kindness. Let it be noted that congregational prayer is not a mere formalism, such as is the saying of mass in a foreign tongue. Each one therefore should listen to it carefully, and it should be given in a way that would compel each listener to utter a fervent “Amen!” at its close.

22. How and where should children be taught to pray?

²² Since public prayers are not practice sessions, children should not be asked to represent adults in prayer. The place for young children to learn to pray is at a parent’s knee. You parents, take time and thought to teach your children how they should pray and what their prayers should include. Impress upon their young minds that they are talking to God and therefore are to address him with reverence, sincerity and childlike simplicity.

23. Respect for the privilege of prayer dictates what?

²³ Respect for the precious privilege of prayer dictates that prayers should not be given as a part of a demonstration. That is why a male servant who accompanies a sister to her home Bible studies lets her conduct for the purpose of his offering counsel if need be, but he offers the opening and closing prayer, for prayer is never offered for the purpose of its being counseled.

24. How may our privilege of talking with God be summarized?

²⁴ Truly, it is a great condescension on God’s part for him to let us walk and talk with him. And as we walk with him let us ever be alert to hear and heed what he has to say to us, as we ourselves keep talking with him, incessantly, persevering therein with thanksgiving as we make known our petitions. At the same time let us exercise care to conduct ourselves in line with our petitions and to keep the thought content of our prayers ever fitting to the occasion and to avoid getting in a rut. Doing so we will share in the vindication of Jehovah’s name, make his heart glad and assure ourselves much joy now and in Jehovah’s endless new world of righteousness.

Finding Out for Himself

In Arkansas a Witness placed some Bible literature with a Baptist minister and later called back. “I quickly began to marvel at his meekness and humility,” reports the Witness. “When he learned something new he was quick to acknowledge it. We discussed Bible manuscripts and translations, and I made comparisons using the New World Translation; he ordered a copy. Later he ordered the Diaglott. Recently he told me why he started to study with the Witnesses. He had heard so many bad things he just wanted to see if they were true. He confessed that he now knew they were not true. One time he told me about his sermon at his church. He said he told his congregation that most people thought some were to be teachers and preachers and others were only supposed to listen. But, as he told them, this is not true: All of you should be witnesses! He said the congregation looked at one another, then at him. . . . He grinned at me.”

Making Progress

A Witness called at the home of a clergyman in Virginia and was invited to return. The back-call included a discussion of the doctrines of hell, trinity and what would happen to the earth. He agreed that the Witnesses taught the truth. After several discussions, a study was started in the Paradise book. During a period of bad weather, the Witness did not go to the clergyman’s home for a study. The clergyman thereupon came to see the Witness and informed him that he had left his book “Make Sure of All Things” at the clergyman’s home the last time he called. This turned out to be of great benefit to the clergyman, since he read it and now agrees on two subjects that he could not see before; namely, that the soul is not immortal and that Jehovah is using only one organization. One day the clergyman said: “I’m coming, it’s slow but I’m coming. The Bible says, ‘Make sure of all things.’”