DecemsBer 1, 1916 We are still firm in the faitn, and our eyes wait upon the Lord our God.—Psalm 123:1, 2. “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian Love.” Push on, dear brethren; fight the good fight of faith, and let THE WATCH TOWER (387-388) nothing come between us, no matter how severe, that will even scratch the link that binds us together! LexIncTon Eccresta.—Ky. Vou. XXXVII BROOKLYN, N. Y., DECEMBER 15, 1916 No. . 4 191I5—ANNUAL REPORT—1916 [Together with a Resume of the work of the various Branches of the service of the Society.] We feel sure that the dear friends everywhere are eagerly awaiting the Report for 1916. Our fiscal year ends October 3lst. It may appear to some quite significant that it was on this very date that Brother Russell passed away, thus closing his earthly ministry with the end of the Society’s business year. What more appropriate time could there be for us to turn aside for a little season and survey the field! In the heat and excitement of battle one cannot take much time to look about or to inquire what others may be doing or who may possibly be falling. Each soldier is on the alert to carry out the commands given by the great Captain of our Salvation; but the Lord loves all the true soldiers, and occasionally calls them aside for a little breathing spell and refreshment, thus preparing them for the next and more vigorous campaign. The Lord’s people will greatly rejoice over the progress made during the year—Nov. 1, 1915, to Nov. 1, 1916. Our covenant with the Lord calls for a walk by faith. We are therefore not to expect to see the full results of our labors while on this side the veil, but our Lord is so loving and considerate that he frequently draws the curtain aside a little, that we may have a glimpse of the results following some of our labors of love. How such views rejoice our hearts! The year 1916 has been a very eventful one in many ways. We need not mention here those events particularly connected with the falling of the “kingdoms of this world.” They are written by the world’s historians, Our interests are centered in the establishment of “the kingdom of God,” for which the church has so long been praying. At the beginning of the vear we were in a more or less expectant attitude, not knowing what new experiences the Lord might have in store. We were certain that he would supply us with the waters of truth and lead us to certain victories, if we but followed closely. There was much polishing and buckling on of the Armor of God, and preparing for whatever might be ahead. No one thought of faltering—the prize appeared brighter, and the goal nearer. Those inclined to criticize us had prophesied that, as 1914 had passed, and as their interpretation of our understanding of the Scriptures had failed to come to pass, the work would soon come to naught. How little do they realize the power of the spirit of God in the hearts of the consecrated! And how far short of the reality is their knowledge of our glorious hopes and prospects! onsidering the conditions—the comparatively small army of thoroughly consecrated and the great tension under which the whole world is straining—the results seem but little short of miraculovs, But very few have become discouraged or have returned to their former pursuits. THE COLPORTEUR WORK Every well-equipped army is composed of several branches. The main branch is always the Infantry. It is the heavy fighting body, and the main reliance of every commander. So we might think of the colporteurs. They are the soldiers who do the hard fighting at the front. Though each year since war conditions prevail notices a change in the numbers, yet these noble soldiers of the cross “close up ranks” and move on steadily and unfalteringly. We doubt not that the Lord will greatly reward this noble band. They have stormed many a redoubt of the enemy, and have been mighty in the Lord’s hand to the pulling down of strongholds of evil and preiudice and planting the good seed of the kingdom. Owing to the fact that financial conditions were greatly strained in many localities, and that labor difficulties and local disturbances existed in others, the number of those who were able to devote most of their time to the work has been considerably less than in 1915. However, those who have remained have done better work on the average. For 1915, the average sale per colporteur was a, trifle over 406 STUDIES and 23 Scenarios. For 1916, the average sale per colporteur was a little over 430 Srupres, and 166 Scenagios. An average of 372 colporteurs were in the field for the year. _ The general advance in prices on all commodities hit this branch of the work very hard in some respects. During a number of months we were greatly hindered by not being able to secure sufficient cloth Srupies to fill the colporteurs’ orders. Then the De Luxe Scenarios ran short, and also the supply of Karatol volumes. The printers were unable to obtain delivery of the materials necessary to their manufacture. The paper shortage has greatly hindered the printers. Many of the colporteurs made a specialty of the SceNagio in territory which had already been canvassed a number of times for the STuDIES. Total output of Srupies for year.......... 265,495 Total output of SCENARIOS .......eeee0--- 70,000 Total output of Booklets ...... sense senes 110,000 Total.......... see eee sete eeeeee . $445,495 Moreover, these faithful workers were careful to encourage the reading of the Stup1es, where they found them already in the homes. A number were thus awakened to the import of present conditions, and some to active co-operation. Who can say what the yield may be when the Master of the harvest shall show forth all the increase? May the Lord richly bless the dear colporteurs! THE PILGRIM SERVICE We might liken the pilgrim force in some respects to the Cavalry division of the army. It is much smaller than the colporteur list, and covers more territory, and the force must be moved more quickly. Its work for the past year compares very favorably with any other year of the entire harvest campaign. Note the following figures: Numbers of Pilgrims........... 0.0. cece. 69 Miles traveled ........ ccc e ee cee e ce eeee 552,498 Towns visited 22... ... cece ee eee cee c eee 6,575 Public meetings held............2. seeeeee 1,507 Semi-public meetings held.............22.- 3,124 Parlor meetings held..............-¢.. cue. 9,221 Total attendance..................500-008- 809,393 FREE LITERATURE We might term this the Grenadier Department of the army. It seeks out the hiding places of the enemy, and endeavors to leave little “bombs” in every available place. The output for 1916 has not quite equaled that of 1915. We cautioned the friends to be much more careful that each “bomb” be properly placed, so that no waste be made. The amount of free literature thus distributed is almost beyond our comprehension. The total output for the year was 22,158,000 BIBLE STUDENTS MonruLies. To print these took over 598,000 pounds of paper, or 16 carloads. Who can estimate the number of strongholds of error which these “bombs” may have overthrown? But that is only an incidental feature of the work. The principal thing was the reflex action upon our own hearts. How we have rejoiced as we sought to carry the message of good tidings to others and to free them from the shackles of error, even as we ourselves have been freed! The friends will be glad to know that we have some very excellent volunteer matter for 1917, prepared by Brother Russell. On page 396 of this Watcu Tower will be found an item especially upon this subject. We desire to make a word of explanation here: It is not so much a question of how many shots are fired as of how many are hits. Note the cost of this year’s output in the financial report. The paper for next year will cost us more than twice as much as formerly. In other words, we were fortunately able to purchase paper last year at 3%c per pound. Next year it will cost us over 8c. This means that a dollar will not go so far now as fifty cents have gone heretofore. Therefore, it behooves us to be very careful to make every shot count and not to waste any. Better fire only five shots and make three hits than to fire twenty shots for the same number of hits. Noise or number does not count. The shots only are effective. Therefore judge cautiously as to your needs, and be sure to use all that you order. We shall be pleased to have your orders as quickly as possible. The matter will be ready Jan. 1. “The World on Fire” is the leading article. THE NEWSPAPER WORK This had become greatly curtailed, owing to our drop ing from the list many papers of small circulation, and fur [6021}
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