NO. 119: THE "TALENTS" PARABLE AGAIN

No. 119

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

In this March-April Present Truth, page 30, col. 2, R. G. Jolly makes a puny attempt to nullify our refutation of his perversion of the Talents’ Parable (Azazel means Perverter); and his effort once more gives glaring manifestation (the Epi­phany period specifically “manifests” persons, principles and things) that he is still sorely befuddled by Azazel. At the outset, let us keep clearly in mind that the “unprofitable servant” of the Talents’ Parable is very close relative to the foolish virgins described by Jesus in the first verses of Matthew 25; the one parable follows immediately after the other. We suggest to our readers the Berean Comments on the Virgins’ Parable, noting particularly those for v. 3, “The spirit of the Truth.” The great fault with the foolish virgins is that they lose the spirit of the Truth, the Spirit of understanding (their “lamps gone out”) – just as the “unprofitable servant” of the Talents’ Parable is sentenced to “outer darkness” (V. 30). Now we have a member of the “unprofitable servant” trying to teach us that now since the last Little Flock has been glorified we should follow his per­version of the “faith that was once delivered to the saints,” instead of adhering to the faithful and true teachings of the Star Members! And Brother Johnson says of such in E-4:128 (9):

“The Great Company (who no longer have access to the antitypical lampstand in the Holy) are able to feed upon what they once had while in the Holy; but for the most part they neglect this (as R. G. Jolly has been doing increas­ingly since he was fully abandoned to Azazel in 1950 – JJH) and see only counter­feit light (such as R. G. Jolly now sees in the Talents’ Parable, Epiphany Campers Consecrated, Tentative Justification in the Camp, etc.¾JJH), i.e., such as never was on the antitypical lampstand, and thus partake of unclean bread, i.e., such as never was on the antitypical table. So far as the meat in due season – the advancing Truth – is concerned, they do not partake of it, but reject it, while in the fit man’s and Azazel’s hands.”

We direct special attention to the Berean Comment on Matt. 25:30, respecting the punishment of the “unprofitable servant”: “Sorrow, disappointment and chagrin in every sense.” And it is this same class that R. G. Jolly now declares have “entered into the Joy of the Lord”! Here again, he offers clear and gross revo­lutionism against Parousia Truth when he declares he now has “the joy of the Lord” in direct contradiction of Brother Russell’s Parousia teaching that he should be experiencing “Sorrow, disappointment and chagrin in every sense.” (Even if he were cleansed, as he claims to be, he would consider his past performances more soberly and hesitate long before he attempted to tamper in any degree with the Star Members’ writings.) Just this year 1965 we came into possession of a letter from an erstwhile Youthful Worthy brother, who once enthusiastically embraced Parousia and Epiphany Truth – according to his effusive testimonies at many conventions – but who has now forsaken that Truth (a brother well known to R. G. Jolly); and this is what he says: “I have lived a rich and full life and am at peace with my God, myself and with the world.” His statement of “peace with God” is an identical twin to those crown-losers who now claim to possess “the joy of the Lord.” For all those who still retain the spirit of understanding it should not be at all difficult to perceive that there is something sadly amiss in both instances. Certainly, only one befuddled by Azazel would be bold enough to attempt merger of these two contrasts in extreme punishment and reward. This would be unbelievable were we not witness to it! As Brother Johnson so aptly stated, When these people fall into the hands of Azazel, they talk all sorts of nonsense; and here we have another classic example of nonsense in the extreme – “the joy of the Lord” for the profitable servant, and “sorrow, disappointment and chagrin in every sense” for the unprofitable servant becoming merged into one.

R. G. Jolly makes reference to E-6:226. Why does he not go a little further to p. 229, where Brother Johnson says we should “remember that the slothful and wicked servant represents the Great Company”? And, while these “still retain the robe of Christ’s righteousness, they have spotted it badly” – by their perversions of teach­ing and practice, as R. G. Jolly has done since 1950.

R. G. Jolly seems to believe that the support of one of his Evangelists adds strength to his “Strange, unreasonable dreams” (See Berean Comment for Matt. 25:5); but this Evangelist merely reveals that his thinking is on the same shallow and confused level with that of his leader (for which R. G. Jolly is largely responsible: it is the leaders the Lord holds more responsible). In his letter he says “even the restored world of mankind will eventually enter into the joy of the Lord.” Why doesn’t he include horses and dogs, too? They also will experience a certain joy under the benign Kingdom conditions. Even he is forced to admit that the Great Company and Youthful Worthies ‘‘will not enter into the joy of the Lord on the same plane as the Little Flock”; but that’s the only “joy of the Lord” that’s under dis­cussion in the parable. Therefore, he is simply setting up a straw man here – a char­acteristic of all “mis”-leaders when they find themselves on the losing end of an argument. Brother Johnson often accused That Evil Servant of just such tactics.

And R. G. Jolly adds more dust to confusion at top of p. 31, col. 2, when he tries to stress his “comma” after “overcomers.” Is he trying to tell us here that the Fully Faithful Youthful Worthies are not classed as “overcomers”? In fact, is he inferring that the cleansed Great Company are not classed as “overcomers”? Even he should know they are portrayed with palms in their hands – an evidence of eventual victory (after going through the “great Tribulation”). He should know, too, that, when the Little Flock and Great Company are contrasted in such instances, the Fully Faithful Little Flock should be qualified as “more than conquerors.”

Then he goes on to say, “Anyone should know better than to think he would represent Matt. 25:31 as referring in the parable directly to the Great Company or the Youthful Worthies.” Clearly enough, he himself didn’t “know better” when he injected his error into Brother Russell’s superb article as reproduced in his Nov-Dec. PT. He just found that out after reading our February paper. Just go back and note what he actually did: At the top of p. 83, col. 1, he switches from the Little Flock to “the Great Company and Youthful Worthies, the last two classes of God’s elect.” Then, beginning the next paragraph, he begins, “Consequently, WE.” If he was really, honestly, that shoddy and unreliable – without really intending what his language clearly states – then he’s still deserving of all the “fault-finding” we have published against him.

Let us note his opening sentence of the paragraph in question: “Consequently, WE have had many and severe storms of opposition, and still there are doubtless more severe trials to follow.” If he were speaking of the Great Company and Youthful Worthies only “in principle” here – as he now claims –, is he informing his readers that the Little Flock in Heaven (since he claims all of them are glorified) may still expect “more severe trials” than any they ever had in their earthly pilgrimage? Even he isn’t so befuddled by Azazel that he would make such a claim. Clearly enough, his language is descriptive only of the last two classes he mentioned in his preced­ing paragraph – the Great Company and the Youthful Worthies. He here is guilty of injecting a gross perversion (Azazel means Perverter) into Brother Russell’s superb article; and our February paper exposed his revolutionism so clearly and conclu­sively that even he “got the point.” His flimsy discussion of his “comma” is now merely an attempt to whitewash himself – to throw dust into the eyes of his readers; so we now suggest to the Evangelist mentioned aforegoing that he go back to that Nov-Dec. PT, p. 83, col. 1, par. 1, and read it again carefully. Then he should consider it his present explicit duty to write R. G. Jolly another letter – for publication in the Present Truth – to reveal our error in this matter – if indeed there is any error to be exposed.

It requires no argument that all moral beings in a sinless Universe will exper­ience great joy; but “the joy of the Lord” in the Talents’ parable goes arm in arm with “the narrow way” that leadeth unto life, to which few attain (Does R. G. Jolly now claim that he and his cohorts are on the narrow way?). If R. G. Jolly can stress the difference between “the narrow way” of the Very Elect and “a narrow way” of the secondary elect, then with equal propriety there is the same pronounced distinction between “the joy of the Lord” (in the Parable under discussion) and “a joy” that is the inheritance of all righteous moral agents throughout the Universe. Nor do we adhere to the criticism that we are “fault-finding” or splitting hairs – any more than Brother Johnson was guilty of such when he attacked That Evil Servant on this very same Talents’ parable (it is indeed ‘strange’ that R. G. Jolly continues to be guilty of so many of the aberrations of which That Evil Servant was guilty). His attempt now is just as pronouncedly erroneous as he endeavors to merge the “good and faithful servants” with the “unprofitable servants” as was That Evil Servant when he attempted to merge Elijah and Elisha by claiming they were one and the same, the only difference being in the work they were doing. That Evil Servant also claimed that “the time element” was the only difference involved – exactly as R. G. Jolly now does with the Talents’ parable. Our present criticism is merely companion to our expo­sures of his other gross revolutionisms on Tentative Justification, Consecrated Epiphany Campers, his fractured 40-year parallel, his ridiculous “overlapping” of his Epiphany­-Basileia, his futile failure of his Attestatorial Service, now more than ten years in duration in contrast to the complete success of the 25-month Attestatorial Service of the Little Flock, and many other items (as companion to J. F. Rutherford’s “Millions” proposition, his Jonadabs, and many of his other aberrations, which only accented “My Lord Delayeth,” just as does Epiphany Campers Consecrated). Therefore, we con­sider no apology whatever in order for the fault we have found with him. His con­tinued tampering with the Star Members’ writings will continue to bring to him “Sorrow, disappointment and chagrin in every sense” until he makes open correction of his evils before all God’s people – his evils as a teacher and ‘mis’-leader (“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear” – 1 Tim. 5:20; and such ‘sinners’ should repent before all if they would have God’s forgiveness before all). Very many of J. F. Rutherford’s partisan supporters also accused Brother Johnson of “chronic fault-finding” and hair splitting when he attacked the former’s perversions of this same Talents’ parable and other similar items.

In our February paper we believe we clearly defined “the joy of the Lord” – the same being his present glory, honor and immortality – and that such “joy of the Lord” is the reward only of The Christ (the “profitable servant”). In that article we also raised the question of who R. G. Jolly now has for his “unprofitable servant” in the parable. This he has still ignored completely, because he is at total loss for an explanation. We gave Heb. 12:2 and Phil. 2:8-11 as ample proof of our own contention; but we now add a companion text: “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26). What is the Lord’s “glory”? Is it not His present glorious character, and divine nature, and regal exaltation? Surely, these are “the joy of the Lord” – a “joy” which He shares with His Bride –­ and with none other.

Comes now a corroboration from Brother Russell in Parousia Vol. 5, p. 118: “For the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross, despising the shame. (Heb. 12:2). This joy before Him we may reasonably suppose, was: .... A joy that the Father had promised Him; not only a return to spirit glory that He had with the Father before the world was, but a more excellent glory – to be exalted far above angels, principalities, powers and every name that is named, and to be made an asso­ciate in the Kingdom of the Universe, next to the Father, – on the right hand of the Majesty on high (“in my Father’s throne” – JJH); and partaker of the divine nature, with its inherent or immortal life.

“But this joy set before our Lord was made contingent upon His full obedience to the Father’s will.... under conditions that would be distressing, painful, humiliating; .... the ignominious death of the cross.... By this means He ‘made perfect’ His title to all the joys set before Him.... and ‘being made perfect He became the author of everlasting salvation,’”

Just a few simple questions should be enough here: Could any part of the fore­going possibly apply even “in principle” to the Great Company? Could any stretch of the imagination ascribe to that Class a “full obedience to the Father’s will”? Is it not their very disobedience (for which there is no excuse, as Brother Russell states it) that loses all this “joy of the Lord” for them?

The question now becomes pertinent: Could the reward of the good and faithful servant apply even “in principle” to the Great Company? Certainly not! To attempt such a construction makes a shambles of the entire parable, which is clearly contrast­ing the profitable servants with the unprofitable servants – contrasting the Little Flock and the Great Company. R. G. Jolly’s ruse here is simply some more of his double-talk – Azazelian nonsense – a “doubleminded man” manifesting himself by his double-talk. And, as Brother Russell so clearly explains, “This is the class which will fail to be accounted overcomers and will fail to obtain the great prize of joint­heirship in the Kingdom. This is the class that will be obliged to go through the great tribulation, to the intent that in that tribulation they may learn lessons which will be valuable to them” – lessons which R. G. Jolly has not yet learned, or he would not now be perverting the Truth of the Talents’ parable, and many other Parousia and Epi­phany truths. The reward of the good and faithful servants is “joint-heirship in the Kingdom,” the same being “the joy of the Lord” – a thing forever lost to the unprofit­able servants. That is why Brother Russell did not offer the slightest hint that the reward of the good and faithful servants would apply “in principle” to the unprofit­able servants. Such an attempt would void the entire point of the parable, would be Azazelian double-talk, which we never find in any of Brother Russell’s writings. It is akin to saying that Saint and Sinner in the final analysis really mean the same thing “in principle.”

Nor should such nonsense surprise us, for R. G. Jolly has been very insistent that the “sinners” (the Bible designation for the Great Company) are now to be con­sidered the “us,” the light, the salt, as those terms properly apply to the Saints. Now he goes a step further, right here in this Epiphany period, when they are being “manifested” and attempts to restore them to the “good and profitable servants” in this Talents’ parable, from which Brother Russell and Brother Johnson both properly declare, with strong Biblical proof, they have been forever excluded – disinherited, in exact fashion as was Esau, who “afterwards, when he wished to inherit the bless­ing (which was once his, but which he bartered away, as R. G. Jolly has done with his ‘pearl of great price’), he was refused; for he found no place for a change of mind, though he sought it earnestly with tears – Heb. 12:17, Dia.). Further, he is the only leader known to us who openly admits he is a crown-loser, has been openly mani­fested as such, and who now admits he has been forced out of the Holy – away from the Candlestick, away from the Shewbread, away from the Golden Altar – and is contend­ing there are no longer any Saints on earth – that he has now taken their place as the Lord’s mouthpiece, and is propounding a new doctrine (Campers Consecrated, in the Camp with nominal Christendom) in direct contradiction of Brother Johnson’s clear teaching that such things are forbidden to him – and to all others like him.

There is only one feature of the Talents parable that was not clear to Brother Russell, and that is its Epiphany application. During the Parousia the Truth section of the unprofitable servant did not go “into outer darkness,” as v. 30 says they would do as their punishment. This was reserved for the Epiphany – after all brotherly favor and fellowship of the World’s High Priest had been withdrawn from them – when every crown-loser must go “into outer darkness – ERROR, REVOLUTIONISM – to make manifest” to the Fully Faithful that they are of the unprofitable servant class. And even in the Epiphany this did not occur with those in the Epiphany Movement until they were abandoned to Azazel in 1950 – since which time R. G. Jolly himself has been experiencing his full abandonment to Azazel – as is now so clearly revealed in his treatment of this Talents’ parable – and is leading his trusting followers with him (just as did That Evil Servant and other “mis”leaders have done since 1917).

It is a proper observation that lower minds can never fully comprehend the superior intelligence of higher beings. This is measurably true even of different classes of human beings; thus, the axiom, “Genius speaks only to genius.” By this process of reasoning, none of the lower animals can anticipate a perfect man’s emotions – joy, love, honor, etc. “For Adam there was not found an help meet for him” – Gen. 2:20. Nor can perfect man arise to the intellectual level of angels ­nor angels to the intellectual level of Divine beings. Thus, none of them could fully approach the “joy” of immortality (the ‘joy’ that was set before Jesus and His Body Members) any more than we now fully comprehend it. “It doth not yet appear (is not clear to us) what we shall be.” Therefore, by a process of pure logic, it is simply Azazelian nonsense to inject the “unprofitable servant” into “the joy of the Lord Christ”; and R. G. Jolly’s Evangelist now stands guilty before all in his attempt to encourage R. G. Jolly in his perversions (Azazel means Perverter).

Repeatedly have we stressed that all who encourage R. G. Jolly in his wayward course – either openly and positively, as does this Evangelist, or tacitly by mere silence to “love the praise of men” – become partaker of his sins. And all such not only are not helping him, but they are actually contributing to his downward course, and are certain to experience some of the ‘tribulation’ of the Great Company – ­a “certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation” in a modified form. Not only does the Great Company experience “outer darkness” while in the clutches of Azazel, but they don’t understand the Truth as due, nor retain that which they did have, as do the fully faithful Youthful Worthies – nor will they (the Great Company) do so until they are fully cleansed. (See E-4:129)

Again he resorts to his usual name-calling in an effort to soften the condemna­tion that cometh of evil – Revolutionism against the clear Truth that once made him clean (John 15:3); and we opine that he saw this clearly enough before he was driven out of the Holy some 25 years ago, even after he had lost his crown (and certainly much better, too, before the restraining hand of the last Star Member was removed from him in 1950) – although now all his efforts are to establish his position as a Cleansed Levite Leader, just as he sought to establish himself as a Saint on a par with the Lord’s Mouthpiece, when he gave him advice and criticism, contrary to the Truth, and fought the Epiphany Messenger’s righteous course toward the cancerous widow (and actually won the majority of the Class in iniquity with him and against Brother Johnson! See E-10:585). Yes, indeed, he does endeavor to keep the outside of his cup clean! “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extor­tion and excess.” (Matt. 23:25) And he continues with such tactics as he tries to influence the brethren against our righteous course, just as he did with Brother Johnson (when he accomplished much evil with the majority in the Class). Thus, he refers to us as a “chronic fault-finder” (“sifter,” errorist and shyster lawyer) as a cover-up for his many sins of practice and teaching. However, in his attempt to usurp “the joy of the Lord” for the “unprofitable servant,” he produces an identical twin to the error of many nominal preachers who insist upon preaching their members into Heaven at death (no matter what their iniquities might be). And R. G. Jolly knows only too well the “chronic fault” Brother Russell found with such people. Yet he himself now resorts to the ways of his kinsmen in iniquity by his attempt to sugar­pill his adherents with the error that they, too, will “enter into the joy of their Lord,” even though they may not have been too saintly in their covenant of sacrifice. And he attempts this in Azazelian fashion, true to his past performances. (See E-10: 646, top) But to those of our readers who have an “ear to hear” we offer Gen. 49: 6,7: “O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united.... I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.”

The Unjust Steward is another parable to the point. After treating the Parable of the Talents (Reprints 5386-87 – Jan. 15, 1914), Brother Russell then treats of the Unjust Steward, and has this to say:

“The parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-9), which impresses this same lesson, was primarily addressed to Jesus’ disciples, in the presence of the Phari­sees and those who sat in Moses’ seat, who were the representatives of the divine order of Things in the Jewish age.... By teaching the people thus, we may get the ill will of the scribe and Pharisee class (for our time the sects of Little Babylon – JJH); but we are getting the good will of the people and of those who are in harmony with God and righteousness. And although we may be excluded from the high functions of the nominal systems, many of the common people are hearing gladly and sympathetically, and are wishing to share their homes with us. So we have homes all over the world, wherever God’s people are; for they have the ear and eye to appreciate the Lord’s Arrangements. Furthermore the Lord Himself will ultimately receive us into ever­lasting habitations..... We are living so as to use our time and strength to the best of our ability to do good and to instruct others to do good.”

There is more on the Unjust Steward in Reprint 5750, Aug. 15, 1915:

“The ecclesiastical powers of today are professedly sitting in the seat of Christ. The masses of the people know nothing better than what their religious rulers tell them.... (and this is true in large degree of the majority in the Little Babylon groups – JJH). They have been to a greater or less extent hiding ‘the key of knowledge’ (Luke 11:52), to a greater or less extent imposing on the superstitions of the people, and taking the people’s money under false pretenses. They should now seek to rectify all this so far as possible by telling the people the truth...... But in antagonizing the interests of the people more and more they are adding to their own distress in the near future, as the Scriptures point out.... We believe that the nominal church clergy and leaders will particularly suffer in the universal overthrow of the present order near at hand – some of them because they have actively opposed the truth; some because of posing as representatives of truth and enlightenment and the liberties of the people, and failing really to stand for the truth which they recognized –keeping quiet about it for policy’s sake. They have failed to conserve the interests which they pretended to serve.

“In applying the words of Jesus to ourselves, they would seem to teach that to whatever extent we have the mammon of unrighteousness, worldly goods, we should be inclined to be liberal rather than penurious, according to the measure of our ability (help the ‘needy’ – don’t refuse them and influence others to do likewise – JJH). We take it that the Lord is showing us here that we as his followers have more or less of means, opportunity, influence, etc,, and that we should use these talents He has given us in forwarding His cause. And if in our presentations of truth a certain amount of denunciation any be met with, we should rather let the matter go unnoticed and seek to be generous, so far as is compatible with fairness to the Lord and the spirit of His Word.” (Many of the Lord’s people fail to see the ‘talent’ of means)..

Note the Berean Comment on Luke 16:10 – “The Lord’s method is to advance only him whose zeal, faithfulness and patient perseverance have shown themselves in little things.” Had the Great Company been faithful in the ‘little things,’ as diligently as they have been in the ‘big’ things pertaining to their fleshly minds (such as making a name for themselves, seeking large numbers, etc.) they would not have lost their crowns. Also see Berean Comment for Luke 16:8. Furthermore, these Great Company leaders are among those described in Isa. 66:5 – “Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” Also, “When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth; but the righteous shall see their fall.” (Prov. 29:16)

‘‘For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.” (Psa. 73:27,28)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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­LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

Did you get the ... check I sent on March 5? Please send me a few of the “Two Salvations” tracts. Thank you! “Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.” (Psa. 98:8,9) “These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the Lord God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God. But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks.

By His Grace -------  (CONN.)

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My dear Brother Hoefle: – Greeting of Christian love in our dear Redeemer’s Name!

Your letter of Feb. 26 came to hand.... and was received with much apprecia­tion; and let me thank you for the papers for March and April, which, among other things, mentions the date of the Memorial for 1965 ....

Re report on the working of the Class, I think it quite proper that I give you an idea of the working of the Ecclesia, since our dear Brother Roach has gone beyond the veil. Well, the Class is not different in anyway from how it was working while Bro. Roach was with us in the flesh – except for the meetings he used to keep at his home at Belmont. You know every little Ecclesia is mistress of its own affairs, so in the month of November, as customary, we held our nomination and one month later we had election of officers.... Our meetings are held on Sundays at Tunapuna from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and St. James from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Arouca – and from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Morvant. On Wednesdays St. James from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., to visit or meeting at Sister ------- Sat.... Continue to pray for us as we continue to pray for you all. (2 Tim. 4:22)

By His Grace, -------  (TRINIDAD)

CORRECTION:

March paper No. 117, p. 1, par. 1, line 8, we referred to “the strangers ­of the Baltic Provinces.” The word “Baltic” is an inadvertence, and should read “Black Sea Provinces.” Please correct accordingly.

NO. 118: SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE MEMORIAL

No. 118

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

Once more we observe the memory of Him who perished on the cross; and, while it is good and proper that we “consider Him” at all times, it is especially appro­priate that ‘‘we stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance” at this Passover season, lest any should “eat and drink unworthily” of the bread and the cup. And, in doing this, it is not our thought to replace the Passover chapter in Volume 6, or some appropriate thoughts by Brother Johnson. When the typical lamb was gath­ered in on Nisan 10 and held by the Jews in close proximity until Nisan 14, it would certainly have the effect of arousing in them a “good conscience,” as they painstakingly put away all leaven from their domiciles. And so it should be with us.

“Let a man examine himself.” And let this be done without “outward show” if the full blessing is to be had. It has been aptly stated, “The most difficult thing: To know thyself; the easiest thing: To advise another.” The reason so much advice is worth nothing is because it comes for nothing, although experience gained from a good and honest heart over the years of the Christian walk should qualify us to “strengthen the weak hands, to uphold him that is falling, to strengthen the feeble knees.” (job 4:3,4) Thus, we make attempt again this year to offer some appro­priate comment to the benefit of all our readers – the “hoary heads” long in the way, or to those newly come with us.

Being far from the perfection that was originally in Eden, it is probably a correct observation that all of us are inclined to be creatures of extremes, especially so, at the beginning of our induction into the Household of Faith. Therefore, it should occasion no surprise to find some among us much too lax in their appraisal of themselves, just as there will probably be some who are much too severe in their judgment of themselves. Of course, the very purpose of the good Word of God is to remove such extremes, and to equip us with “the spirit of a sound mind.” This latter has a twofold meaning: The honest imbibing of the Truth should produce in all a sounder mind than they had before they were thus blessed. “Thy words are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” (Prov. 4:22) But the Truth in a secondary sense conveys to all honest recipients the spirit – the disposition – of Him whose mind is perfection, perfec­tion in Wisdom, Justice, Love and Power, and all in perfection of balance with every other quality. And this “spirit of a sound mind” should become more apparent in each of us as we continue to “consider Him” – “the leader and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame.” (Heb. 12:2-4, Dia.) Thus are we strengthened against weariness of heart and mind. And those who thus diligently add to their “talents” (See Matt. 25:14-30) are pri­marily and exclusively those who ‘‘partake of their Master’s joy” – the joy of the First Resurrection that is the reward of “the good and faithful servants” – those who become partner with Him in “the joy that was set before Him” as they also faith­fully “endure the cross, despising the shame.” Secondarily, the expression would apply in limited measure – in principle only – to the good and faithful Youthful Worthy servants, as they also improve their talents to the glory of God, making them also “good and profitable servants” for the work that is theirs to do.

EXAMINATION TO REMOVE ANTITYPICAL LEAVEN

Leaven being a type of sin, St. Paul exhorts that we keep the feast “not with the old leaven, nor with leaven of vice and wickedness, but with the unleavened principles of sincerity and truth.” (1 Cor. 5:8, Dia.) And St. Paul further expands on this in 2 Cor. 7:1, Dia.: ‘‘Having, therefore, these promises, Beloved, let us purify ourselves from all pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting Holi­ness in the fear of God.” These exhortations are addressed by the Apostle to the “Dearly Beloved,” indicating that such were already members of the Household of Faith – those who have “peace with God” and also have “the peace of God which passeth understanding.” All such, of course, “love righteousness, and hate iniquity” (Psa. 45:7), have been anointed with the “oil of gladness,” although in lesser degree than was “our Passover.” However, as our Lord was “anointed with the oil of glad­ness above His fellows” to the extent that He was the one “altogether lovely,” the “Bright and Morning Star,” with a stature which none of his fallen followers have been able to attain, yet among our brethren, our fellow-servants, there have been the outstanding few who have been “anointed with the oil of gladness” above their fellows – “some Apostles, some Prophets,” etc. (Eph. 4:11) for the work of the ministry, for the perfecting of the Saints.... that we be henceforth no more chil­dren, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.”

All such, of course, cannot be in harmony with the evils and the servants of evil with whom they brush elbows every day – even though they be acutely aware of their own shortcomings, and have a dislike for such in themselves even more than they do in others. These indeed will make honest and sincere endeavor to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and mind – to perfect themselves in every good word and work, realizing as they do that the ideal can never be attained in this life, yet they steadfastly continue to “set the Lord God always before them.” And it is for these that the Memorial is specifically prescribed – and for none others. Even new creatures, while they are abandoned to Azazel, should refrain from partaking, as they are not then following the rules set out for them.

For the world in general – the world in sin, in antitypical Egypt – it would be useless even to invite them to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and mind – just as it would have been folly in the extreme for the Jews in typical Egypt to invite the Egyptians about them to join with them in slaying and eating their Passover lamb, with bitter herbs, with their shoes on their feet, with their staffs in their hand, prepared for the journey to goodly Canaan land. The Egyptians would have laughed them to scorn – just as the antitypical Egyptians today would like­wise laugh, since they are all more or less in sympathy with the very filthiness which surrounds them, having no wish whatever to be rid of it, having no intimation of how it appears in God’s sight, and having no desire to “perfect themselves in that holiness without which no man shall see God.”

It needs no argument that some men are better born than others. One satirist has put it this way: Some men are born with brains, some with beef, and some with neither. Such worldly thinkers declare that God has created man in His image, and man has returned the compliment. The savages who carve out awesome horrible­appearing totem poles, or other demoniacal figures thereby express their opinion of what they believe God is like. But those who “keep the feast in sincerity and in truth” have set before their minds an ideal of perfection in thought, word and deed. it is well stated that there are three standards of value in the earth today, the lowest of which is things, material objects. By this standard many wealthy per­sonages receive much bowing and homage from their underlings. As one diplomat expressed it, All my life I have made a success by bowing to the right people. The second higher standard of value is persons. Many admire Samson as the greatest of all people who ever lived. Was he indeed not the strongest? Yet he died revel­ing in the destruction of his enemies. Others have the ambition to be a great general, a great ball player, a great prize fighter, etc.; but the prophet Jeremiah states very clearly what should be the ideal of those who “draw nigh to God with a true heart, in full assurance of faith”: “Let not the wise man glory in his wis­dome, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” (Jer. 9:23,24) Clearly enough, by this measure then the third and highest standard of values is ideals; and blessed is he whose God is the Lord. There­fore, “Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” (Isa. 8:13) Thus doing, we shall indeed “keep the feast in sin­cerity and in truth.”

Let us keep in mind, however, that such attainment is not the result of a day, a week, a year; it results from the determined striving of many years, some gain­ing more, some less, depending upon their inheritance and providential circumstances after birth. “Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body has thou prepared me.... Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, 0 God” (Heb. 10:5-7), is the clear declaration concerning Christ our Passover. Such a perfect body was not the inheritance of any of His “brethren,” those throughout the Age who have kept the feast in sincerity and in truth; in fact, of all of them it is written, some more, some less, that from the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores.” (Isa. 1:6) Yet the same prophet in vs. 16-19 gives adequate encouragement to such: “Put away the evils of your doings before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well.... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Therefore, it is not the degree of holiness that determines the right of each one at the feast; rather, it is the heart’s intention of each one; and with this standard let each “examine himself,” then “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) And, “if ye do these things, ye shall never fall, for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 1:10,11)

But, of such as do not “these things” we are warranted in drawing certain con­clusions. “By their fruits you will discover them” (Matt. 7:20¾Dia.) is the stan­dard given us for discerning between the false and the true, between the hypocrites and the pure in heart. A good tree yields good fruit; a bad tree yields bad fruit, But in this we are to be ever mindful that proper pruning and diligent cultivation will improve the fruit of any tree, and repentance and reformation are sometimes long in coming. Nevertheless, we believe it is a safe conclusion that new creatures that die impenitent go into the second death; and, had the one recorded in 1 Cor. 5:1-5 continued in his “filthiness of the flesh” until the day of his death, those Corinthian brethren would have been fully warranted in concluding such an one as receiving “the blackness of darkness forever.” Charity would no longer apply in such a case. And similar ones here in the end of this Age, who become grossly immoral or gross doctrinal inebriates, especially so of the leaders, are justly classified as an inseparable part of antitypical Jambres; and from such we should turn away.

It has always been the Truth that has separated the faithful from the unfaith­ful; and Truth as due represents the Divine presence with God’s people. The Truth then is the measuring rod by which we discover the fruits of each one; but even in this we are not warranted in conducting an Inquisition, to pry into the inner reaches of others’ hearts to determine if they have properly removed the leaven from their domicile. Let each one “examine himself”; and it is far better that we err on the generous side than that we should “offend one of these little ones.” (Matt. 18:6)

Thus we conclude our thoughts for this Memorial, praying the Divine blessing upon one and all in the preparation for and participation in this year’s “remembrance of Me.” The moon nearest the Vernal Equinox comes new this year at Jerusalem at 2.21 a.m. April 2, thus starting Nisan 1 at 6 p.m. April 1, Biblical reckoning. This brings Nisan 14 to 6 p.m. April 14; and any hour that evening after six p.m. will be appropriate for keeping “this remembrance.” We shall observe the occasion this year at 1507 N. Donnelly in Mount Dora at 7:30 p.m. April 14; and a cordial invitation is extended to any and all of like mind to join with us who may be in this vicinity. And may the God of all Grace, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen and settle you.

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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PROPER RECKONING FOR THE MEMORIAL DATE

Most of our readers will recall that in 1962 (Supplement to No. 80) we revised our date for the Memorial from March 18 to April 17, our reason therefor being that the March date would bring Nisan 14 before the Vernal Equinox. This evoked consid­erable criticism from R. G. Jolly and “cousin” Krewson, the both of them accusing us of procedure contrary to Brother Russell and Brother Johnson.

Now it is brought to our notice that Brother Russell made a correction in 1913 absolutely identical to our own correction in 1962. In the February 1, 1913 Watch Tower he announced the Memorial date as March 20 after 6 p.m. He based this upon the moon coming new at Jerusalem 2.44 a.m. March 8, thus commencing Nisan 1 at 6 p.m. March 7 Jewish reckoning. The Vernal Equinox in 1913 arrived 7.21 a.m. March 21, or exactly 13 days, 4 hrs. and 37 mins. (absolute time) after the March moon came new.

Then, in the March 1, 1913 Tower Brother Russell corrected the date to 6 p.m. April 20, basing his change on the April moon coming new April 8, which would begin Nisan 1 at 6 p.m. April 7 – at least 15 days, 16 hrs. and 39 mins. after the Vernal Equinox date of March 21. Thus, assuming that moon came new at midnight April 7 (the very earliest it could possibly occur), he used the new moon that was at least 2 days, 18 hrs. and 2 mins. farther from the Equinox than was the one that came new March 8. Therefore, we have here one indisputable instance where Brother Russell did NOT use the moon nearest the Vernal Equinox.

Then there is the time when he gave the Memorial date after 6 p.m. April 22, 1910, thus having Nisan 1 begin at 6 p.m. April 9. We do not have all the details for that year; but, assuming the Vernal Equinox occurred at the very late date of March 23, it would then put Nisan 1 seventeen days from that event – certainly a longer time from the Equinox than the March new moon of that year. On both those occasions Brother Johnson was very closely associated with Brother Russell, and a very careful reader of the Watch Tower. Therefore, he knew the details connected with them in a manner which we do not have; and it was probably that knowledge which prompted him to write in the February 1933 Present Truth that the Memorial should never be observed before the Vernal Equinox.

R. G. Jolly would know about the 1910 and the 1913 incidents, too, because he was there just as was Brother Johnson; and it just may be that is the reason he has remained silent after our refutation of his contentions in 1962. We invite him now to make clear and full declaration on this.

As for J. W. Krewson, he keeps repeating, repeating, repeating we are in error – without offering any proof for his charge. We now also invite him to reconcile his own position with Brother Russell’s clear contradictions of him in 1910 and 1913.

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

To The Bible Students:

I received the lesson and I really enjoyed it. Thanks very much. I would like to have the following: Where Are The Dead, What Is The Soul? The Resurrection of the Dead, Two Distinct Salva­tions and The Three Babylons.

Truly yours ------- (MASSACHUSETTS)

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My dear Brother Hoefle:

Greetings in our Blessed Redeemer’s name from Sister ------- and myself. All here are in fair health at present. It has been a long time since I wrote you, and I must thank you for the January paper, Among other things I notice you state that all of the sects in Little Babylon violate God’s commands. Yes, and the L.H.M.M. is no exception.

The friends are in good spirit.... Some time this year we intend to have an immersion service, D.v. There might be three. We are in anticipation of the tracts.

Our Christian love to all the dear ones with you, as we continue to pray for you, that the God of all Grace will continue to bless your efforts in contending for the faith once delivered to the Saints.

Your brother by His Grace ------- (TRINIDAD)

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My dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace through our Saviour!

I am happy to tell you that I am in receipt of the encouraging letter to Sister ------- and me jointly. We thank you for sparing the time, as we are aware of how hard pressed with the work that you are. I read your letter to the Class and they want to thank you for the encouraging and ex­horting words of comfort – and to assure you of their remembrance and prayers.

We got the January paper and enjoyed the message. We know the signs of the time are plain. We are not yet in the climax of the “time of trouble,” yet it is like a woman in travail. These upheavals continually are not the ushering in of God’s Kingdom of peace: We can see only a Kingdom of Darkness, and not a wink of light so far as the world is concerned. No peace within nor without.....

We know how sick at heart you are when not able to awaken your brethren to the fact they have failed in discerning the signs of the time, and because of that going before the Lord’s time – ahead of the Lord.

Sister ........ joins in sending love to you both, and to Sister Dunnagan and Sister Wells – and ask that you remember us at the throne of Grace.

 Yours through Grace ------- (JAMAICA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and Peace in Jesus’ dear Name!

Thank you for your good letter. Enclosed is $ --- for the Lord’s work. Please send me some tracts – same kind I have been getting – when convenient. Thank you!

I am thinking I probably owe my subscription. I don’t know that I have ever asked how much it is. I hope you are both well and the others there near you.

With Christian love and good wishes to all from your sister by faith, ------- (CALIF.)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: May our Lord’s rich blessings be your everlasting portion!

I do appreciate so much your sending me the 1950 Dec. PT. I have no recollection of having seen it before, though I must have it stored away some place. I remember well what a shock it was when a sister in ------- Class called me and asked if I was going to his funeral....... You may have been there that evening when Brother Johnson got up from a sick bed and came to correct some error he feared would pass. It seems it was to impress us that Brother Jolly was bust­ness manager, and NOT Pastor and Teacher..... I believe this meeting was held in the Tabernacle which had just been bought.

A friend who knows of my interest in religion has just sent me a roll of papers put out by Billy Graham and his supporters. I never dreamed that he could still be teaching the old nominal church theories! This will open the way for me to put out another “Two Distinct Salvations.” May our Lord bless it, her and YOU!

Your sister in That Blessed Hope ------- (MARYLAND)

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My dear Brother Hoefle:

We thank you for the card we received.... I fell the second time and broke my hip, and was in the hospital five weeks – and I am just getting around on my two feet with a walker. And I am thank­ful! We, my daughter and I, receive your good paper and we thank you.

Enclosed is $ ---. May it bring with it God’s blessing and His peace!

Lovingly, ------- (CONNECTICUT)

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My dear Brother Hoefle: Loving greetings!

Thank you for the December paper. We note that R. G. Jolly attempts to refute your July article (we do not take Present Truth paper now). His attitude toward you is deplorable and shows a “bad conscience.” Your July article should have been helpful for cleansing purposes. If he had been a “cleansed Levite,” as he claims, then he would not resort to calling you a “Shyster lawyer,” a “sifter,” etc.

Continue, dear Brother, in your able defense in refuting wrong doctrine – and whatever errors that temporarily the Lord amy allow you to make, when clearly made known to you, in the acknowledgment, like Brothers Russell and Johnson, cleanses and blesses you and those to whom you minister. Your reference to Reprint 4920 ­also Manna Nov. 24 is excellent. In the same connection Reprint 2735..... are all wholesome food for Bible Students. Even the questions, and how appropriate, for Nov. 24!

We send you Poem 178 as quoted in Nov. 24 Manna. Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints! The Lord’s spirit, Word and Providence will support you. Brother ......... joins us in sending you hearty Season’s greetings and a happy New Year in the Service of the Lord. Also for Sister Hoefle, Sisters Wells and Dunnagan.

Your brethren by His Grace, ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Brother Hoefle:

Greetings to you in our Saviour’s Name! It has been quite a long time since I have written you, but owing to circum­stances could not be done. I have received your letter and assure you it was appreciated. Thank our great God for all His loving kindness and tender mercies toward us the children of men!....

I have not received any of the papers for this year, but hope you have not forgotten me, and that I will receive them in the near future. I am now studying Epiphany Vol.12 – “The Attributes of Jehovah .....
The Class is growing very strong in the Lord.. Sister ------- and the other friends send their sincerest love to you and Sister Hoefle. My love to all.

I remain yours in the Master’s Service, Brother ------- (TRINIDAD)

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Gentlemen:

During my most recent bereavement, I was loaned a copy of The Herald “The Resurrection Of The Dead.” I became most interested, and I must return this. I would more than appreciate you sending me one each of ­What Is The Soul? Where Are The Dead and The Three Babylons – and copies of other articles that may be available at this time.

Most sincerely ------- (MICHIGAN)

NO. 117: "THINK IT NOT STRANGE"

No. 117

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

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you,” is the counsel of the Apostle Peter in 1 Pet. 4:12; and in v. 16 he appeals further, “If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” It is often most helpful to the proper understanding of any text to discern its background, the basis which prompted its expression; and such is definitely true in the present instance. It will be noted in v. 1, chapter 1, that the Apostle is addressing his letter to “the strangers” of the Black Sea Provinces. The Diaglott expresses it much clearer: “Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners of the dispersion.” Who were these “sojourners of the dispersion”? Apparently, they were such Jews as had been exiled from or about Jerusalem, or those who had left because conditions there were more or less unbearable for them. It would seem these are the same ones mentioned in John 7:35, when the Jews who were hearing Jesus said among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? Will He go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles”?

Among such dispersed ones, those who had suffered afflictions for some cause or other, there would certainly be found some who were ready listeners to the message that Jesus was indeed the Christ, their Messiah; and it would seem St. Peter had been among them, had convinced some, and was striving to “establish them in the Present Truth.” Of a certainty, those Jews had never seen Jesus personally; there­fore, their acceptance of Him had been prompted by the testimonies of St. Peter or others (I Pet. 1:8). The prophecy (Isa. 8:14) that “He shall be for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel” was not without purpose. Those Jews who received Him gladly did so from the heart; but those Jews who rejected Him likewise hated Him from the heart – hated also their former brethren who then accepted Him. To some He was the savior of life unto life; to some the savior of death unto death; and the latter snarled the opprobrious name “Christian” at their former fellows, as they spat upon the ground in the same breath, the worst of all insults they could express toward the new converts. Thus, St. Peter was tell­ing such who had become His disciples that if they suffered under the offensive name “Christian” to be not ashamed, but to “glorify God in this name.”

Today the name Christian is often spoken with respect, even by many Jews in the more enlightened countries; the name itself is no longer “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” Now, the Christians (?) themselves must find other insulting terms for those of their fellows who differ with them in belief and practice of religious ritual. To some, who believed Brother Johnson and his ardent adherents were in the second death, the epithet “Johnson-ite” would bear similar meaning to their fellows as did the name “Christian” in Apostolic times. Thus, we might sub­stitute the words, “If any man suffer as a Johnson-ite, let him not be ashamed.” Let us keep in mind that if we “suffer as a Christian” because of the Truth, we need never be ashamed – whether it be labeled Hoefleism, or whatever opprobrium erstwhile brethren may use in contempt – the same as did the Jewish brethren of Jesus in contemptuous use of the name “Christian.” “As He was in this world, so are we.”

The expression “fiery trial” in our text is from the Greek purosis, meaning literally “a burning,” being the same word found also in Rev. 18:9 and 18:18 (the word occurs but three times in the Bible), where the “burning” of that Great City which is called, spiritually, Sodom, is described. This may be regarded as a fit­ting sarcasm in contrast that the same word should be used to describe the “sweet-smelling savour unto the Lord” which comes from the “burning” – the sharp and faith-­developing trials – of the true Christians on the one hand, and the “burning” – the utter destruction – of the “vine of the earth” on the other hand. And all of this is emphasized further by St. Peter in v. 17 of chapter 4: “Because the season is coming for the judgment to begin from the house of God; and if it begin first from us, what the end of those who are disobedient to the glad tidings?”

“THAT OLD SERPENT THE DEVIL”

All of the “burning” – fiery trials – of God’s people under the reign of evil have been instigated by “the God of this world,” the evil one; and this has been markedly true of the difficulties of all new creatures during this Gospel Age. This is apparent at the very outset of the Age, when “the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession, Christ Jesus” was “led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil.” (Matt. 4:1) The word here translated “Devil” is from the Greek ‘diabolos,’ and is a specific name for the individual Satan – the Devil. It is the same word as found in Rev. 20:2: “He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan.”

We believe the words dragon, serpent, Devil and Satan portray the four unholy attributes of Azazel – the personification of evil in perfection – just as Power, Wisdom, Justice and Love describe the four character attributes of Jehovah – the personification of Goodness and true Holiness in perfection. As the “dragon,” the Evil One has attempted to devour the Gospel-Age saints by the unholy use of power, just as he through Pagan Rome actually did “devour the child”—Rev. 12:4. Honest opponents are devoured and crushed by the unholy use of power, just as that great apostate “Woman Jezebel” used unholy power to become “drunken with the blood of the saints”—Rev. 17:6. But in all of this seeming victory, God’s holy use of power has preserved the fully faithful, has “laid up for them a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will give them in that day... to all those who love His appearing.” As the “serpent,” the evil one has been the deceiver, the beguiling tempter, of the Age in a perverted use of wisdom – Azazel means perverter. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any living thing” – Gen. 3:1, Rotherham; and “The woman was deceived”—I Tim. 2:14. But the “pure wisdom which is from above” has kept the fully faithful during the Age from being ‘‘hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

As the “devil,” the Evil One has been the false accuser, the calumniator (so the Greek) of God’s people, especially so in the Parousia-Epiphany in the persons of antitypical Jannes and Jambres, the slanderous false-accusing sifters described by St. Paul in 2 Tim. 3:1-9. And slander, lying, false statements, misrepresentations, bad conscience manifested toward the fully faithful, are they not all an abuse of jus­tice, i.e., “in”-justice? But here again, the “justice that is laid to the line” has spoken – or will eventually speak – in vindication of all those ‘‘whose righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord.” Then, finally as “Satan,” the Evil One is the adversary or opposer of God’s fully faithful people – often using the measurably faithful to oppose the fully faithful – the “buckwheat” class meddling in the affairs of the wheat class – attempting to usurp their office powers, frequently using the Truth given by God through His faithful mouthpieces to their own advantage, often palming it off as their own – all motivated through a lack of love – those persons “Who received not the Truth in the love of it,” and who have been given an “energy of delusion” in return. “Thou has given them blood (error) to drink!” (Rev. 16:6) But the true love, coming from the One “altogether lovely” provokes to good works (Heb. 10:24) – ­just as the lack of it opposes such “good works,” and attempts to promote evil works. Thus, there is clearly depicted the “High and Lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity, whose Name is Holy,” as contrasted with the Evil One who will be “bound a thousand years, cast into the bottomless pit, that he should deceive the nations no more,” and eventually annihilated.

THE PATTERN OF TEMPTATIONS WELL DEFINED

If we “consider Him,” it becomes clear enough that Jesus had His most severe trials at the very outset, and then at the end of His walk on the “narrow way.” After His anointing “with the spirit without measure” at Jordan, He was possessed of a consuming zeal, which so engrossed Him He did not even stop to eat for forty days. It would seem reasonable to believe that, knowing the great import of His mission on earth, and that “the King’s business required haste,” He memorized the entire Old Testament in those forty days, as well as to “rightly divide the word of Truth” on the various Tabernacle types, etc., of which He Himself would be the central figure in the antitype. According to His own words a little later, He had instructed those who have followed Him during the Age that every Tabernacle type had to continue until its antitype appear – “Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5:18; Luke 16:17) Then, at the extreme and of His earthly ministry came the most severe trial of all – Gethsemane and the Cross; and this pattern is also clearly marked in the experiences of the Apostles – much persecution immediately after Pentecost, with greater climax toward the end of their lives – James killed with the sword (Acts 12:2), Peter crucified head downward, John thrown into a vat of boiling oil, Paul having his head chopped off, etc. – with all of them their most severe testings occurring at the beginning and at the end of their narrow-way experiences.

And Satan, master of psychology, makes his boldest and strongest attempts when his intended victims are weakest. This he did in the case of Jesus, when He was weakened from His fast and arduous concentration at the end of the forty days. And this he did by evidencing real concern for His physical welfare. “You are hungry and weak,” he had implied, “but You have received the Holy Spirit without measure; you have power to provide your every need; command that these stones be made bread.” This would not only try out the new power He had received, but would provide His temporal necessities at the same time. It might even decide Satan to repent and be converted, to join hands with him in the work He was about to under­take. Inasmuch as ‘‘He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin,” we may be certain His followers all during the Age would be similarly tried – tempted to use the power of the Truth to their own present advantage; yet accomplish just as readily the work given them to do. Numerous are the examples along this line: Balaam, who succumbed to the temptation (Num. 22); St. Peter “offered money” for the power he had, but emphatically responding that “the gift of God is not to be purchased with money” (Acts 8:18-20); the Gospel-Age builders of Great Babylon becoming “rich, and increased of good, and in need of nothing,” as they foolishly determined to bring to earth the Kingdom of God before the “due time” – “my Lord delayeth.” “Money is power,” says Solomon; but it does not bring the power that maketh wise unto salvation; yet it has deceived many into believing they could be the “rich man” in this world, and “Lazarus” in the next. Just a cursory look at our Lord’s course should convince them of their fallacious reasoning.

TEMPTATION TO USE UNLAWFUL METHODS

At Jesus’ prompt rejection of Satan’s first bit of sophistry, he took up a second mode of attack: “if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down” from the pinnacle of the temple (Matt. 4:6). This task of redeeming, uplifting mankind from the mire of sin, from relieving the poverty and human frailty, so apparent on every hand, just could not be done without some sensational methods; and this has been the thinking of the minds of worldly men throughout the Age. One outstanding weakness of the “great multitude” all during the Age has been this very mistake; thus, they become “doubleminded” – a mind to serve the Lord while using Satan’s methods. They would do great works, win great numbers, gain great favor with their fellows, yet bask in the smile of Heaven at the same time – a combination never parried by the fully faithful, but readily grasped by those befuddled by Azazel, attempting to juggle the “pearl of great price” with one hand, as they juggle “the pleasures of sin for a season” with the other hand. “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare” (1 Tim. 6:9) – “lifted up with pride they fall into the condemnation of the Devil.” (1 Tim. 3:6) “The Kingdom of Heaven cometh not with outward show,” said Jesus, and He set us the example of being “meek and lowly of heart.” There can be no argument with the statement, “The entrance of thy word giveth light,” and the great “quickening” that comes upon entrance of the Truth into the human mind has caused the large majority to “think more highly of themselves than they ought to think.” But the jester spoke a great truth when he declared, “O, if you would only know how much you have to know to know that you don’t know nuthin.”

It is a common fallacy of professional men – doctors, lawyers, preachers, techni­cians – to consider others stupid because the general knowledge of their particular vocation is so limited in the general mind. This is a mistake, of course, because many uneducated people could have made excellent doctors, lawyers, etc., had they been given the opportunity. It is a sage observation that the big difference between the professors and the students is that the professors read the books first. There­fore, it is sound counsel to all, and especially to the leaders in the church, to con­sider St. Paul’s words: “Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (I Cor. 4:7)

TEMPTATION TO COMPROMISE

With Jesus’ positive rejection of Satan’s suggestion, there came immediately the third temptation – the temptation of Combinationism, which has overcome vast multitudes throughout the Age, and especially so here in the end of the Age. Satan would have Jesus to join with Him to accomplish His mission. Could not the two of them do it better than one of them alone? Would not two heads be better than one? Satan made it clear, of course, that he himself would be chief of the two heads: “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” This temptation of Combination­ism to God’s people has been among the most alluring all during the Age – not stated in exactly the same words, of course, but with the same underlying principle. “Money is power,” says Solomon; and this influence is stronger today than at any time in his­tory, because there is so much more of it in the hands of so many more people of differ­ing ideals and desires. The person today who contributes, say, $10,000 per year to his particular church, will not be lightly considered when he states his wishes to the preacher. one great source of strength with the last two Principal Men was their deci­sion, SEATS FREE – NO COLLECTIONS. Since they asked no one for money, they could afford to tell them the truth; there was no need to compromise. This revives the story of an Admiral from the American Navy: Deciding to go to church one Sunday morn­ing as he returned from the sea, he walked to a pew near the front, occupied by one lone old man. As he joined the party, he was given reproachful glances, which, how­ever, he ignored. The old man, not to be thus disregarded, took one of his personal cards from his pocket, wrote on it, “I paid $1,000 for this seat.” The Admiral turned the card to the other side, handed it back to its owner with the answers “You paid too much.” And certainly Jesus would have “paid too much” had He succumbed to the tricky deceit of Satan.

TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION

It is a sound observation that truth is stranger than fiction; and this is illustrated all about us today. Who wishes to hear the Truth? Even among former brethren – those who once claimed to love the Truth more than life itself – there is very little of the “hearing ear” any more. And this situation is very evident in Churchianity everywhere; they are willing to listen to and receive almost any kind of hocus-pocus just so long as it isn’t the Truth. Thus, to the vast majority, even of those who once claimed to be “in the Present Truth,” the Truth is indeed a “stranger,” thus emphasizing the truth of Jesus’ inquiry: “When the Son of man cometh, will He find the faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) And the Berean Comment is most fitting: “The question implies that at that time the true faith would be almost extinct.” But for those who do have the faith – the Present Truth – there is the comforting assurance of Psa. 89:15: “Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound (that have an ear for the Truth); they shall walk, 0 Lord, in the light of thy countenance.” Such have meat to eat that others know not of; to such the Aaronic blessing is sure: “The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” – the peace of God, which passeth understanding.

All of the three temptations of Jesus, which He met and rejected without waver­ing, have come in principle to all of His followers during the Age, added to which they have also been tempted to sin. It is well to bear in mind that temptation is an appealing suggestion. Without appeal, there can be no temptation. Thus, the statement, “God cannot be tempted of evil” – evil is distasteful to every pore of His Being; just the reverse of Satan, whose characterization of The Evil One is indicative of the full corruption of evil that pervades every pore of his being. Nor is it any sin to be tempted; sin enters only when we are “overcome of evil.” Therefore, “be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” In all of their temptations, the fully faithful eventuate as “more than conquerors” – they gain the “crown of righteousness” which wins for them a throne. “He that overcometh shall sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne, is the sure promise of the fully faithful new creatures.

But the Scriptures are very clear that a “great multitude” are not such over­comers; they will never gain a throne. At best, they will serve “before the throne” that is the heritage of their more faithful brethren. And we believe it is sound and just observation that every one of the Great Multitude leaders today has failed in at least two, and probably in all three, of those temptations which came especially upon Jesus – selfishness, error, worldliness – with the additional charge against some of them that they also fall under the fourth temptation, Sin. Thus, we offer St. Paul’s counsel: “Exhort each other every day, while it is called Today, so that no one among you may be hardened by a delusion of sin.” (Heb. 3:13, Dia.)

Sincerely Your Brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION:  On p. 12 of this Jan-Feb. PT Bro. Jolly discusses two “wolves” who no longer collaborate with him. Is he referring to you as one of these “wolves”?

ANSWER: There is no doubt in our mind that he is surreptitiously berating us in this instance, although, true to his “past performance” he is too “refined” (a polite way of saying he is too cowardly, with his “bad conscience” – See E-10:585) to unmistakably name his opponent – as a faithful leader would do in this Epiphany period, as did the leader of the LHMM before him – the faithful Epiphany Messenger. That Evil Servant (the unfaithful leader in the Society after faithful Brother Russell) used this same technique against Brother Johnson (while unashamedly casti­gating and naming him unmistakably in private as a Second-Deather) that R. G. Jolly now uses toward us – all the while shouting he adheres to “the faith once delivered unto the saints.”

It will be noted at the top of page 13 he says we “refuse to recognize the advancing Truth as it becomes due”; and in this same article he eulogizes (?) the other ‘‘wolf’’ (his “cousin,” J. W. Krewson) as “indulging in many fanciful interpre­tations, wild speculations, self-exaltations and manifest vagaries, resulting in most regrettable frenzies of delusion and holier-than-thou spirit in himself.” More about this a little later, but first let us set out some of R. G. Jolly’s “advancing Truth” that we refuse to recognize:

(1) Brother Russell’s Epiphany Parallels;

(2) Antitypical John’s Beheading;

(3) The Pyramid’s corroboration of the death of the last Saint;

(5) Consecrated Epiphany Campers.

Be it noted that the above are basic for just about every bit of “Advancing Truth” that appeared in the Present Truth magazine for a number of years after Brother Johnson’s demise. And whence came this “Advancing Truth”? Why, every bit of it came from the very same “cousin” Krewson – the “wolf” – that R. G. Jolly now describes as “indulging in many fanciful interpretations, wild speculations, manifest vagaries, etc.” At the time these items appeared in the Present Truth we refused to accept them, considering them even then in the same vein of which R. G. jolly now speaks – “fanciful interpretations, wild speculations, manifest vagaries.” Nor did we hesi­tate then to go to R. G. Jolly in brotherly gentility – not once, but repeatedly – ­and inform him of our conclusions – all of which he ignored.

R. G. Jolly refers to his presentations as “the faith once delivered unto the saints”; but his claim is as hollow as a sea shell. These things are actually “the faith (the errors) that was once delivered” to R. G. Jolly by “cousin” Krewson – which we have repeatedly and determinedly exposed as “manifest vagaries” – the same kind of “manifest vagaries” that are still coming from J. W. Krewson, which “manifest vagaries” R. G. Jolly now also treats with perspective similar to ours – although he is saddled with the embarrassing task of ‘contending’ for the vagaries his “cousin” delivered to him when they were collaborating together – all the while complaining that we don’t accept these vagaries as “advancing truth” and help him contend for it. But, “the leopard cannot change his spots”; and, whereas, J. W. Krewson is now more than ten years older and more “seasoned,” his “vagaries, wild speculations and frenzies of delusion” (R. G. Jolly’s own words in 1965) are in exact style to those with which he hood­winked R. G. Jolly from 1950 to 1954 – not any worse, just more of them.

Aside from the four items set out above – which we do indeed refuse to recognize as “advancing Truth” – let R, G. Jolly declare if these are not yet the basis for his “Advancing Truth” –which he still strenuously attempts to uphold, although now admitting that their originator is presently saturated with “regrettable frenzies of delusions.” In all this we have, however, exposed the true kinsmanship of the “cousins” – that they are two of a kind – the rift between them coming only over the contention as to which of them should be greatest. See our paper No. 76-A, which treats of 1 Sam. 14:50. And we affirm once more that no such “cousin” relationship exists between us and J. W. Krewson, or between us and R. G, Jolly – nor did it ever exist. We opine that R. G. Jolly would still welcome us in brotherly fashion, with open arms, if we should join with him in “defending the faith” once delivered unto him by J. W. Krewson; but J. W. Krewson is not our “cousin,” and, not having this relationship with him, we were never influenced by the flattery of having him place us into the “parallels” of That Faithful and Wise Servant.

Aside from the foregoing, R. G. Jolly has indeed offered some of his own per­versions (Azazel means Perverter) of “the faith once delivered unto the saints” – such as now including the Great Company in the “good and faithful servant” class, and in the ‘Salt,’ the ‘Light,’ the ‘us’ and the ‘we’ of the saintly fraternity; but these aberrations are certainly not “the faith once delivered unto the saints” – ­they are the “strong delusions” that come to all who “received not the Truth in the love of it,” hence we do not accept such. Let none be deceived: There is a clear, fixed and eternal line of demarcation throughout the Scriptures between the Little Flock and the Great Company, between the Fully Faithful and the Measurably Faithful, between the “good and faithful” and the “unprofitable servant” Class; and it is indeed now a new and strange vagary to observe a crown-loser counseling his kins­men that the “great Tribulation” and “tears” (Rev. 7:14, 17) are a thing of the past for them (even before Armageddon!) – that their failures and revolutionisms are forgotten – that they should be rejoicing over their promotion once more into the same Class as were the Saints under Brother Russell. And just think of it, Brethren! Those who do not agree with him in such nonsense have “lost the spirit of the Truth.” (See his page 13, col. 1, top) And such teachings by him are but “further elaborations” of the Truth once delivered to the Saints!

He explains further of us that we are a “hireling,” one who flees when we see the wolf coming; but not so with him – brave little con that he is! Of course, those of our readers who know the facts recognize only too well the gross falsehood of this statement, because the true situation is just the reverse: He has stead­fastly refused invitation from Ecclesias that invited him to appear before them to defend his “advancing Truth,” and he has advised his Yes-men to do the same, leaving those who openly embrace him to fare for themselves against our “ravages.” Let him show one instance where we have ever done similarly; therefore, we offer to him the very appropriate Scripture, “Why call ye me Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS OF GENERAL INTEREST

THE MEMORIAL – In 1965 the Memorial of our Lord’s crucifixion should be held after six p.m. on April 14. This date is determined by the moon nearest the Vernal Equinox coming new at Jerusalem at 2.42 a.m. April 2, thus making that day begin at 6 p.m. April 1, with Nisan 14 beginning at six p.m. April 14.

THE SPRING SPECIAL EFFORT – Actuated by the Epiphany Messenger’s arrangements, it has been our custom to designate a certain period each Spring for Special Effort in antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle, the period for 1965 being March 21 through April 18. The tracts specially composed for this effort are – ­What Is The Soul, Where Are The Dead and The Resurrection – all of which are available free of charge and postage prepaid for those who wish to engage in this good work at church doors, etc. Orders should be placed early enough to allow for ample delivery time.

THE BEREAVED WORK – For all faithful brethren seeking “opportunities of service” we consider the bereaved work a good work throughout the year – and not to be neglected. While these tracts are the product of Brother Russell and Brother Johnson, we consider them today as “PRESENT TRUTH” just as much as they were fifty years ago; thus, they are not “timeworn and threadbare.” Also, we consider them sufficient in themselves for this work – without any special additions of other liter­ature or letters on our part. To add such items actually cheapens the fine ideals established in the work by Brother Johnson, we believe. In other words, we adhere strictly to Brother Johnson’s prescribed method because we believe it to be sound, so we do not suggest letters or other tracts to accompany the Gideon tracts.

It gives us genuine pleasure to report our greatest distribution of these tracts in 1964 – with the same being true of our “extras” of monthly papers; and it is our fond hope that this will stimulate those who have been lax in this effort to join wholeheartedly in it with us. Also, we entertain the pleasant anticipation of obtaining the Parousia and Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures, to make available for sharpshooter work before the year is out. And may this anticipation “stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.... lest ye fall from your own steadfastness.” (2 Pet. 3:1, 17)

NO. 116: "THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT"

No. 116

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

In the last Nov-Dec. Present Truth R. G. Jolly again perverts another of Bro. Russell’s superb presenta­tions (See June 1, 1894 Tower, Reprints 1656) by injecting his own errors; and once again he offers another glaring revolutionism against Parousia Truth in his juggling of Matt. 25:21 – the same having to do with the parable of the talents. At the outset, we should grasp thoroughly that Matt. 25:14-30 is a parable; and p. 15 of the Berean Topical Index states, “In a parable the thing said is never the thing meant. It is a word picture.” Such is the case in the “talent” word picture; and, when it relates about the five-talented, the two-talented and the one-talented man, it is clearly contrasting two classes – the Little Flock and the Great Company, or the Fully Faithful and the Measurably Faithful, or the ‘profit­able’ and the ‘unprofitable’ servants – and contrasting the Lord’s appraisal of the two classes of new creatures.

Also, this parable has its special application here in the end of the Age – with the rewards, or sentences, partially realized in this present life – commendation to the “good and faithful servant,” and ‘‘weeping and gnashing of teeth” (the portion of the hypocrites – Matt, 8:12 – during the ‘great tribulation’) determined for the “unprofitable servant.” Therefore, when R. G. Jolly now attempts to put the Great Company and Youthful Worthies into Matt. 25:21, he simply presents some more of his nonsense – even if he were correct in his present opinion that there are no more Little Flock members on earth. Had he confined himself merely to quoting the first clause, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” then he would not have been far wrong, because all the fully faithful Worthies may be classified as “good and faithful.” St. Paul substantially verifies this concerning Moses in Heb. 3:5: “Moses indeed was faithful in his whole house, as a servant”; but that will never bring Moses, or other Worthies, to an inheritance of “the joy of the Lord,” as it is stated in Matt. 25:21, as we shall presently prove.

 Nor should we confuse the five talents, the two talents and the one talent by concluding that faithfulness and ability are inseparably linked here. Some of the two-talented persons are probably at least as faithful – possibly in some cases even moreso – as some of the five-talented persons. It will be noted that the Lord’s com­mendation is exactly the same for both. Neither should we conclude that the one-­talented “unprofitable” servant is such because of his physical or mental limitations, because many of the Gospel-Age crown-losers have been two or five-talented men ­when they first became new creatures and prospective members of ‘‘His Body.’’ The chief reason they are “unprofitable” is because they failed to use what they have in harmony with their Lord’s instructions. Satan uses the Great Company for his pur­poses, while the Lord uses the Little Flock for His purposes – See E-5:151(14). The leaders among the “unprofitable” servants have been typed by King Saul – “a choice young man, and goodly.... from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” (1 Sam. 9:2) This “goodly” description certainly applied to J. F. Ruther­ford; it applies to R. G. Jolly, although in lesser degree. It was emphatically true of John Calvin, and even moreso of “Saint” Augustine, the latter being rated by some as the greatest intellect of all time among the fallen race. Yet all of these must now be classified in the “one talent” group.

 Just why, then are such persons “unprofitable”? It is because representatively they all have their works “burned” here in the end of the Age (1 Cor. 3:15). Thus, the only thing they will have to show for their efforts is ashes – the memories of their misspent energies as they built their “house upon the sand.” which the living members of their Class will fully realize when they recognize “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” – Jer. 8:20). But not so with the “good and faithful” class! Of them it is stated that the true and praiseworthy Kingdom work in which they have been engaged since 1874 will see no delay, defeat or destruc­tion – ‘‘Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors (no more fatigue or weariness or persecution after they are ‘‘wedded’’ to their Lord); for their works follow after them.” (Rev. 14:13Dia.)

A DISTORTED PARABLE

 Some may be inclined to consider us hypercritical in this present exposure, but careful consideration should cause all to perceive here a fundamental principle for upholding the Truth and to keep it uncontaminated with error. As we said at the outset, much of “The Test of Endurance” is from Brother Russell, which makes the error put into it by R. G. Jolly all the more subtle and dangerous and thus open to condemnation. He may yell that what we are criticizing is from Brother Russell, but his own injection in this article mutilates and distorts the true meaning. Brother Johnson analyzes such perversions very ably in E-5:511 (40):

“Satan is too shrewd to give unadulterated and transparent error through any mouthpiece he may be using.... for who would accept what they believe to be entirely erroneous? His hope of successfully seducing from Truth into error is to mix them with one another and make the partial Truth that one may hold a stepping stone toward the error that he seeks to inculcate.... Not everything is Truth or error. There is much of Truth in what they reprint from our Pastor’s writings; but there is much error mixed in with this Truth.... a Satanic attempt continually made to make the Truth a stepping stone to the error” (just as R. G. Jolly has done in the present instance).

 In his attempt now to replace the Saints with his Great Company and Youth­ful Worthies as the “good and faithful servant” it will be noted he makes no mention whatever of the “unprofitable servant.” Let us keep in mind that all during the Age the great systems of error have arisen because of two main fail­ings: Either taking a text from its proper setting, or quoting just a part of an individual text – and from such deceptive methods constructing erroneous con­clusions that are clearly contradicted by other Scriptures pertinent to the subject under discussion.  R. G. Jolly is guilty of the first-named of these two perversions in his treatment of this parable text, when he ignores completely the “unprofitable servant” section of the parable in his attempt to pervert (Azazel means Perverter) the portion dealing with the “good and profitable servant.” If the “unprofitable servant” (the Great Company – See Berean Comment for Matt. 25:30) has now become the “good and faithful servant,” who, then, is now the “unprofitable servant”? Note also the Comment for v. 19: “This period of reckoning began in 1878 with the rais­ing of the sleeping saints, and still continues” (in 1906). Is such reckoning “still continuing” with crown-losers and Youthful Worthies as was “continuing” with the Saints when Brother Russell wrote that article explaining this parable of the Talents, the rewards and punishment (differentiating between the two classes – the fully faithful and the measurably faithful – the Little Flock and the Great Company)?

Often have we criticized R. G. Jolly since 1950 for trying to inject himself into the “Light,” the “Salt of the earth” class, etc. – and we have given indisputable references from Brother Russell and Brother Johnson in our refutations to prove his transparent error in this attempt, Note, for instance, the clear statement by Bro. Johnson in E-5:148 (bottom) that “Jesus and the Church (The Christ) are the Sun, Light, of the world, John 9:5; Matt. 5:14.” Thus, it does not surprise us that R. G. Jolly attempts now still further encroachment and reaching for titles and positions that are not his. According to him, he is now among the “good and faithful servant” class! This brings to mind Brother Johnson’s summation of such char­acters in E-4:278, top:

‘‘From first to last the Great Company leaders want more than the Lord gives them; hence, under Satanic temptation they grasp for power and Lord it over God’s heritage, which makes them fall under God’s disfavor” – resulting in their complete abandonment to Azazel and fit-man wilderness experiences, and their further punish­ment of 2 Thes. 2:11: “On this account God will send them an energy of delu­sion.” The outworking of this Thessalonians text is as clear as the Noonday Sun to those whose “eyes are able to see.” When we consider how much time and space Bro. Russell expended in teaching the fundamentals of this Great Company Class –from early in the Parousia until his departure – and then contemplate the complete silence, in most cases, that the Little Babylon groups keep on this vital and timely subject, it is a sad commentary to behold (especially when some of these groups claim to “hold fast” to Parousia teachings). But when we now consider the time and space that the Epiphany Messenger expended in truly “holding fast” to such Parousia teachings, as he faithfully exposed Great Company leaders in other groups as well as in the LHMM, it is indeed truly sad to note the Epiphany fulfillment of 2 Thes. 2:11 right in our own midst, as such leaders grasp for more power and sundry methods of ‘‘witnessing to the world” (while neglecting the ‘weightier’ matter concerning themselves). R. G. Jolly is the only self-admitted Great Company leader among them, so far as we know, and he, of course, teaches such a Class (but revolutionizes against the basic fundamentals, as he injects himself into the “us, Light and Salt” Class, from which he has been forever disbarred).

THE PAROUSIA TRUTH ON THE TALENTS PARABLE

For a clear and comprehensive presentation on the parable, we refer our readers to Brother Russell’s analysis of Oct. 1, 1906 (Reprints 3869-3871). The same Is too lengthy for us to reproduce herein, so we shall offer just limited excerpts from the article to demonstrate the glaring revolutionism that is offered in this Nov-Dec.  PT:

“The parable before us shows what will be in the end of this Gospel Age. This trial of the Church at its conclusion will demonstrate who are the Lord’s elect, who shall be associated with Jesus in the great work of the future Age, the Millennial Age, namely, the judging of the world.... the chief blessing upon the Church will be the manifesting to them of divine favor and love as represented in the glory, honor and immortality with which they would be clothed when received in to the divine presence as participators in the First Resurrection.... How forceful is the statement, ‘Faithful over a few things, ruler over many things.’”

 The foregoing makes clear enough why the Berean Comment states the positive conclusion: “This period of reckoning began in 1878 with the raising of the sleep­ing saints, and still continues.” Then, further from the same 1906 article:

“The Great Company will be before the throne, whereas the faithful servants will be in the throne (the special promise to the “good and faithful” servants – ­the Church in Laodicea – Rev. 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne”JJH); they will have palm branches because ultimately victorious, but those in the throne, the more faithful will wear the crowns.”

THE PERTINENT PART

In arriving at a correct appraisal of this parable we should recognize it is not the first part of the Master’s commendation that controls; rather, it is the last clause of His decree – “enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” And once we dis­cern clearly what is “the joy of the Lord,” there will be no further difficulty. St. Paul offers a clear definition in Heb. 12:2: “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endureth the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The Apostle here sharply contrasts our Lord’s “narrow way” at His First Advent with the glory and the joy – that became His at His resurrection: “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name” – Phil. 2:8,9. And it is this “joy that He promises to share with the “good and faithful servants” of our parable (who continue in the narrow way to Life and Immortality) – “sit down with Me in My throne” – Rev. 3:21. When thus understood, we are immediately forced to the conclusion that only impudent Levitical sacrilege could strain Jesus’ words to such an extent that they would attempt to include those once abandoned to Azazel – because of their unfaithfulness – in the “good and faithful servant” group. Nor let us confuse their subsequent remorse at loss of the High Calling as bringing them again into that High Calling, into the “good and faithful servant” class, because that is forever lost to them, just as was true of Esau and his birthright: “He found no way to change his mind, though he sought it carefully with tears.” (Heb. 12:17 – margin)

And, if any are inclined to fault us for our present incisive denunciation of such larcenous attempt by crown-losers, we would quote them from E-5:137 (62):

‘‘Are we Revolutionists or their partisan supporters, or are we their Opposers – Which? Let us examine ourselves as to our stand with  respect  to  the  sixth sifting, which is yet testing us! ‘Who will be able to stand when He appeareth (when He makes all His people manifest, i.e., in the Epiphany, Mal. 3:2)’” – ­as He makes manifest His “good and faithful servants” as separate and distinct from His “unprofitable servants.”

 “Do good, 0 Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.” (Psa. 125:4-5) “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psa. 126:3)

Sincerely your brother,

John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – J. W. Krewson now teaches that the “third part” of Zech. 13:8, going “through the fire,” is a prophecy concerning his Quasi­-elect Consecrated. Is this in harmony with Parousia and Epiphany Truth?

ANSWER: – It is not only not in harmony with such Truth, it is a direct contradic­tion to the teachings of both Messengers on this text. In fact, such a promise now – while sin is still in the ascendancy – is merely a new twist to the “Father of lies”: “Ye shall not surely die.” It is an appeal to the strongest of human yearnings – the love of life. Thus the Jews shouted with gusto, and said, “All that the Lard hath said we will do, and be obedient.” (Ex. 24:7) And in setting forth this error, J. W. Krewson shows the same brazen hypocrisy of “cousin” Jolly: He cites references that directly contradict his teaching, saying he “stands squarely and unwaveringly for the mature Parousia and Epiphany Truth” – only his present teachings are different! (See p. 158 and p. 159, top, of his paper No. 59)

Let us keep in mind that “Consecrated Campers” here in the  end  of  the  Gospel Age is a pure invention of the “cousins”; it is just the reverse of Brother Johnson’s teaching in E-10:209 that “the Epiphany Camp in the finished picture is the condition of truly repentant and believing, but not consecrated Jews and Gentiles.” Thus to claim such believers will be the “consecrated,” and that this “strange fire” is “squarely and unwaveringly for the mature Parousia and Epiphany Truth,” is simply rank hypocrisy. It is a direct contradiction of mature Epiphany Truth.

Nor is this the only time J. W. Krewson has been guilty of such perversions; he does identically the same thing with the teachings on the Epiphany – a vagary of which the Dawns are also guilty (J, W. Krewson hat been accusing us of being the Dawns’ “little brother,” whereas, he himself is guilty of their selfsame sins). In this connection, we offer once more the teachings of both Messengers on this Epiphany subject from E-4:45 (43):

“Parousia is in respect to the earliest stage of the second advent, while apokalypsis relates to the same advent later – not that apokalypsis and epiphaneia relate to another or third advent, but merely to a later feature (not features, since these two words both as an act and as a period are synonymous).” And on p. 15 of the same book there is this: “Apokalypsis, like epiphaneia, also means the Epiphany period.” And more of the same on p. 22: “The Epiphany as a period is the period of the great tribulation.” Further on p. 34: “The time of trouble and the Epiphany are one and the same period.” And Volume 4, from pages 7 through 72, is replete with similar clear and direct statements. Therefore, there can be but one conclusion on this subject: Either Brother Russell and Brother Johnson are right, and J. W. Krewson is wrong; or J. W. Krewson is right, and they are wrong. And, even should we assume that J. W. Krewson is right, he still stands before all as an unmasked brazen hypocrite when he blatantly declares he stands “squarely and unwaveringly” for the Parousia and Epiphany Truth given us by the two Messenger, all the while he is setting aside their clear teachings and substi­tuting his errors as “advancing light.” He also tells us he is ‘representing’ Brother Johnson, all the while he is actually ‘mis’representing him and his teach­ings. In this Epiphany subject and in Zech. 13:8 he now offers a direct contradiction to such Truth.

Note now Brother Johnson’s clear and direct analysis of Zech. 13:8 in E-6:218, 219 (the very reference offered by J. W. Krewson to “prove” his present point, in which Brother Johnson is refuting similar perversion by JFR):

“In other words, Zech. 13:8,9 refers to the three salvations and how they will be brought about: the Little Flock and Great Company gaining their salvations by being cut off – separated in consecration from the world –and dying – carrying out their consecration unto death; while the world gets its salvation by being brought through the resurrection of judgment, spoken of in this passage as being brought through refining fires. Such an exposition is logical, factual, reasonable and Scriptural – just as is characteristic of our Pastor’s expositions.  JFR muddles the passage (just as J. W. Krewson now muddles itJJH), especially as according to a later Tower he has given up our Pastor’s thought on verse 8 (forced thereto by holding error on who are meant by those who pass through the refining fires), and now claims that its ‘two parts’ are the clergy and the Second Death class! But even if we should concede that Zech. 13:9 refers to the Time of Trouble, and to those who pass through it, it does not teach how many will do so, much less that there will be millions who will so do.” (And to this we add: It does not include J. W. Krewson’s Quasi-elect consecrated, because it is a non-existent class and inharmonious with Scripture; his “strange fire” is not set apart for such promises, except in J. W. Krewson’s mind. The Lord never authorized such a ‘hope’ for Restitutionists, as a bait for JFR’S, RGJ’s or JWK’s present needs for a following – and, as Brother Johnson succinctly states, “it does not teach how many will do so.” But J. W. Krewson says that his non-existent class of quasi-elect consecrated will be the ‘fixed’ class that will pass through without dying. We wonder whether he ‘allows’ for any others than his “quasi-elect consecrated” to live through the Time of Trouble.JJH). R. G. Jolly hasn’t gone that far yet, although he has squinted in that direction; and we hope for his sake that he will eventually repudiate completely the “strange fire” he imbibed from “cousin” Krewson (as well as all the other nonsensical “advancing light” he published in the Present Truth – Brother Russell’s Parallels,” etc., when he was under his influence be­fore the break over “who is the greatest”), instead of adding further ‘fire’ to the flame.

Considering the unconscionable tactics of J. W. Krewson toward the subjects mentioned aforegoing, It is little wonder that his “cleansed nucleus” is but a mere handful; only the very dull, or those “willingly ignorant” will condone such hypoc­risy. To make our own position clear, it is probably true that there are many living in unexplored Africa, South America, Australia, Mongolia and the Arctics who will live through the Time of Trouble; and such people will make no pretense whatever to “seek meekness or righteousness” as “consecrated campers” (See Zeph. 3:2 and Berean Com­ment) during this time – not even having heard of the “Only Name” which will save them. With these there will certainly also be some repentant believers who will survive the Day of Wrath (the quasi-elect unconsecrated, as Brother Johnson and Brother Russell both logically taught). But we believe it also needs no argument that quite a good number of the heathen who live to the time when the Kingdom is established will die the Adamic death even after the Mediatorial reign is inaugur­ated – in its beginning – because that reign could not possibly be made known in a day, a week, a month, or perhaps even a year after its inception; thus the ‘natural’ processes now in operation will continue to function toward such just as though no change at all had occurred in Jerusalem. Only those who embrace the Kingdom arrange­ments will have opportunity to walk up the ‘‘Highway of Holiness.” Therefore, “the fire” of Zech. 13:8 cannot possibly refer to the violent features of the Time of Trouble (the Epiphany), but must mean the refining processes of the “resurrection by krisis” – by trial and judgment, just as is taught by both Messengers. Some will certainly die after the “fire” of this Day of Wrath has fully abated (which is con­trary to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teachings, and other Little Babylon groups), but who will just as certainly live later on as a result of “the fire” of the Judgment Day – ­the “fire” of Zech. 13:8. This is in full harmony with both Messengers’ teachings thereon, and we see no reason to abandon their faithful teachings and substitute the errors of J. W. Krewson, or any other group who now teaches contrary to these teach­ings.

While R. G. Jolly has clearly stated that his “Campers Consecrated” are on “a narrow way,” the same as the Youthful Worthies and Great Company, and consecrated unto death, there have been times in his discoursing that he was also squinting toward declaring a “never die” idea for them. We opine our own sharp refutations have restrained him, however. This we suggest in commendation; altho, sad to note, our refutations have had no such restraint on J, W, Krewson. But let none be led astray; either the Messengers are right, and he is wrong; or he is right, and they are wrong (he is not ‘representing’ either one of the Messengers). His slogan ‘‘Onward with the Lord” should have added to it: – And don’t bother with the Scriptures! As for ourselves, we haven’t seen anything in J. W. Krewson’s career that commends him to us – that would cause us to depart from the Parousia and Epiphany Truth into his “Apokalypsis” revolutionisms and errors. So let each one choose for himself this day whom he will serve – if God, follow Him; if Baal, follow him!

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  LETTERS OF  GENERAL  INTEREST

My dear Brother Hoefle:  Grace and peace!

I am wishing you  sincere  Christian  greetings – and  may  your faith increase and a double  portion of God’s Holy Spirit abide with you – so in full confidence be strengthened to carry on the “good fight” according to your consecration vows. And may you help others do the same, peradventure some that hate you may suddenly realize that instead of your being their foe you are sincerely their friend..... Oh, we praise without ceasing and thank Him too much to be fooled by Satan, after God has delivered His people from the error of the past. We must examine what we receive, and I find we are in the Faith Age, and if we consecrate it must be a Faith Class. We cannot have Jesus the Gate closed to us, and have fellowship with God, and still make an acceptable consecration.....

Thanks to you for all the help you have rendered me during the year. The breth­ren here in Crofts Hill never cease remembering you. We are not partisan – we prove all you have written and find, my dear Brother Hoefle, they truly correspond with the writings we have “learned and been assured of.” The Lord has surely used you to help those that are fighting to be faithful. Please remember me to the other dear ones.

Much Christian love – Yours by Grace ------- (JAMAICA)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in our dear Redeemer!

This reply has been long overdue. I am quite well and strong, but have been advised to get as much rest as possible, at least for the next few months or so.......

I receive your papers regularly and do certainly enjoy them. May God bless you both in your good work! There is no doubt that you are richly blest. In my feeble way I am trying my best, but I do not find it so easy to spread the word around. I have the firm hope that God will help me, as I have put it to Him in prayer.

In my last letter I did not convey my thanks to both of you for coming over to us. Your address at the funeral was inspiring, and there were some demands for a public lecture. That, of course, was not practicable.

We do miss Daddy’s ministry, but God’s will must be done, and He will work all things well for those who trust Him, May God bless you in your ministry.

Your sister in His dear Name ------- TRINIDAD)

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

I hereby acknowledge receipt of .... pounds from Brother -------, and also apologize for delaying such acknowledgment. I have also received the December article, and again express appreciation of the “meat in due season.” I had glanced at R. G. Jolly’s Present Truth prior to the arrival of our December article, and saw he was accusing you of deceit and striking at Brothers Russell and Johnson – condemning their teachings as being error, when the question was asked him re trusting one’s conscience.

He is accusing you of exactly what he is guilty of. He is most deceitful. He does give light, but phosphorescent, as Satan does – the father of lies. It is a sad picture, but as counterpart of That Evil Servant...... As the Apostle says, we fear for them. Your explanation on the subject is very clear to those with good and honest hearts, and in harmony with Brother Johnson (see E. Vol. 8, p. 4889 bottom, and elsewhere) and the Apostle Paul (Acts 24:26). It is impossible for R. G. Jolly to see his present condition of heart as he looks through a glass darkly – and likewise his adherents.

Time and space would fail me here to express my heartfelt sympathy on your behalf for the false accusations made against you. Yet don’t be discouraged, dear Brother, as the poet expresses, “and so we walk together, my Lord and I.”

Being at the close of the year we have much cause to be thankful to our dear Heavenly Father, for His mercies and favors from the Truth and its spirit, as also others do.

With this comes my prayer for you, Sister Hoefle and the dear ones with you.

Your brother, ------- (JAMAICA)

NO. 115: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

No. 115

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

It is with much interest that we review the year just past, and offer some analysis of future events, as coming events usually do cast their shadows before them. In times past we have made little comment on the world’s scientific accom­plishments; nor shall we do so now other than with respect to agriculture. In this phase the advancement has been so pronounced that we offer the observation that, had the human race advanced proportionately, the improvement would be diffi­cult to describe. In the United States at present nine per cent of the people produce twice as much food as the entire populace consumes – quite a contrast to Russia, where forty per cent of the people engaged in agriculture are unable to produce even enough for the remaining sixty per cent. And the quality of what is now produced has improved proportionately. Harking back to the days when we were a boy on an Ohio farm, it was then difficult to find apples, peaches and similar fruits that did not have at least one worm in them. Now it is a rarity to find even one piece of such fruit thus contaminated. And just within the past few years the same improvement is to be found in sweet corn – hardly an ear now comes to market containing such objection. Along with this advance, the back-breaking labor, the drudgery that contributed to the development of the slave industry some centuries back, has been almost completely eliminated – all of this having come since 1874, when the Millennial morning arrived. Thus, the prophecy, “The morning cometh, and also the night” (of trouble) – Isa. 21:12. With this brief observation we shall pro­ceed to those three essentials usually considered in our New Year paper:

IN FINANCE

The tremendous decay in the paper currencies of the various nations continues apace, although it is only in very select circles that discussion of this creeping con­tagion is seldom heard. In fact, it is largely hush-hush, because those who do rec­ognize clearly the staggering truth also are astute enough to realize that much agi­tation of the subject could easily bring down the roof upon their own heads. The English pound has been in considerable stress in the year just past – so much so that it required the help of outsiders to keep it afloat in the financial marts. Just after the British election on October 15 a member of the Canadian Parliament asked the Prime Minister if Canada had been supporting the British pound. The question apparently took that official so much by surprise that he replied he would answer the next day – which he did by saying Canada had indeed been supplying props for the pound, and had done this in return for a similar favor from Britain several years back when the Canadian dollar had been in trouble. Seemingly, the new Government in England had also been well aware of this, because the new Cabinet was scarcely in office before it imposed a 15% “import duty” on all goods coming into the Country. This is in reality a 15% tariff politely labeled “import duty” to camouflage the disconcerting realism that desperate measures were long overdue.

Two years ago we discussed the silver situation, stating at that time that violent upheaval in that metal could not be long delayed. Before we had opportunity to mail out that January paper, President Kennedy announced that the fixed price of 91¢ per ounce would no longer be maintained. This occurred at 5 p.m.; and the silver market opened the next morning at 1.05 per ounce. The price has been steadily increas­ing, until it is now at the practical “ceiling” of 1.30 per ounce. It is now at the stage of “between-the-devil-and-the-sea” point, because if the price goes above 1.30 per ounce, it will then be profitable to melt silver coins into bullion. This pre­sents a real dilemma: The world is now consuming over one hundred million ounces more of silver each year than all the silver mines are able to mine. The situation has become so acute that Detroit business men are sometimes given only one “roll” of quarters each day, and told to get along with that as best they can. With the great increase in vending machines, the “cramp” is becoming steadily unbearable. Since people cannot now legally own gold in the United States, many people have taken to hoarding silver – the only “hard” money they may now possess. In one establishment in Detroit there is a sign in the window “Kennedy half dollars 87¢” – a premium of 74%. Thus, silver may present a very prominent problem before 1965 has passed. Any Small matter could easily precipitate a world-wide financial crisis on very short notice; and a word to the wise should be sufficient!

IN POLITICS

 Sharp political upheavals in the United States and England during 1964 have elicited gloating and dismay in the opposing factions; but the real crux of the analysis lies in the character of some of the personalities who have come into office lately. The moral issue in England had somewhat abated as an election issue there in October; and the moral issue in the United States was partially ignored and partially ‘lied’ into the background, but it is a matter not to be lightly considered. Govern­ments, like trees, die in the top first. “Where there is no vision (in the leaders), the people perish.” (Prov. 29:18) Too much prosperity in general, and too much prof­ligacy in leaders have been the direct causes of the fall of all the prominent empires of the past. “Pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness” is the terse charge against Sodom (Eze. 16:49). And of Belshazzar it is recorded that he and his lords were eating and drinking themselves drunken, and profaning the holy vessels captured during the sack of Jerusalem, when the Medes and Persians turned aside the River Euphrates in one night, and overthrew the Babylonian Empire (See Daniel 5). Much the same history is given concerning the Medo-Persian, the Grecian and Roman Empires.

We have information directly from principal persons involved that some thirty years ago the radical elements in American society pondered the formation of a third political party – The Labor Party; but extended deliberation convinced them that such a party would get just nowhere with the working element. They then determined upon the strategy of “moving in” with the Democratic Party, as the more liberal and vulner­able of the two old-line parties here, gradually infiltrate its inner circles, and eventually take over its top offices. Thus, we find at this time a situation quite analogous to the one that existed during the fifteen years of the prohibition era in the United States: During that crime-ridden time the bootleggers, the hoodlums, the prostitutes, and the beggarly elements in general were heartily joined with the Pro­hibitionists, such as President Hoover and kindred personages, to prevent the repeal of the prohibition amendment in the Constitution. Likewise now, the flotsam and jetsam of the American populace – the bartenders, the prostitutes, the Mafia and other criminal elements – are wholeheartedly joined with many well-meaning people of respect­able standing in their communities, as they vote with them side by side as good and staunch Democrats. In this last national election on November 3 Norman Thomas, many-time candidate for the Presidency on the Socialist ticket, said there was really no point in running again as a Socialist – he would vote the Democratic ticket, because it offered about everything for which he has been contending in past elections. Much might be offered by way of conjecture here, but we believe it would be much better just to “wait on the Lord’’ to see what the future may produce.

 Such deep-laid plans of “mice and men” may cause some to conclude that the plans of the Lord are being hindered or deferred; but such is certainly not the case. The clear statement of the “sure word of prophecy” declares, “The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Hab. 2:3) Through out the Age God’s people have always been too eager in their expectations. Even the inspired Apostles for a time thought the Lord would return in their generation; and even here in the end of the Age expectations have repeatedly been much too far ahead of that “vision which is for an appointed time.” Clearly enough, we should be much more concerned with the Lord’s prophetic exhortation, “He that endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

IN RELIGION

Our readers are all probably more or less familiar with the “shifting sands” of present-day Papacy their wooing words to their beloved Protestant brethren – ­their conciliation with Combinationism, since they now realize only too well that if ‘‘we do not hang together, then we shall all hang separately!” In October Cardi­nal Cushing even went so far as to advise his people to attend the meetings of Evange­list Billy Graham: “I am 100 per cent for the Evangelist,” said he. Only urgent extremity could evoke such a compromise from “the one true Church,” the successors to St. Peter. Indeed, the prophecy is clearly made, “They shall surely gather together, but not by me” – Isa. 54:15. Other Cardinals have expressed themselves in favor of “sweeping away all that is archaic in nuns’ lives, including medieval-style robes that cause ridicule In the street .... and be allowed to act like adult women.” Thus, “that woman Jezebel” is not only busy at the “beauty parlor” (2 Kings 9:30), but is now also toying with the idea of employing an up-to-date tailor.

 And, while it is well that we observe the ripening of such fruitage of the “vine of the earth,” we believe our primary concern outside ourselves is with those of our kinsmen in various Truth groups. Except in the case of those of them who have become fully renegade (and in most cases we cannot yet be fully certain of those who may be eternally lost from their class standings), all consecrated believers in all the groups are definitely our brethren, some of whom are certainly among the Fully Faith­ful, even though they be temporarily led astray by scheming unreliable leaders. There­fore, our criticisms at all times should be planned with a view to helping such improve their positions; and this is decidedly our own attitude. Two persons may read exactly the same words; but the attitude of heart and mind of those same persons, and the in­flection of their voices, places much different meaning to what is read. Instance the case of Pilate’s answer to Jesus’ declaration, “Every one that is of the Truth heareth my voice.” (John 18:37) “Pilate sayeth unto Him, What is Truth?” Some incline to the belief that Pilate asked his question with a sneer, implying the conclusion that Jesus was making ridiculous tribute for Himself. Others conclude that Pilate was so im­pressed by Jesus’ noble bearing and the gracious words He uttered that a measure of contrition seized him at the time. Indeed, A few minutes later he openly declared to the Jews assembled there, “Behold the man” – a finer specimen is not to be found in all your land. Thus, we assure our readers that our criticisms of others are never prompted by a mean or destructive spirit, the harshness of our statements being often actuated only by the conduct and degree of error displayed by those we criticize.

Considering then the conflicts with those of our erstwhile Epiphany brethren, we observe that the Epiphany is the time for manifesting persons, principles and things ­“to bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of hearts.” (I Cor. 4:5) this work has been going on for fifty years in the various Truth groups; and it would be ridiculous in the extreme for us to conclude the same process would not follow with those in the LHMM. Thus, if we now see them going into error, which in turn reveals a reprobate feature of their characters, which had not been previously apparent, we may conclude that this Epiphany period is also manifest­ing them from every viewpoint.

Clearly enough, some are now closing their eyes and stopping their ears to truths they once wholeheartedly accepted, and this enables us to determine with no uncertainty that such have ‘‘admitted not the love of the truth” (2 Thes. 2:10, Dia.) – ­for the present, at least, regardless of what the future may hold in store for them. Notice, as an example, 2 Thes. 2:8, Dia., the clear statement that our Lord will destroy the Man of Sin during the Epiphany of His second presence. Here is a clear statement of fact; yet J. W. Krewson has the Epiphany period ended in 1954; whereas, the Man of Sin is still with us ten years later. And R. G. Jolly is measurably in harmony with “cousin” Krewson, although he admits the Epiphany is still with us, but now subrogated to the Basileia. But Brother Russell and Brother Johnson are in full dis­agreement with both of them in their understanding of this subject, as note the following from Reprints 5526, par. 6:

“The present terrible war (1914-1918 – JJH) is not the great time of trouble in its fullest sense of the word, but merely its forerunner. The great “time of trouble” of the Scriptures (The Epiphany period in its fullest sense, which includes the main features – Armageddon, Anarchy, and Jacob’s Trouble – JJH) will be brought on by Anarchy..... every man’s hand against his neighbor, no peace to him that goeth out or to him that cometh in – Zech. 8:10.”

A lame attempt is made by R. G. Jolly to reconcile his position by declaring we are now in the “overlapping” period of the Epiphany-Basileia (whoever heard of an over­lapping containing most of the main features of a period except one who is fully abandoned to Azazel – one who is so befuddled that he talks such nonsense? – JJH); and in the same statements he refers to his 1914-1954 40-year “parallel”! Either he does not know the meaning of the word “parallel,” or he thinks his readers do not know the meaning of the word. The overlapping of the Parousia-Epiphany was just 25 months – from September 1914 to October 1916; but R. G. Jolly’s “overlapping” is already more than ten years gone, with the end not even remotely in sight. If this goes on much longer, his “overlapping” will loom as large as his Epiphany proper – ­if not larger. When these people fall into the hands of Azazel, they talk all sorts of nonsense, says Brother Johnson; and R. G. Jolly’s “overlapping” is just one more excellent example in proof of that statement. And we observe also that those of his supporters who “aid and abet” him in such nonsense, thus become “partaker of his – 1 Tim, 5:22 (either by failure to resist him, or by acceding to his errors through  fear of losing favor with the brethren).

On previous occasion we have stated that, if he really believes what he is preaching, he should change the name of his paper to The Present Truth & Herald of Christ’s Basileia. At the Chicago Convention in 1963 he offered the puny excuse in answer to this question that the public does not know the meaning of Basileia, which is why he hasn’t changed it. But, is his Present Truth intended for the public? And, if his newly-won Campers Consecrated do not know the word’s significance, might it not be an excellent thing for them to ask him, that he might pass on to them the enlightenment he now claims in connection with his 25-month ten-year-plus “parallel” – ­a parallel which has produced just nothing akin to what took place in 1914-1916?

 Be it noted that it is those whose works are based upon such “parallels” that are specifically described as failing in those works: “If the work of any man shall be consumed, he will suffer loss; he himself, however, will be saved, but so as through  a fire”--l Cor. 3:15, Dia. The Berean Comment makes clear enough that this text has to do with crown-losers, whose works will be burned. This should not cause us to conclude, however, that all the works they do are bad; such is not the case – but there is so much of bad in them that the Lord summarily consigns all of it to the burning flame. Note now the contrast with the works of the Fully Faithful, those ‘‘who die in the Lord (as a part of His Bride), they rest from their labours (their arduous burdens in the heat of the day, amid severe persecutions – especially from their brethren); for their works follow after them. – “Rev. 14:13, Dia. Thus, the contrast is very clearly drawn: The works of the Fully Faithful follow after them (“I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands” – Isa. 49:16); the works of the Measurably Faithful are burned up.

 It is little wonder that the latter have been so much wrong in the treatment of their brethren, even though they have been a “great multitude.” But it is worthy of note that those described in Isa. 66:5 as casting their brethren out by disfellow­shiping them) have always been in error – have always been wrong – as they cast out their fully faithful brethren in their (cruel) disfellowshipment proceedings. This conclusion allows of no argument, because it required a majority to disfellowship their brethren (even as it required the majority – urged by their leaders – to crucify the Lord of Glory); otherwise, they would not be “Cast out.” Thus, the minority in such cases (of the Fully Faithful) has always been right, and the majority has always been wrong – an indisputable contradiction to the vagary that “The voice of the people is the voice of God.”

THE FIGURE FORTY DESIGNATES TRIAL

The figure forty is often mentioned in the Scriptures in connection with severe trials upon God’s people. This is so very clearly marked in the case of Israel at the First Advent; at the end of that 40-year Harvest the Romans under Titus not only destroyed Jerusalem and subdued all Judea, but they inflicted excruciating hardship upon those hapless Jews. When they had finished the siege of the city, there was a circle of crosses around it, with a dead Jew hanging from every one of them. Thus, the Lord took them at their word, “His blood be upon us, and upon our children.”

The number forty appears also in the life of Moses: During his forty Years he dwelt in the king’s palace as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter (See Heb. 11:24), and it was truly a great come-down for him to leave such environs and ac­cept the life of a humble shepherd in the forest of Midian. He continued in this second state for another forty years, at which time there came to him even a more severe trial than at the end of the first forty years. In this second experience God had told him to go back to Egypt, where he was “wanted” for murder, and not only vindicate himself, but to deliver the entire nation of Israel from Egyptian bondage. It is little wonder that this same Moses, who had no army, no arms, and no visible means of securing either, should quickly exclaim, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:11)

But Moses also met this second trial successfully and victoriously, Israel was delivered, and the third forty years of Moses’ life was consumed in leading them through  the Wilderness of Sin, up to Jordan at Jericho, preparatory to their capture of goodly Canaan land. Then came a third trial to Moses – more severe than the other two combined: He would now die, with the fruits of victory at his very feet, at a time when life was still full and sweet to him, “Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye had not dimmed nor had his freshness fled.” (Deu. 34:7. Rotherham) It is a sharp truism that self-preservation is the first law of nature; and the love of life urges men to superior courage and strength when their vital forces are at their peak, And this was Moses’ physical condition: He could still read without glasses (his eye was not dim), and his natural strength was not abated, when he was told that he had come to the end of his earthly course. It is little wonder that St. Paul tells us in Hebrews 11 that Moses and many simi­lar characters ‘‘all died in faith”; and the last trial of Moses – at the end of his third forty years – was severest of all.

 We believe also that his experiences are indicative of the experiences of God’s people here in the end of this Age, Moses delivered God’s people from the grip of Pharaoh (a type of Satan); Jesus, as antitypical Moses came in 1874 to deliver spiritual Israel from the grip of Satan. At the end of the first forty years (1914) came a very severe trial to God’s people, as events failed to materialize as many had expected, and many fell by the wayside. But the stronger hearts, with more faith, took up the journey of a second forty years, believing, as they did, that 1954 would bring what 1914 had not – namely, the full overthrow of Satan’s empire to the glory of God. Instead, there came a second severe trial upon God’s people; the figurative “heavens” were shaken. Now we are already ten years into the third forty years; and we may confidently predict a third more severe trial at the end of this period, as set out in the like of Moses. (See Berean Comment on Matt. 24:34) The full type of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt will be exper­ienced at the end of the Little Season; but we may View here a sort of prototype of Moses’ life’s experiences from 1874 to 1994. However, the detailed nature of the experiences ahead may not now be clearly seen, because no experiences that involve trials are evident in advance; otherwise, the trial would be greatly mini­mized or eliminated entirely.

CONCERNING LITTLE BABYLON

From 1914 to 1954 (the second forty-year trial time) there arose a Little Babylon from the solid structure of the Truth movement that had been supervised by That Faithful Servant during the first forty years. And in some respects this Little Babylon is even more ‘confused’ than was true of Big Babylon when That Servant began his ministry about 1870. Not only are the various divisions of former Truth people in disagreement with each other, but many of them also have marked and fundamental differences in their own group. As instance, the Dawns are now openly split on the close of the High Calling. If we are correctly informed, one class of about 150 split exactly in two parts not too many months back. The same discord exists among them respecting the chronology. Here again, if we are correctly informed, one large class began the study of Parousia Volume 3, but the contention and discord became so pronounced that the study had to be abandoned.

The leaders in many of these groups attempt to construct the philosophy that you may believe as you wish so long as you do not create an uproar about it – quite a contrast to the first forty years, when the first permanent Little Flock movement through out the entire Age was established, and when all in Harvest Truth had come “to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God.... to the measure of the full stature of the Anointed One.... no longer infants, tossed and whirled about with every wind of that teaching, which is in the trickery of men.” (Eph. 4:13, 14¾Dia.) Indeed, the contrast then (1874-1914) and now is a sad commentary on those ‘‘who admitted not the love of the Truth.” (2 Thes. 2:10) – a constant accusa­tion against all such,

 Other groups are in disagreement among themselves on the Sin Offering, on the Tabernacle types, on the parallel dispensations, the times and seasons, etc.; but we now direct our attention to the marked disagreement among the leaders in the LHMM on the false doctrine (“strange fire”) of Campers Consecrated. Of those prominent ones with whom we have talked privately, a decided majority have no con­fidence at all in R. G. Jolly’s teaching on the subject – with some of them more or less openly dissenting, as others more or less passively disagree. But none can dispute that here is definite and clear ‘confusion’ – Babylon – as considered from any viewpoint; and we believe the words of That Servant for the February 4 Manna Comment are as pointedly appropriate now as they were when he first wrote them in the year 1900:

“Whoever are worthy the name ‘My people,’ will hear and obey the Lord’s voice and come out of Babylon and ‘receive not of her plagues.” And then Brother Johnson’s comments for the same day: ‘‘Where have God’s people been than in these sects, and upon what will God’s plagues come with more severity than upon these sects?.... In a secondary sense this passage well applies to the Lord’s people coming out of Little Babylon.”

Nor would we consider this treatise complete without quoting from the Epiphany Messenger re judging out of season (E-5:505, 506):

“One of the severest tests of all to both these classes (the Faithful and the Measurably Faithful) is the Epiphany teaching that manifested Great Company breth­ren are by the priesthood to be pointed out as such. On this being done, they im­mediately recall that Servant’s Parousia-applying teaching that brethren were not to be pointed out as Great Company members. The error in which they are is that they do not rightly divide the Word of Truth on this subject..... Our Lord came in 1874 and His second Advent has three stages of manifestations and thus three judg­ing stages: (1) the Parousia, when His judgments manifested the Tares and the Second Death class as separate and distinct from those who retained the Holy Spirit; (2) the Epiphany, when His judgments manifest the Little Flock and the Great Company as such, separate and distinct from one another; and (3) the Basileia (Kingdom), when His judgments will manifest the Sheep and Goats as separate and distinct from one another. This passage forbids our judging in any of these periods any as be­longing to its manifested classes until He has first manifested them in their perti­nent classes; but this passage commands us to accept the manifested individuals in their proper class after He has manifested them as such.”

All the sects in Little Babylon violate God’s commands and arrangements as above set out. The Dawns, et al, deny the Epiphany period and its judgments, and profess at the same time to continue in the Parousia Truth (and now use Parousia – applying teaching that brethren are not to be pointed out as Great Company members). They contend (falsely, of course) that they are continuing in the teachings of That Ser­vant, while ignoring his teaching that there would come a time when such Great Com­pany members would be clearly manifested as such – namely, the Epiphany – which they refuse to accept and heed. The Jehovah’s Wit­nesses lean too far in the other direc­tion and are now selecting and separating the Millennial Sheep from the Goats, a Basileia work forbidden before the Mediatorial reign begins. The same forbidden judging is being attempted by the LHMM in their “strange fire” (false doctrine) of Epiphany Campers Consecrated, as they seek a Consecrated ‘‘narrow-way’’ Restitution Class here in the Epiphany’s forbidden selection and separating – thus, both (the JW’s and LHMM) saying in their hearts, “My Lord Delayeth.” Since we cannot hope to improve upon the foregoing teachings of the two Messengers, we conclude our dis­cussion of this subject for the present.

With these reflections on retrospect and prospect we convey to all our readers the Lord’s blessing for all of 1965 that “thou mayest prosper and be in health” – ­physically and spiritually. We reciprocate in cordial good wishes the many Holiday greetings that have come to us, and to assure one and all that we are still your brother and servant as our time and strength and providential circumstances may allow; and we add also some of the words of Brother Johnson on a similar occasion: “Dear Fellow Pilgrims on the narrow way, we feel for you an earnest brotherly love, and to remind you that the amount of blessing that shall come to each of us will depend almost entirely on the course we shall pursue in seeking those blessings. It will not depend on God; for He sets us at rest on that point, by assuring us in advance of His willingness to help and bless us along certain lines which He has foreordained. He thus throws the responsibility upon us.” And to this we would add the final message of David before the elders of Israel at his time of departure: “I know also, my God, that thou tryest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now I have seen with joy thy people.... keep the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.” (I Chron. 29:17,18)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim

LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in His Name!

Your letter of July 15, with kind invitation to attend a little get-together in the home of ------- has been received; and, no doubt you have been wondering why you haven’t had an answer before this. This is the reason:

Every year for some time my folks have taken my wife and me to -------; and it works out pretty good of late years, because I don’t meet any Truth friends any­more until we come up here. So it seems good that the brethren in ------- come to see us, and we can talk over things to do with the Kingdom. We stay here until they pick us up again some time by the end of September, or the first of October. I had hoped this year it would be by the first of Sept., but I see now it is out of the question.

I am trying to go along with Bro. Johnson’s motto, “Yes, Lord,” but His answer is No. Only in spirit can I get to ------- I really would love to meet you all and hear what you have to say, as well as to ask some questions. I might say you will be glad to know the ------- brethren are with us and Brother Russell on the brethren consecrating between the Ages (most of them), Reprints 5761 – Because it is only fair, if these dear ones are suffering for Righteousness’ sake, which they cannot do in the next Age, for they are out of step with the main thoroughfare of today. Yet, it is either Heaven or Hell – No Restitution; and they don’t like us when we tell them that will be the day and place the thief will be with Christ. Yes, these dear ones are still in the Epiphany period – still in the Court as Levites, and will come up under the Mediator, and like some of the Ancient Worthies, will have to have some parts of their character made right. Is this your thought, too?

How do we know one is a Holy Prophet? Is it not because he speaks of the Times of Restitution? Just so these dear ones of today are doing the same thing, etc. Can I get in a question here? Bro. Johnson claimed to be Zecharias. Was this a class?

I understand one anyway of the teachers under Brother Jolly is teaching if any of the old brethren hold to the thought they are a Little Flock member it will lead them to the Second Death – and told one old Sister (93 years old) this. Can you think of a Scripture that will teach this? (NOTE: No, there is no such Scrip­tures this is just some more Levitical nonsense. With all the brethren in the various Truth groups, who claimed vehemently that they are of the Little Flock, but with Brother Johnson clearly proving from the Scriptures that many of them must be crown-losers, Did Brother Johnson ever once as much as hint that such would go into the Second Death – (just because they made such claim?¾JJH)

 As for the next Age, I go along with Bro. Jolly that the world of mankind will be in the Camp with a new arrangement set up for their cleansing. (Ezek. 36:24) (Yes, the new arrangement will be the Highway of Holiness – not a Narrow Way in the Camp¾JJH)

 Well, I guess this will be it for this time, and again thanks for your kind invitation. Kindly give my Christian love to all. As ever your brother -------

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace be multiplied!

Further to your letter of Oct. 1 re the talk, between Bro. ------- and RGJ: Bro ------- called last week, and he told Sister the following (Bro. was away from home): R. G. Jolly and Brother ------- did talk on the 40-80 days of the cleansing of the mother after birth of a son or daughter. RGJ did agree that the cleansing of the mother in the 40 days after the birth of a son types the cleansing from all error of the Little Flock developing truths by Bro. Russell from 1874 to 1914 (but RGJ insisted his group of the Great Company are cleansed). Brother ------- said that the Great Company, at least in Babylon, were not cleansed, and also that while sin was still in the ascendancy there was hope for consecrators now to become Youthful Worthies, and against his Campers Consecrated. (See Epiphany Vol. 4, page 337 and page 342¾JJH) R. G. Jolly quoted Rev. 22:11 and that they, the 60th Group, were cleansed and doing the attestatorial work Bro. Johnson told them to do. He kept repeating this. Brother ------- told RGJ he did not believe the Basileia had commenced; and his reply was that the brethren had taken it too literally – the overlapping period.

Brother ------- quoted Israel and the New Covenant in operation at the beginning of the Basileia, and told him he thought it would be a marked time, like 1914, with the world then realizing a change in the order of things. We’re sending a copy of this to Brother -------, and as far as Sister discussed this with him, it is the factual story. Of course, we know the tactics of RGJ to bolster up his views to keep his followers.

Thank you for November papers. The Lord bless you is our prayer for you both, and the continued confirmation of the Truth that the Lord has shown to the Watchers. Our love to you both and the dear ones with you. Psa. 34:10; Psa. 36:9,10.

Brother and Sister ------- (ENGLAND)

NOTE: At the Philadelphia Labor day convention R. G. Jolly related his discussion with a brother in England, and how he had completely overthrown his arguments; but the above certainly gives the matter a far different light. This causes us to wonder if RGJ told his audiences in Europe how he vanquishes his opponents here in the United State – when the truth of the matter is that one by one of the faithful brethren (who were with Brother Johnson) are getting their eyes opened, and are recognizing the perversions of RGJ (Azazel means Perverter) through  the help they receive from our papers (just as was the case of faithful Brother Roach in Trinidad, who could no longer tolerate the gross doctrinal deflections emanating from the LHMM¾JJH)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!

We have just written to Brother ------- in Jamaica, sending --- lbs. Bro ------- had a wonderful discussion with a Plymouth brother..... He thought Restitution marvelous; was amazed about the Soul theory, the Trinity and the Holy Spirit not being a person but the power or influence coming from God.... to those who are con­secrated to Him.... He gladly accepted the Two Salvations and Resurrection of the Dead. We are sending him Tabernacle Shadows...

Our love to both you and the other dear ones. 1 Cor. 15:58; Heb. 10:23. Brother ------- send his love.

Brother and Sister ------- (ENGLAND)

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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings of Christian love in the name of our Blessed Lord!

Sr. Hoefle’s letter, together with the PT which contained Bro. Johnson’s Biography came to hand..... I must thank you most graciously, for it was timely and served the purpose. I notice you were preparing to go to Chicago to attend the Convention. As to the service of the two Star Members, we had a rich time. Fourteen were present. In their testimonies they all paid tribute to the two Star Members, which brought so much spiritual blessings to all. (Ps, 112:6) I spoke of the two Servants from the standpoint of antitypical Eleazar (Num. 4:16) and antitypical Ithamar (Ex. 38:21), and we did receive a rich blessing.

 I have received the Nov. paper. Thanks much! A few days before I had received the PT of Sept-Oct. from the LHMM, in which I noticed, among other thing, RGJ’s Questions and Answers of General Interest – “Trusting One’s Conscience.” I said to myself, It seems as though he has built up a very strong fortress against you on that question. But after I received your paper I said to myself, When RGJ reads this paper he will be sorry he undertook to answer such questions – for he has received a good flogging from you; and he got another flogging on the Zechariah and Altar Question. He would have to reconcile quite a few things in Bro. Johnson’s teachings, such as Rev. 19:5 as given in E-5:420,421. Again Jesus’ work as God’s Executive. I think you do well to refer him to E-11:591. Let him clear himself if he can. The friends ask me to tender you both their greetings and the dear ones with you, always making mention of you in our prayers. Brother ------- (TRINIDAD)