1917_The_Finished_Mystery_Text

wildest dreams, until it compassed the civilizedworld. In the face of the united opposition ofProtestant and Romanist clergy, the steward ofAlmighty God accomplished the most giganticpreaching work ever done by one man. "I cannotopen the morning paper without Pastor Russellstaring me in the face," said a prominentminister. In the newspapers, in the theatres, onthe bill-boards, in billions of tract pagesdistributed gratis, in millions of home libraries,in the questions of inquiring church members, itwas evident everywhere that a great preacherwas faithfully sounding forth a trumpet message.With a voice of many waters, reverberating likethunder throughout the world, spoke PastorRussell; and ere long "they shall know that therehath been a Prophet [preacher] among them."Ezekiel 2:6, 7."And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them,neither be afraid of their words, though briersand thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwellamong scorpions; be not afraid of their words,nor be dismayed at their looks though they bea rebellious house. And thou shalt speak Mywords, unto them, whether they will hear, orwhether they will forbear; for they are mostrebellious.— Fearlessness characterized Ezekieland Pastor Russell, both outcasts among the"best" people. Pastor Russell was thrust by thechurch people into a wilderness condition, amidthe briers of opposition and reproach. Thoughthe thorns of persecution crowned his head, hewas never afraid of word nor of angry looks.(Jer. 1:8-10.) "I would rather see him stoned todeath," said a Wilkes-Barre, Pa.,FM379preacher, in answer to a kindly invitation tocome and hear Pastor Russell preach. "He oughtto be skinned alive, and his hide stretched on adoor," remarked a Chicago "divine" to another"divine," coming out from one of PastorRussell's addresses. A scorpion has a greatswelling, formidable looking head, but it stingswith its tail. (Rev. 9:5, 10.) Ecclesiasticism ismade up of organizations whose heads utter