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Some Interesting Letters
SISTER SEIBERT TO HER FRIENDS
DEARLY BELOVED IN THE LORD:
Your recent letter of loving sympathy is received and deeply appreciated at this time. I want to assure you that your prayers on my behalf
have been most wonderfully answered, and I am enjoying a peace of mind and
heart which almost frightens me. I say to myself, "I did not know
the Father loved me so!" His grace has been more than
"sufficient," so that I have been enabled to comfort other bereaved
ones in this sad experience.
I am counting my blessings every hour. I am so thankful my dear
one was not taken ill three or four years ago, when I was so weak
myself. Again I am so glad that he did not suffer any pain, which was
very remarkable when we consider the nature of the disease, cancer. But this
was my constant prayer, that, since he could not recover, the dear Lord would
not permit him to suffer any more pain than was best for him and for me. I was
more grateful than words can express because of the fact that we had the means
to give my dear husband every comfort. I spared neither money nor skill nor
science in order to do everything that could be done to cure him, as he was so
anxious to get well. And lastly, but chiefly, I am so thankful that the dear
Lord has seen fit to hide my dear one in the grave until "the time
of His wrath be overpast," and that he has spared him the agony of
witnessing my painful and probably ignominious death, if I prove
faithful to Present Truth.
And thus, while I count my blessings, I do not sorrow as do others, but
throughout these after-days I seem to hear a chime of silver bells every moment
sweetly ringing the refrain,
"All that Thou sendest me, In
mercy given!"
The physicians would not tell my husband his real condition and it fell
to my painful lot to refer to the matter on two occasions. I felt it was
terrible to allow him to go down into death unconscious of his true condition.
Yet, on the other hand, I realized I had witnessed to him daily, hourly almost,
for nearly twenty years, without apparent effect. Nevertheless I determined to
do what I could to help him. And therefore, about two hours before he died,
when I knew he was failing rapidly, I said to him, "You are so tired, dear, wouldn't you like to sleep for a whole week? And how would you like to go
to sleep and not waken until after the time of trouble is over?" He
replied, "Oh, don't talk to me about death, I'm going to get well,
I'm going to get well, I'm going to get well!" Then I said gently,
"No dearheart, you are not going to get well; the doctors knew it from the
beginning but would not tell you, and now I must tell you. Can't you thank the
Lord for his goodness in saving you from pain and letting you just go to sleep?
Can't you say a little prayer? Say, Lord Jesus, into Thy hand I commend my
spirit?" No reply. "You are not afraid, are you, dear? Death is only
a sleep. The Lord is going to let you sleep a little while and then in His due
time He will call you to awake out of sleep, and the whole earth will be as the
Garden of Eden, no more pain, no more tears, no more death." Still no
reply. (Poor dear, perhaps he was too far gone, yet when I asked him if he knew
me, he replied, "Of course, I know you, dear.")
I held both his dear hands while the cold death-stream crept higher and
higher, and his breathing grew softer and softer until with a sigh he just fell
asleep like a weary child upon its mother's breast. I caressed the beloved form
and turning away, said, "Sleep well, dearheart, sleep well, no dreams disturb this sleep!"
He fell asleep on May 23, and on the 29th I laid him away amid the love
and admiration and sorrow of the whole community, without a stain upon his
reputation. I was alone, and had everything to arrange with respect to
the undertaker and the services, but I tried to do everything as I believe he
would have wished it done, without ostentation or extravagance, yet withal in
good taste and of the best and most enduring quality. I have nothing to regret,
I believe I have faithfully discharged every earthly mortgage, and I trust the
dear Lord will see fit to give me some further service for Him and His during
the "little while" that remains for the feet members of His body!
I wished to make the funeral services my final witness for the
Truth in this community, and requested that the Society send me our dear Bro.
Woodworth to officiate. Services were held in the Presbyterian Church at Mount Union, Pa.,
where Mr. Seibert's family had lived. The Presbyterian minister read Scriptures
selected by Bro. Woodworth. Prayer was offered by the Methodist minister, to
whose church my husband's family had belonged, and to which he left a bequest
of $500. Our dear Sisters Detwiler and Virginia Noble from "Bethel"
then sang "Nearer my God to Thee," my dear one's favorite hymn, and
as I listened I could not help saying to myself, "Oh, that he might hear
them, for he never heard that beautiful hymn so touchingly sung by human
voice before!" (I used to sing it for him, but I am not a gifted
singer.) Then our dear Bro. Woodworth followed with his discourse on two texts,
"The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away," and "The ransomed
of the Lord shall return," suggested by me. It was very impressive, and the
audience of more than a thousand listened most attentively. I had arranged for
a stenographer to take down as much as possible of what he said, and we have
had it printed in the "Mount Union Times"; some of you have copies.
While the friends and audience were viewing the body, I had arranged for
the two sisters to sing some sweet hymns very softly, so as to break that awful
silence, that saddest moment of the whole service. They sang without the organ,
"There is rest for the weary," and afterward they requested the
organist to play softly our beautiful hymn, "Many sleep, but not
forever." My dear one was a lover of peace, and "a
peacemaker." To me one of the most touching incidents of the funeral
was the presence of two editors, who had been sworn enemies when Mr.
Seibert came to Orbisonia several years ago, walking side by side among the
honorary pallbearers. He had brought them together in the bonds of peace and
good-fellowship. Surely he will have little difficulty in walking up the grand
"Highway of Holiness," especially with the assistance of so many dear
Truth friends who appreciated his nobility of heart!
I used to tell my husband that it was pride which kept him out of the
Truth, and his invariable reply was, "Why, what have I to be proud of but you!"
The floral offerings were the most lavish and beautiful ever seen in the
town. At the cemetery dear Bro. Woodworth offered the most exquisite prayer I
ever heard on such an occasion. Many persons referred to it afterwards, and
also spoke favorably of the discourse. I trust that some good may have been
done, some blind eyes opened, some weary hearts comforted that day. Both
ministers asked Bro. Woodworth for some printed matter dealing with his
subject. And a letter from the Methodist minister to me declared that my
"manifest faith and trust had been a help to everybody." This greatly
encouraged me. And further, I learned that all my acquaintances in the
community expected that I would bear up differently from others, "because
of my faith and my religion!" So I thanked the Heavenly Father
for His marvelous fulfilment of His promises, "As thy days thy strength
shall be," and "My grace is sufficient for thee," and for this
opportunity to show forth the power of the TRUTH!
I cannot refrain from quoting here our dear Pastor's words to me. He
writes, "You have my sincere sympathy. I know that you appreciated your
husband very highly, as evidenced by your patient and continued devotion, not
only in his illness, but at all times. I am glad that you have had the
privilege of being with him to the last. I am confident that you can look
forward to the future with good assurance that he was a noble man, and that God
loves such characters, even as Jesus declared of the young Hebrew who said that
he had kept the Law to the best of his ability from his youth up. Of him we
read, 'Jesus, beholding him, loved him.' We may [R5282
: page 221] be sure that the Lord has a sympathetic love for all the
members of the race who have a desire for righteousness. We are so glad that
the time is hastening when all such will be brought to fullest opportunity for
knowing the great Redeemer and experiencing the fulness of His restitution
power."
Please continue to pray for me that I may be faithful in doing His will
even until He shall say, "It is enough, come up higher."
With fervent Christian love, yours in our Redeemer and King, GERTRUDE W.
SEIBERT.--Orbisonia,
Pa.
June 7, 1913.
----------
HIDDEN PEARLS
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:
Grace, mercy and peace be unto you. My heart daily overflows with joy
and gratitude when I consider our Father's abundant blessings to us. Help is
provided, through the appointed channel, for every step of the way.
How eagerly we welcomed the Resolve, as just the assistance we need! I
have it written on a post card--the vow on the other side--and keep it under my
pillow, where I can read it as soon as I awaken. How it fortifies and helps one
to be ready for every emergency! And what a grand beginning it makes to each
momentous day--the wonderful, amazing days in which we live!
But I desire to tell you of the great help the little Question-books [R5282
: page 222] have been. I used them in study with another sister-- all the
class we have in our isolation. Some way I had looked upon them as for class
study, and not for use in my private reading of ten pages a day in the STUDIES.
But the Father opened my eyes to their full use.
I was unable to keep my mind fixed upon my reading as I desired; it
seemed to me I was losing so much. A dear sister suggested to me, when I was
out at a local convention, at Easter, to use the Questions. She was doing so
with great profit. That was the key to the whole situation. There was the
proper help provided, and I was not using it; hence not receiving the full blessing.
After that my thoughts were completely on my study, and I was not
missing the point of each paragraph. I have been astonished to find what
beauties of Truth--pearls of great price--were hidden in the paragraphs, that
refreshed, and strengthened and cleansed me daily. So now I am eager for other
dear ones to share the blessings, and whenever our Father gives me the privilege
(and of late He is graciously giving me many such privileges) of meeting with
His dear people, I desire to testify as to the blessing that lies in those
little books.
Words fail to express the joy of fellowship we experience through the
columns of THE WATCH TOWER. God bless you!
With Christian love and greetings,
HOPE TATE.--Ont.
----------
SEEKING TO SERVE
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY.
GENTLEMEN:
The writer had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Rutherford deliver a lecture
in our city, Atlanta.
Since then, I have bought of one of your agents a set of STUDIES IN THE
SCRIPTURES. I am very much interested in them, as well as your work before the
public, and will say, if you will furnish me with free Literature of any kind
on this great work, it will be a pleasure for me to place it in the homes as I
visit the sick each day. I feel that you are doing a great work, and one that
is much needed in every home. If I can help you in any way I am at your
service. I am delighted with the lectures and will appreciate any literature
you may care to send.
Very truly,
L. W. WIGGINS, M.D.--Ga.
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[page 222]
THE RESULTS OF ZEAL
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY.
DEAR BRETHREN:
We are very glad to know that you can serve us with more public
meetings. We would be sorry to have them stop, as they are becoming interesting
for the public. The audience is increasing at every meeting and more names are
being handed in each time, and besides that, we are enjoying the work; so it is
real harvesting and we are rejoicing in it.
In regard to the financial part, we feel that we are going to be able to
meet it. It is wonderful how much we can do when the Lord is with us, and our
hearts are filled with His Spirit. So, send us the brethren and the advertising
matter, and we will try to do the rest.
Much love and best wishes to you all. We pray for you all, as we are
sure you do for us.
Your brother in Christ,
J. L. MILLER.
----------
[R5282 :
page 222]
FINDS HELP IN VOW
PASTOR C. T. RUSSELL, BROOKLYN, NEW
YORK.
DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST:
I have often thought of writing you of my experience in connection with
the special Vow unto the Lord, but have refrained, because I knew that your
time was so fully taken up. My first thought was, It is a needless addition for
the consecrated, but there can be no harm in it. How surprised I was to find
what a real help it proved to be! I recommend it to all.
While our opportunities for service in this Present Truth have been
limited, we have had the pleasure of seeing some brought to rejoice in the
Truth, and to a full consecration in the Truth.
I append a brief history of my search for Truth:
Nineteen years ago, while associated with the Free Will Baptist people,
through a study of the Scriptures, I was led to a complete consecration to the
Lord, and while I kept my membership with them, there was such evident lack of
consecration and the knowledge of God, that I refused to accept a pastoral work
among them, working with them in evangelistic work, also with the Methodists,
United Brethren, Presbyterians, and visiting among the Holiness people and the
Christian Alliance people, being urged by each denomination to accept work, but
not being able to do so.
I met one brother who had read the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES and
believed them, but he had such a wrong conception of their real teaching, that
I thought they did not contain what I was looking for. Then I met the Adventist
people, and as they discredited the Hell Fire teaching, and taught the truth
about the nature of man and the state of the dead, I associated myself with
them, and accepted a work with them, feeling that there was no need to look
further; that I should have to go through alone if I did. Here I first saw that
God was doing His work on time; and the thought became fixed in my mind that
every true doctrine must magnify the name of God, and reveal the beauties of
His character. With this thought I soon found it impossible to give myself
wholly to their teachings, and as the Truth dawned on my mind and became clear
to me that the Church is the Temple of God, I was convinced that the Adventist
institution, with all other man-made ones, was Babylonish, and I sent my
man-given credentials as a minister to those who had granted them.
This brought me to a very real sense of dependence on the Lord. I felt
very much alone, but for Him. But providentially, a few days before this, a
magazine copy of the DIVINE PLAN (WATCH
TOWER form) was handed to
me by a faithful colporteur sister. Because of the mental struggle I was
undergoing in breaking previous ties, I paid no attention to it, but went and
put it into the stove. Fortunately there was no fire in the stove, and after
the step was taken that set me free. I went to the stove, pulled out the WATCH TOWER,
and found that it was sent of God for just such a time.
I shall never be able to express my gratitude for the help the Lord has
given me through the SCRIPTURE STUDIES, to you His servant; but the Lord will
reward.
With much Christian love, your brother in Christ,
WM. H. BATTERSON.--Neb.
----------
LUXURIOUS TRAVEL AND SACRIFICE
MY DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:
Before anything else let me thank you humbly and gratefully for your
clear teaching on the Scriptures, and for giving it out to the world, at prices
that almost any one can afford to pay.
I had practically left the English
Church, and had almost
given up everything, when in 1908, some copies of PEOPLES PULPIT were put into
my reluctant hand. Since then, through the six volumes of STUDIES, a little
more light has been coming to me all the time; and I have been trying to lead a
life more acceptable to our Lord. I have been almost alone in this
neighborhood, as regards believers in Present Truth, but the members of the Victoria class have held
out helping hands to me. Your teaching was so new to me, that for some time I
was almost afraid to accept it, as we are warned about false teachers in the
latter days. But all your teaching is based on the Bible and far from smoothing
or widening the narrow way, it shows us we can expect nothing else on this side
of the Veil; far from teaching we can be Christians in name only, it points out
that we must be Christlike in deed and thought; far from expecting popularity,
we must recognize that we are a peculiar people, to be despised like our
Master, and that our own individual responsibility increases, as He gives us
light, and that we cannot attempt to go hand-in-hand with the world; therefore
I now endeavor to lead others to read the STUDIES.
I want in all humility to ask you, How can we reconcile the description
of the luxurious train, the hotel on wheels, and its places to lounge, its chef
de cuisine, its corps of waiters, etc., with the example given us by Jesus
of Nazareth? Is it not, dear brother, a pandering to the worldly spirit? It
seems to me, that if Jesus had conducted such a tour, He would have chosen a
clean emigrant car, containing necessaries but not luxuries. How, too, can we
reconcile the fact that when on earth He had no place to lay His head, with the
fact that His chief earthly shepherd (whom He has honored as He has you, on
account of your faithfulness and humility) should stay at the best hotels
instead of with His humble followers? On page 31, Vol. IV, you point out that
some of the reformed churches did not succeed because they "have made many
compromising overtures to the world for smaller favors." Is not this a
repetition of the same kind of thing? I am told that [R5283
: page 223] the newspaper men arrange these things for you, but you remind
us that responsibility rests on each individual. God can take care of His work
in the future, as in the past, without depending on newspaper men. I cannot
understand it all, brother, and I long for a few lines from you, who have
helped me so much hitherto. Vol. I, p. 199, "the consecrated, the
transformed, in addition to the effort to subdue sin, must sacrifice the
present good things." Vol. I, p. 203, "The transforming influences
lead to present sacrifice and suffering."
Yours very gratefully,
__________.
----------
THE EDITOR'S REPLY
DEAR SISTER:
Yours dated June 15, I am reading on the train. I thank you for its
frank statements and queries.
It is true that there were no fine hotels in our Lord's day, true that
there were no railroads, and that His locomotion was accomplished partly by
little ships, partly on foot and partly on an ass. Were we to follow the
Master's footsteps literally, the possibilities of the present Harvest work
would be much decreased. It is our thought that the Harvest of the Jewish Age
was merely confined to the little country of Palestine; whereas the Harvest of this Age,
world-wide, is to be accomplished in a similar length of time--forty years.
We believe that the wonderful conveniences of our day are preparations
for the Millennium, and that the Lord is not displeased with us for using these
in connection with His service. Quite to the contrary, it is rather our thought
that God is providing these wonderful conveniences for the very purpose of
facilitating the Harvest work.
In this connection, we remember the Apostle's words which assure us that
all things were given unto us richly to enjoy--to use, but not to abuse. We
have an illustration of this in conjunction with our visit to India. The
chief interest there appears to be in the western part, which has almost no
railroad facilities. We were debating how we could procure some kind of conveyance
to permit such a visit as we thought would be in the interests of the Lord's
cause and not require too much time. Our queries were answered when we learned
that just about ten days before our arrival, an automobile omnibus line had
been established instead of a railroad.
As respects hotels: In the present instance I had no real need for a
hotel because I could have stopped quite comfortably on the train. But the
newspaper people handling my sermons are interested in making these somewhat of
a spectacle, so that they can draw that much more attention to the sermons
which they publish. In the world's estimation, a public man who is great or
well thought of would be treated to the best that his friends possessed. From
their standpoint, a very humble entertainment would be a low appreciation; and
if his friends have a low estimation of him, the newspapers, representing the
public, would size him up proportionately small, and his sermons would not be
published.
The newspaper people surely deserve some consideration from me. It is
estimated that my sermons weekly, through 2,000 papers, reach 15,000,000
readers. To accomplish these results by advertising would cost millions of
dollars yearly. For the privilege of preaching the glorious Gospel of the Love
of God in Christ, I am not only willing to please the newspapers by going to
good hotels and by long journeys to Panama, around the world, etc., but I am
willing, also, to endure slanders and misrepresentations of jealous ministers
who seek to prevent the publication of my sermons and the gathering of large
audiences by slanderous misrepresentations of my character. Looking beyond the
present, I am hoping and I am waiting for the Master's approval--"Well
done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of thy Lord; thou hast
been faithful over a few things."
We see no wrong in thus allowing the newspaper interest to have a say in
respect to our earthly conditions when principle is not compromised. If they
demanded that we should violate our conscience in respect to the publishing of
the sermons, the case would be different. Conscience is not to be sold at any
price. But when they arrange to give us additional comforts, we see no sin
connected therewith. Rather, we remember that our Lord did not hesitate to wear
a "seamless robe" in a time in which such a garment was considered
extravagant, far beyond the means of the common people with whom He usually
companied.
We remember, also, that while Jesus had no definite home of His own, one
of His disciples, St. John,
did have a home. So did St. Peter. We remember, also, that our Lord had a home
whenever convenient at Bethany
with Lazarus, Martha and Mary. We remember that they honored Him with a
sumptuous feast and with an alabaster box of ointment, very costly. We remember
that when Judas found fault with the extravagance, our Lord rebuked him and
justified Mary. We remember that our Lord, on one occasion, at least, attended
a wedding, and on another occasion was the guest of a rich Pharisee in one of
the best homes of that time.
Respecting the luxurious train, with cooks, or chefs, attending to the
food supplies: It is customary for newspaper people to use considerable
latitude of language in their descriptions. It is not wrong that they call the
cooks by the French name "chef"; and if anybody gets the thought that
these cooks got fabulous sums for their services, as we hear that the chefs of
the Vanderbilts, Goulds, etc., receive, he would be mistaken. The chefs, or
cooks, on this train were brethren who availed themselves of the opportunity of
a month's vacation, a convention tour, and meanwhile of the opportunity of
serving the brethren on the train.
The train was described by the newspaper artist as "De luxe," and yet it was just such a train as everybody uses when travelling. Some of the
cars were of the ordinary standard Pullman,
and some of them Tourist, or cheaper sleeping cars. Of course, as your letter
suggests, these friends might have gotten the use of a common box car cheaper,
or they could have travelled afoot still cheaper. If they had gotten box cars
and fitted them up for their use ever so crudely, with plain, wooden bunks and
straw, the expense would have been nearly as great, if not quite as great, and
the inconvenience much greater.
However, dear sister, I had nothing whatever to do with the making up of
the train. I arranged for visits to the Bible Students of the Far
West, whom I rarely have opportunity to see. My visit was in
response to requests that I would come and hold public meetings. It was my
intention to take the usual train service; but Brother Dr. Jones, learning of
the tour, asked whether I would like to have company. I assured him that I
would be glad of this.
Brother Dr. Jones then got into communication with the brethren, with
the result that a train-load of friends journeyed with me. Some of them took
the opportunity of meeting friends on the Western coast. All had the
opportunity of fellowship with each other on the train, and at the various meetings
served. They participated in the work, too. Two of them served as
stenographers; Prof. Read freely gave of his professional ability in connection
with the singing; and others served as ushers; while all did their best to
cheer and encourage the local Bible Students in the various cities visited. Additionally,
considerable volunteering with free literature was done.
We are in danger, dear sister, of getting a wrong view of what is meant
by suffering with Christ. If we merely think of the Master's sufferings as
those of weariness of the flesh, wearing sandals instead of shoes, and walking
instead of riding, we shall be gradually led up to the same extremes of error
which prevailed during the Dark Ages, and which to some extent still prevail
amongst our Catholic brethren. Some of these attempt to have greater sufferings
than Jesus had by going barefooted, or by whipping themselves torturously and
then wearing hair-cloth jackets to increase the pain, as the hair jags the sore
flesh, causing it to fester. These, they think, are sufferings of Christ.
Gradually both Catholics and Protestants are seeing to the contrary.
Jesus used the best roads and best means of His time. His sufferings were
especially through the opposition of His foes in that He was despised and
rejected of men. He was slandered, and "when He was reviled, reviled not
again." He endured these things patiently for the Truth's sake, and thus
set us an example to walk in His steps, similarly enduring worldly
contradictions, oppositions, slanders, for the sake of the brethren.
I trust, dear sister, that you will not stumble over the means which the
Lord is using in this Harvest time to promulgate the Message of the hour, one
to awaken His people and to guide them to better methods of Bible study. But
even if you cannot see eye to eye with us, do not stumble yourself, but
remember that to his own Master each servant stands or falls. Take all the
blessings from our ministry that you can get, and leave the remainder of the
matters which you cannot understand to God. In other words, let us more and
more realize that God Himself is guiding His own work; and that whatever
blessing we may obtain we should be thankful to Him for the same.
With much Christian love,
Your brother and servant in the Lord,
C. T. RUSSELL.
W.T. R-5281a
: page 221-1913r