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laid off for two or three months, for instance, we would not let
him fly passengers until he took intensive brush-up training all
over again, to get back into "harness."
IF the English Feast site requires more in attendance than
will come, then we know now it will SAVE THE WORK MONEY to simply
PAY THE DIFFERENCE, not try to send enough Brethren from America to
make it up.
WE NEED TO REEVALUATE THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THIS FESTIVAL!
We need to EXAMINE OURSELVES, just as much as we do before
Passover!
One member who went last year wrote me personally,
DEMANDING a personal answer, saying: "Please take the opportunity
to answer this letter personally." Brethren, if I take time to
write each one of you personally, I would have no time to write
PLAIN TRUTH articles, booklets, Co-Worker letters, or to attend the
many conferences I must attend to counsel with those God has made
leaders at Headquarters, learn the facts of numerous problems, make
weighty decisions often involving millions of dollars or the very
spiritual life or death of one or more members, or any number of
responsibilities I have constantly coming down on my shoulders.
This member was TAKING IT ON HIMSELF without authority to organize
a $56,000 charter flight. Of the trip to Britain he said: "We
would like to do it again this year only extending it to the NYC
churches." This member's letter was quite DEMANDING! Well,
Brethren, I have to tell you that I do not respond to such
uncalled-for demands! I referred this letter to the District
Superintendent over his district. I was informed that this member
was one who has an attitude problem, more zeal than wisdom -- MEANS
WELL -- but sometimes lets zeal cause him to appear to be in a
wrong attitude and spirit. I hope he has learned his lesson. Let
me say, I would like to write individual personal letters to each
one of you -- and to have private, personal talks with each one of
you. But I'm sure you realize why I am simply unable to do that.
And I do have to call your attention again to the fact that
the LIVING GOD (not I) did set AUTHORITY in His Church. It runs in
a CHAIN of authority, from the TOP down. The TOP is the living
Jesus Christ. He is QUITE ALIVE and ACTIVE! I did not appoint
myself next under Him -- but HE DID, and I have to accept that
authority, and will have to ANSWER TO HIM as to how I exercise it.
Therefore matters like these charter flights MUST BE DECIDED FROM
THE TOP AT HEADQUARTERS, and any planning of such must originate
from Headquarters, not with individual members.
Now about the annual Holy Day offerings.
I am discouraged and sorely disheartened, Brethren, because
THE FACTS ARE that on these seven occasions, the receipt of money
at Headquarters to carry on the Work of God drops off AS MUCH as
the amount put into these offerings! That can only mean one thing!
Most of you Brethren are NOT putting in ANY real special Holy Day
offering at all, but instead taking what otherwise would have been
mailed in -- as tithes and normal offerings -- and putting THAT
into the Holy Day offering!