February

Meetings for Field Service

FEBRUARY 4-10

How can we increase time in field service

1. Each week?

2. On the weekends?

3. For a whole month?

FEBRUARY 11-17

When offering books

1. What specific talking points will you use?

2. What illustrations could you use?

FEBRUARY 18-24

Street witnessing

1. When can it be done?

2. How can it be effective?

3. How do you approach individuals?

FEBRUARY 25–MARCH 3

How will you

1. Start the conversation?

2. Make the literature offer?

Topic for Conversation

God’s Kingdom​—The Hope for Mankind.

Matt. 6:10​—We pray for the Kingdom.

Dan. 2:44​—What it will do.

Boldly Extend the Invitation to “Come!”

¹ Fast-moving events worldwide identify these times as “the last days.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5) The rise in crime, economic instability, and life-threatening diseases have added their pressure. But happily, in the face of such woes, people are being extended an invitation that could affect them everlastingly. The spirit and the bride continue to say: “Come!” And now “a great crowd” have joined them in extending an open invitation to people everywhere to come and take life’s water free.​—Rev. 7:9; 22:17.

² Today, those thirsting for righteousness are responding to this invitation in great numbers. Last year millions attended the district conventions held worldwide, and almost ten million were present at the Memorial. Millions of others are showing appreciation for Jehovah’s provision by listening to the Kingdom message. How important, then, that we use our time wisely in extending this invitation publicly and from house to house!​—Acts 5:42; Eph. 5:15, 16.

BOLDLY PARTICIPATE

³ The early Christians were persecuted because of their zealous preaching. (Acts 16:19-21; 17:2-8) However, they did not let up in their bold efforts to announce the good news. We likewise must be bold and determined in our efforts to get the good news preached.

⁴ Even in countries where the work is under ban, the brothers are sharing wholeheartedly in the preaching work despite severe persecution, including the possible loss of jobs, homes, and even their freedom. Their fine example serves to encourage us to continue inviting others to “Come!”​—2 Thess. 3:9.

⁵ For more than 35 years after learning the truth, one sister maintained the heart desire to pioneer. Her personal circumstances changed when she was 70 years old, and she became a regular pioneer. Although few people at that age would undertake a new career, she did so. Having enjoyed the full-time ministry now for a number of years, she says, “It gets better every day.” She has brought spiritual refreshment to others because of fearlessly accepting Jehovah’s invitation to reach out and share more fully in Kingdom service.

⁶ As in the first century, people today are responding to this invitation, transforming their thinking, making over their minds, and giving up God-dishonoring practices. They become part of a dedicated international brotherhood of Witnesses and join with the spirit and the bride in saying “Come!” to yet other honesthearted people.

⁷ The vast increase in the Kingdom work and the expansion of branch offices in various lands give evidence of Jehovah’s blessing. But time is running out for this old system. Now is the opportune time to demonstrate boldness and zeal in extending the invitation to “Come!” so that others may respond quickly and act upon what is heard.​—Acts 20:26, 27; Rom. 12:11.

Fulfilling Our Kingdom Ministry as Jehovah’s Witnesses

¹ As Jehovah’s Witnesses we have the greatest privilege on earth. We represent Jehovah in a universal court case that puts on trial all of those worshiped as gods. (Isa. 41:1, 23; 43:12) To help us make a worthy defense of our hope, Jehovah has provided a well-stocked library of publications. (1 Pet. 3:15) The Watch Tower Publications Index is an important key to finding the information we need. Familiarity with some of its principal features will help us become more skilled in its use.

² All of us should be well acquainted with the main heading “Jehovah.” Under that heading in the 1986-1989 Index, can you find references explaining Jehovah’s temporary permission of what is bad? Also, you will find the centered heading “Name” in both the 1930-1985 Index and the current Index. References to everything published about the name Jehovah are collected here.

³ Another heading of major importance is “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” It brings together references about Jehovah’s Witnesses as an organization. Do you know what our official view is on advanced education, autopsies, killing in self-defense, or public welfare assistance? You will find references for such questions under the subheading “attitude toward—.” Further along are listed modern histories of Jehovah’s Witnesses in various countries, and an extensive list of comments about Jehovah’s Witnesses is found under the centered heading “Statements by Others.”

⁴ Information on how Jehovah’s people in modern times have fulfilled their Kingdom ministry can be traced using several principal headings. Under the heading “Dates,” there is a centered heading “Clarification of Beliefs.” References for major clarifications of our understanding on doctrines, prophecy, and prophetic types are listed in order by year. “Dates of Prophetic Significance” follows almost immediately. These are years when prophecies or prophetic types were fulfilled or began to be fulfilled.

⁵ Life stories of faithful servants of Jehovah are a source of encouragement and instruction for us. They can help us lay a solid foundation for the future in our children and our Bible students. You will find these life stories listed by personal name and article title under “Life Stories of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

⁶ Unique to Jehovah’s people is the Scriptural teaching of two destinies for those approved by Jehovah​—a heavenly one and an earthly one. The principal heading under which we find references about those who have received “the heavenly calling” is “Congregation of God.” (Heb. 3:1; Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:15) Other headings are “Remnant” and “144,000.” Two headings, “Great Crowd” and “Other Sheep,” are the primary ones pointing to information dealing with those whose hope is everlasting life on earth.​—Rev. 7:9; John 10:16.

⁷ Whether we are young or old, the privilege of being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses involves every aspect of life. Future articles in Our Kingdom Ministry will show how the Index can help us in our ministry, in the congregation, within the family, and in the field.

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 4

Song 92

10 min: Local announcements and selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. As time permits, suggest ways to present current magazines in local territory. Encourage participation in field service this weekend.

15 min: “Boldly Extend the Invitation to ‘Come!’” Question-and-answer discussion and demonstrations. Cover material in Our Kingdom Ministry article, highlighting application of yeartext, Revelation 22:17. Present two brief demonstrations to suggest ways of making current literature offer in local territory.

10 min: “Praising Jehovah in Song.” Encouraging talk based on article. Use songs on this evening’s program to illustrate points made in article.

10 min: Local needs or talk based on “Why Pursue Righteousness?” in The Watchtower, October 15, 1990, pages 26-9.

Song 20 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 11

Song 193

10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report. Include expressions of appreciation for congregation’s generosity in caring for local needs, and convey to the brothers the Society’s acknowledgments of contributions that have been sent in.

20 min: “Presenting the Good News​—By Street Witnessing.” Questions and answers. Intersperse two or three brief demonstrations to illustrate points that publishers will be able to use in street witnessing this week.

15 min: Make Plans for Auxiliary Pioneering During Memorial Season. Encouraging talk with helpful information for those who would like to auxiliary pioneer in either March or April or during both months. Refer to the item under Announcements regarding auxiliary pioneering. Explain what arrangements the congregation and individual publishers can make in order to encourage and help those who will be pioneering during the Memorial season. Have auxiliary pioneer application forms ready for those who may request them following the meeting. Mention can be made that there will be five full weekends in March and that special efforts will be made to invite people to the Memorial celebration on March 30 and to the special public talk scheduled for April 7.

Song 130 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 18

Song 71

10 min: Local announcements. Question Box. Point out need for all publishers to know the correct name of their congregation as well as the names of some, if not all, of the elders. Encourage full participation in field service this weekend, perhaps offering suggestions for appropriate talking points in the current magazines.

15 min: “Fulfilling Our Kingdom Ministry as Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Brother who is a qualified teacher discusses the information presented and demonstrates use of features mentioned for improving our ministry.

20 min: Share in a Global Joy by Saying “Come!” Talk, interview(s), and experience(s) based on feature articles in The Watchtower, January 1, 1991. Enthusiastic and encouraging presentation of information from The Watchtower along with expressions and experiences from zealous local publishers, reflecting such joy.

Song 211 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 25

Song 148

10 min: Local announcements and Theocratic News. Suggest and demonstrate appropriate magazine presentations. Encourage participation in field service this weekend.

15 min: “How Jehovah Prospers His Work.” Talk based on article in The Watchtower of December 1, 1990, pages 22-5.

20 min: Prepare for Service in March. During March we will be offering the book Revelation​—Its Grand Climax At Hand! Fine suggestions for introducing and offering this publication were given in the February 1989 issue of Our Kingdom Ministry. Discuss some of these suggestions that may prove to be helpful to the publishers this weekend. Demonstrate presentation of book with explanation of how worldwide Bible educational work is supported by voluntary donations.

Song 63 and concluding prayer.

Congregation Book Study

Schedule for congregation studies in the book The Bible​—God’s Word or Man’s?:

February 4: Page 180, par. 14, to page 189, par. 13

Schedule for congregation studies in the brochure How Can Blood Save Your Life? (Use questions in Our Kingdom Ministry insert.):

February 11: First Week

February 18: Second Week

February 25: Third Week

Study Questions for the Brochure How Can Blood Save Your Life?

At places in these studies, reference is made to the appendix, pages 27-31. Comments on the indicated paragraphs may be included in the study, the appendix paragraphs being read as time permits.

FIRST WEEK

Page 2

1-4. Why is it timely to consider how blood can save lives? (See page 27, paragraphs 1-3.)

Page 3

1, 2. Why is it natural to view life as being linked to blood, and how is God involved in this matter?

3, 4. Why should we be interested in what God has to say about blood?

5. For what reason should we give attention to Genesis 9:3-6, and what is the significance of that passage?

6. The Israelites were under what obligations with respect to blood?

Page 4

1, 2. How did God’s laws benefit ancient Israel, but what was the main reason why Israel avoided blood?

3. How was the law on blood to be regarded in an emergency?

Page 5

1, 2. Concerning the law on blood, what example did Jesus set?

3, 4. (a) What did an apostolic council determine about Christians and blood? (b) How do we know whether abstaining from blood was merely a temporary decree?

5. According to Jesus’ apostles, how important was the avoiding of blood?

6, 7. What additional evidence shows that the decree about blood was a permanent requirement?

Page 6

1, 2. How was blood used medicinally in pre-Christian times?

3. How did early Christians respond to the use of blood, even medicinally, in Roman times?

4-6. (a) How did the use of blood transfusions begin? (b) In view of God’s law, why would transfusing blood into the veins be wrong?

7. Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse blood transfusions? (See page 27, paragraphs 4-6, and page 28, paragraph 1.)

Page 7

1. Though the primary reason that Christians avoid transfusions is religious, why should we examine medical aspects of blood therapy?

SECOND WEEK

Page 7

2, 3. Blood transfusion holds what place in modern medicine?

4, 5. Why is it reasonable to consider whether transfusions are risky?

Page 8

1. We wisely ask what concerning blood transfusions?

2, 3. Why are blood-typing and cross matching critical but not necessarily sufficient?

4, 5. How could a blood transfusion cause immunologic problems?

6, 7. What harm may blood transfusions do after cancer surgery?

Page 9

1. What is the significance of the evidence regarding blood transfusion and cancer surgery?

2, 3. Transfusions may do what other immunologic harm?

4, 5. Why do people need to know of the danger of contracting disease from transfusions?

Page 10 (Box)

1, 2. How serious is the risk of transfusion-borne hepatitis?

3. At one point, why did it seem that the risk of contracting hepatitis from blood was being overcome?

4, 5. What developments proved that the danger of contracting hepatitis from blood was still not to be ignored?

6-8. Why is concern over hepatitis not a thing of the past?

Page 11

1. What might illustrate that the disease risks of blood are not about to disappear?

2-4. How can blood expose someone to diseases that are not common in his area? (See also box, page 11.)

5-7. How has the AIDS pandemic shown that new, fatal diseases may be linked to blood?

Page 12

1, 2. Why does the use of tests to detect antibodies to the AIDS virus still not guarantee that blood is risk free?

3-5. Why is the threat of the AIDS virus not the end of the matter?

6, 7. What valid concerns do experts have about blood-borne viruses?

THIRD WEEK

Page 13

1, 2. Who wants quality medical care, and what does this include?

3-5. How could you illustrate that there are alternatives to blood transfusions?

6-8. When has blood often been transfused, but why was this practice not well-founded?

Page 14

1. What indicates that below-normal hemoglobin levels can be accommodated?

2, 3. In the case of rapid blood loss, what is needed, and how can the problem be treated?

4. Why are nonblood volume replacement fluids effective?

5. How can physicians help a patient to cope with a loss of red cells?

Page 15

1. What can be done to speed up red-cell production?

2-4. During surgery, how can blood loss be minimized?

Page 16

1-3. What evidence shows that major surgery without transfusions is possible?

4-6. What broad range of surgery is possible without using blood? (See page 28, paragraphs 2-4.)

Page 17

1. What good results have been obtained in heart surgery where blood was not administered?

2-4. How do Witness patients themselves contribute to the excellent outcome often experienced in nonblood surgery?

FOURTH WEEK

Page 17

5, 6. What is risk/​benefit analysis, and how is it employed?

Page 19

1, 2. What role does the patient play in risk/​benefit analysis?

3-5. Why is blood therapy appropriately included in weighing risks and benefits? (See page 31, paragraphs 1, 2.)

6. What legal principle bears on your right to choose medical therapies? (See page 30, paragraphs 1-8.)

Page 18 (Box)

1-4. What do patients who are Witnesses do to relieve legal concerns on the part of medical personnel? (See page 28, paragraph 5.)

5-7. In view of what Witnesses will do to quiet legal concerns, why is it reasonable for doctors and hospitals to cooperate?

Page 20

1-3. How have some medical personnel responded to the stand that Witnesses take?

4, 5. How is it that the courts have become involved in some cases of patients who are Witnesses?

Page 21

1, 2. Why is resorting to the courts not the best way to handle cases involving Witnesses and blood?

3, 4. For what reasons is it inappropriate to turn to the courts even when the patient is a child?

5, 6. What parental right comes into play in selecting treatment for children? (See page 28, paragraph 6, and page 29, paragraph 1.)

Page 22

1-4. What are some legal indications that parents should be free to make medical decisions for their children?

5. Why should Witness parents and medical personnel work together?

FIFTH WEEK

Page 22

6, 7. What key facts should you have in mind about blood and a Witness’ request for nonblood medical management?

Page 23

1-3. Even if some die refusing blood, what must we not ignore? (See page 29, paragraphs 2-5, and page 31, paragraphs 3-5.)

4, 5. What is a realistic view concerning death and blood?

Page 24

1, 2. What can help us to appreciate how blood is truly lifesaving?

3, 4. In pre-Christian times, what was God’s view of blood, and why?

Page 25

1. How was blood involved on Atonement Day, and why should we care?

2, 3. There is what link between Atonement Day and Jesus’ role?

4. (a) What is the key reason why Christians abstain from blood? (b) Why should we not stress too much the risks of blood transfusions?

5, 6. (a) How is blood linked to our standing with God? (b) What teaching must we understand as central to our view on blood?

7. Why can we say that the Witnesses’ position on blood shows respect for life?

Page 26

1, 2. How is blood involved in our everlasting future?

Announcements

● Literature offer for February: Any 192-page book published prior to 1980 that the congregation has in stock. If the congregation has no stock of such books, the book “Let Your Kingdom Come” should be used. The “Kingdom Come” book may be requested from Brooklyn. March: Revelation Climax book. April and May: Watchtower subscription.

● The secretary and service overseer should review the activity of all regular pioneers. If any are having difficulty meeting the requirement of hours, elders should arrange for assistance to be given. For suggestions, review Society’s letters (S-201) of October 1, 1989, and October 1, 1990. Also, see paragraphs 12-20 of the August 1986 Our Kingdom Ministry insert.

● Regarding pioneer service, the following reminders are given:

○ An announcement should be made to the congregation when a regular pioneer discontinues his pioneer service. The brief announcement may simply state: “This is to inform the congregation that [name] is no longer serving as a regular pioneer.”

○ The yearly hour requirement for regular pioneers is still 1,000 hours.

○ A full year must have passed following a judicial reproof or reinstatement before one can be considered for auxiliary or regular pioneer service.​—See Our Kingdom Ministry insert, August 1986, paragraphs 21 and 23.

● On April 27 the Brooklyn Bethel Home and factory as well as Watchtower Farms buildings will be closed for spring cleaning, so there will be no arrangements for tours or for congregations to pick up literature on that day.

● The Memorial celebration will be held Saturday, March 30, 1991. Although the talk may start earlier, please remember that the passing of the Memorial bread and wine should not begin until after sundown. Check with local sources to determine when sundown occurs in your area. No meetings other than for field service are to be conducted on that date. Congregations having a regularly scheduled meeting on Saturday should arrange for that meeting to be held on another day if possible. There will be no change in Sunday meeting schedules.

● Those publishers who wish to auxiliary pioneer in March and April should make their plans now and turn in their application early. This will help the elders to make necessary field service arrangements and have sufficient literature on hand.

● U.S. Selective Service regulations require that all men register at the post office when reaching 18 years of age. All of those required to do so should take care of the matter promptly, viewing it as a Christian’s obligation to the superior authorities. Elders will want to have this in mind and give appropriate reminders to young brothers nearing the age of 18. Questions as to the young Christian’s responsibilities in this regard may be answered by the elders.

● New Publications Available:

Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1 (Aará-Escrita)​—Portuguese

Mankind’s Search for God​—Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish

My Book of Bible Stories​—Armenian

Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry​—Russian

Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work—​Hungarian

Survival Into a New Earth​—Tamil

The Bible​—God’s Word or Man’s?​—Arabic, Hungarian, Indonesian

True Peace and Security​—How Can You Find It?​—Turkish

United in Worship of the Only True God​—Greenlandic

You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Large size)​—Romanian, Tamil

You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Small size)​—Hungarian

Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!​—Kachin

How Can Blood Save Your Life?​—Croatian, Czech, Danish, Finnish, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian, Polish, Serbian, Ukrainian

Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Twentieth Century​—Indonesian

Jehovah’s Witnesses​—Unitedly Doing God’s Will Worldwide—​Estonian, Ukrainian

“Look! I Am Making All Things New”​—Lushai, Malayalam, Marathi, Serbian, Tahitian

Should You Believe in the Trinity?​—Czech, Malayalam, Slovak, Telugu

Tract No. 13​—Laotian, Russian

Tract No. 14​—Laotian, Russian

Tract No. 15​—Russian

Tract No. 16​—Russian

● The 1991 Calendar of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Examining the Scriptures Daily​—1991 are now available in Romanian.

● The Society has produced a new 32-page brochure in English for the special purpose of helping people of Hindu background understand the truth. The title is Our Problems​—Who Will Help Us Solve Them? Congregations that have English-speaking persons of Hindu background in their territory may wish to request a SMALL supply of this brochure. As it becomes available in other languages, an announcement will be made.

Praising Jehovah in Song

¹ Please open your songbook to the back endsheet. What do you see? A chorus of Levite singers at Jehovah’s holy temple, their mouths opened wide, singing with enthusiasm. Singing was an important feature of true worship at Jehovah’s temple. During the time of King David, more than 10 percent of those serving at the temple were assigned to praise Jehovah with music. And of that number, 288 were trained singers, “all experts.” You can be sure they took their singing seriously.​—1 Chron. 23:3, 5; 25:7.

² Coming to Christian times, we learn that Jesus and his apostles sang a song at the end of the Lord’s Evening Meal. (Mark 14:26) And the apostle Paul repeatedly tells us to sing praises to our God. At Colossians 3:16 he wrote: “Let the word of the Christ reside in you richly in all wisdom. Keep on teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, praises to God, spiritual songs with graciousness, singing in your hearts to Jehovah.”​—See also Ephesians 5:19, 20.

³ Singing Kingdom songs is one of the ways in which we praise Jehovah. Should we not therefore sing with all our hearts? When we do, we give praise to Jehovah. He listens to our songs that are directed to him even as he does to our prayers. When we really sing out, we can also bring joy to others, and we are benefited ourselves.

⁴ Give thought to the beautiful words of our songs. These are indeed an aid toward our “teaching and admonishing one another.” What fine counsel our songs contain! By taking that counsel seriously, we can be helped to cultivate the fruitage of the spirit, so as to abound in these and guard against the intrusion of fleshly, worldly influences. ‘Singing in our hearts’ encourages us to serve Jehovah boldly and cheerfully.

⁵ To get the singing off to a fine start at the meetings, the chairman could announce not only the number of the song but also its theme, or title. He might occasionally note the Scriptural basis for the song and comment briefly on how it fits in with the information being presented.

⁶ The Kingdom Melodies and also the piano cassettes of our songs are fine instruments for helping our families to get better acquainted with the songs. Playing these as background music is a most enjoyable way for us to become more familiar with our songs.

⁷ The Scriptures repeatedly remind us of the obligation to praise our loving heavenly Father with song. Let us do so whole-souled. Thereby we can give a heartwarming witness to the stranger who comes into our midst. Yes, let us sing and make melody to Jehovah, even as David of old did.​—Ps. 108:1-3.

Question Box

● When a publisher moves to another area, what should be done to assist in the transfer to a new congregation?

As soon as a publisher arrives from another congregation, the congregation secretary should obtain from the publisher the name of his former congregation and the name and address of the secretary of that congregation. He should then write to the secretary of the former congregation, requesting the Congregation’s Publisher Record card and a letter of introduction. The secretary receiving this request should respond without delay.​—See Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, pages 104-5.

The publisher who plans to move can help by making sure that he has the correct name of the congregation he is leaving and the name and address of the secretary. Then, upon his arrival in the new congregation, this information can be given to the secretary there so that he can follow through promptly. Field service reports submitted to the new congregation can be held until the record card is received. Thereafter the publisher’s activity can be posted on the record card and included in the congregation’s next monthly report.

In some cases the publisher may already know the name and address of the secretary in the congregation to which he is moving. If so, there would be no need for the elders to wait for a request. The record of the publisher’s activity and a letter of introduction can be mailed immediately to the secretary of the congregation where the publisher will associate.

Presenting the Good News​—By Street Witnessing

¹ Proverbs 1:20 says: “True wisdom itself keeps crying aloud in the very street. In the public squares it keeps giving forth its voice.” These words are especially true today as Jehovah’s servants zealously preach the good news of the Kingdom wherever they can find people. Like Jesus and pre-Christian prophets, our genuine love for people moves us to present the truth to everyone, everywhere.​—Jer. 11:6; Mark 6:56; Luke 13:22, 26.

² Although a person’s home is usually the most desirable place to speak to him about the truth, not many people are at home when we make house-to-house calls. When householders are home, often it is the same person we spoke to before that answers the door, and other members of the family are not contacted. Thus, street witnessing should have a definite place in our ministry. You may find that street witnessing is, as one pioneer expressed it, “an exciting, fresh, and at-home territory.”

A WARM POSITIVE ATTITUDE

³ Why not try doing your street witnessing in the same area on a regular basis? One sister who does this says that she has become acquainted with most of the shopkeepers and other people who are frequently on “her” street. A good rapport has developed, which has opened the way for many productive Bible discussions. An auxiliary pioneer who thoroughly enjoys street witnessing said that he tries to approach window-shoppers, people sitting in their cars, people waiting for buses, and even those who have said no on previous occasions. Courage and good judgment are needed so that we are bold and persuasive, yet not overly persistent.

⁴ The key to effective street witnessing is to have a warm, cheerful, and sincere approach. Smile. Catch the person’s eye if you can, but if not, go ahead and make a friendly approach. Observe the circumstances, and make use of them. One sister observes women laden with grocery bags and says, “I see you have been food shopping. It certainly is expensive these days. How about some encouraging food for the mind and heart? I enjoyed this article . . . .” To someone with children, she says, “I see you have two lovely children. Did you know that the Bible says children are a blessing from God? Here, let me show you . . . .” Approaching a person deep in thought, she says, “I see you are thinking about something. The world is so full of trouble today, don’t you agree? Do you think a time will ever come when . . . ?”

⁵ If a person is rushing down the street, you may just hand him a tract with the comment, “Here is some good news for you to read when you have time.” If people do not seem to be rushed, offer the magazines, and explain the donation arrangement. It is good to get the literature into the hands of people whenever possible.

⁶ Many publishers who were at first nervous about street witnessing now view it as their favorite form of preaching. Of course, caution must be exercised when working in dangerous areas or at times when it is unsafe. Even in small towns, there are usually busy areas, public transportation centers, or public parking lots where people can be approached with the good news. Seize the opportunity, and with wisdom let your voice give forth the good news in the streets and public squares, to the blessing of the hearers and to the honor of Jehovah.​—Prov. 1:20.

Theocratic News

◆ Barbados had a new peak of 1,800 publishers in September.

◆ Cote d’Ivoire started off the new service year in September with 3,465 publishers, reporting their 12th consecutive peak. The brothers there are also assisting many refugee brothers and sisters coming over from Liberia because of the difficulties being experienced in that war-torn land.

◆ Japan’s new publisher peak for September was 148,452. There were 3,582 new regular pioneers enrolled at the beginning of September. During September 165 classes of the pioneer school were held in 111 circuits, and 3,920 regular pioneers enjoyed the course.

◆ Kenya had a new peak of 5,610 publishers in September. The special assembly day series concluded with a combined attendance of 11,027 with 172 baptized.

◆ In September Lesotho had a new peak of 1,347 publishers. The average of 13.1 hours for congregation publishers indicates they are exerting themselves in Jehovah’s service.

◆ Mauritius had a new peak of 907 publishers in September.

◆ In September Nigeria had a new peak of 146,703 publishers. This was an increase of more than 4,600 above the August peak.

◆ Réunion had a new peak of 1,854 publishers in September. Their convention was attended by 3,591, and 114 were baptized.

◆ St. Vincent had a peak of 208 publishers in September. This was a 14-percent increase. Congregation publishers averaged 14.2 hours.

November Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

Pubs. Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bi.St.

Sp’l Pios. 221 125.6 73.5 52.9 5.9

Pios. 65,607 79.9 34.0 25.6 2.6

Aux. Pios. 30,025 57.8 25.3 15.7 1.4

Pubs. 735,831 9.7 6.1 3.7 0.5

TOTAL 831,684

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 3,329