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Chosen no: R-4821 a, from: 1911 Year. |
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Bible Study Class-Extension
AS WE have recognized the growth of grace and
knowledge amongst the Brethren in the various Bible Study Classes we have
thought and prayed over the matter of their usefulness as laborers in the
Vineyard. At first the Society encouraged and assisted several of the Brethren
in outside work. However, as others made application for similar recognition we
soon saw that the Society would be in danger of getting into trouble, either by
endorsing and assisting some not worthy, or in failing to assist some who were
worthy. And anyway, the attempt of the Society has always been to follow the
Apostolic injunction, "Without partiality and without hypocrisy."--James 3:17.
We therefore withdrew all special co-operation
outside the regular Pilgrim force, whose names appear on the last page of THE
WATCH TOWER or are specially announced. We cannot shirk responsibility for
these, and, without wishing to cultivate a captious or critical or
fault-finding spirit, we now say that we earnestly request that the dear
members of the Society everywhere shall report anything in the conduct or
teachings of the Pilgrims which to them may appear contrary to the instructions
of the Word--at variance with the "faith once delivered to the
saints." Do not discuss such matters slanderously, but report them kindly
and lovingly to the Head Office at Brooklyn--
"Pilgrim Department." It does not follow that we will agree with you
and censure the Pilgrim. But as the Pilgrims represent the Society it is proper
that we should know the influence of their lives and any peculiarity of their
teachings. This would not be in the nature of slander unless the narrator
attempted to color the facts and to make out a case of condemnation.
THE NEW EXTENSION PLAN
About six months ago a plan developed by which
we believe the Society will be able to co-operate with hundreds of dear
Brethren in the exercise of their talents in the spread of the Truth. This
plan, so far as we can see, is as free from objection of every kind as any
human plan could be. It will make the different classes responsible for the
Extension Work, and the Society will thus be working through and in conjunction
with the classes. It is not a plan by which one class will undertake to
shepherd another or several classes indefinitely. It is our thought that we
expect Divine Providence gradually to raise up in each class Elder Brothers who
would be thoroughly competent to care for the local interests, and before long
be able also to engage in the Extension Work. The plan we suggest relates only
to Extension, as follows:
(1) Any class is invited to join in this
Extension movement provided it has amongst its regularly chosen [R4822 : page 155] Elders a sufficient amount
of talent available for outside work, without jeopardizing the welfare and
prosperity of the class.
(2) If a class have a superfluity of ability
amongst its Elders, more than is necessary for its own proper prosperity, it
should consider its own surrounding territory in which there are no classes,
and should select several fields for active service. The class should designate
which of its Elders it believes to be well qualified for the giving of three
Chart Talks, and which of its Elders [R4822 : page
156] would be qualified to give three Talks afterward on the Day of
Judgment, Ransom and Restitution, and the Manner of the Lord's Coming. The
Society is prepared to supply Charts for such use, and also a little pamphlet
for such speakers, giving outlines for three Chart Discourses --the same to be
filled out by the speaker. The three succeeding Talks could be given very much
along the lines of the presentation in STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, or those
Chapters might be read after thorough study and practice, if that prove the
most advantageous method.
At the conclusion of each discourse the
following one should be announced and the hearers and their friends cordially
invited. At the closing of the third Chart Talk, the speaker should announce
the name and topic of the Brother who would speak on the following Sunday,
making such interesting and voluntary comments as the situation would permit.
At the close of the second speaker's three meetings it would be well to inquire
how many of the audience felt sufficient interest in Bible Study along
dispensational lines to come together regularly as a class of Bible Students.
The speaker should explain the Berean Study Classes and should counsel as
respects the most suitable time and place for such classes, and should promise
that, if desired, the class sending him would send some one of their number to
assist them until they should get started in these Berean Studies and be able
to make progress by themselves, etc.
(3) The getting up of these Extension Classes
would involve labor and expense. Sometimes court-houses, sometimes the
school-room, sometimes the Church lecture-room, sometimes an unused chapel,
sometimes a picture theatre, sometimes a conservatory of music--as the case may
be--is obtainable. Quite frequently those in charge--learning that the meetings
are for Bible Study, and that no admission fee is charged, and that no
collection is lifted--are willing to give the premises free, or with a nominal
charge for the janitor's service or light or heat, etc. Sometimes a small price
must be paid. But in any event it should be thoroughly understood that from three
to six meetings are purposed and are to be advertised for successive Sundays.
And payment should be made in advance and a receipt secured, so that there
might be no misunderstanding before the advertising matter would be prepared
for circulation.
(4) In connection with all such meetings the
Society is glad to co-operate. It will furnish free copies of Everybody's Paper, on the back of which will be an announcement of the Chart Talks
for each of the first three Sundays. Everything will be complete except the
name of the meeting-place and the dates. These could be printed in by a local
printer at a very small cost, or could be stamped on with a rubber stamp. The
circulation of these papers will mean the distribution of many sermons, which
may do good work, aside from those who will be drawn to the public gathering.
We will supply these in proportion of one to every six of the English-speaking
population of any town, district or city, upon application. The population
figures include children, and one in six would generally represent the number
of families.
The expenses for the meetings the classes are
usually able to bear, and the traveling expenses for close-by towns is small.
However, the Society will be pleased to co-operate with any classes not
prepared to bear the full expenses of these meetings, provided the report sent
in seems to justify the expenditure. In making such a report the class, through
its Secretary, should give us particulars and say what proportion of expense
the class is prepared to bear and how much money it would be necessary for the
Society to contribute, in order to carry out the programme.
(5) The Society does not wish to deal with the
speakers directly, but prefers that they should be responsible to the Ecclesia
which sends them forth, even as Paul and Barnabas were sent forth, first by the
Church at Corinth,
and made their reports directly thereto. The Society prefers to have reports
monthly, on the printed blank which we supply, through the duly elected
Secretary of the Class.
(6) All correspondence (except such as is
strictly personal and could be attended to only by Brother Russell) should be
addressed International Bible Students Association, care of Extension Dep't.
All correspondence on this subject should be addressed in America to the Brooklyn Tabernacle; in Great Britain to the London Tabernacle; in Australia to Melbourne, and in the Scandinavian and German
countries to their respective offices.
(7) What we have said foregoing in respect to
English meetings may be applied equally in respect to services in other
languages in proportion as opportunities permit.
THIS WORK ALREADY COMMENCED
We have already made a trial along the above
lines. Some seem not to have gotten our thought fully on some points.
Nevertheless the good work has already commenced. We have already reports from
145 classes. And already 512 meetings have been held, with 16,392 in
attendance, as shown by reports up to April 1. Let the good work go on wisely,
moderately, lovingly, zealously! The harvest is great; the laborers are few in
comparison to the great field to be reaped.
Let us emphasize again in respect to all
communications on every subject--that the Society, and not individuals, should
be addressed, and, if convenient, the Department should be indicated on the
envelope. Letters otherwise addressed will be more or less likely to fail of
prompt attention; individuals may be sick or absent, but the Departments
remain, and always give prompt attention.
W.T. R-4821a : page 155 - 1911r