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INTERESTING LETTERS

HE KNOWS GOD

BELOVED BROTHER RUSSELL:—

For some time I have been wanting to write you re my special appreciation of the recent issues of THE WATCH TOWER, but circumstances would not permit before. Everywhere along the line I have heard the same general expression of approval; namely, “The articles in THE WATCH TOWER are getting better and better.”

What a flood of light came to me through reading your wonderful exposition of “Spirit-Begetting and Anointing,” in the February 1st issue! I have been accustomed to thinking of and using these terms interchangeably; and while you state that the fact is one, you make a fine and most marvelous distinction in the viewpoint from which each is to be regarded. Your wonderful analysis makes the matter as clear as it seems possible to make anything by words.

I wish to express my especial appreciation of the several timely articles which have appeared in THE WATCH TOWER recently, bearing upon the time features. You have stated your views therein as clearly and as pointedly as it seems possible to present any thought; nevertheless, I have found it necessary in several instances to interpret your perspicuous language for Elders as well as for others. You have even emphasized the thought in some instances, without its being noted by some of the dear friends. A few have seemed to think that you are changing your views along this line, but I have failed to note anything whatever in your recent articles which indicates that your present views are materially different from those expressed in the Second Volume of the

STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES.

I have declared, “Brother Russell has not changed in his teachings so far as the Church is concerned. He has always set forth that the Chronology is a Faith Chronology; but to my mind it is as soul-satisfying, and, for the purpose, as easily demonstrated as that two and two make four. But all have not faith, therefore cannot exercise faith.

Words fail me when I would express my appreciation of the article in THE WATCH TOWER of August 1, re “The Peace of God.” You have written many things that are really sublime, inspiring, yet always in plain, simple English. But your wonderful analysis of Jehovah’s character in this article is the most marvelous thing I have ever read from any pen. I have read and re-read this article many times, and each time with increasing joy and wonderment. It lifts me away from the earth and all things earthly, and in spirit seats me in the very presence of Jehovah. This sense of presence becomes almost a reality to me, as I follow your wonderful pen-picture of the Almighty God and loving Heavenly Father, who changes not at any time, yet is possessed of an emotional nature, as you so beautifully show. As I dwell on your presentations they cause me more and more to long to see Him face to face, and to redouble my energies.

While in a vague way I have been able heretofore to comprehend the source of your marvelous strength and endurance, I can now appreciate, as never before, why and how you have been sustained in all your severe trials, your painful tribulations, your bitter, relentless persecutions, and under all have maintained a serene composure, even in great commotion, confusion, conspiracies. Outwardly nothing has seemed to “move” you, even when division has occurred and disorder has reigned in the “family of God on earth.” The secret is now revealed to my mind: You KNOW God, “whom to know is life eternal.”

Every day seemingly increases my love for you and my confidence in you as the servant of Jehovah, raised up to give “meat in due season” to the entire household of faith. With much sincere Christian love in our dear Redeemer,

Your humble brother by His grace, W. M. WISDOM.

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HOW HE FOUND THE NARROW WAY

BELOVED PASTOR AND BROTHER RUSSELL:—

Greetings in the name of the Lord! Please accept the enclosed money as a birthday present. It comes from a sincere and honest heart, desirous of doing more and more each day for you and others of “like precious faith.” It was through your Helps and Bible STUDIES that I found the Narrow Way. I was so far down on the broad road that it required considerable effort to get back and into the Narrow Way.

I pictured myself in a canoe floating down stream, and attracted by the birds and flowers of worldly pleasure on the steep banks on either hand. Then, figuratively, I heard the Lord’s voice calling me back and warning me of the shoals of trouble ahead. My attention drawn to it, I could see that I was approaching something terrible. What could I do? The banks were too steep for a landing. I called to the Lord to help me out of the difficulty. But the Message was, “I cannot help you where you are; you must turn your back to sin; you must put forth effort to stem the downward course.” I seemed too weak to do this; but, encouraged with assurance from the Savior’s sympathy, took courage to do my best in opposition to the course of sin in which I had been drifting. His Message then was, “Use the oar of faith; turn you! why will you die? But be careful not to strike the rocks of False Doctrine and Unbelief, lest you break your oar.”

I heeded, and I found no time to listen to the birds nor to look at the flowers of earthly pleasure. I had a new ambition—to get near to God. Thus striving against sin, I gave myself to the Lord to be His disciple and to have His blessing and care. The Lord’s answer, through the Scripture was, “You must now be washed, justified, and put on the clean garment of My righteousness—justification by faith. Thus you will be acceptable to the Father.” Washed and robed by faith, a child of God, I was taken into the Lord’s Banqueting-house and given a foretaste of coming blessings, through a clearer understanding of the Divine Plan. I enjoyed the spiritual food so much that I prayed the Lord for more and more, and He has directed me onward in the Narrow Way with the assurance that so long as I am faithful to Him I shall never want; and I am finding it so. With much Christian love,

Your brother and servant, M. L. STAPLETON.

OUR REPLY

DEAR BROTHER:—

Thanks for your welcome letter written on my birthday, and for the money which was enclosed! My earthly needs are few, and these are abundantly supplied in the Lord’s arrangement by the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY—food, shelter and $11 per month for clothing and incidentals. Your donation, therefore, received with much appreciation, is turned into the Tract Fund for the general use of the work—printing tracts, sending out Pilgrims, and now the presentation of the Divine Plan in the PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION.

I am glad to note, dear brother, your progress in the Narrow Way. Remember the Lord’s words, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” With Christian love, I remain

Your brother and servant, C. T. RUSSELL.

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— April 1, 1914 —