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Chosen no: R-5607 a, from: 1915 Year. |
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1915--OUR YEAR TEXT--1915
WE have chosen as a text for the year the Master's
words uttered just before His crucifixion
to two of His dear disciples, who had
asked to sit with Him in His Throne. We
have selected the Master's reply as the text
for this year: "Are ye able to drink of My
cup?" - Matthew 20:20-23.
Who knows what this year may bring
forth! Who knows but that there may be
some special trial, cup of suffering or
ignominy, for the loyal followers of the Lamb during
1915! It seems well that we should have this text especially
before our minds, "Are ye able to drink of My
cup?" Let us answer as did the two disciples on that
occasion, "We are able." This was not a boast on their
part. It was merely a declaration of their full decision
that, whatever circumstances or conditions might arise,
they had no thought of any other course than that of
obedience to the Lord and of following in His footsteps.
Let us make such a decision promptly. Let us think
of it daily. Let us remember, too, that to all those who
make such a prompt decision of their determination to
drink of His cup, the Lord gave the same assurance that
He gave to those two disciples; namely, "Ye shall drink
of My cup." We are glad of the assurance that we shall
drink of the Lord's cup, because we know that only those
who drink of His cup will share with Him in the glories
of the future, because we know that those who drink of
His cup are especially loved of the Father, because we
delight to do the will of our Father and to walk in the
footsteps of our Lord Jesus.
We have some little cards illustrative of this year's
text. We had hoped for them in time for the holidays, but
our printing was delayed. We shall be glad to send one
of these cards to each regular attendant of the different
Classes of the I.B.S.A., upon application of the Class
Secretary, or to any other WATCH TOWER subscriber living
in a place where there is no class. You will please receive
them as little souvenirs from the Society. The card has a
medallion head of the Savior--a beautiful one, embossed.
Around the edges is shown a grape-vine, bearing large
bunches of grapes, representing the fruitage of the Holy
Spirit, proceeding from the Church and primarily from
the Lord, who declares, "I am the Vine; ye are the
branches." At the bottom of the card is a very fine reproduction
of the Last Supper. On the card are the
[R5607 : page 12] words of our text for the year, "Are ye able to drink of
My Cup?"
The medallion picture of our Lord is an extraordinary
one--admittedly one of the finest. The legend respecting
it is interesting. It is the reproduction of an intaglio cut
in an emerald. It purports to have come from the Roman
Governor of Judea to the Roman Caesar, and was found
amongst the valuables of the Caesars at the time of the
fall of Constantinople, which for some time was the seat
of government. It was presented to the Pope and is now
amongst the treasures of the Vatican. A finely painted
copy of this in a gilt frame was presented to us, and this
picture and the frame have been reproduced on the card
for the comfort and refreshment of you all. It is our desire
that one copy of it should be in the hands of each
WATCH TOWER subscriber; hence the above suggestion
as to how you can best procure it.
On the reverse side of this card we have printed "Our
Morning Resolve." Quite a good many have expressed
their appreciation of this little Resolve and have assured
us that it brought them a blessing--greater contentment
of heart--greater resignation to the Divine will--greater
joy in the Lord. We trust that having it on these cards
may induce many of THE WATCH TOWER readers to make
this Resolve their own and thus to share in this blessing.
"The blessing of the Lord maketh rich."
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