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JULY
IS,
11107
ZION'S
WATCH
TOWER
(223-
22
8)
-EDITOR.
when
they
see
are
prompt
to
confess
and
obey
the
voice
of
the
light.
We
counsel
that
the
Baptist
minister
be
not
too
harshly
thought
of-that
his
"blindness"
be
remembered.
What
the
A
postle
Peter
said
of
those
who
delivered
up
our
Lord
will
apply
to
many
now:
"I
wot
that
in
ignorance
ye
did
it,
as
dId
also
your
rulers."-Acts
3:17.
The
"withdrawal
letters"
referred
to
are
well
adapted
for
use
by
those
withdrawing
from
any
human
organization
called
a
church.
There
is
but
one
true
church
of
the
living
God,
"whose
names
are
written
in
heaven."
(Luke
10:20)
We
supply
these
"withdrawal
letters,"
with
envelopes
and
tracts
free,
in
any
quantity.
We
advise
that
they
be
sent
to
every
member
of
the
church
withdrawn
from.
This
is
not
only
an
excellent
way
in
which
to
bear
witness
to
the
truth,
but
a
safe
way
to
guard
against
misunderstanding
and
misrepresentation.
For-we
say
it
with
sorrow-some
min
isters
and
church
officials
do
not
notify
the
congregation
of
the
withdrawal,
but
allow
the
impression
that
the
withdraw
ing
one
has
defaulted
on
and
thereby
denied
his
vows
of
membership.
Still
worse,
in
some
CllJ3eS
ministers
have
deliberately
misrepresented
the
facts-to
prevent
others
of
their
congregations
from
eX8.nlining
or
hearing
further
along
the
lines
of
thE'
truth.
In
one
case
the
withdrawing
one
was
reported
violently
insane
on
religious
subjects;
and
all
were
advised
to
avoid
him
lest
they
.should
make
him
worse.
Our
advice
therefore
is,
By
all
means
use
these
letters
and
use
them
freely.
It
wIll
be
one
of
your
best
oppor
tunities
fCJI'
sowing
present
truth.
BRITISH
PILGRIllIAGE
OF
BRO.
A.
E.
WILLIA1'4S0N
Seven
Oaks,
England,
August
1,
2.
lIford,
England,
August
3,
4.
London,
England,
August
5.
South
End,
England,
August
6.
Forest
Gate,
England,
August
7,
8.
Plymouth,
England,
August
9.
VOL.
XXVIII
ALLEGHENY,
P
A.,
AUGUST
1,
1907
No.
15
"FIGHTING
AGAINST
GOD"
ACTS
5:39.
Gamaliel
gave
evidence
of
his
wisdom
in
the
advice
he
"well
done,"
but
rather
that
it
is
a
good
quality
uf
itself
proffered
to
his
Jewish
friends
of
the
Sanhedrin
when
they
if
only
it
can
be
restrained
and
brought
within
proper
were
about
to
deal
harshly
with
the
early
disciples.
His
bounds.
They
should
see,
as
Gamaliel
did,
the
danger
of
wise
words
were,
"Ye
men
of
Israel,
take
heed
to
your-
using
their
combativeness
and
aggre8siveness
against
the
selves
what
ye
intend
to
do
as
touching
these
men.
.
•.
Lord,
against
the
truth,
against
the
brethren.
Refrain
from
these
men,
let
them
alone;
for
if
this
counsel
Our
Lord
sayi,
"His
servants
ye
are
to
whom
ye
render
or
this
work
be
of
men
it
will
come
to
naught:
but
if
it
be
service."
(Rom.
6:16.)
The
question
is
not,
To
whom
do
of
God
ye
cannot
overthrow
it;
lest
ye
be
found
to
be
we
prOfess
to
render
service'
nor,
To
whom
do
we
think
fighting
against
God."
(Acts
5:35-39.)
Alas
that
so
many
we
are
rendering
service'
but,
Whose
cause
do
we
actually
who
have
named
the
name
of
Christ,
and
to
some
extent
serve'
From
this
standpoint,
looking
out
over
Christendom
become
partakers
of
the
holy
Spirit,
and
to
some
extent
today,
we
ask
ourselves,
How
many
are
serving
God'
and
been
taught
in
the
school
Christ,
and
to
.some
extent
pOBBess
How
many
imagine
they
are
serving
him
while
they
are
the
wisdom
that
cometh
from
abave-alas
that
so
many
of
really
serving
the
adversary'-really
"fighting
against
these
seem
to
have
less
wisdom
than
is
expressed
in
God'"
Serving
Christendom
we
find
hundreds
of
thousand.s
Gamaliel's
words
just
quoted.
of
professed
ministers
uf
the
Gospel,
and
millions
of
pro-
Some
people
by
nature
have
so
little
combativeness
that
fessed
Christians
fighting
under
various
banners,
Methodist,
they
lack
strength
of
character,
are
too
pliable,
"wishy-
Baptist,
Catholic,
etc.,-but
whom
are
they
fighting'
Satan'
washy":
they
lack
the
qualities
of
an
overcomer,
and
need
Error'
Like
Saul
of
Tar.sus
many
of
them
will
shortly
have
continually
to
seek
grace
and
help
from
on
high
to
take
a
their
eyes
opened
to
the
fact
that,
so
far
from
being
soldiers
stand
for
the
truth
and
for
righteousness.
Otherwise
they
of
the
cross,
they
are
fighting
against
God,
against
the
real
surely
cannot
be
expected
to
come
off
more
than
conquerors.
soldiers
of
the
cross,
the
followers
of
the
Lamb.
What
a
The
Lord
is
seeking
for
his
little
flock
those
who
have
bitter
disappointment
will
be
theirs
I
how
we
wish
that
we
character,
firmness,
strength!
as
well
as
gentleness,
meek-
could
awaken
them
now
to
an
examination
of
the
commands
ness,
patience,
love.
The
happy
combination
which
the
of
the
great
Chief
Captain,
that
they
might
.see
that
they
Lord
seeks
is
not
found
anywhere,
however.
All
who
come
are
working
and
fighting
under
orders
and
directions
not
to
him
need
to
be
refashioned
in
Ilome
respects
to
make
from
him,
but
from
human
leaders
and
captains,
some
of
them
acceptable.
Consequently
on
the
other
side
of
the
these
from
the
"dark
ages,"
dead
and
buried.
question
we
find
that
some
who
have
strong
characters
We
are
glad
to
hope
that
if
the
truth
could
be
flashed
naturally
have
such
strung
combativeness
that
it
is
con-
from
heaven
many
of
these
strong
characters
that
are
now
tinually
bringing
them
into
trouble
and
need.s
to
be
curbed,
fighting
for
sectarianism,
and
some
of
them
for
antichrist,
brought
under
restraint.
would
fall
astonished,
humiliated,
at
the
MllJ3ter's
feet,
It
is
difficult
to
say
which
of
the
two
classes
referred
to
crying,"
What
wilt
thou
have
me
to
do'"
has
the
advantage
over
the
other.
The
one
class
must
culti-
Let
us
remember
the
Lord's
words
through
the
Apostle:
vate
what
the
other
class
must
restrain,
and
probably,
all
"The
Lord
resisteth
the
prand
but
showeth
favor
to
the
things
considered,
their
chances
are
abant
equal
in
the
humble.
Humble
yourselves,
therefore,
under
the
mighty
matter
of
winning
the
race.
Hawever,
those
who
have
large
hand
of
God,
that
he
may
exalt
you
in
due
time."
These
combativeness,
who
are
aggressive,
forceful,
usually
attract
verses,
we
believe,
are
a
key
to
much
of
the
error
along
more
attention
in
the
church
by
reason
of
these
qualities,
the
lines
we
have
indicated.
A
strong
character
affected
and
usually
awaken
more
opposition
even
though
they
do
by
a
measure
of
pride
is
apt
to
take
a
wrong
course
from
nat
make
enemies
amongst
those
who
love
one
another.
which
it
is
almost
impossible
far
him
to
recede.
But
if
The
too
pliable
and
docile
are
.apt
to
think
of
themselves
humility
be
there
the
strength,
the
combativeness,
will
be
too
favorably,
and
are
very
hkely
to
be
too
favorably
under
proportionate
control,
and
that
much
easier
will
it
thought
of
by
others
llJ3
respects
their
qualifications
for
the
be
for
the
individual
to
receive
the
proper
instructions
from
kingdom.
Those
who
are
strong
and
forceful
are
apt
to
the
Lord,
and
to
follow
them,
and
to
be
fitted,
polished
and
be
too
roundly
censured
by
others
and
to
be
too
blind
to
prepared
for
a
place
in
the
kingdom.
This
same
principle
the
fact
themselves.
Oh,
that
we
all
could
have
sound
applies
amongst
those
who
have
already
received
as
a
bless
minds!
but
since
this
is
impossible,
Oh,
that
we
all
could
ing
from
the
Lord
the
light
of
present
truth.
We
still
need
have
a.
~arge
meas~re
of
the
spirit
of
!1
sound
mind,.
llfld
the
humility
that
will
enable
us,
if
too
lacking
in
character,
the
ablhty
to
weIgh
anr.selves
accordmg
to
the
dIvme
strength,
to
acknowledge
the
same
and
seek
it
from
the
Lard.
standard!
And
we
still
need
the
humility
which
will
keep
close
watch
These
words
are
specially
intended
to
assist
the
dear
upon
every
word
and
act
and
thought,
even
with
a
view
to
brethren
and
sisters
troubled
with
too
large
a
degree
of
having
all
in
complete
subjection
to
the
will
of
the
Lord
combativeness,
disposed
to
be
too
aggressive.
The
Lord
that
we
be
found
not-
fighting
against
the
Lord
or
against
certainly
showed
markedly,
particularly,
hioS
love
for
the
the
truth
or
against
the
brethren.
Haw
careful
we
should
strong
characters
when
from
amongst
the
twelve
he
selected
be
to
watch
for
the
leadings
of
the
Lord's
providences
not
Peter,
James
and
John,
the
three
most
radical
and
aggres-
only
in
our
own
experiences,
but
also
in
the
words'
and
sive
of
the
apostles,
as
in
some
respects
his
favorites.
So,
experiences
of
others,
and
particularly
to
measure
every
then,
those
who
have
the
aggressive
quality
by
nature
must
thing
by
the
divine
standards
and
not
by
our
own
apinions
not
feel
that
it
is
a
bar
to
their
attainment
of
the
Lord's
and
preferences
I
[4033]
JuLty 15, 1907 when they see are prompt to confess and obey the voice of the light. We counse! that the Baptist minister be not too harshly thought of—that his ‘‘blindness’’ be remembered. What the Apostle Peter said of those who delivered up our Lord will apply to many now: ‘‘I wot that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.’’—Acts 3:17, The ‘‘ withdrawal letters’’ referred to are well adapted for use by those withdrawing from any human organization called a church. There is but one true church of the living God, ‘‘ whose names are written in heaven.’’ (Luke 10:20) We supply these ‘‘ withdrawal letters,’’ with envelopes and tracts free, in any quantity. We advise that they be sent to every member of the church withdrawn from. This is not only an excellent way in which to bear witness to the truth, but a safe way to guard against misunderstanding and misrepresentation, For—we say it with sorrow—some ministers and church officials do not notify the congregation of the withdrawal, but allow the impression that the withdrawing one has defaulted on and thereby denied his vows of ZION’S WATCH TOWER (223-228) membership. Still worse, in some cases ministers have deliberately misrepresented the facts—to prevent others of their congregations from examining or hearing further along the lines of the truth. In one case the withdrawing one was reported violently insane on religious subjects; and all were advised to avoid him lest they should make him worse. Our advice therefore is, By all means use these letters— and use them freely. It will be one of your best opportunities for sowing present truth. —EpIror. BRITISH PILGRIMAGE OF BRO. A. E. WILLIAMSON Seven Oaks, England, August 1, 2. Iiford, England, August 3, 4. London, England, August 5. South End, England, August 6. Forest Gate, England, August 7, 8. Plymouth, England, August 9. Vou. XXVITI ALLEGHENY, PA., AUGUST 1, 1907 No. 15 “FIGHTING AGAINST GOD” Aots 5:39. Gamaliel gave evidence of his wisdom in the advice he proffered to his Jewish friends of the Sanhedrin when they were about to deal harshly with the early disciples. His wise words were, ‘‘Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.... Refrain from these men, let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to naught: but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it; lest ye be found to be fighting against God.’’ (Acts 5:35-39.) Alas that so many who have named the name of Christ, and to some extent become partakers of the holy Spirit, and to some extent been taught in the school Christ, and to some extent possess the wisdom that cometh from above—alas that so many of these seem to have less wisdom than is expressed in Gamaliel’s words just quoted. Some people by nature have so little combativeness that they Jack strength of character, are too pliable, ‘‘wishywashy’’: they lack the qualities of an overcomer, and need continually to seek grace and help from on high to take a stand for the truth and for righteousness. Otherwise they surely cannot be expected to come off more than conquerors, The Lord is seeking for his little flock those who have character, firmness, strength, as well as gentleness, meekness, patience, love. The happy combination which the Lord seeks is not found anywhere, however. All who come to him need to be refashioned in some respects to make them acceptable. Consequently on the other side of the question we find that some who have strong characters naturally have such strung combativeness that it is continually bringing them into trouble and needs to be curbed, brought under restraint. It is difficult to say which of the two classes referred to has the advantage over the other. The one class must cultivate what the other class must restrain, and probably, all things considered, their chances are about equal in the matter of winning the race. However, those who have large combativeness, who are aggressive, forceful, usually attract more attention in the church by reason of these qualities, and usually awaken more opposition even though they do not make enemies amongst those who love one another. The too pliable and docile are apt to think of themselves too favorably, and are very likely to be too favorably thought of by others as respects their qualifications for the kingdom. Those who are strong and foreeful are apt to be too roundly censured by others and to be too blind to the fact themselves. Oh, that we all could have sound minds! but since this is impossible, Oh, that we all could have a large measure of the spirit of a sound mind, and the ability to weigh ourselves according to the divine standard! These words are specially intended to assist the dear brethren and sisters troubled with too large a degree of combativeness, disposed to be too aggressive. The Lord certainly showed markedly, particularly, his love for the strong characters when from amongst the twelve he selected Peter, James and John, the three most radical and aggressive of the apostles, as in some respects his favorites. So, then, those who have the aggressive quality by nature must not feel that it is a bar to their attainment of the Lord’s “fwell done,’’ but rather that it is a good quality of itself if only it can be restrained and brought within proper bounds. They should see, as Gamaliel did, the danger of using their combativeness and aggressiveness against the Lord, against the truth, against the brethren. Our Lord says, ‘‘ His servants ye are to whom ye render service.’’?’ (Rom. 6:16.) The question is not, To whom do we profess to render service? nor, To whom do we think we are rendering service? but, Whose cause do we actually serve? From this standpoint, looking out over Christendom today, we ask ourselves, How many are serving God? and How many imagine they are serving him while they are really serving the adversary?—really ‘‘fighting against God’’? Serving Christendom we find hundreds of thousands of professed ministers of the Gospel, and millions of professed Christians fighting under various banners, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, ete.—but whom are they fighting? Satan? Error? Like Saul of Tarsus many of them will shortly have their eyes opened to the fact that, so far from being soldiers of the cross, they are fighting against God, against the real soldiers of the cross, the followers of the Lamb. What a bitter disappointment will be theirs! how we wish that we could awaken them now to an examination of the commands of the great Chief Captain, that they might see that they are working and fighting under orders and directions not from him, but from human leaders and captains, some of these from the ‘‘dark ages,’’ dead and buried. We are glad to hope that if the truth could be flashed from heaven many of these strong characters that are now fighting for sectarianism, and some of them for antichrist, would fall astonished, humiliated, at the Master’s feet, crying, ‘‘ What wilt thou have me to do?’’ Let us remember the Lord’s words through the Apostle: ‘‘Phe Lord resisteth the proud but showeth favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.’’ These verses, we believe, are a key to much of the error along the lines we have indicated. A strong character affected by a measure of pride is apt to take a wrong course from which it is almost impossible for him to recede. But if humility be there the strength, the combativeness, will be under proportionate control, and that much easier will it be for the individual to receive the proper instructions from the Lord, and to follow them, and to be fitted, polished and prepared for a place in the kingdom. This same principle applies amongst those who have already received as a blessing from the Lord the light of present truth. We still need the humility that will enable us, if too lacking in character, strength, to acknowledge the same and seek it from the Lord. And we still need the humility which will keep close watch upon every word and act and thought, even with a view to having all in complete subjection to the will of the Lord that we be found not- fighting against the Lord or against the truth or against the brethren. How careful we should be to watch for the leadings of the Lord’s providences, not only in our own experiences, but also in the words and experiences of others, and particularly to measure every thing by the divine standards and not by our own opinions and preferences! [4033]
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