t- , ■ ... > , wmv ^€ IIB. Report -of the- ffiilile StcrdecitsCiDcivEcitiaii /.^ \\' Pittsburgh, Pa. - OMY 2=i, leii ^v . , i'i.,:.^-.'^J-'t~iMZ i lUDOE J. F. RUTKRRFORD /^^v. PREFACE iHANKS be to God that His grace has preserved us, "kept us from falling," through another year — that so many of us are still of one heart and of one mind in respect to His Word, and its service ! "Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I tviil not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that tliere shall not be room enough to contain it." Malachi 3:10. Considering the helpful and inspiring messages presented by the dear Pilgrim Brethren at the CONVENTION and ANNUAL ELECTION of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY, assembled at Pittsburgh, January 2-5, 1919, we have been moved to publish this Verbatim Report. We wish to thank the brethren for their assistance in this connection. In sending out this SOUVENIR CONVENTION RE PORT, we do so with the prayer that the Lord's People will re- ceive as great spiritual benefit from its perusal as we have in its preparation. Yours in the Master's Service, GEO. A. GLENDON, Jr., 1265 Broadway (Suite 611), New York City, N. Y. INTRODUCTION 'Thou crownest the year with thy goodness." Psa. 65:11 iHE opening of a most significant New Year found several hundred friends assembled at the Bethel Chapel in Pittsburgh, Wednesday night, January 1st, reviewing in testimony the leadings of Divine Providence during the past year. The joy and rejoicing in the Lord knew no bounds. Many of the friends found it a special occasion to make plenty of good resolves, respecting what we shall be willing to be, to do, to suffer, in fellowship with our Lord. The keynote of the meeting was based upon the Prayer Meeting text: "Be thou strong and very courageous." (Josh. 1 :7.) One brother testified that he was glad that he could stand up for Jesus and. hold high the banner of Truth. Others testified that they, as followers of the Lord, stood firmly for the truth: not fear- ing what man might do unto them, but trusted in the Lord, and in the power of Ilis might, with the promise that by so doing, they will be with Him in Glory. Another brother voiced the sentiments of all in the following words: "How appropriate is this keynote in connection with our Text for the year: '.Vo -u.-eapon tluit is formed against thee shall prosper.' (Isa, 54:17.) I am perfectly wilting to give and sacrifice everything to gain this assurance. The only injury these weapon.s c^n do is to the old creature, which we have already consecrated to death. Therefore, God uses the 'wraih of man to praise Him/ — by turning what seems to harm us into everlasting joy and blessing." At the conclusion of the service. Brother Wise requested all to join in silent prayer asking the Lord to direct their everv' word, thought and action during the succeeding four days, to the end that "the Love of God might rule in every heart" : that nil things be avoided which would aid the enemy. ■ It tras good to be there! And as we wended our way to our respective rooms we were confident that the opening of the Convention on the morrow would manifest more of the spirit of the Psalmist's words: "Behold, how good, and hovv pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unitv." WATCH TOWER OFFICE "THE OLD QUAKER SHOP" Brother Kuitcll's Firit Haberdashery Stcre SOLDIERS ME^JORI.VL itALL ANiNUAL CONVENTION AND ELECTION W. T. B. & T. SOCIETY PITTSBURGH, pliNN., JANUARY 2-Si 1919 '^■[ENLP.V PARK. Pittsliur!;h's ^n.tXHJ,- Cn» Beamy Ciritt,-r. jiryvctl to be an ideal place for a convciitiun ol die; Watch Tuwet Bibk & Tiacl Suckly during tlic period of Its Aiimial Kkc- lion — the first Satiirttav iit the new year. The location u-asa ileliffliTEiil uiii:. Memorial Hal], doiUcaTcd in the memory of the heroes oi another cau&e< was appropriatel^v' the meciing p\L c oj the soldiers of the "Cross of Cliriif who, to chairman thruitghout the en:ir<: icsfion. Brother K. G> Walters, of Tamaqna, Pa., was the musical djrecior. AW mingled in "^ong of tiiispeakable $weciEies5 to the praise of Cod," The inspiration derived from the music and words contained in "Hytnns ot DauTi" caused us to sympathijzc with our l>elovcd Brother J. I-. Rtithcrfornl : "Often I !oHK to hear some of our hymns? Then I conlemi;>late the music of ihe Heavenly courts, aiid long for that, and am ihriUed with the prospect that in the chorus will brt the beautiful, wonderful, angelic hosts, the innu- merable company of honored ser^-anis before the throne, the Bride in all her u^ory and bean- ly and the majestic Bridegroom, all mingling iheir perfect voices in music and song of un- speakable sweetness to the praise of God. And Jehovah Himself wj]] for joy sing over alL (Zcph. 3:17.) "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mishlyi He will rest in His lo^'e. He wil] joy over thee with singing.* How glorious to be there, and (here I want to be, and want you to be. Let ttothin^ be done that win lessen our prospect. Let brotherly love abound and be faithful unto death." After experiencing bitter trials during the year past. our apjjetites were whetted to parukc of the spiritual footi so bountifully provided for this occasion, to increase onr hopes, even as the Lord promised that He wouM "prepare a table in the midst of our enemies" that we might be able to hear present cspericnccs. Probably never before in the Clirlalian era have ^ucb earnest and fervent prayers been offered as those on behaU of the Convention, and our BRETHREN' who are now serving God while in prison: '^FillitiR up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body's sake, which is the Church." (Cul. 1 :24,) With eagerness every otie luoked forwjtid tu the events that would [ran' spire there, that the will of the Lord might he known. Their prsycrs were answered, even as our President and Brother J. F. Rutherford expressed the desire "that the spirit of Christ fill the heart of every attendant, drawing all of you closer together. Let every otic have in mind that we are in the final contlict of Rcvciaiion 1" ;H — 'These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of lords, and i-Cing of kings.' It is the finale of the conflict between the Serpent and the Seed of Promise. Let all read KING- DOM NEWS No. 3 A'Orr; Wc must overcome or bt: overcome— there is no middle ground. Concerning: you and all, my sentiments are exisressed in I Cor. l:lii. 'Now I beseech you. brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye ail speak the same thing, and that there he no divisions among you: but that ye be perfectly joinelj",) One brother said; "Since it is im|>ossib]e that they CaU do anything against the truths it is likewise inn:K>sf^tbic for anything tu hurt that oi... who is under the shadow of die ;\hnight}'. "Nothing shall by any means hurl joUi' the New Creature, for ^^-our life is hid with Lhri^t iu The keynote of the Convention was in main along advanced tines, encoursetng all lo abound in tlu: hope ot bringing tlic Elijah and HIisha ly|}cs (also dial of Jezebel) to a compScte tultlllment, even as Brother Herr suggested that Whereas, Enemies have striven to injure (and suc- ceeded in a measure to suppress)^ And Satan all his arts employ; God has turned ivhat s«cmcO to harm ui Into Everlasting Joyf And before the Conveulion came to a climax we lost sight of all opposition, calling to mind the Scripture, "If God Iw for uSi who can be agiiinsl ns?" V\ c determined to heed ihc admonition of the Apostle Paul to chug to the old ship Zion, and to partake heartily of ihe good nourishing food that our Master is providing through the same channel used during (he Harvest — the \Vatch Tower Bible & Tract Society — in order that we may be able to go forth and labor while wc have the opportunity by iriving the final witness for the truth. We realized more Uian e^'e^ before there is much wijrk to be done, and we were determined thpt no matter how stormy and trouble- some the condition of the times may be. we would not fi-ar, but stand by the old Ship of Zion until the very last. INTERESTING NOTES In accordance with an invitation extended by the Bible House family, several hundred friends made a special visit to the Watch Tower office at Allegheny — directly across the .Mletjhany River from Pittsburgh, Wc were entertained and granted the privilege o*" fellowship Jii the targe parlor, tastily arranged with fumiiHrc and mcnfcutocs of Hrother RusselVs study at the Bethel Home. Upon inquiry we were directed over to Brother Rujsell's first hubi^rdiishcry stare, "The Old Quaker Shop/' diag- Dimlly across the slreetfrom the Watch Tower office. It was here that, Charles Tazc Russell, at the age of eleven, formed a business parinership with his father, hiinscH writing the articles of agreement under which they trauihactcd business. Here it was that at the age of twelve years. Charles' father found him one lime at 2 A. .M. |>orin^ over a eoneordancc, uoconscious of the lapse of timCr Within a few doors of this place, we were directed to a dusty, dingy hall where our dear Brother Russell first "stumbled upon Adventism," Ouoting his own words, he says: "Seemingly by accident, one evening I dropped into a dusty, dingj- hall in Allegheny, Pa., where 1 had heard that religious services were held, to see if the handful who met there had anything more sensible lo oflfcr than the creeds of the great churches. There, for the first time, I heard something of the views of Second .■Vdvenlisra, by Jonas VVendcll, long since deceased. Thua f confess in* debiedness to Adventists as well as to other Bible students. Though his Scriptural exposition was nut entirely citar and though it was very far from what wc now rejoice in. it was sul?icient, under God. to re-cslablish my wavering faith in the Divine inspiration of the Rible, and to *how that the records of the Apoitkis and the Prophets are indissolubly linked," /. B. S. A, CONVENTION AT THE GRAVE On ^[oilday, a party oi about i50 was conducted by Brother Boliiiet to ill* grave of Brother Russell. Upon a hillside. slophiS towards the south, we joiiitd hands around the grave and sang; "Bl«3l be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like u> ihit above. ^'Our glorious hope revives Our courage eveiy day, While eaci] with expectation strives To run the Heavenly way." One last lingering look upon the scene recalled the peaceful manner of our Pastor's "passing beyond the vail." Brother Kuthcrford's words came to mintl: "I aiii glad this prisott experience was reserved tor us, rather than for our dear Brotlter Russell." We visited the marble works and there watched the workmen slowly but surely chisel out the motiument to be erectetl as a memorial to [he Society. Tlie Watch Tower Society burial lots in Rosttiiont United Ccrneterics. five miles due north of Pittsburgh City, contain ample grave space for all the members of the Bethel family, and the Pilgrims and their wives— in all more than 275 adult graves. In the exact centtr of the Bethel lot will be erected diagonilly the Pyramid Shape Monument as designed by Broilur ^BaSmit, and acreptcd by Brother Rmscil as the most fitting emblem for an enduring monument on the Society's burial space. The size of this structure is nine fett across the base, and its apex stotte is exactly seven feet above the ground surface level. It rests upon a concrete foundation five feet deep and hpavily reinforced whh l>srln-d wire, the work of Brother Eohnct, who would not entrust this important task to anyone else, so we are assured the job was well done. The' brother gave a full deicripUon of the securing of the rock material (after fruitless attempts extending over a period of about five years) at the time he piloted tire convention ists to the cemetery and urged us to help Ourselves to sottvcnir chips in tbe shop of the granite worker near by. These monster blocks of pink (Brother Rtisscll's favor- ite tint) granite were brought all the way from Granite Aiountain Quarries, near Marble Falls City in Texas, upon a special Hat car, and are said to be about 95 per cent flint rock. Each slope of the pyramid will face one of the large lots and on each of these slopes is cut in four-inch embossment a. Teacher's Bible, on the pages of which will appeir the names of the ones buried there. The burial space for Brother Rutherford was indicated and his name, like that of Brother Russell, will be at the top of opposite Bible pages. A Bible space being set apart for the Pilgrims — all in one lot of forty-eight grave space, so all their names will appear on the same Bible. Above the Bibles are spaces for inscriptions In full, W. T. B. &. T, S., I. B. S. A., "Dead with Christ," "Risen with Christ," etc. And above these the Cross and Crown and Wreath, and the wliolc capped with the apex stone, highly polished— its shape of course beins pyramidal. Witiiin the slnictvire, incased in a block of griinltc. will be a sealed raetal box in which is a complete set of Karatol Scripture Studies, the Memorial Tower, and one of every tract, photographs of Pastor Russell, a copy of the Society's charter, and many other things to interest the people who at some future date may open the pyramid and find them. Brother \Vm. U. Hurst, of Pittsburgh, who was assist- ant stiperintendent of the United Cemeteries under Brother Bohnet's general charge, will hare the care of Brother Rus- sel's grave in the pilgrimage absence of Brother Bohnet. It is c:eautiful picture the more beaatv we discover in it. 1 am rcferrinjj now to the image of Daniel. (Dan. 2:3L) The oftener we look at that imajre the more remarkable it becomes. It was a GR1L\T IMAGE that reached up unto Heaven. This great image, whose bright- ness was excellent, and the form thereof tcrribEe, repre- sented fonr great Unhfrsdl Entpifis. Its head was of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron, the feet part iron attd part of clay. This great image, therefore, pictured the political liislory of the human family from D.-tnicl's day down to the present time, Daniel is the most remarkahte of all the prophets in many respects. He scanned the history of the human race from his own day down to our day— touching the salient points, but dwelling specially on the events at the close of the Gospel .-^ge. [s It strange then that our great adversary, the devil, should be very desirous indeed of lessenmi^ the influence oi that prophecy? Is it any wonder that he has done all he could do to cast discredit on that particular prophet? And so we find it. They have done e^'ery thing they could to weaken the force of the prophecy of Daniei. Nevertheless, Daniel's prophecy still stands there. The prophet tells us what these things mean. The head of gold represented Babylon, the breast and arms of silver rep- resented Medo-Pcrsia, the belly and (highs represented Grecia, whereas the legs of iron represented Rome, and the feet and toes Rome divided into the nations of Europe, The smearing with clay represented the mixture of the ecclesiastical systems wilSt the nations of earth during the past ten centuries. ■ Everybody knows that these four world dominions have come into being, and GONE, No man can say that this testimony of the Prophet Daniel is not true. Babylon has come and .ijflfji^. Ifedo-Pcrsia has come and gofn: Greece has come and j^on^*. Rome has come aitd Kovn; Has goftf. too. Tl^ese are the facts of history that no man can gain-,say. The next thing: that the prophet records is that a stone was "cut out of mouutatn without hands," This stone, we understand, is the Heavenly Kingdom of Qirist. the stone Kingdom, for which yoii attd I and all Christian people were taught to pray; '*Thy Kingdom comcn Thy will be done on earth even as it is done in lieaven," Xow notice, the prophet said the "stoi^e smote the image on its feet, etc." (Verse 'M,) Looking from the type down to the anti-type. I think w<: will pretty generally agree that that stone has Ixreu smiting that imase for the last tour years on its feet, vii., the Roman Empire, divided into Small kingdoms. Now then, wc will notice some other tilings about that Image, We notice that it had two legs and stood on two feet. Well, you remember that Rome originally was a united emjjire, and conli[iucd fflr a few hundred vears as a united empire, but finally was split up and divided into two empires, known in history as the ^Vestern Empire and Eastern Empire. About the same time the political division took place there was also , a religious division. The Roman Catholic Churcii was also divided into two parts— an Eastern Church and a Western Church t the Greek Catholic Church and ihe Roman Catholic Church. The Eastern Church had its headquarters originally at Constantinople, afterwards when the Turks got posses- sion of that city and drove the Christians out. the seat of power was finally transferred to ^Toscow in Ru$sia and became associated with tlie Russian peoples so tha; the largest number of adherents of the Greek Catholic Church /. E. S. A. CONVENTION Is found amongst the Russian people, and it is frequently called the Russia It Church. Now then, this Eastern Empire, together with the Greek or Eastern Church, rep- rcscnts'one of the legs of Daniel's image. The Etonian Cathotic Church has always been associated -^vith the k*ings of \\'e stern Europe and together with ihcrn constitutes the Western Umpire—the other teg of Dantel's Imagen Now then, would it not be a reasonable deduction that if one or the other of these legs would fall, or be broken, the image necessarily must fall? That ^vould be a reasonable deduction surely. You just think a moment or two; what do w*e see be I ore our eyes? Not verv long ago— a little over a year jisc^-Russia fell. There 'is no RL^SSIA. Russia ha$ absolutely gone to pieces. When Russia fell the Russian or Greek Church fell with her. T lie re is now no Russian Ciiureh. Cons tan tinople^ too» has fallen. The Turks who have held it for six hundred years have lost it. It is now in the possessioit of the Allies, hut it is a bone of contention with them. They don't know what to do with it Greece savs she wants It, "It ought to belong to us." they say, because two-thirds of the people living there speak the Greek langiiage. But the allied nations are not disposed to give it to them. It is best, they think, to havft it con- trolled by fill the nations. It is very clear, ihenn that the Eastern Empire, boih in its political and its religious aspect, has fallen. This means that one leg of Daniel's image has been "tjroken to pieces," as the prophet terms It, and the image itself has fallen to the ground. What, we ask, is the ne.\t thiug in order? If it is true that one leg of that ima^c has been broken and the image has fallen, what would be the next thing to tran- spire? The nc^t thinfj ■would be tfie br^akijiff in pieces of she iviarfc Useif. Wc will keep in mind that the one foot of the image rests at Rome, and the other toot at Constantinople. When one leg is broken the image neces- sarily falls. 'The next thing that we will notice in respect to this record, is this: Daniel says, ''Thou sawest that a stone was cut out without hands which smote the image on the feet, which were of iron and clay, and break them ■in pieces. Then was the iron, the brass, the silver, and gold broken in pieces together. (Chapter "2:55,) Yon see^ the next thing after the image had fallen was to BREAK IT TO PIECES. Is anything taking place at the present time that looks as though this is having a fulfillment? We answer, "Yes, assuredly." Russia, for example, has been broken into five or six smaller states, and the division still goes on! Nobody knows just how many pieces there arc yet to be. Russia in 19M was one vast, great, united empire. Today it is divided into many ''pieces.'^ We do not know exactly what is taking pla.cc in Russia, or indeed in any part of Europe. We may not be too sure, but it looks as though there were two great g;iants in this country. Two great newspaper syndicates striving for mastery. One probably headed hy J. P. Mgrgan, and the other headed by William Randolph Hearst; and they are fighting one another, and between the two we don't get the exact truth. But we do know enough to see that Russia has gone to piccesn divided into a number of small states — "broken to pieces/' Now then, take another Instance: Austria also a little while ago was a united empire. It was called a dual monarchy, Austria and Hungarj\ but it was unitc7ow then, looking from the type to the antitype, we know tliat Jeicbel represents the Roman Catholic sysicjtt; the Roman hierarchy. Not the Roman Catholic people, but the great sysiem ilsdf. We make that distinction. You remember Lhat when the United States went into this war our President saidi "We are not fighting the German pcoffU, we are fighting Gi^rmaii uutttcracy." Wc make the JiiiJTf distinfiion be- hecrn ihe Papal system and the people coniroUed by U. Jezebel had a husband — Ahab, Me represenls the *'Holy Roman Empire." And ptrhaps we might stop here to notice something about that great "Holy Roman Empire." You know the pagan Roman Empire was very powerful m the days of Christ and the earlv Church. It wa$ not the "Hols- Roman Empire," however. The liolv Roman Empire came into beinij later on during the reign of Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, about the year 300 At D, The circumstances which brought this Holv Roman Empire into being were something like this. This great emperor went to Rome to visit the pope, and while there and while he engaged in his religious devotion upon his knees m one of the churches at Rome, it is said that the pope came up behind him and placed a crown upon his head, and when he looked in surprific that- such should be done the pope assured him that it was the will of Heaven that he should wear this crown and assist the Unurch ]n an her undertakings. This began the Holy i&Aft ^"^P^'"^' ^^^ a thousand years from SOO A. D, ^u 2-1^" ^' ^'^^^ empire exristed i]] Europe. It was called ru ^^ Roman Empire because united to the Roman Church. When Chariemagtie died his empire was divided mto three pans, but the portion comprising the western part of present Germany and the northern portion of present Austria continued to be recognized as the Holy Roman Empire. At this point, in the year 800, or thereabouts, the antl- typical Jezebel, the Papal Church, was married to the antit^-pical A hah, the Holy Koman Empire. Here the union of Church and State began. There had been :i courtship, too. Tbey had been courting for a few hundred ycars^ from about the year 3S0 A. D, They were very timid at hrst, but became bolder^ and tn SW A. D. they w^jc ni^t^ried; Church and State were united. There Aliab and Jezebel in antitype were married. They did not live very happily together. You know that IS frequently the case in married life. Married people live sometimes a whole lifetime and never spend a single day peaceably. They usually qnarre! about who will be ^bos5." Now that is Just the kind of marriage this was. From the \*ery beginning of the union of Church and State ihe.rn was a constant contest between these two mighty powers. The Papal Qiurch (Jezebel in the type) and the Empires of Europe (Ahab in the type) as to which was supreme- Church or State. This contest con- tinued during the entire period, from Charlemagne to Napoleon (800 A, D. to 1 800 A. D.), who ended it by bringmg the Holy Roman Empire to an end. As the giving of the Goiden Crown to Charlemagne represented the marriage of Jezebel and Ahab, so the ending of the Holy Rotnan Empire represents the death of Ahab. This occurred in 180fi. At that time Austria and Russia entered in a "coalitiun" to destroy Napoleon. Learning: of this fact. Napoleon executed otic of his rapid marches, and before the Russian army could unite with that of the Emperor he crossed the .Mps and dealt the Austrian power a deadly blow in two great battles. The last one, Austerlitz, said to be one of the fifteen decisive battles of the world, ended forever the power of the Emperor and at the treaty signed later the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved and came to an end. It does not now exist. There is no Holv Roman Empire, Thus in antitype Ahab died and Jesebel became a widow. Since that time, ISOS, Papacy has been a widow, vii., s^eparated from the civil power. She shortly denies this however, and says: "I am no widow, T sit a queen and shall see no sorrow." (Is a. 47:7-11; Rev. 18:7,) After Ahab's death, two of his sons rcif^ned over Israel (Aha?;iah and Joram, who were living when Jehu was anointed)- As Ahab typed the Holv Roman Empire. so we believe the reigns of those two sons of Ahab typed two nations in Europe who supported and aided to some extent the Papacy since 1S06. Ahaziah, who reigned firsts typed Italy, who lent some slight assistance until 1870 When Victor Emmanuel deprived the Church of the ''Papal States, ' a gift of Charlemagne in 800 A. D. Since that time they have been bitter enemies. Then in 1S70 Italy died as a supporter of the Church. Joram, the second s^, we believe typed Austria, the only State that since IS70 could and did give assistance to Fapacv. Germany and England were Protestant; Russia, Greek Catholic: France and Italy efitran^ed from the Cliurch: leaving Austria, a stronj^ Catholic country, the only nation in Europe who could help her. It tiiight be remarked here that while a woman's hus- band lives she receives from hiiB many favors: but when her husband dies she receives hut little, and that frequently ^nidpintrly given, from her sons. So si nee 1S06 Papacy has had Imt few favors from the civil powers. Keeping these matters in mind we return to Jehu, who was hastening up to Jeered, the summer capita], where Jezebel. Kins: Joram and Kitiff .Aha^iah (King of Judah) trom Jerusalem were residing. Joram was there, being healed of wounds received in a battle with ihc Syrians, /. B. S. A. CONVENTION 11 Ahaziah from Jerusalem, King of Judah, had assisted Joram in this battle and returned with him to Jezreeh Aha^iah was Jezebel's son-in-law. Vou see, therefore, these three were bound by common ties and illustrates the very close relations between Papacy, Austria, and Germany. As Jehu drew near to the city, he was observed by the watchmen from the citadeij who promptly notified King Joram of the approach of a troop. The King sent out a mounted messenger to ascertain who this might be. He was not permitted to return, however, and a second mounted messenger was dispatched. He, too, did not return. This alarmed Joram, who then inquired of the watchmeti ir they could tell who this was who was ap- proachiiij* and would have the temerity to treat the King's messengers in this manner. The watchtnen promptly re- plied, "It looks like the driving; of Jehu, the son of Mimshi, for he driveth furiously." This information aroused Joram to quick action, Jehu was his generalissimo, head of his army, and had been led ftr Rnmoth-Gilead to \%'atch the border lest the Syrians returned. It was treason, disobedience of orders, for him to be here in Jetreel — or. mayhap there was trouble at Ramoth-Gilcad and Jehu had come to report. They would go out and see, Jorain ordered the chariots and the two kings, Joram and .'\hazijh, rode out and met Jehu, "'is it pence, Jchnr" Has the war broken out again? "Is it well?" Is every- thing all right on the border? Jehu answered promptly, "What peace so long as the whoredoms of your mother Jczcliel, and her witchcrafts are so many?" (Ch. 0,\\ 21,) Thoroughly alarmed the King shouted to Ahaiiah, "It is treachery. Flee. O Ah:iiiahl'' They fled, but Jehu drew s bow "with his full strength,'* which struck Joram "be- tween the arms" and came out at the heart and he sunk down and died — he died instantly. (Ch. 9, v. 24.) They then chased .Ahaziah and mortally wounded him at "Gur, which is by tbleam, and he died at Megiddo,'' (Ch. 9, v. 37,) He did not die instantly as did Joram. but lingered for some time; dying at Megiddo, We observed that Joram typed Austria, His death, therefore, would mean the end of the Austrian Empire in October last. This was brought about by the with- drawal from the war of Bulgaria and Turkey, which broke the long strained relations between Austrta and Hungary, the two "arms" or powers that constituted that empire. Austria there died. There is now no Au>stria and never will he again. She died instantly. Similarly the wounding and death of Ahaziah, King of Jndah, represents the fall of Germany. She has been "chased up" from the Marne River to the Hhine, until November II, l&lS. Avhen she received her mortal wound. She is not yet dead, but the death throes can distinctly be seen, the death stru^5:lcs have already begun in the unrest — Socialistic, Bolshevistioi etc. It might be well to remember that Joram reigned oyer Israel, typing; the Catholic portion of Christendom, so Austria was connected with that portion. Ahaziah reigned over Judah, typing the Protestant portion of Christendom, so Germany Is joined to Protestantism. Having dispatched the two kings, Jehu resumed his journey towards Jezreel, where Jezebel, well aware no doubt of what had taken place— the death of Joram and Ahaziah — awaited him. She could not flee, but what would she do? How couEd she expect to stand before this mighty warrior before whom two kings fell? Notwidistanding the fact that she was full of "witch- crafts," as Jehu had said, she was a very resourceful old lady; very cunning and deceitful and withal a famous beauty in her day. She would charm Jehu, she promptly decided. Let him sec how charming, lovely and really desirable she was and perhaps he would not kill her. She was concerned only in saving her life. It was her only chance and she determined to attempt it. She went up into her chamber, where she "tied" her hair most bewitch- ingly and painted her face and arrayed herself in her and on the morn of a glorious victory for the Church. And those two or three eunuchs (Matt, 19:12). who are they? We answer: Rome's celibate priesthood, for- bidden to marry; many of whom will, when the hour of her doom arrives, through fear or because they realize the impossibility of longer perpetuating this anchicnt camou- flage, will assist in ^'throwing her down," destroy her, hoping to set up a new and better "Jezebel" more in harmony with the spirit of modern ideals. The splashing ot the bloody on the walls and the horses show that hy her death the civil power (walls) that pro- tected her and the doctrine (horses) of Divine right of kings, ^pes, which niiide it possible to rule the world, will be polluted and become repugnant to the people, the soldiers, etc, Jehu ordered her to be buried. "Shu Is a king's d,^ughter." (Ch. 9, v. 35.) But when the undertakers sought her out all that could be found of her body was the hands, feet and skull. The dogs had torn the flesh from her hones, leaving only the skeleton. This shows that when the antitypical Jehu is through with Papacy there will be only the memor>- of her doings (hands), the crooked walk during the 1000 years of her triumph, and (her feet) the plots, plans, etc., "witchcrafts'* Jehu termed them, (the skull) once guarded so successfully hut now made known "from the housetops," The dogs doubtless refer to the T, W, W., Bolshcviki, radical Socialists, etc., etc. We now recall to mind Jehu's reply to Joram, ' (Qu 9. V. 22,) "What peace when the whoredoms of your mother, Jesebel. and her witchcrafts are so many?" We suggest that this may refer to Papacy's vaeillatinf^ course, especially during the present war. First siding with Germany, then straddling the fence; was sometimes on one side^ some- times on the other, but always leaning German -ward, until it became evident Gcrrnany would be defeated, and then she has strenuously striven to show she was neutral, "It is monstrous to say that the pope has ever been anything hut neutral," Catholic papers have said, both in the United States and Great Britain^ This is the whoredoms. The witchcrafts refer to the cunning craft by which she hss aided and abetted the tTaiser while eiaimtnf^ neutrality, etc. Evidences of this are by no means wanting. Jehu may type socialized Great Britain and United States, the two great democracies of earth, or socialized Italy, that is, after those nations come to be controlled by these radical elements. In the foregoing we have been noticing what is taking 12 /. B. S. A. CONVENTION jiics among llic naiionJ (Dinicl's rmage), ind Ihe destruc- tion of Papal power at the hands of the antilypical Jehu. Now, it might be asked where do the Mints o( God- Elijah or Elisha — fit in these wonderful i)icltirc$? We ansiver: Jeremiah seems to typify the experiences of the true Qiurch in these last days, evetv as Eiekiel. Tlicse (wo propiiecies seem to be two pictures of the same events taking place at the dose of the Gospel Ase, Eieicicl pictures the doom of the false Churdi. Babylon, ecclesi- asticism. While Jeremiah pictures the experiences of the true Church while Babylon is falling. Rcfcring briefly to Jeremiah's experiences we note that after writing a book (ch. 36, v. 2) he was cast into prison at the behest of the princes of the realm »nd she mitilary aulhoritics. (Ch. 3S, v. 6.) While there in prison the Ethiopian eunuch with the jsw-breaJttng name, Ebed- melecli, on his tonr of inspection at the prison found Jeremiah, not in a cell, but in an unused reservoir full of mire and sunk up to his ann pits, and there likely to die. Ebed-inekth reported the matter to the king. The king, not wishing Jereniiah to perish, ordered his release. (Ch. 3S, V. 10.) Evidently Jeremiah was put into the pit of fnirc without the king's knowledge, supposing he was to be merely restrained of his liljcrties, but not destroyed. This is implied in the reply of Ebed-melech. "It is an evil (wrong, contrary to orders) thing they have done to Jeremiah." (Ch. 38, v. 9.) This pit of mire very well illustrates the mud slinging tactics of our enemies who have sought to destroy our work and influence (kill us antitypically) by making us appear disreputable, unpatriotic, pro-German, etc. We are just noiv emerging from tltis condition, still somewhat mussed up in the public estimation, but freed from any present danger of being destroyed, no longer "likely to die," Jeremiah remained "in the court of the prison" (ch. .TTi'l and '■iH-.H') until the city fell. This seems to imply that the antitypical Jeremiah, while being released from Vrisotl awiiiting a re-lrial, will continue under bonds until the city (Babylon) falls and possibly a re-trial will be avoided, postponed, because to rc-tr>- this case novtf that war restraints arc removed, would lay bare all Jezebel's (Papacy*s) witclicrafts : how and why she was able to hinder tlie5c men from having their constitutional rights Hentefl them. This she will not pertnit. Thus (hey may go beyond the vail into the Heavenly KinRdom while still "in the court of the prison" with the stigma of arrest and incarceration still resting upon them. "WHY STAND WE HERE IDLE?" WKy stand wc idle? Has the ringing Word, "The Ktn^om is at liaiiU." now lost its worth? The hearts of eager audiences stirred At welcome tidings of the Kingdom's birth But for a little time. O'er all the eartJi Think you, so soon, the listening peoples heard .' Or have we lost our zeal? In times of old "Thy Word," the Prophet said, "was in my heart Like to a burning flame I cotild not hold Till the glad Word fiew speeding like a dart. Shall it be said it had no power to start Consuming zeal in our hearts blunt and cold? Great men of God have labored for His cause, Have suffered, and have died, and known no fear. So that the knnwledge of His holy laws Should be proclaimed. Today stands very near A prison "sepulchre" which, "garnished" here With honeyed words, yet no like witness draws! What shall we answer to these righteous men When we account for silent week on week? Wiat shall we answer to the -Master when He comes His faithful servants again to seek. And finds the Word He gave to us to SPEAK Lay buried in a napkin until then ? — Marx Bnrher. I. B. S. A. CONVENTION 3:30 P. M. — Discourse by Brother W. J. Thorne Subject: "FELLOWSHIP AND LOYALTY" 13 WE direct your attention, dear friends, to the words o^' the .Apostle John. 1 John 1 :3. .Vnd tlicre he says: "That which we have seen and heard declare wc iinio you, that ye also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with Ills Sun Jesiis Christ." . . , , . . . This world's fellowship, dear friends, may be con- sidered in tile light of partnership. I believe the Greek gives that thought, and therefore we could read it like this '*fof we have partnership with the Father and with His' Son, JcsHS Qirisl, our Lord." The thousht seems to be that during the last six thousand vcars there has been extensive business on the earth. The name of that firm is "Satan and Sons." And I am sure you will all agree, dear friends, that they have been doing a ilourishing business. They have been stih- slituttng the counterfeit for the real thing. They have watched very carefully the workings out of Gods plan and especially along the lines of God's dealings with the Church. Sut it seems that now. especially since 187j, that Satan begins to rcaliie, as well as those with him, that there is a new firm coming into cstistencc, and the name of this firm is to he "Jehovah and Son." And they are goinfr to deal with the things that are true, and arc going to estahlisli the world on a firm basis. There is a great deal ot opposition between these two firms, and evidences are that odds arc very greatly against the old tirm, atid the new firm will become citahlisbed in buiincsi and will never go out of business. The other, hoivever, will have to go completely out of business. We are very glad to see and to know that this is true. Jehovah tells us that at that time "Righteousness will encircle the whole earth, and the "judgments of the Lord will he abroad throughout the wliolc earth, and the pcupic will learn righteousness." Now. dear friends, in a partnership such as sujt^ested in the Bible, we can see how necessary it is that those who are taken into this business with Jehovah and with His dear Son must meet certain requirements. One of the requirements will be lo>'ally to the firm, and to its interests. And if there is any quality that is appreciated by men of the world, it is the quality of lovalty; and we helieve Jehovah and His beloved Son also appreciate loj'alty- "That is what God is looking for in those who are endeavoring, or striving to be members in that won- derful firm which is going to do business on the earth for a thousand years. "Obeiiaicc" then, in the Bible, is made a very importatit matter. Indeed the Bible even indicates that in God's estimation it is more important than "sacrifice," ^ You know sometimes we are apt lo go to an exlrerne in thinking that God is looking for sacrifice. That is true, dear friends, but the Lord also tells us that "obedience is better than sacrifice." And we have no more faithful e.tample or pattern than our Lord Jesus Himself : and you remember the Apostle, speaking of Jesus, uses these words : "That though He were a son. yet learned he obedience by the thing! which Ho suffered." Isn't that a wonderful statement? Does that statement suggest that at any lime in our Lord Jesus' experience — either in His_ prehuman existence or earthly existence — fie w-as disobedient? No! But it docs suggest the thought that when Jesus was in His pre-cxislcnt state with the Father, it was easy to be obedient because the conditions were perfectly satisfactory". But Ihe Ihouglit of the Apostle here seems to be that it would be harder to tic obedient in the earthly experience when every condition of life was against our Lord: even His dear .\posilcs could not understand Hitn. Wc find also that on one occasion the Lord even tested their !oy.iky and obedience by saiing something vcrj' sirangc to tbctn. He began to talk to them on one occasion about eating "His flcsli" and "drinking His blood," and He said to them "except ye eat My flesh and drink My blood, ye liave no life in you." We are told that "many ot tile disciples no longer walked with Jcjui." The thought seemed to be in their minds: "We liave heard enough ! We propose to go no further with you." We think that it affected their materialistic minds, Itclievtng Jesus was teaciun;; them somcihinji iKirti of a cannibalism, "Eat His blood, and eat the flesh? Tliat is enough, we don't wartl to hear any more." So many ceased to "walk with Him." But the ".-Vpostles turned not back." .^nd Jesus turned to ihem and said: "Do ye abo turn away?" They said, "To whom shalt we no. .Master? Tlion Uait tile words of Eternal Life." And altliough they didn't understand any more than the others what His words signified, they stayed by the Lord, and after Pentecost, when the Spirit came lo them and illuminated their minds and gave the significance to the Lord's words, they said they Wfre glad to stay with the Master, They were rew.irded. And so llic Holy Spirit came upon them, and it says they caught the true meaning. And except ii-e appropriate the merit of the sacrifice -inc have no life, nor wit! anyone have any life. But what a wonderful truth that was! Jesus then was obedient under the adverse conditions, and He learned "obedience by the things which He suffered." He was always lojal lo the Heavenly Father, even unto death, — even the death of the cross. "Wherefore, God hath liiglih- exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus, cs'ery knee sliould bow of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue confess the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Phil. 2:9, 10.) Dear friends, we will have to learn that same lesson. Every one of Christ's followers and disciples must learn the lesson of implicit obedience to God's will. And when tjod asks fur Ujc human will to be obedient to His laws, He is not asking any more of us than He would require of Himself. What a wonderful God we have! And then you remember, too, that Jesus in the eleventh chapter of Matthew, verses twenty*eight and nine, gives us a vcr>" wonderful lesson when He says: "Learn of me." for I am proud and haughty? No ! It doesn't say anything like that. He says : "Learn of Me for I ara meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Arc you ever troubled with pride, dear friends ? Per- haps nearly everj' one of us are troubled with this quality, Perliaps there may be one or two who are not, but I would like to get acquainted with you and find out what you look like. I am ashamed to tell you that I have a good bit of it sometimes. Brother Russell told us at one time that whenever you find that your backbone is straightened out, and you are walking up and down the streets thinkinn you, own the place, then place yostr«icU in a corner and give yourself a good talking to. Did you ever talk to yourself? Try that! I talk to myself a good many times just as a father would talk to his boy: "Look here, young man, I want 10 have a talk with you. What are you getting proud fthont^ Are you getting to the point that you are so important in God's plan that He can't get along without you? Don't you make any mistake about that. The Lj^rd will carry out His plans just as well without you, and really better, perhaps. You arc really in His way, but He just permits you to have these privileges, not that it helps Him out, but it gi\ei you an opportunity to show your love and zeal,'* How many mistakes we make! Most everything wc do has so be done over again. When I reason with myself like that I have two ".erscs in Isaiah 40:1.> 17. You wilt find them reading something like this; (Tiic Lord tells us how He regards the nations) "Behotd, the nations arc as a drop in the bucket, and are counted as the small dost of the balance: behold. He takcth up the isles as a very little thing. All nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity." 14 1. B. S. A. CONVENTION I thought t coiilit dcscrilw "nothing," hut if I attempt to describe somctliing "Icsi than nothinfi" that would be Fretty hard. And so I say to myself: "Young nun, if the .nrd louks at the nations that way. and regards ihcm a5 sinall dust, etc, then what are yon? You must be a speck of dust." And I say, "You Httlc speck of dust, don't forKCt that." When I get out of that corner, I feel pretty small. Let us remember that I (Laughter.) Someone says, "Now, Brother, of course those words apply to Jesus when He was on earth. Tlicy were so appropriate to Him, because He was not exalted at thai time, hut do you suppose that ie is just true of Hiqi today— 'meek and lowly ol heart'?" Tlie Apostle answers the question in these words; "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." (Heb. 13:3,) He is just as meek today. Jesus in His j^lorified state would not think of having His will done in anything. It is not tl>c will of Jesus which is done In Heaven. It is the will of the Heavenly Father. What did Jesus say? Did He say: "Learn of Mc for I try to please all with whom I come in contact"? Oh. not Jesus could not please even His disciples. And you know that at one time t made a great mistake along that line. I ysed to try to please llie brethren, but I got in bad, and I tried 10 please the sisters, too. and I got in bad. Attd I found out. after careful consideration, that the Lord Himself could not please all the Bible Students. I said to myself. "I( the Lord cannot please them, I don't see how I can." And did Jesus say: "I do always those things pleasing to the disciples"? Oil. no! Jesus did not make any mistake about that. He did some things very dis- pleasinti to them. On one occasion, when He was going up to Jerusalem, He talked about the thinss He was going to suffer, and one of the disciples said ; "Lord, be it far from Thee." What did Jesus say to this man? Did He say, '*! will be very frank with you, you are certainly very wise. I will follow your directions, thank you"? Oh, no! He gave him a very sharp reproof, and said, "Get thee behind me. .Adversar>'." He did not say "satan." That IS a bad translation. And do you know, dear friends, that if our Lord had followed St. Peter's advice, it would have led Him into the Second Death? I think that if some of the advice which is often given by the Bible Students was always followed, would frequently lead to the same place. And therefore, when the friends rome to me for advice i give them as little as I can, I say, "Weil, you will have to think that tnatter over for yourself; you will have to come to your own decision." The time has come when you and I cannot go to the brethren any longer and say, "Brother, whst would you do?" Because after they have told you what they would do, you find out that you will havc^ to do just the way you think best after very careful consideration. The time has come for faith to be estcr- cised. If you go to a brother or sister all the time and follow the advice of each one you are goinjf to be in bad most of the time. More than that, if you followed Brother Smith's advice all the time you would be following Brother Smith instead of the Lord, and you would not be developing the character pleasing to the Lord. You would be another Brother Smith. THAT IS WHAT YOU WOULD BE. The Lord trants you to be yourself. He does not want you to be any different from what you arc, so far as your individuality is concerned. He wants a variety. He does not want everyone to be the same. By way of illustration; Supposing the Pilgrim brethren were all alike, the friends would get so tired, they would say, 'They are ail alike ; they have the same mannerisms, the same phrase- ology-, etc." But is it not nicer, dear friends, when the Pilgrim brethren are all so dilTerenl? One has one way of presenting the matter, another has still another way, and thus the variety is so pleasing; and that, too, is pleasing to the Father. God wants yoa to he yonrstlf*. not Brother Smith, or Sister Jones.— but YOURSELF. Kceo your own individuality. Now to show how difficult it is to please the Bible Students, we note the Lord is not trying to do so. You remember the case of 1914: We. as the Lord's people, were expecting the Church to be glorified and the Gentile Times to close. The latter was fulfilled, for in 19U the Gentile Times did close; but the Church did not pass beyond the vail as expected. Then we also expected that there would be a great deal of persecution on account of the Truth, but that did not occur. And some became dis- appointed, and when 11)18 came, and the very things we were looking for did come to pass, those same Bible Students became disappointed because they did come to pass. Therefore, I have learned this lesson. 'Try to please the Lord just as Jesus did, and then we will have no trouble to please those Bible Students in harmony with the Lord. I can't even please myself. Sometimes I am so disgusted with the things I do; I don't feel able to please myself. I think we all feel that way. The great lesson is, as the Bible says, "God resisteth the proud." 'They are an abomination unto the Lord." (Jas. 4:6; Prov. 16 :5,) .i^nd so we want to be very wise alone these lines. Speaking of the matter of loyally, our Lord Jesus followed the course outlined for Him. He pursued that course to the very endl He followed the Father's will, and came out all right. So the Lord has given to you and to me a certain course, and if we follow that wc are going to come out all right. We are going to notice, dear friends, that dear Brother Russell, under the Lord's guid- ance and providence, was permitted to organiie the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. This organization has been in existence for over forty years and has accomplished the work up to the present time. We do not think or share the opinions with some that the Society is going to be smashed to pieces. We believe there are indications that the Society is going to continue its worlj throughout the .MilEcnnial Age, and wc think there are some Scriptural proofs which will be found in the thirty-eighth anil forty- second chapters 01 Jeremiah. And if you will just study those chapters you will lind that the word "Miipah" occurs there. And it means "WATCH TOWER." It goes on to say, "And they came to Mizpah." If we read the Scriptures aright, we believe there is yet a tremendous work to do for the Church this side the vail. But I think the Lord will not trust us with the great work yet, because if the Truth were to become popular and the millions of people (of the Great Company class) would say, "We find that you have the Truth now. and tlie clergy is wrong." If this iverc to happen, I think Bible Students would get proud abuut it. "We are the only people who are right after all." I suppose not one of us could be touched with a fifty foot pole, if that were to happen now. So the Lord is permitting all ihcsc humiliating experiences to remove from our hearts all pride. There is a lot of it in us yet. It is going on. Dear friends, the Watch Tower Bible & Tr.-vcl Society is going to be the means or channel the Lord will probably use during the Millennial Age. 1 think it is good enough for us to work on. and il Pastor Rus.scll founded the work under its auspices, I think we can do the same. You remember the Lord permitted us to undergo a tremendous trial to test our loyalty. When Brother Russell was alive he was so strong that wc would naturally lean upon him. And alt with him were pretty strong char- acters. You would rub up against one another, and say sometimes, "It does hurt, doesn't it?" But the Lord permits these things just to see if wc arc patient And the thought seems to be in our hearts, as wc express it sometimes, "W'htle Pastor Russell was alive everything went along all right." And everything did go along alt right, for he was a very able man and a righteous man, indeed. As we come to understand the Scriptures, dear friends, wc are beginning to recogni:'e this fact. And lo. and behold, about October 31, IBlfi. the great newspapers of the world annoimccd the fact that Pastor Russell had died- Pastor Russell gone' What will it mean? It will mean that the work will not progress. The Watch Tower will no longer be as it has been in the past. "What shall we do?" We did get disheartened, more or less. Well now, dear friends, have you missed a copy of the Watch Tower yet' No! It is just the same. And then the work continued, loo, and there were some wonderful things done after our dear pastor left us. God raised tjp those noble brethren who came along to eonduct the Society's affairs. Once more we felt en- /. B. S. A. CONVENTION 15 couraged. and said. "We are all right." But the Lord permitted somethint; to come to us apin, and these dear brethren have been taken away, and m more or less dis- may, the cry went up, "Now what is going to happen? What arc we going to do?" Dear friends, the work went on. The Watch "Tower publications continued and you have not missed a number yet. .Are they not even getting better all the time? Yes, ittdecd! And we wondered what the lesson was! [ believe, dear friends, if I can read the lesson aright, it is this : that God w^ints to teach us that this great work which the Society is doing is not man's work at a!!. It is not Pastor Russell's work. It is the work of the Lord: and the Lord could use anyone whom He is pleased to raise up. ^„„-,^^ . , Tlicrc is an invisible presence. It is CHRIST. And He has been appointed hy Jehovah as the Head over all ihe Cliurch. which is His body, and the Lord would have us remember this more and more, that He i* at the helm directing the affairs of the Society- When our dear brethren were taken away, they went in such a hurry that those who were left in charge said. "It is difficult to bring the ends together." They said to themselves that they were "greenhorns." Wc marvel at the Lord's won- derful providences and arrangements. We are teaming the lesson that she PILOT is our Ijwd, and the good old Ship Zion is not going to be wrecked on the rocks; but rather, that with its pilot on board, it will he hrnnght to its "desired haven." So it is all a lest of our faith. For my part I have been connected with the Society and its great work for about thirty years and I have not gotten tired yet. And when dear Pastor Russell was alive. I endeavored under the Lord's blessing to he just as obedi- ent to the arrangement as I possibly could tor I recogniied the Lord was back of it all. And then when Brother Russell passed away and the other brethren came in, then I said I am going to be just as obedient and loyal to the Society as when Pastor Russell was here, because ihat would be showing loyalty to the Lord and the friends. Then when they were taken away. 1 said : "I am going to show the same spirit to the other brethren who are put in there, and give them no trouble, or as little trouble as possible. I am going to fall in line with iheir arrange- ments and work with the Society, because it is still the Lord's arrangement," Therefore, I have received a bless- ing. Likewise, if you have done the same thing, yuu have received blessings. Now wc find that after a while some dear brethren were not pleased with what was going on, so they formed a new society. We are not going to condemn them. This is a free country and there is plenty of room for them, and for all, God forbid that wc condemn. They have ihit privilege if they want to do so, but I for one would not have dared to do anything like that. It is a very daring thing to do. For we know of incidents where men were not pleased with God's arrangements. You remember that it was so with Korah, Dathan and Abiram and his company, "They gathered themselves together against Moses and af^ainst .^aron, and said unto dtem. Ye take too much upon you." And so they rebelled. Y'ou know what became of (hem. You notice how these dear brethren formed this new society and issued a new paper which is very much like the Watch Tow'cr, very deceptive indeed. There is very good reading in it too, but the front of it is not the Watch Tower. It has a very pretty front. It represents a man blowing his horn: and there are several spirits around that also are blowing their horns. It is very suggestive! But if you look at the Watch Tower, you ^vill find there that beautilul illustration of the INVISIBLE PRESENCE. And it tells us plainly it is the Lord behind it .til. I could not think ot a better design than that which wc have on the front page of the Watch Tower, Dear friends, the Lord is looking for loyalty. Are we going 10 be loyal to Him? As our Morning Resolve sug- gests. "I will neither murmur nor complain at what the Lord's providence may permit, because faith can firmly trust Him come what may." H we remember that Morning Resolve daily, dear (riends, I am sure we will get a great blessing out of il. In Zech. 1.^:7 we read, "Awake, Oh sworti, against My shepherd and against the war, saycth Ihe Lord of hosts, smile the shepherd and I will turn My hand upon the little ones," Who are the Lord's humble followers? Those who do not think themselves great in their minds, but who like Jesus arc learning more and more to be meek and lowly of heart. Has the Lord turned His hand upon His little ones? Dear friends. duriitK the last year I suppose there never has been in all the history of the Society so many conventions ; nor have the Lord's dear saints been so refreshed before the year 1018,— in spite of the trials and tribulations. All these persecutions arc for what purpose? To make you and I take deeper root so that we may become grounded in the Truth; so that we will get to the point where the .Xposile intimates wc should : "Be ye steadfast in the Lord, immovable, abounding always." Dear friends, all these things, if rightly experienced, are designed by the Lord for oar hi^tiest good,— for the estaWishmenl in character, and God is going to make us partners to [he fullest extent. God wants those who will stick. He wants those to be loyal : and not be moved. The Apostle warns us in I Cor. 1-1 :20, and also gives us some very good advice. I am going to read it from the Weymouth trans- lation. "Brethren, do not prove yourselves to be children in your minds." What does that mean? The Lord reminds us thai for forty years He has been dealing with us as people, and the Lord would seem to speak to us like this: "My dear people, don't be children any longer, but more matured. Don't be moved about with what one brother suggests to your mind. Come to the point where you may be matured men. Do not prove yourselves to be children in your minds." "As regards evil, indeed, be utter babes, but as regards your minds, prove yourselves to be men of ripe years." "In understanding be men,"^ as Ibe other versions render it. The Lord would have us go over His leadings and providences in the past; and learn to think for ourselves, learn to be men, and under- stand things. Then, dear friends, if wc think for ouisclvcs and go to the Lord prayerfully and commit our ways unto Him, He says He will direct our path and then we won't be shifted about from pillar to post We will think for ourselves. We want to notice, too, that today Satan, realizing that tlie Xxird's dear people have a better understanding of God's plan than they ever had, is trying to work upon the emotions of the dear friends: and if diey are guided by their feelings on any matter, he will work upon their passions; and then judgment will go, and justice also. We cannot a^ord lo do this. Do yoM remember any'oody who went by their feelings and got left? You will tind that in the Bible. When Ismc went to bless one of his sons, he was guided by feelings to such an e:^tent that he didn't seem lo regard the Lord's dealings. Feeling favoritism toward his elder son, he was going lo grant the blessing handed down from .Abraham. He told Esau to go and prepare him some venison. And in the meantime Jacob and his mother got their heads together and il was suggested that Jacob knew something that would get him the blessing. And so, yon remember how- Jacob was brought into Isaac's presence by Rebecca. She had been careful beforehand to take the skin of the goat and put it around Jacob's neck and around his hands, and then when he came his father said; "Att you Esau?" He sas-s. "Y'es." "It is the voice of Jacob, but the hands of Esati." So the went by feelings and got left. (Laughter.) You see, it is a very easy thing to go by feeling. The religion of (Thrist is not the religion of feeling. God would have us to use our heads, and common sense.' As the Bible tells us in Isaiah 1:18; "Come let us reason together." What does that mean? Some call it gray matter. Others call il brains- The Lord wants us to use our brains. "Be no longer children, but be men." Now then, dear friends, if we are not very careful, wc will go by our feelings, and the next thing, we will be trying to steady the ark. Some of the brethren feel titat way about the Watch Tower Bible h Tract Society. Like the literal ark, when they were taking it to its destination it so happened that it tipped a bit as they were transferrins it over the road. There was one instance 16 /. E. S, A. CONVENTION when it actmcd as thoujih it i,vould Sail. Someone aaid, "I vi]]] go and steady h." He did and we know wha.t happened. He wns struck dead. If you and I iraerfcrc witli God's matters to steady ihn arrangements unduly^ wc arc sosng io sufTcr^ pcrh^iljs it will bu an etcrfial loss. We watit to remember the lesson that God impressed upon Moses' micid when he came to the bnrnins^ bush. Brother Russell suggests the first thing that Jehovah had to do with the man of whom ihe Efbie tells tis was the meekest man of all the earth. Jehovah had to remiuci AEoses ul the necessity of humility by telling him to take off his shoes: *Take off thy shoes from off thy tcct, for the place whtrcon thou stand est Is holy ground." Dc^1^ friends, that is the lesson for you. We are standing on ho\y groncid. and it is well for us to retntmber that. In the Watch Toucr of recent date wt notice the "burning bush" is used to represent God's people in their present earthly e:r wc have once made a con- secration to the Lord and submitted our wills, to taike up the will of another. Don't you notice that is illus- trated in the pvramid-' It suggests the individual passes under the granite leaf in order to get into the ante-room and into the King's Chamber, The granite leaf looks as though It were going to fall right down. And our dear Pastor suggests that e\'en iifter we have done that. there may be a time when you and I will take up the will of somebody else. Perhaps we will be tollowint Brother Smith, or some Pilgi-im Brother instead of following the Lord. Oh, how careful wc should bc^ And then, as Joshua aaid in his closing days: *'Qioose ye this day whom ye will serve, — but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." (Josh. 24 :h^.) So let us suggest^ dear friends, that we renew our consecratio[i to the Lord dail^. 1 so often say this. Perhaps sottie of the friends think I have got it on the brain. Eut I see the necessity of the daily renewal of tjonsecration. I have it on the brain, indeed. Jesus followed the Father's teadingrs. No matter whsfe the Father led he foUowtd. 1-Ie said, "I dqtight to do Thy will, O My God. Yea, Thy law is within My heart." How sweet. No wonder the Father loved Him. and honored Him so greatly. And if you and I will so do the same thin^. do you know, dear friends, the Lord Will honor us, too? J Won't it be wonderful when the guardian angel intro- duces us to the Master, and to the Holy mgels? Oh, that will be a wonderfu] things ! May the Lord help us all to he faithful and earnest and loyal to the Lord that we will not turn to the right or to the left, but go straight ahead as did Jesus ; and then wc will be £^vfrd, it we endure to the end. May the Lord bless these suggestions to our hearts. \ Brother O. Magnus on THURSDAY, Fellowship Day, Jan. 2d, 7.30 P, M. Subject: "GOD'S PRECIOUS JEWELS'* I AM very plea&ed- indeed to sec so many happy faces here this evening. It gives evidence that you are ImviiiH fellowship, and that fellowship is sweet, because you arq of one mind: For how gan two walk together unless they agree, and the better they agree the better or sweeter the fellowshtn. IVe wish to direct vour attenttoct tonight to God's "PRECIOUS JEWELS"— their Crystalli- sation and God's plan, outlined in the wonderful feature of His purposes therein displayed- You remember John the Revelator was privileged to have a vision of the entire Gospel and Millennial -Vges— the shifting scenes of Church and Slate; and then he pictured at the conclusion of this age that wonderful Heavenly City, that New Jerusalem, which is so perfect in all its workings — Just like a Hoyai Bride ready to be presented before the altar. And we know nothing could be missing at such an tvent as that, Soj as John on the Isle of Fatmos was privileged to see in vision these things on the Lord's Day, the John Class. Iking at the time of our Lord^s Second Presence, would he privileged to understand the meaninjj of what John saw then. He tells n<: whai he saw hack there, and if you and r bclonpf to the John Class we will Itavc the sweet privilege of understanding the tilings therein written. The Jirst thinsj the Lord did was to invite St. John to come up on a, high mountain^ aione with the Lord, and to view malters from God's standpoint. If yon and I were /. R. S. A. CONVENTION 17 privileged to l>e on a high mountain^ how woukl earthly things appear to us? Would they be very great and en- ticing? Not at lin The higher we would climb on the mountain the srnnller rhe things be"eath -ivould appoar^. Rivers would appear just like httle rlpijlea, and trees like patches of green; men and women would look like toys. Well, if you and I have taken that high and elevated standpoint, the earthly things will be jltst as little in our estimation as things would appear to those high up on the mount:tin top. But if the earthl>- things seem enticing and have a great de^l of tullueiice over us (.b^ks large and great), we are not very high ibp the mountain. We are pretty close to the base because they look so big and so real. But to ihe extentj then, that we are living in the Spirit and have the mind of the Lord, ihe earthly things will app4^ar like soap bubbles— hke toys — which amount to nothing. "Tor (he things seen" the Apostle says, "arc temporal"— they arc transitory, they pass away — but the unseen things tby the literal eye) arc the real things because they are eternal iu duration. He pictures this great Bride class under th« symbol of a city sur- rouLided by a wall having twelve foundations. '*And the foundations of tiic wall of the city H'e^^; garnished with all manner of precious stoneg." "ihe way and order in which they are mentioned illustrates to our mind their importance from God's standpoitit. Thefts arc. two standpoints, ami unless we get the proper focus on these things wc are apt to miss the lesson. I'or instance, when the Tabernacle was erected they started with the Most Holy first* They covered the Ark within and without with gold, and put it in' then ihe Vail; the Table of Shew Bread; the Candlestick; the Incense Altar and the Vail again. Then they reared up the Court; placed nest the Altar, then the Laver; and last, the Gate. So God started from within, working Out. We start from wJthouT, working in, Xow we wiih to view this from Cod's standpoint We read that the first stone in this wonderful foundation was jASPF.a> Why 50? What is the first and most impor- ^ — ^ tant thing for tis to know? It 15 ' about God, Con- sequently the Revelator in the 4th chapter of Revelations pic- tures Jehovah God and likens Him unto a. /bj- pcr sioy.i. ''And He that sat (upon the throne) was to look upon like a jasper stone/' and the light of that wonderful Being whs like the light ot a jasper stone most precious. Then Jtihqvah God \s the ttiost imiiortanx Being in the uni- verse. "God first T That is what wc have learned I That is the foundation of everythitig; because if we would omit God from the plan there would not be anything to it. So God is "first.-^ and He is like unto a jasper stone. Xoi that Jehovah God literally looks like a jasper stone, but there is something about ^bat stone that reminds the John Class of God. Now luT us see to what extent that is true. W'e have been told that the jasper stone crystalliies if properly cut to a shape of a pyramid— as it one is standing on top of the other— base to base. It is a green tinted diamond— the hardest substance known. It has eight sides, but four arc visible ai all times : no matter how you turn that stone you can sec four sides. But whiever one o\ tkese sides appears the laTL'est depends upon how you liold the stone. It says, this looks like Jehovah to the John Class in that this stone had us own l>ase. And it suggests to our minds that Jeho- vah IS sell -sustaining. He does not depend upon any one for Mis e.tistencc- He is the Great "I Am"l~rurtherrnore it is a j?rcen-tinted diamond— the hardest substance known— His Iiie IS what? Inherent life! The highest: kind of everlast- mg hte kniJWn. which ■^vc term immortality "green" — ever- lasting liiul Jehovah God has four attributes prominently brougVn to our attention in His Word: Justice, Wisdom^ Love and Power. .-Vnd otie of these attributes when it takes the lead seems greater and larger; whereas the other three are merely in uciison,— 'backirtj? the other up, m it were. Let us sec: For instance, when God condemned Adam to death the prominent side of God which was brought to our view was justice. Justice condemned man to death; but did love oppose? .\o ! Did wisdom or power oppose? No I They were in unison. However, justice took the leading part. The others were passive. You turn the stone again and you see God from another standpoint of His attributes: What do we find? His love is more extensive than his justice, for He brings to our attention that "He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Sott." Do we find justice in that attribute of love? Yes E Power!* Ves! Wisdom? Yes !: But love seemed the greatest at lliat time, and the other three seemed to be passive, — not doing anything. We realize what a wonderful love that was; — th* unspeakable gilt! X'ow then, God did not spare His only begotten Soui but gave Hitti freely for us all; and therefore love was very prominent at that time —the most prominent of all. His love was just as great as His justice. Love trinmphcd over justice! It found out how God could maiTitain His just decree and at the same time do someihing for His creatures. We turn the stone again and have another side just as grt.'?it : Here we have power brought to our attention. And sure enough, friends, we realize and appreciate that won- derful power when God took that glorious Being, the Logos, and transferred Hitn from the spiritual plane to the human plane, and then allowed Him to grow up to manhood, consecrate Himself; and then translcrrcd Him from the human plane to the Divine plane aiid never lose His identity. That took a woi^derful power. But then He tells us He will remember all the human race who, have died from Adam down to the present time, every one oi these, except the witfuUy wicked, He will reproduce: some on the spiritual plane, some on the Divine pbiie and some on the perfect human plane. He will resuscitate them all and never niakc a tni stake. Isn't that wonderful? tn that act of His power ihein^ do we sec justice, love and wisdom.? Indccau&c our mind* have been elsewhere. We have been disturlicd alwut something else. You should not look at the elements as St. Peter did. because that is the time wlicn wc beRJn to sink. Wc look at the present ditficuUies in the wortd, atid the Church* ctc,» and say: "What does this mean?" Satan says; "You >ec that great big cloud over there I That is coming fur youT* Yes* but it is goini; to break blessings over your head. That is the way it is if we just trust God. Now this ston^/was inclined to cling tenaciously to the dross while undeJthe cutting process. It would, therefore, require a great ffeal o^ heating in order to remove that dross; which shows that if we tenaciously hold on to these earthly natures and desires it may spoil us as stones in that wall, and we will have to take a Ics-^cr place or go with a greater company. So then. He brings to our atten- tion the class He is choosing and the steps that must he taken to obtain the prize. In the next stone He brills something else to our at- tention: The filth stone was a Jiardtinyx. This illustrates the cardinal virtues necessary in order to be able to be fitted for that place in the Kingdom. The ancients claim that the true sardonyx stone was straight, with a black base, a white centre, aud a red surface. Black represcnia what? Humility] Do you think we need that? Well, i( wc do not have humility as the very foundation of our car- dinal virtues we will become tophea-^-y and lose out. Humil- ity is the essential principle, and Brother Russell has called pur atttniion to this; Tiut it is more necessary than "abil- ity. ■ Tt matters not how well wc arc able to express Ood*s fnirpQscs and plans, if we have not the proper kind of bu- mihty It is troing to take us somewhere before God gets LhrouRh with us. But humilitv must have another virtue, ind that is purity. Why? (Chastity!! They must alt be rirgms at heart, .^nd not only that. He brings the fed to fiur attention, which represents sacriHee! Martyred: willing lo spend and be spent in Gods service. Those are the three cardmal virtues, .^nd this sardonyx stone ivas used for Signets and cameos. Oh yes, inscriptions were made on this fctone and various imaecs were engraved upon it. What ^°" V 1"'* stiRKest? The character development of this class. The l^utd is working on that class whom He is m- kfiting to 3 hiKh station and if we have these three virtues horoughly ir^ heart and mind He will be able to carve the nscriptinn-His own— and the image of our T-ord. So Ihcn, It js not only putting it into the heart, but cutting tt riRht in. It IS not as if vou would write something on a itouc which might be easily rubbed olT. Xo, it is cut in ! It will stay! So wc have the image of our Lord and otir Heavenly Father cttl into our very actions, so that wc might say, like D.ivid; "My hrart is fivrd," U otir heart fixed — determined, that "come what may," we will be loyal to the Lord? Whatever cutting there is to he done, it is going to bring out the image of our Lord: so "wc are be- holding as it were in a glass the JmaiiC of the I^rd," we are changed from glory to glory, as by the spirit of the Lord," After this class has reached its perfection of character what arc they going to do when they get up there? Well, we used to think we were going to sit on a cloutl and play a harp throughout all eternity. We wondered sometimes how monotonous that would be. But we thought of others that would share the same thing, and concluded we could stand it if they conld, and it would be aH right. But the next stone shows what they are there for. .\nd it says, the sixth stone is a sardius. That was the ancient precious stone— the stone upon which they did all their engraving. It looks like raw Aesh! And Jehovah is likened unto the sardiifs stone. Whyi* He has the human family here to whom f'^e made promises too. They were smitten in Adam, and nearly everything which originally existed was wiped ouL Kow, He says, there is going to be a day when that class is going to have that image put in their heart, and written in their very being. The class who have gone through the very same experiences would be the most suitable ones to assist the human family in restoring that image back again. So, then. He is not going to forget His earthly creatures. No indeed! He says, "Can a woman forget her sudcing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes. they may forget, yrt will T nnt mrget thei-,** He will never fofgcl those lost in Adam but redeemed by Christ. He is going to show in that WORLD'S BIRTH- D.AY how the original image will be put back into their hearts and make the very character that .-Vdam had before the fall. That will keep us busy, won't it? Yes! Let us be faithful. This Is what John saw! The seventh stone would also briiirc to our attention the next thing in order. .After wc have learticd about Jehovah's wonderful character and His universe: His kingdom; the development and call of this class; and their character de- velopment, and the human race perfected what would we next sec? We would see God's wonderful wisdoni theieiu displayed. How?' Sure enough the dtrysolyic stone (the seventh in order) which was a golden stone, tinted with green, and ver>' transparent. We read in James ,1:17, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, wiUiout partiality, and without hjijocrisy." And you re*' member in Ezek. 1:IC, it reads: "The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the color of a beryi** lio-wcvci'y this should read; "the (hrysotyif." because the description ol that stone answers perfectly, arKl **they four had one likeness and ibeir appearance anti their work were as it were a wheel within a wheel." In other words. G&d's wisdom is displayed in that wonderful plan; Age lapping over age — perfectly showing His wonderful wisdom: "that known unto God arc all f-lis works, from the foundation of the world.'* So that is the iiofdi-n stone, showing God's mar- velous wisdom displayed in His wonderful character which He has shown forth. After we sec these wonderful things, lie ffocs over the ground more thorous^bly as to how the world of mankind will reach human perfection! .-Vnd by what means' Or, what is going to l>e use' of the six thousand years. For instancei it says: "Ji»Ioreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the itght of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breech of His people, and healeth the stroke ol their wound." What does He mean by that? At that time the Old Testament Scrip- tures will be just as plain to mankind as the plain state- ments of the Gospel. "And the Gospel light," will be just like "seven suns'* — perfect life. Why? Because of the light of the seven days— seven thousand years. And if they question anything^ they have the living actors here atid can find out just eisactly what these things meann Thereforeh they will not need to read and ponder about Enoch. Some one says: *'Enoch, 1 want to know where you have been] I don't believe that statement in that book." And Enoch will be right on the scene, and will ?ay, ''I can tell you where I have been." Which would they rather do, read the record about him or have a talk with him? Well. I would rather |iave a talk with him. Furthermore, "how about Xoah and the ark? We have been reading about that," but when they have a talk with Noah it will he made perfectly plain, won^t it? Yes E Also about Jonah and tiic whale. Some one will say, "1 don't believe that, Jonah! Tell us about that: Did you swallow the Avhale. or did the whale swallow you?" So it will be opened up so perfectly E Why? Because there are the living actors corroborating the Scriptures, How many mftdels will there be then? None] How many higher critics? None! They will l>e lower critics then. But in studying God's Word, what wilt they find? They will discover that there is a solution. Ami in this they will discover also God's benevolence to His creatures. The next and ninth stone—a topaa— was also green. It tiad twcnty-si.'; sidesi Well now, the two pliases of the kingdom atid the whole earth will be perfected under the figure of twelve — heavenly, and twelve earilily: But here we have twenty-six? Yes, but there is goin^ lo be a class that has been ruiming for the high calling who will lose out in the second death. And you will alsn find a class among the human race who will go into everlasting death— destruction— for in the sixty-sixth chapter of Isaiah and twenty-loitrth verse, we read: "v\nd tliey shall go torth. and look upon the carcasses of tho men that have trans- gressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall tlietr fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh." They will recogciize the justice in God's plan, and also God's benevoles^ce even towards these: Yes! So the plan will reveal to them that there will be some that Mrsit bt: lost. .'\nd after we see that, next in order, would come the tench stOEie, the cftrysapmsus, \\b3t does that illustrate? Constant^ cheerful endurance. That stotie is yellow and green, and it has a cloudy c^ect. It is very hard and in trcquetitly cloudy^ due to microscopic cavities. What does that mean? The stone is hard and is capable oi en- during hardtK'SS. It wit! show God's cheerful endurance. He never lost His temper once- That will reveal God to ihem as they never have had God revealed to them be- fore. They will $ee in it all God's long suffering — His endurance — and also that class will have that same char- acteristic. When the clouds of trouble come, it will onl. make them more firm, more determined to do the Lord's wiEL So, then, dear frietidSj it isn't ^e trials that you and I have, but it is the way we meet our trials, that will deter- mine where we are going to be. For the same trial that will make one fit for the kiiigdont, will make another one sub- ject to the second death. Would you say the trial did it? Not at all [ It is the way they met the trials. They both grow: That is true! And one grows sweet and the other sour. They both grow you see, Due to what? One class, in every experience in life is endeavoring to learn the les- son in the trial, and the other class is looking for somebody for which to shift the blame. And the one who looks for the lesson^ the trials become stepping stones all the way along: but the one who looks for some one to shift the blame upon, the trials become stumbling stones all the way along. That is just exactly what Adaicc did. You remem- ber God said: "Adam, why did you take of the forbidden fruit :'^ Adam said' "I am sorry but the woman you gave me asked me to do so. You know I got along very nicelyL and by the way she is a gift from you — consequently it is really yotir fault." So you see he shifted the blame on hij wife and God. God turned to Eve and said, "Why did you do that? I told you to be a help-mate to .\dam." Did she say, "i am sorry"? No] She said, "The serpent be- guiled me," But the serpent could not ,speak for himself^ and had to take all the blatne. It takes more courage V say, "that was my fault" than it would to jive a wonder- fu! discourse. Why: Becau.ic of self I So in these trials they will either fit us for the Kingdom or make us un* suitable for the Kingdom — cither one or the other. You cannot blame the trial on your wife neither Can she blame the husband. You cannot blame anybody but yourself. We don't want to do like the little school boy. Th« teacher found that some of the scholars were inattenti to their lessons. Therefore, she ihoughtn "Now, I will 5« if I cannot in some way direct them." And so she said, "Now children, if you find anybody looking oft the book^ I will be very pleased indeed if you will tell me about thai boy or girl." And so there wa* a little fellow who said to himself r "1 don't like Johnny Smith very well; if I see him look off his book I will tell the teaclicr/* And sure enoui^h John Smith looked off his book^ and the little fellow marched up to the teacher' and said: 'Teacher, Johnny Smith looked ofl his hook f" The teacher replied: ''Indeed! And were your eyes on your book when you saw him?" So they all had a laugh on him. and he hannched his head and marched hack to his desk, disappointed. So then when we are attending to somebody else's affairs remember \y are neglecting our own every time. And I tell you. tViends. the more we learn to attend to our o^vci affairs, the hettei /. B. S. A. CO.V FZIA^r/O.V 21 for all conecrned. Tell your troubles to Headquarters. Von can put all the complaints you want there, aud tell the good things to the irieodsr That is a good rule by winch to follow, Vou will never have any trouble tiie]i, and no misunderstaiidiiiLf will occur if you do that. So then in all these various exncrjences this class Is doing w[i:iir Enduring hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. The next and eleventh stone is the jacinth: That is a wonderful stone: It crystallizes in many wutiderfnl ways. The stone itself is colorless, but the blue is distributed in patcnes. And it looks like — you might say — sonietliing round-poisitcd at each end. It is a sjx-sided pyramid. So there is a pyramid at each end. It has insets just like the shape of the stone. That stone has been called "uiKhaniEfeable- ness." Why? Well, let us see : After the world has learned about God's wonderful character, and all L4is creatures have been brought to per- fection^ they are to liave what? They are gomR to have a grand review of the pian: All heaven and earth — all His creatures are ^oing to be brought [offether iit one. fherc will then be a great rehearsal. A first drama: and j;ou will eJipect to find somethini^ like that in that stone. And that is just what we find. If you lay the stone down this way (long ways) it arches from point to point, it has J pyramid at each end. \ye thus learn what? In God's tyeat purpose from the time of Adam's creation to the en f of the millennial age, ymi wi[E find the drsma of enrth. You will find a pyramid in one end at that time — the man Adam. And you will find another one at the other end — the -Man Christ Jesus. As Adam brought imperfection— sin^ sLs-sided through his disobedience — Christ Jesus^ by means of His loyalty blotted this imperfection out of existence* And you will find the three worlds pictured there; three tngets and three harbors. You turn the stone up this way (lonjcr ways) you will have the same four steps to glory as you found in the other stone. And these patches of blue in the 5tone> when properly cut, ^ive Color to the whole stone. So likewise, in prop- erly mtcrpreting the ages and purposes of God^ it brings harmony out of al! these wonderful things which seem to indicare, for the time beings that God was changeable Kim- self. However, God is unchangeable if we properly inter- pret the matter. It brings out God's glorious plan from start to finish, and you see then what a wonderful Being our God is, \\t\\, now we have the grand review — remembering this is just the way St. John sees it. This is what the John class see. You say: "Well, where did you get it from? Did you get it up here (pointing to bis head) r" Not a bit ot jr. The Lord had a servant hcr^, who w.^s faith fnl in S'^''"S (5ut the proper allowance of food at the right time. Therefore, the twelfth stone was the amethv-st. It was J"^^ I>H^ The Jasper stone, having a base to base: but it was three-Sided, instead of four-sided, ft is called a royal stone. There is a legend about the amethyst, that if any one drank wine from an amethyst cup they would not become intoxicated. We do not know if that is true, but we do know this: that ihts cup which that servant poured — six volumes of Scriprurc J , ,. Studies— did not make us drtmk. did It. ^ Vou can drink all vou hkc from tnat cup and [ leU you it kept us sober all right. It 15 a royal stone. It is, in color, violet bordering on pur- ple; composed of a strong bine and a deep red: So the:i it is that royal color— loyalty to tlic ransom. Oli yes, we used to think we were only hobbyists on the ransom, but that is our iiixTin doctrine, and like a scarlet thread, it runs through ail the doctrines: Loyalty to Christ and the heavenly Father, and otie another, and loyalty to Uod's purposes and plans, and to His children atid all. Now noie: Who was it that showed the Jolm class these things? Rev, 21:^1; "And there came onto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and lalked with me, saying. Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." Then He showed him a beautiful woman? Oh tio ! He showed him that new Jerusalem. Which volume was it? It was one of those seven. It was the seventh volume which was used to ex- plain that cit^ to you and me, the details of whieh we now have the privilege of understanding. Don't you sec that it was that stone— the summary of all contained in those volumes put toseth^r, which is the cup? Yes I ^\ c want to talk to yon about the pcari. It is a devel- oped stone. The pearl is unlike all other Jewels. But this pearl was developed. Now^ we sec the reason why the little flock in a particular sense is likened unto the jewels: In Matt, l3:4o, 46; "The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a merchant man seeking goodly pcarl,'^, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, attd bought It/' We al! recognize who that was f Our Lord Jesus came down here on carih and sold all He had to piirclrase the pearl— the pearl being the Church. Yes, thrLt is iSe most precious of all. Now you know the heav- enly beings are like these precious stones, for even Lucifer in his perfection is said to be a preciou$ stone of "thin covering." What about the pearl? Are they made that way? No, tliey arc developed. How? In the oyster shelly by means of a foreign substance coming into that shell the oyster is throwing one coat or layer over this foreign substance: Thus layer aftef la}'er is put on, and it is so thin that it cannot be discovered by the naked eye. and these layers with thousands of angles: and with all the colors of the rainbow. As a result of the oyster putting on layer after layer, the pearl is developed, until it is just simply reflecting all the rays of the sun^ the rainbow and the light. As the rays oi Hght surround it, it transmits a marvelous beauty. You sec the picture: If wc think we are somebody, just remember we are likened in this picture to an oyster, and it has about as little brain as anything alive. But this foreign substance Uiat conies into contact with the oyster is what? The new creature— the new mind. It is not something of the old mind at all. It is the new mind, and what are wc to do with this new mind? Develop it. HowP "Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little." (Isa. ^;I3.) And just put one layer on after another: What for? That we might get the knowl- edge, and thus have wisdom. And since the Lord has fur- nished us with the knowledge and we arc feasting upon God's wonderful promises and it develops in us rightly we will receive of that pearl-like quality. Do we see then the reason why the great company class could not be likened to pearls? They fail to apply what the Lord has provided in the way of food. They are not putting over the layers. but are allowing something else to take their attention and thus do not become pearls. Now then the gates of that wonderful wall of the city you remember was jost pearls. We sec then why the little fiock IS likened unto pearls, and likened unto gates. And the great company shall enter through the gates. They will not become gates. Why? Because they will not become pearls, Tlierefore, if you and I hope to be of that pearl class, you see what wc need to do. We must make use of all the good things the Lord has provided in His Word for that class; and if we do so, friends, wc will develop that pearl-like ([uality. If we do not, and eat only of the leaner foods we will he lean in character. Therefore, may the Lord bk-rs us with a gr^iter defermination that we will have all those quaEities '.ere pictured as being in that wall in that new Jerusalem class, and thus hear, eventually, the "Well done." Amen! n L B. S. A. CONVENTION Friday, 2:30 P- M., Discourse by Brother T. Toujian Subjects "CHRISTIAN UNITY'' WE art very ebd ta Ijc with you, dear brctliren. Wc t>ntig Id you the greetings of iht; friends ol n^aiiy phtt^s ori the way. They wanted to be with you. Tlicy all iiiay lliat Uiij couvcutton may bft a success. And wc btlitve it is, l\\ harmony with our subject we call your atlcntSon to ?S£Lhn \2ti: "Eehold how good and how pleasant it [s for brethren to dwell together in uttity. It is like t!ie predous ointment uyon the hcad^ that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's begird: that went down to the skirts of his garment. As the dew o^ Hermou, and as the dew tiiat descended lEpoit the mauntains o^ Zionj for ihcre the Lord commaitdcd the blessing — even life for evermore.'' In the midst of this great comnrotion, tribii Litton, dta- trcsSj revolution^ war, unrest, indeed it is the hardest proposition to "dwell logether in unily." However, it is possible if wc have the power. What power? "Not by might, nor by (human) power, bnt by My spirit, saith the Lord o( hosts." (Zeth. 3:4.) It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can dwell in unity; and those who remain faithful to the end. keeping tiie Christian unity, arc moro than conquerors ► They will shine mosl briiliantly in the Kingdom, The Lord has a wonderful place for those who will remain faithful to the end and become the last members of the body of Christ, Otir Lord Jesus said^ "He that reapeth, receivqth W3}*es/' (John i'MJ) Now, dear friends, that we have gone so far in this narrow wayt shall we stop, or go ahead? I say, by God's grace we wi31 ^o ahead. "Wc arc not of them who draw hack unlo pordction, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul/' (Heb. 10:39.) That is what wt expect of each one this afternoon. We expect that every consecrated dbild of God will strive to make his calling and election stire, and attain that wonderful Kingdom which the Lord promised on^y to ihc ovtrcomers. Oh, what a "hi^h calling" we have. How high? "Higher than the heavens." "Eye hath not seen, nor car heard ', neither have entered in the heart oF man tht things which God hath pr^^pared for them that love Him." (Tsa. 64:4; I Cor, S, 9.) Do you think for a moment that wc will draw back? ■^'o, wc will not. However, as today is a day of "exami- nation/' we want to examine ourselves to see if we have in our hearts the spirit of Christian unity or not. You know people at large are governed by sentiment, Thfi world is guided by leaders, by influences. Tliercforc, today they are for, and tomorrow they are against certain propositions. You know how it was a little while ago; when you talked about "peace" they put you in jail. Now^ whiirt ^ou talk about T.var, they will put you in jail. WhaL is the matter? You know why! Why? Because they are governed by seiitiment»—*'wi shy-washy," that is aEI. But to us, there is one God; one Christ; one baptism: one principle. War or no war, it doesn't make a bit of difference. You cannot change a man who is governed by printiplCr ^tow there are principles that under tie "Christian Un ity .^ ' I f u*e I earn these princ i files, we will rema i n faithful to the end. If not. we might just as well get outr Therefore^ the Lord is proving you, proving mc, to sec if wc are governed by certain principles of the doctrines of Christ, What do \ve learn about the prin- ciples of Christ? Oh. dear friends, we learn certain laws: certain regulations that will govern our conduct, and our thoughts, and our actions. If wc do not learn these prin- ciples wclK and put thetn into operation, we will never get there at all. Tf we are not united here, we will never be unhed there. There is a separation or division of mind. It Implies, thcreforcn dear friends, that one party is wrong, somewhere. I^t ns realtie the imuortance of "ChristiFiii Unity," Let the dear friends sacrifice everi^thing which is not a principle : Your opinions, your likes and dtsHkcsH your sentiment, your reputation, j^our pocketbook. Yon know that is a hard proposilioti for some. I was it) T^^as, meeting with a congregation (20 strong L B. S. A. members), atid they hired a place, and only had to pay $S.O0 per month. And yet they were two months behind the rent. I told them, "You will never be in the Kingdom." (Laughter.) i said^ "If you haven't any oi the spirit of sacrifice, as much as a common ordinary church member, you better quit." For pity's sakci a church of twenty members must support a reverend gen- tleman; and besides that, seiid eggs atid milk, and 1 don't kncv/ what else. But, dear friends, when wc come to the Lord and ntake a full consecration of ourselves* we say, '*Ail for ^esus ! AH for Jesus, but not a cent to Him. I won't give my money/' I am ciot taking any collectiotis this afternoon. So don't worry about that. (Lauj^hter.) Hut 1 tell you. dear friends, when the Holy Spirit gets into our heads and hearts, it goes into the pocketboak as well, and I Would be ashamed to go to a congregation where they can't pay their rent for a meeting place. I think they will learn their lesson later. But, my friends, here is the thoujrhtt When we sivc our hearts to God, we give all. That inchides everything. I am sorry many of us are governed by this idea that the "money that I have is mine J My wife is mine, and my children are mine." They are noT' Don't you remember the text yesterday morning? "Yc are bi>uijht wtth i price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." You are purchased! If this body belongs to somebody else, then that wdnich belongs to this body belongs to somebody else, too. It includes your pocketbook and everything else. Let us live the true Cliristlike life- Give ail to the Father, rcaliiing whatever we have. We arc simply stewards over God's jffoods. That is all: we are His by creation. Wc are His by justiS- cation. We are His by consecration. We arc His in every l^'ay. Our bodies arc His, and also as New Creatures, wc are the sons of God. We have nothing to our name: all belotics to T-fim. i The Psalmist evidently here in this Psalm paiJiled a' wonderful picture of the unity of Christians— the unity of the Gospel Age. You know the very wortl '^David." means Beloved, And Jesus received that name at His con- secration. The Lord says, "This is My only begotten Soil in whom I am well pleascdn" "My beloved Son," or "My David." Jesus received the name Davidn Therefore, David was a xy^f, of the Christ— the head: and the Church which is His body; and as we well know today. David is a man of war: so the Church Mihtant is a man (if w^ar. And in these daj's they do lots of fighting, and they put them in jail because they fight too much. You cannot call them' paci^stA. but thr::y fiffht tins man here — the ylU mmi, Thtj fight the world, the flesh and the devil. Tt is a fight, friends, in which no common, ordinary man. or general on earth can participate. It is impossible that any human being on earth can fight the good "fight of failh," eitcept one who has the power of the Holy Spirit in his heart. Therefore. David iays, "How good, and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity," How sweet 1 You know that for yourself. If there is no inharmony, oh. ho^v sweet it is. We want to come to the meetingn and after the meeting is over we go home, about twelve o'clock midnight, and after we go home we think about the brethren you know% "How good and how sweet it ts," Isn't it remarkable. You have had the experience, and have it yet. "How good and how sweet it is for the dear brethren to dwell toffether in unity." How good! Dear friends, the illustration ts a grand one. "It is like a precious oint- ment," What is the precious ointment that was poured on Aaron at the time of consecration? It was poured upon the head and came to the neck, then to the shoulders. then to the bod3% and then to the feet; and the whole oil went to the feet. ^?o wonder the feet class are '^oily," There is plenty of it- No ivonder that we have so much of it. I tell you we need it too, so that wc will not scratch L B, S. CONVENTION 23 one another, We need to be lubricated well to keep the spirit of utiityn Atid wc will need a lot of oil before we get through.' You take a piece uf m^ichinery and run it without oil, and it will have a "hot box." And so. my frtciids, if we don't have plenty of oil, we will have a i^oi box" too. Tt will show tomorrow how much oil we have in our oil boxes v Are we of the class who reeeivcJ very much oil in our vcsseEs? Or are we of the Sooliih virgin class? It is onCf or the other. May the Lord help us show the spirit of Christ, and show really and truly that we are of the ciass spoken of here! "Plow good, and how pleasant it is for the (dear) brethren to dwell together in unity." Xow< friends, we see Aaron there, and when the oil WhIS poured upon tils head, it lubricated all his body for it went way down his garment. There he stood, as the Advocate of the Je^vish people. There he realized he had a verj* important mission to make good the broken cove- nant. .-Vs he stood there he was lifted in the spirit, and he said "what a grand, and glorious office I have that I am a Hi^jh Priest over the people of God," and when Aarott on the Atonement Day, came and made "at-one- mcnt" between God and man. he satd; "Oh, God, how thankftd I am for this olTice! What a high calling this is I" (This is ordy typical you know.) It was indeed a "his;h calling." Hc was called of God, St. Paul says, "N'o man can take this honor unto himself, except he that is called of God," CHeb, n'?:'tO And he was called of God. And it \vas a rcmarkabk call at that. N'ot only that. Aaron's sons received the same anointing that he received. They did not receive an individual anointing. Xo. even as we did not receive an individual anointing. We received the anointing which is in Christ Jesus. We arc anointed as we become part of Him. Therefore, his sons received the same unctjon from the Holy One; and consequetiily they were ^lad. Oh, they were happy that they were also under-pr tests. And again, dear frieaids. the perfume of the oil was so soothing to smell the fragrance. Ok how sweet! "How good it isl" Nosv, dear friends, in this picture this is a type of what? "Christian Unity." The oil anti-typical was poured on our Lord Jesus at Jordan. There He received the whole, great amount of oil^ without measure, because He had a very larjje vessel. He had a perfect vessel. He could have plenty of it. Tltcn, dear friends, for three yeari and a half the oil Came down and ran below the head. Then, after His ascension on high, the oil dropped upon the neck. The apostles receivc^the holy anointinjf oil, and dien it came to the shoulders, ^^ow, if there was no neckj there wcuhl be no oil there^ and so, dear friends, the apoaties were the connecting link between the head and the body. They h?j tweh-e places if you please in the body, — as if thcviVcre immersed into the neck of the Christ, from whicV^ ' they received the anointing. Therefore, we tan understand the thought of the Apostle Paul *'Fil] tap that which la Ijchind of ihc afnictjoiia cf Qiii^L Eii my Uqih (not for the head's sake but) for His bodv's sake* which is the Church." (CoL I'M.) And the oil ran down all during the ages and saturated the body. Suppose a person became a rib member, the oil went right over it. But tf it were not there, the oil conid not go over it. If wc have not Eht; spirit of Christ, we are ''none of His," and if you are not in the body, the oil will not go over you. Then later on, when due time came Chinee 1S7S) the Lord bcRan to deal with what is called in the Bible the "feet m-cmbcrs"— the last members. We have come to the ex- treme time of the feet members. In fact the heel members, if you please. Now, dear friends, as tong as wc, as mem- bers of Christ, remain in this great body wc will receive the hoty anointing oil. We will have the spirit of unitv. Or, reversing it, if we have the spirit of Christian unity we are members in His body now, prospectively; and. thank G od, bye a nd bye we wil I have a gtor i ous body which ihe Lord promised to the faithful. '^^ remarkable thought, dear friends, that our dear Heavenly Father does place each one in the body as it plcaseth Him," You remember that it was the dear mother of John and James who came to our Lord and "^^kV^^^i^^ that her two sons (nice looking and certainly noble boys) might have a prominent place in the kingdom. one on the right side and the otiier on the left side, and Jesus asked the question; "Are yc able to drink of the cup that J liiiall drink of?" Oh, yes, "we are abEe." So they knew what He meant. "But so far as placing you in tiie body is concerned that is not My prerogative, but Jeiiovah God Himself is the one who does the placing. But if you eat of My body (in mind) and masticate it well, — digest it well, you will be perfectly contented with your place in the body of Christ." What a glorious thing It is that the Lord has passed thousands and millions ol people, and has given to you and to me the privilege of becoming members En the body oi Christ. If we come to the Lord in prayer and supplication^ asking Him that He may guide and direct us, thai impEies that He will hear our prayers. If we pray^ the Lord will guide tis in the important work we are about ready to enter into. After you go to Him m prayer, and then use your common sense (if we have any, and I think wc have some), wc Can leave the thing in the Lord's hands and say, "Amen." There is one lesson I learned during 1915: it took me fourteen years to learn it— some of us have thick brains. I was with a large coiigrcgation [n tha West, and a ques- tion of great importance came up, whicii resulted in a great amount of trouble. I was on the minority sidCr Sometimes they call it the "G" side, because tiiat means the Seventh Book. I was on the minority side and wc feit we must do our duty, and tell the friends that if they took a certain course it would be detrimental lo the interests of the congregation. We put the matter Just as strong as we knew how. Later, however, the matter went the other way. It was a hard test, because it meant a great amount of suffering. However, I made up my mind once and for all that I would abide by the decision, and if the congregation made a mistake they have to suffer, and not I, because I told them not to do that. By the way. since theti I found I was wroEig. But I kept my mouth shut. Some brother said, "Well, how do you stand ? Have you changed your mind?" I said, "No, I believe I am right, but I am keeping my mouth shut, I am in harmony with you to the extent that I close my eyes. I will act as though everything is fine. Brcdircn, God bless you^ wc will unitedly co-operate." And as the result, we are before yo;! here this afternoon trj'ing to talk. The Lord gave us the priviitg^e and blessed us abundanJly, bec3.uEc we were governed by a wonderful principle. But if I. would raise trouble after the decision, I would be in the depths of outer darkness. [ was not governed by senti- ment. No, by God's ^acc, I was governed by principle. In many congTC^ations, I find they eat the food, but they cannot talk until after the matter is decided. Then the steam goes out. And the first thing you know there is confusion. Well, what is the matter? Let the steam out. Punch the steam out before it is decided. Go ahead and put it as strong as ;you can — then keep your mouth shut That i^ the Way I vtiM da. It ETii^^lit tumc uut in hancjuiiy with my views, or it might not. As a brother said, ''Why, there is a man who had ears that long (three inches), but he had sense. He was riding on a creature with ears only about one foot long. And the time came that the Lord used the one that went on four legs. The Lord asked: \\'hy do you whip him so hard? What is the matter* don't you see the angel before him?" I tell you, my friends, the I^rd can use anyone. If the Lord's people toll us that they want it this way. and [ say I want my way, too. — who is boss? The Lord^s people. I find, too. many kinds of people. In one congregation three brethren couldn't agree vvith the Seventh Hook. X said, "What is the matter with you?" Well, we had a question meeting, and it lasted for about three hours. And we talked pro and con. and then these brethren began to talk ahout different things, and I caught on to where the trouble ^vas. I made a suggestion, something to the effect that those elders in the Church were "not supposed to be bosses"; they must not rule the congregation, for they were servants. They said, "St. Paul states, "Let those who rule get the greater proportion of honor," "Oh/* I said. "I sfie the point now. You want a double portion of the honor before you work like him. then get the proportion." Hoav is that? Oh, he worked himself to u I. B, s. A. coNv a .V no n death. HerCp brother, you ought lo do just as Pastor Rus&cll (lid {yau dccted him 3S elder or pastor). When he wrote a tetter to you brethren, tlii^ is wliai I think he u^Ui^lly wrote, "If yoii don't Mke it, put it in ihc vva^tc basket.'' He did not say, "Here, you have got to do so and so/* Ob, no! I tell you, dear friends, many people ha^'c the wron^: idea of witac it mcins to rule the Church. If there arc several hobbyisis (you know some people have hobbies: Some look at the sturs, and ajc always talking about the Great Company. One pJace I visited they didii'L talk of anything else for six months but "Great Company") I would stigscst, iriends, why can i you do this way: "The Sixth Volume says if a brother h4& a hobby, lee him let out the Aieam for haif an hour and let him talic all he wants to. Then say to the class: "Do you want iliis horrible ituff any more? Those in favor of it kindly manitcst same by a right hand vote'.'* These things are slopped like that [snapping thumb], but the trouble is this, we don't read or study the truth. We talk about tlie thrice double sword, and tiie point (you have heard itui: ^Thrice double"^ — three times two makes what? Six), but most of the friends don't know anything ahont it. They try to get the "point" without having the stock. You can't do that. If a brother has a knowledge of that Sixth Book— the encyclopedia of the New Creation, he can cut out rhe hobbyist. You can fix everything so nicely and beautifully. VVhy, friends, the study of ihe-ie thing*; win cause you to increase and abound in grace and love and knowledge. In connection with this thought we would like to emphasijEe one point, i. e., this mailer of ruling. I find that there is danger for us to go into the nominal condi- tion. You knovi- what that is. It means just camouflage — something that isn't there, iVow the tendency for us is to slack our energy and say^ easy now: "1 believe in the ransom. I am saved.'* However, the apostle said, *'I brow-beat my body> I keep my body under." Wc roust strive^ and try hard to do this every day. ^Ve should improve or develop. Which way? Every' way, not only the Christian way, but even in otjr appcarajice, in otir expressions. Improvement must be the watchword of the Christian in every respect. You must not pass one thing without examining yourself to see if you arc in the faith; to see if you are making progresSr "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord/' {Isa. o2;ll.) Wc muai do that in order to get into the kingdom. I find that some of the friends have the idea that we Pilgrims are just about two and one-half feet hif;her than others. Some of the friends are inclined to look at it like wc did before our eyes were opened, (They arc opened now for good.) VVc used to say, "Who is that coming?" The answer was, "Reverend Smith.'* "Oh, Reverend Smith? He is of the Divine or Apostolic ordin- ation." I donl mean to say our Pilgrim brethren are doing that now. I have seen them in the past write their name "S&-aud-So, FUgritu,^ in the manna. Oh, isn't it uict! But why should we put i\ that way? Alter you write your name, nothing more is essential. What is the difference between a Pilgrim and a Brother? No differ- ence, except that the Pilgrim has to work harder than the other brethren. Th^ have to preach five hours. One time I preached for five hours. 1 don't know whether I reported it to the Watch lower; for I was afraid. There was a reverend gentleman at the meeting and I talked for a long time and after we finished what we had to say^ the gentleman went hnmc—fifleen minutes after twelve, mid- night That is the difference. Sometimes the Pilgrims preach eight hours a day; sometimes six. Any^vay, that is the difference. Like St. Paul, they must be overworked. The Brother who is not a Pilgrim carries a lighter satchel, while the Pilgrim carries a very heavy one. The thought we have in our minds is for us not to make that great difl'crence, or contrast. When a Pilgrim talks to you, don't think they arc entirely the words of the lord. Of course, they are supposed to tell the plan, but if they say some- thing di(!crcnt from what yon have read before, lake that and put soap on it and weigh it until that soap soaks tn. We should honor and respect it. but at the same time, let us not make such a vast contrast. Clergj'^ Laity! "One is your master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." Our dear Pastor surely manifested that spirit. Let us take the Scriptures and see the importance of Christian unity. We turn to John 1* ;21 to J3. jesus said in that wonderful prayer, "1 pray not for these alone (.which refers to the twelve apostles), but for them also which shall t>elieve on me/' Jesus prayed, dtar friends, for the friends meeting here toc on^. r»s Tlioti, Father, art in %lc^ and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that Tliou hast sent Me. " Do we have a clear understanding of the height of Girislian unity? What is Christian utiity? Jesus says it is the unity whicti exists between Jesus and God. j3o you think that Jesus ever uttered a cross word to the Father? Can you imagine that Jeliovah God scolded Him because lie did someiliiiig wrong? The imity is so won- derful that wc, with our finite minds, cannot comprehend -such innnile unity. In other words, if wc want to keep the spirit of unity, we cannot utter one cross word. Well, we '^ny, we have done this in the past. Yea, and we are sorry we did. But, dear friends, wc can have the spirit of unit3- if we so wisfv Vou might say "we are imperfect.'^ Even St. Paul says, "Jesus was tested in all points tike as wc arc, yet He was without 'sin.*' Wc arc sinners. Well, shall we lower the standard? No! It is not our business to do aji>thjng with the siandord. Cod se'.s die statidiird. You just do the trying. Don't lower anything. You caEt't do it if you try. If you try to lower it you will be lowered yourself^ and you will be out of the race. Let us keep the height of Christian unity^ which implies thai unity existing between the Father and Son,— that we may be in mind, m thought, in puipoiiie, and even as far as possible, in doctrine and also in relation to each other, that our unity nlay be like unto God and Christ. Then what? "That the world may know'— Do you want to show tile world who you are? The sons of God! Our Lord Jesus is emphasizing this thought. We should demonstrate that unity to the people of the world of man* kind, *'that the world may believe that Thou hssl sent Mc." Therefore, if we have Christian uuity and because of our faithfulness to Him, the Lord in the age to come^ will bring millions of people into the truth, in other words, our actions, our words, and conduct, our spirit of Christian unity will bring millions into the truth. It is remarkable when wc think about that! Let them "see your good works" so that they might glorify God. When? In the "Day of His Visitation"— when He visits the earth atid makes His footstool glorious. **And the glory which Thou gavest Me. I have given them, that they ma^ he one, as we are one," Again He is crnphasizing the pomE. U hat is the glory given us? Well, primarily speatiing. it is the "Glorious Hope"; also the begetting or the anointing. That is primary, but bye and bye it will be the wonderful privilege of^ shanng with Him in the Kingdom, "And the ulory which Thon gavest Ale, I have given them.'* \Vhat "glory" did He have? It was the opening of His vision, the "heavens were opened unto Him." He saw the antitypical things. "I have given it to them." He says. "I have given them the under- standing of the Tahernacle in the wilderness, and those Seven Books. Also, the Temple of God, and I don't know what alL" There is just oji^ purpose, and what is tliat? "That tkey way he one." If we don't have the unity, it means we don't have the truth. Is tJjal possible? Tliat is what the Lord says: '*I have given My glory to them, that they may be one" How remarkable! "I in them, and Thou in Me/' Indeed, it is remarkable that our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus is in us, "That they may l* made perfect in one," Dear friends, we cauuat be in the kingdom if we arc not one here. If we are {wo here, we -will be two some\^'hcre else. If one here, wc will he one there. You remember, dear fricndi, what wc learned about the construction of the great piramid. that cxtry course of that wonderful structure was pEaced and fitted together before it was laid upon the next layer, or the next course. Therefore, all (he congregations in di^ercnt places are certain layers in that wonderful structure of /orr— "living atones." They must now be chiseled and fitted. This !. B. S. A. COMyENTION 25 ni„e. titereforc, any consolation in Christ, \i aiiy comfort of love, if any fe1lowshi)> of the spirit, it any Uoivels atid mercici. Fultill ye my joy, that ye may In; like minded." St. Paul is telling the Church. "It you luie mc. and want me to joy forever more: fullill ye my jov"- till it full. overltewtiiBly; that ye be like minded! W'ell, Paul, what can we do to have the spirit oi unity? lie tells us. dear friends, "let nothing be done through strife or «itislory." "As the body is one and hath many members—" It makes no difference, for "the body is one." W hen you look at a person, you don't think of him as many members; you say he is "Mr, Jones." That is all. So ''also is Christ"— One I Let "nothing be done through strife or vailiKlory." No partisan spirit should be 'al- lowed in the Church. Yon remember St. Paul said. "It is a spirit of the .Adversary to say 'I am of Apollos'. etc. ' Some sav, "I am a Baptist," or "[ am a .Methodist." Sectarianism implies the spirit of division.— tarnal-mind- cdncss. I don't care whether it is inside or outside. Then he KOes on to imply I "Don't be called Russellite." Whai is the difference between a Lutheran and a Russellite? We belong to Christ and God, We love our dear Pastor more than any saints now livinB, but, my friends, wc don't want to take the name ot any human being. I will never do it. [ am a Bible Student. I am not a teacher! .Not a prophet, bul a Bible Student,— studying always until 1 graduate and receive my diplomi. ,'\nd in the Kingdom He will say, "Go ahead and teaeh." Then I will be a Bible teieher— hyc and bye. You can't graduate from the Bible school until you are dead. ,\ wonderful graduation, isn't it.' (.Laughter.) "But in lowhncsi of mind." Not through strife or vainglory. What is vainglory? It is that glory that you intercept or slop before it goes to God. riui is a plain way of putting it, isn't iir In other words, public speakers arc iti ilie Breatcst danger of losing their reward liecausc they are in the liinc-lisht,;aiid they shine. Vou know when the trouble cotties up it is the big man who goes out. it is ihe little man who stays in. So we appeal to you — especially to the public speakers— that by God's grace, when you serve the trulh— besorc you serve and alter vou serve- tell the Lord, ".Now. Lord, you get all the glory and I get nothing but the peace of heart." Thank God (or that, because bye and bye He will (jive lis c.ish. We want to work on credit; but it is cash on credit. We have so much faith in the Lord and His power, that when trouble comes we thank God for it. When we are alive, we say "all things work together for good," and when wc are dead, we can say the same thing. Surely, dear friends, it is a grind compensation for what Utile we do. Therefore, let us have the spirit of Christ, as He said, "I take no glory from any one." "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but (in humility) in lowli- ness of mind, let eacli esteem the other belter than himself." . "Look not every man to hjs own things, but every man also on the things of others." Look to the interest of the brethren; try to serve the brethren. Don't look to your own personal interests. "I.el this mind be in you which was also in Oirist Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not meditate a usurpation." He left the Heavenly glorv, anil became a inli, (a perfect man. holy, harm'eii. undcfiled, separate from sinners), and then He was put to death. — even the ignominious death of the cross. "Therefore, God has highly cialted Him, and given Him a name above every name." My dear friends, let us follow m our dear Master a footsteps; let us keep the spirit of t'niry, as lie so prayed for us, and surely when we finish our course tn sacrihcial death, by God's grace we -w-ill have that wonderful place in the Kingdom. Discourse by Pilgrim Brother M. L. Herr Fridny Afternoon^ Jiin, 3, 1919 Subject: "U>T3ER HIS WINGS" WE will take for our text the well-known words of Psalms 91 ; 4 ;_ "lie shall covci Llice with His feathers, and un- der His wings shah thou trust. His truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Not only do wc recognize the heauly of this picture but we perceive that the Lord has given us in this text something specially needed for the present time. The Lord always provides for our needs as He promised. "-My Goil shall supply all your need, according to His riches^ in glory by Christ Jesus," Phil. -1:19. Wc believe Ihat there is in this verse and in other ScHptnres. which wc shall examine together, a present moment message. Both beautiful and tender feelings are awakened by the picture of the bird-mother and her little ones. When she ™'*" '*'em with her feathers she takes them very close to her heart just as the Lord at the present lime is taking His lanliful children very near to His heart, into His verv close confidence. In Rev. 13 :U the two wings of a great eagle are mentioned as provided for the Church during her wilderness e.>ipericnce and the Scriptures tell us that it rcprcsenli the Old and the New Tcslamcnta provided by the Lord for her during the period represented by Elijah's three and a half years in the wilderness. Sec G comment also on Rev. 2.20. In G comment on Kzek. 1:11 we are told that the two wings with which the living ones cov- ered their bodies represent the Word of God, one function of which is to cover and protect. What thoughts of warmth and comfort are suggested by the word "cover" so expressively symhoHierl by a bird's two wings. The wee birdies under the mother's Iwo wings are shielded from danger and from cold. The more we obser^'e how our loving Creator has employed this pro- tecting, covering principle the more we appreciate this element of His character. The roots of tender herbage are covered in winter with a coverlet of snow. Every organ of our bodies is protected by a covering encasement. The beings higher iian angels arc commissioned to act as pro* tcctors for other beings of a lower order as we read Ezek. 'J8 :14, "Thou art the annointed cherub that covereth." .\s we examine the Scripture testimony wc will not fail to see how- like the little ones close to the mother^s heart are God's little ones whom He covers with His feathers. fn this 01st Psalm how expressively the Lord pictures the present hour. .\ time when we need refuge from a 26 S', A. CONVENTION storni. A [line when there would be liatigtr from snares set by the fowltr. A time of attack when poison td arroivs oi-sn bitter \vortls would enclatiKCr our spiritual safety. Even m ancient time tliev ttiicw how to spread contieioua w^'j^^ by infected arrows. How effective is our Father's Word as a shield against the poison of fear and doiibt. His truth snail be ihy shield and buckler." If once the poiaoi! of tear gams entrance disease is introduced Ihst iweomes cotitagious. How important that we provide our- selves ivith the antiseptic protection of the truth ,„7,h ''.^'■^-"'o^cr gives a signal of danger to her brood and that 15 her method oi protecting them, What a sensible rnetliod It ts for she merely calls, "cluck, cluck, duck," and titey know that means come to the saie-nlace under my wings, and without asking for other ijiforniation thev obev the stgnll and are safe and warm wi.ere no harm can come d,™w I \%f "^^ P'""'-e 'he.Lofd uses to teil i,s how ™ should do. When the Lord calls us to the wings of His iy th!'r. "i"'' ''"'/ \".'',P™t=='i''"- How difleremly son,e 01 the Lord s people think that ive should do. These seem ur s'o^f ' l" ?'f"yj<""" *-■<"" fiffi^e t!"= mind with p™ tures of dangers, H;tve we not heard sonic brother say wlien convention is closing: "Now, friends, we have had i inah will begin, and the way the brother savs it makes you teel as it you (i-cre beiiiR giien a cold shower-bath I don t believe that is pictut:ed here. We do not hsve a oic- ture of the bird-mother telling her chicks : "See what terri- ble cla V5 the hawk has. If the hawk ever gets hold of vou ho will crush you trightfully. Look at his sharp hooked peak. I lunk ot how you would feel to have him tear you to small pieces with his sharp bea.k." Tha; is one wav of causing the iiltle birds to flee to the shelter of her wines But with their poor little hearts throbbing with terror In their agitation they cannot bo well enjov her cover as hv the way nature provides for them. How much better th'e simple danger-signal "cluck, cluck, cluck." Come to safety Ao terror, no alarm. That is the Lord's wav and the other way IS not of the Lord. How slow have some of the Lord's pcoole been to dis- card some kind of lingering fear. Before "the truth came the bugaboo was that awful, terrible PLACE, I remember how grandmother used to hide behind the door and making |r^P'"Sn'"5e would groan in a deep voice: "I am the IT J , ' T ' ^^'"=" ''°>'^ *''= *>"<' ' 8=' ^heTii. There is a bad boy I am going to get soon." What a terror it was, just to think of It, We got iwav from that bugaboo when the truth came. But we didn't get away from recry buga- boo. There were a lot of truth-people who put the same hell -fire fear into the things they would teil about 1914 and the awiut ihiiigj tjiat woalil happen in 151-!. O what horrors hung around those awful figures "lOU." Time has dis- illusioned us and we discover that our fears were in our disordered imagination and while some still attach a certain horror to terrible experiences that they imagine in connec- tion with "The Image of the Eeast" we are coming to the conclusion that there is something seriouslv wrong with this whole system of fcar-thouglil and we conclude that it 15 no more wholesome to entertain than to frighten diildrcn with the goblins'li ketch you if you don't watch out." Let us ask ourselves : is the Lord holding before our .iBinds Oiese terrible pictures of awful things? St. Paul says: That I might finisli my course with joy!" Paul was en route lor Jerusalem and they cried, "Paul, don't go don-n to Jerusalem. Youwillhavealotoftroublc, Paul,don'tgo" He said : "I am willing to meet any trouble the Lord may permit to come, I wish to do the Lord's will. I am willing to die when that is the Lord's will. I expect to finish my course with joy," That is the thought we are to have con- cerning the future. The /oy set before us. I think of a story that illustrates how we have been feeling. You will not mistake the nationality of this gentle- man. He valued his property very highly. In the middle of the night he found a burglar in his aparlments. Before he could protect himself a revolver was thrust into his face riic burglar said : "You had better give me that silverware and be quick about it or you will die by a bullet." Our friend replied ; " Mine fricntjt, I would far rather die py a bullet ridt avay qvwick, than to vaid und dii py mdas L B. S. A. CONVENTION 27 vatching you take avay my solid silverware." 0 yes, soms of us liave been dying by inches imagining terrible thingj we are yet to go through. When IDH did not end th, T -"^mo .^"'S?*^ °!' '""'' ^^'^ 5='''' '■ "We had the date wront- Jt IS i!JlS, r/in( u Ike date. And so in the spring of ISIS the t,,iurch niust go beyond the vail. A certain Roman Cath- olic bccret Order will see to it that wc go. We pictured ourselves m line before a firing-squad and shot at sunrise ^ow wasn t It a terrible thing for the Lord's people them- selves to plan worse things for us than our enemies could hink of.' I believe it is. lime for us to conclude that we will let the adversary make his own program and we will offer liim no suggestions. Wc will earnestly consult the program the Lord has made for us knoiving that the adver- sary Ins had to inake a new program over and over again J he reason for this is found in our text: "He shall cover thee with His feathers and under His -joings shalt thou trust. Hti truth shall be thy shield and buckler " _ Probably the very greatest bugaboo held before the minds ot the Lord's people in recent time is the fear . papacy. History records the fact ihat the Heavcnlv Fathi permitted this wicked religious system to accomplish against some of the Lord's holiest children painful and prolonged persecution. Her spirit remaining unchanged It IS but reasonable that were she permitted the power she would again delight in the suffering of His saints, W^hat *,'=Sl'f',"? "Earns t our logical fear is the positive assurance of His Word. When Satan heard the Divine pronouncement, "The seed of the woman shall bruise thy head, thou shalt bruise His heel. Gen. ,T:15, Satan was fiJled with a paroxysm of tear. He knew it was a serious thing to him to have his head bruised. In hij wickedness he seems to have greatly exaggerated the part relating to the Christ. "Thou shall briiisc His heel," He has sought to innocuiate tlie Lord's people with the same fear that terrifies himself, leading some to anticipate things that will never occur according to the Lord' program. This picture of bruising the heel has been made to mean a lot of terrible things the l^rd never intended that it should he made to picture, TJie heel IS not a vital part of the bodv and it would seem more reasonable to take from this picture the thought that the worst injury Satan could inflict upon the Christ— the seed of the woman— would result in no serious injury It is Satan who will suffer serious injury, "f/i jhall bruise tfiv head. Stop and think who is interested in having the Lord's people fear, the Lord or Satan? When we put it that way ive have no trouble to easily decide. It is Satan Let us then put fear aside. I believe the time has come that we should sec from (he Word of God what the Scriptures so clearly and plainly point out that this false religious system IS soon to perish from the earth in order that the remain- ing features of the Han-est work might be accomplished, Notice how forcefully Daniel pictures it: "And I looked until the Heast was slain, and his body destroyed and given to the burning ikme," Dan. T :il. I wonder i£ we can get that divinely provided picture into its proper place 1 believe the Lord expects us to do so. There are many things which wc expected to occur that have rievcr come to pass. No power on earth can cause the Uiurch to so beyond the vail before she has finished the work the Lord has given the Church to do. Why do we conclude that the Church must die by violence? Couldn't we get into the Kingdom were we to die by inlluenia? We do not have to wait for this wicked religious system to give us our passports into the Kingdom. We have been making a lot of needless inferences. Wc are learning to more iullv trust the Word of the Lord. (Ai;bie.n'ce— "Good,") , X!""^*,,"^^ certain Scriptures brought to our attention by The Watch Tower of August I, ISIS, relating to tlie service of the Church toward the great company and other believers as pictured in Joseph and his brethren. Which clearly show that the Christ still in the flesh has an im- portant sen' ice still future. Joseph was king, but a peculiar kind of king. Hq told bis brethren to tell his fat her about his great ghry in Egi-pt. The Christ is to be glorified while vet this side of the vail. The glory will be like the glory of Joseph. The glory of providing food in a lime ot famine, for bis brethren who except for his provision would perish, I vvish everybody had a Bible with them this afternoon. ,\s I wish some readings I have asked a brother to read from tlie comments of the Bible and another to read cer- tain Scriptures that I shall cite. We will notice how posi- tively the Scriptures indicate the complete downfall of our great enemy. Babylon, We will go back in the Bible history to the time when in Old Testament pictures she was repre- sented by Jcjebel. Our dear Brother Graham gave us some suggestions as to the present-hour fulfillment of these types. .\hab was the King of Israel and Jeiebel, his wife, daughler of a heathen king introduced Baal-worship amongst the Lord's people. Elijah u'as the prophet of the Lord, EEiiah told .Miab that there would be no rain for three and one-half years. During this time of famine the Lord provided for Elijah. "And the Word of the Lord came unto him saying, get thee hence and turn thee east- ward, mid hide thyself by the brook Chcrith, that is before Jonbn, .And it shall be that thou shalt drink of the brook and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. . . . AlKl the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morn- ing and hrerid and flesh in the evening, and he drank of the brook," 1 Kings 17 :2-S. (Reading of Bible Comments by Brother Hazlett) ; 1 Kings lf>:-0, .-Vnd .^hab. Type of the Roman Empire. B:2aG. 1 Kings Id:31, His wife Jeacbel, Typi; of the .Apostate Church of Rome, BBo6, 1 Kings 17:1, And Hij ah. Type of the true Church in the fiesh, B256. I Kings 17:16, Bread and flesh. Typifying the Lord's care of ttie true Ciiurcb during the time she was hiding from Papacy. ZS)S-19L The ravens probably took these from the bazaars of Jerusalem or Jericho. I Kings 17:17, No rain in the land. Typifying the lack of truth, the living water, during 1260 years C3Mi times) of papal persecution. E256, Here we have the Lord's care over his people manifest both in Elijah the type and in the true Churcii in the ftesli in the [intilype, 1 Kings IS :ili Abundance of rain. Typifying the mil- lions of BiWes published and issued shortly after the end of the papal power in 1799, B2,5S, 1 Kings 19:1, And Abah. Type of the Tinman F.mpire, B356. 1 Kings ID :!, Told Jerebel. Type of lite Apostate Giurch of Rome and of the so-called Protestant sects im- bued ivith her false spirit since the year ITflS. B2S6. We notice that after 1709 Jezebel pictures more than i^c^ Apostate Church of Rome and includes in the type the entire system, of Babylon, including Protestantism, so- called. We all remember what happened to Jezebel or if we do not we will know by the time we are through with this discourse. I will ask Brother Payne to read 1 Kings 13:1-3, "And ,\hab told Jeiehcl all that Elijah had done and ivitlml how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah t So let the gods do to me and more also if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. And when he saw that he arose and went for his life and came to Becrsheha." After 1T[I3 the truth went forth with power. Uibles by inilhons were scattered everywhere. Previous lo this time the great Heformation movement occurred which seems to have been forshadowed by Elijah's experience with the prophets ot Baal, Through Ahab all the prophets of Baal were assembled at Mt. Carmcl. Eliiah and the Baal prophets each provided a sacrifice of a bullock. The test was to prove who was the true Cod, for no fire was to be put under the sacrifice and the god answering by fire would he recognized as the true God. All day long the Baal prophets besought their god to vindicate himself and to answer by lire, hut no fire came. Provokingly Elijah derided them. Having become hoarse with their loud crying it was no little aggravation to be told : "Cry a little louder. Baal may be sleeping or possibly he may be on a journev'.'* Elijah had a deep trench dug around his altar. He had twelve barrels of water poured over the sacrifice and the wood, "Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and lliey said, the Lord He is the God; the Lord He is the God " And Elijah said unto them. Take the prophets of Baal ; let not one of them escape. And they took them. And Elisha brought them down to the brook Kishon and slew them there 1 Kings 13:38-10. Cot»uii:nt on 1 Kings lS:-iO: 1 Kings IS:10: ".And slew them there. Representing the punishments visited upon the Papacy at the end of the three and one-half symbolic times." (1260 literal years.") B350. Beersheba, to which Elijah tied from Jeiebcl, is the southern extremity of the land of Israel as Dan is the norchcrii extremity, hence the cTtpression "from Dan to Beersheba." But Elijah seeking more complete isolation went a day's jourtioy into the wilderness. "And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree behold an angel touched him, and said unto him, AHm and eat, Aad he looked, and behold there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. . . . And he arose and did eat and drink and went in lite strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horcb the Mount of God." 1 Kings ig :o-S. We have learned who was the angel of the Laodicean period of the Church. We also know something of the ready-to-eat f ood which that angel showed the Church. [ have no difficulty in identifying the forty day period as in antitype being the period lf>73 to I&13~the period of the Harvest. I also believe that J would receive a uniform reply were I to ask who was represented in the angel who showed Elijah the cake all nicely baked ready to eat. (Audiekce, enthusiastically: "Pastor RUSSELL.") Yes, he was the messenger (angel) who provided the cake or truth in the strength of which the Elijah journeyed from 187S to 1013, ,Aiid 1918 found us in the very condition which Mt, Horeb pictured, Ccunili^'iit Rcndulgt 1 Kings lO-%. Unto Horeb, Mt. Sinai, tjpe of the King- dom of God, Z04-23>, Elijah went from Beersheba to lit Sinai (the place where Moses' face was transformed and shone radiantly). Elijah high up on the mountain -was very lonely. Did we not have a sense of isolation spring and summer of 1018? "And he came thither unto a cave and lodged there; and, behold the Word of the Lord came to him and he said unto him Whot doest tlivn here, Elijah? .\nd he said, I have been very jealous for the I-ord God of hosts : for the children of Israel have forsaken thy coi-enant, thrown down thine altars and slain thy prophets with the sword : and I, even 1 only, am left ; and they seek my life lo lake it away. And he said. Go forth and stand upon the Mount before Uic Lord. And behold the Lord passed by and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord ; but the Lord was nut in the wintiE; and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire: but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entering in of the cave. .And behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, WHAT DO EST THOU HERE, ELIJAH?" We cannot fail to note that under the peculiar circum- stances surrounding Elijah he could hardly be expected to obtain a correct view of matters until informed by the Lord, We c^n easily trace a correspondence between our expcriencc^'^918, and the experiences of Elijah. Like Elijah we were expecting to die and like Elijah we saw little to live for since to everj- appearance our work in the flesh was done. But today the Lord asks us the same question, "What are you able to do in the place you now find your- self?" Elijah could well have said that in this place of isolation there w^s nothing one coiitd do. But the X^rd was leading Elijah to discover that there were still im- portant matters that only the Church in the flesh could do. Let us bring before our mind Elijah's surroundings when he stood in the entering in to the cave. Nothing but dark- m I. B. S. A. CONVEN TIO N nesi around iurn :iml ilaDip cold rocky sides of lite cave, SiiaiEs, lizards and bats the only living ihrngs in si^EiL I believe we can appreciate ElijaVi's surtotmiiiiigs as wc re- cal[ how wz £gIl Ui stimmer, liilS, We felt very- much like Elijah and out sufroundings seeined very liard and coiil and we felt very mudi shut in with our liberiics of public uneraiicc grenily restrained. Did you ever sec a wittd so powerful ihat broke into pieces the rocks of tlie mouitiainsj' Tlion Elijali saw some- tiling tliai you atid I ncv'tr saw. For t!ns is what Elijah saw when he Avas in that i$otatc place cm the moiiiiilain. Orice whefi standing on a ki^h motintain, Mount Tom in Massachusetts, observing the mighty rocks that project from the sides of titat moui^iain, I tried to pielure a \vi]nl powerful enouc;]] to break tiiese rock-s iutrt piece-j. I coulc! not imagine so strong a wind and you coaid not imagine it citlier. But RIEjaEi: saiv a ivind rend (lie niountaicis ajid faTcak itte rocks jtito pitcei. Our BrotEtcr Graiiam toid m chat the iriDuniaitis represented the strong autocratic em- pircs of Europe. Tliat the wind represented The war lOU- lOlS and that the stpfl ration ot tlia rent empires into smaller republics was chc /ulfilmetiE of this prophetic pic- ture. Now Itt Lis see what we iiave learned irocn our Bible commetits; Elifah represcnis (Audiexce "The Qurch in the flesh) ; Moumains represent (Audience "KiugdoEn*") ; Wind represents (AuorFycE "War'), So ihff prophetic pieEure represents %hs Church in ihe fl«^ witness a division of some of the autocratic empires 01 Europe into smaller government with a popular forri re that wc 0.re to do. How about those thousands in Babylon who have not bowed the knee to B^al ? Do we notice what the Lord said to Eiiiah. "And the Lord said unto Elijah. GO." Has the Lord not ffiven us this Scripture to indicate His commission to the Church in the flesh? When Eiijah learned that the Lorfi had something for him to do it did not take Elijah long to GO from Ins isolation. Three things were given Elijah to Ao; "And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy Avay to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, snoitit Ha^ael to be ki;ig ov^r Ryria. .And Jehu the 5on of Sfimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Ehsha the son of Shaphot of Abclmehota shah thou anoint to be prophet in thy rooiti." I Kings lO:lo, 16. J^et us now note what Fastor Russell says about the work of Elijah. We quote from Vol. 2, i^ges ^i5l-2-^3 : "And thus Jolin Uie Baptist and hia disciples engaged in /. B, S, A. CONyEiVTlON W^ ihe same work ^^iih and under liinjj in attempting to cojv vert Israel and to prepare ihi:ni to receive Messiah^ repre scntcd the real Bijah (ihe true Christiaa Church/, whose work hai becit to attempE the conversion ot the world be- fore the cflming of ilessiah to the worlds the spiritual Xj^rd of glory and Kiisg of kings. John the Initnerser, in this spirit :yid power of EUjahj tailed lo reform Israel, and, ds a coiiseqiieuec (Matt, yi .V^) Israel rejected Jesus in the flesh and brought upon theniiylves a greaE day of ven- geance' trouble; and wrath. (Lukg .Il-.^il.) So likewise, only on the larger scale, the real and greater Elijah has failed lo convert and prepare the world to receive the King ot Glory, asid now coiissqueutly, the great day of wrath trnist come upon the world, to melt and mdlow ind humble 8nid preijarc uM ro cry out from the heart, Hosannahl Blessed is lie that cometh in the naintj of ihq Jehovah. John, at the first advetit was really a finishing out of the lype begnu in the person and %vork of Elijah." Both [he Johu and the Elijah ivork was a work for the people. It ended with John's beheading. It did not con- liuutt iiftcr rhc beheading of JohEi the Baptist. A careful reading ot the foregoing quotation will leave no question as to the meaning ot the picture of the beheading of John the Baptist, JohiiV work was a ptibttc service to the entire nation. It completely ended with his beheading. It ne vet- was resumed by his Eiteral body reanimated ^.nd acting as. a headless body; on the contrary (Matt 14:12) ''and his disctpks came and took up the body atid buried it," John's Kork like the publicity ivork of the Christ in the flesh of which his p\iblic service \va^ a type closed with three dis- tinctly marked episodes: (1) Its gradual decrease. {2) John's imprisoniTtent. (S) John'j bftheading on the king's birthday. It is not di^eult to ra^rk three correspondinL^ epiioJes in the close of the pubtkity work of tl^e Church in ihc flesh— tile Elijah; (1) A gradual decrease i^i pnb- hc activity. (9) Great restraint in liberty to prodaim pub- licly, (S) Absolute eeasin;;: of the public message after Ju3y V 1913- It took both the John tjpc and the Elijah lype to picture the Church's experience Spring of IfflS. A feature ot the experience that does not appear in the John picture is shown when Elijaii is carried aloft i^y ct cychne. We all know that a cyclone struck us tn IJJIS, For a time we imagined it would be the end of our stay on earth. Our aupposiiion was that this was the only possible interprcEaiion of the whirlwind that took Elijah to Heaven. When wc received iVugust I Watch Tower and we saw the Church as the Joseph class, food-provider for the Great Company ^iid. for the other believcrSf we perceived the sense in which Joseph was to be king, Jehovah's representa- tive in matters spiritual. King over the food provisions and their dispenser to the tamily. We iaw that the faithful witness for the truth acnomplished by the Church in the flesh (Elijah) when we declared that great iudgmeuls from the Lard were about to come upon Christendom wonid indeed be generaJly recognized after those indgments bad actnaily been visited upon Babylon. We also saw that the persecution heaped upon the Elijah (John the Baptist). espccialliy upon the executive head of this class, woulcj in time rtict to the esteem and recognition of these as true servants of the Lord. Even though these are not all ac- cofflplished facts as yet befom it has actually been accom- plished the^ Christ in the flesh "See" Elijah aloft- With thii the Elijah picture ends and, "£h'j/ia sa-jj hi%iv no mflrf ." Elisha in this thought does not picture a different class but a different office (service) for the Christ in the flesh after the Elijah work is doner A short lime since I saw a picture oi Irvin, GiEtettc in an Edison Phonograph record catalogue. I recognized it as the same isce marked Henry Burr in the Columbia catalogue. He is the geutleman who sang the artgelophone hymns. I noticed that the Gillette records were secular while the Burr records were sacred music. ^1 observe," I said, "he is the same soloist acting i]^ different service, just like Elijah when declaring the judgments upon Baby- lon and Eliiha when giving food to Benjamin and the rest of Joseph's breEhren. Both sen-ices done by the Christ in the ficsh " Wc shared in the Elijah work when we assisted in the publicity service Spring oi IJJUS and we are hoping to have a share in the Elisha work of niaktng the poisoned - . . nni-i- > Kinss 2.10 ^'i. U will iirobably lake twice 1^'nS o ih^ lister's si^irit to do the Elisha work as it to.k todo the Elijah work. This is made ev;idciit by the f^t 1 rn Jon e counted worthy to do the Elijah work seem to have s:ncTlost m'ch of the spirit of the truth and arc "^'^^'^^V"^''^ ^Kat Eli.h. d^s what the 1 Jl coZti^nded Elijah to do. This is not difficult to nu- de rlnTXn we take the pomtoii that both type the rhrlst ifl the flesh. So the command oi the Lord givgn J S s El tlie Elijah work was benig done is earned into ^ieut on After Ihat work was competed and during the l^^^ldm the work pictured by Elisha .vas due to he doije Sisha anoints jehn and da.h[ug, impetuous Captain Jehu Womes Ikry fearless King Jehti who was informed at the ^«o that hf was anointed that he wis commtsstpncd of HeLord to avenge the blood of Ood's servants who suf- feted at th« hand of Jezebel. He was also to d ihat the whnk iiousc of Ahab nmst perish. Joram son of Ahab and j\lz'bet7s the reigning king ot Israel whom Jehu is to dis^ place. pL. 30a, Vol. 7, we read, "The Hebrews ware dii-idtd imo tcii irilies (Israsl) thorouEiilj- Mmcd bv pjK^n bc- Utis and (tudah) holding mors ciosEly to Jeliovali. In a»tiiync when both Israci and Judah are ractiUcmeri and the proplvccy is intended for an ant.-typical £"lfii™<;»j Israel s anu'ics ihc papacy and Judah sign.:«s established p"tcsti?«Um." This furnishes us with a k=)- to the cor- recranli-typkal significance of ihtr two knijri of £ Kijigs S-n-"i Joram, king of Israel, and AhJiiah, king oj Judah, iv'ho in' a war-alliance came out to attack Jeha, W= have no diiftculty to liHcover iti the autocraUc govcrnnients of Europe two nations both successors to the old Roman EmiHiewho were iti a war-alliiii« ; une suviJorttna '-^"?' oliclsm and the other supporling Protestatism Austria corresponds to Israel and Certnany to Judah. Kor is it difficult in the least to trace in the exjietitnces of Austria that which corrcsijonds in a rtttiarkable degree to the ex- periences of Joram king of Israel. .i.,. i,„ -Anii it came to pass when Joritn saw Jehu that he said : 'is it peace. Jehu ?' and he answered, nV hat peaco so lonii as the iviioredoms oi thy mother, Jeichel and her witchcrafts are so many?' And Joram turned his bands and fled and said to Ahaziall, 'There is treachery, O Aha- liah ' And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength and smote Jorani between his arms and the arrow went out it his heart and he sank down in his chariot. 3 Kings J i^'^- 24 Who couid tail to see in the complete collapse cf the Austro-Hungarian Empire a remarkable correspondence to this record? Kor is the record less remarkable ivhen ap- plied in Germany. "And whm Abaii;ih, the King of Jii.ish, saw this he fled by the way of the garden house and J eta folloived after him and said: 'Sinitc him also in the chariot.' And he did so at the going up to Sur which ts by Ibleam, and he fled to MtRiddo ind died there. It is quite within probability that ivoimded Germany will come to a coifllilelt end in Armageddon. i .,i i When Jcjcbel learned thai her 5on Joram was killed and his ally Ahaziah she well knew she had good reason to fear Jehu, . ,, ^ PaiminLr her face and tiring her hair was an expsdietit as was also her act ot Jookins out of a window. We coiiKi not possibly think of a window wiihooi taking into account the wall in which the window is placed. Jeiebel has sought to make for herself a conspicuous niche in the ™->II ?' ™ defen.^cs in non-autocratic governments. Wall signincs KOvernmetisal dcfraisc. See comment on Jcr. al :W. It eon id not be the wall of Germany or Austria for the avails nf these autocritii: governments have talleti as Jcr. 51:4-1 predicted thcv would fall. It must there! ore he in non-aiitotratlc war-defenses that Jeiebel has sought to shew her painted face and her queenly head-display. But can autocratic Babylon be really at 'i«art interested -.n the support of democratic pritieiples" This attempt to deceive is represented in her painted face and it requires a ot ot paint to mike the old ladv even appear to be beautitul. bhe is not tjeautiftii. Those who see her before she is painted I: II an 5hc Ls JijK Iieautiiul. Those who assist her put on the paint and see the ludicrous make-up tittu;- zJiat ii a'ifl'.'a t/tciyfiuii it is and in Ifltir hearts cannot but loalhc her. The eunuchs represent those who assisted her hs tier hair and put on lier paint. Tlicy coiiid not have esteem tor her for no one who knew the utter wickedness and cor- rupt seiiishness they must sec at dose range, coiild other than thoronslily despise so corrupt a system, iso when Jehu called from below "Who is on my side, who?' they looked out to to hiin so as to say; "VVe know what she really is, command us." So lie coranianded. ■'Throw her down ! And tlicy threw her down as though they were glad lor the op- porttinity. having doubtless suffered from her tyranny. "And when he was conic in lie did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: lor she is a king's daughter. And they went to bury her: but they tciiiid no more of iter than the skull and the icet, and the pahns of her hands. Whcrifoce they came again and told him. Ar.d he said, This is the Word of the Lord whicli lie spake by his servant Elijah, the Tishbile, saying, In the coition of Jetiecl sliall (togs eat the Hesh o[ Jeiebel. And the oarcass of Jciebcl shall be as dung upon the tace ot the field in the portion of Jcrrecl. So that they shall not say, This is Jeiebel." Kings 9 M-il. 1 Kings 21 :2a records this prophecy that Jehu now recognizes as not only uttered by £liiati but now actually fultillcd to the letter. V^ hen the anti-typical Jeiebel is throwiv down and eaten up by tBe radical cleiiJcnts thousands beside the anti-type ot Jehu will recognine that the Bible students long since foresaw and foretold from Scripture prophecy tint while the wall (civil authority) is intact Babylon will tall not at the hands Of the radical elements, only too glad lo eat her up alter she has fallen, but at the hand oi her own caretakers, repre- sented by the eunuchs. It is intereitmg to note hovv this picture harmoniies with Ihe picture siveii. Rev. 1() :1 J, And oreat Babylon came in remembrance before tjud to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness ot tiis wrath." -Notice also that this was necessary beiorc the great hail of U21. Hitherto Babylon his prevented the putting forth of the "hail." Rev. 17:12-16 tells, how a short "hour" of reigning with the beast wi 1 be too intimate an acquaintsnee with the corrupt system to endure these ihall hate the whore and shall make her desolate aiid naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire. Kev. IS -.41 tells how the conunon people at fir.st believed her claim to be a friend of popular interests so they hit her to heights of popular esteem. They too discover her real self-inter- ested corrupt character and from the heights of popular favor to which they have lifted her they hurl her to de- struetioii. "Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be THROWN DOW^', ("itf shall be fotind no more st all. We must net overlook the completeness of Jehu's work nor how thoroughly he accomplished all assigned him by the Lord when through tlie Lord's commission he was given office for this designed purpose. Chap. 10 tells how jusliy he dealt wish the hou5e of -Aliab, oBenng to Jorani s successor opportunity for defense. There were seventy prospective kings— Ahab's sons. The persons who had these princes in charsc well knew tliat ihey could not maintain 1 defense, "Two kings stood not before you." Autocracy must utterly perish. The entire seventy princes were he- headed and the house of .Abab, all that rtmained to rcarc- sent Oie old Roman Empire, was destroyed. Autocracy ceased all claims to power on the earth. Who Can taiLJo see earth's new king preparing for the establishment ot /•'principles of righteousness? a Kings 10;18, Baal, or Bel. Type of the God of Baby- lon the Pope, D40. Sec also comment Jer. 51 :44. lehu directs his efforts against Baal worship by assum- ing great respect for Bial. He assembles all the prophets of Bail bat specifies tliat they see that there be none ot the prophets of the Lord amongst them. All the Baal prophets were present. He stationed his eighty captains outside as- suring them that if one escaped his life would go lor the one that he let escape. He issued orders, "Slay every prophet of Baal" and every prophet of Baal was siain. Bring forth the images of Baal and destroy them and the images were destroyed. Dishonor the house oi Baal, and 30 /• B. S. A. CONVENTION ihcT dcfiltd the house oi Bail. So the worshin of BmI cciiicil f r«n ilie pcuiile Di the Lord. The Word of God is amizinsly specife in its uttcr- a.Kts concerning Liabyjor. Not onI.v in Ibe prophecy of Isauh but in the tuinor prophfts. as m Jonah, the Lord in- structs cor.cCTn.ns- Babjion. In yincvch and in i.he with- nowmg of judgment after fcptntaticc wc have pictured ti ,; *'^^"l'; '^ n" ^^". "" "f^"'"" Md BaWon repented, ftlatt U-Al. But Babylon did not repent as did Xineveh iNovY nothing can prevest the coming of Divine jndement upon her. I,a. 2C .20-21 informs us: "Come, my people, entr- thou into thy chambers and shut !hv rfoorj about Ui«: hide thyself as it fere for a little moment, until Ihc indisnation be overpast. For deliold the Lord coraeih out of his plate to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their init)uity. Ihe earth also shall disclose her blood and shall no mare corer her slain.' It is only ^eai Babylon tnoush that III the- Scripture has sucli an enormity of inlQUltl- that Jehovah has sudi an account asainst her, "In her ivas found the blood of proiifiets and of saints and of all thai were sJain on the earth," Rev. 13:21, This is ihiii« women auil children wia-e fed. The Great Company and manv he- side are to be iend especially let us remember the rlear ones I.VP rV- '■^" ''"'f '"' y*^'- ^"' '^'■■o ^' "O"' ■n bonds of slUiciiuns— suffermB for righlcouiness' sake I atr. sure we will all agree that the condition which ^uLTh f"^ "• "'l "J^?"™' *="« '^ ™<= 'h=' ''3= never ecrstcrf before in the history of (he Sodety, I am sure i.d nr.Ji^^n*'' '"'" *'''"*i"K '*« "*"" 0^"=^ carefully f„ F.">^|"H"'' '" your minds, 03 to wliat would be best i^r the Society, and a so for those who represent the Society m eonneetton with this election and this meelinR ^JvT,"' *'?'' 'K'/'*, ""' yo" * '"'" f'Uf or i5vo . . "i?' ""'' P"''«l»'y know that it was thiucht he« T ?-,?,' V" "«^"'"^- ^ ""'« '»'" '"' ^-^ r^ceivfd f?=m ana )ou also received your proxies, I am sure that it caused you (o think. Your board did not know just how to act. or what would be best. When the time tame to consider an election the SociV'y thought it adviiibic to call a tneclmg of the Pilqrims— in order to know their sentiment. It developed that they were in favor ol havinr an dection, Very shortly after that (when I got back to Baltimore) Brother Work 'phoned me. stating that he had had an mterview with the attorneys: that it was their opiiiiuii (hat It would work probably to some disadvantage towards gelliny the brethren out. This is Ike reascrn why that Idler was sent out by Brother Sexton. He was sent to Brooklj-a to consult with the attomei-s >nd aljo with some of the rest of the friends there, and that letter you receu-ed was the result of this trip. The following week ic went to Pittsburgh and held a boarri meetinir. and it wm sgreed upon that n-c should not have an election. Brother Sexton was sent South the folIowmR week. When he came back he had received information that he thoajht it .vas wise and b<>st and ih* only ordinary course for iis to have an election, '\ftcr viewing the matter from all angles, we conduded it wsa best to have an tlcttion. You are here, therefore to hold 111 elccuon. Xow it iias caused a division in your lioard. and a division among, 1 prcsm-ne, mnny of ,vou — ^as to tvhether II would be best lo hold an election' or to postpone it It IS for this reason Iha; vie have in/ited cur attorneys here that they may give you the legal status of the affairs I am luri: we all .v^ni to do the Lord's will in the matter Let us took to Hint and ask for His CTiidante We will now have the treasurer's retJort, It ^vas then moved, seconded and unanimouslv cirHcd that this report, as read, be accepted. Before the election of officen, the Socictv look action on some changes in the by-laws, as offered bvi committee the chairman of wlich wis Brodrer E, H. Tilompson, of W ashington. D, C ■- . "• •S'"''--' liujjhfji. Chairman ant dear friends, I would like to make a motion in view of the peculiar liiua- tion which now esists. and our hope that our present oftieers who are now in bonds tnay be rettimcJ to us v«rv shortly. ' /. B. S. A. CONVENTION 31 Sr£ilAi;r Viomfsm: I ask for the nnotion to be rtiad. llfalli.-' /■(ii-(yi"0.r.' I will rp;id the mritinn. "In view of die fact that our president and secretary- treasurer— bolh raonlKrl of our Board of Directors, are now being h,kl in the federal prison at AtLiiila. and llial iheit appeal i< now pending; and we believe llicm to be innocent; and i.it ttcV will be vindicated and returned to us wiihm a frf weeks or months, and that an election oi other officers ill directors at this time— under these peculiar circuni- Winces-might and would undoubtedly be misconstrued by ,h', r;.,vi'rnmi'iit us a reijiulialioii of t,icse brcilireii. .mil mieht therefore prove to be detrimental to their case. I tWefnre llOVf^ that we take a recess ol the annual meetiniT. so far as an election of officers is concerned, Vor a period of six months, or until the first Saturday in ]a\\- 11 *e interest of these brcihrcn and m the interests if the Society as a wliote," . , ■ j ^ fMotion seconded niid tlie ([ucstion submitted,) Bntlu-T Hudgiitji: In explanation of this motion I wish 10 siv ( a™ '"■■': ""' a" ^" cog^n'.ant of the very oeculiar situation that confronts us at this timt ni conncc- lion with our dear brethren who are now in bonds lor Christ's sake. It seems to me thii there are a great many aucstiens enlerins jiio Ihe dcliberaiior oi skn day that would niakc it practically necessary that an adjournment of this raecliiig be taken, . , u • „,! . I might mention a few Ihinss that I have m mmd- 1 believe that the majnriiy who are present here, '>["er personally or by proxy, agree that there is undoubtedly a oreat work for this Society to do wiihm possibly the nest f,w mwths. Perhaps the greatest work that this Society has ever undertaken will be undertaken withm a short lime We have seen tho h»ri-ftt work profressing for forty years, but now we expect to wiinst a gieat awafcen- itiB on the part of the foolish virgin class, and perhaps millions will soon come to a recognition ot tlie truth Ihroucli the iiistrumciualiiy nf Ihos-e who ate iio>i ac- ouabited with the great Divine Plan. It stands to rcasoii that in such a work of this kind and character, we wouW be expected by the Lord lo act very cautiously m respect to the selection of our ofBccrs to direct that work. It also stands to reason that we would need to put loflh the best man for the place th?' the Ch!>;rfi c-u'd nos- jihlv nroduie. We would need hrethren nt couraEe^men who are fearless; men who would not lake a comproniis- mi; sund. And it is my belief, d«ir fiicnds, that it n the sentiment of this assembly, and the friends throughout the whole United States, and llie length and btcadlb oi the world that the one and only person Ihit is best qualihed to direct sucii a stupendous work is cur dear pres.tlent, now ill bonds for Christ's sake (Applause.) . The question before us, therefore, at this time is . Sliaii we the ■shareholders, here aisemhled in person, atd Cry proxy, «cek to jeopardije the best interests ot this worl; by rushing forward and hastily installing mto office a set of new oflicers, adcnittedtv weak in coinparison to those selected here last year, in the very face ol the aptKJl Ol the case of our breihrcti, which we have evcr.v conhdcncc will restore dicm to us, completely vindicated in the eyes of the Government, and in the eyes of the world: Ur shall vie make the mistake of closing our eyes to^lje true situation simply because of sotne smaHer ^';'' "V"'f ,, ' tails of the work which some may suppose mifiht be better tak™ care oi by- a full set of officers than hy the pre'cnt arrangement? We thereby would, perhaps, miice the grave misL-ike of jeopardising the best internts ol the ^iKiiety as a whole, which mistake we would recogniie when these dear kelhrcn walk out (roni behind their prison bars: and which we trust ihcv will do, withn a comijara-.ivelv short time (applause)— but then it would be too late, I have a commarication in my pocket which I trust to be privilejed to read at the close ot this discussion, which IS the expression of our dear president. respecting the situation that now confronts us, I was prtvilegcd to visit him In file Atlanta prf«nn a few days afro, »""."' the presence oi a guard the liberty was given him to dic- tate i rather lengthy interview touching upon the points that are so perplexing to you and to me— to all ot us at this time. But before reading tlial c^lJression from our president himself, 1 think it will be well lor us all to Uke into consideration the Ucts and circumslliiccs in which we would be placed, and would he obli,ecd to con- front if we should take the action today ot clcetiiig a full sec. 7, 1B18. " "Dk, L. C. Work, 143 Montague St, Brooklyn, N. Y.— Dear Sir: We wiiie in reply to your inquiry as to whether or not the conviction last June in the Federal Court under the espionage act of Messrs. J, F, Rutherford, W, E, Van Amburgh, R, J. Martin, F H. Robinson, G, H. Fisher, C. J, Woodivorth, A H. MacMillan, G. De Cecca. affects the legal right of the members of the W. T. B. S: T. Society to re-elect any of these genlkmcn to the position of officer or direc- tor of the Society, now held by some of them-— or their leual right to eontiniir to hold such positions. Having examined ,inio the question, we beg to advise that we arc of th'e opinion that the members of the W. T. B. & T. Society have an unquestionable legal right to re-elect any of these gentlemen to the posi- tions whicii they now hold at the annual meeting which we understand is to be held In Jeuuary; and that upon election they can hold such positions wholly free from any disquatiftcations in law by reason of the judgment of conviction. Yours very truly [signed) F. H. Sf.iEKS, Jesse Ft/UES, Ju.— Dec. 6, 1918." Anornei' Sfarks: That expresses our opinion. Brother Page: Would it not vindicate our brethren in bonds it they were re-elected as members of the board fully as much as to pass tliem over without an election? Attorney Sparks: Only having been invited to answer legal questions, my answer cannot be given to that as a legal answeri since it is not a legal question (.Applause.) Brother Tho^npsQii: May I ask whether an election, if held toda;^, of the directors and officers, would have any legal effect upon the appeal now pending? j^ltijrijcy Sparkf: No, 1 do not believe a strict matter of law would be effected by any action that this assembly takes today: either to recess or to elect officers or direc- tors, 'Tiiis from this standpoint would not cficct the ap- .^^^^ 36 ;. B. S, A. CONVENTION peal which is nuw pcndiiig^as a legal proposition. (Ap- plause.) . , . Brother Planksr: If Brothers Ruihcrj'ord and Van Aniburgb were elected today as officers of ilie Asso- cLatiOEi, could they, duriiig^ the term of thsir imprison- mentj dischacgc fhe duties of that oflict? Attorney sparks: If ihey are legally elected they eait legally discharge the dutici of office. I suppose vou refer to whuther they can hai-e pliysical ability lo sign certain documents. That is purely a inaUcr or a prison tcgHla- don, 1 am noi familiar with the prison regulations at Atlanta. But from a legal staridpgint, ihe legally elected off.cer5 of your Socleiy earn legally do anything that Elic law provides, providing the legal authortLiej at tlic prison will let them do so. Audience: Would the tlcttion of our Brothers J. F. Rutilerfnr^i and \V. E. Van AmbursU tnakc it possible for the officers of the Society, as representing the Society, to be held as joint congpira:ors, contiuuing a conspiracy, this malting them liable for prosecution as joint coii- spirators ? Attorney FitUer: Not unless the courts were to hold thit the W, T. E. & T, Society is i conspiracy. (Lauiihiyr.) . . , Brother Ncison: What altitude would the Gov- ernm&Jit take on having an election at the present time (leaving out the friends at ^vlanu) ? Attorney Sparks: If you mean thti effect the election wouEd have upon the Government ia releasing them, I would say that in the firat placfi the Govertiment has no right to release them, They are uitdcr the sentence of Court. The Government has no right, ftKccpt through pardoning them, ^ind only E>y relea.sc of judsment of the higher court. Brothir Flanker: I would like to- ask whether the present Board of Directors has any kg^l autViurny to appoint representativfi to act for them during the com- ing year, utiiess they a^rtr re-elected today? Attorney Sl*ark$: So loi:g as the present Board of Directors hold over (£f this assembly should decide :o adjourn ihe election) the directors wilt have tlie same riyhi to appoint acting representatives as they did last year. Brother 7'hoitipson; Brother Andersori, will you please ask Mr. Spatks under what authority oi the hy-la-ws of the Society can any officer or director of the Society delesaie iiis authority to another? Ailorney Spy a L^ostponement or recess Uikeii ai this time ? Mr. Sparks: That is not a legal question and 'will QtiEy be answered in view of the wording of the resolu- tion which iivas passed, and under which I am speaking to you upon request of the entire board. (Applause.) Aitdienee: We want that question answered. We want to vole that the lawyers answt-r Eroihcr Graham's ijues- lion. Brother Graham: I n]Ove that our attorneys be given tht privilege ci esprcssing their legal opimon. Brother Thoinpsoit: We have already decided upon that matter. Chairman: Don't get us mixed up. Brother Thompson: The motion that we all decided on \v3.i that we would permit the lawyers to answer ques- tions bearing on the legal phase of the situation from our dear friends the attorneys. This \$ not a legal questiori. Mr. Sparks: There can be nn either motion come be- fore thu chair until other motions already made are acted upon. Audiffnee: I am wondering whether such technical points of order and legal rules is the Lord's will. It seems to me that anything ^vhich miy be put in our pos- session to help us decjrto the Lord's will is proper bcfoTC the convention, and that is the vital question to the con- ventiontfs* I would like to hive the questions answered. AtlarJiey Sparks: It has to be done by amendment to the motion undei which ^vft are speaking. Brother Graham: 1 make an antendnienC to EroiJier Page's inorinn that the attorneys he permitted lo aiiMver that qtiestion. Brother Thompson: How can tliat be put? Chairma}i: 1 don't know, (Laughter.) Brother fttffc: We have iiever gone through these meetings before with such quibbles about that which is "parliamiintary'^ and what is not. Wc never liave had it aLt any other election. Not,v if the friends want to know an answer, let them have it t Applause.) (Uppn vote the motion was carried unanifuously,) Chairfftan: . . ♦ We will have Mr, Sparks or Mr. Fuller answer the Qticstion. Attorney Puller: Yeji, it ivill unquestionably be for their best interests; and we Avill invite any cross-examina- tion or question that anyone desires to put to us a; to why we entertain that opinion. Brother Hndymgs: I would like to know why the ad- journment of this election would be of benefit to the brethren in bonds? AUor}%ey Fiilhr^ U will ftrit of all dishearten the men to know that the Society has declined to change its reta- tion to the eight men while they were in prison. It will show the people of the United States that the Society has said that if these men are guilty the Society is guilty, Tice reason for the incarceration of these eight men was summarised by the Court, and it is a. condemnation 01 the religious doctrities of the Soctely as mtich as It is a condtmnaiion of the tneii ■'ivhQ ofStially represented the Society : "THE COURT: In the optntan o?' the Court, the religious propaganda which these defendants vigor- ously advocated and spread throughout the nation, as well 3s among our lives, is a greater danger thati a division of the German army. If they had taken guns and swords and joined together the Germany army, /, B. S. A. CON t^ EN no N 37 the l)arm they couUl liavc done wowUl have been in- significant comijared with the results of their prop- aganda. Iheat cncii received a twenty year sentence and they were stamped as dangerous to this cou[ttry. That is cither trye or falst!. If it is false ihity will be released.^ If it is true it is a condemnation of the religious doctrines of your Socieiy. If yon do not cliange the leaders oi your Society while in jail under an unjust condemnation, you are tdcmitying yourselves with them, and ihe pulfJic—the oeoplc of the b'nited States— will so construe your miction. It %vould be an expression oi confidence in the proprii^ty and truthluhiess of your beliefs not at this time to force ihc&e mtn. frow their relation to your Society. When the judgniienT is reversed and they come back . , . and if you believe they were false exponents of your doctrine, it is your duty to express that belief. It is the belief of ^^ur counsel that your aciEoit upon this question will be the determining factor wiih the sentiment of this country in their conclusion as to whether truly or falsely cJi- prcsscs the doctrines ot the Bible students, for which the> have been convicted, and it is to this extent that public semimeut supports the proposition that it ^vas an ouirage, to the extent that sentiment of the country supports the conviction that that action of yours— inducing that senti- ment— will favor the welfare of the defendant s, (Ap- plause,) AnoieMce: Suppose that this assembly today elects Brother Rutherford and _ Brother Van Amburgh, would that not OTncrcome the objection? Attorney P idler: If the only question that you are considering was. the welfare of eIvc eight men, I should say yes. But you also have to consider the welfare^ of your Society. You must contemplate the possibiliiy of this re- markable judgment In this trial, and contemplate the pos- sibility that it might not be reversed and the possibility that these men might serve twenty years in jail. If they did serve twenty years in jail, or even one full yearj the exigenr-ies which cc^n^ront youf Sociciy %wo«!d demand that you" deal with the validity of th<; |udgmertt of conviction. At the present it expresses the legal viei.^^ of but one man in the hundred million dtiwns^udge Hariand B. Howe. When it comes to the Appellate Court and afiirmed there, and perhaps afiirmed in the United States Supreme Court (Avhich is a possibility you mnat conceive) it might be absolutely essential that you elect officials to that extem. ... So tliat pending the appeal iE the Society did not act but left itself present to act after the appeal, this would Ie:ivc the situation in a coitdition whereby you %v^ere demonstrating your continued loyihy attd expressing your view that they were sound exp'J^cnts of your reli- gious doctrines and those doctrines were proper. And at the same time yon would be preserving freedom which might, during the coming year, have to be exercised for the benefit of the Society. Brother Sexton: I just arrived. My train was forty- eight huuis late, having been snowbound. 1 have some- thing to 5ay and for my own comfort T better say it now. My dear brethren, I have come here, as the batance of you have, with certain ideas in mind^pro and con. \Vc might say, with all due respect 10 our legal friends, that we have been talking to some other lawyers, f tind they are very much like doctors. They disagree sometimes. But I presume what I say will be in perfect agreement with what they have said. There is no legal obstacle in the way. It we desire to re-elect our brelhren in the South to any office they can hold, I cannot see. or find from any advice I liavc received, how this witi, in any sh ape or : orm, inte r f e re wi th t he a spec t 0 f the ir case before the Federal Court or before the public I believe that the ^reate^t comjiliment we can pay to our dear brother Rutherford would be to re-elect him as president of the VV. T. E. & T. Society. I do not think there is any r your tadampuoa drawelh nigit." Throuyliout the whole Gospel Age the Church of Christ has been walkitig in th^ Valti^y of HuTuiliation. The Oiurdi ai Christ has betn debasetl ti bas not been exallcd. Shi: has hcen going down in tht Narrow 'Way tiiai leads to death and lias not Jstted up her liead antl rejoicedj btcaiist; tach member oi ihc Body of Christ has made a Covena]il with the Lord by sacrihcci and it has been sacrificine from the begJEining to the end, and our text brings out the thought of the "ddiverancc" and CNalt^tion of the Chwrdu \\ t: bchc^e that no thought that iias come to the minds of any of the Church is draught with such great joy and great anKtety as the coiripEction and deliverance o£ the Church of Jesus Christ, because tliis is our hope, our aiiTif our ambition, and our great desire. We arc anxious that the last or finishing touches of iht character shall all be made. \Vc arc anxious that our great .Master VVorkman luight look into the charicttr attd see all the dross con- sumed and the gold refined. We are aii.'cious to hear the "\\'en dont, enter into the Joys of thy Lordn" We are anxious lo have all Ihc aches and pains; all tlie discour- agements, and all of those thitigs laid asidp. We are wailinji, yea, we are longing for the change of mind and lou^ng for the new bodies, free from pain, free from all the present erivironment. We art longisig for the time to come when we can behold the King in all II is beauty and glory and grandeur. Rm\ before cV\om tlmigs cau be realized the completio" of the offering, which all the membi;rs of the Body of Christ have laid upon the altar of sacrifice, must be finished. The last vestige of the offering must be con- sumed. And beloved, I understand that you and I can increase the flames, thus consuming the offering; or decreasing the Batn^^s, lengthen out the period of the time for the consunimalton of the ofFerinf^+ My understanding is that the offering will be consumed- If we fully appre- ciate our privilege in sacrificing it means to us the great Rest of mind we enjoy in the edifying and building up of the various members of the body of Christ with Psalms and hj'mti^ and spirit uat Psahns. And so this picture sho^vs that the event in which our text takes place witl take place down at this great Rest day. and you know we have entered that great Rest day. By fai;h, beloved, through our consecration to otjr Ileavenly Fathern we have entered the great Rest that remains for God's people, and ii you tfiid I aic Tjot rc^tln^, then viV iirc not aypicciating our privileflfe, or our consecration. Surely we did not make a full consecration of ourselves ii we are not fully resting in Christ Jesus. Present Status AU Important 1 like to bring these things down to our present e;tpe- Tience. The Lord is not dealiiig ivhh us tike He did twenty j'Cars ago. Do not boast of the fact tliat wc made a consecration thirty years ago. but what is our spiritual state tonight!* It i$ true, we have now the spirit whose eJfer^'escence helps us Co stand on the moutuain top, dear friends, but each of us will soon be going to our several ho [Ties a lid avocations, and we will have to come do^vn to the natural experiences, and so we have verily fortified ourselves by the indwelling of the spirit and love of the Father, — putting on, as it were, the whole armor of God, and buckling on evtry feature of that armor^ in order that wc may firmly go forth and thus hold high the banner of King Emmanuel. We trust that all the experiences of the past four days have led to that cxuberattcc of mind. And Thus ^ve find, accore no failure there. It is trtie Moses faiEed as a mediator because he was an imperfect mediator, and all under hitn were likewise imperfect, and thus not one of the nation of Israel, except our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, could meet the requirentcnts of the Jewish Ijw. But not so with the great Prophet, Priest and Kins,^ the great Mediator, for He will be perfect. You and i are privileged xa be in the School of Clirist for the very purpose of learning the lessons that shall enable ug to be "able nunistcr oE the .New [Law) Covc- ]iant," because God has so designed that there is lo be no failures amotig that Clirist company, ai^d so oar training will be accomplished by some of the experiences, trials and sorrows, and also by some of those depressing expe- riences which come to us as we walk in the "vat ley o£ the shadow of death." All through the church's experi- ences the condition of sadness and humitiatton has pre- vailed. 0 n the oth er hand , ho wcver, the re has been s^,vect; peace and joy in the imierinuit hearts and lives of all those, satisfynag to hearts and souls, beloved, amid all the experiences which come to us. What lies before, no one knows but the Lord. He who has led thus far will lead tis on. Victory is ours, beloved, if we hotd fast our "faith." He that endureth unto the end is the one to be saved, and he who has full assurance of faith that takes hold of the promises of God and lives a whole- hearted life, is the one who wenrs the virrorious crown, and the one who will come off more than conqueror through Him that loveth us and bought us with His own preciotjs blood- W^ Know Deliverance Is Nigh We have come \o the time of action and recogmiC ihc "feet" members and know it is the time for you and me to look up and lift up our heads and rejoice. Why? All the evidences the Lord has given oi the presence of our Lord Jesus and the near approach of His Kingdom manifests to ns now that we ou^ht to hft up our heads and rejoice in as much as we know our redemption drawcth nifth. While the great Ciiurch of Christ is composed of many members, it is but one body, and the Apostle says, "as the body is one, and hath many members atid all the members of that one body being many arc one body, so also is the Christ." Jesus the head and we all the various members of the body oi Christ! And "God has set the members in the body as it hath pleased Him." And how glad wc arc ! Aren't you? tie doesn't need you and mfi. But you and I need him. Now we ought to render heartfelt devotion to our Heavenly Father that He has opened the eyes of our understanding, and now we believe we comprehend some- thing of the lengths and breadths and heights and depths of God's great character and realise that He, our Heavenly Father, is indeed a God of Love. We are developing the same kind of character. We are all in tlie great runibtttig blocks of the world and polishing and sha.ping goes on of these blocks and will go on until the character is complete in all its beauty, glory and grandeur. And so our text reads, "When ye see these things be^in to come to pass" — Who is He talking to? I understand He is talking to the last members of the Body of Christ, because wc have reached a period of time when all the events as recorded in the 2-1 ih Chapter of Matthew^ which is positive evidence of the Second Coming of our dear Lor^l, have all been fulfilled, hut one — and that is the Great Time of Trouble, and wc know we are e:' ■ " ' -^" '■' ' 'V'.-'. - Wi^WjBfgiiJtJk j.f i-'^Aijitj, 'jyit^gg^ii^yu^ fv .' s g^---^'.^*!H^ ■ ■F'-^^'--^^_ 40 /, B. s. A, conve:^tion four and tvreiaiy dOers singing Halklujah, Ameo." Why? The ciilnutiaiion tti all the icetie^fr, the conip1e]:£nf:$$ of the fottr attributes of our Heavenly Faih<:r Ims been mani- fested in the Diarrbge of the Lamb. Think y« not that Heaven rejoices? Oh, yes I Desirability of Unshakable Faith W* say the Selection and Election of the Church of Oirisf has be«n such a precious work ths^t Goti could not trust this in your liaiid or my hand. "Ye liave not chosen mc" the Lord says^ "but 1 liave chosen you," Oh, ycg, ■*! have ordained you that ye should go and brinnj forth fruit abundantly and that your fruit shall remain, " Oh» beloved, are we among the chosen ones? Do yott know you have been chosen of the Lord? l-iave you that positive evidence now? God is dealing with us as Xew Creatures now. Have we that full assur:ince of faith? Do you know that God accepts your sacrii^ce now? Make it real, bcluvcd, because tliat is one of the ernnd things about the truth— its simplicily, Something you can see! Some- thing you can feci and there must be the transformation, the washing, the cleansing, the purification, and ultinutely the Lord will say to you and me. "now yc are clean through the Word which ! ha\'e spoken unto you." In my own Christian experience (I have told this slory before, but I want to tell it again!) I was honestly seeking lor '^holiness" and seeking for di-at gieat blessing which I understood someone else had. I have always been very peculiar about that. Even during the years which tl has been my privilege to know the ^rand message oi Redeeming Love, if there is amy special blesstng going around t fia'^'e always wanted it. I am selfish along that lint*. If I fuid sumtrone else has some spiritual blessing J have not received. I wilt seek for them until I Dbtain them,— tf it is at all the Lord's will. The Hocus-Pocus of **Hohness** And so someone moved in our section of the city — Rev. bmith, who was affUJated with the church I wa:$ connected with, and he sotMt begaii a series of Ht^Itness meetings. I was honestly seeking for holiness, and became intensely interested in the senices, seeking for the "Second Blessing." The dear brother knewmy desire and so on one occasion when we were having a snowstorm, and as Brother Barton would say, everything "warmed up/' Rev. Smith thought it was about time I should get the "Second Blessing." So he tried to help me: He said, "Brother Wise, come through, come through." But I couldn't "come through." There was no place to come to. And so that failed. So 1 tried other times. He told me lo say, "I got it, I got it/' ■ But I couldn't say it, because I didn't have it. The Truth That Sanctifies So, beloved, whatever amount of s a notification or holi- ness that you and I pns^ipss. it is nnt hrrattse we arc a goody goody sort of a person. No^ it is because we have brought ourselves into conformily with the Truth- The Truth has come into our mindu,— into our hearts, — the cleansing, purification, and washing is taking place; and so this experience will continue to go on, if we stay by the Truth until eventually the dear Lord will say, now "Ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you." So this sanctifying influence of God's Truth has been applied because of the Prayer of our dear Lord, as recorded in the iTth chapter of John, where He prayed, "Sanctify them through Thy Truth, Thy Word Es Truth/' This is the sanctifying influence. We find during these strenuous experiences (particularly during the past j*ear), and_ during which period, it seems a thousand have been falling on our side, and ten thousand at our right hand. — wc find the two great texts which are so frequently quoted by our dear Pastor have come to my mind: "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall/' And the other one is: "Everything that my Father hath not planted shall be rooted up/' If we have not got the Lord's planting, there will come into our lives sometime experiences that will pluck us out of the Camp of the Lord. But if we are the Lord's planting — if we really I I. I'uu^l IHH.IWHW^IWPWPWI^ have been plaiitcil by the Lord — if our feet are upon the solid rock — ^Llinst Jesus — if wc arc building upon this foundation stone, using the gold, silver and precious stones (material of the Word of iiod)* tlicrc i$ no influence in all the Universe that will pluck us out of ihe hand of GocL Why? Wc have been planted by the Lord, and the Lord intends that none oi His seed tlut He plants which bears fruit shall be plucked up, but He will nurture and water it and it will grnw up m maturity. Melchizedek Priest, the Blesser So I tru^t that day by day in all our experiences, which come to us, that wc all are growing up in Christ and by and by we shall all become, as it were, full grown men in Qirist Jesus. But you and t are still wearii^ the sacrificial rubes, the High Priest has not raised his hands for the world*s blessing. Has the High Priest come forth with garments of beauty' and grandeur? Oh, no, not yet. Sacrilicing is going on in connection with the last "feet" members of the Body of Christ. In the case of Solomon's Temple, the glory ot the Lord was revealed, and the High Priest came forth and raised his hand and blessing went to the i>6t>plc, and so in the great anti-typical temph: which our Heavenly Father is now building and in which you and L we trust, are to be living stones, — when that temple b complete in all its beauty and glory and grandeur, then, we will have a King and a Pric$t after the order oi Melchiiedek, and He comes forth and raises his hands and the blessing follows. But there must needs be, beloved, a little more of the polishing, a little more pruning, a little more taking off of this and of that. We must drop everyThing that is contrary to God's Will, And then, do all those things pleasing in His sight and by this meanst^using all the agencies at our command,— by feeding upon the Word of God,--we shall grow up into Christ and wc trust the time is not far distant when each of us will become a full- grown man in Clirist Jesus. Oh, beloved, the "stones" all through the lasc forty years ha\'c been placed in the variotis pans of this great Building, anti 1 understand the experiences that we are having today, just [ircpares us for a character that will fit us just exactly in a place the Lord designs for us. Mo Atone too long I No stone too short T As all the material was in Solomon'^ Temple, and this grand building was constructed without even the sound of a hammer, so no polishing will be done over there. All the work must be done this side the ^'ail, and so wc say there will be no disappointments there. You will feel perfectly at home there. Hecause you are developing a cbsiractcr for a particular place there and that accounts for the peculiar trials that come to you— 'to all of us — in this evil day. Faith Demonstrated by Works Every n^'s work shall be made manifest Your faith and my faith; your work and my work is being made manifest. The fire of this present time is trying every man's work of what sort it is. Your faith has been attacked, and mine has been. There has crept into our hearts possibly a shadow of doubt because of the insinu- ations of the Adversary during the last stx months. Lo, as we enter upon the blessings and privileges and sacri- fices and labors for the New Year, beloved, let us determine by God's grace that wc shall put on tlic whole armor and kcip on the whole armor of God, and then go forth as valiant soldiers of the Cross of Christ, witnessing for Him, laying down our liv^s, if necr^nari'. sacrificing, in order that the w*ork which the Lord has tcit for the feet or last members of the Body of Christy shall be accomplished. Mention has been made in this Convention of the possibility of the great work that lies. before us. Beloved, that being true, let us unite in prayer and prepare our hearts and mhids and bodies that we may go forth. I was glad to have gone through the various parts ot the Soulh, meeting so many of the dear Colporteur friends, who have been in the work previous to this* who arc preparing themselves for further activities subsequent to the signing of peace that they may the more fully enter into the work. v^fmrmmim iL'>*f"'iJ /. B. S. A. CONTENTION 41 Colporteurs Returninjg to Work I am inclined to think tliai in about one week after peace ha:i been signed, ^ve will Itiid abjui six. or seven hundred on thi; Coiimrteur list, dciutiug their time to the work. God is so pleaded to permit ua to liave a parL Let us lay all carts aside- Wluit for? For the privtiege of having a part in tins great work which our Heavenly Father has entrusted lo us. In the trying experiences dial come to U!>, He will help us to appreciate that the Eternal God is our Salvation and underneath is the ever- lasting arms, and so He who has led us thus far will never forsake us. God doesn't need you and me to carry on His work. This work will go on regardless of whethcr we appreciate the work or not; regardless of whether we have any part in it whatever. God intends the witnessing to go on and God will raise up messengers— those who appreciate the privileges and who will sacriBce; and thus the grand and glorious work shall be completed to its fulness. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore shall we not fear." i-'ear not* beloved, because he who fnrs will falter. Let us determine by God^s Grace, to uphold each other, daily, hourly— as far as possible, come to the Throne of Heavenly Grace, and then shoulder to shoulder face the battle, and Anally come off victors. Personal Opinions Laid Aside le is a difBcult time now that all these little differences arise. These are only matters of opinion, because we find very few instances where principle is at slake— n^nty a little difference of opinion. It is time wc laid aside all these things because you agreed to sacrifice and so did L And we who presented ourselves to Him arc dead. "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God/' Now, beloved, having laid that offering upon the altar of Con- secration, shall we draw back, and take the offering off, when certain little tilings arise in life which do not please tis? It is true none of us reali^te the full depths of conse- cration. Oh, no! But the Lord said, "As thy days io shall thy strength be." "I will never leave lliee, nor for- sake thee"; anq so wc can say the Heavenly Father's srace has been sufficient for us for evcr>' time of need. Trust in Him, hrlovcrl. 'Mid all thf trying scpnirs. lay hold upon the Word of God. Have that full assurance of faith that takes hold of the promises of God and applies them to our hearts and lives, and thu3 get the necessary strength and sustenance. "God is in the midst of her" (ye daughters of 7Aon), "God is in the midst of hen She (Zion) shall not be moved.'' Why^ "God shall help her — (and thai right now)— early in the morning": and that is why the Lord said, "Look up, lift up your heads and rejoice, for your Redemption draweth nigh.*' and so we praise and magnify our Heavenly Father for the grand privileges of service, and for these grand and glorious things, and He tells us that having finished the work which He has given us to do, — having done all, to '*stand." Oh. beloved, we have not reached the "standing" posi- tion yet. We thought so for a while back, but wc ucrt; mistaken. We have not reached that condition yet There may come a time in our life when all opportunity of service may be denied, but not now. He has been i us t giving you and me a quiet season for the purpose of preparation: He expects you and me so thoroushlv cxammed, and fortified by the Word of God that wi' icill b€ quoUfiffd for the inork he has given its to da in thi: near M«r''- WE ARE DHTEKMINED BY GOD S GRACE AKO ASSTST.ANXE THAT WHATEVER HE MAy H,-VVE lOR US WE WILL DO WITH OUR MIGHT — and do everything in fact with our might "what our hands find to do/' The closing days, wc believe, of John the Baptist and Elijah, were typical ot the cb»ing ilays of ttie last or feet members of the Body of Christ. The beheading of the one and the whirlwind experiences and fiery chariot expe- riences of the other, would indicate, we behcve, the bst experiences of the Church of Oirist, Beloved, as "the Disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above h[s Loid" (but Ziun need not fear, for God is in the midst of her), so wc find Matt. 25:10 shows us the change will come when, as soon as the last member of the Christ is passed over and the door is closed. We must all be changed, for the .apostle says, "For this corruption must put on tncorruption and this mortal must put on immor- Uilily," and so be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from earthly conditions to Heavenly conditions, from weakness to power. Then also the Prophet showj us. "Thy watchmen shall li/t up the voice, with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord returns to Zion." (Isa. 52 tS.) As our Lotd wa» despised, and rejected* and convicted of men. so all the experiences of the Church have been. As the finger of scorn and ignominy and shame was pointed at Him, so the finger of scorn, and ignominy is pointed at us. And so, aj one sit^cred. aii suffer u-ilh Him. As due nKUiber is hannred so all rcjaicc. There has been an opportunity for suffering, friends. When our dear leaders were cast into prison there was suffering throughout the lengths and breadths of the land, and when the prison doors are opened there will be rcioicing throughout the lengths and breadths of the land. ^ we say, if one suffers we all suffer with htm. If one member is honored, wr ari* nil honorrd. Now, beloved, let us see that this sacrifice (which we placed on the altar at consecration) is bound with cords to the horns of tlie altar, and then, dear friends, having placed the offering upon the altar, let us sec tliat the offer- ing may soon be consumed. Then, we understand, that when the dross has been consumed, and the gold refined, the dear Heavenly Father c;in look into our hearts and see the reflection of His own image, then He will say, "It is enough, come up higher." Beloved, let me say in con- clusion. When ye see all those things, which the Lord mentions, begin to come to pass, then look up, beloved, and lift up your head, and rejoice, inasmuch as your redemp- tion "drawcth nigh," NoTEI<^e« la£C page for news regarding our brethren. :a SUPPLEMENT 3:00 P. M., Discourse by Brother Wm. F. Hudgings SuDduy Afternoon, Feb. 3, 1919, Academy Hull, New York Ciiy Subject: "WHY I ACCEPT THE SEVENTH VOLUME" OUR lesson this afternoon will be based upon the ivords of the Ri^vclator in the lijih diapier, verses 17 to 21, in part. We read, "And the scveiiiti augel pourcJ out Wis vial into the air; aiitl there came a great voice out of the temple of Heaven, front the throne, saying. It is done . . . And great Bibylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the tune of the fierceness of His wrath . , . And there iell upcm tiien a great liail out of Heaiien, every stone about the weight of a talent; and men blasphemed God beeame of ilie plague of the hail; for tfie piasue thereof ivas cxccedins grtat." Now ive are going to talk this sfscrnoon about those verses; our topic will be "WHY I ACCEPT TtiE SEVEiS'TH VOLUME," It would be very difficult for me, dear friends, to stand here and enumerate all of tJie reasons that come to my mind 'for accciHing this book as not only the seventh of the series oi iicrijjture Studies, but as the particular message which the Lord had designed to be poured out for tlic Churdi and others at this particular juncture in the earth's history, tiowtvcr, a iew weeks ago when I had more time upon my haods than anything else (laughter), I enjoyed, fflore fhan at any ether time in my Christian espericnct, a cartful study ef the Lord's plans and purposes and particularty a study of Volume Soveii. I made a list of a few of tiie more prominent reasons that catne to my niitid which wtm absolutely convincing to mc ttiat this hook was irom the Lord ; and I will endeavor lo give you the benefit of tliem at this time. Of course these tacts naturally classify tBcm selves uibJcr two heads, viz., EXTERN.'IL and iNTERi\'AL reasons. By exlcriiat reasons we sntan those reasons which hive nothing to do with the contents of the book itself; but rather those tilings which relate to its compil- ation, publication, etc The fiilfriiof reasons would of course cotirme themselves to the contents of the book— the things that arc therein Kiught; the explanations of Scriptures which prove themselves correct, and thercliy indicate that the book is filled, from beginning to end. with "meat in due season for the Ilquseliold of Faith.' We will be brief in respect to the esliriiai nasoiis, because we deiire to devote most of our time to the consideration of the icarhi!Si/s of the book. But, briefly speak ins, we will enumerate seven eKternat reasons that would be the first perhaps to come to the ininds of any of the Lord's people in their acceptance of the book. Tlie firjt external reason would be the fact that the Lord's people have been led to beliere from the depth oi their hearts, that the Church would receiTC a seventh vol- ume in the series of Scripture Sludits, which book would expSaifi Kevelation and Eiekiel, We all know that it was our dear Brother Kusseil's thought from the very beginning of his work that ilie Church would receive a seventh volume, and in the early ediiions of the first volume of Scripture Studies, "Tlic Divine Plan of the Ages," he set forth the tact, more than thiny years ago, that there would be seven volumes in the series. It was not racrciv a thought that he once had. and later discar&d, but it was the thought that he carried with him throughout the forty years of his ministry. On every possible occasion he encouraged the Otureti to believe there ivould be a Seventh Volume which wonW explain Eiekiei and Rcvelatian ; and when we come down to the very last day of his human existence, standing there upon the verv threshold of the Kingdom, and in the jaws of death, this saint of God, tliis wise and faithful servant, to whom the Loid hiitl cotnmiited al! His store of harvest truths, pissed from this life into the life beyond with the thought in Ms mind mid lite mords upait liii iifs, that the Church should csfs^t and wouliS rcrcitie the Seventh Volume ! The Mcofd external reason as to why I believe the book aulhcntic is that it does treat those very portions of tlie Bible which our dear Pastor said that it would treat, vii., Ezckiel and Revelation ; and it explains them thor- oughly, not omitting a single verse, and !L-iplaiivs them in harmony with all the other features ,of God's great plan. The third external reason relates to the (itte of the book itself. I recall when Brother VVoodworth and myself journeyed to Hammond, Ind., in June, 191T, to read the proof, then in the printers' hands, that the title of the book had not been t'lnallj- decided upon. Thtrs had been many titles suggested, but 1 recall the very last words of our dear Brother Rutherford as I left his study on that da7 were these, "Tell Brother Woodworth that of all the titles which have been suggested, I have concluded that the most suitable one is 'The Fall of Babyloti. I arrived in Scranton and gave Brother Woodworth the message, and he responded: "Well, 1 have been praying over the matter and thinking very seriously and have con- sidered every title that I have heard suggested, and the most appropriate one to my mind is 'The Winepress of God's Wrath'," We started to Hammond! Nobody knew what the book would ullinialely he calltdl \Vc arrived there and through a very peculiar circnmslancf, respecting which ivc will not go into details, they finalty decided on a third title which neither of the brethren who had direct charge of the naming of the book favored. Thus they fuially decided, by compromise, upon this other title, suggested by the words ot our test, which say "the seventh angel poured oul his vial inlo the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple oJ Heaven, from the thront, saying, 'It is FINISHED'." So tliey agreed, at the last moment, to call it "The Finished Mystery," and furtlierfflore, as a compromise they concluded to use the two other titles suRgcsted as subtitles-, and you will see on the litlc page of The book in large iyi>^:"TNB PIN/SHED MYSTEHf! and down underneath it says in smaller type Thf ba\i flf 5o&j(o)i," or the "Winepress of Gad's Wrath. So, you see, we finally got them all in there. (Laughter.) But here Is the point I am making: the "Finished Mvstery" is not the title they specially preferred; they had not intended to use that as llic title; and yet, the Lord seemed to force Ihc iiiKC and they liai U call ti fhai-' Now a little later it was learned that Bt^other Russell, many years ago, in talking- with one of the friends, disclosed the fact that he had in mind that when the seventh volume would be puhUshed i.'J title would be Tin finished Mysleiy" I lake that, dear friends, as a strong external reason why this book is the book the Lord in- tended to give to the Qiurch. The foiirili external reason is that it is published by the same auspices under which the preceding six volumes of the series were pnUished ! and that to you aorl me coli- itilutcs a very excsUent reason, does it not-' We all know how the Lord has used the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Socttiy, and is stil! using that Society tor the dispensing of His meat in due season— and no other, Tlte fifth external reason wliv 1 accept the Seventh Volume is this: That in the Lord's providence, the circu- 43 SUPFLEMBNT A2> laiion of this book — up to tlie time lliat it ivas banned— had attained the same water-mark as the preceding volutnes of the scries. Volume Four came onr over hfteeii years ago. A few years after that Volume I^ive was published; and sometime after that. Volume Six. They were not published in the same year, but at vastly different times, and with the colporteurs working with those books from the time of their publication we would naturally expect Volume Four would have a greater circulation tjiaii any other. Volumes Five, Sis and Seven would therefore be the least. But wiien wc got down to the end of the Harvest, in tiie final tabulation of the output of these books we found to our astonishment that the circulation of Volume Four, Volume I-^ivc and Volume Six stood almost exactly it th** same watcr-niark, i. c.. 500,000 copies each. 'They all had the i would not ht with those creeds ot the Dark Ages becai they were devoid of truth. But they do fit e-\aetiy w the prodamatioii of truth by the mouth of tlie varii reformers. Therefore, Volume Seven says the Fi Trumpet refers to the jiroclamation of Truth by .Mar Luther when he nailed his ninety-five theses to the chui door at Wittenberg and we can see that is rcasoiial Alartin Luther did proclaim Truth. He riidn't have much as we have today, but he had a little, anil he pi claimed "meat in due season." He gave tiic message Ih Juo, and it was a truthful messige. There we have t hirst Reformation Trump, The Anglican movement in England was the Seco: Keformation Trumpet, even as the Third Trumpet refi to the (jIvinisLc movement in France. Ygu will noti how these are identified in the Scriptures we read th the First was sounded and a third part of the earth w burned up; the Second was sounded and another thi part was consumed; then the Third Trumpet was sound and the other thirrl part was burned up. Now we mere have to reter to history and we will find that tack those days the three dominating nations of she earth Tl wiiole earth was practically dominated by these thr, potential powers. Tliereforc, when these three Reform tion movements started in those three countries, and whv the first one was sounded all of Germany was turne from Papist to Protestant, and therefore as Papists tht ceased to be. The third of the earth was consumed t '*'' as being jiapal was concerned. A few years later tl- Anghcan movement started and Britain was converte from Papacy to Protestantism, and there another thir part was enniiimed. Then, down in France two or thrc j'ears later, John Calvin started the next movement, Ther xht Third Trumpet sounded, and that last diird part o the earth was consumed. Thus those three art idcnlifiei 1 lien the next reformation message went forth in th hands of the Baptists, about the year lo33, by Mennor and the Mennonites and other "ites" have sprung from tha movement, but essentially the Baptist tnovemeni whicl began about the year 1S;J2 constituted the Fourth 'Trumpe of Truth in the hands of that reformer. And then by that time the reformation movement had practically died. The whole spirit of the Reformatioi; was dead. And they began to affiliate with the variou^ pov/ers just as Papacy had been doing before. And it ivas two centuries before we see any other particular effor- put forth along the line of the Reforination, But in tht seventeen hundreds we find that the Methodist moveiaoit began, and it became a very great movement; but it was peculiar from others in this respect, that Methodism did not bring forward any iicai truth. It merely took tlic truths taught by the previous reformers and mixed them up so that it confused the minds of the Lord's people searching for the truth, rather tiian clarifying matters. .Methodism said: "Why yes. Free Grace is taught in the Bible, and of course there arc certain texts there that seem to set forth the idea of John Calvin along the line of election, but ^ve won't p^y much attention to them," Thus they smeared it over with confusion. And then what about baptism? "Yes, that is taught in the Scrip- tures, but it doesn't make very much diftereiwe how you perform tiie cereitiony. You may use your own judgment. Sprinkle, Pour, Dip, — anything!" So they smeared over the truth on that also, and Methodism did not bring forth one iota of truth on anything. This is accurately described in the 5th chapter of Revelation. . It says the Fifth Trumpet would be sounded and there would arise a blind- ing haae, a smoke as the smoke oi a great furnace; that it would confuse the minds of the Lord's people, and . 46 SUPPLEMENT instead cf idvincing tUc troths of the Reformation move- retut, it woulJ railicc ri:ia:a Oicm. Atid, ilicreiore, ii is dejcribcd as the firsS tum. Tilings went on, sllliough il>c spirit of Ihe Keioraia- lioii liad died down, and it was ininossibic to resurrect it, until in the ycir ISlti there \ras one more edori iriatlc lo keep tlie Reformation alive. Tlic preachers Gaid: "VVe will get togctlier and form a union or irusi. We will call It the Erangclicol Alliance" and liy iM bolster up this losing cause of llic Reiormitiun, and keep other sects rroiii splitting off, and not let inytiody teadi or prcacli the trail! unless thej have an ordination ord. and come into harmony with us; if we wilt combine we will keep the Reiormation goifie" And this wai ihe Sixth Trump of the Reformation, but it was also a mne, because ot the fact that it did more harm than good to the Retor- ijiaiion movement. Then, m the year \e' that if anyone will read the explanation of these Seven Plagues in Volume Seven and cannot see that they are properly explained, even as the Seals and the Trumpets. I canrot understand the reasoning oi their minds. Vou take for instince the reference in the I4th chapter of Revelation, verses 6 and i. That chapter relates to the Harvest periods. No one can doubt that, if they will read the chapltr over. It says tie Lord wdl come with a aliarp sickle in His hand and Jo tlic Harvest work as the Oiief Reaper. We know that that diopter f ekics tn the Harvest which is the end of the age. 1 hen it -ells of the message that would be proclaimed Jurina the Harvest, and there describes it m the Ibth chapter, in different languaES. as Seven Plaguei upon Ecclesiasti- cisui; and here we see that the Volumes of Scripture Studies are accurately dcacribid. You take, for injliiii.c, the one ihai refers to Volame One. It says that durmg thij Harvest period, "I saw an angel fly through the niidst of Heaven, having the everlasting gospel lo preach to every nation and fmdred and people oi earth, and saying the hour of his judiment has cornel" £ atfc you. dear friends, where have we seen during die ciilire Harvest period anythins that would fulfill that picture, except the publication and dissemination of the "Divine Plan of the .\gcs," which Iwj cairied iliat very gospel there men- tioned—"the everlasting gospel," the true explanatkin of food's plan— to every nation and kindred and peoples, tiaiisIatcJ ill twenty-two IsimuaBcs and circulated to an extent even surpassin:? the circulation of any book known, except the Bible ilseli ? It also ciiried the message, "The Hour of His judijinciil is seme," in the next to tlie last diapter, entitled "The Day ot Jchovali," and sliowmj Chat we have corae down to the .WiiftjiiiioJ flamii— which Uic book itself was called. I do not know how anyone could doubt that that verse relates to the publication of Voluine One when vve see that the whole chapter refers 10 the Harvest work; and isn't it reasonable that the Lord would describe the instrtunents He would in accomplishing that work? It seems to roc the most rcasoniiblc thing iiaaRiu- Tlie ntit ■ messenger was to proclaim "Babylon is fallen 1" And would show the time for Babylon to fall. The book is called "Tnt Time is at Hind," and the last chapter dc^rrihes ih*' "Man of Sin"— Papacy, also called by the Revclator "tlic greil harlot." and the Protestant ChurchM as her daoghicra. Volume Two shows clirono- logically that the time has come lor Babylon 10 tall. The Third Volume was to proclaim a message which is Indeed first given in Vclume Three, namely, that the time is come for the resurrection of Lhc sleeping samts in JST3, and that "U'csscd are they that die in the Lord from henceforth." that is the message thit the third messenger carried, and that is gi'.en in Volume Three of Scripture Studies, llicn in boili chapters 14 and lo. when it jets lo that rhird Plajue it say« dief* would he a "tTKSsenger come out from the aitar and say. Even so! We lurn to the Third Volume, Slid over lo the cliaptcr wluch deals with tlist ".^tliar" oi the Lord in the midst of ilic land o( ligypi, it says "corrolioranvc testimony. In other words thii Treatise on this alur of the Lord in the midst of the land oi Egj-pt is not dcsigticd to teach atlT new truth. !>ut mtrely to say "liven sol" lo corroborate whit yoa have already learned, and both chapters in Revelation, when dcalinB with the Third Plague or Jiiei- seiiger, identifies it positively by that statement that Volume Three would carry a corrohnraiive message, say- ing, "Even so!' . ,, , So it is in respect to all the others, until we get down to the seventh, and x% we read in the words of our text, "The seventh angel" would bring great Batylon into reniembrance befor. God, and u(KJM Hit men, tlie elcrgy- meii of Babylon, "a great hail"— hard, distrcsjing truths would fall. Volume Sever, has done iliat. If we have any doubt about it, suppose wc ask some of the dergy- mea! (Laughter.} Wc will hardly have time to rcier to the ta« two external reasons as lo why I accept Volume Seven, but they alhidn to the iook of E»ehi«l,— the sixth reaion referring particularly to that wonderful e-nplanation of the svmbols in the first eUptci of Enckicl, whitli none of the Lord's people, to my knowledge, had iny compre- hension of until Volume Seven was ptblished; and now it is all cleared up aed we can see it ii in liarmory with all the symbols oi the Bible. - r- , ■ . My i(«ii/)i reasoa relates to the Temple ot tzcfciel, and it seems to me, dear friends, that if there was nothing else in Volume Seven that wc could actcpl tlliil when we get to that Temple of Ezekiel chapter we would go on our knees and say, "This ii from the Lord' (audience— "Amen"), because it sels foiili llie iilan in all of its clear- ness, ifid all oi its details are tn exact accordance with the teachings of the Tabernacle Shadows, and ^ho^^•s a great deal more light from die Scriptures than Tabernacle Shadows could show. Not one of us. t dare say, bad ailj" coitiprehension of the teachings oi the last nine chapters uf Eickict uniil Volume Seven was publislied. 1 atn amazed when 1 read that chapter now lo think how it was possible lor the brother who compiled the book lo come to a clear comprchention of thos* d*ep statements of the last chapters of Ezekiel,— and yet he has cleared the wiiole matter up. How could he have doac it except through the blessing ot the 1/jrd ? We will dose with one diougli!. VVc desire to answer briefly a criticism that is mere commonly brought apinst the Seventh Volume than any other which I have heard. and that is. "Why call il the posthumous wcirir of Pastor Russell ?" I have heard some of the fiiends say, "I get a great bleising out of the bcok, but still 1 can t understand why thev use that term, because it seems to be used wrong- fully." "I answer. "No, dear iticnis, U is used properly." And it is according to the literary usage ; and jet we have a deeper meaning, which we will endeavor to e.tplain. Some have said, "Well, .the mere fact that there it lo much in the bock which is tiot written by Erodier Russell would militate asainst using the term "posthumouJ." Wo answer, "So." When we recognize the fact that the book was dcilgitcd by our dear Tailor, that l.c really began lo write or publish Volume Seven of the series, and when he said the seventh book wouli rxplim Revelation, and ex- plain Ezekiel, and whea he said the Seventh Volnnii:. which he already annouaced viquA be pufalis.hed by the Watrh Tnwcr Bible & Tract Society; and the book was merely completed after his death according to the iiuMr Unci ■a-Mch ht dcsigiicil, and it was jjubllshcd properly as liii work. I will give you a prccedeat. You lake the last hook of fiction of Charles Dickens. There is i great deal in the book which Charles Dickens never wrote, and probably things he never ihought oi. because he died before he finished the work The work was finished by 3 friend of Dickens and was ptMished after Charles Dickens SU PPLEMENT death. The story was eompleied by this other man, and published as the fostliumovn ziari of Chcrks Dickens, and I nev«rr have heart! aay criticism on that point by any me. It is generally accepted as the posthumous work of Charles Dickens. Cut yod Can Itcar a great deal of criti- cism about using the same term in connection with Volume Seven. Some say, "Well, that may be true, but the matter from Brother Russell's pen hac been publijlicd prior to his death in The Watch Tower, etc., and this would mili- tate aeainst th« usage of the term "poiihiarnQtis." \Ve answer, "No." Take for instance the posthumous work ot Martin Luihet. Tlte things lie said and did were col- lertcd by his friends and published subsnjuent to his death. I'lacticaJly every one of tliem appeared in maga- aioes before his death. The matter was compiled and broiielit together in iooi /una which had never been done prior (0 his death, ind it was properly published as his ■■posthumous work"; and not only the publishers call it ■'post humour," but also literary men like Thomas Carlyle in liis ovn writings have referred to the book ss Martin Luther's "posthumous worfc.'^ shewing :hat it is a correct nS2ge of the term in the literary world, — and yet we will find plenty to criticize Volume Seven en that very .score. But there is .1 deeper reason to our minds why Volume Seven should be considered as the posthumcus work of Brother Ruisell. The very opening Chapter and verse of Revelation says "that these thuigs were shown unto John by Hie .nsel,"— iij die Lords angel. Brother Russell in commenting upon this matter sa>s that John is a picture of ihc Qiurch in the Harvest period, and the things which John there saw— literally, in vision- the John dais down here would be made to understand in all their reality. In other wofds. the symbols ivould lie c,\pUlneri rn the John class; and when John said these things were shown unto him by the Lord's angel, lit was speaking for you and tne— the John class. By Ihe annel of the lord, to the John stage of the Church, these things would be made clear. In the Isth and 39ntl chapters vou will finii John speaking if these things again. .And he savs. '.And when I saw. and undtrstnotl, then I fell before tlie feet of Him that had ihown these things to me, and He said, see that thou tlo it not, tor I iiii diy felloivservant— of thy breth- ren, one o( the prophets worshipped God." Has it been true, dear friends? You and I oE the John class, when we have come to timjerstand the great bcauiies ui the Lord's plan, haven't we almost felt tike worshipping Brother Russell : hm lias it not been ilwavs his spirit to potn; us to the iorii.- "See thou do it not." 'Don't worship Brother RusselL worship Oud. I am raerelv thv fellow- servant, one of the prc^hets of the Lord." pVophei means one who proclaims the truth. And that is vvlui he was, and he was an honorej protJtet of the Lord, an honored servant— a fellow-servant indeed— of which vou and I are scarcely worthy. \ow it isys ihit dicjc things would be shown nnto John, and the John class would see these things and unJtrsiariJ them. There is the key lo the whole situation. John saw ihcm bick ihcre. hut literally he did not understand them. But to you and me these things became meat in due season. Now we have come to understand the . things which John literally saw back there m vision, Tliey were shown to John by the angel and they would be shown by the Ijjrd's angel 'to the johii class. There is no ™bols of Revelation from Srst to last un 111 aficr Ais death; and kov? Tiirough Ihe medium of the Seventh Volume of Scriptnre Studies. I sav, thcrc- toic, that not only from the literary usage of tlie terra but according to (Iw Book of Eev-elatior, the Lord's people' are justified in considering il as the posthumous work of Brother Sits?ell._the servant la uliom :he Lord had com- mitted all His store of present iritlh. (Rev. 1.1; in-.io.) ,n,y'J'"\'^ ''■'"" ^'* '*'"^* "" "'« ^''t <^^y of October lUlb, but 'his works did follow on." and he himself m comineiiuiig upon that te.tt says that the words indicate that since 1878 those who would die would merely rest from the laborious features of the Harrest work, but the wo,'K which they were 6oins on this lidc the vail they would continue to do on ilis attur sidi: On the strength ot ihis tcit he Mid repeatedly in THE W.-VTCH TOWER and elioivjtcre, that the saints on the other tide of the vaii "• co-u^ciiting with us on this side" Do you think th,il has been true? If that is trne witli ihe saints from lSi« down 10 the present, it i.s sureiy true with ihe greatest servant 01 the Lord in this Harvest time, our dear Pastor. 1 say. He rested from the laborious feature but con- tinued Ihe Harvest work right on. and coatimjed to co- opciate with the Harvest workers from the other tide, and I believe in some way the Lord has honored him to bring to your altention and mine an e.^planaiion of ihosc sytnjols which John literally saw in vision. Therefore, the Words of the Revelator, as txplaired by our dear Pastor, have coroe true.- they havr been fulfilled. In conclusion, done friends, when jou hear anyone speaking of Volume Seven, I hoje yon will encourage them to reahtc that it is just as much a message from the Lord IS arc the preceding six votunes Personally, I do not like to hear any of the truth friends, when they are addressed about Ihe "leventh VclufTK. aav, "Oh yes I accept it It is a good book, but of course there are lots of mi!Uakes m it." t don't like to hear that 1 would just as soon hear such a remark made when we would asit a brother ii, i|,c ttuili, "V\ hat do you think of Volume iJr.e? \ow suppose he would answer you, 'Oh It is a good book. I accept it, but of course there arc lots of mistakes in it." You wotiid say that Ijrotlier is Bot wry ckar iii the truth. I would say the same thing It he made such a remark about Volume Seven, When we hear anyone l>egin to set forth the mistakes in any of the b.3oks and overlook the good things there, they are discounting ihe messages the Lord has given them at thin time ; and I say such an individual does not have a proper appreciation of vvliat the Lord has given him. There is no mere reason -jihy -J!e slwutd reject the Seventh Volume beiOlttc of same statements tliert abaal Ihc eildifa of the war tH October, tpr. 'Jihich did nsl corns Irue. than there u thai ?u^ thttuU thr^isf t-'atmme TWO atmy beeavtse we wercH'l all slorificd in October, rg 14. February 2, 1919, 8 P. M., Discourse by Bro. Wra. F. Hudgings Academj- Hail, .New York iSity Subject: "PRISON EXPERIENCES" ^^^"^ OUR icat for this evening, dear friends, is found in the ls> Chapter of Philitnians. versei 57. 23 and 29, in part; "Stand fist in one swrit, with one mind! striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries, whic'n is to them an evident token of perdition, but to }T)u of salvation, and that 01 God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Lhnst, not only to believe on Him, tut also to sager for Ha sake. I believe I voice the sentiment oi all when I say that ihis tect has been one of the most comforting to the Cnurcli as a whole that we h»vc had before our muidi durmK the past year. We have a!! been called upon to suffer much. Perhaps we may have some further privi- kges along that l:nc. But it isn't the snfferinj, ij it, dear iricnds, that specially concerns us when wt realize the great tavor that has b*en b»t mus: "staiid fasi," But they utterly ignore the ijalance of the Apostle's advice. He didn't say tnercly to "slani fait, ' and then dose the adinonition; but he emphasiHS /Ar« (iiiiM in ihis one smtcxcc the importance of the Lurd's people *iu(iHs (ojelJier,— standing together, wluie they "staud fasi." "Siand fast in tine minti; sinvina together for the faith of the Gospel." That is the argtitirent ol the Apostle in this connection; and some are preaching and advocitins that the friends should "stand last," but insttad ol "striving together" in one spirit, in am mmd. Ihev are jiullinif apart and 3epar,itin(r themselves from others and starting various sects and schisms in tb: body, just exactly contrary to the Apostle's ativice. Let tis, deal frier.ds, follow the admonition ot the .'yposllc. "Stand flit in one spirit— with one mind; slrivinE to gelher" to carrv forward the message that the Lord has ^vcn to yon o'nti me, &3 ambasiadon oS His Kingdom, to proclaim. . Well, you aay. "Tliat may cost us sortieihiHS.' Yes, it will cost us soiiMthiitg. It has cost us something in the past, and will cost us something in the future, and if we ihink we can stand as ambassadors of this Rrcai King- dom which is to supplant the present earthlif oruei with- out opposition we are figuring wroag. The Sciiplurcs clearly indicate Ili,it everyone who seeks to hold lorth this message of truth amidst this croolsrd and perverse generation will meet with opposition. It is going to mean sufjtrinjj and trills and tests, iuit is we have seen in the past, and will probably see in the future. I have heard some of the friend! make itatements respecting our dear brethren who are now suffering in bonds tor Christ's sake, and some have even gone so far as to say the brethren "are suffering because oi indiscretion ; that if they had been careful they could have avaid,d tkeir experience" .And t sgroe. Vie ail agree that they could have avoided it. So cov.ld Jesus, bo could the Apostle Paul, and Ihe other faithful martyrs of the past. Tliej' all could have avoided their experiences o( sufterinB in tonncclion with disseiiiinating the truth message. But why are we talking about ttioidim these c.tijci ientcs, ivlicji tile Lord's Word dearly Indicates that "hereunto were vc called,'" and that wc "shall be joint heirs with the Lord, if so be that vie siigcr will: Hint, ,\nd svhy did Me suffer? Because of holdiiiE forth the message oi trnth; becanse He pointed the linger of deri- sion at the Pharisees— the clergy of that lime; ber.iuse He went into the Temple antl drm'e out the money chani4ers: because He tvent against the common thoughl of the dav. That is the reason He sutTerfd. "If so be that you sulTer sviili Him, you shall 'dc giorincd icgcther" with Him, some lay. "Well, we should prcclaim the truth, but whv stir lip strife? Why not merely preach Ihc 'Divine Plii oi ihc .\scs.' and leave out this other feature about 'The Day of God's Wr»ih,' and The Day of His Venge- ance upon Ecclcsiastlcism'? Why say anything about that" Why featcre thai part of the message?" [ will lell you whj: Because the Lord lias commissioned us to do so. Do you recall that on one Sabbath morning the tjiril stood in the synagogue of His home ci^— ■NaJarcth— and read a propheCT from the Blily-oiu days later — Ihree times seven. Then they were u'len down to Raymond Street jail. None of us knew how long they would be there. They keft them there exactly sevn days, and while there, the othcers of the .Society and Hoih compilers of the ^'eventti- Vdumc were placed on a Iter of eeiis known as Number ici'CH on the North side. At the end of the sevtn days they were removed to Queen's County jail. Nobody knew how long they would be kept there. Th^S' w.Te kept tlicre ejiaclly seven days. .■\nd OB the seventh day they were removed from Iheie and taken to Atlanta on tlie .|ir/> day of July (the itvtntk moaihj, which day was being celebrated by exactly sevn nations tor the first time in history. These things are more than coincidences, an5 serve as io many index fingers pointing to the importance of the drcumstancei. and saying in no uncertain matuier, to jou and to mc: This is one of the most reimrkable occi:rrcnces in the history of the Church, and these brethren are representatives of the Church in suffering; and that instead of the Lord permitting us all to go 10 jail He has taken stven rcprcsentativs there and their sentence (resting upon them) rest also upon you and upon me bctause of the fact that the court in pronouncmg the sentence said; "In the opinion of the Court, the religious proptioanda which ihtK defendants vigorously advocated and spread throughout the nation, as well as among our allieB. is a greater danger than a division of the German array. If they had taken guns and swords and joined together the German array, the harm they could have done would have been insigi;ifi{:ant compared with the results of their propiganiia. A person preaching religion usually has M>uic_ influence, ard if he is sincere he is all die more effective. This aggravates, rather than mitigates the WTORg they have done, etc" Indicating in clear cut terms that it was because of the iocijines that they were being sent to prison. Xow, dear friends, where does your responsibilitv and mine come in? Are we standing by those doctrines? If we are, then we are involved in ;haj sentence, are we not? If we arc not, dear friends, I ihink we are missing some- thing. I like to think of the brethren as not only them- selves suffeiing tor Christ's sake, but you and I are companions svith them in trlhnbiion, and die 3Ciiteiii;c that rested upon them rests upon you and me ; and I am glad to assume a share in the responsibility. Lei me tell you, dear friends, just somethttig in tfti'j connection, f happened to kncsv that at least otie of those dear brethren Could have avoided his sentence by just remain IRT silent. One oi those brethren who is now It) prison at .\tlanta was going to have the case dismissed against him ^causc of itisulncicnt evidence. I will tell you his name: It was B.-other .Mac.Millan. At the end ot the govcr-imcni's case, the Court indicated he would probabJy dismiss Brother .'dacMiilan from the indictment because of insufficient evidence offered. That night mm^^w^^fffff^^^T'.. II iJi-aii ijflsii mi 50 s u pp LE ^rr E n t Brother MacMillati wcht to the attorneys oftice and said. "I want you to with the former J \\c are willing to believe the truth! \Vc are glad to believe the trLuh ! Eut are we willing to take thfc rest of the statement: We are, dear friends, art we not? Oh, I hate the spirit of fear that is sometimes sho^^n by a few. We are g]ad that it is a few. I remember the case o^ Ode biolhcr who was arrested and put into a hhhy prison and the time came for his trial, and he said to his atlornevj "It will not be neces- sary for you to subpoena any of the witnesses in my case, I am a Bible Student, and I will find plenty witnesses in the class who will be ;ust anxiotis^and giad to testify OIL my bchal[, you won't need to subpoena any of thern," But that brother waj disappointed: he foutid aE least two or three in that class— consecrated and promi- nent in the class^ too — who hesitated or refused to appear as witnesses because they were afraid they might get into trouble thtmselvcs. They would not volunteer their serv- ice to sit upon the witness stand for a halt hour, and answer truthfully questions which might be asked them by an attorney, because they feared they might he put in prison for conlempt oi courts or somethin^f like that- Gh. dear friends, isn't it enough to make us ashamed? I recall Brother Rutherford speaking one day, just before the distribution of the Kail of Babylon tracts. Lven then there were some who were afraid! There was one brother who wrote in and said, "I want you to send me a copy of the paper, and I will look it over, and tell you whether I will be willing to co-operate with the Society in distributing them." And that brother was supposed lo be in heart harmony with the Truth. Brother Rutherford wrote back .and said; ''I do not believe the Society would want yoti to co-optTate in the distribution of any of its literature, if you watit to first examine and look it over and then decide. I do not behevt that shows a very appreciative spirit of the aifencv the Lord has been plea ftp ri to use for more than forty years," I believe he answered the brother properly. I think that the ones who are going to follow the admonition of the Apostle,— not only to "stand last in the faith," — but to strive together in one spirit and in one mind; co-operating for ihe artvancement of the faith of the gospel; and we know, dear friends, that the great work that is before us is one which the Lord has dearly out- lined. The Fall of Babylon is near, and there is undoubtedly a ffreat inessaf;^ that is yet to go forth in connection with its accomplishment. The Lord is able to bring about the conditions, and He wijl bring about the conditions so chat His work will be effective. I believe that He is doing it Moit', and that we will we before long that instead of our having to hammer and drive to get anybody to listen to the truth. Wis will Iind a great many hungry hearts yearn- ing; for it. And as we intimated a while ai^, it may b^ the piibliihjjiff of ihc facts in coHnettion with the case of Oitr brethren thai may be the ejiiering -iuedgc. But that we 'oAl! wait and sec. In addition to the proininencc of the figure jfVf" in connection with their case, I wish to also mention some parallelisms suggested during the: blessed week we were in l^aymond Street jail togettter. First one brother would suggest something and then aEiothqr^ and by the end of 1 he Wf:ek we had some very i [Ue resting dat a comp 1 1 ed that 1 think has gJaddetied the hearts of the friends who ha^c heard it- The Lord, in a most remarkable way, has shown a direct relationship between liic experience of the feet inembL^rs of the body and the experience which came upon the iiead of the body nineteen centuries ago. We know that iht moon was pictoriul of the Jewish dispensation, which came to a close in the days oi our Lord, iiven as the sun is a picture of the Gospel dispen- sation. There were ijireat privileges that had been extended to the nominal Jewish house that pai^^ed away bc;cause they did not appreciate the Lord from Heaven, who had come. Evan now wc sec that the Lord has cast aside the great nominal spiritual Israel because of the fact that they have not ajjpreciated the Lord's Second Preience and co-operated in the carrying lonvard of the message now due. Kather, they have totight against it; even as they fotight ayainst our Lord and persecuted tiiin to His death. iSow let us note sotne pavallcls. Onee a year the sun reaches its ::cnith in the heavens- Brother llussell su^ests that the zvaniitc/ oi the waoti at the time of our Lord's cnuifijrion was suggestive of the pas^iiii/ aztjaj? oi the privikges that had been eit tended to that itominai Je-:iA^h house back there. Our Lard was crittifitid when the uttjttn was at its ^acttith in the heaven. He was crucified on the ijf/i of jVijon at high nooitt according to Matthew's account, "There was darkness over the earth from the sixth hour." That would be nooUt because the Jews reckoned daylight fro en about 6 A. M. It was apparently at high noon^ therefore, that our Lord's aai-uitiej on t'flrf/i were cut short, on tlie l&th of Nisan when the moon was at it$ monthEy zenith in the heavens. These scvch representatives of titc Lord's people, and you and I, and all of us as feet members, had our acii-L'ities in coiitnection with the harvest cut short on the pist day of June, i^lH, the toti^cst day of the year, when the sun wag at its lenith in the heavens. It was at diat hotir that the setitjuee was pronounced upoti our seven representatives. This. matter is further tinphasiied when we look into the details of the circumstances as ti^ey occurred. Our brethren were CQHvicted the day previous (June 20th), and the Court had aitnouneed that at iwoft on the following day he would pronoutice sentence. About U A, M. the officers came to Raymond Street jail and took our breth- roti to the courthouse. Everything was arranged just before Vi o'clock for the judge to make his appearance in the court room and pronounce the sentence according to schedule. But 12 o clock came, then 12 ;10, 12 rSO, 12^45, and the judge had not yet put in his appcarancen He did not arrive and impose sentence tiutU 1 P. M. "Oh," you say, *'I am sorry he spoiled the picture. Why cnulftn'r he have gotten there on tim*?'^ I do not know why. He did not explain, but merely apologized for having been delayed an hour; and then he pronounced the sentence at I P, iL instead of 12 o'clock,— as an- nounced. But, isn't it a fact, that all the docks were runuinff one hour fast all last summer? Cl^ughter.) And if he had pronounced that sentence at 12, it would have been one hour before the sun reached its cenith in the hcavetis, on this longest day in the year. The Lord pertnitted him to be one hour iate in order that the sen- tence might come upon the seven representatives of the fEct members of the body at exactly hiffh noon, when the sun was at its very highest point in the heavens. And then the sun began to wane, even as the moon waned back there at the crucifixion of our Lord, and showed the passing aivay oi the privileges upon the nomi- nal Jewish house. Just so, this pictures the passing aivay of the privileges of nominal Lhristeiidoiin down here. The picture is complete. l^t us see further; the i-^th of Xisan back there when the Lord was crucified occurred on Friday. You look at the calendar and you will find the ^ist day of June in the year I0I3 came upon a Friday. Furthermore , the Lord was found fj n ill y the n ifjh ( SUPPLEMENT 51 previous, — Thursday, at a iate hour. Our brethren, the seven representatives of the Feet Members of Christ, were found i^uitty the nitjht previous, at a iate hour, I tclJ you wc cannot say that tliese are merely eoinci- deuces and that the hand of God has not been in the whole circumstances ; we eamtot shut our eyes • and say this is merely an incident in which seven or eight men were involved. It is something in which you and / and everyone as mccnbers of the feet of Christ are involved. Now, dear friends, in view of the fact that thu L^ord has thus so peculiarly and particularly set forth this circumstance before Onr minds leads me to the conclusion that He is not through with the circumstances; that He intends to use the case of our brethren for bringing the truth to the attention of the world, and especially the Foolish Virgin Lbss, with such telling force that it will arouse them from their slucnbers. Many will %^y^ "Why did these seven Christians have to go to prison on a twenty-year sentence, and why were they denied bad pending the appeal of their casci when real out-and-out seditionists the country over were freely admitted to bail?" We are not finding faulty We are merely stating , the facts as they existn But the Lord in His own due time will make manifest the answer to these questions. 'I he people will want to kno w the ans wer, they wi I L demand the answer^ I believe! Then they ^viII say: "What were these men teaching? What was that book?" And the Lord in His providence may give us the privilege of answering Iheir further questions, 1 had a talk with an editor in St. Louis the other day. I merely alluded lo the bookn I \vas talking about the case in genera], and I was struck with the interest that was aroused in his mitid^not merely the fact of those men being in bonds— but his interest was in what they were teaching that sent tht^m to jaiL 1 was telling him about the case, and he wouM bring me back to the point. "But — what is that book they were publishing?'* And after awhile he said: "Say, can you send me a copy?" I said, "N'o, I cannot, the book is under the ban." After a while he mentioned the book againn and just as I was leaving, as he shook my hand, he said, "Say, young man. will you promise me one thing? Will you promise to mail me a copy of that book tho very day that the ban is lifted?" (Laughter.) And so I promised! and t am going to keep my promise. (Applause.) 1 think, dear friends, that sentiment is rapidly chatig- ing, and I believe that it will not be very long before the people will be hungerittg for the truth. It seems- that" ^\QTy picture in the Scriptures relating to these things sets forth that very fact. You recall that beautiful and wonderful article in the Watch Tower about "J^s^^ph and His Brethren"? Our dear Pastor has written upon the subject at various times, treating Joseph and Benjamin as t^Tcal characters, and Benjamin as a type of the Great Company class. If that picture means anything, it un- doubtedly shows that there is a great work to take place suutii th[il there wilt bg a.\\ of this Benjaniin class hun- gering for the truth before long, and you and I apparently arc the only ones in the world who can give it lo them. Of course, the Lord could give the blessing of truth by the angels of Heaven if He wanted lo, but He has kept you and me on this side of the vail — For what reason? I think wc v/ill see the reason before long. Wc know that our dear Pastor always e:!pected a literal fulfillment of the H&th Psalm on a scale that we have thus far never witnessed. "Let the saints be joyful in glory, and sing aloud upon their beds," "Sing aloud — " Do yoti get that? *'Sing aloud on their beds with the two-edged sword in their hands," and [)e says that that refers to this side the vail. You remember that article in the Watcli Tower from our dear Pastor regarding that applying to this side the vail; that the saints wouid have a glorious privilef^e of wieldicig that two-edg:cd sword on this side the vail, "crj'inij atoud upon their beds, and binding the kings with chains, and the nobles fof Babylon) with fetters of iron"? This honor hath all the saints. We have had some privileges along that line already. But r believe the greater part of those privileges are in the future. No doubt we will soon see ,the message of truth brought to the attention of kings, and rulers and great ones of earthy even as Revelation 10:11 shows. I think that we will hnd that the Lord has not put these statements In the Scriptures as mere idle words, but that He intends that before the Church on thiii side the vail have accomplished their mission tiiey will have so success- fully and thoroughly spread the truth from one end of the earth to the other that it will not be true, as it is today, that you can go right out in this city and find peoi^le who have never heard of Brother Russell or Brother Rutherford- 1 dare say that already more people have beeonie acquainted with the L E. S. .\. through last year's experiences than through any other one thing that has ever occurred in the history of the Church, If this he true even noWj what will it be when the Lord's time comes for us to send forth the message and tell these facts before all the world? Whh sentimi^nt rapidly chaetging %ve will probably enjoy before long ttie greatest privjieges that you and I have ever had,— and perliaps have ever dreamed of. Frobably most everyone here has had some privilege along the line of bringing somebody into the truth, if so, you know the joy it brought to your heart as you went to your neigEibor, day by day, evening after eveiung^ and brought them to the class meetings and to Sunday lectures. Vou gave them tractsj and you gave them books, and you nourished them along and, oh, the joy that filled your heart when you r^atUed the fruits of your labors I How will you feel, dear friends, if the Lord gives you the privilege before long of not only bringing one indi- vidual to a knowledge of the truth, but probably letting you bring into the truth tens or hundreds of tho^c who are yet in darkness— real Virgins, even though foohsh? Oh, the joy that will come to your heart if the Lord gives you that privilege! It will be a glorious privilege indeed, and we can see we would be "joyiul in gloo'i singing aloud upon our beds," wielding this two-edged sword of truth, binding the kings (of ecclesiasticism, as well as otherwise) with chains, and the nobles with fetters of iron — ^the strong words of the gospel^ Let us bold ourselves in readinest and if the Lord extends any privileges like that to us before long, let us take hold of them and leave the results to the Lord, realising that "hereunto we have bceii called.'^ It is not for us merely to believe the fruth, but also to su§€r for its sake. \\*c will now devote five or ten minutes to the discus^ sion of our recent prison c?rperietices, inasmuch as several of you have requested that 1 do so tonight, i do not consider these as matters of so much importance. In fact, there is not very much to tell, so far as my own experiences are concerned; but I believe if all the interesting facts in coiimtciion with the case of the other brethren were made known, you wo u Ed appreciate that a great deal. I was in prison for six months to a day. I was three months in Raymond Street jail^ BrookljTi. and then was transferred to the >rassau County jail at Miticohj N. V. I found conditions there very different from what they were here Jn the Brooklyn jail. They always searched the prisoners at Raymond Street jail every time they came back from court, and even hteraturo, books, papers, etc., are taken away from them. When I entered I had a copy of the Bible, a copy of the Seventh Volume and a AVatch Tower. Tliey look the Watch Tower away from me, but let me have the Seventh Volume and the Bible. I think they thought both of them were Bibles. (Laughter.) And isn't it a fact? Volume Seven is merely part of the Bible, U is two books of the Bible with a few notes and comments upon those books. I asked the guard why he took the Watch Tower away from me. I explained that it was a religious magazine^ and presumed he would be glad to have the prisoners surrounded with all the religious reading possible. He said, "Yes, but not that kind." (Laughter.) He muttered something as he threw it over into the Avaste hasketn and I kindly asked him what it was he said. He responded. "1 said, if it wasn't for that stuff you wouldn't have been here." (Laughter.) I guess he was right. At the Raymond Street jail, the conditions arc very different from what they are at llineola. At the former pbce the prisoners are locked up twenty-four hours a day, with the exception of three recreation periods of one 52 SUPPLEMENT hour each, with only one recrcitioii period on Sundays and liolidays. But I had Much opportucity Sor study, and I api)r«ia[i;d that viry much, indeed. l^iiially I was traKsfcrred tc lltneali.— much lo my iclic:. ll seems tint aU the officials at tlie Raymond Street jail arc Catholic— from the watdcn down—and I was surprised lo Snd ou: that it Mineola evcryihmg >s Protestant— from unitSf tills sister has received a good deal af respect for her knuTvlcUgc of the Bible as written before, and not during the Dark .Ages, So they suggested that we sund by ilic Siliiatic Manuscript which is the most raluabic wo have. Brother Russell used it as an autliorityj it is tt.e olde^ and most reliable ar.d complete copy of ^e New Testament that we have. The sister suggested that this 12U0 units of measure he tracslated in Sabbath day jour- neys. Kaw then eight goes into JWO I'M times, Tfiat would be 150 units of measure. She said this was a pos- sible reference to five moulht: November and December oi ISn, and January, February and .March ot itUB; it was within each of these tr.cnths that the Lord's Church was privileged to engage ia the last feature of the haniist wark. 1 gave a good deal of attention to all the suggestions, as I was bound lo do, and as you would wish mc, or any- body, to do who is trying to deal wi;h the Loid's Word, btsausc vre al! want the Truth, if we make a mistake in anylhitig we wan! to find whete it is, and rectify it, if we have nut iiMile any mistakes then we want to know that. So the object of this address is try to show, if 1 can, from tlte Scripuires that there haven't been any mistakes nude in the treatment of this matter in the ScvcMifi Volume: That it could col possibly refer to anything else, but a book. In order to study this passage properly let us consider tlie 1-llh chapter : "And 1 jookcd and lo a LanSb stood on the ilcmnt 5ion, and with him an hundred forty and four Ihousaiid, hiving His Father's name written in dicir fofcliciitls." You flavc ni> diBieuiiy lo understand who is the Lamb 1 That is our Lord Jesus Christ : our Passover Lamb. That is the Lamb widtout spot or blemish: slain irom the foundation oi the world on our behalf. Oil, how beautifully the Apostle speiks of Itim as "the Power of the Flock." It also speaks about the sheep ; Uiwjc why arc not powers : merely ^little sheep" who are with Him. We are glad to be counted in WILT the Lord 43 liulc sheep. Glad that -Jic Lord recognizes us at all! I can never forget die lesson Brother Barton presented at the Toronto Convention : Yon want to realize just how cnportant your sacrifice is in the sisht af Cad; compared wiih one complete and perfect bullock in the complete picture. So there are I44,0«» sheep; and oar Lord is the central figure of the picture. This evidently was fulfilled ia the Lord's plan : about April 1, IKS. At that time there were evidently enough in the anli-chanber lo have made up the entire Churdi of Christ i but tiie Lord knew that many of them would aoE prove faithful, and so he allowed ihe general call to cuniinuc for three and one-half years longer, and it lasted (as we know) until October 1, tSSl. Since that time it fias not been proper for US to say to anybody : "If you make your consecration to the Lord, and cany out your consecration faithttiUy you shall be privileged to sit down with Christ on the Throne." No. we can merely say "that is our hope; ;hat ii oar expectation." On this basis we have made our coiisecraiioij. and it is on that basis that we still continue to serve the Lord as we have opportunity Most of us liivc come Into the truth since 1881, I might mention an authority for ihii itaieroeni that the wlioU: iM.WW were standing on Mount Zion ia the tpntig of ISrd, Brother Kusscll, in hi$ comments in Kevelation d, referred to this m an article in the Watch Ton-cr on the Parable «f the W eddhig Feast, "The king came m to sec the gusstj, "-Implying that the full nu,„t,ej was ilitre, 3mcc tliat time the Lord and His little com- pany have been standing upon .Mount Zion in the spirit ot their minds— whether on tliat side of tlic vail) or on this side. And in the spirit of our minds wc sec the Lord as an all-powerful king working out His good will and pleasure ; and tn the spirit oi our mindi, wc ate associated witli ilim although still on this side the vail. Kow. those who are associated with die Lord on Mcmnt Zioo, have in their hands "harps." "Have you heard the new song; the song which the jaiiiis now may sing? How tilt old liitp of Moses, snd the sweet tlute of John, with harmoniout melody ring> It will Iloat o'er the world in rapturous strain of glory and jeace and good will." A song IS something iiaimonlous and pleasing to the ear. The Gospel IS referred to as a song, lor David says. "Thou hast put a new song into my month, even the loving kind- ness of our God," \Ve continually sing this song We could not ling it when we were in Babylon, Wc could not har- moniie tlie law with the Gospel. They would liavc been glad to have had us bring t'orth the pleasing things out of Gjd's word, if we just kept still. \^'c could have stayed in the Churches if we were only willing to retrain from telling ell the plan. There have been some who liave tried that, but I don't think the Lord is pleased witK that kind of a character. "And they sang a new song." When I heard Brother Sampson tlie first time, I said, "I never heard anything; like ihat before in my life," And the more I have hearl of It Mnce, the better it sounds. Another thing about it too: The more you tell and siag about that song, the: tjetter 11 sounds to .yoursdf. Ttit truth is iCmitkuig tliat we keep by giving it o-jray. and ihi mare a-c liiiv auiay, the more breiiom it is to aJ. "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel lo preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tonsue. and people, baying with a loud voice. Fear God, and give glory to him: for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and canh, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." (Ch, H 6 7 ) The word -angel" is a broad word; In the Greek ii means a messenger. God may use any Idnd of a messenger in prescr.ting the Everlasting Gospel to every nation and kindrtrl and tonsua and people. Who? Or wliat is that angel.' Volume I of Scripture Studies, Jnst thine it over! It docs contain the "EverUjiiug Gospel," That is the one that God is going to preach b? and by lo every land, kindred and tongue and people. Was it circulated through the heavens? "He saw an an^el rty.ng through the midst ot Hcjven." Powers t Spiritual control: Did this message go into the Baptist heaven? Or ibe Lutheran heaven? It did! It went back and forth through the ecclesiastical firmament and aceom- plished a purpose in "saying wiih a loud voice";— Did it have a low voice,' Kol There were over a million copies published and circulated in something like twenty-two lan- guages. Some of the literature is in ihirtv four languages That is a "loud voice" I It says : "Fea'r God, and give glory to him. ' Is there anything in Volume I that makes you feel like referencing God? After you were fod on the creeds ihat were mamifactured during the f>ark .Ages, and then suddenly God held this volume before your eyes, clid it not make you have a different idea vi Gtxl ? "Fear God and give glory to Him for die hour of his Judgment is c^me." Is there anytliiog in Volume I about Jlidgment? Yes I The title of the hook originallv was ^Millennial Da^vn — the dniiu of the milUnniuni: and tltt JazLit of the thousand year iudgmeni Jay of Christ Is al hand, I consider, therefore, that is a well proven noin; » A^'D AS FAST AS WE PROVE A POINT JliST TAKE A TACK AND DRIVE IT t.V. Yon kttow how it is to stretch a carpet: Yoii pull up a little piece, and try to tack it down. Of course you usually have (a repeat it because the first time it gets twisted. 54 SUPPLEMENT And it says the SECOND aiigct followed ihe first one, and its message was "Bal>y]ojt is fatieti." Vou reiiienibcr the dispeiisitions contained it) the second volume! An(l you know how sigatftcatttly they point to tht: date ISttJ; and ho\v that chronoloijically Babylon was due to begin to fall April 1st of that year (18'6J ; and she has been falling ever since. She is in a pretty bad condjtioti new. And as proof that Bah^'bn the great is in a fallen condi^ tion thtre is an interesting chapter in the end ci the book. The last chapter is devoted to "Tlie Men of Sin/* It shows there how the "Man of Sin'* is Papacy — the Attti-Christ : That Papal System is Babylon the Great. Concerning the THIRD angel there arc a tiurr^her of statements made. The third angel speaks of the harvest. The- third vohnite of Scripture Studies speaks of the har- vest. It shows that durinff the harvest tirrtc the kind of work the Lord weald have ua do was the harvest work. There is also the jtatemeiit, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord frotn now^ and henceforth. They rest from their labors, but their worki do follow thtm." That ap- pears for the first time in Volntne III. Now 1 sitggesE something that will sho^v you whether a person is riead or not. Jf a person is really dead, you can step on his toes and he won't say a thing ; you can walk all over them, they won't object. Vou can scold at them, and they will not scold back. Yott can flatter them, but it is like water rolling off a diick/s back. You can think these things over aitd you will he able to decide whether yott belong to tht dead class or not. (Laughter.) *'And another augtl came out of the temple, sayiitg to hirn that sat upon the clouds, thrust in thy sickle and reap the vine of the earth (harvest), and the angel thrust in his sickle on tlic earth." This refers to the reaping of Uic wheat front the tares; gathering the wheat in to the Lord's garner. Rovi could this iitgel be that came out of this peculiar temple (as though it was a tentple different from any other) ? It secros to ine that plainly refers to the Great Pyramid of Egypt, which is a peculiar temple of its OAvn; and there is something which came out of that tem- ple that has taught God's peopU a great many lessons. All the lessons taught by this Temple are in harmony svith the other lessons. .\nd the third voEume of Scripttare Sttidies, in which this appears as the last chapter, sets this off as though it wen; a separate book. It has a little pref- ace, and a title page, and some introductory remarks ; but it is hound in the third volume. And still it comes out of a special place! ft comes out of the "temple." You remem- ber that message which came to us itt hook form regard- ing God^s Pyramid in the Land of EgjTJt — the great "altar" ! "And he cried like a lion" (Isa, Jl)^which looks like the devil — the clergy, I am pretty sure. ''My Lord I stand upon the Watch Tott'cr atid behold here cometh a ci>artot of men . , , Coiue, Babylon is fallcnt and the great image is broken on the ground." This picture here is illustrating to ray mind the way the seven volumes of Scripture Studies appears to the clergy. Thty appeared as Ulagltes to them : "And 1 saw these seven angels come forth, clothed in white litten, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles." In preparing the manuscript for the large portion of the seventh volume I noticed that the word here rendered Utten is a different word than any otiier rendered in the Bible ; and I merely noted that it was not the kind of linen from which the robe of the Briile of Christ is wovctt. I wonder how many of you remember seeing that," (Three hands indicated they saw it,) Well, it is there just the same! Here is a peculiar word, and I thought God must have had some special reason for so statitig this matter; and I did not knotv what it was then, but 1 do now. It has reteientc to stie ^act that these nsessenj^ers who came forth are printed upon white paper — white linen : clean aitfl white. Linen is one of the finest kinds of paper known, "And girded with gold." How much value would a book be to you if it consisted of 600 pages but not pasted together. Where could I read page 4To? You ivouie continually fussing atjout for the thing. This should he bound !o be of any use to you. You have to "gird" them lopether, Vou ask : "What about the golden girdle? You will see the golden girdles: Seven books would he printed on white paper ; well bound and stamped in gold. Then it says : "They carne forth out of the Tabernacle." VOH have all studied Tabcriracle Shadows. (Laughter,) The i:ntir<: j^Vi'u i'otufiicj of S*:n^lHfc Studies came forth from Tab-rrutitli: Shttda-.v's, Here it was that Brother Rus- sell saw- clearly the philosophy of God's plan. After introducing the third plague it says: "And I heard the Ahar say. Even so, Lord God .'Almighty." This "altar" is the altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, Conceruijig the FOURTH angel: "tie poured out his vial upon Uie sun," The fourth volume was sent to the ckrgy. Brother Russell sent (Ills volume to all the clergy ■whose addresses could Le procured. And St says: "The men cursed God*' because of these things, II" was about that time tiiat they began to accuse Brother Russell as being uiitruthtul and evil ; and so they continued dowit to the time of his death. In connection with the FIRTH angel it says, "He poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast," (Siniatic MMS,) The beast is papacy: attd the seat of the beast is the placti where it rests ; presumably the doctrines. And the fundamental doctrines of papacy are the Trinity ; the immortality of man ; and the doctrine oi eternal torment. Those questions are thoroughly discussed in tht lifth volume of Scripture Studies, And after introducing the sixth volume it also intro- duces a verse or two that would he jtist as well for me if it had not been iu the Bible. It says : "I saw three un- clean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet . , , which go forth unto the kjtigs of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to tite battle of that great day of God Almighty," I am not going to explain that now — for reasons that I expect to explain it to a scUcicd audience later in the week. (This tnattcr was thoroughly comnjentcd on at the trial^ of our brethren— as drawn out through cross-exam- ination of Brother Woodworth.) However, all this is aside from the point which I want to bring out, i. tf,, the meaning of the last four verses of the Hth chapter. You see, dear friends, that through- out these chapters it has been discussing books— the har- vest liierattire. What would be the most reasonable thvHg to find "after noting that all the rest of the chapters were talking about books? I think you would say with me that tlie most reasonable thing to anticipate would be that it refers to a book. ■*And another aitgcl came out of heaven, he also having a sharp sickle." "Who is that "other angel"? I know of one "who has great power on the other side of the vail. That is Brother Kussell ! "Blessed is that servant whom you find so doing. Verily I say he will make hiin ruler over all the truth." I don't find any place where the Lord limited that to Brother Russelfs period on this side the vail; and we note that it says in this very same chapter that rest in their labors, but their works follo-^f after thcrn. Drothti Russell has more power there than he had on this side, Wliat do you think about that? "And another angei came out of the temple: he had a sharp sickle ; aitd another t;amc out of the altar, which had power over fire." W'ho ts this angel? This angel is mentioned four times in the IJook of Revelation. It is mentioned in the seventh chapter (Srd to the 5th verses) : and there it seems to me very clearly refers to the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, Vou liavc the cKplanation in the seventh volume. The angel had power over the hrc and gathered these coals of fire and scattered them through the earth literally. After (he seventh volume of Scripture Studies was issued it -vvas suddenly sent out, or hurled deliberately broadcast amongst the readers of the Tower. .\nd it is referred to again ui the t8lh chapter as an "angel standinjf in the sun." ^ the second verse it speaks about otle tnighty voice saying, "mighty Babyloti is fallen and has become the habitation of demons, and un- clean and hateful birds. And attother voice said 'come out of her, my people.' " Noxv the truth people have backed up the message by distributing the literature which cs to tEH"ite lire people to come out. That h another voice which is here referred to: Here. I tvas prepared to see that the other angel which came out of the altar was the society— SVPPLEME .V T after Brother Rttssell s deatti. Tlicti wo get the thought too fiat thi.s other aiigel, coming out of the aliar, represents the fact that the society is supported by the sacrifices of the Lords httle ones. It is kept up by cotitributions litt'le '^''"' ^°^' ^"'' ^'""' """" " '''"'^' ^"'' '''"'= * ..ji'^'''t ''^ '■""*, "'™='s fulfill Ihe latter part of this verse' Another angel came out oi the altar which had power over the fire! "And they cried with a loud ™iee: thrust m a sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth! Was there anything like that happened' 1 will ask you a question When you heard Brother Kussell was uead (alter you thought ot your own personal loss) did you not think ot what an unspeakable loss it was to the cfinrch; just at this time when the world was passine through new, strange and terrible experiences.' Did it not seem to be a great pity that he was taken away without iurnishmg the seventh volume? Did you not fee! dis- appointed? I did! I thought; "Oh, dear Brother Russell, why did you go away without do ine what you c^peeted you would do througliout the entire harvest time I We looked to yoii! You promised' And we understood your mention! Why did you go away?" That is the way I tclt! Iherc you see was that cry. Don't you see? It was IL'^rsT ,°"'>'""=' ^l'. '' '*■?= '" ■"'>'^'"<5 "'y- They cried with a loud cry lo him saying, "thru.!! in tiiy sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth" The statement is that the "angel thrust in his sickle and galhered Ihe vmc oi the earth. It into the great wine- press of the wrath of God. And the ivinepress was trodden ti5t-1^' JV«-^^^'',^"i.'''°'«' =s™^ ""' "f 'he winepress ll't,^^ U^'TO THE HORSE BRIDLES, BY "THE luELONGS"'^ THOL-SA^-D ond SIX HUNDRED That rneans the book was prepared outside of head- ttuarters—in Scranlon, at a certain distance from Bethel anti the Lord had his own reasons to thus have it pre- pared outside Bethel. And Babylon began to fall You know what happened on the Ifith of March ! If you dont I do! (Laughter.) I believe the book has accom- p ished God s purpose i and if it has then surely we arc This brings us down to the last clause: And it says ■ "-Vt a tiislancc IKOO furlongs." It In ";ao« furlongs" in the Siniatfc Manuscript. You know what the seventh volume has to say about that. Perhaps you would like to know how that came to he there, [n the first pi ace it was because I ctjuld not thmk of anything else. Had I been able lo » J , !t"Otiiep explanation I would have put it there And I did not think of that one directly. Here is the way I came to think of it, I was specially interested in the explanation Brother Hussell referred to. But 1 did not know how to identify it with the great European war for I noticed the European battle line was 2100 miles long "'S'ead of ItiOO, That was my first disappointment. Then when I found out the measurement had shrunken to 1200 1 cMld not see how any one could coiiscientiouslv stretch It. The truth tnends are pretty sharp vou know! One hun- dred for()--seven miles was the distance from the city. What city? It could hardly mean Babylon, because that is down through the middle of Europe. That don't mean Home I could not think of anything that was hlT miles away from Rome, This is ivhat went through my mind ■ The word cily means Ecclesiastical Go>-ernment. I thought of Betliel. "lere is the Lord's Truth ilovemem. I wonder., that could be the city. I went out through .\cw Engbi, a tour-having a map i„ „i„c absurd for I knew ime table did not indicate this distance. I was a tout by he matter aside and go to ihe Lord. 1 did not k, ^ff 1 v'^i '''i- 1"= ^ i>^mn^'i to Ihink about the gr«t off by the Laek.„.ani,a R. R, where they run righV [1,™ the mountains; and there you go along abouf 'we ™ fifteen miles on the most wonderful road bed in the wo. Sometimes you find yourself as high as lweu"y!fo J°' in the iir; down below you see the farms, etc I ca «l> the railroad office to find out abour tbe disunee 'T ^ifl f fT" h"" '» =°?"™ .™" k"«v very well (a go taiiliful brother, who is an old farmer and accustor^ M passing upon land:i .nd requesting hit^ to c^refu measure the distance between Bethel and HoboSn J measured it twice and the measurements were put iu ^■^fT J'^T""'^\ '*'^='"'? "^ S''"'" I' =^'"<^ out with P t^, H° ^ ""'*=■ .^.^"* "'" 1"<^'-. I told Broil lishcr. He vvas surprised. On the first of April Bro b ,f:^' ,T''f' ^"^ '" ''"= '"■'" °* moving'^ forgo" about the distance matter and thought of nothing b acklug down carpets etc. He moved n number uf bloc further away from the railway station. I went down ai asked h.m, "Why did you mover" He said, '■Eeruse found rents were cheaper." t asked him. "Do you thin that was Ihe reason you moved? You are getting x'o" blocks larther away from the Lackawanna. TTiere Is on f^rX-^^llr ?. rfr'!"''' "' » ""'«• Thus it came out a. cording to God s Word, The Lord put that in the book. First, to make th book appear fodish in the eyes of those that do not bdic^■ H^ ,■, 1 ," ^r "i" ''=°P'=- ^"^ >"=>'■='' "5 to know tha He would jclcct His own tools to do the work. Thri^r, purposed to show the Church that the book would b written in such a place and in such a way, tbat none of th, truth friends need to stumble. Those who have since som out from us and made all these statements about V seventh volume never tell yen about the fact tha! tlie hook was written before they started this. The manuserip?, t hJi^X r h"' S^^^"'""^"' -"^^ =1". finished and in the hook KBtore f heard of even a suspicion, or difficulty of any kind, w e were too busy to know what was going on We were working for our worldly employers during the day ,^nd we were working earnestly on the book early in the morning, and late at night. You can evidently sec that passage could not refer to anything eke bui this book. And the Lord wanted us to unow .that he is minagmg this whole affair ; and we are right in His hand, Wc don't care what happens. We be- long to the Li.id, and if He is tkrcwjh with us— fl/r."r,/i( It nat, we are reads. If «c wants to pitt lu in cold storage and save us for something He has yet to do, then let us be willing! IT seems as though now at the close of the Age. lomj after rhe Master has knocked at the heart of each o'f His followers, that a muilitude. manv thousands, yet a little number comparatively, the remainder of the 14-1 000 are yet to enter the gate of Heaven, and it seems that the door ofHeaven opens a little ivider and the Lord gives us a little oelter glimpse of things beyond the vail and things beyond the trouble than we have ever had before. "THE EZEKIEL TEMPLE" By Bro. Geo. H. Fisher At Brooklyn Tabernacle, Oct. 14, 1517, 3 ;00 P. ,\I. PART I This is just what we might expect of one so loving and kintl as our :ilaster. "We love Him, but our love for Him IS not to lie compared with His loic for us. .And so as we stand upon the threshold of this dooi- (the Temple door), he has opened it perhaps a little wider to let the crowd m that is cominff and as we ^tand before the portals prepared ro go in the Master opens the door a hltle more and gives us this wonderful picture, which is 36 SUPPLEMENT SUPPLEMENT [)tii:ips n plainer visiQii of some things that iic beyond tliait we have ever had before. One of the dear friends wis up there at Scrajiton,— Sister Slebert. Soii^ebcw or oxher, because I \\iA betu over Eiekiel it got around that I knew some thing about EzekicJ» but I didn'tn Brother Woodwqrch knew a grtat deal about ReveUiion. Siiier Sieben said xo rne, "Sit down and explain Ezekiel to me." li siic had asked me to do any other impossible thinff I could not have started with any greater misgivings. 1 opened tlie back of the Bible and Siert something Brother Russdl said opened up that first chapter and it was that comment which said the great cloud enfolding itself was the time of trouble. As often as E had looked it over 1 itad never noticed that. At any rate, it was a suggestion stid enough. I sat down atid explained the chapter then as it appears in the book. Eelorc that I had never understood it. Nothing suptr- na tu r al abo ut tt'.at , S omc th i ng B rother Russ el I had written was enough to throw light on the whole chapter* TIhs is the way it was ah through the book. At every point where diHicuUtes seumcd insurmountable something Brother RusscU had written threw eiiouifh light on that section to make it tindtirstandable. // BTotimr Kii^S^li fmd 'o/ritten less than he did I Aoticc Brother Fisher ccuiii fiol have midcntaod ii. So we attribute the work to Brother Russell, and I think we do so justly. because the Lord iUuminatcd tht points thraugb Brother Russell's writings, which perhaps no other man could have explainedf which threw light on the whole thing. The way it was started was like this. Sister Siebert came to Brooklyn and told the Executive Commtltee that two brethren krtcw something about Revclatiori and Eiekiel and the Executive Committee requested Brother Woodworth and Brother Fisher to present such matter a£ they might leql able, that it might be considered with other matter. That tyoj the cammissioti. NoWt this chart represents the finished work of God- It also represents the steps toward that finished work. In Ephesians 1:8-11 the Apostle speaks about "God hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, havinLi made known unto us the secret of His will (this is what we see before us), that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one (under one) all things in Christ, both which are iu Heaven and on earth, even in Him." He speaks of the same thing in CoL 1:19, "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell. And having made ^eace through the blood of His cross (by Christ) reconciling all things to Himself, whether they be in Heaven or on earth." This is what is pictured in Ezekiel 40:14, and our attitude of mind toward this wonderful temple is expressed by the Prophtt, who was a type of our beloved Pa$tor Russelt, "And the man said unto me." You know in prophecy in the case of the man in iiuen and the six others which Ezekiel saw, the man represented Pastor Rus^elli. We know that Brother Russell saw that man was himself- *'Tht man said tinto me, Son of Man, behold with thine eyes and hear with thine cars (Spiritual ears unstopped. Doa^t treat it lightly, don't pass it over), set thine heart upon all that I shall show you.*' Why are we brought this far along the N'arrow Way? Why do we see the gales o£ Htaven throwing such a light upon our way? "It is to the intent that I might show them unto thee that thou art brought hither/' thus far along the way, that they might he shown unto us, that they might be opened unto Uit the vision seen of men of old time, which holy men of God desired to look into and had not been able. And as we see it, what are we to do? Shut it up in dark closetSn It might get us into trouble ! "Declare all that thou scest to the house of Israel (Christendom)." Every- one must have a chance to see it. Eick. 4,^:10, "Thou son of man show the great sanctuary (the plan) unto the house of Isr5;el (tell about the great plan of GQd)i that they m^y be ashamed of their iniquities" And surely there is a showdown now of Christendom's iniquities. Who ever dreamed that that book contains the denunciations it does of the house of Israel. "That they nay be ashamed of their iniquities." I should think they would be ashamed, wouldn't you? Any Christian man that taVif.a that he has been a partner ill these practices should be ashacned^ and alt meti having the Holy Spirit will be ashamed. "That tliey may be ashamed of their iniquities, and let them measure the paUcrn,' Let them take tlie word oi God and take their measure. EieL 43:11. "If they are ashamed of all that they have done, then simw them the form of the house," TcEl dtem all they will hear. '^Shtjw tiujm the form of the house and the fashion thereof, and all the ordidances thereof and all the [aws thereof and write it down in their sight." They will read that Seventh Volume. "Write it in their sight that they may keep the form and all (he ordinances thereof and do them." You see this man Eackicl going into the temple. It shows hitn at the East Gate. We first see the Teniple as though it was like a dream, and there is a lack of connectedness in it. It looks as though it was on the top of a mountain and on the slopes o£ the moutitatu was the frame of a city below. The city would refer to the civil government of the Age and the Temple the religious organization. There stood the man with the measure. "Behold there was the tnan" — Pastor RusseEl — ^"whose appearance was like the appearuncu of brass/' or copper, a priest justified by faith in the merit of Christ imputed to him, "with a line of flax in bis hand." Flax is linen. In his power was linen to measure with, "and a rccd to measure with^" In liev, 14 :i it says, "There was given me a reed like a rod, and the angel stood saying. Rise and measure the Temple of God." This measurement of a reed six cubits long applied to any object means the full measure of the Word of God relating to that object. So we would under- stand. Willi the reed he uccasurcd the Temple, Sanctuary, and the whole building, with the Jlax he measured only one thing. That measurement was that of the life-giving stream tjtat flowed out from the Temple, past the ahar, through the East Gate and thence through successive depths of one thousand to four thousand cubits respect- ively, thence to the Dead Sea. The world lies in the valley and shadow of death. The water of life flowed into the Dead I^ea for its cleansing and re\'ivifying. Pastor Russell said something about four, vis., the four quafters of the race course. That was it* wasn't it? The waters gave life. "He that loveth is begotten of God.'* So with life, there is no life withotit love. Where love comes in there is life. So it was plain that the first thousand cubits meant measuring up to the extreme com- pleteness of obedience to the I^rd in duty love. The second thousand cubits meant measuring to the fulness of the Divine standard with reference to love for God's glorious character. The third thousand cubits meant meas- uring up to the standard of love for the brethren. The fourth thousand, measuring up to the full standard of Divine love in loving our enemies. You will notice that anyone in that stream who possessed duty love only was paddling around in the water up to his ankles. No tuari has fully gotten into the stream oi Divine Love until he attains the Fourth Degree. We will first compare the Temple with the Tabernacle. The Temple is simply the Tabernacle with additions. It is the Tabernacle over again. Instead of having a will around the Tabemaclei it had a ciirtatn, and a ctirtain Is. not made up of one, but many luembers^ many fibres^ many strings put together. When you think of it^ the curtain around the Tabernacle represented Christ, Christ's righteousness, and those to whom it was imputed. Here in the Temple wc find a. wall around the court. It is built of stones. These walls around the Courts and around the Temple arc built of large stones. Some a.re going to be stones in the Temple^ That is where you want to be. You all want to be stones in the Temple. You have no invitation to be a part of the Inner Court wall or of the Outer Court wall. Why try to qualify for the Great Company wall when yo;i might as well be in the Temple? %Vhy be living stones not cut specificallv to pattern? There is a measurement for the ouler wall. It was one rtdd thick. That is one of the: first things mcasur«d. It i$ called a building. "The building was siac cubits higb and six cubits thick." That wasn't a vtry large building. What ksnd ot a building wa.4 it? A building is a structure, anytlung built. This struciure htrq. this wail here, ihat which was built here, this building was six by six cubits, ^ow remcniher the reed was six cubits long. The reed is the full measure of tlie Word of God. It rep- resents that this class represented in this wall measured up to the ful[ measure oi the Word of God relating to It, and stands as a wall in advance of whatever is indi- cated by this OuLer Court plane here. This Outer Court plane represtctts human perfection. it represents tentative justification for those who had not received the Holy Spirit. Those who did receive the Holy spirit receive actual justification^ i. e., the priests anil the threat Company^ So this Outer Court wall represents tentative justification during the millennium, during the tliousand years when the hosts of mankind are struggling to nse up the seven steps to the Outer Court phne. One class will already have qualified for it. That class IS spoken of m Hcb. Il, which endured incredible suf- teniigs and trials that they might have a better resur- rection, Elijah, Elisha, Efavid, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the other Ancient Worthies, Avho were living stones cut out and laid away, waiting to be built into this Outer t^ourt walh In the future we hope to he the ones who will be patterns to the great hordes of twenty billions of people now in the grave. The Temple wall is also six cubits thick. The Temple has double walls, the inner is six cubits thick. What does It tnean? It means it is to be made up of living stones, *u ^1?"^*^**^^^*^^ ^^^ Pleasured to the full measure of the Word oi God for that plane indicated by its location, i> e., the Divme nature. One hundred and forty-iour thousand stones in that wall. One reed tjiick, si^t cubits thcck, they will have measured up fully to every require- ment of the Word of God before they pass beyond the vail. ,n F°;Sil'''^J^ '^ ""* ^'*^' Company wall? Turn to Ezek. 4U to •mm chapters and find it if you can. It isn't there. It just says It is a wall. Does it say it is six cubits thick? It isn t siK culiits thick. Those Vfho go into that ivail are stones cut ill manner of shanes and sizes. This is the class which is spoken of in 1 Cor. 3:10-15, in which the Apostle Paul speaks of himself as liic mister builder, laying tlie foundation. Paul lays the foundation, ivhich is t,hriEt, and everyone who has the Holy Spirit is on thit foundation. Does tht Great Company measure to the full stature of Chri.it, or the full requirements of the Word at Gpdf They measure all the way from (as Job says it) getting through by the skin of their teeth," to just coming a shivin^ short ot the six cubits of the full measure of the Word ot Cod. So there is no measure spoken of for the Inner Court wall. This Inner Court types those in the Tabernacle Court after the Church has passed beyond the vail. You know what class will be livinjir there when those tenia lively justified who h^vo fled from tht Cgui t through persecu- tions coming upon the world, and all Christian people, in the near future. In the French Revolution if any man happened to call himself a Christian, you know what hap- »"="=" 'o him. I don't need to tetl the dreadful -itovv. When persecutions get severe, every man will say, "This IS too warm for me, I ain no Christian." Those who are tentatively ;iistirieri and not on this strong foundation will be swept hy the fire of that day and leave in there the Great Company only. They are the only ones left there after the Church is KOne and they are the class that steps, as It were, from this life to the next to be on the Inner Court plane. And so this inner place, the Most Holv, is called the Word of God, called under another word which means the same thing,— the Oracle. That word has two meanings. In ancient superstitions, when Alexander was startine on his world-wide conquest he went to the Oracle of Delphi and Dierc received the oracle of the gods The Qracic means the place, and also the message from the place The LoEOi also means the word that proceeds from Him or in Him. Our place is in the Temple, We can't stop in the Outer Lour I. You can stop in the Inner Cou-t here if ynu want to. You would have breathing space you -hink iou would be a servant 1 That is where you are called u the femple itself, "Few there be that rind i?" You%r, not some to stop on these steiis of the gate to the Inne Court, but you are Soing to stop in ihe "Oracle" of Gor the great Word ot Cod, a member of it lliediffcreiit sjates have ditlereut mtaninss dilTcren usages ,n the Temple. The East Gate is colored red! th. sane as tire altar, I'.^ek J3, -Afterward he brouJh m R-iw ''?"'• *™ 'Ijat gate that looks toward the east " Bel old, he saw something there. Turn back to Ejekie' first chapter, and see Uiat wonder/ ul vision. When firs hcgimimg to understand that we didn't sec as clcarlv l now what that glory was. We first thought it was Go, Hmiself. No, It was not. Eroth Israel catne from the way o£ the east, and His voice wa' Ills glory, .^nd It was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city, and the visions were like ^e vision t^iat I saw by the liver Chcbar, and I fell upon my face. And the glory ot the Lord came into the house by the way ot the east. !:Jy"A f .T"?,' ^f ",'■ ^"?==" '"^'^ «* "'hat it was, Eiek, 44 :1, a, "Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the III: ^["^i,".:'""^''"'-- ^h"^. '='* '*"= ■-°'"^ ""'0 '"<-'. This gate slial be shut, ,t shall not be opened, because the ^ u hi. ° .■ ''H 'A^* emend in hy it. therefore it shall be shut And Pastor Russell said the door would ( ?i'"i' .u'"' " "'?'"' ^^h" '' ">""' 's *at the glory ^umn S'^' ,y''" '" X'^^ '''^ =''"™l'' "" l'«l': Aodc of J 44,0(10 s.uall m number but great in glory. When you read the vision read this into it. Where you sec the great four living attributes. Wisdom, Justice. Love and Power each combining the others, and see the great wheels the great plan, whirling wheels it calls them in the Hebrew m constant operation, and see the firmament above,' thi^ soldcn globe, reaching up to the throne, it represents the Ciirist, head and body, and so when the glory of God went in at the east gate the Christ went in; and when they have gone in, according to another picture when the virgins have gone in the door is to be shut. So when [he glory of God went through the door was shut and the Oreat Company couM not come in that wav The only ones that can come in that way are those com'ing in by the blood, those that suflfer with Him, The wonderful glory of God is the Church How harmoniie It, because it doesn't say the church entered in, but that Jenovah entered in? How ahnnt the Church' You know that little Tabernacle, the small room is called the Most Holy. It is made of gold. Gold types the Divine nature. What metal is the Holy made of? Gold too Have you got the Divine nature? What is Divine about "!v-J-?"" had the mind of God and we have the mind OJ Christ. You have the mind of God. There are some things you can't understand this side the vaiL It seems that God in a certain sense identifies Himself with His own word. I say His word, for anyone's mind is made up of a collection of ideas and thoughts. And so here, you speak of the mind of God and you speak of the Word of God. How bpaiitiful it is to sec clearly how those thmgs all mean the Word of God. So when the mind of God IS m us it Is the same mind of God that was in the Apostles and the Lord Jesus. When God. the mind of God, in His humble children, beginning with the Lord Jesus, down to the lowest child, when the mind of God goes in — in the Church, God .?ocs in because Cod identifies HimscH with the Church. Christ said, "if my words abids m you, I and -My Father abide in you." This East Gate is the same color as the altar. The gate is peculiarly made, fn our land when going into a house, there is usually a simple door or gateway. In Oriental countries it was (and still is, I believe) a custom on account of the enemies and robbers, to make the door .L ss SUPPLEMENT SUPPLEMENT in the fcrm of a t(?fridor with dark cliambers on eUlier aitle and no nun could pass that gate without saiisfying the gtiircis that he would fulfill the cotiditiiiiu ticcesiary CO pais. And so thcjc gates rcimjicUL Chriat, the outer otic CEirisl in the ficsh, the one on Chc Inner Court, Christ &s a New Crcaiure. There are seven diamliers, and seven steps lo p^5s> the fuU rtitasorc of the Word oi Gad to be met, seven chambers to go by. A place typifies a condition. The tuU measure of the Wort! uf Gad hai to be met by those passJEig through tbis gate and this is the gate oi justifi- cation by faith, beitjg justified by the blood of Christ. Now notice this Inner Court gate here represents the same thittg on the spirit pUnc. Instead oi seveii sieps there arc eitjbt stc^>s. Seven is easy to undcr$^and. Seven is -^ symbol of completcneiS4 There is nothing symbolical aboiit eight until ypu think that cijht is nnade up of one pEti5 seven. The first step is the change from human to sptritLialH of the mind, the heart, the wit!. You can call that, if you so desire^ the resurrection,' It is called a resurrection, because vre are now spoken of as being raised to sir with Christ iti. heavenly places. That has happened. That is step number one. Vou and I arc jjoisig up those steps no^v. This puts you on the lomidation of being hi Chrislp anointedn having the Holy Spirit, Paui says something about that founda- tion. He speaks about the only loundatiou which is laid, which is Christ, and then you are building something on it. If you arc building with wood, liay and stubbie you are stoppiflg on this Imter Court plane- There won't be much breathing jpacc there because of the great multitude of people on it. All who haven't measured to the full measure of the Word of Gnri after begetting are on the Inner Court plane. Here in the Temple is where the brealhinij space is, and here only, because there arc so few in there. Like the big jobs, the fellow at the topj earning ^Sf^OOO doesn^t need to worry 50 much ag the man down the ladder earning two dgllars 3 day. Pant says this, "At the last day the fire shail try every tnan's work of what sort tt is." (1 Cor. 3:1.) The ftrt shall try your work and mine and before we get through everything that can be destroyed AviJl be wiped off. The 1^4,000 and one will have built with gold, silver and precioiii: *:to»fS. Perhapii you are building- with gold, siivec and precloits stones, then you are groing up those golden steps of the Temple. How much higher? This Outer Court gate has seven slcps^ the inner eight. How much higher 15 the TetnpEc. You will ftr.d it stated in chapters -ly to JS* You will find nothing stated about how many steps there are from the Inner Court plane to the luiniple plane. Why not? Who can mea.'iurc the difference between the rinite and the infinitCf the dif- ference between the alary of the Grfiat Company and the Little Floek, being of like subMance with the Father- It can't be expressed In number of steps, so the number is not given. But those who progress up those steps there, many of you are dotn^ it, are on tliosc steps, and will he raised to ihc plane of the Temple. Its heig;ht was six cubits above tht Inner Court plane* That familiar old measurtment, which meaiia the full measure of the Word of God, Those ou the Temple plane have nicasured uy to the full measure of iVw: WorJ of God. Can you measure perfect love? It is immeasurable. Here is a love that is like light. Some have dark hair and some while hair. The Tight shines on botii black and white. The Divine love frotn the Temple^ that wonderful Jove tight chines upon all. He gives His Eospel of love lo all. The love light of that GospcE shines on the jtist and the unjust. No diffcrencre. TJm 1 (4,OOf3 love tliat way. Are you one of them? That is the standard. Uhat steps are you axi? Those steps lead to gl&ry, honor and im^nortaltty All ^vho remaiii on those Inner Court steps gel the place of servants. Do you want to be a servant when yon could be a king? "And they shall not come near unto me to do the office of a priest unto me, nor to come near to any of my holy things in the most holy place, but they shalE bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed.^' (Ezek. Ai:i3.) II you are going to be of the Great Company give up all idea 01 direct service to God, and be prcps^red to take a lower place. Do you want to be ashamed to look the Lord in the face? They shall bear their shame and be on the Inner Court plane where they might have been in the Temple. "And they shall bear their shine and the abominations which ihcy have committed." God is good, I cannot exhort anybody too much. There is one place to which we are called. We are called to go thvough the gale of Juslification, and up the steps of spirit begetting, and through our course of preparation, just for one purpose, that we might participate in the blood. This is aB done in order that we might liave some- thing to of!er, >Jom- aren't we going to ofifer that which is gjveti us to oiTer? It is all given to us that we might build on the foundation of Jesus Christ, gold, silver, and precious stones, that when the fire comes, and the nrc is bunding now, our butEding might not be swept away. "THE EZEKIEL TEMPLE" By Bro. Geo. H. Fisher Ai Bi-ooklvii Tabernoclc, Oct. 14, 1917. SitIO P. M. PART II THE Apostle Paul tells us in Eph. SilS-^i. "Through Him W'i boih (Jtw5 and Gcti tiles) have access by one spirit utito the Father." Think of iti Access to the Father J "Now, therefore, ye are tio more strangers and foreigners." Which we were^strangers. "But fel- low citizens with th* saints atid of tht Uouichold of God. .And are built upon the fotindation of th^ apostles and prophets. Jesu! Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in wlioni all the building ttlie Sanctuiry, the Templet fitly framed togeti^er growetll unto a lioly temple in the Txird. In whom we ire also huilded together lor an habitation of God Throuijh the Spirit." ^ So. friends, we will look It this great Teniple tonight, ^vhich represents the liahitalion of God throueU the Spirit. Our Saviour told us this, speakiitj; in dark bn^iajte, "Destroy this temple and in three dsys I will raise it np asain." They knctv not that He spoke of the tentple of His body. Ue are all familiar with the idea of the teniplc ot Hi5 hody Ijting destroyed and raised up in tftree tliousand I'car dai*s. \Ve have seen in addition to tliis body of Christ a company wlio ar^ not *?niircEi- faithful. other inembers of His body, in a larger sense. And so irt this sanctuary of God, this great sanctuary to be the dwelling place of Gnd Through th* spirit, we have the ingathering of the whpic family of God, all the Tvandering, sinful children of Adam, ad t;3lhcrcd into this Outer Court, which represents restitntroti for the whole race of mankind. On a higher plane th« Inner Court, tinted in blue, represents the elevation of some of the children of Adam, who leave their father s house to be oa the angelic piaite. anrl a few of them ott this Temple foundation, which builded belter than the others, tvho build not of ^rood, hay and stubbie, but ot gold, silver and preeious stones, and they are represented by :pecE to find some- where represented the angelic hosts, those faithful and those not failiiful. and thus it seems as tfiough this western building, as it is called, may be considered as picturing the position of [lie augeU, subject to the Temple, but not connected with the ransom. There is a difference between the inner and outer gales. Tlic pucnltarity is that the construction is reversed The Totch of the Outer Court is passed last on gettttig into tlie Court, and for the Inner Court it is passed first. You come by all the requirements first and the Porch last on getting into the Outer Court, and for the Inner Court you come by the Pordi tirst and all ilie renuirenienls last, Tlie difference is the difference between being resurrected on the human, or Ihe spirit plane, sayinj nothing of tiic Divmc plane. On the human plane a human being has to make all the conditions of the Word cf God before lie is resurrected. That is true, isn't it? So the Porch ri^pre- sents resurrection. Conditions all met, first progress made, and resurrection finally attained. Now on the spirit plane God reverses things. As one brother pot it. "God reverses the process on the natural and spiritual planes, A child has no mind when it is born. lis miiHl comes by use of the five senses and by storing nerve centers of the brain. So in the natural world or natural birth, body comes first and mind iccond. In the spiritual birth, mind comes first and body afterward." That is a wise provision. Consider something like this. There arc going to be 144.000 fortunate happy beings raised to the flivine, itnmortil plane. One hundred antl forty- four thousand and one. Suppose God gave U«m the immortal nature first, then developed mind in them. They might go wrong. So God reverses the process on the spirit plane, He gives them mind first, that is called spirit begetting, and body afterward— spirit birth. There is no candlestick, or no table of shewbrcad in the T(*mple, Instead of the golden Altar for sacrifice. there IS a wooden table. "This is the table before Jehovah." (Eiek. 41:22.) It is one of the privileges of the priests that they should be at God's table." It is something like what the Lord said, "Ye cannot eat at the table of the Lord and the tables of devils," It means the condition in which you eat of spiritual food. It is possible that Ibts is the (able a round which the tnarriagc feast will gather. At any rate it looks as though those in that chamber were members of the body of (he Christ, from whom will flow the word, as though this whole Temple represents them tn the glorified cotidittOEl. represents their mmds. as It were the new mind enclosed in the Divine body. This will be the memorial of the sacrifices gone through, rep- resented in the table, those sacrifices and that period of enlightenment at the golden candlestick and the feeding on the Word of God and ofTering of their best heart endeavors on the golden Altar, Everyone will remember all those things. We might mention some things about these gates. Red represents, in a general way, the ransom, not eiitirelv 50, because the .\ncient Worthies are pictured as coming from the East Gate. While not partaking of the sufJcrings of CliriBt, ihey had sufferings like thcra. '.Moses preferred the reproach of Otrist to the treasures of Egypt. \'ow first you come right in to the altar. The altar is the mathematical center of the Temple It you take the plan of the division of the land amone the tribes, and the holy oftertng of the tribes, the ahir is the ccwer. "This place is so near to the Great Pyramid that it could be called the earth's geographical center. The Ancient Worthies are partners in the sufferings oi Christ. Thcv gome in at the East Gate, Others rcceivinst the application of the ransom are pictured by the pink color. Wherever vou see the pink color on this chni-t it represents the application of the ransom. The color we took for restitution is green. !( is a good color for a chart. The Outer Court coi be colored a green tinl. representing the enjoyments ■ restitution. An \n come into the Inner Court we see two lit! chatntjcrs called the singers' cliamljers, Tiiey are intCTid not to show Divine nature, hut that the priests, those tiie Divine nature, function or do something here, as th. do ui tlie Teinjjlc a«d chambers. What do they do her- The ones who attain the Divine nature will be fond . singing. We learn about a song in Rev. U:X "And heard as it were a new song, and no man could sins th song but the W.m.- \\c believe that the two chambe represent the royal priesthood singing the song of .Mos.' and the Lamb tliroughout eternity, tlie eternal song i the priests, singing the blessings of restitution for tl, people. Here they are near the Inner Couf c, their sineir can be heard by all the people gathered In the Outer Com This 13 represented by the chamber at the .\'orih Gate wi' Its aspect toward the South, Then there will be a rhstnti. alonsside the East Gate with its aspect toward the Nortl which represents the priests singing the song of the Lam that came from Heaven, singing the praises of that Lam and the praises of the Heavenly Kingdotn, because th Lamb ot God is spoken ot 15 supreme in the Kingdon We find that the Levitcs had land given them 0 Che chart iti the Seventh Volume, you will find a squar piece of land with the upper portion for the priests th middle for the Levitcs, and the lower for the secular 0 civil government, the city. The land for the priests type the condition ot the Little Flock, types the same thing a the Temple plane. The land for the Levites tiT>es th. Court, and the land for the city types the Chiter Cour; It is said that the Levitcs would have land for thirf. chambers. Nor star difiereth from star in glory, Amon' those raised to this plane of being ive expect there wii be thirtj; grades of glory ami honor, because a place type- a condition, and those chambers or villages, or places, wi might ejtptct to symboliie the thirtj' conditions or degree: of honor among the Great Company, because the Grea" Company will consist of people on the spirit plane whi have been faithful all the way from just a little bit jus; cnoush faithfulness not to be called unfaithful, up lo thost that just miss going up the steps of the Temple and attaining the perfection oi the Divine life. How about the priests? We find that the land given '"li ."" '■*'"^' '''^ condition of the nature of God. We are told ' star differeth from star in glory, so also is the resur- rection of the dead," (1 Cor, 16;41, 42,) That resurrcc- ''?"J* so K"at that tile .Apostle calls it "the Resurrection of the Dead." We think the priests' dv«lling places type glory and honor among ttiem. One brother might have tnade a greater exertion than another. All on the Divine plane will be equal as respects the attainment of Divine love, but there will be diifcicutcs in other rcspecEs. I wouldn't say it would be in the use of our talents. We find that the reward is one reward for all,— "enter into the joy of the Lord," Tlierc are going to he diiTcrences. One brother could attain Divine love and another might have more Divine love than he. ft might be that. It might be that is the explanation. It is the best l could offer. It is sorneihing that can only be seen darkly now. There is an interesting class here, the Princes. They represent the Ancient VVotlhies. They were allowed to operate in the Outer Court, The East Door was closed because the glory of God had gone through it, yet that Gate the Princes could use. During Ihc period when the great Kingdom of God is being established, the Princes shall sit in Ihe East Gate and eat their "food. The food the Princes will cat of, might be considered as using the Word of Cod relating to the blood of Christ, to be applied for the world. Brother Russell has indicated at different times, rather obscurely, that people in this life, who lived up to their consciences fairly ivell. even if they did not get the Holy Spirit, tvould be henefitted by it in the resurrection. Vou know he has made such statements and teachings. We will take for example a Roman Catholic that lived a thousand years ago, .^!1 llie teachings he received were teachings, nothing about which were spiritual. He couldn't SU PP LE il ENT 61 60 SUPPLEMENT have a Bible, for a Bible cost a iortuiie. Tliis brother, a tiiciiibtr oi th^; household oi faiih, btlicvins i^iat thai whicli was taught liim was the truth, did liis level best to live up to it, would have an Ativamast; in ihu resurrec- tiun. SliouUf he have an iiflvaniagt:? 1 believe he should. Here ivf have it in Ezek. K-Ai. re/crriiia lu ihq land that belQiiued tci the Princes, tht Ancient Worthies, it says, "U the prince give a giit uitlo his suns, tht inheritance thereoi shall be his salts', it shall be thtit jiosscssioii hv- biheri- Laiice." A ill ace types 1 coiidiiioii. The land t>pilies the bener icivirtecuon of the .'Vncknt Worthies. 1 cannot see but that it means that it will be one oi the jcys and pleas- ures of tlie Ancient Worthies to lake tliose who by God's grace lived good, conscientious lives, ho{ kiiDmiig ipiritual Ihiiiffj, and eicviting them to the condition oi human ptirfectioti enrlier than the close oi the millenHium. It they have a loyal spirit and love the Ancient Worthies they will be called sons. . Eict -itfilT. "If he (the Prince) give a Eiit oi his inheritance to one of his servants traised to the better resurrection) then it shall be the servatii's to the year of liberty (that year when Christ shall deliver tlic llillcnnial Kingdom over to God by givins it to the children oi Adam) after it shall return to the prince." I£ anyone has a mental attitude of a servant, to da Ihnigs simply because it pays to serve, or something like iliat, although he my get a reward he will lose it at the end oi the millennium, because there will be somebody aiound to see that the people are separated from everything they can be sepa- rated from. Satan will be loosed to see if some cannoi be deceived. Possibly means some will have a servile attitude, not that of a son. They will lose their inhtfitance, they will liasj into the Second Death po.^sihly. Our Lord in speaking of i good deed done by some Jew, said, "Thou shall be recompensed in the resurrection a( the Just," He will be benefitted by his good deeds. I believe a heathen tnan who hss tried as Paul says to do by nature the things contained in the law, if he try by ■.trnng effort and a resolute gosd wiU to live a good tue, his conscience escusiiig him cotitinualiy, should be beoe- ftttcd in the resurrection of the dead. 1 believe he might be one of those, who, when he coffles to a knowledge of thv Son a£ God and the Kingdom in operation, the Ancient Worthies will be glad to honor with the same condition as themselves- ,,,-,. , l-Jcrc is the Temple, "Ye grow into an Holy 1 emple oi the Lord," It has a double wall with a space between. The space hetiveeii these double wralls is not a characa-nstic of the Esekiei Temple alone. If you read over carefully the description of the Tcmuits erected by Zerubbabet and Solomon you will find it speaks in similar knguase tlal those temples ha-vu double walls. It seems as thotigh the platform represents the plane of being, the nature, and the building represents the US'*' mind in that nature. Ynn kno'jj ail there is thai -s imd: of us no'ji lliat u 6ii)tu faihiBr.cd !iO~j! alU'r llie fashian o/ Clirijt, is ihe wmtt. ffe an Irtinifofwli liy 'he rclteaiing "/ our miltis. fVe tliiiilt till TsMplc reftiscnti the Miiuii of Ihc New CrmlttTi mi the Divine pknc. That is hovi tuc M« jay '*of the Hot}) ■mmild typify the msmorial of the Ikings of s«r pro- bationary or ientotim spirit liom coKdition i" ihis life. What use was made oi these little chambers here? We read thw between the inner and the outer walls of the Temple were little chambers or rooms. What does it mean? A place typiftcs a condition. Those rooms typtfy a condition. Those rooms were in three stories. Accord- ing to the plan given us, the bottom story was four cubits, or six feet wide. , As the wall vfent tip to the second story they made the wall thinner. It went to the third story and fot still thinner, and the third was bigger than the first. The language is hard to re id, but that is what it means, These side chambers were in three stories. What does that mean ? A place typifies a condition. As these stories were one hitjher than the other, and as you know a place typifies a contliiion, the differences of height typifies differences of planes of being or condition. As this Court is higher than the outside ground, and the Inner Court higher than the Outer Court, and the Pavement or Platform of the TtropU higher than the Inner Court, so in these chambers ive have three stories or levels. II. is more glorious to be in she Great Company than in the restilutiQii class, I hey wiJl see GotI, hut not serve Him. \\ e read of tlic Levites that liie people were told to love litem. 5o, friends, if any of us happen to fall into the condition of the Great Company, while we may liive a certain memory of shame to bear, yet we will have the heartfelt love oi the whole world of mankind. That makes us feel better. God is good, no matter where we are. These three chambers represent memories oi the Christ, head and body, memories of the things done on the three planes of being, memories of tilings done on the plane of lustificatioii, on the spirit begoucn plane, and on the highest, the Divine plane. Our Lord tells tint there is something better than a bank account, something better than all the money in the .Sational Bank of New Vork. I£ we had the money in the Bank of iNew Vork we could move mottntaiiis. There is something better liian treasure. The Lord says we are to lay up treasures in Heaven. I think this heathen inau whom we spoke of, or the Jew of whom the Lord said "Thou shah be recompensed in tlie resurrection of the jusi," have laid up treasure in the mind of the Lord, treasures on the human plane. The Lord will not forget it. So we read that if anyone does a good deed to a prophet he will receive the reward of a prophet. The heathen m3il wh^n his eonseienCG excuses him, is laying up treasure in the lower chamber. Some won't reach the highest nature, yet have striven, they have just coniii short of perfect love. They have laid up treasure in Heaven on the second story, 1 know there are thousands oi good men have laid a good deal ot trcisure in itie first story and many have laid up treasure in the second story, but the greatest treasure; is in she top story, treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones of character development, of true treasttrc in our minds and hearts, treasures of love. Divine love, represented by the gold, which typifies the love part of the Word oi God, "He that love 111 is begotten of God and is hi ilic light. The light is the Word of God, and the Word of God is represented by the gold. So, friends, when somebody does vou a bad turn in or out of the Truth, and you lovt; them,' you are like the electric light, your love is shining upon all. If, no matter what a person does to or says about you, you love Ihein )ust the same, you have laid up treasures of gold. In laying up treasures like that you arc developing a character jeivel, maybe a diainond. It may be that God deposits a diamond and gold for you. Wlicn you learn more and more about the Truth and your mind becomes more and more filled with the transforming lull ue rite of the Word of God, tlic Lord lays up treasures of silver for you. Treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones. How big is your pile up there? Have you any kind of a pile up there? Each of these stories had thirty chambers. There is that thirty again. We wilt know what thirty means as a symbol when we get beyond the vail. It this chart TVMC drawn to represent those little chambers we would have little cross lines indicating thirty conditions, and little staircases leading to each floor. If you are living in a house, which rooms would you lilte the best, front or back? Here are the front rooms, and here art; the back rooms, way back here to the West. A place typifies a condition. Thirty rooms, thirty conditions, thirty planes of glory, Why, these little chambers in the front ot this great house are to be packed full of treasure, while the back ones will have just enough to let tlie occupant through on the Divine plane, each star differing from star in glory. Has your chamber a fulness of treasure, or is it empty? Are you going to be a front room or a hack room over- comer?. How are you overcoming? Are you piling the back room with a little treasure once in a while? Our Saviour will say, "Put down on the credit side one jewel for John Smith." Or are you piling them in so fast that Shcy can hardly be counted? I want my treasure on the top Hoor, front. Where do you want yours? It is the same on each story, rooms on each floor. There is a beautiful picture In Ezek. M 1I6-IS of the purpose of the great sanctuary. It is the interior decora- tive scheme. Perhaps some of die friends have been interior decorators, so they will want to know something abotit the inleriur decorative sclieme. The ticcorations were on e.ieh one of the i^atcs and the podts. l hey were decorated witli patni trees, Vou wouldn't call that very beautiful. Palm trees arc good enough for God. "The righteous is as the palm tree," If a man have the benelits of the ransom applied 10 him, the picture of perfect htimaniiy will be held before him continually, Tha picture is itupressed upon him that the purpose of this sanctuary is for the development and preservation of perfect human- ity, and so these palm trees occur 50 often, thai wherever a man turns he will see palm trees and the lesson is that of perfect humanity. The great sanctuary is for the pur- pose of blessing all the families and kindreds of earth with the blessings of perfect humanity, and as they come in here inside the porch they will see tlie palm tree deco- rations. There will be palm trees at the gates ; and cheru- bim and palm tree decorations in the Temple. Those cherubini itt Ezekiel typify ciualtties of God embodied in the Church, in you and in all of us, all the faithful Ll.l,CKtO, v;hcthtti- thc>" be Methodists, Catholics, or Baptists, wliatever name they were called in past ages. Some overcome without shaking off the shackles of Baby- lon. No doubt about that. Of course, everybody now has the chance to get out of Babylon, and it would he difficult to overcome in Babylon now. Twenty billioiii, when reanimated and when con- secrating themselves here to God, do not consecrate direct to God, but to the one to whom they belong. They con- secrate themselves to Christ, Head and Body, and the priests receive the consecrations in the side chambers here. The Litde I^lock; the Christ Head and Body, receiv- ing the consecrations of the people is pictured by the priest receiving the flesh of these sacrifices. Now the priest wouldn't eat them raw. These buildings \tfere called side chambers. Before the priest wo-jM eat the oSering, something wot:ld be done. These corner chambers are called boiling places where the flesh was boiled. When a man offered an animal, it was taken by the priests to these boiling places. There were chitnneys in them. I know this, that when Ezekiel comes back he will know how to build the Sanctuary if it is ever to be built. I think he will laugh at our plan, but it was the best we could do. Here is a man coming from the dead. We will select some man whose name we know. We will say he has been reanimated and cotisecrates himself. W''c will say It is a man who never claimed to be a Christian, a man Mho could hardly have lived a better lite in many respects, and wasn't an angel cither. .Abraham Lincoln never pro- fessed Christianity, We will treat of him as one case. Here is the Little Flock, represented in die side chambers here. Tlie word conaes up that Lincoln is back and has consecrated himsftlf. AVon't they feel good when .Abraham Lincoln comes back? Thar noble man, one ot the noblest men that ever iv;ilWed the soil of America ! Or wc have word that Edison is back from the dead. Hoiv useful he may be. how useful he is now. They lake him and bring him in here. Abraham Lincoln told stories that the ladies couldn't be around when he told tliern. Abraham Lincoln starts to tell a story. He is told, ".\bratiam, those stoi ies don't go now." He starts another again, for nothing ever hap- pened before trora telling stories. Instead of being laughed at they take him up here and boil him a little bit, for the meat must be boiled before it tan be eaten and assimilated. Boiling is the application of heat tempered with water. It means the .ipplication of stripes tempered with Divine \o\-t^ the water of die Word of God, Each man like him coming up. not knowing the blaster's will, will be boiled a little. He wiii have to undergo a few stripes, a little boiling. Then out here somebody else comes up. Say it is, well, perhaps some of your neighbors that wasn't qnitc what he ought to have been. U"e all knoiv people that are not real good. Some men steal and some cheat. women gossip and things like tliat. This man comes u| from the dead atid starts to steal. Well, you must no steal. lie yets boiled a little. The Levites boil him a little this time. He is tlie Judas kind. Tlie characteristii of Jud.^s was that he took money and kept on takin;. what was in the bag. He was a willful thief. This ttiat says, "1 don't care if 1 did get hurt a little. " "He tha kiioweih the Master's v.-ill and doetli it not shall be bcatei; with many stripes." Tlie word tells that these cornel places are boiling and baking places. They will bakt hira. He will get some pretty sharp and severe trials many stripes — baked. You and I have experiences like that. We suffer things, we have been boiled and roasted some tiines. Wc get into hot water vvhcn wc get boiled. \>e do something we know we should not have done, then we are baked. We have fiery trials as a correction to teacli us not to do that again- We arc baked too. -As .-Xbraham Lincoln makes progress and Edison comes up and turns from making plowsh.nres into sword?, to turning battleships into mowing niacliities, how they will rejoice at the progress 01 these great men. If there is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repeiiieibi think of the joy svhen twenty-two billions repent. Do you want to be there to enjoy these feasts, to enjoy forever that great love feast? To all pternity there will be stories, they will talk over the glorious stories of consecration, not only for the thousand years, but year by year. As Brother John Edgar said, "Day by day renew your con- secration, and daily seek to carry it out." Day by day people of the world will consecrate at this Temple and the priests forever will feast with joy and gladness over the billions that have repented and are making progress on diis earth. We see Heavenly- things plainer now. Do you want to he up there or down here? Is there any comparison? Do you want to be there standing before God with the privileges of the whole sanctuary area? You can go any- where if you are up there. The priests went anywhere. They can mingle with the people invisibly, as Christ did with the Apostles after His resurrection. By God's grace let us renew our consecration, and let us daily seek to carry it out and let our cotisecration be to the very best things. If the wealthiest man on earth ^ offered you or sent you an invitation and you looked him up in Brad- street^s or Dun's and find out that his offer is bona fide, he invites you to li^i with him and lie will treat you like a son, give you money, and you can live on Fifth Avenue, atid you can have a country hottic, and hfty automobiles, would you tell him, "^Ir. Jones, 1 think you have a beau- tiful, house. I like the looks of your automobiles and 1 know that the invitation is bona fidt;, but 1 like Child's restaurants. Ciiild's is good enough. They niako such good pies"? Why not live with the millionaire? Are your ambitions cheap or great? \Vill you be content, do you wane to bear shame and disgrace, and at tlie satnc time be loved and blessed of the people, or do you want to have the love of the people without shame and disgrace of having everybody know just how you failed, and it wasn't necessary, because you attempted to defend human rights? Brother Russell said of himself, "I have no humati rights that anybody has to respect." Arc we any greater than this great teacher? Have we got to fight for rights when Pastor RusscU set this example? Let us so participrtte in the blood that when wc pa5S through here we will not be putting our treasures in sha second story or third story rear, but in the top story front. Let us be one of that company through whom Christ will bring back from the dead all the billions of mankind. If you want to bless your sons, your father, your mother, your brothers, your sisters, and' want to be in a position to pour blessings on them all, then by God's grace renew your consecration tonight right h^re now, that you may lay up treasure in tfeaven, that you might be in that eternal love feast of the priests! Aineni 62 SUFFLBM ENT SEVEN BRETHREN IMPRISONED SUFPLEM E .V T 63 In a testimony oi Sister MacAlitUn, the Eollowm^ ex- ccrpu were rciid from a tcticr rcceistd from 9rot!icr Mac- Milbn ; "Dec. 28, 1913. My Dear MolJic:— I am writing to you at Pittsburgh this week, as you ^vill no doubt be there at tht annventton in a lew days. Well, Chrl&tmafi ha^ come atiiJ is gont. Wc have a. real good time. Friends from all over the country scat lu good [liiii^^i to eat, or cards. U was i real Chri$imas. Brother \Voodworih would get as much excitement and joy out of each package as a 10-ytar-old boy; and I enjoyed seeiug him. '^I will not attempt to answer all the kind remem- brances nor burden you to Ao so. however, yon wilt t;o doubt sec many at Pittsburgh, Tell them all that the gifts and cards made us glad and that we were able (through the kindness of the ofEcials) to share our ffood ihiiiij> with oihers, so instead of reaching eight, they reached over 150. I am enclosing a few letters from friends, but cannot st[id you all of them. . . . I hop^: you will have a good time at the convention. Please tell everyone tiiat 1 am well and as happy as a man or New Creature can be in jail, and that I am looking forward to the happy day when wc all will not only be free from prison, but also free from The old fallen bodies and forever united with the Lord and all Hit faithful. Had a tpitndid time in Sunday School today. We have united our class with the Jews, and I spoke today, while Brother Rutherford spoke to the Christian Scientists* "So on we go, no knowing," etc. "With heaps of love to you and all, as ever, •A. H. MACMIUUVK." In a testimony, Sister Van.\mburgh said^ "Brother VanAmburgh wanted to write a letter but was not per- mitted to do so, but desired iliat his testimony be given." She said, "Our brethren were quite well, rejoicing in all their experiences, knowing divine providence is over all. Shut up irt ibeir little 5x0 roomi for fourte*u hours_ a da/, they think of the Lord's goodnMS, the love nf the friends, their desire to serve them, and how much they will enjoy their freedom when in the Lord's due time. He says. 'It is enough. Come, I have other service now for you to per- form." Bro. VanAmburgh said: ""Assure the dear friends of our great love and fer- vent prayers that the Lord will continue to bleas them richly with grace for vvtry timc; of need. No doubt the new year has as many surprises and blessings as the past one. so we need to search our hearts carcfuily lest any root of bitterness start and we stumble. WE WAXT THAT CROWN. Assure them of my deep luvc tvi all. A:)k lUciii lu plcttlse sin^ Itj^tnu ^23 as part of my testimony.*" She said further: "It would make you glad, indeed, to know how their hearts were wirmed, cheered and touched b>' the shower oi Christmas remembrances from the dear friends. They would like to thank all." BROTHER RUTHERFORD "i am now rejoicing in the sufferings on your account, snd I am Tilling up the remainder of the afflictions of the Anointed One^ in mv flesh, on behalf of his borly, which is the conKrcgation." Col. 1 :'J4, Diaglott. VVhat couM brinf greater joy to the Oiriatiati here on earth than to have the Lord's favor clearly made manifest to him? The Apostle Paul who had such experience, wrote: "It is given unto you as a privilege, not only to believe on the Lord Jesus, but also to suffer on his account." (Phi!, 1 :2D.) There arc probably no men on earth today who are more hii;hly favored and \vho are happier Iban tlie brethren now in prison. They are conscious of their entire inno- cence of intentional wrong-doing, and rejoice to be suf- fering with Christ for ]o>'a]ly serving Him. On the 6th day of Jlay an indictroent was returned by the Federal Grand Jury for tlie Astern District of Xew York at Brooklyn asattist the following: J. F. Rutherford. W, E, VanAmburgh. A. H. MacMillsn. F. H. Robison, C J. Woodworth. Geo. K. Fiiher, R. J. Martin, G. Dc Cccca and R. H, Mirsh, charging them with conspiracy !0 obstruct the United States in ihi^ prosecutinn of the war. (Jcr. 3S:l,) TIte indictment was in four counts, each charging a sepa- rate and distinct offence under different parts of the statute. This statnie, known as the Espionage Law, was erucied June lb, 1917. and is striedy a war measure. It waild be impossible to violate it when the country is at pcjce. The indictment as originally returned charged that the conspiracy was entered into some lime between April fl, 191? (the date when the United Slates declared war) and May G. 1918. Upon motion, the Government specified the date of the alleged offense as between June 15. iUlT, and May G. lOlS. Tlie taic was called for trial on June 3, and the Government dismissed as to R. H-. Hirsh- The jury that was to try the case was impaneled June 4,