Year Book of Jehovah's Witnesses - Watchtower Archive

68 Yearbook
corne to this country early and have the privilege of traveling
with the witnesses to Chicago.
Circuit assemblies have had the enthusiastic support of
the brethren foIlowlng the New York convention. It has been
found that attendance is larger, more brethren al'e being
baptized and greater Interest is being manifest by outsiders,
including the local newspapers which frequently send reporters
to get information, whereas in the past they had
studiously avoided any mention of the ass('mhlies. At one
such assembly recently, a mlln was noticed taking a seat
at the extreme rear of the auditorium. He explained to an
usher that he didn't want to go up farther, as he wanted
to be able to get out quickly in case it wasn't very Interesting.
Before the talk was over he was applauding as enthusiastically
as anyone In the hall. Another visitor was a lady who
had been going by the building on the way to a church bingo
pal·ty. Noticing the activity she inquired about it frolll an
usher and decided to spend the afternoon more profitably.
Afterward she expressed her appreciation to the usher and
obtained literature from him. A third "stranger" at this
assembly was a local educator who is also associated with
the Int('lIigence department. He too was enthusiastic and
was talking about next year's conventions in Europe. Tl'uly
the Kingdom message Is reaching "all kinds" of people here
in the United States of America.
With confidence and JOY we look forward to further blessings
from the hand of a benevolent Creator as we steadfastly
seek to share in the increase of his kingdom.
LEGAL DEFENSE
Another year has passed with the missionary field-doorto-door
and street-free from wholesale invasion by the
enemy. Yet the hatred of the demons shows up in their
earthly supporters. It stili remains. Manifest it is In the
few encroachments on freedom of worship now reported.
There has been wrongful misapplication of ordinances
by officials. Mob violl'nce has raised its ugly head in several
parts of the country.
Cases have beeu brought against Jehovah's witnesses
for using the public parks in many tOWIlS. They defy the
Supreme Court by saying that our use violates the doctrine
of separation of church and state. They argue that the
Constitution prohibits assistance by the government to be
given to a church or religious organization. They contend
that the use of a public park by us is unlawful appropriation
of public property as a place of worship in violation of the
Constitution. In other words, we are making a church out
of the park. This sophistry has been accepted by some courts.