Publication date
5/15/19
Volume
40
Number
10
The WatchTower
Views from the Watch Tower
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1919/10/1919-10-1.html
 
 
VOL. 
XL 
PITTSBURGH, 
PA., 
MAY 
15, 
1919 
No. 
10 
VIEWS 
FROM 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
"Fur 
tlie 
earnest 
expectation 
or 
the 
crca.turc 
wa1teth 
for 
the 
manifestation 
of 
the 
sons 
of 
God. 
FOr 
we 
know 
that 
the 
whole 
creati9n 
graM/eth 
and 
trap{hlrth 
in 
pain 
t&gether 
until 
nO'W. 
And 
not 
only 
they, 
but 
ourseh'es 
also, 
which 
hm'e 
tlio 
first-frUits 
of 
the 
-"pint, 
el;en 
1ce 
ourselpes 
groan 
within 
ourselve.~, 
tooitin.1] 
for 
the 
adoption, 
to 
lL'i 
t, 
the 
redemption 
of 
our 
body."--Romans 
8: 
19, 
22, 
23. 
\Vatchers 
in 
Zion 
are 
eager 
for 
each 
additional 
evidence 
of 
earth, 
and 
has 
brought 
about 
a 
condition 
the 
likc 
of 
which 
the 
the 
fulfillment 
of 
prophecy 
relative 
to 
the 
bringing 
in 
of 
the 
world 
has 
never 
known. 
::\forcover 
famines 
have 
followed 
in 
kingdom 
of 
our 
Lord. 
It 
is 
a 
self-evident 
fact 
that 
the 
whole 
the 
wake 
of 
the 
war. 
The 
public 
press 
announces 
that 
every 
('reation 
is 
groaning 
and 
travailing 
in 
pain 
now 
under 
the 
great 
nation 
of 
Europe 
has 
a 
great 
food 
shortagc, 
and 
from 
three 
load 
they 
arc 
carrying, 
and 
hoping 
for 
somG 
deliverance 
from 
hundred 
millions 
to 
four 
hundred 
millions 
of 
people 
face 
star­ 
that 
10:l.d. 
The 
dei-ire 
of 
all 
men 
is 
for 
full 
liberty, 
happiness 
vation 
unless 
America 
('an 
furnish 
the 
food. 
and 
life 
everlasting. 
They 
really 
desire 
the 
kingdom 
of 
the 
A 
great 
pestilence 
has 
swert 
the 
earth 
during 
the 
last 
Lord, 
but 
they 
do 
not 
know 
toat 
his 
kingdom 
will 
satisfy 
the 
twelve 
months. 
It 
is 
annonn('ed 
that 
the 
four 
years 
war 
claim­ 
.Iesire 
of 
all 
nations. 
Many 
arc 
the 
theories 
of 
men 
in 
good 
cd 
victims 
to 
the 
number 
of 
nine 
million 
pcrsons, 
while 
the 
faith 
advanced, 
each 
1 
heory 
put 
forth 
with 
confidence 
that 
it 
pestilence 
of 
influenza 
claimed 
twelve 
million 
victims 
in 
a 
few 
\\ 
i 
11 
bring 
the 
,lesire 
of 
all 
nations; 
but 
these 
are 
destined 
to 
months, 
and 
this 
was 
not 
confined 
to 
the 
war 
zone, 
but 
has 
failure. 
Kane 
but 
the 
Christian, 
however, 
can 
understand 
why 
spread 
over 
all 
nations 
of 
earth. 
Even 
in 
the 
northernmost 
"Ill'h 
srheme~ 
n;ust 
fail, 
and 
the 
Christian 
makes 
himself 
ex- 
parts 
whole 
tribes 
of 
the 
Esquimos 
have 
perished 
from 
this 
(·eedingly 
unpopular 
in 
the 
world 
at 
this 
time 
because 
he 
tries 
dread 
disease. 
to 
point 
(mt 
thl' 
rea~on 
why 
human 
s('hemes 
will 
not 
SHc('erd. 
And 
now 
the 
world 
is 
threatened 
with 
another 
pestilenee 
Yet, 
realizing 
his 
God-givrn 
privilege, 
he 
continues 
to 
hold 
call 
cd 
lethargio 
enecphaliti.~ 
or 
epidcmic 
coma-frequently, 
forth 
the 
real 
hope 
of 
:Messiah's 
kingdom. 
though 
improperly 
called 
"sleeping 
siekness." 
We 
would 
not 
The 
great 
world-war 
has 
opened 
the 
foyes 
of 
man 
to 
the 
fact 
be 
surprised 
if 
before 
another 
year 
the 
pestilencc 
will 
be 
greater 
that 
the 
old 
order 
of 
things 
has 
passed 
away 
and 
tIta; 
it 
is 
than 
it 
was 
in 
the 
year 
past. 
We 
say 
this 
not 
for 
the 
pur­ 
time 
for 
something 
new. 
){any 
of 
the 
less 
selfish 
are 
going 
pose 
of 
discouraging 
anyone, 
but 
rather 
that 
we 
might 
be 
en­ 
forward 
with 
schemes 
for 
the 
cstablishment 
of 
the 
new 
order, 
couraged 
to 
see 
that 
such 
are 
the 
fulfillments 
of 
thc 
prophetic 
that 
greater 
blessings 
may 
be 
enjoyed. 
Every 
noble 
thought 
is 
utterances 
of 
the 
great 
Master, 
bespeaking 
a 
better 
day 
near 
to 
be 
eommended, 
and 
everyone 
who 
is 
honestly 
seeking 
for 
the 
at 
hand. 
betterment 
of 
his 
fcllow-man 
should 
be 
treated 
with 
consid· 
KINGDOM 
OF 
HEAVEN 
AT 
HAND 
eration; 
and. 
while 
we 
sympathize· 
fully 
with 
the 
desire 
of 
the 
In 
view 
of 
these 
facts 
should 
we 
not 
expect 
the 
other 
part 
world 
to 
have 
relief 
from 
present 
burdens 
and 
to 
enjoy 
bless- 
of 
this 
prophecy 
to 
be 
fulfilled, 
and 
if 
we 
sec 
it 
in 
the 
course 
ings 
of 
liberty, 
happiness 
and 
life, 
yet 
we 
cannot 
give 
whole- 
of 
fulfillment 
should 
it 
not 
strengthen 
our 
faith 
that 
the 
old 
hearted 
co-operation 
to 
their 
plans, 
because 
we 
know 
they 
are 
order 
is 
ended 
and 
the 
new 
order 
is 
coming 
in, 
and 
that 
the 
not 
the 
right 
ones 
for 
the 
acoomplishment 
of 
"the 
desire 
of 
kingdom 
of 
Heaven 
is 
at 
hand? 
Jesus, 
in 
this 
('onnection. 
all 
nations." 
However, 
as 
we 
see 
these 
variolli! 
schemes 
unfold 
mentioned 
revolution 
as 
one 
of 
the 
evidences. 
Revolutions 
are 
we 
witness 
in 
them 
the 
fulfillment 
of 
prophecy, 
bespeaking 
the 
of 
two 
kinds: 
bloody, 
or 
thosc 
which 
result 
in 
great 
destrue­ 
near 
approach 
of 
the 
great 
kingdom 
of 
lIfessiah. 
To 
the 
stu- 
tion 
of 
llUman 
life 
and 
propcrty; 
and 
bloodless, 
or 
those 
which 
dent 
of 
the 
divine 
plan 
it 
is 
easy 
to 
understand 
why 
there 
are 
by 
peacl'ful 
m('ans 
ovcrturn 
the 
old 
order 
and 
establish 
a 
new 
so 
many 
theories 
and 
WIlY 
these 
arc 
in 
conflict 
in 
large 
meas- 
and 
supposedly 
bettl'r 
order. 
That 
the 
latter 
type 
of 
revolu- 
ures 
with 
e.lch 
other. 
tion 
has 
been 
going' 
on 
without 
general 
publie 
knowledge 
we 
SATAN 
THE 
AROH-ENEMY 
have 
strong 
proof 
by 
what 
has 
transpired 
in 
recent 
months 
The 
arch-enemy 
of 
mankind 
is 
Satan, 
and 
hence 
he 
secks 
to 
in 
the 
Stare 
of 
Korth 
Dakota. 
Here 
a 
revolution 
brought 
thwart 
every 
movement 
toward 
righteousness. 
It 
has 
ever 
.about 
by 
peaceful 
means 
haEi 
fully 
upset 
the 
old 
or 
selfish 
been 
his 
purpose 
to 
keep 
the 
peoples 
under 
his 
control. 
Do- 
order, 
and 
it 
is 
to 
be 
noted 
that 
while 
it 
was 
in 
process 
of 
de­ 
minion 
he 
has 
always 
aspired 
to, 
and 
since 
he 
usurped 
the 
do- 
velopment 
its 
opponents 
bitterly 
fought 
every 
step. 
The 
Liter. 
minion 
of 
earth 
he 
has 
sOl,lght 
to 
maintain 
it. 
It 
is 
quite 
rea. 
ary 
Digest 
of 
March,29th, 
1919, 
discussing 
this 
revolution 
in 
80nablc 
to 
conclude 
that 
he 
would 
try 
despera.tely 
to 
hold 
that 
Korth 
Dakota 
says: 
,lominion. 
::Sillce 
we 
have 
reached 
the 
end 
of 
the 
old 
order 
"Less 
than 
four 
years 
ago, 
when 
the 
sense 
of 
economic 
greater 
light 
has 
come 
to 
all 
people, 
and 
particularly 
to 
those 
grievance 
that 
rankled 
in 
the 
hearts 
of 
North 
Dakota's 
farm­ 
who 
are 
student.~ 
bf 
the 
divine 
Word. 
This 
greater 
light 
ex- 
ers 
had 
been 
fanned 
to 
a 
flame 
by 
the 
refusal 
of 
the 
legisla- 
R 
d 
d' 
1 
. 
t 
d· 
hte 
ture 
to 
establish 
a 
state-owned 
terminal 
grain·ell'vator, 
a 
man 
poses 
,atan, 
an 
every 
ence 
ookm~ 
owar 
ng 
ousness 
named. 
Arthur 
C. 
Townley 
J'umped 
into 
a 
small, 
hired 
automo­ 
tends 
to 
weaken 
his 
hold 
upon 
-mankmd. 
Therefore 
he 
sees 
his 
kingdom 
tottering 
and 
is 
using 
various 
deceptions 
to 
keep 
bile 
and 
beg-an 
by 
a 
farm-to-farm 
eanvass 
the 
organization 
of 
the 
people 
still 
under 
hi'! 
cootrol. 
His 
method 
has 
always 
belln 
the 
Non-Partisan 
League. 
For 
months 
the 
oldline 
]JQliticians 
to 
use 
fraud 
and 
deception, 
and 
to 
injert 
into 
the 
human 
mind 
regarded 
this 
'Flivver 
campaign' 
as 
a 
joke, 
but 
today 
they 
see 
thoughts 
that 
would 
accomplish 
his 
purpose, 
whether 
wholly. 
Afr. 
Townley's 
league 
of 
farmers 
grown 
to 
a 
membership 
of 
ag-ainst 
the 
intl'ft'sts 
of 
mankind 
or 
not. 
He 
well 
knows 
that 
more 
than 
200,000 
with 
a 
political 
org-ani'rAtion 
in 
thirteen 
Messia 
h's 
kingdom 
means 
thc 
triumph 
of 
the 
"seed 
of 
prom- 
states, 
representation 
in 
the 
United 
States 
Congress, 
and 
com­ 
ise"; 
hence 
we 
may 
expect 
that 
Satan 
has 
more 
or 
less 
part 
pletely 
in 
control 
of 
North 
Dakota's 
government. 
1Iforeover­ 
in 
all 
human 
projects. 
He 
is 
a 
wily 
foe, 
a 
pastmaster 
in 
poli- 
lLnd 
it 
is 
this 
that 
is 
attracting 
the 
attenticm 
of 
the 
wbole 
coun­ 
ties. 
If 
c 
placcs 
one 
class 
against 
the 
othcr 
and 
controls 
both. 
try 
to 
the 
Flickertail 
state-.--before 
it 
adjourned 
in 
February, 
He 
incites 
the 
radicals 
to 
extreme 
a.etion 
against 
the 
capital- 
the 
North 
Dakota 
legislature 
at 
Bismarck 
enacted 
a 
series 
of 
ists, 
and 
the 
capitalists 
to 
a 
radical 
position 
against 
the 
la- 
laws 
which 
friends 
and 
foes 
agree 
are 
revolutionary. 
'The 
horers. 
Having 
been 
able 
to 
('ontrol 
mankind 
largely 
throlll!;h 
farmers 
of 
North 
Dakota,' 
declares 
the 
Fargo 
Gourier-News, 
a 
the 
influence 
of 
the 
clergy, 
he 
lines 
the 
prominent 
ancl 
influ- 
Non-Partisan 
League 
daily, 
'have 
proved 
that 
revolution 
can 
ential 
among 
them 
lip 
with 
the 
capitalist 
class. 
But 
if 
the 
he 
wrought 
by 
peaceful 
means, 
and, 
more 
than 
any 
other 
.body 
various 
cla~ses 
of 
mankind 
would 
only 
turn 
to 
the 
divine 
Word 
of 
men 
in 
this 
world, 
they 
have 
taught 
the 
folly 
of 
revolution 
for 
instruction 
they 
would 
learn 
that 
the 
interest 
of 
one 
is 
the 
by 
bloodshed.' 
By 
this 
vindi('ation 
of 
democracy, 
argues 
the 
interest 
of 
all, 
and 
that 
Satan 
is 
the 
enemv 
of 
all. 
The 
Oourier-Ne!os, 
'North 
Dakota 
has 
proved 
its 
right 
to 
be 
des­ 
clergy 
have 
pret('fi(lpd 
t.o 
be 
teachers 
of 
the 
di~ine 
Word. 
but 
ignated 
as 
the 
most 
American 
of 
all 
the 
United 
States.' 
A 
having 
really 
ignort'd 
its 
teachings 
of 
merev 
and 
love 
and 
be- 
popular 
assertion 
among 
tbe 
NQn-Partisans, 
according 
to 
a 
Bis­ 
ing 
blind 
guicle~ 
they 
have 
led 
aH 
whom 
they 
could 
influence 
marck 
correspondent 
of 
the 
st. 
Paul 
Dispatch, 
is 
that 
'it's 
the 
into 
the 
ditf'h. 
This 
is 
t'vidence 
in 
proof 
that 
Satan's 
kingdom 
greatest 
little 
revolution 
since 
1776'; 
and 
this 
correspondent, 
is 
nearing 
the 
enn 
and 
that 
the 
Lord's 
kingdom 
is 
at 
hand. 
who 
seems 
to 
think 
that 
tht' 
farmers 
will 
have 
a 
disillusioned 
awakening 
from 
their 
dream 
of 
a 
political 
Utopia, 
at 
least 
EARTHQUAKES, 
FAMINES, 
PESTILENCES 
agrees 
that 
their 
future 
is 
now 
in 
the 
hands 
of 
'the 
most 
revo- 
ATlsweril~g 
the 
qllPstioll 
propounded 
to 
him 
by 
the 
disci- 
lutionary 
political 
machine 
that 
ever 
gained 
complete 
{tuto­ 
pIes 
a~ 
to 
what 
would 
be 
proof 
of 
thc 
pa-;~ing 
of 
the 
old 
order 
cratic 
control 
of 
It'gislative 
affairs 
in 
any 
state 
in 
the 
Union.' 
,lOcI 
the 
eoming 
in 
of 
the 
naw, 
,JI'SUS 
said: 
"~ation 
shall 
rise 
A 
Bismarck 
correspondent 
of 
the 
Boston 
Herald 
describes 
the 
against 
nation 
and 
kingdom 
again,t 
kingdom 
[in 
a 
genera.! 
Non-Partisan 
League's 
program 
as 
'the 
most 
interesting, 
and 
war"! 
Jrpat 
l'arthqllakl's 
[3ymboli('a 
lly 
meaning 
rl'yolution] 
in 
perha.ps 
tbe 
most 
important, 
,political 
and 
social 
movement 
now 
divers 
places, 
a.nd 
famines 
and 
pestilen('es." 
(Luke 
21: 
10) 
One 
vigible 
in 
the 
United 
States'; 
and 
he 
adds 
that 
its 
opponents 
need 
not 
be 
It 
prophetic 
student 
to 
note 
thp 
fulfillment 
of 
this 
believe 
it 
to 
be 
'a 
disguised 
eampaign 
for 
statc 
and 
national 
prophetic 
statement 
of 
the 
Lord. 
For 
four 
years 
the 
greate~t 
socialism.' 
The 
same 
correspondent 
quotes 
Qne 
of 
the 
League 
war 
of 
all 
time 
has 
ravished 
tllC 
nations 
and 
kingdoms 
of 
the 
leaders 
as 
saying: 
[6431] 
(147 
-148) 
Vou. XL PITTSBURGH, PA., MAY 15, 1919 No. 10 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER “For the earnest expectation of the creaturc waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of Cod, For we know that the whole creation groaneth and traviileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves alse, which have the first-frurts of the spint, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, towit, the redemption of our body.”—-Romans 8:19, 22, 23. Watchers in Zion are eager for each additional evidence of the fulfillment of prophecy relative to the bringing in of the kingdom of our Lord. It is a self-evident fact that the whole creation is groaning and travailing in pain now under the great load they are carrying, and hoping for some deliverance from that load. The desire of all men is for full liberty, happiness and life everlasting. They really desire the kingdom of the Lord, but they do not know that his kingdom will satisfy the desire of all nations. Many are the theories of men in good faith advanced, each theory put forth with confidence that it will bring the desire of all nations; but these are destined to failure. None but the Christian, however, can understand why such schemes must fail, and the Christian makes himself exceedingly unpopular in the world at this time because he tries to point out the reason why human schemes will not succeed. Yet, realizing his God-given privilege, he continues to hold forth the real hope of Messiah’s kingdom. The great world-war has opened the eyes of man to the fact, that the old order of things has passed away and tha: it is time for something new, Many of the less selfish are going forward with schemes for the establishment of the new order, that greater blessings may be enjoyed. Every noble thought is to be commended, and everyone who is honestly seeking for the betterment of his fellow-man should be treated with consideration; and while we sympathize. fully with the desire of the world to have relief from present burdens and to enjoy blessings of liberty, happiness and life, yet we cannot give wholehearted co-operation to their plans, because we know they are not the right ones for the accomplishment of “the desire of all nations.” However, as we see these various schemes unfold we witness in them the fulfillment of prophecy, bespeaking the near approach of the great kingdom of Messiah. To the student of the divine plan it is easy to understand why there are so many theories and why these are in conflict in large measures with each other. SATAN THE ARCH-ENEMY The arch-enemy of mankind is Satan, and hence he seeks to thwart every movement toward righteousness. It has ever been his purpose to keep the peoples under his control. Dominion he has always aspired to, and since he usurped the dominion of earth he has sought to maintain it. It is quite reasonable to conclude that he would try desperately to hold that dominion. Since we have reached the end of the old order greater light has come to all people, and particularly to those who are students 6f the divine Word. This greater light exposes Satan, and every device looking toward righteousness tends to weaken his hold upon mankind. Therefore he sees his kingdom tottering and is using various deceptions to keep the people still under his control. His method has always been to use fraud and deception, and to inject into the human mind thoughts that would accomplish his purpose, whether wholly, against the interests of mankind or not. He well knows that Messiah’s kingdom means the triumph of the “seed of promise”; hence we may expect that Satan has more or less part in all human projects. He is a wily foe, a pastmaster in politics. He places one class against the other and controls both. He incites the radicals to extreme action against the capitalists, and the capitalists to a radical position against the laborers. Having been able to control mankind largely through the influence of the clergy, he lines the prominent and influential among them up with the capitalist class. But if the various classes of mankind would only turn to the divine Word for instruction they would learn that the interest of one is the interest of all, and that Satan is the enemy of all. The clergy have pretended to be teachers of the divine Word, but having really ignored its teachings of merey and love and being blind guides they have led ail whom they could influence into the diteh. This is evidence in proof that Satan’s kingdom is nearing the end and that the Lord’s kingdom is at hand. EARTHQUAKES, FAMINES, PESTILENCES Answering the question propounded to him by the disciples as to what would be proof of the paysing of the old order and the coming in of the new, Jesus said: “Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom [in a general warl great earthquakes [symbolically meaning revolution] in divers places, and famines and pestilences.” (Luke 21:10} One need not be a prophetic student to note the fulfillment of this prophetic statement of the Lord. Yor four years the greatest war of all time has ravished the nations and kingdoms of the [6431] earth, and has brought about a condition the like of which the world has never known. Moreover famines have followed in the wake of the war. The public press announces that every nation of Europe has a great food shortage, and from three hundred millions to four hundred millions of people face starvation unless America can furnish the food. A great pestilence has swept the earth during the last twelve months. It is announced that the four years war claimed victims to the number of nine million persons, while the pestilence of influenza claimed twelve million victims in a few months, and this was not confined to the war zone, but has spread over all nations of earth. Even in the northernmost parts whole tribes of the Esquimos have perished from this dread disease. And now the world ig threatened with another pestilence called lethargic encephalitis or epidemic coma—frequently, though improperly called “sleeping sickness.” We would not Le surprised if before another year the pestilence will be greater than it was in the year past. We say this not for the purpose of discouraging anyone, but rather that we might be encouraged to see that such are the fulfillments of the prophetic utterances of the great Master, bespeaking a better day near at hand, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AT HAND In view of these facts should we not expect the other part of this prophecy to be fulfilled, and if we see it in the course of fulfillment should it not strengthen our faith that the old order is ended and the new order is coming in, and that the kingdom of Heaven is at hand? Jesus, in this connection, mentioned revolution as one of the evidences. Revolutions are of two kinds: bloody, or those which result in great destruction of human Jife and property; and bloodless, or those which by peaceful means overturn the old order and establish a new and supposedly better order. That the latter type of revolution has been going on without general public knowledge we have strong proof by what has transpired in recent months in the State of North Dakota. Here a revolution brought about by peaceful means hag fully upset the old or selfish order, and it is to be noted that while it was in process of development its opponents bitterly fought every step. The Literary Digest of March, 29th, 1919, discussing this revolution in North Dakota says: “Less than four years ago, when the sense of economic grievance that rankled in the hearts of North Dakota’s farmers had been fanned to a flame by the refusa] of the legislature to establish a state-owned terminal grain-elevator, a man named Arthur C. Townley jumped into a small, hired automobile and began by a farm-to-farm canvass the organization of the Non-Partisan League. For months the oldline politicians regarded this ‘Flivver campaign’ as a, joke, but today they see Mr. Townley’s league of farmers grown to a membership of more than 200,000 with a political organization in thirteen states, representation in the United States Congress, and completely in control of North Dakota’s government. Moreover— and it is this that is attracting the attention of the whole country to the Flickertail state—before it adjourned in February, the North Dakota legislature at Bismarck enacted a series of laws which friends and foes agree are revolutionary. ‘The farmers of North Dakota,’ declares the Fargo Oourier-News, a Non-Partisan League daily, ‘have proved that revolution can be wrought by peacefu] means, and, more than any other.body of men in this world, they have taught the folly of revolution by bloodshed.’ By this vindication of democracy, argues the Courier-News, ‘North Dakota has proved its right to be designated as the most American of all the United States’ A popular assertion among the Non-Partisans, according to a Bismarek correspondent of the St. Paul Dispatch, is that ‘it’s the greatest little revolution since 1776’; and this correspondent, who seems to think that the farmers will have a disillusioned awakening from their dream of a political Utopia, at least agrees that their future is now in the hands of ‘the most revolutionary politica] machine that ever gained complete autoeratic control of legislative affaira in any state in the Union.’ A Bismarck correspondent of the Boston Herald describes the Non-Partisan League’s program as ‘the most interesting, and perhaps the most important, political and social movement now visible in the United States’; and he adds that its opponents believe it to be ‘a disguised campaign for state and national socialism.’ The same correspondent quotes one of the League leaders as saying: (147 -148)

This website uses cookies to improve the website and your experience. By continuing to browse this website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you require further information or do not wish to accept cookies when using this website, please visit our Privacy Policy    Terms of Use    .