assistant servants are assigned, so when the time comes for another congregation to be formed well-qualified and trained brothers are in position to take oversight of the Kingdom work. Just as a man in the business world must think and plan his activities if he is to have a successful business, even more so must overseers give unending consideration, thought and attention to congregational needs and activities.

14. What correct view do publishers have of appointed overseers?

¹⁴ A devoted overseer has the theocratic love and respect of all publishers. They love him as a servant of Jehovah, and are desirous of co-operating and working with him. They feel that they can go to him with problems and receive his help and loving guidance. They recognize that all servant appointments come from Jehovah through his theocratic organization and count it a privilege to co-operate with the overseers whom Jehovah is pleased to use. If an overseer becomes negligent in his duties, they know Jehovah, in his own due time and way, will bring about needed changes. They wait upon him to take action through his organization. Thus they manifest that they have full and complete confidence that Jehovah is directing his theocratic organization.

15, 16. What will result from having a proper view of the ministry?

¹⁵ With congregation publishers, pioneers and overseers having the proper view of their ministry, unity and peace prevail. They work closely together, worshiping Jehovah in holy array by proclaiming throughout their assigned territory his glorious name and purposes. As this is done, the other sheep are found, fed and led in the way that leads to life in the new world. Before long, these new ones too see their position from Jehovah’s point of view. They come to appreciate that they have been called from the darkness of the world in order to preach. And preach they will—in favorable season and in troublesome season, alongside other qualified Kingdom publishers who have a proper view of the ministry.

¹⁶ To be sure, the stones will not have to cry out declaring the glory and majesty of Jehovah in any congregation’s territory. No, for publishers with a proper view of the ministry are and will keep on preaching this good news of the Kingdom and gathering the other sheep into the New World society until Jehovah himself says the preaching work is done.

Questions From Readers

● John 8:58, according to the King James Version, says: “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” But the New World Translation states: “Jesus said to them: ‘Most truly I say to you, Before Abraham came into existence, I have been.’” Why does the New World Translation use “I have been” instead of “I am”?—R. B., United States.

The Greek verb there used, eimiʹ, is literally in the present tense, but in view of its being preceded by the aorist infinitive clause which refers to Abraham’s past, the Greek verb eimiʹ must be viewed as a historical present. Regarding the historical present Hadley and Allen’s Greek Grammar says, in section 828: HISTORICAL PRESENT.—In vivid narration, a past event is often thought of and expressed as present: . . . The present in this use is freely interchanged with the past tenses . . . ”

Says A. T. Robertson’s A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical