Yearbook—1986
Title Page/Publishers’ Page
pp. 1–2
Title Page/Publishers’ Page
1986 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Containing Report for the Service Year of 1985
In harmony with Jesus’ command, “Go . . . declare abroad the kingdom of God,” Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to share zealously in this work in all parts of the earth.—Luke 9:60.
Index
p. 2
1986 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
pp. 3–34
1986 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
KEEPING INTEGRITY TO JEHOVAH—that should be the foremost thought and greatest desire of every worshiper of the only true God. Why is the matter of integrity so important? Well, consider the words of Proverbs 27:11. Here, just as a loving father would say to his son with regard to taking a right course to clear away reproach wrongfully brought upon the family’s good name, Jehovah says to every true worshiper of Him: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.” It is by keeping integrity to Jehovah in every aspect of life that one can daily provide Jehovah with a reply to give to his Taunter, Satan the Devil. What a wonderful thought that is! By remaining blameless, faultless in Jehovah’s eyes, it is possible for imperfect creatures to share in clearing Jehovah’s name of all reproach and fill his heart with joy!
Who today can rightfully lay claim to making Jehovah’s heart rejoice? This 1986 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses supplies the answer. As you read its pages you will be thrilled to find that monthly upwards of 2,865,183 men, women, and children, drawn from all different national backgrounds throughout the world, are faithfully upholding Jehovah’s side of the issue of universal sovereignty. For some, doing this has meant suffering hardship, imprisonment, and even death at the hands of the Taunter’s agents. Hundreds of thousands have faithfully held up under stress of divided households or ridicule from workmates or schoolmates. Others have had to endure the problems brought on by old age or ill health. The majority have had to resist the day-to-day pressures of this old system of things. All who have truly proved to be faithful witnesses of Jehovah have been putting Kingdom interests first in their life. (Matt. 6:33) Thus, Jehovah has been able to say of them individually as he did of his faithful servant Job: “Even yet he is holding fast his integrity.”—Job 2:3.
The importance of keeping integrity to Jehovah was kept prominently before the minds of all of Jehovah’s Witnesses during 1985 by the series of “Integrity Keepers” Conventions. Starting in North America during the month of June, they have gradually extended right around the globe in the succeeding months and will continue into the early part of 1986. At a number of special conventions, thousands of delegates from other lands were present. This gave them an international flavor and helped to cement even closer the bond of love that is truly experienced among Jehovah’s people in all parts of the earth.—John 13:34, 35.
The first of these special conventions was held in Montreal, Canada, July 11-14. It is interesting to read what the Canada branch had to say about it and its fine effects: “We are especially happy about the success of the Montreal convention. The attendance of 78,804 was outstanding, as was the baptism figure of 1,004. The provision of a camping area for the brothers was a special feature of the convention, and the fact that seven brothers of the Governing Body were present brought us particular pleasure. The publicity in the news media was excellent, and we are confident that the Montreal convention will be a further stimulus to the work in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada. It was good to have so many of our fellow Christians from the United States as well as representatives from other lands in attendance. It was most encouraging.”
In Europe after months of preparation, thousands of visitors were welcomed to conventions held in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Greece. Authorities had kindly granted permission to hold four large conventions in Poland during August 1985. The largest stadiums in the country (in Poznań, Chorzów, Warsaw, and Wrocław) were used. Delegates from 16 countries were represented in the total attendance of 94,134. It was exceptional to see 3,137 baptized. Excitement ran high at each convention. Commenting on the convention at the Dziesieciolecia Stadium in Warsaw, the Kurier Polski said: “The big letters of the convention theme ‘Integrity Keepers’ had been placed on the playing field. The podium for delivering the talks and baptizing new believers had been constructed nearby. The assembly program involved common prayers, songs, lectures, and dramas on moral-ethic subjects. Because of the Warsaw gathering of Jehovah’s Witnesses the stadium has been restored to its former fine condition. Garbage and weeds have disappeared. The railings have been painted . . . many clean toilets have been additionally constructed.” Other newspapers also pointed out that all of this was the result of voluntary service on the part of hundreds of brothers.
When the apostle Paul and his companions visited Thessalonica in the first century, it was said of them: “These men that have overturned the inhabited earth are present here also.” (Acts 17:6) The same words may well be applied to the convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses held on the hilly outskirts of Thessalonica, Greece, August 22-25. Peak attendance was 11,517. On the first day, the local press reported: “The fight is on! Jehovah’s Witnesses vs. the Greek church.” However, it was apparent to all in attendance that Jehovah’s Witnesses are an orderly, peaceable people, interested only in defending God’s Bible truth against tradition and false doctrine.
In its losing battle against the integrity-keeping Witnesses, the Greek Orthodox Church resorted to demonstrations and falsely charged that the Witnesses are “foreign agents” and are “not Christians.” A leading Athens newspaper published a rebuttal, stating that the thousands of Witnesses who had come from 18 countries in the Orient, Europe, America, and Africa were interested in visiting sites where Christianity got started, and that “Jehovah’s Witnesses more nearly resemble the early Christians than do members of the more orthodox congregations.” The newspaper featured an interview with a visiting representative from Brooklyn along with pictures in color of the convention activities and of the baptism.
On the final day, 21,218 attended at the Apollon Stadium in Athens, and 4,632 at nearby Malakasa, making a total attendance of 37,367 for the three conventions. And 368 new Witnesses were baptized. The local brothers called it “the joyful assembly.”
The cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo were chosen for special three-day conventions in Brazil, August 23-25. Anticipating record attendances, the branch engaged the largest stadiums in both cities: Estadio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro and Estadio do Morumbi in São Paulo. However, the peak attendance surpassed all expectations, a combined total of 249,351 crowding into the two arenas on Sunday! This vast crowd was also overjoyed to learn that 2,654 had been baptized. Jehovah is certainly speeding up the work in that land!—Isa. 60:22.
The thousands of brothers privileged to visit these and other special conventions will never forget the warm and loving welcome that they received. Strengthened in their determination to maintain their integrity to Jehovah, they returned to their home countries and congregations with hearts overflowing with joy following such “an interchange of encouragement . . . each one through the other’s faith.”—Rom. 1:12.
Since the start of this series of conventions many letters of appreciation have been received by the Society. One person was moved to say: “Our ‘Integrity Keepers’ Convention this year was the precise thing that I needed to continue with determination to serve Jehovah with integrity and truth.” One Spanish circuit overseer summed the matter up when he wrote: “The entire program from the beginning to the end will help all of us to maintain our integrity in this time of the end.” We pray that this series of conventions indeed will do this for all who attended and that, no matter what obstacles and tests may lie ahead, their determination will be as expressed by the psalmist David: “As for me, in my integrity I shall walk.”—Ps. 26:11.
The goal set before Jehovah’s Witnesses for 1985 was, “Fully accomplish your ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:5) The question of interest to all of us is this: To what extent was this goal achieved? The chart on pages 34 to 41, together with the following interesting reports and experiences from many parts of the earth, gives a resounding answer to that question. As a result of the millions of hours spent in witnessing to their neighbors about the Kingdom, the Bible study aids left in their hands, the subsequent return visits made, and the Bible studies conducted, there were 189,800 that symbolized by water baptism their dedication to do Jehovah’s will. These stand as proof that Jehovah’s Witnesses have accomplished their ministry during the 1985 service year. These are ‘their letter, inscribed on their hearts and known and being read by all mankind.’—2 Cor. 3:2, 3.
One outstanding feature of last year’s service report is the ever-increasing number joining the ranks of the pioneers. Last year literally thousands came to appreciate that the pioneer service was for them ‘a large door of opportunity leading to activity.’ (1 Cor. 16:9) How encouraging then it is to find that, on an average, 322,821 were in a position to share in the full-time service in 1985. That is a 25-percent increase over the previous year. Here is how one 19-year-old pioneer sister expressed herself after attending the “Integrity Keepers” Convention: “I’m determined more than ever to continue to exert myself to endure in the most satisfying work ever. I deeply appreciated the talk directed to pioneers Friday morning and the opportunity to be amidst the throng of full-time servants. It made my heart swell with so much happiness!” There is little doubt that this increasing army of full-time workers has been a major factor in the ever-increasing rate at which “a great crowd” are joining their voices in saying: “Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.”—Rev. 7:9, 10.
It is understood, of course, that not all of Jehovah’s people are in a position to enlarge their service privileges by stepping into the full-time service. But this has not prevented such ones from ‘fully accomplishing their ministry’ to the extent possible under their particular circumstances. So, whatever place of service you may enjoy in Jehovah’s organization, as you read the following exploits of Jehovah’s integrity-keeping witnesses, you can rejoice in the fact that during these closing days of this wicked system of things you have had some part in making Jehovah’s heart rejoice!
Zealous Ministers in Africa
It is heartwarming to behold what is being accomplished today in Africa with regard to preparation of people for survival into the “new earth.” The zeal that they are showing for sacred service is outstanding, and Jehovah is richly blessing their efforts. In some lands Memorial attendance exceeds 100,000; elsewhere, 300,000. And Jehovah’s spirit is moving the brothers to respond to the need for workers. For example, the increase in pioneers is 54 percent in one branch; 203 percent in a two-year period in another. During April, the number in full-time service soared to such levels as 35, 37, 59, and 70 percent of total publishers for various countries.
CHAD: This past year has witnessed some of the most vicious killing and plundering in this country’s rapacious 20-year civil war. The problems of war and persecution have been compounded by famine. Amid these pressures our brothers in Chad feel as did the apostle Paul when he wrote: “We are pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement; we are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out; we are persecuted, but not left in the lurch; we are thrown down, but not destroyed.”—2 Cor. 4:8, 9.
A schoolteacher here who had two wives and six children had been enslaved by demon worship since childhood. His mother, a well-known clairvoyant, was reportedly possessed by four demons. The entire family gathered twice a year to offer sacrifices to these demons. When both of the wives of the schoolteacher died within six months, he inquired of the demons through his mother as to the origin of death. The demons lyingly said that they did not know. Later, when his eldest daughter also died, he agreed to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. In time, this former fearful slave of the demons became a happy ‘slave of the living and true God.’—1 Thess. 1:9.
GHANA: Much interest is being shown here in the good news. The 43,579 home Bible studies reported in November exceeded the total publishers by about 16,000. At the Memorial, 101,926 were present. The increase has made new branch facilities an urgent need, and good progress has been made on these. Contributions to support the work have come from persons of all ages and in varied forms. A nine-year-old sent a note, saying: “Herewith my ₵50.00 to support the construction work. I sold iced water to get this money. With loving greetings to you all.” Another girl, ten years old, sold her hen for ₵200 and took the money to the presiding overseer to be sent to the Society to help with the construction work. Some have sent live goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens. A brother donated large logs to be sawed and used as timber. Others have lent equipment.
IVORY COAST: Some who now praise Jehovah were first located when they were in prison. A young Muslim on vacation abroad got into a heated argument over money and killed a man. As a result, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Seeing no way out, he contemplated suicide, by starvation if necessary. But then he was contacted by two Witnesses who were preaching in the prison. Gradually Berté’s thinking changed. For the first time in his life he began to experience real joy. Finally, he was baptized in a large barrel in the prison courtyard, with some 50 prisoners and guards as observers. His territory is the prison. For a time he had a prison population of some 6,000 to whom to preach. Now he is in a prison that has about 1,000 inmates. Here he has been an auxiliary pioneer, conducts 23 Bible studies, and shares in meetings that are regularly attended by about 40 persons.
KENYA: The pioneer spirit has caught on in eastern Africa, and grand blessings go hand in hand with it! In Kenya the number of regular pioneers has gone up 270 percent in four years, and more than 10 percent of all publishers are now regular pioneers.
A wonderful work is being done here with the brochure Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! Nearly 100,000 were placed in 33 languages by about 7,000 publishers in eastern Africa during this service year. At times the publishers find themselves being followed by people who saw someone else’s brochure and want copies for themselves.
A polygamist, after reading the brochure, arranged to send his second wife away even before the Witness made a return visit. In one instance a non-Witness went around to his neighbors and used the brochure to ‘straighten them out’ as to their conduct, especially regarding polygamy. He said: “Even though your church allows you to do that, you see here according to the Bible it is not allowed.”
In one congregation, use of the brochure resulted in 41 new studies in two months. A sister had been conducting a study with a woman who did not seem to understand or retain what they discussed but who begged the Witness to continue studying with her. The brochure brought about a rapid change. Now she could remember what they studied. After completing the brochure, she was ready to take her stand for the truth and to start publishing. No wonder that in Kenya 3,422 publishers are conducting 5,172 Bible studies.
SENEGAL: During the past year, greater efforts were made to reach more people living in the vast, unassigned territory. As one means of doing this, brothers in the cities were encouraged to talk to people at train and bush-taxi stations. In this way they have been able to contact people from the most distant parts of the country. One man thus contacted wrote to the branch for more information. He obtained a supply of the brochure Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! to use in conducting a spiritual program in the school where he taught. A missionary visited to help him get started. The students learned God’s name, about God’s preparation of the earth for man, and how the first human soul came into existence. While the school was closed for the rainy season the students were assigned to copy the brochure in Arabic and to practice reading it. Now a fellow teacher, who works even farther in the interior, has taken 40 brochures and a Bible to begin the same program in his school.
SIERRA LEONE: Many of those embracing pure worship experience opposition from family members, even as Jesus foretold. (Matt. 10:32-39) Such was the case with Jonathan, who grew up in a rural area in Sierra Leone. His forefathers had been juju priests for four generations, and he was being groomed to carry on in the same line of work. But as Jonathan began to study with Jehovah’s Witnesses he learned that, not “medicine” or animal sacrifices, but serving Jehovah in the way outlined in the Bible is what brings God’s favor. When he made it known that he would not follow the family profession, bitter opposition ensued. His family refused to let him attend school. When he went to Christian meetings, they would not feed him, saying: “Let God feed you!” Jonathan did not go hungry. He remained firm for what is right and was baptized. He also taught himself to read and write. In time, his mother too accepted the truth, and he serves as a regular pioneer.
SOUTH AFRICA: In this branch we are now publishing, simultaneously with the English, eight different language editions of The Watchtower, four language editions of Awake!, and nine editions of Our Kingdom Ministry. Hence Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Africa are now able to enjoy the same spiritual food at the same time as their brothers around the world.
The whole world has heard of the turbulent situation that has developed in South Africa. How has this affected our African brothers? In some places mobs would not accept their neutral stand. Some were threatened; others had their homes burned down. But they are determined to maintain integrity. As a result of all the turmoil, many people, whether they are white or black, have come to realize that there is no hope in human governments and schemes. And many who formerly would not listen are now showing a keen interest in the only message of real hope—God’s Kingdom by Jesus Christ. The field is ripe for harvesting. No wonder home Bible studies have increased by some 8,000, to a peak of over 32,000!
ZAIRE: The Kingdom work has moved ahead in Zaire faster than ever during the past year. Regular pioneers increased by over 40 percent during the year. And the Memorial attendance of 153,356 was more than four times the number of Witnesses in the country.
A missionary reports that an 18-year-old girl began to study the Bible and attend congregation meetings. Soon her mother opposed what she was doing. (Matt. 10:36, 37) The girl was expelled from the house and told to go live with those with whom she studied the Bible. At the same time her mother accused her to a military official in the city, complaining that her daughter spent all her time studying and running to meetings instead of working at home. However, the official to whom she complained was also interested in the Bible and was being visited by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He asked the mother if she had chased her daughter out to be a thief or a prostitute like many others of her age. “Otherwise, do not hinder her Christian activities,” he said. “I officially authorize her today to attend all meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses and to continue her studies of the Bible. I condemn your unchristian action of chasing her from home. We are here to apply the law, and there is freedom of religion.” The girl returned home and continues to make progress in the truth.
ZAMBIA: From Zambia, located to the south of Zaire, comes another very encouraging report. Bible studies well exceed the number of publishers. And the Memorial attendance of 311,314 is well over five times the number of publishers.
Kind acts have resulted in the starting of some Bible studies. One of our sisters had a neighbor who always wanted to pick a quarrel with her. But one day that woman was in difficulty when her child broke some plates in a shop and the mother had no money with which to pay for them. Our sister came to her aid, paying on her behalf. This kindness so deeply touched the woman that the following morning she came to the sister’s home and requested that a Bible study be conducted with her.
ZIMBABWE: The issue of neutrality is becoming more intense. In one area a local politician encouraged the people to beat the Witnesses when these called at their homes. Although appeals to the authorities often bring relief, there are still strong elements that openly resent the loyalty of our brothers toward Jehovah God and his Son. But as one elder put it: “Our brothers are happy to endure these trials because it helps us to prove the quality of our faith.”—Jas. 1:2-4.
The Desirable Things of the Orient
Long ago Jehovah foretold that “the desirable things of all the nations” must come into his house of worship. (Hag. 2:7) They are coming from the Orient, as from other parts of the earth, in increasing numbers.
BURMA: Although brothers in one area had to walk for more than six days through mountainous territory at elevations of 6,000 to 8,000 feet (1,800 to 2,400 m) to attend a convention of Jehovah’s people, they proved that they truly are conscious of their spiritual need. (Matt. 5:3) Many arrived two days before the program was to begin, but they promptly inquired whether there would be a talk that night. It was arranged. In the evening after convention sessions, the traveling overseers were called on by the brothers to give further talks and to relate experiences.
When given opportunity to hear God’s Word, even some persecutors respond favorably. A special pioneer’s two sons, aged 10 and 7, were constantly harassed by their schoolmates for being Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their caps would be pulled off, their clothes were marked with ink and were cut, their schoolbooks were stolen, and sometimes the boys were beaten. Though the parents spoke to the teacher and the troublemakers were counseled, the harassing continued. Then one day the younger son took My Book of Bible Stories to school and witnessed to the boys. Even the bullies listened and became friendly. The parents were surprised one evening to see their sons coming home with five other boys, the former bullies. From then on, the boys regularly read the Bible Stories book with their schoolmates.
INDIA: To care for the needs of theocratic expansion here, it was most timely that the new branch building and Kingdom Hall were completed in Lonavla; and in January these were dedicated.
A Hindu woman became interested in the truth as a result of sitting in on a study in a neighbor’s house. In time she came to realize that Jehovah is the true God, but she was afraid that her husband might find out about her interest in this “new” religion. In the meantime he became interested in the Bible’s message when visiting the hut of a friend who was studying with the Witnesses. He, too, came to realize that what he was learning was the truth. But he was afraid to mention it to his wife, because she was very religious and had many religious pictures and idols in their home. Then one day he saw on the bed in his home the booklet Is There a God Who Cares? Recognizing what it was, he excitedly asked his wife: “Where did you get this?” She timidly explained, and her husband was overjoyed. Soon a study was being conducted in their own home with them, their three children, and the grandmother.
ISRAEL: Our brothers in various parts of Israel have encountered an outbreak of vicious opposition. What began as the daubing of abusive graffiti on the branch building by Jewish religious fanatics soon became mob attacks on the building, arson attempts, and the planting of a fragmentation bomb at the building entrance. Protest demonstrations have been mounted twice weekly, attended by up to 400 black-coated, bearded religious extremists. They make prodigious efforts to scare the brothers and interested persons from attending the meetings, and they lie in wait for them as they leave the hall. But attendance has remained high, and the spirit of the congregation is strong.
What have been the results? Publicity by news channels has caused the whole country to know about Jehovah’s Witnesses and their basic beliefs. Government officials have been given a witness. Many curious onlookers have visited the branch to ask questions and obtain literature. The ears of sympathetic persons have been opened to the good news. And the resolve of the brothers to stand firm has been strengthened.—Phil. 1:12-14.
LEBANON: There still is no real security in the country, nor is there hope of improvement under the present world system. However, all the brothers are determined to continue serving Jehovah wholeheartedly, and they experience Jehovah’s help and protection.
In April, 22 percent of the total publishers in the country shared in special, regular, or auxiliary pioneer work. Wrote one of the elders: “I have been in the truth for 29 years, and this is the first time I have auxiliary pioneered. I was thrilled.”
Among the auxiliary pioneers was a newly baptized sister who has four children and an unbelieving husband. She also has some physical problems. During the month, she started three new Bible studies with her neighbors, and she had another, unexpected blessing. Because she spoke about the truth almost every day with her husband, he became interested and started to attend meetings.
THAILAND: Response to auxiliary pioneer service has been good here, as in other lands. One sister expressed her appreciation for it, saying: “My health is not so good. Many nights I had to take pills in order to be able to go to sleep. After I started to auxiliary pioneer regularly, my health improved. I don’t take pills anymore in order to go to sleep. In the evening I can hardly wait to have a bath and go to bed. Walking from door to door helps me a lot to be able to sleep better, besides the many spiritual blessings I receive that make me a happier person.”
TURKEY: The past year proved to be a very critical one for God’s people in Turkey. In December of 1984, the State Security Court sentenced 23 brothers for ‘trying to establish a theocratic order in Turkey.’ About a week later, eight more were arrested in İzmir. The first group was acquitted and released in June of 1985. The second group, about three months later.
In the meantime, the strong bond of love among the Witnesses was strengthened. Breadwinners had been imprisoned. But others of the brothers lovingly contributed materially to help their families, and even brothers from other lands generously assisted.
As Jesus foretold, the persecution also led to a greater witness. (Matt. 10:18) The letter writing done by our brothers in other lands made it necessary for many officials to deal with the matter. And the newspaper reports reached people who otherwise might not have heard about the Witnesses. Even in prison a witness was given.
Willing Workers in the European Field
For many years there has been extensive sowing of Kingdom seed in the European field. Now is the time of harvest. Jehovah’s Witnesses beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers, but they also volunteer to share more fully in that work themselves. As a result, in ever-increasing numbers they are enrolling to be pioneers.—Matt. 9:37, 38.
BELGIUM: In this violent world we meet many who have been contaminated by the spirit of rebellion. A couple of pioneers helped a fighter who was an alcoholic to put on the new personality. (Eph. 4:23, 24) To make the necessary changes, that man had to wage a war within himself. One evening he again stumbled. He entered a café (a bar), drank, and almost started a fight. Returning home, he gave vent to his feelings, breaking up a table and some chairs. He even tried to tear up a Yearbook. He wanted nothing more to do with the truth; he felt unworthy. But after further encouragement from the pioneers he began to attend the congregation meetings. It was difficult for him to stop smoking; but he discarded the cigarettes, and later his pipe. After that, his style of clothing changed. What a transformation! Since his baptism he regularly participates in the auxiliary pioneer service.
BRITAIN: The field in Britain is getting a more intensive witness than ever before. Outstanding is the fact that for the first time there were over 100,000 Kingdom proclaimers sharing in the work. Further, the number of pioneers reached a new peak every month for the first ten months of the year, and during the month of May, 11,425 shared in auxiliary pioneer service.
This has also been a year of activity respecting Assembly Halls. After much searching, the brothers located a beautifully situated facility 25 miles (40 km) south of London. This is now being remodeled. On August 1, work started on another hall, to serve the brothers in the northeast part of England. And a committee is investigating the possibility of yet another Assembly Hall, in the Bristol area. This should make it possible for the vast majority of the brothers in Britain to have circuit assemblies in their own halls.
Among those baptized at the convention in Leeds was a woman who had prayed to God for help after the death of her husband. The next day two Witnesses called. She listened politely but, as a member of the Church of England, declined their literature. Minutes after they had left, however, she recalled her prayer to God for help and ran out of the house to call them back, but she could not find them. That night she prayed again, this time to have the Witnesses return. The very next day two different Witnesses called, not realizing that the house had been visited the day before. The 72-year-old householder was put in touch with the Witnesses who had called earlier, a study was started, and now she is our sister.
DENMARK: The release of the Danish edition of the complete New World Translation was an event that met with great enthusiasm. A supply of 60,000 copies was received, but only 1,000 remain. Even the public press has given it much publicity, some 40 newspapers and magazines containing reports concerning it.
Some persons in Denmark are taking hold of the truth very quickly. José is one of these. He often prayed to God, and just the day after he prayed that God would send someone to him to explain the purpose of life, two Witnesses knocked on his door. Appreciating what he heard, he went to the Kingdom Hall the next day. Two days later he was at his second meeting, and the following day he had his first home Bible study. When he had to choose between attending a 40-year celebration at his place of work and going to the Kingdom Hall, he chose association with Jehovah’s people. He learned why it is wrong to smoke, so 14 days after his first contact with the Witnesses he made a solemn promise to Jehovah that he would not smoke anymore. And he has not, although he had smoked 20 to 30 cigarettes a day and for 16 years had unsuccessfully tried to stop. During the first two months he read 12 of our books. Shortly after that, he was out in the field service, and within four months he was baptized.
FINLAND: The time has come for Jehovah’s name to be widely known, and no power can prevent it. The Finnish State Church is making a new translation of the Bible, one that carefully conceals the divine name. Meanwhile, a local newspaper reported this concerning recent renovations made in a church: “The scratching of old paint has led to the discovering of new findings in the church of Kuhmoinen. The word ‘Jehova’ has been found right above the altar. The fate of the word, which has caused some confusion, and the great wall painting, which was uncovered about a month ago, now lies in the hands of the parish council.” They decided to panel the wall, leaving the name and the painting behind it for future generations. But in every home in the township people discussed this matter.
FRANCE: Jehovah’s blessing on the pioneer activity, with new peaks of full-time workers most months of the year, has made us very happy.
Young ones face many tests of integrity in school. In Delphine’s new school the boys and girls would greet each other with a kiss on each cheek. But she explained that, as a Christian, she could not allow that. Later, on the bus, some of the boys started off in singsong fashion: “Delphine, a kiss! Delphine, a kiss!” One day after lunch some of the boys tried to force her to kiss them, but she prayed, resisted strongly, and the boys left her alone. Later one of them came back and told her that he admired her for the courage of her convictions. So she was able to give him a good witness about the Kingdom, explaining the high standards that Jehovah expects of all who want to share in its blessings. During the school year she was also able to explain her beliefs to the entire class.
GERMANY: Anticipation for the conventions was great, but this was surpassed by the actual joy over all the good things received. The brothers were very enthusiastic about the books Reasoning From the Scriptures and Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? But, in addition to these, they also received in German the revised edition of the New World Translation with its 125,000 cross-references. The brothers felt overwhelmed with all these provisions and expressed heartfelt thanks.
One day an elderly man obtained the Live Forever book from a brother who was sharing in street witnessing. A return visit was made at his home. In just four weeks the man asked: “What do I have to do to leave ‘Babylon the Great?’” When he went to the clerk’s office to resign from the church, the woman on duty inquired: “At your age you want to resign from church?” He is 82. The man replied: “Have you ever heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” She answered: “Now I understand everything.” Within two months he was out in the field service.
GREECE: When the apostle Paul and his companion Silas preached in Philippi they were dragged before the civil magistrates by irate opposers. Today also such opposition is a common occurrence for Jehovah’s people in this land. (Acts 16:19-24) During the first ten months of the service year, there were 84 court cases here involving the preaching of the good news. Sixty-seven of these were won in the lower courts, and two saw positive results in the court of appeals. Others are still pending.
The beautiful island of Corfu was the focus of much attention in the press because of clergy opposition to the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses there. For about a month a group of around 50 people headed by three priests met outside the Kingdom Hall during each meeting. Holding crosses, they sang hymns, interspersed with shouts of “Antichrists,” “Traitors,” “Get back to Brooklyn.” The police tried to keep order, but in time the action of the group stirred up an unbalanced person first to smash the windows of the Hall, and later to set fire to it, resulting in $4,000 worth of damage. Then a brother’s car was set on fire. The national press carried reports. Finally the case came to court. In a courtroom filled with priests, the case continued for five days. One who came forward on behalf of Jehovah’s Witnesses was a university professor. He spoke for about an hour and a half, saying among other things: “The Middle Ages have come back to our town, and the acts of these men [pointing to the priests] have no place in our democratic society. They have nothing to do with what Christ taught, whom these men [the priests] badly represent.” As a result of this case, a tremendous witness was given, not only in Corfu, but throughout the country.
IRELAND: On June 1, 2 the first quickly built Kingdom Hall in Ireland was erected. TV stations gave it wide publicity. One newspaper proclaimed in bold type “The House That Jehovah Built—In Just 30 Hours!”
Some persons who used to say they were not interested have changed their mind. A girl whose cousin became a Witness was only interested in proving her cousin wrong. Since they always ended up arguing about it, they decided not to discuss it anymore. Later, when this girl and her boyfriend broke off their relationship, she took an overdose of drugs and was taken to the hospital. At the urging of another sister, the Witness dropped in to see her cousin on her way home from service. When the Witness told her cousin what she had been doing that day, the cousin said that sometime she must attend a meeting ‘out of curiosity.’ The sister had a talk scheduled on the Theocratic Ministry School, and her cousin agreed to attend that. Our sister dropped off a copy of the Live Forever book for her. Two days later the cousin agreed to study. Now she, too, is sharing in the field service.
ITALY: The past service year has truly deepened our appreciation for Jehovah’s blessings on his faithful servants. The month of August saw 127,526 Kingdom proclaimers busy in the service. The total of regular pioneers in May was up 72 percent over the report for the previous May, and the Memorial was attended by 275,902. What developments there have been since 30 years ago, when an international convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Italy was attended by just 4,531!
The good news must be preached with impartiality, not neglecting anyone, realizing that Jehovah sees what is in the heart. For many years there was a drunkard in Venice who was known as The Glassmaker. Under the influence of alcohol he would disrobe in public, and when the police tried to stop him he would throw himself against a shop window in the piazza, breaking the glass. From this he got his nickname. The apartment in which he lived was filthy. But when Witnesses called on him he showed genuine enthusiasm for the truth. The first return visit lasted three hours. Progress was fast. He stopped smoking and drinking. He got rid of his large collection of pornographic magazines. Soon he was at meetings. The brothers helped him to clean and paint his apartment. All of this resulted in a fine witness to neighbors and acquaintances. On meeting him at the Kingdom Hall, a former drinking companion of his said: ‘If The Glassmaker can change that much, then I too can become a Witness.’ He asked the brothers to visit him. How true it is that Jehovah’s ways are higher than man’s and God’s thoughts than man’s thoughts!—Isa. 55:6-8; Rom. 11:33.
NORWAY: For some time a sister had been calling on an elderly man on her magazine route. He was always friendly and took the magazines but would barely open the door. Was it worth the sister’s effort? In time publishers in another area met a young housewife who recognized the magazines and readily invited the publishers in. A study was started. She and her husband made rapid progress to baptism. What contributed to that rapid progress? Well, the woman is the daughter of that elderly man. For years he had been telling his daughter about the Bible’s wonderful hope for mankind and showing her how The Watchtower could help her to find answers to her questions.
PORTUGAL: Portugal is struggling with a bumper crop of inflation, unemployment, and much anxiety about the future. But these very conditions are helping many honesthearted ones to see their need for God’s Kingdom.
In Almada, one of the first cities where Kingdom preaching was done in this country, there is now a ratio of one Witness to every 105 inhabitants. And the Memorial was attended by one in every 45 persons there! Is there any sign of letup? No; this circuit has more pioneers and conducts more home Bible studies than any other in the country!
SPAIN: As never before, Jehovah’s dedicated servants here are praising the name of Jehovah. (Ps. 113:1) In the 26 months following May of 1983, Spain registered 25 peaks in regular pioneers. Their number went up 92 percent during that period. Such zealous activity is a factor in increases of many kinds. Spain now has a peak of 61,110 Kingdom proclaimers.
Fourteen-year-old Yolanda learned that a special flag ceremony was planned at school for the next day, this involving an oath as well as ceremonial kissing of the emblem. Her first thought was to tell her parents, who would allow her to be absent from the ceremony. But what about the younger Witnesses in the lower grades? They might find themselves in a difficult situation when confronted with pressure from both teachers and peers. So, at recess time she sought out young Mónica, Joan, and Silvia, explaining the situation to them, and they went together to the Director’s office. Yolanda spoke for the group: “Mr. Director, we have come to talk to you about the ceremony that is to be held tomorrow, that is, the oath to the flag, and I want to tell you that as Christian witnesses of Jehovah we do not swear to the flag, since that would be worshiping it, and for worship we already have our God, Jehovah. And since we respect your religion, I would like you to respect ours.” Replied the Director: “Very well, go and tell your teacher and the teacher of the others that you will not be present tomorrow for the ceremony.” Thus Yolanda’s bold action in behalf of her young schoolmates helped them to avoid walking unknowingly into a difficult situation.
SWEDEN: People in general in Sweden show great indifference toward the Bible and its message. But, instead of allowing that to dampen their zeal, the brothers have increased their activity. A new all-time peak of 20,037 shared in the field service during April. Over 20 percent of them were pioneering.
During his zone visit, Brother Henschel recommended that we pay more attention to the young ones in the congregations. Arrangements were made to increase the help being given to them. Many had gone in the field service with their parents but had made little progress. However, when personally taught what standards publishers must meet and how to do the field service effectively, they come to have a very different view toward meetings and the field activity.
Outstanding Growth in North America
For over a century Jehovah’s modern-day witnesses have been active in North America. Today, in a manner that far exceeds anything they expected, they see fulfilled the promise: “The little one himself will become a thousand, and the small one a mighty nation. I myself, Jehovah, shall speed it up in its own time.” (Isa. 60:22) That ‘might’ is not merely in numbers, but especially of a spiritual sort, because of reliance on Jehovah. It moves them to share whole-souled in proclaiming the already established Messianic Kingdom of God. What a marvelous privilege this is!
ALASKA: The brothers in Alaska express how Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world feel. Appreciatively they write: “It is a pleasure to convey our warm love and greetings to you brothers who are loyally serving Jehovah’s earth-wide Kingdom interests! Not one day passes without our feeling the effects in one way or another of the assistance given to us by Jehovah’s organization. We thank you for this loving care. Of course, we realize that Jehovah ‘is not far off from each one of us.’ (Acts 17:27) Such closeness is a special blessing.”
In their vast territory, it seems that young people predominate. The average age is 28. And many youths are showing genuine appreciation for the privileges of service that are open to them. A high-school girl, for example, decided to auxiliary pioneer while still attending school. In harmony with a provision for On Job Training, she arranged to have part of each school day for the field ministry. Every week she turned in a sheet stating how many hours she worked, her duties, new knowledge or skills learned, how she could improve, experiences, and so forth. This has opened up opportunities to discuss with her teacher Jehovah’s name, quickly built Kingdom Hall projects, and pioneering. Her teacher has been favorably impressed.
CANADA: The theme of “Kingdom Increase” that was highlighted during 1984 was no wishful thinking! It was then and continues to be exactly what is taking place, with Jehovah’s blessing.
A reflection of the growth is manifest in the building of new Kingdom Halls. By summer, the number of quickly built Kingdom Halls had reached 55, with 10 more scheduled before winter. In Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a quickly built Assembly Hall was erected in just six days this past spring, and the dedication was held exactly one week after construction began. It can be used as four side-by-side Kingdom Halls. Then when interior walls are recessed, the building opens up into an auditorium seating 1,200 for circuit assemblies. Work on this project caused quite a sensation in the area. As one professional who visited the site said: “Awesome! Awesome!”
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Outstanding! That expression describes the fine record of activity of Jehovah’s people in the United States during the 1985 service year. During August, a new peak of 723,220 publishers shared in the ministry. That is 179,763 more than the average just five years ago. There were also new peaks in hours, return visits, and home Bible studies.
An outstanding aspect of the report is the growth in the pioneer ranks. With 100,145 sharing in auxiliary pioneer service during April, a total of 136,996 were in the pioneer work that month. Eight new peaks in regular pioneers were reached during the year. Large numbers of applications flooded in after the “Integrity Keepers” Conventions.
A former Catholic who was raised in Mexico is one of these zealous ones. She has been one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 40 years. But recently she began to ask herself, “What am I doing?” She realized that, whatever it was, it could not be as important as engaging in the preaching work. So, although she is 93 years of age, she enrolled as a regular pioneer and now has the joy of conducting six home Bible studies.
A Great Crowd Praise Jehovah in Central America and the Caribbean
In prophetic vision the apostle John saw a great crowd of praisers of Jehovah “out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” (Rev. 7:9, 10) Included in the fulfillment of that vision, there are proving to be large numbers from Central America and the Caribbean.
BELIZE: The field here is ripe for harvesting. (John 4:35) The Mayan village of Santa Cruz is part of this fruitful field. There, three families decided to leave their religion because of wrongs that they observed. They prayed together that they might find the truth. Soon one of the group met a Witness doing street work in the town of Punta Gorda. He listened but took no literature. The next month he returned, this time to ask if Jehovah’s Witnesses would set up a church in Santa Cruz. Our brother explained the nature of our work and some of our beliefs. The man wrote down the scriptures and left, again without taking literature. The others in the village liked what he shared with them, so they set about erecting a thatched building to serve as a meeting place. Next month the man was back in Punta Gorda to explain that they now had a building ready for meetings. He insisted that our brother give a definite day and time when he would come. Though their knowledge is limited, the three families have been witnessing freely, even from door to door. When the brothers arranged to show slides in the village, these families gathered an audience of 126 to see them. By that time the families had studied just a few chapters of the Live Forever book.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: The Kingdom work is thriving here, and the future seems to be very promising. There have been ten consecutive peaks in publishers this year. And there are over 14,000 home Bible studies, to compare with a peak of 8,930 publishers. Many new Kingdom Halls are being built.
Sometimes encouragement to read our Bible literature comes from an unexpected source. That was true in La Vega. A sister called on an elderly woman who is Catholic and who said she refused to listen to anyone who does not talk about Mary. When the sister said, “OK, let’s talk about Mary,” the woman still refused. But when the sister next called at the homes in the territory, the elderly woman walked into the home of a neighbor as our sister was offering the magazines. “That’s the same article on marriage that the priest had in church on Sunday,” the elderly woman said. “He said that it is a very good article and that everyone should read it, because it would help them solve their marriage problems. The priest had 15 copies and gave them out to the church members.” Although the woman’s daughter protested at first, the mother replied: “The priest read from the magazine in church and told the congregation that when the Witnesses came to their homes they should accept the magazines and read them.” All three who were present did just that.
GUADELOUPE: The brothers in Guadeloupe have indeed felt as if new ones were coming into the organization like a large flock of doves in flight. (Isa. 60:8) The 3,500 publishers were thrilled to see over 500 more added to their ranks during the year.
One Sunday a lady approached the Catholic priest after Mass and told him that her son had asked: “Why, if Jesus Christ died for us, do we still see men who continue to sin and who continue to die?” She asked for help. The priest offered no explanation but instead said: “I suggest that you go out of the church, cross the street, and stay there a little while. Soon you will see Jehovah’s Witnesses coming along. Then approach them and stop one, but not an adult, no, but go to the youngest child among them and ask him to answer your question. To be sure, he will gladly tell you exactly what to answer to your son.” The woman was stunned.
GUATEMALA: At one place the military reserve officer brought pressure on people who were studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and who were conducting themselves as Christian neutrals. Several of them were taken from their homes at night and imprisoned. The officer accused the local pioneer of provoking this situation. Appeal was made by the brothers to the higher military authorities, seeking opportunity to explain the reasons for their position. After listening for a full hour, the officer in charge of the entire area granted them an exemption order, relieving them of civil patrol duty. This exemption order was then delivered to the military reserve officer. Some months later the pioneer was able to start a Bible study with that reserve officer. Now he is attending all the meetings at the Kingdom Hall and is encouraging others to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He wants to make the needed adjustments in his own life so that he can become a servant of Jehovah.
HONDURAS: Here, too, there is excellent increase and potential for much more. In the country home of the Catholic bishop of Tegucigalpa, the caretaker and his wife were contacted by a Witness. They had never owned a Bible but begged our sister to bring them one and to teach them from it. Upon learning that God has a personal name, the man asked the bishop about it, but the bishop said that he was too busy to talk to him and asked him to leave the room. The bishop’s right-hand man later acknowledged that God’s name is Jehovah but told the caretaker to leave him alone because he was busy. The man could not help but observe the contrast between their attitude and that of our sister who gladly walked for miles to discuss the Bible with them. Now they were even more eager to learn.
JAMAICA: Again there has been excellent response to pioneer service. The number enrolling as regular pioneers increased 50 percent over last year.
In one school a teacher wrote a religious song on the blackboard and asked the students to sing it. When a young Witness did not participate, the teacher became angry. After our sister explained that the song was not in harmony with her beliefs, the teacher replied: “Well, sing one of your songs.” So she sang “Life Without End—At Last!”—and the whole class listened right to the end. She says: “I was a bit nervous, but with Jehovah’s help I accomplished what I had set out to do. When I looked at the teacher’s face, I could see that she was no longer angry.”
MEXICO: Of the more than 173,000 publishers, upwards of one third have come into the truth during the past three years! And more growth is in sight. The number of Bible studies being conducted has jumped to 263,788. Even more outstanding is the Memorial attendance of 781,904. There are literally hundreds of thousands of sheeplike ones here to be helped.
“Throbbing with zeal!” That describes the spirit of our brothers in Mexico. The number of regular pioneers increased by an average of 35 percent and auxiliary pioneers by 30 percent. Among the regular pioneers are many whose circumstances are not unlike those of Angelita. With an unbelieving husband, four small children, and a partially crippled leg, she first took the matter of pioneering to Jehovah in prayer. Then, after receiving practical suggestions from the elders in her congregation, she began her regular pioneer service. Since then, because of her fine example, two other sisters in the congregation have also become pioneers. Now her husband too is studying the Live Forever book and is attending meetings.
In the face of the flag-salute issue in the schools, young ones are standing firm for true worship. Ten-year-old Miguel was called in to the principal’s office for questioning. There, before a group of teachers and a school inspector, he gave a fine witness. Nevertheless, he and the other children of Jehovah’s Witnesses were expelled for not saluting the flag. Later on, after they were readmitted, Miguel’s teacher—impressed with the young boy’s conviction and integrity—began asking him questions about the Bible. Amazed at the answers he received, the teacher began studying the Bible. Now, along with his wife, his sister, and his mother-in-law, he regularly attends congregation meetings, participates in the field service, and plans to get baptized soon.
PUERTO RICO: Jehovah’s Witnesses are in every corner of this island. But they realize that there is much work yet to do, and during the year the regular pioneer ranks increased by 25 percent.
Many young ones are preaching with good effect. A girl attending kindergarten took her Bible Stories book to school with her. When she began to explain the stories to her classmates, nearly the whole class crowded around. Seeing their interest in the book, the teacher asked for a copy, and the young Witness offered to give her one if she promised to read it. Each day the girl asked the teacher whether she had read the book, until finally she did begin. Before long, the teacher as well as her daughter showed up at the Kingdom Hall. She is now a baptized Witness who greatly appreciates the zeal of that young child who witnessed faithfully in school.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: An amazing 56 percent of the total publishers were in auxiliary pioneer service during April.
A brother who auxiliary pioneered during March decided to concentrate on obtaining subscriptions. In street work, he would offer subscriptions to those who obtained magazines. He also offered subscriptions to those with whom he had contact in his secular work as caretaker of a dock and a boathouse. Many of these were businessmen who are seldom at home. Generally they accepted the subscriptions for themselves or as gifts for friends. During March he obtained 182 subscriptions, and 41 in April.
Reviewing the year’s activities, the brothers say, along with David, “The measuring lines themselves have fallen for me in pleasant places.”—Ps. 16:6.
South Americans Flock to Jehovah’s House
Long ago God’s Word foretold: “It must occur in the final part of the days that . . . many peoples will certainly go and say: ‘Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah . . . and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’” (Isa. 2:2, 3) It is thrilling to observe the fulfillment that this is having in South America. Meeting places are often overcrowded. And when conventions are planned, the most spacious facilities available are needed to care for the throngs.
ARGENTINA: Total publishers increased until they reached 56,585 in August—a 17-percent increase during the year. Bible studies have exceeded 70,000, and Memorial attendance shot up 24 percent to 135,379. Many of the Kingdom Halls are no longer large enough; these are being expanded, and new ones are being built. The brothers have two Assembly Halls now, one of these being put to use at the end of June and the other in July.
After 29 years of government restrictions, we had our first large assembly in the city of Buenos Aires, using the largest soccer stadium in the country. It was a dream come true. In attendance were 46,117, and 1,193 were baptized. Total attendance for our series of nine conventions was 97,917. Reported one magazine article: “Jehovah’s Witnesses have gained the respect of all.”
For the past 35 years our brothers of military age have had to serve prison terms of from three to seven years because the government did not recognize their Christian neutrality. Many were beaten, and at least two died because of inhuman treatment in military prisons. But now, on the recommendation of the local body of elders, young men who are baptized, are active in the preaching work, and are registered in the Theocratic Ministry School are given a certificate from the Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This certificate is presented to the military authorities, and the brothers are exempted from military service. Many of these young brothers are using this provision as a means to enter the pioneer service.
BRAZIL: For many years Jehovah’s people have longed for the day when The Watchtower would be published simultaneously in many languages. Starting with the issue of January 1, 1985, that became a reality for Brazil. No more six-month time lag! Huge containers packed tight with all the components for two high-speed rotary offset presses had arrived in August of 1984, and with the invaluable assistance of experienced brothers from Brooklyn, one press was functioning by January. How thrilling now for the Portuguese-speaking congregations to be able to partake of the spiritual food at the same time as their brothers worldwide! In March, the Theocratic Ministry School became simultaneous with the program in English. By April the second press was operating, with everything set for simultaneous publication of Awake!, starting with the issue of July 8. During 1985 they also received, in Portuguese, the new songbook Sing Praises to Jehovah. Now they are equipped not only for simultaneous “feeding” and publishing but also for simultaneous singing, and all of this to Jehovah’s praise and glory.
Enthusiasm ran high during March and April. A personal letter had been sent to all publishers in February encouraging participation in the auxiliary pioneer work. As a result, 19,410 shared in March and 22,636 in April. To everyone’s delight, publishers reached a peak of 177,904 in July.
The potential for further increase is manifest in many ways. One is the Memorial attendance, which reached a remarkable 483,880 this year! Another is the number of Bible studies—nearly equal to the average number of publishers.
CHILE: For the first time in ten years we were able to have a convention in Santiago. What a joy that was!
The literature that we distribute can have a powerful effect in the life of a person. A man visited by a missionary lives some 50 miles (80 km) from Concepción, and the trip over rutted roads that are often used only by ox-drawn carts requires several hours. At first the man was not particularly interested, but he did accept some literature. Upon reading it, he realized that what he was learning was the truth. He traveled to Talcahuano (near Concepción), went to a meeting at the Kingdom Hall, and obtained more literature. So much did he like what he read that he planned to build a Kingdom Hall on his property. The land was leveled and he was ready to start construction when the missionary made the first return visit on the man. It was pointed out to him that there was no one out there to conduct meetings. So, for the present he has postponed the construction project. By the time of the next return visit, he informed the missionary that he was making monthly trips to the congregation in Talcahuano, to attend meetings and to get literature. He had also obtained 24 cassettes at the Kingdom Hall. Now, every night after their meal, he and his wife read the literature and listen to the tapes, often till one in the morning.
COLOMBIA: The publishers are working enthusiastically to reach people with the Kingdom message, and response to the good news is truly outstanding. This is indicated in part by the fact that 114,777 attended the Memorial.
There has been an excellent increase in the regular pioneer ranks—now some 55 percent more than a year ago. Many of these are in circumstances that require real self-sacrificing effort. For example, in Neiva three young publishers in one family, though still attending high school, enrolled as regular pioneers after having served for several months as auxiliary pioneers. Zeal such as that stirs up others.
ECUADOR: Some interested ones are taking hold of the truth very quickly. One such is a lady who requested a study because her brother had become a Witness and she was greatly impressed by his excellent conduct. At her second study the sister studying with her touched on the matter of smoking. Next week the woman announced that, since learning the Bible’s viewpoint on smoking, she had not touched a cigarette. Next came images. Her house was full of them. But one scripture was all that was required to convince this humble woman. (Deut. 7:25, 26) The following week at the end of the study she left the room and then returned with her arms full of images, saying: “This is for you to see that my decision is serious.” With that, she proceeded to burn them all. Now she began attending meetings and has not missed one since. Shortly after this she overcame an even more difficult problem, breaking off an immoral relationship with a married man. Now, for the first time in her life she was able to experience genuine happiness, as she was able to serve Jehovah with a clean conscience.
GUYANA: During the year we have had peaks again and again in total Bible studies. The number far exceeds our total publishers. Less than two years ago the New Amsterdam Congregation reported only 40 studies; now they have 160. One congregation regularly reports over 250 studies.
Interest in the truth is also reflected in meeting attendance. Kingdom Halls are overflowing on Sundays. Circuit assemblies report attendances double the number of publishers. And Memorial attendance was more than triple the number of publishers.
Gordon and Yvette, two of those baptized this year, had to make some big changes in order to qualify. Within a few weeks after coming in touch with the truth, they ceased practicing spiritism. (He had been a priest of the church.) They also quit selling marijuana and cigarettes, blackmarketing, stealing electric current, and being outlandishly dressed and groomed. They had been living together without legal marriage for seven years, but Gordon explains: “When I learned that I was committing a crime against God I decided to get married.” What brought about these changes? They were impressed by the use of the Scriptures in the first meeting they attended. And the Witness who studied with them used the Bible extensively to help them to understand how Jehovah viewed the things they were doing.
PERU: January 27, 1985, was a memorable date for the work in Peru. A new branch office and Bethel home was dedicated by M. G. Henschel of the Governing Body, with 34,238 in attendance.
In anticipation of “All Souls Day” (November 1) the special pioneer in Azángaro, using the Society’s publications for source material, prepared a talk on the subject “To Hell and Back—Who Are There?” One with whom he studied the Bible had friends in the district of Muñani, 23 miles (37 km) away, so he sent them notice of the meeting. On Sunday it was pouring rain, but 14 showed up for the Watchtower Study. However, halfway through the study, a truck pulled up outside, there was a rush for the door, and an unbelievable 103 persons filed in, filling every nook and cranny. They had come to hear “who had gone to hell and come back.” The entire group stayed until midnight, conversing and asking questions. The driver of the truck stated: ‘We were tired of all the confusing teachings of the Evangelists and Catholics and at last we know what the soul is, where the dead are, and what hope there is for the dead.’
SURINAME: In the interior of the country, in the rain forest (which is largely isolated from the rest of the world) world wars and earthquakes as evidence that we are living in the last days have very little meaning to people. But they are deeply affected by demon worship and idolatry. They believe in all sorts of gods—a tree, an animal, a special stone in a river. They ask the sun-god when the dry season will begin and how long it will last.
Last year the dry season did not last very long. However, in order to attend their convention, our brothers started early to clear their fields and to plant cassava. In contrast, people who listened to the demon priests held off from working their fields until rites were performed to ask the sun-god for a longer dry season. When the rains came, only the Witnesses had enough to eat. As a result, a woman who had been greatly opposed to the truth visited one of the Witnesses and said: “Your God, Jehovah, is really a wise and loving God to take care of you even in these things.” Now she and her husband are studying three to four times a week and have destroyed everything they had that was connected with demon worship.
The Islands Rejoice in Jehovah’s Kingship
After announcing, “Jehovah himself has become king!” Psalm 97:1 exhorts: “Let the many islands rejoice.” On the islands of the Pacific and of the Indian Ocean there has been enthusiastic response to this exhortation.
AUSTRALIA: The tremendous increase in this island continent has caused many congregations to take a fresh look at their Kingdom Halls. Most have found it necessary to make plans for either a new hall or expansion of their present one. For many, the need is urgent, as present halls are literally overflowing. Eleven quickly built Kingdom Halls were erected this year. In one state the brothers organizing the work are now booked up to construct a hall each month through October of 1986! This activity has not gone unnoticed. Two of the halls have become stopping places for tourist coaches, the guides explaining how the halls were built in two days.
Good progress is being made among the aboriginal communities. In a place called Duck Creek, an entire community has been studying with the brothers for a number of years, and they now call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses, though no congregation has yet been formed there. As a result, the clergy ceased visiting that community. However, a new clergyman in the area decided to introduce himself to the community as the new minister. Well, the aboriginal folk decided to put him to the test. They asked him what God’s name is. He had anticipated that question and so replied: “Jehovah.” Then they asked him to show them where the name is in the Bible. He had no idea. Proudly they declared: “We all know it is in several places in the Bible, and one of them is Psalm 83:18.” At that, they politely informed him that he need not bother calling again.
FIJI: The brothers in Fiji rejoice to be able to say: “A thousand report for the first time!” Five consecutive peaks were also reached in regular pioneers.
People now respond quickly and decisively. A South Indian Hindu, after just two studies in the Live Forever book, saw the folly of image worship and made a bonfire of his idols. What remained was thrown into a creek. This man, along with his wife and children, is making excellent progress in the truth.
GUAM: This branch looks after the Kingdom work in the island districts of the Marshalls, Ponape, Kosrae, Truk, Saipan, Yap, Belau, Nauru, and Kiribati. Together, they have a new peak of 717 publishers. They also conducted up to 1,470 home Bible studies, and 37 percent of all the publishers were in full-time service during April.
HAWAII: The brothers here look back on a year filled with fruitful activity and blessings from Jehovah. During April, 23 percent of all publishers were engaged in some aspect of full-time service. And their experiences were strengthening, though some tested their faith.
A pioneer sister working rural territory encountered a man who yelled at her and slammed the door. As she left, he released two German shepherd dogs and commanded them, “Go get her.” She knew that she could not outrun the dogs, so she turned and, while hoping to use her book bag as a shield, repeatedly called out Jehovah’s name. (Prov. 18:10) The dogs were running so fast that, when they tried to stop, they skidded right past her. But then, instead of attacking, they walked back toward the house as if they did not even see her. By this time both husband and wife were commanding the dogs to go after her. But the dogs sat down and refused to move. How grateful our sister was to Jehovah for his protection!
JAPAN: “Your blessing is upon your people,” wrote the psalmist. (Ps. 3:8) We have seen abundant evidence that Jehovah’s blessing has been upon his servants in Japan this past year. In May 1985, for the first time, they reported over 100,000 Kingdom publishers. It was their 77th successive peak. Following the new start after World War II, it took 30 years of diligent work to reach 50,000 publishers. Then it took only six years more to reach 100,000. Certainly ‘Jehovah speeds it up in its own time.’ (Isa. 60:22) These Kingdom proclaimers conducted up to 150,000 home Bible studies, and Memorial attendance this year was 258,728, so we are confident that, with Jehovah’s blessing, more growth is coming.
A fine pioneer spirit continues to prevail throughout the country, even though territory coverage is frequent. On an average, there were 22,346 regular pioneers and 16,274 auxiliary pioneers. Including special pioneers, the total in various branches of pioneer service throughout the year was 40 percent of the average number of publishers.
A father who is in the truth today was helped, at least in part, by his three-year-old son. In a burst of anger the father, thinking he had his wife’s Bible, had hurled it out of the house. Actually it was his son’s Bible. The boy rushed out in the rain and fell several times in the mud before he retrieved the book. Bringing it indoors, he began to wash it gently under the tap. The father was dumbstruck. He had never seen his son show such concern for any of his toys, and he was shocked at the effect of his action on the boy. All of this moved the father to find out what his son was being taught. Today that father is our brother, and along with others, he has enjoyed auxiliary pioneering several times.
MALAYSIA: An Indian family experienced the marvelous liberating effect that God’s Word can produce. For three days and nights a demon attacked their two-month-old son, causing him to struggle and scream as he foamed at the mouth. When the husband consulted a spirit medium, the demon left the child but entered the wife. Feeling that their house was haunted, they moved. To find relief, the wife began to practice Yoga, but in vain. She bought amulets for a considerable sum of money, but these did not work. Finally she thought seriously about God. A tenant who was having discussions with Jehovah’s Witnesses lent her his Truth book. She read it and then requested a Bible and a study with the Witnesses. In time, her husband joined the study. Now, freed from demon control, they share with others the good news that has brought such freedom to them.
MAURITIUS: There is a real pioneer spirit in the congregations here. When one of these pioneers was conducting a study with a couple on this island, the man was impressed with the scripture at John 4:24: “God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.” The man went to visit his Catholic priest and asked him if he knew of this Bible text. What a surprise when the priest replied: “How do you expect me to keep all this in my mind?” The man answered: “As you know, I am a teacher, and if I don’t know that two and two make four, how can I teach? For you, this Bible text should be as simple as two and two.” The priest admitted that he did not know how to worship God as explained in this text. The man and his wife now regularly attend the meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
NEW CALEDONIA: During the past year, New Caledonia has been in the news because of violence on this once-peaceful Pacific island. Despite this, the Kingdom work moves ahead. The day before the scheduled visit of the president of France, riots began at Nouméa, leading the government to impose a curfew. The police directed that our meetings be canceled. But L. A. Swingle, a member of the Governing Body, was due to arrive for the dedication of the new Assembly Hall and for the district convention. When contacted personally, the head of the police told us that, as former head of the police forces in Lille, France, he knew and trusted the Witnesses. He had never had any difficulty with large crowds of them. So it was possible to hold the meetings as planned.
NEW ZEALAND: The speeding up of the work has been evident not just in numerical growth but in the rapid spiritual progress being made by individual Bible students. Students are now asking to attend meetings and to become “regular publishers.” They are doing much personal reading apart from their Bible studies. They are responding readily not only to what they hear but also to what they see at the meetings. Desirable changes in dress, grooming, moral behavior, and life-style are occurring quickly. Some are sharing in the preaching and disciple-making work before they themselves have completed their study of the Live Forever book. Qualifying for baptism within six to eight months is not uncommon.
In determining causes for such remarkable growth, we cannot overlook the Live Forever book with its warm and practical teaching appeal. One sister, after holding her first study in this book with a neighbor, suggested another study the following week. “Next week?” responded the neighbor. “What’s wrong with tomorrow?”
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: The good news is reaching some of the most isolated islands, and it is obvious that Jehovah’s spirit is bringing increase. A number of young people from the Tasman Islands were working on Bougainville Island when they were contacted by Witnesses. Soon they wrote back to the older people on the Tasman Islands telling them what they were learning. As a result, a group of women there began to study the Society’s publications. Because of the interest shown, one of the chiefs sent a message saying that he would like to have the Witnesses visit the islands and establish a mission. Now, although none in the group have been baptized, there is a Kingdom Hall there, and meetings are being held regularly. That island has a population of only 200 or so, with 35 inhabited houses. Up until recent years, the chiefs of the clans that control the islands had rejected all efforts of religious groups to establish missions there.
PHILIPPINES: The 1985 service year was truly outstanding. An excellent new peak of 83,670 publishers was reached in April. During the same month, over 22 percent of the publishers were in the auxiliary pioneer work. And eight successive peaks in the number of regular pioneers were recorded during the first ten months of the year.
A sister in Davao became blind six years ago during an operation. But this did not stop her from sharing fully in the field ministry. In fact, she increased her activity because she wanted to prove that her blindness would not hinder her from serving Jehovah. First she auxiliary pioneered. After successfully meeting her hour requirements, she enrolled as a regular pioneer. She does her own housework and cares for a nine-year-old boy. Now she conducts six home Bible studies, four of which are in distant territories. How does she do it? With the help of sisters in the congregation. This has helped those sisters to increase their own field activity, and two of them are now regular pioneers themselves! As she says: “Keeping busy every day for the benefit of my loved ones and neighbors and assisting sheeplike ones to learn the truth makes my life meaningful.”
SOLOMON ISLANDS: On the island of San Cristóbal, the Anglican bishop called a meeting of the church elders, also inviting Oswald and his wife, a couple who had been studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses. The bishop reprimanded the church elders. Trying to shame them, he held a large knife to his throat and said, “I will kill myself if you don’t teach the people the Bible properly.” One of them replied, “How are we going to teach the people, because you haven’t taught us?” At this, Oswald and his wife fearlessly stood up, and he said: “Please take out the names of my wife, my family, and myself from the church membership book, because we want to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. For a long time now we haven’t learned anything from the church. We are going ahead to study with Jehovah’s Witnesses.” He later wrote to the Society’s branch office: “We are very happy to be out of false religion and to be a part of Jehovah’s organization where we can get life all the way.”
SRI LANKA: This island off the southern tip of India has been in the news because of ethnic problems and terrorist activity. Never before have there been so many refugees, never so many living in such fear.
Among those baptized this year was a former insurgent. As he now walks down narrow trails to witness, he recalls when he used to travel on those same trails with guns. He was brought up as a Buddhist and was a fighter for what he considered to be justice and equality. In time he became a leader of a group of insurgents based in the jungle. But, he acknowledges, all of their fighting won justice and equality for no one. In 1971 he was imprisoned and narrowly escaped execution. When Jehovah’s Witnesses contacted him in 1980, what they said about righteousness, peace, and justice by means of God’s Kingdom appealed to him. Later, when at an assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses with his family, a talk setting out Bible principles as to cleanness and dress reached his heart. During the intermission, he got a haircut and shave as well as more suitable clothing. What a surprise his wife and children had when he returned! Now he, too, is sharing the good news of peace with others.
Courageously Witnessing Despite the Prohibitions of Men
What is being done to spread the Kingdom message in lands where the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses is under government restriction or even banned? Our brothers continue to obey God as ruler rather than men. (Acts 5:29) They react as did those Christians in the first century, concerning whom the apostle Paul wrote from prison: “Most of the brothers in the Lord . . . are showing all the more courage to speak the word of God fearlessly.”—Phil. 1:14.
In one country where the work is thus restricted, the number of regular pioneers has increased by 161 percent in three years. In a land on the edge of the desert with its scorching heat, 39 percent of all publishers were in full-time service in April. In yet another land where there is heavy persecution one out of every four publishers was an auxiliary pioneer in April. In some of the congregations there, over half the publishers enrolled as auxiliary pioneers. Seven who auxiliary pioneered did so in prison, and they had exceeded the 60-hour requirement by midmonth!
Though exercising caution in harmony with Jesus’ counsel at Matthew 10:16, our brothers have stepped up their theocratic activity. They see that in their territory, too, “the harvest is great, but the workers are few.”—Matt. 9:37.
Reflecting the intensity of their work in one land is the comment of a man who was approached on the street by a publisher. The man said: “This is the ninth time today that a Jehovah’s Witness wants to talk to me about religion. I guess it is about time I do something.” He agreed to a Bible study. And many more are also having studies. One land where the work is banned reports 1.6 Bible studies per publisher; another reports 1.8.
The brothers in a country of Eastern Europe say: “The compelling force of Jehovah’s holy spirit is obvious. We sense this force, and it is a joy to see our faithful brothers and sisters willingly being moved by it.” With zeal and ingenuity, they carry on their ministry. At his place of work a brother kept a Bible in his locker. As a result, one of his workmates asked if he could obtain a copy for him. So our brother brought him a Bible and put in it a slip of paper with a list of scriptures explaining such subjects as the last days, the sign of Christ’s presence, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and conduct. He also included some excerpts from the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. To help his workmate to find the scriptures, he jotted down the page number where each was located. As a result, the workmate spoke to others about what he had found in his Bible. In time others wanted Bibles, and they too received copies—with notes. In this way, within a short time, 13 Bibles were placed through informal witnessing.
Carrying on their field service in a way that is discreet, a teenage auxiliary pioneer and her eight-year-old brother went to a park and sat down next to an elderly lady. Soon a Bible discussion was under way. Then the lady’s husband arrived and shared in the discussion. He asked to meet the parents of the children and gave them his address. As it turned out, he had been baptized but was inactive, allowing family problems to separate him from Jehovah’s organization for 30 years. He acknowledged that their meeting in the park was probably no accident, because ‘you were the third ones that witnessed to me.’ He and his wife are now studying the book “Let Your Kingdom Come,” and they are attending the meetings that are open to the public in that land.
When literature is offered in countries where the work is restricted, discernment is needed. On being asked what religion he represented, one brother responded: “The true Christian religion, which is not divided.” (1 Cor. 1:10) To have stated “Jehovah’s Witnesses” would have brought a prejudiced reaction. But the man accepted the Live Forever book. During the next two weeks he read it and reread it repeatedly. He confessed that he had been looking for the truth for 40 years and that the contents of the book had truly brought him freedom.
From a country of Eastern Europe the responsible brothers write: ‘We stand in awe at what has been happening here with the help of Jehovah’s spirit.’ They emphasized to the brothers the starting of new Bible studies, and they also filed an application asking for a license to import tens of thousands of Live Forever books. The import license was granted. The brothers were thrilled with the spiritual food. At a factory one of our brothers lent his book to a workmate, who in turn was asked by others whether they could borrow it. All together, ten persons read that book, and two of them asked for a home Bible study. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Bible studies for the entire country.
The pressures involved in the fulfillment of Revelation 13:16, 17 are felt strongly in some areas. In one country, young people who do not identify themselves politically are not allowed to take school exams; they have no job opportunities, have no official identity card, are not allowed to travel, cannot buy essentials in government-owned shops, and will not be admitted to a hospital. In the face of all this, our young brothers prove themselves both faithful and zealous.
In an African land a brother who refused to perform military service was cruelly beaten. He was threatened with a gun to his head, then with a saber to his throat. He was ordered to dig his own grave, was partially buried, then wounded with gunfire. But he writes: “Although enduring a difficult test, I wish to say that serving as a pioneer has greatly helped me in keeping integrity. As long as I have life, I will gladly continue serving Jehovah.”
Even where there has been harsh persecution of true Christians for many years, the Kingdom work has not stopped. Spiritual food is provided for the brothers. The preaching work goes on, but with caution. In another African land where such difficult circumstances exist, our brothers are still conducting over 8,000 home Bible studies. On one occasion a youth turned some Witnesses in to the police, but the police sent them back home. The young man then repeatedly said to the brothers: “Please pray for me although we take you to the police.” He admitted feeling that the way they treat the brothers is satanic, and he asked for a Bible study. Perhaps he, too, will become a true Christian, as did Saul of Tarsus.
Because of government ban, the brothers sometimes meet in thick woods, but interested ones still learn of the meetings. In one instance, following assembly sessions in the woods, after most of the brothers had departed and a few were cleaning up, a man stepped out from between the trees. “Excuse me that I have come here,” he said, “but unintentionally I have heard everything until the conclusion. I am a caretaker of these woods. What is your religion, if I may ask?” “We are Jehovah’s Witnesses,” answered the brothers. “I liked very much what I heard,” said the stranger. “I heard—it was announced—that you will come also tomorrow?” “Yes.” “Then I shall be here also.”
From an Asiatic land our brothers write: “Over the past year in particular we have been experiencing what Jesus said, ‘Why, you will be haled before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations.’ (Matt. 10:18) Invariably, when the brothers face the issue boldly and give a respectful witness from the Bible, the interrogations eventually stop, and surveillance lessens, enabling them to carry on the preaching and the making of disciples effectively.” They report that weekly congregation meetings are being held and attendance is increasing, seminars are arranged, pioneer schools are conducted, and conventions are held (sometimes in connection with a wedding). Jehovah is providing the means for his people to fully accomplish their ministry, and he is actively helping them as they do so under adverse conditions.
[Chart on page 34-41]
1985 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE
(See publication)
[Picture on page 10]
Kenya
[Picture on page 16]
India
[Picture on page 23]
Spain
[Picture on page 31]
United States
[Picture on page 33]
Trinidad
[Picture on page 47]
Brazil
[Picture on page 55]
Japan
[Picture on page 63]
Poland
Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times
p. 65
Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times
What could be a greater privilege than serving as a witness of the true God, Jehovah! Jesus Christ was such a witness. (Rev. 3:14; John 18:37) Jehovah’s Witnesses today look to him as their exemplar. In upwards of 200 countries and lands they are publishing the good news that God’s Kingdom by Christ now rules, the present ungodly system will soon end, and this earth will become a paradise where lovers of righteousness can live forever.
In the following pages we will travel to various parts of the earth to see how this work of preaching and teaching got started there and the conditions under which it is carried out. The accounts are truly faith inspiring.
BOLIVIA: When two missionaries arrived here in 1945, there were no others of Jehovah’s Witnesses in this land. Their own knowledge of Spanish was very limited. How did they go about spreading the Kingdom message quickly to all the major cities? What obstacles had to be overcome to reach remote villages in the Andes? Who welcomed their message?
NETHERLANDS: Eighty years ago lovers of truth here began to see clearly the difference between the true religion and the false. Courageously they shared with others what they learned. Intense opposition resulted. Despite brutal Nazi persecution during World War II, they increased rapidly. Many have come into Jehovah’s organization. Not all have remained. But the distinction has become clear “between one serving God and one who has not served him.”—Mal. 3:18.
NIGERIA: Here is a nation that includes extraordinary diversity. There are hundreds of tribal groups. About half the people are Muslims; many are professed Christians, and not a few sacrifice to fetish gods. How do such people respond to discussion of religion? What accounts for the increase of Kingdom proclaimers here from one in 1921 to well over 120,000 today?
May these accounts move you to take full advantage of your opportunities to serve Jehovah, and may they help you to remain ever solid in the faith.
Bolivia
pp. 66–109
Bolivia
SITUATED in the heart of South America, Bolivia has truly breathtaking natural features. Mountain peaks of the Andes reach up to 22,998 feet (7,010 m). Lake Titicaca, at an elevation of over two miles (actually 3,812 m) above sea level, is the highest navigable body of water in the world. To the east are mountain gorges, also vast prairies and forests of the lowlands.
The altiplano, or high plain, is an extensive plateau in the west. It lies between two mountain ranges, at an altitude averaging 12,500 feet (3,810 m). This highland is cold, rocky terrain, with very sparse vegetation. Though seemingly inhospitable, it is the home of stately llamas, alpacas, enormous condors, and many people. In fact, about two thirds of the nation’s population of some 6,400,000 is found here. Others live in the valleys and in the warm, humid lowlands to the north and to the east.
THE QUEST FOR POWER AND WEALTH
About the middle of the 15th century, Inca armies invaded the Bolivian highlands and proceeded to impose a new culture. In the following century the Spanish wrenched control from the Incas. Spanish conquistadores sought wealth, and in Bolivia they found fabulously rich deposits of silver and gold. Natives were put at forced labor, and slaves were imported from Africa to exploit the silver found at Potosí. By the middle of the 17th century, Potosí had become the largest city in the Americas, with a population of over 150,000.
The Spanish brought with them the Roman Catholic religion. This was imposed on many by force and was used as a means to control the people. However, the new religion permitted and absorbed many of the earlier practices and beliefs of the Incas, who worshiped the sun, the moon, and “mother earth,” which they called Pacha Mama.
Early in the 19th century, efforts to gain freedom from foreign domination led to independence. Simón Bolívar was proclaimed “Liberator,” and the country was named after him. Since then the government has changed hands many times.
This background greatly influenced the people’s reaction when the good news of God’s Kingdom reached them.
BIBLE TRUTH REACHES BOLIVIA
Pioneer ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses had done some preaching in Bolivia. But the work of Kingdom proclamation got under way on a more consistent basis in October of 1945. It was then that Edward Michalec and Harold Morris, graduates of the third class of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, stepped down from a small two-engine plane. They had just arrived at the highest commercial airport in the world, at an elevation of about 13,500 feet (4,110 m). The sun seemed to be unusually bright and the sky a deep blue. They immediately felt the effect of the rarefied, brisk air because it was more difficult to absorb sufficient oxygen.
As the small bus on which they rode made its way out of the airport, they felt overwhelmed by an impressive view of La Paz in the spacious canyon some 1,500 feet (460 m) below. It seemed to be sequined with silver chips—actually thousands of metal roofs reflecting the sun. The city was a labyrinth of narrow streets and winding passageways, interspersed with towering eucalyptus trees that had been planted in clusters. This was their missionary assignment.
Winding their way down the narrow road to the city itself, they passed other buses loaded to the hilt, people hanging out both front and back doors. As they began to get a closer look at the people themselves, everywhere they saw bronze-colored skin, dark eyes, and jet-black hair. Men were dressed in well-worn suits or sweaters and pointed wool caps with earflaps. Women were decked out with typical derby hats, knitted shawls, and multiple, full skirts. Some had a brightly colored striped blanket tied to their neck, and in this they cradled a baby on their back. In the markets, a cholita (a native woman of La Paz in her typical dress) could often be seen seated on a stool in the midst of her mountain of fruits or vegetables. In the center of the city, the small adobe dwellings gave way to colonial-type homes and modern hotels. As a magnificent backdrop to it all, far in the distance, was the enormous, snowcapped Mount Illimani.
THEY BROUGHT A PRECIOUS GIFT
The new arrivals were not in Bolivia simply for sight-seeing. Nor were they like the greedy adventurers and conquerors of the past. Instead of coming to take what they could, these men were bringing to Bolivia a gift, a treasure far more precious than silver and gold—the truth of God’s Word.—Prov. 8:10, 11.
During the next few days, they sought to obtain residence papers and to locate a place to live. Getting around this hilly city at an altitude of 12,000 feet (3,700 m) was not easy at the beginning. They were almost out of breath and their hearts were beating like trip-hammers as they struggled to communicate with people in broken Spanish. It was impossible for them to foresee all that was in store for them.
A full 85 percent of the adult population could not read. Two of the languages, Aymará and Quechua, were not even written. Thousands could not speak the Spanish language, though they were in the process of learning it. Suspicion of foreigners ran deep. Travel was dangerous. Poverty enslaved a great number to a 12- to 14-hour workday. Alcoholism and addiction to coca leaves, which are legally grown here, had undermined the moral fiber of many. Consensual relationships between men and women were common. Pagan mysticism permeated a predominantly Catholic population. Yet, in time each of those barriers would be overcome with the help of Jehovah’s spirit and his organization.
APPRECIATIVE RESPONSE TO BIBLE TEACHING
Equipped with a phonograph to play recorded Bible messages in Spanish and with a briefcase of literature, the missionaries began witnessing in their new territory. It was a struggle to climb the steep streets at this high altitude, but most people listened to the recorded message. Many accepted literature. Though some people were devout Catholics, it was not unusual to be told: “I’m an apostolic Roman Catholic, but I don’t like the priests.” In just two months the missionaries were conducting 41 home Bible studies.
One of the first to welcome the truth in Bolivia was a soft-spoken accountant, Carlos Arraya. His name was on the list of Watchtower subscribers given to the missionaries before they had left for Bolivia. He appreciatively studied the Bible with the missionaries in spite of their limited knowledge of Spanish. His spiritual progress was gradual but even, and in November of 1953 he was baptized in symbol of his dedication to Jehovah God. Later, as congregation overseer, he did much to strengthen his fellow Witnesses in La Paz. Though poor eyesight and advancing years have limited his activity of late, his love for Jehovah remains strong.
RELYING ON JEHOVAH IN THE MIDST OF VIOLENCE
Seven months after the first missionaries arrived, four more came. Alden Seeyle, his wife Mary, her sister Betty Jackson, and Elizabeth Hollins made up this group.
World War II had ended only a year earlier, and Bolivia was experiencing political upheaval. Fear of Nazi resurgence in South America and political rivalries led to explosive street demonstrations and assassinations. The president of the country was killed, and his body was hung on a lamppost facing the presidential palace.
Brother Michalec recalls that pools of blood on the sidewalk were not an uncommon sight. He reports: “One day as I watched from a vantage point, I saw a tank drive up on the lawn of a large house, aim its cannon, and blast right through the center of the house! I concluded that there was someone in there who wasn’t very well liked.” Elizabeth Hollins, who later became the wife of Ed Michalec, remembers: “At times it was impossible even to leave the house. In September as I was going through the main plaza on a bus, I saw three young men hung up on poles. Never having seen such a thing before, I let out a little cry. A woman said to me: ‘If you don’t like what you see, turn your head.’” These events impressed upon the brothers the need to rely heavily upon Jehovah, who was protecting them during those dangerous times.—2 Chron. 16:9.
Amid the turbulence, the Word of truth was taking root in humble hearts. So, in September of 1946 the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society established a branch office in La Paz to care for Kingdom interests in Bolivia. The rented apartment that housed the office also served as a missionary home. A few months later, when the first congregation in Bolivia was formed, this same apartment served as their meeting place. It was a modest beginning.
FEAR-INSPIRING TRIP TO THE YUNGAS
About this time, Brothers Michalec and Morris planned a trip to The Yungas, forested areas with many small villages in the lower valleys to the north of La Paz. They wanted to open up the Kingdom-preaching work there. As they climbed on the back of a truck along with other passengers, they had little idea of the fear-inspiring trip that awaited them.
After ascending to about 15,000 feet (4,600 m), their truck began a rapid, winding descent of thousands of feet in a short distance. The road, which seemed too narrow for the truck, was carved out of the sides of steep mountains. There were no guardrails, and in many places the cliff dropped almost straight down 1,000 feet (300 m) or more from the road! As Brother Michalec describes the trip: “The driver would charge down toward a hairpin curve. Hardly slowing down, he would frantically turn the wheel and barely make the tight maneuver without knowing if we would meet an oncoming vehicle!” The brothers tried very hard to put out of their minds what could happen if they did.
On one steep incline the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting a huge condor that spread its wings across the entire width of the road. In some places, the mountainside was so straight up and down that the road had been gouged out of it to form a three-sided tunnel. As the truck went through, the passengers had to duck to avoid the rocky protrusions. And when they drove right through a waterfall, riders on the back were given a shower.
This taste of travel in the Andes Mountains made the brothers realize that once congregations were established in The Yungas, much love and extraordinary concern for the brothers would be required on the part of the traveling overseers.
Reaching their destination, the two brothers placed much literature with the friendly folk, planting many seeds of Bible truth. In the years to come, these seeds would contribute to the growth of flourishing congregations.
EXPEDITIONS TO OTHER LARGE CITIES
After returning to La Paz, Brother Michalec was soon on his way to Cochabamba, the second-largest city. This time traveling alone, he boarded a truck loaded with oranges. Gingerly climbing up onto the canvas that covered the fruit, he carefully spread his six-foot (1.8 m) frame as evenly as possible over the cargo to avoid crushing it. The truck headed south over a dusty, bumpy road. After snaking their way down through the mountains all night, they came into the delightful, temperate valley of Cochabamba. The city, with its palm trees and modern homes, seemed very pleasant in contrast to the barren altiplano.
The moderate climate had apparently attracted many priests and nuns from abroad, and these wielded strong control. Although quite a few of the people were skeptical when Brother Michalec called on them, he saw evidence of Jehovah’s direction. Brother Michalec visited a retired army colonel, a reader of our publications who seemed to show enthusiasm for the truth. The next day the two of them, traveling on bicycles, visited various ones this man had talked to about the Bible. One of these, a schoolteacher named Carlos Saavedra, showed genuine interest and was supplied with literature for him and his family to read.
After a week, Brother Michalec boarded an old passenger train for Oruro, the third-largest city at the time. It was a bleak, cold place on the altiplano, a railroad center for the nearby mining areas. Although the surroundings were drab, the people were generally humble and friendly. But Brother Michalec knew very little then about a certain devilish rite that enslaved many of these humble folk.
Among those contacted on this first visit to Oruro was a tinner, Raimundo Vásquez, who later served there for many years as congregation overseer. On a subsequent visit later that year, a Bible study was started with a young lady named Sofia Reynaga (now Flores). Very quickly she began to share Bible truths with others and was soon baptized. Although the beginnings were small, a congregation was formed in Oruro in 1947. The following January another congregation was established in Cochabamba.
The progress of individuals, however, varied. Sofia Reynaga married a man who was not a Witness and then lapsed into inactivity for nearly ten years. But in time, another Witness started a Bible study with her. The needed help was given to sound the truth down deeply into her heart. For 20 years now she has again been an active proclaimer of the Kingdom and she is a source of encouragement to newer ones in the congregation. Back in Cochabamba, the retired army colonel had helped others, but not until the late 1970’s did he become a baptized Witness. On the other hand, Carlos Saavedra and his wife were soon out in the field service. Their home became the Kingdom Hall, and Brother Saavedra was congregation overseer. Most of his children became Witnesses, and whole families of second- and third-generation truth proclaimers recall their first studies with Carlos. After 36 years of faithful service, he died in 1983.
LIBERATED FROM A DEVILISH GRIP
For centuries, since before the arrival of the Catholic priests, miners here in Bolivia have believed that the mines are controlled by an underground lord whom they call el tío (literally, the uncle). The Catholic Church, unable to uproot the belief, absorbed it and even promotes it. El tío now became the Devil, and the miners were taught to implore the “Virgin” for protection. Conditions in the mines contribute to the superstition.
Though the mine entrance may be covered with icicles, the heat inside these humid caverns can go as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50° C.). The miners labor with heavy tools in dank hollows that lack sufficient oxygen and that are laden with dust and poisonous gases. Their mouths, stained dark green, give evidence of their addiction to coca leaves, which they chew in order to suppress hunger pangs and to make them feel more energetic. Such torturous conditions, combined with their pagan concept of hellfire, pave the way for veneration of the Devil.
Almost every mine has at its entrance a small niche for an image of el tío. Upon this idol, complete with horns and tail, are lavished offerings of alcohol, cigarettes, and coca leaves. It is hoped that this will persuade the Devil to protect the miners from death down under.
Before and during the annual festival featuring the Devil dance, large sums of money, often spent by those least able to afford it, go into elaborate costumes and the purchase of coca leaves and alcohol. The streets are filled with Devil dancers, who culminate their rite in the Catholic Church of the Socavón (Church of the Mines). Here they pay homage to the “Virgin,” chanting: “We come from hell to ask your blessing, all your sons of the Devil, little Mother of the mine shaft.” A special Mass is said by the Catholic priest for these “sons of the Devil.” During the days of the festival, chaos reigns as crowds of drunken men and women, covered with mud, confetti, and flour, throw water, sing out of tune, and fight. It is, as the apostle Peter wrote, a “low sink of debauchery.”—1 Pet. 4:4.
As Jehovah’s Witnesses preached in Oruro and the mining centers they found many honesthearted persons who were disgusted with these superstitions and the ungodly practices to which they led. They rejoiced to learn about God’s purpose to make all the earth a paradise where righteousness will prevail. They appreciated knowing that God’s Word says: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial [or, Satan]?” (2 Cor. 6:14, 15) It has been a struggle for many to break free from deeply rooted superstitions, from addiction to coca and tobacco, and from abuse of alcohol. But as they have been helped to gain spiritual freedom they have felt as did the Bible psalmist who wrote: “[Jehovah] has neither despised nor loathed the affliction of the afflicted one; and he has not concealed his face from him, and when he cried to him for help he heard.”—Ps. 22:24.
BOLDLY PREACHING TO EVERYONE
By 1949, there were 13 zealous publishers in Oruro. Among them was a husky Lebanese named Seleme Wakin. He boldly witnessed to business associates, customers in his dry-goods store, and everyone else who would listen. One day at his store he began a friendly discussion with a priest. Seleme asked: “Mr. Priest [his manner of addressing him], why is it that the Church uses images when the Catholic Bible itself forbids them?” The priest responded: “Oh, it’s just those ignorant people out in the mountains who can’t read or write that worship them. The educated, intelligent people don’t worship them. They just have them as a reminder to worship God.” Right then a well-dressed lady from a prominent family came in. Turning to her, Seleme asked: “Lady, how do you consider your images? Do you have them just to remember God, or to worship them?” With a sweeping gesture, she responded emphatically: “I worship them!”
After selling his store, Seleme moved to La Paz to devote more of his efforts to the full-time ministry as a pioneer. On one occasion he loaded a suitcase with books and headed for the army barracks. He placed many of the books with the soldiers, and they invited him for a meal. They also invited a priest. It was not long before the soldiers had a lively interchange going between the two. The difference in Bible knowledge became very apparent, and the meal ended with a round of applause by the soldiers in Seleme’s honor.
Seleme frequently witnessed to high officials, placing Bible literature with them. He even secured an audience with the president of Bolivia and was able to give him a bold witness, which was favorably heard.
FIRST VISIT OF THE SOCIETY’S PRESIDENT
In March of 1949, the then president of the Watch Tower Society, N. H. Knorr, made his first visit to Bolivia, along with his secretary M. G. Henschel. On that occasion an assembly was held in La Paz. The main discourse began with remarks by Brother Knorr and then the rest was given by Brother Michalec. The concluding attendance was 56. A few more even arrived half an hour after everyone else had gone home! On this occasion the visitors saw firsthand what is meant by the hora boliviana (Bolivian hour), a joking way of referring to the people’s chronic habit of arriving late. But, despite the local habit, Jehovah’s Witnesses here begin their meetings right on time, as their Christian brothers do in other parts of the world.
After the assembly, much loving counsel was given to help organize and expand the Kingdom work in Bolivia. More missionaries would be sent, and it was recommended that the branch and Kingdom Hall be moved to a more central location. When this was done, meeting attendance began increasing in a big way, and groups sharing in the field ministry swelled to 20 or more publishers. Now attention turned to what was then the fourth-largest city.
FOCUSING ON SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, located in the eastern lowlands, was almost isolated from the rest of the country. Access by land was possible only by one dirt road, and in the wet season the trip from Cochabamba could take a month. When more missionaries arrived in Bolivia, some of them, including John and Esther Hansler, were assigned to Santa Cruz.
Here in the subtropical lowlands grew totai palms, papaya, citrus, and those strange-looking toborochi trees with their potbellied trunks (also called palo borracho, meaning “drunken pole”). The streets were channels of sand and mire. Constant winds blew the sand into a person’s face and his food. Most interesting, however, were the people themselves.
While the altiplano folk were usually reserved, serious, and a bit skeptical of strangers, those in Santa Cruz were more jovial, carefree, and outgoing. Even their loud, boisterous music differed greatly from the more melancholy tones heard in the mountains. Many a night’s sleep was lost as a brass band played at an all-night party.
As the missionaries witnessed from door to door, people would often invite them in and listen for half an hour or more. Yet, friendly as they were, most were not particularly concerned about world conditions and were quite satisfied with their way of life. Sexual immorality was widely practiced. And, as for changing one’s religion, this would bring ridicule from an unending chain of relatives. Nevertheless, after three years it was possible to form a small congregation, and in time ten publishers reported. But it seemed that little more would come out of Santa Cruz then. So, when Sister Hansler became pregnant, the missionary home was closed.
The Hanslers chose to remain in Bolivia. This meant living in primitive quarters, sacrificing comforts. But they were blessed with four healthy children, all of whom became servants of Jehovah and all of whom are in full-time service or have had that privilege. John and Esther once more enjoy serving in their original assignment, Santa Cruz, as special pioneers.
A TIME OF REVOLUTION
During their first five years in Bolivia the missionaries had become accustomed to repeated political upheavals. However, in 1952, the civilian population began a rebellion against the government that resulted in one of the most fear-inspiring revolutions in the history of the country. In La Paz, rifle fire, machine guns and, occasionally, exploding dynamite could be heard in all directions. Mortar shells fired from the canyon’s edge high above the city fell on nearby homes. Ambulances rushed through the streets to pick up the wounded and the dead. The gunfire and bombing lasted for three days.
It was right at this time that preparations were being made for commemoration of the Lord’s Evening Meal. In La Paz, the missionaries could not imagine how anyone could get through the streets, so they prepared to have the Memorial by themselves. How surprised they were when others, who had risked their lives ducking bullets, arrived for this sacred meeting!
THE TRUTH MOTIVATES A WILLING HEART
In 1953, while a missionary was witnessing to a woman in his broken Spanish, a curious young man named Walter Martínez came near to listen. The missionary asked the young man if he would kindly read “The Purpose of The Watchtower” to the lady. He did, and she accepted the magazines. Then, after further conversation a Bible study was arranged with Walter. Three studies were held with him that week, and on Sunday he was at the congregation meeting.
Two weeks later, when the circuit overseer was visiting the congregation in Oruro, Walter took note of the invitation for all to share in the field service. In Spanish, “field service” is servicio del campo, and campo made him think about going out to the country for a picnic. “So, on Sunday morning, there I was,” Walter recalls, “the first one in the Kingdom Hall, all ready for the picnic.” When the others arrived, he thought it strange that no one seemed to have food, but, instead, all were obtaining books and magazines. Not wanting to be different, he obtained two books and 20 magazines. What he would do with them, he had no idea. But when they began to walk toward the market, Walter was struck with terror. “Oh, no!” he thought, “they’re going to sing in the market the way the evangelists do on Sunday mornings.” He tried to lag behind, with the thought of escaping unnoticed, but it did not work. What a sigh of relief he gave when they passed the market and kept walking! Now he was going to learn what servicio del campo was all about.
On arriving in the territory, the circuit overseer said to Walter, “I want to work with you.” Shortly Walter himself was giving enthusiastic presentations, placing all his literature that morning. Thereafter he progressed rapidly, was baptized and, in time, happily entered the pioneer service. Later, he and Jaime Valdivia were privileged to be the first Bolivians to attend the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, after which they both served as traveling overseers in Bolivia.
A CATHOLIC SPECTACLE IN SUCRE
Although La Paz is the Bolivian seat of government, Sucre is the legal capital. In this region are the tarabuco people, whose menfolk wear helmet-type hats resembling those of the Spanish conquistadores. At an early date, the lower altitude and pleasant climate of Sucre also made it a favorite sanctuary for Catholic immigrants working at Potosí. And Sucre is proud to have more churches per capita than any other city in the country.
The Catholic heritage of the city deeply influenced the reception given the Kingdom message here. Priests warned their “flocks” not to listen to the Witnesses, and Catholic children were trained to harass the missionaries as they called at the homes.
To stimulate the Kingdom work here, a circuit assembly was scheduled for Sucre in 1955. Signs in store windows advertised the public discourse. However, as the assembly dates neared, the signs began to disappear. Storekeepers said that “Witness youths” had told them that the assembly had been canceled and that they had taken the signs away. Obviously, Catholic youths, pretending to be Witnesses, had been at work. The priests tried to get the owner of the hotel where the assembly was to be held to break the contract. But he refused to be intimidated.
As the assembly was about to begin, a gang of boys from the Sacred Heart Catholic School surrounded the hotel and began yelling and throwing stones. When the police dispersed them, calm temporarily returned. Then on the final day of the assembly, priests, women from Catholic Action, and angry students appeared. High on the church across the street, a powerful loudspeaker urged all Catholics to defend the Church and the “Virgin” against the “Protestant heretics.” Since many in the crowd were peaceful, the brothers seized the opportunity to witness to them. However, tension mounted when the enraged bishop of Sucre arrived.
The mayor and the prefect were already on hand, and they warned the bishop that if anything happened, he would be held responsible. When he calmed down, they permitted him to enter the hall. More police were summoned. The main discourse of the assembly was under way. As the discourse neared its end, a priest arose and asked to be heard. Brother Michalec, the chairman, walked over to him and told him that his questions would be handled afterward. The prefect and the mayor told one of the priests that their conduct had been disgraceful and said, “It’s time to leave.” “Who are you referring to—them or us?” retorted the priest. “YOU!” answered the prefect. With that, the bishop, the priests, and their friends departed, ending the uproar.
The prefect and the mayor apologized to the brothers, assuring them that the actions of those fanatics did not reflect the sentiments of Sucre. Over the years most Bolivian officials have displayed a similar fair-minded attitude toward the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The brothers in Sucre felt that Jehovah had protected them through those officials, just as he had safeguarded the apostle Paul in ancient Ephesus when a religious mob was stirred up against him and his companions.—Acts 19:35-41.
Despite the favorable outcome in Sucre on that occasion, meeting attendance temporarily dropped, and people seemed fearful about listening to the Witnesses. It was decided to concentrate more attention on Potosí.
POTOSÍ APPRECIATES TRUE RICHES
Potosí, which means “great wealth” or “mint of money,” was no longer the great metropolis that it had been in the 17th century. Most of the silver had been mined, and few vestiges of the city’s past glory remained.
Working at the breathtaking altitude of 13,000 feet (3,960 m), the missionaries climbed the hills of Potosí and placed much literature with the friendly folk. Response was excellent, and in just five years a congregation of 40 publishers was reporting.
In 1956, Richard Holman, one of the missionaries, began a study with the Ibieta family. Among those attending was eight-year-old Marco. The family made good progress for a time and became active as publishers. But in 1959 they left the congregation for unstated reasons. However, young Marco never forgot the zeal of Brother Holman, who had always come on time for the study, even on cold and rainy nights. Some years later in La Paz, Marco and his younger brother began studying the Bible once more. He relates: “My love for Jehovah’s organization, which had been dormant, began to surface and flourish as I acquired accurate knowledge of the Bible. The happy memories of our association with the Potosí Congregation were a great incentive for me to take the truth seriously. When we began to study again in 1970, I was right at the point of entering the university. But now nothing could replace my consuming desire to study the Bible.” Marco became a pioneer and, later, a member of the Bethel family in La Paz, where he now serves as a member of the Branch Committee.
BOLIVIAN WITNESSES OPEN UP NEW FIELDS
Particularly from 1956 on, an increased number of devoted Bolivian Witnesses took up the full-time ministry as pioneers and helped to open up new fields. Most of these brothers could speak Quechua, thus enabling them to reach thousands who had not yet heard the good news. Walter Martínez, Jaime Valdivia, and Jaime Barrery were among these zealous workers. Later, Joaquin Copa and Antonio Zamudio, along with others, joined the ranks. The strenuous efforts of these early pioneers led to the formation of congregations in Uyuni, Atocha, and other mining centers. They helped many families of miners, salt harvesters, and farmers to break free from religious superstition and to become loyal servants of Jehovah.
The self-sacrificing spirit of these pioneers was exemplary. Illustrating this, a special pioneer couple asked the circuit overseer to explain something they did not understand. Holding out a handful of checks, they asked, “What are these for?” Each month the Society sends a small allowance to special pioneers to help them with living expenses, since the amount of time they devote to preaching usually allows no time for secular work. This couple were simply grateful for the privilege of serving.
KINGDOM TRUTH REACHES THE TROPICAL BENI
Back in 1952, proclaimers of the Kingdom had visited the vast Beni region to the north. In this area, alligators and giant tortoises thrive. Here prosperous cattle ranches with private airplanes contrast sharply with the poverty of those who live in mud huts. The Catholic clergy have a reputation for favoring the rich, often being wealthy themselves, and many are notoriously immoral. The result has been a population of virtually atheistic Catholics. But there are heartwarming exceptions.
Thus, in one small village, the chief of police became very interested when Witnesses who were visiting the area explained their work to him. He even offered to help them distribute their Bible literature. As farmers came into town they gathered outside the police station to see what was happening, only to receive Bible publications from the chief. One man took 30 magazines to distribute to his neighbors. Meanwhile the missionaries were busy making calls from house to house.
In 1957, missionaries were assigned to the two principal cities in the area, Trinidad and Riberalta. They found that in most cases it was difficult to convince people that the Bible was not simply a man-made book with a moral code impossible to keep. But Felicia Chinchilla embraced the truth, and even when the missionaries were reassigned, she continued to serve faithfully. When near death, her main concern was that her children become worshipers of Jehovah. She asked the special pioneers in the area if they would adopt the girls. Though they were not in position to do that, they did promise to do all they could to help them spiritually. One of those girls, along with her husband, is now a special pioneer.
TIMES OF FIERY TESTING
The brothers had gone through a number of tests over the years, but the early 1960’s was a time when each one was finding it necessary to give evidence of the quality of his faith. There was considerable political tension in the country, and patriotic activities were frequent. Some did not clearly understand Christian neutrality and what was involved in shunning idolatry. (Matt. 22:21; 1 John 5:21; Dan. 3:16-18) Starting with The Watchtower of November 1, 1962, the brothers were fortified with a thorough discussion of what the Bible says about the Christian’s attitude toward “the superior authorities” and the matter of relative subjection. (Rom. 13:1-7) It was truly spiritual “food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24:45) Nevertheless some shrank back, fearing that they might lose their job or that their children might be expelled from school. But the majority, though suffering some abuse, have given evidence that their faith is strong and they have conducted themselves so as to have a clean conscience before God.
The following year, 1963, there was further testing and refining. It was necessary to disfellowship 17 persons, almost as many as during the previous 16 years. Some who were disfellowshipped had been associated for many years and were well known. There were those who found the judicial actions difficult to accept. But partiality is not to be shown in such sacred matters, and these developments put individuals to the test as to their loyalty to Jehovah and his visible organization.—Prov. 24:23.
That same year, a missionary sister was found to have committed immorality in a small town near Santa Cruz. Though the case was given the necessary judicial attention, people in that town became antagonistic toward Jehovah’s Witnesses. It became almost impossible to witness at the doors there, so it was decided to transfer the pioneers to other areas. To this day, no congregation exists in that town, although some interest has been found lately.
In spite of these tests, during 1963 Bolivia passed the 500 mark in the number of Kingdom publishers. The year ended with a visit by Brother Henschel. Shortly before this, when in Liberia, West Africa, he had personally undergone a severe test of his Christian neutrality. The Bolivian Witnesses were deeply moved as he fortified them with an account of that experience, emphasizing the importance of courageous steadfastness.
LEGAL RECOGNITION AND THE BRANCH OFFICE
During Brother Henschel’s visit, construction of a new branch building was discussed. The first step was to get legal recognition of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and this was accomplished after a year of tedious paperwork. Next came the search for land—not an easy task in a crowded city surrounded by steep mountains. Finally, in 1965, during a visit by Brother Knorr, arrangements were made to purchase property in residential La Paz, close to the center of town. When completed two years later, the building included a large Kingdom Hall and accommodations for 14 missionaries. This fine facility gave added evidence to the local Witnesses of the genuine interest of Jehovah’s organization in the Kingdom work in Bolivia.
A number of qualified brothers had, at various times, coordinated the work in the branch office in Bolivia. Edward Michalec, one of the original missionaries, had served in that capacity for about ten years. Later, J. R. Dickey, Harold Morris, Don Anders, Chester Krochmal, J. F. Millar, and Alden Seeyle all carried the load as branch overseers for varying lengths of time. Each one gave of himself willingly and made valuable contributions to the furtherance of the Kingdom work. In 1966, while the new branch facilities were being constructed, oversight of the branch was assigned to J. D. Rose, who had recently graduated from Gilead.
A FRUSTRATED SCHEME
About this time Santa Cruz was in the throes of change that would lead to its becoming the second-most-important city in the nation. Oil and gas had been discovered. The road from Cochabamba had been paved, and thousands of people moved into what had been a closely knit community of a few large families. Rapid increase took place in the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses there, and by 1966 more than 50 publishers were sharing in Kingdom service. More missionaries had just arrived in the city. Then, unexpectedly, the congregation overseer was called in for questioning by a certain official.
The room was filled with people the brother did not know, individuals who turned out to be news reporters. In their presence the official interrogated our brother about his secular work, which the official alleged was illegal. The brother assured him that his work was by no means illegal. He also explained that he had quit his job in order to take up full-time preaching activity the coming month. The official responded that he too was a “believer” but that the brother had committed “great errors.” After confiscating the personal documents of our brother and his wife, the official dismissed them.
The congregation overseer and another brother who worked with him secularly had realized that certain local firms had been concerned about business competition from them. Listening to the complaints, this official, a fanatical adherent of the Seventh-Day Adventists, schemed to involve the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. What would happen?
Looking at the newspapers the next morning, our brother could hardly believe his eyes! In all four newspapers, front-page headlines dealt with the matter. One had his full name in bold letters and declared that an international embezzler had been detained in Santa Cruz! In another paper, the official besmirched the name of Jehovah’s Witnesses, claiming: ‘Jehovah’s Witness Alternates Sect With Illicit Business.’ The following day there was more front-page news of the same sort. This time announcement was made that it had been “discovered” that our brother had been an “adviser” of a previously deposed president, now in exile and viewed as an enemy! At the same time, radio stations were broadcasting the same news. The slanderous publicity continued week after week, for months.
Having no legal grounds to take action against our brothers, the official was obviously using a publicity campaign to stir up public opinion and possible police action. Expecting the worst, our brothers prepared for the police to pick them up. But they never came. And no one pressed charges in court. When Witnesses called from house to house, the people continued to listen, and Bible studies increased. It was as if they were blind to the newspapers and deaf to the radio. In time, that official was removed from office.
In the midst of these trying circumstances, the local brothers were assigned to present at a coming assembly the “Jeremiah” drama, relating vividly the persecution that that faithful prophet of God underwent. The excitement of recording and rehearsing the drama helped them to forget the storm clouds that hovered over them.
Although the congregation overseer did show some lack of balance under the great pressure that came upon him, he later qualified to enter full-time service as he had planned. Both he and the other brother are still pioneers and overseers in Bolivia nearly 20 years after the frustrated scheme of that biased official.
RAPID GROWTH IN SANTA CRUZ
Though the congregation in Santa Cruz suffered a temporary decrease, no permanent harm was sustained. The local Witnesses, encouraged by the missionaries, worked harder than ever. As was true of the first-century Christian congregation after Saul’s campaign of persecution ended, the brothers in Santa Cruz, too, ‘entered into a period of peace and upbuilding and kept on multiplying.’ (Acts 9:31) Their meeting facilities were soon packed out, and people were listening through the windows. A new Kingdom Hall seating 150 was built. In two years it had to be enlarged. The congregation divided and a large hall was erected on the other side of the city. Today there are 11 congregations in Santa Cruz, all together about 800 publishers, zealously proclaiming Jehovah’s Kingdom. Thrilling increases were also being experienced in La Paz, Cochabamba, Oruro, and the mining centers.
A FIRM STAND FOR TRUTH BRINGS GOOD RESULTS
Ignacia de Torres, of Santa Cruz, listened as her sister from La Paz shared Bible truths with her. Although Ignacia’s response was mild, the seed of truth began growing. In 1963, a missionary started a Bible study with her. But Ignacia’s husband, a tall, strapping policeman, severely opposed. He would fly into a rage and fire his police revolver into the air, while Ignacia and her children ran for cover.
One day he arrived when another missionary, Pamela Moseley, was conducting the study. Her ears tingled as he bellowed out fiery orders motivating a quick departure. Still, Pamela would not give up. One day when he stayed home to catch the missionary, Ignacia told him plainly that if he forbade her to study at home, she would go to the Kingdom Hall. “Now, isn’t it finer that I should study here?” she asked. With that, the opposition let up.
Ignacia continued to grow in love for Jehovah and for her Christian brothers. Often, she would freely use her nurse’s training to help brothers and sisters in distress. More important, however, was her zealous activity to free people in spiritual bondage. Following her example of devotion, three of her children also became Witnesses. After years of fervent prayers, one of her fondest hopes became a reality. Her husband, who had so strongly opposed, began to investigate the truth, and after ten years of Bible studies and many personality changes, he too was baptized in January 1984.
KEEPING THE TRUTH UNTARNISHED
Even as happened in the first century, human imperfection and weakness can affect the actions of Christians, including those in responsible positions. (Acts 15:36-40; Gal. 2:11-14) Thus, during the 1960’s some brothers became very critical of the Society’s representative in the branch and others closely associated with him. One of the traveling overseers who was well known sympathized with the complainers, even offering some of his own criticism. This brother felt that promoting social gatherings while visiting the congregations would help unite the brothers. However, these often resulted in large feasts with immoderate drinking. For those who had fought hard to overcome alcohol addiction, this proved to be a stumbling block. Some newly interested ones quit studying the Bible as a result of what they saw. A few, who sought to justify their conduct by what others were doing, later had to be disciplined because of excessive drinking.
Another brother in circuit work, one who had done much to help others, now began to set a poor example in regard to business matters. While a circuit overseer he postponed vital spiritual matters in order to care first for personal business affairs.
For a time it seemed that those who should have corrected matters were unable to do so in a spirit of self-control and peace. Yet, after some years, corrective measures were finally taken. (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 3:17) It also brought joy when some of those who had had spiritual difficulties worked toward restoration of a good relationship with Jehovah.
NEW BUILDINGS FOR TRUE WORSHIP
By 1969, there were 869 publishers and 24 congregations. However, most of their Kingdom Halls consisted of drab rooms that were rented. In one location the congregation met in a partially covered patio of a private home. But that presented problems when it rained.
The Trinidad Congregation became the first, with the help of a loan from the Society, to construct its own permanent Kingdom Hall. Many others followed—in La Paz, Potosí, Oruro, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Tarija, and Sucre.
What is undoubtedly one of the highest Kingdom Halls in the world is located at Chorolque. Here a tin mine supports a population of a few thousand. The lips and faces of many people are bluish gray because of rarefied air. A goodly number of these mining families have responded to the truth. Their Kingdom Hall, built on a piece of land donated by the mining company, stands at an altitude of 15,748 feet (4,800 m)!
JEHOVAH PROVIDES ESCAPE
The Kingdom message was reaching into remote areas of the land. Not even the inhabitants of the villages on the enormous salt flat El Salar missed out on hearing the good news. But the reception was not always friendly. In Coquesa, where Brother Toribio Cruz lives, what occurred in 1970 gave evidence of how Jehovah helps his servants under such circumstances.
The district overseer, his wife, the circuit overseer, and a missionary couple made a visit to Coquesa. Only the circuit overseer was a Bolivian. And in a place where foreigners are viewed with great skepticism, their arrival caused quite a stir. The already tense situation became worse when the missionary brother made an unfortunate remark that was meant to be a joke. But it was not taken that way, and soon the whole town convened in the school to decide what to do about these foreigners. Sensing the danger, Brother Martínez, the circuit overseer, suggested that they leave right away. However, others decided to stay overnight and see what would develop.
The next day a messenger informed the brothers: “The town wants to hear you out, so please come to the plaza and instruct us.” Upon arrival there, it was noticed that three sides of the plaza were blocked. Suspecting a trap, the district overseer ran back to the car and shouted for the others to follow. The mob seized Toribio while the others tried to escape. Madly pursuing, some of the mob grabbed Brother Martínez’ scarf and cut the face of the missionary brother. Scrambling into the car, they sped away while the mob pelted the car with stones.
However, Toribio was in the hands of the mob. They beat him so savagely that he thought he was sure to die. But finally managing to break free, he started to run. With the mob close on his heels, he came to a deep, rushing stream—too wide, he thought, for him to jump over. But he had no choice. He leaped with all his might. To his own disbelief, he made it! When the mob reached the water’s edge, they could only watch in amazement as Toribio disappeared from sight on the other side.
Covered with bruises and poorly clothed, he spent the freezing night on a nearby mountain. But Toribio’s unbelievable leap apparently convinced the people that his God had helped him. Instead of burning down his house, as they had done in the past, they left it untouched. He was able to return to town and live unmolested, and he is now the presiding overseer of the congregation there.
BREAKING THE SPELL OF THE LAKE
Lake Titicaca is at an elevation of 12,500 feet (3,810 m); it also has recorded depths of over 900 feet (270 m). On its waters can be seen totora reed boats, which provided the pattern for the papyrus reed vessel in which Thor Heyerdahl crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Still, there is more to this lake than meets the eye.
From ancient times, Lake Titicaca has been a focal point of mysticism. What effect would Bible truth have on the lives of people living in such surroundings?
Back in 1966, when a man threw out the book “The Truth Shall Make You Free,” his brother-in-law took it home. Though his knowledge of Spanish was limited, his native tongue being Aymará, he saw that the book had information about Jehovah God. This name, he realized, was in the Bible but was not being explained by the churches. From time to time he would travel to La Paz to obtain more literature. His relationship with Jehovah began to grow, and he shared with his neighbors what he was learning. In time he got baptized and later became a pioneer.
Others around the lake also began to embrace true worship. However, the majority in the area could not read and they spoke only Aymará. Visiting brothers noticed that some had not got rid of mystic objects they had used before becoming Witnesses. But when Bible counsel on this matter was explained in their native tongue, they quickly took it to heart. (Acts 19:19, 20; Deut. 7:25, 26) Costly costumes used in pagan dances, good luck charms for making land and cattle productive, utensils that were family heirlooms but that had been used for making offerings to false gods, crosses and false-religious literature—all came out of hiding to be destroyed. One elderly sister had been completely bedridden until her daughter burned her pagan charms, but it is reported that she improved and never missed a congregation meeting thereafter.
GREAT INCREASE ON EL ALTO
In 1945, when the first missionaries landed at El Alto, site of the La Paz airport, it was nothing but a few scant adobe dwellings. But during the 1960’s, La Paz outgrew its land area, and a large satellite population developed high above it. About then, two young men from El Alto, Hugo Fernández and his brother, began attending meetings in La Paz. To get home they had a hazardous two-hour climb out of the canyon late at night. But they continued to come.
In time a full schedule of meetings was being held by the group on El Alto. Hugo spent entire mornings each week preparing meeting parts. It was hard work for him, but it contributed much to his spiritual growth. Shortly after his baptism he expressed to the circuit overseer his interest in being a pioneer. “Why not start right away?” asked the overseer. Hugo felt that he should work at his shoemaking for about six months more. “How many shoes can you make in six months?” the circuit overseer asked. Then he added: “How many lives are waiting to be saved?” Hugo thought about it seriously. By August 1, he was a special pioneer. He has seen the group on El Alto grow manyfold, till that original group has become four congregations of praisers of Jehovah.
LOVING CONCERN IMPELS TRAVELING OVERSEERS
When Brothers Michalec and Morris made their first perilous trip to The Yungas in 1946, they got a taste of travel in Bolivia. Now there are congregations in areas that are even more difficult to reach. Devoted traveling overseers and their wives have expended themselves to the limit to reach congregations and small groups in the most remote locations. Their travel often involves drastic changes of altitude. In many cases, the only way to get to a place is on foot, and some of these devoted brothers have walked up to 125 miles (200 km). Brothers Nahín Escalera, Wallace Liverance, Mark Pefferman, and their respective wives, have had a special share in this self-sacrificing activity.
Illustrating what can be involved is an experience had by Hugo Fernández, then a circuit overseer. Rains had turned the roads into slippery mire. With his motorcycle heavily loaded, he managed to cover about 90 miles (140 km) in eight hours. A swollen river many yards wide brought him to a stop. Nightfall was approaching. Staying out all night in the torrential rain was unthinkable. Crossing the river seemed impossible. He prayed to Jehovah, then decided to try to cross. He covered the motor with plastic and made the plunge. He relates: “Entering the river heavily loaded, I made great effort to control the handlebars through the strong cold current. Water splashed in my face, cutting off visibility, and I even felt I had water over my head. But before I knew it, there I was on the other side!” Moments later a car from the other direction tried it and stalled in the middle. How grateful Hugo was to Jehovah, who he felt had been the Provider of escape for him in that time of need. (Ps. 18:1, 2) He arrived safely at the next congregation. Since 1977, Brother Fernández has served as a member of the Branch Committee in Bolivia.
A MEMORABLE VISIT BY F. W. FRANZ
The visit to Bolivia in 1974 by F. W. Franz, now the president of the Watch Tower Society, is fondly remembered by the brothers here. Brother Franz was accompanied by two missionaries from the first Gilead class as well as by three other members of the Brooklyn Bethel family, all of whom at his instance had parts on the program. One of these had been a missionary in Bolivia for more than nine years and very much appreciated the opportunity to visit her “foreign assignment” again.
A special meeting was held in the Open Air Theater in La Paz, and a large audience assembled from many parts of the country. Here Brother Franz masterfully developed his talk around Psalm 91. At the outset it rained hard, but most of the audience remained in their seats for the full two hours. Some wondered, though, how Brother Franz was keeping his Bible and his notes dry. But watching closely, they realized that he was giving the entire discourse, including extended quotations from the Bible, not only in Spanish but also completely from memory.
The brothers were deeply impressed by Brother Franz’ love, simplicity and humility, and his willingness to stay up late to answer their Bible questions.
BRANCH COMMITTEE PROVIDES OVERSIGHT
When arrangements were made for a Branch Committee, instead of an individual, to provide oversight for the branch, a more balanced and comprehensive direction of spiritual matters was made possible. In 1977, Eldon Deane, who had a longtime record of full-time service in Argentina, was sent by the Governing Body to act as coordinator. He shares in Branch Committee responsibilities along with Hugo Fernández, Marco Ibieta, and Walter Meynberg, who has served in La Paz Bethel for nearly 20 years. Jehovah’s blessing on the arrangement has been evident.
PRIESTS FLEE FROM “BABYLON” TO COME CLOSE TO GOD
At an increasing rate, the ‘waters of Babylon’ have been drying up; yes, people are withdrawing their support from false religion. (Rev. 16:12) One who did this was a Jesuit priest. After studying the Bible with the Witnesses in Cochabamba, Julio Iniesta dedicated his life to Jehovah in his native Spain.a
Since early childhood Hugo Durán, originally from Vallegrande, had deeply felt the need to get close to God. He thought the best way to do this was to become a Catholic priest. But after devoting ten years to preparation for the priesthood, he felt farther from God than ever. He explains: “A personal encounter with God is impossible in the seminary. He has no name, no personality nor interest in men, since the idea that ‘God is dead’ prevails. We mainly learned an infinity of memorized rites, which, all gathered together, did not provide one single drop of life-giving water to quench one’s thirst. Once when our seminary needed money, the priests hired a woman singer for a fund-raising show. Even to look at a woman was sinful, we were taught, so their making us ‘sin’ just to raise money revealed their real hypocrisy.”
Finally Hugo left the seminary and got married to a former nun. He kept praying that somehow he might find God. About then a Witness visited his home in Santa Cruz, and after many conversations, a regular Bible study was begun. Now Hugo began learning who God really is. Instead of being a nameless, uninterested deity, he is Jehovah, a loving Father, one who cares for every vital need of his servants. (Ps. 83:18; Luke 11:2-4; Phil. 4:6) Though at first Hugo found some aspects of the truth difficult, he constantly prayed and finally became convinced. Since his baptism in 1973 he has helped many others to come close to God and he serves now as a loving Christian elder.
HELP PROVIDED THROUGH JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION
Certain disaster as a result of pursuing a course of self-destruction has been averted in many instances by means of the power of God’s Word. But, in the case of Carlos, a young jeweler in Santa Cruz, reading the Bible alone did not prove to be enough. Help was needed through Jehovah’s organization.
He frequently came home unconscious on the back of a drinking buddy, while his family watched in tears. In time the Witnesses contacted his wife, who found comfort in the Scriptures and hoped that the Bible would also help Carlos. Though Carlos knew he was in serious trouble, he was sure the Witnesses did not have the solution. Instead, when tempted to drink, he would try to think about his family or would recite devotions in a Catholic church. He even tried reading the Bible, but disliking the name Jehovah, he would substitute “God” for the name. Nothing that he tried worked.
His wife and his brother, who were now studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses, tried to talk to him about the Bible, only to receive insulting rebuffs. In spite of the apparent hopelessness of the situation, his wife kept praying for an opportunity to help Carlos change. One day, at a family get-together, the family asked if Carlos would like to accompany them to the Kingdom Hall. Not wanting to be discourteous, he agreed, with no thought of going inside. Upon arriving, however, his wife said: “Now that we’re here, why not go inside for a minute?” Very reluctantly, Carlos agreed. He stayed for the full two hours, and although he understood very little, he was impressed that everything that was said was backed up from the Bible. He attended two more meetings that week, and by Sunday he decided to study the Bible in earnest.
However, his drinking problem did not go away overnight. For eight more months he continued drinking heavily, often missing his studies and the meetings. The brother studying with him tried to impress on him the need to practice what he was learning, in line with Luke 6:46, which says: “Why, then, do you call me ‘Lord! Lord!’ but do not do the things I say?” But how could he conquer the craving for alcohol? Another brother suggested that he pray fervently to Jehovah right at the time when temptation arose. He tried that, and it worked! His once-shattered family became united as they all grew spiritually. His economic situation improved so much that he was able to start his own jewelry business. Carlos, his wife, and two of their children have been baptized. Those children are now pioneers, and Carlos is a Christian overseer. How fine the effects when individuals appreciatively accept the help that Jehovah provides through his organization to benefit from his Word!
GOD’S WORD SOFTENS HEARTS IN TARIJA
Though the inhabitants are calm and peaceful in disposition, Tarija proved to be ‘hard ground,’ spiritually speaking. The people in this part of southern Bolivia are quite set in their traditional ways. But by 1978 a congregation of 30 publishers was reporting here. Yet, many felt inadequate, apparently because of a somewhat critical attitude on the part of ones who had formerly taken the lead. Some who had shared earlier in proclaiming the Kingdom message had become inactive. However, with encouragement, 15 of these became active witnesses of Jehovah again. People in the community, too, showed a more receptive attitude as the Witnesses became more friendly and less argumentative.
Using trucks loaded first with 20, then with 30, 40, or 50 publishers, the brothers went out over stony mountain roads to work the rural villages. In a few years, some 35 villages dotting this mountainous region had been reached for the first time with the good news. Many chapacos (Tarija mountain folk) listened attentively as the Witnesses explained the truth with the help of My Book of Bible Stories and its beautiful illustrations. These preaching excursions helped the brothers to become more united and confident. In just four years the number of publishers more than doubled. Now two flourishing congregations are busy there reaching more honesthearted persons.
“JUST PLOWING THE SEA”?
Many years ago, a prominent Bolivian man warned the early Witnesses that their work would be in vain. Dramatizing his skepticism, he declared: “You’re just plowing the sea.” What he failed to understand was the power of God’s Word, the operation of Jehovah’s spirit, and the loving determination of his Witnesses.
True, it has presented a real challenge to make firm disciples in a country where, at the start, only 15 percent could read. But Jehovah’s Witnesses have taught hundreds to read and write so that they could personally read God’s Word. It is truly a joy to see elders who were once totally illiterate now giving assembly discourses, including explanations of deep spiritual matters.
The small group that met in La Paz in 1946 has now become 20 congregations in that city. Instead of just one family pursuing true worship in Cochabamba, there are at present six congregations. Three more are found in Oruro and two in Potosí. Throughout Bolivia there are over 85 congregations of Jehovah’s praisers. In spite of galloping inflation, paralyzing strikes, and very bad weather, the 1985 service year saw one peak in publishers after another, up to 4,207 in April. And the total in the various branches of pioneer service during April was 1,005—24 percent of the total number of publishers! There is also good potential for an even greater number of praisers of Jehovah, as indicated by the Memorial attendance of 17,169, and that in the face of torrential rain. With patient cultivation, the Bolivian field has proved to be fruitful.
Like determined miners seeking valuable minerals, Jehovah’s Witnesses have used every means possible to search out those whose hearts are inclined toward righteousness. They have traveled by bicycle, motorcycle, riverboat, canoe, truck, airplane, horse, donkey, and especially on their own feet to reach remote populations with the Kingdom message. During the past four decades, upwards of 180 missionaries have shared in this work.
As Jehovah’s Witnesses in Bolivia intensify their witnessing during these final days of the old system, they continue to rest their confidence in Jehovah. Having in mind what he has done in their own midst, they feel as did the inspired psalmist who wrote: “Many things you yourself have done, O Jehovah my God, even your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us; there is none to be compared to you. Were I inclined to tell and speak of them, they have become more numerous than I can recount.”—Ps. 40:5.
[Footnotes]
[Map on page 71]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
BOLIVIA
RIBERALTA
TRINIDAD
Lake Titicaca
LA PAZ
COCHABAMBA
SANTA CRUZ
ORURO
VALLEGRANDE
SUCRE
COQUESA
POTOSÍ
UYUNI
ATOCHA
CHOROLQUE
TARIJA
PERU
CHILE
ARGENTINA
PARAGUAY
BRAZIL
[Picture on page 74]
Edward and Elizabeth Michalec have had a fruitful ministry in Bolivia during the past 40 years
[Picture on page 80]
Harold Morris (center), one of the first missionaries in Bolivia, shown here with N. H. Knorr and M. G. Henschel in 1949
[Picture on page 82]
John and Esther Hansler (on right), with their four grown children, welcoming others to Kingdom Hall in Santa Cruz
[Picture on page 95]
Branch office in La Paz
[Pictures on page 100]
Charlotte Tomaschafsky (right), a missionary, witnesses to an Aymara family near Lake Titicaca. Reed boats are a common sight on the lake
[Picture on page 107]
Members of the Branch Committee have a combined total of 90 years of full-time service (From the left: Eldon Deane, Walter Meynberg, Marco Ibieta, Hugo Fernández)
Netherlands
pp. 110–185
Netherlands
THERE are few nations that must be constantly alert to keep the sea from overwhelming much of their land. But the Netherlands (meaning “Lowlands”) is such a place. To the west and the north beyond the natural dunes and man-made dikes lies the North Sea. Yet, on more than one occasion that sea covered large portions of what is now the most fertile land.
Another feature of this country is suggested by the name Holland. Because of the woods that once stretched behind the dunes in the west, that part of the country was known as Houtland (Timberland), which was changed to Holland. Although the Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, there are still some fairly large woodlands in central and eastern parts. There are also many lakes that are scattered over the western and northern parts of the country. Yes, there is water in abundance, and because of it Holland has always been associated with dikes, windmills, and wooden shoes.
For centuries the Netherlands has been prominently associated with shipping. During the 17th century, the Dutch became the major commercial and naval power on the seas. They had colonies around the globe. It was by way of the sea that the Dutch brought wealth from their colonies and then transported it by riverboat deep into Europe. As a result of war in the 18th century, the Dutch lost control of the seas to the British. However, toward the end of the following century, a new opportunity was opened up to the Dutch people.
A TIME OF SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
In 1891 Charles Taze Russell toured Europe to see what could be done “to forward the spread of the Truth” there. He visited Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and The Hague. What was in the offing for the Dutch was not some new commercial venture. It was an opportunity to learn the purposes of the Creator of heaven and earth along with the privilege of being his witnesses. But where would workers be found to give attention to this part of the field?
At the turn of the century a young Lutheran, Heinrich Brinkhoff, moved to the city of Haarlem, in the Netherlands, to do missionary work. He was zealous but lacked accurate knowledge. Before long he joined the Seventh-Day Baptists; yet, he was still searching. He also began to read Bible literature published by the Watch Tower Society and the International Bible Students Association. His interest in it grew to the point that the Baptists no longer wanted him. He was eager to share with others what he was learning. So, he translated and then personally distributed the first volume of Studies in the Scriptures as well as the small book Food for Thinking Christians and some tracts, all published by the Watch Tower Society. In time, those seeds of truth began to grow.
Soon he was joined by elderly Sister Kropff in Rotterdam and by Frits Peters, a young man in Amsterdam. Then Ruurd Hallema began to distribute some of this literature when visiting his parents in the province of Friesland. In that way J. Andringa obtained one of the books. What he read was music to his ears. He was already at odds with his church, and now when his minister, during Sunday services, prayed for the victory of the Allied armies in the world war then in progress, Andringa broke with the church and undertook a lifetime of service of the true God.
During the war years a small group of Bible Students developed in Rotterdam and another group in Amsterdam. In 1918 they even took the initiative to publish three issues of The Watch Tower in Dutch, but the interest shown at that time was evidently very limited.
BETTER ORGANIZATION STIMULATES GROWTH
In 1920, J. F. Rutherford, the then president of the Watch Tower Society, visited Europe and established the Central European Office of the Society in Switzerland. The Netherlands came under its supervision. Adriaan Block, who had a thriving dental practice in Mulhouse, France, was requested by Brother Rutherford to return to Holland to take oversight of the congregations there. This he did in 1921. Arrangements were made the next year for a branch office right in Amsterdam. There had been some disturbance among the brothers in the Netherlands, but, with improved organizational arrangements, progress became evident. Their energy was directed into the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom, and that message spread throughout the land as never before.
The Kingdom work here was given further impetus when Brother Rutherford personally visited Amsterdam in 1923. In the large hall at the Diamond Exchange he delivered the thrilling talk “Millions Now Living Will Never Die.” With the cooperation of Dutch radio pioneer Willem Vogt, this discourse was broadcast live from the Diamond Exchange so it could be heard by people throughout the country. This was the first time that such a thing had been done in the Netherlands.
In the audience on that occasion was 19-year-old Arnold Werner. He had been making an earnest effort to get to know more about God by attending catechism in the Reformed Church. But he was not receiving satisfying answers to his questions. At the same time, his older brother, Tom, was getting answers right from the Bible as a result of his contact with the International Bible Students, as Jehovah’s Witnesses were then known. For Arnold, that talk at the Diamond Exchange was a major turning point in his life.
FULL-TIME WORKERS IN THE FIELD
The following year Tom Werner and Otto Lehmann began to devote their full time to the distribution of Bible literature. Brother Block, too, made many trips from the branch office to give talks that were very stimulating to the study groups. That year, at a one-day national assembly in April, Arnold Werner was among those presenting themselves for water baptism.
As a young man interested in sports, Arnold had invested in a fine sailboat. But shortly after his immersion he sold the boat and used much of the proceeds to finance trips to towns along the railroad network to distribute a resolution entitled “A Challenge to World Rulers.” This resolution called upon all people to recognize and accept God’s Kingdom, and it exposed the unfaithfulness of Christendom in endorsing a substitute, the League of Nations. Arnold personally distributed tens of thousands of copies of this resolution.
In time Arnold teamed up with his brother Tom, and as they moved about the country they lived in a mobile house that had been built on a Model T Ford truck. Together they distributed the biting exposé of Christendom that was set out in the resolution “Indictment.” Fearlessly they went into areas where the Roman Catholic Church had until then ruled supreme. In the town of Helmond, a group of hysterically shrieking women gathered in the middle of the street and cried out: “Our Holy Church is being accused!” But the brothers calmly went on with their work.
Shortly they were approached by a priest who said: “What that pamphlet contains is not the truth. You should immediately stop the distribution.” But the two brothers responded: “Sir, we are convinced that what this resolution contains is based on what the Bible teaches on this matter. We deem it our duty to make these truths known to the people. We will, however, instantly stop the distribution if you show us on the basis of the Bible that what this resolution contains is not true.” “Good,” he replied, quite relieved. “Come to me at the presbytery at about two o’clock this afternoon.” It was then about 11 o’clock in the morning. “OK,” said the brothers and they continued with their work.
But when the clergyman saw they were continuing the distribution he excitedly demanded: “Yes, but you are to stop this distribution immediately.” To this the brothers replied: “Sir, at this moment we are still convinced that what this resolution contains is the truth, and until the time the contrary is proved, we are going to do our duty.” To that the priest said: “Oh, then come along with me at once!” Of course, he could not refute anything in the resolution, so the brothers kept on in their work until the entire town had been covered.
TESTS OF LOYALTY RESULT IN A SIFTING
In a progressive manner Jehovah has enabled his servants to understand his purposes. As stated at Proverbs 4:18: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.” Jehovah’s purpose does not change, but the understanding of his servants as to when and how it will come about may need adjustment as the light shines more brightly. Such changes can result in severe tests of loyalty. That was true in 1925. At that time some broke away from the congregation. They initially associated with one another as a loosely knit group and then went their separate ways. Others went so far as to say: “If what we expect does not come in 1925, then I will throw my Bible into the fire.” They obviously had lost sight of the real issues, were growing weary in God’s service, and were more concerned about getting their own reward right away than with helping others to benefit from God’s loving provisions.
The crucial question facing each of the brothers in the Netherlands, as it did Jehovah’s servants earth wide, was: Who will honor Jehovah? Responding to that question in a personal and positive way proved to be a vital factor in demonstrating loyalty to Jehovah and to his visible organization.
In 1927, Arnold Werner was appointed to be the branch servant, replacing Adriaan Block. Such a change can be a test for a person. For a number of years, however, Brother Block evidently gave loyal cooperation to the man who replaced him. But in time Brother Block’s loyalty waned. As a result, the congregation where he presided collapsed, and many who had been associated with it actually became opposers of Jehovah’s people during the second world war.
WILLING WORKERS RESPOND TO THE CALL
Early in 1927, a call went out for more full-time proclaimers of the good news—colporteurs, as they were called then. Soon there were eight in the Netherlands. And how the distribution of Bible literature increased! It doubled that year, and doubled again in 1928. Many seeds of Kingdom truth were being planted.
Some of those zealous workers came from France. At a convention there, the Polish-speaking brothers were told of the need for volunteers to carry the good news to Polish-speaking mine workers in the southern part of the Netherlands. André Kowalski and his companion packed their belongings and moved to the province of Limburg late in 1927. Not only did they find many interested ones, but André was rewarded with a fine wife, a zealous pioneer sister who had come to help them in their assignment.
This territory had long been in complete servitude to the Roman Catholic Church. So, as interest in the good news increased, opposition did too. Almost daily the brothers were ordered to stop their work, and they were often hauled off to police stations and detained for hours. One Sunday morning when they were making calls in a village, the populace informed the clergy. The police, led by the burgomaster, surrounded the brothers, arrested them, and led them off to the Town Hall. Of course, the brothers had not violated the law, so they were soon released. Meanwhile, a large crowd of curious townsfolk had gathered to see what the outcome would be. As the brothers emerged from the building they called out to the crowd: “Ladies and gentlemen, we are still here.” Then they offered them Bible literature and quickly placed everything they had.
TAKING A STAND FOR THE TRUTH
Return visits and home Bible studies were rare in those days. So anyone who embraced true worship had to show personal initiative and be a real searcher for truth. Ulrich Kress, a mine worker, was such a man. In the spring of 1930, after a brief conversation in a doctor’s waiting room, August Lach invited Ulrich to visit him in his home. Ulrich did, and after reading a copy of the magazine The Golden Age (now known as Awake!), he was back the following night, this time with plenty of questions. He was amazed at the answers he received from the Bible. Before Ulrich left he asked: “What do you do on Sunday?” August answered: “I have no time on Sunday. In the morning I go from house to house to distribute The Golden Age and in the afternoon I attend a Bible meeting.” Ulrich wanted to go with him.
The instructions he was given on Sunday morning went something like this: ‘Here you have a few magazines and booklets, and the price is so much. You work the left side of the street, and I’ll take the right side. If you reach the end before I do, then work back on my side. If the door has no bell, just knock.’ That was it.
After working for a couple of hours the group met on a street corner and exchanged experiences. They seemed to be having a great time. One related that he had been whacked with a broomstick. Ulrich could not figure out how such experiences could make them happy. But their joy infused him with courage.—Matt. 5:10-12.
Assemblies in those days were small when compared to those we have today. Seventy attended in The Hague in 1929. During Brother Rutherford’s visit in 1933, there were only 165 present. But each assembly was keenly anticipated by the brothers.
HOUSING FOR THE PIONEERS
In the early 1930’s, the Central European Office urged young men and women throughout Europe to put their faith to the test by moving into lands where the need was greater. The Netherlands was a hard nut to crack, religiously speaking. But the Dutch had a reputation for hospitality to refugees and to strangers, so pioneers from nearby countries took up service in the Netherlands. Many were from Germany. A number from Holland joined them in full-time service. Some left behind comfortable homes and jobs that paid well. A few were quite new in Jehovah’s service. Max Henning, from Germany, was not yet baptized when he responded to that call for workers. But they were all willing to work hard as pioneers.
To assist these full-time workers, the branch office rented locations that could be used as pioneer homes. Six pioneers shared a home in Tilburg; nine, in Amsterdam. Later, pioneer homes were established in Eindhoven, Heemstede, and Leersum. It was understood that each pioneer would deposit in the common fund his full proceeds from literature placements. They all shared the duties that go with keeping up a home. A brother who knew how to repair shoes did this, another one cut hair, and so forth. If there was any money left over at the end of the month after all the home expenses had been covered, it was divided among the pioneers. Usually, it was no more than a few cents.
Toward the end of 1931, a boat that had been rented by the Society was put to use to further the preaching work. It bore the name Almina and was tied up along the canal in the city of Zwolle. This movable home could nicely provide housing for the pioneers as they worked the cities and towns along the waterways. But there was a problem: The pioneers assigned to the boat knew as much about operating boats as about flying to the moon. So, when Ferdinand Holtorf made it known that he used to be a sailor, he was promptly assigned to the Almina and was hustled off to Zwolle.
The Almina was a good boat, but it had its drawbacks. It had no motor, and there was no sail. How could they get the thing to move? ‘Well, is there a strong brother on board?’ Then the problem was solved. He would be the “horse,” and with a rope he would pull it as he walked along the bank of the canal. So they set off! Good work was done by the group working from that boat as they witnessed inland to the northeast. Emmen was one of the towns in which they preached. No one at that time had any idea that some 50 years later this town would house a modern branch office and printery of the Watch Tower Society!
RAPID PROGRESS BRINGS LEGAL ACTION
As the intensity of the preaching work increased, so did clergy opposition in some areas. This was the case in the environs of Tilburg. When a locality was worked two days in a row, the publishers would be driven out by mobs hurling rocks and wielding pitchforks. In order to meet expenses so they could stay in that area and give a thorough witness, it was frequently necessary for the pioneers to move to more friendly territory in another part of the country, where they could place much literature for a month or so before continuing their work around Tilburg.
So intense was the pressure brought to bear upon those in the pioneer home at Tilburg that their lights, water, and gas were cut off. There were even attempts to burn the house down. And the threat was made that if the work of the Witnesses continued in that part of the country, all who had come from foreign countries to preach would be deported. In fact, one evening Brother Sonnenschein, Sr., did not come home as usual. When an appeal was made to the police in Tilburg, they replied that the Witnesses were causing unrest among the populace and that likely the one who was missing had been kicked out of the country. And so it proved to be. Local authorities had decided that our brother should be handed over to the Nazi authorities in Germany. As a result he was sent to a concentration camp. The same action was taken against Brothers Lange, Gädeke, and Backes. Finally, the home in Tilburg was abandoned, and the pioneers were moved to other assignments.
There was a sharp reaction from jurists in the country and from the press. Het Volk of April 10, 1934, quoted the opinion of a number of jurists on this matter. Said one lawyer: “The situation of complete lack of rights on the part of the foreigner . . . brings the honored tradition of the Netherlands’ right of asylum into disrepute in other lands.” In Parliament, the Minister of Justice was urged to use his influence to have local police authorities divested of the authority of expulsion.
During this time the Shop Closing Law was also applied to Jehovah’s Witnesses, so they were forbidden to offer Bible literature for a contribution in public places on Sundays. An appeal to the Ministry of Economic Affairs brought no relief. In spite of such blows, the Kingdom message continued to spread.
‘SEND OUT YOUR BREAD UPON THE WATERS’
In the summer of 1934, pioneers left four booklets with a woman near Rotterdam. Later that day her son Jan found them on the table when he came in from a game of soccer. Though his parents were devoutly religious, Jan was losing interest in religion. He had even begun to dabble in communism. But when he read those booklets, he knew that they contained the truth. The pioneers did not return. In those days a principle applied to the preaching work was: “Send out your bread upon the surface of the waters, for in the course of many days you will find it again.” (Eccl. 11:1) They generously spread the Kingdom message, even though results were not immediately evident. But Jan did not wait for “many days” to act on what he was learning. He spoke to all who would listen. His girl friend joined him in preaching, and together they are still serving Jehovah.
Up north in Groningen, Ferdinand Holtorf was notified by the branch office that he ought to get in touch with a certain man in the rurals who had been ordering large quantities of booklets to place. After a thorough search Tjeerd de Bruijn was located. As it turned out, he had obtained three booklets from Ferdinand’s own wife a year earlier but had then moved. He felt impelled to share with others the wonderful truths he had learned. Tjeerd was doing hard work on a dike, in addition to which he had to ride for two hours on his bicycle to get to work and another two hours to return in the evening. He also had work to do in the garden after he came home. But appreciation for the truth moved him to join Ferdinand in the preaching work after that, sometimes till midnight.
Particularly in rural areas where the Calvinistic Reformed Church had a strong grip, the pioneers had to give special attention to their dress in order to be able to witness effectively. These people deemed it a great virtue to be clothed in black, and they thought that it should cover as much of the body as possible. The pioneer sisters from Germany were accustomed to dressing in a style that was not appreciated by such folks. Often they would be rebuffed with remarks such as: ‘You with the light-colored clothing and stockings, and with your short hair, are you going to tell us anything about God?’ But the pioneers noticed that Jopie de Jong, a local pioneer who used to belong to the Calvinistic Reformed Church and who understood them, had much success. Ah, yes, but he wore a fine pair of striped trousers and a distinguished bowler hat when in the field ministry! So, they began to dress in a manner that would be more acceptable to the public.
HARDSHIPS DO NOT IMPEDE THE WORK
The pioneers did not shy away from a life of hardship. During special witnessing periods it was not uncommon for them to devote as many as 100 hours a week to the field ministry. In late spring and into the early fall, they would start witnessing in the rurals at 7:00 a.m. and eat breakfast on the go. Instead of stopping for lunch, they had a bite to eat as they traveled between houses. Finally, at 9:00 p.m. they would head for home, after 14 hours of preaching. It was not unusual for them to distribute 400, even up to 800, booklets during such a week.
But the economic situation in the country worsened in the mid-1930’s. There was much unemployment, and it was more difficult for people to contribute for the literature.
Events in Germany were also having an effect—indirectly at first. When Arthur Winkler and his wife, Käthe, came across the border from Germany to pioneer in the Netherlands, they brought news of the horrors of the concentration camps. This made the Dutch brothers think seriously about the possibility that they too might someday undergo such trials.
The Dutch authorities were being very careful not to offend Adolf Hitler. In October 1934, when the Witnesses in 50 countries sent telegrams protesting Hitler’s inhuman treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany, many post office officials in the Netherlands refused to accept such telegrams. Nevertheless, people continued to embrace the truth, and some became true spiritual pillars.
BOLDLY WITNESSING WITH PHONOGRAPHS
Soon another instrument was introduced for use in the preaching work—the phonograph. All the publishers were eager to use it. Kasper Keim, a German pioneer working in Enschede in 1938, was happy to have an “Aaron” to speak for him because he was “slow of mouth and slow of tongue” when trying to speak Dutch. (Compare Exodus 4:10, 14-16.) He asked Sister Albrecht for advice on how to introduce his “Aaron,” and she suggested: ‘When you come to a door, ask the one who comes out, “Madam or Sir, do you have five minutes?” If they say yes, then play the records.’ The next morning Kasper confidently rang his first bell. When a lady appeared, he said resolutely: “Madam, you have five minutes!” Door after door, flabbergasted householders just stood there and listened.
Despite the difficult economic situation, the publishers wanted to have phonographs to use. In the northern part of the country, Tjeerd de Bruijn promptly sold his goat in order to buy a phonograph. Then he would wait at church exits and treat the parishioners to another sermon as they came out.
In Soest, Sister J. de Bree would take her phonograph to some busy intersection, set it down, and play the records, often to as many as 30 people. When the pioneers working out of Deventer witnessed in the ports along the IJssel River, they would eat lunch where groups would gather. As they ate they played the records so that others could hear. Sometimes as many as 25 would listen and then ask questions. A specially constructed house-car with a retractable loudspeaker was also put to use. Thus the preaching activity moved ahead with growing intensity.
INCREASED PRESSURE ON GERMAN PIONEERS
As persecution of the Witnesses increased in Germany, more crossed the border into the Netherlands. The Dutch brothers helped to provide housing but were careful not to divulge information about them to strangers.
However, some officials were pro-Nazi. So, in October of 1937, shortly after Karl Kemena crossed the border, he was arrested in Ootmarsum at the instance of the burgomaster. For three months Karl was confined in the Almelo jail, until more friendly officials intervened. But he used the time well to study the Dutch language and so was equipped to share in the preaching work when he was released. The following year he was arrested in another location but, after some months in jail, was again released.
The country feared war. On March 15, 1938, Prime Minister Dr. H. Colijn spoke about it over the radio, saying: “I will conclude with the entreaty that the Almighty God protect our part of the world and thus also our fatherland from a new Armageddon.” Just then the brothers were distributing the booklet Armageddon, which explained what the Bible says on that subject. In some areas the pioneers could not keep up with the demand.
But the German Gestapo sought to lay hands on German Witnesses who were in the Netherlands. They infiltrated an agent named Hilgers into the ranks of the brothers. However, his disposition soon betrayed him as not being a Witness, and he was not able to do much harm.
Yet, more trouble was brewing. On July 23, the burgomaster of Leersum notified the Society’s branch office: “Pursuant to the letter I received today from the Attorney-General, serving as the Chief of Police in Amsterdam, it is my duty to inform you, that you and all your co-members of the Watch Tower Society must desist from any colportage in the future, otherwise foreigners will be deported.” It turned out that this was meant to apply to all who were “not of Netherlandish nationality,” and not only in Leersum but throughout the country. The result was only temporary uncertainty among the German pioneers, however. Deprived of the privilege of preaching from house to house, they concentrated on return visits, and thus the curse was turned into a blessing.
MEETINGS THEN WERE VERY DIFFERENT
The congregation meetings have always been strengthening to Jehovah’s people. But at times there were practices that indicated the need for better organization and further spiritual growth. For example, sometimes during the Watchtower Study coffee would be served. And the atmosphere was not always free from tobacco smoke.
Regarding the first Memorial that he attended, Cornelis Dortland recalls that a table was spread with 50 plates, each with its own piece of bread, and 50 full wine glasses. He says: “Patiently and in faith I have, from the time of that first Memorial, seen how Jehovah has taught his people. I have seen many who have permitted themselves to be purified and disciplined by him; and those who esteemed themselves too important vanished.”
Of interest too is the balanced comment of Ferdinand Holtorf, who now has 54 years of theocratic service behind him: “Whenever we older ones are together and talk about our experiences of times past, we are very much moved by the wonderful way that Jehovah has led his people, in preparation for greater blessings to come. We are proud that in spite of our errors and shortcomings, Jehovah has used us anyway to serve his purpose and has permitted us to have wonderful experiences. These we can pass on to others in order to encourage one and all to meet the much greater fiery trials to come.”
THEOCRATIC ORDER STRENGTHENS THE ORGANIZATION
When the 1939 service year began, the brothers in the Netherlands, as in many other lands, were studying the Watchtower articles on theocratic organization. This study helped them to appreciate more clearly their relationship to Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. It made clear how the theocratic arrangement should affect the operation of the congregations. It acknowledged that in some congregations there had been strife and contention but then pointed out that fulfillment of Isaiah 60:17 “must mean that the time comes when there is peace in the organization of the Lord all over the earth.” Those who were inclined otherwise, the ones more interested in their own name than in honoring the name of God, soon made themselves manifest.
In Eindhoven, the congregation was disbanded. In South Limburg, the group of 17 publishers was reduced to 10. But the ones remaining were loyal. Diny Langenberg, who was associated with the Deventer Congregation, recalls that locally they had voted for Willy Martens to be their congregation servant. But they were notified by the Society that Albert van Duren was being appointed. Wisely, Brother Martens counseled: “What the Society does is good; we will obey and give Brother van Duren our full support.” Doing so worked out to the blessing of the group.
The restoration of theocratic order united the brothers. Until 1939, the pioneers had been doing the lion’s share of the preaching work. But now, as the number of congregation publishers increased, the publishers were doing about half of the work. By learning to cooperate with theocratic arrangements, the brothers were being fortified for the turbulent years just ahead.
CLOUDS OF WAR GATHER
When Hitler annexed Austria in 1938, some people were inclined to think that this was his big aim in life and that now he would be satisfied. But he did not stop there. On March 15, 1939, Hitler’s troops marched into Prague, Czechoslovakia. Realizing that the Gestapo would soon be at their door, the brothers in Prague immediately began to dismantle their printing equipment. When the Gestapo arrived on March 30, that equipment was all out of the country. Eventually three presses found their way to the Netherlands.
Communication with the printery in Switzerland was becoming more difficult, so the arrival of printing equipment was most timely. Arrangements were promptly made to set up our own printery in a rented location in the city of Haarlem. The brothers were eager to give the Kingdom message as wide a distribution as possible.
At this time, information marching was introduced. Publishers wore signs on the front and back and carried others overhead. On them appeared pointed questions, such as: “Fascism or Freedom—Which Do You Choose?” To passersby the booklet Fascism or Freedom was offered. Other publishers put illuminated signs in the windows of their homes, with such slogans as: “God’s Kingdom Rules—Is the End of the World at Hand?” and “Which Do You Choose—Theocracy or Dictatorship?”
The war scare was making everyone jittery. The authorities were concerned lest they offend Hitler. But when his armies marched into Poland and when France and England were drawn into the war, more people began to listen to Jehovah’s Witnesses. The message contained in the book Enemies and the booklet Fascism or Freedom, which were then being distributed, was trenchant. As a result, literature was confiscated, and its distributors were imprisoned. Often the charge was that they had ‘insulted a “friendly statesman,”’ meaning Hitler, who had instilled great fear into the hearts of many in responsible positions.
CATHOLIC ACTION BOOMERANGS
Catholic Action took advantage of this period of public jitters to try to deal a staggering blow to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Distribution of the booklets Face the Facts and Cure, with their powerful exposés of the Catholic hierarchy, stirred up the ire of the clergy. Arnold Werner, the branch servant, was summoned to appear in court in Haarlem to answer the charge of insulting a group of the Dutch populace. The summons contained an impressive list of quotations from these booklets that were alleged to be criminal in nature. Special prominence was given to excerpts that charged the Roman Catholic hierarchy with fraudulently extracting money from the people by claiming to free the dead from a place where they are not—from purgatory, the existence of which, it was said, the Church could not prove.
For the trial on October 5, 1939, Catholic Action sent in its heavyweight, “Father” Henri de Greeve. He was to appear in court as star witness for the hierarchy. On the stand he declared that he was present as representative of the Dutch Catholic priesthood and that all priests and other clergy were much insulted by the contents of the booklet Cure. He wailed: “My biggest grievance is that an outsider could get the impression that we priests are just a bunch of villains and swindlers.” The State Attorney demanded a fine of 300 guilders or three weeks in jail for Werner.
Arnold Werner then took the stand. Using the Catholic Petrus Canisius translation, he proved that what the booklet said about Catholic teachings was in accord with the Catholics’ own Bible. When he further stated that Jehovah’s Witnesses were friends of sincere Catholics, de Greeve hissed with rage. The Society’s attorney then asked de Greeve if he was a member of the hierarchy. He replied that he was not. When asked if he could prove the doctrines of hellfire and purgatory, he answered: “I cannot prove it; I only believe it.” Since the booklet had said that they fraudulently obtain money for things they cannot prove, the charge against our brother was dropped. De Greeve rushed out of the courthouse in a rage, a beaten man. For the brothers, it was a day of victory and rejoicing.
RELEASED FROM BONDAGE
Amid the increasing pressure, the preaching of the Kingdom message continued, and people were being set free from spiritual bondage. Henk Toonstra was in the medical corps when he received some of the Society’s booklets from his brother-in-law. Upon realizing what the Bible teaches, he found it difficult to continue to pursue the life of a soldier. He sent some of the literature to his older brother Oeds, saying: “I know that you have a clear mind and a good knowledge of the Bible. Now don’t begin by compassionately laughing, but read these booklets attentively and especially critically.” This Oeds did. Then he let his wife read them. They both fervently thanked God for this newly found truth.
Meanwhile, in The Hague there was a young man who was in constant contact with the spirit world. He could read letters in closed envelopes, and much more. What he was to do and what he was to say were always whispered into his ear. When he learned that these were the voices of demons, troubles seemed to intensify for him. He had to make a decision. For the first time in his life he prayed aloud to Jehovah, asking forgiveness for having served the demons and promising now to do the will of Jehovah. Brother van de Eijkhoff recalls: “I had made my decision, and from that moment the whispering voices vanished. Everything was now quiet and peaceful and I was myself again.” But tension on the international scene was at the breaking point.
WAR ERUPTS
In January of 1940, The Watchtower in Dutch carried study material on Christian neutrality. How timely it was!
Although war appeared to be imminent, the people seemed to be getting used to living with that danger. May 9 seemed to be just another spring day, and people went about their activities as usual. But at 8:45 p.m. the General Headquarters sent out a telex alert to all military units. By 3:55 a.m. on May 10, there was all-out war along the eastern frontier. But the ability of the Dutch army to resist the German forces was limited, and in four days the last pocket of resistance was broken. An era of oppressive occupation began; and for our brothers, a time of intense persecution.
BETHEL AND A PIONEER HOME RAIDED
Early on May 10, as the war got under way, the army ordered the arrest of all German nationals in the Netherlands. That evening Dutch soldiers entered the Bethel Home in Heemstede with fixed bayonets. They were embarrassed by the calmness and friendliness of the brothers and sisters, who invited the soldiers to join them for a cup of coffee. Nevertheless, the German brothers present were taken into custody. Earlier in the year Arnold Werner had been relieved of his duties as branch servant due to domestic circumstances, and Arthur Winkler had been appointed. Now both Brother Winkler and Fritz Hartstang were taken away, though only for a relatively short time.
The next morning precautionary measures were taken by those left behind in the office. Names and addresses, along with other information that the enemy might use to hinder the Kingdom work, were tucked away in a carefully selected hiding place. As much literature as possible was shipped out to the congregations that could still be reached. A new bookkeeping system, using numbers instead of names, was put into operation.
That same morning a detachment of soldiers swooped down on the pioneer home in Leersum. Although there were only Dutch pioneers and no longer German nationals in the home, they were all loaded into an army truck and taken away for questioning. After the burgomaster obligingly identified the pioneers that evening, they were returned to the pioneer home, much to the chagrin of neighbors who had been gleeful about their departure.
SPIRITUAL FOOD PROTECTED
Just before the war broke out, a shipment of 100,000 booklets, along with an issue of Consolation magazine (successor to The Golden Age), arrived at the freight station in Rotterdam. When the city was bombed on May 14, the freight station was gutted. But when the flames subsided, the entire consignment lay undamaged amid the rubble. Later, the carrier loaded it all onto a truck and headed for the Society’s branch office. On arrival he was visibly pale and shaken as he asked: “Whatever is it that these cartons contain? The freight station in Rotterdam burned, but these were all saved in spite of it! On top of that, I have just now come from Rotterdam without being stopped a single time by the military patrols. Yet, in front of me and behind me throughout the journey all cars, vehicles, and pedestrians were stopped. But I passed right through.” The brother’s conclusion was simple: “It is a message the people must receive.” The driver gladly accepted personal copies. Then, as quickly as possible, the rest of the shipment was dispersed to the congregations.
Another shipment caught in the maelstrom of the war was deposited in a storage bin in Papendrecht, situated on waterlocked Alblasserwaard. Every route out of there involved crossing some bridge or using a ferry, all of which were checked by the SS. Paul Jansen and a couple of other brothers set out to get the cartons. They loaded the literature onto a hired cart. As they tied down the tarpaulin, Paul’s heart pounded wildly. Fear? Sure they were afraid. But they also had faith—just a little more than the fear they felt. As they approached the ferry, the group became less and less talkative. Then the cart was pushed onto the ferry. They all realized that the only way to get through was to depend fully on Jehovah. Each one prayed silently but fervently to Jehovah. The literature was soon safely in the hands of the congregations. This was a new lesson for the brothers—one involving faith, trust in Jehovah—a lesson in the power of prayer, a lesson in Christian courage. Such evidences of Jehovah’s care, along with the fact that the spiritual food contained in The Watchtower continued to reach the brothers on time, were faith strengthening indeed.
MEETINGS AND PREACHING CONTINUE IN WARTIME
The war disrupted all sorts of activities of daily life. At first there was some confusion among the Witnesses. But the congregation meetings were one of the first things reorganized. The brothers needed spiritual food on a regular basis. Meeting in large groups was now unwise, so the congregations were broken up into groups of no more than ten persons meeting in private homes. And meeting places were shifted from one place to another to keep the enemy off the track. Now, with just a little encouragement, the preaching work moved ahead again.
The brothers worked courageously. The pioneer homes, both on land and on the Society’s boats, continued to function. During the summer of 1940 people all over the country were reached with the Kingdom message, and much literature was placed. At this time when entire populations were being driven from their homes by the effect of war, how timely it was to be distributing the heart-cheering message contained in the booklet Refugees!
After the initial precautionary measures, the branch office continued to function. The brothers who had been interned at the start of the war were soon released. The occupation forces were still too busy with other problems to interfere. But that did not last for long.
THE NOOSE TIGHTENS
On May 29, 1940, Reichs Commissioner Seyss-Inquart proclaimed that the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses was banned. However, only a brief notice of this appeared in the press. For a time, nothing was done to enforce that proclamation. Nevertheless, it seemed certain that the Society’s offices would soon be raided.
The brothers urged Arthur Winkler to go underground so he would not fall into the hands of the Gestapo any earlier than necessary. Discreetly he changed his lodging from one place to another during the months to come—frequently not far ahead of Nazi agents.
Before the end of June, three Gestapo agents visited the branch. When Helen Hartstang came down the stairs at 9:00 a.m. she saw them talking to Arnold Werner, who was then doing translation work. “Good morning, gentlemen,” she said, and, trying to act as normal as possible, she walked through the kitchen to the garage. Then she grabbed her bicycle and raced several miles (over 4 km) to the printery to warn the German brothers who were working there.
Meanwhile, the Gestapo searched the office. They also asked where R. A. Winkler was. But it was plain that everything they wanted was gone. In the hearing of Brother Werner, they mumbled, “We have come too late!” After a while they drove to the printery. But the German brothers had already cleared out. Although the October issue of Consolation was being printed, the Gestapo left without closing the plant. However, in three days they were back at the Society’s office.
This time they stayed for three days, answering the phone and opening the door for all visitors. Whenever the brothers who were in hiding would phone the office, it was evident to them that the coast was not clear. The smell of tobacco smoke alerted visitors to danger, and they quickly excused themselves after asking for someone that they knew did not live there. Finally, on July 6 both the office and the printery were sealed. The printing equipment that had come from Czechoslovakia had been in use for less than a year, but it had been used well to build up a good stock of literature.
TIMELY DIRECTION FOR BROTHERS IN THE FIELD
To fortify the brothers for what might come, the June 1940 issue of The Watchtower in Dutch had reported on the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany, the torture used, and the death sentences handed down. On June 15, before the branch office was sealed, a circular letter to all publishers had discussed the caution that Jesus used under various circumstances. It recommended refraining from further house-to-house distribution of the book Enemies and the booklet Warning, while continuing to use other publications freely.
Ten days later another letter had been sent out, this one to all circuit and congregation servants. It had announced a precautionary measure in handling future issues of the Informant (now Our Kingdom Ministry) to minimize the danger that any of these might fall into the hands of the enemy. Henceforth all copies would be collected at the end of each meeting where they were used. When everything in the issue had been studied, the congregation servant would put one into his file and destroy the rest.
To care for the spiritual needs of the brothers, commercial printers were now engaged. The brothers did not go without. Henk Toonstra reminisces: “We still think back on those days with deep feeling. How we would rejoice as The Watchtower would always appear on time, even if it was in a new cloak! How intensely we relished the explanations of prophecy and its application to our time!”
UNDERGROUND ARRANGEMENTS GO INTO EFFECT
During the summer of 1940, further steps were taken to fortify the organization. In August a letter to the congregations made clear that no more correspondence was to be sent to the office by regular mail. Congregation servants would see to it that mail reached the responsible brothers.
From now on, publishers would know the identity of only the study servant who served their little group. Addresses of other servants in the congregation were unknown to them. And these other brothers they knew only by their nicknames. All sorts of cover names were invented—“Tall Bep,” “Black Koos,” “Blond Gerrit,” “Remie,” and “Old Truus.”
Bible studies continued to be started with interested persons. But, in order to provide a safeguard against infiltration by spies, no one was to bring a newly interested person to a congregation study without approval of the congregation servant. During the following months, the wisdom of this arrangement was proved repeatedly. It was imperative that publishers attend only their own study and not even try to find out where any other group was meeting. None were to divulge the address of their study, even to the most trusted friend. Any who broke this rule could lose the privilege of attending meetings.
As publishers shared in the field ministry, careful note was made of all persons who showed hostility toward the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Those names and addresses were kept with territory cards, and special precautions were taken when calling on such persons in the future, if they were visited at all.
Instead of there being a slowdown in the work, Jehovah’s spirit upon his servants resulted in outstanding increase. The report for the service year ending in August 1940 showed 501 publishers, an increase of 58 percent! Literature placements were up nearly 100 percent, and hours devoted to the field ministry rose 77 percent. The course of action being pursued by the Witnesses was truly bringing honor to Jehovah’s name.
By September 1940 it was found necessary to institute courier service to move literature and correspondence throughout the country. Wilhelmina Bakker, immersed only three months previously, was one of the first to share in this work. (She is still a pioneer, now married to Max Henning.) Her first assignment was to take a suitcase of literature to the crew of the Lichtdrager (a houseboat on which pioneers lived) in the city of Sneek. But upon arrival in the city, she found that the crew had been forced to flee, and the boat was no longer there. It was too late to return to Amsterdam that night, and there were no Witnesses in the city, so she had to stay in a hotel. “I can still see the astonished face of the doorman as he obligingly brought the suitcase to my room, since it was heavy as lead,” Wilhelmina recently said.
A WAVE OF ARRESTS AND INTERROGATIONS
In September a wave of arrests began. On September 12, 1940, Arnold Werner was taken into custody by two SS officers and transported directly to the Scheveningen prison. He was given a pencil and paper and told to ‘write down everything about the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the congregations in the Netherlands, their leaders, and especially the literature supplies.’ ‘Then you can go home,’ they added. Brother Werner revealed nothing that would hurt the work of Jehovah’s people, and he was not sent home.
A few days later Herman Tollenaar was arrested by the Gestapo when he went to collect the final payment on the Leersum pioneer home, which had been sold. Several of the pioneers from that home were also seized. In October a circuit overseer, Eliza de Vries, was arrested while serving a congregation in Friesland. In the province of Groningen, Evert Dost, who slept like a log, found two of the Gestapo at his bedside when he awoke one morning. They suggested that he get dressed and go with them. Soon all the prisoners in the north were loaded into a bus and taken to the Scheveningen prison, where a number of the other brothers were.
Now came the questioning—sometimes for hours on end, but with no physical mistreatment at this point. It seems that they were just trying to gather information so they could fold up the organization. However, other tactics were soon employed.
THE TREATMENT GETS ROUGHER
On October 18, the home of Steve Heiwegen in the town of Harskamp was searched by the Gestapo. Steve was a hard worker who looked well to the interests of the Kingdom and of his young family. That night they returned, arrested him, and transported him to Arnhem. He was treated more roughly than those in Scheveningen. The Gestapo threatened: “If you do not tell us where Winkler is, then we will have your wife and children brought here and have them torn apart before your own eyes, and you we will beat to death. Dirty Bible Student, where are the others? If you do not tell us, we will shoot you dead.” These threats were accompanied by blows. He was set upon a coffin and made to stay there for a day and a night with nothing to eat or drink. He was also forced to perform hundreds of knee bends.
When this did not produce the desired results, a man who seemed to be very kind was brought in. He almost seemed to weep with compassion as he said: “Tell everything. Those Germans are apt to do almost anything. What’s the use. We have had more of your kind here. They told us all they knew, and now they are all back with their families, their wives and children. Come with me. I know the Germans well; I will put in a good word for you.” Steve did not answer. “Hereupon he became so furious,” Steve recalls, “that he suddenly let go with a blow square to my face, kicked me several times, whipped a revolver out of his coat pocket, and began to curse like a madman in German. He gave me ten seconds, pressed the gun against my temple, and said that if I had said nothing by the time that he had counted to ten he would pull the trigger. He began counting very slowly—one, two, three, four, . . . five, . . . six, . . . s e v e n, . . . e i g h t, . . . n i n e . . . He paused (just enough for me to utter a prayer), gave me a hard blow, and then flung me into a dark, small room.” Steve was flustered by this experience, but for a time nothing else happened.
Meanwhile, the brothers who were still free found that they had to be more cautious. The enemy knew that the Witnesses were willing and eager to help anyone to learn the teachings of the Bible, even doing so at the risk of personal safety. Some opposers feigned interest in an effort to slip into the organization. Discernment was needed in order to identify those who really wanted to learn the truth. The arrangements that had already been instituted to prevent the infiltration of spies into the congregation study groups proved to be a real safeguard.
A MEASURE OF RELIEF COMES FOR SOME
During the month of December no new arrests occurred, and most of the Witnesses who had been arrested were released. The majority quickly got busy in the public ministry again. But for Arnold Werner it took a little longer before he returned to full association and activity with the congregation.
Back in Scheveningen Prison, Carl Hultman was left by himself when the others were freed. And Herman Tollenaar was hauled off to the concentration camp in Oranienburg, Germany, never to return alive.
THE NAZI MONSTER LASHES OUT
January 1941 was a bitter-cold month, and it seemed as if the Nazi monster had fallen into a deep winter sleep. But during a mild spell in February, the monster woke up and lashed out to seize prey. The brothers were keeping busy in the field service, but it was not usually there that they were arrested. The Nazis had obtained names and addresses, evidently as a result of betrayal.
On February 10, Wim Laros was at home in Delft with his four-year-old daughter while his wife was in the field service. She was not the one arrested; he was. When he was taken away by the police, he left his daughter with neighbors. On arrival at the prison in The Hague, Wim learned that at least ten others in the area had also been seized.
At about the same moment, 155 miles (250 km) to the northeast, in the little town of Dronrijp the Gestapo swooped down on the place there where literature was hidden, confiscating it all. Gosse Wulder just barely escaped their claws and headed east to the city of Groningen. En route he met Klaas de Vries, the congregation servant of Groningen, traveling by bicycle with a load of literature. Together they went to the home of Tjeerd de Bruijn, who, they learned, had just been arrested. Shortly after their arrival, the local policeman was at the back door, and now these two brothers also were arrested. Later that evening when the Gestapo were about to release them, the arresting officer, eager to please the Nazis, spoke up, saying: “This one witness of Jehovah is Klaas de Vries, from the boat Lichtdrager, the one you have been looking for for such a long time.” At that the Gestapo officer turned into a virtual demon.
Gestapo chief Könings was called, and the interrogation began. But with Jehovah’s help Klaas betrayed nothing. Finally he was led away to solitary confinement for 12 days with bread and water. When that ended, he was brought in for more questioning. With a revolver pointed at him and under threat of death, he was given two minutes to divulge the whereabouts of Arthur Winkler, of the printery, and of the Lichtdrager, as well as other vital information. The only thing Klaas would say was: “You will hear nothing more from me. I have signed all I have to say and if you want to know more you will have to try it with someone else, as I will not become a traitor.” Three times he was threatened with the revolver, but his “No!” remained “No!” Finally the Gestapo gave up, and Klaas was taken to the Leeuwarden prison, where he again met Gosse Wulder.
Even subscribers for the Society’s magazines were taken in for questioning. In many instances both husband and wife were interrogated.
The tactic of the enemy was to cut off all spiritual food, if possible. Thus, Witnesses being detained in prison were refused copies of the Bible. The only literature permitted was what prison authorities approved. So the brothers had to live on what they could remember from their previous personal and congregational studies. The value of good study habits was clearly evident under such trying circumstances. But what the brothers were then experiencing was only the beginning.
BAREFOOT INTO THE SNOW
An all-out battle against the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses was being waged by the Gestapo. They were in hot pursuit of brothers who were taking the lead. In the north, Eliza de Vries, a circuit overseer who had already been in prison once, was arrested again. In The Hague, the enemy was hard on the trail of Erwin Klose. One day in February they came very close.
He tells us: “Before I went to bed that night I laid out my clothing in such a way that I could dress in two minutes in case of emergency. I used to talk to the children each night, practicing for an emergency. Then the moment came. The Gestapo had planned a raid on all known brothers. At five in the morning a persistent, heavy hammering was heard at the door. The sister came to my bedroom to warn me. Now all the training paid off. I took one child, the nine-year-old, and put him in my ‘warm’ bed. I didn’t have time to dress. I grabbed my briefcase, stuffed all the clothing in, put on my hat and my overcoat, and jumped out the back window into the snow. No time for putting on shoes. Happily, Jehovah had dulled them not to think of stationing a guard in the back yard. I ran to the house of some people with whom I had studied—mind you, this was around 5:30 a.m. in the dark winter. When I knocked at the door, the husband looked out, didn’t say a word, came downstairs, and took me into their home. All three in that household in time became Witnesses.”
DIVINE HELP TO ENDURE CRUEL TORTURE
In their determined efforts to wring information from the Witnesses, the Gestapo often resorted to cruel torture. For example, at Gestapo headquarters in Groningen, Cor de Vreede was subjected to merciless brutality at the instance of Gestapo Chief Könings. Cor was determined not to say anything that would be detrimental to the organization. “They beat me, kicked me with their boots—in my stomach, legs, and knees,” he recalls. “Mainly it was Könings who did this. He maintained that I knew the ones he was after but that I refused to tell. Jehovah gave me strength. I did not feel any pain; only my head was badly swollen and my legs showed many a blue mark.” Finally they gave up. Cor and three other brothers arrested at the same time were held in the Assen prison.
Arrests now took place with increased frequency. From March 18 to 21, a large number were seized. Twenty-two of these eventually were sent to concentration camps or spent long periods in other places of detention. Some did not return alive.
PREACHING CONTINUES UNDER DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES
In the face of the intensified opposition, the Witnesses took even more stringent safety precautions. During National Socialist holidays and on other occasions when members of the Nazi Party would exhibit the Nazi flag, publishers wrote down the addresses of all of these and added them to their list of hostile ones. License numbers of cars belonging to the Gestapo and other police were also noted, and publishers would not call at any home with such a car parked in front.
Despite such care, the brothers frequently found themselves face to face with a householder who would be only too glad to betray a Witness. If the situation was detected in time, the publisher used a convenient story, such as: ‘I’m looking for one Mr. Bartels. I was certain he lived somewhere near here. I have an urgent message for him.’ Or, the publisher might have with him some worldly magazines and offer subscriptions for these. Often it worked. Also, when making calls in buildings of several stories, publishers worked from the top floor down. Thus, if they met someone violently opposed, the person could not easily block the publishers’ route of escape.
When interested persons were located, addresses were carefully recorded, but using a code system known only to the study group. For instance, one group might add 11 to each house number; thus 43 would become 54.
To safeguard others in the study group, smokers were not allowed to attend meetings, though they could have studies and could even have other smokers present. It was reasoned that those who were not faithful in applying Bible principles that showed smoking to be unchristian could not be trusted with information on which the lives of other people depended.
A special vocabulary was developed among the brothers so they could communicate without alerting the enemy. The Society came to be known as “Mother.” A booklet was “milk food”; The Watchtower, “brown bread”; a hard-hitting resolution, “rye bread.” When a wife wanted to inform her husband in a concentration camp that Johnny had been baptized and was now sharing in the field service, she wrote: “Johnny has received his swimming diploma and is now a member of the hiking club.” Such safety measures were taken in order to avoid unnecessary arrests and to carry on the ministry with the least possible hindrance.
SATAN ATTACKS IN UNANTICIPATED WAYS
The brothers expected arrest and interrogation. But tests of integrity confronted them in other ways too. “Once you are arrested, there is nothing more you can do about it,” says Jan ter Schegget, who had the experience. “Apart from the food situation, interrogations, and once in a while the beatings and torture, it is all quite bearable. But when you are released, then comes the great test of getting going again and keeping on serving Jehovah. For many this proved to be the difficult point. In prison they remained faithful, but afterwards . . . ? Of that Satan is aware.”
Thus when Steve Heiwegen was released from prison, other tests were waiting on his doorstep. He had endured the threats and blows of the Gestapo. But it took a lot of faith and courage for him to get started again in the field ministry, especially when he found that others had become fearful. He won this battle. Yet, more was to come.
One day he was visited by a brother, a longtime friend for whom Steve had a lot of respect. As the brother spoke, he was tense and nervous. Steve could hardly believe his ears! Misusing quotations from the Society’s publications, the man was arguing that the preaching work was finished and that the Society served no useful function anymore and could just as well be disbanded. He slandered the brothers in the Society’s office and said that those who urged the publishers to preach were misleading them, while they themselves stayed well out of the danger zone. When he saw that Steve did not accept the slander, he sent a former pioneer sister to see him. Using feminine wile and a lot of flattery, she did her best to break Steve’s faith and loyalty. But that too failed.
The next blow came when the congregation servant went bad. He indulged in immorality, got involved in stealing and cheating, and began to vex the faithful ones. Happily, the angels saw that he was removed. At about the same time, a circuit overseer proved disloyal. Put under pressure by the Gestapo, he betrayed a great portion of his small circuit. Thus the Devil brought one blow after another upon the Lord’s people. How vital that the brothers have a strong personal relationship with Jehovah, that they appreciate his visible organization, and that they not allow the wrong conduct and sour attitude of disloyal ones to turn them aside from the truth!
SONGS FROM THE PRISON
The alarming cry, “Wim, the police!” woke up Willem Kettelarij. As the police searched one of the rooms below, Willem dressed, grabbed two cartons of books, slipped out the window, and made his way to the home of another brother. In that raid, 17 throughout the city were arrested and stuffed into the local jail. When the dust of the fray had settled, Willem hired a transport bike and proceeded to move the literature supplies from the home of a Witness family to a safer location.
His route took him right past the prison where the 17 Witnesses were being held. As he neared the prison he could hear singing, singing done with real fervor. Then he recognized the melody. Chills ran down his spine. The 17 imprisoned brothers and sisters were joyfully singing Kingdom songs, as if urging him to keep up the fight and not slacken his hand! Those songs still bring tears of joy rolling down Willem’s cheeks as he thinks of that eventful Saturday, 44 years ago.
THEIR CONSCIENCES DID NOT SPEAK OUT
Most of the arrests of Witnesses in the Netherlands were carried out, not by the Gestapo, but by the Dutch police. As the persecution intensified, the Society printed a pamphlet explaining the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the light of the Bible. This was sent to all police stations being manned by the Dutch police. But, as a whole, their consciences did not respond. Their hearts did not move them to do good to the spirit-anointed brothers of Christ and their companions. (Matt. 25:42-45) A later historical work commenting on the treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses during that time period said: “It is incomprehensible that Dutch policemen repeatedly ran these people in and delivered them over to the Germans like cattle for the slaughter.” What became of them?
By way of example, on Tuesday, July 8, the railroad station at Utrecht was the scene of a heart-gripping spectacle. From all parts of the country small groups of brothers were shipped in. Early in the morning they were brought in open trucks to the railroad station. Forty-four Witnesses, along with other prisoners, were loaded into a railroad car and were soon on their way to Sachsenhausen, the Nazi concentration camp near Berlin.
Yet, while that train thundered on to the east, a small group were already gathered in a tent on Scheveningen beach. Inconspicuously, they considered the subject of Christian baptism, and then under the camouflage of ball playing, they moved out into the water and were immersed. Despite the fierceness of enemy attacks, the number of Kingdom publishers increased 27 percent that year.
THE STRENGTH THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE TO ENDURE
When the 1942 service year began, the branch office was in Amsterdam, and printing was done there too. The branch servant, Brother Winkler, had till now been able to elude the Gestapo, but they had viciously beaten brothers in their determined efforts to track him down. On October 21 the Gestapo made a routine check at the Eikelenboom printery in the old section of Amsterdam when The Watchtower was on the presses. Here they must have learned where the literature was stored. Moments later they barged into the building being used by the brothers. And there they found Brother Winkler.
They danced with glee and exulted: “Ha! Ha! We’ve caught Winkler.” With him were Alois Stuhlmiller and courier Wilhelmina Bakker. All were arrested, and everything was confiscated.
For over a week the Gestapo tried to get Brother Winkler to cooperate with them by divulging information. They told him it was useless to fight for a bankrupt cause. They assured him that the ones betrayed would not be told who had done it, and that they would not be beaten but would be given a stiff warning to mend their ways and work for the cause of the führer. They promised that he could better his lot in life. But on November 1, when brought in for questioning again, Brother Winkler squarely told them that they should not expect him to cooperate. At that, one of them pulled the curtains shut and turned the radio on full blast. Then the merciless beating began.
Brother Winkler was beaten into unconsciousness. When he revived, they sneered: “So, we did not expect you to be so unreasonable. One who has proved to be a good organizer and intelligent, one who was such a good fighter for a bankrupt cause, should have more sense. We need people like you. Just think how you could improve your lot in life. Tell us where your wife is, and we give you our word of honor she will not be beaten. If you are smart and go along with us, you can exchange your prison for a villa and your condition of shame and revilement for one of honor, money, and prestige.” Brother Winkler gave no reply. Then the second round began.
First it was the Obersturmführer Barbie, and when he was tired Oberscharführer Engelsman took over. Finally Brother Winkler lost consciousness again. This continued from one o’clock in the afternoon till midnight. Calling to mind Jehovah’s promises to help his servants gave Brother Winkler strength to endure. At 1:00 a.m. he was handed over to the prison guard. Teeth knocked out, lower jaw dislocated, and body beaten raw, he was taken to a dark cell. ‘Do you know why I am bringing you here?’ the guard asked. ‘Because they could not get anything out of you. They think this type of treatment will break you. But I will let you have light and something warm to eat.’ Brother Winkler thanked Jehovah for the victory.
Days passed. Slowly Brother Winkler recovered, but he was exhausted. As he thought ahead to the next interrogation, on November 10, he wondered what would happen and he sought Jehovah’s guidance by means of prayer.
“At this point I felt a great need for spiritual food,” Brother Winkler later recalled. “A couple of days later this same friendly prison guard came up and asked if he could do something for me.” Evidently Brother Winkler trusted the guard to some extent, because he asked the man to procure a Bible for him from Sister Winkler.” “Yes,” the guard said, “write a note. I will bring you a pencil and some paper.”
“The day of November 10, 1941, I will never forget,” Brother Winkler continues. “The door of my cell flew open and someone threw a pocket Bible into the cell; and before I realized what was going on, the door slammed shut again. What a joyful occasion! The Gestapo did not permit me to have any reading material at all, and now, by Jehovah’s undeserved kindness, I had a Bible to read. What a joy it was daily to enjoy the pleasant words of truth from His Word! Although any reading had to be done secretly, I felt myself getting stronger spiritually.”
Finally, he was sent to the Vught concentration camp, and then to Sachsenhausen. There he was plagued with one illness after another. Normally he would have been gassed and cremated, as was done with others. But due to the kindly care of a Swedish doctor, Arthur Winkler stayed alive to see the march to freedom.
“THE JOY OF JEHOVAH IS YOUR STRONGHOLD”
Life in the concentration camps was a terrible experience. Still, there were times of joy that those undergoing the persecution would not have wanted to miss for anything. There was the joy of standing up under interrogation, proving faithful to Jehovah, and not divulging anything that could hurt the brothers. (Matt. 10:22; Luke 6:22, 23) There was the joy of seeing the wearer of a purple triangle (which identified Jehovah’s Witnesses in the camps) just smile or nod or wave. There were the precious moments when even a few thoughts from God’s Word were exchanged, in harmony with Hebrews 10:24, 25.
When the Dutch brothers arrived in the camps, they found a community of German brothers who had already spent up to eight years there. What a joy it was to be able to relate the contents of publications recently studied! The more a person had studied, the more he could give. The more he could give, the happier he was. The happier he was, the better he could stand up to camp life. As stated at Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of Jehovah is your stronghold.”
PREACHING IN SPITE OF CONFINEMENT
When confined to prison or in a concentration camp, Jehovah’s Witnesses did their preaching of God’s Kingdom there. Piet van der Molen, who is today associated with the Hengelo Congregation, is living evidence of that. When arrested and shipped off to the Amersfoort concentration camp, he was not a Witness. In the camp he noticed triangles of specific colors on the prisoners’ uniforms. Black designated the wearer as a black marketeer. Red indicated a political offense. Piet found himself next to someone who wore a purple triangle. Piet wanted to know who the man was and why he had been put into the camp. When he learned that the man was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and was being detained because he preached the Bible’s message from house to house, Piet was puzzled. He listened as the Witness explained his beliefs. Soon Piet was a Witness too.
Brother van de Eijkhoff was first questioned by the Gestapo, brutally mistreated, and then thrown into a cell with four other prisoners. He seized the opportunity to witness to them for a week. Then one day he heard a tirade of curses. It was Gestapo chief Engelsman. The cell door flew open, and Engelsman roared at the guards: “How could you be so stupid, to put this stubborn Jehovah’s Witness with ordinary people? He will make Witnesses of them too.” So the four were taken to another cell.
But the names of those four prisoners were still on the cell door. So at noontime four extra pans of food were pushed through the opening. There were four buns, four pieces of butter, four pieces of cheese, and four little bags of sugar. This continued for a couple of days. When Brother van de Eijkhoff was put on a train to be transported to one of the concentration camps, he had quite a supply of extra food to share with some surprised brothers. They got to see that Jehovah mercifully provides for those in dire need. Indeed, both in prison and outside, evidence could be seen that God’s spirit was at work.
The arrest of Arthur Winkler did not bring the Kingdom work in the Netherlands to a halt. Responsibility fell on the shoulders of Willem Reijntjes. He had come into the truth in 1939 and was now just 28 years old. But Jehovah’s spirit could fortify him. Although much of the Society’s paper supply had been confiscated, and hundreds of printeries were closed by the Nazis, the Lord directed matters so the Society always had the paper it needed, and there were always printers who were willing to do the Society’s work.
By the end of the 1942 service year, there was a 51-percent increase in number of publishers, and in that one year 763 were immersed in symbol of their dedication. Even Nazi henchman Engelsman once admitted: “The more you persecute the Witnesses the more they grow.” More were coming into Jehovah’s organization than the total number that the Nazis were succeeding in arresting and sending to the camps. Jehovah’s blessing was upon his people. The work they were doing was not of men but of God.—Compare Acts 5:38, 39.
APOSTASY CREEPS IN
Now, on top of Nazi brutality, the pressures of apostasy were brought to bear against those in the Dutch field. In 1942 the congregation servant in The Hague had called together the study conductors and tried to persuade them to accept his apostate views.
The apostates in The Hague, called by the faithful brothers the “New Light” (because one of the apostates asserted that they received their light directly from heaven), were active in corrupting the faith of others. They compared the Society’s encouragement to preach—which could result in being sent to a concentration camp—to the offering of children to Molech. They referred to Isaiah 26:20, claiming that the time had come to stop preaching and stay put. Their big argument was that the witness work had ended.
Some fell victim to their influence. There were those who had not been able to stand up to the mistreatment in the concentration camps and who had obtained a release by renouncing their faith. (Contrast Hebrews 11:35.) So, too, those who had personal ambitions that they had not been able to realize within the organization were vulnerable to apostate thinking. At the beginning of the war the Gouda Congregation was the largest in the country. Many faithful ones there were arrested. But by 1943 the majority of those who were left had come under the influence of the apostates. Nevertheless, the number of true worshipers throughout the country continued to grow.
Despite arrests, imprisonments, deportations to concentration camps, and death at the hand of the enemy, the number of Kingdom publishers increased by 115 percent in two years, reaching a new high of 1,379 in 1943. Clearly, the work had not ended. Jehovah was blessing his servants with growth even under the most trying circumstances.
A SPECIAL GROUP IS HEAVILY TESTED
Publishers of the Kingdom who were of Jewish origin were severely tested both because of their faith and because they were Jews. By stressing that he was a Jew, and using discernment as to when to point out that he was a Witness, one of these publishers was repeatedly delivered from circumstances that could have led to imprisonment and possible death.
One evening when Rachel Sacksioni was on her way home, riding on the baggage rack on the back of a brother’s bike, the Dutch police stopped them because the taillight was not working. On realizing that Rachel was Jewish, they urged: “Hurry; keep on riding.” Some of the local police were quite willing to help in this way.
For Rachel, witnessing usually involved walking in the dark, sometimes for hours on end, to avoid detection. She could not travel on the trolley, because spies were constantly on the lookout for Jews. Finally, on May 10, 1944, she was arrested while in the field service. First she was consigned to the Dutch concentration camp in Westerbork. Two days later she was scheduled to go to Auschwitz, a Nazi extermination camp for Jews. She had already been loaded into one of the cattle cars for transport when her name was called out. Without explanation her destination was changed to Bergen-Belsen. From there she was shipped off to Beendorff, then to Malmö in Sweden, and in time she returned to the Netherlands—grateful to be alive.
When she resumed her public witnessing after the war, her trials were not all past. At times she found herself talking to members of the National Socialist movement, people who openly told her that they had supported Hitler. She acknowledges: “I had to make strenuous effort to remain friendly toward those people. It was people of their sort that had caused me and many others a great deal of grief. [Two of Rachel’s children had died while she was in the concentration camps.] Now I had to tell them about the Kingdom of God and the hope it held out even for them. I had to think often of what is stated at Deuteronomy 32:35 and to remind myself that Jehovah sees the heart. And Jehovah rewards a person for doing that; this I have experienced.” She started a home Bible study with a mother and three daughters, while the woman’s husband was in prison for being a Nazi. When she would go to their home, she could hear the neighbors say: “Look, that Jewess is paying those National Socialist folks a visit.” In time, the mother and all three daughters dedicated their lives to Jehovah.
COPING WITH FOOD SHORTAGES
Let us return to the winter of 1943-1944. It was bitterly cold, especially the month of January. The pinch of food shortage was really beginning to be felt. Many of the populace were endeavoring to supplement their meager rations by obtaining food from the rurals. Toward the end of the year people were even eating tulip bulbs and spinach seed.
Our brothers too felt the pangs of hunger. They needed food in order to keep going in the field service. Pioneers and circuit servants who worked underground faced special problems, because they were not able to obtain ration cards in the usual manner. Then there were the ill ones and sisters who had no income because their husbands were in concentration camps. Many brothers and sisters offered their valuables to be sold in order to supply food for needy brothers. When any rice could be obtained, it was reserved for those who had contracted dysentery. Also, special arrangements were made to bring food from the countryside to brothers in the cities.
However, a large portion of the food-producing country lay to the east and the north of the IJssel River, which was spanned by only three bridges. The northern provinces, Friesland and Groningen, could be reached by way of the Enclosing Dam. But all these crossing points were well guarded by SS troops. The Central Controlling Service (CCD) was active everywhere to halt the illegal flow of food into the cities. Nevertheless, the brothers lovingly came to the aid of one another.
On one excursion to transport needed food supplies, Gerrit Böhmermann and some other brothers were working their way south toward Amsterdam. As they went through the city of Alkmaar on their transport bikes with loads covered by tarpaulins, suddenly a checkpoint loomed up before them in the marketplace. “There was no choice but to trust fully in Jehovah,” says Gerrit. Riding at the head of the fleet, he resolutely biked toward an officer and, without slowing down much, called out loudly: “Wo ist Amsterdam?” (Which way to Amsterdam?) The officer stepped aside and pointed ahead as he yelled: “Gerade aus!” (Straight ahead!) “Danke schön!” (Thank you!) was Gerrit’s response as he went through at full speed while an astonished crowd watched.
“How did you ever manage that?” one of the brothers asked as they sped along. “If Jehovah is with us, who can be against us?” exulted another. “Clam up!” the others exhorted, not wanting to put Jehovah needlessly to the test. Once home, the terrors of the journey were forgotten—forgotten because of the happy faces of the brothers, forgotten too because of the zeal of those brothers in Jehovah’s service.
On one occasion brothers, willing to risk their freedom to help others, succeeded in bringing into Amsterdam a whole boatload—26,120 pounds (11,850 kg)—of potatoes. Brother de Haan moored the boat opposite the St. Nicholas church. There the potatoes were sacked in lots of 33 pounds (15 kg) and then were transported on handcarts through one of the busiest sections of the city to a temporary storage place. Meanwhile, the city overseer rode his bike back and forth along the route to watch for danger. When stopped by the police, the brothers truthfully stated how they had got the potatoes. Impressed by their frankness, the officers did not interfere, but each simply asked for a bag for his family. From the storage place, supplies were taken to the homes of the brothers. In those difficult days, individuals continued to take their stand for the truth.
UNDER GREAT ADVERSITY, HE MADE THE TRUTH HIS OWN
Each day Marinus de Boer, a 17-year-old, was eager to get to his place of employment as a carpenter, not so much because of the work but because he enjoyed being with his friend Maarten Schroot. Maarten had interested Marinus in the truth and had arranged for him to have a Bible study, to attend meetings, and even to share in the field service. But there was so much more to learn, and they daily discussed how to apply Bible principles to the various situations that could confront a Christian in those difficult times.
Then one day in 1944 Maarten did not come to work. As soon as evening came, Marinus checked and learned that his friend had been arrested in a police raid the previous night. Going to his own home, he was surprised to find two strangers there—one a former brother who had turned traitor, the other a Gestapo agent. Marinus was arrested.
For a few days Marinus was confined with the brothers. Then for six weeks he was put in among hardened criminals of every sort. Under these circumstances he learned much about what it means to rely fully on Jehovah when one is alone. Following interrogation by the Gestapo, he was thrown back in with the brothers. He needed encouragement and support, but, instead, he was in for a surprise.
He recalls: “It was some letdown. As soon as I came in, they fired off a barrage of questions, wanting to know whether I had divulged names and the like. Some came to me and said that it was not necessary for me to maintain faithfulness as I was not a baptized Witness. Others, observing this, told me that whether I had been baptized or not, I definitely had to be faithful. After all of this, I had no idea as to what was right and what was wrong. Weary and dejected, I sat down in a corner to think. Soon a brother sat down next to me, laid his arm across my shoulder, and asked, ‘Shall we read the Bible?’ With a soft voice, he read a verse here and another there. It was a sermon right out of the Bible, and I felt happy. When he saw that I was encouraged, he left in the same friendly manner that he had come.” With such kind help and study of God’s Word—despite the harsh surroundings, the immaturity of some Witnesses, and the disloyalty of a few who once were brothers—Marinus finally made his dedication and was baptized right in a concentration camp. Today he is a traveling overseer. Appropriately, he served as convention overseer for the August 1985 “Integrity Keepers” Convention in Utrecht—with over 40,000 attending.
DESPERATE EFFORTS OF A BEATEN ENEMY
As the Nazi occupiers felt their defeat drawing near they became more desperate in their persecution. Thus, when Jan van der Berg, a 20-year-old pioneer, refused to work on a military project, the commander warned that Jan would be shot in five minutes if he did not change his mind. Jan was forced to dig his own grave and stand half naked in front of it. After more threats, accompanied with sounds of actual shooting, he was given a beating. However, Jan later said: “The blows I felt lightly, but did not experience any pain at all.” Next, he was made to perform all manner of calisthenics.
During October and November of 1944 the Devil did his best to throw fear into the hearts of the brothers. On October 11, three Witnesses were arrested in the eastern part of the country. When they refused to do work that would violate a Christian conscience, their execution was promptly ordered. The three were led into the garden of the burgomaster’s home where the Gestapo had their headquarters, and they were cut down with machine-gun fire. They were buried right there in the garden.
On November 10, Bernard Polman was arrested in the town of Zelhem. When he refused to do work of a military nature, he was brutally beaten. His two fleshly sisters visited him in prison, were shocked by what they saw, and asked if there was anything they could do for him. He urged them to go home and start studying the Bible. After subjecting Bernard to further brutality, the SS riddled his body with bullets in a gruesome manner. Then, viewing his corpse as unfit for a cemetery, they buried it at the base of a dike near the town of Babberich.
HUNGER EXACTS A HEAVY TOLL
The winter of 1944-1945 was a time of famine. Tens of thousands died, sometimes right on the street. Black marketeers got control of a lot of the remaining food, and prices went up a hundredfold. Bread was 210 times the normal price; potatoes, 70 times. Thousands of people, already weak from hunger, set out to search for food. Much of this foraging was done by women, because the Nazis’ constant search for men to use in slave labor made it dangerous for them to be out. Some farmers reported as many as 250 visits a day from these desperate seekers for food.
Our brothers tried hard to keep on preaching and not to be sidetracked either by the fight to stay alive or by thoughts of liberation by the Allied armies. Though needing to care for themselves and their families, they knew that it was imperative to keep Kingdom interests first. The arrangements that our brothers had built up in order to get food to Witnesses living in the large cities did much to alleviate suffering among them at this time.
RELEASE FROM THE CAMPS
During the spring of 1945, the Allied armies from both east and west converged on Germany. On April 11, the gates of Buchenwald were thrown open. On April 19, along with thousands of other prisoners, 213 brothers and 17 sisters were evacuated from Sachsenhausen in an effort by the Nazis to keep them out of the hands of the Russians. Though large numbers of the other prisoners died or were killed along the way, Jehovah wonderfully preserved his servants from harm. Because of the honesty of the Witnesses, one SS guard entrusted to them a cart that he had loaded with booty. By means of it, the very ill ones, including Brother Winkler, were helped to come through safely. On April 28, Ravensbrück was evacuated—including some Dutch Witnesses. On April 29, the gates of Dachau, too, were opened.
Soon, by all means of travel, the brothers from the Netherlands began to come home, one by one. Some who were very ill were kept for a time in sanatoriums in Switzerland and Sweden. Others, because of the prevalence of contagious diseases, were detained in camps in the Netherlands near the German border. When it was learned that some Witnesses were among the former prisoners being housed temporarily in a building in Eindhoven, the local brothers gathered outside to welcome them by singing Kingdom songs!
As Marinus de Boer neared his home in Rotterdam, his heart beat faster and faster. He had heard nothing from his mother and his sisters since the day of his arrest. He wondered: ‘Are they still alive? How do they feel about my being in the camp for my faith? How will they react when I try to share the truth with them?’ As Marinus neared home, a neighbor saw him and ran as fast as he could to tell Marinus’ mother. Out of breath, he shouted: “He’s still alive!” When Marinus got closer, thin and weary, his mother finally grasped what the neighbor was excited about. And how overjoyed Marinus was to learn that his mother and his sisters had all embraced the truth shortly after he had gone to prison! Scenes such as this, filled with emotion, took place in many homes in those days.
RECONSTRUCTION DURING THE POSTWAR PERIOD
During the German occupation the brothers connected with the Society’s office had sent out 76 letters by couriers to help and encourage their fellow servants. Now, as soon as the war ended, a mimeographed copy of the Informant (now known as Our Kingdom Ministry) was sent to all congregations. The opening words were: “The text for the year 1945 is a command: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations.’” The brothers responded wonderfully to the instructions for coordinated activity. Baptism figures for that month equaled about 10 percent of all the publishers in the country.
One of the first tasks needing attention was the amalgamating of small study groups into congregations with meetings that larger groups could attend. Though the number of congregations had increased by only 3 during the war years, the total publishers had soared from about 500 in the summer of 1940 to a new peak of 3,125 in August of 1945.
Some had felt that Armageddon was just around the corner, but now they heard that there was much work to be done. They heard news of Gilead School for training missionaries and of large conventions that had been held in other lands. They were strengthened by numerous accounts of integrity keeping in the concentration camps. They learned about the outstanding increase in Kingdom proclaimers right in the Netherlands. In time they also received the thrilling news that the Society had arranged for a one-day national convention to be held in Amsterdam on August 5. What it would be like they could only dimly imagine. But the brothers from every part of the country were determined to be present.
THE FIRST POSTWAR CONVENTION
It became clear that some 2,000 would be in Amsterdam the night before the convention and would need lodging. Hotels were out of the question. All would have to be accommodated in the homes of the brothers. Throughout the city, Witnesses could be seen carrying bales of hay into their homes, to spread out on the floor. For a short stay, this would serve well.
But travel to Amsterdam was not so easily arranged. From many areas neither train nor bus service was available for them. Large numbers did not even possess a bicycle, and not a few were still too weak to ride that far even if they had one. From the northern province of Friesland the brothers came in a truck that had been used to collect milk cans from farmers for the creamery. From Apeldoorn, some started out on their bikes and then finished the trip by boat. The brothers in Zutphen found a man who was willing to fill his moving van with benches in order to transport them. The Witnesses in Harskamp traveled on a truck that normally was used to transport cattle. From faraway Limburg, many hitchhiked.
It is very hard to describe the feelings of those who attended this convention. They laughed and wept. They sang and thanked Jehovah for his goodness. Some found loved ones whom they thought were dead. Others who hoped to find loved ones sought in vain. It was a day never to be forgotten! That evening, 4,000 listened with rapt attention to the public talk.
By this time it was evident that many would not be returning alive from the concentration camps. A total of 426 had been arrested and imprisoned—not including those released in a week or less. Of these 426, there were 117 who died as a direct result of the maltreatment. Remember, there were only about 500 Witnesses in all of the Netherlands at the time of the Nazi invasion. So a large proportion had personally experienced such persecution.
SATAN’S AGENTS UNLEASH ANOTHER ATTACK
Satan’s attack by means of his Nazi gang had obviously backfired. Though it had been brutal, a large proportion of the brothers had remained loyal. Furthermore, there had been a sixfold increase in Witnesses, and a great segment of the populace now respected the Witnesses because of their courageous stand. But Satan had another set of troopers poised to assault.
Starting the very month of the convention, an almost unbelievable array of articles misrepresenting and slandering Jehovah’s Witnesses appeared in nearly all the religiously inclined papers in the country. As might be expected, even many well-meaning, sincere people were influenced by this smear campaign.
On November 10, “Father” Henri de Greeve was again in the forefront of the battle against the Witnesses. Irritated by the fact that government authorities had granted the Witnesses paper for printing, he said in a radio broadcast: “I can assure the ladies and gentlemen of the Watchtower that we are determined to offer resistance and that we will not tolerate this sanctimonious strife-stirring. And if this dirt-slinging goes on anyway, then we will try to move all our Catholic youth associations, Catholic students, Catholic Action members, Catholic Farmers’ bonds, middle class associations, workers’ associations . . . to pelt the government with petitions, motions and protest meetings until the mouths of these sanctimonious agitators have been stopped and the paper used for mudslinging has been withheld.” This sparked Catholic Action against the Witnesses on a large scale. But they were not the only ones.
The Protestant clergy eagerly added their voice. Besides using the religious press, Protestant ministers throughout the country launched a campaign of lectures about Jehovah’s Witnesses in churches and before clubs. At first the Witnesses attended such meetings and at the end would raise questions. This often led to a debate. But the methods employed by the clergy on these occasions made it evident that they were not interested in having people hear the truth. Realizing that the Devil was trying to get them sidetracked by senseless arguments with people who had no love for righteousness, the Witnesses soon appreciated that they should use their time in the field ministry, locating and helping people who really wanted to listen.
LOVING ATTENTION FROM HEADQUARTERS ACCELERATES THE WORK
In the late fall of 1945, N. H. Knorr, then president of the Watch Tower Society, and his secretary M. G. Henschel visited Europe to give attention to the task of reconstruction. Traveling from Brussels by train, they made a circuitous journey due to war damage in order to reach Amsterdam. On December 4 a meeting was held with brothers from the branch office, circuit overseers, and brothers from the Amsterdam congregations. Many problems were discussed, and answers were given.
As a result of this meeting, a new feature of congregation activity was introduced—public meetings. There were not then many brothers who could deliver public talks, but a start was made, and the brothers thereafter worked hard to equip themselves to share.
Also as a result of matters discussed at that meeting, relief supplies were received that winter and the following spring. From Denmark, 137 food parcels came, helping to fill the most urgent needs. Additionally, 34 tons of clothing were sent as a gift from brothers in more fortunate lands. These expressions of loving concern were deeply appreciated by the Dutch Witnesses. In distributing them, first attention was given to the needs of the pioneers, so they could continue to devote their principal efforts to the work of preaching.
During this period, the branch office was relocated twice, and suitable facilities were finally put to use at Koningslaan No. 1 in Amsterdam. Here it was at last possible for the small Bethel family to live and work in the same location.
RAPID SUCCESSION OF THEOCRATIC MILESTONES
When the branch family had just nicely settled into their new quarters, another chapter in theocratic history in the Netherlands was begun. The first Dutch student was sent to the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. Since that time, Gilead graduates from the Netherlands have been sent to serve in Indonesia, Irian Barat (western New Guinea), Iran, Belgium, Luxembourg, Iceland, Turkey, Netherlands Antilles, Chile, Ecuador, Suriname, Kenya, and South Africa. Others, though not being trained at Gilead, have gone to Ireland.
The first full postwar service year showed a 64-percent increase in the average number of Kingdom publishers. And the pioneers more than doubled, from 50 to 101. That year, too, for the first time a building was set aside for regular use as a Kingdom Hall.
Then the 1947 service year got off to a good start with a fine two-day convention in The Hague, at which one of the highlights was the immersion of 525 new brothers and sisters. That year the Theocratic Ministry School was instituted in the congregations, and arrangements were made for circuit overseers to visit the congregations to encourage them and to provide further training in the field ministry.
MATERIALISM REARS ITS HEAD
Back at the first postwar convention, on August 5, 1945, Brother Winkler had sounded a serious warning. He had cautioned that, now that they had greater freedom, they faced a new danger. The snare of materialism and the temptation to give principal attention to the cares of everyday life could engross them. The result would be a slowing down in their service to God.
Only three years later the following comment was included in the annual report from the Netherlands: “It seems that some brethren have drawn false conclusions from the comments that the Watchtower article ‘Love of Man to Man’ made about the ‘widow’s mite’ (pars. 35-37). There are indications that some are deluding themselves into the belief that the few hours they are working every month are like the mite of the widow, and that this is perfectly alright, and that nobody has any right to draw to their attention their slackening their hands (beforehand they used to do more in the Lord’s service). They forget that the widow’s mite represented all that she was able to give.” Indeed, as postwar prosperity opened up material opportunities, some of our brothers lost sight of the fact that materialism too is a snare used by Satan to lure Jehovah’s servants away from Kingdom service.
PROBLEMS ON THE LEGAL FRONT
During 1949, a number of municipalities put legal obstacles before the feet of those bringing good news of something better. A procès-verbal was drawn up against a brother who wore a placard and distributed handbills, on the premise that doing so was a violation of municipal ordinances. Two months later a sister who was sharing in the house-to-house ministry was charged with selling literature on Sunday. What was the outcome?
The appeal court upheld the decision of the lower court prohibiting the distribution of advertising material in the streets as being against public order and safety of traffic. But, of course, there was no law against talking to people on the streets. The second case mentioned turned out in our favor. The court ruled that the accused had merely disseminated her religious beliefs.
When cases involving public preaching diminished, the legal desk at the branch office concentrated on seeking to gain legal recognition for Jehovah’s Witnesses as ministers. The law provided exemption from military service for ministers of religion and for persons studying for the ministry. But the catch was that the name of the religious organization had to be on a list maintained by the Ministry of Defense, and Jehovah’s Witnesses were not on that list. After repeated fruitless efforts by the brothers to prove that all publishers were ministers, Brother Knorr correctly pointed out to them that, in view of the existing law, they did not have a legal leg to stand on. They needed to keep in focus the real issue—Christian neutrality. Finally, after many years, the Ministers of Defense and Justice instituted an interim arrangement under which a baptized, active male witness of Jehovah could be granted a “postponement” of service if a properly attested letter from the local elders was filed.
NEW INSTRUMENTS FOR THE FIELD
Jehovah’s organization continued to make generous provisions for spiritual upbuilding. Publications in rich variety were progressively made available for congregational study and for use in the field ministry. Awake! magazine began to appear in Dutch with the issue of December 8, 1951. Use of it in the field proved a stimulus to placement of The Watchtower too. Up to that time there was a maximum printing of 19,200 for The Watchtower. Today the average printing of issues of The Watchtower in Dutch totals 186,450 copies, and for Awake! the average is 171,100.
In 1954 the Dutch field received the book “Let God Be True,” which for many years was the basis for home Bible studies. Later on, there were such fine publications as “Your Will Be Done on Earth,” which was an excellent study of the “meaty” prophecies in the book of Daniel. Other publications have provided thrilling studies of such Bible books as Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, Revelation, and much of Isaiah. Such publications have contributed greatly to increased spirituality among the brothers.
A TIME FOR GREAT JOY
Before the Amsterdam convention in 1961, the branch overseer and his assistant were invited to attend the convention in London and the meeting there for European branch overseers. One of the highlights of the discussion was work to be done in connection with the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, with a view to making it available in more languages than English. Dutch was to be included. How exciting that was! What a fine effect distribution of such an accurate, modern-language Bible translation would have on the Dutch field!
Soon a Dutch translator was on her way to Brooklyn, New York, where she and other translators—German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian—worked and studied in association with the New World Bible Translation Committee. At the international convention in 1963, the Christian Greek Scriptures were released in Dutch. And six years later, at Nürnberg, the happifying announcement was made that completion of the entire New World Translation in Dutch was only weeks away. It arrived in the Netherlands in September 1969. What a time for rejoicing!
ADJUSTMENTS IN BRANCH OVERSIGHT
Because of the grueling experiences that Brother Winkler underwent at the hands of the Gestapo and in the concentration camps, it would have been very difficult for him to continue to shoulder responsibility for oversight of the Kingdom work in the Netherlands. Brother Knorr realized this, and so arrangements were made for Henri F. Zinser, who graduated from Gilead School in 1946, to be branch overseer. He served for a relatively short time and then, in August 1947, was replaced by the first Dutch graduate from Gilead. Sad to say, however, he did not continue to walk with Jehovah’s organization.
The appointment of Paul Kushnir to branch oversight in September 1950 led to better organization and closer contact between the office and those working hard in the field. For 15 years he continued to care well for this assignment, until domestic responsibilities that he could better care for outside of Bethel made an adjustment necessary. Thereafter, Robert Engelkamp was branch overseer down till 1976. At that time, as was true in branches around the world, arrangements were made for the responsibilities of oversight to be shared by a committee of mature brothers. Now there are six of such brothers in the Netherlands, with Paul Kushnir serving as Branch Committee coordinator.
STRENGTHENING THE ORGANIZATION
In numerous ways Jehovah was strengthening his visible organization. To unify the work, arrangements were made for branch overseers to meet together in New York at the time of the international convention there in 1953. Special attention was given to the field ministry, to the preaching of the Kingdom message in all the earth for a witness before the end comes. Changes in the schedule of circuit overseers were instituted so that greater attention would be given to work in the field, instead of spending a lot of time trying to settle difficulties between individuals who were not really interested in putting the interests of the Kingdom first. On many occasions since then, as circumstances have required, there have been other such meetings of branch overseers from around the globe, and specialized training has been provided for them in Gilead School. Always the emphasis has been on preaching the good news and looking well to the spiritual welfare of the brothers.
Starting in 1954, the Society’s films became available for use in the Dutch field. These helped the brothers to get a clearer view of the organization and the extent to which its activity was bearing fruitage in all parts of the earth. Excellent books dealing with organizational matters, from “Your Word Is a Lamp to My Foot” to Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, have made it possible for each one to cooperate more fully with the organization, understanding how the work is done and what opportunities there are for individuals to share.
There have also been new publications for use in connection with the Theocratic Ministry School in the congregations. “Equipped for Every Good Work,” Qualified to Be Ministers, “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” and the Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook have been among these. How valuable they have been in helping each Kingdom publisher to become better acquainted with the Bible itself and to be able to explain its teachings to others, whether on a personal basis when sharing in the field ministry or from the public platform in the case of brothers!
Special attention has also been given to the training of elders, both those who serve regularly with a certain congregation and those whose assignments require that they travel. Repeatedly they have gathered for refresher courses and for instruction in the Kingdom Ministry School, analyzing counsel from the Scriptures that pertains to their special assignments and receiving practical counsel from the Governing Body as to their work.
COUNSEL TO MAKE OUR WORK MORE FRUITFUL
When Wilfred Gooch from the London office visited the Netherlands as zone overseer in 1965, he discussed frankly some areas of work that needed attention. Some 2,000 baptized persons had dropped out of the ranks of Kingdom proclaimers during the previous five years. He urged the brothers in the office not to be vague when discussing this matter with the brothers in the field but to be sure that they understood what the problem was and what to do to help these individuals. He also stressed the value of “vacation pioneer service” (now known as auxiliary pioneer service), and there was an excellent response from the brothers. The following April showed a 66-percent increase, with a new high of 1,130 sharing the joys of this increased activity.
At the district conventions in 1968, a new instrument was introduced for use in the field—the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life. The brothers were excited about it. But it seemed to some that the study procedure was radical. They found it hard to get used to the idea of breaking off a study after six months if it was not truly fruitful. Yet, following the Society’s instructions brought heart-cheering results.
Year by year there was increase in the number of praisers of Jehovah. When the publishers reached the 15,000 mark for the first time, Brother Winkler started to cry and said: “How thankful I am to Jehovah that I am still alive to witness 15,000 publishers in this country! It was more than 30 years ago that we as German pioneers sat alongside the road and wept out of discouragement, because nobody wanted to listen to our preaching. But Jehovah gave us the strength to push forward. And now I can weep for joy.” By 1976, the number of publishers reached a peak of 29,723. In the following years, some grew weary and withdrew from Jehovah’s service, but by far the majority have continued to hold on to the precious privilege of being active witnesses of Jehovah, the rightful Sovereign of the universe.
FAITHFUL SERVANTS RECEIVE THEIR REWARD
Back in 1931 Fritz Hartstang had come to the Netherlands as a pioneer. Later, as a member of the Bethel family, he was put in charge of the service desk at the branch office. But then in 1962 he had a serious stomach operation. Cancer developed and slowly drained his vitality until he died on April 5, 1964. Those final months were very trying ones for him as he found it necessary to give up the responsibilities one after another that had been a source of great joy to him. But he certainly had experienced Jehovah’s blessing, and the Scriptures assure those who have the heavenly hope and who die faithful at this time that “the things they did go right with them.” (Rev. 14:13) His wife, Helen, in her 82nd year of life, still serves at Bethel—a fine example of endurance.
The older ones in the Bethel family also well remember Mathilde Stuhlmiller. She suffered for many years because of serious health problems, but she kept an optimistic outlook, cherishing the prospect of eternally serving Jehovah in perfect health on a paradise earth. Almost up till her death in 1969, she kept on working, helping, even on her sickbed, with jobs for the translation department.
Arthur Winkler will always be remembered as a brother who did not spare himself in the work of the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:58) Despite the severity of his experiences in the concentration camps, he continued to serve for many more years. But then came serious illness accompanied by great pain. Brother Knorr visited him during that time and comforted him with the reminder that his heavenly reward was likely close and that this would mean the realization of something that Arthur had worked toward for many years. He finally closed his eyes on June 22, 1972. And his faithful wife Käthe, who had been outstanding in her spirituality and her zeal for the field ministry, received her heavenly reward in April 1982.
Encouraged by those fine examples, it is now the privilege of younger ones, many of them of the Lord’s “other sheep,” to carry on the Kingdom work, right down to the end of this old system.—John 10:16.
ENLARGED BRANCH FACILITIES TO FILL GROWING NEEDS
From 1946 on, the branch facilities in Amsterdam had been located at Koningslaan No. 1. But by 1960 those were no longer adequate, despite modifications that had been made. So, a fine new structure was erected in Amsterdam to allow for further growth. By 1964, the Bethel home was in use, and a small printery went into operation in the building in 1967. Further additions were made in 1972 and 1977.
When that last addition was dedicated by Lloyd Barry, a member of the Governing Body, he mentioned that plans were already far advanced for enlarging the printing operations in the Netherlands. A large rotary press was to be installed so that the Watchtower and Awake! magazines could be printed locally, thus relieving the overloaded printery in England. But that would require larger branch facilities.
In 1978 an extensive search for suitable property was begun. Nothing had been found by 1980, so application was made directly to the office of Town and Country Planning. At an interview, an official listened intently to what the Witnesses had in mind and then said: “Jehovah’s Witnesses did a unique work in our country during the second world war, and that is unfortunately all too often forgotten. I shall see to it that your center comes in one of the three northern provinces of the Netherlands.” Within two days a fine piece of property had been pinpointed in Emmen.
The completed facilities were dedicated in October 1983. In the factory is a converted M.A.N. rotary offset press that turns out 17,000 magazines per hour. Above the pressroom is a modern electronic phototypesetting operation that was developed by dedicated Witnesses at the world headquarters. With this equipment we are better able to provide literature for all the Witnesses in the Netherlands, as well as those in the Flemish part of Belgium and in Suriname. How thankful we are to Jehovah and to his organization that all of this has become a reality!
A CLEAR DISTINCTION
It has been a long road to this point. Eighty years ago the first ones in the Netherlands embraced the truth. They courageously applied themselves to the Lord’s work in the face of indifference, opposition, and seemingly insurmountable odds. There have been times of fiery testing, fierce persecution, betrayal by false brothers, and apathy due to materialism. Many have come into Jehovah’s organization during these years. Some have been removed because they did not conform to Christian standards. Many have left because of not being able to endure in the Christian race, and because of being drawn away by enticements of the world—yes, even some who earlier had endured harsh Nazi persecution. It has been a long time, those 80 years, but the distinction has become clear “between one serving God and one who has not served him.”—Mal. 3:18.
[Map on page 115]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
NETHERLANDS
GRONINGEN
LEEUWARDEN
GRONINGEN
ASSEN
FRIESLAND
SNEEK
WESTERBORK
EMMEN
ZWOLLE
IJssel River
ALKMAAR
HAARLEM
AMSTERDAM
HEEMSTEDE
AMERSFOORT
OOTMARSUM
ALMELO
DEVENTER
ENSCHEDE
THE HAGUE
UTRECHT
HARSKAMP
ZUTPHEN
DELFT
GOUDA
ZELHEM
ROTTERDAM
ARNHEM
PAPENDRECHT
VUGHT
TILBURG
HELMOND
EINDHOVEN
LIMBURG
WEST GERMANY
BELGIUM
[Picture on page 123]
Zealous group in front of the pioneer home in Leersum
[Picture on page 139]
Fritz and Helen Hartstang had come from Germany to serve as pioneers
[Picture on page 147]
The boat “Lichtdrager” provided mobile housing for pioneers
[Picture on page 156]
Arthur and Käthe Winkler did not spare themselves in Jehovah’s service
[Picture on page 184]
Branch facilities recently constructed in Emmen
Nigeria
pp. 186–223
Nigeria
THIS nation was conceived by the British early in the 20th century when they brought within common boundaries a staggering diversity of people speaking more than 250 languages. For many centuries these had had their separate kingdoms, city-states, and social systems. However, on October 1, 1960, when Nigeria became a politically independent sovereign state, then, as Nigerians view the matter, the nation was truly brought to birth. The country has been deeply influenced by its diverse heritage.
Nigeria is about four times as large as Britain and is more than twice the size of California. This great area is traversed by the Niger—the third-longest river in Africa, extending 2,600 miles (4,180 km)—and the Benue. These form a river system that roughly divides the country into three regions. In the North live the Hausa, the Fulani, and many smaller tribes. In the South, to the west of the Niger are the Yoruba, and to the east are the Igbo, along with about 200 other tribal groups. With their diverse cultures, traditions, languages, and religions, there are many divisive factors at work. But the English language has been an important bond holding them together as one nation, the most populous in Africa.
A CHALLENGING FIELD
Christian ministers who undertake preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom here find it a very challenging assignment. Nigeria lies just north of the equator. The climate is hot and humid along the coast. There are also vast swamplands. With this combination of circumstances, the country has been ravaged by diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, leprosy, and intestinal worms. This is part of that area of West Africa once called the “White Man’s Grave.” The situation in the North is somewhat different. It stretches toward the Sahara, becoming semidesert in some places.
The predominant religion is Islam, which seems to have been introduced around 900 C.E. and which established a firm hold in the North. About half the population of the country are Muslims, one third are “Christians,” and the remainder hold fast to their ancient cults. Whole communities, mainly in the South, were “Christianized” in much the same way that Europe was—by coercion or enticement rather than by making disciples of individuals. So it comes as no surprise that traditional beliefs and practices of their ancient cults still strongly influence their lives.
Christian ministers who serve here must face the problem of widespread illiteracy. They also find themselves preaching in villages where sacrifices are regularly offered in demonistic rites to fetish gods. They run into opposition from secret societies such as the Odozi Obodo and juju organizations such as the Ekpo. They have frequent encounters with witch doctors.
But that is only part of the picture. A Christian coming from overseas cannot fail to be impressed by the readiness of the people—even some Muslims—to discuss religion. Many Nigerians are truly lovers of the Bible. The newspapers usually carry considerable discussion on religious subjects. Religious names and slogans are frequently seen, often causing amusement to visitors. Shops may be called “Blessed Trading Company” or “God First Food Store.” Motor vehicles may bear the slogan “God Is My Helper,” and words painted on a wrecked lorry may proclaim “Man Proposes—God Disposes.”
SMALL BEGINNINGS
The work of making disciples in Nigeria has been closely linked with theocratic progress in other West African countries. At various times the Watch Tower Society’s West Africa branch office, located in Lagos, had oversight of Ghana, Sierra Leone, Benin, Togo, Niger, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. Nigerian pioneers, special pioneers, and missionaries have served in these countries, as well as in The Gambia, Central African Republic, and Liberia. How did it all begin?
Evidently it was toward the end of 1921 that the good news first reached Nigeria, when Claude Brown paid a brief visit and did some preaching, particularly in the North. Brother Brown was a West Indian who had lived in Winnipeg, Canada. He again visited Nigeria in 1923 and gave several lectures in Lagos.
By this time Bible study classes were being conducted by Vincent Samuels, a black American who had set up a tailoring business at Tinubu Square in Lagos. He took the initiative to preach from house to house, and he used the Watch Tower publication The Harp of God in study classes with a group of about 15 people in the home of one Mrs. Odunlami.
James Namikpoh, a bookbinder and printer in the government printery in Lagos, heard of these classes and began associating with the little group in 1923. He made quick progress and became the first Nigerian to take up active preaching. Mrs. Odunlami soon followed. Later that year Joshua Owenpa saw The Harp of God on the table of a co-worker at the railway office in Lagos, borrowed it, read all night, quickly began to associate with the study group, and became the third Nigerian active in Jehovah’s service.
That same year, William R. Brown, a Jamaican, entered the West African scene. He came from Trinidad, which had been his base for preaching throughout the Caribbean. Having given a witness in most of the islands there, he was invited by J. F. Rutherford, the president of the Watch Tower Society, to ‘proceed to Sierra Leone, West Africa, with wife and child.’
From there he visited Nigeria in November 1923 and gave his first lecture at the Glover Memorial Hall. During this brief visit he also distributed hundreds of Watch Tower publications in business houses and government offices. W. R. Brown was again in Lagos in 1926, this time lecturing to overflowing crowds at the Glover Memorial Hall. On this trip he also encouraged Brothers Namikpoh and Owenpa to widen out the scope of their preaching activity. Brother Owenpa later wrote:
“Brother W. R. Brown invited me to enter colporteur service [now pioneering] and I resigned from the railway . . . July 1, 1927. I started colporteur work the same date. He gave me Scriptural instructions and encouragement by calling my attention to Philippians 1:28 (Weymouth): ‘Never for a moment quail before your antagonists. Your fearlessness will be to them a sure token of impending destruction, but to you it will be a sure token of your salvation.’”
Thus Vincent Samuels from America and two West Indians named Brown played important roles in the early stages of the work in Nigeria. A good start was made and the work continued to grow.
“BLACK” BROWN AND “BIBLE” BROWN
Claude Brown came to be known as “Black” Brown. William Brown was called “Bible” Brown, for, as he himself wrote: “When lecturing I always used lantern slides, enabling me to flash every Scripture text on the screen and then explain it.” It was first in Sierra Leone that he was called “Bible” Brown, because he was fond of saying, “Not Brown says, but the Bible says.”
Regarding the religious leaders, William Brown wrote: “At the time the public had little regard for what they called ‘the white man’s religion.’ It was appropriate that I speak at the Glover Memorial Hall on the failure of Christendom’s religion. Accordingly I advertised the lecture in the three leading newspapers. A Catholic editor submitted my write-up to Dr. Moses Da Rocha, who wrote a letter and had it published alongside my ad. He urged the government of Nigeria to prohibit my meetings or at least send policemen to preserve the peace. He appealed to various religious leaders in Lagos to send their ablest representatives to my meeting and smash to pieces my ‘heretical theses.’ Policemen and many church representatives did show up.
“Throughout the exposé of Christendom the audience interrupted with applause. When the meeting was opened to questions, the son of an Anglican clergyman asked two questions, which were answered, and attempted a third, whereupon I said: ‘Please sit down and allow others to ask.’ . . . I closed the meeting, offering them the paper-covered Deliverance book. . . . They emptied all the cartons . . . and even came to my home that night for more . . . 3,900 books! They went far and wide placing them with their neighbors.”
LAGOS BECOMES A HEADQUARTERS
Recognizing that the Nigerian field seemed more fertile than any other West African country at the time, William Brown transferred his residence to Lagos by the end of 1930. The Society’s West Africa branch office was also established there, having oversight of Nigeria, Gold Coast (now Ghana), and Sierra Leone.
In 1931, Ibadan and Lagos were among 166 cities worldwide that had closing sessions in extension of the Columbus, Ohio, international convention. Nigerian Witnesses added their joyful voices in embracing the remarkable “new name,” Jehovah’s Witnesses. The convention’s news pamphlet, The Messenger, carried this report from Brother Brown:
“A vigorous witness is being given [in West Africa]. The little band here travels over 2,000 miles [3,200 km] along the coast by steamships and other means of conveyance. They also travel by train and car over 700 miles [1,130 km] into the interior. Although more than half the population in this vast area is illiterate, yet it’s surprising to see how readily the reading community purchase the books, in order to know something about God and the Bible.”
MAKING USE OF VERNACULAR LITERATURE AND SPEAKING TOURS
Since these books were in English and benefited only those who could read English, the next step was to make them available in local languages. The Yoruba version of The Harp of God (Duru Ọlọrun) had already been published in 1930, having been translated by Sister Odunlami with the help of J. P. Ogunfowoke. S. A. Adediji, an Anglican clergyman who first began reading Brother Rutherford’s books in 1929, had also begun translating the book Deliverance. Then in 1931 he resigned from the church, concentrated on translating the book Reconciliation and the booklet The Kingdom, the Hope of the World, and thereafter entered the pioneer service. Additional publications were translated into several other vernacular languages.
As soon as The Harp of God became available in the Yoruba language, Ogunfowoke promptly took a supply to Ibadan and Ilesha. He gave lectures in the open air at two or three places in Ilesha, at which he placed large quantities of the book and organized a study group.
Such preaching tours proved to be an effective means of reaching people with the truth. W. R. Brown traveled extensively to give public lectures and get the Kingdom work started in new places. He wrote: “I never felt at home sitting in the chair in the office for any length of time. I would budget my time so that I could be out . . . delivering the good news orally and by printed page. . . .
“When entering a village . . . I would go to the chief and invite him to attend the lecture to be given in front of his compound. It was not uncommon for the chief to send a man around the village advertising the talk with a bell. The chief’s people would spread a large carpet for him and place a chair on it. There he would sit with a man holding an umbrella over him and sometimes a man with a large ostrich fan keeping him cool. Thousands would attend.”
THE TRUTH SPREADS
Among those who now received the truth was Alfred Nduaguibe. He responded to one of Brother Brown’s lectures in 1931 and later pioneered the preaching work in much of Igboland.
In Yorubaland there was Joseph Ogunniyi, a prominent civil servant who was also standing in as minister of the local Anglican church (Church Missionary Society). Joshua Owenpa had visited him while passing through Ile Ife in February 1931. Soon up to eight persons were meeting in his parlor and in the house of the chief, the Obajio of Ife. By October 1932 Joseph Ogunniyi undertook service as an auxiliary (similar to an auxiliary pioneer today) to spread the truths he had learned. He and three others covered the principal towns, visiting a different one each day. “Soon we became many,” he wrote. So the truth was spreading in the West—Yorubaland—with groups studying in Lagos, Ibadan, Oyo, Ile Ife, Ilesha, and Abeokuta.
Down in the Midwest there was Egor Egha, a very energetic man whose interest in the truth was sparked in July 1932 when he joined a group of people who were listening to a lecture. Two days later he traveled to his hometown, Oyede, to inform everyone of what the lecturer had said. Leaving his job as a court messenger in Ughelli, he became a zealous preacher throughout Oyede, all of Isoko down to Forcados, and in the Ughelli area.
‘IN NO RESPECT FRIGHTENED BY OPPONENTS’
As Brothers Brown, Ogunfowoke, Adediji, and Owenpa moved about the country they were now running into much opposition. When Brother Brown visited Ilesha in 1931, the assistant district officer threw him out of the catering rest house and confiscated all of his books. When the governor in Lagos took up the matter, having had a complaint lodged by Brother Brown, the Resident blamed his officers, apologized, and returned the books. However, religious opposition increased against the fledgling group of Bible students.
Describing this, Brother Ladesuyi says: “Catholics, Anglicans and others, who were formerly antagonists, now united against us. They even conspired with pagan chiefs to stop the Bible study meetings which we were holding in a carpenter shop. Our books were seized and we were arrested more than once. When Brother Adediji was arrested in 1932, he was tried in the native court, where he was greatly humiliated and mocked.”
At about the same time, Ogunfowoke was arrested at Oyo when the clergy incited the district officer to prosecute him. Then Joshua Owenpa was arrested at Ibadan and ordered to leave the town within 24 hours. By now, too, the public halls in Lagos had been locked against Jehovah’s Witnesses through the efforts of the clergy. We can see why Brother Brown used to quote Philippians 1:28 in counseling new pioneers not to be intimidated by opposers. They exhibited firm courage as a zealous segment of the more than 80 Witnesses then preaching throughout West Africa.
Sadly, however, not all remained loyal to Jehovah and his visible organization. One who shared in full-time service began to solicit money from the brothers and to use the Society’s funds dishonestly. He became an outright opposer and used the public press to vilify faithful Witnesses. Another sought special prominence when giving lectures. He objected to the requirement of monogamy, defied instructions for all to report their preaching activity, and opposed those who in time properly began to teach that not all should partake of the emblems at the Lord’s Supper. Finally, he left the Lord’s organization and formed a religious group of his own.
WILLING WORKERS BLESSED BY JEHOVAH
Meanwhile, the faithful pioneers were taking the truth into new areas. In 1933 Peter Otudoh, who had been baptized in August 1932 and was working in the branch office, volunteered to go to Badagri near the border with Dahomey (now Benin Republic). He and four others preached in Ikoyi and Ipokia, then in Ijofin and across the border down to Porto-Novo.
In January 1934 the Society sent Alfred Nduaguibe into eastern Nigeria to visit Igboland as a pioneer. He traveled by steamer to Port Harcourt, visited many towns and villages along the coast, from Abonnema to Calabar, and penetrated inland to Enugu, Abakaliki, and even Kaduna in the North. He returned to Lagos and reported to Brother Brown on conditions in the field. After the Watchtower Study that Sunday, Brother Brown asked the audience: “Who are those who want to go to eastern Nigeria to find Jehovah’s sheep there in the preaching work?” Alfred Nduaguibe, Peter Otudoh, and three others volunteered. It was not long before their preaching began to be greatly opposed by the religious leaders. But the brothers were aware that Jehovah was blessing them. As Brother Otudoh said, they “viewed the persecutors as flies perched on the back of an elephant.”
STIRRING PUBLIC LECTURES AND ASSEMBLIES
Perhaps the public lectures were the outstanding feature of the preaching activity at this time. And what subjects they chose! For example, one advertised in Ibadan was entitled “No More Revenue for the Clergy, See Ezekiel 34:10; No More Long Robes to Deceive, See Zechariah 13:4.” No wonder the brothers drew the fire of the clergy.
Assemblies, too, were playing an increasingly important role and were growing in size. The brothers looked forward to them as real spiritual feasts. And what efforts they made to attend! Jacob Ajakaiye tells that he and two others “walked a distance of 150 miles (240 km) from Kabba to Ilesha, took a lorry from Ilesha to Ijebu-Ode, and had to return home the same way.” Brother Egbenoma recalled walking 36 miles (58 km) to an assembly at Sapele. Brother Emeghara trekked 70 miles (113 km) from Aba to another assembly in Calabar.
Such long-distance traveling was both tiring and dangerous. Brothers Brown and Otudoh, for example, narrowly escaped from robbers armed with knives and machetes on the road from Benin City to Agbor. They avoided the roadblock by swerving the car to one side and then had to drive fast in order to escape the pursuing bandits.
A POWERFUL INSTRUMENT FOR SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS
New equipment and a new technique—use of the sound car—appeared in January 1936. Let Brother Brown tell about it:
“It is a pleasure to enter a village for the first time with the sound car, everyone looking with astonishment. . . . We always inquire for the center of the village, and from there we operate, commencing with a lively song record. You can see the people coming toward the car from all parts. In some places the farmers are almost a mile away from the village, plowing the farms, and on hearing the voice from the records . . . they look around and above to see where the voice of God is coming from. Not seeing anyone, they rush toward the village . . . After the lecture we announce the books and booklets; then they rush. . . . Some days we distributed over 1,400 penny booklets.”
There were now 250 publishers, including 38 pioneers and 28 auxiliaries, in West Africa.
UNUSUAL PREACHING METHODS
Every available means was used in spreading the Kingdom message: placards hung on spears, phonograph records, the sound car, and speaking trumpets. These trumpets, some of which were trumpets from old gramophones, came into use throughout the land as soon as the brothers noted the fine effects the sound car was producing. Reactions, of course, were varied. So were the techniques used by the trumpeters and the unlikely locations they chose as strategic points from which to sound their trumpets.
In the Opobo Division, in southeastern Nigeria, Peter Udosen Mkpong would climb a tree as early as 4:00 a.m. and sound the trumpet with song followed by Bible teaching. He got good results. On the other hand, when Daniel Uwaekwe and his companions tried to use the trumpets at Isiekenesi, the people attacked them with sticks, machetes, and other weapons.
TESTED AS TO LOYALTY
In the meantime, the West Africa branch was benefiting from organizational refinements that were being put into effect worldwide starting in 1938. The companies (congregations) were gradually reorganized to conform to the Scriptural theocratic pattern, and all appointments of servants began to be made directly by the Society. This called for greater individual submission to organizational instructions. It called for complete loyalty to theocratic arrangements. And it is this loyalty that came under test at about that time.
In 1939 S. A. Adediji, who was then working in the branch office, received an article that argued that the Lord Jesus Christ was not present. A covering letter pretended that it came from the Society’s headquarters and instructed that it be read in the various congregations at a stated time. Brother Brown was temporarily away. Adediji knew that the article had come from a Canadian apostate named Salter. He knew that The Watchtower of June 1, 1937, had reported that Salter had been disfellowshipped, and that it had been resolved to “destroy without reading any such literature received through the mail or otherwise.” Yet he sent out instructions that copies of the article should be read and discussed at one of the meetings of each congregation in Nigeria. Much harm resulted in a number of congregations as a result of this. In time, the tendency that Adediji there manifested caused him to withdraw from the organization, and he went back to being an Anglican clergyman.
In contrast, some of the brothers who received the letter refused to read it to the congregation, because they recognized that it was fraudulent. Their alertness and loyalty helped to safeguard the flock.
By 1940 “the little one” became a thousand in Nigeria. There were 1,051 active praisers of Jehovah. (Isa. 60:22) But severe pressures lay ahead.
WORLD WAR BRINGS RESTRICTIONS
The outbreak of World War II brought severe trials to Jehovah’s Witnesses in many lands. On May 10, 1940, an Order in Council prohibited the importation into Nigeria of Watch Tower publications, claiming that they contained seditious and undesirable matter. But who was it that found them to be “undesirable”? Not the common people but the clergy, whose organizations had been exposed therein as religious frauds. Now they used their age-old tactic of employing the secular state to oppose and hinder the Kingdom message.
Though the government’s prohibition was issued on May 10, it was “deemed to have come into operation on the 13th day of March.” Why? Because 15,450 copies of the book Enemies in Yoruba had arrived from New York on the 14th of March. And that was a book that the clergy especially feared.
When Brother Brown interviewed the governor about the matter, the governor expressed annoyance at the exposure of the Catholic hierarchy in that book. He claimed that the church had done good in Nigeria. This led to a discussion concerning which Brother Brown reported:
“I told him the people who have read the literature are better Christians and more law-abiding than the others and I pointed out that officials throughout Nigeria acknowledge their good conduct. He looked at me squarely with a frown, and a smile, and said, ‘You know, Mr. Brown, we are expecting a conflict, and if your books are widely read, they will become Christians and will not join up. After the war the books will be released.’”
ARRESTS AND PETITIONS
Already in 1940 district officers and some rural policemen had begun to arrest the brothers for distributing literature. Brothers were arrested at Ilesha, but they were discharged by the Magistrate’s Court in Ile Ife. The prosecutor was reprimanded for his overzealousness. When Brother Owenpa was arrested in Sapele and all his books were confiscated, he advised the brothers to continue preaching with their Bibles alone.
Police in Lagos, too, arrested publishers witnessing from house to house. On July 31, 1941, they confiscated seven truckloads of books and 700 records from the Society’s office. Although it was understood that this literature would be returned at the end of the emergency, over 250,000 pieces were officially burned in 1943, much to the astonishment of the general public. The Daily Service, a Lagos newspaper, pointedly said that “the destruction of these books is entirely unjustifiable.”
The brothers kept making petitions to the government for the ban to be lifted; but the only concessions granted were to individuals, allowing them to keep their own private libraries. Thus the Bible was now the only book that Jehovah’s Witnesses could use in their public ministry, and they used it to the full. In addition to that, they took advantage of local newspapers to advertise the Theocracy. There was a feature column in the West African Pilot, under the heading “Public Opinion,” in which articles submitted by Brother Brown appeared regularly. And they managed to print thousands of handbills (tracts) locally in English and Yoruba for wide distribution. However, it was the program of public lectures and personal Bible studies that particularly bore fruit. Hundreds of new disciples were being made. Let us introduce some of these who received the truth during the war and later served in the branch office or as traveling overseers.
THEY CAME OUT OF THE WAR
Asuquo Akpabio was 19 years old in 1943 when he first saw Jehovah’s Witnesses giving open-air lectures at Itu, near Calabar. He and his friends tried to disrupt the Witnesses’ meetings. But not for long. First his friends became interested in what they heard at the lectures and started to study with the Witnesses. Then, no longer having their support, his opposing remarks were silenced at one of the lectures by someone in the audience who shouted: “Why are you kicking against the goads?” Asuquo walked away; but the Witnesses visited him the next day, and he started studying the Bible with them. He and his friends were baptized that same year. Remembering those events, he says: “We became preachers facing the same opposition we had given—enduring constant beatings from the priests and prominent church members.”
Samuel Opara was baptized in 1943 at the age of 13. He had been receiving a religious upbringing by his mother’s stepbrother, who was a schoolteacher and the pastor in the local African Church although he had two wives at the time. Coming in contact with J. F. Rutherford’s books, this pastor was convinced by the ring of truth and became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. So Samuel also learned the truth and started on a career of faithful service that brought him much opposition from family members and townspeople.
Then there was Albert Olugbebi—baptized in 1945. Albert’s father had taught him the truth but was later expelled from the congregation for polygamy. Nevertheless, Albert continued firm and, despite his father’s strong opposition, later gave up a promising civil service career to become a pioneer.
By 1946 the war had ended, and the Witnesses in Nigeria rejoiced to see how much Jehovah had blessed his people. They had come through six hard years, and yet they had grown in number from 636 in 1939 to 3,542 in 1946. The time now seemed right to make a big effort to get the ban on the Society’s literature lifted.
SUCCESSFUL PETITION
The 1947 Yearbook describes it as follows: “Early this year information was received from headquarters that in some parts of the Caribbean success was achieved as a result of a Petition signed by the general public appealing on behalf of Jehovah’s witnesses. We decided to follow suit, [and to get] a few . . . members of the Legislative Council to take up the matter at a meeting which was due to be held on March 18, 1946. . . . We had barely a fortnight to get matters through, but the brethren worked hard and were privileged to secure over 10,000 signatures of the educated class. . . . The authorities were astonished to see the names of almost all the leading citizens . . . [Two months later] the ban was rescinded, to the joy of the brethren and the general public, who cheered us wherever we went. The news was gazetted by the government on May 18, 1946, and on the following morning the local press blazed it out in bold headlines.”
The brothers immediately wrote to the government requesting the return of seized literature and recovered what had not been destroyed by the police. Then in December they joyfully received the new books “Let God Be True” and “Equipped for Every Good Work” at their “Glad Nations” Conventions, which had a combined attendance of over 5,000.
FIRST GILEAD GRADUATES ARRIVE
A new chapter in the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses in West Africa opened up in June 1947 when the first Gilead graduates arrived in Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast (now Ghana), and Nigeria. It was really a joyful occasion when Brother Brown led the Lagos Bethel family in welcoming Ernest V. Moreton and Harold Masinick, from Canada, and Anthony C. Attwood, from England. Since then, 51 other non-Nigerian missionaries have served here at various times.
With trained missionaries to help, the branch office and Bethel organization were brought more fully into line with the procedure followed at headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. The 201 congregations were formed into 11 circuits, each served by a servant to the brethren (circuit overseer). These included Samuel Ladesuyi, Asuquo Akpabio, Joshua Owenpa, and Amos Wosu. Semiannual circuit assemblies now began to be held and were supervised by an appointed district overseer who, at that time, was one of the Gilead graduates.
The Service Meeting and Theocratic Ministry School in each congregation also began to serve more effectively in training the brothers to be productive teachers of the Bible. Instead of the former widespread proclamation that was made by sound car and recorded speeches, more emphasis was placed on the preaching and teaching activity of the individual minister.
GETTING TO KNOW THE MISSIONARIES
The brothers were eager to meet the new missionaries—the first white brothers in Nigeria. They soon had opportunity to get acquainted with Brother Attwood as he accompanied Brother Brown to four circuit assemblies. Non-Witnesses too were curious about these new arrivals.
An experience of John Charuk—a missionary who came later—is typical of how the villagers responded. He tells us: “As we walked to my place of lodging [at Umutu] . . . half the village was following and eventually almost all the inhabitants had gathered to see the white man and his place of accommodation—a humble African home. . . .
“On Saturday morning about 50 men, women, and children followed me around to record with their eyes the unbelievable sight of a white man preaching the gospel in their homes through an interpreter. . . . On Sunday, in spite of rain, 21 were immersed and 794 gave rapt attention to the public talk. Two weeks later I heard that six of the villagers had burned or ‘drowned’ their jujus [had thrown them into the river] and are now Kingdom publishers.”
There were also reactions in Lagos and other big cities. Brother Attwood says: “We were the first white people who as Jehovah’s Witnesses had ever entered Nigeria. . . . So one can well imagine that other white people here, . . . particularly government officials, would be . . . a bit concerned about [our activities]. Brother Brown had given them plenty of headaches. His fearless preaching all over the country had not been a thing that they had enjoyed very much . . . and now to have someone from England . . . carrying on the same kind of activity, was somewhat distasteful to them.”
BROTHER KNORR COMES
At the end of the same year in which the first missionaries arrived, the Society’s president, N. H. Knorr, and his secretary M. G. Henschel made their first visit to Nigeria. This was truly one of the highlights of the year. Brother Knorr gave a public lecture in Lagos, and they attended one of the two conventions arranged for their visit. All together, 10,000 persons at Ibadan and Lagos heard Brother Knorr’s lecture “The Permanent Governor of All Nations.” Mishaps encountered along the way prevented them from getting to the other convention, in Igboland. But Brothers Attwood and Moreton managed to cross the Niger River by canoe, and after a midnight journey by truck, they reached Enugu to serve the convention there.
At the Ibadan assembly Brother Attwood’s appointment as branch overseer was announced. Brother Brown had served faithfully for 25 years, but now the greatly increased work at the branch office, coupled with his age and failing health, made it desirable to have the burden fall on younger shoulders. Brothers Moreton and Masinick, who were at first working in the field in Lagos, were also called into the office.
POLYGAMY POSES PROBLEMS
Ever since 1934 when some individuals objected to the requiring of monogamy among Jehovah’s Witnesses, polygamy had continued to pose problems for the brothers. Many who had become associated with Jehovah’s organization still kept several wives. These included some prominent ones who misapplied the scripture at 1 Corinthians 7:20: “In whatever state each one was called, let him remain in it.”
However, The Watchtower of January 15, 1947, some months before Brother Knorr’s visit to Nigeria, explained that the Scriptural standard of one wife to one husband must be maintained worldwide. A letter was then sent to the congregations, giving polygamists six months to clean up their marital affairs or lose their privileges. The majority of the brothers were very happy to see this firm stand for conformity to Bible principles.
But hundreds of Witnesses now faced a decision: Would they give up an age-old and socially accepted institution for Christian standards, which some of them had known for only a few years or months? Could they make a stand against the ridicule of friends and the outright opposition of their families? Some openly expressed doubts that Jehovah’s Witnesses could succeed where the churches had failed. Many people of the world predicted that if Jehovah’s Witnesses tried to abolish polygamy from their ranks, it would mean abolishing the ranks.
Recalling what happened when Brother Knorr discussed the Society’s directives on polygamy at Ibadan and Lagos that year, Brother Moreton wrote: “Johnson Adejuyigbe, from Akure, had three wives and ten children. Right there in the booth, immediately after the booth was cleared, he got his wives in front of him and told them what was to be done, and he settled his affairs then and there.”
Narrating his own reactions to Brother Attwood’s talk at a district convention in Warri earlier that year, Richard Idodia said: “I did not wait for the six months to elapse before I dismissed the surplus [wives], retaining only one.”
Some, though, did not see clearly that this instruction had come from God’s Word. Asuquo Akpabio, for example, relates that the brother with whom he stayed at Ifiayong woke him at midnight and demanded that he change the announcement regarding polygamy. Because he refused to do so, his host threw him out in the pouring rain that night. Nevertheless, polygamy was soon eliminated from the congregations, with very little loss in numbers.
LITERACY PROGRAM LAUNCHED
It had long been recognized that illiteracy was a huge problem. In 1946 Brother Brown estimated that, of the 23 million inhabitants of Nigeria, barely one million could read and write, and that only 2 percent of the people in the North were literate.
Although a greater proportion of Jehovah’s Witnesses were able to read, many were illiterate. They had learned the truth of God’s Word solely by hearing it preached. To share most effectively in the ministry, they needed to learn to read. In October 1949 literacy classes were started in each congregation, using manuals that were prepared locally by the Society. This literacy campaign continues to this day.
BAMBOO BOOTHS AND BROKEN IDOLS
Growing attendance at assemblies over the years had made it difficult to find halls large enough for the district conventions. So the brothers built giant booths of bamboo, palm leaves, and locally woven reed mats, often in clearings surrounded by rich tropical vegetation. At times the attendance at public meetings would reach staggering figures, because an entire town would turn out to hear the lecture. At an assembly in Obiaruku, in midwestern Nigeria, for example, the brothers numbered only 300, while 4,626 showed up for the convention.
At Okpara Waterside in February 1949, newly interested ones attending the circuit assembly asked the brothers to come to their homes to clear out their idol gods. The assembly practically broke up the religious racket of the juju priests in that town. In another town, a native king who used to persecute the brothers was deposed and run out of town by the enraged populace because of his corrupt rule. When the brothers came together for a circuit assembly, the chiefs handed over the vacated palace to be used for assembly sessions and to house many of the visitors.
AU REVOIR, “BIBLE” BROWN
After 27 years of service in West Africa, Brother Brown and his family left Nigeria on April 4, 1950, for the West Indies. This was considered newsworthy by a member of the Legislative Council who was also editor of the Daily Times. He published an article captioned “‘BIBLE BROWN’ SAYS AU REVOIR, NOT GOOD-BYE,” in which he said: “Today ‘Bible’ Brown has become an institution and is the friend of all, young and old, European, African and Lebanese, even by those who disagreed with him and hated his religious propaganda. . . . Lagos will miss the familiar figure of ‘Bible’ Brown, and all his friends will wish him and Mrs. Brown good luck in their home in the Caribbean Isles.” Ten years later, in connection with Nigeria’s independence celebrations, the governor-general, who well remembered the good work done by “Bible” Brown, invited them to return to Nigeria for a visit as guests of the government.
In their farewell letter to Brother Brown in 1950 the brothers said, that “‘one man has become thousands’ is not idle talk.” Yes, the number of Kingdom publishers in Nigeria had grown to 8,370. Jehovah was plainly blessing his own work in this land.
MISSIONARIES AFIELD!
The Gilead missionaries took up where Brother Brown was leaving off, and they had wonderful experiences serving assemblies as district overseers. They traveled by airplane, car, truck, canoe, bicycle, and oftentimes like Jesus, on foot. Their assignments took them off the beaten track into villages deep in the dense rain forests, the bush, where time seemed to have stood still for hundreds of years and where pagan juju worship held sway, with its secret societies exercising almost unlimited power.
Coming to Aka Eze for a circuit assembly, John Charuk, who, with his brother Michael, had arrived in Nigeria from Canada after graduating from Gilead in 1949, reported:
“I found Aka Eze . . . happy to live on in primitive conditions. All the houses were round mud huts with conical grass roofs. There is no well and the only drinking water is a shallow creek where everyone bathes. . . . The brothers, however, have built their own compound on the edge of the village and keep it very clean. They have a good Kingdom Hall and have planted flowers and shrubs round it. . . . After the public lecture, attended by 990, several people remarked, ‘We too must become Jehovah’s Witnesses.’”
POWERLESS GODS
As the truth penetrated into remote areas, more and more people were being freed from false religion and idolatry. Secret societies and other idol worshipers did not like this and opposed the brothers. But somehow there usually opened up a way of beating back such opposition. For example, in Itu, where we had much opposition from secret societies, the district officer, a Canadian, advised all the chiefs of his district not to fight against Jehovah’s Witnesses. He said: “They are not many but they are powerful. They have changed the laws of Canada. No one fights them and conquers.” This put fear into the chiefs and many came to the public lecture of the district convention that they had opposed, bringing their followers with them.
At a district convention in another part of the country, a man who was steeped in demon worship made known his desire to be free. Fearing to destroy his idol gods, he came to the Witnesses late in the evening, requesting them to do the job. It was late at night by the time some 100 brothers reached the man’s house. The juju house was set on fire, and countless idols and charms were thrown into the crackling flames. Through demon-inspired oracles and priests these jujus had been imposing needless restrictions on the lives of the people. The man had spent all his money trying to satisfy these idol gods. Now he was free!
MORE GILEAD GRADUATES
In 1951 it was felt that more organized witnessing should be done in Ibadan. With a population of over 320,000, it was the largest city in Nigeria. (The population of Lagos was at that time a little more than 200,000.) So a missionary home was opened there in April to assist the local publishers. The missionary family included the Charuk brothers and Charlie Young, who had arrived from England with Wilfred Gooch.
As of September 1, 1951, Brother Gooch began to serve in Lagos as the branch overseer. Then in December, Brother Young began to share the district work with the Charuks, and later, when his companions were refused new visas and so were reassigned to Liberia, he became the sole district overseer. Thereafter, for more than a decade, Brother Young traveled all over the country, dwelling in the homes of publishers in villages and towns, serving assemblies. Because of this, he developed an intimate interaction with the people and perhaps had a more widespread personal impact upon the brothers than any other non-Nigerian Gilead graduate that had served in this land. The brothers felt a great loss when he and his wife Anne returned to England in April 1965.
But it was a cause for joy when three of our own Nigerian brothers (Asuquo Akpabio, Matthew Prighen, and Reuben Udoh) graduated from Gilead’s 18th class and returned to take up their work as circuit overseers. These were the first of 17 Nigerians who have attended the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead.
POLYGAMISTS IN CONTRAST
The Society’s magazines continued to produce good results in the lives of honesthearted people. Such a person was a chief who subscribed for The Watchtower and recognized the truth in what he read. But he did not know what to do next. In due time the circuit overseer visited him, and they studied the Yoruba Watchtower. Deciding to become a witness of Jehovah, he put away 13 of his 14 wives and got baptized.
On the other hand, some secret polygamists were discovered in a long-established congregation that had been making very little progress. When they were expelled in line with the instructions on disfellowshipping in The Watchtower of March 1, 1952, Jehovah’s blessing on the brothers again became manifest. The number of publishers jumped in a few months from 130 to over 200.
There were also unexpected blessings in Ebute Metta, Lagos, a year later, when some who had followed an apostate many years previously in favor of polygamy had their spiritual sight restored. Albert Olih, a member of the Bethel family, dealt with this because he was then presiding overseer in the Ebute Metta Congregation. Here is his story:
“One day some members of [an apostate group that called themselves] ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses Organisation’ came to see me. They wanted to know how to come back to the theocratic organization. They said they could no longer agree with the other members on the matter of polygamy. They were advised to move out from among them if they were convinced that Jehovah is using only one visible organization on earth. So on one Sunday evening 100 of them walked into our Kingdom Hall and declared their stand for Jehovah. It was like a congregation being born in one day. They made needed adjustments in their lives.”
PUBLIC MEETINGS—NIGERIAN STYLE
The Kingdom work continued to move ahead rapidly, and public lectures given in the villages were having a fine effect. The way in which they were organized reflects the flavor of life in this part of the world. Here is how a district overseer described them, starting with the arrival of publishers in the village:
“The group breaks up . . . going from house to house, all except [one with a large metal horn] who walks down the center of the road announcing a public lecture. . . . [Later] the Witnesses . . . proceed to a large open space in the middle of the village under a huge mango tree. A table is brought out from a nearby house, . . . a [kerosene lamp] is provided. . . . The Witnesses form a neat semicircle before the speaker and soon the villagers, some three to four hundred, are crowding behind. . . . Darkness has now fallen and all is quiet . . . as, Bible in hand, the speaker drives home his points.”
These public meetings took on a new dimension when the Society’s films began to be used. Whole villages would turn up for the showings, swelling the local congregation of a few publishers to an attendance of 500 or more. These would sit on the grass, African style, in front of a large elevated screen. At circuit assemblies large audiences of up to 8,000 people were frequently attracted.
PENETRATING UNASSIGNED TERRITORY
By 1954 unassigned territory campaigns during May, June, and July had become a regular annual feature of the preaching work. Although that was the season of heavy rains, it was a time when the brothers, most of whom were farmers, could devote much time to the preaching activity. It was also a time when many people could be found at home.
During such campaigns it became commonplace to find “lost sheep,” but one party of brothers enjoyed the unusual experience of finding a lost congregation of “sheep.” This happened in a very isolated area of the swampy Niger Delta, where these publishers had never witnessed before. They met a group of about a dozen people who were regularly studying the Society’s publications and witnessing. This study group had come into existence when a publisher had gone there to pursue his secular work. When he left they continued to study and they preached, although no one in the Society’s office knew of the existence of that group until it was “discovered” during the unassigned territory campaign.
Another group was found in northern Nigeria. The brothers there received vague reports of interested people in a village where everyone else practiced the ancient traditional religious cult. The nearest publisher was a special pioneer 40 miles (64 km) away. In company with the circuit overseer, he made a special journey by bicycle to search them out. After losing their way, they finally reached the place, almost exhausted. Their effort was rewarded, however, when they found over 30 people studying together around a Bible. Their only previous contact with the Kingdom message had been by word of mouth.
TO KNEEL OR NOT TO KNEEL?
For a number of years the brothers around Warri had been having great difficulty over the matter of miguọ—kneeling before older men—a custom in the delta area. Some of the older brothers in the area had decided that all bowing to men was wrong. The branch office had been telling individuals to decide the matter for themselves. But a number of the older brothers continued to forbid the younger ones to kneel, even disfellowshipping for “idol worship” some who did kneel. On the other hand, those who refused to do miguọ were persecuted by the local people for failure to observe the custom, and this was hindering many interested ones who viewed it simply as a matter of showing proper respect.
Then came The Watchtower of May 15, 1954, answering the question: “Should we worship Jesus?” This settled the matter. It clearly showed the distinction between bowing out of respect or salutation and bowing out of worship or allegiance. The vast majority of the brothers were satisfied with this. But a small minority who had taken a stubborn stand for a long time were now too proud to back down, and they left the organization.
IMPROVED ORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
After having been refused a visa by the government in 1952, Brother Henschel was allowed to visit Nigeria again in November 1955. This helped to make the “Triumphant Kingdom” Assemblies that he attended at Aba and Ilesha very special for the nearly 34,000 in attendance.
Thereafter, adjustments were made in the congregations and circuits in order to give more personal attention with a view to helping individuals to advance to maturity. Since some 25 percent of the publishers in many circuits were not baptized, a teaching program was introduced to help these to progress to dedication and baptism. The congregations were reorganized and strengthened by combining small groups with stronger ones nearby. The circuits were also reduced in size so the circuit overseer could make three visits instead of two each year, thus enabling them to give more regular training to the publishers.
About this time it was realized that many congregations had been making the Memorial celebration a public affair in the marketplace. They were even counting passersby as attenders. This inflated the attendance figures and also led to indecorous incidents and arguments with opposers. Instructions in the Informant (now Our Kingdom Ministry) ended this, resulting in a lower attendance figure—24,330 in 1956 as against 33,027 in 1955—but a far more dignified meeting.
Magazine distribution was also given attention. The brothers were beginning to catch on to its value in spreading the good news. In January 1957 the new-style Igbo and Yoruba Watchtower appeared in color. The brothers were thrilled. A Lagos congregation increased its average magazine distribution from 0.7 per publisher in September to 7.0 in January. One brother went out on magazine day and placed 73 in two hours in a market. Another reported, “People run after us in the street to get them.”
Since people were literally ‘running after us,’ care had to be taken about those who were accepted for baptism. Starting with January 1, 1956, the congregation overseer was given the responsibility of testing baptismal candidates and signing a statement that they had to present in order to be accepted for baptism at an assembly. It was required that they first complete studying the book “Let God Be True,” that they be persons who had studied for at least six months, and that they be meeting basic Christian requirements.
ENSURING HONORABLE MARRIAGES
More help came in September and October 1956 in Watchtower articles on marriage. These came to grips with such problems as extortionate bride-price, trial marriage, sexual relations during the engagement period, and abandonment of undocumented marriages. Marriages performed according to traditional custom now had to be suitably documented. The “Declaration of Marriage” form was introduced, and its use was eventually restricted to those whose unbelieving mates refused to have the marriage recorded. However, the greater benefits of contracting marriages under the Nigerian Ordinance of Marriage rather than by the customary marriage system were stressed, and this produced a spate of registrations in various parts of the country.
A notable case was that of a 99-year-old brother and his 55-year-old wife. They were already married by customary law, but now one of the newspapers reported: “For thirty-four years, a man and woman lived [together] and bore seven children. Yesterday . . . they were declared husband and wife at the Lagos Marriage Registry. Mr. Edo . . . is a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses sect and both of them go out to preach the gospel.”
Over the years since then, many Kingdom Halls throughout the country have been licensed as centers for marriage ceremonies. The government recognizes appointed elders in the congregations as legally qualified to perform the registrations in such halls.
HISTORIC ASSEMBLIES OF JEHOVAH’S SERVANTS
Early in 1958 we had a truly historic convention in Benin City. For the first time, brothers speaking different languages had separate booths on the same assembly ground. Nine languages were represented, the attendance totaled 19,731, and 740 were baptized. Among those present for the public lecture was the Oba (traditional king) of Benin, Akenzua II, who expressed his appreciation to the assembled audience.
As the service year closed, Nigeria was represented at the “Divine Will” International Convention in New York by 12 delegates, including two Gilead students who graduated on the first day of the convention.
Then early in 1959 a rousing call went out to all the Witnesses in Nigeria: “Come to Ilesha, March 12-15!” Why? For the “Divine Will” National Assembly, which Brother Knorr would attend. The government had denied him entrance in 1952. On Sunday, 27,926, representing 11 language groups, listened with rapt attention as he spoke on the subject “A Paradise Earth Through God’s Kingdom.” The conventioners were also delighted to receive the new book From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, a book that was specially suitable for Africa with its literacy problems.
SPECIAL SCHOOLING TO FILL OUR NEEDS
When the Kingdom Ministry School, for training overseers, got started in Lagos in September 1961, this marked a forward step in equipping them to care for their responsibilities more effectively. The literacy classes were also producing good results. The program had been streamlined, and better teaching manuals were provided. The brothers were also encouraged to cooperate with the government literacy program, and many were becoming literate through that arrangement.
Back in 1952 one brother, who could not read four years previously, had learned to read so well that he was made instructor of the reading classes in his congregation. Ezekiel Ovbiagele was illiterate when he was baptized in 1940. He enrolled in the literacy class and learned to read and write; he became a pioneer and by 1953 was sufficiently qualified to be appointed as a traveling overseer.
Many who have learned to read were already elderly and thought that they no longer had the ability to learn. But their desire to read the Scriptures for themselves and teach others reawakened their eagerness to learn. A sister over 60 years old, who had been sick for more than 20 years, regularly traveled five miles (8 km) each week by canoe to attend her reading class. She demonstrated her advancement at a circuit assembly in 1952 when she stood up and read fluently from the Scriptures. What joy such progress brought!
By 1961 several thousand adults had become literate through these classes. Commenting on this, Brother Gooch said: “Kingdom Halls are used to hold reading classes to which all in the village are welcome.” Illustrating the results, he told of the Umuochita Congregation, which had many villagers attending congregation meetings because the Kingdom Hall had become their “schoolhouse.” Our figures show that 19,238 additional adults were taught to read and write in our congregation classes between 1962 and 1984.
BROTHER GOOCH DEPARTS
In 1963 after Wilfred Gooch attended a special ten-month Gilead course in Brooklyn, he was assigned as branch overseer of the British Isles. His wife, Gwen, joined him there. He had served in Nigeria for 12 years and had contributed much toward organizational stability within the branch office and in the congregations.
Woodworth Mills, who had been serving in Nigeria since 1956, replaced him as branch overseer. Brother Mills, originally from Trinidad, and his wife Oris had pioneered in Aruba before attending Gilead and thereafter coming to Nigeria.
SOLID FAITH IN THE MIDST OF NATIONAL UNREST
Postindependence political troubles were now plaguing the country, and economic conditions were deteriorating. May and June 1964 witnessed serious labor unrest, including riots as well as postal and harbor strikes. This was just a foretaste of what was to come. But Jehovah’s Witnesses did not get involved. They kept busy in the work of Kingdom witnessing.
The unsettled conditions affected field service activities. But the 35,039 publishers did what they could, and the outlook for continued progress in the Kingdom work was bright. Among those serving Kingdom interests were many elderly publishers who were showing solid faith. With trust in Jehovah, they gave evidence of strength beyond what is normal. For example, to attend the “Fruitage of the Spirit” Assembly at Oshogbo in 1964, an 80-year-old brother walked 97 miles (156 km).
JUJU FAILS
At this time there were 1,919 in various forms of pioneer service taking the truth into new areas and organizing congregations in remote villages. They often faced demonic opposition, as happened in the village of Ago-Ṣaṣa.
Because a pioneer disregarded orders to quit the village in seven days, a priest of the tribal god Sango cursed him. The next day an unseasonal thunderstorm struck the vicinity of the Kingdom Hall where the pioneer was studying privately. Lightning destroyed a nearby tree and momentarily paralyzed him. A few days later a villager made this remark to him: “You must have powerful medicine. When the Sango priest left you, he got bitter kola [the nut from a tropical tree] and a fowl and made a curse against you before Sango. Sango struck your hall but you lived. Today that priest was struck dead by lightning in his own home.”
There was then only a congregation book study being held at Ago-Ṣaṣa; but the townspeople who heard the priest threaten the pioneer regarded it as a trial of spirit power. Convinced of Jehovah’s supremacy, many villagers took an interest in the truth.
A CRISIS BEGINS
The riots of 1964 proved to have been just a token of what was to come. Political disturbances, army revolts, lawlessness, and tribal violence escalated during 1965. This culminated in a coup by army officers on January 15, 1966, which placed the country firmly in the grip of a military regime.
These events put great strains on the Kingdom-preaching work; yet April of 1966 was the first month in which more than one million hours were spent in the field service, and the 800th congregation was enrolled. Interestingly, out of 42,000 publishers reporting field service in 1965, there were 4,280 persons between 51 and 70 years of age; 808 were over 70, and many of these were among the 5,460 who had been in the truth for more than 15 years. They had already given evidence that theirs was an enduring faith.
By mid-1966 there were 1,514 publishers and 26 special pioneers in the northern provinces. These are the ones that now underwent some of the most severe hardships.
Violent riots broke out in May and continued intermittently till October. Angered by the assassinations of their political and religious leaders during the coup and by the political stance of Igbo leaders, and irritated by the success of Igbos working in the North, the northern tribes rose up against them, making them the target for massacres. Most of the brothers were Igbos and had to flee to their hometowns in the southeast. Even so, about 20, including some servants and pioneers, were killed. Many lost all their possessions. Two Kingdom Halls were burned, and others were badly damaged. By mid-September the preaching of the good news in the North came to a virtual standstill.
PROTECTED BY NEUTRALITY
The Society immediately organized relief aid, sending out clothing and household materials. Meanwhile the neutral stand of these brothers, coupled with the preaching they had been doing, earned protection for many of them.
When rioters in Zaria broke into a compound and started to destroy the buildings, their leader suddenly stopped them and said: “The people living here are not connected with our political trouble.” He had seen the brothers and our publications in the houses.
At Kano a brother was walking home with a co-worker when they were suddenly surrounded by a mob. The brother was knocked down. As one of the men drew his knife to kill him, another mobster shouted, “Stop! Do not touch him! He preached to me two days ago!” Others agreed that the brother was not one of those they were looking for. They left him but killed his non-Witness companion.
MEETING THE TIMES OF CRISIS
In the midst of violence that was spreading throughout the country, 67,376 persons attended three “God’s Sons of Liberty” District Assemblies in November 1966. However, the political situation was deteriorating rapidly. The Igbos were being harassed in Hausaland to the north and in Yorubaland to the west. Even Igbo-speaking members of the Bethel family were threatened by the growing terrorism. Igboland to the east was becoming isolated.
Brothers Mills, Akpabio, and Olih from the office visited eastern Nigeria during April 1967. Encouragement and counsel were given. This was just in time, as the very next month the country was plunged into war.
COPING WITH A WAR
The eastern states proclaimed secession from the Federation of Nigeria on May 30, creating the Republic of Biafra. The existing state of emergency became critical. The federal army was mobilized. A total economic blockade was imposed against the East, and all telephone, telegraph, mail, air, and road links were cut. The tensions exploded into a violent civil war.
In mid-June, before the outbreak of full-scale fighting, Brothers Mills and Akpabio made a hazardous 12-day visit to Biafra. Meetings were held with the brothers, who were helped see the need for maintaining strict Christian neutrality and staying close to Jehovah’s organization. A hand-to-hand mail delivery system was organized, and arrangements were made to direct instructions and literature supplies to Asaba on the western bank of the Niger River. It was hoped that they could be transmitted from there to the East. But by August 15, war had spread to the Midwest, and the branch office was cut off from contact with two more districts and 22 circuits in that area. This was a serious disruption, because the Midwest was the funnel through which spiritual supplies and communications got in to and out of the eastern districts. Now this funnel was sealed.
Happily, this situation proved to be only temporary. Yet, even during that time the pioneer spirit among the brothers in the affected areas was high. A brother who was then district overseer in the Midwest recalls: “Even when we were cut off from the branch office by the war in 1967, the publishers were so eager to pioneer that we had to form a special committee to make provisional appointments for them.”
INTEGRITY AND INCREASE DURING WAR
Since Biafra was aflame with the war, the Igbo brothers were cut off from participation with the 47,452 who attended the series of “Disciple-making” District Assemblies during December of 1967 and January of 1968. But they were active in the preaching work. As communication trickled through, it was learned that they had reached a peak of 11,812 publishers in December, and that the next March 16,302 gathered in 217 places for the Memorial. In one area the brothers secured just one bottle of wine, and each congregation got about two spoonfuls for the celebration.
These dedicated Christians maintained strict neutrality toward the conflict. While the authorities on the Nigerian side generally took no issue with this, the Biafran authorities rejected any neutral stand. One divisional officer said: “People who are not prepared to contribute to the winning of this war of survival must be ready to quit this republic.” Biafran newspapers published hostile comments against the brothers, and there was a wave of incitement that whipped up public opinion against them. The fire of persecution became intense.
As actual fighting got closer and closer to them, the brothers kept retreating through the bush in groups. Moving from place to place, they built huts in which they held Bible meetings each day. Non-Witnesses who observed them were greatly amazed that they would not indulge in looting as they passed through abandoned properties, not even eating cassava from abandoned farms, though they were almost starving. When food became so scarce that many of the starving population were reduced to eating human flesh, the brothers did not join them. Trusting in Jehovah, they kept alive by eating lizards, snakes, grasshoppers—anything that contained protein or could fill their stomachs without poisoning them.
Throughout this time the brothers were hunted like animals. Many were dragged forcibly to army depots and brutally beaten when they refused to become soldiers. One pioneer was beaten with 374 strokes. A young pioneer’s assertion that he was already a soldier of Christ brought a blow across the head with the comment, “Your appointment as a soldier of Christ is terminated; you are now a Biafran soldier.” Courageously he answered, “Jehovah has not yet notified me that my appointment as his soldier is terminated, and my appointment stands until I receive such notification.” He endured further brutal treatment. He was even forcibly carried to the war front; but since he had no enrollment number, the commanding officer said: “I cannot fight with an unidentified soldier.” He ordered that he be taken back to camp to obtain a number. On the way, the soldier that was sent with him said: “If you like you can go now. You have no number and nobody can succeed in tracing you.” The brother thanked him and left.
Another brother was held and tortured in an underground bunker at Atani on the bank of the Niger River. A maimed brother who was appointed to take food to him returned with the report that even though the brother had insufficient air and was covered with perspiration, he was always singing praises to Jehovah. He encouraged other brothers to be of strong courage. After some days, he died singing Jehovah’s praises.
A GOD OF SAVING ACTS
Such experiences taught the brothers that Jehovah strengthens his servants to endure—even as far as death. But many survived. Some escaped after being buried alive, shot at by firing squads, beaten and abandoned as dead, tied and set ablaze. No wonder they now spoke of Jehovah as a God of saving acts.—Ps. 68:20.
Sisters also went through severe tests. Soldiers attempted to rape some of them. But when one sister prayed to Jehovah, feigned epilepsy and collapsed, frothing at the mouth, the soldiers took to their heels. Brother Ekong of Uyo Afaha Nkan was shot when he refused to let soldiers rape his daughter, and others, too, were killed because they would not allow their wives or daughters to be violated.
TRAVELING OVERSEERS HELP
The circuit overseers were playing a courageous role in building up the brothers spiritually. Benjamin Osueke, who now serves at the Lagos branch with his wife, was one of these. He gives us these recollections:
“The Witnesses proved to be their brothers’ keepers in the real sense of the word. Brothers from severely disturbed areas were accommodated by those in undisturbed parts. Because women had relatively freer movement than the menfolk, sisters provided food for the brothers who were hiding away from conscriptors. Through the help of a regular pioneer sister, I was able to visit several groups of publishers inside the bush. The other circuit overseers were equally alert to locate the bush areas where the brothers settled so they could visit these brothers and offer spiritual encouragement. The brothers appreciated this and also took risks on our behalf. Isaac Nwagwu, for example, ferried me over the Otamiri River in a canoe at great risk to his own safety. One of the group of publishers who came to see me off exclaimed, ‘This is the best day of my life. I never thought I would live to see a circuit servant in this life again. If I die now in the heat of this war, I am satisfied.’”
There were six Gilead graduates among them who provided much encouragement and strength. The three district overseers acted as a committee to organize and supervise the work. They kept in touch with the publishers, collected and compiled field service reports, and organized circuit assemblies. But were they able to communicate with the outside?
“CRISIS PROVISIONS” FROM JEHOVAH
Early in 1968 the Biafran authorities posted two of their civil service staff to important “sensitive” posts in Europe and at the Biafran airstrip. These two happened to be good friends. They were also Jehovah’s Witnesses. Now here they were at both ends of the only link between Biafra and the outside world. On their first surprise meeting in Port Harcourt in March 1968, they recognized and discussed the possibilities their appointment offered for establishing communication between the brothers and the Society.
It was a very delicate and risky assignment, but these brothers recognized that the situation must have been maneuvered by Jehovah. Acknowledging this, one of them later said that “the arrangement was beyond something that humans could have planned,” and that it could not have occurred “by a fortunate coincidence.” The Society’s offices in Lagos, London, and Brooklyn were informed, and a steady flow of communication began. These same channels served in supplying our distressed brothers with relief materials forwarded through Gabon and Dahomey (now Benin).
REMARKABLE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH
The difficult physical conditions of our brothers in Biafra became known among Jehovah’s people earth wide. Their integrity was also becoming known, and this was bringing much encouragement to those who heard of it. (Compare Philippians 1:14.) Thousands of brothers attending the “Peace on Earth” International Assembly at Yankee Stadium in 1969 were thrilled by this experience:
“A young brother, Christopher Utoh, was among some youths grabbed for army service. He refused to violate his conscience. For this he was beaten, imprisoned, starved, and threatened with death. After a grueling month of torture he was summoned before the officer commanding the division. Further threatenings proved unable to break his steadfastness. Finally, the officer released him with this decree:
“‘To Whom It May Concern: The above-named full-time minister of religion has this day been released from recruitment/conscription. His release is based on religious ministerial grounds and all concerned are requested to give him all necessary assistance and help to enable him to carry out his duties as an ordained minister of Jehovah God.’”
Poor materially, harassed and distressed physically, but strong spiritually, the brothers maintained integrity to Jehovah, attachment to his visible organization, and zeal in Kingdom service. Among them were hardworking pioneers. Samuel Onyedire, who was then a circuit overseer, tells this about them:
“The massive air bombardment, the day and night hounding of boys and able-bodied men, and the general mobilization campaigns were not favorable conditions, but the pioneers knew that the good news must be preached, be the weather fair or foul. So, many stuck to their commission. Secondly, they realized that the full-time service enabled them to maintain spiritual consciousness and balance. This understanding gave them inner strength and stamina to push ahead. Thirdly, they used early hours and late evenings for service, since the bombers usually arrived on air raids as from 10:00 a.m. They also conducted Bible studies at any convenient time during the day. . . . During conscription drives, the pioneers used opportunities to preach to villagers hiding in the bush. They were able to comfort the frustrated people, making return visits and even conducting Bible studies in their ‘mobile territory.’ Neighbors were baffled. They could not understand why a person should risk his life just to spread his belief. But the brothers were happy pioneers.”
SUPPORT FROM “PEACE ON EARTH” CONVENTIONS
The “Peace on Earth” series of conventions provided opportunities to support the fortitude of these beleaguered but enduring brothers. Even now, on looking back, it seems a miracle that two of the district overseers were able to attend the convention in London in 1969. However, although Biafra was cut off and it was virtually impossible to leave the country, arrangements were made for these two brothers to do so. They arrived at the Uli airstrip in the dark of night and, despite great risk, boarded one of the planes that had brought relief supplies to Biafra, and flew to London via São Tomé and Lisbon. They consulted with Brother Knorr and received very warm encouragement and counsel from Brother Franz. Arrangements were made to send relief shipments of food, medicine, literature, and clothes to the brothers who were in dire need.
Nigeria’s “Peace on Earth” Convention was held in December at Ilesha, right in the midst of war. Although it was a national convention, only a few Igbo brothers from Enugu were among the 97,201 in attendance; but they certainly rejoiced to be among so many brothers, and to share in welcoming the 3,425 who were baptized on that occasion. Because of their well-known neutrality, the federal army gave the convention delegates full cooperation. They not only granted vehicle passes but issued written instructions ordering soldiers manning the roadblocks to “treat them politely, assist when necessary.”
RELIEF SUPPLIES
Relief supplies were being sent in from the brothers in the British Isles and Ireland, using facilities of the International Red Cross and other voluntary charitable organizations interested in flying in relief for war victims. Also, the Society’s headquarters in New York and the London branch office sent donations totaling $24,000. During the entire period of crisis and after, the Lagos branch office sent out about 36 tons of food, clothing, and other materials.
After Brother Mills had returned from a trip during which relief supplies and spiritual provisions were delivered, he related his experiences in Lagos. As a result, many members of the Bethel family volunteered to make similar trips to encourage the brothers in refugee camps in areas ravaged by the civil war. So the Society sent Asuquo Akpabio with supplies by Red Cross plane to Calabar. A similar flight to Port Harcourt was made by Gerald Bogard. Then there was Wendell Jensen, an American; he and Lois his wife had come to Nigeria from Gilead in 1966. He managed to get to Port Harcourt with supplies of food, medicine, clothing, and literature, but was intercepted by soldiers and underwent harsh interrogation. Finally, he did manage to get the supplies to the brothers in Port Harcourt and Aba.
Gösta Andersson, a newly arrived missionary, took more needed supplies on a Red Cross flight to Enugu. After hours of walking to locate the brothers, and with jittery, armed soldiers all around, he got the supplies delivered. At one time when he stopped to have a snack by the roadside, a soldier came rushing toward him with his rifle pointed at him. Brother Andersson says: “I explained who I was and showed him the permit from the military authorities. He reluctantly withdrew and eyed me with suspicion as I picked up my things and left hurriedly while trying to conceal my fear.” He encouraged the local publishers and, borrowing a bicycle, rode out to a village where the brothers had arranged for a one-day assembly.
THEY CAME THROUGH AN ORDEAL
Suddenly, the war ended on January 15, 1970, to the surprise of both sides. As Jehovah’s Witnesses came out of hiding and again freely associated with their brothers, they told marvelous experiences demonstrating angelic protection and how they were saved by using and relying on Jehovah’s name. (Prov. 18:10) They recounted the frightening effects of air raids. They described the horrors of prolonged starvation and the horrible kwashiorkor disease, which, according to reports, caused the death of at least one million Biafrans. They told of how, as Jehovah’s Witnesses, they had suffered extreme harassment and persecution due to conscription drives.
Almost all of the Kingdom Halls in the war-ravaged areas had been looted. Some 50 of them had been demolished and another 50 extensively damaged by air raids and ground fighting. Yet the brothers had come through with their integrity intact and their faith strengthened. Fittingly, a circuit overseer remarked: “They proved . . . to be built of fire-resistant material.” Another, Samuel Onyedire, who has continued faithful in the full-time service since 1954, commented: “It is gratifying to reflect on how Jehovah sustained his servants during the turbulent days of the war. He fortified our faith and infused us with courage. We thank the brothers throughout the world whose prayers on our behalf were so wonderfully answered.”
RELIGIOUS LEADERS MEDDLED IN THE WAR
The record made by Christendom’s clergy was quite different. It was exactly as columnist Akin Elegbe wrote in the Morning Post of May 10, 1971: “While the crisis raged, the church, to the disappointment of all, . . . actively put oil into a blaze that nearly destroyed . . . Nigeria.”
Clergymen on each side called the war “God’s war.” The military ruler on one side was hailed by a Protestant bishop as the “Messiah of Black Africa,” and was urged by another minister to ‘work like Moses, Joshua.’ Another clergyman said that war against the rebellion had “the backing of the Holy Bible and the Koran.” Muslim leaders gave their support, saying, “War is necessary for peace.” On the opposing side, Protestant and Catholic bishops hailed their military ruler as “our Moses,” and called for help for “our soldiers and militia in the front not only with our prayers but also with every moral and material support.” The churches contributed for armaments and prayed to the same god for victory for their respective sides. Religious leaders in other lands also took sides in the conflict, creating great religious confusion.
It is no wonder that a Nigerian state governor said that the “crisis in Nigeria could have been averted if churches and other Christian organisations had played their part well.” Official protest was even made to the Vatican against the Church, which, according to one writer, “spared no effort in trying to divide” Nigeria.
The clergy themselves made expressions of self-condemnation. For example, decrying the churches’ role in the war, Pastor K. O. Balogun of the Christian Assembly in Ibadan said: “Those who called themselves messengers of God have failed. . . . We who call ourselves ministers of God have become ministers of Satan.”
Understandably, many people on both sides lost faith in the clergy. Also, the reverses of the war and the immeasurable suffering and hardship compelled them to reconsider their attitude toward Jehovah’s Witnesses. At such a time of trouble and perplexity, it was only Jehovah’s Witnesses who had been comforting them with a message of real hope. They alone had maintained a courageously neutral stand. No wonder that, toward the end of the war, honesthearted persons began to embrace the truth in great numbers. As the brothers later reported: “Even the soldiers were beckoning us to come and preach to them. They felt a sense of refreshment when they heard the message of God’s Kingdom.”
PERSECUTORS BECOME BROTHERS
A military officer who had unsuccessfully tried to force the brothers to take up arms—although other religious people were easily made to do so—visited Jehovah’s Witnesses after the war to find out how he could become one of them. The integrity and neutrality of the brothers had convinced him. “I have found the true religion,” he said. He was just one of scores of military personnel who thus benefited by taking note of the faithfulness of Jehovah’s people.
In a Biafran conscription camp a young brother refused enrollment for military training despite severe beatings. He was taken before a firing squad, tied to a pole, and informed that he would be shot after the count of four. As the officer called out each number, he paused to allow the brother to change his mind. He still refused. At the count of four, he was executed. But among those present was a young soldier who was now moved to examine his own position in view of the example of faith and integrity he had just witnessed. He had been raised as a Presbyterian and thought that all were worshiping the same God. Now he knew Jehovah’s Witnesses were different. As soon as the war ended, he started attending local congregation meetings and became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Many of such ones are now serving as pioneers. Some have even become circuit overseers or have served in Bethel. So those years of ordeal did not check the progress of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Rather, there was phenomenal increase that brought their average number of publishers from 37,392 in 1965 to 62,641 in 1970. During those five years 24,486 new disciples were baptized, compared with 12,230 for the previous five years. Yes, Jehovah had indeed blessed the faithful endurance of his Witnesses.
AFTER THE WAR—REORGANIZATION
As soon as the war ended, the branch office quickly arranged to resume production of Igbo and Efik publications on which work had been suspended. Circuit and district overseers attended a special course of training in Lagos. When the training was finished, those who had come in from Igboland returned there to help the 304 reorganized congregations and isolated groups.
Meanwhile, steps were being taken to encourage and rehabilitate the brothers in the war-ravaged areas. On March 8 the branch overseer and others from the office started a nine-day tour of the East, carrying with them 11 tons of much-needed Bible literature, clothing, and food. Their visit brought much spiritual encouragement to the brothers.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
Now that people in all parts of the country could again travel without hindrance, the time was ripe to bring all the brothers together for a large assembly. This opportunity came at the “Men of Goodwill” International Assembly in Lagos during December 1970. It proved to be one of the most outstanding events in the history of Jehovah’s Witnesses in this land.
Finding rooms for 100,000 Witnesses from all over Nigeria presented a staggering problem. But the brothers combed the city and suburbs, asking people to take in visitors during the convention. Kingdom Halls were turned into dormitories. Empty buildings, factories, schools, garages—all these were secured and put to use. When the crowds came pouring into the city, somehow everyone slept somewhere.
There were delegates present from 15 lands. Included among them, N. H. Knorr, F. W. Franz, M. G. Henschel, also Wilfred and Gwen Gooch. Preparing for the foreign visitors meant securing almost every hotel room in the city. Thus when the agent of a large international airline heard that his firm was sending some representatives to Lagos, he quickly sent word back: “No accommodation! Every hotel room occupied by Jehovah’s Witnesses.” “Can’t you take them into your own home?” came the reply. “I have six Jehovah’s Witnesses staying with me!” was the answer.
To provide the needed facilities for the convention, a bamboo city was built—17 seating areas with platforms, dormitories, cafeteria, and other departments. And here a program was presented in 17 languages simultaneously. For the public talk on the final day, 121,128 were present. It was truly amazing! The baptism itself was a mammoth event—3,775 new Witnesses immersed at the rate of 20 a minute.
The Igbo brothers and sisters were eagerly welcomed with warm embraces and tears of joy. Many of them had been helped to get to the convention by contributions from brothers all over Nigeria and overseas. They wept for joy as they drank in refreshing waters of truth and savored the upbuilding association that had been denied them for over two years. After the convention, some of the foreign delegates traveled by bus into Igboland to see firsthand the area most seriously affected by the civil war. A great sensation was caused in town after town as members of the touring party were greeted and embraced by local brothers. People rushed into the streets to watch. Such a demonstration of love and unity between black and white was something they had never seen before.
A GREAT CROWD OF KINGDOM PROCLAIMERS
During the decades since Claude Brown first preached the good news in Nigeria in 1921, there has been a truly heartwarming response to the truth. After 25 years, in 1946, there were 3,542 participating in the Kingdom work. By 1971 that number had grown to 75,372 Kingdom proclaimers. In 1976 an average of 107,924 shared in this activity. But then there was a period of decrease, and the average dropped to 91,217, as tests of faith sifted out those who did not prove to be built with ‘fire-resistant materials.’ (1 Corinthians 3:11-13) In the postwar era, some were swept up in the materialistic pursuits of city life; others, with immoral practices. But the vast majority remained solid in the faith. And in April of 1985 a new peak of 121,729 publishers was reached.
Among these is a growing group of zealous pioneers. The number of those in the regular and special pioneer work increased from 2,956 in 1980 to 4,556 in April 1985. During those same years the peak enrollment of auxiliary pioneers soared from 2,411 to 15,096!
Some of the full-time workers have been faithfully serving Jehovah since before 1940. Others have been in the full-time ministry for over 30 years. James Namikpoh, the first Nigerian to share in proclaiming the good news, was active in Jehovah’s service for 52 years. He was a pioneer for 46 years, serving until his death at 84 years of age. M. J. Orode, despite the loss of a leg, enjoyed the pioneer work for 32 years before he died in 1983. Many more such faithful ones are still serving, both in the field and at the branch office.
During the decades in which this marvelous growth has been taking place in Nigeria, Kingdom interests have also been cultivated under the direction of the Nigeria branch in nearby lands. Although space does not permit us to relate the details here, each of these countries has its own heartwarming story of small beginnings, faithfulness under persecution, and earnest effort on the part of self-sacrificing publishers to share the good news with others. Sierra Leone and Ghana now have their own branch offices. In other nearby lands our brothers carry on their ministry under governmental restrictions, which at times lead to imprisonment and harsh mistreatment. But loyal servants of God continue to demonstrate that the doing of Jehovah’s will is their foremost interest in life, and their numbers continue to grow.
CONVENTIONS TO CARE FOR THE GROWING MULTITUDE
Instead of continuing to hold major conventions in one location, as was done in 1970, it seemed wise thereafter to arrange to have a number of them in convenient locations throughout the country. The number has varied from year to year, until in 1984 there were 45 conventions, with discourses in 22 languages, and a total attendance of 287,894!
To care for this growing multitude, permanent assembly facilities have been built in many locations. Some of these feature a large covered seating area that is open on all sides to allow unimpeded ventilation. A few are in the form of a modified amphitheater. A number of the facilities include a baptismal pool, also large dormitories to accommodate the delegates. The brothers themselves have done the work, and they have produced facilities that are well suited to their needs in this tropical climate.
EXPANSION OF BRANCH FACILITIES
Back in 1972, supervision of the work in the branch office began to benefit from new theocratic procedures. In 1976 the Governing Body appointed a committee of mature brothers to give oversight to the Kingdom work, as was being done in other lands worldwide. A variety of brothers have shared in the responsibilities of oversight since the branch was first established here. All have made valuable contributions and have been loved by the brothers. Don Ward, who had been serving in Dahomey (now Benin), was reassigned to Nigeria to supervise the construction of expanded branch facilities and was appointed branch overseer in 1972. He became the first coordinator of the Branch Committee; but he had to return to the United States because of illness, and he died in 1983 after 41 years of faithful service. At present the Branch Committee includes Malcolm Vigo, and Brothers Andersson, Olih, Olugbebi, Prosser, and Trost.
The Bethel home, office, and printery have also had to be enlarged repeatedly over the years. Early in 1948 the printing was being done on a small platen press on the ground floor of the home of Sister Green on Campbell Street in Lagos. The office and the literature storage were at separate locations, and the Bethel family was housed at yet three more places. Since then we have had some fine branch facilities, but these have all been outgrown.
At the time of this writing, a completely new complex of buildings is being erected at Igieduma, on 55.5 hectares (137 acres) of land. A temporary camp for the construction workers was built in 1984. The Governing Body decided that the factory building would be prefabricated, and materials for this have been shipped from the United States. When completed, the new factory will measure 262 × 394 feet (80 × 120 m). A spacious office building, four connected residence buildings, and other needed facilities will also be constructed. Obtaining import licenses was truly an act of faith. And the arrival of everything at the building site in good order has been an evidence of Jehovah’s blessing. The local brothers have been joined by skilled Witnesses from abroad, working together to bring the project to a successful completion.
The Kingdom work has come a long way in this land. The brothers have gone through fiery tests of their faith. They have been molded into a strong theocratic organization. Over 60 years ago there was just one proclaimer of the good news in Nigeria. That “little one” has become, not only a thousand but now well over 120,000. These rejoice to be part of the unified, worldwide organization that today is experiencing the realization of Jehovah’s grand promise: “The little one himself will become a thousand, and the small one a mighty nation. I myself, Jehovah, shall speed it up in its own time.”—Isa. 60:22.
[Map on page 191]
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NIGERIA
KANO
ZARIA
KADUNA
Niger River
Benue River
Okpara River
LAGOS
OYO
ILESHA
IBADAN
BENIN CITY
IGIEDUMA
ENUGU
ASABA
SAPELE
WARRI
ABA
FORCADOS
CALABAR
PORT HARCOURT
NIGER
BENIN
GULF OF GUINEA
CAMEROON
CHAD
Lake Chad
[Map on page 234]
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Over 250 languages are spoken in Nigeria. Areas where a few principal ones predominate are highlighted here
NIGERIA
Yoruba
Igbo
Efik
[Picture on page 193]
James Namikpoh—the first Nigerian Witness and a pioneer until his death at 84 years of age
[Picture on page 199]
“Bible” Brown and his wife served for 27 years in West Africa
[Pictures on page 200]
Helmets bearing slogans, and megaphones, were among the instruments used to spread the Kingdom message
[Picture on page 209]
Ernest Moreton (who enjoyed Nigerian clothing) and Anthony Attwood were among the first missionaries sent to Nigeria
[Picture on page 216]
Asuquo Akpabio, one of the first Nigerian graduates of Gilead, with his wife Christiane
[Pictures on page 223]
Glimpses of life in Nigeria
[Picture on page 231]
Woodworth and Oris Mills, Gilead graduates who have served for nearly 30 years in Nigeria
[Pictures on page 247]
Conventions—Nigerian style
[Picture on page 249]
One of the permanent convention facilities built by Nigerian Witnesses
[Picture on page 250]
Present Branch Committee. In front (from the left): Albert Olugbebi, Malcolm Vigo, Albert Olih. In back: Carlos Prosser, Gösta Andersson, Donald Trost
[Picture on page 252]
These present branch facilities have been outgrown, and new ones are being constructed at Igieduma
The Word of Jehovah Keeps Moving Speedily
pp. 253–255
The Word of Jehovah Keeps Moving Speedily
Now that you have had the opportunity to read about these thrilling exploits marking the forward movement of Jehovah’s Witnesses, we are sure you will agree that they have given ample evidence of being Jehovah’s integrity keepers. Included especially in their mark of integrity is their faithfully keeping Jesus’ command: “Go . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them.” (Matt. 28:19) This they have certainly done, and now, as a result of their doing this work so dear to the hearts of Jehovah and his Son, Christ Jesus, what a joy it is for us all to welcome those 189,800 newly dedicated ones who became associated with Jehovah’s loving organization during the past year! Seeing and hearing about their happiness in now being freed from the clutches of Babylon the Great reminds many of us older ones of the time when we, for the first time, experienced the truthfulness of Jesus’ words: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”—John 8:32.
But now, think what all of this means. An additional 189,800 sheeplike ones have joined those already “standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” They are ‘rendering God sacred service day and night in his temple.’ Can you hear that increasing volume of praise ascending to delight Jehovah? Unitedly they keep saying: “Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9, 10, 15) What happiness this must bring to the heart of our heavenly Father!
Ah yes, but there is something else for us to keep in mind. Room must be made for these many new praisers to move about comfortably within Jehovah’s organization. A spiritual feeding program must be provided so that there is plenty for all such newcomers. And constant guidance from God’s Word must be given so that they can grow to maturity and also be protected from Satan and the influences of his wicked world. All of this places a heavy responsibility upon the rest of us, and especially upon the shoulders of the elders, in the branches, in the congregations, and in the missionary homes. (See Isaiah 32:2, 3.) We therefore urge all elders to make sure that, during the coming months, they put forth every effort to ensure that the needed spiritual provisions and arrangements are made to assist these new brothers and sisters of ours. This will help the recently dedicated ones to make solid progress along “the road leading off into life.”—Matt. 7:13, 14.
How do you think the Devil and his demons feel when they see this constant expansion of Jehovah’s visible organization? We get an insight into their feelings when some of the clergy vent their rage against Jehovah’s Witnesses for ‘stealing their flock,’ as they put it. Or, when some who are no longer associated with us try to belittle and misrepresent those who are upholding God’s righteous standards as set out in his Word. And we can expect this opposition to increase in intensity as time goes on. The relentless war Satan wages against those ‘observing the commandments of God and bearing witness to Jesus’ will never stop until Jehovah silences His opposers at the end of this system of things.—2 Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 12:17.
Those of us who are working here at the world headquarters in Brooklyn are very much aware of this vicious warfare that is being waged against both God’s remaining anointed ones and the multitude of their sheeplike companions. Therefore, for the strengthening of all of God’s people, we are making provision for the fine material presented in the “Integrity Keepers” Convention program to be refreshingly discussed in detail in forthcoming issues of the Watchtower magazine. We encourage all of you to make this material your own through personal and congregational study. We feel certain that this spiritual nourishment will help you in maintaining your integrity to Jehovah and also in “acquiring power in the Lord and in the mightiness of his strength,” so making certain that you have on “the complete suit of armor from God.”—Eph. 6:10-18.
Without question we are living in thrilling times of the modern-day history of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The witness work is opening up in some lands to a greater extent than we would have thought possible just a few years ago. Because of increased world tension the hearts of many people are becoming more receptive to the truth. So, “lift up your eyes and view the fields, that they are white for harvesting.” (John 4:35) How appropriate indeed then are the words of our 1986 yeartext: “Go . . . declare abroad the kingdom of God.”—Luke 9:60.
In the days of the early Christian congregation, a body of older men was entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the overall spiritual needs of the brothers and also for supervising the work of preaching the good news of the Kingdom. (See Acts, chapter 15.) A similar arrangement exists today for the worldwide organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. For your information, there are now 13 members comprising the Governing Body: Carey W. Barber, John E. Barr, W. Lloyd Barry, John C. Booth, Frederick W. Franz, George Gangas, Milton G. Henschel, Theodore Jaracz, Karl F. Klein, Martin Poetzinger, Albert D. Schroeder, Lyman A. Swingle, and Daniel Sydlik.
We wish you to know that all of us here at the world headquarters remember you daily in our prayers. Our prayer also is that you “carry on prayer for us, that the word of Jehovah may keep moving speedily and being glorified just as it is in fact with you.” (2 Thess. 3:1) May Jehovah continue to bless each one of you as you faithfully care for the Kingdom interests in your part of the world field. Please be assured of our warm Christian love.
Your brothers,
GOVERNING BODY OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES