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(69-70)
THE
WATCH
TOWER
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.
things
appearing
in
THE
TOWER
can
be
reread
and
studied
with
mu~h
profit.
\Ve
are
Slue,
beloved
Brother,
that
none
could
minister
such
things
except
he
had
the
experience
of
such
a
ministry.
Thanking
you
for
your
ministry
of
love,
and
praying
the
Father's
continued
blessing
upon
you
in
such
a
ministry,
I
rrmain
with
much
lov(>,
Your
Brother
hy
His
grace,
W.
M.
BATTERSON.
VOL.
XXXVII
BROOKLYN,
No
Y.,
.MARCH
1,
1016
Ko.5
TREASURES
LAID
UP
IN
HEAVEN
"Lay
not
up
for
yourselves
treasures
upon
earth,
where
moth
and
rust
doth
corrupt,
and
whcre
tlvieves
break
through
and
steal;
but
lCl;1J
up
for
yourselves
treasures
in
he<wen,
where
neither
moth
nor
rust
doth
corrupt,
(Lnd
where
thieves
do
not
break
through
nor
8
tea
I;
for
where
your
treasure
is
there
unll
your
hea'1't
be
also."-Matthew
6:
19-21.
THE
TREASURES
WE
LAY
UP
IN
HEAVEN
The
all-important
question
for
those
who
seck
this
great
treasure
then
is,
How
can
we
lay
up
treasure
in
heaven,
and
what
kind
of
treasures
are
those
which
are
to
be
stored
up
in
the
heavenly
depository'
We
have
the
assurance
of
the
divine
Word
that
everything
that
is
purr,
holy
ami
good
is
acceptable
therr.
The
very
chiefest
of
all
treasures
is
the
personal
love
and
friendship
of
God
and
of
Christ.
Jesus
breomes
to
us
"the
fairrst
among
ten
thousand,
the
One
:J,ltogether
lovely."
He
is
an
unfailing
Refuge
in
every
time
of
need,
our
daily
joy
and
solace
and
comfort.
When
we
have
gained
this
treasure,
we
have
gained
the
One
that
never
changes,
One
whose
love
never
grows
cold,
One
from
whom
nothing
can
srparate
us-"neither
drath,"
which
to
his
loved
ones
will
now
mean
our
blessed
"change";
"nor
life,"
which
means
further
opportunities
for
suffering
with
him
that
we
may
also
share
his
glory,
and
which
permits
further
works
of
loving
service
for
him
whom
we
love;
"nor
angels,
nor
principalities,
nor
powers,"
for
these
cannot
harm
us
who
are
sheltered
in
Christ;
"nor
things
present,
nor
things
to
come";
for
"all
things
shall
work
together
for
our
good,"
and
in
every
ftial
he
will
direct
the
issue
that
we
may
be
able
to
bear
it;
"nor
height"
of
temporary
exaltation;
"nor
depth"
of
trouble
or
sorrow,
for
our
Refuge
and
Strength
is
ever
near;
"nor
any
other
thing"
in
creation,
for
he
has
promised
to
"keep
the
feet
of
his
saints,"
and
that
nothing
shall
touch
them
as
new
creatures
in
Christ,
and
that
his
presence
shall
go
with
them
wherever
they
may
be.-Romans
8
:35-39;
1
Samuel
2:9;
Luke
10:19;
Exodus
33:14.
Nor
will
any
other
creatures
either
in
heaven
or
in
earth
receive
such
marks
of
special
favor
as
are
and
ever
will
be
the
portion
of
the
beloved
bride
of
Christ.
Although
the
whole
family
in
heaven
and
in
earth
will
be
blessed
through
him,
his
wife,
co-operating
with
him
in
his
work,
will
alone
be
his
companion,
his
confidante,
his
treasure.
Hear
the
Lord's
ex
hortation
to
the
bride
class:
"HearkPn,
0
daughter,
and
con
sider,
and
incline
thine
ear.
Forgpt
also
thine
own
people
and
thy
father's
house
[the
ambitio"~,
"~T'rs
ana
aims
of
the
chil
dren
of
Adam];
so
shall
the
King
[Jehovah's
Anointed]
greatly
desire
thy
beanty
[beauty
of
charactc",
of
heart-loyalty];
for
he
is
thy
Lord,
and
worship
thou
him."
(Psalm
45:
10,
11;
Canticles
4)
How
unworthy
we
feel
of
so
great
honor
and
love
from
our
beloved
Bridegroom!
And
no
wonder
I
When
we
look
at
all
our
imperfections,
it
seems
that
there
is
little
in
us
to
call
forth
such
love
and
admiration.
To
think
that
the
angels
with
all
their
purity
and
faithfulness
should
have
been
passed
by;
and
that
we
poor,
blemished
mortals,
should
be
chosen
instead
I
Is
there
not
some
mistake'
Ah,
no!
We
have
the
infal
lible
words
of
inspiration
to
assure
us
that
it
is
even
so.
This
bride
of
Jehovah's
Son
is
to
reign
with
him
in
the
future
over
a
fallen
race;
and
who
could
so
well
sympathize
with
them
in
all
their
weaknesses
and
frailties
as
those
who
have
them
selves
partaken
of
the
same'
And
who
could
bear
the
infi
nite
heights
of
glory
to
which
the
Lamb's
wife
will
be
raised,
with
such
humility
as
those
who
realize
that
it
was
not
through
any
worthiness
of
their
own
that
they
were
chosen
to
so
high
an
exaltation,
but
that
it
was
all
of
divine
grace'
Clad
in
the
glorious
robe
of
our
Bridegroom's
furnishing,
we
can
stand
all
complete,
even
now,
in
the
eyes
of
Jehovah.
And
possess
ing
the
ornament
of
a
meek
and
quiet
spirit,
the
faith
that
trusts
under
every
condition,
the
love
that
delights
to
do
the
Father's
will,
we
are
lovely
in
the
eyes
of
our
Beloved,
our
Bridegroom
and
our
King.
Having
this
confidence,
we
can
with
unspeakable
joy
and
gratitude
lay
hold
of
the
exceeding
great
and
precious
prom
ises
which
are
ours
through
Christ,
and
without
presumption
press
along
the
line
toward
the
prize
of
our
high
calling,
humbly
trusting
that
he
who
has
begun
the
good
work
in
us
will
complete
it
unto
the
day
of
our
glorification
with
our
Bridegroom
in
the
heavenly
kingdom,
when
we
shall
be
pre-
[5862]
Pleasure,
delight,
joy,
comfort,
all
these
sentiments
are
suggested
to
us
by
the
word
treasure.
Our
thoughts,
our
hopes,
our
plans,
center
there.
Our
treasure
is
the
inspiration
of
our
lives,
the
incentive
to
energy,
perseverance
and
endur
ance,
for
the
hope
which
it
enkindles.
Most
people
have
treas
ures,
but
they
are
generally
such
as
yield
slight
satisfaction,
because
they
are
transitory
and
disappointing.
How
many
have
built
their
hopes
upon
earthly
things
only
to
find
them
but
illusive
bubble'i
mocking
delusions,
leaving
the
heart
at
last
broken,
crushed
and
barren!
The
treasures
of
wealth,
fame,
social
distinction,
of
houses
and
lands,
of
friends
and
home
and
family,
of
power
and
influence,
are
subject
to
change
and
decay!
And
if
the
heart
be
centered
in
them,
they
are
liable
in
a
moment
to
be
swept
away,
leaving
the
life
desolate
and
despairing,
all
the
more
so
because
of
the
high
hopes
which
they
had
inspired.
The
wealth,
laboriously
gathered
and
husbanded
with
great
care,
may
vanish
in
a
night.
The
fame
so
dearly
won
may
change
to
censure
and
reproach
at
the
caprice
of
fickle
public
sentiment.
The
social
prestige
which
bade
you
to
the
upper
most
seats
may
a
little
later
relegate
you
to
the
lowest
seat,
and
your
name
may
be
cast
out
as
evil
and
you
be
ostracized.
Houses
and
lands
and
carefully
hoarded
belongings
may
dis
appear
under
the
sheriff's
hammer.
Friends
long
trusted
may
suddenly
grow
cold
and
turn
their
backs
upon
you,
and
even
become
your
enemies.
The
home
you
love
must
some
time
break
up,
the
family
be
scattered
or
invaded
by
death.
The
love
that
glows
upon
the
home
altar
may
flicker
and
become
dim
or
extinct.
How
many
have
found
the
high
hopes
of
youth
and
early
life
turn
to
ashes
in
a
few
short
years
or
months!
THE
BALM
OF
GILEAD
FOR
BROKEN
HEARTS
To
all
of
these
the
Wiard
of
the
Lord
should
appeal
with
special
force,
when
calling
them
to
come
to
him
with
their
burdens
and
their
broken
hearts.
"The
Lord
is
nigh
unto
them
that
are
of
a
broken
heart,
and
saveth
such
as
be
of
a
contrite
spirit."
(Psalm
34:
18)
His
love
and
his
precious
promises
come
like
the
sweet
balm
of
Gilead
to
those
who,
sad
and
disappointed
in
the
struggle
of
life,
come
to
Christ
for
rest
and
comfort,
for
life
and
healing.
Many
storm-tossed
mariners
upon
life's
ocean,
discouraged
and
despairing,
bereft
of
all
hope,
have
found
that
these
very
experiences
were
the
means
of
leading
them
to
the
haven
of
eternal
refuge.
There
alone
true
blessing
and
safety
can
be
found;
there
alone
is
the
real
treasure,
far
exceeding
the
choicest
treasures
of
earth.
We
think
of
the
expfrience
of
a
dear
brother
who
recently
found
the
Lord,
when
his
earthly
treasures
had
been
swept
away
from
him,
all
the
savings
of
years,
through
conditions
brought
about
because
of
the
European
war.
He
had
lost
all
hope
and
was
about
to
end
his
life
by
his
own
hand,
when
present
truth
was
brought
to
his
attention.
He
listened,
then
embraced
it
with
joy,
securing
the
SCRIPTURE
STUDIES.
After
ward
he
stated
that
he
now
knew
why
the
Lord
had
permitted
him
to
meet
with
such
reverses-it
was
to
lead
him
to
himself.
How
this
dear
one
can
now
rejoice
in
his
sorrowful
experi
ences
and
realize
that
he
has
gained
in
exchange
the
"Pearl
of
great
price,"
beside
which
all
other
treasures
pale
into
in·
significance!
Truly,
in
this
our
day,
as
never
before
perhaps,
would
all
~ho
have
the
spirit
of
.a
sou!!d
mind
to
any
degree
to
be
long
mg
for
a
treasure
wluch
WIll
be
secure,
a
rock
upon
which
they
may
plant
their
feet,
one
which
will
securely
hold
in
these
?ays.
of.
stress
and
uncertaint~,
when
men
feel
that
everything
IS
shppmg
from
beneath
theIr
feet,
when
nothing
earthly
is
sure,
when
fear
with
distress
is
on
every
hand.
At
such
a
time
as
this,
how
blest
are
we
who
are
safe-sheltered
in
the
cleft
of
the
Rock
of
Ages,
which
cannot
be
shaken
by
the
mightiest
earthquake
shock!
How
unspeakably
precious
is
the
treasure
which
we
have
laid
up
in
heaven;
for
we
know
our
treasure
is
safe,
where
no
storms
nor
billows
can
touch
it.
(69-70) things appearing in THe Tower can be reread and studied with much profit. We are sure, beloved Brother, that none could minister such things except he had the experience of such a ministry. THE WATCH TOWER Brooxiyn, N. Y. Thanking you for your ministry of love, and praying the Father’s continued blessing upon you in such a ministry, I remain with much love, Your Brother by His grace, W. M. Batrerson. Vou. XXXVII BROOKLYN, N. ¥., MARCH 1, 1916 No. 5 TREASURES LAID UP IN HEAVEN “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasurés in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor 8teal; for where your treasure is there will your heart be also.’—Matthew 6:19-21. Pleasure, delight, joy, comfort, all these sentiments are suggested to us by the word treasure. Our thoughts, our hopes, our plans, center there. Our treasure is the inspiration of our lives, the incentive to energy, perseverance and endurance, for the hope which it enkindles. Most people have treasures, but they are generally such as yield slight satisfaction, because they are transitory and disappointing. How many have built their hopes upon earthly things only to find them but illusive bubbles mocking delusions, leaving the heart at last broken, crushed and barren! The treasures of wealth, fame, social distinction, of houses and lands, of friends and home and family, of power and influence, are subject to change and decay! And if the heart be centered in them, they are liable in a moment to be swept away, leaving the life desolate and despairing, all the more so because of the high hopes which they had inspired. The wealth, laboriously gathered and husbanded with great care, may vanish in a night. The fame so dearly won may change to censure and reproach at the caprice of fickle public sentiment. The social prestige which bade you to the uppermost seats may a little later relegate you to the lowest seat, and your name may be cast out as evil and you be ostracized. Houses and lands and carefully hoarded belongings may disappear under the sheriff’s hammer. Friends long trusted may suddenly grow cold and turn their backs upon you, and even become your enemies. The home you love must some time break up, the family be scattered or invaded by death. The love that glows upon the home altar may flicker and become dim or extinct. How many have found the high hopes of youth and early life turn to ashes in a few short years or months! THE BALM OF GILEAD FOR BROKEN HEARTS To all of these the Word of the Lord should appeal with special force, when calling them to come to him with their burdens and their broken hearts. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) His love and his precious promises come like the sweet balm of Gilead to those who, sad and disappointed in the struggle of life, come to Christ for rest and comfort, for life and healing. Many storm-tossed mariners upon life’s ocean, discouraged and despairing, bereft of ali hope, have found that these very experiences were the means of leading them to the haven of eternal refuge. There alone true blessing and safety can be found; there alone is the real treasure, far exceeding the choicest treasures of earth. We think of the experience of a dear brother who recently found the Lord, when his earthly treasures had been swept away from him, all the savings of years, through conditions brought about because of the European war. He had lost all hope and was about to end his life by his own hand, when present truth was brought to his attention. He listened, then embraced it with joy, securing the Scriprure Strupirs. Afterward he stated that he now knew why the Lord had permitted him to meet with such reverses—it was to lead him to himself. How this dear one can now rejoice in his sorrowful experiences and realize that he has gained in exchange the “Pearl of great price,” beside which all other treasures pale into insignificance! Truly, in this our day, as never before perhaps, would all who have the spirit of a sound mind to any degree to be longing for a treasure which will be secure, 2 rock upon which they may plant their feet, one which will securely hold in these days of stress and uncertainty, when men feel that everything is slipping from beneath their feet, when nothing earthly is sure, when fear with distress is on every hand. At such a time as this, how blest are we who are safe-sheltered in the cleft of the Rock of Ages, which cannot be shaken by the mightiest earthquake shock! How unspeakably precious is the treasure which we have laid up in heaven; for we know our treasure is safe, where no storms nor billows can touch it. THE TREASURES WE LAY UP IN HEAVEN The all-important question for those who seck this great treasure then is, How can we Jay up treasure in heaven, and what kind of treasures are those which are to be stored up in the heavenly depository? We have the assurance of the divine Word that everything that is pure, holy and good is acceptable there. The very chiefest of all treasures is the personal] love and friendship of God and of Christ. Jesus becomes to us “the fairest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely.” He is an unfailing Refuge in every time of need, our daily joy and solace and comfort. When we have gained this treasure, we have gained the One that never changes, One whose Jove never grows cold, One from whom nothing can separate us—‘‘neither death,’ which to his loved ones will now mean our blessed “change”; “nor life,’ which means further opportunities for suffering with him that we may also share his glory, and which permits further works of loving service for him whom we love; “nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,” for these cannot harm us who are sheltered in Christ; “nor things present, nor things to come”; for “all things shall work together for our good,” and in every frial he will direct the issue that we may be able to bear it; “nor height” of temporary exaltation; ‘‘nor depth” of trouble or sorrow, for our Refuge and Strength is ever near; “nor any other thing” in creation, for he has promised to “keep the feet of his saints,” and that nothing shall touch them as new creatures in Christ, and that his presence shall go with them wherever they may be.—Romans 8:35-39; 1 Samuel 2:9; Luke 10:19; Exodus 33:14. Nor will any other creatures either in heaven or in earth receive such marks of special favor as are and ever will be the portion of the beloved bride of Christ. Although the whole family in heaven and in earth will be blessed through him, his wife, co-operating with him in his work, will alone be his companion, his confidante, his treasure. Hear the Lord’s exhortation to the bride class: “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear. Forget also thine own people and thy father’s house [the ambitiors, :2pes and aims of the children of Adam]; so shall the King [jehovah’s Anointed} greatly desire thy beanty [beauty of character, of heart-loyalty]; for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him.” (Psalm 45:10, 11; Canticles 4) How unworthy we feel of so great honor and love from our beloved Bridegroom! And no wonder! When we look at all our imperfections, it seems that there is little in us to call forth such Jove and admiration. To think that the angels with all their purity and faithfulness should have been passed by; and that we poor, blemished mortals, should be chosen instead! Is there not some mistake? Ah, no! We have the infallible words of inspiration to assure us that it is even so. This bride of Jehovah’s Son is to reign with him in the future over a fallen race; and who could so well sympathize with them in all their weaknesses and frailties as those who have themselves partaken of the same? And who could bear the infinite heights of glory to which the Lamb’s wife will be raised, with such humility as those who realize that it was not through any worthiness of their own that they were chosen to so high an exaltation, but that it was all of divine grace? Clad in the glorious robe of our Bridegroom’s furnishing, we can stand all complete, even now, in the eyes of Jehovah. And possessing the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, the faith that trusts under every condition, the love that delights to do the Father’s will, we are lovely in the eyes of our Beloved, our Bridegroom and our King. Having this confidence, we can with unspeakable joy and gratitude lay hold of the exceeding great and precious promises which are ours through Christ, and without presumption press along the line toward the prize of our high calling, humbly trusting that he who has begun the good work in us will complete it unto the day of our glorification with our Bridegroom in the heavenly kingdom, when we shall be pre [5862]
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