NO. 368: A CHOSEN PEOPLE

by Epiphany Bible Students


No. 368

So long as the natural Children of Israel kept the Law to the best of their ability, the Lord prospered them. But they didn’t do this. They not only were contaminated by the sins of the nations around them, but they rejected the Messiah who came to His own, and His own received Him not. It has been much the same with Gentiles who made a Covenant with God. They, too, have failed to keep their Covenant of sacrifice, and the majority have fallen into disfavor. None of them, natural Israel or Spiritual Israel, have been able to keep a perfect Law; but all those who have done so to the best of their ability have been blessed and protected from many evils of the nations around them.

But we are now discussing natural Israel: they were chosen because of their forefathers – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In the 11th chapter of Hebrews we see that there were individuals who had God’s favor before He chose Israel as a nation: Abel, Enoch and Noah, as well as Abraham, are mentioned as faithful. This chapter mentions some of the faithful Ancient Worthies, but not nearly all of them. The reason we call them “Ancient Worthies,” is because they were the “Ancients,” and verse 38 tells us, “Of whom the world was not worthy.” So Ancient Worthies is a Biblical expression. These Ancient Worthies not only kept the Mosaic Law to the best of their ability, they lived above the Law – sacrificed to do God’s will amidst very adverse conditions. “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented.” (Heb. 11:37) For doing God’s will they underwent such sufferings, the same as the faithful footstep followers of our Lord have suffered. Natural Israel, however, was blessed and favored of the Lord when they made an honest attempt to keep the Law.

Deut. 7:6‑18 tells us: “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. (v. 6) The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people (v. 7) [And that is true of Spiritual Israel in the Gospel Age – “they have been the fewest of all people”¾JJH]. But because the Lord loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (v. 8) Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations. (v. 9) And repayeth them that hate Him to their face, to destroy them: He will not be slack to him that hateth Him, He will repay him to his face. (v. 10) Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. (v. 11) Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which He sware unto thy fathers. (v. 12) And He will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: He will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and shine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which He sware unto thy fathers to give thee. (v. 13) Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle. (v. 14) And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee. (v. 15) And thou shalt consume all the people which the Lord thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee. (v. 16) If thou shalt say in shine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? (v. 17) Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt.” (v. 18)

But with all these promises they didn’t hearken unto the Lord. They did this despite Joshua’s encouragement: “Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right or to the left.” (Josh. 23:6) And “One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, He it is that fighteth for you, as He hath promised you.” (Josh. 23:10) And also this assurance, “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” (Josh. 23:14)

Not only did God choose Israel as a nation but He specially used certain ones among them – such as the Prophets, David, Solomon, John the Baptist, et al. David is called Beloved of God – and God was pleased that Solomon asked for “an understanding heart to judge Thy people.” (1 Kings 3:9) “And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast thou asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of shine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee...riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.” (1 Kings 3:11‑13) But Solomon loved many strange women – and when he was old “his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.” (1 Kings 11:4)

Here are some pertinent quotes from That Servant:

“Nevertheless, the Scriptures most clearly declare that the natural seed of Abraham, the Jews, are still heirs of a certain promise of God, which in due time will come to them. To their nation will come the great privilege of being the foremost nation amongst men during Messiah’s glorious reign, when the church glorified, spiritualized, will be with him in his throne, invisible to men. St. Paul thus explains that the full number, to complete the elect kingdom class, must be first found amongst the Gentiles, and then, these being glorified in the first resurrection, natural Israel will obtain the great earthly blessings which are still theirs and which were promised to their fathers. Natural Israel will receive blessings from spiritual Israel. ‘They shall obtain mercy through your mercy.’ – Rom. 11:25‑34.” (Reprints 5101 – 1912)

From this we can see that it will be the Church Glorified who will convert the Jewish nation, through the Worthies. Then the Jews will help convert the world of mankind.

You might ask why was Israel specially chosen. Let That Servant answer:

“At the beginning of our Lord’s earthly ministry the Jewish nation were invited to become the kingdom of God. The offer of God’s chief blessing was ‘to the Jew first.’ For many centuries they had been God’s special people. They had been called to be unto God ‘a kingdom of priests and an holy nation’ – a peculiar treasure unto God, composed of a priestly class and a chosen, holy people. (Ex. 19:5,6) We do not understand that all Israel from the time of the giving of the law could have been of the heavenly kingdom, however faithful they have been. None could be of this kingdom class before Jesus came to earth; for he was the Forerunner of this class. The offer was made to the Jews of his day. But those of the nation who lived previously, and who had been faithful to God, true to their covenant, shall be greatly blessed of the Lord on the human plane. They shall be used to bless all nations under spiritual Israel ‑ the kingdom of God now being set up.

“God’s special favor to the people of natural Israel in choosing them above any other nation was especially because they were the seed of his faithful friend, Abraham. God had promised Abraham that because of his faith and obedience his seed should be blessed. It was not because they were of themselves holier or better than other peoples. (See Ex. 32:9‑13; Deut. 9:4‑8) But for their fathers’ sakes God chose them to be his people.

“At our Lord’s first advent the time had come for the offer of membership in the kingdom, for the testing of the whole nation of Israel, to prove whether they were ready for this choice blessing. Jesus was the One to offer this kingdom; for he had consecrated himself a sacrifice for sin, which would constitute a basis for the establishment of the kingdom on earth.

True And False Ideas Of The Kingdom: The sermon on the Mount, from which our text is taken, points out the earnestness and singleness of heart necessary in those who would become members of the kingdom class. The Master intimates that not all of this favored nation who heard his message would be ready to accept it. Many were absorbed in the things of this life ‑ in what they would eat, what they would drink, what they would wear. But in order to be ready to receive the proffered blessing, in order to be acceptable to God, they must make the kingdom their first interest. ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,’ enjoined the Savior, not the earthly things. If the kingdom was made first, all their earthly needs would be supplied; ‘All things shall be added unto you,’ was his promise.

“Not many of the Jews were ready for so drastic a Teacher. They had their own plans – business plans, political plans, social functions. Hence this invitation of Jesus to leave all to obtain a kingdom of which they knew nothing and which seemed so intangible did not find a very ready response. The twelve apostles were among the first to accept his offer. At the time of Jesus’ death, something over five hundred had joined themselves to him as his disciples. Of these we are told that one hundred and twenty were gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, where they received the begetting of the holy Spirit. After Pentecost some thousands of Jews came to the point of decision to make the kingdom of God their first business. These, however, were but a small minority of the nation of Israel.” (Reprint 5917, 5918, top ‑ 1916)

Nevertheless, there is still that promise of God to natural Israel that they will become the foremost nation on earth. Pastor Russell gives a very beautiful picture in Volume 4:

Jehovah’s Feet On The Mount Of Olives: (Zech. 14:4,5) This prophecy is generally misunderstood, and applied to the feet of our Lord Jesus, at his second advent. Indeed, those who thus err generally go farther and assert that it will be the feet of flesh, pierced with the nails of Calvary – not realizing that our Lord gave his human nature, complete and forever, as our ransom; and that he was raised from the dead, by the Father’s power, a glorious spirit‑being, the express image of the Father’s person. (See Vol. 2, Chap. 5)

“But a glance at the preceding verse (3) shows that the Prophet speaks of the return of Jehovah’s feet; for the verse (referring to the trouble by which the Kingdom will be established) is: ‘Then shall Jehovah go forth and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle [anciently for Israel]. And his feet will stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be divided in its center, from east to west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove northward and half southward.’

“As soon as any see the fact that the feet mentioned are Jehovah’s feet, they will not dispute that this language is symbolic, and refers to the Lord’s re‑establishment of his dominion in the earth, that has long been comparatively abandoned to the ‘god of this world’ Satan, except as the Lord was represented first by the typical Tabernacle, secondly by the Temple at Jerusalem, and lastly by the present tabernacle condition of the Church of Christ, during this Gospel Age. Surely, no one will err and get the thought that Jehovah literally rests his feet upon this earth as a ‘footstool.’

“And if the placing and resting of Jehovah’s feet is symbolic, and signifies the return of divine favor and dominion to earth, so, we may be sure, other features connected in the same prophecy are symbolic: the Mount of Olives, its peculiar division, its valley, the flight of the people, the waters of life from Jerusalem (compare v. 8 with Ezek. 47:1‑9), etc., are all symbolic statements, pictures of grand spiritual truths.

“The olive is a meaningful symbol: in olden times it was the source of artificial light, its oil being generally used for this purpose. (Ex. 27:20) Indeed, in the Hebrew the olive tree was called shemen or oil tree. Olive oil was also used as the basis of many of the precious ointments of olden time – such as that used in anointing the priests and kings, typing the holy spirit upon the antitypical ‘royal priesthood.’ (Ex. 30:25) And from time immemorial the olive branch has been used as a symbol of peace. (Gen. 8:11; Neh. 8:15)

“If then the olive be the symbol of light, peace and divine blessing through the holy spirit, and if mountain be considered as elsewhere the symbol for a Kingdom, the significance here of the term Mount of Olives is easily seen to be the Kingdom of Light, Peace and Divine Blessing. And the standing or establishment or fixing of Jehovah’s ‘feet’ upon it, signifies that the divine favor and law will be re‑established in the earth by and through the holy Kingdom.

“This application of the term Mount of Olives, is in full accord with Paul’s statement (Rom. 11:17, 24) in which he compares Fleshly Israel with the original cultivated olive tree, and Gentile converts to wild olive branches grafted in where the natural branches had been broken off. (Compare Jer. 11:16, 17) He explains that the root of the tree is in the promise of God, the Abrahamic promise, that the seed of Abraham should finally bless all the families of the earth, etc. Finally the same root or promise will bear two kinds of branches, the engrafted wild olive branches, and the re-engrafted natural branches: when Israel shall have his blindness turned away, and shall look with the eye of faith on the Saviour crucified and pierced eighteen centuries ago, a sacrifice for sin. We remember also that fleshly Israel was God’s typical Kingdom or mountain for a long time, and that spiritual Israel of this age is called to be the real Kingdom of God, as Jesus said ‘Fear not, Little Flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!

“Further, from these two Kingdoms (even before Jehovah’s glory rests on them to make them his channels of blessings to all mankind) has proceeded all ‘the light of the world’ during all the darkness of the past: for are not these the representatives of the Old and the New Testaments, the two parts of the oath‑bound Covenant? Are not these related to the Lord’s two witnesses and to the two olive trees of Zech. 4:3, 11, 12, distinctly mentioned also in Rev. 11:4? ‑ in that these two parts of the mountain symbolize the outcome of that covenant, the results of the witnessing – the Kingdom in its heavenly and its earthly phases?

“Here we see, then, that the two halves of the Mount of Olives mean the two parts of the Kingdom of God, distinctly separated according to a divine order or arrangement. The separation indicates no opposition between the two parts of the Kingdom. It is, on the contrary, for the purpose of making the ‘Valley of Blessing’ between – to which all who desire divine aid may flee and find succor under the blessed protection of both the heavenly and the earthly phases of the Kingdom.

“The Prophet David (Ps. 84) seems to have been given a foreview of this great ‘Valley of Blessings,’ close to Jehovah’s ‘feet,’ when he sings first of the saints of the Gospel Age and then of those blessed in the next Age, saying:

‘How lovely are thy dwelling places

O Jehovah of Hosts!

My soul desired, yea, it even fainted

For the courts of Jehovah.

My heart and my flesh shout with joy

Unto the living God.

Even as the sparrow hath found a house,

And the swallow a nest for herself,

Where she may lay her young: (so

I have found) shine altars, O Lord of Hosts,

My God, my King.

Happy are they that dwell in thy house:

They shall be continually praising Thee. Selah.

Happy is the man whose strong confidence is in thee,

Whose heart reflecteth (wholly)

On the paths of righteousness.

Passing through the valley of mourning,

They change it into a place of (joy) springs ‑

[Valley of Blessings].

The Autumn rain brings them blessings [Joel 2:28]:

They go from strength to strength

That each of them may be presented (perfect)

Before God in Zion.’

“The 85th Psalm also pictures the return of divine clemency and blessing under the Millennial Kingdom, the Olive Mountain (Kingdom) of two parts.

“The removal of one part of the mountain to the north and the other to the south is significant; the North is the direction of the Pleiades, the celestial center of the universe, the supposed seat of divine empire. (See Vol. 3, p. 321) This would seem to indicate the ‘change’ of the Gospel Church at this time, from human to spirit conditions as ‘partakers of the divine nature’; and the removal of the other half of the mountain would seem to signify the complete restitution, to perfect human conditions, of those ancient worthies accounted worthy to constitute the earthly representatives of God’s Kingdom.

“The valley thus produced would be one full of light ‑ free from shadows: for the sun would stream through it from east to west. This speaks pictorially of the Sun of Righteousness and its full light of divine truth and blessing scattering the shadows of sin, ignorance, superstition and death, and healing and restoring the willingly obedient of men who will flee to this valley of blessings, the valley of mercy. The valley of mercy, between and under the care of the spiritual and human phases of the Kingdom of Light and Peace (the standing of Jehovah’s feet) will surely be a ‘Valley of Blessings’ to all who enter it with broken and contrite hearts.

“We must recall, further, that while it is said to Israel only, ‘Ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains,’ yet as a name Israel meant ‘The blessed of the Lord,’ ‘The people of God,’ The Lord’s people.’ (2 Chr. 7:14) While, as we have seen, the first or spiritual blessing of the Kingdom shall come to spiritual Israel, and the second or earthly blessing shall begin with Israel according to the flesh, yet it will not stop there; for whosoever will may become an Israelite; by exercising the faith and obedience of Abraham, all mankind may become Israelites indeed, ‘the people of God.’ Hence the Prophet Isaiah declares that when Israel is called back to divine favor, at the establishment of the Kingdom, it will include ‘Every one that is called by my [Jehovah’s] name: for I have created him for my glory; I have formed him, yea, I have made him.’ (The name Israel will then apply to all who are God’s people.) – Is. 43:7; Rom. 9:26, 33; 10:13” (P‑4, pages 649 – 654, 1897)

We will close with something from the Epiphany Messenger regarding Pastor Russell:

“He (Bro. Russell – JJH) likewise forecast that during the Time of Trouble, which he considered synonymous with the Epiphany, the Jews would in Palestine greatly increase in numbers, wealth, influence, possession of the land and development in national respects. This increase in these respects we now see going on before us, and they are additionally a mighty forecast of what will yet take place in the remaining time of the Epiphany. For him (Bro. Russell – JJH) to have made such a forecast (long before 1914‑‑JJH), which the Epiphany increasingly witnesses as fulfilling, proves that he had charge of the storehouse of Truth, and therefore functioned in this respect as That Servant.” (E‑9, p. 350, par. 1 ‑ 1938)

“Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” (Matt. 24:46, 47)

(Written by Brother Hoefle August, 1978)

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“IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW”

Brother Gray Charles Dunnagan finished his course March 4, 1986, and was buried March 6, 1986. He was a member of the Bible House Family, and did what he could to help with the work as long as he was able. He was ill for over a year, and when he was told his case was terminal, he said, “I’m not afraid to die, as I know too much Truth to be afraid.” He knew he would be “asleep in Jesus” until the resurrection in the Kingdom, which would be only a nap or night’s sleep for him. He had faith in God’s promises, especially in Rev. 21:4: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

His family and friends mourn for him, but are comforted with the thought that he is now at rest, free from pain, and his suffering is over.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brethren: Christian greetings!

I would appreciate a copy of the book “About Pastor Charles Taze Russell.” We have read his six volumes but would like information on differences of teaching in      Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thank you and God bless you! ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Brethren:

Could you send me five copies of the book “About Pastor Charles Russell” by David Horowitz? Some brethren in this area would like to have copies. Do book stores have the book? Enclosed is check which I hope will cover some of the cost. If it is not sufficient, please let me know.

Yours in Him, ------- (NEW JERSEY)

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Dear Sirs:

Glad to receive your Bible articles. We have been receiving them for some time. Your announcement concerning the book “About Pastor Charles Taze Russell” in your No. 366 would be sent to those for the asking. Please send me a copy ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Mrs. Hoefle:

I was delighted to receive a copy of Mr. Horowitz’ book “About Pastor Charles Taze Russell,” and I have read it already. I am also grateful to receive the papers which arrive regularly. I notice that you publish them as originally written by Brother Hoefle. It is very comforting to know that you are keeping up the good work.

I hope that you are in the best of health. I enclose a check for use and to help with the administrative costs ‑ or in whatever way you wish. Once again thank you for sending me the papers and the book.

Yours faithfully, ------- (CANADA)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Loving greetings in our Lord and Head!

We appreciate receiving the papers .... Now, hope we aren’t too late to obtain a copy of the book “About Pastor Charles Taze Russell” by David Horowitz. Pastor Russell was surely used by the Lord to bring ‘present truth’ to His people.

May God continue to bless your efforts to carry on Brother Hoefle’s work.

Much Christian love, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Gentlemen:

Last week our office received a copy of David Horowitz’ book, entitled PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL, which had been mailed to Rev. J. Manning Potts. Our friend and colleague, Dr. Potts, passed away in January of 1973. I had worked for several years with Dr. Potts and to this day still maintain correspondence and telephone communications with his widow, who is now close to 90 years of age and living in Florida.

If you should like for us to return the book or forward it to Mrs. Potts or keep it here, we shall be glad to follow your direction. Please let us know what your wish is.

In the meantime if you have other books which you might want to share with us, please know that we would be glad to have them and enjoy them.

Sincerely, Lake Junaluska Assembly ------- (NORTH CAROLINA)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: Warmest Christian greetings to you!

I am very much interested in the book “About Pastor Charles Taze Russell.” I am requesting a copy of this book, and I am willing to cover the expenses when you notify me. I will be anxiously waiting for your reply.

Christian love, ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Brethren in Christ:

Thank you for the book David Horowitz wrote “About Pastor Russell and his writings.” I hope he gets as much out of Pastor Russell’s writings as we do. Maybe Pastor Russell’s writings will open the Jews’ eyes as it did with some of the nominal churches. Who knows what God can and will do! We are serving a wonderful God!

Your sister by His Grace, ------- (OHIO)

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Dear Sister: Grace and peace through our Beloved Lord and Master!

I just got the promised copy of Pastor Russell’s life. Thank you very much. As we believe, Pastor Russell will be on our Lord’s right hand. What a wonderful Christian battle he fought!

Hope you are keeping well. Thanks again! It is a lovely New Year’s gift.

Warm Christian love, ------- (TRINIDAD)

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Dear Sister:

Thank you, thank you and the Lord’s blessings be upon you! Today I received David Horowitz’ book “About Pastor Charles Taze Russell.” I could scarcely believe it, although I recalled in your last paper learning there was such a book....... I also meant to express my appreciation of the previous issue about Casimir Lanowick’s remarkable work. I met the Lanowick’s many years ago.......... But now about the book – I have not put it down, reading it cover to cover, then going back and forth savoring some of its precious details. .......

This book is a necessary vindication of Brother Russell and an expose’ of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It will be of much benefit to those who have become disenchanted with the Society (the JW’s) – or have been disfellowshipped. I’m sure it is God’s “due time” for this book to have been written – and just the right person to do so was David Horowitz. In thankfulness and His love, ------- (NEW YORK)

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Dear Sister Emily: Peace and blessing!

I hope this finds you more rested up. I am quite well. I hope many will let the wonderful promises sink into their hearts, D.v. I don’t know of any one but David who could have brought these things together at present. And you were there to help! Brother Hoefle, when he was here, did his part to make it possible.

We don’t know what results even one book to the right person may bring. But even if only a few are touched and comforted, it is all worthwhile.

I like to read about Israel. It is like taking a trip there (in our minds), and it makes us see how things are fulfilling in God’s plan.

With love to you from ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Sister Hoefle: I greet you with a warm “Shalom” in His precious Name!

It was indeed kind of you to send me a copy of the new book, “About Pastor Russell.” Needless to say, I was very gratified to learn that the early Christian Zionist work of Charles Taze Russell is being given recognition in this way. .... I pray that its influence will be widespread, to our Heavenly Father’s glory.

What a faithful servant Pastor Russell was! His love for God’s chosen people was, as indicated in the book, tied up with his love for all mankind and his joy in both knowing and heralding the Kingdom blessings.

You may be interested in a sidelight experience that Brother Casimir and I had on our first trip to Israel in 1950. We planned to place an advertisement in all Israel newspapers to try to reach any and all Israeli who had known of the work of Pastor Russell and his proclaiming of the prophecies concerning Israel’s restoration. So we contacted the representative of the hotel where we were staying to ask for a run‑down on the nature of each Israel newspaper. (There were many even in those days, due to the need to provide news in so many languages.)

The gentleman did give us the list we requested and asked why we wanted it. When he learned we were planning to advertise for Israeli who had been influenced by PASTOR RUSSELL, he was most enthusiastic and told us that at the Hebrew University he had taken a course in Zionism which included a section on “Christian Zionism.” At the top of the list of the latter, he said, was the name of Charles Taze Russell. Regrettably, the cost of placing the planned ads was way above our budget and we never did have the opportunity of following through on this, It is only one of the many privileges of service we had to pass up due to carrying on “a shoestring,” as they say.

As you know, many Bible Students in those days did not see God’s hand in developments in Israel and were reluctant to support a work such as we were doing, trying to call attention to both Jew and Gentile as to the extreme importance in God’s great plan of the return of the Jews to their homeland.

How greatly to Pastor Russell’s credit that he foresaw the events of our day and yet many of his followers decades hence fail to appreciate the historic times in which we live! Nevertheless, I will try to publicize David Horowitz’ book to the extent of my ability. Again, many thanks for so generously sending a copy to me.

Yours “for Zion’s sake,” ------- (CALIFORNIA)

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Dear Brethren: Thank you for including us on the readership list. We have received many blessings and especially find the article interesting concerning your visit with author David Horowitz. We would greatly appreciate receiving a copy of this book. In fact, if you have sufficient quantity, there is a lovely, large Jewish Community Center in our area of Houston which has a nice library. We are well acquainted with a member of the Board of Directors and feel he would be interested in placing the book in the library. We feel it is timely that an authentic book on the life of Brother Russell is published ‑ one we can recommend to our friends and associates.

Please advise if there is cost involved. With Christian love, ------- (TEXAS)

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Dear Mrs. Hoefle:

Sorry about the blank card. I wanted to know about Epiphany Bible Students. Yes, I would like to receive a copy of the Charles Russell book and be put on your mailing list.

Rev. ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Sirs and Fellow‑workers: Thank you for the book on Pastor Russell.

With appreciation, Pastor  ------- (FLORIDA)

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NOTE: We are publishing these letters of appreciation of the book for our readers to know that the book “About Pastor Charles Taze Russell” is receiving the acclaim it deserves. This is especially for those who have been benefited by the teachings of Brother Russell. We welcome the cooperation of all faithful Bible Students. We owe a debt of gratitude to David Horowitz for his time and efforts to bring Pastor Russell’s name and teachings to public knowledge.