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YOLo
XXXIX
PITTSBURGH,
PA.,
DECEMBER
15,
1918
No.
24
WATCH
TOWER
BIBLE
AND
TRACT
SOCIETY
ANNUAL
REPORT
FOR
FISCAL
YEAR-1918
(371-372)
101
7,809
2,131
357,418
3,110
291,341
10,848
300,687
784,295
16,089
949,444
225
275,000
130,754
100,000
~ate
this;
and
the
reports
of
the
Pilgrim
brethren
agree
with
this.
It
is
apparent
that
those
dasses
which
are
£Q-operating
most
heartily
with
the
Society
in
its
work
are
in
the
best
spiritual
condition,
and
show
a
larger
degree
of
spiritual
iJ'owth.
The
evidences
of
divine
favor
upon
our
work
are
too
numerous
and
too
positive
to
admit
of
the
thought
that
the
Lord
is
no
longer
recognizing
or
using
the
Watch
Tower
Bi
ble
&
Tract
Society.
A
few,
taking
this
view
of
the
matter,
are
not
cooperating
with
us.
It
is
not
our
m.ission
to
judge
or
condemn
them;
but
it
is
our
mission
to
continue
our
endea
vor
to
strengthen
the
weak
hands
and
confirm
the
feehle
knees,
and
to
say
to
them
of
a
fearful
heart:
"Look
up!"
Instead
of
separating
ourselves
from
the
Lord's
people
and
from
the
work,
we
should
heed
the
Apostle's
exhortation
not
to
neglect
to
assemble
ourselves
together,
but
thus
to
do
more
and
more
as
we
see
the
day
approaching.-Hebrews
10:25.
We
remember
that
the
service
of
the
six
messengers
to
the
church
continued
for
long
periods
after
they
had
finished
tlieir
earthly
course.
Undoubtedly
this
is
true
also
of
the
work
of
the
seventh
and
last
messenger.
We
are
convinced
that
tlIe
Laodicean
messenger
will
finish
the
Laodicean
work,
which
we
are
aware
is
a
judgment
work
upon
all
who
profess
the
name
of
Christ.
The
Apostle
aSSUTl."8
us
that
the
judgment
begins
at
the
house
of
God
(1
Peter
4:
17)
:
and
it
will
not
end
until
all
the
"judgments
written"
are
executed.
The
Psalmist
tells
us
that
the
honor
of
executIng
these
judgments
will
be
given
to
all
the
saints.
(Psalm
149:
5-9)
The
Seventh
MC'8senger
in·
terpreted
this
to
include
the
living
and
the
resurrected
saints.
WHAT
THE
WATCHES
SEE
Surely
the
most
interesting
year
of
the
harvest
period
is
the
year
just
past.
It
is
almost
exciting
to
watch
the
fulfilments
of
prophecy
as
they
crowd
one
upon
another,
and
to
realize
tbat
we
are
witnessing
the
setting
up
of
Mes
siah's
kingdom
in
the
earth.
Many
wonderful
events
are
yet
to
occur
ere
this
kingdom
is
fully
set
up;
and
so
we
look
forward
to
other
and
grander
fulfillments
of
prophecy
in
the
year
to
come.
We
are
indeed
grateful
for
the
share
which
our
heavenly
Father
has
given
us
in.
the
work
of
the
year
just
finished;
and
we
gladly
hold
ourselves
ready
to
do
whatever
he
wiII
permit
us
to
do
in
the
year
to
come.
Below
we
append
a
brief
summary
of
the
year's
work.
For
several
reasons
it
is
not
possible
to
report
accurately
on
some
things;
as
for
instance,
the
number
of
letters
sent
out
will
exceed
the
numb€r
reported,
b€cause
the
new
executive
did
not
realize
the
necessity
of
keeping
a
record
of
the
correspon
dence.
Again,
the
number
of
STUDTES
IN
THE
SCRIPTURF,s
sold
include
only
those
sold
by
Colporteurs,
and
not
those
sent
out
to
classes
and
individuals
by
our
Shipping
Department.
It
is
also
impossible
even
to
approximate
the
amonnt
of
volunteer
work
done.
On
the
other
hand,
the
friends
seem
to
have
appre
ciated
the
convention
privileges
to
a
wonderful
degree.
Over
forty
conventions
of
a
general
character
have
been
held
during
the
year,
besides
probably
as
many
lIWre
of
a
local
character.
Glowing
reports
have
b€en
received.
from
all
these
conventions.
Formerly
all
conventions
were
held
during
the
late
summer
or
the
early
fall:
but
now
every
month
in
the
year
has
its
eonventions.
Several
large
conventions
are
announced
for
the
near
future.
The
annual
report
follows:
CORRESPONDENCE
DEPARTMENT
Letters
received
.
Letters
sent
out
.
OOLPORTElJR
DEPABTMENT
Colporteurs
in
active
service
.
Output
of
SCRlPTURE
STUDIES
.
PILGBIH
DEPARTMENT
Pilgrims
in
the
service
.
Cities
and
towns
visited
.
Public
meetings
held
.
Total
attendance
at
public
meetings
.
Semi-public
meetings
held
.
Total
attendance
at
semi-public
meetings
.
Parlor
meetings
hcld
.
Total
attendance
at
parlor
meetings
.
Miles
traveled
.
Grand
total
meetings
held
.
Grand
total
attendance
.
FINANCIAl,
REPORT
Cash
on
hand,
Nov.
1,
1917
$
28,927.05
Donations
to
the
Tract
Fund
203,581.49
Pilgrim
Service
$43,586.90
Foreign
Branches
36,470.19
Free
l~iterature
49,782.19
Literatnre
in
storage
65,578.93
Although
we
eailllOt
report
as
great
activities
in
the
pro,
mulgation
of
the
truth
during
the
past
year
as
in
previous
years,
we
fire
neither
dismayed
nor
discouraged;
and
we
do
not
feel
tllat
any
of
the
Lord's
people
have
reason
to
be
thus
cast
down.
On
the
contrary,
we
are
happy
and
are
rejoicing
in
the
Lord.
We
rejoice
in
the
rrivileges
and
opportunities
which
have
b€en
ours.
We
rejoice
In
the
trials
and
hard
experiences
which
have
fallen
to
our
lot.
'Ve
remember
the
Apostle's
words
that
a
"good
soldier
will
endure
hardness."
(2
Timothy
2:
3)
We
rejoice
yet
more
b€cause
we
realize
that
in
all
these
experiences
and
trials
we
are
able
to
recognize
the
Lord's
hand,
meting
out
to
his
faithul
ones
needed
experiences,
to
teach
them
necessary
lessons.
We
rejoice
.still
further
because
we
have
seen
fulfilled
before
our
eyes
the
various
things
which
"many
prophets
and
righteous
men"
have
foretold
and
have
"desired
to
see"
ful·
filled,
and
which
the
"angels
have
desired
to
look
into."
(Mat
thew
13:17;
I
Peter
1:12)
Again,
we
rejoice
because
we
are
one
year's
march
nearer
to
"Mount
Zion,
the
city
of
the
living
God,
the
heavenly
Jerusalem,
and
to
an
innumerable
company
of
angels,
to
the
general
assembly
and
ohurch
of
the
first·
born,
which
are
written
in
heaven,
and
to
God,
the
Judge
of
all,
and
to
the
spirits
of
jU'8t
men
made
perfect,
and
to
Jesu!',
the
Mediator
of
the
New
Covenant
and
to
the
blood
of
sprinkling,
which
speaketh
better
things
than
that
of
AbeI."-Hebrews
12:
18-24.
THE
FEET
MEMBERS
OF
OH:aIST
It
ig
a.
grand
privilege
to
be
in
this
army
which
has
been
marching
upward
to
Zion
for
nearly
thirteen
hundred
years;
and
aJthoug'h
we
are
III
the
rear
guard
of
this
great
army,
we
are
not
to
assume
that
we
are
lese
necell88.ry
and
our
work
any
less
essential
than
those
who
have
gone
before.
On
\he
contrary.
ours
is
a
glorious
part.
Hear
the
prophet
of
the
Lord,
in
beautiful,
poetic
language,
portray
the
part
which
these
last
faithful
marclIers
have
in
the
service
of
their
King:
"How
beautiful
upon
the
rrwuntains
are
the
feet
of
him
that
bring
eth
good
tldinl!"s,
that
publillheth
peace,
that
bring-eth
good
tidings
of
good.
that
publillheth
salvation;
that
saith
unto
Zion.
Thy
God
rl'ig-neth!"-Isaiah
52:7,
8.
Poor:
tind
feet!
Long
have
they
marched
I
Long
have
they
waited
for
this
home-coming!
Long
have
they
watched
for
the
evidences
that
the
kingdom
is
at
hand!
And
now,
as
they
near
their
journey's
end,
the
Watchers
are
rewarded
with
It
vision
of
tlIe
glory
of
the
King
and
his
kingd()l]ll.
The
pro
phet
describes
their
joy
in
these
words:
"Thy
watchmen
shall
lift
up
the
voice;
with
the
voice
together
shall
they
sing:
for
they
shall
see
eye
to
eye
when
the
Lord
returns
to
Zion."
The
burden
of
the
song
is:
"Thy
God
reigneth!"
But
there
is
a
still
further
reason
for
rejoicing:
namely,
that
we
continue
to
love
these
truths
and
this
work,
and
that
the
Lord
continues
to
count
us
worthy
of
his
favor
and
to
give
us
a
part
in
the
singing
of
this
glad
song.
How
grateful
we
ought
to
b€
for
these
privileges!
The
Imparalleled
conditions
in
the
world
during
the
past
year
have
greatly
curtailed
our
work,
especially
for
the
pub
lie;
and
we
suggest
that
possibly
this
may
be
the
fulfillment
of
our
Lord's
words
in
John
9:4:
"The
night
cometh
when
no
man
can
work";
and
that
this
text
may
have
no
reference
to
the
work
of
comforting
and
encouraging
one
another,
a
work
which
is
still
possible
for
all
to
do.
V
ABIED
EXPERIENCES
A
BLESSING
We
should
rememb€r,
however,
that
ours
is
not
the
only
work
which
has
been
curtailed:
for
many
other
business
and
religious
enterpriSeR
have
been
thus
affected.
We
b€lieve
that
this
wa.~
all
of
divine
arrangement,
and
therefore
we
have
no
eomplaint
to
make.
We
are
glad
to
submit
to
what
our
heaven
ly
Father
~ermitB;
for,
.while
our
public
aetiviti.es
have.
been
much
restrIcted,
we
beheve
that
the
Lord
permitted
thIS
re
straint
in
order
that
we
might
have
more
tmle
for
study
and
for
learning
lessons
which
we
could
not
otherwise
learn.
The
Lord
gives
his
people
a
variety
of
experiences
so
that
they
may
learn
to
"stand"
in
them
all.
As
the
eagle
stirs
up
the
nest
and
pushes
the
voung
eaglets
out
so
that
they
ma.y
learn
to
fly,
and
then
lends
assistance
by
swooping
beneath'them
and
bearing
them
aloft
again,
so
the
Lord
gives
his
children
cer·
tain
experience
until
they
become
accustomed
to
these
eondi·
tions,
measurably
at
ea.~e,
and
then
he
forces
them
into
other
and
harder
experiences,
for
their
strengthening,
for
their
good.
And
without
these
experiences
we
could
never
be
properly
fitted
for
the
kingdom
work.-Deuteronomy
32:11-13.
We
are
sure
that
the
varied
experiences
of
the
past
year
have
been
a
bll'!lBing-
to
those
rightly
exercised
thereby.
Num
erous
letters
coming
in
to
the
correspondence
department
indi-
[6367]
Vor. XXXIX PITTSBURGH, PA., DECEMBER 15, 1918 No. 24 WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR—1918 Although we cannot report as great activities in the promulgation of the truth during the past year as in previous years, we are neither dismayed nor discouraged; and we do not feel that any of the Lord’s people have reason to be thus cast down. On the contrary, we are happy and are rejoicing in the Lord. We rejoice in the privileges and opportunities which have been ours. We rejoice in the trials and hard experiences which have fallen to our lot. We remember the Apostle’s words that a “good soldier will endure hardness.” (2 Timothy 2:3) We rejoice yet more because we realize that in all these experiences and trials we are able to recognize the Lord’s hand, meting out to his faithul ones needed experiences, to teach them necessary lessons, We rejoice still further because we have seen fulfilled before our eyes the various things which “many prophets and righteous men” have foretold and have “desired to see” fulfilled, and which the “angels have desired to look into.” (Matthew 13:17; 1 Peter 1:12) Again, we rejoice because we are one year’s march nearer to “Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel.”—Hebrews 12:18-24. THE FEET MEMBERS OF OHRIST It is a grand privilege to be in this army which has been marching upward to Zion for nearly thirteen hundred years; and although we are in the rear guard of this great army, we are not to assume that we are less necessary and our work any leas essential than those who have gone before. On the contrary. ours is a glorious part. Hear the prophet of the Lord, in beautiful, poetic language, portray the part which these last faithful marchers have in the service of their King: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”—Isaiah 52:7, 8. Poor, tired feet! Long have they marched! Long have they waited for this home-coming! Long have they watched for the evidences that the kingdom is at hand! And now, as they near their journey’s end, the Watchers are rewarded with a vision of the glory of the King and his kingdom. The prophet describes their joy in these words: “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord returns to Zion.” The burden of the song is: “Thy God reigneth!” But there is a still further reason for rejoicing; namely, that we continue to love these truths and this work, and that the Lord continues to count us worthy of his favor and to give us a part in the singing of this glad song. How grateful we ought to be for these privileges! The unparalleled conditions in the world during the past year have greatly curtailed our work, especially for the public; and we suggest that possibly this may be the fulfillment of our Lord’s words in John 9:4: “The night cometh when no man can work”; and that this text may have no reference to the work of comforting and encouraging one another, a work which is still possible for all to do. VARIED EXPERIENCES A BLESSING We should remember, however, that ours is not the only work which has been curtailed; for many other business and religious enterprises have been thus affected. We believe that this was all of divine arrangement, and therefore we have no complaint to make. We are glad to submit to what our heavenly Father permits; for, while our public activities have been much restricted, we believe that the Lord permitted this restraint in order that we might have more time for study and for learning lessons which we could not otherwise learn. The Lord gives his people a variety of experiences so that they may learn to “stand” in them all, As the eagle stirs up the nest and pushes the young eaglets out so that they may learn to fly, and then lends assistance by swooping beneath’them and bearing them aloft again, so the Lord gives his children certain experience until they become accustomed to these conditions, measurably at ease, and then he forces them into other and harder experiences, for their strengthening, for their good. And without these experiences we could never be properly fitted for the kingdom work.—Deuteronomy 32:11-13. We are sure that the varied experiences of the past year have been a blessing to those rightly exercised thereby. Numerous letters coming in to the correspondence department indi [6367] cate this; and the reports of the Pilgrim brethren agree with this. It is apparent that those classes which are co-operating most heartily with the Society in its work are in the best spiritual condition, and show a larger degree of spiritual growth. The evidences of divine favor upon our work are too numerous and too positive to admit of the thought that the Lord ig no longer recognizing or using the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. A few, taking this view of the matter, are not codperating with us. It is not our mission to judge or condemn them; but it is our mission to continue our endeavor to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees, and to say to them of a fearful heart: “Look up!” Instead of separating ourselves from the Lord’s people and from the work, we should heed the Apostle’s exhortation not to neglect to assemble ourselves together, but thus to do more and more as we see the day approaching.—Hebrews 10:25, We remember that the service of the six messengers to the church continued for long periods after they had finished their earthly course. Undoubtedly this is true also of the work of the seventh and last messenger. We are convinced that the Laodicean messenger will finish the Laodicean work, which we are aware is a judgment work upon all who profess the name of Christ. The Apostle assures us that the judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17); and it will not end until all the “judgments written” are executed. The Psalmist tells us that the honor of executing these judgments will be given to all the saints, (Psalm 149:5-9) The Seventh Messenger interpreted this to include the living and the resurrected saints. WHAT THE WATCHES SEE Surely the most interesting year of the harvest period is the year just past. It is almost exciting to watch the fulfilments of prophecy as they crowd one upon another, and to realize that we are witnessing the setting up of Messiah’s kingdom in the earth. Many wonderful events are yet to occur ere this kingdom is fully set up; and so we look forward to other and grander fulfillments of prophecy in the year to come. We are indeed grateful for the share which our heavenly Father has given us in the work of the year just finished; and we gladly hold ourselves ready to do whatever he will permit us to do in the year to come. Below we append a brief summary of the year’s work. For several reasons it is not possible to report accurately on some things; as for instance, the number of letters sent out will exceed the number reported, because the new executive did not realize the necessity of keeping a record of the correspondence. Again, the number of Srupres rn THE Scriprures sold include only those sold by Colporteurs, and not those sent out to classes and individuals by our Shipping Department. It is also impossible even to approximate the amount of volunteer work done. On the other hand, the friends seem to have appreciated the convention privileges to a wonderful degree. Over forty conventions of a general character have been held during the year, besides probably as many more of a local character. Glowing reports have been received from all these conventions. Formerly all conventions were held during the late summer or the early fall; but now every month in the year has its conventions. Several large conventions are announced for the near future. The annual report follows: CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT Letters received ......... 00 cere eee tena 130,754 Letters sent Out .....-.-. ce eee eee ee 100,000 COLPORTEUR DEPARTMENT Colporteurs in active service ............05 225 Output of Scrrerure Srupies ............ 275,000 PILGEIM DEPARTMENT Pilgrims in the service .......... 00... e eee 103 Cities and towns visited ............0+2005 7,809 Public meetings held ............--..0.005 2,131 Total attendance at public meetings ........ 357,416 Semi-public meetings held ................ 3,110 Total attendance at semi-public meetings ... 291,341 Parlor meetings held ...........00. eee 10,848 Total attendance at parlor meetings ........ 300,687 Miles traveled ......... 2. cet cee eee ee eee 784,295 Grand total meetings held ................ 16,089 Grand total attendance ..............0+.4. 949,444 FINANCIAL REPORT Cash on hand, Nov. 1, 1917 .............- $ 28,927.05 Donations to the Tract Fund .............. 203,581.49 Pilgrim Service ..............055. $43,586.90 Foreign Branches ....-+-+......+... 36,470.19 Free Literature ..........5....05. 49,782.19 Literattre in storage .........++.. 65,578.93 (371-372)
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