Section 3

An Association of Brothers

Is it possible for millions of people out of all nations and languages to work together as a genuine association of brothers?

The record of Jehovah’s modern-day Witnesses answers with a resounding Yes! This section (Chapters 15 to 21) tells how their organization functions. It conveys the zeal with which they proclaim God’s Kingdom and the love that is manifest as they work together and as they care for one another in times of crisis.

Chapter 15

Development of the Organization Structure

THE operation of the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses has undergone significant changes since Charles Taze Russell and his associates first began to study the Bible together in 1870. When the early Bible Students were few in number, they had very little of what outsiders would view as characterizing an organization. Yet, today, as people observe the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, their conventions, and their preaching of the good news in over 200 lands, they marvel at how smoothly the organization operates. How has it developed?

The Bible Students were keenly interested in understanding not only Bible doctrine but also the manner in which God’s service was to be performed, as indicated by the Scriptures. They realized that the Bible made no provision for titled clergymen, with a laity to whom they would preach. Brother Russell was determined that there would be no clergy class among them.a Through the columns of the Watch Tower, its readers were frequently reminded that Jesus told his followers: “Your Leader is one, the Christ,” but, “All you are brothers.”—Matt. 23:8, 10.

Early Association of Bible Students

Readers of the Watch Tower and related publications soon saw that in order to please God, they had to sever ties with any church that proved itself unfaithful to God by putting creeds and traditions of men ahead of his written Word. (2 Cor. 6:14-18) But after withdrawing from the churches of Christendom, where did they go?

In an article entitled “The Ekklesia,”b Brother Russell pointed out that the true church, the Christian congregation, is not an organization with members who have subscribed to some man-made creed and have their names written on a church register. Rather, he explained, it is made up of persons who have “consecrated” (or, dedicated) their time, talents, and life to God, and who have before them the prospect of sharing in the heavenly Kingdom with Christ. These, he said, are Christians who are united in bonds of Christian love and common interest, who respond to the direction of the spirit of God, and who submit to the headship of Christ. Brother Russell was not interested in setting up some other arrangement, and he was strongly against contributing in any way to the sectarianism that existed among professed Christians.

At the same time, he fully appreciated the need for the Lord’s servants to assemble together, in harmony with the counsel at Hebrews 10:23-25. He personally traveled to visit and upbuild readers of the Watch Tower and to bring them together with others in their own area who were of like mind. Early in 1881 he requested that those who were holding regular meetings notify the Watch Tower office as to where these were being held. He saw the value of keeping them in touch with one another.

However, Brother Russell emphasized that they were not attempting to set up an “earthly organization.” Rather, he said, “we adhere only to that heavenly organization—‘whose names are written in heaven.’ (Heb. 12:23; Luke 10:20.)” Because of Christendom’s sordid history, reference to “church organization” usually reminded a person of sectarianism, clergy domination, and membership on the basis of adhering to a creed formulated by a religious council. So, when referring to themselves, Brother Russell felt that the term “association” was a better one.

He was well aware that Christ’s apostles had formed congregations and appointed elders in each. But he believed that Christ was again present, though invisibly so, and was himself personally directing the final harvest of those who would be heirs with him. In view of the circumstances, Brother Russell initially felt that during the time of harvest the arrangement for elders that had existed in the first-century Christian congregations was not needed.

Nevertheless, as the Bible Students grew in number, Brother Russell realized that the Lord was maneuvering matters in a manner different from what he himself had anticipated. An adjustment in viewpoint was needed. But on what basis?

Meeting the Early Needs of the Growing Association

The Watch Tower of November 15, 1895, was devoted almost entirely to the subject “Decently and in Order.” Candidly, Brother Russell there acknowledged: “The apostles had much to say to the early Church concerning order in the assemblies of the saints; and apparently we have been rather negligent of this wise counsel, feeling it to be of rather minor importance, because the Church is so near the end of her course and the harvest is a time of separating.” What moved them to take a fresh look at that counsel?

That article listed four circumstances: (1) It was evident that the spiritual development of individuals varied one from another. There were temptations, trials, difficulties, and dangers that not all were equally prepared to meet. Thus, there was a need for wise and discreet overseers, men of experience and ability, deeply interested in looking out for the spiritual welfare of all and capable of instructing them in the truth. (2) It had been seen that the flock needed to be defended against ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing.’ (Matt. 7:15, KJ) They needed to be fortified by being helped to gain a thorough knowledge of the truth. (3) Experience had shown that if there was no arrangement for appointment of elders to safeguard the flock, some would take that position and come to view the flock as their own. (4) Without an orderly arrangement, individuals loyal to the truth might find their services unwanted because of the influence of a few who disagreed with them.

In the light of this, the Watch Tower stated: “We have no hesitation in commending to the Churchesc in every place, whether their numbers be large or small, the Apostolic counsel, that, in every company, elders be chosen from among their number to ‘feed’ and ‘take the oversight’ of the flock.” (Acts 14:21-23; 20:17, 28) The local congregations followed through on this sound Scriptural counsel. This was an important step in establishing a congregation structure in harmony with what existed in the days of the apostles.

In accord with the way they understood matters then, however, the selection of elders, and of deacons to assist them, was made by congregation vote. Each year, or more often if necessary, the qualifications of those who might serve were considered, and a vote was taken. It was basically a democratic procedure, but one that was hedged about with limitations designed to act as a safeguard. All in the congregation were urged to review carefully the Biblical qualifications and to express by vote, not their own opinion, but what they believed to be the will of the Lord. Since only those “fully consecrated” were eligible to vote, their collective vote, when guided by the Word and spirit of the Lord, was viewed as expressing the Lord’s will in the matter. Although Brother Russell may not have been completely aware of it, his recommendation of this arrangement was perhaps influenced to some extent not only by his determination to avoid any semblance of an exalted clergy class but also by his own background as a teenager in the Congregational Church.

When the Millennial Dawn volume entitled The New Creation (published in 1904) again discussed in detail the role of elders and the manner in which they were to be selected, special attention was directed to Acts 14:23. Concordances compiled by James Strong and Robert Young were cited as authorities for the view that the statement “they had ordained them elders” (KJ) should be translated “they had elected them elders by a show of hands.”d Some Bible translations even say that the elders were ‘appointed by vote.’ (Young’s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible; Rotherham’s Emphasised Bible) But who was to do that voting?

Adopting the view that the voting was to be done by the congregation as a whole did not always yield the results that were hoped for. Those voting were to be persons who were “fully consecrated,” and some who were elected truly met the Scriptural qualifications and humbly served their brothers. But the voting often reflected personal preference rather than the Word and spirit of God. Thus, in Halle, Germany, when certain ones who thought they should be elders did not get the positions they wanted, they caused severe dissension. In Barmen, Germany, among those who were candidates in 1927 were men who opposed the work of the Society, and there was considerable shouting during the showing of hands at election time. So it was necessary to switch over to a secret ballot.

Back in 1916, years before these incidents, Brother Russell, with deep concern, had written: “A horrible state of affairs prevails in some Classes when an election is to be held. The servants of the Church attempt to be rulers, dictators—sometimes even holding the chairmanship of the meeting with the apparent object of seeing that they and their special friends shall be elected as Elders and Deacons. . . . Some quietly try to take advantage of the Class by having the election at some time which is especially favorable to them and their friends. Others seek to pack the meeting with their friends, bringing in comparative strangers, who have no thought of being regular in attendance at the Class, but come merely as an act of friendship to vote for one of their friends.”

Did they simply need to learn how to handle elections along democratic lines more smoothly, or was there something from God’s Word that they had not yet discerned?

Organizing to Get the Good News Preached

At a very early point, Brother Russell recognized that one of the most important responsibilities of every member of the Christian congregation was the work of evangelizing. (1 Pet. 2:9) The Watch Tower explained that it was not to Jesus alone but to all his spirit-anointed followers that the prophetic words of Isaiah 61:1 applied, namely: “Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news,” or, as the King James Version renders Jesus’ quotation of this passage, “He hath anointed me to preach the gospel.”—Luke 4:18.

As early as 1881, the Watch Tower carried the article “Wanted 1,000 Preachers.” This was an appeal to every member of the congregation to use whatever time he could (a half hour, an hour, or two, or three) to share in spreading Bible truth. Men and women who did not have families that were dependent on them and who could give half or more of their time exclusively to the Lord’s work were encouraged to undertake work as colporteur evangelists. The number varied considerably from year to year, but by 1885 there were already about 300 who were sharing in this work as colporteurs. Some others also had a part but on a more limited scale. Suggestions were given to the colporteurs as to how to go about their work. But the field was vast, and at least at the start, they selected their own territory and moved from one area to another largely as it seemed best to them. Then when they met at conventions, they would make needed adjustments to coordinate their efforts.

The same year that the colporteur service began, Brother Russell had a number of tracts (or booklets) printed for free distribution. Outstanding among these was Food for Thinking Christians, which was distributed to the number of 1,200,000 in the first four months. The work involved in arranging this printing and distribution gave rise to the formation of Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society in order to care for necessary details. To prevent disruption of the work in the event of his death, and to facilitate the handling of donations to be used in the work, Brother Russell filed for legal registration of the Society, and this was officially recorded on December 15, 1884. This brought into existence a needed legal instrumentality.

As the need arose, branch offices of the Watch Tower Society were established in other lands. The first was in London, England, on April 23, 1900. Another, in Elberfeld, Germany, in 1902. Two years later, on the other side of the earth, a branch was organized in Melbourne, Australia. At the time of this writing, there are 99 branches worldwide.

Although the organizational arrangements that were needed to provide quantities of Bible literature were taking form, at first it was left to the congregations to work out any local arrangements for public distribution of that material. In a letter dated March 16, 1900, Brother Russell stated how he viewed the matter. That letter, addressed to “Alexander M. Graham, and the Church at Boston, Mass.,” said: “As you all know, it is my decided intention to leave with each company of the Lord’s people the management of their own affairs, according to their own judgments, offering suggestions, not by way of interference, but by way merely of advice.” This included not only their meetings but also the way they carried on their field ministry. Thus, after offering the brothers some practical counsel, he concluded with the comment: “This is merely a suggestion.”

Some activities required more specific direction from the Society. In connection with the showing of the “Photo-Drama of Creation,” it was left to each congregation to determine whether they were willing and able to rent a theater or other facility for a local presentation. However, it was necessary to move equipment from city to city, and schedules had to be met; so in these respects centralized direction was provided by the Society. Each congregation was encouraged to have a Drama Committee to care for local arrangements. But a superintendent sent out by the Society gave careful attention to details in order to make sure that everything went smoothly.

As the years 1914 and then 1915 passed, those spirit-anointed Christians waited eagerly for the fulfillment of their heavenly hope. At the same time, they were encouraged to keep busy in the Lord’s service. Even though they viewed their remaining time in the flesh as very brief, it became evident that in order to carry on the preaching of the good news in an orderly manner, more direction was needed than when they had numbered just a few hundred. Shortly after J. F. Rutherford became the second president of the Watch Tower Society, that direction took on new aspects. The March 1, 1917, issue of The Watch Tower announced that, henceforth, all territory to be worked by colporteurs and by pastoral workerse in the congregations would be assigned by the Society’s office. Where there were both local workers and colporteurs sharing in such field service in a city or a county, the territory was divided up among them by a locally appointed district committee. This arrangement contributed to a truly remarkable distribution of The Finished Mystery within just a few months in 1917-18. It was also valuable in achieving a lightning distribution of 10,000,000 copies of a powerful exposé of Christendom in a tract that featured the subject “The Fall of Babylon.”

Shortly after this, members of the Society’s administrative staff were arrested, and on June 21, 1918, they were sentenced to 20-year prison terms. The preaching of the good news came to a virtual standstill. Was this the time when they would at last be united with the Lord in heavenly glory?

A few months later, the war ended. The following year the officials of the Society were released. They were still in the flesh. It was not what they had expected, but they concluded that God must still have work for them to do here on earth.

They had just been through severe tests of their faith. However, in 1919, The Watch Tower strengthened them with stirring Scriptural studies on the theme “Blessed Are the Fearless.” These were followed by the article “Opportunities for Service.” But the brothers did not envision the extensive organizational developments that would take place during the decades that would follow.

Proper Example for the Flock

Brother Rutherford did appreciate that for the work to continue to move ahead in an orderly and unified way, no matter how short the time might be, proper example for the flock was vital. Jesus had described his followers as sheep, and sheep follow their shepherd. Of course, Jesus himself is the Fine Shepherd, but he also uses older men, or elders, as undershepherds of his people. (1 Pet. 5:1-3) Those elders must be men who themselves participate in the work that Jesus assigned and who encourage others to do so. They must genuinely have the evangelizing spirit. At the time of distribution of The Finished Mystery, however, some of the elders had held back; certain ones had even been quite vocal in discouraging others from sharing.

A highly significant step toward correcting this situation was taken in 1919 when the magazine The Golden Age began publication. This was to become a powerful instrument for publicizing the Kingdom of God as the only lasting solution to the problems of mankind. Each congregation that desired to share in this activity was invited to ask the Society to register it as a “service organization.” Then a director, or service director as he came to be known, not subject to yearly election, was appointed by the Society.f As the local representative of the Society, he was to organize the work, assign territory, and encourage participation by the congregation in the field service. Thus, alongside the democratically elected elders and deacons, another type of organizational arrangement began to function, one that recognized appointive authority outside the local congregation and that gave greater emphasis to the preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom.g

During the years that followed, the work of Kingdom proclamation was given tremendous impetus, as by an irresistible force. The events in 1914 and thereafter had made it evident that the great prophecy in which the Lord Jesus Christ described the conclusion of the old system was undergoing fulfillment. In the light of this, in 1920, The Watch Tower pointed out that as foretold at Matthew 24:14, this was the time to proclaim the good news concerning “the end of the old order of things and the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom.”h (Matt. 24:3-14) After attending the Bible Students convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1922, the delegates left with the slogan ringing in their ears: “Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.” The role of true Christians came even more prominently into focus in 1931 when the name Jehovah’s Witnesses was adopted.

It was obvious that Jehovah had assigned his servants a work in which all of them could share. There was enthusiastic response. Many made major adjustments in their lives in order to devote their full time to this work. Even among those devoting just part time, a considerable number were spending full days in the field service on the weekends. Responding to encouragement contained in The Watchtower and the Informant in 1938 and 1939, many of Jehovah’s Witnesses at that time conscientiously endeavored to devote 60 hours each month to the field service.

Among those zealous Witnesses were numerous humble, devoted servants of Jehovah who were elders in the congregations. However, in some places, during the 1920’s and early in the 1930’s, there was also considerable resistance to the idea of everyone participating in the field service. Democratically elected elders were often quite vocal in disagreeing with what The Watch Tower said about the responsibility to preach to people outside the congregation. Refusal to listen to what God’s spirit, by means of the Holy Scriptures, had to say to the congregation on this matter hindered the flow of God’s spirit in those groups.—Rev. 2:5, 7.

Measures were taken in 1932 to correct this situation. The point of principal concern was not whether some prominent elders might be offended or whether some of those associated with the congregations might withdraw. Rather, the desire of the brothers was to please Jehovah and to do his will. To that end, the August 15 and September 1 issues of The Watchtower that year featured the subject “Jehovah’s Organization.”

Those articles showed pointedly that all who really were part of Jehovah’s organization would be doing the work that his Word said must be done during this period of time. The articles advocated the view that Christian eldership was not an office to which one could be elected but was a condition attainable by spiritual growth. Special emphasis was given to Jesus’ prayer that his followers might “all be one”—in union with God and Christ, and thus at unity with one another in doing God’s will. (John 17:21) And with what result? The second article answered that “every one of the remnant must be a witness to the name and kingdom of Jehovah God.” Oversight was not to be entrusted to any who failed or refused to do what they reasonably could to share in public witnessing.

At the conclusion of the study of these articles, congregations were invited to pass a resolution indicating their agreement. Thus the annual congregational election of men to be elders and deacons was eliminated. In Belfast, Northern Ireland, as elsewhere, some of the former “elective elders” left; other individuals who shared their view went with them. This resulted in a thinning out of the ranks but a toning up of the entire organization. Those who remained were people who were willing to shoulder the Christian responsibility of witnessing. Instead of voting for elders, the congregations—still using democratic methods—selected a service committeei made up of spiritually mature men who actively shared in public witnessing. The members of the congregation also voted for a chairman to preside at their meetings as well as for a secretary and treasurer. All of these were men who were active witnesses of Jehovah.

With congregation oversight now entrusted to men who were interested not in personal position but in doing God’s work—bearing witness to his name and Kingdom—and who were setting a good example by their own participation in it, the work moved ahead more smoothly. Although they did not then know it, there was much to be done, a more extensive witness than what had already been given, an ingathering that they had not expected. (Isa. 55:5) Jehovah was evidently preparing them for it.

A few with hope of eternal life on earth were beginning to associate with them.j However, the Bible foretold the gathering of a great multitude (or, great crowd) with a view to their preservation through the coming great tribulation. (Rev. 7:9-14) In 1935 the identity of this great multitude was made clear. Changes in selection of overseers during the 1930’s equipped the organization better to care for the work of gathering, teaching, and training them.

For most of Jehovah’s Witnesses, this expanded work was a thrilling development. Their field ministry took on fresh significance. However, some were not eager to preach. They held back, and they tried to justify their inactivity by arguing that no great multitude would be gathered until after Armageddon. But the majority perceived a fresh opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty to Jehovah and their love for their fellowman.

How did those of the great crowd fit into the organization structure? They were shown the role that God’s Word assigned to the “little flock” of spirit-anointed ones, and they gladly worked in harmony with that arrangement. (Luke 12:32-44) They also learned that, like the spirit-anointed ones, they had the responsibility to share the good news with others. (Rev. 22:17) Since they wanted to be earthly subjects of God’s Kingdom, that Kingdom should come first in their lives, and they should be zealous in telling others about it. To fit the Bible’s description of those who would be preserved through the great tribulation into God’s new world, they must be persons who “keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: ‘Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” (Rev. 7:10, 14) In 1937, as their numbers began to grow and their zeal for the Lord became manifest, they were also invited to help carry the load of responsibility in congregation oversight.

However, they were reminded that the organization is Jehovah’s, not that of any man. There was to be no division between the remnant of the spirit-anointed ones and those of the great crowd of other sheep. They were to work together as brothers and sisters in Jehovah’s service. As Jesus had said, “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16) The reality of this was becoming evident.

Amazing developments had taken place in the organization in a relatively short period of time. But was there more that needed to be done so that the affairs of the congregations would be conducted in full harmony with Jehovah’s ways as set out in his inspired Word?

Theocratic Organization

“Theocracy” means “God-rule.” Was that the kind of rule that governed the congregations? Did they not only worship Jehovah but also look to him to direct their congregational affairs? Did they conform fully to what he said about these matters in his inspired Word? The two-part article “Organization” that appeared in The Watchtower of June 1 and 15, 1938, pointedly stated: “Jehovah’s organization is in no wise democratic. Jehovah is supreme, and his government or organization is strictly theocratic.” Yet, in the local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses at that time, democratic procedures were still employed in selecting most of those charged with oversight of meetings and field service. Further changes were in order.

But did not Acts 14:23 indicate that elders in the congregations were to be designated to office by a ‘stretching forth of the hand,’ as in voting? The first of those Watchtower articles entitled “Organization” acknowledged that this text had in the past been misunderstood. It was not by a ‘stretching forth of the hand’ on the part of all the members of the congregation that appointments had been made among first-century Christians. Instead, it was shown, the apostles and those authorized by them were the ones that ‘stretched forth their hands.’ This was done not by participating in a congregation vote but by laying their hands on qualified individuals. This was a symbol of confirmation, approval, or appointment.k The early Christian congregations at times made recommendations of qualified men, but final selection or approval was given by the apostles, who had been directly commissioned by Christ, or by those authorized by the apostles. (Acts 6:1-6) The Watchtower drew attention to the fact that only in letters to responsible overseers (Timothy and Titus) did the apostle Paul, under the direction of holy spirit, give instructions to appoint overseers. (1 Tim. 3:1-13; 5:22; Titus 1:5) None of the inspired letters addressed to the congregations contained such instructions.

How, then, were current appointments to service in the congregations to be made? The Watchtower analysis of theocratic organization showed from the Scriptures that Jehovah appointed Jesus Christ “head of the . . . congregation”; that when Christ as the Master returned, he would entrust his “faithful and discreet slave” with responsibility “over all his belongings”; that this faithful and discreet slave was made up of all those on earth who had been anointed with holy spirit to be joint heirs with Christ and who were unitedly serving under his direction; and that Christ would use that slave class as his agency in providing needed oversight for the congregations. (Col. 1:18; Matt. 24:45-47; 28:18) It would be the duty of the slave class to apply prayerfully the instructions clearly stated in God’s inspired Word, using it to determine who qualified for positions of service.

Since the visible agency that would be used by Christ is the faithful and discreet slave (and the facts of modern-day history already considered show that this “slave” employs the Watch Tower Society as a legal instrument), The Watchtower explained that theocratic procedure would require that appointments of service be made through this agency. Even as the congregations in the first century recognized the governing body in Jerusalem, so today the congregations would not prosper spiritually without central supervision.—Acts 15:2-30; 16:4, 5.

To keep matters in proper perspective, however, it was pointed out that when The Watchtower referred to “The Society,” this meant, not a mere legal instrumentality, but the body of anointed Christians that had formed that legal entity and used it. Thus the expression stood for the faithful and discreet slave with its Governing Body.

Even before the Watchtower articles entitled “Organization” were published in 1938, when the congregations in London, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles had grown to the point that it was advisable to divide them into smaller groups, they had requested that the Society appoint all their servants. The June 15, 1938, issue of The Watchtower now invited all the other congregations to take similar action. To that end, the following resolution was suggested:

“We, the company of God’s people taken out for his name, and now at . . . . . . . . . . . . , recognize that God’s government is a pure theocracy and that Christ Jesus is at the temple and in full charge and control of the visible organization of Jehovah, as well as the invisible, and that ‘THE SOCIETY’ is the visible representative of the Lord on earth, and we therefore request ‘The Society’ to organize this company for service and to appoint the various servants thereof, so that all of us may work together in peace, righteousness, harmony and complete unity. We attach hereto a list of names of persons in this company that to us appear more fully mature and who therefore appear to be best suited to fill the respective positions designated for service.”l

Practically all the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses readily agreed to this. Those few that held back soon ceased to have any share at all in proclaiming the Kingdom and thus ceased to be Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Benefits of Theocratic Direction

It is obvious that if teachings, standards of conduct, and organizational or witnessing procedures could be decided on locally, the organization would soon lose its identity and unity. The brothers could easily be divided by social, cultural, and national differences. Theocratic direction, on the other hand, would assure that benefits from spiritual progress would reach out to all the congregations worldwide without hindrance. There would thus come to exist the genuine unity that Jesus prayed would prevail among his true followers, and the evangelizing work that he commanded could be fully accomplished.—John 17:20-22.

However, it has been claimed by some that by advocating this organizational change, J. F. Rutherford simply was endeavoring to gain greater control over the Witnesses and that he used this means to assert his own authority. Was that really the case? There is no doubt that Brother Rutherford was a man of strong convictions. He spoke out forcefully and without compromise for what he believed to be the truth. He could be quite brusque in handling situations when he perceived that people were more concerned about self than they were about the Lord’s work. But Brother Rutherford was genuinely humble before God. As Karl Klein, who became a member of the Governing Body in 1974, later wrote: “Brother Rutherford’s prayers at morning worship . . . endeared him to me. Though he had such a powerful voice, when addressing God he sounded just like a little boy talking to his daddy. What a fine relationship with Jehovah that revealed!” Brother Rutherford was fully convinced as to the identity of Jehovah’s visible organization, and he endeavored to make sure that no man or group of men would be able to hinder brothers locally from receiving the full benefit of the spiritual food and direction that Jehovah was providing for His servants.

Although Brother Rutherford served for 25 years as president of the Watch Tower Society and devoted all his energy to advancing the work of the organization, he was not the leader of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and he did not want to be. At a convention in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1941, shortly before his death, he spoke about the matter of leadership, saying: “I want to let any strangers here know what you think about a man being your leader, so they won’t be forgetting. Every time something rises up and starts to grow, they say there is some man a leader who has a great following. If there is any person in this audience who thinks that I, this man standing here, is the leader of Jehovah’s witnesses, say Yes.” The response was an impressive silence, broken only by an emphatic “No” from several in the audience. The speaker continued: “If you who are here believe that I am just one of the servants of the Lord, and we are working shoulder to shoulder in unity, serving God and serving Christ, say Yes.” In unison the assembly roared out a decisive “Yes!” The following month an audience in England responded in exactly the same way.

In some areas the benefits of theocratic organization were felt quickly. Elsewhere, it took longer; those who did not prove to be mature, humble servants were in time removed, and others were appointed.

Nevertheless, as theocratic procedures took hold more fully, Jehovah’s Witnesses rejoiced to be experiencing what was foretold at Isaiah 60:17. Using figurative terms to depict the improved conditions that would come to exist among God’s servants, Jehovah there says: “Instead of the copper I shall bring in gold, and instead of the iron I shall bring in silver, and instead of the wood, copper, and instead of the stones, iron; and I will appoint peace as your overseers and righteousness as your task assigners.” This is not describing what humans would do but, rather, what God himself would do and the benefits that his servants would receive as they submitted to it. Peace must prevail in their midst. Love of righteousness must be the force impelling them to serve.

From Brazil, Maud Yuille, wife of the branch overseer, wrote to Brother Rutherford: “The article ‘Organization’ in the June 1 and 15 [1938] Towers impels me to express in a few words to you, whose faithful service Jehovah is using, my gratitude to Jehovah for the marvelous arrangement that he has made for his visible organization, as outlined in these two Watchtowers. . . . What a relief it is to see the end of ‘Home Rule for Happy Hollow’, including ‘women’s rights’ and other unscriptural procedure that subjected some souls to local opinions and individual judgment, instead of to [Jehovah God and Jesus Christ], thereby bringing reproach upon Jehovah’s name. It is true that only ‘in the recent past the Society has designated all in the organization as “servants”’, yet I observe that for many years previous to that time you have in your correspondence with your brethren acknowledged yourself as ‘your brother and servant, by His grace’.”

Regarding this organizational adjustment, the branch in the British Isles reported: “The good effect of this was quite amazing. The poetic and prophetic description of this in Isaiah chapter sixty is full of beauty but not overdrawn. Everyone in the truth was talking about it. It was the main topic of conversation. A general sense of invigoration prevailed—a readiness to press a directed battle. As world tension increased, joy in theocratic rule abounded.”

Traveling Overseers Strengthen the Congregations

Organizational ties were further fortified as a result of the service of traveling overseers. In the first century, the apostle Paul outstandingly engaged in such activity. At times, such men as Barnabas, Timothy, and Titus also shared. (Acts 15:36; Phil. 2:19, 20; Titus 1:4, 5) They were all zealous evangelizers. In addition, they encouraged the congregations by their discourses. When issues arose that could affect the unity of the congregations, these were submitted to the central governing body. Then, “as they traveled on through the cities,” those entrusted with the responsibility “would deliver to those there for observance the decrees that had been decided upon by the apostles and older men who were in Jerusalem.” The result? “The congregations continued to be made firm in the faith and to increase in number from day to day.”—Acts 15:1–16:5; 2 Cor. 11:28.

Already in the 1870’s, Brother Russell was visiting the groups of Bible Students—the twos and the threes as well as larger groups—to upbuild them spiritually. A few other brothers shared in the 1880’s. Then, in 1894, arrangements were made for the Society to have well-qualified speakers travel more regularly to help the Bible Students to grow in knowledge and appreciation for the truth and to draw them closer together.

If possible, the speaker would spend a day or perhaps several days with a group, giving one or two public discourses and then visiting smaller groups and individuals for discussion of some of the deeper things of God’s Word. An effort was made to have each group in the United States and Canada visited twice a year, though not usually by the same brother. In selecting these traveling speakers, emphasis was placed on meekness, humility, and clear understanding of the truth as well as loyal adherence to it and ability to teach it with clarity. Theirs was by no means a paid ministry. They were simply provided with food and lodging by the local brothers, and to the extent necessary, the Society helped them with travel expenses. They came to be known as pilgrims.

Many of these traveling representatives of the Society were dearly loved by those whom they served. A. H. Macmillan, a Canadian, is remembered as a brother to whom God’s Word proved to be “like a burning fire.” (Jer. 20:9) He just had to talk about it, and he did, speaking to audiences not only in Canada but also in many parts of the United States and in other lands. William Hersee, another pilgrim, is fondly remembered because of the special attention that he gave to young folks. His prayers also made a lasting impression because they reflected a depth of spirituality that touched the hearts of young and old alike.

Travel was not easy for the pilgrims in the early days. To serve the group near Klamath Falls, Oregon, for example, Edward Brenisen journeyed first by train, then overnight by stagecoach, and finally by bone-jarring buckboard wagon out into the mountains to the farm where they would be meeting. Early in the morning, the day after their meeting, a brother provided a horse for him to ride some 60 miles [100 km] to the nearest railroad station so that he could travel to his next assignment. It was a strenuous life, but good results came from the efforts of the pilgrims. Jehovah’s people were strengthened, unified in their understanding of God’s Word, and drawn closer together even though widely dispersed geographically.

In 1926, Brother Rutherford began to implement arrangements that changed the work of the pilgrims from that of simply traveling speakers into that of traveling supervisors and promoters of field service by the congregations. To emphasize their new responsibilities, in 1928 they were called regional service directors. They worked right along with the local brothers, giving them personal instruction in the field service. At this time it was possible for them to reach each congregation in the United States and in some other lands about once a year, while also keeping in touch with individuals and small groups that had not yet been organized for service.

During the years that followed, the work of traveling overseers underwent various modifications.a It was greatly intensified in 1938 when all the servants in the congregations were appointed theocratically. Visits to the congregations at regular intervals during the next few years afforded opportunity to provide personal training to each of the appointed servants and increased help in the field service for everyone. In 1942, before traveling overseers were again sent out to the congregations, they were given some intensive schooling; as a result, their work was carried out with greater uniformity. Their visits were quite brief (one to three days, depending on the size of the congregation). During that time they checked the congregation records, met with all the servants to offer any needed counsel, gave one or more talks to the congregation, and took the lead in field service. In 1946 the visits were lengthened to one week for each congregation.

This arrangement for visits to the congregations was supplemented in 1938 by the service of the regional servant in a new role. He covered a larger area, periodically spending a week with each of the brothers who were traveling in a zone (circuit) to visit the congregations. During his visit he served on the program of an assembly that was attended by all the congregations in that zone.b This arrangement was a great stimulus to the brothers and provided regular opportunity for baptism of new disciples.

“Someone Who Loves the Service”

Among those who shared in this service starting in 1936 was John Booth, who, in 1974, became a member of the Governing Body. When being interviewed as a potential traveling supervisor, he was told: “Eloquent speakers are not what is needed, just someone who loves the service and will take the lead in it and will talk about service at the meetings.” Brother Booth had that love for Jehovah’s service, as evidenced by his zealous pioneer service since 1928, and he stirred up a zeal for evangelizing in others by both example and words of encouragement.

The first congregation that he visited, in March 1936, was in Easton, Pennsylvania. He later wrote: “I would usually arrive at a place in time for field service in the morning, have a meeting with the servants of the company in the early evening and afterward another with the whole company. Usually I would spend just two days with a company and only one day with a smaller group, at times visiting six such groups a week. I was continually on the move.”

Two years later, in 1938, he was assigned, as a regional servant, to care for a zone assembly (now known as circuit assembly) every week. These helped to strengthen the brothers during a time when persecution was becoming intense in some areas. Recalling those days and his varied responsibilities, Brother Booth said: “The very week [in which I was a witness in a court case involving some 60 Witnesses in Indianapolis, Indiana] I was a defendant in another case in Joliet, Illinois, an attorney for a brother in yet another one in Madison, Indiana, and, in addition, had charge of a zone assembly each weekend.”

Two years after these zone assemblies were revived in 1946 (now as circuit assemblies), Carey Barber was among those assigned as district servants. He had already been a member of the Bethel family in Brooklyn, New York, for 25 years. His first district covered the entire western part of the United States. At first, travel between assemblies was about 1,000 miles [1,600 km] each week. As the number and the size of congregations multiplied, those distances shrank, and numerous circuit assemblies were often held within a single metropolitan area. After 29 years of experience as a traveling overseer, Brother Barber was invited to return to the world headquarters in 1977 as a member of the Governing Body.

During times of war and of intense persecution, traveling overseers frequently risked their freedom and their lives to care for the spiritual well-being of their brothers. During the time of the Nazi occupation of Belgium, André Wozniak continued to visit the congregations and helped to supply them with literature. The Gestapo were frequently hot on his heels but never succeeded in seizing him.

In Rhodesia (now known as Zimbabwe) in the late 1970’s, people lived in fear, and travel was curtailed during a period of internal war. But traveling overseers of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as loving shepherds and overseers, proved to be “like a hiding place from the wind” to their brothers. (Isa. 32:2) Some would walk for days through bush country, traveling up and down mountains, crossing dangerous rivers, sleeping at night in the open—all in order to reach isolated congregations and publishers, to encourage them to remain firm in the faith. Among these was Isaiah Makore, who narrowly escaped when bullets whistled over his head during a battle between government soldiers and “freedom fighters.”

Other traveling overseers have for many years served the organization on an international basis. The presidents of the Watch Tower Society have frequently traveled to other lands to give attention to organizational needs and to speak at conventions. Such visits have done much to keep Jehovah’s Witnesses everywhere keenly aware of their international brotherhood. Brother Knorr especially pursued this activity on a regular basis, visiting each branch and missionary home. As the organization grew, the world was divided into ten international zones, and beginning on January 1, 1956, qualified brothers, under the direction of the president, started to assist with this service so that it could be given regular attention. Those zone visits, now carried on under the direction of the Service Committee of the Governing Body, continue to contribute to the global unity and forward movement of the entire organization.

Still other significant developments have contributed to the present organization structure.

Further Theocratic Alignment

In the midst of World War II, Joseph F. Rutherford died, on January 8, 1942, and Nathan H. Knorr became the third president of the Watch Tower Society. The organization was under heavy pressure because of bans imposed on its activity in many lands, mob violence under the guise of patriotism, and the arrest of Witnesses as they distributed Bible literature in their public ministry. Would a change of administration result in a slowing down of the work at such a critical time? The brothers caring for administrative matters looked to Jehovah for his direction and blessing. In harmony with their desire for divine guidance, they reexamined the organization structure itself to see whether there were any areas where there could be closer conformity to Jehovah’s ways.

Then, in 1944, a service assembly was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in connection with the Watch Tower Society’s annual meeting. On September 30, prior to that annual meeting, a series of highly significant talks were given on what the Scriptures say as to the organization of Jehovah’s servants.c Attention was focused on the Governing Body. On that occasion it was emphasized that theocratic principle must apply to all the agencies used by the faithful and discreet slave class. It was explained that the legal corporation did not have as members all the “consecrated” people of God. It merely represented them, acting as a legal agency on their behalf. However, inasmuch as the Society was the publishing agent used to provide Jehovah’s Witnesses with literature that contained spiritual enlightenment, the Governing Body was logically and of necessity closely associated with the officers and directors of that legal Society. Were theocratic principles being fully applied in its affairs?

The Society’s charter set out a shareholder arrangement in which each aggregate contribution of $10 (U.S.) entitled the contributor to a vote in connection with selection of members of the board of directors and officers of the Society. Perhaps it seemed that such contributions gave evidence of genuine interest in the work of the organization. However, this arrangement presented problems. Brother Knorr, the Society’s president, explained: “From the provisions of the Society’s charter, it would seem that the being a part of the governing body was dependent upon the contributions to the legal Society. But according to the will of God this could not be so among his true chosen people.”

It was a fact that Charles Taze Russell, who for the Society’s first 32 years was foremost in the governing body, was financially, physically, and mentally the greatest contributor to the Society. But it was not a monetary contribution that determined how the Lord used him. It was his complete dedication, his tireless zeal, his uncompromising stand for God’s Kingdom, and his unbreakable loyalty and faithfulness that marked him in God’s sight as suitable for the service. With respect to the theocratic organization, the rule applies: “God has set the members in the body, each one of them, just as he pleased.” (1 Cor. 12:18) “However,” Brother Knorr explained, “inasmuch as the charter of the Society provided for voting shares to be issued to contributors of funds to the Society’s work, it tended to bedim or encroach upon this Theocratic principle with respect to the governing body; and it also tended to endanger it or create hindrances for it.”

Hence, at the business meeting of all shareholder-voters of the Society on October 2, 1944, it was unanimously voted that the Society’s charter be revised and be brought into closer harmony with theocratic principles. Membership would not now be unlimited as to number but would be between 300 and 500, all of whom would be men chosen by the board of directors, not on the basis of monetary contributions, but because they were mature, active, faithful Witnesses of Jehovah who were serving full-time in the work of the organization or were active ministers of congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These members would vote for the board of directors, and the board of directors would then select its officers. These new arrangements went into effect the following year, on October 1, 1945. What a protection this has proved to be in an era when hostile elements have frequently manipulated business affairs so as to take control of corporations and then restructure them to suit their own aims!

Jehovah’s blessing on these forward strides in conforming to theocratic principles has been manifest. Despite the extreme pressure brought upon the organization during World War II, the number of Kingdom proclaimers continued to grow. Without letup, they vigorously continued to witness about God’s Kingdom. From 1939 to 1946, there was an amazing increase of 157 percent in the ranks of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and they reached out to six more lands with the good news. During the next 25 years, the number of active Witnesses grew by nearly another 800 percent, and they reported regular activity in an additional 86 lands.

Specialized Training for Overseers

Some outside observers viewed it as inevitable that when the organization became larger, its standards would be relaxed. But, in contrast, the Bible foretold that righteousness and peace would prevail among Jehovah’s servants. (Isa. 60:17) That would require careful and ongoing education of responsible overseers in God’s Word, a clear understanding of his judicial standards, and a consistent application of those standards. Such education has been provided. A thorough study of God’s righteous requirements has been progressively provided in The Watchtower, and this material has been systematically studied by every congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. But, in addition to that, overseers of the flock have been given much added instruction.

Principal overseers of the Society’s branches have been brought together for special training at the time of international conventions. From 1961 through 1965, specially designed school courses, eight to ten months in length, were conducted for them in New York. From 1977 into 1980, there was another series of special five-week courses for them. Their training included verse-by-verse study of all the books of the Bible as well as consideration of organizational details and ways in which to further the preaching of the good news. There are no nationalistic divisions among Jehovah’s Witnesses. No matter where they live, they adhere to the same high Bible standards and believe and teach the same things.

Circuit and district overseers have also been given special attention. Many of them have attended the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead or one of its Extension Schools. Periodically, they are also brought together at the Society’s branch offices, or they meet at other convenient locations, for seminars of a few days or a week.

In 1959 another outstanding provision went into operation. This was the Kingdom Ministry School, attended by circuit and district overseers as well as by congregation overseers. It began as a full-month study course. After being used for a year in the United States, the material for the course was translated into other languages and was progressively used around the globe. Since it was not possible for all the overseers to arrange to be away from their secular work for a full month, a two-week version of the course was used starting in 1966.

This school was not a seminary in which men were being trained in preparation for ordination. Those who attended were already ordained ministers. Many of them had been overseers and shepherds of the flock for decades. Their course of study was an opportunity to discuss in detail the instructions from God’s Word regarding their work. Great emphasis was laid on the importance of the field ministry and how to do it effectively. Because of changing moral standards in the world, considerable time was also devoted to discussion of upholding Bible standards of morality. This course has been followed up in recent times by seminars every two or three years, as well as by helpful meetings conducted by traveling overseers with local elders several times each year. These afford opportunity to give special attention to current needs. They are a safeguard against any drifting away from Bible standards, and they contribute toward uniform handling of situations in all the congregations.

Jehovah’s Witnesses take to heart the admonition at 1 Corinthians 1:10: “I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” This is not a forced conformity; it results from education in God’s ways as recorded in the Bible. Jehovah’s Witnesses delight in God’s ways and his purpose. If any cease to take pleasure in living according to Bible standards, they are free to leave the organization. But if any start to preach other beliefs or disregard Bible morality, overseers take action to safeguard the flock. The organization applies the Bible counsel: “Keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.”—Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:9-13.

The Bible foretold that God would cause just such a climate to exist among his servants, one in which righteousness would prevail and bear peaceful fruitage. (Isa. 32:1, 2, 17, 18) Those conditions strongly appeal to people who love what is right.

How many of such lovers of righteousness will be gathered before the end of the old system? Jehovah’s Witnesses do not know. But Jehovah knows what his work will require, and in his own time and his own way he sees that his organization is equipped to care for it.

Gearing Up for Explosive Growth

When research was being done under the supervision of the Governing Body in preparation of the reference work Aid to Bible Understanding, attention was once more directed to the way in which the first-century Christian congregation was organized. A careful study was made of such Biblical terms as “older man,” “overseer,” and “minister.” Could the modern-day organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses conform more fully to the pattern that had been preserved in the Scriptures as a guide?

Jehovah’s servants were determined to continue to yield to divine direction. At a series of conventions held in 1971, attention was directed to the governing arrangements of the early Christian congregation. It was pointed out that the expression pre·sbyʹte·ros (older man, elder), as used in the Bible, was not limited to elderly persons, nor did it apply to all in the congregations who were spiritually mature. It was especially used in an official sense with reference to overseers of the congregations. (Acts 11:30; 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-3) These received their positions by appointment, in harmony with requirements that came to be part of the inspired Scriptures. (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) Where enough qualified men were available, there was more than one elder in the congregation. (Acts 20:17; Phil. 1:1) These made up “the body of older men,” all of whom had the same official status, and not one of whom was the most prominent or powerful member in the congregation. (1 Tim. 4:14) To assist the elders, it was explained, there were also appointed “ministerial servants,” in accord with the requirements set out by the apostle Paul.—1 Tim. 3:8-10, 12, 13.

Arrangements were promptly put into operation to bring the organization into closer conformity to this Biblical pattern. These began with the Governing Body itself. Its membership was enlarged beyond the seven who, as members of the board of directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, had been serving as a governing body for Jehovah’s Witnesses. No fixed number of members for the Governing Body was set. In 1971, there were 11; for a few years, there were as many as 18; in 1992, there were 12. All of them are men anointed of God as joint heirs with Jesus Christ. The 12 serving as members of the Governing Body in 1992 had among them at that time a record of over 728 years of full-time service as ministers of Jehovah God.

It was determined on September 6, 1971, that the chairmanship at meetings of the Governing Body should rotate annually according to the alphabetical arrangement of the family names of its members. This actually went into effect on October 1. Governing Body members also took turns, on a weekly basis, in presiding at morning worship and the Watchtower Study for members of the headquarters staff.d This arrangement went into effect on September 13, 1971, when Frederick W. Franz led the program of morning worship at the Society’s headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.

During the following year, preparation was made for adjustments in the oversight of the congregations. No longer would there be just one congregation servant assisted by a specified number of other servants. Men who were Scripturally qualified would be appointed to serve as elders. Others, who met the Bible’s requirements, would be appointed to be ministerial servants. This opened the way for a greater number to share in congregation responsibilities and thus to gain valuable experience. None of Jehovah’s Witnesses had any idea then that the number of congregations would increase by 156 percent during the next 21 years, reaching a total of 69,558 in 1992. But the Head of the congregation, the Lord Jesus Christ, evidently was making preparation for what was to come.

In the early 1970’s, careful thought was given to further reorganization of the Governing Body. Ever since the incorporation of the Watch Tower Society in 1884, publishing of literature, supervision of the global evangelizing work, and arrangements for schools and conventions had been cared for under the direction of the office of the president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. But after careful analysis and discussion of details over a period of many months, a new arrangement was unanimously adopted on December 4, 1975. Six committees of the Governing Body were formed.

The Chairman’s Committee (made up of the current chairman of the Governing Body, the preceding chairman, and the one next in line to be chairman) receives reports on major emergencies, disasters, and campaigns of persecution, and it sees that these are handled promptly with the Governing Body. The Writing Committee supervises the putting of spiritual food into written, recorded, and video form for Jehovah’s Witnesses and for distribution to the public, and it oversees translation work into hundreds of languages. The Teaching Committee’s responsibility is to supervise schools and assemblies, also district and international conventions, for Jehovah’s people, as well as Bethel family instruction and the outlining of material to be used for such purposes. The Service Committee supervises all areas of the evangelizing work, including the activity of congregations and traveling overseers. The printing, publishing, and shipping of literature as well as the operation of factories and the handling of legal and business matters are all supervised by the Publishing Committee. And the Personnel Committee has oversight of arrangements for personal and spiritual assistance to members of Bethel families and is responsible for inviting new members to serve in the Bethel families around the world.

Additional helpful committees are assigned to oversee the factories, the Bethel homes, and the farms associated with the world headquarters. On these committees the Governing Body makes liberal use of the abilities of members of the “great crowd.”—Rev. 7:9, 15.

Adjustments were also made in the oversight of the Society’s branches. Since February 1, 1976, each branch has been supervised by a committee of three or more members, depending on needs and the size of the branch. These work under the direction of the Governing Body in caring for the Kingdom work in their area.

In 1992, further assistance was provided for the Governing Body when a number of helpers, mainly from among the great crowd, were assigned to share in the meetings and work of the Writing, Teaching, Service, Publishing, and Personnel committees.e

This spreading out of responsibility has proved to be very beneficial. Along with adjustments already made in the congregations, it has helped to move out of the way any obstacle that might sidetrack individuals from appreciating that Christ is the Head of the congregation. It has proved to be most advantageous to have a number of brothers taking counsel together on matters affecting the Kingdom work. Additionally, this reorganization has made it possible to provide needed supervision in the many areas where it has been urgently needed during an era that has seen organizational growth of truly explosive proportions. Long ago, Jehovah foretold through the prophet Isaiah: “The little one himself will become a thousand, and the small one a mighty nation. I myself, Jehovah, shall speed it up in its own time.” (Isa. 60:22) Not only has he speeded it up but he has also provided the needed direction so that his visible organization would be able to care for it.

The immediate interest of Jehovah’s Witnesses is in the work that God has given them to do during these final days of the old world, and they are well organized to accomplish it. Jehovah’s Witnesses see unmistakable evidence that this organization is not of men but of God and that God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, is directing it. As ruling King, Jesus will safeguard his faithful subjects through the coming great tribulation and make sure that they are effectively organized for accomplishing God’s will during the Millennium to come.

[Footnotes]

From 1938 through 1941, regional servants, in a new role, regularly served local assemblies, where Witnesses from a limited area (a zone) met for a special program. When this work was revived in 1946, these traveling overseers were known as district servants; now, district overseers.

[Blurb on page 204]

A clergy class had no place among them

[Blurb on page 205]

Not attempting to set up an “earthly organization”

[Blurb on page 206]

How were elders chosen?

[Blurb on page 212]

A director appointed by the Society

[Blurb on page 213]

Some elders did not want to preach outside the congregation

[Blurb on page 214]

Thinning the ranks but toning up the organization

[Blurb on page 218]

How were appointments to be made?

[Blurb on page 220]

Was Rutherford simply trying to gain greater control?

[Blurb on page 222]

Keeping in touch with the twos and threes as well as larger groups

[Blurb on page 223]

New responsibilities for traveling overseers

[Blurb on page 234]

An enlarged Governing Body with rotating chairmanship

[Blurb on page 235]

Needed supervision during an era of explosive growth

[Box on page 207]

Why the Change?

When questioned on his change of view regarding selection of elders in the various groups of the Lord’s people, C. T. Russell replied:

“First of all I hasten to assure you that I have never laid claim to infallibility. . . . We do not deny growing in knowledge, and that we now see in a slightly different light the will of the Lord respecting Elders or leaders in the various little groups of his people. Our error in judgment was in expecting too much of the dear brethren who, coming early into the Truth, became the natural leaders of these little companies. The ideal view of them which we fondly entertained was, that the knowledge of the Truth would have upon them a very humbling effect, causing them to appreciate their own insignificance, and that whatever they knew and were able to present to others was as mouthpieces of God and because used of him. Our ideal hopes were that these would in every sense of the word be examples to the flock; and that should the Lord’s providence bring into the little company one or more equally competent, or more competent, to present the Truth, that the spirit of love would lead them in honor to prefer one another, and thus to help and urge one another to participation in the service of the Church, the body of Christ.

“With this thought in mind we concluded that the larger measures of grace and truth now due and appreciated by the Lord’s consecrated people would make it unnecessary for them to follow the course outlined by the apostles in the early Church. Our mistake was in failing to realize that the arrangements outlined by the apostles under divine supervision are superior to anything that others could formulate, and that the Church as a whole will need to have the regulations instituted by the apostles until, by our change in the resurrection, we shall all be made complete and perfect and be directly in association with the Master.

“Our mistake gradually dawned upon us as we beheld amongst dear brethren to some extent the spirit of rivalry, and on the part of many a desire to hold the leadership of meetings as an office instead of as a service, and to exclude and hinder from developing as leaders other brethren of equal ability naturally and of equal knowledge of the Truth and competency in wielding the sword of the Spirit.”—“Zion’s Watch Tower,” March 15, 1906, p. 90.

[Box/Pictures on page 208, 209]

Facilities Used by the Society a Century Ago in the Pittsburgh Area

The Bible House, shown here, served as the headquarters for 19 years, from 1890 to 1909f

Brother Russell had his study here

Members of the Bible House family that served here in 1902

The building included this typesetting and composition department (top right), a shipping department (bottom right), literature storage, living quarters for the staff, and a chapel (assembly hall) that would seat about 300

[Footnote]

[Box on page 211]

Whose Work Is It?

Toward the end of his earthly life, Charles Taze Russell wrote: “Too often do God’s people forget that the Lord Himself is at the head of His work. Too often the thought is, We will do a work and get God to co-labor with us in our work. Let us get the right focus on the matter, and perceive that God has purposed and is carrying out a great work; and that it will succeed, entirely regardless of us and our effort; and that it is a great privilege granted to the people of God to co-labor with their Maker in the carrying out of His plans, His designs, His arrangements, in His way. Viewing matters from this standpoint, our prayer and our watching should be with a view to knowing and doing the will of the Lord, content whatever lot we see, since ’tis our God who leads us. This is the program which the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society has sought to follow.”—“The Watch Tower,” May 1, 1915.

[Box/Picture on page 215]

V.D.M. Questions

The letters V.D.M. represent the Latin words “Verbi Dei Minister,” or Minister of the Divine Word.

In 1916 a list of questions on Scriptural matters was prepared by the Society. Those who would represent the Society as speakers were asked to answer each of the questions in writing. This enabled the Society to know the thoughts, sentiments, and understanding of these brothers as respects fundamental Bible truths. The written answers were checked carefully by an examining board in the Society’s offices. Those recognized to be qualified as speakers were to have a grade of 85 percent or better.

Later, many of the elders, deacons, and other Bible Students asked if they could have a list of the questions. In time, it was stated that it would be beneficial if the classes selected as their representatives only persons who had qualified as V.D.M.

When the Society conferred the degree of Minister of the Divine Word, this did not mean that the individual was being ordained. It simply implied that the examining board in the Society’s offices had reviewed the doctrinal development of the person, and to a reasonable extent his reputation, and concluded that he was worthy of being called a Minister of the Divine Word.

The V.D.M. questions are as follows:

(1) What was the first creative act of God?

(2) What is the meaning of the word “Logos,” as associated with the Son of God? and what is signified by the words Father and Son?

(3) When and how did sin enter the world?

(4) What is the Divine penalty for sin upon the sinners? and who are the sinners?

(5) Why was it necessary for the “Logos” to be made flesh? and was He “incarnated”?

(6) Of what nature was the Man Christ Jesus from infancy to death?

(7) Of what nature is Jesus since the resurrection; and what is His official relation to Jehovah?

(8) What is the work of Jesus during this Gospel Age—during the time from Pentecost until now?

(9) What has thus far been done for the world of mankind by Jehovah God? and what by Jesus?

(10) What is the Divine purpose in respect to the Church when completed?

(11) What is the Divine purpose in respect to the world of mankind?

(12) What will be the fate of the finally incorrigible?

(13) What will be the reward or blessings which will come to the world of mankind through obedience to Messiah’s Kingdom?

(14) By what steps may a sinner come into vital relationship with Christ and with the Heavenly Father?

(15) After a Christian has been begotten of the Holy Spirit, what is his course, as directed in the Word of God?

(16) Have you turned from sin to serve the living God?

(17) Have you made a full consecration of your life and all your powers and talents to the Lord and His service?

(18) Have you symbolized this consecration by water immersion?

(19) Have you taken the I. B. S. A. [International Bible Students Association] Vow of holiness of life?

(20) Have you read thoroughly and carefully the six volumes of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES?

(21) Have you derived much enlightenment and benefit therefrom?

(22) Do you believe you have a substantial and permanent knowledge of the Bible which will render you more efficient as a servant of the Lord throughout the remainder of your life?

[Box/Pictures on page 216, 217]

Buildings Used During Early Days in Brooklyn

Bethel Home

122-124 Columbia Heights

Dining room in the Bethel Home

Tabernacle

Offices, literature storage, mailing department, typesetting equipment, and an 800-seat auditorium were located here, at 17 Hicks Street (used from 1909 to 1918)

The auditorium

Early Factories

Bethel family members who worked at the Myrtle Avenue factory in 1920 (right)

35 Myrtle Avenue (1920-22)

18 Concord Street (1922-27)

117 Adams Street (1927- )

[Box/Pictures on page 224, 225]

Traveling Overseers A Few of the Thousands Who Have Served

Canada, 1905-33

England, 1920-32

Finland, 1921-26, 1947-70

United States, 1907-15

Traveling between congregations—

Greenland

Venezuela

Lesotho

Mexico

Peru

Sierra Leone

Mobile accommodations in Namibia

Sharing with local Witnesses in field service in Japan

Meeting with local elders in Germany

Providing practical counsel to pioneers in Hawaii

Instructing a congregation in France

[Box/Picture on page 229]

Early Legal Corporations

Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society. First formed in 1881 and then legally incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania on December 15, 1884. In 1896 its name was changed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Since 1955 it has been known as Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.

Peoples Pulpit Association. Formed in 1909 in connection with the Society’s moving of its principal offices to Brooklyn, New York. In 1939 the name was changed to Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc. Since 1956 it has been known as Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

International Bible Students Association. Incorporated in London, England, on June 30, 1914.

In order to meet legal requirements, other corporations have been formed by Jehovah’s Witnesses in many communities and lands. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not divided up into national or regional organizations. They are a united global brotherhood.

[Box on page 234]

‘Like the Primitive Christian Community’

The religious publication “Interpretation” stated in July 1956: “In their organization and witnessing work, they [Jehovah’s Witnesses] come as close as any group to approximating the primitive Christian community. . . . Few other groups make as extensive a use of Scripture in their messages, both oral and written, as they do.”

[Picture on page 210]

To provide closer supervision, branch offices were established. The first one was in London, England, in this building

[Picture on page 221]

J. F. Rutherford in 1941. The Witnesses knew that he was not their leader

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John Booth, traveling overseer in the U.S.A. from 1936 to 1941

[Picture on page 227]

Carey Barber, whose district included a vast part of the United States

[Picture on page 228]

Brother Knorr regularly visited each branch and missionary home

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Principal overseers of the Society’s branches have been brought together for special training (New York, 1958)

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The Kingdom Ministry School has provided valuable instruction for overseers around the globe

Kingdom Ministry School at a refugee camp in Thailand, 1978; in the Philippines, 1966 (upper left)

[Pictures on page 232]

Organization instructions have been progressively published (first in English, then in other languages) to coordinate the activity of the Witnesses and to inform all concerning the provisions made to assist them in their ministry

Chapter 16

Meetings for Worship, Instruction, and Encouragement

CONGREGATION meetings are an important part of the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Even when circumstances make it very difficult, they endeavor to attend their meetings regularly, in harmony with the Bible’s exhortation: “Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24, 25) Where possible, each congregation holds meetings three times a week, for a total of 4 hours and 45 minutes. However, the nature of the meetings, as well as their frequency, has varied according to what has been needed at the time.

In the first century, manifestations of the miraculous gifts of the spirit were a prominent feature of Christian meetings. Why? Because by means of these gifts, God bore witness to the fact that he was no longer using the Jewish religious system but that his spirit was now on the newly formed Christian congregation. (Acts 2:1-21; Heb. 2:2-4) At the meetings of early Christians, prayers were offered, praises to God were sung, and emphasis was placed on prophesying (that is, conveying revelations of the divine will and purpose) and imparting instruction that would upbuild those who heard it. Those Christians lived at a time when there were marvelous developments in connection with God’s purpose. They needed to understand these and know how to work in harmony with them. However, the way in which some of them handled matters at their meetings was not balanced, and as the Bible shows, counsel was needed so that things would be done in the most beneficial way.—1 Cor. 14:1-40.

Were the features that characterized the meetings of those early Christians also evident when the Bible Students met together in the 1870’s and thereafter?

Filling Spiritual Needs of Early Bible Students

Charles Taze Russell and a small group of associates in and around Allegheny, Pennsylvania, formed a class for Bible study in 1870. As a result of their meetings, they gradually grew in love for God and his Word and progressively came to know what the Bible itself teaches. There was no miraculous speaking in tongues at these meetings. Why not? Such miraculous gifts had accomplished their objective in the first century, and as the Bible foretold, they had ceased. “The next step of progress,” Brother Russell explained, “was the manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit, as St. Paul most clearly points out.” (1 Cor. 13:4-10) Furthermore, as also in the first century, there was urgent evangelizing work to do, and for this they needed to be encouraged. (Heb. 10:24, 25) Before long, they were having two regular meetings each week.

Brother Russell realized that it was important for Jehovah’s servants to be a unified people, no matter where they might be scattered around the globe. So, in 1879, shortly after the Watch Tower began to be published, its readers were invited to make request for Brother Russell or one of his associates to visit them. A clearly stated stipulation was “No charge made nor money taken.” After a number of requests came in, Brother Russell set out on a month-long trip that took him as far as Lynn, Massachusetts, with meetings for four to six hours a day at each stop. The subject featured was “Things Pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”

Early in 1881, Brother Russell urged Watch Tower readers who as yet had no regular meetings in their area: “Establish one in your own home with your own family, or even a few that may be interested. Read, study, praise and worship together, and where two or three are met in His name, the Lord will be in your midst—your teacher. Such was the character of some of the meetings of the church in the days of the Apostles. (See Philemon, 2).”

The program of meetings developed gradually. Suggestions were offered, but it was left up to each local group to decide what was best for their circumstances. A speaker might occasionally deliver a discourse, but greater emphasis was given to meetings in which everyone could freely participate. Some classes of Bible Students did not at first make much use of the Society’s publications at their meetings, but traveling ministers, the pilgrims, helped them to see the value of doing so.

After some of the volumes of Millennial Dawn had been published, these began to be used as a basis for study. In 1895 the study groups came to be known as Dawn Circles for Bible Study.a Some in Norway later referred to them as “reading and conversation meetings,” adding: “Extracts from Brother Russell’s books were read aloud, and when persons had comments or questions, they raised their hands.” Brother Russell recommended that at such studies participants make use of a variety of translations of the Scriptures, marginal references in the Bible, and Bible concordances. The studies were often held with groups of moderate size, in a private home, on an evening convenient to the group. These were forerunners of the present-day Congregation Book Study.

Brother Russell realized that more was needed than just study of doctrinal matters. There must also be expressions of devotion so that people’s hearts would be moved by appreciation of God’s love and by a desire to honor and serve him. The classes were urged to arrange a special meeting for this purpose once a week. These were sometimes referred to as “Cottage Meetings” because they were held in private homes. The program included prayers, hymns of praise, and testimonies related by those in attendance.b These testimonies were sometimes encouraging experiences; included, too, were the trials, difficulties, and perplexities confronted during recent days. In some places these meetings fell considerably short of their objective because of excessive emphasis on self. Kindly suggestions for improvement were set out in The Watch Tower.

Recalling those meetings, Edith Brenisen, the wife of one of the early pilgrims in the United States, said: “It was an evening for meditation upon Jehovah’s loving care and for close association with our brothers and sisters. As we listened to some of their experiences we grew to know them better. Observing their faithfulness, seeing how they overcame their difficulties, often helped us in solving some of our own perplexities.” In time, however, it became apparent that meetings designed to equip each one to share in the evangelizing work were more beneficial.

The way in which the Sunday meeting was handled in some places was of concern to the brothers. Some classes tried to discuss the Bible verse by verse. But at times the differences of opinion as to meaning were not at all upbuilding. To improve the situation, certain ones in the congregation in Los Angeles, California, developed outlines for topical Bible study, with questions and references to be examined by all the class before coming to the meeting. In 1902 the Society made available a Bible containing “Berean Bible Study Helps,” including a topical index.c To further simplify matters, starting with the March 1, 1905, Watch Tower, outlines for congregation discussion were published, with questions as well as references to the Bible and the Society’s publications for research. These continued until 1914, by which time study questions on the volumes of Studies in the Scriptures were published for use as a basis for Berean Studies.

All the classes had the same material available, but the number of weekly meetings varied from one to four or more, according to what was arranged locally. In Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), beginning in 1914, meetings were actually being held seven days a week.

The Bible Students were encouraged to learn to do research, to “prove all things,” to express thoughts in their own words. (1 Thess. 5:21, KJ) Brother Russell encouraged a full and free discussion of the study material. He also cautioned: “Never forget that the Bible is our Standard and that however God-given our helps may be they are ‘helps’ and not substitutes for the Bible.”

Commemoration of the Lord’s Death

Beginning in about 1876, arrangements were made each year by the Bible Students for commemoration of the Lord’s death.d At first, the group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and vicinity met in the home of one of the friends. By 1883, attendance had grown to about a hundred there, and a hired hall was used. To accommodate the large audience expected in Pittsburgh in 1905, the brothers decided to secure the use of the spacious Carnegie Hall.

The Bible Students recognized this to be an annual observance, not something that was to be done every week. The date they kept the observance corresponded to Nisan 14 on the Jewish calendar, the time of Jesus’ death. Over the years, there were some refinements in the way in which that date was calculated.e But the principal matter of concern was the significance of the event itself.

Although Bible Students met for this commemoration in groups of varying sizes in many places, any who could join the brothers in Pittsburgh were welcomed. From 1886 to 1893, readers of the Watch Tower were especially invited to come to Pittsburgh, if possible, and they did, from various parts of the United States and from Canada. This not only enabled them to celebrate the Memorial together but also helped them to cement ties of spiritual unity. However, as the number of classes grew, both in the United States and in other parts of the world, it was no longer practical to try to meet in one location, and they realized that more good would be accomplished by assembling with fellow believers in the area of one’s home.

As the Watch Tower pointed out, there were many who professed to be believers in the ransom, and none of these were turned away from the annual commemoration. But the occasion had special significance to those who truly belonged to Christ’s “little flock.” These are the ones who would share in the heavenly Kingdom. On the night before Jesus’ death, when he instituted the Memorial, it was to individuals to whom such a hope was being extended that Christ said: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”—Luke 12:32; 22:19, 20, 28-30.

Particularly beginning in the 1930’s, prospective members of the “great multitude,” or “great crowd” of other sheep, began to manifest themselves. (Rev. 7:9, 10, KJ; John 10:16) These were at that time referred to as Jonadabs. For the first time, in its issue of February 15, 1938, The Watchtower specifically invited them to be present at the Memorial, saying: “After six p.m. on April 15 let each company of the anointed assemble and celebrate the Memorial, their companions the Jonadabs also being present.” They did attend, not as partakers, but as observers. Their presence began to swell the number of those on hand at the time of the Memorial of Christ’s death. In 1938 the total attendance was 73,420, while those who partook of the emblematic bread and wine numbered 39,225. In the years that followed, those present as observers also began to include large numbers of newly interested persons and others who had not yet become active Witnesses of Jehovah. Thus, in 1992, when the peak number of those sharing in the field ministry was 4,472,787, attendance at the Memorial was 11,431,171, and the number of partakers of the emblems was just 8,683. In some lands the attendance has been as many as five or six times the number of active Witnesses.

Because of their deep regard for the significance of Christ’s death, Jehovah’s Witnesses commemorate the Memorial even when they are confronted by very difficult circumstances. During the 1970’s, when wartime curfews in Rhodesia (now known as Zimbabwe) made it impossible to go out in the evening, the brothers in some areas would all gather in the home of one of Jehovah’s Witnesses during the day and then celebrate the Memorial in the evening. Of course, they could not return home after the meeting, so they would stay overnight. The remaining evening hours were used to sing Kingdom songs and relate experiences, which was a source of added refreshment.

In concentration camps during World War II, the Memorial was celebrated, even though doing that could have resulted in severe punishment if the guards found out. When isolated in prison in Communist China from 1958 to 1963 because of his Christian faith, Harold King celebrated the Memorial the best way he could under the circumstances. He later said: “From my prison window I watched the moon grow full near the start of spring. I calculated as carefully as I could the date for the celebration.” He improvised the needed emblems, making a little wine from black currants and using rice, which is unleavened, for the bread. He also said: “I sang and prayed and gave a regular talk for the occasion, just as would be done in any congregation of Jehovah’s people. So I felt that each year I was united with my brothers all over the world on this most important occasion.”

Where Young Ones Fit In

During the early years, the publications and the meetings of the Bible Students were not particularly geared to young people. They could attend the meetings, and some of them did so and listened eagerly. But there was no special effort to involve them in what took place. Why not?

The understanding of the brothers at that time was that only a very short time was left until all the members of Christ’s bride would be united with him in heavenly glory. The Watch Tower, in 1883, explained: “We who are in training for the high calling cannot turn aside from the special work of this age—the work of preparing ‘the Bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ The Bride is to make herself ready; and just at the present moment, when the last touches of adornment are being put on preparatory to the wedding, every member’s service is required in this all-important, present work.”

Parents were strongly urged to shoulder their own God-given responsibility to care for the spiritual instruction of their children. Separate Sunday schools for youths were not encouraged. It was obvious that Christendom’s use of Sunday schools had done much harm. Parents who sent their children to such schools often took the view that this arrangement relieved them of the responsibility to give religious instruction to their children. The children, in turn, because they were not looking to their parents as a primary source of instruction about God, were not motivated to honor their parents and obey them as they should.

However, from 1892 to 1927, the Watch Tower did set aside space for comment on the text featured in the “International Sunday School Lessons,” which were then popular in many Protestant churches. These texts were for many years selected by F. N. Peloubet, a Congregational clergyman, and his assistants. The Watch Tower discussed these texts from the standpoint of the Bible Students’ advanced understanding of the Scriptures, free from the creeds of Christendom. It was hoped that in this way the Watch Tower would find its way into some of the churches, that the truth would thus be presented, and that some church members would accept it. Of course, the difference was evident, and this angered the Protestant clergy.

The year 1918 came, and the remnant, or remaining ones of the anointed, were still on the earthly scene. The number of children at their meetings had also greatly increased. Often the youngsters had simply been allowed to play while their parents studied. Yet, young people, too, needed to learn to “seek righteousness, seek meekness,” if they would be “hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.” (Zeph. 2:3, KJ) So, in 1918 the Society encouraged the congregations to arrange for a juvenile class for children from 8 to 15 years of age. In some places there were even primary classes for those too young to attend the juvenile class. At the same time, parental responsibility toward the children was again emphasized.

This led to other developments. The Golden Age, in 1920, carried a feature entitled “Juvenile Bible Study,” with questions accompanied by Scripture citations in which the answers could be found. That same year, The Golden Age ABC was published; it was an illustrated booklet for use by parents in teaching basic Bible truths and Christian qualities to their youngsters. A book entitled The Way to Paradise, written by W. E. Van Amburgh, followed in 1924. It was adapted to “intermediate students of the Bible.” For a time it was used at the meetings for younger ones. Additionally, in America, “Junior Witnesses” had their own arrangements for field service. In Switzerland a youth group formed an association called “Jehovah’s Youth,” for those between 13 and 25 years of age. They had their own secretary’s office in Berne, and a special magazine, Jehovah’s Youth, was edited and printed on the Society’s presses there. These youths had their own meetings and even put on Bible dramas, as they did in the Volkshaus in Zurich for an audience of 1,500.

What was taking place, however, was that an organization was developing within the organization of Jehovah’s servants. This would not contribute to unity, and it was discontinued in 1936. In April 1938, during a visit to Australia, J. F. Rutherford, the Society’s president, found that a class for children was being held apart from the convention for adults. He immediately arranged for all the children to be brought into the main convention, which was greatly to their benefit.

In that same year, The Watchtower reviewed the entire matter of separate classes for young folks in the congregation. That study again emphasized the fact that parents are responsible to instruct their own children. (Eph. 6:4; compare Deuteronomy 4:9, 10; Jeremiah 35:6-10.) It also showed that the Bible provides no precedent for segregating young ones by means of junior classes. Instead, they were to be present with their parents to hear God’s Word. (Deut. 31:12, 13; Josh. 8:34, 35) When further explanation of study material was needed, this could be given by the parents at home. Furthermore, the articles pointed out that arrangements for such separate classes were actually detracting from the house-to-house preaching of the good news. How so? Because the teachers were staying out of the field service to prepare for these classes and to conduct them. So, all separate classes for youths were discontinued.

Right down to the present, it remains the custom among Jehovah’s Witnesses for the entire family to attend congregation meetings together. Children are helped by their parents to prepare so that they can participate in appropriate ways. Additionally, a fine array of publications has been provided for parents to use in giving young folks instruction at home. Among these have been the books Children, in 1941; Listening to the Great Teacher, in 1971; Your Youth—Getting the Best Out Of It, in 1976; My Book of Bible Stories, in 1978; and Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, in 1989.

Equipping All to Be Active Evangelizers

Ever since the first issues of the Watch Tower were published, its readers have been regularly reminded of the privilege and responsibility of all true Christians to proclaim the good news about God’s purpose. The congregation meetings have helped to prepare their hearts and minds for this activity by building up their love for Jehovah and their knowledge of his purpose. Especially, however, following the convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1922, greatly increased emphasis was placed on what was being accomplished in the field service and how to share in it effectively.

The Bulletin,f a folder containing information directly related to the field service, contained a brief testimony, then called a canvass, that was to be memorized and used when witnessing to people. During the greater part of 1923, at the first of each month, as a stimulus to united efforts to advertise the Kingdom, half of the Wednesday-night Prayer, Praise and Testimony Meeting was set aside for testimonies regarding the field service.

At least by 1926, monthly meetings where field service was discussed were called Workers’ Meetings. Those who actually participated in such service were usually the ones that attended. At these meetings, methods being used to witness to others were discussed, and plans for future activity were made. By 1928 the Society was urging the congregations to have such meetings each week. In another four years, congregations were beginning to replace the Testimony (or, Declaration) Meeting with what had come to be called the Service Meeting, and the Society encouraged everyone to attend. For over 60 years, this weekly meeting has been held by the congregations. By means of discourses, discussions involving audience participation, demonstrations, and interviews, specific help is provided in connection with all aspects of the Christian ministry.

This type of meeting certainly did not originate in the 20th century. Jesus himself gave detailed instructions to his disciples before sending them out to preach. (Matt. 10:5–11:1; Luke 10:1-16) Later, they built one another up by gathering to relate experiences they had while engaging in the ministry.—Acts 4:21-31; 15:3.

As for training in public speaking, in the early years this was not done at the regular congregation meetings. However, at least by 1916, it was suggested that those who felt that they had some potential as public speakers might hold classes by themselves, with perhaps an elder present as a moderator to hear them and to offer counsel for improvement in content and delivery of their talks. These gatherings, attended only by males in the congregation, later came to be known as Schools of the Prophets. When reviewing the events of those days, Grant Suiter recalled: “The constructive criticism that I got at the school was nothing compared with that which I received from my father personally after he had attended one of the sessions to hear me try to make a speech.” To help those who were trying to make progress, brothers privately compiled and printed a textbook of instructions on speaking, along with outlines for a variety of discourses. In time, however, these Schools of the Prophets were discontinued. To fill the special need that existed at that time, full attention was being focused on equipping every member of the congregation to share to the full in house-to-house evangelizing.

Was it possible to equip each member of this growing international organization not only to give a brief witness and to offer Bible literature but also to speak effectively and to be a teacher of God’s Word? That was the objective of a special school established in each congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, beginning in 1943. It had already been in operation at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses since February 1942. Every week, instruction was given, and students delivered talks and were counseled on them. At first, only males gave talks in the school, though the entire congregation was encouraged to attend, to prepare the lessons, and to participate in reviews. In 1959 the sisters were also privileged to enroll, for training in discussing Bible subjects in a one-on-one setting.

Regarding the effect of this school, the Watch Tower Society’s branch in South Africa reported: “This very fine arrangement succeeded in a short while in helping many brothers who had imagined they would never be public speakers to become very efficient on the platform and more effective in the field. In all parts of South Africa the brothers welcomed this new provision of Jehovah and put it into operation with enthusiasm. This was done despite great obstacles of language and lack of education on the part of some.”

The Theocratic Ministry School continues to be an important meeting in the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Nearly all who are able to do so are enrolled. Young and old, new Witnesses and those with much experience participate. It is an ongoing program of education.

The Public Invited to See and Hear

Jehovah’s Witnesses are in no sense a secret society. Their Bible-based beliefs are fully explained in publications that are available to anyone. Additionally, they put forth special effort to invite the public to attend meetings to see and hear for themselves what takes place.

Jesus Christ gave personal instruction to his disciples, but he also spoke in public—along the seashore, on a mountainside, in synagogues, in the temple area in Jerusalem—where the crowds could hear. (Matt. 5:1, 2; 13:1-9; John 18:20) In imitation of this, as early as the 1870’s, the Bible Students began to arrange meetings where friends and neighbors and others who might be interested could hear a discourse about God’s purpose for humankind.

Special effort was put forth to have these discourses at places that would be convenient for the public. This was known as class extension work. In 1911, congregations that had sufficient talented speakers were encouraged to arrange for some of these to go to surrounding towns and villages to put on meetings in public halls. Where possible, they arranged for a series of six discourses. Following the final one, the speaker inquired as to how many in the audience felt sufficient interest in Bible study to come together regularly. Over 3,000 of such discourses were held the first year.

Starting in 1914, the “Photo-Drama of Creation” was also taken to the public. The brothers charged no admission. Since then, they have used other motion pictures and slide showings. Beginning in the 1920’s, extensive use of the radio by the Watch Tower Society enabled people to hear Bible discourses in their own homes. Then, in the 1930’s, lectures delivered by J. F. Rutherford were recorded and played at thousands of public gatherings.

By 1945, there was a large number of public speakers who had been trained in the Theocratic Ministry School. In January of that year, a well-coordinated campaign of public meetings was launched. The Society provided outlines for a series of eight timely discourses. Handbills, and sometimes placards, were used for advertising. In addition to using the congregations’ regular meeting places, the brothers made special efforts to arrange for these public meetings in territories where no congregation existed. All in the congregations could share—by advertising the meetings, by personally supporting them, as well as by welcoming newcomers and answering their questions. During the first year of this special activity, 18,646 public meetings were put on in the United States, with a total attendance of 917,352. The following year the number of public meetings rose to 28,703 for the American field. And in Canada, where 2,552 of such meetings were arranged in 1945, there were 4,645 the following year.

In the majority of congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Public Meetings are now part of the regular schedule of weekly meetings. They are in the form of a discourse during which everyone is encouraged to look up key Scripture texts as these are read and discussed. These meetings are a rich source of spiritual instruction for the congregation and newcomers alike.

People who attend the meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the first time are often pleasantly surprised. A prominent politician in Zimbabwe went to a Kingdom Hall to find out what was going on there. He was a man with a violent disposition, and he deliberately went unshaved and with hair uncombed. He expected that the Witnesses would chase him away. Instead, they showed genuine interest in him and encouraged him to have a home Bible study. Now he is a humble and peaceable Christian Witness.

There are millions of persons who, having attended the meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, have felt moved to say: “God is really among you.”—1 Cor. 14:25.

Suitable Places in Which to Meet

In the days of the apostles of Jesus Christ, Christians frequently held their meetings in private homes. In some places they were able to speak in Jewish synagogues. In Ephesus the apostle Paul gave discourses for two years in a school auditorium. (Acts 19:8-10; 1 Cor. 16:19; Philem. 1, 2) Similarly, in the latter part of the 19th century, the Bible Students met in private homes, sometimes spoke in church chapels, and used other halls that could be rented. In a few instances, they later purchased buildings that had formerly been used by other religious groups and made use of these on a regular basis. That was the case with the Brooklyn Tabernacle and the London Tabernacle.

But they neither needed nor wanted ornate buildings for their meetings. A few congregations purchased and renovated suitable structures; others built new halls. After 1935 the name Kingdom Hall gradually came into use to designate these places for congregation meetings. These are usually attractive in appearance but not pretentious. The architecture may vary from place to place, but the purpose of the building is functional.

A Unified Program of Instruction

During the latter part of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, spiritual growth and activity varied considerably from one congregation to another. They shared in common certain basic beliefs that set them apart from Christendom. Yet, while some of the brothers deeply appreciated the means by which Jehovah was feeding his people, others were easily swayed by the opinions of individuals who had strong personal views on matters.

Before his death Jesus prayed that his followers would “all be one”—at unity with God and Christ and with one another. (John 17:20, 21) This was not to be a forced unity. It would result from a unified program of education that found response in receptive hearts. As had long ago been foretold: “All your sons will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant.” (Isa. 54:13) To enjoy that peace in full measure, all needed opportunity to benefit from the progressive instruction that Jehovah was providing through his visible channel of communication.

For many years the Bible Students used the various volumes of Studies in the Scriptures, along with the Bible, as a basis for discussion. What they contained was, indeed, spiritual “food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24:45) However, continued examination of the Scriptures under the direction of God’s spirit made it evident that there was more to learn and that much spiritual cleansing was still needed by Jehovah’s servants. (Mal. 3:1-3; Isa. 6:1-8) Furthermore, after the establishment of the Kingdom in 1914, many prophecies were being fulfilled in rapid succession, and these pointed to urgent work in which all true Christians should be engaged. This timely Scriptural information was regularly provided through the columns of The Watch Tower.

Realizing that not everyone in the congregations was benefiting from these articles, some of the traveling representatives of the Society recommended to the headquarters office that at regular weekly meetings the congregations all study The Watch Tower. That recommendation was passed along to the congregations, and “Berean Questions” for use in study of principal Watch Tower articles became a regular feature of the magazine, beginning with the issue of May 15, 1922. Most congregations had such a study one or more times each week, but the extent to which they really studied what was in the magazine varied. In some places, because the conductor had much to say, this study ran for two hours or more.

During the 1930’s, however, theocratic organization replaced democratic procedures. This greatly influenced how study of The Watchtowerg was viewed. Greater attention was directed to understanding what was in the study material provided by the Society. Those who had used the meetings as opportunities to air personal views and who resisted the responsibility to share in the field ministry gradually withdrew. With patient help the brothers learned how to confine the study to an hour. As a result, there was greater participation; meetings were more lively. A spirit of genuine unity also came to pervade the congregations, based on a unified spiritual feeding program in which God’s Word was the standard for truth.

In 1938, The Watchtower was being published in about 20 languages. Everything appeared first in English. It usually was not available in other languages for several months, or perhaps even a year, because of the time required to translate and print it. However, with a change in printing methods, during the 1980’s, simultaneous publication of The Watchtower was achieved in many languages. By 1992, congregations understanding any of 66 languages were able to study the same material at the same time. Thus the vast majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide partake of the same spiritual food week by week. In all of North and South America, in most of Europe, in a number of lands in the Orient, in many places in Africa, and on a large number of islands around the globe, Jehovah’s people enjoy a simultaneous arrangement for spiritual feeding. Together, they are being “fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.”—1 Cor. 1:10.

Attendance figures for their congregation meetings indicate that Jehovah’s Witnesses take their meetings seriously. In Italy, where there were about 172,000 active Witnesses in 1989, weekly attendance at Kingdom Hall meetings was 220,458. In contrast, a Catholic press agency says that 80 percent of Italians say they are Catholic but that only about 30 percent attend church services with any degree of regularity. Viewed proportionately, the picture is similar in Brazil. In Denmark, as of 1989, the National Church claimed 89.7 percent of the population as members, but only 2 percent were attending church once a week! Among Jehovah’s Witnesses in Denmark, weekly attendance figures at that time ran 94.7 percent. In Germany, a poll by the Allensbach Opinion Research Institute in 1989 indicated that 5 percent of Lutherans and 25 percent of Catholics in the Federal Republic attended church regularly. However, at the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses, weekly attendance exceeded the number of Witnesses.

Those in attendance have often put forth great effort to be on hand. In the 1980’s, a 70-year-old woman in Kenya was regularly walking six miles [10 km] and wading through a river to get to the meetings each week. To attend meetings in her own language, a Korean Witness in the United States regularly traveled three hours each way, riding a bus, a train, and a boat, as well as walking. In Suriname, one family with little income spent a full day’s wages for bus fare each week in order to get to the meetings. In Argentina, a family regularly traveled 30 miles [50 km] and spent one fourth of the family’s income to attend meetings for Bible study. Where illness completely prevents some from attending congregation meetings, arrangements are often made for them to be tied in by telephone or to hear a tape recording of the program.

Jehovah’s Witnesses take seriously the Bible’s counsel not to forsake gathering together for spiritual upbuilding. (Heb. 10:24, 25) And it is not only for meetings in their local congregations that they are present. Attendance at conventions is also a highlight of their annual program of events.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 237]

Meetings that called for personal participation

[Blurb on page 238]

Not merely a mental philosophy but expressions that would move the heart

[Blurb on page 246]

All in the family are encouraged to attend meetings together

[Blurb on page 252]

Unifying the program of spiritual feeding

[Blurb on page 253]

The Witnesses take their meetings seriously

[Box/Pictures on page 239]

Early Congregations

By 1916, there were some 1,200 groups of Bible Students worldwide

Durban, South Africa, 1915 (top right); British Guiana (Guyana), 1915 (middle right); Trondheim, Norway, 1915 (lower right); Hamilton, Ont., Canada, 1912 (bottom); Ceylon (Sri Lanka), 1915 (lower left); India, 1915 (upper left)

[Box/Pictures on page 240, 241]

Praising Jehovah in Song

As the ancient Israelites and Jesus himself used songs in worship, so do Jehovah’s Witnesses in modern times. (Neh. 12:46; Mark 14:26) While expressing praise to Jehovah and appreciation for his works, such singing has helped to impress Bible truths on both the mind and the heart.

Many collections of songs have been used by Jehovah’s Witnesses over the years. Words have been updated in harmony with progressive understanding of God’s Word.

1879: “Songs of the Bride”

(144 hymns expressing the desires and hopes of Christ’s bride)

1890: “Poems and Hymns of Millennial Dawn”

(151 poems and 333 hymns, published without music. Most were the works of well-known writers)

1896: “Watch Tower” of February 1 was devoted to “Zion’s Glad Songs of the Morning”

(Words for 11 songs, with music; lyrics written by Bible Students)

1900: “Zion’s Glad Songs”

(82 songs, many of them written by one Bible Student; to supplement the earlier collection)

1905: “Hymns of the Millennial Dawn”

(The 333 songs published in 1890, but with music)

1925: “Kingdom Hymns”

(80 songs, with music, especially for children)

1928: “Songs of Praise to Jehovah”

(337 songs, a mixture of new ones written by the Bible Students and older hymns. In the lyrics, special effort was made to break away from sentiments of false religion and from creature worship)

1944: “Kingdom Service Song Book”

(62 songs. Adapted to Kingdom service needs of the times. No credits were given to authors or composers)

1950: “Songs to Jehovah’s Praise”

(91 songs. This songbook had more up-to-date themes and dispensed with archaic language. It was translated into 18 languages)

1966: “Singing and Accompanying Yourselves With Music in Your Hearts”

(119 songs covering every aspect of Christian living and worship. Music known to have originated with secular or false-religious sources was deleted. Orchestral recordings of the entire book were made and were extensively used as accompaniment in congregation meetings. Some vocal selections were also recorded. Starting in 1980, recordings of orchestral arrangements of “Kingdom Melodies” were produced so that at home individuals could enjoy music that would be upbuilding)

1984: “Sing Praises to Jehovah”

(225 Kingdom songs, with words and melodies composed entirely by dedicated servants of Jehovah from all parts of the earth. Phonograph records and audiocassettes were produced to accompany singing)

At their early Cottage Meetings, the Bible Students included songs of praise. Singing also soon became a feature of their conventions. Some sang one of the songs before breakfast, in connection with their morning worship, as was done for many years at the Bible House. Although singing in local congregations was largely dispensed with in about 1938, it was revived again in 1944 and continues to be a significant feature of the congregation meetings and convention programs of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

[Picture]

Karl Klein leading a convention orchestra in 1947

[Graph on page 242]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Memorial of Christ’s Death

Active Witnesses

Attendance

11,000,000

10,000,000

9,000,000

8,000,000

7,000,000

6,000,000

5,000,000

4,000,000

3,000,000

2,000,000

1,000,000

1935 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1992

[Picture on page 243]

Though isolated in a Chinese prison, Harold King continued to celebrate the Memorial

[Picture on page 244]

Juvenile Bible class in Germany, in the early 1930’s

[Pictures on page 244]

In Switzerland, in the mid-1930’s, Witness youths published this magazine (below) and staged Bible dramas (as shown below in the center) for large audiences

[Pictures on page 247]

“Bulletin” (1919-35), “Director” (1935-36), “Informant” (1936-56), and now “Our Kingdom Ministry” in 100 languages—all have provided regular instructions for united field ministry by Jehovah’s Witnesses

[Picture on page 248]

Demonstrations at Service Meetings help Witnesses to improve their personal field ministry (Sweden)

[Picture on page 249]

Young Witness in Kenya gains experience by giving a talk to his father in the Theocratic Ministry School

[Picture on page 250]

As of 1992, Bible study material for congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses was being published simultaneously in 66 languages, and more continue to be added

Chapter 17

Conventions Proof of Our Brotherhood

CONVENTIONS have become a regular feature of the modern-day organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But national and international gatherings of worshipers of Jehovah took place long before the 20th century.

Jehovah required all the males in ancient Israel to assemble at Jerusalem for three seasonal festivals each year. Some of the men brought their entire family along. In fact, the Mosaic Law required that every family member—men, women, and little ones—be present on certain occasions. (Ex. 23:14-17; Deut. 31:10-13; Luke 2:41-43) At first, the attenders were people who lived within the boundaries of Israel. Later, when the Jews became widely dispersed, those in attendance came from many nations. (Acts 2:1, 5-11) They were drawn together not merely because Israel and Abraham were their forefathers but because they recognized Jehovah as their grand heavenly Father. (Isa. 63:16) These festivals were happy occasions. They also helped all who were present to keep their minds on the word of God and not to become so involved in the daily affairs of life that they might forget the more important spiritual matters.

In like manner, the conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses in modern times center on spiritual interests. To sincere observers these conventions give undeniable evidence that the Witnesses are united by strong ties of Christian brotherhood.

Early Conventions of Bible Students

Arrangements for gatherings of Bible Students from various cities and lands developed gradually. Unlike traditional church groups, the Bible Students, by means of their conventions, quickly got to know fellow believers in other places. At first, these conventions were held at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in connection with the annual commemoration of the Lord’s death. In 1891 notice was specifically given that there would be a “convention for Bible study and for celebrating the Lord’s Memorial Supper.” The following year, the Watch Tower carried a prominent heading announcing “BELIEVERS’ CONVENTION, AT ALLEGHENY, PA., . . . APRIL 7TH TO 14TH, INCLUSIVE, 1892.”

The public in general was not invited to those early conventions. But, in 1892, some 400 persons who had given evidence of faith in the ransom and sincere interest in the Lord’s work were present. The program included five days of intensive Bible study and another two days of helpful counsel for the colporteurs.

Said one who was present for the first time for one of these gatherings: “I have been at many Conventions, but never before at one like this, where the will and plan of God are the only and the incessant topic from rising until retiring; in the house, on the street, at meeting, at lunch and everywhere.” Regarding the spirit displayed by the delegates, one from Wisconsin, U.S.A., wrote: “I was much impressed by the spirit of love and brotherly kindness manifested on all occasions.”

A change in arrangements for the annual convention took place in 1893. In order to take advantage of favorable railroad fares in connection with the Columbian Exposition that summer, the Bible Students gathered in Chicago, Illinois, from August 20 to 24. This was their first convention outside the Pittsburgh area. However, with a view to making the best possible use of time and money for the Lord’s work, no further general conventions were held for a few years.

Then, starting in 1898, the Bible Students in various places began to take the initiative locally to arrange for assemblies, to be attended by people in a limited area. In 1900 there were 3 general conventions organized by the Society; but there were also 13 local assemblies in the United States and Canada, most of which were for just one day and were often held in connection with the visit of one of the pilgrims. The number kept growing. By 1909 there were at least 45 local assemblies in North America, in addition to conventions served by Brother Russell on special tours that took him to various parts of the continent. A main portion of the program at one-day assemblies was designed especially to stir interest on the part of the public. Attendance ranged from perhaps a hundred up to several thousand.

On the other hand, general conventions, attended mainly by the Bible Students, emphasized instruction for those fairly well established in the way of the truth. For these conventions, special trains filled with delegates would come from principal cities. Attendance was, on occasion, as high as 4,000, even including a few delegates from Europe. These were times of genuine spiritual refreshment that resulted in increased zeal and love on the part of Jehovah’s people. Said one brother at the close of such a convention in 1903: “I would not take a thousand dollars for the good I have received from this Convention;—and I am only a poor man, too.”

Pilgrim brothers who might be in the area spoke at the assemblies. Brother Russell also endeavored to attend and serve on the program at local assemblies as well as at larger conventions in the United States and often in Canada. That involved much travel. Most of it was done on weekend trips. But, in 1909, a brother in Chicago hired several railroad cars to transport delegates who traveled with Brother Russell from one convention to another on a tour. In 1911 and 1913, entire trains were chartered by the same brother to take hundreds of delegates on convention tours lasting a month or more and covering the western United States and Canada.

Travel on such a convention train was a memorable experience. In 1913, Malinda Keefer boarded one at Chicago, Illinois. Years later, she said: “It didn’t take long to realize we were one big family . . . and the train was our home for a month.” As the train pulled out of the station, those who came to see them off sang “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” all the while waving hats and handkerchiefs till the train was out of sight. Sister Keefer added: “At every stop on the trip there were conventions being held—most were for three days, and we stayed one day with each convention. During these stops Brother Russell gave two talks, one to the friends in the afternoon, and another to the public in the evening on the subject ‘Beyond the Grave.’”

In other lands too, the number of assemblies was growing. They were often quite small. About 15 were present for the first one in Norway, in 1905; but it was a beginning. Six years later, when Brother Russell visited Norway, special effort was put forth to invite the public, and the attendance on that occasion was estimated at 1,200. During 1909, when he attended conventions in Scotland, he spoke to about 2,000 in Glasgow and another 2,500 in Edinburgh on the intriguing subject “The Thief in Paradise, the Rich Man in Hell, and Lazarus in Abraham’s Bosom.”

At the conclusion of the early conventions, the brothers had what they called a love feast, reflecting their feeling of Christian brotherhood. What did this “love feast” include? As an example, the speakers would line up with plates of diced bread, and then the audience would file past, partaking of the bread, shaking hands, and singing “Blest Be the Tie That Binds Our Hearts in Christian Love.” Tears of joy often ran down their cheeks as they sang. Later, as their numbers grew, they dispensed with the handshaking and breaking of bread but would conclude with song and prayer and, often, prolonged applause to express their appreciation.

Launching a Global Campaign of Kingdom Proclamation

The first major convention after World War I took place at Cedar Point, Ohio (on Lake Erie, 60 miles west of Cleveland), from September 1 to 8 in 1919. Following Brother Russell’s death, some who had been prominently associated with the organization fell away. The brothers underwent severe testing. Earlier in 1919, the Society’s president and his associates had been released from their unjust imprisonment. So there was keen anticipation. Although first-day attendance was rather low, later in the day more delegates arrived on special trains. Then the hotels that had offered to accommodate the delegates were swamped. R. J. Martin and A. H. Macmillan (both of whom were included in the group recently released from prison) volunteered to help. They worked at assigning rooms till past midnight, and Brother Rutherford and many of the others had a good time serving as bellhops, carrying luggage and escorting the friends to their rooms. There was an infectious spirit of enthusiasm among them all.

Some 2,500 were expected to attend. However, in every way the convention proved to be more than anticipated. By the second day, the auditorium was already overcrowded and additional halls were put to use. When that did not prove adequate, the sessions were moved outdoors into an area where there was a pleasant grove of trees. About 6,000 Bible Students from the United States and Canada were present.

For the principal talk on Sunday, at least 1,000 of the public also came, swelling the audience to fully 7,000, whom the speaker addressed in the open air without the aid of any microphone or amplifying system. In that discourse, “The Hope for Distressed Humanity,” J. F. Rutherford made it clear that the Messianic Kingdom of God is the solution to mankind’s problems, and he also showed that the League of Nations (which was then being brought to birth and which had already been endorsed by the clergy) was in no way a political expression of God’s Kingdom. The Sandusky Register (a local newspaper) carried an extensive report on that public discourse, as well as a résumé of the activity of the Bible Students. Copies of that paper were sent to newspapers throughout the United States and Canada. But there was much more to the publicity that emanated from this convention.

The real climax of the entire convention was Brother Rutherford’s “Address to Co-laborers,” which was later published under the title “Announcing the Kingdom.” This was directed to the Bible Students themselves. During that speech the significance of the letters G A that had appeared on the convention program and in various locations at the convention site became clear. Announcement was made concerning the coming publication of a new magazine, The Golden Age, for use in directing the attention of people to the Messianic Kingdom. After outlining the work to be done, Brother Rutherford said to the audience: “The door of opportunity is opening before you. Enter it quickly. Remember as you go forth in this work you are not soliciting merely as the agent of a magazine, but you are an ambassador of the King of kings and Lord of lords, announcing to the people in this dignified manner the incoming of the Golden Age, the glorious kingdom of our Lord and Master, for which true Christians have hoped and prayed for many centuries.” (See Revelation 3:8.) When the speaker asked how many desired to share in the work, the enthusiastic response was inspiring to behold. As one man, the audience of 6,000 rose to their feet. By the following year, more than 10,000 were sharing in the field service. The entire convention had a unifying and invigorating effect on those in attendance.

Three years later, in 1922, another memorable convention was held at Cedar Point. It was a nine-day program, from September 5 to 13. In addition to the delegates from the United States and Canada, some came from Europe. Meetings were conducted in ten languages. The average daily attendance was about 10,000; and for the talk “Millions Now Living Will Never Die,” so many of the public were in the audience that the attendance nearly doubled.

The Bible Students did not gather at this convention with the thought that they were planning for work here on earth that would extend for decades into the future. In fact, they said that it might well be their last general convention before “the deliverance of the church . . . into the heavenly phase of the kingdom of God, and indeed into the actual and very presence of our Lord and our God.” But however short the time might be, the doing of God’s will was their foremost concern. With that in mind, on Friday, September 8, Brother Rutherford delivered the memorable discourse “The Kingdom.”

Prior to this, large banners containing the letters A D V had been hung in various parts of the grounds. During the discourse the significance of those letters became evident when the speaker urged: “Be faithful and true witnesses for the Lord. Go forward in the fight until every vestige of Babylon lies desolate. Herald the message far and wide. The world must know that Jehovah is God and that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. This is the day of all days. Behold, the King reigns! You are his publicity agents. Therefore advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.” At that moment a large banner, 36 feet long [11 m], unfolded before the audience. On it was the rousing slogan “Advertise the King and Kingdom.” It was a dramatic moment. The audience applauded enthusiastically. Elderly Brother Pfannebecker, in the assembly orchestra, waved his violin above his head and said loudly with his heavy German accent: “Ach, Ya! Und now ve do it, no?” And they did.

Four days later, while the convention was still in session, Brother Rutherford personally shared with other conventioners as they engaged in the work of Kingdom proclamation from house to house in the area within 45 miles [72 km] of the convention site. It did not end with that. The work of Kingdom proclamation had been given a powerful impetus that would reach around the globe. That year more than 17,000 zealous workers in 58 lands shared in giving the witness. Decades later, George Gangas, who was at that convention and who later became a member of the Governing Body, said regarding that program at Cedar Point: “It was something that was written indelibly in my mind and heart, that will never be forgotten as long as I live.”

Milestones in Spiritual Growth

All the conventions have been times of refreshment and instruction in God’s Word. But some of them have been remembered for decades as spiritual milestones.

Seven of these occurred, one year after another, from 1922 through 1928, in the United States, Canada, and Britain. One reason for the significance of these conventions was the powerful resolutions that were adopted, all seven of which are listed in the box on the next page. Although the Witnesses were relatively few in number, they distributed as many as 45 million copies of one resolution, and 50 million of several others, in many languages worldwide. Some were broadcast on international radio hookups. Thus an extraordinary witness was given.

Yet another historic convention was held in Columbus, Ohio, in 1931. On Sunday, July 26, after hearing Scriptural argument, the Bible Students adopted a new name—Jehovah’s Witnesses. How appropriate! Here is a name that directs primary attention to the Creator himself and that clearly identifies the responsibility of those who worship him. (Isa. 43:10-12) The adoption of that name infused the brothers with greater zeal than ever before as proclaimers of God’s name and Kingdom. As a letter written that year by a Danish Witness expressed it: “Oh, what a magnificent name, Jehovah’s Witnesses, yes, may all of us indeed be such.”

In 1935 another memorable convention was held, in Washington, D.C. On the second day of that convention, Friday, May 31, Brother Rutherford discussed the great multitude, or great crowd, referred to at Revelation 7:9-17. For over half a century, the Bible Students had tried in vain to identify that group correctly. Now, at Jehovah’s due time, in the light of events already under way, it was pointed out that these are persons who have the prospect of living forever right here on earth. This understanding gave fresh significance to the evangelizing work and explained Scripturally a major change that was then just beginning to take place in the makeup of the modern-day organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The convention in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1941 is remembered by many who were present for an opening-day talk entitled “Integrity,” in which Brother Rutherford focused attention on the great issue that confronts all intelligent creation. Ever since the talk “Ruler for the People,” in 1928, the issues raised by Satan’s rebellion had been given repeated attention. But now it was pointed out that “the primary issue raised by Satan’s defiant challenge was and is that of UNIVERSAL DOMINATION.” Appreciation for that issue and for the importance of maintaining integrity to Jehovah as Universal Sovereign has been a powerful motivating factor in the lives of Jehovah’s servants.

In the midst of World War II, in 1942, when some wondered whether the preaching work was perhaps just about finished, the convention public talk delivered by N. H. Knorr, the newly designated president of the Watch Tower Society, was “Peace—Can It Last?” The explanation in that discourse of the symbolic “scarlet-colored wild beast” of Revelation chapter 17 opened up to the view of Jehovah’s Witnesses a period following World War II in which there would be opportunity to direct yet more people to God’s Kingdom. This gave impetus to a global campaign that over the years has reached into more than 235 lands and is not yet finished.

Another milestone was reached during a convention at New York’s Yankee Stadium on August 2, 1950. On that occasion it was an amazed and highly delighted audience that first received the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. The rest of the New World Translation was released in installments during the following decade. This modern-language rendering of the Sacred Scriptures restored the personal name of God to its rightful place in his Word. Its fidelity to what is in the original Bible languages has made it a tremendous asset to Jehovah’s Witnesses in their own study of the Scriptures as well as in their evangelizing work.

On the next-to-last day of that convention, F. W. Franz, then vice president of the Watch Tower Society, addressed the audience on “New Systems of Things.” For many years Jehovah’s Witnesses had believed that even before Armageddon some of Jehovah’s pre-Christian servants would be raised from the dead to be princes of the new world, in fulfillment of Psalm 45:16. You can imagine, then, the effect on the vast audience when the speaker asked: “Would this international assembly be happy to know that here, tonight, in our midst, there are a number of prospective princes of the new earth?” There was tremendous and sustained applause along with shouts of joy. Then the speaker showed that the Biblical use of the term translated “prince” along with the record of faithfulness of many of the “other sheep” in modern times allowed for the belief that some now living might well be selected by Jesus Christ for princely service. He also pointed out, however, that there would be no bestowing of titles on those entrusted with such service. Concluding his discourse, he urged: “Onward, then, steadily, all of us together, as a New World society!”

There have been many other highly significant discourses delivered at conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses: In 1953, “New World Society Attacked From the Far North” was a gripping explanation of the significance of the attack by Gog of Magog as described in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. That same year, the discourse “Filling the House With Glory” thrilled those who heard it as they saw before their very eyes tangible evidence of the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise, at Haggai 2:7, to bring the precious things, the desirable things, out of all nations into Jehovah’s house.

The most outstanding convention of modern times, however, was held in New York in 1958, when over a quarter of a million people overflowed the largest facilities available to hear the discourse “God’s Kingdom Rules—Is the World’s End Near?” Delegates were on hand from 123 lands, and their reports to the convention audience helped to strengthen the bonds of international brotherhood. To contribute to the spiritual growth of those present and for their use in teaching others, publications were released in 54 languages during that extraordinary convention.

In 1962, a series of talks on the theme “Subjection to Superior Authorities” corrected the understanding that the Witnesses had as to the meaning of Romans 13:1-7. In 1964, “Passing Over From Death to Life” and “Out of the Tombs to a Resurrection” broadened their appreciation of Jehovah’s great mercy as manifest in the provision of the resurrection. And many, many more of such convention highlights could be cited.

Each year there are tens of thousands, yes, hundreds of thousands, of new ones in attendance at the conventions. Although information presented is not always new to the organization as a whole, it often opens up to new attenders an understanding of the divine will that truly thrills them. They may see and be moved to take hold of opportunities for service that change the entire course of their life.

At many conventions attention has been focused on the meaning of certain books of the Bible. For example, in 1958 and again in 1977, bound books were released that were devoted to discussion of the prophecies recorded by the prophet Daniel regarding God’s purpose to have one world government with Christ as King. In 1971, it was the book of Ezekiel that was given attention, with its emphasis on the divine declaration, “The nations will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (Ezek. 36:23) In 1972, prophecies recorded by Zechariah and Haggai were given detailed consideration. In 1963, 1969, and 1988, there were extensive discussions of thrilling prophecies of Revelation, which vividly foretell the fall of Babylon the Great and the incoming of God’s glorious new heavens and new earth.

The conventions have highlighted varied themes—Theocracy’s Increase, Clean Worship, United Worshipers, Courageous Ministers, Fruitage of the Spirit, Disciple-Making, Good News for All Nations, Divine Name, Divine Sovereignty, Sacred Service, Victorious Faith, Kingdom Loyalty, Integrity Keepers, Trust in Jehovah, Godly Devotion, Light Bearers, and many more. Each of these has contributed to the spiritual growth of the organization and those associated with it.

Stimulus to the Evangelizing Work

Large conventions, as well as smaller assemblies, have been a source of great encouragement in connection with the preaching of the good news. Discourses and demonstrations have provided practical instruction. Experiences enjoyed in the field ministry as well as those related by people who have recently been helped to learn Bible truth are always on the program. In addition, the actual field service that was scheduled during conventions for many years was very beneficial. It gave a fine witness in the convention city and was a source of great encouragement to the Witnesses themselves.

Field service became part of the scheduled convention activity in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in January 1922. It was also featured during the general convention held at Cedar Point, Ohio, later that year. Thereafter, it became a regular practice to set aside a day, or part of a day or parts of several days, for delegates to share together in preaching activity right in and around the convention city. In large metropolitan areas, this gave people who might seldom be contacted by the Witnesses an opportunity to hear the good news about God’s purpose to give eternal life to lovers of righteousness.

In Denmark the first of such service days at a convention was arranged in 1925, when 400 to 500 met at Nørrevold. For many of the 275 who shared in field service at that convention, it was their first time. Some were apprehensive. But after they had a taste of it, they became enthusiastic evangelizers in their home territories as well. Following that convention and until the end of World War II, there were many one-day service assemblies held in Denmark, and the brothers were invited from surrounding towns. Increased zeal was evident as they shared unitedly in the ministry and then met to hear talks. Similar service assemblies—but two days in length—were held in Britain and the United States.

At bigger conventions the field activity of the delegates often took on large proportions. Beginning in 1936, the convention public talk was advertised by orderly parades of Witnesses who wore placards and distributed handbills. (Those placards were initially referred to as “sandwich signs” because they were worn one in front and one in back.) At times, a thousand or more Witnesses participated in such parades at a given convention. Others shared in regular house-to-house calls, inviting all to come and hear the program. It was most encouraging to individual Witnesses to work with others and to see hundreds, even thousands, of other Witnesses sharing in the ministry along with them. At the same time, the public within a considerable radius came to know that Jehovah’s Witnesses were in town; people had opportunity to hear for themselves what the Witnesses teach and to observe their conduct firsthand.

The talks given at the conventions often were heard by far more than the visible audience. When Brother Rutherford, at a convention in Toronto, Canada, in 1927, delivered the lecture “Freedom for the Peoples,” it was carried by a history-making chain of 53 broadcasting stations to a vast international radio audience. The next year, from Detroit, Michigan (U.S.A.), the speech “Ruler for the People” was broadcast by twice as many stations, and shortwave radio carried it to listeners as far away as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

In 1931, major radio networks refused to cooperate with plans to broadcast a convention discourse by Brother Rutherford; so the Watch Tower Society, working with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, forged its own network of 163 stations, including the largest wire-connected network that had ever been on the air, to carry the message “The Kingdom, the Hope of the World.” Additionally, over 300 other stations in many parts of the world broadcast the program by transcription.

During the convention at Washington, D.C., in 1935, Brother Rutherford spoke on the subject “Government,” forcefully drawing attention to the fact that Jehovah’s Kingdom under Christ will soon replace all human governments. Over 20,000 in the Washington Auditorium heard it. The speech was also carried by radio and telephone lines around the globe, reaching Central and South America, Europe, South Africa, islands of the Pacific, and lands of the Orient. Those who heard the talk in this way may well have numbered in the millions. Two leading Washington newspapers broke their contracts to publish the discourse. But sound cars were deployed by the brothers to 3 points in the city and 40 other places surrounding Washington, and from these the speech was rebroadcast to further audiences estimated at 120,000.

Then, in 1938, from Royal Albert Hall, in London, England, the straightforward discourse “Face the Facts” was carried to some 50 convention cities around the globe, with a total attendance of about 200,000. In addition, a vast radio audience heard that speech.

Thus, although Jehovah’s Witnesses were relatively few in number, their conventions played an important role in the public proclamation of the Kingdom message.

Postwar Conventions in Europe

For those who were present, certain conventions stand out above all others. This was true of the ones in Europe immediately after World War II.

One such convention was in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on August 5, 1945, less than four months after the Witnesses had been released from the German concentration camps. Some 2,500 delegates were expected; 2,000 of these would need rooming accommodations. To fill the need for places to sleep, local Witnesses spread straw on the floor of their homes. From all directions the delegates came by every means possible—by boat, in trucks, on bicycles, and some hitchhiking.

At that convention they laughed and wept, they sang, and they thanked Jehovah for his goodness. As one who attended said: “Theirs was the unspeakable joy of a theocratic organization just freed from fetters!” Before the war, there had been fewer than 500 Witnesses in the Netherlands. A total of 426 were arrested and imprisoned; of these, 117 died as a direct result of persecution. What joy when at the assembly some found loved ones that they thought were dead! Others shed tears as they searched in vain. That evening 4,000 listened with rapt attention to the public talk that explained why Jehovah’s Witnesses had been the objects of such intense persecution. In spite of what they had suffered, they were getting organized to press ahead with their God-given work.

The following year, 1946, the brothers in Germany arranged for a convention in Nuremberg. They were granted the use of the Zeppelinwiese, Hitler’s former parade grounds. On the second day of the convention, Erich Frost, who had personally experienced the brutality of the Gestapo and had spent years in a Nazi concentration camp, delivered the public talk “Christians in the Crucible.” The 6,000 Witnesses in attendance were joined by 3,000 of the public from Nuremberg for the occasion.

The final day of that convention proved to be one when sentences were to be announced at the war-crimes trials there in Nuremberg. Military authorities declared a curfew for that day, but after prolonged negotiations they agreed that in view of the stand that Jehovah’s Witnesses had taken in the face of Nazi opposition, it would be inappropriate to hinder them from concluding their convention in peace. Thus, on that final day, the brothers assembled to hear the stirring talk “Fearless Despite World Conspiracy.”

They saw the hand of Jehovah in what was taking place. At the very time that men representing a regime that had tried to exterminate them were being sentenced, Jehovah’s Witnesses were meeting to worship Jehovah at the place where Hitler had put on some of his most spectacular displays of Nazi power. Said the convention chairman: “Just being able to experience this day, which is just a preview of the triumph of God’s people over their enemies at the battle of Armageddon, was worth nine years in concentration camp.”

Other Memorable Conventions

As the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses has expanded, conventions have been held around the earth. All of them have had outstanding features for those who were present.

At Kitwe, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), in the hub of the Copperbelt, a convention was scheduled to be held during the visit of the president of the Watch Tower Society in 1952. The site was a large area on the outskirts of one of the mining camps, in a place now known as Chamboli. The top of an abandoned anthill was leveled, and a thatched shelter was built on it to serve as a platform. Other thatched shelters for sleeping, with double decks, extended out 200 yards [180 m] from the main seating area like the spokes of a wheel. Men and boys slept in some; women and girls in others. Some of the delegates had traveled two weeks by bicycle to be present. Others had walked for days and then finished the trip on a primitive bus.

During sessions those in the audience were very attentive, though seating was on hard bamboo benches in the open. They had come to hear, and they did not want to miss a word. The singing of that audience of 20,000 brought tears to the eyes—it was so beautiful. There was no accompaniment by musical instruments, but the harmony of the voices was exquisite. Not just in their singing but in every way, unity was manifest among these Witnesses, though they were from many backgrounds and tribes.

And can you imagine the feelings of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Portugal when, after a struggle for freedom of worship that had gone on for nearly 50 years, the Witnesses there gained legal recognition on December 18, 1974. At that time they numbered only about 14,000. Within a few days, 7,586 of them packed out a sports pavilion in Porto. The following day, another 39,284 overflowed a football stadium in Lisbon. Brothers Knorr and Franz were with them for that happy occasion, one that many will never forget.

Organizing International Gatherings

For well over half a century, Jehovah’s Witnesses have held large, multicity conventions simultaneously in many lands. Their feeling of international brotherhood has been heightened on these occasions when they have all been able to hear principal discourses originating in a key city.

It was not until 1946, however, that a large international convention drew together in one city delegates from many parts of the earth. This was at Cleveland, Ohio. Although travel in the postwar era was still difficult, attendance reached 80,000, including 302 delegates from 32 countries outside the United States. Sessions were held in 20 languages. Much practical instruction was given with a view to expanding the work of evangelizing. One of the convention highlights was Brother Knorr’s talk about problems of reconstruction and expansion. The audience applauded enthusiastically as they heard plans for enlargement of the Society’s headquarters printing and office facilities, as well as its radio broadcasting facilities, for establishment of branch offices in principal countries of the world, and for expansion of missionary work. Immediately after that convention, details were worked out so that Brothers Knorr and Henschel could make an around-the-world trip to implement what had been discussed.

In the years that followed, truly history-making conventions were held in New York City’s Yankee Stadium. At the first of these, from July 30 to August 6, 1950, delegates were present from 67 lands. Included on the program were brief reports by branch servants, missionaries, and other delegates. These gave the convention thrilling glimpses of the intense evangelizing work being done in all the lands from which they had come. The final day, attendance rose to 123,707 for the discourse “Can You Live Forever in Happiness on Earth?” The theme of the convention was “Theocracy’s Increase.” Attention was directed to the great increase in numbers. Yet, as the chairman, Grant Suiter, emphatically pointed out, this was not done to laud any brilliant minds within the visible organization. Rather, he declared: “The new strength of numbers is dedicated to Jehovah’s honor. That is the way it should be, and we would not have it any other way.”

In 1953, another convention was held at Yankee Stadium in New York. This time the attendance peaked at 165,829. As was true of the first convention there, the program was packed with discussions of thrilling Bible prophecies, practical counsel on how to accomplish the preaching of the good news, and reports from many lands. Although sessions began at about 9:30 a.m., they usually did not conclude until 9:00 or 9:30 p.m. The convention provided eight full days of joyful spiritual feasting.

For their largest convention, in New York in 1958, it was necessary to use not only Yankee Stadium but also the nearby Polo Grounds as well as overflow areas outside the stadiums to accommodate the convention crowds. On the final day, when every seat was filled, special permission was granted to use even the playing field of Yankee Stadium, and what a thrilling sight it was as thousands streamed in, removed their shoes, and sat on the grass! The count showed 253,922 in attendance to hear the public discourse. A further evidence of Jehovah’s blessing on the ministry of his servants was seen when 7,136 at this convention symbolized their dedication by water immersion—well over twice the number that were baptized on the historic occasion of Pentecost 33 C.E., as reported in the Bible!—Acts 2:41.

The entire operation of these conventions gave evidence of something much more than efficient organization. It was a manifestation of God’s spirit at work among his people. Brotherly love that has as its basis love for God was evident everywhere. There were no high-salaried organizers. Every department was manned by unpaid volunteers. Christian brothers and sisters, often family groups, cared for the refreshment stands. They also prepared hot meals, and in huge tents outside the stadium, they served the delegates at a rate of up to a thousand per minute. Tens of thousands—all of them glad to have a share in the work—served as attendants and cared for all the needed construction, cooking and serving of meals, cleanup, and much more.

More volunteers devoted hundreds of thousands of hours in order to fill the housing needs of delegates. In some years, to care for at least some of the conventioners, trailer and tent cities were organized. In 1953 the Witnesses harvested 40 acres [16 ha] of grain, free of charge, for a farmer in New Jersey who leased them his land for their trailer city. Sanitary facilities, lighting, showers, laundry rooms, cafeteria, and grocery stores were all installed to care for a population that exceeded 45,000. As they moved in, a city sprang up overnight. Scores of thousands more were housed in hotels and private homes in and around New York. It was a mammoth undertaking. With Jehovah’s blessing, it was carried out successfully.

Conventions on the Move

The members of this international brotherhood are keenly interested in fellow Witnesses in other lands. As a result, they have seized opportunities to attend conventions outside their home countries.

When the first of the Clean Worship Assembly series convened at Wembley Stadium in London, England, in 1951, Witnesses from 40 lands were present. The program emphasized the practical side of true worship and the making of the ministry one’s life career. From England, many Witnesses traveled to the Continent, where nine more conventions were to be held during the next two months. The largest of these was in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, where 47,432 were present from 24 lands. The warmth of the brothers was demonstrated at the close of the program when the orchestra began to play and the German brothers broke out in a spontaneous farewell song commending to God their fellow Witnesses who had come from abroad to join them. Handkerchiefs were waved, and hundreds flocked across the field to express personal appreciation for this grand theocratic festival.

In 1955, more of the Witnesses arranged to visit their Christian brothers abroad at convention time. By means of two chartered ships (each with 700 passengers) and 42 chartered planes, delegates from the United States and Canada went to Europe. The European edition of the paper The Stars and Stripes, published in Germany, described the influx of Witnesses as “probably the biggest mass movement of Americans through Europe since the Allied invasion during World War II.” Other delegates came from Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. In spite of efforts of Christendom’s clergy to prevent the Witnesses from holding their conventions in Rome and Nuremberg, these two and six more were held in Europe during the summer. Attendance ranged from 4,351 in Rome to 107,423 in Nuremberg. Another group of 17,729 assembled at the Waldbühne in what was then called West Berlin, which could be reached with somewhat less risk by brothers from the Eastern zone of that era. Many of these had been in prison for their faith or had family members who were then in prison, but they were still firm in faith. How appropriate the convention theme—“Triumphant Kingdom”!

Though there had already been many international conventions, what took place in 1963 was the first of its kind. It was an around-the-world convention. Beginning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States, it moved to New York; next, to four major cities in Europe; through the Middle East; on to India, Burma (now Myanmar), Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand, Fiji, the Republic of Korea, and Hawaii; and then back to the North American mainland. In all, delegates from 161 lands were present. Total attendance exceeded 580,000. There were 583, from some 20 lands, that moved with the convention, attending in one country after another, clear around the globe. Special tours enabled them to see places of religious interest, and they also shared with their local brothers and sisters in the house-to-house ministry. These travelers cared for their own expenses.

Latin American delegates had been well represented at most of the international conventions. But in 1966-67, it was their turn to host the conventions. Those who attended will never forget the drama that brought to life the Bible account regarding Jeremiah and that helped everyone to appreciate its meaning for our day.a Bonds of Christian love were strengthened as visitors saw firsthand the background against which a vast campaign of Bible education is being carried on in Latin America. They were deeply moved by the strong faith of fellow believers, many of whom had overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles—family opposition, floods, loss of possessions—to be in attendance. They were greatly encouraged by experiences such as that of a frail Uruguayan special pioneer sister who was interviewed and who had with her on the platform many of the 80 persons she had already helped to progress to the point of Christian baptism! (As of 1992, she had helped 105 persons to the point of baptism. She was still frail and still a special pioneer!) How heartwarming, too, to meet missionaries from the very earliest Gilead classes still on the job in their assignments! Those conventions were a fine stimulus to the work being done in that part of the world. In many of those lands, there are now 10, 15, or even 20 times as many praisers of Jehovah as there were then.

A few years later, in 1970-71, it was possible for Witnesses from abroad to fellowship with their brothers at international conventions held in Africa. The largest of these conventions was in Lagos, Nigeria, where all the facilities had to be built from the ground up. To protect delegates from the hot sun, a bamboo city was built—seating areas, dormitories, cafeteria, and other departments. This required 100,000 bamboo poles and 36,000 large, woven reed mats—all of them prepared by the brothers and sisters. The program was put on in 17 languages simultaneously. Attendance reached 121,128, and 3,775 new Witnesses were baptized. Numerous tribal groups were represented, and many of those present were people who used to war against one another. But now, what a joy to see them united in the bonds of genuine Christian brotherhood!

After the convention, some of the foreign delegates traveled by bus into Igboland to see the area most seriously affected by the recent civil war. A great sensation was caused in town after town as the visitors were greeted and embraced by local Witnesses. People rushed into the streets to watch. Such a demonstration of love and unity between black and white was something they had never seen before.

In certain lands the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes it impossible for them all to come together in one place. However, on occasion, several large conventions have been held at the same time, followed by more, week after week. In 1969, the unity felt at conventions arranged in this way was enhanced by the fact that some of the principal speakers shuttled back and forth by air between the conventions, thus serving them all. In 1983 and 1988, a similar oneness was felt when a number of large conventions using the same language were tied together, even internationally, by telephone transmission of key discourses given by members of the Governing Body. The real foundation of the unity among Jehovah’s Witnesses, however, is the fact that they all worship Jehovah as the only true God, they all hold to the Bible as their guide, they all benefit from the same spiritual feeding program, they all look to Jesus Christ as their Leader, they all seek to manifest the fruits of God’s spirit in their lives, they all put their trust in God’s Kingdom, and they all share in taking the good news of that Kingdom to others.

Organized for International Praise to Jehovah

Jehovah’s Witnesses have increased in number to the point that they outnumber the population of scores of individual nations. In order for their conventions to accomplish the greatest good, much careful planning is required. However, simple published requests as to where Witnesses from various areas should attend are usually all that is needed to assure that there will be ample room for everyone. When international conventions are planned, it is now often necessary for the Governing Body to consider not only the number of Witnesses from other countries who would like to go and are in position to do so but also the size of available convention facilities, the number of local Witnesses who will be attending, and the amount of housing available for delegates; then a maximum figure can be allotted for each country. That was true in connection with the three “Godly Devotion” Conventions held in Poland in 1989.

For those conventions some 90,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses were expected from Poland, in addition to thousands of newly interested persons. Many were also invited to attend from Britain, Canada, and the United States. Large delegations were welcomed from Italy, France, and Japan. Others came from Scandinavia and Greece. At least 37 lands were represented. For certain portions of the program, it was necessary to interpret Polish or English talks into as many as 16 other languages. Total attendance was 166,518.

Large groups of Witnesses at these conventions had come from what was then the Soviet Union and from Czechoslovakia; sizable groups were also present from other Eastern European countries. Hotels and school dormitories could not house everyone. Hospitably, the Polish Witnesses opened their hearts and their homes, gladly sharing what they had. One congregation of 146 provided sleeping places for over 1,200 delegates. For some who attended these conventions, it was the first time they had ever been at a large gathering of more than 15 or 20 of Jehovah’s people. Their hearts welled up with appreciation as they looked out at the tens of thousands in the stadiums, joined with them in prayer, and united their voices in songs of praise to Jehovah. When they mingled together between sessions, there were warm embraces, even though difference of language often kept them from saying in words what was in their hearts.

As the convention came to an end, their hearts were filled with gratitude to Jehovah, who made it all possible. In Warsaw, after the farewell comments by the chairman, the audience burst into applause that did not abate for at least ten minutes. After the final song and prayer, the applause resumed, and the audience lingered in the stands for a long time. They had waited many years for this occasion, and they did not want it to end.

The following year, 1990, less than five months after the lifting of a 40-year-long ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses in what was then East Germany, another thrilling international convention was held, this one in Berlin. Among the 44,532 present were delegates from 65 different countries. From some lands, just a few had come; from Poland, some 4,500. Words could not express the deep feelings of those who had never before had the freedom to attend such a convention, and when the entire audience joined in songs of praise to Jehovah, they could not hold back their tears of joy.

Later that year, when a similar convention was held in São Paulo, Brazil, two large stadiums were needed to accommodate the international audience of 134,406. This was followed by a convention in Argentina, where again two stadiums were used simultaneously to accommodate the international audience. As 1991 began, further international conventions were getting under way in the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Large audiences from many nations were also on hand that year for conventions in Eastern Europe—in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and what is now Croatia. And in 1992, delegates from 28 lands counted it a special privilege to be among the 46,214 in St. Petersburg for the first truly international convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.

Opportunities for Regular Spiritual Refreshment

Not all the conventions held by Jehovah’s Witnesses are international gatherings. However, the Governing Body arranges for major conventions once a year, and the same program is enjoyed worldwide in many languages. These conventions may be quite large, providing opportunity for fellowship with other Witnesses from many places, or they may be smaller and held in many cities, making it easier for new ones to attend and enabling the public in hundreds of smaller cities to get a good closeup view of a large cross section of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In addition, once a year each circuit (made up of perhaps 20 congregations) assembles for a two-day program of spiritual counsel and encouragement.b Also, since September 1987, a special assembly day, an upbuilding one-day program, is arranged for each circuit once a year. Where possible, a member of the Society’s headquarters staff or someone from the local branch office is sent out to share in the program. These programs are greatly appreciated by Jehovah’s Witnesses. In many areas the assembly sites are not distant or hard to reach. But that is not always the case. A traveling overseer recalls an elderly couple who walked 47 miles [76 km] with suitcases and blankets to attend a circuit assembly in Zimbabwe.

Field service during the convention is no longer a feature at all these assemblies, but that is not because the Witnesses in any way view it as less important. In most cases people who live near the assembly sites are now being visited regularly by the local Witnesses—in some instances, every few weeks. The assembly delegates keep alert to opportunities for informal witnessing, and their Christian conduct gives a powerful witness in another way.

Evidence of True Brotherhood

The brotherhood manifest among the Witnesses at their conventions is readily evident to observers. They can see that there is no partiality among them and that genuine warmth is evident even among those who may be meeting one another for the first time. At the time of the Divine Will International Assembly in New York in 1958, the New York Amsterdam News (August 2) reported: “Everywhere Negroes, whites and Orientals, from all stations in life and all parts of the world, mingled joyously and freely. . . . The worshiping Witnesses from 120 lands have lived and worshiped together peacefully showing Americans how easily it can be done. . . . The Assembly is a shining example of how people can work and live together.”

More recently, when Jehovah’s Witnesses held simultaneous conventions in Durban and in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1985, the delegates included all the major racial and language groups in South Africa, as well as representatives from 23 other lands. The warm fellowship among the 77,830 in attendance was readily evident. “This is beautiful,” said a young Indian woman. “To see Coloureds, Indians, whites, and blacks all mixing together has changed my whole outlook on life.”

This feeling of brotherhood goes beyond smiles, handshakes, and calling one another “brother” and “sister.” As an example, when arrangements were being made for the “Everlasting Good News” Assembly worldwide in 1963, Jehovah’s Witnesses were notified that if they would like to help others financially to attend a convention, the Society would be glad to see that the funds benefited brothers in all parts of the earth. There was no solicitation, and nothing was taken for administrative expenses. The funds all went for the stated purpose. In this way, 8,179 were assisted to attend the convention. Delegates from every country in Central and South America were given help, as were thousands from Africa and many in the Middle East and the Far East. A large proportion of those assisted were brothers and sisters who had devoted many years to the full-time ministry.

Toward the end of 1978, a convention was scheduled to be held in Auckland, New Zealand. Witnesses in the Cook Islands knew about it and longed to be present. But the economy in the islands was such that it would have cost each one a small fortune to make the trip. However, loving spiritual brothers and sisters in New Zealand contributed the round-trip fares for some 60 of the islanders. How happy they were to be present to share the spiritual feast with their Maori, Samoan, Niuean, and Caucasian brothers!

Typical of the spirit among Jehovah’s Witnesses was what took place at the conclusion of the “Divine Justice” District Convention in Montreal, Canada, in 1988. For four days Arabic, English, French, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish delegates had been enjoying the same program but in their own languages. However, at the end of the final session, all 45,000 of them joined together in the Olympic Stadium in a moving display of brotherhood and unity of purpose. Together they sang, each group in its own tongue, “Come sing with us . . . ‘Jehovah reigns; let earth rejoice.’”

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 255]

“I was much impressed by the spirit of love and brotherly kindness”

[Blurb on page 256]

Convention trains—all aboard!

[Blurb on page 275]

Not high-salaried convention organizers, but unpaid volunteers

[Blurb on page 278]

Unity between black and white

[Box/Picture on page 261]

Seven Significant Convention Resolutions

In 1922, the resolution entitled “A Challenge to World Leaders” called on them to prove that humans have the wisdom to rule this earth or else to admit that peace, life, liberty, and endless happiness can come only from Jehovah through Jesus Christ.

In 1923, there was “A Warning to All Christians” of the urgent necessity to flee from organizations that fraudulently claim to represent God and Christ.

In 1924, “Ecclesiastics Indicted” laid bare the unscriptural doctrines and practices of Christendom’s clergy.

In 1925, “Message of Hope” showed why those that claim to be the guiding lights of the world have failed to satisfy man’s greatest needs and how only God’s Kingdom can do so.

In 1926, “A Testimony to the Rulers of the World” put them on notice that Jehovah is the only true God and that Jesus Christ now rules as earth’s rightful King. It urged the rulers to use their influence to turn the minds of the people to the true God so that disaster might not befall them.

In 1927, the “Resolution to the Peoples of Christendom” exposed the financial-political-religious combine that oppresses mankind. It urged the people to abandon Christendom and put their confidence in Jehovah and his Kingdom in the hands of Christ.

In 1928, the “Declaration Against Satan and for Jehovah” made clear that Jehovah’s anointed King, Jesus Christ, will soon restrain Satan and destroy his evil organization, and it urged all who love righteousness to take their stand on Jehovah’s side.

[Box/Pictures on page 272, 273]

Features of Some of the Big Conventions

Hundreds of enthusiastic delegates arrived by ship, thousands by plane, tens of thousands by automobile and bus

Good organization and lots of willing workers were required to locate and assign sufficient rooming accommodations

During these eight-day conventions, hot meals—tens of thousands of them—were regularly served to delegates

In 1953, a trailer and tent city accommodated more than 45,000 delegates

In New York, in 1958, 7,136 got baptized—more than at any one time since Pentecost of 33 C.E.

Greeting signs from many lands were displayed, and sessions were held in 21 languages, in New York in 1953

[Picture on page 256]

Delegates to the IBSA convention in Winnipeg, Man., Canada, in 1917

[Pictures on page 258]

J. F. Rutherford speaking at Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1919. He urged all to share zealously in announcing God’s Kingdom, using “The Golden Age”

[Picture on page 259]

Convention at Cedar Point in 1922. The call went out: “Advertise the King and Kingdom”

[Picture on page 260]

George Gangas was at Cedar Point in 1922. For some 70 years since then he has zealously proclaimed God’s Kingdom

[Picture on page 262, 263]

Delegates to the 1931 convention in Columbus, Ohio, who enthusiastically embraced the name Jehovah’s Witnesses

[Picture on page 264]

“New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures” being released by N. H. Knorr in 1950

[Picture on page 264]

Discourses by F. W. Franz on fulfillment of Bible prophecy were a convention highlight (New York, 1958)

[Pictures on page 265]

For many years field service was a prominent part of every convention.

Los Angeles, U.S.A., 1939 (bottom); Stockholm, Sweden, 1963 (inset)

[Pictures on page 266]

When J. F. Rutherford spoke from Washington, D.C., in 1935, the message was carried by radio and telephone lines to six continents

[Pictures on page 268]

In Nuremberg, Germany, in 1946, Erich Frost gave the fiery discourse “Christians in the Crucible”

[Picture on page 269]

Open-air convention in Kitwe, Northern Rhodesia, during visit of N. H. Knorr in 1952

[Pictures on page 270, 271]

In 1958 an audience of 253,922, overflowing two large stadiums in New York, heard the message “God’s Kingdom Rules—Is the World’s End Near?”

Polo Grounds

Yankee Stadium

[Picture on page 274]

Grant Suiter, convention chairman at Yankee Stadium in 1950

[Picture on page 274]

John Groh (seated), discussing convention organization with George Couch in 1958

[Pictures on page 277]

In 1963 an around-the-world convention was held, with delegates from some 20 lands traveling with it right around the globe

Kyoto, Japan (lower left), was one of 27 convention cities. Delegates in the Republic of Korea got acquainted (center). A Maori greeting in New Zealand (lower right)

[Pictures on page 279]

A convention that served 17 language groups simultaneously, in a bamboo city built for the occasion (Lagos, Nigeria, 1970)

[Pictures on page 280]

Three large conventions were held in Poland in 1989, with delegates on hand from 37 lands

T. Jaracz (on the right) spoke to delegates in Poznan

Thousands were baptized in Chorzów

The audience applauded at great length in Warsaw

Delegates from what was then the U.S.S.R. (below)

Portions of the program in Chorzów were translated into 15 languages

Chapter 18

“Seeking First the Kingdom”

THE principal theme of the Bible is the sanctification of Jehovah’s name by means of the Kingdom. Jesus Christ taught his followers to seek first the Kingdom, putting it ahead of other interests in life. Why?

The Watchtower has frequently explained that by reason of the fact that he is the Creator, Jehovah is the Universal Sovereign. He deserves to be held in highest esteem by his creatures. (Rev. 4:11) However, very early in human history, a spirit son of God who made himself Satan the Devil defiantly challenged Jehovah’s sovereignty. (Gen. 3:1-5) Furthermore, Satan imputed selfish motives to all who served Jehovah. (Job 1:9-11; 2:4, 5; Rev. 12:10) Thus the peace of the universe was disrupted.

For decades now, Watch Tower publications have pointed out that Jehovah has made provision for settling these issues in a manner that magnifies not only his almighty power but also the greatness of his wisdom, his justice, and his love. A central part of that provision is the Messianic Kingdom of God. By means of that Kingdom, mankind is given ample opportunity to learn the ways of righteousness. By means of it, the wicked will be destroyed, Jehovah’s sovereignty will be vindicated, and his purpose will be accomplished to make the earth a paradise populated with people who truly love God and one another and who are blessed with perfection of life.

Because of its importance, Jesus counseled his followers: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom.” (Matt. 6:10, 33) Jehovah’s Witnesses in modern times have given abundant evidence that they endeavor to heed that counsel.

Forsaking All for the Kingdom

At an early date, the Bible Students gave consideration to what was meant by seeking first the Kingdom. They discussed Jesus’ parable in which he compared the Kingdom to a pearl of such high value that a man “sold all the things he had and bought it.” (Matt. 13:45, 46) They pondered the significance of Jesus’ counsel to a rich young ruler to sell everything, distribute to poor people, and follow him. (Mark 10:17-30)a They realized that if they were going to prove worthy of having a share in God’s Kingdom, they must make the Kingdom their first interest, gladly using their lives, their abilities, their resources, in its service. Everything else in life had to take second place.

Charles Taze Russell personally took that counsel to heart. He sold his prospering haberdashery business, gradually reduced other business interests, and then used all his earthly possessions to help people in a spiritual way. (Compare Matthew 6:19-21.) It was not something that he did for merely a few years. Right down till his death, he used all his resources—his mental ability, his physical health, his material possessions—to teach others the great message of Messiah’s Kingdom. At Russell’s funeral an associate, Joseph F. Rutherford, stated: “Charles Taze Russell was loyal to God, loyal to Christ Jesus, loyal to the cause of Messiah’s Kingdom.”

In April 1881 (when only a few hundred persons were attending meetings of the Bible Students), the Watch Tower published an article entitled “Wanted 1,000 Preachers.” This included an invitation to men and women who did not have dependent families to take up work as colporteur evangelists. Employing the language of Jesus’ parable at Matthew 20:1-16, the Watch Tower asked: “Who has a burning desire to go and labor in the Vineyard, and has been praying that the Lord would open the way”? Those who could give at least half of their time exclusively to the Lord’s work were encouraged to apply. To assist them with expenses of travel, food, clothing, and shelter, Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society provided the early colporteurs with Bible literature for distribution, stated the modest contribution that could be asked for the literature, and invited the colporteurs to keep a portion of the funds thus received. Who responded to these arrangements and took up the colporteur service?

By 1885 there were around 300 colporteurs associated with the Society. In 1914 the number finally exceeded 1,000. It was not an easy work. After calling at the homes in four small towns and finding only three or four persons who were interested to any extent, one of the colporteurs wrote: “I must say that I felt rather lonely traveling so far, meeting so many, and finding so little concern expressed about God’s plan and Church. Assist me with your prayers, that I may properly and fearlessly present the truth, and not become weary in well doing.”

They Offered Themselves Willingly

Those colporteurs were real trailblazers. They penetrated the most inaccessible corners of the land at a time when transportation was very primitive and the roads were, for the most part, little more than wagon tracks. Sister Early, in New Zealand, was one who did that. Starting out well before World War I, she devoted 34 years to such service full-time before she died in 1943. She covered much of the country on a bicycle. Even when she became crippled with arthritis and could not ride, she used the bicycle to lean on and to carry her books around the business territory of Christchurch. She could climb stairs, but she had to descend them backwards because of her crippling disability. Nevertheless, as long as she had any strength, she used it in Jehovah’s service.

These folks did not take up this work because they felt confident in themselves. Some were by nature very timid, but they loved Jehovah. Before witnessing in business territory, one such sister asked each of the Bible Students in her area to pray for her. In time, as she gained experience, she became very enthusiastic about the activity.

When Malinda Keefer talked to Brother Russell in 1907 about her desire to enter the full-time service, she said that she felt the need to gain more knowledge first. In fact, it was just the preceding year that she had first come in contact with the literature of the Bible Students. Brother Russell’s reply was: “If you want to wait until you know it all you will never get started, but you will learn as you go along.” Without holding back, she quickly began in Ohio, in the United States. She often called to mind Psalm 110:3, which says: “Your people will offer themselves willingly.” For the next 76 years, she kept on doing just that.b She started out single. For 15 years she enjoyed serving in the married state. But after her husband died, she kept right on going, with Jehovah’s help. Looking back over the years, she said: “How thankful I am that I offered myself willingly as a pioneer when a young woman and always put Kingdom interests first!”

When general conventions were held in the early days, arrangements were often made for special sessions with the colporteurs. Questions were answered, training was provided for newer ones, and encouragement was given.

From 1919 onward, there were many more of Jehovah’s servants who prized God’s Kingdom so highly that they too truly built their lives around it. Some of them were able to set aside secular pursuits and devote themselves fully to the ministry.

Caring for Material Needs

How did they care for their material needs? Anna Petersen (later Rømer), a full-time evangelizer in Denmark, recalled: “We got help from literature placements for the daily expenses, and our needs were not great. If there were bigger expenses, these were always met in one way or another. Sisters used to give us some clothes, dresses or coats, and we could put these right on and wear them, so we were well dressed. And some winters I took some office work for a couple of months. . . . By buying when there were sales on, I could buy what clothing I needed for a whole year. Things went fine. We were never in need.” Material things were not their principal concern. Their love for Jehovah and his ways was like a fire burning within them, and they simply had to express it.

For lodging they might rent a modest room while they called on people in the area. Some of them used a trailer—nothing elaborate, just a place to sleep and eat. Others slept in tents as they moved from place to place. In some places brothers arranged for “pioneer camps.” Witnesses in the area might furnish a home, and one person would be assigned to supervise it. Pioneers serving in that area could use the accommodations, and they would share the expenses involved.

These full-time workers did not allow lack of money to prevent sheeplike people from obtaining Bible literature. Pioneers often traded for produce such as potatoes, butter, eggs, fresh and canned fruit, chickens, soap, and almost anything else. They were not getting rich; rather, this was a means of helping sincere people to have the Kingdom message, while at the same time obtaining physical necessities of life so the pioneers could continue their ministry. They had confidence in Jesus’ promise that if they would “keep on . . . seeking first the kingdom and [God’s] righteousness,” then necessary food and covering would be provided.—Matt. 6:33.

Willing to Serve Wherever There Was Need

Their earnest desire to do the work that Jesus had assigned to his disciples led the full-time workers to new territories, even to new lands. When Frank Rice was invited to leave Australia to open up the preaching of the good news on Java (now part of Indonesia) in 1931, he had ten years of experience in the full-time ministry behind him. But now there were new customs, as well as new languages to learn. He could use English to witness to some in the shops and offices, but he wanted to witness to others also. He studied hard, and in three months he knew enough Dutch to start going from house to house. Then he studied Malay.

Frank was just 26 years old when he went to Java, and for most of the six years he was there and on Sumatra, he worked alone. (Toward the end of 1931, Clem Deschamp and Bill Hunter came from Australia to help with the work. As a team, they made a preaching tour inland, while Frank worked in and around the capital of Java. Later, Clem and Bill also received assignments that took them to separate areas.) There were no congregation meetings that Frank could attend. Sometimes it was very lonely, and more than once he struggled with thoughts of giving up and going back to Australia. But he kept going. How? The spiritual food contained in The Watch Tower helped to strengthen him. In 1937 he moved on to an assignment in Indochina, where he narrowly escaped with his life during the violent upheavals that followed World War II. That spirit of willingness to serve was still alive in the 1970’s when he wrote to express his joy over the fact that his entire family was serving Jehovah and to say that he and his wife were once again preparing to move to a place in Australia where there was greater need.

‘Trusting in Jehovah With All Their Heart’

Claude Goodman determined to ‘trust in Jehovah with all his heart and not to lean on his own understanding,’ so he chose colporteur service as a Christian evangelizer instead of a secular business opportunity. (Prov. 3:5, 6) Along with Ronald Tippin, who had helped him to learn the truth, he served as a colporteur in England for over a year. Then, in 1929, the two made themselves available to go to India.c What a challenge that presented!

In the years that followed, they traveled not only on foot and by passenger train and bus but also by freight train, oxcart, camel, sampan, ricksha, and even plane and private train. Sometimes they spread their bedrolls in railway waiting rooms, in a cattle shed, on jungle grass, or on cow-dung flooring in a cottage, but there were also times when they slept in lush hotels and in a raja’s palace. Like the apostle Paul, they learned the secret of contentment whether they were low on provisions or had an abundance. (Phil. 4:12, 13) Usually they had very little that was of material value, but they never were without what they really needed. They personally experienced the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that if they would seek first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness, the material necessities of life would be provided.

There were serious bouts with dengue fever, malaria, and typhoid, but loving care was provided by fellow Witnesses. There was service to be carried out amid the squalor of cities such as Calcutta, and there was witnessing to be done on the tea plantations in the mountains of Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka). To fill the spiritual needs of the people, literature was offered, recordings were played in the local languages, and talks were given. As the work increased, Claude also learned how to operate a printing press and to care for work in the Society’s branch offices.

In his 87th year, he could look back on a life rich with experiences in Jehovah’s service in England, India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Burma (now Myanmar), Malaya, Thailand, and Australia. Both as a single young man and as a husband and father, he kept the Kingdom first in his life. It was less than two years after his baptism that he entered the full-time service, and he viewed that as his career for the rest of his life.

God’s Power Made Perfect in Weakness

Ben Brickell was another one of those zealous Witnesses—much like other people, in that he shared their needs and infirmities. He was outstanding in faith. In 1930 he entered the colporteur work in New Zealand, where he witnessed in territories that were not covered again for decades. Two years later, in Australia, he undertook a five-month preaching trip through desert country where no witness had previously been given. His bicycle was heavily laden with blankets, clothing, food, and bound books to place. Though other men had perished when trying to travel through this area, he pressed on, with confidence in Jehovah. Next, he served in Malaysia, where serious cardiac problems developed. He did not quit. After a period of recuperation, he resumed full-time preaching activity in Australia. About a decade later, serious illness put him in the hospital, and when discharged he was told by the doctor that he was “85 percent incapacitated for work.” He could not even walk down the street to do shopping without intermittent rest.

But Ben Brickell was determined to get going again, and he did, stopping to rest as necessary. Soon he was back witnessing in the rugged Australian outback. He did what he could to care for his health, but his service to Jehovah was the main thing in his life until his death 30 years later in his mid-60’s.d He recognized that the lack that existed as a result of his weakness could be filled by Jehovah’s power. At a convention in Melbourne in 1969, he served at a pioneer desk with a large badge on his lapel, reading: “If you want to know about pioneering, ask me.”—Compare 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

Reaching Jungle Villages and Mountain Mining Camps

Zeal for Jehovah’s service moved not only men but also women to take up work in untouched fields. Freida Johnson was one of the anointed, rather small and in her 50’s when she worked alone through parts of Central America, covering such areas as the north coast of Honduras on horseback. It required faith to work by herself in this area, visiting the scattered banana plantations, the towns of La Ceiba, Tela, and Trujillo, and even the lonely Carib villages beyond. She witnessed there in 1930 and 1931, again in 1934, and in 1940 and 1941, placing thousands of pieces of literature containing Bible truth.

During those years another zealous worker started her career in the full-time ministry. This was Kathe Palm, who was born in Germany. What moved her to action was attending the convention in Columbus, Ohio, in 1931, at which the Bible Students embraced the name Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was then that she determined to seek first the Kingdom, and in 1992, at 89 years of age, she was still doing it.

Her pioneer service began in New York City. Later, in South Dakota, she had a partner for a few months but then carried on alone, traveling on horseback. When invited to serve in Colombia, South America, she readily accepted, arriving there late in 1934. Once again, she had a partner for a while but then was alone. This did not make her feel that she had to quit.

A couple invited her to join them in Chile. Here was another vast territory, one that stretched 2,650 miles [4,265 km] along the west coast of the South American continent. After preaching in the office buildings of the capital, she struck out for the remote north. In every mining camp, every company town, large or small, she witnessed from door to door. Workers high up in the Andes were surprised to have a lone woman call on them, but she was determined to miss no one in the area assigned to her. Later, she moved to the south, where some estancias (sheep ranches) covered as much as a quarter of a million acres [100,000 ha]. The people there were friendly and hospitable and welcomed her to their table at mealtime. In this and other ways, Jehovah cared for her, so that she had the physical necessities of life.

Preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom has filled her life.e Looking back on her years of service, she said: “I feel that I have had a very rich life. Each year when I attend an assembly of Jehovah’s people, I get a warm, satisfied feeling as I see so many persons with whom I have had Bible studies publishing the good news, helping others to come to the water of life.” She has had the joy of seeing the number of praisers of Jehovah in Chile grow from about 50 to over 44,000.

“Here I Am! Send Me”

After hearing a lecture based on Jehovah’s invitation to service as recorded at Isaiah 6:8 and the prophet’s positive response, “Here I am! Send me,” Martin Poetzinger, in Germany, was baptized. Two years later, in 1930, he entered the full-time ministry in Bavaria.f Before long, officials there prohibited preaching by the Witnesses, meeting places were closed, and literature was confiscated. The Gestapo threatened. But those developments in 1933 did not bring Brother Poetzinger’s ministry to an end.

He was invited to serve in Bulgaria. Testimony cards in Bulgarian were used to introduce the Bible literature. But many people were illiterate. So, Brother Poetzinger took lessons to learn their language, which used the Cyrillic alphabet. When literature was left with a family, it was often necessary for young children to read it to their parents.

For most of the first year, Brother Poetzinger was alone, and he wrote: “At the Memorial, I delivered the talk myself, prayed myself, and closed the meeting all by myself.” During 1934, foreigners were deported, so he went to Hungary. Here another new language had to be learned so that he could share the good news. From Hungary he went to the countries then known as Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

Many were the happy experiences he had—finding lovers of truth as he walked through the countryside and villages, with literature packed on his back; experiencing Jehovah’s care as hospitable people offered food and even a bed for the night; talking far into the evening to those who came to his lodging to hear more of the comforting message of the Kingdom.

There were also severe tests of faith. When serving outside his native land, and without funds, he experienced a serious illness. No doctor was willing to see him. But Jehovah provided. How? Finally, the senior consultant of the local hospital was contacted. This man, a firm believer in the Bible, cared for Brother Poetzinger as he would have for a son, doing so free of charge. The doctor was impressed with the self-sacrificing spirit of this young man, which was evident in the work he was doing, and he accepted a set of the Society’s books as a gift.

Another severe test came four months after marriage. Brother Poetzinger was arrested in December 1936 and was confined first in one concentration camp and then in another, while his wife was held in yet another such camp. They did not see each other for nine years. Jehovah did not prevent such cruel persecution, but he did strengthen Martin, his wife Gertrud, and thousands of others to endure it.

After he and his wife were released, Brother Poetzinger enjoyed many years of service as a traveling overseer in Germany. He was present for thrilling conventions held in the postwar era on Hitler’s former parade grounds in Nuremberg. But now those grounds were filled with a vast crowd of loyal supporters of God’s Kingdom. He attended unforgettable conventions in New York’s Yankee Stadium. He enjoyed to the full his training at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. And in 1977 he became a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. His outlook, right down till he finished his earthly course in 1988, can best be expressed with the words: ‘This one thing I do—seek first the Kingdom.’

Learning What It Really Means

The spirit of self-sacrifice clearly is not something new among Jehovah’s Witnesses. When the very first volume of Millennial Dawn was published back in 1886, the matter of consecration (or, as we would say today, dedication) was frankly discussed. It was pointed out on the basis of the Scriptures that true Christians “consecrate” everything to God; that includes their abilities, their material possessions, their very lives. Christians thus become stewards of what has been “consecrated” to God, and as stewards, they must render an account—not to men but to God.

A growing number of the Bible Students truly gave of themselves in the service of God. They used to the full their abilities, their possessions, their vital energy, in doing his will. On the other hand, there were those who felt that what was most important was to cultivate what they called Christian character so that they might qualify to share in the Kingdom with Christ.

Although the responsibility of each true Christian to witness to others about God’s Kingdom had often been stated by Brother Russell, this received even greater emphasis after World War I. The article “Character or Covenant—Which?” in The Watch Tower of May 1, 1926, is a striking example. It frankly considered the harmful effects from what was called character development and then stressed the importance of fulfilling one’s obligations to God by actions.

Earlier, The Watch Tower of July 1, 1920, had examined Jesus’ great prophecy about ‘the sign of his presence and the end of the world.’ (Matt. 24:3, KJ) It focused attention on the preaching work that must be done in fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 and identified the message to be proclaimed, saying: “The good news here is concerning the end of the old order of things and the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom.” The Watch Tower explained that on the basis of where Jesus stated this in relation to other features of the sign, this work would have to be accomplished “between the time of the great world war [World War I] and the time of the ‘great tribulation’ mentioned by the Master in Matthew 24:21, 22.” That work was urgent. Who would do it?

This responsibility clearly rested on the members of “the church,” the true Christian congregation. However, in 1932, by means of the August 1 issue of The Watchtower, these were counseled to encourage the “Jehonadab class” to share with them in the work, in harmony with the spirit of Revelation 22:17. The Jehonadab class—whose hope is everlasting life in the Paradise earth—responded, and many of them zealously so.

The vital importance of this work has been strongly emphasized: “It is just as essential to participate in the service of the Lord as it is to attend a meeting,” said The Watch Tower in 1921. “Each one must be a preacher of the gospel,” it pointed out in 1922. “Jehovah has made preaching the most important work any of us could do in this world,” it stated in 1949. The apostle Paul’s declaration at 1 Corinthians 9:16 has been quoted frequently: “Necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!” This scripture has been applied to each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

How Many Do the Preaching? To What Extent? Why?

Were any being compelled to engage in this work contrary to their will? “No,” The Watch Tower answered, in its issue of August 1, 1919, “no one is compelled to do anything. It is all purely voluntary service, performed by love for the Lord and his cause of righteousness. Jehovah never drafts anyone.” Regarding the motivation behind such service, The Watch Tower of September 1, 1922, further stated: “One who really has gratitude in his heart and appreciates what God has done for him will want to do something in return; and the more his appreciation of God’s kindness to him increases, the greater will be his love; and the greater his love, the greater will be the desire to serve him.” Love for God, it was explained, is shown by keeping his commandments, and one of those commandments is to preach the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God.—Isa. 61:1, 2; 1 John 5:3.

Those who have undertaken this activity have not been enticed by any idea of worldly ambition. They have been frankly told that when they go from house to house or offer literature on a street corner, they will be viewed as “foolish, weak, lowly,” that they will be “despised, persecuted,” and that they will be classed as “not of much account from a worldly standpoint.” But they know that Jesus and his early disciples were treated in the same way.—John 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 1:18-31.

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses think that somehow they are earning salvation by their preaching activity? Not at all! The book United in Worship of the Only True God, which has been used since 1983 to help students to advance to Christian maturity, discusses this matter. It states: “Jesus’ sacrifice has also opened to us the opportunity for eternal life . . . This is not a reward that we earn. No matter how much we do in Jehovah’s service, we can never build up such merit that God will owe us life. Eternal life is ‘the gift God gives . . . by Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-10) Nevertheless, if we have faith in that gift and appreciation for the manner in which it was made possible, we will make this manifest. Discerning how marvelously Jehovah has used Jesus in accomplishing His will and how vital it is that all of us follow Jesus’ steps closely, we will make the Christian ministry one of the most important things in our life.”

Can it be said that all of Jehovah’s Witnesses are proclaimers of God’s Kingdom? Yes! That is what being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses means. Over half a century ago, there were some who felt that it was not necessary for them to have a part in the field service, going out in public and from house to house. But today none of Jehovah’s Witnesses claim exemption from such service because of position in the local congregation or in the worldwide organization. Male and female as well as young and old participate. They view it as a precious privilege, a sacred service. Not a few do it in spite of serious infirmities. And as for any who simply are physically unable to go from house to house, they find other ways to reach people and give them a personal witness.

In the past, there was at times a tendency to allow newer ones to participate in the field service too soon. But in recent decades, greater emphasis has been placed on their qualifying before being invited. What does that mean? It does not mean that they have to be able to explain everything in the Bible. But, as the book Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry explains, they must know and believe the Bible’s basic teachings. They must also be living clean lives, in harmony with Bible standards. Each one must truly want to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

It is not expected that all of Jehovah’s Witnesses will do the same amount of preaching. The circumstances of individuals vary. Age, health, family responsibilities, and depth of appreciation are all factors. This has always been recognized. It was emphasized by The Watchtower in its issue of December 1, 1950, when discussing “the good soil” in Jesus’ parable of the sower, at Luke 8:4-15. The Kingdom Ministry School Course, prepared for elders in 1972, analyzed the requirement of ‘loving Jehovah with one’s whole soul’ and explained that “what is vital is not the quantity one does in relation to what someone else does, but doing what one can.” (Mark 14:6-8) Encouraging sober self-analysis, however, it also showed that such love means “that every fiber of one’s existence is involved in lovingly serving God; no function, capacity or desire in life is excepted.” All our faculties, our whole soul, must be mobilized to do God’s will. That textbook emphasized that “God requires, not merely participation, but whole-souled service.”—Mark 12:30.

Unfortunately, the tendency of imperfect humans is to go to an extreme, emphasizing one thing while neglecting another. So, back in 1906, Brother Russell found it necessary to caution that self-sacrifice does not mean sacrificing others. It does not mean failing to make reasonable provision for one’s wife, dependent children, or elderly parents so that one can be free to preach to others. From time to time since then, similar reminders have appeared in the Watch Tower publications.

Gradually, with the help of God’s Word, the entire organization has sought to achieve Christian balance—manifesting zeal for the service of God, while giving proper attention to all aspects of being a real Christian. Although “character development” was built on a wrong understanding, The Watchtower has shown that the fruits of the spirit and Christian conduct are not to be minimized. In 1942, The Watchtower said quite pointedly: “Some have unwisely concluded that if they were engaged in the house-to-house witness work they could pursue with freedom from punishment any course their appetites might call for. One should remember that merely engaging in the witness work is not all that is required.”—1 Cor. 9:27.

Getting Priorities Straight

Jehovah’s Witnesses have come to appreciate that ‘seeking first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness’ is a matter of getting their priorities straight. It includes giving a proper place in one’s life to personal study of God’s Word and regular attendance at congregation meetings and not allowing other pursuits to take priority. It involves making decisions that reflect a genuine desire to conform to the requirements of God’s Kingdom, as set out in the Bible. That includes using Bible principles as the basis for decisions involving family life, recreation, secular education, employment, business practices, and relations with one’s fellowmen.

Seeking first the Kingdom is more than just having some share each month in talking to others about God’s purpose. It means giving Kingdom interests first place in one’s entire life, while caring properly for other Scriptural obligations.

There are many ways in which devoted Witnesses of Jehovah promote Kingdom interests.

The Privilege of Bethel Service

Some serve as members of the global Bethel family. This is a staff of full-time ministers who have volunteered to do whatever they may be assigned in preparing and publishing Bible literature, in caring for necessary office work, and in providing support services for such operations. This is not work in which they gain personal prominence or material possessions. Their desire is to honor Jehovah, and they are satisfied with the provisions made for them in the way of food, lodging, and a modest reimbursement for personal expenses. Because of the way of life of the Bethel family, secular authorities in the United States, for example, view them as members of a religious order who have taken a vow of poverty. Those who are at Bethel find joy in being able to use their lives to the full in Jehovah’s service and in doing work that benefits large numbers of their Christian brothers and newly interested persons, sometimes internationally. Like others of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they also share regularly in the field ministry.

The first Bethel family (or, Bible House family, as they were then known) was located in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. As of 1896, the staff numbered 12. In 1992, there were upwards of 12,900 Bethel family members, serving in 99 lands. In addition, when there has not been enough housing on the Society’s premises, hundreds of other volunteers have commuted to Bethel homes and factories every day in order to share in the work. They have counted it a privilege to have a part in the work being done. As there is need, thousands of other Witnesses offer to leave behind secular work and other activity for varying periods of time to assist with construction of facilities needed by the Society for use in connection with the global preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom.

Many of the members of the global Bethel family have made it their life’s work. Frederick W. Franz, who in 1977 became the Watch Tower Society’s fourth president, had by that time already been a member of the Bethel family in New York for 57 years, and he continued in Bethel service for another 15 years, until he died in 1992. Heinrich Dwenger began his Bethel service in Germany in 1911, thereafter modestly serving wherever he was assigned; and in 1983, the year of his death, he was still enjoying his service as a member of the Bethel family in Thun, Switzerland. George Phillips, from Scotland, accepted an assignment to the branch office in South Africa in 1924 (when it supervised preaching activity from Cape Town to Kenya) and continued to serve in South Africa until his death in 1982 (at which time seven branch offices of the Society and some 160,000 Witnesses were active in that area). Christian sisters, such as Kathryn Bogard, Grace DeCecca, Irma Friend, Alice Berner, and Mary Hannan, also devoted their adult lives to Bethel service, doing so right to the finish. Many other Bethel family members have likewise been serving for 10, 30, 50, 70, and more years.g

Self-Sacrificing Traveling Overseers

Worldwide, there are some 3,900 circuit and district overseers who, along with their wives, also care for assignments wherever they are needed, usually in their home country. Many of these have left behind homes and now move every week or every few weeks to serve the congregations assigned. They receive no salary but are grateful for food and lodging where they serve, along with modest provision for personal expenses. In the United States, where 499 circuit and district overseers were serving in 1992, these traveling elders average 54 years in age, and some of them have been serving in this capacity for 30, 40, or more years. In a number of lands, these overseers travel by automobile. Territory in the Pacific area often requires the use of commercial planes and boats. In many places circuit overseers reach remote congregations by horseback or on foot.

Pioneers Fill an Important Need

In order to get the preaching of the good news started in places where there are no Witnesses, or to provide help that may be especially needed in an area, the Governing Body may arrange to send in special pioneers. These are full-time evangelizers who devote at least 140 hours each month to the field ministry. They make themselves available to serve anywhere they are needed in their own country or, in some cases, in nearby lands. Since their service requirements leave them little or no time for secular work to provide for material needs, they are given a modest expense reimbursement for housing and other necessities. In 1992, there were over 14,500 special pioneers in various parts of the earth.

When the first special pioneers were sent out in 1937, they spearheaded the work of playing recorded Bible talks for householders right at their doorsteps and using recordings as the basis for Bible discussions on return visits. This was done in large cities where there already were congregations. After a few years, the special pioneers began to be directed particularly into areas where no congregations existed or where congregations were in great need of help. As a result of their effective work, hundreds of new congregations were formed.

Instead of covering a territory and moving on, they would work a given area repeatedly, following up on all interest and conducting Bible studies. Meetings were arranged for interested ones. Thus, in Lesotho, southern Africa, on his first week in a new assignment, a special pioneer invited everyone he met to come and see how Jehovah’s Witnesses conduct the Theocratic Ministry School. He and his family put on the full program. Then he invited all to the Watchtower Study. After initial curiosity was satisfied, 30 continued to attend the Watchtower Study, and average attendance at the school was 20. In lands where Gilead-trained missionaries did much to get the preaching of the good news under way, faster growth sometimes took place when native-born Witnesses began to qualify for special pioneer service, for these could often work even more effectively among the local people.

In addition to these zealous workers, there are hundreds of thousands more of Jehovah’s Witnesses who also energetically promote Kingdom interests. These include young and old, male and female, married and single persons. Regular pioneers devote a minimum of 90 hours each month to the field ministry; auxiliary pioneers, at least 60 hours. They decide where they would like to preach. Most of them work with established congregations; some move to isolated areas. They care for their own physical needs by doing some secular work, or their family members may help to make provision for them. During 1992, over 914,500 shared in such service as regular or auxiliary pioneers for at least part of the year.

Schools With Special Objectives

To equip volunteers for certain types of service, special schooling is provided. Since 1943, for example, Gilead School has trained thousands of experienced ministers for missionary work, and graduates have been sent to all parts of the earth. In 1987 the Ministerial Training School went into operation to help fill special needs, including care for congregations as well as other responsibilities. The arrangement for this school to convene in various places minimizes travel of students to a central location as well as the need to learn another language in order to benefit from the schooling. All who are invited to attend this school are elders or ministerial servants who have given evidence that they truly seek first the Kingdom. Many have made themselves available to serve in other lands. Their spirit is like that of the prophet Isaiah, who said: “Here I am! Send me.”—Isa. 6:8.

In order to improve the effectiveness of those already serving as regular and special pioneers, the Pioneer Service School was put into operation starting in 1977. Where possible, the school was arranged in each circuit around the world. All pioneers were invited to benefit from this two-week course. Progressively since then, pioneers who have completed their first year of service have been given the same training. Down till 1992, over 100,000 pioneers had been trained in this school in the United States alone; upwards of 10,000 were being trained each year. Another 55,000 had been trained in Japan, 38,000 in Mexico, 25,000 in Brazil, and 25,000 in Italy. In addition to this course, pioneers regularly enjoy a special meeting with the circuit overseer during his semiannual visits with each congregation and a special training session with both the circuit overseer and the district overseer at the time of the annual circuit assembly. Thus, those making up the large army of Kingdom proclaimers who serve as pioneers are not only willing workers but also well-trained ministers.

Serving Where the Need Is Greater

Many thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses—some of whom are pioneers, and others not—have made themselves available to serve not only in their home community but also in other areas where there is a great need for proclaimers of the good news. Each year thousands spend a period of weeks or months, according to what they personally can arrange, in areas often quite distant from their homes in order to witness to people who are not regularly visited by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thousands more have pulled up stakes and relocated in order to provide such help over an extended period. Many of these are married couples or families with children. Their moves have often involved going a relatively short distance, but some have made such moves repeatedly over the years. Many of these zealous Witnesses have even taken up service in foreign lands—some for a few years, others on a permanent basis. They do whatever secular work is required in order to care for their needs, and the moves are made at their own expense. Their one desire is to share as fully as their circumstances permit in spreading the Kingdom message.

When the family head is not a Witness, he may move his family because of employment. But family members who are Witnesses may see this as an opportunity to spread the Kingdom message. That was true of two Witnesses from the United States who found themselves at a construction camp in the jungle in Suriname in the late 1970’s. Twice a week they got up at 4:00 a.m., caught a company bus for a rough one-hour trip to a village, and spent the day preaching. Before long they were conducting 30 Bible studies each week with truth-hungry people. Today, there is a congregation in that formerly unreached part of the rain forest.

Seizing Every Appropriate Opportunity to Witness

Of course, not all of Jehovah’s Witnesses move to other countries, or even to other towns, to carry on their ministry. Their circumstances may not permit them to pioneer. Nevertheless, they are well aware of the Bible admonition to put forth “all earnest effort” and to have “plenty to do in the work of the Lord.” (2 Pet. 1:5-8; 1 Cor. 15:58) They show that they seek first the Kingdom when they put its interests ahead of secular work and recreation. Those whose hearts are filled with appreciation for the Kingdom share regularly in the field ministry to the extent that their circumstances permit, and many of them change their circumstances so they can share more fully. They are also constantly on the lookout to seize appropriate opportunities to witness to others about the Kingdom.

As an example, John Furgala, who owned a hardware business in Guayaquil, Ecuador, set up an attractive display of Bible literature in his store. While his helper would fill an order, John would witness to the customer.

In Nigeria a zealous Witness who supported his family by working as an electrical contractor was also determined to use well his contacts so as to give a witness. Since he owned the business, he determined the schedule of activity. Each morning, before the day’s work, he gathered his wife, children, employees, and apprentices for a discussion of the day’s Bible text, along with experiences from the Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. At the beginning of each year, he would also give his customers a copy of the Watch Tower Society’s calendar, along with two magazines. As a result, some of his employees and some customers have joined him in the worship of Jehovah.

There are many of Jehovah’s Witnesses who share that same spirit. Regardless of what they are doing, they are constantly looking for opportunities to share the good news with others.

A Large Army of Happy Full-Time Evangelizers

With the passing of years, the zeal of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the preaching of the good news has not abated. Even though many householders have told them quite firmly that they are not interested, there are large numbers who are grateful that the Witnesses help them to understand the Bible. The determination of Jehovah’s Witnesses is to continue preaching until Jehovah himself gives clear indication that this work is completed.

Instead of slacking off, the worldwide association of Jehovah’s Witnesses has actually intensified its preaching activity. In 1982 the annual global report showed that 384,856,662 hours had been devoted to the field ministry. Ten years later (in 1992) 1,024,910,434 hours were devoted to this work. What accounted for that great increase in activity?

It is true that the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses had grown. But not to that extent. During that period, while the number of Witnesses increased by 80 percent, the number of pioneers soared 250 percent. On an average each month, 1 out of every 7 of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide was in some branch of the full-time preaching work.

Who were the ones sharing in such pioneer service? As an example, in the Republic of Korea, many Witnesses are housewives. Family responsibilities may not permit them all to pioneer on a regular basis, but large numbers have used the long winter school vacations as opportunities for auxiliary pioneer service. As a result, 53 percent of the total Witnesses in the Republic of Korea were in some branch of full-time service in January 1990.

In the early years, it was a zealous pioneer spirit on the part of Filipino Witnesses that enabled them to reach the hundreds of inhabited islands in the Philippines with the Kingdom message. That zeal has been even more evident since then. In 1992, on an average each month, 22,205 publishers were sharing in the field ministry as pioneers in the Philippines. Included among them were many youths who had chosen to ‘remember their Creator’ and use their youthful vigor in his service. (Eccl. 12:1) After a decade of pioneer service, one of such youths said: “I have learned to be patient, to lead a simple life, to rely on Jehovah, and to be humble. It is true that I have also experienced hardships and discouragements, but all of these are nothing compared with the blessings that pioneering has brought.”

During April and May of 1989, The Watchtower featured an exposé of Babylon the Great, which is false religion in its many forms worldwide. The articles were published simultaneously in 39 languages and given intensive distribution. In Japan, where the number of Witnesses who are pioneering has often been over 40 percent, a new peak of 41,055 auxiliary pioneers enrolled to help in the work that April. In the Osaka Prefecture, Takatsuki City, Otsuka Congregation, 73 of the 77 baptized publishers were in some form of pioneer service that month. On April 8, when all the publishers in Japan were urged to have some part in distributing this vital message, hundreds of congregations, such as the Ushioda Congregation, in Yokohama City, arranged for day-long street and house-to-house service, from 7:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m., in order to reach everyone possible in the area.

As is true everywhere, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mexico work to care for their material needs. Nevertheless, each month during 1992, on an average 50,095 of Jehovah’s Witnesses there also made room in their lives for the pioneer service in order to help truth-hungry people learn about God’s Kingdom. In some families all in the household cooperated in order to enable the entire group, or at least some of them, to pioneer. They enjoy a fruitful ministry. During 1992, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mexico were regularly conducting 502,017 home Bible studies with individuals and family groups.

The elders who serve the needs of the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses have heavy responsibilities. Most of the elders in Nigeria are men with families, and that is true of elders in many other places too. Yet, in addition to preparing to conduct or to share in congregation meetings, as well as to do needed shepherding of the flock of God, some of these men also pioneer. How is it possible? Careful scheduling of time and good family cooperation are often important factors.

It is obvious that, worldwide, Jehovah’s Witnesses have taken to heart Jesus’ admonition to ‘keep on seeking first the kingdom.’ (Matt. 6:33) What they are doing is a heartfelt expression of their love for Jehovah and their appreciation for his sovereignty. Like the psalmist David, they say: “I will exalt you, O my God the King, and I will bless your name to time indefinite, even forever.”—Ps. 145:1.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 292]

Increased emphasis on the responsibility to witness

[Blurb on page 293]

They view house-to-house witnessing as a precious privilege

[Blurb on page 294]

Understanding what whole-souled service is

[Blurb on page 295]

What “seeking first the kingdom” really means

[Blurb on page 301]

Zealous Witnesses put Kingdom interests ahead of secular work and recreation

[Box/Picture on page 288]

“Where Are the Nine?”

At the Memorial of Christ’s death, in 1928, a tract given to all in attendance was entitled “Where Are the Nine?” Its discussion of Luke 17:11-19 touched Claude Goodman’s heart and moved him to get into the colporteur, or pioneer, work and to persevere in that service.

[Box/Pictures on page 296, 297]

Bethel Service

As of 1992, there were 12,974 sharing in Bethel service in 99 lands

[Pictures]

Personal study is important to Bethel family members

Spain

At each Bethel Home, the day begins with discussion of a Bible text

Finland

As is true of Jehovah’s Witnesses everywhere, Bethel family members share in the field service

Switzerland

Each Monday evening the Bethel family studies “The Watchtower” together

Italy

The work is varied, but all of it is done in support of the proclaiming of God’s Kingdom

France

Papua New Guinea

United States

Germany

Philippines

Mexico

Britain

Nigeria

Netherlands

Brazil

Japan

South Africa

[Box/Pictures on page 298]

A Few With Long Records of Bethel Service

F. W. Franz—United States (1920-92)

Heinrich Dwenger—Germany (about 15 years of 1911-33), Hungary (1933-35), Czechoslovakia (1936-39), then Switzerland (1939-83)

George Phillips—South Africa (1924-66, 1976-82)

Fleshly sisters (Kathryn Bogard and Grace DeCecca) who devoted a combined total of 136 years to Bethel service—United States

[Graph on page 303]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Pioneers on the Increase!

Pioneers

Publishers

Percent Increase Since 1982

250%

200%

150%

100%

50%

1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992

[Picture on page 284]

Sister Early traveled throughout much of New Zealand on a bicycle to share the Kingdom message

[Picture on page 285]

For 76 years—single, married, and then as a widow—Malinda Keefer devoted herself to the full-time ministry

[Pictures on page 286]

Simple house-cars provided lodging for some early pioneers as they moved from place to place

Canada

India

[Picture on page 287]

Frank Rice (standing at the right), Clem Deschamp (seated in front of Frank, with Clem’s wife, Jean, next to them), and a group on Java including fellow Witnesses and newly interested ones

[Pictures on page 288]

Claude Goodman’s life of full-time ministry led him to service in India and seven other lands

[Picture on page 289]

When Ben Brickell had good health, he enjoyed using it in Jehovah’s service; serious health problems in later years did not make him quit

[Picture on page 290]

Kathe Palm witnessed in all sorts of territory, from big-city office buildings to the most remote mining camp and sheep ranch in Chile

[Picture on page 291]

The determination of both Martin and Gertrud Poetzinger is expressed in the words: ‘This one thing I do—seek first the Kingdom’

[Picture on page 300]

Pioneer Service School (as shown here in Japan) has provided special training for tens of thousands of zealous workers

Chapter 19

Growing Together in Love

WHEN writing to fellow Christians, the apostles of Jesus Christ pointed out the need for individuals to grow not only in accurate knowledge but also in love. The basis for this was the love shown by God himself and the self-sacrificing love of Christ, in whose footsteps they endeavored to walk. (John 13:34, 35; Eph. 4:15, 16; 5:1, 2; Phil. 1:9; 1 John 4:7-10) They were a brotherhood, and when they helped one another, the bonds of love became even stronger.

When famine gave rise to economic hardship for the brothers in Judea, Christians in Syria and in Greece shared their possessions in order to assist them. (Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 15:26) When some were persecuted, the suffering experienced was keenly felt by other Christians, and these sought to render aid.—1 Cor. 12:26; Heb. 13:3.

Of course, all humans have the capacity to love, and others besides Christians engage in acts of humanitarian kindness. But people in the Roman world recognized that the love shown by Christians was different. Tertullian, who had been a jurist in Rome, quoted the remarks of people of the Roman world regarding Christians, saying: “‘Look,’ they say, ‘how they love one another . . . and how they are ready to die for each other.’” (Apology, XXXIX, 7) John Hurst, in his History of the Christian Church (Volume I, page 146), relates that people in ancient Carthage and Alexandria, during periods of pestilence, drove away from their presence those who were afflicted and stripped from the bodies of the dying anything that might be of value. In contrast, he reports, Christians in these places shared their possessions, nursed the sick, and buried the dead.

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses in modern times engage in works that demonstrate such concern for the well-being of others? If so, are these performed by only a few scattered individuals, or does the organization as a whole encourage and support such efforts?

Loving Help in Local Congregations

Among Jehovah’s Witnesses, care for orphans and widows in the congregation, as well as for any faithful ones who experience severe adversity, is viewed as part of their worship. (Jas. 1:27; 2:15-17; 1 John 3:17, 18) Secular governments generally make provision for hospitals, housing for the elderly, and welfare arrangements for unemployed people in the community at large, and Jehovah’s Witnesses support those arrangements by conscientiously paying their taxes. However, recognizing that only God’s Kingdom can lastingly solve the problems of humankind, Jehovah’s Witnesses devote themselves and their resources primarily to teaching others about that. This is a vital service that no human government provides.

In the more than 69,000 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide, special needs that arise because of advanced age and infirmity of individuals are usually cared for on a personal basis. As shown at 1 Timothy 5:4, 8, the responsibility rests primarily upon each Christian to care for his own household. Children, grandchildren, or other close relatives display Christian love by providing assistance to elderly and infirm ones according to their needs. Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses do not weaken this sense of responsibility by taking over family obligations. However, if there are no close family members, or if those who have the responsibility simply cannot carry the load by themselves, others in the congregation lovingly come to their aid. Where necessary, the congregation as a whole may make provision for some assistance to a needy brother or sister who has a long record of faithful service.—1 Tim. 5:3-10.

Attention to these needs is not left to chance. At sessions of the Kingdom Ministry School, which the elders have attended repeatedly since 1959, their obligation before God in this regard as shepherds of the flock has frequently been given special consideration. (Heb. 13:1, 16) It is not that they were unaware of this need before then. In 1911, for example, material relief was provided by the Oldham Congregation in Lancashire, England, to those among them who were facing severe economic problems. However, since then the global organization has grown, the number experiencing severe problems has increased, and Jehovah’s Witnesses have become increasingly aware of what the Bible shows they should do in such situations. Especially in recent years, the responsibilities of each Christian toward those among them with special needs—the elderly, the infirm, single-parent families, and those in economic difficulty—have been discussed by all the congregations at their meetings.a

The concern that individual Witnesses show for others goes far beyond saying, “Keep warm and well fed.” They demonstrate loving personal interest. (Jas. 2:15, 16) Consider a few examples.

When a young Swedish woman, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, contracted meningitis while visiting Greece in 1986, she also experienced what it means to have Christian brothers and sisters in many lands. Her father in Sweden was notified. He immediately got in touch with an elder in the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sweden and, through him, with a Witness in Greece. Until she was able to return to Sweden three weeks later, the young Witness’s new friends in Greece never left her unattended.

Likewise, when an elderly Witness, a widower, in Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada, needed assistance, a family that he had aided spiritually showed their appreciation by making him part of the family. A few years later when they moved to Barry’s Bay, he went with them. He lived with them and was lovingly cared for by them for 19 years, until he died in 1990.

In New York City, a Witness couple cared for an elderly man who was attending meetings at their Kingdom Hall, doing so for some 15 years, until he died in 1986. When he had a stroke, they looked after his shopping, cleaning, cooking, and laundry. They treated him as though he were their own father.

Needs of other kinds also are given loving attention. A Witness couple in the United States had sold their home and moved to Montana to help a congregation there. In time, however, serious health problems developed, the brother was laid off from work, and their finances were depleted. How would they manage? The brother prayed to Jehovah for help. As he finished praying, a fellow Witness knocked on the door. Together they went out for a cup of coffee. When the brother returned, he found the kitchen counter stacked with groceries. With the groceries was an envelope containing funds and a note that read: “From your brothers and sisters, who love you very much.” The congregation had realized their need, and they had all shared in filling it. Deeply moved by their love, he and his wife could not help giving way to tears and thanking Jehovah, whose example of love motivates his servants.

The generous concern that Jehovah’s Witnesses show for those among them who fall into need has come to be widely known. At times, impostors have taken advantage of it. So the Witnesses have had to learn to be cautious, while not stifling their desire to help worthy ones.

When War Leaves People Destitute

In many parts of the earth, people have been left destitute as a result of war. Relief organizations endeavor to provide help, but this machinery often works slowly. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not take the view that the work done by such agencies relieves them of responsibility toward their Christian brothers in these areas. When they know that their brothers are in need, they do not ‘shut the door of their tender compassions’ upon such ones but promptly do what they can to bring relief to them.—1 John 3:17, 18.

During World War II, even within countries hard-pressed by shortages, Witnesses in the countryside who still had food supplies shared these with less fortunate brothers in the cities. In the Netherlands this was done at great risk because of harsh restrictions imposed by the Nazis. When on such a relief mission on one occasion, Gerrit Böhmermann was leading a group of brothers on transport bikes that were loaded with food covered with tarpaulins. Suddenly they came upon a checkpoint in the city of Alkmaar. “There was no choice but to trust fully in Jehovah,” said Gerrit. Without slowing down much, he called out loudly to the officer: “Wo ist Amsterdam?” (Which way to Amsterdam?) The officer stepped aside and pointed ahead as he yelled: “Geradeaus!” (Straight ahead!) “Danke schön!” (Thank you!) was Gerrit’s response as the entire fleet of transport bikes went through at full speed while an astonished crowd watched. On another occasion, Witnesses succeeded in bringing a whole boatload of potatoes to their brothers in Amsterdam.

Right within the concentration camps in Europe, this spirit was shown by Jehovah’s Witnesses. While incarcerated in a camp near Amersfoort, in the Netherlands, a 17-year-old lost weight until he became a walking skeleton. But in later years, he never forgot that after they had been forced to exercise in the pouring rain till midnight and then were deprived of food, a Witness from another part of the camp managed to get to him and press a piece of bread into his hand. And in the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, a Witness whose assignment required that he go from one section of the camp to another often risked his life by taking food that Witnesses had saved from their meager rations to other Witnesses who were being more severely deprived.

Following the war Jehovah’s Witnesses who emerged from German prisons and concentration camps had nothing but the prison garb on their backs. The property of many not in prison had been devastated. Food, clothing, and fuel were in short supply throughout much of Europe. Jehovah’s Witnesses in these lands quickly organized congregation meetings and began to help others spiritually by sharing with them the good news of God’s Kingdom. But they themselves needed help in other ways. Many of them were so weak from hunger that they often fainted during the meetings.

Here was a situation that the Witnesses had not faced before on such a large scale. However, the very month that the war officially ended in the Pacific area, Jehovah’s Witnesses held a special convention in Cleveland, Ohio, at which they discussed what needed to be done to provide relief for their Christian brothers in war-torn lands and how to go about it. The heartwarming discourse “His Unspeakable Gift,” delivered by F. W. Franz, presented Scriptural counsel that fully met the needs of the situation.b

Within a few weeks, as soon as any travel in the area was permitted, N. H. Knorr, president of the Watch Tower Society, and M. G. Henschel were on their way to Europe to see the conditions firsthand. Even before they departed on that trip, relief arrangements were being put into operation.

Early shipments went out from Switzerland and Sweden. More followed from Canada, the United States, and other lands. Although the number of Witnesses in the lands that were in a position to provide such help then numbered only about 85,000, they undertook to send clothing and food to fellow Witnesses in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, and Romania. That was not a onetime effort. Relief shipments continued for two and a half years. Between January 1946 and August 1948, they dispatched 1,056,247 pounds [479,114 kg] of clothing, 124,110 pairs of shoes, and 718,873 pounds [ 326,081 kg] of food as gifts to fellow Witnesses. None of the funds were siphoned off for administrative expenses. The sorting and packing was done by unpaid volunteers. Funds contributed were all used to help the people for whom they were intended.

Of course, the need for relief to refugees and to others left destitute by war did not end back there in the 1940’s. There have been hundreds of wars since 1945. And the same loving concern has continued to be shown by Jehovah’s Witnesses. This was done during and after the Biafran war in Nigeria, from 1967 to 1970. Similar aid was provided in Mozambique during the 1980’s.

In Liberia too, there was famine as a result of the war that began in 1989. As people fled, the Watch Tower compound in Monrovia was packed with hundreds of refugees. Whatever food was available there, as well as water from the well, was shared with both Witnesses and non-Witness neighbors. Then, as soon as circumstances permitted, further relief supplies came from Witnesses in Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa, the Netherlands and Italy in Europe, and the United States.

Again, in 1990, after war in Lebanon had left sections of Beirut looking as if an earthquake had struck, elders among Jehovah’s Witnesses organized an emergency relief committee to give needed help to the brothers. They did not have to call for volunteers; each day many offered their help.

During a period of great political and economic upheaval in Europe, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Yugoslavia sent more than 70 tons of needed items to their Christian brothers in Romania in 1990.

This was followed by more relief missions into Eastern Europe. The Governing Body asked the Watch Tower Society’s branch office in Denmark to organize relief for needy Witnesses in Ukraine. Congregations were notified and were eager to share. On December 18, 1991, five trucks and two vans driven by Witness volunteers arrived at Lviv with 22 tons of supplies—an expression of loving concern for their Christian brothers. Continuing into 1992, shipments also arrived from the Witnesses in Austria—over 100 tons of food and clothing. More supplies were dispatched from the Witnesses in the Netherlands—first 26 tons of food, next a convoy of 11 trucks containing clothing, then more food to cope with the ongoing need. The recipients were grateful to God and looked to him for wisdom in using what had been provided. They united in prayer before unloading the trucks and again when the job was done. Other large relief shipments were sent by Witnesses in Italy, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland. At the time that all of this was going on, turbulent conditions among the republics that formerly made up Yugoslavia gave rise to need there. Supplies of food, clothing, and medication were also dispatched to that area. Meanwhile, Witnesses in the cities there opened their homes to care for those whose dwellings had been destroyed.

Sometimes those who desperately need help are in remote places, and their situation is not widely known. That was true of 35 families of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Guatemala. Their villages had been invaded by warring factions. When they were finally able to return in 1989, they needed help to rebuild. To supplement assistance made available by the government to repatriates, the Watch Tower Society’s branch office formed an emergency committee to assist these Witness families, and some 500 other Witnesses from 50 congregations volunteered to help with the rebuilding.

There are other situations that also bring people into dire need through no fault of their own. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods are frequent occurrences. On an average, it is said, the world is hit by more than 25 major disasters each year.

When Natural Forces Go on a Rampage

When major emergencies affecting Jehovah’s Witnesses arise because of disasters, immediate steps are taken to provide needed assistance. Local elders have learned that when confronted with such situations, they should put forth earnest effort to get in touch with each one in the congregation. The branch office of the Watch Tower Society that supervises the Kingdom work in that area promptly checks on the situation and then reports to the world headquarters. Where more help is needed than can be provided locally, carefully coordinated arrangements are made, at times even on an international scale. The objective is not to try to raise the living standard of those affected but to help them to have the necessities of life to which they were accustomed.

Simply a report of the disaster on television is enough to move many Witnesses to phone responsible elders in the area to offer their services or to provide money or materials. Others may send funds to the branch office or to the world headquarters to be used for relief purposes. They know that help is needed, and they want to share. Where there is greater need, the Watch Tower Society may notify the brothers in a limited area so that they can help as they are able. A relief committee is formed in order to coordinate the handling of matters in the disaster area.

Thus, when most of Managua, Nicaragua, was devastated by a powerful earthquake in December 1972, overseers of the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in that area met within hours to coordinate their efforts. An immediate check was made as to the welfare of each Witness in the city. That same day relief supplies began to arrive from nearby congregations; then they quickly came from Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador. Fourteen relief distribution points were set up around the outskirts of Managua. Money and supplies from Witnesses in many parts of the world were channeled into Nicaragua through the Watch Tower Society’s international headquarters. Food and other supplies (including candles, matches, and soap) were dispensed according to the size of each household, a seven-day supply being given to each family. At the peak of operations, some 5,000 persons—Witnesses, their families, and relatives with whom they were staying—were being fed. The relief operations continued for ten months. Upon seeing what was being done, government agencies and the Red Cross also made food, tents, and other supplies available.

In 1986, when volcanic eruptions forced the evacuation of 10,000 people from the island of Izu-Oshima, near the coast of Japan, boats carrying the refugees were met by Jehovah’s Witnesses who searched diligently to locate their spiritual brothers. Said one of the evacuees: “When we left Oshima, we ourselves did not know where we were going.” Everything had happened so quickly. “As we got off the ship, however, we spotted a sign saying, ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses.’ . . . Tears welled up in my wife’s eyes as she was overcome by relief at finding our brothers there to meet us at the pier.” After observing how the evacuee Witnesses were cared for, not only at their arrival but also thereafter, even people who had formerly ostracized them said: “You did a good thing in sticking with that religion.”

Every effort is made by the Witnesses to get help into disaster areas just as quickly as possible. In 1970, when Peru was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes in its history, emergency relief funds were promptly dispatched from the world headquarters in New York, and 15 tons of clothing followed. Even before that shipment arrived, however, Witnesses had driven a caravan of vehicles with relief supplies into the area where cities and villages had been destroyed, doing so within hours after the roads were opened. Progressively in the days and weeks that followed, they provided needed help, both material and spiritual, to the various groups high in the Andes. And, in 1980, when parts of Italy were rocked by a severe earthquake during the evening of November 23, the first truckload of supplies dispatched by the Witnesses arrived in the stricken area the very next day. They immediately set up their own kitchen, from which food cooked by the sisters was distributed each day. An observer of relief efforts on one Caribbean island remarked: “The Witnesses worked faster than the government.” Perhaps this is true at times, but Jehovah’s Witnesses definitely appreciate the help of officials who facilitate their efforts to reach such disaster areas quickly.

During a period of famine in Angola in 1990, it was learned that Witnesses there were in dire need of food and clothing. Reaching them could be a problem, however, because there had been a ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses in that country for many years. Nevertheless, their Christian brothers in South Africa loaded a truck with 25 tons of relief supplies. En route, they visited the consulate of Angola and were granted permission to cross the border. In order to reach the brothers, they had to pass through 30 military roadblocks, and where a bridge had been blown up, they had to cross a river at flood stage on the temporary structure that had been erected in its place. In spite of all of this, the entire shipment was delivered safely.

In times of disaster, more is done than simply shipping relief supplies to the area. When explosions and fire devastated an area in a suburb of Mexico City in 1984, Witnesses quickly arrived to provide help. But many of the Witnesses in the area could not be accounted for, so the elders organized a systematic search to locate each one. Some had dispersed to other localities. Nevertheless, the elders persisted until they located all of them. Assistance was given according to what was needed. In the case of a sister who had lost her husband and a son, that involved caring for funeral arrangements and then providing full support, materially and spiritually, for the sister and her remaining children.

Frequently, much more is needed than medical supplies, a few meals, and some clothing. In 1989 a storm destroyed the homes of 117 Witnesses in Guadeloupe and severely damaged the homes of 300 others. Jehovah’s Witnesses in Martinique quickly came to their aid; then the Witnesses in France shipped over 100 tons of building materials as a gift to help them. On the island of St. Croix, when a Witness who had lost her home told workmates that fellow Witnesses were coming from Puerto Rico to help, they said: “They will not do anything for you. You are black, not Spanish like them.” What a surprise for those workmates when she soon had a completely new house! Following an earthquake in Costa Rica in 1991, local Witnesses and international volunteers joined forces to help fellow Witnesses in the disaster area. Expecting nothing in return, they rebuilt 31 homes and 5 Kingdom Halls and repaired others. Observers stated: ‘Other groups talk love; you show it.’

The efficiency with which relief efforts have been carried out by Jehovah’s Witnesses has often amazed onlookers. In California, U.S.A., in 1986, a levee on the Yuba River broke and floodwaters forced tens of thousands of people to leave their homes. Christian elders in the area got in touch with the headquarters in New York, and a relief committee was formed. As soon as the water began to subside, hundreds of volunteers were ready to work. Before secular relief agencies had been able to get under way, homes of the Witnesses were already being refurbished. Why were they able to move so quickly?

A principal factor was the willingness of the Witnesses to volunteer immediately without pay, as well as their donating the materials needed. Another factor was that they were experienced in organizing and working together, since they do this regularly in order to operate their conventions and to build new Kingdom Halls. Yet another vital factor is that they have given much thought to what the Bible means when it says, “Have intense love for one another.”—1 Pet. 4:8.

The contributions that are made to meet such needs frequently come from individuals who have very little themselves. As their accompanying letters often say: ‘The gift is small, but our whole heart goes out to our sisters and brothers.’ ‘I wish I could send more, but what Jehovah has allowed me to have I wish to share.’ Like the first-century Christians in Macedonia, they earnestly beg for the privilege of having a share in providing essentials of life for those who have come into need. (2 Cor. 8:1-4) When over 200,000 Koreans were left homeless as a result of flooding in 1984, Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Republic of Korea responded so generously that the branch office had to make it known that no more help was needed.

Observers can readily see that something more than a feeling of responsibility or general humanitarianism motivates the Witnesses. They truly love their Christian brothers and sisters.

In addition to caring for physical needs, Jehovah’s Witnesses give special attention to the spiritual needs of their brothers in disaster areas. Arrangements are made just as quickly as possible for congregation meetings to resume. In Greece, in 1986, this required setting up a large tent outside the city of Kalamata to use as a Kingdom Hall, and smaller ones at various locations for midweek Congregation Book Studies. Similarly, after the physical needs of survivors of the devastating mud slide at Armero, Colombia, in 1985, had been cared for, the remaining funds were used to construct new Kingdom Halls for three congregations in the area.

Even while such reconstruction work is under way, Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to comfort others with the satisfying answers that God’s Word gives to their questions about the purpose of life, the reason for disasters and death, and the hope for the future.

The relief efforts of the Witnesses are not meant to care for the physical needs of everyone in the disaster area. In accord with Galatians 6:10, these are intended primarily for ‘those related to them in the faith.’ At the same time, they gladly assist others as they are able. They have done this, for example, when providing food for earthquake victims in Italy. In the United States, when helping flood and storm victims, they have also cleaned and repaired the homes of distraught neighbors of Witnesses. When asked why they would perform such acts of kindness for a stranger, they simply reply that they love their neighbors. (Matt. 22:39) Following a devastating hurricane in southern Florida, U.S.A., in 1992, the well-organized relief program of the Witnesses was so well-known that some business establishments and individuals who were not Witnesses and who wanted to make significant donations of relief supplies turned these over to the Witnesses. They knew that their gift would not be simply left in a stockpile, nor would it be used for profit, but it would truly benefit the hurricane victims, both Witnesses and non-Witnesses. Their willingness to help non-Witnesses in time of disaster was so greatly appreciated in Davao del Norte, in the Philippines, that town officials passed a resolution saying so.

However, not everyone loves true Christians. Frequently, they are the objects of vicious persecution. This situation, too, brings a generous outpouring of loving support for fellow Christians.

In the Face of Vicious Persecution

The apostle Paul compared the Christian congregation to the human body and said: “Its members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the other members suffer with it.” (1 Cor. 12:25, 26) That is how Jehovah’s Witnesses react when they hear reports about the persecution of their Christian brothers.

In Germany during the Nazi era, the government took harsh repressive measures against Jehovah’s Witnesses. There were only some 20,000 Witnesses in Germany at the time, a relatively small band despised by Hitler. United action was needed. On October 7, 1934, every congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout Germany met secretly, prayed together, and sent a letter to the government stating their determination to continue to serve Jehovah. Then many of those in attendance fearlessly went out to witness to their neighbors about Jehovah’s name and Kingdom. On the same day, Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout the rest of the earth also met in their congregations and, after united prayer, sent cablegrams to the Hitler government in support of their Christian brothers.

In 1948, after the clergy-inspired persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Greece was laid bare, the president of Greece and various ministers of government received thousands of letters from Jehovah’s Witnesses in behalf of their Christian brothers. These came from the Philippines, Australia, North and South America, and other areas.

When Awake! magazine exposed the inquisitional methods being employed against the Witnesses in Spain in 1961, letters of protest deluged the authorities there. Officials were shocked to find that people around the world knew exactly what they were doing, and as a result, even though the persecution continued, some of the police began to deal with the Witnesses with greater restraint. In various African lands too, officials have heard from Witnesses in many other parts of the world when they learned of cruel treatment being meted out to their Christian brothers and sisters there.

If no favorable response is forthcoming from the government, the persecuted Witnesses are not forgotten. Because of persisting in religious persecution for many years, some governments have repeatedly been deluged with letters of appeal and protest. That was true of Argentina. On one occasion in 1959, the secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cults took one of our brothers to a room where there were several bookcases filled with letters that had poured in from all over the world. He was amazed that someone as far away as Fiji would write appealing for freedom of worship in Argentina.

In certain instances increased freedom has been granted when rulers realized that people worldwide knew what they were doing and that there were many who really cared. That was true in Liberia in 1963. Outrageous treatment had been meted out by government soldiers to convention delegates at Gbarnga. The president of Liberia was deluged with letters of protest from around the world, and the U.S. State Department intervened because a U.S. citizen was involved. Finally, President Tubman wired the Watch Tower Society’s headquarters expressing willingness to receive a delegation of Jehovah’s Witnesses to discuss matters. Two of the delegates—Milton Henschel and John Charuk—had been at Gbarnga. Mr. Tubman acknowledged that what had occurred was “an outrage” and said: “I am sorry this thing happened.”

Following that interview, an Executive Order was issued notifying “all people throughout the country, that Jehovah’s Witnesses shall have the right and privilege of free access to any part of the country to carry on their missionary work and religious worship without molestation from anyone. They shall have the protection of the law both of their person and their property and the right to freely worship God according to the dictates of their consciences, observing in the meantime the laws of the Republic by showing respect to the national flag when it is being hoisted or lowered at ceremonies by standing at attention.” But it was not required that they salute, in violation of their Christian conscience.

However, as of 1992, no such official pronouncement had yet been forthcoming in Malawi, though violence against the Witnesses there had subsided to a considerable extent. Jehovah’s Witnesses there have been the victims of some of the most vicious religious persecution in African history. One wave of such persecution swept the country in 1967; another began early in the 1970’s. Tens of thousands of letters were written in their behalf from all parts of the world. Phone calls were made. Cablegrams were sent. On humanitarian grounds many prominent people of the world were moved to speak out.

So extreme was the brutality that some 19,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses and their children fled across the border to Zambia in 1972. The nearby Witness congregations in Zambia quickly gathered food and blankets for their brothers. Money and supplies donated by Jehovah’s Witnesses all over the world poured into Watch Tower branch offices and were channeled to the refugees by the headquarters office in New York. More than enough came in to care for all the needs of the refugees in the camp at Sinda Misale. As news spread through the camp of the arrival of trucks bearing food, clothing, and tarpaulins to provide covering, the Malawian brothers could not help giving way to tears of joy because of this evidence of the love of their Christian brothers.

When any of their number are held in detention, fellow Witnesses do not forsake them, not even when personal risk is involved. During the ban in Argentina, when a group of Witnesses were detained for 45 hours, four other Witnesses brought food and clothing for them, only to be imprisoned themselves. In 1989 the wife of a circuit overseer in Burundi, upon learning of the plight of her Christian brothers, tried to take food to the prison for them. But she herself was arrested and held hostage for two weeks, because the police were trying to get their hands on her husband.

Along with whatever they can do in all these ways, love for their Christian brothers moves Jehovah’s Witnesses to raise their voices in prayer to God in their behalf. They do not pray that God put an immediate stop to wars and food shortages, because Jesus Christ foretold such things for our time. (Matt. 24:7) Nor do they pray for God to prevent all persecution, because the Bible clearly states that true Christians will be persecuted. (John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12) But they do earnestly petition that their Christian brothers and sisters be strengthened to stand firm in faith in the face of whatever hardship comes upon them. (Compare Colossians 4:12.) The record testifying to their spiritual strength gives abundant evidence that such prayers have been answered.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 305]

Attention to cases of special need not left to chance

[Blurb on page 307]

Help that results from loving personal concern

[Blurb on page 308]

Coming to grips with massive needs for relief

[Blurb on page 312]

A systematic search to locate each Witness in the disaster area

[Blurb on page 315]

Doing good to non-Witnesses too

[Blurb on page 317]

Tears of joy because of the love shown by their Christian brothers

[Box on page 309]

“You Really Love One Another”

After watching Witness volunteers in war-torn Lebanon completely restore the badly damaged home of one of their Christian sisters, her neighbors felt impelled to ask: “Where does this love come from? What kind of people are you?” And a Muslim woman, watching as the home of a Witness was being cleaned and repaired, declared: “You really love one another. Yours is the right religion.”

[Box on page 316]

True Brothers and Sisters

Regarding Cuban Witness refugees in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, the “Arkansas Gazette” said: “They were the very first to be relocated into new homes because their American ‘brothers and sisters’—fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses—sought them out. . . . When Witnesses call their spiritual counterparts in any land ‘brothers and sisters,’ they really mean it.”—Issue of April 19, 1981.

[Pictures on page 306]

After World War II, they shipped food and clothing to fellow Witnesses in need in 18 lands

United States

Switzerland

[Pictures on page 310]

In 1990, Witnesses in nearby lands united their efforts to help fellow believers in Romania

[Pictures on page 311]

Witnesses who survived an earthquake in Peru built their own refuge city and helped one another

Relief supplies brought by other Witnesses (below) were among the first to reach the area

[Pictures on page 313]

Relief efforts often include providing materials and volunteers to help fellow Witnesses rebuild their homes

Guatemala

Panama

Mexico

[Picture on page 314]

Witness relief efforts include spiritual upbuilding. Both in Kalamata, Greece, and outside the city, tents were quickly set up for meetings

Chapter 20

Building Together on a Global Scale

THE feeling of genuine brotherhood among Jehovah’s Witnesses is manifest in many ways. Those who attend their meetings see evidence of it. At their conventions it is demonstrated on an enlarged scale. It is also clearly evident as they work together to provide suitable places of assembly for their congregations.

As the decade of the 1990’s began, there were upwards of 60,000 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. During the preceding decade, 1,759 new congregations had been added, on an average, each year. By the early 1990’s, that rate had increased to over 3,000 per year. Providing suitable places for them all to meet has been a monumental task.

Kingdom Halls

As was true of the first-century Christians, many congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses initially used private homes for most of their meetings. In Stockholm, Sweden, the few who first held regular meetings there used a carpentry shop, which they rented for use after the day’s work in the shop was done. Because of persecution, a small group in the province of La Coruña, Spain, held their first meetings in a small storehouse, or granary.

When more space was needed, in lands where there was freedom to do so, the local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses would rent a meeting place. However, if this was a hall that was also used by other organizations, equipment had to be hauled in or set up for each meeting, and there was frequently the lingering smell of tobacco smoke. Where possible, the brothers would rent an unused store or upstairs room that would be used exclusively by the congregation. But, in time, in many places high rents and unavailability of suitable places made it necessary to work out other arrangements. In some instances buildings were purchased and renovated.

Before World War II, there were a few congregations that built meeting places specially designed for their use. Even as early as 1890, a group of Bible Students in the United States at Mount Lookout, West Virginia, built their own meeting place.a Widespread building of Kingdom Halls, however, did not get under way until the 1950’s.

The name Kingdom Hall was suggested in 1935 by J. F. Rutherford, who was then president of the Watch Tower Society. In connection with the Society’s branch facilities in Honolulu, Hawaii, he arranged for the brothers to construct a hall where meetings could be held. When James Harrub asked what Brother Rutherford was going to call the building, he replied: “Don’t you think we should call it ‘Kingdom Hall,’ since that is what we are doing, preaching the good news of the Kingdom?” Thereafter, where possible, halls regularly being used by the Witnesses gradually began to be identified by signs that said “Kingdom Hall.” Thus, when the London Tabernacle was renovated in 1937-38, it was renamed Kingdom Hall. In time, the principal local meeting place of congregations worldwide came to be known as the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

More Than One Way to Do It

Decisions about whether to rent or to build Kingdom Halls are made locally by the individual congregations. They also shoulder any construction and maintenance expenses. In order to conserve funds, the vast majority of congregations have endeavored to do as much of the building work as possible without resorting to commercial contractors.

The halls themselves may be built of brick, stone, wood, or other materials, depending upon cost as well as what is available in the area. In Katima Mulilo, Namibia, long grass was used for a thatched roof, and mud from anthills (which sets very hard) was molded for walls and floor. Witnesses in Segovia, Colombia, made their own cement building blocks. Unhewn lava from Mount Lassen was used in Colfax, California.

With meeting attendance often exceeding 200 in 1972, the congregation at Maseru, Lesotho, knew that they needed to build a suitable Kingdom Hall. Everyone helped with the project. Elderly brothers walked up to 20 miles [32 km] in order to have a share. Children rolled drums of water to the site. The sisters provided meals. They also used their feet to pound the ground, compacting it in preparation for the pouring of the concrete floor slab, all the while singing Kingdom songs and stamping to the rhythm of the music. Sandstone, available from nearby mountains at the cost of fetching it, was used for the walls. The result was a Kingdom Hall that could seat about 250.

At times, Witnesses from nearby congregations assisted with the building work. Thus, in 1985, when Jehovah’s Witnesses at Imbali, a black township in South Africa, built a hall that would comfortably seat 400, fellow Witnesses from nearby Pietermaritzburg and Durban came to help. Can you imagine how amazed the neighbors were when, during those days of racial unrest in South Africa, they saw scores of white, Colored, and Indian Witnesses pouring into the township and working shoulder to shoulder with their black African brothers? As the local mayor declared: “It can only be done with love.”

No matter how willing the spirit, congregations found that local circumstances limited what the brothers could do. Men in the congregations had families to support and could ordinarily work on such a project only on weekends and perhaps a little in the evenings. Many congregations had few, if any, who were skilled in the building trades. Nevertheless, a relatively simple, somewhat open structure suitable to the tropics might be put up in a few days or perhaps a few weeks. With the help of Witnesses in surrounding congregations, more substantial buildings might be completed in five or six months. In other cases it might require a year or two.

Yet, as they moved into the 1970’s, Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide were increasing at a rate of two to three new congregations per day. By the early 1990’s, the rate of increase was up to nine congregations per day. Could their compelling need for new Kingdom Halls be met?

Developing Quick-Construction Techniques

Early in the 1970’s, in the United States, over 50 Witnesses from nearby congregations pitched in to help construct a new Kingdom Hall in Carterville, Missouri, for the group that had been meeting in Webb City. On one weekend they erected the main framework and did considerable work on the roof. There was still much to be done, and it took months to complete the job; but an important part of it had been completed in a very short period.

During the next decade, as the brothers worked together on about 60 halls, obstacles were overcome, and more efficient methods were developed. In time, they realized that after work on the foundation was done, they might almost be able to complete an entire Kingdom Hall in a single weekend.

Several congregation overseers—all from the midwestern United States—began to work toward that goal. When congregations asked for help with their Kingdom Hall construction, one or more of these brothers would discuss the project with them and provide details concerning the preparation that had to be cared for locally before the job could be done. Among other things, construction permits had to be obtained, the foundation and the concrete floor slab had to be poured, electrical service had to be operational, underground plumbing had to be in place, and dependable arrangements had to be made for delivery of building materials. Then a date could be set for putting up the Kingdom Hall itself. The building was not going to be prefabricated; it would be built from the ground up right on the site.

Who would do the actual construction work? To the extent possible, it was done with voluntary, unpaid labor. Entire families often shared. Those organizing the project would contact Witnesses who were tradesmen and who had expressed a willingness to participate in these projects. Many of them eagerly looked forward to each new building project. Other Witnesses who learned about the projects wanted to have a part; hundreds from the surrounding area—and from more distant places—flocked to the building sites, anxious to offer their services in whatever way they could. Most of them were not professional builders, but they certainly gave evidence that they fit the description of those who would be supporters of Jehovah’s Messianic King as set out at Psalm 110:3, which says: “Your people will offer themselves willingly.”

On Thursday evening before the big push was to begin, those supervising the project met to work out final details. The next evening, workers were shown a slide presentation on procedure so that they would understand how the work was going to be done. Emphasis was placed on the importance of godly qualities. The brothers were encouraged to work together in love, to be kind, to show patience and consideration. Everyone was encouraged to work at a steady pace but not to rush and not to hesitate to take a few minutes to share an upbuilding experience with someone. Early the next morning, construction began.

At an appointed time early on Saturday morning, everyone would stop what he was doing to listen to a discussion of the Scripture text for the day. Prayer was offered, for it was well appreciated that success of the entire undertaking depended on Jehovah’s blessing.—Ps. 127:1.

When the work began, it moved swiftly. In an hour the walls were up. Roof trusses followed. Sheeting for the walls was nailed into place. The electricians began running wires. Air-conditioning and heating ducts were installed. Cabinets were built and put into position. Sometimes it rained all weekend, or the weather turned bitterly cold or was excessively hot, but the work went on. There was no competition, no rivalry among the tradesmen.

Frequently, before sundown on the second day, the Kingdom Hall was completed—nicely decorated inside, perhaps even landscaped on the outside. When it was more practical, jobs were scheduled to extend over three days, or perhaps two weekends. At the end of the project, many of the workers would remain, tired but very happy, to enjoy the first regular congregation meeting, a study of The Watchtower.

Doubtful that quality work could be done so fast, several people in Guymon, Oklahoma, U.S.A., called the city inspector. “I told them that if they wanted to see something done right, they ought to visit the hall!” said the inspector when later relating the incident to the Witnesses. “You people are even doing correctly what will be hidden and not seen!”

As the need for Kingdom Halls increased, the brothers who had developed many of the quick-construction methods trained others. Reports of what was being done spread to other lands. Could such construction methods be employed there too?

Quick Construction Goes International

Kingdom Hall building in Canada was lagging far behind the needs of the congregations. The Witnesses in Canada invited those who were organizing quick-construction projects in the United States to explain how they handled it. At first, the Canadians were rather doubtful that it could be done in Canada, but they decided to try. The first Kingdom Hall built in this manner in Canada went up at Elmira, Ontario, in 1982. By 1992, there were 306 Kingdom Halls in Canada that had been put up in this way.

The Witnesses in Northampton, England, thought they could do it too. Their project, in 1983, was the first in Europe. Brothers experienced in this type of construction traveled from the United States and Canada to oversee the project and to help local Witnesses learn how to do it. Other volunteers were on hand from as far afield as Japan, India, France, and Germany. They were there as volunteers, not for pay. How was it all possible? As the overseer of a team of Irish Witnesses that worked on such a project said, ‘It is successful because all the brothers and sisters pull together under the influence of Jehovah’s spirit.’

Even when local building regulations seem to make such projects impossible, the Witnesses have found that, frequently, when details are outlined for city officials, they are glad to cooperate.

After a quick-construction project in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle, the newspaper Finnmarken exclaimed: “Just fantastic. That is the only expression we can find that describes what Jehovah’s Witnesses did last weekend.” Similarly, when Witnesses on New Zealand’s North Island put up an attractive Kingdom Hall in two and a half days, the front-page headline on the local newspaper declared: “Project Close to a Miracle.” The article added: “Perhaps the most mind-boggling aspect of the exercise was the organisation and sheer quiet of the operation.”

The remoteness of location where the Kingdom Hall is needed does not prove to be an insurmountable barrier. In Belize a quick-construction project was done, even though it meant transporting every piece of material to an island 36 miles [60 km] from Belize City. When an air-conditioned Kingdom Hall was put up in Port Hedland, Western Australia, one weekend, it was with materials and a work force that practically all came from 1,000 miles [1,600 km] or more away. Travel expenses came out of the workers’ own pockets. Most of those who had a part in the project did not personally know the Witnesses in the Port Hedland Congregation, and very few of them would ever attend meetings there. But that did not deter them from expressing their love in this way.

Even where the number of Witnesses is small, this has not prevented the use of such methods for building halls. Some 800 Witnesses from Trinidad volunteered to travel to Tobago to help their 84 Christian brothers and sisters there to build a hall in Scarborough in 1985. The 17 Witnesses (most of them women and children) in Goose Bay, Labrador, definitely needed help if they were ever going to have a Kingdom Hall of their own. In 1985, Witnesses from other parts of Canada chartered three planes to take 450 of them to Goose Bay to do the job. After two days of hard work, they had a dedication program in the completed hall on Sunday evening.

This does not mean that all Kingdom Halls are now being put up with quick-construction methods, but ever-growing numbers of them are.

Regional Building Committees

By mid-1986 the rate at which new Kingdom Halls were needed had greatly accelerated. During the preceding year, 2,461 new congregations had been formed worldwide; 207 of these were in the United States. Some Kingdom Halls were being used by three, four, or even five congregations. As the Scriptures had foretold, Jehovah was truly speeding up the work of ingathering.—Isa. 60:22.

To assure the best possible use of personnel and to enable all who were building Kingdom Halls to benefit from experience that had been gained, the Society began to coordinate their activity. As a start, in 1987 the United States was divided up among 60 Regional Building Committees. There was plenty for all of them to do; some of them soon had projects lined up for a year or more. Those appointed to serve on these committees were men who, first of all, were spiritually qualified, elders in the congregations, exemplary in their exercise of the fruitage of God’s spirit. (Gal. 5:22, 23) Many of them also had experience in real estate, engineering, construction, business management, safety, and related fields.

Congregations were encouraged to consult with the Regional Building Committee before choosing a site for a new Kingdom Hall. Where there was more than one congregation in a city, they were also urged to consult with the circuit overseer(s), the city overseer, and elders from nearby congregations. Congregations that were planning major renovation or the building of a new Kingdom Hall were advised to benefit from the experience of the brothers on the Regional Building Committee for their area and from the guidelines that the Society had furnished them. Through that committee, arrangements would be coordinated for assembling the needed skilled personnel from among brothers and sisters in some 65 trades who had already volunteered to help on such projects.

As procedures were refined, it was possible to reduce the number of workers involved in any one project. Instead of having thousands at the construction site either watching or offering their services, there were seldom more than 200 on site at any given time. Instead of spending an entire weekend there, workers were on hand only when their particular skills were needed. Thus they had more time to spend with their families and for activity with their home congregations. When local brothers could do certain types of work in a reasonable time, it was often found to be more practical to bring in the quick-construction group only for those aspects of the work for which they were more urgently needed.

Although the entire operation moved at amazing speed, this was not the primary consideration. Of greater importance was the providing of quality construction of modest Kingdom Halls designed to meet local needs. Careful planning was done so as to accomplish this while keeping expenses to a minimum. Measures were taken to see that safety was given high priority—the safety of workers, neighbors, passersby, and future occupants of the Kingdom Hall.

As reports concerning this arrangement for building Kingdom Halls reached other lands, the branch offices of the Society that believed it would be advantageous in their areas were provided with needed details. By 1992, Regional Building Committees appointed by the Society were helping with Kingdom Hall construction in such countries as Argentina, Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, and Spain. Building methods were adapted to local circumstances. When assistance from another branch was needed for Kingdom Hall construction, this was arranged through the Society’s headquarters office. In some parts of the world, new halls were being put up in days; elsewhere, in weeks or perhaps in a few months. With careful planning and coordinated effort, the time required to provide a new Kingdom Hall was definitely being reduced.

The building activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses have not been limited to Kingdom Halls. Larger facilities are needed when groups of congregations meet for annual circuit assemblies and special assembly days.

Filling the Need for Assembly Halls

Over the years, facilities of many kinds have been used for circuit assemblies. Jehovah’s Witnesses have rented such places as civic auditoriums, schools, theaters, armories, sports arenas, and fairgrounds. In a few localities, very fine facilities were available at a reasonable price. More often, much time and effort was required to clean the place, set up sound equipment, erect a platform, and truck in chairs. Sometimes there were last-minute cancellations. As the number of congregations grew, it became more and more difficult to find enough suitable places. What could be done?

Once again, the solution was for Jehovah’s Witnesses to have places of their own. This would involve renovating suitable structures and building new ones. The first of such Assembly Halls in the United States was a theater in Long Island City, New York, renovated and put to use by Jehovah’s Witnesses late in 1965.

At about the same time, Witnesses on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe were designing an Assembly Hall to meet their needs. They felt that it would be advantageous if they could have their circuit assemblies in many different locations. But most of the towns did not have facilities that were large enough. So the Witnesses built a portable structure made of steel pipes and aluminum roofing, something that would be adequate for 700 people and that could be erected wherever there was an available plot of land that was relatively flat. They had to enlarge the hall again and again, until it reached a capacity of 5,000. Just imagine moving, setting up, and dismantling 30 tons of material for every assembly! That Assembly Hall was built and taken down several times a year for 13 years, until land for the portable hall became hard to find and it was necessary to purchase land and erect a permanent Assembly Hall, which now serves for circuit assemblies and district conventions.

In quite a few places, Assembly Hall projects made use of existing buildings. In England, at Hays Bridge, Surrey, a 50-year-old school complex was purchased and renovated. It is nestled in 28 acres [11 ha] of beautiful countryside. Former movie theaters and an industrial warehouse were remodeled and put to use in Spain; an unused textile factory in Australia; a dance hall in Quebec, Canada; a bowling alley in Japan; a warehouse in the Republic of Korea. All of these were made over into attractive Assembly Halls that could serve well as large centers for Bible education.

Other Assembly Halls were completely new, having been constructed from the ground up. The unique octagonal design of the hall at Hellaby, South Yorkshire, England, along with the fact that much of the work was done with volunteer labor gave rise to an article in the journal of the Institution of Structural Engineers. The Assembly Hall at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in Canada, was designed to seat 1,200; but when interior walls are pulled into place, the structure can be used as four side-by-side Kingdom Halls. Haiti’s Assembly Hall (prefabricated and shipped from the United States) was open on two sides so that those seated inside would constantly be cooled by the prevailing winds—a welcome relief from the hot Haitian sun. The hall in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, was designed in such a way that sections of the walls could be opened like doors in order to accommodate crowds larger than would fit inside.

The decision to build an Assembly Hall is not made by a small group of overseers who then expect everyone else to support it. Before any new Assembly Hall is built, the Society sees to it that a careful analysis is made as to the need for it and the amount of use that it will have. Consideration is given not just to local enthusiasm for the project but also to the overall needs of the field. It is discussed with all the congregations that will be involved, in order to ascertain the desire and ability of the brothers to support it.

Thus, when the work gets under way, Jehovah’s Witnesses in the area are wholeheartedly behind it. Each project is financed by the Witnesses themselves. The financial needs are explained, but contributions are voluntary and anonymous. Careful planning is done in advance, and the project benefits from experience already gained in building Kingdom Halls and, frequently, from Assembly Hall projects in other places. Where necessary, some aspects of the work may be let out to commercial contractors, but most of it is usually done by enthusiastic Witnesses. This may cut the cost in half.

With a work force made up of skilled professionals and others who volunteer their time and talents, the entire project usually moves along quickly. Some projects may require more than a year. But on Vancouver Island in Canada, in 1985, some 4,500 volunteers completed a 25,000-square-foot [2,300 sq m] Assembly Hall in just nine days. The structure also includes a 200-seat Kingdom Hall for use by local congregations. In New Caledonia, a curfew was imposed by the government in 1984 because of political unrest, yet up to 400 volunteers worked on the Assembly Hall at a time, and it was completed in just four months. Near Stockholm, Sweden, a beautiful, practical Assembly Hall, with 900 padded oak chairs, was built in seven months.

Sometimes persistent efforts in the courts have been necessary in order to obtain permits to build these Assembly Halls. That was true in Canada at Surrey, British Columbia. When the land was purchased, the zoning requirements allowed for the building of such a place of worship. But after building plans were submitted, in 1974, the Council for the District of Surrey passed a bylaw stipulating that churches and assembly halls could be built only in Zone P-3—a zone that did not exist! Yet, 79 churches had previously been built in the municipality without any trouble. The matter was taken to court. Repeated rulings were given in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses. When hindrance of prejudiced officials was at last cleared aside, the volunteer workers pursued the project with such enthusiasm that they completed it in about seven months. As was true of Nehemiah in his efforts to rebuild the walls of ancient Jerusalem, they felt that the ‘hand of God was upon them’ to accomplish the work.—Neh. 2:18.

When Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States purchased the Stanley Theater in Jersey City, New Jersey, the building was on the state’s register of historic places. Although the theater was in a deplorable state of disrepair, it had excellent potential for use as an Assembly Hall. Yet, when the Witnesses wanted to do needed repair work, city officials refused permits. The mayor did not want Jehovah’s Witnesses in that area; he had other plans for the property. Court action was needed in order to restrain officials from the unlawful use of their authority. The court ruled in favor of the Witnesses. Soon after that, local residents voted the mayor out of office. Work on the hall moved ahead quickly. The result was a beautiful Assembly Hall that seated over 4,000. It is a place that businessmen and residents of the city alike are proud of.

During the past 27 years, in many parts of the globe, attractive and practical Assembly Halls have been built by Jehovah’s Witnesses to serve as centers for Bible education. Such halls are now found in ever-increasing numbers in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Orient, as well as on many islands. In some lands—for example, Nigeria, Italy, and Denmark—Jehovah’s Witnesses have even built larger, permanent, open-air facilities that can be used for their district conventions.

Yet, Assembly Halls and Kingdom Halls are not the only building projects in which Jehovah’s Witnesses are involved in order to further the proclamation of God’s Kingdom.

Offices, Printeries, and Bethel Homes Worldwide

Around the globe in 1992, there were 99 branch offices of the Watch Tower Society, each of which served to coordinate the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in its part of the world field. Over one half of these branches were doing printing of various kinds to further the work of Bible education. Those who work at the branches are housed, for the most part, as a large family in homes called Bethel, meaning “House of God.” Because of expansion in the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses and their preaching activity, it has been necessary to enlarge these facilities and to build new ones.

So rapid has been the growth of the organization that there have frequently been 20 to 40 of such branch-expansion programs in progress at a time. This has required a vast international construction program.

Because of the enormous amount of construction work being done worldwide, the Watch Tower Society has its own Engineering and Drafting Department at its New York headquarters. Engineers with many years of experience have left their secular work and volunteered to assist full-time with building projects that are directly connected with Kingdom activity. Additionally, those who have experience have trained other men and women in the work of engineering, design, and drafting. By coordinating work through this department, experience gained in branch construction in any part of the world can benefit those working on projects in other lands.

In time, the great amount of work being done made it beneficial to open a Regional Engineering Office in Japan to assist with construction blueprints for projects in the Orient. Other Regional Engineering Offices operate in Europe and Australia, with personnel drawn from a variety of lands. These work in close cooperation with the headquarters office, and their services, along with use of computer technology, cut down on the drafting personnel needed at any given construction site.

Some projects are relatively modest in size. That was true of the branch office built in Tahiti in 1983. This included office space, storerooms, and accommodations for eight volunteer workers. It was also true of the four-story branch building erected on the Caribbean island of Martinique during the years 1982 to 1984. These structures might not seem extraordinary to big-city dwellers in other lands, but they attracted public attention. The newspaper France-Antilles declared that the branch building in Martinique was “an architectural masterpiece” that reflected a “great love for work well done.”

In contrast from the standpoint of size, the buildings that were finished in Canada in 1981 included a printery, or factory, with upwards of 100,000 square feet [9,300 sq m] of floor space and a residence building for 250 volunteers. At Cesario Lange, in Brazil, the Watch Tower complex completed that same year included eight buildings, with nearly 500,000 square feet [46,000 sq m] of floor space. It required 10,000 truckloads of cement, stone, and sand, as well as enough concrete pilings to reach twice the height of Mount Everest! In 1991, when a large new printery was completed in the Philippines, it was also necessary to provide an 11-story residence building.

To meet the needs of the growing number of Kingdom proclaimers in Nigeria, a large building project got under way in Igieduma in 1984. This was to include a factory, a spacious office building, four connected residence buildings, and other needed facilities. Plans were laid to have the factory completely prefabricated and then shipped from the United States. But then the brothers were confronted with seemingly impossible import deadlines. When these deadlines were met and everything arrived safely at the construction site, the Witnesses did not take the credit but gave thanks to Jehovah for his blessing.

Rapid Expansion Around the Globe

So rapid has been the growth of the work of Kingdom proclamation, however, that even after major expansion of branch facilities in a country, it has often been necessary to start building again within a relatively short time. Consider a few examples.

In Peru a fine new branch—with office space, 22 bedrooms as well as other basic facilities for Bethel family members, and a Kingdom Hall—was completed at the end of 1984. But response to the Kingdom message in that South American land was much greater than anticipated. Four years later it was necessary to duplicate the existing complex, this time using an antiseismic design.

A spacious new branch complex was completed in Colombia in 1979. It appeared that it would provide ample space for many years to come. However, within seven years the number of Witnesses in Colombia had nearly doubled, and the branch was now printing the magazines La Atalaya and ¡Despertad! not only for Colombia but also for four neighboring countries. They had to start building again in 1987—this time where there was more land for expansion.

During 1980, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brazil devoted some 14,000,000 hours to public preaching of the Kingdom message. The figure soared to nearly 50,000,000 in 1989. More people were showing a desire to have their spiritual hunger satisfied. The extensive branch facilities dedicated in 1981 were no longer sufficient. Already by September 1988, excavation for a new factory was in progress. This one would provide 80 percent more floor space than there was in the existing factory, and of course, residence facilities to care for the enlarged Bethel family would also be needed.

At Selters/Taunus, Germany, the Watch Tower Society’s second-largest printing complex was dedicated in 1984. Five years later, because of increases in Germany as well as opportunities to expand the witness work in lands for which the branch there prints literature, plans were under way to enlarge the factory by over 85 percent and to add other support facilities.

The Japan branch had moved from Tokyo to large new facilities in Numazu in 1972. There was further major expansion in 1975. By 1978 another property had been obtained, at Ebina; and work on a factory more than three times as large as that at Numazu quickly got started. This was completed in 1982. It was still not enough; more buildings were added by 1989. Would it not have been possible to build just once and make it large enough? No. The number of Kingdom proclaimers in Japan had doubled again and again in a way that no human could have anticipated. From 14,199 in 1972, their ranks had soared to 137,941 in 1989, and a large proportion of them were devoting full time to the ministry.

A similar pattern is seen in other parts of the globe. Within a decade—and sometimes within a few years—after the building of large branches equipped for printing, it was necessary to undertake major expansion. That was true in Mexico, Canada, South Africa, and the Republic of Korea, among others.

Who does the actual construction work? How is it all accomplished?

Many Thousands Eager to Help

In Sweden, out of the 17,000 Witnesses in the country at the time of building their branch at Arboga, some 5,000 volunteered to help with the work. Most were simply willing helpers, but there were also enough highly skilled professionals to see that the work was done right. Their motivation? Love for Jehovah.

When an official at a surveyor’s office in Denmark heard that all the work on a new branch at Holbæk was going to be done by Jehovah’s Witnesses, he expressed misgivings. Nevertheless, among the Witnesses who volunteered to help, all the needed know-how was found. Yet, would they have been better off if commercial contractors had been hired to do the job? After the project was completed, experts from the town’s building department toured the premises and commented on the fine workmanship—something they rarely see on commercial jobs nowadays. As for the official who had earlier expressed misgivings, he smiled and said: “You see, at that time I didn’t know the kind of organization you people have.”

Population centers in Australia are widely scattered; so, most of the 3,000 who volunteered to work on the branch facilities at Ingleburn between 1978 and 1983 had to travel at least 1,000 miles [1,600 km]. However, bus travel for groups of volunteers was coordinated, and congregations en route hospitably offered to supply meals and association for the brothers at rest stops. Some of the brothers sold homes, closed businesses, took vacations, and made other sacrifices in order to share in the project. Teams of experienced tradesmen came in—some of them more than once—to pour concrete, hang ceilings, put up fences. Others donated materials.

The majority of volunteers on these projects were unskilled, but with a little training, some of them took on big responsibilities and did excellent work. They learned how to fabricate windows, operate tractors, mix concrete, and lay bricks. They enjoyed a definite advantage over non-Witnesses who do the same kind of work commercially. In what way? Those who were experienced were willing to share their knowledge. No one was afraid that someone else would take his job; there was plenty for everyone to do. And there was strong motivation to do high-quality work, because it was being done as an expression of love for God.

At all the construction sites, some Witnesses form the nucleus of the construction “family.” During work at Selters/Taunus, Germany, from 1979 to 1984, several hundred generally made up that nucleus of workers. Thousands of others joined them for varying periods of time, many on weekends. There was careful planning so that when volunteers arrived, there was plenty for them to do.

As long as people are imperfect, there will be problems, but those who work on these projects try to resolve these on the basis of Bible principles. They know that doing things in a Christian manner is more important than efficiency. As a reminder, at the construction site in Ebina, Japan, there were large signs with pictures of workers in hard hats, and on each of the hard hats was inscribed in Japanese characters one of the fruits of God’s spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. (Gal. 5:22, 23) Those who visit the job sites can see and hear the difference. Expressing his own observations, a news reporter who toured the branch construction site in Brazil said: “There are no disorders or lack of cooperation . . . This Christian atmosphere makes it different here from that customarily seen in Brazilian civil construction.”

Constant Growth at World Headquarters

While the Watch Tower Society’s branches have been growing, it has also been necessary to expand the facilities of the world headquarters. There have been major additions to its factory and office quarters in Brooklyn and in other locations in New York State more than ten times since World War II. To house personnel, it has been necessary to build or purchase and renovate numerous buildings, both large and small. Further major expansion in Brooklyn was announced in August 1990 and in January 1991—even while north of New York City construction begun in 1989 was continuing on the extensive Watchtower Educational Center, designed to accommodate 1,200 persons, including resident staff and students.

Since 1972, there has been no letup in construction work at the world headquarters in Brooklyn and its closely associated facilities in other parts of New York and in New Jersey. In time, it became obvious that even though they numbered in the hundreds, the regular construction workers were unable to keep up with the work. So, in 1984 an ongoing temporary-worker program was instituted. Letters were sent out to the then 8,000 congregations in the United States to invite qualified brothers to come for a week or more to help out. (A similar program had already worked well in some of the branches, including Australia, where those able to stay two weeks were invited to volunteer.) Workers would be provided lodging and meals but would pay their own travel expenses and would receive no wages. Who would respond?

By 1992, well over 24,000 applications had been processed! At least 3,900 of these were for persons who were coming back for a 2nd or 3rd, even a 10th or 20th, time. Most of them were elders, ministerial servants, or pioneers—persons with fine spiritual qualifications. All of them were volunteering to do whatever was needed, whether it called for them to use their trade or not. The work was often heavy and dirty. But they counted it a privilege to contribute in this way to the advancement of Kingdom interests. Some felt that it helped them to better appreciate the spirit of self-sacrifice that characterizes the work done at the world headquarters. All of them felt richly rewarded as a result of being present for the Bethel family’s program of morning worship and weekly family Watchtower study.

International Volunteers

As the need for rapid expansion grew, an arrangement for international volunteers was initiated in 1985. It was by no means the start of international cooperation in building, but the arrangement was now carefully coordinated from headquarters. All who share are Witnesses who volunteer to help with construction work outside their own country. They are skilled workers, as well as marriage mates who go with their husbands to help in whatever way they can. Most of them pay for their own travel expenses; none get wages for what they do. Some of them go on a short-term basis, usually staying from two weeks to three months. Others are long-term volunteers, remaining for a year or more, perhaps until the project is completed. Over 3,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses from 30 different countries had part in this during the first five years, and more were eager to share as their skills were needed. They count it a privilege to give of themselves and their means to advance the interests of God’s Kingdom in this way.

The international volunteers are provided with a place to stay and meals to eat. Comforts are often minimal. The local Witnesses greatly appreciate what their visiting brothers are doing, and where possible, they welcome them to share their homes, however humble these may be. Meals are most often eaten at the work site.

The brothers from abroad are not there to do the whole job. Their aim is to work along with the local construction team. And hundreds, even thousands, of others in the country may also come to help on weekends or for a week or more at a time. In Argentina, 259 volunteers from other countries worked along with several thousand local brothers, some of whom were on the job every day, others for a few weeks, and many more on weekends. In Colombia, over 830 international volunteers helped for varying periods of time. There were also upwards of 200 local volunteers who shared in the project full-time and, each weekend, another 250 or more who helped. A total of more than 3,600 different individuals took part.

Difference of language can present problems, but it does not prevent the international groups from working together. Sign language, facial expressions, a good sense of humor, and a desire to accomplish a job that will honor Jehovah help to get the work done.

Outstanding growth in the organization—consequently the need for larger branch facilities—is sometimes experienced in lands where the number of people who are skilled in the building trades is limited. But this is no hindrance among Jehovah’s Witnesses, who gladly help one another. They work together as part of a global family that is not divided by nationality, skin color, or language.

In Papua New Guinea, the volunteers who came from Australia and New Zealand each trained a Papua New Guinean in his trade, in harmony with the request of the Government Labour Department. In this way, while giving of themselves, local Witnesses learned trades that could help them to care for the needs of themselves and their families.

When a new branch was needed in El Salvador, the local brothers were joined by 326 volunteers from abroad. For the project in Ecuador, 270 Witnesses from 14 lands worked alongside their Ecuadoran brothers and sisters. Some international volunteers helped on several projects that were under way at the same time. They rotated between construction sites in Europe and Africa, according to the need for their trade skills.

By 1992, international volunteers had been sent out to 49 branch locations to assist the local building crews. In some instances those who received help from this program were able, in turn, to provide assistance to others. Thus, having benefited from the labors of about 60 long-term international servants who helped with the branch building project in the Philippines, as well as over 230 volunteers from abroad who helped for shorter periods, some of the Filipinos made themselves available to help build facilities in other parts of Southeast Asia.

Building work is being done by Jehovah’s Witnesses because of needs that exist now in connection with preaching the good news. With the help of Jehovah’s spirit, they want to give the greatest witness possible during the time that remains before Armageddon. They are convinced that God’s new world is very close at hand, and they have faith that they will survive as an organized people into that new world, under the rule of God’s Messianic Kingdom. It is also their hope that perhaps many of the fine facilities that they have built and dedicated to Jehovah will continue to be used after Armageddon as centers from which knowledge of the only true God can be diffused until it truly fills the earth.—Isa. 11:9.

[Footnote]

[Blurb on page 322]

Witnesses from nearby congregations helped with the work

[Blurb on page 323]

Construction work was done with voluntary, unpaid labor

[Blurb on page 324]

Emphasis was placed on spiritual qualities

[Blurb on page 326]

Quality construction, safety, minimum cost, speed

[Blurb on page 328]

A portable Assembly Hall!

[Blurb on page 331]

Resorting to the courts

[Blurb on page 332]

Large-scale international expansion

[Blurb on page 333]

Workers gave credit to Jehovah, not to themselves

[Blurb on page 334]

Growth at a rate that no human could have predicted

[Blurb on page 336]

They counted it a privilege to help with construction at headquarters

[Blurb on page 339]

They work as a global family, not divided by nationality, skin color, or language

[Box/Pictures on page 320, 321]

Working Together to Build Kingdom Halls Quickly

Thousands of new congregations are formed each year. In most instances, new Kingdom Halls are built by the Witnesses themselves. These pictures were taken during the building of a Kingdom Hall in Connecticut, U.S.A., in 1991

Friday, 7:40 a.m.

Friday, 12 noon

Saturday, 7:41 p.m.

Major work completed, Sunday, 6:10 p.m.

They look to Jehovah for his blessing, and they take time out to discuss counsel from his Word

All unpaid volunteers, glad to work side by side

[Box/Pictures on page 327]

Kingdom Halls in Various Lands

The meeting places used by Jehovah’s Witnesses are usually modest. They are clean, comfortable, attractive in their surroundings

Peru

Philippines

France

Republic of Korea

Japan

Papua New Guinea

Ireland

Colombia

Norway

Lesotho

[Box/Pictures on page 330]

Assembly Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses

In order to accommodate their periodic assemblies, Jehovah’s Witnesses in some areas have found it practical to build their own Assembly Halls. Much of the construction work is done by local Witnesses. Here are just a few of these halls in use in the early 1990’s

Britain

Venezuela

Italy

Germany

Canada

Japan

[Box/Pictures on page 338]

International Construction Program Fills Urgent Needs

Rapid growth of the organization has required ongoing expansion of offices, factories, and Bethel homes around the globe

International volunteers give assistance to local Witnesses

Spain

Construction methods used make it possible for many volunteers with limited experience to do valuable work

Puerto Rico

Skilled workers gladly make their services available

New Zealand

Greece

Brazil

Use of durable materials helps to keep long-term maintenance costs down

Britain

High-quality work results from personal interest on the part of those who do it; this is an expression of their love for Jehovah

Canada

These projects are enjoyable occasions; many lasting friendships are made

Colombia

Sign in Japan reminded workers of safety measures, also of the need to show the fruits of God’s spirit

[Picture on page 318]

The first building that was called Kingdom Hall, in Hawaii

[Pictures on page 319]

Many early Kingdom Halls were rented buildings or were simply rooms above stores; a few were built by the Witnesses

[Pictures on page 329]

Two of the first Assembly Halls

New York City

Guadeloupe

[Pictures on page 337]

Newly arrived temporary construction workers at the world headquarters in New York

Each group is reminded that being a spiritual person and doing quality work take priority over doing the job fast

Chapter 21

How Is It All Financed?

IT IS obvious that the work carried on by Jehovah’s Witnesses requires money. Building Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, branch offices, factories, and Bethel homes involves money, and more is needed to maintain them. Expenses are also incurred in publishing and distributing literature for Bible study. How is all of this financed?

Unfounded speculations regarding this have been publicized by persons who oppose the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But a review of the evidence supports the answer that the Witnesses themselves give. What is that? Most of the work is done by volunteers, who neither expect nor desire financial return for their services, and organizational expenses are met by voluntary donations.

“Seats Free. No Collections”

As early as the second issue of the Watch Tower, in August 1879, Brother Russell stated: “‘Zion’s Watch Tower’ has, we believe, JEHOVAH for its backer, and while this is the case it will never beg nor petition men for support. When He who says: ‘All the gold and silver of the mountains are mine,’ fails to provide necessary funds, we will understand it to be time to suspend the publication.” Consistent with that, there is no begging for money in the literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

What is true of their literature is also true of their meetings. There are no emotional appeals for funds in their congregations or at their conventions. No collection plates are passed; no envelopes in which to put money are distributed; no letters of solicitation are sent to congregation members. Congregations never resort to bingo or raffles to raise funds. As early as 1894, when the Watch Tower Society sent out traveling speakers, it published this notice for the benefit of everyone: “Let it be understood from the first that collections or other solicitations of money are neither authorized nor approved by this Society.”

Thus, since very early in their modern-day history, handbills and other printed invitations to the public to attend the meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses have carried the slogan “Seats Free. No Collections.”

Beginning early in 1914, the Bible Students rented theaters as well as other auditoriums and invited the public to these to see the “Photo-Drama of Creation.” This was a four-part presentation, eight hours in all, made up of slides and motion pictures synchronized with sound. During the first year alone, millions of persons saw it in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Although some theater owners charged for reserved seats, the Bible Students never requested an admission fee. And no collections were taken.

Later, for over 30 years, the Watch Tower Society operated radio station WBBR in New York City. Jehovah’s Witnesses also used the services of hundreds of other stations to broadcast programs of Bible education. But never did they use such broadcasts to beg for money.

How, then, are the donations that finance their activity obtained?

Supported by Voluntary Donations

The Bible sets the pattern. Under the Mosaic Law, there were certain contributions that were voluntary. Others were required of the people. The giving of a tithe, or tenth part, was one of the latter. (Ex. 25:2; 30:11-16; Num. 15:17-21; 18:25-32) But the Bible also shows that Christ fulfilled the Law, and God brought it to an end; so Christians are not bound by its regulations. They do not tithe, nor are they under obligation to give any other contribution of a specified amount or at a particular time.—Matt. 5:17; Rom. 7:6; Col. 2:13, 14.

Instead, they are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of generosity and liberality in imitation of the marvelous example set by Jehovah himself and by his Son, Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 8:7, 9; 9:8-15; 1 John 3:16-18) Thus, with reference to giving, the apostle Paul wrote to the Christian congregation in Corinth: “Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” When informed of a need, this presented them with ‘a test of the genuineness of their love,’ as Paul explained. He also said: “If the readiness is there first, it is especially acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have.”—2 Cor. 8:8, 12; 9:7.

In the light of this, the comment by Tertullian regarding meetings held by people who were endeavoring to practice Christianity in his day (c.155–after 220 C.E.) is interesting. He wrote: “Even if there is a chest of a sort, it is not made up of money paid in entrance-fees, as if religion were a matter of contract. Every man once a month brings some modest coin—or whenever he wishes, and only if he does wish, and if he can; for nobody is compelled; it is a voluntary offering.” (Apology, XXXIX, 5) During the centuries since then, however, the churches of Christendom have engaged in every conceivable money-raising scheme to finance their activities.

Charles Taze Russell refused to imitate the churches. He wrote: “It is our judgment that money raised by the various begging devices in the name of our Lord is offensive, unacceptable to him, and does not bring his blessing either upon the givers or the work accomplished.”

Rather than attempt to curry favor with those who had wealth, Brother Russell clearly stated, in harmony with the Scriptures, that the majority of the Lord’s people would be poor in this world’s goods but rich in faith. (Matt. 19:23, 24; 1 Cor. 1:26-29; Jas. 2:5) Instead of emphasizing the need for money in order to spread Bible truth, he focused attention on the importance of cultivating the spirit of love, the desire to give, and the desire to assist others, especially by sharing the truth with them. To those who had ability in making money and who suggested that by devoting themselves principally to business affairs they would have more to contribute financially, he said that it would be better to limit such activity and to give of themselves and of their time in spreading the truth. That is still the position taken by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.a

In actual practice, how much do people give? What they do is a personal decision. However, in the matter of giving, it should be noted that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not think merely in terms of material possessions. At their district conventions in 1985-86, they discussed the subject “Honoring Jehovah With Our Valuable Things.” (Prov. 3:9) It was emphasized that these valuable things include not only material possessions but also physical, mental, and spiritual assets.

Back in 1904, Brother Russell pointed out that a person who has made a full consecration (or, dedication, as we now say) to God “has already given all that he has to the Lord.” Thus, he should now “consider himself as appointed by the Lord the steward of his own time, influence, money, etc., and each is to seek to use these talents to the best of his ability, to the Master’s glory.” He added that, guided by the wisdom from above, “in proportion as his love and zeal for the Lord grow day by day through a knowledge of the Truth and the attainment of its spirit, he will find himself giving more and more of time, more and more of his influence, and more and more of such means as are at his command, for the service of the Truth.”—Studies in the Scriptures, “The New Creation,” pp. 344-5.

During those early years, the Watch Tower Society had what it called the Tower Tract Fund. What was that? The following interesting details were set out on the back of stationery sometimes used by Brother Russell: “This fund consists of the free-will offerings of those who have been fed and strengthened by the ‘meat in due season’ which the above publications [made available by the Watch Tower Society], as God’s instrumentalities, are now laying before the consecrated saints, the world over.

“This fund is constantly employed in sending out, gratis, thousands of copies of ZION’S WATCH TOWER and OLD THEOLOGY TRACTS most suitable to new readers. It also assists in the spread of the paper-bound editions of the DAWN series, by aiding those disposed to circulate them—colporteurs and others. It also provides a ‘poor fund’ by which any of the Lord’s children who, through age, or sickness, or from other cause, are unable to subscribe for the WATCH TOWER are supplied free, upon condition of their sending a letter or card at the beginning of each year, stating their desire and inability.

“No one is ever asked to contribute to this fund: all donations must be voluntary. We remind our readers of the Apostle’s words (1 Cor. 16:1, 2) and corroborate them by saying that those who can give and do give to spread the truth are sure to be repaid in spiritual favors.”

The global activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom continues to be supported by voluntary donations. In addition to the Witnesses themselves, many appreciative interested persons count it a privilege to support this Christian work with their voluntary contributions.

Financing Local Places of Meeting

Each congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses has suitable contribution boxes where people can put whatever donations they desire—when they wish to do so and if they can. It is handled in a private manner so that others are not usually aware of what a person may do. It is between him and God.

There are no salaries to be paid, but it does cost money to maintain a meeting place. In order to fill that need, members of the congregation have to be informed. However, over 70 years ago, The Watch Tower made clear that with regard to contributions, there should be no pleading or urging—simply a plain, honest statement of the facts. In line with this viewpoint, congregation meetings do not include frequent discussions of financial matters.

Sometimes, however, there are special needs. It may be that plans are being made to refurbish or enlarge a Kingdom Hall or perhaps to build a new one. In order to ascertain what funds will be available, the elders may ask those in the congregation to write on slips of paper what they individually expect to be able to donate to the project or, possibly, to make available for a number of years. Additionally, the elders may ask that individuals or families write on slips what they feel able to contribute on a weekly or monthly basis, with Jehovah’s blessing. No names are signed. These are not promissory notes, but they do provide a basis for intelligent planning.—Luke 14:28-30.

In Tarma, Liberia, the congregation obtained needed funds in a somewhat different way. Some in the congregation raised rice for a Witness in his field while he devoted a full year to cutting trees and hand-sawing planks, which were then sold to obtain money for their building project. In Paramaribo, Suriname, although materials had to be purchased, a congregation needed no money for land, because a Witness donated her land for the Kingdom Hall and only asked that her home be moved to the back of the property. The extremely high real-estate prices in Tokyo, Japan, made it difficult for congregations there to obtain land on which to build Kingdom Halls. In order to help solve this problem, several families offered the use of the land on which their own homes were built. They simply requested that after their home was replaced by a new Kingdom Hall, they be provided with an apartment upstairs.

As congregations grew and divided, those located within a given area often tried to assist one another in order to provide suitable Kingdom Halls. In spite of that generous spirit, something else was needed. Property values and building costs skyrocketed, and individual congregations often found it impossible to handle these. What could be done?

At the “Kingdom Unity” District Conventions in 1983, the Governing Body outlined an arrangement that called for application of the principle set out at 2 Corinthians 8:14, 15, which encourages letting the surplus of those who have it offset the deficiency of others so that “an equalizing might take place.” Thus those who have little will not have so little that they are hindered in their efforts to serve Jehovah.

Each congregation was invited to arrange for a box marked “Contributions for Society Kingdom Hall Fund.” Everything put into that box would be used only for that purpose. Money contributed throughout the country would thus be made available to offset the deficiency of congregations that badly needed a Kingdom Hall but could not arrange for it on the terms that local banks required. After a careful survey to ascertain where the need was really the most pressing, the Society began to make that money available to congregations that needed to build or otherwise acquire new Kingdom Halls. As more contributions were received and (in lands where it could be done) loans were repaid, still more congregations could be assisted.

This arrangement went into operation first in the United States and Canada, and since then it has spread to over 30 lands in Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Far East. By 1992, in just eight of these lands, money had already been made available to assist in providing 2,737 Kingdom Halls, accommodating 3,840 congregations.

Even in lands where this arrangement was not in operation, but where there was urgent need for Kingdom Halls that could not be financed locally, the Governing Body endeavored to make other arrangements to see that help was provided. Thus an equalizing took place, so that those who had little did not have too little.

Caring for Expansion of the World Headquarters

Operation of the world headquarters has also required funds. Following World War I, when the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society found it advantageous to print and bind its own books, an arrangement was worked out by which the needed machinery was bought in the name of private parties—fellow servants of Jehovah. Instead of paying a profit to a commercial company for manufacturing the books, the Society applied this amount each month to reducing the debt for the equipment. As the benefits of this were realized, the cost of much of the literature to the public was cut to about half. What was being done was to further the preaching of the good news, not to enrich the Watch Tower Society.

In a few years, it was evident that larger facilities were needed at the world headquarters in order to care for the global work of Kingdom preaching. Again and again, as the organization has grown and the preaching activity has been intensified, it has become necessary to add to these facilities. Rather than go to the banks for needed funds to enlarge and equip the headquarters offices and factories as well as the support facilities in and around New York, the Society has explained the need to the brothers. This has been done, not frequently, but only 12 times over a period of 65 years.

There has never been solicitation. Any who wanted to make donations were invited to do so. Those who chose to lend funds were assured that if an unexpected and urgent need arose, their loan would be repaid upon receipt of their request for it. Thus in its handling of matters, the Society endeavored to avoid working any hardship on individuals and congregations that kindly made funds available. The support given by Jehovah’s Witnesses by means of their contributions has always enabled the Society to repay all loans. Such contributions sent to the Society are not taken for granted. To the extent possible, these are acknowledged by letters and other statements of appreciation.

The work of the organization is not maintained by donations of a group of wealthy donors. Most of the contributions are from individuals who have only moderate means—many of them, very little of this world’s goods. Included are young children who want to share in this way in supporting the Kingdom work. The hearts of all these donors are moved by deep appreciation for Jehovah’s goodness and a desire to help others to learn of his gracious provisions.—Compare Mark 12:42-44.

Financing Expansion of Branch Facilities

As the Kingdom-preaching work has taken on greater proportions in various parts of the world, it has been necessary to enlarge the organization’s branch facilities. This is done under the direction of the Governing Body.

Thus, after reviewing recommendations from the branch in Germany, directions were given in 1978 to locate suitable property and then to build an entirely new complex. Could the German Witnesses care for the expenses involved? The opportunity was extended to them. At the completion of that project in 1984, at Selters, at the western edge of the Taunus Mountains, the branch office reported: “Tens of thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses—rich and poor, young and old—contributed millions of dollars to help pay for the new facilities. Due to their generosity, the entire project could be completed without the necessity of borrowing money from worldly agencies or of having to go into debt.” Additionally, about 1 out of every 7 Witnesses in the Federal Republic of Germany had shared in the actual construction work at Selters/Taunus.

In some other lands, the local economy or the financial condition of Jehovah’s Witnesses has made it very difficult, even impossible, for them to build needed branch offices to supervise the work or factories in which to publish Bible literature in the local languages. The Witnesses within the country have been given opportunity to do what they can. (2 Cor. 8:11, 12) But lack of funds in a country is not allowed to hinder the spread of the Kingdom message there if needed finances are available elsewhere.

Thus, while local Witnesses do what they can, in a large part of the world a considerable portion of the money needed for branch buildings is provided by donations made by Jehovah’s Witnesses in other lands. That was true in connection with the building of the large complexes completed in South Africa in 1987, Nigeria in 1990, and the Philippines in 1991. It was also true of Zambia, where potential printing facilities were still under construction in 1992. It has likewise been true of many projects of smaller proportions, such as those completed in India in 1985; Chile in 1986; Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Haiti, and Papua New Guinea in 1987; Ghana in 1988; and Honduras in 1989.

In some lands, however, the brothers have been surprised at what they could accomplish locally with Jehovah’s blessing on their united efforts. In the early 1980’s, for example, the branch in Spain was making moves toward major enlargement of its facilities. The branch asked the Governing Body to provide the needed finances. But because of heavy expenditures in other directions at that time, such help was not then available. If given the opportunity, could the Spanish Witnesses, with their relatively low wages, provide sufficient funds for such an enterprise?

The situation was explained to them. Gladly they came forward with their jewels, rings, and bracelets so that these could be turned into cash. When one elderly Witness was asked whether she was sure she really wanted to donate the heavy gold bracelet that she had handed in, she replied: “Brother, it is going to do far more good paying for a new Bethel than it will on my wrist!” An older sister dug out a pile of musty bank notes that she had stashed away under the floor of her home over the years. Couples contributed the money they had saved for trips. Children sent their savings. A youngster who was planning to buy a guitar donated the money toward the branch project instead. Like the Israelites at the time that the tabernacle was built in the wilderness, the Spanish Witnesses proved to be generous and willinghearted contributors of all that was needed in a material way. (Ex. 35:4-9, 21, 22) Then they offered themselves—full-time, during vacations, on weekends—to do the work itself. From all over Spain they came—thousands of them. Other Witnesses from Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Greece, and the United States, to mention a few, joined with them to complete what had at first seemed like an impossible task.

Is There a Profit From the Literature?

As of 1992, Bible literature was being published at the world headquarters and at 32 branches worldwide. Vast amounts of it were being provided for distribution by Jehovah’s Witnesses. But none of this was done for commercial gain. Decisions as to the languages in which literature would be printed and the countries to which it would be shipped were made not for any commercial advantage but solely with a view to accomplishing the work that Jesus Christ assigned to his followers.

As early as July 1879, when the very first issue of the Watch Tower was published, it carried a notice saying that those too poor to pay for a subscription (then only 50¢, U.S., per year) could have it free if they would simply write to make request. The principal objective was to help people learn about Jehovah’s grand purpose.

To that end, since 1879 tremendous amounts of Bible literature have been distributed to the public without charge. In 1881 and thereafter, approximately 1,200,000 copies of Food for Thinking Christians were distributed gratis. Many of these were in the form of a 162-page book; others, in newspaper format. Scores of tracts of varying sizes were published during the years that followed. The vast majority of these (literally hundreds of millions of copies) were distributed without charge. The number of tracts and other publications given out kept growing. In 1915 alone, the report showed that 50,000,000 copies of tracts in some 30 languages were supplied for worldwide distribution without charge. Where was the money for all of this coming from? Largely from voluntary donations to the Society’s Tract Fund.

There was also literature that was offered for a contribution during the early decades of the Society’s history, but the suggested contribution was kept as low as possible. This literature included bound books of 350 to 744 pages. When the Society’s colporteurs (as full-time preachers were then known) offered these to the public, they stated the amount suggested as a contribution. Their objective, however, was not to make money but to get vital Bible truths into the hands of the people. They wanted people to read the literature and benefit from it.

They were more than willing to give a person literature (making a contribution for it themselves) if the householder was destitute. But it had been observed that many people were more inclined to read a publication if they gave something for it, and what they contributed could, of course, be used to print more literature. Yet, emphasizing the fact that the Bible Students were not seeking financial gain, the Society’s service instruction sheet, the Bulletin, of October 1, 1920, said: “Ten days after having delivered the booklet [one that consisted of 128 pages], call again upon the parties and ascertain whether they have read it. If they have not, ask that they return the book and refund their money. Tell them that you are not a book agent, but that you are interested in giving this message of comfort and cheer to everybody, and that if they are not sufficiently interested in a fact that so closely concerns them . . . , you wish to put the book into the hands of someone who will be interested.” Jehovah’s Witnesses have not continued to use that method, for they have found that other family members sometimes pick up the literature and benefit from it; but what was done back then does highlight the real objective of the Witnesses.

For many years they referred to their distribution of literature as “selling.” But this terminology caused some confusion, and so beginning in 1929, it was gradually dropped. The term did not really fit their activity, for their work was not commercial. Their objective was not money-making. Their entire motivation was to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom. Because of this, in 1943 the Supreme Court of the United States held that Jehovah’s Witnesses could not be required to obtain a commercial peddling license before distributing their literature. And the Canadian judiciary thereafter quoted with approval the reasoning set out by the U.S. Supreme Court in that decision.b

In many lands Jehovah’s Witnesses have regularly offered their literature on a contribution basis. The suggested contribution has been so low, compared to other books and magazines, that many people have offered to contribute more. But great effort has been made on the part of the organization to keep the suggested contribution down so that it will be within the means of the many millions of people who have very little of this world’s goods but who are grateful to receive a Bible or Bible literature. The objective in suggesting a contribution, however, has not been the enrichment of the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Where the law construes any distribution of Bible literature as commercial if the distributor suggests a contribution for the literature, Jehovah’s Witnesses gladly leave it with anyone who shows sincere interest and promises to read it. Those who want to donate something to further the work of Bible education may give whatever they like. That is done, for example, in Japan. In Switzerland, until recently, contributions for literature were accepted, but only up to a stated sum; so if householders wanted to give more, the Witnesses simply returned it or provided the householder with additional literature. Their desire was, not to collect money, but to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom.

In 1990, because of highly publicized financial scandals in some of Christendom’s religions, coupled with an increasing tendency by governments to classify religious activity as a commercial enterprise, Jehovah’s Witnesses made some adjustments in their activity in order to avoid any misunderstanding. The Governing Body directed that in the United States, all literature that the Witnesses distribute—Bibles, as well as tracts, booklets, magazines, and bound books explaining the Bible—be provided to people on the sole precondition that they read it, no contribution being suggested. The activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses is in no way commercial, and this arrangement served to further differentiate them from religious groups that commercialize religion. Of course, most people are aware that it costs money to print such literature, and those who appreciate the service being performed by the Witnesses may want to donate something to help with the work. It is explained to such persons that the worldwide work of Bible education conducted by Jehovah’s Witnesses is supported by voluntary donations. Donations are gladly accepted, but they are not solicited.

Those who share in the field ministry are not doing it for financial gain. They donate their time, and they pay for their own transportation. If someone shows interest, they arrange to return each week, absolutely free of charge, to give personal instruction in the Bible. Only love for God and for their fellowman could motivate them to continue to engage in such activity, often in the face of indifference and outright opposition.

Funds received at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses or at its branch offices are used, not for the enrichment of the organization or any individual, but to further the preaching of the good news. Back in 1922, The Watch Tower reported that because of the economic situation in Europe, books printed there for the Society were being paid for chiefly by the American office and were often being left with the people at less than cost. Although Jehovah’s Witnesses now operate printing establishments in many lands, some countries to which the literature is shipped are not able to send any funds out of the country to cover the cost. The generous voluntary donations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in lands where they have sufficient resources help to offset the lack in countries where they have little.

The Watch Tower Society has always endeavored to use all the resources at its disposal to further the preaching of the good news. In 1915, as president of the Society, Charles Taze Russell said: “Our Society has not sought to lay up earthly riches, but has been, rather, a spending institution. Whatever God’s providence sent in to us without solicitation we have sought to spend as wisely as possible in harmony with the Word and Spirit of the Lord. Long ago we announced that when the funds would cease, the activities of the Society would cease proportionately; and that as the funds increased, the Society’s activities would be enlarged.” The Society has continued to do exactly that.

Right down to the present, the organization uses available funds to send out traveling overseers to fortify the congregations and to encourage them in their public ministry. It continues to send missionaries and graduates of the Ministerial Training School to lands where there is special need. It also uses whatever funds are available to send special pioneers into areas where little or no preaching of the Kingdom message has yet been done. As reported in the 1993 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, during the previous service year, $45,218,257.56 (U.S.) was expended in these ways.

Not Serving for Personal Gain

No financial profit is made by any members of the Governing Body, officers of its legal agencies, or other prominent persons associated with the organization as a result of the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Regarding C. T. Russell, who served as president of the Watch Tower Society for over 30 years, one of his associates wrote: “As a means of determining whether his course was in harmony with the Scriptures, and also as a means of demonstrating his own sincerity, he decided to test the Lord’s approval as follows: (1) Devote his life to the cause; (2) Invest his fortune in the promulgation of the work; (3) Prohibit collections at all meetings; (4) Depend on unsolicited contributions (wholly voluntary) to continue the work after his fortune was exhausted.”

Instead of using religious activity to acquire material wealth for himself, Brother Russell spent all his resources in the Lord’s work. After his death it was reported in The Watch Tower: “He devoted his private fortune entirely to the cause to which he gave his life. He received the nominal sum of $11.00 per month for his personal expenses. He died, leaving no estate whatsoever.”

With regard to those who would carry on the work of the Society, Brother Russell stipulated in his will: “As for compensation, I think it wise to maintain the Society’s course of the past in respect to salaries—that none be paid; that merely reasonable expenses be allowed to those who serve the Society or its work in any manner.” Those who would serve at the Society’s Bethel homes, offices, and factories, as well as its traveling representatives, were to be provided merely food, shelter, and a moderate amount for expenses—enough for immediate needs but “no provision . . . for the laying up of money.” That same standard applies today.

Those who are accepted for special full-time service at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses all subscribe to a vow of poverty, as have all the members of the Governing Body and all the other members of the Bethel family there. This does not mean that they live a drab life, without any comforts. But it does mean that they share, without partiality, the modest provisions of food, shelter, and expense reimbursement that are made for all in such service.

Thus the organization carries on its work with complete dependence on the help that God gives. Without compulsion but as a real spiritual brotherhood that reaches into all parts of the earth, Jehovah’s Witnesses gladly use their resources to accomplish the work that Jehovah, their grand heavenly Father, has given them to do.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 340]

“Solicitations of money are neither authorized nor approved by this Society”

[Blurb on page 342]

Principal emphasis is on the value of sharing the truth with others

[Blurb on page 343]

A plain, honest statement of the facts

[Blurb on page 344]

Congregations help one another to obtain needed Kingdom Halls

[Blurb on page 345]

Most of the contributions are from individuals who have only moderate means

[Blurb on page 348]

Much literature distributed without charge—who pays for it?

[Blurb on page 349]

They gladly leave literature with anyone who shows sincere interest and promises to read it

[Blurb on page 350]

What is done with money that is donated?

[Blurb on page 351]

“He devoted his private fortune entirely to the cause to which he gave his life”

[Box on page 341]

God Does Not Beg

“He who said, ‘If I were hungry I would not tell thee, for the world is mine and the fullness thereof. . . . I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds; for every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills’ (Psa. 50:12, 9, 10), is able to carry on his great work without begging for funds either from the world or from his children. Neither will he compel his children to sacrifice anything in his service, nor will he accept anything from them short of a cheerful, free-will offering.”—“Zion’s Watch Tower,” September 1886, p. 6.

[Box on page 347]

Donations Were Not Always in the Form of Money

Witnesses in the far north of Queensland prepared and sent to the Watch Tower construction site in Sydney, Australia, four semitrailer loads of prime timber that then had an estimated value of between A$60,000 and A$70,000.

When the Watch Tower factory at Elandsfontein, South Africa, was being enlarged, an Indian brother phoned and asked that they please pick up a donation of 500 bags (110 pounds [50 kg] each) of cement—at a time when there was a scarcity of it in the country. Others offered their trucks for use by the Society. An African sister paid a firm to deliver 20 cubic yards [15 cu m] of building sand.

In the Netherlands when new branch facilities were being put up at Emmen, huge quantities of tools and work clothing were donated. One sister, though very ill, knitted a pair of woolen stockings for each of the workers during the winter period.

To build a new branch office and potential printery at Lusaka, Zambia, construction materials were purchased with funds provided by Witnesses in other lands. Materials and equipment that were not available locally were trucked into Zambia as donations to the work there.

A Witness in Ecuador, in 1977, donated an 84-acre [34 ha] piece of land. Here an Assembly Hall and a new branch complex were constructed.

Local Witnesses in Panama opened their homes to accommodate volunteer workers; some who owned buses provided transportation; others shared in providing 30,000 meals that were served at the construction site.

For workers at the project in Arboga, Sweden, one congregation baked and sent 4,500 buns. Others sent honey, fruit, and jam. A farmer near the building site, though not a Witness, provided two tons of carrots.

World Headquarters and Principal Offices of Jehovah’s Witnesses—In Pictures

WORLD HEADQUARTERS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

[Picture on page 352, 353]

The global activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been directed from Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A., since 1909. These buildings have housed headquarters offices since 1980

[Picture on page 352]

Watchtower Educational Center, at Patterson, New York (under construction in 1992)

[Pictures on page 353]

Some of the residence buildings for the thousands who serve at the world headquarters

[Pictures on page 354]

Former hotels in Brooklyn renovated to provide room for 1,476 more volunteer workers

[Pictures on page 354]

Housing for Bethel family at Wallkill, New York

[Pictures on page 354, 355]

In these factory buildings (in Brooklyn, New York), Bibles, books, and brochures in 180 languages are produced for global distribution

[Pictures on page 356]

Millions of audiocassettes of Biblical material are produced in this factory in Brooklyn each year. From here, shipping is also coordinated. Upwards of 15,000 tons of Bible literature and other material per year is shipped to all parts of the world

[Pictures on page 356]

In this factory at Watchtower Farms, near Wallkill, New York, hundreds of millions of copies of “The Watchtower” and “Awake!,” in 14 languages, are printed each year

Jehovah’s Witnesses and the legal corporations that they use have offices and printeries in many parts of the world. Pictures on the following pages show many, though not all, of these facilities. Where new buildings were being constructed in 1992, architectural renderings are shown. Statistics given apply as of 1992.

NORTH AMERICA AND THE WEST INDIES

ALASKA

[Picture on page 357]

Visitors to the Society’s branch office receive a warm welcome. Here in Alaska, as elsewhere, Jehovah’s Witnesses preach from house to house, though temperatures sometimes drop to -60° F. [-50° C.]

[Picture on page 357]

Airplane used to carry Kingdom proclaimers to remote parts of the territory

BAHAMAS

[Picture on page 357]

Watch Tower publications reached the Bahamas by 1901. Regular witnessing was first done here in 1926. Since then well over 4,600,000 pieces of Bible literature have been distributed in the islands now supervised from this office.

BARBADOS

[Pictures on page 358]

Over 140 religious groups in Barbados claim to be Christian. Since 1905, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been helping people here to see for themselves what the Bible says.

BELIZE

[Pictures on page 358]

About half the population of Belize live in rural areas. To reach certain interior villages, Jehovah’s Witnesses make annual trips on foot with backpacks and briefcases.

COSTA RICA

[Picture on page 358]

The Society first established a branch office in Costa Rica in 1944. Since the 1950’s, Costa Ricans sharing in true worship have numbered in the thousands.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

[Pictures on page 359]

Watch Tower literature was distributed here as early as 1932. But personal instruction of interested people began in 1945, when the missionaries shown at the left arrived. In recent years, when tens of thousands of people became eager to study the Bible with the Witnesses, these branch facilities became necessary.

EL SALVADOR

[Pictures on page 359]

Some witnessing was done here in 1916. However, it was first in 1945 that at least one person in El Salvador was ready to undergo Christian water immersion (shown here). Since then, thousands more have become servants of Jehovah.

GUADELOUPE

[Pictures on page 359]

The publisher-to-population ratio in territory served by this branch office is one of the best in the world. Many people in Guadeloupe appreciatively receive the good news.

CANADA

[Picture on page 360, 361]

The Society’s office in Canada supervises the preaching of the good news in the second-largest country in the world. Well over 100,000 Kingdom proclaimers are busy in this land.

Administrative building (overlapping photo of present branch complex)

[Picture on page 360]

Northwest Territories

[Picture on page 360]

Logging camps of British Columbia

[Picture on page 360]

Cattle ranches of Alberta

[Picture on page 361]

French Quebec

[Picture on page 361]

Maritime Provinces

GUATEMALA

[Pictures on page 360]

Although Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, a variety of complex Indian languages are spoken here. The Society’s office endeavors to see that everyone has opportunity to hear about God’s Kingdom.

HAITI

[Pictures on page 361]

Serving Jehovah brings great joy to Jehovah’s Witnesses in Haiti, in spite of the often difficult conditions that surround them.

HONDURAS

[Pictures on page 362]

Since 1916, well over 23,000,000 hours have been devoted to teaching the Bible to inhabitants of this land. At times, Jehovah’s Witnesses have also had to teach people how to read and write (as you see here) to enable them to study God’s Word themselves.

JAMAICA

[Pictures on page 362]

Hundreds in Jamaica became devoted servants of Jehovah during the time when prospective heirs of the heavenly Kingdom were being gathered. Since 1935, thousands more have joined in preaching the Kingdom message. This branch office is being built to help care for their spiritual needs.

LEEWARD ISLANDS (ANTIGUA)

[Picture on page 362]

As early as 1914, the good news was being preached in the islands now cared for by this office. Again and again since then, people in this part of the earth have been invited to “take life’s water free.”—Rev. 22:17.

MEXICO

[Picture on page 363]

New center for Bible education being erected by Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mexico

[Picture on page 363]

Office facilities being used in 1992

[Pictures on page 363]

Bible literature published here supplies upwards of 410,000 zealous Witnesses in Mexico and other nearby Spanish-speaking lands

[Picture on page 363]

From 1986 to 1992, well over 10 percent of the home Bible studies conducted by the Witnesses worldwide were in Mexico, many of these with family groups

[Graph on page 363]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Bible Studies in Mexico

500,000

250,000

1950 1960 1970 1980 1992

MARTINIQUE

[Pictures on page 364]

Seeds of truth were sown here as early as 1946. But when Xavier and Sara Noll (shown here) came from France in 1954, they were able to remain and cultivate the interest found. By 1992, over 3,200 persons were sharing with them in proclaiming the Kingdom message.

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (CURAÇAO)

[Pictures on page 364]

Twenty-three missionaries have served in the territory of this branch office. Two of the original group (shown here) who arrived in 1946 were still on the job in 1992.

NICARAGUA

[Picture on page 364]

Starting in 1945, when missionaries arrived, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nicaragua began to increase. By 1992 they numbered over 9,700. The people who want the Witnesses to teach them the Bible now far outnumber the local Witnesses.

PANAMA

[Pictures on page 365]

Since the end of the 19th century, people in Panama have been receiving help in learning God’s requirements for eternal life.

PUERTO RICO

[Picture on page 365]

Since 1930, over 83,000,000 pieces of Bible literature have been distributed in Puerto Rico, and 25,000,000 return visits have been made to provide further help to interested persons. Translation work done here helps to make Bible literature available to some 350,000,000 worldwide who speak Spanish.

TRINIDAD

[Pictures on page 365]

The good news was already being intensely proclaimed in Trinidad as early as 1912. Many Witnesses, including these three trained at Gilead School, have devoted their full time to this work.

SOUTH AMERICA

ARGENTINA

[Pictures on page 366]

A Kingdom proclaimer was first sent to this country in 1924. Much help was later given by Gilead-trained missionaries, including Charles Eisenhower (shown here), who arrived with his wife in 1948. By 1992, general supervision, as well as Bible literature, was being provided from these facilities for upwards of 96,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Argentina. Literature was also being sent from here to supply the more than 44,000 Witnesses in Chile.

BOLIVIA

[Pictures on page 367]

Bolivians have been hearing the Kingdom message since 1924. Thousands receive Bible literature appreciatively and benefit from regular home Bible studies.

CHILE

[Pictures on page 367]

By 1919, Watch Tower literature had reached Chile. The preaching supervised by this office now extends from windblown sheep ranches in the south to remote mining camps in the north, from the Andes Mountains to the ocean.

ECUADOR

[Pictures on page 367]

A major contribution to the preaching of the good news in Ecuador was made by upwards of 870 Witnesses (such as the two shown here) who left their homelands to serve where the need was greater. This branch now provides help for more than 22,000 zealous praisers of Jehovah.

BRAZIL

[Pictures on page 368, 369]

In 1992, when the Society’s branch office, printery, and Bethel Home were being enlarged to this size, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brazil numbered upwards of 335,000 and were baptizing more than 27,000 disciples each year. The printery here also provides literature for distribution in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

[Pictures on page 369]

Two large stadiums used for an international convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in São Paulo in 1990; more than 100 additional conventions were also scheduled

[Graph on page 369]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Kingdom Proclaimers in Brazil

300,000

200,000

100,000

1950 1960 1970 1980 1992

GUYANA

[Pictures on page 368]

The Society has had a branch office in Guyana since 1914. The Witnesses have reached deep into the interior and endeavored to give everyone opportunity to hear the good news. Although the country’s population even now is less than a million, the Witnesses have devoted more than 10,000,000 hours to preaching and teaching in this land.

PARAGUAY

[Pictures on page 369]

Preaching of the good news was under way in Paraguay by the mid-1920’s. Since 1946, 112 Gilead-trained missionaries have helped to give the witness. To reach language groups apart from the local Spanish and Guarani, other Witnesses have also volunteered to move in from various lands.

From Germany

From Korea

From Japan

COLOMBIA

[Map/Pictures on page 370, 371]

As early as 1915, a Watch Tower publication was mailed to an interested man in Colombia. By 1992, Bible literature printed in these facilities was being shipped out to care for the needs of over 184,000 evangelizers in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

[Map]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

COLOMBIA

PERU

ECUADOR

PANAMA

VENEZUELA

PERU

[Picture on page 370]

Bible literature was distributed in Peru by a visiting Bible Student as early as 1924. The first congregation was formed here 21 years later. Now there are in Peru over 43,000 active proclaimers of God’s Kingdom.

[Picture on page 370]

Pioneers preaching high in the Andes

SURINAME

[Pictures on page 371]

In about 1903 the first study group was formed here. Today these branch facilities are needed to supervise congregations throughout the country—in primitive areas, the districts, and the city.

URUGUAY

[Pictures on page 372]

Since 1945, over 80 missionaries have contributed to the Kingdom proclamation in Uruguay. The ones shown here have been serving in Uruguay since the 1950’s. By 1992, more than 8,600 local Witnesses were serving along with them.

VENEZUELA

[Picture on page 372]

Some Watch Tower literature was distributed in Venezuela in the mid-1920’s. A decade later a mother-and-daughter pioneer team from the United States began a zealous period of preaching here, covering the capital repeatedly and making excursions to towns throughout the country. Now there are more than 60,000 active Witnesses in Venezuela.

[Picture on page 372]

Bullring in Valencia with crowd of 74,600 for special assembly in 1988

EUROPE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN

AUSTRIA

[Picture on page 373]

As early as the 1890’s, some people in Austria were being given opportunity to benefit from the good news. Since the 1920’s, there has been moderate but steady growth in the number of praisers of Jehovah in this land.

[Picture on page 373]

Upwards of 270 congregations meet in Kingdom Halls throughout Austria

BELGIUM

[Pictures on page 373]

Belgium has become one of the crossroads of the world. To care for the diverse population found here, this branch distributes Bible literature in more than 100 languages.

BRITAIN

[Pictures on page 374]

The activity of over 125,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Britain is supervised from this branch office. Witnesses from Britain have also taken up assignments to spread the Kingdom message in other European countries as well as in Africa, South America, Australia, the Orient, and islands of the sea.

IBSA House

Watch Tower House

[Pictures on page 374]

Bible literature is printed here in English, Maltese, Gujarati, and Swahili

[Picture on page 374]

The Service Department cares for more than 1,300 congregations in Britain

[Pictures on page 374]

Literature supplies are sent to all parts of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Malta, as well as to places in Africa and the Caribbean

FRANCE

[Pictures on page 375]

Translation and photocomposition of all Watch Tower publications printed worldwide for French-speaking people are done at the branch in France. (Upwards of 120,000,000 people speak French.) Literature is regularly printed here in a variety of languages and is shipped out to lands in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.

Printery/office in Louviers

Translation

Photocomposition

[Picture on page 375]

Office/residence in Boulogne-Billancourt

[Picture on page 375]

Residence in Incarville to house Bethel family

GERMANY

[Pictures on page 376, 377]

Despite ruthless efforts to annihilate them in Germany during the Nazi era, Jehovah’s Witnesses did not abandon their faith. Since 1946, they have devoted upwards of 646,000,000 hours to spreading Bible truth throughout the country.

Enlarged facilities at Selters/Taunus

[Picture on page 376]

In addition to translating Bible literature into German, this branch at Selters/Taunus does printing in more than 40 languages

[Picture on page 377]

Large quantities of literature produced here are regularly shipped to more than 20 lands; magazines are printed in many languages and sent to upwards of 30 countries

[Picture on page 377]

The Society’s own trucks are used to ship literature throughout Germany

CYPRUS

[Picture on page 376]

Shortly after the death of Jesus Christ, the good news was being preached to the people of Cyprus. (Acts 4:32-37; 11:19; 13:1-12) In modern times, that preaching has been renewed, and a thorough witness continues to be given under the direction of this branch office.

DENMARK

[Pictures on page 377]

Since the 1890’s, there has been extensive witnessing in Denmark. Printing of Bible literature has been done here not only in Danish but also in Faeroese, Greenlandic, and Icelandic.

Aerial view of the branch (entrance shown in inset)

ITALY

[Pictures on page 378, 379]

Italian Bible literature is both translated and printed here. This branch prints and binds books for use especially in Italy and other nearby countries.

Various views of branch facilities near Rome

[Picture on page 379]

Tens of thousands, on seeing what the Bible really says, have begun to assemble with Jehovah’s Witnesses

[Picture on page 379]

In the face of constant hostility from the Roman Catholic Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Italy have devoted more than 550,000,000 hours since 1946 to personal calls on their neighbors to discuss the Bible with them. As a result, 194,000 people in Italy are now active worshipers of Jehovah

FINLAND

[Picture on page 378]

Bible truth reached Finland from Sweden in 1906. Since then, it has been carried to every corner of the country, even far above the Arctic Circle. Scores from here have attended Gilead School to be trained for service wherever they were needed in the world field. Others have moved out on their own to serve in lands where the need was greater.

ICELAND

[Picture on page 379]

In Iceland, which has a population of only about 260,000, over 1,620,000 pieces of Bible literature have been distributed in order to help people to choose life. Now over 260 persons here serve Jehovah, the true God.

[Picture on page 379]

Georg Lindal, who pioneered here from 1929 to 1953; during most of that time, he was the only Witness in the country

GREECE

[Picture on page 380]

The apostle Paul was one of the first to declare the good news in Greece. (Acts 16:9-14; 17:15; 18:1; 20:2) Although the Greek Orthodox Church has intensely persecuted Jehovah’s Witnesses for many years, there are now upwards of 24,000 faithful servants of Jehovah in this land. The branch shown here is some 40 miles north of Athens.

[Picture on page 380]

Witnessing in Athens

[Picture on page 380]

Photo taken in 1990 during clergy-led demonstration against the Witnesses

IRELAND

[Picture on page 380]

Response to the Bible’s message was slow for many years in Ireland. Much clergy opposition was encountered. But after 100 years of persistent witnessing, there is now an abundant spiritual harvest.

Branch office in Dublin

[Picture on page 380]

Two longtime pioneers in field service

POLAND

[Picture on page 381]

These facilities are being used to provide assistance to the more than 100,000 Witnesses in Poland. From 1939 to 1945, their worship was banned, but their numbers increased from 1,039 in 1939 to 6,994 in 1946. When banned again in 1950, they numbered 18,116; but shortly after that ban was lifted in 1989, reports showed that there were over 91,000.

[Pictures on page 381]

For years they held small assemblies out in the woods; now their conventions fill the country’s largest stadiums —and more than one stadium at a time

Poznan (1985)

LUXEMBOURG

[Picture on page 382]

Luxembourg is one of the very small nations of Europe. But for some 70 years, the Kingdom message has been preached here too. Especially before World War II, help was given by Witnesses who came in from France, Germany, and Switzerland.

NETHERLANDS

[Pictures on page 382]

From this branch in Emmen, supervision is provided for the activity of over 32,000 zealous Witnesses in the Netherlands. Translation of all publications into Dutch is done in these facilities. Much of the reproduction of Bible-based videocassettes in European languages is also handled from here.

NORWAY

[Pictures on page 383]

A hundred years ago, a Norwegian who had moved to America and learned Bible truths there brought that good news back to his hometown. Since then, Jehovah’s Witnesses have visited every part of Norway again and again to talk to the people about God’s Kingdom.

PORTUGAL

[Picture on page 383]

For decades after the government signed a concordat with the Vatican, the police arrested Witnesses and deported their missionaries. But the remaining Witnesses continued to meet for worship, to preach to others, and to multiply. At last, in 1974 they were granted legal recognition.

This office supervises the activity of more than 40,000 Witnesses in Portugal. It has also given much help to African lands that had strong ties with Portugal

[Picture on page 383]

International convention held in Lisbon in 1978

SWEDEN

[Picture on page 383]

For over 100 years, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been preaching in Sweden. Within the past ten years, they have devoted over 38,000,000 hours to this activity. Many congregations in Sweden now speak any of a dozen languages other than Swedish.

[Picture on page 383]

To help people of all sorts in Sweden, publications are stocked here in 70 languages

SPAIN

[Picture on page 384]

This branch cares for upwards of 92,000 Witnesses in Spain. It prints “The Watchtower” and “Awake!” for both Spain and Portugal. In spite of unrelenting efforts of the Catholic clergy to use the State to stop Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Witnesses have shared Bible truths with the Spanish people since 1916. Finally, in 1970, when Jehovah’s Witnesses in Spain numbered over 11,000, they were granted legal recognition. Since then, their numbers have increased some eightfold.

[Picture on page 384]

More than 1,100 congregations now freely meet in Kingdom Halls found throughout the country

SWITZERLAND

[Picture on page 384]

Since 1903 the Watch Tower Society has had an office in Switzerland. One of the Society’s earliest European printeries was located in this country. For many years the branch here in Thun printed magazines for use in scores of other lands.

AFRICA

BENIN

[Picture on page 385]

Benin is made up of some 60 ethnic groups speaking 50 dialects. When thousands of these people broke free from their former religions, fetish priests and the clergy of Christendom alike became infuriated. But repeated waves of persecution did not stop the growth of true worship in this land.

[Picture on page 385]

Convention held in 1990

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

[Picture on page 385]

As early as 1947, the Kingdom message began to reach people here. A man who had attended some Witness meetings elsewhere shared with others what he had learned. Soon there was a study group, the ones attending quickly began to witness, and those worshiping Jehovah increased in numbers.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

[Pictures on page 386]

Gilead-trained missionaries helped to introduce true worship in this West African land in 1949. More than a hundred of such missionaries have served here. Each year, well over a million hours are now being devoted to searching out truth-hungry people in the area cared for by this branch office.

GHANA

[Picture on page 386, 387]

The preaching of the good news in Ghana got under way in 1924. Now this office in Accra supervises more than 640 congregations in Ghana. It has also cared for translating Bible literature into Ewe, Ga, and Twi and printing it in these languages.

[Picture on page 387]

Meeting in Kingdom Hall adjoining the branch office

KENYA

[Map/Picture on page 387]

In 1931, two of Jehovah’s Witnesses traveled from South Africa to preach in Kenya. Since 1963 the Society’s office in Kenya has, at various times, provided supervision for evangelizing in many other countries in East Africa (as shown below). International conventions in Kenya in 1973, 1978, and 1985 have contributed to the witness given.

[Map]

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KENYA

UGANDA

SUDAN

ETHIOPIA

DJIBOUTI

SOMALIA

YEMEN

SEYCHELLES

TANZANIA

BURUNDI

RWANDA

[Pictures on page 387]

Nairobi convention (1973)

NIGERIA

[Pictures on page 388, 389]

The good news has been preached in this country since early in the 1920’s. Evangelizers have also been sent from Nigeria to other parts of West Africa, and Bible literature printed here continues to fill needs in nearby lands. In Nigeria itself, Jehovah’s Witnesses have put into the hands of the people more than 28,000,000 pieces of literature to help them to understand God’s Word.

[Picture on page 388]

From the Service Department, supervision is provided for well over 160,000 Kingdom proclaimers in Nigeria

[Picture on page 389]

Convention in Calabar, Nigeria (1990)

LIBERIA

[Picture on page 388]

Those who have become Jehovah’s Witnesses here have faced numerous tests of their faith—when breaking away from local superstitions, when forsaking polygamy, when persecuted by officials to whom they had been misrepresented, and when surrounded by political and ethnic groups at war. Yet, true worship continues to unite people of all sorts in this land.

MAURITIUS

[Pictures on page 389]

As early as 1933, zealous Witnesses from South Africa visited this island in the Indian Ocean. There are now upwards of a thousand Witnesses in Mauritius who urge their neighbors to seek Jehovah so that they might be viewed by him with favor when he destroys the present wicked system.—Zeph. 2:3.

SOUTH AFRICA

[Picture on page 390]

For over 80 years, the Watch Tower Society has had a branch office in South Africa. Zealous evangelizers from here have done much to spread the Kingdom message into other countries in southern and eastern Africa. In the territory that was formerly under this branch (where there were 14,674 Kingdom proclaimers in 1945), there are now more than 300,000 active Witnesses of Jehovah.

[Pictures on page 391]

More than 110 translators work under the direction of this branch to prepare Bible literature in 16 African languages

[Picture on page 391]

Printing is done here in upwards of 40 languages

SENEGAL

[Pictures on page 390]

Though the number of Witnesses here is small, the branch office has endeavored to see to it that each city, each ethnic group, and the people of every religion, not only in Senegal but also in surrounding countries, have opportunity to hear the Bible’s heartwarming message.

SIERRA LEONE

[Picture on page 391]

Preaching of the good news in Sierra Leone got started in 1915. Growth has at times been slow. But when those who did not hold to Jehovah’s high standards were removed and those who did not serve with right motives withdrew, the ones loyal to Jehovah prospered spiritually.

ZAMBIA

[Picture on page 392]

This branch office supervises the activity of more than 110,000 Witnesses in south-central Africa. The Society’s first office here was established in 1936. Since then, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Zambia have made upwards of 186,000,000 return visits to give added help to interested ones. They have also taught many to read so they could study the Bible personally and share it with others.

[Picture on page 392]

A series of conventions in Zambia in 1992 was attended by 289,643

ZIMBABWE

[Pictures on page 392]

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been active in Zimbabwe since the 1920’s. During the following years, they were confronted with bans on their literature, prohibitions of assemblies, and denial of permission for missionaries to preach to the African population. Gradually, obstacles were overcome, and this office now looks after upwards of 20,000 Witnesses.

THE ORIENT

HONG KONG

[Pictures on page 393]

Watch Tower publications are translated here into Chinese, which, in its many dialects, is spoken by more than a billion people. In Hong Kong itself, the preaching of the good news began when C. T. Russell lectured at city hall in 1912.

INDIA

[Picture on page 393]

This branch supervises the proclamation of the Kingdom message to over one sixth of the earth’s population. At present, this office directs translation into 18 languages and printing in 19. Among these is Hindi (spoken by 367 million people) also Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu (each spoken by tens of millions).

[Pictures on page 393]

Witnesses who preach in Malayalam

. . . in Nepali

. . . in Gujarati

JAPAN

[Pictures on page 394]

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Japan, as elsewhere, are zealous proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. In 1992 alone, they devoted upwards of 85,000,000 hours to preaching the good news. On an average, about 45 percent of the Japanese Witnesses share in the pioneer service each month.

[Picture on page 394]

Bible literature is published here in many languages, including Japanese, Chinese, and languages of the Philippines

[Picture on page 394]

A Regional Engineering Office assists with work on branch facilities in various lands

[Graph on page 394]

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Pioneers in Japan

75,000

50,000

25,000

1975 1980 1985 1992

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

[Pictures on page 395]

Some 16 million pieces of Bible literature, in addition to tracts, are produced here annually to supply the more than 70,000 Witnesses in the Republic of Korea. About 40 percent of the Korean Witnesses are in the pioneer service.

MYANMAR

[Pictures on page 395]

When the Watch Tower Society established a branch office here in 1947, there were only 24 of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the country. The more than 2,000 Witnesses now active in Myanmar endeavor to reach not only inhabitants of the cities but also the more numerous rural population.

PHILIPPINES

[Picture on page 396]

In 1912, C. T. Russell spoke in Manila’s Grand Opera House on the subject “Where Are the Dead?” Since that time Jehovah’s Witnesses here have devoted upwards of 483,000,000 hours in witnessing to the people found on the approximately 900 inhabited islands of the Philippines. General supervision of more than 110,000 Witnesses in 3,200 congregations is provided from this branch. Printing is done here in eight languages to fill local needs.

[Pictures on page 396]

Witnesses from some of the major language groups in the Philippines

SRI LANKA

[Pictures on page 397]

Before World War I, the good news was being preached in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), to the south of India. A study group was quickly organized. Since 1953 the Society has had a branch office in the capital city, to give the Sinhalese, the Tamils, and the other ethnic groups in this country opportunity to hear the Kingdom message.

TAIWAN

[Picture on page 397]

Some witnessing was done here in the 1920’s. But it got under way on a more consistent basis in the 1950’s. Now these new branch facilities are being constructed to provide a center for increased activity in this part of the earth.

[Picture on page 397]

Congregation in Taipei

THAILAND

[Picture on page 397]

During the 1930’s, pioneer Witnesses came from Britain, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand to share Bible truth with the people of Thailand (then known as Siam). Delegates from many lands attended international conventions here in 1963, 1978, 1985, and 1991 to encourage local Witnesses and to stimulate spread of the Kingdom message.

[Picture on page 397]

1963 convention

[Picture on page 397]

Delegates from abroad in 1991

ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC

FIJI

[Picture on page 398]

The office in Fiji was established in 1958. For a time it supervised the work of Kingdom proclamation in 12 countries and 13 languages. Now the Fiji branch focuses its attention on the approximately one hundred inhabited islands of the Fijian group.

[Picture on page 398]

International conventions here in 1963, 1969, 1973, and 1978 helped to draw local Witnesses closer to those in other lands

GUAM

[Picture on page 398]

The office in Guam directs preaching of the good news on islands spread over some 3,000,000 square miles [7,770,000 sq km] of the Pacific Ocean. Translation of Bible literature into nine languages comes under its supervision.

[Picture on page 398]

Circuit overseer often travels by airplane between islands

[Picture on page 398]

Local Witnesses (as shown here in Micronesia) may use boats to reach their territory

HAWAII

[Picture on page 399]

The Watch Tower Society has had a branch office in Honolulu since 1934. Some from Hawaii have shared in evangelizing work not only on the Hawaiian islands but also in Japan, Taiwan, Guam, and islands of Micronesia.

NEW CALEDONIA

[Picture on page 399]

In spite of hindrance from religious opposers, Jehovah’s Witnesses brought the message of God’s Kingdom to New Caledonia. Many people listened appreciatively. In 1956 the first congregation was formed. Now there are upwards of 1,300 praisers of Jehovah here.

NEW ZEALAND

[Picture on page 399]

In 1947 the Watch Tower Society established a branch office in New Zealand to provide closer supervision for the preaching of the good news here.

[Picture on page 399]

Translating done at this branch enables the inhabitants of Samoa, Rarotonga, and Niue to receive regular spiritual upbuilding.

[Picture on page 399]

Translators and proofreaders cooperate to provide publications of high quality

AUSTRALIA

[Pictures on page 400]

The Watch Tower Society has had a branch office in Australia since 1904. In the past this branch supervised the work of Kingdom proclamation over nearly a quarter of the globe’s surface, including China, Southeast Asia, and islands of the South Pacific.

[Picture on page 400]

Regional Engineering Office assists with branch construction in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia

[Picture on page 400]

At present, this branch prints Bible literature in more than 25 languages. The printery here helps to supply literature needed by some 78,000 Witnesses located in areas supervised by eight branches in the South Pacific.

[Map/Picture on page 400]

Lands supplied with literature from the Australia branch

[Map]

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AUSTRALIA

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

NEW CALEDONIA

SOLOMON ISLANDS

FIJI

WESTERN SAMOA

TAHITI

NEW ZEALAND

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

[Pictures on page 400]

A special challenge faces Jehovah’s Witnesses in this land—the people speak some 700 distinct languages. Witnesses from at least ten other lands have moved here to share in the work. They have worked hard to learn local languages. Interested ones translate for those who speak another tongue. Pictures are also effectively used as aids in teaching.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

[Pictures on page 401]

A Bible study conducted internationally by mail brought the Kingdom message to the Solomon Islands by the early 1950’s. In spite of severe obstacles, Bible truth spread. This branch office and the spacious Assembly Hall are results of local ingenuity, international cooperation, and an abundance of Jehovah’s spirit.

TAHITI

[Pictures on page 401]

By the early 1930’s, Jehovah’s Witnesses had reached Tahiti with the Kingdom message. Here, in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, a thorough witness is being given. During just the past four years, the witnessing done amounts to more than five hours of talking, on an average, to every man, woman, and child on the island.

WESTERN SAMOA

[Picture on page 401]

Western Samoa is one of the smallest nations of the world, but Jehovah’s Witnesses have a branch office here too. This facility was being built in 1992 to care for activity on these and other nearby islands, including American Samoa.