I attended the meeting tonight. I've been able to get out of most of the meetings this year, as I've been busy at work, and studying for work exams. I went tonight, because I told my brother I'd go last week, since he was giving his first No. 1 talk as an MS, which is apparently very special. After the meeting, nobody came to speak to me, so whilst I was waiting for my parents to be done socialising so I could go home, I popped into the library at the back of the hall, to see if they had any old Society books.
I was amazed at what I found! Loads of old books, most of which I'd never heard of, most probably written by Rutherford? Must have been close to 100. What stood out to me most though, was an original set of all seven series of 'Studies in the scriptures' Had a flick through the first one, (Divine plan of the ages) and on the inside cover, I noticed there was a pullout with a diagram of the pyramid! Thought that was really funny.
There was also many other bible translations, and some commentaries and books about the bible, which appeared to be written by 'worldly' sources, which surprised me even more.
Didn't get much time to look around, but I have a key to the hall back from the days when I worked on the magazine counter, which for some reason, they never asked back from me, so I'm going to go in at some point when I've got a bit more time, and have a proper look around, though there's so much stuff I could spend days in there.
Do all Kingdom hall libraries have these books? I suggest anyone who still goes to meetings should look in their KH library, it's really fascinating stuff!
Kingdom Hall library
by Zico 7 Replies latest jw friends
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Zico
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jaguarbass
If the hall has those books, they are like the bible, you are not supposed to read them. At least not by yourself. Dont try this at home.
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Zico
What's the point in a library with books you can't read?
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blondie
Usually only older congregations have those books usually donated by older JWs. I'm willing to bet that this is the original congregation/library in the area.
I went to one that had the WTs back to the 1890's, portable phonographs, placards, etc.
Blondie
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Zico
You're right Blondie (as usual!) first Kingdom Hall in the Circuit. Must date back to the 40s. (was renovated in the 70s)
I don't know who donated the books but there was an old brother who died a few years ago who lived through WW2 as a JW, so I'd guess it was him.
It was still the Worldly books that surprised me more than the old books itself though, do you usually see these in KH libraries? -
hamsterbait
Our congo was formed from the first group in the city. I now live 450 miles away from there.
Ditto - it had all the old books magazines and tracts. When i was a teenager, and into studying, I plowed my way through them (you could still borrow books in those days and read at home).
I have a good memory for what i have read and heard. That is why I am never surprized by old light when it appears here. I am not good at remembering sources and chapter and verse.
In fact i have tried to get hold of the June 1927 WT - the only one ever that argued and discussed that Christ came to judge his temple in 1918, and appointed the WTBTS over all his belongings. After this, every article just asserted it without further discussion or proof.
Anbody able to post it?
HB
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blondie
*** km 4/97 p. 7 Question Box ***
What publications should be put in the Theocratic Ministry School library?
An abundance of spiritual publications have been provided for the benefit of God’s people. Since many publishers do not possess all of these personally, the Theocratic Ministry School library at the Kingdom Hall provides means for research in publications that might not otherwise be available. Thus, it should be well equipped with a variety of Bible translations, the current publications of the Society, copies of OurKingdomMinistry, bound volumes of TheWatchtower and Awake!, and the WatchTowerPublicationsIndexes.Additionally, a good modern dictionary should be added. If available, encyclopedias, atlases, or reference books on grammar and history may be useful. However, our primary focus should be on the publications provided by "the faithful and discreet slave."—Matt. 24:45.
In some cases it is reported that books of a questionable nature have been put in the Theocratic Ministry School library. It would not be appropriate to include fictional material, Bible commentaries that highlight higher criticism, or books on philosophy or spiritism. The Theocratic Ministry School library should include only material that will enable those using it to make continued spiritual advancement.—1 Tim. 4:15.
*** km 5/72 p. 4 Question Box ***
It is not necessary to include books on health, genetics, politics, science, mathematics, etc., which one might have in a personal library. It is inadvisable to have books on spiritism, mysticism, higher criticism, evolution or fiction in the library.
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Wasanelder Once
For the last few meetings I attended, I sat in the library and would read a copy of studies in the scriptures during the meeting. One elder came back after the meeting and asked, doing some research in the older publicaitons, eh? You know we're encouraged not to read those books because they are out of date.
That was my cue. I said, "Yeah, can you believe they taught that Jesus returned in 1874 in kingdom power and that the pyramid held the answers to the timing of the end of the world? The steps were measured and that's part of how they confirmed 1914 as the year of armageddon? They really involved a lot of spiritism, were you surprised by that when you read that?
He said, "Oh, I've never read those."
I know that, I studied with him.
I said, "maybe that's why they don't want us to read them? Too much satanic stuff in them."
He just looked amazed. I read a different book each sunday meeting for a month and didn't look up at the speaker once. It really unnerved them. Try it.
W.Once