Publication date
12/15/16
Volume
37
Number
24
The WatchTower
1915--Annual Report--1916
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1916/24/1916-24-2.html
(388-389) 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
BROOKLYN, 
N. 
Y. 
60,596.74 
845.00 
1,985.36 
269.60 
32,850.23 
20,000.00 
ther, 
to 
our 
policy 
of 
retrenchment 
necessitated 
by 
conditions 
interest 
and 
are 
leaving 
many 
cards 
of 
inquiry. 
The 
PHOTO­ 
produced 
by 
the 
war. 
Now 
that 
Brother 
Russell 
has 
passed 
DRAMA 
has 
also 
been 
shown 
upon 
several 
of 
the 
large 
Ameri­ 
beyond, 
the 
sermon 
feature 
will 
be 
discontinued 
entirely. 
'I'he 
can 
battleships, 
and 
many 
have 
manifested 
marked 
interest. 
blessing 
of 
the 
Lord 
has 
rested 
upon 
this 
work 
far 
beyond 
our 
It 
was 
also 
shown 
to 
the 
soldiers 
down 
upon 
the 
Mexican 
bor­ 
highest 
expectations. 
We 
remember 
when 
we 
thought 
if 
we 
der, 
and 
good 
reports 
are 
coming 
from 
there. 
We 
have 
two 
could 
secure 
fifty 
newspapers 
to 
publish 
the 
sermons 
it 
would 
more 
DRAMAS 
ready 
for 
use. 
If 
any 
of 
the 
large 
classes 
are 
00 
a 
wonderful 
witness. 
About 
twenty 
years 
ago 
Brother 
so 
situated 
that 
they 
could 
handle 
the 
PHOTO-DRAMA 
for 
a 
Russell 
saw 
the 
great 
advantage 
of 
reaching 
the 
people 
by 
season, 
the 
Society 
will 
be 
pleased 
to 
hear 
from 
them; 
and 
if 
means 
of 
the 
public 
press. 
At 
that 
time 
the 
large 
sum 
of 
they 
do 
not 
have 
local 
operators 
arrangements 
could 
probably 
nearly 
half 
a 
million 
dollars 
seemed 
within 
his 
reach. 
He 
be 
made 
to 
supply 
them 
on 
short 
notice. 
Our 
latest 
informa­ 
planned 
to 
use 
this 
for 
having 
the 
truth 
spread 
broadcast 
tion 
is 
that 
the 
DRAMA 
has 
witnessed 
to 
about 
twelve 
millions. 
through 
the 
magazines. 
Just 
as 
he 
expected 
to 
receive 
the 
Many 
classes 
have 
in 
this 
way 
been 
doubled, 
and 
prejudice 
money, 
the 
death 
of 
one 
man 
blocked 
the 
way. 
It 
was 
a 
great 
against 
the 
truth 
has 
been 
dispelled 
as 
perhaps 
could 
not 
disappointment 
for 
a 
while, 
but 
he 
knew 
that 
the 
Lord 
was 
otherwise 
have 
been 
accomplished. 
still 
at 
the 
head 
of 
the 
harvest 
work. 
Later, 
with 
an 
aston- 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
ishingly 
small 
sum, 
the 
Lord 
opened 
another 
way, 
and 
at 
one 
We 
are 
not 
printing 
so 
many 
extra 
copies 
for 
samples 
and 
time 
about 
2,000 
papers 
were 
publishing 
the 
sermons 
simul- 
for 
supplying 
back 
numbers 
as 
formerly, 
but 
we 
are 
printing 
taneously 
and 
altogether 
over 
4,000 
papers 
published 
weekly 
about 
47,000 
each 
issue, 
exC'{'pt 
in 
the 
case 
of 
the 
Memorial 
rl'ports. 
We 
asked 
for 
showers, 
and 
the 
Lord 
gave 
us 
rain- 
Kumber, 
for 
which 
we 
are 
expecting 
a 
wide 
circulation. 
falls 
almost 
amounting 
to 
floods. 
What 
an 
evidence 
of 
his 
Orders 
for 
large 
nurr.bers 
of 
these 
continue 
to 
come 
from 
might 
and 
power 
to 
open 
doors 
whenever 
it 
may 
please 
him 
classes 
and 
friends. 
We 
do 
not 
know 
of 
a 
better 
issue 
to 
allay 
and 
best 
serve 
his 
cause! 
prejudice 
against 
the 
presrnt 
truth. 
It 
is 
very 
cheap 
at 
5c. 
Now 
that 
part 
of 
the 
work 
is 
past. 
Has 
he 
anything 
else 
for 
32 
pages. 
Tm; 
WATCH 
TOWER 
is 
also 
published 
in 
the 
to 
take 
its 
place? 
We 
think 
so. 
We 
believe 
that 
even 
a 
German, 
Polish, 
Swedish, 
Dano-Norwegian 
and 
French 
lan­ 
greater 
work 
is 
just 
at 
our 
doors, 
and 
that 
it 
will 
prove 
to 
guages, 
but 
the 
Memorial 
Number 
in 
only 
English, 
German 
be 
a 
richer 
bll'ssing 
to 
the 
church 
itself. 
The 
way 
is 
open- 
and 
Polish. 
ing 
for 
thousands 
to 
enter 
into 
the 
work 
"while 
it 
is 
yet 
day," 
We 
have 
long 
eonsidered 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
list 
the 
best 
and 
they 
are 
hastening 
before 
the 
"night 
cometh 
when 
no 
man 
criterion 
in 
regard 
to 
the 
general 
interl'sts 
of 
the 
harvest 
can 
work." 
The 
eolporteur 
work, 
the 
pilgrim 
work, 
the 
volun- 
work, 
but 
there 
is 
still 
good 
reason 
to 
believe 
that 
the 
list 
does 
teer 
work, 
the 
PHOTO-DRAMA, 
and 
the 
"lightnings" 
of 
the 
not 
include 
more 
than 
half 
the 
names 
it 
should. 
We 
are 
de­ 
Lord 
now 
observed 
on 
every 
hand 
have 
prepared 
the 
soil 
of 
pendent 
upon 
the 
brethren 
to 
make 
known 
to 
others 
the 
the 
hearts 
of 
ml'n. 
Eaeh 
loyal 
soldier 
not 
already 
enlisted 
in 
merits 
of 
this 
publication 
and 
to 
urge 
all 
to 
send 
in 
their 
some 
branch 
will 
be 
asking 
for 
the 
privilege 
to 
be 
a 
partici- 
subscriptions. 
We 
remind 
them 
again 
of 
our 
willingness 
to 
pant 
in 
the 
great 
battle 
of 
victory 
for 
the 
overthrow 
of 
cancel 
the 
debt 
of 
any 
receiving 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
on 
credit 
Babylon. 
Already 
B.abylon 
is 
gathering 
her 
hosts. 
We 
can 
who 
will 
advise 
us 
of 
their 
'inability 
to 
pay. 
hear 
the 
rumbling 
of 
the 
companies 
and 
the 
divisions 
as 
they 
It 
must 
be 
gratifying 
to 
all 
to 
observe 
in 
TIlE 
WATCH 
are 
being 
assembled; 
and 
we 
think 
that 
it 
will 
not 
be 
long 
TOWER 
columns 
the 
letters 
of 
sympathy 
and 
expressiom 
of 
before 
she 
will 
haye 
her 
army 
in 
full 
battle 
array. 
Hence 
continued 
loyalty 
to 
the 
Society 
and 
to 
the 
harvest 
work. 
we, 
like 
David 
of 
old, 
wish 
to 
have 
our 
slings 
loaded 
with 
These 
letters 
cover 
every 
seotion 
of 
the 
country, 
and 
incom­ 
pebbles 
from 
the 
brook 
of 
truth 
and 
to 
hurl 
them 
while 
ing 
ma,ils 
from 
foreign 
Iands 
show 
the 
same 
spirit 
of 
sympa­ 
Babylon 
is 
preparing 
for 
the 
battle. 
Let 
each 
remember 
that 
thy 
and 
confidence-that 
he 
who 
began 
the 
good 
work 
is 
both 
before 
one 
can 
enlist 
under 
the 
lead 
of 
our 
glorious 
and 
vic- 
able 
and 
willing 
to 
complete 
it. 
toriou~ 
Oaptain, 
it 
is 
well 
to 
take 
the 
oath 
of 
full 
allegiance 
SUMMARY 
OF 
THE 
WORK 
to 
him-to 
make 
a 
whole-hearted 
consecration 
and 
take 
up 
The 
foreign 
branch 
of 
the 
service 
has 
been 
to 
some 
extent 
the 
cross 
and 
follow 
him, 
else 
we 
cannot 
expect 
to 
share 
the 
hindered, 
especially 
in 
Germany 
and 
France. 
The 
work 
in 
glories 
of 
the 
kingdom, 
soon 
to 
be 
established. 
We 
refer 
to 
England 
has 
gone 
on 
without 
much 
change, 
and 
we 
have 
good 
THE 
PASTORAL 
WORK 
reports 
from 
the 
dear 
brethren 
there. 
We 
hope 
to 
publish 
This 
seems 
to 
us 
to 
be 
another 
great 
forward 
movement 
some 
very 
interesting 
letters 
soon. 
against 
the 
embattlements 
of 
the 
adversary. 
The 
campaign 
is 
As 
this 
is 
the 
report 
for 
the 
last 
year 
our 
dear 
Brother 
opening 
up 
so 
rapidly 
that 
it 
is 
difficult 
to 
keep 
up 
with 
the 
Russell 
was 
connected 
wi,th 
the 
work, 
we 
feel 
sure 
that 
all 
rush. 
We 
ean 
almost 
hear 
the 
noise 
of 
the 
gathering 
of 
the 
have 
an 
added 
interest 
in 
it. 
companies 
all 
over 
the 
country. 
Letters 
are 
pouring 
in 
from 
Our 
mail 
for 
the 
past 
year 
,has 
been 
very 
encouraging: 
all 
sides 
askin'" 
for 
information, 
and 
many 
are 
already 
in 
the 
Letters 
received 
134,849 
thick 
of 
the 
b;'We. 
We 
have 
been 
hindered 
by 
not 
being 
able 
Letters 
and 
cards 
sent 
out.. 
. 
.. 
152,944 
to 
secure 
the 
needed 
"ammunition" 
to 
equip 
all 
the 
companies. 
You 
will 
observe 
that 
last 
year's 
report 
closed 
with 
a 
The 
"munition 
faetorie~"-our 
printers-have 
been 
greatly 
loan 
to 
,balance 
the 
aecount. 
Therefore 
the 
report 
for 
the 
delayed 
in 
filling 
our 
orders; 
but 
we 
have 
promise 
now 
of 
year 
just 
dosed 
commenced 
with 
no 
balance 
on 
hand: 
speedy 
deliYery, 
and 
soon 
we 
hope 
to 
see 
the 
battle 
being 
RECEIPTS. 
waged 
along 
the 
entire 
front. 
Good 
Hopes 
and 
Tract 
Fund 
donations. 
" 
$149,726.21 
We 
wish 
we 
could 
tell 
you 
many 
of 
the 
interesting 
and 
EXPENDITURES. 
encouraging 
incidents 
taking 
place 
in 
this 
service. 
We 
give 
Pilgrim 
service.............. 
$30,967.71 
one: 
In 
one 
of 
the 
larger 
cities 
the 
~isters 
had 
loaned 
a 
book 
Free 
literature, 
Lecture 
Bu- 
to 
a 
gentleman. 
He 
read 
it, 
became 
very 
much 
interested, 
and 
reau, 
etc. 
. 
. 
said 
that 
he 
would 
be 
glad 
to 
pay 
for 
as 
many 
books 
as 
the 
'For 
the 
Blind 
. 
class 
could 
loan. 
When 
informed 
that 
they 
could 
use 
700, 
he 
For 
the 
various 
Convention! 
.. 
promptly 
gave 
his 
check 
for 
the 
needed 
amount. 
A 
letter 
now 
Pastoral 
work 
. 
going 
out 
to 
the 
pastoral 
workers 
gives 
other 
interesting 
and 
For 
the 
Foreign 
Fields 
. 
helpful 
information 
to 
these 
dear 
colaborers. 
Paid 
on 
loan 
. 
THE 
DRAllrIA 
Leaving 
a 
balance 
on 
hand 
to 
The 
PHOTO-DRAMA 
and 
the 
EUREKA 
DRAMA 
are 
still 
a 
commence 
the 
year........ 
2,211.57 
,,'aluable 
means 
of 
reaehing 
many. 
The 
country 
district!! 
are 
$149,726.21 
glad 
to 
have 
the 
opportunity 
of 
seeing 
the 
beautiful 
slide- 
As 
we 
see 
the 
vast 
possibilities 
opening 
up 
before 
us 
for 
pictures, 
even 
though 
they 
may 
not 
see 
the 
"movies." 
As 
a. 
the 
incoming 
year, 
we 
trust 
that 
each 
will 
carefully 
consider 
result 
we 
are 
receiving 
many 
inquiries 
from 
rural 
districts, 
what 
share 
he 
or 
she 
may 
have 
in 
the 
work. 
As 
has 
been 
''- 
hich 
show 
a 
considerable 
interest. 
We 
are 
able 
to 
furnish 
customary 
for 
a 
number 
of 
years, 
in 
order 
that 
the 
Society 
the 
PHOTO-DRA)fA, 
to 
classes 
in 
the 
following 
foreign 
lan- 
might 
outline 
its 
work 
with 
as 
much 
definiteness 
as 
possible 
guages: 
Armenian, 
Dano-Norwegian, 
French, 
German, 
Greek, 
-lay 
plans 
and 
make 
contracts-we 
give 
the 
friends 
a.n 
Italian, 
Spanish, 
Polish 
and 
Swedish. 
opportunity 
of 
advising 
us 
as 
soon 
as 
possible 
how 
muClh 
There 
are 
twenty-one 
DRA){AS 
in 
active 
service, 
exhibiting 
they 
estima.te 
they 
will 
be 
able 
to 
give 
to 
the 
work 
for 
the 
mostly 
on 
Sundays; 
very 
few 
working 
during 
the 
week. 
These 
ooming 
year. 
Please 
remember 
that 
this 
is 
.in 
no 
sense 
a 
twenty-one 
are 
being 
operated 
mostly 
by 
the 
classes 
of 
the 
solicitation. 
We 
know 
that 
all 
are 
glad 
to 
gIve 
to 
the 
best 
larger 
cities, 
even 
where 
the 
DRAMA 
has 
been 
previously 
of 
their 
a.bility, 
that 
many 
have 
local 
expenses 
for 
class 
and 
exhibited 
with 
success. 
We 
are 
receiving 
some 
glowing 
re- 
other 
needs; 
a.nd 
yet 
that 
all 
desire 
to 
assist 
the 
general 
ports. 
One 
of 
these, 
from 
Toronto, 
Canada, 
informs 
us 
tha.t 
work 
as 
much 
as 
possible-as 
the 
Lord 
hath 
prospered 
them. 
in 
a 
hall 
seatin~ 
1,000, 
frequently 
hundreds 
are 
turned 
away 
We 
are 
glad 
to 
~how 
& 
safe 
balance 
on 
hand 
and 
to 
report 
at 
a 
single 
exhibition. 
Those 
attending 
are 
showing 
marked 
that 
the 
receipts 
during 
the 
past 
month 
are 
encouraging. 
[6022] 
(388-389) ther, to our policy of retrenchment necessitated by conditions produced by the war. Now that Brother Russell has passed beyond, the sermon feature will be discontinued entirely. The blessing of the Lord has rested upon this work far beyond our highest expectations. We remember when we thought if we could secure fifty newspapers to publish the sermons it would be a wonderful witness. About twenty years ago Brother Russell saw the great advantage of reaching the people by means of the public press, At that time the large sum of nearly half a million dollars seemed within his reach. He planned to use this for having the truth spread broadcast through the magazines. Just as he expected to receive the money, the death of one man blocked the way. It was a great disappointment for a while, but he knew that the Lord was still at the head of the harvest work. Later, with an astonishingly small sum, the Lord opened another way, and at one time about 2,000 papers were publishing the sermons simultaneously and altogether over 4,000 papers published weekly reports. We asked for showers, and the Lord gave us rainfalls almost amounting to floods. What an evidence of his might and power to open doors whenever it may please him and best serve his cause! Now that part of the work is past. Has he anything else to take its place? We think so. We believe that even a greater work is just at our doors, and that it will prove to be a richer blessing to the church itself. The way is opening for thousands to enter into the work “while it is yet day,” and they are hastening before the “night cometh when no man can work.” The colporteur work, the pilgrim work, the volunteer work, the PHoto-DraMaA, and the “lightnings” of the Lord now observed on every hand have prepared the soil of the hearts of men. Each loyal soldier not already enlisted in some branch will be asking for the privilege to be a participant in the great battle of victory for the overthrow of Babylon. Already Babylon is gathering her hosts. We can hear the rumbling of the companies and the divisions as they are being assembled; and we think that it will not be long before she will have her army in full battle array. Hence we, like David of old, wish to have our slings loaded with pebbles from the brook of truth and to hurl them while Babylon is preparing for the battle. Let each remember that before one can enlist under the lead of our glorious and victorious Captain, it is well to take the oath of full allegiance to him—to make a whole-hearted consecration and take up the cross and follow him, else we cannot expect to share the glories of the kingdom, soon to be established. We refer to THE PASTORAL WORK This seems to us to be another great forward movement against the embattlements of the adversary. The campaign is opening up so rapidly that it is difficult to keep up with the rush. We can almost hear the noise of the gathering of the companies all over the country. Letters are pouring in from all sides asking for information, and many are already in the thick of the battle. We have been hindered by not being able to secure the needed “ammunition” to equip all the companies, The “munition factories’—our printers—have been greatly delayed in filling our orders; but we have promise now of speedy delivery, and soon we hope to see the battle being waged along the entire front. We wish we could tell you many of the interesting and encouraging incidents taking place in this service. We give one: In one of the larger cities the sisters had loaned a book to a gentleman. He read it, became very much interested, and said that he would be glad to pay for as many books as the class could loan. When informed that they could use 700, he promptly gave his check for the needed amount. A letter now going out to the pastoral workers gives other interesting and helpful information to these dear colaborers. THE DEAMA The PHoto-DRAMA and the Eureka Drama are still a valuable means of reaching many. The country districts are glad to have the opportunity of seeing the beautiful slidepictures, even though they may not see the “movies.” As a result we are receiving many inquiries from rural districts, v hich show a considerable interest. We are able to furnish the Proro-DramMa to classes in the following foreign languages: Armenian, Dano-Norwegian, French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Swedish. There are twenty-one DRAMAS in active service, exhibiting mostly on Sundays; very few working during the week. These twenty-one are being operated mostly by the classes of the larger cities, even where the Drama has been previously exhibited with success. We are receiving some glowing reports. One of these, from Toronto, Canada, informs us that in a hall seating 1,000, frequently hundreds are turned away at a single exhibition. Those attending are showing marked THE WATCH TOWER Brooxiyn, N. Y. interest and are leaving many cards of inquiry. The PHoToDraMa has also been shown upon several of the large American battleships, and many have manifested marked interest. It was also shown to the soldiers down upon the Mexican border, and good reports are coming from there. We have two more DRAMAS ready for use. If any of the large classes are so situated that they could handle the PHoro-DraMa for a season, the Society will be pleased to hear from them; and if they do not have Jocal operators arrangements could probably be made to supply them on short notice. Our latest information is that the DRAMA has witnessed to about twelve millions. Many classes have in this way been doubled, and prejudice against the truth has been dispelled as perhaps could not otherwise have been accomplished. THE WATCH TOWER We are not printing so many extra copies for samples and for supplying back numbers as formerly, but we are printing about 47,000 each issue, except in the case of the Memorial Number, for which we are expecting a wide circulation. Orders for large numbers of these continue to come from classes and friends. We do not know of a better issue to allay prejudice against the present truth. It is very cheap at 5c. for 32 pages. THE Watcu Tower is also published in the German, Polish, Swedish, Dano-Norwegian and French languages, but the Memorial Number in only English, German and Polish. We have long considered THE WatcH ToweER list the best criterion in regard to the general interests of the harvest work, but there is still good reason to believe that the list does not include more than half the names it should. We are dependent upon the brethren to make known to cthers the merits of this publication and to urge all to send in their subscriptions. We remind them again of our willingness to cancel the debt of any receiving THE WatTcH Tower on credit who will advise us of their inability to pay. It must be gratifying to all to observe in THe WatcH Tower columns the letters of sympathy and expressions of continued loyalty to the Society and to the harvest work. These letters cover every section of the country, and incoming mails from foreign lands show the same spirit of sympathy and confidence—that he who began the good work is both able and willing to complete it. SUMMARY OF THE WORK The foreign branch of the service has been to some extent hindered, especially in Germany and France. The work in England has gone on without much change, and we have good reports from the dear brethren there. We hope to publish some very interesting letters scon. As this is the report for the last year our dear Brother Russell was connected with the work, we feel sure that all have an added interest in it. Our mail for the past year has been very encouraging: Letters received... .......0 0.6 ce cee ee ees 134,849 Letters and cards sent out.. . 152,944 You will observe that last year’s report closed with a loan to balance the account. Therefore the report for the year just closed commenced with no balance on hand: RECEIPTS. Good Hopes and Tract Fund donations... $149,726.21 EXPENDITURES. Pilgrim service.............. $30,967.71 Free literature, Lecture Bureau, ete. ............000. 60,596.74 For the Blind ............... 845.00 For the various Conventions. . 1,985.36 Pastoral work................ 269.60 For the Foreign Fields........ 32,850.23 Paid on loan..............-- 20,000.00 Leaving a balance on hand to commence the year........ 2,211.57 $149,726.21 As we see the vast possibilities opening up before us for the incoming year, we trust that each will carefully consider what share he or she may have in the work. As has been customary for a number of years, in order that the Society might outline its work with as much definiteness as possible —lay plans and make contracts—we give the friends an opportunity of advising us as soon as possible how much they estimate they will be able to give to the work for the coming year. Please remember that this is in no sense a solicitation. We know that all are glad to give to the best of their ability, that many have local expenses for class and other needs; and yet that all desire to assist the general work as much as possible—as the Lord hath prospered them. We are glad to show a safe balance on hand and to report that the receipts during the past month are encouraging. [6022]

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