The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1916-07-22
LOCAL NEWS

y
anything like true conception of what
it has meant. Twas called to this, country
from Australia and placed in charge-not
as Zion was entering test: she had al
ready entered into it. They said, Zion is
dead. [ was called upon to wage re-
lentless war against an internal foe. The
devil had brought into this city men who
where outwardly Zion, but who were only
seeking an opportunity to damn it.
''Ten years have passed, and the casual
observer can see what Zion is today. I
would not have had one battle less-one
trial less; and [ would 60 through it all
again if God Almighty called me to do it.
There was time when I stood, save for a
company of faithful people, alone. The
ministry around me today have all been
ordained by my hand. Look back over
ten years, and then around you today, and
you will see officers numbering over three
hundred.
During the past two and one-half
years, we have printed and distributed
more than 100000 pieces of literature
We have purchased the Zion Temple Site,
the Zion Stores, the Administration Build
ing, and the Zion Home. We have pur-
chased the Zion Estate, and have paid on
it over 100000 in five years Zion In
stitutions carry payroll Of 100000
year. In tithes and offerings during this
time, we have received over $600,O00O0.
II do not consider that my real world
wide mission has started. God has time
for everything-a time to SOW and time
to reap The Word of God does not say
that any man shall build up Zion, but it
is written: when the Lord shall build
up Zion, He shall appear in His glory
God used man to found Zion and He is
using man to lead Zion. Zion, under one
man, has come up out Of the grave, and
appears today in her resurrection glory.
"What about the future? When it is
| all over, if there is one who is not ready to
appear before the throne Of God, it will
not be my fault
'Some people smile when they are told,
This is Zion This is Gods Zion Well,
they did not like to have Noah tell them
that the ark was Gods ark, but it was.
| suppose they laughed when he told them
that the only way to be saved was to get
into the ark. Do you see that little hand
full Of ignorant disciples ?-Jesus said to
them, EYe are the salt Of the earth Ye
are the light Of the world!'
''Zion is your place Of refuge! Men and
women-you who are sick Of the worldli-
ness of the churches; you who are sick of
the world, with it's saloons, it's theaters,
it's dancing halls, it's gambling dens, it's
card playing, it's tobacco-chewing, it's
pOrk-eating, its doctors and drugs, and
all the rest Of the devils outft-here is
your place of refuge!"
The General Overseer here called for all
who were through with doctors and drugs
to stand up Practically the entire audi
ence arose. He said:
"Zion is not movement-Zion is THE
movement In the nineteenth century,
God s clock struck the hour, and the The
ocracy was begun Zion today is the salt
of the earth The present order of things
is being dissolved"
After the General Overseer's address,
the barrel, draped in Zion colors, which
has done service on so many occasions Of
this kind, was brought in for the Sacrif-
cial Offering. These Sacrifcial Offerings
are held twice a year-at the All-night
Meeting, and on the last Lords Day Of
! each Feast of Tabernacles They can be
duplicated nowhere else in the world AS
large numbers of people arise cheerfully
and, passing in single file by the barrel,
drop in their offerings, the sight fills
visitors with wonder and amazement.
At the beginning Of this portion Of the
service, the General Overseer simply said:
May God give us men and money and
power to fight the battles of our King. If
any one here has not a cent, move around
this barrel and pray for us, and God will
! bless.''
First the audience came forward; then
the Choir then the robed officers, and,
finally, the Zion Guard AS the members
of the Choir, in their white robes, filed
rapidly from the different parts Of the
Choir gallery, marching to the music of
the Pipe Organ, in the most perfect order,
the effect was beautiful, as viewed from
! the andinncn R, aatnal oo,,nt 9 90