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(207-212)
THE
WATCH
TOWER
BROOl<~YN.
N.
Y.
widow
for
three
years
and
I
need
your
prayers,
and
be
:lS
sured
you
have
mine
daily.
Let
us
go
on
with
this
grand
work
until,
like
our
Pastor.
Wl'
hear
the
sweet
words.
"Well
done."
::\lay
we
be
just
as
well
prepared
as
he
was,
nnd
I
feel
all
will
go
well
for
us.
I
am
always
so
glad
to
hear
from
the
Bethel
Home.
PlPase
pardon
m"
for
taking
so
much
of
your
timl',
but
I
feel
as
if
I
must
tell
you
a
little
of
my
life
experience~,
and
how
I
came
into
present
trnth.
It
was
just
a
short
time
before
my
ll1l"band's
death-allout
It
w,'ck,
1
suppose.
\"'(.
were
in
the
South
for
my
husband's
health.
when
one
day
a
book
agent
carne
to
my
house.
1
would
not
talk
to
hiJh
at
first,
but
I
saw
th"
title
"\VAT{'I!
TOWF.R"
on
a
pap"r
in
hi,
pocket.
llnd
imm"diately
l)('('ame
interestl'd,
heeause
sevpra
I
years
before
I
had
seen
and
read
some
of
them,
but
could
never
get
any
more.
We
bought
thl'
hooks
and
my
husband
would
have
me
read
to
him
from
them.
He
did
not
live
more
than
one
week
afterwards.
So
I
have
found
a
great
deal
of
comfort
from
the
books.
The
man
who
sold
to
me
was
a
dear,
good
pilgrim.
He
came
hack
to
our
house
when
he
heard
of
mv
husband's
death,
and
gave
a
lecture,
and
1
found
more
reli~f
from
the
sweet,
simple
story,
the
way
he
told
it,
than
ever
before;
and
I
have
bl'en
tried
as
by
fire
since
coming
into
the
light.
But
the
truth
"tands
out
as
maje,tically
as
the
cliffs
along
the
shor"
that
ar"
lush"d
hy
the
wavcs.
\Vh"n
the
furious
storms
abat<',
the
cliffs
lIre
th"re
just
th"
same.
So
it
is
with
,ne;
wh"n
my
people
and
my
friends
t11TH
me
down,
the
truth
~tands
there
just
as
plain
as
ever,
ani!
I
can
say,
"Why
cau
1
hey
not
spe.
too?"
Oh,
what
a
joy
to
know
1
hat
I
have
com"
from
(hrkness
into
,lay!
God
bless
you
and
keep
you
ali,
i<
the
prayer
of
Your
humble
servant,
MRS.
A~NA
BROCKWELL-Mo.
VOl
•.
XXXVTIr
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
.JULY
15,
1917
No.
14
OUR
"BLESSED
HOPE"
"Waiting
for
that
blessed
hope,
even
the
appearing
of
the
glory
of
our
great
God
and
Savior
Jesus
Christ."-Titus
2:13.
Diaglott.
St.
Paul
here
speaks
the
sentiment
of
his
own
heart
and
the
importance
of
seeing
that
our
hope
has
a
sure
founda-
that
of
every
truly
consecrated
child
of
God
who
is
waiting
tion.
Many
who
C'laim
to
bc
Christians
say,
"We
hope
to
go
for
the
full
consummation
of
his
hope
and
for
the
appearing
to
heav"n";
yet
they
are
filled
with
fear
and
superstition.
Th7
of
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ,
that
he
might
be
with
him
forever
in
have
no
desire
for
the
seC'Ond
coming
of
the
Lord
and
his
glory.
Hope
and
faith
are
inseparably
allied,
for
there
can
glorious
revealment.
Thf'y
do
not
possess
that
blessed
hl>P<'
be
no
real
hope
without
a
well-grounded
faith.
which
yearns
for
the
('oming
of
the
day
wh"n
they
shall
see
Hope
means
a
hen
desire
for
a
good
thing,
with
the
ex-
him
face
to
face.
The
rl'asl>n
for
this
is
that
what
hope'
they
pecta.tion
of
reCl'iving
that
thing,
and
with
the
belief
that
have
is
based
upon
crf'dulity,
and
not
upon
faith.
when
received
it
will
afford
great
joy
and
pleasure.
We
do
A
hope
that
is
based
upon
credulity
merely
has
the
word
not
hope
for
a
thing-
which
we
do
not
wish,
but
for
that
which
or
opinion
of
another
as
to
what
the
future
holds.
A
hope
we
greatly
dCllire.
There
must
be,
however,
a
sound
basis
for
that
is
based
upon
faith
has
the
unimpeachable
promise
of
that
hope;
for
without
some
sure
foundation
upon
which
to
the
everlasting
God
that
the
things
for
which
the
Christian
build
there
could
be
no
continuing,
abiding
hope
of
receiv-
hopes
are
absolutely
cf'ftain
if
he
l'ontinues
faithful
unto
th"
ing
the
good
thing.
end.
What
is
it
that
all
intelligent
creatures
mQst
desire?
llEGINlIIING
OF
OUR
HOPE
All
will
answer,
"Life
('verlasting
in
a
state
of
perfect
happi-
Since
no
one
can
have
hope
without
faith,
80
none
can
ness."
Yet
there
might
be
a
stronO'
df'sire
for
life,
and
no
have
faith
without
knowledge.
"FRith
cometh
by
hearing,
and
hope
whatever
of
re"eiving
it.
But
in
due
time
all
will
have
hearing
by
the
Word
of
('rl)d."
It
therefore
fol1()ws
that
the
an
opportunity
to
obtain
liff'
f'verlasting.
one
who
knows
not
of
God
cannot
have
the
blessed
hope
men-
THE
HOPE
SET
BEFORE
THE
CHRISTIAN
tioned
by
St.
Paul
in
our
text.
The
Apostle
points
out
our
For
what
great
thing,
then,
do
we
now
as
children
of
original
condition,
and
then
shows
us
how
we
arl'o
led.
to
~his
God
hope?
What
do
we
ex
peel,
to
receive?
And
to
what
blessed
hope.
"Wherefore,
remember
that
ye
bemg-
10
time
are
we
looking
forward
with
rejl>ieing?
Is
it
that
we
might
past
Gentiles
in
t.he
flesh,
who
are
cRIled
uneircumcision
by
wield
a
golden
sceptre
and
exercise
power
over
others?
that
which
is
ealled
the
circumcision
in
the
flesh
made
by
Xo;
for
that
would
be
selfi~h
ambition.
Is
it
that
we
might
hands.
that
at
that
time
ye
were
without
Christ,
being'
aliens
be
like
unto
tbe
angels?
Ko;
for
we
are
not
called
to
that
from
the
commonwealth
of
Israel,
and
strangers
from
the
COVf'-
pi>8ition.
Or
that
we
might
Il"et
away
from
this
earth
and
nants
of
promise,
hll.ving
no
hope,
and
withl>ut
G<ld
in
t.he
world;
thus
see
greater
things
than
obhers
of
GOO's
human
creatures
but
now
in
Christ
.Jesus
ve
who
sometime
were
afar
off
ltre
see?
Could
any
such
hope
inspire
with
zeal
and
love
and
made
nigh
by
the
blood
of
Christ."-Ephesians
2:
11-13.
willingness
t~
sacrifice
everything
else
to
obtain
it?
Without
The
hope
of
the
Christill.n
is
progressive.
First
he
has
the
one
great
thing"
for
which
we
really
hope,
all
othf'r
things
the
desire
to
live
everlastingly.
He
hears
the
words
of
Jesus,
would
fail
of
accomplishment.
saying',
"I
am
the
Way,
bhe
Truth
and
the
Life;
no
man
Standing
as
we
are
today
in
the
very
Ill.st
hours
of
the
cometh
unto
the
Father
but
by
me"
(John
14:6)
;
and,
"This
Gospel
age-a
fearful
and
wonderful
time
in
which
to
live--
is
life
everlasting,
that
they
might
know
thee,
the
only
true
and
looking
back
over
the
way
we
have
traveled,
we
as
chil-
God,
and
,Jesus
Christ,
whl>m
thou
hast
aent."
(John
17:3)
dren
of
God.do
well
now
to
pause
and
with
sobriety
of
mind
This
knowledge
gained
frl>m
the
Word
inspires
a
hope
that
he
ask,
Why
do
we
find
ourselves
in
our
present
position?
Be·
might
attain
unto
this
life.
hind
us
we
have
left
earthly
homes,
earthly
friends,
earthly
The
hope
of
many
is
that
they
may
escape
et<'rnal
tor-
hopes
and
prospects,
earthly
-ambitions
and
desires.
What
ment.
Such
is
not
the
Christian's
hope.
That
could
not
be
is
the
reason
1
With
one
aceord
we
answer,
Because
of
the
a
hope
attended
with
joy
such
as
is
contemplated
by
the
text.
blessed
hope
that
is
set
before
us.
And
what
is
this
hope?
It
Ha.ving
now
gained
some
knowledge
of
the
way
leading
to
is
that
we
might
have
life
everlasting
on
th1'l
divine
plane;
that
life,
such
an
one
begins
to
prog-ress
in
hope;
and
to
him
the
we
might
see
and
be
like
Jesus,
who
redeemed
us
from
death
Apostle
says,
"This
is
the
promise
that
he
hath
promised
us,
and
called
us
out
of
darkness
into
the
glorious
light;
and
that
even
eternal
life."
(l
John
2:2/))
Thus
the
searcher
for
we
might
behold
Jehovah
in
his
grandeur,
receive
his
loving
truth
seee
that
eternal
life
is
promised
to
some.
He
may
ask,
smile
and
hear
his
words
of
approval.
Why
do
not
all
have
life
everlasting?
The
Scriptures
answer,
If
we
ha.ve
such
a
hope
as
this,
there
must
be
good
rea-
Because
death-the
absence
of
life-is
the
penalty
for
sin;
SOil
for
it.
How
could
imperfect
creatures
such
as
we
dare
our
first
parent
brought
this
penalty
upon
ns
by
disobedience;
have
so
wonderful
a
hope?
It
is
not
llecause
there
is
merit
and
br
inheritance
we
are
all
now
imperfect.
Our
present
in
us
deserving
of
such
great
fayor,
but
because
God
in
his
hope
IS
inspired
by
the
fact
that
Jehova.h,
tnrough
Ohrist
loving-kindness
has
made
provi13ion
that
we
might
have
this
Jesus,
has
made
provision
for
the
satisfaction
of
that
one
of-
wonderful
blessing,
because
he
has
promised
it
to
those
who
fense
of
Father
Adam's.
"For
if
by
one
man's
offense
death
exercise
faith
in
his
great
arrangement
and
who
strive
with
reigned
by
one,
much
more
they
which
receive
abundance
of
joyful
hearts
to
obey
his
rule
and
comply
with
the
terms
that
grace
and
()f
the
gift
of
rightrousness
shall
reign
in
life
by
lead
to
a
consummation
of
such
a
hope.
Therefore
the
basis
one,
Jesus
Christ.
Therefore,
as
by
the
offense
of
one
judg-
for
that
hope
is
faith
in
the
exceeding
great
and
precious
ment
came
upon
all
men
to
condemnation,
even
so
by
the
promises
of
GOO,
righteousness
of
one
the
free
Il"ift
came
upon
all
men
unto
The
Apostle
Paul
ad
vises
us
that
"faith
is
the
basis
of
justification
of
Iife."-Rom.
5:
17,
]
8.
things
hoped
for,
the
evidence
of
things
not
seen."
There
SUOH
A
HOPE
DEPENDENT
UPON
CONDITIONS
might
be
a
hope
based
upon
v~ue
and
uncerta.in
testimony,
but
sooh
a
hope
would
not
bring
joy;
for
it
would
not
bring
VrlIile
Jehovah
has
made
provision
that
all
who
are
full
assurance
of
receiving
that
for
which
we
hoped.
Hence
obedient
to
his
law
may
live
everlastingly
upon
some
plane,
yet
[6114]
(207-212) widow for three years and I need your prayers, and be assured you have mine daily. Let us go on with this grand work until, like our Pastor, we hear the sweet words, “Well done.” May we be just as well prepared as he was, and I feel all will go well for us. I am always so glad to hear from the Bethel Home. Please pardon me for taking so much of your time, but I fee] as if I must tell you a little of my life experiences, and how I came into present truth. It was just a short time before my hushand’s death—ahout a week, 1 suppose. We were in the South for my husband’s health, when one day a book agent came to my house. [ would not talk to him at first, but I saw the tithe “Warcn ‘Towrr” on a paper in his pocket, and immediately became interested, hecause several years before I had seen and read some of them, but could never get any more. We bought the hooks and my husband would have me Vou. XXXVIIT THE WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. Y., JULY 15, 1917 Brooxiyn, N. Y. read to him from them. He did not live more than one week afterwards. So I have found a great deal of comfort from the books. The man who sold to me was a dear, good pilgrim. We came back to our house when he heard of my husband’s death, and gave a lecture, and I found more relief from the sweet, simple story, the way he told it, than ever before; and I have been tried as by fire since coming into the light. But the truth stands out as majestically as the cliffs along the shore that are lashed hy the waves. When the furious storms abate, the cliffs are there just the same. So it is with me; when my people and my friends turn me down, the truth stands there just as plain as ever, and I can say, “Why can they not gee, too?" Oh, what a joy to know that I have come from darkness inte day! God bless you and keep you ali, is the prayer of Your humble servant, Mrs, ANNA BROCKWELL.—Mo. No. 14 OUR “BLESSED HOPE” ‘‘Waiting for that blessed hope, even the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.’’—Titus 2:13— Diaglott. St. Paul here speaks the sentiment of his own heart and that of every truly consecrated child of God who is waiting for the full consummation of his hope and for the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, that he might be with him forever in glory. Hope and faith are inseparably allied, for there can be no real hope without a well-grounded faith. Hope means a keen desire for a good thing, with the expectation of receiving that thing, and with the belief that when received it will afford great joy and pleasure. We do not hope for a thing which we do not wish, but for that which we greatly desire. There must be, however, a sound basis for that hope; for without some sure foundation upon which to build there could be no continuing, abiding hope of receiving the good thing. What is it that all intelligent creatures most desire? All will answer, “Life everlasting in a state of perfect happiness.” Yet there might be a strong desire for life, and no hope whatever of receiving it. But in due time all will have an opportunity to obtain life everlasting. THE HOPE SET BEFORE THE CHRISTIAN For what great thing, then, do we now as children of God hope? What do we expect to receive? And to what are we looking forward with rejoicing? Is it that we might wield a golden sceptre and exercise power over others? No; for that would be selfish ambition. Is it that we might be like unto the angels? No; for we are not called to that position. Or that we might get away from this earth and thus see greater things than others of God’s human creatures see? Could any such hope inspire with zeal and love and willingness to sacrifice everything else to obtain it? Without the one great thing for which we really hope, all other things would fail of accomplishment. Standing as we are today in the very last hours of the Gospel age—a fearful and wonderful time in which to live— and looking back over the way we have traveled, we as children of God.do well now to pause and with sobriety of mind ask, Why do we find ourselves in our present position? Behind us we have left earthly homes, earthly friends, earthly hopes and prospects, earthly ambitions and desires. What is the reason? With one accord we answer, Because of the blessed hope that is set before us. And what is this hope? It is that we might have life everlasting on the divine plane; that we might see and be like Jesus, who redeemed us from death and called us out of darkness into the glorious light; and that we might behold Jehovah in his grandeur, receive his loving smile and hear his words of approval. Tf we have such a hope as this, there must be good reason for it. How could imperfect creatures such as we dare have so wonderful a hope? It is not because there is merit in us deserving of such great favor, but because God in his loving-kindness has made provision that we might have this wonderful blessing, because he has promised it to those who exercise faith in his great arrangement and who strive with joyful hearts to obey his rule and comply with the terms that lead to a consummation of such a hope. Therefore the basis for that hope is faith in the exceeding great and precious promises of God. The Apostle Paul advises us that “faith is the basis of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” There might be a hope based upon vague and uncertain testimony, but such a hope would not bring joy; for it would not bring full assurance of receiving that for which we hoped, Hence the importance of seeing that our hope has a sure foundation. Many who claim to be Christians say, “We hope to go to heaven”; yet they are filled with fear and superstition. They have no desire for the second coming of the Lord and his glorious revealment. They do not possess that blessed hope which yearns for the coming of the day when they shall see him face to face. The reason for this is that what hope‘ they have is based upon credulity, and not upon faith. A hope that is based upon credulity merely has the word or opinion of another as to what the future holds. A_ hope that is based upon faith has the unimpeachable promise of the everlasting God that the things for which the Christian hopes are absolutely certain if he continues faithful unto the end. BEGINNING OF OUR HOPE Since no one can have hope without faith, so none can have faith without knowledge. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” It therefore follows that the one who knows not of God cannot have the blessed hope mentioned by St. Paul in our text. The Apostle points out our original condition, and then shows us how we are led to this blessed hope. “Wherefore, remember that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the cireumcision in the flesh made by hands. that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world; but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometime were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”—Ephesians 2:11-13. The hope of the Christian is progressive, Firat he has the desire to live everlastingly. He hears the words of Jesus, saying, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6); and, “This is life everlasting, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) This knowledge gained from the Word inspires a hope that he might attain unto this life. The hope of many is that they may escape eternal torment. Such is not the Christian’s hope. That could nat be a hope attended with joy such as is contemplated by the text. Having now gained some knowledge of the way leading to life, such an one begins to progreas in hope; and to him the Apostle says, “This is the promise that he hath promised us. even eternal life” (1 Tobn 2:25) Thus the searcher for truth seeg that eternal life is promised to some. He may ask, Why do not all have life everlasting? The Scriptures anawer, Because death—the absence of life—is the penalty for sin; our first parent brought this penalty upon us by disobedience; and by inheritance we are all now imperfect. Our present hope 1s inspired by the fact that Jéhovah, through Ohrist Jesus, has made provision for the satisfaction of that one offense of Father Adam’s. “For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.’—Rom, 5:17, 18. SUCH A HOPE DEPENDENT UPON CONDITIONS While Jehovah has made provision that all who are obedient to his law may live everlastingly upon some plane, yet [6114]
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