Yearbook—1993

Title Page/​Publishers’ Page

1993 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Containing Report for the Service Year of 1992

No matter how long we have served the true God, may we always be determined to focus our heart entirely upon Jehovah and thus echo the prayer of King David, our 1993 yeartext: “Instruct me, O Jehovah . . . Unify my heart to fear your name.”​—PSALM 86:11.

Index

3 Highlights of reports from around the world

33 1992 Service Year Report, 229 Countries and Territories

65 Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times

66 Denmark

148 Honduras

208 Malaysia

253 Organizing for Further Expansion (Letter from the Governing Body)

Jehovah’s Witnesses​—1993 Yearbook Report

“THE scene of this world is changing,” wrote the apostle Paul to fellow Christians living in the prestigious city of Corinth. (1 Cor. 7:31) Corinth was intellectually active, materially prosperous, and morally corrupt. Its population was a hodgepodge, largely made up of merchants and travelers who would stay a few days and leave, much like actors on a stage who enter from the wings to act their parts and then swiftly disappear until the next scene. The outward manner of life​—“the scene”—​in Corinth, with all of its glittering opulence, was transitory, in a state of change, constantly sliding by. Hence, Paul warned his brothers not to use the world to the full. Paul told them not to be engrossed in the world of earthly things. They will not last. The time left is too short for Christians to be clinging to the fickle schemes of humans. Therefore, Paul admonished: Live your life with “constant attendance upon the Lord without distraction.”​—1 Cor. 7:35.

Although Paul’s words were penned more than 19 centuries ago, they still ring true. The present external form of the world is undergoing constant change. Like a passing scene in a stage play, material goods and hard-earned possessions can be here today and gone tomorrow. A flood, an earthquake, a hurricane, or any other natural disaster can upend a person’s life in a flash. Long-held political and economic ideologies​—often expressed in spilled blood—​can shift overnight. For example, some three years ago, countries in Eastern Europe appeared stable. Then, suddenly, in November 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and like dominoes tumbling across Eastern Europe, so fell beliefs that were staunchly held for decades.

One Billion Hours!

However, Jehovah’s Witnesses, although affected by such changing scenes, have always striven to live their lives in a manner that shows constant attendance upon the Lord. During the past service year, they had a peak of 4,472,787 publishers and devoted 1,024,910,434 hours to preaching the good news of Jehovah God’s Kingdom in 229 lands and 69,558 congregations! What other religious organization did that?

But more than preach, they personally taught millions of people God’s Word free of charge. Each month, on the average, they conducted 4,278,127 home Bible studies. What resulted from such evangelism? The number of those baptized in symbol of their dedication to Jehovah reached 301,002. Also, on the evening of April 17, 1992, the sacred celebration of the Memorial of the death of Jesus Christ was held. That night, the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world counted 11,431,171 in attendance.

Country after country had packed Kingdom Halls. For example, Zambia, with a peak of 80,460 publishers of the good news, rejoiced when 365,828 attended the Memorial​—over 4 percent of the country’s population! In Mexico the Memorial attendance was 1,283,203. Imagine, 9,000 congregations celebrated the Memorial there! And in Czechoslovakia, with a peak of 25,435 publishers, the Memorial was attended by a total of 54,082 persons. For the first time there, the Memorial was also held in three prisons, where 54 prisoners and their wardens were present. The officials at one prison expressed their appreciation for the pleasant and well prepared program, which included the singing of songs. In another town the brothers were very much surprised when not only a prisoner but also his warden came to the Kingdom Hall to observe the Memorial.

Brazil, with 332,050 publishers in March, had a total of 985,252 persons attend the Memorial. This was an increase of 87,513 over the attendance for the previous year. Young ones too are benefited by being at this special occasion.

In 1990, nine-year-old Paul was the only Witness in his school. His teacher noted his good conduct. But when she prayed in class, she noticed that he did not bow his head, and when she had each pupil in turn say a prayer, Paul asked to be excused. On Christendom’s Good Friday, she had the class draw a picture of Jesus on the cross. However, since Paul drew him on a stake, she asked why. He explained, leaving her Bible literature to read, and invited her to the Memorial.

Paul also got permission to conduct a regular Bible study with his class. The 40-minute study was held weekly using the Bible and My Book of Bible Stories. The director of the school, secretaries, Paul’s teacher, and others also attended. The next year, three other teachers asked to have the study held in their classes. This did not please the local priest. It irritated him to hear the children using God’s name, Jehovah. He held a meeting with the parents and said that they and their children should not use the name. The parents complained to the teachers, who in turn talked to Paul.

“If God’s name can’t be used, then I can’t continue with the studies,” Paul said, reasoning that the sanctification of God’s name was the most important part of the Lord’s Prayer. With this explanation the study continued, and now, in 1992, there are five such classes, including a group of children with learning problems. The teachers are amazed because the children all listen quietly when they are taught about God’s purposes, and they are less restless than in other classes.

Witnesses Can Now Preach Freely

In Albania, Jehovah’s Witnesses were legalized by ministerial decree on May 22, 1992. Just prior to that liberating decree, the Memorial was attended by 325 persons. The month of June 1992 saw 56 publishing the good news. What a change compared with the nine who reported in June 1991! One man told Witnesses on the street: “During the time of the Communists, all of us had forsaken God. Only Jehovah’s Witnesses remained faithful to him through all the trials and hardships.”

Angola legalized the good work of the Witnesses on April 10, 1992. After decades of persecution and war, the publishers in that country rejoiced in a special way with expressions of gratitude to Jehovah for ‘having crowned the year with his goodness.’​—Ps. 65:11.

Over the years, missionaries assigned to this country were quickly deported. In the 1950’s many Witnesses were imprisoned. Some were sentenced to 15 years or more in work camps; others were executed. Without letup, the Witnesses showed that they treasured their privilege to share the good news with others. How has their faithful service been rewarded?

The very month the work was registered, a new peak of 18,911 publishers was reached, which is a 30-percent increase over last year’s average, and they reported 56,075 home Bible studies. Reports tell of interested people calling at the homes of the brothers to request a home Bible study. Congregations of 100 publishers or more have anywhere from 300 to 500 persons attend their public meetings. Favorable conditions shortly before legal recognition of the work allowed the brothers to hold their first district conventions​—20 of them, with a combined peak attendance of 17,064 persons. What thrilling occasions they were!

Some congregations in Angola have little territory, thus requiring that Witnesses be alert to preach to everyone they meet. At one home the householder told a Witness that he was not interested, since he was a Catholic. The following week, while passing the same home, the brother noticed a lady standing in the doorway and seized the opportunity to speak with her. Her reply was the same as that of her husband, but she added a proverb: “A dog can’t carry two bones,” meaning that one cannot profess two religions at the same time. The next week he saw a girl standing in the doorway of the same home. Knowing that they were a religious family, he offered her the book Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work. She listened attentively, accepted it, and agreed that the brother could return the following week. Unknown to him, the father was listening to the conversation in the next room. Several days later the father approached the brother on the street, telling him that his daughter had read the entire book and enjoyed it very much. He asked the brother to be sure to visit them as he had promised. Now the whole family is studying, as well as attending meetings.

Refugees Hear the Good News

In Switzerland too the scene of this world is changing, and the customary stability of conditions in that country is no longer what it used to be. The many business failures and growing ranks of the unemployed are something new to the Swiss. Never before have so many foreigners moved there, either as refugees or as persons looking for better economic conditions​—often to their disappointment. And it is becoming increasingly difficult for the government to make decisions that are not challenged by the people. “All of this is creating a climate of insecurity,” the branch office writes, “allowing many an opportunity to engage in discussions about our Bible-based hope.”

A case in point is the experience of Felicia from Nigeria. Her marriage problems caused her to separate from her mate, Jimmy. Leaving her young child in the care of her parents, she moved to Switzerland. In Geneva she hoped to make a fresh start in life, but alas, as a foreigner seeking asylum, finding a job and a place to stay was much more difficult than she had imagined. One day at work, she talked about her problems to another refugee who was already studying the Bible with the Witnesses. She told Felicia about the wonderful things she was learning from the Bible and how doing God’s will solves many problems. Felicia agreed to a Bible study, and eight months later she became an unbaptized publisher. By then she had started to worry about her family situation and confided in a congregation elder.

In the meantime, her husband, to whom she was still legally married, had also arrived in Switzerland and was very impressed by the changes he noticed in the personality of his runaway wife. He too agreed to a Bible study with a brother in the town where he lived. Felicia was baptized in November 1991, only 11 months after she began studying. Immediately she started to serve as an auxiliary pioneer, while her husband became an unbaptized publisher and enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry School in his congregation. At that time they were still separated, but now they were both thinking in the same way and wanted to reunite and raise their son together in a Christian family. So Jimmy and Felicia presented to the elders of the congregation the proof of their legal marriage and declared that they wanted to renew their relationship as husband and wife, to avoid bringing reproach on Jehovah’s name and the Christian congregation. Jimmy was baptized at the 1992 “Light Bearers” District Convention in Geneva, and the couple are planning to return to Nigeria, resolved to raise their son according to Christian principles.

Sweden is a country that has been open to refugees. The congregations have met the challenge to preach to the refugees in their own language. The results have been wonderful. For example, out of the 11 district conventions held this past summer, only 5 were in Swedish; the others were in Arabic, English, Finnish, Greek, Serbo-Croatian, and Spanish. At the English-language district convention, 696 were present, and they were from 77 different nations. The witnessing work has also started in the Persian and Russian languages.

During the last few months, upwards of 50,000 refugees from the former Yugoslavia arrived in Sweden. The congregations that speak the Serbo-Croatian language have concentrated on witnessing to these refugees, and they are having excellent results. The meetings have anywhere from 75 to over 100 refugees attending. And after only four or five months of study, some of those attending have progressed to dedication and baptism.

Witnesses living in the Netherlands preach in 17 different languages. A brother in one of the Spanish congregations contacted a man who came to the Netherlands as a refugee. He had served in a number of lands as the ambassador of an African country; however, he fell into disfavor with his government and sought refuge in the Netherlands. A Bible study was first started with him while his wife was still in Portugal. When the family were finally united in the Netherlands, all of them took part in the study except the eldest of the five children. They made good progress and the former ambassador is now a spiritual brother. He was baptized on July 25, 1992. His wife and one daughter have become unbaptized publishers. The new brother remarked: “I have been an ambassador of the king of my country. But now I am an ambassador of the highest king and of God’s Kingdom.”

‘Relief Ministrations’ for Brothers in Need

IN THE days of Claudius, a first-century emperor of Rome, a great famine ravaged the land. Christians in the congregation of Syrian Antioch “determined, each of them according as anyone could afford it, to send a relief ministration to the brothers dwelling in Judea.” (Acts 11:28, 29) Barnabas and Saul delivered the relief funds to the elder body in Judea, who had the responsibility to administer the needed help. This is the first recorded instance when relief on such a large scale was provided by the Christian congregation. In a similar manner today, when Witnesses living in one part of the world learn that their brothers in another area are in great need, they willingly contribute what they can. With swift organized precision, a relief ministration swings into action. Consider the following examples.

Eastern Europe

At the end of 1991, the Governing Body invited seven branches of the Watch Tower Society in Western Europe to provide food and clothing for their needy brothers in Eastern Europe.a What happened when the Witnesses in Sweden first learned of the need? Truck after truck rolled in from congregations far and near. Even after the Sweden branch was filled to capacity with clothing and other goods, more and more materials kept coming, making it necessary to rent a hall outside the branch complex to hold all the donated items. Brothers and sisters from nearby congregations came to help. An average of 35 volunteers worked at sorting and packing clothing until 15 semitrailers were ready to start rumbling toward their destinations. Another three semitrailers trucked more than 51 tons of foodstuffs to Russia.

Within just days of the announcement, the food provisions, divided up into 750 boxes, each containing about 44 pounds [20 kg] of basic food products, such as flour, cooking oil, canned meat, and dried milk, were ready for the first truck shipment​—destination St. Petersburg, Russia. On December 19, 1991, with all customs papers translated into Russian and in good order, the first truck passed through border checkpoints without any problems. The Witnesses in St. Petersburg were anxiously awaiting the shipment and were already prepared to reload the cargo onto smaller vehicles for delivery to different distribution centers, from which the food could be quickly given to those in need. What a reception when the truck arrived! The waiting, happy brothers heartily embraced their Swedish brothers.

For the donation of clothing, congregations searched their closets for neat and clean items. Others went out and bought new clothes. One Witness went to a men’s store to buy five suits. This aroused the merchant’s curiosity. When the reason was explained to him, he donated five more suits. Another brother went to buy several packages of socks, gloves, and similar items at an outlet and explained the reason for such a large purchase. The owner compassionately offered him a consignment of 30 new suits for the price of 2. Hardly able to contain himself, the brother quickly accepted. Another brother brought a huge pile of clothes to the dry cleaner and told him what was being done. The owner then gave him all the clothing that customers had never claimed. When the owner of a sporting goods store heard that the consignments were to go directly to the ones in need, he picked a hundred pairs of brand-new winter shoes and boots from the shelves as a donation.

The sorting organization was set into gear. A group of ten sisters with a good eye for quality sorted the clothes into men’s, women’s, and children’s collections. Ten other sisters deftly packed the sorted items into cartons. A team of hefty brothers taped the cartons shut and stacked them on pallets, ready for shipment by truck. Altogether, 1,400 cubic feet [40 cu m] of clothing and shoes were packed daily.

The Witnesses in the Netherlands and Switzerland had the privilege of participating in this relief work too. Brothers in the Netherlands contributed 52 tons of food, together with 11 truckloads of clothing, and those in Switzerland prepared 600 food parcels weighing a total of 12 tons. What about the children? When the Witnesses in Ukraine received 72 tons of clothing, they discovered that the parcels containing children’s wear included toys donated by Witness children for their unknown little friends. Also, quite a few chocolate bars had found their way between the layers of clothing.

Thus, during the winter of 1991/92, the relief ministration consisted of 400 tons of foodstuffs and large amounts of clothing for men, women, and children. These were distributed to practically all parts of the territory of the former Soviet Union, as far as Irkutsk, in Siberia, and Khabarovsk, near Japan.

Africa

Generous donations of food and clothing by the Witnesses in South Africa and Portugal made it possible to send relief ministrations and greatly needed literature supplies to Angola. Why the need?

Angola suffered a severe drought in 1990, which caused the death of thousands of people and destroyed that country’s harvest. In some places the brothers hesitated to share in the public ministry because of insufficient clothing. Fellow Witnesses in South Africa saw to it that 25 tons of relief provisions were safely shipped and evenly distributed to their brothers in Angola. Because the country has been torn by a prolonged civil war, there continued to be a need for clothing. The congregations of Greater Lisbon in Portugal were invited to donate clothes to the Witnesses in Angola, and the response was marvelous. From March 1991 to August 1992, seven 20-foot [6 m] containers packed with clothing, food, and literature were shipped out​—a total of 75 tons!

North America

Early Monday morning, August 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew boiled in from the Atlantic and slammed through southern Florida before veering across the Gulf of Mexico to tear into Louisiana. Screaming like a siren, with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour [230 km/​hr] and gusts of at least 164 miles per hour [260 km/​hr], the storm leveled 165 square miles [430 sq km] of south Florida. Andrew left 250,000 people homeless, destroyed an estimated 63,000 houses, and left 38 people dead. “The damage was unprecedented in the United States,” said a veteran claims specialist for an insurance company, “the worst I’ve ever seen.”

The Witnesses were not immune to Hurricane Andrew’s fury​—3,500 of them were left homeless because 1,120 of their homes were damaged, 150 beyond repair. Ten Kingdom Halls were damaged too. The Governing Body reacted at once. They appointed a relief committee to operate out of an Assembly Hall 40 miles [60 km] north of the Florida disaster zone and immediately made funds available for the purchase of emergency items. As the hurricane winds were diminishing, Witness workers from outside the disaster area started pouring in to help. By Saturday, August 29, the amount of building materials delivered to the Assembly Hall weighed in at 305 tons. By the next day, Sunday, some 70 tractor-trailer loads of supplies had arrived. “About 3,000 Witness volunteers from across the country have converged on the disaster area, first to help their own, then to help others,” reported the Miami Herald of August 31.

To illustrate the speed of the Witnesses’ relief effort, consider what happened shortly after the winds abated. Two carloads of non-Witnesses drove to city hall in one stricken area to offer their help. The police escorted them to the only people who were organized for the repair work​—Jehovah’s Witnesses.

All across the United States, Witnesses, including those in full-time service at world headquarters, contributed to the relief effort. In just one week, the Bethel family at Brooklyn, Patterson, and Watchtower Farms donated $26,291.10. Among the moneys received in Florida was a small can with $6.81 in coins. Inside was a note that read: “Dear brothers, I hope you will be alright. We said a prayer for you. I am six. Love, Chance.”

Surely, the above gives evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses are displaying the same spirit of compassion and solidarity that was manifested by the early Christian congregation. (Acts 4:32) Therefore, we have good reason to feel grateful to Jehovah God that in this time of the end, he not only supplies receptive humans earth wide with spiritual nourishment but also maintains a worldwide brotherhood that can quickly join together and in times of need supply material things. This gives us a strong feeling of security and confidence for the future, when the whole world will be inhabited by one loving brotherhood.

“Aglow With the Spirit” at World Headquarters

“DO NOT loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah.” (Rom. 12:11) The 12,068 ministers, all part of a special religious order, serving at Bethel homes around the world have taken those words of the apostle Paul to heart. They refuse to let the changing world scene distract them from their Christian ministry. Their zeal for the Lord’s business stays at the boiling point. The work accomplished by the 4,520 family members at world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, at nearby Watchtower Farms, and at the Watchtower Educational Center at Patterson, New York, typifies the effort that all Bethelites put forth in slaving for Jehovah. The following are just some of the developments at world headquarters.

Furman Street Facility

New laundry and dry-cleaning facilities were installed on the eighth floor of the 360 Furman Street building in September and November of 1991. These premises provide a pleasant environment for the personnel who handle 25 tons of soiled items each week for the more than 3,000 members of the Brooklyn headquarters staff.

What else is happening in the Furman Street building? During this past service year, Tape Duplicating churned out six and a half million audiocassettes. Since that department’s inception in 1978, over 53 million cassettes have been produced. The Carpenter Shop rejoiced last service year at its highest output ever​—11,000 cabinets and cabinet components. The shop office reports: “We anticipate a greater output for 1993, as the 90 Sands Street project will require 4,000 to 5,000 cabinets per year for two years, and the Patterson project will need 4,000 cabinets per year for at least three more years.”

Office Complex

Hospital Information Services (HIS), located at 25 Columbia Heights, assists the worldwide brotherhood in holding to their firm resolve not to violate God’s clearly stated law on the use of blood. (Acts 15:29) In many ways the last few years have seen dramatic changes in the attitudes and practices of a number of doctors and medical centers all over the world.

Among the changes are bloodless medicine and surgery centers. From just a handful of helpful doctors who kindly worked with the Witnesses in the past, HIS has now developed a listing of 27,420 cooperative physicians in the lands of 64 branches where 854 Hospital Liaison Committees function. This has been due in great part to the good work done by the 4,300 elders who make up these committees.

Within that growing pool of doctors, HIS found large teams at individual medical complexes who were willing to be part of a bloodless center to treat Jehovah’s Witnesses. As a result, in the United States, there are now 14 such centers. A front-page headline in The Denver Post read: “University Hospital Now Can Provide ‘Bloodless’ Surgery.” Another newspaper used the headline: “Doctors Rethink Blood Transfusions,” with the subheading, “Program designed to help Jehovah’s Witnesses has advantages for everyone.”

In other lands there are similar results. In Norway an HIS presentation was heard by 79 doctors and nurses at the country’s largest cancer treatment hospital. That center now accepts the Witnesses, not one staff member refusing to cooperate in the program. Germany reports that there are five centers offering bloodless treatment there. Spain reports two bloodless centers, one in Barcelona and one in Madrid. Australia has one. Italy shows a growing trend toward bloodless centers as well. The director of a clinic in Peru said: “We wish to advise you, and through you your Jehovah’s Witnesses brothers, that in our clinic you can count on all the medical assistance you might need [without] blood transfusions.”

Attitudes of health-care professionals are changing. In Austria a leading doctor in one of Vienna’s largest hospitals told the brothers: “Because of your religious viewpoint, you have been on the right path earlier than we.” The head clinician at a hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, said he was “amazed at the depth” of the research manifest in the information being supplied by HIS on bloodless treatment. A professor of pediatrics at this same facility reported: “Jehovah’s Witnesses have done us a service in providing the information and stimulating us to reexamine our attitude toward transfusion.” A renowned pediatric orthopedic surgeon in the United States said: “From what we now know about the dangers of blood, we can say that Jehovah’s Witnesses have been vindicated.” A director of cardiothoracic anesthesia at a university hospital in the United States said: “All patients, Jehovah’s Witnesses included, stand to benefit from your efforts to inform area physicians about alternatives to blood transfusion. We applaud your group and your efforts.”

In the 30 Columbia Heights office building, the Construction Office is coordinating branch construction projects in some 50 lands, from Antigua to Zimbabwe. And the Legal Department is pleased that “articles in our magazines on child custody and the needs of children of divorce have received favorable attention among attorneys, social workers, and psychologists.” One sister involved in a custody dispute was surprised to find that the family court mediator now regularly uses the October 22, 1988, issue of Awake! featuring the subject “Child Custody​—A Painful Issue” to assist her clients in working out differences. The mediator appreciated the neutral position the article took and felt it was beneficial for all parents in that position.

Video Services reports that more than 500,000 copies of its first release, Jehovah’s Witnesses​—The Organization Behind the Name, have now been produced in 5 languages, with 22 other languages soon to be available. The branch in the Netherlands participated in this project, and it writes: “It has been a stimulating experience for our Bethel family to be able to share in the recording of the 19 different languages for that video, including several Eastern European languages.”

On one Pacific island, this video had an unusual showing, as the following letter from the branch office in Fiji relates: “One of the congregations is on the remote island of Rotuma, 300 miles [500 km] from Suva. Although there is no regular electrical supply on the island, the circuit overseer took the Society’s video, hoping to arrange with someone on the island who had a generator, a VCR, and a TV monitor to show it to the congregation of 13 publishers. The chances looked slim. What a surprise to learn that not far from the Kingdom Hall lived a shopkeeper who had all three needed items! When asked, he agreed to show the video at his home. When the brothers arrived at the man’s house, they found quite a number of people who were watching a cowboy movie. Immediately this was stopped, and the Society’s video was put on. All stayed to watch it. Altogether, there were over 80 on hand to see the video. Despite their isolation, the brothers were delighted to see the magnitude of Jehovah’s organization and feel a part of it. The video prompted one woman to attend the next meeting at the Kingdom Hall. She said that it was the best video she had ever seen!”

The new video, The Bible​—Accurate History, Reliable Prophecy, is now ready for distribution. It is the first in a three-volume set.

Watchtower Farms

Watchtower Farms serves as the central location for the production and distribution of food to the U.S. Bethel family. This is also the temporary location of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, where brothers and sisters from around the world receive training for missionary work. Additionally, it houses the printing operations for the Watchtower and Awake! magazines for distribution throughout the United States.

Through the Society’s worldwide multilanguage computer system, the Computer Department at Watchtower Farms is now supporting the composition, translation, and publication of Bible literature in three more languages than the 208 of the previous year. Another outstanding development was the release to the public of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures​—With References on Diskette. This diskette version of the New World Translation will allow computer users to carry out research in the Bible quickly.

Patterson Project

Construction on the Watchtower Educational Center has zoomed forward with surprising speed. Nine buildings are already completed, as well as the wastewater and water treatment utilities. Currently, nine buildings are under construction, and work on four more will begin during the course of the year. More than 800 brothers and sisters form the work force on the project each day. This center will become the eventual location of Gilead School. The Governing Body also announced that a number of Brooklyn departments associated with the worldwide educational work will be transferred to the Educational Center.

Extending Benefits of the Ministerial Training School

DURING the 1992 service year, 14 classes of the Ministerial Training School were held in ten countries. For the first time, the school was conducted in Australia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Sweden. This opened up opportunities for more brothers to receive special training. In expressing their appreciation, students from Australia and New Zealand who attended the first class in Sydney said they were deeply moved by the quality and scope of the course. Members of the first class in Mexico stated that they were drawn closer to Jehovah and his organization as a result of their studies. From Nigeria the class letter affirmed the resolve of the students to improve the quality of their ministry and service now that they appreciate more fully the many facets of Jehovah’s provisions. The school in Sweden was conducted in English, and the class consisted of single elders and ministerial servants from Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. They recognize more than ever the need to have all aspects of their lives, including their congregation teaching and shepherding as well as their field ministry, based on God’s Word.

In all countries where the school was held, the brothers expressed their determination to shoulder properly their congregation and other responsibilities within Jehovah’s advancing organization. Graduates of this school are now serving in more than 50 lands. They have been appointed to handle responsibilities in congregations, branches, and circuits as well as in the missionary field.

Branch Dedications for Jehovah’s Happy People

“HAPPY is the people whose God is Jehovah!” (Ps. 144:15) Jehovah’s Witnesses feel that way worldwide. Where there is a new branch building, there is special cause for rejoicing. Because Jehovah’s people have refused to be deceived by the world’s changing scene, Jehovah has blessed them with growth.

Finland

June 13, 1992, started out as an unusually warm summer day in Vantaa, Finland. Branch office expansion had been going on for 15 months. Dedication time had now arrived! The 99 members of the Bethel family, over 100 temporary construction workers, and all the traveling overseers in the country were invited. A total of 559 persons gathered together in the Kingdom Hall, in the dining room, and in other areas of the new facilities to hear the dedication program.

Since the Bethel Home was first constructed, it has been enlarged seven times. Robert Tracy, who visited Scandinavia as the zone overseer, said the following in his dedication talk: “In Sweden, your next-door neighbor, they said that in Finland you are always building.” The original area has a modern printing plant, a bindery, a mailing department, offices, and residences. The new five-story wing of 77,000 square feet [7,200 sq m] consists of 39 Bethel rooms, also health-care facilities, saunas, and storage areas. This new addition is the largest that has ever been made to the branch facility. The entire complex now has 232,000 square feet [21,600 sq m] of space.

Finland is a neighbor of Russia, and for decades it was a gateway between the Western world and the former Soviet Union. So, besides producing literature in Finnish, the Finland branch also prints The Watchtower in Estonian and, in addition, publications in Lithuanian and Latvian. The 18,316 publishers in Finland are so happy that Jehovah has now rewarded his servants with such privileges in supporting his work in Eastern Europe. The new addition to the Bethel Home is a great blessing, and it will benefit all of Jehovah’s Witnesses in that area.

Thailand

On February 8, 1992, Thailand had good reason for rejoicing​—their new Bethel Home was dedicated. It was the culmination of over two years of hard work. Why were these new facilities necessary?

The first Bethel Home in Thailand was established in 1947, when 31 publishers of the good news served in the entire country. That leased building also housed missionaries. In 1962, when the number of publishers had increased to over 300, the staff of three Bethel workers and some missionaries moved into a newly constructed building owned by the Society. During the next 25 years, the number of publishers tripled, and the Bethel family increased to 16 members. Since expansion in that residential area of Bangkok was not possible, the Governing Body recommended that the Branch Committee look for new property. Finally, in 1987, after a long search, the brothers located a suitable piece of land in a newly developed suburb of the city.

Before construction could start, the 1.5-acre [0.6 ha] lot had to be elevated by more than three feet [1 m] to prevent flooding during the rainy season. Then there was the construction of the two-story building that was to have a total floor area of some 32,000 square feet [3,000 sq m], including a large Kingdom Hall. A 1,200-foot-long [370 m] perimeter wall also needed to be erected; it was to consist of some 1,200 precast concrete panels resting on 145 piles, each 18 feet long [6 m]. Who was going to do all that work? Would there be enough volunteers from among the some 900 publishers to form a “construction family” and to give sufficient support to the project to complete it without much outside help? The previous Bethel and missionary home had been constructed entirely by a commercial firm.

The response to invitations sent out in 1987 to the 33 congregations throughout the country was very gratifying. Volunteers with special skills were few in number, but many brothers and sisters ‘offered themselves willingly,’ freely contributing their time and energies, ready to learn new skills right on the work site. (Ps. 110:3) It was estimated that during the two years of construction, the publishers in the eight congregations in the greater Bangkok area spent, on the average, about seven hours each month on construction. Still, the time they spent in field service was hardly affected. Vital​—and much appreciated—​was the help received from 37 international volunteers, who came from four countries.

Dedication day was truly a joyful and memorable occasion for all the 427 invited guests. Among them were representatives from six branches in the Asia-Pacific region. In his dedication discourse, the zone overseer, Brother H. V. Mouritz, pointed out that throughout history Jehovah has always provided what was necessary for his people to carry out his work and worship. As the program came to a close, all present felt greatly encouraged to carry on the preaching work with renewed vigor.

In another mark of growth, two branches in the West Indies were dedicated by Governing Body members in 1992: the Leeward Islands branch, on February 2, by Milton G. Henschel and the Bahamas branch, on February 8, by John E. Barr.

[Footnotes]

[Picture on page 5]

More than one billion hours were spent preaching the good news in 229 lands, including the city of Irkutsk in Siberia

[Pictures on page 12]

Witnesses in Switzerland preparing food and clothing parcels for Eastern Europe. Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden also helped in the relief ministrations

[Pictures on page 14, 15]

Hurricane Andrew devastated southern Florida on August 24, 1992, and left 3,500 Witnesses homeless

[Pictures on page 19]

At 6:00 a.m., one of the Society’s laundry trucks starts its rounds of several of the 21 residence buildings in Brooklyn

After the truck arrives at 360 Furman Street, the entire truck is taken by elevator to the eighth floor, for unloading

[Pictures on page 20, 21]

1. Items are checked for identification numbers

2. One room rumbles with 14 washing machines ranging in capacity from 35 pounds [15 kg] to 450 pounds [200 kg], all computer-controlled. One load in the large washer would be comparable to washing more than a thousand shirts in your home washer

3. The washed and dried garments are sent to the pressing area. More than 4,500 garments are pressed each day

The dry-cleaning department handles 3,000 to 4,000 garments each week. In 1991 they processed 150,000 pounds [70,000 kg] of dry cleaning

[Pictures on page 22]

The 30-story residence tower at 90 Sands Street stands tall and is easily recognizable on the Brooklyn skyline. The first ten floors above street level are scheduled for completion by the end of 1993

90 Sands Street

[Pictures on page 26, 27]

Texcoco, Mexico, January 1992

Sydney, Australia, August 1992

Igieduma, Nigeria, March 1992

Örebro, Sweden, May 1992

[Pictures on page 28, 29]

Finland

A large addition to the Finland branch was dedicated on June 13, 1992

[Pictures on page 30]

Bahamas

The Bahamas branch and Assembly Hall were dedicated on February 8, 1992

Thailand

February 8, 1992, was the date for the dedication of the new Bethel Home in Thailand

Leeward Islands

On February 2, 1992, the branch in the Leeward Islands (Antigua) was dedicated

Worldwide Report 1992 Grand Totals

Number of Countries 229

1992 Peak Publishers 4,472,787

1992 Average Publishers 4,289,737

Percentage of increase over 1991 5.3

1991 Average Publishers 4,071,954

1992 Number Baptized 301,002

Average Pioneer Publishers 605,610

Number of Congregations 69,558

Total Hours 1,024,910,434

Average Bible Studies 4,278,127

Memorial Attendance 11,431,171

Memorial partakers worldwide: 8,683

Number of branches: 98

During the 1992 service year, the Watch Tower Society spent $45,218,257.56 in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments

[Chart on page 34-41]

1992 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE

(See publication)

Worldwide Report

Africa

IN SPITE of droughts, famines, hyperinflation, bans, and religious opposition, our brothers in Africa have faithfully continued to do just what Psalm 105:1 states: “Give thanks to Jehovah, call upon his name, make known among the peoples his dealings.” Their zeal has proved to be contagious.

Two brothers in Benin were happy to be assigned as special pioneers in a remote part of the country. There were no Kingdom Halls, meetings, or other Witnesses in their territory. Two weeks after arriving, they concluded: “No one can attend meetings unless there are some to invite people to.” So they started conducting all five meetings. By the end of the first month, two interested people started to attend. Two months later, the pioneers saw the need to build a Kingdom Hall. One interested person donated a lot, and another supplied building materials. Three weeks after that, 40 people came to the special talk, though the Kingdom Hall was not quite finished. Seventy-one attended the Memorial, and later that month, 113 crowded in to hear the public talk given by the circuit overseer. All of this in just five months!

Many people express amazement when they see Jehovah’s Witnesses working together on Kingdom Hall projects. A Roman Catholic priest in South Africa admitted: “I’ve been to the Vatican, but I have never seen a thing like this. People of all races working together in unity. Whites coming to build in the black area and for black people, putting their lives at risk because whites are being attacked in black townships.”

Jehovah is pleased when we ask for his blessing on our service. However, if we are to receive the blessing, he expects us to step forward in faith and demonstrate our desire to expand our service to him. A Witness in Nigeria explains how this worked out for him: “In August 1988, at the Pioneer Service School, we were told about serving where the need is greater. I began saving money for the move and planned to resign from my job in March 1989. I went to my boss and, even though I had been offered a promotion, said that I was planning to move to a rural area to share in the preaching work. He said, ‘You do not know what you are doing. You will suffer. Go and think about it.’

“When I went home, I put my two identification cards on the table​—my pioneer identification and my job identification. I evaluated both of them. Psalm 90:10 came to my mind. The average length of life is just 70 years; only by special mightiness can we attain 80 years. I was 30 years old at the time, so I figured that I had only 40 years left. I multiplied my annual income by 40 and discovered that the total amount wouldn’t even be enough to buy a car! This job is getting me nowhere, I thought. So I went back to my boss and turned in my letter of resignation. He said: ‘You are crazy. You will die hungry.’ Since then I have served in three areas of the country. It has been my joy to help establish two congregations. When I met my former manager recently, the first thing he said was: ‘You fooled me. You said you would not receive a salary, but see how well you look!’”

In Zaire during the 1992 service year, the biggest witness ever was given. Political, social, and economic upheaval did not prevent the more than 67,000 humble publishers from busily preaching the good news and making disciples. Over 140,000 Bible studies and nearly 300,000 Memorial attenders attest to the future potential. Although hyperinflation and civil strife in Zaire have brought hardships on our brothers, an eloquent witness was nevertheless given in September 1991, when a revolt opened the way for looting in the major population centers. Thousands of “Christians” who had been to church on Sunday worked frantically Monday and Tuesday to amass all the pillaged goods possible, even sending their children on numerous trips to snatch and then carry back the stolen goods. A number of observers remarked that their pastors had new clothes and household items after the looting. But Jehovah’s Witnesses did not participate in the plundering or the receiving of stolen goods. At Simfo, Shaba, a schoolteacher asked his class which churches did not share in the looting. “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was the unanimous answer. “They won’t even eat stolen food.”

The book Mankind’s Search for God has been well received in Côte d’Ivoire. A sister from that country relates: “While I was conducting a Bible study, the person I was teaching asked me: ‘Why are there so many different religions when there is only one Creator?’ I offered her the book Mankind’s Search for God. She was astounded upon just glancing through the table of contents. She then exclaimed: ‘You Jehovah’s Witnesses have the answers to all questions, and I believe that you have the key to the truth. But it would be too difficult for me to practice it because there are too many laws.’ I pointed to 1 John 5:3, where we read that ‘Jehovah’s commandments are not burdensome,’ adding that Jehovah gave us laws for our physical and spiritual welfare. I assured her: ‘If you study the Bible thoroughly, you will see the value of these divine laws.’ She agreed and shows real appreciation for the truth.”

African Witnesses have a special reason to give thanks to Jehovah. Legal restrictions were removed from the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Togo, and Zambia. This has made it much easier for our brothers to carry on their Kingdom preaching. Jehovah is truly ‘breaking down the prison bars’ to permit honesthearted ones to come into his organization.​—Isa. 43:14.

In one of those countries, a brother who once served in circuit and district work stopped in order to care for his aged parents. Only one of his relatives was baptized at that time, but now four others have been baptized. One of these lamented: “Had I got the truth earlier, I could have cared for Father and Mother and you could have continued in the traveling work.” The brother answered: “Although I am now back in the village, I am satisfied and happy seeing my relatives accepting the truth.”

In another, a brother’s job as a watchman prevented his full participation in theocratic activities. When he received his vacation pay, he noticed that the cashier had given him double the amount. Of course, the brother informed the cashier of this error and returned the excess funds. The cashier related this to the manager, who wrote out a certificate of honesty for the brother and also for the company’s records. Some time later the company was looking for an accountant, and about 30 employees applied for the position. The majority of the applicants had high qualifications and the backing of influential persons in the company. When going through the file of applicants, the manager noticed that our brother had a certificate as an accountant even though he had been hired as a watchman. Remembering the brother’s honesty in the vacation-pay matter, the manager rewarded the brother with the position as company accountant. Now the brother would no longer be required to work the night shift and would have more time for theocratic activities, in addition to receiving increased salary and other benefits.

Asia

“JEHOVAH is the Divine One, and he gives us light.” (Ps. 118:27) Light from Jehovah has indeed flashed forth upon his people throughout Asia.

Upon arriving by bus in unassigned territory in India, a pioneer couple stopped to have a cup of tea before beginning their day of formal preaching. While sipping their tea, they witnessed to the tea-shop owner and started a Bible study with her and her two sons. Although the woman’s husband initially opposed the study, in time he began attending the study himself. Then the eldest daughter moved back home. At first she contradicted what the Witnesses were teaching and opposed the study. Finally, she too joined in the Bible study. The local churches did not like what was happening to this family. They united their efforts to try to pressure the family into discontinuing their study. A seven-day-long church meeting was arranged right outside the family’s tea shop, during which priests of the various churches orally attacked the Witnesses from a hecklers’ platform.

The opposition of the churches backfired however. Interest in the truth soon spread throughout the neighborhood, and more families began studying with the pioneers. When a Congregation Book Study was arranged in this territory, 43 persons attended the first meeting. One family, including some disfellowshipped relatives, began associating again, and happily, the disfellowshipped ones were reinstated. This family could hardly wait to have a Kingdom Hall in their area. So they donated a small plot of land on which a Kingdom Hall was soon built. At the district convention last year, 12 persons from this territory were baptized. And to think that it all started from an informal witness given in a tea shop!

A Witness in Korea had studied the Bible with a prominent poet, but his Buddhist philosophy put Buddha above Jesus, so he stopped studying. When the book The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived was being featured in the field ministry, the Witness visited him again and cautiously introduced the book. To her surprise, he accepted the book. By the time she returned, not only had he read the book from cover to cover but he showed much enthusiasm for what he read. He said that human philosophy reaches only the brain, but the story of Jesus reaches both the brain and the heart. He was deeply moved by the life story of Jesus and his teachings. He invited her to tell him more about Jesus, so the Bible study was resumed, and he is progressing well in his lessons.

At the end of the service year, the Kingdom Hall at the branch in Tel Aviv, Israel, was still closed by municipal order, a result of political pressure exerted on the authorities by Orthodox religious elements. The branch office has appealed the closure and is hoping for a favorable decision in the near future.

In war-weary Lebanon, the good news of the Kingdom is continuing to find a response. A loyal, older Witness died at the age of 85. He had been in the truth since the 1940’s. He was from a large family in the Bekaa region. Many in his family, especially the older ones, hold to strong religious and social traditions. The man’s son, also a Witness, explained that his father’s last wish was to be buried in the family cemetery. However, this was to be without any religious ceremonies that would conflict with his father’s Christian beliefs. Because of the respectful attitude of the son, and in spite of stiff opposition initially from some relatives, the family granted permission. The funeral was held on a cold, snowy day. Roads were blocked between the village and the brother’s home. The relatives used bulldozers to open over three miles [5 km] of road. A comforting talk was delivered on this sad occasion, and 400 Bible tracts about the resurrection hope were placed. A great witness was given to many in that area by those in the family who shared the brother’s faith and conviction about the hope of the resurrection.

From Thailand comes further evidence of the power of God’s Word to make changes in people’s lives. A pioneer was conducting a Bible study in a beauty salon with the owner and one of her customers. When the subject of family life and good morals came up, the customer did not seem to like it and quit the study. Some time later, she confided to the pioneer that she felt too unclean to study the Bible because she had been a lesbian for seven years. On the basis of Isaiah 1:18, the pioneer pointed out that Jehovah forgives sins that have been committed in ignorance. The woman resumed her study, broke off her immoral relationship, and later got married. Now both she and her husband are baptized. Three other relatives noticed the changes she made and started studying. One of them also is now baptized.

In Japan the brothers have been working hard to cover the entire country with the good news of the Kingdom. In the summer of 1991, after the unassigned territory activity was over, there were 257 towns and villages that remained unassigned, with a combined population of 1,284,300. However, by the end of March 1992, all those territories were assigned to congregations. Today, there is no unassigned territory left. Now, 43 years after the first missionary group arrived in Japan in 1949 following the end of World War II, Japan’s entire territory is receiving regular coverage by Witnesses. The branch office has also been encouraging special activity in the month of April every year since 1989. However, the all-time peak in the number of auxiliary pioneers that was reached in 1989 had not been surpassed until now. This year, a new peak of 46,787 auxiliary pioneers was reached, exceeding the previous peak by over 5,000. Add to this figure the 50,395 regular pioneers in April and the number of special pioneers, and you have 98,313 who participated in some form of pioneering that month​—an amazing 59 percent of all publishers! Many young ones served as auxiliary pioneers. One of them, a 15-year-old brother in Hokkaido, made return visits faithfully and started three studies with adults during April.

As the countdown to China’s takeover of Hong Kong in 1997 continues, the political and economic scene is causing anxiety and concern over the territory’s future. In such a climate, it is a joy to see the Witnesses maintain Christian calm, keeping busy in Jehovah’s service. The results of such efforts? Another fine year of theocratic activity, the most joyful and productive in the history of that branch. For example, early in the year, under the direction of the Governing Body, the Hong Kong branch hosted a meeting with representatives from four other branches in the region to coordinate better the production of Chinese-language publications. As a result, literate Chinese people can now be reached with our publications in both the Simplified and the Traditional Chinese. And in China, happily, at the time of writing, all of our brothers and sisters are out of prison, though restricted in their activity.

Europe

“JEHOVAH has become high above all the nations; his glory is above the heavens.” (Ps. 113:4) Jehovah’s people in Europe face widely differing circumstances, from vicious civil strife, hunger, and religious intolerance to relative material prosperity and apathy. Yet they faithfully keep their spiritual eyes focused on Jehovah.

A young Witness in Poland was eager to share the truth with his fellow students. He explained the origin of the cross to his class at school. As a result, the majority of the pupils decided that the cross should not be worshiped. However, the priest protested. The parents of the students were summoned to the school, where the priest tried to besmirch the good reputation of the Witnesses. In response to this verbal attack, one mother spoke up and explained that her son used to smoke cigarettes, and since studying the Bible with Witnesses, he stopped smoking. On another occasion at school, the doctrine of the Trinity arose for discussion. The priest found it difficult to explain the doctrine satisfactorily, so he promised to bring another priest to clarify it. The Witness student and a few of his interested friends prepared well for a Scriptural battle. They successfully defended the Bible teaching on the name of God and refuted the church doctrines of the Trinity, the worship of Mary, and the cross. The class came to the conclusion: “If these fundamental Catholic beliefs are false, what about the rest?”

One of the priests present, a catechist, confessed: “You have convinced me. There is no Trinity.” He agreed to have a Bible study. Studies were also started with seven students. The young Witness conducted two of the Bible studies himself. All of them, including the priest, started attending the meetings. The priest soon left the priesthood and continues his studies. Now he wants to serve, not a triune god, but the one true God, Jehovah.

In Iceland, not many Witnesses live outside the large cities. Therefore, the branch has arranged for pioneers to share the good news in outlying areas. In one remote territory, a missionary couple have witnessed extensively. Before they left for vacation, one of their Bible students, a young carpenter named Óskar, asked if he could have some extra literature. “It might be good to have something to offer if somebody asks questions,” he explained. The missionary couple supplied him with a number of books, booklets, and magazines to use while witnessing. During their absence, Óskar not only placed some of the literature but also went to a neighboring village and, for the first time in his life, preached from house to house. Up until then, only a few Bible studies had been conducted with Óskar, although he had been reading much on his own. After getting more training, he qualified as an unbaptized publisher, reporting 30 hours in field service for his first month. The missionaries look forward to their next vacation, saying: “When Jehovah’s spirit gives strength to the new ones, you never know what will happen by the time you return!”

For many years in Ireland, progress in the witnessing work was slow because of the powerful influence of the Roman Catholic Church in the south and both the Catholic and Protestant churches in the north. Good spiritual progress is now evidenced in areas where Irish (Gaelic) is the principal language of the people.

In 1978 two pioneers working in one of these areas in the west of Ireland left one of our books with Maureen. Nothing much came of it at the time. In fact, Maureen’s husband, Paddy, told her that it was rubbish. Ten years later another sister met Maureen and persisted in calling back on her during the course of a year, although it was a long distance to travel and often Maureen would not be at home. During one of these visits, Maureen mentioned that she had heard that one of Jehovah’s Witnesses had given a special public talk in Irish in her area and that she was sorry to have missed it. She was provided with a tape recording of that talk. Hearing the truth explained in her native tongue seemed to make the truth come alive for her.

Maureen and her husband, Paddy, agreed to have a Bible study. When they were invited to dinner by some friends, they decided to say nothing about what they were learning from the Bible because they feared that this might bring a pleasant evening to an abrupt close. The other couple, Tony and Breege, were intrigued when Paddy and Maureen indicated that they would have to leave early. (They wanted to get home at a reasonable hour so that they would have no problem attending the meeting at the Kingdom Hall the next morning.) Eventually, with some persuasion, Paddy and Maureen admitted they were going to the Kingdom Hall. Tony, who was somewhat disillusioned with religion, decided to go there with them. Breege eventually started attending meetings also and agreed to a Bible study. It was not long before Paddy and Maureen with three of their four children, along with Tony and Breege, were serving as unbaptized publishers. Both couples are now baptized. A Congregation Book Study is flourishing in that area. Although results are not always immediately apparent, in fertile soil the planted seed of truth will grow.

Despite financial difficulties aggravated by high inflation, the congregations in Hungary are building their own Kingdom Halls. At present eight new halls have been completed, and another eight are under construction.

Older publishers are doing their part too. “Gray-headedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness.” (Prov. 16:31) An elderly brother, who had the desire to be more effective in the field, felt that his ministry was not complete if he only went from house to house or did street witnessing. Therefore, he decided to call on small industrial units and other shops, where he might speak to several persons at the same time about the truth. His first visit took him to a dressmaker’s shop, where 25 persons were working. “Try to imagine the feeling,” the brother wrote, “when all sewing machines stopped, and I was surrounded by all the workers, bombarding me with questions. After having talked for about half an hour with the workers, which time was granted by the boss, I was able to place 25 books.” Being energized by this joyful beginning, the brother moved ahead like a steam-fired locomotive, visiting kindergartens, stores, and even factories. The result for the year? He placed 1,300 magazines and 600 books. He concludes his report with the words of Isaiah 40:31: “Those who are hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not tire out.”

Latin America

“IN PEACE I will both lie down and sleep, for you yourself alone, O Jehovah, make me dwell in security.” (Ps. 4:8) Jehovah’s Witnesses in Latin-American countries feel that with Jehovah as their God, they can truly dwell in security. While there is still considerable turmoil in some countries, caused by political and religious conflicts, the congregations experience peace from God.

This past service year saw an end to the civil conflict that had been tearing El Salvador apart for some 12 years. Although the work of the Witnesses has never been banned, many of the brothers went through terrifying ordeals, some even losing their lives. The branch reports: “Now that the war has ended, we can work territories that had not been visited for many years.”

The high school in one town was preparing a celebration for the graduating class. The principal called on several young Witnesses to prepare a play for the program, saying: “It’s time you Jehovah’s Witnesses participate, since all year round you don’t take part in any other celebrations because of your religion.” The youths thought quickly and answered: “In that case, let us prepare a Bible drama.” The principal agreed. The young Witnesses rushed to the elders of their congregation. The youths decided to present the drama Jehovah Delivers Those Calling Upon His Name. After several days of diligent rehearsals, all 15 youths were ready. They even sewed their own costumes, seeking to present the drama just as they had seen it at the district convention in 1987.

The day for the drama arrived; 400 persons were present. At the end of the presentation, the school authorities all expressed their congratulations. The principal then praised the Witnesses, announcing: “I can only express admiration for your organization and the excellent training you have received.”

A brother in Brazil tells of witnessing to a fellow employee: “About two years ago, a man started to work in the section where I was. He had just come out of a Catholic seminary, where he used to help the priest, even substituting for him in his absence. As opportunities arose, the two questions that we discussed most were, Did Mary have children other than Jesus? and, Does the Bible teach transubstantiation? While I was away from my desk one day, he picked up the book Reasoning From the Scriptures that I had at work with me and read what it said about the Mass and Mary. When we met at lunch, he expressed amazement at the information and said he was now convinced that what he had read was the truth. I started a Bible study with him and his wife, and in two months they began to attend meetings. Soon he burned all his spiritistic books. After six months of study, this couple began to share in the ministry and soon afterward were baptized.”

Remote villages accessible only by dangerous rivers and steep mountain paths are often found in Latin America. From six intrepid special pioneers working out of river boats in southern Peru comes this report: “We have used all means of transportation​—boats to navigate dangerous rivers, our feet to trudge through gummy mud in torrential rain, and the backs of huge trucks in which we bounced along under canvas, trying at least to keep our literature dry. Like real locusts we have ravaged the false teachings of Babylon the Great, placing thousands of books and magazines with spiritually hungry people in virgin territory during the 15 months since we started working along the rivers.”

They have recently covered especially difficult and often dangerous sections. In 16 days they placed 627 books and 313 brochures. Each journey presented a fresh challenge. Their report continues: “The rivers are unknown to us. They are constantly changing their course, with new channels forming and sandbanks building up. Considering that we are just learning the tricks of river travel, we are sure that Jehovah is watching over us.”

When the brothers visited a village along the Amazon River in the north, they were told: “There is one of you people here who already talks to us.” The pioneers knew of no Witnesses in the area, but they soon found one at a farm situated on the riverbank. The unbaptized “Witness” had a fleshly sister in Requena who had received some literature but whose husband had ordered her to get rid of it. So she sent it to her brother who lived in the jungle. It didn’t take long for him to read My Book of Bible Stories five times and You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth three times. He then topped that off by reading Revelation​—Its Grand Climax At Hand! three times. Naturally, he had a few questions. Nevertheless, he was already preaching to others about the things he had read. The pioneers were pleased to bring him up-to-date on requirements for further witnessing.

North America and the Caribbean Islands

“MAKE me know your own ways, O Jehovah; teach me your own paths,” wrote David many years ago. (Ps. 25:4) Centuries later, people of many backgrounds are learning Jehovah’s ways and changing their lives to conform to them.

An Asian immigrant to Canada, who was raised as a Buddhist, first had contact with Jehovah’s people through informal witnessing. She arrived in Canada with her family in 1981. Disappointed because of experiencing discrimination and other problems, she comments in retrospect: “The happy life we expected seemed to be beyond reach. We wanted to be happy but did not know where to look.” In 1983, publishers called on her in the door-to-door ministry, and a Bible study was started. Initially, her reason for accepting a Bible study was “just to have company and to learn English.” Nonetheless, the seeds of truth gradually took root. Her formerly tolerant husband changed and began to oppose her bitterly, even to the point of moving the family to a city a thousand miles [1,600 km] away. Yet, she persevered and was eventually baptized. She wrote a letter of appreciation to the couple who studied with her, which states in her imperfect English: “You were very nice and kind white people when I became to know you more. I enjoyed having you as my companies. Yet, I still was yellow with a fence around my heart. When I realized you were really different from other whites, I wondered why. What made you so? I thought and thought of that reason and concluded: ‘You were God’s Witnesses. There must be something in the Bible.’ . . . When I took off the fence around my heart, you became my good friends. . . . Later when I opened my heart wide, you became my best friends. You were white outside, but in my eyes your hearts were colorless. . . . There were great crowds of whites, blacks, browns, and yellows whose hearts the same color​—transparent—​because they were brothers and sisters. Now I know how and who made them so. It’s your God and yourselves. I desired to be one of you for years. I was in the world, but my heart was with you. Yet, I felt like I was standing outside the gate. Finally I was allowed to enter from the gate to be with you people. You are no longer ‘you people’ but ‘my people.’”

From the small island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean comes this encouraging report: “Because of their good behavior, the publishers are easily identified in the territory. A Witness explains: ‘One day as we were preaching, a car that had already drawn ahead of us suddenly backed up and stopped right by us. A young woman got out and told us: “You must be Jehovah’s Witnesses. I have been in Guadeloupe for a few months. I must study the Bible again, but my mother, with whom I am living, is opposed.” Recovering from this surprise, we made arrangements for the study to be conducted at my home. A short while later, she attended an assembly. This made the mother so furious that she threw her daughter and her daughter’s three young children out of her house. Then, while the daughter was living with her aunt, the mother flattened the tires of her car and even threatened her with a knife. The young woman moved once more. Now she had an opportunity to study in peace. Her daughter Cinddy, eight years old, also studied seriously. Today, the young woman is a zealous publisher of the good news.’”

Even frequently worked territory yields Kingdom fruitage, as this experience from the United States branch demonstrates. A 43-year-old man who had lived in New York City all his life had never met Jehovah’s Witnesses at his door. He is a well-read individual who had just completed his studies for a PhD and had been assistant curator of the rare book division of a large library. Recently he was stopped by a Witness in the vestibule of his apartment building. He saw the book Mankind’s Search for God in her bag and asked her for it. He read it that same night and within a week visited the Watch Tower Society’s headquarters and obtained 12 more books, all of which he read before the sister called back. When she returned, he asked what he had to do to get baptized.

The sister arranged to have a brother study with him. After completing the study of two books, when asked how he knew this was the truth, he said: “It’s like the North Star. You hear about it and read about it, and when you get out under the night sky and look up and see it, no one has to tell you that you’ve found it.”

This man had been looking for the truth all his life. He realized that Christendom could not have it. He investigated Eastern religions and communism and was disappointed. Recognizing that none of these had the truth, he continued his search for God. He said he felt as though God were in the room next door, but the door was shut. The door has now been opened, and like a runner in a race leaving the starting line, he eagerly attends meetings and shares in the Kingdom preaching work and was recently baptized.

Islands of the Pacific

“O MAGNIFY Jehovah with me, you people, and let us exalt his name together.” (Ps. 34:3) The zealous Witnesses of Jehovah in the Pacific rejoice in their sacred privilege of announcing his name and purposes among the far-flung islands.

A brother working in a remote opal mine in Australia preaches informally to tourists. On one occasion he invited three vacationing couples to his home regularly for ten days. Before they left, the brother gave each couple the books Life​—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? and You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, stating that he would be happy if they read just the first paragraph of each book. One, who is a schoolteacher, said she would not read the books because she had opposed Jehovah’s Witnesses all her life. For the past 23 years, she had refused to associate with her Witness neighbors and had kept her daughter away from them as well. She had been cruel to Witness children at the school where she taught. However, because of the brother’s kindness and hospitality, she promised to read a few lines of the book.

After some time, the brother received a telephone call from this woman, who said: “I read the first few lines, then I made a big mistake​—I kept on reading. I fell in love with the book. I have never read anything like it! Then I made a second mistake. I left it on my desk, and when I went back to get it, my 19-year-old daughter had already written her name in it.” The woman and her husband visited their neighbor to obtain another book, and they apologized for past misunderstandings. A Bible study was started with this couple and their daughter, and they are now attending meetings. Kindness can melt hearts of stone that have a love for God buried in them.

Recently, three members of the Bethel family in Fiji were invited to speak to students of an interdenominational college for the mainline Protestant religions in the South Pacific. A fine witness was given to the 13 students and the instructor. After briefly explaining their own religious background and upbringing, all three Bethelites were able to give a broad overview of Jehovah’s theocratic organization. The subject of the use of the divine name in the Bible was proposed. One student objected to the inclusion of the name in the Christian Greek Scriptures. Silence permeated the room when one Bethelite asked him why it was that after almost a hundred years of being used quite freely in most of the Bibles in Pacific-island languages, the name Jehovah is now being removed from the newer, revised translations? Finally, one student reasoned that it is because no one really knows how to pronounce God’s name, and it should therefore not be used. He explained that the Jews were the ones who stopped using God’s personal name, substituting either Adhonai or Elohim. The brothers pointed out to the class that this was because of a superstitious idea that arose among the Jews. The question was posed: Could this be the same reason that the name is being removed from those translations today? Maybe, deep in their hearts, they will ponder over this unanswered question.

A boys’ high school in Tonga sets aside one hour a week for religious instruction. Four of the 600 students are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and on their request, approval was given for them to have their own class, with a regular pioneer and one of the missionaries conducting it. The first class was attended by 12 boys, and the discussion, based on the Creation book, dealt with whether man evolved or was created. Surprised that the Bible touched on scientific subjects, they spoke to their friends about this afterward, so that 25 attended the second class. Now, following the Wednesday roll call, when the principal asks all of Jehovah’s Witnesses to stand up and go to their class, there are up to 60 boys that attend, many bringing their own Bibles. One of these has since started a personal Bible study with the regular pioneer.

On the island of Savaii, in Western Samoa, a sister and her husband lived with the husband’s family. The husband permitted her to practice her religion but showed no outward interest in the truth. Our sister also had to endure opposition from her Protestant mother-in-law, never giving up hope that her conduct might move her family members to worship Jehovah. Recently, since this couple decided to move to New Zealand, a family gathering was held before they left. Imagine the wife’s surprise when her husband announced that when he arrived in New Zealand, he would study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and attend the meetings at the Kingdom Hall. He recommended the truth to all other members of the family. His mother took this suggestion to heart and immediately began to study and attend meetings. Now this sister’s aunt, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and some nieces have all started to attend the meetings at the Kingdom Hall, and most of them are studying. The words of the apostle Peter came true in her case, that “husbands . . . may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives.”​—1 Pet. 3:1.

Banned Countries

“ON THE One to be praised, Jehovah, I shall call, and from my enemies I shall be saved.” (Ps. 18:3) Jehovah’s Witnesses in some 24 countries continue to declare the good news despite government bans.

Children can take a firm stand for Jehovah under such circumstances as is seen in this case in one island nation of the Pacific. All the children in one family studied the truth with a Witness neighbor. Their parents were strongly opposed and would often beat them because of their persistence in studying the Bible. The father even reported their activity to the local authorities, reminding them of the ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses, but the authorities ignored his accusations. The enraged father violently took matters into his own hands. While walking down a narrow path, he met the Witness who was teaching his children. In a furious outburst, he attacked the Witness and knocked him to the ground, threatening him with a long knife and even attempting to kill him. At a critical moment, the wife of the Witness saw the struggle and screamed with all her might, which caught the attention of the neighbors. The enraged man made a quick escape but reported the matter to the police, giving them his distorted version of the incident. As a result, the Witness, who had to be hospitalized for ten days, was afterward interrogated by the police. The local newspaper falsely reported that the Witness had struck the father first. Yet, the police treated the Witness with respect and, after questioning him, were able to discern that he was innocent.

A month later, the district attorney’s office called the Witness for further questioning. For four consecutive days, he spent a total of 14 hours responding to their queries, which gave him an opportunity to provide a very good witness. The district attorney’s office was appreciative of the Bible-based answers that were given. As a result, they now have a more favorable view of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And what about the children of the opposed father? One has progressed to dedication and baptism, and the rest are still zealously studying the truth.

The government of an African country has viciously hounded the Witnesses for years, although recently, respect for civil rights has improved. However, during all those years, the evangelizing work never stopped. For example, during a heavy rain, a Witness sought shelter in a small Seventh-Day Adventist church. Since a service was being held, he had to stand on the veranda. While there, he overheard someone inside ask the preacher: “Is it true that people will go to heaven?” The church elder conducting the service was unable to give a good answer. When the rain stopped, the Witness approached the church elder and asked if he would be allowed to answer the question. “Yes,” he was told. After he explained Bible truth on the matter, the audience grew interested, and the one who asked the question arranged to meet the Witness elsewhere on another day. A good number turned up for this meeting, and seven Bible studies were started, which were still progressing at the time of writing.

Acts of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Modern Times

Denmark 66

The Danes​—thought of as tall, fair-haired, ruddy, and muscularly powerful—​trace their line of descent to the Vikings, who navigated the Atlantic a thousand years ago. Come and see how the good news has spread across their country of meadows and moors and small beach-bordered lakes, even reaching the shores of Greenland and the Faeroe Islands.

Honduras 148

In the narrow neck of land that connects North and South America lies the country of Honduras. In it live a people varied and interesting​—Indian, white, black, and a beautiful combination of all three. How did the good news reach them in their land where mahogany and cedar grow? By a woman on horseback! Now read the rest of the story.

Malaysia 208

Situated just north of the equator, and bathed by the tepid water of great tropical seas, lies a country that enjoys a climate more uniformly hot and moist than almost any other part of the globe. On this soil in the late 1930’s, missionaries opened up the preaching of the good news. Find out how it has prospered.

Denmark

JUTTING out between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea is the country of Denmark, the smallest of the family of Scandinavian nations and the oldest kingdom. The largest part lies on a peninsula, the long north-reaching thumb of Jutland, which is attended by a swarm of 483 islands. The land is adorned with pleasant landscapes of fruitful fields and lush green meadows, cheerful woods, and quiet silvery lakes.

The nature of the people bespeaks the friendly countryside, which has no wild mountain crags, no desolate wilderness, no temperamental volcanoes, no violent rivers. No wonder the Danes are not easily provoked to great outbursts of emotion! Mostly skeptical, with a wait-and-see attitude, they are quite tolerant as well as thrifty. Nothing daunts the Danes!

This even-tempered disposition may help explain the dispassionate way religious changes have developed throughout the centuries. Shortly after the year 800 C.E., missionaries preaching the Catholic faith descended on the Vikings of heathen Denmark, and by the year 1000 C.E., most Danes had, at least formally, switched over to that religion from their brand of polytheism.

Lutheranism was introduced to Scandinavia about 500 years later when King Christian III, who had converted to the new faith, ruled that everyone else in his kingdom should convert too. Very few objected to this new State Church with obligatory membership. Generally, Catholic priests were allowed simply to stay on in their old parishes​—but now served as Lutheran ministers. The common man hardly noticed any difference, and the change to the Lutheran religion did not make the Bible a book for all people.

Eventually, in 1849, the country received a democratic constitution and freedom of worship. The State Church was converted into a national church, still, however, with the king as head. Though membership was now voluntary, few resigned from the church, and even today, over 140 years later, 90 percent of the population belong to the national church.

Religious Revivals

During the mid-1800’s, several religious revivals swept the country. Influenced by a theologian and poet, N. F. S. Grundtvig, a number of people began to form their own congregations, though usually within the framework of the national church. These Grundtvigians had a liberal view of the Bible and were not overly concerned with Bible reading. However, they were concerned about public enlightenment and built folk high schools​—schools where youths and adults could further their knowledge of history and literature.

An opposing revival soon developed in the form of the Inner Mission, initiated by a laity movement that sought to awaken church members to a “conscious, living, Christian faith.” Unlike the Grundtvigians, the Inner Mission strongly supported Bible reading but gave special emphasis to sin and the teaching of hellfire and strongly condemned dancing, alcohol, and card games as “worldliness.”

Interest in the Return of Christ

While religious interest was at its peak, atheism and evolution also penetrated Denmark. During this time of religious upheaval, some people began to see the difference between what the Bible taught and what the church said. Thus, a number of Bible readers became interested in prophecies regarding the return of Christ.

So when the Watch Tower Society’s first president, Charles Taze Russell, initially visited Europe, in 1891, Denmark was included in his tour. He reported: “Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and especially England, Ireland and Scotland are fields ready and waiting to be harvested. These fields seem to be crying out, Come over and help us! and we know of no more hopeful parts in which to thrust in the sickle and reap . . . There is a great need for a Swedish translation [of Millennial Dawn] and also a translation which would serve both the Danes and the Norwegians.”

The First Kingdom Publisher

A 25-year-old Danish-American, a shoemaker named Sophus Winter, arrived from the United States in 1894 and settled in Copenhagen, the capital. By that time Volume I of the Millennial Dawn series, written by Russell, and a few tracts had been translated. Toward the end of the year, Brother Winter could inform the Society’s headquarters office, then in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., that he had placed all the books he had brought with him.

Volume II of Millennial Dawn was issued in Dano-Norwegian in 1895, and from January 1897, Winter began publishing a monthly magazine called Tusindaars-Rigets Budbærer (Millennial Messenger). Interest was sparked, and in 1899 the Memorial of Christ’s death was attended by 15 persons in Copenhagen and 12 in the town of Odder.

Bible truth also found a foothold during the following year in the area around Fårevejle, a distant outpost with a train stop, in northwest Sjælland. Hans Peter Larsen, a religious man who first associated with the Inner Mission and later with the Baptists, learned the truth from Brother Winter and soon resigned from the Baptist Church. A small group of about ten persons began to hold meetings in a private home. For many years there was talk in that area of how he and a fellow believer preached the return of Christ by tacking notices on telephone poles. Their work was not unfruitful, for in 1902 a young woman named Albertine Hansen Nielsen was baptized in Sejerø Bight. She was an active Witness until her death in 1968, over 66 years later.

A New Fellow Publisher

Some of those early publishers spoke to friends and relatives. Others distributed tracts outside churches. A few were colporteurs (full-time preachers). Among them was Carl Lüttichau, who in the summer of 1899 traveled several weeks throughout Sjælland, placing book after book in several towns, including Roskilde and Holbæk.

Lüttichau had just returned from South Africa, where he had an accident and sustained a serious injury. Determined that if he survived, he would use his life in God’s service, he stuck to his promise and soon began working with Sophus Winter. Starting in 1900, they jointly published Zion’s Watch Tower under the Danish name Zions Vagt-Taarn.

However, Sophus Winter began drifting from the truth. He ceased publishing Zions Vagt-Taarn in the fall of 1901, and in the course of 1902-3, he fell into the darkness of false religion.

So in 1903, Carl Lüttichau took the lead. He had been born in Jutland at Vingegaard, which belonged to the estate of Tjele owned by his father, who had been minister of finance in the Danish government for some years. He completed school with top grades, graduated in philosophy, and went on to study at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, until he left for South Africa in 1896. With this background and his cultured manner, he was well liked and was qualified for the work that lay ahead.

The first major event that took place after he took charge of the work was the visit of Charles Taze Russell in April 1903. During this visit several meetings were held, the largest with an attendance of 200. In October, Carl took the initiative to publish the Watch Tower in Danish again, and from July 1904 it was issued regularly each month.

A Sign Painter Finds the Truth

In Copenhagen, meetings were attended by a group of five or six people, including two poor seamstresses. But the group was soon to become stronger.

Brønshøj, located in the north end of Copenhagen, was home to a Norwegian sign painter, John Reinseth. He and his wife, Augusta, earnestly tried to bring up their children according to the Word of God. John would often read the Bible to his family and tried to explain it so that even the children could understand. Although attending various religious meetings, they received no satisfaction. Then one evening they knelt down while the father prayed sincerely to God to open their eyes to the truth. The next morning a colporteur was standing on their doorstep with Volume I of Millennial Dawn! Who was this preacher? Anna Hansen, one of the two poor seamstresses.

Carl Lüttichau followed through and called on this family to teach them the Bible. After some long discussions, John began attending meetings at Ole Suhrs Gade, the Society’s Danish headquarters office. After every meeting he would rush home and tell his wife about the wonderful things he had heard. Although bedridden for several years, as soon as her strength came back, she eagerly hobbled on crutches to the meetings.

The family simply seized the truth. Every minute John could spare, he preached from door to door. Often he got up as early as 4:30 in the morning to prepare for the meetings. Later in the day, when he tired, he would settle into a comfortable chair for a nap, habitually holding his key ring loosely in his hand. When he dozed off and dropped the keys, he would wake up, aroused by his self-devised alarm clock. Refreshed, he was ready to get going again in service.

His wife, despite her frail health, desired to spread the truth around Hellebæk in northern Sjælland, where she was born. So she packed a large wicker trunk with books and shipped it by train to Elsinore. Since she could only carry just a couple of books in her handbag, she had a special belt sewn for her waist, with large, flat pockets. Thus equipped, with handbag in one hand, a cane in the other, and a number of books in the belt hidden by a loose-fitting coat, stouthearted Augusta would walk and preach from villa to villa along the northern coast. Before she died in 1925, her last words were: “There is so much to be done up there in northern Sjælland, and I wanted so much to do it.”

Three of their children also became zealous publishers of the good news, and their son Poul had the privilege of serving as branch overseer for a time.

The “Wednesday Brethren” in Ålborg

In 1910 a small group of people in Ålborg, in northern Jutland, had withdrawn from various churches because they found no spiritual food there. Each Wednesday they gathered in a private home to read and discuss the Bible on their own. Among them was a married couple, Peter and Johanne Jensen. Their son Arthur occasionally attended these meetings as well, although he was a freethinker.

When Anna Hansen​—the seamstress who had visited the Reinseth family—​came and offered Volume I of Millennial Dawn, Johanne Jensen obtained the book. Arthur read it with an insatiable hunger during the night. Nevertheless, he had to wait to satisfy his spiritual hunger further. Before he could pursue his interest, he had to travel to Copenhagen, but while there he was suddenly struck with typhoid fever. The resulting hospital stay gave him the time for spiritual feeding. He sent word to the office at Ole Suhrs Gade. He wanted every publication of the Society that was available. After he left the hospital, he attended all the meetings. But that did not satisfy his spiritual hunger either. After the meetings, he would often accompany Poul Reinseth to his home, and then Poul would accompany Arthur back to his lodging. Often they would spend a whole night walking back and forth between each other’s places, excitedly discussing the truth. They became friends for life.

Arthur then began a lively correspondence with his mother in Ålborg, and he rejoiced at the thought of telling the “Wednesday Brethren” of the Bible truths he had found. When he went to his parents’ home for Christmas, Poul joined him. There, Arthur was asked to conduct a Wednesday meeting, which evoked much discussion when he drew attention to the year 1914 as the end of the Gentile Times. Not all the “Wednesday Brethren” continued in Arthur’s discussion group. But a faithful core stuck to the truth, and a congregation was formed in Ålborg in 1912. A young woman in the group, Thyra Larsen, became a colporteur, and her two sisters, Johanne and Dagmar, were among those who remained as faithful supporters of the congregation.

A Visit From Brother Russell

Expectation had begun to grow among the Bible Students about what would happen when the Gentile Times ended. Would Armageddon follow immediately? Would the congregation be taken away before Armageddon? All of this occupied the minds of the brothers. They knew, of course, that the gospel of the Kingdom should first be preached to all nations as stated at Matthew 24:14, but this, they thought, might already have happened, since all nations were represented in America, where Russell’s sermons were printed in newspapers.

Despite these anxieties, the work grew and was stimulated by visits of brothers from world headquarters, located in the United States. On May 24, 1909, Brother Russell arrived in Copenhagen. About a hundred people heard him speak on the subject “The Covenants.” In the evening another audience of 600 listened intently to his talk “The Overthrow of Satan’s Empire.” Two years later his public discourse “The Judgment of the Great White Throne” was heard by 800 people.

Brother Russell’s next visit was in August 1912. For the first time, but not the last, the brothers rented the auditorium of the Odd Fellows Hall, which had 1,600 seats. But so many people came that last-minute arrangements had to be made for an extra meeting in a smaller hall of that same building. So the talk “Beyond the Grave” was given simultaneously in both places. Because both halls were packed out, several hundred disappointed individuals had to be turned away.

House-to-house preaching went forward with greater zeal. Louis Carlsson, from Copenhagen, relates concerning the year 1913: “The entire year was a year of tract distribution. Every Sunday morning at nine o’clock, John Reinseth would be standing on a street corner to give out territory to the friends who came out in service. We did not ring doorbells but put a tract in the letter slot in the door. I remember an instance in the Vesterbro section of Copenhagen. The front door of one flat had frosted glass; I could see the outline of a man inside. I put in a tract on the subject ‘Babylon’; it was picked up and shoved out again. So I inserted another tract, ‘What Do the Scriptures Say About Hell?’ I saw the man pick it up and look at it​—and to my surprise, this one he kept!”

More people were gathered in, and new congregations were formed, so that by the spring of 1914, smaller congregations had been established in 12 towns, in addition to the Copenhagen Congregation.

World War Erupts

In the summer of 1914, Joseph F. Rutherford was back in Europe representing Brother Russell. A few days before the first world war began, he was traveling from Germany on his way to Britain. However, his love for the Danish brothers, whom he had already visited in 1910 and 1913, prompted him to make a detour to Copenhagen to attend the first two days of a convention that was to be held August 1-4. In his brief farewell speech that Sunday afternoon, Brother Rutherford encouraged the brothers to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God and have complete confidence in Him under all conditions in those troublesome times.

But now Brother Rutherford himself began to feel uneasy over the nearness of the war. It was necessary for him to get to England, but all regular boat connections from Esbjerg in Denmark to the British ports had already been cut off, and nobody knew what the next day would bring. He set sail on a fishing cutter to England​—straight through the waters where, two years later, one of the greatest naval battles of World War I was fought, the Battle of Jutland.

Meanwhile, the convention continued back in Copenhagen. On the last day of the convention, the out-of-town delegates were encouraged to return to their homes immediately that night rather than wait till morning, for it was feared that train service and other public transportation would be stopped. No one could yet see how extensive the war would become. Denmark remained neutral, however, and no important limitations were put on the preaching work.

The “Photo-Drama of Creation”

The “Photo-Drama of Creation,” a motion picture and slide presentation, arrived in Denmark that autumn. The first showing was held in the Odd Fellows Hall in Copenhagen, and during 1915 it was shown over practically all the provinces, always in the best halls, which were filled to capacity for all showings. Dagmar Larsen from Ålborg, who later married Louis Carlsson from Copenhagen, recalled: “We got busy passing out invitations. We would get a stack of 500 at a time and use all our spare time on this work. My sister Johanne and I were asked to help with the showings as ‘deaconesses.’ We wore black dresses with white collars and a head covering of black velvet. . . . There were three showings a day and crowds beyond compare. The whole city was upside down because color film was a new invention​—and the showing was free! The guests received cards on which they could write their names and addresses if they wanted more information, and two colporteurs remained in town for a while to care for those interested persons.”

A Determined Teacher

In 1915 another event aroused attention. During the previous year, the truth had reached the fishing village of Skagen, at the northern tip of the country. An art dealer and his wife had accepted the truth. A schoolteacher, Marie Due, was interested as well. Dagmar Larsen, who had just been baptized, arrived in Skagen as a child’s nurse. She met Marie Due and spoke a great deal with her about Biblical subjects.

That same fall Marie Due withdrew membership from the church and refused to teach any more classes on religion. Newspapers throughout the country carried this story. Finally, she was dismissed on a pension at the age of 45, and out she went in the full-time ministry, happy as can be, with the pension covering her expenses. She worked faithfully for many years in Denmark, Norway, and Finland. She was simply indomitable, a fine example of endurance right down to her death.

Difficult Years

Brother Russell’s death in 1916 ushered in a difficult time, especially for the Copenhagen Congregation. Some sisters began teaching false ideas, even influencing some of the elders. During a meeting in 1917 at Ole Suhrs Gade, a sister suddenly stood up and said: ‘Come, now we are leaving!’ Sixteen members followed her out, about 25 percent of those in attendance​—and they were never seen again. But their exit was a relief. The meetings could continue in peace.

Some of those individuals who fell away joined Paul S. L. Johnson, who left the truth in the United States about that time. They tried to lure others away through slander and through pamphlets they mailed. Like gangrene the apostasy spread to other congregations. It became a time for faithful endurance and resoluteness.

World War Followed by Renewed Activity

The July 1919 issue of the Danish Watch Tower announced that the long-awaited Finished Mystery (Volume VII of Studies in the Scriptures) would now be published in Dano-Norwegian. The brothers expected a great preaching campaign to start. To instruct the brothers on how to visit people, a colporteur course had already been conducted in Copenhagen. This was also the first time that noncolporteurs were encouraged to witness from door to door with books.

During the years that followed, a handful of untiring, steadfast colporteurs did a tremendous work by planting the Kingdom seed and cultivating new soil. Niels Ebbesen Dal was one zealous example. In 1918 this Danish-American returned to the land of his birth, the island of Mors in northern Jutland. In the United States, he had learned the truth through the book The Divine Plan of the Ages, which he had found in a hotel room. Upon his return to Denmark, he immediately began to do colporteur work and preach to his relatives and all others on Mors.

This caused quite a stir. The Dal family were prominent Grundtvigians and were highly respected on the island. But now this Dal came along and was preaching new ideas. His older brother Frode became interested at once, and also Frode’s son Kristian, a newly graduated schoolteacher. Kristian started as a colporteur in 1920 and was joined later by his brother Knud.

A New and Gripping Message

In the United States, the Watch Tower Society’s second president had already given his popular talk “Millions Now Living Will Never Die.” Now it was Europe’s turn to hear it. On August 12, 1920, Joseph F. Rutherford and some of his fellow workers sailed to England, and while he continued down through part of Europe, the same talk was given in Denmark by A. H. Macmillan.

Brother Macmillan disembarked in Esbjerg on Thursday, October 21, 1920, and that same evening he spoke at the Palace Hotel. Next, the discourse was given in Odense. In Copenhagen the talk was to be given at the Odd Fellows Hall. An hour before the talk was scheduled to begin, people had already gathered outside the hall, and when the doors were flung open, it was filled in just a matter of minutes! Many with cheerful faces lost their smiles when they had to be turned away. The audience, though, was most attentive, and after the meeting about 300 copies of the Millions booklet were distributed.

Response to Macmillan’s Talk

Clearly, there was great interest in this “new” message. Brother Macmillan’s public meetings had attracted more than 5,000 listeners! Some of these became Bible Students and zealous publishers of God’s Word. Thus, sitting in the audience in Esbjerg, were a young couple, Johannes and Thora Dam, members of the Methodist Church. The husband was the church warden, so their living quarters were in the church building. After the talk, they ordered the Millions booklet, and some three months later, a colporteur called on them.

The colporteur stayed with them for some time to instruct them so that they could become well-grounded in their newfound faith. This, of course, did not please the Methodist minister. One day he met the colporteur outside the church and asked: “Who in the world gave you permission to fish in my fish baskets?” The brother quickly replied: “Who gave you permission to put the fish into baskets?”

Johannes Dam had found the true church! A total of 18 Methodists withdrew, and that is how the congregation in Esbjerg got started.

One of those who was turned away because of the crowd at Brother Macmillan’s “Millions” talk in Copenhagen was a young and ardent social democrat, a tobacco worker named Angelo Hansen. Although disappointed at not having heard the lecture, his interest in Bible truth had been aroused. A couple of months later, while unemployed, he went to check in at his labor union office. He met an unemployed colleague who, surprisingly, was a Bible Student. Alas for the church! Soon Angelo Hansen also became a Bible Student.

Rutherford’s Visit in 1922

In 1922, Brother Rutherford again attended a convention in Copenhagen. This time he gave the “Millions” talk in the Odd Fellows Hall​—the same place where Brother Macmillan had given it a year and a half before.

What impression did the talk make? The daily newspaper Politiken wrote on its front page: “Judge Rutherford had success last night in the Concert Hall. Long before he began his talk, every single seat in the large hall was occupied, and new listeners came in droves. Several hundred were turned away. There was no more room.”

Among those baptized at this convention was a young man, Christian Rømer, who had come in contact with the Bible Students on his home island, Bornholm. Before World War I, his father had received a gift subscription to The Watch Tower, and one day in 1919, Christian, then 20 years old, found a copy. “What happened to me that day was so great an experience that words fail to express it,” he relates. “This was the truth I knew had to be in the Bible, and now I got it, now I had it.”

During the convention in Copenhagen, he attended a meeting for colporteurs. Here he met Kristian Dal​—and his life course was set. He began serving as a colporteur in Bornholm, June 1922.

Increase in Copenhagen

In the winter of 1921/22, Angelo Hansen was, as usual, witnessing to the unemployed townspeople waiting outside their union check-in place. As he was holding the Millions booklet above his head and shouting “Millions now living will never die!” a young truth-seeking man came up to him. He was Christian Bangsholt. He read the booklet through in one night and began attending the meetings at Ole Suhrs Gade. What he heard there was so different from what he had previously heard from the Salvation Army, the Pentecostals, the Methodists, and all the other groups where he had looked for the truth in vain. He simply could not keep this news to himself.

A number of friends with whom he talked also began coming to meetings. Among them were Herløv and Betty Larsen. Herløv and Christian were boyhood friends and had spent much time playing their musical instruments together. Now they shared the melody of Bible truth with each other.

That same spring another young man, Hans Christian Johnsen, became interested in the Bible Students. An atheist, outrightly antireligious, he was absorbed in socialistic ideas. A poster with an invitation to the “Millions” talk caught his attention. On his way to the auditorium, he bought a newspaper so he would have something to read in case the talk was boring. He did use his newspaper​—as writing paper, but his hands could not jot down the scriptures fast enough! Since the talk was logical and understandable, his atheism gave way to faith in God. That one talk became several, and in September his wife joined him. It was clear to both of them that the message of the Kingdom should be preached from house to house.

One day in 1925, Hans Christian was asked to call on a young man by the name of Einer Benggaard, who had read some of the Society’s books. Once contacted, Einer quickly grew in faith and joined in the witnessing work too.

That is how, in the 1920’s, a small nucleus of young, zealous publishers was formed​—brothers and sisters who left their mark on the work. And much of the increase in Copenhagen down to this day can be traced back to the activities of those few loyal ones.

Pioneering in Jutland

Now began a more intensive work in the rural territories. In January 1924 three colporteurs, Knud and Kristian Dal and Christian Rømer, formed a “colporteur column” and were dispatched to Jutland with the town of Skive as their first station. Brother Lüttichau opened the campaign with a public talk in the largest hall of the town, followed by meetings in pubs and community halls throughout the entire area with talks by Kristian Dal. Newspaper advertisements and handbills announced the talks. After the discourse, the colporteurs would go through the territory, placing books and booklets.

In the spring of 1924, the trio arrived in Haderslev, South Jutland, a province that was once part of Germany but that was reunited with Denmark by popular vote in 1920. Young men from that area were conscripted to fight on the Western Front. Quite a number of them had left their faith in God buried in the French trenches.

Christian Rømer describes how it was to preach to these people: “It was a somewhat peculiar but interesting territory to work. Their political fight had made them approachable.”

One of those whom the colporteurs met on their first round through the territory was Anton Hansen, a clogmaker in Over Jerstal. He too lost his faith on the Western Front. Along with a couple of war comrades, he attended the lecture “What Do the Scriptures Say About Hell?” The following day he was visited by Knud Dal, and after a heated, three-hour-long discussion, he accepted The Harp of God. That book rekindled his faith so much that together with his wife, Kathrine, he became prominent in the preaching work in South Jutland.

Up until the fall of 1925, the three colporteurs in the “Dal column” used bicycles or trains for transportation, but now a brother made an automobile available to them. Christian Rømer traveled to Copenhagen to pick it up. “It was a big event! A delightful old tin lizzie, with folding top and all,” he fondly recalls. “And as the only one who had a license, I was the chauffeur. The car lasted a year. Then we traded it in for the elegance of the time, a 1923 Ford sedan​—enclosed and warmer in the winter. Quite a posh vehicle!”

These colporteurs gradually worked through all of Jutland and Fyn, until March 1929, when the funds for this special activity were exhausted.

More Colporteurs Join in the Work

In the meantime Ella Krøyer, from Copenhagen, and Kristine Poulsen, a schoolteacher with a Grundtvigian background, had begun to preach through southern Sjælland. Here too the territory was untouched. The autumn of 1926 found the sisters witnessing around the town of Vordingborg. Sister Poulsen remembers: “It was in the sugar-beet season. There was no asphalt on the roads, and the traffic of sugar-beet wagons during the day along with the rain during the night made deep ruts in the muddy roads. At times we had to give up visiting a farm or a house because we just couldn’t get through on the road.”

One day the sisters spotted just what they needed to conquer the mud​—high-top rubber boots! Each quickly bought a pair. But rubber boots were a novelty in those days, so they drew a lot of attention wherever the sisters walked. A trip to Copenhagen to rest up a bit brought their boots into the limelight. A sister in the branch office at Ole Suhrs Gade was so thrilled with their new footwear that she picked up the boots, which were standing in the entryway, and pranced around the office showing everyone how well-equipped the colporteurs were!

A third unit of colporteurs, Anna Petersen and Thora Svendsen, also covered the territory in Fyn and Jutland. Sister Petersen says: “We pioneers were usually sent to areas where there were no congregations. We would go to the general-store keeper and ask if he knew who in town had a room to let. Our kitchen consisted of a little kerosene stove and a couple of pots on an old table or a couple of crates we would get from the storekeeper.”

Sometimes the two sisters joined the “Dal column.” The result? Sister Petersen and Brother Rømer decided on a more permanent union. They married in 1933, and even though Sister Rømer is now confined to a nursing home, Brother Rømer is still in the full-time ministry.

Organized to Preach

In the meantime much had happened in Denmark. In 1922 the historical appeal to “Advertise the King and Kingdom” had been sounded at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. Now, not only the colporteurs but all associated with the congregation were to preach regularly. As the news of this reached the shores of Denmark, the brothers began to see that they could all join in evangelizing. Calls for preachers were sounded through the Danish Watch Tower, but the work was not yet organized. Why? Prominent ones in the congregation​—the elected elders—​held back. Something had to be done.

In late May 1925, Brother Rutherford planned to attend a convention in Örebro, Sweden. Shortly before this, he and R. J. Martin were in Switzerland. To save time, they took a plane from Zurich to Copenhagen. However, there was concern about their safe arrival. As they flew over northern Germany and Denmark, a storm erupted and made their plane bob around like a cork in water. On landing in Copenhagen, they were greeted by more than a hundred cheering people, since no one had expected a plane to make it through that storm. They were now a half-hour automobile drive away from the harbor, where Brother Macmillan was waiting. He had persuaded the ship captain and the station master to have the ferry to Malmö wait for them. They all boarded the ferry, and on the following day, they reached the convention in Örebro.

On the last day of the convention, Brother Rutherford announced that a Northern European Office was to be established in Copenhagen, headed by a Scotsman, William Dey. The office would supervise the Society’s activities in Scandinavia and the Baltic States and “especially encourage and advance the public preaching of the Kingdom message.”

Brother Dey, a bachelor, had been a Bible Student since 1913. He was the right man for the job. He had left his position as tax director in London to oversee the Northern European Office. He was energetic, persevering, and driven by great love for the truth. He had good experience from serving in Britain, where congregation colporteur work had already been organized for several years. The brothers liked him, and soon he was known by the name Big Scotsman.

Brother Dey wasted no time in organizing the preaching work. Poul Reinseth was appointed service director for Copenhagen and supervised the witness work in the capital. The city was divided into six areas, each with a responsible area service leader. Book depots were set up in private homes so that it was no longer necessary for each publisher to trek to the branch office to get his literature supply. The witnessing work now took on a robust complexion.

A Convention With a Service Day

The 1925 convention was a high point in Danish theocratic history. The Danish edition of The Watch Tower announced: “Tuesday the first of September will be a special service day, and it is expected that all who are able will take part in the effort to spread the message by colporteuring with books in the Copenhagen area.” The day began with a talk by Poul Reinseth on the importance of preaching. Then the conventioners were scattered to the four winds​—out in the house-to-house work with the books.

Afterward, the Danish Watch Tower carried this encouragement: “Since the convention, ardor and zeal in connection with spreading the message has spread to many classes [congregations], and we hope that this will mean a real expansion of the work.”

More Congregations Join in the Work

Brother Dey kept busy. In his first three and a half months as overseer, he logged 9,000 miles [14,000 km] in Scandinavia and the Baltic States, organizing the evangelizing work. Einer Benggaard relates a small episode from this activity: “In a congregation in northern Jutland, we had arranged a little assembly to help organize our brothers and sisters for the house-to-house work. Following a talk by Brother Dey, we received instructions on how we should do the work, what we should say to the people, and so forth. Territory and literature were assigned, and we went out the door, most with our hearts in our mouths! As Brother Dey and I walked down the main street, we saw two sisters standing in a gateway crying. We took them along with us, and soon there was sunshine in their eyes again!”

When that year was over, more than twice as many books had been placed as in the year before. The office stated in the report for the 1925 service year: “More and more of the friends are learning to see that not only public speakers and colporteurs are called to share in the work but in reality all who have completely dedicated their lives to the Lord.”

Pilgrim Visits

Traveling pilgrims, such as Johan Eneroth from Sweden and Theodor Simonsen from Norway, had encouraged increased preaching. Now, though, a permanent pilgrim was appointed, Christian Jensen from northern Sjælland. He had spent some years in the United States and had also been touring Denmark with the “Photo-Drama of Creation.”

The term “pilgrim” was later changed to “regional service director,” and more regional service directors were appointed. These included Christian Rømer, Kristian Dal, and Johannes Dam.

A “Proper” Bethel Home

Soon, books and booklets began flowing in from the Society’s factories in Magdeburg and Bern, and the storage space at Ole Suhrs Gade was far too small, with room for only a few hundred books, in two shipping crates standing on their sides, one on top of the other. A young brother, Simon Petersen (brother of colporteur Anna Petersen), was assigned to arrange a new and larger stockroom in the former meeting hall.

Several of the brothers and sisters who worked at the office and depot, which was in an old apartment building, had lodgings scattered around Copenhagen. Brother Dey thought that there ought to be a “proper” Bethel Home where all could live and eat together at the same place. So, up on the sixth floor, right under the rafters, small storage rooms were cleared out, the floors varnished, the walls papered, and the rooms furnished. When the job was completed, Einer Benggaard, Simon Petersen, and another brother each had a cozy, if somewhat primitive, bedroom.

A New High Point

The autumn of 1927 was the next high point. Another visit by Brother Rutherford prompted another convention, where 650 delegates from Scandinavia, Estonia, and Latvia listened with rapt attention to Brother Rutherford’s talk “Freedom for the Peoples.” The daily newspaper Politiken wrote:

“The doors into the Odd Fellows Hall were opened at 7:30, but within a quarter hour every seat was filled . . . and the doors were closed. During the following quarter hour, several hundred people crowded into the large tiled vestibule. They kept banging on the closed doors, and one man who had come a long way just to hear this talk offered 500 crowns [$100] for a seat. But all in vain. The crush of the crowd in the vestibule grew greater. Nearly a thousand people pressed forward to come in but to no avail.”

Campaigns and Conventions

In order to stimulate all to share in the witness work, worldwide campaigns were organized, generally of nine days each. The first Danish campaign featured the booklet Freedom for the Peoples, which was distributed to the public during March 1928. Another feature of activity was the small Sunday assemblies, later called service conventions.

The home of Holger Nielsen in Thorup Strand, a small fishing village in northern Jutland, close to the North Sea, provides a glimpse of a typical Sunday assembly. Brothers will arrive from Ålborg and the island of Mors and the villages in between. All tote their lunches as they preach along the way. In the meantime brothers at Thorup Strand are scurrying about, preparing to receive them. Brother Nielsen’s barn is emptied, swept, and decorated, and benches are fetched on a horse-drawn wagon from the community hall. It is noon by the time the brothers arrive; they share a meal, rest a bit, and then gather in the clean barn for a talk, which is followed by a baptism in the open sea. On this occasion, 19 are immersed. What a day!

Better Organizing

The Bible Students in Denmark were completely reorganized from 1925 to 1930. For example, better arranged meetings began in 1928. The Watch Tower was already being studied regularly, and it was now recommended that immediately before the weekly Testimony Meeting, a Service Meeting be held in which suggestions from the Bulletin (later Our Kingdom Ministry) could be entertained. The following year the Society sent out an “organization plan.” Each congregation should have a service committee consisting of three brothers to oversee the preaching work, while the elected elders looked after the study meetings held in the congregation.

A transformation of this kind resulted in a sifting. Those who did not want to show their faith by works revealed this more and more and finally left the ranks of the Bible Students. For this reason the partakers at the Memorial dropped from 909 in 1927 to 605 in 1931.

The theocratic readjustments eventually proved to be too much for the branch overseer, Carl Lüttichau. He was at odds even with the Society’s sharp rejection of all false religion. Many brothers tried to help him see the value of the needed changes; even Brother Eneroth from Sweden personally tried but to no avail. Lüttichau forsook his position as the Society’s branch representative, and in January 1930, Poul Reinseth replaced him.

A New Instrument, Name, and Home

The Golden Age was published in Danish from January 1930 under the name of Ny Verden (New World). To give this new magazine as wide a circulation as possible, there were extensive house-to-house campaigns to increase its readership. It was also sold from magazine stands, and posters were set up showing the contents of the magazine. Subscriptions started to soar. In 1930, there were 5,825 people who received the magazine regularly, either by mail or from a publisher, and in 1943, in the middle of World War II, there were 25,921 regular readers!

Another encouragement to preach diligently was the adoption of the name Jehovah’s Witnesses. Following its adoption at the 1931 convention in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A., the resolution was presented in the local congregations for adoption. What was the response to this new name? Marie Due wrote from Norway: “With joy I accept the new name and rejoice to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Others wrote: “This has given us the opportunity to renew our decision to serve Jehovah faithfully until the end.”

The resolution, along with Brother Rutherford’s convention talk, was printed in the booklet The Kingdom, the Hope of the World and was distributed in great numbers in March 1932. During the last week of the campaign, a push was made to visit personally all politicians, clergymen, government officials, and prominent businessmen with the booklet. Also, a copy was placed on the desk of each member in the Hall of Parliament. Even the king of Denmark, Christian X, received a copy.

The facilities that the Society had in Ole Suhrs Gade were getting cramped. So a large villa toward the outskirts of Copenhagen, at 56 Søndre Fasanvej in Valby, was purchased, and the Bethel family moved to the new property on October 18, 1932.

Though the Society had for years carried on its work under the name “Vagttaarnets Bibel- og Traktatselskab” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society), it had never been necessary to form a legal association. Now an association was formed and registered on May 21, 1932. The property at Søndre Fasanvej served as the Society’s branch office, depot, and Bethel Home for the next 25 years.

Legal Right to Distribute Literature Established

During the early 1930’s, the authorities tried to misapply the Law of Commerce and the Law of Public Holidays to our preaching work from house to house with literature. If the authorities had succeeded with their plans, the witness work would have slowed to a crawl. Instead, in October 1932, the matter came to a head. Five Witnesses from Copenhagen went to Roskilde by car to preach. They had agreed to meet again at the main square where the car was parked, but when they met, one member of their group, August Lehmann, was missing. He had been arrested by the police.

Brother Lehmann was charged with violating the Law of Commerce by selling printed material without a colporteur’s license and outside the allowed shopping hours. The town court acquitted Brother Lehmann, as did the Superior Court on appeal. However, the prosecution appealed the case to the Supreme Court, which heard the case in October 1933. The Supreme Court ruled that the preaching activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses with books and magazines was not the same as business and therefore did not come under the Law of Commerce.

The Society then decided that each publisher should have an identification card with information that the publisher for the Society was an unpaid, voluntary worker who distributed books without any profit and that the right to preach without a colporteur’s license had been established by the Supreme Court. The problem solved, the preaching work continued with no further legal interference.

The “Great Crowd” Emerging

Up until now the Witnesses’ main attention had been on the ingathering of the chosen ones, the anointed Christians with a heavenly hope. But often during those years, brothers and sisters would visit the branch office, some quite unhappy, because they did not believe deep-down that they had the heavenly hope. So it seemed wrong for them to partake of the Memorial emblems. Such were then known as Jonadab friends, in harmony with the Bible account of Jehu and Jonadab in ancient Israel.​—2 Ki. 10:15, 16.

In August 1935, two issues of The Watchtower in English explained that the “great crowd” of Revelation chapter 7 was an earthly class that was to be gathered before Armageddon. The brothers at the office were enthused. Since a national convention was to be held that same month in Copenhagen, they sent a telegram to Brother Rutherford asking for permission to present a talk based on these two articles. Brother Rutherford gave the green light to Brother Dey to deliver this epoch-making talk.

“It was an unforgettable hour,” relates Brother Benggaard. “I sat in the orchestra behind the speaker and could look out over the audience. What enthusiasm! Never have I seen such waves flow over an audience! The ‘great crowd’ had been brought down from heaven to earth​—it was a terrific flash of light, and now all knew who the ‘great crowd’ were!”

Now the ingathering of the “Jonadab friends” truly began. Throughout the country, public meetings were held with the purpose of contacting all who might be a part of the great crowd.

Phonograph Witnessing

The next step in making the preaching work more effective was the introduction of phonographs. Records with Brother Rutherford’s brief Bible sermons translated into Danish could now be heard sounding out from doorsteps. Soon publishers were seen in the territory carrying portable phonographs.

However, hauling a phonograph, even a portable one, on a bicycle was tricky. Sister Rømer remembers: “We had to walk our cycles not only up but sometimes down hills because they were so steep and the roads so rocky that the spring holding the phonograph in place would snap if we rolled quickly downhill.” This obstacle did not cool their zeal. They rose to the challenge by inventing and building one amazing device after the other in order to mount the phonograph on the bicycle safely. One brother recalls that of the 135 persons he has had the pleasure of helping into Jehovah’s worldwide preaching organization, about 40 came in as a result of the phonograph work.

Besides this, so-called phonograph meetings were held where talks could be heard booming from larger phonographs. Some brothers in Kalundborg rigged a sound system on an old car of Daniel Nielsen (son of Albertine, who had been baptized in Sejerø Bight back in 1902). When he sold the car, a small cart pulled by a bicycle was pressed into service. “Out we went on long trips,” relates Brother Nielsen, “out to the villages where we preached by means of the phonograph talks.”

Pioneers Establish Congregations

The 1930’s also saw a change in the nature of the colporteur work, now called pioneering. While pioneers in the 1920’s traveled from one area to another trying to cover as much territory as possible, they now stayed in one location in order to establish congregations. To find out how this was done, let us follow the Mortensens, Ejner and Else.

After selling their small farm, Ejner and Else set out in the full-time ministry in March 1934. No easy task, for these were depression years.

One of their first territories was the town of Sønderborg. In a rented hall, they arranged to have four public talks given by speakers sent out by the Society. Then the series continued with Brother Mortensen as speaker. This was his debut. Although quite nervous, he did well, and in time there were about 30 regular attenders at meetings. Later, phonograph talks were held, with subsequent questions and answers. After that, regular study meetings began with the Society’s books as study aids. A new congregation was in the making, and it became a reality in early 1936.

Toward summer the Mortensens were requested to move on to the town of Nyborg, and here they proceeded in the same way: First, public talks were given by brothers from the Society, then talks by Brother Mortensen, then phonograph talks, and finally Bible study meetings. By the end of August 1937, their work had again borne so much fruit that a congregation with about ten publishers was formed in Nyborg.

The Nazi Occupation

April 9, 1940, was a dark day for Denmark. Troops from Nazi Germany goose-stepped over the land. The brothers steeled themselves for the worst because everywhere else the Nazis had control, the Witnesses had been brutally persecuted. So it was deemed best to proceed with caution.

That same month there was supposed to be an extensive campaign with the booklet Refugees, but since this booklet contained a hard exposé of the Nazi regime, plans were changed. The brothers carried out a lightning distribution early one Sunday morning by putting the booklets through the letter slots of people’s homes. On April 28, some 350,000 booklets were distributed free throughout the country. It was expensive, but even Brother Dey realized that it was necessary to use this method.

Thankfully, persecution never came. For political reasons the occupation forces chose to keep Denmark as a “model protectorate” and allowed the Danes considerable personal liberty. By exercising caution, the brothers were able to continue their preaching activities.

William Dey Interned

As a result of the German occupation, William Dey, who was a British citizen, was put in an internment camp near the town of Vejle. Though the internees enjoyed humane treatment and limited freedom inside the camp, it was a test for this active man not to do his daily work. He was by no means idle, though. Unceasingly he witnessed to his fellow internees as well as to all the guards. Time after time he told them to take their stand for God’s Kingdom​—so often, in fact, that they nicknamed him Take-Your-Stand Dey!

The assignment as branch overseer that Brother Dey had received after Poul Reinseth in 1934 was cared for by Albert West. He had been serving as branch overseer in Estonia for some years in the late 1920’s. Direct contact with the Society’s headquarters in the United States was cut off. The only possibility of communication was through Sweden, which was a neutral island in the stormy sea of war. The Northern European Office had ceased to function, and Brother Eneroth in Sweden now had the assignment of gathering information and reports from the northern countries and transmitting them to Brooklyn, U.S.A.

Spiritual Food Still Received

Denmark continued to receive the latest magazines and other literature published, but as political relations between the Danes and the Germans became more and more strained, theocratic strategy was called for. A young Danish sister worked as a nurse for a Spanish diplomat’s family in Copenhagen, and this diplomat was very willing to bring gift packages back to her from Sweden. Of course, he did not know what was in the parcels!

So there was never any lack of spiritual food. All through the war years, it was possible to publish and distribute The Watchtower and Consolation, as well as other literature. Even in late 1941, when the English edition of The Watchtower carried a series of articles explaining Daniel’s prophecy and pointed to Germany as the king of the north, the brothers still received the information. It was deemed inadvisable to print these articles in The Watchtower in Danish, so they were mimeographed, and circuit overseers would travel to the congregations and read them aloud to an audience consisting of only brothers and sisters who carried their identification cards. As can be imagined, meeting places were always packed out for these talks.

Opposition From Nazis as Well as Clergymen

While there was no noticeable opposition from the German occupational forces, the Danish Nazis seethed with hatred. Time after time they tried through their magazines to point the attention of the Germans toward the Witnesses.

Also, the clergy within the Danish national church were busy with their nefarious schemes. Their attacks in newspapers resulted in lively exchanges of letters fired across the editorial pages. The culmination came when a clergyman concluded a radio church service with a warning against the Witnesses, who, he said, did not believe in Jesus as the Savior or as the Son of God.

The radio station refused to broadcast a correction, so the Society decided to speak up the best way it could​—preach. Preparations were made for the most extensive witness campaign ever. In record time a booklet was prepared with the title Will You Judge Between Us? Its contents clearly showed the difference between Jehovah’s Witnesses and the clergy.

The grand campaign was dubbed “Jehovah’s Battle.” And truly a battle spirit prevailed among Jehovah’s people. Everyone pitched in, and on the appointed day, February 21, 1943, some 700,000 booklets were distributed free of charge. Cities and towns were inundated with booklets. Not even the smallest islands were overlooked. Booklets were mailed to all houses on some 62 smaller islands. More than two thirds of all homes in Denmark received a booklet at their doors. Immediately afterward, copies were sent to all clergymen, parish clerks, and leading church members.

The newspapers made any who had overlooked the Witnesses’ campaign aware of it. All over the country, the clergy were busy taking up the fight in newspapers, parish magazines, and from the pulpit. The Witnesses’ campaign had touched a raw nerve in the opposers. The Danish Nazis attacked viciously, claiming that the Witnesses were financed secretly by Jews. However, hundreds of persons wrote to the branch requesting additional information about our message.

The campaign lasted several months. Wherever there was a parish vicar who reproached Jehovah’s name and opposed His servants, the brothers would seek to arrange a public talk in his area and flood the parish with handbills. Activity was especially great on the island of Amager, where a public debate was held between Jehovah’s Witnesses and clergy from the Danish national church. Two brothers, Arthur Jensen and Herløv Larsen, spoke for the Witnesses. They were skilled speakers, with quick, logical minds.

One theologian summed it up quite well. He said in the paper Amager Bladet of April 15: “As a whole, the Witnesses’ arguments were by far the best, the clearest, and the most objective. As to the church, well, one could only sit there and feel ashamed in its behalf.” In time the attacks from the clergy withered away because the harder the clergy fought against the Witnesses, the stronger was the testimony given to their parishioners by the Witnesses, and that did not fit the clergy’s purpose at all.

Conventions During the War

During the war it was possible to hold several conventions. A memorable one was held in the Odd Fellows Hall in Copenhagen on August 28 and 29, 1943. The first day of the convention went off as planned. However, political conditions in Denmark had reached a breaking point as the occupation forces made greater and greater demands of the Danish government, and on Saturday, August 28​—the same day the convention began in the Odd Fellows Hall—​the government refused further cooperation.

Sunday morning the German forces went into action. The commander in chief of the Germans in Denmark declared martial law. The Danish army and navy were disarmed, several prominent citizens were arrested, and the government was dissolved. Assembling together was forbidden as was gathering in groups on the streets. That same morning the brothers met in private homes. The situation was discussed, and they took it for granted that the convention was now canceled.

But it so happened that one kind of meeting was not forbidden​—church services. Notice was sent out quickly that they could meet in the afternoon at the Odd Fellows Hall for a “church service.” Brothers from Bethel were dispatched by taxi to different homes, and from there the word spread like a prairie fire among the brothers. In order not to draw undue attention to their work, the brothers arrived in twos or threes. They were led into the hall through a side entrance. Soon, 1,284 brothers and sisters were assembled.

“When we got into the hall,” one sister relates, “we could really see what the organization meant to us, since practically all the brothers were there. All had assembled on very short notice, and no one but Jehovah’s Witnesses could have accomplished that. Just to get away from the noisy, angry mobs in the streets and into the calm and peaceful atmosphere was wonderful. It was as though there was a door between the old world and the new.”

After the meeting, the brothers exited in small groups and were told to leave the area quickly. Everything went smoothly. And the whole thing was carried on right under the nose of the Germans! The headquarters of the German naval commander was located right across the street from the assembly site! On the sidewalk outside, behind heaps of sandbags, were German guards armed with machine guns.

The Bible School on Langeland

In 1943, rumors were flying that the Witnesses in the United States and Britain had their own Bible schools. Since the brothers in Denmark had no direct contact with world headquarters because of the war, they, in good faith, set in motion plans for a school. They bought a house in attractive surroundings at Lohals, on the island of Langeland. There, with a view of the sea, they established their very own Bible school. For school supervisor, Simon Petersen from Bethel was selected. Two other brothers were teachers. One of them, Filip Hoffmann, was also from Bethel.

Monday, June 5, 1944, the first class began school. Each course lasted two weeks. Instruction was from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, with such subjects as Bible teachings, organization, preaching activity, arithmetic, and Danish. The afternoons were open for the students’ choice. They were free to study, go swimming, or stroll through the school’s pleasant surroundings. Weekends were devoted to the field ministry.

Although the school lasted only one summer, total enrollment rose to about 450 brothers and sisters. Actually, the school resulted from a misunderstanding. True, schools were to be established but not in this way. The following year, the Course in Theocratic Ministry (now Theocratic Ministry School) was introduced in all congregations.

The End of the War

Toward the end of the war, shortages of most goods, such as paper, forced a reduction in magazine size. No paper, no literature. But the brothers succeeded for a while in getting The Watchtower and Consolation published in the usual quantity by gradually reducing the number of pages. However, even that effort was not enough. By April 1945 it became necessary to stop the obtaining of new subscriptions.

Nevertheless, the Danish congregations increased during those years, nearly doubling their number. From a peak of 1,373 publishers in 75 congregations in 1940, the figure rose to 2,620 Witnesses in 127 congregations in 1945.

Helping Former Concentration Camp Prisoners

On May 5, 1945, Denmark rejoiced. Liberation! That same day, a river barge packed with several hundred prisoners from the infamous concentration camp in Stutthof in what is today the northern part of Poland was stranded at the island of Møn. Among the prisoners were 15 of Jehovah’s Witnesses of five different nationalities. Within a few hours, their Danish brothers were on hand with food. Sadly, the relief arrived too late for a few. Disease and starvation had taken their toll; two Witnesses died soon after arrival. Clearly, the survivors had great need for kind attention. The branch took them under its wing.

They were housed in the Society’s building on Langeland. And under Brother and Sister Simon Petersen’s tender watchcare, the three brothers and ten sisters flourished physically, mentally, and spiritually. In time these refugees regained their strength and returned to their respective lands to resume the preaching work in their own languages​—German, Polish, Russian, Latvian, and Lithuanian.

Visits From Headquarters

In the early summer of 1945, contact with the Society’s office in Brooklyn, New York, was reestablished. Later that year communication was further strengthened when Nathan H. Knorr, who had been the Society’s president since 1942, visited Copenhagen together with his secretary, Milton G. Henschel. This was quite an event, for a president of the Society had not visited Denmark since 1927.

During the visit, 13 brothers applied for missionary training at the new Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. The following summer the first five of them left for the United States.

Two years later, on their world service tour in 1947, Brothers Knorr and Henschel again visited Denmark. This time Brother Knorr introduced something quite new to Denmark: street witnessing with magazines. Offering The Watchtower and Awake! to people on the streets had proved to be an effective preaching method in the United States. In Denmark too it was successful, especially during Friday rush hour.

Gilead Graduates Help Out

The return of Gilead-trained brothers to Denmark gave a big boost to the field ministry. The first two graduates, Johannes and Christian Rasmussen, came back to serve as servants to the brethren (today termed “circuit overseers”) from early 1947. Christian was later transferred to Sweden, where he still serves at Bethel.

Filip Hoffmann was the next Gilead graduate who returned to Denmark. In addition to instruction at Gilead, he received special training at the office and factory in Brooklyn. Thus, his return sparked a change in procedures at the Denmark branch office. Later, Brother Hoffmann was assigned to Germany to serve in its branch office.

Albert and Margaret West came back to Denmark from Gilead in January 1949. Brother West was assigned as branch overseer, relieving Brother Dey, who was now 69 years old. Brother Dey continued his work in the office until the fall of 1950, when he returned to Britain to serve faithfully as a pioneer till his death in 1963.

Growth​—Numerical and Spiritual

During the years that followed, the spiritual outlook of the brothers widened out. They could see themselves more and more as part of an international society under common oversight. The large international conventions in New York City in the 1950’s, which had delegates from Denmark, contributed to this. They saw with their own eyes the headquarters office and printery of Jehovah’s Witnesses and heard with their own ears some of the members of the headquarters staff give talks. All of this gave them a fine spiritual foundation that they could share with others back home.

The number of publishers kept climbing, so when preparations were under way for the convention in 1954, it was obvious that a convention hall used several times previously​—K.B. Hallen​—was no longer adequate. The brothers then rented the largest hall in Denmark, the Forum, near the center of Copenhagen. This was a sensation. As Johannes Rasmussen, then district overseer, put it: “We could gather 8,000 people in the K.B. hall, and it would be nothing. But if 5,000 came to the Forum, that is news.”

Preparations were made for the largest convention in Denmark to date. There was room for 7,000 inside the Forum, and a number of tents were set up to make room for an overflow of several thousand more. Still, conditions were crowded all four days of the convention. The brothers rejoiced over the attendance, and their enthusiasm knew no bounds when on August 8, Sunday afternoon, 12,097 attended the public talk!

A New Branch Overseer

The following day, an American brother, Richard E. Abrahamson, arrived to assume responsibility for the work in Denmark. He became the fifth branch overseer within a few years. Brother West had fallen seriously ill in the summer of 1951 and left his responsibility to Aage Hau, who had been trained at Gilead. A year later, the responsibility was passed to a Canadian, Norman Harper. After a couple of years, the Harpers decided to return to Canada because of an increase in their family.

Brother Abrahamson came from the district work in England. With his wife, Julia, he graduated from Gilead in 1953 and had earlier served for a number of years at the Brooklyn headquarters. He was 31 years old when he became branch overseer, and he was to oversee the work for more than 26 years.

Preaching in the Faeroe Islands

In May of that same year, 1954, two special pioneers were sent to the Faeroe Islands, a small group of islands in the North Atlantic between Iceland and the Shetland Islands. They were not the first publishers on the islands, however. As far back as the summer of 1935, two pioneer sisters had traveled there. During their three-month stay, they managed to distribute a large number of books and booklets. The clergy, though, succeeded in getting the pioneers expelled. From 1948 some preaching had again been done on the islands, but various kinds of hardships limited the work.

Now the two special pioneers, Svend Aage Nielsen and Edmund Onstad, were to get the work better organized. They soon found an apartment in the main town, Thorshavn, on Strømø, the largest of the Faeroe Islands, where they arranged a room as a Kingdom Hall. After preaching throughout the town, they next targeted the smaller settlements.

As a whole, the Faeroe Islanders reflect the severe nature of the islands​—being a little reserved, hesitant, and somewhat distrustful of strangers—​so it took time and patience for the pioneers to get close to them. The pioneers often were faced with closed doors. It was only after they would “disappear” from the territory for a while and then begin preaching again that it was possible to make contact, since the people then thought the “danger” was gone. Fear of man was great. Literature placed was often returned; sometimes it was even waiting for the pioneers at the post office in Thorshavn when they returned to the town.

Another problem was the impossibility of finding lodgings in the villages. This meant more sailing because only one-day trips from Thorshavn to the villages were possible. And only Brother Nielsen had a good stomach for the sea. But a solution was found. A brother from Denmark who had joined them in the pioneer ministry had a tailor shop, and by pooling their resources and efforts, they managed to make a tent. Thus, toting knapsacks, sleeping bags, preaching bags, and a tent, they could hike over the hills from village to village and not have to worry about finding shelter for the night.

The Troubles at Klaksvík

Later that year Brother Nielsen moved to the town of Klaksvík. Coincidentally, just as he arrived, a long-lasting conflict reached a climax. The local people refused to accept the Danish authorities’ choice of chief physician at the town’s hospital. Violence erupted! In the evening iron chains were thrown over electric lines so that all lights in the town went out. And woe to any Dane who ventured outside alone after dark!

But how could Brother Nielsen go from door to door when the whole town was like an angry beehive? He relates: “I got an idea my first day out, an idea I have not used before or since. I simply carried my Bible openly in my hand from the time I walked out my door until I returned home. This way I always got into long discussions with people, although they still did not dare to invite me in. . . . One housewife said, ‘Do you know what people are saying? That no one can harm you because you carry a Bible in your hand all the time.’”

More Pioneers Enter the Field

In the summer of 1957, Anders Andersen was sent to the Faeroe Islands, where he served as a special pioneer in the Klaksvík territory. He also made regular visits to the small, newly established congregation at Thorshavn and to Brother Onstad, who was preaching on the southern island of Suderø.

The following year a married couple arrived, Svend and Ruth Molbech. Now the sisters also could have good support in the field, and the local women who showed interest could be better served. It was awkward for single brothers to make regular return visits on women, especially when their husbands were away on long fishing trips.

Witnessing With the Society’s Films

The Society’s films, The New World Society in Action and The Happiness of the New World Society, stirred up interest in the good news in the small settlements. These films demonstrated that the Witnesses were not a local sect but a worldwide brotherhood.

At Vestmanna on Strømø, the cinema was booked. Adults and children, more than 80 in all, filled the room long before the showing. Waiting time was never a problem for the Faeroese; no rigid time schedule for them. Only when a fishing boat returned would all of them suddenly storm the harbor. This happened during the showing of one of the Society’s films. Right in the middle of the show, the sound of a steam whistle penetrated the air, proclaiming the return of fathers, sons, and brothers from the sea. In a moment the meeting was entirely broken up; everybody rushed to the windows to see what ship had arrived. And then, out they all went! The hall emptied in seconds; only the keeper of the cinema and a few old persons stayed to see the rest of the film.

A Faeroese Takes His Stand

While Brother Andersen was witnessing in the northern islands, he met a Faeroese man, John Mikkelsen, who showed interest. However, with his Faeroese take-your-time nature, John did not change overnight. Two special pioneer sisters followed up on the interest, and with their kind efforts, John’s wife, Sonja, became interested too and joined in the Bible study. In time both husband and wife took their stand for the truth, and John eventually became the first Faeroese to be appointed as an elder.

By and by, the lone pioneers received help from families who moved in from Denmark to serve where the need was greater. This had a good effect, since many people in the territory had the idea that our faith was only for missionaries, not for “normal” people. But they respected families who lived and worked in their midst. The first newcomer family was Anker and Dora Nygaard and their four children. They arrived in 1959 and made a fine contribution to the increase in the Faeroe Islands.

It took eight to ten years of patient, hard work in the Faeroese territory by the first wave of special pioneers to break the soil, so to speak. They had borne the brunt of opposition from religious leaders and spearheaded the search for sincere ones. Now it was deemed advisable to let these soil-breakers return to less isolated areas in Denmark and have other pioneers continue their work.

To Greenland​—The Land of Ice and Snow

In the mid-1950’s, the time had also come to introduce the good news to the land of ice and snow, Greenland, a vast island with a cold climate and an ice cap up to two miles thick [3 km]. For many years Greenland had the status of a colony of Denmark, and the only religions allowed to operate there were the Moravian Brethren, who withdrew in the year 1900, and the Danish national church. But the adoption of a new Danish Constitution in 1953 paved the way for Witnesses to be assigned there.

In January 1955 two special pioneers, Kristen Lauritsen and Arne Hjelm, arrived by boat in the capital, Godthåb (Nuuk). The task that awaited them was enormous. With the capital as starting point, they worked their way along a thousand miles [1,600 km] of the western coast, where most of the then 25,000 inhabitants lived, scattered in 200 towns, villages, and settlements.

They began with the main town. Many willingly listened at first. Then the reaction changed. What had happened? The dean of Greenland (the ranking clergyman of the country) had printed a pamphlet against the Witnesses and distributed it among the Greenlanders. He sought to arouse strong feelings against the work of the Witnesses in hopes of smothering it right from the start.

Up and Down Along the Coast

The brothers continued preaching unperturbed. After celebrating the Memorial, they started preparations for a long summer preaching tour. By late April the first coastal boat arrived for its continuing trip northward. The pioneers bought a tent and hopped on board.

The trip took them to towns like Holsteinsborg, Egedesminde, Jakobshavn, the coal-mining town Qutdligssat, Uummannaq, and Upernavik, the northernmost point of their journey, more than 600 miles [1,000 km] from the starting point. Everywhere, they spread the good news, placing a few Greenlandic tracts at a time.

Their next long preaching tour took them to Julianehåb, over 300 miles [500 km] south of Godthåb. The weather was milder there, and everything appeared greener and friendlier. Following a trip to Narsaq, Nanortalik, and Sydprøven, the brothers returned to Godthåb; and so they had completed those long preaching trips in their first summer in Greenland. The whole western coast had received a witness concerning Jehovah’s purposes.

These early trips certainly added to the life experience of the brothers. Though they preferred to sleep in a warm bed, they found that tenting has a charm of its own. However, one disadvantage of tenting involved the Greenlandic sledge dogs, used by the Greenlanders from Holsteinsborg northward. The dogs would run back and forth under the tent cords, and they would bite through the cords. The brothers quickly learned that they should never keep food in their tent unless it was well protected; otherwise the dogs would break in and eat it all. Therefore, they would usually put food supplies on the roof of a shed or hang them up in a bag on a pole out of reach of snapping jaws. But in Uummannaq this did not work. The dogs jumped up and bit a hole in their food bag​—and out tumbled their supplies, including sausages, cheese, butter, and other good things, which the dogs quickly devoured.

Sometimes the brothers encountered clergy opposition, but on the whole their experience was that Greenlanders were kind, approachable, and hospitable. Often, many would come to them in the evenings to ask questions. Undoubtedly, much could be done in that territory. But little did the brothers know how many years of patient work had to be expended before an increase could be seen.

More Help for Greenland

A fine help in illustrating the work of the Witnesses was the film The New World Society in Action. During the winter it was shown three times in Godthåb, always to a full house. Then in 1957 came the film The Happiness of the New World Society, with Greenlandic comments recorded on a tape that was played with the film. Years later, when explaining the religious situation in Greenland, the dean of Greenland said: “Jehovah’s Witnesses are the most aggressive. They are rushing up and down the coast showing this film about the glories of the Millennium. And these colorful pictures do make an impression.”

In 1958 the pioneer force doubled to four in number. And one more arrived the following spring. How did this happen? Brother Lauritsen, on his travel to the international convention in New York City, met an English pioneer sister, Joan Bramham. The rest is history. She became his wife and coworker. She accomplished the amazing feat of learning both Danish and Greenlandic. Now Brother and Sister Lauritsen took care of the southern part of the Greenland territory, while the other special pioneers continued in the central and northern parts.

In Denmark​—Progress and Sifting

The progress in Denmark continued so that April 1955 saw 9,207 publishers distributing the booklet Christendom or Christianity​—Which One Is “the Light of the World”? The next big event was the summer convention. Nearly 6,000 Danes traveled to Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, to attend the “Triumphant Kingdom” Assembly​—the first time the majority of the Danish brothers went to an international convention. The program and association with so many Norwegian and Swedish brothers as well as delegates from other countries gave them the needed spiritual boost to intensify their efforts in their ministry.

But not all shared their joy. Some publishers displayed discontent with all the new directions from world headquarters. Other disgruntled ones did not approve of so much emphasis by The Watchtower on Christian living, clean morals, and on disfellowshipping unrepentant wrongdoers. Thus, there was a falling away by some. Materialism and fear of man engulfed others. The majority remained faithful, however, and the organization was internally strengthened.

Conventions Moving Outdoors

After many years in which assemblies were held in schoolrooms and concert and sports halls, it was now necessary to move outdoors to accommodate the many conventioners. So, in 1956, the Århus Stadium, in a beautiful, parklike setting, was rented. A campsite was used by almost 3,000 brothers and sisters​—a form of convention accommodations that is still enjoyed.

The public talk was heard by over 10,000. Yet, for many, the high point of the convention was the adoption of a resolution addressed to the Soviet premier Nikolay A. Bulganin, protesting the treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses in what was then the Soviet Union. The main points of this resolution were printed in 28 newspapers​—not bad coverage for a country as small as Denmark.

Overcoming Legal Hindrances to Preaching

A few months later, a legal case involving the evangelizing work reached a climax. The Ministry of Commerce had been claiming that the activities of the Watch Tower Society were really commercial because such involved having magazines and books produced and then distributed to the public by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The house-to-house preaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses would thus come under the restrictions of the laws of commerce, including the strictly enforced shop-closing hours. In order to affirm the noncommercial nature of the preaching activity, the matter was pursued to the Supreme Court. The ruling went against the Witnesses.

As a result, a separate commercial publishing and printing corporation was set up, and it cared for supplying magazines and other Bible literature to the congregations to use in their noncommercial Bible educational work. The Danish Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society retained its noncommercial status and continued to direct the spiritual activities of the Witnesses, including their house-to-house ministry, which continued unchanged.

Some years later the government then challenged the right of individual Witnesses to distribute magazines from house to house without a license and outside the shopping hours. Again, the Supreme Court ruled against the Witnesses. However, the brothers have affirmed the noncommercial nature of their work by distributing Bible literature without charge to all those who wish to read it, and they supported all such activity by their own contributions.

A New Branch​—With a Printery

The Bethel Home at Søndre Fasanvej was getting far too small, so plans were made to construct a new branch building. It seemed practical for the branch to do all the printing of The Watchtower and Awake! so as to avoid the disadvantages of rising wages and of strikes among secular printers. (In 1947 such a strike had stopped the printing of the magazines for three months.)

Hence, a suitable piece of land was found in a pleasant, forested area in the suburb of Virum, and when Brother Knorr visited Denmark to inspect the building work in late 1956, the pouring of concrete was well under way​—although all the construction volunteers were having their coffee break just as Brother Knorr arrived at the site!

A mild winter and much volunteer help contributed to the completion of the concrete work by February 1957, and on August 31 the new branch building was ready for dedication. The 24 members of the Bethel family had already been living there for a month, and they were now printing the October 1 and 8 issues of the Danish Watchtower and Awake!​—the first issues that were not printed by a secular printery. From then on, Awake! was printed semimonthly like The Watchtower, and both magazines were given a more handy size, while the number of pages was increased from 16 to 24.

Hosts for an International Convention

In 1961, for the first time, the Danish brothers served as hosts for an international convention. A large soccer stadium was rented, the Copenhagen Idrætspark​—the setting of many national soccer matches. Following extensive preparations, the getting of countless permits from authorities, the obtaining of over 15,000 private accommodations and 800 hotel beds, and the arranging of a campsite with room for over 5,000, everything was finally ready to receive the many guests from over 30 countries.

At the last moment, a serious problem popped up: The Danish Directorate of Aviation refused a landing permit for 27 planes from the United States with 2,691 conventioners aboard. Some hectic hours followed, and only after a personal plea to the prime minister, who was on vacation, was the landing permit given and telegraphed to the airline in the United States​—just a couple of hours before the first plane was due to take off for Copenhagen.

That convention was an overwhelming experience. Though delegates were of many nationalities and races, they demonstrated the convention theme “United Worshipers.” The program was held simultaneously in five languages, so that the Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, and English-speaking brothers could follow it in their own language. Sunday afternoon the stadium was packed with people. The crowd spilled over to a nearby park, where several thousand heard the public talk over loudspeakers. Brother Knorr’s simple and powerful message reached 33,513.

Comments from leading clergymen betrayed some worry. They admitted: “Jehovah’s Witnesses are busy.” “This sect is witnessing​—that is undeniable.” “The self-sacrifice of these people is phenomenal.” They had to ask: “Are we busy?” “What are we witnesses about and for?” “Have our hearts become cold and doubting?” Such public statements showed that a tremendous witness had been given in connection with the convention.

The Largest Convention Ever in Scandinavia

In 1969 the Danish brothers again had the privilege of being hosts for an international convention, the “Peace on Earth” convention, which proved to be the largest ever in Scandinavia. In many ways it was held along the same lines as the one in 1961, only larger in every way. And what a joy it was to hear that 42,073 had attended Brother Knorr’s public talk!

Danish newspapers devoted more than 3,150 column-inches [8,000 col.-cm] to the convention. One of Copenhagen’s largest dailies, Berlingske Tidende, carried an editorial: “True mass rallies are rare here in Denmark . . . So it is quite natural that the international convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Copenhagen this week aroused much attention. . . . Jehovah’s Witnesses are a challenge to the national church. . . . One might wish that the church would work but half as zealously to spread information on what Christianity is as the Witnesses do on highways and byways to propagate their millennial dreams.”

Pictures as Teaching Aids

Bible dramas are a thrilling and instructive high point at district conventions. In Denmark, since the early 1970’s, an unusual element has been connected with these preparations. Many of the dramas are photographed for slide showings. Why is this?

To begin with, it was done so that dramas could be shown at conventions in the Faeroe Islands and Greenland. There, not enough brothers could be found to stage all the dramas, so the dramas had to be presented in sound only. Then a brother who had been a manager of a film company got an idea. Why not show slides of the action of the drama synchronized with the sound track?

An experiment was done, and the results were good. Since then the quality has steadily improved. In order to create a natural setting, props are used that are more extensive than those used at a district convention. In some cases large stage sets are built​—a marketplace in Babylon, a house in Rome, a city gate in Jerusalem—​all out of wood and polystyrene. The result is very convincing and makes the drama come alive when shown in the form of slides. These slide sets are now used not only in the Faeroe Islands and Greenland but also in numerous other lands where it is not practical to present the dramas live.

A Stronger Foothold in the Faeroe Islands

By the late 1960’s, the truth was gaining a stronger foothold in the Faeroe Islands. The families who had moved there from Denmark gave good support in the field and helped strengthen the congregations. In some places they cooperated with a local congregation in building a house that included a Kingdom Hall. In October 1967 at Thorshavn, the Kingdom Hall in the home of Rasmus Nygaard was dedicated. The following year, a similar hall was put into use in Klaksvík. This further confirmed the local people’s impression: The Witnesses were there to stay.

It also impressed the people that more Faeroese families were accepting the truth. When, for instance, Anna Nolsøe learned the truth in Copenhagen in 1961, she returned to her native Faeroe Islands to preach, and soon 3 of her 13 siblings were baptized. Since then the truth has spread in her family like rings expanding in water, so that there were Witnesses from three generations. Similar stories could be told of other families.

The “Big” Assembly in Thorshavn

The first district convention in Thorshavn was planned for 1971. The house of Rasmus Nygaard became the convention headquarters and was teeming with activity. And for the first time, publishers were seen on the streets of Thorshavn wearing sandwich boards, a sight that stirred up quite some attention.

It was a wonderful convention, with 461 for the public talk. The convention became a turning point for several publishers from Denmark who now decided to move there to serve where the need was greater.

Progress in Greenland

In Greenland the handful of pioneers continued steadily in the preaching work, aided by families who had moved from Denmark since 1961. Much preaching was done, and the Greenlanders listened kindly, but tangible results were few. One big problem was the language. Some Greenlanders spoke a little Danish but not enough for deep, spiritual discussions. And though the publishers were toiling with the Greenlandic language, they rarely learned it well enough to be able to teach the Bible. Often they had to make do with brief phrases learned by heart as an introduction and then read Scriptures to a householder. For a period, testimony cards and tape-recorded sermons were used.

There was an evident need for more publications to explain the truth in the Greenlandic language. But who could translate? Up till then, secular translators had been used​—not a very satisfactory solution. During a visit in 1965, Jørgen Larsen from the branch office encouraged Sister Lauritsen to work toward being a Greenlandic translator. She accepted the challenge. A booklet and some tracts were the first results, and then from January 1973, The Watchtower was issued in a monthly 16-page edition bearing the Greenlandic name Napasuliaq Alapernaarsuiffik. That was a giant step forward. Now it was much easier to give a thorough witness in the local language. That same year, the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life was issued, another fine help in the Bible-study work.

Also, the publishers in Godthåb needed more suitable meeting facilities. But the town suffered housing problems of its own; thus it would be next to impossible to obtain a Kingdom Hall. However, not far from the center of the town, a brother had bought a small wooden cabin on a rock overlooking the fjord of Godthåb. So, in 1970, with financial support from Danish congregations and professional construction help from special pioneers, it was possible to build an extension to the house, which included a Kingdom Hall and apartments for two pioneer couples.

More pioneers were assigned, and during the following few years, publishers and families settled in several towns along the coast. By 1973-74 there were already small groups or congregations in eight towns. Finally, in 1973, a woman took her stand for the truth and was the first Greenlander to be baptized in Greenland. In 1976 another Greenlandic sister joined the group. But when would a real harvest begin to come in?

The First Danish Assembly Hall

Meanwhile, Denmark too had a problem locating suitable facilities for circuit assemblies. In other countries the brothers had started building tailor-made Assembly Halls. Might that be a solution for Denmark too?

A group of elders from Fyn and Jutland investigated the possibilities. The response among the brothers was so favorable that the decision was made to build an Assembly Hall to serve the circuits west of the Great Belt. About five acres [2 ha] of forested land outside the town of Silkeborg was purchased. Excavation started on March 18, 1978, and one year minus a day later, a large, H-shaped, red-brick building was ready for dedication, with an auditorium for 900 and dining facilities for 300, as well as other necessary facilities.

A New Branch Office

In the meantime another theocratic building project was planned. Conditions at the branch office at Virum were cramped. Larger facilities were sorely needed.

Suitable land was found in the town of Holbæk, less than 45 miles [72 km] west of Copenhagen. It was about 14 acres [6 ha] of hilly terrain, with a beautiful view of Holbæk Fjord. Plans were drawn, and applications were filed. But when a friendly official at the surveyor’s office learned that this complex, with a floor space of some 150,000 square feet [14,000 sq m], was to be built by the Witnesses themselves, he strongly suggested that this not be attempted.

“But nothing is impossible for Jehovah,” comments Filip Hoffmann, coordinator of the project. “The construction family set out, numbering 200 on an average, and they had good support from volunteers during weekends. Not even the coldest winter of the century, with temperatures of 14 to minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit [-10° to -20° C.] for weeks, could stop them. After only a hundred weeks, the buildings were ready for dedication on May 21, 1983.”

The Family Moves Into Its New Home

The Bethel family moved into the new home in August 1982. One couple who did not move with them were Richard and Julia Abrahamson. For years Brother Abrahamson had taken the lead in the work in Denmark and been an inspiration to many; both he and his wife had won a place in the hearts of the Danish Witnesses. However, in late 1980, they were assigned to the Society’s world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. So the Danish Bethel family said a sad good-bye to them in early January 1981.

The office of coordinator of the Branch Committee was assigned to Jørgen Larsen, whose experience in the full-time ministry goes back to 1951 and includes training at Gilead twice, graduating in 1959 and 1965. Together with his wife, Anna, he had spent a number of years as a traveling overseer and then served at Bethel in the Service Department and in the Translation Department.

Dedication of Branch Complex

A couple of days before the dedication, outside suppliers and government officials were invited to a special reception. During a tour of the buildings, they commended the brothers for the choice of materials, the fine craftsmanship, and the finish​—a standard they had known from their young days but never saw anymore. When the well-meaning official from the surveyor’s office was reminded of his initial apprehension, he smiled and said: “You see, at that time I didn’t know the kind of organization you people have.”

The 700 brothers and sisters invited to the dedication not only admired the attractive buildings but were impressed by the sheer size of the complex. As Christian Rømer said: “I am overwhelmed to see these buildings when I think of all the effort they represent.” All agreed with Daniel Sydlik of the Governing Body when he pointed out in his dedication discourse that sacrifices to Jehovah cost us something. This building project had cost both money and effort, but these sacrifices were given with happiness because they help advance Jehovah’s work.

Spiritual Needs Filled

The new branch complex had enough space to fulfill a long-standing desire for more translators so that new projects could be launched. The Danish Watchtower and Awake! were increased in number of pages from 24 to 32; the Yearbook began to be published in Danish; and translation of Aid to Bible Understanding was initiated.

Two publications have made history in Denmark. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, released in April 1985, and the Comprehensive Concordance, issued in 1988 and compiled with the help of computer equipment. This was the first time a group outside the Danish national church had issued a translation of the whole Bible and the first time ever that such a comprehensive Bible concordance had been printed in Danish.

In the meantime the extra space in the new facility has made it possible to work on the extensive Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985. This valuable tool for Bible students was released at the conventions in 1991. At these conventions another first was seen​—a new book was issued simultaneously in the three languages used under the oversight of the Denmark branch. The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived was released in Danish, Faeroese, and Greenlandic.

The installation of a new sound studio allows for the recording of good-quality sound tapes. All of the Christian Greek Scriptures and about half of the Hebrew Scriptures have been recorded so far; and for the benefit of those with weak eyesight or reading difficulties, articles from The Watchtower are recorded and mailed to 350 subscribers twice a month.

Another step forward was the switch to computerized phototypesetting and modern offset printing. Arne S. Nielsen, factory overseer, comments: “This was both a challenge and a blessing. It meant that practically all equipment in the printery had to be changed and that everyone had to learn the use of new equipment and to follow new work procedures.” A sheetfed rotary press is kept humming, printing magazines in Danish, Icelandic, and Greenlandic. And when the Danish magazines began to be printed in four colors, another printing press was added on the factory floor.

With the branch building project completed, the next major project could begin. The brothers in the eastern part of the country bought an empty factory building near the village of Herlufmagle, about 30 miles [50 km] south of the Bethel in Holbæk. The property included a four-wing farm building, a two-story villa, a large workshop, and a spacious blacksmith shop​—a chaos of buildings. However, the architects and many willing hands succeeded in making it a harmonious whole, now an Assembly Hall serving the islands of Sjælland, Møn, Lolland, and Falster. Since its dedication on April 26, 1986, almost all congregations in Denmark can attend circuit assemblies in their own Assembly Halls.

Quickly Built Kingdom Halls

Next came another exciting chapter in the history of Danish theocratic building activity. Something unheard of was introduced: quickly built Kingdom Halls.

The first Kingdom Hall built by brothers was completed in 1949. And in 1968, the congregations in one area formed a pool, a regional Kingdom Hall association, with the object of helping all congregations in the region to finance the construction of a Kingdom Hall. (Compare 2 Corinthians 8:14.) The idea spread to the whole country, so that almost all congregations had the opportunity to build or buy their own hall.

However, by the mid-1980’s some of the older Kingdom Halls were inadequate; many were just too small. So as a way to remedy the problem, the quickly built method, used in other countries, was suggested. Some had their doubts. Could this method be adapted to the Danish building tradition, which included load-bearing outer walls of bricks? And could the strict requirements of the Danish housing authorities be met?

In 1986, architects and engineers sat down and managed to devise a workable approach. The local congregation does all preparatory work, followed by three days of intense labor by 200 craftsmen. Spirits ran high when, in September 1986, the first quickly built Kingdom Hall was successfully erected.

Since then, the authorities have not ceased to marvel at this quick method. Presently, 36 quickly built Kingdom Halls have been put up in Denmark, and more are planned. It was a special thrill for the building crews to travel to Jakobshavn in Greenland during August 1991 to build one of the world’s northernmost Kingdom Halls.

A New Kingdom Hall in Thorshavn

The Faeroe Islands were not overlooked. Because of the increase in publishers in Thorshavn, a new meeting place was needed, quite a large project for the local brothers. But after the 1983 convention, between 10 and 15 publishers moved from Denmark to the islands. Several brought with them the good experience gleaned from the Bethel building project in Holbæk.

The project started in February 1984 with a lot of drilling and dynamiting, for the structure was literally built on rock. The basement was of concrete, and the rest of the building of wood, while the roof was of turf​—an ancient Faeroe tradition now popular again. It was no quickly built Kingdom Hall, but it nevertheless attracted much attention. At its dedication on June 10, 1985, television mentioned Jehovah’s Witnesses on a news program for the first time, a local elder was interviewed on a radio program, and most papers carried articles and pictures of the new hall.

New Publications in Faeroese

The Faeroese brothers had been doing well with publications in Danish, since most Faeroese read and speak Danish. Yet, the need for literature in the vernacular began to be felt. Peturbjørg Nygaard, daughter of Anna Nolsøe, was given the task of translating, and in the mid-1980’s several of the Society’s books and booklets were released in Faeroese. A fine witness was given when people in the territory saw attractive literature in their own language. And it was a joy to the congregations when, in 1989, the songbook was released in Faeroese. Now heartfelt praises could literally be sung to Jehovah in still another language.

In recent years many in the Faeroe Islands have been baptized, both new ones from the territory and young ones who grew up in the congregations. What the early publishers in the Faeroe Islands could only imagine in 1948 is now a reality. Jehovah has blessed the endurance shown by scores of brothers and sisters over the years, so that now a regular witness to Jehovah and his Kingdom of peace by Jesus Christ is given throughout these small Atlantic islands too.

Finally​—A Harvest in Greenland!

After some 30 years of patient planting and watering of Kingdom seed, the fields in Greenland were at last getting ripe for harvest. In 1983 a group of young Greenlanders in Godthåb began to study and attend meetings. They progressed well. Would this prove to be the long-awaited breakthrough? At first they were shy and reserved, since they were in a Danish congregation and understood only part of what was spoken; but their courage grew, and their love for Jehovah and for the truth increased. Kristen and Helena Mortensen, special pioneers in Godthåb, relate a typical experience:

“One of them was Sonja, a young girl who had been studying for about a year, but irregularly, because she was constantly on the go from one party to another. After a while she moved in with a man, which at least meant that the study could become regular. Now it dawned on her what the truth was all about. She stopped smoking, quit drinking and wild partying, and resigned from the church. Viggo, whom she was living with, was very reticent, and the publishers had trouble in really reaching him. Sonja related to him what she was learning, and slowly his interest grew too. At first, he was too shy to attend a regular meeting at the Kingdom Hall. So a private showing of a slide presentation with Greenlandic text was arranged. In fact, he saw the series several times. By and by, he agreed to join the study, and now that he felt more comfortable at the Kingdom Hall, he began attending meetings as well.”

The couple finally got married, dedicated their lives to Jehovah, and were baptized. Later, they took up the full-time ministry, and now Viggo Christensen serves as the first Greenlandic elder.

Such new proclaimers of the Kingdom were eager to speak to their friends about all the good things they had learned. They invited others to their home Bible study, and several of their friends became interested in the truth and began attending meetings. Thus, the congregation formed a theocratic environment that replaced former bad associates with good ones and where newly interested ones could lend one another support. Since then, the Godthåb Congregation has grown steadily.

Increase in Jakobshavn

Something similar happened at Jakobshavn, about 200 miles [300 km] north of the Arctic Circle. In the winter of 1985/86, a special pioneer couple, Bo and Helen Christiansen, began holding Greenlandic meetings there. In the space of one year, about 50 individuals came to the Kingdom Hall​—most of them just once, but a small, faithful core came regularly.

Things really got growing when the truth took root in one small family and spread from there. Right from the start, Sara understood that this was the truth; her husband and three children showed curiosity at first. Later, however, Niels, the husband, witnessed to his sister, Naja, in a nearby village. Naja’s husband was away on a fishing trawler, so she moved to Jakobshavn to stay with Niels and Sara and began attending meetings with them.

In the meantime, Naja’s husband, Thele, stuck on his trawler, was reading his “New Testament.” He had heard that his wife was studying the Bible, and being a religious man, he was determined to prove the teachings of the Witnesses wrong. He also threatened her with divorce; in fact, the separation papers had already been mailed. When he signed off his boat, he went straight to his wife and brought her back to their own village. But after a long discussion, he realized that he just did not know enough of the Bible to refute the things she told him.

Resolutely, both traveled back to Jakobshavn and moved in with Niels and Sara. Thele called the special pioneers, asking them to come and teach him the Bible. He admitted that he had been on the wrong track. He began attending meetings, stopped smoking, and resigned from the church. A week later he asked if he could become a publisher! He faithfully attended meetings and came to the convention held in Godthåb two months later. On the journey home, he asked: “May I now become a publisher?” He could. In the summer of 1990, he and Naja were baptized, along with Niels. About a year later, Naja joined the regular pioneer ranks. “So far nine have been baptized,” rejoices Brother Christiansen. “It is fantastic to see what happens when Jehovah calls sincere people.”

Prospects in Northern Greenland

“Another privilege we have had for three consecutive years,” continues Brother Christiansen, “is to go on preaching tours to the northern isolated territories of Uummannaq and Upernavik. This is the land of sealers, with scenery of incredible beauty. In the small outposts, living conditions are very different from the towns, where modern development is rushing ahead, but out here there is also plenty of evidence to show that everybody needs the Kingdom. People are friendly, many listen, and the Society’s newest publications have wide circulation. Clearly, there are sincere ones just waiting to be gathered in.”

In the summer of 1990, five relatively new publishers from Jakobshavn went on a two-week preaching tour of the surrounding settlements and outposts. This was the first time those locations received a witness from native Greenlandic publishers. The five traveled a distance of 1,250 miles [2,000 km] in three small speedboats. Even tiny outposts where boats do not normally dock and where no one has preached before heard the good news. The publishers reached as far as Kullorsuaq​—called the Devil’s Thumb—​near 75 degrees north latitude.

North of the Devil’s Thumb begins the ice-covered coasts, and the next 200 miles [300 km] are completely desolate. Farther north of that are inhabited places that are still practically virgin territory. In January 1989, however, a sister from Godthåb spent a couple of weeks doing secular work in Greenland’s northernmost town, Thule. She seized the opportunity to preach to the people of the town. Since then, a young girl from Thule, who began to study while at school in Godthåb, has returned to Thule and continues her Bible study by tape recordings. Despite opposition, she has begun telling others what she is learning. So, even there, a “most distant part of the earth” a Kingdom witness is given.​—Acts 1:8.

Problems Over Blood Issue

Practically all Greenlanders who have accepted the truth have been young people. Thus, the problems they have had to overcome are not connected with religious doctrines but rather with immorality, alcohol abuse, and opposition from friends and relatives. It has taken great courage on their part to preach in the villages where everybody knows everybody else. Another challenge to new ones has been the proper Scriptural view of blood. Many in Greenland enjoy the local food: meat from seals, whales, birds, and other game. However, the Scriptural problem for the Witness is that the game meat has usually not been properly bled. Very few of the Greenlandic brothers are able to get properly bled food, so for long periods they are willing to do without.

The case of Ane, from Jakobshavn, serves to illustrate this. In the spring of 1990, Ane was hospitalized with an extrauterine pregnancy. It was an emergency! She and her husband, both newly baptized, were suddenly thrown into a controversy about the use of blood in medicine. They explained to the doctor that their Christian view of ‘abstaining from blood’ included not accepting blood transfusions. (Acts 15:29) The doctor agreed to operate without blood. Ane, however, did not expect to survive the operation. As she was being wheeled into the operating room, though of good courage, she promised her husband: “We’ll meet in the new world.” Happily, the operation was successful, and they embraced the very next day. But Ane, now hungry, had to face the blood issue from a new angle. The hospital served only Greenlandic food, meat not properly bled, so in order to eat, she had to wait for her husband to bring food from their home.

Filling the Spiritual Need

All along the coast of Greenland, people have great respect for the Bible. That is why My Book of Bible Stories, published in the Greenlandic tongue, has found its way into many homes. In several towns from 20 to 30 percent of the homes have the book, and in many outposts at least half of the homes do.

Because of the vast distances and high travel costs, it is not possible to gather all congregations for circuit assemblies and special assembly days. These arrangements are carried out in the local congregations, where they gather to listen to tapes or video recordings from assemblies that were already held in Denmark. But once a year, for the annual district convention, the publishers from all along the coast meet together. For many new ones, this is a rare opportunity to associate at one time with many fellow believers; and to the pioneers in the little congregations, it is a cherished reunion with other full-time ministers.

In February 1990 the congregations in Greenland received a shock. Sister Joan Lauritsen, only 51 years old, died from a sudden heart attack. For many years she had been a strong support of the translation of the Society’s publications into Greenlandic. Her husband, Kristen, suffered a great personal loss, and so did the congregations in that land of ice and cold.

Brother Lauritsen continued his service in Greenland for about a year after his wife’s death; then he had to return to Denmark for health reasons. Looking back on his many years of missionary service, he says: “When, 35 years ago, we began preaching the good news of the Kingdom in Greenland, it was truly the day of small beginnings. Now we see a constant flow of especially young Greenlanders who study and take their stand for the truth. I am indeed grateful to Jehovah that he not only used us to introduce the work in this country but also gave us the strength to continue until the harvest began to come in.”

Brother Christiansen moved from Jakobshavn to Godthåb to continue the translation work. With good assistance from Greenlandic helpers, it was possible not only to continue issuing The Watchtower but also to translate the book The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, and since July 1992, Awake! began to be published as a quarterly issue, with the name Iteritsi! The Greenlandic brothers and sisters are grateful that Jehovah’s organization gives such high priority to spiritual food, even in territories where the population is small.

The Foreign-Language Field in Denmark

For the last 20 to 25 years, the Danish territory has undergone changes. Because of world conditions, many people from other countries have moved in, and problems such as discrimination and hatred of foreigners also moved in, although the Danes used to feel that they were above such things.

For Jehovah’s Witnesses, however, the immigrants have presented a thrilling challenge, both languagewise and religiously. In order to advance the work among immigrants, a small English-language congregation was formed in Copenhagen in 1975. Interested ones of all races and nationalities came flocking to the meetings, began to study, and took hold of the truth. Some of those new ones have moved to other countries to preach there, but many have stayed and today belong to a strong and multifaceted congregation with about 25 nationalities represented​—clear evidence that the truth unites people.

Since January 1989, Copenhagen has also had a small but very active Yugoslavian congregation. A former actress who moved to Denmark, disappointed by injustices in her home country, is now an auxiliary pioneer. A Macedonian student came to Denmark to earn money for his studies but found spiritual wealth instead and is now serving Jehovah back in his native country. A young Gypsy family for whom theft and smuggling were formerly just everyday matters is now generously advocating spiritual values. Yes, many foreigners who have sought political freedom or material wealth in Denmark have found true freedom and true riches through the Word of God and the Christian congregation.

Preaching to Deaf Ones

For many years a small group of deaf publishers in Copenhagen have zealously preached to other deaf ones in the metropolitan area. In 1980 they determined that all the country’s 4,000 deaf persons should have a witness about the truth in their own language​—sign language.

This was possible with the aid of hearing publishers who learned sign language. A team of brothers from the deaf group visited certain congregations to explain their need. As a result of this initiative, even more hearing publishers learned sign language, and now almost all deaf ones in the country receive regular calls. The result? Twenty-four deaf publishers in six congregations. The group in Copenhagen, being the largest, has two ministerial servants and an elder who are deaf. Regular meetings are held in sign language, and two of the brothers give talks that are interpreted into spoken Danish.

Blood and Medical Care

In otherwise tolerant Denmark, Jehovah’s Witnesses have had a long and difficult fight to get physicians and authorities to respect their stand on blood. For many years doctors and hospitals used directives that were given way back in 1956 when discussions took place between lawyers, doctors, and a Lutheran clergyman from the Danish national church. No wonder doctors felt that they had a right to force blood upon a patient against his will!

In 1975 things came to a head when a hospital in Copenhagen wanted to force a blood transfusion on a three-year-old boy against his parents’ wishes. Thankfully, the parents found a cooperative doctor who gave the boy good medical attention consisting of nonblood treatment. After a couple of weeks, the boy was home again, and he is fit and healthy to this day.

Sadly, during this time the boy’s parents and other Witnesses were subjected to a veritable persecution campaign in the media. Even bomb threats and incidents of outright violence occurred. However, the case gave an opportunity to address the medical profession directly. Brother Jørgen Larsen wrote an article, “Blood Transfusion​—Religious Faith and Medical Ethics,” that was printed in Ugeskrift for Læger (Danish Medical Weekly) of July 19, 1976. This was the first major step in the right direction.

The next big step was when Denmark’s grand old man of legal and ethical principles, Dr. Alf Ross, wrote a comprehensive article in the Ugeskrift for Læger of March 26, 1979. This was epoch-making news because it was the first time in Denmark that a legal expert spoke up, attacked the official attitude, and defended the right of adult Jehovah’s Witnesses to refuse blood transfusion at all times, including life-threatening situations. However, matters were still not legally clear.

The matter of ethics kept coming to the fore. In 1982, physicians in Denmark were informed by the medical authorities about the principle of informed consent, and in 1985 a new textbook was issued with a fine review of the ethical challenge presented by the Witnesses’ refusal of blood transfusion. Then, in September 1989, the Danish Medical Society adopted a changed Ethical Code for Physicians. A new paragraph in the publication concerning information and consent states that “a patient has the right of full information on diagnosis, prognosis and possible treatments, etc., and the right to decide on the basis of such information whether he or she will accept or refuse a specific treatment.”

Ethically, the problem is now clarified, but legally there is still some doubt as to whether the patient’s autonomy ranks above the physician’s obligation to provide help. Legislators are aware of the ambiguity, and at the end of 1989, a law was proposed that would make it a punishable crime to treat a patient against his will. The law was adopted on May 8, 1992, and became effective five months later on October 1. Still, there remains a need to give brothers and sisters qualified help, and the arrangement involving Hospital Liaison Committees, introduced in January 1991, has already been of great benefit.

Convention Grounds for the Whole Country

With the branch office completed, and with two Assembly Halls to care for circuit assemblies, the question came up: Why not build a district convention complex for the whole country? Why not use property near the Assembly Hall at Silkeborg for such a facility, since it is close to the country’s geographic center?

The project was put to the Governing Body, who approved it. The municipality of Silkeborg assigned a plot of land of almost 40 acres [16 ha], including a large, protected area of great natural beauty less than a mile [about a kilometer] from the Assembly Hall. Excavation started on July 1, 1990. And some job it was! For the first three months an average of 1,500 tons of soil was moved every day​—a hundred fully loaded trucks! But a brother with experience in soil work reassured everyone: “I have been moving soil for 30 years, and the earth is still round.”

The actual auditorium is a partly covered amphitheater in which no one will be sitting more than 230 feet [70 m] from the speaker. It has room for 3,500, and in the nearby Assembly Hall, an additional 900 can follow the program via closed-circuit television. The site has ideal sound conditions, good parking and first aid facilities, a literature counter, and rest rooms. The grounds include a camping area where about a thousand brothers and sisters can sleep in trailers or tents.

On June 1, 1991, came the dedication. Lloyd Barry of the Governing Body delivered a most faith-strengthening and encouraging dedication discourse. About 4,000 brothers and sisters attended the program at the convention site, and 700 followed it via telephone in the Assembly Hall at Herlufmagle. The following week, all congregations showed a 75-minute video program summarizing the event. During that summer the new convention grounds were a wonderful setting for five “Lovers of Freedom” District Conventions.

Looking Ahead

During the 100 years that have passed since Brother Russell first visited Denmark, society has undergone great changes. While technical progress has produced material prosperity and transformed the country into one of the richest in the world, the religious interest has dropped to just about zero.

Unavoidably, these factors have affected the Kingdom work. There have been times of increase, but also periods of stagnation, and times when materialism, apathy, and other factors made the number of publishers decline. Thus, it is all the more gratifying to see that a great number over the years have become conscious of their spiritual need, have dedicated themselves to Jehovah, and have been serving him faithfully. There is now a peak of 16,407 Kingdom publishers in Denmark, a ratio of 1 to 315 compared to the population. Many publishers have moved to serve in other lands where the need is greater​—primarily to countries like Norway and Sweden but also to the Faeroe Islands and Greenland, and through Gilead to more faraway places.

Despite strong pressure from the world, the spirit among the publishers is healthy. Within the last ten years, the number of pioneers has gone up steeply, from 584 to 1,315. The Memorial attendance reached 24,960 this past year. Each year about 500 new ones are baptized. So even though people in all parts of Denmark have seen Witnesses at their doorstep, there is still much work to be done. True, as they say, nothing daunts the Danes. Nevertheless, regardless of the religious apathy, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Denmark are determined to endure and fully accomplish the work with which they have been entrusted by the King, Jesus Christ: the preaching of the Kingdom good news!​—2 Tim. 4:5; Heb. 10:36.

[Charts on page 147]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

DENMARK

Average Pioneer Chart

1,315

777

556

228

137

1950 1960 1970 1980 1992

Peak Publisher Chart

16,407

13,228

12,569

9,504

4,936

1950 1960 1970 1980 1992

[Maps on page 66]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

DENMARK

Capital: Copenhagen

Official Language: Danish

Major Religion: Lutheran

Population: 5,162,126

Branch Office: Holbæk

DENMARK

Skagen

North Sea

Ålborg

MORS

Silkeborg

Odder

JUTLAND

Esbjerg

FYN

Nyborg

SJÆLLAND

Elsinore

Holbæk

Roskilde

Herlufmagle

MØN

LANGELAND

LOLLAND

FALSTER

GERMANY

Baltic Sea

SWEDEN

Copenhagen

[Map]

GREENLAND

Thule

Upernavik

Uummannaq

Qut̊dligssat

Godthåb

[Map]

BORNHOLM

[Map/​Pictures on page 108, 109]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

FAEROE ISLANDS

Norwegian Sea

STRØMØ

Vestmanna

Klaksvík

Thorshavn

Atlantic Ocean

SUDERØ

[Pictures on page 72]

John Reinseth learned the truth in 1907. As a publisher, he was untiring. His wife, Augusta, in spite of poor health, also preached zealously

[Picture on page 74]

Thyra Larsen from Ålborg served as a colporteur in 1915

[Picture on page 75]

Schoolyard in Ole Suhrs Gade, Copenhagen, 1909. Brother Russell is in the middle of the second row; on his right is the branch overseer, Carl Lüttichau

[Picture on page 79]

Marie Due was dismissed as schoolteacher when she became a Bible Student in 1915

[Picture on page 81]

Handbill announcing Brother Macmillan’s talk. His meetings in 1920 attracted more than 5,000 listeners

[Picture on page 82]

Brother Rutherford departing from Copenhagen’s Central Station in 1922

[Picture on page 87]

In the 1920’s colporteurs preached with unflagging zeal. Kristian Dal, left, Christian Rømer, far right, with Anna Petersen, Søren Lauridsen, and Thora Svendsen

[Picture on page 88]

Brother Dey and Brother Rutherford at Kastrup Airport in 1927

[Picture on page 89]

William Dey, overseer of the Northern European Office, and Albert West, branch overseer in Estonia until 1930, when he became Dey’s secretary

[Picture on page 95]

Branch office from 1932 to 1957, in Valby

[Picture on page 97]

A witnessing group with phonographs mounted on bicycles

[Pictures on page 104]

In 1944 this building on Langeland served as a Bible school

Filip Hoffmann, upper left, teacher at the Bible school, and Simon Petersen, front center, the school supervisor, with his wife, Else, at front left

[Pictures on page 108, 109]

John and Sonja Mikkelsen in typical Faeroese dress, with their son Absalom. John was the first Faeroese to be appointed as an elder

Svend and Ruth Molbech, special pioneers on a boat heading for Klaksvík in 1958

[Picture on page 110]

Richard and Julia Abrahamson, who served in Denmark for more than 26 years, are currently assigned to headquarters staff in Brooklyn

[Pictures on page 111]

Svend Aage Nielsen and Edmund Onstad hiked over the hills on the Faeroe Islands. To be sure to have shelter for the night, they pitched a tent they had sewed

[Picture on page 115]

Since 1955, people in the towns and the countryside of Greenland have been hearing the good news

[Pictures on page 116, 117]

Marie Tausen, left, was the first Greenlander baptized in Greenland, in 1973. Three years later she was followed by Debora Brandt, who is wearing the typical Greenlandic festive dress. Above is a village near Uummannaq, northern Greenland

[Picture on page 123]

Branch office from 1957 to 1982, in Virum

[Pictures on page 125]

Much work is done to produce props for slide dramas. This set for a marketplace in Babylon was made for the 1991 drama about the life of Ezra

[Pictures on page 131]

The convention grounds in Silkeborg include a partly covered amphitheater that has room for 3,500, and the nearby Assembly Hall can seat 900 more

[Picture on page 132]

The largest convention ever in Scandinavia was held in Copenhagen in 1969

[Picture on page 133]

New branch office in Holbæk. Daniel Sydlik of the Governing Body spoke at the dedication in 1982

[Picture on page 134]

Kingdom Hall in Thorshavn​—with a turf roof

[Picture on page 142]

The Branch Committee. From left, Erik Jørgensen, Henning Thusgaard, Jørgen Larsen, Arne S. Nielsen, and Orla Rand Nielsen

Honduras

HE HAD struggled mightily against a howling storm that threatened to smash his ship against the very coast he had just discovered. When at last he got free of the treacherous waters, Christopher Columbus reportedly sighed: “Thank God we have got out of these depths!” The Spanish word for depths, honduras, evidently stuck. That, at least according to some history books, is how Honduras was named.

Today, Honduras is far easier to leave​—or to reach—​than it was for Columbus. It is one of the seven small countries on the narrow neck of land that connects North and South America. With about five million people inhabiting 43,000 square miles [112,000 sq km] of land, it is neither the largest nor the most populous country in Central America. But it is the most mountainous. At 15 degrees north latitude, both its Caribbean and Pacific coasts bask in tropical warmth, while the interior highlands are much cooler.

From the mountains, pine clad up to their pinnacles, to the undulating lowland jungles where the famous Honduran mahogany and cedar grow, on to the humid swamps and beyond to the palm-fringed beaches and lagoons of the Caribbean seaboard, this land has scenic beauty aplenty to magnify the Creator and to satisfy the soul.

The people are equally varied and interesting​—Indian, white, black, and a beautiful admixture of all three races. The Maya Indians were the first to come. Where they came from nobody knows for certain.

There are striking similarities between the Maya pyramids and the ziggurats of Egypt and Babylon, and there are interesting parallels in religion as well. The worship of the Maya, with its multiple gods and its belief in the immortality of the soul and punishment after death, was not far from Babylonian religion. Nor were these beliefs greatly altered by the advent of Christendom.

Christendom entered the land by force. Spanish conquerors converged on Honduras in 1524. As was their custom, they imposed the Spanish language and the Catholic religion on the natives. To this day, some 95 percent of Hondurans are Catholic. The colonial period ended some three centuries later when independence was declared in 1821. The Spanish were not the only ones eager to exploit this land teeming with flora and fauna and abundant in gold and silver. However, subsequent invaders were called not colonists but pirates. William Parker and Sir Francis Drake both menaced the Honduran coast in the 1570’s.

Dawn of Truth

Babylonish religion, both of the ancient Maya and of Christendom’s modern variety, has held the people in darkness and in bondage to ignorance, superstition, and spiritism for many centuries. Not until these last days was there a glimmer of spiritual light in Honduras.

In 1930, Miss Freddie Johnson, a small woman in her 50’s, began preaching the Kingdom message along the north coast and on the Islas de la Bahía (Bay Islands). Accompanied only by her horse, this anointed pioneer needed strong faith and great stamina to reach the people on the scattered banana plantations and in the coastal cities of Tela, La Ceiba, and Trujillo. There were no roads then​—just tracks through the dank jungle. A train pulled by a steam engine, operated by a fruit company, brought her partway. Few people had ever seen the Bible; many, even if they saw one, could not read it. Nevertheless, during that year she left more than 2,700 books and booklets with interested people. She returned in 1934 and again in 1940 and in 1941.

With the exception of one lone publisher working in 1943, there is no further record of any preaching work until the arrival of the first missionaries in October 1945. In mid-1946, Nathan H. Knorr visited Honduras to set up a branch office and put the work on an organized footing. That same year, branch servant (overseer) Donald Burt, graduate of the third class of Gilead, traveled into the interior to assess the needs and living conditions that future special pioneers would face.

One of the first seven missionaries was Darlean Mikkelsen. After graduating from Gilead’s third class, she was assigned to the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, in February 1946. She could not even pronounce the city’s name and had to look it up! She learned that in Lenca, an Indian language, “Tegucigalpa” means “Silver Hills.” It was once common to see trains of 15 or 20 burros plodding into town from the mines in the hills, laden with a cargo of silver. When Darlean arrived, the airport was just a wooden building and a very short airstrip. Still, she was relieved to find the capital more developed than she had expected.

Also among those first missionaries were Loverna Grell and her daughter Ethel. Loverna was surprised on arrival to be notified that the very next day would be her “cook day.” It is customary in missionary homes for each person or couple to take turns preparing the meals. Loverna found that quite a challenge; most of the fruits and vegetables looked quite unfamiliar, and in order to buy them, she had to bargain with merchants in an equally unfamiliar tongue.

All told, 1946 saw nine missionaries serving in Honduras. The first congregation was formed, and future prospects looked good. The missionaries were conducting 57 home Bible studies. Between 1946 and 1949, the average number of Kingdom publishers grew from 19 to 256, and the number of congregations from one to six. At the same time, Bible studies shot up from 57 to 160!

They Hung Up a Sign

Toward the end of 1946, Everett and Gertrude Weatherbee and two newly arrived missionaries established themselves in the second-largest city of Honduras, San Pedro Sula. Located some 36 miles [58 km] inland from the Caribbean Sea, this city, although known as the industrial capital, lies in one of the richest and most fertile parts of the country. Blessed with adequate rainfall, the region’s bananas, oranges, pineapples, and sugarcane grow year-round in lush green surroundings.

Right away the newcomers hung a sign on their front porch proclaiming “Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Jehovah’s name was scarcely known in the region, so the sign attracted no little attention. Some members of the local Evangelical Church even came to a public lecture. The pastor was not pleased. He devoted his next sermon to condemning Jehovah’s Witnesses, even calling out the names of those who had attended the talk to shame them publicly. His diatribe only aroused more interest; the next week, even more Evangelicals were to be found in the Kingdom Hall audience!

Six miles [10 km] east of San Pedro Sula, in the town of La Lima, the work was also progressing, but at that time there was only an English-speaking congregation. It could not cope with the growing number of Spanish-speaking interested persons. A Spanish congregation was needed, but there was a problem to overcome.

A large proportion of the population saw no advantage in being legally married; couples just settled down together to raise children. Often, when the novelty wore off, the men would abandon their families, usually in favor of younger women. Many women who were abandoned would struggle to care for their children while working full-time. So a Spanish congregation was finally organized only after enough legally married men were available to care for it. Jehovah blessed these efforts, for in just one year, the number of publishers in La Lima jumped from 24 to 77.

President Visits

The highlight of 1949 was the visit of N. H. Knorr and Roger Morgan at the general assembly in Tegucigalpa. Thereafter they traveled to San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba, giving talks to encourage the congregations.

In the audience in La Ceiba was nine-year-old Oscar. His mother would rise daily at 4 a.m. to make tortillas to sell, then get ready for field service by 9 a.m. Oscar was a very alert little boy, and because he was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and trustworthy, a local merchant used him to deliver money to the bank. At times he carried as much as $1,500 (U.S.). While Brother Knorr was visiting, young Oscar would always squeeze into the seat next to him. Later he became a full-time minister. In a tragic accident, Oscar drowned in 1956. He will not be forgotten.

Jehovah’s Witnesses on the Air

House-to-house visiting as established by Jesus Christ is a trademark of Jehovah’s people in Honduras. But during the early years, the workers were few, and much of the population was inaccessible, as paved roads were scarce. Broadcasting the truth by radio was thus quite effective. In 1949, radio station HRQ of San Pedro Sula invited the Witnesses to provide a weekly 15-minute program. It was entitled “Let God Be True,” based on the book of the same name. Of course, not everyone had a radio in those days, but since most who did have one played it full blast, many people besides radio owners enjoyed our programs.

For four years the program continued without problems. One day, however, the owner of HRQ read an Awake! article dealing with Suyapa, the patron “saint” of the country. The owner was devoted to Suyapa​—in fact, his station was also called Radio Suyapa. Angry, he sent a message to the missionary home saying that our broadcast would be terminated. The station staff liked the Witnesses and reasoned with the owner but to no avail. If he listened to the radio that day, he must have been surprised to hear the announcer say: “The program ‘Let God Be True’ has been stopped by the owner of this station. All the personnel at the station consider this very regrettable and a violation of freedom of speech in Honduras.”

Meanwhile, the manager of another radio station proposed a daily program of Bible instruction, to be called the Catholic Hour. He asked the local priest to take part, but he refused, saying he was busy and not interested in Bible education. Annoyed, the manager replied that if the priest did not care, he knew who did. He acquired literature from the Witnesses and read it over the air. Shortly thereafter, missionaries contacted him and provided him with material called “Things People Are Thinking About.” The priest objected, but the manager replied: “You had your chance and refused.” So the program continued.

“You Must Be Holy Because I Am Holy”

During the 1950’s there were two periods of decline. The year 1950 saw a drop in the average number of publishers from 256 to 208. Why? Jehovah’s spirit moved his organization to insist that all his people be clean in his sight. (Compare 1 Peter 1:16.) Some resisted that spirit and abandoned the ranks of God’s workers. As a result of this sifting, the following four years were blessed with an upsurge in the number of both publishers and congregations.

However, in 1954 another blow was struck that staggered the work for several years to come. The branch servant, who had been appointed in September 1953, had to be disfellowshipped. His transgression, in turn, had a debilitating effect on others. Some knew of his sinful activity before it was reported, and because they had turned a blind eye instead of having the courage to intervene, they too were stumbled. (Compare Leviticus 5:1.) Others felt sorry that he was disfellowshipped because he was well liked among the brothers. Happily, though, he was reinstated later on and has served faithfully ever since.

Nevertheless, the damage was done, and it fell to Aldo Muscariello, the new branch servant, to attend to it. He recognized that other factors were also responsible for the decreases. Many publishers and missionaries were prematurely counting their Bible students as publishers, even putting reports in for them without their knowledge. The branch office explained that such students must first be qualified before joining the publisher ranks.

Honduras impressed Brother Muscariello as a country of contrasts, with cattle and burros sharing the roads with cars and trucks; thatched-roof huts alongside modern homes; the rainy season followed by the only other season, hot and dusty. One night he would study by candlelight with a family in a one-room, dirt-floored adobe hut perched on the hillsides of Tegucigalpa, and the next night in a spacious, well-lit room of the Guatemalan embassy.

The Work Goes Forward Again

The work pressed forward, penetrating the territory in all directions. The beautiful Honduran archipelago, with the principal islands Roatán, Utila Island, and Guanaja, lies in the Caribbean about 30 miles [50 km] off the northern coast, on the second-largest coral reef in the world. These islands are accessible by plane, by ferry, or for those who do not fear seasickness, by goleta. A goleta is a small boat, usually loaded to the gunwales with merchandise. Occasionally one is overloaded and sinks. On the islands many houses are made of timber, painted all colors, and built out over the water on stilts so that approach is made by a narrow catwalk.

In 1948, Donald Burt and missionaries William and Ruby White journeyed to Coxin’s Hole, the principal town of Roatán, to stimulate the work on the island. Many since then, mainly foreign brothers, have tried to establish themselves on these islands and preach the Kingdom good news there. So far the response has been limited.

When Lloyd Aldrich, branch servant in the 1960’s, visited Roatán, he found the inhabitants to be religious, sociable, informal, and easygoing. He noticed with interest that if a speaker happened to ask a rhetorical question in his public talk, the audience would speak out and answer him. For example, when a speaker asked, “How much water is there in the sea?” someone replied, “Only God knows, and he isn’t telling.” Discussing family matters, a speaker commented that some women nag and henpeck their husbands and finally even take over the headship. From the back of the room, a fervent voice responded: “Amen!”

Into the Mosquitia!

Most Hondurans have never ventured into the Mosquitia, the far eastern sector of the land. Mostly virgin woodland, rich valleys, and dense rain forest, through the centuries this sparsely populated area has been the home of all kinds of people, ranging from the Paya and Miskito Indians, who still speak their ancient native dialects, and the Zambos, the descendants of blacks who intermarried with the fierce Carib Indians, to fugitives, pirates, and slave traders.

Though few there spoke either Spanish or English at that time, someone had to take the good news to them. So thought circuit overseer Gerald Hughes in 1957, and arrangements were made for a preaching trip. He was joined by Cristóbal Valladares, who later became the first Honduran Witness to enter the circuit work. With a group, they set out for Trujillo, where their preaching trip would really begin.

They packed only the bare necessities and hired a small motorized boat that did not have such “luxuries” as bunks, seats, radio, compass, or instruments of any kind. But it did have a competent captain and crew, all expert boat handlers. This was a good thing, too, for beyond the point called Cape Honduras, the sea was angry. One man even fell overboard but was skillfully rescued.

Twenty-two hours passed before they put in at the little village of Sangrelaya. All that time they were without food or water. The next day, in a dugout canoe, they made for the Black River, which they followed into the territory they were to cover. They soon found an interested English-speaking lady and spent several hours with her both then and on the return trip, teaching her the Bible. The following evening, 35 came to hear a Bible lecture, and afterward the people kept the brothers up far into the night to answer their questions.

The next destination was Brus Lagoon. After a three-hour trudge along the sandbar that divides the lagoon from the sea, they came upon one of the largest coconut plantations in the world, Tusí Cocal. There they enjoyed their first real meal in several days and the warm hospitality of a home in which they presented the public lecture “Resurrection, Hell, and Heaven.” Thirty-four came, some of them women with babies in slings on their backs. In a village on the other side of the lagoon, more than 30 came for a Bible talk. People kept on coming, so following the Watchtower Study, the brothers presented another public talk.

They passed the days busily preaching, the nights in any accommodation offered. The food was varied: yucca, sardines, coconut bread, and the local coffee. Finally, back in Sangrelaya, they found that the priest was bent on discouraging the people from listening to them. He even refused to hand over the key to the public schoolhouse. No matter; 62 attended the public talk elsewhere. Eighteen days from the start, the group headed homeward toward the town of Limón. There, the mayor showed them a long-treasured book, The Harp of God. He had acquired it 27 years earlier, back when Sister Johnson had pioneered the region.

By the time they made their final canoe trip back to Trujillo, the group figured that they had shared the good news with nearly 800 scattered inhabitants of the Mosquitia. A good start!

Some Attacks Fall Flat

Of course, Satan makes sure that the preaching work never goes forward without opposition of some kind. Generally, Jehovah’s Witnesses are respected in Honduras. Even when the government has declared a state of emergency, it has never moved to stop our meetings. But there are always some prominent individuals who are so prejudiced that they would move heaven and earth to impede the preaching work. In each case it seems that Jehovah raised up a modern Gamaliel in defense of the Witnesses.​—Compare Acts 5:33-40.

In the 1960’s there was a group that made every effort to discredit Jehovah’s Witnesses in the eyes of the government, attacking them through both press and radio and urging the expulsion of all Witness missionaries. The government formed a special committee to determine what should be done in view of all the charges. Present at that meeting was a lawyer who had once prepared a thesis on the legal battles of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world and on their benefits to the community. He spoke up in behalf of the Witnesses, reminding the committee: “These people have won their legal rights worldwide in countless countries.” He urged the government to do at least as much for the Witnesses, if not more. The committee decided to let Jehovah’s Witnesses continue their activity unhindered.

Because of these same defamatory news articles, a district supervisor of schools was asked to check into the affairs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This unbiased man knew several Witnesses and had read some of their literature. He vetoed the investigation and recommended that it would be more productive to check into the character of the authors of the articles. They, he argued, were much more likely to be a threat to national security.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are strictly neutral when it comes to political affairs and conflicts. This stand is sometimes the basis for unwarranted attacks. Shortly before the 1966 district convention, the minister of education tried to force through a ruling making it mandatory for all students to salute the flag and sing the national anthem in school. But each time the committee met, someone moved for postponement. One of these was a man whose wife was studying with the Witnesses. He was sure that they must have valid Scriptural reasons for not sharing in patriotic ceremonies. The minister sent out circulars to schools advising teachers to force the children to salute the flag on pain of expulsion, but this unreasonable rule was never put in the constitution.

The Christian Conscience

The schoolchildren are the ones who bear the brunt of the flag-salute issue. Some teachers, in an effort to be understanding, are unwittingly deceitful. Some tell pupils that flag saluting is no more than a mark of respect. However, Witness children well know the difference between respect​—which they show for the flags of all nations—​and idolatry. They also know that the Honduran national anthem applies such expressions as “divine emblem” and “holy banner” to the flag, clearly giving it religious significance.

In the town of San Juancito, a teacher offered one young Witness a “helpful” suggestion: that he comply with the flag salute “just this once” in order to get his diploma and afterward just “confess” to his religious superiors and be forgiven. The young brother explained that when one sins, it is against God and Christ and that it was fear of displeasing God, not men, that motivated his conscience.

Some military officials have also learned that it is the conscience, not a spirit of cowardice or rebellion, that moves a Christian to renounce violence. Not far from Danlí, some brothers were out in the ministry when a military patrol arrived to collect recruits. They ordered two young brothers to get into a bus that would take them to battalion headquarters. When the brother directing the group learned what had happened, he got permission to witness to all in the bus. He started with the sergeant in charge, fully explaining the ministerial work of these young men. The sergeant ordered them to be released to pursue their work in peace.

The War of 1969

For some time the fires of rivalry and distrust between Honduras and El Salvador were fanned by nationalistic propaganda over the radio in both countries. In Honduras abusive mobs sometimes gathered around the homes and businesses of Salvadorans. The smallest spark was enough to detonate an explosion; that is precisely what happened in July 1969, when the Honduran and Salvadoran soccer teams faced each other in San Salvador for the play-offs of the 1970 world championship. The war started right there in the stadium! It is difficult to believe that Hondurans and Salvadorans, who had dwelt together as friends and neighbors for more than a generation, should run for their pistols and machetes and start to slay one another​—but that is exactly what happened in cities and villages throughout the two countries.

The war affected the congregations, the ministry, and the meetings of the Witnesses because of its blackouts, night curfews, loss of employment, harassment, and expulsion from the country of Salvadorans, some of whom were brothers. Brother Manuel Martínez of the Branch Committee, now doing circuit work, remembers how 23 dedicated brothers in his congregation had to return to El Salvador. He added: “I was disconcerted and not sure what to do. After the worst part of the war, I went to conduct the Watchtower Study, and only two people were in the audience.”

In many cities, civic committees were formed with the self-appointed duty to search the streets and homes for potential enemies of the State. Every member of the community was expected to participate in the committee work and night patrols. Sister Rubina Osejo ran a private school at the time. The civic committee approached and asked her to take part. She remembered Jesus’ counsel to be as “cautious as serpents” and replied that she could not participate in the night patrols, neither could she contribute money, but that she would keep a spiritual vigilance and pray that war and injustice would soon be eliminated.​—Matt. 10:16.

Sometimes war gives true Christians a chance to witness through their conduct. Some Witnesses in El Progreso had a Salvadoran neighbor who hated the Witnesses and refused to speak to them. When war broke out, mobs began to eye his lucrative business. But one day when they were about to plunder it, a man who studied with the Witnesses shouted at the mob, “Don’t be barbaric! This man’s wife is a Honduran, and you will take the food from their children’s mouths​—children who are your Honduran brothers.” The crowd subsided, and the Salvadoran slipped off with some goods and money and hid in the Kingdom Hall. Later, when he received back all that was his, he declared: “Now I know that Jehovah’s Witnesses are honest and reliable people and neutral in matters of war.” In tears he begged the brothers to forgive him for the way he used to treat them.

While war was raging, a Honduran brother was arrested and brought before an army sergeant who ordered him into the army. The sergeant was enraged when the brother explained his conscientious stand. For three nights he tried to break this brother’s integrity. He even threatened to kill him. All to no avail. Months later, the sergeant lost his position and had to look for secular work. He was hired at a local mining operation. There, he discovered to his horror that his foreman looked familiar​—it was the same brother he had persecuted! Far from seeking reprisals, the brother shared his lunch and thermos of coffee with the quaking ex-sergeant. Gradually the man’s fear abated, and in time he accepted a Bible study.

One couple were arrested and jailed on suspicion of being Salvadorans. The husband had been born in El Salvador but was now a naturalized Honduran; his wife was from Nicaragua. An elder and a missionary went to explain to the official in charge that this couple, now in their 70’s, were Jehovah’s Witnesses and not at all inclined to be enemies of the State. The official allowed the two out of their cell. When they laid eyes on the brothers, the old couple were touched to the point of tears. When the official saw this genuine affection despite differing nationalities, he released the couple. However, the greater danger lay ahead​—they had to be carried to safety in the trunk of a car. Amazingly, they cleared all roadblocks and found a safe hiding place on the edge of town.

No Need of Firearms

Whether war or peace prevails, the dangerous, violent times we live in have led many people to rely on guns and other weapons to defend themselves. There are some, though, who once trusted in firearms who have learned to put their confidence in Jehovah instead.

During the war, the director of the school in the picturesque mountain village of El Rosario was also the leader of an armed group that patrolled the streets at night​—although today he admits that he spent most of that time drinking. He was a staunch patriot, but he objected to the unnecessary brutalizing of prisoners. On one occasion a relative of his who was known for his criminal tendencies wanted to shoot down defenseless men, women, and children. The school director told him that if this was an example of his great valor, then either he should present himself on the battlefront, or else they could both go for their guns​—now! Years later this director became one of Christ’s true soldiers, a Witness of Jehovah. Now he defends right principles just as courageously​—but with God’s Word, not a gun.

One woman who ran a bar carried a gun, and many feared her. Her house was adorned with numerous images and she was learning witchcraft, but deep inside she was not happy and longed for something better. The Truth book opened the door for her, and with the help of a home Bible study, she began to ‘put on the new personality.’​—Eph. 4:24.

She started to attend meetings and destroyed her images but suffered discouragement when her “friends” misrepresented the Witnesses. The sister conducting the study was patient; in time the woman’s heart was so strengthened that she started going from house to house with her Bible​—but without her pistol, of course! Soon she had seven Bible studies of her own. Since her baptism in 1971, she has continued to progress, always trusting in Jehovah.

Santos was quite elderly when he learned the truth. He had been a military commander, mayor, justice of the peace, criminal judge, and local president of a political party. He always carried a gun as a symbol of authority. In his time he had to arrest some fearsome criminals. When Santos became a Witness and began his ministry from house to house, he found that he needed far more courage in his new career than he ever had in his old one. He found that courage, not in a gun, but in prayer to Jehovah.

Once, though, a gun was used to defend the Witnesses. The bishop of Santa Rosa de Copán was always trying to make trouble for the brothers. He would follow them from house to house and pick up the literature they had left and burn it. He would goad his flock into throwing rocks onto the roof of the Kingdom Hall. One night while the meeting was in progress, someone opened the door and threw in a large bucketful of mud​—ruining, among other things, a young sister’s white dress. A brother went to explain the situation to the local chief of police, who was outraged. He went to the bishop and, patting his pistol, told him: “If I hear of you molesting those Jehovah’s Witnesses again, I am going to use this on you.” There was no more opposition from the bishop.

Jehovah’s Word on Blood

Occasionally, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Honduras have had their faith sorely tested by those few doctors and surgeons who do not respect their Scriptural stand on blood transfusions. Cecilia and her husband, for example, were involved in a serious collision with a truck. When they finally awakened, they found themselves in the hospital, both badly injured. Cecilia’s jawbone was shattered. The doctors told her that she needed an operation and a blood transfusion. With her jawbone broken, she could scarcely reply, but Cecilia managed to explain that she would agree to any necessary treatment​—except a blood transfusion. She accepted responsibility for any consequences of her stand. The doctor told her she would have to leave the hospital, since they could do no more for her.

Before she could comply, she was surrounded one day by a group of young student doctors who, with laughter and vulgarity, demanded to know who had filled her head with such stupid ideas. They told her that in this hospital they gave the orders, not Jehovah’s Witnesses. They proceeded to give her what they called “a treatment that even animals could not endure,” inserting wires under the jawbone and twisting them inside the mouth. When she complained of the pain, she was greeted with vulgarity again, with the exception of one young man who seemed slightly more humane. He encouraged her with the words, “Look, young lady, I know it hurts a great deal. Ask your God Jehovah to help you endure it.”

Two days later the same group returned to find that their work had not turned out well. With very little compassion, they pulled out the wires. Then they inserted a clay plaque into the jaw, and she was left for another three days to recover. All this time she could not speak; she could only think and pray, and she meditated on the words of Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart.” When they came back, they were surprised. One exclaimed, “Look how well she is!” Another added: “It must be because of her obedience to God. No people are as obedient to God as these.”

Sonia Marilú was 13 years old and in poor health. The doctors never agreed on the cause of her pains. Finally a crisis came that put her in the hospital. She had a perforated intestine and needed immediate surgery. The parents explained their stand on blood to the doctors. Their answer: “We will operate without blood​—if you want her to die.” Her parents then took her on a perilous journey to El Salvador. She arrived in very serious condition. The doctors, one of them a Witness, examined her and undertook surgery without the use of blood. Although her condition had become very poor, she came out of it alive!

That was not the end of the matter. After four days she suddenly got worse and needed further surgery. A different surgical team was to do the operation this time. Seeing her dangerously low blood count, they said: “If you don’t accept blood, you will die, and without blood we will not operate.” Sonia adamantly rejected blood transfusion. Since it appeared that the girl would not last another 12 hours, the doctors decided to operate, as they put it, “at great risk and with our hands tied.” Even though her hemoglobin level had dropped to four grams per 100 milliliters, they did not transfuse blood. The next morning, to the great surprise of all the staff, she was alive and progressing. One doctor said: “You went to God, and he sent you back. It’s obvious that he loves you.”

Sonia needed intensive care for a while, and the doctors still recommended blood to speed recovery. But slowly, surely, she got better without it. When her discharge came, one of the first doctors to operate told her: “You have respected God’s law, you have not violated your conscience, and you are free from the danger of AIDS.”

“Faithful in What Is Least”

The Honduran government has a constant fight against petty lawbreakers. Worldly neighbors too wage endless battles because of the widely ingrained habit of borrowing things without returning them. Before baptism, new ones must learn to change such attitudes and be “faithful in what is least.”​—Luke 16:10.

One couple learned that it is not only right but beneficial to ‘render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s.’ (Mark 12:17) For nine years Edmundo and his wife, Estela, have imported merchandise from Guatemala and Mexico. They have discovered that some customs officials will “unofficially” reduce import taxes. From the start they identified themselves as Jehovah’s Witnesses; gradually, their honesty won the confidence of the officials. They now simply fill out the declaration forms, and their word is sufficient. When other importers see that this couple have few problems with customs and do not suffer the constant confiscation of their merchandise, they think about being more honest themselves.

A brother from San Pedro Sula has worked for 18 years in the government’s Administration of Customs and Revenue. In an interview the brother explained: “The inducement to enrich oneself without leaving so much as a trace of evidence is very strong, but I do not wish to violate my conscience. Besides, I know that Jehovah’s eyes are ever watchful. On one occasion, I was offered the keys to any one of a group of automobiles if I would simply adjust their taxable value. While such an offer may be tempting, it cannot compare with the value of a clean conscience and the respect of fellow workers and directors. Last year I was invited to a seminar, and in the concluding remarks, the UN representative in customs administration asked me to stand. He publicly congratulated me for being a man respectful of the law, not subject to bribery, and an example worthy of imitation.”

Progress in Rural and Isolated Territory

The brothers put forth great effort to reach the people in isolated territories. It is a task that requires sacrifice, but as is so often said, the joys and satisfaction far outweigh the toil.

Puerto Cortés, a port town on the Caribbean and built on partially filled swampland, now has several flourishing congregations. Robert Schmidt, a missionary there in the late 1960’s, recalls working this 50-mile-long [80 km] territory on foot when it had only one congregation. “The trip to visit the homes toward Guatemala was arduous in those days, a seven-day walk. Only small groups could make it. Interested people commonly offered food in exchange for literature; many who live off the land have little or no money. On the way back, we would make return visits and conduct Bible studies by candlelight in the evenings.” And what was their reward? In 1971 a congregation was established in Omoa, one of the larger towns in that area.

During the 1970’s, the Puerto Cortés Congregation made arrangements to cover the scattered territories to the east, sending out groups of brothers by the fruit company train or by an old but reliable Land-Rover. Standard equipment included a stout rope and a couple of shovels. During the rainy season, trucks would line up before particularly perilous mud holes. When a truck got through, a cheer went up; when one did not, out came the ropes and shovels. Picture the scene. Stripping off footwear, the brothers would roll up their trousers, the sisters would hitch up their skirts, and all would dig. Again, the brothers were rewarded for their patient work by seeing an isolated group growing in Baracoa and a healthy congregation in La Junta by the Ulúa River. Each now has its own Kingdom Hall.

Some special pioneer sisters, including Olga Aguilar (now Walker), from the Choluteca Congregation in the south began visiting Guásimo, a tiny place high in the mountains. In time and with help from other brothers, 25 people started meeting together. However, they recognized that to progress spiritually, they had to associate with others of like faith. But how? It was nearly a three-hour walk to Choluteca. Since they had only burros for transportation, love for Jehovah was the real driving force. Interestingly, it was usually the brothers from Guásimo who arrived first at the meetings! At the 1970 circuit assembly in Choluteca, 13 brothers from Guásimo were baptized. One, determined that his family should benefit more from the meetings, literally moved his house into town. How? He carried it on his back, piece by piece, each time he came to a meeting!

When brothers from the El Progreso Congregation began to visit the town of Santa Rita, about 15 miles [24 km] to the south, the owner of a barbershop gladly accepted literature. He pleaded with the brothers to stay and teach him, but they wanted to visit as many of the townspeople as possible before leaving. The man begged, “If you will stay and teach me, I will give you a room tonight in my house and will feed you so that you lose no valuable time.” All told, 15 brothers were fed and lodged in the barber’s house that night.

Foreign Families Arrive to Help

Many who cannot serve as missionaries have the missionary spirit. So, in 1968, when The Watchtower began encouraging brothers to move to lands where the need is greater, the Honduras branch office received hundreds of letters from at least 24 countries.

Grant Allinger, branch servant at the time, had an eight-page memorandum prepared to give detailed, positive guidance to those who inquired. The result? From 1968 to 1974, at least 35 families moved to Honduras from around the globe​—Canada, England, Germany, the United States, and even faraway New Zealand.

Some faced real challenges in trying to realize their plans. One family from Canada made the necessary investigations, counted the cost, and arranged to move. But a serious problem arose: How would they finance their trip? They depended on selling their car to pay their debts, but as the departure date approached, they still had only 16 dollars in their pocket. Jehovah did not forsake them. The day before leaving, they sold the car! What is more, when their friends dropped by to wish them well on their journey, each one left a little something to help out, and the sum came to $600. They thanked their friends, and they thanked Jehovah.

Those who came to serve where the need is greater have been a real boon to the work. For instance, Raymond Walker arrived here from England in 1969. It took time to get settled and to master the language, but thereafter he entered the pioneer ranks, then served in circuit and district work with his wife, Olga. He is presently serving on the five-member Branch Committee.

“Salvation to All Sorts of Men”

While the apostle Paul said that salvation would be made available “to all sorts of men,” he also declared: “Not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.” (Titus 2:11; 1 Cor. 1:26) That has proved true in Honduras. All kinds of people​—a dazzling variety—​have embraced the truth but not many among the very rich or powerful.

Consider the case of one woman. Her mother raised her while running brothels for a living. When her mother died, she took over. It was not easy for her to come into the truth, but that she did​—and, of course, disposed of the family business. She became a pioneer in 1976 and now makes a simple living by laundering clothing.

Filander was just a boy when he began to study the truth, and his father did not like it one bit. The more Filander progressed, the harder his father tried to stop him. He wanted his son to attend university and make some headway in the world. He refused to let him go to meetings and assemblies or out in service, but the boy always found a way of going anyway. He was baptized in 1972 and has continued to progress, first becoming a pioneer and then being appointed an elder. After working with the construction team on the Honduras Bethel, he was sent to Colombia to do similar work. As for his family, their attitude has mellowed over the years.

The closest thing Antonio had to a profession was that of being a drunkard, for this is how he had spent the bulk of his 80 years. Missionaries had studied with him without success, so when a missionary named Russell Graham wanted to give him another chance, the brothers suggested that he had better not waste his time. However, Antonio had a good quality​—he was humble. Though his mind was so damaged by alcohol that he always had to study the same material three times, he progressed at last to dedication and baptism. He served Jehovah faithfully until he died.

José was raised in the Catholic Church but studied socialist philosophy and atheism. Convinced by university teaching that mankind is the product of evolution, he ceased to believe in God at all. The painful death of his stepson in 1966 made him realize how helpless humans are in the face of death. One day a missionary explained the resurrection hope to him. His interest was aroused, and he began to rebuild his faith in God, but this time on a solid foundation. He learned that God’s Kingdom, not socialism, is the only remedy and became a Kingdom publisher. Since then he has been appointed as an elder and has spent some years in circuit work.

The Fruits of Informal Witnessing

One of the most delightful features of the Christian ministry in Honduras is informal witnessing. Group discussions in marketplaces, in doctors’ waiting rooms, on trains, and at bus stops are a way of life in Honduras. That makes it relatively easy to approach people informally on the subject of the Bible.

In the town of Omoa, there lived a woman who did not like Jehovah’s Witnesses at all. She never talked to them or accepted literature. She was interested in making money, though, and to that end she raised chickens. Knowing her attitude, a brother spoke to her informally about a few ways to save both time and money in raising chickens. Now this she liked to hear. A few weeks later, an article came out in the Awake! magazine about saving time and money, so the brother took a copy to her. She appreciated it, and now she receives our literature happily.

A sister working in a store was somewhat frightened by the appearance of a long-haired young customer. She found the courage to talk to him about the Paradise hope, but he brusquely replied that he did not believe in fairy tales and that he was a hippie and a drug addict. The sister persisted in witnessing briefly whenever he came by. Once she explained that according to 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, the important thing is what you become, not what you have been. When he asked her what she thought about his long hair, she replied that she had no authority over anyone else’s grooming, but she believed the Bible teaching that long hair is a dishonor to a man. (1 Cor. 11:14) The next day he was clean-shaven and had short hair! He asked for a Bible study, and a brother happily complied. He is now baptized and conducting his own studies.

One little boy had the habit of talking to everyone he met, as is fairly common with seven-year-olds. Seeing a young man sitting in front of his house with a book, the child asked him if that was the Bible he was reading. When he learned that it was not​—in fact it was a mechanic’s manual—​he told the young man in no uncertain terms that only by serious reading of the Bible could he get eternal life. “If you want, my father can study with you,” he said, and he led the young man into the house to meet his father. The upshot of the story is that this young man was baptized in 1976. It turned out that years previously he had accepted magazines from a sister but lost contact with her. How important informal witnessing is!

Getting Married

When they learn the truth, many couples realize they must take measures to get legally married. It was reported in 1973 that in just the Bella Vista Congregation in Comayagua, 32 couples had taken such steps​—more than half of the congregation’s 120 publishers!

Teodoro and Mélida were grandparents. Mélida studied the Bible and decided that she wanted to serve Jehovah. Teodoro, 60 years old, agreed to marry her. So, accompanied by two of their grandchildren, they presented themselves at city hall. Just before the ceremony, Teodoro turned to the judge and said: “Have you ever thought of getting married someday?” It was commonly known that he was living with a woman and had three children out of wedlock.

But what does a person do if his partner does not want to marry? That was the problem facing Gladys. She had lived with Antonio for years, and they had three children. Gladys had been studying with a missionary sister and wanted to put her life in order so she could serve Jehovah. Finally, she said to Antonio: “I will now sleep with the children until we get married. When we are legally married, then we can sleep together again.” She stuck to her word; Antonio grew progressively grumpier. After six long months, he capitulated and said, “OK, let’s get married.”

Raising a Family

A vital facet of our ministry is to teach parents to fulfill the God-given responsibility of training their children. A married couple with five children began to study, progressed well, and were soon attending meetings. The meetings definitely had an effect. One day the missionary who was conducting the Bible study with them fell asleep while doing so. In fairness it should be mentioned that the temperature beneath the tin roof was probably in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit [50° C.]. The father, applying the counsel he had heard at the meetings about training the family, simply continued the study until the missionary woke up​—many paragraphs later! Some years have elapsed, and Jehovah has blessed that diligent family. The father is a ministerial servant, his wife an auxiliary pioneer, and the oldest son a regular pioneer.

Three-year-old Ernesto watched too much television, and his parents, like so many, worried about it. He would go around all day singing the commercials. To counteract this unhealthy influence, his parents bought him My Book of Bible Stories audiocassettes and taught him to turn off the TV. Ernesto was quick minded; soon he had memorized the tapes so well that just giving him a story’s number was enough to set him off reciting the whole thing. One evening at the meeting, Ernesto’s father was obviously very tired. Someone asked why he had not slept well. He replied wearily: “We couldn’t stop Ernesto until story number 43.” Ernesto is now ten years old and active in the ministry. His parents are happy that they took the trouble to fill his mind with useful information.

Can little children really make their own decisions on the basis of lessons they learn from their parents and grandparents? Little Mario, who lives in La Ceiba, is four years old and spends much time with his grandmother Chepita, who has been a Witness for many years. One day Mario’s other grandmother, who is Catholic, visited and asked Mario if he would like to go to church with her. “No more, Grandma,” he replied. She asked him why not, and he said to her: “Babylon the Great, Grandma!”

Overcoming Obstacles

Of course, few manage to serve Jehovah without facing serious obstacles and problems. When Emilia first heard the Kingdom message in 1967, she was already married, though not happily. At first she did not take the truth seriously. But when she began to do something about it, her husband threatened to throw the sister who studied with her out of the house. Emilia said firmly: “If you throw her out, we will study in the street.” One day Emilia stopped at the bar where her husband was drinking to let him know that she was going to the meeting. He was waiting on the corner when she returned and began to shout at her, publicly calling her a prostitute.

Despite such indignities and even beatings, Emilia decided to get baptized. And in spite of 20 more years of constant opposition, she trained the children. From when they were very small, she taught each one a Bible presentation to practice among the shrubs and flowers in the garden. Was it worth all the work? Of her eight sons, two are now ministerial servants and two are regular pioneers. What of Emilia’s husband? He finally accepted a Bible study​—with one of his own daughters, a regular pioneer!

Employment can also present obstacles to serving Jehovah. Maids or domestic workers in Honduras have to work very long hours and are often treated as virtual slaves, expected to be available seven days a week. Many are afraid to ask for free time for fear of losing their job. But a certain young sister always made it clear from the outset that she would accept a job only if she could take time off for her worship of Jehovah. In addition to caring for her own home, she was conducting eleven home Bible studies, most of whom attended meetings.

Fifi Strikes!

Honduras has had its share of natural disasters. Hurricanes are nothing new to this country, but when hurricane Fifi smashed into the north coast in September 1974, it proved to be the worst natural disaster in the country’s history. Some 1,600 Witnesses (two thirds of the country’s total) lived in the disaster area. Although 10,000 people were killed, no brothers lost their lives. Many did lose their homes and possessions, though, and massive flooding ravaged the communications systems, roads, rails, and bridges upon which everyone depended. One group of Witnesses set out from the Baracoa railway station by canoe to see about the welfare of isolated brothers and Bible students. They found that canoe travel was possible overland as far as Tela, some 35 miles [55 km] away! The tops of houses and trees served as landmarks. As they brushed by one tree, a stranded coral snake fell writhing into the canoe. They killed the deadly reptile with a swift blow from a machete before it could do them any harm.

Fifi caused other problems. Two circuit assemblies had to be postponed. The September report suffered a drop, as huge amounts of time and effort had to be diverted to relief work. Brothers all over the world contributed, and in a short time, supplies came in from New York, New Orleans, and Belize. In less than a month, some 63,000 pounds [29,000 kg] of provisions were distributed to the brothers, their families, and friends. November 6 of that year proved to be unforgettable. Despite formidable obstacles, a one-day circuit assembly was held right in the heart of the disaster area, and 4,000 attended. Tears of joy and relief streamed down many faces as brothers and sisters discovered for the first time that their dear friends were alive and safe.

During the following year, the brothers built two new Kingdom Halls and 36 new homes. Some homes were rebuilt in the same location, while others had to be relocated, since the former sites were now in the riverbed! One brother was so appreciative of receiving help that he redesigned his new home so as to have both the funds and the space to include a new Kingdom Hall on the same lot.

Great Earthquakes

“Like the thunder of a hundred freight trains.” That was how a brother described the earthquake on February 4, 1976, that shook his house crazily until it toppled off its nine-foot-high [2.7 m] supports into the swamp below. Some 150 other houses in the town were also severely damaged. But the epicenter of this 7.5 magnitude quake was just over the border in Guatemala, and it was there that the toll was very heavy indeed. A fisherman a few miles off the coast that moonlit night said he had been stunned to see the ocean go suddenly as flat as a mirror. Strangely, the fish all around started leaping out of the water. He still didn’t understand until all the lights in the distant town went out and a terrible roar came echoing over the water.

The Motagua Fault slipped again in 1980, shaking the people out of their beds once more, but with much less damage. The people themselves say, “It is the sign of the last days.” Unfortunately the majority take no action. In spite of great earthquakes and the indifference of many, the Kingdom work goes on increasing in Honduras. After all, that too is part of the sign that these are the last days.​—Matt. 24:7, 14.

The River Euphrates Is Drying Up

To the unenlightened it might appear that religion in Honduras is thriving; many churches are still full, at least on special occasions. The evidence grows, however, that the waters (symbolizing the people) that once sustained Great Babylon are starting to dry up. (Rev. 16:12; 17:1, 15) People are beginning to open their eyes to unsavory realities.

For instance, Honduran Catholics are very devoted to the “saints.” Many devotees were thus badly shaken in May 1969 when the pope removed some 200 “saints” from the official liturgical calendar. “Saint” Martin of Porres, a black Peruvian saint who was supposedly able to communicate with animals, was not removed, whereas “Saint” Christopher, especially beloved by truck, bus, and taxi drivers, was eliminated on the basis of historical doubt. Such decisions provoked a wave of disgust from people over having been deceived for so long.

One 23-year-old man was a fervent Catholic, a militant member of a “Christian” movement, and second only to his priest in authority. One day his life reached a turning point. He was visiting a friend when suddenly his priest appeared, completely inebriated. The priest began to insult the young man, employing the most vulgar language and accusing him of interfering in the priest’s private life​—a life that did not in itself bear up well under scrutiny.

Disillusioned, the man left the church. A few weeks later, he “accepted the Lord” in a prominent Evangelical religion, but the hypocrisy and empty traditions left him equally disenchanted. So a year later he turned to what he considered the last option: a Bible study with Jehovah’s Witnesses. At the time he thought little of the Witnesses, but he was soon impressed by the consistency of their Bible teachings. He progressed, teaching his family according to what he was learning. He dedicated his life to Jehovah in 1975 and continues to serve Him to this day.

Marta, an elderly lady, told visiting Witnesses that she would like to know more about the Bible and was willing to study with them​—but on no account was she going to change her religion. The Witnesses agreed that they would not oblige her to join anything. Five months later, she began to attend meetings. She had been a deaconess in the Adventist religion. When members of her church finally got around to visiting her, she told them that while the Witnesses were alive with love and hope, their church was dead.

In one area three families lived as neighbors but were always quarreling. One family was Pentecostal, one Evangelical, and the other Adventist. Surprisingly, when a missionary brought the good news, all three families responded to the message! The missionary suggested that they all gather in one study with him. That way, they resolved their grievances in time. Such is the fruitage of true religion.​—John 13:35.

A fruitage of centuries of false religious teaching in Honduras is a national obsession with death. Even a man’s worst enemies will turn out for his funeral and make a merry time of it, with an all-night vigil of drinking and card playing. One pioneer sister on the north coast recalls talking to an elderly man outside his humble home. When she cast a curious glance at what he was sitting on, the man explained that it was his coffin. He had had it for so long that it was rotting. Then he proudly pointed out his new coffin inside the house, neatly mounted on the roof beams above his bed. How many coffins the man will outlive remains to be seen.

The Blessings and Challenges of Circuit Work

The circuit overseers, their wives, and the work they do in behalf of the truth are all highly valued in Honduras​—and with good reason. The work is joyful, but it demands considerable sacrifice. In the early days, transportation presented a big problem. One brother in the town of Siguatepeque, high up in the mountains, recalls a circuit overseer who arrived on foot, dripping with sweat and pushing a wheelbarrow loaded down with his equipment for the week’s visit.

Bad weather, swollen rivers, and a lack of roads often made it hard for these men and their wives to get from one congregation to the next. Gary and Elaine Krause, missionaries from the 41st class of Gilead, were assigned to work on a circuit extending from San Pedro Sula to Limón on the edge of the Mosquitia. In very bad weather, neither train nor horse could get through. More than once the Krauses had to walk, carrying their baggage some 50 miles [80 km] along the beach from Trujillo to Limón and back. The ocean breeze helped to relieve the intense tropical heat​—but they found it more endurable at times to travel at night.

Aníbal Izaguirre, circuit overseer on the north coast in 1970, was assigned to visit a remote village called Chacalapa. The first leg of the journey was by fruit train, laden with bananas, coconuts, and sundry animals. Next, a spine-jolting ride by truck as far as the village of El Olvido, which, roughly translated, means “Oblivion.” The final phase was a four-hour trek; occasionally he waded through chest-deep streams with his case on his head as monkeys screamed at him from the trees. Along the way, he met a husky black man who offered to carry his case and guide him to his destination. The big man finally dropped the case in a jungle clearing occupied by some 50 thatched huts and announced, “Well, here we are in Chacalapa!” It was worth the effort though, for one of the huts bore the sign “Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Eleven publishers met there!

Unusual in the circuit work is the case of Julio Mendoza of the Juticalpa Congregation. Baptized in 1970, he entered the ranks of the special pioneers in 1977 and was soon trained for circuit work, which he started in 1980. What is so unusual about him? Well, whether he traveled in the towns or isolated regions, he was accompanied by his wife, Dunia, and little daughter, Esther. Many rural homes consist of just one room, used for living, sleeping, and cooking. Julio and his family have many times shared such a room with a host family​—and their hens, turkeys, and goats as well! Once, when they could not cross a river, they were obliged to spend the night in the only accommodation available: a single hammock, which all three shared.

During the early years of the work in Honduras, the circuit overseers were invariably foreign brothers, either missionaries or those who came to serve where the need is greater. But in time, four of the five circuit overseers were native brothers. In recent years these men and their wives, both native and foreign, have been able to stay in the work longer than in the past, despite such diseases as hepatitis, malaria, and dysentery, which are rife in the rural environment.

Of course, when their work takes them to the major cities, sometimes they enjoy the hospitality of brothers in beautiful homes. They have learned the secret of adaptability, just as the apostle Paul did. (Phil. 4:11, 12) In recent years circuit work is much easier, with more paved roads and bus service practically to all towns.

“Shepherd the Flock of God”

Adjustments in the way elders and ministerial servants are appointed went into effect in 1972 in Honduras, as in other parts of the world. As a whole, the brothers responded appreciatively, working hard to qualify. It is interesting to note that when the new arrangement was introduced, only one third of the country’s elders were Honduran brothers, but by 1976 that proportion had increased to two thirds.

With a national average of less than one elder per congregation then, there was always a danger of neglecting to shepherd the flock. So the elders were advised to train the ministerial servants in the work of shepherding. Their visits were to encourage the friends and keep the lines of communication open. Of course, they were to notify the elders where serious problems existed.

In one congregation it was thought that a sister had lost all interest in the truth because she did not attend the meetings. But the brothers discovered that she had missed meetings only because she could not afford to buy shoes! She greatly appreciated a little help and soon was back at meetings and in the ministry.

From 1978 to 1983, a deceleration of theocratic activity in the country concerned elders and faithful publishers alike. After analyzing the situation, the Branch Committee pinpointed two main causes: materialism and a lack of personal study. Television has had a big impact, especially since the mid-1970’s. It has contributed much to the decline in study habits. And while materialism is usually ascribed to wealthy nations, the reality is that love of money can affect poor and rich alike. A missionary sister was surprised to see that one Witness couple had a house with only a dirt floor and no direct water supply​—yet they owned a television set, a stereo, and an expensive living room suite. Such things can be bought on credit, but often both husband and wife must work to pay off the debt. Not surprisingly, this couple were missing meetings and were virtually inactive in service.

The branch increased its efforts to “shepherd the flock of God” and to help the brothers to ‘regain the love they had at first.’ (1 Pet. 5:2; Rev. 2:4) Additionally, in 1981 eleven missionaries arrived from the newly established Gilead Extension School in Mexico, and in 1988 three brothers came from the Ministerial Training School. Jehovah has blessed all these arrangements, as the solid increase since 1984 testifies.

Pioneering Begets Pioneers

Since 1984 there has been a conspicuous reawakening in the pioneer field. Just compare the average of 937 regular and auxiliary pioneers in 1992 with the 276 in 1976. While the number of publishers doubled, the number of pioneers almost quadrupled.

Instrumental in bringing the pioneer ranks back to health were the frank articles in The Watchtower and Our Kingdom Ministry and the encouraging talks at the assemblies. Many appointed servants in the congregations began to speak more positively about the joys of pioneering. Some readjusted their affairs so they could become regular or auxiliary pioneers. They learned how important it was not to “put out the fire of the spirit” and that the pioneer spirit is contagious. (1 Thess. 5:19) Pioneering begets pioneers.

It is not necessary, as some have mistakenly supposed, to achieve financial security before becoming a pioneer. Take, for example, the case of a young brother from Guásimo, high in the mountains. The day after he was baptized, he applied for auxiliary pioneering. He had worked hard for some months to buy new clothes in order to make himself presentable for the ministry. All went well the first week, but the second week, he did not appear for service. Concerned, the other pioneers went up to the mountains and found that one night while this young brother slept, a thief had made off with his clothing as it dried on a line. The brothers gathered some more clothing for him. Despite the loss of a week, he met his goal by the end of the month. Months later he still owned only one pair of trousers. But that hardly detracted from his joy in seeing one of his Bible students get baptized, just six months after his own baptism.

In the San Lorenzo Congregation, there is a blind pioneer in his 20’s named Adrian. In 1984 his sister accepted a Bible study, but no offer was made to Adrian. It was thought that he would not be able to study. His sister did not grasp the study very well, so Adrian, who was always listening in, explained things to her. Soon his sister lost interest. Still, no one suggested studying with Adrian. He had to ask for a Bible study. He was so deeply moved by what he learned that soon, with the help of his family, he was going to the meetings.

As the truth took root in his heart, he wanted to share it with others. Once again, it was assumed that he would not be up to the challenge. Adrian insisted, and the brothers helped him to participate in the service. He reported 24 hours for his first month’s ministry and thereafter increased his service from month to month. The month following his baptism, he applied for auxiliary pioneering, and before long he was a regular pioneer. He usually reports more than 100 hours and presently conducts eight home Bible studies. And to think that the brothers at first overlooked him!

Caring for Special Needs

People with special circumstances often need a special measure of unselfish Christian love. Teresa, for example, was blind from the age of three. She had studied a little with a Witness, but she became involved over the years with several religious groups. Some of these prayed over her that she might regain her sight​—without effect, of course. Her real desire was to study with the Witnesses again. The opportunity came, but how could the study be conducted? The sister read the paragraphs. As long as she read well, with proper emphasis and pausing, Teresa had no difficulty in answering correctly. Soon Teresa wanted to go to the meetings. So the sister, although not an experienced cyclist by any means, would carry her there by bicycle! On rainy days it was quite a spectacle to see them arrive protected by an umbrella and clad in plastic bags.

At the meetings she just spoke right out to answer questions until she was taught to wait for her name to be called. She learned to give talks in the Theocratic Ministry School and to participate in the ministry. In spite of her special circumstances, she has her spiritual eyes of discernment fixed on the prize: that glorious day when she will see the beauty of a paradise earth.

One old man, almost blind, lived up in the mountains. He accepted the Truth book from a brother who put forth extra effort to maintain contact with him. Sometimes the man was so ill he could not study, but usually when they could study together, he answered thoughtfully and intelligently. Suddenly, though, the old man was gone. The neighbors said he had gone to live with his daughter in town because he needed medical treatment. Instead of reasoning that he could do no more, the brother had a solution. When he next attended an assembly in that town, he went from house to house, searching for his former study. Well, he found him at last​—resting in a hammock! Arrangements were made to study again. Before long the old man even learned to get to the meetings by himself by counting the streets on the way to the Kingdom Hall. In time he became a publisher of the good news. How people were amazed to see that white-haired, nearly blind, 93-year-old man spending from 30 to 70 hours each month visiting from house to house!

Lagos was affectionately called Laguito by the Witnesses in Puerto Cortés. He had been a special pioneer for about as long as anyone could remember. As to his age, he could only say vaguely: “I don’t think I am any older than 86.” Laguito had very poor eyesight, so the branch office sometimes had to decipher his service reports. One month he reported the impossible total of 1,050 hours, which turned out to be a still remarkable 150 hours. For this same reason, he often collided with things as he rode his bicycle. After he rode into a creek and hurt his head, the brothers finally decided that the only kind course was gently to take Laguito’s bicycle away and sell it for him. Later he was bedridden with hepatitis and never recovered. He had no known relatives, so the congregation took care of Laguito during his last six months. A brother took him into his home, and each day someone was there to attend to the needs of this beloved, faithful old brother.

“They Were Not of Our Sort”

As must be expected, though, not all remain faithful. A number have had to be disfellowshipped from the Christian congregation over the years in Honduras, particularly for immorality and drunkenness. Apostasy too, with its arrogance and divisiveness, has cost the spiritual lives of some. Sad as this always is, disfellowshipping saves lives. It keeps the congregation clean, moves some wrongdoers to repentance, and sometimes even gives a good witness.

For instance, Blanca Rosa was studying with a missionary sister who was about to leave the country. The missionary wanted to transfer the study to yet another publisher, but Blanca Rosa did not want to continue the study. She was curious, though, as to why the missionary sister had to leave. “Go to the meeting tonight, and you will understand,” explained the sister. To satisfy her curiosity, Blanca Rosa went to the meeting that night and heard an announcement: The husband of the missionary sister, a foreign missionary himself and an overseer, was disfellowshipped from the congregation. Blanca Rosa was deeply impressed. She thought, ‘This is the truth. Neither race, nor appearance, nor position prevents a wrongdoer from being expelled from the congregation.’ This was the turning point in her life. She got baptized and for four years has served as an auxiliary pioneer.

Prodigal Sons

Many tears are shed by disconsolate parents who see beloved sons and daughters disfellowshipped or simply lost in the moral morass of this world. Jesus’ famous parable of the prodigal son, recorded in Luke chapter 15, is a fountain of comfort and hope for them. In Honduras large families are the norm, so the number of ‘prodigal sons’ is likewise large. However, there is a grain of truth in the saying, “Where there is life there is hope.”

As a child, Oswaldo knew the truth, for he was raised by an uncle who is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He did not get baptized. During his teen years, he began to live a double life. He went to meetings and engaged in field service, but he also frequented discotheques with his worldly girlfriend. To satisfy his desires, he even stole from a brother. He had to leave his uncle’s house and thereafter only sank deeper into immorality and drugs. Finally he joined the army.

The years passed; Oswaldo began to long for the life he once had in Jehovah’s organization. But he felt powerless to do anything about it. By chance one day he met his uncle and told him that he wanted to return. Although having grave doubts about Oswaldo’s sincerity, the uncle gave him the address of the missionary home. Oswaldo went straight there and arranged for a Bible study. That same week he started to read the magazines again and attended meetings; this, in turn, gave him the strength he needed to turn away from drugs and immoral living. He found the courage to make amends to those from whom he had stolen. One sister did not wish to accept anything, but Oswaldo insisted on presenting her with a television set and a box of apples to ease his conscience. The sister’s unbelieving husband was very impressed.

Oswaldo was still in the army, though. He desired a way to get a valid discharge. It so happened that his superior at the officers’ club was discharged for theft, and Oswaldo was told that he could replace him. The promotion would have meant good pay and enjoyable work, but Oswaldo was adamant about seeking a discharge. He presented himself to the commander. Before he could even mention a discharge, the commander congratulated him on his promotion! Oswaldo stood fast and explained what he really wanted: to leave the army and take up the full-time ministry. Surprisingly, he was granted his wish. More than that, the changes he had made in his personality during his last months in the army led to his being awarded a congratulatory diploma. Many opportunities to witness opened up; before he left, his army friends respectfully nicknamed him “The Preacher.” He is now baptized and a regular pioneer​—a real preacher.

Santiago too followed a rather wayward course. He had three sisters. Two of them were regular pioneers, the other an auxiliary pioneer; all three were active, diligent, and spiritually minded. Santiago was not. He was proud of his blond hair (black hair is almost universal in Honduras), and he wore it long. His close friends were thieves, drunkards, and drug addicts; he shared their habits. Not surprisingly, he landed in jail almost every month. Despite all of this, one missionary brother reasoned, “With three theocratic sisters, surely it is impossible that their brother should be entirely lacking in good qualities.” He offered to study with Santiago, who accepted. But he did not progress. Finally the missionary terminated the study, explaining that it was purposeless to continue if Santiago did not want to apply the things he was learning.

The months passed by, and early in 1986, Santiago begged to be given another chance. This time it was different: He cut his long hair, he prepared for his studies, and he even witnessed to his former friends, who began to avoid him like the plague. Still, the missionary was not quite convinced. “Has he really quit smoking and causing problems in the neighborhood?” he asked Santiago’s sisters. Yes, he really had. In April he was permitted to participate in field service. By May he was reporting 65 hours in the work; by June he was conducting five Bible studies. He progressed to baptism, and soon he was taking the lead in all the spiritual activities of the family. In 1989 he became a special pioneer.

What made Santiago change his ways? He replies: “After studying the first time, I knew what pleases Jehovah and what does not. Then I noticed that every time I did something wrong, knowing that it was wrong, I ended up in deep trouble with other people. This helped me to see that what Jehovah asks is best and is for our protection. The person who obeys Jehovah always has fewer problems. I didn’t want to have trouble all my life, so I started to study again​—but this time practicing the things I was learning.”

The “Blue Bomb” and Other Books

The Watchtower Society’s many publications have been instrumental in helping people to change their lives and draw close to Jehovah. They are well adapted for use by the literate and the semiliterate, the young and the old. It is impossible to say which one has had the most impact on the Honduran field.

Take, for instance, the world-famous Truth book, alias the “Blue Bomb,” of which well over a hundred million have been printed and circulated around the world. One Sunday-school teacher in an Evangelical church decided to go to the Kingdom Hall to ask for a Bible study. On the way, she met a sister who asked her why she wanted to study with the Witnesses. She replied: “I have found the truth now, and do not want to continue as a Sunday-school teacher.” She had been reading the Truth book secretly. She was disappointed that her Bible study could only be held twice a week and not daily. Nevertheless, she progressed well and soon began to attend the meetings. When she overheard the Theocratic Ministry School overseer saying that anyone who wants to be a minister of God should enroll in the Theocratic Ministry School, she did so. She severed all connections with the Sunday school and set her sights on becoming a true minister of Jehovah.

The Youth book has also been well received in Honduras. In some schools and colleges, teachers have used it as a basis for class discussion. A young girl who received the Youth book from her grandmother took it to school. Her teacher examined it and asked where she got it. A boy in the class who also had one spoke up and said it was published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The teacher requested that 34 books be bought for use in the school.

The Creation book has also had considerable impact in the colleges. A sister who is a teacher always resisted pressure from both the director and other teachers to lecture on the theme of prehistoric man. When the Creation book came out, she used it in class to good effect and also placed one with another teacher and one with the director.

In such areas as Puerto Cortés, almost every school director has a copy of this book. The Caribbean director of a worldwide charity organization, who was educated at a university in England, read it several times and said: “The book gets to the point exactly. You cannot believe in God and at the same time in evolution.”

The Live Forever book has now replaced the Truth book and is a source of hope and comfort to millions. As a youth, Leticia was preoccupied with death; whenever anyone she knew of died, she was overwhelmed with a terrible sadness. She relates: “As of two years ago, I have been free of this affliction; my sadness ended.” How so? “A college companion had the Live Forever book but did not appreciate it and so gave it to me. On page 10, I read: ‘You do not want to die, and neither does any other normal person who has a measure of health. God made us with the desire to live, not the desire to die. . . . Surely a loving God would not create humans with a desire to live forever and then not make it possible for them to fulfill that desire!’ I meditated on the matter and felt comforted. Later I told my companion that I was deeply grateful to her for giving me a real treasure.”

Of course, by far the most important book we use is the Bible. In Honduras, where people once did not dare to read this book, the New World Translation has been an invaluable tool. When it was released in Spanish in 1967, placements of Bibles in Honduras soared by more than 1,000 percent over the 1965 figure. This excellent translation continues to help people draw close to the Bible’s Author, Jehovah.

Just One Magazine

It was a big day for Honduras when they began to receive the Watchtower and Awake! magazines in full color. Their appeal was reflected in a 13-percent increase in placements for that service year, 1986. The people of Honduras really appreciate the wide scope and Biblical authority of the magazines. People can often be seen reading them on buses or in offices.

In the La Ceiba area, a doctor recommended an abortion to a pregnant woman who had repeatedly had difficulty in childbirth. She was unsure, though, so he told her to go away and think about it. The day she was to return for her next appointment, a Witness placed a magazine with her. It featured the subject of abortion and helped her to decide firmly against it. How happy everyone was when she finally gave birth to her baby​—with no problems! This lady began a Bible study. Now both she and her oldest daughter are baptized and serve as auxiliary pioneers. It started with just one magazine.

One sister placed an Awake! magazine containing the article “Pursue Peace With Your Neighbor” with the personnel manager of the Ministry of Education. She was pleasantly surprised when 300 employees were each given a photocopy of this article! It was to be used by them as a basis for discussion in a study session. Though the session was prolonged, nobody complained. As a result of the session, the atmosphere among the workers improved greatly, and the manager has gained the liking and respect of the staff. That too resulted from just one magazine.

Strangely, some brothers have had a negative attitude toward distributing magazines. In 1981 one small congregation placed very few magazines, an average of only about three per publisher monthly. The circuit overseer encouraged them to be positive about the real worth of the magazines. Soon, in that same congregation, publishers were placing an average of 16 magazines each per month. To their surprise, they found that some people were happy to accept three or four issues at a time!

Further Progress in Rural and Isolated Territory

In 1970 it was calculated that the Kingdom good news was still reaching only 3 or 4 of every 10 Hondurans. In harmony with suggestions made by the zone overseer that year, it was decided to reorganize the congregations’ territories, making a greater percentage of the population accessible. The congregations responded by arranging for carloads or even busloads of Witnesses to go out once each week into the rural areas. Even so, the entire country could not yet be covered that way. In 1971 the branch office took the initiative to arrange for the remaining unassigned territory to be worked once a year by temporary special pioneers.

Two special pioneers, Armando Ibarra and Manuel Martínez, were assigned to work the isolated territories in the region of Olancho. They made at least five expeditions to the scattered villages of that vast area. It is a territory of endless mountains and remote valleys, the habitat of such wild animals as jaguars and venomous snakes​—but also, most dangerous of all, violent men.

To cover more territory, they agreed to work separately while always maintaining contact. One day Armando realized that he had not seen Manuel for some time and went to look for him. Approaching a house, he overheard someone say: “Let your God or your Bible save you now!” He felt pangs of fear but prayed to Jehovah and entered. The scene was tense. There was Manuel, his hands up, facing two men armed with pistol and machetes. Seeing Armando and realizing that Manuel was not alone, the men lowered their weapons and let him go. Cautiously, Manuel, facing these men and slowly walking backwards, left the house and joined his partner. With that, the two of them made off to another village.

In May 1987, Hector Casado, then a circuit overseer, sent letters to the congregations asking for volunteers to organize a six-day excursion into the isolated villages of the region known as Santa Bárbara. Brothers and sisters of robust constitution were needed who would be willing to trek into the mountains and sleep in whatever village they might find themselves at nightfall. Seventy Witnesses from 26 congregations and isolated groups met together in San Pedro Sula on the appointed day. They were divided into eight groups, and after praying to Jehovah, they set off on their respective routes. They met all kinds of people, mostly very poor, some very favorable, some hostile, many illiterate, and a few already well-versed in the truth, thanks to books acquired years previously. One woman wanted the Live Forever book so much that she offered her only hen in exchange.

One group drove a four-wheel-drive vehicle for six laborious hours on tortuous mountain tracks. When they finally arrived at a little town, they were welcomed by a torrential rainstorm. This was providential, since the area had received no rain for several months. The brothers were given the credit for the storm! Consequently, the waters of truth were also well received there. Some sisters would return the very same afternoon to conduct Bible studies with interested people. Some of these studies were continued by correspondence.

Another group worked a sector virtually controlled by North American Evangelicals, who operated their own radio station. Over the air, they launched a propaganda campaign against the Witnesses, describing how they visit in pairs, carrying literature bags. “Be very careful of the Witnesses,” they warned. “They are capable and have a deep Bible knowledge. Even an expert among our brothers could be deceived by them. Avoid them! Don’t receive them into your homes!” This free publicity stimulated a great deal of curiosity and paved the way for many an interesting conversation.

In another town a hospitable but very poor man offered the use of his home to the brothers. It was no problem sleeping on straw mats on a bare earth floor. But before first light, they were awakened by fleas, who had scheduled an early breakfast! In this town the weaving of straw mats is almost the only source of income. Several women who did not accept literature during the day came in the evening to where the brothers were lodging. They offered their newly made mats in exchange for books.

After six days, the group of 70 reconvened. They had placed 623 books and 687 magazines and spent some 2,455 hours in service!

Some have wondered if it is worth so much effort to reach these isolated people, since it is nearly impossible to make return visits on them. We must not underestimate the power of the truth to take root in the human heart. In one isolated area, an interested man regularly made an expedition into town to get literature for himself. When this became known to the group covering that area, a brother saddled his mule and set off into the mountains to find this man. He found the house, but the man’s wife said that he was not at home. Where was he? She replied: “He is out preaching.”

In a similar vein, one overseer reported: “Imagine entering an isolated town expecting to find little interest. But in house after house, the people say, ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses visit us, and we are convinced they have the right religion’! This happened to us. Others in the same town would say, ‘Come on in, we have been waiting for you; we study with Don Tivo.’ ‘Who is Don Tivo?’ we would ask. We knew of no brother by that name. It seems that this man had received literature, and the message took root deep in his heart. Once he met a Witness who explained how to use the books to conduct Bible studies, Don Tivo set out to make disciples. By the time we met him, he was conducting seven Bible studies. One was with a couple who were making arrangements to get legally married in order to join Don Tivo in the preaching work!”

Notable Conventions

In 1948, when the first district convention in Honduras was held, 467 were present. One businessman who attended said: “It’s about time someone came out with a message like that. It’s new to me, but I like it.”

Eighteen years passed before the first international convention was organized. In December 1966 in the capital, 1,422 people congregated, including 225 brothers from such diverse places as Canada, Germany, and Australia. A caravan of 11 buses brought 450 brothers from San Pedro Sula. The paved road from there to Tegucigalpa was still under construction, so they had an arduous 12-hour journey over winding mountain trails. From as far as La Ceiba the brothers came, arriving one day late because heavy rains made it impossible for the fruit train to get through. None regretted the laborious trip.

They heard timely counsel on the problem of nationalism in the talk “Hear Daniel’s Words for Our Day.” They saw their very first drama, entitled “Look to the Bible as Your Guide in Life.” It served to protect our brothers living in communities where fornication is so common that a man who is faithful is regarded by the public as odd or perhaps even deficient.

Both the press and the radio stations gave favorable publicity. Of course, the enemies were busy as usual, spreading lies and negative publicity, but the truth commanded far more attention and space in the press. As the apostle Paul said, “We can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.” (2 Cor. 13:8) No doubt this convention contributed to the excellent growth that followed. Over the next three years, 477 were baptized, compared with 175 baptized in the three previous years.

From time to time, members of the Governing Body visit the conventions, and the brothers always rejoice in the stimulus of their company. Brother N. H. Knorr came several times. Brothers W. L. Barry, J. C. Booth, F. W. Franz, M. G. Henschel, W. K. Jackson, K. F. Klein, A. D. Schroeder, and L. A. Swingle have all been guests at one convention or another.

The “Integrity Keepers” District Convention, in 1986, was another outstanding occasion. The drama “Your Future​—A Challenge” moved some brothers and sisters to think more seriously about pioneering. One young brother had been planning to go to university after the convention but changed his mind and looked for secular work that would allow him to be an auxiliary pioneer. His sister lost her job because she refused to miss the convention. She too took up auxiliary pioneering.

A small circuit assembly held in a school in Puerto Cortés was notable in one respect: The circuit overseer was absent! He was trapped on the wrong side of a raging river with no alternative but to stay where he was. The brothers responded well to the situation. They divided the circuit overseer’s assignments among themselves so that none of the program was lost. However, they still faced a challenge: The brothers overseeing the assembly had decided that all speakers should wear jackets. Few brothers in these parts own jackets because normally they have no use for them. So when the first brother finished his part on the program, his same red jacket and green tie reappeared​—for the next three presentations. The difference in size and shape of the four brothers added a minor note of comedy to an otherwise normal assembly.

Building for True Worship

Jehovah’s Witnesses are builders​—builders of Christian personalities, of happy families, and of united and peaceful congregations. As the congregations in Honduras have grown, they have had to turn their hand to the building of Kingdom Halls and a branch office. In the early years, a mere sign on the wall and a few benches arranged in the parlor of a brother’s house would suffice for a Kingdom Hall, but soon the congregations began to see the advantages of constructing their own buildings. By 1971, of the 22 congregations in Honduras, 15 owned their own halls.

The Kingdom Halls are usually simple, neat, and appropriate to the community in which they are located. The thatched-roof hut with mahogany benches​—made from local trees—​standing in a jungle clearing in Chacalapa cost no more than $20 to build. Bamboo grows plentifully in La Junta near the Ulúa River, so the hall there, with its earthen floor and bamboo walls, cost about the same. It has been enlarged and improved several times but is still simple and fits in well with the surroundings. In contrast, other types of halls are appropriate in the cities.

Simple though the structure may be, building a hall far from any major city is no simple matter. One cannot just pick up the telephone and order timber, sand, and cement. In 1973 the hall in Siguatepeque was built by unskilled brothers from just the available raw materials. Sand and gravel were shoveled out of the riverbed and sifted. Great pines were felled and hauled out of a ravine by oxen, after which the trees were mounted on a trestle and cut into 35-foot [11 m] beams by means of a 9-foot-long [2.7 m], two-man handsaw.

The branch office, or Bethel, has an interesting history. From 1946, facilities in the capital were rented, which meant moving time and again over the years. But while Harold Jackson was serving as branch servant, the growth of Kingdom interests indicated that a building suited to the needs would have to be built. To that end a well-situated plot of land overlooking the American embassy was bought. The work started in 1961. By that year Lloyd Aldrich was serving as branch servant. Baltasar Perla of El Salvador was the architect, and Pedro Armijo of Tegucigalpa was the contractor. Tools and construction techniques were simple.

On the excellent quality of workmanship, Brother Aldrich commented: “It was amazing what the brothers could accomplish without modern machinery or equipment. Nearly everything was done by hand. The only two machines of any consequence were a cement mixer and a truck for hauling materials to the site.”

In 1961 there were just 571 publishers in Honduras, and the branch facilities were more than sufficient, but by 1986, more than 4,000 publishers were reporting and the Bethel Home, even though enlarged in 1978, was no longer adequate. The Governing Body authorized an addition that would more than double the existing space. Work started in October 1987. What a joy it has been to see the international volunteers in action! Together with the willing labor of many congregations, they finished an excellent structure, which was dedicated to Jehovah’s service on October 21, 1989.

In Retrospect and Prospect

The dedication of the new Bethel was a happy day. Brothers and sisters long in Kingdom service came from far and wide and rejoiced to see one another again after so many years. Among them were some of the first missionaries to serve in Honduras: Allan and Helen Bourne, Darlean Mikkelsen, Randy Morales, and Woody Blackburn, who served as branch servant back in the early 1950’s.

Reflecting on his experience in the Honduran field, Werner Zinke, who has served as coordinator of the Branch Committee since 1978, commented: “Thinking of the 20 years that I have enjoyed serving here in Honduras, I can say that Jehovah has blessed us richly in this land. I have seen the number of publishers increase from 1,341 in 1970 to 6,583 now. What a privilege to give even better service to our brothers in Honduras from our new branch office.”

When Ethel Grell, who has pioneered since she was 14 years old, arrived in Honduras with her mother, Loverna, in 1946, there were only 15 publishers, including 7 missionaries. At a recent assembly she was interviewed and asked what was the greatest blessing she had experienced during her more than 40-year ministry in the country. She replied: “What has made me happiest is to see stability and maturity in Jehovah’s organization, the increase in young pioneers, and the enormous increase in publishers.”

At the dedication of the new Bethel in 1989, the Governing Body was represented by Lyman Swingle, who gave the dedication talk. Asked what he thought of the theocratic prospects for Honduras, his vision went well beyond the immediate future. He replied: “The prospects for Honduras and every other country are very good because Jehovah’s organization will soon be making the entire earth into a paradise.” In truth, that is our longing​—Jehovah’s Kingdom rule! But in the meantime, there is still work to be done. We beg Jehovah’s blessing on all our Honduran brothers as they stand shoulder to shoulder with their brothers in other lands, working loyally to uphold his name under the direction of Jesus Christ and his faithful slave.

[Charts on page 207]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

HONDURAS

Average Pioneer Chart

939

255

162

59

14

1950 1960 1970 1980 1992

Peak Publisher Chart

6,583

3,014

1,341

550

260

1950 1960 1970 1980 1992

[Map on page 148]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

HONDURAS

Capital: Tegucigalpa

Official Language: Spanish

Major Religion: Roman Catholic

Population: 5,011,107

Branch Office: Tegucigalpa

MEXICO

BELIZE

GUATEMALA

EL SALVADOR

NICARAGUA

HONDURAS

Caribbean Sea

ISLAS DE LA BAHÍA

Roatán

Puerto Cortés

Omoa

Tela

Baracoa

Trujillo

La Ceiba

Limón

Sangrelaya

Brus Lagoon

THE MOSQUITIA

San Pedro Sula

La Lima

Ulúa River

El Progreso

Santa Rita

OLANCHO

Santa Rosa de Copán

Siguatepeque

Tegucigalpa

Comayagua

Danlí

San Lorenzo

Choluteca

Guásimo

Pacific Ocean

[Picture on page 152]

Loverna Grell, left, and her daughter, Ethel

[Pictures on pages 156, 157]

Honduras, a land graced with scenic waterfalls, beautiful orchids, ancient pyramids, and coastal beaches

[Picture on page 158]

William and Ruby White

[Picture on page 162]

These missionaries serving in Honduras come from countries such as Canada, Finland, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, and the United States

[Picture on page 168]

Brother Knorr and the twins, Jeannette Fischer, at left, and Johneth, who both began missionary service in 1952

[Picture on page 172]

Grant Allinger, branch overseer from 1963 to 1978, and wife, Olga

[Picture on page 176]

Preaching near Omoa

[Picture on page 184]

Circuit overseer Julio Mendoza with his wife, Dunia, and daughter, Esther

[Picture on page 193]

Kingdom Halls are simple, neat, and appropriate to the community

[Pictures on page 200]

First branch office contrasted with branch constructed in 1961, showing the extension added in 1978

Lyman Swingle at dedication program of new facilities, October 21, 1989. New branch facilities, finished in 1989, adjacent to the former building

[Picture on page 201]

The five brothers on the Branch Committee with their wives during a zone visit by Lloyd Barry. From left to right, William and Ruth Sallis, Raymond and Olga Walker, Aníbal and Cristina Izaguirre, Lloyd and Melba Barry, Werner and Ulla Zinke, Manuel and Ada Martínez

Malaysia

“IT WAS a pleasant enough Sunday afternoon, a gentle breeze making it comfortable despite the 90-degree heat [32° C.] and high humidity. The year was 1938. I had only recently arrived in Malaya from Australia and was still getting used to preaching to English and Australian managers in their impressive villas on large rubber estates.

“There were three of us in our pioneer group, and our strategy was for me to go to the manager’s house and for my two partners to slip quietly down to the Indian workers’ huts and preach to them. You see, many of the estate managers did not take kindly to our speaking to their workers, lest any education might stir up dissatisfaction in them.

“We pulled up in the car just across a little river in sight of the manager’s house, and Kurt and Willy immediately made their way down to the workers’ lines. I crossed the river in a small canoe that was tied up there and walked up to the house.

“My main aim was not to be dismissed too quickly, for if I returned to the car and did not drive away fairly soon, the manager would suspect something was wrong.

“I got only as far as the foot of the steps leading up to the house. The manager and his wife were having afternoon tea on the veranda. He watched me approach, large briefcase in hand, and then as I put my foot on the first step, he called out gruffly: ‘Look! Get right back across that river and away! This is Sunday afternoon. I am having afternoon tea with my wife, and I am not here to have any business call.’

“Well, I thought, now I am really in trouble. But I had in my bag a letter of introduction that the Society had given us for just such an occasion, so I said: ‘Excuse me, but I have a letter of introduction here for you to read.’

“‘I don’t want to read it,’ he replied, even more gruffly. ‘And get off that step!’

“Silently I prayed for some way out. I also decided to stall for time, so I said quickly: ‘Really, this is very important.’ At the same time, I moved up one more step.

“This seemed to make him very angry, and now he shouted at me quite loudly: ‘I said, get off the steps!’

“At this point, I was surprised to see his wife suddenly get up from the table and come to stand behind her husband. She put both arms around him, her chin resting on his shoulder. Then she said to me quietly: ‘Won’t you come up and have a cup of tea?’

“He looked at his wife, stunned. The atmosphere was electric. I didn’t know quite where to look. There was a tense silence. Finally, the manager said in a much calmer voice: ‘All right. Come up and have a cup of tea, but don’t open that bag!’

“So we sat down to a delightful cup of tea and cakes. The tension started to thaw, and soon we were having a friendly conversation on light, everyday matters. It was not long before the manager began to discuss world affairs and asked my opinion about the rise of Mussolini in Italy, saying: ‘I wonder what Mussolini was before he entered politics and became dictator of Italy. What kind of profession was he in?’

“At that I said: ‘I think I can tell you,’ and quietly reached into my bag to get the book Enemies. I read what it stated on page 13, that Mussolini had been a bricklayer and political agitator and became a political gang chieftain, leading a march on Rome in 1922, and shortly thereafter became prime minister, or arbitrary ruler. I then put the book back again and closed my bag.

“The manager was obviously impressed. His wife asked: ‘What is that book you read from?’

“‘Oh,’ I said. ‘It’s just a book of many things.’

“But her curiosity was aroused, and she asked if she could have a look at it. Of course, I remembered my being forbidden to open the briefcase, yet here was his wife, with her hand outstretched, asking to see the book. I looked at the manager, and he rather begrudgingly nodded approval. So I handed her the book.

“Soon we had all the books and the Bible I had in my bag out on the table. Finally they wanted all the literature I had with me: seven books, a new Bible, and a subscription for both The Watchtower and Consolation [now Awake!].

“And so, after a cordial three quarters of an hour, he walked to the top of the steps with me, shook hands, and said: ‘Well, I’m sorry you got such a reception, but last Sunday a man came out here trying to sell oil, while I was sitting down to afternoon tea with my wife, and it annoyed me greatly. You got the backwash. But I can assure you that the next one of your people that comes here will get a better welcome than you did.’

“So all ended well. Kurt and Willy had by then finished their preaching in the workers’ huts, and we went on our way, rejoicing at the way Jehovah had blessed our efforts that afternoon.”

This was the kind of experience enjoyed by early missionaries such as Ted Sewell as they worked hard to open up the preaching work in Malaya back in the late 1930’s.a Today, more than half a century later, witnessing methods have changed somewhat, but the same good news of Jehovah’s established Kingdom is being preached. Now, however, the message has spread throughout the length and breadth of this colorful and fascinating land, no longer called Malaya but Malaysia.

Welcome to Multicultural Malaysia

The long, tropical Malay Peninsula is located just above the island of Singapore, to which it is linked by a half-mile-long [1 km] road and rail causeway across the narrow channel of Johore Strait. It lies just north of the equator and is bordered on the west by the Strait of Malacca and on the east by the South China Sea. Malaysia comprises the original Malay Peninsula (now referred to as Peninsular Malaysia) and the two territories of Sabah and Sarawak in northern Borneo (which make up East Malaysia). It is, indeed, a multicultural country in every way, with a population of more than 18 million. Better than half the population are Malays, and the rest are mainly Chinese. In addition a substantial minority of Indians and a sprinkling of Eurasians and Europeans help make this the most cosmopolitan population in this tropical region.

Malaysia is also a land of outstanding contrasts. In the cities, skyscrapers and minarets jostle with straw-roofed huts. Most of the countryside, however, is dominated by a landscape made up of tropical jungles, paddies, and fertile plains, dotted with kampongs, or villages, and fringed by golden sand beaches. Yet, everywhere is lush green​—green of every hue—​described by some as “green of a thousand colors.”

The people of Malaysia are generally friendly. They vary in life-style, from the most sophisticated Western styles to traditional, simple people of the soil. Tourists can enjoy a great variety of entertainment based on the country’s many cultures. And high on the list of delights must be Malaysian food, for in few other countries can one eat so well yet so inexpensively.

In the realm of worship, Islam has been declared the national religion, though other religions are also guaranteed freedom of worship by the Malaysian Constitution. The result is that people of many faiths​—Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, Catholics, and Protestants of many sects—​live together in relative harmony. It is forbidden by law, however, to proselytize among the Muslims.

Far-Reaching Political Developments

By the 1930’s, Malaya had been divided into many states, some of which were governed by the British, others by sultans who were “advised” by British officials. This made the peninsula, in effect, a British colony, and the people learned the British way of life, though, of course, the different races largely lived and developed separately.

During World War II, the region was occupied by Japanese forces. Thereafter, from the late 1940’s through the mid-1950’s, the scene changed, as violent unrest and even fierce guerrilla warfare disrupted the entire country. Calm was finally restored after independence from British rule was gained in 1957. Then, in 1963, Malaya joined with the former British colonies of Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore to form a federation of states collectively called Malaysia. In 1965, Singapore withdrew from the federation and became an independent republic.

First Seeds of Truth Reach Malaya

Charles Taze Russell, the first president of the Watch Tower Society, undertook a round-the-world preaching tour in 1912. His itinerary included the giving of a public discourse in the city of Singapore and another at Penang, in Malaya. Only minimal follow-up work was done after these two lectures, essentially just the sending of tracts by Brother S. P. Davey in India to many of the Indian people who had settled in Malaya. The outbreak of World War I, however, put a halt to any efforts to spread Kingdom seeds in this region.

In 1923, Harris and Freda Frank and their four sons and six daughters migrated to Malaya from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). They settled at Batu Caves, not far from Kuala Lumpur, now the nation’s capital. Freda was a baptized Bible Student, as Jehovah’s Witnesses were then known, but Harris was not, though he enjoyed reading The Watch Tower and The Golden Age (now Awake!) that were sent by subscription from the India branch. In 1931 the Franks were briefly contacted by two young pioneers from Bombay, Claude Goodman and Ron Tippin, who spent several months in Malaya and Singapore preaching from house to house. However, the only literature they had was in English, so their activity was confined to the English-speaking people. The brief visit of these two zealous early missionaries was of great encouragement to Freda Frank in her isolated situation.

Australian Pioneers Come to Help

Early in the 1930’s, the South Pacific and Southeast Asia region was placed under the direction of the branch office in Australia. The branch soon began to send missionaries. First to arrive was George Schuett, who was joined a few months later by an English pioneer named Peck, who had been preaching in Papua New Guinea. Over the next few years, a dozen or more other full-time preachers from Australia, New Zealand, and Germany served in Malaya for varying periods, but for several reasons no one stayed in one place long enough to see direct fruits from his labors.

Then, in 1936, a more permanent arrangement began to take shape with the establishment of a literature depot in Singapore. Harold Gill from Australia was appointed to oversee the work at the depot. Two years previous, in 1934, Frederick (Jimmy) James and his family had moved from India and settled in Singapore. His home was located in the pleasant suburb of Katong, and he offered part of his house to be used as the Society’s depot. It was also used as a meeting hall and pioneer home.

A regular group study in the book The Harp of God was held in the James’ home, and neighbors were invited to attend. One neighbor couple, Frank and Win Hill, along with their three children, were eventually baptized.

The brothers in Singapore made occasional weekend round-trip visits to the Frank family at Batu Caves. These long trips would include using a sound car to play recordings of lectures by Joseph F. Rutherford, then president of the Society, as well as some house-to-house preaching in Kuala Lumpur. So, in a small way, seeds of truth were getting planted in Malaya.

The Lightbearer Brings More Pioneers

The Lightbearer was a boat outfitted by the Society in Australia specially for work in the Singapore-Malaya area. Manned by seven stalwart pioneers under the captaincy of Eric Ewins of Fiji, the Lightbearer arrived in Singapore on August 7, 1935, and docked for a while before sailing up the west coast of Malaya. Some of the towns visited in this way were Johore Bahru, Muar, Malacca, Klang, Port Swettenham (now Port Klang), and Penang. Brother Rutherford’s lectures on phonograph records would be broadcast by loudspeaker from Lightbearer anchorages. Then there would be house-to-house visits to distribute literature.

Occasionally the brothers from the Lightbearer were able to go farther inland, and so they met up with the Frank family at Batu Caves, sharing with them in small meetings and in field service. Sister Frank was delighted to see several members of her family baptized at the time of one of these visits. Much literature was placed during these excursions, but Eric Ewins reported: “Our witnessing did not seem to make any lasting impressions on the people. They readily accepted literature, but they needed regular home Bible studies, which were not available then.”

Steps Toward More Stable Organization

Harold Gill was recalled to Sydney in 1937, and Alfred Wicke was sent to oversee the Singapore depot. Meanwhile, pioneers such as Ted Sewell from Australia and Kurt Gruber and Willy Unglaube from Germany were spreading seeds of truth in Malaya. Then, when Alfred Wicke announced his plans to marry in 1939, he was assigned to Malaya to join Kurt Gruber in Penang, and George Powell from Australia arrived to manage the depot.

Alfred Wicke’s fiancée, Thelma, was sailing from Sydney to Singapore to marry Alfred and join him in the pioneer work at Penang. However, when her ship was several days out from Perth, the outbreak of World War II was announced. All windows and portholes in the ship were blacked out, and a zigzag course through the Indian Ocean became necessary to dodge possible enemy submarines. But Thelma arrived safely, and their wedding took place a week later. Then they drove the 500 miles [800 km] to Penang, where Sister Wicke became the first Australian sister to serve as a pioneer in Malaya.

The Witness work at that time was mainly a wide distribution of literature, with virtually no follow-up work. So when the Wickes completed the territory on Penang Island, they crossed over to the mainland. They steadily preached from Alor Setar in the north down through towns and rurals along the west coast southward, using literature in more than 20 languages.

A Sikh Becomes a Witness

While witnessing in Kuala Kangsar in the state of Perak, the Wickes received a surprise visit from a 16-year-old schoolboy who lived in a neighboring town. His name was Puran Singh, and he was a Sikh, as his name implies. He had obtained the Society’s booklet Where Are the Dead? and was so impressed by what he read that he wrote an article on this subject for his school magazine. He wrote to the Singapore depot for more information and learned of the Wickes’ whereabouts. He immediately cycled more than 30 miles [50 km] to meet them.

The next day he accompanied Alfred Wicke on a preaching trip in the rurals​—“just to see how it is done.” As soon as this serious young man completed his schooling, he left home, then cycled 150 miles [240 km] to attend an assembly at Kuala Lumpur. There he symbolized his dedication to Jehovah by water baptism and adopted the name George Singh. Immediately he enrolled in the full-time ministry. And so George Singh had the privilege of being the first Malayan to become a pioneer. Soon after this the Society transferred him to India, where he continues faithfully in Jehovah’s service.

World War II and the Japanese Invasion

Not long after the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the preaching work was disrupted. The results? Pioneers were no longer able to support themselves financially, so, reluctantly, the Wickes returned to Singapore. They felt satisfied, however, in knowing that during their 20 months serving together in Malaya since their marriage, they had distributed more than 50,000 books and booklets containing the Kingdom message. It is of interest to note that at the war’s outbreak, there were just 16 publishers reporting field service in the whole of Singapore and Malaya. A little over 18 months later, however, there were 36 publishers reporting!

Things moved quickly after this. In June 1941, George Powell was denied reentry into Singapore after a trip to Thailand and had to return to Bangkok on the same ship. In July the last three full-time representatives, Len Linke and Alfred and Thelma Wicke, were deported to Australia. Six months later, the Japanese armies made a lightning advance down through the Malayan jungles and swiftly captured the strong fortress of Singapore on February 14, 1942.

Thus, another chapter in the history of Jehovah’s people in Singapore and Malaya was closed. George Powell ended up in an internment camp in Thailand, along with Ted Sewell. Jimmy James and his wife, together with Frank Hill, were imprisoned by the Japanese in Singapore. Other families, including Win Hill and her children, were able to leave Singapore before the invasion and go to Australia. Some went to England. Others, including most of the Frank family, escaped to India, with what belongings they could carry.

Revival of the Witness Work

Less than two years after the end of World War II, on March 28-29, 1947, Nathan H. Knorr, then president of the Society, and Milton G. Henschel, his secretary, visited Singapore as part of their round-the-world service tour. Would anyone be there to meet them?

Yes, Frank Dewar, pioneer and ex-member of the Lightbearer crew, was on hand to greet them. But he was not alone. Jimmy James, whose wife died in a prison camp, had come out of detention and was now employed in Singapore. Jimmy was the engineer and electrician at the famed Raffles Hotel, so here the visiting brothers were able to stay and meet with the few other brothers still in Singapore.

During their visit, Brothers Knorr and Henschel spoke to nine brothers and sisters at meetings and told them that two Gilead graduates were on their way and were due to arrive in Singapore shortly. So, on April 5, 1947, two Canadians, one from the seventh class of Gilead and the other from the eighth class, arrived to take up their missionary assignment in Singapore.

In this way the work was restarted after World War II. Shortly afterward, in March 1949, six more missionaries, from Gilead’s 11th class, arrived in Singapore. They were Les Franks and his two sisters, Aileen and Gladys; Norman Bellotti; and Alfred and Thelma Wicke, who of course felt they were coming back home.

But What of Malaya?

The work now began to progress well in Singapore, as each of the missionaries concentrated on conducting home Bible studies. Thus, during a second visit by Brothers Knorr and Henschel in April 1951, a convention was arranged with 72 in attendance; 307 came to the public talk in the city’s delightful Victoria Theatre. It was during this visit that a branch office was established to care for the Kingdom work not only in Singapore but also in Malaya and the British Borneo territories of Sabah and Sarawak. Now attention could be focused on Malaya. Six missionaries were assigned to the area. Two of them, James Rowe and Neil Crockett, were able to preach for one year in Kuala Lumpur, but the other four unfortunately were only allowed to stay one month, and they served in Penang. Why their stay was so short is a story in itself.

Missionaries in Kuala Lumpur

Early in 1951 the ship Steel King chugged into the port of Penang from New York with six missionaries aboard. At Penang the immigration officials inspected the passports of Brothers Crockett and Rowe and stamped them for a one-year stay in Malaya. However, when they checked the passports of the other four missionaries, it suddenly dawned on them how many missionaries of Jehovah’s Witnesses were entering the country. They told the missionaries that newly passed regulations would not allow foreign Witnesses to stay in the country. However, since the passports of Brothers Crockett and Rowe had already been stamped for a one-year stay, they were permitted to remain, but the other four were granted only a one-month stay in Penang, after which they were to leave the country and were reassigned to Thailand.

The branch assigned Brothers Crockett and Rowe to Kuala Lumpur. A missionary home was soon established at 25-A Klang Road, about two miles [3 km] from the city center. The city had only one active publisher, Sister Mackenzie, an elderly woman of Eurasian background. Imagine her joy when two missionaries joined her in service!

Although the truth had been preached to some extent in the 1930’s and early 1940’s, working the territory in 1951 seemed like preaching in virgin territory. The two missionary brothers were anxious to cover the territory as quickly as possible. With a keen desire to search for prospective sheep, they spent whole days as well as evenings preaching and calling back on interested ones. So it was not unusual for them to place a hundred books in a month. Thus, in a short time, each missionary was conducting 15 to 16 Bible studies per month. And after approximately six months, the first congregation was established, with as many as 14 attending the meetings.

Since Communist insurgents were active in Malaya about this time, it was deemed foolhardy for any Westerner to venture outside the city limits for fear of being ambushed and killed as a suspected plantation owner or colonial government official. However, Sister Mackenzie had a son George, who lived in a distant province, and he wanted to study the Bible. How could the missionaries visit him in view of the dangerous traveling conditions? Brother Crockett had an idea​—blend in with the local people. So he would board an old interprovince bus and seat himself among the other passengers, who had their clucking hens and squealing pigs with them. Many were the tense moments. Every time the bus would round a turn in the road, the passengers never knew what to expect. Perhaps they would run into an ambush and a hail of bullets. Thankfully, during the many months of traveling to study with George, no life-threatening incident occurred. Incidentally, George was eventually baptized and became a well-respected elder until his death in 1986.

All too soon for the two missionaries, their permit to stay in Malaya neared its expiration date. Would their request for an extension be granted? All hopes were dashed when the answer was no.

Thus, Brothers Crockett and Rowe sadly said good-bye to their Malayan family and boarded a boat for further missionary service in Thailand. Did their departure stop the work in Malaya?

Thankfully, no. There were also a few resident Witnesses in Malaya during the early 1950’s. They had returned and resettled after World War II. So it was arranged for the circuit overseer from Singapore to visit them periodically to keep them in touch with God’s organization and to build them up spiritually. Additionally, the brothers in Singapore arranged weekend campaigns to territories in Malaya, across the causeway, preaching in towns up to 150 miles [240 km] away.

Penang Again in the Spotlight

Word was received at the Singapore branch office that two young schoolgirls in Penang were showing unusual interest in the work of Jehovah’s people. They had obtained the book “The Truth Shall Make You Free” from the missionaries who had served there for one month. The circuit overseer, Les Franks from Singapore, was scheduled to visit Penang to assess the degree of interest of these two young girls. He was amazed at their depth of understanding and zeal. One of them had already laboriously typed out much of the book so that they could share the Kingdom message with others. They did not know how to obtain more copies, as their correspondence to the prewar Singapore address had been returned marked “Unknown.” They had even begun to go from door to door but had poor response and some rude rebuffs, mainly because of their lack of tact and training in how to approach householders and how to present the good news in an appealing way.

So it was arranged for Alfred and Thelma Wicke to move up from Singapore and establish a missionary home in Penang. This home would also serve as a depot to supply literature throughout Malaya. Soon a small congregation was organized. The two schoolgirls, Lee Siew Chan and Ng Yoon Chin, were delighted to have Brother and Sister Wicke with them and continued to make good progress. They attended a convention in Singapore in 1956, on the occasion of Brother Knorr’s third visit, and were both baptized there. When they finished their schooling, they both joined the pioneer ranks. Then they were thrilled to receive an invitation to attend the 31st class of Gilead, along with another pioneer from Singapore, Grace Sinnapillai. In 1958 they graduated from Gilead at the Divine Will International Assembly at Yankee Stadium, New York, and were then assigned back to Malaya to share in expanding the work there.

Kuala Lumpur Receives More Attention

Norman Bellotti and Gladys Franks had been serving as missionaries in Singapore since 1949. They married in 1955 and were later reassigned to Kuala Lumpur. This again established a foothold in Malaya’s capital city and enabled some of those who had shown interest four or five years earlier, during the year-long stay of missionaries Rowe and Crockett, to be contacted and gathered together.

Meanwhile, Les Franks, who was serving as circuit overseer, traveled up and down the west coast of Malaya. This was a dangerous time to travel because of the guerrilla warfare then being waged against the British colonial government. “When traveling by train,” Les reminisces, “my fellow passengers and I spent most of the time lying on the carriage floor, as the guerrillas would shoot indiscriminately from the jungle along the railroad track.” But it also had its lighter moments. Once, for example, when visiting a tin miner in charge of several dredges, Les turned on what he thought was his bedroom light. However, the switch he flicked had actually let loose a blaring warning siren and turned on emergency lights that flooded the entire compound. To his embarrassment, this brought all the residents to arms immediately, expecting a guerrilla attack.

In 1958, Les married Margaret Painton, an Australian missionary serving in Japan. They were now assigned to Kuala Lumpur, to take over from Norman and Gladys Bellotti, who were then moved to the city of Ipoh. The Bellottis helped establish the Ipoh Congregation, and then they were called back to Singapore for Norman to replace the branch servant.

The former branch servant had earlier married a fellow missionary. He had continued serving at the branch, but now that a baby was expected, it was necessary for him to take up secular work to provide for his family.

The steady, consistent work and good example set by these three missionary couples did much to put the Kingdom work on a good, solid footing, ready for the future increase that was to come.

A New Federation and a New Branch

As these theocratic developments were taking place, big political changes were also taking place throughout Malaya and Singapore. As explained earlier, Malaya obtained its independence from British rule in 1957, and six years later the Federation of Malaysia, which included Singapore, was born. But then, in 1965, Singapore withdrew from Malaysia to become an independent republic.

By 1972 it was considered necessary and expedient for a separate branch office of the Society to be established in Malaysia. The logical place for this seemed to be Penang, which, although not geographically central, was where the Society’s literature depot had functioned successfully for many years. Alfred Wicke was appointed as the branch overseer for the new Malaysia branch. At this time about 200 publishers were reporting in eight congregations throughout Malaysia.

This figure is not very large, considering it was four decades after the first missionaries had come to Malaysia. It is obvious that progress had been slow. One reason for this is that more than half the population of Malaysia are Muslims, and you will recall, the law forbids proselytizing among the Muslims by people of other religions. The rest of the population, predominantly Chinese and Indian, professes Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism, and the people are steeped in unscriptural traditions. The “Christian” minority are divided into many sects, and most are firmly under the control of their respective priests, pastors, and clergy.

Add to these problems the many languages and dialects, not to mention illiteracy, and it becomes clear why much time and patience are needed to help these humble people visualize new-world living and shake off the shackles of superstition and traditions. Among the Chinese, for example, veneration of parents is practiced during the parents’ lifetime and, quite often, after their death. So it is not unusual for a publisher to be told by a householder that he would like to become a Christian, but he would have to wait until his mother dies.​—Compare Matthew 8:21, 22.

New Branch Sees Good Progress

The first four service years after the new Malaysia branch was formed in 1972 saw an average increase of more than 20 percent each year. Then things leveled off, but by 1976 the figure had grown from about 200 to 433 active publishers of the Kingdom. Then the 500 mark in publishers was reached in 1980. Excitement grew in the 1989 service year when the 1,000-publisher total was reached in February, and then was surpassed by a peak of 1,102 before the service year ended. An all-time peak of those baptized in one year was also reached in 1991, with 164 symbolizing their dedication. The number of publishers has continued to grow, and a peak of 1,391 was reached in August 1992.

Although the primary credit for increase must go to Jehovah God, “who makes it grow,” the encouragement and example of faithfulness given by the traveling circuit and district overseers has nevertheless contributed greatly to the steady increase enjoyed over the years. (1 Cor. 3:6, 7) Circuit overseers in the early years of the branch included Les Franks, Robert Cunard, and Alfred Wicke, each of whom also served as district overseers. Others who have shared in circuit work over the years are Norman Bellotti, Michael Freegard, Michael Chew, Chow Yee See, Khoo Soo Theong, Koh Chye Seng, N. Sreetharan, and S. Thiyagaraja.

There are other faithful brothers and sisters who by their diligent efforts have helped turn isolated groups and even virgin territory into congregations. Liew Lai Keen arrived in Kuala Trengganu in 1971 to work as a teacher. Though all alone, he immediately began to preach from door to door, and eventually a congregation was formed. In 1971 special pioneer Michael Chew was reassigned to serve the small group of brothers in Klang. When he married, his wife, Karen, was also appointed as a special pioneer. By 1974 this small group became a congregation, and today there are two congregations in Klang. Back in 1975, Koh Chye Seng took up his first special pioneer assignment in Kuantan and soon developed the isolated group there into a congregation. Then, in 1985, Brother and Sister Chew were assigned to the isolated town of Sitiawan, which now has a thriving group.

A Breakthrough With Family Groups

Up until this time, most of the congregations were made up of young people who were still in school. Following their final exams and graduation from secondary school, many of these, both brothers and sisters, would move away to seek employment. Although this contributed to a lack of stability in the congregations, in no way should it detract from the faith and determination of such young ones.

For example, consider the teenager Tan Teng Koon. As soon as his parents found out that he was studying with the Witnesses, they began to persecute him. First he was scolded constantly. Then he was caned. All his literature was torn up. When he persisted in attending meetings, his bicycle was locked up to prevent his going. But he walked the two miles [3 km] to the Kingdom Hall. He had to hide all his literature. But his Bible was too bulky, so he cut it up into several “booklets.” Then he made a secret compartment in his schoolbag so that he could carry some of the booklets and hid the rest in the ceiling of his home. He thought he had found the perfect hiding place until it rained​—and soaked his literature! On one occasion while he was having a Bible study at the Kingdom Hall, his mother came and dragged him home. After that he arranged for his studies to be at different places and at different times. Today, Brother Teng Koon, now married with two children, serves as a ministerial servant.

The early 1970’s, however, began to see a gradual change​—whole families instead of individuals began to embrace the truth. Among the first was a Penang family, Tan Eng Hoe and his wife, Geok Har, with their three children. They both had Methodist backgrounds, and Sister Tan had also been the church organist for several years. The family faced an uphill struggle and much opposition from all their relatives when they took their stand for the truth, but they stood firm. This in turn encouraged other families to embrace the truth. Philip and Lily Kwa and their two children were another such family. Today both Brothers Kwa and Tan serve as elders.

Branch Location Moves and Expands

The Society does not own the Bethel Home facilities in Malaysia but has rented suitable properties over the years. When the branch began operating in 1972, the Penang Congregation had recently purchased their own Kingdom Hall. The hall occupied the lower floor of a fine two-story semidetached building at the end of a row of duplex houses. In addition to the spacious hall on the ground floor, there was a room at the rear suitable for literature storage, while the upstairs could serve as living quarters. The Society had rented these sections of the building from the Penang Congregation for use as a missionary home and literature depot. So when the new branch was established, the missionary home and literature depot became the Bethel Home and office. This worked out very well, and things went along smoothly for several years. But, for a number of reasons, it became necessary to move the branch office away from the Penang Kingdom Hall. Actually, two such moves became necessary over the next few years, but each move was to another location not far away, so the Bethel headquarters still remained on the pleasant island of Penang.

By the early 1980’s, however, it was felt that a more central location for the branch office would be beneficial and could provide more efficient oversight of the Kingdom work. So efforts got under way to locate suitable premises in the area of Kuala Lumpur​—the nation’s capital.

Suitable places were not easy to rent. But in 1982, two nearly completed two-story duplexes were located at Klang, about 20 miles [30 km] from Kuala Lumpur. Only one section of each duplex was available for rent at the time, but one section was ideal for a Bethel Home and branch office, and the other could be used for shipping and storage. As is often the case with new buildings, there were several construction delays, but finally, on July 1, 1983, the transfer was made from Penang to Klang. Then, in February 1986, another section of the first duplex became available for rent. This now gave the branch one complete duplex and the adjacent section of the second building. Then, in early 1989, the final section of the second duplex also became available for rent. So now the branch has two fine two-story duplexes adjacent to each other, providing extra space for offices, shipping, and storage, as well as accommodations for additional Bethel staff.

Pioneer Response Parallels Increase

From the start of the branch’s operation in 1972, there has been a correlation between the response to the full-time pioneer work and the increase in the number of Kingdom preachers. Of the 214 preaching on the average in that year, 32 were in the regular or special pioneer work. The number of pioneers kept increasing steadily until the 1975 service year, when, of the 373 publishers, there was a peak of 64 pioneers.

Then for the next seven years, the number of pioneers dropped steadily until the figure of 50 was reached in 1982. From that time, however, there has been a steady increase in full-time workers each year, until now we rejoice to see 123 in the pioneer service. Response to the auxiliary pioneer work has also been quite dramatic over the same period. One of the best years recently saw a peak of 239 auxiliary pioneers, in May 1988.

The following experience is typical of the growing heartfelt desire to share in the pioneer service.

“Whenever I read about pioneer experiences in the Society’s publications, I found that my desire to become a full-time servant of Jehovah was aroused. I would even search for articles about pioneering in older issues of the magazines. For two years continuously, my husband had been an auxiliary pioneer while holding a part-time job. I was working full-time, and this provided the extra income needed to maintain us. I realized, however, that unless I also obtained a part-time job, full-time service would not be possible. My husband and I searched in vain, since part-time employment in our locality was very scarce.

“Prayerfully I approached my employer, suggesting that I work part-time, since most of the time I had very little to do in the office. But to my disappointment the answer was a flat no! A year went by. One day my husband told me that this may now be the time for both of us to enter the full-time service because he had obtained a new part-time job that could probably support us both, and so there might be no need for me even to get part-time work. He reminded me that success in pioneering is mainly a matter of faith that Jehovah will care and provide for us. (Matt. 6:33) So he suggested that I resign from my full-time job. That month in the field, we located several new Bible studies. This prompted me to approach my employer again. My husband and I set the first day of the next month as the time we would both begin serving as regular pioneers. Ten days before the end of the month, I presented my request to my employer, but he again rejected it. So I explained to him that under the circumstances I had no choice but to resign, as I was going to join my husband in full-time service to God from the first day of the next month.

“Immediately his expression changed. He asked me to hold back my resignation, as he wanted to consider my proposal. That afternoon he called me into his office and suggested that I could work afternoons, five days a week, while he would employ a new clerk to take over my daily routine work. I was speechless! That was exactly what I had in mind to recommend to him! He even added that I could work under this new arrangement as long as I wished. That evening, when I informed my husband, he too was dumbfounded. Jehovah certainly seemed to have answered our prayers and opened the way for us to become regular pioneers.”

Early District Conventions Pose Difficulties

The first district convention planned under the new Malaysia branch arrangement was at Petaling Jaya in December 1972. One matter that caused some concern was that all public gatherings except those at recognized places of worship required a permit. Such a permit was promised for the proposed convention, since it was religious. However, the required permit was denied only one day before the convention was to start.

The branch office, though, had a contingency plan: Use two private homes and the two Kingdom Halls at Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. The audience was divided into nine groups: The Chinese-speaking group had their sessions each morning, four of the eight English-speaking groups had theirs in the afternoons, and the other four groups used the evenings.

The following year it was again difficult to obtain the necessary permits. Nevertheless, in October 1973 it was possible to hold the “Divine Victory” Assembly in Ipoh, where the peak attendance was 320. From then on, because of the difficulty in obtaining suitable convention facilities in other towns, Ipoh became the regular district convention location for nearly ten years. But in due course other places became available for convention use, and in August 1983, soon after the transfer of the branch office from Penang to Klang, two “Kingdom Unity” District Conventions were held. One of these, at Petaling Jaya, was entirely in Chinese, and the other, at Klang, was in English. The combined attendance on Sunday afternoon for the public talk at the two conventions was 966.

Purchase of Kingdom Halls, a Landmark

Rented places for use as Kingdom Halls have served their purpose well and continue to do so. But the purchase of a Kingdom Hall for a congregation’s exclusive use adds a feeling of permanence in the eyes of interested ones and appreciation in the hearts of the brothers and sisters.

As mentioned earlier, the Penang Congregation was able to purchase its own Kingdom Hall about one year before the formation of the Malaysia branch in 1972. Over the years the original hall had been enlarged and extended twice, to accommodate the growth of the congregation. Four years before this, however, the Kuala Lumpur Congregation was able to purchase office space on the second floor of an eight-story building for use as their Kingdom Hall. This large, distinguished building, with the impressive name Selangor Mansion, was on the bank of the Gombak River, and the Kingdom Hall was on the side of the building that overlooked the river. It could comfortably seat 80 people, and of course, many more could be accommodated for special occasions, especially if the seats were placed very close together in typical Malay or Indian style. The brothers were delighted to have their own hall, especially in such an imposing building. They moved into the hall in September 1967.

Actually, Selangor Mansion was already well-known to the brothers, since for two years an apartment on the seventh floor of the building had been used as a missionary home for four sisters, Gilead-trained missionaries Lee Siew Chan and Grace Sinnapillai (now Grace John) and various special pioneers. As the congregation grew, this seventh-floor apartment also came to be used as a second classroom for the Theocratic Ministry School, which proved very convenient​—even though the speakers were sometimes out of breath whenever the elevator did not work!

However, the Kingdom Hall was becoming uncomfortably overcrowded. Temporary relief was achieved by purchasing an adjoining apartment and removing a wall, thus enlarging the hall, but by the mid-1980’s a larger hall was badly needed. The brothers combed the city and outskirts thoroughly and were rewarded when they finally located a four-story corner office building, which had been built in 1985. Because of the downturn in property values, the building was now being offered for sale at about 60 percent of its original market value! And so, with generous contributions and loans from the brothers as well as a Society loan, the building was purchased, and a new Kingdom Hall, large enough to accommodate an audience of 220, was dedicated on September 9, 1989.

Further, three additional Kingdom Halls were purchased by congregations. Two of these were also dedicated during 1989​—one at Ipoh and the other at Bukit Mertajam—​whereas the Kingdom Hall at Klang was dedicated during the visit of Lyman Swingle of the Governing Body on January 17, 1991. The original Kuala Lumpur hall in Selangor Mansion continues to be used by the smaller Chinese congregation in that city. Kingdom Halls were also built in Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia, one at Keningau and the other at Kuching. Now there are ten congregation-owned Kingdom Halls throughout Malaysia.

Special Visits Build Up

Annual visits by zone overseers have always been very much appreciated by the brothers, particularly by the responsible ones serving at Bethel. They have also enjoyed visits by experienced brothers from nearby branches. On some of the zone visits, they have been specially blessed by having brothers from the Governing Body serve them.

Just a few years after the branch began operation, Nathan H. Knorr and his wife, Audrey, along with Frederick W. Franz and five others from the United States, visited Penang in January 1975. Though Brother Knorr had visited Singapore and Kuala Lumpur previously, this was his and Brother Franz’ first visit to Penang. The four members of the small Bethel family were thrilled with the visit, and all the missionaries in the country were invited to Penang for a special meeting and missionary meal. On the final night of the visit, 226 crowded into the Kingdom Hall in Penang to hear talks by the two traveling brothers. The audience was made up of brothers from many parts of Malaysia as well as some from Indonesia.

In subsequent years they have enjoyed visits from Lloyd Barry, Albert Schroeder, Lyman Swingle, and John Booth​—all members of the Governing Body—​each in his own way bringing rich spiritual refreshment and encouragement to the Bethel family, thousands of miles from Brooklyn headquarters.

The Inerasable Record of Early Missionaries

As with many countries and branches whose development began chiefly in the years following World War II, the zeal, faith, and example of integrity and tenacity of the early Gilead-trained missionaries can never be forgotten. It is largely on the foundation of their diligent, at times seemingly thankless, work that God has brought the increase. This is true in Malaysia. Consider the following missionaries.

Les and Margaret Franks: Brother Franks served first in Singapore and in Malaysia as circuit overseer. After marriage, he and Margaret served for five years in Kuala Lumpur, where there are now three flourishing congregations. In 1962 they were reassigned to Taiping, then six years later to Kuala Lumpur’s satellite town Petaling Jaya, to help develop the small group there into a congregation. This was achieved in 1974, and now two thriving congregations preach the good news in this materially prosperous town. In 1983 Brother and Sister Franks returned to New Zealand, where they continue faithfully in full-time service.​—See Les Franks’ life story in The Watchtower, November 15, 1958.

Alfred and Thelma Wicke: Brother Wicke first served in Singapore, then in Penang for two years preceding World War II. Thelma served with him in Penang and Malaya after their marriage. They were forced to return to Australia during the war years, where they kept on in full-time service. Following Gilead training, in 1949 they were reassigned to Singapore and then later to Penang. Brother Wicke served at the branch office from its establishment in 1972, first as branch servant, then as Branch Committee coordinator, until Sister Wicke’s failing health with Alzheimer’s disease made necessary their reassignment to Bethel service in Australia. There Thelma can be better cared for by the branch infirmary.​—See Alfred Wicke’s interesting life story in The Watchtower, August 1, 1961.

Norman and Gladys Bellotti: Brother and Sister Bellotti served in Singapore and in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh, subsequently returning to Singapore to care for duties in the branch office. Next, they served for seven years as missionaries in Indonesia and later went to Papua New Guinea. In early 1986, Brother Bellotti began his fight with a terminal illness and finally fell asleep in death in April 1987. Sister Bellotti gallantly continues on, serving faithfully in her pioneer assignment in Brisbane, Australia.

Michael Freegard and Peter Price: In 1957 two fresh-faced English brothers arrived in Kuching, Sarawak, following their Gilead training. They did fine work there for two years before being reassigned to Malacca. Both eventually married zealous Chinese sisters and continued their missionary service until families came along. Brother Freegard now lives in England with his family, where he serves as an elder in a London congregation. After their sons grew up, Brother and Sister Price began serving at the Australia Bethel, where Brother Price cares for the Hospital Information Desk.

Unusual Efforts to Embrace the Truth

There is amazing similarity in the way most of the brothers and sisters in Malaysia took their stand for the truth. Either they were first contacted when young, usually still at school, and faced severe, violent family opposition, or they began to study with the Witnesses while a husband, wife, or other family member showed opposition. In most cases, Christlike endurance has paid off, and gradually the opposition decreased and eventually ceased altogether. Some of the parents and marriage mates who opposed so bitterly at first are now themselves dedicated Witnesses.

More than a few people have put forth great effort to learn the truth. For example, a special pioneer contacted a young woman who worked as a housemaid for long hours each day, from daylight until around midnight. However, the housemaid developed such a hunger for the truth that she soon requested three studies a week. As she made spiritual progress, she plucked up courage to ask her employer for time off to attend meetings. She was given permission as long as her housework did not suffer. This meant that to be free on meeting nights, she had to work extra hard, even missing her midday meal, and then run more than half a mile [1 km] to get to the Kingdom Hall on time. She would rise at 5:30 each morning to give herself an hour for study before starting work. She has recently begun sharing regularly in the preaching activity.

Some have learned the truth in an unusual way. One experience involves a Pentecostal church member who found an old Bible in a rubbish dump. It was a version in which Jehovah’s name appeared throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. So when one of our sisters called and used the name Jehovah in her discussion, the woman readily accepted the offer of a home Bible study. Her fellow church members tried hard to discourage her from studying with the Witnesses, but she did not want to tell the sister to stop calling. Instead, she decided to pray and ask the Lord to stop the study. Her fellow church members offered similar prayers. These prayers had no effect, and our sister kept on visiting her.

The interested person now began to wonder whether the prayers of Jehovah’s Witnesses and their God, Jehovah, were more powerful than hers. So she continued with her study and was delighted with the logical answers to her many questions. At the same time, she kept on attending her church, however, for she was deeply involved with speaking in tongues. But she confessed that each time she spoke in another tongue at church, she was distressed because she immediately felt so tired and drained of energy. Then she would develop splitting headaches and behave as though drunk and would vomit. Even when she prayed at home, her tongue would uncontrollably roll off words she could not understand. Then at night she began to see visions, supposedly of Jesus, and she became very frightened.

When she learned, with the help of the book Reasoning From the Scriptures, that her visions were not of Jesus but were undoubtedly evil spirits, she resolved that when she was troubled in this way again, she would call aloud on the name of Jehovah. So at the next Pentecostal meeting, when others were chanting “Praise the Lord!” she called out, “Praise Jehovah!” To her amazement, while all the others began to speak in tongues, she did not. “What am I doing here?” she then asked herself. “This is obviously not the true religion.” From that day on, she has never returned to the Pentecostal Church and now is a baptized publisher of the good news.

Another experience is of a Catholic lady who was progressing well in her Bible study with the Witnesses. She was particularly impressed when she learned that the Trinity is a pagan doctrine. The local priest called and demanded that she stop studying with the Witnesses and instead attend Bible discussions at the Catholic Church. She told him she was learning from the Bible things she had never heard at church. Then she said to him: “All right, if I stop studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses, will you come and teach me the Bible once a week?” He replied quite angrily: “Do you think that you are so important that I, the priest, should come all the way here to teach you the Bible each week?” The discussion then became quite lively as the lady began to raise Bible questions that he could not answer. Finally, he made a feeble attempt to prove that today no one can really adhere to God’s Word, saying: “If you want to follow the Bible, you shouldn’t eat rice [as most Malaysians do]. Did Jesus eat bread or rice?” But instead of being impressed, his lost parishioner countered: “That is the most stupid argument I have ever heard.” At that the priest jumped up from his chair and stamped out of her house. This sincere erstwhile Catholic continues to make good progress with her home Bible study and has now severed all connections with the church.

Bethel Personnel Grows as Branch Expands

When the office at Penang changed its function in 1972 from serving as a literature depot under the Singapore branch to operating as a branch office for all of Malaysia, there were just 200 publishers. Thus, it was possible for Alfred and Thelma Wicke to care for the office and still devote some of their time to the field service as missionaries. But as the number of publishers grew, so did the amount of administrative work and other duties at the branch office. Since 1972 the Bethel family has grown and now consists of ten members.

The Branch Committee arrangement came into operation in 1976, and the committee appointed by the Governing Body was initially Les Franks, Robert Cunard, and Alfred Wicke, with Brother Wicke serving as coordinator. The committee was later increased to four members, who are currently Robert Cunard, Foo Chee Kang, Koh Chye Seng, and Ng Hock Siew. Brother Koh and his wife had attended the 73rd class of Gilead in 1982 and had been assigned back to Malaysia in circuit work. When Brother Wicke realized that he would have to leave his service in Malaysia in the foreseeable future because of Sister Wicke’s deteriorating health, Brother and Sister Koh were invited into the Bethel family. Later, Brother Koh was appointed as a member of the Branch Committee. Then, when Brother and Sister Wicke left Malaysia to return to Australia in October 1989, Brother Koh was appointed as Branch Committee coordinator.

The Truth Spreads to Sabah and Sarawak

No record of the work in Malaysia would be complete without recounting the patient endurance and diligent efforts put forth by many brothers and sisters of outstanding faith over the last 35 years to have the good news preached in East Malaysia. As can be seen on the map, East Malaysia is separated geographically from Peninsular Malaysia by the South China Sea and is made up of the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the north and northwest coast of the large island of Borneo.

Both of these places have much that is unique to offer the visiting tourist. A noted feature of Sabah is its more than 13,000-foot [4,000 m]-high Mount Kinabalu. Sarawak, on the other hand, which was once known as the Land of the Headhunters, is today renowned for its fascinating longhouses. These are long structures made of hardwood and palm leaves, built on sturdy stilts, and usually situated on a riverbank at the fringe of the jungle. Each longhouse may have 40 or more dwellings side by side along a common hallway. This enables many families to live in the one long building.

As far back as the early 1950’s, there were members of two Witness families in Sabah. They lived in the capital, Jesselton, which has since had a name change to Kota Kinabalu. Then, in 1956, three dedicated brothers from the Philippines came to Sabah on a work contract and settled in the seaport town of Tawau. Their wives followed shortly afterward. Over the next few years, more brothers and their families came from the Philippines as part of their secular work. They began witnessing to others, and in due course a congregation was formed. The result was that by 1963 there were 28 publishers in Tawau.

For more than 20 years, the congregation used as their Kingdom Hall the home of one of the original brothers who had come from the Philippines. Then, in 1983, another meeting place was located on the second floor of a commercial building. While the new location was much more accessible​—especially in the monsoon season—​it had poor ventilation, hence was extremely hot. It was also very noisy and dusty because of the tire and car repair shops on the floor below. Happily, a large two-story house became available for rent in January 1985. The Tawau Congregation continued to grow spiritually and numerically over the years and now has 62 publishers.

In 1984 Brother and Sister Lua, who had been serving as special pioneers in Malacca, were reassigned to the Tawau Congregation. Their presence in the congregation, together with their strong lead in field service, gave a real boost to the congregation. Brother Lua has also been able to serve as substitute circuit overseer in Sabah at various times.

But the Tawau Congregation has also been greatly encouraged by another two devoted pioneer sisters. One of these is Sister Gan Yam Hwa, who came from Peninsular Malaysia as a pioneer in 1985. The other is Sister Victoria Ico, who was baptized in 1947 in the Philippines. In 1988 she moved from Tawau to the rural town of Keningau, which is one of the places where the brothers have built their own Kingdom Hall. This newly built hall was first used for the 1989 Memorial celebration and was dedicated on June 1 of that year.

The second congregation established in Sabah is at Kota Kinabalu, where the witness work had its small beginning in the 1950’s. There are now 71 publishers and 6 pioneers serving in this congregation. So with these two congregations and the five isolated groups in the towns of Keningau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, and Kota Belud, and on the island of Labuan, the work is on a solid footing in the state of Sabah. The peak number of publishers, including pioneers, has now reached 180.

The sister state of Sarawak resembles Sabah in many ways. It also has five isolated groups. But it has three congregations​—one of which has also built its own Kingdom Hall.

Both Sabah and Sarawak first received visits by circuit overseers from Singapore in the mid-1950’s. Then, two young English missionaries from the 28th class of Gilead, Michael Freegard and Peter Price, were assigned to Kuching, Sarawak’s capital. They arrived there in October 1957 and set up a missionary home. They obtained visas for one year and then had no trouble renewing them for the following year. But their application for the next extension was turned down with no explanation offered, and so reluctantly they had to leave Sarawak in November 1959. They were reassigned to Malacca to continue their missionary work.

Nevertheless, after their two years in Kuching, they were able to leave behind the nucleus of a congregation, with up to 25 attending the regular meetings held at the missionary home, and several of those they studied with were also sharing regularly in field service. During their time in Sarawak, the tract Man’s Only Hope for Peace was translated into the Iban language and was subsequently printed by the Society. The tract was distributed widely up the Rajang River and to the remote places in the interior of the state, where Iban is the only language spoken and understood.

The translation had been done by Eliab Bayang, the father of a large Iban, or Sea Dyak, family, who learned the truth from one of the missionaries. When Eliab Bayang died, he made provision in his will to bequeath a fine block of land to the Kuching Congregation. An attractive Kingdom Hall now stands on that site.

And so the Kingdom work also continues to grow steadily in Sarawak. The congregations are at Kuching, Miri, and Sibu, and the five isolated groups are at Bintulu, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Kapit, and Nanga Medamit. In the whole state, there are now 167 publishers and 16 pioneers serving faithfully.

Precious People Continue to Be Produced

Indeed, multicultural Malaysia has already produced many precious people. The prophet Haggai wrote under inspiration: “The desirable things of all the nations must come in.” (Hag. 2:7) Of course, the ratio of population to publishers is still quite high at about 1 Kingdom publisher to every 13,500 people, but the end is not yet, and we wait with interest to see what Jehovah will yet do before the sudden outbreak of the great tribulation.

Meanwhile, the zealous band of 1,391 Witnesses, now serving in 36 congregations and groups throughout this fascinating territory, will continue to spread the good news so that, with Jehovah’s help, many more precious people may yet be found.

[Footnotes]

[Charts on page 252]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

MALAYSIA

Average Pioneer Chart

211

66

30

17

6

1958 1960 1970 1980 1992

Peak Publisher Chart

1,391

514

168

80

 32

1958 1960 1970 1980 1992

[Maps on page 208]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

MALAYSIA

Capital: Kuala Lumpur

Official Languages: Bahasa Malaysia and English

Major Religion: Islam

Population: 18,687,000

Branch Office: Klang

MALAYSIA

PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Penang

Ipoh

PERAK

Kuala Lumpur

Klang

Strait of Malacca

THAILAND

Singapore

SUMATRA

[Map]

MALAYSIA

Kota Kinabalu

BRUNEI

SABAH

SARAWAK

Rajang River

Kuching

South China Sea

PHILIPPINES

BORNEO

[Picture on page 213]

Ted Sewell and his wife, Isabell. Ted helped to spearhead the good news in the late 1930’s

[Picture on page 216]

George Powell worked in the Singapore depot from 1939 to 1941

[Pictures on page 220]

The famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore, where on their first visit in March 1947, Milton Henschel and Nathan Knorr announced that Gilead graduates were on their way

[Picture on page 221]

In 1956, Brother Knorr made his third visit to Singapore. With him was Don Adams from the headquarters staff

[Picture on page 222]

Neil Crockett and James Rowe arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, in 1951, to begin their missionary assignment

[Pictures on page 224]

Alfred and Thelma Wicke with Lloyd Barry, right, who was serving as zone overseer in August 1956. In the background is the old Chinese school used for meetings in Penang

Alfred and Thelma Wicke in 1989

[Picture on page 225]

Motorized bikes, called Cyclemasters, were used to spread the good news. Thelma Wicke, in 1951, is ready to start her day of preaching in Singapore

[Picture on page 226]

From left, Lee Siew Chan, Grace Sinnapillai and Ng Yoon Chin, graduates of Gilead’s 31st class in 1958, who helped expand the Kingdom message

[Picture on page 227]

Norman and Gladys Bellotti, missionaries since 1949, established a Kingdom foothold in Kuala Lumpur. They later served in Indonesia and in Papua New Guinea

[Picture on page 228]

Les Franks served as a traveling overseer, and after his marriage to Margaret, they both served in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya

[Picture on page 230]

Kingdom Hall and the missionary home of Brother and Sister Bellotti in Ipoh in 1960

[Picture on pages 236, 237]

Branch office and Bethel Home in Klang, 20 miles from Kuala Lumpur

[Picture on page 236]

Some Kingdom Halls are located inside high-rise buildings, such as this one in Kuala Lumpur

[Picture on page 243]

Missionaries who served in Singapore and Malaysia gathered outside the site of the 1958 Divine Will District Assembly in Singapore

[Picture on page 250]

Douglas King, center, serving as zone overseer, visiting with missionaries Peter Price and Michael Freegard in 1959

[Picture on page 251]

Branch Committee. From left, Ng Hock Siew, Foo Chee Kang, Robert Cunard, and Koh Chye Seng

Organizing for Further Expansion

DURING the past hundred years and more, there have been significant adjustments in the operation of Jehovah’s visible organization. For example, a theocratic structure in the congregations was adopted throughout the earth in 1938, and further refinements were made in 1972. Then, to give better supervision to the Kingdom work worldwide, the Governing Body established its six committees and appointed branch committees in 1976. Since then, the peak number of publishers has risen from 2,248,390 in 1976 to 4,472,787 in 1992. And the Memorial attendance during those same years has more than doubled from 4,972,571 to 11,431,171.

So, it was the time for another step to be taken to care for the anticipated further expansion of Jehovah’s organization. Thus, the following announcement appeared in the April 15, 1992, issue of The Watchtower.

“The members of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, at present 12 in number, continue to serve faithfully in their assignments. They are always thankful to the loyal members of the increasing ‘great crowd’ for their zealous support. (Revelation 7:9, 15) In view of the tremendous increase worldwide, it seems appropriate at this time to provide the Governing Body with some additional assistance. Therefore it has been decided to invite several helpers, mainly from among the great crowd, to share in the meetings of [five] of the Governing Body Committees, that is, the Personnel, Publishing, Service, Teaching, and Writing Committees. Thus, the number attending the meetings of each of these committees will be increased to seven or eight. Under the direction of the Governing Body committee members, these assistants will take part in discussions and will carry out various assignments given them by the committee. This new arrangement goes into effect May 1, 1992.

“For many years now, the number of the remnant of anointed Witnesses has been decreasing, while the number of the great crowd has increased beyond our grandest expectations. (Isaiah 60:22) How we thank Jehovah for this marvelous expansion! When the new name, Jehovah’s Witnesses, was gratefully accepted in 1931, the peak number of Kingdom publishers was 39,372, most of whom professed to be anointed brothers of Christ. (Isaiah 43:10-12; Hebrews 2:11) Sixty years later, in 1991, the worldwide peak of publishers was 4,278,820, of whom only 8,850 professed to be of the anointed remnant. As anticipated in the light of the Scriptures, the ‘great crowd’ now outnumber the remnant of the ‘little flock’ by more than 480 to 1. (Luke 12:32; Revelation 7:4-9) In caring for the expanding Kingdom interests, the remnant surely need and appreciate the cooperation and support of the great crowd.

“As explained in this issue of The Watchtower, there is a group serving with spiritual Israel today that is comparable to the Nethinim and the sons of the servants of Solomon who returned from Babylonian exile with the Jewish remnant; those non-Israelites even outnumbered the returning Levites. (Ezra 2:40-58; 8:15-20) ‘Given ones’ from among today’s great crowd are mature Christian men who have had considerable experience as a result of caring for oversight in branches, in the traveling work, and among the 66,000 congregations now established throughout the earth.

“Recently, Kingdom Ministry Schools were held worldwide for the instruction of overseers and their assisting ministerial servants. In the United States alone, 59,420 overseers attended. These ‘older men’ were thus equipped to fulfill their responsibilities more effectively.​—1 Peter 5:1-3; compare Ephesians 4:8, 11.

“At the Brooklyn headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, some ‘given ones’ have served for a great many years. These include mature overseers from the great crowd who have gained a wealth of ability and experience. Thus, the Governing Body has selected a few of such overseers to assist in the meetings of the Governing Body’s committees. These are not necessarily the men with the longest record of service. Rather, they are mature, experienced men with qualifications that fit them for giving assistance in particular fields. Their being assigned to work with a committee does not give them a special status. As Jesus said concerning his disciples, ‘all you are brothers.’ (Matthew 23:8) However, much will be entrusted to these men, and consequently ‘much will be demanded’ of them.​—Luke 12:48.

“We rejoice in the forward march of Jehovah’s organization today. Over the past ten years, there has been almost a 100 percent increase in the number of those ministering in the field, in line with the prophecy concerning the Greater David, Jesus Christ: ‘Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.’ (Isaiah 9:7, King James Version) In the same way that the Nethinim worked alongside the priests in repairing the walls of Jerusalem, so today the prophecy concerning Jehovah’s organization is being fulfilled: ‘And foreigners will actually build your walls.’ (Isaiah 60:10; Nehemiah 3:22, 26) The modern-day Nethinim are to be commended for the zeal that they show in building up true worship, assisting ‘the priests of Jehovah’ in whatever work or service may be assigned in Jehovah’s worldwide organization.​—Isaiah 61:5, 6.”

Jehovah is continuing to make our worldwide brotherhood grow, and we are deeply grateful for his blessing upon the efforts of all his servants worldwide. Further expansion can confidently be expected as Jehovah ‘speeds it up in its time.’​—Isa. 60:22; 1 Cor. 3:6.

May all of us move forward together in line with our 1993 yeartext: “Instruct me, O Jehovah . . . Unify my heart to fear your name.”​—Ps. 86:11.

We appreciate your works of love, and we are happy to be walking with you in the way of the truth.

Your brothers,

Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses