Branch Letter

Dear Kingdom Publishers:

The figures are now in, and indeed this past service year has had Jehovah’s blessing. The number of publishers in the United States increased 15 percent; that means, on an average, 66,878 more praisers of Jehovah. This, in turn, made necessary 483 additional congregations, for a total of 6,542 just in this country. The tremendous increase is also reflected in the number baptized. There was an all-time record of 81,588 persons immersed this past year! Just think​—that is more than the annual figure for the whole world just seven years ago. It certainly makes us rejoice to see so many persons get started on the way that leads to real life.

These newer ones, along with the rest of us, will find the 1975 Yearbook fascinating. Many who have joined us in Jehovah’s service in recent years, while deeply appreciating the truth, have not read much about the actual development of the modern-day organization of Jehovah’s witnesses. But the details are in the new Yearbook. It focuses on the development of the work here in the United States and is the most complete and comprehensive account yet written on the work of Jehovah’s witnesses in modern times.

We suggest that you order extra copies of the 1975 Yearbook. Providing copies of it for your relatives, neighbors and acquaintances may prove to be a good way to help them to learn the facts about Jehovah’s witnesses. Even though they might not read other publications about our beliefs, they might be very interested in this. It is an official account of the organization, its development and growth for the past one hundred years.

Ever since the hurricane that slammed into the Central American country of Honduras in mid-September, leaving between 7,500 and 8,000 persons dead according to newspaper reports, we have had many inquiries about the welfare of our brothers there. A few days after the storm we here at Bethel got the news that, although hundreds of our brothers lost their possessions, not one of them had lost his life. In short order brothers in nearby Nicaragua and Belize, as well as here in New York and in New Orleans, had relief supplies on their way to the brothers in Honduras. All together, within a very short time some 56,700 pounds of relief supplies were sent, in addition to thousands of dollars for the purchase of supplies locally. Isn’t it a blessing to be part of an organization in which there is real love for one another?

Soon all who live will be people of that sort. As we confidently await the coming divine victory, let’s keep busy aiding all who have a love for righteousness to take their stand on Jehovah’s side. We send you our warm love.

Your brothers,

BROOKLYN BRANCH OFFICE

Others Need What We Have

¹ There are many honest-hearted persons who do not yet know the truth about God and his purpose. They are distressed at what they see taking place in the world, but do not know which way to turn. They, too, need the truth that comes from God.

² The hour is very late for this dying system of things. Appreciating the urgency of the times, we arrange our affairs to make time to reach others with the truth. And we rejoice to see so many responding favorably. As one publisher wrote, “Isn’t the fine increase wonderful? It certainly bears out the fact that not all of the ‘sheep’ have been gathered yet, and it makes us want to go ‘hunting’ all the more.” Nothing we could be doing at this time could be more rewarding. Why so? Because, as we share in it, we are actually ‘fellow workers with God,’ and the results of our work will endure.​—1 Cor. 3:9.

³ The first ten days of November are being spent distributing Kingdom News No. 19. Undoubtedly, thousands who read it will be moved by the information, as were thousands through previous issues of Kingdom News. One couple who were moving into an empty apartment found a copy of Kingdom News No. 18 in a drawer, the only thing left in the whole apartment. After reading it, they called the phone number given, a study was started, and not only are they attending all meetings regularly, but they have also expressed a desire to be baptized. Another man called the same congregation and wanted to know what he could do to help in the distribution. A study was started, and he too is attending Sunday meetings.

⁴ Interestingly, every month to date during which we have distributed Kingdom News, a new peak of publishers has been reached: 512,738 shared in field service in September 1973; 525,007 published in December of that year; and our present peak of 539,262 was reached last May. Likely, many more contacted in our witnessing activities will be sharing with us this month in field service. Wouldn’t it be grand to see another peak of publishers for November!

⁵ It is suggested that, after we distribute Kingdom News No. 19, we work the same territory again as soon as possible with the offer of the “Eternal Purpose” book on a contribution of 25c.

⁶ In addition to placing literature as we work territories covered with Kingdom News, we should have in mind starting Bible studies wherever possible. How encouraging it is to note the fine increase in Bible study activity! Our monthly average for the 1974 service year was