December 8

Do You Care?

DURING the Christmas holidays many persons show that they care for their friends and loved ones. They may send them a card or give them gifts. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on gifts every Christmas season.

Thus, many persons expect to receive something from friends at Christmastime. And if nothing is received, they feel hurt.

To avoid offending them, many sincere people make an effort to show that they care by sending gifts. But how much thought do these same persons give to God? Do they care about offending him?

Have they considered what God thinks about Christmas? If you want to please God, it is vital to consider what he thinks. To help in this regard, think for a moment about some of the things that you have read about Christmas.

In recent years you may have read in newspapers or in magazine articles that December 25 is not really the date on which Jesus was born. This is widely known. The New York Times of December 24, 1967, for example, observed: “There is no record of the actual time of Jesus’ birth​—only a hint in the story of the shepherds in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night, that it was in a warm season. In winter, sheep were gathered into folds.”​—Luke 2:8-12.

In a similar vein, last December 20 the Toronto Star said regarding Christmas: “Let us not, however, go on pretending that it has anything specifically to do with Jesus’ birth. . . . It is high time Christians reminded themselves that the Church got along for its first 380 years without observing the birth of Jesus at all.”

The Origin of Christmas

Nevertheless, the date for Christmas, as well as other Christmas customs, had a definite origin. Newspapers, magazines and encyclopedias have commented freely on this. You yourself have no doubt read some of these articles. The facts are well known in both secular and religious circles. For instance, the New Catholic Encyclopedia observes under “Christmas”:

“The birth of Christ was assigned the date of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian calendar, January 6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the sun began its return to northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mithra celebrated the dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun).”

Yes, Christmas has its roots in ancient pagan festivals. The New York Times explains: “Pope Liberius [in the fourth century] decided to absorb pagan observances by declaring Dec. 25 the official birthday of Jesus. The change of name made little change in form.”

And what was that “form”? The ancient Saturnalia was a time when gross immorality was practiced under the guise of festivities. Says the book Curiosities of Popular Customs by W. S. Walsh:

“In spite of the condemnation of the wise and the sane, Christmas in the early days frequently reproduced all the worst orgies, the debaucheries and the indecencies, of the Bacchanalia and the Saturnalia. The clergy themselves were whirled into the vortex. . . .

“If even among the clergy heathen traditions so strenuously survived, what better could be expected from the laity? The wild revels, indeed, of the Christmas period in olden times almost stagger belief. Obscenity, drunkenness, blasphemy,​—nothing came amiss. License was carried to the fullest extent of licentiousness.”​—Pages 228, 229.

The change of name, as the New York Times said, indeed “made little change of form.” Is it different today? Certainly not everyone indulges in such conduct. But is it not true that many celebrators tend to throw off moral restraints at Christmas office parties? Perhaps you have been at such a party, and later wished that you had stayed home that day.

God hates such debauchery, and tells Christians, “neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, . . . nor greedy persons, nor drunkards . . . will inherit God’s kingdom.” (1 Cor. 6:9, 10) Is God’s view important to you?

Clergy Do Not Care

The clergy are well aware of the pagan origins of Christmas, yet they encourage the celebration. For example, according to the Vancouver Sun, Anglican Church minister R. Desmond Kimmitt “says it is well-known that Christ was not born in mid-December. The early Christians, he says, found they could not do away with the pagan [Saturnalia] festival and so adopted it.” Yet Kimmitt said: “I would hate to see Christmas as we know it go.”

Also Louis H. Valbracht, as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa, wrote: “For those who say that Christmas is becoming just a pagan celebration, it should be remembered that Christmas was a pagan celebration.”

But the clergy do not care. Said Lutheran minister Valbracht: “As for me and for my house and for my parish, I say, let’s make Christmas bigger . . . more bustling than it has ever been.”​—Successful Farming, December 1965.

So, though the clergy know that Christmas is simply a pagan festival that has been dressed up with some Christian names, it does not bother them. But it should not really surprise us that they do not care, because they have drifted far from the Bible. In recent years newspapers have commented freely on this, as many clergymen openly endorse the “new morality,” which is no morality. So if you find that you cannot share the view of the clergy, if there are things about Christmas that disturb you, you are to be commended.

Does It Really Matter?

Some may feel that if Christmas is celebrated in a decent way, it is all right. ‘Does it really matter that Christmas is tied to pagan festivals?’ they may ask.

God’s Word instructs Christians: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? . . . ‘“Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,” says Jehovah, “and quit touching the unclean thing.”’”​—2 Cor. 6:14-17.

Since many features of Christmas are rooted in unclean pagan festivals, can there be any harmony between it and Christ? The facts speak for themselves.

Remember, too, what Jesus said about worship of Almighty God: “Those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.” Thus, if our worship is to be acceptable to God, it must be based on truth.​—John 4:24.

But what about Christmas? Is it a religious holiday that is based upon truth? You know that at Christmas church services it is generally said that Jesus was born on December 25. Yet December 25 is, in fact, the “birthday” of an ancient pagan sun-god, not that of Jesus. Thus celebrating a religious holiday that perpetuates such a lie simply cannot be worshiping God in truth. Do you care about the truth?

And what about the supposed magical gift-bringers at Christmas, such as Santa Claus, St. Nicholas or Father Christmas? You know that it is not true that they bring gifts. So when children are led to believe that gifts are received from them, is this not actually lying to the children? Do you care enough about truth to shun a holiday that features such lies?

If you really care about God, you will obey his command to quit participating in that which is religiously unclean. To please God you must worship him with truth, untainted by pagan religious practices. What will you personally do?

Easter’s Origins

It should not surprise us that Easter, a religious holiday closely associated with Christmas, is also rooted in pagan practices. For, as with Christmas, Easter’s pagan origins are often mentioned in newspapers. For example, this past March 29 the Newark Sunday News carried the heading “Easter Festival Tied to Pagans.” Giving some background to its paganism, the book Easter and Its Customs by Christina Hole observes:

“It was in spring, in the season of new life and revival when, from time immemorial, the pagan peoples of Europe and Asia held their Spring Festivals, re-enacting ancient regeneration myths and performing magical and religious ceremonies to make the crops grow and prosper. Vernal Mysteries, like those of Tammuz [Babylonian god condemned in the Bible] and Osiris [Egyptian god] and Adonis [Greek god], flourished in the Mediterranean world when Our Lord lived and moved in it, and farther north and east there were others, less well-known but no less vividly alive. Inevitably, some of their cherished rites and symbols were carried forward into the Easter customs.”​—Page 9; compare Ezekiel 8:13, 14.

Did you know that those ceremonies often featured obscene fertility rites? As for the rabbit symbol and Easter eggs, a modern authority says: “This is not mere child’s play, but the vestige of a fertility rite, the eggs and the rabbit both symbolizing fertility.”a Even The Catholic Encyclopedia says: “The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility.” Certainly, rabbits and eggs have no connection with the resurrection of Christ, do they?

Do you care that Easter perpetuates memories of those immoral fertility rites of pagans? Do you want to participate in a holiday that features adaptations of ancient fertility symbols, such as the “Easter bunny” and “Easter eggs”? Do you believe that Almighty God would approve your doing so?​—Deut. 7:5, 6.

Think seriously: Is God pleased when people try to mix his worship with pagan practices? The answer is obvious. The question is, Do you care?

Blessings Received by Those Who Care

‘But doesn’t that mean missing out on a lot of enjoyment?’ someone may ask.

To the contrary, if you continue in pagan practices there is much that you will miss out on​—the approval of God and the opportunity of gaining eternal life in his righteous new system.

And even now, no genuine pleasure is lost by those who heed God’s Word. In fact, real blessings are received. Families can get together at any time of the year to enjoy themselves by eating and drinking in moderation and having pleasant fellowship. These happy times are not lost when Christmas is no longer celebrated. And persons can give presents to their friends and loved ones on these and other occasions if they wish. Spontaneous, uncompelled giving brings great happiness both to the giver and to the receiver.​—Acts 20:35.

At the same time, think of the blessing of being free from the pagan custom of gift exchanging, an obligation that is encouraged by the business world, not to honor God, but to make money. Is it not true that this pagan custom frustrates, causes financial burdens and robs persons of joy?

‘But others will expect gifts,’ you may say. ‘They will think I have forgotten them. What shall I do?’

Why not make a list of everyone with whom you have exchanged presents in recent years? Then, instead of sending Christmas cards, write a note informing them that you are discontinuing Christmas gift giving. Do this before they buy the gifts. Explain your reasons, perhaps using some of the points in this article. You may even wish to send them a copy of this magazine.

If you really care about God and what he thinks, there is no reason to fear the reaction of others to your note. (Prov. 29:25) In fact, they may well be delighted. For they, too, may feel caught in a trap, and be happy to breathe a sigh of relief in this time of economic pressure. What you do for them in this regard may be more precious than any other gift you could give them, for it might start them on the way to life eternal, if they, too, really want to please God.

And as for Easter, is your enjoyment of spring going to be any less because you do not share in a religious celebration that has pagan roots? Do you have to tell your children that rabbits and eggs are connected with the resurrection of Jesus, when it is obvious that there is no such connection? Do you not think that your enjoyment of spring would be much greater if you truly gave honor to the Creator of all things? Spring is a beautiful time of year, so why mar it with a celebration that has its roots in immoral pagan rites?

Abandoning the pagan festivals of Christmas and Easter is courageous action that one who really cares about God is obligated to take. Such action, properly motivated, will result in rich blessings from God. For soon now he is going to destroy this wicked system of things, but he will preserve alive forever those who prove that they really care about the doing of his will.​—1 John 2:17.

[Footnotes]

[Picture on page 4]

Parents who care tell their children the truth. Do you?

[Picture on page 5]

Do rabbits and eggs have any connection with the resurrection of Christ?

The Starfish Population Explosion

“Awake!” correspondent in Hawaii

FOR decades a starfish called “crown of thorns” was rarely seen. In the 1920’s an extensive survey conducted along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef found only one specimen. But today South Pacific waters abound with them. A population explosion in starfishdom!

This has caused problems for man. Coral reefs are being destroyed by the teeming starfish. An odd thing about it is that the reef-building tiny coral polyps are natural enemies of the starfish, since they devour its free-swimming larvae. But now the tables have turned.

Swarms of 10,000 to 20,000 crown-of-thorns starfish have devastated much of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, which covers over 250 miles. There is damage to reefs at other islands too, such as Guam and Fiji. And some 20,000 giant starfish have been found about 1,300 yards away from Hawaii’s offshore coral reef.

Why the starfish population explosion? A marine imbalance, concerning which one authority stated: “It is an incredible story, never before known in the history of marine biology.”

The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

The starfish is built around a central point like a wheel, many of them having five arms. But the crown-of-thorns variety usually has sixteen arms! And as its name indicates, its two-foot-wide topside is covered with long, poisonous thorns.

From a central mouth on the starfish’s underside radiate sixteen grooves, one in each arm. Lining these grooves are rows of slender tubes. They are called “tube feet.” At the end of each tube foot is a suction cup, and there are hundreds of these on each arm.

Most helpful to Mr. Starfish when he is hungry, these feet enable him to grip tightly, with a force equal to about twenty-five pounds to the square inch. They can pull open even large oysters, to feed upon them. When the starfish dines on coral, it simply folds its many arms over its potential meal, and gets a good foothold. Then an amazing thing happens: The starfish turns its billowy stomach inside out through its mouth, spreads it over its victim like a collapsed parachute and pours digestive juices on the coral​—and the meal is enjoyed.

As with other starfish, the crown of thorns is a remarkable creature. For one thing, it can grow new arms if old ones are broken off. In fact, an entire animal can grow from only one arm that has a portion of its central disk.

Why the Population Explosion?

But what is the cause of the imbalance that has led to the starfish population explosion? There is some uncertainty. A theory that seems valid for Australia is this: One of the few creatures that preys on the crown-of-thorns starfish, the giant triton shell, is dwindling in numbers. This beautiful, giant mollusk, commonly called the conch shell, sometimes grows to more than one foot in length. When a giant triton overtakes a starfish, it proceeds to devour it. Sometime after eating the spine-covered starfish the triton ejects the thorns.

But why are there fewer starfish-eating tritons? Australian marine experts, studying the problem, believe that the demands of tourists and collectors of the shell of the giant triton have brought about the situation. The experts reached this conclusion because they found that the worst damage from coral-eating starfish was usually on the inner side of the barrier reef, the side more accessible to humans. Dr. Robert Endean of the University of Queensland has calculated that shell collectors robbed the Great Barrier Reef of at least 100,000 tritons between 1949-1959.

Once again, as has been the case in other imbalances in the past, man seems to be behind this marine phenomenon. Five theories based on much circumstantial evidence have been advanced by top scientists investigating the matter under the auspices of the United States Department of Interior. These findings indicate that man has upset the reef’s delicate ecological balance by more means than one. They are: (1) Excessive radiation from atomic testing; (2) too much collecting of the rare triton shell; (3) too much dredging; (4) DDT pollution and (5) fish dynamiting.

When man blasts channels or he dynamites for fish, he can kill coral. And when a reef of living coral is killed by man, there are no polyps to eat starfish larvae; further the larvae now settle down in the dead reef and grow up in safety. One authority reports that great numbers of starfish in Guam and Ponape “were first discovered near blasting or dredging sites.” Thus the problem has many earmarks of being man-made.

Coping with the Problem

Some Australian plans for controlling the starfish population include large-scale collecting of this living pincushion and the importing of triton shells, releasing them to feed upon starfish. Also under consideration is how the triton can be propagated in large numbers. At present there is a ban on the taking of the triton shell from the Great Barrier Reef.

Some authorities have urged Australia to institute an emergency program of starfish extermination. But “we will not rush into any schemes or ideas for destroying the crown of thorns starfish,” said Nigel H. Bowen, federal Minister for Education and Science, “until we can assess, appreciate and understand the real nature of the problem.”

There is wisdom in gaining sufficient knowledge before acting. For example, years ago oyster fishermen, enraged by the eating habits of the starfish, used to take every starfish they caught and tear it into many pieces, throwing them back into the sea. Little did they realize they were only increasing their problem, for from a little torn-off arm a big starfish can grow!

In many news reports the starfish is depicted as the villain. But is it? May this not simply be another example showing what man has done to the earth and the consequent bad effect to himself?

It is true that the destruction of reefs has resulted in loss of a source of seafood for some islanders. But the fact of the matter is that the earth is constantly undergoing changes that affect man’s sources of supply of food. Yet there is plenty of food on this earth. It is not the starfish that is causing people to go hungry. Rather it is the political divisions set up by men, as well as their greedy commercialism.

Man needs to learn to live with his environment, to cooperate with it and to make adjustments in his activity, as changes over which he has no control require it. Then the starfish will no longer be viewed as a villain but as the remarkable creature it is.

Learning from the School of Marriage

THERE are many courses offered to young people to prepare them for marriage. These might be termed schools for marriage. But every mature married person who is able to view matters objectively will agree that from married life itself there is also much to be learned. So it might be termed the school of marriage.

Not that the experience of marriage is the best teacher. Not at all. God’s Word is the best teacher. As Elihu, God’s spokesman to Job, expressed it: “Who is an instructor like [God]?” (Job 36:22) But marriage affords numerous opportunities for one to apply the laws and principles taught in God’s Word. This helps one to see their value, their reasonableness, their justice and their wisdom.

Yes, when two persons truly love each other and want to make a success of their marriage they can learn a great deal from the experiences they share. Not without good reason has it been noted that “honeymoons are short periods of adjustment, marriages are long ones.” Learning to adjust might be said to be one of the major lessons to be learned in marriage. But as men of science have observed, the human capacity to adjust is almost infinite.

Youth in love imagines that marriage is a bed of roses. And so it may well prove to be. But even when it is, remember that roses have thorns. When marriage seems to have more thorns than roses, some may wish to end it. But, according to Jesus Christ, only adultery gives the innocent one a valid basis to sue for divorce with the right to marry again.​—Matt. 19:8, 9.

Although in marriage two persons become one flesh, as it were, they not only are of opposite sexes but may also be of opposite temperaments. They may have differing ways of looking at things: the one intellectually, the other emotionally. Then again, weaknesses or limitations may cause a certain amount of irritation and frustration at times. And there is the simple matter of timing. Two persons just do not always want the same thing at the same time.

The Bible, the Textbook on Marriage

Jehovah God, the Originator of marriage, has also provided a textbook on marriage, his Word the Bible. It tells that God made husband and wife to complement each other, not to compete with each other: “It is not good for the man to continue by himself. I am going to make a helper for him, as a complement of him.”​—Gen. 2:18.

So in marriage the male has the opportunity to learn to be a real man, to be strong, to be dependable, to be protective, to take the lead, to be the provider and to love and cherish his wife. The wife, on the other hand, has the opportunity to learn to play the feminine role, to be the complement. This involves submissiveness, for, as God’s Word says, “man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man.” Still he is commanded to love her as he does his own body.​—1 Cor. 11:9; Eph. 5:33.

That Bible principles really work can be seen from the fact that, time and again, marriages ready to break up have been saved by applying these principles. For example, there was the housewife in Bermuda whose marriage was on the verge of collapsing when one of Jehovah’s witnesses called on her. Due to a Bible study on the Scriptural roles of husband and wife she now has a happy relationship with her husband. Similarly, in Denmark, two Witnesses, while in their house-to-house ministry, met a woman who was ready to separate from her husband even though they had three young children. Both were encouraged to apply Bible principles to their marriage, with the result that their marriage also was saved. They too are now happy together. Likewise, in France, there was a wife and mother who was ready to leave her husband because of his heavy drinking and violent fits of temper. Again Bible principles saved this marriage and brought about a happy family.

The Bible even spells out details in its counsel to the married. It urges wives to be modest, not to put too much emphasis on outward appearance and not to gossip. It counsels husbands to deal with their wives according to knowledge, “assigning them honor” as the weaker vessel. It also commands both husbands and wives to render to each other their conjugal dues.​—1 Pet. 3:1-7; 1 Cor. 7:3-7; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; 5:13.

Learning to Endure

How can marriage aid one in learning Bible principles? For example, by feeling the obligation to make a success of marriage and that one marries ‘for better or for worse,’ one may well learn the virtue of endurance, a quality needed by all Christians. Thus there was a man on the island of Guadeloupe who, because of his becoming a minister of Jehovah, met with strong opposition on the part of his unbelieving wife. To discourage and interfere with his attending Witness meetings, she would fail to prepare his meals, would neglect to wash, iron and mend his clothes. For days on end she would not talk to him at all. But by cultivating the quality of endurance and looking to Jehovah in prayer for help he was able to endure it all. For how long? For some twenty years, after which she gradually had a change of heart. Today he is rejoicing that he endured and that his wife is sharing with him the hope of God’s kingdom.

Then again, there was an American who began to get interested in Bible study. He met up with the most determined and even violent opposition on the part of his wife, whom he greatly loved. Not wanting to break up his marriage, he endured. And what he endured! She annoyed him when he wanted to study the Bible and kept him awake nights to wear him out. She feigned illness and almost broke him financially by her doctor bills. She also threatened to burn their house down and to commit suicide if he did not stop studying with the Witnesses. Then she began throwing dishes at him. But in the end she did change​—so much, in fact, that both she and her husband were baptized as Witnesses at the same time. Did he learn something from his marriage? He certainly did​—endurance, long-suffering and self-control!

Learning to Lean More upon Jehovah

Many a single person shrinks from the thought of the responsibilities and added burdens that go with marriage. But in one sense this might be viewed as an asset of marriage, for a man can well grow by assuming responsibilities. When responsibilities increase, the wise Christian learns to lean ever more upon Jehovah. And not being able to foretell the future, he must leave it in Jehovah’s hands.

A romantic young person may expect to find perfect understanding from one’s mate, so that one can at all times confide in that one and obtain help for bearing one’s burdens. But not necessarily so. One may fail to get sympathetic understanding at times because one’s burdens may be beyond the ability of the other to appreciate or they may be of such a nature that they cannot be divulged. One learns that, though married, one still needs to ‘throw all one’s anxiety upon Jehovah, because he cares for those serving him.’​—1 Pet. 5:7.

Being able to do that, one can confess as did a very happily married father of three fine children: “Had I any idea when I was single of the responsibilities, the problems, the trials and the frustrations that come with marriage, I would not have taken the step. But I am so glad that I did not know, for then I would not have the blessings of a loving, devoted and loyal wife and three beautiful, well-behaved and happy children.”

Learning to Be Reasonable

Another quality that being married may well teach one​—if one wants to be taught—​is reasonableness. Often that means being willing to yield. Interestingly, the Greek word rendered “reasonable” at James 3:17, which says, “The wisdom from above is . . . reasonable,” is epiekes, which literally means “yielding.”

Husband and wife may have differing tastes or preferences in music. One may prefer classical music, the other popular; the one may prefer it soft, the other loud. Surely there are overlapping areas that will please both. Or it may be vacations. He may want to go sight-seeing; she may want to spend the time with her folks. Being reasonable would indicate alternating the vacations, or making some other arrangement, each one yielding.

Reasonableness would also seem to indicate that generally mere preferences should yield to more practical considerations. She may prefer eating in restaurants, but he may prefer to eat at home because of the expense. Perhaps they cannot afford eating out often, but perhaps they could afford it occasionally. Being reasonable means neither yielding all the time nor having one’s own will all the time. It would seem best not to insist on a pleasure if it really means suffering on the part of the other. Such would be neither reasonable nor loving.

Humility​—Another Lesson

Another quality that can be learned in marriage is humility. If the wife was formerly a single woman living away from her father’s house, she was largely independent, free to make her own decisions. But as a married woman she needs to submit to the headship of her husband. If she learns to do this, not begrudgingly but with a willing heart, she truly is learning humility. She may well have been humble before, but more humility is needed to keep submitting to a husband.

The husband also can learn humility in marriage. He may pride himself on certain skills or knowledge, only to find that his wife excels in these respects. Or she may embarrass him by committing some social blunder. Humility will help him not to take such little things too seriously. Yes, for the sake of your marriage, “gird yourselves with lowliness of mind toward one another.”​—1 Pet. 5:5.

Growing in Unselfishness

There is every reason why married people should grow in unselfishness. Marriage furnishes many opportunities for unselfishness and gives ever so many rewards to those manifesting it. Because of inherited imperfection the tendency is to be selfish, to think of oneself first. But a proof of love is thinking of another first. The Bible points husbands to the example of Jesus Christ, who even gave his life for his bride, the Christian congregation. That was loving her more than himself. He said that there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving; and how true that is any happily married couple can vouch for. As has well been noted, marriage is not just an arrangement to delight and satisfy one’s own taste buds, but it also affords opportunity to delight and satisfy the taste buds of another.​—Eph. 5:25; Acts 20:35.

The apostle Paul underscored this principle in his counsel to husbands, saying: “He who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it.” (Eph. 5:28, 29) There is just no escaping it. Husband and wife are so closely united, living together, eating together, relaxing together, and so forth, that the mental, emotional and physical condition of the one is bound to affect the other. So to the extent that the husband wisely and lovingly endeavors to make his wife happy and succeeds, to that extent her happiness is bound to rub off on him.

And, of course, the converse is also true. To the extent that the wife wisely and lovingly tries and succeeds in making her husband contented and happy, to that extent his happiness will tend to rub off on her.

God’s’ Word admonishes: “Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap.” (Gal. 6:7) Is either mate indifferent or insensitive, blind, to the other’s needs, problems, feelings, wishes or well-being? If so, while the one sinned against will suffer, sooner or later the guilty or offending one will also have to pay. It may be in strained relations, in the indifference and insensibility being reciprocated, or there may be even serious psychosomatic effects.​—2 Cor. 9:6.

Jesus told Peter that he should forgive, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. In the marital relationship one may be required to forgive even more often. Doing so will result in happiness to both the forgiver and the one being forgiven.​—Matt. 18:21, 22.

Truly, marriage is a school from which much can be learned. Many are its opportunities for applying Bible principles, thus enabling one to acquire ever more wisdom with the passing years. Those doing so will be richly rewarded with peace of mind, contentment and happiness and, above all, the approval of the Originator of marriage, Jehovah God.

The Shoes You Wear

WHAT style shoe should I wear? Is this my correct size? How can I tell if the shoes are really well made? These questions and many more must be answered each time a pair of shoes is selected and bought.

It is important to answer these questions wisely, for the purchase of a new pair of shoes can have a profound effect on a person’s overall health and happiness. Ill-fitting footwear can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, even leading to headaches, backaches and leg cramps. To a large degree, painful foot ailments such as corns, nail troubles, toe deformities and flat feet can be avoided by a careful selection of footwear.

A person may walk over 75,000 miles in a lifetime. ‘Why not walk those miles in comfort?

Do Not Sacrifice Comfort for Style

How, then, should one go about buying shoes? Unfortunately, many choose shoes for style rather than for comfort. More often than not, this type of buying leads to considerable pain. Further, the owner will probably cast off the shoes, being no longer able to endure this form of self-torture in the interest of fashion.

In some cases serious problems and foot deformities can result if fashion is the primary factor in selecting one’s shoes. For example, some years ago the style was pointed toes, and in this regard a letter was printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer under the heading “What Price Style? Girl Paid Too Much​—Loss of Two Toes.” The letter said:

“Like most girls I wanted to be in fashion and bought the shoes that everyone was wearing. The pointed toes and high heels were uncomfortable, but I thought that this was the price of style. You can realize how shocked I was when I went to a doctor because of painful feet and was told that I would have to have two toes amputated. This was a year ago, and since then I have heard of many other girls who have lost one or two toes.”

So, in buying shoes, do not sacrifice comfort for style. Select appropriate shoes for ‘the purpose for which they will be used: walking, working, casual, special occasions, or constant wear.

Be Sure of the Right Fit

You can buy good shoes but still end up with painful feet if you are not careful to get a good fit. Helpful in this regard is checking the time of day before you buy a pair of shoes. Why? Because if it is very early in the morning, you may not get the right fit. Since feet tend to swell somewhat as the day wears on, it is wise to buy shoes in the late afternoon. Remember, too, that hot weather will cause one’s feet to expand.

Many persons find it desirable to have their feet measured when purchasing new shoes. For one thing, sizes may vary with different makes of shoes. Some have found, too, that it is wise to stand while their feet are being measured. The foot will expand, and one is more likely to get a better all-round fit. Further, since one foot is likely to be slightly larger than the other, have both feet measured and pick a size to fit the larger foot.

Heels should be snug but not tight. Also the height and shape of the heel need to be considered, especially in women’s shoes. Women generally have four times as much foot trouble as men, largely because of high-heeled shoes. The higher the heel, the more the body is projected forward, and to maintain balance the body is bent backward at the hips. This is unnatural and results in a variety of leg and back problems if unreasonably high heels are worn over an extended period of time. Generally speaking, heels should not be higher than one and a half inches and should produce a good broad base on which to stand. Almost naillike or so-called “spike” heels are not conducive to good foot care and posture.

The widest part of your foot should spread easily across the widest part of the shoe. There should be enough room for the toes to lie straight, and the shoe should be a little longer than the longest toe. If you cannot wiggle your toes to some extent, the shoe is too small. When shoes are too tight or too short, toes may be forced back into an inverted V position called hammertoe, a common deformity. A shoe ought to be comfortable when you buy it; it is unwise to rely on a “breaking in” process to ensure comfort.

After buying a pair of shoes, you can try them on again at home, but walk only on a rug. If you have doubts about the fit, you may be able to exchange your purchase.

Children’s Shoes

Special care should be given to the selection of children’s shoes. Ill-fitting shoes are the most common cause of foot trouble among children and teen-agers. The problem often is that they outgrow their shoes. In this regard, The World Book Encyclopedia points out:

“In children from 2 to 6 years old, shoe sizes change every 4 to 8 weeks. From 6 to 10 years, sizes change every 2 or 3 months. Children from 12 to 15 should have their shoe sizes checked every 4 months. Children over 15 years old should have shoe sizes checked about every 6 months until their feet are fully developed.”

Many parents who have children that rapidly outgrow their shoes rather than wearing them out find that an inexpensive brand of shoes serves the purpose. When buying them, one can feel inside the shoes and check for rough edges that could cause discomfort.

The feet of children are growing and need careful attention to prevent deformities in later life. In the United States the American Medical Association estimates that 50 to 80 percent of children have some foot defects. So it is good to leave some “growing room” when selecting children’s shoes, possibly three quarters of an inch of space in the toe area. Watch for signs of wear developing in one place consistently, for this may indicate that the shoes are too small or poorly fitted and could produce foot abnormalities. It usually is not a good policy to pass shoes down from one child to the next, for shoes mold themselves to the characteristics of the wearer’s foot.

Look for Quality and Workmanship

Especially when shoes are for adults, quality and good workmanship are important, because you want them to last. Examine carefully the shoes you plan to buy. Be on the watch for signs of poor and careless construction. On the uppers, loose threads, seams with rough edges and excess bulk, enlarged needle holes and noticeable traces of adhesives are all things to watch for when buying shoes. Also check the sole stitch; if it is uneven and runs off the edge, it is a sign of poor workmanship.

Is the shoe lined? It should be, at least at the top opening, to prevent stretching and friction and to absorb perspiration.

Low-priced shoes are not always a bargain when it comes to durability, appearance and comfort. Really comfortable shoes usually cost more. Do not judge the durability of a shoe by mere thickness of outer soles. Durability depends more on the quality of workmanship and of the leather.

Shoe Care

Important to the shoe’s life is proper care. Yet shoes are often one of the most neglected articles in a person’s wardrobe. When you buy a new pair of shoes, it is wise to lubricate them with a good polish before wearing them; this will protect the finish.

The first few times that you wear new shoes it is good to be sure that the tongues and laces are smooth and straight. Then they are likely to stay that way for the life of the shoe, but if they are started off crooked, they may stay that way.

A shoehorn helps in putting on shoes, and it is good to loosen the laces when removing them. This prevents seams from ripping and the back from breaking down.

If you have more than one pair of shoes, you can considerably lengthen their life by wearing one pair one day, and a different pair the next day. The airing between wearings helps to prevent perspiration from rotting the leather. As for the shoes not in use, many persons find it beneficial to put a form or shoe tree in them. This prevents curling and wrinkling. However, the type of form used should not cut off the free circulation of air and thus prevent the shoe from airing properly.

From time to time shoes should receive a cleaning. Wash with a moist cloth, sponge or brush, preferably using leather soap. This removes encrusted foreign matter and permits the polish to be worked in more freely. Do not neglect the edge of the sole and heel in the cleaning process. A brisk rub with a cloth warms the leather, making it more receptive to the polish.

Apply a moderate amount of shoe polish and work it in well with an applicator. A powder puff does a fine job as applicator and can often be kept inside a can of polish. Rub the shoe briskly with a polishing cloth. This works the wax into the leather, producing a dry, hard finish and leaving no excess wax. The luster will last for some time and can be renewed by a brisk wiping. To maintain good appearance, repeat this process as often as necessary, possibly once a week if the shoes are worn consistently.

Do not neglect to have heels and soles replaced as needed. Besides looking shabby, run-over heels and shoes out of shape place a strain on the feet.

The shoes you wear definitely have a great effect on your health and your enjoyment of life. Therefore, you are wise if you choose your footwear carefully, avoiding the excesses of fashion, keeping in mind the need for comfort, durability and a pleasing appearance.

Uncovering Coal from the Prairie Landscape

By Awake! correspondent in Canada

THE car turned off the main highway toward the gray “mountains” outlined ahead on the prairie landscape. In almost every direction bleak “ranges” seemed to rise from the flat plains. We were on our way to visit an unusual mine, not in those “mountains,” but beside them.

The road crossed an earth-filled dam holding back nine miles of reservoir for the huge electric generating station just ahead. A sign read: “Boundary Dam Power Station​—Saskatchewan Power Corporation,” a reminder that we were only seven miles north of the Canada—​United States border. The car passed between the power station and an enormous stockpile of coal, then turned to follow the edge of a “mountain range” which proved to be, not rock and stone, but mounds of dirt laid side by side. Around one of the mounds the road became a narrow track leading to the edge of a deep trench.

The two small children scrambled excitedly out of the car. They were cautioned not to stray, for, although it was a holiday, there was still danger in wandering about the mine unattended. But our host was well prepared to conduct our tour of this unusual mining operation safely. Won’t you join us now?

Machines That Uncover a Mine

Our first surprise is when we peer into the mine, not down a dark shaft, but into a gaping pit some fifty feet deep! It was about one hundred years ago that strip mining first made such excavations to uncover coal from the prairie landscape.

But it is the towering machine beside the open cut that commands our attention. It is an enormous walking dragline​—nick-named “Mr. Klimax”! We have been told that it is the largest one of its kind in Canada and that such machines are a major factor in successful strip mining. Ah, here is the foreman in charge today who has kindly taken time to provide an unexpected highlight for our tour.

“It’s as high as a ten-story building and weighs 1,700 tons,” the foreman tells us about “Mr. Klimax.” That’s about one thousand times heavier than our car!

“It can dig ninety feet deep and gobbles up thirty-five cubic yards in a single bite,” he continues. “But since we’re not operating the machine today, perhaps you’d like to take a look inside it?”

Indeed we would! We mount the huge base, and the foreman unlocks the door as if we were about to enter a large building. Inside we stare in awe at the giant gears, cables and motors.

“All the motors and gears are housed inside this main enclosure,” the foreman explains. “These control the cables that work the boom and bucket on the front of the machine. When the boom is lowered, one cable drops the bucket and another pulls or drags it along the ground, filling it with dirt. The boom rises, the entire machine swings on its base and the bucket is tipped, allowing the dirt to fall on the spoil pile beside the open cut.”

Now we climb another set of metal stairs, this time to the small operator’s cab, which sits in an upper front corner of the machine. From this vantage point one man uses three levers and two pedals to control the entire digging operation.

“It’s as easy as driving a car,” the foreman smiles. “The operator can communicate with the mine office at any time by means of the two-way radio in his cab.”

The view of the prairie stretching below is stirring, even to a little girl for whom the adventure has included the danger that coal dust or grease might stain a pretty dress. And for a little boy who sits in the operator’s padded chair and grasps the mighty levers with his tiny hands, it inspires the delightful imagination of childhood.

As we make our way down toward the exit we marvel at how such a monstrous machine could move across the landscape.

“When it moves it lowers the huge pontoons at its sides, lifts up on them and leapfrogs backwards. That is why it is called a ‘walking’ dragline,” explains the foreman. “This is a delicate operation, however, since the 240-foot boom and 20-ton bucket must be precisely balanced or the whole unit will topple.”

“Mr. Klimax” took a long walk across country recently. That must have been quite a sight!

“Yes, the big dragline walked about eight miles from another mine to this present site at the rate of about six feet per minute. Since it operates on electricity, we had to run cables and small huts​—or ‘doghouses’ as we call them—​all the way. The doghouses contain transformers that reduce the line voltage of 72,000 volts to 4,160 volts, which is just right for ‘Mr. Klimax.’”

Along the way “Mr. Klimax” crossed a railway line, two highways, a river and a stream. But the most difficult leg of the journey was through the valley downstream from the dam.

“The vertical drop through there is ninety feet and we had to cut a special road at 10-percent grade through the valley’s walls,” the foreman tells us. Nonetheless, sixteen days after it started its stroll, “Mr. Klimax” arrived safely on the new job.

You might think that this digging machine must be the largest one in the world, but not so. In fact, it would appear dwarfed next to one that does a similar job in southern Ohio, U.S.A. Its digging bucket has a 220-cubic-yard capacity.

How can strip mining be economical when it involves the use of draglines costing many millions of dollars? The efficiency with which these machines remove overburden to reach the coal makes strip mining practical. They usually operate twenty-four hours a day. That way the mine here, for example, can produce coal at about one-sixth the cost of shaft mines elsewhere in Canada.

A Walk on a Coal Mine

Now, since you have joined us for our tour, come along for an unusual experience! Back in the car we make our way beside barren spoil piles that look like desolate badlands. Following the road down a steep grade, we come to a stop on a field of black we’re parked on a coal mine!

“The coal seam on which we’re standing could stretch for two miles,” our host remarks. “The coal is a type called lignite. Once considered inferior, better burning methods have now made it a choice fuel for electric generating stations.”

“It’s just like being in a canyon.”

“The walls are about sixty feet high where we are here.”

“And how deep is the coal seam?”

“It averages about six feet in depth. The seams rise and fall along their length like ocean waves. At some places they end in a ‘washout,’ where the coal suddenly stops and then begins again several yards beyond.”

At least two years before any stripping is done, the seams are plotted and a program is planned that will reduce movement of heavy equipment and give minimum hauling distance.

“When the coal is uncovered, bulldozers remove the top few inches and special sweepers may clean the coal if needed,” continues our host. “Then power shovels on caterpillar treads move in and load the hauling trucks, some of which can hold eighty tons.”

As we survey the scene and examine the coarse lumps of coal we are intrigued with how such vast deposits were formed. Our host is both technically versed on the subject and also a mature Christian minister who appreciates the creative activity of earth’s Maker, Jehovah God.

“Portions of trees can often be recognized in seams of lignite coal,” he explains. “Evidently the coal resulted from such decaying vegetation.”

Our discussion turns to the length of time required for transformation of such organic material into coal, since commonly accepted theories involving millions of years conflict with the Bible’s accurate chronology. Our host reminds us that before the global flood of Noah’s day the earth’s entire climate was that of a humid hothouse. This condition existed for thousands of years after the creation of plant life on the third “day” of creation. It was very suitable for growth of huge forests and heavy vegetation and also the preliminary decomposition of the trees and plants when they died off.

It is noteworthy that chemical and physical changes to form coal result from tremendous pressure and heat generated by such pressure. Time is not all-important. During the one year that the Flood waters covered the earth, tremendous pressures must have been exerted on these decomposed organic materials. It may well be that these abnormal conditions played a major part in a more rapid formation of coal.

Scientific studies confirm not only the climatic conditions that once existed but also that coal can be formed in much shorter time than is commonly believed. In 1963 the New York Times reported that in just six weeks a group of Australian scientists were able to produce coal that was chemically indistinguishable from brown coal mined in Victoria State.

A Valuable Resource

As we arrive back at the power station our host motions toward the enormous stockpile of coal.

“Haulers drive up that incline onto a weigh scale, which measures the coal they deliver. It is then dumped into an intake hopper, and crushers reduce the size of the lumps for storage. Later it is carried by the enclosed conveyer belt that crosses above us into bunkers high in the powerhouse. From there it is fed to large ball mills, which pulverize the coal until it is as fine as ladies’ face powder.”

The pulverized coal is then forced with air jets into the boiler furnaces, where the explosive mixture burns almost like gas. Steam from the boilers drives turbines, which turn generators that will produce 432,000 kilowatts of electricity when the power station is complete.

But the contribution of coal from beneath the prairie’s landscape is not ended in the inferno of the furnace. It provides yet another service in “fly ash.” This fine dust is extracted as a by-product from the burning of lignite coal. It is a useful additive in making concrete. Huge silos adjoining the power station can store 4,250 tons of fly ash for loading giant tank trucks, which transport the dust to construction industries.

Thousands of tons of fly ash indicate the burning of great quantities of coal. In fact, when the new addition to the power station is complete, annual consumption is expected to exceed two million tons of coal. This demand will raise Saskatchewan to the second-largest coal-producing province in Canada.

A high level of production is expected to continue for some time, as known reserves in this area alone, around Estevan, are estimated at 450 million tons. And this is but one portion of the total coal fields in Saskatchewan, which cover about 10,000 square miles, or roughly the area of Belgium!

Demands for coal are increasing. The chemical industry requires coal to turn out a variety of products, including perfumes, medicines, plastics and fertilizers. And coal remains prominent as a cheap source of heat and power, the main use for lignite coal mined from the Canadian prairies. Yet there appears to be little danger of depleting supplies in the near future, for some authorities believe known world reserves could last another 5,000 years at the present rate of use. Indeed, coal remains an important and valuable natural resource.

Appreciating Earth’s Riches

Leaving the power station, as the “mountains” recede in the distance, we wonder at the desolate spoil piles left as barren reminders of the prairie’s hidden riches. Under the present system of things earth’s resources are mined primarily for commercial profit, so where law does not require spoil piles to be leveled and covered with fertile soil this expense is usually avoided.

How sad that more appreciation is not shown for the treasures provided in our beautiful earth. We are thankful that soon Jehovah’s righteous new order will preserve our planet’s beauty. Then earth’s resources will be used so that, instead of adding desolation, there will be a spreading of paradise until the very desert blossoms as the rose.​—Isa. 35:1.

Respect for the Flag

● A twelve-year-old witness of Jehovah in Renton, Washington, had this experience in school one day: During a flag-salute ceremony his classmates misbehaved so much that the teacher said that she was ashamed of the way they showed disrespect for the flag by their misconduct. Then she said: “B​——​——​ B​——​——​ is one of Jehovah’s witnesses and he does not salute the flag [because of religious reasons]. But he certainly shows respect for it by his fine conduct while it is being saluted.” She then told the misbehaving pupils that it would be better if they deported themselves in a proper manner and did not salute the flag than to salute it and engage in such disrespectful conduct.

The Rise of the Anglo-American World Power

SINCE the end of World War II the Western nations and the Communist Eastern bloc have been in a competitive struggle that has at times erupted into violence. Great Britain and the United States, as a combined or dual world power, have led the Western nations in resisting the expansion of communism.

After twenty-five years of cold wars, provocative acts by both sides and hot wars, the world situation is still tense and dangerous, as shown by conditions in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. What will the future bring? Will it be annihilation in a global nuclear war? Is there any hope of ever realizing permanent peace? Certain facts concerning the Anglo-American world power shed light on the matter.

Close Relationship

A close relationship has long existed between Great Britain and the United States. In 1946 Winston Churchill spoke of it as a “special relationship,” a “fraternal association.”

This relationship was clearly evident during World War I and World War II. It was the pooling of the military machines and economic resources of these two nations that enabled them to defeat the military might of Germany and her allies in those two wars. The atomic bomb that played such a prominent role in deciding the outcome of World War II was the result of a joint effort by British and American scientists. But that is not all.

It has been the partnership of these two nations and their initiatives that have played key roles in establishing systems for world trade and finance. In fact, the basic currencies for use in international trade have been the British pound sterling and the American dollar. Still another indication of the world influence of the Anglo-American combine is the fact that these two nations were the initiating force behind the formation of the League of Nations and the United Nations.

There can be little doubt that the Anglo-American world power has exercised a profound influence on world affairs in this twentieth century. Although Great Britain and the United States have had some differences of opinion, they have had, on the whole, a close partnership that has made them a dual world power unequaled in history. On this point the Saturday Evening Post of July 1, 1967, observed: “Winston Churchill was fond of pointing out that the United States and Britain together made an unchallengeable combination. This is still true, empire or no empire, gold drain or no gold drain.”

Noting the close relationship of the two countries, the British ambassador to the United States stated in a speech delivered on May 22, 1963: “Today, I believe our two governments are cooperating with each other more closely than any other two free and sovereign powers have ever done before in peacetime. . . . No alliancein history has wielded as much power as that of the Anglo-American partnership since the day in 1941 when we stood as comrades in arms.” This partnership is significant, as it was foretold in Bible prophecy.

Early Beginning

The seed for the Anglo-American World power was actually planted by the Roman Empire a long time ago. According to Biblical history, the Roman Empire was the sixth world power in a series that began with ancient Egypt, or the fourth counting from Babylon. As foretold, the Anglo-American world power, described as a ‘horn speaking grandiose things,’ was to spring from the Roman Empire. (Dan. 7:7, 8, 23, 24) How did this prove to be so?

When the Roman armies arrived in Britain in the first century before our Common Era, they made Britain part of the Roman Empire. Thus the sixth world power became firmly established there with its local capital at Camulodunum, which is now Colchester. Before the Romans came, the land was divided among approximately thirty tribes of people. After these tribes were subdued, the area constituted the western division of the Roman European provinces.

Under Roman protection Britain prospered, approximately ninety-two towns rising there. Acknowledging this Roman domination of Britain as the beginning of the history of Great Britain, the book The Historians’ History of the World by Henry Smith Williams states: “The history of Great Britain may be said to begin with the landing of Caesar’s legions on the southern shore of England.” Thus we see the link between the Roman Empire and the Anglo-American or seventh world power.

Why the Date 1763 Is Significant

The first appearance of the seventh world power was in 1763, when Great Britain became the foremost commercial power of the world. It was in this year that she took over most of the French possessions in North America at the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War, which involved nearly every nation of Europe and was fought world wide​—in India, North America, Germany and on the high seas. Now the seed that had been planted by the Roman Empire had grown into a mighty organization that would in time become a dual world power, foretold in the Bible at Revelation 13:11 under the symbol of a wild beast that “had two horns like a lamb” but that “began speaking as a dragon.”

That the Seven Years’ War, which began in 1756 and ended in 1763, marked the emergence of Great Britain as a world power is noted by the Encyclopædia Britannica in its Eleventh Edition. It says: “This war laid the foundations of the British empire. . . . The treaties of Paris (February 10, 1763) and Hubertsburg (February 15) marked an important stage in the history of Europe. By the first [treaty] Great Britain emerged from the war an imperial power with possessions all over the world.”

Although Great Britain lost her American colonies in the Revolutionary War that began in 1775, she continued to expand elsewhere as a world power. From 1798 to 1805 she quadrupled her area of control in India and by 1818 was the sovereign ruler there. During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901) further areas of India, as well as Burma and large portions of Africa came under British control.

At the time of this queen’s death the British Empire possessed one out of every four square miles of land area in the world, giving rise to the saying that ‘the sun never sets on the British Empire.’ It has been said that one person out of every five in the world was a British subject. Because of her sea power it was said that ‘Britannia rules the waves.’ But how did Great Britain, as the seventh world power, grow into a dual power, a power that plays an important role in world events today?

Appearance of the Dual Anglo-American Power

The beginning of the change was when the American colonies, which were originally British, broke away to form a separate nation, the United States of America. It was not long until the British Empire and this new nation were working together in a partnership. This was at the time of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823.

It was about this time that Great Britain became alarmed when several European governments urged France to send troops to Latin America so as to help restore Spanish and Portuguese royal government there. She suggested to the United States that a joint notice be issued warning the European governments to stay out of the Americas.

The United States decided to act alone and issued the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that she would resist any attempt of those nations to colonize or dominate the Americas. Commenting on this, the World Book Encyclopedia, in its 1966 edition, states: “But the doctrine owed its effectiveness more to British sea power than to American policy.” At that time the United States was still relatively weak.

During the Spanish-American War of 1898 Britain and the United States drew still closer together. This is pointed out by the New Cambridge Modern History by G. N. Clark, p. 580: “A war in which the United States was subsequently engaged with Spain cemented this feeling. The government and the people of the United States recognized the advantage which they derived from the goodwill of Great Britain in the hour of their necessity, and the two nations drew together as no other two nations had perhaps ever been drawn together before.” This close relationship has continued into the twentieth century, as we have seen, resulting in a dual world power.

Showing that this world power still has a powerful position in world affairs, The Washington Post, in its issue of September 28, 1969, commented on the military presence of the United States in other countries. It observed that this presence exists in sixty-eight foreign countries and then said: “Truly, the sun never sets on America’s bewildering military entanglements.” Thus the influence of the Anglo-American world power is still felt world wide even though Great Britain no longer has the vast empire she once had. But now this influence is being challenged by the Communist nations.

What Does All This Mean to You?

You are affected today by the “pushing” going on between the Anglo-American world power and the Communist bloc of nations. If this should explode into a global nuclear war, everyone will be affected in a frightful way.

If this competition should develop into an economic collapse on the part of the Anglo-American world power, you would most likely be affected economically. Why? Because the economic health of many nations is at present dependent in one way or another on the economic well-being of the Anglo-American world power. But where can you turn for reliable information about the future?

The Bible contains the information that you need. It foretold not only the rise of the Anglo-American world power but also that it would engage in a pushing with the Communist bloc of nations. When foretelling this it speaks of these political powers as the “king of the south” and the “king of the north.”​—Dan. 11:40.

What the Bible says about the future of the Anglo-American world power and the Communist “king of the north” can give you genuine hope for better world conditions. It does not foretell victory for either one of those powers over the other, but rather shows that both of them will come to their end. They will be replaced by God’s kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ, and it is this government that will actually succeed in ushering in permanent world peace.​—Dan. 2:44; Isa. 9:7; Ps. 37:11.

Her Heartfelt Desire Realized

WHEN I ponder on what happened to our dear Aunt Ida my heart just glows and I cannot keep my eyes from glistening with tears of joy. What came to pass as a result of her faithful endurance in serving God and doing good to her neighbors is something I will never forget. It has been a source of encouragement to me when I get to feeling a little low.

To begin with, Aunt Ida was getting along in years and she was handicapped in many ways. For one thing, she was extremely hard of hearing. For another, she was totally dependent on others for transportation. Also her natural abilities were somewhat limited. As the years rolled by she often tripped and fell when she went up and down the stairs at the homes she visited with God’s message of truth here in Missouri. Yes, our dear Aunt Ida was one of Jehovah’s witnesses and she never gave up trying to serve Jehovah God faithfully to the best of her ability.

Nevertheless, there were times when she felt that her Christian ministry had been a failure. This was because there was no one that she could point to as a letter of recommendation, yes, someone whom she could say that she directed to the truth of God. But she continued doing her Christian work faithfully. Always willing, always smiling, that was Aunt Ida.

In 1967 Aunt Ida saw her heartfelt desire fulfilled at last. The joy that came to her that year was the result of her efforts to be a right kind of minister of God under all circumstances. For some time she had been calling on a woman down the street from where she lived. She had left this woman literature explaining the Bible and even helped her to learn something about the loving promises of God. Well, this woman died and Aunt Ida lovingly called and offered comfort to the woman’s son who lived there. She also took along some food for the family’s use during this sad time.

While Aunt Ida was visiting this son, she invited him to come to the meetings of Jehovah’s witnesses at the Kingdom Hall. Two weeks later he came, bringing with him his small son. Every Sunday he came, and Aunt Ida just beamed with happiness. At last she was helping someone toward the truth that leads to everlasting life. This may not seem much to others, but the rest of us who are in the congregation know that she accomplished something that others of us had not been able to do in years. She was blessed in directing the first Negro from our town to Jehovah God’s truth.

Aunt Ida is gone now; she died last year (1969), but she lived long enough to see this man symbolize his dedication to Jehovah God by water baptism. Also she had the joy of seeing him marry a woman that he helped to learn this precious truth. And yes, joy of joys, she saw them open up their home for use as a local meeting place for a neighborhood study of the Bible. Aunt Ida rejoiced at the privilege of attending it.

So, you can understand why I am so encouraged and touched by what happened to this humble servant of Jehovah, our dear Aunt Ida.​—Contributed.

Coffee​—Beverage of Millions

BY “AWAKE!” CORRESPONDENT IN BRAZIL

IT IS not a drink to be gulped down like water, say those who favor it. It is not merely for washing down food. No, they claim, coffee is a drink to be savored. For enjoyment it must linger as it passes over the taste buds. Some persons derive the greatest pleasure from drinking it first thing in the morning. Others prefer it after their meal. But multitudes are ready to drink it at any old time. It is truly the beverage of millions.

Coffee has come a long way in a short time. As a beverage its history, reaching back some 700 years, is only half as long as that of its competitor, tea. But where did coffee get its start?

According to legend, some shepherds in Ethiopia noticed that sheep and goats remained awake at night after eating leaves of a certain tree. The shepherds tasted the leaves and berries and eventually brewed a drink from them that proved to be stimulating.

Merchants and travelers from Arabia took home with them from Ethiopia some of the plants, and these did well in their new surroundings. Indeed, it is from this emigration to Arabia that the plant receives its scientific name, Coffea arabica. For about two hundred years coffee continued a closely guarded secret of the Arabs. Eventually others got to know about the plant, and toward the end of the seventeenth century the Dutch were already cultivating it in Java​—later also in Surinam on South America’s northern coast.

Despite its present popularity, coffee was not immediately accepted as a popular brew. Opposition to its use was raised on moral and religious grounds. Moslems were divided in their opinions as to the religious propriety of using this stimulating drink. In 1674 a group of English women petitioned the government to forbid the use of a beverage that, they said, tended to degenerate family men. Nevertheless, its popularity continued to grow steadily until it gained the reputation of being a favorite hot drink in virtually every country in temperate or cold climates.

Coffee Conquests

To achieve its greatest triumph, coffee first had to find the climate best adapted for its cultivation​—hot and humid, with other such essential requirements as rich, sandy soil in highland areas and temperature continuously within the 60-90° F. range. We have noted that the Dutch introduced it to South America, and they, like the Arabs before them, strove to retain coffee as a national secret.

It was only in 1727 that a Sergeant Major Francisco de Mello Palheta secretly carried the first coffee plants from French Guiana into Brazil. Little did he or others realize what big results would stem from that act. Brazil now grows about one third of the world’s coffee crop, and is now the world’s chief exporter, producing three times as much as does Colombia, its nearest competitor.

The Brazilian yield per tree is amazing. The average annual yield of a Brazilian coffee tree is between two and six pounds of berries, while in other lands the yield is likely to vary between seven ounces and somewhat over a pound and a half. Why the great difference? It is because the Brazilian trees can produce two or three crops a year.

The Coffee Tree and Its Berries

Generally coffee trees begin to bear fruit when they are three years old and will go on producing year after year for from twenty-five to fifty years.

The berries are like small green olives at first. Later they turn red and, when mature, they become dark red with a smooth, glossy surface. At the stage when the fruit is red the space between the bean and its outer casing contains a sweet nectar that is truly a delight to the palate. The berries must be picked at the right time. If they are not fully ripe they will lack flavor; if overripe, they fall to the ground and spoil.

Once coffee picking starts, the workers keep at it from early morning until late in the evening. There is good reason for this, since a sudden rainfall could spoil the harvest.

Then the berries are sacked and taken to machine driers or spread by hand on level areas to be dried in the sun. If the weather is suitable, three to ten days is sufficient time to complete the drying. When the berries can be broken open by hand, the time is right for them to be put through a machine that takes off the husks.

Classifying Coffee

People are often mystified by the vast number of coffee brands from which they must choose​—the qualities, blends and price ranges. Back of all this there is a careful classification of coffee, based on type, purity, size of bean and taste.

For example, the type classification is determined by taking samples from different sacks. By counting the number of defects in each nine-ounce sample the expert rates the shipment as of superior or inferior quality.

Each defect is assigned so many points or a certain value. The defects may be one of two kinds, namely, impurities such as stones or twigs that were not eliminated by machine or hand sorting, and defects in the beans themselves due to poor farming methods.

Then comes the cup test. Experts, trained to determine by taste whether a coffee is smooth or harsh, take a sip of sample after sample, never swallowing, but simply letting the coffee settle in their throats briefly before spitting it out.

The majority of the well-known brands of coffee do not differ greatly as to the kinds of coffee that make up their blends; yet each has a distinctive feature appealing to some persons. The blender uses his materials like an artist to produce a balanced and pleasing result. A blend, for instance, may contain “Brazils” to give body to it and “milds” for the delicacy of their flavor. Combining flavors, aromas and colors, the blender strives for a product that will please the eye, stimulate the taste buds and excel in aroma.

Some of the powdered coffee on the market is made up of cheaper grades of bean, since all the beans are ground to powder, and who knows whether the beans were of the finer variety or not?

Some Valuable Pointers

Because of its capacity for stimulation, coffee is often ruled out as a beverage for persons suffering from heart trouble or those of highly nervous temperament. But even among those of normal health there should be an awareness of the habit-forming tendency of coffee drinking. Some find it more healthful to drink coffee from which the caffeine has been extracted.

If you are a coffee drinker, however, you may find it advantageous to buy unground toasted coffee instead of the ground, packaged variety. When possible, it is best to have the coffee beans ground in your presence. In this way you can be sure of fresher coffee and there is less chance that you will be cheated through mixing of other ingredients with the coffee​—ingredients such as sand, corn, beans, peanuts or blood, to mention but a few.

A simple test of the purity of ground coffee is to throw a dash of the coffee grounds on top of a cup of water. If the coffee is pure, the grounds will float, since they absorb water very slowly. If the coffee contains foreign matter, the grounds will absorb water rapidly and sink to the bottom of the cup.

If properly protected, toasted coffee keeps from ten to twenty days without losing its flavor. But when exposed to the air, whether toasted or untoasted, it will lose its aroma, flavor and color. Humidity will give it a musty odor. For these reasons coffee should be kept in a dry place and in tightly closed containers.

Coffee’s Many Uses

Coffee’s attractive flavor can delight the palate in a number of different forms. For example, cold coffee with sugar and a ring of lemon is quite refreshing. During the hot months of the year iced coffee and coffee-flavored ice cream are very popular. Some also use coffee as an ingredient in that delicious taste treat​—coffee cake. However, the most popular form, favorite of millions around the world, still is plain coffee or coffee with milk.

But scientists are testing many other uses of the coffee bean. It has been noted, for example, that coffee ashes make a good fertilizer. Also, disinfectants and insulation for walls, floors and roofs have been made from coffee. Glycerin can be produced from coffee oil, and coffee oil can be used in paints, soaps and a host of other products.

So, the coffee bean is being put to more and more uses. But its popularity, of course, is mainly as a beverage. Just think of it! Americans drink more than 500 million cups of coffee each day. The average American uses about fifteen pounds of coffee annually. And each year in the United States almost 3,000 million pounds of coffee is consumed. Oddly enough, that figure is close to the entire coffee production of Brazil. Is there any doubt that coffee is the beverage of millions?

Pineapples and Coconuts

◆ How did the names “pineapple” and “coconut” come about? Wilfred Funk in his book Word Origins and Their Romantic Stories answers:

“Our tropical fruit, the pineapple, came to England rather late. . . . The name pineapple simply meant ‘apple of the pine’ since it looked so much like a pine cone. The coconut . . . has a bit of a smile in it. If you look at the three holes at the bottom, you will see that they resemble a human face. In Spanish and Portuguese the word coco means a grimace or a grimacing face. So a coconut is really a funny-face nut.”

“Your Word Is Truth”

“You Must Not Testify Falsely”

THE bearing of false witness against another as forbidden by the Ninth Commandment of the Decalogue. Thus we read: “You must not testify falsely as a witness against your fellow man.” (Ex. 20:16) Bearing false witness against another was considered to be a very serious offense in the eyes of the great Judge, Jehovah God. This can be seen by the penalty he required to be imposed upon the false witness. And what was that? He was to receive the punishment he sought to have inflicted upon another:

“In case a witness scheming violence should rise up against a man to bring a charge of revolt against him, the two men who have the dispute must also stand before Jehovah, before the priests and the judges who will be acting in those days. And the judges must search thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and has brought a false charge against his brother, you must also do to him just as he had schemed to do to his brother, and you must clear away what is bad from your midst. So those who remain will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything bad like this in your midst. And your eye should not feel sorry: soul will be for soul”​—that is, life for life—​“eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”​—Deut. 19:16-21.

Further underscoring the seriousness of bearing false witness was the requirement of the Law that the ones whose testimony convicted another of a capital crime, deserving of death, had to be the first ones to take part in executing the criminal, which was by stoning. Thus we read: “The hand of the witnesses first of all should come upon him to put him to death, and the hand of all the people afterward; and you must clear out what is bad from your midst.” How careful this very requirement would tend to make one in bearing witness!​—Deut. 17:7.

The stern fact that one who bore witness to the guilt of a wrongdoer had to take the lead in executing the guilty person may have inclined some not to want to bear witness against a guilty one. But the law of God did not permit one to hold back from giving testimony concerning wrongdoing when one was a witness to the act. Explicitly the law stated: “Now in case a soul sins in that he has heard public cursing and he is a witness or he has seen it or has come to know of it, if he does not report it, then he must answer for his error.” Anyone who knew of serious wrongdoing and failed to report it became a partner to the wrongdoer. By pretending that he had seen or heard no wrongdoing, he was living a lie and was just as much in the wrong as one who under oath would testify falsely against his brother.​—Lev. 5:1; Ps. 50:18.

Among those who maliciously violated the Ninth Commandment were the enemies of Jesus Christ. They procured men who falsely testified against Jesus. However, as is so often true in such cases, at first, “many, indeed, were giving false witness against him, but their testimonies were not in agreement.” In the end, on the false charge of blasphemy they judged Jesus deserving of death. Although all those involved in this violation of the Ninth Commandment at Jesus’ trial were not immediately punished, they eventually paid for their crime, in the destruction of Jerusalem and of their nation, even as Jesus had warned.​—Mark 14:56-60; Matt. 23:35, 36.

Centuries earlier wicked King Ahab of Israel and his wife Jezebel proved guilty of a like crime. So that he might acquire the vineyard of one of his neighbors, Naboth, Ahab permitted Jezebel to procure false witnesses who swore that Naboth had blasphemed Jehovah God. As a result Naboth was put to death and so Ahab was able to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard. For this murderous deed God warned Ahab that both he and Jezebel would come to violent ends, which they did.​—1 Ki. 21:1-26; 22:34-38; 2 Ki. 9:30-37.

Not only bearing false witness in a legal sense but all lying is condemned in God’s Word. “You must not deceive, and you must not deal falsely any one with his associate.” “He that launches forth lies will perish.” Among the things that Jehovah says he hates is “a false tongue.” “You [Jehovah] will destroy those speaking a lie.”​—Lev. 19:11; Prov. 19:9; 6:17; Ps. 5:6.

Jesus Christ included “false testimonies” with such wicked acts as murder, adultery and theft. The apostle Paul counseled: “Do not be lying to one another.” “Wherefore, now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor.” Then again, underscoring the seriousness of lying are the words found at Revelation 21:8, where “all the liars” are included with those who will suffer eternal destruction in the second death.​—Matt. 15:19; Col. 3:9; Eph. 4:25.

The seriousness of lying and bearing false witness can be appreciated when we note that all of mankind’s troubles began when Satan told the first lie to Eve, namely, that she would not die if she ate of the forbidden fruit. By this lie he also bore false witness against Jehovah God. Truly, as Jesus said, Satan is “the father of the lie.”​—Gen. 3:4; John 8:44.

Showing just how God views lying in matters relating to the Christian congregation is the account of Ananias and Sapphira. They professed to give all the proceeds of the sale of their property to the early Christian congregation at Jerusalem, even as others had done, although they kept part of the proceeds for themselves. They were under no obligation to sell their property, much less to give all the proceeds to their fellow Christians. But, trying to be well thought of by others, they told a barefaced lie to the apostles. To impress upon all in the congregation how displeasing to Jehovah God such lying is, both Ananias and Sapphira were stricken dead by God. “Great fear came over . . . all those hearing about these things.” If we would be pleasing to Jehovah God, we must shun lies; we must always speak the truth.​—Acts 5:1-11.

In the Bible we find truth attributed to Jehovah God, to Jesus Christ, to God’s Word and to God’s holy spirit or active force. Thus Jehovah is termed “the God of truth.” (Ps. 31:5) Of him the apostle Paul wrote: “It is impossible for God to lie.” (Heb. 6:18) Of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, we read that he was “full of undeserved kindness and truth.” And Jesus spoke of himself as “the way and the truth and the life.” (John 1:14; 14:6) Of God’s Word, Jesus said, “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) And Jesus spoke of God’s holy spirit or active force as “the spirit of the truth.” (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13) No wonder, then, that the apostle Peter could speak of true Christianity as “the way of the truth.”​—2 Pet. 2:2.

All true servants of Jehovah God and sincere followers of Jesus Christ should therefore give great care never to testify falsely. Yes, let them ever heed the Counsel to be “speaking the truth.”​—Eph. 4:15.

Watching the World

“An Exodus” of Priests, Nuns

◆ Writer Phil Santora stated in New York’s Daily News of October 20, 1970: “The troubles besetting the Roman Catholic Church are steadily growing in number and intensity. Five years ago, the outflow of priests and nuns smothered by the inflexibility of the traditional church structure was a trend. Now it is an exodus . . . The number of seminarians and novices needed to plug the widening gap has fallen far short of adequacy.” He noted the comments of an ex-monk who said: “I predict there will come a day when monastic orders like the one I left may die out entirely. During the past 18 months, the community in which I lived for 15 years lost 100 of its total of 600 members. Of these, 12 died. The rest simply left. They were not replaced and this is significant.”

Empty Pew​—Empty Plate

◆ The exodus of priests and nuns is now being matched by an exodus of the Catholic population in general. Jesuit priest Gerry Waldorf stated: “The church no longer has a hold on the person. It has failed to bridge the credibility gap and people no longer rely upon it for guidance.” Priest Rocco Caporale, director of research at Claremont College in California, said: “Even more significant is the falling off of church participation in terms of money. . . . In many areas, contributions have dropped so sharply that local churches are having very real fiscal problems.”

Unprecedented Peacetime Measures

◆ When Canada’s War Measures Act was invoked in October because of what was called an “insurrection” by Quebec terrorists, it was the first time in peacetime. It gave the government extraordinary emergency powers and was invoked after James R. Cross, a British trade representative, and Pierre Laporte, Quebec’s Minister of Labor and Immigration, were kidnapped. Mr. Laporte was later found murdered.

In Italy during the same month, about 4,500 soldiers were sent into the southern city of Reggio Calabria, shaken by violence since July. It was the first time since World War II that the Italian army had been assigned to quell civil disorder.

World’s Tallest Building

◆ After a reign of 40 years, New York’s Empire State Building became the second tallest as of October 19. On that date the new World Trade Center in Manhattan passed the 102-story level, 1,254 feet above the street and four feet higher than the Empire State Building. The Trade Center will be 110 stories high. However, in Chicago work has begun on the Sears Tower, which will be even taller.

Inflation in South America

◆ Prices of goods and services continue to rise nearly everywhere in the world. Several countries in South America have been particularly hard hit recently. Chile’s cost of living in 1968 grew more than 25 percent, and in 1969 it was over 30 percent. Brazil’s high rate in 1968 was 24 percent, and in 1969 it was 23 percent.

Economic Collapse Predicted

◆ Dr. Kenneth Watt of the University of California predicted the total collapse of the United States economy within three years. He based his prediction on computer studies and said: “It takes more and more money to do anything at all, and money is harder and harder to get. The problem is basically that the old and the young who need money spent on them vastly outnumber the self-supporting group who normally pay for them. This will lead to an economic collapse I expect to see in the next 36 months.”

Huge Welfare Roll

◆ The number of people on welfare in New York city at the end of August rose to a staggering 1,111,077, more than one out of every eight persons in the city. This represented 423,017 different households. The Cost to the taxpayer is well over a thousand million dollars a year.

Money Crisis for Colleges

◆ American colleges and universities are in deep financial trouble. Income is not keeping pace with expenses. Twenty-one institutions have closed in the past two years. Dartmouth College’s president, John G. Kemeny, stated: “Higher education, both public and private, is facing its most serious financial crisis in history.” A college president in Alabama estimates that 50 private black colleges are near collapse. Yale University reported growing deficits as follows: 1967​—$300,000; 1968​—$900,000; 1969​—$1,250,000; 1970​—an estimated $1,750,000. Columbia University had a deficit of $11 million in 1969 and an estimated $15 million for 1970.

Fantastic Crime Burden

◆ The growing financial burden of crime in America has now passed $50 thousand million a year. The “take” by organized crime is about $20 thousand million; law enforcement costs about $9 thousand million; crimes against property and business total $13 thousand million; private crime-fighting services and equipment cost over $5 thousand million; and other crime costs are over $4 thousand million. From 1960 to 1969 serious crime rose 148 percent, compared to a population rise of only 13 percent.

‘Crime Winning,’ Says Interpol

◆ In Brussels, at a meeting of the international police organization known as Interpol, police chiefs from almost 100 nations were presented with sobering news. Leading criminologists showed that law-enforcement agencies world wide were continually losing ground against crime.

White Bread Starved Rats

◆ University of Texas biochemist Dr. Roger J. Williams charged that the ordinary white bread most Americans eat daily is so low in nutritional value that rats eating it and nothing else for 90 days died of malnutrition. Dr. Williams stated: “Two-thirds of the animals were dead of malnutrition, and the survivors were severely stunted.” A similar colony of rats thrived when their bread was supplemented with vitamins, minerals and protein elements.

Hormone-fattened Meat Banned

◆ Sweden has banned the importation of meat from animals that are fattened with the aid of hormones. Nearly all beef cattle in the United States is fattened with the aid of hormones, usually diethylstilbestrol, which has caused cancer in mice. Many countries do not permit the feeding of hormones to meat animals.

Bacteria-resisting Drugs

◆ A common practice in most “developed” countries is to feed antibiotics to animals. The purpose is twofold: to try to prevent diseases before they begin; and to make the animals grow larger. However, Japanese scientists reveal that large numbers of commercially raised fish are dying from infectious diseases and that antibiotics have not been effective in treating them.

Tougher Mosquitoes

◆ Two species of mosquitoes in California have become virtually immune to DDT and other insecticides. One, the pasture mosquito, travels in swarms as dense as 2,000,000 per acre, endangering man and animal. In 1945 DDT was first used to bring them under control. But in seven years they became so resistant to DDT that a new chemical, ethyl parathion, was used. That failed in 1961. Methyl parathion failed in 1963. Another type failed in 1968. Time magazine reports: “Today, California has no chemical able to kill the pasture mosquito in safe dosages.”

High DDT Content

◆ The National Audubon Society notified American authorities that woodcocks, a game bird, contain so much DDT that they are unsafe to eat. It was noted that Canada had already banned hunting the foot-long bird after discovering that they averaged 65 parts per million of DDT, one bird that was examined having 773 parts per million. Both Canada and the United States permit only 7 parts per million of DDT in commercially sold meat.

More Wildlife Endangered

◆ A growing number of animals throughout the world are nearing extinction. Science Digest states concerning the Ceylon elephant: “Officials of Ceylon fear extinction may not be far off for this mighty mammal. Elephants in the wild have dwindled to 2,500, half the number only 20 years ago.” The United States Department of the Interior says that 22 more types of animals, birds and fish face extinction. This increased the endangered list in America alone to a record 101, which includes: mammals​—14; birds​—50; reptiles and amphibians​—7; fish​—30. Hundreds more are listed in the “rare” category.

Drugs Close Hawaii School

◆ The worst drug-abuse case in Hawaii’s school history forced the temporary closing of a high school. An estimated 2,000 barbiturate pills had been passed around when school buses arrived at 8 a.m. Two hours later classes were suspended because of brawling and the drugged condition of about 200 pupils. Milton Shishido, principal of the Waianae High School, said: “I haven’t heard of anything ever on a scale this large. Most of the pupils were dazed and wandering around campus. Some of them could hardly walk. It was frightening.” The 17-year-old student-body president said: “There were people walking around campus looking for fights. It was completely out of hand.”

Damage from Marijuana

◆ A New York professor, Dr. Vincent DePaul Lynch of St. John’s University, exposed pregnant rats to smoke from the equivalent of one marijuana cigarette a day for ten days. Twenty percent of their offspring had serious defects. These findings corroborate other tests where pregnant rats, hamsters and rabbits injected with marijuana resin produced deformed offspring.

LSD a Killer

◆ A 24-year-old Philadelphia medical student had spent the summer working with mental patients suffering from the bad effects of the drug LSD. Wanting to experience first hand what the patients were going through, he took a pill himself and told his wife to observe his reactions. He was dead in 24 hours.

Fewer Passenger Trains

◆ The number of passenger trains in the United States has dropped sharply in the past 40 years. In 1929, when there were relatively few automobiles and airplanes, there were about 20,000 passenger trains. In 1959 there were 1,200. Now there are only 376. Even that number is expected to decline further.

Church Contributions Off

◆ The Episcopal Church in America was told that it faced a serious and growing financial plight. Due to declining contributions, church receipts are expected to fall an estimated $4 million short of the $14.7 million budget for 1970. In 1969 the shortage was $1.7 million. Most other churches are experiencing similar declines.

Protestant Missionaries Decline

◆ For the first time in 35 years, the number of American Protestant missionaries in other countries declined. The drop was from 34,700 in 1967 to 33,289 in 1969. The U.S. missionaries make up the majority of the worldwide Protestant total of about 50,000.

Rosary Recitation Abandoned

◆ For ten years a radio program in the province of Quebec was devoted to reciting the rosary. But Montreal’s station CKAC announced that the 15-minute program would be discontinued because the number of listeners had dropped 72 percent.

Car Owner Accountable

◆ In one of the first decisions of its kind, New York State’s Supreme Court awarded a verdict of over $33,000 against the owner of a car that had been stolen and then involved in a fatal accident. The judgment was based on the fact that a New York statute prohibits owners from leaving the keys in their car when it is unattended. In this case a set of keys had been left in the car.

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Drawing Comfort From the Scriptures

“I have remembered your judicial decisions from time indefinite, O Jehovah, and I find comfort for myself.”​—Ps. 119:52.

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