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VOL.
XL
PI'l"l'SBURGH,
P
A.,
MARCH
1,
1919
No.
:i
:So
text
of
Scripture
is
more
applicable
to
the
time
in
which
we
are
now
living
than
are
the
above
words
of
SL
Paul
to
the
Philippian
church.
Perhaps
also
no
other
passage
has
been
more
comforting
to
the
feet
members
of
the
body
of
Christ
during
their
experiences
of
the
past
year
than
has
thi·s
one.
Surely
all
have
been
called
upon
to
suffer
much,
and
we
may
have
further
privileges
along
this
line.
Y
pt
it
is
not
the
suf
fering
that
especially
eoncerns
the
Lord's
people,
it
heinO'
a
:'light
affliction:'
compared
with
"the
glory
that
shall
follo~,"
If
we
prove
faIthful.
When
we
realize
the
great
favor
that
has
been
bestowed
upon
us
in
our
being
appointed
ambassa.dors
of
the
great
Messianic
Kingdom,
now
bein~
established
upon
the
ruins
of
the
old
order.
we
eount
it
inl1eed
a
privilege
to
endure
hardship
and
trial
in
connection
with
this
gloriollJll
mes
sage.
Sueh
was
the
spirit
of
St.
Pa1!l,
in
the
words
of
our
text.
He
had
been
held
up
to
ridicule
and
scorn,
beaten
al
most
to
death,
thrown
into
prigon
and
his
feet
made
fast
in
the
stocks.
Yet
in
it
all
he
was
able
to
sing
praises
to
God
for
the
privilege
of
suffering
for
Christ's
sake,
for
the
truth
and
for
the
brethren.
THE
MESSAGE
OF
THE
HOUR
The
first
statement
in
our
text
is
especially
important
now.
:Sot
merely
the
admonition
to
"stand
fast,"
but
the
manner
in
which
we
should
stand
is
the
thing
of
essential
value.
The
admonition
must
be
taken
in
its
entirety.
The
Apogtle
would
have
us
understand
that
to
lbe
pleasing
to
the
Lord
we
must
"sta.nd
fast
in
one
spirit,
with
one
mind,
striving
together
for
the
faith
of
the
Gospel."
We
find
llome
today
who
claim
a.nd
probably
think
tha.t
they
are
standing
fast;
but
instead
they
are
turning
aside
and
not
striving
together
with
their
brethren
in
proclaiming
the
full
message
of
the
Gospel.
Because
of
some
difference
of
opinion
respecting
secular
matters,
they
apparently
feel
it
their
duty
to
raise
questions
that
cause
di
vision
in
the
ranks
of
the
Lord's
people,
and
then
start
inde
pendent
movements
that
tend
to
confuse
the
minds
of
the
saints
and
to
give
rise
to
roots
of
bitterness.
Let
us,
dear
brethren.
avoid
any
and
every
spirit
that
would
hinder
our
striving
together
in
the
dissemination
of
the
truth
now
due.
~othing
would
please
the
adversary
more
than
to
have
the
ambassadol'1l
of
Christ's
kingdom
eontend
one
with
another
on
non-essentials,
thereby
to
have
their
minds
distracted
a.nd
their
efforts
sla.ckened
regarding
the
real
work
to
which
they
have
devoted
their
lives;
namely,
the
proclaiming
of
the
message
rega.rding
the
utter
downfall
of·
Bwbylon
aud
the
overthrow
of
Satan's
empire.
The
commission
of
the
Christ,
Hea.d
and
body,
is
found
in
Isaiah
61:
1-3;
and
the
llpecial
message
of
the
feet
mem
bers
is
the
proclamation
of
"the
day
of
vengeanee
of
oUr
God."
The
evidence
that
this
partieular
meBBage
would
be
given
by
the
last
members
of
the
body
of
Christ
on
earth
is
emphasized
by
the
fact
that
our
Lord
omitted
this
portion
of
the
prophecy
when
he
read
from
the
book
of
Isaiah
in
the
synagogue
at
Nazareth
(Luke
4:
16-22),
and
then
declared:
"This
day
is
this
Scripture
fulfilled
in
your
ears."
His
thought
mani
festly
was
that
only
the
portion
of
the
prophecy
which
he
had
read
to
them
was
fulfilled
at
that
time.
and
that
the
por
tion
which
he
ha.d
failed
to
rea.d
would
be
fulfilled
at
a.
later
time
by
his
body
members.
It
is
therefore
the
duty,
as
well
as
the
privilege.
of
the
Lord's
people
at
this
time
to
"pro
claim
the
day
of
vengeance
of
our
God";
and
if
they
fail
to
do
so,
the
very
stones
would
cry
out;
for
the
prophet's
words
are
inspired
of
God
and
must
be
fulfilled.-LuKe
19:40;
Zeeh
ariah
9:9.
STAND
FAST-STRIVING
TOGETHER
"Stand
fast
in
one
spirit,
with.
one
mind,
striving
toget1wr
for
the
fpJith
oj
the
Gospel;
and
in
nou"",g
temfi.ed
by
Y01J,r
ad
versaries
j
whtch
ts
to
them
lIn
evilknt
token
of
perdition,
but
to
you
of
salvation,
and
that
of
God.
For
unto
you
it
i8
given
in
the
behalf
of
Uhrtst,
not
only
to
believe
on
him,
but
also
to
suffer
for
hi,~
sake.'·-Philippians
1:27-29.
TOWER,
and
under
the
misconception
thus
developed
haye
withdrawn
from
classes
and
have
sought
to
draw
away
others
after
them.
The
more
influential
in
the
service
a.ny
such
has
been,
the
more
disturba.nce
his
course
causes
among
the
dear
sheep
when
he
thus
deflects.
Some
have
even
found
fault
with
the
statement
in
the
TOWER
of
May
15,
1918,
which
said:
"When
the
government
lUlks
to
borrow
his
money,
and
givps
its
promise
to
pay
in
the
nature
of
a.
bond,
if
he
ca.n
consist
ently
do
so
he
should
buy
the
bond."
Reference
to
the
article
in
question
will
disclose
the
fa.ct
that
this
is
part
of
a
state
ment
given
to
the
public
press,
a.nd
properly
!thowed
that
our
Society
was
not
oppoeed
to
the
methods
used
by
the
govern·
ment
in
carrying
on
the
war,
and
that
its
work
is
strictly
a
re
ligious
one.
All
such
questions
are
matters
of
individual
cen
science;
and
nobody
ca.n
or
should
assume
to
regulate
the
conscience
of
another
in
such
matters.
This
has
ever
b(,l't!
the
polic,}'
of
THE
WATCH
T<YWER,
lII8
our
readers
well
know.
OccasIOnally
some
one,
not
sufficiently
appreciative
of
his
privileges
and
apparently
seeking
to
avoid
Christian
hardships.
will
write
us
respecting
our
dea.r
brethren
who
are
now
Buffering
in
a
special
manner
for
Christ's
sake,
and
ask:
"Could
they
not
have
avoided
their
experience?"
We
answer:
Yes;
they
could
have
avoided
it.
So
could
Jesus
have
avoide'l
his
suffering.
Likewise
St.
Paul,
St.
John
and
other
faithful
martyrs
of
the
past
nineteen
centuries.
All
of
them
could
have
avoided
mueh
suffering
ha.d
they
fa.iled
to
disseminate
the
truths
then
due.
But
why
should
we
speak
about
avoiding
such
experiences
when
the
Lord's
'Vord
clearly
indicates
tllat
hereunto
a.re
we
called,
a.nd
that
we
sha.ll
be
"joint-heirs
with
Jesus
Christ,
if
so
be
that
we
suffer
with
him"?
And
whv
did
Jesus
suffer?
Because
he
held
forth
the
message
of
trutll
and
reprobated
the
hypocritical
~cribes
and
PhariseeR,
tIll'
clergy
of
his
time;
because
he
called
them
whited
sepulchers;
beca.use
near
the
end
of
his
ministry
he
went
into
the
Temple
and
drove
out
the
eeclesiastica.l
money
changers;
beca.use'
he
went
against
the
common
thought
of
the
day!
Thus
it
was
tha.t
he
suffered.
"If
so
be
that
ye
suffer
with
him,
ye
shall
be
glorified
together"
with
him.
"Unto
you
it
is
given
in
the
behalf
of
Ohrist,
not
only
to
believe
on
him,
but
a.lso
to
suffer
for
his
sake."
WHY
WE
WEBE
ILLUMINATED
Why
did
the
Lord
permit
us,
in
the
end
of
the
age,
to
come
to
a
clear
conception
of
the
divine
plan?
Why
do
we
enjoy
a
better
understanding
of
these
thinl!s
tha.n
did
the
early
church?
Is
it
merely
for
our
own
enJoyment
that
we
are
thus
illuminated?
We
think
not.
If
so,
doubtless
God,
who
is
no
respecter
of
persons,
would
have
been
pleased
to
give
all
the
members
of
his
church
an
equal
knowledge
of
his
pla.ns
and
purposes
throughout
the
age.
We
believe
that
our
heavenly
Father
had
a
twofold
object
in
giving
us
a
clearer
understanding
of
his
great
plan
at
this
time:
first,
that
we
may
hllive
the
broadest
possible
foundation
for
our
faith
in
this
"evil
day,"
thus
enabling
us
to
stand;
llecond,
tha.t
by
means
of
our
knowledge
of
the
immediate
establish
ment
of
the
kingdom
and
of
the
time
of
trouble
ineident
thereto,
we
may
be
able
to
co-operate
more
intelligently
in
the
great
work
which
he
has
for
his
saints
to
do
now,
prior
to
their
~lorification.
Seemg,
therefore,
that
the
commission
of
the
feet
mem
bers
of
the
body
of
Christ
is
"to
proclaim
the
day
of
vengeance
of
our
God"
(Iila.iah
61:2),
it
behooves
everyone
who
Rl>pires
to
membership
in
that
body
to
take
a.dva.ntage
of
present
op
portunities
for
proclaiming
this
very
message
and
the
glad
"ONWARD,
CHRISTIAN
SOLDIERS!"
tidings
of
the
kingdom
which
shall
follow
shortly.
We
arE'
It
is
with
sorrow
that
we
see
some
retreating
from
the
to
tell
the
people
that
Ba.bylon
is
totte-ring
to
its
fall,
and
front
ranks
of
the
battle.
It
is
not
surprising
to
find
some
that
on
the
l'uins
thereof
Christ's
true
kingdom
will
be
such
excusing
their
a.etion
,by
claims
of
steadfastness
and
spe-
erected.
We
are
to
tell
the
great
oompa.ny
of
"foolish
virgins,"
cial
eourage.
The
faithful
and
triumphant
in
battle
do
not
the
majority
of
whom
are
still
in
da.rkness
in
the
Babylonish
desert
in
the
hour
of
need,
however,
but
strive
together
with
systems,
that
the
Lord
has
great
things
in
store
for
them
one
spirit
and
one
mind,
as
the
Awstle
enjoins.
Those
who
and
for
all
huma.nity.
We
think
tha.t
those
are
ma.king
a
are
looking
for
pretexts
to
turn
aside
will
surely
find
a
mo-
grave
miscalculation
who
ha.ve
folded
their
hands
and
con-
tive
satisfactory
to
themselves
for
their
course,
while
those
cluded
that
there
is
nothing
more
to
do
on
this
side
of
the
who
are
anxious
to
do
the
Lord's
work
will
be
looking
for
op-
vail
in
respect
to
proclaiming
the
kingdom
meesa.ge.
Per-
portunities
through
which
they
may
vigorously
co-operate
in
haps
ere
long
the
Lord
will
show
us
that
instead
of
there
the
closing
work
of
the
church
in
the
flesh.-Isaia.h
52:7.
being
nothing
to
do,
a.
mighty
work
is
just
before
us-the
A
few
in
certain
localities,
under
the
influence
of
lea.ding
bringing
of
the
me~e
of
truth
to
the
thousands
upon
thou-
minds,
ha.ve
felt
obliged
to
withdraw
their
support
of
the
So-
sands
of
"foolish
virgms"
who
a.re
still
slumbering
and
sleep-
ciety
on
most
trivial
and
urubelievahle
grounds.
Some
have
ing.
so
far
all
a
knowledge
of
the
divine
pla.n
is
concerned.
magnified
and
distorted
certain
statements
in
THE
WATCH
The
Lord's
people,
the
feet
members,
are
the
only
onl's
[6395]
(67-68)
Vou. XL PITTSBURGH, PA., MARCH 1, 1919 No. « ‘STAND FAST—STRIVING TOGETHER “Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel; and im nothing terrified by your adversaries; which 1s to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you tt is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’"—Philippians 1:27-29. No text of Scripture is more applicable to the time in which we are now living than are the above words of St. Paul to the Philippian church. Perhaps also no other passage has been more comforting to the feet members of the body of Christ during their experiences of the past year than has this one. Surely all have been called upon to suffer much, and we may have further privileges along this line. Yet it is not the suffering that especially concerns the Lord’s people, it being a “light affliction” compared with “the glory that shall follow,” if we prove faithful. When we realize the great favor that has been bestowed upon us in our being appointed ambassadors of the great Messianic Kingdom, now being established upon the ruins of the old order, we count it indeed a privilege to endure hardship and trial in connection with this glorious message. Such was the spirit of St. Paul, in the words of our text. He had been held up to ridicule and scorn, beaten almost to death, thrown into prison and his feet made fast in the stocks. Yet in it all he was able to sing praises to God for the privilege of suffering for Christ’s sake, for the truth and for the brethren. THE MESSAGE OF THE HOUR The first statement in our text is especially important now. Not merely the admonition to “stand fast,” but the manner in which we should stand is the thing of essential value. The admonition must be taken in its entirety. The Apostle would have us understand that to be pleasing to the Lord we must “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” We find some today who claim and probably think that they are standing fast; but instead they are turning aside and not striving together with their brethren in proclaiming the full message of the Gospel. Because of some difference of opinion respecting secular matters, they apparently feel it their duty to raise questions that cause division in the ranks of the Lord’s people, and then start independent movements that tend to confuse the mindg of the saints and to give rise to roots of bitterness. Let us, dear brethren, avoid any and every spirit that would hinder our striving together in the dissemination of the truth now due. Nothing would please the adversary more than to have the ambassadors of Christ’s kingdom contend one with another on non-essentials, thereby to have their minds distracted and their efforts slackened regarding the real work to which they have devoted their lives; namely, the proclaiming of the message regarding the utter downfall of Babylon and the overthrow of Satan’s empire. The commission of the Christ, Head and body, is found in Isaiah 61:1-3; and the special] message of the feet members is the proclamation of “the day of vengeance of our God.” The evidence that this particular message would be given by the last members of the body of Christ on earth is emphasized by the fact that our Lord omitted this portion of the prophecy when he read from the book of Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-22}, and then declared: “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.” His thought manifestly was that only the portion of the prophecy which he had read to them was fulfilled at that time, and that the portion which he had failed to read would be fulfilled at a later time by his body members. It is therefore the duty, as well as the privilege. of the Lord’s people at this time to “proclaim the day of vengeance of our ”; and if they fail to do so, the very stones would ery out; for the prophets words are inspired of God and must be fulfilled —Luke 19:40; Zechariah 9:9. “ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!’’ It is with sorrow that we see some retreating from the front ranks of the battle. It is not surprising to find some such excusing their action by claims of steadfastness and speeial courage. The faithful and triumphant in battle do not desert in the hour of need, however, but strive together with one apirit and one mind, as the Apostle enjoins. Those who are looking for pretexts to turn aside will surely find a motive satisfactory to themselves for their course, while those who are anxious to do the Lord’s work will be looking for opportunities through which they may vigorously co-operate in the closing work of the church in the flesh.—Isaiah 52:7. A few in certain localities, under the influence of leading minds, have felt obliged to withdraw their support of the Society on most trivial and unbelievable grounds. Some have magnified and distorted certain statements in THz WatcH [6395] Tower, and under the misconception thus developed have withdrawn from classes and have sought to draw away others after them. The more influential in the service any such has been, the more disturbance his course causes among the dear sheep when he thus deflects. Some have even found fault with the statement in the TowEr of May 15, 1918, which said: “When the government asks to borrow his money, and gives its promise to pay in the nature of a bond, if he can consistently do so he should buy the bond.” Reference to the article in question will disclose the fact that this is part of a statement given to the public press, and properly showed that our Society was not opposed to the methods used by the government in carrying on the war, and that its work is strictly a religious one. All such questions are matters of individual con science; and nobody can or should assume to regulate the conscience of another in such matters. This has ever been the policy of THz Warcu Tower, as our readers well know. Occasionally some one, not sufficiently appreciative of his privileges and apparently seeking to avoid Christian hardships, will write us respecting our dear brethren who are now suffering in a special manner for Christ’s sake, and ask: “Could they not have avoided their experience?” We answer: Yes; they could have avoided it. So could Jesus have avoided his suffering. Likewise St. Paul, St. John and other faithful martyrs of the past nineteen centuries. All of them could have avoided much suffering had they failed to disseminate the truths then due. But why should we speak about avoiding such experiences when the Lord’s Word clearly indicates that hereunto are we called, and that we shall be “joint-heirg with Jesus Christ, if so be that we suffer with him’? And why did Jesus suffer? Because he held forth the message of truth and reprobated the hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees, the clergy of his time; because he called them whited sepulchers: because near the end of his ministry he went into the Temple and drove out the ecclesiastical money changers; because he went against the common thought of the day! Thus it was that he suffered. “If so be that ye suffer with him, ye shall be glorified together” with him. “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for hia sake.” WHY WE WERE ILLUMINATED Why did the Lord permit us, in the end of the age, to come to a clear conception of the divine plan? Why do we enjoy a better understanding of these things than did the early church? Is it merely for our own enjoyment that we are thus illuminated? We think not. If so, doubtless God, who is no respecter of persons, would have been pleased to give all the members of his church an equal knowledge of his plans and purposes throughout the age. We believe that our heavenly Father had a twofold object in giving us a clearer understanding of his great plan at this time: first, that we may have the broadest possible foundation for our faith in this “evil day,” thus enabling us to stand; second, that by means of our knowledge of the immediate establishment of the kingdom and of the time of trouble incident thereto, we may be able to co-operate more intelligently in the great work which he has for his saints to do now, prior to their glorification. Seeing, therefore, that the commission of the feet members of the body of Christ is “to proclaim the day of vengeance of our God” (Isaiah 61:2), it behooves every one who aspires to membership in that body to take advantage of present op rtunities for proclaiming this very message and the glad idings of the kingdom which shall follow shortly. We are to tell the people that Babylon is tottering to its fall, and that on the ysuins thereof Christ’s true kingdom will be erected. We are to tell the great company of “foolish virgina,” the majority of whom are still in darkness in the Babylonish systems, that the Lord has great things in store for them and for all humanity. We think that those are making a grave miscalculation who have folded their hands and concluded that there is nothing more to do on this side of the vail in respect to proclaiming the kingdom message. Perhaps ere long the Lord will show us that instead of there being nothing to do, a mighty work is just before us—the bringing of the message of truth to the thousands upon thousands of “foolish virgins” who are still slumbering and sleeping, so far as a knowledge of the divine plan is concerned. The Lord’s people, the feet members, are the only ones
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