At the end of August 1925, the Bible Students gathered at a convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. In a welcome message printed on the convention program, Joseph F. Rutherford stated: “We have come to this convention to obtain . . . strength from the Lord that we may go back to the field with renewed energy to be his witnesses.” Throughout the eight-day convention, attendees were encouraged to witness about Jehovah at every opportunity.

On Saturday, August 29, Brother Rutherford considered the theme “A Call to Action.” In his talk, he stressed the importance of witnessing: “Jehovah says to his people . . . : ‘Ye are my witnesses . . . that I am God.’ Then there comes to them the clear command, ringing out with no uncertain tones: ‘Lift up a standard for the people.’ There is none other on earth to lift up a standard or ensign to the people except [his people], those who have the spirit of the Lord, and who are therefore his witnesses.”​—Isa. 43:12; 62:10.

After Brother Rutherford’s talk, the audience unanimously adopted the resolution entitled “Message of Hope,” which pointed to God’s Kingdom as the real hope for receiving “the blessings of peace, prosperity, health, life, liberty and eternal happiness.” This resolution was later translated into several languages and printed in tract form. Some 40 million copies were distributed.