NO. 147: THE JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD

No. 147

My dear Brethren: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!

“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 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 could 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 miserably 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 declares, “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 the 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 cov­enant 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 – who have responded to the Gospel call not because of force applied to them, but through love of good principles. “I delight to do thy  will,  0  my  God, thy law is within my heart.” (Psa. 40:8)

THE EPIPHANY JUDGEMENT 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 then 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 his true character by his “double mind, unstable in all his ways.” (Jas. 1:8) On Sept. 3, 1966, this Trustee introduced a notion to his Convention assembled in Philadelphia in which he asked that J. W. Krewson and John J. Hoefle be disfellowshiped – in support of something which he himself had previously done some years ago. And that resolution was “unanimously” (?) passed. Note now his own teaching on such proce­dure on page 13 of the Jan-Feb. 1963 Present Truth:

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

“Answer: NO, despite that 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.” (Emphasis by the Trustee himself)

This matter is much elaborated on pages 13, 14 and 15 of the 1963 Present Truth; and the Trustee set forth this teaching in his effort to refute J. W. Krewson for wanting then to do exactly what the Executive Trustee has now him­self done against J. W. Krewson – the very same person whom he attempted to silence in 1963. Truly, “a double-minded man is unstable In all his ways”; and had not this Executive Trustee 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. Nor should we be accused of “judging” in this matter, because the Execu­tive Trustee has clearly demonstrated by his “fruits” what manner of person he is; we now merely observe the judgment that the Lord has revealed against him.

And, when he says that the resolution on Sept. 3, 1966 was passed “unani­mously,” we have the word of more than one that 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 partaker 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 of his sins” should we fail to expose his “double mind” in his infamous performance. Let us not forget also that the Executive Trustee was elected such “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 Bro.  Russell.

In corroboration of this, note his own words as recorded in the Nov. 1955 PT, P. 87, col. 1, pars. 1 & 2:

“Bro.  Russell controlled the Society fully until the day of his death, even as Bro.  Johnson similarly controlled the L.H.M.M. until the day of his death, and even as we (R.G. Jolly) 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.” (We believe it would be much more accurately stated that the “LHMM now stands in exactly the same relation as the W.T.B. & T. Society stands in its relation to the Truth people under its present management. The Society, too, ‘legislates’ for individuals and classes in violation of the Lord’s Arrange­ments—JJH)

Anent the foregoing, could we possibly find a closer “twin” to the popest claim of “Successor to St. Peter”? Just think of it – A self-admitted Levite, who acknowledges that he is no longer even 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 and the EPIPHANY MESSENGER! “Great swelling words,” do you say? – Have we ever heard worse from The Man of Sin? 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. Whatever may be the Trustee’s limitations, there is certainly no limit to his gall! It is little wonder that all his efforts toward Levites in other Truth groups have resulted in dismal failure. A Levite – manifested as such in 1938, and forced out of the Holy (almost thirty years ago) – comes readily enough under the condemnation of St. Paul: “From such turn away.”

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 – which would exonerate him and place him in a much more favorable light. But of the guilty ones, the almost 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 are emphati­cally advising the citizens to read both sides, make up your own mind. But not so from the DICTATORS of any country or any religion. Their reports to their people are dripping dishonesty, framed in deceit. They cannot possibly stand the search­light of impartial investigation. And for shame that the Trustee of the LHMM must stoop to the same tactics!

The question has been well put: Since he 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, and that we have contributed perhaps a hundred times more in the way of finances to build the Move­ment than he himself ever has. Yes, this Epiphany period is the special Judgment­ Day of the Great Multitude – it is their “Little Season” of this Gospel Age, just as will also be true of the world in general after 2874 – when the sheep will be separated from the goats.  Had the Executive Trustee persisted in those revolution­isms under Brother Johnson (against which we have been protesting for now some twelve years) 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” – in even worse manner than was true of the Watch Tower some forty years ago. Then, at least, a group made that claim; Now it is a one-man performance.

And of such power-graspers Brother Johnson wrote in 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.” But in all this we rest calmly and securely in the assurance that this Epiphany period 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.”

In further evidence of this we quote from E-14:350: “God declares that the time is coming when He will punish all the measurably unfaithful consecrated – ­the crown-losers – (such as the Executive Trustee and those who are partakers of his sins—JJH) 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)

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 Cod’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 reacheth 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 their Class standing; and there seems little doubt that among them also many will fail – just as has been true with 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 such humans as have “passed from death unto  life,” and those wayward spirit beings who have never been under the death sentence. Thus, dur­ing the Parousia Day it was not possible to discriminate between the crown-­retainers and the crown-losers so long 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. Here is something on it 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 channel’s 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 also attempts to establish for himself – as inheritor of Brother John­son’s business position—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 fault-finders;” according to R. G. Jolly—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 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 (The Executive Trustee has repeatedly warned against reading the writings of JJH as being “of the Devil” – a truly papal shenanigan if there ever was one—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 Executive Trustee was also voted only as a business manager, yet to describe JJH as a “chronic fault-finder” merely for using his own published figures in his Annual Reports reveals – his sorry inadequacies—JJH).”

THE “TRADEMARK” OF ALL ERRORISTS

The foregoing quotations are from Vol. 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 openly and emphati­cally 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 on it “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 writings of the ‘sifters’! You wouldn’t shake hands with the Devil, would you? Of course, in all of 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 Truth servants did not counsel their readers to avoid the writings of the errorists. They exhorted them to “grow in grace and Knowledge” of the Truth, that they might be able to stand in this “evil day,” as their adversaries would flee from them. Brother Johnson 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 it – although he know 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, even as was his “cousin” Jolly); 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.”

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 the 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, 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.)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTION  OF  GENERAL  INTEREST

QUESTION: – On page 89 of his May-June paper Bro. Krewson offers the opinion that the violent features of Armageddon may begin in October 1975 accord­ing to his figures on the hour of Rev. 17:12. What is your opinion of his prediction?

ANSWER: – We firmly adhere to the teaching of both Brothers Russell and Johnson on time prophecies – that no prophecy can be clearly understood until it has been fulfilled, or is in course of fulfillment. Any one who accepts that instruction will not be too positive about his own prediction of future events, or too critical of the forecasts of other – unless, of course, such forecasts are com­pletely out of harmony with Scripture, Reason and Fact. As most of our readers know, we offered a tentative prediction on the “hour” of Rev. 17:12 in our paper No. 133; and we know that time itself will be the unerring and indisputable judge of all attempts to interpret prophecy. However, we believe we can definitely rely upon the statement of Brother Johnson that Armageddon will have its inception in Italy, and may not reach the United States until a year or two later. Thus, we may “watch and be sober,” but not otherwise specially concern ourselves until we see its start in Italy. And, when that occurs, we expect to be among the first to declare It.

There is, however, another interesting item or happenstance on the Krewson tentative prediction; namely, the Jehovah’s Witnesses came out early this Spring offering a similar tentative Armageddon prediction for 1975 – based upon some special figures of their own. As most of us know, this organization, in true papistical fashion, has been most adamant for the past fifty years that they are “THE Channel”; and J. W. Krewson has now been claiming that same distinction for himself in like positive manner for the past twelve years. Thus, we now have before us TWO “Channels” converging upon the same Armageddon date – the year 1975 – their only difference being the method of calculation. Here, then, is one more proof of the proverb: Great minds run in the same “Channel.” Of course, we cannot know whether J. W. Krewson had knowledge of the Witnesses’  prediction before presenting his date – but it should be very apparent to all that, should the 1975 Armageddon prediction be correct, the Witnesses would mightily overshadow J. W. Krewson – having, as they do about one million devotees, with a large worldwide circulation of their magazines to Krewson’s little handful in comparison.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Gentlemen: A friend recently gave me a copy of your Herald Special Edition No. 7 – October 31, 1517–October 31, 1967 – The Great Reformer. As a member of the oldest Lutheran congregation in the Western Hemisphere, I found it more than ordinarily interesting to read. Could it be possible for you to send me 5 additional copies, and will you accept the small enclosure to partially repay the cost of same? Thanking you in advance for your considera­tion, I am

Sincerely yours ------- (NEW YORK)

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Dear Sirs: I enjoyed your interesting views on the papacy and Luther. I have successfully knocked the crown off the pope’s head in my manual on Protestant-Catholic marriage. I quote three recent Roman Catholic Seminary Professors – now Protestant clergymen.

Sincerely yours ------- Pastor Lutheran Church (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace  and  peace  be  your  continued  portion!

                   Thanks for No. 145 as a Special Edition No. 7. Send me 300. In closing, Christian love to you and the other dear ones with you.

Sincerely your brother ------- (MICHIGAN)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace be multiplied!

Your good letters received – also the April and May articles, and the No. 7 tract. Thank you very much! Your Special Edition No. 7, Brother Hoefle, is very good, and we have read it several times. We think it will be pleasing to the Lord if we serve the Protestant churches.... We shall not repeat here what you have said in your article, but be assured we are in full sympathy with your thoughts and suggestions. Would you please send us 500 of the No. 7 – The Great Reformer.....

We were sorry to hear of the death of Sister Hoefle’s brother-in-law.

Do express to her dear sister our deepest sympathy in her loss. (See Announce­ment below) Sister and I are quite well, I am glad to report. May we again express our deep appreciation to you, Brother and Sister Hoefle, in your con­stant efforts to serve the dear brethren – and we can assure you that we are glad to be identified with you – truly God’s people! And may the God of all Grace bless as only He can bless, and strengthen you all in your great service at Mount Dora.

Sister joins me in sending you and Sister Hoefle warmest Christian love ­and, as you have constantly said in your letters to us, you are often in our thought and prayers as we approach the throne of Heavenly Grace.

Yours in the one Hope of our calling, your brother and sister ------- (NEW JERSEY)

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL INTEREST

Brother Raleigh D. Campbell of North Carolina died suddenly and unexpectedly Sunday, June 4 and was buried Tuesday, June 6. He gladly and readily accepted the Truth when he first heard it as a young man. We conducted the service, which was well attended. He was able in death to present the Truth to some of his relatives and friends who wouldn’t listen to him in life. After the service at least one of his relatives expressed warm praise of it; and an unusually large number of autos and friends went to the cemetery. He had many friends and loved ones, as was attested by the large gathering there; to pay their last respects.