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SOME INTERESTING LETTERS

DEAR BRETHREN:—

I am noting a few incidents which transpired in this town last Autumn, which will interest you, I know. They are as follows: The pastor of the Episcopal Church at that time was the Rev. K__________; of the First Presbyterian, Rev. M__________ (there was another Presbyterian Church in town). The Wesleyan (official organ of the Methodist Church in these provinces) is published in this town. (You may recall that we sent you, last Autumn, quite a number of issues of the Wesleyan treating Pastor Russell and the Truth in a very unchristian manner.) Rev. K__________ became very much excited because of the circulation of some volunteer matter, and concluded the best thing to do was to send for a sufficient number of copies of the Brooklyn Eagle to cover the town and considerable outlying territory, making the statement, to one of his parishioners, at least, that the circulation of our literature “must be stopped.” He had some of the supply put into the hands of some other clerical brethren, and thus the distribution was made.

About the same time Rev. M__________ preached a very severe sermon against our Pastor and the work, calling attention to the “Vow,” holding it up to ridicule. Within a few weeks Rev. K__________, who was a very dignified man (and apart from theological narrowness a very nice man), died one of the most undignified deaths possible. In making a call on a parishioner, in the fire house of the town, he missed the doorway and in some unaccountable manner attempted to enter through a window leading into the ash-pit. The window had been left open, but he had to step up some distance from the ground to enter—no one can understand why it should occur. He was found two hours later dead on the concrete floor of the pit, eight feet below, from a broken neck. Recently his son, in closing up his affairs, auctioned off his walking stick, and even his overcoat. He was for years, up to his death, Archdeacon for the province.

Very shortly after, Rev. M__________’s Church was burned to the ground—he has left the town. The two congregations have voted to unite and rebuild (that is, the two Presbyterian congregations), but are now fighting amongst themselves. About the same time the pastor of the leading Methodist Church took sick and died. This means that through death and changes owing to the fire, half the ministers of a few months ago are gone. We wonder, in this Day of the Lord’s judgments, how close may be the connections between these incidents.

We are glad to report the work prospering in the town. Sister Black joins me in much Christian love to you all.

Your brother in the Kingdom Hope,
W. W. BLACK.

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MY DEAR FRIENDS:—

I should like to be put on your mailing list. I am getting THE WATCH TOWER and I have your STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES; but I want your pamphlets also, as they come out, and the BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY. Please send me your booklet on “Spiritism,” and any treatise you may have on Revelation. You will, of course, forward bill for any charge, and I shall remit at once.

I enclose check for $5.00, which you may use as you see best in furthering the work. If possible, I shall send a like amount monthly.

I want to advance the cause of the Kingdom. The Message as you put it appeals to me in such a way that I know it to be true. It accords with our blessed God’s character and Word, and stands at once so reasonable and satisfying, and so full of promise to every creature, that it must be the Gospel. I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and that, through His precious blood. And as surely as anything ever happened to a man, I have been called by Him. I cannot neglect “so great salvation.” Will you help me to work in His vineyard—even though it is the “eleventh hour”? The wages matter not. Only to know Him is worth more than heart can dream of. To be like Him in character would be the greatest blessing of Heaven.

Yours sincerely,
A. MURRAY.—Calif.

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— September 1, 1913 —