SEMI-MONTHLY.
VOL. XXVII. JANUARY 1, 1906 No. 1
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CONTENTS
Thoughts for the New Year......................... 3
How Shall We Pay Our Vows?.................... 4
"Lo, I Am With You"........................... 5
"God Bless You"--1906......................... 6
Views from the Watch Tower........................ 6
The Crisis Nearing............................ 6
Church Union in Great Britain................. 6
Results of Russian Struggle................... 7
Russia's Three-Sided Melee.................... 7
Berean Bible Study--"Prayer"...................... 8
Reports from Foreign Branches..................... 8
Our Pathway (Poem)................................ 10
The Glorious Proclamation......................... 10
Gifts to Our King................................. 14
THIS JOURNAL AND ITS MISSION.
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THIS journal is set for the defence of the only true foundation of the Christian's hope now being so generally repudiated,--Redemption through the precious blood of "the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom [a corresponding price, a substitute] for all." (I Pet. 1:19; I Tim. 2:6.) Building up on this sure foundation the gold, silver and precious stones (I Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Pet. 1:5-11) of the Word of God, its further mission is to--"Make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has been hid in God,...to the intent that now might be made known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God"--"which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed."--Eph. 3:5-9,10.
It stands free from all parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and more to bring its every utterance into fullest subjection to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the Holy Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever the Lord hath spoken;--according to the divine wisdom granted unto us, to understand. Its attitude is not dogmatical, but confident; for we know whereof we affirm, treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his service; hence our decisions relative to what may and what may not appear in its columns must be according to our judgment of his good pleasure, the teaching of his Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our readers to prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which reference is constantly made, to facilitate such testing.
TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH
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That the Church is "the Temple of the Living God"--peculiarly "His workmanship;" that its construction has been in progress throughout the Gospel age--ever since Christ became the world's Redeemer and the chief corner stone of his Temple, through which, when finished, God's blessing shall come "to all people," and they find access to him.--I Cor. 3:16,17; Eph. 2:20-22; Gen. 28:14; Gal. 3:29.
That meantime the chiseling, shaping and polishing, of consecrated believers in Christ's atonement for sin, progresses; and when the last of these "living stones," "elect and precious," shall have been made ready, the great Master Workman will bring all together in the First Resurrection; and the Temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout the Millennium.--Rev. 15:5-8.
That the Basis of Hope, for the Church and the World, lies in the fact that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man," "a ransom for all," and will be "the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," "in due time."--Heb. 2:9; Jno. 1:9; I Tim. 2:5,6.
That the Hope of the Church is that she may be like her Lord, "see him as he is," be "partaker of the divine nature," and share his glory as his joint-heir.--I John 3:2; John 17:24; Rom. 8:17; 2 Pet. 1:4.
That the present mission of the Church is the perfecting of the saints for the future work of service; to develop in herself every grace; to be God's witness to the world; and to prepare to be kings and priests in the next age.--Eph. 4:12; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 1:6; 20:6.
That the hope for the World lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by Christ's Millennial Kingdom--the restitution of all that was lost in Adam, to all the willing and obedient, at the hands of their Redeemer and his glorified Church--when all the wilfully wicked will be destroyed.--Acts 3:19-23; Isa. 35.
CHARLES T. RUSSELL, Editor.
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LETTERS FOR THE EDITOR SHOULD BE SENT TO ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS AND REMITTANCES
--ADDRESS TO--
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY,
"BIBLE HOUSE," 610, 612, 614 ARCH ST., ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
--OR TO--
BRITISH BRANCH--24 EVERSHOLT ST., LONDON, N.W.
GERMAN BRANCH--MIRKER STR., 45, ELBERFELD.
AUSTRALASIAN BRANCH--32 JOHNSTON ST., FITZROY, MELBOURNE.
PRICE, $1.00 (4S.) A YEAR IN ADVANCE, 5c (2-1/2d.) A COPY.
MONEY MAY BE SENT BY EXPRESS, BANK DRAFT, POSTAL ORDER, OR REGISTERED.
FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY FOREIGN MONEY ORDERS, ONLY. SPECIAL
TERMS TO THE LORD'S POOR AS FOLLOWS:--
Those of the interested who, by reason of old age, or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for the TOWER, will be supplied FREE, if they send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually.
==========
ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MAIL MATTER AT ALLEGHENY, PA., POST OFFICE.
==========
THIS JOURNAL IS PUBLISHED IN THE
FRENCH, GERMAN, SWEDISH, DANISH AND ITALIAN LANGUAGES.
SAMPLE COPIES FREE.
==========
[page 2]
YOUNG'S AND STRONG'S CONCORDANCES.
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There is a little "war" of prices at present, and so long as it
lasts we can sell these valuable works at specially low prices,
viz.: Young's, in cloth binding, at $4.00, plus postage, 55c.
Strong's at $3.00, plus 65c postage. The latter is a wonderful
bargain. We scarcely expect the prices to go lower.
[R3694 : page 2]
THE PITTSBURGH DISPATCH.
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Most of the subscriptions to the Pittsburgh Dispatch expired
with November. Please note the date tag and let us know if
you wish us to renew for you. We have a special clubbing arrangement
by which we can supply this cosmopolitan newspaper
for $3.00 per year, or just half price. This supersedes previous
notices. The Dispatch proposes more space for Brother
Russell's discourses every Monday hereafter.
[page 2]
WATCH TOWER BINDERS.
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These are substantially made of stiff cloth boards, and can hold two years' issues of the WATCH TOWER. They prevent soiling and loss. Price, postpaid, 50c.
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German booklet on the Law and the Sabbath, 72 pages, postpaid 5 cents each.
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r3695 THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR.====================
[page 17]
SEMI-MONTHLY.
VOL. XXVII. JANUARY 15, 1906 No. 2
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CONTENTS.
Views from the Watch Tower........................ 19
Three Churches Unite in Canada................ 19
For Great Church Union........................ 19
The Passover Memorial, April 8, 1906.............. 20
The Satisfaction of Justice....................... 22
"It Behooved Christ to Suffer"................ 22
Reconciliation Through His Death.............. 23
Three Views of the Sacrifice.................. 24
"Our Sufficiency is of Christ"................ 25
The Mediatorial Work.......................... 26
Time in the Satisfaction of Justice........... 27
"Holy, Harmless, Perfect"......................... 28
Preparation for the Kingdom....................... 30
LETTERS FOR THE EDITOR SHOULD BE SENT TO ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS AND REMITTANCES
--ADDRESS TO--
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY,
"BIBLE HOUSE," 610, 612, 614 ARCH ST., ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.
--OR TO--
BRITISH BRANCH--24 EVERSHOLT ST., LONDON, N.W.
GERMAN BRANCH--MIRKER STR., 45, ELBERFELD.
AUSTRALASIAN BRANCH--32 JOHNSTON ST., FITZROY, MELBOURNE.
PRICE, $1.00 (4S.) A YEAR IN ADVANCE, 5c (2-1/2d.) A COPY.
MONEY MAY BE SENT BY EXPRESS, BANK DRAFT, POSTAL ORDER, OR REGISTERED.
FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY FOREIGN MONEY ORDERS, ONLY. SPECIAL
TERMS TO THE LORD'S POOR AS FOLLOWS:--
Those of the interested who, by reason of old age, or other infirmity or adversity, are unable to pay for the TOWER, will be supplied FREE, if they send a Postal Card each December, stating their case and requesting the paper. We are not only willing, but anxious, that all such be on our list continually.
==========
ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MAIL MATTER AT ALLEGHENY, PA., POST OFFICE.
==========
THIS JOURNAL IS PUBLISHED IN THE
FRENCH, GERMAN, SWEDISH, DANISH AND ITALIAN LANGUAGES.
SAMPLE COPIES FREE.
==========
CLUBBING WITH THE "DISPATCH."
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Many of our readers, desirous of having Brother Russell's Sunday discourses regularly throughout this year are subscribing for the Dispatch, which proposes to continue their publication, reporting them still more fully. The price of the Dispatch is 2c per issue or $6.00 per year. This their lowest rate is the lowest price at which they permit us or others to receive subscriptions. But as we get a clubbing or wholesale rate ($3) we give TOWER subscribers the benefit of it, thus: For the six dollars we include one year's subscription to the WATCH TOWER ($1) and anything we furnish to the amount of two dollars more. If you have already sent us this year's subscription to the WATCH TOWER send only $5. Dispatch subscriptions can not be received from places where they have an agent.
OUR CROWDED MAILS
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Our mails are very heavy--some days as many as 350 letters. During the holidays we did our very best to fill the orders contained in these, accurately and promptly, but it taxed our capacity everyway. If errors occurred we will cheerfully do our best to rectify them if reported. Our Bible House helpers are perfect in intention, but not actually perfect. Each does his best to serve your interests, gladly--as unto the Lord.
We have been unable to reply as we would have liked to all of your kind letters, telegrams and cards. Please accept our greetings of last issue in lieu of personal letters. You will be glad to know that all the indications for the new year 1906 are favorable. Never before have we experienced so general widespread zeal for the cause and its service as now.
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r3704 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER.====================