10

1

10

download/literature/watchtower/1911-11.pdf

/../literature/watchtower/1911/11/1911-11-1.html

May 1, 1911 an allowance not to exceed five rupees per week for the teachers who are giving all their time, and something less for those giving part of their time. Please make monthly reports, which need not be lengthy, but which should contain distinct statements of amounts THE WATCH TOWER (143-147) expended for literature and the quantity it purchased, also number of teachers and pilgrims, and briefly the work being done. We are sending herewith £20. Very truly your brother and servant in the Lord. THE WESTWARD CONVENTION TOUR Tue WaAtcH ToOwrER of May 1 is ready for the press as we arrive home from our European campaign. We are quite well and send greetings to all of our dear readers, promising further details later respecting our European experiences. We take this opportunity to express our regret that so considerable an announcement of our Western Tour during June and July was inserted in these columns during our absence. We are finding no fault, however; those responsible for the insertion used their best judgment and supposed they had the Editor’s mind on the subject. We would have preferred the bare announcement of the stoppingplaces and dates, rather than what might to some appear an advertisement and a solicitation for a large party. We appreciate very much the interest in this Tour displayed by some of our friends, particularly by Brother Dr. Jones, the prime mover in the excursion feature. We wish, however, to have it distinctly understood that neither the Bible and Tract Society nor the Editor has anything whatever to do with the arrangements for the excursion Vout. XXXII c BROOKLYN, N. Y., MAY 15, 1911 party. Brother Jones inquired months ago whether or not the Editor would object to company on this Convention Tour. He was assured that we would greatly enjoy the fellowship of friends accompanying, although we would not expect to be with them much, because necessities require that our work through a stenographer shall continue at every available opportunity during the two months of our absence from Brooklyn. We specified this, so that whoever would be of Brother Jones’ company would know in advance not to expect very much of the Editor’s time. We are stating matters thus very plainly, in order that none may join Brother Jones’ excursion under any misapprehension, nor with the supposition that the Society has urged them to do so; nor should we be considered as a party in any sense of the word to any appeals for aid in connection with the excursion. We urge cach one contemplating the matter to consider the subject on its own merits and to decide in respect to these matters according as his own conscience shall dictate to him the Lord’s will. No. 10 THE GOOD TIDINGS ABROAD—NO. 3 Two of our Sunday evenings in London were announced as Christian mass meetings at Royal Albert Hall; the first evening we discussed, ‘‘Which is the True Gospel?’’ the second, ‘‘Which is the True Church?’’ We had good attention on both occasions, and large audiences. No doubt the audiences would have been still larger had the subjects and announcements not limited the invitation to Christians. While we did not shun to declare the whole counsel of God on these subjects, we did, as usual, endeavor to present the truth as sympathetically and inoffensively as possible. We trust that some seed was sown and found lodgment in earnest hearts. Other services on the same days were held in the London Tabernacle. They were not specially advertised, but the attendance was good. The edifice is rated as accommodating twelve hundred, and on some occasions the place was crowded. At one of the public sessions our election to the pastorate of the congregation of the London Tabernacle was duly and publicly acknowledged and accepted; but of this, reports have already reached you through the public press. We promised to give Great Britain (and London particularly) as large a share of our time as possible, but reminded the dear friends of the breadths and interests of the truth, and that much as we appreciate the openings and progress of the harvest message on Great Britain, the work in America must not be forgotten nor neglected. EDINBURGH—GLASGOW—BELFAST—DUBLIN These four cities were visited in the order named, and two meetings were held in each, one specially for the interested, the other particularly for the public. We are glad to report that the truth has been making good progress in all of these cities and countries. Not only in numbers, but also, we believe, in spiritual development the Lord has richly blessed them all. At Belfast the public audience numbered nearly two thousand. We had excellent attention for about two hours, and about one-half of the audience remained to a question opportunity, which served to set forth the truth in stronger contrast with error. Although not all questioners were polite, we endeavored to give a soft answer, but a elear one; we trust with good results. Tt will be remembered that on two previous occasions at Dublin, the Y. M. C, A. secretary was present as an objector and questioner—the last time accompanied by a prominent theologian and college professor. The same secretary was present this time with another minister as a mouthpiece and assistant. Questions were unkindly put, but we trust kindly and thoroughly answered. The majority of the large audience perceived the unfairness of the attack and the Seriptural strength of the replies. Approval was frequently mani fested by applause, and in conclusion an elderly gentleman of about sixty-five years moved and carried a resolution of thanks to Pastor Russell for the pleasure and profit of the evening. BRISTOL—LONDON AND THE CONTINENT Monday of the following week was spent at Bristol. The truth had spread some here also, and the dear friends seemed cheered by our talk to them in the afternoon respecting the covenant of sacrifice which the church shares with her Lord, and the difference between this and the Law Covenant made with Israel at Mt. Sinai, and the New Law Covenant shortly to be inaugurated with Israel also, and through which ultimately all the families of the earth shall be blessed. The number present, about eighty, included some from nearby places. The evening meeting for the publie had a splendid audience, especially for a week night—nearly twelve hundred. Our topic was ‘‘The Great White Throne of Judgment.’’ We had excellent attention. The audience included evidently many of the most intelligent people of the city. Tuesday evening (April 11) we spent at London. We had a season of very special blessing and refreshment in commemorating the Memorial of our dear Redecemer’s death on its anniversary, with the London congregation. The number present at the Tabernacle was about three hundred and thirty, of whom about three hundred and seventeen partook of the Memorial. About one hundred and fifty friends who reside in the outskirts of the city, and were unable to be present on account of business duties, distance, ete., kept separate celebrations; thus the London church in its different meetings and the Brooklyn congregation in its different meetings, represented piactically the same number. The next day we traveled to Barmen, Germany, where, on Thursday, we had three very interesting sessions. The interest of the German friends continues to grow, and the numbers also—even though, as already stated, we are disappointed in the total numbers of interested ones in the truth in Germany—considering the large population and the considerable effort and money expenditure made. The returns scem less than in Great Britain and Sweden. Friday and Saturday were devoted to mectings with the friends in the northern part of France, whom we had never before met. Our first stop was at Charleroi. We had dinner with the friends, addressed about twenty of them for about an hour, and then resumed our journey, arriving at Denain in time for supper and a two hours’ talk to more than a hundred of the dear friends there. Next morning, accompanied by eight, we proceeded to Lens There our congregation numbered about seventy interested. We had a splendid season of refreshment; then a question meeting, following which we procecded on our journey toward London, which, by train and boat, we reached at 7 [4815]