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Jung 1, 1915 I suggested that we go to the cemetery and leave “Where Are the Dead?” and “What Is the Soul?” in the open mausoleums, which we did. On the car we noticed a young man reading his Bible and left a paper for him. We had not gone far into the cemetery when we heard someone call, and found it was the young man, tract in hand. We had thought him a Training School student and expected a “lecture,” but he asked if we were associated with the J. B. S. A., saying he had been trying to find our meeting place, and had wired the Head Office for information, Then we learned that a relative of his had taken home a tract from a public lecture, through which he had sent for “Stupies IN THE SCRIPTURES, had read these, and started out to identify himself with a class. We invited him to our home and to the evening meeting, from which a brother invited him home for the night. The following day he symbolized his consecration. Our cup of blessing was running over! I was so happy that for a time I could not pray, but could think only of the Scripture, “In everything give thanks,” thanks, ruanxs! Had given out hundreds of tracts, but never had been so filled with the Spirit nor received such “wages.” We never cease praying the Lord’s richest blessings for you, hoping soon we shall meet in the kingdom. It was from our dear Brother Rutherford that I received the first message of truth over four years ago. Your sister by His grace, Mrs, E, L. Bennett.—New York. INFIDEL THANKS GOD FOR PASTOR RUSSELL Dear Pastor RusseLL:— It is with pleasure I take this opportunity to write and thank you for the comfort I have received from your STUDIES IN THE ScripTuRES. I will thank God for them as long as I have breath. I appreciate better than I can express the good work you are doing. I know that the Lord will award you abundantly. Although some of the preachers may try to paint you blacker than Satan, any man with a grain of common sense can see through their game. I am only a working-man with a limited education, and from what good I have received from your writings, I would be willing to stake life itself that you are not what your enemies paint you. They say you are making infidels. We can thank God for such infidels (7). The sooner people get knocked off the creedal foundations, the sooner they will begin to build upon something solid, something reasonable. I can say with positivenesg that I know Pastor Russell’s teachings are making Christians out of infidels, for I was an out-and-out infidel up to a few months ago. I feel that I THE WATCH TOWER (175-179) It was quite a few years ago that I made up my mind that death ended all, and that one would better get all he can out of life. But thanks be to God my eyes have at last been opened through the good Pastor of New York. I am now determined to do what I can to assist in spreading the truth. I should like some tracts that would assist evolutionists and Jews to an appreciation of the true doctrines of the Bible. Brother Sargent, of Halifax, and Sister Mason, of the States, are doing a good work here. Please remember me in prayer. Yours to win Christ, J. A. Tayitorn.—Nova Scotia, PROFITABLE BEREAN STUDIES DrEaR BROTHER RUSSELL:— I have noticed in this and other parts of the country that some of the brethren leading Berean studies seem to be under the impression that they are supposed to do a good deal of talking. Now, for the leader of a study to give a five-minute discourse on every question or remark is surely a mistake; rather he should see that his place is to see that the study is conducted in an orderly manner, endeavor to get expressions from as many as possible, and then with his own brief comment close the question. Sometimes I have noticed, too, that there may be a brother in a class who has a good deal more ability than have the remainder. He will comment at length on every question and emark, Would it not be wiser for such a one to control his zeal that others not so able may feel more free to express their thoughts? We say sometimes that “brevity is the soul of wit.” Brevity in our Berean studies might be helpful all around. With much Christian love, Yours in our Lord, ANSWER TO ABOVE, {We agree that a leader of a Berean class, to be most helpful, should draw the answers from the class—otherwise the brethren might nearly as well each read for himself at home. We have endeavored to give this thought in SrupIES oF THE ScRirpTuRES, Vol, VI. We cannot, however, agree with the writer ahove that the leader’s comments should always be very brief. There might be questions which the most skilful leader would not be able properly to draw answers from the class. In such cases, after doing one’s best, the proper course would be for the leader to answer the question very thoroughly, but in as brief form as possible. Indeed, all of the answers or suggestions should be brief and to the point. Any one addicted to the habit of long talks on every question should be kindly reminded of proprieties by the leader in a private way at first, but, if necessary, in a kindly way before the class. If he still persists, an alternative would be to ask the questions of different members of the class by name, giving only a fair F, H. Harrison, would have remained so if I had not come in contact with the opportunity, and to avoid calling for gencral answers. This, writings of Pastor Russell. however, is not desirable if it can be avoided. ] Vou. XXXVI BROOKLYN, N. Y., JUNE 15, 1915 No. 12 OUR CONQUEST OF THE ANTITYPICAL CANAANITES “Be thow strong and very courageous.” —Joshua 1:7, Joshua records these words of Jehovah God, spoken to him at the time when, after Moses’ death, he took command of Israel. The Israelites had then had their forty years’ experience in the wilderness, and were just about to cross the Jordan and take possession of the land of Canaan. Joshua had become Moses’ successor. The people had learned many lessons in their wilderness experiences; and now that Moses was dead, they looked to Joshua as their leader. Joshua expressed his inability to serve in the place of Moses, through whom God had signally manifested himself. But the Lord assured Joshua that he would bless him all the days of his life, even as he had blessed Moses. Joshua had been found faithful in all his experiences. He was one of the two survivors of the wilderness experiences who, when starting out from Egypt, were over twenty years of age. Because of the faithfulness of Joshua and Caleb, the Lord had promised them that they alone of all the adults who left Egypt should enter the Promised Land. The others had died in the wilderness, save Moses and Aaron, Aaron dying in Mount Hor and Moses a little later in Mount Nebo, before the people crossed over Jordan. The Lord’s exhortation for Joshua to be strong and very courageous was in connection with the instruction that the Israclites were to take possession of the land of Canaan and destroy the inhabitants of the land. This command of God has been a stumbling-block to many. They have supposed that the Bible could not be of God when it bears such instructions. They have felt that it would be an act of injustice for the Israclites to go in and possess Canaan. What right, they say, had Israel to kill those people and take possession of their land? It belonged more to the people who already possessed it than to anybody else. To invade their country, destroy their lives and confiscate their lands and their possessions would be very unjust. The course of Israel is held up as an illustration of the “land-grabbing” disposition of the natural man, which has seemed to grow stronger century by century, notwithstanding the increase of civilization and his professed appreciation of justice. This is the view that many take, and much to their own injury; for they dco not understand the matter they discuss. When we say, that they do not understand the matter, we do not mean that they are people of inferior mind, but that they have not taken God’s viewpoint. From any other than the right viewpoint, the whole course of Isracl in this matter must seem to be unjust and ungodlike. From the right viewpoint, however, the matter is seen to be reasonable, just and righteous altogether. The sins and abominations of these Gentile people were such that their destruction was a very desirable thing. God had a great surprise in mind for this land of Canaan, which they inhabited. Moreover, the Jewish age was an age of types. Both Israel and these corrupt Gentile nations were typical. [5705]