1934 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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1934 YEAR BOOK OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
OPPOSITION
SEDITION
TEACHINGS
ANNUAL REPORT
AMERICA
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
FACTORY
PRODUCTION
MATERIAL
SHIPMENTS
FIELD ACTIVITIES
PIONEERS
Enrollment
Witness Given
Territory
BETHEL FAMILY
COMPANIES AND SHARPSHOOTERS
INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
ORDAINED REPRESENTATIVES
PERSECUTION
RADIO
TRANSCRIPTION MACHINES
PIONEERS
THE GOLDEN AGE
THE WATCHTOWER
FOREIGN COUNTRIES
BRITAIN
CANADA
AFRICA (East and South)
AFRICA (West)
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
BELGIUM
BRAZIL
BRITISH GUIANA
CENTRAL EUROPEAN OFFICE
TABLE
CHINA
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
DENMARK
EGYPT
ESTONIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
HOLLAND (Netherlands)
HUNGARY
ICELAND
INDIA
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
LUXEMBURG
MEXICO
NORTHERN EUROPEAN OFFICE
NORWAY
POLAND
PORTUGAL
RUMANIA
SARRE BASIN
SPAIN
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND
SYRIA
TRINIDAD
TURKEY
YUGOSLAVIA
CONCLUSION
REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING
YEAR TEXT
1934 YEAR BOOK
of JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Containing
Report of the Year 1933
with Daily Texts and Comments for 1934
Corporate Publishers:
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
Peoples Pulpit Association
International Bible Students Association
Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Branch Offices appear on last page
Copyright 1933
Made in U S A.
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
OFFICERS
J. F. Rutherford
President
C. A. Wise
Vice-President
W. E. Van Amburgh
Secretary & Treasurer
PEOPLES PULPIT ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS
J. F. Rutherford
President
E. J. Coward
Vice-President
A. R. Goux
Secretary & Treasurer
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS
J. F. Rutherford
President
Jesse Hemery
Vice-President
E. C. Chitty
Secretary
W. E. Van Amburgh
Ass’t Secretary & Treasurer
1934 YEAR BOOK OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
A RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT on earth, administered for the general welfare of the people, has for centuries been the desire of honest persons. In obedience to the commandment of Jesus Christ his faithful followers for nineteen centuries have prayed for the coming of such a government that the will of God might be done on earth even as it is done in heaven. Centuries before the coming of Jesus to earth men who believed in and served Jehovah God looked forward with confidence to the time when there would be a righteous rule on the earth. Their hope was based upon the promise Jehovah made to Abraham, the father of the faithful, that he would in due time raise up a seed that would rule the world in righteousness and by and through which seed all the families and nations of the earth shall have an opportunity for lasting blessings.–Gen. 22:17, 18.
Jehovah sent his beloved Son Jesus to earth to give testimony of and concerning the purpose of God and to redeem the human race. It was in the year (A.D ) 33 that Jesus Christ began his ministry, preaching to his hearers: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand’’; meaning that Jesus himself was God’s anointed King and had begun his work amongst men according to the will of the Most High. Jesus gathered round him faithful men and taught them and used them as witnesses for Jehovah. He strongly impressed upon their minds the fact that he must die and be raised fromthe dead in order that mankind might have the opportunity to live, and that he must go away to heaven and receive from Jehovah the authority for his kingdom or rule of the world. He further informed his disciples that in God’s due time he, Jesus, would come again and receive unto himself those whom he found faithful and that then he would begin his reign as the world’s ruler.
Portions of the Bible were written by the faithful apostles of Jesus Christ, and this they did under the inspiration and direction of the holy spirit. That which, in the writings of the apostles, is emphasized above all things else is the fact that Christ Jesus the King shall come again and establish Jehovah God’s kingdom and carry out the purposes of the Most High, that the peoples of earth may be blessed. It was the apostle Paul who identified Christ Jesus as the seed of Abraham according to the promise which Jehovah made to Abraham long centuries ago. (Gal. 3:16-29) Thus the promises of Jehovah set forth in the Old Testament are directly connected with the truths in the New Testament, and this proves that the Old Testament and the New Testament constitute the Word of God given to man for his direction in the course of righteousness and that it is the truth.
The apostles were informed that from the time of the resurrection of Christ Jesus and his ascension into heaven until his coming again to set up the kingdom or government would be a long period, during which men must wait. What was to be done in that long interval of waiting? The apostles and other men of mature mind met together at Jerusalem to consider this very matter. (Acts 15:6) They knew that God had dealt with the Jews as his chosen people and that because of unfaithfulness of the majority of that people God had removed his favor from them as a nation, but that his favor still continued toward the faithful individuals of that nation. They also saw that honest seekers for the truth who were not Jews were receiving God’s favor. Some of these faithful men at the convention above mentioned made known to their brethren that ‘God had wrought miracles among the Gentiles [nations]’ by giving them the truth. The Lord had especially directed Peter to take the gospel to Cornelius and other Gentiles. (Acts 10: 1-48) Thus they discerned that God was no respecter of persons but now opportunity should be given to non-Jews to become followers of Christ Jesus.
The apostles then considered the words of the prophecy of Jehovah, spoken by Amos, which disclosed Jehovah’s purpose to take out from the nations a people to be associated with Christ Jesus in his kingdom and that in due time Christ Jesus would come again, receive these faithful ones to himself, and set up his righteous government, which government or kingdom was foreshadowed by the reign of King David. (Acts 15:14-18, Amos 9:11, 12) The Lord therefore revealed to the apostles that the long period of time of waiting, from the exaltation of Christ Jesus to heaven to the time of his coming again, would be employed in teaching or preaching to the people of and concerning the Kingdom; and this the apostles proceeded to do. This preaching of the gospel has been for the purpose of bearing witness to Jehovah’s kingdom and for the taking out a people for his name. All those persons so selected from the world and who continue faithful to God and Christ Jesus must bear witness to the truth. (John 18:37) The apostles stressed the fact that the faithful followers of Christ Jesus would look with eagerness for the coming of the Lord again and that those who remained faithful and true to God would love the appearing of Christ Jesus, and that such would then receive their reward, to wit, the crown of life, that is, the highest element of life. That would mean that such faithful ones would be made a part of the Kingdom or righteous government.–2 Tim. 4: 7, 8, Rev. 20:4.
With these great truths ever before those who love and serve Jehovah God and Christ Jesus it can readily be seen that such faithful ones would eagerly look for the second coming of the Lord and his kingdom. It was about the year 1872 (A.D.) that a small company of earnest and faithful followers of Christ Jesus, while studying the Scriptures and comparing these with events coming to pass, saw evidence that the Lord was giving special attention to those on earth, and that the second coming of the Lord and his kingdom was imminent. This little company of faithful Christians continued to grow in numbers and in knowledge of the precious things which are found in the Word of God. Shortly thereafter they formed themselves into a Society for more systematic study and teaching of the Word of God. Living on earth and in a nation that has laws for the holding and control of property, both real and personal, and desiring that their organization should perpetuate its work and activity without depending upon the earthly existence of any particular person, this little company of faithful followers of Christ Jesus decided to form a corporation, which corporation should have the management and control of the property and holdings and direct the activities of those who would continue faithful to God and who were looking for his kingdom under Christ.
In the year 1884 these followers of Christ Jesus formed a corporation under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, which was then given the name Zion’s Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. The word “Zion” is one of the names which Jehovah God has given his capital organization and frequently appears in the Bible. The word “Zion” appearing in the corporate name had no reference to or connection with the Jewish organization which is called “Zionism”. Afterwards the name of the above-mentioned corporation was, by the law of the State of Pennsylvania and order of court, changed to that of Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society; and the faithful followers of Christ Jesus on earth have continued that name of their corporation to this day. At no time has any Jew been connected with or supported the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society.
Merely for convenience and to comply with the laws of the land, and to further the interest of its work, the Society organized the Peoples Pulpit Association, in 1909, under the membership corporation law of the State of New York. For the same reason the International Bible Students Association was organized, in 1914, under the laws of Great Britain. These three corporations are really one, and they are all directed by the same officers and have possession and control of the property of the Society. By the word “Society” is meant the united company of faithful men and women now on earth who are wholly devoted to God and his kingdom under Christ and who are, by His grace, carrying forward the work of the Lord in the earth. No one of these three corporations above named has any capital stock. They pay no dividends to any person, and no person receives any pecuniary profit therefrom. They are wholly and entirely devoted to carrying forward the work of the Society, which is the preaching or making known to the people the good news that Jehovah’s time is at hand for the establishment of his kingdom under Christ, and the truths kindred thereto.
These statements of fact are here made for the information of any and all honest persons who desire to know what is the purpose of the Society and the corporations that carry forward its work. Misinformed persons, who have been misled and deceived by the willful enemy of God and his kingdom, have been induced to believe that the Society and the corporations above mentioned are selfish, political organizations, operating in connection with other selfish, political organizations for the overthrow of present governments. Such wicked falsehoods proceed from the Devil, who at all times has opposed every one who serves Jehovah God.
In every country of the world where there is an anti-Jewish sentiment the malicious falsehood is circulated among the people that our Society and its corporations are financed by commercial Jews. That is also a malicious lie originating with Satan and carried forward by his earthly representatives. In countries where socialism and communism are threatened the enemies charge the Society and its supporters with being in league with socialists and communists for the overthrow of the government; which is also a malicious lie emanating from Satan and carried forward by his earthly representatives.
This Society and the three corporations named herein have at all times kept completely separate and apart from all political parties or affiliations. We have no part in the political affairs of this world, for the reason that our devotion is absolutely and completely to God and his kingdom under Christ, for which kingdom faithful men and women have been hoping and praying for the past nineteen hundred years. It would be foolish and contrary to God’s will for us to participate in or be associated with any political organization. Our Society and its corporations have never received one cent of financial support from Jews. From the very beginning of the Society until the present day its money to carry forward its work has come from contributions made by humble men and women who have a desire to make known the truth of and concerning Jehovah God’s provision for the blessings of the peoples of the earth. The work of the Society is done according to the will of Jehovah God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and he puts in the hearts of faithful men and women the desire to supply the money to carry forward his work. All the money and all the property of the earth belong to him, and he can see to it, and does see to it, that the money which is necessary is supplied for his purposes.
Those who love God, and who believe and rely upon his Word as set forth in the Bible, plainly see and clearly understand that Satan the Devil is the arch enemy of God and the opposer of all true followers of Christ Jesus. It was Satan the Devil who at the very beginning of human history challenged Jehovah God to put on earth men who would remain faithful and true to God. Satan declared his ability to cause all men to curse God and turn away from him. That raised the issue, which Jehovah accepted, and he has permitted or suffered Satan to do all within his power to make proof of his wicked challenge, Jehovah biding his own due time to vindicate his great name and to completely destroy Satan and his wicked organization. The great time of climax has arrived, and hence the strenuous witness in the earth and the opposition thereto.
To carry out his wicked challenge Satan commercialized the human race and has caused his agents on earth to deal in human flesh and blood. He is the one who put in the mind of man the greedy love for money, or the things that bring personal gain, and by which men have builded among the nations a tremendous commercial organization that at all times has been oppressive and injurious to the common people.
As a part of his commercial scheme, and as another means of defaming Jehovah’s name and of turning men away from the true God, Satan early in the history of man organized religion, and since then every religion practiced on earth has been used by Satan to defame the name of Jehovah God. “Religion,” as that word is properly used, means an outward form of worship which gives honor to men and to an unseen power. Many honest people believe that they are worshiping God, when in fact they are being misled by the Devil to defame God’s holy name. Some parts of the Bible are used by the clergy to support religions, and this affords another means of deceiving the people. All religions have indulged in the politics of this world, which is contrary to the Word of God. – James 1: 27.
True Christianity means the faithful following by men in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, the Anointed of God. (1 Pet 2:21) That means entire devotion to Jehovah God, and not to any man or to any worldly organization directed by man. It means that the true Christians or followers of Christ Jesus must be witnesses to the majesty and supremacy of Jehovah God and bear testimony to the truth of God’s Word. (John 18: 37) In order to give testimony of the truth it is necessary for one to study and to understand the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, which is the truth. - John 17:17.
“Organized Christian religionists’’ have entirely overlooked the Scriptural meaning of the second coming of Christ Jesus and his kingdom. The Bible testimony is all one way, to wit, that the coming of Christ Jesus and his kingdom is to vindicate Jehovah’s name by proving that Jehovah is the supreme and true God, that he is the God of wisdom, justice, love and power, and from whom all life and blessings flow. The Bible testimony further is that the kingdom of God under Christ is a righteous government, which kingdom or government will vindicate Jehovah’s name and is the only hope of the peoples of the world. In this year of 1933, when the nations and peoples all over the earth are in great distress and perplexity, ‘‘organized Christian religionists’’ entirely ignore the Scriptural testimony as to the cause of this trouble, and how the world can be brought out of this depression, and in the place and stead of the Scriptures they follow the theories of men and join in all man-made schemes to relieve mankind. These religionists not only entirely ignore the cause of the trouble, but appear to be entirely blind to the divine remedy.
The clergy and the politicians pose before the people as followers of Christ and by word of mouth say, “We implicitly believe in divine guidance,’’ and at the same time entirely ignore the Word of the divine God, who is Jehovah the Most High. No one who is truly devoted to Jehovah God and his kingdom can have any part in the political affairs of this world. If these men, as they say, did implicitly believe and trust in the divine God, then they would follow his Word and would see that the great climax of trouble and wickedness is now upon the earth because of Satan, and that soon God will destroy this wicked organization, and in its place there shall follow a rule of complete righteousness; and they would teach the people these truths, and inform them that the kingdom of God alone will bring relief and blessings. Any persons who would join forces with socialists or communists or any other political organization in this day would thereby furnish the conclusive proof that they are not the servants of Jehovah God.
OPPOSITION
At all times opposition to the truth has originated with and proceeded from the Devil, and “religionists” have been the chief instruments of the Devil used to carry forward this opposition on earth. At the very beginning of the ministry of Christ Jesus the Devil tried to cause the destruction of Jesus. (Matt. 4:1-11) Jesus was constantly persecuted by the religious leaders, the clergy of his time, and the proof in the divine Word is that such religionists, the clergymen, were the agents of the Devil. Those religionists claimed to be the representatives of God, but to them Jesus said: “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God; this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:40-44) Why has opposition to the Lord Jesus and his kingdom always been manifest? Because the Devil had sworn to turn all men away from Jehovah God and he has taken every opportunity to oppose God and his servants. When Jesus came to earth as the special witness of Jehovah and to redeem the human race, and to begin the work of taking out from the nations a people to be witnesses to Jehovah, the Devil wickedly opposed every part of his work. In this opposition the Devil used his earthly agents, to wit, the religionists of that time, and he has continued to use such men ever since. Jesus plainly told his true followers that they would receive like persecution from the same source of religionists.–Matt. 10:24,25; John 15: 18-21.
It is therefore certainly to be expected that the witnesses of Jehovah, that is to say, the true followers of Christ Jesus who would be looking for the second coming of the Lord and his kingdom and testifying thereto, would be the objects of the Devil’s wrath and of his cruel opposition. Jesus told his faithful followers that they would be hated of all nations at that time for his name’s sake, and the facts that have come to pass in recent years completely prove the fulfilment of this prophecy. (Matt. 24:9) To his faithful followers Christ Jesus committed the work of giving testimony to the truth, and told them that they would be wickedly persecuted by the Devil and his earthly representatives; and it is even so to this day.–Rev. 12:17.
SEDITION
The false charge of sedition and blasphemy was made against Jesus by the religionists, and he was wrongfully and without any true evidence convicted of that crime and put to death. The clergy who were his persecutors were the very ones who tried to destroy the evidence of his resurrection, and in that it is manifest that they were the instruments of the Devil. (Matt. 27: 62-66) It is certain, therefore, that the second coming of Christ and his kingdom would be violently opposed by the Devil and his agents, even as we see it going on at this time.
“Organized Christian religion” had its origin in the day of Constantine, the emperor of Rome. Then it was that the Roman Catholic hierarchy came into existence. From that time to the present day the Roman Catholic hierarchy has been the most powerful religious organization on earth and also the chief instrument of the Devil in opposition to the kingdom of God under Christ. It not only practices religion, but is a powerful commercial organization and a cruel political organization. Its opposition to truth has been and is subtle and deceptive, and thereby many honest persons have been deceived. The Roman Catholic hierarchy has always appeared before the people as a representative of God and of Christ, and yet at the same time has been the chief instrument for the persecution of all who have told the truth concerning God’s Word. It has tried to keep the people in complete ignorance of the Bible and has induced them to follow, instead of the Scriptures, the teachings of the Papal “religious organization”. The Roman Catholic hierarchy has at all times indulged in politics and tried to control the nations of the world. It has collected fabulous sums of money from the people to carry on its works. All true witnesses for the Lord have been classed by the Roman Catholic hierarchy as bigots, blasphemers and enemies of the state, and the charge of sedition and blasphemy is often laid against the humble followers of Christ Jesus. Such wicked opposition to the truth, and such persecution of Jehovah’s witnesses, are made manifest today, particularly in the countries of Italy, Germany, Canada and the United States, and that persecution is led by the religionists of so-called “organized Christianity”, the chief instrument of Satan on earth.
There was a time when ministers of the Protestant religious organization opposed the Roman Catholic hierarchy, and called attention to its ungodliness, but in modern times the so-called “Protestant religionists” have abandoned the “protest theory” and joined forces with the Roman Catholic hierarchy, and both organizations are in opposition to God and his kingdom under Christ. These opposers of God’s kingdom under Christ, in an effort to hide their own crookedness, falsely charge the faithful followers of Christ Jesus with the crime of sedition and blasphemy. Such opposers constantly indulge in a campaign of circulating slanderous and libelous reports to the effect that Jehovah’s witnesses are violators of the commercial laws of the land and are allied with communists to overthrow the government. All reasonable persons can readily see that such opposition and persecution originate and proceed from the Devil and therefore “organized religionists and religions” are instruments and servants of the Devil and do not serve God and his kingdom under Christ.
These statements are here made, not to provoke a controversy, but in order that honest persons who desire to know the truth may have a proper understanding of our Society and its work. The Society and its supporters are in no wise interested in the politics of the present world. Our work and devotion is entirely to Jehovah God’s kingdom under Christ, because such is the only hope of the human race, and because all blessings must proceed from God, and his witnesses delight to obey his commandments because such is right. Having devoted ourselves to Jehovah God, the divine commission and duty is laid upon us to bear testimony before the rulers and the peoples of earth of and concerning the great Jehovah and his kingdom. We have no fight with any person on earth, but in fulfilling our commission and duty of telling the truth as contained in the Word of God we draw upon us the fire of the visible agents of the Devil, and amidst such opposition and persecution we proceed with the work assigned to us. Knowing that this work is being done at the commandment of the Lord God we are certain that no opposition can destroy it, but that it will go on until Jehovah’s name is completely vindicated.–Isa. 54:17.
TEACHINGS
The Society has no formal creed, as that word is generally understood. It has no membership roll, but all who are truly devoted to God are asked to work together to the honor of Jehovah’s name. .It is not in any wise engaged in propaganda, because it does not seek to propagate any doctrine or bring others into its fold. As the followers of Christ Jesus we believe and teach what is in the Scriptures, and nothing more and nothing less. That being God’s doctrine, no human creature could propagate it; hence our work is not propaganda, but merely bearing testimony to the truth. The teachings of the Bible, the Word of God, and which is the truth and to which we fully subscribe, are, among other truths, as follows, to wit:
The great First Cause, the Creator of heaven and earth, is God, whose name alone is Jehovah; and that name means his purposes concerning his creatures He has revealed himself to those who believe his Word under other names, to wit: Almighty God, meaning that his power is without limitation; the Most High, meaning that he is above all; the Lord of hosts, meaning that he is the great Warrior who will destroy the enemy; and the Eternal Father, because from him proceeds all life.–Ex. 6:3,4; Isa. 42:5, 8; Ps 91: 1, 2.
The beginning of creation was his beloved Son, whose first title is the Logos. (John 1:1; Col. 1:15; Prov. 8:22-29) Thereafter all things created were created by Christ Jesus as the active agent of Jehovah. (Eph. 3:9) Among the creatures created was Lucifer, who was made the overlord of man and all other creation of earth. God created the earth as a place for man’s home, and the earth shall abide forever and be inhabited by those who love and serve Jehovah God.–Isa. 45:12, 18; Eccl. 1: 4.
The Bible is God’s Word of truth and is given as a guide and for the instruction of man in the way of righteousness, and it contains the expressed purpose of Jehovah; and those who study it may ascertain his purpose.–Isa. 46: 9-12; 55:11; John 17:17.
God created man of the dust of the earth, breathed into his nostrils the breath of lives, and man thereby became a living, moving creature called a “soul”. (Gen. 2:7) The first man Adam was perfect, and it was his duty and obligation to obey God. (Deut. 32: 4) He was plainly informed by Jehovah that a willful violation of His law would mean death. Lucifer, the overlord of man, rebelled against God, and Adam, the first man, followed the lead of Lucifer in sin and was sentenced to death. (Ezek. 28:13-15; Gen. 3:3-19) The power to produce children was exercised by Adam between the time of his sentence to death, which deprived him of the right to live, and the time of his actual dissolution; hence all of his children inherited the result of that death sentence and all the human race have been born as sinners. (Rom. 5:12) Jehovah God changed Lucifer’s name to that of Serpent, meaning deceiver; Satan, meaning opposer; Dragon, meaning destroyer; and Devil, meaning the slanderer of God. Ever since Satan has been the opponent of Jehovah God and the persecutor of all who serve God.
The Scriptures further teach that Satan the Devil challenged Jehovah God to put on earth any man that would be faithful and true to God at all times, Satan claiming that all men, under certain conditions, would curse God to his face. (Job 2:1-9) From that time until the present the human race has suffered woe, sickness, sorrow and death. In order that all creation might be able to intelligently determine who is supreme, and from whom the blessings of life and happiness proceed, and who is the just, wise and loving one, Jehovah or Satan, the great Jehovah God permitted or suffered Satan to put forth his endeavors to prove his wicked challenge, declaring His purpose in due time to bring the knowledge of the truth to all creation and to fully vindicate his own name. (Ex. 9: 16, Leeser) From the very beginning of man’s experience Satan has carried forward an organized opposition to God and to righteousness, and continues so to do, and will continue so to do until he and his organization are destroyed.
Early in the history of man Jehovah God made promise and stated this promise to Abraham that he would raise up a seed which would redeem the human race from death and through which seed all the families and nations of the earth should have opportunity for blessings. That promised seed is Christ, the Anointed of Jehovah God.–Gen. 12:1-3; 22:18; Gal. 3:16-29.
In due time Jehovah God sent his beloved Son, the Logos, to earth, who was made a man or human, instead of a spirit, that he might be the redeemer of mankind and the vindicator of Jehovah God’s name.–Heb. 2: 9; 5:7-9; John 3:16; Phil. 2:7.
When on earth Jesus was a perfect man, holy, sinless, and therefore competent to be man’s redeemer. (Matt. 1:18-25; Gal. 4:4; Luke 1:35) He began his ministry at the age of thirty years, and testified boldly to the truth, and for this reason was the object of constant and wicked persecution by the religionists of his time, and which religionists caused him to be crucified upon the tree. His lifeblood, poured out in death, provided the redemptive price for the human race. –Matt. 4:1-9; John 8:40-44; 1 Tim. 2:5,6, Heb. 9:22-26; 1 Pet. 1:18,19.
Jehovah God raised up Jesus out of death and exalted him to heaven and gave him a name above every name and committed into his hands all power in heaven and in earth and made him the Executive Officer of Jehovah to carry out his purposes –Eph. 1: 20- 22; Heb. 1: 3, 4; Matt. 28:18, Heb. 2.7, 8; 1 Pet. 3: 21,22; Ps 2:6, John 5:21-27, Isa. 9: 6, 7; Ps. 45: 6.
When on earth Jesus emphasised the fact that he came to be a witness to Jehovah’s Word of truth and that he spoke only what God had commanded him to speak. (John 18 37) Just before his crucifixion he especially impressed upon the minds of his disciples that he must die and go away to heaven to receive the authority for his kingdom, and that in God’s due time he would come again and receive his faithful ones to himself and set up his kingdom, and which kingdom would be a vindication of Jehovah’s name, and through which government the families and nations of the earth shall receive a blessing. He also emphasized the fact that he had suffered at the hands of Satan and his representatives, and that all of his true followers would likewise suffer; that he had borne testimony to the truth himself, and his followers must bear testimony to the truth, and for this reason Satan and his followers would persecute them.–Matt. 10:23-28; John 14:1-4; 8:40-44; 15:19-23.
The disciples inquired of Jesus what would be the evidence of his return, knowing that they would be unable to see him with natural eyes. To this question he replied that the evidence of his return, and the beginning of the exercise of his power, would be marked by a world war, in which nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and that this would be followed by famines and pestilence in the earth, and great distress of nations with perplexity amongst the people. (Matt. 24:1-12; Luke 21: 21- 25) The facts that have come to pass show that 1914 marked the time when the Lord Jesus took his power and was sent forth by Jehovah to rule. That marked the end of the waiting period and the beginning of the exercise of his regal authority.–Ps. 110:1, 2; 2:6; Rev. 11:16-18.
The Scriptures further show that the true followers of Christ Jesus do constitute a people taken out of the world for the name of Jehovah and that these must become Jehovah’s witnesses and bear testimony to his purposes.–Acts 15: 6-17; Rev. 12:17.
The Scriptures and the facts further show that in 1918 the Lord Jesus began to gather unto himself his faithful followers to examine them and make them the representatives of the Lord on earth (2 Thess. 2:1), and to these he committed his testimony and sent them forth to proclaim this gospel of the Kingdom. (Rev. 12:17; Matt. 24:14) These being taken out from amongst the nations as the witnesses to the name of Jehovah, God himself gives to them the name “Jehovah’s witnesses”, puts the Word of truth in their mouths, and sends them forth to testify. For this reason the faithful followers of Christ on earth are now designated “Jehovah’s witnesses”.–Isa. 62:1, 2; 43:9-12; 51:16.
The Scriptures also show that from and after 1918 all the true and faithful followers of Christ Jesus on earth must bear testimony to the truth as a witness to the rulers and to the peoples of the nations of earth; and that when this witness work is completed and the people have received notice, then there will come upon the world tribulation such as never before was known. That tribulation will be the battle of Armageddon, or the battle of the great day of God Almighty, which will completely wreck Satan’s organization and clear the way for the complete setting up of God’s kingdom of righteousness on earth amongst men. As Satan has always opposed Jehovah and those who serve him, so Satan and his agents, and particularly the religionists, the Scriptures teach, would oppose Jehovah’s witnesses and persecute them and hale them into court, and kill some of them; and the Lord admonishes his faithful followers that in the face of all such opposition they must continue to proclaim the message of truth concerning his kingdom, and this they must do without fear of man. (Matt. 10: 24-32, Mark 13:9, 10) In fulfilment of these prophetic commandments of the Lord, Jehovah’s witnesses are now engaged and must be engaged in testifying to God’s truth concerning the Kingdom, and for this reason Satan and his agents carry on a wicked and malicious persecution of Jehovah’s witnesses in all the countries of “Christendom”. The Scriptures also teach that these who continue faithful must do so without regard to persecution and are not to count this life dear unto them, nor to fear man, but to fear only God.–Matt. 10: 26-28.
Furthermore, the Scriptures foretold that the religionists would tell the people that the trouble upon the nations and peoples of the earth today is due to their lack of faithfulness to the religious organizations, and for that reason God is sending this trouble upon them; and also that such statement by the religionists is wholly false and a defamation of God’s name. Manifestly Satan is inducing this slander of Jehovah’s name in order to turn the people away from God. The present suffering and depression upon the world are shown by the Scriptures to be the result of Satan’s wickedness, as is stated: “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the seal for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.’’ – Rev. 12:12.
Following the complete destruction of Satan’s organization the people will be fully relieved of oppression. The righteous reign of Christ Jesus shall then open the way to all to love and serve God and find life everlasting in happiness, and those who do obey the Lord will live upon the earth forever, and not die. (John 17:3; 8:51; 11:25,26) “The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.”–Ps. 145: 20.
These are the cardinal points set forth in the Scriptures; and those who are devoted to God and his kingdom are now making these truths known in obedience to God’s commandment, and hence could not be in any wise in a propaganda work. (Matt. 10: 27-33) The faithful followers of Christ Jesus look forward with great joy to the early destruction of Satan’s organization and the complete establishment of the righteous government under Christ, the lifting of the burdens from the backs of the people, and the outpouring upon the obedient ones the abundant blessings that Jehovah long ago promised to those who love and serve him. The work of the Society, therefore, is a voluntary work of doing good to mankind by pointing out to them God’s gracious provision for creatures It is a righteous and unselfish work, because it is not done for the purpose of individual gain, but to honor the great Jehovah God. It is a work of righteousness, because it is done at the commandment of Jehovah God and in honor of his name. We therefore confidently point all persons of good will to the facts in the light of the Scriptures and ask them to give careful consideration to what is herein set forth concerning the work that is being carried on in the earth by the Society.
ANNUAL REPORT
JEHOVAH has blessed the united efforts of his witnesses on the earth during the past year, and it is a real joy to report the progress of that work. Having in mind that this witness work is carried forward in North America and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the isles of the sea, and that the printed message is distributed in fifty-eight different languages, you will appreciate the fact that in this report it is practically impossible to give the minute details of the work. We must be content to make mention of some of the more important facts. Even though the number of the witnesses in the field is small, and the opposition is much greater now than in times past, yet the results show that the work of hearing testimony to the name of Jehovah and his kingdom has gone steadily forward This fact will serve as a comfort to each one who is privileged to have a part in that work.
Every one of Jehovah’s witnesses today and every day delights to sing forth the praises of the Most High. It could not be otherwise with them. For many centuries the lovers of righteousness have waited for the coming of Jehovah’s King and his kingdom, and now Christ is here and his reign has begun. Soon wickedness shall be eliminated from the earth, Jehovah’s name vindicated, and the people brought to a realization of the fact that lasting peace has come to earth, and everlasting blessings to all who have good will toward God and righteousness. The fulfilment of the prophetic utterance at the time of the birth of Jesus is now being realized. (Luke 2: 9-14) Jehovah’s witnesses are privileged not only to discern these truths, but to announce them to others and thus to declare amongst the people the gracious works of the Almighty God With gladness they have received the truth, and with joy and boldness they tell the truth to others.–Isa. 12: 2-6.
First we delight to give thanks to Jehovah for the abundance of food provided for his own at the temple. He gave his word that all who are born of his organization shall be taught or fed by him and shall have great peace, and we have now abundant evidence that this precious promise is being fulfilled. Christ Jesus, the Head of Jehovah’s capital organization, has gathered unto himself at the temple those whom he has found faithful. Jehovah and Christ are the teachers, and Christ imparts to those of the temple company the present-day truths, and thus he teaches or feeds them upon food convenient for their upbuilding and consolation. All of the temple class fully appreciate the fact that no man is teaching them and that they need no man to teach them. Their strength comes from the Lord, because he is the great Shepherd of the sheep.
Among other precious things which the Lord has taught his people during the year is the truth that the church have ‘come into the unity of faith and knowledge’ and ‘henceforth are no more carried away by every wind of doctrine and the craftiness of men’. (Eph. 4:11-14) The cleansing of the temple is an accomplished fact. Those of the temple class are at unity, and henceforth ‘‘in his temple doth every one speak of his glory”.–Ps. 29: 9.
During the year among some of the companies there have been disturbances made by fault-finders and murmurers, but it is quite manifest that such faultfinders and trouble-makers are not of the temple. They may be walking along in the company of some of the temple members, but in fact they are outside of God’s organization and cannot see what is on the inside. Only those of the temple class appreciate the truth and rejoice in their privileges just now. The temple class will proceed together in unity. They will not, and are not disposed to, waste any time in discussing foolish and unnecessary things, nor do they make an effort to justify themselves before men, knowing that such a course is displeasing to the Lord. (Luke 16:15) They know that Christ Jesus is their Judge and, if they are faithful in the performance of their divinely given commission, they will please him and please the Eternal Father, and that is all-sufficient. For this reason the faithful push forward in the work which has been assigned to them. They have and do manifest patience, which means that, knowing they are right and doing the Lord’s work according to his commandment, and have the approval of the Lord, even though suffering great inconvenience, persecution and contradiction of sinners, they steadfastly move on and boldly declare God’s truth as they go.
During the year the great Teacher has made known to his own the meaning of other prophecies not heretofore understood, and these truths have served as a great comfort and stimulus to the faithful, and thus the Lord has sustained them in making a hard battle. As you read here concerning some of the experiences of your brethren in other parts of the earth you will rejoice that you are privileged to be a part of the organization of the Lord that suffers at the hands of the wicked and yet amidst all such cruel opposition does not break its ranks but marches onward singing the praises of the Most High. Every one of the temple loves every other member of that blessed temple class, and all must be and are at complete unity. It is a little company united in the holy cause of Jehovah’s kingdom and in obedience to his commandments which continues to lift high the standard of the King that others may have the opportunity to know the true God and to set their hopes upon his King and kingdom.
During the year the message of truth has been ‘proclaimed from the housetops’ by means of radio, by other means of speech, and by the wide distribution of books, booklets and magazines. The factory in Brooklyn has run on full time. Likewise the factory in Switzerland has operated full time. The Society’s factory at Magdeburg, Germany, during the first part of the year operated three shifts of eight hours each per day, but about the middle of the year the enemy succeeded in closing it down. The production during the year, however, will be of great comfort and satisfaction to those who have had some part in the work. The distribution of the books and booklets amongst the people in all languages during the year has reached the aggregate of 24,074,401 volumes. Had not the enemy hindered the work in Germany the distribution would have been greater. We are not disturbed, however. The Lord is at the helm and he has good reason in permitting everything, and with this we are entirely content.
AMERICA
Since the main executive office of the Society is situated at 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York, and the principal manufacturing plant at 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York, in the United States of America, the report from here is first set out, followed by reports of other parts of the earth. The main office at Brooklyn, and every branch office of the Society on earth, makes a report every thirty days of the progress of the work, including the cost of operation, and the general outlook in the field. These reports are sent to the president’s office, where they are carefully examined and checked and thus furnish the information which is the basis for the general direction of the work.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Enemies of Jehovah’s work in the earth give themselves much concern about how the money is obtained to carry forward the work of this Society. Religionists are always begging for money, and, seeing that our Society never solicits money, our opponents are perplexed and are compelled to trump up some kind of false charge as to the source of our income. Among the false charges made is the one that this Society is engaged in a book-selling scheme for profit. The facts are these: A small amount of money is taken for the publications of the Society, but on the whole this amount is less than the cost of production and publication. During the year the receipts for all the publications of the Society aggregate the sum of $455,080.62, while the costs of production and publication aggregate $662,187.64, leaving a deficit of $207,107.02. Of this amount branch offices returned to the Home Office the sum of $102,000.00, leaving a deficit still to the amount of $105,107.02. This deficit is made up by voluntary contributions of men and women who love God and who desire to have some part in the bringing to them the comforting message of truth concerning God’s kingdom, which is the only hope of the world. Millions of money are spent in worldly schemes upon a pretext of finding relief, but there is no human power that can relieve the peoples now. In the name of God’s King the people must hope. The Society contracts no debts, but expends money when it is in sight or in hand. The brethren make their contributions as the Lord prospers them, and thus the Lord carries forward his work.
The books and publications that are written and copyrighted by the president of the Society are in fact the property of the Society, and no part thereof belongs to the president or the writer. The copyright for each publication is immediately assigned to the Society, and that without royalty or other pecuniary consideration. Those who labor at the offices and factory, and in the gardens which produce food for the family, receive their necessary food and housing space and the small allowance of fifteen dollars per month for clothing and other incidental expenses. No one of the organization receives any pecuniary profit. All they have is wholly devoted to the Lord. As everybody is aware, the economic conditions throughout the earth are very bad; but in the face of all such the Lord has graciously provided the necessary means to carry on his work. Almost all of the contributions are in small amounts, because those who are rich in this world’s goods do not love the Lord. It is manifest that the Lord God through Christ Jesus is putting it into the hearts of the people who love righteousness to supply the necessary money, and that without any solicitation whatever; and to the Lord God thanks are due.
FACTORY
By the term "factory”, as used herein, is meant the printing and bookbinding machinery and establishment at 117 Adams St, Brooklyn, where the literature is published in twenty-two different languages and shipped out for distribution. I can do no better than to quote from the office manager’s report, to wit:
"Jehovah has favored those who have the privilege of working at Bethel, whether it be at the factory or at the office or anywhere. In the building at 117 Adams Street there were an average of 138 working, to compare with 140 of the previous year. Even with fewer brethren, more work was accomplished. This can be accredited to unity, the Lord’s spirit and love for the work. Each one in the factory is able to operate two or more machines, so that when it is necessary to run second shifts the brethren can be transferred from one department to another and do that which is most important to be done at the time. Sometimes those in the office are put in the factory to help out during rush periods. All of the brethren are willing to do work other than their regular work, which keeps them busy all the year around, and give a helping hand when extra effort must be put forth to produce large quantities of literature.
“During the year the factory was operating 269 working days of 8 1/2 hours each. In addition to this time it was necessary to put on an extra night shift, which generally began at 5: 30 in the evening and ran till 2: 30 in the morning, for 22 days during the year. Also on 24 other days it was necessary to operate some machines extra time, from 7:00 in the evening until 9: 30. Most of this extra work was required a month or two prior to the Remnant’s Thanksgiving Period, in the spring, at which time the Crisis booklet was being produced, and also during the month of August, when we were getting out Escape to the Kingdom and making such large shipments of literature prior to closing down the factory for two weeks.
PRODUCTION
“During the 269 working days in the factory it has been the privilege of the brethren to produce more literature than any time in the 6 1/2 years that the factory has been in operation. In February, 1927, this factory began to produce, and in the first year there were manufactured 6,500,000 books and booklets and approximately 3,400,000 copies of magazines. Since then the factory has steadily increased, and this year the factory has produced 21,314,159 books and booklets. During the same period there were 4,691,750 copies of magazines produced, making a grand total of books, booklets and magazines for the fiscal year 1933, 26,005,909, to compare with last year’s production of 18,655,847.
“A good many machines have been added to the factory in this period of time, and the brethren have become very efficient in the operation of these machines and, with the Lord’s spirit and blessing upon them, have been able to bring about such a large increase in the manufacture of the Kingdom message. These books are not being made and put in storage, but are being made because the demand in the field requires this number, as can be seen from the distribution report of the literature from the factory.
“During the 269 working days the average daily production in the factory of clothbound books was 11,057, to compare with last year’s 10,453 bound books daily. The average daily production of booklets for the past year was 68,177, to compare with the previous year’s average of 42,506 booklets daily. Not only did the factory produce more books, booklets and magazines during the past year, but the increase in what we call odd jobs was very large. During the past year there were 16,000 calendars made, 7 5,000 catalogs, 2,204,506 office forms, bulletins, workers’ slips, 1,970,500 Jehovah’s witnesses’ calling cards, as well as 31,373,800 radio folders. This makes a grand total of odd-job printing of 35,639,806, to compare with last year’s total of this kind of work, 22,832,795. The increase of 1933 over the year 1932 in this nature of work is 12,807,011. In regard to the radio folders, 17,000,000 were used to advertise the regular transcription programs throughout the United States. The other 14,300,000 were used to advertise radio chain broadcasts and were given to the brethren free for distribution. The total number of individual pieces of matter printed during the twelve months of 1933 is more than 61,000,000.
“During the year the brethren had the blessed privilege of working on two new books and two new booklets. In the early part of the year the Preservation book was completed, and is having a very splendid circulation. During the last few days of the year the autographed edition of Preparation was completed, and was ready for the brethren before October 1. This book undoubtedly will find an unprecedented distribution during the year 1934. The Crisis booklet had the greatest production of any publication in the factory during the year. It was ready for distribution in the Remnant’s Thanksgiving Period. Up to the present time the booklet has been produced in the Brooklyn factory in twenty different languages, and it has reached a grand total of 5,208,047 in the English and foreign languages. Escape to the Kingdom came later in the year, and this takes second place as to production. Near the close of the year a special Golden Age was prepared by Brother Rutherford, and 1,100,000 copies of his lecture ‘‘Religious Intolerance: Why” and his open letter to the Catholic press were printed and shipped out to all the workers in the United States for free distribution along with other booklets. This campaign was very successful and brought about a tremendous witness, as is shown in the report of field activities.
“During the fiscal year 1933 there were 149 different publications in the form of books and booklets printed. In addition to the books and booklets were the regular issue of The Golden Age and the Luz y Verdad, or Spanish publication, also the regular issue of the English Watchtower and its translation in nine other languages.
PUBLICATIONS PRINTED IN FOLLOWING LANGUAGES IN 1933
The Harp of God: English, Bohemian, Spanish, Ukrainian. Deliverance: English, Finnish, Russian, Ukrainian, Yoruba. Creation: Hollandish, Spanish.
Reconciliation: Bohemian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Hollandish, Korean, Slovak.
Government: English, French, Italian, Swedish, Ukrainian.
Life: Danish, French, Hollandish, Lithuanian.
Prophecy: Danish, German, Italian.
Light Book One: English, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese.
Light Book Two: English, German, Greek, Japanese.
Vindication Book One: English, Afrikaans, Danish, Finnish.
Vindication Book Two: English, German.
Vindication Book Three: English, German.
Preservation: English.
Year Book: English, Danish.
Preparation: English.
Escape to the Kingdom: English, French, Greek, Spanish.
The Crisis: English, Afrikaans, Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hollandish, Icelandic, Italian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Ukrainian.
The Kingdom: English, Afrikaans, Chinese, German, Ilocano, Itahan, Portuguese, Swedish, Tagalog, Yiddish.
Who Is God?: English.
What Is Truth?: English.
Cause of Death: English.
Hereafter: English
Good News: English.
Liberty: Enghsh.
Final War: English.
What You Need: Enghsh.
Health and Life: English.
Home and Happiness: English.
Keys of Heaven: English
Heaven and Purgatory: Enghsh, Chinese, Finnish, French, Hollandish, Japanese, Portuguese, Yoruba.
Crimes and Calamities: English, Japanese, Spanish.
War or Pease: English, Armenian, Chinese, French, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Yoruba.
Oppression: Japanese, Korean, Spanish.
Judgment: Bulgarian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish.
Prosperity Sure: Japanese, Spanish.
Where Are the Dead?: English, Bulgarian, Chinyanja, Greek, Korean, Xosa, Yoruba.
Hell: Chinese, Hungarian, Xosa.
Lord’s Beturn: Hungarian, Polish, Spanish, Yoruba. Last Days: Greek, Japanese, Spanish, Yoruba.
Standard for the People. Chinyanja, Sesuto.
Intolerance: French
MATERIAL
“In order to produce this literature it required the purchasing of 2,191 tons of paper, and 169 tons of chip board which is used in the covers of the clothbound books. This means that during the year we have received in the factory in paper and cardboard alone 118 earloads. This is better than two carloads a week. That means that on the average there are 8 tons of paper that go through the presses each day in the printing of the Kingdom message. Additionally, the purchase was made of 246,418 yards of cloth, 2,047 rolls of gold tape and 74 barrels of paste. These three items were used in the preparing of the covers. Then there were 45,400 yards of crash, 662 spools of thread and 14,844 pounds of glue used in the manufacture of clothbound books. This glue that was used we manufactured ourselves in our own glue department. The glue we make is much stronger and better than that we have purchased heretofore, and it goes farther. We made more bound books this year than last year and used about 700 pounds less glue, and this glue was made at a much cheaper cost to us than if we had bought it on the open market. In a year’s time we save approximately $600 on glue alone. Every effort is made by the Society to save in every department possible.
“The Society manufactures its own ink and paint, and during the year this department produced 36,669 pounds of ink. This is equal to one carload. We made a saving of several thousand dollars during the year in the manufacture of ink alone. We have also made 515 gallons of paint, which was used in the factory and office and Bethel home.
SHIPMENTS
“During the fiscal year 1933 there was more literature shipped out from the Brooklyn factory than at any time before. From Brooklyn the two depots in the United States are supplied with books and booklets in carload lots, and from these points the literature is reshipped. This saves money for the Society in shipping charges, as well as making it possible to supply rush orders with greater efficiency. During the year from these three points, Brooklyn, St. Louis and Oakland, orders were filled and shipped to the amount of 2,318,621 bound books, 17,280,116 booklets and 13,780 Bibles. In addition to these publications there were mailed and shipped over 4,600,000 magazines and more than 31,000,000 radio folders. When our trucks go to the piers or freight stations with literature the men there are astounded at how well our business keeps going. Little they know that this is the Lord’s business and, even though the depression has hit all other business, it does not affect the Lord’s work, because the time has come to preach the Kingdom. It has given our truck drivers splendid opportunities at different times to witness to these persons.
“At the present time we are bringing in from the piers and freight yards at least two carloads of raw materials each week, and at the same time we are dispatching each week literature that amounts to two carloads. The total number of books, booklets and Bibles shipped out during the year is 19,612,517, to compare with last year’s grand total of 13,750,707. This is an increase of nearly six million books and booklets over that of the previous year.
“The booklets have had an unprecedented shipment. The Crisis booklet takes the lead: 4,360,665 were shipped out in the English language, and 320,622 in foreign languages. This brings the total Crisis booklets shipped from the Brooklyn factory to 4,681,- 287. The Escape to the Kingdom booklet, which came out late in the year and is being used in the first testimony period of the coming year, the Kingdom Proclamation Period, has been shipped out to the extent of 3,141,383. All of the other booklets, which are more or less new, such as the new series that came out last year, have had a very fine distribution. We have shipped out over one-half million of practically every one of them. A special campaign was put on during the month of September in connection with giving a very direct witness to the Catholics through a special Golden Age as well as Heaven and Purgatory, Crimes and Calamities and War or Peace booklets. These booklets were practically all shipped to the field in this month. It is an interesting comparison to see how the literature is sent from the Brooklyn office to the different divisions in the field, namely, the branches, companies, pioneers, auxiliaries, and to the public direct. The following is a table setting out this distribution:
Books
Booklets
Bibles
1933 Total
1932 Total
Branches
924,820
6,717,090
1,934
7,643,844
3,877,689
245,450*
768,950*
56*
1,014,456*
1,248,134*
Companies
228,010
4,596,940
2,218
4,827,168
3,518,051
51,104”
…