VOL. XIX. NOVEMBER 1, 1898. No. 21.
The Colporteur Work...............................314
"If God be for Us, Who Can be
Against Us?.................................315
"The Light of the World is
Jesus"......................................318
A Question in re Justification....................321
Hezekiah's Great Passover.........................322
Two Prayers and their Answers.....................325
Another Defeat and Another
Victory.....................................328
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
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WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY,
"BIBLE HOUSE," 56-60 ARCH STREET, ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
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SPECIAL
TERMS TO THE LORD'S POOR, AS FOLLOWS:
Those of the interested who, by reason of old age or accident, or other adversity, are unable to pay for the TOWER will be supplied FREE, if they send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list constantly.
God has been pleased to specially use and bless the colporteur branch of the service. Very largely through this instrumentality nearly a million copies of the various volumes of MILLENNIAL DAWN series are now scattered throughout this land of freedom and intelligence: and these are constantly coming to the attention of new readers, here and abroad.
"THE HARVEST IS GREAT, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW."
"HE THAT REAPETH RECEIVETH WAGES AND GATHERETH FRUIT UNTO
ETERNAL LIFE."
This testimony is true now, as it was in the Jewish "harvest;" and hence we urge all who are so situated that they can engage in this work, to do so. It is one of the best opportunities we know of for preaching the true gospel: going from house to house all are reached—not only those who attend church services, but also those who do not; the latter class including some of the true "wheat" who absent themselves because they cannot there obtain the spiritual nourishment for which they hunger and thirst.
Do not think of this as a "book business;" for it is no such thing. It is "preaching," "evangelizing," "teaching" in the truest and best sense of those terms. The Colporteur is one with the books and tracts which he circulates, and their teaching is associately his teaching.
This work is open to both brethren and sisters who are not hampered by family obligations. It is not merely for those who are out of employment and know of nothing more profitable; it is specially for those who have talents and employment and who desire to sacrifice something for the privilege of being co-workers with God in the greatest and grandest work men or angels were ever privileged to engage in. "He that is ashamed of me and my word, of him will I also be ashamed," said our Savior.
Write to us for "Hints to Colporteurs."
r2375 "IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?"r2383 A QUESTION IN RE JUSTIFICATION.
r2379 HEZEKIAH'S GREAT PASSOVER.
r2381 TWO PRAYERS AND THEIR ANSWERS.
VOL. XIX. NOVEMBER 7, 1898. EXTRA.
Views from the Watch Tower........................
3
The Czar's Peace Proposal.....................
3
The Second Zionist Congress...................
4
The Parousia of our Lord Jesus and
His Subsequent Apokalupsis and
Epiphania at His Second Advent..............
6
For What are We Watching?.....................
7
Proofs of His Presence........................ 12
"Behold the Bridegroom!"...................... 16
Presence Gradually Revealed................... 16
"Cometh not with Observation"................. 19
"Knew not the Time of Visitation"............. 20
Letters from Earnest Colaborers................... 24
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
—ADDRESS TO—
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY,
"BIBLE HOUSE," 56-60 ARCH STREET, ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE.
MONEY MAY BE SENT BY EXPRESS, N.Y. DRAFT, MONEY ORDER, OR REGISTERED.
FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY FOREIGN MONEY ORDERS, ONLY.
SPECIAL
TERMS TO THE LORD'S POOR, AS FOLLOWS:
Those of the interested who, by reason of old age or accident, or other adversity, are unable to pay for the TOWER will be supplied FREE, if they send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list constantly.
SAMPLE COPIES OF THIS ISSUE FREE.
Friends are invited to send in lists of addresses of persons already interested in the pre-millennial coming of our Lord, but not familiar with what we here present as "present truth," in re the spiritual nature of the Kingdom to be established.
We have these in good variety and supply. Order all you can judiciously use, as sample copies, free.
ABOUT BIBLES—WANTED BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
Last year about this time, through no fault of ours, many of our customers were greatly disappointed by delays—the publishers being unable to fill our orders. This year we have sought to guard against such a contingency by laying in a large supply: still we fear a dearth toward Christmas.
WHAT SAY THE SCRIPTURES ABOUT HELL?
This is the title of a pamphlet in which every text of Scripture containing the word hell is cited and examined in the light of Scripture and reason, together with other Scriptures and parables supposed to teach eternal torment. Price 10 cents, post-paid; 50 cents per doz.; $4.00 per hundred.
WHAT SAY THE SCRIPTURES ABOUT SPIRITUALISM?
—ALSO—
WHO ARE THE SPIRITS IN PRISON? AND WHY ARE THEY THERE?
This booklet is now ready and will be supplied at 10 cents each: wholesale rates 50 cents per dozen are open to all TOWER readers who may desire to circulate these among their friends. In leatherette binding, 25 cents. Prices include postage.
LETTERS FROM EARNEST COLABORERS.
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—I want to quote an extract from a letter received from a dear Brother who for many years has been a minister in the Presbyterian Church. I think the letter will be interesting also to WATCH TOWER readers. It serves to show that some are on the side of truth at heart from whom you and we all very rarely hear pointedly of their deep interest in the divine plan of the ages. The extract from the letter follows:
"I have not tried lately to get any articles into the 'Observer.' The last one sent was on 'The justice, love and power of God'—showing his dealings with this world in the past, and the hope we have for the future. In returning the article the explanation given was that it was not quite what they wanted. The truth is that religious newspapers do not want to let their readers see the truth now due—they do not see it themselves. It is a sad condition to hear them cry out, 'Peace! Peace!' when there is no peace.
"I have had MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. IV., for the last ten days and am reading it through with carefulness. What a strong presentation Brother Russell makes of present conditions; and how clearly he shows these conditions portrayed in God's Word. But only a few will receive the truth, and only a few will read the book—compared to the vast multitude who spend days over trashy and worthless books. I thank God that this truth was brought to my notice, and that I was led to give it prayerful consideration.
"The other day, sitting in my study, surrounded by my books—about a thousand,—this thought came to my mind:—What book, except the Bible, do you value most? I answered to myself, I value MILLENNIAL DAWN more than all the rest: and would rather part with every one of them than with this set: for from these books I have gotten more Bible truth and help in understanding than from all the rest put together.
"Truly, we are living in a wonderful age, and may God help and strengthen us to stand the test of this day. Many will not stand, and only those can stand who trust in the blood that was shed on Calvary for a lost world. I often wonder at the carelessness and indifference of God's preachers, when they profess to believe that so many are being eternally lost without a ray of hope: and yet, believing thus, they seek to get all the ease and comfort they possibly can for themselves, and to lay up as much of this world's goods as possible. Blessed be God, his grace and favor will yet be revealed to all mankind, and the whole world will see and be privileged to rejoice."
I am still seeking to serve the truth as I find opportunity, and regret that I cannot be regularly and constantly in the colporteur work. Pray for me that the Lord will more and more open up before me the door of opportunity to serve him, his people and his truth. Your brother and servant in the Lord,
J. M. DAVIDSON,—Bells Valley, Va.
MY DEAR BROTHER:—Altho we have never met each other face to face, yet somehow I feel attached to you. Seven years ago when I for the first time began to read the DAWN, VOL. I., my pastor rebuked me for doing so and told me that I should first leave "my teens" before I attempted to read heresy. That man (Wm. Roeber, pastor of the 67th street German Baptist Church of New York City) committed suicide a year ago. How sad! Men judge by outward appearances. God sees the hearts. I took his advice but only to my disadvantage. Altho I have been a pre-millennialist for years and fought post-millennialism during my Theological course at the Rochester Seminary, yet the doctrine of Christ's second coming has become more precious to me since I have read your books. Thanks be to God for such a clear unfolding of his precious Word. We want more of it. Within us there is an unquenchable yearning to see God in his beauty, in his love, and it makes us sad when modern theologians misrepresent God's plan of the ages by confounding the doctrines of the Bible respecting the "present evil world" and "the world to come." The DAWNS have found much opposition here, but notwithstanding that, I have been trying to be faithful to my Master in preaching Christ's pre-millennial coming. Last Sunday evening I explained from the chart the Plan of the Ages as given in DAWN. Tomorrow evening (D.V.) I shall preach on "Are we living in the end of the world?" (the present evil world).
Last Sunday morning I tendered my resignation as pastor of the Church. Brother, I am disgusted with the hireling ministry. We are God's servants and should therefore depend on him for the sustenance of our lives.
Yours in Christ, J. A. KIEFERLE,—Nebraska.
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY,
DEAR FRIENDS:—Inclosed please find one dollar for my subscription. I saw a note in a dictionary this morning that reminds me of Daniel's prophecy as you explain it in DAWN, VOL. III. It reads, "All attempts to read hieroglyphics had for centuries been given up when in August, 1799, the French found among the ruins of Ft. St. Julien near the Rosetta Branch of the Nile a stone which has since been called the Rosetta Stone." It tells of an inscription upon the stone, "first in hieroglyphics, next in the hieratic character of Egypt and in Greek, which afforded a key to the hieroglyphics, but one very difficult to apply" and how several "made advances toward solving the enigma [of hieroglyphics] so that Dr. Birch and other Egyptologists are now continually translating hieroglyphics from the monuments."
[The point is that 1799 was the very year beginning "the time of the End" when many would run to and fro and knowledge be increased."—DAWN, VOL. III., Chapter II.—EDITOR.]
Sincerely Yours, WM. BRADLEY,—Virginia.
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—Your good letter of the 15th inst. came duly to hand and is highly appreciated by Sister Owen and myself. We are glad to know that you were surprised at the goodly number of the dear friends in the truth who met you at our home on the occasion of your recent flying visit. We are glad, too, that you were so favorably impressed by their appearance and conduct. We do not feel that we have done much, but as you suggest we are glad the dear Lord has permitted us to minister to his flock here; and that in a small degree at least we have been instruments in his hands in bringing about the happy condition which you noted. To him alone be all the praise!
I cannot tell you how precious to all our hearts was that one hour's meeting with you at our house; and I am sure that it will prove profitable to all. I know that it has already been of great benefit to one very dear brother, who for some time has been lukewarm, but now seems full of love and zeal again. I must tell you about our meeting last Sunday. I had announced the week before that I would speak on the subject of baptism, by request. My work the last three days of the week had been very heavy, and when Sunday morning came I was so tired that I could scarcely stand or think; and but for the fact that I had made a special announcement of my subject, and several had come who did not fully understand our position. I would not have attempted to lead the meeting at all. But looking to the Lord for strength, I was not disappointed. He wonderfully sustained me, while I spoke for an hour and a quarter; and Oh! what a precious season we had, every one in the house being sensibly moved by the Lord's blessed holy presence.
I am glad to tell you that my temporal affairs are brightening of late. Almost providentially I have gotten into a business which, besides meeting my expenses, is gradually putting me into a position where I shall soon be able to contribute more to the Tract Fund than I have been able to do for several years. It may be that there are others who, like myself, are unable to engage in the noble and effective work of colporteuring the DAWNS and are not profitably engaged, and who are able and willing to do a moderate day's work. As I have all the business I can attend to in this city, I could operate the business through brethren (and sisters too) in other places, and will pledge 10 per cent. of all such receipts to the Tract Fund, which amount may be increased hereafter, if the business prospers.
Unable to give much time to the service of the truth, I consider this my best opportunity aside from my humble ministry to the Lord's people in this city, and occasional trips to the surrounding towns. Mention this matter as you may think proper to any out of employment. Yours in our dear Redeemer,
C. A. OWEN,—623 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, Ind.
DEAR BROTHER:—I am thankful for the interest you take in my welfare and for your prayers on my behalf. I am an old man, in my 90th year, and I cannot expect to be of much use; but Oh! how gladly I would proclaim the good news, if the infirmities of age did not prevent. Both of my parents were Methodists, and I gave my heart to God and joined the Methodists in my 13th year, and my name has been enrolled in their books (a good deal of the time as an official member) until last conference held in Guelph, when I withdrew.
I loved God's Word and tried hard to understand it, but there were very many passages that I never understood until I was providentially led to read MILLENNIAL DAWN and other WATCH TOWER publications: then I saw that the blasphemous doctrine of the eternal torture of the finally impenitent had so obscured the light as to hide many of the glorious features of God's plan from view.
I rejoice in the promised restitution of all things; and that Christ will be King over all the earth in that day; and that the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. In short I am a firm believer in that glorious plan of the ages so Scripturally, clearly and logically unfolded in the volumes of MILLENNIAL DAWN. Yours in Christ, HENRY HALL,—Ontario.
VOL. XIX. NOVEMBER 15, 1898. No. 22.
The Colporteur Work...............................330
A Fulfilment of Prophecy..........................331
The Influence of Evil Passions....................332
Justification Must Precede
Sanctification..............................332
"Many Shall be Purified and Made
White and Tried"............................333
Manasseh's Transgression and
Repentance..................................335
"Avoid It, Pass not Near It,
Turn from It"...............................338
The Lost Book Found...............................341
Interesting Letters...............................344
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
—ADDRESS TO—
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY,
"BIBLE HOUSE," 56-60 ARCH STREET, ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE.
MONEY MAY BE SENT BY EXPRESS, N.Y. DRAFT, MONEY ORDER, OR REGISTERED.
FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY FOREIGN MONEY ORDERS, ONLY.
SPECIAL
TERMS TO THE LORD'S POOR, AS FOLLOWS:
Those of the interested who, by reason of old age or accident, or other adversity, are unable to pay for the TOWER will be supplied FREE, if they send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list constantly.
r2384 A FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY.r2384 THE INFLUENCE OF EVIL PASSIONS.
r2385 JUSTIFICATION MUST PRECEDE SANCTIFICATION.
r2385 "MANY SHALL BE PURIFIED AND MADE WHITE AND TRIED."
r2386 MANASSEH'S TRANSGRESSION AND REPENTANCE.
r2388 "AVOID IT, PASS NOT NEAR IT, TURN FROM IT."
r2390 THE LOST BOOK FOUND.
r2391 INTERESTING LETTERS.