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ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM FAITHFUL WORKERS

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—You will find enclosed Money Order, which you can place in the Tract Fund, or as your judgment may direct.

I think the most important matter which now concerns us is the dissemination of the truth. Error is abroad in the land: we meet it on every hand, and it seems to be the most difficult matter to get people interested in the plain and simple teachings of the Bible. I trust that the TOWER and other helps may continue to a far greater extent to present the truth in its wonderful power and purity, and that the Editor and his associates may be blessed of the Lord abundantly, in the great work which has already carried light and gladness to so many hearts, now rejoicing in the truth.

Yours in the service, G. M. TURNER.

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DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—I have not for some time tried to sell or to distribute any DAWNS, as I was in doubt about some of their teachings. I have since, however, by a great deal of study, found that I was in error. This is indeed an evil day, full of snares and pitfalls, and none shall be able to stand, who do not humbly accept God’s Word as their only and all-sufficient ground of faith and practice, in opposition to all church-creeds and church-authority; for even those churches, which claim to have no creed, claim to have, by divine right, the power to make teachers, and if they fail to teach according to their liking, they have the same divine authority to unmake them.

Respectfully yours, J. L. KING.

REPLY. Your letter is at hand, and I am glad it reveals you as again rejoicing in the truth, and, I trust, this time more firmly established therein. Severe tests come to all, in proportion to the measure of light possessed; and having, by the Lord’s grace, overcome in this one instance, I trust you will be on the lookout when future trials come, and better ready to resist the temptations of the Adversary. But, be assured, you will not entirely escape temptation in

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future; yet if you make the Lord your refuge, you will not be overcome, but find in him constant strength and protection. See Psalm 91.

I do not quite coincide with you in the opinion that the nominal churches have no right to unmake teachers. True, they have no authority to make representatives of the Lord, and each follower of the Lord should recognize no other commission than that given in God’s Word; yet so far as the systems are concerned, they have as much right to authorize individuals to teach their doctrines as an individual has to appoint another as his representative, or as any secular institution has to control its representatives. The ability to use and make a representative implies the ability to withdraw consent at pleasure, unless bound by contract. And any one preaching by the authority of any part of Babylon, and supposed to teach its particular theories, should first dissolve his contract with such system before preaching or teaching contrary to its standards; and if he does not voluntarily do so, it is certainly the privilege of the institution to withdraw its sanction and support, and to give them to other individuals who will abide by their contracts.

It is a blessed thing, however, to be free in Christ from bondage to earthly, ecclesiastical rule and human creeds, and subject only to the one Lord and Head of the Church, and to the one infallible guide of faith. We are admonished to maintain a clear conscience, and to labor diligently to learn and to teach all that he is pleased to reveal through it—his Word.

May you, as free, become more and more the bond-servant of Christ.—EDITOR.

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BRETHREN:—Find enclosed the amount of my subscription to the “Good Hope” fund, for the last quarter. How thankful I am that I am counted worthy to be admitted to the “household of faith,” to the race for the prize of the high calling, and to the inspiring truths set forth in your publications. How surely the truth drives error from the mind; and how much more satisfying is a faith in a doctrine that harmonizes the whole Word of God, than the conflicting creeds of men! How much greater is the reward promised “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory, and honor and immortality.” (Rom. 2:7.) How satisfying the thought that the words, “Ye brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief,” were addressed to us who are on the “Watch Tower,” and by the light of his Word are proclaiming his presence.

Surely the struggle is now commencing, the “strong man” is being bound and hope is increasing in the hearts of the Lord’s longing children, while dismay fills the hearts of the unfaithful and disbelieving.

Yours in the love of the truth,

C. C. FIFIELD.

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DEAR SIRS:—I herewith remit amount of my quarterly “Good Hopes.” Your publications have done me a world of good, in clearing up dark points in modern religious teachings. They are too potent for good not to receive the help I can give.

Please send me a copy of the TOWER for October 1892. I wish my file complete.

Sincerely yours, E. L. McEWEN.

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DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—We had very good success in M__________, considering the hard times. We sold over one hundred books there, and I believe we could have sold as many more, if the people had not been disappointed in getting their pay. It is a railroad and mining town, and the laboring class have had considerable trouble lately in getting their money, as they are paid in store-orders instead of money; so on that account we could reach only the wealthier class. However, we feel very thankful for the privilege of putting out as many DAWNS as we did.

I feel more encouraged than ever to press forward in the narrow way, and the dear Lord and his saints seem nearer and dearer to me since our last Convention than ever before. I can truthfully say that now is my salvation nearer than when I first believed. Praise the Lord for his loving kindness! Pray for me that I may prove faithful to the end; for I realize that only those that are faithful even unto death shall hear the “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord.”

Yours in our dear Redeemer,

MRS. L. P. BEELER.

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— December 1, 1893 —