[page 257]

VOL. XXXIV SEPTEMBER 1 No. 17
A. D. 1913—A. M. 6041

—————

CONTENTS

Superiority of the Original Abrahamic
Covenant....................................259
The Children of the Oath......................260
The Three Great Covenants in Brief............260
"Laborers Together With God"......................261
Some Glaring Inconsistencies..................262
The Law of Retribution........................263
God's Work in Our Wills and Hearts................263
Three Ways of Determining God's Will..........264
The Work Done in Our Hearts...................265
God's Supervision in World and Church.............265
World's Empires Illustrated Great
Principles..................................266
Matters of Church Discipline..................266
Graves of Greediness..............................267
The Sin of Murmuring..........................267
Selfish Prayers Answered......................268
Jealousy and Envy Punished........................269
Some Interesting Letters..........................271
Berean Questions in Scripture Studies.............271

[page 258]

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, London, 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.
==========

VOLUNTEER EXTENSION WORK

The Volunteers this year are doing nobly and we have splendid ammunition. No doubt the results will be great. However, we must not hope to know the details until we reach the Kingdom. Meantime it is ours to do faithfully what our hands find to do—what our Lord privileges us to do.

We suggest that Class Extension work find parallel in Volunteer Extension work. After you have served your place of residence, seek the Lord's blessing in an endeavor to extend the distribution of free literature to other towns and cities within a reasonable radius. The Society is pleased to supply the ammunition free of all charges. It merely wishes, with the order, the names of the places to be served and the assurance that the work undertaken will (D.V.) be promptly done—that the literature will not be permitted to lie by unused. Remember that census population includes infants and that a proper estimate of one paper to the family would be one to five of the population.

==========

BETHEL HYMNS FOR OCTOBER

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 October follow: (1) 165; (2) 166; (3) 305; (4) 179; (5) 58; (6) 4; (7) 102; (8) 330; (9) 42; (10) 39; (11) 7; (12) 230; (13) 16; (14) 12; (15) 147; (16) 208; (17) 105; (18) 145; (19) 135; (20) 8; (21) 281; (22) 109; (23) 12; (24) 176; (25) 160; (26) 222; (27) 293; (28) 101; (29) 235; (30) 244; (31) 168.

====================

r5300 SUPERIORITY OF THE ORIGINAL ABRAHAMIC
r5302 "LABORERS TOGETHER WITH GOD"
r5303 GOD'S WORK IN OUR WILLS AND HEARTS
r5304 GOD'S SUPERVISION IN THE WORLD AND IN THE CHURCH
r5306 GRAVES OF GREEDINESS
r5307 JEALOUSY AND ENVY PUNISHED

====================

[page 271]

SOME INTERESTING LETTERS

DEAR BRETHREN:—

I am noting a few incidents which transpired in this town last Autumn, which will interest you, I know. They are as follows: The pastor of the Episcopal Church at that time was the Rev. K__________; of the First Presbyterian, Rev. M__________ (there was another Presbyterian Church in town). The Wesleyan (official organ of the Methodist Church in these provinces) is published in this town. (You may recall that we sent you, last Autumn, quite a number of issues of the Wesleyan treating Pastor Russell and the Truth in a very unchristian manner.) Rev. K__________ became very much excited because of the circulation of some volunteer matter, and concluded the best thing to do was to send for a sufficient number of copies of the Brooklyn Eagle to cover the town and considerable outlying territory, making the statement, to one of his parishioners, at least, that the circulation of our literature "must be stopped." He had some of the supply put into the hands of some other clerical brethren, and thus the distribution was made.

About the same time Rev. M__________ preached a very severe sermon against our Pastor and the work, calling attention to the "Vow," holding it up to ridicule. Within a few weeks Rev. K__________, who was a very dignified man (and apart from theological narrowness a very nice man), died one of the most undignified deaths possible. In making a call on a parishioner, in the fire house of the town, he missed the doorway and in some unaccountable manner attempted to enter through a window leading into the ash-pit. The window had been left open, but he had to step up some distance from the ground to enter—no one can understand why it should occur. He was found two hours later dead on the concrete floor of the pit, eight feet below, from a broken neck. Recently his son, in closing up his affairs, auctioned off his walking stick, and even his overcoat. He was for years, up to his death, Archdeacon for the province.

Very shortly after, Rev. M__________'s Church was burned to the ground—he has left the town. The two congregations have voted to unite and rebuild (that is, the two Presbyterian congregations), but are now fighting amongst themselves. About the same time the pastor of the leading Methodist Church took sick and died. This means that through death and changes owing to the fire, half the ministers of a few months ago are gone. We wonder, in this Day of the Lord's judgments, how close may be the connections between these incidents.

We are glad to report the work prospering in the town. Sister Black joins me in much Christian love to you all.

Your brother in the Kingdom Hope,

W. W. BLACK.

—————

MY DEAR FRIENDS:—

I should like to be put on your mailing list. I am getting THE WATCH TOWER and I have your STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES; but I want your pamphlets also, as they come out, and the BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY. Please send me your booklet on "Spiritism," and any treatise you may have on Revelation. You will, of course, forward bill for any charge, and I shall remit at once.

I enclose check for $5.00, which you may use as you see best in furthering the work. If possible, I shall send a like amount monthly.

I want to advance the cause of the Kingdom. The Message as you put it appeals to me in such a way that I know it to be true. It accords with our blessed God's character and Word, and stands at once so reasonable and satisfying, and so full of promise to every creature, that it must be the Gospel. I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and that, through His precious blood. And as surely as anything ever happened to a man, I have been called by Him. I cannot neglect "so great salvation." Will you help me to work in His vineyard—even though it is the "eleventh hour"? The wages matter not. Only to know Him is worth more than heart can dream of. To be like Him in character would be the greatest blessing of Heaven.

Yours sincerely,
A. MURRAY.—Calif.

—————

[R5307 : page 271]

THE HARVEST CALL

Come, labor on.
Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain,
When all around him waves the golden grain,
And every servant hears the Master say,
"Go, work today"?

Come, labor on.
The laborers are few, the field is white,
No rest have they who labor for the right;
From distant voices far, or near at home,
The call is, "Come!"

Come, labor on.
No time for rest till glows the western sky,
And the long shadows o'er our pathway lie;
Then a glad sound comes with the setting sun,
"Servants, well done!"

Come, labor on.
The toil is pleasant, the reward is sure;
Blessed are those who to the end endure;
How full their joy, how deep their rest will be
O Lord, with THEE! Unknown.

====================

[page 271]

BEREAN QUESTIONS IN SCRIPTURE STUDIES

Series VI., Study XVI.

THE PRESENT INHERITANCE OF THE NEW CREATION

OCTOBER 5

Read p. 659 to p. 661 par. 1.

(1) What are the first-fruits of the Spirit—a foretaste of future blessings—which are possessed by the New Creation in the present life? P. 659, first 18 lines.

(2) What is the nature of earthly hopes and joys? P. 659, 18th line to end of par.

(3) How do the joys, hopes, ambitions of the New Creation differ from those of the natural man? P. 660, par. 1, 2.

TRUE VERSUS FALSE HOPES

(4) When and for what purpose does Satan transform himself into an "angel of light"? P. 660, par. 3.

(5) What false hope respecting the dead has been introduced by the Adversary? P. 661, par. 1.

OCTOBER 12

Read p. 661, par. 2, to p. 663, par. 2.

(6) How has Satan deceived the Church by a false hope respecting the time for the rewarding of the Lord's faithful followers? P. 661, par. 2.

(7) How have these false hopes been especially injurious to the Lord's people? P. 662, par. 1.

(8) In view of the foregoing, what is the reason for our present hope of an instantaneous change for the faithful members of the New Creation? P. 662, par. 2.

(9) What is our hope as respects the faithful of the entire Gospel Age prior to 1878, and of those who have died and are dying since that date? P. 663, par. 1.

(10) How have the hopes of the New Creation become the dread of the "Christian World"? P. 663, par. 2.

OCTOBER 19

Read p. 664, par. 1, to p. 668, par. 1.

(11) Why do nominal Christians dread the resurrection of the dead? P. 664, par. 1.

(12) Note the joyful hopes of the Second Advent of Christ, and the Resurrection, as set forth in Scripture. Pp. 664 to 666.

THE THIEF IN PARADISE

(13) What is the proper interpretation of the incident of "the Thief on the Cross"? Luke 23:42,43. P. 667, par. 1.

(14) In order to properly understand this Scripture, how must we consider the circumstances, surroundings and connections? P. 667, par. 2, 3, 4.

(15) Did the thief request the Lord to take him to Heaven? And how does changing the position of the comma clarify the whole subject? P. 668, par. 1.

OCTOBER 26

Read p. 668, par. 2, to p. 671, par. 1.

(16) What further explanation might the Lord have given the repentant thief? P. 668, par. 2, 3.

(17) What is the Scriptural significance of the word Paradise? P. 669, par. 1.

(18) Explain why we have a perfect right to change the position of the comma, and cite other instances in which the word "today" is similarly used. P. 669, par. 2, to P. 670.

ST. PAUL'S EARNEST DESIRE

(19) How does the Emphatic Diaglott render Phil. 1:21-24, and how does this translation differ from the Common Version? P. 670, par. 1, 2.

(20) How is the word Analusai, "return," used in Greek literature, and in the only other instance in the New Testament, namely, Luke 12:36 ? P. 671, par. 1.

====================

[page 273]

VOL. XXXIV SEPTEMBER 15 No. 18
A. D. 1913—A. M. 6041

—————

CONTENTS

Mercy and Truth Component Elements of
Christian Character.........................275
Jewish Law Helpful to Christians..............276
Prayer the Vital Breath of the New Creature.......277
Some Things for Which to Pray.................278
Philosophy of Prayer..........................278
Distinction Between Flesh and Spirit..............279
Special Season of Trial.......................279
Lukewarmness Undesirable......................280
Report of the Spies...............................281
Did God Encourage War?........................282
No Injustice to Canaanites....................282
A Good Man's Sin..................................283
Smiting the Rock a Sin........................283
The London Convention—Aug. 1-4...................284
Literal or Symbolic Fire..........................285
Signs of Dispensational Changes...............285
Question on Justification.........................286
Tentative and Actual Sonship..................286
Are Suicides Morally Responsible?.................287

[page 274]

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, London, 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.
==========

RE DEFECTIVE BOOKS

Colporteurs and others who may receive books from us that are seriously defective will confer a favor by reporting the fact at once. Give particulars re time received. We want all our books to be right.

—————

RECEIPTS FOR WATCH TOWER SUBSCRIPTIONS

Regular subscribers for THE WATCH TOWER receive a receipt on the wrapper—showing how far their subscription is paid. Thus, if you had been paid up to January, 1913, and sent in a dollar, renewing until January, 1914, we would merely add the figure 4. Such a figure 4, under such circumstances, would stand for the year 1914.

—————

THINGS YOU OUGHT TO KNOW

Our new edition of DAILY HEAVENLY MANNA in purple cloth has gilt edges. The price remains the same, 35c. postpaid. Every reader of THE WATCH TOWER should have a copy of the Manna and should use it daily, for his spiritual nourishment.

The same in De Luxe, purple leather binding, gold edges, $1.10 postpaid.

—————

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE THINGS

Give your full address at the top of each letter you write, and please print it if you cannot write plainly. Please address your communications to the WATCH TOWER SOCIETY, whether in Brooklyn or London or Melbourne. Only very personal matters should be addressed to the Editor—Pastor C. T. RUSSELL. Our work here is different in the various departments; for instance, the Pilgrim Department, the Colporteur Department, the Volunteer Department, etc. In case the subject matter of your letter makes it specially appropriate to one or another of those Departments, please add the same to the address, but always make the main address the WATCH TOWER SOCIETY.

====================

r5309 MERCY AND TRUTH COMPONENT ELEMENTS OF
r5310 PRAYER THE VITAL BREATH OF THE NEW CREATURE
r5312 THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN FLESH AND SPIRIT
r5313 THE REPORT OF THE SPIES
r5315 A GOOD MAN'S SIN
r5316 THE LONDON CONVENTION—AUGUST 1-4
r5317 LITERAL OR SYMBOLIC FIRE?
r5316 QUESTION ON JUSTIFICATION
r5318 ARE SUICIDES MORALLY RESPONSIBLE?