During Jesus’ ministry Mary took her children along with her on several occasions. This enabled her sons to follow the public career of their older brother. (Matt. 12:46; John 2:12) But for some time there was a lack of faith on the part of his half brothers, and this helps to explain why Jesus had appointed none of his immediate family to become any of the twelve apostles, as he had done with his faith-entrenched cousins. However, there is evidence that by the end of Jesus’ ministry his brothers became spiritually awakened. After Jesus’ resurrection and among his ten manifestations thereafter in the flesh, one was specially made to one James, but whether this was to his half brother is not provable.—1 Cor. 15:7.

The facts appear to be clear that on Pentecost day A.D. 33 Jesus’ fleshly brothers as well as his mother were among the 120 who became spirit-begotten, receiving the gift of the holy spirit. (Acts 1:14, 15; 2:1-4) This gave his brothers hope of living and ruling with Christ Jesus in heaven as part of the 144,000 kingdom joint heirs. There is no record that any of them became unfaithful. Of the four remaining brothers, two became prominent in the early congregation. James became the congregation servant of the large Jerusalem congregation. He also served as an outstanding member of the governing body with headquarters in Jerusalem. (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18) James was also inspired to write the book of the Bible that bears his name. The other prominent brother was Jude, who also was an inspired Bible writer. The book Jude is named after his writership. Neither man ever laid claim to special privileges by reason of having been Jesus’ brothers. Rather, they humbly refer to themselves as ‘slaves of Jesus Christ.’—Jas. 1:1; Jude 1:1.

Truly the first century of the Christian era saw some of the great giants of true faith in action. In Jehovah’s well-developed program he saw fit for his beloved Son to be surrounded by the right kind of zealous associates and shielded with a rich family circle of men and women who were, above all, servants of the Most High God Jehovah.

Knowing Job’s Happiness for Endurance

AMONG the faithful men of old who set a good example for Christians today is Job. As James, disciple and half brother of Jesus, observed: “Look! we pronounce happy those who have endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave, that Jehovah is very tender in affection and compassionate.”—Jas. 5:11.a

Job endured much, as we all well know. And for his endurance he was rewarded. His health and his wife were restored to him. He had other ten children, seven sons and three beautiful daughters, and twice as much materially as before. Truly Jehovah did show himself tender in affection and compassionate toward Job!

All this prophetically foretold, among other things, that the spiritual remnant of Christ’s body would be called upon to suffer much; would be restored to spiritual health, happiness and prosperity, and would be given “children,” the great crowd of “other sheep” now flowing to Jehovah’s holy mountain, there to worship the one true God Jehovah together with the Joblike remnant.—Isa. 2:2-4; John 10:16.

Both the Joblike remnant and other sheep “children” can now know the happiness of Job by manifesting endurance. Whether belonging to the one group or the other, by reason of our dedication to do Jehovah’s will our endurance is under test. This is particularly true as regards our Christian ministry. When brought face to face with severe persecution or with bleak discouragement, because of meager results in our ministry, let us think hard before letting those circumstances influence us to conclude that God is unjust or unloving. Rather, at such times let us contemplate the marvelous creative works of Jehovah, as he invited Job to do, and reassure ourselves that He indeed loves us and knows what is best for us. Nor may we let ourselves be influenced by those close to us but who are not spiritually-minded. Such misguided acquaintances with misdirected persuasiveness can at times prove to be a searching test of our integrity, even as Job’s wife and his three supposed comforters tested his integrity.

By faithfully enduring we will come to know the happiness of Job. We will find Jehovah God very tender in affection and compassionate toward us now, even as he showed himself to be to the Joblike remnant in their testing during World War I. And he will show himself to be the same toward us in the future, preserving us through Armageddon and on into his new world of righteousness.

Jehovah God is wise, just and loving; what he permits is for our best. So let us pursue the integrity-keeping course of endurance like Job and thereby know his happiness for enduring.

[Footnotes]

“Give Us More Faith”

FAITH is an essential ingredient in human living. It is necessary in almost everything a person does. You would not ride in a car, a train, a ship or a plane if you did not have faith in these vehicles. You trust them. You have confidence that they will take you safely to where you want to go. The same trust or faith is shown when you walk into a building. You have faith in the strength of the structure, trusting that it will not collapse upon you. Living would become a nightmare of fear if a person did not have such faith. It is nonsense, therefore, when anyone claims that he is without faith. He cannot live without it.

It is just as essential for a man to have faith in his Creator. Unless he can have faith in the Supreme Being his life is empty and without purpose. He needs to trust in a Power that is superior to him. His eternal welfare hinges upon this trust. It is written that “without faith it is impossible to win his good pleasure, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” (Heb. 11:6) Jehovah’s good pleasure is worth seeking because it means security, peace, contentment and eternal life.

It is difficult to have faith in God or even in other people while living in a world that is corrupt, a world in which deceit and dishonesty predominate, a world that is without faith in the Creator. Its bad influence can ruin a person’s faith.

Having faith in God means to trust him. But this is not possible unless a person learns about him and about his dealings with mankind in times past. He must also learn about Jehovah God’s just laws, right principles and wonderful purposes. He must learn that God has never failed to fulfill a promise, that he has never lied and that he has never acted unjustly. With such knowledge a person will not find it difficult to exercise faith in that supreme One even though he lives in a faith-destroying world.

There is ample evidence testifying to God’s existence, just as his own Word states: “For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are understood by the things made.” (Rom. 1:20) This evidence can help build your faith if you are willing to recognize it.

The apostles of Christ saw the need for a strong faith in God and in his promises, so much so that they said to Christ: “Give us more faith.” (Luke 17:5) They knew that Christ could give them the knowledge that would build up and strengthen their faith.

Christians today live in the same hostile world as did the apostles, and they have the same need for more faith. It is a world that has no interest in obedience to the laws of God. It is unsympathetic toward those who want to obey and serve him. It is indifferent to his kingdom and to his purposes for having the earth ruled in justice and righteousness. It abounds with people who do not make even a pretense of having faith in him. Such surroundings can shatter a weak faith or make it extremely difficult to build up an initial faith in God. That is why Christians today must ask for more faith, just as the apostles did.

It is by means of God’s written Word that a person can gain the knowledge needed for building a strong faith. But if no effort is made to take in that knowledge, how can a person expect his prayer for more faith to be answered?

The gift of life is not given to anyone who tires out and who ceases to trust God and to have confidence in his promises. It is given only to those who endure the test of their faith. Regarding this the apostle Peter said: “In this fact you are greatly rejoicing, though for a little while at present, if it must be, you have been grieved by various trials, in order that the tested quality of your faith, of much greater value than gold that perishes despite its being proved by fire, may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”—1 Pet. 1:6, 7.

Faith can be likened to the shield of a warrior of ancient times that protected him from enemy darts, arrows and sword thrusts. Like that shield, faith protects the Christian from the continual shower of lies with which Satan bombards him. It protects him from the folly of human philosophies and theories, as well as the corrupting influence of false religion. It is described as a protective shield at Ephesians 6:10, 16: “Finally, go on acquiring power in the Lord and in the mightiness of his strength. Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles.”

We can believe what God tells us in the Bible about the things we cannot see because all that he has said about the things we can see have proved true. Here, then, is a test of our faith. Are we willing to trust him in all that he says even though it contradicts the philosophies and theories of this world? This absolute trust in God’s written Word and in his integrity is what a person must seek to build up and to strengthen constantly. It is a protective shield that will preserve his life.

Regarding those people of ancient times who endured many hardships and frightful experiences because they trusted God while living in a world that did not, the Bible says: “They had witness borne to them through their faith.” (Heb. 11:39) Their faith brought God’s approval and that will mean for them a resurrection to eternal life.

Of all the things in which general faith plays a part in human living faith in God is, without doubt, the most important. We must trust him implicitly. Our happiness, security and life itself depend upon it. It is, therefore, with good reason that we today should repeat the request made by the apostles: “Give us more faith.”

Your Prayers Tell on You

What do your prayers reveal about yourself? Why is listening an important part of prayer? And how should one pray to be heard?

WHEN you pray to God in his appointed way, he listens. But after praying, day after day, week after week, what sort of person do your prayers reveal you to be?

In your prayers do you show yourself a grateful, considerate, conscientious Christian? Does God see in your prayers a lover of righteousness, one anxious for the vindication of his name and purpose? What sort of impression do you leave by what you say in your prayers?

Do your prayers show you to be a happy servant, thankful for life, appreciative of his Word, one desirous of seeing the organization of Jehovah grow to where it will fill the whole earth with justice and righteousness? Just what kind of person do you show yourself to be in your prayers to God? Your prayers do mirror what you really are. They tell on you.

By listening to your prayers God knows exactly what you are thinking about, what concerns you most, where your interests lie, and what your desires and regrets are. He becomes acquainted with the real you. He knows how you feel about your brothers in the ministry and about people in general. He knows whether you are compassionate toward those suffering for righteousness’ sake. He is aware of your thoughts toward the least and the greatest, toward the rich and the poor. He knows how you feel about those persons of good will who are reaching out for truth and life. He can see by what you say whether you are conscious of your spiritual needs.

By your prayers and the very manner in which you pray Jehovah knows whether you keenly desire the things you ask for, or if what you say is a mere recital of words.

Your prayers reveal how much you rely upon God, because daily the servant of Jehovah is confronted with difficult tasks. Many spiritual walls need to be reinforced, others need to be rebuilt completely—walls of faith, hope and courage that have crumbled down or that have been made weak. Prayer to Jehovah will help you to rebuild these walls in yourself and in others. Your prayer to Jehovah shows that you recognize him as a strong tower, a tower of strength in the time of need. Prayer is a demonstration of your faith. It says you believe.—Ps. 61:3; Prov. 18:10.

LISTENING IS A PART OF PRAYER

Prayer is not all talking. Listening, too, is a part of prayer. If you were to appear before an earthly king, would you do nothing but talk? Would you not listen to what he had to say? Certainly you would. Then when you kneel before Jehovah, the King of Eternity, listen. And when you speak make sure your words show proper respect, that they are gracious and kind. Your words then will speak well of you.—Jer. 10:10, AV, margin.

Your decorum in prayer will also tell on you. If you yawn in prayer or rush through a few repetitive words, will this speak well of you? Would you behave that way when standing before an earthly king? Then do not conduct yourself that way before Jehovah the Sovereign of the universe. Your conduct shows whether you respect the dignity and honor of his high office and whether you understand and appreciate your privilege to address him in prayer. Observing your conduct in prayer will make you more aware of the blessing bestowed upon you through this privilege of prayer. Then not only your prayers but your conduct will speak well of you.

Listening to God is also an essential part of prayer. How does one do this? One listens to God by letting the words of the Bible pass through his mind and heart. The Bible is the inspired Word of God put into the language of men. So by listening to the Holy Scriptures the words of the prophets, the thoughts of the apostles and the wisdom of Jesus Christ all flow through the mind, refreshing it and building it up. In this way one can spend all night in prayer with God and hardly say a word. When you listen you learn. When we listen to the words of the Scriptures we show ourselves learners of God.—2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

If in our private prayers we rush or we just offer up short prayers time after time, does not this tell on us? We do not rush away from those we love, do we? As for our short prayers, do they not show the extent of our concern for the household of God, what we think of our ministry and the work entrusted to us? Those who keenly sense their privileges and responsibilities know the need of spending much time with Jehovah in prayer. They realize prayer makes better men, that it improves the heart attitude and mental appreciation for life. Prayer matures one to salvation.

When praying there must be calmness, there must be time and deliberation. Do not rush your prayers, or memorize them, because by so doing you degrade the privilege of prayer into a worthless thing. If more time were spent in prayer by individuals and families, it would work wonders to invigorate their spirituality. Individuals would find themselves happier. Families would experience group prayer a unifying force. Prayer aids to overcome differences. It promotes friendship and peace. It seems to cause people to forget their jealousies and envies. When members of a family pray earnestly together, seldom do you find them fighting each other. James admonishes us to “pray for one another,” and Paul tells Christians to “persevere in prayer.”—Jas. 5:16; Rom. 12:12.

PRAYER FOR OTHERS

When we pray to God we do a good thing, but when we pray to God in behalf of our brothers we do something far better. We show ourselves loving, concerned and mature. When we pray for others we give proof to God of our interest in the lives of men, we show an active concern about them. Our prayers for God’s household show that we are interested in the congregation, its activity and welfare.

Since prayer is an energizing force, it will transform our disposition toward those for whom we pray. It is quite impossible to petition God to show love toward someone we do not particularly like and still continue bitter toward this one. If we keep on praying, all animosity will pass away and we will find ourselves liking this person instead of disliking him. Being loving toward your brothers speaks well of you.—1 John 4:20, 21.

Too often we do not pray fervently enough for our brothers. It may be because we do not know them personally or that we are too preoccupied with our own pursuits and pleasures. Perhaps it is that we are lacking in affection, in our love for them. If we love enough we will remember them in our prayers. Praying for others should be as natural as praying for ourselves.

When we pray for others we become more charitable and patient toward them. We find ourselves becoming friendlier and happier because of it. When we know others are praying for us, it gives us courage and power. The apostles encouraged the brothers to pray for them. “Carry on prayer for us,” said Paul. “And Jehovah himself turned back the captive condition of Job when he prayed in behalf of his companions.” Jesus instructed his followers even “to pray for those persecuting you; that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens.” Praying for others is Christlike; it is a loving practice.—2 Thess. 3:1; Job 42:7-10; Matt. 5:44, 45.

Our praying for others is not done in self-righteousness. Our prayers for them are prompted by God’s mercy and kindness toward us. We show by our petitions that we want all men to come to an accurate knowledge of the truth and be saved. We, like God, want none to die. Prayer for others uproots bitterness and malicious thinking from our own minds, making room for upbuilding thoughts to flourish. Praying for others inspires harmony, creates unity and co-operation.—2 Cor. 9:14.

If we pray for all the brothers, that means we will come to love brothers we find difficult to like right now. Our loving them does not mean just putting up with them, or being kind and polite to them. It means loving them the way Christ loved us. Jesus’ love knew no bounds, nor must ours. His love saw the need of giving his all; so must ours. Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have [this] love among yourselves.” Your prayers reveal whether you love this way or not.—John 13:34, 35.

PRAY THAT YOU BE HONEST

When you pray to God that he make grow in you the love of righteousness, goodness, kindness, honesty and the other fruits of the spirit, do you really mean it? Most of us are aware that there is a certain amount of deceit in our nature. How often do we say and do things we do not mean? We often compliment when inwardly we condemn. So are we honest when we say we want to be honest, which means being honest in everything and to everybody? Honesty in business may cost us sales. Honest expression may mean loss of favor, promotion, or even a job. Do you still want to be honest? If you want to be honest regardless of the cost, then pray for it. Work for it. Do not pray for things that you do not honestly want. Be sincere in your prayers. Be honest and your prayers will speak well of you.

Honesty cleanses the inner man. It builds integrity and uprightness. It braces up the mind for Christian activity. Honesty inspires trust and harmony. Christian love and faith are enhanced. Where there is an exchange of honest opinions there will be freedom of thought and expression. Everyone is benefited in the atmosphere of honesty. Jehovah says: “The prayer of the upright ones is a pleasure to him.”—Prov. 15:8.

Many prayers go unanswered because they are asked amiss. Some are said in doubt and without conviction. They are not really honest prayers. James says: “Let not that man [a doubter] suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah; he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways.” We must believe that Jehovah provides. He gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. David prayed for a pure heart and a new and steadfast spirit. And his prayer was answered. We may pray for the same thing, but that may not be what we need or want. Some pray, “God make me pure—but not yet.” Others say, “God make me rich and kind and good,” but all week long their actions show their prayer to be a mere recital of words.—Jas. 1:7, 8.

Since Christianity is not the way to worldly fame and fortune, true prayer does not include such things. Instead, a Christian prays that he will not fall victim to materialism. His desire is not to pamper the flesh or please the eye, but to give of himself and what he has. Doubtless more prayers would be answered if people, besides asking all the time, would also sacrifice. Your willing sacrifices speak well of you.

PRAYER NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EFFORT

Prayer is not the only thing there is to the worship of God. People spend countless hours praying for God to give them things and to take them to heaven, but they may never put their lives in order. These people must learn that how we live is as important as the repeating of daily prayers. One decent act of justice toward one’s brother is worth more than a thousand prayers hailing God as the Source of justice. If we would pray right we must also live right.

We must educate ourselves to the fact that true prayer is not a substitute for intelligent effort. Some people resort to prayer principally as a means of getting things from God when other means have failed. Others pray only when there is a crisis. Such prayers are very selfish and they are something detestable to Jehovah, who answers proper prayer. Do we expect God to perform a miracle for our benefit every time we pray? Unfortunately some people do. Jehovah’s guidance is a supplement to, not a substitute for, our own thinking and working. As an earthly father expects his son to display a little initiative, using his mind to search out and to make wise decisions for himself and come to him with only the most difficult problems for guidance, so, too, our heavenly Father desires the same of us. Jehovah has given us his Word, the Bible. He expects us to use it wisely to his praise and to come to him for guidance in understanding and using it or wishing to express thanks to him. If we do so, our prayers will be a pleasure to him.

If we are sincere in our prayers, we will endure much to see that they are fulfilled. First, we will pray, then we will work hard toward the accomplishment of our prayer in faith. When Jehovah sees that we are not to be turned aside by hard work, sweat, blood and tears, our prayer will be answered if it is in accord with his will.

Now, then, when you pray be aware that you are painting a vivid picture of yourself before God. Show respect in your conduct, pray with sincerity and conviction. Be honest. Be assured that true prayer never goes unanswered. Above all, be humble and appreciative of the privilege of prayer. Your prayers will not lie. They will tell the truth about you.

Divine Will Assembly Attracts World Attention

“BIGGEST Religious Gathering in History Jams Yankee Stadium,” declared the Times in Los Angeles, California, in a report on the Divine Will International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But it was no emotional revival, no scene of religious debate, no occasion for the taking up of collections. Rather, as Newsweek magazine correctly observed: “Education in the Bible, the single source of all Witness doctrine, is the principal function of the convention.”

At the assembly, arrangements were made to put at the disposal of newsmen such information as they might need, and it was quickly picked up and used by practically every news outlet in the area, in many languages. When more than 180,000 from 123 lands filled both Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds on the opening day of the assembly, news services flashed the report round the world.

AMAZING ORGANIZATION AND CO-OPERATION

Co-operation and whole-hearted service, which are so rare in the world in general, were evident in refreshing abundance at the Divine Will assembly. Said Life magazine: “Everything ran so smoothly that even blasé New Yorkers were impressed. Two ball parks, Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds, were jammed every day in impressive demonstrations of devotion.”

It is true that New York has seen many religious assemblies, but New York did not feel it had ever seen one like this. The August 11 issue of Time observed: “Even Billy Graham’s Yankee Stadium throng last year—100,000, and 10,000 turned away—was small by comparison. . . . If New Yorkers expected religious hysteria, they had to wait for baseball to come back. Without a hitch, in orderly procession, the Witnesses arrived aboard two chartered ships and 65 chartered planes, scores of special trains and buses, more than 20,000 cars.”

On Wednesday, July 30, 7,136 were immersed to symbolize their dedication to Jehovah God. The obvious sincerity and seriousness of the candidates, as well as the efficient handling of the program, amazed onlookers. The next morning the New York Times remarked: “With a precision that would do justice to the military, 7,136 Jehovah’s Witnesses were baptized by total immersion yesterday in a two-and-a-half-hour ceremony. . . . There were no emotional outbursts, no horseplay in the water. Each Witness gave the impression of a person bent on a serious mission.” And indeed they are, for each one of them has determined to make the worship of Jehovah God the dominant factor in his life.

“OUT OF ALL NATIONS”

In a prophetic foreview of the forward surge of true worship in our day, Revelation 7:9, 15 says: “I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne [of God] and before the Lamb, . . . and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple.” At the Divine Will assembly the world could see gathered many of those of the remnant of Christ’s body members along with a good-sized representation of that diversified “great crowd.” In commenting on the type of people that have become Jehovah’s witnesses, the New York Times Magazine said: “It was the largest gathering of any kind ever held in the city, and it drew attention as never before to this group, which in recent years has been growing more rapidly than any other religious organization. The Witnesses impressed New Yorkers not only with their numbers, but with their diversity (they include people from all walks of life), their racial unself-consciousness (many Witnesses are Negroes) and their quiet, orderly behavior.”

Although many nations of the world are torn with constant outbursts of racial strife, it does not mar the association of true Christians. The Binghamton, New York, Sun told its readers about it: “Orderliness of the vast throng and the fact that it was made up of people of practically every nationality, with Negroes and Asians mingling with whites on equal terms and apparent enjoyment, was another unusual and truly remarkable feature.”

Skin color, language differences and the attitude of the political governments of the world toward one another do not divide Jehovah’s people or color their attitude toward their brothers in other lands. They are neutral as to the political affairs of the old world but are united world-wide in true worship. The New York Amsterdam News wrote about it, saying: “Never before have New Yorkers been host to people more wholly devoted to their faith than Jehovah’s Witnesses. . . . 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.”

Such a significant demonstration of international unity attracted the attention of this strife-weary world, and it was picked up by the newspapers, radio, television and newsreels and transmitted around the world, to Europe and Asia, Africa, Latin America and the islands of the sea.

And now the Divine Will assembly is taking on further international force as the main portions of the program are being presented in conventions in many other lands. Already in the latter part of August and early September such assemblies have been held at Okinawa, with 112 in attendance; in Japan, with 881; in Fiji, with 253 present; in Frankfurt, Germany, 23,473; at Hamburg, 30,061; at Belize, British Honduras, there were 420; Denmark, 13,299; Switzerland, 5,330; Netherlands, 15,785; Finland, 698; and in the British Isles at Manchester, England, there were 9,287; 4,374 at Falkirk, Scotland, and more assemblies are to come. Another 3,253 were immersed at these assemblies, and all the assembled crowds wholeheartedly endorsed the Resolution in support of Jehovah God and his kingdom as the only hope for mankind and decrying the failure of the religious clergy to direct the attention of the people to this God-given hope. That Resolution is contained in full in the forepart of this issue of The Watchtower.

COMMENTS OF THE CLERGY

Following the adoption of the Resolution at the international assembly in New York city, newspaper headlines proclaimed: “Witnesses Find Clergy Guilty,” and “Christian Leaders Termed Delinquent.” Within the next few days, however, the headlines might well have read: ‘Clergy Find Themselves Guilty.’ In a letter to the editor of the Rochester, New York, Democrat Chronicle, a Methodist minister commented: “It points out once again that we, of the so-called ‘sophisticated, refined, theologically correct churches,’ could do well to simply assimilate some of the simple, sincere approaches that are these groups. . . . While ‘we’ busy ourselves with church bazaars, barbecues . . . [they] are busy carrying discipleship and personal witness into the homes and the hearts of any who would listen . . . they have launched out on a bold world-wide campaign that would remind one of the early first century disciples.”

And an editorial in The Catholic Light said: “I would venture to guess that ten years from now, the meeting of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York City will prove to have had more permanent significance than the UN meeting. . . . I say they present a challenge to us Catholics. Why? Because they are taking certain features of true religion and practicing them to the hilt while we Catholics are neglecting these features of our religion. Take for instance their missionary zeal.” True religion, practiced in the way that Christ Jesus did, stands out in contrast to the easy-going way of worldly religion, and such true religion attracts honest persons.

“CITY’S BEST GUESTS”

Application of the principles of the Bible to one’s life makes a big difference; the world saw that difference in the deportment of assembly delegates. On August 1 the New York Times wrote: “Witnesses Styled City’s Best Guests. 180,000 at World Assembly win praise for courtesy, quietude and neatness. . . . Royal Ryan, executive vice president of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, called the Witnesses ‘an asset to the community.’ He described their behavior as ‘out of this world.’”

Many of the public shared those sentiments. One of them wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Herald Tribune to this effect: “Seeing the Jehovah’s Witnesses and members of their families taking in the sights of the city gives one a good feeling. They are clean looking, have good manners and show respect for people of all ages. They are sociable in such a nice way that it makes you feel ashamed of the ill-mannered natives of this dirty and cold city of ours.” And not only did New Yorkers enjoy having Jehovah’s witnesses, but Jehovah’s witnesses deeply appreciated the hospitality showed by New Yorkers.

When the assembly closed on August 3 the thousands of delegates began their journey home to the 123 lands from which they had come, now better equipped for their Christian ministry. Many were sorry to see them go. The New York Daily News said: “Jehovah’s Witnesses—day before yesterday wound up the biggest convention ever yet held in New York City; and we’d like to congratulate them on the orderly way in which they handled the whole affair. . . . we hope the Witnesses will convene here again, soon.”

In Allentown, Pennsylvania, the Morning Call warmly commented: “They may not have made many conversions but they made a lot of friends and even more admirers and their organization must have received strengthening in all its members. For all there can be the satisfaction that their hosts will welcome their return at any time and in even larger numbers than those which swarmed upon New York, left their blessings and departed with the certain knowledge that many of the millions of the city’s population had been benefited spiritually by their stay.”

Jehovah’s witnesses appreciate the generally friendly and fair comments of the press on their assembly. They do not seek to attract attention to themselves, but they are eager to fulfill their God-given commission to preach the good news of the established Kingdom “in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness.” (Matt. 24:14) They know that many of those who hear of the Divine Will assembly will want to learn more about it, and may start on the way to life in God’s new world.

Questions From Readers

● By what means were the waters of the Red Sea held back when the Israelites marched through? Does Exodus 15:8, which says “the surging waters were congealed in the heart of the sea,” indicate that they were frozen?—J.H., U.S.A.

We do not know just how Jehovah kept the waters of the Red Sea standing like walls to the right and the left of the Israelites as they marched through. It was a miracle performed by God.

The verse in question, at Exodus 15:8, reads: “And by a breath from your nostrils waters were heaped up; they stood still like a dam of floods; the surging waters were congealed in the heart of the sea.” The same expression, “congealed,” is used in the American Standard Version, the Authorized Version, and translations by J. N. Darby, I. Leeser, R. Knox, and J. Rotherham.

The word “congeal,” as defined in Webster’s New International Dictionary, means “to change from a fluid to a solid by cold; to freeze”; “to make viscid or like jelly; to curdle; coagulate.” The Hebrew word here translated “congeal” means to shrink or thicken as with curdled milk or frozen water, or to congeal. At Job 10:10 the expression is used in regard to curdling cheese. Therefore, it does not of necessity mean that the walls of water were frozen solid, although Jehovah could do such a thing. The consistency of the congealed substance could be like jello or curds. Nothing visible was holding back the waters of the Red Sea on each side of the Israelites, so they had the appearance of being congealed, stiffened, curdled or thickened so as to remain standing like walls on each side and not collapsing in an inundation upon the Israelites to their destruction.

Had the wind been a blast cold enough to freeze the waters, the account no doubt would have made reference to the extreme cold. And such cold might well have resulted in a frozen sea bottom that would be precarious for travel. But Exodus 14:21 says that “Jehovah began making the sea go back by a strong east wind all night long and converting the sea basin into dry ground.” And Isaiah 51:10 similarly states: “Are you not the one that dried up the sea, the waters of the vast deep?”

Moses described the appearance of things to him. He was aware of the strong east wind and he could see the walls of apparently congealed water. The event, however, was a miracle from God, and Moses did not attempt to explain the mechanics by which the water was held up, nor will we.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

Throughout November Jehovah’s witnesses will offer in their ministry a most helpful Bible-study book on a contribution of 50 cents. Return calls will be made on all interested persons and home Bible studies started wherever possible. For additional information as to how you can share in the ministry go to the nearby Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses or write this office.

FROM PARADISE LOST TO PARADISE REGAINED

New in every respect, From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained is a book for young and old. It is not just a story of the Bible, yet it will acquaint you with the people of the Bible and explain in simple language what the Bible tells us about God and his blessing for those who please him. Beautifully illustrated; hard bound, gold-embossed coral cover; size: 9 1/4” x 7” x 5/8”; 256 pages; complete scripture index. Postpaid, 75c.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

November 30: Why the Divine Will International Assembly Resolved, ¶1-4, and Why This Assembly Should Resolve, ¶5-21. Page 644.

December 7: Why This Assembly Should Resolve, ¶22-42. Page 649.

December 14: Resolution, ¶1-27. Page 654.