Yearbook—1984

Title Page/Publishers’ Page

1984 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Containing Report for the Service Year of 1983

Also Daily Text and Comments

Jehovah’s Witnesses, in imitation of Jesus Christ, are determined to make love a dominant part of their personality, ‘clothing themselves with it, for it is a perfect bond of union.’—Col. 3:14.

Index of Countries

Page

24 1983 Service Year Report, 205 Countries

Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times in:

66 Belgium

126 Alaska

161 Fiji and Neighboring Islands

260 Yeartext for 1984

261 Daily Text and Comments

1984 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Proclaimers of the Good News!

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES are declaring “everlasting good news,” and millions are responding to the message.—Rev. 14:6.

Although people can see that world conditions are critical, they may not understand their significance. Jehovah’s Witnesses are proclaiming that these events are a sign of the time of the end for this system of things and that God’s day of deliverance is at hand. That is “good news”!

The Witnesses believe that since the year 1914 mankind has been living in the last days of this wicked system. Deliverance from Satan’s system into Jehovah’s righteous New Order under Christ’s Kingdom rule will come about by eliminating the incorrigibly wicked at God’s war on the battlefield of Armageddon.—Rev. 16:16.

They also believe that millions will survive Armageddon to live in the earthly Paradise of God’s promise and that they will be joined by many millions more through a resurrection from the dead. Those finally approved will live forever in perfection on an earth created to last forever. That is the Kingdom good news that Jehovah’s Witnesses are declaring throughout the world “for a witness to all the nations.”—Matt. 24:14.

Bearers of this good news are commissioned by Jehovah to proclaim not only “the year of goodwill on the part of Jehovah” but also “the day of vengeance on the part of our God.” (Isa. 61:1, 2) With reference to this time, the disciples of Jesus asked him: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matt. 24:3) Jesus listed these events as part of the sign: great wars, famine, pestilences, earthquakes, persecution of his followers, increasing lawlessness, and nations in anguish, not knowing the way out of their dilemma.—Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21.

Since 1914 two world wars have killed 69 million persons. Smaller wars have added millions more to the casualty list. Famine is widespread. One billion people are now starving or are desperately undernourished. Since World War I, pestilences have swept the earth. There has also been a rapid rise in the death toll from heart failure, cancer and other degenerative diseases.

More than 1,600,000 have died in earthquakes since 1914, and during the past year further major earthquakes have struck, killing thousands more.

Moral standards are crumbling. Immorality sweeps in like a tidal wave under the euphemistic label “new morality.” Adultery is viewed by many as normal, and fidelity as prudish. Family ties and social relationships deteriorate as juvenile and adult delinquency flourishes. There is crime in the ghetto, crime in suburbia, crime in the highest echelon of business and of government.

Many of these things have occurred before, but they have not all occurred together or on such a large scale as they do today. However, one feature is unique to the time in which we live—that of “ruining the earth.” (Rev. 11:18) Global pollution is ruining the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil in which our food grows. Scientists warn that if polluters do not stop, the earth will be uninhabitable before this century ends. But it is Jehovah who will stop polluters in order to save the earth for his divine purpose. This is good news indeed for the human family!

HOW THE GOOD NEWS IS PREACHED

An outstanding part of the sign of the conclusion of this system of things is the fulfillment of Jesus’ command: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) Jesus foretold that such Kingdom proclaimers would be hated and persecuted in all the nations. Truly, this has been the experience of Jehovah’s Witnesses!—Matt. 24:9; Luke 21:12-19.

In spite of this, the Witnesses have expanded their preaching until it is now being done earth wide in 205 countries, by 46,235 congregations, in which 2,501,722 publishers are actively preaching. Hundreds of millions of books, Bibles and magazines are distributed annually, as the proclaimers of the good news go from house to house and make return visits on those who are interested. They also conduct Bible studies free of charge in the homes of those desirous of learning God’s purposes.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

More than a hundred years ago, around 1870, a few sincere Christians began to meet in the town of Allegheny in the state of Pennsylvania, U.S.A., to study the Bible. Out of this small group grew the worldwide organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These men and women have come from all walks of life, all religions, all nationalities, all tongues, and have gladly undertaken to carry out Jesus’ command to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom and to make disciples of people of all nations.—Rev. 7:9; Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20.

To organize the preaching and teaching work better, in 1881 these followers of Jesus Christ formed Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society. It was incorporated in 1884, and later the name of the corporation was changed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. The purpose for which the corporation was formed, said its charter, was to make possible a great Bible educational work. It had to do with the Kingdom message.

As time went on, similar legal, nonprofit religious corporations were organized in other lands. All these religious corporations work harmoniously together to accomplish one work, the preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom in all the world. So it is just as Jesus taught his followers—he is using his “faithful and discreet slave” organization to educate people in the truths of God’s Word. (Matt. 24:45-47) In harmony with Matthew 24:14, the good news has to be preached for a witness to all the nations before the end comes. Therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses keep up their organizational preaching, and they teach and train those persons that respond to the Kingdom message. Their desire is that all lovers of righteousness will join them in this most urgent work. And they hope that millions now living will never die but will survive with them as a distinct people through the war of the great day of God the Almighty, to enjoy Paradise on earth forever.

BRANCHES

So that the religious activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses may be carried on as smoothly as possible, the Watch Tower Society has established branches in many lands where the good news is now being proclaimed. The facilities in a number of these branches include printing plants where Bibles, books, magazines and other religious publications are produced for use by Jehovah’s Witnesses and for distribution worldwide to benefit truth seekers. The production and distribution of these publications, such as My Book of Bible Stories, You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth and the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, constitute an integral part of their religious activity.

During the past service year the 2,501,722 proclaimers spent 436,720,991 hours preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom. They distributed Bibles, books, magazines and pamphlets to people of all the principal nations. To date, this literature has appeared in some 190 languages.

The Watch Tower Society has sent out ministers and other representatives to the far corners of the world. These are serving in the capacity of missionaries, special pioneer workers, circuit and district overseers, and the expense for this activity alone was $20,084,360.82 last year. Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide have gladly supported this work through voluntary contributions.

BETHEL FAMILIES

Working at the Society’s headquarters and other factories, offices and farms are 6,582 members of Bethel families. Bethel means “House of God” and aptly identifies the residence of devoted men and women who care for the various activities at the 94 branch locations. The members of each Bethel family have a unique privilege of sacred service. They are able to spend their full time at various assigned duties that serve the interests of the Kingdom in all parts of the earth. By close cooperation, members of the Bethel family are able to accomplish a tremendous amount of work in getting the Kingdom message out in printed form in many languages. For example, during the past year they shared in producing a total of 53,517,808 Bibles, books and booklets, and 460,072,255 Watchtower and Awake! magazines, besides tracts, programs, handbills and millions of pieces of other printed matter. They also shared in preaching in association with many congregations to which they are assigned.

THE WORLD REPORT

A quick rundown of the figures in the world report indicates that the vast majority of the countries have seen increases in the number of publishers and in many features of the Kingdom work. For the 205 countries listed, there has been a 6.8-percent increase in Kingdom publishers reporting service activities. The peak in publishers was 2,652,323, which is a growth of 309,689 over last year’s average. The hours devoted to the preaching work also increased to the number of 436,720,991. There was a 9.8-percent increase in return visits and a 13.3-percent increase in Bible studies. It was thrilling to see the number of those baptized, 161,896, which represents a 16.9-percent increase over 1982.

Outstanding was the Memorial attendance for 1983. On March 29, after sundown, the beginning of the Biblical day of Nisan 14, we had the greatest number ever attending the Memorial of Christ’s death—6,767,707. That was an 8.2-percent increase over the previous year’s record attendance. This means that 514,920 more people were present, giving evidence that the brothers gave fine support to the arrangements to help many new ones to be present for this most important Christian event of the year. We cannot help but be impressed with the potential that exists for an increase in the number of proclaimers of the good news.

INCREASES IN COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY

In country after country we see living faith, as Jehovah’s Witnesses preach the good news. We rejoice to see in Norway a 5-percent increase in publishers, with more Bible studies being conducted than ever before. In the month of June almost 9,500 more hours were devoted to the field ministry than in June of 1982. Memorial attendance was 14,135; that is 1,071 more than last year.

Finland attained a new peak in publishers when 14,365 shared in the Kingdom service in April. Conditions in the world have many people in Finland puzzled; they are wondering where this world is heading. Many of these same people are now paying attention to the message of the Kingdom. Thousands of them are accepting a home Bible study.

For example, in November 1982 two sisters going from house to house with the Kingdom message met a young man who showed interest. They offered him the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, which he gladly accepted. He asked them if they would bring him a Bible later. In a week they returned with the Bible. He surprised them when he asked: “How can I become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” This young man was a teacher, also a top-ranking athlete and a highly respected sports coach. A home Bible study fortified him spiritually so that he was able to withstand much opposition and any temptations that came his way. At the “Kingdom Unity” District Convention in Helsinki this last summer, he symbolized his dedication and today he is active as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

India, with an average of 5,574 publishers, registered a 9-percent increase. Bangladesh and Nepal both show increases in publishers. The branch in India sent the keyboard layout and character designs for the Devanagari script, which, when set up on the Watch Tower’s MEPS computer, will give the branch the capability of typesetting Hindi, Marathi and Nepali, thus opening the door wider for millions more to hear the good news.

The 81,098 that attended the Memorial in Venezuela represented four times the number of publishers in that land! Zimbabwe had in attendance almost three times the number of its publishers. They had a 63-percent increase in the peak number of regular and auxiliary pioneers. Korea showed an outstanding increase in the pioneer work. The number of regular pioneers has passed 3,200, with an average increase of 39 percent. The auxiliary pioneers reached a new peak of 5,669 and averaged a 34-percent increase. This activity has contributed to new all-time peaks in publishers (over 33,000 for the first time) and in placements. Magazine placements have grown 36 percent, while the obtaining of subscriptions has increased 55 percent! One brother obtained 164 subscriptions in a single month and 656 subscriptions in nine months.

Denmark showed a 9-percent increase in the number of Bible studies during the year. The average number of pioneers rose by 9 percent and auxiliary pioneers by almost 30 percent. A young girl who was a drug addict began studying the Bible; she made a remarkable change from her previous life course. In five months’ time she was baptized. Her zeal moved her to auxiliary pioneer; then she became a regular pioneer. She now has a number of Bible studies with people of her former circle.

Austria rejoiced when, for the first time, the number of publishers went over the 15,000 mark. Belgium was also pleased when it passed its previous peak and now has more than 20,000 publishers. The number of pioneers increased 30 percent compared with the previous year.

Greece reports that now “all the brothers are very zealously preaching from door to door and are doing street work and informal witnessing. Their zeal for the preaching work is running very high.” The number of regular pioneers increased from 397 to 636 in a year. The peak number of auxiliary pioneers more than doubled to 2,456 in April. Bible studies were at a peak of 7,811 in April. And the number of publishers reached 21,143 in August, the 20th consecutive peak.

STORMS THAT FAILED TO STOP THE WITNESSES

In March 1983 Cyclone Oscar slammed into Fiji, leaving 10,000 people homeless; of these, 50 were Jehovah’s Witnesses. One Kingdom Hall was completely demolished, another badly damaged. About 100,000 people were put on food rations. One elder wrote: ‘When disaster struck, how quick the brothers were to respond!’ The Governing Body arranged finances to help the brothers build temporary shelters and receive food. Brothers from less damaged areas braved swollen rivers and landslides to aid in the rebuilding program. Seeing this, a man of the world said: “This is real Christianity!” In spite of two typhoons in March, the brothers reached a new all-time peak in publishers that month, namely, 806. Another peak was reached in June with 819.

MANY REMARKABLE EXPERIENCES

The increased Kingdom activity worldwide has brought the brothers much happiness and many fine experiences. A pioneer from a town in Crete had this to say: “We placed 800 tracts, along with 6 magazines and 2 books. We were full of enthusiasm. We experienced some opposition from a person who was prejudiced. He tried to arouse the people against us, but they would not respond. So when a priest walked by, he thought that the priest would support him. But to his surprise the priest replied: ‘They’re not doing anything wrong. It is just an advertisement, and that is not illegal.’ Then a teacher approached us, accepted a tract and magazines. He mentioned that he wanted to get to know the Witnesses better. A sister gave him the address of a Kingdom Hall, and the next day he attended the meeting. He is now making good progress in the truth.”

France writes: “It was a joy to see 77,867 publishers in the field during April—a fifth peak and a 10-percent increase over the previous year. Among the immigrant population, the majority of whom are Muslims from Algeria and Tunisia, the good news is finding its way into people’s hearts. With a close-knit religious and family structure, these people often meet up with severe problems when they take a stand for the truth.”

Back in 1979 several Witnesses had been attacked by a certain Muslim. A brother reports: “One day on my way to a meeting I saw him on his doorstep. ‘I don’t want you passing in front of my house anymore,’ the man said. To keep the peace, I took a small path that passed elsewhere, but he would follow me and shout abuses. Then he took out a knife and struck me on the nose. I prayed to Jehovah for help. Just then a couple of dogs appeared and started barking at him. This scared him, and he fled.

“All this hatred was because I had witnessed to his son who was a fellow worker of mine. At first the son thought I was a Catholic, and he did not want to listen. But I kept up the discussions, sharing with him what I had learned from the Bible. He closely observed how I treated workers on the job, to see whether I practiced what the Bible had to say. To please me, he accepted a couple of magazines. When I asked questions about various articles, he felt obliged to read them. He gradually started to ask questions himself. Then out of curiosity he came to a meeting at the Kingdom Hall. Finally, he inquired about a Bible study so that he could learn more. Little by little the truth of God’s Word started to penetrate. He began to make changes in his personality and he cut his hair. He got new clothes, much to the astonishment of his friends. Also he began to talk about the things he learned, but his friends made fun of him. In 1979 he symbolized his dedication to Jehovah by water immersion. The result of this informal witnessing is that 15 fellow workers, 7 Muslims, including 2 of this man’s fleshly brothers, have taken their stand for the truth in the face of severe persecution from their families. One of them has even enjoyed the privilege of regular and special pioneering.”

MORE NEW PEAKS

El Salvador, with 12,008 publishers, has had a series of new peaks. Their Memorial attendance reached 44,967.

In May the publishers in Ireland rose to a new peak of 2,215. The 127 baptized is the highest number in years, and that figure represents a 16.5-percent increase over the number baptized last year.

Senegal has made a special effort to preach in the interior, with good results. It reported a new peak of 389 publishers in May, as well as 688 Bible studies for the same month.

The Faroe Islands had a 15-percent increase in publishers. The average number of regular pioneers was up by 75 percent! In April, 34 percent of all publishers were either auxiliary or regular pioneers.

Ecuador had an outstanding Memorial attendance of 36,827. They have had nine publisher peaks during the 1983 service year, with 7,504 reporting in August—a 27-percent increase over last year’s average. Bible studies have grown by leaps and bounds, with eight new peaks for the year, the latest, in July, being 11,047, a 43-percent increase. For the first time ever the brothers in Ecuador are averaging one study per publisher. So prospects for future growth are indeed marvelous in that land!

There are, of course, countries that have had fantastic growth for many years. For example, Japan has had 56 consecutive peaks, with an average of 35 percent of its 77,577 publishers in the pioneer work! The number of publishers reached 82,160 in August, a 21-percent increase over the average of the last service year. Japan now has 1,504 congregations, and there is an average of more than 10 regular pioneers for every congregation!

Mexico, too, has been outstanding in its increase of publishers, reaching a peak of 133,852. They have conducted almost 160,000 home Bible studies, a 44-percent increase compared with 1982’s average. One family of four conducts 18 studies.

The United States also had an outstanding year of growth. It was thrilling to see a peak of 643,170 publishers taking an active part in the ministry. Particularly encouraging is the pioneer spirit, with an average of 29,197 enrolling in the auxiliary pioneer work each month. And the Memorial attendance of 1,574,212, with 74,928 more attending than last year, shows what potential lies ahead.

LIVE FOREVER AND BIBLE STORIES BOOKS

The book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth is indeed a gift from Jehovah. It has helped many to learn the truth. In Costa Rica what was thought to be a two-year supply of the book was exhausted in a few months. Thousands of new home Bible studies have been started with its help.

In Ireland a study was started in a Catholic home. The husband was bitterly opposed and threatened divorce. The wife, however, continued with her study. One day she gave her husband the Live Forever book. It had a powerful effect on him. He was attracted by its illustrations, also its clarity and directness. The next time the Witnesses called on his wife, they were greatly surprised by his more favorable attitude. This young Catholic couple were impressed to learn that God’s name is Jehovah and that religious titles for men are contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Shortly after the husband began his study with the help of the book, he quit smoking. Not long thereafter they both resigned from the Catholic Church and destroyed all their so-called holy pictures. The wife was baptized recently and shares in the auxiliary pioneer work. The husband, too, is making fine progress in the ministry.

My Book of Bible Stories is still a very popular book and is helping young and old to know the Bible and to transform their lives in imitation of some of the fine Bible characters discussed in the publication. For example, a young man in Jamaica had a reputation for being a dishonest person. He was arrested twice for larceny, and he smoked marijuana. He got a copy of the Bible Stories book and read it. Now he is a changed man. He stopped stealing. He quit all smoking. He got a haircut. He has now begun to tell others the good news. Throughout the neighborhood the changes in this young man have become a topic of conversation.

Not too long ago a pastor in Kenya got the Bible Stories book. He was scheduled to deliver his sermon, but he became so engrossed in the book that he forgot about conducting a religious service at the church. The parishioners waited and waited for him to show up. Then they sent two ministers to find out why he was not coming. When the two got to the pastor’s house, they found him reading the Bible Stories book. He had completely forgotten to go to church! But the two who came to find the pastor also got engrossed in the book, so much so that they failed to return to the church. Next the whole congregation went to the pastor’s house. To their surprise, they found the three discussing the Bible Stories book. That morning the church service was canceled. The congregation sat around in the pastor’s home and talked about My Book of Bible Stories. Requests for more information resulted from that timely distraction.

“KINGDOM UNITY” DISTRICT CONVENTIONS

The 1983 “Kingdom Unity” District Conventions highlighted the international unity of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The 104 district conventions in the contiguous United States attained an all-time peak attendance of 1,124,070. Those baptized at these conventions numbered 10,530.

In a world so divided, it was wonderful to observe the peace and unity of God’s people. The conventioners appreciated the directness and timeliness of all the counsel presented. Bible dramas emphasized the need for faithfulness, loyalty and integrity to Jehovah and his organization. The Declaration of Unity reaffirmed their determination to maintain the grand unity into which Jehovah has gathered them like a flock in his pen. “Who Are United in This Strife-Torn World?” was the title of the public talk on Sunday. Appropriately it outlined the Scriptural reasons for the international unity that Jehovah’s Witnesses enjoy. It pointed out that the Witnesses have become a “mighty nation” in the earth, drawing strength from being united under God’s Kingdom, a real government for lovers of righteousness.

A unique feature of the “Kingdom Unity” District Convention was the telephone tie lines that linked together many cities with a key convention center. On July 8 and 9, 48 cities were tied together by wire. Twenty-seven of these were conventions in the United States, 17 in Canada, 3 in Hawaii and one in Bermuda. The combined attendance for those 48 conventions was over 400,000. Being joined together in this manner, the brothers felt a real sense of unity.

BUILDING EXPANSION

Expansion in the field has meant the need to expand the facilities of a number of branches. Matters pertaining to property acquisitions and construction projects received attention in the following branches: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Martinique, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Tahiti, Trinidad, Venezuela, Zaïre, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In some places missionary homes had to be purchased.

Additionally there were construction projects involving Mountain Farm and Watchtower Farms in New York State. In Brooklyn, New York, the 360 Furman Street building and the 175 Pearl Street building were purchased to make room for the expansion taking place. New high-speed rotary offset presses were installed, as well as “burst” bindery equipment, to keep pace with the demand for literature in the field.

GROWING WORLD VIOLENCE

Jesus declared: “Because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off.” (Matt. 24:12) In many areas of the world it takes courage to carry on the preaching activity and to travel to assemblies. Consider our brothers in El Salvador. Because of warfare, it took a little group of seven adults and their children a day and a half to get to a circuit assembly. The trip ordinarily would have taken them six hours. Despite the time and funds spent they returned home happy for having attended the assembly.

Due to outbreaks of violence in that country, some Witnesses have had to abandon their homes and properties. There is often a lack of water and electricity. Brothers have shown themselves willing to risk their lives to help interested people who have chosen to remain. In one instance the brothers walked 14 miles (23 km) to see if they could encourage the brothers who had remained and who had been so affected. They were stopped, searched and questioned by the armed forces. The result? The soldiers were given a good witness, and literature was placed with them. When the brothers arrived at their destination, they were searched and questioned by the guerrilla authorities, who controlled the town. Again, a good witness was given. The brothers presented the brochure Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! and told them that it, along with the Bible, would show them how to find happiness. The men showed so much interest that the brothers explained to them how to use the brochure to help others back at the camp. When the publishers finally met up with the newly interested ones and some brothers who had become inactive, they were welcomed with great appreciation for having undergone such trouble and danger to visit the group.

“How can you prove that you are neutral?” a soldier asked one Witness, a sister. “By not taking sides. I’m not on your side nor am I on the side of the others,” was the reply. “How did you learn to speak so clearly and convincingly?” the soldier asked further. The Witness answered: “From the Bible. Jesus taught us to speak with boldness.”

About that time another soldier spotted her tape recorder and said: “Give me that tape recorder, Woman!” She replied: “I will not give it to you, although I know you are going to take it from me.” A woman accompanying the soldiers inquired: “Can you tell me how I can learn to explain my ideas to others as you do?” The reply: “Well, read the Bible.” The woman explained that they did not have much time to read. The sister then said: “In the tape recorder there is a tape; listen to it.” The soldiers left, taking the recorder with them.

That afternoon some fishermen came by the sister’s house. One of them asked: “Lady Catalina, did the soldiers take your tape recorder?” “How did you know?” she asked. “Well, we were passing by the guerrilla camp when we heard a voice say: ‘The Good News According to John.’” This sister is a fine example of courage in the face of danger.

OVERCOMING OPPOSITION

In an African land where the Kingdom work is banned, our brothers still speak the truth, but discreetly. At a filling station where a brother worked, a nun came by for gasoline. The brother spoke to her. He asked her questions, which led to a Bible study. The nun was prominent within the convent, and great effort was made to dissuade her from continuing her Bible study. Letters from “Mother Superiors” pressured her to stop the study. One “Mother Superior” made a journey by air to visit the nun. She reasoned with her this way: “If you continue with your study, you will lose all and have nothing in the end—no money, no furniture, no job, no place to go because all your relatives will disown you. What you face is a miserable life.”

“God will help me,” said the nun. The “Mother Superior” replied: “God does not do such things anymore.” To this the nun said: “Maybe the Catholic god does not do such things anymore.” But she was sure that the true God, Jehovah, would help her.

The nun committed her anxieties to Jehovah and continued her study. She resigned from the Catholic Church. Imagine her surprise when one of her relatives took her into her home! Shortly thereafter she got employment as a kindergarten teacher, even though it did not seem that she qualified for the job. She was allowed to take her furniture out of the convent and was given a settlement of a large sum of money. So in the end, she had money, furniture, housing and work. Most of all, she had her faith in Jehovah, a God who provides. She continues to make fine progress as a preacher of the good news, trusting in Jehovah.—Prov. 3:5, 6.

A young brother in Senegal tells how prayer helped him. Opposition started as soon as he began to associate with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He writes: “I found everyone against me. My parents threatened me. My father told me never to come home again. My mother not only refused to talk to me but cried incessantly. She thought I had a spell cast on me. Prayer to Jehovah is what helped me. I prayed day and night. Now, after my baptism, the attitude of my parents has softened somewhat. How happy I am to be able to help my family and to serve Jehovah who hears my prayers!”—Ps. 65:2.

REACHING OUT INTO RURAL AREAS

From Northern Ireland comes this experience: “We were trying to reach people in the rural areas, but I was having trouble with my car. So I decided that if it would not start the first time, I would work local territory instead. The car started the first time, and so we set out for the rural territory. We had a talk with a nice lady who recommended that we not go to the farm up the lane, because nobody was there. I decided to go anyway and leave a tract. When at the door, I felt: ‘Might as well give a knock.’ To my surprise a lady came to the door in a distressed state. Her first words: ‘Are you one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?’ When I replied that I was, she invited me in. I must say that she was absolutely delighted to meet one of the Witnesses.

“It so happened that three years previously, when she lived in Australia, she had a Bible study with one of the Witnesses. She felt that she did not have the courage to stand for the truth. Her family opposed her so severely that she stopped studying. She did not know that there were Witnesses in Northern Ireland. She felt that Jehovah had forsaken her. While I was there, the postman brought her a letter of encouragement from the sister with whom she had studied in Australia. On the following Sunday, she attended the meeting at the Kingdom Hall. She has done well spiritually ever since. The chain of circumstances made us feel that the angels were strongly at work that day.”

NEVER OVERLOOK THE LOWLY ONES

In an African land where the work is banned a Bible study was started with a schoolteacher. But the Witness did not give the teacher’s maidservant more attention than to greet her politely. The maid felt that she did not have enough education to qualify for such studies. She soon gave up this job for a better-paying one, and saved what money she could. When she thought she had enough, she went to the brother’s home and asked him to teach her the Bible. Now she could pay him. The money, of course, was not accepted. The brother pointed out the principle of Matthew 10:8: “You received free, give free.” A Bible study was started with her. She soon realized that she had to make changes in her life. She had had an immoral relationship with the teacher for whom she had worked. The two got married. Now they live together as husband and wife and are active in the Christian ministry.

KINDNESS BEARS FRUIT

Traveling from England to Ireland aboard a car ferry, a woman with a very young baby was feeling the distressing effects of seasickness. One of the Witness sisters offered to look after the baby until the woman felt better. After a three-and-a-half-hour journey, the woman thanked the sister for her help. “I really don’t know how to thank you for your kind help with the baby,” she said. The sister replied: “I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The next time a Witness calls at your door, please listen to what he has to say.” A few years went by, and then they met each other again. Where? At a district convention in Dublin! They embraced each other like long-lost sisters. This lady had indeed listened when a Witness called on her the next time. Now she and her husband are dedicated servants of Jehovah.

YOUTHS PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS

Judy lives in Nairobi. She is five years old. She accompanies her mother regularly in the field service. She knows how to give a simple magazine presentation. One month she placed over 50 magazines by herself.

Judy’s sister, Mary, is 13 years old. She, too, is a good Witness. One day at school her examination paper had the question: “Where are the dead?” Mary answered according to the Bible, that the dead are in the grave. The teacher marked her answer wrong. Mary went to the teacher to find out why her answer was wrong. The teacher said that ‘everybody knows that when you die you go to heaven.’ Mary opened her Bible to John 5:28, 29 and showed the teacher that the dead are in the grave awaiting a resurrection. Seeing what the Bible said, the teacher marked Mary’s paper as having the right answer and all the others wrong. As you can imagine, considerable discussion followed. This resulted in Mary’s placing 20 copies of the Secure Future booklet with her classmates. She even started a Bible study with a classmate. What a joy it was to see the classmate at the next circuit assembly!

Glancing back at the past service year’s activities and all that was accomplished, we can say humbly with the psalmist: “[Jehovah,] you have crowned the year with your goodness.” (Ps. 65:11) How? Because of the great witness given with the aid of his spirit.

[Chart on page 24-31]

1983 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE

(See publication)

Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times

Jesus Christ declared that “this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations”—despite opposition and obstacles! (Matt. 24:14) It is inspiring to read how Jehovah’s people in modern times are fulfilling Jesus’ words, no matter what the difficulties. You will be encouraged to read of the development of Kingdom preaching in the following lands:

BELGIUM: Learn how Jehovah’s work started among a few coal miners in the early 1900’s. Then came opposition, especially during the Nazi era. Read of marvelous examples of Jehovah’s protection upon his people—even the determined opposition of a Gestapo chief was frustrated. Postwar nationalism raised other obstacles, yet all were overcome with Jehovah’s help.

ALASKA: In this vast land Jehovah’s people have endured cold, snow and ice to reach people with the good news. Missionaries from Gilead helped blaze the trail of Kingdom preaching, getting the work on a solid footing. Learn how the missionaries coped with witnessing when there were only a couple of hours of light each day during the winter months. Reaching people in the interior has been a great challenge, yet the Kingdom message has gone out to all the inhabitants of Alaska, including the Indian, Eskimo and Aleut people.

FIJI AND NEIGHBORING ISLANDS: Here is a remarkable story of brothers going where the need is greater to open up the Kingdom work in remote islands of the South Pacific. The problem of vast distances and opposition from officials had to be overcome. This was done, all glory going to Jehovah.

May these accounts inspire you to overcome any obstacles or opposition in your territory as you endeavor to reach the people with the good news before the end comes.

Belgium

BELGIUM is situated at the crossroads between France, Germany, the Netherlands and England. Its history is closely linked with these nations, which many times settled their politico-religious differences here. During the domination of successive powers—Spanish, Austrian, French and Dutch—the Roman Catholic Church did not remain neutral. On the contrary, it distinguished itself, as history relates, by a barbarous slaughter of thousands of humans during the terrible Inquisition, supposedly in the name of God.

In 1830 Belgium declared independence, but this did not dispel the dense spiritual darkness. Charles Taze Russell, the first of Jehovah’s Witnesses to come to Belgium, visited the cities of Antwerp and Brussels in 1891 and perceived this religious darkness. As elsewhere, he found the people oppressed by apostate Christendom and deprived of Bible truths.

Fear of the clergy and of their unscriptural doctrine of a fiery hell kept the people from opening the pages of the Bible. They would say: “We are not allowed to read the Bible . . . This book is banned . . . It’s forbidden.” Some elderly people in small villages still remember the sinister prohibition of the Catholic Church against Bible reading.

But the claim that Belgium was a Catholic country could not prevent the carrying out of Christ’s command to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom. The message of God’s Kingdom that Brother Russell set out to spread was about to reach the hearts of sincere Catholics in this country, be they Dutch, French or German speaking.

The Flemings, who make up about 60 percent of the population, live in northern Belgium (called Flanders) and speak Dutch. The Walloons, who make up about 40 percent of the people, live in southern Belgium and speak French. Both ethnic groups also live in Brussels, the country’s capital. In addition, some 60,000 German-speaking people live in eastern Belgium near the German border.

THE FIRST SEEDS ARE PLANTED

One day in 1901 Jean-Baptiste Tilmant, Sr., of Jumet-Gohissart, a small coal-mining town on the outskirts of Charleroi, saw the books Millennial Dawna advertised in a newspaper. He immediately ordered the first two volumes and began reading them. What a comfort! What a thrill for him to see the truth of the Gospel shining forth! How could he possibly refrain from speaking about these things to his friends? The following year, in 1902, he gathered his friends together in his home to study the Holy Scriptures, and each Sunday thereafter this small group continued holding such meetings.

At that time the light of the truth had already penetrated into other European countries, particularly Switzerland, where Brother Adolphe Weber was taking care of Kingdom interests for part of Europe. Brother Tilmant’s great thirst for the truth moved him to write to this brother for more information. In answer, Brother Weber extended his missionary tours to Charleroi to strengthen the faith of this small group.

The spiritual food that “the faithful and discreet slave” had been giving out in the English language was now to be dispensed to the French-speaking people as well. In 1903 Zion’s Watch Tower appeared for the first time in French. The light of truth was destined to shine very brightly in this coal-mining area. So, regularly each Sunday, this small group of Bible Students, as they were then called, would go into the “field,” distributing the seeds of truth contained in the eight pages of this magazine. The magazines were offered to those coming out of Christendom’s churches on Sunday morning. Thus the first two French issues of Zion’s Watch Tower were given a wide distribution.

EXPANSION BEGINS

Little by little the small group at Jumet-Gohissart extended its preaching activity to other sections of the country, especially in the southern part where French was spoken. It was only later on that the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium was to be reached with the truth of God’s Kingdom.

Then, in August of 1904, ten years before the first world war, these courageous bearers of good news were seen carrying on their activity as far as Denain, in France. There, in front of a Baptist church, they once again offered the magazines to those coming out of the building. What resulted? Two years later, in 1906, a congregation was formed in Denain.

Other study groups were formed, as Jean-Baptiste Tilmant and his fellow workers courageously spread Bible truths. Such expansion made the opening of a literature depot necessary, and this was arranged at Jumet-Gohissart in the home of Brother Tilmant.

FROM FRANCE TO BELGIUM

Belgium is, of course, a next-door neighbor to France, and from now on it would no longer be the Belgian brothers who would go to France but vice versa. The groups established in France grew to the point that in 1913 over a thousand people gathered together at Denain to hear a talk by Brother J. F. Rutherford.

François Caré, who learned the truth in France, came to Liège about the year 1910 to visit a Protestant friend named Edouard Verdière. Brother Caré, no longer able to keep this burning fire of truth to himself, wanted to help his friend to get out of false religion. However, Mr. Verdière’s reaction was one of opposition, so much so that Brother Caré finally said, “I don’t want to discuss this with you any longer. I’m not going to throw my pearls before swine.” And with that, Brother Caré went to bed.

During the night Mr. Verdière kept turning that phrase over and over in his mind and next morning he asked the brother what he had meant. The brother replied that he would no longer mention the truth, as it was apparent that the “pearls” were not accepted. The man became more conciliatory, and so, after he returned to France, Brother Caré began sending the magazines regularly to his friend who was working in a coal mine. He had also sent him several volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. Rapidly his friend Verdière accepted the truth and began giving public talks. In fact, he was one of the brothers who spoke at Brother Jean-Baptiste Tilmant’s funeral in 1911.

So it came about that in this other section of Belgium, in Liège, the light of truth began to penetrate the spiritual darkness.

CLERGY OPPOSITION

In the same coal mine where Edouard Verdière worked was another sincere seeker of truth by the name of Leonard Smets. Leonard Smets was a very sincere Catholic, regularly attending religious services with his family. Even on his way to church he would pray, using his rosary. Of Flemish descent, he settled down in Heure-le-Romain, not far from Vivegnis, Liège. Then, in 1900, a Protestant offered him a Bible, saying, “I have God’s Book.”

One day while at confession, Leonard Smets confessed to the priest that he had been reading the Bible. The priest replied that if he wanted to be absolved of his sins, he would first have to bring the Bible to the priest. From that day on, Leonard Smets stopped attending the Catholic Church, thinking to himself: ‘If they are really sincere, they’ll come looking for me since it’s their duty to go out searching for the lost sheep.’ But the priest never came. So Leonard Smets started attending the Protestant religious services.

While at work in the coal mine, Smets would read his New Testament. Verdière noticed this one day, and wanting to know to which religion he belonged, he started singing a Protestant hymn. This caught the attention of Smets, who asked Verdière if he, too, was a Protestant. Verdière replied: “I used to be, but I have something better for you.” He then handed him a copy of Zion’s Watch Tower and gave him a thorough witness. That was in 1912.

In turn Leonard Smets did not keep this good news to himself but shared it with a Flemish fellow worker, Joseph Poelmans, a father of seven children. Disgusted with the teachings of Catholicism, this man had also turned to Protestantism. Upon reading the magazine that Smets gave him, however, he also recognized it as being the truth.

In due time these three miners, Verdière, Smets and Poelmans, decided to go and ask the Protestant minister of Herstal, Liège, about the teachings of the immortality of the human soul, the Trinity and hellfire. Instead of helping them, the pastor became very angry and chased them away! They discovered that he was no better than the Catholic priest. So the three of them started studying the Holy Scriptures regularly, using the magazines they had received from France.

FAMILY OPPOSITION

Brother Smets’ wife, who could not read or write, opposed his stand for the truth to such a degree that she was ready to leave him, taking their eight children with her. One day, before her husband’s return from work, she gathered her children together to tell them of her intentions. Her 15-year-old son, Marcel, the eldest of the children, who later on became a Witness, asked his mother: “Does Daddy beat you? Is he a drunkard? Does he keep his pay for himself?” Mrs. Smets replied, “No.” Marcel then informed his mother that he would not leave. At this very moment the father arrived home from work and very calmly said to his family, “If you leave, I’ll still continue to help you with the garden and chop the wood.” After such an expression of love, this family stayed united.

GROWTH BY 1912

By 1912 there were seven groups that met for study and service. They were located at Haine St. Paul, Flémalle-Haute, Engis, Amay, Ampsin and Liège, and at Jumet-Gohissart where the first group had been formed in 1902. These study groups met together once a month, and periodically Brother Weber from the Swiss office paid them a visit.

THEIR FIRST ASSEMBLY STRENGTHENS FAITH

Toward the beginning of the following year, the Belgian brothers received a visit from Brother J. F. Rutherford and held their first assembly at Jumet-Gohissart. How greatly this assembly strengthened their faith in the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom then so near at hand!

THEIR FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Some months later, on August 31, 1913, these same brothers had the privilege of attending another assembly, not in Belgium this time, but in Paris, France. There they gathered together for a one-day international convention with other Bible Students who had come from Switzerland, Germany and France to listen to the Watch Tower Society’s president, C. T. Russell. Brother Russell had just come from a somewhat larger convention held in Southport, England, but he was greatly moved to see an attendance of 70 zealous brothers and sisters who had traveled long distances and had come from four different lands. Although unable to understand their language, he could detect their deep interest for the truth, which showed on their faces. With the help of an interpreter, they were strengthened by the announcement that 1914 would be a marked year. What a memorable day that turned out to be!

1914—A MARKED YEAR

Before the beginning of that marked year, or in the latter part of 1913, the average attendance at the study groups was 70. Then 1914 arrived, and the people had not forgotten what those faithful publishers had foretold for that year. While the brothers were busy digging up their potatoes in the garden, the people would make fun of them because in 1913 the brothers had said that when 1914 arrived, people would dig up their potatoes to the sound of cannons. Shortly thereafter, the first world war broke out in Europe, transforming Belgium into a battlefield. The evidence that the Gentile Times had indeed ended encouraged these Bible Students to continue in their preaching assignments.—Luke 21:24-26.

During the war these humble coal miners were also zealous assembly attenders. To get to an assembly they would walk 99 kilometers (62 mi) from Liège to Charleroi, alongside the railroad tracks.

The years that followed 1914 were going to test each one’s faith to the limit. (Rev. 2:10) While 1914 proved to be the marked year spoken of in the Bible, it was not yet time for the Christian congregation to be carried away to heaven, as many brothers had expected. An unprecedented witnessing work had yet to be accomplished. Who would prove himself obedient to Christ’s command to preach “this good news of the kingdom” before the end would come? (Matt. 24:14) There were several who lacked the zeal, as well as the desire, to preach God’s Kingdom publicly, and they disassociated themselves from Jehovah’s people. Pamphlets, putting more emphasis on personal opinions than on God’s revealed truths, started to circulate among the small groups.

A CLEANSING WORK TAKES PLACE

In 1918, after the cleansing, or weeding out of those opposed to the harvest work, only five faithful servants of Jehovah were left to announce God’s Kingdom. They included: the Tilmant family, Brother Fontaine of Haine St. Paul, and Brothers Smets and Poelmans of Liège. Even Edouard Verdière, who had been so zealous in giving public talks and in showing the Photo-Drama of Creation, was no longer among them. Tears fell from Brother Poelmans’ eyes as he saw so many brothers withdrawing from Jehovah’s organization. About 30 years later, or around 1950, Edouard Verdière came back to Jehovah’s organization, and he continued in association with the brothers until his death.

Pamphlets printed by the “evil slave” continued circulating among the study groups. Unwavering faith in Jehovah and his visible organization was essential for one to stand up against those hoping to subvert the faithful brothers. During a meeting Brother Poelmans gave a clear and enthusiastic talk designed to uphold the brothers’ confidence in Jehovah’s organization. The speaker to follow, however, withdrew himself as he had prepared a talk completely different from that of Brother Poelmans.

Those who remained faithful did not lose courage. As never before, and with increased zeal, they proclaimed the Messianic Kingdom throughout the country, announcing that “Millions Now Living Will Never Die.” The result was that two years later, in 1920, the attendance at the Memorial was a total of 14 at Jumet-Gohissart and Charleroi and 40 at Liège. Those who stopped associating with Jehovah’s people in 1918, either because of fear of man or for refusing to cooperate with “the faithful and discreet slave,” sank into oblivion.

JEHOVAH BLESSES THE HUMBLE

The Dutch-speaking part of Belgium was not deprived of the Kingdom message for long. Brother J. Poelmans traveled the 120 kilometers (75 mi) by bicycle from Liège to Antwerp to spread the word of truth to the people there in Belgium’s largest city.

Brother Poelmans’ activity, however, was not limited to Antwerp. He and Brother L. Smets preached from door to door in Liège as well, although they were the only two who did. Neither of them could write very well, so they assigned the task of filling out their field service reports to those not participating in the house-to-house work. Their service reports were sent to the Swiss branch, which looked after the work in Belgium until 1929. The brothers at the office in Switzerland, however, insisted that these two brothers fill out their reports themselves, to the best of their ability.

Brother Smets had acquired a remarkable understanding of the Bible. In 1931 he quit his job at the coal mine and became an auxiliary, or auxiliary pioneer, as we would say today. Imitating the apostle Paul, he became a burden to no one but worked as a cobbler to feed and care for his family. Even while repairing shoes he managed to read his Bible, opened up in front of him. He preserved an extraordinary clearness of mind right up until his death in 1964 at the age of 95.

ADVERTISE THE KINGDOM!

In 1922 Brother Poelmans had the opportunity to attend an assembly held at Denain, France, where, as he explains, he saw a brother holding up a large banner and calling out with a loud voice: “The King is at hand. Advertise the King and his Kingdom.” That morning all those in attendance went from house to house announcing the establishment of God’s Kingdom.

INCREASED ACTIVITY IN LIÈGE

The work took on its greatest impetus in the district of Liège, where Brothers Smets and Poelmans used every opportunity to give a witness. Having noticed that Brother Poelmans was of Flemish descent, the people nicknamed him “the little Fleming.” Even during a parade in 1925 in honor of the then king of Belgium, Albert I, Brothers Smets and Poelmans sought to make good use of their time. Mingling in with the others marching in the parade, they held up a large sign with the words: “Millions Now Living Will Never Die.” They followed the procession right to the end without being disturbed.

The small group of 13 at Liège kept growing as another valiant Kingdom publisher joined them in 1928. This was Ernest Heuse, Sr., and he is still pioneering at the age of 82. Today, his three children and their wives, as well as his three grandchildren and the wives of the two who are married, making a total of 12 in the family, are all serving full time. All together, at the end of 1982, they had spent 244 years in the full-time service. Most of them are special pioneers, some are in circuit and district work and one is serving on the Branch Committee.

While Brothers Poelmans, Smets and Heuse were busy going from house to house announcing God’s Kingdom, the other brothers criticized them, saying that they were incapable of doing such a work. These critics had forgotten that “God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame.” (1 Cor. 1:27) Those who were not progressive and who remained attached to their past way of living, influenced by false religious ideas, refused to put on the Christlike new personality. An example of this was seen in the attitude of the one presiding at the meetings of the small group in Liège. He preferred, as do the religious leaders, to call attention to himself as an elected elder instead of going in the field service. Before beginning the study of The Watch Tower, and since he was chairman, he was served with a cup of tea and a piece of cake, which he ate in front of the others who would sit there watching him. Then the meeting started.

Fear of man hindered still others from going from door to door with the publications during the day, so they waited until dusk. Then they would slip a few tracts under the doors or they would even pay a retired pensioner to do this for them. However, Jehovah proved to be with those who really loved him and who were not afraid of spreading his word of truth in broad daylight.

EXPANSION IN FLEMISH TERRITORY

Brother Poelmans continued visiting the Flemish territory, and in 1928 he made a return visit in Genk-Winterslag on a former coal miner who was Polish. This return visit on André Wozniak resulted in his coming into the truth. It was from this year onward that the Kingdom message made real progress in the Dutch-speaking part of the country. Up until then study groups existed only in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

Two years later, in 1930, Brother Wozniak started out in the colporteur work, or regular pioneer service as it is called today. He proved to be one of the most courageous colporteurs of the good news in the Flemish territory. He was a man of action, sincere and fully dedicated to the interests of God’s Kingdom. He served faithfully until his death at the age of 74, after spending 43 years in the full-time service, including the circuit and special pioneer activity.

BRANCH OFFICE ESTABLISHED

In 1929 it became appropriate for a branch office to be established in Belgium, and Brussels was chosen as the most suitable location. Brother Van Eijck of Holland served as branch overseer. This branch was still under the direct supervision of the Bern office, with Brother Martin Harbeck in charge, but as time went by, the Belgian branch came under the direct supervision of the Society’s headquarters in Brooklyn.

For the first time, extensive records of service activity were kept, showing 28 publishers during 1929 busy helping others to get free from religious bondage. Included in this number were nine colporteurs, who, together with the publishers, or class workers as they were then called, distributed 41,358 books and booklets that year.

FURTHER EXPANSION

The harvest was great, but the Lord’s workers were few in Belgium in 1930. Out of the 46 brothers, only 27 went from house to house preaching God’s Kingdom to the then 7,000,000 inhabitants of this country.

Nevertheless, the brothers, and especially the newly formed Brussels group, were greatly uplifted at their assembly held in Brussels that year. Of the 100 persons in attendance 20 came from France, Switzerland and England. Although they spoke 12 different languages, the brothers could sense the deep unity existing among them. It was at this assembly that Brother Wozniak decided to enter the pioneer service. He obtained much literature, enabling him to witness in another Dutch-speaking province of Belgium, the Limburg.

In that same year several English pioneers settled down in Flanders. One of them, Sister Louie Berry, had the privilege of attending a meeting in Brussels where 13 Bible Students had gathered together in a kitchen to discuss the words of Isaiah 60:22: “The little one himself will become a thousand.” Those words would certainly come true in Belgium.

Their first large international convention, held in May 1931 with 3,000 brothers from 23 lands meeting together in Paris, gave the Belgian brothers the needed incentive and determination to move forward to the best of their ability in their divinely assigned work.

But how was a small group of 27 publishers going to spread the good news throughout the whole country in the face of repeated assaults from the Catholic Church, which continually stirred up the people against them and pressured the police into expelling the foreign pioneers? Jehovah’s hand was present to protect these fearless publishers who obeyed Christ’s command to preach this good news of the Kingdom.—Isa. 51:16; Matt. 24:14.

PIONEERS’ STEADFASTNESS

The majority of the pioneers in Belgium had come from England, France and Switzerland. Those who found it difficult to speak Dutch or French used the testimony card to give a witness. These foreign brothers achieved excellent results. For example, in 1931 one Polish brother placed 2,110 books and 10,338 booklets, and an English pioneer placed 15,000 booklets. But these results were not achieved without opposition. As soon as the pioneers arrived in a village the Catholic priests hastily ran to the police to instigate their arrest. But the pioneers persisted in preaching and proved themselves to be a real support and encouragement for the little groups.

LEGAL ORGANIZATION FORMED

Unquestionably, the opposers of the truth were not rejoicing, and they put forth vigorous efforts to get the publishers arrested and to expel the foreign pioneers. To give the organization a legal representation, a nonprofit corporation was established under the designation Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and it was registered with legal statutes in the Belgian official journal, Le Moniteur Belge, on May 7, 1932.

It was in that same year, 1932, immediately preceding the declaring of 1933 to be a “holy year” by Pope Pius XI and the coming to power of the Nazi regime in Germany, that the Belgian brothers distributed over 196,000 books and booklets, more than double that of the preceding year.

FEARFUL CATHOLICS

The enemies continued their opposition without letup. Threats to expel the foreign pioneers and to arrest the publishers went hand in hand with the sermons of the Catholic priests, who stirred up their flocks against the proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. The people were struck with fear. In the Catholic province of Limburg the countryfolk even thought Brother Wozniak to be the Devil himself and whenever they met up with him they would make the sign of the cross. To overcome this obstacle Brother Wozniak bought himself a black bowler hat, which gave him a very distinguished appearance. Now the people looked upon him as being a respectable gentleman. With what result? He then distributed an average of 10 books and 100 booklets daily.

INCREASED OPPOSITION

In the German-speaking part of Belgium, Nazi groups began forming and they started attacking Brothers Belflamme and Novak while these brothers were distributing magazines in the city of Eupen. One group of 12 young Nazis savagely tore away their magazine bags. The attacks became so ruthless and shameful that the police had to step in to protect the brothers.

Elsewhere the authorities forbade the foreign pioneers to preach the Kingdom, and several pioneers were even expelled from the country. Now only 6 of the 26 pioneers who had reported in 1933 were left in the country. During 1934 appeals were made to King Leopold III, to the prime minister and to the minister of justice, but all in vain. Brother Wozniak, although hunted by the police, escaped expulsion. After a change in government took place, the minister of justice was replaced by a more liberal-minded man who granted Brother Wozniak permission to remain in Belgium.

IN THE ARDENNES

One day in 1934, in a village in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, two fleshly brothers, both Catholics, were discussing religion. “If there is nothing more than what the priests taught us,” said one to the other, “we don’t know anything about God.” Then one of them added: “If only we had a Bible!” A few days later their wish was granted, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses knocked at their door. These two sincere seekers of truth were now in possession of God’s Word.

Shortly thereafter one of them died, but the other one moved to Brussels and became another pillar for the Kingdom work in Belgium. This brother, Emile Schrantz, entered the pioneer service in 1936. Though patient and humble, he was dynamic in pursuing his ministerial career throughout the Dutch- and French-speaking parts of Belgium. During World War II, when the brothers were forced to go underground, he served as a zone servant, or circuit overseer as it is termed today. He was a man of faith and action, and today, in spite of his age, he still serves as a special pioneer.

He began his traveling pioneer work in a section of Belgium known as the Ardennes, where he would travel on bicycle through this sparsely populated land of scattered towns and villages perched on the wooded hillsides and where the people lived in a superstitious fear of the priests. The police often stopped him, but he would not comply with their orders to quit the Kingdom-preaching work. After having been stopped several times one week in Bastogne, he was finally taken to the police station and ordered by the chief of police to cease his preaching work immediately. Brother Schrantz simply replied, “No.” He never stopped preaching despite the many threats that reflected clergy opposition.

Encouragement was not easy to find. People would very rarely invite him indoors to listen to what he had to say. However, Jehovah proved to be his main source of encouragement. The only contact he had with the brothers was through letters he received from the Society, counseling him to follow the example of the prophets. When he felt discouraged, he would go to the edge of a wooded area and reread an article in The Golden Age on the prophets’ lot and then he would take to the road again.

Thanks to his teaching them the Bible, a few meek countryfolk in the Ardennes came to a knowledge of Jehovah and his truth. Today there are seven congregations serving the true God in this area.

THE “GREAT CROWD” BECOME MANIFEST

From 1935 onward, the “great crowd” started to make themselves manifest. These newly associated ones in Belgium showed the same zeal in Jehovah’s service as did the anointed ones. They were happy with their privileges. Thus Brother J. F. Rutherford, while at the 1935 Washington, D.C., convention, explained that the place to which Jehovah assigns us is, without any doubt, the best. This very important talk was transmitted to Brussels, and the continual applause from those in attendance at Washington made even the brothers in Brussels, who did not understand English, realize that an important message was being conveyed to the ends of the earth.

Of the 13 congregations in Belgium at that time, there were 3 Polish ones located at Liège, Charleroi and Beringen, and 3 others were made up of German brothers and were located at Genk, Eisden and Roux. Another congregation of ten publishers was formed at Ieper (Ypres), a Flemish city that had been completely destroyed during World War I. In this Catholic city an assembly was held in 1936. The 50 brothers who gathered together rejoiced when they saw 55 brothers from France arriving to join them in the door-to-door work. Brothers Harbeck and Gertz from Switzerland were among the speakers present. Now there are 15 congregations in the territory where those first ten Witnesses of the Ieper Congregation once worked.

THE 1935 BRUSSELS WORLD’S FAIR

The Brussels World’s Fair of 1935 helped tremendously to soften the attitude of the Belgian authorities toward the Kingdom work. Taking advantage of the World’s Fair, the brothers set up a literature stand there. A huge sign with the words “Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society” and “Jehovah’s Witnesses” attracted the attention of thousands of visitors. Many persons came back a second time for literature, while still others went directly to the branch office to procure a whole series of books. Thousands of catalogs were distributed to passersby, some of whom said: “This is the best thing we’ve found at the whole fair!”

The priests were furious when they saw the Society’s literature stand at the World’s Fair. One of them approached the brothers to ask if they had a license to sell their books there. Another one, taking the books in his hands, suddenly let them drop, as if he had been struck by lightning!

Books in 35 languages were also put on display in two large windows in the Graphic Arts Section. The Society was even awarded a silver medal in this section, but of great importance to the brothers was obtaining the legal right to preach the good news. Once again foreign pioneers could enter the country, and now their number increased to 14.

FEARLESS POLISH BROTHERS

At Charleroi courageous Polish brothers, who made a living by working in the coal mines, did much for the advancement of the work. Brothers François Brzoska, François Hankus, Albin Glowacz and Jean Radojewski, with the help of a German pioneer, did not hesitate to make known the Kingdom, in spite of their limited knowledge of the French language. Several courageous English pioneers, in particular Sisters Mona Pratt and Louie and Nancy Berry, Brother Ernest Senior and Brother and Sister Trinder, worked by their sides in accomplishing this most important Kingdom work.

CLERGY INFLUENCE LOSING ITS GRIP

After four years of legal struggles with the clergy-influenced police, the brothers noticed that the authorities adopted a more conciliatory attitude. For example, a pioneer, who had been accused by a Catholic mayor of going from door to door without a license, had to appear before the judge. A lively discussion ensued between the judge and the mayor. It ended when the judge furiously pounded on the table, declaring: “I’m the judge here; this man is free because he’s doing a good work. Or would you like me to take action against the Catholic nuns, too, when they go from door to door?”

TRANSCRIPTION MACHINES ON TRICYCLES

The brothers constructed two portable transcription machines. At Liège one of these machines, bought with the savings of Brothers Smets and Poelmans, was set up on a tricycle, which, with all its accessories and the battery, weighed 55 kilograms (120 lb). They would tour the marketplaces or stand in front of churches. The recorded talk could be heard several hundred feet away. Because of its weight, two brothers pulled the tricycle on which they would sometimes seat one or two of their children. They always kept an eye on the machine because at Visé some Catholic youths surrounded it, trying to topple it. In 1935 the brothers spent 27 days of 10 hours each doing this work. They distributed 369 booklets, 79 copies of The Golden Age, 7 books and one Bible among their 3,595 listeners.

A FAITHFUL EXAMPLE

During 1936 some new pioneers arrived in Belgium, one of whom was Werner Schutz from Switzerland. He had been assigned to France and served there until the police in Bar-le-Duc expelled him in 1935. He arrived at the Brussels office in January 1936. Now he had to learn a new language, Dutch, because he served in the Flemish city of Antwerp. At that time Brother Schutz was the only Witness in this city of more than 300,000 inhabitants, although this territory had already been partially worked by Brother Poelmans and the English sisters Nancy Berry and Jessie Whitmore.

The year 1936 was a noteworthy one for the Belgian brothers who were able to attend the convention in Lucerne, Switzerland, where Brother Rutherford gave a public talk in a hall protected by the police. Brother Schutz was in attendance at that convention but only after having traveled some 700 kilometers (430 mi) by bicycle from Antwerp to Lucerne.

Brother Schutz remained a valiant fighter for the Theocracy right up until his death in 1972, having served in the full-time ministry for 47 years. Even during the Nazi occupation he carried on his preaching activity and, along with Brothers Wozniak, Schrantz and Hartstang, proved to be one of the principal pillars in expanding the work during that period of time.

WAR CLOUDS GATHER

In 1937 the threat of a second world war became more ominous. Exasperating nationalism, exploited by Catholicism, once again pressured the police to arrest the brothers. However, seeds of truth were springing up not only in Antwerp but everywhere in Flemish territory. In Ghent, birthplace of the Spanish emperor Charles V, the pioneers busied themselves in waving the Kingdom “banner” to the more than 160,000 inhabitants of this city who had never heard of the Kingdom truth. By the end of the 1937 service year 16 congregations had been organized for further activity in the country.

THEOCRATIC ORDER RESTORED

There was much rejoicing in 1938 when theocratic order was restored in the Christian congregations. However, a few elective elders, excellent public speakers, did not readily accept this divine arrangement. In one congregation in the Limburg province, several brothers still continued with the democratic method of electing elders. Brother Wozniak, however, helped them to get the correct viewpoint. Visited by three circuit overseers, the 20 congregations flourished. The 22 pioneers serving at that time flooded the country with Kingdom literature, and the 135 publishers working with them were better organized.

A RENEWED OUTBREAK OF NATIONALISM

Belgium had mobilized all its troops against imminent Nazi aggression. Once again the clergy took advantage of the rising fever of nationalism to hinder the declaration of the Kingdom good news. More and more frequently brothers were called in for questioning by the military authorities or by the Belgian police.

One day, at Braine-le-Comte, a sister left the magazine Consolation with a lady whose husband was in the army. The illustration on the cover showed Hitler riding a wild beast and trampling on mankind. When the husband arrived home and saw the picture of Hitler, he grabbed the magazine and went back to the barracks to warn the officers that Jehovah’s Witnesses had passed by. That evening three officers arrested the brothers, accusing them of working as spies for Hitler. Though the brothers clearly explained matters, these military officers, blinded by Satan, refused to listen to them, telling them that they would be summoned before the court-martial for spying. The outbreak of war prevented these military authorities from carrying out their plans.

Despite clergy-instigated police threats, the work progressed well in the port city of Antwerp where Brothers Schrantz and Wozniak continued laying the foundation for the first congregation. Brother Schrantz was not intimidated by police superintendents who would say: “If you want to become a martyr, you’ll end up in the rue des Béguines [the prison in Antwerp].” But Brother Schrantz did not end his Christian career in the rue des Béguines. Thanks to Jehovah’s guidance and protection, he is still in the pioneer service, notwithstanding the fact that the Nazis took him to this prison in 1940 for refusing to give them the address of his pioneer partner, Brother Wozniak.

In the Limburg province, the brothers saw a Catholic priest indicating to a police officer the block where the Witnesses were busy preaching the good news. Brother Vincent Golic and his companions were stopped and threatened with long prison terms if they continued preaching from house to house.

In the French-speaking part of Belgium the same opposition came directly from the priests, who resented the pioneers’ intrusion into their “pastures.” They used every means at their disposal to get rid of them, such as warning their flocks, threatening the pioneers, calling out the State Police, sending children to pester the brothers, throwing stones or puncturing the tires on the brothers’ bicycles and going around after them to collect the literature they had distributed. Nevertheless, villagers would often say to them: “Give me several of your booklets; when the priest comes, I can give him one to satisfy him and keep the rest to read!”

At Ciney a Catholic monk of the Order of the White Fathers greatly opposed Mona Pratt and her partner, ordering them to cease their activity immediately. The two Witnesses replied that God had ordained them for this Kingdom work. “I am in holy orders,” retorted the monk, “and I can release you from that God-given ordination.”

The two pioneer sisters took their bicycles and courageously continued on to the next village, distributing copies of the booklet entitled Universal War Near to the people. The priest followed them, asking all the countryfolk to give him the booklets. He managed to gather a few because, in many places, where two booklets had been left, the people gave him back only one booklet. He then approached the sisters with the few booklets that he had recovered, telling them that now he was going to make a huge bonfire. This did not hinder the truth from taking root. Today there are thriving congregations in Dinant, Namur and Ciney, where these English pioneers had preached the Word of Jehovah.

UNPRECEDENTED PREWAR WITNESS

An unprecedented witness had been given before the Nazi invasion of Belgium. By 1939 a peak of 218 publishers and 33 pioneers had been progressively trained in the Kingdom ministry, and theocratic service arrangements had been restored. During the 11 years preceding World War II, they were able to cover a good portion of the country, distributing nearly 1,500,000 pieces of literature. Eleven new congregations had been formed in 1939, making a total of 31 congregations. But what would become of this well-planted field during the years of Nazi occupation?

BAN . . . WAR!

Even before the arrival of Hitler’s hordes, the first assaults against the Kingdom work began. On March 30, 1940, the Home Secretary announced that all the Society’s literature was banned. The pretext for this was that it had a disastrous effect upon the minds of the soldiers and of the population. The Belgian government, however, was never able to enforce that law because scarcely two months later the Nazis arrived, and they were the ones who enforced this decree.

On May 10, 1940, Belgium was once again transformed into a battlefield. The English pioneers wondered what they should do now. They awaited instructions from the branch office, but upon making inquiries they found that the new branch overseer had disappeared. Following the advice of their Consulate, they returned to England, with the exception of Sister Pratt. She carried on her preaching work underground, as did Brother François Brzoska who was of Polish descent and who later became her husband.

When witnessing during the war, Sister Brzoska once entered, unsuspectingly, the store of a Nazi agent. It was only when she noticed a huge portrait of Hitler that she realized the danger she was facing. It was too late to turn back now, for the Nazi was standing there in front of her. She offered him a New Testament, saying that it contained the hope of a new order of things where peace and everlasting life will reign.

“Oh, yes,” he replied, “I believe in a new order of things and I know,” pointing to the picture of Hitler, “that he’s busy establishing it to last for a thousand years. Of course, we don’t know how much time it will take to establish it because there is a brood that must be completely exterminated first.”

Sister Brzoska answered, saying he no doubt had the Jews in mind. “No,” he replied, “the English!” He had an intense hatred for the English, and while observing the sister, who had an accent since she was of English descent, he inquired: “What is your nationality?”

Sister Brzoska replied, “Polish.” (Obviously, by marriage.) “Good,” he said, “but you won’t get anywhere until all the English have been exterminated, and if I could only get hold of an Englishman, I’d take great delight in personally exterminating him for the good of all mankind.” One can imagine how our sister’s knees were knocking, but what a relief for her when this man accepted not only one but two New Testaments, one of which was for a friend. He never realized that he had perhaps been the closest ever to the opportunity of exterminating one of the ‘English brood.’

1940—UNDER NAZI OPPRESSION

Jehovah was preparing his people to face unrelenting oppression from the Nazi “king of the north.” (Dan. 11:40) Thus the brothers were strengthened in their exclusive devotion to Jehovah by the study of the article on neutrality, appearing in The Watchtower (French edition) of January 1940. This came in the nick of time, just before the Nazi invasion. The booklet Fascism or Freedom also had just been shipped out to the congregations.

Upon the arrival of Hitler’s troops, the brothers thought that the battle of Armageddon had begun. Fearing to be discovered by the Nazis as being in possession of these booklets, some brothers started distributing them. For example, in the region of Charleroi, Brother Albin Glowacz had received 20 cartons just 15 days before the outbreak of war, and he began distributing the booklets in the letter boxes. Others distributed them to refùgees fleeing toward France, while in Liège they were handed out to passersby on the street.

Since no instructions were forthcoming from the Society’s office in Brussels, Brother Wozniak made arrangements to keep the work alive. He got in touch with the brothers and reassured them that Armageddon had not yet begun and persuaded them to stop distributing the publications free of cost. “Keep them,” he said, “you will need them,” and he encouraged the brothers to hide the literature for the work yet to be done.

At the branch office the publications were sealed up in the walls or hidden under the floorboards. This was done so well that when Hitler’s soldiers came to search the office in October 1940, they found nothing. Later the publications were transferred to more secure hiding places. For example, Brother and Sister Coenen used a handcart, and with extreme caution they transported most of these publications without being intercepted, doing so on six separate trips. Brother Michiels helped Brother Floryn hide 500 books and 4,000 booklets on the ground floor of his house, which served as a store, all hidden from sight behind the shelves. Unfortunately, the Gestapo succeeded in discovering this stock when they arrested Brother Floryn in June 1941. He was subsequently deported to the Nazi concentration camps. In view of the scarcity of literature, the publications were no longer left for contributions but were loaned out, thus enabling a greater number to benefit from them.

Satan seemed to have considerably weakened the Kingdom work in Belgium. He was certainly displeased to see that in 1940 there was a peak of 275 publishers, including 34 pioneers, announcing the Kingdom. Taking advantage of the closing down of the branch and using his totalitarian hordes, he spread fear and panic among the congregations. In Brussels, for example, more than 50 percent of the brothers became inactive. Only a small nucleus of publishers continued to put the Kingdom first in their lives during this difficult period. In 1941 there were only 86 publishers still active, and 14 congregations were no longer functioning. But Satan’s jubilation was to be short-lived.

UNDERGROUND REORGANIZATION

Jehovah’s spirit moved the brothers to see the need to reorganize in order to go ahead with the preaching work underground. Brother Wozniak, circuit overseer, spoke about this to the branch overseer, who took no initiative because he had been warned by the Gestapo and felt that he was being watched. The secret meeting of the overseers that he had planned did not take place, and so Brother Wozniak asked the brother directing the underground work in Holland to take over also in Belgium.

At that time it was Brother Winkler who was directing the work in Holland, and he appointed Brother Hartstang, a brother who had much experience in underground work, to go to Belgium in July 1941 to assume the weighty responsibility of reorganizing the work.

OBTAINING AND REPRODUCING THE WATCHTOWER

The brothers in Belgium, however, did not await the arrival of Brother Hartstang before making arrangements to obtain spiritual food. First of all, it was necessary to obtain a copy of each Watchtower in order to translate it and provide copies for the brothers. A brother volunteered to go regularly to Holland to procure a copy. He took the saddle off his bicycle and slipped a rolled-up Watchtower into the hollow frame, put the saddle back in place and crossed the border.

Once in possession of a manuscript, Brother Wozniak had it translated into Polish, German and French. To produce a sufficient number of Watchtower magazines, materials for mimeographing were needed. Even typewriters were scarce; indeed, they were precious. In Antwerp a spiritually weak brother possessed one that had been used for some time to type letters and other directions concerning the reorganization of the work. Since this brother kept up connections with a sect issuing from the “evil slave” class, it became necessary to avoid this person, but the typewriter was needed. What could be done?

Brothers Floryn and Wozniak went to this person and proposed buying the typewriter, but he refused. How could he be persuaded to sell it? Not being whole-souled for Jehovah and His organization, the man lacked the fearlessness and courage of His faithful servants. Thus Brother Floryn remarked that the typewriter had already been used to produce underground texts, and since each typewriter has its own particular form of characters, it would not be difficult for the Gestapo to identify this one as having been used to write these texts. So it would be a source of constant danger for the owner. Now he accepted the brothers’ offer to buy the typewriter, happy to get rid of it!

PRODUCING LITERATURE UNDERGROUND

In the mining district of Limburg there was a small group of foreign brothers. It became a center for producing printed matter underground. The Golic and Pajk families, among others, used their homes to that end. There they translated The Watchtower into German, Dutch, Italian, Polish and Slovenian. Then they made carbon copies with old typewriters. To muffle the sound of the typewriters, the Pajk family put heavy blankets over the windows, whereas the Golic family installed double windowpanes. This did not keep the neighbors from suspecting some underground activity, since the brothers were frequently coming to pick up literature. No one gave them away, however, because the Belgians considered everything that was underground to be hostile to the hated Nazi regime. These brothers even printed the book Children in Slovenian.

UNDERGROUND HEADQUARTERS

One of the most important centers for producing literature underground was at Ougrée, near Liège, at the home of the Doyen family. One might say that it was the underground Bethel. The equipment consisted of two typewriters and a duplicator. The place hummed with activity. Brother and Sister Hartstang worked and lived there most of the time.

There was also Brother Fritz Schneider, of German nationality; he was the printer. At times Brother Werner Schutz was there, translating either from German to French or from Dutch to French. These two brothers were housed nearby. The Informant (now Our Kingdom Ministry) and even the book Children were printed in Polish here at the Doyen home.

Another fact worthy of mention concerning the Doyen family is that the father was not in the truth, and a son was a prisoner of war. Two other sons were designated to be deported to Germany as forced laborers. If they refused to be deported and went into hiding, the home would be continually watched by German soldiers and could no longer serve as underground headquarters for the production of Bible literature. Although only one was interested in the truth, the two sons agreed to be deported so that their home could continue to be used for the work.

One may wonder how such intense activity could possibly have gone unnoticed by the neighbors, for it was a beehive. Sometimes brothers arrived or left carrying as many as four suitcases or packages. However, as was the case at the other center in Limburg, there was complete silence among the neighbors; they also considered it a form of resistance to the Nazi invaders.

EVADING THE OPPOSERS

To throw the enemy off his trail, Brother Hartstang traveled around from time to time, visiting the brothers or even going to France. In fact, for a time, Brother Hartstang secretly crossed the French border every fortnight to get the English edition of The Watchtower, which reached France via Switzerland. Needless to say, these were trying times for Sister Hartstang who never knew if her husband would return.

WORLDLY PRINTERS COOPERATE

Sometimes Brother Hartstang stayed in Brussels at the home of Brother Ista. This brother was a great help in providing the brothers with spiritual food. He got in touch with a printer in Brussels, Mr. De Prince of the Erasme printing shop, and near the end of the Nazi occupation this man agreed to do underground printing for us. Not only was The Watchtower printed but so were 6,000 copies of the book Children.

Due to the fact that the preaching work was less developed in the Flemish territory than in the Walloon territory, there was a scarcity of literature in Dutch. Brother Wozniak succeeded in having 10,000 copies of the booklet Choosing printed in Dutch by a Charleroi printer who did the work, not because he favored the Witnesses, but because he was fiercely opposed to the Germans.

A RISKY OPERATION

Publications were even sent secretly by boat from Holland to Belgium. A Dutch brother owned a boat called Lichtdrager. He hid literature in his boat and unloaded it at Bree in Limburg and in the district of Kortrijk. Brothers went by bicycle to the place where the literature was unloaded and took the cartons to their homes.

All of this, of course, was not without great risk. One day a brother who was transporting a carton of the book Children was stopped by a German patrol tracking down black-market smugglers. Seeing the contents of the carton, the soldier cried out: “Oh, it’s for children!” and let the brother pass.

Another boat, Dolphijn, was also used, crossing the Belgo-Hollandish frontier five times with publications.

TRANSPORTING LITERATURE

If the production of underground literature created a problem, getting it to all parts of the country created another. There was no thought of using railroads or the mail, for these were all under military control. Furthermore, the brothers could not use an automobile, since gasoline was scarce. There was the bicycle, and even then there was the problem of tires; they were simply not to be found. The brothers in Limburg became specialists in making bicycle tires out of old auto tires. They were not very flexible, but the main thing was being able to get about.

Brothers who transported literature were so heavily loaded that it was difficult to go unnoticed. Furthermore, they risked being taken for black-market smugglers. Yet they carried on courageously, Brothers Wozniak, Schrantz, Floryn and Schutz being especially used for this service.

JEHOVAH’S PROTECTION

One day near Mechelen, Brother Schrantz’ bicycle was so heavily loaded with literature that he lost his balance, falling over right in front of a German soldier. The soldier helped him get up and even put his literature back on the bicycle; then he wished him a pleasant journey. In order to furnish their brothers with publications, these brothers often traveled 110 or 160 kilometers (70 or 100 miles) heavily loaded and poorly fed.

Once Brother Schutz made a literature-carrying trip toward Charleroi, but he did not arrive at his destination. After several days Brother E. Heuse, Sr., and Brother Schrantz became worried and started looking for him. Finally, they found him in a nursing home in Liège. He had been wounded in a bombardment near Val St. Lambert. He did not seem to be affected by his experience; on the contrary, he had not been so well fed for a long time! There was only one thing that worried him: Where was his bicycle with the literature?

The brothers started hunting around and finally found the bicycle and its precious load in a Catholic institution. The nuns had taken good care of everything, and they handed it all back, without suspecting what was in the baggage!

Sometimes the weather was so bad that it was necessary to travel by train—despite the risk of inspections by the Feldgendarmes (German military police) and the Gestapo. One day Brother Schutz got caught in an inspection on the train. He was carrying two heavy suitcases. One was full of literature and the other was full of coal that the brothers working in the mines had given him. What a relief to the brother when the soldiers decided to look into the suitcase containing the coal! Upon seeing the contents, they burst out laughing and went on their way. Another time, a Gestapo agent had him open a suitcase containing literature. After glancing at the contents and seeing the expression “Adam and Eve,” the Gestapo agent exclaimed: “Go on your way with that rubbish!” He did. Brother Schutz who was of Swiss nationality was less likely to be suspected by the Germans.

The sisters were also less likely to be suspected than the brothers. It was for this reason that Sister Marie Smets served as liaison between Liège and Namur, traveling either by cycle or by train, according to the weather, but always heavily loaded. One day she got to the railroad station carrying heavy suitcases and with bicycle tires draped around her neck—but the train did not come. After she had waited for two hours the arrival of a German military train was announced, and civilians were authorized to get aboard. It was thus that she made the trip on a military train, loaded down with underground literature and arrived without mishap at the home of Brother Fevrier in Namur at five o’clock in the morning.

FEARLESS YOUNG BROTHERS

Young brothers were used too for transporting literature; they also displayed Christian courage. Brother Ernest Heuse, Jr., made a train trip from Liège to Verviers when he was about 16 years old. He tells of his experience: “Only a few minutes after departure, the Feldgendarmes boarded the train. There were six of them. They shouted, ‘Hands up!’ Everyone obeyed. They seemed to be looking for someone, and the first one pointed his finger at me. They ordered me to stand up; I thought that someone had denounced me. One of them was behind me with his pistol in my back, another in front of me and a third at my side. They asked for my identification papers, but as I made the move to take them out of my pocket, one of them hit my hand and took the wallet out himself. They searched me from head to toe. When they left I had the impression that they had forgotten something.

“An elderly man sitting across from me remarked that the police had forgotten to check my luggage. It was only then that I remembered that I had luggage along with me. If I had been thinking of the luggage while they were searching me, I might have become nervous, because I was transporting some duplicated copies of The Watchtower dealing with Daniel’s prophecy concerning the king of the north and the king of the south, as well as some booklets, one being entitled Fascism or Freedom. The elderly man thought that they did not check my baggage because the three who were checking all the luggage must have figured that the three checking my personal papers had already done so and thus just passed on. But I personally felt that it was Jehovah’s protection.”

CONTACT WITH THE BRANCH OFFICE

One may wonder how the publications were distributed to the congregations. Let us see how that took place in one of the centers, for example, at the home of Brother Fevrier. He received the literature wrapped up in small packages bearing no indication except a number. The congregation for which the package was intended sent a messenger to pick it up, this often being at night. The messenger simply said: “I want parcel number 22.” Once in possession of the package, the messenger left rapidly without saying another word.

Field service reports were collected in the following manner: Each congregation was identified by a letter whereas the individual publisher had a number. The congregation was divided up into study groups composed of from eight to ten persons who knew only the one responsible for the study, often not knowing even his name or his address. This brother collected the reports and transmitted them to the congregation’s presiding overseer, who was known only to those responsible for the study groups.

Once the total report was completed, it was a matter of waiting for the circuit overseer, who was the liaison between the congregations and the underground Bethel. He collected the reports as well as noting the congregation’s needs for copies of The Watchtower and the Informant (now Our Kingdom Ministry). He recorded the service report in a secret code, so that if he should be searched it would be impossible for an outsider to understand it.

MEETINGS DURING THE OCCUPATION

Each one understood the importance of meeting together for mutual encouragement. The brothers met in small groups in private homes. Many precautions had to be taken: (1) The brothers could not arrive together; the arrivals and departures were spaced out so as not to attract attention. (2) The meeting places were changed each week and, if possible, so were the day and time. Consequently it was necessary to be present at each meeting in order to know where the next meeting would be held. Needless to say, no one could take the initiative to bring someone along to the meeting for the first time; the person had to be tested first as to his sincerity. (3) In times of great danger, the meeting was held as though it were a family reunion. For example, the table was set for a family meal. If something unexpected happened, it was just a matter of getting the study material out of sight and staying at the table as if waiting for the meal. This arrangement dispelled any suspicions about a gathering of ten persons.

The study material was appropriate for the times. It consisted of Bible accounts having prophetic significance for God’s people of today. Among them can be mentioned the accounts concerning Ehud, Barak, Deborah, Jephthah and Daniel. Sometimes these studies, such as that of Micah’s prophecies, continued over a period of several months. This rich spiritual food was just what was needed to equip the brothers for their fight against the politico-religious elements that were trying to exterminate them, even as had been foretold by these historical and prophetic accounts.

THE GESTAPO SEARCHES FOR BROTHER WOZNIAK

Long before 1940 the Nazi regime had shown its ferocious opposition to Jehovah’s Witnesses in its efforts to destroy them. It is, therefore, easy to understand why these agents of death, as soon as they entered Belgium, began to try to destroy the work of the Witnesses. Their main targets were those who were fearless and very active. The man they particularly wanted to eliminate was Brother André Wozniak, who was pioneering in Antwerp at that time with Brother Schrantz.

One day while Brother Wozniak was away visiting the congregations, strengthening them and helping them to get organized, the Gestapo came to search his rooms. It was Brother Schrantz who was taken away to be questioned. During the interrogation, extreme caution had to be exercised so as not to betray his partner. For example, while being questioned, he was handed a list of names of brothers and he was asked if he knew them. He replied by saying he knew some, choosing those who were either dead or who had left the country. When asked where his friend was, he replied: “He has gone to visit his relatives, but we don’t interest ourselves in each other’s affairs; that is the only way to avoid problems between friends.” The Gestapo agent agreed, saying it was the best thing to do. The brother was released after 40 days in prison, the agents probably hoping that he would eventually lead them to Brother Wozniak. To put them off the track, however, Brother Schrantz changed his territory and went off to the Ardennes.

TRAPPED BY THE GESTAPO

Some time afterward Brother Wozniak lived through an unforgettable experience. Let him tell it himself: “It was the beginning of June 1941. To strengthen the brothers living near Charleroi, I went there by bicycle, arriving at the home of Brother Hankus at Couillet to stay for the night. It had been arranged that in case of danger I should go up to the attic and from there to the roof and escape by passing from one house to another.

“At seven the next morning I was awakened by the words, ‘Open up!’ I looked out the window and saw three men in civilian clothes—it was the Gestapo! Half dressed, trousers and jacket on my arm, I hurriedly climbed the stairway leading to the attic. I hid myself as best I could between the roof and the false ceiling of the attic. It was in the nick of time because the Gestapo agents were soon in the attic. Seeing nobody, they went downstairs and asked Brother Hankus where I was. As he gave no reply, they started to beat him. My heart was pounding so strongly that it seemed to me to be audible.

“I prayed to Jehovah for them to be blinded. Unbelievable but true, they searched the entire house from the cellar to the attic, accompanied by Brother Hankus, without their ever seeing me! Finally, they found my bicycle and my bag, and they gave Brother Hankus a terrible beating, but he stayed strong and did not give me away. Then two of the agents took the brother off to prison.

“The other agent stayed in the house, revolver at the ready, guarding Sister Hankus. Every two hours the guard was changed. As for me, I was under the tiles; it was hot and I was hungry and especially thirsty. Around midday I heard a voice saying softly: ‘Come down now, they’ve gone!’ I almost left my hideout to go downstairs, since everything was so quiet, but decided to stay put. Later on, the sister told me that it had been the voice of the agent, trying to trick me into giving myself away.”

ESCAPE AT LAST

Darkness fell, and Brother Wozniak became extremely thirsty. He relates: “I was also very tired and afraid of falling asleep because I was a heavy sleeper and often snored noisily. In my uncomfortable position, to go to sleep and snore would have led to my discovery. To keep awake, I kept pricking myself with a pin until I bled; but finally I felt my strength leaving me and I thought all was lost.

“Around midnight the sister was allowed to go to bed. She managed to bring me some bread and water, and I told her of my plan to escape. From her bedroom window I got onto the flat roof and then let myself slide down the drainpipe. Finally, after a 12-foot jump, I landed in the garden. It was impossible to go any farther then, because I would have been stopped by a patrol. So I hid while awaiting daybreak.

“In the morning I saw a woman in her garden. As I asked her for some water I could see fear written all over her face. However, she got me some water, some soap and a razor. As I was barefoot, I asked her to buy me a pair of slippers. Next, an interested person came and informed me that the Gestapo had finally left that morning at seven, taking my bicycle with them. But I was given Brother Hankus’ cycle in place of mine, and off I went like a shot to Brother Brzoska’s home, where I received a book bag and a Bible. After sleeping a day and a night, off I went to the next congregation.”

SUDDEN CHANGE IN PLANS

When Brother Wozniak arrived there, he went to the home of Brother Albin Glowacz to stay during the visit. “It had been arranged that I stay a week with him,” said Brother Wozniak, “but I couldn’t get to sleep that night; I just tossed and turned.” A change in plans came to mind, as he relates: “At breakfast, I told the brother that I intended leaving that same day for Carnières, the next congregation to be visited. He tried to get me to change my mind, even mentioning the good food available, wheat bread and butter, something really inviting at the time. However, nothing could make me change my mind, and I left for Carnières.

“The next day I was horrified to learn that the Gestapo had arrived that same morning at the home of Brother Glowacz and had taken him off to prison, with the concentration camps as the final destination! How glad I was that I had not allowed myself to be tempted with the good bread and butter! One thing was certain: Gestapo agents were at my heels. I would have to try to put them off the track.

“I returned to Antwerp, but there I learned that our room had been put under seal, that the homeowner’s wife, interested in the truth, had been taken away by the Gestapo and that the proprietor was obliged to denounce me to the Gestapo as soon as I arrived. Things were getting worse there too; it was necessary to leave Antwerp immediately.

“So I left for Limburg to visit the congregations. Two hours after my departure from Waterschei where I had stayed, the Gestapo broke into the house and searched everywhere. The situation was worsening fast. They were out to get me, apparently guided by the demons.”

BROTHER FLORYN FALLS INTO A TRAP

The same day that Brother Wozniak left, after Brother Hankus’ arrest, Brother Floryn, who was the contact man, arrived by bicycle at Brother Hankus’ home with 400 booklets and 24 books. It was June 7, 1941. Because her husband had just been arrested, Sister Hankus begged the brother to leave as soon as possible. He left, taking Brother Wozniak’s shoes with him to leave them elsewhere. He should have continued on to Brother Glowacz’ home, but, in view of these events, he returned to his home in Brussels the same day, tired out.

Arriving home, he learned that the Gestapo had searched the house and had taken away all the publications that had been hidden: 20 Bibles, 500 books and 4,000 booklets. His wife and parents-in-law had been kept under guard all day. He had fallen into the trap. At five the next morning the Gestapo turned up and took him away, handcuffed. He went off to prison and then on to the German concentration camps until the end of the war. His wife was to join him a year later, having to leave their two small children in the care of her parents.

INTENSIFIED GESTAPO ACTIVITY

It was at this time that a Gestapo chief, who had arrested many Witnesses in Germany, took up his duties in Belgium. It was soon after his arrival in Brussels that these arrests took place and the search for Brother Wozniak intensified. Among those arrested were Brothers Midi, Schockaert, Michiels, Coenen and Martin (the previous branch overseer), and Sisters Michiels and Coenen.

As for Brother Hankus, after his arrest by the Gestapo for concealing Brother Wozniak in his home, he was beaten and knocked unconscious by Hitler’s agents because he refused to disclose the names of the brothers. On July 6, 1941, he was transferred to St. Gilles Prison in Brussels. In spite of enduring torture, Brother Hankus refused to divulge names. He was then taken to Louvain Central Prison, and from there the Nazis led him to their extermination camps. When, at the end of the war, he was released from the concentration camp, he served as congregation overseer for many years.

BRANCH REORGANIZATION DESPITE DANGERS

A month after that series of arrests, Brother Hartstang arrived secretly from Holland in order to reorganize the preaching work. At the home of a sister in Antwerp, he held a private meeting with the three circuit overseers and two brothers who looked after the contacts. This sister lived alone on the ground floor, and on this occasion these six brothers came to within a hairbreadth of being arrested by the Gestapo. How was that?

During the meeting the bell rang, and who stood there? Three Gestapo agents! They inquired about a Jew and his son who were supposed to be living on the second floor. The sister told them that the Jews had fled at the outbreak of war. One of the agents now stood guard at the entrance while the other two searched every corner of the upstairs and attic.

Meanwhile, the brothers prayed that Jehovah might blind the eyes of the enemy. Had they been discovered it would have meant that all the principal overseers in Belgium would have been arrested in one swoop. But Jehovah did not permit that. The Gestapo departed, and so did the brothers, one by one, never to return to that home. Two weeks later the Gestapo returned unexpectedly, and this time they searched the entire house.

ENEMY EFFORTS TO HUNT DOWN BROTHER HARTSTANG

Although Brother Hartstang came alone at the outset of his stay in Belgium, his wife joined him six months later. She arrived in the same manner: by cycle along the unbeaten country roads of the Belgo-Hollandish border. She was by his side all through the war, except when he had to make especially dangerous trips.

In no time at all, the Gestapo found out about Brother Hartstang’s presence in Belgium and started to hunt him down. The enemy had obtained information about the general whereabouts of the brother and his wife through a confiscated letter. Equipped with large photographs of the couple, the Gestapo searched everywhere, just as is done when trying to capture a dangerous criminal. But the brother and his wife always escaped the traps set for them, sometimes only in the nick of time. Yes, somehow they were kept safe.

Interestingly, the chief of the Gestapo who was previously mentioned as initiating heavy persecution of the Witnesses, and who was determined to trap Brother Hartstang, was sitting by the window of his office one day and heard the drone of an airplane engine. Thinking it was a German plane, he took no precautions. Suddenly the plane’s machine guns opened fire and the Gestapo chief was hit and killed. The airplane happened to be British, piloted by a Belgian.

THE ENEMY IS BLINDED

Many experiences show that the enemy can be blinded by Jehovah’s angels. For example, Sisters Michelic and Golic had been entrusted with the job of delivering a letter from Limburg to Holland, destined for the brother in charge of the work in that land. This had to be done under cover. Sister Golic put the letter inside her purse and off they went to Holland, taking the country roads. They were intercepted by customs officers and searched. First of all, they searched Sister Michelic, and, among other things, they looked through her purse. It just so happened that Sisters Golic and Michelic had identical purses. When it was Sister Golic’s turn, the officer took her purse. Returning it to her immediately, he said: “Oh, I have already looked at that!” Thus she got back her purse, which contained the precious letter!

On another occasion, at Namur, Brother Fevrier was helping Brother Schutz carry his heavy baggage to the station. At Montagne-Sainte-Barbe they were stopped by a German control. It was impossible to turn back. Brother Schutz said to Brother Fevrier: “Make believe that we are not together; perhaps one of us will escape!”

Brother Fevrier lagged behind. Brother Schutz went through the control without difficulty, probably because of his Swiss passport. Then it was Brother Fevrier’s turn, and he handed over his identity papers. He was carrying an Ausweis (free pass for after dark) delivered by the occupational forces to the railroad staff. The soldier was satisfied. However, he asked the brother to open his baggage, in which there was a Watchtower study article about the war between the Nazi king of the north and the democratic king of the south, of Daniel’s prophecy. As Nehemiah had done, the brother prayed in silence. (Neh. 2:4) He bent over to open up the baggage. At that very moment a truck arrived; the soldier rushed over to bar its passage, forgetting the brother, who quietly slipped away, heaving a sigh of relief.

At Ougrée, Brother Armand Hebrant came back from a visit made at the home of Brother Heuse. In his pocket he was carrying three identification cards with false names. One card was for Brother Hartstang, who was working underground, and another for Brother Schrantz, circuit overseer. Brother Hebrant was stopped by a patrol on the bridge that crosses the Meuse, and there he was systematically searched, even down to his socks.

All his jacket pockets were searched, as well as an inside pocket of his overcoat. Each time the soldier felt on the side where the cards were located, by error he took the jacket and the overcoat together and plunged his hand into the inside pocket of the jacket. However, when the soldier went over the brother’s clothing outside the overcoat, the brother himself could very clearly feel the documents. Many times the soldier repeated the same movements and each time he forgot that pocket, as if some unseen hand was holding him back. The three cards bore the pictures of three brothers, but with false names, of course, and the brother would have been unable to justify having these identification cards on him.

STRATEGY TOO

Brother Gheys tells how he had to use strategy to forestall the enemy. After visiting some interested people, he was stopped during the night by a German patrol. A soldier stuck his rifle in the brother’s back while another shone his flashlight right in his face. They asked for his identification papers. To get them, he had to hold his briefcase between his knees. Then they started to search him. To facilitate their job, but also by strategy, he raised his arms in the air, holding his briefcase in one hand. The soldier carefully examined his clothing but forgot to look in his briefcase that contained literature!

UNDER ANGELS’ WINGS

At times it was evident that events were being directed in order to protect the brothers. One day Brother Hartstang was returning to his secret lodgings at Ougrée by trolley, which he normally took right to the terminus. Suddenly he thought of getting off before reaching the terminus so that he could stretch his legs since he was often confined indoors. Arriving at his destination, he found everyone as white as a sheet. The German soldiers had organized a strict control at the terminus and the family feared the worst as regards the brother. Unwittingly, he had escaped the trap.

At his lodgings, in addition to secret printing materials, there were publications in the process of being printed. A neighbor lived in the same courtyard. He was elderly and deaf and never got up before eight or nine. One morning he got up at about four. No one ever found out why. Anyway, he went out into the courtyard to get a breath of fresh air. At that time a German patrol arrived, brandishing revolvers.

It was a raid following a sudden strike by the workers at the Cockerill factory. The strike was precipitated by the deportation of 500 workmen. The Germans had the address of one of the leaders of the strike, and they were looking for him. They asked the old man where this person lived. As unbelievable as it may seem, this deaf old man understood what the soldiers were asking and pointed out the place where the hunted man lived on the next road. If that man had not been there at that unusual hour, the soldiers would have penetrated farther into the courtyard, and, as was their custom, would have pounded on the door. It is easy to imagine what would have then gone on inside, the search that the soldiers would have made, discovering this “jackpot.” But Jehovah was watching.

The place used for printing the publications was also Brother and Sister Hartstang’s bedroom. Previously it had been a pigsty, and from the outside it still looked like one. Usually Brother and Sister Hartstang got up between six-thirty and seven and then studied the daily text. But one particular day they had difficulty in waking up, and this fact worked for their protection. What was going on outside?

In the early morning the German soldiers had encircled the whole area and were systematically searching every home, looking perhaps for Brother Hartstang. On this second occasion, they knocked at the door of the elderly deaf man mentioned previously, shouting loudly as they usually did, and this only about two meters (6.5 ft) away from Brother and Sister Hartstang! But the soldiers did not knock at the “pigsty” door nor did the couple wake up, in spite of all the noise outside. If they had awakened, it probably would have led to their arrest. It is easy to imagine what their instinctive reaction would have been: They would have tried to escape by another door and would have been caught in the trap. Happily, Jehovah’s angels caused them to keep on sleeping soundly, and they avoided any spontaneous and perhaps disastrous consequences. It was only after the departure of the soldiers that they learned what had taken place.

COURAGE NEEDED

Brother Schutz had another typical experience. At Tournai he was arrested by the Walloon Guard, that is to say, Belgians working for the Gestapo. His identity papers were not in order, so he was taken to headquarters to be examined and then on to the Tournai prison. After being questioned, he was told to go home and have his papers put in order by the local authorities. His suitcase, which contained a quantity of the booklet Fascism or Freedom, had to be left behind at headquarters.

He went to Kortrijk, put his papers in order and then returned to Tournai to show them and pick up his suitcase. Courage was needed to do that when one thinks what could have happened in the meantime in view of what the suitcase contained. All went well and his case was returned to him. It certainly appeared to be angelic intervention that the enemy did not open the suitcase.

ENDURANCE TO THE END

Not all the brothers escaped from the clutches of the Nazis. Fourteen brothers and sisters were arrested and underwent severe treatment while being questioned in true Gestapo style. Some were released after a few weeks or a few months. Seven, including two sisters, were deported and sent to concentration camps or prison. Brother Alphonse Midi died in prison, and Brother Lodewijk Schockaert was killed.

Brother Midi had been sentenced to 55 months in prison because of so-called propaganda against Germany, having been found possessing copies of the booklets Fascism or Freedom. He died in 1943 in the prison of Hagen, as a result of gangrene that set in because of a neglected injury. He died in his cell, abandoned by his jailers who brought him no medical aid.

Brother Schockaert had been a communist before accepting the truth. The Nazis arrested him, accusing him of being a communist. As soon as he arrived at the Sachsenhausen camp in Germany he went to the SS camp commander to tell him that he was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, not a communist. He received a purple triangle, the identification mark of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the camp. In 1943, while being transferred to another camp, this brother was shot by SS soldiers.

As for Brother Hankus, he died in 1954 as a result of the bad treatment he had received during the war. His wife endured faithfully and remained active during all those war years and until her death on May 16, 1982.

SS EFFORTS TO BREAK CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY

When a Witness was arrested, the scenario was always the same. First of all there was a questioning in SS style. By temptation, by cunning or by brutality the SS tried to make the Witness divulge the names of other Witnesses and then to deny his faith.

Brother Glowacz had the following experience. After his arrest he was questioned in the office of the SS. Before him on a table were a nice loaf of white bread, some sausage and pears. If the Witness was ready to talk, he would be able to eat to his heart’s content. If not, the worst treatment would be inflicted on him. When Brother Glowacz told the questioner that he would act according to the principle stated by the apostle Peter in Acts 5:29: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men,” the Nazi became white with rage and shouted, “All right, you will go to prison until your beard is as long as that of the apostle Peter!” And that is what happened. The brother stayed in prison for nine months, without being allowed to shave.

LIFE IN THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS

Brothers Hankus, Michiels, Floryn and Glowacz were taken to different prisons and concentration camps, one of which was situated near Strasbourg. There, for the least little thing they were beaten incessantly, either with a stick or with a whip. The SS called the Witnesses dogs from heaven. Food was reduced to a strict minimum. Yet they were required to do the strenuous work of widening roads, using the most primitive tools. Included in this work was the loading of small wagons with stones and then pushing the wagons along the rails to the required position. Sometimes a wagon went off the rails and the Kommando-Führer (chief of a group of guards) would keep the other prisoners at a distance while forcing just the four brothers to put the wagon back on the rails—that in spite of the fact that it weighed more than a ton!

One day a brother heard a corporal say to the Kommando-Führer: “They really are a strange people, those Bibelforscher [Bible Students]; the other prisoners, physically stronger, die like flies, while they carry on, full of strength. I think Jehovah helps them!”

TESTED REGARDING NEUTRALITY EVEN IN THE CAMPS

Brother Glowacz relates an experience that he lived through while at Buchenwald: “As a test on the Witnesses, we were ordered to report to the weapons factory Kommando (working group) to be put to work in the manufacture of arms. After roll call the next morning all the brothers refused to join themselves to the Kommando. Appearing before the camp commandant, a brother explained that they would accept any work in the camp except that of making arms. In a violent rage the commandant ordered the SS to take all of us to the execution site and to place the machine guns in firing position. This was done.

“Then the commandant said: ‘Think carefully and then tell me whether you accept this task, yes or no. If you refuse, I will give the order for all of you to be shot.’ He repeated his threat, but all of us stayed unperturbed, without moving, not saying a word. Seeing that he would get nothing from us, he changed his tactics and said: ‘Hitler is a very compassionate man; he does not want you to be shot. Each one of you will continue with his former work.’”

HELPING ONE ANOTHER DURING THE OCCUPATION

The brothers overseeing the underground work of producing Bible publications did not receive any salary, not even any ration stamps needed to buy food. The purchasing of materials such as paper had to be done on the black market. How could all this work be carried on?

In each congregation, gifts and ration stamps, sacrificed by the brothers from their already meager means, were collected and given to the circuit overseer with the service reports. This enabled the hunted brothers to obtain the necessary supplies so that they could keep on providing the needed spiritual food.

Even the children did their part. For example, one evening two brothers arrived unexpectedly at the home of the Golic family. It was Brother Hartstang and a companion. The table was set for supper. The two children, Antoine and Ann-Marie, seemed to have already eaten and they went off to bed. It was only after the war that Brother Hartstang learned that they had eaten the ration intended for the two children. There was nothing else to eat in the house, and the children had spontaneously volunteered to give their meal to the brothers and to go to bed without eating, thus setting a good example of deep consideration for the theocratic organization.

HOW THE PREACHING WORK WAS UNDERTAKEN

As soon as the witness work was organized underground, the brothers no longer were content to do only informal witnessing. They undertook a more systematic activity, although being very cautious. Only the Bible was used from house to house. The brothers also offered copies of the New Testament or the Gospels, according to the possibilities of buying such publications from the Protestant bookstores. This was not done without difficulties. Indeed, the Protestant pastors were grinding their teeth because of the Witnesses’ activity and refused to furnish Bibles when they knew for what purpose they were being used.

So it was necessary to use strategy to obtain Bibles from the Protestants. Efforts were not always successful. Brother Jules Ista relates that one day he went to the Evangelist Mission in Brussels to obtain some New Testaments. The one in charge asked the brother for what church they were destined. The brother tried to get around the question, but when the pastor learned who he was, he spit in his face, called him a dirty Bible Student and refused to sell him the books.

Some of the Society’s publications, such as the booklets Uncovered and Refugees, were available for the brothers. They were used with great care. A lending service was organized, the same publication being used for many different people. Further, the brothers remembered the names of people who had taken books before the war. They visited these people to encourage them to read the publication and thus arouse their interest. If the people showed no interest, the brothers suggested that the publication be returned, to enable someone else to benefit from it. Sometimes the person gave it back. At times the householder refused to give it back and out of curiosity started to read it himself, becoming interested in the Kingdom message. In this way some even came into the truth.

HOUSE TO HOUSE—WITH CAUTION

With the house-to-house work under way again, instructions were given to work with extreme caution. For example, it was essential to work alone, preaching at a house here and then at another one there, farther along the street so as not to attract attention. If the brothers were suspicious of certain houses, they would pass them by. If a publisher saw a uniform inside the house, he was not to give a witness but simply to ask an everyday question.

One day a brother inadvertently called at a house occupied by a Gestapo agent. The agent invited him inside, asked for his identity papers, locked the door and then went off to telephone for the Witness to be picked up. In the meantime the agent’s wife came in and told him to escape in a hurry, which, of course, the brother did not fail to do!

RETURN VISITS

When someone became interested, a series of visits were made with the help of prepared subjects to facilitate discussion of the basic doctrines of the Bible. Booklets, such as Uncovered and Refugees, were also used to undertake what constituted a forerunner of the modern-day home Bible studies.

In those days people with whom studies were conducted were not invited to meetings as promptly as is done today. Generally, it was not until the person had begun to preach that he was introduced to a study group, just in case he might turn out to be an informer.

BAPTISMS AT HOMES

Baptisms took place secretly at homes. On one occasion, at Sclessin near Liège, about 40 people were baptized in a very small house, the home of Brother Heuse. On another occasion 27 were baptized at the home of Brother Wladek at Waterschei. The activity did not always go unnoticed. Children playing outside were heard to say: “It’s a Protestant Mass.”

INCREASED BLESSINGS

In 1941 it looked as if the enemy had gained the victory—the number of publishers had dwindled from 275 to 86. But by 1942 the number of Kingdom warriors was up again to 253, including 8 pioneers. During that war-torn year, they had printed 10,000 copies of the booklet Choosing, Riches or Ruin? in Dutch, and 7,455 Watchtower magazines. During 1943 Jehovah increased the number of Kingdom preachers in Belgium to 396. These worked more than 46,000 hours while distributing 7,868 books, 17,106 booklets and 2,234 magazines. The number of congregations rose to 19. The underground printing plant produced 11,000 booklets and 14,500 magazines.

The next year was even more blessed. Now the number of ministers rose to 545. What a victory for Jehovah over false religion and her despotic allies! The Memorial attendance was 609, and 6,000 copies of the book Children were printed with the cooperation of a printer in Brussels.

From 1942 to 1944 the brothers accomplished a tremendous work. They printed more than 64,000 books, booklets and magazines. This, together with the stock that had been hidden at the time of the Nazi invasion, enabled them to distribute 107,587 pieces of literature during the war. The Nazis never did succeed in destroying the work, nor did they ever find Bethel, where five members were working by the end of the war.

INSTRUCTIONS SCRUPULOUSLY FOLLOWED

The brothers scrupulously heeded the instructions coming from the Society and did not try to know more than what was necessary. Even the children carefully obeyed instructions. For example, one day Brother Schrantz arrived at Waterschei and left a carton of publications at the home of Brother Golic. Only little Ann-Marie, nine years old, was at home. Brother Schrantz gave her the carton, telling her not to mention anything to anyone, except to her father.

She hid the carton underneath the bed. When her mother came home she did not say a word about Brother Schrantz’ visit. Bedtime came but she refused to go to bed. She just had to wait and see her father. Sister Golic thought this was all very mysterious. Ann-Marie stayed up until her father came home, and it was only then, and only to her father, that she mentioned the visit and revealed that there was a carton of literature underneath the bed.

1944—THE WAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE

The country was jubilant when the Allies progressively pushed the German armies back into their own country. The Gestapo and its agents were gone! So the brothers had only one thought: Get together in an assembly as soon as possible. Meetings were hurriedly organized; the desire to get together was strong. On December 23, 1944, an assembly, with 70 in attendance, was held at Waterschei in a windowless and unheated hall.

At the same time another assembly was organized in Liège in a hall that carried the scars of a war, as yet unended. Assemblies were later organized in Brussels and then in Charleroi. Brother Hartstang was present at each assembly, now using his real name.

THE FLYING-BOMB THREAT

But Hitler would not admit defeat. During 1944 he began to use his new weapon, the flying bomb, which the Germans called Vengeance Weapon One. After his armies had been pushed back, he used it first against England and then against Belgium. This guided missile, known as V-1, carried about a ton of explosives. The V-1 began to fall on the industrial centers and ports of Liège and Antwerp, causing great destruction and loss of life. It was under such conditions, in the early part of 1945, that a more widely advertised assembly was organized in Liège in the Hall of the Home des Invalides. The threat of the V-1 missiles was keenly felt in the town.

The Hall, with a capacity of 500 people, was full. While the assembly was in progress, a flying bomb was heard approaching. The loud stuttering sound of its motor was characteristic. As long as the noise of the engine could be heard, there was nothing to fear. If the motor stopped, the bomb was going no farther and would plunge to earth. This particular bomb was now flying over the town. Suddenly the motor stopped, and the bomb plunged to earth. Where would it fall?

In the Hall the brothers happened to be singing a song, and no one moved from his place. In contrast with this all the staff of the Home, including the director, fled to the shelters. The V-1 exploded not far from the Hall. The next day when Brothers E. Heuse, Sr., and M. Smets returned to pay the booking fee, the director asked them: “But whatever kind of people are you? Yesterday no one in the Hall moved when the V-1 fell!” It was an occasion to give him a good witness.

EMERGING FROM UNDERGROUND ACTIVITY

As soon as the German troops left, Bethel was established in Brussels, in the home of Brother Notebaert. Then Brother Hartstang rented two rooms in rue Rubens at Schaerbeek, one room being used as bedroom and office and the other as kitchen and dispatch. It was wintertime and coal was scarce and rationed. It was so cold that Brother and Sister Hartstang had to work sitting up in bed.

At that time an assembly was held at La Cour de Tilmont. Brothers coming from the mining regions of Limburg and Liège were seen arriving, carrying heavy suitcases and packages, calling at the Bethel home before continuing their journey to the assembly. What were they carrying that was so heavy? Coal? Yes, these coal-mining brothers were more favored as regards heating material, and they wanted their less favored Bethel brothers to benefit from this. Thus the Bethel coal cellar was filled up.

Workers were needed in order to reorganize Bethel. An appeal was made, and a young brother, José Nicolas Minet, came to Bethel. As there was no place for him to live at rue Rubens, he worked there during the day and slept at Brother Notebaert’s home. It was necessary to find a larger place, but there was a scarcity of living quarters in the city. After much searching, a house was finally rented at Ixelles, 47 rue Wayenberg. However, because the staff had increased in number, Brother and Sister Hartstang were not able to live at this address.

REORGANIZING THE WORK

The brothers were rather like someone who has difficulty in getting readjusted to daylight after having been a long time in darkness. The congregations were now invited to send their reports on a specially prepared postcard. The card was used, but it was slipped into an envelope to keep the information secret! Initials continued to be used to indicate the sender’s name, and the congregation was identified by the code used during the war and not by the name of the locality as had now been suggested.

The aftereffects of the Nazi secret police activity continued with the brothers to such an extent that about a year and a half after the departure of the SS the Society had to remind the brothers that they were no longer working underground and that it was possible again to work in the open.

One reason for this slowness to adapt to the new situation was that the majority of the brothers in Belgium had never known what it was like to be able to preach freely. The 86 publishers at the beginning of the war had now grown to 747 in August 1945. They had much to learn as regards preaching and organizational methods in order to be on a par with their brothers in other countries where the work had not been banned.

In December 1945 the Society’s president, N. H. Knorr, accompanied by Brother M. G. Henschel, stopped in Brussels to see what could be done to expedite the reorganization of the witness work. Then on January 15, 1946, the first Gilead-trained missionary arrived in Belgium. This was Brother Calvin Holmes, who was going to be a great help in reorganizing the work. He landed at Ostend and was met at the Brussels railroad station by the entire Bethel family. It was quite an event!

Brother Holmes was appointed as branch overseer. It was with joy that Brother Hartstang accepted these new arrangements—he who had done all he could during those difficult war years. Brother Hartstang was known as a very humble brother and also as an ardent and determined worker in Jehovah’s service. He served faithfully until he fell asleep in death on April 5, 1964. Sister Hartstang, now 81 years of age, is still serving Jehovah, working in the Bethel home in Holland.

PURIFYING THE CONGREGATIONS

In some congregations there was a purifying work to be done, and Brother Holmes got down to the work, not always an easy task for him because he knew neither French nor Dutch. In some cases, as in Brussels and Ieper, this cleansing had to be accomplished with much severity in order to remove immoral persons who were causing unrest and discord. Brother Holmes visited a congregation each weekend, in that way establishing a closer link with the Society.

PURCHASE OF A BETHEL HOME

The rented house that was used as the Bethel home became too small. After much searching, a house with a large workshop in the rear was bought. It was located at Schaerbeek, 28 Avenue General Eisenhower, in the suburbs of Brussels. Compared to what the family had known up until then, this house was a palace. Larger quantities of publications could be stocked here to take care of the ever-increasing needs. Furniture was scarce. Fortunately the Swiss branch had just sold an old farm, and the furniture was sent as a gift to Belgium, which was very much appreciated.

PIONEER SERVICE

A call for pioneers went out in 1945, and by October that year there were 18 pioneers in Belgium. By December the number had grown to 24, and 3 special pioneers were appointed. Pioneer life was not easy in those days. One of the pioneers related that he slept on a mattress on the floor. All he had as kitchen equipment was one cooking pot and a pan, serving for all purposes. In any case, the meals were not complicated, and Jehovah never abandoned his servants.

ASSISTANCE FROM AMERICAN BROTHERS

One brother, whose parents were not Witnesses, left a well-paying job to pioneer. He said that when he left, his sobbing mother told him: “Who will take care of you? How will you be able to buy clothes for yourself?” He replied: “The birds do not sow and yet they stay alive and have what is necessary to eat!”

A few months later this pioneer was invited to make a visit to the Brussels Bethel. The brothers in the United States had got together a large amount of clothing, and the Society had sent some to Belgium to help the brothers who had suffered because of the war. The pioneers were the first to benefit from the clothing gift, and this brother received two suits, an overcoat, some shirts and two pairs of shoes. Soon afterward he went to visit his mother, who, upon seeing him, cried out: “How well dressed you are! Wherever did you get all that good clothing?” The brother smilingly replied: “From heaven!”

This clothing shipment, which weighed a total of 10,500 kilograms (23,000 lb), in addition to 1,550 kilograms (3,400 lb) of shoes, was sent by the American brothers during the years 1946 and 1947. It was distributed among 1,431 brothers, and this enabled them to be well dressed as they preached the good news of the Kingdom.

It was at that time that a large postwar assembly was held. This was at the Cirque Royal in Brussels, from October 4 to 6, 1946, the program being presented in two languages. About 2,000 people came to hear the public talk “The Prince of Peace.”

NATIONALISTIC OPPRESSION RESURGES

The Nazi regime had been defeated, but the nationalistic spirit became more virulent than ever before. Satan began using this as a new weapon against those who represented God’s Kingdom. As they no longer needed to work underground, the foreign brothers who had escaped being tracked down by the Nazis made their presence known to the Belgian and American authorities. Brother and Sister Hartstang requested a resident’s permit from the authorities. Not only was it refused but on June 4, 1947, the minister of justice gave them eight days to get out of the country! All appeals against this unjust decision proved to be useless.

Pioneers Fritz Schneider, Erwin Klose and Willy Klopper were imprisoned and accused of being Nazi agents. That was really the last straw—the ones who had been tracked down like wild beasts by the Gestapo! Brother Schneider was imprisoned and afterward went back to Germany, a sick man suffering from a lung condition. He died a few years later. Brother Klose was imprisoned for 11 months along with Nazi agents in spite of petitions made by hundreds of brothers and even by local authorities. The American and British military authorities tried, though in vain, to prove that he was a Nazi agent!

VISITORS FROM BROOKLYN HEADQUARTERS

Despite opposition from nationalistic elements, for the first time the number of publishers passed the thousand mark. There were 57 pioneers. In June 1947 Brothers F. W. Franz and Grant Suiter visited Belgium. On this occasion two assemblies were held simultaneously, one in the Dutch language and the other in French. The visitors from the Society’s headquarters helped the branch to become more efficiently organized and strengthened the organization in its theocratic structure.

A few months later the first postwar circuit assembly was held at La Louvière. There were 295 publishers in the circuit, but an enthusiastic crowd of 485 attended the public talk. That year the Memorial attendance was 1,525 compared with 1,099 the previous year.

MORE MISSIONARIES ARRIVE

The Society tried to send more missionaries to help the brothers, but opposition from the nationalistic elements delayed their arrival. Toward the end of 1947 Brother and Sister Buisset arrived and stayed many years as missionaries in Belgium. They were followed by five other missionaries during 1948, among whom was Elmer Johnston who served faithfully in his missionary assignment until his death in 1972.

In 1949 ten other missionaries arrived, including Allan Coville and Gijsbertus van der Bijl, followed by Markus Hartlief in 1955 and Aalzen Wiegersma in 1965, all four of whom are still here, serving as traveling overseers.

PRIESTS EXERT PRESSURE

As the name Jehovah became more familiar to the public, the clergy opposed the Witnesses in countless ways. For example, at the instigation of the priest, opposers chased the brothers out of Lantin by hurling firecrackers at them. At Bolland, a small village near Herve, the priest distributed a pamphlet to his parishioners. It told them what to do when the Witnesses call: “(1) Close your door to these peddlers of the Devil; (2) if they enter unawares, turn your radio up loud or, if that is not possible, two saucepan lids banged together will do the trick.”

It was very difficult to rent a hall to give talks because of clergy pressure. At Tervueren the priest told the owner of a hall that he would rather see it ‘rented to the communists than to the propagandists of this new god.’ In another village the priest mobilized all the children and sent them to the hall, where they made such a noise with saucepan lids that the talk could not be given. On another occasion the priest threatened the owner of a hall that if he rented it to the Witnesses his business would be ruined. The priest would see to it that none of his parishioners would patronize that man’s shop.

The mental attitude of village people toward the Witnesses at that time is well illustrated by the following experience. Brother Schrantz had to visit a brother, but he did not know his address. So he simply asked the first one he met in the village: “Do you know where a man who has a strange religion lives?” He was immediately directed to the house without even mentioning his name!

BAN ON TRANSPORTING BIBLE LITERATURE

In 1950 Belgium was in a state of turmoil because of the return of King Leopold III. Upon the king’s return from exile, demonstrations, strikes and threats of civil war disunited the Belgian people over the royalty question. The Witnesses, now numbering 2,462 ministers, took a neutral stand amid such restlessness. During this time of national tumult and only two days after a new Catholic government came to power, Satan again tried to cripple the Kingdom work.

On June 6, 1950, without any advance notice, the minister of transport prohibited the transportation of the Society’s publications by the Belgian railroad and postal systems. The government ignored all letters that the branch sent in about the matter. How would the brothers and subscribers now receive spiritual food?

The Society organized magazine and literature delivery by truck to all the congregations. Then the publishers delivered the magazines to the subscribers. Jehovah richly blessed this arrangement, which gave the brothers an opportunity to make regular calls on the subscribers.

After repeated requests throughout the 31 years, it was not until October 30, 1981, that the Belgian government removed the ban on the transportation of the Society’s literature!

IN THE ARDENNES AND FLEMISH TERRITORY

In 1951 the number of publishers exceeded the three thousand mark. The prosperity of the 80 congregations greatly alarmed the clergy, who lamented that congregations of Witnesses were springing up even in the extremely Catholic villages of the Ardennes. The Belgian Catholic journal, L’Avenir du Luxembourg (the Belgian province of Luxembourg) of December 2, 1950, showed its concern, saying: “We do not know what is going on . . . but we notice that in several villages in the vicinity of Neufchâteau and Bertrix, Jehovah’s witnesses have taken root.”

Though the clergy’s influence on the people had diminished in the larger cities and towns, the priests still tried to maintain a tight grip in the villages. In Erps Kwerps (Flemish territory) a priest ordered a pioneer to leave the village, but the brother refused. The next day the priest again ordered the brother to leave the village. Since the brother still refused, the priest began to accompany him from door to door, accusing him of being a Protestant and of selling Bibles, which the people were forbidden to read. At each door the pioneer refuted the priest’s accusations. This continued for three hours. Finally, the priest stopped going to the doors. He stood in the middle of the street and loudly spoke to the people, all the while following the brother. On the third day the priest again followed the pioneer, but this time the brother called the police and the priest disappeared. The police no longer were at the beck and call of the clergy.

THE AUTHORITIES SHOW MISTRUST

Because of the Witnesses’ stand for Christian neutrality the authorities did not seem to trust the organization’s peaceable, educational work. Two plainclothes policemen attended almost all the public talks. They would take notes during the talk. As soon as a public talk was advertised, two policemen could be seen in the audience even in small congregations of about 15 publishers. The policemen would often have to sit in a brother’s small kitchen that had been transformed into a Kingdom Hall. In view of the situation at that time, it was deemed advisable that the foreign brothers, including the traveling overseers, not give public talks.

PRIESTS RESUME FORMER WAYS

The brothers were able now to give the unassigned territory more attention. During 1952 the publishers worked 591 towns and villages despite strong opposition from the priests who thought that the Witnesses would never come back, at least not to the remote territories. This time the priests resumed their former ways of doing things, but without police support. They incited the people to chase the Witnesses out of town. During a circuit assembly in Bastogne, the priest tore a handful of pages from the Catholic Bible that a sister was using in the witness work, and another sister was beaten by a fanatical woman who had been egged on by the priest.

In Antwerp other false shepherds tried to prevent an invalid sister from doing street work, which she did in her wheelchair at a location near a store. The storekeeper tried to get rid of her. First he called the police, but the policeman said she was within her rights. Then he enlisted two priests who tried to persuade the sister to leave the place, but to no avail. So the priests decided to push her wheelchair down the street. At this, some taxi drivers from across the street who had been observing the proceedings quickly ran over and told the priests that unless they wanted trouble they had better get on the move. Needless to say, they scurried off.

PROGRESS WITH HELP OF MISSIONARIES

Despite the opposition, the number of publishers increased to 3,623. The Gilead graduates continued to strengthen the brothers and help them to take on added responsibilities. Very soon Belgium was no longer considered a missionary field, so the majority of the missionaries were used in a supervisory capacity, serving at Bethel or as traveling overseers. At that time all the district and circuit overseers were foreigners, and at the branch office there were only three Belgian brothers.

BRANCH OVERSEER EXPELLED

Once again the representatives of the Catholic government expressed their hatred by attacking the brothers who were taking the lead. On April 11, 1953, Brother Calvin Holmes, the branch overseer, received notice that he was being expelled from the country even though he was married to a Belgian sister. Brother G. van der Bijl was appointed as branch overseer in his place.

And what about Brother André Wozniak, whom the Gestapo had been unable to catch and whom a former Catholic government had tried in vain to expel in 1934? This brother was requested to appear before a committee, which decided on his expulsion from the country. But before this could take place there was a change of government. The new minister of justice, not a Catholic, decided not to enforce the decision to expel Brother Wozniak. As in 1934, he again escaped from his persecutors.

The new government, more liberal than the previous one, proved to be somewhat favorable toward the Kingdom work. In fact, on July 28, 1954, one of the government ministers wrote a letter to the Society, saying that the placing of Bibles and Bible literature would not be considered peddling but rather a charitable and nonprofit work.

CONVENTION TIME

The location of Belgium, at the crossroads between London, Nuremberg, Paris and The Hague, made it easy for the Belgian brothers to attend the international Triumphant Kingdom Conventions in 1955. Two special trains were used. French authorities stopped one of the trains on its arrival at the French border. Using loudspeakers, the French State Police called out the names of several brothers, forbidding their entry into France for “security reasons”! The brothers whose names had been called out left the train but reached the convention by taking regular trains after a roundabout through the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

THE AUTHORITIES ACT FAVORABLY

As clergy opposition waned, the authorities gained greater respect for the Kingdom work. In fact, they went as far as making unilateral decisions in favor of the brothers to guarantee their constitutional rights of worship. Thus a royal decree of January 8, 1958, published in the March 14, 1958, issue of the Official Journal, canceled all action taken by the mayor and aldermen of the town of Anvaing on June 8, 1957, forbidding public talks in the open air. The royal decree accused the Council of Aldermen of having exceeded its powers in imposing this ban.

The only places where clergy pressure was felt now were in the rural territories, such as Orp-le-Grand. Arrangements had been made for many brothers to stay in a large house in this town during a circuit assembly to be held May 23-25, 1958. Just before the assembly the parish priest brought about the cancellation of these accommodations. He also forced the local baker to revoke his agreement to supply bread for the Sunday noon meal at the cafeteria. But this did not prevent the brothers from getting the needed food and rest. A large dormitory was set up in the assembly hall itself, and large straw-filled sacks were used as beds. Despite the opposition, 532 attended the assembly.

NO LANGUAGE BARRIERS

A highlight of the 1959 service year was the Awake Ministers National Assembly held at the Brussels Sports Palace, where 6,896 persons heard the public talk given simultaneously in French and Dutch. During this five-day convention, 378 new Witnesses were baptized. What made this convention so outstanding was the unity between the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) and Walloon (French-speaking) brothers, who assembled in the same auditorium, side by side. The sound system had been set up so that each one could hear his own language spoken. To make this possible, the audience was divided into two sections. Such a bilingual spectacle did not go unnoticed, and the gathering was given wide publicity.

Moreover, this convention proved that difference in language does not cause division among true Christians. In contrast, Belgium is greatly divided by language disputes; in certain Catholic churches in Antwerp and Vilvoorde, the police have had to intervene to separate Flemish Catholics from Walloon Catholics. The reason? Some Flemish Catholics could not bear having their priests officiate at Mass in French!

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

In 1960 an important step forward was made in legally defending and establishing the good news in this country. That year there were over 7,000 publishers in the country and 10,237 persons were present at the Memorial. The Kingdom Halls were becoming too small, and several congregations had begun to enlarge their halls or build new ones. The congregations owning Kingdom Halls requested the same tax exemption that the churches have. Their request was refused on the grounds that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not constitute a religion. Moreover, the Tax Office claimed that there was no public worship going on in the Kingdom Halls. Of course, such claims were absolutely false.

The Court of Appeals in Liège rejected the claims of the State in its decision of June 29, 1960. Now Kingdom Halls could benefit from property tax exemption. Furthermore, the court decided that the State must reimburse the brothers for taxes that had been paid on the halls.

FOREIGN PUBLISHERS

In this small country of 30,513 square kilometers (11,781 sq mi), the major part of the population live in cities and towns. Since industry is the major means of employment, it is easy to understand why there are so many foreign workers in the country. In fact, about 10 percent of the population are of foreign origin, of whom a third are Italians.

Upon arrival, they worked chiefly in the coal mines. Thus it was once again in the Charleroi, Liège and Limburg areas that the truth spread among the foreign population. Bible studies were started immediately, and to help these sincere people more fully, some of the Belgian brothers even learned the Italian language.

LANGUAGE SCHOOLS

The 1962 report showed that about 40 percent of the publishers were foreigners and were unable to express themselves clearly in either French or Dutch. To overcome this problem, the February 1962 Kingdom Ministry announced the establishment of a new school to help these brothers get a better knowledge of the local language. Instead of attending the Theocratic Ministry School, these publishers learned how to read and speak the local tongue with the help of the book From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained. This greatly helped them to become teachers of the Word. They now were able to discuss Bible subjects instead of offering the magazines only. Today several of them are elders and ministerial servants in the congregations.

CONGREGATIONS CONSISTING OF PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

A very special event, the first of its kind in Belgium, took place on July 7-11, 1965. A large international convention was held in Charleroi, where 63 years previously the truth had begun to take root. Brothers from northern France and Paris were present with their Belgian brothers, and on Sunday there was a peak attendance of 11,710.

Italian sessions were also held at this convention, as had been the case for some years. But the Italian brothers were no longer a handful, for 725 attended this “Word of Truth” Assembly. How grateful they were when Brother Knorr announced that ten Italian congregations would be formed in Belgium. The news was greeted with much applause. Great increases followed. At the time of this writing there are over 2,500 Italian publishers in 32 congregations, forming 3 circuits.

More sheeplike people were found among the Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish and English populations. Among the new congregations formed were one Portuguese, three English, seven Spanish and eight Greek. These brothers from other countries are full of zeal for Jehovah, and their endurance is exemplary. Consider the Greek congregation in Brussels: All 47 baptized publishers were auxiliary pioneers at least once during the service year!

NEW BETHEL HOME

Over a 20-year period, the Bethel home located at 28 Avenue General Eisenhower, Schaerbeek-Brussels, had amply filled the needs of the Kingdom work here. But there was not enough room for literature or for all the members of the Bethel family to live under one roof. In 1966 Brother Marcel Gillet, then serving as branch overseer and at present the Branch Committee coordinator, was informed by Brother Knorr that a new Bethel home would be built. In November 1966 construction began. In February 1968 a fine, spacious Bethel home, in the Brussels suburb of Kraainem, was ready for use. What a difference from the place that had been rented in 1945!

CONFUSION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

While over 10,000 Kingdom publishers were warmly united in the Dutch- and French-speaking sections of Belgium, confusion, hatred and anarchy broke out in the Catholic Church. This time the newspapers did not spare the church but even went as far as ridiculing it. Many Catholics confided to the brothers: “Nothing is going right in our church,” “This is the end of the Catholic Church,” and “We don’t know how to pray anymore.”

Rioting between Catholics broke out in the churches themselves. In Antwerp, Vilvoorde and elsewhere, Flemish Catholics attacked the churches because Mass was said in French for French-speaking audiences living in those cities. Police had to be called in to break up the rioting. Times had changed since the Catholic priest called the police to have the brothers chased out of town! In Antwerp, Catholic extremists wrote on the walls: “Stop saying Mass in French in Vilvoorde!” This is the city where the clergy had the Bible translator William Tyndale strangled and burned, and where today there exists a congregation of 70 Bible-loving publishers of Jehovah’s Kingdom. In Louvain, famous for its Catholic university, young priests shouted in the streets: “Down with the bishop!” It finally became necessary for the government to intervene and maintain order.

IMPRISONED BECAUSE OF CHRISTIAN NEUTRALITY

Over the years hundreds of our young brothers were imprisoned because of the issue of Christian neutrality. Up until the present time our brothers are sentenced to two years in prison because they refuse to violate their Christian neutrality. For nearly 40 years any brothers in prison were not allowed to meet together or receive the visit of congregation elders. Not until August 5, 1976, did a more broadminded minister of justice give permission for accredited elders to visit them.

AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENT

The “Divine Victory” International Assembly, held in Brussels, August 8 to 12, 1973, was an unforgettable event. This convention was memorable not only because of the record attendance but also because this time our Spanish and Portuguese brothers were invited to join us in Brussels. They had not yet been granted the right to meet together freely in their own countries, so they came in large numbers. The peak attendance at the Spanish session was 19,687; at the French session it was 14,625; our Flemish brothers had 11,101 and our Portuguese brothers 8,152, making a grand total of 53,565.

Being conscious of the persecutions that the Spanish and Portuguese brothers had encountered over many years, the Belgian brothers made preparations to receive them hospitably, expressing the depth of their love toward them. The Spanish and Portuguese brothers and sisters, already known for their hospitality, were also determined to give proof of their deep love and overwhelming gratitude in being able to meet together with their brothers in Belgium. Countless were the expressions of love and the exchange of presents during that joyous occasion!

FOREIGN PUBLISHERS RETURN HOME

Many organizations have their centers here in Belgium, such as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), EC (European Communities) and SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe). This brings many people of different nationalities into the country. Thus, many learn the truth here in Belgium and then return to their country of origin as Jehovah’s Witnesses. During the course of the years, this has been true of many Italians, Spaniards and Greeks who initially came here to work in the coal mines. Then after varied periods of stay in Belgium they returned home and contributed enormously to the preaching work in their native lands. Because of the difficult economic times, these homeward treks have increased in number.

PRESENT SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY

Today the message of the “good news of the kingdom” has been spread throughout Belgium. There are no longer any unassigned territories. The entire country is apportioned out among the 288 congregations. In April 1983 the peak number of publishers in Belgium reached 20,018.

What is the present situation in the country? How do the people in general react to the preaching work? The influence once exerted by the Catholic religion has greatly diminished. Even if many Catholics still claim to be religious, it is obvious that material comforts have induced many to develop a materialistic outlook. This, coupled with a total lack of interest in religious matters on the part of others, has created an enormous indifference among the people. It is thus hard to speak to them about God and his purposes. This attitude poses a challenge to the publishers, and it encourages them to try using striking introductions in an endeavor to arouse some interest in the Kingdom message.

ASSEMBLY HALLS

The renting of halls for circuit assemblies was quite often very expensive, and many of them did not meet our needs. So the circuits arranged to acquire halls of their own. In 1980 two such halls were purchased, one at Bioul and the other at Bornem. Enthusiastically the brothers and sisters contributed both money and time so as to adapt these halls to the needs of the assemblies. Since these Assembly Halls are always kept clean, the brothers no longer have to undertake enormous cleanup operations before using a hall.

JEHOVAH’S LOVING-KINDNESS—A CROWN

In 1902 Brother Tilmant, as the very first Kingdom publisher in Belgium, may have asked himself: “How . . . will they hear without someone to preach?” (Rom. 10:14) Who would have thought that the first seeds of truth this faithful brother sowed away back then would produce, 80 years later, more than 19,000 courageous witnesses for Jehovah?

One can appreciate how thrilled Brothers Smets and Poelmans must have been when, in 1952, they saw that the five persons who had stayed faithful to Jehovah after the test of 1918 had grown to more than 3,500!

Those courageous Christians died, having in mind that Jesus said: “Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens.” (Matt. 5:12) Now that they are joint heirs with Christ in the heavens, one can imagine their joy at seeing the abundant blessings of Jehovah upon his people.

May Jehovah be praised for his loving-kindness! We thank him for having raised up so many faithful Witnesses in these modern times. In fact, while compiling this report, we had just one regret: The lack of space prevents us from mentioning hundreds of other brothers and sisters who, as Andronicus and Junias, although being less known, were like pillars and “men of note,” and have labored faithfully in the work of the Lord.—Rom. 16:7.

The magnificent examples of endurance on the part of these faithful brothers, as well as the direction given by Jehovah to his people here in Belgium through “the faithful and discreet slave,” constitute a powerful source of encouragement to all of us. This stimulates us to continue “the fine fight of the faith” until the day when Jehovah will say, through his King Jesus Christ: “Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.”—1 Tim. 6:12; Matt. 25:34.

When that glorious day dawns, no longer will the fields and pastures of Belgium be in danger of being transformed into battlefields, as has twice been the case since 1914. No; these fields, as well as the rest of Europe and, indeed, the whole earth, will be transformed into a worldwide Paradise, cleared of all war and oppression. Until then all lovers of righteousness in Belgium and elsewhere echo the words of the apostle John, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”—Rev. 22:20.

[Footnotes]

[Map on page 39]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Belgium

Antwerp

Bornem

Mechelen

Vilvoorde

Erps Kwerps

Louvain

Kraainem

Schaerbeek

Brussels

Ixelles

Tervueren

Orp-le-Grand

Beringen

Bree

Waterschei

Eisden

Genk

Heure-le-Romain

Vivegnis

Visé

Herstal

Lantin

Liège

Bolland

Flémalle-Haute

Engis

Ampsin

Amay

Sclessin

Herve

Ougrée

Eupen

Verviers

Val St. Lambert

Meuse (Maas)

Namur

Bioul

Dinant

Ciney

Bertrix

Bastogne

Neufchâteau

La Louvière

Haine St. Paul

Carnières

Roux

Jumet

Charleroi

Couillet

Braine-le-Comte

Tournai

Anvaing

Kortrijk

Ieper (Ypres)

Ostend

Ghent

[Picture on page 47]

Brother Ernest Heuse, Sr., and family—all in the full-time service

[Picture on page 48]

At an assembly in Liège in 1952 Brothers Poelmans and Smets rejoice that the 5 publishers had grown to more than 3,000

[Picture on page 55]

Brother Emile Schrantz, along with his wife, while in the circuit work (Brother Fevrier is on the right). Moving to the next congregation was done by bicycle

[Picture on page 58]

Werner Schutz, a valiant fighter for the Theocracy. Up to his death in 1972, he had been in the full-time service for 47 years

[Picture on page 81]

André Wozniak, a keyman in carrying on the Kingdom work underground during World War II, was sought—but never caught—by the Gestapo

[Picture on page 89]

Brother and Sister Hartstang arrived secretly from Holland. He served as branch overseer during those difficult times and eluded being captured by a determined Gestapo chief

[Pictures on page 90]

François Hankus, among the 14 brothers and sisters taken to different prisons and concentration camps in Germany

Sister Hankus endured faithfully and remained active during the detention of her husband and afterward, serving until her death in 1982

[Picture on page 92]

Brother and Sister Floryn after they returned from the concentration camps

[Picture on page 95]

Brother Glowacz, one of the Witnesses threatened with execution while in Buchenwald for refusing to work in the manufacture of arms

[Picture on page 118]

The Belgian branch building in the Brussels suburb of Kraainem

[Pictures on page 123]

View of the Bioul Assembly Hall, one of the two buildings purchased in 1980

Inside view of the Bornem Assembly Hall

Alaska

SEWARD’S ICEBOX is what Alaska was called in 1867 when the United States purchased it from Russia. The U.S. Secretary of State, William H. Seward, arranged the transaction, and opposers also dubbed it Seward’s Folly. Such uncomplimentary expressions sprang from the mistaken beliefs that snow and cold never leave this remote corner of earth and that it is enshrouded with total darkness six months at a time. Although a land of extremes, Alaska offers enough attractions to prompt residents to look on their part of the earth as paradise.

True, ice and snow are very much a part of the seven-month winter landscape when temperatures may dip to 62 degrees below zero Celsius (-80° F.) But summer heat at Fairbanks has soared to 38 degrees Celsius (100° F.) on occasion. When the summer sun shines for 20 hours a day, locals are infused with greater vigor and enthusiasm to accomplish their daily tasks. Encompassing more than 1,525,000 square kilometers (589,000 sq mi) and spanning four time zones, Alaska is the largest state of the United States, more than double the size of Texas. Despite its claim of being the biggest, nearly one fifth as large as the rest of the nation, it is the least populated state, with only about 425,000 people. Numerous mountains and glaciers have locked within their icy fingers a large portion of the world’s fresh water, and two million of Alaska’s many lakes are larger than eight hectares (20 a.). The Saint Elias Mountain range boasts this hemisphere’s largest glacier, Malaspina, an ice sheet 80 kilometers (50 mi) wide.

Some have described the land as having “five faces.” Treeless tundra with constant winds marks the Aleutian chain of islands. The southeastern panhandle is a dense rain forest with huge Sitka spruce trees and commercial fishing as its claim to fame. South-central Alaska, including Anchorage, the Matanuska Valley and the Kenai Peninsula, houses the majority of the state’s populace and enjoys moderate weather. Around Palmer in the Matanuska Valley is lush farmland capable of producing beef, milk, poultry and some vegetables. Cabbages of more than 30 kilograms (70 lbs) and turnips in excess of 14 kilograms (30 lbs) are not uncommon.

Fairbanks, the “Golden Heart of the North,” experiences extremes in temperature—the hottest in summer and some of the coldest in winter. This is the jumping-off place to the spongy Arctic tundra. And, finally, the north and west coastal areas are dotted with Eskimo and Indian villages; here summer provides only a little warming from the extreme winter cold.

Adding to the wonders of this northern paradise are 13 active volcanoes, as well as majestic Mount McKinley, towering 6,194 meters (20,320 ft) in the clouds as North America’s highest peak. The countryside is rich in wildlife, minerals, timber and oil. Is it any wonder the early Aleutian Islanders called it Alyeska, meaning “the great land”?

It is ironic that this land of great natural wealth, “Seward’s Icebox,” was purchased from Russia in 1867 for only $7,200,000, about five cents per hectare (2 cents per a.)! The Russians had sought riches from the fur-bearing animals. In 1897-98 sourdough prospectors flocked here, searching for the prize of gold along the Klondike trail. Later, commercial fishermen plied the 53,000 kilometers (33,000 mi) of tidal coastline in search of wealth from the sea. Now oil-field workers drill for the precious black gold (petroleum) under the ground. But, Alaska boasts even more valuable treasures than all of these.

TRUE WEALTH COMES TO A RICH LAND

The resurrected Jesus Christ told his disciples that they would be witnesses of him “to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Perched on the top of the globe, Alaska certainly qualifies as a “distant part of the earth.” Just as Alaska has not given up her physical resources easily, neither has she accepted the wealth of the good news without resistance. It has taken the determination of hardy servants of Jehovah, backed up by his holy spirit, to penetrate this hostile, rugged environment.

The first seeds of truth were scattered along the coastline in 1910 by Captain Beams, the skipper of a whaling ship. Little is known about the details of his activity, except that he spoke the truth and placed literature at his various ports of call.

In the late 1920’s a more concentrated effort was launched by Frank Day, an anointed Witness from Seattle, Washington. Each summer, for more than 12 years, he worked his way through the territory, preaching, and placing literature. To sustain himself, he sold eyeglasses as he traveled from village to village, yet keeping the preaching foremost. Since he worked alone, he depended greatly on Jehovah’s guidance.

Sister Winnie Pearson from the interior city of Fairbanks recalled moving into a house in 1930 and finding copies of Studies in the Scriptures, placed by Brother Day. This brother left a trail of good work that stretched from Ketchikan to Nome, a distance of about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 mi). No little accomplishment when one considers that he had to cover his territory while hobbling on an artificial leg!

In August 1941 Brother Day wrote to the Society’s office at Brooklyn, recommending that a congregation be formed in Anchorage. He recommended that Brother Karl Liebau take the lead. Where the application asked how many others would be witnessing with Brother Liebau, the number “one” was written in. That “one” was Brother O. P. Rees. Thus the first congregation in Alaska’s largest city was made up of two devoted servants.

In those days there was no road connecting the seaport city of Seward with Anchorage. Brother Liebau decided that the section houses along the railroad linking the two cities needed a witness. So, off he went on foot! He would witness to the man or two in each section house, stay the night and march off down the tracks to the next one. He walked the entire distance of more than 160 kilometers (100 mi), witnessing along the way. Brother Liebau continued faithful until his death in 1969.

Efforts to push farther into the Alaskan wilderness were not always met with immediate success. Winnie Pearson recalled when Brother Day came through Fairbanks during his last trip to Alaska in 1942. Loading a canoe with food supplies, literature and his large wooden phonograph with its protruding horn, he pushed off from shore for a grueling trip down the Yukon River. In a short time, however, he showed up at Sister Pearson’s door with sodden literature and a very wet phonograph. His canoe had capsized! This ended his journeys to Alaska.

ASSISTANCE FROM CANADA

During those years several Canadian brothers, working under the direction of the Society’s branch office in Toronto, volunteered to help in the Alaskan field. Using a fishing boat obtained by the Society for preaching the good news, they began to work the coastal cities of Juneau, Skagway, Hoonah and Sitka. This crew of four, including Brother Frank Franske, decided to push farther north. They ran into heavy seas, and after 26 hours of battling the severe weather, they were forced to turn back to Ketchikan. The disappointment of having to turn back was eased when they discovered Sister Anna Hoguewood, who had started Kingdom service in 1911. She remained loyal until her death in Ketchikan in 1949 at the age of 76.

These courageous brothers had a wonderful time distributing literature, as they said, “by the ton.” They were attracted to the Alaskans, whom Brother Franske describes as the “rough-and-ready type; fishermen, loggers, trappers and miners; all with a hospitable and generous nature along with a much-needed sense of humor.”

Just as the early sourdough miners found that they had to sift through a lot of gravel to find the yellow nuggets of gold, so these early Christian “prospectors” found that much effort would be needed to find a few sheeplike people. In 1938 there were five publishers reporting Kingdom service in Alaska. This increased to seven in 1942, but in 1943 and 1944 it dropped back to two or three. Much seed had been planted, though, with the use of Bible literature, but it was obvious that something more was needed for Alaska.

LIKE BALSAM OUT OF GILEAD

Just as highly prized balsam was used in Bible times to heal and cure, Jehovah’s organization sent eight men and women as gifts to provide spiritual healing in the Alaskan territory. (Compare Jeremiah 46:11.) That small population of about 100,000 was not neglected, since Gilead-trained pioneers were sent in 1944 to advance Kingdom interests.

Harold and Claudia Hoffman, Ralph Bachman and Chester Sieradski were sent to Juneau, the capital. John Errichetti and Gordon Rogers took up their work at Ketchikan, one of the several island cities that hug the coastline of the Alaska panhandle. The largest frontier communities of Anchorage and Fairbanks were to be cared for by James E. Odham and Hermon Woodard. Later on, Brothers Errichetti and Woodard teamed up. This pair, affectionately called “the boys” by the Alaskan brothers, were to have a great influence on future growth in Alaska.

Then in 1945 another Gilead graduate, Charles Gauntt, arrived to serve in Juneau. In 1948 he married Sister Ada Anderson, also a Gilead graduate, and they continued to serve in Alaska until October 1954. The Gauntts’ two sons, Charles and Tom, are now in full-time service, Charles in Chile and Tom at Brooklyn Bethel. In 1946 four more missionaries were added to the team that was sent from the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead.

NOT A VERY WARM WELCOME

How would you react if you were asked to go to Alaska to preach? No doubt you would have mixed emotions. Yet eight hardy pioneers volunteered for this unusual assignment. The majority of missionaries who graduated from Gilead School had to face the heat and humidity of parts of Central and South America and Africa. But this assignment would bring challenges of another kind. They were traveling northward! A warm welcome was not anticipated from the hostile climate. Would they put their trust in Jehovah, to meet the rigors of their new assignment?

When the two missionary brothers arrived in Anchorage, they rented a one-room apartment for $35 a month. It was a cubbyhole. Toilet facilities were outside and around the corner. A water faucet with a bucket nearby was the only plumbing available. This was their missionary home and the focal point for scouting out the territory. From this base they would reach Talkeetna, Palmer and Seward, a frontier territory some 320 kilometers (200 mi) long!

At Fairbanks, a wanigan, a small shack on skids, served as their missionary home. With little or no insulation in the walls, these were not the most ideal living quarters. It was common for the brothers to reach for a garment in the closet and find it frozen to the wall. No mystery, however, since the thermometer recorded 45 degrees below zero Celsius (-50° F.) outside!

“NIGHT” WITNESSING DURING THE DAY

The missionaries expected that it would be cold in Alaska. But what was not fully anticipated and was difficult to accept was the lack of sunlight in the wintertime. Brother Woodard remembers that first year: “A long winter was spent in Anchorage. We had about three hours of sunlight, and for many days, ‘murk’ would be a better term.”

In Fairbanks the problem was greater, for the days there are even shorter during the winter period. When the sun rises at almost midmorning and sets only a few hours later, this can have a detrimental effect on a newcomer to Alaska. Winter ice-fog conditions add to the gloom or murk that cuts down visibility on the roads to only a few meters. These dreary winter conditions often contribute to a psychological struggle. In Fairbanks, by 11 o’clock one could expect the daily routine of house-to-house witnessing to be well under way. But in December it is barely daylight at that time. Often, people would sleep until the sun rose, so getting householders out of bed was common. In order to get the good news preached, the missionaries had to engage in “night” witnessing during the day. To avoid getting people out of bed, the brothers decided to call at the homes where the lights were on. This did help somewhat, but it was amazing how many householders they still got out of bed because people simply had not turned their lights off the night before. Undaunted, the missionaries made the best of this situation.

GOING NORTH FOR THE WINTER

They soon learned that winter was really the best time to contact people. In those years good quality lubricants and fuels for machinery were not available, so residents simply stored their automobiles for the winter, because they would only freeze up if driven. This worked to the brothers’ advantage, as it kept most of the people indoors for the winter. When the basic chores were accomplished there were few places to go, and householders usually welcomed any visitors who were brave enough to come to call. What a challenge at 51 degrees below zero Celsius (-60° F.)!

With this in mind, the missionaries found the best strategy for witnessing was for them to go north for the winter and south for the summer. This is opposite to what vacationers do in the northern hemisphere. But it was most practical when it came to spreading the Kingdom message in Alaska. Our brothers were able to conduct more Bible studies with people, since secular work in those days almost came to a standstill during the winter months. In their summer territory, southeastern Alaska, reaching remote villages by boat brought its challenges too.

CABIN FEVER

Another cold climate problem frequently encountered is cabin fever. Long periods of darkness and extreme cold can force a person to remain indoors just about all the time. This affects the disposition, making one feel jumpy and irritable. Every little discomfort or disturbance is magnified, and the walls can appear to move in on you. Clinics have been set up by doctors who specialize in treating those suffering from this ailment. Our brothers, however, quickly adjusted to their assignment. Jehovah’s willing servants found the best medicine for cabin fever—the satisfying activity of helping people learn of the hope found in God’s Word. Getting out of one’s home to cheer up others is the best remedy.

A BRIDE COMES TO ALASKA

In 1947 Brother James Odham took secular work to prepare for marriage. He made arrangements for his bride, Stella, to come to Anchorage. Since there were no plumbing facilities in their primitive “honeymoon cottage,” the former missionary home, taking a bath posed a challenge. The Odhams decided to purchase a portable, rubber-lined bathtub from a mail-order house. Water was heated on the stove, and they enjoyed the luxury of a bath in their tiny, but warm, home. But now, how were they going to dispose of a bathtubful of water? It was 40 degrees below zero (Celsius and Fahrenheit) outside! With no drain in the cabin, they decided to drag the tub through the door and simply dump its contents outside. A surprise was ahead. As quickly as the water left the tub it turned to ice right on the doorstep! This ice-skating pond remained on the doorstep for the rest of the winter, and as visitors came by, Brother Odham would caution, “Be careful of my wife’s bath there!” A sense of humor certainly came to the rescue in those days.

SEVENTEEN FEET OF RAIN!

Contending with snow and sub-zero temperature was one thing. But the newcomers who were eager to spread the good news to the southeastern area of the state were also in for a surprise. They never realized how difficult it could be to put up with simple rain when it continues day after day without letup.

In 1944, prior to reaching Alaska, Brother Errichetti met faithful Brother Day in Seattle, Washington. With a knowing grin, the experienced veteran of Alaska gave Brother Errichetti a rubber raincoat with the warning, “You will need it in Ketchikan!” Brother Errichetti learned the full meaning of those words when he arrived in Ketchikan. It is difficult to explain how overwhelming the storms can be, storms in which the winds drive the rain horizontally day after day, week after week.

Brother Vernor Davis and his wife were assigned to Ketchikan in 1946. When they arrived that bright day of June 13 they smiled at the sun. But it did not take long for the deluge to wash that smile away. They express how they had to cope with the elements:

“One March there was not a 20-minute period during the month when it was not raining. Why not use an umbrella? According to local custom, men do not bother with umbrellas. One simply had to be waterproof. We wore raincoats, of course, and at the doorstep we had to be careful not to tip our heads forward or the water that had collected on our hats would pour into our book bags. Often we carried book bags upside down. Then, when out of the rain we would turn them right side up.”

Rainfall the first year the missionaries were in Ketchikan reached 523 centimeters (206 in.). That is more than 5 meters (17 ft)! This topped the annual average of 381 centimeters (150 in.) or 3.8 meters (12.5 ft). It was necessary to return home several times a day to change into dry clothing before continuing with the preaching work. This perseverance might make us think twice before we decide to forgo field service because of a few drops of rain.

ANOTHER EFFORT BY BOAT

Over the years, witnessing by boat provided opportunities for brothers to reach the people of many isolated communities on the coast. This produced dangers at sea and required constant vigilance and expertise in piloting.

In the fall of 1948 Ava (Nick) Nickles, a Ketchikan fisherman who was interested in the truth, offered to transport Brothers Errichetti and Woodard to the villages not yet reached with the Kingdom hope. In his 12.8-meter (42-ft) fishing boat, the Irene D., they reached many ports. One time, when trying to cross a stretch of water about 40 kilometers (25 mi) wide, the engine quit. The wind was blowing hard and the sea was running high. Upon investigation, they found the batteries had jarred loose, spilled acid on the distributor cap and shorted out the engine. Next, the starter spring broke. Brother Errichetti recalls that evening vividly:

“We began to drift broadside with the heavy seas and to take quite a pounding. We lost steerage. All of us became seasick, with the boat drifting wherever the wind and tide took us. We started to drift at about four in the afternoon, and by the time the searchlight of a Coast Guard boat found us, we had drifted 26 kilometers [16 mi] out to sea! Our prayers had ascended to Jehovah and he heard them.” But these dangers at sea did not stop the brothers as they continued to witness without letup.

Today, Brother Nickles, at the age of 93, is retired from fishing but has not stopped fishing for men. He continues to witness from house to house each week, as possible, and serves as a ministerial servant with the Ketchikan Congregation.

FINDING HEARTS OF GOLD

One can imagine the joy that these early “prospectors” for Jehovah experienced when they located a “find.” These people with humble hearts were like treasures of gold. When they took their stand for Jehovah’s Messianic Kingdom they truly became precious in the sight of God and men.

On Annette Island is the tiny village of Metlakatla. A small population of only a few hundred from the Tsimshian Indian tribe live there. One of these Indian women was Minnie Booth. She was a kind, warmhearted, soft-spoken precious person. With the help of Jehovah she courageously broke away from the influence of tribal pressure. For many years she stood as the lone witness for Jehovah in her village. Sister Booth did not hesitate to offer the truth to everyone she met. Happily, a genuine response was shown by a friend of the Booth family, Louis Fawcett, and he continues to serve faithfully to this day. Yet, at the time of her death in 1971, Sister Booth had no one in her family who accepted the truth.

But Jehovah continued to bless her work even after her death, and years later the seed of truth germinated in the heart of her granddaughter, who brought the truth back to her family members in the village. Today, there is a congregation of 15 to 20 happy Witnesses in Metlakatla, the nucleus of the group being made up of some of the Tsimshian tribe. Results such as this show how Jehovah has blessed the early activity of faithful servants. Imagine Sister Booth’s joy in the earthly resurrection when she is greeted by her offspring that finally benefited from her labors of love!

FIRST ALASKAN ASSEMBLY

Bea Buchanon of Juneau may well have been the most excited one of all as preparations were under way in 1948 for the first assembly in Alaska, a milestone in the work of the missionaries. It was also a special day in the life of Sister Buchanon, for she was among the first ones to accept the truth in Juneau and was anticipating water baptism. Sister Buchanon recalls: “Five of us were baptized in a pool directly in front of Mendenhall Glacier.” It would be difficult for her to forget the time she was submerged in chilly glacial waters. Brothers Nathan Knorr and Lyman Swingle were on hand for that happy occasion, and Sister Rose Hamilton recalled: “Brother Knorr took off his coat and tended some little children while the mothers were being baptized. I couldn’t help but think how different this was from Christendom’s religious leaders that I had known.” With a total attendance of 63, including some who visited from other states, the brothers saw the beginning of a new era—assemblies within the Alaska territory.

Prior to this, anyone who wanted to attend a convention had to arrange to travel to one of the lower 48 states or to Canada. Now, conventions would be enjoyed in our own backyard. But other obstacles remained due to great distances, rugged terrain, lack of roads, and remote island communities, all entailing much time and expense. When a family of four traveled to assemblies within Alaska in good time, the father would have to bear the expense of at least $500 per assembly just for travel. (Today the expense is even greater.) On the other hand, if he decided to use the marine highway or ferry system, the cost would be somewhat reduced, but it would require several days more for travel. Then the family head would have additional expense due to extra days lost from his secular work. Attendances at conventions show the brothers appreciate them and are willing to make the sacrifices. Over the years the number assembling together has been well over the number of publishers associated with the congregations.

THE YUKON TERRITORY

Canada’s Yukon Territory is now cared for by the Alaska branch office. This vast section of Northland covers an area that is more than 518,000 square kilometers (200,000 sq mi), about one third the size of Alaska. Its population of less than 25,000 is mostly Anglican and Roman Catholic. The Yukon’s geographical features are similar to those of interior Alaska, with snowcapped mountains and abundant wildlife. Spiritual awakening in this neighboring land paralleled that of the activity in Alaska.

In 1897-98 practically the whole world was awakened by discovery of gold along the Yukon River. At the height of the Klondike gold rush at that time, tens of thousands flocked to the Yukon Territory. A few gold seekers brought pieces of the Society’s Bible literature with them. One attorney who had gone north during that period told the brothers that he had been given literature as a gift from a fine man and personal friend, J. F. Rutherford.

Other than for one or two isolated cases of informal witnessing, the territory remained virtually untouched until 1951, when the Toronto branch sent pioneers into the Yukon. Brother Allan Crich and his partner, Joseph Hawryluk, trekked the length and breadth of this vast wilderness. Brother Crich recalls days in isolated areas when his diet consisted of only dried fish and prunes.

Brother Sid Drebitt reminisces over the first year of the Whitehorse Congregation when he was baptized in a natural outdoor pool and the temperature was 29 degrees below zero Celsius (-20° F.). He adds with a grin that he was warm and cozy, though, since the pool was a natural hot spring near Whitehorse. This was a landmark event in that his was the first baptism in the Yukon Territory. Brother Drebitt’s mother, once an avid churchgoer, and his father, formerly a communist lecturer, along with his sister, all accepted the truth and symbolized their dedication to Jehovah.

The comments of Brother Drebitt reveal some of the pressures that the brothers had to endure: “While I was doing street work, car gangs would drive by and swear at me, calling me names and throwing things at me. Some would threaten to beat me up if I did not get off the street, but I stood firm and remained faithful, feeling stronger than ever.”

What about the effects of isolation? Brother Drebitt continues: “In those days we would see the circuit overseer only once a year. There wasn’t much bus service or transportation of any kind, and the air service was mostly for the military. So we had to study hard and keep the work going by ourselves, as the closest congregation was 918 miles [1,477 km] away. Sometimes our mail would take months to reach us.” The loneliness that resulted from this isolation required a strong relationship with Jehovah.

SERVING WHERE THE NEED IS GREATER

Alaska was about to receive personal attention from another resource of Jehovah’s organization. Serving where the need is greater became an avenue of service for pioneers as well as those who could not take up the full-time work. In 1959 several families and individuals responded to the invitation to settle in Alaska. Now that the trail had been blazed for spiritual progress, these devoted praisers of Jehovah would provide the needed stability and steady training for the newly baptized brothers. Down to this day several of these families continue to strengthen the brothers and have made Alaska their home.

BRANCH OFFICE ESTABLISHED

The decade of the 1960’s began with a winding down of the missionaries’ role in Alaska and the Yukon. Strong groups of spiritually minded brothers and sisters had been organized. In 1961 “the faithful and discreet slave” recognized the need to draw these far-flung groups closer together. A branch office in Anchorage would accomplish this. Arrangements were made when Brother Milton Henschel visited, and in September 1961 Andrew K. Wagner arrived to take up his new duties as branch overseer. The Yukon Territory of Canada would be cared for by the Alaska branch office, providing circuit assemblies with international flavor as brothers and sisters from two countries would assemble together. Brother Tom Didur, circuit overseer from Canada, had served all of northern Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon and northern Alaska for several years. Under the newly formed branch his assignment centered on Alaska and the Yukon.

The immediate benefits of an Alaskan branch are related by Brother Wagner in his report to the Society: “Much of the increase this year [1962] has come as a result of better shepherding made possible by the closer oversight of the work that the local branch is able to provide. There is also evidence of greater maturity on the part of many who have felt weak because of isolation.” One overseer remarked: “Up to that time we had felt somewhat like orphans, due to the distance from other congregations and the headquarters.”

When Brother Woodard left Alaska in 1963, only one of the original missionaries remained. In 1964 Brother Knorr wrote to Brother Errichetti and invited him to go to Brooklyn Bethel, where he is continuing to serve down to this day. A man who stuck faithfully to his assignment, Brother Errichetti said: “Alaska was my assignment for 20 years and I enjoyed it very much. Brother Woodard and I had some hard times, but Jehovah, our loving God, always pulled us through.” How true those words! These two brothers especially displayed an outstanding resourcefulness all the years they served in Alaska. There was hardly anything they did not know about living off the land, and they were ideal servants for the untamed and inhospitable territory of those years. They gained the respect of the people and did much to encourage the brothers, who followed their zeal in Kingdom activity in spite of hardships. These two certainly showed by their zealous service that these last days are no time to take one’s ease.

BUILDING KINGDOM HALLS

The permanence of the congregations established by the missionaries now manifested itself in the new Kingdom Halls that were springing up throughout Alaska. After a goat shed in Fairbanks, a Quonset hut in Whitehorse and a cabin in Kodiak, came the bright new look of inviting meeting places. These Kingdom Halls were proof that Jehovah’s people were here to stay! Brothers with ability in the construction trades were especially busy during those years of building Kingdom Halls. Brother R. C. Daily, one of the “fifty-niners” who arrived that year (1959) to serve where the need is greater, supervised at least eight of these projects. This period was climaxed by the construction of a most attractive branch facility in Anchorage, including an office, apartment and a Kingdom Hall that seats 250. Today there are 13 Kingdom Halls in the Alaska branch territory.

THE QUAKING OF ALASKA

During those years our brothers worked diligently to offer proof to people in the territory that we are living in the last days. Often the householders manifested skepticism and doubt. Suddenly, Jesus’ words regarding “earthquakes in one place after another” were driven home with vivid realism here in the north country. (Mark 13:8) On March 27, 1964, Alaska shook as never before! An earthquake that some scientists measured as being 8.6 on the Richter scale struck with a jolt stronger than had ever been recorded in North America. It moved more earth than any other earthquake known. Major portions of Anchorage, Seward, Cordova, Valdez and Kodiak were destroyed, and 115 Alaskans died. Although the Kingdom Hall in Kodiak was carried out to sea, limited damage was done to the property of the brothers. After that event residents had little difficulty understanding the part of Jesus’ sign describing earthquakes.

PERSONNEL CHANGE

It was in that same year of the earthquake that the brothers were saddened to hear of the death of Brother Wagner. His kind and fatherly manner was replaced in 1965 with the vigor and zeal of Brother James A. Miller. The Millers continued in full-time service until 1969 when they began to raise a family. Then the Society assigned Brother P. Gerald Ronco to the branch office where he continues to serve as Branch Committee coordinator, supported by the other two members of the Branch Committee, Ralph Ring and Paul Thiessen.

Brother and Sister Ronco have played a fine part in the expansion of the Kingdom work in Alaska. They have served there some 14 years now and have been very effective in helping new ones. Between the two of them they have aided 33 persons into the truth. Their lives are truly wrapped up with people in Jehovah’s service and they take great interest in everyone. An outstanding quality displayed by Brother Ronco is his being always available for anyone with a problem. He has spent hundreds of hours hearing the individual and congregational problems of any who would approach him. He has a very warm, cheerful, inviting personality that makes others feel they can approach him with their needs.

CIRCUIT TRAVELS

The steady assistance from traveling overseers has done much to build up the brothers and to provide training. From 1963 to 1979 Brother Robert L. Hartman faithfully visited the congregations in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Brother Hartman recalls: “When I took up the circuit work in February 1963, in Alaska and the Yukon there were 428 publishers scattered among ten congregations. Reaching the congregations and isolated ones by various means of transportation posed an interesting challenge. I used the auto, commercial jet plane, small bush aircraft, ferryboats and fishing boats to visit our dear brothers and sisters needing to be built up by the circuit overseer.”

He tells of Sister Alma Laughlin and her teenage son, who were the only Witnesses in the tough logging-fishing town of Wrangell. To visit them required expensive travel by bush plane or long hours by ferryboat plus being housed in an old rooming house. He accompanied Sister Laughlin and her son in preaching from house to house, on return visits and Bible studies, all on foot and often in the soaking rain. But just as the larger congregations did, the two of them needed the visits. On one visit he recalls taking off by bush plane from Sitka, headed for Wrangell:

“Midway on the trip, with rugged mountains and islands on each side and the salt water of the Inside Passage below us, we suddenly ran head-on into a brisk rainstorm. The pilot made a quick about-face and headed back toward our place of origin, the strong winds and rain pounding at our tail. Our turnabout was so abrupt that we seemed like characters in a cartoon drama being pursued by a ‘monster’ storm. But Alaskan bush pilots do not give up easily. He made a wide circle to the west around several islands, searching for a pass where the storm was not so fierce.

“As we followed this circuitous route, the storm forced us down closer and closer to the surface of the water below. But the pilot forged ahead, skimming 200 feet [60 m] above the water. When he opened the window on his side to see how near we were to the mountain shoreline a few yards away, I couldn’t help but wonder if we would reach Wrangell safely. Before long, through the haze ahead, I could barely make out three dim figures waiting with an auto on the shore. Sister Laughlin had hired the lone taxi to meet the plane at the rural landing spot. For the rest of the week we trudged around in the rain in our field service, but at least we were safe on land.”

Brother Hartman continues: “Everyone in that small town was used to seeing Sister Laughlin making her rounds on foot in her Bible teaching work. She continued faithful, living in this isolated town for several years until her husband finally moved them nearer to a congregation. Being able to serve such faithful brothers and sisters for over 16 years in Alaska was an indescribable privilege for me. Although I traveled well over 250,000 miles [400,000 km], many times in storms and with temperatures as low as 60 degrees below zero Fahrenheit [-51° C.], to reach the brothers in the circuit, to share the faith and integrity like that of Sister Laughlin is one of the greatest blessings a person could enjoy. And what a pleasure to have seen the number of publishers of the good news reach more than 1,240 in 23 congregations by the time I left Alaska in 1979!” Today Brother Hartman continues to work as a traveling overseer under the United States branch.

REACHING DISTANT TERRITORY

It is a pleasure to report that 80 percent of the Yukon Territory and the Alaskan field is witnessed to regularly. With more than half of the total population of the branch residing in Anchorage and Fairbanks and the balance in a handful of other towns, the 26 congregations now formed are keeping Jehovah’s name before the people. Witnessing does not slow down summer or winter. When the temperature drops lower than 45 degrees below zero Celsius (-50° F.), most of the brothers will write letters or conduct Bible studies and make return visits.

The Alaskan brothers have not lost sight of the 20 percent of the population who live in the distant outlying villages, and their concern is to see to it that these people are contacted with the Kingdom hope. This is very difficult and costly, since no road system connects them with the major cities. In 1970 the branch office divided the unassigned territory among the congregations with the request that they arrange locally to reach the remote areas. In response to that request, in September 1970, two industrious sisters wanted to do their part to reach the isolated inhabitants in the interior of Alaska. One of these sisters had already pioneered in the Eskimo village of Bethel. Depending on her limited knowledge of the Eskimo language, they departed on a commercial barge up the Kuskokwim River. They traded literature for fresh or dried fish along the way. At first they chose to sleep in a tent outdoors, but the cold forced them to seek shelter indoors.

With such a zealous effort they succeeded in witnessing to more than 15 villages. This required that they work their way up the river by barge for more than 800 kilometers (500 mi). They placed much literature and gave a fine witness during this trip of more than 1,600 kilometers (1,000 mi).

In 1973 one of these sisters and her husband took their sleeping bags and tent to spend three weeks offering the Kingdom message to more of the Eskimo population. They were warmly welcomed by many of the villagers who shared their dried fish, fish head soup and duck soup. More than 500 magazines were placed, and well over 100 subscriptions were obtained. Such zeal is exemplary, but where did this sister get such drive? Her family had learned the truth from those early missionaries.

Another push into the outlying villages was made by airplane. The brothers knew that the best time to find people in the bush was during the winter when the fishing season is almost at a standstill. Nevertheless, winter storms make flying hazardous. One of these pilots explains:

“The area near Nome and along the Bering Sea is notorious for severe icing and whiteouts. The whiteout is a dreaded foe because it can come with little warning, often beginning with a light overcast and then snow. But soon everything becomes white. A pilot must strain his eyes, peering into the snow. He may lose his orientation, not knowing which way is up or down. Then dizziness sets in and one could easily fly right into a mountain or into the ground. More pilots are lost in this area than anywhere else in Alaska.” In spite of these dangers, over a two-year period the brothers covered about 844,000 square kilometers (326,000 sq mi) while visiting more than 200 villages.

In order to help care for the expenses of the 11 Witnesses who went into the bush territory with three airplanes, the local brothers donated more than $14,000! What a generous spirit in support of preaching the good news and trying to reach all who are desirous of serving Jehovah!

In another project to reach all Alaska in the work of making disciples, the branch office arranged to mail out sample copies of the Awake! and The Watchtower. In one year the United States branch mailed out for the Alaska branch almost 18,000 magazines to the villages. Every village has been reached with the Kingdom message, either by mail or by personal visits.

Early in 1983 the Alaska branch embarked once again on an extensive witnessing project into the isolated bush villages. With more than ten private airplanes available, plans were made to reach 63 villages with the good news. What a fine opportunity for more than 23,000 people of the Eskimo, Indian and Aleut population to learn of the hope for everlasting life under God’s Kingdom! Since the Alaskan territory embraces some 1,525,000 square kilometers (589,000 sq mi) of land with the largest portion unreachable by roads, witnessing in the bush is no small task. For instance, during the month of May 1983, the brothers flew to 17 villages, traveling over 7,720 kilometers (4,800 mi)!

Yet, over the years the brothers have found that they were most productive in making disciples when they concentrated on the densely populated cities and towns. Newcomers who share in the preaching work here no longer have to contend with the primitive living conditions that the old-timers had to endure. Instead, they can now enjoy the benefits of a modern way of life, while carrying out their witnessing work.

A “GREAT CROWD” OUT OF ALL NATIONS, TRIBES, PEOPLES

We are overjoyed to see that at least a sprinkling of the native Indians and Eskimo have responded to the truth. In harmony with Revelation 7:9 these come in from all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues—in Alaska and the Yukon too. The native population are gentle, peace-loving people. They are not complicated in personality and are generally content with the basic needs of life. Here, as in other parts of the earth, the churches of Christendom have produced thousands of rice Christians. The clergy permit the Eskimo and Indians, while embracing so-called Christianity, to cling to superstitions and customs that are not in harmony with God’s Word. As for the majority of intensely religious persons, the doctrine of “Once saved, always saved” has made them complacent. A great number of other residents have simply fallen victim to alcohol and drug abuse and claim no religious inclination. But what a pleasure it is to see the various tribes represented among our brothers and sisters and to see their genuine appreciation and zeal for the truth! What evidence of Jehovah’s spirit as these are enabled to break free from tribal customs!

Not only have our brothers placed much literature but the example of true Christianity by Jehovah’s Witnesses has done much to help others come into God’s organization. We recall the work of those early pioneers who placed literature “by the ton,” and we appreciate how the symbolic “horses” of Revelation 9:16-19 have penetrated into every corner of this vast land. In the past ten years more than two and a half million copies of The Watchtower and Awake! have been distributed here, and over 14,000 subscriptions were obtained!

Since the establishing of the Alaska branch office in 1961, the number of praisers has increased over fourfold to a peak in April 1983 of 1,574. These are cared for by 26 congregations divided into two circuits. The 134 regular and auxiliary pioneers in February 1983 represented 9 percent of the total peak of publishers. With a ratio of one publisher for every 292 people, a grand shout of praise to Jehovah is being sounded. Our 1983 Memorial attendance reached 4,033!

People continue to trek north to Alaska to fulfill their dreams of a better life. Many are disillusioned when the “great land” does not meet their expectations. Others, though, have struck it rich here! They have discovered the spiritual paradise of Jehovah’s making that is found among his people. In the past ten years, 1,017 have dedicated themselves to Jehovah here in territory under the Alaska branch. Many have returned to homes in the lower 48 states, happy to share their newfound wealth of spiritual blessings with family and friends.

Like others who have made the journey north, Jehovah’s people are seeking treasures, but not the yellow or black gold lying beneath the surface of the ground. They have learned that the true wealth is in the lives of people. The prophet Haggai shows that Jehovah views people who take up true worship as “the desirable things of all the nations.” The brothers in this distant corner of the earth thank Jehovah for the privilege of caring for this valuable treasure from all nations and pray that many more from the land of Alaska and the Yukon will come in to fill his house with glory.—Hag. 2:7.

[Map on page 131]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Alaska

Nome

Yukon River

Kuskokwim River

Bethel

Fairbanks

Mt. McKinley

Talkeetna

Palmer

Anchorage

Valdez

Cordova

KENAI PENINSULA

Seward

MALASPINA GLACIER

St. Elias Range

Skagway

MENDENHALL GLACIER

Hoonah

Juneau

Sitka

Wrangell

Ketchikan

Metlakatla

ANNETTE ISLAND

KODIAK ISLAND

Kodiak

BERING SEA

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS

Yukon Territory

Whitehorse

[Picture on page 132]

Brother Knorr visits with missionaries serving in Alaska in 1948: (from left to right) Mary Tetzlaff, Abe Tetzlaff, Hermon Woodard, Charles Gauntt, Ralph Bachman, James Odham, John Errichetti, Nathan Knorr, Stella Odham, Ada Gauntt, Lorraine Davis, Vernor Davis, Claudia Hoffman, Harold Hoffman

[Picture on page 134]

Hermon Woodard and John Errichetti at Ketchikan; they were affectionately called “the boys”

[Picture on page 141]

Ava (Nick) Nickles, a retired Ketchikan fisherman, continues to fish for men at the age of 93

[Picture on page 142]

First baptism in Alaska—performed in 1948 in front of Mendenhall Glacier

[Picture on page 147]

Branch facility in Anchorage, including an office, apartment and a Kingdom Hall that seats 250

[Picture on page 148]

The first branch overseer of Alaska, Andrew K. Wagner, and his wife, Vera

[Picture on page 150]

Gerald Ronco, present Branch Committee coordinator, and his wife, Lucy

[Picture on page 155]

For over 16 years Robert L. Hartman served the Alaskan brothers as circuit overseer, traveling extensively by all types of vehicles in all kinds of weather

[Picture on page 156]

Preparing to work bush territory by airplane

Fiji and Neighboring Islands

ALMOST lost in the vastness of the South Pacific Ocean are numerous island countries. Between the continents of Australia and South America hundreds of tiny islands push their heads above the ocean surface. Isolated, peaceful, warm and inviting, clothed with lush vegetation including the ever-present coconut palm, the islands of the South Pacific have often been described by visitors as “a piece of paradise.”

Some of these islands are mere atolls only a few feet above sea level. Larger islands, thrust up from the ocean floor by volcanic or seismic disturbances, have mountains over 1,800 meters high (6,000 ft) and fairly large rivers flowing across them. Small native villages, ranging in size from a few families to hundreds of inhabitants, lie scattered around the sheltered coastal areas, usually beside rivers or streams, and there are also some larger towns and cities.

Religiously, the Methodist, London Missionary Society, Roman Catholic and Anglican organizations predominate in the islands. Christendom’s missionaries arrived in the 1800’s, and in more recent years many smaller Protestant groups started to be active here.

THE SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDERS

Years ago the islands were very much isolated from the rest of the world. No airplane services here then! Links with the outside world were confined to infrequent calls by passenger and cargo ships, perhaps once a month or less.

The islanders come from different backgrounds, such as Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian. But mostly they have similar basic attitudes. Friendly, easygoing and casual in their approach to life, they enjoy each day, being content with few of this world’s goods. Often the native way of viewing life frustrates those of European background, most of whom are conditioned to get ahead materially.

COORDINATING THE WORK IN A FAR-FLUNG FIELD

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society’s branch in Australia, from its formation in 1904, directed the work throughout the South Pacific, and this oversight continued until 1958, when a branch office was formed in Suva, the capital of Fiji.

The countries that came under the new branch were Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides), Western Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Tahiti, Tuvalu (formerly the Ellice Islands), Kiribati (formerly the Gilbert Islands), Tokelau and the Cook Islands.

One thing that has hampered the progress of the Kingdom work in the South Pacific is the isolation of the various island territories. Fiji, situated in a central position in relation to the other islands in the branch territory, serves as a hublike center with the other islands radiating outward from it like the spokes of a giant wheel. Thus if one was to travel from Fiji in an easterly direction, one would reach Tonga after about 700 kilometers (430 mi), Niue after 960 kilometers (600 mi) and Tahiti after 3,540 kilometers (2,200 mi).

Traveling northeast from Fiji, after 1,350 kilometers (840 mi), one would arrive at the Samoa Islands. Then, about 1,100 kilometers (680 mi) to the north of Fiji is the Tuvalu group of islands and about the same distance again to the north from Tuvalu is the main group of the islands of Kiribati. Just over 960 kilometers (600 mi) in a westerly direction from Fiji brings the traveler to Vanuatu, and 1,120 kilometers (700 mi) brings him to New Caledonia. From east to west the territory stretches over some 4,800 kilometers (3,000 mi) of ocean! Due to the location of the international date line, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Fiji are among the first each year to celebrate the Memorial of Jesus’ death, and those in Samoa are among the last, some 23 hours later.

The Fiji branch at one time supervised the Kingdom work in 12 countries, the greatest number of countries under any one branch. The office handled 13 major languages. Circuit and district overseers traveled as much as 4,800 kilometers (3,000 mi) between the extremities of the territory, constantly coping with immigration regulations.

To give us some insight into the work of preaching the good news in these island groups, let us look a little into each of their backgrounds. Then we will see how the good news got started and how it has progressed to the present day under Jehovah’s guiding hand. We will start with Fiji, the largest of them all.

FIJI ISLANDS GROUP

In the Fiji Islands group there are more than 300 islands, about one third of which are inhabited. This makes up a total land area of 18,275 square kilometers (7,056 sq mi). Formerly a British Crown Colony, it has been a self-governing nation since 1970. The islands are beautiful, with mountains and rich soil.

The original inhabitants, called Fijians, make up about 40 percent of the population. They are a dark-skinned race of Melanesian descent. Previously fierce, warlike cannibals (at one time Fiji was known as the Cannibal Islands), they are now civilized and most are converted to nominal Christianity.

About 50 percent of the population are descended from laborers brought from India to work on the sugar plantations. Though many Indians still work in the cane fields, a large number of them are now shopkeepers and business people. There is also a dwindling population of Europeans, as well as a small number of Chinese, and there are groups from almost all the other islands of the South Pacific. This makes Fiji a real melting pot.

Suva, the capital, is a fast-developing city with an estimated population of more than 100,000. Fiji now has a total population of more than 600,000. About half the inhabitants are either Hindus or Muslims, with the rest belonging to 20 sects of Christendom.

FIJI HEARS THE GOOD NEWS

How did the good news come to these islands? It seems that some of the Watch Tower Society’s publications reached Fiji as early as the first decade of this century. The first active witness of Jehovah arrived in 1913. He was transferred here from Sri Lanka by his employer. When on leave, this brother went to the United States and attended a convention of the Bible Students. He brought back with him the Photo-Drama of Creation and showed it to packed audiences in Fiji. Lectures were translated into Fijian, and showings were held in large towns and country areas.

Reporting on one of the showings, the Fiji Times of June 28, 1915, commented: “The second part of this series of religious pictures was screened at the Universal Theatre last night. From about 6.30 p.m. hundreds lined the Post Office verandah and pavement or stood in groups under the ivi tree [native chestnut]. The doors were opened at 7.30 p.m. and five minutes after the hall was packed.” After this no preaching was reported for about 15 years.

TWO PIONEERS DISTRIBUTE MUCH LITERATURE

In 1930 Andy Auchterlonie and A. L. McGregor arrived in the islands. After doing house-to-house work in Suva, they traveled by boat around the coast from Suva to the western side of the main island, Viti Levu (Big Fiji). They left a great quantity of Bible literature with people throughout the island, witnessing to all they could talk to.

With the aid of a Fijian guide and a dugout canoe they traveled into the interior of Viti Levu, placing hundreds of copies of booklets in the Fijian language. They also carried out preaching on the island of Vanua Levu (Big Land), the second largest of the Fiji Islands. Using a boat, they contacted most of the villagers there and distributed much literature.

FRUITAGE RESULTS

One contact that bore fruit was the family of Leonard Heatley. He tells us: “Being part Fijian, my father, Edward, had an excellent knowledge of both the English and Fijian languages and had done translating work for various organizations. He accepted a cash offer to translate the booklet entitled Hell. But no cash was ever paid for the work, since my father had accepted the truth by the time he finished the translation of the booklet! He resigned from the Catholic Church and till the day of his death in 1959 was a staunch supporter of the Kingdom work.

“He translated six booklets, the book Deliverance and many transcription record Bible talks by Brother Rutherford into Fijian. These were made into records in the Fijian language and played to thousands of Fijians in scores of villages, using a transcription machine.” Leonard Heatley himself became Fiji’s first Gilead graduate.

Further fruitage resulted when Harry and Louisa Scott (now both deceased) accepted the good news. Said Sister Scott: “A friend of my husband, Ted Heatley, called on us one evening and played one of Brother Rutherford’s recorded Bible talks. The simplicity and clearness of the message appealed to us. We accepted it as the truth.” The third family that took up the truth at the same time was the Marriott family, all three families (Heatleys, Scotts and Marriotts) were the fruitage of those two early pioneers.

OTHER PIONEERS COME TO FIJI

After Brothers Auchterlonie and McGregor returned home, the Australia branch assigned other pioneers to work in Fiji. Around 1933 a pioneer brother walked, cycled, rode and boated over most of Fiji, placing thousands of pieces of literature. Unfortunately this brother later left the truth, but seeds of truth had been widely sown.

Brother Eric Ewins tells of his first contact with the message of truth from that pioneer: “It was the most difficult time of my life: My wife had recently died and I had a 12-month-old son to care for. I recall having asked a clergyman the reason for such happenings, and he replied that God wanted her in heaven, so he took her. The situation distressed me so much that I asked God to let me die, as I could see no sense in life under such conditions.

“Just a few days later a stranger walked into my office and, after introducing himself, opened up like this: ‘In 1914 there was war in heaven and Satan and his demons were cast down to the earth. Since then they have been preparing all nations to fight against God at the battle of Armageddon, when they will be destroyed, and God’s Kingdom under Christ will rule the earth forever.’ I was immediately struck by the dynamic nature of the message, so different from what the churches handed out.

“I invited the Witness to stay with me for a few days. This he did, and we discussed the message into the wee hours of the morning. It didn’t take me many days to be convinced that this was the truth and that it was God’s answer to my desperate prayer.” Brother Ewins joined in association with the original three local Witness families.

A SOUND CAR IS PUT TO USE

During 1937 a sound car was introduced into the islands and operated for about six months on the island of Viti Levu. Years later, brothers met people who still remembered that sound car. A native village elder in the 1950’s said: “They were courageous. They used to come and park their car on the bank of the river and the message blared across to all of us here in the village. We heard everything: ‘The Devil leads them all. The religious leaders teach lies. The Bible teaches the truth. God’s Kingdom is man’s hope. No hellfire.’ Yes, in both languages, English and Fijian!”

J. F. RUTHERFORD VISITS FIJI

In May 1938 the Society’s president at that time, J. F. Rutherford, spent one day in Fiji while on a tour of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. The Town Hall in Suva had been booked weeks in advance and extensive publicity had been given to the public talk to be delivered by Brother Rutherford. But on the day of his arrival, the authorities closed the hall to the brothers. Unable to use the Town Hall, Brother Rutherford nonetheless held meetings with the few local brothers, and about 40 people were present for his talk in a private home. Though the police closely followed Brother Rutherford wherever he went that day, he succeeded in greatly encouraging the brothers in Fiji.

BAN IMPOSED ON BIBLE LITERATURE

In 1936 Fiji had passed legislation prohibiting the importation of some of the Society’s Bible literature. Then, with the outbreak of World War II, the colonial government imposed a ban on all the Society’s literature. The ban resulted in some books being destroyed. For example, in January 1939 the Comptroller of Customs destroyed the entire shipment of the book Deliverance in Fijian. The brothers, however, still managed to get some literature into the country and remain spiritually well fed. Sister Scott related one way this was done:

“Brother Ashcroft worked as a doctor’s assistant on a passenger ship traveling between Australia and Canada. He would pick up a supply of literature in Sydney, and when the ship called at Suva, some of the brothers would go on board with coats on, stuff booklets in their inside pockets and then walk down the gangway to a waiting car. After a while the brothers made other trips up the gangway until all Brother Ashcroft’s stock was exhausted.

“Once, Brother Ashcroft arrived with a large shipment, and we could not get it ashore by the usual method. So Sister Tupe Marriott borrowed a Chinese market gardener’s rowboat and rowed across the harbor at night to the wharf where the Niagara was berthed. She pretended to fish and then said in a loud voice to her young son who was with her, ‘Let’s move over to this side (away from the wharf), there seem to be more fish here.’ This was the signal for Brother Ashcroft to lower a number of cartons of literature down the side of the ship. Sister Marriott then rowed back across the harbor with a full load of ‘fish.’”

The Australian branch office made repeated efforts to have the restrictions removed. In 1940 Harold E. Gill was sent to Fiji, and he made a forthright appeal to the governor. However, the work soon came under a complete ban, as in most of the British Commonwealth at that time.

RESTRICTIONS REMOVED

In 1945, as a result of the brothers’ petitioning the government, the ban on the preaching activity was lifted, and the publications could enter Fiji subject to prior scrutiny and acceptance by the governor-in-council. Then, in 1959, a further easing of the restriction took place. Literature was allowed in, as long as a copy of any new publication entering the islands was supplied to the commissioner of police. In 1970 the prime minister lifted all restrictions.

ARRIVAL OF GILEAD GRADUATES

Though some work was done during the years up to World War II, during the war the work came to a virtual standstill. In 1946 the Society’s president, N. H. Knorr, and his secretary, M. G. Henschel, stopped at Fiji and each gave a talk to the small group of brothers. Brother Knorr disclosed that the Society would be sending missionaries from the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. On April 5, 1947, William Checksfield, a rugged English brother, and Cecil Bruhn, an Australian, both graduates of Gilead’s eighth class, arrived in Fiji. “To welcome us,” Brother Bruhn recalls, “were members of three families who were the only Witnesses in the islands.” Brother Ewins, now remarried and raising a family, had also returned to Fiji after an absence of eight years.

FIRST CONGREGATION FORMED

In September 1947 the first congregation in Fiji was officially formed in Suva. It was made up of the two missionaries, Sister Connie Clark and members of the Ewins, Heatley, Marriott and Scott families.

With the help of the missionaries, the congregation gradually increased from 9 to 37 publishers over the next five years. One of the new ones was a man from Tuvalu, Foua Tofinga, who became the first Tuvaluan to accept the truth and be baptized. He is still serving Jehovah faithfully, now being one of the three members of the Fiji Branch Committee.

Brother Bruhn recalls that it was impossible at that time for the missionaries to spread the good news to the other islands, but Brother Harry Scott filled the need and spread the message far and wide. How was this possible? Sister Scott explained: “My husband was the captain of the Adi Beti (Lady Betty), the official yacht of Fiji’s governors. So wherever the yacht went, there went Bible literature! On many of Fiji’s widely scattered islands the only contact people had with the truth was the literature placed this way.”

Unfortunately Brother Bruhn was forced to return to Australia in 1949 due to health problems. Brother Checksfield continued on and became very well known throughout the main island of Viti Levu. He was able to help and train the brothers, including youngsters Len Heatley and Eunice Marriott, who was only 12 years old when the missionaries arrived.

In March 1951 Brothers Knorr and Henschel again visited Suva and encouraged the brothers. That same month saw 30 out in the field—a new peak of publishers.

FIJI’S FIRST REGULAR PIONEER

Eunice Marriott was much affected by this visit and was to become Fiji’s first regular pioneer. She tells us: “Numerous youngsters who were reared in the truth by God-fearing parents often need an outstanding experience to move them to respond to what the truth is all about. In 1951 I was very interested in obtaining advanced secular education, and like many here, desirous of moving from this small island country to a larger one. So my sister and brother-in-law in New Zealand were making arrangements for me to go there for more advanced studies. While I was waiting to finalize arrangements for the trip, Brothers Knorr and Henschel visited Fiji.

“Brother Knorr gave a discourse in which he discussed the courageous Bible character Daniel whose life really impressed me. Being young, I remember sliding farther and farther down into my seat so as not to be seen by Brother Knorr with his authoritative manner and, as it seemed to me, piercing eyes. After the talk Brother Henschel personally and encouragingly discussed with me the pioneer and missionary service. ‘Brother Henschel,’ I said, ‘if I went to Gilead, I would not want to be assigned to tiny islands, such as Fiji.’ He took me to a wall map of the world and said that they might send me to Brazil, where millions of people live. So encouraged was I to make pioneering my goal in life that I canceled the arrangements to go to New Zealand and began to pioneer.

“I did not ever get to go to Gilead School since pioneers were and still are needed in Fiji, but I have enjoyed every minute of my service here. After being in the pioneer service for 27 years, I was privileged to accompany my husband [Don Clare] to Brooklyn in 1978 while he attended the special Gilead course for Branch Committee members. We wives were overjoyed to be permitted to sit in for two hours of Bible discussions each day.”

Others followed her example, and the next year (1952) Lydia Pedro and Len Heatley began pioneering. These three young pioneers, Lydia, Len and Eunice, labored alongside Brother Checksfield in building up the Suva Congregation. From these 3 the pioneer ranks have increased until there are now 90 pioneers in Fiji alone and 130 in the whole branch territory. Two of the first three pioneers are still in full-time work. The third, Sister Lydia Pedro, died in New Zealand in 1969.

MORE MISSIONARIES ARRIVE

Don Clare, the present Branch Committee coordinator, first sighted Fiji in 1952 on his way to Gilead School by ship with 16 other students from Australia. Said Brother Clare: “I remember standing on the deck of an ocean liner and viewing, for the first time, Suva harbor, surrounded by beautiful hills and clothed in deep, many-hued greens. I thought: ‘What a lovely place for a missionary to work!’ We spent that day with a small band of about 20 local publishers and one lone missionary, Brother Bill Checksfield. It was a most enjoyable day. All 17 of us expressed our thoughts that Fiji would be a grand missionary assignment.”

What happened? Brother Clare continues: “As our course of study drew to a close in July of 1952, we anxiously awaited announcement of our missionary assignments. What a delightful surprise it was for four of us, Harold and Lena Cater, Clive Taylor and me, to learn that we had been assigned to Fiji! And what a bigger surprise we received when we were asked to take up secular work in order to get into the colony of Fiji.”

Why was this necessary? Well, for a number of years the Society had made applications for missionaries to enter Fiji. The government continued to reject them. So a new method had to be used to get these four Gilead graduates into Fiji. They were to enter as tourists and then endeavor to obtain secular work. This they did in March 1953. They were instructed not to attend meetings for some months and to witness only out of town to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Eventually, though, they began to increase their theocratic activity and were able to assist the sole missionary, Brother Checksfield.

“I have always been convinced that the Society’s sending us to Fiji at that time was directed by Jehovah,” Brother Clare recalls. “For us to obtain residency so we could take up missionary service, we had to remain exclusively in Fiji, doing full-time secular work for five years. In later years brothers from Australia, Canada and England came to Fiji to serve where the need is greater, but they all had trouble with the Immigration Department once it was learned they were Witnesses. The result was that they had to leave the colony when their permits expired.”

WITNESSING IN FIJI

Brother Cater describes the work at that time: “The people were friendly and had the underlying island-style philosophy of malua or ‘tomorrow will do.’ Most of the year the climate was hot and humid. Rural areas up to that time had received very little attention, so this is where we started our preaching. It was difficult at first, for here most of the people spoke little English and we were still attending Fijian language classes. Soon, though, I was able to give short talks in Fijian. The public meeting work in the villages grew, and we were able to encourage a Fijian brother to accompany us. The procedure was to contact the village headman, witness to him and arrange through him for a place to give the public talk. After the talk it was thatched-hut-to-thatched-hut work. No doorbells here! Instead of chairs, mats on the floor were offered.”

MISSIONARIES GAIN RESIDENCY

After five years of doing secular work, the four Gilead graduates who had arrived in 1953 gained residency, and Brothers Clare and Taylor took up the full-time preaching work again. Brother and Sister Cater stayed on for some years, helping the brothers to maturity. They then had to return to Australia in 1960 after the birth of their son.

SERVING WHERE THE NEED IS GREATER

In the early 1950’s the call went out for brothers to serve where the need was greater—in the islands. Over the next few years many brothers from Australia responded to this invitation. They influenced the growth of the work a great deal. At one time 120 such brothers and sisters were in Fiji. Many of them learned the Fijian language so they could help the people to the greatest extent possible. Thus a number of congregations were started with such families as a nucleus. The second congregation was formed at Lautoka in 1956. Later on one was formed at Navua and in 1958 one at Mba (Ba). Today there are 24 congregations throughout Fiji as well as isolated publishers on some of the more distant islands.

It was not easy for these brothers to serve where the need was greater. Not only did they have the problems associated with moving to a new land, but the immigration authorities would deport them if they found out that they were Witnesses. Thus the brothers had to remain inconspicuous for some months. Then, when they got established in their secular work, they would gradually begin associating with the local Witnesses and eventually get into a full witnessing schedule.

Learning to understand the island people was another challenge. Here life is relaxed. A Bible student may make an appointment for a study but often fail to keep it. Why? It is just the island way. They live very much for the present; the past is forgotten, the future blissfully ignored. Whatever comes along on the spur of the moment gets attention, regardless of its relative importance.

The politeness of the islanders can also pose a problem for outsiders. Showing respect is still basic in the islanders’ way of life. Hence, at times an islander will tell you what he thinks you want to hear, rather than what he feels. This means that one has to be a good teacher, having insight and being full of discernment.

When circuit overseers work country territory, they may ask: “How far do we have to walk to the next village?” The island brother knows it is, say, eight kilometers (5 mi). But the European circuit overseer is tired. So, rather than see a look of downheartedness on his brother’s face, out of the sheer goodness of his heart, sincerely wanting to be helpful and encouraging, the island brother will say: “About one mile [1.5 km].” Many are the overseas brothers who have walked the longest “mile” in their lives because of this!

FIRST CIRCUIT VISITS

In 1955 the Australia branch assigned Len Helberg to be Fiji’s first circuit overseer. He also visited brothers in Western Samoa, American Samoa and New Caledonia, and he was able to get the work going in Tonga and Tahiti.

Circuit work in the islands involved much travel in small vessels sometimes called pig-and-chicken boats because of the variety of cargo they carried. The passengers fitted in wherever they could among the livestock, timber and foodstuffs. Some vessels were better than others, but they did not hold to set schedules. Thus the circuit overseer could find himself isolated for a month or more on some island waiting for the next boat.

When serving cities, the circuit overseer may stay in a modern home with all the comforts of hot and cold running water, flush toilets and a bed. The following week he may be in a village where he sleeps on a mat on the floor and where bathing facilities may be a creek or a bucket of water poured over himself out in the open.

FIJI’S FIRST DISTRICT CONVENTION

Fiji’s first district convention was the Triumphant Kingdom Convention, held in Suva in 1956. Two days before the convention, Suva was given a cyclone warning. Homes and buildings were battened down, roads were flooded and impassable, and all plane service was suspended as the cyclone drew closer. But the night before the convention the cyclone swung away from Suva, and calm weather greeted the opening day.

The plane bringing Brother Don Adams from the Society’s headquarters to Fiji was delayed due to the bad weather. When it arrived, the brothers brought him to Suva by a four-wheel drive vehicle and, after wading across a flooded river in chest-high water, delivered him to the convention site just one hour before he was to give the public talk!

From then on, the brothers have had fairly regular conventions, which have contributed overwhelmingly to the growth of the work and the spiritual upbuilding of Jehovah’s people.

USING THE FIJIAN LANGUAGE IN MEETINGS

Up until this time English was used in all the meetings. But it was not easy for some of the brothers to give talks in English. So in 1957 the zone overseer recommended the use of Fijian in the congregations, and this was done the following year. Also, a Fijian supplement to the Australian edition of Our Kingdom Ministry was published each month. This proved to be very helpful.

A NEW BRANCH IS FORMED

On September 1, 1958, supervision of the Kingdom interests in the South Pacific was turned over to a new branch in Suva, Fiji. Len Helberg, a graduate of Gilead School’s 31st class, became the first branch overseer. Len Heatley, who became the first local Gilead graduate, assisted him and shared in the traveling work. To start with, the branch office was located in a room at Brother Eric Ewins’ home in Suva. Later a small two-bedroom house in Suva was rented.

In 1960 Don Clare, who in 1954 had married Eunice Marriott, Fiji’s first local pioneer, became the branch overseer and continues today as Branch Committee coordinator. Len Helberg had to return to Australia, and Len Heatley has continued until now in various avenues of full-time service.

PROBLEMS FACING THE NEW BRANCH OFFICE

Imagine the problems that faced the new branch office. There were then eight different island territories to administer. They used different currencies, spoke many different languages and were divided by the international date line. Moreover, each island group was under a different government. Further aggravating the problems was the slowness of the mail services. It would take up to ten weeks to receive a reply to a letter from some areas of the branch territory.

Nevertheless, the direct administration of the whole island field by the new branch office, under the guiding influence of Jehovah’s spirit, greatly accelerated the work. In the first year of its operation, the number of publishers in Fiji alone rose from 111 to 176.

TRUTH OVERCOMES DEMONISM

Though most of the Fijian population belong to one of the churches of Christendom, some still follow their old ways that involve demonism, such as religious fire walking.

Seremaia Raibe became involved with demonism after he left school, joining a group known as the Vukea (Helper). This group believed they would be given power over death. He would take part in drinking kava (a native drink that numbs the mind and body) until the early hours of the morning in order to contact the demons and receive power to overcome death.

One day in 1957 Brother Checksfield called on him. The missionary used the Bible to explain the reasons for critical world conditions. Seremaia became so interested that he began reading the Bible even though the Vukea had tried to discredit it. When he read at John 5:28 that the resurrection would be through Jesus Christ, he realized that the teachings of the Vukea were wrong. When the head of the sect died—something Seremaia had thought impossible—he left the group and abandoned demonism. He was baptized in 1958, began pioneering and helped to start the work on Niue. Today he is an elder in New Zealand.

INGATHERING AIDED BY USE OF FIJIAN LANGUAGE

As a result of the use of the Fijian language at the meetings, more Fijians came into the truth. A monthly edition of The Watchtower began to be published in Fijian in July 1961. A number of booklets were also made available in the vernacular.

Taking a lead in this translation work was Brother Aminiasi Cakau. Though he had a large family, he often translated into the early hours of the morning. In the last few years of his life he served as a member of the Branch Committee until his death in December 1980.

A present member of the Branch Committee is Brother Emosi Laucala, who learned the truth from his aunt. In 1960 this Fijian woman started studying the Bible while in Suva and then returned to her village. When her father died, she was put to some spiritual tests by the people of the village because of her new faith and because she no longer feared the dead. Several others, observing her faith, began to listen to what she told them from the Bible. One of these was her nephew, Emosi, who was a Seventh-Day Adventist. He followed her to Suva after she returned and wanted to look into her “church.” He had a Bible study every day during the week he was in town, started attending meetings and then went home with publications. He was baptized in 1962.

LOSS OF FIJI’S FIRST MISSIONARY

Also in 1962, during the district convention in Lautoka, Fiji’s first missionary, Brother Checksfield, died. He had served faithfully in the Fijian field for 15 years and had seen Jehovah bless his efforts. At times he had conducted more than 20 Bible studies each week.

Over the years the Fijian brothers had been concerned that Brother Checksfield would return to England, but he always replied that he had no desire to return, for there was no better place on earth for him than Fiji. A fine example of a missionary’s sticking to his assignment!

CONVENTIONS BRING THE BROTHERS TOGETHER

Occasionally an interisland convention is held, bringing brothers together from all over the South Pacific. In 1963 the first large international convention was held in Suva, as one of the 24 different lands represented in the chain of around-the-world conventions bearing the theme “Everlasting Good News.” Many from other countries under the branch came and joined with the brothers in Fiji. What a joy it was to meet face to face for the first time, after having heard so much about one another!

In their friendly way, the island brothers fellowshipped for the five days of the convention. How thrilled, too, they were to associate with brothers from the Society’s headquarters, including Brothers F. W. Franz and Grant Suiter. The public talk, given by Brother Franz, was attended by 1,080 people, almost double the number at any previous convention in Fiji. Twenty-five were baptized, the fruitage of the ministry in a number of different countries. Sessions were held in four languages, English, Fijian, French and Samoan. The convention was an outstanding event in the early days of theocratic progress in Fiji.

THOSE FROM CHIEFLY FAMILIES ACCEPT THE TRUTH

In Fijian society, some families are of a chiefly background, having earned that distinction many years ago through deeds in war. They bear names such as Ratu and Ro for men and Adi and Bulo for women. These names are passed on from parents to children through the male line, and persons bearing them are highly regarded.

When those from chiefly families learn the truth, they make many changes in order to live in harmony with Jesus’ words: “All you are brothers.” (Matt. 23:8) Often much opposition comes their way as the experience of Sister Alisi Dranidalo shows:

“My family, from the village of Lovoni on the island of Ovalau, opposed me. My father was especially opposed since he bears a chiefly title and was very involved in the village religious life. When I left my secular work in 1962 to go pioneering in the Ellice Islands [now Tuvalu], he disowned me. For nearly eight years he did not even open letters that I sent to him. During one vacation I went home, but throughout my two-week stay I just viewed myself as a stranger, not as his daughter, doing all things with deep respect (as is the Fijian custom when one is a stranger).

“However, due to my Christian conduct, not because of my witnessing to him, my father in time asked me to come and study with the family. One of my brothers and one sister are now in the truth, and my father is very favorably disposed. He has broken his ties with the church and attends meetings and assemblies.”

Sister Alisi Dranidalo is now a special pioneer, doing much fine work both in the field and in translation work.

NEW BRANCH FACILITY

In 1965 Brother Knorr visited Fiji and served at the “Fruitage of the Spirit” District Convention. At that time he approved the purchase of some property in Suva with a view to building a branch office and Kingdom Hall. Steps were taken to register the work legally, and this was done in 1966 under the name of the International Bible Students Association.

Suitable property was difficult to find, but eventually land was purchased near the business section of Suva. When the building was completed in May 1969, it became a fine witness to all. At the dedication 632 were present, squeezing into the Kingdom Hall designed for only 250 persons. The local brothers were deeply moved upon learning that the money for the land came from brothers in New Zealand and that the funds for the building itself came from the brothers in Australia. The branch building is a split-level, three-story structure. The top story is office and Bethel home, and the Kingdom Hall was below that. The ground floor was for literature storage and a garage.

CONSTRUCTING AN ASSEMBLY FACILITY

Over the years assemblies have been held in various public buildings, but many times it has been necessary for the brothers to construct the entire assembly facilities. For example, in 1970 at the “Men of Goodwill” District Convention the brothers in Fiji’s western districts built the entire assembly facilities at the town of Mba. Working mostly on the weekends, they built two large thatched-roof auditoriums with bamboo seating, as well as six other smaller buildings. It took them three months, but they were well rewarded when 842 attended the public talk and 22 were baptized.

INDEPENDENCE FOR FIJI

On October 10, 1970, after 96 years as a British Crown Colony, Fiji became an independent nation. This event affected the work in Fiji, since the new government’s aim was to have local people occupy the secular positions then being held by foreigners. Many of the brothers who had come here to serve where the need is greater and had obtained secular work returned home, as local people took over their positions.

Some of the brothers who had been serving in Fiji for many years had to decide whether they would become Fijian citizens or not. That is what some of the brothers did. Among such was a Gilead graduate, Brother Clare, who continues serving in the branch office.

GROWTH IN MORE RECENT YEARS

In 1970 Memorial attendance was 1,226, but in 1983 it rose to 3,061. Up until the end of the 1970’s, about ten congregations had been formed in Suva and the larger towns. But with more native Fijians accepting the truth, the next ten years saw another 11 congregations formed.

During 1977 the work spread out to more of the untouched villages and islands. Special pioneers opened up four new areas and established three congregations. But it is difficult to spread the work throughout Fiji’s 106 inhabited islands. Once Fijian special pioneers leave their own villages, they are not usually welcomed in other villages unless someone from that village invites them.

On one occasion an elderly man called at the branch office requesting that a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses be assigned to his island. He was a former Methodist minister but was dissatisfied with his religion and others he had encountered. Having had contact with the Witnesses on the main island, he thought they had the best religion he had found so far. Since he offered accommodations, a special pioneer couple were assigned to visit the island. They witnessed in eight villages, spending two weeks there. It turned out that the elderly man was the paramount chief of the island, and he told his people to listen to Jehovah’s Witnesses.

FAITHFUL STAND BRINGS RESULTS

The village communal system has a tight hold on people in Fiji. Previously it was virtually impossible for a person to become a Witness unless he moved out of the village. The situation is now changing. In the past, people used to run into the bush when they saw the Witnesses approaching a village. But the brothers’ high moral standards, their clean living habits and their persistent preaching are now causing many to respond.

Illustrating this is the experience of Sister Losavati Rokomarama. She learned the truth in Suva. Her husband did not share her new belief, and shortly thereafter he returned to his village on the island of Ngau. There the family lives in the largest village on the island.

In the years that followed, Losavati remained firm in her belief and through informal witnessing continued to spread the good news. Each month she mailed her report to the branch office. Every Sunday she had the Watchtower study with her young children despite the taunts of the rest of the village, as they all went to the Methodist church. As time passed, her husband joined her in the Watchtower study and slowly accepted the truth. Then, through her informal witnessing, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law also left the church, and along with the children in the families, the four of them gathered each week for the study.

At one time two special pioneer brothers were assigned to that area, and they stayed with Sister Losavati Rokomarama and her husband. As a result of their zealous witnessing, the village became stirred up against them, and the minister called a meeting of all the villagers at the church. The minister ordered the newly interested husband of Sister Rokomarama to turn the special pioneers out of his house. This he refused to do, boldly telling all of them that the pioneers were invited by him and they would continue to stay with him!

Though special pioneers are no longer assigned to that island, the small group are still meeting regularly and six are reporting field service each month.

CARING FOR AN OUTER ISLAND

Three isolated publishers live on a large island about 120 kilometers (75 mi) from the main island of Viti Levu. Circuit overseers regularly visit these publishers even though getting there may take more than a day. The circuit overseer has to take a small cargo boat to get to the island, which has virtually no roads and no electricity. When he arrives at one end of the island, he has to wait for many hours as the boat goes into numerous bays along the coast, unloading and loading produce and people. At his destination, he gets into a small dinghy that takes him to the water’s edge. Then he struggles through the mud flats, carrying his baggage. After walking several miles through the bush, he finally reaches the home of one of the brothers.

However, the effort is well rewarded, as he sees the brothers’ appreciation and joy when they talk together, share in the witnessing work and hold meetings. One circuit overseer fondly recalls a departure from the island when a Witness family stood in the sea, up to their waists in the water, waving good-bye until his boat was out of sight.

So, by various means the good news is being spread far and wide throughout the islands, even though circumstances make it impossible to assign pioneers to all the places where they are needed.

CYCLONES AFFECT THE BROTHERS

From about November to April each year, Fiji is the target of tropical storms (hurricanes) known locally as cyclones. Over the years these have caused much damage and loss of life, and the brothers have naturally been affected.

Many are the times that relief supplies have been distributed to brothers who lost home and crops from flooding and landslides. The local brothers have learned to care for one another during such disasters.

FIRST MISSIONARY PERMIT SINCE 1947

The year 1978 was a big one for the small branch. Due to several changes and the death of one of the circuit overseers, Brother Manoa Baro, a great need arose for traveling overseers. No local brothers were trained for this work. So it was decided to apply to the government for a permit to allow an experienced circuit overseer to come from overseas. The branch had applied many times before, but no permits for missionaries had been granted for over 30 years!

Great was the gratitude to Jehovah when it was learned that permission had been granted for a brother, Vaughan Guy, along with his wife, Jeanne, to enter Fiji for a three-year period to serve as a traveling overseer. Now the local brothers have been given much training, and some new circuit overseers have taken up the work.

WITNESSING TO INDIANS

Many of the Indians who came to Fiji as laborers remained here and have raised large families. The majority of them practice the Hindu religion, and the remainder are Muslims. Throughout Fiji the Indians run most of the businesses, and many of them have leased land and grow sugarcane. Only a few of the Indians, by comparison, have accepted the truth, and the publishers are made up almost entirely of local Fijians and those from nearby islands.

The Indian, however, is very hospitable. When witnessing to one, especially in the rural areas, the publisher will be invited inside the home. Invariably he will be offered either a cool drink or warm, milky, sweet tea. The Indian householder will almost always accept literature, as it is part of his belief never to be rude to anyone who is speaking about God. He is hardworking, ambitious and usually maintains a close-knit family arrangement. This is another reason that it is very difficult for young Indians to accept the truth.

The Hindu religion, to which most Indians belong, also makes it difficult for them to learn the truth. It is common to hear them say: “All religions are good and pleasing to God.” However, some from this background, such as Hari Narain who is now an elder, have learned the truth and are serving faithfully in the congregations.

In the western district town of Tavua a brother, formerly a Muslim, and his wife are having a fine time studying with Indian people. At the 1980 district convention in Lautoka a married couple, both former Hindus, were baptized. Thus, progress is being made in reaching the Indian population, so that Hindi, in addition to English and Fijian, has been featured on the program of the last two district conventions; and 255 attended the Hindi-language public talk at the “Kingdom Truth” District Convention.

JEHOVAH’S BLESSING MANIFEST

The evidence of Jehovah’s blessing on the preaching and teaching work over the years is clearly manifest. From the 12 publishers in 1947, when the first Gilead graduates arrived, the truth has spread so that in June 1983 an all-time peak of 819 was reached. The “Kingdom Truth” District Convention was our largest convention ever, with an attendance of 2,905, and 47 were baptized, compared with 50 for the entire 1982 service year. Great potential is seen in the fact that the 1983 Memorial attendance of 3,061 was more than three and a half times the number of peak publishers!

To keep pace with expansion, the congregations moved out of the Kingdom Hall at the Suva branch office, and the hall was converted in 1983 into three private offices and a literature and shipping department. The former shipping department now serves as a reception and translation office.

This fine increase and the developments can be attributed to our Heavenly Father, Jehovah God, who has imbued strength and courage in those sent forth to preach the Word.

Let us now turn our attention to another part of the South Pacific, the islands of Samoa.

WESTERN SAMOA

The islands of Samoa are among the most beautiful of the South Pacific. During the past two centuries, however, they have seen their share of troubles as the world powers competed for possession of them. This has left them in an economic and social condition unlike that expected in a true paradise.

Although Western Samoa is only a few miles from American Samoa and the people are related, they operate under separate governments. Since 1962 Western Samoa has been an independent nation, one of the smallest in the world.

The two large islands (Upolu and Savai’i) have an area of only 2,934 square kilometers (1,133 sq mi), but they have a population of about 160,000. They are mountainous, yet very fertile, covered with dense bush interspersed with food plantations and groves of coconut. Villages are picturesque; the houses, known as fales, have rounded thatched roofs and open sides because of the country’s warm climate. When it rains, the people let down palm-leaf blinds. The capital town of Apia has some 35,000 inhabitants.

Predominant religions here are the Congregational Christian Church (stemming from the London Missionary Society), Methodist, Roman Catholic, Mormon, Seventh-Day Adventist and Pentecostal groups.

The Samoans are Polynesians; they are friendly and hospitable. Their complexion is light brown and their features are almost Caucasian. In their village way of life, they follow a social system in which a number of families form a clan; the head of the clan is called a matai. There are a number of matais in each village. Their positions vary in importance and authority. Matais who are orators and chiefs are high ranking, and usually there is a paramount chief who is the final authority in the village.

As can be imagined, when all the members of a clan are of one religious belief, they can make things very difficult for one who is trying to break away from Babylon the Great.

WITNESSING IN WESTERN SAMOA

Nevertheless, visitors receive a friendly reception in almost any Samoan village. As a publisher of the good news approaches a house he pauses respectfully at the surrounding low platform of stones on which the fale stands and waits for a sign of welcome. There it is—a girl is spreading a mat inside. Now the publisher goes in without a word, removing his shoes before entering. When he is comfortably seated, legs crossed on the mat, he waits politely.

Now it is the householder’s turn. She says how glad she is that the visitor has come to her home, that she hopes the publisher’s work will be blessed, that her house is humble, but the sun is hot, and so, she concludes, the publisher is welcome. He then thanks her and inquires about the health of the family. Only then is he free to proceed with the Kingdom message.

EARLY KINGDOM WORK

It was in 1952 that the good news of Jehovah’s Kingdom began to take root in Western Samoa. A brother from England, John Croxford, organized a small study group of interested people. He was employed by T.E.A.L. Airlines (now Air New Zealand) and worked in an office on Beach Road in Apia. There he met an office worker named Fuaiupolu Pele.

According to Pele, Brother Croxford was “the friendliest man I had ever met.” Pele said that Brother Croxford told him later that when he saw all the people going to church on Sunday, dressed in white, with Bibles in their hands, he had no idea just where to start! But, start he did, with fine results. Pele tells us how he felt at that time:

“I knew he [Brother Croxford] wanted to talk with me, but I put him off because I had no time for it then. As chairman of the Ex-Pupils’ Association of Government Schools, I was very busy. One Saturday evening, however, he came to my home for a meal, and we talked until the wee hours of Sunday morning. I asked him many questions, and every answer he gave was read from the Bible. I was convinced beyond any doubt that this was the truth I had been looking for.”

Though happy to learn the truth, Pele had misgivings about the consequences. He and his family were prominent in the church, some being pastors. He was fairly well known because of his school, sports and church activities. In his mind was the question, What would the Ex-Pupils’ Association think about this new religion he had embraced? What might the patrons of the Association, their Highnesses Malietoa Tanumafili II and Tupua Tamasese III, think and say about him?

In Samoan custom, matais with high titles exert much influence. It is almost unthinkable for a Samoan, especially one without a title or high standing, to oppose the customs and religion of his forefathers. This was Pele’s position when he accepted the truth.

PELE MEETS WITH THE HIGH-RANKING ONES

Pele tells us what happened: “I prayed as I never had before, asking Jehovah to direct me in the way that I should go. In the few months that followed I studied incessantly and until late at night. One day I received a letter from the high chief of our family, calling me to an evening meeting at Faleasiu to discuss this ‘new church.’ Taime Solomona, another family member interested in the truth, was there too. As soon as I got there the high chief opened the meeting. In the family assembly were six chiefs, three orators, ten pastors, two theological teachers, the high chief who was presiding and older men and women of the family. They cursed and condemned us for disgracing the name of the family and the church of our forefathers.

“Then the chairman said: ‘It would be better to have a debate. You give your doctrines and beliefs; we give ours, and we will see who is right.’ I felt like Jeremiah, burning up inside, eager to talk. Even though some yelled, ‘Take that Bible away! Leave off that Bible!’ I answered all their questions from the Bible and disproved their arguments. How thankful I was that I had studied God’s Word as never before!

“It went on all night, until four in the morning. Finally, neither word nor sound was forthcoming from them. Their heads were bent down. Then the high chief said in a weak voice: ‘You won, Pele.’ I replied: ‘Pardon me, Sir, I did not win. This night you heard the message of the Kingdom. It is my sincere hope you will heed it.’ After departing, we looked for a bus to go home, tired but happy for the victory of God’s truth. The seed of truth had taken root on Upolu.”

THE STUDY GROUP GROWS

One afternoon in July a young man named Maatusi Leauanae overheard two men talking about the “new truth.” Maatusi asked: “Where is this new truth?” One of the men worked at the hospital and he explained that there was a Bible study group that met each week, on this day, at the hospital. Maatusi was very interested in hearing about this “new truth.” So he went to the hospital and looked in. Seeing a large group assembled, he became shy and turned away to leave. At the gate he met John Croxford just arriving to conduct the study. Brother Croxford urged him to join the study, which he did. There he was introduced to Fuaiupolu Pele and several others, two or three doctors, a customs official, several office workers and a man from the agriculture department. Then followed an hour’s study in the book “Let God Be True.”

In 1952 Pele and his wife, Ailua, symbolized their dedication to Jehovah by water immersion. Maatusi Leauanae liked what he was learning but for some months was irregular in attendance. When he returned for regular study, the love and interest the group showed him, along with the truth he had heard, convinced him that he had found the true religion. Another young government employee, Siemu Taase, soon joined the group. He and Maatusi were baptized in 1956.

John Croxford left Western Samoa in 1953, but he had planted seeds of truth in good soil. Many already mentioned are still serving loyally in Jehovah’s work. More were to come.

FIRST CONGREGATION FORMED

The Society approved the formation of the first congregation in Western Samoa in early 1953. A special pioneer couple from Australia, Ronald and Olive (Dolly) Sellars, arrived in May 1953, and they helped to get the congregation organized. The authorities would not extend their permit to reside in the country, so in January 1954 they moved to American Samoa.

Brother Pele tells us: “When Brother Croxford left, everybody thought that was the end of the ‘new church.’ But our attendance was more than 40. Brother Ted Jaracz stopped to see us on his way back to Australia from the New York convention in 1953. We gathered at my house in the evening, and he gave us some talks that I translated.”

Soon thereafter, Brother Pele named his newborn son after the three brothers who had come to Western Samoa, John Croxford, Ron Sellars and Ted Jaracz. His name is Uitinesesioneronitete in Samoan, or in English, Witness-John-Ron-Ted.

SERVING WHERE THE NEED IS GREATER

A number of Witnesses from Australia came to Western Samoa to serve where the need was greater. Richard and Gloria Jenkins, Bill and “Girlie” Moss, and others did much fine work. Time and again, applications for the Society’s missionaries to enter the country were refused, so the brothers serving where the need was greater helped supply stability and mature oversight that the local brothers lacked at the time.

One brother, a native Western Samoan who had learned the truth in New Zealand, decided to help his brothers at “home” for a while. So in 1960 Charles Pritchard and his wife, Judy, moved back to Western Samoa with their two children. They stayed for five years and were able to give much aid, since he was Samoan himself and knew what the brothers needed and how to convey it to them in their language. Then they returned to New Zealand for 15 years. Since April 1981 Charles and Judy Pritchard have been serving in Western Samoa as missionaries, along with their son, Paul.

GILEAD GRADUATE GAINS ENTRY

In 1958 Sister Tia Aluni, a native Western Samoan who had been living in New Zealand, graduated from Gilead School and was assigned to nearby American Samoa. Since she could gain entry to Western Samoa, the Society invited her to choose between staying in missionary work in American Samoa and going to Western Samoa as a special pioneer. She chose the latter and spent three years (1961-64) on the largest island, Savai’i, working with a local special pioneer. Thus the work on Savai’i was opened up.

A missionary couple were serving there with a small congregation at Fogapoa but now visit the congregation once each month from the island of Upolu. The work has progressed slowly because of customs, traditions and religious beliefs, people being fearful of leaving old ways. The local publishers report faithfully each month.

THE GATHERING GOES ON

Fagalima Tuatagaloa, a crippled man with poor eyesight, recognized the truth. He was baptized in 1953 and right away started vacation pioneering (now called auxiliary pioneering). He learned the truth so well that he knew many scriptures from memory. One circuit overseer, working from house to house with him, noticed that he was accurately reading scriptures without glasses and asked if his eyesight was improving. Fagalima replied that he had lost his glasses and that he was only appearing to read the Bible. He was actually quoting from memory.

Fagalima went into the full-time service and served many years as a special pioneer. For a long time he stayed with Brother Pele’s family. When he became seriously ill with cancer in 1977, they cared for him right down to his death in 1979.

CIRCUIT VISITS DESPITE OBSTACLES

When Len Helberg, Fiji’s first circuit overseer, left in 1957 for Gilead School, Paul Evans took over the circuit. At that time it stretched from Tahiti in the east, through the Samoas, Niue, Tonga and Fiji, to New Caledonia in the west. A second circuit was created in 1958 with Don Clare as circuit overseer. In 1960 a third circuit was added. These covered the 12 countries under the Fiji branch. For 13 years Brother Evans, accompanied by his wife, served some of these countries in circuit work. When not traveling, they worked as missionaries in American Samoa.

It was not easy to get into Western Samoa, even for brief circuit visits. Brother Evans recalls: “Twice we served the congregation when passing through on boats. The first trip we had only three nights and two days with the brothers. The next time we fared better. We got passage on a small island freighter from Fiji, arriving in Western Samoa early on a Tuesday morning. Since the ship we were traveling on was chartered to make a seven-day trip for the Western Samoan government to other islands and was not permitted to take us, we had to wait out the seven days on land in Apia. This was just right for us, and we had a spiritually profitable ‘wait’ serving the congregation.” In 1959 Brother Evans had to make three attempts before being granted a permit to enter Western Samoa.

FACTORS IN SLOW PROGRESS

Though it is pleasant to witness to Samoans in field service, it is difficult to get results. Bible studies can be started, but conducting them regularly and achieving progress is another matter. The brothers, however, have done well considering that they were for many years without help from missionaries. Another factor in the slow progress is the limited number of publications in their language.

CLEANSING THE CONGREGATION

One thing that hindered progress in earlier years was the fact that some of the brothers did not readily accept the theocratic arrangement, perhaps because of pride. There were those who would not humble themselves, and in 1958 a sifting started. For some time a handful of rebellious ones had been trying to divide the congregation, setting up their own little organization. This climaxed several years of constant disturbance by them, and in their intense pride they left the congregation.

The refining resulted in the loss of a quarter of the publishers, some of whom were disfellowshipped. Jehovah unfailingly proved that he backed his own organization, blessing those who placed their integrity above personal pride. The congregation went on growing and enjoyed an increase of 35 percent in 1959, as a truly warm spirit of love and cooperation prevailed. Brother Pele, along with his wife and several family members, stood loyal and is still going as strong as age and health will allow. The family is now associated with a Samoan congregation in Hawaii.

But more was involved in cleansing the congregation. A large number of brothers and sisters had to be disfellowshipped for sexual immorality. In Western Samoa such immorality is freely practiced, and a number of special pioneers and servants had to be removed for such misconduct.

WHOLEHEARTED SERVICE

Although the people of Western Samoa have an abundance of material food, they are poor financially. But the brothers there have used what they have in pressing forward in the Kingdom work, and Jehovah has blessed them accordingly. Consider, for example, the efforts put forth by Brother Fagalima Tuatagaloa to attend a convention in Fiji. He was not young, but old; not strong, but sickly; not sound of limb, but had a clubfoot; not endowed with good vision, but blind in one eye. To get to the convention he needed money, and to obtain it he had to gather coconuts. He carried about 15 of them at a time two miles to where he would husk them, cut out the meat and spread it out to dry, after which he sold the coconut meat, or copra.

For four weeks he worked alone on the far side of the island. Then he went to pay his fare, only to discover that it had gone up in price. He did not complain and was not discouraged; he did not ask for help. He went back to work and produced more copra, earning the extra money. He did all of this to attend the convention to be held in two languages that he did not know. Upon arrival, what a reward for him to find that the Society had made provision for having most of the program also presented in his own language!

Because of such whole-souled service and Jehovah’s blessing, the publishers increased from 37 in 1958 to a peak of 109 in 1971. They reached an all-time peak of 161 in March 1983. Surely there is a great increase yet ahead for Western Samoa, as indicated by the 1983 Memorial attendance of 594.

MISSIONARIES GAIN ENTRY

For years missionaries from outside Western Samoa were not permitted to reside in the country. But in 1970 there were some changes in government personnel. So the Apia Congregation wrote to the prime minister, under whose direction the Immigration Department operates, and applied for Paul and Frances Evans to enter Western Samoa as missionaries and stay for a period of three years, with the opportunity to obtain an extension when that expired. What a thrill the brothers received when the application was approved—after 19 years of trying!

Brother Evans was at that very time serving Western Samoa in the circuit work. So he stepped right out of the circuit work and, along with his wife, took up missionary service. They are still in Western Samoa, now working hard translating publications into the Samoan language.

That was not the end of the missionary story. Brother M. G. Henschel of the Governing Body visited Western Samoa in January 1977, surveying the situation. As a result, more missionaries were sent into the Samoan field.

PROPERTY PURCHASED

In November 1977 Robert Kawasaki from Hawaii served Western Samoa as zone overseer. He inquired if there was any land for sale on which the Society might build, and he was told there was some in the Sinamoga area about three kilometers (2 mi) inland from the main city of Apia. It was about an acre in size with three houses and an old cement-block building on it, and he recommended to the Governing Body that the Society purchase it. By October 1978 the purchase was completed, and the missionaries moved into temporary quarters in one of the houses. In 1979 two buildings were demolished and a large two-story house was renovated to serve as missionary quarters. In 1981 a brand-new missionary home was built on land leased from a brother at Faleasiu, 19 kilometers (12 mi) from Apia. Brothers traveled at their own expense from Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand and the United States to share with local brothers in building these missionary homes.

LITERATURE IN SAMOAN

In December 1957 Brother Earl Stewart from the Philippines branch served Samoa as zone overseer. He recommended to the Society that The Watchtower should be printed in Samoan. Brother Pele took the lead in the translation work, and the first issue appeared in May 1958 in mimeograph form.

Earlier, some tracts and the booklet “This Good News of the Kingdom” were translated into Samoan. Other booklets followed. Then the Samoan edition of the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life arrived early in 1972. Many thousands of copies of the Truth book have been distributed over the years and are being used for Bible studies wherever Samoan people are found. The translation of You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth into Samoan is well under way, and it will be a wonderful instrument for use in the Samoan field.

For several years the Samoan Watchtower was printed in Brooklyn, New York, in a 16-page edition. Beginning with the January 1981 issue it was enlarged to 24 pages. Copies are sent to New Zealand, Hawaii and the west coast of the United States where congregations are found among large populations of Samoan people.

PROGRESS OVER THE YEARS

The work of Jehovah’s people in Western Samoa has advanced slowly but surely under his direction. The number of publishers has grown from one in 1952 to 161 now. Ten missionaries, five regular and special pioneers, plus the congregation publishers, are now working in the field, and many people are hearing the Kingdom message. About 270 people regularly gather at the meetings, showing the potential for new servants of Jehovah.

But, let us not leave the Samoas entirely; rather, let us cross over to American Samoa and learn of the advancement of the Kingdom work there.

AMERICAN SAMOA

Only about 80 kilometers (50 mi) separate the two Samoas. American Samoa has been a territory of the United States ever since the colonial powers divided the Samoas in the year 1899. It has a population of some 32,000 who live on six small islands. The largest, Tutuila, has almost 30,000.

The harbor on Tutuila, known as Pago Pago, is the best-known landmark of American Samoa. It lies in the crater of an extinct volcano with a depth of up to 122 meters (400 ft). It is a beautiful sight, the green-decked sides rising steeply to peaks about 550 meters (1,800 ft) above the blue-green waters. Over a 50-year period, this bay area has averaged more than five meters (16 ft) of rain each year! The humidity is high, averaging about 84 percent, though the temperature does not usually exceed 32° Celsius (90° F.).

As with Western Samoa, the people here are churchgoing and adhere to one of the various branches of Christendom. It is quite common for the village matais to sound a gong in the evening as the signal for all in the village to go indoors for prayers. During this period no one is allowed to walk around outside. After 10 or 15 minutes the gong is sounded again, signaling the end of prayer time.

THE TRUTH REACHES THE ISLAND OF TUTUILA

In 1938, when the Watch Tower Society’s president, J. F. Rutherford, and his party were returning from Australia, they put into port at American Samoa, bringing ashore some of the Society’s literature. There is no record, though, of anyone accepting the Kingdom message at that time, and many years were to pass before the work moved ahead in this South Pacific field.

In 1952 Sister Lydia Pedro came to American Samoa to visit relatives, telling them about the good news. As a result of this trip, her cousin, Uaealesi (Wallace) Pedro, learned the truth.

GETTING A SOLID FOOTING

On January 5, 1954, Australian-born Ronald and Olive (Dolly) Sellars set foot on the island; they had been granted a one-month trial visa to enter as missionaries. After noting that they had been refused permission to stay in Western Samoa, the attorney-general said: “We have religious freedom in American Samoa, and I am going to see you get the benefit of this freedom just the same as any other religion.”

Finally, the attorney-general’s office sent a letter stating that there was no objection to the Watch Tower Society’s establishing an organization in American Samoa. Brother and Sister Sellars were given visas for an indefinite stay. Later, other missionaries were given permission to enter the islands. Over the years, in all the territory under the Fiji branch, this has been the only country that freely granted entry to new missionaries.

A YOUNG MAN TAKES HIS STAND FOR THE TRUTH

The arrival of the missionaries was what stimulated Wallace Pedro to progress in the truth. He tells us his experience: “At the time the missionaries arrived, I could see the need to associate with Jehovah’s people. There were only seven of us who attended the meetings held at the missionary home. On April 30, 1955, I became the first person to be baptized in American Samoa. My family was not very pleased with this, especially when I became very active in the preaching work.

“One day when I returned from the Congregation Book Study, I found my family in conference. The choice was put before me: Stop associating with Jehovah’s Witnesses or get out of the home! Even though I had one more year of high school left and had no means of financial support, my decision was firm for the truth. My family then disowned me and put me out with nothing but the clothes I was wearing! Jehovah lovingly provided a place for me to stay—the missionary home; and brothers in the United States sent me clothing.”

Wallace stayed with the missionaries for some time and finished his schooling; he then became a pioneer and later a special pioneer. He served up until about 1960 before immigrating to the United States. In 1979 Brother Pedro and his wife and four children went back to American Samoa. And what about his family who disowned him? One of his brothers, his sister and one of his nieces are Witnesses. Then, in 1980, at the age of 72, his mother was baptized! Even his father was studying the Bible before his death. This young man’s stand for Jehovah and the truth certainly brought him and his family blessings.

FIRST CIRCUIT OVERSEER VISIT

In 1955 fine help was given to the small group when Brother Len Helberg arrived as the first circuit overseer in American Samoa. During his visit the Society’s film The New World Society in Action was shown throughout the island; a total of 3,227 people were at these showings. This was a marvelous witness, for it helped people discern that Jehovah’s Witnesses are doing a worldwide work.

Two months after these film showings, a congregation was officially started with three publishers and the six missionaries.

Though many more people in American Samoa understand English than is the case in Western Samoa, the basic language is still Samoan. Thus the new congregation was greatly aided when it received a shipment of 16,000 copies of the booklet “This Good News of the Kingdom” in Samoan.

MORE PIONEERS AND MISSIONARIES ARRIVE

Many publishers, pioneers and missionaries have served in the islands and have given faithful, loving assistance to build up the brothers. At one time the small island of Tutuila had nine missionaries and three regular pioneers. This brought results—118 were at the Memorial in 1960.

FAITHFUL ATTENDANCE AT DISTRICT CONVENTIONS

In 1960 the brothers had the thrill of being hosts to some of the Witnesses from Fiji, as well as to their brothers from Western Samoa. This was at the Peace-pursuing District Assembly. In 1966 another district convention drew almost 300 delegates from eight countries under the branch as well as from Australia and New Zealand. At that time there were only 26 publishers in all of American Samoa, so what a witness it was to see such a crowd!

The brothers in American Samoa have attended some district conventions in Fiji and some in Western Samoa. Though there is usually some travel involved, it is fine to see that the conventions have been held consistently for over 20 years, and the brothers have always been in attendance to receive the spiritual food with appreciation.

POOR HEALTH NO BARRIER

In 1962 Tafia Pula, then 66 years old, accepted the truth. Though he was almost housebound because of filariasis, a disease that affected both his arms and his legs, he still spent many hours in Jehovah’s service. Because his limbs were so swollen and heavy, he could hardly walk, even with the aid of a cane, but still his zeal for Jehovah moved him to do more preaching than some who were younger.

He wanted to be baptized, but his family feared that his going into the sea and being submerged might kill him. So he replied to them: “If I die being baptized, then I’m happy because I will die doing God’s will.” He was baptized and did not die!

In 1972, the last year of his life, he was out in the service with one of the brothers and said to him: “You go on because I’m holding you back. I think it is best for me to return to the pickup and witness to whoever comes along the road.” As the brother looked back, there was Brother Tafia Pula talking to passersby. He had a message to give, and he gave it, right up to the end. When he was in the hospital for the last two days of his life, he called his daughter to bring his witnessing bag so he could keep it at his bedside for ready use.

FACTORS AFFECTING PROGRESS

During the 1960’s the work moved ahead slowly, with the average number of publishers increasing from 22 in 1961 to 44 in 1970. Many times there were setbacks as some, including even special pioneers, would fall prey to immorality and have to be removed from the congregation. This is an ongoing problem in the islands, as in many other parts of the world.

Another reason that growth has seemed slow is the easy access that Samoans have to the United States. Often, just as new ones get into the preaching work, they move to the United States. Many such ones have associated with the Samoan congregations in Hawaii and on the west coast of the United States and are serving Jehovah there.

THE GOOD NEWS HAS BEEN PREACHED

With a congregation firmly established on the main island of American Samoa, the Kingdom work has reached the ears of almost all the people of this territory. Whereas the ratio of publishers of the good news to population in Western Samoa is still one to about 1,000, this is not so in smaller American Samoa, where it is one to about 400.

The group of three islands known as the Manua Islands, the islands of Tau, Ofu and Olosega, have also heard the message. For example, in 1980 the circuit overseer, John Rhodes, his wife, Helen, and five other publishers spent five days witnessing in this small group of islands. They worked their way through all the villages and placed 159 books, 126 booklets, 268 magazines and obtained 66 subscriptions. Now twice a year the congregation on Tutuila makes calls on these distant islands.

With a peak of 81 publishers for the last service year and with meeting attendance averaging 167 at the public talks, prospects of further growth are good. All thanks go to Jehovah God for his blessing on the activity of establishing the true Christian congregation in these beautiful islands of the South Pacific.

From the eastern extremity of the branch territory, let us move north toward the equator to the island groups of Kiribati and Tuvalu (formerly Gilbert and Ellice Islands) and learn of the development of the Kingdom work there.

KIRIBATI AND TUVALU

These two groups of islands were originally under one colonial administration, with headquarters at Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands since the end of World War II. Because the islanders originate from two different races and have two different languages, the groups were separated during 1975 and 1976. They subsequently received their independence from Great Britain, and the Gilbert Islands became the Republic of Kiribati and the Ellice Islands the nation of Tuvalu.

Kiribati, the larger of the two island countries, consists of 33 islands scattered over about five million square kilometers (2 million sq mi). This includes the 16 Gilbert Islands, the 8 Phoenix Islands, 8 of the Line Islands and Ocean Island. When added to the 9 islands of Tuvalu, the land area totals only about 745 square kilometers (288 sq mi). Most of the islands of Tuvalu are ring-shaped coral reefs that surround lagoons.

The islands are usually very small and barely protrude out of the sea; in fact, within Tuvalu nowhere does the land rise to more than 4.6 meters (15 ft) above sea level. Due to the poor quality of the soil, very few varieties of food grow except for coconut, pandanus and breadfruit trees, along with staple root crops known as pulaka and taro.

Among the most densely populated in the Pacific, these islands have a total of over 60,000 people. Tuvalu has a population of 8,000 people with about 2,300 living on the island of Funafuti, the capital of the country. Most of the Tuvaluans are Polynesians who speak the Tuvaluan language, with many also knowing English. The majority of the islanders of Kiribati are Micronesians who speak Gilbertese, although many of them also speak English.

RELIGION AND CUSTOMS

By the mid-1850’s some Protestant missions were established and later a Catholic mission. At first the people were not very receptive, but the missionaries began to win them over by making gifts of cloth and tobacco.

Eventually the churches managed to get a hold over the people and to obtain land. The book Kiribati, Aspects of History reports: “Some people who wanted tobacco gave the missionaries land in exchange for a few sticks. This is how the Catholic mission in Nonouti got land on which to build its station.” The LMS (London Missionary Society) and the Catholic mission controlled different parts of Kiribati, but Tuvalu came solely under the control of the LMS group.

The missions’ control over the islanders can be seen by what happened in Tuvalu. The Samoan pastors arrived and started to impose the Samoan language and customs on the people. So by the mid-1940’s the churches had a strong hold on most aspects of island life. Every village of thatched huts was built around an impressive church building. Some pastors attained so much power that they could forbid the consumption of alcohol and outlaw bicycle riding on Sundays.

KINGDOM WORK STARTS IN KIRIBATI AND TUVALU

Little did Bill Checksfield, witnessing in Suva, Fiji, realize the implications of his making a return visit on a Tuvaluan man named Foua Tofinga. After studying the Bible for four years, Tofinga was baptized in 1951—the first Tuvaluan to come into the truth. His wife, Selepa, was baptized in 1957. Eventually Tofinga became an elder in the Suva Congregation and is presently a member of the Fiji Branch Committee.

Although Tofinga was not able to return to Tuvalu, it was from his home in Suva that the truth started to spread to Kiribati and Tuvalu. Both Tofinga’s father and father-in-law were pastors in the LMS Church, so when Tofinga and his wife accepted the truth, it caused quite a stir in the Tuvaluan community.

According to island custom nearly every Tuvaluan that has come to Fiji has also visited the family of Brother Tofinga. Naturally, this has led to many opportunities for them to witness to Tuvaluans. Thus, more and more the Kingdom message started to filter back into Kiribati and Tuvalu.

To illustrate how this happened, consider the experience of a Tuvaluan, Saulo Teasi. While working on a ship, Saulo came to Fiji in the late 1940’s and found that he had a week to spare in Suva. He visited Sister Tofinga’s mother, who by now had started to show an interest in the truth. When Brother Checksfield also visited this home, Saulo sat quietly in the background during a Bible discussion. He was impressed with the fact that Brother Checksfield always used the Bible to answer any questions. When Saulo heard that this missionary was going to return in a few days, he made it a point to be there. Saulo left the second discussion with a copy of the book “Let God Be True” and was sure that he had found the true religion.

Meanwhile, others, including Sister Tofinga’s sister, Lise, showed interest in the truth. By this time these interested persons had moved to Tarawa, in Kiribati, and soon a little study group with about ten people was started in Tarawa. Although none of them were baptized, they carried on in spite of constant opposition. Thus they proved to be the basis for the start of the work in Kiribati and Tuvalu.

In the mid-1950’s, after completing a work contract, Saulo arrived in Tarawa, and while awaiting transportation to Tuvalu he stayed at Lise’s home. He and his family had many opportunities to talk to Lise about Bible-related subjects, and he soon decided to stay in Tarawa and work there. Saulo was delighted to find that what he was learning was the same as what he had heard in Fiji from Brother Checksfield. Soon Saulo and his wife, Uto, were meeting with the little group.

THE KIRIBATI GROUP RECEIVES HELP

This group received great help in 1961 when a family of four from New Zealand arrived. Brother Huia Paxton was employed as a chemist by the Kiribati government. For three years he and his family greatly encouraged the local brothers. They even studied Gilbertese and learned to speak it fluently. Not only did they correspond with interested people, including some on Ocean Island, but they also bought a small yacht to visit others on nearby islands. By 1965, when circuit overseer Fred Wegener visited them, four families of interested persons, 15 adults and their children, were associating with them.

When his work contract expired in 1967, Brother Paxton and his family returned to New Zealand. On the way back their ship made a call at Ocean Island where they were able to meet some of the ones with whom they had corresponded and to encourage them. Six months later when the circuit overseer visited Tarawa he found the group had increased in number and was meeting together regularly, using the English-language book “Make Sure of All Things.” At that time there were no publications in the Gilbertese language.

Although these brothers do not have the help of any missionaries or pioneers, a small congregation of Jehovah’s people continues to spread the good news from the capital, Tarawa. Since September 1, 1980, Kiribati has been under the new branch in Guam, which is supervising the work in all Micronesia.

PROGRESS IN TUVALU

When Saulo Teasi returned to Funafuti, the capital of Tuvalu, in the early 1960’s, he was surprised to find that there was a small group of people that were meeting together to study The Watchtower. This group was being cared for by a former doctor, Uili Opetaia (Willy O’Brien). Uili, who had heard the truth in Suva while at medical college, had been baptized in Samoa and was now spreading what he had learned. Soon this group was joined by Apelu Teagai and his wife, Lumepa. Like Saulo, Apelu had learned the truth while in Suva.

At this time Saulo’s wife, Uto, began to oppose him strongly even though at first she had manifested an interest. Every Sunday there seemed to be an argument when Saulo would not join her in going to the church service. However, an unexpected blessing was about to occur.

This came in May 1962 when Sisters Lydia Pedro and Alisi Dranidalo, both special pioneers from Fiji, were assigned to Tuvalu. Sister Pedro was born in Tuvalu and Sister Dranidalo was a native Fijian. The local government was opposed to these two sisters staying, so in January 1963 they had to leave Tuvalu. During their stay the sisters conducted a number of Bible studies even though they were not allowed to preach from house to house. Especially did the two special pioneers help Uto, Saulo’s wife, to take her stand for the truth. As a result of their work, when the circuit overseer came to Tuvalu in 1964 he found that Saulo and Apelu were ready for baptism. Then the following year Uto was baptized, along with Uili’s wife, Melapa.

CIRCUIT OVERSEERS VISIT TUVALU

From the mid-1960’s to the late 1970’s this little congregation continued on despite much opposition. In time it became easier to get circuit overseers into the country. This provision from Jehovah was something that the brothers greatly appreciated.

It has not been easy for these traveling overseers to settle into the island way of life. One of the brothers that was visiting Funafuti was recovering from a bout of dengue fever when he decided to go swimming in the beautiful lagoon. After a while he noticed a foreign object floating past and then thought to himself, ‘No, it couldn’t be!’ Then later when he saw more of these, he noticed the toilets on stilts over the water! Needless to say, that was the last swim he had in the lagoon!

Another brother and sister, while staying in Kiribati, were sleeping on a gravel floor under a mosquito net when a strange noise startled them. The brother turned on his flashlight and found that they were being invaded by crabs trying to get through the mosquito net! Later, when they arrived in Tuvalu, they found that most of the homes had been destroyed by hurricane Bebe. So they stayed with a brother and his family in a small shack. Here they were kept awake at night by rats playing on top of the temporary ceiling.

These brothers have learned to adjust to many different circumstances. For instance, during a time of water shortage in Kiribati, there came a sudden downpour and one of the circuit overseers was seen taking a shower in his bathing suit under a leaking gutter. He was making good use of that shower of rain!

So, though it was not always easy for the brothers who came to serve the congregations in these islands, their efforts were certainly blessed.

MAINTAINING INTEGRITY AND PURITY

The test of whether or not the truth is really established in any country is that the brothers remain steadfast in the truth despite the strongest opposition. Consider the example of Sister Lumepa, who died in March 1970. She had been suffering from internal bleeding for two years and needed an operation but was told that it could not be performed without a blood transfusion. For two years doctors, the hospital staff, friends and close relatives tried to persuade her to take blood transfusions, but she remained steadfast to Jehovah’s laws and died a faithful Witness. Even on an isolated island Jehovah’s spirit is there to strengthen those who put faith in him.

As has already been mentioned, Christendom’s missions helped to popularize smoking in these islands, so that nearly all the islanders have become enslaved to the tobacco habit. There have been some fine examples of those who, upon learning Jehovah’s requirements, have immediately given up the habit.—2 Cor. 7:1.

BROTHERS FROM OVERSEAS ARRIVE

October 1978 was a turning point in the activities of Jehovah’s people in Tuvalu. Two important things happened. First, an Australian brother, Lon Bowman, who had been serving in Papua New Guinea, obtained secular work in Tuvalu. Second, the Tuvaluan government granted permission for two Australian missionaries to live in Tuvalu for two years, and they are still serving there.

Brother Bowman helped the brothers to get into a better routine with their meetings and Bible study work. When the missionaries, Geoffrey and Jeanette Jackson, arrived a couple of months later, they found that the small congregation was operating in an orderly manner.

Within a short time this small band of brothers and sisters were conducting over 40 Bible studies. By the time Brother Bowman and his family left, there were 12 publishers of the good news. In 1982 the publishers reached a peak of 22.

ATTENDING ASSEMBLIES

Due to their isolation and the high cost of travel, very few of the Tuvaluan brothers have been able to attend a convention of Jehovah’s people. During 1979, however, the brothers and sisters put forth special effort to attend the district convention in Fiji. They worked at everything from making and selling chocolate to carting sand, and with some help from their spiritual brothers overseas, they were pleased to have a delegation of eight brothers and sisters attend the convention. Among these was Sister Uto Teasi who, although she was baptized in 1965, had never been to a convention. Even though she could not speak English or Fijian (the languages in which the program was presented), she was thrilled to be with over 1,300 gathered at that convention. Another of her joys was to meet again with Sister Alisi Dranidalo who had helped her learn the truth back in 1962.

REACHING OTHER ISLANDS

During the past few years, not only has the capital, Funafuti, received a thorough witness but the missionaries, along with others in the congregation, have regularly visited the outer islands in the Tuvalu group. Many interested ones on the outer islands now have Bible studies through correspondence.

There are times when the Funafuti Congregation puts on a 15-minute radio program that can be heard in all the Tuvaluan islands. As the missionaries visit the outer islands, they hear many express appreciation for the Bible truths that they are learning from the radio broadcasts.

The clergy, however, put pressure on the government to stop the programs. At the invitation of the radio station manager, Brother Jackson attended a meeting where he heard one of the pastors angrily exclaim: “The people are asking too many questions after listening to these programs. We can’t have that!” The pastors requested that a church committee review all programs before they are broadcast. But later, a new manager and a new program organizer were appointed, and they were not afraid of the clergy. So the good news still reaches the outer islands by means of the radio programs.

PROGRESS WITH TUVALUAN LITERATURE

Over the years the brothers in Funafuti have been using the Samoan-language literature in their meetings. Some of the older ones understand Samoan, but for most in the congregation this has been difficult. So a concerted effort was put forth to translate some of the publications for local use, and the Governing Body has approved the printing of this literature in the Tuvaluan language.

So, the Witnesses on these islands are continuing to declare the good news, and as they do so they look forward to further increase, especially in view of their 1983 Memorial, with 155 attending, 68 of whom attended on the island of Funafuti. This was about one out of every 34 persons on the entire island of Funafuti, the capital.

Now let us turn our attention to the only kingdom remaining in the South Pacific islands of Polynesia—Tonga.

TONGA

The Kingdom of Tonga is a country made up of about 200 small islands, only a few of which are inhabited. There are three main island groups: Tongatapu, Haapai (low-lying groups of coral reefs) and Vavau, which is mountainous. The land area is 670 square kilometers (260 sq mi). Nukualofa is the capital and is situated on the largest island, Tongatapu, which is located about 700 kilometers (430 mi) southeast of Suva, Fiji.

British explorer Captain James Cook visited the islands in 1773 and called them the Friendly Islands. And, indeed, the people, most of whom are Polynesians, are friendly. Their language is Tongan, but today most schoolchildren also learn English. More than 90,000 people live on these islands and most of them are very religious.

Tonga was a protectorate of Great Britain until it became fully independent in 1970. Its government is a constitutional monarchy, and the king rules with the advice of a cabinet, a parliament and a privy council.

RESPONSE TO THE TRUTH

It was through one of the early pioneers sent out by the Australian branch that the truth first came to Tonga. The pioneer working in Fiji distributed booklets to all whom he met. A Tongan who was a skipper of a sailing clipper accepted the booklet Where Are the Dead? On his return to Tonga he gave the booklet to a friend by the name of Charles Vete, a worker with the telecommunications department. This was in 1932. Charles read the booklet and was convinced that he had found the truth. Until that time he was a member of the Methodist Church, but from then on, though not having any association with Jehovah’s Witnesses, he withdrew from the church and declared the message of the Bible.

Charles wrote to the Society’s headquarters in Brooklyn, asking for more information. Back came sets of books. Moreover, the Society’s president at that time, J. F. Rutherford, asked Charles if he would translate the booklet Where Are the Dead? into Tongan. He accepted the assignment, and in due course a shipment of 1,000 booklets arrived. Charles was moved to send a contribution for them and then began to distribute them. Many civil servants with whom he worked heard the truth in this way. Thus in 1933 the first witnessing work began in the Kingdom of Tonga.

For about 25 years Charles Vete was on his own in declaring the good news in Tonga. His work took him north from the main island of Tongatapu with the capital of Nukualofa, to the islands of Vavau and Niuatoputapu. He distributed many booklets in these islands. Though a number of people showed interest, not much progress was made, as there was no congregation with which to associate. But the booklet Where Are the Dead? received wide distribution. Even today as a publisher goes from house to house, he meets people who remember this booklet and its distribution by Charles Vete. Through his preaching over the years, he became known as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, though he did not get baptized until 1964.

Beginning in March 1955 circuit overseers made brief visits to these islands, but because of the strong influence of the Methodist and Roman Catholic religions, no Witness missionaries were allowed to enter the country, and no brothers from other places could get into the country to help the local publishers. So the Witnesses in Tonga have had to develop largely on their own.

TAKING THE INITIATIVE

By taking the initiative, the brothers have progressed. Here is an example of their zeal: In 1964 the script of a special public talk was sent to them. Though the brother caring for the group had never given a talk, he prepared and delivered it; Jehovah blessed his earnest effort with an attendance of 22 persons.

Another indication of the brothers’ desire to progress in the truth has been their efforts to provide translations of Watchtower study articles. Brother Charles Vete translated them into the Tongan language; copies were made by hand and then used by the group as their study material. The same thing was done with the book From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained.

In 1965 when circuit overseer Fred Wegener and district overseer Donald Clare visited Nukualofa, they were impressed by the diligent efforts put forth to keep the organization going without outside assistance. A year later the brothers there were thrilled when they could write to the Society and say that they had just built a Kingdom Hall on land offered by Brother Osaiasi Tovi within his allotment; it is large enough to accommodate up to 30 people.

HELP FROM THE OUTSIDE

Over the years some government officials have been replaced by men with a more favorable attitude toward the Witnesses. Thus after almost 14 years the Tongan immigration officials announced in 1969 that the Society’s traveling representatives would be allowed to stay for six months. So the Society sent in circuit overseer Len Helberg and his wife, Rita, for two months, and what a joyful time of training that was!

Several days a week the brothers gathered at Brother Vete’s home to learn congregation organization. The visit was climaxed with the Memorial, attended by 53, and a circuit assembly, which helped to develop a stronger spirit of love and unity. The brothers cooked the day’s food on hot stones buried in a ground oven and ate under a large tarpaulin hung from trees behind the Kingdom Hall. Spread on mats on the ground were low feasting tables lent to Brother Tovi by the king of Tonga, for whom Brother Tovi works as chauffeur. That month Tonga reached a new peak of 18 publishers.

CONGREGATION FORMED

With a peak of 20 publishers reporting in 1970, the Nukualofa Congregation was formed. Since then each circuit overseer has given the brothers training in theocratic procedures as well as working with them in the field. There has been growth, with the number of publishers reaching a peak of 41 in April 1983.

At present, missionaries are still not allowed to enter Tonga. Though recognizing that Jehovah’s Witnesses are not a new religion in the islands, some government officials are not keen to encourage the growth of the truth.

KINGDOM MESSAGE REACHING THE PEOPLE

Since the majority of the Tongan people live on the main island of Tongatapu, where the Nukualofa Congregation is located, the Kingdom message is reaching many. The first local sister to take up the special pioneer work started this service in 1978, and now there are four special pioneers. Even in Haapai to the north, a small group is declaring the good news. The brothers and sisters there make a real effort to come down to Nukualofa for the circuit overseer’s visit, and this is combined with a one-congregation circuit assembly.

During the 1970’s a few brothers came to Tonga to serve where the need is greater. David Wolfgramm and his family from New Zealand spent a few years here working with the congregation. Since he is a Tongan citizen, he could gain entry into the country. The need is surely great in the Tonga Islands, for the ratio of Witnesses to population is one to 2,198.

If it be Jehovah’s will, however, more will be done there before the “great tribulation” brings an end to Jehovah’s “day of salvation.” (Matt. 24:21, 29; 2 Cor. 6:1, 2) New ones are listening to the Kingdom message. The prospects for increase are good with 164 in attendance at the 1983 Memorial. Brother and Sister David Wolfgramm returned in May 1983, to settle on Vavau to open up the work there. Two special pioneers have been assigned to work with them. It is the fervent hope of Jehovah’s Witnesses in this country that renewed efforts to have missionaries enter Tonga may succeed. Whether or not this happens, the faithful band of brothers and sisters will continue to make Jehovah’s Word known to the friendly people of the Kingdom of Tonga.

About 480 kilometers (300 mi) northeast of Tonga is a most unusual island by the name of Niue.

NIUE

This country is just one small island, about 19 kilometers (12 mi) long and about 16 kilometers (10 mi) wide, making a total area of only 259 square kilometers (100 sq mi). In all the South Pacific, Niue is considered unique. It is limestone in composition, and wherever one goes on the island one can see evidence in the limestone rocks of shells and coral that once were under the ocean. Unlike other islands, it has no beaches. High cliffs rise abruptly out of the ocean; then the land surface is an almost flat plateau. Honeycombed with caves, Niue is an amateur explorer’s paradise.

While Niue was granted self-government by New Zealand in 1974, the people remain protected as New Zealand citizens. The Constitution provides for free association with New Zealand and a Legislative Assembly of 20 members, 14 elected from village constituencies and 6 from a common roll. Direction and control of the island is in the hands of a four-member Cabinet. Local government takes the form of village councils of which there are 14, councillors being elected for a three-year term. Elders of each community have a voice in matters affecting each village.

Niueans are a mixture of Samoans, Tongans and Cook Islanders who migrated there hundreds of years ago; they have blended into one ethnic group. Their language is a mixture of Samoan and Tongan. Unlike most other Pacific islanders, Niueans have no hereditary chiefs, and the head of each family gives directions.

About 9,000 Niueans have moved to New Zealand in recent years, so there are many empty houses in the villages. The predominant religious group is the Ekalesia Niue, which developed from the London Missionary Society.

THE TRUTH REACHES NIUE

Theocratic history began in Niue in February 1960 when Sisters Tia Aluni and Ivy Kawhe, missionaries serving in American Samoa, were requested to spend a month in Niue. At that time an interisland ship made only a monthly call, so if a person disembarked he had to wait a month for the next ship. Since Witness missionaries were not allowed into Niue, the sisters asked to enter the country to visit relatives. Sister Aluni had an aunt on the island, and they stayed with her.

The sisters placed more literature in one month than they did for a whole year in their own territory! A great deal of interest, as well as opposition, was stirred up. One of the persons to whom they witnessed was Samuel Makatongia. He was a member of the LMS Church, but he showed a deep interest in the truth; for some years he had been subscribing for The Watchtower. Although the sisters had to cycle about 20 kilometers (12 mi) to find him, they were well rewarded. What a blessing it turned out to be for the work in Niue, for this brother has been the mainstay of the work there and is the presiding overseer of the local congregation!

A FIJIAN PIONEER HELPS OUT

Not long after the sisters left the island, the branch office arranged for Seremaia Raibe, a native Fijian pioneer, to go there on a work contract with the Public Works Department. He used evenings and weekends to help the local brothers.

After Brother Raibe had been there for a few months, the resident commissioner, under pressure from the religious leaders, summoned him to appear for an interview. Brother Raibe, a big, husky Fijian, was asked by the commissioner why he had come to the island as a “worker,” when actually he had come to preach. Brother Raibe replied that everyone on the island seemed to know that he was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and if the commissioner had asked him the day he arrived, he would have acknowledged that he was a Witness. Then the commissioner told the Witness that for the sake of peace on the island, it would be best if he did not go from house to house, even though the Constitution guarantees freedom of worship. Not long after this, Brother Raibe’s permit to stay on the island was revoked and he returned to Fiji. In September 1961 the Legislative Assembly of Niue adopted the policy of not allowing any Witnesses into the country.

While he was still on the island, however, Brother Raibe organized regular meetings. The Devil, using his old trick of intimidation, stirred up the local villagers to stone the house where the meetings were held; but these tactics failed when the principal stone throwers became interested in the truth and started attending the meetings themselves!

MORE HELP ARRIVES

Meantime, a married Niuean brother, William Lovini, was living in New Zealand, where he learned the truth. In 1961 Brother Lovini went back to Niue to serve where the need was greater. He was employed by the government of Niue, and for a number of years he took the lead in the congregation. The number of publishers rose to 34.

Circuit overseer Paul Evans spent part of a day on Niue when the monthly interisland ship made a call. He spoke to the brothers, discussed their problems, analyzed their activity and made suggestions—all in the space of about six hours before the ship left. Then in 1966 Brother Evans and his wife, Frances, were allowed to enter Niue for six weeks—provided they did not engage in house-to-house work. It was a fine time for building up the brothers.

CARRYING ON DESPITE EMIGRATION OF BROTHERS

From 1965 onward the number of publishers declined, dropping to a low of nine publishers. Why was this? Most of the brothers, including Brother Lovini, left for New Zealand for various reasons.

Those left behind had little experience in congregational matters and had only a limited knowledge of English. They still continued to meet, however, and regularly reported their field service to the branch office. Then in February 1967 they received a one-month visit from circuit overseer Len Heatley. A condensed Kingdom Ministry School was conducted, and on the last weekend of the visit they held a small assembly.

In 1968 the brothers were again blessed with a one-month circuit visit, and thereafter they have had regular yearly visits. Each has concluded with a mini circuit assembly, encouraging the brothers to press on with the Kingdom work. When the circuit overseer visited in 1970, the brothers were thrilled to have 92 attend the public talk and to see 111 attend the Memorial.

Since then the situation has remained virtually unchanged. With about 3,200 Niueans left on the island, the local brothers are giving the witness, and the ratio is one publisher to 359.

Far more well known than Niue is Tahiti. Let us see how the Kingdom work began in this largest island of French Polynesia.

TAHITI

Tahiti is the best-known island in the group known as the Society Islands in French Polynesia, about 3,540 kilometers (2,200 mi) east of Fiji. Shaped like the figure eight, Tahiti is mountainous, with peaks rising to 2,237 meters (7,339 ft). The island, well watered by rain and streams, has spectacular scenery. Its only large town is Papeete, and it has an interesting, mixed population, speaking Tahitian, French, Chinese and, increasingly, English. Religiously, the people adhere mainly to the Roman Catholic and French Protestant churches.

THE TRUTH COMES TO TAHITI

Two traveling overseers started the preaching work in Tahiti. The first, Len Helberg, spent two months there in 1956-57. He called on people who had written for subscriptions for the Society’s magazines. He also showed the film The New World Society in Action five times, with the attendance totaling 618. The second was Paul Evans. In 1957 he placed over 70 books and Bibles. But it was not until the following year that a basis for a congregation was laid.

Agnes Schenck, a citizen of Tahiti, was living with her husband and son in the United States when the family came into the truth. In 1957, while at a convention, they heard Brother Knorr announce that Tahiti, a country where the Kingdom work was banned and missionaries were denied entry, was one of the lands where the need was greater. Earl and Agnes Schenck with their 11-year-old son decided to go there. They sailed from California in May 1958.

One of the brothers who had encouraged this family to go to Tahiti was Clyde Neill, and after the 1958 Divine Will International Assembly in New York, he and his family, as well as David Carano and his family, entered Tahiti that same year on three-month tourist visas. To avoid attracting the attention of the authorities, the brothers changed the location of the Watchtower Study each week. The hospitable Tahitians served refreshments afterward, which added to the impression that the brothers were tourists.

Soon several Bible studies were started even though the language barrier was a problem. The brothers coped with this by using two books, one in French and one in English. On many occasions Sister Schenck helped the others out with French and Tahitian.

Many times, as one of the Witnesses was walking along with an interested Tahitian, friends or relatives would stop them and inquire about this new religion. Once, a friend of a Tahitian spied him with a Witness, so he stopped his bus in the middle of the street and let his passengers sit there while he got out and talked with the two of them. Arrangements were made right then and there for a home Bible study!

NEW ONES BAPTIZED

The climax of these brothers’ stay in Tahiti came just before they had to leave the island after three spiritually uplifting months. This was the baptism of eight persons, the firstfruits of Tahiti! Then the Neills and Caranos had to return to the United States, leaving the Schencks and the new ones to carry on the Kingdom work.

In 1959 a congregation was formed in Papeete, and although missionaries were banned, Don Clare entered Tahiti as the district overseer and held a circuit assembly during each visit. By 1960 there were 28 publishers.

The year 1960 was a memorable one for the reason that the government granted recognition to a locally organized association of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This gave the work legal standing and allowed for the association to buy property.

A TIME OF TESTING

As 1 John 2:19 indicates, there are those who “were not of our sort.” Tahiti did not prove to be any exception to this, as was proved by events in 1961. A French pioneer, Claude Bonhomme, was assigned by the Society to serve in Tahiti. Because of his maturity and experience, he was assigned as overseer to replace the local brother who had been serving up to that time. The local man became jealous, and as a result, dissension arose in the congregation. Some were disfellowshipped, others stopped associating. Although this had a dampening effect, the work never stopped, and by 1963 the number of publishers had climbed to 68.

FURTHER EXPANSION

The highlight of 1963 was the completion of an island-style Kingdom Hall, and the Witnesses had the joy of seeing 198 seated in it for the Memorial. The following year the 78 publishers held their circuit assembly in it with 220 in attendance.

Big changes had to be made in the lives of these lovable island folk for them to conform to the Bible’s requirements for Christians. Consider, for example, a 42-year-old woman who had given birth to 14 children out of wedlock before finding the truth. She was living with a man to whom she was not married. She decided to straighten out her life even though difficulties arose because her children did not all have the same surname. The matter had to be taken to court, and this process consumed a year’s time.

When it was finally settled, she married the man. One month later she and one of her daughters were baptized. Now her other children and grandchildren are also proclaiming the good news.

The only congregation in all French Polynesia at the time was in Papeete, and it was growing rapidly. The Society sent two special pioneers to help the congregation. They were Brother and Sister Inaudi, who had been special pioneers in France. It was not long before Brother Inaudi became a traveling overseer, visiting French Polynesia, New Caledonia and New Hebrides (now Vanuatu).

Tahitians are noted for the giving of leis to visitors—floral leis on arrival, and nonperishable shell leis for a permanent remembrance on departure. This custom has led to opportunities to witness. For example, Brother Don Clare relates: “During my visits to Tahiti up to a hundred brothers and interested persons welcomed us on arrival and farewelled us on departure. On each occasion we received a hundred flower or shell leis. Seeing us boarding planes with seashell leis piled so high we could hardly see where we were going, tourists on the same flight, with only one lei, would inquire if I was the governor of the island. This led to many fine discussions.”

IMPACT OF FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

The “Peace on Earth” International Assembly in November 1969 marked a turning point. At the time there were only 124 local publishers, and what a joy it was for them to meet with 210 delegates from 16 different countries! The attendance of 488 at the public talk thrilled the brothers. This was also the first time that the local newspaper made mention of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Brother F. W. Franz’ presence at the convention proved to be most stimulating, and his remarks motivated the brothers to carry on the Kingdom work that lay ahead in the 62 inhabited islands in French Polynesia. Brother Franz was the first member of the Governing Body to visit Tahiti, and the benefit of this visit and the convention is seen in the 15-percent increase in publishers for 1970. In 1971 a new congregation was formed.

MORE HELP ARRIVES

In 1971 Brother Sicari in France wrote the Fiji branch office regarding serving where the need was greater. The office encouraged him to move to Tahiti. It took some months to prepare for the trip, and the family sold their furniture and auto to pay for the tickets. Thus in May 1972 Brother and Sister Sicari arrived in Tahiti with their two daughters, nine-year-old Elizabeth and six-year-old Helene. Brother Sicari, who now serves on the Branch Committee, has been happy to do his part in helping the local brothers to progress. Sister Sicari went back into the regular pioneer service, though having two children. This incited the local sisters to follow her example. She is still in the pioneer work, and her older daughter, Elizabeth, has joined her as a regular pioneer.

NEW KINGDOM HALLS AND FURTHER PROGRESS

The Papeete Kingdom Hall, built in the Tahitian style with its coconut-leaf roof, needed rebuilding and, above all, to have closed-in sidewalls to prevent the neighborhood chickens from spending the night there. So, in February 1973 the new Papeete Kingdom Hall was dedicated. In September of that year the Punaauia Congregation dedicated their Kingdom Hall. With a view to future growth, this hall was built to accommodate 500, and circuit assemblies could be held there too.

In 1973 two Tahitian families who had learned the truth in France decided to return to Tahiti. Brother Colson Dean’s family settled in Tahiti, while Brother and Sister Jamet, former special pioneers in France, went to the island of Raiatéa where the congregation of 24 publishers had only one elder. Soon Brother Jamet was appointed to replace Brother Inaudi as a circuit overseer because the Inaudis were expecting a child.

By 1973 the number of congregations grew to four, and in 1974 another congregation was formed with the help of a Tahitian family that moved to the island of Bora-Bora. For the 1974 Memorial 740 attended, a remarkable number compared with the total of 199 publishers.

BROTHERS KNORR AND FRANZ VISIT TAHITI

Then, the brothers joyously learned that Brothers Knorr and Franz would be visiting Tahiti as part of their 1975 world service tour. This was Brother Knorr’s first trip to Tahiti. More than 700 people were present to hear their encouraging talks. Brothers Knorr and Franz invited the overseers to meet with them and informed them that the Society was considering the opening of a branch office in French Polynesia! The surprised elders unanimously agreed that a local branch office was much needed, considering the extent of the territory. At the same meeting, Brother Alain Jamet was recommended to serve as overseer for the new branch office that was to open April 1, 1975. So from that time, oversight of the work in this part of the Pacific was transferred from the Fiji branch to the branch in Tahiti.

Jehovah has indeed blessed the brothers’ activity in this remote area, so that today Tahiti has more than 500 publishers. But the story of Tahiti’s thrilling progress as a separate branch of the Society will be told on another occasion.

Now let us consider another French-speaking territory that has been blessed with theocratic progress—New Caledonia.

NEW CALEDONIA

New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France, consists of about 25 islands located some 1,120 kilometers (700 mi) east of the north Australian coast. Its name is taken from New Caledonia, the territory’s main island, which is one of the largest islands in the Pacific. It is about 400 kilometers (250 mi) long and 50 kilometers (30 mi) wide. The population is about 145,000. New Caledonians are French citizens, and half of them live in the area of the modern French-style city of Nouméa, the territorial capital.

The native New Caledonians are Melanesians, but now there are almost as many Europeans. As elsewhere in the islands, there is a great mixture of island people in New Caledonia, and on the main island about 35 different languages are spoken. However, everyone uses French to communicate.

Cannibalism was common until the end of the 19th century. When Christendom’s missionaries arrived about 1840, the reaction of the natives was quite violent—several missionaries were killed and eaten. But with the support of the French army, Catholic missions were set up on the main island, where they predominate today. The London Missionary Society established missions on the islands of Maré and Lifou, and this led to much bloodshed, as religious wars broke out, with Catholics attempting to drive out Protestants and vice versa. Today, around 90,000 persons adhere to the Catholic religion and about 34,000 belong to the Protestant churches.

QUIET BEGINNINGS TO THE KINGDOM WORK

In 1954 John and Ellen Hubler arrived from Australia to serve where the need was greater. “We set out with a tourist visa for one month,” relates Brother Hubler, “and with the utmost trust in Jehovah to aid us.”

The Australian branch advised Brother Hubler to get a job as quickly as possible, hoping that his employer would assist them to get visa extensions. He got a job, but by this time their one-month visa was expiring. So he approached his employer, who arranged to provide bond for them; thus they were able to get a six-month extension. Brother Hubler recalls: “At the end of the first month, when the ship sailed back to Australia, we had the greatest joy, standing on the wharf, watching it sail without us, happy in the knowledge that we had successfully carried out the first part of our instructions.”

They started the second stage of their work—visiting outer areas of the island and speaking the truth to the people. They had no literature and used their English Bibles. They soon noticed that what they preached was received with eager interest, and thus plans were made for return visits.

Since they had no literature to place with interested people, Brother Hubler requested some from the Australian branch. They were advised that an engineer on a cargo ship was bringing a parcel and that this interested New Caledonian would deliver it to them. Thus the first supply of French literature arrived. Later an orchestra leader on a tourist ship brought more literature. On this occasion the ship’s orchestra was playing one night at the Town Hall, so the Hublers had to go to the ball to get the literature. Finally, Brother Hubler ordered some literature to be sent through post office channels, and he got it through customs with no problem.

OTHERS ARRIVE AND A CONGREGATION GROWS

After their celebrating the first Memorial in New Caledonia with just the two of them present, others gradually arrived to serve where the need was greater. Some families from Australia could remain for only a few months, but others stayed on for a couple of years. These zealous brothers did a wonderful work in laying the foundation for a congregation.

In 1956 the branch directed that the Hublers start to preach in Nouméa itself, while the other brothers worked in the outlying areas. Soon interested persons in Nouméa began coming to the meetings held by the congregation formed in August that year. The new congregation started with 9 publishers, grew rapidly to 14, then to 21 and 26, and ended the year with 32.

In 1957 the circuit overseer visited the congregation for the first time, staying for one month. Soon after the visit the brothers were instructed to concentrate their efforts in Nouméa. April 1958 saw the first of the local people start out in the field service and then get baptized.

On September 1, 1958, the oversight of the work in New Caledonia came under the new branch in Fiji. The brothers were thrilled that same year to have their first circuit assembly, even though they were a small group with a peak of 41 publishers.

BACK INTO FULL-TIME SERVICE

When Brother Hubler went to New Caledonia, he had to give up the pioneer work, but he had always wanted to resume full-time service. So he applied for permission to stay as a full-time minister. He went to see an official who was favorable to the truth, the secretary to the governor, and Brother Hubler was told to go ahead. Thus in 1959 he started out in the special pioneer work.

“One day the secretary called me into his office and asked me when my visa was to be renewed,” Brother Hubler recalls. “I told him I had five months left. He then said that he was being sent away on a mission but expected to be back before then, and in the meantime, his assistant had instructions to give us all the help that we needed. But things did not turn out as he expected. He never did return. Instead, his place was taken by a man who was a member of Catholic Action. Then the authorities began to refuse visa renewals for the Australian brothers.”

When the time came for the Hublers to renew their visas, they received a quick reply—no renewal! So, after five years in the country, they had to leave, the last of 31 brothers and sisters who had gone to serve where the need was greater. Brother Hubler is still in the full-time service as a traveling overseer in New Zealand.

OPPOSITION PLANS THWARTED

With the Australians gone, the clergy thought that the Witnesses were finished. They even announced from their pulpits that the local Witnesses would now come back to church. They were disappointed. Instead, the Kingdom work increased.

In 1960 all the Society’s publications were banned, but the brothers carried on, using just the Bible. Then the book From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained was printed showing the publisher’s name as being the International Bible Students Association, and it was used in the preaching work. Some magazines still arrived, though many times postal officials destroyed them. To get around the ban on The Watchtower, the brothers had the magazines printed with blank covers, and then they could be distributed with no trouble.

Meantime, efforts were made to have the ban lifted on the publications, and in 1963 the Society won the case. So the Privy Council removed the ban from all the publications except The Watchtower and Awake! The ban on Awake! was lifted in 1969, but the brothers had to wait until 1975 before the ban on The Watchtower was removed.

THE KINGDOM WORK MOVES AHEAD

During 1962 the work moved ahead, and 37 reported sharing in the preaching work. In 1966 the number of publishers increased to 104, and the work spread out around the island with some of the local brothers being assigned as special pioneers. In 1975 the brothers were delighted to welcome their first Gilead graduates, Brother and Sister Fosset.

For some years the congregation meetings were held in Brother Jonvaux’s garage, which was an aircraft hangar from World War II. Until 1975 this was also used as the location for circuit assemblies. Then in 1975 the Anse Vata Congregation in Nouméa bought a piece of land and started to build the first real Kingdom Hall in New Caledonia. It was completed within a year and was dedicated in June 1976.

In that same month the Society opened up a branch office in New Caledonia, and this new branch now took oversight of Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna Islands. The number of publishers in New Caledonia had grown from the 2 Australians in 1954 to 315 in 1975. Presently New Caledonia has over 500 publishers, with the number gathering for the Memorial in 1983 reaching 1,456. Thus, in another part of the Pacific, the Kingdom good news is being preached vigorously.

But now let us turn our attention to Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides) and see how the preaching work got started there.

VANUATU

Vanuatu forms a Y-shaped chain of about 80 islands stretching for more than 800 kilometers (500 mi) in the southwest Pacific Ocean. However, 90 percent of the land area is made up of only the ten largest islands. Vanuatu is situated about 960 kilometers (600 mi) west of Fiji. Half the islands are islets and rocky outcrops; the other half are mountainous, and those in the northern and central regions are covered with lush, tropical forests. Heavy rainfall and a humid, tropical climate characterize the country. The people are of Melanesian origin, and most of them live in villages.

Since the 125,000 inhabitants of the country speak more than a hundred languages, the need for good communication has led to the development of a lingua franca called Bislama, which combines mainly English words with Melanesian grammar. Most of the people of Vanuatu use Bislama, along with French and English. Both French and English were introduced as a result of the New Hebrides’ being jointly ruled by France and Great Britain. This ended on July 30, 1980, when the New Hebrides was declared independent and renamed Vanuatu.

Over the years workers came in from Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Wallis Island and Kiribati, as well as from Tonga and Fiji. Thus, many races can be seen in the streets of the two main cities, Vila, the capital (on the island of Efate), and Santo on the island of Espíritu Santo.

CUSTOMS AND RELIGION

The life of the Ni-Vanuatu was and still is to a certain extent centered around the worship of ancestors. People live with the fear of the spirits of their ancestors. Spiritism thus greatly affected their beliefs, and this even led to cannibalism. For example, on the island of Ambrim, to enter a spiritistic community, the entrant had to kill and eat a man.

Though some of Christendom’s early missionaries were killed, the churches gradually gained influence and power, and they apportioned the islands among themselves, the Anglicans taking the north and the Presbyterians the south. Today the churches are much involved in politics and thus strengthen their hold over the people. Presbyterians number about 50,000, Roman Catholics some 20,000 and Anglicans 17,500.

Considering this background, one can understand why the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses has developed slowly in this part of the world.

LIGHT OF TRUTH STARTS TO SHINE

In the 1930’s Brother George Winton sailed through the islands, spreading the first seeds of truth. Even though his boat was wrecked on the island of Paama, this did not stop him. Evidently he was deported around 1940 for preaching the good news. Another brother, Alfred Rice, worked among the people, but he died on Paama from malaria.

In 1958 Lewis Newton and his wife arrived from Australia to serve where the need was greater. “When we sailed into the port of Vila we were struck by the beauty of the bay with the houses visible here and there among the luxuriant foliage,” Brother Newton remembers. “Everywhere there were the bright colors of hibiscus, bougainvillea and variegated leaves. The town consisted of about a dozen tiny stores and two larger stores.”

Brother Newton obtained work for six months with a copra-plantation owner and thus he and his wife traveled to their new home on the other side of the island. The Newtons worked with caution, trying to get the preaching started. Though not knowing it then, they were to spend about 25 years there before returning to Australia in 1983.

After attending a convention in Fiji in 1959, the Newtons arrived home and found that the plantation owner had turned against them because of the truth and had dismissed them from his employ. They had used all their money to go to the convention and could not pay the money for bond to remain in the country. However, two planters whom they barely knew offered to lend them the money, and a week later, on the other side of the island, Brother Newton found another job with a French planter.

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM CIRCUIT OVERSEER AND OTHERS

With this move they were now only some 20 kilometers (12 mi) from Vila, and with the aid of a borrowed, dilapidated car, they did a little witnessing in the town. “We were very encouraged” says Brother Newton, “when the circuit overseer, Len Helberg, visited us in April 1960.”

During 1961 a Canadian couple, Brother and Sister Robert Hinsche, arrived and were able to stay for a few months until the Immigration Department forced them to leave. During all the time that the brothers had been on this island they had been placing many copies of the book From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, and the native folk took them back to their islands. Thus the seeds of truth were being sown. On one occasion Audrey Newton was surrounded in the car by what appeared to be a threatening group of native people. How relieved she was to find out that all they wanted were copies of the book!

In 1963 the Newtons were thrilled when the five members of the Bates family, of whom four were publishers, arrived from England. For the first time in five years, the Newtons had others with them for the Memorial. Now six publishers were working on the island of Efate.

FIRST NATIVE PUBLISHER

One day Sister Jeanne Bates was witnessing to people living on Roman Catholic Mission land. One of the Bible studies started there was with Helen Pita, a native woman, who could neither read nor write. It required much patience and ingenuity to study with her, not only because she was illiterate but also because she lived under difficult conditions. Her husband drank away their money, and she had to raise ten children. She made slow but steady progress, though, and became the first local publisher, baptized in 1967. She is still serving Jehovah loyally to the best of her ability.

A definite step forward was taken in 1964 with the organizing of all the meetings in a downtown location. Regularly between 10 and 20 persons attended. But the government refused to renew Brother Bates’ contract, so in 1966, after three years in Vanuatu, the family returned to England.

CIRCUIT ASSEMBLIES AND GROWTH

The small band in Vanuatu rejoiced in their first circuit assembly in August 1967. This was held in the front yard of the Newtons’ home. (By now they had moved into town.) Len Helberg, the circuit overseer, showed the film The New World Society in Action to about 40 people.

In 1970 Brother Allan Taylor and his family from Australia joined the brothers, bringing the total number of publishers for the 1971 service year to 15. They stayed on and worked faithfully with the others until 1975, when they moved to Fiji. About the time this family arrived, the branch encouraged French-speaking brothers to move there, and a number of families came from France.

For the circuit assembly scheduled for March 1971, the few local brothers were greatly encouraged to greet about 40 brothers from New Caledonia. The carport they used for meetings was bursting at the seams with 147 attending the showing of one of the Society’s films, the commentary for which was given simultaneously in French and Bislama.

In 1972 the brothers were able to purchase some land on the outskirts of town and started construction on a Kingdom Hall. With just the posts and the roof, and coconut leaves for walls, they used it for the next circuit assembly. To help finance the hall, local brothers made money by carving small boats that were then sold to the tourists.

LITERATURE AND MISSIONARIES TO MEET THE NEED

When the new branch started in New Caledonia in June 1976, Vanuatu came under its oversight. The Governing Body approved the sending of missionaries into Vanuatu, but all efforts to get permission for British missionaries to enter failed. The first ones who were allowed to enter were Brother and Sister Casteran from France. This was in 1977. That year also saw the translation of the Watchtower magazine into Bislama, and since then all the meetings have been conducted mainly in this language.

While at Vila, Brother Casteran witnessed to an old man called Jonah Sak-Sak. He studied for three months, attended the district convention in 1978 and then returned to his island of Ambrim. The Watchtower in Bislama was sent to him by mail. Later, some brothers decided to visit Jonah. How surprised they were to find that he held meetings regularly in a nice Kingdom Hall, one that he had built! Just by reading The Watchtower, he understood the need to hold meetings regularly and to be active in the preaching work. At this writing a group of 19 people meet for the Watchtower Study in his village, and another group started by him meets on another part of the island. Though in poor health and not yet baptized, Jonah conducts 40 Bible studies.

The 38 publishers who reported in 1975 grew to 57 in four years. During one month in 1979 a peak of 64 reported field service, and 159 attended the Memorial that year.

INDEPENDENCE AND ITS EFFECT

The brothers were delighted to receive the Truth book in Bislama early in 1980. This was certainly a timely provision. Why so? Because with independence from Great Britain and France close at hand, the country was entering a new period. Independence came July 30, 1980, and with it many Europeans, including many of the brothers, had to go back to their home countries. Then in November the government refused to grant visas to all the missionaries of Jehovah’s Witnesses working in Vanuatu, and by the end of January 1981, they had all gone to other assignments. Thus the Ni-Vanuatu brothers were on their own, apart from just a few European brothers who were granted visas to stay.

After independence just 34 publishers remained in two well-established congregations. But Jehovah’s work moved ahead, and today there are over 50 publishers who rejoiced when 211 attended the 1983 Memorial.

SOUTH PACIFIC HEARS THE GOOD NEWS

Though unique in the world for isolation, the islands of the Pacific have heard and continue hearing the message of God’s Kingdom. Brothers and sisters serving where the need is greater, mostly from Australia, have contributed immensely to the present spiritual prosperity. By now six different branches have oversight of the South Pacific field: Australia, Fiji, Guam, New Caledonia, New Zealand and Tahiti. This has not been easy. With so many different governments, persistent efforts by officials to hinder the work, plus travel and communication problems, it has been only through Jehovah’s power that the Kingdom work has prospered.

Due to the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, contact with the brothers has been limited, and traveling overseers have played an especially important role by keeping the brothers in touch with one another and with God’s organization. One year a district overseer logged some 48,000 kilometers (30,000 mi), visiting the scattered groups. This has been done at considerable financial expense, and the brothers in that part of the world, generally poor in material possessions, are grateful to the brothers elsewhere for their generous support in making the preaching work possible there. As the apostle Paul said, there has been “an equalizing.”—2 Cor. 8:14.

The result of this activity is now evident with a “great crowd” sharing in the lifesaving preaching and teaching work. All sorts of men and women, from different races, speaking many languages and from various countries, have accepted God’s way of salvation. (Rev. 7:9, 10) Eagerly the Witnesses there, as everywhere, look forward to the time under Jehovah’s Kingdom when they will be able to sit each one in the shade of his stately palm tree, enjoying in fullness Kingdom blessings, including the physical beauty of the islands of the South Pacific.

[Map on page 162]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

South Pacific

SCALE AT EQUATOR

MI 0 300 600

KM 0 500 1000

EQUATOR

OCEAN ISLAND

KIRIBATI

PHOENIX ISLANDS

TUVALU

TOKELAU ISLANDS

WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS

WESTERN SAMOA

AMERICAN SAMOA

COOK ISLANDS

TAHITI

NIUE

TONGA

FIJI

VANUATU

NEW CALEDONIA

[Picture on page 170]

William Checksfield stuck to his missionary assignment in Fiji until his death in 1962

[Pictures on page 175]

Foua Tofinga, one of Brother Checksfield’s early Bible students. He is now a member of the Fiji Branch Committee

A group of early publishers in Fiji (about 1956)

[Picture on page 176]

Donald Clare, present Branch Committee coordinator, and his wife, Eunice, who was Fiji’s first pioneer

[Picture on page 183]

Leonard Heatley and his wife, Clara. He was Fiji’s first Gilead graduate and is still pioneering

[Picture on page 188]

Fiji branch office at 66 Robertson Road, Suva

[Picture on page 199]

Fuaiupolu Pele and his wife were among the first Samoan-born Witnesses in Western Samoa

[Picture on page 202]

Kingdom Hall in Apia with open sides

[Picture on page 207]

Paul Evans, accompanied by his wife, Frances, did circuit work over a vast area of the South Pacific, encouraging the brothers

[Picture on page 215]

Missionaries serving in American Samoa in 1961

[Picture on page 223]

Saulo Teasi (shown here with his wife and son) helped start the Kingdom work in Kiribati and Tuvalu

[Picture on page 229]

The first Kingdom Hall built at Nukualofa, Tonga, with a group of Tongan brothers

[Picture on page 237]

The spiritual paradise is expanding in Tahiti and neighboring islands

Love—“A Perfect Bond of Union”

This has been a thrilling year of increase for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Few of Jehovah’s people living some decades ago could have foreseen such phenomenal growth in Kingdom publishers as was recorded this past service year. The expansion in the building of branches and the renovating of old ones, along with the great variety of other activities taking place, is nothing short of extraordinary. Especially this year, has there been felt a growing spirit of unity and self-sacrifice among the brotherhood. The enthusiasm for the pioneer ministry has been exceptional. As a result, the happiness of God’s people at meetings and in the service has been marvelous to behold!

We can say humbly with the psalmist that Jehovah has richly crowned the year with his goodness. (Ps. 65:11) This is evident not only by the growth in publishers but also by the unity and peace that have been ours to enjoy in this disunited world. Oh, what a grand privilege it is to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses at this time of the end!

The developments in the world, which this brief report of Kingdom activity touches on, are significant as part of “the sign . . . of the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matt. 24:3) As mankind advances ever deeper into the time of the end, we are forewarned by the Scriptures that conditions will grow even more difficult to deal with, more critical. (2 Tim. 3:1-5) We trust that the reading of this report about the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the 1983 service year will increase the reader’s faith in Jehovah and in his organization, and that it will strengthen our hope in the Kingdom and our confidence in the many spiritual provisions for gaining everlasting life.

Throughout the 1983 service year Jehovah’s Witnesses have kept before themselves the Scriptural command found at Colossians 3:14; it is indeed a challenging one. It tells them: “Besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union.” That inspired command is being carried out by Jehovah’s Witnesses in all the earth, to Jehovah’s glory.

The millions of people who attended the “Kingdom Unity” District Conventions this year were able to appreciate more fully what is involved in ‘clothing themselves with love.’ The unity and love that permeated the conventions could be seen and felt by all in attendance. Especially was this evident when the declaration of their unity was presented.

Let all of Jehovah’s Witnesses who responded with a “Yes” to what was said in that Declaration of Unity earnestly continue to display an active and meaningful faith. And our prayer is that all of Jehovah’s Witnesses may continue worthy of the love that Jehovah has expressed toward them, always appreciating the privilege they have of bearing his name and of publishing the good news of the Kingdom under Christ.

The past year has taught Jehovah’s Witnesses that the big thing today is to be active in God’s organization, proclaiming to all the good news of his Kingdom. (Matt. 24:14) Those who are to gain everlasting life must now take in knowledge of Jehovah and of his Son, Jesus Christ. (John 17:3) Fully appreciating this, Jehovah’s Witnesses have stressed the house-to-house ministry and the need to search out interested persons and to conduct Bible studies with them.—Acts 20:20; Matt. 28:19, 20.

Jehovah’s people feel the urgency of the times. They are well aware that they are living in the last days of this system of things. With the increase in publishers, there has come a great demand from the field for more literature. To meet that demand, new branch buildings have been built in a number of countries—Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands, to name a few. Great expansion has taken place at the world headquarters of the Witnesses in Brooklyn, New York, with the purchase of buildings and new printing equipment. Construction continues at Watchtower Farms, also in Germany, South Africa and in other parts of the earth.

It is important that all who love righteousness and who desire to live under Kingdom rule recognize the one united world organization that Jehovah is using to get the preaching work done. (1 Cor. 1:10) As loyal servants of Jehovah, may we stand firm in one spirit, “with one soul striving side by side for the faith of the good news.” (Phil. 1:27) We rejoice to be a part of the only true international brotherhood on the face of the earth.

All readers are assured of our warmest love and best wishes as they heed the advice of the apostle Peter: “Go on growing in the undeserved kindness and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”—2 Pet. 3:18.

Your brothers,

Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Yeartext for 1984

“Speak the word of God fearlessly.”—Phil. 1:14.

The Bible gives many accounts of those who spoke the Word of God fearlessly and who were richly blessed in doing so. It must have required great courage for Enoch to proclaim Jehovah’s judgment in pre-Flood days, convicting ungodly sinners concerning the shocking things that they spoke against him. Noah had to be fearless in preaching righteousness in that doomed world of ungodly people. But such fearlessness in walking with God had its abundant reward.—Jude 15; 2 Pet. 2:5; Gen. 5:24; 6:9, 22; 7:1, 23.

In later times Jehovah strengthened his faithful prophets to speak out fearlessly in warning Jerusalem of its approaching doom. For example, he assured the youthful Jeremiah that he would make him like a fortified city against his adversaries. Likewise, God commissioned Ezekiel, saying: “The sons insolent of face and hard of heart—I am sending you to them, and you must say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said.’ And as for them, whether they will hear or will refrain—for they are a rebellious house—they will certainly know also that a prophet himself happened to be in the midst of them.” Those ancient prophets sounded the warning, fearlessly.—Ezek. 2:4, 5; Jer. 1:6, 18.

However, the greatest example of fearlessness in proclaiming an unpopular message is that of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even the officers sent to arrest him returned empty-handed, exclaiming: “Never has another man spoken like this.” Courageously, Jesus testified concerning God’s Kingdom until his lips were silenced in death.—John 7:46; 18:36, 37.

Jesus encouraged his disciples to show a like fearlessness in proclaiming the Word of God. In his service talk recorded at Matthew 10:5-42, he told them not to fear those who may kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather they should fear Jehovah God, in whom rests their hope for everlasting life. Like their Master, those disciples were outspoken in making known the truth. Thus, the rulers came to “recognize about them that they used to be with Jesus.”—Acts 4:13.

What of today? As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we are privileged to be the one organized body of Christians united worldwide in following the pattern set by the ancient prophets, by Jesus and by his early disciples. In Jehovah’s strength we press on fearlessly with our God-given work. (Zech. 4:6) Concentration camps, prisons, beatings, family opposition, reproaches heaped on us at our place of work or at school—none of these can deter or silence us as we boldly proclaim the Word of God. No doubt this year of 1984 will mark a further surge forward in our Kingdom work, as we meet the challenge of worsening world conditions by “showing all the more courage to speak the word of God fearlessly.”