Of “the 49ers,” anointed Witnesses Don and Mabel Haslett set a marvelous example in the field work even when advanced in years. When Don died in 1966, the six brothers who carried his casket into the Kingdom Hall for the memorial service were all young men whom he had led to the truth and who at that time were serving in the 19-member Japan Bethel family, in Tokyo.

Mabel survived Don by eight years. Well on in her 70’s, she developed cancer of the colon. A leading Tokyo hospital at Toranomon considerately agreed to operate without blood, on the condition that she go into the hospital two weeks beforehand. On her first day there, a young doctor visited her bed, curious to know why she refused blood. This led to fine Bible discussions that continued every day until the operation. Because of the seriousness of the case, four doctors participated. As Mabel regained consciousness, she exclaimed: “Curse old Adam!” How fitting! Mabel was under intensive care for only one day, whereas four other patients who had the same surgery that day but with blood transfusions were several days in the intensive care unit. And what of the young doctor? Later he told Mabel: ‘You didn’t know it, but there were five doctors in that operating room. I went there as well, to make absolutely sure that they did not give you blood.’ Dr. Tominaga continued his Bible study in Yokohama. Today, he and his doctor-father and their wives are active members of the congregation. Wonderful fruitage from a stay in the hospital!

Mabel continued her missionary service from the Tokyo Mita missionary home. When she was 78 years old, the cancer returned, and she was confined to bed. However, when the missionaries came home one evening and related the fine experiences they were having in a Kingdom News campaign, Mabel insisted that they dress her and take her out to distribute Kingdom News. She had strength enough to visit only three nearby homes, the same three where she had first witnessed on arrival in Japan. Several weeks later she finished her earthly course and passed on to her heavenly assignment.—Compare Luke 22:28, 29.