The Watchtower, November 15, 1953
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"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
NOVEMBER 15, 1953
Semimonthly
THE DAY FOR SALVATION
MERCY FOR THE MERCIFUL
CAN CHRISTIANS LEARN
FROM HINDUISM?
SARAH, COMELY WOMAN OF FAITH
MODERN KNOWLEDGE
VINDICATES THE BIBLE
©WTB&TS
“YOU ARE MY WITNESSES,” SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12 THE PURPOSE OF "THE WATCHTOWER"
Literal towers in Bible times were elevated vantage points from which watchmen could observe happenings, warn of danger, or announce good news. Our magazine figuratively occupies such a vantage point, for it is founded on the very pinnacle of wisdom, God's Word. That elevates it above racial, national and political propagandas and prejudices, frees it from selfish bias. It is not bound by any traditional creed, but its message advances as the light on God's purposes and works increases.—Habakkuk 2:1-3.
It sees things Scripturally. When it observes this generation afflicted with greed, delinquency, hypocrisy, atheism, war, famine, pestilence, perplexity and fear, and persecution of unpopular minorities, it does not parrot the old fable about history repeating itself. Informed by Bible prophecy, it sees in these things the sign of the world's time of the end. But with bright hope it also sees opening up for us just beyond these woes the portals of a new world.
Thus viewed, "The Watchtower" stands as a watchman atop a tower, alert to what is going on, awake to note signs of danger, faithful to point out the way of escape. It announces Jehovah's kingdom established by Christ's enthronement in heaven, feeds his kingdom joint-heirs with spiritual food, cheers men of good will with glorious prospects of eternal life in a paradise earth, comforts us with the resurrection promise for the dead.
It is not dogmatic, but has a confident ring in its voice, because it is based on God's Word. It does not privately interpret prophecy, but calls attention to physical facts, sets them alongside prophecy, and you see for yourself how well the two match, how accurately Jehovah interprets his own prophecy. In the interests of our salvation, it keeps sharp and faithful focus on Bible truth, and views religious news generally.
'Be watchful in these perilous times,' God admonishes. So keep on the watch by regularly reading "The Watchtower".
❤️
PUBLISHED BY THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
117 Adams Street
Brooklyn 1, N. Y., U. S. A.
N. H. KNORR, President
GRANT SUITER, Secretary
"They will all be taught by Jehovah."—John 6:45, NW; Isaiah 54:13
CONTENTS
Modern Knowledge Vindicates the Bible
Can Christians Learn from Hinduism?
Taking the Popular Side?
Mercy for the Merciful
“God's Will Shall Prevail in Our Lives”
Sarah, Comely Woman of Faith
A Christian Holiday?
The Ami Tribe of Southeast Formosa
The Day for Salvation
Questions from Readers
Announcements
Check Your Memory
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MODERN KNOWLEDGE VINDICATES THE BIBLE
THE Bible claims to be the word of the one true God, Jehovah. "All scripture is inspired of God." (2 Tim. 3:16, NW) Obviously that claim presupposes the existence of the Bible's Author. Does modern knowledge vindicate faith that God really exists? It does.
As reasoning creatures we know that every effect has a competent cause. So as we note the immensity, order and design of the starry heavens as viewed through the eye of Mount Palomar's lens, as we note the marvels and beauties of nature visible to our naked eye, and as we consider the world made visible by means of the electronic microscope, we cannot escape the conclusion that all this effect must indeed have a cause in which resides infinite power and wisdom.
As man learns more and more about his own body, how its various systems function and co-operate with one another, how it produces enzymes and hormones, how its brain works, etc., he has ever stronger reason for the conclusion that this most wonderful machine of all simply could not be the product of chance or of a blind force lacking intelligence, such as "nature."
And as we consider the many co-ordinations imperative for man to exist on the earth, the earth's distance from the sun, the rate at which the earth revolves around the sun and rotates on its own axis, the composition of earth's atmosphere, the distance the moon is from the earth, the way the vegetable and the animal realms complement each other in the production and use of oxygen and carbon dioxide, we ask, How could all of these factors, and many others, have chanced to occur on one planet? They could not, and therefore they give ample proof that, to use the words of A. Cressy Morrison, past president of New York Academy of Sciences, Man does not stand alone. Truly, in the light of all this evidence, to say there is no God constitutes one a fool.—Ps. 14:1.
Does modern knowledge as completely vindicate faith in the authenticity of the Bible as it does faith in the existence of the Supreme Being, Jehovah God? It does.
God's Word, the Bible, does not give the age of the universe; modern knowledge only recently doubled its estimate, from 1.8 billion years to 3.5 billion years. In the preparation of the earth for man, modern knowledge has verified the order given in the Bible, beginning with the appearance of light, then land, then vegetation, and then sea creatures, fowl and land animals and finally man. The evidence of geology does not confirm the theory of evolution, but, to quote the late French scientist Lecomte du Nouy, has "all the unsatisfactory characteristics of absolute creation." (Human Destiny, pages 72, 75, 79) Paleontology supports the Bible's statement that God caused the earth to bring forth the various animals 'each after his kind.'
(Gen. 1:21,24,25) The late Lucien Cuenot, one of France's outstanding biologists, wrote that "the evolutionary sap no longer circulates," thereby admitting that at present there is no evidence of evolution; and shortly before his death he discarded the evolution theory altogether, to the great consternation of his scientific colleagues. Since, according to Sir Arthur Keith and Professor D.M.S.Watson, the only alternative to the evolution theory is "special creation," as recorded in the Bible, Lucien Cuenot was thereby throwing his weight in favor of the Bible.
The Bible states that with Jehovah God is the fountain of life. (Ps. 36:9) Man at one time thought that life began by "spontaneous generation," but now he knows that all life comes from precedent life, termed the "law of biogenesis."
Men of science in times past held that the flood of Noah's day was merely local in scope, but modern knowledge, particularly as represented in geology and archaeology, gives evidence that the world of the mammoths and other like monsters had a cataclysmic end, and scientists have found in Italy, Switzerland, England and the United States, "even on the tops of high mountains, whole trees sunk deep under ground, as also teeth and bones of animals, fishes entire, seashells, ears of corn, etc., petrified"; which could never have come there but by a world-wide deluge.—Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge.
Modern knowledge also vindicates the wisdom of many of the features of the law of Moses. Among the animals that were forbidden as food was the pig, which is subject to trichinosis; the rabbit, which is subject to tularemia; certain fish, which are subject to tapeworms, etc. Meats were inspected, and could not be eaten if over two days old. No animal that died of itself was
to be eaten; victims of certain diseases were quarantined; sanitation was made compulsory.
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries many critics of the Bible arose and attacked its many historical features, but modern knowledge has confounded the Bible's critics and vindicates it. Says J. G. Duncan in Accuracy of Old Testament in Light of Recent Palestinian Archaeology: "I do not think it will be long possible, even if it is now possible, for us to deny the remarkable accuracy of detail in the narratives of the Old Testament. Incidents hitherto regarded as legend have been proved historical by recent discovery. . . . There is actual history at the back of all of the narratives." And says the late Sir Frederic Kenyon, in his The Bible and Archaeology: "Archaeology has not yet said its last word; but the results already achieved confirm what faith would suggest, that the Bible can do nothing but gain from an increase of knowledge."
Because the original manuscripts of the Bible are not extant many have challenged the authenticity of the extant copies. But in recent years papyrus manuscripts of the Christian Greek Scriptures have been discovered that go back so close to the date of the originals that, as Sir Kenyon expresses it, "the authenticity and the general integrity of the Books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally established." Striking proof of authenticity of the "Old Testament" was discovered in 1947, in the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah, which, save for a few minor variations, was found to be identical with the best Masoretic text, although written a thousand years earlier. A thousand years of copying with no appreciable difference in text!
Truly, modern knowledge vindicates the Bible.
Can CHRISTIANS Learn from HINDUISM?
IS Christianity merely another religion? Can well-informed
Christian ministers learn as much from Hinduism as could the Hindus from Christianity? According to certain religious leaders of the United States, the answers to those questions should be Yes. For example, Sheldon Shepard, minister of the Hollywood Wilshire Universalist Church, writing on the subject "Start with Yourself"" begins by quoting from Jesus' sermon on the mount regarding not judging others and then in support thereof gives quotations from Taoism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Hinduism. Representative of the Hindu wisdom he quotes is the expression: "Each one ought to raise himself by himself."
Of the same mind is Floyd Rose, professor of World Religions and Church History, School of Religion, University of California. In his article "Beyond Tribalism"' he expresses the opinion that the holding of Christianity as superior to other religions is a form of tribalism and that it is as realistic to send Christian missionaries to Japan as it would be to send Hindu missionaries to America. He then quotes with approval from the Roman Catholic priest Gathier, who says (In Cross Currents, Winter 1953): "The Hindus could ask us . . . whether we too have not something to learn from the millennial wisdom of India. Without hesitation I would answer we have much to learn. . . . Hinduism invites us before all to interiorization, to the welcoming of thought on the Self. It hopes to find the final truth not in books, but in ourselves. . . Properly understood the contact with Hindu thought can be a seed of life."
Is the truth in ourselves rather than in books? Can we raise ourselves by ourselves? Has the Christian much to learn from Hinduism? Since Christ Jesus well said, "By their fruits you will recognize them," let us see just what fruits this millennial wisdom of Hinduism brought forth prior to the twentieth century.
HINDUISM AND MORALITY
We quote from an address given by Dr. Pentecost at the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago, Illinois, 1893, which he was aroused to make because of the attacks of delegates from the Orient upon the status of Christendom. After noting that their Oriental temples "are the authorized and appointed cloisters of a system of immorality and debauchery the parallel of which is not known in any Western country," Dr. Pentecost went on to say: "I could take you to ten thousand temples, more or less—more rather than less—in every part of India, to which are attached some two to four hundred priestesses, whose lives are not all they should be.
"I have seen this with my own eyes, and nobody denies it in India. If you talk to the Brahmans about it, they will say it is part of their system for the common people. Bear in mind this system is the authorized institution of the Hindoo religion. One needs only to look at the abominable carvings upon the temples, both of the Hindoos and Buddhists, the hideous symbols of the ancient Phallic systems, which are the most popular objects worshiped in India, to be impressed with the corruption of the religions.
Bear in mind, these are not only tolerated, but instituted, directed and controlled by the priests of religion. Only the shameless paintings and portraiture of ancient Pompeii equal in obscenity the things that are openly seen in and about the entrances to the temples of India."
After observing that, consistent with India's caste system, he has never been able to find "a single text in any of the Hindoo sacred literature that justifies or even suggests the doctrine of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.'" Dr. Pentecost went on to say: "If there is any brotherhood of man in India the most careless observer need not hesitate to say there is no sisterhood recognized by them. Let the nameless horrors of which the Hindoo women of India are the subjects answer to this statement.
"Until the English government put down with a strong hand the ancient religious Hindoo institution of Suttee, hundreds of Hindoo widows every year gladly flew to the funeral pyres of their dead husbands, thus embracing the flames that burned their bodies rather than to deliver themselves to the nameless horrors and living hell of Hindoo widowhood. Let our Hindoo friends tell us what their religion has done for the Hindoo widow, and especially the child widow, with her head shaved like a criminal, stripped of her ornaments, clothed in rags, reduced to a position of slavery worse than we can conceive, made the common drudge and scavenger of the family, and not infrequently put to even worse and nameless uses. To this state and condition the poor widow is reduced under the sanction of Hindooism. Only two years ago
[in 1891] the British government was appealed to to pass a new and stringent law 'raising the age of consent' to twelve years, at which it was lawful for the Hindoo to consummate the marriage relation with his child wife. The Christian hospitals, filled with abused little girls barely out of their babyhood, became so outrageous a fact that the government had to step in and stop these crimes, which were perpetrated in the name of religion. So great was the excitement in India over this that it was feared that a religious revolution which would almost lead to a new mutiny was imminent."—The Battle of Armageddon, C. T. Russell, pages 207-209.
In view of such fruits what can Christians learn from the millennial wisdom of Hinduism? How much of bettering of oneself by oneself does this represent? Concentration upon Self rather than the wisdom contained in books may be the philosophy of Hinduism, but the fact remains that the important improvements that have taken place in India, particularly since the above speech was given, were not the result of Hinduism's "interiorization" but of the influence of the Bible.
HINDUISM AN ECONOMIC CURSE
Not only morally but also economically Hinduism has been a blight to the people of India and still is. Until the new Indian government put a bounty on monkey heads, monkeys were eating $2 million of foodstuffs a day and destroying another three billion tons of grain each year. Monkeys are considered sacred, and so they were fat and sleek while people starved to death. Peacocks, which consume much precious grain, are also considered sacred. Snakes also are held to be sacred and even to think of killing them is considered a sin, although they cause the deaths of 50,000 Indians annually.
According to one of the foremost members of India's largest political party, "cow protection is a part of Indian culture and as such . . . the cow should be afforded full protection even if it leads to the collapse of the country's economy." It is considered a sin to kill a cow, regardless of how old, how sick, how unprofitable it might be to keep it. India boasts of some 215 million cattle, but it starves because beef is repugnant to its people because of their religion.
Karma or fatalism keeps the Hindu doing the same thing his father did regardless of how impractical it is. Because of karma ten lawyers will practice where but one is needed; because of karma Europeans or well-to-do Indians will have from six to ten house servants instead of two: the one who cooks may not set the table; the one who sets the table may not sweep the floor; the one who sweeps the floor may not wash the clothes; the one who washes the clothes may not wash the car, etc. Why not? To do so would be to break caste, the social crime of India. Incidentally, India also has ten million religious beggars that do not produce a thing.
That it is the Hindu mental attitude that is responsible for India's plight is apparent from what Maurice Zinkin wrote in the April-June, 1952, issue of the India Quarterly. According to him many underdeveloped countries would like to have material prosperity but they are unwilling to change their mental attitude to make this possible. After telling that the Indian considers a lawyer or minor civil servant as more honorable than a sales manager or a production engineer, he goes on to say:
work is merely an unpleasant necessity to be done as quickly as possible, may be high-souled—they will never be rich. If what the underdeveloped countries now want is to get richer, then it is upon getting richer they must concentrate; if, in the process, they lose some of the graciousness and attractiveness of their lives, that is a sacrifice which must be accepted. It is reasonable to pay some price that two thirds of their people who have always been left ignorant and hungry may at last be fed.
"The attitude toward work also needs to be changed. Contemplating under a coconut tree is a better way of developing the soul [?] than carrying the stones for a new railway embankment, but societies where all the emphasis is on leisure,where
"It is not that the Asian peasant or African tribesman is ignorant, though he is usually illiterate. It is rather that his education, based on traditional lore, is inappropriate to modern society." Note that the term "traditional lore" actually means Hinduism as far as the Indian is concerned.
Mr. Zinkin argues for literacy, but according to Prime Minister Nehru of India that makes matters only worse. The New York Times, May 28, 1953, telling of his plea for honest labor, reported: "In a country where 80 per cent of the population is dependent upon crops nurtured painstakingly in inhospitable ground by [ancient] methods, there is an anomalous revolt against common labor that Mr. Nehru finds exasperating. He considers it a most dismaying aspect of present-day India that almost every peasant who gets a little education wants to leave the farm and become a babu or white-collar worker." He pleaded for "honest labor" and condemned the concept that implied that "the highest were those who did nothing at all."
That not mere literacy but a change in the Hinduistic mental attitude is needed is apparent from Mr. Zinkin's further observations: "The West owes more of its advance than is commonly realized to the Puritan doctrine which made thrift and quiet living a moral virtue pleasing to God. There is no corresponding belief in any underdeveloped society."
Where did the Puritans get that doctrine? From the Bible.
The United States Congress voted two million tons of wheat for starving India in 1951, which provided temporary relief. In view of the foregoing might not the question be asked, Was India starving because of its bad weather and insect scourges or because of its bad religion? And therefore may not two million Bibles have done more toward permanently remedying the situation than two million tons of wheat?
BIBLE'S SUPERIOR WISDOM
Let Universalist minister, Roman Catholic priest and university professor of world religion and church history keep looking to Hinduism for its "millennial wisdom." The Christian who has faith in the Bible as God's Word and understands it will make no such mistake. He knows that Jehovah God is the fountain of life, that life is his choicest possession, a blessing and not a curse. (Ps. 36:9; 118:17; Rom. 6:23) He knows that by taking a wise course he makes Jehovah's heart glad. Prov. 27:11.
He knows that true wisdom or truth is not innate or original with himself, that it 'is not in man that walks to direct his
steps,' but that all this can be found in books, the sixty-six books of the Bible. (Jer. 10:23; John 17:17) He knows that the Bible is a light for his path. (Ps. 119:105) From it he learns that God has made from one man all nations and that God does not recognize caste distinctions. (Acts 10:34; 17:26, NW) He knows that far from considering any of the lower animals as superior to man, God gave man dominion over the lower animals to serve man's purposes, for joy of association, for beasts of burden, and for food and clothing. (Gen. 1:26; 3:21; 9:3) He knows that a husband should treat his wife with consideration, loving her as himself. (Eph. 5:28; 1 Pet. 3:7) And he knows that diligence and thrift are pleasing to God and that he condemns indolence and wastefulness.—Prov. 6:6; 18:9; 22:29.
He also knows that to make over his personality requires, not "interiorization," but the making over of his mind with God's thoughts, with an accurate knowledge of the truth. (Matt. 16:23; Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:9,10,NW) And the prospect that thrills him is not total extinction or nirvana, but the hope of everlasting life in God's new world of righteousness.—John 17:3; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:4.
Taking the Popular Side?
Meddling in politics can embarrass a religion. Take, for example, the instance 143 years ago when Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was leading Mexico's war for independence. Spain, from which Mexico wanted freedom, was especially Catholic, and the Hierarchy sided with it. Four bishops blasted Hidalgo with the top excommunication in the canon, Si quis suadente diabolo, and the archbishop backed them up.
Now, however, Hidalgo is a national hero and Mexico is celebrating the second centennial of his birth this year. Catholic authorities have been challenged to make an official statement on whether the ban still stands, and Catholic writers are trying to explain that since the bishops overlooked certain technicalities, their action was invalid and the excommunication was never really in force.
MERCY is for the merciful. It is granted according to right principles and for a definite purpose. That purpose is to develop integrity in men and to prove that integrity to be unbreakable. Mercy is for those who try to prove their love of God by keeping his commandments. The unmerciful, ungrateful, wicked man, the man that invents and practices evil, does not receive of God's mercy. The wise man asks: "Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good."—Prov. 14:22.
Jehovah is the "Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort." (2 Cor. 1:3, NW) He expresses his absolute right to bestow his mercy upon whomsoever he wills. To Moses he said: "I will have mercy upon whomever I do have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I do show compassion." (Rom. 9:15, NW) It is this quality of mercy that differentiates him from all demon gods of the pagans.
Jehovah's mercy makes him adorable to us. It makes us want to cling to him and to love him. Because of his mercy we feel free to approach him in our weakness and imperfectness with an assurance of being heard and understood. The way Jehovah expresses his mercy proves to us that he is love. (1 John 4:16) His mercy is no sign of weakness or sentimental softness; rather it is an outflow of love to his creatures. It is written of him: "Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger
and abundant in loving-kindness and truth, preserving lovingkindness for thousands, pardoning iniquity and transgression and sin."—Ex. 34:6,7,NW; Mic. 7:18.
Jehovah's mercy is specially for those who seek mercy from him. "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that
call upon thee." (Ps. 86:5) "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him." (Ps. 103:11) "And for generations after generations his mercy is upon those who fear him." (Luke 1:50, NW) His mercy is also for those who trust in him (Ps. 32:10); who love him for what he is (Neh. 1:5); who sow to themselves righteousness (Hos. 10:12); who are led by his spirit (Gal. 6:16); and who themselves are forgiving (Mark 11:25). God's mercy is an incentive to righteousness, a spur to an honest endeavor to live above the law of sin. Rom. 7:21-25, NW.
No one is beyond the reach of Jehovah's mercy, if such one desires it. His mercy can lift us up and help us attain eternal life. But we must be honest with ourselves. We are at a disadvantage because of our imperfection. We must believe that only by the mercy of God shall we ever gain life. To receive of Jehovah's mercy we must be merciful to others. To deny mercy brings denial of it for oneself. "Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: . . . Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man." (Ps. 109:12, 16) And when showing mercy to others it is to be done "with cheerfulness" and with "good fruits." (Rom. 12:8; Jas. 3:17) Imitate "the Father of tender mercies" when expressing mercy to others. "Jehovah is gracious, and merciful; slow to anger, and of great lovingkindness. Jehovah is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works."—Ps. 145:8,9, AS.
DELIGHT IN MERCY
A truly gracious heart will be merciful. It manifests itself in doing good. The merciful know their brothers are imperfect even as they are. They know their brothers make mistakes even as they do; that all are "brought forth in iniquity" and conceived in sin; that "there is not a righteous man, not even one." (Ps. 51:5, AS; Rom. 3:10, NW) The merciful know that God remembers these in his mercy. "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." (Ps. 103:14) Should we not be as forgiving to one another? "With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful." (2 Sam. 22:26) "Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy." (Matt. 5:7, NW) To Christians Peter says: "Supply to your faith virtue, to your virtue knowledge, to your knowledge self-control, to your self-control endurance, to your endurance godly devotion, to your godly devotion brotherly affection, to your brotherly affection love." (2 Pet. 1:5-7, NW) How can we do this if we do not show love and mercy toward one another?
None of us are perfect. Each has his own peculiar weakness and imperfection, quirks and disposition. Because of these differences mercy must be exercised by each and every one of us. In our own eyes we may appear right, good, and without fault. But to others our shortcomings are many and obvious. We have hidden or secret faults So, if we have been offended or wronged by some brother, let us not make the mistake of brooding over it, and make matters still worse by advertising our brother's weakness, by gossiping about it. Do not be immature, childlike, by nursing a grudge Rather, follow the Scriptural rule of going to the offender at some opportune moment, when you are in a right frame of mind,
and then kindly, calmly and tactfully bring the matter to his attention. Do not condemn him. Jehovah may be holding him guiltless. "Stop judging, that you may not be judged; for with what judgment you are judging, you will be judged." (Matt. 7:1,2 NW) Do not make the serious mistake of rebuking him before others. You not only embarrass him but you do an injury to yourself as well by not following the Scriptural rule laid down at Matthew 18:15-17. Privately and in good, cheerful atmosphere air your differences. You will not only keep friends but win friends this way.
We want Jehovah to forgive our "secret faults," do we not? Let us, then, be very merciful, overlooking and forgiving one another's shortcomings. "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." (Ps. 19:12,13) We can count on Jehovah's forgiving our secret faults, if we forgive one another's.
Paul gives us another reason for being merciful toward our brothers. "Brothers," said Paul, "even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualifications try to restore such a man in a spirit of mildness, as you each keep an eye on yourself, for fear you also may be tempted." (Gal. 6:1, NW) We never know when we may find ourselves in a position begging for mercy. The safe course is to be always forgiving. Forgive your brother "seventy-seven times" if necessary.—Matt. 18:22, NW.
THESE OUGHT TO KNOW BETTER
Some professed Christians are oh so kind and forgiving toward persons outside the Christian congregation who commit some trespass. But let their Christian brother become guilty of the same misdeed against them, and, instead of showing the same mercy, these become cold as ice and as hard as stone.
To justify their hardheartedness, they will often say these ought to know better, whereas we have to make allowances for people outside because they do not know any better. So they show no love to their brother. Jesus classed these unforgiving ones with the scribes, Pharisees and hypocrites, saying, You "have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, judgment and mercy and faithfulness." (Matt. 23:23, NW) Instead of saying he should have known better, perhaps it would be better to say, He is still weak and imperfect in the flesh, as we all are. Paul shows that could be quite possible. Rom. 7:15-25.
If we show a hardhearted attitude we bar out God from showing us mercy. "With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright." (Ps. 18:25) Do we have grounds for refusing mercy to fellow brothers because, in our view, these should have known better? Let us apply the same rule to ourselves and reason that God will henceforth not forgive us or be patient with us because we, too, should know better, now that we have come into the truth.
There is an opposite side to this too. If we withhold mercy it will be withheld from us. To add mercy to others is to have it added to us. To multiply mercy toward others means that it will be multiplied in an even greater abundance to us. "With the measure that you are measuring out they will measure out to you." (Matt. 7:2, NW) To withhold mercy is to be cruel.
Wicked men are without mercy. "But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." (Prov. 12:10) In the illustration of the unforgiving slave, the one who withheld mercy from his fellow slave had it withheld from himself in turn. The unmerciful
slave the master called wicked. "Wicked slave, I canceled all that debt for you, when you entreated me. Ought you not, in turn, to have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I also had mercy on you?" Jesus added: "In like manner my heavenly Father will also deal with you if you do not forgive each one his brother from your hearts." (Matt. 18:32-35, NW) "For the one that does not practice mercy will have his judgment without mercy."—Jas. 2:13, NW.
EXAMPLES IN MERCY
Mature Christians are admonished to be examples in mercy. Paul said the reason why he received mercy was so that he might be a "sample of those who are going to rest their faith on him [Christ Jesus] for everlasting life." (1 Tim. 1:16, NW) Jude urges the mature ones to "continue showing mercy to some that have doubts; save them by snatching them out of the fire. But continue showing mercy to others, doing so with fear."—Jude 22, 23, NW.
The rewards for being merciful are many. The merciful need never fear Jehovah's judgment. He is assured of merciful consideration. Mercy makes for peace of mind of the one whom we forgive. It relieves him of the burden of worry and needless regrets. It creates harmony within the Christian congregation. It blesses the giver, the one showing mercy, for is it not more blessed to give than to receive? Yes, when we express mercy we share the comfort and joy that results from it. On the other hand, if we withhold mercy we trouble our own flesh. "The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh."—Prov. 11:17.
So take to heart the wise man's advice: "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man."—Prov. 3:3,4.
"God's Will Shall Prevail in Our Lives"
AN Edmonton, Canada, publisher while attending the New York convention had an interesting experience while traveling on the bus to Plainfield. She was boarding the bus and had difficulty with her luggage and a gentleman of around sixty assisted her with the luggage. When they were seated in the bus they started to converse with each other and she learned that he was a Methodist who was a reader of the Bible and who had charge or supervision over a number of Sunday-school teachers. This is the letter she received when she got back from New York.
Dear Miss Johnson:
At this time I am reminded of a couple of lines from a hymn that we Methodists sing once in a while. It starts like this: 'God works in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.'
Because I helped a young lady on the bus with her heavy suitcase and because on the ride from New York to Plainfield I engaged in conversation with her, and others of her faith, there seemed to come over me a rather uncomfortable unrest. As I told you, I was very much impressed by the wonderful outpouring of Witnesses from the four corners of the earth that I was convinced that there was something in your faith and belief that was real and vital. I do not say that I am yet ready to become one of you, but, believe me, some of the truths that you expounded, and the literature with which you provided me, have certainly opened up new vistas of thought for me.
I was very much impressed by your belief that the only thing we should pray for is that God's will shall prevail in our lives. Strangely enough I never in my life prayed that way
before, but this week that is all I have been praying for, that He will show me the way that He wants me to go. I told you I have had a personal problem, perplexing me for over two years. Well, now, that particular problem does not seem so great; I have never prayed so much as I have since the bus ride from New York, and I have so far come to the place where I feel that my position can best be expressed by the words of another hymn:
'Have thine own way, Lord Have thine own way; Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Make me and mold me After thy will, While I am waiting Yielding and still.'
So, Miss Johnson, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for your kindness to me. I am writing this letter because I want you to know that at least some of the seed that you sowed has fallen on fertile ground. I shall go to the Kingdom Hall here in Plainfield and learn more of your beliefs.
In closing may I say that I pray that God's richest blessing may rest upon you in all that you do. Without being presumptuous, I would like to hear from you again.
Sincerely, [signed]
P. S. When I got on the bus, I had quite another kind of literature with me, but when I got off the bus in Plainfield I threw it in the trash can. Last night after a solo prayer, I threw away all my pipes and tobacco. God has taken from me the desire to smoke.
No Money!
Gonzalez Valencia, archbishop of Durango, recently called on all Catholics in his Mexican diocese to defend "the holy church of God" against "Protestant propaganda" that "is becoming more and more active in our archdiocese." However, he bemoans: "We do not have the inexhaustible funds that heresy has at its disposal." Why not? Roman Catholicism claims to have far more than twice as many members as all "Protestantism," claiming that four out of every seven so-called "Christians" in the world are Catholics. If the archbishop's financial worries are right, then his people must have little interest in supporting their religion.
Sarah Comely Woman of Faith
GOD'S Word, the Bible, is not an old-fashioned book. At no time will the human race reach a point where it will not or can not benefit from perusing the marvelous things recorded therein. However, particularly for us at the present time was it written, that through our endurance and its comfort we might have hope. (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11, NW) And the examples furnished by faithful men and women not only give us encouragement but often are found to be of prophetic significance. A case in point is Sarah, the wife of Abraham, outstanding for her comeliness, faith and submissiveness.
Sarah, according to Genesis 20:12, was a half sister of Abraham as well as his wife, having the same father but a different mother. As a young woman she must have been exceedingly beautiful, for even at the age of sixty-six the princes of Pharaoh so praised her to him that he, upon hearing that she was Abraham's sister, took her into his household. Still more remarkable, twenty-five years later, when she was about ninety years of age, Abimelech, king of Gerar, took her.
We always think of Abraham as one who had such great faith that he was able to have a son in his old age, but do we ever take note of the fact that had it not been
But Sarah had far more to recommend her than just her beauty. In fact, beauty alone is not well spoken of in God's Word. In itself, "Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised." (Prov. 31:30, AS) Sarah not only had grace and beauty but she feared Jehovah.
for Sarah's having a like faith the faith of Abraham would not of itself have enabled him to have a son by Sarah? That Sarah's faith played a vital role in this is apparent from Paul's words at Hebrews 11:11 (NW): "By faith also Sarah herself received power to conceive seed, even when she was past the age limit, since she esteemed him faithful who had promised." Faith enabled Sarah to have a son when she was ninety years old.
True, we read that when Sarah first heard that she was to have a son in her old age she laughed, saying: "After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" (Gen. 18:12) But this was no different from the way Abraham himself felt about it when Jehovah first assured him that he would have a son in spite of his old age.—Gen. 17:17.
Yes, Sarah was a woman of faith, a worthy wife of that man of faith, Abraham. That is why Jehovah changed not only Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of a multitude," but also Sarai's name to Sarah, meaning "princess"; it being the feminine form of the Hebrew word sar, prince.—Gen. 17:5, 15.
A SUBMISSIVE WIFE
Not only is Sarah cited to Christians as an example of faith, but, particularly to Christian wives, Sarah is held up as an example of wifely submissiveness. The apostle Peter, a married man, in his first letter, after counseling Christians to be submissive to one another, continues: "In like manner, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, .
. . And do not let your adornment be that of the external braiding of the hair and of the putting on of gold ornaments or the wearing of outer garments, but let it be the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God. For so, too, formerly the holy women who were hoping in God used to adorn themselves, subjecting themselves to their own husbands, as Sarah used to obey Abraham, calling him 'lord'."—1 Pet. 3:1, 3-6, NW.
In checking the Hebrew Scriptures we do not find any specific instance where Sarah addressed her husband as "lord." But we do read that Sarah "laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" (Gen. 18:12) Most likely she did address him as "lord," not to flatter his ego, but because she really thought of him as being such to her.
That she really felt this way in her heart is apparent from her obedient course of action. When God commanded Abraham to leave his native land Sarah did not put any obstacles in his way but showed the same obedience to the divine command as did Abraham. And we can appreciate that this was no insignificant matter for her, as wandering from place to place, pulling up stakes and getting established time and time again must have been far more of a burden to a woman than to a man.
Her submissiveness was shown in a particularly remarkable way in the two incidents already referred to, when two pagan kings desired her for her beauty. To avoid jeopardy to his life, Abraham in each case represented himself as Sarah's brother. This certainly was no small test for Sarah, but she willingly submitted. She
could have insisted that Abraham plainly state the facts and fight for her, but doubtless she did not. While the record is silent on this point, we may be certain that had Sarah made an issue of it, that fact would have been noted. Instead of censuring her husband, she put her faith in Jehovah and Jehovah rewarded her faith by seeing to it that neither of the kings touched her. Gen. 12:17-19; 20:3-18.
When the angelic messengers visited Abraham, Sarah showed her willingness to co-operate, even as we read, "And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes." She did not complain about being ordered and hurried but went right to work while Abraham got a tender young calf and gave it to one of his servants to butcher and dress. As a result, in the minimum time Abraham was able to spread a feast for his guests.—Gen. 18:1-8.
NOT WEAK-WILLED
That Sarah's submissiveness was because she recognized the proper theocratic rule, and not because she was an introverted abject female with an inferiority complex, is apparent from other recorded incidents. When Abraham and Sarah kept getting older and older without having an offspring, it was Sarah who suggested to Abraham that he take her maid Hagar as a substitute wife, so that he could have a son. However, when this maid became pregnant and despised her old mistress, Sarah dealt severely with her. That we may not attribute any spite or jealousy to Sarah is apparent from the fact that the angel of Jehovah did not rebuke Sarah for it, but, on the contrary, ordered Hagar, who had run away because of this treatment, to return to her mistress.-Gen. 16:1-9.
Ishmael was born, and years later Sarah conceived and bore a son, Isaac, meaning "laughter."
At the time of his weaning, Abraham prepared a great feast at which Sarah noticed Ishmael, her maid's son, mocking her son Isaac. Becoming concerned for the welfare of her son she asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. It took no little courage on the part of Sarah to make this suggestion to her "lord," especially as she could not help knowing how reluctant Abraham would be to carry out such a suggestion.
But here again Sarah received support from Jehovah, for in spite of the fact that Abraham was very loath to follow Sarah's suggestion in this, he was told to listen to Sarah and send Hagar and Ishmael out of his household. While some worldly-wise critics condemn Sarah in this, even as they do in her previous course toward her maid, yet in view of Jehovah's confirmation of Sarah's suggestion and the prophetic application made of it in the Christian Greek Scriptures, we cannot properly censure her. It was her son Isaac, not Hagar's Ishmael, that was the seed of promise; his interests
were paramount and had to be safeguarded. —Gen. 21:8-12.
Sarah died at the age of 127 years, having seen her son grow to almost forty years. She being mentioned by the apostle Paul at Hebrews chapter 11, we may confidently expect her to be favored with an early resurrection.—Heb. 11:11,39,40; Rev. 11:15-18,NW.
Sarah was a comely woman of faith who appreciated the proper relationship of a wife to her husband, and who bore a son to her husband in her old age. In all this she was a very fitting picture of Jehovah God's "woman," his universal organization, and whom he considers very beautiful. That "woman" also was barren for a long time before giving birth to the promised Seed, Christ Jesus, and to the Kingdom. And all those who will ever comprise God's organization, as well as those who now come under it, and receive its blessings, must, like Sarah, exercise real faith in Jehovah's promises and be submissive to the Greater Abraham, Jehovah God.—Isa. 54:1; 66:7, 8; Gal. 4:22-31.
A CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY?
"Pope Backs May Day as Christian Holiday" was the title of an article in the New York Times of May 3,1953.The article said: "In a May Day speech he delivered to 4,000 workers gathered in the Vatican from many parts of Italy,the Pope endorsed the celebration of the day as a Christian holiday for labor." The Times then quotes the pope as asking concerning May Day: "Who better than the true Christian can give to it a profound significance?" Do true Christians celebrate May Day as a Christian holiday? You are invited to be the judge.
May Day's origin? The New Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia says on page 8294: "May Day festivals probably stem from the rites practiced in honor of a Roman goddess, Maia, who was worshiped as the source of human and natural fertility." A conspicuous feature of this celebration has been (and still is,
especially among school children) the dancing around the Maypole. The same encyclopedia states: "This Maypole is believed by most scholars to be a survival of a phallic symbol formerly used in the spring rites for the goddess Maia."
Did early Christians celebrate pagan festivals as Christian holidays? No! "To keep themselves free from idolatry they refused to associate with others in social and public festivities." (A History of Rome, by George Willis Botsford, page 263) Another authority speaks of "the absolute refusal of the Christians to join in any religious festival."—Christianity and the Roman Government, by E. G. Hardy, page 36.
In view of the above-mentioned facts, Do true Christians give May Day "a profound significance" by celebrating it as a Christian holiday? You be the judge.
The Ami Tribe of Southeast Formosa
By a Watchtower Society missionary in Japan
THEY are called "uncivilized." Which makes us wonder how "civilization" should be defined. True, they live on a primitive diet of rice, with some meats, eggs and tropical fruits thrown in for flavoring. Big families of several generations are crowded in thatch-roofed houses. They do not have the educational or medical benefits of the Western world, but they are a far, far happier people than those of the West. One of their own number, a minister of Jehovah God, describes them as follows:
"In place of knowledge of letters, the primitive Ami tribe have keen perception, thoughtfulness and reasoning power. Once you tell them anything, they never forget. They are born that way. It is natural with them. In their depth of feeling they are a special people. Compared with other people they are simple and honest. Newly hearing of God's kingdom and the hope of everlasting life, they take a special interest in it.
"Being uncivilized, they are different from this complicated modern world. Their field of worldly knowledge is limited, but they are a satisfied, cool-headed group that live close to nature.
"In preaching the Bible from house to house, mature, literate ministers take along the illiterate. Many who listen, too, are illiterate, so that Taiwan's good-will people do not gain their understanding in the same way as those who can read and write, and turn up Bible quotations. The general procedure with those who do not understand the Japanese characters of the literature is to talk to them, and keep on talking. They listen well without interrupting, the words connecting in their hearts, and their minds quietly reflecting. Even though they have never heard the message before, they understand well. After listening they do not try to argue, but ask questions concerning what they have heard. The minister then opens his Bible and explains further. Even those who can read and write like at first to hear a discourse from the minister. Then they ask their questions, and the answers are given from the Bible.
"Our experience is that those who can read and write get some appreciation. But the percentage of those who accept the truth through hearing rather than reading is far greater.
"Our house-to-house work leads to home Bible studies. In conducting a Bible study in a house, the family is divided into two groups, the literate and the illiterate. The literate good-will people are instructed by the usual study method. In the study with the illiterate, the minister uses the Japanese 'Let God Be True' or The Watchtower. At first the minister reads out the material in Japanese. Then he translates and explains it in the Ami dialect. He follows this explanation by asking the question, and then letting them answer it. In this way they will study hard for hours of an evening. But the results of this oral explanation are good, and fit the circumstances in Taiwan. While continually preaching the good news the way we do, the good-will people are increasing everywhere, beyond what we realize."
Uncivilized? Maybe selfish worldlings would say so. But the Ami tribe are not a people to get their minds cluttered up with the ambitions and philosophies of this corrupt and violent world. They are taking in the simple, eternal truths of God's Word, and doing this so zealously that their number of active ministers increased during 1953 to 1,205, to compare with an average of little more than 300 last year.
THE DAY FOR SALVATION
"For he says: 'In an acceptable season I heard you, and in the day for salvation I came to your help.' Look! Now is the especially acceptable season. Look! Now is the day for salvation."—2 Cor. 6:2, NW.
THE great day of Jehovah is the day for salvation. Its completion is the time looked for and hoped for in Christian hearts for centuries. This day in complete fulfillment had its beginning in the autumn of 1914 (A.D.), when Christ began to rule in the midst of his enemies, and it continues until the destruction of Satan and his wicked organization is completed. The start of this rule marks the beginning of sorrows upon Satan's organization, and it is also a time of trouble for the inhabitants of the earth. Revelation 12 shows how it began with war in the heavens, resulting in the casting of Satan and his wicked spirit forces out of heaven, giving complete control of the heavens to the righteous rule of Christ.—Ps. 110:1, 2.
2 Seeing that the kingdom of God was set up in 1914, some have wondered why Jehovah God has permitted wickedness to continue for these many years thereafter. Why have the wicked ones been allowed to dominate the earth if Christ reigns? Jehovah shows us his way of dealing with wicked Satan through his dealings with wicked Pharaoh of Egypt: "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: 'For this very purpose I have let you remain, that in connection with you I may demonstrate my power and that my name may be published throughout all the earth.'" (Rom. 9:17, NW) Yes, especially in this day or period of time set aside
by Jehovah following 1914 this principle of action has been followed.
The things foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24 must occur in the day of Jehovah. There must be the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom in all the inhabited earth for a witness. Followers of Jesus in the ministry must be persecuted and hated by all nations. There was to be much violence among Satan's cohorts in the earth before the demonstration of Jehovah's great power. In fact, Jesus prophesied that the war against Satan and his world would be held up for a time: "Unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved." (Matt. 24:22, NW) The "flesh" here mentioned are those who worship Jehovah. It was a time set aside in which many would receive the help of Jehovah and go in the way to salvation. Jehovah's purpose was to preserve a people for his name, who would bear witness throughout the world and give warning to people of all nations to flee from modern "Babylon" before the destruction comes. Jehovah shows his kindness, patience and endurance of reproach by allowing this day for salvation. And out of this day with all its troubles for Satan's system of things a great crowd of praisers has already come forth for their salvation, as foretold in Revelation 7:14 (NW): "These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation."
4 That this is a fact is shown in the record. In 1918 there were 3,868 preaching Jehovah's message from door to door in a few countries and sharing in the pure worship. In the short time that has elapsed since 1918 the numbers have risen to the peak of 510,228 reporting time in preaching in 1953 and hundreds more are being baptized every month in symbol of their dedication to Jehovah's service of praise. This has come about because of the increased light on God's Word—Jehovah's help. This is the "time of the end" and it is the time for which the Scriptures were especially written. (1 Cor. 10:11) By making known his purposes, especially now, Jehovah opens the way to salvation. He provides help for lovers of righteousness who want to serve him. He shows them the right path to follow. They must join in calling upon Jehovah's name in order to be saved. (Rom. 10:10-15) Now is the time for it, before the great storm of Jehovah's day breaks at Armageddon. When Armageddon breaks in all its fury, the acceptable season for taking up the worship of Jehovah will be ended. The decision must be made before the especially acceptable season concludes. Now is the time to take up Jehovah's service. Now is the time to keep doing it. "For he says: 'In an acceptable season I heard you, and in the day for salvation I came to your help.' Look! Now is the especially acceptable season. Look! Now is the day for salvation."—2 Cor. 6:2, NW.
5 Salvation is in Jehovah's power. He is the God of salvation. The word here used means more than merely gaining life. It means deliverance to life and safety. It connotes giving health. It therefore shows
that Jehovah's salvation comes in more than one way in this day of Jehovah. Jehovah sustains his servants. He provides the spiritual food to keep them strong. It is Jehovah who delivers his servant body on earth through many trials. Though Christ Jesus has begun his invisible rule, nevertheless Jehovah's servants have passed through many trying experiences since 1914. This is no surprise to informed, genuine Christians, for Jesus predicted it clearly in the Bible record. But it has been difficult sometimes. Jehovah foretold these experiences in the prophecies of the Bible, preserving the record for our use in this day of salvation. It is good for us to examine what God's Word says and to thereby be strengthened, to know what we may expect just ahead as we approach the climax of this day of Jehovah.
Knowing accurately what Jehovah has said gives us strength, builds up our endurance and bolsters our faith. If we are wise, we study Jehovah's Word and grow spiritually strong. Then, especially in times of difficulty or persecution, we shall be able to endure in our faith and we shall be able to serve others. "We, though, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong, and not to be pleasing ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor in what is good for his upbuilding. For even Christ did not please himself; but just as it is written: 'The reproaches of those who were reproaching you have fallen upon me.' For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." (Rom. 15:1-4, NW) We must constantly take in knowledge and use it for the upbuilding of ourselves and our fellow Christians. This will be our course of life in this day of Jehovah, if we are to gain his salvation.
PROPHECIES UNFOLD A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE
Among the prophecies written aforetime for our instruction is the unusual happening in the life of Daniel, as told in chapter 6, which please read. It is full of meaning in this day for salvation, for it shows what befalls Jehovah's "slave" class on earth. In the prophetic drama Jehovah has used Daniel to picture his "slave," his organized body of witnesses on earth. Darius pictured regal power or authority and law. The lions represent true justice, which is of God. Yes, this is the record of Daniel in the lions' den.
Daniel is the only one mentioned in the prophecy who was a worshiper of Jehovah, the living God. None of the other men were servants of Jehovah. That is why Daniel as one of the Jewish remnant is such a good picture of Jehovah's "slave" class on earth today. (Matt. 24:45-47) No one else adheres to pure worship. Daniel occupied a high position in the kingdom of the Medes and Persians. What did that show? It pointed out how Jehovah's anointed witnesses in this day for salvation would have a prominent position and be known throughout the world. They have a high position in the sight of Jehovah, as his ambassadors and representatives, bearing his name.
Others are included in the prophecy, other rulers or princes. They were not worshipers of Jehovah God. They did not respect the God of Daniel and did not work to uphold God's righteous principles as Daniel did. They took a course in opposition to pure worship. How well they picture the corrupt visible representatives of Satan on earth! They are the ones who crave complete domination over the peoples of
the earth for their own gain, which is contrary to Jehovah's will. Evidently the wicked princes or satraps and the two evil presidents in the kingdom did not wish to give proper account of the tribute or tax collected, but Daniel stood in their way, a righteous man who kept God's law. Daniel did not want the king to suffer any loss.
10 Daniel's truthfulness, honesty and integrity were too much for the princes. They hated him. He must be put out of the way, they concluded. "Then the presidents and satraps sought to find some ground of complaint against Daniel in connection with his administration of the kingdom; but they could find no ground of complaint or fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was to be found in him. So these men said, 'We shall find no ground of complaint against this Daniel, unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.'" (Dan. 6:4, 5, AT) Daniel had done nothing wrong; he obeyed the law in every way.
11 A wicked conspiracy was formed against Daniel, conceived in malice and hatred. The iniquitous princes were jealous of Daniel and his favored position with the regal authority. Nothing was more important to the satraps than to get rid of Daniel. So Jehovah foretold how the enemies of his kingdom and his "slave" class on earth would act in the day of Jehovah, conspiring against those who do righteously. In another prophecy we read: "For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult; and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They take crafty counsel against thy people, and consult together against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent."—Ps. 83:2-5, AS.
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