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(319-323)
THE
WATCH
TOWER
BaOOKI,YN,
N.
Y.
obtained.
It
occurred
to
me
that
you
might
consider
this
of
Buflicient
importance
to
sound
a.
warning
through
THE
WATCH
TOWER.
Again
I
wIsh
to
report
that
I
find
the
general
conditions
in
the
field
most
encouraging.
While
the
friends
are
restful,
they
are
not
sleepy,
but
rather
are
"waiting
on
the
Lord,"
with
"full
assurance
of
faith"
that
he
who
has
begun
the
good
work
is
still
at
the
helm
and
will
finish
the
same
in
his
own
"due
time."
I
find
the
friends
growing
in
grace,
zeal
and
love,
and
m
joyous
expectancy
of
a
glorious
change
soon
-very
soon.
The
class
conditions,
as
I
have
noted
them,
are
an
inspiration
to
me,
spurring
me
on
to
renewed
zeal
and
more
determined
efforts
to
have
my
sacrifice
consumed,
while
it
is
called
day.
I
cannot
close
without
again
assuring
you
af
my
ever
in
creasing
love
and
'abiding
confidence
in
you
as
the
Lord's
specially
chosen
servant
to
bring
forth
meat
in
due
season
for
such
as
have
partaken
sufficiently
of
the
"bitter
herbs"
to
have
their
appetites
sharpened
so
they
can
relish
the
"table
prepared
by
the
Lord."
By
his
kind
favor,
your
brother
and
fellow
servant,
with
warmest
love
in
the
Lord,
W.
M.
WISDOM.
ABOUT
DIVIDING
CLASSES
DEAR
BROTHER
RUSSELL:-
In
June
1
WATCH
TOWER,
1915,
page
2,
you
speak
of
the
division
of
the
Berean
classes,
when
they
number
more
than
twenty,
and
say
that
this
same
rule,
you
believe,
would
be
found
advantageous
for
the
prayer
meeting.
A
few
of
our
dass
want
the
Wednesday
meeting
divided,
but
have
said
nothing
as
to
the
other
classes
being
divided.
I
am
sure
that
we
all
want
to
do
the
will
of
our
dear
Lord.
Was
it
your
thought
that
the
classes
should
be
divided
regardless
of
the
will
of
the
majority?
REPLY
BY
THE
EDITOR
Everything
in
THE
WATCH
TOWER
and
in
the
STUDIES
IN
THE
SCRIPTURES,
etc.,
should
be
understood
as
advice-nothing
as
commanded.
We
hold
that
only
the
Lord
and
the
twelve
apostles
(St.
Paul
taking
the
place
of
Judas)
have
the
right
to
command
the
people
of
God.
Othel-s,
including
the
Editor,
have
merely
the
right
to
advise.
And
such
advice
should
always
be
lIiCcompanied
by
either
a
Scriptural
citation
or
an
explanatory
reason.
In
recommending
to
the
classes
of
Bible
Students
through
out
the
world
that
classes
be
divided
when
they
number
over
twenty,
we
were
following
this
rule-merely
giving
advice.
~here
being
no
Scripture
for
this,
we
submitted
our
rea
sons:
That
large
classes
cannot
so
efficiently
participate
in
the
lessons
and,
therefore,
cannot
be
expected
to
reap
as
large
a
blessing
from
them.
We
hold
that
in
every
Wednes
day
evening
Testimony
meeting
a
special
blessing
comes
to
all
who
participate;
and
very
similarly,
that
in
the
Berean
classes
participation
sharpens
interest
and
deepens
the
im
pressions,
and
thus
enlarges
the
blessings
to
be
derived.
However,
in
every
case
it
if>
for
the
class
itself
to
decide,
and
that
by
a
majority
vote,
whether
in
their
case
the
class
shall
be
divided
or
not.
There
might
be
reasons
why
a
gen
eral
rule
might
not
apply
in
some
particular
cases
because
offset
by
other
conditions.
Be
it
always
understood
that
ac
cording
to
the
divine
arrangement
as
given
us
in
the
Bible,
the
class
itself
decides
every
question.
And
only
the
con
secrated
ones
constitute
the
class
proper,
although
the
pleas
ure
of
the
unconsecrated
who
may
attend
might
well
be
con
sidered
by
the
consecrated
when
voting.
White
each
class
might
be
considered
an
ecclesia,
or
church,
by
itself
and
entirely
independent
of
every
other
class,
nevertheless
unity
and
fellowship
are
very
desirable,
and
the
various
elasses
in
one
city
may
very
appropriately
be
united
in
one
ecclesia,
or
church,
thus
deriving
the
benefits
of
occasional
joint
meetings,
joint
fellowship
and
participa
tion
in
the
joint
arrangement
in
the
selection
of
servants
elders
and
deacons.
In
thus
uniting,
each
class,
as
well
as
each
individual,
sacrifices
independence
for
the
benefits
of
co-opera
tion.
AS
MOMENTS
PASS
THE
KINGDOM
NEARS
Men
may
sorrow
in
distress,
Sin-cursed,
blind
and
weary,
Death
may
rule
supreme
today
All
things
may
look
dreary:
Make
haste,
0
time;
speed
on,
ye
years!
As
moments
pass,
the
Kingdom
nears.
Saint~
may
"groan
within"
and
Isuffer
Outward
shame,
distress,
defeat;
Trouble
may
test
faith
and
patience--
Fiery
trials,
"furnace
heat":
But
stop
your
sighing,
dry
your
tears;
As
moments
pass,
t.he
Kingdom
nears.
:Nlen
for
earth
and
saints
for
he~ven;
God's
decree
will
surely
stand.
Shout
for
joy,
give
God
the
glory!
Safe
deliverance
is
at
hand.
Ab,
no
more
doubtings,
no
more
fears,
As
moments
pass,
the
Kingdom
nears.
J.
G.
KUEHN.
VOL.
XXXVI
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
NOVEMBER
1,
1915
No.
21
VIEWS
FROM
THE
WATCH
TOWER
WAR
LEADING
TOWARD
A
CLIMAX
and
intelligent
nations
now
realize
that
they
have
gotten
into
The
great
war
continues
to
rage.
More
and
more
all
the
a
struggle
ten-fold
more
severe
than
they
had
ever
anticipated.
nations
are
being
draggerl
into
it.
as
intimated
by
the
Lord
Both
would
like
to
be
out
of
the
war,
but
both
fear
the
future,
through
the
Prophet.
(
Jeremiah
25:
15-28)
One
is
reminded
realizing
that
no
such
combination
could
ever
again
be
effected.
of
St.
James'
words,
"Ye
kill
and
desire
to
have,
and
cannot
Both
are
on
the
verge
of
financial
bankruptcy,
and
wisely
are
obtain."
"Ye
ask
[pray]
and
receive
not
[answers
to
your
borrowing
as
much
as
they
can
and
seeking
to
avoid
the
thought
prayers],
because
ye
ask
amiss"-selfishly.
Again
we
read,
that
they
could
never
pay
the
interest
on
their
debts
without
"Go
to,
ye
rich
men.
Weep
and
howl
for
the
miseries
that
risking
revolution
of
their
peoples
against
the
heavy
taxes
that
shall
eome
upon
you."-J
ames
4:
2,
3;
5:
1.
would
be
necessary.
Regardless
of
their
branch
of
the
human
family,
all
sincere
The
warring
nations
are
jealous
of
America
and
bitter
men
must
sympathize
greatly
with
the
terrible
conditions
pre-
against
her
for
her
neutrality.
Americans
are
snubbed
and
vailing
in
Europe.
The
French
are
finally
awakening
to
the
insulted
everywhere
in
Europe
and
even
in
Australia.
The
fact
that
they
are
almost
exhausted.
They
have
no
further
best
intentions
of
our
President
and
his
own
personality
are
reserves
to
call
to
the
colors.
They
are
patriotically
using
ridiculed-so
blind
are
the
poor
people
in
respect
to
the
real
their
money
and
exhausting
their
credit.
They
art:;
convinced
issues
of
the
war.
Surely
things
are
leading
on
toward
the
that
they
cannot
win,
that
it
will
be
either
devastation
or
a
climax
when
every
man's
hand
will
be
against
his
neighbor
bargain-peace.
They
know
of
no
reason
whatsoever
as
to
why
and
against
his
brother
and
when
there
will
be
no
peace
to
they
are
at
war
with
their
neighbor.
The
Italians
are
in
those
who
go
out
or
to
those
who
come
in.-Ezekiel
38:
21;
much
the
same
predicament,
and
are
fearing
insurrection,
an-
Zechariah
8:
10.
archy.
The
Russians
are
in
terrible
plight,
also.
The
novelty
WAR
NECESSITIES
COST
LIBERTIES
of
the
war
has
worn
off.
The
glory
of
marehing
into
Berlin
Few
are
aware
of
the
extent
to
which
war's
necessities
has
faded.
Revolution
is
threatening.
The
Balkan
nations
are
interfering
with
the
liberties
of
the
peoples
of
Europe.
and
Greece
are
perplexed
and
fearful
under
the
demands,
the
Military
necessity
is
rapidly
pushing
aside
all
the
rights
of
entreaties
and
the
threats
of
the
great
warring
nations,
com-
the
people
in
the
great
Magna
Charta
of
British
liberty.
We
pelling
them
to
participate
in
the
strife
or
threatening
their
are
not
saying
that
this
is
unwise,
or
that
we
could
do
better
future
existence.
under
the
circumstances.
We
are
merely
noting
the
fact
that
Only
Germany
and
Great
Britain
reali19
what
the
war
is
the
people
are
giving
up
their
liberties
as
one
of
the
costs
of
about-that
it
is
commercial;
that
it
is
for
the
liberty
of
the
the
war.
In
Great
Britain
large
factories
are
taken
over
by
seas
and
the
profits
of
world
commerce.
Both
of
these
great
the
Government
and
turned
from
peaceful
industry
to
the
[5790]
(319-323) obtained. It occurred to me that you might consider this of sufficient importance to sound a warning through THE Watcu Tower. Again I wish to report that I find the general conditions in the field most encouraging. While the friends are restful, they are not sleepy, but rather are “waiting on the Lord,” with “full assurance of faith” that he who has begun the good work is still at the helm and will finish the same in his own “due time.” I find the friends growing in grace, zeal and love, and in joyous expectancy of a glorious change soon —very soon. The class conditions, as I have noted them, are an inspiration to me, spurring me on to renewed zeal and more determined efforts to have my sacrifice consumed, while it is called day. I cannot close without again assuring you of my ever increasing love and abiding confidence in you as the Lord’s specially chosen servant to bring forth meat in due season for such as have partaken sufficiently of the “bitter herbs” to have their appetites sharpened so they can relish the “table prepared by the Lord.” By his kind favor, your brother and fellow servant, with warmest love in the Lord, W. M. Wispom. ABOUT DIVIDING CLASSES DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:— In June 1 Warcu Tower, 1915, page 2, you speak of the division of the Berean classes, when they number more than twenty, and say that this same rule, you believe, would he found advantageous for the prayer meeting. A few of our class want the Wednesday meeting divided, but have said nothing as to the other classes being divided. I am sure that we all want to do the will of our dear Lord. Was it your thought that the classes should be divided regardless of the will of the majority? REPLY BY THE EDITOR Everything in Tue Watcu Tower and in the Srupies IN THE SCRIPTURES, etc., should be understood as advice—nothing THE WATCH TOWER Brooxiyn, N. Y. as commanded. We hold that only the Lord and the twelve apostles (St. Paul taking the place of Judas) have the right to command the people of God, Others, including the Editor, have merely the right to advise. And such advice should always be accompanied by either a Scriptural citation or an explanatory reason. In recommending to the classes of Bible Students throughout the world that classes be divided when they number over twenty, we were following this rule—merely giving advice. There being no Scripture for this, we submitted our reasons: That large classes cannot so efficiently participate in the lessons and, therefore, cannot be expected to reap as large a blessing from them. We hold that in every Wednesday evening Testimony meeting a special blessing comes to all who participate; and very similarly, that in the Berean classes participation sharpens interest and deepens the impressions, and thus enlarges the blessings to be derived. However, in every case it is for the class itself to decide, and that by a majority vote, whether in their case the class shall be divided or not. There might be reasons why a general rule might not apply in some particular cases because offset by other conditions. Be it always understood that according to the divine arrangement as given us in the Bible, the class itself decides every question. And only the consecrated ones constitute the class proper, although the pleasure of the unconsecrated who may attend might well be considered by the consecrated when voting. Whiie each class might be considered an ecclesia, or church, by itself and entirely independent of every other class, nevertheless unity and fellowship are very desirable, and the various classes in one city may very appropriately be united in one ecclesia, or church, thus deriving the benefits of occasional joint meetings, joint fellowship and participation in the joint arrangement in the selection of servants— elders and deacons, In thus uniting, each class, as well as each individual, sacrifices independence for the benefits of co-operation. AS MOMENTS PASS THE KINGDOM NEARS Men may sorrow in distress, Sin-cursed, blind and weary, Death may rule supreme today— All things may look dreary: Make haste, O time; speed on, ye years! As moments pass, the Kingdom nears. Saints may ‘groan within” and suffer Outward shame, distress, defeat; Trouble may test faith and patience— Fiery trials, “furnace heat’: But stop your sighing, dry your tears; As moments pass, the Kingdom nears. Men for earth and saints for heaven; God’s decree will surely stand. Shout for joy, give God the glory! Safe deliverance is at hand. Ah, no more doubtings, no more fears, As moments pass, the Kingdom nears. J. G. KUEHN. Vou. XXXVI BROOKLYN, N. Y., NOVEMBER 1, 1915 No. 21 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER WAR LEADING TOWARD A CLIMAX The great war continues to rage. More and more all the nations are being dragged into it, as intimated by the Lord through the Prophet. (Jeremiah 25:15-28) One is reminded of St. James’ words, “Ye kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain.” “Ye ask [pray] and receive not [answers to your prayers], because ye ask amiss’—selfishly. Again we read, “Go to, ye rich men. Weep and how! for the miseries that shall come upon you.”—James 4:2, 3; 5:1. Regardless of their branch of the human family, all sincere men must sympathize greatly with the terrible conditions prevailing in Europe. The French are finally awakening to the fact that they are almost exhausted. They have no further reserves to call to the colors. They are patriotically using their money and exhausting their eredit. They are convinced that they cannot win, that it will be either devastation or a bargain-peace. They know of no reason whatsoever as to why they are at war with their neighbor. The Italians are in much the same predicament, and are fearing insurrection, anarchy. The Russians are in terrible plight, also. The novelty of the war has worn off. The glory of marching into Berlin has faded. Revolution is threatening. The Balkan nations and Greece are perplexed and fearful under the demands, the entreaties and the threats of the great warring nations, compelling them to participate in the strife or threatening their future existence. Only Germany and Great Britain realize what the war is about-—that it is commercial; that it is for the liberty of the seas and the profits of world commerce. Both of these great and intelligent nations now realize that they have gotten into a struggle ten-fold more severe than they had ever anticipated. Both would like to be out of the war, but both fear the future, realizing that no such combination could ever again be effected. Both are on the verge of financial bankruptcy, and wisely are borrowing as much as they can and seeking to avoid the thought that they could never pay the interest on their debts without Tisking revolution of their peoples against the heavy taxes that would be necessary. The warring nations are jealous of America and bitter against her for her neutrality, Americans are snubbed and insulted everywhere in Europe and even in Australia. The best intentions of our President and his own personality are ridiculed—so blind are the poor people in respect to the real issues of the war. Surely things are leading on toward the climax when every man’s hand will be against his neighbor and against his brother and when there will be no peace to those who go out or to those who come in.—HEzekie] 38:21; Zechariah 8:10. WAR NECESSITIES COST LIBERTIES Few are aware of the extent to which war’s necessities are interfering with the liberties of the peoples of Europe. Military necessity is rapidly pushing aside all the rights of the people in the great Magna Charta of British liberty. We are not saying that this is unwise, or that we could do better under the circumstances. We are merely noting the fact that the people are giving up their liberties as one of the costs of the war. In Great Britain large factories are taken over by the Government and turned from peaceful industry to the [5790]
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