later Jesus was thirty. (Num. 4:3; Luke 3:1-3, 23; 1:36) That would be about October 1, in the sixteenth year of Tiberius Caesar. Tiberius’ first year began August 19, A.D. 14; his fifteenth would end August 18, A.D. 29. Hence if Jesus was thirty at about October 1, 29, that means that his birth thirty years earlier must have been about October 1, 2 B.C.

Experiences in Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom

“SHEEP” IN FRENCH EQUATORIAL AFRICA

Brother Bernard Gaouranga, one of the new and zealous publishers of the Bangui company, came to visit here at Dekoa for two months. It is his native land. We go out witnessing together, and, as this district is, so to speak, solidly people of good will, we are followed by big crowds to whom we witness. Protestant assemblies, encouraged principally by Jacques Samba, a native pastor of that region, invite us constantly, in spite of the interdiction of the European pastors. In one place it happened that we were preaching to an assembly of 988 eager listeners. Many more persons of good will hesitate to participate in the “strange work” of Jehovah because they have not seen in our land a white leader in charge of the work. The colored Africans would not hurl themselves to an organization without fear unless they see a European in charge. Therefore we rejoiced so much in reading in one of the issues of The Watchtower that the Society will send some brethren.—Dekoa publisher.

LOOK IN YOUR BIBLE!

A publisher from Florida reports this rather amusing experience: “One outstanding event was with a man who had lost two dollars ten years ago in his home, and had fired his maid for theft. When he asked me whether his Bible was like mine and contained the same information, I asked to see his copy. After some searching it was found, and I opened his Bible and there the long-lost two dollars. He spent one of the dollars for an Awake! subscription, and commented, ‘If I ever find the maid I’ll send her a subscription with the other one.’”

Announcements

“STICK TO YOUR WORK”

For the month of September, Jehovah’s witnesses have selected their service theme from 1 Timothy 4:16, Moffatt, “Stick to your work.” Their sticking to the work of gospel-preaching has enabled you and thousands of others to better understand God’s purposes. Are you not grateful for their perseverance? Your appreciation can best be shown by calling these truths to the attention of others. So doing, you, too, share in a work that leads both the workers and those who hear them onto the path of life. To this end, three booklets, one colored-cover and two self-covered, are to be offered during September, on a contribution of 10c. If you would like to obtain a supply to furnish to your acquaintances you may obtain some from the local company of Jehovah’s witnesses or write to us for them. We shall be pleased at the same time to furnish report slips and such instructions as you require so that your share in the preaching work may be added to that of the thousands of others who are sticking to this work of the ministry throughout the world.

“REPORT OF INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES”

A complete report describing all eight days of the International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses, held July 30 through August 6, 1950, at the Yankee Stadium, New York, will be available about August 14, 1950. This 96-page brochure, which includes all five convention issues, is printed on white paper with pages the same in dimensions as this magazine. It is bound in a durable cover and will be mailed anywhere, postpaid, on a contribution of 25c. It provides a lasting record of this memorable event.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of September 17: “The Increase of His Government,” ¶1-21.

Week of September 24: Answering the Foes of His Government, ¶1-18.

Week of October 1: Answering the Foes of His Government, ¶19-28; Resolution, ¶1-12.