March 8

Page Two

It is said that history repeats itself. Are there factors that make this so? Are there lessons to be learned from history that can benefit mankind today? Is there a hope for a better future when the sorrow, suffering and oppression of past and present history will never be repeated? The following articles will provide encouraging information on this subject

Does History Repeat Itself? 3

Lessons Not Learned From History 4

What the Lessons Can Teach Us 6

Does History Repeat Itself?

“THE Bastille is besieged! . . . The chain yields, breaks; the huge drawbridge slams down, thundering. . . . Far down in their vaults, the seven prisoners hear muffled din as of earthquakes; . . . for four hours now has the world bedlam roared; . . . [then] rushes in the living deluge; the Bastille is fallen!”

With such staccato phrases, Thomas Carlyle describes the start of the French Revolution in 1789. It was the end of an age. The Bastille prison in Paris had a long history of imprisoned and forgotten innocents. It had become a symbol of the tyranny of the French Bourbon monarchy and aristocracy. To this day, the date of its destruction, July 14, remains the Independence Day of France.

Many of the intellectuals of Europe believed that this revolution​—with its stirring battle cry “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity”—​was the beginning of a new age for all mankind. It seemed to promise freedom from oppression, to be the start of a new era of benevolence and peace. But did the French Revolution fulfill such Utopian dreams? No, says history.

The National Assembly of 1789-91 enacted legislation designed to turn France into a benevolent democracy. When this Assembly was dissolved in 1791 the mood was, “Free at last!” However, the new Assembly, meeting to put the ideas of the “founding fathers” into operation, was divided from the start. Soon riots and massacres filled Paris with near anarchy. The new government guillotined Louis XVI and under Robespierre and others instituted the Reign of Terror. The Terror destroyed not only “enemies” of the Revolution but also many of its “children.”

In rather quick succession the more moderate Directory succeeded the Terror, and then Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power. He was made “consul for life” in 1802. “The French nation needs an hereditary ruler,” he later held, and he promptly had himself declared emperor in 1804. “I reign only through the fear I inspire,” he said not many years later.

Thus in a few years the government of France had gone full circle. Indeed, to make the irony even sharper, after Napoleon was forced to abdicate, the Bourbons returned in the person of Louis XVIII. They returned, some say, having learned and forgotten nothing.

This is but one example of what some view as a trend. History seems to repeat itself. As the German philosopher Georg W. F. Hegel put it: “Peoples and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted upon principles deducible from it.” Why is this? What are some of these lessons not learned from history? Can we personally benefit from them?

Lessons Not Learned From History

History studies in schools and universities often seem to amount to little more than learning about events, battles, documents and personalities. H. G. Wells said that the “narrow history teaching” of our school days was mainly “an uninspiring and partially forgotten list of national kings or presidents.”

Yet, for thinking people, history should be a lantern to cast light on the pitfalls of the past and the present. It should give some hope for the future. Consider, now, some notable lessons from history and what mankind has failed to learn from them.

LESSON 1​—Changes of government: As in the days of the French Revolution, the tendency is for like to succeed like, the “change” being more apparent than it is real. Thus, tyranny may well succeed tyranny. In Western democratic societies, like that of the United States or Great Britain, party succeeds party by election. But fundamental changes do not really occur.

Interestingly, noted writer Paul Valery observed: “All politicians have read history; but one might say that they read it only in order to learn from it how to repeat the same calamities all over again.” But why is this so? Basically because what the Bible says is true: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”​—Jeremiah 10:23.

What is the lesson in this? “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” (Psalm 146:3) The promises of men are usually unreliable. Though they may conscientiously try, do not expect men to bring about a totally satisfying rule. Only Jehovah God can and will do that by means of his Kingdom with Jesus Christ as King.​—Matthew 6:9, 10; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Daniel 2:44.

LESSON 2​—Religion in politics: History indicates that the priesthood of organized religion in any age, when wielding political clout over the populace, functions as a tool to maintain the status quo, often for the benefit of the ruling element. A case in point is the role played by the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Europe and elsewhere in the perpetuation of the feudal system after the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century C.E. For a millennium or more, the Church in both West and East worked closely with kings, czars and lords to maintain the privileges and preserves of the few at the top of the social pyramid.

In return the Church was given land (the basis of power in the feudal system), and its members were addressed as “my lord Abbot” or “my lord Bishop.” The pope himself was, possibly, the most powerful monarch in Christendom. Such power can be seen in a list of papal prerogatives published by Pope Gregory VII in the 11th century. These included “the power to depose emperors” and to “annul the decrees of anyone.”

The rulers of ancient Babylon, Egypt, Aztec America, Hindu India​—indeed, perhaps all societies of the past—​have used the religious system to entrench their own interests. And for selfish advantage worldly religion has ever sought to promote close ties with the State. But what is the lesson in all of this? It is that when religion mixes with politics and becomes involved in the world and its political affairs, the masses suffer and confusion results. Such spiritual fornication contributes to its being disgusting to God. (Revelation 17:3-5) Moreover, from the Bible we learn that one requirement of God-approved worship is ‘keeping oneself without spot from the world.’​—James 1:27.

LESSON 3​—Material prosperity: In some lands and periods of history notable material prosperity has been enjoyed. Many hold that happiness and contentment increase with the resultant rise in the standard of living. But what does history really teach? That material prosperity is not enough to make people happier. Besides material things, however, what else is needed?

In his book Man, God and Magic, Ivar Lissner commented: “One can only marvel at the perseverance with which man has striven, throughout his history, to reach outside himself. His energies were never directed solely toward the necessities of life. He was forever questing, groping his way further, aspiring to the unattainable. This strange and inherent urge in the human being is his spirituality. . . . Man is not content merely to sleep, eat and warm himself . . . All the civilizations of mankind that have ever existed were rooted in religion and a quest for God. Without faith, religion and God, civilization is inconceivable.”

Nineteen centuries ago, Jesus Christ said: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.” (Matthew 5:3) Hence, although material prosperity may bring some pleasure, from this history lesson we learn that true happiness results from cultivating and satisfying our spiritual need.

LESSON 4​—Social betterment: It is impossible to make a better world without making better people. Actually, history proves that “man has dominated man to his injury.” (Ecclesiastes 8:9) Yes, such developments as the abolition of slavery have contributed to social betterment. But various human factors continue to bring death to millions in inhuman wars. For genuine social betterment, people need to be taught love for fellow humans. (Matthew 22:39) True, the Bible indicates that it will take a thousand years to raise humankind to perfection under the kingship of Jesus Christ and his anointed corulers. But that period is about to begin, and it will be one of the many achievements of the Kingdom of God.​—Revelation 20:4-6; 21:1-5.

Undoubtedly, we can learn many lessons from human history. But what about the four lessons just mentioned? What personal application can we make of such history lessons?

[Blurb on page 5]

‘They read it only to learn how to repeat the same calamities’

What the Lessons Can Teach Us

IF HISTORY seems to repeat itself, could it be that there has been an unseen architect of mankind’s sad history? Do his works reveal the unmistakable stamp of an evil personality? The Bible’s answer is clear.

The Christian apostle Paul identifies this architect of mankind’s unhappy history as “the god of this system of things,” Satan the Devil. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Why, “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one”! (1 John 5:19) So it should not be surprising that in history tyranny follows tyranny, for the wicked spirit “world rulers of this darkness” would have it so. (Ephesians 6:12) History, then, should teach us that there can be just one truly satisfying change in government. Tyranny will be a thing of the past only under the rule of God’s Kingdom.

What about Lesson 2, involving religion and politics? It is clear that false religion’s friendship with the world has not offset the moral decay that the apostle Paul gave as a feature of “the last days” of this system. He said that people​—even those professedly devout—​would be “lovers of themselves, lovers of money” and “lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.” They would have merely “a form of godly devotion.”​—2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Why have ministers of the world’s religions failed to stem this unspiritual tide? In part, they have been unable to do so because they have always sought to mix religion and politics. This makes them unclean in the eyes of God, and from this we should learn that we must refrain from such involvement if we are to be friends of Jehovah God.​—Revelation 17:1, 2, 5; James 4:4; John 15:19.

Additionally, material prosperity has not made those enjoying it truly happy. Materialism is also being used by Satan and his demons to draw people away from serving God. (Mark 4:19) This history lesson should teach us that genuine happiness comes from awareness of our spiritual need and our doing something to satisfy it.

Finally, a study of history in the light of the Bible should convince us that human betterment can never be achieved apart from God. Of course, imperfect humans cannot make the needed world changes. But this does not mean that our lot is hopeless. No, indeed, for God has promised something better.

“New Heavens and a New Earth”

Jehovah God’s purpose for our planet Earth is not destruction in some nuclear holocaust. Rather, he will rid the earth of the unjust oppressive system upon it that promotes unhappiness. (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Isaiah 45:18) After God’s intervention through Jesus Christ comes the abyssing of Satan and his demons. (Revelation 19:11–20:3) That old architect of history will be out of a job! Then will come the blessing of a New Order entrusted to Jehovah’s master architect, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ righteous rule the promise of Psalm 37:11 will come to pass, for then “the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” What a marvelous day for the human race!

Perhaps of lessons not learned from history, the greatest of all is that Satan has been the ruler of the world. But that will change when Jesus wins the victory over him in vindication of Jehovah God’s name and sovereignty. Sad human history then will no longer repeat itself, for the Bible promises: “There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to [God’s] promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.” (2 Peter 3:13) The former things will not be repeated, nor even be called to mind, but will pass away. (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:4) Nothing will ever threaten the peace and tranquillity of mankind in that New Order promised by the One whose purpose does not fail.

Are You an Agnostic?

IF YOU are an agnostic, you come somewhere between an atheist and a theist. The atheist is convinced that God does not exist, while the theist has a firm belief that God does exist and that he is involved in human affairs.

The agnostic does not feel that there is enough evidence to say that God does or does not exist. Rather, he reserves judgment or says that if God does exist he is unknown and unknowable.

Do you have friends who are agnostics? Or are you an agnostic yourself? If so, why? Perhaps you feel that agnosticism is the most reasonable position to take in this rationalist 20th century. If that is the case, we invite you to consider the words of certain men who have helped to shape the thinking of people in this century and see what they believed about God, and why. It may help you to understand a little better the reasons for your own beliefs.

Because of the Churches

The term “agnostic” (from the Greek word agnostos, “unknown”) was coined by the 19th-century British scientist Thomas H. Huxley, who also helped to popularize the Darwinian theory of evolution. Huxley noted that the churches claimed to have a special gnosis (knowledge) about God and the origin of things. He gave one reason why he could not accept this gnosis, and hence was an agnostic:

“If we could only see, in one view, the torrents of hypocrisy and cruelty, the lies, the slaughter, the violations of every obligation of humanity, which have flowed from this source [the churches] along the course of the history of Christian nations, our worst imaginations of Hell would pale beside the vision.”

Doubtless Huxley’s faith in the existence of God was shaken by his acceptance of the theory of evolution. Nevertheless, his faith was further shaken by the conduct of those who should have been in a position to help him, the churches. Their record through the centuries was no recommendation for belief in God.

Socialist Harold Laski, political theorist and educator, wrote in a similar vein. “I was brought up in an orthodox Jewish household; but I cannot even remember a period in which either ritual or dogma had meaning for me,” he confessed. Why? He explained: “Both in England and America I have never been able to see in any of the organized churches a faith in its principles sufficient to make it do serious battle for justice.”

Again, he said: “I cannot see, in the historic process, that the churches have been other than the enemies of reason in thought and of justice in social arrangements.”

Has the conduct of the churches caused you, too, to doubt the existence of God? It is true, their hypocrisy and wrong conduct are a matter of historical record. Note, however, that the Bible, the foremost source of information about God, foretold the rise of just such a perversion of the Christian faith: “They will preserve all the outward form of religion, although they have long been strangers to its meaning.”​—2 Timothy 3:5, Knox.

In fact, the shortcomings of established religion are no reason to conclude that God does not exist. If a sick person has been cheated by a quack doctor, he should not thus conclude that no cure is possible. Rather, he should look around for a genuine doctor. Similarly, the fact that the established churches have turned many people away from God does not mean that God cannot be found. It merely means that you have to look somewhere else for him.

Unknowable or Unknown?

Some say that Huxley based his word “agnostic” on a word that appears in the Bible. According to the record in the Bible book of Acts, the apostle Paul when preaching to the Athenians reminded them of an altar in Athens inscribed “To an Unknown [Agnosto in Greek] God.” (Acts 17:23) Was Paul saying that this God, unknown to the wise men of Athens, was unknowable? Far from it. In fact, he went on to explain to the Athenians how they could come to know him.

Today, too, although God is unknown to many, he is not unknowable. The Bible indicates one way that we can learn something about him: “His invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made.” (Romans 1:20) The comments of those whose profession it is to study “the things made” support this statement.

Albert Einstein, the foremost scientific theorist of the 20th century, did not believe in the God of the Bible. Nevertheless, his researches into the nature of the universe inspired in him a sense of wonder that came close to acknowledging the existence of God.

In his book Out of My Later Years, Einstein discusses the experience of learning about the underlying unity of nature. He then said: “Whoever has undergone the intense experience of successful advances made in this domain, is moved by profound reverence for the rationality made manifest in existence.” He went on: “By way of the understanding he achieves a far-reaching emancipation from the shackles of personal hopes and desires, and thereby attains that humble attitude of mind towards the grandeur of reason incarnate in existence, and which, in its profoundest depths, is inaccessible to man.”

It is not a long step from acknowledging the “rationality made manifest in existence,” and “the grandeur of reason incarnate in existence,” to accepting that behind it all there must be a great Reasoner or Source of rationality. One who made that step was A. R. Wallace, contemporary with Darwin and promoter of the evolution theory and the doctrine of survival of the fittest.

Although he firmly believed in man’s descent from the beasts, Wallace saw something in man that proved to him that Someone higher than man must exist. That “something” was man’s high sense of morality and his intellectual potential.

“I cannot impute this in any way to ‘survival of the fittest,’” he wrote. Rather, he maintained, these qualities “afford us the surest proof that there are other and higher existences than ourselves, from whom these qualities may have been derived, and towards whom we may be ever tending.”

The researches of Oxford University mathematics professor E. A. Milne strongly convinced him that God exists. Modern science shows with increasing clarity the complexity and beauty of the laws governing the universe. Milne felt that we have to accept the existence of God to explain both where matter came from and who originated the laws of nature that control that matter. “If there is a mystery about the creation of matter,” he maintained, “there would be a still greater mystery about the creation of arbitrary laws to govern it.”

Hence, said mathematical physicist Milne, “Though I have had my periods of agnosticism, I have always recovered from them. I do most fervently believe that this universe was created by Almighty God.”

The Plight of an Agnostic

It has been noted that man by nature has an instinctive need to worship. Those who hold the position of agnostics or atheists may find something lacking if they consider their position closely​—rather like a child who is brought up in an orphanage and who feels a sense of loss at never having known his parents.

Even such a convinced unbeliever as the great mathematician Bertrand Russell admitted late in life: “I am strangely unhappy because the pattern of my life is complicated, because my nature is hopelessly complicated. . . . The centre of me is always and eternally a terrible pain​—a curious wild pain—​a searching for something beyond what the world contains, something transfigured and infinite​—a beatific vision—​God​—I do not find it, I do not think it is to be found.”

It is to be found, though. Not only do millions of people today strongly believe in God but they know him, trust him, and have a personal relationship with him. They are grateful to science for the deeper insight it has given them into God’s “invisible qualities.” (Romans 1:20) However, they have found their faith deepened even more by studying the book that contains a record of God’s dealings with mankind, the Bible.

The Bible does not build in us a mere credulous belief in God. Rather, it encourages us to develop a proved faith. “Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.” (Hebrews 11:1) Belief in the reality​—though unseen—​of God can be obtained through examining the “things made,” and, especially, by a study of the Bible. If you are an agnostic, we encourage you to examine the evidence again. Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to help you do so.

[Blurb on page 9]

“I cannot see, in the historic process, that the churches have been other than the enemies of reason in thought and of justice in social arrangements.”​—Harold Laski

[Blurb on page 10]

“Though I have had my periods of agnosticism, I have always recovered from them. I do most fervently believe that this universe was created by Almighty God.”​—Professor E. A. Milne

It Can Hurt the Children

Is there such a thing as “passive smoking”? In other words, can children be harmed by the cigarettes that their parents smoke? This question is hotly debated, but, according to Science News, additional evidence now available suggests that over a period of time they can.

The magazine refers to a study, conducted by scientists in Boston, of 1,156 children who spent more time around their mothers than around their fathers. Some of the mothers smoked, and some did not. The result: “After five years, the lungs of non-smoking children with mothers who smoke grow at only 93 percent of the rate of growth in non-smoking children with mothers who do not smoke.” Their conclusion? “Passive exposure to maternal cigarette smoke may have important effects on the development of pulmonary [lung] function in children.”

According to Science News, the scientists had previously reported that children of smokers had an overall poorer lung function than did children of nonsmokers.

An Insecticide That Smells Good

Insecticides are not noted for their pleasant smell. Moreover, they can often be downright hazardous to your health. But according to the magazine Science News, scientists at the University of Georgia recently announced that they had found one that was both safe and easy on the nostrils.

The insecticide is found in the skin of fruits such as oranges and lemons. Preliminary studies, says Science News, have revealed that oil from these citrus peels “killed all insects tested​—fire ants, houseflies, stable flies, black soldier flies, paper wasps and grey crickets.” It goes on: “Citrus peels seem to be non-toxic to humans and other vertebrates in our everyday contacts and are used as flavorings in soft drinks and baking.”

Scientists are now trying to determine exactly what it is in the fruit peels that so effectively kills insects.

Young People Ask . . .

How Important Are Grades?

SOME feel their pulse take off like a race car. Others manage to muster up at least a semblance of calm. But whether it is with near panic or nonchalance, every student faces that day of reckoning when report cards are handed out.

Why such anxiety? Many youths feel caught in a vise of pressure from parents (“If you fail math, no TV for a month!”) and teachers (“You’re going to have to pull up your grade-point average if you want to graduate.”). No wonder, then, that when a number of elementary school students were asked, ‘What do you worry about most?’ 51 percent said, “Grades”!

Interestingly, some educators claim that grades can foster competition, create harsh pressures and even take the enjoyment out of learning. No wonder, then, that students often resent grades. One high school student even asserted: “There shouldn’t be any grade of failing. If a person takes a hard subject and makes a failing grade of 50, this still is 50 percent more than he knew to begin with.”

You may therefore wonder if grades are really worth the anxiety generated by: writing reports until your arm feels like it’s going to fall off, plowing through dull books, memorizing endless lists, cramming for final exams. ‘What’s the point of it all?’ you might ask. ‘Do grades really mean anything?’

Grades in Perspective

School​—love it or hate it—​fills a vital need. Says high-school teacher Barbara Mayer: “Its purpose is to give individuals as much knowledge and as many skills as possible to help them live good, rewarding, and successful lives.” And generally a secondary education is adequate to accomplish this. But how do others judge whether you have absorbed this knowledge or mastered those skills? Often it is by the grades you make in school. ‘That’s unfair!’ you may object. But it is often a hard fact of life. For example, in a recent Wall Street Journal article, employers were advised to “study the school record carefully” of a job applicant. “It is the best barometer for predicting attendance, work habits and personality characteristics,” the article continued.

So there are practical reasons for you to strive to make good grades. “Money is for a protection,” wrote Solomon. (Ecclesiastes 7:12) And if you do not master the basic skills taught in school, it may be difficult even to make money​—let alone save or spend it wisely. In one recent survey, though, youths expressed that having an interesting job was more important to them than having one with high pay, status or prestige. Well, mastering the basic skills often enlarges job opportunities. An expert on employment, Dr. Bernard Anderson, recently stated: “In the case of young people, we simply must move back toward a much greater stress on basic educational skills​—communication skills, computational skills and so forth.” Because new technologies often result in periodic retraining of employees, he added that “the premium will be on persons with high potential for training​—persons with very good basic skills.”

Wise King Solomon, though, shows that life has a far deeper purpose than holding down a job: “The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the true God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole obligation of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) The abilities to read well and to express oneself clearly are valuable assets for a youth who wants to ‘serve God and keep his commandments.’ The young man Timothy, for example, was told by the apostle Paul to ‘continue applying himself to public reading’ so as to be a more effective teacher in the congregation. (1 Timothy 4:13) And the apostles Peter and John, though considered “unlettered and ordinary” because of not having attended schools of higher learning, were nevertheless able to write portions of the Bible with the greatest skill!​—Acts 4:13.

But do grades and test scores really help you acquire these skills? They can. Why, Jesus Christ himself often tested his disciples’ understanding of certain matters. (Luke 9:18) Teachers today, however, often find it hard to know their students on such a personal basis; classrooms are often large. So testing and grading students enables teachers to tailor their teaching to the individual needs of the students. You, as a student, naturally benefit.

The book Measurement and Evaluation in the Schools further says: “Well-constructed tests which reflect classroom instruction can increase student learning by helping to develop study habits and directing intellectual energy toward the desired educational objectives. Test results can reveal areas of strength and weakness of individual students and act as motivating devices for future study.” And, of course, your grades give your parents some idea of how you are doing in school​—for better or for worse.

Nevertheless, it is important that you have a balanced view of grades, otherwise problems might develop.

‘Will We Be Tested on This?’

A high school student named Steven lamented: “I feel like I’m on an assembly line and that prefabricated bits of knowledge are being shoved at me, and I don’t have any time to digest anything.” Yes, too much concern about grades can make school seem more akin to a factory than a stimulating place of learning.

Obsession with grades can even create tensions among students. In some areas, for example, students are grouped together according to ability. Few youths, though, really want to be placed in a “slow” or “below average” class. Thus, grades can ignite fierce competition. Especially is this true when students are taught​—and believe—​the myth that receiving a “higher” education means happiness. The authors of one textbook on adolescence observe that “since college entrance is difficult in most places” students can be “caught up in a competitive maze that emphasizes grades and class rank rather than learning.” The situation in Japan (where great stress is placed on college) illustrates just how competitive education can become. There exams must be passed just to get into kindergarten!

Some respond to such pressures by becoming test takers instead of learners. Says Dr. William Glasser: “Children learn early in school to ask what is going to be on the test and . . . study only that material.” Veteran teacher Mary Susan Miller similarly recalls in her book Childstress!: “I have had . . . students who haggle consistently over a plus or a minus and count point values on test questions in order to challenge my grading. Achieving was the name of their game, not learning. They were the students who invariably broke into a class discussion, no matter how stimulating, to ask, ‘Do we have to know this for the test?’”

But why should you get trapped in this “competitive maze”? Warned Solomon: “And I myself have seen all the hard work and all the proficiency in work, that it means the rivalry of one toward another; this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4) Fierce competition, whether for material riches or academic accolades, is thus shown to be futile. God-fearing youths see the need to apply themselves in school. But they also know that happiness comes from putting spiritual interests first, trusting God to care for their material needs.​—Matthew 6:33.

Granted, then, grades create pressures and problems. But as Barbara Mayer observed in The High School Survival Guide: “The problem with grades in high school, however, comes with the great importance that they have come to carry.” So while grades may be important, they are not everything! Take grades for what they are worth​—at best a helpful way of gauging your academic progress. As high-school-aged Les says: “I like to get good grades. But they’re not my main thought in life.”

(Our next issue will continue this discussion on grades.)

[Picture on page 13]

Are good grades worth the hours of work and study they require?

[Picture on page 14]

Employers are on the lookout for youths who have mastered their basic school skills

Word-Search Game

“Receive the End of Your Faith”

In the letter maze shown at the right you should be able to locate 22 words or expressions found in 1 Peter chapter 1. To determine these words or expressions, complete the sentences shown below. Then locate these words in the letter maze and encircle them. (Answers found on page 27.)

1 Peter 1:6-9:

Those to whom Peter writes are grieved by ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ .(1)

But the tested quality of their ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (2) will be a cause for ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (3) and ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (4), at the Revelation of ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ .(5)

They will receive the end of their faith, ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (6) of their ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ .(7)

1 Peter 1:10-12:

Concerning this, the ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (8) made a diligent inquiry and a ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ,(9) investigating what ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (10) the spirit was indicating; . . . even ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (11) desire to peer into these things.

1 Peter 1:14-19:

So we should not be fashioned by the ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (12) we had in our ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (13) but become ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (14) in all our ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (15) for it was not with ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (16) things, with ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (17) or ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (18), that we were delivered from the ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (19) form of conduct received by tradition, but it was with ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (20) that is ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (21) like that of a ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (22) who is unblemished, spotless.

WORD-SEARCH-GAME SOLUTIONS

1. Various trials

2. Faith

3. Praise

4. Honor

5. Jesus Christ

6. Salvation

7. Souls

8. Prophets

9. Careful search

10. Season

11. Angels

12. Desires

13. Ignorance

14. Holy

15. Conduct

16. Corruptible

17. Gold

18. Silver

19. Fruitless

20. Blood

21. Precious

22. Lamb

What Happens to What You Eat?

“I’M HUNGRY!” When your body makes this urgent demand, few put up much resistance to it.

But did you ever wonder what happens to what you eat? (Besides depositing itself on the waistline, that is.) Jesus Christ once observed that “everything entering into the mouth passes along into the intestines and is discharged into the sewer.” (Matthew 15:17) But what happens in between and why it happens is for the most part a real mystery​—even to scientists. Let us, nevertheless, take a close look at current theories as to how the human machine is “fueled.”

Why You Get Hungry

The expression “you are what you eat” is overworked but nonetheless quite true. Your body cells are almost entirely composed of molecules extracted from foods and liquids you have consumed. Constantly your body is fueling, making, repairing or destroying these cells. So eating has a greater purpose than filling one’s stomach. It provides fuel and material for your body’s nonstop construction program. The Creator wisely designed us with a built-in alarm that lets us know when our bodies need more food.

Many researchers believe that a part of the brain called the hypothalamus​—not the stomach—​plays a large part in igniting the desire to eat. True, a person with an empty stomach can suffer what the Bible calls “the pangs of hunger”​—sharp stomach contractions. (Lamentations 5:10) But most of us have never experienced this. Often one’s eating is prompted by habit or by psychological factors. Why, just the sight or smell of food can initiate hunger! In addition, though, the brain seems to monitor the body’s level of glucose in the blood, and a drop in this level can make you feel hungry. Some even think that the brain has a predetermined “set-point” controlling how much body fat you have. Chemical “messengers” may inform the brain when fat levels are too low for the brain’s liking. As a result, you feel hungry. Fortunately, the brain also informs you when you have eaten enough. But if this system malfunctions (as it seems to do in some people), one may eat long past the point of satiation. This may be one of the many causes of obesity.

The Journey From Mouth to Stomach

Ever since God gave man permission to eat “all vegetation bearing seed which is on the surface of the whole earth,” man has been doing just that. (Genesis 1:29) After the Noachian Flood, man added another important item to his menu​—meat. (Genesis 9:3) Meat and vegetables supply vital nutrients, such as proteins, fats and starches. The problem is, however, that your body only assimilates small food molecules, whereas protein, fat and starch molecules are quite large. Digestion, therefore, chops these long chemical chains down to size.

From the moment you see, smell or even think about a tasty food item, your body prepares itself for digestion. Imagine, for example, that you have before your eyes a piece of juicy, boneless breast of chicken, nestled between two fresh slices of whole-wheat bread. Just the sight of it starts your mouth watering, doesn’t it? Secretly, your stomach starts secreting digestive fluids. Now take a healthy bite of this luscious treat and your body’s digestive system swings into full gear. Your mouth warms (or cools) the food to the right temperature. Chewing not only lets you savor the food but also grinds it to an easily swallowed pulp. Salivary glands help by pumping out saliva to moisten and soften the food. Enzymes in the saliva go to work on the bread, transforming starches into simple sugars.

From the mouth, your meal must now journey to its next stop​—the stomach. There the chicken can be digested. Take a swallow. A reflex action closes your windpipe so that the food slides into the gullet, or esophagus. Its stay there is quite brief, however. Within a few seconds, muscle contractions help move it down toward the stomach. “The contractions are so strong,” says one writer, “that food would be forced down even if the eater were standing on his or her head.” A one-way valve called the cardiac, or lower esophagal, sphincter allows the food to pass into the stomach but prevents gastric juices from flowing back into the esophagus.

Anyone who has ever had the unpleasant experience of vomiting knows that the stomach is nothing less than a vat of acid. So for several hours the food churns in hydrochloric acid and enzymes. There your chicken is blended, sterilized and broken down into protein molecules called polypeptides.

Unfortunately, some people have a deficiency of hydrochloric acid and stomach enzymes. As a consequence, their digestion is seriously impaired. They may stuff themselves on nutritious food but suffer malnutrition nonetheless. On the other hand, some have an excess of stomach acids and suffer the familiar heartburn or even develop ulcers. A person does well to watch his diet and not eat foods that generally cause him stomach upset. Be aware, too, of the effect of your emotions. In the days of Job, Elihu suffered emotional distress when stifling an urge to speak out. “Look!” said he, “My belly is like wine that has no vent; like new skin bottles it wants to burst open.” (Job 32:19) A person with a “calm heart,” however, may escape needless stomach distress.​—Proverbs 14:30.

Absorption and Distribution

Several hours in the stomach and the food is now a liquid mass called chyme. This liquid is gradually squirted into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. There the digestive process continues.

The liver then comes to the aid of enzymes present in the intestine by producing bile​—a yellowish alkaline fluid. Your body produces about 17 to 27 fluidounces (500 to 800 ml) of this salty fluid daily and stores it in the gallbladder. When needed, this organ secretes just enough bile to do its job of emulsifying fatty globules. This job accomplished, the enzymes are free to perform their chemical wonders. What’s left of your sandwich is transformed into microscopic particles! But how do these particles become a part of your body?

By absorption. You see, it takes the digested food some four hours to pass from the small intestine to the next step of its journey: the large intestine. In the meantime, it encounters millions of tiny, fingerlike projections called villi that line the walls of the small intestine. Through these villi, food is absorbed​—either into the lymph (lymphatic) system or into the blood system. The blood system carries away the digested food material to that remarkable “factory,” the liver. There molecules are broken down yet further. Now when your body cells need repair, the liver uses these raw materials to manufacture or synthesize “spare parts”​—amino acids and proteins. Too, it can store and later send out glucose to fuel your cells. The liver is also a warehouse. When further cell repair is needed, the body sends out a signal and the liver supplies some of the needed repair materials on demand.

What, though, of the food that wasn’t absorbed? Water eventually goes to the kidneys for elimination via the urinary bladder. Solid waste passes into the large intestine, or colon, for elimination through the rectum. Since the colon is at its most efficient when it is relatively full (and there is evidence of further health benefits), many doctors recommend a diet high in fiber, that is, indigestible materials such as bran, to aid in regular elimination.

“Wonderfully Made”

This brief survey of the body’s digestive system is a confirmation of the psalmist’s declaration: “I shall laud you [Jehovah] because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14) How intricately and marvelously designed we are! And not only has God given us the material and physical means to stay alive but he also has provided the direction and guidance needed to get the most out of life!​—John 17:3.

[Pictures on page 18]

Love Canal Again

Five years ago a health emergency was declared at Love Canal in upstate New York.a Toxic wastes had been dumped there that, officials decided, made it too dangerous for humans to live there any longer. Hence, most people moved away, but other living creatures stayed; among them were small brown animals with short tails and short ears known as meadow voles.

Recently some officials claimed that it was safe for humans to move back into the area​—although others disagreed. In view of this disagreement, a recent study of the meadow voles living in and around Love Canal is very interesting. The study was conducted by Professor John Christian and published in the magazine Natural History.

What did he find? He found that there was a big difference between the voles living right in the Love Canal dump area, those living near the dump and those living a mile away. While the average life span of voles living a mile from the area was 154 days, that for voles living close to the dump was 105 days. For voles actually living on the Love Canal dump, the life span averaged 84 days.

The precise reason why the Love Canal voles are dying so early is not yet known. But it seems to indicate that after five years the toxic wastes at Love Canal are still dangerous to living things.

[Footnotes]

“But the Falls Will All Disappear!”

By Awake! correspondent in Brazil

‘CAN’T something be done to save the falls?’ That was the question put to Brazil’s President João Figueiredo during his visit to the new, mammoth Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant in September 1982. How well it illustrated the controversy that surrounded the construction of the plant!

People who had lived and farmed in that area all their life were accustomed to the thunderous roar of their beloved Sete Quedas Falls. But, unbelievably, within a few weeks the falls would disappear​—buried under the huge lake to be formed by the damming of the Paraná River. The president’s answer: ‘If I save Sete Quedas, what will I do with that tremendous construction of Itaipu?’ only confirmed that the days of the falls really were numbered.

Itaipu (pronounced ee-tie-pooʹ, meaning “singing stone” in the Tupi-Guarani dialect) had been a source of conflict between industrialists and ecologists. From the point of view of Brazil, which spends $10 billion (U.S.) a year on oil imports, “Itaipu is more than just another power project, it is a symbol of a Brazilian development dream.” In fact, one enthusiastic government minister declared, “Building Itaipu is a question of civilization’s survival.”

What Price Itaipu?

The Sete Quedas Falls on the mighty Paraná River are not to be confused with their better-known neighbor, Iguaçu Falls, located on the Iguaçu River, a tributary of the Paraná. Concerning Sete Quedas, the Encyclopædia Britannica states: “The river has torn a 2-mi.a gorge through the red sandstone. . . . The result is a stupendous although not well-known sight. The river, which widens to a 3-mi. lagoon, suddenly becomes constricted between canyon walls only 300 ft.b apart. As a result the water boils in deafening crescendo, which can be heard for 20 mi., through several channels and some 18 cataracts in a total descent of approximately 300 ft.”

Local residents call it the place where the mighty Paraná goes wild. One geography professor put it this way, “There is no other more beautiful sequence of falls like it in the world.” No wonder, then, that to ecologists the burial of the falls was too high a price to pay! They, together with biologists, nature lovers, tourist agencies and, of course, the local inhabitants, wailed: “But the falls will all disappear!” And disappear they did!

On October 13, 1982, the diversion channel that had carried the Paraná River’s water during the years of the dam’s construction was closed. The river began to rise, slowly at first but later by as much as three feet an hour. Five days later, some 93 miles upstream, the effects of the rising waters began to be felt at the Sete Quedas Falls. Little by little the falls began to shrink in height as the water rose. Their deafening roar gradually diminished, as one by one the series of falls disappeared under the spreading lake, leaving only a series of ripples to indicate the location of what had been one of nature’s rare beauties. Finally, even the ripples smoothed out to become part of an enormous, serene lake, eerie in its utter silence. Yes, Sete Quedas had disappeared!

“Nature Loses Out”

The new Itaipu Lake, situated on the Brazil-Paraguay border, is about 420 feet deep and covers over 300 square milesc of farmland and 230 square miles of virgin forest. A preliminary study showed that in the area there were at least 117 species of subtropical flora, 90 species of fish, besides dozens of species of animal life, including jaguars, tapirs, hedgehogs and deer. Along with the falls, a number of historical and archaeological sites were buried in the watery grave. Of more concern were the hundred thousand people whose land had been expropriated for the project and who had to be transferred and settled elsewhere. All of these were weighty arguments for those who had opposed the construction of the Itaipu Dam.

On the other hand, advocates of the power project maintained that none of these arguments were strong enough to warrant delaying the construction. They argued: Expropriation costs would be minimal and included in the overall cost of the dam. Efforts would be made to round up and transfer animals to special reserves to be set up for that purpose. The huge lake that would be formed would no doubt attract more tourists than Sete Quedas ever had. And, of course, their strongest argument was the need for a new energy source to offset the enormous cost of importing oil.

And what was the result of the controversy? “In the fight between progress and nature, nature loses out,” answered Veja magazine. Consequently, in 1973 steps were taken to begin construction of what was to be the world’s largest hydroelectric plant, supplanting Grand Coulee Dam in the United States. Nearly ten years later the construction was completed. And on November 5, 1982, switches were thrown, opening the sluice gates permitting the Paraná River to return to its normal flow after the formation of the lake behind the dam. Installation of the turbines and generators would come later.

An International Project

The construction of the hydroelectric plant was a binational venture, with Brazilians and Paraguayans sharing the work, the cost and also the energy to be produced. Originally estimated at $2 billion (U.S.), the cost of the project has soared to over $14 billion. Inflation took its toll!

Nevertheless, both sides were jubilant when construction was completed two months ahead of schedule. States a booklet published by Itaipu Binacional: “The Itaipu project constitutes the greatest binational undertaking in history, contributing greatly to stimulate the economy of the two countries and to strengthen even more the bonds of fraternal friendship that unite Brazil and Paraguay.”

But those “bonds of fraternal friendship” were strained at times. One of the first problems had to do with the future electrical output of the plant, then in its planning stages. The binational contract stated that there be equal distribution of energy output to the two countries. Any excess of power not used by Paraguay could be purchased only by Brazil. But there was a problem: Paraguay uses 50-cycle current, whereas Brazil uses 60-cycle.

The solution? After much discussion, evidently heated at times, it was finally decided that nine of the plant’s generators would produce 50-cycle current and nine would produce 60-cycle. Any electricity purchased by Brazil from Paraguay’s excess would be converted to direct current for transmission to Brazil’s industrial centers and then be reconverted into 60 cycles. This Solomonlike decision solved the problem​—but to the tune of an additional $450 million (U.S.).

Project “Animal Hunt”

With all this monumental activity, you might be wondering, ‘What about the promise to preserve the flora and fauna of the lake region?’ Reportedly, the promise was kept. This side project was labeled “mymba kuera” (Tupi-Guarani for “animal hunt”). A special team of 156 screened personnel were trained two years in advance to recognize the many animal species, to handle the hooks, nets, snares, traps and anesthetic weapons, and also to prepare cages for animals, snakes and spiders.

Permanent areas of refuge were prepared in advance with personnel trained to feed and care for the animals during the period of their adaptation to their new habitat. This personnel had to be ready to do their work in a minimum period of time. Why? Because it was realized that during the two weeks in which the giant lake would be forming, numerous small islands would appear as the water level rose. And the animals would naturally seek refuge on these islands. But as the water level continued rising, most of these islands would eventually be covered by water, drowning the animals. So the rescue work had to be done while the islands were still above water.

By actual count, 667 small islands were formed, but only 44 of these remained when the water reached its high-level mark. During the first few days, enough animals were rescued to “fill a Noah’s ark,” and by the time the animal hunt was over, about 9,200 creatures had been captured and transferred to the special reserves.

The hunt had its humorous side. Why, one small monkey escaped from its cage and opened the doors of other cages nearby, allowing a large number of snakes and spiders to escape! A lively game of hide-and-seek was played before the prankster was finally caged again.

As for the plant life, 110 species of palms, wild pineapple and ornamental plants were collected. Several species of orchids were included, three of which existed only in that area. In this way much of the local flora was preserved.

On the move, too, were the hundred thousand residents of the area. For months prior to the flooding of the lake, families could be seen leaving by truck, cart and on foot, taking with them to their new homes everything of value. Some families even took along with them their dead loved ones to bury them in a new location. All cemeteries were emptied, unclaimed bodies also being reburied in other cemeteries. No wonder there were mixed feelings as D day approached. One local resident made no effort to hide his tears, saying, ‘I felt a horrible agony when I saw that lake. I never want to see it again.’ Another sobbed as he watched the lake gradually swallow up the falls, “It is just as if I were burying my brother here. Sete Quedas were part of our family.”

The Controversy Is Not Over

November 5, 1982, has come and gone. The mighty Paraná again flows normally​—but without Sete Quedas. In their place, but farther downstream, is their huge concrete “tombstone.” Industry won, and nature lost. But the controversy continues. As the Estado de S. Paulo put it: ‘On the one hand stands Nature in all her beauty and variety; on the other hand the “goddess technocracy.”’

Interestingly, concern is now being expressed over the changes in the weather pattern. It is reported that already there have been observed changes in atmospheric pressure. Increased humidity, stronger winds, constant rain over a large area in the south of Brazil and in neighboring countries are causing much speculation. Some attribute the changes to the new lake’s existence. Others are equally vehement in denying that the lake could cause any change in weather patterns. No one knows for sure.

One thing, however, is certain: Sete Quedas have disappeared and live only in memory. In their place are the 18 turbines of the “singing stone,” Itaipu. One by one they will eventually begin to spin, bringing electricity to millions of people. Only time will tell whether they, too, will win the affection of many, just as did Sete Quedas, the falls that disappeared.

[Footnotes]

[Map on page 21]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Sete Quedas

Paraguay

Paraná River

Newly formed lake

Brazil

Itaipu

Iguaçu River

Iguaçu Falls

Patient Rights Challenged!

By Awake! correspondent in South Africa

“If a blood transfusion is not given within the next 6 hours, the patient could die.” These words formed part of an urgent application presented to the Supreme Court of South Africa, in Pretoria, on April 26, 1982.

WHOSE life was in danger? Why was the Supreme Court asked to decide whether this form of medical treatment should be administered or not? More importantly, what was the outcome?

Ten days earlier, Malcolm John Phillips, an electrical engineer of Johannesburg, had been involved in a serious motor accident some 186 miles (300 km) from his home. Soon the police were on the scene, and after more than two hours he was freed from the wreck and brought by ambulance to the nearest hospital, in Pietersburg. Although in serious condition, with both legs badly broken, Malcolm was still conscious on arrival. He informed the personnel that under no circumstances was he to be given a blood transfusion. Moreover, he offered to furnish a written statement absolving the doctor of legal responsibility for any possible unfavorable consequences resulting from such refusal. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Malcolm was concerned about obeying the Biblical command: “Keep abstaining from . . . blood.”​—Acts 15:19, 20, 28, 29.

At first, as he underwent emergency treatment in the hospital, his wishes were respected. However, after a few days he developed a lung infection and was urged to change his mind about blood. At his continued refusal, the orthopaedic surgeon involved took the matter to the Supreme Court. This was done without the knowledge of either Malcolm or his wife, Veronica, who was constantly at her husband’s side. Even Dr. Pierre du Toit Burger who was treating the lung infection knew nothing about it.

“On the 26th of April,” states Veronica, “I arrived at the hospital to visit my husband as usual. His condition was as it had been for the last few days. There was no indication of any deterioration from the 26th and no one gave me to understand that this was the case.”

Later that day Veronica received a shocking telephone call from a newspaper reporter with the Rand Daily Mail. He wanted to know how she felt about the order issued by the Supreme Court permitting any doctor at the hospital to force a blood transfusion on her husband. The orthopaedic surgeon who succeeded in obtaining this court order was away from the hospital that day. He telephoned Dr. Burger, instructing him to carry out the court decision. However, Dr. Burger refused, already having assured Malcolm that he would abide by his wishes.

Malcolm never did receive a blood transfusion. That same day, with the help of his wife, legal proceedings were initiated to protect his rights. The next day Malcolm’s firm kindly arranged to have him flown to another hospital nearer home.

Straightening Out a Legal Tangle

Do you find it hard to believe that an adult patient’s rights could so easily be overridden? Well, recent trends of thought may explain matters. In March 1982 the medical journal Geneeskunde carried an article entitled “Blood transfusion on Jehovah’s Witnesses.” It stated that a doctor should ignore a patient’s refusal to receive a blood transfusion. The writers, Professor T. Verschoor and N. J. Grobler, also claimed that if death should result from such refusal, the attendant doctor could be held responsible. This article was published one month before Malcolm’s accident.

By way of reply, about a year later an advocate of the Supreme Court, Professor Smit, wrote:

“This principle postulated by Grobler and Verschoor as supposedly inherent in South African law finally amounts to the following: A doctor has a professional duty to heal! . . . In the first place, such a legal obligation would be a serious infringement of personal rights, that is, rights with respect to physical integrity, privacy, etc. . . . Secondly, such a hypothetical (for it cannot be viewed as anything but a mere hypothesis) professional duty upon a doctor would have completely untenable and unrealistic consequences and implications for members of this profession. . . . Grobler and Verschoor restrict themselves to Jehovah’s Witnesses and vital blood transfusions. . . . But legal principles do not apply only to groups of persons and under certain circumstances, but are universal. . . . Jurists should seriously consider the matter before they impose almost Draconian and totally unrealistic duties on a certain group of persons in society.”​—South African Medical Journal, February 19, 1983.

In agreement with this, many people, including doctors and lawyers, were of the opinion that a serious legal error had taken place in the case of Malcolm Phillips. And so it is not surprising that after he had recovered sufficiently, Malcolm commenced legal proceedings in the Supreme Court to have the court order set aside. When the case was tried on March 9, 1983, the surgeon who made the original “urgent” application did not contest. Malcolm’s defense was led by Professor Strauss, author of the book Doctor, Patient and the Law. The legal brief he handed to the court contained such fine principles as the following:

“The Applicant [Malcolm Phillips] was fully capable of expressing his will and of refusing to be administered blood notwithstanding the fact that he was seriously injured in an accident. There is no principle in our law whereby a Court can overrule a patient’s will in these circumstances. . . . To perform a medical operation or to administer treatment to a person against his will or even without his consent amounts to an assault, for which the doctor may be criminally prosecuted . . . It is submitted that once the doctor has reasonable grounds for believing that the patient is a Jehovah’s Witness and has at an earlier stage expressed a firm refusal to be given a blood transfusion should this be contemplated at a future stage, the doctor has no right to override the will of the patient, nor, with respect, would a court of law be entitled to do so.”​—Italics ours.

The judge said he was satisfied that Malcolm Phillips was of sound mind at the relevant time and was entitled to refuse blood. The order previously made was erroneous, the judge said, and accordingly he ruled that it be set aside.

The Happy Outcome

Lovers of justice in South Africa are happy with this outcome. The right of a patient to accept or refuse certain treatment has been upheld. Malcolm Phillips did not die within the asserted six hours. As Dr. Burger, who treated him at the time, said: “Although the patient’s condition was serious and alarming, he was not dying.” Jehovah’s Witnesses deeply appreciate the services of such doctors, who are willing to treat the whole patient, respecting conscientious, Bible-based views.a

Although Malcolm’s recovery was slow, eventually he got back the use of his legs. Now, over a year after his accident, he is glad to be back at work. As a family head and an elder in the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he is quite busy. And he is especially delighted to participate once again in witnessing from house to house, sharing with others the good news of God’s Kingdom.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 25]

Many people were of the opinion that a serious legal error had taken place

[Picture on page 26]

Malcolm Phillips studying the Bible with his family one year after his accident

Heart Surgery Without Blood

Dr. Jacob Bergsland recently told the American Heart Association’s 56th annual scientific meeting about a method being used to perform open-heart surgery without blood on infants and children. The method was “originally developed for Jehovah’s Witnesses,” according to the New York Daily News. “It relies in part on meticulous efforts to minimize blood loss during surgery. Just as important, it also involves lowering the patient’s body temperature to slow the rate of organ activity and what is called dilutional therapy.”

In this therapy the patient’s blood is infused “with a standard hospital mixture of sterile water, minerals and starch or other nutrients,” says the report. “This reduces the proportion of oxygen-carrying red cells in the blood and, providing it is not overdone, has a protective effect during the surgery.”

Dilutional therapy has other advantages, notes the Daily News: “For one, the treated blood circulates more readily than unthinned blood; for another, it can be used when the patient has a rare blood type that is difficult to match or unavailable. Then, too, it avoids the risk of complications from exposure to poorly matched blood or blood unknowingly contaminated with hepatitis or other viruses.”

From Our Readers

Building Self-Respect

I am pleased to thank you for the articles “Why Don’t I Like Myself?” and “How Can I Build My Self-Respect?” (March 22 and April 8, 1983, “Young People Ask . . .”) I am 21 years of age and have problems similar to those mentioned. I can be happy one minute and suddenly I feel depressed. I feel certain that with the help of these articles I will be better able to solve the problems that arise.

L. R. P., Brazil

Reading Romance Novels

Thank you for the wonderful article “Are Romance Novels Harmless Reading?” (November 8, 1983) It’s really easy to become addicted to these novels because they’re just like TV soap operas. As you read more and more novels your senses gradually become dull, and you find you’re accepting wrong things that would have disgusted you before. The novels really can warp your sense of right and wrong. Sometimes I still feel tempted to escape into the fantasy world of romance novels, but now I can turn to this article for additional help to resist.

L. L., Canada

Mental Depression

After being out of work for one month, I became terribly depressed. Then while thumbing through some magazines in the waiting room of a government office my eye caught your magazine on the subject “You Can Fight Depression!” (September 8, 1981) I read through the article and obtained permission to get a Xerox copy of the article to take home to reread. I took note of the most important points applying to me and put the suggestions into practice. Little by little I noticed that my mind was reacting favorably and my depression was subsiding. Today I consider myself practically cured. Thanks to that article, I have been able to regain my emotional balance.

P. I. M., Brazil

Pornography

For several years I was very interested in pornography through erotic films and magazines, even though I felt it was improper. Now that I have read the article “Young People Ask . . . What’s the Harm in Pornography?” (April 22, 1983) I feel that I have just taken an antipornographic drink. I have experienced the painful and pernicious effects mentioned in the article. I don’t have words to express my gratitude for the fine help I have just received.

F. J. M., Brazil

Video Games

Thank you for the article “Young People Ask . . . Are Violent Video Games Really Harmful?” (September 8, 1983) Some of my friends own such video games, so I have been able to play them without it costing me anything. While playing them I was transferred into an isolated dream world where the primitive slogan applied: “Kill or be killed.” Thank you for calling my attention to the predominating disadvantages and harmful results of devices of this kind. Otherwise harmless fun perhaps would have escalated into total addiction.

L. L., Federal Republic of Germany

Watching the World

‘No Longer Funny’

● “For years cartoonists and satirists have had fun at the expense of the professional doomsayers,” writes Haynes Johnson in The Washington Post. After mentioning those who proclaim, “PREPARE! THE END OF THE WORLD IS NEAR,” he goes on to say: “And there, under the door at home the other day, was another familiar message in the form of a religious leaflet. ‘Are we nearing Armageddon?’ read the words superimposed over a glowering sky and a bolt of jagged lightning bearing down on us.” Then Johnson observes: “There was a time when that sort of message would bring indulgent smiles. Suddenly, it no longer seems funny.”

On Gambling

● According to the Church of England’s working party report, “gambling can be good for your health,” reports The Guardian of London. “Village fetes, annual dances and club socials would all be duller affairs without the odd raffle or tombola,” it says. One observer noted the effects of this gambling boom sweeping Britain and describes them as suicide, depression, divorce, unemployment and crime. The Guardian stated that 94 percent of the population say they gamble.

Religious Trend

● “Americans are getting more religious year by year. Paradoxically, they are getting less churchy,” according to a Gallup poll. It finds an increase of those seeking to find God, “but there’s no increase among those who look for him in church on Sunday.” It states that 73 percent of Americans in 1965 were church members compared to 67 percent now. It finds that more than half of the Catholics “weren’t at mass last Sunday.” Only 43.6 percent of the Protestants attended church, according to the poll. Over half of those polled felt that religion has the answer to the world’s problems and that there is a definite shift away from a reliance on science.

How Big Is the U.S. Government?

● The federal government of the United States is, “indeed, Big Business,” states The New York Times. It claims that the U.S. government spends “more than $91 million an hour, 24 hours a day.” It further shows that the federal government employs 2.8 million people and spends more than $130 billion a year on goods and services. It also is a big landowner as it owns one third of the United States landmass, an estimated 744 million acres. The report states that the government provides 95 million subsidized meals a day and gives medical care to 47 million people. According to the U.S.News & World Report, the government holds physical assets worth $12.5 trillion, which equals $53,800 for every man, woman and child in the country. So indeed the U.S. government is big.

Pledge of Allegiance​—Why?

● “Millions of teachers lead tens of millions of children each day in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Why?” asks Ray B. Knapp, professor of political science at the University of Northern Colorado. Professor Knapp feels that the Pledge of Allegiance has no place in schools, even though the Greeley, Colorado, school board ruled it could be voluntary. He recalls that one student was beaten by the other students when he refused to stand for the Pledge. Then Knapp asks: “Why should any school board be compelling the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance? Our Supreme Court settled the issue 40 years ago in the case of West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette.”

China’s Capital Punishment

● China’s death penalty for 29 offenses covers “criminals involved in homicide, rape, robbery, explosions and other activities that seriously threaten public safety,” says The New York Times. The report states that in two months after taking this hard line, crime fell to its lowest level in years, dropping 46.7 percent one month; 11.5 percent more the next month. A Peking authority reasons that if a murderer is not executed, others may feel that they can get away with it too. What has resulted from this hard-line approach? One Chinese man comments: “It used to be that you couldn’t go out after 11 P.M. Now it’s become completely safe.”

India’s Dowry Disputes

● “Although dowries were supposedly outlawed in 1961, dowry deaths have become a modern plague throughout India,” reports Canada’s Globe and Mail. The complaints by the in-laws are that dowries of the young brides are not large enough. There are instances, it is claimed, where the in-laws have poured kerosene over the bride and burned her to death because the dowry was too small. Some young girls were forced into prostitution to raise enough money to get married, says the report. Some things demanded by the groom are “television sets, scooters, and even cars and video-recorders.” India’s prime minister, Indira Gandhi, stated that the dowry system is barbaric and “it should go.”

More Abortions Than Live Births

● According to Toronto’s Globe and Mail, “there are more abortions than live births among City of Toronto residents.” There were 7,597 live births in Toronto in 1981 compared to 8,313 abortions in the same year. In 1975 “the number of live births . . . was almost double the number of abortions.” Some women have to wait up to six weeks for an abortion. The report adds that married women or those living with a man accounted for 28 percent of the abortions, single women for 63 percent. “The rest were listed as separated, divorced or widowed.” Abortions among teenagers doubled from 1975 to 1981.

Never-Ending Universe

● Some scientists speculate that the universe will some day collapse. However, London’s Daily Telegraph reports: “New evidence that the Universe will continue to expand forever, so that life could go on existing almost for eternity, was presented by a team of astronomers.” This team of astronomers made up of British, Australian and Chinese, went on to show that the “universe cannot, after all, collapse under its own weight, as many scientists have predicted.” In harmony with this conclusion, the Bible shows, at Isaiah 40:26, that Jehovah God is the Source of dynamic energy, and Psalm 90:2 shows that he is eternal.

New Typewriter Sets Record

● A new kind of typewriter has been invented that, according to a Dutch company, has broken the world record for typing speed. The claim is made that a typing speed of 1,000 characters per minute has been attained. The conventional typewriter world record is 683 characters per minute. This machine types syllables instead of single characters. “The keyboard is arranged to minimise finger movements and balance the work load between the two hands,” reports New Scientist magazine. It also incorporates a microprocessor that prevents the typist from “transposing letters at high speeds.”

Singing ‘Idol’?

● “Young girls fainted ‘like flies dropping’ . . . At least three teenagers were trampled . . . 11 car roofs were crushed and a City Hall window was broken.” What was the occasion? The appearance of a famous rock singer outside City Hall in New York City. The New York Post described it as “pandemonium” and said that a “deafening scream” rose from the adoring fans when he appeared. The entertainer had retreated from the City Hall steps to within the building when his fans surged past police lines. The rock star finally changed into a policeman’s uniform to escape the crowd.

Ponderous Pumpkin

● A retired resident of Falmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, is this season’s world champion in growing giant pumpkins. His entry weighed in at a hefty 481 pounds (218 kg), unseating the former champion. The runner-up and winner for the last four years entered a 476-pound (216-kg) specimen. However, the latter still holds the all-time world record for the largest pumpkin grown, a ponderous 493.5-pounder (223.9 kg)! An international telephone link this year truly made the annual event a world competition. Sites of judging were in Canada, the United States and England. A seed grower in England had even offered £10,000 ($14,600, U.S.) to any grower in England who could best the entries. The British entry was a respectable 400-pound (181-kg) pumpkin.

Hearing-Aid News

● There may be good news coming for those needing hearing aids. After five years of research Japan has developed “the world’s first ultrasmall, highly efficient hearing aid,” reports the Mainichi Daily News. The new aid consists of a mike, an amplifier, an electric cell, a connector and a vibrator. It weighs from 16 grams to 36 grams (.5 to 1 oz), depending on the type of electric cell required. It conveys sounds to the stapes linked to the inner ear and produces “much clearer sounds with no distortion, compared with conventional aids,” concludes the report.

Extraordinary Marathon

● After running 541 miles (870 km), 23 miles (37 km) a day, on the Pacific Coast Highway, a young lad ten years of age decided to run across the United States. Starting out from the West Coast June 6, 163 days later, November 16, found him completing his 3,424-mile (5,509-km) marathon, “dashing” down Broadway in New York City with a full police escort, reports the New York Post. Why did he do it? Suffering from a disability that makes learning and speaking difficult for him and being taunted for this, “he was a young man with something to prove,” the report says.

“Good Samaritan” Law

● “A 13-year-old girl was raped over 40 minutes by two youths as several people stood by. Police finally were summoned by a 11-year-old boy,” reports The New York Times. To prevent such incidents, the state of Minnesota enacted a law “making it a duty to assist” a person in an emergency. Other states have “Good Samaritan” laws that “relieve a person of liability when they render aid in an emergency,” but the amendment to the law in Minnesota makes it a duty. In violent situations reasonable help is required without endangering oneself. This may mean calling the police. “Witnesses whose neglect increased damage to the victim may be at least partially liable in court,” it is reported.

Now the “New Testament” on 18 Cassettes . . . in One Handy Album

The entire Christian Greek Scriptures is now available on cassette tapes. Listen to the Bible at home while you are doing housework or play the recordings for your children. Listen to them in your car on the way to work or while on trips. Listen to God’s Word when you are sick and bedridden. An attractive brown vinyl album is now available to hold your Kingdom recordings. The album, complete with the Greek Scriptures (18 cassettes), is $30.

Please send me, postpaid, the brown vinyl album with the entire Greek Scriptures (18 cassettes). I enclose $30 (U.S.).

Are You Looking For A Marriage Mate?

What qualities in a mate will contribute most to a happy marriage? A young woman who was wondering about this wrote in a letter of appreciation:

“I really didn’t have anywhere I could go to for information on choosing a mate or what questions to ask yourself when considering marriage. I have been praying continually to Jehovah for help in choosing my mate . . . I could hardly believe it when the book Making Your Family Life Happy was released. It was truly an answer to my prayers. And I know it will help me to become a good wife, one my husband will be proud of. I thank you for publishing the new book. It is greatly appreciated by me.”

If you desire help in making your marriage a happier one, you can benefit from this book. Receive a copy by filling in and mailing the coupon.

Please send, postpaid, the hardbound, 192-page book Making Your Family Life Happy. I enclose 75 cents (U.S.).