STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES
"MILLENNIAL DAWN"
THESE STUDIES ARE RECOMMENDED TO STUDENTS AS VERITABLE "BIBLE
KEYS."
PRICES ARE NET AND BARELY COVER COST OF PRODUCTION.
SERIES I., The Plan of the Ages, gives an outline of the Divine plan revealed in the Bible, relating to man's redemption and restitution: 386 pages, in embossed cloth, 35c. (1s. 6d.) India paper edition, 75c. (3s. 1-1/2d.).
This volume has been published as a special issue of our journal—at the extremely low price of 5c. a copy, in any quantity, postage included. (To foreign countries, 9c.) This enables people of slender purse to herald far and wide the good tidings in a most helpful form.
SERIES II., The Time is at Hand, treats of the manner and time of the Lord's second coming, considering the Bible Testimony on this subject: 370 pages, in embossed cloth, 35c. (1s. 6d.) India paper edition, 75c. (3s. 1-1/2d.)
SERIES III., Thy Kingdom Come, considers prophecies which mark events connected with the "Time of the End," the glorification of the Church and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom; it also contains a chapter of the Great Pyramid, showing its corroboration of the dates and other teachings of the Bible: 384 pages, in embossed cloth, 35c. (1s. 6d.) India paper edition, 75c. (3s. 1-1/2d.)
SERIES IV., The Day of Vengeance, shows that the dissolution of the present order of things is in progress, and that all the panaceas offered are valueless to avert the predicted end. It marks in these events the fulfilment of prophecy, noting specially our Lord's great prophecy of Matt. 24 and Zech. 14:1-9: 660 pages, in embossed cloth, 35c. (1s. 6d.) India paper edition 85c. (3s. 6-1/2d.)
SERIES V., The Atonement Between God and Man, treats an all-important subject—the hub, the center around which all the features of Divine grace revolve. Its topic deserves the most careful and prayerful consideration on the part of all true Christians: 507 pages, in embossed cloth, 35c. (1s. 6d.) India paper edition, 85c. (3s. 6-1/2.)
SERIES VI., The New Creation, deals with the Creative Week (Genesis 1 and 2), and with the Church, God's "New Creation." It examines the personnel, organization, rites, ceremonies, obligations and hopes appertaining to those called and accepted as members of the Body under the Head: 740 pages, in embossed cloth, 35c. (1s. 6d.) India paper edition, 85c. (3s. 6-1/2d.)
The above prices include postage.
SEMI-MONTHLY
VOL. XXXI OCTOBER 1 No. 19
A.D. 1910—A.M. 6038
Views From The Watch Tower........................307
Signs of Restitution Continue.....................307
Church Federation at the Door.................308
"The Image of the Beast"......................308
"Watchman, What of the Night?"....................310
St. Paul and Moses Patriots Extraordinary.........311
Wise and Foolish Virgins..........................312
The Reckoning Hour................................313
The Sheep and the Goats...........................314
The Mark of Perfect Love (Poem)...................315
This Looks Reasonable.............................315
Some Interesting Questions........................316
Moses and the Law Covenant....................316
Justification by Faith........................317
How to Determine the Lord's Will..............317
Faith the Gift of God.........................318
Is the Church in the Flesh a Royal
Priesthood?.................................318
Some Interesting Letters..........................318
Berean Questions in "Scripture Studies"...........319
PUBLISHED BY
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
CHARLES T. RUSSELL, PRESIDENT
"BROOKLYN TABERNACLE," 13-17 HICKS ST.,
BROOKLYN, N.Y., U.S.A.
Foreign Agencies:—British Branch: 24 Eversholt St., London, N.W. German Branch: Unterdorner Str., 76, Barmen. Australasian Branch: Equitable Building, Collins St., Melbourne.
—————
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
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
Morning rally for praise and testimony at 10:30 o'clock at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, 13-17 Hicks street. The evening Praise Service at 7 and Question meeting at 7:30 o'clock will also be in the Tabernacle. Discourse for the public at 3 p.m. by Brother Russell will be in the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Lafayette avenue and St. Felix street.
By invitation of prominent Hebrews, Brother Russell will speak on "Zionism in Prophecy" at the Hippodrome, West 44th street and Sixth avenue, at 3 p.m., Sunday, October 9.
LONDON, ENGLAND, OCT. 23, 30, NOV. 6
Brother Russell will sail for Great Britain on Oct. 12 and will speak in Royal Albert Hall at 7 p.m., on above dates.
THE ANTITYPICAL JUBILEE BEGINNING
Some of our readers have been disturbed by one item relative to the beginning of the antitypical Jubilee in the September number of the Overland Monthly. Nothing in that article is intended to be different or contradictory to our presentations in the SCRIPTURE STUDIES showing the year 1875 A.D. as the opening year of the antitypical Jubilee of a thousand years. In the Overland article we merely showed that the seventy years destruction of Jerusalem in the days of Daniel represented Israel's entire Jubilee system. We showed two ways of counting it:—
(1) Seventy times fifty equals 3,500 years;
(2) Nineteen times fifty plus fifty-one times forty-nine equals 3,449 years ending with 1874, marking 1875 as the first year of the antitypical Jubilee.
The latter is, to our understanding, the proper method of counting the Jubilee and agrees perfectly with our presentation of the matter in SCRIPTURE STUDIES, Volume II.
Remember that harvest privileges may soon cease. Remember that they are now many and great. Remember the Master's word, "He that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life everlasting."
We have plenty of territory open, both for SCRIPTURE STUDIES and for HEAVENLY MANNA. The publishing of the sermons is preparing many for the SCRIPTURE STUDIES. All who purchase and use the MANNA are blessed and ready then to buy and read the STUDIES. Write to our Colporteur Dept.
r4688 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWERr4691 "WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT?"
r4692 ST. PAUL AND MOSES PATRIOTS EXTRAORDINARY
r4692 WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS
r4693 THE RECKONING HOUR
r4694 THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS
r4695 THIS LOOKS REASONABLE
r4696 SOME INTERESTING QUESTIONS
We take this opportunity of advising you of the progress of the evangelistic services the Cleveland, O., class is engaged in.
We have held four meetings in Chardon; the first had an attendance of thirty, and this with opposition from a political meeting held in the church; the number at our service exceeded the church service. The next Sunday there were thirty persons present again, the third Sunday fifteen, and the fourth Sunday ten. An immense amount of literature was taken, and the ten seemed to be interested enough to form a class. They are now reading the first volume. It was thought advisable that they thus continue for a short time, when organization will be taken into consideration.
Upon receipt of a letter in a roundabout way from Lorain, twelve consecrated children of God who had left the Salvation Army, because of methods of which they could not approve, were formed into a class, and are meeting regularly every Sunday. Some sixteen volumes having been purchased since their first meeting. We are furnishing a leader every Sunday.
On July 24 we held a public meeting in Clyde, O., at the direction of the Bellevue Ecclesia, where about fifty were present. The Bellevue friends have been very zealous this summer, and no doubt their efforts are showing some fruit. We have in view two or three one-day meetings, after which we again purpose holding three or four meetings in towns where the expenditures will justify the efforts.
We would appreciate any suggestions from you that you might see fit to make. We are anxious for all the service that we can undertake.
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS OF CLEVELAND.
I accept the above as a Quarterly Report. It is excellent. The classes which have a surplus of energy and talent surely do well to employ it thus in nearby places. May the Lord's blessing continue richly with you as a class and individually, and upon your labors in the "harvest" field.
I take this opportunity to request Quarterly Reports from all the classes which have elected me their Pastor. To fulfil the pastoral office I must look specially after the interests of these classes—even though I know not how I can really do more for them than I now endeavor to do for all.
I feel impelled to write you a word of encouragement and endorsement. In WATCH TOWER issue of Sept. 15 there is an article captioned, "Is the reading of SCRIPTURE STUDIES Bible study?" which I read with great pleasure; and in it I note your defense of the Bible and your humility and meekness. My answer to the question would be "Yes, the reading of SCRIPTURE STUDIES is Bible study, for who of us ever understood the Old or New Testament till we, by God's goodness, through your loving, zealous and Christlike effort, came in contact with these STUDIES?"
Those of us who were trained for the ministry studied everything and anything but the Bible. What some of us did, at best, was to memorize as much of the good Book as we could, but neither bishops, nor D.D.'s, nor B.D.'s, nor any other understood the Book, and consequently could not help the weaker ones.
You have spoken the truth; for I remember when I served "Ism," I honestly came to the conclusion that I was unfit to be in that position as a teacher of God's Word when I was practically [page 319] unable to give a clear, definite and reasonable answer to one of the members of the congregation who asked a Biblical question; and in substance I said, "I will stop any endeavor to teach others until I know what I believe, what to teach and how to teach it." And it was not many days after this decision that our Father apprehended me through these STUDIES, and I apprehended his Truth.
God bless you! War a good warfare, be courageous and may the blessings in Numbers 6:24-26 be yours until the end of your pilgrimage.
I am yours fraternally, J. J. HARRIS.
By an oversight, or rather by a misunderstanding as to who should send in the request for Pilgrim service, we have not been having the calls we expected, and did not know where the trouble was till your letter to us of Sept. 3. Then we found that one Brother who was to send in the request did not so understand it, and this we learned when the class met. Most assuredly we want a Pilgrim Brother every time we can get him, and we want you to plan for us a two-days' visit also each time. This we have always had, and want the same if you can let us have so much of service without in any way taking service from some other class. We shall gladly have Brother Hall with us. He was with us on one other occasion for two days, and we greatly enjoyed his visit. Our class is growing in the knowledge of the Truth daily, and we want every help we can get.
Yours in our dear Redeemer, CHAS. BOAZ, M.D.
Greetings from the Church at Lancaster to you, our beloved Pastor, through whom the Lord has called and made us to sit down at his table and through whom he has served us with "meat in due season."
We rejoice with you in the increased light that is shining so brightly on the various features of the Divine Plan (the sin-offering, the covenants, etc.). We have been led and fed, nourished and cherished of the Lord by the precious truths which he has brought to us through you, his servant, until we are caused to exclaim with Brother Paul, "Oh the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God,...for who hath known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counsellor?"
We also recognize with you the evil day in which we are living and the increased powers of evil in various directions, and herewith send the names of those who have sufficiently realized this to make the Vow their own unto the Lord. And as was suggested by you, that all the names of those in the Lancaster class who have taken the Vow be sent to you together, we take this opportunity to do so. Those having previously sent in their names are listed separately.
We earnestly request to be remembered at the throne of heavenly grace that we might faithfully keep both the spirit and the letter of the Vow until we are all brought face to face with him who died for us and bought us with his own precious blood.
Yours in the love and service of our King,
I acknowledge your letter of the 16th inst., and assure you that its words of love and fellowship in our dear Lord are highly appreciated and fully reciprocated.
I am also refreshed through this token of your confidence, prizing the approval of the fellow-members in the Body next to that of the gracious heavenly Father and our dear Lord himself.
I note, with gratification, that so many of the Lancaster Class have, in acknowledgment of all the benefits which they have received from the Lord, paid their vows to him in the presence of all the people. It is surely strengthening to note the names of the twenty-five friends who have more recently paid their vows to the Lord, in addition to the twenty who did so earlier and who previously notified us.
May each of us be more and more diligent to hold our "Head" purely; that we may grow more and more into him and at his revelation be given a seat with him on his throne.
BEREAN QUESTIONS IN SCRIPTURE STUDIES
Series VI., Study III.—The Call of The New Creation.
(25) Would it be consistent with the Heavenly Father's character of Justice and Love to extend a single invitation which could not be made good, if accepted? P. 94, par. 2.
(26) At what time did the general call cease? P. 95, par. 1.
(27) Did the ceasing of the "call" signify the end of all opportunity for admittance into joint-heirship with Christ? P. 95, par. 1.
(28) What evidences may be considered as good proof of having been accepted of the Lord as prospective heirs with Jesus Christ by those who have consecrated since 1881? P. 96.
(29) How does God call the New Creation? In what sense is Christ our Wisdom? What is the value of Wisdom in general? P. 96, par. 1.
(30) Is our natural Wisdom sufficient for us as New Creatures? P. 97, par. 1.
(31) What conditions are essential in order to have a hearing ear for the "Wisdom from above?" P. 97, par. 2.
(32) What important facts must be grasped, and how is Christ made our Wisdom before we can be justified? P. 98, 2d to 18th lines.
(33) Does Christ cease to be our Wisdom at the time of our Justification? P. 98, 18th line to end of par.
(34) Explain the orderly operation of this "Wisdom from above." P. 98, par. 1.
(35) How is Gentleness manifested in this heavenly Wisdom? P. 99, par. 1.
(36) Explain the relationship of mercy and good fruits to "the Wisdom from above." P. 99, par. 2.
(37) How is heavenly Wisdom "without partiality?" P. 100, par. 1.
(38) Why is this Wisdom "without hypocrisy?" P. 100, par. 2.
(39) How has God given us this heavenly Wisdom through his Son and the Members of his Body? P. 100, par. 3.
(40) If Christ is our "Justification," what are the primary thoughts contained in the word Justification? Give an illustration. P. 101, top.
(41) Apply this illustration to mankind. P. 101.
(42) Since we as a race are all imperfect, and none can meet the requirements for himself or "his brother," explain how God has purposed to accept and deal with these unjust, imperfect beings in general. P. 102.
(43) Explain the "Justification by faith" provided for the New Creation. P. 102, par. 1. See also W.T.'10-85-88.
(44) How long does this reckoned or faith-Justification hold good? P. 103, par. 1. W.T.'10-87, 1st col.
(45) Is Christ the cause or ground of our Justification? If so, explain in detail the prevalent confusion respecting the ground or basis of our Justification, giving Scriptural quotations. P. 104, par. 1.
(46) How may we harmonize these apparently conflicting statements? P. 105, par. 1.
(47) Explain how we are "Justified by God's grace." P. 105, par. 2.
(48) How are we Justified by Christ's blood? P. 105, par. 3.
(49) Why was the resurrection of Jesus Christ necessary to our Justification? P. 106, par. 1.
(50) How is the Church justified by faith? P. 106, par. 2. W.T.'10-86,87.
(51) Explain the difference between the faith necessary to vitalized Justification of the Church, and that which will be required of the world for actual Justification, in the Millennial Age. P. 106, par. 3.
(52) What is the difference between our relationship to God through reckoned Justification and that of the world in the next age through actual Justification? P. 107, par. 1. W.T.'10-92, 2d col.
(53) What is the object in granting this reckoned Justification to the Church in the present time? P. 108, par. 1.
(54) What do works have to do with our Justification, and are we judged according to our works? P. 108, par. 2.
(55) Give an illustration of the general operation of Justification by grace, by the blood, and through our faith, and the relation of works to the same. P. 109, par. 1.
SEMI-MONTHLY
VOL. XXXI OCTOBER 15 No. 20
A.D. 1910—A.M. 6038
Views From The Watch Tower........................323
Prepare War!
Wake Up the Mighty Men!.........323
Decline of Non-Conformists in Britain.........324
New Church Union Movement.....................325
The Heavens Rolling Together..................325
A Catholic Church Prop........................326
Abraham Lincoln's Confession of Faith.........326
Higher Criticism Influence Appalling..........327
Cumbered With Much Serving (Poem).................327
Pastor Russell Addressing Enthusiastic
Jewish Mass Meeting at Hippodrome.............328
"Wilt Thou That We Command Fire?".................330
"A Savior and a Great One"....................330
Told for a Memorial of Her........................331
"She Hath Done What She Could"................331
"The Poor Always With You"....................331
"This Do in Remembrance of Me"....................332
Israel's First-Borns Passed Over..............332
God's Estimation Different From World's...........333
Some Interesting Letters..........................334
PUBLISHED BY
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
CHARLES T. RUSSELL, PRESIDENT
"BROOKLYN TABERNACLE," 13-17 HICKS ST.,
BROOKLYN, N.Y., U.S.A.
Foreign Agencies:—British Branch: 24 Eversholt St., London, N.W. German Branch: Unterdorner Str., 76, Barmen. Australasian Branch: Equitable Building, Collins St., Melbourne.
—————
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
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
LONDON, ENGLAND, OCT. 23, 30, NOV. 6
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
Some confusion seems to prevail amongst the dear friends in respect to the proper manner of using the above mentioned title, owing to the fact that mistaken advertisements, signs and letter-heads do not read properly, but are misleading. The I.B.S. Association is here at Brooklyn—a regularly organized Association. We suggest that letter-heads, etc., used elsewhere read somewhat as follows:—
PHILADELPHIA CLASS
OF THE
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
Hereafter regular Colporteurs (working on assignments of territory and making regular reports with lists of names of purchasers of STUDIES) will be supplied free on request, one of the wonderful book-marks for each set of STUDIES of three or more volumes. In other words, they may order one heart for each copy of Vol. III. These are proving to be great aids in the sale of the STUDIES.
PALESTINE REMEMBRANCERS OF OLIVEWOOD
When in Palestine we thought of THE WATCH TOWER readers everywhere and surmised that they might like to have some little remembrancer of our visit. Accordingly we placed an order for a sufficient number of olive wood articles to supply an estimated demand. These have only now arrived. The articles are paper-knives, paper-weights and pin-cushions, the latter made of two thin pieces of olive wood a little larger than a silver dollar, with velvet cushion between for pins and needles. The wood is cut crosswise of the tree and is polished.
It would especially please us to send these out to the different friends without money and without price, but we cannot afford to do this. We can, however, supply these at a very low price, 7c each, including postage or expressage.
Wherever possible we advise that the friends bunch their orders; but we are prepared to send them out as they may be pleased to order them—even singly. State what you prefer and give your address very plainly. Order at once, before the Christmas rush. Those receiving THE WATCH TOWER on the Lord's Poor List may have one of these souvenirs without charge, upon request.
Those of the friends who are using the Bibles containing our special Berean Helps write us that they are in love with them more and more as the days go by and they learn their usefulness. Some, however, forget what a valuable assistance to Bible study they have close at hand, with comments or other information on the major portion of God's Word and references to SCRIPTURE-STUDIES, TOWERS, etc.
We have these in two different styles and five different grades—the cheapest as low as $1.65, the very best and most complete at $3.50. They will be described in the next issue.
BROTHER RUSSELL'S SERMONS IN GERMAN
The sermons are now published regularly in a German newspaper. Order it through THE WATCH TOWER office and get the advantage of our clubbing rate—$1 per year; $1.50 to Canada and foreign addresses.
We have obtained a supply of a newspaper published in the Yiddish language, which our readers are welcome to have for use amongst their Hebrew friends. Its contents are Zionistic. It is composed largely of quotations from Brother Russell's writings and sermons. We have already arranged to supply some of the larger cities, but still have some for the smaller places. Order no more than you can and will use judiciously.
r4697 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
[page 328]
[On this page a picture of Pastor Russell addressing a Jewish
audience at the Hippodrome consumes over three-quarters of the page.
The following is the caption below the picture:]
Pastor Russell, of the Brooklyn Tabernacle,
Addressing an Enthusiastic Audience
at the Jewish Mass Meeting at the Hippodrome.
(From New York American, October 2.)
PASTOR RUSSELL TO
ADDRESS HEBREWS
Remarkable Gathering to Take
Place in Hippodrome
Next Sunday.
Pastor Russell, of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, is to address a giant mass meeting of the Jews of New York on Sunday, October 9, at 3 o'clock, in the Hippodrome. He is considered one of the most eloquent Protestant preachers, and has gained a wide audience among the Hebrews by his sympathetic treatment of Jewish questions.
Pastor Russell's sermon will be on "Zionism in Prophecy." His appearance before a representative mass meeting of Jews will be the first time that a well-known Protestant minister has been asked to deliver an address to such an assembly.
Prominent Jewish citizens are arranging to make the meeting one of [R4700 : page 329] the largest gatherings ever held in this city. The Yiddish newspapers and Jewish societies are represented on the committees in charge of arrangements.
Counselor Leo Wolfson, president of the Federated Roumanian Jews of America and Vice Grand Master of the I.W.S.O., when seen at his office, said:
"As one who is interested in the Jewish question and an old worker for the Zionistic movement, my attention was called to Pastor Russell's interest in the Jews.
"I feel that an address by him on Zionism and Jewish prophets will present the question from a new point of view, and a point of view that I will be very willing to learn.
"I am sure that Pastor Russell's treatment of the question will be sympathetic, and will doubtless create widespread discussion of Zionism, its aims and ideals."
In speaking of the coming meeting and Pastor Russell's address, J. Pfeffer, of No. 139 Delancey street, said last night:
"Many of Pastor Russell's sermons have been printed in Jewish papers, and in these sermons he has preached sympathetically upon Jewish questions. This is primarily the reason why the Jews are anxious to hear him speak of the future of the Jew.
"Pastor Russell has been and is agitating Zionism. From a religious point of view he seems to believe in Judaism. It is a new occurrence for the Jews to have a Gentile take so much interest in problems and topics that are of special interest to them.
"Judging from the preparations and the interest already manifested in the announcement of the meeting I am of the opinion that it will be a very large gathering."
Pastor Russell, it is reported, will leave after next Sunday's meeting for London. While he is in England he will address many gatherings. One of these meetings will be a Jewish mass meeting. The London mass meeting will be held in Albert Hall, the largest auditorium in Great Britain.
The committee in charge of next Sunday's meeting in the Hippodrome includes: A. B. Landau, editor of The Warheit; Louis Lipsky, editor of the Maccabean; J. Pfeffer, editor of the Jewish Weekly; Abraham Goldberg, editor of the Yiddish Volk, and Leo Wolfson, editor of the Yiddish Spirit.
(From New York American, Oct. 9.)
PASTOR RUSSELL CHEERED BY AN AUDIENCE
OF HEBREWS.
4,000 in Hippodrome Applaud When Venerable
Brooklyn Clergyman Advocates Establishment
of a Jewish Nation.
Hearers Who Came to Question Gentile's Views
on Their Religion Find He Agrees in Their
Most Important Beliefs.
The unusual spectacle of 4,000 Hebrews enthusiastically applauding a Gentile preacher, after having listened to a sermon he addressed to them concerning their own religion, was presented at the Hippodrome yesterday afternoon, where Pastor Russell, the famous head of the [R4701 : page 329] Brooklyn Tabernacle, conducted a most unusual service.
In his time the venerable pastor has done many unconventional things. His religion is bounded by no particular denomination, and encompasses, as he says, all mankind. His ways of teaching it are his own. But he never did a more unconventional thing than this—nor a more successful one.
He won over an audience that had come—some of it, at least—prepared to debate with him, to resent, perhaps, what might have appeared like a possible intrusion. "Pastor Russell is going to try to convert the Jews to Christianity," was the word that many had received before the meeting. "He wants to proselyte us."
In the crowd which filled the big showhouse were scores of rabbis and teachers, who had come to speak out in case the Christian attacked their religion or sought to win them from it. They had questions and criticisms ready for him. He was received at first in a dead silence.
But the pastor did not seek to convert the Jews. To their unbounded delight, he pointed out the good things of their religion, agreed with them in their most important beliefs as to their salvation, and finally, after a warm advocacy of the plan of the Jews establishing a nation of their own, brought about a tumult of applause by leading a choir in the Zionist anthem: "Hatikva—Our Hope."
A more interesting audience the Hippodrome never held, perhaps. From all parts of the city came serious-minded Hebrews to hear what it was an alien, a Gentile, might have to say to them at a service, held during their week of feasting, Rosh Hoshana. They were quiet, well-dressed, thinking men and women.
Among them were many prominent figures of the Hebrew literary world. Some of these escorted Pastor Russell to the Hippodrome in a motor car and then took places in the auditorium. The literary men recognized the pastor as a writer and investigator of international fame on the subject of Judaism and Zionism. Some of those present were Dr. Jacobs, editor of the American Hebrew; W. J. Solomon, of the Hebrew Standard; J. Brosky, associate editor of the same; Louis Lipsky, editor of the Maccabean; A. B. Landau, of the Warheit; Leo Wolfson, president of the Federation of Roumanian Societies; J. Pfeffer, of the Jewish Weekly; S. Diamont, editor of the Jewish Spirit; S. Goldberg, editor of the American Hebrew; J. Barrondess, of the Jewish Big Stick, and Goldman, editor of H'Yom, the only Jewish daily.
No symbol of any religion at all greeted them when they gazed at the Hippodrome stage. It was entirely empty save for a small lectern and three peace flags hanging from silken cords above. One was the familiar white silk banner with the Stars and Stripes in its center, together with the words "Peace Among Nations" in letters of gold. Another bore a rainbow and the word "Pax." The third was a silken strip bearing miniature representations of all the nations' flags.
There were no preliminaries. Pastor Russell, tall, erect and white-bearded, walked across the stage without introduction, raised his hand, and his double quartette from the Brooklyn Tabernacle sang the hymn, "Zion's Glad Day." The members of this organization are Mrs. E. W. Brenneisen, Mrs. E. N. Detweiler, Miss Blanche Raymond and Mrs. Raymond, Emil Hirscher, C. Myers, J. P. MacPherson and J. Mockridge. Their voices blended perfectly, and the hymn, without any instrumental accompaniment, was impressive.
But still there seemed an air of aloofness about the audience. They did not applaud, but sat silently watching the stalwart figure of the pastor. When he began to talk, however, they gave him respectful attention.
With a powerful, yet charming voice, that filled the great playhouse, the unconventional clergyman made his every word audible to every hearer. His tones pleased their ears, his graceful gestures soon captivated their eyes, and in a few moments his apparently thorough knowledge of his subject appealed to their minds. Though still silent, the 4,000 were "warming up" to him.
It was not long before all reserve, and all possible doubt of Pastor Russell's entire sincerity and friendliness were worn away. Then the mention of the name of a great Jewish leader—who, the speaker declared, had been raised by God for the cause—brought a burst of applause.
From that moment on the audience was his. The Jews became as enthusiastic over him as though he had been a great rabbi or famous orator of their own religion. He hailed them as one of the bravest races of the earth—having kept their faith through the persecutions and cruelties of all other people for thousands of years. And he predicted that before very long they would be the greatest of the earth—not merely a people, any longer, but a nation. By a system of deductions based upon the prophecies of old, the pastor declared that the return of the kingdom of the Jews might occur at so near a period as the year 1914. Persecution would be over and peace and universal happiness would triumph.
As he brought his address to a conclusion the pastor raised his hand again to his choir. This time they raised the quaint, foreign-sounding strains of the Zion hymn, "Our Hope," one of the masterpieces of the eccentric East Side poet, Imber.
The unprecedented incident of Christian voices singing the Jewish anthem came as a tremendous surprise. For a moment the Hebrew auditors could scarcely believe their ears. Then, making sure it was their own hymn, they first cheered and clapped with such ardor that the music was drowned out, and then, with the second verse, joined in by hundreds.
The discourse has already been reported in the newspapers which publish the sermons weekly.
r4701 "WILT THOU THAT WE COMMAND FIRE?"r4702 TOLD FOR A MEMORIAL OF HER
r4703 "THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME"
r4703 GOD'S ESTIMATION DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD'S
r4704 SOME INTERESTING LETTERS