(15-19) time learned of the difficulties at headquarters and were beginning to make inquiry. I fully realized the pessibility of this action on my part being misconstrued as “taking a side” and, therefore, added my name very reluctantly after assurances that the paper would be used in accordance with my understanding, viz., to satisfy inquiring friends. Following the circulation of this resolution my friendly attitude toward all the brethren concerned was called in question. Immediately the unwisdom of my course became apparent, and I saw that, if my efforts as a peacemaker were to have further weight, it would be necessary to undo what I seemingly had done in signing the resolution, This I attempted in the letter written July 26th, afterward published. But stepping from one “side” back to neutral ground was a difficult matter; in fact, I now realize that I overstepped to the other “side.” It was in this position that, out of sympathy for those who I believed had been made the objects of undeserved publicity, I signed an open letter to the friends attending fhe Boston convention. When I discerned, after convention, that this action made me equally as incapable of restoring harmony as T had been after signing the resolution, I quietly withdrew, deeming it best to make no further statement at that time. he use of my name in any publications concerning the controversy issued since the Boston convention has been entirely without my previous knowledge and consent. In the early part of August, the final endeavor to establish peace proved of no avail. My heart ached to think that brethren, respected and loved for their work’s sake, “should have been held up before the friends all over the world in a way which to them seemed unwarranted. I pleaded with them to follow the course of our Master and suffer glaaly whatever bitter experiences the heavenly Father permitted, not even desiring to retaliate or justify themselves; but to commit their cause to him that judgeth righteously. What an opportunity to exhibit the spirit which we al} have been striving to cultivate—the spirit of forbearance with one another, the spirit of brotherly love! Preferring ndt to submit to what they called an injustice, the four brethren chose to leave the home. Here I rested the case with the Lord. Meantime I have watched developments. Looking back, it is now quite evident that the Lord was pleased to permit the very condition which many of us tried earnestly to avert. But why should our loving Father take pleasure in that which has caused such widespread perplexity and sorrow? Surely he hag no desire to injure those who are truly his. Bearing in mind that we are in the closing hours of our trial time, the reason for such treatment at the hands of the Judge of all the earth is obvious: “The Lord your God doth prove you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart.” If we love our God supremely, we will love every one who is begotten of him—-every one who is a partaker of his Spirit. Moved hy the spirit of love, we will devote all our energies to provoking one another to love and good works. Remembering that “the Lord will judge his people,” we Vou. XXXIX THE WATCH TOWER BROOKLYN, N. ¥., JANUARY 15, 1918 Brooxtiyn, N. Y. will be content to wait for the expression of his approval or disapproval. According to all indjcations, the blessing of the Lord continues increasingly, with those who are striving to “show forth his praises,” including the brethren at Brooklyn who are endeavoring to direct the activities of the SocreTy. Believing that they have been faithful to the divine commission, “to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God,” I am glad to coiperate heartily with them. Our opportunities for service may be limited or great in number. Let us be faithful even in the least; for this will determine our worthiness of greater responsibility “in that ay. Some have asked whether I would be a candidate for any office in connection with the Sociery’s work during the coming year. Recognizing that the Lord himself is interested in the appointment of those who shall help in the “perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry,” I hesitate to place myself as one eligible. The desire of my heart is to do his bidding, whatever that may be. Your brother in Christ. Anprew N. Pierson. APPRECIATES THE ‘‘POINT’’ OF THE SWORD Editorial Committee, Toe Watcn Tower. Dear BRETHREN :— Inadvertently and without due thought and consideration I affixed my name to the circular letter which 1 understood was cireulated quite widely amongst the friends and sent out with one of the publications of the opposition. I desire now to go on record as repudiating absolutely, and having no sympathy with, the proposition contained in circular letter referred to on page 367 of Dec. 1st Warcn Tower. I am not in opposition to the Lord, the Socrrry, nor Brother Rutherford, and do not wish to be. On the contrary, I believe the voice of the Lord was expressed in the election last January. I believe it was expressed in the voice of the church in the vote taken Nov. 21st, last, and that it will be expressed in the election of the Shareholders of the Socrery this January. I am fully in harmony with the “Point of the Sword”’— Volume VII—and I believe it to be “meat in due season” furnished by the Lord to his hungry sheep during the present time. May it prove as much of a blessing to all as it has been to me! May the Lord continue to bless your efforts, dear brethren. to serve the interests of his people and give you a due reward is the prayer of Your brother in the One Hope, A. E. Bugcsss. OVERWHELMED IN READING IT Drak FELLow Servants :— I am sending you sixty cents for the Seventh Volume of Scrrprure Srupres. Please pardon me for not sending it sooner. I have been, simply overwhelmed in reading it, and it has been so interesting, that I just could not spare the time to write you a little letter until now. Your brother in Christ, J. A, Heopspern.—tTexas. No, 2 “ARE THE ADVERSARIES INCREASING IN POWE “Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for ua in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind.”-—-1 Peter 4:1. Why should anyone arm himself unless he expected to meet an enemy in combat? This seems to be the thought of the Apostle expressed in the text. The entire chapter evidently relates to the end of the Gospel age. It is in the nature of a warning against adversaries. “But”, says St. Paul, ‘it is not worldly warfare that we are waging; the weapons with which ~we fight are not human weapons, but are mighty through God in overthrowing strong fortifications.” (2 Corinthians 10:3, 4, Weymouth.) Thus it is seen that it is the new creature that must arm preparatory to the final conflict. The new creation had its beginning at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. Then and there he was begotten to the divine nature. The progressive development of the members of the new creation has continued from Pentecost until now, and the evidence is cumulative that its completion is near at hand. All those who will ultimately be of this class must be of one mind—the mind of Christ. All the members thereof must meet the same adversaries and have combats of a similar nature. THE DIVINE PLAN Jehovah foreknew that Adam would disobey him and that all of his progeny would suffer sickness, sorrow and death. In the exercise of his loving kindness and perfect wisdom, God provided redemption of mankind from death through the blood of Jesus, his beloved Son. He further foreordained and provided that because of his full obedience to the divine will and program, Jesus should be exalted above all other creatures (Jehovah alone excepted) and that he should be Head over the new creation, which new creation should occupy the most exalted position amongst the creatures of Jehovah. This new creation is referred to by Jehovah under the title of “the seed of the woman.” Satan is mentioned as “the serpent.” At the time of Adam’s condemnation Jehovah declared that in his own due time “the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head.’ In God’s due time he will use that “seed” to undo all the wrong and wickedness resulting from Lucifer’s disloyalty. It seems reasonable to conclude that Satan understood that God would develop this “seed”, and that it is the purpose of Jehovah to bring to nanght, through this “seed,” all the schemes and efforts of Satan, that God intends to give to the “seed” the kingdom which Satan usurped. Hence Satan seeks to resist the development of the “seed” and, if possible, to destroy it, and to keep the homan race under his control. The Prophet of the Lord (Zech. 3:1-10) gives us a brief picture of the staging and unfolding of the great Drama relating to the preparation and development of the new creation [6198]
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