people whose only offense was to preach the good news of God’s kingdom?

I remember in one town that they arrested me simply because I inquired for the address of a Witness living there. The marshal told me that he would arrest me every time I showed up in their town. He expected that as soon as I was released I would leave the district. But he was disappointed. He had me fined, and when I refused to pay the fine, then I was thrown into a filthy cell. A few days later the sheriff came in and said that if I would leave the county they would turn me loose. I reminded him that I had been illegally jailed and would never leave on any such conditions. He finally let me out, no strings attached.

CAUSE FOR SATISFACTION, JOY

All of those experiences were sources of deep satisfaction, yes, even joy, at the time, for were not Jesus’ followers warned that if they followed the lead of their Master they would receive the same treatment that he received? (John 17:14) And, of course, all of the bad treatment that we received was as nothing compared to the joy we had when humble people responded to the message that we brought them and showed their appreciation by extending to us ‘the cup of cold water’ spoken of by the Lord Jesus. (Matt. 10:42) And it was always thrilling to note the evidences that the enthroned King of God’s choice was already accomplishing his grand separating work, and to reflect on the fact that we were humble instruments in his hand.—Matt. 25:31-33.

It is true that age has greatly reduced my physical ability. I am now over eighty-six. And if I permit my mind to dwell on this it can be quite discouraging. But I take comfort in the knowledge that our Father in heaven knows us better than we do ourselves. He knows our infirmities, and he knows our longing to be able to serve in some small way the interests of his Kingdom; perhaps to be able to encourage someone who is physically better able to preach and teach today. And Jehovah is good to his servants. See how he has raised a multitude of Kingdom proclaimers to intensify the witness among the nations in these “last days”! How satisfying to know that we are in the days of the fulfillment of the prophecy: “The little one himself will become a thousand, and the small one a mighty nation. I myself, Jehovah, shall speed it up in its own time”!—Isa. 60:22.

(Since writing this account, Seth Keith finished his earthly course with confidence that ‘the things he did would go right with him,’ because he had the hope of sharing with Christ in the heavenly kingdom.—Rev. 14:13.)

She Preached to Her Minister

A woman who began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s witnesses became so enthusiastic over what she was learning that she was moved to tell everyone about it. Among the ones to whom she spoke was her Lutheran minister. She talked with him for three hours about what she had learned from the Bible. During the conversation she reminded him of a sermon he once gave about the Trinity. He had said: “We know the Father; we know the Son, but who knows who the Holy Ghost is? I do not. Do you?” The woman told him that she now knew the answer. She said that it is right in the Bible! It Is God’s active force, which is the holy spirit. She then left him some Watch Tower publications to read. This time it was not the minister who was doing the preaching.