what is being done and the reason for it and thus help the candidates do the same thing. In their baptism they are going on record before men, including their brothers, that they are dedicated to Jehovah God. “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. When thou makest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?”—Eccl. 5:2, 4-6, AS.

23. What are the facts concerning Christian baptism as an ordination ceremony?

²³ The New World society is dear to the hearts of God’s dedicated people and they see to it that they associate with it intimately, participate in its activity and support it in every way in loyalty and love. Hence the time of baptism may be taken as the time of Christian ordination. This act of obedience following sincere dedication is evidence before men of the course of action the individual has marked out and it relates to his ordination by God. Its date should be observed as such by each one. It is authoritative because of being done at God’s commands. It is solemn because of what it represents. It is recognized by the New World society and its instruments, by Jehovah’s witnesses and by their servant, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. For purposes of record, baptism or immersion by Jehovah’s witnesses is a valid ceremony of ordination for Jehovah’s witnesses within the meaning of the law. The best proof that one can have that he is thereafter a faithful minister is the same to which the apostle Paul pointed as his letters of recommendation, namely, individuals who due to one’s efforts have, in turn, dedicated themselves to Jehovah God.—2 Cor. 3:1-3, NW.

24. (a) In what way is Jehovah’s worship expanded and the New World society built up? (b) What should you consider wisely?

²⁴ Such is the way the worship of Jehovah expands. This is the way the New World society is built up. You are having a share in this ministry, or you can have a part in it. Consider wisely the blessed future that the Bible opens up to you as a certainty through devotion and faithfulness to the righteous God and his high principles. Be wise. May Jehovah through Christ Jesus bless you as you determine to serve the Most High. With you as a dedicated, baptized, faithful servant of the true God, we share your practice of clean worship in mutual joy now.

“No-Bingo Collection”

Recently the New York Times (February 14, 1955) told about a Roman Catholic parish in Rockaway Beach, Queens, that passed out to its parishioners envelopes for a “No-Bingo Collection.” Brilliantly printed on the envelopes were the numbered squares of a bingo card. “We regret that this is necessary because the politicians have closed down our bingo game,” an announcement said. “Inasmuch as 80 per cent of the yearly cost of running our parish school was defrayed by receipts of the weekly bingo game, we ask everyone to be generous so that we will be able to meet the bills for running the school.” Thinking people cannot help but question the practice of financing either schools or churches by gambling. Two logical questions are: What are we to think of an institution built on the rotten foundation of gambling? What does this teach the young?