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Chosen no: R-5682 , from: 1915 Year. |
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CO-LABORING WITH OUR GOD
TOO often do God's people forget that the Lord
Himself is at the head of His work. Too
often the thought is, We will do a work and
get God to co-labor with us in our work.
Let us get the right focus on the matter, and
perceive that God has purposed and is carrying
out a great work; and that it will succeed,
entirely regardless of us and our effort;
and that it is a great privilege granted
to the people of God to co-labor with their
Maker in the carrying out of His plans, His designs, His
arrangements, in His way. Viewing matters from this
standpoint, our prayer and our watching should be with
a view to knowing and doing the will of the Lord, content
whatever lot we see, since 'tis our God who leads us.
This is the program which the WATCH TOWER BIBLE
AND TRACT SOCIETY has sought to follow. Its officers are
seeking to do the will of the Father as guided by the
teachings of the Head of the Church, Christ Jesus and
His appointed representatives, the twelve Apostles, whose
words we have for our instruction today in better form
than ever before. Following this program, our Society
has not sought to lay up earthly riches, but has been,
rather, a spending institution. Whatever God's providence
sent in to us without solicitation we have sought to
spend as wisely as possible in harmony with the Word
and Spirit of the Lord. Long ago we announced that
when the funds would cease, the activities of the Society
would cease proportionately; and that as the funds increased,
the Society's activities would be enlarged.
This program has been greatly blessed of the Lord
and, we believe, is in full accord with His will. We have
no thought of changing it in any degree. Last year was
the most wonderful one in our experience. The Gospel
Message by printed page and orally and by the DRAMA
witnessed the Gospel of the Kingdom nigh at hand to
millions of people all over the earth. We thank God for
the blessed privileges enjoyed and the activities permitted
in His service on behalf of thousands of His consecrated
people in every land, co-laboring with the Society and
[R5682 : page 140] laboring either directly or indirectly under its auspices.
When making our last Annual Report, we expressed
the thought that many of the Lord's people have already
invested what money they possessed, and that we would
thus expect donations to be smaller than heretofore and
that we would be obliged to discontinue some of the
DRAMAS. Later we announced bright prospects of a full
resumption. We did not tell the basis of this expectation,
but will now explain:
Some Brethren informed us that they believed they
were possessed of a rich gold-bearing property, that all
of its proceeds were consecrated to the Lord's service,
that ere long we might expect money from them in good
supply, but that their names were to be kept secret. Their
expectations, which were highly appreciated, were not
realized. The expectation had a beneficial effect, however,
in that it encouraged us to keep the work up to a
high notch of speed and efficiency in every direction until
the present time. Now we have gone our limit. We
must conclude that it is the Lord's will that our activities
be greatly curtailed, in order to bring down the expenses
to a parity with the income.
SEVENTY SENT FORTH
In line with this decision, seventy of the dear helpers
at the Society's Headquarters have been obliged to go
forth to seek other avenues of usefulness in the work.
Some will become Colporteurs; others will accept situations
as teachers in schools and colleges; some will enter
business life. All will, we believe, however, still continue
to put God first and to consider the spread of the Gospel
of the Kingdom their main business of life, giving evenings,
Sundays, etc., to the service, as may be possible.
The necessary retrenchments include the putting of
the DRAMAS on a self-supporting basis--or else discontinuing
them. Our Society can continue to supply films
and slides for these DRAMAS, and the Office direction, but
must look to the Superintendents and operators of each
DRAMA to meet their own expenses. This is being done
by offering the DRAMA to Theatre Managers as part of
their regular program, to be charged for, but not at an
extra charge. The new plan is being put into operation
and is proving successful generally. Indeed, some people
declare that they would much prefer to pay an admission
fee than to attend the DRAMA free, because they feared
that at a free entertainment they would be brought in
contact with the rude and uncleanly. It is a remarkable
fact, however, that our free entertainments have been
generally attended by a splendid class of people from the
middle walks of life. Furthermore, to adapt the DRAMA
to the use of the Theatre Managers we have arranged
that the FOUR PARTS can be given in full as now, two
hours each; or, if the Theatre Managers prefer, we will
supply the four entertainments of about one hour each by
omitting some of the slides and lectures, leaving the audience
to get the remainder of the DRAMA by the reading
of the Scenario. It may be that in this way the Lord will
use the DRAMA in reaching a still different class from
that already reached by its free exhibition.
The free volunteer matter, which last year ran up to
the enormous amount of forty-seven millions of copies,
must also be cut down. Some of our readers have orders
placed; and this will be the explanation if your orders
are not filled entirely. In a word, the retrenchment will
extend all along the line, including a reduction in the expense
allowances of the Bethel Family and curtailment
of expense for food supplies. Our readers will be glad
to know that the entire Family is rejoicing in the privilege
of further self-denials for the Cause we love to serve,
and that the seventy who have gone forth, some of them
with tears, also manifest fullest resignation to the Divine
will, rejoicing in the various steps of Divine providence
and continuing steadfast in prayer, faith and love toward
the Lord and the Brethren. All are seeking to receive
the experiences of life as the polishing preparatory for
the Kingdom. So receiving them, the blessing of the
Lord is more and more manifest amongst us.
We have made this statement with greater detail than
might seem necessary, lest there should be wrong impressions
and misunderstandings of any kind.
OUR GENERAL LETTER
To Seventy Brothers and Sisters of the Bethel Family:
Greetings!
Sorrow mingles with our joy to do the Father's will and
to follow the guidance of His providence, because it signifies
a temporary parting from so considerable a number of those
whom we dearly love and whose association with the work
we highly prize. At the opening of the year we thought that
we saw a bright ray of financial hope, notwithstanding the fact
that the dear friends throughout the world who had been contributing
to the Tract Fund to support the work had well
drained themselves of means and could not be expected to
continue their donations as formerly. Month by month we
have waited and maintained the work, expecting some realization
of our hopes; but after five months the drain is so heavy
that prompt action is necessary. We must not involve ourselves
in debt nor jeopardize the work in general; hence the
decision for the reduction of the expenses along every line,
including the Home expenses, Office expenses, etc.
Financially we know that some of you will be benefited by
the change. We can surmise also that some will experience
benefit to their health by a change of employment. We assume
that some of you thus leaving the Bethel and the Tabernacle
will be entering the Colporteur work. The weather is
delightful now, and in places where money is not too scarce
good success is obtainable.
In any event, dear Brethren and Sisters, we commend you
to the Lord and to His watch-care, blessing and guidance,
assured that all things are working together for good to those
that love Him. He may have some new experiences for us--
trials and blessings. He may have some new opportunities
for us and may guide us in the reaching of others in this
gleaning time. We assure you that we are loth to part with
you and that, should the financial stringency be relieved, it
will be our pleasure to again expand the work, according to
the leading of the Lord's providence.
So far as possible, we would like this retrenchment to take
place at once--before the middle of this month, or at least
before the First of June. We ask your hearty and cordial
[R5683 : page 140] co-operation, and request that you remember in prayer those
who are charged with the responsibilities of the Society's
work, that wisdom and grace may be theirs in abundance.
While we have suggested that the work may a little later
on be expanded, we should also add that it may quite as probably
be still further contracted to effect a further reduction in
the general expenses. Whatever is the Lord's will surely is
our will. Let us show Him our faith, our confidence, our
loyalty and our obedience.
The selection of names of those who might be spared from
the work was no easy task to the Heads of the Departments
charged with this responsibility. Like all human work it
may be imperfect; but we are sure that it is done with an eye
single to the Lord's pleasement, and we trust that He will
overrule it to His praise and for the good of all concerned.
With much Christian love,
Your brother and servant in the Lord,
C. T. RUSSELL.
LOVING RESPONSE
To Our Beloved Pastor, from the Departing Seventy
Members of "The Bethel Family":
As we go forth from the hallowed precincts of the "Bethel
Home"--hallowed by the remembrance of the many seasons
of sweet communion with those whom the Heavenly Father
has specially honored in placing in the fore-front of His
mighty work in these closing days of this present world's history
--it is with a feeling of joy and thankfulness for the many
blessings and privileges which have been ours as members of
the "Bethel Family."
[R5683 : page 141]
As we reflect upon the Lord's abounding grace so freely
and richly bestowed upon us as members of this household,
and as we face the future with its prospects of Heavenly
honors and glories, awaiting us--those who shall be accounted
"conquerors, and more than conquerors"--there is, nevertheless,
a tinge of sadness in parting with so many loved ones,
and in leaving all we have called "Home".
Ah, well! we shall remember the kind and loving ministrations
of yourself, dear Brother Russell, in the days to come,
when separated from one another, we shall fight on in the
good fight of faith.
It is the prayer of our hearts that the splendid example
of Christian fortitude and self-sacrificing devotion in the service
of the Lord, the Truth, and the brethren that you have
shown, may ever be a cherished and shining image upon
Memory's Scroll.
If ever a true and devoted servant of the Lord should be
loved and honored for his work's sake, we believe it is yourself.
When we think of the days and nights of years of
toil, and pain, and weariness; and of the grandeur and
world-wide scope of your services; how can we help but love
and honor you!
We give thanks to our Heavenly Father for having raised
up one who has been so wise and faithful in ministering to
the Household of Faith and to us in particular who have
been of the "Bethel" household.
And now, our dear Pastor, with these expressions of love
and appreciation, we go forth with the prayer for Divine
guidance upon you, and upon our way, that in the Lord's appointed
time our journey's end shall be the Father's house of
many mansions--the Heavenly Bethel--prepared for the
Bride, the Lamb's Wife.
God bless you and the dear remaining members of the
"Bethel Family"!
Signed, C. J. Woodworth,
F. F. Cook,
R. G. Jolly and the others.
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