Ocroser 1, 1915 ENJOYING THE SPIRITUAL FOOD Dear BROTHER RUSSELL :— I am reading about ten pages in the Stupies IN THE ScrIrTURES daily. Several times I have tried this plan, but did not continue, This time I am keeping to my lesson as outlined in the Berean Questions. I have read the volumes several times, but by this method I am surprised at the results. Every day I have a definite study before me, and have more desire for the spiritual food than for the natural. I find it the best way to cultivate love in thought, word and deed. Daily I ask the Father to help me, and daily I render my account. I come far short, but can see progress. Praise his name! I am speeding along in the race, trusting in every promise and “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” I am content, and am watching THe Watcu Tower for the ‘light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” How it rejoices my heart to know that the time is near when the faithful will partake of the best wine and earth’s festivities begin! Much Christian love to yourself and all the family, in which my husband joins. Your sister in Christ, Mrs. W. W. Goopwin.—Rhode Island. EDITOR’S REPLY TO ABOVE I rejoice with you, dear Sister, in the blessing you are now having from systematic study of the Bible through the daily reading of the volumes, STUDIES IN THE ScrreTuREs, and the Scripture references which they bring to your attention. With the multitudinous affairs of life pressing us, we need to order our lives intelligently in the interest of our new natures. Otherwise, the cares of this life and the deceitful lure of earthly riches would hinder us from obtaining our spiritual food, rest, refreshment and strength—thus incapacitating us for our spiritual blessings and development, and leaving us unfit for a share in the kingdom, I think the plan you have adopted of taking the Berean questions and the portion which they represent as your daily lesson is a good one. As you know, some five years ago many of THe Warcu Towrr readers began systematically to read twelve pages or more every day. Such as have been following this course report splendid success, and show it in their spiritual development. However, I think that your plan of using the questions and taking a special lesson for each day is still better. Often the lesson, however, would run over only one page or two; and in such event you, of course, can readily take in several lessons for one day. The advantage of the question books is that they promote study. One of the most important things for people in every walk of life is to learn to think. We have all done very little THE WATCH TOWER (303-307) of this in respect to religion in the past. One of the mistakes which some of the Brethren make in leading Berean study classes is that they talk too much. The successful Bible class leader is the one who does comparatively little talking, except in an emergency, but who stimulates thought in the class through the questions and through the interrogative form of suggesting answers when necessary rather than giving the answers directly. Bible classes are specially profitable because of the thinking on Bible topics which they arouse. You do not mention it, dear Sister, but doubtless yourself and husband are getting great blessings from the use of the Manna book every morning. It surely has brought a great deal of blessing to many. The text and comment are quite brief, requiring only a few minutes; then, where there is a considerable number at the table, a further discussion of the text is often very illuminating. Thus the day is well started with helpful thoughts, I am glad to know that the Morning Resolve and the evening self-examination at the throne of grace are also comforting, strengthening to you. You do not mention the vow. I remember that you and your husband informed me long ago that you had taken it. Nothing that we ever had, I think, has accomplished more of blessing for the readers of THE WATCH Towrr. We have heard from about fifteen thousand that have taken the vow, but we doubt not that the number is much larger than this, as continually dear friends remark to us that they took the vow years ago. but did not think to mention the fact in writing to us. We are always glad to know of your welfare, and believe the vow ia a special feature of blessing the Lord has ordained for our day. Besides this, it constitutes the most wonderful prayer-cirele that was ever known in the world—fiftcen thousand or more pledged to each other and to the Lord that they will remember each other and the harvest work every day in prayer. FROM BATTLE-TORN BUSSIA Drak BROTITER IN CHRIST :— This is to inform you that J fell into Russian captivity, and after a long journey was brought here to Jelabuga, Russia. I could not bring any religious tracts with me, and now I feel their lack very much. Therefore I earnestly request you to send me your complete works in the German language free of cherge. Of course, I will thankfully reimburse you for their expense when we, with God’s help, return. At the same time I would request you to send me some Hungarian literature and inclnde with the others. Please write me a few lines of comfort. and also something regarding conditions existing in the United States. With loving greetings, Your brother in the Lord, FaLuviétct Déues. Vou. XXXVI “BROOKLYN, N. Y., OCTOBER 15, 1915 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER No. 20 THE MILLENNIUM OF PEACE A PROMINENT NEW YORK BANKER’S OPINION “The cost of the war is now around $50,000,000 per day, and the amount spent thus far for a year of war is estimated to have been about $15,500,000,000. The wealth of the United States has been computed to be something in the neighborhood of $189,000,000,000. The first year of war has cost about one twelfth of this vast amount. At this rate of destruction a sum equal to the total wealth of the United States would be wiped out in twelve years. “But to this money cost of a year’s war must be added the value of manufacturing and other buildings in villages, towns and cities, all or a large part of which have been destroyed, of crops devastated, of goods and household properties ruined, and of vast further losses sustained in the communities, which are being fire-and-shot-swept in the path of the contending armies. Nothing is included here of the industrial value of human lives which have been destroyed by the millions, Not taking into account the agony and grief which engulfs all Europe, the contemplation of the economic waste of war is appalling, And it is no wonder that the minds of many millions turn to the problem of how peace can be brought about. It is a fact, however, that these problems occupy the thoughts of people in this and other neutral countries more than they do those of the belligerent nations. ‘The National City Bank, in its August circular, savs that the appalling destructive results of the year of war signify practically nothing as to when the conflict will end; that there are no signs that either side is running out of men or money or that the people of any of the warring countries are weakening in resolution or confidence. “For many people on this side it is impossible to understand this, but when it is thoroughly appreciated that a patched-up-peace would mean merely a deferring of further fighting until recuperation could be effected and that then the whole bloody conflict would have to be fought out over again to an even bitterer end, the determination of the belligerents will be better understood. There is only one result which can now be accepted as an outcome of this world war, and that is a result which will mean disarmament of the nations and a peace of a thousand years, With every country stripped of its fighting organizations, and safety in the keeping of an international police force, the vast sums wrung by taxation from the various people for keeping up prodigious armies and navies would be turned to the arts of peace and commerce and relieved from the terrible burden and anxiety which has increasingly oppressed Europe for years, the countries of the world would devote themselves individually to the winning of prosperity and happiness. “The national debts of the warring countries have nearly doubled since the war began, and carrying these will entail added taxation in the years to come. If a peace were now concluded which did not make later conflict impossible, this added taxation for paying interest on an enormously increased National debt besides the immense sums for which the countries would be taxed to establish new and larger military organizations, would make the life of individuals unhearahle. Repudiation of National debts might, and would, be very likely to follow. “The war must be fought to a conclusion which will posi [5783]
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