In Sierra Leone, Bible Students Alfred Joseph and Leonard Blackman wrote to world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, requesting help. On April 14, 1923, their request was answered. “Late one Saturday night,” related Alfred, “I received an unexpected phone call.” He heard a booming voice ask, “Are you the person who wrote to the Watch Tower Society asking for preachers?” “Yes,” Alfred replied. “Well, they’ve sent me.” The voice belonged to William R. Brown. He had arrived that day from the Caribbean with his wife, Antonia, and their young daughters, Louise and Lucy. The brothers would not have to wait long to meet the new arrivals.

Alfred continued, saying: “The very next morning, Leonard and I were holding our weekly Bible study when an imposing figure appeared in the doorway. It was Brother Brown. He was so zealous for the truth that he wanted to give a public lecture the very next day.” In less than a month, Brother Brown placed all the literature he had brought with him. He soon received 5,000 more books, and before long even more books were needed. But Brother Brown was not known as a book salesman. Throughout his long career as a zealous servant of Jehovah, he constantly referred to the Scriptures in his talks, earning him the name Bible Brown.