(306-323) made the service very impressive and upbuilding for the singers and the immersed ones. That moment of witnessing will be long remembered by all present. A love feast was arranged for on the order held at the general conventions of the I. B. S. A. After this all went back to their duties, filled with the Lord’s holy Spirit. Such a wonderful blessing was real THE WATCH TOWER Brookiyn, N. Y. ized that it would be almost impossible not to say something about it. Praying for further blessings on these and the saints of God everywhere and with Christian love, I am, Your brother in the One Hope, Ww. K.—IIl. PHOTO-DRAMA Unexpected difficulties have from time to time arisen hindering the presentation of the drama. Perhaps the Lord’s time for it has not yet come. The present outlook for it is not favorable for publie work before the first of the coming year. We have on file the applications of those who desire to serve OF CREATION in this department of the harvest work. More applicants have already sent in their names than we shall probably be able to use for some time. Should more help be desired, mention of the same will be made in these columns. CLASS DEPOTS FOR BIBLE STUDENTS Some of the larger classes have found it very convenient to appoint one of their number as literature stock keeper. He is supplied from the local Treasury a sufficiency of money for such a stock of hooks as the class will probably use during a month or more. This he keeps under his charge, and supplies to anyone desiring literature at the same rate as though he himself ordered from Brooklyn or London. He also is usually given charge of the volunteer matter, and special free literature, dealing with interesting subjects. From him, at meeting times, the class ean secure literature, and thus often use much more than if they had been obliged to order from headquarters. We recommend the plan as having some good features, and worthy of consideration by all classes. We advise the selection of a brother or sister for this service who has some acquaintance with business, and, if possible, one who has access to a typewriter. Keep a fair supply on hand. Order in good time, for express charges are much higher than freight rates—we should be economical in the use of the Lord’s money. Supplies for ‘‘Pilgrim Meetings’’ should be ordered at least four to six weeks in advance, according to distance. Vou. XXXIV BROOKLYN, N. Y., NOVEMBER 1, 1913 No. 21 THE DAWN OF THE MORNING ‘“‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and Jet us put on the armor of light. For a long time the world had been more or less in darkness, in sin, in ignorance, in superstition. By one man’s disobedience sin entered the world. This darkness still continues. ‘Darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people. ** The Bible accounts for this condition of things by explaining that man by heredity is born in sin, and that additionally Satan takes advantage of the situation, with a view to further alienating mankind from the great Creator, and thus, if possible, preventing any reconciliation that might ever be undertaken. Satan is called the prince of darkness, and he is working in the children of disobedience. The children of disobedience being far more numerous than the children of obedienee, it follows that the present is a dark time. The Bible tells us that God will not leave mankind always in this darkness; but that the curse shall be rolled away and all the darkness shall be dissipated, and instead, shall come his blessing, his light. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God shall cover the earth as the waters cover the great deep. (Isa. 11:9; Hab. 2:14) Provision for this recovery was made in the divine purpose, before the foundation of the world. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD About nineteen hundred years ago God began to take steps to bring to pass the things which he had promised. The first step was the sending of his Son, that he might be the Redeemer of man. Our Lord is spoken of as being a great Light, in the same sense that the heavenly Father is called the Father of Lights. Jesus said, ‘‘I am the Light of the world.’’ Mankind, under the influence of Satan and their own imperfect judgments, became twisted in their minds, and are in a state of darkness, so that they cannot reason correctly. The majority are not able to see the desirability of the truth, and so they live in darkness—‘‘ darkness covers the earth.’’ However, we have every reason to believe that there are a choice few in the world, who love righteousness and hate iniquity. And this class God desires to take out first. The selection of this class has heen going on throughout the Gospel age. The majority of the world would doubtless prefer right rather than wrong if all the conditions were favorable. If they could be as comfortable financially, as popular socially, ete., by serving the right as by serving the wrong, they would much prefer to serve the right. These are really good people. They have a preference for the right. They are very moral, very just. And yet their preference for the right is not so strong that they would be willing to lay down their lives for the right. It is one thing to say, I love the cause of God; and it is another thing to say, I will devote my time, strength, fortune, all, to it. But it is only the latter kind that God is calling now— Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness.’’—Romans 13:12, 13. those who are willing to take up the cross in the interest of truth and righteousness. And to these God gives encouragement, assuring them that he appreciates their love of righteousness; and that if they persist in the course of faithfulness they will be made associates with Christ in his kingdom. He tells them that he is seeking just such a class. And these are encouraged and inspired to keep on, as God sets before them the glorious hope of the Gospel—the divine nature and glory. RESPONSIBILITY PROPORTIONATE TO LIGHT But all this is going on in the night time; for, although Jesus came into the world, and is to be the Light of the world, this Light has not yet illumined mankind, nor scattered the darkness. The Jewish people had the light of the moon, in the sense that the Law Covenant and its promises were like the moon, which shines with a light reflected from the sun, a light not its own. They had the light of the moon, if they wished to walk in its light. But they often went from the light of their Law and walked in the shadows. The Jews also had stars—Abraham, David and the prophets. These were luminaries that shed more or Jess light upon their pathway. But when Jesus came, he was the great Light of the world; 1. e., he was the one chosen of God to be the Light of the world. But Jesus as a man was not this light to all. The light that shone from him while he was in the flesh was very local, And even to many of those upon whom it shone, his light was obscure, because of their ignorance, blindness. Jesus intimated that some could see the light and others could not: ‘Blessed are your eyes, for they sce!’’ (Matt. 13:16) He also intimated that some of the Jewish leaders saw to some extent, and were responsible for what they saw. Our Lord presented to them the true light. They had been hoping to attain the blessing God promised in his covenant with Abraham. They knew from the teachings of the law that they must be holy. But they did not realize how high is tha true standard. Consequently they thought they could keep up a certain standard of outward conduct, and thus become the seed of Abraham. And when Jesus said to them, You are so careful to keep the letter of the Jaw that you would strain out a gnat from your drink, and swallow a camel, he intimated that they were very careful about the small things, and would let great matters, important things, pass by! Jesus told them they would devour widows’ houses; that is, that they would take advantage of this or that technicality of the law to take possession of a widow’s substanee. And in thus doing, they were violating God’s law, which is a law of justice and love and mercy. It was only the few therefore, who were Israelites indeed. And these would be the true seed of Abraham—the select few of that nation.—Rom. 9:64; Gal. 3:16, 29. [5338]
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