Born He left the Reformed Church in and in he was baptized as a Bible Student. Ironically, the person who gave the talk that day, was Frederick W. Franz , who was some years older than him. He outlived Knorr, however, and later succeded him as the president of the Watchtower Society.
The two men became close friends and companions, and they served several years together as members of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Knorr died from a cerebral tumor June 8 , Knorr's most striking contribution to Jehovah's Witnesses was an intense educational focus. Within a month of his taking office, arrangements were made for an Advanced Course in Theocratic Ministry , a school that featured Bible research and public speaking.
The field would be divided into circuits, each of about twenty companies congregations. These would be served for one week by the traveling overseers, primarily concerned with assisting the Witnesses in their house-to-house preaching. Yet, what was it like some years ago? So I traveled, talked, witnessed, checked the records, ate, studied, read and had a little time for sleep! Of course, not all his trips by automobile were that long. They seek to aid them in the field service and to upbuild them spiritually.
Circuit assemblies also play a vital role in advancing Kingdom interests. Did you know that during the past service year, twenty circuit assemblies, on the average, were held each week in the United States, with an average attendance of 1,?
Summing that all. In the year the Selective Training and Service Act went into effect in the United States, which was still at peace. They were neither seditious, nor would they interfere with military or other pursuits of human governments.
However, the Witnesses themselves were determined to maintain strict neutrality as Christians. Interestingly, when Eugene R. Well, I can see the face of my god in that flag and so I have no objection to worshiping it, and you should feel the same way. Pioneer Daniel Sydlik who now serves at Brooklyn Bethel was jailed because of his Christian neutrality in Brother Sydlik, like so many others, eventually found himself in a federal prison.
What did Christian neutrals do there? They made good use of their time. When not busy at prison duties, they often were allowed to hold meetings for study of the Bible and publications of the Watch Tower Society. Also, they improved their general education, as by studying foreign languages such as Spanish and Greek. Sunday we had our Watchtower study in the library. Another provision that we were able to arrange for was the privilege of miniature assemblies. One summer we used the ball field and had the piano and other instruments for music and a most instructive program.
Hence, arrangements were made for certain brothers, such as A. Macmillan and T. Sullivan, to visit them regularly. To provide Scriptural counsel and encouragement. But that did not still their lips entirely. It petitioned the president of the United States to grant full pardon to over 4, wrongfully convicted and imprisoned Witnesses. Such clemency would restore the civil rights of these Christian neutrals who illegally were denied their rights by draft boards and federal courts from to I identified myself as a former fellow army officer and said that I had been responsible for supplying his battery with all the ammunition that it had fired during the war.
I took a picture of the regimental officers from my briefcase and laid it on his desk. He looked at it and said that he had the same picture hanging over his desk in his library. I then told him that it is harder fighting for Christian principles than it was fighting in the war. Truman then said that he would discuss it with the Attorney General. They reviewed thousands of court records and draft board files, recommending some pardons. But on December 23, , Truman pardoned only Witnesses, whereas 1, pardons were granted.
Consequently, the vast majority of these Christian neutrals were discriminated against only because they had been resolute in their determination to maintain integrity to Jehovah God. This set the precedent for all the federal courts to follow. Everything comes to an end in its own time. Therefore we just endure; God will bring us through.
A fellow missionary, Harold King, spent nearly five years in a Red Chinese prison. He, too, had remained spiritually strong. Did you know that, while imprisoned, he even composed music based on Scriptural thoughts? It is song No. Jehovah can uphold you as he did incarcerated Christian neutrals in the United States as well as many other integrity- keepers, including Brothers Jones and King, who had the hard experience of incarceration in a Communist Chinese prison. Congregations were reestablished and spiritual food again became available in ever-increasing amounts.
Yet, Christians in war- ravaged nations needed material things too. But with all of this they were amazingly strong spiritually. They were welcomed back by their brothers all over the world. Their first interest was to reorganize for Kingdom work, declare the same good news for which they had been imprisoned and recoup their spiritual knowledge. Their compelling desire, following such great and extended hardships, was an inspiration to us and we were happy for the privilege of helping to supply, in a small way, their material needs.
Clothing, shoes and other needs were collected and sorted at the Kingdom Halls, then picked up by trucks for shipment to our brothers. Tons and tons were thus lovingly supplied. Total shipments of clothing amounted to 1,, pounds. Food shipments totaled , pounds. Additionally, , pairs of shoes were sent to needy Christians during this relief campaign. And these kind gifts were appreciated. Consider the earthquake in Peru. Congregations in Lima gathered together clothing, food and money and promptly took about seven tons of supplies to the stricken area.
This was, in fact, far more clothing than was needed. Similarly, aid was provided when an earthquake destroyed Managua, Nicaragua, in Such displays of Christian love are reminiscent of the good-hearted liberality of first-century Christians. Yet, the aid given to fellow worshipers of Jehovah does not always consist of material things. They have genuine loving concern for their brothers everywhere. Often they have also been times of great rejoicing. That convention was different. Multicity assemblies had been linked by radio- telephone facilities in various lands during previous years, with large combined audiences.
One formidable pre-convention task was the locating of rooming accommodations for the delegates. This was accomplished by extensive house-to-house work. There, in time, a community of 20, lived conveniently and inexpensively. Naturally, the delegates required physical food, and significant indeed was the cafeteria arrangement at the assembly location.
Spiritual food was of utmost importance, however, and it was furnished in abundance. For instance, F. Many years later Henry A. Thursday, August 8, was especially notable at that assembly.
While one could see no distinct face from the platform, it was easy to sense their joy. That was evident. Knorr, and his secretary, M. Henschel, embarked on a globe-encircling service tour. From personal observation during that 47,mile journey it was possible to determine what steps were required to strengthen and unify the worldwide organization. That journey accomplished much. Among other things, following the tour Gilead missionaries were sent to certain Asiatic lands and islands of the Pacific.
Kingdom interests were being advanced. The Theocracy was surging ahead! Similarly, God has delivered spiritual Israelites from bondage to Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. Moreover, he has blessed them with increase. In there was a peak of 59, Kingdom proclaimers world wide. With what result? The influx of some 10, foreigners alarmed the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, which brought discriminatory indignities upon these visitors.
Later, such actions were protested vigorously by the assembled convention delegates. As at the international convention in Cleveland, Ohio, an extensive cafeteria arrangement was set up to feed the many thousands.
How impressive it was! Marie M. This city was connected by wire to the convention in New York, so every presentation at the New York City assembly could be heard in the trailer camp. The Society thereafter undertook other very notable Bible-printing activities. But that assembly session brought to light something especially thrilling. An amazed, highly delighted audience of 82, at the stadium and the trailer camp received it with the greatest of enthusiasm, sustained applause and deep appreciation.
Tens of thousands of copies were eagerly obtained by convention delegates. What a thrill for all those assembled! Perhaps that gathering would be marked by the appearance of one or more of those resurrected princes or men of old! With that in mind, mentally join the 82, conventioners as they listened intently to F. Franz on Saturday evening, August 5, Many of us sisters had tears in our eyes! I was certain that one or more of these men of old would emerge at any moment.
The audience stood up—the atmosphere was charged. I am sure that if someone with a long beard had walked to the platform there would have been no containing the crowd.
A profound silence next settled over the audience. Never may we look back to this modern Sodom, which is reserved for destruction, but we are determined to keep faces forward in full faith. Onward, then, steadily, all of us together, as a New World society! Yankee Stadium was filled with 87, persons. An additional 25, were on the sidewalks and in nearby tents.
Another 11, were present at the trailer camp. Again, rooming accommodations in private homes were obtained for thousands of convention delegates.
The resolution was unanimously adopted by the , present at the stadium, in the overflow tents and at Trailer City. But through all this terrific storm Jehovah would preserve the New World society. How much the , listeners appreciated this warning and the admonition to keep trusting in Jehovah and proclaiming the good news of his kingdom by Christ!
For N. There were 91, persons in the stadium itself. Not long before the public talk, gates were opened and thousands filed in to sit on the grass of the playing field. That absorbing hour passed quickly and soon the public talk was over. Basing his remarks on Psalm , Brother Knorr gave an hour-long talk stressing the need to praise Jehovah, exalt him as God, advertise him as Universal Sovereign and make known his kingship.
Manera, Jr. What a convention! They discussed the new book he had prepared on branch office procedure after personally inspecting the largest branch, in. Brooklyn, the one for the United States. Other profitable meetings were held with these men, as well as missionaries, special pioneers and circuit and district overseers during the convention itself. This was the largest mass baptism at one location in modern times. After this absorbing talk, the speaker related that missionaries in Thailand had once asked whether the Society would produce a study publication, not refuting falsehood, but setting forth just the true Biblical teaching.
To meet their need and that of Christians everywhere, he said, the Society had produced the new book From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained.
Written in simple language and profusely illustrated, the Paradise book has been a delight to young and old alike. From where we sat we could see the continuous stream of people coming into the stadium, filling the stands and overflowing onto the field, being seated on the grass in orderly sections. As the stadium was being filled to capacity, the same thing was happening at the Polo Grounds. At p. For years Brother Knorr had felt that way.
When N. If we only had a Bible with helps wherein we could find quickly what we need! As James W. To this day it is the only Bible in many homes of people not in the truth. There was a translation of the Bible that used the divine name in the Hebrew Scriptures. It was the American Standard Version. Theocratic Assembly of The factory force began working on the first of the manuscript on September 29, It was no revision of some earlier Bible translation. It was brand new! This Bible was in modern speech, readily understood by present-day English readers.
Many were the fine features of the New World Translation. Incidentally, by this time their numbers had risen to , Kingdom proclaimers earth wide. Surely, Jehovah had been blessing their efforts. By his holy spirit, God was making things grow. Therefore, Bibles of many types have become available. Another English release was the valuable large-print original edition, bound in one volume, complete with cross- references, footnotes and an extensive appendix.
But just imagine the delight of Italian, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish conventioners as they received the newly released New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures in their native languages!
Greatly appreciated, therefore, was the Comprehensive Concordance of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, released in , with some 14, word headings and about , entries. Many members of the Brooklyn Bethel family worked industriously at compiling it, proofreading it, and so forth. Certainly, with this provision much time is being saved in locating desired Bible texts.
Today, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is available in its entirety in seven languages, and the Christian Greek Scriptures in one other tongue. Also, work is under way on the Christian Greek Scriptures in four other languages. Why such a low cost?
And it may surprise you to know that during as many as fifteen rotary presses of the Watchtower Society in Brooklyn were being used full time to print Bibles. Coupled with this tremendous production of Bibles has been the publishing of millions of Bible study aids. And, since some persons have doubted the authenticity of the Scriptures, earnest efforts have been made to prove that these are indeed of divine origin. The sanctity of blood was highlighted in The Watch Tower of December 15, The Watchtower of July 1, , clarified the Christian position on blood.
Among other things, it pointed out that, though blood transfusion dates back to the ancient Egyptians, the earliest reported case was a futile attempt to save the life of Pope Innocent VIII in , an operation that cost the lives of three youths. Samuel Muscariello was confronted with a test of his integrity on this matter. The doctors prescribed an operation—with blood transfusions, of course—giving him two years at the most to live without the operation and the blood.
Sam walked out on them. This was in the year Besides the Watchtower statement [one that they had particularly noted], the words of [visiting] Brother Sullivan at the prison kept ringing in our ears.
On April 18, , the state went to court in Chicago, Illinois, to take a child away from its parents so that doctors might give it a blood transfusion. Six-day-old Cheryl Labrenz was said to have a rare condition in which her red blood cells were being destroyed. According to the doctors, she would die if she did not receive a blood transfusion.
The Labrenz case was but an early chapter in what has become a lengthy narrative. Greetham remembers well what happened to her brother, Dan Morgan. When admitted a fourth time, he still refused to accept blood.
Dan was so peaceful and happy. But is death inevitable because a person rejects a blood transfusion? Certainly not! Consider the case of Gladys Bolton. She was told by her doctor that she had an aneurysm in the main artery leading to her spleen and that the spleen would have to be removed.
She agreed to the operation on the condition that no blood transfusions would be administered to her. Before it was possible to remove the spleen, however, the artery ruptured and Sister Bolton lost over 70 percent of her blood. Though doctors and nurses in the operating room were calling for blood, her doctor held to his promise. She was unconscious for two weeks and in an oxygen tent for three, suffering one complication after another, but the doctor was very attentive and gradually Sister Bolton improved.
From all medical history and records you should be dead right now. No one has ever lost that much blood and lived! We appreciate good doctors and nurses, and all of you have worked hard to keep me alive.
Through the years, Jehovah God has graciously made bountiful provision for those who wish to adhere to his law on blood. In this constant flow of spiritual aid must be included the page booklet Blood, Medicine and the Law of God, published in Have you used it to discuss this vital subject with your doctor? This was not the first time The Watchtower had mentioned expulsion of unrepentant sinners from the congregation.
From onward, however, the need to maintain the spiritual cleanliness of the Christian congregation was especially stressed. The passing of years also brought increasing awareness that merciful treatment of repentant ones was essential. Christians do not associate with disfellowshipped persons in a spirit of brotherhood.
Nor do they tolerate wickedness among themselves. But what if disfellowshipped individuals forsake their wrong course? These show that such disfellowshipped persons can be given real encouragement to get reestablished on the road to life. Playing no small role in keeping the organization clean have been a number of assembly talks.
For instance, L. Frank, straight language on morals spelled things out in plain talk. In fact, a very significant step was taken in Speaking at an assembly in Washington, D. Because the Bible says that you should not take blood or eat blood, the blood must be spilled upon the ground.
The life is in the blood. Are those words convincing? We post behind-the-scenes updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page. Tony Ortega is a journalist who was formerly the editor of The Village Voice. You can reach him by sending him a message at tonyo94 AT gmail. You can either make a one-time donation to the site via Paypal RSS Feed.
He never went to college. He never got any medical education. But his most lasting legacy is a lethal one. March 11th, Category: Jehovah's Witnesses.
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