Back in the 50's, when I was just a skinny kid, my father became PO of a new congregation. He'd only been baptised for around 4 years, so his rise was quite remarkable.
Just one of his flock in the new cachement area was of the "remnant". This lady was well into her 60's, childless but married. Her name was Alice. She was a pleasant soul on the surface and called everyone "Ducky" - including my father.
At the time, persons of the remnant were held in very high regard indeed. Their numbers were diminishing fast and they were highly valued.
My father would consult Alice on a weekly basis concerning all aspects of his congregation's affairs. Her husband was well used to visits from PO's, CO's and DO's and would busy himself making tea and coffee when they called. Sometimes, when my father received a visit from one his flock who was experiencing a crisis, he would declare "I need to go and see Alice", and off to Alice he'd go. Alice would advise him on no end of congregational affairs and personal matters, and in the main, she seemed to be quite a wise old owl.
Once, Alice told my father that the spirit in the congregation was being restricted by immorality - fix it Ducky! Regrettably, the culprit was a 14 year-old girl who had her misdoings read out to the entire congregation and even now as a 70 year-old woman, is still deeply affected by the experience. Not so good!
On another occasion we had a joint assembly with a neighbouring circuit. Alice was seen talking animatedly with several other elderly people whom she had just met. She claimed to be able to recognise fellow remnant members and they claimed the same.
So now, I wonder what ever happened to the high esteem in which these people were once held?
It seems to be that the WT has implied that anyone claiming to be of this group is most likely mentally ill.
And yet, they were once regarded as being the creme de la creme of Watchtower land.
How times change!
Just one of his flock in the new cachement area was of the "remnant". This lady was well into her 60's, childless but married. Her name was Alice. She was a pleasant soul on the surface and called everyone "Ducky" - including my father.
At the time, persons of the remnant were held in very high regard indeed. Their numbers were diminishing fast and they were highly valued.
My father would consult Alice on a weekly basis concerning all aspects of his congregation's affairs. Her husband was well used to visits from PO's, CO's and DO's and would busy himself making tea and coffee when they called. Sometimes, when my father received a visit from one his flock who was experiencing a crisis, he would declare "I need to go and see Alice", and off to Alice he'd go. Alice would advise him on no end of congregational affairs and personal matters, and in the main, she seemed to be quite a wise old owl.
Once, Alice told my father that the spirit in the congregation was being restricted by immorality - fix it Ducky! Regrettably, the culprit was a 14 year-old girl who had her misdoings read out to the entire congregation and even now as a 70 year-old woman, is still deeply affected by the experience. Not so good!
On another occasion we had a joint assembly with a neighbouring circuit. Alice was seen talking animatedly with several other elderly people whom she had just met. She claimed to be able to recognise fellow remnant members and they claimed the same.
So now, I wonder what ever happened to the high esteem in which these people were once held?
It seems to be that the WT has implied that anyone claiming to be of this group is most likely mentally ill.
And yet, they were once regarded as being the creme de la creme of Watchtower land.
How times change!