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NOVJ!MBIlR
15,
1915
THE
WATCH
TOWER
(347-355)
one
tell
us
what
we
should
do,
or
should
not
do.
However,
emergencies
might
arise
in
which
we
would
have
the
right
to
allow
mercenary
considerations
to
have
their
weight-if,
for
instance,
because
an
employee
should
fail
to
contribute
it
would
bring
him
into
disfavor
with
his
employer,
so
that
he
might
lose
his
situation,
or
if
a
business
firm
found
that
they
might
be
boycotted
unless
they
contributed
liberally,
we
believe
that
they
would
have
a
right
to
treat
this
matter
from
a
commercial
basis.
The
giving
to
the
Red
Cross
Society
would
certainly
not
interfere
with
anybody's
conscientious
scruples.
An
examination
of
the
Canadian
Militia
Act
shows
that
certain
persons
are
exempt
from
military
obligations;
viz.,
Judges,
Government
clerks,
Telegraph
clerks,
Revenue
clerks,
W.ardens
of
Prisons
and
Asylums,
Policemen,
Firemen,
College
professors,
the
Clergy,
the
son
of
a
widow
and
persons
averse
to
military
service
on
religious
grounds.
AMOS
THE
FEARLESS
PROPHET
[This
article
was
a
reprint
of
an
article
entitled
"Seek
the
Lord
and
Ye
ohall
Live,"
published
in
issue
of
September
1,
1904,
which
please
see.]
VOL.
XXXVI
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
DECEMBER
1,
1915
No.
23
"It
cannot
be
the
case
forever
that
battle
af.ter
battle
is
fought,
that
great
armies
are
led
against
one
another
in
new
theatres
of
war,
without
the
people
learning
what
has
been
attained,
and
what
still
must
be
achieved
in
order
that
the
peace
bells
may
ring.
"The
others,
they
tell
us,
must
sue
for
peace,
for
we
are
the
victors;
but
unfortunately
the
others
don't
consider
them
selves
the
vanquished,
and
no
result
is
reached.
The
war
con
tinues
indefinitely
because
both
parties
fear
to
place
limits
to
their
demands
and
speak
them
out
for
fear
that
the
an
nouncement
of
the
object
for
which
they
are
fighting
will
be
interpreted
as
a
sign
of
weakness.
It
may
go
so
far
that
this
war
will
end
with
the
complete
exhaustion
of
all
parties,
because
no
one
cared
to
say
under
what
specific
conditions
it
was
prepared
to
end
it.
If
this
is
to
be
prevented,
then
all
the
Governments
must
at
least
leave
the
realm
of
rhetorical
generalities,
and
confess
their
concrete
programs,
and
if,
con
fused
by
the
changing
fortunes
of
war,
they
are
not
able
any
longer
to
picture
to
themselves
clearly
the
objects
of
the
war,
let
them
open
up
the
floodgates
of
public
discussion.
Then
we
shall
soon
have
clarity
and,
we
hope,
peace."
Too
much
courage,
too
much
pride,
is
surely
leading
those
in
control
of
the
world's
affairs-in
harmony
with
the
divine
prediction-on
to
exhaustion.
We
behold
the
ripe
manhood,
the
flower
of
Europe,
going
down
to
the
Valley
of
Jehosha
phat-to
the
Valley
of
Death-the
cemetery
valley
of
Jerusa
lem.
(Joel
3:
2,
12)
And
while
we
see
the
wealth
of
the
world
being
wasted,
our
hearts
would
be
so
very,
very
sick
if
we
did
not
have
the
assurance
of
God's
Word
respecting
the
grand
outcome
of
universal
'blessing
through
Messiah's
kingdom,
which
is
to
follow
the
great
turmoil
of
Armageddon!
Well
did
Jesus
predict
that
men's
hearts
would
be
failing
them
for
fear
and
for
looking
after
the
things
approaching!
Well
<;lid
he
say
to
us
as
his
followers,
"When
ye
see
these
things
begin
to
come
to
pass,
then
look
up,
and
lift
up
your
heads;
for
your
deliverance
draweth
nigh!"
(Luke
21:25-28)
We
rejoice
not
in
the
trOUble,
which
surely
saddens
every
tender
heart.
But
we
do
rejoice
that,
since
the
world
will
be
prepared
for
the
grand
change
of
government
in
no
other
way
than
through
"a
time
of
trOUble
such
as
never
was
since
there
was
a
nation"
(Daniel
12:1;
Matthew
24:21),
Messiah
is
about
to
stand
forth,
clothed
with
divine
power,
to
take
to
himself
his
great
power
and
reign
for
the
blessing
of
all
the
families
of
the
earth.
VIEWS
FROM
THE
WATCH
WAR
MAY
END
IN
EXHAUSTION'
The
renowned
German
Socialist
paper
Vorwaertscalls
on
warring
nations
to
announce
their
aims
and
makes
the
fol
lowing
stirring
appeal:
"Premier
Asquith's
exposition
of
the
objects
of
the
war
last
Fall
was
lacking
in
clearness
and
full
of
phrases,
but
at
any
rate,
it
was
more
specific
than
his
assurance
now
that
England
is
determined
to
continue
the
war
to
a
successful
end
and
to
exhaust
all
her
resources
to
attain
the
common
highest
goal.
Less
hazy
is
France's
new
man,
Briand,
in
stating
the
object
of
driving
the
enemy
out
of
the
occupied
provinces,
including
Alsace-Lorraine;
but
Briand,
too,
soon
loses
himself
in
clouds
of
rhetoric
when
he
says
that
France
will
not
make
peace
till
justice
is
reestablished
by
victory
and
all
the
guar
antees
of
a
lasting
peace
obtained.
"One
would
think
that
after
fifteen
months
of
the
world's
most
terrible
war,
statesmen
would
be
able
to
give
a
more
specific
answer
to
the
question,
and
make
it
clearer
to
the
peoples
for
what
purpose
they
are
shedding
their
blood-what
goal
has
been
set,
and
for
what
prize
they
are
struggling.
The
defense
of
the
Fatherland,
freedom,
justice,
kultur-all
that
no
longer
suffices
today.
These
are
words
which
each
may
interpret
as
he
likes,
and
it
is
really
high
time
to
speak
more
intelligently
and
to
the
point.
"It
seems
almost
as
though
both
parties
to
the
war
feared
to
betray
their
plans
to
each
other,
for
it
is
not
only
France
and
England
that
shroud
their
war
goal
and
peace
conditions
in
fog;
the
German
Government
is
no
less
reticent;
and
still
more,
whenever
expressing
itself
as
to
the
purposes
of
the
war,
confines
itself
to
generalities
which
may
be
in
place
in
firing
soldiers
with
courage
before
a
charge,
but
which
do
not
serve
to
disseminate
the
necessary
clari,ty
as
to
Germany's
final
intentions,
either
at
home
or
abroad.
"Stories
about
peace
wishes
and
peace
efforts
of
the
German
Government
are
being
officially
branded
as
false.
Von
Biilow
is
in
Switzerland
for
rest
and
recreation,
and
So
If
[the
Colonial
Secretary]
only
wants
to
visit
his
dear
friends
in
Holland
and
once
again
eat
good
white
bread.
It
isn't
true,
either,
that
the
imperial
Chancellor,
in
presence
of
Tom,
Dick,
or
Harry,
named
the
acquisition
of
Belgium
to
the
Meuse
line,
the
annexation
of
Courland,
and
30,000,000,000
marks
in
demnity
as
peace
conditions.
Well,
for
the
past
twelve
months
we
have
heard
what
isn't
true;
can
they
take
it
badly
of
us
if
we
would
like
for
once
to
hear
what
is
true,
what
the
Ger
man
Government
really
does
consider
its
object
in
the
war
game?
TOWER
*
*
*
PROPER
MORTIFICATION
OF
THE
BODY
"For
if
ye
live
after
tke
fleSh,
ye
8Mll
die;
but
if
ye
t'Mo-ugh
tke
Spirit
do
mortify
the
deeds
of
tke
body,
ye
shall
live."
Romans
8:13.
Many
times
have
the
children
of
the
Lord
read
these
words
Church
of
Christ
only.
He
is
not
addressing
the
of
the
Apostle.
Many
times
have
his
true
saints
pondered
world.
The
church
have
entered
into
a
solemn
covenant
with
ov~r
their
solemn
import.
Many
times,
too,
have
those
less
the
Lord
to
lay
down
in
sacrifice
earthly
things,
the
earthly
samtly
read
them:
and
instead
of
taking
the
lesson
to
them-
nature.
The
Apostle
assures
us
that
if
we
succeed
in
faith
selves,
have
applIed
them
to
their
worldly
neighbors
and
fully
laying
down
our
earthly
life
with
all
its
hopes
and
pros
allowed
.the
lesson
to
lose
its
force
upon
themselves.
But
the
pects,
we
shall
live.
It
is
not
merely
that
we
shall
covenant
at
most
samtly
of
God's
people
need,
as
the
Prophet
declared
the
beginning
of
our
Christian
course
to
do
this,
but
we
must
of
Israel
of
old,
"precept
upon
precept,
line
upon
line,
here
a
carry
out
to
its
completion
this
mortification
of
our
body-the
little
and
there
a
little."
(Isaiah
28:10,
13)
Our
poor
earthen
deeds
of
the
body.
vessels
are
very
leaky
and
fragile,
and
need
constant
replenish-
The
body
with
its
deeds
represents
all
the
human
interests-
ment
from
the
great
fountain
of
truth
and
life.
not
merely
the
weaknesses
and
infirmities
of
our
fallen
condi-
So
let
us
agoain
ponder
over
these
gracious
words
of
the
tion,
and
our
sinful
tendencies.
Those,
of
course,
we
are
to
Lord's
mouthpiece
and
have
their
lesson
impressed
more
mortify.
We
are
to
deaden
these
at
once,
as
far
as
is
possible.
deeply
upon
our
minds.
St.
Paul
is
here
addressing
the
But
we
are
also
to
sacrifice
the
earthly
interests
which
are
not
VI-68
[5805]
NovemsBer 15, 1915 one tell us what we should do, or should not do. However, emergencies might arise in which we would have the right to allow mercenary considerations to have their weight—if, for instance, because an employee should fail to contribute it would bring him into disfavor with his employer, so that he might lose his situation, or if a business firm found that they might be boycotted unless they contributed liberally, we believe that they would have a right to treat this matter from a commercial THE WATCH TOWER (347-355) basis. The giving to the Red Cross Society would certainly not interfere with anybody’s conscientious scruples. An examination of the Canadian Militia Act shows that certain persons are exempt from military obligations; viz., Judges, Government clerks, Telegraph clerks, Revenue clerks, Wardens of Prisons and Asylums, Policemen, Firemen, College professors, the Clergy, the son of a widow and persons averse to military service on religious grounds. AMOS THE FEARLESS PROPHET [This article was a reprint of an article entitled “Seek the Lord and Ye shall Live,” published in issue of September 1, 1904, which please see.} VoL. XXXVI BROOKLYN, N. Y., DECEMBER 1, 1915 No. 23 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER WAR MAY END IN EXHAUSTION The renowned German Socialist paper Vorwaerts calls on warring nations to announce their aims and makes the following stirring appeal: “Premier Asquith’s exposition of the objects of the war last Fall was lacking in clearness and full of phrases, but at any rate, it was more specific than his assurance now that England is determined to continue the war to a successful end and to exhaust all her resources to attain the common highest goal. Less hazy is France’s new man, Briand, in stating the object of driving the enemy out of the occupied provinces, including Alsace-Lorraine; but Briand, too, soon loses himself in clouds of rhetoric when he says that France will not make peace till justice is reéstablished by victory and all the guarantees of a lasting peace obtained. “One would think that after fifteen months of the world’s most terrible war, statesmen would be able to give a more specific answer to the question, and make it clearer to the peoples for what purpose they are shedding their blood—what goal has been set, and for what prize they are struggling. ‘Che defense of the Fatherland, freedom, justice, kultur—all that no longer suffices today. These are words which each may interpret as he likes, and it is really high time to speak more intelligently and to the point. “Tt seems almost as though both parties to the war feared to betray their plans to each other, for it is not only France and England that shroud their war goal and peace conditions in fog; the German Government is no less reticent; and still more, whenever expressing itself as to the purposes of the war, confines itself to generalities which may be in place in firing soldiers with courage before a charge, but which do not serve to disseminate the necessary clarity as to Germany’s final intentions, either at home or abroad. “Stories about peace wishes and peace efforts of the German Government are being officially branded as false. Von Biilow is in Switzerland for rest and recreation, and Solf {the Colonial Secretary] only wants to visit his dear friends in Holland and once again eat good white bread. It isn’t true, either, that the imperial] Chancellor, in presence of Tom, Dick, or Harry, named the acquisition of Belgium to the Meuse line, the annexation of Courland, and 30,000,000,000 marks indemnity as peace conditions. Well, for the past twelve months we have heard what isn’t true; can they take it badly of us if we would like for once to hear what is true, what the German Government really does consider its object in the war game? “It cannot be the case forever that battle after battle is fought, that great armies are led against one another in new theatres of war, without the people learning what has been attained, and what still must be achieved in order that the peace bells may ring. “The others, they tell us, must sue for peace, for we are the victors; but unfortunately the others don’t consider themselves the vanquished, and no result is reached. The war continues indefinitely because both parties fear to place limita to their demands and speak them out for fear that the announcement of the object: for which they are fighting will be interpreted as a sign of weakness. It may go so far that this war will end with the complete exhaustion of all parties, because no one cared to say under what specific conditions it was prepared to end it. If this is to be prevented, then all the Governments must at least leave the realm of rhetorical generalities, and confess their concrete programs, and if, confused by the changing fortunes of war, they are not able any longer to picture to themselves clearly the objects of the war, let them open up the floodgates of public discussion, Then we shall soon have clarity and, we hope, peace.” * * * Too much courage, too much pride, is surely leading those in control of the world’s affairs—in harmony with the divine prediction—on to exhaustion. We behold the ripe manhood, the flower of Europe, going down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat—to the Valley of Death—the cemetery valley of Jerusalem, (Joel 3:2, 12) And while we see the wealth of the world being wasted, our hearts would be so very, very sick if we did not have the assurance of God’s Word respecting the grand outcome of universal blessing through Messiah’s kingdom, which is to follow the great turmoil of Armageddon! Well did Jesus predict that men’s hearts would be failing them for fear and for looking after the things approaching! Well did he say to us as his followers, ‘When ye see these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your deliverance draweth nigh!” (Luke 21:25-28) We rejoice not in the trouble, which surely saddens every tender heart. But we do rejoice that, since the world will be prepared for the grand change of government in no other way than through “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation” (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21), Messiah is about to stand forth, clothed with divine power, to take to himself his great power and reign for the blessing of all the families of the earth. PROPER MORTIFICATION OF THE BODY “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”— Romans 8:13. Many times have the children of the Lord read these words of the Apostle. Many times have his true saints pondered over their solemn import. Many times, too, have those less saintly read them, and instead of taking the lesson to themselves, have applied them to their worldly neighbors and allowed the lesson to lose its force upon themselves. But the most saintly of God’s people need, as the Prophet declared of Israe] of old, “precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little.” (Isaiah 28:10, 13) Our poor earthen vessels are very leaky and fragile, and need constant replenishment from the great fountain of truth and life. So let us again ponder over these gracious words of the Lord’s mouthpiece and have their lesson impressed more deeply upon our minds. St. Paul is here addressing the VI—68 Church of Christ only. He is not addressing the world. The church have entered into a solemn covenant with the Lord to lay down in sacrifice earthly things, the earthly nature. The Apostle assures us that if we succeed in faithfully laying down our earthly life with all its hopes and prospects, we shall live. It is not merely that we shall covenant at the beginning of our Christian course to do this, but we must carry out to its completion this mortification of our body—the deeds of the body. The body with its deeds represents all the human interests— not merely the weaknesses and infirmities of our fallen condition, and our sinful tendencies. Those, of course, we are to mortify. We are to deaden these at once, as far as is possible. But we are also to sacrifice the earthly interests which are not [5805]
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