The Watchtower, August 1, 1954
Download: PDF — The Watchtower, August 1, 1954
"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
AUGUST 1, 1954
Semimonthly
A PEOPLE WITH A PURPOSE
THE PURPOSE OF YOUR WITNESSING
THE CONQUERING POWER OF FAITH
IS VENERATION OF MARY IDOLATRY?
MAN'S BEST HOPE FOR PEACE
©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
Man's Best Hope for Peace
The Conquering Power of Faith
Is Veneration of Mary Idolatry?
"An Eminent Christian of a Rare Kind"?
Last Stop—British Guiana
Take Flight to the Mountains for Safety
A People with a Purpose
"Most Spectacular in Modern History"
The Purpose of Your Witnessing
Questions from Readers
Announcements
Check Your Memory
AS
American Standard Version
LXX
The Septuagint Version
AT
An American Translation
Mo
James Moffatt's version
Da
J. N. Darby's version
NW
New World Translation
Dy
Catholic Douay version
Ro
J. B. Rotherham's version
ED
The Emphatic Diaglott
RS
Revised Standard Version
Le
Isaac Leeser's version
Yg
Robert Young's version
Five cents a copy
Semimonthly
Monthly
Afrikaans
Indonesian
Arabic
Portuguese
Cebu-Visayan
Italian
Climbba
Russian
Cinyanja
Japanese
Cishona
Sesotho
Danish
Norwegian
Greek
Slamese
English
Pangasinan
Ibo
Silozi
Finnish
Slovenian
Kanaarese
Slovak
French
Spanish
Korean
Ukrainian
German
Swedish
Malayalam
Urdu
Hiligaynon-Visayan
Tagalog
Polish
Yoruba
Hollandish
Twi
Docano
Zulu
Watch Tower Society offices Yearly subscription rate
America, U.S., 117 Adams St., Brooklyn 1, N.Y. $1
Australia, 11 Beresford Rd., Strathfield, N.S.W. 8/-
British West Indies, 21 Taylor St., Port of Spain, Trinidad$ 1.72
Canada, 40 Irwin Ave., Toronto 5, Ontario $1
England, 34 Craven Terrace, London, W. 2 7/-
Jamalca, 151 King St., Kingston 7/-
New Zealand, G.P.O. Box 30, Wellington, C. 1 7/-
South Africa, Private Bag, P.O. Elandsfontein, Transvaal 7/-
Remittances should be sent to office in your country in compliance with regulations to guarantee safe delivery of money. Remittances are accepted at Brooklyn from countries where no office is located, by international money order only. Notice of expiration (with renewal blank) is sent at least two issues before subscription expires. Change of address when sent to our office may be expected effective within one month. Send your old as well as new address.
Act of March 3, 1879. Printed in U. S. A.
MAN'S BEST HOPE FOR PEACE
WHAT do you think is man's best hope for peace? Recently the American public was asked that question. The results of the poll showed that "73 per cent of the people in the United States feel their best hopes for peace rest in the United Nations." (New York Times, December 15, 1953) Now if we are willing to be plainly frank about the matter, we must admit that under the supervision of "man's best hope" the war talk grows louder, the cold war grows hotter and the atomic weapons grow deadlier than ever. True, there is also much talk of peace, many promises of peace and conferences for peace. But the trouble is that all this is only talk. In reality there is no peace. Why, since the United Nations' sixty nations agreed to outlaw war in 1945, there have been hot wars in Greece, Malaya, Korea and Indo-China. Since actions speak louder than words, man's best hope for peace, if it has to be the United Nations, is not a very bright hope, is it?
But did you ever stop to think that the present race to build deadly weapons is exactly as foretold by Almighty God? Through his prophet he said at Joel 3:9,10 (AS): "Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong." That is exactly what the "mighty men"
of the earth are doing, preparing for war. So nations today spend fantastic amounts of money and use the cream of scientific brain power to turn out weapons, in effect, "beating plowshares into swords." For were it not for war, the steel and other raw material and money could be used for agricultural purposes, feeding mankind, clothing mankind, housing mankind.
Now we see the greatest arms race in all history. So the future would be horrible for mankind if it were not for the fact that all this "beating plowshares into swords" is going to be completely halted during this generation, and peace will be enforced thereafter for a thousand years. It is certainly heart-cheering to know that permanent peace will soon come to this earth and that mankind will not even learn war any more. Now God did not say that the United Nations would bring about this peaceful condition. You may wonder how it will be accomplished then. Jehovah God tells us at Revelation 11:18 (NW) that he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth."
Are not even tests of atomic weapons "ruining the earth" for the Japanese people? Japan's fear of atomic weapons is not imaginary; they had firsthand experience. They can well imagine how frightful an H-bomb, one 500 to 700 times as powerful as the bomb dropped on Hiroshima and which killed 60,000 people, would be in a full-fledged war! And scientists admit that it is now possible to wipe out all life on earth.
Four hundred cobalt bombs, they say, could do just that. So it is fortunate for us that Almighty God is going to step in and "bring to ruin those ruining the earth." Just what does this mean? That the end of all kingdoms on this earth, as we know them today, is at hand. Not that these governments will be destroyed by man, for Daniel 2:44 (AS) tells us: "And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."
So, then, when we pray the Lord's prayer "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," we are actually praying for God's kingdom by Christ to smash all these kingdoms and set up a
world-wide, righteous government. At Armageddon God will crush out of existence Satan and his evil world. After Armageddon and throughout all eternity, this earth will be a paradise, forever free from war as Psalm 46:9 (AS) shows: "He [Jehovah, not the United Nations] maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariots in the fire."
All this means that not only 73 per cent of the American people but the vast majority of people must be wrong in their belief regarding man's best hope for peace. If you desire to live in perfect health on a paradise earth where there will be no more bullets, no more bombs, no more tanks, no more cannons and no more fear of war, you will want to learn more about Jehovah's new world of righteousness—man's best hope, really, his only hope for peace.
What is faith? Philosophers and clergymen have often defined it, but their definitions have been far from helpful to the average person. The following article gives not only a clear-cut meaning of faith but the answer to that disputed question: Is faith dying in Christendom?
FAITH is powerful. It is so powerful that an apostle of Christ Jesus could say: "This is the conquest that has conquered the world, our faith." (1 John 5:4, NW) Yet today throughout Christendom, the professed stronghold of this faith mentioned by the apostle, there is little evidence of any conquering power. For one thing, Christendom's faith is not conquering atheism. Indeed Gallup Polls have found atheism growing. And is it not a sobering fact that after 600 years of Christian mission work China today is almost 100 per cent pagan, having less than one per cent professing Christians? Within Christendom
itself, especially in such fortresses of "faith" as Italy, the colossus of communism, instead of being conquered by faith, threatens to overwhelm the very ones professing faith in Christianity. How, then, can the Bible say that faith is a conquering power?
Before answering that question we need to know a vital fact that will give us insight into the perplexing situation existing in Christendom: that "faith is not a possession of all people," even though they claim with their lips that they are Christians.
(2 Thess. 3:2, NW) So just because 95 per cent of the American people say they have faith in God, as one survey indicated, it does not necessarily mean they are practicing the principles of true faith as set forth in the inspired Scriptures.
Not even the increase in the number of church buildings indicates that true faith is flourishing. In a United States coast-to-coast survey people were asked the main reason why they attended church. The largest block of answers, or 32 per cent of the people, said in effect that they went to church solely because of the "need for some kind of uplift." Another large group, or 18 per cent of the people, said they were churchgoers out of "duty." Others in significant numbers gave these reasons for going to church: "habit," "to hear a sermon," "to see people" and "to hear music." Obviously, church attendance is no criterion for measuring true faith.
But does not the success of books and movies with religious themes indicate an upsurge of real faith? No, because Hollywood spectacles take many liberties that distort and conflict with the Bible account, while best-selling religious books are generally more concerned with psychology than with the Bible.
Further, do not be deceived by that motto appearing on coins and stamps—"In God we trust." A sober look at the world reveals that there is no genuine trust in God. Christendom's trust is in money, men and might. Thus Canada's popular Maclean's Magazine, December 15, 1953, stated: "Many are beginning to doubt how Christian Christendom really is. Not too long ago German pastors were blessing Nazi submarines, British padres prayed over RAF bombers and a U.S. chaplain manned
an antiaircraft gun against Japanese bombers and coined history's most ridiculous blasphemy—'Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.'"
Surely if there were a genuine trust in God by the millions of professing Christians, then they would demonstrate that faith by living according to the righteous principles of God's Word. Yet what do we see? The world's worst moral breakdown. If the apostle Paul were on earth today he could not have described Christendom's hideous condition any better than he did at Galatians 5:19-21 (NW): "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, hatreds, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these." Could the masses of so-called Christians who practice these things have true faith? The apostle answers: "Those who practice such things will not inherit God's kingdom." "They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works."—Titus 1:16, NW.
What, then, is the shape of faith in Christendom? Declared James Cardinal McGuigan, Canada's senior Roman Catholic cardinal: "God is dead as far as the consciousness of masses of men and women today is concerned. Even to those who still pay Him lip service He enjoys little or no part in the formation of human life." The same magazine that quotes the cardinal's words (Maclean's Magazine for December 15, 1953) then draws its own conclusion: "The Christian Church, considered in its world-encircling entirety, is declining—in membership, in the devoutness and obedience it commands from its members, and as a major influence on public thought and action." Other observers agree. Thus Dr. Henry P. Van Dusen in his recent book World Christianity writes: "Despite all the statistics of Church growth and prosperity in the larger view, we are not gaining ground—we are not even holding our own."
WHY THEIR "FAITH" LACKS POWER
So instead of displaying any conquering power faith in Christendom is "not even holding its own." Why? There are three big reasons: (1) lack of Bible study, (2) a spiritual famine and (3) worldliness of Christendom's religions.
As to Bible reading in the United States, a land with probably more Bibles than any other country, a 1954 survey revealed that about 40 per cent of the people virtually never read the Bible. Of the three major religious groups, 65 per cent of the Jews never or practically never read the Bible; 32 per cent of the Protestants fell into the same class, and 56 per cent of the Catholics never or practically never read the Bible. According to another survey what Bible study is done is on a "Sunday school" level.
Not only is the Bible grossly neglected but the spiritual food purveyed by the clergy is woefully deficient in vital Christian truths. So a spiritual famine stalks Christendom, "not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah." (Amos 8:11, AS) Who is responsible? The clergy themselves! In a nationwide religious survey conducted by the Ladies' Home Journal, issue of November, 1948, this conclusion was reached: "While the mind that enters a university may be ready for adult fare in the secular field all it gets in the religious field is infant food." "Infant food"—the diet of millions of professed Christians. Is it any wonder that thousands succumb to the Communist threat? Eating spiritual baby food can only lead to a loss of strength and faith. Declared the president of Harvard University, Dr. Nathan M. Pusey: "We have not been well taught about religion and there is as a consequence a very widespread religious illiteracy and correspondingly little religious practice." It is not only knowledge that is lacking, he added. "It is rather, I think, faith."—New York Times, October 1, 1953.
The third reason that faith ebbs while communism grows is that organized religion has not kept itself "without spot from the world," as the Bible commands. (Jas. 1:27, NW) Instead the clergy mix commercialism with religion, using such means as bingo, bazaars, carnivals, lotteries and entertainments not only to lure worshipers to worship but to fleece them. Then, too, an editorial in U.S.News and World Report for April 2, 1954, should provoke thought: "Lately some of the national church organizations have begun to meddle in politics. If the trend is not arrested, it can only lead to a loss of faith in churches and in clergymen who profess to teach Christianity. . . How much faith, how much confidence can there be in any clergy which allows itself to become an integral part of the factional strife of the political world?"
WHAT FAITH REALLY IS
Now the eye-opening question: Is the faith claimed by countless persons really "faith"? The truth is that much of what is called "faith" is really credulity. What is credulity? It is a too great readiness to believe. Thus a credulous person is uncritical with regard to beliefs and is easily deceived. Eve was credulous. She believed the serpent, though there were no grounds, no evidence that the serpent had spoken truth. The outcome for Eve: "The woman was thoroughly deceived." In like manner millions of people today are deceived. They accept many articles of religious faith as truth when in reality the teachings are not even based on the Bible. Credulity leads to disappointment and death. So do not do as the masses, but rather do as the early Christians who "received the word with the greatest readiness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so."—1 Tim.
2:14; Acts 17:11, NW.
Faith has been defined by philosophers and clergymen. But their definitions, wrapped up in a high-sounding jargon, have only confused people as to what faith really is. So the wise thing to do is to go to God's Word for the definition. "Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld." Certainly it is clear now that faith is a well-grounded conviction of that for which we hope. True faith can never be a conviction held without reference to any ground or authority.—Heb. 11:1, NW.
What is the basis for faith? Only that which is absolute truth can serve as grounds for faith. Such absolute truth is the Bible. The fulfillment of the Bible's prophecies, many of which are being fulfilled today, stamps it as being of divine origin, reliable and true. The Son of God himself confirmed this: "Your word is truth." In the grander sense Jehovah God is the basis for true faith. He is "the faithful God." So "it is impossible for God to lie." Clearly, then, true faith is much more than just belief in God; it also means an acceptance of God's Word, obtaining an intellectual understanding of that Word and then manifesting a heartfelt reliance upon it. John 17:17; Deut. 7:9; Heb. 6:18, NW.
WHY FAITH IS NEEDED
This kind of faith is essential. Why? Because "without faith it is impossible to win his [Jehovah's] good pleasure, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." Faith is also needed because we must "keep our eyes, not on the things seen, but on the things unseen," and because faith is the power enabling one to triumph over the demon-controlled world.—Heb. 11:6; 2 Cor. 4:18, NW.
How can faith conquer a world? Not through any flesh-and-blood conflicts, but by giving one the strength to worship Jehovah when "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one," the Devil. Not only that, but faith provides the triumph in that at Armageddon, when Jehovah God destroys this present evil world, those with true faith will survive into a new world of righteousness. For an encouragement to his followers, Jesus declared: "In the world you will have tribulation, but cheer up! I have conquered the world." Hence, his followers through faith can conquer this wicked world and come off, as the apostle put it, "completely victorious."—1 John 5:19; John 16:33; Rom. 8:37, NW.
Today faith is more vital than ever. Satan and his demons, now hurled down to the vicinity of the earth, violently oppose God's true servants who are announcing Jehovah's purpose to displace this present evil world with a righteous new world. The demon hordes hate anyone who comes to know the true God, Jehovah. That is why Christians have a fight "against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places." "On this account," Paul warns, "take up the complete suit of armor from God, that you may be able to resist in the wicked day." This is the "wicked day" and Jehovah has provided the truth of his Word for our protection. But the suit of armor consists of even more than truth: "Stand firm, therefore, with your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness, and with your feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace. Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the wicked one's burning missiles."—Eph. 6:11-17, NW. In this allusion to the equipment of the ancient soldier, Paul mentions a shield, evidently referring to the great oblong shield used by soldiers to shelter their whole frame.
It consisted of two layers of wood covered with canvas and then with hide. Now, missiles or arrows tipped with pitch and then set ablaze were used not only to burn up engines of war but they were intended also to stick in wooden shields and set them afire, obliging soldiers under enemy attack to throw away their shields. Now a shield covered with hide would not catch fire. It deflected the burning arrows. So when Satan lets fly his "burning missiles" at the true Christian, his faith is not some wooden shield that catches fire, burns up and leaves him defenseless. No, a well-grounded faith deflects the burning missiles and prevents their inflicting a mortal spiritual wound. Those "burning missiles" may be opposition from the world, even persecution from one's own family, any device of Satan to cause you to give up the fight for true worship. How vital then is faith! Are we not commanded to take up the shield of faith "above all things"? Why "above all things"? Because Jehovah himself "is a shield to those who take refuge in him." When you make Jehovah your shield by virtue of absolute trust in his name and Word, "no weapon that is forged against you shall succeed."—Prov. 30:5; Isa. 54:17, AT.
DEVELOPING AND DEMONSTRATING FAITH
How does one develop true faith? Not by feeding on "infant food" dispensed by the clergy. Break away from starvation meals. Obtain solid spiritual food. The purpose of this magazine and other Watch Tower publications is to give you this vital spiritual nourishment. Jehovah's witnesses the world over are interested in diffusing this much-needed knowledge. For without knowledge there can be no faith. This the
apostle explains: "Faith follows the report," meaning the report of knowledge contained in God's Word. To develop faith cast off religious prejudices. Start obtaining knowledge with an open mind. Do as God advises: "Come now, and let us reason together."—Rom. 10:17, NW; Isa. 1:18.
Since the Bible declares that "faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself," mere knowledge is not enough. True faith activates the mind, the heart and the mouth. "With the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation." That is why Jehovah's witnesses are so energetic in bringing the good news of God's kingdom to all people despite the fact that millions profess to have a "faith." We already know that this faith displayed by the masses is not true faith. These people need to know what true faith actually is. They need to know that not even "golden rule" living is enough. They need to know the good news as Jesus foretold: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come."—Jas. 2:17; Rom. 10:10; Matt. 24:14, NW.
Who are giving this warning of the impending end of this evil world and the tidings of God's kingdom? Not the clergy nor the churchgoers! But Jehovah's witnesses are. They know that when one has true faith he feels impelled to tell the good news to others. Those with true faith cannot be like Christendom's millions who render mere lip service, pew-sitting worship, and are very poor at even that! So acquire knowledge. Demonstrate true faith by using your mouth to make "public declaration for salvation." Doing this you will be in line to survive Armageddon, to enjoy happiness and life. Indeed, "this is the conquest that has conquered the world, our faith."
Is Veneration of Mary Idolatry?
BECAUSE religion has so much sentiment associated with it many persons shrink from discussing it. But such is a mistake, for how can
mand. Both Paul and John warned Christians to avoid idolatry; not that these were deliberately giving another the worship due Jehovah, but that
we be certain we have the truth if we refuse to make comparisons? Rather, we should be willing to do as the apostle Paul counsels: "Test all things; hold fast that which is good."—1 Thess. 5:21, CB.
Of course, if religious discussion is to be profitable and enlightening, it must be done in a calm, dispassionate, objective manner. We must be willing to reason on the subject in the light of the Scriptures. And especially is this the case when discussing such a controversial subject as. Is venerainasmuch as they attached undue importance to other persons or things they made for themselves idols.—Col. 3:5; 1 John 5:21.
The veneration of Mary is based on sentiment rather
than on the Bible. It is, no doubt, due to man's tendency to be sentimental regarding his mother and to idealize the virgin state. To the extent that Mary is given devotion and undue importance, to that extent veneration of her becomes idolatry. And Catholic theologians must
tion of Mary a form of idolatry?—Isa. 1:18.
Catholic theologians emphatically deny that the veneration of Mary is a form of idolatry, insisting that the veneration they accord Mary is not the particular kind of worship they render to God; their "devotion to the Blessed Virgin" is only a "relative" form of worship. Is that position Scriptural?
As Christians we are concerned with pleasing Jehovah God, and in view of his repeated warnings to the effect that he is
be taxed with giving Mary undue importance. For example, in the Greek Scriptures we find but some fifty references to Mary, the mother of Jesus, but 1,750 references to Jesus Christ the Son, and 1,850 to God the Father.In fact, there is but a single reference to her in all the Acts of the apostles and she is ignored entirely in all the letters by Paul, James, Peter, Jude and John.
In striking contrast with all this we find in the Catholic Encyclopedia 22 pages devoted to Virgin Mary, but only 14 to God and only 11 to Jesus Christ. In other words
a God "exacting exclusive devotion," a "jealous God," we must be careful lest we give any creature the devotion due only to the Creator. (Deut. 6:15, NW; Rom. 1:25) That it is easy to fall into the snare of idolatry is seen from the fact that Samuel charged King Saul with idolatry because he failed to obey Jehovah's comand only 11 to Jesus Christ. In other words, this Catholic authority gives Mary a relative importance 55 times as great as does the Bible in regard to God and 70 times as great in regard to Jesus Christ.
The veneration of Mary is based on the teaching of intercession by saints, regarding which there is nothing in the Scriptures.
It developed gradually and was not extensively taught until the early part of the Middle Ages, from the fifth to the eighth century after Christ, nor fully developed until the later part of the Middle Ages, from the eleventh to the fifteenth century.
First in 1854 was "the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary" made a dogma, and that in direct contradiction of the plain Scriptural teaching that all have sinned, that all are sinners, that none are righteous. (Rom. 3:10-12; 5:12) Nothing is said about Mary's being an exception. Had she been sinless she could not have died a "natural" death.
And it was as late as 1950 that the pope called a secret consistory to vote on making the tradition that Mary had ascended into heaven in her human body a dogma of the church, the "Assumption"; also in direct contradiction of the Scriptures that plainly state: "Flesh and blood can obtain no part in the kingdom of God, neither shall corruption have any part in incorruption." (1 Cor. 15:50, CB) The fact that some of the princes of the church voted "No" on this matter would seem to indicate that they are not thoroughly convinced that the pope is infallible in doctrine!
Indicating the trend to give Mary ever more importance are the words of John A. Flynn, president of Catholic St. John's University in Brooklyn, New York. According to him it is not unlikely that Mary will be "proclaimed in a definition of doctrine as Co-Redemptrix of the human race, that next the dogma of Mediatrix of all graces may be promulgated, and that finally the definition of her queenship, as participation with her Son in the power of ruling the World, may be proclaimed. . . It is likely that all three of these may come to realization before another century passes because the importance of Mary in the universe has come more and more to the fore." Time magazine, March 22, 1954.
CO-REDEMPTRIX, MEDIATRIX AND QUEEN?
Again we ask, what do the Scriptures say? Do they support Flynn's position or do they indicate that such is a form of idolatry?
In introducing Jesus as "the Lamb of of God, who takes away the sin of the world," John the Baptist said nothing about Jesus' having a co-redemptrix. Nor did Jesus himself when he referred to his redemptive work: "The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."—John 1:29; Matt. 20:28, CB.
Note also Peter's unequivocal words in this matter. Referring to Christ Jesus he stated: "Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, CB) Those words do not allow for a co-redemptrix. Nor do Paul's words at Romans 5:17-19 (CB). "For if by reason of the one man's offense death reigned through the one man, much more will they who receive the abundance of the grace and of the gift of justice reign in life through one Jesus Christ. Therefore as from the offense of the one man the result was unto condemnation to all men, so from the justice of the one the result is unto justification of life to all men. For just as by the disobedience of one man the many were constituted sinners, so also by the obedience of one the many will be constituted just." In fact, Paul's entire argument regarding the redemptive work of Christ Jesus falls flat if we include Mary as a co-redemptrix. And further note that the great crowd which John saw in the Apocalyptic vision were saying: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb." Again, not a word about salvation as also being due to Mary.—Rev. 7:10, CB.
And what about Mary's being the "Mediatrix of all graces"? We are told that "there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all."
(1 Tim. 2:5, 6, CB) Jesus himself stated that "no one comes to the Father but through me." John tells of only Jesus' being "an advocate with the Father." The law covenant between God and the nation of Israel did not need a mediatrix, neither does the new covenant which replaced it. Time and again Jesus is termed the mediator of the new covenant but nowhere do we read of a mediatrix of that covenant. —John 14:6; 1 John 2:1.
And finally we ask, Do the Scriptures support the claim Mary will participate "with her Son in the power of ruling the World"? After his resurrection Jesus stated that "all power in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (Matt. 28:18, CB) He said nothing about his mother's ruling with him. David, Isaiah, Daniel and others foretold Christ's glorious reign but nowhere did they indicate that he will have his
mother as a co-queen. Paul states that Christ will reign until all things are made subject to his feet, and that this "all things" includes all except Jehovah God. Included therefore is his mother Mary; she will also be subject to him, not reigning as co-queen. Sharing Christ's rule will be his bride, his church, not his mother.—Rev. 19:7,8.
Nor can the Apocalyptic vision of a woman clothed with the sun be used to prove that Mary will be co-queen. (Rev. 12:1-6) That woman could not be Mary, for John's vision applied to the future, and was given a hundred years after Mary had given birth to Jesus. (Rev. 1:1-3) That woman is God's woman, his organization: "Jerusalem which is above" and "which is our mother."Gal.4:26,CB.
Clearly in view of all the foregoing, the devotion and ever-increasing prominence accorded to Mary is in contradiction of the Scriptures and indicates that veneration of Mary is a form of idolatry.
"An Eminent Christian of a Rare Kind"?
Dr. W. R. Matthews, present dean of St. Paul's cathedral in London, in commenting on the decease of his predecessor, Sir W. R. Inge, the "gloomy dean," referred to Inge as "an eminent Christian of a rare kind. He shocked a good many people but he made them think." Among the statements by which Inge shocked a great many people was that he believed in neither heaven, hell nor the British socialists. Of course, one who claims to be a Christian cannot put his faith in the British socialists, nor, for that matter, in the liberals or the tories, but must put his faith in Christ's kingdom. And (giving Inge the benefit of the doubt) in stating that he did not believe in hell he may have meant, not in a fiery hell. But how can a man pose before the people of the world as a Christian minister and state that he does not believe in heaven? Heaven was very real to Christ Jesus. He said he came down from heaven and that he was going to return to it, that his Father resided in heaven,
that his kingdom was from heaven, that the reward of his footstep followers was in heaven and that they were to lay up treasures in heaven.
When Dr. Matthews states that Dr. Inge made people think, what does he mean? Made them wonder if there really was a God, if the Bible was worth the paper it was written on? His remarks certainly were not such as to encourage the right kind of thinking on God and the Bible. Can such a one be properly termed "an eminent Christian of a rare kind"? Obviously there is something radically wrong with Dr. Matthews' concept of what constitutes a Christian. When leading clergymen subscribe to such a philosophy as that of Inge, is it any wonder that there is so much religious illiteracy, apathy and hypocrisy in the world, that there are so many who are "lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power"?—2 Tim. 3:4, 5, NW. LAST STOP
British Guiana
MUCH like Surinam, British Guiana is rather sparsely populated and its population is a mixture of East and West. There you see the original inhabitants called Amerindians. Then there are East Indians (or British Indians), Syrians, Europeans, Chinese and Creole all living together in a land of plantations and sugar mills and mining. Both Surinam and British Guiana are producers of bauxite, which is used in the manufacture of aluminum. Other mineral riches are available which have not been exploited to any great extent.
Just a few months ago this densely forested colony of Britain hit the newspaper headlines around the world. Warships and troops were hurriedly sent in to maintain order. This was because a recently elected government had been dissolved and a possible Communist uprising was feared. The controversial problems precipitating this crisis and suspension of constitution are still being hotly contended, resulting in various restrictions in public life being imposed. In view of all this, would the scheduled New World Society Assembly be held?
Since June of last year the brothers had looked forward to the visit of the Society's president and his secretary. In fact, ever since the previous visit in 1949 they had been looking forward to it. Often in house-to-house work the question would be met: "When will Mr. Knorr be here again?" Now that the question could be answered the matter of advertising became of first importance because the majority of people here are interested in religious questions. Although the range of religious views includes Islam, Hindu, Catholic and Protestant with the former freely criticizing the
hypocrisy of Christendom, yet thousands of open-minded people of all religions have respect for those who genuinely follow true Bible teaching. Irrespective of religion most people will readily accept literature if they can afford to do so and when it comes to The Watchtower and Awake! many are the expressions of appreciation for these magazines. In house-to-house work one may consume an entire morning on only eight or ten calls, due to so many opportunities to discuss Bible truth. Pioneers have the problem of eliminating studies rather than starting them. Especially when witnessing in rural parts you may be entertained at the home of a Hindu or a Moslem and the message will be well received. In fact, Guianese of all classes are very hospitable, and especially so to strangers. Cool drinks are ever on hand to welcome even the uninvited visitor. To keep one talking on the doorstep is considered the height of rudeness. For that matter, to stand talking in the broiling sun is also very uncomfortable. To be told "I'm not interested" or some other positive refusal is a very rare occurrence in house-to-house witnessing. You are more likely to hear, as a brother did after the convention from a new Bible study interest: "I understand that in your organization they call you Brother H——, so may I call you Brother H——?"
Well, now that you have been introduced to this land and its half a million population you will understand why no effort was spared to invite all interested persons to the New World Society Assembly January 21-24. Co-operation of the public presented no difficulty, though current restrictions prevented any outdoor public meeting and, for that matter, so did the heavy rainy weather.
However, Georgetown's newest theater, The Globe, seating 1,400 persons, was offered free by its Moslem owner for Brother Knorr's public talk, "After Armageddon—God's New World." At any rate it would accommodate more people than attended the previous lecture given by the president in 1949. Other sessions were conducted in the Town Hall, which has been used for meetings of Jehovah's witnesses since 1911.
Not only the brothers, but also good-will people made considerable effort to attend the assembly. Some made arrangements to leave their coconut or banana farms for others to care for in their absence. They paddled down river for miles in tiny canoes to reach the only road in that section of the country. Here a bus took them to the next river, where a steamer conveyed them across the island-dotted mouth for twenty miles to Demerara county. A train ride brought them to another river and another boat before the convention city of Georgetown was reached. Those who had not been to the capital for three years saw many new and modern concrete stores and offices, although the majority of the business section is still of wood. But the fresh sea breeze still fans the city for most of the year, making its tropical heat more tolerable to bear.
Much advance preparation is required for people of the old world to stop, look and listen to the voice of the new. The early replacement of the old by a new system of things is a vital message, and the delivering of it demands thorough organization. More than a month in advance 2,000 teasers were posted throughout the city asking the intriguing question: "After Armageddon What?" That really had people guessing, and all kinds of answers were projected.
Storekeepers who displayed them were asked by customers for the answer. They in turn asked the next publisher who came by only to be told, "Await further announcement." While all the speculating was becoming a byword and even shouted across the street, a small team of brothers was busy producing a beautiful two-color poster containing the answer. It was a duplication of that used in New York and was produced by cutting two stencils and by spray painting. A thousand of these were posted in city and country, which gave rise to a new question: "What is the new world?"
Two weeks before the assembly opened special meetings were arranged to inaugurate other features of advertising. A duplication was made of the badge worn at Yankee Stadium and publishers wore them at business and in everyday activity for two weeks before the assembly. This provided for many discussions about the New World society, and, as one party said: "After Armageddon—why the things you learn from these Jehovah's witnesses! I'd like to be one too." Sales clerks asked questions and at secular and parochial schools where some of Jehovah's witnesses are teachers it was the pupils that wanted to know. Everyone there rides a cycle; so, in lieu of a 'bumper sign,' an attractive aluminum sign was fixed to the handlebars so that everywhere the cycles went the signs were sure to go. In fact, outsiders came and requested signs for their cycles too.
But the most original idea was the large four-wheel float slowly drawn through town by a patient donkey. This carried two 12- by 5-foot signs with an 8-foot tower in the center, the entire float being designed to represent The Watchtower. At night the addition of lights to the blue-edged white letters set on a red background brought young and old to a halt and to their windows. Some described it as Noah's ark and various other terms but all added up to what one envious preacher expressed: "It's a pity we don't see more of this sort of thing."
And as another observed: "You all did a lot of advertising." Daily cycle parades were organized whereby a procession of cyclists wearing placards fore and aft toured the city while pedestrian witnesses did placard work on the sidewalks. Predictions that the capacity of the Globe theater was inadequate for such an event grew more numerous. The day dawned bright but with prospect of showers and, sure enough, by noon the streets were wet. As time for the lecture at 5:30 p.m. drew near, so did the black clouds and so did the crowds. The recorded musical program had hardly begun and all seats were occupied. First, a request was made for children to share seats; later, gentlemen were asked to give their seats to the ladies. Soon all available standing room was occupied and a loud-speaker was placed outside for those who could not get inside. From the balcony, the platform presented a colorful picture. In large white letters "Jehovah's witnesses" was spelled out across the stage before a background of rich-green tropical plants, and behind the speaker loomed the white theater screen. The talk had only just commenced when the long-threatened rain came with all its fury, causing the crowd outside to disappear very quickly. However, of those inside, a conservative count showed at least 2,122 persons present. Since the lecture many encores have been heard, such as "When will Mr. Knorr be coming back?" "No indoor religious meeting ever had so many people," etc. Some ask: "How can I become one of Jehovah's witnesses?"
But what of the other sessions held at the Town Hall? The first night saw 445 in attendance, but for Brother Knorr's closing remarks 615 had literally jammed the hall and balcony as well as the platform itself. The program generally followed that
of Yankee Stadium, with demonstrations adapted to local problems. Notable was the demonstration in Creolese illustrating the necessity of speaking such where circumstances demand. In former years very few East Indians had accepted the truth, but at this assembly the large number of goodlooking young men and women of this race was very noticeable. Some of these have come directly from the Hindu religion and not only are very zealous and enthusiastic ministers of Jehovah but also display a very loyal and lovable disposition among their brothers.
The talks by Brothers Knorr and Henschel were highly appreciated and have been recorded for further reproduction. Each evening as the sessions closed no one was ready to go home but lingered in the cafeteria to take refreshments and to enjoy a favorite pastime of the Guianese-talking. The discourse had certainly been taken to heart. Remarks were plentiful such as: "Brother Knorr was really talking to me; he looked right at me." "How did he know we needed that counsel?" Encouragement was given for more young publishers to become pioneers and go to places where little witnessing has been done.
The last item on the program was "Closing Remarks by the President" and there were a few surprises in store. Until now there had been only one circuit, but over the past four years the number of publishers had about doubled, and due to the expansion work by both pioneers and publishers there are now groups of publishers spread over all the three counties that are in need of more regular attention by the circuit servant. So now three circuits are organized and will be served by two circuit servants at least three times a year. Local brothers will now take the place of missionaries as servants in congregations These and other suggestions were enthusiastically received and as the brothers prepared for their homeward journey they really felt that a new era of expansion was before them.
Before closing it was announced that a four-day intensified training course would be available, following the assembly, for all pioneers who wished to attend. Almost all the 45 pioneers attended and experienced a miniature Gilead 'Missionary Service and Bible Truth' course. Impromptu field settings were arranged and counsel given on the use of tact, argumentation and refutation. Doctrinal subjects were analyzed in the light of our new publications and organization problems also were handled. Each afternoon counsel was given in actual field service and at night written tests taken as homework. The pioneers really appreciated this and returned to their assignments determined to 'bear more fruit.'
Though most of their first three days was occupied in going over branch matters and making some excellent recommendations for the more efficient care of the work and for future expansion, Brothers Knorr and Henschel, nevertheless, found time to attend the immersion. Like the public talk and the cafeteria, it too was the biggest yet. A bus transported persons to the sea wall where a considerable crowd witnessed the fifty-five candidates wade out to where the sea was deep enough for them to symbolize their dedication as members of the New World society to serve Jehovah God forever.
With the convention over, the last day of the visit was mainly spent with the twelve Gilead missionaries now assigned in various parts of the colony. There were some problems to be discussed and experiences to relate. Inquiries were made of fellow schoolmates, now graduates in other parts of South America whom the traveling brothers had met during the past few weeks. No time had been available for this
until now, so the visit was brought to a very happy conclusion with all enjoying a meal together. That evening two carloads of pioneers risked getting stuck in the muddy road as they traveled the twenty-eight miles out to the airport to see the brothers off for New York city.
It was nearly midnight when the plane took off from Atkinson field for the first stop in Trinidad. In the early hours of the morning some of the Watch Tower missionaries had traveled from Port of Spain and were waiting for the arrival of their friends whom they had seen just the week before. They were glad to have information concerning the progress of the work in the nearby Guianas, and then bade farewell to their fellow ministers who were off again on the air liner toward New York city. The plane landed at other islands. Brothers were at the airport in Guadeloupe, St. Croix, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico, and all expressed hope that they would have conventions soon in their territories. They were promised that arrangements would be made in their behalf, in the few minutes that were spent with them at the airports.
The last leg of the journey was a long over-the-water flight from Puerto Rico to New York city, and then on the evening of January 26,1954,the two travelers returned to the Society's headquarters in Brooklyn, the Bethel home.
And so the tour of the president of the Watch Tower Society and his traveling companion had come to its end. South America had been visited and spurred to more theocratic activity. It was a source of great joy to look back. Looking back is sometimes an interesting occupation, at least when one is looking back to see the progress made in recent years in the growth of the New World society. In South America in 1942 there were only 807 publishers of the Kingdom preaching in eight different countries, but by 1953 the work had increased to twelve countries with 13,174 ministers preaching the good news of God's kingdom throughout the continent.
This is a remarkable expansion, and this, in great degree, is due to the work started at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, a school that produces missionaries who carry the work of Jehovah's witnesses into distant countries. Throughout the world
people have given generous support to the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead and the missionary expansion program that is being carried on throughout the world, and so it is possible that one can see expansion in every continent. The travelers were busy with South America and thinking in terms of South America, and they were happy to know that such a great forward movement had occurred in just a little more than ten years in South America.
Take Flight to the Mountains for Safety
THE Israelites in Jesus' day thought that the magnificent temple of Herod would serve as a charm to protect them from harm. But Jesus not only foretold that not one stone would be left upon another of its glorious buildings but also gave a sign as to when this would occur and told his followers what to do when they saw this sign: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then understand that the desolating of her has drawn near. Then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains, and let those in the midst of her withdraw."—Luke 21:20, 21, NW.*
True to Jesus' words the Roman armies did surround Jerusalem, A.D. 66. Then for no apparent reason they withdrew. Christians fled to refuge beyond the Jordan in the mountainous region of Gilead.A.D.70 the Romans returned and destroyed the city, together with 1,100,000 inhabitants.
Like the Jews of Jesus' time Christendom today considers herself heaven's favorite because of her antiquity and reputed sacredness, but she will no more escape what Jesus foretold would come upon her
than did her prototype Jerusalem. And just as the nation of Israel back there deserved destruction at the hands of Rome for having rejected the Messiah and having boasted, "We have no king but Caesar," so Christendom will be destroyed because of preferring man-made substitutes to God's kingdom.—John 19:15; Ps.2:1-9.
Today we see the armies of godless communism surrounding Christendom and we also see the disgusting thing that causes desolation standing as a substitute for God's kingdom, namely, the United Nations backed by organized religion. Seeing these things, we must flee to the mountains. (Matt. 24:15,16) What are the mountains? They are the theocratic new "land," which was born in 1919 with the return of Jehovah's remnant to his organization and service.—Isa. 51:11-16; 66:7-9.
We cannot flee from the realm of Christendom, but we can separate ourselves from its system of things by taking in knowledge of Jehovah God and Christ Jesus and exercising faith in them, by dedicating ourselves to Jehovah and by associating with the New World society found in God's new system of things.
A People with a Purpose
"You are 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies' of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Pet. 2:9, NW.
EHOVAH, unlike all others called gods, proves to be the great Purposer. As the almighty Creator he not only purposes something to be, he also causes it to be. Why, the very name of this Being, this pre-eminent First Cause, is drawn from a Hebrew word meaning 'the one who causes to be.' To Moses he said: "I shall prove to be what I shall prove to be." His majestic creative works as well as his intimate dealings with creatures give ample evidence of this eternal truth. As a builder of a house from the outset has a definite aim or purpose, a particular design in mind, a final goal or objective that he strives to achieve, even more so the supreme Master Builder of the universe. Not only does he aforehand determine what to do, when to do it, and how to do it, but he also follows through and successfully accomplishes it. "Let light come to be" was his will and command, and "there came to be light." Let the earth take shape, and it did. Let the waters be set in bounds, and they were. Let living creatures be formed—fish for the sea, fowl for the air, cattle, creeping things and beasts of every sort to live upon the land all this Jehovah purposed and it came to be. "I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and
have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it."—Ex. 3:14; Gen. 1:3, NW; Isa. 46:9-11, AS.
2 Jehovah is also an unchangeable God, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, inflexible in his holy will and purpose. "I, Jehovah, change not" is an everlasting statement of fact, an unalterable truth. (Mal. 3:6, AS) The high and lofty One is not a mere man that he needs to change his mind about a matter. He is not like whimsical creatures that are unstable and fickle in decision, shifting in opinion and unpredictable in purpose. "For thus saith Jehovah, . . . I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and I have not repented, neither will I turn back from it." (Jer. 4:27, 28, AS) No, Jehovah never makes a mistake, and so he never has to reverse his predetermined course of action. He never has to change his declared purpose to accommodate an unforeseen situation or make room for an unexpected emergency. The great Jehovah is therefore one in whom creatures can place their complete confidence and implicit trust, for he is predictable, dependable and true to his word. He says a thing and he does it. "Jehovah of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely, as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand."—Isa. 14:24, AS.
Among the many things originally purposed by Jehovah was to have the earth filled with intelligent creatures who would be perfect in body, righteous in mind and thought, and fully obedient to their Creator in their activity. To that end Jehovah created a perfect human pair, male and female, and commanded that they "be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it." (Gen. 1:28, NW) In the theocratic arrangement of things a glorious heavenly cherub was given oversight of human affairs in the garden of Eden to see that the Creator's will and purposes were carried out. But alas! what happened? Early in man's history sedition broke out. Impressed with his dazzling glory and exceptional beauty the covering cherub coveted a position in the universe like that of the Most High. (Ezek. 28:13-15) He thereupon rebelled against the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, persuaded Eve and then Adam to break their integrity to Jehovah and in the course of time caused a great host of angelic creatures to join the rebellion. As a result the ringleader of this treasonous gang was expelled from his honored position in Jehovah's organization and was placed under the sentence of death as a despicable criminal. He has since been identified by the loathsome and contemptible label "Satan the Devil." From that time until the present, under satanic rule of wickedness the earth has been filled with crime and violence as generation after generation of imperfect creatures, born in sin and shaped in lawlessness, has continued in their open opposition to God.
4 Is it not, therefore, reasonable to conclude, in the face of these woeful events, that Jehovah's original purpose to have the earth filled with righteousness has been
completely frustrated and brought to nought? No, not at all! Do not hastily jump to such a false conclusion. To do so betrays either gross ignorance of or willful indifference to other important facts, facts which give overwhelming proof that such rebellion in no way altered or changed or even delayed in the least Jehovah's prime purpose to have a global paradise filled with obedient creatures. At the very inception of disobedience in the garden of Eden Jehovah declared that in his due time all wicked rebels would be exterminated and obedient mankind would be blessed with everlasting life. In substance Jehovah said to Satan, as later recorded by the inspired writers of the Bible: "For this cause I have kept you in existence, for the sake of showing you my power and in order to have my name declared in all the earth," "that my name may be published throughout all the earth."—Ex. 9:16; Rom. 9:17, NW.
As here set forth, this pronouncement of Jehovah reveals a twofold purpose. In the first place, the statement declares that Jehovah's irresistible and omnipotent power will be displayed in all its terrible majesty when the Devil and his entire company of rebels are utterly destroyed. Furthermore, it is made certain that Jehovah's name, word and purposes will be proclaimed, declared, published and witnessed about throughout the earth in order that people who love God may have the opportunity to escape destruction and become a part of a New World society which will fill the earth with righteousness. It is therefore quite clear that from the very beginning of man's deflection from the truth Jehovah purposed to have a people in the earth who would be faithful to his cause, a people who would be his witnesses, a people for his name, a people even called by his noble name, that is, Jehovah's witnesses.
A PEOPLE FOR JEHOVAH'S PURPOSE
6 Did such divine purpose fail, or was it long delayed, delayed perhaps until this day and age before anything was done about it? History answers No! Among the very sons of Adam there arose a righteously disposed individual, Abel by name, who publicly witnessed before others concerning his confidence and hope in God's promise recorded at Genesis 3:15. Abel demonstrated such implicit trust in that prophecy that he offered animal sacrifices pictorial of the great Lamb of God whose shed blood takes away sin. "By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than Cain, through which faith he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness respecting his gifts." Nor was Abel the sole witness for Jehovah prior to the Flood. Enoch, "the seventh man in line from Adam," similarly "had the witness that he had pleased God well," for he "kept walking with the God."—Heb. 11:4, 5; Jude 14, 15; Gen. 5:24, NW.
Then there were Noah and his household. "Noah was a righteous man. He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with the God." He was a "preacher of righteousness," one that "found favor in the eyes of Jehovah." (Gen. 6:9, 8; 2 Pet. 2:5; Heb. 11:7, NW) But walking in obedience and finding favor in Jehovah's eyes required Noah to do a work that seemed very strange in the eyes of that generation. There the faithful old man was, building a huge boat at Jehovah's command, and at the same time preaching to his friends and neighbors that unless they repented of their wickedness and took refuge in this provision Jehovah was making they would soon be destroyed. "After that Jehovah said to Noah: 'Go, you and
…