one of the Dresden hospitals due to injuries suffered when arrested. Further, 60 members of Jehovah’s witnesses, among them numerous old men, children and women, were brought with serious injuries into the concentration camp Bautzen. As DPA reports supplementarily, a ransom of 50 East marks was set on the ascertainment of each leading preacher of this religious organization.” [September 20, 1950]

An AP dispatch from Berlin dated November 26 reported that three of Jehovah’s witnesses were given life sentences by an East German court, and 18 others were sentenced to two years or longer. A few days later a UP dispatch said that on November 30 nine of Jehovah’s witnesses got prison terms ranging from two years to life. On December 8 the New York Daily News carried this report:

“Berlin, Dec. 7 (Reuters).—West Berlin leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses charged today that East German police imprisoned and tortured 500 members of the sect after it had been banned in the Russian zone last summer. Five died from ill-treatment and others were severely injured by beatings with fists and clubs, they said. But leaders of the sect, largely financed by contributions from the United States, said they would continue activities in East Germany despite persecution. Of 1,200 members arrested since August, when the ban took effect, 611 are still in prison, the statement said. It charged that several had been kept waist-deep in water ‘for days on end’.”

Concerning such persecution the Miami Herald recently said: “The charges against the Berlin Witnesses of being spies seems preposterous. What probably happened was that the sect refused to break down under Soviet pounding. No faith surpasses the Witnesses in constancy toward its tenets.”

Announcements

“MAKE KNOWN THE GOOD NEWS” TESTIMONY PERIOD

While serving as an ambassador of the government of God, the apostle Paul was bound in chains by those who opposed the truth. Rather than be silenced, however, Paul prayed that he might open his mouth “with all freeness of speech to make known the sacred secret of the good news”. (Eph. 6:19, NW) Jehovah’s witnesses, who serve similarly as ambassadors of the Theocracy in this day, follow Paul’s example and have selected “Make Known the Good News” as the theme for their activity during February. Their offer will be a year’s subscription for The Watchtower, at the yearly rate of $1, with three booklets (Evolution versus The New World, Can You Live Forever in Happiness on Earth? and any other self-covered booklet) given free to each new subscriber. The Watchtower magazine has long been foremost in bringing the good news of the Kingdom to men of good will. Would you not like to join in this beneficial activity? A letter to us, or an inquiry directed to the local company of Jehovah’s witnesses, will bring you any instruction you may require, together with forms for obtaining subscriptions and reporting what you accomplish. Why not grasp this opportunity to “make known the good news” to your neighbors and friends?

1951 YEARBOOK AND CALENDAR OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

All the joys and blessings of the Theocracy’s Increase Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses are emphasized in the 1951 Yearbook. Thousands thrilled as they attended the convention and heard reports from the representatives of over 65 nations. Now available to many more thousands of persons of good will is the report by the president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society on the world-wide activities of Jehovah’s witnesses in their praise-giving work during the past year. With joy-filled hearts you will thrill at their experiences as they are recounted for you in the pages of this interesting Yearbook. In addition you will be able to read a daily Scripture text and appropriate comments to start your day aright with thoughts concerning God’s goodness. Remit for your copy today, 50c each. If you attend any of the company meetings of Jehovah’s witnesses, turn in your order through that local organization. The beautiful new 1951 Calendar may be ordered with your copy of the Yearbook. This may be obtained on a contribution of 25 cents each, or five to one address for $1.00.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of February 18: “The Lord’s Evening Meal,” ¶1-22.

Week of February 25: Participation with Demons Forbidden, ¶1-25.

Week of March 4: Partaking in a Worthy Manner, ¶1-17.