Kiadás dátuma
1907. 01. 01.
Kötet
28
Szám
1
Az Őrtorony
1907--Our Year Text--1907
Az eredeti angol nyelvű Őrtorony folyóiratok
../literature/watchtower/1907/1/1907-1-2.html
 
ZION'S 
WATCH 
TOWER 
ALLEGHENY, 
PA. 
obliged 
to 
make 
hero 
ill 
efforts 
to 
overcome 
the 
tendencies 
of 
the 
fle1!h 
and 
the 
spirit 
of 
the 
world 
in 
order 
that 
he 
may 
live 
in 
the 
world 
as 
not 
of 
the 
world, 
but 
on 
the 
contrary 
as 
a 
new 
creature, 
a 
spiritual 
or 
heavenly 
creature, 
merely 
taber­ 
nacling 
for 
awhile 
with 
men 
in 
a 
body 
of 
flesh, 
far 
from 
per­ 
fect 
or 
acceptable 
to 
himself. 
Since, 
then, 
the 
constant 
ten­ 
dency 
of 
the 
flesh 
is 
downward 
and 
in 
opposition 
to 
the 
new 
mind, 
it 
follows 
that 
those 
even 
who 
have 
already 
consecrated 
to 
the 
Lord 
need 
to 
reset 
or 
reestablish 
their 
affections 
on 
the 
heavenly 
things 
continually. 
A 
little 
carelessness, 
a 
little 
look­ 
ing 
away 
from 
the 
things 
which 
God 
hath 
in 
reservation 
for 
them 
that 
love 
him, 
a 
little 
putting 
of 
our 
minds 
and 
affections 
on 
earthly 
things, 
earthly 
hopes, 
earthly 
ambitions, 
earthly 
prospects, 
would 
speedily 
mean 
great 
loss 
to 
us-the 
revival, 
the 
strengthening 
of 
the 
old 
nature 
and 
the 
proportionate 
weakening 
of 
the 
new, 
and 
correspondingly 
a 
great 
backset 
as 
respects 
the 
race 
we 
are 
running 
for 
the 
heavenly 
crown, 
the 
pnze 
of 
our 
high 
calling 
in 
Christ 
Jesus. 
Is 
it 
any 
wonder 
then 
that 
the 
Apostle 
urges 
the 
Lord's 
faithful 
ones 
to 
set 
their 
affections 
on 
things 
above 
and 
not 
on 
things 
on 
earth' 
Surely 
not 
I 
It 
was 
his 
duty 
to 
remind 
us 
of 
the 
danger 
along 
this 
line 
and 
our 
duty 
to 
remind 
our­ 
selves 
continually 
and 
to 
r('mind 
each 
other 
of 
the 
necessity 
for 
setting, 
fixing 
our 
affections, 
our 
minds, 
our 
heart~, 
more 
and 
more 
firmly 
on 
the 
heavenly 
things. 
It 
is 
with 
this 
in 
view 
that 
the 
Scriptur<'s 
have 
been 
provided 
us 
as 
a 
guide 
to 
our 
new 
minds, 
and 
the 
throne 
of 
grace 
has 
b('en 
opened 
to 
us 
that 
we 
may 
come 
there, 
too, 
and 
obtain 
mercy 
and 
find 
grace 
to 
hdp 
in 
every 
time 
of 
need. 
And 
the 
same 
gracious 
Provider 
has 
in 
these 
days 
given 
to 
the 
household 
of 
faith 
still 
furth('r 
meat 
in 
due 
season 
whereby 
we 
may 
be 
strong 
in 
the 
Lord 
and 
in 
the 
power 
of 
his 
might. 
At 
a 
time 
when 
earthly 
things 
are 
more 
attractive, 
more 
seductive 
than 
ever 
before 
in 
the 
world's 
history, 
the 
Lord 
opens 
before 
his 
faith­ 
ful 
ones 
still 
clearer 
views 
of 
the 
heavenly 
crown, 
heavenly 
glories, 
honors 
and 
privileges 
and 
blessings. 
that 
they 
thus 
may 
give 
the 
strength 
to 
the 
new 
mind 
which 
will 
off8et 
the 
seductive 
influences 
affecting 
us 
through 
the 
flesh. 
HELPS 
OR 
IDNDRANCES, 
WIDeH? 
We 
have 
today 
in 
the 
advancem<'nt 
of 
art, 
in 
the 
increase 
of 
wealth, 
in 
the 
better 
homes 
and 
their 
better 
furnishments, 
in 
improved 
roans 
and 
landscarcs 
and 
more 
artistic 
clothing, 
in 
pictures 
and 
music 
and 
conveniences 
and 
wider 
business 
prospects 
and 
opportunities. 
in 
the 
conveni<'nces 
of 
mail, 
tele­ 
graph 
and 
t<,lephone-in 
all 
these 
things 
we 
have 
a 
hundred­ 
fold 
more 
to 
attract 
our 
minds 
and 
ambitions 
and 
desires 
to 
the 
earth 
and 
enrthly 
things 
than 
had 
our 
forefathers 
of 
even 
a 
century 
ago. 
How 
needfUl 
it 
was 
that 
the 
Lord 
should 
open 
simultaneously 
to 
his 
faithful 
a 
clearer 
understanding 
of 
his 
Word 
and 
plan-of 
the 
riches 
of 
his 
grace 
lind 
his 
loving 
kindn('ss 
toward 
us, 
his 
wonderful 
provisions 
which 
eye 
hath 
not 
s<'en 
nor 
ear 
heard, 
neither 
hath 
it 
entered 
into 
the 
heart 
of 
the 
natural 
man, 
but 
which 
God 
hath 
revealed 
unto 
us 
by 
his 
spirit, 
(1 
Cor. 
2:9.) 
Moreover, 
by 
the 
same 
Word 
we 
can 
s<'e 
that 
th('se 
h('avenly 
glories 
nre 
nigh, 
even 
at 
the 
door, 
and 
that 
the 
('arthly 
joys, 
ambitions 
and 
prospects 
under 
present 
connitions 
will 
be 
transitory, 
leading 
to 
the 
great 
time 
of 
trouble 
ann 
anarchy 
which 
will 
blight 
every 
earthly 
prospect 
and 
at 
the 
snme 
time 
mean 
the 
realization 
of 
our 
heavenly 
hopes 
:md 
prospects 
and 
the 
ushering 
in 
of 
the 
glori­ 
ous 
kingdom 
of 
God's 
d('ar 
Son 
for 
the 
blessing 
of 
the 
world 
in 
general. 
The 
means 
for 
the 
dis~('mination 
of 
this 
light 
of 
present 
truth 
for 
our 
aid 
is 
unnoubtedly 
of 
th(' 
Lord. 
This 
journal, 
under 
the 
Lord's 
providenee, 
cheers, 
comforts, 
and 
hell'S 
to 
inspire 
with 
fresh 
7,<'al 
and 
eourage 
for 
the 
heavenly 
race 
about 
50,000 
of 
the 
I,ord's 
advancing 
followers 
twice 
a 
month 
(we 
nre 
now 
pUblishing' 
about 
30,000 
at 
each 
issue, 
and 
estimate 
that 
this 
renr<'s('nts 
approximnt('ly 
50,000 
readers). 
The 
DAWNS. 
as 
Hplning 
Hnnds 
and 
Bible 
Keys, 
are 
in 
the 
homes 
of 
nearly 
2,000,000 
of 
the 
most 
intelligent 
of 
the 
Lord's 
peo­ 
ple, 
many 
of 
whom 
we 
find 
nrc 
eonsiderahly 
in~erested 
yet 
not 
on 
the 
WATCH 
TOWER 
list. 
(We 
deplore 
thIS 
faet: 
we 
would 
like 
to 
ltaye 
on 
Ollr 
lists. 
even 
though 
free, 
as 
to 
the 
Lora's 
poor, 
every 
ehiln 
of 
God 
interr!lted 
in 
present 
truth. 
We 
sU~g'est 
to 
our 
r('ad('rs 
cooperation 
along 
this 
line). 
An 
additional 
aid 
in 
setting 
our 
affections 
on 
things 
above 
is 
the 
fellowship 
of 
the 
brethren 
and 
participation 
with 
them 
in 
Berean 
studies, 
DAWN 
Circles 
for 
Bible 
Study, 
and 
prayer 
and 
testimony 
meetings 
for 
mutual 
upbuilding 
in 
the 
fruits 
and 
graces 
of 
the 
spirit 
through 
ministries 
of 
the 
truth, 
in 
proportion 
as 
they 
are 
found 
helpful 
and 
valuable 
in 
aiding 
us 
to 
lose 
the 
spirit 
of 
the 
world 
and 
to 
receive 
more 
and 
more 
the 
spirit 
of 
Christ-to 
set 
our 
affections 
on 
things 
above, 
and 
not 
on 
things 
on 
the 
earth. 
HELPFULNESS 
OF 
METHOD 
AND 
RESOLUTION 
The 
whole 
world 
is 
rapidly 
learning 
the 
value 
of 
method 
and 
resolution-learning 
that 
wobbling 
and 
indecision 
are 
re­ 
sponsible 
for 
the 
majority 
of 
failures, 
learning 
that 
a 
positive­ 
ness 
of 
will, 
of 
intention, 
is 
necessary 
to 
every 
good 
or 
noble 
result. 
As 
Christians-as 
disciples 
of 
Jesus, 
as 
soldiers 
of 
the 
cross, 
followers 
of 
the 
Lamb-we 
need 
to 
have 
this 
great 
fact 
well 
impressed 
upon 
our 
hearts. 
All 
of 
the 
Lord's 
teachings 
are 
in 
aecord 
with 
this. 
He 
instructs 
us 
that 
in 
order 
to 
be 
acceptable 
to 
the 
Father 
at 
all 
we 
must 
make 
a 
full 
self­ 
surrender, 
turn 
over 
an 
entirely 
new 
leaf, 
because 
we 
are 
now 
new 
creatures 
in 
Christ 
Jesus, 
to 
whom 
old 
things 
have 
passed 
away 
and 
all 
things 
have 
become 
new-new 
motives, 
new 
hopes, 
new 
aspirations, 
new 
relationships, 
new 
rules, 
a 
new 
mind, 
a 
fixity 
of 
the 
will 
for 
the 
Lord 
and 
his 
righteousness. 
"A 
double-minded 
man 
is 
unstable 
in 
all 
his 
ways," 
hence 
the 
Lord 
does 
not 
expect 
the 
double-minded 
amongst 
his 
true 
followers, 
running 
in 
the 
race 
for 
the 
prize 
of 
the 
high 
calling. 
On 
the 
contrary, 
he 
instructs 
those 
who 
would 
be 
his 
disciples, 
his 
members, 
to 
sit 
dowll 
first 
and 
count 
the 
cost. 
Those 
who 
love 
sin 
and 
its 
joys 
and 
sorrows 
would 
not 
be 
acceptable 
to 
the 
Lord 
as 
members 
of 
his 
bride 
class. 
He 
desires 
only 
those 
who, 
after 
counting 
the 
cost-the 
renouncement 
of 
earthly 
things 
and 
ambitions, 
etc., 
in 
favor 
of 
the 
heavenly 
blessings, 
hopes, 
promises 
and 
joys-do 
with 
full 
purpose 
of 
heart 
give 
themselves 
unreservedly 
to 
the 
Lord, 
to 
henceforth 
be 
his 
at 
any 
and 
every 
cost, 
with 
the 
understanding 
that 
if 
we 
suffer 
with 
him 
we 
shall 
reign 
with 
him, 
if 
we 
be 
dead 
with 
him 
we 
shall 
also 
live 
with 
him, 
and 
with 
the 
resolution 
to 
count 
all 
earthly 
ambitions, 
opportunities 
and 
hopes 
but 
as 
loss 
and 
dross 
that 
we 
may 
win 
Christ 
and 
be 
found 
in 
him-members 
of 
his 
body. 
Whosoever 
takes 
this 
step 
of 
full 
consecration 
does 
the 
proper 
thing 
and 
realizes 
a 
ble~sing, 
lind 
that 
blessing 
will 
continue 
and 
increase 
in 
proportion 
as 
the 
same 
spirit 
con­ 
tinues 
to 
guide 
and 
control 
in 
all 
the 
little 
affairs 
of 
life. 
If 
a 
Christian 
at 
all, 
his 
will 
is 
fixed 
so 
far 
as 
its 
general 
pur­ 
pose 
and 
direction 
go 
j 
nevertheless 
this 
is 
not 
enough- 
there 
might 
be 
a 
firmness, 
a 
positiveness 
of 
the 
will 
as 
respects 
the 
p:reat 
fact 
of 
consecration, 
yet 
a 
slackness 
as 
respects 
the 
little 
details 
of 
everyday 
life. 
Our 
sup:gestion 
is 
that 
this 
fixity 
of 
purpose 
should 
be 
extended 
to 
lIll 
of 
life's 
matters-that 
the 
words 
of 
our 
mouths, 
the 
meditations 
of 
our 
hearts, 
and 
so 
far 
as 
possible 
ev('ry 
act 
of 
life 
might 
speak 
forth 
the 
praises 
of 
him 
who 
hath 
called 
us 
out 
of 
darkness 
into 
his 
marvellous 
light. 
Whoever 
takes 
this 
position 
is 
8ettinp:, 
fixing, 
estab­ 
lishing 
his 
affections, 
his 
mind, 
his 
heart 
on 
things 
above, 
and 
loosening 
them 
as 
respects 
things 
of 
earth. 
Such 
will 
grow 
the 
more 
rapidly, 
the 
more 
thriftily. 
On 
the 
contrary 
those 
who, 
even 
with 
fixity 
of 
will, 
rule 
their 
mortal 
bodies 
slackly, 
too 
leniently, 
are 
in 
dllnger 
of 
failing 
to 
come 
off 
more 
than 
conquerors, 
failing 
to 
become 
members 
of 
the 
little 
flock. 
They 
are 
in 
dang-er 
of 
becoming 
members 
of 
the 
great 
company. 
for 
whose 
development 
it 
will 
be 
neces­ 
sary 
that 
they 
pass 
through 
a 
time 
of 
trouble 
for 
the 
washing 
of 
their 
robes 
in 
the 
blood 
of 
the 
Lnmb 
and 
for 
the 
develop­ 
ment 
of 
character 
thereby. 
Much 
better 
is 
it 
that 
we 
develop 
this 
character 
in 
harmony 
with 
the 
Lord's 
Word 
without 
the 
bitter 
experienees, 
but 
with, 
on 
the 
contrary, 
the 
continued 
assurance 
of 
the 
Lord's 
favor 
and 
smile, 
encouragement 
and 
blessing 
upon 
our 
endeavors 
to 
set 
Ollr 
affections 
on 
things 
above, 
to 
cut 
loose 
from 
the 
earthly 
things, 
and 
to 
take 
a 
firm 
stand 
in 
even 
the 
small 
affairs 
of 
life 
for 
the 
Lord 
and 
his 
cause 
in 
harmony 
with 
the 
dire<'tions 
of 
his 
Word. 
Let 
us 
unite 
our 
hearts 
and 
our 
prayers 
the 
one 
for 
the 
other. 
that 
this 
Year-Text 
may 
be 
deeply 
impressive 
to 
all 
of 
us 
and 
deeply 
helpful. 
for 
we 
realize 
thftt 
its 
admonition 
is 
from 
th<1 
Lord 
and 
is 
the 
essence 
of 
wisdom, 
the 
wisdom 
that 
cometh 
from 
above. 
OUR 
ADVOCATE, 
THE 
WORLD'S 
MEDIATOR 
"Yf' 
are 
not 
of 
the 
world, 
even 
as 
I 
am 
not 
of 
the 
world," 
for 
II 
I 
have 
chosen 
you 
out 
of 
the 
world." 
These 
words 
of 
Jesus 
r('speeting 
his 
chureh 
clearly 
express 
may 
be 
one"-"that 
the 
world 
may 
believe." 
(John 
17:9, 
the 
wide 
difference 
in 
his 
relationship 
to 
the 
two. 
Again, 
11, 
21.) 
Here 
again 
the 
church 
and 
the 
world 
are 
kept 
sep­ 
when 
praying 
for 
his 
followers, 
he 
said, 
"I 
pray 
not 
for 
the 
arate 
and 
distinct, 
and 
although 
the 
prayer 
was 
exclusively 
world, 
but 
for 
them 
that 
thou 
hast 
given 
me:" 
II 
that 
they 
for 
the 
church, 
he 
clearly 
intimates 
his 
love 
and 
interest 
in 
[3914] 
(4-7) obliged to make heroie efforts to overcome the tendencies of the flesh and the spirit of the world in order that he may live in the world as not of the world, but on the contrary as a new creature, a spiritual or heavenly creature, merely tabernacling for awhile with men in a body of flesh, far from perfect or acceptable to himself. Since, then, the constant tendency of the flesh is downward and in opposition to the new mind, it follows that those even who have already consecrated to the Lord need to reset or reéstablish their affections on the heavenly things continually. A little carelessness, a little looking away from the things which God hath in reservation for them that love him, a little putting of our minds and affections on earthly things, earthly hopes, earthly ambitions, earthly prospects, would speedily mean great loss to us—the revival, the strengthening of the old nature and the proportionate weakening of the new, and correspondingly a great backset as respects the race we are running for the heavenly crown, the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. Is it any wonder then that the Apostle urges the Lord’s faithful ones to set their affections on things above and not on things on earth? Surely not! It was his duty to remind us of the danger along this line and our duty to remind ourselves continually and to remind each other of the necessity for setting, fixing our affections, our minds, our hearts, more and more firmly on the heavenly things. It is with this in view that the Scriptures have been provided us as a guide to our new minds, and the throne of grace has been opened to us that we may come there, too, and obtain merey and find grace to help in every time of need. And the same gracious Provider has in these days given to the household of faith still further meat in due season whereby we may be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. At a time when earthly things are more attractive, more seductive than ever before in the world’s history, the Lord opens before his faithful ones still clearer views of the heavenly crown, heavenly glories, honors and privileges and blessings, that they thus may give the strength to the new mind which will offset the seductive influences affecting us through the flesh. HELPS OR HINDRANCES, WHICH? We have today in the advancement of art, in the increase of wealth, in the better homes and their better furnishments, in improved roads and landseares and more artistic clothing, in pictures and music and conveniences and wider business prospects and opportunities, in the conveniences of mail, telegraph and tclephone—in all these things we have a hundredfold more to attract our minds and ambitions and desires to the earth and earthly things than had our forefathers of even a century ago. How needful it was that the Lord should open simultaneously to his faithful a clearer understanding of his Word and plan—of the riches of his grace and his loving kindness toward us, his wonderful provisions which eye hath not scen nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of the natural man, but which God hath revealed unto us by his spirit. (1 Cor. 2:9.) Moreover, by the same Word we can sce that these heavenly glories are nigh, even at the door, and that the carthly joys, ambitions and prospects under present conditions will be transitory, leading to the great time of trouble and anarchy which will blight every carthly prospect and at the same time mean the realization of our heavenly hopes and prospects and the ushering in of the glorious kingdom of God’s dear Son for the blessing of the world in general. The means for the dissemination of this light of present truth for our aid is undoubtedly of the Lord. This journal, under the Lord’s providence, cheers, comforts, and helps to inspire with fresh zcal and courage for the heavenly race about 50,000 of the Lord’s advancing followers twice a month (we are now publishing about 30,000 at each issue, and estimate that this renresents approximately 50,000 readers). The Dawns, as Helning Hands and Bible Keys, are in the homes of nearly 2,000,000 of the most intelligent of the Lord’s people, many of whom we find are considerably interested yet not on the WarcH Tower list. (We deplore this fact: we would like to have on our lists. even though free, as to the Lord’s poor, every child of God intercsted in present truth. We suggest to our readers codperation along this line). An additional aid in setting our affections on things above ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA, is the fellowship of the brethren and participation with them in Berean studies, DAWN Circles for Bible Study, and prayer and testimony meetings for mutual upbuilding in the fruits and graces of the spirit through ministries of the truth, in proportion as they are found helpful and valuable in aiding us to lose the spirit of the world and to receive more and more the spirit of Christ—to set our affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. HELPFULNESS OF METHOD AND RESOLUTION The whole world is rapidly learning the value of method and resolution—learning that wobbling and indecision are responsible for the majority of failures, learning that a positiveness of will, of intention, is necessary to every good or noble result, As Christians—as disciples of Jesus, as soldiers of the cross, followers of the Lamb—we need to have this great fact well impressed upon our hearts. All of the Lord’s teachings are in accord with this. He instructs us that in order to be acceptable to the Father at all we must make a full selfsurrender, turn over an entirely new leaf, because we are now new creatures in Christ Jesus, to whom old things have passed away and all things have become new—new motives, new hopes, new aspirations, new relationships, new rules, a new mind, a fixity of the will for the Lord and his righteousness. ‘(A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways,’’ hence the Lord does not expect the double-minded amongst his true followers, running in the race for the prize of the high calling. On the contrary, he instructs those who would be his disciples, his members, to sit down first and count the cost. Those who love sin and its joys and sorrows would not be acceptable to the Lord as members of his bride class. He desires only those who, after counting the cost—the renouncement of earthly things and ambitions, etc., in favor of the heavenly blessings, hopes, promises and joys—do with full purpose of heart give themselves unreservedly to the Lord, to henceforth be his at any and every cost, with the understanding that if we suffer with him we shal] reign with him, if we be dead with him we shall also live with him, and with the resolution to count all earthly ambitions, opportunities and hopes but as loss and dross that we may win Christ and be found in him—members of his body. Whosoever takes this step of full consecration does the proper thing and realizes a blessing, and that blessing will continue and increase in proportion as the same spirit continues to guide and control in all the little affairs of life. If a Christian at all, his will is fixed so far as its general purpose and direction go; nevertheless this is not enough—there might be a firmness, a positiveness of the will as respects the great fact of consecration, yet a slackness as respects the little details of everyday life. Our suggestion is that this fixity of purpose should be extended to all of life’s matters—that the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts, und so far as possible every act of life might speak forth the praises of him who hath ealled us out of darkness into his marvellous light. "Whoever takes this position is setting, fixing, establishing his affections, his mind, his heart on things above, and loosening them as respects things of earth. Such will grow the more rapidly, the more thriftily. On the contrary those who, even with fixity of will, rule their mortal bodies slackly, too leniently, are in danger of failing to come off more than conquerors, failing to become members of the little flock. They are in danger of hecoming members of the great company, for whose develonment it will be necessary that they pass through a time of trouble for the washing of their robes in the blood of the Lamb and for the development of character thereby. Much better is it that we develop this character in harmony with the Lord’s Word without the bitter experiences, but with, on the contrary, the continued assurance of the Lord’s favor and smile, encouragement and blessing upon our endeavors to set our affections on things above, to cut loose from the earthly things, and to take a firm stand in even the small affairs of life for the Lord and his cause in harmony with the directions of his Word. Let us unite our hearts and our prayers the one for the other, that this Year-Text may he deeply impressive to all of us and deeply helpful, for we realize that its admonition is from the Lord and is the essence of wisdom, the wisdom that cometh from above. OUR ADVOCATE, THE WORLD’S MEDIATOR ‘¢Ye are not of the world, even as I am not of the world,’’ for ‘‘I have chosen you out of the world.’’ These words of Jesus respecting his church clearly express the wide difference in his relationship to the two. Again, when praying for his followers, he said, ‘‘I pray not for the world, but for them that thou hast given me:’’ ‘‘that they may be one’’—‘‘that the world may believe.’? (John 17:9, 11, 21.) Here again the church and the world are kept separate and distinct, and although the prayer was exclusively for the church, he clearly intimates his love and interest in [3914]

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