your plans and your knowledge of the language, your Christian brothers there will be able to appraise the situation and advise you of the possibilities that are open to you. It must be kept in mind, of course, that the Society’s branch office cannot become responsible for you. However, it will give full cooperation in matters such as putting you in touch with local Witnesses, informing you of the types of secular work available, setting out the requirements for those entering their country, and so on.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Meantime, you could obtain a beginner’s grammar book of the language in the country to which you plan to go. If you have previously studied a foreign language, you will have the advantage of knowing how to go about it. If there is someone who knows the language, it may be that you could enlist his aid. If you can attend evening-school classes in the language, without interfering with your ministry and theocratic studies, this could be helpful.

It is, of course, to be expected that obstacles will arise as you take steps toward a life of greater usefulness in the Kingdom ministry. Is it not obvious that the “god of this system of things” will seek to discourage you in such a purpose? (2 Cor. 4:4) But be persevering. Refuse to be easily deterred. Remember, it is God’s will that “in all the nations the good news has to be preached first.” (Mark 13:10) He will assuredly bless your consistent effort to increase your share in this most unselfish service.

Finally, can you think of any more effective answer to the question, What can I do? than that appearing on page 59 of the 1968 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses? It says:

“With the marvelous expansion now taking place in foreign lands and the crying need for more disciple-makers, every one of Jehovah’s witnesses with health and the freedom to take up missionary work should give the most serious consideration to saying, ‘Here I am! Send me.’ The highest profession one can follow is to serve Jehovah full time. The missionary service in particular is a privilege, which, if engaged in zealously between now and Armageddon, will ensure immeasurable happiness in the ages to come. Consider the joy of experiencing, in the new order, the happy companionship of those you now help to escape the destruction of this system of things.”

Even if you are not eligible for Gilead training as a missionary, it may well be that your maturity and years of experience as a minister of the Kingdom have equipped you so that you could do justice to some other assignment where the need for Kingdom preaching is urgent. Why not answer the question, What can I do? with positive action?

Questions From Readers

● Why did the apostle Paul say, as recorded at 1 Corinthians 1:17, that Christ dispatched him “not to go baptizing”? He did baptize believers, did he not?—G.Q., U.S.A.

In the midst of his comments about a problem with divisions existing in the Corinthian congregation, the apostle Paul wrote: “For Christ dispatched me, not to go baptizing, but to go declaring the good news, not with wisdom of speech, that the torture stake of the Christ should not be made useless.”—1 Cor. 1:17.

We can be certain that Paul was well aware of Jesus’ command to make disciples and to baptize them. (Matt. 28:19, 20) And Paul traveled widely, making disciples and teaching people to observe all the things Jesus commanded. He did not minimize the importance of baptism, but recommended it.—Acts 19:1-5.

The statement in 1 Corinthians 1:17 must be understood in context. In the verses before, Paul mentioned that he baptized Crispus, Gaius and the household of Stephanas. (1 Cor. 1:14-16) He was not doing that without Christ’s permission, but, rather, with the authorization recorded at Matthew 28:19.

The point the apostle was making was that he did not consider the baptizing of individuals his exclusive or primary assignment. Christ specifically told Paul that he was to preach, to be “a witness” to the nations. (Acts 26:16; 9:15) While Paul could and did baptize individuals, there are reasons why he may not have baptized great numbers. The context shows that divisions could spring up. If the apostles themselves specialized in baptizing, it might have contributed to the formation of parties or cliques of Christians baptized by certain men.

So when Paul stayed in Corinth, some years before writing his first letter to the congregation there, he did baptize some persons. But baptism was not a special rite to be performed just by the apostles, nor was it more meaningful when performed by an apostle than when done by another male member of the Christian congregation.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

Those who have dedicated their lives to Jehovah God desire to magnify his name and aid their fellowmen to love and serve him. As the Bible shows, the “God of peace” equips his people as an organization “with every good thing” so they might perform his will. (Heb. 13:20, 21) So equipped, they pattern their ministry after that of Jesus and his apostles, calling from house to house to find persons interested in the Word of God. During August, they will be offering, in their house-to-house ministry, such Bible-study aids as the books “Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie” and Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God, on a contribution of 50c each, or either of these in combination with the book Did Man Get Here by Evolution or by Creation? for 75c.

THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PITTSBURGH

At ten o’clock in the forenoon of Tuesday, October 1, 1968, the annual meeting of the members of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania will be held at the Society’s office located at 4100 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All members of the corporation should be certain that the Secretary’s Office has their addresses so that the letters of notice will reach them shortly after September 1.

Along with the notice of the annual meeting, which will be mailed to all the members of the corporation, proxies will be sent. The proxies are to be returned so as to reach the office of the Secretary of the Society not later than September 15. Each member should complete and return his proxy promptly whether he is going to be at the meeting personally or not.

THE BIBLE, A BENEFICIAL BOOK

Is the Bible just a fine book, only of literary value? Or perhaps a book to be read just for comfort or consolation when one is discouraged or depressed? Certainly it has proved its worth in these regards, but the Bible is of far more benefit. One of its own writers claimed for it: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16) Are you deriving these benefits? Learn more about this Book of books. Send for and read “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial.” It will acquaint you with all sixty-six books of the Bible, their writers and contents and why each book is beneficial for our day. Send only $1.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

September 8: The Book of Truthful Historical Dates, and Why Are You Looking Forward to 1975?, ¶1-3. Page 488. Songs to Be Used: 22, 43.

September 15: Why Are You Looking Forward to 1975?, ¶4-37. Page 495. Songs to Be Used: 45, 68.

September 22: How 1st-Century Events Are Dated in the 20th Century. Page 501. Songs to Be Used: 77, 79.