Publication date
1/1/13
Volume
34
Number
1
The WatchTower
Views from the Watch Tower
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1913/1/1913-1-3.html
 
JANUARY 
I, 
1913 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
(5-6) 
conversion, 
but 
by 
a 
gradual 
one, 
which 
will 
require 
nearly 
a 
thousand 
years 
for 
its 
accomplishment. 
Are 
we 
asked, 
What 
power 
could 
intervene 
and 
force 
this 
change 
of 
heart 
upon 
humanity 
f 
The 
Bible 
answers 
that 
it 
will 
be 
divine 
power 
represented 
in 
Messiah's 
glorious 
king­ 
dom. 
The 
second 
coming 
of 
Christ, 
once 
supposed 
to 
mean 
the 
destruction 
of 
the 
world, 
Bible 
students 
now 
see 
to 
mean 
the 
very 
reverse-the 
blessing 
of 
earth, 
the 
taking 
away 
of 
the 
curse, 
the 
lifting 
of 
the 
fallen 
race 
to 
all 
that 
was 
lost 
in 
Eden, 
and 
the 
destruction 
of 
the 
finally 
impenitent. 
FOREGLEAMS 
OF 
MESSIAH'S 
KINGDOM 
We 
are 
not 
to 
look 
into 
the 
sky 
to 
see 
Messiah 
come, 
but 
rather 
to 
remember 
that 
his 
resurrection 
exalted 
him 
to 
the 
glory 
which 
he 
had 
with 
the 
Father 
before 
he 
became 
a 
man. 
He 
will 
at 
that 
time 
indeed 
empower 
earthly 
representatives, 
to 
whom 
the 
world 
will 
look 
for 
guidance 
and 
instruction; 
but 
Messiah 
and 
his 
glorified 
church, 
his 
bride, 
will 
be 
invisible 
to 
men-on 
the 
spirit 
plane. 
Many 
of 
our 
readers 
will 
be 
surprised 
to 
know 
that 
the 
glorious 
blessings 
of 
Messiah's 
kingdom 
will 
steal 
over 
the 
world 
gradually, 
coming 
through 
human 
channels-entirely 
unaware 
of 
being 
used 
of 
the 
Lord. 
Bible 
students 
are 
so 
interpreting 
the 
wonderful 
things 
of 
our 
day. 
They 
are 
fore­ 
gleams 
or 
early 
dawning 
of 
Messiah's 
thousand-year-day, 
during 
which 
he 
will 
roll 
away 
the 
curse 
and 
shed 
forth 
divine 
blessings. 
Whoever 
can 
see 
the 
matter 
from 
this 
standpoint 
must 
be 
deeply 
interested 
in 
every 
fresh 
advance 
of 
invention. 
In 
another 
column 
we 
refer 
to 
some 
of 
these 
present-day 
won· 
del'S 
which 
have 
come 
in 
during 
the 
last 
century. 
If 
it 
be 
true, 
as 
we 
hold, 
that 
these 
blessings 
are 
the 
fore­ 
gleams 
of 
divine 
favor 
through 
Messiah's 
kingdom, 
with 
what 
patience 
should 
all 
exercise 
themselves 
to 
wait 
upon 
the 
Lord, 
and 
not 
to 
seek 
to 
disturb 
too 
radically 
any 
present 
condition 
which 
is 
at 
all 
bearable 
I 
Who 
will 
dispute 
that 
everybody 
today 
is 
much 
better 
off 
than 
his 
grandparents 
were-even 
fifty 
years 
ago 
~ 
St. 
Paul 
by 
inspiration 
declares 
that" 
Godli­ 
ness 
with 
contentment 
is 
great 
gain." 
We 
commend 
this 
thought 
to 
Socialists 
and 
everyone 
else. 
We 
do 
not 
claim 
that 
even-handed 
justice 
prevails 
nor 
do 
we 
admit 
that 
it 
would 
be 
possible 
under 
present 
conditions. 
People 
of 
superior 
brain 
power 
will 
not 
use 
that 
power 
for 
the 
public 
good 
solely. 
All 
still 
have 
a 
sufficiency 
of 
selfishness 
to 
claim 
that 
their 
superior 
qualities 
justly 
entitle 
them 
to 
superior 
conditions. 
Why 
may 
we 
not 
concede 
this 
point, 
reo 
joice 
in 
the 
blessings 
we 
have, 
be 
thankful 
to 
God 
for 
them, 
and 
wait 
patiently 
for 
his 
kingdom 
f 
Under 
present 
(selfish) 
conditions 
each 
workman 
demands 
wages 
according 
to 
his 
skill. 
Why 
quarrel 
with 
the 
wealthy, 
learned, 
more 
capables 
on 
that 
score 
f 
What 
great 
advantages 
have 
come 
to 
the 
world 
thus! 
Why 
stop 
it 
before 
God's 
providence 
brings 
us 
a 
better 
rule-the 
Golden 
Rule. 
"Have 
patience, 
brethren," 
be 
ye 
peacemakers, 
not 
strife-breeders. 
1913-A 
TEXT 
SUGGESTED 
FOR-1913 
We 
suggest 
to 
all 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
readers 
as 
a 
special 
text 
for 
the 
year 
the 
words 
of 
the 
Psalmist, 
"What 
shall 
I 
render 
unto 
the 
Lord 
for 
all 
his 
benefits 
towards 
me 
~ 
I 
will 
take 
the 
cup 
of 
salvation 
and 
call 
upon 
the 
name 
of 
the 
Lord. 
I 
will 
pay 
my 
vows 
unto 
the 
Lord 
now 
in 
the 
presence 
of 
the 
aosembly 
of 
his 
people.' 
'-Psalm 
116: 
12-14. 
'rhe 
Editor 
for 
some 
months 
has 
been 
trying 
the 
plan 
of 
calling 
this 
text 
before 
his 
mind 
as 
his 
waking 
thought. 
He 
has 
found 
it 
very 
helpful, 
and 
now 
suggests 
it 
to 
all 
the 
read­ 
ers 
of 
this 
journal. 
How 
appropriate 
that 
each 
day 
should 
begin 
with 
the 
in­ 
quiry 
as 
to 
what 
are 
the 
possibilities 
of 
our 
service 
or 
sacri­ 
fices 
in 
the 
Lord's 
cause! 
What 
is 
more 
appropriate 
than 
that 
we 
should 
remember 
the 
benefits 
which 
we 
have 
received, 
as 
\Yell 
as 
those 
which 
we 
hope 
yet 
to 
receive 
from 
our 
gracious 
heavenly 
]'ather1 
What 
could 
be 
more 
appropriate 
than 
that 
we 
should 
resolve 
afresh 
every 
morning 
to 
take 
the 
cup 
of 
salvation, 
remembering 
that 
the 
cup 
of 
salvation 
is 
the 
cup 
of 
suffering, 
the 
cup 
of 
trial-his 
cup-the 
cup 
of 
communion, 
or 
fellowship, 
in 
the 
sufferings 
of 
Christ 
~ 
As 
the 
Master 
said, 
so 
should 
we 
each 
say, 
daily, 
"The 
cup 
which 
my 
Father 
hath 
poured 
for 
me, 
shall 
I 
not 
drink 
it 
f" 
What 
is 
more 
appropriate 
than 
that 
we 
each 
should 
take 
pleasure 
in 
following 
our 
Master, 
being 
made 
partakers 
of 
the 
sufferings 
of 
Christ, 
that 
we 
may 
also 
be 
sharers 
in 
his 
glory'? 
What 
could 
be 
more 
appropriate 
than 
that 
our 
waking 
thoughtfl 
should 
recall 
the 
vow 
which 
we 
have 
made 
to 
the 
Lord, 
and 
that 
those 
thoughts 
shall 
be 
open 
to 
all 
the 
congregation 
of 
the 
Lord 
's 
people~ 
We 
will 
not 
keep 
secret 
the 
matter 
of 
our 
vow, 
nor 
the 
matter 
of 
our 
obedience, 
but 
we 
will 
stimulate 
one 
another 
in 
the 
good 
way. 
Furthermore, 
we 
call 
upon 
the 
name 
of 
the 
Lord 
for 
help, 
assistance, 
that 
the 
words 
of 
our 
mouths 
and 
the 
meditations 
of 
our 
hearts 
and 
the 
conduct 
of 
our 
life 
throughout 
the 
day 
may 
be 
pleasing 
and 
acceptable 
in 
the 
sight 
of 
our 
Lord. 
The 
day 
thus 
begun 
will 
surely 
be 
a 
happy 
day 
to 
those 
who 
have 
taken 
the 
vows 
of 
full 
consecration 
to 
the 
Lord. 
And 
what 
a 
happifying 
thought 
we 
have 
in 
this 
connection; 
namely, 
that 
so 
many 
of 
the 
dear 
brethren 
and 
sisters 
may 
at 
the 
same 
time 
be 
lifting 
their 
hearts 
in 
thanksgiving 
and 
making 
reso­ 
lutions 
afresh. 
THE 
HARVEST 
WORK 
WORLD-WIDE 
THE 
INTERNATIONAL 
BIBLE 
STUDENTS 
ASSOCIATION 
This 
association 
sprang 
up 
spontaneously 
and 
gradually 
during 
the 
past 
thirty 
years, 
but 
particularly 
during 
the 
past 
ten 
years. 
It 
is 
com 
posed 
of 
thinking 
Christian 
people 
of 
various 
ages 
who 
are 
studying 
the 
Bible 
reverently 
and 
profit­ 
ably. 
There 
are 
no 
limitations 
as 
to 
membership, 
except 
such 
as 
could 
be 
properly 
applied 
to 
any 
true 
Christian: 
(1) 
Faith 
in 
God 
as 
the 
great 
Creator 
and 
heavenly 
Father; 
(2) 
Faith 
in 
the 
Lord 
Jesus 
Christ 
as 
the 
world's 
Redeemer; 
(3) 
Paith 
in 
the 
Bible-that 
it 
is 
the 
inspired 
message 
of 
God, 
respect­ 
ing 
his 
will 
and 
purposes 
in 
connection 
with 
mankind; 
(4) 
A 
clean 
and 
honorable 
life. 
Our 
Association 
finds 
this 
platform 
broad 
enough 
for 
all 
true 
Christians, 
regardless 
of 
all 
denominational 
lines, 
quirks 
and 
frills. 
We 
have 
no 
bondage, 
and 
anyone 
is 
as 
free 
to 
leave 
the 
classes 
as 
to 
enter 
them. 
Indeed, 
following 
the 
ex­ 
ample 
of 
the 
early 
church 
in 
this 
as 
well 
as 
in 
other 
matters, 
we 
avoid 
any 
special 
manner 
of 
joining 
these 
classes, 
or 
any 
special 
enrollment, 
or 
any 
special 
commitment 
as 
to 
faith 
and 
practise 
other 
than 
the 
broad 
principles 
already 
mentioned. 
'1'he 
International 
Bible 
Students 
Association 
has 
classes 
in 
nearly 
every 
city 
in 
many 
countries, 
and 
you 
may 
also 
desire 
to 
know 
about 
these 
and 
their 
relationship 
to 
each 
other 
and 
to 
the 
association. 
Each 
class 
of 
the 
International 
Bible 
Students 
Association 
is 
independent, 
manages 
its 
own 
affairs, 
conducts 
its 
own 
meetings, 
and 
provides 
for 
its 
own 
expenses. 
The 
association 
provides 
public 
instructors 
and 
ministers 
to 
lecture 
on 
the 
Bible, 
and 
to 
give 
suggestions 
as 
to 
the 
methods 
of 
the 
primitive 
church, 
and 
as 
to 
the 
best 
means 
of 
conducting 
Berean 
Bible 
classes. 
No 
class 
is 
obliged 
to 
have 
these 
lectures, 
nor 
to 
have 
the 
literature 
which 
the 
association 
publishes 
for 
their 
assistance. 
They 
all 
do, 
however, 
find 
it 
very 
convenient 
to 
avail 
themselves 
of 
these 
helps 
to 
Bible 
study; 
and 
when 
re- 
quested, 
the 
association 
provides 
the 
assistance 
to 
the 
extent 
of 
their 
ability-subject 
to 
the 
limitations 
and 
the 
accessi­ 
bility 
of 
the 
classes, 
and 
the 
condition 
of 
its 
treasury 
funds. 
As 
for 
the 
personnel 
of 
the 
classes, 
they 
are 
from 
all 
walks 
of 
life-laborers 
and 
physicians, 
pupils 
and 
teachers, 
house­ 
wives 
and 
society 
people. 
They 
are 
mostly 
thoughtful, 
but 
have 
been 
dissatisfied 
for 
years, 
and 
have 
been 
feeling 
after 
God, 
and 
seeking 
to 
satisfy 
their 
hungry 
souls. 
They 
are 
from 
all 
denominations-Baptists, 
Presbyterians, 
Catholies, 
Episco­ 
palians, 
Jews; 
and 
a 
large 
percentage 
were 
ollce 
agnostics. 
These 
include 
all 
nationalities, 
also: 
English, 
Scotch, 
Irish, 
French, 
Italians, 
Chinese, 
Japanese, 
etc. 
Illdeed, 
we 
find 
that 
all 
over 
the 
world 
there 
is 
an 
intelligellt 
class 
who 
hunger 
after 
God, 
righteousness 
and 
truth, 
and 
who 
have 
nothing 
sat­ 
isfactory 
in 
any 
of 
the 
creeds, 
but 
are 
now 
finding 
a 
soul­ 
sati£fying 
portion 
in 
the 
Bible 
itself. 
Here, 
as 
elsewhere, 
we 
are 
asked 
if 
these 
classes 
are 
con­ 
fined 
to 
America. 
We 
say, 
"No, 
indeed!" 
Throughout 
Great 
Britain, 
France, 
Gprmany, 
Ireland, 
Italy, 
Greece, 
Norway, 
Sweden, 
Denmark, 
India, 
China, 
Japan, 
Australia, 
South 
Africa, 
these 
classes 
are 
to 
be 
found, 
as 
well 
as 
in 
Canada 
and 
the 
United 
States. 
Indeed, 
the 
original 
charter 
of 
the 
association 
was 
a 
British 
one, 
the 
office 
being 
in 
London. 
The 
international 
character 
of 
the 
work 
is 
the 
reason 
for 
that 
feature 
of 
the 
association's 
name. 
It 
is 
well 
understood 
that 
many 
of 
these 
Bible 
Students 
were 
unsatisfied 
when 
they 
studied 
the 
Bible 
from 
various 
denominational 
standpoints, 
and 
that 
they 
are 
now 
satisfied, 
and 
we 
are 
asked 
how 
we 
account 
for 
this. 
Do 
we 
use 
the 
same 
Bible' 
or 
how 
comes 
it 
that 
Presbyterians, 
Baptists, 
Methodists, 
etc., 
can 
gain 
a 
clearer 
light 
in 
the 
International 
Bible 
Students 
Association 
studies 
than 
in 
their 
own 
denomi­ 
national 
lines 
and 
classes 
~ 
There 
is 
a 
difference. 
Each 
denomination 
seeks 
to 
uphold 
[5155] 
JANUARY I, 1913 conversion, but by a gradual one, which will require nearly a thousand years for its accomplishment. Are we asked, What power could intervene and force this change of heart ‘upon humanity? The Bible answers that it will be divine power represented in Messiah’s glorious kingdom. The second coming of Christ, once supposed to mean the destruction of the world, Bible students now see to mean the very reverse—the blessing of earth, the taking away of the curse, the lifting of the fallen race to all that was lost in Eden, and the destruction of the finally impenitent. FOREGLEAMS OF MESSIAH’S KINGDOM We are not to look into the sky to see Messiah come, but rather to remember that his resurrection exalted him to the glory which he had with the Father before he became a man. He will at that time indeed empower earthly representatives, to whom the world will look for guidance and instruction; but Messiah and his glorified church, his bride, will be invisible to men—on the spirit plane. Many of our readers will be surprised to know that the glorious blessings of Messiah’s kingdom will steal over the world gradually, coming through human channels—entirely unaware of being used of the Lord. Bible students are so interpreting the wonderful things of our day. They are foregleams or early dawning of Messiah’s thousand-year-day, during which he will roll away the curse and shed forth divine blessings. Whoever can see the matter from this standpoint THE WATCH TOWER (5-6) must be deeply interested in every fresh advance of invention. In another column we refer to some of these present-day wonders which have come in during the last century. If it be true, as we hold, that these blessings are the foregleams of divine favor through Messiah’s kingdom, with what patience should all exercise themselves to wait upon the Lord, and not to seek to disturb too radically any present condition which is at all bearable! Who will dispute that everybody today is much better off than his grandparents were—even fifty years ago? St. Paul by inspiration declares that ‘‘Godliness with contentment is great gain.’’ We commend this thought to Socialists and everyone else. We do not claim that even-handed justice prevails nor do we admit that it would be possible under present conditions. People of superior brain power will not use that power for the publie good solely. All still have a sufficiency of selfishness to claim that their superior qualities justly entitle them to superior conditions. Why may we not concede this point, rejoice in the blessings we have, be thankful to God for them, and wait patiently for his kingdom? Under present (selfish) conditions each workman demands wages according to his skill. Why quarrel with the wealthy, learned, more capables on that score? What great advantages have come to the world thus! Why stop it before God’s providence brings us a better rule—the Golden Rule. ‘‘Have patience, brethren,’’ be ye peacemakers, not strife-breeders. 1913—A TEXT SUGGESTED FOR—1913 We suggest to all THE WatcH Tower readers as a special text for the year the words of the Psalmist, ‘‘What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of the assembly of his people.’’—Psalm 116:12-14. The Editor for some months has been trying the plan of calling this text before his mind as his waking thought. He has found it very helpful, and now suggests it to all the readers of this journal. How appropriate that each day should begin with the inquiry as to what are the possibilities of our service or sacrifices in the Lord’s eause! What is more appropriate than that we should remember the benefits which we have received, as Well as those which we hope yet to receive from our gracious heavenly Father? What could be more appropriate than that we should resolve afresh every morning to take the cup of salvation, remembering that the cup of salvation is the cup of suffering, the cup of trial—his cup—the cup of communion, or fellowship, in the sufferings of Christ? As the Master said, so should we each say, daily, ‘‘The cup which my Father hath poured for me, shall I not drink it?’’ What is more appropriate than that we each should take pleasure in following our Master, being made partakers of the sufferings of Christ, that we may also be sharers in his glory? What could be more appropriate than that our waking thouglts should recall the vow which we have made to the Lord, and that those thoughts shall be open to all the congregation of the Lord’s people? We will not keep secret the matter of our vow, nor the matter of our obedience, but we will stimulate one another in the good way. Furthermore, we call upon the name of the Lord for help, assistance, that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts and the conduct of our life throughout the day may be pleasing and acceptable in the sight of our Lord. The day thus begun will surely be a happy day to those who have taken the vows of full consecration to the Lord. And what a happifying thought we have in this connection; namely, that so many of the dear brethren and sisters may at the same time be lifting their hearts in thanksgiving and making resolutions afresh. THE HARVEST WORK WORLD-WIDE THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION This association sprang up spontaneously and gradually during the past thirty years, but particularly during the past ten years. It is composed of thinking Christian people of various ages who are studying the Bible reverently and profitably. There are no limitations as to membership, except such as could be properly applied to any true Christian: (1) Faith in God as the great Creator and heavenly Father; (2) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the world’s Redeemer; (3) Faith in the Bible—that it is the inspired message of God, respecting his will and purposes in connection with mankind; (4) A clean and honorable life. Our Association finds this platform broad enough for all true Christians, regardless of all denominational lines, quirks and frills. We have no bondage, and any one is as free to leave the classes as to enter them. Indeed, following the example of the early church in this as well as in other matters, we avoid any special manner of joining these classes, or any special enrollment, or any special commitment as to faith and practise other than the broad principles already mentioned. The International Bible Students Association has classes in nearly every city in many countries, and you may also desire to know about these and their relationship to each other and to the association. Each class of the International Bible Students Association is independent, manages its own affairs, conducts its own meetings, and provides for its own expenses. The association provides ‘public instructors and ministers to lecture on the Bible, and to give suggestions as to the methods of the primitive church, and as to the best means of conducting Berean Bible classes, No class is obliged to have these lectures, nor to have the literature which the association publishes for their assistance. They all do, however, find it very convenient to avail themselves of these helps to Bible study; and when re quested, the association provides the assistance to the extent of their ability—subject to the limitations and the acecessibility of the classes, and the condition of its treasury funds. As for the personnel of the classes, they are from all walks of life—laborers and physicians, pupils and teachers, houscwives and society people. They are mostly thoughtful, but have been dissatisfied for years, and have been feeling after God, and seeking to satisfy their hungry souls. They are from all denominations—Baptists, Presbyterians, Catholics, Episcopalians, Jews; and a large percentage were once agnostics. These include all nationalities, also: English, Scotch, Irish, French, Italians, Chinese, Japanese, ete. Indeed, we find that all over the world there is an intelligent class who hunger aftcr God, righteousness and truth, and who have nothing satisfactory in any of the creeds, but are now finding a soulsatisfying portion in the Bible itself. Here, as elsewhere, we are asked if these classes are confined to America. We say, ‘‘No, indeed!’’ Throughout Great Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, India, China, Japan, Australia, South Africa, these classes are to be found, as well as in Canada and the United States. Indeed, the original charter of the association was a British one, the office being in London. The international character of the work is the reason for that feature of the association’s name. It is well understood that many of these Bible Students were unsatisfied when they studied the Bible from various denominational standpoints, and that they are now satisfied, and we are asked how we account for this. Do we use the same Bible? or how comes it that Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, etc., can gain a clearer light in the International Bible Students Association studies than in their own denominational lines and classes? There is a difference. Each denomination seeks to uphold [5155]

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