(197-198) queries we again promised to return whenever the Lord’s providenceg seem so to direct. A rail journey to the sea, a night on the boat and then seven hours by rail, brought us to Elberfeld, Germany—alread decided upon as the most appropriate location for the Watc Tower Bible and Tract Society’s branch for Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, ete. We made this selection because of the character of the population—religious and independent. Our contact with the people has seemed to confirm this. Our first attention was given to searching for suitable apartments. We obtained from a renting agency the addresses of eight places, and on going to the first of these we felt that the Lord’s providence had directed us to it; and after looking at the others we felt convinced of this and rented it. It has a large room, suitable for meetings, with three smaller rooms connected, suitable for light housekeeping, one of which can be made into one with the large room (by opening four large doors) should this ever become necessary. It would thus accommodate 150 persons. There is also a basement for the storage of tons of tracts, Dawns, etc. The location is fine—near the postoffice and railway station, and with an electric car service to every part of the city. And, an important item, the rent is cheap. The next day we met with the dear friends of Barmen-Elberfeld and vicinity. In the afternoon we had a social and question meeting with the deeply interested numbering about 35. In the evening we had a public meeting, attended by about 100, of whom probably one-half were in sympathy with present truth, and the remainder their friends who are inquiring. We spoke on “The Oath-bound Covenant,” endeavoring to stimulate the faith of all in that promise, and urging all to lay firm hold of the great promise and to seek earnestly to make their caHing and election sure to a membership in the church, the body of Christ—the seed of Abraham that is so soon to engage in the grand work of blessing all the families of the earth, distributing the divine favors legally secured by the sacrifice ot God’s dear Son, our Lord, After a night’s rest we arose at 5 a. m. and took an early train for Miilhausen (in company with three brethren, also bound for Ztirich). We arrived at 5 p. m. and received a hearty greeting at the station. Being thus refreshed in spirit, and subsequently with substantials, we were pleased to address fifty brethren and friends from 8:15 to 10:15—speaking, as at the previous place, on the Oath-bound Promise, which cannot fail, and which means so much to us, the church, and also to the world. At noon on the next day (May 30) we left for Basle, Switzerland, where during three hours between trains we made the personal acquaintance of the brethren there, and sought to encourage them to run the heavenly race with patience. Our arrival at Ziirich was late at night, but a dozen of the brethren awaited us at the depot and gave us hearty greetings, which we as heartily reciprocated. Our stay of two days at Ziirich was interesting and, we trust, not without profit. We got personally acquainted with 170, previously known only through correspondence, mostly Swiss, but a goodly number from France and Germany, besides two from Hungary and two from Italy. Our stop at Thun was only a short one, but gave us the acquaintance of still others of the household of faith. Here we parted company with Brother and Sister Henninges, who returned to Elberfeld and the new work there, while we hastened on—stopping at Neuchatel, Switzerland, between trains. Here the friends, as per previous arrangement, met us at the depot and escorted us to a nearby park, where we had a twentyfive minutes talk, through two interpreters, on the things pertaining to the kingdom. Two of the fourteen present were Germans. By appointment with Brother Hemery, the Society’s British representative, we stopped two days in London—not to meet the church, but to seek a new location for the Society’s London office. The matter is not yet settled, but the splendid prospects for the work in Great Britain appeal to us strongly for a more central location than the one which has served us so well for the past three years. We are looking for the leadings of divine providence in this matter and will report on it later. Our return journey was by the same splendid steamer in which we went away,—the “New York.” The Lord furnished an opportunity for the distribution of tracts, and also for a Sunday afternoon service (in the second cabin)—as a result of which we hope for the garnering of at least two grains of “wheat.” On board was a polite minister of the Episcopal church, but conversation revealed the fact that, like the one we met when outward bound, he is not a Christian—not a believer in the fall and, consequently, not a believer in the redemption from the “curse,” or condemnation, of the fall—not a believer ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa. in the atonement. The evidences multiply that the falling mentioned by the prophet is well advanced: “A thousand shall fall at thy side.” Evidently the leaders of Christian sentiment and ceremony have already fallen from the faith. We were amazed at the lack of interest in religious themes amongst the passengers. An extensive library on board was well patronized for works of fiction, but no one seemed to care for religious matters—especially amongst the upper class, They have lost their fear of eternal torment, and neither have, nor seek, anything to take its place. The rejection of “hell” means to them a rejection of absolute faith in the Bible as God’s inspired Word. (What a great injury that unscriptural theory has worked!) They satisfy the cravings of their minds with morality and forms of godliness. We are glad that it is so, rather than the reverse,—that they should be steeped in immorality and ungodly practices. But how we long for ability to open the eyes of their understanding, that they might rejoice with us in the divine “plan of the ages” and in the love toward God which it inspires! Thank God the powers of darkness will soon be scattered by the glories of the Millennial morning, when many of these fine, noble people will see out of obscurity, and rejoice to avail themselves of the restitution privileges then prevailing! As our vessel reached its dock we were greeted by thirteen of the dear friends of the New York church—first with waving handkerchiefs and hats, and later with fervent hand-clasps. The busiest afternoon of the week was sacrificed to do honor to the cause we represent. The Lord, we are sure, will reward their love. (Heb. 6:10) One dear brother remarked, “Brother Russell, we remembered you in prayer every day; and I believe it was so with the dear friends everywhere. I am confident that no pilgrimage ever made was accompanied by so many prayers.” We answered that we had greatly enjoyed and been encouraged by the thought that at least 20,000 of God’s people were thus remembering us almost daily. As we neared Pittsburgh on Sunday morning, two of the brethren boarded our train at an outer station to be first to welcome us home, and later at the depot we were cordially welcomed by a delegation from the Allegheny church. One of these dear brethren had come all the way from Canada to participate in this greeting. We were escorted to the large sitting room of the Bible House (Allegheny). Entering, we found the officeworkers gathered—each with a red rose on his bosom, emblematic of Christian love. After greetings, a rose was pinned to our coat lapel, too, and then the entire company joined in a hymn of welcome composed for the occasion, after which one of our number rendered our united acknowledgments and thanks to God. Notwithstanding the fact that it rained, and that it was generally expected that we would not arrive until Monday, and a reception had been arranged for Monday night, the Bible House Chapel was full (about 300) for our usual Sunday afternoon service. For this occasion, and for the Monday night reception, many of the dear friends had sent in floral offerings, and the Chapel platform was resplendent as never before with roses and lilies and ferns. At first our “bump” of economy was disposed to chide our dear friends for their generosity, and to say, “Wherefore this waste! The money represented in these floflwers might have been better spent in publishing tracts, etc., to assist our poor blinded brethren.” But we remembered that it was Judas, and not our Lord. who voiced those sentiments. So we accepted all as done unto him who loved us and bought us with his own precious blood (Eph, 4:2), and said not one word to mar the joy of the dear companv, who, after our discourse on Isaiah 55:8-11, pressed our hand, assuring us of their joy in welcoming us home. We assured them that, although we had met and become personally interested in many dear breth1en and sisters on foreign shores, our heart was proportionately enlarged, so that it meant no diminution of our love for the dear saints in America, and, in an especial sense, the church at Allegheny. Monday night’s reception brought together a splendid company of the Lord’s consecrated children—adorned with the fruits and graces of the holy Spirit, “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great value.” (1 Pet. 3:4) Quite a number came from surrounding cities and towns—and more flowers came, too; “alabaster boxes” of sweet odor to the Lord, because really rendered unto him, and to us merely because he had been pleased to use us as his mouthpiece in proclaiming his great plan of the ages in this hie due time for revealing it. It is not possible to describe the pleasures of our fellowship in Christ that evening, and we will not try. But it is safe to say that with all the secret of joy was in the Lord’s great plan and in what we can see of its prosperity. Faithfully, your brother and servant in the Lord, Cuartes T, RUSSELL. [3214]
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