In order to be sure that only those who really qualified were baptized, it was made a requirement that all baptismal candidates first go through a course of study, not unlike what is now outlined in Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry. When this was done, each candidate was approved by the congregation overseer. But that was not all. Candidates were further interviewed by the district overseer at circuit assemblies and by special representatives of the Society at district conventions.

Well, you can imagine what the results of this must have been! Yes, a decrease in the number being baptized. For instance, in 1957, at a convention attended by 16,000, only 100 were baptized​—quite a drop from the previous number. The ultimate result of this, however, was spiritually strong congregations​—congregations made up of those who were really putting on the new personality through accurate knowledge.​—Col. 3:10.

The effect of such happenings can be seen in the five years from 1957 to 1962. During that period 3,600 new ones were baptized, but with no increase in publishers.