During the past year, 1,891 joyful workers had a share in talking to others about the spiritual security that they had found, not only in the more peaceful south, the Republic of Ireland, but also in the troubled province of Ulster, Northern Ireland. Almost twice that number, 3,394, met together to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. When viewed against the backdrop of how the work was carried on in past decades, this evidences a remarkable spiritual growth. For Jehovah’s work in Ireland came through some stormy times!

IN THE TROUBLED NORTH

In Northern Ireland, which is predominantly Protestant and ultranationalistic, the situation in earlier days was not much better. Vicious attacks were launched here also, and the deep-seated hatred between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant communities has remained as a threat to Jehovah’s Witnesses, especially as some Catholic people still mistakenly identify the Witnesses as “Protestants.” But now more and more people are coming to realize that the Witnesses are quite separate from all other religions, Catholic or Protestant.​—Rev. 18:4.

On one occasion the Irish Republican Army threatened to explode bombs if a public lecture was not canceled. The assembly hall had to be guarded by policemen and detectives. On another occasion two Witnesses using a “sound car” drove unwittingly into a solidly Catholic area, where they were mistaken for Protestants. A barrage of missiles was hurled at them. Quickly they piled all their equipment back into their vehicle and headed out of the area, but not before the mob had smashed the car windscreen and battered the bodywork with iron bars.

However, in time things began to change, attitudes improved, and these courageous, patient workers began to see the fruits of their labors. Their work had not been in vain, although as late as 1960 there were, on the average, fewer than two hundred Witnesses reporting Kingdom service in the Republic.

RAPID SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Oftentimes speedy spiritual growth follows the initial planting of the truth. Here is an example: While visiting his parents in a troubled part of Northern Ireland, a young man received a four-page tract published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He appreciated what it said regarding God’s kingdom, and could see this as the only answer to the bitter sectarian hatreds that are tearing Northern Ireland apart. His work as a teacher in Catholic schools took him to England, where he was able to associate with a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After only four months he determined to return to his hometown to help in spreading the “good news” there. Help certainly was needed as only five others were engaged in making known God’s kingdom in that entire area.

On arrival, he arranged for three local newspapers to publish a letter addressed by him to his fellow townspeople, and in which he explained his reason for returning home. This caused great interest and opened the way for many discussions. He has been able to help many others to grow in appreciation of Bible truth. These include one former friend who had been imprisoned for terrorist offenses connected with the I.R.A. This friend now sees the futility of violence, and that lasting peace and justice can come only through God’s Kingdom rule over the earth.

Because of the security situation in Northern Ireland, it has not been possible, for some years now, to hold any of the larger national assemblies there. But the Witnesses from that area have happily joined their associates from the Republic in upbuilding assemblies in fine facilities in Dublin. These assemblies have done much in breaking down barriers of prejudice against the Witnesses.

North and south of the border in Ireland, people with a love for God and for right principles are growing spiritually, becoming rooted and stabilized in their faith. (Eph. 3:17) As it is with the farmer waiting for his crops to grow, great patience has been required of all those who have shared in the planting and cultivating of seeds of truth. But now God is making it grow.​—1 Cor. 3:6, 7.