thirty members in the headquarters family. What a contrast with now! Brother Macmillan stressed the training that Jehovah God is now giving his people. The new building, he said, has been put up for a training work, training that will be carried on into the new world. Referring to his many years as a special representative of the Society, Brother Macmillan said in appreciation of his privileges: “If I had my sixty years of service to do over again, I would work harder, more diligently.”

The Society’s secretary-treasurer, Grant Suiter, followed Brother Macmillan. Brother Suiter spoke on the subject of financing the Society’s buildings over the years. He stressed the fact that the Society’s buildings have always been financed within the New World society. He explained that worldly banks and institutions had offered loans to the Society, but such loans have never been necessary because the brothers have responded so well with gifts and loans. The financing of the Society’s buildings has always been done by Jehovah’s witnesses.

The Society’s vice-president, F. W. Franz, spoke next. “Isn’t this a curious contrast?” he opened. “Here we are on Willow Street and we just sang one of the songs of Zion. Thank God, however, we are not beside the rivers of Babylon and that we have not hung up our harps on the willows there! We are on Willow Street, but we have begun to sing the songs of Zion as a free people, testifying to the loving-kindness of Jehovah God.”—Ps. 137:1-4, AV.

Referring to the expansion of Jehovah’s organization, Brother Franz said: “This place is a symbol of the whole world-wide situation,” one of expansion and glory. The new building, Brother Franz said, is “gloriously beautiful,” reminding us of the psalmist’s words: that everyone in Jehovah’s temple would speak his glory. The new Kingdom Hall, with a capacity of about 750 persons, has a cheerful atmosphere, befitting the New World society. The hall’s richness is enhanced by walnut veneer on all sides and a platform at the north end in the shape of a semicircle that is decorated with two places for live plants.

Referring to the two Bethel buildings, Brother Franz said: “They are not just dormitories; they are working buildings dedicated to the purpose of education. This is the grandest educational institution in all the earth.”

The Society’s president followed with the main dedication address, the entire program taking two hours and a half. After Brother Knorr’s closing prayer, there was an intermission of ten minutes; and then at 10:25 p.m. the Bethel family inaugurated the regular use of the Kingdom Hall by means of their usual Monday evening Watchtower study. It was a most happy day for the Brooklyn Bethel family, and the dedication at Brooklyn Bethel underscores Brother Knorr’s words that “this is the time to expand!”

Questions From Readers

● What stand should children of dedicated Christian parents take in regard to their school’s holiday art activities? What about the Christmas program with its singing of Christmas songs? What about schoolroom birthday celebrations?—M. C., United States.

During a holiday season all students in a school classroom may be required to color or draw pictures relating to that particular holiday. It is part of a classroom assignment, and by simply drawing or coloring the pictures the young student is not indicating that he is commemorating the holiday or is viewing it as of any importance. He is only fulfilling a school assignment, and his skill is being tested and trained. So, since it is a matter of skill and a classroom assignment, the child of dedicated parents may fulfill such an assignment.

However, taking part in holiday parties or celebrations, which are not educational but primarily recreational, is something else. Such holidays as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day and Easter have their roots in paganism. The Christian Greek Scripture writers do not mention any of such celebrations. Regarding them the words of the apostle Paul apply: “I say that the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I do not want you to become sharers with the demons. You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; you cannot be partaking of ‘the table of Jehovah’ and the table of demons. Or ‘are we inciting Jehovah to jealousy’? We are not stronger than he is, are we?” “What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols?”—1 Cor. 10:20-22; 2 Cor. 6:15, 16.

As for birthday celebrations. It is indeed singular, to say the least, that although we have record of birthdays being celebrated as far back as ancient Egypt, we do not know the birthday of Jesus or of any of his apostles. Clearly, the implication is that Jehovah God does not want us to celebrate any of these birthdays, or he would have had them recorded. In his Word only two birthday celebrations are mentioned, both of godless kings, and in each instance an execution was involved: of Pharaoh’s chief baker and of John the Baptist. (Gen. 40:20-22; Matt. 14:6-10) Even the Jews in those days “regarded birthday celebrations as part of idolatrous worship,” and this, no doubt, “on account of the idolatrous rites with which they were observed in honor of those who were regarded as the patron gods of the day on which the party was born.”—McClintock & Strong’s Cyclopœdia.

Children of dedicated Christian parents should therefore not take part in celebrating such holidays or birthdays. This would include nationalistic holidays as well as those partly or wholly of pagan origin. The children themselves can present these facts to their schoolteachers; by their thus witnessing they show that they have firm Christian convictions though young in years. But if the children are unable to do so properly, then, by all means, one of their parents should arrange to have them excused on the principle of conscience and freedom of worship.—Ps. 8:2; Prov. 22:6.

Announcements

1961 YEARBOOK AND CALENDAR

The new 1961 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses is now available. It contains the president’s report of Jehovah’s witnesses’ activity for the year 1960. Obtain your copy for 50c. Also available is the 1961 calendar for 25c. Order now.

FIELD MINISTRY

Exercising practical wisdom in a doomed world calls for separateness from old-world aims and activities, and wholehearted devotion to New World activities. Throughout November such New World activities will include offering the Bible-study aids From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained and “Let God Be True,” along with two booklets, for $1.25.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

December 18: Upholding the Honorableness of Marriage, ¶1-26. Page 677.

December 25: Upholding the Honorableness of Marriage, ¶27-34, and Marrying in Honor. Page 683.