After three years in the Iberian peninsula on his own, John Cooke was happy to have two missionaries, Mervyn Passlow and Bernard Backhouse, join him in 1951.

Brother Cooke left Lisbon to accompany Brother Franz on a visit to the congregations in Spain and then to attend the international convention in England.

Brother Cooke became ill and could not return.

ORGANIZATIONAL CLEANING

There were serious problems ahead. Certain individuals began to indulge in criticism and backbiting. Two brothers particularly were upset at the way the work was being directed. One of these, a watchmaker named Santos, began selling pictures of John Cooke, engraved with the words O Nosso Pastor (Our Pastor). This strong-willed man succeeded in swaying some of the older brothers to follow him.

Santos could not understand why he had not been appointed as a servant, so he wrote lengthy letters to Brooklyn. His state of mind can be seen from this statement in one letter to Brooklyn: “Why, I actually gave a clock to the missionaries to put in the Kingdom Hall and even then they did not make me a servant.”

He began to share his grievances more and more with Joaquim Carvalho, who had not attended any meetings for several months. They intimated to others that the missionaries were not Portuguese, did not do justice to the language and really did not understand the local situation as well as they did. In this way they sowed seeds of discontent. How did this affect the majority of the publishers? Meeting attendance dropped. Some even broke away from the organization and began holding separate meetings. The faithful missionary persevered, however, trusting in Jehovah to direct matters.

The answer to his prayers was a visit by Brothers Knorr and Henschel and the return of a healthy Brother Cooke in February 1952. A meeting of complainers, servants and missionaries took place. It was quite an occasion. The complainers and the servants had prepared long typewritten statements. But with one simple gesture Brother Knorr put all the papers aside and said: “No, I don’t want papers. Here are your brothers. Now, if you have anything against them, just say it.” This direct, simple, Biblical approach to the problem completely bewildered the troublemakers. For quite a while they floundered, not knowing exactly what to say.

Brother Knorr then said: “Well, I have sat here for an hour and all you have actually complained about is that this sister (who was interpreting) smiled at something one of you said in a meeting.” Then several mentioned specific points where they felt they had been slighted. The two principal complainers, Brothers Santos and Carvalho, clearly manifested a bad spirit and were reprimanded. Of course, all present received good straightforward counsel about putting aside personal differences and getting on with the really important work of preaching the good news.

That afternoon at a meeting in Almada, Brother Knorr gave strong counsel to the 122 brothers who attended. He explained the right attitude all should take toward Jehovah’s organization. Brother Cooke was then appointed as overseer for the one congregation, consisting of two groups.

Reactions were swift. Brother Santos refused to acknowledge the appointment and announced that the study group was his, being held in his own home; and if any wanted to follow the organization they were free to do so. He also asked to have his clock back. When Brother Cooke attempted to attend the book study conducted by Brother Carvalho he was refused entry. In a short time these independent groups ceased to function, and eventually Santos and Carvalho were disfellowshipped.

BROTHER COOKE FORCED TO LEAVE

The two congregations in Portugal were now growing in size and maturity. In January Eliseu Garrido moved to Oporto, opening the door to Kingdom service in Portugal’s second-largest city. An unexpected event, however, was in store. The authorities refused to renew Brother Cooke’s visa. His missionary service in Portugal was over. Good-bye Portugal​—Off to Angola! He now serves faithfully in the South Africa branch.