In passing, let me mention my partner Van. He had been a captain at sea. His was a loving example. He died of enteric, or typhoid fever, pneumonia and a “wall” around his heart all at one go. He died on a Sunday night; I buried him on Monday morning, and then kept the Memorial celebration on Monday evening. Very poignant!

I must enlarge on my comments about the work. Up to the war we distributed literature without doing much building-up work. As one woman said to me: “Mr. Garrard, Mr. Francis and you come here; my husband and I get interested in what you preach; then after a few days you leave. We are left alone.” Building-up work was missing. During the wartime a new work began—building up the citylike organization. We were too few to be scattered, so we stayed put and built up the interest.

During the anti-white riots, our being caught in mobs was not pleasant. However, our thoughts always went to Jehovah. I recall the first time a mob of about fifty pounced on me—they wanted to kill me but did not know how to start! They let me go because I was a preacher. Then three of us got caught, with mobs on both sides. Before the trouble starts you get “butterflies” in your stomach, but once it begins you feel as calm as you could wish to be. Jehovah’s spirit seems to neutralize your own fear. You just trust him—there is nothing else to do—and in amazement you see how well everything turns out.

December, 1946, brought our first contact with Gilead graduates and the pleasure of meeting Brother Knorr for the first time. We learned that now we had to readjust ourselves to new ways of building up. We did just that, and those trained at Gilead were there to help. It seemed like a breath of fresh air to us. Then Brother Skinner went to Gilead.

December, 1947, the greatest privilege I had experienced to that time came my way. Clarence Taylor and I left for Gilead. What a wonderful joy! Although I did not know it at the time, I was leaving India for good, after sixteen years of service there. Today there are over 1,400 publishers in India—a marvelous increase!

Gilead was a remarkable and outstanding experience in my life. Nowhere in the world is there another school like it. So much has been said about it that I am not going to go into detail, but I could not leave it out. It was a milestone in pursuing my purpose in life.

After school I had the unforgettable experience of circuit work in Pittsburgh, the cradle where the modern growth of Jehovah’s witnesses had begun. I felt incompetent in myself, but Jehovah’s spirit and the willing efficiency of the brothers provided all that was necessary for our circuit assembly. At my previous circuit assembly in India there had been twenty-one. Here in Pittsburgh there were more than 1,500—huge numbers for me.

In an interview with Brother Knorr at Gilead I had told him that I would not last long if sent back to India. I did not mind that so much, but I wanted to continue in the work as long as possible. He was, as usual, very kind and understanding. Later on he told me I was being sent to South Africa.

South Africa, February, 1949. To me it seemed like paradise before its time. Conditions for Europeans have been above average. Many people are kind, gentle and very hospitable. The work in this country is easy, especially with Bible sermons, because the people have respect for the Bible. Among the Afrikaans-speaking people especially is this evident. However, respect for the Bible is not the same as understanding it, and the younger generation does not even read it so much. Nevertheless, we find many hearing ears. The field for workers is vast.

The Branch here has much work, printing in various languages, and the modern Bethel home and printing facilities are a big help. We in the field can always be assured of help and understanding from the brothers in Bethel, who are always anxious to forward the work. Nothing is too much trouble for them. We appreciate it!

There has been growth in Jehovah’s citylike organization here in Africa too. The number of publishers has increased from an average of 5,506 in 1949 to 15,853 in December of 1958, and it is grand to know that one has had some small share in that increase. Other African lands formerly under the supervision of the South African office now have their own Branches.

Having started service in South Africa as a pioneer, I have had my turn on the district and circuit work, and at the time of writing this I am still enjoying the privilege of circuit work. About three years ago I married a sister in the truth whom I had known since 1925. She started pioneering in England, went to France for seven years, and served in London Bethel and in Dublin before coming to South Africa. She has proved to be a great aid to me in the work.

While in pioneer service I have not missed the assemblies of Jehovah’s people. Due to great kindness shown by a Witness and my uncle in Canada, I had the joy of attending the 1953 international assembly in New York. However, all my previous experiences were eclipsed by the blessing of being present at the Divine Will International Assembly last year, and for that unexpected provision I am very grateful. The good things enjoyed there were crowned for us when my wife went to Gilead as a member of the thirty-second class. This is something we both deeply appreciate.

Since the Assembly we have seen an even greater influx into the organization. The distribution of the Resolution tract has had a part in it, and the great expansion in the Society’s own building program indicates that provision is being made for many more who will yet respond to the good news.

Just what can I say to Jehovah for all his benefits to me? My heart is full. By the end of 1959, if Jehovah wills, I shall have been in the pioneer service for thirty years. Looking back, I recall my service in Britain, India, Burma, Ceylon, Aden, America, Canada, South Africa and Mauritius. There have been regular and special pioneering, circuit and district work, some work in the Branch in India, and then Gilead! I have been able to touch on only a few of the experiences I have enjoyed. But I can sum it all up by saying that Jehovah has been good! His organization is a glorious habitation! If you are contemplating pioneer service, do not hesitate. Be strong and courageous. Trust in Jehovah and prove that he is good.

When the Nile Failed to Rise

In his book Modern Discovery and the Bible, A. Rendle Short reports: “Famines in Egypt rarely last long. As everybody knows, agriculture in that country entirely depends on the Nile inundation. A very interesting discovery has been made, on the island of Elephantine, of a tablet to commemorate the fact that for seven successive years the Nile failed to rise. The exact date of this tablet cannot be ascertained, but an inscription has been discovered and published by Brugsch, as far as we can tell coinciding with the time of Joseph.”