1983 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses

Source: jw.org

Contents

Title Page/Publishers’ Page

Index of Countries

1983 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times

Australia

Portugal

Jehovah’s Progressive Organization

Yeartext for 1983

Title Page/Publishers’ Page

1983 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Containing Report for the Service Year of 1982

Also Daily Text and Comments

Jehovah’s Witnesses rejoice in being “steadfast, unmovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord”; they know that their labor is not in vain.—1 Cor. 15:58.

Index of Countries

Page

24 1982 Service Year Report, 205 Countries

Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times in:

66 Australia

130 Portugal

260 Yeartext for 1983

261 Daily Text and Comments

1983 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

THE GREATEST MAN ever to walk this earth, the most outstanding figure of all human history, was without question Jesus Christ. It was not his physical stature, his brawn and brute strength, his genius as a military leader, nor his astute political or financial acumen that earned him this reputation. Rather, his great accomplishments as a preacher and teacher distinguished him from all other men.

And what made this man Jesus so great a teacher? Several things. He always spoke the truth. He upheld his heavenly Father’s Word as truth and he urged others to do the same. (John 17:17; 18:37) To those who became his disciples, Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” yes, free from ignorance, superstition and fear.—John 8:32.

Another reason that Jesus stood head and shoulders above all other teachers was his kind and gentle way of dealing with the lowly and downtrodden people among whom he freely moved. Even opposers admitted that “never has another man spoken like this.” (John 7:46) He was forceful and direct, to be sure, yet never rude, arrogant or inconsiderate. “The crowds were astounded at his way of teaching; for he was teaching them as a person having authority, and not as their scribes.”—Matt. 7:28, 29.

How did this man Jesus acquire such admirable qualities that characterized him as the Great Teacher? To be sure, he was the only-begotten Son of God, who had left his heavenly abode and had become flesh, a perfect human. But this in itself did not automatically equip him with the wonderful teaching characteristics that he displayed. Rather, at all times Jesus sought to learn what his heavenly Father wanted him to say and to do.

This attitude was apparent from the very beginning of his ministry. The apostle Paul describes Jesus as saying: “Look! I am come (in the roll of the book it is written about me) to do your will, O God.” “Look! I am come to do your will.”—Heb. 10:7-9; compare Psalm 40:8.

With Jesus the conclusion of the matter was not his presenting himself to his heavenly Father at the Jordan River and being baptized. Six months after his baptism Jesus was saying: “My food is for me to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work.” A year later he was saying: “The Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative, . . . because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him that sent me.” Then a year after that he was saying: “I have come down from heaven to do, not my will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 4:34; 5:19, 30; 6:38) Yes, “the Christ did not please himself” but always sought to do his Father’s will.—Rom. 15:3.

The principal theme of Jesus’ preaching and teaching concerned “the kingdom of the heavens,” “the kingdom of God.” (Matt. 4:17; Mark 1:15) Many of his illustrations centered on this Kingdom theme. (Matt. 13:10-53; Mark 4:10-34; Luke 13:18-30) When teaching his disciples how to pray, he linked the sanctifying of Jehovah’s name to the coming Kingdom and the doing of God’s will.—Matt. 6:9, 10.

One is impressed by the way Jesus was constantly seeking to know his Father’s will and good pleasure, right down to the final hours in Gethsemane. There we find him in earnest prayer repeatedly saying to his Father, “Not as I will, but as you will . . . let your will take place.” “Not what I want, but what you want.”—Matt. 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36.

OTHERS URGED TO FOLLOW JESUS’ EXAMPLE

In all aspects of his ministry Jesus left his disciples the perfect model for them “to follow his steps closely.” (1 Pet. 2:21) The apostle Paul wrote: “You received the instruction from us on how you ought to walk and please God, just as you are in fact walking, that you would keep on doing it more fully.”—1 Thess. 4:1.

As those first-century Christians followed through on their Kingdom-preaching assignment, they made a spectacular record. In a few years’ time it was said that the good news “was preached in all creation that is under heaven.” (Col. 1:23) What they accomplished amid great adversity and open opposition was due to their relying on Jehovah’s holy spirit as the guiding force in their ministry.

Now what about modern times? Do we find people today who are truly following in the footsteps of Christ Jesus? Yes, indeed! It is no secret that Jehovah’s Witnesses faithfully follow in the footsteps of their King and Exemplar, Christ Jesus, wherever he leads them. They are dedicated to the doing of Jehovah’s will and not their own. They are no part of this Satan-ruled world and have nothing to do with its politics or territorial wars. They are morally clean and worthy of representing the pure and holy God Jehovah as ambassadors and envoys of his righteous Kingdom. The world report of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the past service year gives abundant evidence of these facts.

THE WORLD IS THE FIELD

Concerning this time of the harvest Jesus said, “The field is the world.” (Matt. 13:38) It is therefore most gratifying to review the worldwide field report for the past year, for it shows that a tremendous harvest has been reaped.—See pages 24-31.

A quick rundown of the figures indicates that the vast majority of the countries have seen increases in many features of the work. For the 205 countries listed, there has been an increase of 4.2 percent in the average number of publishers compared with the previous year. Too, the average number of pioneers increased by 14.3 percent. There were also increases of 7.3 percent in hours and 7.5 percent in Bible studies. The number baptized was way up, 15.6 percent! The Memorial attendance was also up by 4.4 percent in spite of the fact that in 1981 the Memorial was observed on a Sunday.

From country after country come reports of great increases in the number of brothers who have engaged in the auxiliary pioneer work this past year. For example, Sweden said that in April every sixth publisher served in some type of pioneer work. Thailand says that 21 percent of the publishers in that country were in various kinds of full-time service. Portugal reports a 48-percent increase in auxiliary pioneers over their previous peak. In Korea auxiliary pioneers increased 30 percent. “With more ‘front-line warriors,’” they say, “we hope to reap a greater increase in the new service year.” South Africa writes: “In four months’ time a Zulu traveling overseer helped 71 publishers to enroll as auxiliary pioneers and a further 22 to enter regular pioneer service. In each of his past few circuits this brother has helped over 50 persons to become regular pioneers.”

Mexico reports an all-time peak of 113,823 publishers in August. Also their home Bible studies surpassed 111,000. “At regular meetings,” they say, “the attendance is double the number of publishers. In one congregation of 32 publishers the attendance is 255.” Japan passed the 70,000 mark of publishers this past year (72,015 in August, a 19-percent increase). Also their Bible studies greatly increased over the previous year. Japan adds: “We cannot go without commenting on the pioneer spirit. In June we had 25,140 pioneers and that was about 36 percent of all our publishers! . . . We do feel that there will be another big gathering of sheeplike ones before the great tribulation, as Jehovah surely speeds up his work.” In the United States the 613,007 reporting in August was an all-time peak. Particularly exciting was the fact that 75,538 enrolled in the auxiliary pioneer work in April in the United States. This was 24,530 more than the previous peak, in April 1979.

It is not only in the large countries where high percentages were reported but also in small faraway places like the Faroe Islands where they say that in the first 10 months of the service year there was a 23-percent increase in the number of Bible studies and a 24-percent increase in magazine distribution.

But more interesting than the mere figures are the branch reports that relate some of the thrilling experiences the Kingdom publishers have had in their various preaching activities. We are happy to relate some of these as space allows.

FIELD EXPERIENCES

Among those baptized in Thailand this past year was a famous fortune-teller. She is a descendant of a former city chieftain and had inherited priceless amulet charms and many books on spiritism and magic. People would come from far and wide to consult her. A special pioneer placed a booklet with her and on the return visit began a Bible study using chapter 3 in the Truth book. The woman applied what she was learning, and soon she destroyed about $500 worth of spiritistic paraphernalia and amulets that she had inherited. In a short time she was baptized.

Ivory Coast tells about two brothers working from house to house. They met a man who explained in a trembling voice, “I was expecting you! I hope you will excuse me for not having paid the rent for these past three months. Both my wife and mother are ill.” The brothers, realizing that they had been mistaken for the agents of the housing company, suggested that he go to the housing manager and explain his problems. Then they added, “However, we did come to talk about housing, a house you will be able to build and live in yourself without fear of anyone disturbing you for rent money.” They reasoned with him on the basis of the prophecy of Isaiah 65:21, 22. The booklet A Secure Future was placed, and a Bible study was started.

A special pioneer in Chad, returning home, was singing Kingdom songs despite the eerie silence throughout the city. The people were whispering that war was about to explode right in their midst. His singing was overheard by an older, very fervent Catholic man who had earlier chased the pioneer from his door with the words “I have become bald-headed as a Catholic” (meaning that he could not change now). But this particular day, amazed that the pioneer should be singing, he asked, “What makes you so happy when the entire country is in cold fear?” With the man’s own Catholic Bible the Witness explained why the world is in such a frightful mess and pointed to the wonderful hope of an earthly Paradise. A study was started on the spot, and within one week this formerly avid Catholic was attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall. Within three weeks he started divorce proceedings, as he was also a polygamist. After several months the man was baptized and he continues zealously serving Jehovah, bald head and all.

From Ecuador comes this experience. A 10-year-old boy along with his grandmother visiting from Germany called on a woman who had taken the magazines. She requested that they explain the Trinity, and she was very much impressed to see this young boy give her a reasonable explanation as to what the Bible teaches. A local sister then started a Bible study with the lady. When shown that none of the fundamental doctrines of the Catholic Church were based on the Bible, she arranged for one of the most qualified priests available to come to her home. Asked to defend the Church’s teaching on the Trinity, the cross, and so forth, the priest became very confused. He had no knowledge of the Bible. The woman was then convinced that she had found the truth, but her husband remained skeptical, not believing in God or the Bible. However, when he was given the book Is the Bible Really the Word of God? he made rapid progress and, together with his wife, was baptized. Their three children now are also baptized Witnesses. This experience illustrates the three steps necessary for growth—the boy and his grandmother planted, another sister watered, while Jehovah’s spirit produced the growth to maturity.

The Puerto Rico branch tells about an interested person who was studying with a special pioneer but whose husband showed no desire to do so. One day his five-year-old daughter said, “Daddy, I want to grow up so I can be baptized.” Later she said, “Daddy, please study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses so that you will not be destroyed and then you can be with us in Paradise.” These words of the young child and the great change in his wife’s conduct made him think. He asked for a Bible study and is making good progress.

Similarly, the Korean branch tells how a mother’s training her boy from infancy had amazing results. The father was an official in the military affairs section of his district office and had deep prejudices against the Witnesses. One day in the absence of the mother, the father forced the boy to go to the store to buy him cigarettes, saying: “Your mother isn’t home and won’t see you.” The boy reluctantly obeyed but came back with two bottles of a cola drink and asked his father to sip on those instead. He told his father that, though his mother couldn’t see him, God could. So because of the steadfast conduct of the boy and his mother and brother, the father eventually became interested and studied to the point of making a dedication.

FAITHFUL AND LOYAL DESPITE OPPOSITION

In Haiti a married woman began studying the Bible, made good progress and attended meetings at the Kingdom Hall. When her husband started to oppose her she continued her study elsewhere. Meanwhile she became pregnant, and her husband wanted her to have an abortion. When she tried to explain to him why her conscience kept her from having the abortion, her husband beat her almost every day in order to induce an abortion. He then chased her and the children out of the house. Finally he divorced her. Nevertheless, she continued making good progress, was finally baptized and now is an active publisher.

Finland reports how one sister experienced a lot of opposition from her husband, yet remained firm for the truth and was rewarded. “On many occasions he beat me black and blue. Once he hit me so hard that I lost consciousness. On another occasion he held a pistol at my temple, threatening to shoot me. But some time later my husband had a change of heart. Not only did he accompany me to the 1982 district convention where I was baptized, but later, when visiting some of his relatives in Sweden, he showed them copies of The Watchtower and Awake!, saying, ‘These are good magazines. We hope you would like to read them, too.’ Now I am hoping that my husband will take the final step for the truth.”

UNDERGROUND ACTIVITIES

In harmony with the yeartext of 1982, Jehovah’s Witnesses have had “plenty to do in the work of the Lord” in more than 200 countries. (1 Cor. 15:58) In 28 of these countries the work is restricted, and yet here too there have been increases. Many thrilling reports filter out of those countries. These indicate angelic direction of the work that is accomplished underground in spite of the obstacles. Some unusual incidental circumstances are seized to interest people in the Kingdom message.

For example, a 55-year-old lady was attempting to cross the street. Just as a car was about to hit her, a sister grabbed her arm and pulled her to safety, saying, “Please take care. We are living in perilous times.” She then explained why the times are so dangerous. The lady said, “Are you one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” As it turned out she had obtained a Paradise book from among the possessions of her sister who had not been a Witness and had recently died. After reading the book with her Bible, the lady had been wanting to meet one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and, no doubt by angelic direction, this dangerous incident made it all possible.

From another country where the work is banned comes this experience: “As I was walking past some benches in a park I felt drawn toward a young man who started a conversation about the beauty of nature and the unpleasant world conditions. Soon we began talking about the Bible, and this in turn led to a discussion of 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and Matthew 24:3-42. His interest was aroused, leading to a home Bible study with him and his wife.”

Another writes: “We were walking past a house and noticed watercress growing in the garden. We asked the owners if they knew that the leaves were edible. They answered, ‘No.’ We told them about the antibiotic qualities of this plant and talked about the many terrible diseases in the world. The question was raised whether all the sicknesses will ever be eliminated. Soon we were invited into the home and a Bible discussion followed.”

Here is another example of informal witnessing: “In a secondhand book store a man said, ‘I am interested in ancient history.’ I asked him if he knew which was the oldest and most reliable history book. He did not. So I took a Bible from a shelf and turned to Genesis chapter 10, showing him that here was a chart of the races. In speaking about the Flood and about Noah and his sons, I said they were listed in dictionaries and encyclopedias as historical personages. The man was so impressed, he gave me his address and he is now being visited.”

Where preaching openly is prohibited, funerals and weddings often afford good opportunities to give a witness, since many acquaintances are often present. One brother reported: “At the departure from the graveyard, not a few persons joined us and expressed their thanks for ‘excellent thoughts and hope.’ Two Bible studies were started and return visits were made on other families.”

In Southeast Asia the Civil Intelligence Department rounded up 39 of our brothers and sisters at one of their meetings. The report says, “As if by a miracle the article scheduled to be studied the week after the police action was ‘Happy Are You When People Persecute You.’ All the brothers and sisters continue maintaining their integrity regardless of whatever persecution the Devil brings upon them.”

From an island where the work is banned a brother, after serving his eight-month jail sentence, went about encouraging the brothers to keep busy in the witness work. He feels much stronger spiritually and more dependent upon Jehovah as a result of his court and prison experiences.

One African land reports that in some areas there is sporadic persecution, sometimes very violent, but in other districts the brothers are enjoying relative freedom in their preaching work. In one instance a former member of parliament and a regional minister started to study, and in another area four party men likewise started studying. It is also reported that the pioneer spirit is growing in this country.

Many countries are experiencing various types of civil war—Ireland, El Salvador, Lebanon and others. But only in very few instances have our brothers suffered physical injury. Their neutrality has proved to be their protection. Reports from these areas also show that Jehovah has prospered the Kingdom-preaching work in spite of the hardships and difficulties.

For example, all the missionaries were expelled from Nicaragua, and the Kingdom Halls have been seized by the leftist government. But this has not stopped the work by any means.

Argentina reports: “Although we are still not recognized as a legal, religious organization, we are moving ahead with our activity.” There has been an 8-percent increase in the number of publishers. The reports from Paraguay are also very encouraging despite the ban on the work.

SPECIAL RELIEF MEASURES

Heavy rains, flooding and violent storms have plagued a number of areas around the world. Whenever the Witnesses are affected, our brothers have come to their aid with special relief.

An example was when the Chichonal volcano in southern Mexico blew up. The branch reports: “Immediate relief measures were instituted for over 200 families of Witnesses affected by the eruption. A group of soldiers in Ostuacán expressed orally what many other persons could easily observe: ‘No other organization has shown such interest in their associates as you have. No one else has penetrated so close to the volcano to render aid.’”

BLOOD ISSUE

The issue of blood transfusions has been faced up to by many brothers around the world. Oftentimes opposition from the doctors, nurses and judges, as well as unfavorable publicity in the public press, has put much pressure upon our brothers, but the result has been a tremendous witness.

The most notorious case this year was the one in Italy involving the Onedas. Brother and Sister Oneda were sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, have already been in jail more than 2 years and are still awaiting the outcome of their appeal. (For details see Awake!, October 22, 1982.) In the meantime they have received thousands of letters of encouragement from their brothers around the world. This flood of mail has resulted in a mighty witness in behalf of Jehovah and his faithful Witnesses.

DISTRICT CONVENTIONS

Among the highlights of our activities during the past service year has been the series of district conventions. In the southern hemisphere the 1981 “Kingdom Loyalty” conventions were held, whereas in the northern hemisphere the brothers enjoyed the 1982 “Kingdom Truth” conventions.

Concerning the latter series, many expressions of appreciation for the program, as well as for the releases, have been received. Here are a few examples: “Where in Christendom would you find the kind of love that you see here?” “This convention got to the ‘nitty-gritty.’ It didn’t beat around the bush.” “It is one of the most upbuilding, encouraging, positive and spiritual conventions I have ever attended.” “It put us back on the main track; it helped us to reset our compasses.”

After hearing the talk “Beware of Music That Debases,” one sister commented: “This talk showed the importance of paying attention not only to the music we hear but also to the lyrics. As a professional singer I know that music can rape the mind.” Canada writes, “Thank you for taking a clear position on matters such as permissiveness and debasing music—most timely!” Friday’s talks on pioneering were also a stimulus to many in attendance. One sister explained, “What I appreciated about the part is what it emphasized as the key to success, be it auxiliary or regular pioneering, and that was relying on Jehovah.”

The releases, too, were enjoyed very much. Writes one appreciative mother, “Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! is fantastic for children. My three-year-old daughter is already telling me about the pictures and is eager to learn more.” Sweden writes: “After looking through the new book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, a brother spontaneously expressed what many felt: ‘This makes me yearn for the field service. It has put a new fire in my bones.’”

In other ways the district conventions sometimes have far-reaching effects. Puerto Rico writes: “The director of sports for the southwest area was so impressed with the order, peace, cleanliness and fine spirit at the assembly that he made us an offer. We could have the use of any of the government recreation facilities free of charge so that we could organize different sports events among the Witnesses. Then it could be announced so that others could come and learn how to organize and act in public. In this way, according to this director, the fine conduct of Jehovah’s Witnesses would rub off on the others. We thanked him very much but also explained that we found it necessary to change the people first through Bible study and the applying of Bible principles. Then they become good associates.”

EXPANSION OF BRANCH FACILITIES

Another evidence of Jehovah’s rich blessing on the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work is seen in the expansion of Bethel homes and factories in many parts of the earth. During this past year quite a number of these new facilities were completed and were dedicated, including those in Canada, Ivory Coast, Japan and Korea. In Brooklyn, New York, the 25 Columbia Heights office structure was also completed and dedicated to Jehovah God’s service.

With the completion of the beautiful new branch building in Sweden many businessmen and political figures were greatly impressed by what had been accomplished. The branch reports: “We always try to direct the visitor’s attention to the One behind the achievement. In this way a fine testimony to Jehovah’s glory has been given.”

A few large Assembly Halls and many Kingdom Halls have also been constructed this past year—all evidence of Jehovah’s blessing on his expanding organization.

Construction of new branch facilities is at present under way in Australia, Britain, Denmark, Germany, India, Martinique, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, South Africa and Tahiti, as well as at Watchtower Farms in the United States. Other branches that are looking for new property or planning to build new facilities include Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Haiti, Lebanon, Liberia, New Zealand, Peru, Taiwan, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zaïre.

MAGAZINES APPRECIATED

Magazine production and distribution climbed up more than 8 percent this past year. Total printing worldwide was more than 455,000,000 copies! This is evidence in itself of how much these publications are appreciated by the reading public.

From Chile’s report we read: “A special pioneer making a return visit asked the lady what book teaches us the will of God. ‘The Watchtower, of course,’ she said. Our sister proceeded to explain that it was, rather, the Bible. ‘Yes, but what would I do with my recently obtained Bible if I did not use The Watchtower to understand it?’—Acts 8:31.”

The Awake! magazine is now published quarterly in some 17 different languages and has been received with great enthusiasm in many countries. Reporting on the reception of one of these new quarterlies, Lebanon writes: “The Awake! magazine began to be published for the first time in Arabic and it is certainly much appreciated by the Arabic-speaking brothers. . . . a real source of encouragement.” This nicely expresses the sentiments of many other language groups that now enjoy the quarterly editions of Awake!

NEW PRESSES AND BINDERY EQUIPMENT

There has been a great demand from the field for more literature, and this in turn has put a heavy load on production facilities. Here in the United States alone we have printed 212,427,410 magazines; 20,798,332 books; 11,980,532 booklets; 54,879,418 tracts. With the phasing out of old, outdated lead plates with raised printing surfaces, most of this printing has been done on offset presses. In Brooklyn we have five rotary offset presses with three more on order. At Watchtower Farms three such presses are now running and two more are being installed. In addition there are high-speed rotary offset presses in Canada, Britain, Germany, Japan and South Africa.

By taking parts from two of our M.A.N. presses, a company was able to build for us an offset press that has been installed and is running in Switzerland. So successful was this venture that we now have on order 17 more of these converted presses that will be used in our printing branches around the world.

In addition to the bookbinding equipment in the United States, Germany and Japan, we also have similar equipment in Brazil, Finland and Italy, thus giving these branches the ability to print and bind their own books in addition to printing magazines. Korea, too, will soon get binding equipment. Japan is printing and binding the complete New World Translation in Japanese, for which the branch has orders for more than 1,000,000 copies.

COMPUTER DEVELOPMENTS

The obsolescence of letterpress printing has made it necessary for the Society to move rapidly into computerized phototypesetting. This has been no small undertaking, but with Jehovah’s spirit and blessing, tremendous advancements have been made by our brothers in the United States, Japan, Germany and South Africa. We are now building some 40 MEPS (Multilanguage electronic phototypesetting systems), developed entirely by our brothers, that will be set up in branches that do translating. This powerful MEPS computer equipment will be able to handle up to 250 different languages—a must if we are to get this good news of the Kingdom published in printed form for all inhabitants of the earth before the end.—Matt. 24:14.

CASSETTE RECORDINGS

A few years ago we started to record the Bible and other material on cassettes for the enjoyment and instruction of the brothers. These cassettes have been very much appreciated. During the past year Brooklyn produced 3,686,468 tapes of various recordings in addition to those produced by other branches.

PIONEERS

In the last few years the economic pressure on the brothers has greatly increased. It would have seemed, then, that fewer would have the means to support themselves in the pioneer service. However, the figures for the last three years indicate otherwise. The average number of pioneers has gone from 137,861 (1980), to 151,180 (1981), to a new all-time peak of 172,859 (1982). This is an increase of 14.3 percent in just the last year!

A number of branches say that many more brothers have also entered the auxiliary pioneer service this past year. Japan writes: “Most of the territories have been covered every two weeks, three weeks or one month and in general the people’s reactions are rough, but that does not keep the brothers from pioneering.” Pakistan, with only 193 publishers, writes: “A number of sisters saw the possibility of arranging their affairs in such a way that they could enter the regular pioneer service. One sister with a family of five children is up at 5:00 a.m. to begin her day’s domestic duties so that she is free to go in pioneer service after the children are off to school.” Even from a land where the work is banned comes this word: “A good number of the members are serving as auxiliary pioneers.” That certainly is encouraging to hear.

The continued high cost of living is reflected in the great expenditures the Society makes to support the tens of thousands of full-time ministers (special pioneers, missionaries and traveling overseers) in their assignments. In 1982 this field service expense amounted to $20,843,248.53. Were it not for the generous contributions made by Jehovah’s people in all parts of the earth, such support would not be possible. All thanks, then, go to Jehovah for putting it into the hearts of his people to support these full-time ministers in his service.—Compare 1 Chronicles 29:3-9, 14-17.

Reflecting on what has been accomplished this past year in expanding the Kingdom proclamation, we freely confess that it was only possible because Jehovah gave his people guidance and direction, and an abundance of his dynamic energy. For this we render him our praise and thanksgiving. Our prayer will continue to be: ‘Make us to do your will, O Jehovah, for you are our God.’—Ps. 143:10.

[Chart on page 24-31]

1982 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE

(See publication)

Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times

The Bible book of Acts presents the thrilling story of the expansion of Christianity in the first century C.E. Is the history of the Kingdom-preaching work in modern times any less thrilling? No, indeed, for we are living in the “last days,” with the Devil and his demons waging war against those who proclaim God’s Kingdom. (2 Tim. 3:1; Rev. 12:17) To read about the development of Kingdom preaching in various lands today is thus equally upbuilding. We believe that you will greatly benefit by reading about many of the persons who spearheaded the Kingdom-preaching activity in the following two countries:

AUSTRALIA: In this vast land how would the Kingdom preachers reach people in remote areas of the country? Courageous pioneers have gone forward to work the outback areas of Australia, and in this account you will read about some of the most remarkable pioneers of all time. You will find it engrossing, too, to learn how the brothers carried on during the years of the ban in World War II, even holding conventions and printing books.

PORTUGAL: The Catholic Church and the Salazar regime worked together to suppress the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The secret police, patterned after the Gestapo, constantly hounded the Witnesses, but despite all of this the preaching work prospered. The truly remarkable story of the growth of Jehovah’s organization in Portugal will hold your attention all the way and be a source of encouragement.

So, as you read these inspiring reports of modern preachers of the good news, you will be further strengthened to endure in Jehovah’s blessed ministry right down to the end, to the awarding of the prize of everlasting life.—Matt. 24:13.

Australia

Situated below the equator, between the 9th and the 42nd parallels, lies the sprawling island continent of Australia. Sprawling it is indeed, stretching some twenty-five hundred miles (4,000 km) from east to west and another two thousand miles (3,200 km) from north to south! Its land area surpasses that of the entire continent of Europe.

In this vast land, every possible variety in climate can be experienced—from the lush tropics of the far north, with an annual rainfall of up to forty inches (1,000 mm), to the arid inland deserts, where sometimes rain may not fall for ten years. The southern highlands provide snowfields larger than does Switzerland.

As far as tourists were concerned, this “land down under,” though claimed by Britain in the 18th century, was virtually unknown for 150 years because of slow travel and communications. In recent decades the explosion of the multimillion-dollar tourist industry has enabled more and more people from other lands to come and learn that the unique marsupial, the kangaroo, does not really hop along the main streets of Sydney and Melbourne; nor does the cuddly koala bear appear in gum (eucalyptus) trees lining the streets, as travel brochures might lead the tourist to expect.

Though English is spoken throughout this country of fifteen million inhabitants, the Australian accent is unique. To some it resembles the dialect of the London cockney, with the distinctive characteristic of swallowing the last syllable of most words. Another feature is the flat pronunciation of the vowel “a,” which, to most foreign ears, sounds more like “i.” A speech habit that adds to the difficulty of the new settler struggling to learn the language is the ‘concertina-ing’ of entire phrases, not just a word or two. This habit has become known as “Strine,” which is how some visitors may think Australians pronounce “Australian.” An example could be the phrase used to commend someone for a job well done: “Good on you, mate!” This becomes: “Gudonyermite!”

With discovery and exploration by Britain less than two hundred years ago, Australia seems but an infant compared with countries in other parts of the world. The early colonists were mainly of British parentage, many being transported to the colony as convicts, for trivial offenses. They brought the religions of their former land with them, so the majority of Australians belong to one or another of the sects of Christendom. Isolation and the vastness of the land have contributed to the development of a characteristic independent attitude. Australians are lovers of sports, the sunshine and the great outdoors. Casual, unhurried and easygoing, they are nevertheless tenacious for what they believe.

SEEDS OF TRUTH FALL

Some early writers refer to Australia as the “farthest of faraway places,” due to its remote geographical location. But, according to the words of Jesus Christ as found at Acts 1:8, even to this land as a “most distant part of the earth” the “good news” must go.

In 1901 the States of Australia were formed into a Commonwealth, and about this time Charles T. Russell, president of the Watch Tower Society, was arranging to dispatch a band of four Bible Students there. But seeds of Bible truth had fallen on receptive soil before this.

In 1896 Arthur Williams, Sr., a miner in the goldfields of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, obtained a copy of the book The Divine Plan of the Ages. Williams became fascinated with the great truths expounded in this publication. He joined a group of about twelve in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. In 1902 he moved to the southwest region of the state, finally settling in Donnybrook, where today a third generation of his family worships Jehovah. Williams distributed sets of Studies in the Scriptures throughout the countryside, but much of his witnessing was accomplished in his store, talking with customers.

Recalling his father’s activities in those days, his son, Arthur Williams, Jr., remembers that after the customer received his goods, his father would tell each one about the coming year of 1914, when the Gentile Times would end and anarchy would begin. He would invite people to his home, and they would sit around the table, discussing points from The Divine Plan of the Ages.

BRANCH OFFICE OPENED

By 1904 upward of a hundred people were receiving Zion’s Watch Tower in Australia. It now seemed appropriate to organize a branch office of the Society in Melbourne, allowing for the distribution of People’s Pulpit and other tracts, bearing an Australian address.

The first branch organizer, E. C. Henninges, announced that the list of subscribers for Zion’s Watch Tower in the state of Victoria had increased eighteenfold during the first eight and a half months of the branch’s operations. One subscriber donated ten pounds (which was then equal to $40, U.S.) to the tract fund, requesting it be used to pay postage on packets of tracts being mailed out. For this sum the brothers were able to mail 4,800 packets! How were names obtained? The brothers took them from electoral rolls and thus mailed out thousands of copies of the People’s Pulpit to the extremities of the country for the cost of one shilling (10 cents, [U.S.]) per 100.

Workers and lone cottagers along the railway tracks received the message of the coming Kingdom as friends threw bundles of tracts from train windows. Seeds of truth found good soil in the hearts of some lonely folk in this way. Tons of paper in tract form carried the message into mailboxes. On Saturday afternoons groups of enthusiastic Bible Students would each frequently distribute up to five hundred copies of The Bible Students Monthly, which also advertised meetings. Ships were visited when they tied up at city wharves, and newspapers and periodicals published column-length sermons weekly.

In 1907, property, consisting of two identical houses side by side, but with separate deeds, was purchased on George Street, East Melbourne. This housed the Bethel family of that time. The office was eventually situated in a building on Collins Street, Melbourne.

At the rear of the house, numbered 20-A George Street, was a small building (actually the old stable) that became known to the brothers as The Tabernacle. In 1925 a vertical Miehle printing press was received from the United States. William Schneider, and later Bert Shearmur, operated this printing press at The Tabernacle, where tracts and other literature were printed and sent out to the whole of Australia and New Zealand. Prior to this, all printing was done by outside firms. From earliest times the Melbourne ecclesia, or congregation, used the Masonic Hall on Collins Street for meetings.

LOYALTIES TESTED

In 1908 there was an upheaval in the organization in Australia. As indicated in a report appearing in The Watch Tower in 1910, the volunteer work slowed down. Branch organizer Henninges defected, “carrying the bulk of the Melbourne class with him,” The Watch Tower reported. Out of 100 associates, only 20 stood firm.

Describing the defectors, Edward Nelson, who endured the test, wrote to Brother Russell: “Many of them are not readers to any extent and have been drawn to his [Henninges’] meetings rather by his eloquence than by the truth. Some of them do not even acknowledge the ‘parousia,’ and one who happened to come in yesterday still had the thought that man has an immortal soul.” While Jehovah prospered his organization, Henninges’ group soon died out. Brother Russell appointed R. E. B. Nicholson as branch secretary in Henninges’ place.

PENETRATING THE AUSTRALIAN FIELD

With a carton of books loaded on his bicycle, American colporteur Arthur Davey set out to bring the Bible’s truth to people in the south of West Australia in 1910. Arthur Williams greatly appreciated his arrival in Donnybrook. He said: “Davey was a little fellow over sixty years of age, stooped, frail and he had consumption. His zeal and loyalty for Jehovah were marvelous.” By this time Williams himself had been tagged “Old Mad 1914!” due to his zealous proclamation of the approaching end of the Gentile Times.

Encouragement for the brothers came from many directions, even from the sea. Master Mariner John Smith, a captain of the White Star Line in 1912, would berth his ship and attend to company business as quickly as possible, devoting the remainder of his time to encouraging the brothers and delivering Bible lectures. Ecclesiae from Brisbane on the eastern seaboard to Perth in the west were united with their brothers throughout the country, as Smith carried news of the brothers’ activities from one to another.

By 1914 the Australian field had been penetrated far and wide, the work spearheaded by 21 colporteurs. About thirty-five newspapers throughout the country were publishing sermons, and 908 persons had subscribed for The Watch Tower in Australia and New Zealand. The field had been well seeded, as indicated in Zion’s Watch Tower of 1906: “The best day’s work done by a colporteur in this portion of the field has been in securing orders for 105 volumes of Studies in the Scriptures in one day; 103 of these were afterward delivered in a half-day. The same colporteur maintained an average of 50 volumes per day for two consecutive months.”

SIFTING THE “WHEAT”

The climactic year of 1914 arrived, and as the world exploded into war, Jehovah’s people began a most spectacular phase of their work. The Photo-Drama of Creation, illustrated with Biblical color slides and motion pictures, added greatly to spiritual provisions already fed to the children of the Kingdom, and many learned the truth this way.

Seeds sown in receptive hearts by Photo-Drama showings and literature placements had to be watered. Pastoral work began, with brothers calling to organize study groups among those manifesting interest. When selected sisters had gathered the interested ones together, brothers addressed the parlor meetings, answering questions and giving talks on such subjects as “The Three Worlds.” Pastoral work continued for a long time after the Photo-Drama had served its purpose in drawing the initial interest. Two hundred and fifty attended a locally arranged convention in Melbourne in 1915 and 14 were baptized.

A description of the final session of one of these early conventions makes interesting reading. The brothers and sisters would all stand around in a circle, clasp hands and then sing: “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” Tears would flow. Then a plate of fresh grapes would be passed around. This was called a love feast. It allowed the brothers and sisters to enjoy final fellowship before departing for home.

ENDURANCE AND FAITH DESPITE HEARTBREAKING TESTS

In 1916 the growing prosperity of Kingdom activity in Australia again drew hostile fire. Signs of crisis began to manifest themselves within the organization. When news of Brother Russell’s death reached Australia, branch secretary Nicholson expressed sentiments felt by all: “For over a quarter of a century I have loved him, not only for his work’s sake, but also for his beautiful character.” The death of Brother Russell delivered Nicholson a blow he was not prepared to take. The later appointment of Brother Rutherford as president of the Society did not coincide with his personal views, so he abandoned the organization.

When he defected, Nicholson took with him most of the ecclesia, as he was himself greatly admired by many. He also took the deed for half the Society’s property. This left the loyal brothers to manage as best they could with just one of the adjacent houses making up the Bethel home.

Sister Jane Nicholson did not join her husband in his defection. What would this frail, Christian woman now do—having experienced the double tragedy of her husband’s leaving her and also his abandoning the truth? No doubt many a woman would have capitulated under such a strain, or at least weakened in faith. But not Jane Nicholson! She continued as a devoted full-time worker right up to the time of her death in the 1950’s. She and her pioneer partner, Enid Duff, affectionately became known as “Nicky and Duff” throughout the entire state of Victoria and in many other parts of Australia.

A brother, who was part of a pioneer group in the mid-1930’s with Sisters Nicholson and Duff, tells about their early pioneer days: “They started pioneering on foot, and for many years had been working the towns along the railway tracks. They would take the train to a town, find accommodations by preaching from house to house and then use this home as a base. * They walked as far as they could into the country around the town, not missing a house. On they would go to the next town and the next, until the towns along that stretch of line had been completed. Then they came back to look after the interest they had located. They witnessed in some towns two and three times. One man, who watched their faithfulness for years and was impressed with their untiring zeal and Christian fortitude, made them a present of the Model A Ford car that they were now using in our group.”

There is no doubt that these sisters are wonderful examples of faith and endurance, especially to any today who face similar tests and trials of Christian faith and integrity. Those who knew these sisters feel confident that they are counted among those ‘whose works went right with them’ when finally they died.—Rev. 14:13.

TIMELY ADJUSTMENTS

Meantime, Nicholson was misusing the Society’s funds. Pilgrim Ebenezer Brewster cabled Brother Rutherford, saying: “Nicholson opposing Society. Send help!” Back came the reply: “Nicholson removed. Brewster appointed, pending Johnston from South Africa.”

Mild-tempered “Uncle Eb” Brewster cared for the Society’s affairs in the branch for almost a year, from 1917 to 1918, until the arrival of Brother Johnston from South Africa. The storm was now subsiding, and the majority of the rebellious ones had separated themselves. The new branch supervisor, William Johnston, with his broad smile, happy outlook and humble spirit, was as refreshing to the brothers as a summer shower.

On one of his trips to New Zealand, Brother Johnston met Maude Murray, and in 1923 they were married. Sister Murray had arrived in New Zealand in 1912, after having been profoundly impressed by a lecture given by Brother Russell in Belfast, Ireland, in 1910. After her marriage to Brother Johnston, she joined the Bethel family in Australia. White-haired “Auntie Maude” is still serving there with vigor, at the age of 87.

The continuing war fever had resulted in the government’s banning The Finished Mystery in 1917. When the brothers learned that only a few pages of the book were considered objectionable, they cut them out, continuing to place the publication without these pages. The pages were not destroyed, however, and curiosity caused many to want to read them. An army captain told a publisher that he did not want the book, but would gladly contribute five shillings for the three pages that had been removed!

A PERIOD OF STRENGTHENING

From the Cedar Point, Ohio, convention in 1919, Brother Rutherford dispatched pilgrim representative J. P. MacPherson to Australia. He brought with him the text of the speech: “The World Has Ended—Millions Now Living Will Never Die!” This was taken up by six speakers who addressed large audiences throughout the country. In the cities, newspapers frequently printed half-page announcements of such lectures. Attendances at times reached 1,500 and seldom dropped below 500. Afterward large quantities of literature were eagerly taken by those whose interest had been aroused.

In 1919 a family from Scotland arrived in Brisbane, Queensland. The mother was a Bible Student, and her son Richard Kinninmonth, of ready wit and fearless determination, would become identified throughout the length and breadth of Australia as a fighter for Jehovah. He finished his earthly course in 1969.

Tom Kitto, who later, along with his wife Rowena, became a well-loved figure in Jehovah’s service in Papua New Guinea, learned the truth in an unusual way. His sister Marjorie had come to a knowledge of the truth in Tasmania in 1920, but Tom was against it. When he got hold of his mother’s booklet on the subject of hell, he wrote sarcastically inside the cover: “Missus, there is no hell!” Marjorie jokingly says that ‘when mother had finished with him after his writing this in one of her precious booklets, he wasn’t so sure!’

In any event, it was this very same booklet that helped him to learn the truth. While his sister was making his bed one morning, she was surprised to find the booklet and his Bible under Tom’s pillow. Next thing, Tom was instructing his Sunday-school class in the Methodist church that the Bible does not teach a fiery hell. It was not long before he resigned and took up the truth.

At about this time Anne Beck, who learned the truth from a sister boarding in her home in 1913, would take the train at Yass, a small country town in the state of New South Wales, at two o’clock in the morning. She waited at her destination until daylight, then witnessed all day to all the homes she could reach, returning home at eleven o’clock at night.

The number of Kingdom publishers grew steadily. By the year 1921, when a national assembly was held in the Newtown Town Hall, Sydney, there was an attendance of 300. In 1922 came the welcome visit of Brother M. A. Howlett from the United States. With his arrival a convention was held in the Collingwood Town Hall in Melbourne. As happened at other conventions throughout the world at this time, the banner unfolded at the convention carried the exciting slogan: “ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE THE KING AND THE KINGDOM!” The work received new impetus.

PIONEERING THE USE OF RADIO

Using all available means to magnify Jehovah’s name in this “most distant part of the earth,” the brothers pioneered the use of radio in 1924 with a small experimental station in Launceston, Tasmania. The Society supplied scripts for the sessions and a brother and his wife narrated them over the air each Sunday.

Negotiations commenced late in the 1920’s for the first of the radio stations operated by the branch. This was station 2HD in Newcastle, New South Wales. Three others followed in South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland.

At one time, 20 radio stations were broadcasting the Kingdom message to the Australian public, and at convention times hookups from the United States brought much edification to Jehovah’s people. Locally, Bible plays, sometimes with as many as 20 different characters, were broadcast for the benefit of radio audiences.

BRANCH OFFICE CHANGES LOCATION

Branch overseer Johnston returned from a convention in the United States in 1928 and announced Brother Rutherford’s decision to transfer the headquarters from Melbourne to Sydney, which was more conveniently situated in many ways. So in 1929 the branch headquarters moved to a new home.

At that time the Bethel family consisted of 11 brothers and sisters. How pleasant were the surroundings in their new home at Beresford Road, Strathfield! Soon afterward a new brick structure was added, which accommodated the office and shipping department.

A change in branch administration came in 1930 with the arrival of another Scot, Alexander MacGillivray. He was a man of vision and zeal who had spent 10 years in New York in close collaboration with the Society’s officers at headquarters. Not only did he bring a freshness to the work in Australia and New Zealand, but he also helped to open up the work in Fiji, Tahiti and what are now Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, and even Vietnam, Hong Kong and China. Thirteen branches now care for this vast area. Before World War II it was served by the Australian branch office, which used the Society’s sloop, Lightbearer, and real “pioneers” to penetrate these territories.

DEPRESSION YEARS

By the 1930’s the good news was being proclaimed in Australia by 66 pioneers and some 400 publishers, and the seeds sown from the early 1900’s were sprouting into congregations. Along with the spiritual prosperity enjoyed by Jehovah’s people came a fading of financial prosperity for the Australian nation, as it was caught up in the worldwide depression of the 1930’s.

David Ward, an elder in the Denmark Congregation, Western Australia, relates a heartwarming experience of how Jehovah took care of his family during these depression years. He writes:

“We went short of everything except food. Our farm products brought very low prices, and much produce we could not sell at all. This meant we had plenty of plain food but could not afford to buy sugar or clothing. How were we going to look presentable and decent for the door-to-door preaching work? Jehovah admonishes charitable kindness in his Word, and just how responsive the brothers and sisters in Perth were can be seen in that, without our ever having to ask for their help, on occasion a large sack of good, used clothing would arrive at the local railway station addressed to us. There was another large family in the truth living nearby, and we were pleased that they were able to share the clothing with us.”

PIONEERS ADD THEIR VOICES

In spite of the many financial difficulties of the depression years, the pioneer work thrived. Joining forces, many pioneers formed group homes, using them as bases from which to preach in the cities. This made living easier, and brothers frequently contributed food parcels. As Ted Sewell relates, a bag of wheat and a grinder were the pioneers’ mainstay as far as food was concerned.

Pioneers assigned to large cities used real ingenuity to help ‘people of all sorts’ to hear the good news. One pioneer group in Sydney made special efforts to contact everyone at the city fruit and vegetable markets, which were open around the clock. Periods of 24-hour witnessing (nonstop) were organized each Friday for several weeks. A car group was assigned for about three or four hours; then these returned home, and another group took over for the next four hours or so. The pioneers equipped themselves with Italian booklets, for the gardeners and growers were mainly Italian speaking. Some of the Italian families in the truth today learned it in the middle of the night as a result of that pioneer work.

Faithful and tenacious though they were, some of the Australian country-pioneer groups looked rough and ready! Some groups had a large old car or trailer with sound equipment mounted on top, and usually a tent. Each member rode a bicycle loaded with books. Some would spend two or three days away from the camp, calling at homes in one direction while other members would do the same in other directions. All would return to the camp at a given time so as to move on to another site.

Literature was left at a low rate or traded for produce. On many occasions the pioneers returned to their central camp at night to find that one would have some potatoes, another a pumpkin, another eggs, meat, and so forth. This was regarded as even better than money, as it could be eaten. With sufficient clothing, food and shelter the pioneers were content and could continue the witness work.

‘REMEMBERING THEIR CREATOR’

A 17-year-old girl, Marjorie Fry, first heard the truth in the early 1930’s. She lived on a farm about six miles (10 km) from Bathurst, New South Wales, and was the only one of her large family who showed any interest. She tells of the special effort she made to attend a midweek meeting in Bathurst despite strong opposition from her mother and seven brothers. One of her brothers had promised to take her on his motorcycle, thinking she was going to the movie theater, but somehow he learned she planned to go to the home where the meeting was to be held. When she was about ready to leave, her brother decided he would not go after all. Now, how to get to the meeting?

Marjorie immediately went down to the paddock and saddled her small pony. On arrival, however, she was completely taken aback when a brother said: “Sister, we cannot let you in to the meeting in man’s apparel!” She explained that they were riding breeches—a lady’s pair—and told of the effort she had made just to be there. She was allowed in, of course, and the joy of attending the meeting made it all worth while.

Sister Fry progressed rapidly in the truth, and, in 1932, while still in her late teens, she became a pioneer. She has continued in this service until now and since her marriage to William Moss has enjoyed serving also in Western Samoa.

At the age of 19 Arthur Willis began pioneering around Perth, and in 1932 he made trips to the southwest of Western Australia on a motorcycle. Two partners, Charles Harris and George Rollston, joined him the following year. They began a trip through the northwest of the state to Darwin, capital city of the Northern Territory, and thence across Queensland. At this time there were no congregations in all this area, a distance of more than two thousand miles (3,200 km). This trip took the brothers four months to complete, and it was the first time some of these areas had heard the good news. Brother Willis later settled in Pingelly, Western Australia, where the congregation he helped to form was made up mainly of aboriginal Australians.

WITNESSING IN VAST TERRITORIES

A hardy pioneer, Aubrey Baxter, explains how he preached in territory that covered thousands of square miles in central and northern Queensland in the days when phonographs were used:

“We packed our phonographs in sponge rubber and strapped the pickup arm down so it wouldn’t be broken on the rough, jarring roads. We witnessed in some interesting places. I spent one night with a kangaroo hunter, sleeping on the dirt floor of his little hut surrounded by hundreds of odorous kangaroo hides. Trying to sleep with packs of howling dingoes [native wild dogs] outside was not easy either.”

While visiting the congregations in this area, Brother Baxter, on one trip, found the roads cut off by heavy flooding. A local man to whom he spoke expressed concern for a van that had gone through some days before, as the creeks were flooded and the water was as high as the treetops in some places. Realizing that this was the van belonging to a group of pioneers, Brother Baxter was worried. He followed them and, when stopped by flooded creeks, swam across and walked on. Eventually he found the stranded group, who had nothing left for food but some white flour. He and the other brothers swam back across the creeks, found some food and then ferried this across to the sisters in a tub.

This pioneer group was made up of Percy and Ilma Iszlaub, who later became missionaries in Japan and are now in the Watch Tower branch there, and Norman Bellotti, who is now a missionary in Papua New Guinea along with his wife, Gladys. Also in the group was Beatrice Bellotti, who later married Aubrey Baxter. As in other areas where hardworking, intrepid pioneers had been, this early pioneer work bore much fruit, and congregations of Jehovah’s people grew up in many of the towns and cities in Queensland.

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1983 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses