I've been reading some of the old jw books that are available on google books.
this has probably been shown before but i just seen it and thought i'd share.
this is pages 7 and 8 of studies in the scriptures volume 1.
i think ANYONE who is working towards baptism as a jw should have to read these older texts..just so they can recognize
centuries of education supression and focus on SALES
Studies in tbe Scriptures,
Christian people are becoming more and more awake
to the fact that a great tidal wave of unbelief is sweeping
over Christendom; — not the blasphemous kind
voiced by Thomas Paine and Robert Ingersoll, but the
cultured kind represented in the scholarship of our
day, which makes the danger all the more insidious.
sound familiar?
Not only are the great Colleges and Seminaries undermining
the faith of the better educated, but the
Common School books, and especially those used in
the High Schools, are similarly inculcating a distrust
in the Bible, a contradiction of its teachings. For a
college graduate of to-day to declare his faith in the
inspiration of the Scriptures would bring upon him the
scorn of his companions—a scorn which few would
court, or could endure. At very best, a few will be
found to claim that they believe that Jesus and his
Apostles were sincere, though they blundered in quoting
from the Old Testament as inspired.
Such a belief in Jesus and his Apostles is no belief
at all; for if present-day "higher critics" are wise enough
to know when and where our Lord and his Apostles
erred in their quotations from the Old Testament,
then these wise men of our day are our proper guides, —
more inspired than Jesus and his Apostles.
Our Society, realizing the need, is seeking to do all
in its power to stem the tide and lift up the Lord'3 "
standard for the people." It has prepared six sets
of Bible Studies (of which this volume is one) for
Christian people of all denominations to use in lending
a helping hand to all perplexed inquirers with whom
they may, by God's providence, come in contact.
the following part sounds so much like encyclopedia salesmen...
These are supplied at bare cost, and can be had direct
from the Society's warerooms or of its colporteurs,
who are gradually reaching forth these helping hands
far and near. These valuable "studies" are supplied
at little more than two cents each;—15 of them well
bound in a cloth case, embossed 1n gold, for 35 cents.
The thought is this: As a Christian man or woman
you have cnildren or relatives or neighbors or friends
open to your influence—perhaps, indeed, asking your
counsel—asking, "How do we know that there is a
God?" or, "What proofs have we that the Bible is
inspired?" It is no longer wise to call these silly questions,
nor to ask, "Are you an infidel?"
However competent you might be to prepare answers
to these and a score of other questions, you may
not have the needed time and opportunity to do so.
How convenient then to step to your book-case, take
down the proper study on the subject, and to say to
the inquirer, Sit down and read that short study,
and the whole matter of your question will be fully
and satisfactorily settled; and if your doubts ever
again arise come over and read the same afresh.
Possibly you may be a member of an Epworth
League or Christian Endeavor Society, or of a Baptist
Young People's Union, and may be called on for an
essay on some Scripture topic. How convenient to
select one among these numerous studies (covering
almost every topic) and to find therein the appropriate
Scriptures cited. Ministers use them thus when composing
special sermons and addresses.
Ministers who have large libraries touching every
conceivable religious topic—many volumes costing $6
to $8 per volume—may not feel their need of these "
Bible Studies," but to others they are almost indispensable.
Indeed, in addition to the price feature,
which brings them within the reach of everybody—six
volumes of over 3,000 pages for $2.00—the usual price
of one such volume—they are written in pure, but
simple English, whereas the "scholarly works" are
replete with technical terms and only for the few.
We invite Christian people of all denominations to
join us in our work of extending these "helping hands"
to the rising generation. A single friend or relative
helped—rescued from doubt or unbelief—would repay
the cost of these lessons a thousand times.