PBI News

PBI Annual Report

This year marks the close of the 78th year of operation for the Pastoral Bible Institute. By the Lord's grace, the work of the Institute in promulgating the truths penned in the writings of the late Pastor Charles Taze Russell is being carried on in the spirit of the original founders.

Treasurer: In some ways this past year has been a year of transition. One of our faithful long-time workers and directors, Bro. Loyal Petran, has determined that it is the Lord's will that he no longer serve in the capacity of director and treasurer. He will be sorely missed and the role he played will be a difficult one to replace. The board wishes to express sincere appreciation to both Bro. Loyal and his dear wife, Sr. Dorothy, for all the long hours of service they have put in. The treasurer's work will now be taken over by Bro. Leonard Griehs.

Secretary: Another major transition has been in the shifting of secretarial responsibilities. This is an extensive job involving correspondence, the handling of orders for booklets and generally keeping the Institute operating on a smooth basis. The secretary will now be responsible for maintaining the subscription list as well. Our new secretary, and a new director, is Bro. Michael Nekora, who brings needed organizational skills to the work of the Institute.

Pilgrim Service: The continuation of a pilgrim service in visiting isolated brethren continues, though in a quieter mode. As various editors have time in their travels they will seek to service the needs of those so desiring it. Those who desire such visits or services should contact the secretary.

Booklet Publishing: Another continuing service of the Institute is supplying a large number of books and booklets on various biblical topics. These are advertised in each issue of THE HERALD. We will try to find the best booklets on various topics from the different publishers of Bible Student literature.

THE HERALD magazine is still published every other month. The number of subscribers is currently just over one thousand. Each issue is based on a single theme, with individual articles treating different aspects of the main theme.

Streeter on Revelation: One project of the Institute this past year has been the republishing of The Revelation of Jesus Christ by Bro. R. E. Streeter. This work was originally published as a two-volume set, along with a companion book on Daniel, in the 1920's. It has been out of print for several years. Due to a sizable donation, we have been able to reset the type and print the treatise in a single volume for the low cost of $10. It may be ordered from the secretary.

Internet Web Page: In an attempt to keep up with modern technology THE HERALD has gone on the internet. We have experienced some growing pains in getting the most out of this avenue of service but the areas of difficulty are being addressed and should be corrected in the next month or so.

Communications: Two new methods of communication are now available. E-mail may be sent to us at ThePBI@aol.com. Our new toll-free telephone number is 1-888-7-THE-PBI (1-888-784-3724). These new options as well as written communication are handled by the secretary.

Advertising: During the past year a donation was given to the Institute specifically for increasing the circulation of the magazine. One of the main approaches we will be using is a full-page two-color ad in a leading Christian-oriented magazine. A number of other mailings and incentives will be used to seek to increase the circulation of the magazine by fifty percent.

And so another year comes to a close. The directors and editors of the Institute appreciate the support of all the subscribers to THE HERALD and members of the PBI. More than that, we feel the effect of the prayers of the brethren and the encouragement that the Lord gives for all things performed in his name.

Directors Elected

At the annual election the membership of the PBI elected these brethren as directors for the next 12 months:

Francis Earl, Alex Gonczewski, Leonard Griehs, Carl Hagensick, Michael Nekora, David Rice, and Timothy Thomassen.

Letters

Please do not renew my subscription. My wife Vi went to her heavenly home on January 24, 1997, so I am alone and nearing 80 years of age. Thank you for all the good work you have done and are still doing to get the message to the pagan world.

Charles Forster, Illinois

I would like to express grateful thanks for The Herald which I have found spiritually inspiring for an increase of knowledge as well as toward faith and hope. I have taken this publication for 40 years and it was the main source of helping me to understand the doctrine of the Presence of our Lord. Mother and I were introduced to the truth via the [Jehovah's] Witnesses in 1938 but I could not reconcile their teachings with the scriptures on the subject of the return of Israel. But I waited, as with the subject of the Presence, on the Lord's guidance. Guide and instruct me he did because the JW class closed and we were introduced to the brethren of West Wickam around 1942. I was immersed in 1950. Due to my responsibilities I was not able fully to study the volumes, but again in the Lord's providence, I am now able to devote time to studying God's holy Word in conjunction with the writings of our dear Pastor, and others who follow in his steps. I humbly and gratefully thank our Heavenly Father for having guided me by the holy spirit and I pray that I remain a faithful overcomer.

A. D. Wells, England

As we see the deterioration of this old order may we rejoice in knowing that the Kingdom for which we pray will soon be set up and bring peace and joy to a fear-filled world. The world is unaware of this, but soon it will recognize the Lord's overruling in bringing peace and joy to a world gone mad. May it come soon and may the Lord bless you in spreading the good news.

Ruth Colvin, Louisiana

I take this opportunity to thank you for the courageous work you do in spite of all the difficulties of our times. I wish, hope and pray that our Lord will continue his spiritual and whenever necessary physical help until the appointed time comes to hear the glorious "Come up hither!" Amen.

Lucas Paparistotelis, Canada

Around The World

Israel

Israel's military chief of staff, Gen. Amnon Lipkin-Shahak sees a growing possibility of war in Israel. "The main thing is the atmosphere. There is more tension in the air. I don't think war is around the corner, but I think that there is a different behavior and a different thinking on the Syrian side about the possibility of war," he said in an interview. Throughout Israel, war jitters resemble the anxiety of the country before the 1967 Middle East War. Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister, stated, "I wouldn't say we're on the edge of an explosion, but I would say there's tension. It's clear that we're prepared for any possibility." Syria has shifted its 14th Special Forces Division from Beirut to the foot of the Golan Heights. Other mechanized and armored Syrian forces have moved eastward from Lebanon. Israeli planners said it looks as though Syrian president Hafez Assad could be preparing a surprise attack to seize a part of the Golan.

—Washington Post, 6/5/97

The Health Ministry, prompted by an orthodox rabbi's anti-smoking ruling, is laying the foundation for a court case against local cigarette companies. The ministry intends to recommend significantly more in damages than what was ordered in the United States. Deputy Health Minister Shlomo Benizri said, "The state here picks up 100 percent of the cost of health care." Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of the Shas political party and a former chief rabbi, issued a formal ruling that smoking contravenes Jewish law which prohibits damaging one's body. The rabbi said, "smokers should get 40 lashes, and producers of cigarettes are destined for Hell." Almost 30 percent of the Israeli population over the age of 18 smokes and it is estimated that 30 percent of all cancer in Israel is caused by smoking.

—Bloomberg News 6/25/97

General Motors Corp. will look into buying magnesium from Israel, the Trade and Industry Ministry reported. Under a program called Partnership 2000, GM's home city of Detroit and cities of Nazareth Illit and Migdal ha'Emek and the Jezreel Valley region have become sister cities. Avraham Horowitz, managing director of the venture, said "Magnesium will be used more in the future because it is lighter than aluminum." Israel is the world's leading magnesium producer.

—Jerusalem, Bloomberg News, 7/8/97

Swiss bank officials who deal with requests by Holocaust survivors said they located 10 million Swiss francs ($6.8 million) belonging to nine Holocaust victims. The assets were found in accounts in Switzerland's three largest banks—Union Bank of Switzerland, Credit Suisse Group, and Swiss Bank Corp. Jewish organizations claim the banks hold billions of francs. A list of dormant-account holders is being published. Separately, the Swiss Holocaust Fund said it will begin disbursing 17 million francs to the "neediest of the needy" in Eastern Europe. The money will go to families of victims of Hitler's genocide campaign.

—Zurich Press Service, 7/8/97

The European Union and Israel signed two agreements making it easier for companies to sell to the governments of Israel and EU nations. The agreements eliminate trade barriers that are permitted by the World Trade Organization. Michael Ryan, a member of the EU delegation to Israel, said "Israel can better compete in European markets and European companies can compete in Israel."

—Associated Press, 7/9/97

The World Economic Forum said its Middle East economic summit scheduled to take place in Qatar in November may be the last functioning mechanism left to promote regional cooperation between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The summits were created as a part of the Middle East peace process to bring a business dimension into the reconciliation process. The council consists of 22 member states of the Arab League and Israel. Gregory Blatt, director of the World Economic Forum, the sponsor of the event, said, "Casablanca was the first gathering whereby Israelis and Arabs met, at least from a public point of view, both on the private and public sector." Syria has called on Arab countries not to attend, and has asked Qatar to cancel the annual gathering, saying it allows Israel in the back door of the Arab world, while not agreeing to return "occupied" land.

—Bloomberg News Service, 6/29/97

The United States is Israel's largest trading partner. Two way trade totaled approximately $11 billion in 1996. The principal U.S. exports to Israel include computers, integrated circuits, aircraft parts and defense equipment, wheat and automobiles. Israel's chief exports to the U.S. include diamonds, jewelry, integrated circuits, printing machinery and telecommunications equipment.

—World Economic Report, 1996

RAO Gazprom, the world's largest natural gas producer, will send a delegation to Israel to begin negotiations to supply Israeli power companies with gas. A new Gazprom pipeline to Turkey could be extended under the Mediterranean Sea to Israel. Israel plans to build a $30 million electric power plant in the Negev desert as well.

—Jerusalem News Agency, 6/25/97

NATO

The leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization agreed to invite the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary to join the alliance and adopted an open-door policy on admitting new members, including Romania, Slovenia and the Baltic states. The decision ended a debate over the extent of the alliance's expansion into Eastern Europe. The alliance pledged to continue to embrace its former enemies in the coming years and eventually offer membership to Russia, the backbone of the Soviet Union, whose threatening presence prompted the formation of the alliance 50 years ago. While politicians cast NATO expansion as another milestone in post-Cold War relations, it also opens up a market worth tens of billions of dollars for defense contractors who supply defense and communications equipment.

—Madrid, AP, 7/9/97

Socialism's Resurgence

Recent elections in Europe and Canada has resulted in a majority of socialists controlling industrialized nations. The new balance represents an abrupt turn to the left by major Western nations. High unemployment and stagnant living standards led voters to throw out politicians who promised to correct problems but didn't. Three of the most advanced nations in the world—France, Britain and Canada—have elected socialist governments. Kevin Phillips, a former U.S. Republican strategist, sees a growing trend toward worldwide socialism. Center-right coalitions lost power in Japan in 1989, in the U.S. in 1992, in Canada in 1993, and recently in Italy, the U.K. and France. Importantly, the problem wasn't politics but economics. Economist Arthur Laffer showed that tax burdens caused so called "austerity" programs to fail with the people. Jobless rates in France rose from 11.5% to 12.8% while taxes rose from 44.1% of gross domestic product to 45.7% of gross domestic product. In Great Britain, value-added tax increases resulted in an additional 4% of income-tax on British subjects while unemployment rose.

—Investors' Business Daily, 6/20/97

Albania continues to teeter on the brink of anarchy. Self-declared King Leka ordered troops to open fire on protesters who marched down the Boulevard of Martyrs. The crowd cheered, "pick up your arms. Take your arms and fight for Albania. Death and Victory." Many Albanians are waiting to see if the Socialists, heirs to the old Communist party, will enjoy a smooth transition to power after their victory over the right-wing Democrats. Fears of a military takeover continue.

—Financial Times, 4/4/97

Christendom

Russia's parliament moved to restrict the activities of foreign religious creeds. The new legislation restricts the activities of foreign missionaries and faiths other than Russian Orthodoxy, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism. The legislation had its origins in fears by some leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church that its growth revival is threatened by the proliferation of foreign missionaries. Meetings of religious groups are restricted to those who have been operating in Russia for 15 years.

—Washington Post, 6/24/97

In keeping with a recent trend of removing the division between church and state, the Supreme Court ruled that public school teachers may provide remedial education to students in parochial institutions.

—Washington Post, 6/24/97

The Vatican signed a pact with Hungary which provides financing of the Roman Catholic Church and protection of its social and educational activities. The legislation gives Roman Catholic schools the same status as state institutions. Nearly two-thirds of Hungarians are Catholic.

—Washington Post, 6/21/97

Islam

Leaders from eight Moslem nations came together in Istanbul and inaugurated the Developing Eight group, aimed at increasing economic cooperation among Islam countries. The declaration was signed by the presidents of Turkey, Iran and Indonesia, the prime ministers of Bangladesh, Egypt, Malaysia and Pakistan, and the industry minister of Nigeria. Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani used the forum to criticize the recent adoption of a resolution by the U.S. Congress concerning the transfer of the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as the group established its pro-Palestinian platform.

—Financial Times, 6/16/97