Decemser 1, 1917 dear Lord bless the compilers, publishers, editors, mailers, and the brethren for their zeal for him. The book is indeed a feast to the children of God.” J.D. G., Ga. “In reading Volume Seven, ‘my soul shall be satisfied as THE WATCH TOWER (354-371) with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful Hps.’ I greet my WaTca Tower with eager hands and thrilling heart; for to me it is the blest tie that binds us all In him and brings sweet fellowship.” M. M., Kan. DATE OF DISTRIBUTION—SUNDAY, DEC. 30 The B. 8. M. Volunteer Matter bearing the title THE FALL OF BABYLON, is being shipped to the various classes ordering the same. It is expected that the classes will have these papers by the latter part of December. Sunday, December 30th, is the date set for the distribution of this B. S. M. Where the territory is large and cannot be covered in one day, then we suggest that the work be continued on the 31st and on January Ist, the IN A number of the brethren throughout the country are asking us with reference to non-combatant service. The Selective Draft Act passed by Congress May 18th, this year, provides that no one is exempt from service which the President may declare is non-combatant. The President, up to the present time, has not defined what is non-combatant service, and, as we are advised by a high official, it is his intention not te do so, When Congress convenes again it is our understanding that the matter will be taken up and that body asked to define what is non-combatant service. Thus it is seen that at this time there is no such thing a3 non-combatant service that is officially defined. As the law now stands, nobody aside from the President has latter being a holiday. Please distribute none of these papers before December 30th. It will be well te neatly fold each paper and place under the door or in private letter boxes, Previous to the date set the territory should be systematically divided and eacn one desiring to work assigned to his or her territory, that the work may be done thoroughly and quickly. | RE MILITARY SERVICE any authority to define what is non-combatant service, so then if the Local Board of Exemption announces to any one that they will be given non-combatant service, such a statement is very indefinite and uncertain. In all probability no noncombatant service will be defined for several months in the future. We have been asked how many adherents to the INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION there are in the United States. From the names on our Warcu Tower list we would answer, there are approximately 75,000 adherents. How many of these are fully consecrated we do not know. There are millions who support much of the doctrine taught by Pastor Russell and the I. B. 8. A. IMPORTANT NOTICE Few realize the amount of work necessary to bring up all the Good Hopes accounts for the year, and to credit individually the thousands of monthly remittances and carry them forward to the voting-share record. Last year it was necessary to use an extra force of assistants for over six weeks. This year we adopted the method of sending out the proxy blanks first, so that each one who had voting shares could fill out quickly and return. It has been found necessary to close all records on November 30th, in order that there may be time to have the individual records listed, checked, verified and signed in time for the election, Jan. 5th. Proxies, to be valid for voting, must be dated and signed by the shareholder. Have the signature witnessed. Additionally all proxies must be certified by the Secretary and President of the Socrrry. Such proxies are then Voting Certificates. Even though you expect to be personally present at the Annual Meetings, you must sign and send your proxy to the Secretary so that it may be properly certified and returned to you. Do not wait until the convention convenes. Such delay would VoL. XXXVITI BROOKLYN, N. Y., DECEMBER 15, 1917 cause confusion and would probably be too late. All proxies should be in the hands of the Secretary no later than Dee, 10th. After being certified they will be returned to you by mail, or delivered to you or to your proxy in person at the convention. Write nothing on the back of the proxy blank except your instructions to the party who holds your shares, Use a separate sheet for orders or letters. We shall make no reply to any further papers sent out by the opposition. We realize it is only a desperate attempt on the part of the adversary to hinder the harvest work which is shaking the very foundations of his kingdom. We prefer above everything else the approval of our Lord; and the evidence of his blessing upon the work of the past year, and especially during the last few months is,,to our mind, abundant evidence of his approval, and we therefore leave the matter in his hands, knowing that he is well able to care for his own, and bring the full truth to light in his own time. We have nothing to hide and nothing to fear, but a great and glorious work to do quickly. —Nehemiah 6:3. No. 24 1917—-ANNUAL REPORT—1917 When the earnest laborers in the Lord’s harvest field have carefully considered this report, we believe it will bring them joy and encouragement. It has been truly said that “Nothing succeeds like success.” To succeed in the Lord’s work means to have the blessing of the Lord; and “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22) Therefore the trials which he permits to come to us, if properly received, bring a blessing; and hence we rejoice in tribulation, thankful in our hearts for all the way he leads us. The year 1917 has been a strenuous one. The nations of earth are in great distress and perplexity as to what course shall be taken, and the hearts of men are failing them for what they see must be the inevitable result. Those who have no faith in prophecy cannot see the rapid weakening of the governments. Revolution merging into anarchy is now the order in Russia, a condition which is certain to follow in the other European nations. The public press quotes Mr. Gerard as saying, “When the revolution starts in Germany it will be so terrible that it will make the French Revolution look like a picnic.” Earthquakes, disasters, famine, pestilence, ete., are all taking their place in the time of trouble, in fulfilment of the prophetic words of the Lord Jesus. Such great sorrow, suffering and distress in the world would discourage even the Christian, were it not for the assuring words of the Master, saying, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”—Luke 21:28. HE MASTER THE CHIEF REAPER It is the tendency of almost everyone to lean upon some other person. Recognizing Brother Russell as the Lord’s messenger to the Laodicean church and as the Lord’s chosen servant for the period of the harvest, coupled with his strong personality, his kind and loving manner, all of the Lord’s people of the present time who knew him were led to more or less lean upon him. He was a wonderful man, and wonderfully used of the Lord. It pleased the Lord to take him away from the field of earthly activities, and his passing was a great shock to others in the harvest field. It was the thought of many that his entering the kingdom marked the end of the work. The year 1917 opened with rather a discouraging outlook. Necessarily there were some misgivings, some doubts and fears. The trials came thick and fast; but with each trial came increased blessing as a further evidence that the Lord ig still the Chief Reaper, and that the harvest is not the work of man, but the Lord’s work, True to his promise, he “turned his hand upon his little ones,” and has’ “opened the windows of heaven and poured out a blessing” upon his people beyond their greatest expectations or hopes. More and more his people began to realize that the work of the harvest does not depend upon any person or persons, but that the Lord is amply capable of performing his own sovereign will and accomplishing his purposes in his own due time. THE WORK AT BROOKLYN Shortly before the death of Brother Russell he had determined upon a reorganization of the office force; and to this end he made several changes and gave directions concerning others. These were carried out; and the Lord’s guiding hand and overruling providences in this behalf.are plainly to be seen, The reorganization of the office force upon a strictly business and economic basis was completed and is now moving with @ (6181]
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