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(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]