3
1
3
download/literature/watchtower/1918-21.pdf
../literature/watchtower/1918/21/1918-21-1.html
OOTO
...
II
15.
1918
THE
WATCH
TOWER
(306-323)
Thc
convention
concluded
with
a
love
fea.st;
and
ma.ny
eyes
were
tear-dimmed
with
the
sorrow
of
parting
and
all!O'
with
the
joy
of
anticipation
of
the
great
convention
when
we
shall
be
forever
with
the
Lord.
AT
OAKLAND,
CALIFORNIA
One
unusual
feature
in
connection
with
the
Oakland
Con
vention
W!l;8
that
four
brethren
were
sent
there
from
the
Ea.8t,
traveling
together,
serving
the
friends
at
Chicago,
Denver
and
Los
Angeles
en
route.
At
these
cities
two-day
conven
tions
had
been
arranged,
and
an
average
of
500
attended
lilt
each
place.
About
650
were
present
at
the
Oakland
Convcntion,
which
proved
to
be
a
most
helpful
and
enjoyable
concourse.
It
was
remarkable
for
the
sweet
spirit
manifested;
and
as
those
pres
ent
eagerly
listened
to
thc
discourses
or
gave
their
testimony
to
the
l.J<ml'B
grace,
their
ra.diant
faces
outwardly
attested
the
inward
heart-condition.
Many
and
fervent
were
the
expres-
sions
of
mutual
Christian
love
among
the
conventioners.
Twenty-three
were
immersed
at
Oakland.
At
all
the
conventions
resolutions
were
passed
expressing
love
and
sympathy
for
the
brethren
at
headquarters,
and
pledg
ing
co-operation
with
the
Society
and
its
work.
OTHER
CONVENTIONS
Other
two-day
and
four-day
conventions
were
held
at
New
Oastle,
Pa.,
Portland,
Oregon,
Seattle
and
Spokane,
Boise,
Omaha,
Kansas
City,
St.
Louis
and
Toledo,
while
still
othrr;;
are
proposcd.
Altogether
the
year
1918
will
be
the
banner
yf'ar
for
conventions.
It
is
expected
that
the
Pastor
Rus
sell
Memorial
Convention
at
Pittsburgh
Oct.
3
I-Nov.
1-3,
will
,be
the
principal
one
of
the
ycar.
The
public
activities
of
the
Society
being
somewhat
curtailed
at
present,
these
gather
ings
seem
to
supply
the
needed
stimulus
and
encouragements
for
the
friends.
Evidently
the
Lord
has
wonderfully
blest
the
<,onventions.
THE
WATCH
TOWER
OFFICE
~Vhe
Society's
removal
to
new
headquarters
in
Pitteburgh
is
price
list
of
our
stock
on
hand.
Please
do
not
order
anything
now
completed,
and
all
departments
are
now
in
operation,
ai-
not
listed,
until
you
see
notice
of
replenished
stock'
in
THE
though
it
will
take
two
or
three
weeks
more
to
get
fully
WATCH
TOWER.
Addre88
all
letters
to
the
Watch
Tower
flettled.
We
have
heautiful
quarterfl
on
the
third
floor
of
the
Bible
&
Tract
Society,
Room
310,
:Martin
Building,
N.
o.
Martin
Building,
with
plenty
of
room,
well
lighted
and
well
Pittsburgh,
Pa.
ventilated.
'Ve
are
confident
that
the
removal
is
providential;
To
secure
uniformity
we
suggest
that
our
new
headquarters
for
the
Lord's
hand
has
been
continually
manifested
in
con-
be
referred
to
as
"The
Watch
Tower
Office,"
and
that
para
nection
therewith.
In
another
column
we
print
an
up-to-date
graph
two
of
the
Vow
be
changed
to
harmonizc
therewith.
VOL.
XXXIX
PITTSBURGH,
PA.,
:KOVEMBER
1,
1918
VIEWS
FROM
THE
TOWER
No.
21
"For
my
thoughts
are
not
yowr
tluJughts,
neither
are
yowr
ways
my
'UXl1Is,
saith
the
Lord.
For
as
the
heavens
are
higher
tha-n
the
earth,
80
are
my
1.OO1Is
higher
than
yo-ur
ways,
and
mu
thoughts
tkan
yo-ur
th.oughts."-Isa.ia.h
55:
8,
9.
The
grand
truth
80
succinctly
stated
in
this
text
is
not
tion:
"Has
the
harvest
ended?
Is
the
door
closed?
Are
RJPpreciated
by
any
except
the
JIlIIlture
Christian;
IIJld
it
takes
we
of
the
great
company
da.as
f
Who
will
carry
on
the
work
years
of
experience
in
the
school
of
Christ
to
learn
this
les-
now?"
son
well.
Very
few
learn
the
lesson
properly;
but
as
a
re-
At.
first
we
were
inclined
to
mourn
our-
1088
unduly,
to
suit
these
enjoy
a
calm
and
a
peace
in
their
da.ily
life
which
grieve
over
Brother
Russell's
departure.
But
soon
our
sor
others
do
not.
These
al80
have
a
greater
confidence
than
row
WitS
turned
to
joy;
for
it
speedily
became
manifest
that
others
possibly
can
have.
In
the
words
of
the
Apostle,
"We
the
Lord
had
simply
exalted
BTother
Russell,
and
ha-d
given
know
that
all
things
work
together
for
good
to
them
that
him
greater
powers
and
grander
opportunities
of
service
than
love
God."
Such
have
lea.rned
that
the
fa.ilure
of
their
own
were
ever
his
before.
Furthermore,
when.
we
realized
that
his
plans,
the
thwarting
of
their
own
purposes,
is
not
an
evil
interCf'lt
in
the
members
of
the
church
remaining
in
the
flesh,
nor
an
evidence
of
divine
disfavor.
They
have
learned
that
and
his
a.bility
to
assist
them,
had
been
increased
manifold,
our
this
is
the
very
way
which
God
uses
to
teach
them
the
les-
joy
increa.sed
proportiona.tely.
son
that
divine
wisdom
is
superior
to
human
wisd()DI;
and
TKB
TBST
.OW
UPON
THE
OJrolWB:
what
confidence,
what
hope,
what
joy
fill
the
hearts
of
these!
Slowly
the
ina.joritr.
regained
their
equilibrium,
as
the
With
such
mature
Christians
every
trial
is
but
"light
Lord
manifested
his
a.bllity
to
carryon
the
work.
How
much
affliction,"
"not
worthy
to
be
compared
with
the
glory
which
we
all
needed
:to
learn
that
lesson
in
order
to
&tabilize
our
shall
be
revealed."
When
seeming
calamities
come
into
their
faith!
How
grandly
the
Lord
fulfilled
his
promise
to
raise
lives,
they
"sorrow
not
as
those
who
have
no
hope";
for'they
up
shepherds
to
care
for
the
flock!
How
marvelol1llly
the
recognize
thc
Father's
loving
hand
in
every
experience,
assign-
work
progressed
for
a
time!
How
strenuous
was
the
activity,
ing
to
them
needed
1e9sons,
in
ordcr
that
they
ma.y
be
"wade
and
how
we
did
enjoy
it.
Jar
a
time!
meet
for
the
Master's
use."
This
lesson
of
full
submiBllion
to
the
Suddenly,
however,
divine
providence
so
overruled
that
divine
will
must
be
learncd
by
us
all,
ere
we
ca.n
hope
to
share
the
work
should
come
a.lmost
to
a
standstill.
How
the
Lord's
with
our
Lord
in
his
kingdom.
providences
seemed
to
ehange!
How
differently
events
were
The
past
two
years
of
the
church's
experience
have
been
occurring
from
what
we
had
expected!
Another
needed
trial
fraught
witlJ
many
such
lessons.
How
often
the
heavenly
wM
upon
the
church.
While
engaged
in
the
activities
of
the
Father
has
seemingly
hindered
the
accomplishment
of
our
harvest
work
and
while
smiting
Jordan,
we
had
learned
les
plans,
and
afterwards
shown
us
his
own
grand
designs,
which
sons
of
confidence,
·humility
and
patience;
but
the
dear
Lord
we
have
always
found
to
be
higher,
grander
in
every
sense,
saw
that
we
needed
to
learn
these
same
lessons
from
anotlulr
than
our
own!
angle.
Would
we
continue
to
have
confidence,
to
be
humble
A
SUCCESSION
OF
StrBPRISE8
and
patient,
when
all
our
activities
had
practically
ceased!
It
would
seem
well
at
this
season,
the
memorial
of
the
The
Lord
is
still
permitting
this
test
to
'be
upon
us.
Would
translation
of
"that
faithful
and
wise
steward"
from
earthly
we
lose
our
ronfidence
now,
and
conclude
that
the
Lord
had
to
heavenly
activities
(Revelation
14:13),
to
review
the
Lord's
desertoo
his
work
and
his
people,
when
he
has
told
us:
"I
dealings
with
his
people,
both
individually
and
collectively,
will
never
leave
thee
nor
forsake
thee"?
Would
we
lose
our
and
learn
lessons
thereby.
Two
years
ago
the
Lord's
people
humility
to
the
extent
that
we
would
assert
that
the
Lord
were
all
engaged
in
harvest
activities,
with
no
thought
of
had
cast
off
the
Watch
Tower
Bi1ble
"
Tract
Society,
and
was
any
sudden
change.
Brother
Russell·had
gone
on
an
extended
no
longer
using
it
as
his
agency
for
comforting
and
blessing
trip.
Few
realized
how
near
he
was
to
his
journey's
end.
his
people?
Would
we
become
80
impatient
with
the
Lord
On
the
mominl7
of
November
1,
1916,
word
had
gone
all
and
,his
ways
that
we
would
take
things
into
our
own
hands
around
the
world
that
Pastor
Russell
had
died
on
the
after-
and
cease
to
recognize
the
churclJ.
as
a
Scripturally
organized
noon
of
October
31.
How
little·
did
the
masses
realille
earth's
body,
and
consider
ourselves
at
liberty
to
"draw
away
dis
laRs!
How
few
realized
that
his
work
was
continuing!
None
ciples
after"
ourselves!
Would
we
so
far
lose
the
Master's
realized
his
gain.
spirit
and
forget
his
injunction
not
to
judge,
not
to
condemn,
From
that
time
on,
apparently
the
Lord
has
been
giving
that
we
would
thus
injure
our
,brother?
How
could
the
work
to
the
church
a
~eriee
of
experiences
djfferentfrom
what
we
pOliSibly
contillue
nOW!'
Who
oould
be
found
with
ability
to
had
had
before,
a
succession
of
surprises,
every
one
of
which
carry
it
on?
was
needed.
that
we
might
learn
the
lesson
of
our
text.
The
An
early
demise
of
the
Watch
Tower
Bible
&
Tract
Society
report
of
Brother
RUllBell's
death
ca.me
as
a
shock
to
us
all,
Wll8
predicted
by
some;
and
all
the
dear
sheep
wondered
what
and
proved
a
trial
of
our
faith.
Most
of
us
had
planned
his
would
be
the
outeOlDA!.
Quietly
and
grandly
the
Lord
im
demise
at
a
different
time
and
in
a
different
way.
Now
our
pressed.
the'
le11BOn
again,
that
his
work
was
not
dependent
minds
were
more
or
less
bewildered;
and
we
began
to
ques-
upon
the
a.bility
of
man,
but
that
the
Father
was
able
to
VII-34
[6U9]
Ocrosper 15, 1918 The convention concluded with a love feast; and many eyes were tear-dimmed with the sorrow of parting end also with the joy of anticipation of the great convention when we shall be forever with the Lord. AT OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA One unusua! feature in connection with the Oakland Convention was that four brethren were sent there from the East, traveling together, serving the friends at Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles en route. At these cities two-day conventions had been arranged, and an average of 500 attended at each place. About 650 were present at the Oakland Convention, which proved to be a most helpful and enjoyable concourse, It was remarkable for the sweet spirit manifested; and as those present eagerly listened to the discourses or gave their testimony to the Lord’s grace, their radiant faces outwardly attested the inward heart-condition. Many and fervent were the expres THE WATCH TOWER (306-323) sions of mutual Christian love among the conventioners. Twenty-three were immersed at Oakland. At all the conventions resolutions were passed expressing love and sympathy for the brethren at headquarters, and pledging co-operation with the Society and its work. OTHER CONVENTIONS Other two-day and four-day conventions were held at New Castle, Pa., Portland, Oregon, Seattle and Spokane, Boise, Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis and Toledo, while still others are proposed. Altogether the year 1918 will be the banner year for conventions. It is expected that the Pastor Russell Memorial Convention at Pittsburgh Oct. 31—Nov. 1-3, will be the principal one of the year. The public activities of the Society being somewhat curtailed at present, these gatherings seem to supply the needed stimulus and encouragements for the friends. Evidently the Lord has wonderfully blest the conventions. THE WATCH TOWER OFFICE The Society’s removal to new headquarters in Pitteburgh is now completed, and al] departments are now in operation, although it will take two or three weeks more to get fully settled. We have beautiful quarters on the third floor of the Martin Building, with plenty of room, well lighted and well ventilated. We are confident that the removal is providential ; for the Lord’s hand has been continually manifested in connection therewith. In another column we print an up-to-date Vou. AXXIX price list of our stock on hand. Please do not order anything not listed, until you see notice of replenished stock’ in THE WATCH. TOWER, Address al} letters to the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, Room 310, Martin Building, N. 8. Pittsburgh, Pa. To secure uniformity we suggest that our new headquarters be referred to as “The Watch Tower Office,’ and that paragraph two of the Vow be changed to harmonize therewith. PITTSBURGH, PA., NOVEMBER 1, 1918 VIEWS FROM THE TOWER > No. 2} “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8, 9. The grand truth so succinctly stated in this text is not appreciated by any except the mature Christian; and it takes years of experience in the school of Christ to learn this lesgon well. Very few learn the lesson properly; but as a result these enjoy a calm and a peace in their daily life which others do not. These also have a greater confidence than others possibly can have. In the words of the Apostle, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Such have learned that the failure of their own plans, the thwarting of their own purposes, is not an evil nor an evidence of divine disfavor. They have learned that this is the very way which God uses to teach them the lesson that divine wisdom is superior to human wisdom; and what confidence, what hope, what joy fill the hearts of these! With such mature Christians every trial is but “light affliction,” “not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.” When seeming calamities come into their lives, they “sorrow not as those who have no hope”; for’ they recognize the Father’s loving hand in every experience, assigning to them needed lessons, in order that they may be “made meet for the Master’s use.” This lesson of full submission to the divine will must be learned by us all, ere we can hope to share with our Lord in his kingdom. The past two years of the church’s experience have been fraught with many such lessons. How often the heavenly Father has scemingly hindered the accomplishment of our plans, and afterwards shown ug his own grand designs, which we have always found to be higher, grander in every sense, than our own! A SUCCESSION OF SURPRISES It would seem well at this season, the memorial of the translation of “that faithful and wise steward” fram earthly to heavenly activities (Revelation 14:13), to review the Lord’a dealings with his people, both individually and _ collectively, and learn lessons thereby. Two years ago the Lord’s people were all engaged in harvest activities, with no thought of any sudden change. Brother Russell-had gone on an extended trip. Few realized how near he was to his journey’s end. On the morning of November 1, 1916, word had gone all around the world that Pastor Russell had died on the afternoon of October 31. How little did the massea realize earth’s loss! How few realized that his work was continuing! None realized his gain. From that time on, apparently the Lord has been giving to the church a series of experiences different from what we had had before, a succession of surprises, every one of which was needed, that we might learn the lesson of our text. The report of Brother Ruasell’s death came as a shock to us all, and proved a trial of our faith. Most of us had planned his demise at a different time and in a different way. Now our minds were more or less bewildered; and we began to ques VII—34 tion: “Has the harvest ended? Is the door closed? Are we of the great company class? Who will carry on the work now?” At first we were inclined to mourn our loss unduly, to grieve over Brother Russell’s departure. But scon our sorrow was turned to joy; for it speedily became manifest that the Lord had simply exalted Brother Russell, and had given him greater powers and grander opportunities of service than were ever his before. Furthermore, when. we realized that his interest in the members of the church remaining in the flesh, and his ability to assist them, had been increased manifold, our joy increased proportionately. THE TEST KOW UPON THE CHUROH Slowly the majority regained their equilibrium, as the Lord manifested his ability to carry on the work. How much we all needed to learn that lesson in order to stabilize our faith! How grandly the Lord fulfilled his promise to raise up shepherds to care for the flock! How marvelously the work progressed for a time! How strenuous was the activity, and how we did enjoy it for a time! Suddenly, however, divine providence so overruled that the work should come almost to a standstill. How the Lord’s providences seemed to change! How differently events were occurring from what we had expected! Another needed trial was upon the church. While engaged in the activities of the harvest work and while smiting Jordan, we had learned lessons of confidence, humility and patience; but the dear Lord saw that we needed to learn these same lessons from another angle. Would we continue to have confidence, to be humble and patient, when all our activities had practically ceased? The Lord is still permitting this test to be upon us. Would we lose our confidence now, and conclude that the Lord had desertéd his work and his people, when he has told us: “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee”? Would we lose our humility to the extent that we would assert that the Lord had cast off the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, and was no longer using it as his agency for comforting and blessing his people? Would we become so impatient with the Lord and his ways that we would take things into our own hands and cease to recognize the church as a Scripturally organized body, and consider ourselves at liberty to “draw away disciples after’ ourselves? Would we so far lose the Master’s spirit and forget his injunction not to judge, not to condemn, that we would thus injure our brother? How could the work possibly continue now?’ Who could be found with ability to carry it on? An early demise of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society was predicted by some; and all the dear sheep wondered what would be the outeome. Quietly and grandly the Lord impressed the' lesson again, that his work was not dependent upon the ability of man, but that the Father was able to [6849]
Pentru a vă îmbunătăți experiența pe site-ul nostru, folosim cookies și tehnologii similare. Unele cookies sunt esențiale pentru funcționalitatea de bază a site-ului nostru și nu pot fi refuzate. Puteți alege să acceptați sau să refuzați cookies suplimentare. Vrem să vă asigurăm că aceste date nu vor fi vândute sau utilizate în scopuri de marketing. Puteți ajusta preferințele dvs. în orice moment accesând Setările de Confidențialitate din subsolul paginii. Pentru mai multe informații, vă rugăm să consultați
Politica de Confidențialitate
Condiții de utilizare
.
