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Chosen no: R-5279 a, from: 1913 Year. |
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Convention-Train Report
BROTHER DR. JONES, with his Special Train of
Conventioners, starting from Chicago, stopping
at St. Louis and at Hot
Springs, received the Editor most cordially at Hot Springs, Ark.
The conventioners numbered 240 and represented thirty-four States. Some of them
we had previously met, others we knew by correspondence; but almost without
exception they were brethren in Christ and consecrated Bible Students. Nearly all
of them paid their own way; while a few, we understand, have been financed by
their friends or relatives in order to give them the spiritual opportunities of
this Convention Tour, as well as physical rest.
From Hot Springs
the party went south to Texas.
The Editor saw them at the different meetings and greeted them there with
others, and also had a nod or a word with some occasionally on the train. But
his time was occupied with literary work, in which he was assisted by two
brethren who are stenographers.
Dallas,
Texas, June 8, was our next stop. Here, also, we had a hearty reception from the Bible
Students' Class. The morning and evening services were for the Bible Students,
and proved interesting. The Auditorium was well filled--capacity about 500. The
afternoon service for the public at the Opera House was also well attended,
notwithstanding hot weather and rain. Attendance 1,200, interest good,
applications for more literature, 54.
San
Antonio, Texas, June 9.--The entire morning was devoted to testimony, symposiums, etc. The
Editor addressed the interested in the afternoon, to the number of about 500. In the evening his
public address was heard by about 1,300, ninety-two of whom manifested interest
and desired further reading matter. Altogether the Special Train Conventioners
had a happy day here, one long to be remembered, and their number was increased
by two at this place. Thence we sped onward to--
El
Paso, Texas, June 11.--There are very few Bible Students here. We trust that the number will
be greatly increased shortly. The public attendance was estimated [R5279 : page 219] at 1,700, of whom 156 left
their addresses requesting more reading matter along the lines of the subject
discussed, which was, "BEYOND THE GRAVE."
At Tucson,
Arizona, June 12, by
special request of the local Board of Trade, our Convention Committee had
arranged for us to stay over one day at this thriving little city. When the
invitation was extended, it was with the expectation that the local ministers
would give us the "glad hand"; but when it was not forthcoming, and
on the contrary, opposition was made, the business men advised us that they
thought it unwise to have a public address. They did, however, treat us most
cordially, and showed our entire party around the city in automobiles.
Meantime, also, the Conventioners, by a
distribution of literature, got the Message all over the place; and the
literature informed the public as to why the ministers were opposed; namely,
because they feared the truth of the Bible coming in contact with the errors of
their creeds. We have reason for believing that some good will come, having
done our best. The results are with the Lord, and we left, well contented.
At Los
Angeles, June 13, where a five-days'
Convention of Bible Students had been arranged, the Convention was already in
session when our party arrived. The People's Temple was over-crowded, capacity about
1,000. The Editor spoke twice, once to the Bible Students, numbering 1,000, and
once to the public in general. The audience at the public service was estimated
at 4,000. Splendid attention was given, and 475 requests for further literature
were handed in. The local class of Bible Students has been growing considerably
within the last year. The old friends and the new gave our party a hearty
welcome.
San Diego,
California, June
14.--Here, as at Hot Springs,
the ministers made an attack endeavoring to prevent our meeting; but here also
the Lord raised up for us friends amongst the public, who reproved the
ministers for their unchristian course and Dark Ages' methods. The Mayor and a
company of business men received us cordially, and took us about their city in
autocars. We appreciated their hospitality and cheerfully acknowledged that
their city has fine prospects, amongst others one of the best harbors on the
Pacific and their climate par excellence.
We had interesting meetings with the Bible
Students here, and a fine public meeting, attendance at which was estimated at
2,000. There were 199 addresses handed in, expressing interest and desiring
reading matter. We believe that some of the prejudice has been broken down. The
public came out freely, notwithstanding an attack made by the ministers through
a local newspaper. The Lord raised up a defender who answered the malicious
slanders of the ministers, which were merely rehashes from the Eagle. This
reply published in the same paper the next day, we trust offset the evil
intended. Additionally, the Train Conventioners circulated freely the special
issue of the Bible Students Monthly which explains the attitude of the
ministers, and which is circulated only in places where there are evidences of
a concerted endeavor to prejudice the public.
Santa
Ana, June 15,
came next--a Sunday morning service. The principal Opera House here had been
engaged for our use; but somebody had influence enough to have the building condemned
as unsafe, although it had never previously been thought unsafe, even when
crowded to the limit. The friends surmised that this was a strategic move on
the part of the ministers to prevent our meeting--to prevent Bible Students
from calling the attention of the public to the real teaching of God's Word.
However, since the Lord was pleased to allow the meeting, the Bible Students
were quite content, and took the next best auditorium available. It was crowded
beyond its capacity--1,200--while an overflow meeting of several hundred Bible
Students was held in another building. There were 200 addresses handed in,
expressing interest and requesting literature.
Pasadena was reached the same afternoon. Its theater capacity was crowded, 1,300 being present,
with splendid interest. Here 183 addresses for literature were handed in.
San
Francisco was our next stop. Here a
three-days' Convention was in progress. The Train Conventioners participated
during the day of our stop, Monday, June 16. The Editor addressed the Bible
Students in one semi-public service. Approximately, 700 were present. Then came
the evening meeting for the public, with an estimated attendance of 4,000, and
408 requests for more literature.
Tuesday, June 17, was spent in journeying from San Francisco to Portland,
Oregon. We had no opportunity for
public service, but had the pleasure of meeting a goodly group of Bible
Students at Ashland.
The train remained there fifteen minutes. The friends were on the platform
awaiting its arrival. They loaded us with flowers and good wishes. Some of
their number journeyed with us to the next station, bidding us Godspeed. They
sang to us and we to them, "God be with you till we meet again."
Portland,
Oregon, June 18.--Here we found the Bible Students quite alert, and growing both in
numbers and in spirituality. We had an enjoyable meeting with the Bible
Students, exhorting them to love and loyalty, and held up before them the cross
and the great reward promised to those who overcome. The attendance was
approximately 500. Then came the evening service for the public.
Notwithstanding a heavy rain storm, the audience numbered about 3,500 and gave
good attention, 271 leaving their addresses, requesting further literature.
Tacoma, Washington, June 19.--More brethren, more fellowship, more encouragement, fresh
manifestations of love and zeal, an excellent meeting with the interested, a
splendidly attended public meeting--1,800; 275 gave in their addresses, as
indicating interest and a desire for further literature.
Seattle, June
20.--The Seattle class of Bible Students appear to be making good progress, not
only in numbers, but also in development of the fruits and graces of the Holy
Spirit. Here, also, we had a very enjoyable season with the friends, giving
them one address. The attendance at the public address in the afternoon
represented the capacity of the theater, including the stage--2,300. Requests
for further literature from the interested numbered 283.
Victoria,
B.C., June 21.--Here we had more good times with the Bible
Students with an attendance of 500. Then came the evening service, with an
estimated attendance of 1,000. The Bible Students gave place to the public, and
assembled in another building, as an overflow meeting. The interested strangers
to the number of 156 left their addresses, requesting further literature.
Vancouver,
B.C., June 22.--We had a grand time here. The Spirit of the
Lord operating in the Canadian mind gives blessed fruitage, similar to that
found elsewhere. An all-day program had been arranged. We were met at the
boat-landing and escorted to the place of meeting, where a public address of
welcome was given. To this we responded, assuring the brethren of our
appreciation of their cordial welcome and of our realization [R5280 : page 220] that by the same spirit all
the Lord's people have been buried in the one Body--the Body of Christ, the
"Church of the First-borns," whose names "are written in
Heaven." Then came a testimony meeting with further addresses.
The afternoon service was for the public. The
attendance was estimated at 4,500, but other hundreds of late-comers were
turned away; for, owing to the construction of the building, the late-comers
would have disturbed the others by reason of the noise of their shoes. The
audience was especially fine and the attention excellent. Addresses to the
number of 224 were handed in requesting further literature.
When it is remembered that the majority of the
meetings here noted were held on week-days, the attendance surely indicated
that the people had not lost their interest in the Bible and in religion, and
that the falling off in the general Church attendance is therefore properly chargeable
to another cause. We believe that the decrease in Church attendance, of which
we hear so much, is chargeable to the fact that the public have lost their
faith, as well they might, in the creeds of the Dark Ages. They are receiving
no spiritual food. When the ministers preach to them along the lines of
sociology, or astronomy, or science, the pews, as well educated and as
well informed along these lines as are the pulpiteers, care little for
the minister's dissertation.
Oh, that the ministers of today, instead of
feeling angry against the Truth and fighting it, would investigate it
thoughtfully and prayerfully! Then indeed they would be a power in the earth,
in this, our wonderful day, in which God is sending out His Light and Truth to
be the guide of His people, to guide them to His Holy Hill--the Kingdom of Messiah! What a power these ministers
might be, if backed by the truth of God's Word!
How pitiable it seems that men so well equipped
would be not only useless as respects the advancement of Christ's cause, but be
really the leaders of the opposition thereto--ignorantly serving the Prince of
Darkness! All the more, however, the Truth must be spoken. The shackles of the
creeds of error must be broken. The beauty of the Truth must be exhibited; for
it is the Power of God for the calling and electing and perfecting of the Bride
class to be the Lamb's Wife.
But while we must oppose the error, and must
uncover its very foundations in our efforts to "show forth the praises of
Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light," nevertheless,
let us all the more speak the Truth in love, without harshness, without
personalities. Our dear brethren are deluded, deceived, not intentionally opposing the Truth, we believe. How glad we shall be for the day when
the great Adversary, who deceived us all and is still deceiving so many, will
be bound for a thousand years, as promised!--Rev.
20:1-3.
WORDS OF
CAUTION
This may be as good an opportunity as any for a
few words of caution. We are all in danger of going to extremes, and all should
remember the Apostle's words, "Let your moderation be known unto
all." At one place we found that a spirit of antagonism had been aroused
by means of immoderate statements on the part of a few. They had suggested that
Brother Russell and his writings are divinely inspired, as were the Apostles of
old. What a great mistake! No wonder such statements were resented! When asked
if such were our opinion, we promptly assured the dear friends to the contrary.
The view we have always presented, and still
hold, is that the Lord Jesus appointed only twelve Apostles, St. Paul being the one to take Judas' place.
The words of these would be so supervised by Divine Power that whatsoever they
would declare binding on earth, the Church would know would be bound in Heaven,
and whatsoever they would declare on earth to be loosed or not binding, they
might know would not be obligatory in the sight of Heaven. In other words,
those twelve Apostles were the special mouthpieces of the Lord to His Church.
They still speak to us. We need no others; we expect no others.
The most we have ever claimed for our own
presentations, written or oral, is that they are in line with the words of the
Apostles, that they harmonize with them-- that we keep so close to the words of
the Apostles and the words of our Lord that our Message may be said to be their
Message, except in respect to the particular words used and the arrangement of
them. In the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES we have classified the various
presentations of Jesus, the Apostles and Prophets into different studies or
topics; and this is what we meant when we declared in an old WATCH TOWER
that, on this account, whoever reads the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES is really
reading the Bible in an arranged form--topically. In no case have we ever
presented anything as of ourself. In every instance we have fastened our
presentations to the Scriptures on which they depend and rest.
Our claim has been, and is, that because
we are living in the dawn of the New Dispensation, it is the Divine will that
the Mystery of God should now be finished, in the sense of reaching a
completion, or unfolding. This we hold comes to us, not through special
inspiration to speak or to write new things, but by the promised guidance of
the Holy Spirit, enlightening us and directing us to the Lord's Word, and
assisting us to see the proper application of the same. The wonderful light of
our day upon every subject undoubtedly inures to these ends.
Because it is due time, the Lord would send the
light to His people, and as usual, would send it through some earthly
instrumentality. If, in the Divine providence, we have been used or shall be
used of the Lord, it will be in making clear the sayings of inspiration already
written, and not in making any new revelations or prophecies.
We take this opportunity, also, to guard the
dear friends against the report that we are making any different presentations
by letter than we have made in THE WATCH TOWER and the STUDIES IN THE
SCRIPTURES. If any claim to have such letter, ask to see the letter, and refuse
to receive as from me anything contradictory to the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES
and THE WATCH TOWER. If we ever see it necessary to make changes, we will
preferably do this in public print rather than in private letters or in private
conversation. Let us stick to the written Word in the Scriptures as well as THE
WATCH TOWER publications.
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[R5283
: page 220]
"My
soul be on thy guard;
Ten thousand foes arise;
The hosts of sin are pressing hard
To draw thee from the prize.
"O!
watch, and fight, and pray
The battle ne'er give o'er;
Renew it boldly every day,
And help Divine implore.
"Ne'er
think the vict'ry won,
Nor once at ease sit down;
Thine arduous work will not be done,
Till thou hast gained thy crown."
W.T. R-5279a : page 218 - 1913r