constantly pushing others to greater activity without allowing them to decide for themselves how much time they want to devote to various activities in the congregation. Go only as far as the Scriptures go. (1 Cor. 4:6) Allow others to care for the responsibilities that they have, which you may not understand or even know about. Help where you can, but do not push. “The wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits.”—Jas. 3:17.

OUTSIDE THE FIELD OF REASONABLENESS—HURTFUL DESIRES

15. What do you find prevails outside the field of reasonableness? Is it wise to follow the majority of people or their ideas?

¹⁵ Strong desires rule and motivate man in this present system of thingS. Impelled by explosive-powered forces, it becomes increasingly difficult to find those following the advice at Titus 3:2: “Speak injuriously of no one, not to be belligerent, to be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward all men.” The spirit of the world is to direct attention to self, to push ahead, to be somebody fast, and its whole concept is so well described at 1 John 2:16: “Because everything in the world, the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life, does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world.” These hurtful desires take in a wide field of activity. Fads that appeal to selfish interests sweep the populations like epidemics, to be crowded out of the picture only by the next wave of extremes. Why would a reasonable person want to pass hurriedly by Jehovah God’s unlimited provisions for man’s pleasure and drop down to the product of low-grade thinking of imperfect human creatures? Styles of dress are designed to sell sex; the once-useful and needed eyeglasses are now designed to attract attention to the wearer. Food and drink are taken from their intended purpose and diverted into a channel of providing thrills.

OUTSIDE THE FIELD OF REASONABLENESS—FEAR

16. Describe the many fears that plague man, and what would you recommend to overcome these fears?

¹⁶ The fear of man is a constricting force; it can freeze growth and squeeze the minister of God into inactivity. If you know the Bible principles to live by and you do your best to follow them, why fear what man, yes, even what your brother thinks? Fear indicates lack of the knowledge of right or the holding back from doing what one knows is right. If one knows the right thing to do and does it without fearing what men think, he is growing. Jesus said: “Take good care not to practice your righteousness in front of men in order to be observed by them.” (Matt. 6:1) Rather, gain the blessing of fearing Jehovah, as mentioned at Proverbs 15:33: “The fear of Jehovah is a discipline toward wisdom”; and again at Psalm 145:19: “The desire of those fearing him he will perform.” So we can be reasonable and avoid the fear of other gods, of superstition and of calamity. The results: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you yourself alone, O Jehovah, make me dwell in security.” (Ps. 4:8) Death loses its fearful hold on us and we have the promise of freedom from its lord soon. (Heb. 2:14, 15) With proper dignity and respect, and void of cowardly fear, we keep clear of many problems: “Trembling at men is what lays a snare.”—Prov. 29:25.

17. What should be humble man’s conclusion forever?

¹⁷ Life is complicated enough without adding further problems to hinder someone else’s growth or stall your own. Enjoy life now while you serve Jehovah. Regardless of how many privileges of service you receive, how capably you handle your work, how efficient and well-organized you may be, never rely on man’s ability for growth, but forever recognize that ‘it is God who makes it grow.’—1 Cor. 3:7.

A Life of Blessings in Jehovah’s Service

As told by Athan Doulis

MY LIFE, from the human point of view, had its start in a poor environment, with equally poor prospects for a satisfying future. Born in a small mountain village of Northern Epirus, Albania, I never knew my father, for he died three months before my birth. Mother, as far as I can remember, was a godly woman, devoted to what she had learned; she died when I was no more than eight years of age. My only sister married, and my only brother and I myself were expatriated to Istanbul.

I was taken in hand by an uncle who brought me up according to his Greek Orthodox faith. He was a frequenter of the Patriarchate and of many churches in Istanbul, and took me with him, supposing, it seems, that this would substitute for a formal education. But I felt wronged at not being able to acquire education like all the other young people. Fortunately, I found some old school books discarded by my cousin, and undertook a course in self-education.

In 1923 I went as a refugee to Salonika, and then, two years later, repaired to Albania to meet my brother. On arrival at the old home, I did not find my brother, for he was working some 200 kilometers away. But I did find The Watch Tower, the Bible, seven volumes of Studies in the Scriptures, as well as other pamphlets on Bible topics. Some of the titles, such as “Hell” and “Our Lord’s Return,” caught my eye and I began to read. My sister-in-law tried to discourage me, saying: “You will become like your brother, who became stupid by these and does not go to church or observe feast days.” I paid no attention. I knew my brother was a literate man. When I did finally meet him, I found that he was a changed man, with quite a changed view in life.

EARLY BLESSINGS

At first it was all so new and difficult for me. Never before had I read the Bible; in fact, I hardly knew what a Bible was,