The Truth Begins to Set Men Free

Let us now return to Etienne’s story. The year that he received the book in the mail was 1947. On the very day that he received it, Etienne read and discussed the first chapters with a neighbor. Both recognized the ring of truth and decided to invite some friends the following Sunday to read the book with them and to check the scriptures. Those who came were pleased with what they learned and decided to meet again the next Sunday. A customs officer named Augustin Bayonne was present at the second meeting. Like Etienne, he was originally from Brazzaville, and he too became zealous in spreading the truth that brings genuine freedom.

The following week, Etienne received two letters. One was from an acquaintance in Cameroon who knew of Etienne’s interest in religion. He wrote that he had sent Etienne’s name to the Switzerland office of the Watch Tower Society. The second was from Switzerland saying that a book was being sent to Etienne and encouraging him to read the book and to share it with his family and friends. It also provided an address in France where he could get more information. Now Etienne knew why the book had come to him. Soon he began regular correspondence with the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in France.

Within a few years, both Etienne and Augustin had returned to Brazzaville. Before that, however, Etienne wrote to an acquaintance in Brazzaville named Timothée Miemounoua, who was the dean of a technical school. His letter began: “I am pleased to inform you that the way that we have been following is not the way of the truth. Jehovah’s Witnesses have the truth.” Etienne went on to explain what he had learned. He also enclosed the book “The Truth Shall Make You Free.”

The problem, however, was that Brother Cooke could not speak French. Etienne recalls: “Using his small English-French dictionary, this humble, sympathetic brother tried his best to explain to us the Kingdom-preaching work and the theocratic organization. Sometimes we really had to guess what he was trying to say.”

[Picture on page 139]

Etienne Nkounkou