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INTERESTING
LETTER
QUESTIONS
RESPECTING
CLASS
DISCIPLINE
DEAR
BROTHF~
RUSSELL:-
Some
of
us
desire
your
further
advice
on
two
points:
(1)
What
at.titude
should
we
tllke
toward
brethren
who
hold
little
mpctingq
not
authorized
or
appointed
by
the
Class
with
which
they
are
connected?
(2)
\\"
e
note
your
rccommenllatio!l
concerning
tl'stimony
meetings
and
their
helpfulne's
in
character-development.
\Vhat
should
we
do
in
a
c;\se
\"hcre
elders
oppose
such
meet
ings,
but
whpre
the
ClaSq
dl'sire
to
have
them?
THE
EDITOR'S
REPLY
\Ve
th
i
nk
it
rather
un
wise
for
a
brother
daiming
to
be
a
mpmhp!"
of
thp
cJ~bS
to
contirdy
ignore
that
elass
in
the
matter
of
holding
JnPptinp-s.
Fur
him
to
inaugurate
meetings,
adver
ti'e
tl1l'lJI.
hold
UIPm
during
the
rcg-IlIar
hours
of
the
meet
ing-q
(If
the
dns'i,
de.,
would
,{'(-m
to
be
in
the
nature
of
ig-noring"
the
c1.\ss;
and
to
hold
meetings
at
the
same
hour
might
j,c
eon~idf'TP,1
an
oppusition.
However,
even
though
a
Jl
this
were
done,
it
would
not
constitute
a
cause
of
offense
or
of
expommllnipation.
TIle
plass
should
rejoice
to
know
that
the
Gosppl
of
the
king-rlom
is
being
preached,
even
though
it
were
prPRehp,1
in
a
strifeful
and
eontentious
manner,
as
St.
Paul
Sllggl'qtS.
(Phil.
l:lfj·lR)
A
class
would
have
no
more
right
to
think
or
~pe:lk
evil
of
such
a
brother
and
of
his
pffort
than
to
think
or
spp:tk
evil
of
any
Chr,istian
mini,ster
of
any
denomination
flnd
of
his
efIort.
If,
however,
a
brother
werc
invited
to
give
a
little
talk
in
a
private
or
a
f,pmi-private
manner
to
a
few,
not
as
a
regular
da
o
,.
nor
aq
flU
opposition
mecting,
nor
at
a
con
flicting
hour,
thpre
would
seem
to
he
no
ground
wh.atever
for
r('proof.
On
the
eontrar}',
we
shoul(l
all
commend
his
love
and
ze:tl
amI.
thanking
the
Lord
for
the
brother's
privileges,
seek
a~
good
for
ourselvcs.
\Ve
are
to
keep
strietly
in
mind
that
the
Lord
has
not
given
any
of
u~
a
rigllt
to
snpprvi~e
His
work
nor
to
forbid
anothcr
to
preaph
the
Go~peJ.
The
disciples
of
old
did
this
on
one
opcasion
and
.Jesus
rehuked
thpm,
saying,
"Forbid
him
not;
for
there
is
n:l
man
that
shall
do
a
miracle
in
my
name,
that
can
lig'ht.Jy
spe:rk
evil
of
me."
(:~Iark
9:~8-40)
Again
he
said,
"\Vlll're
two
or
three
are
gathered
together
in
my
name.
there
am
I
in
the
mid"t
of
them."
(Matt.
18:20)
He
did
not
say
that
thp
two
or
three
must
be
authorized,
com
missioned,
or
in
any
mannpr
privileged
of
men.
Hencc,
what
ever
thcre
is
of
PO-oppration
in
the
church
should
be
merely
of
love,
of
wisdom.
of
pstimation
of
th8
divine
will
and
the
onpness
of
the
church.
We
are
surprised
to
learn
that
there
are
any
in
opposition
to
the
weekly
testimony
meetings
which
we
have
so
strongly
urged.
In
our
experience
this
class
of
meeting
is
one
of
the
most
spiritually
helpful.
In
many
places
if
it
were
nece1!
sary
to
have
but
one
meeting.
the
classes
undoubtedly
would
hold
on
to
the
weekly
testImony
meeting
as
the
best
and
most
helpful
of
all.
We
commend
Wednesday
night
as
being
a
most
suitable
oecasion
for
this
kind
of
meeting.
\Ve
have
already
recommended
that
the
weekly
topic
be
the
Manna
text
of
the
preceding
Thursday.
Observing
this
.rule,
the
Lord's
people
all
over
the
world
can
study
and
thmk
muph
along
the
same
lines
and,
looking
for
experiences
in
the
same
direction,
obtain
corresponding
blessings.
\Ve
recommend
a
trial
of
this
method
to
all
of
the
classes
evprywhere.
They
will
have
plenty
to
testify
about
if
once
they
acquire
the
h8
bit
of
looking
fOT
the
Lord's
providen{'es
in
the
affairs
of
life,
noting
exper
iences
and
lessons
and
com
paring
them
with
the
instructions
of
the
div'ine
Word.
Those
who
are
follo,wing
this
course
are
often
surprised
to
note
how
much
more
every
day
is
worth
to
them
than
formerly.
With
many,
life
is
a
business
routine
or
a
dream.
As
new
creatures
we
desire
to
have
every
day
full
of
Christian
experiences
and
intelligent
thought
directed
and
moulded
by
the
divine
Word.
This
blessed
condition
is
attained
largely
bv
the
method
we
have
indicated.
Our
growth
in
grace
de
p'ends
not
so
much
on
the
number
of
chap'ters
or
ver,ses
which
we
Tead.
as
upon
the
exercise
of
our
minds,
hearts
and
wills
in
connection
with
what
we
already
know
and
what
we
daily
learn
of
the
will
of
God.
It
is
nm
for
the
elders.
but
for
the
class
to
determine
what
meetings
it
wishE's
to
hold.
When
the
class
decidl's.
the
elders,
of
course,
still
have
their
privilege
of
resigning.
Indeed,
it
would
certainly
be
advantageous,
both
for
the
elder
and
the
class,
to
have
such
elders
resign
as
desire
to
rule
the
Lord'a
household.
instead
of
desiring
to
serve
it.
However,
our
experience
teadres
that
frequently
supposed
oppositions
are
mer,ely
misuntlerstandings.
\Ve
advise
a
care
ful
study
afresh
of
STUDIES
IK
THE
SCRIPTURES,
Vol.
VI.
Indeed,
we
remind
the
dear
friends
how
leaky
are
all
our
memories,
and
of
the
wisdom,
therefore,
of
the
course
being
followed
by
a
great
many-the
reading
of
the
entire
six
vol
umes
of
STUDIES
IN
THE
SCRIPTURES
every
year-twelve
pages
or
more
every
day.
Those
who
are
following
this
course
report
great
blessing
and
give
evidence
of
great
clearness
in
the
truth.
YOLo
XXXIII
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
NOVEMBER
1,
1912
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
EVIL
SPEAKING
AND
EVIL
SURMISING
No.
21
Many
are
the
pee-uliar
subterfuges
which
the
fallen
nature
uses
in
its
attempt
to
stifle
the
voice
of
Conscience.
We
have
known
pcoplc
who
took
pognizance
of
thc
Scriptural
injunc
tion
against
slaniler.
evil
spcaking
and
evil
surmising,
and
yet
who
were
so
confused
on
the
subject
and
so
unaccustomed
to
scrutinizing
thcir
own
ponnnct
that
they
would
utter
slander
in
the
very
breath
in
whil'h
they
pxpressen
their
strong
disap
proval
of
evil
spcaking.
In
ordpr
to
avoin
such
a
condition
of
confusion
it
is
wpll
to
haw
in
mind
a
clear
definition
of
these
terms.
tion,
is
evil
speaking,
although
the
uncomplimentary
state
ment
be
true.
All
of
our
words
are
taken
by
the
Lord
as
an
index
of
the
heart.
If
our
words
are
flippant,
frivolous,
unkind,
unthank
ful,
rebellious
or
disloyal.
He
judges
the
heart
accordingly,
on
the
principle
that
"Out
of
the
abundance
of
the
heart
the
mouth
speaketh."
(Matt.
12:34)
Thus
in
all
the
varied
circum
stances
of
daily
life,
our
words
are
continually
bearing
testi
mony
before
God
of
the
condition
of
our
hearts.
Godlikeness
certainly
cannot
include
any
harmful
gossip,
SLANDER
A
FACTOR
IN
ANARCHY
any
unclean
or
unholy
conversation,
any
disloyal
or
rebellious
A
slander
is
anything
uttered
with
the
intention
of
injury
words.
Let
all
such
things
be
put
far
away
from
those
who
to
another,
whether
the
statement
be
true
or
false.
Both
the
name
the
name
of
Christ
in
sincerity
and
in
truth.
Law
of
God
and
thc
laws
of
mpn
agree
that
such
mJury
is
The
tongue
is
the
most
powerful
member
of
the
human
wrong.
True.
many
slanrlPrers
are
never
prosecuted;
true
that
body.
As
the
Scriptures
say,
with
it
we
may
praise
God
or
even
newspapNs
have
times
without
number
escaped
heavy
injure
men.
Not
only
may
we
injure
those
within
reach
of
damages
for
libelous
sbnder.
on
the
plea
that
they
published
our
tongue,
but
our
words
might
extend
their
influence
through
the
defamation
as
news
whiph
propcrly
belonged
to
the
people.
out
the
world
and
from
generation
to
generation.
Our
tongues
Public
men
considl'r
it
good
poliC'y
to
lct
ordinary
slander
go
are
the
most
wonderful
power
that
God
has
given
us.
It
has
unnoticed,
realizing
that
many
of
the
false
statements
made
heen
said
that
all
of
life's
experiences
deepen
when
presented
by
the
opposition
prC'Rs
will
propprly
be
credited
as
falsehood.
in
language.
When
uttered,
thoughts
impress
themselves
The
effl'ct
of
public
slanrll'r
is
yery
injurious.
and
brings
rlcpply
-upon
the
mind.
We
should
certainly
take
heed
to
our
about
a
gradual
growth
of
slanller
among
the
people.
This
t(lngucs.-James
3
:9,
10.
pond
it
ion
is
sure
to
work
pyil
to
themselves
ann
to
their
insti-
EVIL
SURMISING
INDICATIVE
OF
AN
IMPURE
HEART
tutions.
Government
offieials
and
other
men
thus
slandered
Evil
surmising
consists
in
imagining
evil
motives
to
be
lose
thpir
influencc
for
good
oypr
the
lower
classes,
who
are
hphiIHI
the
words
and
the
acts
of
others.
Propeeding
out
of
the
thus
bcing-
hclped
along
llay
by
way
to
grpater
lawlessness,
he~trt
not
fully
consecrated,
evil
surmising
will
attribute
some
and
are
bping
thus
prep:1I'l'll
for
thc
period
of
anarchy
which
sclfi,h
or
evil
motive
to
every
good
deed.
This
form
of
sin
is
the
Scripturps
tell
us
is
near.
ranked
by
the
Apostle
Paul
as
contrary
to
the
words
of
our
EVIL
SPEAKING
INDICATIVE
OF
UNGODLINESS
Lord
Jesus,
opposed
to
godliness,
and
of
the
same
spirit
as
Evil
speaking
inc'ludes
all
defamatory
or
injurious
remarks
envy
and
strife-works
of
the
flesh
and
of
the
devil.-l
Tim.
against
others-worns
of
hatred.
malice,
envy
or
strife-every-
6:
3-5;
Gal.
5:
19-21.
thing
which
would
iniure
another
to
any
degree.
Even
an
un-
Those
who
have
cultivat,ed
that
spirit
of
love
which
"think-
complimentary
rpmark
respecting
another,
injuring
his
reputa-
eth
no
evil"
have
developed
their
characters
and
have
become
(330-335)
[5122]
INTERESTING LETTER QUESTIONS RESPECTING CLASS DISCIPLINE DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:— Some of us desire your further advice on two points: (1) What attitude should we take toward brethren who hold little wneetings not authorized or appointed by the Class with which they are connected? (2) We note your recommendation concerning testimony meetings and their helpfulness in character-development. What should we do in a case where elders oppose such meetings, but where the Class desire to have them? THE EDITOR’S REPLY We think if rather unwise for a brother claiming to be a member of the class to entirely ignore that class in the matter of holding meetings. For him to inaugurate meetings, advertise them. hold them during the regular hours of the meetings of the class, ete, would seem to be in the nature of ignoring the class; and to hold meetings at the same hour might he considered an opposition, However, even though all this were done, it would not constitute a cause of offense or of excommunication. The class should rejoice to know that the Gospel of the kingdom is being preached, even though it were preached in a strifeful and contentious manner, as St. Paul suggests. (Phil. 1:15-18) A class would have no more right to think or speak evil of such a brother and of his effort than to think or speak evil of any Christian minister of any denomination and of his effort. If, however, a brother were invited to give a little talk in a private or a semi-private manner to a few, not as a regular class, nor as an opposition meeting, nor at a conflicting hour, there would seem to be no ground whatever for reproof. On the contrary, we should all commend his love and zeal and, thanking the Lord for the brother’s privileges, seek as good for ourselves. We are to keep strictly in mind that the Lord has not given any of us a right to supervise His work nor to forbid another to preach the Gospel. The disciples of old did this on one occasion and Jesus rehuked them, saying, “Forbid him not; for there is no man that shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evi] of me.” (Mark 9:38-40) Again he said, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20) He did not say that the two or three must be authorized, commissioned, or in any manner privileged of men. Hence, whatever there is of co-operation in the church should be merely of love, of wisdom. of estimation of the divine will and the oneness of the church. We are surprised to learn that there are any in opposition to the weekly testimony meetings which we have so strongly urged. In our experience this class of meeting is one of the most spiritually helpful. In many places if it were necessary to have but one meeting, the classes undoubtedly would hold on to the weekly testimony meeting as the best and most helpful of all. We commend Wednesday night as being a most suitable occasion for this kind of meeting. We have already recommended that the weekly topic be the Manna text of the preceding Thursday. Observing this rule, the Lord’s people all over the world can study and think much along the same lines and, looking for experiences in the same direction, obtain corresponding blessings. We recommend a trial of this method to all of the classes everywhere. They will have plenty to testify about if once they acquire the hebit of looking for the Lord’s providences in the affairs of life, noting experiences and lessons and comparing them with the instructions of the divine Word. ‘Those who are following this course are often surprised to note how much more every day is worth to them than formerly. With many, life is a business routine or a dream. As new creatures we desire to have every day full of Christian experiences and intelligent thought directed and moulded by the divine Word. This blessed condition is attained largely by the method we have indicated. Our growth in grace depends not so much on the number of chapters or verses which we read, as upon the exercise of our minds, hearts and wills in connection with what we already know and what we daily learn of the will of God. It is not for the elders, but for the class to determine what meetings it wishes to hold. When the class decides, the elders, of course, still have their privilege of resigning. Indeed, it would certainly be advantageous, both for the elder and the class, to have such elders resign as desire to rule the Lord’s household, instead of desiring to serve it. However, our experience teaches that frequently supposed oppositions are merely misunderstandings. We advise a careful study afresh of Srupies In THE Scriprures, Vol. VI. Indeed, we remind the dear friends how leaky are all our memories, and of the wisdom, therefore, of the course being followed by a great many—the reading of the entire six volumes of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES every year—twelve pages or more every day. Those who are following this course report great blessing and give evidence of great clearness in the truth. Vou. XXXII BROOKLYN, N. Y., NOVEMBER 1, 1912 No. 21 EVIL SPEAKING AND EVIL SURMISING Many are the peculiar subterfuges which the fallen nature uses in its attempt to stifle the voice of Conscience. We have known people who took cognizance of the Scriptural injunction against slander, evil speaking and evil surmising, and yet who were so confused on the subject and so unaccustomed to scrutinizing their own conduct that they would utter slander in the very breath in which they expressed their strong disapproval of evil speaking. In order to avoid such a condition of confusion it is well to have in mind a clear definition of these terms. SLANDER A FACTOR IN ANARCHY A slander is anything uttered with the intention of injury to another, whether the statement be true or false. Both the Law of God and the laws of men agree that such injury is wrong. True, many slanderers are never prosecuted; true that even newspapers have times without number escaped heavy damages for libelous slander, on the plea that they published the defamation as news which properly belonged to the people. Public men consider it good policy to let ordinary slander go unnoticed, realizing that many of the false statements made by the opposition press will properly be credited as falsehood. The effect of public slander is very injurious, and brings about a gradual growth of slander among the people. This condition is sure to work evil to themselves and to their institutions. Government officials and other men thus slandered lose their influence for good over the lower classes, who are thus being helped along day by way to greater lawlessness, and are being thus prepared for the period of anarchy which the Scriptures tell us is near. EVIL SPEAKING INDICATIVE OF UNGODLINESS Evil speaking includes all defamatory or injurious remarks against others—words of hatred, malice, envy or strife—everything which would injure another to any degree. Even an uncomplimentary remark respecting another, injuring his reputa (330-335) tion, is evil speaking, although the uncomplimentary statement be true. All of our words are taken by the Lord as an index of the heart. If our words are flippant, frivolous, unkind, unthankful, rebellious or disloyal. He judges the heart accordingly, on the principle that “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matt. 12:34) Thus in all the varied circumstances of daily life, our words are continually bearing testimony before God of the condition of our hearts. Godlikeness certainly cannot include any harmful gossip, any unclean or unholy conversation, any disloyal or rebellious words. Let all such things be put far away from those who name the name of Christ in sincerity and in truth. The tongue is the most powerful member of the human body. As the Scriptures say, with it we may praise God or injure men. Not only may we injure those within reach of our tongue, but our words might extend their influence throughout the world and from generation to generation. Our tongues are the most wonderful power that God has given us. It has been said that all of life’s experiences deepen when presented in language. When uttered, thoughts impress themselves deeply upon the mind. We should certainly take heed to our tongues.— James 3:9, 10. EVIL SURMISING INDICATIVE OF AN IMPURE HEART Evil surmising consists in imagining evil motives to be hehind the words and the acts of others. Proceeding out of the heart not fully consecrated, evil surmising will attribute some selfish or evil motive to every good deed. This form of sin is ranked by the Apostle Paul as contrary to the words of our Lord Jesus, opposed to godliness, and of the same spirit as envy and strife—works of the flesh and of the devil.—l Tim. 6:3-5; Gal. 5:19-21. Those who have cultivated that spirit of love which “thinketh no evil” have developed their characters and have become [5122]
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