11
1
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THE
WATCH
TOWER
restrains,
so
that
the
worst
things
cannot
come
to
pass
until
his
due
time,
and
he
overrules
to
bring
those
into
power
who
will
have
the
disposition
to
do
what
he
purposes
to
permit
when
his
due
time
has
arrived.
However,
since
the
Lord
does
not
explain
to
us
just
how
he
does
this,
it
would
be
wise
for
us
not
to
be
too
emphatic
in
our
statements.
Will.
A.
BAKER.
LETTERS
against
prineipalities,"
etc.,
in
exalted
positions,
as
it
was
the
day
I
marIe
it
my
own.
With
Christian
love,
yonI'
servant,
A
SOFT
ANSWER
of
a
lettpr
sent
by
one
hrotl1l'r
to
another
effect
a
reponcili~tion.
We
commend
it:
Below
is
a
copy
in
the
endeavor
to
Dear
Brother:
Grace,
mercy
and
peace
from
God
0111'
Father
and
from
Jesus
Christ
our
Lord
be
unto
you!
What
is
it,
dear
Brother,
that
has
cansed
this
differcnrl'
between
us
~
As
brethren
of
the
Lord
W'l'
shonl,]
not
dpvou
I'
one
another;
for
that
is
the
spirit
of
the
world,
an,l
as
the
Apostle
says
in
Galatians
5:
15,
there
is
a
likelihood
of
our
being
consumed
one
of
another:
"Take
heed
that
yl'
be
not
consumed
one
of
another,"
nrges
the
A
postle.
What
if,
in
our
appreciation
of
the
liberty
that
is
ours,
and
of
which
we
know
through
the
Gospel,
we
should
rearh
the
point
where
we
would
be
so
contentious
for
onr
libertil's,
great
and
small,
that
we
woulrt
Consume
some
],rethren
for
whom
Christ
died!
What
if
in
injuring
another,
the
spirit
of
strife
should
so
react
upon
us
as
to
poison
our
own
spiritual
lives,
and
,YC
also
should
be
consumed,
lost,
as
re
spects
the
gracious
things
to
which
the
Lord
has
invited
us
and
for
which
we
have
beL'n
running
in
the
race!
Now,
dear
Brother,
let
the
Apostle's
wol'l]s
ring
in
our
hearts,
"Lest
ye
be
consumed
one
of
another."
With
this
thought
before
our
minds,
let
us
more
alld
more
put
011
the
armor
of
God
to
fight
against
our
own
fleshly
weaknesses
and
to
fight
for
our
dear
brethren,
assisting
them
by
example
and
by
precept
to
war
a
good
\\arfare
also
against
the
world,
the
flesh
and
the
advcrsary.
Nearly
all
these
con
tentions
come
through
some
misunderstaIHling.
N
either
you
nor
I
have
a
desire
to
injure
each
otlll'r,
bnt
we
earnestly
desire
each
other's
good.
For
what
I
have
done
in
any
way
to
hurt
your
feelings
in
the
past,
I
heartily
ask
yonI'
forgi""ness;
a1l(]
belim'e
me,
I
do
the
same
with
you,
remembering
Matth"w
7
:1,
2
and
6:14-16.
If
our
vit'ws
arc
correet,
dear
BrotlH'r
(I
really
believe
they
are),
with
regard
to
1914,
we
have
no
timp
to
lose;
and
as
the
Apostle
says,
"Thpre
should
be
no
schism
in
the
body;
but
the
members
should
have
the
same
care
one
for
anothpr.'
,
Now
let
nw
eoncludp
with
love,
and
Jnde
24,
23.
Yours
by
His
grace,
J.
HODSO~.
INTERESTING
SOME
WARNING
SOUNDS
A
NOTE
OF
Ikar
Brother
Hussell:-
A
pceuliar
circumstance
occurred
here
in
the
Ecclesia
on
Snn,lay,
Mal'ch
15th,
which
I
think
should
be
brought
to
your
attention.
Just
what
it
portends
or
just
how
far
the
several
versions
arc
to
be
relied
upon,
I
cannot
say;
but
as
it
appears
to
be
in
line
with
numerous
warnings
issueil
through
THE
"WATCH
TOWER
for
years
past,
I
will
state
the
facts
upon
which
there
appears
to
be
unanimity.
It
is
the
custom
of
the
parents
in
this
Ecclesia
to
allow
the
children
to
play
during
meeting
hours
in
the
ante-rooms
adjoining
our
main
hall.
On
this
particular
afternoon
after
the
Berean
Lesson
had
been
in
progress
for
some
little
time
a
commotion
was
heard
in
the
children's
room,
mingled
with
screams
of
fright.
One
of
the
sisters
was
just
entering
the
huilding
when
the
matter
started,
and
rushing
into
the
room
found
several
of
the
children
hysterical,
others
cowering
in
ah,jeet
fear
with
heads
eovered,
and
all
greatly
alarmed.
When
I'l'essed
for
an
explanation
th('y
stated
that
they
had
seen
"a
ghost."
The
older
ones,
better
informed,
declared
they
ha,l
seen
a
demon
materialized,
and
that
several
arms
had
appeared
protruding
from
the
bare
walls
of
the
room.
They
<leclared
that
when
they
began
to
cry
and
shout,
the
apparition
disappeare,l
in
the
air.
It
required
some
little
persuasion
to
quiet
them
and
to
furnish
solace
in
the
suggestion
that
the
Lord
would
not
per
mit
harm
to
eome
to
the
children
of
consecrated
parents.
Besill,'s
this
l'lrcumstance,
two
of
the
brothers
in
the
class
ha
ve
had
partinl1arly
heavy
trials
through
semi-materializa
tious
of
t
he
demons
within
the
last
few
weeks.
Another
hrother
who,
I
ull<lerstand,
has
been
clandestinely
attending
"Tongues
of
Pire"
meetings
on
different
occasions,
suddenly
beeame
illsalle
a
few
weeks
ago
and
was
sent
to
the
asylum.
His
sad
case
gives
many
evidences
of
obsession.
'roo
many
of
the
deal'
fri('nds
only
half-heartedly
accept
the
plain
tj('l'iptlIl'aI
teaehings
respecting
the
actual
existence
of
these
evil
l'('!'sOllalities
and
their
pernicious
activities.
Some
of
these
an'
in
,langeI'
of
severe
testings
from
this
source.
Would
it
not
be
wdl
to
sound
a
\Varning~
Can
this
sudden
increase
of
aetiyity
on
the
part
of
these
evil
spirits
reports
of
whieh
are
eoming
from
many
sources,
be
premo~itory
of
the
"Ioosi
ng'
of
the
winds"
in
the
very
near
future
~
God
help
us
all
to
haye
on
the
"whole
armor
and
to
stand
in
the
e"il
day."
The
Vow
is
still
as
valuable
a
factor
in
this"
wrestling
VOL.
XXXV
-
-----------
-~-
-----
--
---------~
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
JUNE
1,
1914
-
--
---
-
-
-----
No.
11
"When
astronomy
compelled
a
new
theory
of
the
universp,
and
modern
biology
and
anthropology
a
new
theory
of
the
origin
of
man
and
of
sin,
and
modern
eriticism
a
new
theory
of
the
Bible,
and
modem
sociology
a
new
theory
of
redemption,
the
Puritan
churches
began
of
necessity
to
construct
a
new
theology.
'rhe
ministers
who
were
familiar
with
modern
discovery
and
the
modern
mind
began
to
teach
a
new
philos
o
phy
of
religion.
VIEWS
FROM
THE
DR.
ABBOTT'S
OUTLOOK
"A
minister
asks
a
question
which
I
may
summarize
thus:
How
ean
one
who
has
accepted
the
newer
thinking
in
theology
so
present
it
as
to
satisfy
the
desires
of
those
who
are
longing
for
the
old
religion
~
It
is
a
question
which
a
great
many
ministers
and
some
laymen
are
asking.
The
answer
involves
a
eonsic1eration
of
the
use
and
value
of
sermons
and
church
services.
"One
reason
why
many
naturally
devout
persons
have
rliseontinued
church
attendance
is
beeanse
the
church
service
for
them
no
longer
promotes
the
religious
life.
It
seems
to
them
unreal.
They
still
wish
to
do
justly,
to
love
mercy,
and
to
walk
revel'l'ntly,
but
the
church
service
<loes
not
help
them
to
do
so.
They
have
abandoned
the
ehureh,
but
they
have
not
abandoned
religion.
To
bring
them
back
to
the
church
the
"hureh
must
somehow
put
new
life
into
its
services.
It
must
make
its
expression
of
the
religious
feeling
more
effeetive
in
promoting
the
religious
life.
*
*
*
"\Ve
no
longer
express
penitence,
thanksgiving,
and
*
*
*
WATCH
TOWER
serration
by
offering
sacrifices.
But
ppnitenee
and
thanks
giving
and
consecration
are
essentially
the
same
experiencps
that
they
were
in
the
days
of
Ezra.
Theology
has
(·hanged.
We
no
longer
believe
that
man
was
ereated
perf"ct
six
thou
sand
years
ago,
and
that
sin
came
into
the
worl,l
as
the
result
of
the
fact
that
a
woman
was
persuaded
by
a
serpent
to
eat
a
forbidden
fruit.
But
doing
justly,
loving
merey,
and
walk
ing
humbly
with
God
arc
essentially
what
tlH'y
were
in
the
clays
of
Abraham.
"In
our
time
there
are
a
numher
of
self-saerifieing
allll
devoted
philanthropists
and
tcachers
who
have
disloardeJ
hoth
worship
and
theology
and
are
endl'a
voring
to
promote
the
higher
life
by
ethical
instruction,
illustratpd
and
Bnforced
by
moral
example.
Bnt
while
they
endeavor
to
prolllote
doing
justly
and
10Ying
merey,
they
make
no
pffort
to
IH'OIllotc
c'ev
crellt
comradeship
with
God.
They
substitute
the
religion
cf
humanity
for
the
humanity
of
religion.
Some
of
tilelll
are
preaching
ethieal
Sl'l'tllOns
in
Christian
pulpits.
Some
of
them
have
come
out
from
the
church
altogether
and
are
devoting
themselves
to
various
forms
of
social
service.
'I.'hey
nrc
tloing
unselfish
work
for
their
fellow-men,
amI
in
the
lives
of
l'1any
of
them
Christian
ministers
might
\vell
find
both
example
amI
in
spira
tion.
"But
I
do
not
believe
that
l'thi"al
culture
can
take
the
plaee
of
spiritual
life.
If
all
that
humanity
wants
is
well
reg"lllated
eontlul't,
ethical
culture
might
possibly
fUl'llish
it
though
that
is
doubtful.
But
that
is
not
all
that
humanity
wans.
It
wants
charadeI'.
\Vhat
men
think
is
important;
con-
what
they
feel
is
more
important;
but
what
they
are
is
most
[5467]
*
*
*
*
*
".
May 1s, 1914 restrains, so that the worst things cannot come to pass until his due time, and he overrules to bring those into power who will have the disposition to do what he purposes to permit THE WATCH TOWER (159-163) when his due time has arrived. However, since the Lord does not explain to us just how he does this, it would be wise for us not to be too emphatic in our statements. SOME, INTERESTING LETTERS SOUNDS A NOTE OF WARNING Dear Brother Russell: — A peculiar cireumstanee occurred here in the Ecclesia on Sunday, March 15th, which I think should be brought to your attention. Just what it portends or just how far the several versions are to be relied upon, I cannot say; but as it appears to be in line with numerous warnings issued through THE Warton Towrr for years past, I will state the facts upon which there appears to be unanimity. It is the custom of the parents in this Ecclesia to allow the children to play during meeting hours in the ante-rooms adjoining our main hall. On this particular afternoon after the Berean Lesson had been in progress for some little time a commotion was heard in the children’s room, mingled with screams of fright. One of the sisters was just entering the building when the matter started, and rushing into the room found several of the children hysterical, others cowering in abject. fear with heads covered, and all greatly alarmed. When pressed for an explanation they stated that they had seen ‘fa ghost.’’? The older ones, better informed, declared they had seen a demon materialized, and that several arms had appeared protruding from the bare walls of the room. They deelared that when they began to ery and shout, the apparition disappeared in the air. It required some little persuasion to quict them and to furnish solace in the suggestion that the Lord would not permit harm to come to the children of consecrated parents. Besides this cireumstanee, two of the brothers in the class have had particularly heavy trials through semi-materializations of the demons within the last few weeks. Another brother who, I understand, has been clandestinely attending ‘“Pongues of Fire’’ meetings on different occasions, suddenly became insane a few weeks ago and was sent to the asylum. His sad case gives many evidences of obsession. Too many of the dear friends only half-heartedly accept the plain Seriptural teachings respecting the actual existence of thése evil personalities and their pernicious activities. Some of these are in danger of severe testings from this source. Would it not be well to sound a warning? Can this sudden inerease of aetivity on the part of these evil spirits, reports of which are coming from many sources, be premonitory of the ‘‘loosing of the winds’’ in the very near future? God help us all to have on the ‘‘whole armor and to stand in the evil day.’?’ The Vow is still as valuable a factor in this ‘‘ wrestling Vou. XXXV DR. ABBOTT’S OUTLOOK ‘CA minister asks a question which I may summarize thus: How ean one who has aecepted the newer thinking in theology so present it as to satisfy the desires of those who are longing for the old religion? It is a question which a great many ministers and some laymen are asking. The answer involves a consideration of the use and value of sermons and chureh services. * * * “One reason why many naturally devout persons have discontinued church attendance is because the church service for them no longer promotes the religious life. It seems to them unreal. They still wish to do justly, to love merey, and to walk reverently, but the church service does not help them to do so. They have abandoned the church, but they have not abandoned religion. To bring them back to the ehurch the church must somehow put new life into its services. It must make its expression of the religious feeling more effective in promoting the religious life. * * * ‘“When astronomy compelled a new theory of the universe, and modern biology and anthropology a new theory of the origin of man and of sin, and modern criticism a new theory of the Bible, and modern sociology a new theory of redemption, the Puritan churehes began of necessity to construct a new theology. The ministers who were familiar with modern discovery and the modern mind began to teach a new philosophy of religion, * + * ““We no longer express penitence, thanksgiving, and con / BROOKLYN, N. Y., JUNE 1, 1914 ; VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER against principalities,’’ ete., in exalted positions, as it was the day I made it my own. With Christian love, your servant, A SOFT ANSWER Below is a copy of a letter sent by one brother to another in the endeavor to effect a reconciliation. We commend it: Dear Brother:— Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and from Jesus Christ our Lord be unto you! What is it, dear Brother, that has caused this difference between us? As brethren of the Lord we should not devour one another; for that is the spirit of the world, and as the Apostle says in Galatians 5:15, there is a likelihood of our being consumed one of another: ‘‘Take heed that ye be not consumed one of another,’’ urges the Apostle. What if, in our appreciation of the liberty that is ours, and of which we know through the Gospel, we should reach the point where we would be so contentions for our libertics, great and small, that we would consume some brethren for whom Christ died! What if in injuring another, the spirit of strife should so react upon us as to poison our own spiritual lives, and we also should be consumed, lost, as respects the gracious things to which the Lord has invited us and for which we have been running in the race! Now, dear Brother, let the Apostle’s words ring in our hearts, ‘‘Lest ye be consumed one of another.’’ With this thought before our minds, let us more and more put on the armor of God to fight against our own fleshly weaknesses and to fight for our dear brethren, assisting them by example and by precept to war a good warfare also against the world, the ficsh and the adversary. Nearly all these contentions come through some misunderstanding. Neither you nor I have a desire to injure each other, but we earnestly desire each other’s good. For what I have done in any way to hurt your feelings in the past, I heartily ask your forgiveness; aud believe me, I do the same with you, remembering Matthew 7:1, 2 and 6:14-16. If our views are correct, dear Brother (I really believe they are), with regard to 1914, we have no time to lose; and as the Apostle says, ‘‘There should be no schism in the body; but the members should have the same care one for another.’’ Now let me conclude with love, and Jude 24, 25. Yours by His grace, J. Hopson. Wa. A. BAKER. secration by offering sacrifices. But penitence and thanksgiving and consecration are essentially the same experiences that they were in the days of Ezra. Theology has changed. We no longer believe that man was created perfect six thousand years ago, and that sin came into the world as the result of the fact that a woman was persuaded by a serpent to cat a forbidden fruit. But doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God are essentially what they were in the days of Abraham. ‘‘TIn our time there are a number of self-saertficing and devoted philanthropists and teachers who have discarded both worship and theology and are endeavoring to promote the higher life by ethical instruction, illustrated and enforeed by moral example. But while they endeavor to promote doing justly and loving mercy, they make no effort to promote reverent comradeship with God. They substitute the religion cf humanity for the humanity of religion. Some of them are preaching ethical sermons in Christian pulpits. Some of them have come out from the church altogether and are devoting themselves to various forms of social service. They are doing unselfish work for their fellow-men, and in the lives of many of them Christian ministers might well find both example and inspiration, * * * “But I do not believe that ethical culture can take the place of spiritual life. If all that humanity wants is wellregulated conduct, ethical culture might possibly furnish it— though that is doubtful. But that is not all that humanity wans. It wants character. What men think is important; what they feel is more important; but what they are is most [5467]
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