For instance, in 1949 we had five circuit assemblies with a total attendance of 7,415, with 647 baptized.

Until 1953 the work of the district overseer was handled from the branch office. But now it was clear that a permanent district overseer was needed. For one thing, the number of circuits had risen to 13. So from this time on, there were permanently assigned district overseers, who, for the next several years, were mainly Gilead graduates.

Although the district overseers were still barred from certain areas, their work did have its benefits. For one thing, it helped many farmers and miners to become free of wrong impressions concerning our work.

An example of this was when a circuit assembly was arranged at Mberengwa, a small village in a large European farming and mining area in the southern part of the country. While preparations for the assembly were going on, Ruby Bradley was out witnessing and called on a retired gentleman living at a mine. This man showed considerable prejudice against our activity. He was deeply concerned about the effect it would have on the African people.

After he got his feelings off his chest, Sister Bradley asked him: “Will you just give me a chance to explain what our work is all about?” To this he agreed. So for the next few minutes she explained the nature and purpose of the Kingdom work. She also told him what managers of large mining companies (one of whom he knew) had said about the honesty and reliability of the African Witnesses. The man was very impressed with what he heard​—so much so that he took four books and a subscription for both The Watchtower and Awake!

That visit proved to be very beneficial. Opposition to our assembly was strong, and we knew that efforts were going to be made to stop it. This honest man took it upon himself to correct the misunderstandings. He went to the local village hotel, where many were gathered, and told them what he had learned. We had no further trouble in that area in connection with assemblies.