NO. 264: THE JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD

No. 264

“When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) Companion to this text in the New Testament is the statement of St. Paul: “He has established a day in which he is about to judge the habitable in righteousness, by a man whom He has appointed, having furnished a proof to all by the raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31, Dia.); and the words of Jesus: “An hour comes in which all those in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those having done good things, to a resurrection of life; and those having done evil things, to a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28,29, Dia.) All of these texts are in the future tense; all of them refer substantially to the same time – to some dis­tant future day at the time they were spoken. The word ‘judgment’ in John 5:29 is from the Greek Krisis, improperly translated ‘damnation’ in the King James version; therefore, we use the Diaglott rendering, which correctly translates the word as judg­ment. In the courts of our land, judgment is properly defined as a determination con­formable to law and justice; and we believe this would be an acceptable definition for the word in the text we now consider.

SUNDRY INTERIM JUDGMENTS

Christendom generally anticipates a great and awesome Judgment Day, most people holding to the thought that such will be a 24-hour day; but all will certainly readily admit that 24 hours would be totally inadequate for the inhabitants of the world to “learn righteousness,” because they must first ‘unlearn, the unrighteousness and the erroneous teachings which they have been imbibing now for more than six thousand years. But St. Peter gives us a clear answer to the length of the Judgment Day when he tells us: “The heavens (present ecclesiastical institutions) and the earth (the present so­cial order) are reserved unto fire (certain destructive agencies) against the DAY OF JUDGMENT... but be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Pet. 3:7,8)

Following this premise, we find there has already been one Judgment Day of one thousand years, the same having been applied to Father Adam: “Of the tree of the knowl­edge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest there­of thou shalt surely die” (that is “dying thou shalt die”—Gen. 2:17) “And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.” (Gen. 5:5) Thus, if we consider Adam’s Day as one thousand years, there is complete harmony in the threatened sentence, “In the day thou eatest thereof.” Before Adam’s day had run its course, he was in the tomb, fully dead; nor have any of his children (with per­haps one exception) ever lived out a thousand-year day – Methuselah, the longest-lived of all, having lived only 969 years. (Gen. 5:27)

But any judgment properly defined must also be preceded by a trial; and such a trial would logically involve a law. And so it was with Adam: “Thou shalt not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Here is no involved, ponderous or nebulous detail: The restraining threat of punishment for failure in the trial is so brief and clear that a twelve-­year-old child would easily comprehend it. We are now in the seventh seven-thousand-year day of the cosmogonic process, the first thousand of which was a judgment day for Adam, and the last thousand years of which will be a judgment involving the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, Who will judge the world in righteousness, which righteousness will be learned by Adam’s descendants when “the judgments of the Lord are in the earth.” It should be remembered, however, that the results of these two judgment days will be dia­metrically opposite: The first one brought Adam and his children into the tomb; the sec­ond day will bring them out of the tomb, delivering them from the power of death. “I will redeem them from death; I will ransom them from the power of the grave: 0 death, I will be thy plagues; 0 grave, I will be thy destruction.” (Hos. 13:14)

But in the interim between the first and the second thousand-year judgment days other sundry and incidental judgments have been operating, sometimes involving indivi­duals, groups of individuals, and on occasion entire nations. One such instance is the nation of Israel, to whom “the oracles of God had been committed” (Rom. 3:2), but from which they profited so little that they eventually crucified “the Lord of Glory.” And, when they shouted, “His blood be upon us, and upon our children,” the Lord took them at their word: In the year 70 A.D. the Roman army under Titus invaded Palestine, besieged Jerusalem; and, when they had finished their effort in true Roman fashion, a circle of crosses encompassed Jerusalem, with a dead Jew hanging from every one of them. God had indeed ‘judged them’ by their own words: “His blood be upon us.”

SOME GOSPEL-AGE JUDGMENTS

Writing for Gospel-Age purposes, St. Paul treats further of certain judgments: “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment (before the great thous­and-year Judgment Day by “that man whom He hath ordained”); and some they follow after.” (1 Tim. 5:24) It is commonly stated that “Crime does not pay,” but the Bible has a dif­ferent view of it: “Now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.” (Mal. 3:15) We need mention only a few – Nero, the many wicked popes; some of the Russian Czars, etc. Many of these God allowed to go their way of evil: they had made no promises or vows unto Him; He exacted nothing from them unless it became expedient for His own plans and purposes, especially on behalf of His people. Thus, the mouths of the lions were stopped against Daniel the prophet (Dan. 6:4-28), and the furnace fires were harmless against the three Hebrew youths cast therein at Nebuchadnezzar’s command. (Dan. 3:8-30) St. Paul also says, “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” (2 Tim. 4:17)

But some men’s sins during this Gospel Day have been open beforehand: It is that class that has agreed, covenanted, to do God’s will, but who have failed to do so ­through inability or carelessness. To such St. Paul writes: “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: For whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth.” (Heb. 12:5,6) And Rev. 3:19 declares: “As many as I love I re­buke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (of those evils that require cor­rection––Rev. 3:19). Here, then is a class whose sins are open beforehand (before the Great Judgment Day that has been “appointed” for the great mass of the human race). They are further classified as “the called” of this present time – those who have re­sponded to the Gospel call, not because of force applied to them, but through love of God and good principles. “I delight to do thy will, 0 my God, thy law is within my heart.” (Psa. 40:8)

THE EPIPHANY JUDGMENT DAY

Of those who answered the “call” during this Gospel Age, our Lord stated, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt. 22:14) The many called, but not chosen, are described in detail in Rev. 7:9-17. Having promised to forsake the ways of evil, they failed to do it, and were subjected to “great tribulation” to rid them of their defilements. Such people ­have been with us all during the Age; but it is not until the end of the Age that they clearly become apparent as a class – a “great multitude” who have lost portions of the Truth which once sanctified them (some more, some less), and who now sit in “darkness and in the shadow of death.” (Psa. 107:10) And because they have lost the Truth, they would be clearly apparent to those who still retain “the spirit of understanding.”

One outstanding example of the leaders of such people is the Executive Trustee of the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement, who repeatedly reveals that he is one of this class by his “double mind – unstable in all his ways.” (Jas. 1:8) On Sept. 3, 1966, he introduced a motion to his Convention assembled in Philadelphia in which he asked that J. W. Krewson and John J. Hoefle be disfellowshiped, in support of his own disfellowship­ment of them in previous years. And that resolution was “unanimously” (?) passed. Note now his own teaching on such procedure on p. 13 of the Jan.-Feb. 1963 PT:

“Question: Is it scriptural for present-day ecclesias, or for individuals from different ecclesias, to convene to legislate in religious tatters for the brethren as a whole?

“Answer: NO, despite the fact that in Big and Little Babylon this is quite fre­quently done.... Nowhere in the New Testament do we find the churches legislating for one another, or unitedly legislating in religious matters for the church through a corp­oration, board, committee or individual. To do this is pure Roman Catholicism. Christ through the Apostles did all the necessary legislating for the general Church.” (All empha­sis by the Trustee himself.)

This matter is much elaborated on pp. 13,14 and 15 of the 1963 PT; and the Trustee set forth this teaching in his effort to refute JWK for wanting then to do exactly what the Trustee has now (in 1966) himself done against JWK – the very same person he (RGJ) attempted to silence in 1963. And had not RGJ openly admitted that he was of the “great multitude” of wayward brethren before 1950 (at which time he became Executive Trustee of the LHMM), the Lord’s “judgment” would now be clearly manifested to all of us who have retained the Truth and its spirit, that he is verily double minded – a member of the Great Multitude – a crown-loser. Nor should we be accused of “Judging” in this matter, because the Executive Trustee has clearly demonstrated by his “fruits” his Class; and we now merely observe the judgment that the Lord has revealed against him. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the di­viding asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) Also, “By their FRUITS you will discover them.” (Matt. 7:16, Dia.)

And, when he says that the resolution on Sept. 3, 1966 was passed “unanimously” we have the word of more than one who attended that meeting that they did not vote for it. Therefore, his statement is a negative truth at best. But of those who did vote for it, we can only say to them now that they have become partakers of his sins – in clear vio­lation of St. Paul’s counsel to Timothy (1 Tim. 5:22): “Be not partaker in others’ sins; keep thyself pure.” And we feel that we ourselves would be “a partaker in others’ sins” should we fail to expose his “Double Mind” in his infamous performance. Let us not forget also that RGJ was elected Executive Trustee “for business reasons” only, and not as Pastor and Teacher (although he has arrogated to himself this title, as he attempts to “sit in Moses’ seat”) – attempting to place himself on a par with the Apostles and Brother Russell.

In corroboration of this, note his own words as recorded in the Nov. 1955 Present Truth, p. 87, col. 1, pars. 1, 2: “Bro. Russell controlled the Society fully until the day of his death, and even as we (RGJ) so control it now...... Thus, we see that except for being unincorporated, the L.H.M.M. stands in relation to the Lord’s work for His Epiphany-enlightened people in exactly the same relation as the W.T.B. & T. Society stood to the Lord’s work for the Truth people in Bro. Russell’s day.” (No one has stood in relation to the Lord’s people that That Servant did, despite the boastful claims of RGJ and JWK – not even the Epiphany Messenger, the last Star Member – who never claimed equality with Brother Russell’s ministry “in relation to the Lord’s work”—JJH)

We believe it would be much more accurate to state that the “LHMM now stands in relatively the same relation as the W.T.B. & T. Society now stands in its relation to the Lord’s people under its present management.” The Society (the Jehovah’s Witnesses), too, ‘legislates’ for individuals and classes in violation of the Lord’s Arrangements.

Anent the foregoing, could we find a closer “twin” to the popes’ claim of “Suc­cessor to St. Peter”? RGJ, a self–admitted Levite, who acknowledges that he is no longer in the Body of Christ, much less a Star Member – claiming to be “IN EXACTLY THE SAME RELATION... TO THE LORD’S WORK FOR THE TRUTH PEOPLE” as was THAT SERVANT, who was made ruler over His household (Matt. 24:45), and the EPIPHANY MESSENGER! “Great swelling, words, ‘do you say’? No one could eject Brother Russell or Brother Johnson from their positions, because their Movements belonged to them; they were accountable ONLY to the Lord. Thus, no one could occupy a similar position unless he also established his own Movement. However, no one could be a successor to That Servant in his ministry to the brethren – nor did Brother Johnson claim to minister to the brethren in the same capac­ity. Aside from RGJ, JWK and the leaders of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, we know of no other leaders in the Truth Movements making such boastful claims – “great swelling words.”

It would seem to us a very elemental deduction that, if the Trustee be not guilty of the sins of teaching and practice of which we charge him, he would gladly welcome any investigation to prove us wrong – just as an innocent politician also welcomes full in­vestigation of his accounts if there is nothing wrong with them – an investigation that would exonerate him and place him in a much more favorable light. But of the guilty ones, the universal shriek is: “Frame–up; don’t pay any attention whatever to what my accusers say about me.” Here in the United States – and in the “free” world generally – good well-intentioned worldlings will advise the citizens to read both sides, and make up their own minds. But not so from the DICTATORS of any country or of any religion. Their reports to their people are dripping dishonesty, framed in deceit. They cannot possibly stand the search-light of impartial investigation. For shame that any of the Lord’s people must stoop to the same tactics!

The question has been well put: Since RGJ was elected by a general assembly, could he not also be deposed by a general assembly? Our answer to that is No – for the simple reason that when any one – such as John J. Hoefle – attempts to expose his sins of teach­ing and practice, or disagrees with his teaching and practice, he immediately proceeds to have them disfellowshiped. He does not even allow such to attend his business meet­ings; only his Yes-men are welcome. He has repeatedly stated that we are not even wel­come at his religious services at his Conventions – despite the fact that we are always quiet and orderly. Even though we have contributed much more than he ever has to the pub­lishing of the Epiphany books, he charges us the same amount of any outsider – not even allowing us colporteurs’ rates. Yes, this Epiphany period is the special Judgment Day of the Great Multitude – it is their “Little Season” – just as will also be true of the world in general after 2874, when the sheep will be separated from the goats.

Had RGJ persisted in those revolutionisms under Brother Johnson (against which we have been protesting), he would have been dismissed from the Pilgrim service – just as he was dismissed from the Pilgrim service during 1938 for infinitely less offense. As things stand now, the Trustee is “The Channel” – even in some respects that was true of the Watch Tower some sixty years ago. Then, at least, a group made that claim; now it is a one-man performance.

And of such power–graspers we quote from E–4:222: “Whenever religious errorists and frauds cannot meet the exposures of their false doctrines or evil practices by argument, Satan fills their mouths with false and malicious slanders against their ex­posers.” And further from E–14:350: “God declares that the time is coming when He will punish all the measurably unfaithful consecrated – the crown–losers – with the unconsecrated. Then, “An exhortation will go out to invade the teaching, spirit and service of the Great Company in the Truth as guilty of double rebellion, once in the nominal church, then in the Truth.” (E–14:472)

But in all this we rest calmly and securely in the assurance that this Epiphany is for the very purpose of manifesting persons, principles and things; and it will accomplish this to a completion – because “He is faithful that promised.” And, if such is to be the order of this Epiphany Judgment Day, then it is not only our privi­lege, but it is our duty to declare it – just as it was the privilege and the duty of Truth people to declare God’s judgment against Great Babylon in the Parousia Day. As Jesus stated, “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48) Nor do we ourselves judge any man by what we publish: It is the WORD that does the judging; it is the WORD that reveals to us what the judgment is. “This is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He will render unto Babylon (great and small) a recompense.... for her judgment reached unto Heaven... The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness; come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God.” (Jer. 51:6,9,10)

The principle involved in the foregoing would also apply to Youthful Worthies who succumb to the same erroneous teachings and practices as involve their “leprous” lead­ers. They also must cleanse themselves of present-day defilements if they retain their Class standing, because they, too, are having an Epiphany Judgment Day, which will de­termine their eventual Kingdom standing. While they are not now on trial for life, they are certainly on trial for faith and obedience; and there seems little doubt that among them also many will fail – just as has been true with the new creatures all during the Gospel Age: “Many are called, but few are chosen” – the “many” lost their place in the Very Elect. But there is no secondary Elect among the Youthful Worthies; they either will gain a permanent place in that Class during this Epiphany Judgment Day, or they revert to the Restitution standing common to the general mass of humanity.

Here is something from E–4:442 (bottom): “Before the Youthful Worthies will be worthy of association with the Ancient Worthies they will have to obtain a good report for faith and obedience, and to the extent that their cleaving to the Levitical divis­ions implies sympathy with Levitical ways, to that extent they will have to cleanse themselves, if they would be the Millennial associates of the Ancient Worthies. And this the ultimately faithful among them will do.”

THE “CHANNEL”

One of the most pertinent texts supporting this Epiphany Judgment Day is 2 Tim. 4:1 (Dia.): “I adjure thee before that God and Christ Jesus who is about to judge the living.... by His appearing” (His Epiphaneia). The “living” in this text would be all human beings as have “passed from death unto life,” and those wayward spirit beings who have never been under the Adamic death sentence. Thus, during the Parousia Day it was not possible to discriminate between the crown-retainers and the crown-losers as the latter remained in the Truth Movement, because the judgment of the Lord had not then been manifested; but the inference is plain enough that such recognition would come dur­ing the Epiphany Judgment Day. Otherwise, St. Paul’s statement would be without meaning to us now.  And, just as the final standing of the crown-losers – as a Class and as individuals – will be finally determined now, so also will be true of the Youthful Wor­thies as a Class and as individuals. And one of the major pitfalls that now involves the latter is this “Channel” doctrine. However, the Youthful Worthies will overcome Clericalism and Sectarianism. (See E–5:226–229)

Here is something from E–6:118: “There are certain results flowing from this doc­trine of the channel that should be considered in order properly to estimate what the doctrine involves. While it does not involve the thought of the channels infallibility, it does involve the thought that its adherents exercise a meekness toward it that should predispose them to receive its teachings with considerable trustfulness, that they be not suspicious of its teachings, but be inclined toward them; that they do not take toward them a critical but a believing attitude. In practice this theory manifestly results in a mental attitude like the credulity of the average Catholic. It does not put one suffi­ciently on one’s guard against the many admittedly erroneous teachings that have flown through this channel. Hence Society adherents have been finding themselves rejecting not a few things that, shortly before, they insisted were meat in due season.’ This theory, therefore, in practice works against the principle of proving all things and hold­ing fast that which is good (1 Thes. 5:17). This effect of the channel doctrine can make and has made its adherents subject to deceptions, and is, therefore, dangerous to their spiritual safety. Another result of this theory of the channel is that its adherents look upon its direction of affairs as of the Lord... This, of course, has the effect of making its thorough adherents unquestioningly fall into line with its policies and ac­tivities...

“Another effect of this theory is giving the channel the same official powers in the eyes of its adherents as our dear Pastor had (just as the Executive Trustee of the LHMM – inheritor of Brother Johnson’s business position – boasts and attempts to estab­lish himself in the eyes of his adherents with the “same official powers as our dear Pas­tor”—That Servant! – JJH).... Again this doctrine brings with it the thought that it is impious to criticize the policies and management of the Society. Even those who exercise the right of sober criticism are regarded as ‘murmurers’ (“chronic faultfinders,” accord­ing to RGJ – JJH)... Hence, criticism of the channel is considered as coming from an evil source, just as papists think of those who criticize the papacy. (And just as the Execu­tive Trustee often declares regarding us––JJH) This effect of the doctrine can easily be and has been used to the disadvantage of Truth and Righteousness... Another of its ef­fects on them is to make them refuse to read religious literature that does not come through the Society (RGJ has repeatedly warned against reading the writings of JJH as being “of the Devil” – truly papal shenanigan—JJH)... A doctrine producing such effects as the foregoing cannot be true, but ought to be suspected as coming from an evil source (as coming from Azazel in whose hands such teachers are – JJH) ...

“In practice this doctrine has made the bulk of the Society adherents as subject to it as the adherents of the papacy are to it. The same line of argument is used in each case – ‘to be out of harmony with the channel is to be out of harmony with the Lord’... Thus, they fear properly to weigh its teachings and practices... These considerations make them subject to a business corporation with a spirit of servile fear unbecoming to Priests of God.”

THE “TRADEMARK” OF ALL ERRORISTS

The foregoing quotations are from Volume E–6 from pages 118 through 164, and we sug­gest to all that it will be most profitable to read the entire analysis by Brother John­son. So far as we can recall, we do not know of a single instance where either Brother Russell or Brother Johnson ever commanded their adherents not to read publications other than their own. Did Brother Russell advise his readers not to read the slander about him from the Brooklyn Eagle and elsewhere? “Now the Lord is that Spirit: And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Cor. 3:17) The Constitution of the United States is founded upon this principle, the whole Parousia Movement was founded upon this principle, and the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement was also founded upon this principle – this foundation principle. Therefore, when the Executive Trustee em­phatically and openly sets this principle aside, he is once more placing himself open to the judgments of this Epiphany Day as he violates the “trust” conferred upon him. And those who encourage him in his evil course will also incur the judgments of this Epiphany Day foretold of such. This Day is indeed “making manifest the counsels of hearts, and bringing to light the hidden things of darkness” (1 Cor. 4:5) – those char­acter flaws that for a time were concealed from us, now made manifest by their revolu­tionisms against the Truth and its Arrangements.

It is a fitting appraisal of all errorists that they have a decided tendency to do violence to the Truth. and to malign, slander and disfellowship those whose Truth pre­sentations they cannot meet. This has been most definitely true of the Roman Church, the same being the worst system of error of all Ages. Burn the ‘heretics,’ and burn their literature, has been their battle cry for more than 1500 years. The latter part of this became also the shibboleth of J. F. Rutherford against the Present Truth papers, except that he had the lawyer’s cunning to improve somewhat upon it. When his truck­ling yes-men advised him they were burning Brother Johnson’s papers, he was shrewd enough to realize that they might thus have to open them first – just glance at some of it, that the glance might be fed by curiosity to read just a little to see what it was like. And that would be bad! So he and his partisan pilgrims advised all such not to open the magazines at all – just write “REFUSED” and return to sender. That would have the double effect of securely holding his adherents and of perhaps discouraging Brother Johnson. And the present Trustee of the LHMM follows the identical footsteps of JFR: Don’t by any means read the writing of the ‘sifters’! You wouldn’t shake hands with the Devil, would you?

Brother Johnson didn’t follow such a policy. He knew that we ourselves continued to read the Watch Tower for a number of years after we had openly and definitely allied ourselves with him; yet he never once even suggested that we discontinue reading the Towers – although he knew full well that we had to pay the subscription price in order to receive it. Nor have we ever advised our readers not to read the Present Truth ­or the writings of J. W. Krewson (who also has been very determined that his partisans refuse our writings); rather we have often advised privately and in writing that those who have the time, strength and inclination to place our papers side by side with theirs, read them carefully – to be fully persuaded in their own minds. And this method has been a blessing to some who have done so from a “good and honest heart.” However, RGJ can’t do this. If his sleeping partisans would think just a little bit, they might ask them­selves why their leader should be so adamant against examination of his sayings and writ­ings if they are indeed the Truth – if they do indeed stand “in exactly the same rela­tion to the Lord’s work for the Truth people” as did the writings and sermons of THAT SERVANT. Let us not forget that the real Pastors and Teachers did not counsel their readers to avoid the writings of the errorists. They exhorted them to “grow in grace and in knowledge” of the Truth, that they might be able to stand in this “evil day” as their adversaries would flee from them.

Of course, all of this found a very fitting type in Israel about three thousand years ago, as recorded in 1 Kgs. 12:25–33, in which Jeroboam built two golden calves one in Bethel and one in Dan. “Behold thy gods, 0 Israel,” said he. Now it would no longer be necessary for them to make their usual pilgrimages to Jerusalem, where was located the Temple of the Lord containing the Golden Ark and the Tables of the Law. He would make life much easier for them. No longer would they need to make the weari­some pilgrimages to Jerusalem; no longer would they need to do any thinking – Jeroboam would take care of all that for them. “And this thing became a sin.” (v. 30) In fact, it became such a sin that there are at least seventeen accusations against various kings in Israel in following four hundred years that they “walked in the ways of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin.”

Such an important recording in the Old Testament writings must also certainly have a Gospel-Age antitype; and so it does. Those two golden calves type Clericalism and Sectarianism (which the faithful Youthful Worthies overcome), the shibboleth of both being: Don’t read anything that exposes us; let us do your thinking for you, as you sleep quietly on. But the words of St. Paul have a most appropriate application in this Epiphany season: “Knowing the season, that it is already the hour for us to wake up from sleep... The night is far advanced, and the day has approached; we should, therefore, lay aside the works of darkness (error, and the counsel and ways of error­ists), and should put on the armor of light.” (Rom. 13:11,12, Dia.)

“But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” (2 Cor. 10:13, 18)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in Christ!

Many thanks for continuing to send me your paper with much helpful information. Some considerable time back – maybe two or three years ago – you sent me one going into considerable detail regarding Nisan 14, and that it does not always coincide with ­the full moon and how the error came about, the idea of Good Friday, etc. If you have any spare copies of that number, would you please let me have one or two of them? I seem to have displaced my own. I have other back copies, but not that one. The ques­tion has arisen again in our group re Nisan 14 – some claiming it should be April 3 after 6 p.m. We are a small group dating back to 1918 and are known as The M.C.F.B.

I met Brother Russell only once as a youth in Liverpool in 1913. I am now in my eightieth year, He played the greater part in my life and under his banner. I served 116 days Wormwood prison as a conscientious objector and was from 1914-1918 and 12 mos. in Dartmoor Prison (guided by Volume teaching). Today we are a perfectly free group.

Sending our Christian love... Heb. 6:10; 10:35 and 1 Cor. 15:58. Bro. ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in our Master’s Name!

It is a little hard for me to write, for I am so shaky on my hand – but I want you to know that I think of you often and I love your papers. I was 92 years old last fall, so you see I am getting up in years. I have a heart condition, so I have to take it very easy.

I am enclosing $-- to help in a small way to spread the Truth. God bless you and keep you. Your brother by His Grace ------- (ILLINOIS)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

For the last two years I have been keeping your articles and indexing them for future reference. I regret that some of these papers have gotten away from me. Maybe you could again supply me with the missing ones. They are #241,242,247 and 248. Enclosed is a small gift for your kindness. Thanks for your labor of love.

Your brother in Christ ------- (PENNSYLVANIA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

God has brought us on the way even to the opening of another year. Tongue or pen can but faintly express gratitude for His providence and grace. From signs about us we do realize we are near in the good of eternal reward, and this year requires more zeal and determination to walk.

I presume it was a difficult time for you over the past year in refuting the errors as they appear from the various sects and elsewhere – but as ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20) He has promised to give strength to His people and bless them with peace. (Psa. 29:11)

We are ever grateful to you for the help we receive from the monthly articles. May the Lord continue His blessings – remain and abide with you all. (Ex. 33:14; Heb. 10:23)

Yours by His  Grace ------- (JAMAICA)

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Our dear Brother Hoefle; Grace and peace, be multiplied!

This is to let you know that we are still rejoicing in the Truth..... the Truth God gave through the last two Star Members. We also are glad for you, dear Brother, as a Defense wall against the errors that prevail to destroy the Truths of these books. Be of good courage and be strong. The Lord bless and keep you. Fond Christian love for you and the other dear ones with you.

Yours by His Grace, ------- (JAMAICA)