of our past experiences. It gives one a wonderful sense of proportion to compare his life before becoming a missionary and after becoming one. There are only four of us here, but all agree that we would not want to return home permanently. Speaking for myself, I can say that leaving what I called home and going into a foreign assignment about which I knew very little has given me much greater strength in Jehovah. The work has been more satisfying. I have been able to give much more than I would have been able to give in my home territory. Now when I see a Burmese publisher stand at a door giving a three- to eight-minute sermon with the Bible in his hand—a person who only a short time ago was attending a church—it makes me appreciate the undeserved kindness of Jehovah and the privilege I have of sharing in His work here in Burma. I consider it a favor from Jehovah to be here! I am happy to be here, happy to be now on active duty here as branch servant. Yes, while pursuing my purpose in life the hardships are greater, there are many more obstacles, but, when these are overcome, they definitely add to spiritual strength, for Jehovah’s use and honor.

Modern History of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Part 19—Christian Neutrals in America During World War II

WHILE the interesting things already related were happening to Jehovah’s witnesses in other parts of the earth during World War II, what happened to the witnesses in the United States during this period? They too conducted themselves as neutrals amidst a sea of mankind that had become hysterical during days of war. This meant that the American witnesses withstood one of the hottest periods of persecution of Christians in the annals of modern history. From 1933, when figures of arrests began to be kept by the Watch Tower Society, up to 1951 where the aftermath of persecution due to military service requirements still continued, there is record of 18,886 individual arrests.a This is an almost unbelievable figure for a country claiming to be democratic and a champion of freedom.

Additionally at least 1,500 mobbings occurred, involving the witnesses from one end of the United States to the other. As previously pointed out, on June 3, 1940, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled against the Society in the Gobitis flag-salute case. This touched off a terrific public reaction against the witnesses. It took great Christian fortitude and faith on the part of all of Jehovah’s people, male and female, children and grown-ups, to endure this period of trial and at the same time to continue their public preaching from house to house and on the streets. Sheer faith in Jehovah defeated persecution in the long