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(47-51) foregoing “faith,” you must admit that it is something you once believed and once vomited forth, and like the Scriptural dog, you have returned to your vomit; I hope you like it. Probably I look ridiculous to you because I did not go to heaven, October 1st, 1914, but you don’t look ridiculous to me— oh no! With ten of the greatest nations on earth writhing in their death agonies, it seems to me a particularly inopportune time to seek to ridicule the man, and the only man, who for forty years has taught that the Times of the Gentiles would end in 1914. If you believe these stupid and worse than childish blunders of the past and seek to revivify them, you have a worse job on your hands than Christ had when he raised Lazarus. Pastor Russell’s teachings have killed them so completely that they are in a far worse condition than Lazarus was when he had been dead four days. I presume that when Zedekiah struck Micaiah upon the cheek and ridiculed the latter’s confidence in the Lord’s message he thought it was really funny, and still more so when Micaiah warned him that he would soon attempt to hide himself unsuccessfully from the Syrians in his inner chamber. I doubt, however, whether Zedekiah considered it so funny shortly afterward when he saw the armies of the Syrians in front of his house, and espcially when he heard them coming up stairs.— 1 Kings 22, If this letter shall awaken you to your true condition, I shall be glad. If it does not, it will not be necessary for you to write to me again; for I shall consider it a hopeless task, With best wishes, I remain, C. J. Woopworts. MANY HEARTS RECEIVING COMFORT W. T. B. & T. Soc’y, Dear Frienps :— I think you should know of the blessing of the Lord on the service last week, and in making calls on those who handed in their names at Brother Rutherford’s meeting. I never saw such interest! The sale of books was reasonably good— 450 (all but 50 of which are delivered)—sold in four days. The fine class of business men represented was quite exceptional, although every week there are some. Three young ladies from the Y. W. C. A. bought the books, and one gives good evidence of coming fully into the truth in a very short time. A piano dealer said, “This is no denominational work, is it? T have no use for denominations. The man’s theory is worth investigation.” A lawyer said, “That Vout. XXXVI THE WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. Y., FEBRUARY 15, 1915 Brooxiyn, N. Y, man is a wonder! I never read my Bible, but I am going to begin now. Every reasoning person ought to have these books— I am going to read every word in them.” ; A merchant remarked, “This is the greatest reformation movement we ever had; we must keep it going.” He sent to me twice for more books for his friends; and he is a man who had thrown all religion aside. A doctor I called on said, “I was interested to hear he was a Baptist; so was I, and I had the same experience he had— threw the whole thing over in disgust—and I was a preacher.” He was glad to examine the work. The cloth books were not fine enough for him; he got the leather-bound. A very fine office man said, “I will read every moment I can get. Of course, I take it for granted that these books are along the lines of that lecture.” He ordered a set. It would take a book to tell the rest! But it is such a joy to see some of the “refuge of lies” being swept away, confidence in Babylon on the wane, and many hearts comforted. With love and prayers for you all, and asking a continued interest in your petitions, I am, by his grace, Your Sister, CHARLOTTE WHITE. “‘A PRAYER OF CONSECRATION’’ Realizing that I must draw nearer to God to be kept in this hour of trial now upon the whole world, I lave prayed more; and I find the following form very helpful; I therefore call it “THE PRAYER OF THE CONSECRATED”: “Dear heavenly Father, reverently, and in the name of Jesus, I approach thy throne of grace to renew my consecration vows today. Not content with having made my consecration years ago, nor even yesterday, J renew it today, and present to thee my body and all its powers, my heart and all its affections. I give to thee, willingly and gladly, everything I possess, to be wholly thine—today. I would not withhold from thee one single thing. “Gracious and loving Father and dear Lord Jesus, come in all your fulness into my heart and life; take full possession and reign there supreme, without a rival today. Dear Lord Jesus, my glorious High Priest and Head to thy body, the church, continue to offer me today upon God’s holy altar of sacrifice, and until the sacrifice is completed in death.” I have found that doing this daily I have been greatly enriched and blessed spiritually. Yours, in his love and service, Isa. 41:10; Num. 6:24-26. W. J. THorn. No. A PRESENT DUTY AND PRIVILEGE OF THE SAINTS “Cry aloud and spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the House of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinances of their God. They ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God,”—Isaiah 58:1, 2. We understand that the Lord, through the Prophet lsaiah, is here describing the condition of the nominal people of God. These words probably had an application in the Prophet’s day, but we think they have a special application in our day. If we should view the words as a general statement, applicable at any time, it would seem to have reference to some who are truly the Lord’s people and also to the House of Jacob in general, The prophet speaks of certain transgressions of God’s people, errors, and of sins of the House of Jacob (Natural Israel)—especially grievous transgressions. Applying this to the present day, we would understand that the Lord’s people are those who are in covenant relationship with God, his real people, and no others. Those in covenant relationship with God are comparatively a small number. ‘he great mass of professed people of God have gotten into many transgressions of the divine will and law, many of them quite ignorantly following blind leaders of the blind, following creeds of the darkest past. The term “the House of Jacob,” however, is a distinguishing term, referring exclusively to the Jews, God’s ancient covenant people. The Lord’s people of the present time, those who have the light of truth as it now shines out from his Word, should, as they have suitable opportunity, point out to Christendom of today, and especially to those who are the professed people of God, their error, show them where they have deviated from God’s Word, where their course is not in harmony with the Golden Rule, etc. Moreover, if they have favorable opportunity, they might point out to the Jews the reasons why they are in their present cast-off condition. But it would not be well to go about berating them, or berating anybody. Very little good is done by such a course. The truth itself is to be the sword. It is a sharp two-edged sword, even the Word of God, The work that any of us could do aside from the Word of God would be but bungling work; whereas “The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow.” We are to “cry aloud, and spare not,” to point out what the Scriptures have to say—on proper occasions. This does not mean to insult people. God’s ambassadors have no commission to insult any one. But with gracious words we may, nevertheless, point to the conditions of today, the dangers that are now before the world, and the proper position to be taken by those who would wholly follow the Lord. A FORM OF GODLINESS WITHOUT ITS POWER The words of the text under consideration are along the same line as the words of the Prophet Isaiah in Chapter 29:13, quoted by our Lord. There the Prophet declares: “This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me”; “but,” as the Master rendered the following words (Matthew 15:9), “in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.” The translation of V. 2 of our text is not quite so clear as perhaps might be. The thought seems to be: They apparently seek me daily, apparently delight to know my ways. They build churches with high steeples and gorgeous appointments, at great cost. Many churches have imposing images of the saints or great paintings which make a fine outward appearance. They have rich, melodious bells chiming out sweet hymns; such as “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” “Rock of Ages,” etc. They have well-trained choirs to sing anthems. They have highly educated ministers who are gifted orators and deliver eloquent dissertations. Outwardly, they have a wonderful zeal for righteousness; it would seem on the surface that they are doing well. They appoint an annual [5630]