The 46th class graduated on September 8, 1968, at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses, used for circuit assemblies for the New York city congregations. The ninety-nine graduates and the more than 1,900 others in attendance were encouraged by Brother Knorr to consider the counsel of Jesus’ half brother James, to take a good look at themselves in the “mirror” of God’s Word to be sure they are doers of God’s word from the heart. (Jas. 1:23-25) What they really were, Brother Knorr told the graduates, would reveal itself to the people in the many lands to which they were being sent. It would also determine whether their service to God would be a blessing to these people, with Jehovah’s smile of approval.

Brother Knorr’s theme fittingly enlarged on the importance of Christian fruitage. He stressed the need of ‘getting the sense’ of God’s Word of truth, and cultivating that truth in our own hearts, as well as working to implant and cultivate the Word in the hearts of those we teach. (Matt. 13:18-23) At the conclusion of his talk he announced, to the joy of all present, that most of the students would be remaining with the Bethel family until after the international assembly in New York.