Meanwhile, in The Hague there was a young man who was in constant contact with the spirit world. He could read letters in closed envelopes, and much more. What he was to do and what he was to say were always whispered into his ear. When he learned that these were the voices of demons, troubles seemed to intensify for him. He had to make a decision. For the first time in his life he prayed aloud to Jehovah, asking forgiveness for having served the demons and promising now to do the will of Jehovah. Brother van de Eijkhoff recalls: “I had made my decision, and from that moment the whispering voices vanished. Everything was now quiet and peaceful and I was myself again.”

SPIRITUAL FOOD PROTECTED

Just before the war broke out, a shipment of 100,000 booklets, along with an issue of Consolation magazine (successor to The Golden Age), arrived at the freight station in Rotterdam. When the city was bombed on May 14, the freight station was gutted. But when the flames subsided, the entire consignment lay undamaged amid the rubble. Later, the carrier loaded it all onto a truck and headed for the Society’s branch office. On arrival he was visibly pale and shaken as he asked: “Whatever is it that these cartons contain? The freight station in Rotterdam burned, but these were all saved in spite of it! On top of that, I have just now come from Rotterdam without being stopped a single time by the military patrols. Yet, in front of me and behind me throughout the journey all cars, vehicles, and pedestrians were stopped. But I passed right through.” The brother’s conclusion was simple: “It is a message the people must receive.” The driver gladly accepted personal copies. Then, as quickly as possible, the rest of the shipment was dispersed to the congregations.

Another shipment caught in the maelstrom of the war was deposited in a storage bin in Papendrecht, situated on waterlocked Alblasserwaard. Every route out of there involved crossing some bridge or using a ferry, all of which were checked by the SS. Paul Jansen and a couple of other brothers set out to get the cartons. They loaded the literature onto a hired cart. As they tied down the tarpaulin, Paul’s heart pounded wildly. Fear? Sure they were afraid. But they also had faith​—just a little more than the fear they felt. As they approached the ferry, the group became less and less talkative. Then the cart was pushed onto the ferry. They all realized that the only way to get through was to depend fully on Jehovah. Each one prayed silently but fervently to Jehovah. The literature was soon safely in the hands of the congregations. This was a new lesson for the brothers​—one involving faith, trust in Jehovah—​a lesson in the power of prayer, a lesson in Christian courage. Such evidences of Jehovah’s care, along with the fact that the spiritual food contained in The Watchtower continued to reach the brothers on time, were faith strengthening indeed.