“We were all very much disappointed in not having Brother Knorr and Brother Henschel with us for the assembly, but it all worked for a greater witness in the end. The newspapers for the next few days had much to say about the government’s action.”

Earlier, Brother Knorr had written a letter that was intended to be read to the conventioners. Since it was received too late to be read at the assembly, the branch circulated the contents to all the congregations, with the date of November 25.

Although Brother Knorr began his letter by saying, “It is with deep regret that I write this letter,” he was full of encouragement and Christian admonition to the brothers. He said:

“Do not let this matter disturb you, neither let it cause anger to well up in your hearts. These men in government have the authority . . . to refuse visas to those whom they do not wish to have in the country. It is part of their work and, of course, their responsibility. . . . Our being with you would have brought great joy, and we could have . . . aided you in the service you are doing. But if this Christian service is refused to you by the government, please do not let it disturb you at all.

“Your dedication of your life is to Jehovah God, and you are not one of Jehovah’s witnesses because of any man in the organization or any group of men. You are slaves of the Most High. You are interested in just one thing whether Brother Henschel and I are there to tell you about it or whether you read it yourself in the Lord’s Word, and that is to glorify your Father who is in heaven. . . .

“Please go ahead in your preaching of the good news peacefully, calmly and in the spirit of Jehovah. . . . I hope the effect of this restriction upon Brother Henschel and myself as to coming into the Gold Coast will be most wholesome to all of you. I sincerely hope the effect will be to make every one of you more zealous and more determined to reach more people with this good news of the Kingdom, arranging more Bible studies, house-to-house witnessing and increased activity in every field of service. . . .

“May your zeal be expressed during the coming year of 1953 by worshiping Jehovah in holy array. . . .

“Show your love to all people in the Gold Coast by bringing to them the ‘good news’ of God’s Kingdom, which is the only hope for the world. May Jehovah’s rich blessing be with all of you as you do this, and may you maintain your integrity and share in the vindication of Jehovah’s name and Word. Brother Henschel and I send our love to the whole congregation.”

Following the European assemblies the Gold Coast branch scheduled a national assembly with the same theme at Accra, November 17 to 20, 1955. Again the government favored us with permission to use the Old Polo Grounds.

Brother Henschel was to attend this assembly and a visa had to be obtained for him. Would there be a repeat of the 1952 episode when visas were denied Brothers Knorr and Henschel? There was a long delay after the application was made and this caused a bit of anxiety. However, after persistent follow-ups, the visa was issued, just in time for it to be cabled to Brother Henschel to enable him to include the Gold Coast in his itinerary.