in Colombia. It has been thrilling to do circuit and district work in this country, to witness the baptism of over a hundred persons at one time and to see the publishers’ ranks swell from thirty to over 1,400 in a few rapidly passing years.

In 1952 I married a Gilead graduate, and after seven years of married life we both are happily pursuing our purpose in life together as missionaries. After five years without returning to the States we were able to attend the Divine Will International Assembly in New York in 1958. How can one describe that glorious event in a few words? It certainly surpassed our expectations. The talks were stirring, the counsel forceful. The gigantic plans for expansion seemed wonderfully logical. I was confident that this good news of God’s established kingdom would be preached all around the world with Jehovah’s spirit upon us.

Visiting relatives and seeing old friends was soon over and it was time to return to our missionary assignment. We were happy to bring along with us a family of three to serve where the need is great. On hand to meet us at the airport were carloads of our Colombian brothers. What a joyful homecoming!

A new privilege is now mine—that of serving as zone servant for the West Indian Zone, visiting branch offices and missionary homes and making a report to the President’s office on just what is happening in this part of the world.

As I think about the many wonderful years that have passed in the full-time ministry as a pioneer and as a missionary, it would seem strange to think about any other way of life. Home is where you make it. By Jehovah’s grace we are glad to continue in this service in a land where there is a tremendous amount of work to be done. We know that our joy comes from doing what is right, not just thinking about it. After all, learning to live forever is a wonderful thing, and since 1943, when I began pioneer service, I surely have learned that “life does not result from the things [one] possesses.”—Luke 12:15.

Questions From Readers

● Is it necessary for a sister to cover her head when praying in the presence of a dedicated brother not her husband? Is it necessary for her to do so when conducting a Bible study under such a circumstance, as in the presence of a servant of the congregation who is training her or when the circuit servant accompanies her?—M. S., U.S.A.

There appears to be no reason why a dedicated woman should ever lead in prayer in the presence of adult dedicated males. (1 Cor. 11:3) At the Brooklyn Bethel home no sisters are ever called on to lead the family in prayer. So long as an adult dedicated male is present, in the congregation or in the home, he should represent the rest in petition to Jehovah God. If an undedicated husband wishes his wife to lead in audible prayer, she may do so, but then out of respect for his headship she should have her head covered. (1 Cor. 11:5, 10) When the husband is absent but dedicated male minors, sons, are present, the mother should also have her head covered if she prays. At such times it would be at her discretion either to offer the prayer herself or ask one of her dedicated sons to offer it. But never should an unbaptized son represent dedicated members of the family in prayer. When only dedicated mother and dedicated daughters are present in the home, the mother may call on one of her dedicated daughters to pray if she so desires. In such cases none need cover her head.

There may be instances, however, when it is advisable for a sister to conduct a home Bible study in the presence of a dedicated brother, such as those mentioned in the question; or she may be conducting a home Bible study with a brother newly baptized and who still needs help. What then? In such cases the dedicated brother should offer the prayer, and the sister may conduct the study with her head covered. This she does out of respect for theocratic order because he, as well as she, is a member of the congregation of God, and in the congregation the man should do the teaching. (1 Tim. 2:11, 12) If a dedicated sister is conducting a study with her undedicated husband or with another person but in the presence of her undedicated husband, she should also have her head covered. This would be in recognition of the fact that the husband ought to be the one giving Bible education in the presence of his family as represented by his wife.

The Law of Moses in various ways reminded Israelite women of the preferred position that men occupied before Jehovah so that they would not lose sight of man’s headship and fall into the error made by Eve. Thus the identifying physical mark that distinguished Jehovah’s covenant people was one that applied only to the male, namely, circumcision. Then again, the period of a mother’s uncleanness for giving birth to a baby girl was twice as long as for a baby boy. When Jesus miraculously fed the multitudes his apostles counted only the men present: “Those eating comprised about five thousand men, besides women and young children.” “Those eating comprised four thousand men, besides women and young children.”—Ex. 12:48; Lev. 12:2, 5; Matt. 14:21; 15:38.

Likewise in the Christian congregation, by means of the head-covering provision the theocratic position of the woman in relation to the man is stressed. In addition to its rich symbolic significance, it works in the interest of harmony and peace. It also serves to caution Christian women against exerting undue female influence and alerts Christian men against succumbing to it as did Adam, Samson, King Solomon and those in the congregation of Thyatira.—Rev. 2:20-23.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

By means of The Watchtower men of good will are helped to seek reconciliation with God and his perfect government. During March a subscription for this magazine will be presented for $1. New subscribers will receive three Bible booklets on important subjects of present-day interest If you would like to share in this work, get further instructions at the nearest Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses or write to the publishers of this magazine.

OBSERVE THE LORD’S EVENING MEAL

All persons of good will are invited to be present when Jehovah’s witnesses throughout the world assemble on Sunday evening, April 10, after 6 p.m., Standard Time, to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. The meeting will be opened with song and prayer. A discourse will follow, setting forth the significance of the occasion. At the appropriate time the emblems, unleavened bread and red wine, will be served after Jehovah’s blessing has been asked separately in connection with each. The meeting will be closed with song and prayer, after all present have been invited to have part in special field service arrangements. If any of our readers do not know where the meetings are held, write to this office for information.

FILLING A LONG-FELT NEED

Order now your copy of the first official, documented history of Jehovah’s witnesses in book form. This completely reliable record satisfies a long-felt need due to the growing interest of honest inquirers into this active group of Christian ministers. This book, Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, has 36 chapters, illustrations, index, in 320 pages. Send $1 today.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

April 24: Wholeheartedness Toward New World Interests, ¶1-19. Page 169.

May 1: Wholeheartedness Toward New World Interests, ¶20, 21, and Working Whole-souled. Page 174.