WT-94-1-1-p.-20
Magazines
That Advocate Truth
Atlantis
JoinedPosts by Atlantis
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15
The Watchtower and Awake!Timely Journals of Truth?
by Rooster inmagazines that advocate truth.
3 jehovah is "the god of truth.
" (psalm 31:5) his word, the bible, is a book of truth.
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birthdays
by cr1234 indoes anyone know where the article is in the awake that says birthdays are a conscience matter?
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Atlantis
WT-85-1-1-pp.-16-17
A
Centennial to RememberGOD’S people have been privileged to observe many modern-day miracles. Outstanding among these has been the growth of the global organization that Jehovah is now using to declare his name throughout the earth. It all started in Pittsburgh during the early 1870’s with a small group of earnest Bible students. These multiplied rapidly, so that it soon became necessary to form a legal corporation to care for the expanding organization. Thus, Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was duly incorporated on December 13, 1884, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Recently, on Saturday, October 6, 1984, the 100th annual meeting of the members of the corporation—known now as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania—was held in Pittsburgh. A special occasion indeed! Just as important events in ancient times were memorialized, so it was appropriate that Jehovah’s Witnesses should mark this centennial of the Watch Tower Society by a special gathering. Thus they could render thanks and praise to the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, who has protected and shepherded this expanding organization through the troublesome years of the past century.—Joshua 4:4-8, 20-24; Esther 9:20-22; Psalm 23:1-6.
Corporate
MeetingPromptly at ten o’clock on the morning of October 6, the annual corporate meeting of the Society was opened at the Coraopolis Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Pittsburgh. Among worldly organizations, corporate meetings are usually cut-and-dried, business-only affairs. But this meeting was different.
Of the 429 members of the corporation, 259 were present in person, together with their guests—an assembly totaling 1,615 persons. These had traveled to the meeting from 53 different countries—from such widely scattered places as Alaska, Antigua, Argentina, Australia, Austria, and through the alphabet to Zimbabwe. The formal election of four directors of the Society was followed by a spiritually strengthening program of talks. One of these, based on the yeartext chosen by Jehovah’s Witnesses for 1985, 2 Timothy 4:5, exhorted everyone: "Fully accomplish your ministry."
There followed a stirring address by the Society’s 91-year-old president, F. W. Franz. He stated that he had never been so thrilled as when, some 65 years ago, along with J. F. Rutherford, he first heard the phrase "God’s organization." After tracing the development of the organization in the earth, he expressed thankfulness that this is the 100th year that Jehovah’s organization has used the incorporated Society to bring us life-saving Scriptural information. Brother Franz’ voice rose to a triumphant crescendo as he quoted the last verse of the Psalms, saying, ‘Every breathing thing—let it praise Jah—HALLELUJAH!’
‘Jehovah
Is With His People’Outstanding brotherly love and hospitality were displayed by the Pittsburgh congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Hebrews 13:1, 2) Self-sacrificing attention was given to provide fine meals, accommodations and transportation, and every organizational detail was cared for in readying Pittsburgh’s famous Three Rivers Stadium for the three-hour evening meeting that followed.
It was like a smile of approval from Jehovah that weather conditions for this autumn day were ideal. Thus, the crowd of 37,733 at the stadium could listen in comfort and with appreciation. Telephone tie lines carried the program to 34 Assembly Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States and in Canada, where another 59,715 listened—making a grand total of 97,448 in attendance. All of these were provided with copies of a colorful 32-page brochure-style program as a memento of the happy event.
The evening session commenced with joyful song and prayer. Then ten members of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses shared with many other long-time servants of Jehovah in developing the theme: "Jehovah Has Always Proved to Be With His People." As the program brochure stated: "There is, indeed, much evidence that Jehovah has proved to be with his people and that he has blessed and established the work of their hands—accomplished by the instrumentality of the Watch Tower Society. Therefore, in accord with the thoughts of Psalm 78:2-7, it is appropriate that we use this occasion to relate to the newer generation ‘the praises of Jehovah . . . and his wonderful things that he has done.’"
That is just what the program accomplished! Hitler and apostate religionists had tried to exterminate Jehovah’s Witnesses "like vermin," but such opposers have gone, as always, "like snow in the sun." Bible translator Goodspeed described the first century Christians as "a translating and publishing people." And how true this is also of 20th-century Witnesses! During the 105 years ending in 1984, these Christians published, in 200 and more languages, 8.8 billion Bibles, books, booklets, magazines, and tracts. The New World Translation of the entire Bible, or at least the Greek Scriptures, was printed in 14 languages to a total of 51,034,000 copies. Very soon a pocket edition of this Bible, and also a large-print edition in four volumes, will become available. Thus the Watch Tower Society will continue to be a leader in Bible publication.
The brochure said: "A testimony to the caliber of faithful men who have served with the Watch Tower Society can be seen in the fact that during a period of 100 years only four different men have served in the responsible position of president of the Society." Jehovah’s organization moves on grandly toward final victory. As Martin Poetzinger, who kept integrity through nine years in Nazi concentration camps, commented: "Stick to Jehovah and Christ Jesus and God’s organization, and you will see his triumphant victory over all opposers."
The final speaker of the evening, president F. W. Franz, described this centennial day as "an occasion that will never be duplicated." How true! Reviewing the thrilling history of the Society, Brother Franz recalled the words of J. F. Rutherford, the second president, who died in 1942. Shortly before his death, he said, "Well, Fred, it looks to me the great [crowd] is not going to be so great after all." Brother Franz commented, "He died too soon." At that time Jehovah’s Witnesses numbered fewer than 100,000 worldwide. Today, literally ‘millions of those who will never die’ have been added to the ranks of these loyal servants.
Brother Franz concluded with these words: "We are stirred to say in unison: ‘All hail to Jehovah God the Universal Sovereign.’" By thunderous applause all present expressed their wholehearted agreement. After final song and prayer they left for their home countries and congregations with joyful determination to go on in Jehovah’s work to the finish.
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55
birthdays
by cr1234 indoes anyone know where the article is in the awake that says birthdays are a conscience matter?
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Atlantis
The Legends of The Jews Volume 3 Moses/Sinai Paragraph 5 under the heading: THE OTHER COMMANDMENTS REVEALED ON SINAI When the nations of the earth heard the first commandment, they said: "There is no king that does not like to see himself acknowledged as sovereign, and just so does God desire His people to pledge unto Him their allegiance." At the second commandment they said: "No king suffers a king beside himself, nor does the God of Israel." At the third commandment they said: "Is there a king that would like to have people swear false oaths by his name?" At the fourth commandment they said: "No King dislikes to see his birthday celebrated." But when the people heard the fifth commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother," they said: "According to our laws, if a man enrolls himself as a servant of the king, he thereby disowns his parents. God, however, makes it a duty to honor father and mother; truly, for this is honor due to Him." [222] http://philologos.org/__eb-lotj/vol3/p03.htm#THE%20UNITY%20OF%20THE%20TEN%20COMMANDMENTS
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Beth Sarim Deeds and transfers
by Lady Lee inthanks to apostanator i have received copies of the deeds and transfers to beth sarim.
the pages are not the best quality so i have enhanced them to make sure we can read what they say.
i have scanned them at 300dpi and initially saved them as tif files.
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Atlantis
More current photos of Beth Sarim thanks to VM44
http://www.jimmyakin.org/2005/10/beth_sarim.html
http://www.jimmyakin.org/2005/10/beth_sarim.html
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Estate ower avoids $33,000 tax by making home a church!
by Atlantis inmy apologies if this has already been posted!.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cchurch18jan18,0,1996291.story?coll=sfla-news-broward estate owner wants to avoid $33,000 tax bill by making home a church.
by scott wyman .
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Atlantis
My apologies if this has already been posted!
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cchurch18jan18,0,1996291.story?coll=sfla-news-broward Estate owner wants to avoid $33,000 tax bill by making home a church By Scott Wyman
Staff writer
Posted January 18 2006
In front of the living room's fireplace, 19 green plastic lawn chairs are lined up in rows for services. Bibles and religious material are strewn across the top of a nearby bar serving area.Longtime neighborhood activist Sonny Irons spent the past two decades building his $1.4 million waterside estate in Fort Lauderdale, but now he argues it's really a church and he shouldn't have to pay $33,000 in property taxes this year.
Irons styles himself as the priest and presiding overseer of the Seafarer's Church of the Creator and says he serves as pastor to about 15 people each Sunday in the gated 4,900-square-foot house where a pair of yachts rent dock space. Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish calls it a "tax dodge" and fears more homeowners will claim tax-exempt status as a church if Irons succeeds.
"Everyone knows what a real church is, and this isn't it," Parrish said.
Her investigators twice staked out the house in Riverside Park and videotaped only a couple people entering and leaving the gated property during Sunday morning service times. Irons has counterattacked with 10 letters from friends, including a former city police officer, who describe him as "Pastor Irons" and say that he's ministered to them.
The church-or-home dispute will go this week before a hearing officer for the county board that resolves disputes over a property's taxable value.
"I suppose they are doing what they should do and make absolutely sure that this is a church," Irons said. "There are people who might try to take advantage and pull some sort of fraudulent deal, but I'm not. We are just the same as any Catholic Church or Baptist church."
Irons, 59, rose to prominence as a community leader, moving to Fort Lauderdale and buying the property in the early 1980s. He was a close confidant of the city's mayor, Jim Naugle, and led the battle to improve the once-crime-ridden neighborhood.
Although Irons started building the two-story brick house in 1984, he did not finish until mid-2004, finally triggering a new assessment of the property. With a new assessment of $1.4 million, Irons' tax bill jumped from $14,886 last year to $33,145 this year.
Public records indicate that 2004 also was when Irons began setting up the church structure.
He created a religious corporation in Nevada that May and sold his home to it for $10 in December 2004. As the only officer of the corporation, he then applied for tax-exempt status with the county last January, but was denied in May.
Irons said he always intended to use part of his home for church purposes.
He said he was ordained as a minister in 1958 while growing up as a Jehovah's Witness and that he started the Seafarer's Church while living in the Caribbean in 1975. He said he has previously held services in the partially finished home, on his tugboat and in his yard.
Although he says he has not performed any baptisms, marriages or funerals in Fort Lauderdale, he said he has counseled people. Irons said he recently helped save one couple's marriage.
To back up his church claim, Irons and his attorney have given Parrish's office weekly church activity calendars and bills showing that the church pays for the house's utilities. Church signs are attached to the gate and fence in front of the house, and Irons has filed records with the county taking a "vow of poverty" and swearing the property will be used as a rectory and sanctuary.
Parrish's office doesn't buy it.
Her attorney, Ron Gunzburger, and her chief investigator, Ron Cacciatore, said they would have given Irons the benefit of the doubt if the case was a close call. However, they are particularly suspicious because the limited church activity and the fact that the church corporation's creation coincided with the new assessment.
In addition to the surveillance tapes, they have other evidence.
The mortgage on the house is in Irons' name rather than the church and is styled as a single-family home loan. Also, city code enforcement officials say the property is not properly zoned for a church.
The Internal Revenue Service has regularly listed the unusual type of company Irons formed in Nevada, a "corporation sole," as one of the nation's biggest tax scams. And while some friends and neighbors wrote letters backing Irons, others are surprised by what's transpired.
Naugle said Irons never described himself as a minister to him, and Naugle said the first he heard of a church was when Irons mentioned he was seeking tax-exempt status. Neighbor and one-time community ally Ginnee Hancock also said Irons never said anything to her until recently about starting a church.
"I'm a very spiritual person and pray in my home every day," Hancock said. "I can't imagine he has more conversations with the Lord than I do, so maybe my home should be a church too, and then I won't have to pay taxes either." -
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Beth Sarim Deeds and transfers
by Lady Lee inthanks to apostanator i have received copies of the deeds and transfers to beth sarim.
the pages are not the best quality so i have enhanced them to make sure we can read what they say.
i have scanned them at 300dpi and initially saved them as tif files.
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Atlantis
Your quite welcome Lady Lee! After all the times you have straightened out my posting messes. I owed you!
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Actually the "ancient worthies" were the "last" in line for the intended owners of Beth Sarim according to Martin. Robert J.Martin tells us: First on the list was "The Lord's People" Second on the list was Rutherford Third on the list was "somebody else" Fourth on the list was David and Joseph or the other "ancient worthies" http://www.equip.org/free/DJ564.htm
In a 1930 issue of the Society’s publication Golden Age, Robert J. Martin, then manager of the Watchtower publishing facilities in Brooklyn, presented the Society’s account of acquiring the property and the building of Beth-Sarim, along with a copy of the deed. 7 He explained that as a result of a severe case of pneumonia, Rutherford had only one good lung, a condition that made it very difficult for him to work in Brooklyn during the winter. Because of the mild climate in San Diego Rutherford had spent the previous four winters there under the care of Dr. Alta G. Eckols, who "repeatedly urged him to spend as much time as possible" there. 8 In 1929, "in company with a few other brethren, we pressed this matter upon him, at that time the Lord having provided the means for the building of the house so that it would not be a burden on the Society. He finally consented that the house might be built only upon the condition that it should be exclusively for the use of the Lord’s work, henceforth and for ever..." (emphasis added). 9
In October Martin went to San Diego to put the title for the two lots purchased by Dr. Albert E. Eckols into his name and to contract for the construction of the house. "A deed was made conveying the title to the house. This deed was written by Brother Rutherford himself." Martin comments, "I am certain there is no other deed to any piece of property like it under the sun" 10
What made this deed unique? Martin explains that the "loyal ones...will rejoice when they know that this property will be for ever for the (1)Lord’s people; that when (2)Brother Rutherford is through with it (3)somebody else in the Lord’s work will have it, and when (4)David and Joseph or some of the other ancient worthies return they will have it" (emphases added). 11
Numbers 1-4 in paragraph 3 (mine).
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Beth Sarim Deeds and transfers
by Lady Lee inthanks to apostanator i have received copies of the deeds and transfers to beth sarim.
the pages are not the best quality so i have enhanced them to make sure we can read what they say.
i have scanned them at 300dpi and initially saved them as tif files.
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Atlantis
http://www.premier1.net/~raines/intro.html The other two names referred to William Hudgings, the original Secretary and Treasurer of the magazine and to Robert J. Martin, the magazine's original Business Manager. Both of course were prominent Bible Students and wrote articles for the magazine, as did Woodworth. Both Hudgings and Martin were replaced later. Hudgings left the Watchtower Society in the 1920's apparently and joined a Bible Student splinter group. After he left, The Golden Age was published by "Woodworth, Knorr and Martin," with Nathan Knorr replacing Hudgings as Secretary and Treasurer for the magazine. Knorr later became the third president of the Watchtower Society after the death of Rutherford in 1942. Martin was, in turn, replaced by C. E. Stewart as Business Manager. By the early 1930's the magazine was published by "The Golden Age Publishing Company."
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Beth Sarim Deeds and transfers
by Lady Lee inthanks to apostanator i have received copies of the deeds and transfers to beth sarim.
the pages are not the best quality so i have enhanced them to make sure we can read what they say.
i have scanned them at 300dpi and initially saved them as tif files.
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Atlantis
God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years-chapter-14-p.-266 22 However, interest in the “sheep” class on a wider scale was stirred up in the year 1931. On July 30, at the international convention of the International Bible Students Association in Columbus, Ohio, the Association’s president delivered the talk on “The Man with the Writer’s Inkhorn,” after which Robert J. Martin announced the release of the new book entitled “Vindication,” Volume 1. This book gave a detailed, verse for verse discussion of chapter nine of Ezekiel’s prophecy, which presents the vision of this linen-clad man with the writer’s inkhorn. Both the speech and the book called attention to the fact that a marking work had to be done by the anointed remnant of Christ’s disciples in behalf of sheeplike people of the earth, not merely of natural Israelites but also of people of all the nations. This was a lifesaving work, inasmuch as the Holy Scriptures show that only the marked ones will be spared alive with the anointed remnant through the coming “great tribulation.” They become earthly subjects of the Kingdom. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yearbook-1975-p.-116 “‘Recommend immediate commutation for Joseph Rutherford, William E. Van Amburgh, Robert J. Martin, Fred H. Robison, George H. Fisher, Clayton J. Woodworth, Giovanni DeCecca, A. Hugh Macmillan. They were all defendants in same case in Eastern District of New York. My position is to be generous now that the war is over. They did much damage by preaching and publishing their religious doctrines.’ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watchtower-1983-9-1-p.-12 The factory manager, Robert J. Martin, died on September 23, 1932, and Nathan H. Knorr was appointed by Brother Rutherford in his place. Brother Knorr had previously been on the dispatch desk. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proclaimers Book-chapter-29-p.-652 Joseph F. Rutherford, president of the Watch Tower Society; William E. Van Amburgh, secretary-treasurer of the Society; Robert J. Martin, office manager; Frederick H. Robison, a member of the editorial committee for The Watch Tower; A. Hugh Macmillan, a director of the Society; George H. Fisher and Clayton J. Woodworth, compilers of The Finished Mystery. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proclaimers Book-chapter-8-p.-91 Brother Knorr applied himself diligently in the Shipping Department, and before long his natural abilities in organizing were recognized. When the Society’s factory manager, Robert J. Martin, died on September 23, 1932, Brother Knorr was appointed to replace him. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proclaimers Book-chapter-26-pages 579-580 But this would require more space and equipment, and they would have to learn new skills. Could they do it? Robert J. Martin, the factory overseer, called to mind that in the days of Moses, Jehovah had ‘filled Bezalel and Oholiab with wisdom of heart to do all the work’ needed to construct the sacred tabernacle. (Ex. 35:30-35) Having that Bible account in mind, Brother Martin was confident that Jehovah would also do whatever was needed so that his servants could publish literature to advertise the Kingdom. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Watchtower-2004-7-1-pages 26-27 A Hardworking Companion Nathan was 18 when he arrived at Bethel in 1923. He received valuable training from such old-timers as Joseph F. Rutherford, who took the lead in the work of the Witnesses, and printery manager Robert J. Martin. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yearbook-1975-p.-196 Later he served on the dispatch desk at the Society’s printing plant and on February 8, 1928, he was appointed by Brother Rutherford to be a copartner in the publishing of the Golden Age magazine. Clayton J. Woodworth was editor; Robert J. Martin, business manager, and Nathan H. Knorr, secretary and treasurer. When factory manager Robert J. Martin died on September 23, 1932, J. F. Rutherford appointed N. H. Knorr to serve in that capacity. On January 11, 1934, Brother Knorr was elected as a director of the Peoples Pulpit Association (now Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.). He was made the Association’s vice-president on January 10, 1935, following the death of E. J. Coward. On June 10, 1940, Brother Knorr became a director and was chosen as vice-president of the Pennsylvania corporation, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. His election to the presidency of both societies came about on January 13, 1942. He was also made president of the International Bible Students Association. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years-chapter-13-p.-245 11 Take, for instance, the case of Robert J. Martin. He was one of those eight consecrated Christian men, including the Society’s president J. F. Rutherford, who suffered about nine months of unjust imprisonment in the federal penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 5, 1918, to March 25, 1919.
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birthdays
by cr1234 indoes anyone know where the article is in the awake that says birthdays are a conscience matter?
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Atlantis
Awake-2004-7-8-p.-30
Piñatas
I read with interest the article "The Piñata—An Ancient Tradition." (September 22, 2003) It left me with some questions. The ties to false religion are well-documented. But the article seemed to take the position that as long as it doesn’t bother someone’s conscience, it is OK. What about birthdays and holidays such as Christmas?S. W., United States
"Awake!"
responds: Christians refrain from any celebrations or customs that continue to involve false religious beliefs or activities that violate Bible principles. For example, the Bible definitely puts birthday celebrations in a bad light. (Genesis 40:20; Matthew 14:6-10) However, if it is very obvious that a custom has no current false religious significance and involves no violation of Bible principles, each Christian must make a personal decision as to whether he will follow such a custom. -
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Keep in Step!
by Rooster inkeep in step!.
22 kingdom interests on the earth have been entrusted to "the faithful and discreet slave," which is represented by the governing body of jehovahs witnesses.
(matthew 24:45-47) the governing body is primarily concerned with providing spiritual instruction and direction for the christian congregation.
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Atlantis
Watchtower-2001-1-15-p.-21
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We have absolute confidence that Jehovah will never abandon his faithful people; he will deliver them through the coming "great tribulation." (Revelation 7:9-14; Psalm 94:14; 2 Peter 2:9) We have every reason to maintain the confidence we had at first firm right down to the end. (Hebrews 3:14) Let us, therefore, be determined to keep in step with Jehovah’s organization.