Just prior to the establishment of Gilead, three of us from Bethel were assigned to visit congregations throughout the United States. We stayed for a day, a few days, or even a week in an effort to strengthen these congregations spiritually. We were called servants to the brethren, a designation later changed to circuit servant, or circuit overseer. Soon after Gilead School opened, however, I was asked to return to teach some courses. I served as a regular instructor for classes 2 through 5, and I also substituted for one of the regular instructors and taught the 14th class. Being able to review with the students the remarkable early events in the modern-day history of Jehovah’s organization​—many of which I could relate from personal experience—​made me appreciate more fully my rich spiritual heritage.

[Pictures on page 23]

Teaching a Gilead class in 1945

Above right: Gilead School instructors Eduardo Keller, Fred Franz, me, and Albert Schroeder