The Memorial - March 30, 2010

How grateful we are to have been able to attend the memorial of Jesus' death once again. To be there physically and spiritually with all our brothers around the world, in obedience to Jesus simple command, "keep doing this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19) was truly a privilege and an important responsibility. Being there was one way to demonstrate our deep love and appreciation to Jehovah the provider of this "indescribable free gift," (2 Corinthians 9:15) and to Jesus who willingly suffered a painful, ignominious, death out of love for his father, and love for us. This great act not only strenghtens our love for them, but in encourages us to follow their example in showing love to one another.
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It was encouraging to know that there were 195 in attendance at our hall, and it was exciting to meet new ones there for the first time. Can't wait to hear the worldwide attendance.
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I thought I would add to this blog some interesting history of past memorial celebrations. It's taken from our "Proclaimers of God's Kingdom", publication, which you can read in detail on page 242.
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Commemoration of the Lord’s Death
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According to the information there, the brothers first met in about 1876 to celebrate the memorial of Jesus' death. The first group in Pittsburg Pennyslyvania and vicinity met in the home of one of the friends. Then by 1883 the attendance grew to about a 100, and so they rented a hall to be used. Then in 1905, the brothers secured the use of Carnegie Hall.
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Even though many Bible students met for this commemoration in groups of varying sizes in many places, any who could join the brothers in Pittsburg were welcomed. The readers of the Watch Tower, from 1886 to 1893 were invited to come to Pittsburg if possible, and they did from various parts of the United States, and from Canada. This helped them to celebrate the memorial together, as well as cement ties of spiritual unity. However, as the numbers grew, it was no longer practical to meet in one location. More good would be accomplished by assembling with fellow believers in the area closet to one's home.
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The Watch Tower, ponited out, there were many who professed to be bleievers in the ransom, and none of these were turned away, however the occasion had special significance to those who truly belonged to Christ's little flock.
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It was in the beginning of the 1930's, that prospective members of the "great Multitude," or Great crowd" of other sheep, began to be manifested. They were then known as Jonadabs. In the February 15, 1938 issue of the Watchtower, for the first time, the "Jonadabs " were specifically invited to be present at the memorial, saying: "After six p.m. on April 15 let each company of the anointed assemble and celebrate the Memorial, their companions the Jonadabs also being present." Attend they did, not as partakers but observers.
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In 1938 the total attendance was 73,420, while those who partook of of the emblems totaled 39,225. In the years to follow, in addition to the annointed and other sheep in attendance, a large number of newly interested persons and others who had not yet become active Witnesses of Jehovah, were present; and so in 1992 the peak number of those sharing in the ministry was 4,472,787 and the attendance at the Memorial was 11,431,171, and those that partook of the emblems was 8,683.
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In the "Proclaimers" book, it highlighted those who because of their deep regard for the significance of Jesus' death commemorate the Memorial even when confronted by very difficult circumstances. This is a good example for all of us to follow in case we find ourselves in such circumstances.
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For example, during the 1970's, when wartime curfews in Rhodesia (now known as Zimbabwe) made it impossible to go out in the evening, the brothers in some areas would all gather in the home of one of Jehovah's Witnesses during the day and celebrate the Memorial in the evening. They could not return home after the meeting, so they would stay overnight. That certainly demonstrated a lot of love on the part of the host who's home they were in. The remaining evening hours were used to sing Kingdom songs and relate experiences, which was a source of added refreshment. We need to get together to practice our new songs, so we can get to know them better and remember them in case we have to meet together in small groups, and have no music.
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During World War II, in the concentration camps, the Memorial was celebrated , even though doing so could have resulted in severe punishment if the guards found out.
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Something I found touching was the experience of Brother King who was isolated in prison in Communist China from 1958 to1963. He would celebrate the Memorial the best way he could under the circumstances. He later said: "From my prison window I watched the moon grow full near the start of spring. I calculated as carefully as I could, the date for the celebration." He improvised the needed emblems, making a little wine from black currants and using rice, which is unleavened, for the bread. He also said: "I sang and prayed and gave a regular talk for the occasion, just as would be done in any congreagation of Jehovah's people. So I felt that each year I was united with my brothers all over the world on this most important occasion."
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What a great example he and others set to show the importance of this sacred day. Didn't you feel united with all our brothers and sisters worldwide by being in attendance last night? That is another benefit to our being there. Also, perhaps there were some like Brother King, who could not be physically present, but certainly were there in spirit, having a prayerful attitude on this important occasion. You can be assured that Jehovah is aware of your having been there, physically or in spirit.
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In our 2009 Service Year Report, we had a total of 7,313,173 peak publishers. There were 18,168,323 memorial attenders, and 10,857 partakers. It will be interesting to see the 2010 Service Year Report.
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Please note this blog has been revised 3/31/2010.
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This is Raven - As the crow flies!