The current executive trustee supports Krewson's error

The current executive trustee wasn't the first individual to promote the error that the Youthful Worthies had their start in 1878. Krewson's thoughtlet also ignores other references in E10 that would contradict this view (see the Author's Foreword, pages 209, 250, 285-6, and others.). For instance, page 286 says that all consecrators up to 1881 were accepted into the high calling.

For clarity, please refer to the July 19, 2008 post on Esther. It has information pertaining to E Vol. 10, p.284, and other misunderstood references.

Demolition of the LHMM Timeline - March 12, 2004

Minutes of the Florida Convention Business Meeting March 12, 2004

BE IT RESOLVED by this General Convention of the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement held in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, on March 12, 2004 with all delegates thereto in convention assembled, that, due to the demise of Pastor Bernard W. Hedman while acting as Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M., Pastor Ralph M. Herzig, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, be appointed as Pastor Bernard W. Hedman's successor as Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M., with the following powers:

(1) To continue, manage and conduct in the name and on behalf of said L.H.M.M., its business and affairs, as he may deem to be appropriate, requisite or advisable to be done or performed;

(2) To receive, hold in charge and expend, for the objects and purposes of said L.H.M.M., any and all monies and other assets thereof;

(3) To borrow from time to time on behalf of and for the purposes of said L.H.M.M., any sums of money he may deem advisable upon the monies or other assets of said L.H.M.M., including its real estate;

(4) To invest or reinvest any monies, assets or property of said L.H.M.M. as he may deem advisable and proper;

(5) For and in the name of said L.H.M.M., to buy, sell and convey real estate in fee simple to any person or persons and for such sum or sums as he shall deem proper, without any liability on the part of the purchaser to see to the disposition of the purchase money, and further with power to mortgage the whole or any part of any real estate owned or subsequently acquired by said L.H.M.M.

(6) To grant, bargain and sell any messuages, tenements, hereditaments and real estate whatsoever, or any part or parcel thereof, for any sum or price as to him shall seem proper;

(7) To manage all lands, messuages, tenements or hereditaments freehold or leasehold or otherwise, owned and/or occupied by said L.H.M.M.;

(8) To enter into, accept, terminate and vary leases or tenancies thereof; and

(9) To grant, accept, terminate and vary leases and tenancies thereof, and to demand and receive all rents due or to become due to said L.H.M.M. from any person, persons, partnership or corporation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Pastor Ralph M. Herzig shall have the power to designate an attorney, agent or representative, with full power to do everything requisite and necessary in furtherance of the L.H.M.M.'s activities, and with full power of substitution and revocation in such duties or actions as Pastor Ralph M. Herzig shall deem necessary; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Pastor Ralph M. Herzig shall have the power to delegate certain of his duties to such person or persons as he may designate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, for effectually removing any possible doubt which may arise as to the true meaning or as to the construction or application of the powers aforementioned, that the L.H.M.M. hereby declares that the same are intended to extend and shall in all cases extend to any other matters or transactions not previously mentioned or defined which in the course of the general business of said L.H.M.M. as aforesaid may by Pastor Ralph M. Herzig be deemed to be requisite or advisable to be done or performed.

RESOLUTIONS FOR TEMPORARY SUCCESSION

WHEREAS, Ralph M. Herzig, the incumbent Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M. does not deem it advisable at the present time to propose anyone to be duly elected to succeed him as Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M. at the time of his demise, and

WHEREAS, it is deemed advisable to make a provision for the temporary carrying on of the normal functions of the L.H.M.M. without interruption in the event of said incumbent Executive Trustee's demise at a time when no succeeding Executive Trustee of the

L.H.M.M. shall have yet been duly elected and is then capable of serving in that capacity,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Pastor Ralph M. Herzig shall have the power, and is hereby invested so to do, to designate in writing, a Pilgrim or an Auxiliary Pilgrim of the L.H.M.M. to act as Temporary Executive Trustee with the powers hereinafter enumerated until a succeeding Executive Trustee of the L.H.M.M. is duly elected, and qualified, and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Ralph M. Herzig shall have the power and is hereby invested so to do, to designate in writing, a Pilgrim or an Auxiliary Pilgrim of the L.H.M.M. to act as alternate Temporary Executive Trustee with the same powers as the Temporary Executive Trustee in the event that the person designated as Temporary Executive Trustee is unable or incapable of acting as Temporary Executive Trustee for any reason whatsoever, and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED that the following shall be the powers and duties of the Temporary Executive Trustee:

FIRST: To announce the death of the incumbent Executive Trustee and to assist his family to arrange for his funeral.

SECOND: To arrange for the election of a succeeding Executive Trustee, which election shall take place within four months from the date of the death of the incumbent Executive Trustee, and which election shall be held either at:

(a) A special business meeting called for the purpose of electing a succeeding Executive Trustee at a general convention which had already been scheduled before the demise of the incumbent Executive Trustee, if in the opinion of the Temporary Executive Trustee there is adequate time to provide for an election at such general convention.

(b) A special business meeting of a special general convention called and arranged for by the Temporary Executive Trustee.

THIRD: In the interim between the demise of the incumbent Executive Trustee and the election of a succeeding Executive Trustee, the Temporary Executive Trustee shall exercise all the necessary powers to carry on the work of the L.H.M.M. without interruption; provided, however, that the expenditures of money by the Temporary Executive Trustee shall not exceed $150,000.00.

FOURTH: That otherwise the powers of the Temporary Executive Trustee shall be the same as the powers as those of the Executive Trustee as enumerated under paragraphs (1) through (9) above and the three additional resolutions immediately following paragraph (9) above.

Coming Soon: The Demolition of The LHMM Timeline, and E Vol. 4 Revisited

Coming Soon: The Demolition of The LHMM Timeline, and E Vol. 4 revisited.

"Incidental Features" Misunderstanding - Error - Part 3

Between the period of 2004 - 2006 a certain "US Pilgrim" served local classes in America with the topic: "Incidental Features." In a recent convention held in Tulsa, OK, this same "US Pilgrim" made the comment that this talk would make a return to his discourse repertoire. This brother has misinterpreted Brother Russell's cultural and technical use of that term, and has convinced himself that many essential features of GOD's plan like "Faith Justification" and "The Great Sacrifice for Sin." are in today's meaning of the word "Incidental."

Fact:

The redemptive part of GOD's plan was thoughtfully planned, and deliberate.

R5409: "...The essential features of the Gospel are that Jesus came from above--that He was holy, harmless and undefiled, and gave Himself a Ransom-price for sinners. God recognized the merit of His work and raised Him from the dead, and He ascended on High, there to appear in the presence of God--first for the Church class, later for the world. All this the Christian accepts by faith."

Conclusion: The US Pilgrim who has preached this error should offer a correction.

"Incidental Features" Misunderstanding - Error - Part 2

Between the period of 2004 - 2006 a certain "US Pilgrim" served local classes in America with the topic: "Incidental Features." In a recent convention held in Tulsa, OK, this same "US Pilgrim" made the comment that this talk would make a return to his discourse repertoire. This brother has misinterpreted Brother Russell's cultural and technical use of that term, and has convinced himself that many essential features of GOD's plan like "Faith Justification" and "The Great Sacrifice for Sin." are in today's meaning of the word "Incidental."

Reason, Scripture, and Fact

Scripture - The Writings:

This "US Pilgrim" attempts to backs his claims that this information is found in the writings. Attached is an example from R4555. Also see R4137 and R4656

R4137: "...Our Lord's mission was primarily to make the great sacrifice for sin, which was the redemption price, and to secure ultimately the release of mankind from the sentence of original sin. As an incidental feature connected with the world's salvation through his sacrifice, he preached the good tidings and called for followers to walk in his steps and to be joint-sacrificers with him, and thus ultimately to be joint-heirs with him in the work of distributing the blessings and favor of God,
secured through his death..."

R4555: "... Nevertheless the divine plan does not end with the deliverance of "the Church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven" and who shall share with Christ in "his resurrection"--the first, or chief resurrection. The appropriation of the merit of Christ first to the Church is merely an incidental feature of the Divine Plan. Soon the Church shall have shared by the privilege now granted to believers of becoming dead with Christ to the earthly interests and alive as New Creatures by the first resurrection..."

R4656: "...Their hope will be the same as that of the remainder of the world, viz., a hope of actual justification during the Millennial Age --Restitution. In other words, this matter of faith-justification is merely an incidental feature connected with the consecration to death--for the selection of this special class which is now being called. To impute justification to any except these would be greatly to their disadvantage."

Modern definitions belonging to the word "Incidental" are:  (chance, accidental, untended, unintentional, unplanned).  Additional definitions that should be considered from the late 1800's, early 1900's include "Natural Occurring Event", "Followed By" etc.
 

"Incidental Features" Misunderstanding - Error - Part 1

A certain pilgrim in the US continues to misinterpret the Parousia truth writings, and has convinced himself that many essential features of GOD's plan like "Faith Justification" and "The Great Sacrifice for Sin." are in today's meaning of the word "Incidental."

Reason, Scripture, and Fact

Reason:

First question we might want to ask this Brother:  What part of the Ransom, and sacrificial death of our Lord in GOD's plan should be considered incidental? ( chance, accidental, untended, unintentional, unplanned, etc.)

Youthful Worthies—Do they Have The Imputed Merit Of Jesus For Their Standing.

Question (1921)—The Ancient Worthies had their faith imputed to them for righteousness, and were regarded by God as friends, and as such had access to Him. Is this the standing of the Youthful Worthies, or do they come through the Way—Jesus?

Answer.—All of the tentatively justified have their faith imputed to them for righteousness. This would, therefore, include the Youthful Worthies as well as
the Ancient Worthies. Just like the Ancient Worthies, the Youthful Worthies are not sons of God; for neither Christ’s merit has been imputed, nor has the spirit
begettal been given to either Class. Just like the Ancient Worthies they are friends of Jehovah God, and have access to God; but not to Him as their Father, even as was the case with the Ancient Worthies. They are not to pray to Him as their Father, but as Jehovah, their God. They are not introduced to the Father by the Advocate, though Jesus as God’s Vicegerent acts providentially toward them, as He did in His prehuman condition toward the Ancient Worthies. Therefore they do not by Him have access through the one Spirit to the Father as the Church does.—Eph. 2: 18. ’21-9

Youthful Worthies—Would It Be Proper To Say That They Are Tentatively Covered By The Imputed Merit.

Question (1952)—Would it be proper, then, to say that the Youthful Worthies are covered tentatively by Jesus’ imputed merit and that it will not be used for the world of mankind until after all the Youthful Worthies have finished their earthly course?

Answer.—Yes. The Epiphany Messenger stated the matter as follows (P. ’46, p. 104, col. 2, 50-53): “Godward the application [of the ransom-merit] will be made instantaneously after the complete death of the Great Company and Youthful Worthies, who are covered, the former vitalizedly, the latter tentatively, by the imputed merit.” We see, therefore, that the Youthful Worthies enter into their complete death before the ransom-merit is applied for the world, prior to which they are tentatively covered by it. In the Jan. Herald, 1946, p. 6, par. 1, appears the following: “It will be seen that God’s wisdom planned every step in the salvation of the four elect classes, that God’s love provided all the sacrifices, including the ransom sacrifice, for their winning, and that Divine power executed every step of it, on the basis of an imputative use of the ransom. Note how wisely Divine wisdom planned for an imputative, a reckoned, and not an actual purchase by the ransom on behalf of the elect classes.” Obviously, then, the Youthful Worthies need the imputation, though tentatively held, of Christ’s ransom-merit as their covering in their covenant relationship with God during their earthly course; and surely the God who invited them to this high privilege of consecration would not deprive them of their standing under the tentatively imputed ransom-merit until they have had full opportunity to make their calling and election sure. It is not logical to suppose that Jehovah, who is a God of order, would begin the non-elective salvation before the elective salvation is entirely completed and the last class to leave the earth, the Youthful Worthies, have all gone into death. In The Herald, Jan., 1946, p. 6, par. 2, we read: “After the three elect classes of the present will have left this world, and thus will no longer need the imputation of Christ’s ransom-merit, then it will be free to be used for the actual purchase of Adam and his race of the unbelief class.” We may be sure, therefore, that its tentative imputation will be available for the Youthful Worthies until they will have finished their course. ’52-45

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pg. 213 cont.)

The Gospel age has been the calling time: first, for calling sinners to repentance and to faith in Christ the Redeemer; and, second, for calling the justified ones to joint-heirship with Christ in his Kingdom, on the condition of following now in his footprints of self-sacrifice, even unto death—as the condition of acceptance to the Kingdom work and honors of the coming Millennial age. When, therefore, the Lord tells us that the closing period of the age will be a harvest time, it indicates clearly a radical change—from sowing to reaping, from calling to testing the called and closing the work begun by the call.

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pg. 213)

On the other hand, the closing of the "door," in the parable of Matt. xxv., marks the full end of all opportunity for any, even of the "called" ones, thereafter to attain the prize of the high calling. It marks the end of all opportunity to prove worthy of the prize by faithfulness in the service: all opportunity for service will there terminate, in the "night" wherein no man can work ( John 9: 4). It is manifest, therefore, that the door, or opportunity, thus to make our calling and election sure, does not necessarily close when the call, or general invitation to all believers to enter, ceases to go forth. And, while the door stands open, it indicates that any believer who is anxious to enter and ready to comply with the conditions may yet do so, even though the general "call" or invitation to enter is no longer sent out. As a matter of fact, the door or opportunity to labor and sacrifice has not yet closed, though the general call ceased in 1881.

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pgs. 212-213)

The ending of the high calling to joint-heirship with our Lord Jesus in the Kingdom of God, it should be distinctly understood, is not the shutting of the door in the parable of the virgins. Though the general "call" to this favor ceased in 1881, the "door" is yet open. The call is the general invitation of God, to all justified believers in the Redeemer, to follow in his footsteps of self-sacrifice, even unto death, and thereby prove their worthiness to reign with him in glory. This favor had a definite time for beginning: the waiting disciples were accepted to it on the day of Pentecost, A.D. 33. And it has had, as already shown, a definite time of ending; viz., October 1881.*

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pgs. 207-208)

There are three ways in which the closing of this door might be indicated: first, by a definite Bible state the exact date; second, by such a reversal of public sentiment with reference to the truth, that fidelity and its service would no longer meet with opposition and when suffering with Christ for the truth's sake (Rom 8: 17) would be no longer possible; or third, by such a of affairs obtaining in the world that all opportunity for such service would be effectually obstructed, thus leaving no opportunities for candidates to enter into the work and to develop and prove their love and faithfulness by their activity and endurance.

Though we are definitely informed that the door will be shut sometime in this harvest period or end of the age, the Bible does not give the exact date; and, although after the great time of trouble there will be a grand reversal of public sentiment in favor of truth and justice, we have no intimation whatever that such a condition of affairs will obtain until after the harvest period is fully ended. But we have a clear intimation that the door will be shut in the manner last named; for, before the Millennial day breaks, we are forewarned of a dark night wherein no man can labor—"The morning cometh, and also the night"— Isa. 21: 12. See also Vol. 11, chap. viii.

Pastoral Memorial Service Begins October 5th

Friday October 5 - 7th, 2012

Memorial Archive:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/12016985 

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pg. 207)

In view of its glorious termination, the opportunity walk in this narrow way of self-sacrifice for the truth’s sake is the grandest privilege that was ever offered to any creature. The privilege of suffering with Christ and in his cause, after first recognizing him as our Redeemer, is therefore the door, and the only door of opportunity which the glory to follow, as the bride and joint-heir of Christ, can be reached.

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Pgs. 206-207)

Consider this "door" of opportunity and privilege, soon to close. Our Lord called it a gate, and said that during the Gospel age it would be difficult both to find and to enter it, and advised us to make great effort to enter, if we would share the immortality and Kingdom honors, to which it and no other door leads. He said, therefore, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in and shall not be able, the Master of the house hath risen up and shut to the door (Luke 13: 25). This narrow way, as we have already seen,* is the way of self-sacrifice in the interest of the)] and work. The way is made narrow by the circumstances of the present time, by the opposition of the worldly spirit against truth and righteousness, so that whoever walks in the footprints of our Leader and Forerunner will find the way narrow or difficult and must suffer persecution. To walk in this way, as our Lord set us an example that we should follow in his steps, implies not only a passive conformity to his disposition or spirit, but also an active, energetic zeal in the promulgation of his truth at all hazards. And all who walk in this narrow way, faithful as he was faithful, unto death, have fellowship in his sufferings, and will also in due time have fellowship in his glory, at the marriage feast, in the glory to be revealed at his appearing and Kingdom—Phil. 3:10: 1 Pet. 4: 13.

How many times did the door shut? (P3, Page 206)

An open "door" symbolizes an opportunity of entrance to certain conditions and privileges; a shut door represents the termination of such privilege or opportunity. The privilege, invitation or opportunity of the Gospel age, granting, under restrictive conditions, to believers in Christ, entrance into joint-heirship with him in the heavenly Kingdom and to the divine nature, is the "door" by which we "have access into this grace [favor] wherein we stand"; namely, into the hope of sharing the glory of God. (Rom. 5: 2.) This door, which has stood open throughout the entire age, is sometime to be closed; and the door in the parable of the virgins marks this close, the termination of all such opportunities and privileges. This parable of the virgins merely portrays the events in the close of this age among those of the true Church living at that time. The "door" of this parable represents that certain special privileges, the consummation and goal of all the favors of the Gospel age, will be open to the "wise virgins" in the time of harvest; and the closing of the door when all of this class shall have availed themselves of such privileges represents the close of all the favor and privileges of the Gospel age; because the feast represents in full the Gospel advantages and privileges, being a representation of the grand consummation to which all other favors lead, the promised Kingdom glories.

Memorial Service Oct. 5 - 7, 2012 - Ustream

The 2012 Pastoral Memorial Service will be streamed live October 5 - 7 from Chicago as events take place.

Link and schedule will be available soon!

E Vol 8 Pages 619-620 Treats Youthful Worthy's "Tentative Justification"

(15) A number of times in The Present Truth, e.g., when treating of Ex. 12: 43-50, in the article on Israel's Enslavement And Deliverance, and of Ruth 2-4, in the article on Ruth, Type And Antitype, we pointed out that the strangers in the land (v. 14) type the Youthful Worthies. Their dwelling in the land types their being consecrated, i.e., in the Truth and its Spirit, while their not being born there types their not being Spirit-begotten. It is of the Youthful Worthies that v. 14 treats. For such an one to keep the antitypical Passover unto the Lord, it is necessary that he do exactly what the new creatures do with it (v. 14). He must keep it according to the statute (chukath) of the Passover and according to the judgment, ordinance (mishpat) of the Passover. According to the doctrine (mishpat—judgment, ordinance) he must keep it, i.e., in living faith in the Lamb as tentatively justifying him, through the tentative imputation of His merit. And according to the practice (chukath—statute) he must keep it, i.e., during the Gospel-Age from 1881 onward as a part of Nisan 14, with the leaven of sin and error purged out, with the unleavened bread of sincerity and Truth and with the bitter herbs of trials, sufferings and persecutions, with the staff of God's Word in hand as his support, with the girdle of service about his loins and journeying out of symbolic Egypt to antitypical Canaan. When v. 14 tells us that there is one statute for the stranger and the Israelite born in the land, it gives us the thought that in the antitype there is no difference in what consecration requires of the new creatures and of the Youthful Worthies. They make the same vows of deadness to self and the world and aliveness to God. The difference is, therefore, not in the obligations that they take upon themselves, but in the use God makes of their consecration: the consecration of some is accepted by God through the begettal of the Spirit and that of the others is not. But the same antitypical Passover doctrines and practices both classes are to live out—one statute to the stranger and to the one born in the land. But as the Youthful Worthies now do these things, not as the parts of a trial for life, but of faith and loyalty, they will unto a completion do these things Millennially and in the Little Season as the parts of a trial for life.

"We Are Perfect?" Part 4 - E4. Pgs. 461-462

(63) Question: Do the Youthful Worthies in this Age have to develop perfect love?

Answer: If the question were put as follows, Are the Youthful Worthies now on trial for life, i.e., are they being tried along the lines of perfect love, on which trial for life must be, we would have to answer, No; for their trial is like that of the Ancient Worthies, who evidently were not on such a trial, as is proven; e.g., by the cases of Samson and David who were among the approved Ancient Worthies (Heb. 11: 32, 39), but who died wishing evil on enemies of theirs. But the Youthful Worthies must now develop disinterested love in some measure, though not necessarily unto perfection; for to carry out a consecration unto death, which is not a demand of justice, duty love, but is a matter of privilege, disinterested love, it is inevitable, if one is faithful, that he develop a measure of disinterested love, though not necessarily unto perfection, i.e., crystallization. In the case of the Little Flock and the Great Company, their trial being for life, they must develop disinterested love unto crystallization, otherwise they could not get life. The Youthful Worthies, not now being on trial for life, are not required to develop disinterested love unto crystallization. We would not even say that they must develop perfect untested love, i.e., gain the mark, though some of them do it, which will bring them a higher reward in the Millennium than those of them who do not develop it. Apparently God does not now permit to come upon them such trials as would be necessary to develop disinterested love unto perfection, crystallization. But He does have come upon them such trials as will test their faith and devotion to righteousness sufficiently to qualify them for Millennial princeship, as well as such as will measurably test their disinterested love.

"We Are Perfect?" Part 3 - PT. 1947, Pg 115

…And if only those who have faith have been called throughout this Gospel Age, what shall we say of the testings of faith for these? The Apostle's intimation is that their faith will need a great testing. He says, "The trial of your faith is much more precious than that of gold which perisheth" (1 Pet. 1: 7). Gold has a special value at the present time by reason of its scarcity—a value that will perish when with the new order of things it will be as easy to have gold as to have clay or iron; but the "Little Flock," which the Lord is selecting during this Gospel Age, is always to be specially precious in that to this class alone of humanity, so far as the Divine revelation shows, will be granted the Divine nature, with its glory, honor and immortality. Hence the trial of the faith of this class is very precious, a very important matter. None shall be admitted to that glorious immortality without first being tested and proven by the Lord. But here again let us remember that our testing is not as respects the flesh, to see whether or not we are perfect in the flesh, but on the contrary we are assured that God knoweth our condition—that all things are open and naked before His sight, and that He declares that we are all imperfect. What then is God seeking in us? The development and perfection of faith! The first element in it is to believe in Him as a faithful, wise, true God; and secondly to believe in His revelation of Jesus as His Son, and the one through whom He has provided a covering for our imperfections, our blemishes, past, present and future. This is the essential phase which must be held on to, and which He will therefore test in order to prove our loyalty...