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Chosen no: R-4816 a, from: 1911 Year. |
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The Tabernacle And The Gown
LONDON TABERNACLE has a large gallery, seating
nearly as many as the first floor--in all nearly 1,200. To suit this the pulpit
is a high one, boxed in, so that only the head and shoulders of the speaker are
in view. A plain black robe or gown, provided by the kindness of some of the
friends, was worn by the Pastor (Brother Russell) in the pulpit, but not at
other times. This raised from a few the query, Is Brother Russell becoming a Babylonian--preaching
in a church edifice and wearing a robe?
It was thought well to explain, for the benefit
of all, that the use of Church buildings was never condemned in the Bible, nor
in the DAWN-STUDIES. St. Paul
preached in a Synagogue whenever he had opportunity; so did the other Apostles,
and so did Jesus. We do not favor the general striving for church edifices
because of the expense, because the friends of the Truth are generally poor,
and because what money we all can devote to the service of the Lord can be used
more wisely as a rule-- to accomplish a wider spread of the glad tidings of
great joy. [R4817 : page 149]
We still view the matter thus. But at London, as in New York City
(Brooklyn), it is our judgment that the cause
is best served by having a plain Tabernacle for general worship and also for
the Society's warehouse and office of publication. We have sought to do the
Master's will, and believe we have done it in both cases.
As New York City
is the American center, so is London
the British center, or, indeed, the European center. It is to the advantage of
the entire work everywhere that Brooklyn Tabernacle and London
Tabernacle, even as names alone, should lend their dignity to the cause we
love to serve. Both buildings are heavily mortgaged. The Society has other uses
for its income, and is making no endeavor nor appeals for money to clear these
off.
As for the gown of plain black: It is simplicity
itself, and very much more like what the Savior and the Apostles wore than is a
frock-coat. And as for wearing an ordinary, every-day business suit of blue or
gray or tan in the pulpit--surely it is a bit irreverent, unless as emergency
might make it necessary.
Respect for the Lord and for his Truth seems to
call for respect even in the dress of the one who, for the hour, represents the
Lord as his mouthpiece, "ambassador," or "able minister of the
New Covenant," calling for the joint-sacrifices necessary to be found
before the New Covenant can go into effect. We should not be understood as
laying down a law respecting meats or drinks or wearing of apparel. We are
merely suggesting that a fancy vest, colored tie and business suit do not
appeal to us as specially to be commended. Rather, we would commend to the
preaching brethren, so far as possible and convenient, a preference for black
and white apparel--whatever the cut.
Prejudice is a weed which may flourish in
comparatively well-kept heart-gardens. But it should always be plucked up as
soon as discovered, or it will do damage-- no one can tell how much--to the
owner of the garden and to his neighbors.
THE GOLDEN RULE
The Golden Rule seems not to be fully understood
nor appreciated by some of God's children who have gone beyond the Law which it represents and are seeking to sacrifice. The Golden Rule
means--be just toward fellowmen, giving them the same liberty which you
desire and claim as your right. Do not attempt to fetter them in ways
you would not wish them to fetter you. All saints should remember that this is
simply justice, not sacrifice. It is God's command--the very
foundation of his throne, of his Government. Perhaps no other lesson is more
needed to be learned by the Church than this. It is violated continually in the
home and in the Church. Justice, before generosity; the Golden Rule, before
sacrifice, is surely God's order, and all who would be obedient to him and well
pleasing will surely take heed to watch themselves in this respect.
FALSE DOCTRINE IS BABYLON'S FAULT
As for the churches nominal being Babylon because they meet
in fine or poor buildings, with or without steeples, this is foolishness, well
to be gotten rid of, and which none of us ever should have had. Similarly the
dress of the minister has nothing to do with Babylonishness --although we do
confess to prejudice against the changing of gowns during service and the
wearing of colored gowns, etc., in Catholic and High Church
ceremonials, as contrary to the simplicity of Christ.
Babylon's
fault is her false doctrines--the mingled wine in her cup--the "Golden
Cup" of the Divine Word --wherewith she and the world are so
intoxicated that they cannot understand the Truth, but persecute it.
To come out of Babylon,
therefore, does not mean nevermore to worship God in a specially constructed
building; nor does it mean to do nothing that Babylon
does and to wear nothing which Babylon
approves. This application would mean that we might neither sing nor pray nor
use an organ, etc., because others use these, whom we believe have departed
from the faith.
It is difficult, of course, for us to keep our
poor heads well balanced by the spirit of a sound mind; but the [R4817 : page 150] Golden Rule will surely
assist. One dear friend claimed that he was afraid that others would be "stumbled" by these matters--especially that those who have gone out from us would use it
as a club. Our answer is that those who have gone out need not be considered
for one moment; they will twist and turn everything, for evil anyway. If we
stopped to heed and please them we would do nothing that would please and serve
God.
On the contrary, we believe that the general
sentiment of thinking and pious people is turning from the
rough-and-ready preaching, once so approved, to something more refined and
reverential. There are still good people who consider it a sin to wear a collar
or a necktie even at Divine service, but they are becoming fewer.
But the Golden Rule leaves these children of God
free to dress as they please, without others busybodying in their affairs. Let
experience teach them. Let them learn in the School
of Christ that the advantages and
liberties of the Kingdom
of God (the Church)
consist not in meats and drinks and clothing, but in righteousness and true
holiness, represented by the Wedding Garment, "without spot or wrinkle or
any such thing."
W.T. R-4816a : page 149
- 1911r