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Octoser 15, 1910 the truth; it stamped itself so by the very Word of God. And, oh, how I thanked him that at last I had the key that unlocked the wonderful treasures in his Word. In a few months I had left the Salvation Army. Few among its members, even my close friends, understand my position, but grieve over me as one who has been deceived by a “strong delusion.” I rejoice that the light will soon come to them. Many of the young people do not know what has become of me, but in answer to their earnest inquiries haye merely been told that “Cousin Sunshine is no more.” I am very sorry to have grieved their young hearts, but must leave that, too, with the Lord. My testimony up-to-date is that the Lord and his Truth are more precious to me than ever, and the pathway truly “shineth more and more.” The vow, the covenants, etc., have been wonderful sources of strength and joy to me, and I praise him more and more for having granted me the great privilege of understanding as much as I do of the wondrous things that are written in his Word—‘“written for our admonition.” (1 Cor. 10:11; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.) Truly “He hath brought me into a large place,” and my heart rejoices daily in his goodness to even me. Pray for me, dear Pastor, that I may be faithful, and that even I may be “counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man.”—Luke 21:36. I remember you daily in my prayers, praising God for your faithfulness to the present time, and praying that you may so continue to the end of the way. Your sister in the hope of immortality, Mrs. A. I. Rercnir. (Formerly Staff-Captain Nina Maitland.) DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL :— About a year ago a paper, issued not far from my home, began the publication of your sermons. Of course, I was delighted that so many of my neighbors and friends would thus be brought within touch of the truth, which I so dearly Jove. Recently the sermon feature was discontinued. Then I bethought me that I had not specially encouraged the publishers, nor told them of my deep interest in the matter. I supposed, however, that others had been more faithful than myself in this respect. I coneluded that, although late, I would endeavor to retrieve my opportunity. I wrote to the publisher on the subject and felt vexed with myself and others that it was possibile for the publisher to write to me as follows:— “T do not know how many of our readers care for the sermons, but no one has complained of their discontinuance so far but you. This leads us to believe that they were not very popular with our readers. We never heard from anybody who did take pains to say that he cared for them.” I trust that this will be a lesson to me that I should not only pray for God’s blessing upon the work, but also be on the alert to do my part to help forward his glorious message— however others may care to do their parts. With Christian regards, Your brother and servant in the Lord. IN REPLY We sympathize with this case. There are others just like it, and probably will be more. Brethren and sisters, particularly those possessed of the talents of penmanship and of good expression, have u glorious opportunity for serving the truth, which many of them, we fear, do not properly appreciate until it has passed them by. It is apt to be thus with all of God’s blessings. Incidentally, let us remark that some dear friends send us newspaper subscriptions for friends and neighbors, without inquiring of them whether or not the gift of the paper would be acceptable. This is a serious mistake. The intended kindness becomes an injury if the favored one write to the news Vou. XXXI_ THE WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. Y¥., NOVEMBER 1, 1910 BLESSING GOD AND CURSING MEN (335-339) paper refusing it and declaring that he never ordered it. We have sent papers to some of the Lord’s poor at the Society’s expense—newspapers never do this, and thanks to them is wholly improper. We would not reflect upon all the dear friends. Some are very thoughtful and are continually, every month or so, noting to the publishers some appreciated features of certain sermons and expressing their gladness that the Gospel is reaching the many who rarely attend church services, We might remark, however, that dear friends who are poor writers and very ungrammatical would serve the truth better by not writing much. It is the work of the gifted, who can serve the truth best along the lines of encouraging newspaper publishers, to do so. If they neglect the opportunity they will surely regret the matter sometime. Large weekly newspapers do not need special encouragement in the way of subscriptions; it is your nearby daily or smaller weekly that needs your subsceriptions and those of your friends. BRETHREN :— I have seen the first number of your periodical (P. P. Spanish), and have pondered the contents in my heart. Glory be to God! In my position of preacher of the Gospel (30 years), I have not encountered such brilliant truths as I now see in the four pages of your blessed little paper. My mind, stupefied by human theories, has hindered perfect reasoning on the plan of God. Now all I see is clear, logical and true. The article, “Where Are the Dead?” was for me a celestial light which let me see a piorious eternity. I am condueting amongst this people a Mexican Mission, attended by thirty to forty individuals; we keep no accurate account. I preach the Gospel to them and their characters have been modified so that they are now good men. Although I am an ordained minister of the Baptist church, I do not work in connection with them nor with any denomination. Last Sunday I preached a sermon on the theme of “Where Are the Dead?” and the congregation received this new light with great joy. I have here a good friend, a Mr. John R » With whom I conversed on this subject, and he told me more particularly about these things, so new to me, and which helped us here so much. Glory be forever to the blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus! From your brother in faith.j C. TEzEDA Y VALDIVIA. (Translated from the Spanish.) DrEaR BRETHREN IN CHRIST JESUS:— I advise you that I have received a copy of the Peoples Pulpit (Italian), which treats on the subject of “Where Are the Dead?” and I read the same with pleasure. I desire that you do me the kindness of sending me other discourses along Scripture lines. because J] aspire to be a helper in the Lord’s work in the Italian field. Your brother in Christ, (Translated from the Italian.) ‘*SOW BESIDE ALL WATERS!’’ Evirork or THE PEOPLES PuLpit:— Through a friend there has come to my hands a copy of your Peoples Pulpit, which has interested me exceedingly to the very end, for I see that you invite inquirers to send for additional literature. I hope I may be favored with some—“The Thieves in Paradise,” “The Rich Man in Hell” and “Lazarus in Abraham’s Bosom.” I also wish to know more fully about the book entitled “The Plan of the Ages.” Anticipating the kindness, I am, Yours very truly, (Translated from the Spanish. ) D. ANTANACCT, MANUEL R. Lanuza. Philippine Islands. No. 21 [This article was a reprint of that published in issue ofApril 1, 1899, which please sce.] “THE PRESENCE OF THE SON OF MAN” MATTHEW 24:32-44.—-NOVEMBER 13. “Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.’”—Matthew 26:41. For various reasons many Bible students understand that our Lord referred to the Jewish nation under the symbolism of a fig-tree. He had been telling his disciples what he expected in the end of this age, when he would come again to receive his faithful to himself and to give them a place as his bride upon his throne and to establish his kingdom under the whole heavens for the blessing of Israel and all the world through Israel. In this study he telly us that amongst the prominent signs of the closing of this age and the opening of the new will be the budding of the fig tree—the springing forth of new life and new hope in the Jewish nation. And is not this condition of things manifesting itself today? Behold the Jews awakening and listening to the voice of Moses and the Prophets calling them to Palestine and to fresh hope in God and in the glorious promises [4705]