VOL. XI. ALLEGHENY, PA., APRIL, 1890. NO. 5.
"BIBLE HOUSE:"
Arch Street, Allegheny, Pa., U.S.A.
C. T. RUSSELL, EDITOR.
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This paper will be sent free to the interested of the Lord's poor, who will send a card yearly requesting it. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat—yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." And you who have it—"Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently—and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness."—ISAIAH 55:1,2.
Entered as SECOND CLASS MAIL MATTER, at the Post Office, Allegheny, Pa.
r1201 VIEW FROM THE TOWER.[Brother Adamson sends us the following as his view and report of the Memorial Meetings, and says he hopes we will let him have his "say" in full—without any editorial trimming. We have, therefore, handed his letter to the type-setters without even reading it.—EDITOR.]
With much pleasure I give a few of my impressions regarding the late Memorial Supper and succeeding meetings to the household of faith scattered abroad. The feast began on April 2nd when brethren and sisters of like precious faith began to assemble and greet each other in joy and love most fervent, but followed quickly by the opening and study of Bibles.
There was a formal close of the various meetings on the following Sunday night, but the full close was not until one full week was spent in joyous feasting on our Lamb and the truth now due.
As repentant Israel kept "other seven days," so those now "scattered abroad" kept the feast seven days, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.—2 Chron. 30:1-23; 1 Cor. 5:8.
I cannot here report the numerous questions asked and answered, or even name the topics taken up, during the sessions which filled almost the whole days. One after the other testified that Brother R. is "apt to teach" and agreed that they would return home with all their questions answered and all shadow of doubt removed.
But in a general way we can note that on Thursday forenoon a number of quiet but thrilling testimonies were given as to how the truth reached the speakers, and concerning their bitter experiences after having eaten the "little book," and yet how faithful God is to all those not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.
In the afternoon Bro. Russell gave a most clear and forcible sermon on baptism, preparatory to the baptism service which followed.
Of the following glorious six days we can say no more than name some of the topics discussed, viz.: Tabernacle Teachings; The Wages of Sin; Faith Cure, as seen from the standpoint of God's Plan; The Unpardonable Sin; The Seven Millennial Views of Rev. 20 and 21; etc., etc.
On Sunday night another series of testimonies to God's favor and faithfulness were given. Bro. Louder was specially "loud" in expressions of joy and thankfulness to God for the knowledge gained and the richness of the spiritual food, and this he could do with much more reason from the standpoint of God's loving plan than when shouting as a "pillar" of Methodism under its limited, confusing view. Another, but a few months ago a champion of Presbyterianism, was almost as "loud" as any, stating that during this one meeting he had learned more about God's love and wisdom as expressed in his holy word than in all the Presbytery meetings he had ever attended.
In large attendance, ability, earnestness and love of those who either spoke publicly (we regard all as preachers) or heard, we believe each succeeding Passover meeting is more successful than the preceding, and this just held has filled all its participants with joy and peace confidence and love, faith and hope. Who can doubt that still more desirable results will follow than from previous quickenings? The harvest is surely riper than it was a year ago, while Satan with his delusive seductions and in garments of (new) light (another gospel) is busy. It becomes us then to know and hold firmly the one gospel—the ransom—and thus clothed in the panoply of Christ's righteousness we shall be able to stand in the faith and in love. J. B. ADAMSON.
Brother Rogers writes as follows, to the TOWER readers in general, concerning the Anniversary Meeting, etc.
"The Memorial Meeting confirms the thought that the time has come for the gathering together of the saints in oneness and expectation. Though many members, there seems to be but one spirit; many diversities, but one desire to know [page 2] the Lord and his will concerning us as individuals.
"The meeting also helped us to realize that the secrets of the Lord are with those that love and reverence him. A few days communing with saints is better than a whole year with the world. Such a manifestation of the influence of the spirit of Christ among his followers, now, makes us long for the time when all things will be in blessed harmony with the Creator. And if we are given such things now, what will be given to those who are found in his likeness.
"To suffer and live for our Saviour in this life is worthy to be compared with the privilege of reigning with him in the future." S. D. ROGERS.
TO THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH
SCATTERED ABROAD—
Being permitted to attend the Allegheny meeting in which our Lord's death was commemorated, as well as the subsequent meetings of the week, I was especially impressed with the truth that it was the Lord's death which, through justification, opens up the way for consecration in this and the Millennial ages; and that it is now the particular privilege of the saints to be consecrated into his death. We read, "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood." Our Lord's way was not by consecration (water) only, but through consecration carried to entire completion during a reign of evil and ending in death. Through this utter self-abnegation and its lesson of complete obedience to the Father's will, our Lord was prepared for the great work he will complete, and in which we are invited to join. Only by following humbly and willingly on the same rough road, can we be fitted for joint-heirship with him in the restitution work now beginning. It is written "Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect [as a new creature], he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."
When once fully grasped, the opportunity of becoming "heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ" assumes so glorious an aspect that we begin to rejoice in the hope that we may "suffer with him."
The entire meeting furnished "meat in due season" both in "things new and old," and I rejoice that I was permitted once more to join so many brethren and sisters in worship and study before the "night cometh," and thus to be strengthened and encouraged to work more faithfully while the day lasts. W. E. PAGE.
[A brother who until recently has been a minister in the United Presbyterian ranks, and who only within the past few months came to a knowledge of God's plan of the ages, and who was present at the Memorial Supper and subsequent meetings, writes as follows:—
DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN:—I cannot express in language the sweet peace in my soul since I returned from the meeting. I feel like singing all the time. Those sweet Songs of the Bride still ring in my ears, and I expect they will until Christ reveals to us his glory. I was not ashamed to come home and tell my family and neighbors what a blessed meeting we had in Allegheny, and when I would describe to them the workings of the meeting, they would say, What church was it in, I replied, in the church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven. Blessing and glory and honor and dominion and power be unto God and the Lamb forever and ever. The veil of predestination is rent, and my soul is free. I am trusting that the Lord will show me what he would have me do, and rain or shine, late or early, night or day, I am happy in Jesus. Lord, let thy will be done in me. I must now close trusting that the Redeemer's presence may ever be ours to enjoy. J. R. B.
DEAR TOWER READERS:—We want to testify to you all that the meeting of the past week in Allegheny has been a season of spiritual refreshment to us. We have been drawn into closer sympathy and fellowship with the brethren and sisters of like precious faith, not only those present, but all that in every place call upon the name of our Lord and Master.
Our hearts have overflown with love to Bro. Russell as we witnessed his patient labor for the edification of the household of faith. We have been stimulated more and more to henceforth know nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified; to be broken and emptied vessels for the Master's use made meet. Yours in fellowship,
r1201 ISRAEL'S DOUBLE.r1202 JAPAN TO BECOME RELIGIOUS.
r1202 NEW VIEWS IN PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
r1202 GOD IS GOOD.
r1204 "THEN THE END."
r1204 "PROVE ALL THINGS."
r1206 JERUSALEM AWAKING.
r1207 MODERN ENGLISH JEWS.
r1207 HOW PROTESTANT (?) MINISTERS
r1208 UNFAITHFUL PASTORS.
r1208 A FEDERATION OF CHURCHES.
r1209 REVISION NOT A NEW THING.
r1209 CORPORATE GREED.
r1209 THE DISPUTED CLAUSE.
r1210 COME UP HITHER.