VOL. XXXIII MARCH 1 No. 5
A.D. 1912—A.M. 6040
The Gospel St. Paul Preached...................... 75
A Comparison of Religions..................... 75
God of the Bible the God of All Grace......... 76
The Prayers of the New Creation................... 77
Answers Often Delayed......................... 78
Scriptural Rule for Adjusting
Misunderstandings........................... 81
Let Us Beware of Busybodying.................. 82
How to Conduct a Church Trial................. 82
Perfection of Organism Not Necessary to
Trial for Life.............................. 83
100 Years of Trial............................ 83
The Gospel Only for Sinners....................... 84
"Thy Disciples Fast Not"...................... 85
"The Light of the World".......................... 85
A Better Day Coming........................... 86
"Which Lighteth Every Man".................... 86
Some Interesting Questions........................ 87
Berean Questions in Scripture Studies............. 87
PUBLISHED BY
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
CHARLES T. RUSSELL, PRESIDENT
"BROOKLYN TABERNACLE," 13-17 HICKS ST.,
BROOKLYN, N. Y., U. S. A.
Foreign Agencies:—British Branch: LONDON TABERNACLE, Lancaster Gate, W. German Branch: Unterdorner Str., 76, Barmen. Australasian Branch: Flinders Building, Flinders St., Melbourne. Please address the SOCIETY in every case.
—————
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 (4s.) IN ADVANCE.
SEND MONEY BY EXPRESS, BANK DRAFT, POSTAL ORDER, OR REGISTERED.
FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY FOREIGN MONEY ORDERS, ONLY.
Terms to the Lord's Poor as Follows:—All Bible Students who, by reason of old age, or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this Journal, will be supplied Free if they send a Postal Card each May stating their case and requesting its continuance. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and in touch with the Studies, etc.
ALSO FRENCH, GERMAN, SWEDISH AND DANISH EDITIONS.
SAMPLE COPIES FREE.
ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MAIL MATTER AT BROOKLYN, N.Y., POSTOFFICE.
ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER AT THE POSTOFFICE DEPT., OTTAWA, CANADA.
"MILLENNIAL BEAN" SEED SUPPLY EXHAUSTED
The requests for five of the prolific beans for seed by far exceed the supply donated by Sister Smith. We have filled the orders first received.
In reply to various inquiries from those who requested these seed beans, we are informed by Sister Smith that there are advantages in planting them in an onion bed or row—at a distance of six feet. An insect, which proves destructive to the bean plant, seems to dislike the onions, and is thus kept away. After the onions are harvested, the beans grow very fast, if the ground is kept loose on the surface. It is also suggested that great care should be exercised in gathering the pods, not to injure the bushes, by pulling, or breaking off the leaves. If the first crop of beans is allowed to remain on the bushes until fully ripened, there will be no additional yield and the bush will die. If they are to bear repeatedly, the pods must be removed as soon as large enough to eat, we are told, and then new blossoms take the place of the first crop.
BROTHER RUSSELL'S SERMONS IN GERMAN
The Ottawa County "Zeitung," a German weekly newspaper, publishes Brother Russell's Sermons in full. Price per year with TOWER: domestic, $2; foreign, $2.75, through us.
r4981 THE GOSPEL ST. PAUL PREACHEDr4983 THE PRAYERS OF THE NEW CREATION
r4984 THE SCRIPTURAL RULE FOR ADJUSTING MISUNDERSTANDINGS
r4985 PERFECTION OF ORGANISM NOT NECESSARY TO TRIAL FOR LIFE
r4986 THE GOSPEL ONLY FOR SINNERS
r4987 "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
Question.—"Your Adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, steadfast in the faith." (I Pet. 5:8.) In what sense does the Adversary go about as a roaring lion?
Answer.—The Scriptures give us various illustrations of Satan, the "angel of light." He is compared to a serpent, a roaring lion, etc. Of course, he does not fill all of these pictures at one moment, nor does he go about as a roaring lion all the time. It is the custom of the lion to roar when in pursuit of food. The roar of the lion makes his prey—including human beings—semi-paralyzed. From personal observation, we see that fear is one of the most disastrous things for the Lord's people to have—except "fear of the Lord," which is proper fear. As God incites by love, so Satan incites through fear, through false doctrines, the root of error, which so terrorizes mankind as to the future. This kind of influence from the Adversary is what is meant by the Apostle. But we are to resist Satan.
Once the Apostles were under threat from the Jewish Sanhedrin; and they prayed, "Now, Lord, behold their threatenings." This statement, however, does not prove that the men of the Sanhedrin were devils, nor that they were viciously inclined of themselves. So today there are some people more or less beclouded by the threatenings of those who are seeking to intimidate the Lord's people. We are to be of good courage. When we hear the roaring of the lion we are to remember that the Lord is on our part and that He does not cause us to fear. The thought that Satan opposes us and that we are contending, not merely with the fallen flesh, but also with wicked spirits in high positions of power, would appal us if we did not, by positiveness of decision, acquire great help from other unseen powers. From the instant that we resist temptation and stand up for the Lord and His cause we become strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
LIGHT INCREASES RESPONSIBILITY
Question.—"If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloak for their sin."—John 15:22. Please explain.
Answer.—Our Lord explained to the Scribes and Pharisees that the light of His teaching gave a greater responsibility to those who heard it than to those who had not heard it. If they had never come in contact with the light, they would never have sinned against the light; [R4989 : page 87] and therefore, their sin was greater in proportion to the greater blessing.
So it is today. If you had never had your eyes opened, if you had never heard more than the heathen, then you would not have any more sin than other heathen people whose eyes have never been opened. But when you sin with a measure of wilfulness against the light and knowledge, your sin will be the greater. Your responsibility is in proportion to the light. This seems to be the reasonable view of the matter.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRUITS AND GRACES OF SPIRIT
Question.—What is the difference between "the fruits of the Spirit" and "the graces of the Spirit?"
Answer.—The expression "fruits of the Spirit" has very much the same significance as "graces of the Spirit." One term might be proper to use at one time and the other at another time, according to the figure of speech which would be appropriate. If we were speaking of a quality which was being developed, it would be proper to think of the fruitage of the Spirit—those beautiful qualities worked out in our lives through the indwelling of the Spirit of God. If we were speaking more particularly of the individual and his conduct, we might more appropriately say that the graces which he manifested and which he had developed were brought out through his possession of the Holy Spirit, through his possession of the spirit of love.
BEREAN QUESTIONS IN SCRIPTURE STUDIES
Series VI., Study VII.—The Law of the New Creation.
(55) What should be our earnest endeavor with respect to reaching the mark? P. 373, par. 2.
(56) When we have reached the mark, will there be no further trials for us? P. 373, par. 3.
(57) Will the Law of Love be the standard for all accounted worthy of everlasting life at the close of the Millennial Age? P. 374, par. 1.
(58) What is the Golden Rule, and how is it superior to the highest standard of the natural man? P. 375, par. 1.
(59) How does this rule affect our relationship toward God and toward the brethren? P. 376, par. 1, 2.
(60) Explain how we are "changed from glory to glory" through obedience to the Golden Rule. P. 376, par. 3.
(61) Does the Law of Love, the "law of liberty," leave the New Creation without proper restraints? P. 377, par. 1.
(62) Will the world of mankind be under this law of liberty during the Millennial Age? P. 378, par. 1, first half.
(63) How do the New Creation properly exercise their liberty? P. 378, par. 1, last half.
(64) What reward will be given those who faithfully use the liberty wherewith Christ makes free, and why is it essential that the New Creation be especially developed and tested as to perfect love? P. 378, par. 2.
Series VI., Study VIII—The Rest or Sabbath of the New
Creation.
(1) Since the New Creation is in no sense under the Law Covenant, why was Jesus subject to the Law of the Mosaic Sabbath? P. 379, par. 1.
(2) How and when did allegiance to the Law Covenant given to the Jews cease as respected Jesus and His followers? P. 380, par. 1.
(3) Was it difficult for the Jews to realize that the middle wall of partition between them and the Gentiles was broken down by the death of Christ? P. 380, par. 2.
(4) To what purpose was the Jewish Sabbath originally appointed? Was there anything in the Scriptures forbidding these new converts to preach the Gospel on this day of the week? P. 381, par. 1.
(5) Was the early Church commanded of the Lord to specially observe the seventh day (or Sabbath day) or any other day in the week? P. 381, par. 2.
(6) What were the teachings of the Apostles to the Church respecting the various feasts and seasons and days of the Jewish Law? And was the use by the Apostles of the Jewish Synagogue on the Jewish Sabbath an endorsement of the Jewish system? P. 382, par. 1, first half.
(7) Is the Gospel message affected by the building in which, or the day on which, it is proclaimed? P. 382, par. 1, last.
(8) What are the facts respecting the claim that the Christian Sabbath was instituted by the Roman Catholic Church? P. 382, par. 2.
(9) When and because of what circumstances did the proper observance of the first day of the week have its beginning? P. 383, par. 1.
(10) What was commemorated in the "breaking of bread" on the first day of the week by the early Christians, and what did it signify? P. 384, par. 1.
VOL. XXXIII MARCH 15 No. 6
A.D. 1912—A.M. 6040
"The Resurrection of the Just and of the
Unjust"..................................... 91
Resurrection of the Church.................... 91
Resurrection of the World..................... 91
Degrees of Sin and Their Punishment............... 93
Who Are Thieves and Murderers?................ 93
God is Training the Judges Now................ 94
A Judge Must Possess Perfect
Self-Control................................ 94
"Ye Are The Light of the World"................... 96
Love of the Brethren a Crucial Test............... 98
Causes of Friction Increasing................. 98
Jesus' Soul Resurrected........................... 99
Which Day is Sabbath?.............................100
Man's Seventh Day.............................101
The Church's Sabbath Day......................101
Why Men Fear the Second Coming of Christ..........101
Questions Re Atonement............................102
PUBLISHED BY
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
CHARLES T. RUSSELL, PRESIDENT
"BROOKLYN TABERNACLE," 13-17 HICKS ST.,
BROOKLYN, N. Y., U. S. A.
Foreign Agencies:—British Branch: LONDON TABERNACLE, Lancaster Gate, W. German Branch: Unterdorner Str., 76, Barmen. Australasian Branch: Flinders Building, Flinders St., Melbourne. Please address the SOCIETY in every case.
—————
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 (4s.) IN ADVANCE.
SEND MONEY BY EXPRESS, BANK DRAFT, POSTAL ORDER, OR REGISTERED.
FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY FOREIGN MONEY ORDERS, ONLY.
Terms to the Lord's Poor as Follows:—All Bible Students who, by reason of old age, or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for this Journal, will be supplied Free if they send a Postal Card each May stating their case and requesting its continuance. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually and in touch with the Studies, etc.
ALSO FRENCH, GERMAN, SWEDISH AND DANISH EDITIONS.
SAMPLE COPIES FREE.
ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MAIL MATTER AT BROOKLYN, N.Y., POSTOFFICE.
ENTERED AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER AT THE POSTOFFICE DEPT., OTTAWA, CANADA.
BRO. RUSSELL'S SOUTHERN ITINERARY FOR APRILFri.
April 19 Lv. New York 12:30 a.m. Penn. R.R.
Sat.
" 20 Ar. Montgomery 10:40 a.m. W. of Ala.
" " 20 Lv.
" 10:05 p.m. L. & N.
Sun.
" 21 Ar. New Orleans 7:50 a.m.
"
" " 21 Lv.
" 9:00 p.m.
"
Mon.
" 22 Ar. Birmingham 12:10 noon "
" " 22 Lv.
" 10:30 p.m. Frisco
Tue.
" 23 Ar. Memphis 7:30 a.m.
"
" " 23 Lv.
" 9:30 a.m. C.R.I.P.
" " 23 Ar. Little Rock 1:30 p.m.
"
Wed.
" 24 Lv.
" 8:45 a.m.
"
" " 24 Ar. Memphis 1:05 p.m.
"
Thu.
" 25 Lv.
" 6:00 a.m. N.C. & St.L.
" " 25 Ar. Nashville 1:32 p.m.
"
" " 25 Lv.
" 9:30 p.m. Tenn. Cent.
Fri.
" 26 Ar. Knoxville 6:45 a.m. Southern
Sat.
" 27 Lv.
" 1:45 p.m.
"
" " 27 Ar. Chattanooga 5:55 p.m.
"
Sun.
" 28 Lv.
" 3:00 a.m. N.C. & St.L.
" " 28 Ar. Atlanta 7:10 a.m.
"
" " 28 Lv.
" 9:55 p.m. S.A.L. (E. Time)
Mon.
" 29 Ar. Richmond 5:05 p.m.
" "
Tue.
" 30 Lv.
" 4:50 a.m. R.F. & P.
"
"
30 Ar. New York 2:00 p.m. Penn. R.R.
After the close of the hymn the Bethel Family listens to the reading of "My Vow Unto the Lord," then joins in prayer. At the breakfast table the MANNA text is considered. Hymns for April follow: (1) 165; (2) 130; (3) 91; (4) 82; (5) 89; (6) 227; (7) 300; (8) 47; (9) 145; (10) 313; (11) 109; (12) 110; (13) 78; (14) 331; (15) 325; (16) 12; (17) 107; (18) 27; (19) 307; (20) 229; (21) 127; (22) vow; (23) 209; (24) 301; (25) 240; (26) 245; (27) 93; (28) 27; (29) 160; (30) 291.
r4989 "THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND OF THE UNJUST"r4990 DEGREES OF SIN AND THEIR PUNISHMENT
r4992 "YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
r4994 LOVE OF THE BRETHREN A CRUCIAL TEST
r4994 JESUS' SOUL RESURRECTED
r4995 WHICH DAY IS SABBATH?
r4996 WHY MEN FEAR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
r4997 QUESTIONS RE ATONEMENT