
hypnotism 
and 
occult­ 
ism 
in 
general, 
we 
perceive 
that 
from 
inoculation 
of 
our 
minds 
with 
evil 
surmisings, 
saints 
have 
probably 
the 
most 
to 
dread. 
An 
important 
question 
IS, 
How 
can 
we 
be 
on 
guard 
against 
this 
insidious 
snare? 
The 
reply 
is, 
By 
keeping 
very 
close 
to 
the 
Lord. 
Apparently 
the 
least 
dcviation 
from 
the 
principles 
of 
righteousness 
in 
our 
thoughts, 
the 
least 
violation 
of 
justice 
or 
love 
in 
our 
thoughts, 
would 
open 
the 
way 
for 
the 
enemy 
to 
inject 
poison, 
leaven, 
malice, 
envy, 
hatred 
and 
strife. 
We 
still 
urge 
the 
vow 
as 
a 
great 
help 
in 
tlus 
time 
of 
stress, 
and 
one 
that 
you 
will 
appreciate 
more 
and 
more 
as 
you 
discern 
how 
the 
Lord 
IS 
using 
it 
for 
your 
blessmg 
and 
protection. 
But- 
if, 
for 
fear 
that 
you 
cannot 
keep 
it, 
or 
for 
any 
other 
reason, 
you 
fail 
to 
take 
it, 
we 
counsel 
that 
you 
at 
least 
have 
its 
various 
provisions 
in 
mind, 
and 
seek 
to 
shape 
all 
of 
your 
various 
affairs 
day 
by 
day 
along 
those 
lines. 
But 
do 
not 
forget 
that 
our 
help 
comes 
from 
the 
Lord 
and 
that 
the 
vow 
is 
of 
assistance 
to 
us 
only 
as 
it 
helps 
us 
to 
approach 
near 
to 
him, 
and 
to 
abide 
in 
his 
love, 
and 
in 
harmony 
WIth 
his 
divine 
Word, 
in 
thought, 
in 
word, 
in 
deed. 
VOL. 
XXX 
ALLEGHENY, 
PA., 
JANUARY 
15, 
1909 
THE 
NASHVILLE 
CONVENTION 
No. 
:2 
As 
we 
expected, 
quite 
a 
number 
of 
the 
dear 
friends 
who 
attcnded 
the 
Nashville 
Convention 
declared 
at 
its 
conclusion 
that 
it 
was 
the 
very 
best 
of 
all. 
So 
long 
as 
we 
are 
growing 
in 
grace, 
it 
must 
be 
true 
that 
a 
meeting 
of 
those 
of 
like 
precious 
faith 
for 
the 
discussion 
of 
our 
Father's 
Word 
must 
bring 
bless­ 
ings 
increasingly 
precious 
as 
we 
increase 
in 
grace 
and 
knowl­ 
edge. 
This 
being 
so, 
each 
day, 
each 
month, 
each 
year 
should 
be 
our 
best, 
our 
happiest, 
the 
one 
of 
our 
closest 
fellowship 
with 
the 
Lord. 
Blessed 
are 
those 
who, 
abiding 
under 
the 
shadow 
of 
the 
Almighty, 
are 
thus 
progressing 
from 
grace 
to 
grace, 
from 
glory 
to 
glory, 
and 
preparing 
for 
the 
final 
"change," 
when 
they 
shall 
see 
his 
face 
and 
hear 
the 
Master's 
"Well 
done." 
The 
convention 
was 
a 
success. 
We 
had 
not 
expected 
more 
than 
one 
hunded 
in 
attendance, 
but 
found 
three 
hundred 
to 
three 
hundred 
and 
fifty. 
Pilgrim 
Wise 
served 
as 
chairman, 
and, 
with 
Pilgrims 
Sullivan, 
Rutherford, 
Johnson, 
Harrison, 
W. 
H. 
Bundy, 
F. 
H. 
Robison, 
J. 
A. 
Parker 
and 
C. 
T. 
Russell, 
shared 
in 
the 
addresses 
of 
the 
first 
four 
days. 
On 
Tuesday, 
December 
29, 
thirty 
symbolized 
their 
consecration 
by 
water 
baptism, 
and 
that 
same 
evening 
we 
had 
our 
love 
feast, 
which, 
as 
usual, 
is 
a 
most 
delightful 
occasion. 
Following 
this 
a 
num­ 
ber 
were 
obliged 
to 
leave, 
but 
a 
larger 
number 
remained 
and 
had 
a 
delightful 
season 
of 
fellowship 
the 
next 
day, 
a 
large 
number 
of 
brethren 
being 
heard 
from 
in 
a 
symposium 
of 
Love. 
There 
were 
about 
one 
hundred 
colporteurs 
in 
attendance, 
and 
a 
splendid, 
fl'presentative 
company 
they 
were. 
REMOVAL 
OF 
THE 
SOCIETY'S 
HEADQUARTERS 
Quite 
keenly 
do 
the 
dear 
friends 
of 
the 
Allegheny-Pitts- 
numbers 
dated 
their 
affiliation 
with 
the 
truth 
for 
twenty, 
fif- 
burgh 
church 
seem 
to 
feel 
the 
near 
departure 
of 
the 
Bible 
teen, 
ten, 
five, 
and 
then 
down 
to 
one 
year. 
He 
remarked 
that 
House 
family; 
yet, 
philosophically, 
they 
have 
agreed 
with 
us 
he 
had 
not 
done 
for 
them, 
either 
collectively 
or 
individually, 
that 
the 
Lord 
is 
abundantly 
able 
to 
care 
for 
the 
interests 
of 
all 
that 
he 
would 
have 
liked 
to 
do, 
but 
assured 
them 
that 
he 
his 
people 
everywhere, 
and 
quite 
likely 
he 
is 
giving 
them, 
in 
had 
served 
their 
interests 
in 
every 
manner 
to 
the 
best 
of 
his 
this 
experipnce, 
a 
special 
blessing, 
throwing 
upon 
them 
a 
ability. 
He 
further 
declared 
that, 
to 
the 
best 
of 
his 
knowledge 
greater 
weight 
of 
responsibility 
in 
spiritual 
matters. 
and 
belief, 
he 
had 
never 
done 
injury 
to 
any 
of 
them-in 
deed, 
On 
the 
Wednesday 
night 
before 
Christmas, 
wholly 
without 
in 
word, 
or 
in 
thought. 
In 
vacating 
the 
pulpit 
it 
caused 
him 
our 
knowledge, 
they 
had 
prepared 
for 
a 
special 
union 
meeting 
great 
gratification 
that 
these 
things 
were 
so. 
In 
concluding 
in 
the 
Bible 
House 
Chapel, 
and 
requested 
Brother 
Russell 
to 
he 
requested 
that, 
if 
there 
were 
any 
present 
who 
felt 
that 
in 
come 
in 
and 
say 
a 
few 
words. 
On 
his 
arrival 
an 
appointed 
any 
sense 
or 
degree, 
at 
any 
time 
or 
place, 
he 
had 
ever 
done 
speaker, 
in 
well 
chosen 
terms, 
expressed 
the 
love 
of 
the 
con- 
them 
injury, 
in 
act 
or 
word, 
he 
hoped 
they 
would 
speak 
out, 
gregation 
for 
their 
Pastor 
and 
informed 
us 
that, 
desiring 
to 
that 
he 
might 
know 
about 
it, 
and 
have 
opp'ortunity 
for 
apol- 
make 
a 
tangible 
expression 
of 
their 
love, 
they 
had 
selected 
a 
ogy. 
There 
being 
no 
response 
to 
the 
inVItation, 
he 
assured 
fine 
velvet 
rug, 
a 
fine 
mahogany 
desk, 
a 
handsome 
chair, 
be- 
them 
that, 
not 
only 
had 
he 
not 
injured 
them 
in 
word 
or 
act, 
si<lC's 
It 
small 
table 
and 
letter-holder. 
The 
offering 
for 
these 
but 
even 
in 
his 
thoughts 
they 
were 
cherished, 
loved, 
yearned 
gifts 
IJad 
far 
exceeded 
the 
expectations, 
so 
that 
$138 
remained, 
for 
and 
prayed 
for. 
which 
they 
requested 
should 
be 
also 
used 
in 
some 
manner 
in 
Before 
leaving 
the 
platform, 
Brother 
Russell 
remarked 
connection 
with 
the 
outfitting 
of 
Brother 
Russell's 
Study 
in 
that 
Pilgrim 
Brother 
Rutherford 
was 
present 
and 
would 
doubt- 
the 
new 
Brooklyn 
home. 
We 
llC'cepted 
these 
tokens 
of 
love 
less 
make 
an 
excellent 
Chairman 
for 
the 
business 
meeting 
with 
heartfelt 
appreciation, 
and 
told 
the 
dear 
friends 
that 
only 
called 
for 
the 
election 
of 
the 
church's 
servants 
for 
1909. 
He 
our 
conviction 
that 
the 
removal 
is 
in 
the 
Lord's 
provision 
and 
said 
that, 
unless 
some 
objection 
were 
made, 
it 
would 
be 
con- 
implies 
a 
forward 
step 
in 
his 
work, 
would 
enable 
us 
to 
leave 
sidered 
that 
Brother 
Rutherford 
was 
unanimously 
approved 
cheerfullv 
the 
numerous 
loved 
ones 
with 
whom 
we 
had 
been 
as 
Chairman 
of 
the 
session. 
Silence 
gives 
consent, 
so 
Brother 
associllte'd 
for 
more 
than 
thirty 
years, 
as 
Pastor 
of 
the 
con- 
Rutherford 
stepped 
to 
the 
platform, 
Brother 
Russell 
stepping 
gregation. 
down 
and 
taking 
his 
seat 
with 
the 
friends. 
BROTHER 
RUSSELL 
RE-ELECTED 
PASTOR 
A 
vote 
of 
thanks 
for 
the 
Pastor 
and 
elders 
who 
had 
served 
Two 
Sundays 
in 
advance 
announcement 
was 
made 
that 
on 
<luring 
the 
year 
was 
proposed, 
seconded 
and 
passed 
unani- 
the 
last 
night 
of 
the 
year 
1908 
a 
general 
meeting 
would 
be 
mously. 
The 
object 
of 
the 
meeting 
was 
stated 
by 
the 
chairman, 
held, 
at 
which 
the 
con~reg-ation 
would 
expect 
to 
elect 
thosl' 
and 
a 
motion 
was 
declared 
to 
be 
in 
order. 
Brother 
Dr. 
Spill 
who 
would 
serve 
it 
<luring- 
the 
ensuing 
year. 
The 
Bible 
House 
at 
once 
arose 
and 
proposed 
that 
Brother 
Russell 
be 
reelected 
chapel 
was 
crowded, 
though 
it 
had 
been 
expressly 
stipulated 
Pastor 
of 
the 
congregation 
for 
the 
year 
1909. 
He 
urged 
that, 
that 
only 
those 
professing- 
full 
consecration 
were 
invited. 
A 
even 
though 
rarely 
present 
with 
the 
Ecclesia, 
his 
election 
as 
solemn 
hmh 
was 
upon 
the 
au<lience 
while 
Brother 
Russell 
Pastor 
would 
insure 
to 
the 
church, 
possibly, 
a 
still 
greater 
briefly 
narratl'd 
some 
of 
the 
incidents 
connected 
with 
his 
Pas- 
watch 
care 
and 
make 
him 
more 
free 
to 
give 
advice 
in 
its 
af- 
torate 
of 
the 
congrl'gation 
for 
more 
than 
thirty 
years. 
He 
fairs 
and 
interests. 
He 
declared 
that 
many 
congregations 
were 
mentioned 
by 
name 
some 
of 
those 
prpsent 
WllO 
had 
been 
faithful 
in 
the 
habit 
of 
thus 
electing 
Brothl'r 
Russell 
as 
Pastor, 
not 
supporters 
of 
the 
truth 
during 
all 
of 
that 
perio<l. 
Still 
larger 
only 
as 
an 
expression 
of 
their 
love 
and 
confidence, 
but 
also 
[4312] 
(15-19) service.” (Rom, 12:1) And “Make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way.” After what we have witnessed of the power of evil operating in the minds of some and producing characteristics which the Apostle denomimates “Works of the flesh and the devil,” we can scarcely be surprised at anything which the adversary might accomplish along these lines. But while we fear lest we should come under any such influence ourselves, and while we watch and pray lest we enter into temptation, we should not be cast down, nor hindered in any measure or degree, in respect to the service of our King. He is able and willing to keep in perfect peace those who are trusting him, those who are following his leadings and coming close to him, even “under the shadow of the Almighty.” The vow has helped many to take this stand, thank God! And in proportion as it is taken, we believe that it will still further help, not only those who have taken it, but also those who have not taken it, but have heard and appreciate, in a measure, its warning voice. The words of the Apostle, “Who shall be able to stand in that evil day,” never seemed more full of meaning to us than now, and never have we felt more than now our necd of every piece of the divine armor and THE WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa, of every cord at our disposal to bind the sacrifice securely to the altar. So then, while still expecting the attacks of the adversary along the lines of materialization, hypnotism and occultism in general, we perceive that from inoculation of our minds with evil surmisings, saints have probably the most to dread. An important question 1s, How can we be on guard against this insidious snare? The reply is, By keeping very close to the Lord. Apparently the least deviation from the principles of righteousness in our thoughts, the least violation of justice or love in our thoughts, would open the way for the enemy to inject poison, leaven, malice, envy, hatred and strife. We still urge the vow as a great help in this time of stress, and one that you will appreciate more and more as you discern how the Lord 1s using it for your blessing and protection. But if, for fear that you cannot keep it, or for any other reason, you fail to take it, we counsel that you at least have its various provisions in mind, and seek to shape all of your various affairs day by day along those lines. But do not forget that our help comes from the Lord and that the vow is of assistance to us only as it helps us to approach near to him, and to abide in his love, and in harmony with his divine Word, in thought, in word, in deed. Vou. XXX ALLEGHENY, PA., JANUARY 15, 1909 No. 2 THE NASHVILLE CONVENTION As we expected, quite a number of the dear friends who attended the Nashville Convention declared at its conclusion that it was the very best of all. So long as we are growing in grace, it must be true that a meeting of those of like precious faith for the discussion of our Father’s Word must bring blessings increasingly precious as we increase in grace and knowledge. This being so, each day, each month, each year should be our best, our happiest, the one of our closest fellowship with the Lord. Blessed are those who, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, are thus progressing from grace to grace, from glory to glory, and preparing for the final “change,” when they shall see his face and hear the Master’s “Well done.” The convention was a success. We had not expected more than one hunded in attendance, but found three hundred to three hundred and fifty. Pilgrim Wise served as chairman, and, with Pilgrims Sullivan, Rutherford, Johnson, Harrison, W. H. Bundy, F. H. Robison, J. A. Parker and C. T. Russell, shared in the addresses of the first four days. On Tuesday, December 29, thirty symbolized their consecration by water baptism, and that same evening we had our love feast, which, as usual, is a most delightful occasion. Following this a number were obliged to leave, but a larger number remained and had a delightful season of fellowship the next day, a large number of brethren being heard from in a symposium of Love, There were about one hundred colporteurs in attendance, and a splendid, representative company they were. REMOVAL OF THE SOCIETY’S HEADQUARTERS Quite keenly do the dear friends of the Allegheny-Pittsburgh church seem to feel the near departure of the Bible House family; yet, philosophically, they have agreed with us that the Lord is abundantly able to care for the interests of his people everywhere, and quite likely he is giving them, in this experience, a special blessing, throwing upon them a greater weight of responsibility in spiritual matters. On the Wednesday night before Christmas, wholly without our knowledge, they had prepared for a special union meeting in the Bible House Chapel, and requested Brother Russell to come in and say a few words. On his arrival an appointed speaker, in well chosen terms, expressed the love of the congregation for their Pastor and informed us that, desiring to make a tangible expression of their love, they had selected a fine velvet rug, a fine mahogany desk, a handsome chair, besides a small table and letter-holder. The offering for these gifts had far exceeded the expectations, so that $138 remained, which they requested should be also used in some manner in connection with the outfitting of Brother Russell’s Study in the new Brooklyn home. We accepted these tokens of love with heartfelt appreciation, and told the dear friends that only our conviction that the removal] is in the Lord’s provision and implies a forward step in his work, would enable us to leave cheerfully the numerous loved ones with whom we had been associated for more than thirty years, as Pastor of the congregation. BROTHER RUSSELL RE-ELECTED PASTOR Two Sundays in advance announcement was made that on the last night of the year 1908 a general meeting would be held, at which the congregation would expect to elect those who would serve it during the ensuing year. The Bible House chapel was crowded, though it had been expressly stipulated that only those professing full consecration were invited. A solemn hush was upon the audience while Brother Russell briefly narrated some of the incidents connected with his Pastorate of the congregation for more than thirty years. He mentioned by name some of those present who had been faithful supporters of the truth during all of that period. Still larger numbers dated their affiliation with the truth for twenty, fifteen, ten, five, and then down to one year. He remarked that he had not done for them, either collectively or individually, all that he would have liked to do, but assured them that he had served their interests in every manner to the best of his ability. He further declared that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, he had never done injury to any of them—in deed, in word, or in thought. In vacating the pulpit it caused him great gratification that these things were so. In concluding he requested that, if there were any present who felt that in any sense or degree, at any time or place, he had ever done them injury, in act or word, he hoped they would speak out, that he might know about it, and have opportunity for apol There being no response to the invitation, he assured them that, not only had he not injured them in word or act, but even in his thoughts they were cherished, loved, yearned for and prayed for. Before leaving the platform, Brother Russell remarked that Pilgrim Brother Rutherford was present and would doubtless make an excellent Chairman for the business meeting ealled for the election of the church’s servants for 1909. He said that, unless some objection were made, it would be considered that Brother Rutherford was unanimously approved as Chairman of the session. Silence gives consent, so Brother Rutherford stepped to the platform, Brother Russell stepping down and taking his seat with the friends. A vote of thanks for the Pastor and elders who had served during the year was proposed, seconded and passed unanimously. The object of the meeting was stated by the chairman, and a motion was declared to be in order. Brother Dr. Spill at once arose and proposed that Brother Russell be reélected Pastor of the congregation for the year 1909. He urged that, even though rarely present with the Ecclesia, his election as Pastor would insure to the church, possibly, a still greater watch care and make him more free to give advice in its affairs and interests. He declared that many congregations were in the habit of thus electing Brother Russell as Pastor, not only as an expression of their Jove and confidence, but also [4312]

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