‘IN NO RESPECT FRIGHTENED BY OPPONENTS’

As Brothers Brown, Ogunfowoke, Adediji, and Owenpa moved about the country they were now running into much opposition. When Brother Brown visited Ilesha in 1931, the assistant district officer threw him out of the catering rest house and confiscated all of his books. When the governor in Lagos took up the matter, having had a complaint lodged by Brother Brown, the Resident blamed his officers, apologized, and returned the books. However, religious opposition increased against the fledgling group of Bible students.

Describing this, Brother Ladesuyi says: “Catholics, Anglicans and others, who were formerly antagonists, now united against us. They even conspired with pagan chiefs to stop the Bible study meetings which we were holding in a carpenter shop. Our books were seized and we were arrested more than once. When Brother Adediji was arrested in 1932, he was tried in the native court, where he was greatly humiliated and mocked.”

At about the same time, Ogunfowoke was arrested at Oyo when the clergy incited the district officer to prosecute him. Then Joshua Owenpa was arrested at Ibadan and ordered to leave the town within 24 hours. By now, too, the public halls in Lagos had been locked against Jehovah’s Witnesses through the efforts of the clergy. We can see why Brother Brown used to quote Philippians 1:28 in counseling new pioneers not to be intimidated by opposers. They exhibited firm courage as a zealous segment of the more than 80 Witnesses then preaching throughout West Africa.

Sadly, however, not all remained loyal to Jehovah and his visible organization. One who shared in full-time service began to solicit money from the brothers and to use the Society’s funds dishonestly. He became an outright opposer and used the public press to vilify faithful Witnesses. Another sought special prominence when giving lectures. He objected to the requirement of monogamy, defied instructions for all to report their preaching activity, and opposed those who in time properly began to teach that not all should partake of the emblems at the Lord’s Supper. Finally, he left the Lord’s organization and formed a religious group of his own.

It was not long before their preaching began to be greatly opposed by the religious leaders. But the brothers were aware that Jehovah was blessing them. As Brother Otudoh said, they “viewed the persecutors as flies perched on the back of an elephant.”