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JUN!
15,
1909
THE
WATCH
TOWER
(190-195)
them
it
has
an
odor
of
death,
of
self-sacrifice,
which
is
con
trary
to
all
of
their
hopes,
aims
and
desires.
Some
of
the
opponents
of
the
truth
today
are
hardening
their
own
hearts
by
their
attitude,
just
as
did
Pharaoh
thirty-five
hundred
years
ago,
and
just
as
did
the
chief
priests,
scribes
and
Phar
isees
eighteen
centuries
ago.
We
are
sorry
for
them,
but
what
can
we
do?
HE
DEPARTED
FROM
THEM
When
ilie
opposition
in
the
synagogue
became
unkind
and
bitter,
malevolent,
the
Apostle
departed,
not
from
the
city,
which
had
not
persecuted
him,
but
from
the
synagogue,
WhICh
was
opposing
his
teaching.
Here
we
have
our
suggestion
also
as
to
our
own
course.
First
we
should
be
faithful
to
God;
secondly,
when
our
message
is
rejected,
we
should
not
stay
to
bore
people
with
it,
but
go
to
those
who
have
an
"ear
to
hear."
We
should
"preach
the
Gospel
to
the
meek."
Tyrannus
had
a
school
near
the
synagogue
which,
under
the
Lord's
providence,
by
rental
or
in
some
other
manner,
beeame
available
as
a
preaching
place
for
the
proclamation
of
the
Word,
and
St.
Paul
used
the
opportunity
faithfully
for
about
two
years.
The
result
was
that
from
Ephesus
"the
gateway
of
Asia
Minor,"
or,
as
it
is
sometimes
called,
"The
eye
of
Asia,"
the
Word
of
the
Lord
was
carried
to
various
cities
by
the
traveling
public,
including
Jews
and
proselytes.
We
remember
that
some
two
years
before
this
St.
Paul
had
endeavored
to
go
into
Asia
Minor;
but,
"the
Spirit
suf·
fered
him
not,"
is
the
explanation
of
his
not
going.
The
time
for
the
message
to
reach
Asia
Minor
had
not
yet
arrived.
How
evidently
God
knows
the
conditions;
not
only
the
con
ditions
most
favorable
for
the
character
development
of
his
faithful
Apostle,
but
also
the
times
and
seasons
most
suitable
or
his
own
work
in
every
place,
including
the
arrangements
of
matters
so
as
to
draw
out
,the
various
epistles
which
for
centuries
have
proven
so
great
value
to
the
Household
of
Faith!
MIRACLES
BY
THE
HANDS
OF
ST.
PAUL
When
we
think
of
the
gifts
of
the
Spirit
conferred
upon
this
great
Apostle,
the
gifts
of
tongues,
healing,
etc.,
we
appreciate
these
evidences
that
he
was
a
servant
of
God,
yet
these
do
not
arouse
our
highest
esteem.
Accepting
them
as
of
the
Lord
we
nevertheless
appreciate
still
more
highly
as
from
the
same
source
his
gift
of
interpretation
of
the
divine
plan
of
the
ages,
his
elucidation
of
the
philosophy
of
the
same,
his
exposition
of
the
types
and
the
prophecies,
his
admonitions
and
exhortations
along
the
lines
of
character
building.
By
these
miracles
through
the
pen
of
the
Apostle,
God
has
given
us
rich
blessing-far
more
than
natural
sight
and
physical
healing.
Our
faith
has
been
made
stronger,
as
well
as
our
hope
and
our
love
for
God
and
for
the
brethren.
There
were
evil
spirits
then,
as
there
are
today,
the
dif-
ference
being
that
today
such
obsessed
ones
are
styled
insane
and
treated
accordingly,
whereas
probably
one-half
of
the
inmates
of
the
insane
asylums
are
really
obsessed
of
the
evil
spirits,
whose
brains
are
not
physically
dIsordered.
As
St.
Paul,
amongst
other
miracles,
cast
out
evil
spirits
in
the
name
of
the
Lord,
some
of
his
opponents
claimed
that
he
did
so
merely
by
hypnotic
influence,
and
that
others
could
do
the
same
if
they
would.
Carrying
out
the
thought
they
attempted
to
exorcise
an
evil
spirit,
with
disastrous
results.
They
com
manded
the
spirit
to
come
out
of
the
man
in
the
name
of
.Jesus,
whom
Paul
preached.
But
"the
evil
spirit
answered
and
said,
Jesus
I
know,
and
Paul
I
know;
but
who
are
ye
T
And
the
man
in
whom
the
evil
spirit
was
leaped
upon
them,
and
overcame
them,
and
prevailed
against
them,
so
that
they
fled
out
of
that
house
naked
and
wounded."
As
these
op
ponents
were
prominent
men
the
matter
became
generally
kllown
both
to
Jews
and
Greeks
at
Ephesus
and
the
result
was
a
spirit
of
reverence,
and
the
name
of
the
Lord
Jesus
was
magnified.
BOOKS
OF
MAGIC,
WITCH-CRAFT
AND
HYPNOTISM
We
read
that
"many
that
believed
came
and
confessed
and
showed
their
deeds."
They
exposed
the
fact
that
many
of
their
deeds
were
by
occult
or
hidden
power
and
injurious.
They
brought
their
books
and
burned
them
openly.
They
did
not
sell
them
to
others
and
thus
permit
the
eVIl
influence
to
spread,
but
did
their
share
towards
its
destruction.
So
should
it
be
still.
Those
who
turn
to
the
Lord
from
darkness
and
sin
should
publicly
confess
the
transformation
of
thl'ir
hearts
and
lives
and
should
destroy
everything
calculated
to
exercise
an
evil
influence,
either
upon
themselves
or
upon
others.
It
js
the
thorough-going
convert-converted
from
center
to
cir
cumferenc~who
has
taken
a
radical
stand
for
righteousness,
as
he
previously
took
it
for
sin,
that
the
Lord
permits
to
honor
him;
and
sometimes
at
the
sacrifice
of
earthly
inter
ests.
The
testimony
is,
"So
(thus)
mightily
grew
the
Word
of
God
and
prevailed."
The
Apostle's
diversified
experiences
as
a
servant
of
the
Lord
are
remarkable.
At
the
beginning
of
his
ministry
he
was
beset
and
persecuted
in
nearly
every
CIty
while
subsequently,
as
we
have
seen,
he
was
comparativcly
without
persecution
for
nearly
four
years.
Who
hath
known
the
mind
of
the
Lord?
Faith
assurE'S
us
that
all
of
the
steps
of
the
Apostle
were
Divinely,
wisely
ordered.
Perhaps
he
needed
the
rougher
experiences
at
the
beginning
of
his
ministry
to
polish
him.
to
prepare
him
for
his
further
servICC,
the
writing
of
his
epIstles,
etc.
Doubtless
we
shall
understand
his
experiences
better,
and
our
own
experiences
beUer,
when,
by
and
by,
beyond
the
veil,
we
shall
see
as
we
are
seen
and
know
as
we
are
known.
Until
then
the
Lord
requires
that
we
exercise
faith
and
con
fidence
in
him,
nothing
doubting.
VOL.
XXX
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
JULY
1,
1909
No.
13
THE
GOOD
TIDINGS
SPREADING
IN
AFRICA
BROTHER
BOOTH
REPORTS
FAVORABLY
the
hearing
of
matters
of
public
interest.
The
itinerant
brother
Respecting
the
work
in
and
around
Pretoria
it
is
very
en-
reading
English
translates
the
paragraphs
in
simple
style
into
couraging
in
many
respects.
While
as
yet
not
many
of
the
the
vernacular
of
the
people.
Questions
are
entertained,
etc.
English
people
are
taking
hold
of
the
Harvest
truths,
the
recep-
The
native
brethren
are
spnding
in
subscriptions
for
"THE
tion
of
them
by
the
native
Christians
is
very
gratifying.
On
WATCH
TowFa~"
for
points
in
Nyassaland
to
the
numbcr
of
76.
my
first
Sunday
here
I
entered
one
of
the
large
native
com-
King
Lenanika
and
thc
Prince
Letitia,
his
son,
and
their
Prime
pounds
and
began
singing
in
several
of
the
native
languages
Minister,
from
600
miles
north
of
the
Pretoria
Falls,
have
sent
successively.
The
dwellers
responded
as
by
an
electric
shock
highly
educated
Christian
representatives
for
the
whole
six
and
gave
close
and
joyful
attention
as
they
grasped
some
of
volumes.
They
wish
this
message
to
be
fully
studied
and
pro
the
simpler
features
of
the
message.
claimed
through
their
country,
and
throughout
that
of
their
At
this
writing
several
of
the
natives
who
work
at
the
mines
friends,
the
great
Baguln
chief"
of
Dasululand.
and
other
places
are
so
situated
and
so
interested
that
they
are
Nor
are
the
Europeans
being
neglecte<l
in
this
vicinity.
going
out
from
Saturday
p.
m.
to
Monday
a.
m.
delivering
tracts
Brother
Brink
and
self
are
giving
a
series
of
lectures,
gradually
and
teaching
in
the
various
compounds
for
thirty
miles
around
covering
the
message,
in
English
and
Dutch.
Two
sisters
at
Johannesburg
and
Pretoria
of
the
harvest-time
and
restitution
Krugersdorp,
twelve
miles
out
of
Johannesburg,
are
working
up
truths
to
the
250,000
natives
and
Indians
and
some
20,000
Chi-
an
interest
and
circulating
"Dawn-Studies."
These,
like
Brother
nese
cooped
in
from
noon
Saturday
till
over
Sunday.
They
are
Sargent,
of
Johannesburg,
came
out
boldly
in
a
street
meeting
overjoyed
at
having
the
same
message
brought
here
which
they
in
Cape
Town.
have
heard
was
being
proclaimed
up
in
their
home
country,
BROTHER
BRINK
WRITES
ALSO
Nyassaland,
by
Brother
Elliott
Kamwana.
My
DEAR
BROTHER
RUSSELL:-
One
who
has
been
here
only
three
months
tells
that
he
saw
May
God
blcss
you
and
keep
you
and
spare
you.
I
am
over-
Elliott
baptize
300
in
one
day;
another
gives
advice
that
in
one
whelmed
by
the
most
glorious
Gospel,
the
love
and
majesty
of
place
there
are
700
adherents.
And
I
am
further
informed
that
God,
the
l<~ather,
that
is
being
revealed
from
God's
grand
Book
there
are
towards
3,000
in
that
country
in
about
thirty
separate
in
these
latter
days
of
this
Gospel
Age
through
your
instru
places
who
have
accepted
the
divine
plan
as
preferable
to
Presby-
mentality.
terianism
and
the
church
of
England.
Brother
Elliott
himself
"Glory
be
to
God
in
thc
Highest,
on
carth,
peaee,
good
will
reports
that
there
are
about
9,000
who
are
interested
somewhat,
to
men."
This
was
the
tlleme
of
one
of
my
trial
sermons
be
though
not
all
of
them
to
the
extent
named
above.
fore
I
came
out
as
minister
of
the
Divine
Word
in
1897.
But
The
method
chiefly
employed
is
singularly
applicable
to
the
only
now,
since
I
read
your
"Studies
in
the
Scriptures,"
the
six
conditions
of
the
native
towns.
Every
village
has
a
Bwalo
for
volumes
(Millennial
Dawn
edition),
and
since
yesterday
"The
[4421]
June 15, 1909 them it has an odor of death, of self-sacrifice, which is contrary to all of their hopes, aims and desires. Some of the opponents of the truth today are hardening their own hearts by their attitude, just as did Pharaoh thirty-five hundred years ago, and just as did the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees eighteen centuries ago. We are sorry for them, but what can we do? HE DEPARTED FROM THEM When tlie opposition in the synagogue became unkind and bitter, malevolent, the Apostle departed, not from the city, which had not persecuted him, but from the synagogue, which was opposing his teaching. Here we have our suggestion also as to our own course. First we should be faithful to God; secondly, when our message is rejected, we should not stay to bore people with it, but go to those who have an “ear to hear.” We should “preach the Gospel to the meek.” Tyrannus had a school near the synagogue which, under the Lord’s providence, by rental or in some other manner, became available as a preaching place for the proclamation of the Word, and St. Paul used the opportunity faithfully for about two years. The result was that from Ephesus “the gateway of Asia Minor,” or, as it is sometimes called, “The eye of Asia,” the Word of the Lord was carried to various cities by the traveling public, including Jews and proselytes. We remember that some two years before this St. Paul had endeavored to go into Asia Minor; but, ‘the Spirit suffered him not,” is the explanation of his not going. The time for the message to reach Asia Minor had not yet arrived. How evidently God knows the conditions; not only the conditions most favorable for the character development of his faithful Apostle, but also the times and seasons most suitable or his own work in every place, including the arrangements of matters so as to draw out the various epistles which for coraries have proven so great value to the Household of aith! MIRACLES BY THE HANDS OF ST, PAUL When we think of the gifts of the Spirit conferred upon this great Apostle, the gifts of tongues, healing, etc., we appreciate these evidences that he was a servant of God, yet these do not arouse our highest esteem. Accepting them as of the Lord we nevertheless appreciate still more highly as from the same source his gift of interpretation of the divine plan of the ages, his elucidation of the philosophy of the same, his exposition of the types and the prophecies, his admonitions and exhortations along the lines of characterbuilding. By these miracles through the pen of the Apostle, God has given us rich blessing—far more than natural sight and physical healing. Our faith has been made stronger, as well as our hope and our love for God and for the brethren. There were evil spirits then, as there are today, the dif THE WATCH TOWER (190-195) ference being that today such obsessed ones are styled insane and treated accordingly, whereas probably one-half of the inmates of the insane asylums are really obsessed of the evil spirits, whose brains are not physically disordered. As St. Paul, amongst other miracles, cast out evil spirits in the name of the Lord, some of his opponents claimed that he did so merely by hypnotic influence, and that others could do the same if they would. Carrying out the thought they attempted to exorcise an evil spirit, with disastrous results. They commanded the spirit to come out of the man in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preached. But “the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped upon them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” As these opponents were prominent men the matter became generally known both to Jews and Greeks at Ephesus and the result was @ spirit of reverence, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. BOOKS OF MAGIC, WITCH-CRAFT AND HYPNOTISM We read that “many that believed came and confessed and showed their deeds.” They exposed the fact that many of their deeds were by occult or hidden power and injurious, They brought their books and burned them openly. They did not sell them to others and thus permit the evil influence to spread, but did their share towards its destruction. So should it be still, Those who turn to the Lord from darkness and sin should publicly confess the transformation of their hearts and lives and should destroy everything calculated to exercise an evil influence, either upon themselves or upon others, It is the thorough-going convert—converted from center to circumference—who has taken a radical stand for righteousness, as he previously took it for sin, that the Lord permits to honor him; and sometimes at the sacrifice of earthly interests. The testimony is, “So (thus) mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed.” The Apostle’s diversified experiences as a servant of the Lord are remarkable. At the beginning of his ministry he was beset and persecuted in nearly every city while subsequently, as we have seen, he was comparatively without persecution for nearly four years. Who hath known the mind of the Lord? Faith assures us that all of the steps of the Apostle were Divinely, wisely ordered. Perhaps he necded the rougher experiences at the beginning of his ministry to polish him, to prepare him for his further service, the writing of his epistles, etc. Doubtless we shall understand his experiences better, and our own experiences better, when, by and by, beyond the veil, we shall see as we are seen and know as we are known. Until then the Lord requires that we exercise faith and confidence in him, nothing doubting. Vou. XXX BROOKLYN, N. Y., JULY 1, 1909 No. 13 THE GOOD TIDINGS SPREADING IN AFRICA BROTHER BOOTH REPORTS FAVORABLY Respecting the work in and around Pretoria it is very encouraging in many respects. While as yet not many of the English people are taking hold of the Harvest truths, the reception of them by the native Christians is very gratifying. On my first Sunday here I entered one of the large native compounds and began singing in several of the native languages successively. The dwellers responded as by an electric shock and gave close and joyful attention as they grasped some of the simpler features of the message. At this writing several of the natives who work at the mines and other places are so situated and so interested that they are going out from Saturday p. m. to Monday a. m. delivering tracts and teaching in the various compounds for thirty miles around Johannesburg and Pretoria of the harvest-time and restitution truths to the 250,000 natives and Indians and some 20,000 Chinese cooped in from noon Saturday till over Sunday. They are overjoyed at having the same message brought here which they have heard was being proclaimed up in their home country, Nyassaland, by Brother Elliott Kamwana. One who has been here only three months tells that he saw Elliott baptize 300 in one day; another gives advice that in one place there are 700 adherents. And I am further informed that there are towards 3,000 in that country in about thirty separate places who have accepted the divine plan as preferable to Preshyterianism and the church of England. Brother Elliott himself reports that there are about 9,000 who are interested somewhat, though not all of them to the extent named above. The method chiefly employed is singularly applicable to the conditions of the native towns. Every village has a Bwalo for the hearing of matters of public interest. The itinerant brother reading English translates the paragraphs in simple style into the vernacular of the people. Questions are entertained, etc. The native brethren are sending in subscriptions for “THE WatcH Tower” for points in Nyassaland to the number of 76. King Lenanika and the Prince Letitia, his son, and their Prime Minister, from 600 miles north of the Pretoria Falls, have sent highly educated Christian representatives for the whole six volumes, They wish this message to be fully studied and proclaimed through their country, and throughout that of their friends, the great Basulu chiefs of Basululand. Nor are the Europeans being neglected in this vicinity. Brother Brink and self are giving a series of lectures, gradually covering the message, in English and Dutch. Two sisters at Krugersdorp, twelve miles out of Johannesburg, are working up an interest and circulating “Dawn-Studies.” These, like Brother Sargent, of Johannesburg, came out boldly in a street meeting in Cape Town. BROTHER BRINK WRITES ALSO My Dear Brorurr RUSSELL :— May God bless you and keep you and spare you. I am overwhelmed by the most glorious Gospel, the love and majesty of God, the Father, that is being revealed from God’s grand Book in these latter days of this Gospel Age through your instrumentality. “Glory be to God in the Highest, on earth, peace, good will to men.” This was the theme of one of my trial sermons before I came out as minister of the Divine Word in 1897. But only now, since I read your “Studies in the Scriptures,” the six volumes (Millennial Dawn edition), and since yesterday “The [4421]
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