spirit that worldly observers note at our assemblies. They acknowledge we are just average people, yet see the organization is unlike any other human organization because of the fruitage of the spirit. But this manifest operation of holy spirit does not make them become a part of the unified organization they marvel at. Pharisaical selfishness prevents them from giving up their way of life, their enjoyment of works of the flesh, their part in the world and its organizations. They resist being moved in the right direction by this manifestation of holy spirit, and are skeptical that it is due to God’s spirit. Like the Pharisees, they look for other causes and assign other reasons for the joy and peace and unity that so amazes them. So in effect are they not sinning against the manifest operation of the holy spirit, and is it not possible that they are thereby condemning themselves to eternal death?

But in it all our role is to always manifest our possession of Jehovah’s spirit. It is not in our own strength that we unceasingly preach in all the earth, face up to persecution, endure mob violence, suffer imprisonment, maintain integrity to death, and yet continue to increase and overflow with the fruitage of the spirit. In private conduct and in public witnessing, as individuals and as an organization, we must always walk according to the spirit and not after the flesh. We must be “for signs and for wonders”, be “a theatrical spectacle to the world”; and it is possible only if we make manifest God’s spirit upon us.—Isa. 8:18;1 Cor. 4:9, NW.

So do not allow the seeds of truth to lie idle and unproductive for 1,000 years, like the two lotus seeds. Rather, sow and water to the end that God may give the increase and make manifest his spirit upon the theocratic organization. It will divide the people during this judgment period soon to be climactically ended by Armageddon.

Devil Worshipers Accept Truth

● About a year ago a number of us were preaching the good news of God’s kingdom from door to door in a certain village in the Calabar province of Nigeria. I was turned away from the first door with “I am not a Christian, I am for Ekpo”. (Ekpo is a secret, devil-worshiping society.) After trying in vain to break through this shell I went to the next door, where I got the same response. Suddenly we heard a loud shout and almost immediately we were surrounded by about thirty young men, armed with machetes, who had jumped out of the bush. They were Ekpo members and tried to frighten us by menacing gestures. Seeing our complete lack of fear some went away, but others seized us and dragged us back to where we had left the other ministers. They mocked and jeered us as we went and expressed their determination that no further preaching would be done in the neighborhood. However, to their disappointment they found that preachers had already covered the rest of the village and had left literature with a number of the people. They then assembled in a compound belonging to an Apostolic Church member and took counsel on what to do next. But Bible questions were asked by this man, and we had the privilege of answering from the Bible in the presence of these devil worshipers. Today, more than a year later, the once-Apostolic Church member is going from house to house himself, as one of Jehovah’s witnesses. More than eighty of the one-time mockers have turned up for the four public talks recently given in this same village. And now there are fourteen Christian ministers who are preaching regularly where a year ago there was only one. A new congregation has been formed. Truly “Jehovah knows those who belong to him”.—From a circuit servant in Nigeria.