Year Book of Jehovah's Witnesses - Watchtower Archive

Yearbook 213
offspring. But youth at home, seemingly careless of the
truth, will not necessarily remain so when their environment
is changed. One such, well Instructed by parents in England,
arrived in New Zealand, where he became friendly with a
New Zealand boy who had studied higher criticism. After
combating his friend'S arguments the best he could with his
limited knowledge of the truth, they together decided to
seek out the local company of Jehovah's witnesses for
further aid. Soon a Bible study was arranged and the two
young men proved to be hungry for the truth. Before long
the doubts fostered by higher criticism were swept away.
Another publisher tells of the businessman who called at
the house where he was witnessing, and after listening for
a while he joined in the conversation. He was a chemist,
sick at heart at the world outlook, had attended an atomic
research conference in the United States and knew the
danger to mankind of the atomic weapons. lIe had met
.Tehovah's witnesses in Canada and hoped to meet some in
New Zealand. He was pleased to attend the local company
meetings and later obtained lodgings with one of the
publishers. His staying with those "terrible Jehovah's witnesses"
displeased one of his clients, but he replied that
if ever he became good enough he would count It a privilege
to be one of .Tehovah's witnesses himself. He was previously
a Roman Catholic and his main concern is whether Jehovah
will forgive him for his part in the war. No doubt he will
be comforted as he learns the truth about the mercy and
longsuffering of Jehovah through his Son Christ Jesus,
making it possible for all who serve him to receive his favor
and blessings.
At New Plymouth there are a number of young people in
the local company and five of these decided to try for pioneer
hours during the August 14-day school vacation. August is
a winter month in New Zealand, the longer summer holidays
being taken during December, January and February. These
young people worked well during their vacation and also
witnesse(i after s('hool hours and at week ends during the
month. '1'he result was that they each turned in a report
for August averaging 105 hours. We have great hopes that
these zealous young people will follow the example of other
vacation pioneers and enter the regular pioneer service after
their school days have ended.
This report would not be complete without some reference
to the high point of the year, 'l'heocracy's increase convention
in New York, at which thirty New Zealanders, including the
branch servant, were privileged to be present. Even though
we live on the oppOSite side of the globe the convention in
prospect was viewed with keen antidpation by all whether