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NOV!:IIIB£B,
1,
1912
THE
WATCH
TOWER
(347-355)
dency,
no
matter
what
it
costs,
no
matter
how
precious,
no
matter
how
great
a
hold
it
may
have
upon
the
very
tendrils
of
your
life.
Would
it
not
be
better
to
enter
into
life
than
to
go
into
Gehenna
fire,
that
is,
destruction,
the
second
death?
Surely
this
is
true.
Having
put
our
hands
to
the
plow,
having
even
become
followers
of
Jesus,
we
must
either
go
on
and
be
accepted
as
conquerors,
or
must
perish.
There
will,
of
course,
be
none
in
the
kingdom
with
but
one
eye,
but
the
illustration
is
the
same.
If
it
should
cost
us
the
cutting
off
of
some
of
our
members,
it
would
surely
pay
us
to
gain
the
eternal
life
in
glory,
even
thus
maimed,
rather
than
to
take
the
consequences
of
the
second
death,
utter
extinction.
The
lesson
is
that
having
begun
as
followers
of
Christ,
and
en
tered
upon
tne
contract
and
received
a
part
of
the
reward,
the
holy
Spirit,
the
divine
favor,
we
cannot
back
out
of
the
con
tract;
we
must
go
on
to
everlasting
life
or
to
everlasting
death.
How
careful
the
Lord's
people
should
be
not
to
stumble
one
another,
even
one
of
the
least
of
the
little
ones
who
has
ac
cepted
of
Jesus
and
become
his
follower
!-is
the
lesson.
To
illustrate
it,
Jesus
suggested
that
any
shepherd
losing
one
of
his
sheep
would
leave
all
the
others
to
go
and
seek
that
one;
and
he
rejoices
specially
at
its
recovery.
So
we,
the
followers
of
Jesus,
should
be
careful
not
to
stumble
each
other,
but
rather
to
remember
that
we
are
all
sheep
under
the
great
Shepherd,
our
Heavenly
Father,
and
the
great
Under
Shepherd,
our
Heav
enly
Lord,
and
that
he
has
the
spirit
of
loving
interest
and
care
which
would
go
after
the
straying
sheep,
and
that
we
should
have
this
same
spirit;
and
possessing
this
spirit,
we
would
be
very
careful
indeed
not
to
stumble
or
hinder
even
the
least
of
the
Lord's
followers.
All
the
Lord's
tn~e
followers
are
God's
"little
ones,"
and
are
subject
to
special
divine
supervision,
represented
in
our
text
as
angel
care.
The
messengers
who
have
guarded
over
the
lives
of
God's
saintly
few
always
have
access
to
the
Heav
enly
Father's
presence,
to
make
known
the
necessities
of
those
whom
they
represent,
for
divine
power
is
ever
on
the
alert
for
the
protection
of
these.
Oh,
how
blessed
the
privilege
of
being
children
of
God.
Oh,
how
wise
to
continue
so
little,
so
humble,
so
childlike,
as
to
abide
in
his
love,
and
to
be
enabled
to
learn
the
neceiilsary
lessons,
and
be
ultimately
received
with
Messiah
in
his
kingdom
honor
and
glory!
MORE
ELDERS-MORE
WORK
Some
of
the
Bible
Students'
classes
are
doing
excellent
service
in
the
Class
Extension
work
and,
as
a
matter
of
course,
report
regularly.
Often
the
attendance
at
the
Extension
meet
ings
is
good.
Frequently
the
first
three
meetings
lead
up
to
the
succeeding
three,
and
are
then
followed
by
the
establish
ment
of
new
classes.
We
recommend
that
wherever
possible
these
new
classes
have
their
local
meetings
on
some
week
night,
and
that
they
endeavor
to
congrt'g:~te
with
the
Central
class
at
least
Sundays.
We
have
been
surprised
that
some
large
classes
containing
numerous
brethren
well
qualified
for
the
work
are
doing
little
or
nothing
in
Class
Extension.
We
have
been
trying
to
think
out
the
cause
of
this
apparent
lack
of
zeal
in
the
harvest
work.
Knowing
the
dear
friends
to
be
zealous,
knowin~
that
talent
in
their
midst
is
lying
dormant,
we
have
been
forced
to
the
conclusion
which
we
are
about
to
present:
that
is,
that
the
brethren
who
are
capable
of
Class
Extension
work
in
such
classes
are
too
modest
to
suggest
the
work,
lest
it
should
seem
that
they
are
trying
to
have
the
class
elect
them
to
the
elder
ship
and
authorize
them
to
proceed
with
the
Extension
work.
Modesty
is
always
an
excellent
quality;
but
it
must
be
espe
cially
hard
for
dear
brethren
of
some
ability
to
abstain
from
proclaiming
the
good
tidings-to
abstain
from
going
out
and
starting
little
meetings
themselves.
There
surely
are
classes
deficient
in
material
for
Class
Ex
tension-classes
which
need
all
the
brethren
of
any
ability
in
their
midst.
But
there
are
other
classes
which
need
to
wake
up,
to
take
note
of
brethren
having
some
ability,
and
to
encour
age
them
to
use
their
time
and
strength
in
the
Class
Extension
work.
We
urge.
therefore,
that
the
classes
regard
as
available
assets
the
material
which
they
possess,
and
Beek
to
glorify
the
Lord
in
the
use
of
these
assets.
In
cases
where
brethren
possessed
of
ability
to
/1:ive
Chart
Talks
see
opportunities
for
Class
Extension.
and
are
financially
able
to
manage
the
matter
themselves,
we
advise
that
they
pro
ceed
to
hold
meetings.
We
recommend,
however,
that
they
first
mention
the
matter
to
the
class,
so
that,
if
possible,
co-opera
tion
on
the
part
of
all
may
be
secured,
and
that
all
may
join
in
a
good
work
and
in
the
resultant
joys
and
blessings
of
service.
SERMONS
IN
THE
NEWSPAPERS
Under
God's
providence
a
great
work
is
being
carried
on
through
the
newspapers;
and
the
Gospel
is
being
presented
to
millions
who
never
attend
meetings
for
divine
worship.
Some
of
these
are
discouraged
Christians
who
lost
their
faith
in
human
creeds
and
systems
of
men
and
found
no
footing
for
their
faith
in
the
Bible
because
they
did
not
understand
it.
How
blessed
that
God
has
such
an
arrangement
by
which
the
good
tidings
may
reach
those
otherwise
outside
any
general
opportunity
for
hearing
it!
But
alas,
some
Christians
have
a
bitter
and
sectarian
spirit!
The
fact
that
many
of
the
churches
have
smaller
congregations
as
a
result
of
loss
of
faith
years
ago
makes
their
votaries
angry
that
the
message
should
be
heard
outside
the
churches.
Some
of
these
unreasonable
zealots
are
doing
all
they
know
how
to
do
to
hinder
the
message
from
going
to
the
outsiders
through
the
newspapers.
Oh,
why
do
they
not
rejoice
that
the
Gospel
is
being
preached
to
the
poor,
to
the
outsiders,
to
the
publicans
and
sinners!
Under
these
circumstances
it
behooves
all
of
us
to
encour
age
the
editors
of
the
newspapers
publishing
the
sermons.
They
should
know
that
their
work
is
appreriated.
Letters
sent
to
them
should
be
moderate
and
kind.
They
are
not
publishing
the
sermons
because
of
any
personal
interest
in
them.
but
merely
because
the
public
are
reading
them.
Let
us
hold
up
their
hands,
not
only
encoura/1:ing
them
with
postcards,
assul'ing
them
of
appreciation
of
the
sermons
and
of
the
good
work
they
thereby
assist
in,
but
let
us
also
/1:ive
to
such
papers
a
financial
encouragement
through
subscriptions.
The
WATCH
TOWER
Office
frequently
has
special
agents'
rates
for
newspapers.
In
any
event
it
knows
quite
well
whirh
papers
would
most
need
a
little
encouragement
in
the
way
of
new
subscriptions.
Subscriptions
sent
to
us
will
be
wisely
used.
Many
of
our
readers
doubtless
can
afford
to
take
sev
eral
papers,
and,
after
reading
these,
to
mark
the
sermons
and
to
use
them
as
tracts
amongst
their
friends
and
neighbors.
Do
it
now
before
you
forget
it!
VOL.
XXXIII
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y,
NOVEMBER
15,1912
IN
DREAMLESS
SLEEP
DEAD
AWAIT
CHRIST'S
RETURN
No.
22
"If
I
go
and
prepare
a
place
for
you,
I
will
come
again
and
re~~ve
you
unto
myself,
that
where
I
am
tkere
ye
may
be
also."
John
14:3.
The
error
of
supposing
that
men
are
alive
when
they
are
Jig-ious
books,
teaches
that
a
dead
man
is
orad,
ano
knows
dead
lies
close
to
the
foundation
of
every
theological
error
the
nothing,
and
that
his
only
hope
is
in
the
divine
arrangement
world
over.
We
have
all
erred
in
taking
the
guess
of
Plato
through
Christ,
by
a
resurrection
of
the
deau-"both
of
the
instead
of
the
Word
of
God,
and
we
can
get
rid
of
our
dif-
just
and
unjust."-Acts
24:15.
ficulties
and
theological
entanglements
only
by
retracing
our
When
we
remember
that,
aceording
to
nearly
all
the
re
steps.
Notwithstanding
all
that
we
have
said
and
written,
Jig-ious
creeds
and
theories
of
the
world,
999
out
of
every
calling
attention
to
the
words
of
the
Scriptures,
the
question
thousand
pass
immediately
at
death
into
most
horrible
suffer
arises,
Do
you
mean
to
tell
us
that
our
friends
do
not
go
to
ings,
one
would
think
that
all
would
be
glad
to
promtly
accept
heaven
immediately
when
they
die'
the
Bible
testimony,
that
death
is
a
dreamless
sleep
until
the
That
is
exactly
what
we
are
endeavoring
to
demonstrate
resurrection
awakening.
Why
anyone
should
prefer
to
think
to
be
the
teaching
of
the
Bible.
The
Bible
alone,
of
all
re-
his
friends
and
neighbors
and
the
heathen
millions
are
suffer-
[5131]
NovemsBer 1, 1912 dency, no matter what it costs, no matter how precious, no matter how great a hold it may have upon the very tendrils of your life. Would it not be better to enter into life than to go into Gehenna fire, that is, destruction, the second death? Surely this is true. Having put our hands to the plow, having even become followers of Jesus, we must either go on and be accepted as conquerors, or must perish. There will, of course, be none in the kingdom with but one eye, but the illustration is the same. If it should cost us the cutting off of some of our members, it would surely pay us to gain the eternal life in glory, even thus maimed, rather than to take the consequences of the second death, utter extinction. The lesson is that having begun as followers of Christ, and entered upon the contract and received a part of the reward, the holy Spirit, the divine favor, we cannot back out of the contract; we must go on to everlasting life or to everlasting death. How careful the Lord’s people should be not to stumble one another, even one of the least of the little ones who has accepted of Jesus and become his follower!—is the lesson. To illustrate it, Jesus suggested that any shepherd losing one of his sheep would leave all the others to go and seek that one; THE WATCH TOWER (347-355) and he rejoices specially at its recovery. So we, the followers of Jesus, should be careful not to stumble each other, but rather to remember that we are all sheep under the great Shepherd, our Heavenly Father, and the great Under Shepherd, our Heavenly Lord, and that he has the spirit of loving interest and eare which would go after the straying sheep, and that we should have this same spirit; and possessing this spirit, we would be very careful indeed not to stumble or hinder even the least of the Lord’s followers. All the Lord’s true followers are God’s “little ones,” and are subject to special divine supervision, represented in our text as angel care. The messengers who have guarded over the lives of God’s saintly few always have access to the Heavenly Father’s presence, to make known the necessities of those whom they represent, for divine power is ever on the alert for the protection of these. Oh, how blessed the privilege of being children of God. Oh, how wise to continue so little, so humble, so childlike, as to abide in his love, and to be enabled to learn the necessary lessons, and be ultimately received with Messiah in his kingdom honor and glory! MORE ELDERS—MORE WORK Some of the Bible Students’ classes are doing excellent service in the Class Extension work and, as a matter of course, report regularly. Often the attendance at the Extension meetings is good. Frequently the first three meetings lead up to the succeeding three, and are then followed by the establishment of new classes. We recommend that wherever possible these new classes have their local meetings on some week night, and that they endeavor to congrve.te with the Central class at least Sundays. We have been surprised that some large classes containing numerous brethren well qualified for the work are doing little or nothing in Class Extension. We have been trying to think out the cause of this apparent lack of zeal in the harvest work. Knowing the dear friends to be zealous, knowing that talent in their midst is lying dormant, we have been forced to the conclusion which we are about to present: that is, that the brethren who are capable of Class Extension work in such classes are too modest to suggest the work, lest it should seem that they are trying to have the class elect them to the eldership and authorize them to proceed with the Extension work. Modesty is always an excellent quality; but it must be especially hard for dear brethren of some ability to abstain from proclaiming the good tidings—to abstain from going out and starting little meetings themselves. There surely are classes deficient in material for Class Extension—classes which need all the brethren of any ability in their midst. But there are other classes which need to wake up, to take note of brethren having some ability, and to encourage them to use their time and strength in the Class Extension work. We urge. therefore, that the classes regard as available agsets the material which they possess, and seek to glorify the Lord in the use of these assets. In cases where brethren possessed of ability to give Chart Talks see opportunities for Class Extension. and are financially able to manage the matter themselves, we advise that they proceed to hold meetings. We recommend, however, that they first mention the matter to the class, so that, if possible, co-operation on the part of all may be secured, and that all may join in a good work and in the resultant joys and blessings of service. SERMONS IN THE NEWSPAPERS Under God’s providence a great work is being carried on through the newspapers; and the Gospel is being presented to millions who never attend meetings for divine worship. Some of these are discouraged Christians who lost their faith in human creeds and systems of men and found no footing for their faith in the Bible because they did not understand it. How blessed that God has such an arrangement by which the good tidings may reach those otherwise outside any general opportunity for hearing it! But alas, some Christians have a bitter and sectarian spirit! The fact that many of the churches have smaller congregations as a result of loss of faith years ago makes their votaries angry that the message should be heard outside the churches. Some of these unreasonable zealots are doing all they know how to do to hinder the message from going to the outsiders through the newspapers. Oh, why do they not rejoice that the Gospel is being preached to the poor, to the outsiders, to the publicans and sinners! Under these circumstances it behooves all of us to encourage the editors of the newspapers publishing the sermons. They should know that their work is appreciated. Letters sent to them should be moderate and kind. They are not publishing the sermons because of any personal interest in them, but merely because the public are reading them. Let us hold up their hands, not only encouraging them with postcards, assuring them of appreciation of the sermons and of the good work they thereby assist in, but let us also give to such papers a financial encouragement through subscriptions. The Watcu Tower Office frequently has special agents’ rates for newspapers. In any event it knows quite well which papers would most need a little encouragement in the way of new subscriptions. Subscriptions sent to us will be wisely used. Many of our readers doubtless can afford to take several papers, and, after reading these, to mark the sermons and to use them as tracts amongst their friends and neighbors. Do it now before you forget it! Vou. XXXITIT BROOKLYN, N. Y., NOVEMBER 15, 1912 No. 22 IN DREAMLESS SLEEP DEAD AWAIT CHRIST’S RETURN “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also.”—-. John 14:3, The error of supposing that men are alive when they are dead lies close to the foundation of every theological error the world over. We have all erred in taking the guess of Plato instead of the Word of God, and we can get rid of our difficulties and theological entanglements only by retracing our steps. Notwithstanding all that we have said and written, calling attention to the words of the Scriptures, the question arises, Do you mean to tell us that our friends do not go to heaven immediately when they die? That is exactly what we are endeavoring to demonstrate to be the teaching of the Bible. The Bible alone, of all re ligious books, teaches that a dead man is dead, and knows nothing, and that his only hope is in the divine arrangement through Christ, by a resurrection of the dead—“both of the just and anjust.”—Acts 24:15. When we remember that, according to nearly all the religious creeds and theories of the world, 999 out of every thousand pass immediately at death into most horrible sufferings, one would think that all would be glad to promtly accept the Bible testimony, that death is a dreamless sleep until the resurrection awakening. Why anyone should prefer to think his friends and neighbors and the heathen millions are suffer [5131]
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