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VIEW FROM THE TOWER

Very encouraging is the outlook from this point of observation. The “Plan for harvest work” suggested in the September TOWER, put into operation, is yielding fruit. It is undoubtedly proving a blessing to those engaged in the service, and it cannot fail to do some good to others. In either or both cases it is encouraging to remember Paul’s assurance: “Ye know that your labor is not in vain;” good results are surely flowing from these sacrificings and self-denials. The isolated workers should know for their encouragement, that hundreds of earnest disciples in the various States of this country, and in several in Europe, are preaching the gospel by word and by the printed page seeking out the “meek” (Isa. 61:1,) who only have “an ear to hear” at present.

And the truth is breaking through the clouds of tradition and error which so long have hindered many from beholding the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, as it shines in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord. (2 Cor. 4:6.) Pulpit utterances are being moderated and many are beginning to see dim outlines, as did the physically blind one whom Jesus anointed (Mark 8:24). Almost unconsciously to themselves the light of the now dawning Millennial Day is breaking into all reasoning minds.

And if we can see a little of the success from the lower plane of this TOWER of observation, what must be the view from the Tower on high, where the great King of Kings notes the progress of “the battle of the great day,” between truth and error, light and darkness, God’s Word and human traditions. Ah! he sees as we cannot, how fully his grand glorious purposes are being accomplished. Error shall fall while truth shall rise triumphant. Satan and all the delusions wherewith he has blinded men and defrauded Jehovah, shall give place to the knowledge of the Lord, which spread abroad at the rising of the Sun of Righteousness, shall fill and bless the whole earth.

And the FAITHFUL ONES who despite the sneers and scoffs and the allurements of the world, the flesh, and Satan are OVERCOMING these, saying, “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business”—what of these, are they seen by the eye of the Chief Captain? Will their tremblings and difficulties and sacrifices endured from love of the Father and a desire to please him and honor him—will these be forgotten? I tell you, nay! He knoweth each one and by these difficulties he is but permitting your testing to see whether you can safely be entrusted with the great honor and glory he has to bestow. As he sees your spirit of self sacrifice overcoming obstacles, he looks lovingly upon you and says, Ah! there is one who loves me more than self; I can trust him—”They shall be mine in that day when I make up MY JEWELS.” (Mal. 3:17.) He shall sit with Christ in the throne. He is an OVERCOMER who loved me more than the things of this world, and my approval more than the approval of men. He shall not merely enter into joys but shall share the joys of his Lord. (Matt. 25:21.)

How refreshing to us is the spirit manifested in the extracts below from a few of the many letters received, and the master who knoweth the heart, sees many others of his faithful, laboring more obscurely than some of these, from whom we seldom hear, and to him their efforts are just as pleasing though the result be smaller, perhaps scarcely perceptible.

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— November, 1885 —