donation of it to the Society, with the understanding that in times of unforeseen need they could draw upon it as needed. This gives them a sense of financial security and at the same time permits their money to be used to further the preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom. Of course, at death such funds would become outright donations to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, simplifying matters. Those interested can write the Watch Tower Society’s office in their own country about this.

And just one more thing. In connection with all this giving as one has resolved in his heart, let us not overlook the further words of Paul. Let all such giving be done “not grudgingly or under compulsion,” as though it were an unpleasant duty, an onerous burden. Rather, let it be with joy, out of love, out of gratitude to Jehovah God for the ability to give, remembering that “God loves a cheerful giver,” and that “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”​—2 Cor. 9:7; Acts 20:35.

My Treasure Find in the “Land of Promise”

as told by DEMETRIUS PAPAGEORGE

IN THE tiny mountain village of Papingon of northwest Greece is where I was born. That was in October 1891, some seventy-five years ago. At the time our home was in Turkish territory. My father was a schoolteacher. But shortly after my birth he was ordained to serve as a priest in the Greek Orthodox Church. However, difficult times forced my father to leave our village, and he finally settled in the city of Philadelphia in Asia Minor.

While at school, I was often assigned to read portions of the Bible in church. These parts were generally from the Psalms and the writings of the apostles of Jesus. At the age of fourteen, upon finishing grammar school, I went to Athens, Greece, to find work. After being there for approximately three years, I moved on to Smyrna, and from there to Philadelphia, where I met my father.

I told my father that I desired to study for the priesthood, as he had done. But he discouraged me! He told me frankly that he was very disappointed with his priestly profession. “There is something definitely lacking about it,” he would say. He confessed that he was searching to see what the other creeds had to offer. Later, at the time of the Spanish flu epidemic in 1918, my father died.

With the turn of the century, Europe was in a somewhat subdued upheaval. In 1909 the Young Turks overthrew Sultan Abdul-Hamid II. A new constitution was formed requiring all nationalities to serve in the Turkish army. Not being militarily inclined, I decided to leave the continent at the first opportunity and seek a life elsewhere. Not many days thereafter I was on my way to America. We landed in New York in May 1910.