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THE
WATCH
TOWER
nlt<.>OIU.YI'l.
N.
V
joice
to
see
that
he
was
faithful
unto
death,
instantaneously
therefore
entering
into
his
great
reward
as
promised.
(Rev.
14:
13)
Let
us
continue
to
do
the
Lordo's
will
80
that
we
also
may
finish
our
course
with
joy.
Yours
in
him,
CAMBEBWELL
CLA8s.--.Tamaica.
:MEMORIAL
TOWER
PROVED
GREA'l'
BLESSDTG
DEARLY
BF.LOVED
BB"'TH&bN:-
\Ve
wish
to
extend
to
you
our
love
and
best
wishes,
and
to
assure
you
that
you
may
rely
upon
our
coliperation
in
the
Lord's
work
in
this
city,
and
in
any
other
way
in
which
we
are
privileged
to
serve.
We
have
received
a
great
blessing,
from
the
reading
of
the
Memorial
TOWER;
and
our
earnest
desire
is
to
emulate
our
dearly
beloved
Pastor,
as
he
so
faithfully
followed
in
the
footsteps
of
our
dear
Master.
We
resolve
to
remember
you
daily
at
the
throne
of
heavenly
grace.
Your
Brethren
in
the
dear
Redeemer,
LOWELL
ASSOCIATED
BIBLE
STUDENTB.-Mass.
A
WORD
OF
WARNING!
Sheep
that
browse
in
every
pasture.
mea!>urably
regardless
of
the
"green
pastures
and
still
waters"
of
truth
of
the
Lord's
provision,
are
in
constant
danger
of
enemies
lurking
about.
The
increasing
namber
of
inquiries
coming
from
frightened
sheep
of
this
charaeter
prompts
UB
to
sound
a
note
of
warn
ing
at
this
time.
Truly,
"The
hour
of
temptation"
is
upon
us,
and
the
"strong
delusions"
abroad
will
be
sure
to
sift
out
all
except
those
which
stray
not
from
the
fold
of
the
Lord.
VOL.
XXXVIII
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
JUNE
15,
1917
No.
12
FAITH
AND
ITS
REWARD
"Be
thou
faithful
unto
death,
and
I
w:ill
give
thee
the
crown
of
life.
"-Revelationq
2:
10.
At
this
momentous
hour
the
truly
consecrated
this
side
the
Hil
await
the
completion
of
the
church,
looking
eagerly
for
evidence
as
to
the
consu=ation
of
their
hopes.
All
these
faithful
ones
fUlly
realize
that
the
church
is
now
in
a
time
of
crucial
trial
and
testing.
And
many
such
are
asking,
"How
long
will
it
be
until
the
trials
are
ended,
and
we
may
see
our
Lord
face
to
face
1"
Some
having
a
greater
degree
of
imagina
tion
than
others
state
with
positiveness
that
the
completion
of
the
church
in
glory
will
be
at
a
certain
date,
which
they
proceed
to
set
forth;
and
their
opinion
thus
expressed
is
~c
cepted
by
some
as
absolute
truth.
Others,
however,
reqUIre
a
greater
degree
of
evidence,
and
confidently
wait
upon
the
Lord
to
give
the
desired
information
in
his
own
"due
time."
What
is
the
cause
of
this
difference
in
the
attitude
of
Chris
tian
brethren
seeing
that
all
sueh
are
consecrated
unto
the
Lord
1
We
answer
that
some
of
the
dear
friends
have
a.
g'reater
degree
of
faith
or
.something
like
unto
it
than
other-s,
a.nd
that
we
are
now
in
a
time
of
special
trial
of
faith.
In
this
connection
we
are
reminded
of
two
texts;
viz.,
"That
the
trial
of
your
faith,
being
much
more
precious
than
of
gold
that
perisheth,
though
it
be
tried
by
fire,
might
be
found
unto
praise
and
honor
and
glory
at
the
revelation
of
Jesus
Christ";
and
"according
to
your
faith
be
it
unto
you."-1
Peter
1:7;
Matthew
9:29.
These
texts
suggest
a
testing
of
the
faith
of
all
Christians,
and
imply
that
according
to
faith
exercised
will
be
the
de·
grees
of
reward.
In
order
to
appreciate
the
importance
of
this
test
upon
the
church,
it
is
necessary
to
mark
the
distinction
between
credulity
and
faith.
Some
Christians
have
much
credulity
and
little
faith,
while
others
have
little
credulity
and
much
faith.
From
the
foregoing
texts
and
ma.ny
others
it
is
evident
that
the
faith
of
all
must
be
tried,
and
that
the
trial
will
be
severe.
'l'BE
CHUBOH
:NEABDTG
TBE
BAVD
01'
RES2
'Vhen
a
mariner
is
nearing
what
he
believes
to
be
the
en
trance
of
a
llaven
and
finds
the
fog
so
thick
that
he
is
unable
to
tell
definitely
his
location,
he
applies
the
mariner'll
test.
Carefully
referring
to
his
log,
charts
and
compa-ss,
he
deter
mines
approximately
his
IDeation,
and
then
moves
cautiously
on,
keeping
cool
and
sober,
and
watching
with
great
care
fulness.
The
evidence
is
strong
and
clear
that
the
church
is
now
nearing
the
entrance
to
the
haven
of
her
eternal
rest;
but
having
no
positive
knowledge
as
to
the
exact
date,
we
might
properly
say
that
the
fog
obscures
our
getting
a
clear
view.
It
is,
therefore,
a
time
for
solemn
and
sober
consideration.
While
it·
does
not
please
the
Lord
to
show
us
the
exact
day
of
the
church's
complete
glorification,
we
can
confidently
wait
upon
him
and
joyfully
sing:
"I
know
not
what
awaits
me;
God
kindly
veils
mine
eyes
j
And
o'er
each
step
of
mine
onward
way
He
makes
new
scenes
to
rise.
"One
step
I
see
before
me-
'Tis
all
I
need
to
see;
The
light
of
heaven
more
brightly
shines
When
earth's
illusions
fiee;
And
sweetly
through
the
silence
comes
His
loving
'Follow
me.'''
Having
referred
to
the
divine
Word
and
helps
which
the
Lord
has
provided
and
which
constitute
our
log,
chart
and
compass,
and
having
determined
that
we
are
on
the
right
course,
then
we
are
encouraged
to
move
on
with
reasonable
speed.
Relying
upon
the
exceeding
great
and
precious
prom
ises
of
God's
Word,
the
burden
of
the
Christian
beco~es
lighter,
his
journey
easier,
and
joy
fills
his
heart.
CREDpLITY
AND
FArrB:
DISTDTGl1ISBED
As
we
have
said,
some
have
mistaken
credulity
for
faith.
What
is
the
difference?
Credulity
is
a
disposition
to
believe
something
upon
slight
or
no
legal
evidence.
It
is
a
conclusion
reached
by
relying
upon
opinion-evidence,
upon
supposed
proof,
which
does
not
come
from
an
absolutely
reliable
source.
Faith
is
a
positive
or
definite
conclusion
reached
by
rely·
ing
upon
competent
evidence,
which
comes
from
a
reliable
and
truthful
source.
A
small
amount
of
information
suffices
for
credulity;
but
accurate
knowledge
is
essential
to
faith.
Credulity
is
usually
based
upon
the
mere
opinion
of
a
finite
mind.
Faith
re
sults
from
relianee
upon
the
testimony
of
the
infinite
God.
Credulity
has
a
poor
foundation;
faith
has
a
sure
founda
tion.
The
stronger
our
faith,
the
greater
is
our
ability
to
withstand
the
storms
which
beat
upon
us
and
the
fiery
tria18
through
which
we
must
pass.
PROGRESSIVE
STEPS
OF
FAITH
A
strong
faith
is
not
acquired
instantaneously,
but
ill
a
matter
of
gradual
growth.
As
a
man
of
intelligence
looks
about
him,
beholding
the
wonders
of
creation,
he
marks
the
myriads
of
stars,
the
moon,
the
sun,
all
moving
noiselessly
in
their
orbits
without
jar
or
disturbance.
_
Then
he
reasons,
"Surely
there
is
a
great
First
Cause,
who
created
these
count
less
worlds
and
holds
them
in
their
places!"
He
beholds
the
wonders
of
the
ea.rthly
creation,
Ilfld
observes
man,
the
high
est
of
earth's
creatures,
"fearfUlly
and
wonderfully
made."
The
reverential
mind,
meditatmg
upon
the
beauty
and
or
der
of
nature,
says:
"If
there
is
a
great
Creator
should
not
we
expect
to
find
that
he
has
given
us
some
revelation
con
cerning
his
purposes
toward
man
1"
He
finds
that
the
Bible
claims
to
be
just
such
a
revelation.
A
careful
examination
reveals
the
faet
that
''holy
men
of
old
spake
as
they
were
moved
by
the
holy
Spirit"
of
God-that
the
Bible
came
from
a
reliable
source,
from
Jehovah,
through
his
spokesman
and
sets
forth
a
plan
so
wonderful
and
so
.beautiful
that
nothing
short
of
the
divine
mind
could
have
arranged
it.
Believing
it
to
be
GOO's
Word,
given
to
man
for
his
instruc
tion
in
righteousness,
the
reasoning
mind
who
examines
its
contents
begins
to
have
faith.
As
his
knowledge
of
the
Word
and
his
appreciation
thereof
increase,
he
finds
that
he
has
a
sure
foundation
upon
which
to
build.
Defining
faith
tlle
Apostle
says:
"Faith
is
the
substance
of
things
hoped
for,
the
evidence
of
things
not
seen."
(He
·brews
11:
I)
The
word
"substance"
may
be
properly
rendered,
sta.nding
under-understanding.
The
word
'evidence"
means
proof.
Then,
analyzing
the
Apostle's
words,
we
would
say,
"Faith
is
the·
understanding
of
things
for
which
we
hope,
and
the
proof
of
things
which
our
natural
eyes
do
not
see."
What
is
the
desire
of
all
sane
men
t
\Ve
answer,
To
live
everlastiJlgly
in
a
state
of
happiness
and
peace.
But
do
mankind
generally
have
a
hope
of
such
a
life
and
such
con
ditionsf
They
do
not,
for
the
reason
that
they
have
nothing
upon
which
to
base
that
hope.
What
is
the
desire
and
hope
of
the
Christian
t
We
anSwer,
To
have
life
everlasting
on
the
divine
plane,
associated
forever
with
the
King
of
kings,
and
[6098]
(163-179) joice to see that he was faithful unte death, instantaneously therefore entering into his great reward as promised. (Rev. 14:13) Let us continue to do the Lord's will so that we also may finish our course with joy. Yours in him, CAMBERWELL CrLass.——Jamaica. MEMORIAL TOWER PEOVED GREAT BLESSING Deragty BELOVED BRETHREN :— We wish to extend to you our love and best wishes, and to assure you that you may rely upon our codperation in THE WATCH TOWER Brooxnyn, N. ¥ the Lord’s work in this city, and in any other way in which we are privileged to serve. We have received a great blessing, from the reading of the Memorial ToweR; and our earnest desire is to emulate our dearly beloved Pastor, as he so faithfully followed in the footsteps of our dear Master, We resolve to remember you daily at the throne of heavenly grace, Your Brethren in the dear Redeemer, LoweLL ASSOCIATED BIBLE STUDENTS.—Maas. A WORD OF WARNING! Sheep that browse in every pasture. measurably regardless of the “green pastures and still waters” of truth of the Lord’s provision, are in constant danger of enemies lurking about. The increasing number of inquiries coming from frightened sheep of this character prompts us to sound a note of warning at this time. Truly, “The hour of temptation” is upon us, and the “strong delusions” abroad will be sure to sift out all except those which stray not from the fold of the Lord. Vou. XXXVIII BROOKLYN, N. Y., JUNE 15, 1917 No. 12 FAITH AND ITS REWARD ‘(Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.’’—Revelations 2:10. At this momentous hour the truly consecrated this side the veil await the completion of the church, looking eagerly for evidence as to the consummation of their hopes, All these faithful ones fully realize that the church is now in a time of crucial trial and testing. And many such are asking, “How long will it be until the trials are ended, and we may see our Lord face to face?” Some having a greater degree of imagination than others state with positiveness that the completion of the church in glory will be at a certain date, which they proceed to set forth; and their opinion thus expressed is accepted by some as absolute truth. Others, however, require a greater degree of evidence, and confidently wait upon the Lord to give the desired information in his own “due time.” What is the cause of this difference in the attitude of Christian brethren seeing that all such are consecrated unto the Tord? We answer that some of the dear friends have a greater degree of faith or something like unto it than others, and that we are now in a time of special trial of faith, In this connection we are reminded of two texts; viz., “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”; and “according to your faith be it unto you.”—1l Peter 1:7; Matthew 9:29. These texts suggest a testing of the faith of all Christians, and imply that according to faith exercised will be the degrees of reward. In order to appreciate the importance of this test upon the church, it is necessary to mark the distinction between credulity and faith. Some Christians have much credulity and little faith, while others have little credulity and much faith, From the foregoing texts and many others it is evident that the faith of all must be tried, and that the trial will be severe. THE CHURCH NEARING THE HAVEK OF REST When a mariner is nearing what he believes ta be the entrance of a haven and finds the fog so thick that he is unable to tell definitely his location, he applies the mariner’s test. Carefully referring to his log, charts and compass, he determines approximately his location, and then moves cautiously on, keeping cool and sober, and watching with great carefulness. The evidence is strong and clear that the church is now nearing the entrance to the haven of her eterna} rest; but having no positive knowledge as to the exact date, we might properly say that the fog obscures our getting a clear view. It is, therefore, a time for solemn and sober consideration. While it’ does not please the Lord to show us the exact day of the church’s complete glorification, we can confidently wait upon him and joyfully sing: “T know not what awaits me; God kindly veils mine eyes; And o’er each step of mine onward way He makes new scenes to rise. “One step I see before me— ’Tis all I need to see; The light of heaven more brightly shines When earth’s illusions flee; And sweetly through the silence comes His loving ‘Follow me.’ ” Having referred to the divine Word and helps which the Lord has provided and which constitute our log, chart and compass, and having determined that we are on the right course, then we are encouraged to move on with reasonable speed. Relying upon the exceeding great and precious promises of God’s Word, the burden of the Christian becomes lighter, his journey éasier, and joy fills his heart. CREDDLITY AND FAITH DISTINGUISHED As we have said, some have mistaken credulity for faith. What is the difference? Credulity is a disposition to believe something upon slight or no lega) evidence. It is a conclusion reached Ay relying upon opinion-evidence, upon supposed proof, which does not come from an absolutely reliable source. Faith is a positive or definite conclusion reached by relying upon competent evidence, which comes from a reliable and truthful source. A small amount of information suffices for credulity; but accurate knowledge is essential to faith. Credulity is usually based upon the mere opinion of a finite mind, Faith results from reliance upon the testimony of the infinite God. Credulity has a poor foundation; faith has a sure foundation. The stronger our faith, the greater is our ability to withstand the storms which beat upon us and the fiery trials through which we must pass. PROGRESSIVE STEPS OF FAITH A strong faith is not acquired instantaneously, but is a matter of pradual growth. As a man of intelligence looks about him, beholding the wonders of creation, he marks the myriads of stars, the moon, the sun, all moving noiselessly in their orbits without jar or disturbance, Then he reasons, “Surely there is a great First Cause, who created these countless worlds and holds them in their places!” He beholds the wonders of the earthly creation, and observes man, the highest of earth’s creatures, “fearfully and wonderfully made.” The reverential mind, meditating upon the beauty and order of nature, says: “If there is a great Creator should not we expect to find that he has given us some revelation concerning his purposes toward man?” He finds that the Bible claims to be just such a revelation. A careful examination reveals the fact that “holy men of old spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit” of God—that the Bible came from a reliable source, from Jehovah, through his spokesman— and sets forth a plan so wonderful and so beautiful that nothing short of the divine mind could have arranged it. Believing it to be God’s Word, given to man for his inatruction in righteousness, the reasoning mind who examines its contents begins to have faith. As his knowledge of the Word and his appreciation thereof increase, he finds that he has a sure foundation upon which to build. Defining faith the Apostle says: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) The word “substance” may be properly rendered, standing under—understanding. The word ‘evidence” means proof. Then, analyzing the Apostle’s words, we would say, “Paith is the understanding of things for which we hope, and the proof of things which our natural eyes do not see.” What is the desire of al] sane men? We answer, To live everlastingly in a state of happiness and peace. But do mankind generally have a hope of such a life and such conditions? They do not, for the reason that they have nothing upon which to base that hope. What is the desire and hope of the Christian? We answer, To have life everlasting on the divine plane, associated forever with the King of kings, and [6098]
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