AZ ŐRTORONY
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A KONGRESSZUS
{{raw:data:c |{{raw:data:p|nq| &kWATCH TOWER PRESENCE AND HE~ALD OF CHRISTS VOL. LII 15, 1931 SEPTEllBER No. 18 THE CONVENTION "I will abundantly bless her pf'ovision; I will satisfy her poor with bread."-Ps. 132: 15. EHOVAH faithfully performs every promise he makes. The promise of the above text is to Zion, which is his organization; and since the Scrip- tures were written for the members of Zion on earth at the end of the world, we have the assurance that the promise is specifically for the remnant. Everyone of the remnant can bear testimony to the fact that during the past year or more Jehovah has abundant- ly blessed the provision for his people who are his witnesses. For these he has prepared a table in the presenee of their enemies and has laden that table with an abundance of supplies for the comfort of those who love him. Three years had passed since Jehovah's people had assembled in America in general convention. Some of the anointed were becoming footsore and some- what weary in well-doing. The Lord knew the need of his anointed, and the encouragement that was neces- sary for their well-being. Within those three years the faithful had observed many falling away under the deceptive influenee of the "man of sin" because such had not received the love of the truth. Some in the ranks began to doubt whether or not they were in the favor of the Lord. "Unto Jehovah belongeth loving kindness," and he has in mind those who love him. He makes it possible for each one of his anoint- ed to examine himself and to determine from the 'Vord of God and attending circumstances whether or not he is in the faith aad therefore in the favor of the :Most High. In the exercise of his loving-kind- ness and in his own good time and way Jehovah pro- vides a feast for his people, and he brought them to- gether in convention that they might feed upon the bountiful provision made by him and rejoice and grow strong. That occasion was the general convcn- tion of the anointed of the Lord held at the State Fair Grounds at Columbus, Ohio, July 24-30, 1931. There are several reasons why that convention can hardly be compared with other conventions, and it is only true to say that it was the best convention ever held on earth. At the beginning of the ycar it was determined that a general convention should be held in harmony with Jehovah's will. Preparation therefor immediate- ly began. At first it was difficult to see just what the Lord would have done; but each progressive step made the matter clearer, and the Lord indicated what should be done and added his blessing. From the beginning it was determined that it should be a serv- ice eonvention and that no time or effort should be wasted in unnecessary or frivolous things. Prepara- tion was made to this end. Every member of the Bethel family, office and factory force at Brooklyn and Toronto was assigned to some specific duty, and each one performed his or her part. Three days in advance of the opening of the convention a special train carried a hundred of the Bethel family of Brook- IJ'll to Columbus to complete the preparations to re- ceive the multitude. Two days later the remainder of the force at Brooklyn, and all the Toronto force, moved to the site of the convention, and everything was in readiness to receive the crowd as it came. Even weeks before that many colporteurs began long and tedious journeys by house motor cars and other means of travel in order to reach the ground in time to par- ticipate in the convention at the beginning. The con- vention opened exactly on time and moved forward each day with the precision and unity of a well or- ganized and oiled machine. J PIONEERS The pioneers are those who go into isolated parts of the land where there are no classes and who bear the fruits of the kingdom to the people in such places. That the Lord has great love for these there cannot be the slightest doubt. No one is compelled to become a pioneer. The inducement is love for Jehovah and his kingdom which will vindicate his name. Anyone who goes into the work and continues with that un- selfish motive never has cause to regret it. The prom- ise of our Lord to his followers is that "every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life". (Matt. 19: 29) The Lord has made good this promise to those who have entered the pioneer field. Seeing the great privilege of engaging wholly in the Lord's service a goodly num- ber of the anointed have during the past months given up comfortable homes with attending creature 275
