the truth and who are guided by divine principles, rather than wanting a specific definition of their “exact rights”. As for a wife correcting her husband at a meeting, this has been specifically answered in the May 1, 1949, Watchtower, particularly in paragraph 27. Good counsel for both husbands and wives is found at Ephesians 5:21-33, 1 Timothy 2:9-15, and 1 Peter 3:1-12.

The expression of subjection is something the wife has to work out for herself, having in mind what the apostle Paul says at Ephesians 5 that she should manifest, namely, “deep respect for her husband.” In apostolic writings women of old times are commended for displaying deep respect for their husband because of his theocratic position. Sometimes some expression of subjection may be distasteful to a wife because of the humiliation involved, but if she nonetheless subjects herself, not to please herself and not to please just her husband, but doing it as to the Lord Jesus whose bride she pictures, then she can swallow the humiliation better and know a reasonable reason for it and it becomes a virtue to her, as 1 Peter 3 states.

Wifely subjection, where it hurts, is a thing that a wife brings upon herself by saying, “I do.” This is part of the “tribulation in their flesh” that Paul warned marrying couples they would expose themselves to. (1 Cor. 7:28, NW) The apostles say we are to be subject, if slaves, to cantankerous masters as well as to agreeable masters, all for the sake of the recommendation of the truth to our masters as well as to outside observers. The apostles like to link this with child obedience and wife obedience, as Paul did in his letter to the Ephesians, dealing consecutively with wifely subjection, child subjection and slave subjection. (Eph. 5:21–6:9) But in this connection Paul also counseled husbands, showing them that they should guard against being overbearing or unloving toward their wife, but treat her as their own flesh. So wifely obedience is something wives must work out for themselves, but in accord with divine principles and in love.

Announcements

“BE TRANSFORMED BY MAKING YOUR MIND OVER”—Rom. 12:2, NW.

Aware of the transforming power of God’s Word of truth, Jehovah’s witnesses and their associates world-wide desire to have this power work in their behalf. It aids them to make their minds over, no longer fashioning their lives after this present system of things, but learning to know and to do the “complete will of God”. With the enlightened outlook that God’s Word gives them they want to assist others also to gain life-giving knowledge. During September they will collectively put forth a special effort to make calls on those who have obtained literature published by Jehovah’s witnesses and encourage them to start home Bible studies. To this end they will present the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures and the book What Has Religion Done for Mankind? on a contribution of only $2. The New World Translation and the companion book are of unequaled value in the field of Bible study and research, as they give in understandable present-day English the sacred secrets of God’s Word and his gracious purposes toward right-minded persons. You, too, may learn these precious truths and have a share in passing them on to others. Send your inquiries to the branch office in your country. See list on second page.

PREPARE FOR TWO CONVENTIONS

Readers of The Watchtower are invited to attend the district assemblies of Jehovah’s witnesses, the majority of which will be held September 5 to 7, 1952. For details of these assemblies and locations and other dates, see the July issues of this magazine. These district assemblies we hope will take care of your convention needs for 1952.

The year 1953 will be blessed with a worldwide assembly, a convention arranged for in New York city’s Yankee Stadium. Then people from all parts of the United States, Canada and the rest of the world will convene. What an assembly that will be, by Jehovah’s undeserved kindness! If you have never attended a convention of Jehovah’s witnesses, be sure to go to a district assembly this year. Enjoy that and we feel sure your appetite will be whetted for the 1953 international gathering. We urge you to attend this year, and prepare now for next year’s world-wide assembly. We hope you will receive the blessings of both these conventions.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of September 28: God’s Spirit Essential to Maturity, ¶1-20.

Week of October 5: God’s Spirit Essential to Maturity, ¶21-26; also, A Mature View of Dedication.