In 1910, William W. Johnston from Glasgow, Scotland, came to South Africa with instructions to open a branch office of the Bible Students. Probably in his early 30’s at the time, Brother Johnston was sober-minded and reliable. The branch office he set up consisted of a small room in a building in Durban.

Brother Johnston contacted the group and visited them regularly to conduct meetings and give assistance.

THEOCRATIC PROGRESS DURING WAR YEARS

The year 1914 was significant for the small group of Jehovah’s servants in South Africa, as it was for God’s people worldwide. Many expected to receive their heavenly reward at that time. In the annual report that Brother Johnston sent to world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, he wrote: “In the last annual report, I expressed the hope that the next occasion would find us reporting to headquarters beyond the veil. That hope has not been realized.” However, he added: “The year that has gone has been the busiest in the history of the harvest work in Africa.”

Brother Johnston traveled some 5,000 miles [8,000 km] throughout the country to present it.

[Picture on page 74]

Durban Congregation with William W. Johnston, 1915