JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21366, 10 March 1941, Page 6

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

"MAY MEET IN PRIVATE” STATEMENT TO APPEAL BOARD It was stated by an appellant before the No. 2 Armed Forces Appeal Board in Hamilton today that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are now permitted to meet in private, acting on advise from the authorities. When Samuel Frederick Driver, aged 24, of Ellis Street, Frankton, a boot repairer, appealed on the , ground of conscientious objection to military service, he handed in a lengthy written statement. He said he had been a member of the sect known as Jehovah’s Witnesses since September, 1938. He had studied the guide to life, and found out from Scripture that it was correct. He attended the la6t assembly on Sunday night in Kent Street, Frankton Junction. He knew it was an illegal organisation. The law of God commanded that he should not kill. Wherever a Witness was he was permitted to bear witness. He was neutral in all affairs of the world, and would take up arms against no man. He would try to convert anyone he saw doing wrong. He was British to the bone. Marrying Command Ignored Witness owned no property, and did not expect to own any, even a house. Witnesses were forbidden to marry until Armageddon, but some were not observing that command. After Armageddon this world would be full of righteousness and of righteous people. Questioned, he said all worthwhile people supported the British Empire as the only worthwhile race. Merton Thomas Ward, aged 19, another member of Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1935, said Driver attended meetings whenever possible. Decision was reserved.