Data publicării
01.01.1910
Volumul
31
Numărul
1
Turnul de veghe
Views From The Watch Tower
Revistele originale Turnul de veghe în limba engleză
../literature/watchtower/1910/1/1910-1-2.html
(4-5) 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
BROOKLYN, 
N. 
Y. 
tianity 
in 
outward 
conduct, 
and 
liable 
at 
any 
moment 
to 
mani­ 
fest 
those 
characteristics 
whieh 
~t. 
Paul 
describes 
as 
sensual 
and 
devilish. 
Certainly 
comparatively 
few 
have 
the 
fruits 
and 
graces 
of 
the 
holy 
~pirit-mcekness, 
gentleness, 
patience, 
long-suffering, 
brotherly-kindness, 
love! 
At 
any 
time 
in 
any 
quarter 
of 
the 
world 
conditions 
might 
suddenly 
arise 
WlllCh 
would 
convulse 
the 
financial 
world, 
and 
through 
it 
the 
social 
world, 
or 
vice 
versa. 
\Ve 
cannot 
say 
that 
this 
might 
not 
come 
soon, 
although 
we 
see 
no 
apparent 
caUSf> 
of 
such 
a 
convulsion 
in 
this 
year, 
1910. 
The 
power 
of 
the 
Labor 
Unions 
all 
recognize. 
The 
unionists 
well 
know 
that 
they 
could 
paralyze 
business 
and 
bring 
starvation 
or 
surrender 
within 
one 
month. 
THE 
"RELIGIOUS 
WORLD" 
Strictly 
speaking, 
the 
world 
is 
not 
religious, 
yet 
so 
closely 
allied 
are 
nominal 
Christianity 
of 
all 
denominations 
and 
worldly 
institutions 
of 
every 
kind 
that 
some 
name 
is 
needed 
to 
df>scribc 
the 
Babylonish 
mixturf>. 
Thank 
God, 
there 
are 
still 
good 
people, 
and 
apparently 
some 
of 
thf>m 
in 
every 
denomination; 
but 
most 
evidently 
they 
not 
only 
arc 
not 
in 
thl' 
majority, 
but 
are 
a 
very 
small 
minority 
-quite 
unable 
to 
control 
the 
situation. 
The 
outward 
forms 
continue 
in 
all 
denominations, 
but 
they 
all 
seem 
to 
be 
honey­ 
('omlw(1 
with 
unbelief. 
Highl'r 
Criticism, 
Evolution, 
Theosophy, 
Christian 
I'3ciencl', 
Psychic 
Research, 
etc., 
have 
practically 
swallow('d 
th('m 
up 
and 
there 
is 
left 
only 
the 
"form 
of 
godli­ 
nf'SS 
without 
its 
power," 
except 
in 
the 
small 
minority 
of 
con­ 
secrat('d 
saints 
already 
referred 
to. 
And 
those 
we 
are 
seeking 
for, 
and 
shall 
seek 
for 
by 
every 
power 
at 
our 
command, 
for 
they 
are 
all 
to 
be 
found 
and 
enlightened, 
blessed, 
ripened, 
gathered, 
before 
the 
end 
of 
the 
harvest 
time. 
Church 
Ff'deration 
on 
a 
large 
scale 
comes 
on 
slowly, 
but 
the 
spirit 
of 
it 
is 
making 
great 
progr<>ss 
in 
various 
directions. 
Church 
Federation 
is 
getting 
into 
practical 
shape 
in 
many 
citips. 
Undoubtedly 
it 
already 
is 
a 
force, 
but 
we 
are 
still 
to 
expe('t 
a 
still 
more 
formal 
organization 
or 
federation, 
and 
the 
vitalizing 
of 
the 
same 
through 
affiliation 
with 
the 
Episcopal 
system. 
Not 
until 
then 
will 
the 
"image 
of 
the 
beast" 
have 
powl'r 
to 
speak, 
to 
command, 
to 
enforce 
its 
edicts.-Rev. 
13:15-17. 
OUTLOOK 
FOR 
THE 
TRUTH 
In 
some 
r{'speets 
the 
truth 
has 
never 
had 
a 
brighter 
or 
more 
prosperous 
outlook 
than 
at 
the 
present 
time. 
It 
has 
never 
wielded 
as 
much 
influence 
as 
now 
for 
the 
enlighten­ 
ment 
of 
the 
people. 
Never 
before 
have 
so 
many 
millions 
of 
intelligent, 
thinking 
people 
been 
brought 
in 
contact 
with 
a 
knowledge 
of 
the 
divine 
plan 
of 
the 
ages 
and 
a 
knowledge 
of 
the 
effectiveness 
of 
the 
ransom 
price 
laid 
down 
on 
Calvary! 
Never 
before 
has 
the 
trumpet 
given 
a 
clearer 
sound! 
Never 
before 
have 
the 
soldiers 
of 
the 
cross 
had 
the 
armor 
more 
com­ 
pletely 
at 
their 
command 
or 
been 
better 
versed 
in 
how 
to 
use 
the 
sword 
of 
the 
Spirit, 
which 
is 
the 
Word 
of 
God! 
Never 
before 
have 
those 
who 
understand 
the 
truth 
seemed 
more 
awake 
to 
the 
responsibilities 
of 
the 
hour 
or 
more 
zealous 
to 
use 
them 
to 
the 
glory 
of 
Immanuel! 
'Vhat 
may 
we 
not 
ex­ 
pect, 
accordingly, 
in 
the 
year 
1910 
in 
the 
line 
of 
scattering 
the 
volunteer 
matter 
and 
puttin~ 
the 
"Bible 
Keys" 
into 
the 
hands 
of 
every 
Bible 
student; 
and 
THE 
W 
ATCR 
TOWER 
into 
the 
hands 
of 
everyone 
who 
manifests 
interest; 
and 
the 
sel"­ 
mons 
weekly 
into 
the 
bands 
of 
all 
our 
neighbors! 
Dear 
Brethren, 
what 
solemn 
resolutions 
or 
vows 
do 
you 
intend 
to 
make 
to 
the 
Lord 
respecting 
your 
faith 
and 
zeal 
and 
self-denials 
in 
his 
service 
during 
the 
year 
beginning? 
Let 
us 
promise 
nothing 
rashly; 
but, 
after 
considering 
well 
OUr 
w«;m­ 
derful 
privileges 
llnd 
opportunities, 
let 
us 
promise 
and 
do 
With 
our 
might, 
what 
our 
hands 
find 
to 
do. 
"YOUR 
ADVERSARY 
THE 
DEVIL" 
What 
we 
have 
said 
respecting 
the 
glorious 
opportunities 
for 
sf'rvice 
and 
a 
good 
outlook 
for 
the 
work 
should 
not 
be 
understood 
to 
signify 
no 
attacks 
from 
the 
adversary. 
Quite 
to 
the 
contrary 
indeed. 
If 
from 
time 
to 
time 
in 
the 
past 
our 
great 
enemy 
has 
assaulted 
the 
truth 
and 
all 
who 
wo?ld 
seek 
to 
be 
faithful 
to 
it, 
what 
reason 
have 
we 
for 
supposmg 
that 
he 
would 
be 
less 
on 
the 
alert 
or 
less 
aggressive 
in 
the 
present 
or 
succeeding 
years? 
On 
the 
contrary 
our 
expectation 
is 
that 
the 
battle 
for 
right, 
for 
truth. 
will 
wax 
hotter 
and 
hotter. 
Those 
unwilling 
to 
trust 
the 
Lord 
and 
those 
who 
are 
confident 
of 
themselves 
might 
about 
as 
well 
surrender 
now 
as 
any 
other 
time. 
Be 
assured 
that 
only 
the 
faithful 
and 
the 
courageous 
overcomers 
will 
stand 
the 
testing 
of 
this 
evil 
day. 
But 
this 
will 
not 
discourage 
us, 
if 
we 
will 
trust 
in 
the 
gracious 
prom­ 
ises 
of 
our 
Lord 
that 
greater 
is 
he 
that 
is 
for 
us 
than 
all 
that 
are 
against 
us. 
The 
Apostle 
calls 
particular 
attention 
to 
"perils 
amongst 
false 
brpthren" 
in 
our 
day 
and 
he 
particularly 
pointed 
us 
to 
the 
heady 
and 
high-minded 
and 
told 
us 
that 
"Of 
your 
Own 
selves 
shall 
men 
arise 
speaking 
perverse 
things 
to 
draw 
away 
dlsdples 
after 
them." 
~uch 
tlungs 
are 
to 
be 
expected 
in 
1910. 
Let 
us 
not 
be 
surprised, 
but 
on 
the 
alert 
to 
resist 
such 
be­ 
setments 
by 
increased 
humility. 
It 
surely 
is 
a 
fact 
that 
those 
who 
once 
enjoyed 
the 
light 
of 
present 
truth 
and 
who 
have 
left 
it 
seem 
thereafter 
more 
deficient 
of 
decency;, 
reasonableness, 
honesty, 
manhood 
and 
womanhood 
than 
do 
worldly 
people, 
or 
those 
who 
have 
never 
seen 
the 
Truth. 
One 
might 
know 
how 
to 
calculate 
on 
what 
the 
worldly 
foe 
might 
do 
or 
say 
or 
in­ 
sinuate, 
for 
they 
all 
have 
limits 
beyond 
which 
they 
would 
not 
think 
of 
going; 
but 
as 
for 
these 
false 
brethren, 
there 
is 
no 
calculating 
what 
they 
may 
do 
or 
say. 
Expecting 
such 
assaults 
we 
need 
not 
be 
disconcerted 
but 
"trust 
in 
the 
Lord 
and 
do 
good." 
WHAT 
MANNER 
OF 
SPIRIT 
ARE 
YE 
OF? 
Eighteen 
centuries 
ago 
when 
the 
8amaritans 
refusrd 
to 
sell 
bread 
for 
Our 
Lord's 
company, 
the 
Apostles 
James 
and 
John 
in 
their 
loving 
zeal 
for 
the 
Master, 
said, 
"Lord, 
Wilt 
thou 
that 
we 
command 
fire 
from 
heaven" 
to 
destroy 
these 
men 
and 
their 
city? 
But 
Jesus 
rebuked 
them, 
saying, 
"Ye 
know 
not 
what 
manner 
of 
spirit 
ye 
are 
of. 
The 
~on 
of 
man 
came 
not 
to 
destroy 
men's 
lives, 
but 
to 
save 
thrm."-Luke 
9:54-56. 
These 
words 
are 
to 
be 
the 
guide 
of 
all 
the 
Lord's 
foIIowf>rs 
today, 
as 
well 
as 
before. 
\Ve 
are 
not 
to 
render 
evil 
for 
eni. 
nor 
slander 
for 
slander, 
but, 
contrariwise, 
are 
to 
speak 
kindly, 
lovingly, 
generously, 
of 
those 
who, 
as 
foretold, 
will 
say 
all 
manner 
of 
evil 
against 
us 
falsely 
for 
Christ's 
sake-because 
we 
are 
his 
servants 
and 
representatives. 
And 
the 
more 
promi­ 
nent 
our 
position, 
the 
more 
virulent 
will 
br 
their 
attacks. 
If 
we 
can 
remember 
that 
they 
are 
deludl'd 
and 
that 
the 
attacks 
are 
really 
from 
the 
adversary, 
it 
will 
help 
us 
to 
feel 
kindly, 
sympathetically 
toward 
them 
instead 
of 
maliciously 
and 
hate­ 
fully. 
\Ve 
urge 
upon 
the 
dear 
readers 
of 
this 
Journal 
that 
dur­ 
ing 
the 
year 
1910, 
more 
than 
ever 
before, 
they 
shall 
seek 
to 
walk 
very 
close 
to 
the 
Lord-in 
meekness 
and 
humility, 
in 
patience 
and 
love 
to 
the 
brethren, 
and 
in 
love 
and 
zeal 
for 
the 
Lord 
and 
for 
the 
truth. 
Although 
somewhat 
disappointed 
that 
we 
are 
not 
even 
able 
to 
report 
seven 
thousand 
names 
to 
the 
vow-not 
mare 
than 
one-third 
of 
THE 
\V 
ATCH 
TOWER 
list, 
nevertheless 
we 
have 
many 
reasons 
for 
believing 
that 
some 
of 
the 
dear 
friends 
who 
have 
not 
taken 
the 
Vow 
formally 
are 
striving 
to 
live 
up 
to 
its 
principles, 
and 
striving 
thereby 
to 
have 
a 
share 
of 
the 
blessings 
which 
it 
seems 
to 
be 
bringing 
to 
all 
who 
take 
it 
in 
sincerity, 
and 
in 
love 
of 
the 
truth 
and 
the 
principles 
of 
righteousness. 
We 
urge 
all 
to 
beware 
of 
making 
the 
vow 
a 
test 
of 
brother­ 
hood 
in 
Christ. 
Leave 
every 
matter 
of 
personal 
liberty 
with 
the 
individual, 
recognizing 
all 
who 
fully 
turn 
from 
sin 
to 
righteousness 
and 
avow 
full 
faith 
in 
the 
Redeemer 
as 
the 
8avior 
and 
a 
full 
consecration 
to 
him 
as 
"members 
of 
his 
body." 
'Vhat 
preference 
you 
should 
give 
in 
the 
election 
of 
elders 
to 
one 
who 
has 
taken 
the 
vow 
or 
to 
one 
who 
has 
not 
taken 
it 
is 
for 
yourselves 
to 
decide, 
according 
to 
your 
own 
judgment; 
just 
as 
the 
matter 
of 
the 
use 
of 
toba~co 
wou.ld 
not 
bar 
Christian 
brotherhood, 
but 
might 
be 
conslder€'d 
III 
the 
choice 
of 
an 
elder 
of 
the 
church. 
Should 
any 
in 
opposing 
the 
vow 
show 
a 
bitter 
spirit, 
a 
fighting 
spirit, 
remember 
the 
Apostle's 
words, 
"Mark 
them 
which 
cause 
divisions 
... 
and 
avoid 
them." 
(Rom. 
16: 
17) 
Nevertheless 
treat 
them 
not 
as 
enemies 
and 
think 
not 
of 
them 
as 
such, 
and 
hope 
for 
their 
return 
to 
a 
better 
spirit. 
Let 
us 
each 
remember, 
however, 
that 
his 
own 
chief 
ground 
for 
scru­ 
tiny 
and 
criticism 
is 
his 
own 
heart 
and 
his 
own 
life. 
Let 
us 
each 
fight 
the 
good 
fight 
there 
and 
avoid 
in 
every 
pos~ible 
manner 
contentions 
and 
strife 
with 
the 
brethren, 
except 
it 
should 
be 
unavoidable 
along 
the 
lines 
of 
some 
violations 
of 
righteousness 
or 
the 
spirit 
of 
a 
good 
conscience 
and 
then 
let 
it 
be 
with 
loving 
and 
peaceable 
desires 
and 
endeavors. 
THE 
NEW 
OOMMANDMENT 
Many 
of 
you 
have 
already 
obtained 
this 
year's 
motto 
card, 
the 
low 
prices 
of 
which 
are 
mentioned 
elsewhere. 
The 
texts 
for 
the 
year 
are 
most 
beautiful. 
The 
first 
is 
the 
New 
Com­ 
mandment 
of 
the 
Master 
given 
to 
those 
who 
will 
be 
his 
dis­ 
ciples-those 
who 
would 
consecrate 
their 
lives 
with 
his, 
even 
unto 
dE'ath. 
"Love 
one 
another 
as 
I 
have 
loved 
you"-unto 
self-sacriticE'. 
(,fohn 
15: 
12) 
The 
second 
text 
might 
be 
termE'd 
an 
apostolic 
commentarv 
on 
this 
New 
Commandment. 
8t. 
,John 
wrote 
to 
fE'How-Christians, 
"\Ve 
ought 
(also) 
to 
lay 
down 
our 
lives 
for 
the 
brethrE'n" 
(1 
,Tohn 
~:16)-following 
the 
example 
of 
our 
illustrious 
RE'deemer 
and 
glorified 
Head. 
If 
vou 
have 
several 
of 
these 
motto 
rards, 
have 
one 
in 
each 
room 
so 
that 
you 
will 
think 
rontinually 
upon 
brotherly 
love, 
assured 
that 
it 
is 
the 
final 
test 
of 
character 
in 
God's 
sight. 
[4540] 
(4-5) tianity in outward conduct, and liable at any moment to manifest those characteristics which St. Paul describes as sensual and devilish. Certainly comparatively few have the fruits and graces of the holy Spirit—meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, brotherly-kindness, love! At any time in any quarter of the world conditions might suddenly arise which would convulse the financial world, and through it the social world, or vice versa. We cannot say that this might not come soon, although we see no apparent cause of such a convulsion in this year, 1910. ‘he power of the Labor Unions all recognize. The unionists well know that they could paralyze business and bring starvation or surrender within one month. THE ‘‘RELIGIOUS WORLD’! Strictly speaking, the world is not religious, yet so closely allied are nominal Christianity of all denominations and worldly institutions of every kind that some name is needed to describe the Babylonish mixture. Thank God, there are still good people, and apparently some of them in cvery denomination; but most evidently they not only are not in the majority, but are a very small minority —quite unable to control the situation. The outward forms continue in all denominations, but they all seem to be honeycombed with unbelief. Higher Criticism, Evolution, Theosophy, Christian Science, Psychic Research, ete, have practically swallowed them up and there is left only the ‘form of godliness without its power,” except in the small minority of consecrated saints already referred to. And those we are seeking for, and shall seek for by every power at our command, for they are all to be found and enlightened, blessed, ripened, gathered, before the end of the harvest time. Church Federation on a large scale comes on slowly, but the spirit of it is making great progress in various directions. Church Federation is getting into practical shape in many cities, Undoubtedly it already is a force, but we are still to expect a still more formal organization or federation, and the vitalizing of the same through affiliation with the Episcopal system. Not until then will the “image of the beast” have power to speak, to command, to enforce its edicts.—Rev. 13:15-17. OUTLOOK FOR THE TRUTH In some respects the truth has never had a brighter or more prosperous outlook than at the present time. It has never wielded as much influence as now for the enlightenment of the people. Never before have so many millions of intelligent, thinking people been brought in contact with a knowledge of the divine plan of the ages and a knowledge of the effectiveness of the ransom price laid down on Calvary! Never before has the trumpet given a clearer sound! Never before have the soldiers of the cross had the armor more completely at their command or been better versed in how to use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God! Never before have those who understand the truth seemed more awake to the responsibilities of the hour or more zealous to use them to the glory of Immanuel! What may we not expect, accordingly, in the year 1910 in the line of scattering the volunteer matter and putting the “Bible Keys” into the hands of every Bible student; and THe Watcn Tower into the hands of every one who manifests interest; and the sermons weekly into the bands of all our neighbors! Dear Brethren, what solemn resolutions or vows do you intend to make to the Lord respecting your faith and zeal and self-denials in his service during the year beginning? Let us promise nothing rashly; but, after considering well our wonderful privileges and opportunities, let us promise and do with our might, what our hands find to do. ‘YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL" What we have said respecting the glorious opportunities for service and a good outlook for the work should not be understood to signify no attacks from the adversary. Quite to the contrary indeed. If from time to time in the past our great enemy has assaulted the truth and all who would seek to be faithful to it, what reason have we for supposing that he would be less on the alert or less aggressive in the present or succeeding yearr? On the contrary our expectation is that the battle for right, for truth, will wax hotter and hotter. Those unwilling to trust the Lord and those who are confident of themselves might about as well surrender now as any other time. Be assured that only the faithful and the courageous overcomers will stand the testing of this evil day. But this will not discourage us, if we will trust in the gracious promises of our Lord that greater is he that is for us than all that are against us. The Apostle calls particular attention to “perils amongst false brethren” in our day and he particularly pointed us to the heady and high-minded and told us that “Of your own THE WATCH TOWER Brooxiyn, N. Y. selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.” Such things are to be expected in 1910. Let us not be surprised, but on the alert to resist such besetments by increased humility. It surely is a fact that those who once enjoyed the light of present truth and who have left it seem thereafter more deficient of decency, reasonableness, honesty, manhood and womanhood than do worldly people, or those who have never seen the Truth. One might know how to calculate on what the worldly foe might do or say or insinuate, for they all have limits beyond which they would not think of going; but as for these false brethren, there is no calculating what they may do or say. Expecting such assaults we need not be disconcerted but “trust in the Lord and do good.” WHAT MANNER OF SPIRIT ARE YE OF? Eighteen centuries ago when the Samaritans refused to sell bread for our Lord’s company, the Apostles James and John in their loving zeal for the Master, said, “Lord, Wilt thou that we command fire from heaven” to destroy these men and their city? But Jesus rebuked them, saying, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. The Son of man came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”’—Luke 9:54-56. These words are to be the guide of all the Lord’s followers today, as well as before. We are not to render evil for evil, nor slander for slander, but, contrariwise, are to speak kindly, lovingly, generously, of those who, as foretold, will say all manner of evil against us falsely for Christ’s sake—because we are his servants and representatives. And the more prominent our position, the more virulent will be their attacks. If we can remember that they are deluded and that the attacks are really from the adversary, it will help us to feel kindly, sympathetically toward them instead of maliciously and hatefully. We urge upon the dear readers of this Journal that during the year 1910, more than ever before, they shall seek to walk very close to the Lord—in meekness and humility, in patience and love to the brethren, and in love and zeal for the Lord and for the truth. Although somewhat disappointed that we are not even able to report seven thousand names to the vow—not more than one-third of THE WatTcH Tower list, nevertheless we have many reasons for believing that some of the dear friends who have not taken the Vow formally are striving to live up to its principles, and striving thereby to have a share of the blessings which it seems to be bringing to all who take it in sincerity, and in love of the truth and the principles of righteousness. We urge all to beware of making the vow a test of brotherhood in Christ. Leave every matter of persona] liberty with the individual, recognizing all who fully turn from sin to righteousness and avow full faith in the Redeemer as the Savior and a full consecration to him as “‘members of his body.” What preference you should give in the election of elders to one who has taken the vow or to one who has not taken it is for yourselves to decide, according to your awn judgment; just as the matter of the use of tobacco would not bar Christian brotherhood, but might be considered in the choice of an elder of the church. Should any in opposing the vow show a bitter spirit, a fighting spirit, remember the Apostle’s words, ‘Mark them which cause divisions ... and avoid them.” (Rom. 16:17) Nevertheless treat them not as enemies and think not of them as such, and hope for their return to a better spirit. Let us each remember, however, that his own chief ground for scrutiny and criticism is his own heart and his own life. Let us each fight the good fight there and avoid in every possible manner contentions and strife with the brethren, except it should be unavoidable along the lines of some violations of righteousness or the spirit of a good conscience and then let it be with loving and peaceable desires and endeavors, THE NEW COMMANDMENT Many of you have already obtained this year’s motto card, the low prices of which are mentioned elsewhere. The texts for the year are most beautiful. The first is the New Commandment of the Master given to those who will be his disciples—those who would consecrate their lives with his, even unto death. “Love one another as I have loved you”—unto self-sacritice. (John 15:12) The second text might be termed an apostolic commentary on this New Commandment. St. John wrote to fellow-Christians, “We ought (also) to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16)—following the example of our illustrious Redeemer and glorified Head. If vou have several of these motto cards, have one in each room so that you will think continually upon brotherly love, assured that it is the final test of character in God’s sight. [4540]

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