Kiadás dátuma
1903. 06. 01.
Kötet
24
Szám
11
Az Őrtorony
The Editor on His European Journey
../literature/watchtower/1903/11/1903-11-2.html
 
JUNS 
1. 
1903 
ZION'S 
WATCH 
TOWER 
1154-165) 
faith, 
and 
that 
many 
have 
already 
fallen, 
WI' 
are 
pained. 
Never. 
theless, 
recognizing 
this 
as 
one 
of 
the 
signs 
of 
the 
close 
of 
the 
present 
di~pensation, 
we 
can 
rej~ice 
that 
th~ 
Mill.enniu!D 
of 
blessing 
will 
ere 
long 
be 
ushered 
III 
i-when 
dim 
faith 
WIll 
be 
swallowed 
up 
in 
the 
sunlight 
of 
truth 
i-when 
"the 
knowledge 
of 
the 
Lord 
shall 
fill 
the 
whole 
earth 
as 
the 
waters 
cover 
the 
great 
deep;" 
when 
"the 
wayfaring 
man 
though 
fool 
need 
not 
err."-Isa. 
9:11; 
35:8. 
seal 
and 
mail 
this 
when 
near 
the 
British 
shore, 
where 
Southampton) 
Brother 
Henninges 
is 
expected 
to 
meet 
me 
and 
accompallY 
me 
to 
London. 
Continue 
to 
remember 
me 
in 
your 
prayers, 
that 
our 
Father 
and 
Eider 
Brother 
may 
direct 
our 
every 
word 
and 
act 
to 
his 
glory 
and 
to 
the 
profit 
of 
our 
dear 
brethren 
on 
this 
side 
of 
the 
world 
of 
various 
tongues 
but 
of 
one 
spirit-in 
as 
well 
as 
outside 
of 
Babylon. 
Faithfully, 
your 
brother 
and 
servant 
in 
the 
Lord, 
CHABLES 
T. 
RussELL. 
THE 
ROYAL 
PRIESTHOOD 
"Ye 
are 
chosen 
generation, 
royal 
priesthood, 
an 
holy 
nation, 
peculiar 
people; 
that 
ye 
should 
show 
forth 
.the 
p"?-ises 
of 
him 
who 
hath 
called 
you 
out 
of 
darkness 
into 
his 
marvelous 
light 
.•. 
Ye 
have 
tasted 
that 
the 
Lord 
ts 
graCf,· 
ous, 
to 
whom 
coming 
as 
unto 
living 
.tone, 
d~allowed 
in~~ed 
of 
mtm, 
but 
chos~ 
of 
God 
and 
preciou8, 
ye 
also 
as 
living 
8tones 
are 
butlt 
up 
splntual 
.ho~se, 
an 
hoZy 
pnesthood, 
to 
offer 
up 
sacrifices* 
acceptable 
to 
Go 
by 
eSU8 
Ohnst. 
-1 
Pet. 
2: 
9, 
3-5. 
At 
no 
time 
in 
the 
church's 
history 
has 
our 
great 
adversary 
c~ivine 
truth 
and 
how 
fl!ll.y 
capable. 
am 
I, 
therefore, 
of 
hand· 
been 
so 
active 
in 
multiplying 
false 
doctrines 
and 
in 
diverting 
lIng 
the 
sword 
of 
the. 
SpirIt? 
Few 
!n~eed 
are 
those 
who 
can 
tt 
t' 
th 
th 
troducin 
unprofitable 
and 
ir· 
say 
they 
have 
fully 
digested 
and 
aSSImIlated 
all 
they 
have 
rt'- 
en 
Ion 
rom 
ru 
In 
ceived; 
that 
they 
have 
let 
none 
of 
these 
thIngs 
slip 
from 
mem­ 
relevant 
questions 
as 
at 
present. 
Just 
when. 
the 
exaltatIon 
orv; 
that 
tht>v 
have 
so 
treasured 
it 
up 
in 
their 
hearts 
that 
it 
and 
g~ory 
of 
the 
church 
are 
soo~ 
to 
~e 
accom~hshed, 
a~d 
when 
is· 
their 
m~ditation 
by 
day 
and 
by 
nh!ht; 
that 
they 
havt' 
the 
faIthful 
are 
about 
to 
be 
recelv.ed 
mto 
the 
Jor 
of 
theIr 
Lord, 
rendy 
arS\VH-a 
"Thus 
saith 
the 
Lord'J"-for 
every 
man 
that 
every 
device 
is 
resorted 
to, 
to 
begUIle 
them 
of 
their 
reward 
and 
to 
asks 
them 
reason 
for 
the 
hope 
that 
is 
in 
them, 
concernin~ 
frustrate 
this 
feature 
of 
the 
divine 
plan. 
To 
really 
frustrate 
any 
point 
of 
dortrine; 
that 
they 
can 
clearly 
and 
intelligently 
any 
part 
of 
the 
divine 
plan 
is 
impossible: 
God 
has 
purpo~d 
portray 
the 
divine 
plan, 
quote 
the 
divine 
authority 
for 
each 
to 
take 
out 
from 
among 
men 
"little 
flock," 
"a 
people 
for 
hIS 
successive 
step 
of 
it. 
and 
,if 
need 
be, 
point 
out 
its 
place 
in 
\jIB 
name," 
royal 
priesthood; 
and 
such 
company 
is 
assuredly 
divine 
system 
of 
types. 
To 
!lain 
such 
proficiency 
in 
the 
Word 
being 
gathered; 
but 
whether 
all 
those 
now 
in 
the 
race 
for 
the 
i.3 
indeed 
the 
work 
of 
lifetime; 
but 
every 
day 
should 
see 
prize 
will 
surely 
be 
of 
that 
company, 
is 
still 
an 
open 
question. 
closer 
approximation 
to 
that 
proficiency, 
and 
will. 
indeed, 
if 
Take 
heed, 
beloved, 
that 
no 
man 
take 
thy 
crown. 
(Rev. 
3: 
11) 
we 
are 
faithful 
students 
and 
faithful 
servants 
of 
the 
truth. 
If 
any 
come 
short 
of 
their 
privileges 
and 
prove 
u!1worthy 
of 
t~e 
If 
all 
the 
consecrated 
were 
thus 
busily 
engaged 
putting 
rich 
inheritance, 
there 
are 
others 
who 
will 
ql1lckly 
fill 
theIr 
on 
the 
armor 
of 
God, 
and 
in 
proving 
it 
by 
actual 
use 
in 
zealous 
places. 
endeavors 
to 
herald 
the 
truth 
and 
to 
help 
others 
to 
stand, 
there 
We 
beseech 
you, 
brethren, 
as 
you 
v~.1ue 
the 
glorIOUS 
h?pe 
would 
indeed 
be 
no 
time 
left 
for 
disputings 
on 
the 
Anglo-Israel 
set 
before 
you 
in 
the 
Gospel, 
that 
you 
~Ive 
no 
heed 
to 
seducmg 
que8tion, 
or 
whether 
the 
earth 
is 
plane 
in8tead 
of 
globe, 
or 
spirits 
and 
doctrines 
of 
devils, 
as 
the 
Apostle 
terms 
them 
whether 
the 
principles 
of 
socialism 
would 
be 
advisable 
among 
(1 
Tim. 
4: 
1) 
but 
that, 
with 
fixedness 
of 
purpose, 
you 
.apply 
Christians 
in 
the 
mana~ement 
of 
their 
temporal 
affair8. 
Nor 
yourselves 
to 
the 
one 
thing 
you 
are 
called 
and 
are 
privdeged 
would 
there 
be 
time 
for 
politics, 
nor 
even 
for 
the 
~ood 
temper­ 
to 
do 
as 
prospective 
members 
of 
that 
royal 
priesthood. 
Let 
us 
ance·reform 
work, 
nor 
the 
work 
amon~ 
fallen 
women, 
nor 
never 
forget 
that 
we 
are 
"pcculiar 
people," 
separate 
from 
among 
the 
slums 
of 
the 
great 
citie~, 
nor 
even 
for 
preachin~ 
the 
great 
body 
of 
nominal 
Christians, 
as 
well 
as 
from 
the 
world, 
the 
doctrine 
of 
divine 
healing. 
All 
this 
i8 
work 
which 
ran 
and 
having 
higher 
hopes, 
aims 
and 
ambitions 
and 
favored 
with 
will 
be 
effectually 
accomplished 
in 
"the 
times 
of 
restitution," 
clearer 
insight 
into 
the 
deep 
thing~ 
of 
God, 
hllving 
been 
called 
now 
in 
the 
near 
future; 
and, 
beside8, 
there 
are 
others 
inter. 
out 
of 
our 
former 
darkness 
into 
his 
marvelous 
light. 
And 
ested 
in 
these 
works 
(and 
we 
are 
glad 
of 
it 
and 
bid 
them 
God. 
if 
thus 
separate 
from 
the 
world 
and 
from 
Chri8tians 
who 
par· 
speed), 
while 
we 
re('ognize 
and 
seek 
to 
accomplish 
the 
work 
set 
take 
lar!lE'ly 
of 
the 
worldly 
spirit, 
what 
wonder 
if 
we 
find 
them 
before 
us 
in 
the 
divine 
plan. 
And 
if, 
indeed, 
we 
have 
no 
con­ 
all 
out 
of 
harmony 
with 
us, 
and 
either 
ignoring 
or 
opposing 
us. 
secrated 
time 
for 
these 
things 
which 
are 
only 
side 
issues 
and 
Such 
opposition 
is 
to 
be 
expected 
and 
will, 
doubtless: 
con· 
not 
harmful 
in 
themselve8, 
except 
as 
they 
divert 
attention 
and 
tinue 
until 
we 
finish 
our 
course 
in 
death. 
To 
submit 
patIently 
consume 
valuable 
time 
which 
has 
been 
consecrated 
to 
another 
to 
this 
oppo!'!ition 
is 
to 
sRcrifire 
our 
own 
natural 
preferences 
and 
higher 
use, 
surely 
there 
is 
none 
whatever 
for 
giving 
heed 
for 
the 
friend!'!hip 
and 
the 
pleasures 
of 
the 
pre8ent 
life, 
and 
to 
false 
doctrines 
such 
as 
so-callt'd 
Christian 
Science 
and 
'i;~.e 
to 
endure 
hardness 
as 
good 
soldiers 
for 
the 
truth's 
sake, 
in 
various 
no·ransom 
or 
Evolution 
tht'ories. 
all 
of 
which 
are 
at. 
whatevC'r 
shane 
that 
hardne8s 
may 
come, 
in 
our 
effort 
to 
do 
tempts 
to 
show 
men 
how 
to 
climb 
up 
to 
everlasting 
life 
by 
some 
the 
Lord's 
will 
and 
work 
of 
advancing 
the 
interests 
of 
his 
ki~g' 
other 
way 
than 
that 
which 
the 
Scripture" 
point 
out; 
viz., 
by 
dom. 
This 
is 
what 
is 
meant 
by 
the 
presenting 
of 
our 
bodI~s 
faith 
in 
the 
precious 
blood 
of 
Christ 
shed 
on 
Calvary 
for 
our 
living 
sacrifices 
in 
the 
divine 
service. 
To 
be. 
really 
in 
thIS 
redemption. 
He 
that 
climheth 
up 
some 
otht'r 
way, 
the 
same 
sE'rvire 
involves: 
first, 
the 
careful 
and 
contmual 
studv 
of 
is 
thief 
and 
robber 
(.John 
10: 
1) 
and 
We 
are 
commanded 
God's 
plan; 
second, 
the 
imbibing 
of 
its 
spirit; 
leading, 
third.ly, 
to 
have 
no 
fellowship 
with 
the 
unfruitful 
works 
of 
darkness, 
to 
an 
enthusiastic 
zeal 
for 
its 
accomplishment, 
and 
to 
actiVity 
but 
rather 
to 
reprove 
them.-Eph. 
5: 
11. 
to 
the 
extent 
of 
ability 
in 
its 
service, 
at 
whatever 
cost 
or 
sac- 
How 
narrow 
this 
way! 
say 
!lome, 
contemptuously, 
of 
those 
rifice 
it 
may 
re<]uire. 
who, 
like 
Paul, 
devote 
their 
t'nergies 
to 
the 
one 
thing-the 
servo 
If 
we 
are 
faithful 
in 
this 
service 
we 
have 
no 
time, 
nor 
have 
ice 
of 
the 
truth. 
Ye8, 
that 
will 
be 
the 
verdict 
again8t 
you, 
of 
we 
the 
di8position. 
to 
give 
heed 
either 
to 
false 
doctrmes 
or 
to 
all 
except 
the 
few 
who, 
like 
yourself, 
have 
carefully 
sought 
out 
other 
theme" 
which 
have 
no 
bearing 
on 
the 
one 
thing 
to 
which 
this 
"narrow 
way." 
and 
who 
are 
determined 
to 
walk 
in 
it, 
we 
have 
solemnly 
dedicaterl 
our 
lives. 
Our 
time 
is 
not 
our 
regardles" 
of 
the 
reproach 
it 
brings. 
The 
way 
to 
the 
mark 
own 
if 
we 
have 
consecrated 
all 
to 
God; 
and 
consequently. 
we 
for 
the 
prize 
of 
our 
high 
calling 
is 
not 
wide 
enough 
to 
anmit 
have 
none 
to 
spare 
for 
the 
investigation 
of 
fancifUl 
fal~e 
all 
the 
vain 
philosophies 
and 
foolish 
qUC'~tions 
and 
babblin!!s 
theorie8, 
built 
upon 
other 
foundations 
than 
that 
laid 
down 
and 
!'!TlE'culation" 
of 
8rience, 
falsely 
so 
called. 
It 
is 
onlv 
wide 
the 
S<,ripturf's; 
nor 
have 
we 
time 
to 
devote 
to 
the 
ideas 
9: 
nd 
enough 
to 
admit 
the 
Lord's 
plan 
imd 
those 
who 
are 
willing 
to 
pursuits 
which 
en~ross 
the 
world's 
llttention. 
many 
of 
WhICh 
discard 
all 
other 
plans 
and 
projects 
and 
questionin\!~ 
and 
to 
are 
harmlE'ss 
in 
themselves, 
but 
would 
be 
ha.rmful 
to 
us 
i.f 
we 
devote 
themselves 
fully 
and 
entirely 
to 
its 
service, 
and 
who 
are 
were 
to 
allow 
them 
to 
occupv.con8ecrated 
tImE' 
and 
.to 
dlvt'rt 
quite 
willing 
to 
bear 
any 
reproach 
it 
may 
bring. 
our 
attention 
from 
the 
one 
thtng 
we 
ought. 
to 
be 
domg. 
T~e 
Consider 
your 
calling, 
brethren, 
for 
ye 
are 
chosen 
genera. 
Apostle 
warns 
us 
"to 
shun 
profane 
babblIngs, 
for 
they 
WIll 
tion. 
royal 
priesthood 
to 
offer 
sacrifices 
acceptnble 
to 
God; 
increa~e 
unto 
more 
ungodlinE''.!8;'' 
but 
adds. 
"StUdy 
to 
show 
holy 
nation, 
peculiar 
peonle, 
that 
ye 
should 
8how 
forth 
t~e 
thvself 
approved 
unto 
God, 
a. 
workman 
that 
needeth 
not 
to 
be 
praises 
of 
him 
who 
hath 
called 
you 
out 
of 
darkne8" 
into 
hIS 
ashamed, 
rightly 
dividing 
the 
Word 
of 
truth." 
"Teach 
no 
mllrvE'lou8 
light. 
The 
very 
object 
of 
our 
bein~ 
cnllen 
into 
this 
other 
doctrine: 
neither 
give 
heed 
to 
fable8 
and 
endless 
~en!!R- 
light 
is 
thllt 
we 
may 
let 
it 
shine. 
If 
We 
do 
not 
let 
it 
shine 
we 
logies, 
which 
mini!'!ter 
question!'! 
rather 
than 
godly 
edlfymg 
are 
unworthy 
of 
it. 
lind 
the 
trt'llsure 
will 
be 
taken 
awav 
and 
which 
is 
in 
faith."-2 
Tim. 
2:11), 
16; 
Tim. 
1:3.4. 
we 
will 
be 
left 
in 
darknt'ss. 
If 
indet'd 
'we 
hllYe 
reC'eivt'!l 
the 
Each 
consecrated 
believer 
should 
ask 
himself, 
How 
care· 
light 
and 
have 
consecrated 
oursE'lves 
fullv 
to 
God. 
let 
us 
ask 
fully 
have 
studied 
that 
which 
have 
clearly 
recognized 
as 
ourselves, 
What 
am 
doing 
to 
show 
forth 
the 
prai8E's 
of 
h.im 
Sinaitic 
MS. 
omits 
spiritual 
before 
sacrifices. 
who 
hath 
called 
me 
out 
of 
darkness 
Am 
going 
forth 
WIth 
[3199] 
Jone 1, 1903 fatth, and that many have already fallen, we are pained, Nevertheless, recognizing this as one of the signs of the close of the present dispensation, we can rejoice that the Millennium of blessing will ere long be ushered in;—when dim faith will be swallowed up in the sunlight of truth;—when “the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth as the waters cover the great deep;” when “the wayfaring man though a fool need not err.”—-Isa. 9:11; 35:8, THE ROYAL ZION’S WATCH TOWER (164-165) I seal and mail this when near the British shore, where (Southampton) Brother Henninges is expected to meet me and accompany me to London. Continue to remember me in your prayers, that our Father and Elder Brother may direct our every word and act to his glory and to the profit of our dear brethren on this side of the world of various tongues but of one spirit—in as well as outside of Babylon. Faithfully, your brother and servant in the Lord, Cuasies T. RUSSELL, PRIESTHOOD “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light... . Ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious, ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices* acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”—1 Pet. 2:9, 3-5. At no time in the church’s history has our great adversary been so active in multiplying false doctrines and in diverting attention from the truth by introducing unprofitable and irrelevant questions as at present. Just when the exaltation and glory of the church are soon to be accomplished, and when the faithful are about to be received into the joy of their Lord, every device is resorted to, to beguile them of their reward and to frustrate this feature of the divine plan. To really frustrate any part of the divine plan is impossible: God has purposed to take out from among men a “tittle flock,” “a people for his name,” a royal priesthood; and such a company is assuredly being gathered; but whether all those now in the race for the prize will surely be of that company, is still an open question. Take heed, beloved, that no man take thy crown. (Rev. 3:11) If any come short of their privileges and prove unworthy of the rich inheritance, there are others who will quickly fill their laces, We beseech you, brethren, as you value the glorious hope set, before you in the Gospel, that you give no heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, as the Apostle terms them (1 Tim. 4:1); but that, with fixedness of purpose, you apply yourselves to the one thing you are called and are privileged to do as prospective members of that royal priesthood, Let us never forget that we are a “peculiar people,” separate from the great body of nominal Christians, as well as from the world, having higher hopes, aims and ambitions and favored with a clearer insight into the deep things of God, having been called out of our former darkness into his marvelous light. And if thus separate from the world and from Christians who partake largely of the worldly spirit, what wonder if we find them all out of harmony with us, and either ignoring or opposing us. Such opposition is to be expected and will, doubtless, continue until we finish our course in death. To submit patiently to this opposition is to sacrifice our own natural preferences for the friendship and the pleasures of the present life, and to endure hardness as good soldiers for the truth’s sake, in whatever shane that hardness may come, in our effort to do the Lord’s will and work of advancing the interests of his kingdom. This is what is meant by the presenting of our bodies living sacrifices in the divine service. To be really in this service involves: first, the careful and continual studv of God’s plan; second, the imbibing of its spirit; leading, thirdly, to an enthusiastic zeal for its accomplishment, and to activity to the extent of ability in its service, at whatever cost or sacrifice it may require. If we are faithful in this service we have no time, nor have we the disposition, to give heed either to false doctrines or to other themes which have no bearing on the one thing to which we have solemnly dedicated our lives. Our time is not our own if we have consecrated all to God; and consequently, we have none to spare for the investigation of fanciful false theories, built upon other foundations than that laid down in the Scriptures; nor have we time to devote to the ideas and pursuits which engross the world’s attention, many of which are harmless in themselves, but would be harmful to us if we were to allow them to occupv consecrated time and to divert our attention from the one thing we ought to be doing. The Apostle warns us “to shun profane babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness;” but adds, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” “Teach no other doctrine: neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith.”"—2 Tim. 2:15, 16; 1 Tim. 1:3. 4. Each consecrated believer should ask himself, How carefully have I studied that which I have clearly recognized as * Sinaitic MS. omits spiritual before sacrifices. divine truth? and how fully capable am I, therefore, of handling the sword of the spirit? Few indeed are those who can say they have fully digested and assimilated all they have received; that they have let none of these things slip from memory; that thev have so treasured it up in their hearts that it is their meditation by day and b night; that they have a ready arswer—a “Thus saith the Lord”—for every man that asks them a reason for the hope that is in them, concerning any point of doctrine; that they can clearly and intelligently portray the divine plan, quote the divine authority for each successive step of it, and ,if need be, point out its place in ‘ha divine system of types. To gain such proficiency in the Word ia indeed the work of a lifetime; but every day should see a closer approximation to that proficiency, and will, indeed, if we are faithful students and faithful servants of the truth. If all the consecrated were thus busily engaged putting on the armor of God, and in proving it by actual use in zealous endeavors to herald the truth and to help others to stand, there would indeed be no time left for disputings on the Anglo-Israel question, or whether the earth is a plane instead of a globe, or whether the principles of socialism would be advisable among Christians in the management of their temporal affairs. Nor would there be time for politics, nor even for the good temperance-reform work, nor the work among fallen women, nor among the slums of the great cities, nor even for preaching the doctrine of divine healing. All this is work which can and will be effectually accomplished in “the times of restitution,” now in the near future: and, besides, there are others interested in these works (and we are glad of it and bid them Godspeed), while we recognize and seek to accomplish the work set before us in the divine plan. And if, indeed, we have no consecrated time for these things which are only side issues and not harmful in themselves, except as they divert attention and consume valuable time which has been consecrated to another and higher use, surely there is none whatever for giving heed to false doctrines such as so-called Christian Science and the various no-ransom or Evolution theories, all of which are attempts to show men how to climb up to everlasting life by some other way than that which the Scriptures point out; viz., by faith in the precious blood of Christ shed on Calvary for our redemption. He that climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber (John 10:1); and we are commanded to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather to reprove them.—Eph. 5:11. How narrow this way! say some, contemptuously, of those who, like Paul, devote their energies to the one thing—the service of the truth. Yes, that will be the verdict against you, of all except the few who, like yourself, have carefully sought out this “narrow way.” and who are determined to walk in it, regardless of the reproach it brings. The way to the mark for the prize of our high calling is not wide enough to admit all the vain philosophies and foolish questions and babblings and speculations of science, falsely so called. It is onlv wide enough to admit the Lord’s plan and those who are willing to discard all other plans and projects and questionings and to devote themselves fully and entirely to its service, and who are quite willing to bear any reproach it may bring. Consider your calling, brethren, for ye are a chosen generation. a royal priesthood to offer sacrifices acceptable to God; a holy nation, a peculiar peonle, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. The very object of our being called into this light is that we may let it shine. If we do not let it shine we are unworthy of it, and the treasure will be taken awav and we will be left in darkness. If indeed we have received the light and have consecrated ourselves fully to God, let us ask ourselves, What am I doing to show forth the praises of him who hath called me out of darkness? Am I going forth with [3199]

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