In setting forth these thoughts on Christian unity our purpose is merely that of applying to our present and future outlook the lesson which now can be learned  from the experiences of the Bible Students since Brother Russell died. If we once accepted the truth, and believed that Brother Russell was “that servant” of the Lord used in clarifying the truth in this end of the age, it should be apparent, we believe, that the principles which governed the ministry of the truth so richly blessed in his day should be adhered to now if we desire those same rich blessings.

But whether these principles are to be adopted is a question for individuals and ecclesias to decide for themselves. Thousands already have made the decision and are being blessed. Many, in fact, never departed from these principles. Others did and have returned. We urge all who love the Lord to put the truth in its proper place in their hearts, associate themselves with the truth people, and cooperate in the blessed privilege which is now ours of witnessing the truth to a distraught and suffering world.

Are you still halfheartedly “with the channel,” hoping against hope that it will return to the truth as you learned and proved it, and still love it? Are you one of the saints who has remained by yourself, because you did not know of other brethren, or because you were afraid of again being bound in an organization? Are you one who has tried other pastures and found them dry and empty of nourishing spiritual food? Are you one who sincerely believed that more so-called “liberty” was the solution for present-day problems among the Bible Students, hence gave your support  to those not sound in the truth? Are you one who has stood firm for the truth yet for one reason or another have neglected to witness it to others? Whatever your past viewpoint and experiences may have been, if you are not now enjoying the blessings of the truth and its service as the brethren did in the time of Brother Russell, may we suggest that you associate yourself with the brethren of your local ecclesia who are rejoicing in these blessings as of old because they are believing that truth and are cooperating in its promulgation.

Do you inquire, Who then will be our leader, or leaders? We reply, the Lord and the truth—let them our leaders be! For a general ministry of the truth it is essential that literature be provided and that the brethren have some means of contacting one another; but no human leadership is essential. One of the lessons we should have learned through the years since Brother Russell died is that human channels and human headships may destroy good fellowship and, generally speaking, hinder a widespread proclamation of the truth.

For both local and  general  service,  there  is  room  for all. To  the extent of ability and opportunity, let all   be diligent in serving as fully and widely as possible. Those who are filled with true zeal and love for the Lord, the truth, and the brethren, will want to serve together, harmoniously and efficiently. They will not want to work at cross purposes, creating trials for themselves and others and confusion among the Lord’s people. To the fully consecrated, the interests of the brethren as a whole will come before their own personal interests or position. May we all strive for this true viewpoint of love and service!

May the spirit of the truth as exemplified in God’s plan of restitution—his purpose to bless all the families of the earth—enlarge our hearts so that our chief joy will be found in expressing a godlike interest in others, towards all who can be reached by our self-­sacrificing efforts to proclaim the Gospel of the kingdom. Doing this, we will discover that, aside from the loss of joy through the lack of Brother Russell’s personal association, the blessings of the truth and its service, which once made Bible Students the happiest Christians in the world, will again be ours. May this, together with the honoring of the truth and the glory of God, and the making of our calling and election sure to a place with Jesus in the kingdom, be the great objective for which we will continue to strive, and in striving, lay down our lives in Divine service!