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---- --_ > AR PAE 0 eu! SoS is, Ne ald a, R Noe wan Ra TEA LAME LE +5 : Tag AAT 5) > SATE DR HER i ERAT TA CER Pas 2--THE PORT FERRY STAR, THURSDAY, MARCH 20th, 1962 "Christians Awake" This is the title of a Book written by Mr. William J. Schnell, the author of "Thirty Years a Watch Tower Slave", Because it is my belief that the written word has power as well as the spoken word, this Sermon which was preached to my people last Sunday is made I am greatly indebted to the Port Perry Star, for this and many other favours. available to all who care to read. THEME: A deadly challenge. TEXT: "The sons of this world are wiser in their own generation than the sons of light." - Luke 16:8 (R.S.V.) This is quite a story that Jesus told in Luke 16 and could be misinterpret- ed quite easily. We are told that the master commended the dishonest stew- ard for his prudence. But as you read, the real core of the story is this: "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a little is dishon- est also in much. If then you have not proved trustworthy with the wealth of this world, who will trust you with the wealth that is real? And if you have proved untrustworthy with what belongs to another who will give you what is your own?" One of the great drawbacks in ex- tending the Kingdom of God by you and me who belong to the Church, comes home to me as a Minister everything I am stirred and would really like to move in and win the world for Christ. We have done away with Revival Meetings, and Prayer Meetings, and in place we haven't sub- stituted anything. Our greatest in- strument left is the Sermon. And it is a great weapon, and we still put great weight in its power. In fact, as you select a new Leader, your se- lection will be based on his ability to preach. Say what you like, the art _of preaching has been used by God to keep the doors of Churches open, and in many cases to fill God's Sanc- tuary. But we are sadly neglecting the arts of teaching, and sharing our experiences for the edification of others. We have discarded the method of Jesus in going out two by two to win souls, with the result, that many homes of those who have no connec- tion with Church are left wide open to the most fantastic teachings of those who have nothing good to of- fer.. There was a time, when the pen- alty of heresy was death. One had to be careful what one preached and "taught. 1 am glad we do not indulge in such cruelties. And yet the time comes, when we of the Church should do something, and not just sit down and be kicked. My eyes have been opened to the heresies that are in our very midst. I have never heard a man who made things so plain to me, not only of our danger, but at the same time could show me just how to deal with the danger. 1 attended three meetings and gained a new in- sight into our strength and also our weaknesses. In the Jehovah's Wit- nesses we have a very strong organ- ization that is out to destroy the Church, and all that the Church stands for, root and branch. In our text Jesus said that the sons of this world are wiser in their own generation than the sons of light -When it-was decided by the Jehovah's Witnesses to send out teams of tw to visit the homes of the people, Mr Schnell was one who objected, because he thought that they would spread themselves too thin, and instead of winning converts for their way, they would be won over for Christ. Bu "their leader and head, Judge Ruther ford said that the very opposite would happen, and that we were too weak to make a stand, and would be laid low by their Witnesses. And he was right. That has been true. Doors have been shut against them. People have refused to open their doors be- cause they were afraid, and even pre- tended that they were not at home; while at the same time, the car was in the garage, and the washing on the line. © So the Jehovah's Witnesses went away laughing, and returned a- gain in about two weeks. As followers of Jesus, there can be no. room in our hearts for hatred. There "was never a vindictive word spoken at all the meetings I attended. People came from Peterboro, Lindsay, Port Perry, - Stouffville and Toronto. Mr. Schnell may well have formed a new sect, and brought himself a tre- mendous gain in money; but he has put himself at the disposal of all the Churches to AWAKE THEM TO THE HERESIES of the organization that he helped to form, and to show how to combat the harm which he has done, Eight hundred former Jeho- vah's Witnesses who have read his "books, have become Christians, and written to tell him and thank him, Make no mistake, the Jehovah's Wit- nesses dre not Christians, In their doctrine you do not have to believe 'anything; so_long as you are faithful 'in making calls, and selling literature from Head Office; in putting in so many hours a day, then you will be saved in the future. Only those who do thése things, and carry out the in- and "Into the Light of Christianity". Signed: JOHN K. BRAHAM. structions of Head Office will have life everlasting here on earth. They are working for their salvation, not yours; but this cannot be attained until the final battle of Armageddon. All Church members will become ex- tinct. Why would we exchange the yoke of love which Christ has given to us to become the slave of a few clever men at the head of the Watch Tower ? Why would we exchange salvation, and forgiveness, and the assurance of eternal life with the Lord Jesus HERE AND NOW, for the uncertainty of ever living to behold the final battle between good and evil to be fought at Armageddon: So many dates of this battle have already been set for purposes of exploitation. Why would you exchange the beauty of prayer and meditation in the presence of God's Holy Spirit, for the uncertain knowledge of men who tell us the an- swers for every problem? For the Jehovah's Witness is not allowed to think. That is the reason the Bible Student, former Russellites left the organization. These people are to be pittied, because they have no need of prayer. Head Office answers all ) been courteous, kind, and wise. They didn't get an argument. 3. THEY WILL COME the Third Time and now you are ready and thoroughly alerted. to hide. Meet them at the door, and question them. You take the initia-. tive this time. Ask their names, how long have they been Jehovah's Wit- nesses, the hours spent each week ete. Then ask them for their address. Tell them that having visited you three times, they have laid a burden on your | hearts, and you too would like to re-| turn the visits and present the cause of Christ. Not many will give their| address, and will leave never to re- turn. But some will, and that in| where your opportunity comes in, CONCLUSION: YOU WILL NEED MUCH TRAINING. You can have this Training. The disciples had it] from Jesus. They were none of them s0 very bright. Yet when the time] came, they went out and did wonders. | They came back and said: "Lord, the very devils are subjected unto us."| We are conducting classes in Bible] Studies on Monday evenings at 8.30 p.m. in the Manchester United Church | and Friday evenings at 8.00 p.m. in| Scugog "Grace" United Church. We] invite all who are interested to come and study and pray with us, and learn how to become better witnesses for You do not need | the Lord Jesus. Who knows, Christ | through us ean win over to His side] millions who are just EARTH- | BOUND. Scugog News (Crowded out last week) The Head U.C.W. met a week late at the home of Leona Barry on the evening of Marth 14. It could alniost be called shell-out evening, as 19 in | attendance gave a collection of $4.75. There were 17 supper donations to- | talling $17.00. Sixteen members paid their 60c. fees. Three birthday dona- tions netted $1.21. Two other dona- tions were sent in, Then there was a dual Community Collection. Five gifts of bootees were received for the Hospital Auxiliary. A fine number of stamps including a Project Mer- cury were received to conclude the collections. Anyway we got it all off our minds at once so now we can en- joy an account of the program. The worship period included a hymn, prayer and Scripture read by Leona Barry. Dorothy Martyn introduced the new study book for U.C.W. She began the study of the New Church in Jerusalem. Then Dorothy gave an "Ode to the President". This little reading had been discovered by Dorothy in a beauty parlour. She memorized it and cleverly adapted it | to our own president, Marie Healey, Irene Carter gave a reading entit- | led, 'Oh Those St. Patrick Day Myths', | It certainly was a revelation toward | so many ideas that had been passed | on to us for truth. Elsie Angus gave a reading which " showed the problems of "Selecting a The final solution turn. Secretary". ed out rather simple and mirthful from-a woman's point of view, The roll call brought to pind a great variety of Irish songs, some not so familiar to the younger set, Leona Barry had discovered one of her Bible contests to test otir mem- ories and Bible knowledge. This type of contest may make us uncomfort- able because it makes us realize our short-comings but it stirs us' up and gives us a desire to spend a little more time with our Bibles. There was not much business this month. However a creditable num- ber of project suggestions were turn- ed in and discussed. A committee will meet to give this list detailed consid- eration and start work on it. We shall probably revive our plant sale for May. Consider what you can get | in fruit, flower or vegetable. Per- haps some ladies would like to start seeds now and sell the surplus plants. Recently, Barrys have had several visitors from Haliburton. Mrs. Barry's mother, Mrs. John Cooper, and her brother Jim with his wife were able to spend a brief time. But Mr, Barry's sister, Mrs. Switzer, is able to call 'on several relatives on Scugog and in Oshawa, ; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Manns and girls had a pleasant trip to Brampton on Sunday. We understand Mr, and Mrs. 'Dave Moore have purchased the Pearce house and will move in, in May. We shall be pleased to have them 'at the Head, but regret that we niay lose Beryl and John Pearce. who have fit into the Community so well. We extend our belated sympathy to the Healey family in the recent be- reavement of Bill's mother at Ganano- que. : Allan and Evelyn Redman have al- ready begun to fulfil their dream of their new house near the Head School corner. Many of the older people will remember a former house not too far from this location. District Churches SCUGOG, MANCHESTER, "PROSPECT UNITED CHURCHES Through the generosity of the Port Perry Star, twice the space is allot- us this week, and we would refer all our readers to the article entitled CHRISTIANS AWAKE! This is a Sermon the Minister preached on Sunday, We shall com. mence our Bible Studies on Friday at 8.00pm, in Scugog "Grace" Church, and. commencing next week, we will also have Bible Studies at Mincheater 'United Church at 8.830 p.m. We in. vite all .who are .interested. to. cg and study with us, and pray wich fing 3 1 and share of the wealth of y Christian . experience, 80 that, more Light might be shed on our darkness, The Minister will meet with the Elders of the three Churches on Wed- nesday, April 4 at 8.80 p.m. in Scugog "Grace" Church, We shall continue our series on Sunday on the Theme "The Light Shines on" and invite you one and all to come and worship with 'us. Our love and prayer go. out to Mr. Robert Prentice who was still in the Port Perry Hospital last week when the Minister visited him. Our love and prayers go out to you Allen and Cathy Martyn and to all the mem- bers of your family in the serious ill- ness of Allen's mother. The Christ. ian has nothing to fear, and our se- paration will only be for avery short time. May all your hearts be com- forted, and strength be given to you each one, that your belief will still be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ, whatever happens. prayer. In this way, they have been as foolish as many of us in the' Church. They too threw overboard the mid-week prayer and Bible study | which the Bible Students instituted. One doesn't need God, if one has no- | thing to ask of Him.-- Who -will -be _ most grateful? "The man to whom much is forgiven". - Mr. Schnell said that they do not object to prayer; but there is nothing for them to pray for, as they have all the solutions needed. Salvation comes by the selling of , books, the visiting of homes, and does not require even morality. Of course that does not mean that in spite of these beliefs, that there are not many honest, trustworthy people in the organization. In my weekly column I said that the Service last Sunday afternoon was a witness for Jesus Christ, and that the whole spirit of the Meeting was Christian. That was true also of the Speaker and the questions and an- swers, and the Hymns and the Pray-' ers. We must keep it that way; but we can profit by changing our whole attitude to these people. Because my friends, they are very sincere. A good Witness will devote 100 hours a' month, and give one-third his salary to the cause. They utelise their man power 100% whereas we are only us- ing 19» man power to propagate the Christian Faith. They are well or- ganized, and are masters at quoting Scripture, and juggling the verses to back up theories. BUT JUST WHO ARE THEY? WHAT SHOULD BE Our, ATTITUDE TOWARDS THEM? We should never forget that they are souls to be won for Jesus Christ? And you know, we have been taught to be considerate, to be patient, kind, lov- ing; but at the same time, to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. So then, this man who used every de- vice and charm to win men for the Watch Tower, is now: using them to win his former allies to Jesus Christ, and bids us do likewise. Here are | three suggestions; : | 1. WHEN THEY CALL ADMIT THEM and listen to-their story. Do not interrupt, and get into an argu-: ment. This is not easy, and quite of- ten we get so annoyed, that we liter- ally boot them out. Listen to them. | It might take an hour or two. They will think that you are an easy vie- | tim. Just what they were taught to | believe. DO NOT TAKE ANY OF, THEIR LITERATURE. That frust-' rates them. When they are through ! IGNORE EVERYTHING THEY have ' SAID, and tell them the story of God | sending His Son into the world, be-| cause of His great love for us. And, tell them what Christ means to you. It is just as simple as that. You have given your witness for Jesus Christ and that has caught them off balance. 2. THEIR NEXT VISIT. In about a week or two they will be back. They will be armed with text to prove to you that Jesus is not divine ete. Keep | them at the door. They are ready to wade into you with Seripture. Slow them down by getting your Bible and looking up every passage of Scripture. Ask for the first quotation, find it, and read what comes before and after, Quite often, they take verses of Scrip- ture out of their context. Ask for the second quotation and do the same, Ask for the third likewise, Reading like this, they are themselves begin. ning to catch on, They are not train. ed for this, and cannot reason. It is very unlikely that they will remain for the fourth quotation. 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