CIRCUIT SERVANT AND REWARDS

One of our most thrilling memories is that of the visit of our first circuit servant. This brother brought with him the film “The New World Society in Action.” Several thousand saw and enjoyed the film and were made to realize that Jehovah has an organization of people for him. The most delightsome spot in the one-day assembly was when the candidates for baptism were asked to rise, and over seventy stood up! It was a most stirring sight for us. Our hearts literally welled up with gratitude to see forty brothers and thirty sisters lined up along the jungle river ready to symbolize their dedication to Jehovah. Many of these people have heard of the truth but not sufficiently enough to bring them to maturity. Nevertheless, they are telling out the good news along hundreds of miles of coastline and are anxiously awaiting the time when some mature brothers will volunteer to help them. The need is great.

Looking back over the years that we have been here, we can see what a blessing island preaching has been to us. From one publisher in September, 1951, to 175 publishers in April, 1957. These come from three congregations and twelve groups. Associated with these are at least four hundred attending meetings and besides these there are hundreds more interested persons scattered throughout these islands. As we write this report we know of at least six villages along the coast where mature brothers could start congregations immediately.

My secular work has made it possible for us to build our own house, which is used as a Kingdom Hall for the European brothers. We have also managed to purchase a small piece of property elsewhere that now houses four special pioneers and one congregation publisher. We have directly or indirectly been able to find accommodations for eight other European brothers who are now working with us. Even though this Job of mine occupies me some 200 hours a month, yet it has been the means of enabling us to open up the work here and Jehovah has added his blessing, because it was done with that end in view.

Although in a little over a space of a year the number of our European brothers has risen from eight to eighteen, still we are unable to cope with the vast amount of work there is yet to be done here. Recently we took a trip around the island and checked on our unassigned territory. As we looked at all the people in the various towns and villages we visited, we simply gasped for help.

Why not let your secular work serve you by making it possible for you to do Kingdom work where the need is great? You have much to gain by making such a move and certainly nothing to lose. It is certainly well worth the effort we put forth since 1951.

Why He Listened

When asked by the bishop of Melanesia why he, a former member of the Anglican Melanesian Mission, Solomon Islands, had listened to a representative of the Watch Tower Society, the former member replied: “I like to hear both sides of a story.” “Well, then,” asked the bishop, “now you have heard it, what is your opinion?” “It is all true, because everything said he proved from the Bible,” was the reply. This man followed up his conviction by leaving the Church of England and offering his home for group Bible study meetings.—1958 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses.