original purpose for the earth God blessed those surviving four married couples, after they had revived the worship of Jehovah God on the dried land. “And God went on to bless Noah and his sons and to say to them: ‘Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth. . . . And as for you men, be fruitful and become many, make the earth swarm with you and become many in it.’” (Gen. 9:1-7, NW) That meant the making of many marriages during the thousands of years till now. Today, as a result, the earth swarms with people, and marriages continue to multiply. Under the growing imperfection of the married couples and the conditions under which they live this has led to many complex marital problems. How can these be handled in a way that pleases Jehovah God and that will result to the lasting happiness of those involved in marriage? How these are being handled in the New World society will be explained at length in forthcoming issues of The Watchtower.

Outstanding Assemblies in Korea and Alaska

AS TO Kingdom work, Korea is really bustling. In April, 1956, 1,506 publishers were energetically preaching in major cities and many isolated regions of the country. Newly interested persons are constantly coming to the congregations, wanting to know about the work and why Jehovah’s witnesses are so different. The people are especially amazed but very grateful to see American missionaries preaching from door to door and speaking to them in their own language. When Christendom’s clergy, particularly those of Korea’s strongest churches (Presbyterian and Methodist) talk against the work of Jehovah’s witnesses, the people become all the more curious. Even among unbelieving people there is high respect for the Bible. It is common to see Bibles in people’s hands as they walk along the streets. For these reasons working in Korea is very fruitful.

All of Jehovah’s witnesses in Korea were happily anticipating the assembly in Seoul, April 27-29. The brothers worked hard and quickly to complete arrangements. Indeed they do everything swiftly. In the Korean language two of the most frequently used terms are, “There is no time” and “Do it fast.” The brothers engaged a school auditorium for all sessions except Sunday’s public lecture. Since a larger crowd was expected the swimming pool stadium located inside Seoul Stadium grounds was also obtained. Posters had been put in every streetcar in the city as well as window signs all around town. Days ahead the sisters were busy preparing huge quantities of rice, fish and various Korean dishes. As these arrangements progressed, excitement mounted. The brothers talked of nothing but the convention.

Finally April 27 came. That morning some 800 brothers had met at the various congregations for field service. No announcement had been made concerning the arrival time of the Society’s representatives and it did not seem likely that many of the brothers would be able to go. However, the branch servant and the missionaries did arrange to meet the visitors.

Because of a head wind the plane was late, but by 12:30 p.m. four busloads of Korean witnesses of Jehovah were on hand at the airport—not too much of a surprise, in view of the known disposition of these earnest brothers. Scores of them, representing Seoul’s flourishing congregations and other congregations, were vigorously shaking hands, snapping pictures