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SOME INTERESTING LETTERS

ASSURANCE OF CONTINUED CONFIDENCE

OUR DEAR BROTHER AND PASTOR:—

The little Class of Shawnee appointed me to write and tell you that we passed a resolution assuring you of our steadfast faith in you and your leadings. We got the thought from reading the Nov. 15th WATCH TOWER, the article on “What Course Should We Take?” that you had almost decided that the things we have been expecting in 1914 would not come to pass on time—since you said it is possible, but not probable. Now, dear Brother, if these things do not come to pass until 2014, instead of 1914, our faith in you will be as great as it ever has been, for we believe that you have fought a good fight, that you have kept the faith, that you have almost finished your course, and that there is laid up for you a glorious Crown.

It seems to us that it would not be strange if the dear Lord would permit a short delay to try the faith of some who had perhaps consecrated to 1915, instead of until death.

May the dear Lord’s richest blessings be upon you. In behalf of the Class, your brother in the Lord.

N. B. RANKIN.—Okla.

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SAW NEED OF CRUCIFIED ONE AND THE VOW

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—

I have intended writing you for some time to tell of my acceptance and appreciation of Present Truth, and of my experience with the Vow.

I am a girl of twenty-four years, and my father and my mother have been in the Truth about six years, during which time I have heard the Truth constantly in my home. Being of rather a studious nature, the knowledge appealed to me; but my heart refused to be touched. I could not doubt the verity of the Truth, but my stubborn will refused to bow in the subjection of full consecration.

However, the Lord in His mercy and wisdom permitted the very experience which, although bitter indeed, caused me to see the unreliability of my own judgment, and the need of a wiser hand than my own to guide my affairs. Our dear Brother Cole came just at that time, and pointed me to the only One who can lead us safely through all of life’s affairs. I renewed my reading, and within two weeks made a consecration of myself on January 26, 1913. I cannot tell you of the deep joy with which my heart has since been filled.

But alas! from being too slow, I rushed to the other extreme and became too hasty, taking the Vow without duly considering its importance and all that it contains. Again our dear Lord gave me the necessary experience to show me my wrong course, which led me to make a serious and prayerful study of the Vow and all its different features; after which I took it again, and have been blessed and protected by it more than words can tell.

I desire to express to you my deep and heartfelt appreciation for all the grand truths I have received from the Lord through you as “that faithful Servant.” May our Heavenly Father strengthen and sustain you until the work He has given you to do shall be finished. With much Christian love,

I am your sister in the Lord, __________.

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WAS IN THE DEEPEST DESPAIR

MY DEAR BROTHER AND PASTOR:—

Since the desire to write to you does not want to be put down, am writing to express a little of my love and gratitude toward you. I thank the Heavenly Father for His Truth, for you and for all His dear people.

That I should be privileged to know the Truth, or to be a Christian at all, is still a source of amazement to me, for truly I was one of the mean of the earth, a chief among sinners.

Until December of 1911 I did not even believe the Bible. Jesus was beautiful, but imaginary, impossible.

The child of ungodly parents, whom I never knew or met until I was grown up, my life was a horrible one. That December, through reading a book (not one of yours) I was convinced through sound reasoning that Jesus really was the Son of God, and that it was possible for Him to become flesh.

That was the starting point. What a hopeless muddle I had made of my life! How could I possibly extricate myself from the net of circumstances in which I was living! But I did what I could—right about faced—and prayed with all my strength for more light and to be shown the next step. There were nine whole months of that, with apparently no answer to prayer; but thank God for His Grace; I had set my face heavenward, and held on. Then God took a darling three-year old daughter from me in four short days! Dear Brother, isn’t death horrible, a dread enemy indeed! But thank God for that, too! That opened up the way, and I left the old lifelong associations behind in Cornwall—walked out penniless, no luggage, no coat even, but knowing it was right, even if it meant sleeping in the fields. I didn’t look back or I should have turned back.

There is no room for details, though they simply teem with the love and the overruling providence of God. I finally reached London. Within a few weeks I had Vol. I of your STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES sent from the very place and people I had left. They had just got the Truth and appealed to me to read the volume.

I was so hungry for it; it was just what I wanted. The very next Sunday a brother and sister took me to the Tabernacle (London) to hear you, and though I really believe I had given up my will nine months before, I knew the real meaning of consecration during your address, and was one of the first to rise when you gave the invitation to all desiring to symbolize.

That was a year and a half ago. I have indeed had a wonderful and blessed experience; but I do find the Christian warfare a fierce fight. How grateful I am, and how I long to grow more like my Lord and Head each day! I have taken the Vow, believing it one more piece of armor to help withstand the Adversary.

THE WATCH TOWERS come just in time always—just as I need some special help. My little boy prays the evening prayer you suggested, and will shortly learn the morning prayer also.

Don’t trouble to answer me personally, my dear Pastor. I shall know you have read, and then rejoiced for one more. You always have my sympathy and prayers. My heart has often gone out to you when you have been passing through particular trials. God bless and keep you.

Your privileged sister in the dear Lord,

ELLEN E. CORMACK.

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GREETINGS FROM THE LENS CONVENTION—FRANCE

BELOVED BROTHER AND PASTOR RUSSELL:—

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed; because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”—Lamentations 3:22,23.

Our hearts cannot find any expression noble enough and powerful enough to show their adoration toward our Heavenly Father for all His benefits toward us. The Bible is a beautiful Book to us, dear Brother. What a treasure has God put into our hands, and what beautiful things has He not in reservation for us! Therefore, from the bottom of our hearts we can say: “Bless the Lord, O my soul”!

It is understood that our thankfulness ascends also to Him for the means He has established in the Body—toward our lovable Head and toward the brethren whom He has chosen to impart to us His goodness. The Lord bless you and keep you, as well as the dear class in Brooklyn. Although far away from each other, we are often united at the Throne of Grace, asking our Heavenly Father to pour more and more of His compassion on you and on us in return.

We would have liked to send to you sooner the expression of our sympathy and our love, assuring you of the part we take both in your joys and in your sorrows. Please excuse us that we have waited until the present Convention; it was in order that the 200 brethren and sisters present could join us in an expression of love.

Having had a part in your blessings it is only just that we should share in your tribulations. Truly these tribulations are permitted of God in order to fashion our character to the likeness of that of His dear Son, our beloved King.

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AS VALUABLE AS THE GOLD OF OPHIR

I wish that every soul in Christendom and also in heathen lands might have a copy of THE WATCH TOWER of January 15th, 1913, containing an article entitled, “Covenant Relationship with God Essential to Life Everlasting.” The article ought to be studied and thoroughly absorbed. Every word is of the value of the Gold of Ophir. Many thanks for sending copy to me.

Very truly yours, MRS. H. LOUNT.

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— January 15, 1914 —