able to do so.—Matt. 19:10-12; 1 Cor. 7:25-38.

Beginning in 1923 it was my privilege to help in building radio station WBBR on Staten Island on weekends. I was used to hard work and this was indeed hard work, such as digging out green stumps by hand; but since it was Jehovah’s work, I was glad to be of use in this way. Later when we heard the good news of God’s kingdom going out over WBBR we felt well repaid. Soon an orchestra was organized to furnish music for the radio programs, and, as I played the violin, I volunteered. However, they needed a bass fiddler and so I took lessons on the bass, and, according to my teacher, I was an apt pupil. We rehearsed two evenings during the week and put on a program every Sunday. As I was very fond of good music, I greatly appreciated this privilege, which lasted for four years.

Among other happy experiences and milestones in my life was that of attending the convention in Columbus, Ohio, in 1931, where we Bible Students embraced the name “Jehovah’s witnesses.” What an honor to bear that name! A few years after that the Society bought a farm near Ithaca, New York, so as to feed the headquarters family better. As I had been a farmer I was asked to help on this farm, going there in December 1940, and I served there for eighteen more years.

After a few years I began to suffer intense pains in my abdomen, necessitating surgery for cancer of the lower bowel in July 1947, since which time I have been a colostomy case. I recovered rapidly and for eleven more years was able to do heavy farm work. Then my strength began to fail and so I was transferred to Brooklyn, where I could both get better medical treatment and do lighter work. While the average life extension of those having had this operation is but ten years, by Jehovah’s undeserved kindness I have been able to keep going, to be of use, for twenty-one years since then. Though somewhat handicapped by sciatic rheumatism, I am still able to work full time in the parcel-post department at the Society’s shipping department.

Since I am unable to do much walking, I preach evenings and weekends by means of letter writing, such as writing bereaved ones about the Bible’s resurrection hope. Among my replies was one from a widow who sincerely thanked me for the comfort my letter had brought her and asked for help in answering Bible questions. I sent her a copy of “Make Sure of All Things.” Another who has shown appreciation and who is making fine progress is an American soldier stationed in Europe.

In looking back, my seventy-six years now seem very short, although, as the poet says, “they seemed not always short.” I am truly thankful for the privilege of still being of use in preaching this good news of God’s kingdom and grateful also that Jehovah’s people can look forward to never-ending joyful service to their great Creator in the coming system of things.—Mark 10:29, 30; 13:10.

Why Man Dies

◆ The science editor for the New York Times, Walter Sullivan, observed: “The cells of our bodies (with a few exceptions, such as brain cells) are constantly replenishing themselves. It would seem that, barring accident or disease, this should continue indefinitely, but because of some subtle influence the replacement process is imperfect. This, the essence of aging, is now under intensive study. It is not inconceivable that it can be controlled.” What is that influence that results in death? The Bible shows that it is sin. (Rom. 5:12) Only God can relieve obedient ones of its effects.