Basic HTML Version
The GOOD NEWS
Letter
===================================================================
Number 1
October 31, 1948
-------------------------------------------------------------------
S E V E N T E E N N E W M E M B E R S
GIVEN RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP AT FEAST OF TABERNACLES
By Herbert W. Armstrong
called, not of men nor by man, but by the will of God
to be a minister of Jesus Christ: to the Churches of
God, and the brethren scattered abroad,....GREETINGS!
The 1948 Festival of Tabernacles was the most profitable, most
enjoyable, we have been privileged to hold in these latter days
since the precious light revealing the Festivals of the Eternal has
once again shone forth.
The Festival, held for the fourth consecutive year at
beautiful Belknap Springs in the lofty Cascades beside the swiftly
flowing McKenzie, moved progressively to a grand spiritual climax
such as none of us ever had experienced in any meetings anywhere.
Men could not have planned it that way. The Spirit of God
was there in real power, dispelling every contrary spirit, welding
brethren together in the Spirit of love and peace and harmony,
working a spiritual revival in every heart, guiding the program by
the power of God to the wonderful climax of the final afternoon on
the last Great Day of the Festival when seventeen, mostly newly
converted and baptised, and added to the Church by the Spirit of
God, were given the right hand of fellowship.
It was an experience of a life time. Faces shone with a
glory only the Holy Spirit could produce. Every eye there was wet
with tears of joy, and, as one expressed it, it seemed as if a halo
was shining over the happy arc extending, and receiving, the right
hand of fellowship.
The only regret was the absence of some whose fellowship we
have enjoyed so much at previous Festivals. But it was a great joy
to all to welcome in this wonderful fellowship so many new brethren
God has graciously added. This Festival pictures the great
millennial harvest of souls under the world-rule of the Kingdom of
God, and it was fitting and gratifying to witness this fruit borne
during this past year for God's Kingdom. The attendance was the
largest so far, most of whom this year were there through the
entire eight days, filling the available space in the hotel and
cottages to capacity.
The Feast of Tabernacles came unusually late this year.
After a record-breaking rainy year in Oregon there was every reason
to expect continual rain after the middle of October. But the
first day some said they were praying for "Indian Summer" weather,
and the prayers were surely answered. We had the most beautiful
weather of the four years we have been going to Belknap Springs,--