to respond to the call: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee.” Additionally, we find that Jehovah’s “book of remembrance” is tied in with his organization, for the promise reads: “And those who remain in Zion and are left in Jerusalem will be called holy—even everyone who is enrolled among those destined for life in Jerusalem.”—Isa. 60:1, AS; Isa 4:3, AT.

22. Why and on what basis is this a day for great joy and rejoicing?

²² What a happy ending to our study! In the world even the brightest memories are often tinged with sadness, we knowing that the former things enjoyed in the days of youth cannot be repeated. But once having been brought into Jehovah’s organization and privileged to become a member of the New World society, then the whole outlook is changed. Even now, in Zion, the New World activities are so continuously satisfying and our lives are so full and happy that we have begun to realize the fulfillment of the glorious prophecy: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and there shall be heard in her no more the voice of weeping and the voice of crying.”—Isa. 65:17-19, AS.

Priest Apologizes for Lies

By Watchtower missionary in Uruguay

WHILE engaged in missionary work from house to house in Melo, Uruguay, we encountered a number of people who said that they knew all they wanted to know about Jehovah’s witnesses. This surprised us, because, as a rule, these people are meek and eager to learn. When we inquired of them what it was that they knew, they produced a periodical called Toma y Lee, meaning “Take and Read.”

This periodical, dated January 25, 1953, said that Jehovah’s witnesses were a branch of the Seventh-Day Adventist faith; that their leader is Judge Rutherford and their founder Charles T. Russell; that they are bitter souls, whose publications are against God. In the January 31 and February 8, 1953, issues of Toma y Lee, the writer stated that Jehovah’s witnesses teach that Christ ascended to heaven in 1914; that they do not believe in prayer; do not accept Mary, the virgin ‘mother of God,’ and that, above all, Jehovah’s witnesses deny the existence of ‘the triune Godhead.’ The writer would frequently refer to Jehovah’s witnesses as ‘bitter souls,’ ‘idiots,’ ‘lunatics’, ‘those who stir up dirt in and about our town,’ ‘people that are impossible,’ and other unfavorable comments.

On February 9, 1953, we (two of Jehovah’s witnesses) decided to call on Padre Guillermo Andulla, who was responsible for these articles, to ascertain the reasons for these misrepresentations and falsehoods. The priest invited us to sit down and discuss our business. We told him that we were interested in the publication Toma y Lee, especially in how it treated the subject of “Strange Religions” as pertaining to Jehovah’s witnesses; and what we were particularly interested in knowing was where he got his material for his articles. The priest quickly assured us that his sources were plentiful and accurate and that he could prove all that he had published, especially about Jehovah’s witnesses. But when we pressed him further to see his sources, he, with some reluctance, yielded a publication in the form of a tabloid and stated that this was his authority. We asked him if he had investigated the material prior to publication. He said that he had, but, he added, there was really no need for investigating, because the author of the tabloid was the bishop of the diocese, and there was absolutely no reason to think that he had erred.

During the course of conversation he admitted that he did not know us personally, so we asked him if he thought we were ‘bitter souls,’ ‘lunatics,’ or ‘idiots.’ He quickly said of course not; that such expressions were improper and that one could be punished for using them. We then told him that he had called us those names in his publication. He categorically denied it. But when we produced copies of Toma y Lee and pointed out to him these slanderous remarks, the lies and misrepresentations that he told, he became very nervous. We suggested that he retract all his statements in the next issue of Toma y Lee, or face charges in court. He pleaded with us not to do that. He said it was impossible for him to retract the things he had written, but he promised that from that day forward not another word would appear in his paper against Jehovah’s witnesses.

We spent over an hour with him in his church office, in which time his disposition changed considerably, from that of a rather sure, “cocky” individual to that of a somewhat mild-tempered man. He came from behind his desk before we left and took hold of our hands, shaking them. He asked that we forgive him and pardon him for his great error, and said that he was asking this apology not only for himself but also for all the Catholic people. So with that we left his church office.

As far as we were concerned the issue was not closed yet. We felt that the people of Melo were entitled to know where the publication Toma y Lee had erred in its report on Jehovah’s witnesses. A talk was scheduled for this purpose on Sunday, March 22, 1953, in the Plaza Constitución. We arranged with the only radio station in town to make a few spot announcements of the lecture during the week. While we were making these arrangements the radio station owner and manager became intensely interested in the purpose of our lecture and suggested that we give the history of the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses and that they would be willing to broadcast it free to the people. This we did, and to our further amazement we received radio time at noon, when almost all the people listen to the station. The same program was rebroadcast in the evening and then again at the close of the week. The radio did a marvelous job of preparation for the Sunday talk.

On Sunday night over 150 gathered to hear the lecture. The speaker quoted the assertions, misrepresentations and bold lies made in the periodical, and then, step by step, clearly and logically refuted them. He showed that Jehovah’s witnesses are not and never were Seventh-Day Adventists; that Jehovah’s witnesses do definitely believe in prayer; that they are not ‘bitter souls’ but are happy souls looking forward to the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer at Matthew 6:9, 10.

After presenting the Bible viewpoint, the speaker appealed to the audience to study their Bibles for truth. He urged them to “make sure of all things; hold fast to what is right.” (1 Thess. 5:21, NW) He stated very emphatically that the reason the clergy lie, oppose and misrepresent Jehovah’s witnesses is that these teach the truth. Jesus said: “Now this is the basis for judgment, that the light has come into the world but men have loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked. For he that practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, in order that his works may not be reproved. But he that does what is true comes to the light, in order that his works may be made manifest as having been worked in harmony with God.”—John 3:19-21, NW; Matt. 24:9.

The immediate reaction to the lecture was very favorable. This may well be another time when Jehovah will turn an intended “curse” into a blessing. (Neh. 13:2) Notwithstanding, it has already resulted in an effective witness to the honor and glory of his great and holy name.

Questions From Readers

● Genesis 7:2 instructed Noah, “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female.” This would mean seven of each clean kind, but some modern translations render it “seven pairs,” which would mean fourteen clean animals of each kind. Which is correct?—C. M., United States.

The original Hebrew expression literally reads “seven seven.” The Hebrew frequently indicates apportionment or distribution merely by repeating the number involved. Harper’s Introductory Hebrew Method and Manual, in discussing Genesis 7:2, 9, says on page 176: “Words are often repeated in order to express the distributive relation.” Under the heading “Syntax of the Numerals” Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar (Second American Edition), on page 409, also states that one way of showing distribution is to repeat the number. The repeated numbers are not to be added together, but only indicate a distribution.

In 2 Samuel 21:20 we read of a giant having six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. The Hebrew repeats the number “six,” not meaning each hand has six pairs of fingers, or twelve fingers, or that each foot has six pairs of toes, or twelve toes. The number is repeated because a distribution is involved, and the repetition shows this. Also Numbers 13:2 and Joshua 3:12 speak of taking one man from each tribe, and the Hebrew literally reads “one man one man,” repeating to show distributive relation, and not meaning a pair of men or two men from each tribe. When Numbers 34:18 instructs to take one prince from each tribe the Hebrew literally is “one prince one prince,” showing the distributive relation, and not meaning two princes.

So in Genesis 7:2 the repeating of “seven” does not mean seven pairs, or fourteen clean animals, but means seven of each kind were to be taken. In Ge 7 verses 9 and 15 of this chapter the number “two” is repeated, but the modern translations that say “seven pairs” in verse 2 do not say “two pairs” in verses 9 and 15, as consistency might suggest doing. In these verses the meaning is obvious that the unclean animals entered the ark “by twos.” Similarly, verse 2 shows the clean animals were taken in “by sevens,” as the expression is translated in the New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. Some think seven pairs must be meant since it says after “seven,” “the male and his female,” which would require an even number if each male had its own female. However, Genesis 8:20 (NW) shows that “some of all the clean beasts and of all the clean flying creatures” were offered as burnt-offerings when Noah came out of the ark. He did not have to break up a pair to do this, since he took into the ark three pairs and one extra, the extra one being available for sacrificial purposes. So says the book “New Heavens and a New Earth,” page 102, paragraph 3.

O Jehovah, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.—Ps 104:24, AS.