\prit. 15, 1919 THE by tho Scriptures, notwithstanding the fact that there is strong opposition to it from various sources. It is not infrequent that men fall into bondage to the laws of the land, sometimes justly so, and sometimes unjustly so. There is sometimes a wilful and deliberate violation of law resulting in bondage to the violators. There are times when bondage results because it is believed that one has violated the law. Thus one may find himself in a certain kind of bondage, deprived of certain liberties without any fault or intentional wrong-doing on his part. We have a very striking illustration of this kind of bondage in the experiences of certain officers and members of our Society—our brethren in Christ. We give herewith a brief resume of the facts leading up to their incarceration and subsequent release, for a time at least. 4 BRIEF RESUME OF OUR BRETHREN’S CASE Our beloved Pastor and brother, Charles Taze Russell, the seventh messenger to the church, began his active service in this exalted position more than forty years ago. In one of the early issues of THe Watca Tower he published an article under the title, Tue Finisnep Mystery. In 1886 he began the publication of a series of Bible commentaries—StTupirs iN THE ScRIpTuRES, announcing in the preface of an early edition of Vol. 1, that this series would comprise seven volumes. Throughout the period of his faithful service he frequently referred to the seventh volume, which would treat Revelation and Ezekiel, and which would conclude the series of StupIes In THe Scriptures. (See Z. °06, p. 236) Mowever, before the publication of the last, the Lord took him to his great reward. The compiling and publication of this last volume—Tus FINISHED Mystrry—was left to others. Our eight brethren in bonds jor many years were associated with Pastor Russel] and acted under his direction in the promulgation of the message of the kingdom of Messiah. Certain ones of them were and are officers of our Society. Others of them were selected by the Society to prepare from Brother Russell’s comments the copy of Tue FinisHep Mystery for publication. This work began in December, 1916; and by the latter part of March, 1917, the copy was almost complete. In April of that same year the United States entered the great world war. In June of the same year there was enacted the so-called “Espionage Law,” providing for the punishment of any persons who should conspire together for the purpose of producing insubordination, mutiny or disobedience in the army and navy. Our brethren were so fully occupied in promulgating the message of Messiah’s Kingdom and proceeding with the work which our dear Pastor had begun that they did not even take notice of the enactment of the Espionage Law, They were charged with conspiracy under that law, which means an agreement between themselves to obstruct or interfere with the raising and operation of the army and navy of the United States. THe FrnisHep MYsTery was used as a basis for their indictment, trial and conviction. Their teatimony at the trial disclosed that they never had at any time a thought of conspiracy; that they had never entered into any kind of an agreement to interfere with the government, and had no desire to do so. Notwithstanding, they were tried in the District Court of the United States and convicted, and on the 21st day of June. 1918, were sentenced to twenty years imprisonment in the Atlanta penitentiary. OUR BRETHREN ‘‘LIVING EPISTLES’’ Their trial was had at a time of great excitement in the public mind. The brethren testified at the trial that they never had a thought of interfering with the war or causing insubordination or mutiny or disobedience in the army and navy; that they were and are fully consecrated to the Lord to do his will; that he had through his Word, more than 2500 years ago, foretold the great world war; that they could not willingly oppose it and be consistent with their covenant; that those being wholly consecrated and devoted to the Lord could not, however, conscientiously engage in the war, but that their position was to hold aloof from all controversies and devote their time and strength and energy to the promulgation of the message of Messiah’s Kingdom, thereby pointing the people to the great liberty, joy and happiness that shall be theirs when that glorious reign of Messiah is begun. In due course they were incarcerated in prison and were received and treated like other prisoners. All such inatitutions have strict rules; and it was their desire and endeavor to live up to those rules, having full confidence in the promise that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) They entered the prison in full confidence that the Lord had permitted their incarceration for some good purpose, and that ultimately it would appear that he would use it to his glory and to their own good and to the good of other members of the church. It was known to the officers when they WATCH TOWER (115-116) were received at the prison, of course, that these men were and are preachers of the Gospel. Doubtless all the officers of the institution had been advised that it was the doctrines and teachings preached by our brethren that caused them to be imprisoned; and doubtless moved with the desire to prevent any disturbance amongst the numerous other prisoners our brethren were advised when entering the prison that they must do no preaching within its walls. To this one of the brethren replied to the officer, “We promise you that we will not attempt to force our belief upon anyone. We will answer only such questions as we are asked; we will comply with your request.” Several weeks passed, and without any development. All prisoners are required to attend chapel service on Sunday morning and as many as desire may remain for Sunday School thereafter, Our eight brethren decided that they would remain for the Sunday Schoo), forming themselves into a class for study and fellowship together, with no intention of inviting any one else to join that class; nor did they invite any one. Their deportment, their manner of life, their kindness shown to others drew to them other inmates of the prison; and from time to time some of these would join the Sunday School class and listen to the explanation of the questions involved. Qur brethren took turn about teaching this class. As the class increased in numbers, some of the officers drew near, that they also might hear. Interest increased until the members of tha class were ninety in number. Many of these prisoners showed a deep interest in that wonderful message of hope of deliverance promised in the Word of God. A number of them asked questions concerning the same, which questions were answered to their satisfaction. They became deeply attached to our brethren, and when it was indicated these were to be released from the prison there were many kind expressions of gladness mingled with regret heard from the lips of other prisoners and some were asking, What shall we do for our Sunday School class? On the last Sunday in this prison one of our brethren gave a brief address, outlining the divine plan. With the keenest interest their fellow-prisoners listened; and many of them shed tears of joy for the hope of the great liberty that shall come, not only to them but to all mankind through Christ Jegua, when his kingdom of righteousness is fully es. tablished. A FEW RESULTS OF THEIE INFLUENCE It is generally thought that all men who are incarcerated in prison have very hard hearts, and pay no heed to the message of the Lord; but this is not so. The message of truth, which is so reasonable, so loving, so wonderful, appeals to many, even under the most adverse circumstances. here is nothing that so transforms one’s life as the truth. There is nothing that can fill a life with such joy as a knowledge and appreciation of God’s wonderful plan of redemption. Amonget the members of this class was one man, seventy-two years of age, brilliant of mind, educated and refined, who remarked “T am seventy-two years of age, and I had to get behind prison bars in order to hear the truth. I am glad for this reason that I was sent to the penitentiary. or fifty-seven years 1 have asked questions of the ministers, and never could get satisfactory answers. Every question I asked these men [referring to our brethren] has been answered to my satisfaction.” On one occasion this old gentleman spent three hours in asking and having answered Bible questions of one of our brethren. Another in the class remarked, “My time is about to expire; T am sorry I have to leave this prison on account of the Sunday School elass. Can you tell me where I can find some people like you when I go away?” Another bright young man expressed great sorrow in being deprived of the privilege of the aid of our brethren in Bible study. On the night before their leaving the prison he expressed himself to one of our brethren as follows: “To you and everyone with you, I send this parting message. Somehow when I’m near you or with you I cannot express myself, E seem such an atom, hardly worthy of so wonderful a friendship as yours. I want you to know that you have left with me a desire to be a better, bigger man, if such can emerge from a carcaas so soiled and world-worn as mine. You have taught me the meaning of the word ‘love’ as used between men. You have taught me that there are things in this world far more precious than rubies; and if He who is supreme desires that I never see you or yours again I shall be satisfied, knowing that I have at least had the first gleanings of a beautiful knowledge, the friendship of you wonderful men, and the opportunity to help myself if only I can and will remain strong. I’m weak, very weak, no one knows this better than I, but VU try and I'll fight with myself if necessary, to achieve the full fruits from this seed you have planted, so I may help not only myself but those about me. [6419]
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