SPECIAL ITEMS FOR REGULAR READERS.
DO YOU DESIRE THE FURTHER SEMI-MONTHLY
VISITS OF ZION'S WATCH TOWER?
We send out sample copies of this issue of the TOWER to many who were on our Lists last year, but from whom we have heard no report as to this year. Let us know whether or not you desire its visits to continue. We shall, of course, be glad not only to have all the old names continued but to have large numbers added—your friends and neighbors—whoever you may think would be benefited by the "meat in due season" which as the Master's servants we set forth.
If you do not wish to subscribe for your friends, and think that a sample copy might benefit them, send us their addresses at once.
The mark on the address tag of your paper shows the date to which you have paid your subscription. If you have paid for this year it should read Dec. 92. The price is not high: one dollar a year, or less than two cents a week. To those who through accident or misfortune cannot pay, yet desire it enough to say so, it will be sent free. It is not, therefore, a question of whether you can afford it, but rather whether you can afford to do without it.
We use this name, "Good Hopes," in referring to the conditional promises suggested in the November '91 TOWER.
We have reckoned up the number of these "Hopes" and are surprised at two things: first at their fewness and second that the general average runs so high as it does. We do not mention this matter by way of chiding those who have not responded, but by way of telling those who did send them what their "Hopes" are doing in the work of spreading the Truths we all love to serve. While we know and teach that there is no law but Love for the new creatures in Christ, yet we believe that the great Apostle's instruction is as sound upon this subject (1 Cor. 12:2) as upon others; and while we believe that every one who has the spirit thus to serve the Master, even if it be but with a "poor widow's two mites," will be blessed according to the Master's promise, yet it is not for us to insist or to urge the subject upon any. Let each act according to his own judgment of the Lord's mind and the willingness of his own heart upon this as upon every other subject. We have mentioned the subject merely by way of reminding you and indicating how such a course might be used to the Master's glory. Each is steward of his own time, money and influence consecrated to him who bought us with his own precious blood.
But as to what the "Hopes" are doing: We received in all ninety-eight, which promised, if possible, a total of $1,946.08—the amounts ranging all the way from five cents to five dollars per week.
We have concluded that on the strength of this we can safely arrange to send out one hundred thousand sample copies of the WATCH TOWER; for if some shall find themselves unable to do all that their "Good Hopes" suggested, others will probably be able to do more, and have declared that they will do more if possible.
It occurs to us that the present issue and the previous issue are specially suitable for new readers; so instead of waiting for the payments all to come in, we will begin at once. Who knows how many out of this one hundred thousand may find honest, truth-hungry hearts, and bring light and joy and peace—and a newness of Christian life. We cannot, of course, expect that many will bring forth such a fruitage; but if only one in a thousand, it means a hundred of God's dear children set free from bondage of ignorance into the light of present truth.
Some of us know how to sympathize with the "lost sheep" who, in all the different churches, are seeking the true Shepherd and the green pastures and quiet waters of refreshment to which he now desires to lead all who are really his sheep. We doubt not that every one of those who have sent in "Good Hopes" was once among those grossly blinded by human tradition. They feel thankful to God for the truth, and to their fellows who as God's servants put the truth—the food—before them in the shape of TOWERS, TRACTS and DAWNS, etc. Five dollars that will go into this 100,000 sample copies came from the sister of an attorney at law who was turned from Infidelity to the service of Christ, by the reading of MILLENNIAL DAWN, Vol. I. The sister sent this $5.00 as a thank-offering to the Lord and to help forward a cause which had the power of truth sufficient to convert an unbelieving lawyer. The next day brought a letter and a donation of ten dollars for the same purposes from the lawyer himself.
Let us thank God for the light, dearly beloved, and let us do all that we can in every way possible, that seems to us a good way, to obey our Master's words: "Let your light so shine that men, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father in heaven."
FURTHER READING MATTER FOR YOUR INTERESTED FRIENDS.
WHILE A SAMPLE COPY OF THE WATCH TOWER OR ONE OF
OUR FREE OLD THEOLOGY TRACTS MAY START A HUNGRY
SOUL TO INVESTIGATING, THEY CAN DO LITTLE MORE.
TELL SUCH
THAT THE HELP THEY NEED FOR UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE IN
THE LIGHT OF PRESENT TRUTH IS MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. I.
—"THE PLAN OF THE AGES"—OVER 160,000 ALREADY PUBLISHED
—350 PAGES.
TELL THEM OF THE BENEFIT IT HAS BEEN TO
YOUR OWN HEART AND HEAD, AND HOW YOU VALUE IT, AND THAT
IT IS ONLY 25 CENTS POST PAID—OR LOANED TO THOSE TOO POOR
TO BUY—AND URGE THEM TO SEND FOR IT AT ONCE.
r1360 PRESBYTERIAN REVISION OF FAITH.
r1366 AN ANCIENT AND INTERESTING DOCUMENT,
r1371 "THE RESURRECTION OF DAMNATION."
r1363 INTERNATIONAL S.S. LESSONS.
ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM EARNEST WORKERS.
DEAR BRO. RUSSELL:—Just a word to say we are all well and are still rejoicing in the glorious Truth and endeavoring to overcome through the merits of our dear Lord and Redeemer, who has bought us and loves us.
Our time is at present all taken up with things at home, and this seems to be the Master's will according to our judgment.
Find enclosed a draft for $200.00 which is for the Master and for his work to be used as he may direct. We are his stewards in those things. He can trust some of his saints with this world's goods, knowing that they are in harmony with himself, and as he wants, they are perfectly willing to assist in any way they can in his work. So, dear Brother, just use this as your judgment may direct for the Master.
With kindest love to Sister Russell and yourself, in which Sister Webb joins, I am yours in the glorious hope, W. J. WEBB.
[Our dear Bro. W., in addition to the financial aid he is able to give to the Lord's work, has several times so arranged his affairs as to give some months to the Colporteur work, in which Sister W. also joined, taking their two young boys along and sending them to school in whatever town they chose for the work. The little fellows gladly helped in the distribution of tracts and delivery of books, being interested in the truth to the extent that their young minds can comprehend it. God bless the household where his name is enshrined in every heart.—EDITOR.]
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—I must write to tell you how exceedingly interested I have been in MILLENNIAL DAWN, Vol. III., which I spied out in a bookstore in Los Angeles. I enclose 50 cents, for which I would like you to send me at once Vols. I and II of the series. I would also much like a sample or two of your paper—ZION'S WATCH TOWER—for if it is what I expect it to be, after DAWN Vol. III., I shall at once become a subscriber. Volume III., THY KINGDOM COME, is already circulating among my friends.
Yours in the waiting for Christ's Kingdom,
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—Enclosed you will find an order for twenty books, together with money order in payment for the same. I arrived in Buffalo on Friday evening. Cannot tell just how long I shall be here, but not a day longer than is necessary to get my clothing in order for winter. I had a pleasant and fairly profitable canvass in W__________. It is a small place, with only about 650 inhabitants, but I found a few precious souls, a few who, it seems to me, are all ready for the truth. I sold a cloth bound set of DAWNS to the president of the library association to be put in the circulating library there. Nearly all my sales there were of full sets. I did not have books enough to fill them all, and am to go back again.
I called on the Presbyterian minister, a man of about fifty-five or sixty years, I think. I said, I called to show you MILLENNIAL DAWN, and before I got a chance to say another word, he said, "I am glad you came, I have always time to look at anything that treats on that subject." Then he took the books and spent an hour and a half looking at them. I could not get away. He read the preface and table of contents, and then extracts here and there through the books, asking me questions now and then, as to what your books taught about this or that. At last he said, "I believe this will prove to be the most valuable and reliable work I have on these questions, and I am going to write you a line with regard to it that I want you to use here in W__________, and in any place else where it will be of any help to you; and I hope you will urge every member of my congregation to buy the books. I wish you might leave them in every house in town." He then wrote a paper which reads as follows:
"Having examined very carefully the books, MILLENNIAL DAWN, by Charles T. Russell, it gives me great pleasure to recommend it as a reliable and profitable treatment of its subject, and I would advise any one interested in and desiring to study the subject to purchase this work. Pastor Presbyterian Church__________."
Also the principal of the school there says his father, a Baptist minister, has the books, and values them very highly. It seems to me strange that any can read the books, and value them, and still retain their positions as pastors or as members of any denomination.
I believe that I am improving a little in my work, and I do hope I shall learn to be a good worker. I do not like to do inferior work. I want to be able to sell as many books as other colporteurs do.
I wish I could tell you half how precious the blessed truths are becoming to me, but I cannot. I read them over and over again, and they are like the Bible itself, in that they never grow old.
Yours in the harvest work, MRS. M. PECK.
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—The package containing Teacher's Bible and DAWN, Vol. III., came duly, also your welcome letter of the 20th inst. Volume Third is far beyond what I could either ask or think. The Teacher's Bible is all that is claimed for it.
As I look back now and view the way the Lord has led me, I can praise him with my whole heart for sending unworthy me this glorious harvest message, and also in giving me an ear to hear it. It is favor upon favor indeed. In looking back I realize how apt, yea, almost sure, I would have been, ere this, to have been caught in some of the many snares of deceptive errors that, according to predictions, abound at this time, had it not been that the Good Shepherd had reached out a helping hand in the shape of the WATCH TOWER publications just in time.
My dear Brother in Christ, I must tell you, for your encouragement, that I am striving daily to put off the old man and to put on the new. I have nothing to boast of, though, for I fail so often; but my full confidence is in Christ and the robe that he provides, and our Father has promised to give power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. I am striving to abide in him by abiding in his word, that I may bear some fruit. Many thanks for that timely article on fruit-bearing in the May TOWER.
I shall do whatever my hands find to do, praying earnestly that the Lord of the harvest may open an effectual door for the harvest message among my own countrymen according to the flesh, that they also may be sanctified by the Truth, and made ready for the glorious consummation of the hope.
Praying God's blessing upon you and yours, your brother in Christ, CHARLES STRAND.
TOWER PUBLISHING COMPANY,
"BIBLE HOUSE"
ARCH STREET, ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $1.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE,
(INCLUDES ALSO A SUBSCRIPTION TO TWO COPIES
OF OLD THEOLOGY TRACTS QUARTERLY)
By Express Order, Postal Money Order, Bank Draft, or Registered Letter. Foreign only by Foreign Money Order.
N.B.—Those of the interested, who by reason of old age or accidents, or other adversity, are unable to pay, will be supplied FREE, if they will send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper.
SPECIAL ITEMS FOR REGULAR READERS.
HARVEST LABORERS.—PRAY FOR THEM!
Brother and Sister Adamson have nearly finished their present field of labor in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have about 4000 Millennial Dawns circulating there now. They have done and are doing a good work—gathering ripe wheat and witnessing to others. Sunday Meetings held by Brother A. help to water the good word of present truth which he scatters during the week by circulating MILLENNIAL DAWN.
Sisters Harper and Weir will soon be a year in Louisville, Ky., and vicinity. The Lord is blessing them, and through their labors quite a number are coming to the Light. They are faithful soldiers of the cross.
Brothers Rogers and West have been in New York City for some months past. They already have over 3000 DAWNS in circulation. They report some very interesting meetings held [R1371 : page 50] lately—well attended and evidently profitable. God bless them.
Brothers Leigh, Demming and VanHook have spent the last nine months in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky. They are earnest and faithful and are blessed and a blessing wherever they go.
Sisters Erlenmyer, Clark and Peck are still laboring in southern New York. We have frequent proofs of their zeal and willingness to endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross—bearing the good tidings to those who have ears to hear. Their labors are not in vain in the Lord.
Brother Wise is still in the harvest field, in Ohio, seeking the ripe wheat, and, thank the Lord, finding some ready to be garnered.
Brother Smith is making a thorough canvass of Pittsburgh and vicinity. He is letting the light shine and attracting the attention of some of the children of the light. In the portion of the city already gone over, he has circulated over 2000 copies of DAWN, which, sooner or later, will bring results.
Brothers Haynes and Thorn are in Massachusetts. They have recently circulated over 1800 copies of MILLENNIAL DAWN in Lynn, and report considerable interest among readers.
Sisters Vogel and Boehmer are in the work in eastern Pennsylvania, circulating the present truth—"meat in due season"—and accomplishing good, we trust.
Brother and Sister Rogers in Detroit, Brother and Sister Utley in Minneapolis, Brother C. C. Wright in Iowa, Brother Hewes in Philadelphia, Brother and Sister Wallace in western Pennsylvania, Brother Brown in Michigan, Brother Brewer in Atlanta, Ga., Brother Herr in central Pennsylvania, Brother Marchant in Canada, and Brother Dailey in Ohio, are all serving the Lord and his cause earnestly and with success.
Besides the above are some faithful ones who have been obliged to suspend operation temporarily from sickness and other reasons, who, we trust, will soon be in the work again; and who even now, we are sure, are not idle.
But we have only mentioned a few of the noble army of the Lord who are daily battling for the truth—seeking to free themselves and others of the Lord's household from the chains of error and sin. We believe that more than one-half of the WATCH TOWER subscribers are true laborers in the harvest field, whose chief aim in life is, not money, nor pleasure, nor fame, nor any other selfish, earthly object, but who seek chiefly, and with their best endeavors, not only to gain for themselves a share in the Kingdom promised, but to help others to so run as to obtain the same provision of God's grace.
Dear co-laborers, remember one another at the throne of the heavenly grace, and remember us also of the TOWER office, as we do you all.—2 Thes. 3:1; Heb. 13:18.
r1367 VOL. XIII. FEBRUARY 15, 1892. NO. 4.r1371 PHILANTHROPIC VERSUS HUMANITARIAN.
r1374 "IN THE WINE-PRESS ALONE."
r1368 VIEWS ABROAD.
r1371 TO BE PUBLISHED HEREAFTER IN ADVANCE,