WITNESS: At some of the Watch Tower Society’s 85 branch offices it operates printing plants. It also provides accommodations for those who work in these printing plants, since they all contribute their time and effort. By these workers’ giving of their time freely, it is possible for the Society to distribute to the public Bibles and Bible-study aids at a very small cost. For example, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, that is, a complete Bible, is available for only $1.

HOUSEHOLDER: That is amazing!

WITNESS: In addition to this, the Society has 6,377 special pioneers, including the missionaries, ministers who are sent into isolated territory to start new congregations, working in 153 different lands of the earth. Last year it was able to help these workers to the extent of $2,328,819.69, which averages a little over $30 each per month. The Society also has 1,870 circuit and district servants, traveling representatives of the Watch Tower Society who serve some 21,557 congregations. These, too, are helped in a modest way. Also, recently 104 ministers were brought in from all parts of the earth for intensive training at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, expenses paid. And yearly millions of pieces of literature, such as handbills and tracts, are distributed absolutely free of cost to those accepting.

HOUSEHOLDER: However, for the larger books and magazines, some money is contributed.

WITNESS: That’s true, and the money donations received at the time that the Society’s printed publications are placed with the people are applied toward printing and distributing more Bible-study helps; but such money donations fall far, far short of sufficiency to carry on the Kingdom preaching work on a worldwide scale. Money gifts, in addition to the gifts for the literature, are financing the preaching work in many lands. Do you have any idea as to the amount of activity carried on by Jehovah’s witnesses?

HOUSEHOLDER: No, I don’t. But I can imagine it’s enormous.

WITNESS: Last year 965,169 Witnesses contributed 132,695,540 hours of their time freely in preaching the good news of God’s kingdom. They made 45,004,266 return visits on interested persons and each week conducted 622,665 home Bible studies—this, too, is represented in that time.

HOUSEHOLDER: That’s indeed a fine record.

WITNESS: It truly is. The Witnesses, by using their resources to further such work, are, as Jesus showed in his illustration recorded at Luke 16:1-9, making friends with Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. By their diligently applying themselves in every way they hope to be pleasing to God and gain his favor and life everlasting in the new world. Those who appreciate these facts are more than happy to contribute toward the advancement of this most urgent and helpful work in the earth.

His Truth

● The famous Italian scientist and inventor, Alessandro Volta, once said to Silvio Pellico: “I have been very much disturbed on hearing the leading men of science declare that the Gospel and God were good only for the common people. . . . I have deeply considered the Gospel as well as nature. . . . I feel that the Creator is still the friend of miserable man despite his sins. I must live inspired by an intense love for him.” He said: “I have found his truth omnipotent.”—La Bibbia nel giudizio di illustri Italiani, by Augusto Jahier.